RTHK: Belarus exile group leader Vitaly Shishov found dead A Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv early on Tuesday, and Ukrainian police said they had launched a murder case. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after failing to return home from a run. Police said they had launched a criminal case for suspected murder, including investigating whether killers tried to disguise the crime as suicide. Shishov had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said in a statement. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. "Belarusian citizen Vitaly Shishov, who disappeared yesterday in Kyiv, was found hanged today in one of Kyiv's parks, not far from his place of residence," the police statement said. Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Shishov led the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU) group, which helps Belarusians find accommodation, jobs and legal advice, according to its website. "We were also repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation," BDU said in a statement. "Vitaly treated these warnings stoically and with humour." The organisation had said on Monday it was not able to contact Shishov. It said Shishov had left his residence at 9 am (0600 GMT) and was supposed to have returned an hour later. The Belarusian authorities have characterised anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries backed by the West, and described the actions of their own law enforcement agencies as appropriate and necessary. BDU was set to organise a march in Kyiv on August 8 to mark a year since the start of mass protests against Lukashenko. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Gauteng races to reach two million administered vaccines The Gauteng government has welcomed the positive response to the vaccination drive, as the province races to reach the milestone of administering two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The latest data from the Health Department show that as of 2 August, the province had distributed 1 903 497 vaccines. Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, said the province is planning to increase vaccination sites to get as many people vaccinated as possible. The fact that we have gone over one million people vaccinated in July and are fast approaching two million talks to the high demand in communities to get vaccinated and the urgency with which we are approaching the vaccination rollout programme, the MEC said. As part of ramping up the inoculation rollout programme, the provincial government said they have expanded the number of public vaccination centres, 17 of which are open on weekends. The Gauteng Health Department said nine of the vaccination centres that are operational on weekends are based in Tshwane, with three each in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg, and two in Sedibeng. All sites operate from morning to around lunchtime, with half of the sites operating on Saturdays, while the others on Sundays. The provincial department said 5 449 vaccines have been administered at these sites over the weekend. Mokgethi has since applauded the vaccination teams and the various partners in the public and private sectors, including non-governmental organisations, for embracing the inoculation drive as a national responsibility. We have diverse vaccination sites, including those that are fixed and open weekly during normal working hours; mass vaccination sites catering for large volumes and drive-through sites allowing people to get to the jab in the comfort of their transportation. The province has mobile sites that move from one area to the next, depending on the programme of the vaccination campaign. Mokgethi encouraged all those eligible to be vaccinated to visit the publicised sites. All Gauteng sites accept walk-ins, whether people are registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System or not. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Eshowe Home Affairs office back on track after riots The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs says it is satisfied with civic service operations at the Eshowe Home Affairs office following the damage caused by recent riots. The committee conducted an inspection at the Eshowe office on Monday, as part of its oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal to assess the extent of damage caused by riots to three Home Affairs offices in Eshowe, Impendle and Vulamehlo. The committee wanted to assess the impact on delivery of civic services, as at one stage during the riots, 58 Home Affairs offices in KwaZulu-Natal were closed. The offices have since reopened. Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza told the committee that during the looting of shops, Home Affairs offices, which are situated in shopping malls, were affected the most, as staff could not go to work. The riots also affected some services at immigration points, including the airport, border control points and the harbour, as some staff could not get to their offices. However, these stations remained open. While the offices were closed, communities were notified to register births and deaths at their nearest Department of Health facility. The Eshowe office, which caters to more than 350 000 people from Eshowe, Nkandla and Melmoth, was damaged to the extent that the main entrance doors, windows and security gates were broken. Computers, scanners and other equipment were also stolen, bringing services to a halt. The office has a modernised system which delivers services such as Smart Identity Cards. The machine for identity cards was also stolen. Acting committee chairperson, Mosa Chabane, commended the speed with which the department officials got offices fully functional again. The staff was able to source equipment and machines from other offices, and today whilst the committee was there, they were setting up the Smart Card machine. The staff, led by the Deputy Minister, were involved in the cleaning up of the offices. We are optimistic that the department is committed to render their civic services fully operational, and commend them for their dedication and commitment to the affected communities, Chabane said on Monday. The committee will on Tuesday continue with its oversight visit to the Impendle office in Umgungundlovu District. Committee visits small businesses and informal traders Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, together with the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour will from Tuesday undertake a two-day fact-finding visit in KwaZulu-Natal. The purpose of the visit is to assess damage; understand the needs of entrepreneurs and organisations, and find means of intervention tailored for their needs going forward. On Tuesday, the committees will be at King Cetshwayo District Municipality, where they will visit affected small businesses, cooperatives and informal traders at eNseleni, Empangeni and eSikhaleni in uMhlathuze Local Municipality. They will later proceed to KwaDukuza Local Municipality. Members of the committee will on Wednesday be at eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, where they will visit several areas affected by the destruction and looting, including Camperdown, Pinetown, Inanda, KwaMashu and Ntuzuma. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Parliament pays tribute to Mthokozisi Nxumalo Parliament has sent condolences to the family and friends of one of the youngest Members of Parliament, Mthokozisi Nxumalo, who passed away after a car accident in KwaNongoma on Sunday evening. Nxumalo, aged 32, represented Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the National Assembly. He first joined Parliament after the 2019 general elections. Nxumalo served on the Portfolio Committees for Public Works and Infrastructure; Higher Education, Science and Technology, and previously served on the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy. Paying tribute to Nxumalo, Parliaments Presiding Officers, led by Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, described Nxumalo as a dedicated and passionate young South African who served his people with passion, integrity and diligence. The Presiding Officers said Nxumalo stood for the truth and prioritised the interests, as well as the cause for youth empowerment. Today, we again bow our heads in mourning for one of the young and brightest minds of South Africa. His active and immense contribution, as well as his fresh and unique take on issues before Parliament, enhanced the oversight and participatory programme of the national Legislature. We shudder to imagine the impact his untimely passing will have on the committees he participated in, as well as the work of the House in general. It is sad to lose a Member but it is even more devastating to lose a young public representative with such a promising future. The future of this nation rests on the shoulders of young, energetic, hardworking and visionary young people like Nxumalo. It is very sad to say goodbye to him. May his soul rest in eternal peace, the Presiding Officers said. Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure chairperson, Nolitha Ntobongwana, said Nxumalo was a rising star, who was passionate about the issues affecting South Africa, and made an indelible contribution to the work of the committee. Nxumalo was always enthusiastic when interacting on issues affecting public works and infrastructure. His contribution was felt, particularly when the committee conducted oversight visits and public hearings in various provinces across the country. Nxumalo was always active and contributed significantly to the work of the committee. His passing is a huge loss to the committee, Parliament and to South Africa as a whole, Ntobongwana said. Ntobongwana said the committee will miss Nxumalos big heart, his kindness, and boundless love for people. He was full of life and had a great future ahead of him. The committee wishes his family, friends and colleagues strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go to them at this time. Farewell Zwide, Mkatshwa, Nxumalo! SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Belarus dissident found hanged in Ukraine park Belarusian dissident Vitaly Shishov was on Tuesday found hanged in a park close to where he lived in Ukraine, with police opening a murder probe and supporters accusing the regime of Alexander Lukashenko of killing the activist who helped his compatriots flee repression. Shishov, 26, headed the Belarusian House in Ukraine, a non-governmental organisation involved in everything from helping fellow compatriots settle in Ukraine to staging anti-regime protests. He went jogging in Kiev on Monday morning but did not return and could not be reached on his mobile phone. Belarus strongman Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, has been cracking down on any form of dissent since mass protests erupted after last year's elections, deemed unfair by the West. Many Belarusians have fled, often to neighbouring Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. "Belarusian citizen Vitaly Shishov, who had gone missing in Kiev yesterday, was today found hanged in one of the Kiev parks, not far from where he lived," the police said in a statement. Igor Klymenko, head of the national police, told reporters officers were pursuing two main leads: suicide and murder disguised as a suicide. He said the activist had scratches on his nose and body which were consistent with a fall. The Belarusian House in Ukraine accused the Lukashenko regime of having murdered Shishov. "There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by Chekists to liquidate a Belarusian who presented a true danger to the regime," the NGO said in a statement, referring to security service agents. Shishov moved to pro-Western Ukraine in the autumn of 2020, after joining anti-government protests in Belarus, and helped establish the Belarusian House in Ukraine. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Afghan army urges civilians to leave besieged city Residents were urged on Tuesday to evacuate a besieged Afghan city, as the army prepared a major offensive against Taliban insurgents after three days of heavy fighting. A massive blast meanwhile rocked the capital Kabul on Tuesday evening, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky. A security official said the explosion happened near Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi's residence in central Kabul. No other details were immediately available. "The minister was with me in a prayer ceremony. He is fine," Younus Qanooni, a close aide to the defence minister, told reporters. The Taliban have seized control of much of rural Afghanistan since foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal in May, but are now focused on capturing provincial capitals, where they are meeting stiffer resistance. Fighting is raging for Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, with the United Nations saying at least 40 civilians were killed in the last 24 hours. General Sami Sadat, commander of the 215 Maiwand Afghan Army Corps, told residents to get out as soon as they could. "Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation," he said in a message to the city of 200,000 delivered via the media. "We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them... we will not leave a single Taliban alive," he said. One resident of Lashkar Gah said that the Taliban are everywhere in the city. They are arresting or shooting people who have smartphones. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-08-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Inceptio Technology, a Chinese autonomous trucking startup focusing on line-haul freight shipping, announced on Tuesday it has raised $270 million in a Series B equity financing, which was jointly led by JD Logistics, Meituan, and PAG. Photo credit: Inceptio Technology The newly-closed funding round also attracted such companies as Deppon Express, IDG Capital, CMB International, SDIC, Mirae Asset, Eight Roads, and Broad Vision Funds. The existing shareholders like GLP Hidden Hill Capital, CATL, NIO Capital and Eastern Bell Capital still participated in the investment. Through the completion of the Series B, Inceptio Technology will strengthen the investment in the development of its in-house developed full-stack autonomous driving system Xuanyuan, and expedite its deployment in electrification. Since 2019, the startup and many Chinese OEMs have co-developed a line of mass-produced self-driving heavy-duty trucks, said the company. The autonomous driving freight network built by Inceptio Technology has been embraced by a slew of leading shippers and fleets in China. Launched on March 10, 2021, the Xuanyuan system will be deployed on two Level 3 autonomous heavy-duty trucks the startup jointly developed with Dongfeng Trucks and Sinotruck, and is expected for mass production and delivery at the end of 2021. Through OTA (over-the-air) upgrade, the system will help the trucks advance into Level 4 in the future. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese automaker Geely Auto Group (Geely) and Japanese electronics parts manufacturer ROHM Semiconductor (ROHM) recently entered into a strategic partnership to ally on the development of advanced auto-related technologies, according to a press release from Geely. Photo credit: ROHM Semiconductor The two parties started technology communication in 2018 and have carried out cooperation on the development of many in-car applications. The newly-formed collaboration will contribute to the innovation of technologies for automotive industry. Under the agreement, Geely will make use of ROHM's SiC (silicon carbide)-based power solutions to develop highly efficient electric control system and in-car charging system, aiming to extend the driving range of electric vehicles, lower the cost of battery development, and shorten EV charging time. Moreover, the automaker attempts to develop high-performance ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) and intelligent cockpit system by leveraging ROHM's communications integrated circuits, discrete components, and other products and solutions. According to the press release, ROHM's SiC-enabled electric drive system has been applied in the all-electric vehicle platform Geely is developing. Through the fresh partnership, Geely and ROHM will make joint efforts to promote the development of the low-carbon technologies for automotive industry and the technologies for a safe mobility society. Anti-Racism Training is Available this August on Zoom "The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends...It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. NEWS PROVIDED BY Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry Aug. 3, 2021 TRENTON, N.J., Aug. 3, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry invites you to participate in 20 hours of online Anti-Racism Training streamed to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. One needn't be Episcopalian to participate. ALL ARE WELCOME to enroll. https://dioceseofnj.org/anti-racism-training/ Before the pandemic, when the course was an in-person workshop, there may have been a dozen participants at any given time. But since the lockdown last year, hundreds of people have dialed in and logged on, coming to terms with the legacy of American racism. The training takes a historical approach to help participants understand systemic racism and empower them to confront and organize against racism, inequality, and injustice. "What we don't know (and have taken few opportunities to discover) about U.S. history and society is shocking and horrifying; the information is out there, yet we have remained disturbingly ignorant." -- a recent (white) participant of anti-racism training The course strives to bring people of all backgrounds together- black, Hispanic, native American, Asian, as well as white people- from as many diverse groups as possible, in an effort to minimize our differences, while increasing our understanding of the many issues that exist. Meaningful dialogue between all groups is essential to improve the relationships between one another. Lecture and discussion topics include "What is Race?," "Systemic Racism and White Privilege," "Internalized Racism," "The Role of the Church," "Settler Colonialism," "Racism in Immigration and Naturalization Legislation," and "The Prison Industrial Complex." The training begins on August 20th, 2021 with a Zoom videoconference session to introduce participants and instructors, schedule and program layout, requirements to receive a certificate at the end of the course and opening exercises. Each subsequent day through September 17, 2021, participants will be presented with recorded lessons, lectures, and live, interactive discussions via Zoom and Moodle, an online training platform. Participation is required in five Friday Zoom group meetings: August 20th, 7:00 to 9:00 PM August 27th, 7:00 to 9:00 PM September 3rd, 7:00 to 9:00 PM September 10th 7:00- 9:00 PM September 17th 7:00 9:00 PM Followed by a debriefing session October 15th at 7PM. Register for the course by August 14th ($100 fee). If you have questions, please contact Noreen.duncan@att.net or Tmoore12@comcast.net SOURCE Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry CONTACT: Noreen.duncan@att.net; Tmoore12@comcast.net China goes all out to contain Delta outbreak Xinhua) 07:54, August 03, 2021 -- China is facing new spikes in sporadic COVID-19 infections, as the country recorded 328 new locally transmitted confirmed cases in the past month, a number almost equal to its total number in the previous five months. -- The new round of infections started on July 20 when some airport cleaners in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, tested positive during routine testing. -- Viral genome sequencing found all the strains to be the highly infectious Delta variant and cities hit by the recent resurgence have promptly taken action to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Nurses take swab samples from residents for COVID-19 test at a testing site in Jiangning District of Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, July 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING/CHANGSHA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China has reported a cluster of COVID-19 infections in the past month, with 328 new locally transmitted confirmed cases registered in July, a number almost equal to the country's total number in the previous five months. The country's latest novel coronavirus outbreak stems mainly from a flight that departed from Russia and landed in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. Further viral genome sequencing has found that all the strains in the recent resurgence of COVID-19 were the highly infectious Delta variant, which can contribute to a faster and wider transmission among a large population, according to He Qinghua, an official with the National Health Commission. Currently, the virus variant has spread to more than 10 provinces. Since July 20, Hunan Province in central China, where the other center of the recent virus resurgence is, reported 19 new locally confirmed cases. People queue up to receive nucleic acid test at a testing site in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, July 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Bo) CALL OF DUTY With a population of more than 9.3 million, Nanjing reported a total of 215 locally transmitted confirmed cases since new cluster infections began to emerge on July 20, the day when some airport cleaners at the Nanjing Lukou International Airport tested positive during routine testing. Meanwhile, with tightened prevention and control measures in place, Nanjing has manifested a downward trend in its newly confirmed cases, with the past three days logging six, 14, and 11 cases, respectively. The city has launched three rounds of all-inclusive nucleic acid testing and kick-started its fourth mass testing campaign Monday, covering nine districts, said Yang Dasuo, deputy director of the municipal health commission. Prompt action and stringent implementation of measures in the initial stage of the coronavirus outbreak are thought to be central to mitigating spillovers of the Delta variant. Jiangsu has canceled all flights at Lukou International Airport since July 30. Anyone leaving Nanjing must present their negative nucleic acid test certificates issued within 48 hours before their departure. The province also sent relevant information of travelers who had visited the city of Nanjing since July 6 to their destination provinces and cities. In the Tangshan branch of the Second Hospital of Nanjing, the city's designated hospital for COVID-19 treatment, over 1,000 beds are ready. All its 297 hospitalized patients are receiving customized therapies. To make the most vulnerable stave off the contagious variant, Nanjing launched closed-off management in all its nursing institutions for the aged since July 20. A staff member disinfects facilities at the Machang metro station in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo) TWIN ACTION The city of Zhangjiajie, a renowned tourist resort in Hunan and another center of China's latest infections, closed all its tourist sites starting Friday. All its tourists are asked to take three nucleic acid tests and receive negative results for COVID-19 before they leave the city. The scenic spot also sent warm reminders to the stranded to provide necessary guidance. The recent cluster of local cases in Nanjing remains generally controllable, considering the city's effective measures, namely sealing off relevant communities and launching all-inclusive nucleic acid testings, said China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan during a summit held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Saturday. The Delta variant is estimated to be almost twice as transmissible as the original strain. It spreads much faster and is more likely to induce severe symptoms among patients, said Feng Zijian, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Nevertheless, similar to the recent resurgence of coronavirus in Guangzhou, which was also triggered by the highly contagious Delta variant, most patients in this outbreak have shown mild symptoms, said Zhong. Preliminary studies on Guangzhou's latest COVID-19 outbreak show that China's domestic vaccines prove effective to protect its people against the Delta variant, Zhong added. The protective effect of China's domestic vaccines is 100 percent effective against severe cases, 76.9 percent against moderate cases, 67.2 percent against mild ones, and 63.2 percent against asymptomatic carriers accordingly. Staff members put on their personal protective equipment in a "Falcon" air-inflated testing lab for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, July 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Considering the transmission chain has extended to other parts of China, Zhong stressed the importance of control and prevention in communities and wearing face masks in densely populated areas. The outdated interpretation of "close contacts" no longer applies to the Delta strain due to its high load, virulence, and infectivity, Zhong said. Previously, those who had meals with an infected person or sat close to each other in the same office could be considered close contacts. Now, people who were in the same space, workplace, or building with an infected person four days before can be counted as close contacts. It is the change in the concept of "close contacts" that demands major adjustments in the epidemic prevention and control model today. Building a herd immunity is needed to combat the Delta variant, which can be achieved with around an 83.3-percent vaccination rate in China, said the expert. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) IMF approves largest SDR allocation in history to boost global liquidity Xinhua) 08:01, August 03, 2021 Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), receives an interview with Xinhua during the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., the United States, April 13, 2021. (Kim Haughton/IMF/Handout via Xinhua) "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The board of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to 650 billion U.S. dollars, the largest allocation in the IMF's history, in an effort to boost global liquidity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an IMF statement released Monday. "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. Noting that the SDR allocation will benefit all IMF members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy, Georgieva said it will particularly help the most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The approval came just weeks after the IMF executive board approved the proposal. Final approval of the SDR allocation by the Board of Governors requires an 85-percent majority of the total voting power of all IMF members. The SDR can be exchanged among governments for freely usable currencies in times of need. The Chinese currency, renminbi, formally became the fifth currency in the SDR basket on Oct. 1, 2016, joining the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, and the British pound. The general allocation of SDRs will become effective on Aug. 23, according to the statement. Georgieva said the IMF will also continue to engage actively with its membership to identify "viable" options for voluntary channeling of SDRs from wealthier to poorer and more vulnerable member countries to support their pandemic recovery and achieve resilient and sustainable growth. One key option is for members that have strong external positions to voluntarily channel part of their SDRs to scale up lending for low-income countries through the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), the statement noted, adding that concessional support through the PRGT is currently interest free. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) BRI projects bridge China-Europe cooperation amid COVID-19 pandemic Xinhua) 14:45, August 03, 2021 ZAGREB, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The joy and excitement from the successful joining of the Peljesac Bridge on Wednesday night have not faded for many in Croatia, reconnectting the country's territories. It is a long-awaited bridge built together by a Chinese contractor and its European partners. The 2.4-km cable-stayed bridge over the Mali Ston Bay of the Adriatic Sea connects Croatian mainland and the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of Bosnian and Herzegovina's territory, giving Croatia its territorial continuity and traffic convenience. It will be open to traffic in 2022 when all relevant constructions are finished. RELIABLE CONTRACTORS A Chinese consortium led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) won the bid to build the first phase of the Peljesac Bridge and its access roads in 2018, with a promise to finish the job in 36 months. "The CRBC performed a marvelous job. We are now witnessing a physical linkage of the bridge three months ahead of the planned deadline despite the COVID-19 (pandemic), and the difficulties in the transport from China to Croatia. I think it is a fantastic achievement," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua at the construction site on the Peljesac Peninsula. The prime minister and hundreds of others waited patiently until after midnight on Thursday for the joining of the final bridge part and a grand celebration that followed. "Tonight we have achieved a goal that solves a 300-year-old problem," Plenkovic said in his speech during the ceremony on the newly-built bridge. "It is a fascinating strategic achievement of the Croatian people and state and a picture of modern sovereignty that defines how to achieve strategic national interests and what has been the goal of the Croatian people and state for years," he said. BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP On May 27, Hungary inaugurated the country's largest solar power plant, which was built by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) near the country's southwestern city of Kaposvar. "The government of Hungary was supportive of our goal from the start, even though our project with 100MW capacity might have seemed too grandiose to some people back then, when the average size of a solar power plant was less than one MW," said CMC Chairman Kang Hubiao. The supportive attitude of the Hungarian government dates back to 2010, Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology Laszlo Palkovics explained to Xinhua, saying that the Hungarian government introduced its "Eastern Opening" policy in 2010 with China as its main actor. The opening of the Kaposvar solar power plant is crucial to reaching Hungary's carbon-neutral goal, as the production of electricity in the country should fully come from clean sources by 2030, Palkovics noted. The plant, worth around 100 million euros (122 million U.S. dollars), is expected to produce 130 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and help Hungary reduce its carbon-dioxide emissions by about 120,000 tonnes each year. In 2010 when China's COSCO Shipping took over the management of Piraeus container terminal, the site was rather quiet for the largest port in Greece in a geostrategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, it has been expanded, upgraded, linked to the railway and the image of huge new cranes uploading numerous containers on vessels docked here has become a modern, iconic image of Piraeus. In 2010, container handling in Piraeus totaled 880,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent units (TEUs), while it reached 5.4 million TEUs last year despite the challenges of COVID-19. Sino-Greek collaboration here is an exemplary success story of win-win partnership also in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). "It (Piraeus port project) has prospered very much for Greece, but it also has been very useful for both in relations between China and Europe as it is now a major trading hub, transportation hub for goods both ways," former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou told Xinhua in a recent interview. FAIR PLAY Greece enjoys the benefits of its healthy relationship with China in the context of the BRI and will continue cooperation on this path, Spiros Lambridis, Greece's permanent representative to NATO, has said. "At this point all that we are getting out of this is the benefits of a healthy and very legitimate commercial relationship," he said in an interview with CNBC in June, pointing to the large and successful case of bilateral collaboration under the BRI in Greece -- Chinese COSCO Shipping's investment project at the Piraeus Port. "The Chinese squarely and openly won the commercial part of the Piraeus port ... Now Piraeus has become again, due to the investment and the national efforts, the first biggest port of the Mediterranean," Lambridis stressed. "The Chinese consortium had the best offer under the public procurement process that the Croatian Roads organized, and I don't see why this project wouldn't be an excellent reference for CRBC for future tenders across the member states of the European Union," Plenkovic told Xinhua. "I think this is a fantastic project that is bringing closer not only two parts of the territory of Croatia ... but also the project brings together three actors: Croatia, European Union, because it's co-financed by the EU funds, and China," the prime minister added. Enditem (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Chinese regulator probes auto chip dealers suspected of price gouging Xinhua) 14:48, August 03, 2021 BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's top market watchdog has launched an investigation against auto chip dealers over suspicions of price gouging to address issues including price hyping in the market. China's State Administration For Market Regulation said it will continue to monitor market price order of major products such as chips, further strengthen supervision and law enforcement, and punish illegal acts such as hoarding, price hyping and price collusion. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Director-General of the Department of External Security Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Bai Tian Attends the Sixth Meeting of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group People's Daily Online) 15:27, August 03, 2021 Director-General of the Department of External Security Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Bai Tian, attends the sixth meeting of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group. (Photo/ www.fmprc.gov.cn) From July 28 to 29, 2021, Director-General of the Department of External Security Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Bai Tian led a delegation to attend the sixth meeting of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group via video link, and representatives from relevant departments of China were present. Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism of Indian Ministry of External Affairs Mahaveer Singhvi, Director of the Department of New Challenges and Threats of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Tarabrin, Director of Department of Security and Justice of Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andre Veras Guimaraes, and Director of Counter-terrorism Operations Division of South African State Security Agency attended the meeting. National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Doval sent written remarks. Bai Tian said on behalf of China, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. International counter-terrorism cooperation has made important headway, but the global fight against terrorism remains an arduous task, and global terrorism threats are still rampant. Furthermore, American irresponsible withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan seriously aggravates the counter-terrorism and security situation in Afghanistan and the neighboring region. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a terrorist organization designated by the UN Security Council, and it is a malignant tumor endangering international and regional peace and security. Certain countries adopt "double standards" out of political needs, and covertly support the expansion of the ETIM, which violates the international consensus and obligations under the Security Council resolutions, and undermines international and regional security and stability. China is firmly opposed to this. Bai Tian emphasized, China is always an active champion and practitioner of international counter-terrorism cooperation. China is willing to work with BRICS countries to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation, and make greater contributions to addressing terrorist threats, improving global governance, and safeguarding international peace and security. All parties exchanged views on the current international and regional counter-terrorism situation, and relevant measures and cooperation among BRICS countries. They hold that the abuse of once-in-a-century pandemic, Internet and social media, and new technologies as well as the American withdrawal from Afghanistan pose serious challenges to the global counter-terrorism and security situation. As the representatives of major emerging countries with global influence, BRICS countries should maintain and practice true multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and coordination, and deepen and substantiate BRICS counter-terrorism cooperation. From July 26 to 27, China took the lead in holding the de-radicalization sub-working group meeting of BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group. Bai Tian chaired and addressed the meeting, and gave a full account of China's policies and propositions on de-radicalization. He emphasized, Xinjiang is China's main battlefield of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and it has made useful attempts in this aspect, and yielded notable results, contributing to de-radicalization across the world. Deputy Director of Public Security Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Yalkun Yakup was invited to attend and introduce the experience of Xinjiang in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization. All participants said, extremism is a common challenge faced by the international community. BRICS countries should work together to combat extremism and root out terrorism. China also attended the sub-working group meetings of fighting cyber terrorism, countering the financing of terrorism, counter-terrorism capacity building, and cracking down on foreign terrorist fighters respectively chaired by India, South Africa, Brazil and Russia. Source: https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/) (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Commentary: Macao affairs brook no foreign interference Xinhua) 16:37, August 03, 2021 MACAO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming election of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is completely the internal affairs of the Macao SAR and China, which brook no foreign interference. The decision by the Electoral Affairs Commission to disqualify certain candidates was an exercise of power endowed by the law. It has been affirmed by the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao SAR. The decision and court ruling were based on solid legal foundation and facts that the candidates concerned failed to uphold the Macao SAR Basic Law or pledge allegiance to the SAR -- both are the requirements laid down by the Basic Law of the Macao SAR. Comments on the issue by the U.S. State Department and the European External Action Service were blatant interference in Macao affairs, which are China's internal affairs. They constituted a serious violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China deplores and rejects the wanton comments made time and again by relevant sides on affairs of China's Hong Kong and Macao SARs. The decision by the Electoral Affairs Commission does not run counter to the rights of Macao residents guaranteed by the law. Their basic rights, including the right to stand for elections and the freedom of speech, are not only protected by the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and relevant laws, but also fully safeguarded by Macao SAR's administrative, legislative and judicial organs. "Patriots administering Macao" is the fundamental rule that must be followed in order to comprehensively and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle. Only patriots should be allowed to enter Macao's governance structure. This is an indispensable red line that must be safeguarded. Having made remarkable achievements on various fronts since its return to China over two decades ago, Macao will only have a brighter future guided by the "one country, two systems" principle. Any external attempt to interfere in Macao affairs, which are China's internal affairs, is doomed to fail. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) The European Union-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created a favourable corridor for trade between the two sides and brought new impetus to economic cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU, Nguyen Van Thao, head of the Mission of Viet Nam to the EU, has said. Thao, who is also Vietnamese Ambassador to Beligum and Luxembourg, told Vietnam New Agency in an interview on prospects for further promoting the EVFTA in the future. He said the agreement took effect on August 1 last year at a hard time when EU countries were very heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the pandemic has continued to break out in Southeast Asian countries. Viet Nam is not an exception. The country has also suffered big impacted by the pandemic. However, trade turnover between Viet Nam and the EU still reached US$50 billion last year, and grew by 4.5 per cent in the last five months of 2020. This was an encouraging result given the context of 2020 when the EUs Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 6.2 per cent, he said. In addition, the EU's economy shrank 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year, but two-way trade turnover still increased by 15 per cent. Thus, Thao said, it affirmed the strong effect of the EVFTA. According to the Ambassador, this positive outcome has shown that Vietnamese products have met the high standards of the EU market. At a time when the EU is facing many difficulties, Vietnamese goods can still enter this market, contributing to maintaining and diversifying supply chains in the context of global supply chain disruptions. Thao emphasised that theres huge potential between Viet Nam and the EU to tap. EU countries want to import agro- forestry- fishery products outside the bloc at a value of more than $150 billion per year, while Viet Nam's export turnover of these items to the EU is about $5 billion, he said, adding that the incentives from the EVFTA with a tariff rate of 0 per cent, and harmonious trade conditions will help increase the countrys export turnover to the EU. However, the ambassador said there is still much work to be done in the coming time. It is necessary for the Vietnamese government to continue to exchange and negotiate with the EU to perfect standards, regulations and mutual recognition to help the two sides' goods penetrate more deeply into each other's markets, he said. Thao said that trade and technical barriers need to be removed. It is essential for the Vietnamese side to push for early ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) because trade and investment have a very close relationship. The agreement has now been signed and is awaiting ratification by the parliaments of EU member states. EVIPA will promote two-way investment with high-tech and innovative services, the ambassador said, adding that applying new European technologies will help increase the competitiveness for Vietnamese products and enhance trade growth. Referring to the skills that Vietnamese businesses need to supplement to stay firmly in the EU "playground" in the near future, Thao stressed that more capital should be poured in to improve the competitiveness for their products in terms of quality and scale to meet the high standards of the European market, while ensuring a sustainable supply for European customers. In addition, it is a must for Vietnamese enterprises to learn about business opportunities as well as the legal system of the EU, the customs, and consumption habits of European people, the Ambassador said. He also underscored the importance of coordination among Vietnamese businesses, saying if they work together, it will create a higher competitiveness in terms of quantity, negotiation, and building a network of relationships in Europe. Only by doing so, can Vietnamese businesses succeed in the coming time and take full advantages of what the EVFTA brings about, the ambassador said. VNS In a movie theater in Cannes, both the public and film professionals found themselves enchanted by the adventures of Captain Jacques Yves Cousteau. It was 1956 and his film, The Silent World, had just been awarded the Palme dor. A year later, it would be Hollywoods turn to celebrate him by awarding him an Oscar. On the captains wrist during the dive sequences punctuating the film was a watch destined to become a watchmaking legend: the Fifty Fathoms! Blancpain could doubtless not have dreamed of a finer ambassador for this model launched in 1953. The fact that Jacques-Yves Cousteau and so many other distinguished divers have adopted it is because the Fifty Fathoms is above all a true diving instrument combining precision, performance and style. That is in any case exactly how it was imagined by the three men who presided over its birth. To accompany them in their underwater explorations, Jean-Jacques Fietcher, then CEO of Blancpain, Captain Robert Bob Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, founders of the Combat Swimmers unit in France, worked together to develop an underwater timekeeping instrument that was as accurate as it was powerful. It was named Fifty Fathoms in reference to the maximum depth that divers of the era were supposed to reach. Fifty Fathoms Chronographe Flyback Case: steel, unidirectional rotating bezel with sapphire insert, water-resistant to 300m Diameter: 45mm Movement: mechanical self-winding (Caliber F185) Functions: hours, minutes, date, small seconds, flyback chronograph Dial: black Strap: sail canvas Fifty Fathoms Chronohraphe Flyback Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique Case: satin-finished titanium, sapphire caseback, unidirectional rotating bezel with sapphire insert, water-resistant to 300m Diameter: 45mm Movement: mechanical self-winding (Caliber 1315, 120h power reserve) Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date Dial: black Bracelet: satin-finished titanium Fifty Fathoms Automatique Blancpain A legend in the Making The Fifty Fathoms, a favorite of navy corps and diving enthusiasts, has been interpreted through multiple variations over the years, culminating in the 2007 launch of a dedicated collection comprising three contemporary models: an automatic reference with a date display, a flyback chronograph and a flying tourbillon, each available in steel or red gold. Since then, the iconic Fifty Fathoms has continued its adventure through innovative variations characterized by a sporty-chic style building on its rich heritage. The recent Fifty Fathoms Automatique and Fifty Fathoms Grande Date models, two Blancpain staples, are now available with a titanium bracelet enfolding the wrist like an extension of the 45mm titanium case. Blancpain was an early adopter of this material renowned for its robustness and lightness. In the early 1960s, a special series of MIL-SPEC II models intended for the US Navys minesweeping teams featured a titanium caseback. Blancpain was probably the first Manufacture to use this material in producing its watches. Fifty Fathoms Torubillon 8 Jours Blancpain Offering another example of the avant-garde spirit of the Manufacture, the Bathyscaphe Mokarran Limited Edition marks the introduction of a new green color into the Fifty Fathoms collection. Aesthetically speaking, this 50-piece limited edition features a 43.6mm satin-finished ceramic case that is water-resistant to 300 meters. On the technical side, Caliber 1318 is endowed with a silicon balancespring and a five-day power reserve. Its solid gold oscillating weight is engraved with the effigy of the great hammerhead shark, Sphyrna mokarran. This big-hearted watch has enabled Blancpain to contribute $1,000 per watch sold to protect the fascinating world of the oceans, and more precisely the great hammerhead shark, as part of its Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) program. Laurent Ballesta Expedition Blancpain The iconic Fifty Fathoms has continued its adventure through innovative variations characterized by a sporty-chic style building on its rich heritage. Fifty Fathoms Tourbillon 8 Jours Case: white gold,unidirectional rotating bezel with sapphire insert, water-resistant to 300m Diameter: 45mm Movement: mechanical self-winding (Caliber 25A, 192h power reserve) Functions: hours, minutes,power reserve indicator, tourbillon Dial: black Strap: sail canvas A Manufacture committed to protecting the oceans The figures leave no doubt as to the nature of what is at stake: if we do not sustainably change our consumption and waste management habits, the UN predicts that there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. The countdown has begun and, in this race against time, Blancpain is taking the lead with the Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) as a key player alongside those who are working to preserve these resources. Among its many passionate actions on behalf of ocean exploration and preservation, Blancpain played a pioneering role by supporting the Pristine Seas initiative from 2011 to 2016 as a founding partner. Pristine Seas expeditions studied and filmed rare and unspoiled ocean regions with the aim of raising awareness as well as encouraging governments and local communities to commit to their preservation. The tangible results include the effective safeguarding of several marine areas across the United States, Chile, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, the Seychelles and Greenlan. Laurent Ballesta Expedition Blancpain Studying, Understanding and Raising Awareness In parallel, Blancpain has been involved since 2013 with Laurent Ballesta in his Gombessa project dedicated to the study of various marine creatures and phenomena that are among the rarest and most difficult to observe. During their five expeditions, Laurent Ballesta and his team have managed to reach extreme depths and produce exceptional research, photographs and films. From the Indian Ocean in search of the prehistoric coelacanth fish, to French Polynesia to observe the reproduction of camouflage groupers or to examine the hunting behavior of some 700 grey reef sharks, as well as the Antarctic and the Mediterranean, the Gombessa project has helped to better understand, illustrate and publicize underwater riches among a wide audience. Awareness-raising is indeed a crucial issue in changing behavior. For example, the Oceans underwater photography exhibition presented in 2013 at the United Nations headquarters in New York as part of World Oceans Day proved a real success, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors. Since 2015, Blancpain has been supporting this initiative and recently took a further step by becoming the presenting partner of the United Nations World Oceans Day 2021. Gianluca Genoni Blancpain In addition to these major campaigns, there are numerous initiatives aimed at protecting the oceans, such as the World Ocean Summit, of which Blancpain has been a founding partner since 2012. In 2018, the company also initiated an experimental coral restoration project on the island of Fregate, in collaboration with Fregate Island Private and Coralive.org. In 2020, the Manufacture supported the first mission of the environmental association Mokarran Protection Society with the objective of observing the great hammerhead shark in the wild in order to identify and survey its population in Polynesian waters. In the same year, Oceana, the largest international organization solely dedicated to ocean conservation, announced its association with Blancpain as its exclusive watchmaking partner for a three-year period. These are all examples of Blancpains passionate engagement in this cause, which, through the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, has helped to extend the surface area of protected marine areas around the world by more than four million square kilometers. Lurent Ballesta Expedition Blancpain Bathyscaphe Mokarran Limited Edition Case: satin-brushed black ceramic, unidirectional rotating bezel with green ceramic insert, waterresistant to 300m Diameter: 43.60mm Movement: mechanical self-winding (Caliber 1318, 120h power reserve) Functions: hours, minutes, seconds Dial: green Strap: NATO Limited Edition of 50 Lurent Ballesta Expedition Blancpain As a World Tempus reader, we are delighted to offer you the latest digital version of this GMT XXL magazine that you can download here. Happy reading! China has reported a cluster of COVID-19 infections in the past month, with 328 new locally transmitted confirmed cases registered in July, a number almost equal to the country's total number in the previous five months. The country's latest novel coronavirus outbreak stems mainly from a flight that departed from Russia and landed in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. Further viral genome sequencing has found that all the strains in the recent resurgence of COVID-19 were the highly infectious Delta variant, which can contribute to a faster and wider transmission among a large population, according to He Qinghua, an official with the National Health Commission. Currently, the virus variant has spread to more than 10 provinces. Since July 20, Hunan Province in central China, where the other center of the recent virus resurgence is, reported 19 new locally confirmed cases. Call of duty With a population of more than 9.3 million, Nanjing reported a total of 215 locally transmitted confirmed cases since new cluster infections began to emerge on July 20, the day when some airport cleaners at the Nanjing Lukou International Airport tested positive during routine testing. Meanwhile, with tightened prevention and control measures in place, Nanjing has manifested a downward trend in its newly confirmed cases, with the past three days logging six, 14, and 11 cases, respectively. The city has launched three rounds of all-inclusive nucleic acid testing and kick-started its fourth mass testing campaign Monday, covering nine districts, said Yang Dasuo, deputy director of the municipal health commission. Prompt action and stringent implementation of measures in the initial stage of the coronavirus outbreak are thought to be central to mitigating spillovers of the Delta variant. Jiangsu has canceled all flights at Lukou International Airport since July 30. Anyone leaving Nanjing must present their negative nucleic acid test certificates issued within 48 hours before their departure. The province also sent relevant information of travelers who had visited the city of Nanjing since July 6 to their destination provinces and cities. In the Tangshan branch of the Second Hospital of Nanjing, the city's designated hospital for COVID-19 treatment, over 1,000 beds are ready. All its 297 hospitalized patients are receiving customized therapies. To make the most vulnerable stave off the contagious variant, Nanjing launched closed-off management in all its nursing institutions for the aged since July 20. 1 2 "It took me 18 years to get out of this mountainous area. But later, it took me just a few days to make the decision to come back," said Fang Hong, who has been producing exquisite wooden handiworks in her hometown for seven years. Fang, born in Xiangchang town, Yuexi country, east China's Anhui Province, worked as an English teacher in Shanghai after graduating from university. In 2013, when Fang went to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on a business trip, she visited the 114th China Import and Export Fair that was being held there out of curiosity. At the fair, Fang noticed that wooden handicrafts, ranging from cabinets and furniture to trash cans and flower baskets, had gained wide popularity among overseas customers. However, she also found that the raw materials of these wooden handiworks were mostly confined to wicker and rattan, giving them a monotonous appearance. To tap the market potential, Fang decided to return to Anhui and start a handicraft company, as her hometown has a long tradition of weaving baskets or other farm instruments and is home to more skilled craftsmen. During her entrepreneurial journey, Fang consulted many wood experts and collected multiple raw materials in an effort to find out the most suitable ones for producing the artware. "In my eyes, rice straw, Zizania caduciflora straw, paulownia and corn coating are all excellent raw materials for making handicrafts," recalled Fang, who also made use of the tree branches that are pruned locally every year. Meanwhile, after meticulously studying foreign trade export procedures and identifying what overseas customers wanted, Fang set up a designated design and sales team to optimize her product design. Her efforts finally paid off when she secured an order worth $2.47 million. In recent years, Fang's team has developed straw, bamboo, wood and rattan products with nearly 3,000 different styles, which have been sold to more than 30 countries and regions, including the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany and South Korea. When talking about her company's future development plans, Fang revealed that she intends to place more emphasis on the domestic market. "Recently, I have been busy with sales in our domestic market. If I can make a contribution to the revitalization of the rural areas, all my hard work will have been worth it, she said. From DNA sequencing to biodiversity monitoring, and from artificial reproduction to species conservation, science and technology has contributed a major part to Chinas biodiversity protection in recent years. China is a country with some of the richest biological resources in the world. It is also one of the first countries that have approved the Convention on Biological Diversity. Noting that Chinas researchers have valuable experiences that the world needs to hear about, British scientific journal Nature pointed out that as China prepares to take on a crucial role in the governance of global biodiversity, its researchers must be at the table. China has built in Kunming city, Yunnan province, the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, a comprehensive national database for the collection and preservation of wildlife germplasm resources. As of the end of 2020, the germplasm bank had preserved 85,046 copies of 10,601 wild plant seeds. It is hailed as Noahs Ark for protecting wildlife germplasm resources. Preserving dried and frozen seeds, the germplasm bank provides technological support for the protection, research and appropriate utilization of Chinas wildlife germplasm resources, and plays a major role in international biodiversity conservation. The importance of science and technology for biodiversity conservation is increasingly obvious. When remote sensor monitoring was not available, agricultural technicians had no choice but to go for field studies, which could barely meet the need for large-scale, fast and nondestructive monitoring of crop conditions and timely prevention and control of diseases and pests. Nowadays, remote sensor monitoring has been applied in agricultural production in China, allowing agricultural technicians to analyze the movements of insect pests and evaluate the severity of plant diseases and insect pests by monitoring remotely the vegetation growth, coverage, surface temperature, humidity and other indicators. In the Internet era, information technology has made possible the processing of massive data, and created wider and more convenient platforms for biodiversity conservation in China, including Chinese Virtual Herbarium, the Plant Photo Bank of China, and the National Animal Collection Resource Center. The emergence of these databases and digital programs in recent years is driving China to turn around its seriously threatened biodiversity. From the collection and storage of information to the management and analysis of resources, the constantly improving biodiversity information network has realized the exploration and utilization of massive biodiversity data, providing a solid underpinning for Chinas biodiversity conservation and research. The practice of biodiversity conservation is inseparable from the guarantee and assistance of science and technology. Only by making science and technology a strong support for biodiversity conservation can humankind guard the Earth and build a beautiful world of harmony among all beings on the planet. China has seen accelerated digital transformation of industries and rapid process of software autonomy and control in the first half of this year. The revenues in industrial software products hit 110.7 billion yuan ($17.13 billion) in the first six months, growing 20 percent from a year ago. More than 70 million units of devices have been connected to industrial internet platforms. There was also a steady rise in the digitalization of key processes and the application of digitalized designing tools. Expanding application scenarios, digging into the potential of industries and completing industrial ecology, Chinese industrial internet is embracing rapid development. At the plant of Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Company in north China's Tianjin municipality, every worker that enters designated production areas will be scanned by 5G-powered cameras that are able to identify whether the workers are wearing safety helmets or have left their tools at these areas. This is a typical scenario enabled by the "collaboration" between 5G technology and industrial internet. "Aircraft manufacturing involves many precision parts and complex devices. Even the tiniest error is not allowed. Manual inspection in the past cost huge time and energy, and sometimes couldn't remove all errors," said Zheng Lina, an employee of the Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Company. She compared the industrial internet-5G combination to a safety inspection expert that stands by anytime, which not only substantially reduces cost, but also improves the safety of production. At a smart welding workshop of XCMG Machinery, a leading heavy machinery manufacturer in China, nine smart production lines are employed. They have completed crane orders worth nearly four billion yuan. "The collaboration between 5G and industrial internet enables massive devices made by different manufacturers and brands to be connected to platforms, which achieves maximum interconnectivity among the devices," said Li Zhongfu, head of XCMG Machinery's informatization management division. The integration of 5G and industrial internet makes it possible to track real-time operation data of production devices, which improves production efficiency by 20 percent, said Li. It also sends back operating parameters to the manufacturers, so that they can offer remote diagnosis services for their clients. The collaboration between 5G technology and industrial internet will become a major "battlefield" for China's industrial digitalization, said Wang Zhiqin, vice president of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. According to him, nearly 1,600 5G-industrial internet projects have been completed, covering over 20 important sectors of national economy. Besides, 5G-industrial internet collaboration is reaching more manufacturing industries from the pioneering aviation, steel, mining and port industries, Wang added. At a workshop of Jiaxing Xinyuan Textile Co., Ltd., east China's Zhejiang province, there is a small black box that connects 270 spinners, 108 two-for-one twisters and other supporting facilities to a "cloud brain." The cloud platform has improved spinner efficiency by four percent and average per capita output by nine percent, and lowered management cost by five percent, said Luo Yuan, general manager of the textile company. "It not only improves product quality, but also guarantees on-time delivery of products," Luo noted. "Most of the medium- and small-sized textile companies still rely on manual labor for production and management," said Zhang Pei, senior product manager of Zhijing Technology, the provider of the cloud platform. The platform has served more than 5,000 textile enterprises and is connected to over 400,000 spinners, which account for 26 percent of the total capacity of China's textile industry. It has saved relevant enterprises more than one billion yuan. An official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology noted that China will foster a batch of industrial internet system solution providers in the next five years, make them leading players in the sector that promote synergetic innovation among large, medium and small enterprises, and help small and medium sized enterprises enhance their capability of digital transformation. Night watchman Lu Lei sounds a gong in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Han Xu/Xinhua] The ancient Xidi Village is seen from above in Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Han Xu/Xinhua] Night watchman Lu Lei sounds a gong in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Han Xu/Xinhua] Ancient streets and houses are seen from above in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Han Xu/Xinhua] Night watchman Lu Lei sounds a gong in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Liu Junxi/Xinhua] Night watchman Lu Lei talks with a villager while "dageng" in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Liu Junxi/Xinhua] Night watchman Lu Lei sounds a gong in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Han Xu/Xinhua] Night watchman Lu Lei has a rest while "dageng" in Xidi Village, Yixian County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2021. It is a serene night as the luminous moon gleams in the sky. With a gong and mallet in hand, Lu Lei sets out to perform "dageng". Lu, a post-80s man, has been a night watchman as a substitute for his father, a member of Xidi's "dageng" team, in the ancient village loved by many for its picturesque scenery. Lu works at a tourism company in the county seat of Yixian during the day and returns home in Xidi after work. Xidi ancient village was built nearly 1,000 years ago. The village is home to 224 well-preserved Hui-style ancient wooden dwellings, and that makes fire prevention a top priority. Patrolling a familiar street with historic wooden houses on both sides, Lu sounds out the hours with his gong to remind villagers of the time and to warn against fire. "Dageng" has a long history in Xidi. Traditionally, people measured time based on the position of the sun in the sky during the day, and relied on a night watchman to sound the hours at night. In 1996, the ancient village reestablished the dageng team. [Photo by Liu Junxi/Xinhua] China has called on the United States to do its part to investigate the origins of COVID-19. In a news conference in Beijing on Friday, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on Washington to stop politicizing the virus and spreading lies. CGTN's Sun Ye has more. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian says the United States is the real party to blame for the failures to trace the origins of COVID-19. Blasting American actions as a "disgrace," Zhao says Washington aims to deflect from their own responsibilities by smearing others. ZHAO LIJIAN Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson "The United States has politicized the pandemic, stigmatized the virus and instrumentalized source tracing in order to shift responsibility for an inadequate response to the pandemic and achieve the political purpose of discrediting and suppressing other countries. Its standards have been lying, smearing and intimidation, with no respect for facts, science or justice. This ugly page for the United States will surely go down in the history of humanity's fight against the pandemic." If the U.S. wants to be "transparent and responsible" in the efforts to trace the virus, Zhao suggests there are several things they could start to do. For one, Zhao suggests the U.S. should publish details of its own early cases which include unidentified cases of a respiratory disease in Wisconsin in July 2019 and cases recorded in nursing homes near the Fort Detrick laboratory. Second, Zhao suggests the U.S. should invite WHO experts to investigate Fort Detrick, along with the 200 plus biological labs outside the U.S. where cases that have symptoms similar to COVID-19 surfaced in 2019. Zhao also suggests WHO experts should investigate relevant research institutions in the University of North Carolina. And finally, Zhao says the U.S. should publish the case files of U.S. military personnel who attended the Wuhan Military Games in October 2019, providing clarity about their conditions. SUN YE Beijing "In the long press briefing, Zhao also offered evidence he said proves the lab leak theory in Wuhan is 'extrememly unlikely.' He said, time and again, China has been working towards an open, transparent, scientific and cooperative investigation with the international community, but that it will not allow itself to be smeared and lied about. SY, CGTN, BJ." The Mercer Street, an oil tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime, is seen in Cape Town, South Africa, January 2, 2016. /Reuters Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed on Monday British and U.S. allegations regarding a reported drone attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker in the north of the Arabian Sea, and warned it would "promptly and strongly" respond to "any possible adventure." "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate for an instant in protecting its security and national interests, and will respond promptly and strongly to any possible adventure," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the ministry, was quoted as saying by the ministry's official website. On Sunday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Iran of "launching a deliberate, targeted drone attack on the Mercer Street tanker," which caused the death of two crew members. Later in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeated Raab's allegations. Khatibzadeh regretted the accusation and urged London and Washington to present "any evidence for their bogus claims." "It is a pity that these countries have remained supportively silent about the terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage against Iranian trade vessels in the Red Sea and international waters," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that Israel had "intelligence evidence of Tehan's involvement in the incident." James Cleverly, the British minister for the Middle East, summoned Mohsen Baharvand, the Iranian ambassador to Britain in response to the attack, said the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on Monday in a statement. Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack and demanded the presentation of explanations by Iran. Zodiac Maritime, a London-based firm owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, said on Friday that its oil tanker Mercer Street was attacked on July 29 in the northern Indian Ocean, and two crew members onboard, a Romanian and a British national, were killed. Although US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said during her recent official visit to China that the US does not seek to contain China's development, the message she and other high-ranking US officials have conveyed elsewhere in the region belies that claim. The United States has been conducting unusually intensive diplomacy on China's periphery recently with the apparent aim of driving a wedge between these countries and China and even forming an encirclement to contain China's rise and development. Countries in the region should guard against becoming expendable chess pieces in the US' geopolitical playbook. During his visit to Southeast Asia last month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hyped the outdated "China threat" theory and sought to vilify China over an array of issues. Speaking at a forum in Singapore, Austin mounted unwarranted attacks on China over the South China Sea, Taiwan and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Austin then used his visits to Vietnam and the Philippines to continue the US agenda to draw regional countries into a coalition to contain China. While pledging the US' support to beef up Vietnam's security capabilities at sea, Austin also increased the pressure on Manila to restore a key military pact which provides the basis for the US military to conduct naval exercises and war drills in its territorial waters. Likewise, during his visit to India last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken touted the common regional security interests of the Quad the quasi-military alliance the US has formed with India, Australia and Japan and which it is widely perceived as wanting to expand into an Asian NATO. As such, it is crystal clear that the US is devoting both energy and political assets to the Asia-Pacific region and seeking to push forward its Indo-Pacific strategy by means of various cliques. The US Indo-Pacific strategy is a self-serving product of its Cold War mentality which runs counter to the common regional aspirations of peace, stability and development, and hinders the joint efforts of countries in the region to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. China and countries in the region have stood together through thick and thin. China has always provided countries with selfless help when needed, and sought to set a good example of mutual assistance and solidarity. By rejecting the US' attempts to sow the seeds of division, the region can continue to uphold the good-neighborliness that has served it so well. Regional countries should continue to carry forward the Asian values of mutual respect and a consensual approach, and not let the US' enticements and coercion in its desire for dominion lead them astray. By Cheng Hanping Following the US Secretary of Defense Austin, Vice President Harris also plans to visit Singapore and Vietnam in August, and Secretary of State Blinken will participate in five video conferences with ASEAN ministers from August 2 to 6. Amid such a busy schedule in Southeast Asia, the importance attached by the Biden administration to Vietnam is worth special attention. Americas strong interests in Vietnam are motivated by two strategic intentions. First, it wants to make Vietnam an additional partner to the Quad+. In the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Vietnam participated in the Quad+ vice-ministerial level video dialogue on exchange and experience sharing on the containment and control of novel coronavirus and economic recovery. But now the Biden administration wants to force the topic of regional security upon Vietnam and drag it into its quasi-ally system to serve its own purposes. Its worth noting that Washington has put up a very high profile about Harris upcoming Vietnam trip. White House Chief Spokesperson Symone Sanders emphasized that it would be a significant trip as Harris was the first vice president to visit the country after it unified its south and north in July 1975. There is no doubt that the Biden administration has placed high hopes on the two senior officials visit to Hanoi, even providing it with 3 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines as Austins meeting gift. Second, it attempts to drive a wedge between China and Vietnam, both of which are socialist countries, utilizing their maritime disputes The China-Vietnam relationship has obviously warmed up after the 13thNational Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam was held early this year. In the past half-year, senior officials of both countries have had phone conversations or sent congratulations to each other several times. Gen. Wei Fenghe, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister visited Vietnam in late April, the two sides completed the joint cruise of Beibu Gulf in the first half-year, and their economic and trade cooperation has kept improving against the fallout of the pandemic. The close interactions and friendliness between the two socialist neighbors must have been a thorn in the flesh for the Biden administration and prompted it to send one senior official after another to Vietnam to make trouble. Secretary of State Blinken will also lobby and instigate ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, through video conferences. However, Vietnam has been following a neutral diplomatic policy of major country balance. With Vietnam, the US cannot use its catchphrase of common values; to make things worse, Hanoi has been on high alert to the unusual and frequent overtures by Washington because it has a shitty record of subverting foreign regimes through color revolution, not to mention that Vietnam is a socialist country with a totally different ideology from the West. In fact, frictions over sensitive issues such as human rights and democracy have never stopped between the two countries. A Vietnamese scholar pointed out that Hanoi has remained sober-minded and vigilant in face of Washingtons overtures and would not easily pick a side because the country has always adhered to the 3-nos diplomatic principle no alliance with other countries, no affiliation with any military group, and no foreign military base on its soil. This, stressed the scholar, is Vietnams bottom line that will not change at any time. His view is very representative in Vietnam. It seems that the Biden administrations unprecedented gesture of sending senior officials continuously to Vietnam wont achieve the expected results. All its plot and ploy may very well end up in vain. (The author is director of the Center of Vietnamese Studies, Zhejiang University of Technology; senior researcher and professor at Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University) Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced the U.S. accusation of China on the origin tracing of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is not credible or scientific. On August 2, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, Lead Republican of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a report claiming that "there is a preponderance of evidence that the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology sometime before September 2019." "The relevant report, totally based on the concocted lies and distorted facts without providing any evidence, is not credible or scientific," a spokesperson from the foreign ministry said. "What the relevant U.S. congressmen have done smears and slanders China in pursuit of political gains. We express categorical opposition to and strong condemnation of such despicable acts that have no moral bottom line." This February, a China-WHO joint expert team visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology and had in-depth and candid exchanges with experts there. Members of the joint expert team spoke highly of the Institute's openness and transparency, and reached a major conclusion in the joint study report that the allegation of lab leaking is extremely unlikely. "In 2003, the U.S. side used a test tube of laundry powder as evidence for Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction. One needs not look far for a lesson, and the international community should not let such a thing happen again," said the spokesperson. It must be pointed out that, the U.S. side's political manipulation of origins tracing has dawn overwhelming rejection from the international community, noted the spokesperson. As of now, 70 countries have voiced opposition to politicizing origins tracing and emphasized the importance of upholding the joint China-WHO study report via sending letters to the WHO Director-General and issuing statements, the spokesperson elaborated, adding that it shows clear-eyed people over the world can tell right and wrong and the U.S. should listen to these objective and impartial voices. If these U.S. congressmen do have a sense of responsibility, even a tinge of it, for their own people, they should urge the U.S. government to release at the earliest the medical records of those infected in the unexplained outbreaks of respiratory disease in Virginia, the large-scale EVALI in Wisconsin and Maryland in 2019, as well as the records of U.S. military personnel who fell ill during the Military World Games in Wuhan, stressed the spokesperson. They should also urge the U.S. government to allow a thorough international probe into Fort Detrick lab and the 200-plus U.S. biological labs overseas, the spokesperson added. "As to gain of function research on coronaviruses, the U.S. has provided more funding and conducted more experiments in this area than anyone else. Why don't the congressmen find out if there is such research at home and whether or not it may create the novel coronavirus?" "In a word, we urge the U.S. to respect facts and science and focus on fighting COVID-19 and saving lives, instead of engaging in political manipulation under the pretext of the epidemic and shifting the blame to others." Britain will begin offering a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to 32 million Britons starting in early September, the Telegraph reported Sunday. The shots will be available in as many as 2,000 pharmacies with the goal of getting them into arms by early December. The government has been preparing since at least June, when the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) called for a plan to offer the third shot to people 70 years old or older, care home residents and those who are vulnerable for health reasons. At least 90 percent of British adults have received at least one shot, but that rate falls to 60 percent for those 18-30 years old, government figures show. To encourage younger adults to get vaccinated before colder weather prompts people to spend more time indoors, the Department of Health and Social Care said that restaurants, food delivery services and ride-hailing apps are offering discounts to persuade people to be vaccinated. "The lifesaving vaccines not only protect you, your loved ones and your community, but they are helping to bring us back together by allowing you to get back to doing the things you've missed," Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, according to the Associated Press. British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, who tested positive for COVID-19 in December, said he may be suffering its effects after appearing unwell Sunday after finishing second at the Hungarian Grand Prix. "I've been fighting all year really with staying healthy after what happened at the end of last year and it's still, it's a battle," the 36-year-old said after seeing a doctor after the race. "I haven't spoken to anyone about it but I think [the effects of COVID are] lingering. I remember the effects of when I had it and training has been different since then." Over 10,000 people have been evacuated from the Turkish province of Mugla to escape the deadly wildfires ravaging Turkey, according to a statement on Monday from Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. The result of a record-breaking heat wave covering much of southeastern Europe, wildfires have sprung up across Turkey, Italy and Greece, even threatening the latter country's national power grid. Firefighters from the European Union arrived Monday in Turkey, where they joined local volunteers fighting fires along the coastline for the sixth day in a row. The fires have caused the deaths of eight people in recent days, though there were no reports of additional deaths Monday. Hundreds more have been injured by the flames and toxic smoke. Opposition politicians in Turkey are criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for what they say is a sluggish and out-of-touch response to the fires. Erdogan's government does not own any firefighting planes and has had to rely on planes sent by members of the EU. "We will continue to take all necessary steps to heal our nation's wounds, compensate for its losses, and improve its opportunities even better than before," said Erdogan in a Twitter statement regarding the fires. Usain Bolt once tightly held on to the mantle of World's Fastest Man in his lightening quick sprints at multiple Olympic Games. That mantle now, however, has passed on to a Texas-born Italian -- 26-year-old Lamont Marcell Jacobs who finished the 100-meter race in 9.8 seconds, clinching Italy's first medal in the event. "I mean, 9.8 from the Italian guy?" Canada's Andre DeGrasse said. "I didn't expect that. I thought my main competition would be the Americans." DeGrasse won a bronze in the sprint with a time of 9.89. American Fred Kerley who finished second for the silver in 9.84 seconds, said of Jacobs: "I really don't know anything about him." They know now that Jacobs roundly beat them and took home the gold. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Woburn, MA (01801) Today A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. FILE Thomas Latanowich, left, is brought into Barnstable District Court in this Friday, April 13, 2018 file photo, for his arraignment in Barnstable, Mass. The trial for Latanowich, who is charged with killing a Massachusetts police officer in 2018, is scheduled to get underway Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 with jury selection. (Steve Heaslip /The Cape Cod Times via AP, File) Kokomo native Robin Williams was named as the new executive director and curator for the Delphi Opera House. Williams will help launch the Opera Houses sixth season as it reopens after being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Williams, its an opportunity to spread her passion for music and the arts across the central Indiana region. She comes from a long line of artists that have called Howard County their home for over 170 years. Her own artistic path took her to New Orleans, Atlanta, and Indianapolis before bringing her back to Kokomo in 2018 following the death of her mother. When my mother passed away in 2018 no one in my family expected me to come back here and live, said Williams. I was gone for 38 years. Something in my spirit told me that I had something to contribute here. The Kokomo art community quickly embraced her upon her return and invited her to be part of local organizations such as the Kokomo Art Association and Kokomo Onward. Williams got her start in music as a child, first with the violin before finding a comfortable fit with the cello. By the age of 13 she was performing with the Kokomo Symphony and at 16 had a music scholarship to Ball State. When she transferred to IU her whole life changed in terms of my music and what I want to do with music. In New Orleans, Williams spent time as a session musician, working with acts such as Better Than Ezra. She also worked in music management and marketing which included a stint at Cash Money Records, which is now home to artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. In 1998, Williams arrived in Indianapolis as the director of the Indianapolis Philharmonic. She was also hired by the city of Indianapolis to open up an art center in Garfield Park. A decade later she returned to New Orleans and would work with Ellis Marsalis of the legendary Marsalis jazz family to create free music programming for children. A stop in Atlanta included working on an exhibit for the 75th anniversary of the Tuskegee airmen. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Across her travels she has found that art, music and culture is a tremendous way to bring people together and the arts are also a catalyst for developing cities. She pointed to Indianapolis Mass. Ave. as an example of a place that has been transformed by the arts. [Art] is a reflection of the human experience, Williams said. Its a way to bring people together who normally wouldnt come together because they are attracted to the space, the place, the music, the event, the experience. Thats why it is so essential to have something like that. While she would like to stay in Kokomo, she sees taking over the role of director at the Delphi Opera House creates an opportunity to build regional strength in art by working with other towns in the area. The Delphi Opera House has been closed since COVID-19 hit but Williams will help it make a comeback. First, it will host comedian John Branyon during the Indiana Bacon Festival Aug. 28. On Sept. 11, the Opera House welcomes folk musician Ben Bedford. Williams also hopes to tap into the areas Hispanic community by provided a diverse slate of programming that the entire region can enjoy. People need exposure [to art], Williams said. They need to have an opportunity to enjoy it and see something new. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.delphioperahouse.org/event-list. The website also contains a full itinerary of upcoming shows. Wisconsins mink production has decreased to its smallest number in more than half a century. And animal-rights activists want to shut down the remaining fur farms, which they say could spawn new variants of the COVID-19 virus. But others say the states oldest industry is poised for a rebound. Wisconsins mink production decreased by more than half this past year, to the smallest number in more than 50 years, according to numbers released recently. The states ranchers produced 403,540 mink pelts in 2020, a decrease from 1.02 million the previous year and less than a third the number in 2015, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. Thats the biggest single-year drop on record based on statistics dating back to 1969. Once home to more than 500 mink ranches, Wisconsin had 67 operating as recently as the 2017 Census of Agriculture. But only 19 are still in business according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The state remained the nations biggest mink producer but contributed just 29 percent of the nations total in 2020, a decrease from 38 percent the previous year. The value of the states mink-pelt exports decreased from more than $103 million in 2018 to less than $37 million in 2020. Mark Rhoda-Reis, bureau director of the Wisconsin International Agribusiness Center, said trade tensions with China contributed to the decrease in exports as well as a slowdown in the fashion industry and big inventories of pelts. Michael Whelan, executive director of the industry trade association Fur Commission USA, blames overproduction that followed record prices a decade ago. Everyone was thinking were going to get $100 per pelt forever, Whelan said. World production doubled; that created a glut. That sent prices tumbling to almost-record-worst numbers in 2018 and 2019. The ranchers can only survive so long when prices are below production costs, Whelan said. Smaller ranchers decided to do something else. Total U.S. mink production decreased 48 percent for the year even as the average price of a pelt increased to $33.70, rebounding from a 28-year-worst price of $21.90. Many of those domestic mink skins passed through Stoughton, Wisconsin, where SAGA Furs operates one of a handful of North American grading operations. Despite challenges it was a profitable year for the Finnish auction house, which sold about 90 percent of its offerings and saw prices increase with each auction, said Charles Ross, head of sustainability and supply-chain management for the company. Were back to a price where a farmer can make a living again, he said. He said the skill of the Stoughton workforce was an added asset as pandemic protocols put a hold on in-person auctions. We kept the team intact, he said. They produce a very clean grade that buyers respect and can feel confident buying. Disease problems highlighted Animal-rights activists hailed the numbers as a sign of trouble for the domestic fur industry, which primarily serves markets in Asia. PJ Smith, director of fashion for the Humane Society of the United States, took credit for the downturn. Smith said prominent retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, have announced plans to stop selling furs. Israel this past month became the first nation to ban fur sales. While the pandemic has had a significant impact on the global fur trade, this downward spiral started well before 2020, Smith said. Through our successes thus far in eliminating the demand for fur, were essentially making production obsolete. Other groups are calling on Congress to pass a new bipartisan bill that would ban mink farming, which they say can spread the virus that causes COVID-19. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute This is a domestic viral threat of the highest order, said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. Were very worried about variants. You have a perfect storm circumstance for mink farms to extend the duration and severity of the pandemic. Mink-to-human transmission of COVID-19 has been documented in Denmark, the Netherlands and Michigan, according to a report by Animal Wellness Action. Wisconsin State Veterinarian Darlene Konkle said there have been no documented cases of mink-to-human transmission in Wisconsin. At least 19 million mink were culled after outbreaks at European farms this past spring. Outbreaks were subsequently confirmed at multiple U.S. farms in Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oregon. About 5,500 mink on two Wisconsin farms died as a result of COVID-19 infections, said Kevin Hoffman, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Dr. Jim Keen, veterinarian and director of veterinary sciences at the Center for a Humane Economy, said the tight confines in which mink are raised allow disease to spread rapidly and increase the risk of mutations. The thousands of captive mink that escape each year could then transmit the disease to the wild population. Then you have a reservoir forever, Keen said. You could get rid of it in humans and it would continue to spread. But government researchers found little evidence of the virus spreading to wildlife from affected mink farms in Utah. In general if biosecurity and infection control processes are implemented on the farms, it will mitigate the spread of diseases in and out of farms, said Hon Ip, a virologist at the U.S. Geological Surveys National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin, who worked on the study. Dr. John Easley, a Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, veterinarian and director of research for Fur Council USA, said Wisconsins ranchers are in the process of vaccinating about 95 percent of the states captive mink. The industrys set up very well to keep the farms biosecure, he said. Bans could boost U.S. industry Whelan said he expects production to rebound this year as prices increase. We definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel through these numbers, he said. Rhoda-Reis said producers and auction houses are also optimistic. They stand to benefit from an end to mink farming in the Netherlands, which historically produced about twice as many pelts as the United States, as well as a temporary ban in Denmark, the worlds biggest producer. Mink from the United States and specifically from Wisconsin is regarded as a very-high-quality product, he said. With fewer producing countries, the United States and (Wisconsin) are well-positioned to garner a larger share of the global market in this specialized and highly prized export. Ross expects some mink ranchers who sat out this past year will go back into the business now that global inventories are shrinking and prices rebounding. In the middle of this horrible crisis we were okay, he said. I think mink farming in Wisconsin will be okay. Senator Pia Cayetano hails suspension of BIR regulation on the tax rates of private schools; cites role of private schools as government's partner in educating our youth "Let's help the private schools do their job as the government's partner in educating our children." Thus said Senate Ways and Means Chair Senator Pia S. Cayetano, as she welcomed the Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR) Revenue Regulations No. 14-2021, which suspended the inclusion of "for-profit" private schools in the regime of regular income tax. To recall, on June 30, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means already held a hearing on Senate Bill No. 2272 filed by Sen Sonny Angara, amending Section 27(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) on the preferential tax rates of private schools. Senate Bill No. 2272 effectively clarifies that the preferential tax rate of 10% under the NIRC which was lowered by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act to 1% from July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023 applies to all private schools - putting an end to the debates as to whether "for-profit" private schools were covered or not. The senators in attendance all expressed support. Senator Cayetano committed to file a committee report based on the said bill. "Since tax bills must emanate from the House, we will await the transmittal of the House version. But I do believe it will be an easy bill to pass," she added. "Private schools are the government's partners in education. This partnership is even more crucial today, as our nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted our educational system and the formal learning of our current generation of students," said Cayetano. Press Release August 3, 2021 De Lima alarmed over trend of witnesses dying following Vicente Sy's death Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima is alarmed at what she described as a "beleaguering trend" of deaths involving convicted government witnesses in the trumped-up drug cases against her following the recent reported demise of Vicente Sy. "Ano na naman ito!? Meron na naman namatay (o pinatay?) na high-profile inmate sa Bilibid. At cardiac arrest naman daw ang dahilan," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 1111. "As I've said several times before, it's not remote that any, some, if not all, of these prosecution witnesses who were either coerced, threatened, bribed or blackmailed to lie about my alleged drug links would be targeted for extermination in order to permanently silence them from exposing the truth about my cases." "This beleaguering trend of witnesses dying still does not give comfort to me who is waiting for their eventual revelation on who are behind these fabricated charges filed against me," she added. Based on reports, Sy was brought to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest around 8 p.m. last July 29 and died while waiting to be transferred to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa. Sy, a prosecution witness in one of the three fabricated drug cases against De Lima, is the second high-profile convict who testified against the Senator to have died amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one being inmate Jaybee Sebastian who purportedly succumbed to COVID-19 last year. "I believe and maintain, to this day, that it [Jaybee Sebastian's death] was a case of deliberate killing in order to block his then impending retraction of his affidavit falsely implicating me in the Bilibid drug trade," she said. Sy was one of the four inmates who were stabbed in a staged prison riot in 2016 to coerce them into falsely testifying against De Lima in the kangaroo House hearings. One of them, Tony Co, died in that incident. De Lima recalled that Sy bluntly admitted on cross-examination and re-direct examination, that he had no personal knowledge of the accusations against her. Sy was emphatic in his testimony that he did not know De Lima and that he never gave her money. "At this point, after almost four years and a half under unjust detention, I have no ill will against Vicente Sy and, as a human being, I commiserate with his bereaved family. At least, he didn't lie about not knowing me and not giving me money. His sin against me, if any, pales in comparison to the sin of those who used him and his fellow inmates to bring down an innocent woman and public servant," she said. "As they say, dead men tell no tales. And it appears that my persecutors are sticking to the malevolent wisdom of this saying. As if the truth can be eternally buried or is not inevitable. As if there's no day of reckoning... 'Pag nagpagamit ka sa masama, baka mapatay ka ng masamang gumamit sa iyo. Sino kaya ang isusunod nila?" she asked. Press Release August 3, 2021 Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon Q: on NTF-ELCAC SFMD: Last year they said there are 822 barangays that were cleared of insurgency and next year there will be a total of 2,220, so if you deduct the 822, which were previously funded, you will get a balance of 1,398 cleared barangays. At P20 million each, my estimate is there is roughly P28 billion that they will be asking for. That is why I estimated last June that given these statements by the DILG about the cleared barangays, I estimated that they will ask for P28 billion in 2022. That should be the figure and that is why I am a little surprised that I heard from our sources in the DBP that it will be P40 billion. Unless there is an increase in the number of barangays cleared, it should really be P28 billion. Whether it is P16 billion or P28 billion of P40 billion, I think what is clear is that the budget indicates misplaced priorities that we have in this administration. With the planned lockdown again, the estimated unemployment will again rise. As of May, there are already nearly 4 million unemployed. That number could increase in the next two weeks when we enforce the lockdown. That is why to me the priority should be the ayuda rather than anti-insurgency. Remember that the various departments would have their own budget designed to assist all the barangays. Why are we again allocating extra funds for these when we have different departments already implementing these projects. We will examine closely how this money was spent. That is why I asked for a special audit. If it is any indication, the COA called the attention of the DAR, there is a program where there are agrarian reform beneficiaries and the COA called the attention of DAR because they diverted part of their anti-in surgency budget as allowances to the agrarian reform beneficiaries. That is technical malversation. But beyond the legalities of this, it indicates how loosely the funds are used. Given our situation today, allocating a substantial amount of our budget is misplaced, because, to me, we need funds for ayuda. Q: Iba pa sa P28 billion yung operation expense ng NTF-ELCAC? SFMD: I do not know about the operational expense. I am just talking about what they call the budget for the Barangay Development Program. It is not unusual that the administration expense is 5% of the programmed amount like in the 4Ps. Q: You called it an election giveaway. What do you mean by that? SFMD: Do not forget that 2022 is an election year. Therefore, these amounts of money available is a campaign kitty, whether you like it or not. The fact is, a good portion of this NTF-ELCAC funds is what we call soft programs such as training and livelihood and these are funds that are easy to manipulate in terms of beneficiaries. Remember the fertilizer scam. Before, the favorite allocation of legislators was medical assistance. These are soft infra that could easily be used for election purposes and could easily be stolen. Q: On how to convince other senators to vote against NTF-ELCAC funding? SFMD: That is a political decision on the part of my fellow legislators whether they will allow a situation when an opportunity to use public funds for election is very obvious. Nasa kanila po iyan. We will oppose it. We will expose it. But at the end of the day, it is a decision on the part of the legislators. We cannot go to court on this. It is within the power of Congress to appropriate. The COA should audit this. Q: Some sources are saying na parang pinamimigay n ani VP Robredo yung opportunity na siya ang tumayo bilang standard bearer ng opposition? Is that a fair assessment following her meetings? SFMD: That is not a fair assessment. That is not a correct assessment of the intention of the Vice President. At this point, the Vice President is still looking at a possible presidential run next year. But the first objective is to make sure that an opposition candidate wins. Therefore, step one is to unite everybody. If she becomes the most viable candidate, she will ask the others to come around and support her because the objective is to have a united front. So, the assessment that she has given up is totally wrong and baseless. Q: Tama po yung pagkarining ko na she is looking for... SFMD: The objective is to have the strongest candidate against the administration. That is why she has been conducting these meetings. Needless to state the effort to look for a strongest opposition candidate includes the Vice President. That assessment that she has given is totally without basis and unfounded. Q: United po ang opposition sa pag-oppose dito sa NTF-ELCAC? SFMD: Yes, we are united. I'll try to talk to my colleagues about why we should not allow this budget for next year, because being an election year, I think the opportunity to use this for election purposes is very clear and patent. Q: Ang gusto ninyo ay zero budget for NTF-ELCAC? SFMD: Yes, because the projects that are supposed to be done by NTF-ELCAC, they are all over the bureaucracy. Why is it with the NTF-ELCAC? Q: Hindi acceptable yung sinasabi na very effective yung anti-insurgency program ng task force considering na sa bawat departamento naman pala in every department? SFMD: Yes. Q: Inaprub ni President yung budget para sa ayuda. Enough na ba po iyon P1,000 to P4,000? SFMD: Given the fact that over 4 million Filipino families have experienced involuntary hunger, certainly that amount is not insufficient. Not only that, they are still scrambling to look for the budget, so that is not even certain. That is why I am so disappointed that given the needs of our people, inuuna natin yung anti-insurgency fund. Ano ba yan? Why can we not have the correct priorities? SFMD: We should do a cash sweep again in order that we have enough funds for the ayuda that we need. Q: Napansin n'yo rin po na ang bilis ng release? SFMD: Yes, ang bilis ng release. Totoo iyan. It is also on record that P4 billion went to Davao region. What makes us wonder is why P16 billion was released in a period of three months when the government should have realized that the pandemic is a continuing problem and the lockdown is a continuing solution and, therefore, unemployment and hunger will continue to worsen. Why did they immediately release P16 billion in four months? That is a question which I addressed to our economic managers. Remember that we are incurring a deficit and as of June, it is P761 billion and out of this, P16B pertains to NTF-ELCAC. Q: Sa dalawang linggong suspended ang session ng Senate, sa tingin ninyo makaka-delay ito sa approval ng priority bills including the budget? SFMD: We will have to work double time. Remember that in the years past, at this point we would have been having committee hearings because the budget would have already been submitted. Now, it is not yet even with us. We will have no sessions for the next two weeks. We will have to work double time because of the danger that we will have a re-enacted budget, which is like a blank check for the administration, because you re-enact everything. I would really press for the passage of the budget but we should not be surprised when we don't finish it on time because of the pandemic. We just have to work overtime. Q: Sino ang makikinabang kapag reenacted budget? Ang administration? SFMD: They are the one disbursing and under the Constitution, there's automatic renewal of the budget, so that is like a black check to the administration. Q: Amid the search for a viable opposition candidate and the criticisms from Sen. Trillanes, do you still think VP is a winnable candidate? What do you SFMD: Remember that in 2015 when Leni Robredo became a vice presidential candidate, what support did she have in surveys? She was 1 percent in the surveys. Let us not forget that. She decided to run for vice president with one percent and she beat Bong Bong Marcos. Today, she has anywhere from 6 to 8 percent. She has a better chance today than she had in 2016. If she won with one percent at that time, she has a better chance with 6 to 8 percent today. It is a question of her being able to decide as soon as possible. That is why, to me, at this point she should no longer entertain any local post that was mentioned before. It has not been repeated so I assume it is off the table. Insofar as the governorship of Camarines Sur is concerned, I don't hear that is being considered. Q: The President last night said that the deaths of suspected drug suspects actually benefited Filipinos and actually put his life and his family in danger. The families of those who were killed may try to avenge their slain loved ones. What do you say to that remark? SFMD: Speculative at this stage. I am not in the security sector so I cannot validly assess these dangers on the lives of people. What I know is that, it is admitted that there are over 6,000 deaths because of the war on drugs. Q: Would you join the call to extend voter's registration? SFMD: I endorse the extension of the registration period given the restrictions on people's movements because of the pandemic. I don't see any harm with extending this registration period. The Comelec just has to work double time in order to prepare for the 2022 elections. I encourage our new voters to register as voters because the election next year is critical. Q: On LP coalition SFMD: To me, the objective number one is to make sure that those who are not with the administration, the opposition, must have a unified front in 2022. It is difficult enough to present yourself as an alternative to this administration if you are not united. We must be able to have a bigger base so that we can effectively present an alternative to our people. It is in that sense that I don't agree with Sen. Trillanes that we should not talk to other prospective candidates. I think we should have a big tent wherein we can attract all sectors who believe that the next administration should not be identified with the present administration. Therefore, a broader coalition is necessary. Maybe in another time or ideal situation, we should not talk to certain people. But I do not agree that at this time that is a good strategy. I do not agree that we should not talk to Sen. Lacson or Sen. Gordon. They have done their share in maintaining their principles. Q: You do not agree with Sen. Trillanes saying that talking to Senators Lacson and Gordon is crossing the red line... SFMD: That is why we will present ourselves to the people and the people will judge each candidacy. At this stage, I don't think we should already exclude certain politicians and not pursue a united ticket. Q: Can you give us a picture paano yung talks ng LP with Sen. Trillanes? SFMD: That is a matter for Sen. Trillanes to judge but, certainly, talking to Sen. Lacson and Sen. Gordon is part of the effort of VP Leni to unite the opposition. Q: Ano ang pwedeng gawing para ma encourage ang pagboto sa 2022? SFMD: The media plays a major role because information is very critical in order to make our people more conscious of their duty as citizens of this country, because we only elect the leaders we deserve. If we do not register and exercise our right to choose our next leaders, we have no right to complain. Press Release August 3, 2021 PINUNO BILL SEEKS FOR TRANSPARENCY IN PATIENT'S MEDICAL BILLS, PREVENTING "SURPRISE BILLING" Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid has filed a bill which aims to enhance the ability of patients to choose the healthcare that is best for them, by allowing them to make fully informed decisions about their healthcare, and the price and quality of a good service in advance. Senate Bill 2334 also known as "Medical Bill Transparency Act," requires hospitals and health care providers to be more transparent by informing he patients about actual prices to help prevent "surprise billing" or patients receiving unexpected bills at inflated prices. Senator Lapid said that despite the existence of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, the Philippine health care system still has not fully addressed its issue in the medical pricing aspect, such as transparency of medical expenses or bills. According to the 2012 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the out-of-pocket health expenditures increased by 150% from 2000 to 2012. These high healthcare costs push Filipino households into poverty. "Bagamat malaking tulong ang Universal Health Care Law para masigurong makakatanggap ng de kalidad at abot-kayang pagpapagamot at check-up ang ating mga kababayan, batid natin na umiinda pa rin ang maraming Pilipino kaugnay sa "surprise billing" na malaking dagok lalo sa mga kaanak ng may sakit. Kaya sa aking panukala, hinihiling ko na isapubliko ng mga ospital at healthcare providers ang presyo ng kanilang mga serbisyo para makapili ng maayos ang ating mga kababayan kung saan sila magpapagamot at nang hindi sila masusurpresa sa bayarin," Lapid expained. The bill also wants to ensure that patients have the necessary information in choosing the healthcare they want and need. Lapid's proposed measure also wants to eliminate unnecessary barriers to price and quality transparency; to increase the availability of meaningful price and quality information to patients; to enhance patient's control over their own healthcare resources, including health insurance coverage. The bill also states that the Secretary of Health shall craft regulations consistent with applicable law, to require hospitals to publicly post standard charge information. This will include charges and information based on negotiated rates for common items and services, in an easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly, and machine-readable format. "Layunin ng ating panukalang batas na ipaalam ng mga ospital at health care providers sa publiko kung magkano mismo ang kanilang sisingilin sa kanilang mga serbisyo, gamot, at ibang bayarin para maging malinaw ito sa kanilang mga pasyenteng. Tungkulin din ng mga ospital na i-update ang mga impormasyong ito tuwing may mga pagbabago. Higit sa lahat, kailangan ng isang malinaw na monitoring system para matiyak ng Secretary of Health kung sumusunod ba ang lahat sa hangaring transparency ng batas," Lapid cited. Senator Lapid in his bill also pushes for transparency in health insurance coverage. Here, the Secretaries of Health and Finance shall jointly issue regulations requiring healthcare providers, health insurance issuers, and self-insured group health plans to provide or facilitate access to information about expected out-of-pocket costs for items or services to patients before they receive care. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Finance shall issue guidance to expand the ability of patients to select health insurance plans that cover low-cost preventive care, and/or medical care for individuals with chronic conditions. Saudi Arabias space program leaders have met with French and British counterparts as the kingdom seeks to establish partnerships to the expansion agenda, Arab News reports. Abdullah Alswaha chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Space Commission, the media notes citing state-run news agency SPA, met in Paris on Monday with the head of Space Systems at Airbus, Jean-Marc Nasr, CEO of the Communications and Systems Group Eric Blanc, and the chairman of the board of directors of the Himmeria Group, Philippe Gautier. In Paris, Alswaha sought to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of space. Prior to the trip to France, the alswaha was reportedly Friday in Britain to enhance potential cooperation in innovation and space economy between the two countries, and build partnerships in the telecommunications sectors. He met with 80 British companies in relevant fields. The delegation also in London, reviewed available investment opportunities, the competitive advantages that the Kingdom enjoys as a digital and logistical platform and a hub for connecting continents, and the possibilities in the field of research, development, innovation and the space economy, the media say. Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Wekesa Barasa has been released on a Ksh100,000 cash bail after he was arrested for assaulting contractor-cum-musician Stephen Masinde, popularly known as Steve Kay. Following his arrest at his Kimilili home on Monday, the lawmaker appeared before Kimilili Law Courts Resident Magistrate Gladys Adhiambo, where he denied causing grievous bodily harm to Steve Kay. Didmus was caught on video slapping the contractor who was demanding Ksh3.4 million in unpaid dues for the construction of five classrooms at a school in Kamukuywa ward. The incident happened on July 30, 2021, at Lurare Baptist Primary School. Steve Kay had allegedly locked the classes to demand his payment. Barasa was released on a bond of Ksh150,000 with one surety or a cash bail of Ksh100,000. The case was set for mention on September 27, 2021. Addressing the press after the court session, Steve Kays lawyer Brian Khaemba said justice should prevail for his client. Barasa on his part claimed that his arrest is a political witch hunt allegedly spearheaded by lawyer Khaemba. He claims the lawyer is eyeing his Kimilili parliamentary seat. This is politics. When you say I have slapped you then you go to court with a bandage on your arm, was the slap from electricity? he posed. When you say grievous harm you must show any disability caused by that slap. I am ready because I have capable lawyers. Of importance is that we disassociate serving Kenyans with politics, Barasa said. Deputy President William Ruto was on Monday left with egg on his face after he was abruptly stopped from flying to Uganda. The DP was scheduled to fly to Entebbe accompanied by a seven-man entourage comprising of his close political allies such as Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and businessmen David Lagat, Harun Aydin, David Muge, Simon Mogun and Nelson Kisalit. A flight manifest from Phoenix Aviation shows they were to use a private jet; a Cessna 560XL, on flight number Jadestar 12. The plane, reg 5Y WHB, had already been prepared for the flight but its crew was told at the last minute that Ruto would not be flying. We are surprised the Deputy President was denied clearance to go on a planned private visit to Uganda. It is our officers who always handle his travel and this time, they were told, that he must get clearance from Immigration to fly out. In all his travels, all these years, this has not happened, the DPs office said through his communication secretary David Mugonyi. The outspoken Oscar Sudi also took to social media to claim that they were kept waiting at Wilson Airport for five hours. We were held for more than 5 hours at Wilson Airport together with the Deputy President William Ruto. Our flight was scheduled for midday but the so-called Deep State failed to clear the DP. Speaker JB Muturi cleared us together with my colleague Ndindi Nyoro since our flight was private. We had to wait longer than we expected until the DP became impatient and left the airport for home. We were told Uhuru Kenyatta himself declined to clear his Deputy. I have always been telling you that we are officially back to the dark days of KANU and KADU. The so-called Deep State wanatufinya hatupumui. But I ask Kenyans to be patient because liberation is coming soon. Hawa washenzi wametuzoea vibaya, Sudi wrote. On his part, DP William Ruto took to Twitter to write: Its all rightwe leave it all to God. It is this tweet that prompted a section of Kenyans on Twitter to mock the DP. Below are some screengrabs of the reactions. Senator Kipchumba Murkomen says Deputy President William Ruto is not to blame for the failures of the Jubilee government in the ruling partys second term. The Elgeyo Marakwet Senator spoke on Spice FM Monday, saying Ruto has not been part of the government in the last four years. According to Murkomen, Raila assumed Rutos position following his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta. Can you blame William Ruto for what happened for the last four years? He is not part of this administration. Hes there de facto, but the real Deputy President is Raila Odinga, Murkomen stated. The lawmaker also clarified the much-talked-about bottom-up economics, dismissing reports that the approach is about giving out cash handouts. Thats not the truth. The truth is that we want to have a financial model at the low level either through table banking to ensure that those table banking groups aiding hustlers are properly structured and accommodated in our leader framework. This is to ensure that people access capital and Saccos are given proper recognition and lesser regulation because some of them operate purely like banks. They must go back where Saccos started so they can aid people at the local level, Murkomen added. The senator explained that the plan is to take interventions to the grassroots instead of assisting corporations to grow, for the economy to grow. We take interventions directly at the bottom so that through that we have more people who are going to contribute to the economy, we have more people who bake the cake and therefore more people who are going to pay taxes to assist our country to grow, Murkomen said. The President is revenging on his Deputy because of Kiambaa loss.What happened to fair play?The President has blocked the DP from performing his official duties&now he is blocking him from his private engagements. This is a ridiculous show of deep sense of insecurity&tactlessness KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 2, 2021 According to information published by the German Federal Foreign Office on August 2, 2021, the Brandenburg-class frigate Bayern left the North-West German port of Wilhelmshaven for Asia. On a voyage lasting around six months, the ship will join in maritime monitoring of the UN sanctions against North Korea, dock at ports in partner countries and take part in multilateral activities. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link F123 Brandenburg-class frigate Bayern (Picture source: Bundeswehr) Bayern is an F123 Brandenburg-class frigate of the German Navy. They were ordered by the German Navy in June 1989, and then completed and commissioned between 1994 and 1996 to replace the Hamburg-class destroyers. These frigates primarily carry out anti-submarine warfare, but they also contribute to anti-aircraft warfare defenses, the tactical command of squadrons, and surface-to-surface warfare operations. Their design includes some stealth features. They have a displacement of 4,700 tonnes. Their sensors include a Thales LW08 D-Band air search radar, a Thales SMART-S F-Band surface radar, a Thales STIR-180 fire-control radar, two Raytheon Redpath I-Band navigation radars, a low-frequency active sonar system (LFASS) towed array and a mounted sonar by STN Atlas. These sensors are used to control and guide the main weapons, which are two twin MBDA MM-38 Exocet launchers, a Lockheed Martin Mk41 Mod3 VLS with 16 cells for NATO Sea Sparrow missile, two RAM systems with 21 cells each, two twin ATK Mk46 torpedo launching tubes, an Oto Melara 76/62 main gun and two Rheinmetall Rh202 20mm guns. Your browser does not support the video tag. In the Wake of Slavery and Dispossession: Emory, Racism and the Journey Towards Restorative Justice Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Atlanta and Oxford campuses Learn more In 1905, the philosopher George Santayana wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." More than a century later, people across the world are reckoning with shared histories and working to tell wider truths to set the historical record straight. The Emory University community is invited to explore its own past at a symposium this fall, In the Wake of Slavery and Dispossession, from Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The symposium will feature a variety of panel discussions, performances and exhibitions held on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. The symposium builds on work started by student activists as well as the Emory Native American Initiative, the Task Force on Untold Stories and Disenfranchised Populations and Emorys work as a member of the Universities Studying Slavery consortium. For this event, a diverse steering committee of students, faculty and staff have been working together for almost a year to ensure as many perspectives as possible are included. (Learn more about them.) This is a moment in which scholars, activists and artists of color have compelled a national conversation surrounding enduring legacies of anti-Black racism and, increasingly, colonialism, including overlaps between Indigenous dispossession and the enslavement of Black people in this country, says Alix L. Olson, a member of the steering committee and assistant professor of womens and gender studies at Oxford College. Academic communities must continue these conversations within each of our universities so that real change can occur at a local level. Each day of the symposium will focus on three themes: history, impact and healing, and restorative justice. A full list of events will be announced in the coming weeks. The three-day program will feature both virtual and in-person events. It will open with a panel about Emorys history of student activism, from admission of the first African American students in 1964 to the 2015 list of demands by Black students issued to the administration. The past is a part of our living present, says Walter Rucker, an African American studies and history professor and steering committee member. Slavery, dispossession and Jim Crow created a continuum for the racial logics we live with today. To talk about slavery and how it devalued Black lives helps us address why a police officer could kneel on a mans neck for nine minutes. The same, or similar, logics that spawned racism energize patriarchy, homophobia and transphobia as well. Every person has a role in chipping away at these constructs in order to create a more just future. There also will be several student-led events including poetry readings, an academic presentation exploring the work of James Baldwin, a panel of Native American students discussing overcoming trauma, and a panel led by Oxford Men of Color and the Black Student Alliance on the history and present of Oxford College. On the final day, there will be a guided racial healing circle, which Emory College junior Ronald Poole II believes is mission critical. I think thats all we can hope to do, tend to each other and recover, as this already fatiguing work is couched in the context of a global pandemic and a political landscape oversaturated by deficient and reactionary ethos, says Poole, who is on the steering committee as a member of the Coalition of Black Organizations and Clubs. I only hope the symposium will provide a forum for some spiritual restoration on campus among students, faculty and staff. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body On July 28, faculty, staff and friends at the School of Nursing sponsored a celebration to honor clinical professor Eva Jean Dubois on her retirement. Welcoming the assembly, Dean Gregg Newschwander thanked Dr. Dubois for her many years of illustrious service to the School of Nursing, and for establishing the Eva Jean Dubois Annual Fund for Excellence in the School. He echoed the sentiments of the group when he said that Dubois had made a significant impact on the program since she started her teaching career in Auburn in 1999 at Miller Hall and was responsible for starting several programs that are now part of the curriculum. The Eva Jean Dubois Annual Fund will support strategic initiatives in the school and preference for the International Study Program in Ecuador, he added. Click here to read more. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body Auburn University has been awarded $10 million from the National Science Foundation, or NSF, to lead a national research effort to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education among disabled students. The grant will support a five-year program that will grow as it progresses, says Overtoun Jenda, assistant provost for special projects and initiatives at Auburn, whose office will be administering the initiative. We are starting out as a 27-institution alliance, said Jenda, a professor of mathematics in the College of Sciences and Mathematics. The award was made official on Aug. 1, and the first 90 days involves the development of a strategic plan that will guide the alliance. The funding will be used to conduct research related to enhancing workforce development opportunities for persons with disabilities. The collaborative research effort is a national project aimed at increasing the number of disabled students entering college and completing a degree in a STEM-related field of study. This major award from the National Science Foundation will allow Auburn and collaborating institutions to foster a more diverse workforce while improving educational opportunities for disabled students, said James Weyhenmeyer, Auburn's vice president for research and economic development. Students will also receive benefits such as peer and faculty mentoring, research opportunities and financial support. The program has three primary goals: 1) increasing the quantity of students with disabilities completing associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM; 2) facilitating the transitions of students with disabilities from STEM degree completion into the STEM workforce; and 3) enhancing communication and collaboration among institutions of higher education, industry, government, national labs and local communities in addressing the education needs of students with disabilities in STEM disciplines. Persons with disabilities are one of the most significantly underrepresented groups in STEM education and employment, Jenda said. And they comprise a disproportionately smaller percentage of STEM degrees and jobs compared to their percentages in the U.S. population. This alliance is designed to help shrink that gap. Students will participate through stipends, internships conferences and mentoring. Auburn is leading this initiative that is subdivided into six regional hubs, according to Jenda. Auburn is overseeing the complete alliance, while at the same time leading the Southeastern Hub, Jenda said. Other hub-leading institutions include Northern Arizona University (Mountain Hub), The Ohio State University (Northeastern Hub), the University of Hawaii-Manoa (Islands Hub), the University of Missouri-Kansas City (Midwest Hub) and the University of Washington (West Coast Hub). Auburn is working closely with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, which functions as the backbone organization for the alliance to support communication, engagement, networked systems, data collection and analyses, sustainability, scaling and dissemination. Jenda will be assisted in the program administration by others at Auburn, including David Shannon with the College of Education, Daniela Marghitu with the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering a member of the NSFs Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering, or CEOSE Brittany McCullough with the Office of Special Projects and Initiatives and Carl Pettis, provost at Alabama State University, also one of the participating institutions. The award is part of the NSF INCLUDES initiative, one of NSFs 10 Big Ideas, which invests in programs that address diversity, inclusion and participation challenges in STEM at a national scale. The Auburn-led alliance is one of only five INCLUDES awards given by NSF this year. Creating pathways to success for a STEM workforce reflective of the U.S. population is of national importance to ensuring America's competitiveness in a global research landscape, said Sylvia Butterfield, acting assistant director for NSFs Education and Human Resources Directorate. NSF INCLUDES Alliances provide a structure to address this issue and for the STEM enterprise to work collaboratively to achieve inclusive change. Jenda, an Auburn professor since 1988, was part of a group of a dozen university professors to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2020. Jenda's Presidential Award is administered by NSF and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and recognizes excellence in mentoring among college and university professors. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Appeal against house arrest of attorney charged with fraud set for August 5 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 18:52 03/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court will hear an appeal against house arrest of attorney Timur Marshani charged with large-scale fraud on August 5, the courts press service has told RAPSI. The lawyer has been put under house arrest until August 31 by the order of Moscows Kuntsevsky District Court. Marshany works for the Team Legal Service law bureau. He is known for being an attorney for defendants in notorious cases over traffic accidents and medical industry. Prosecutor General's Office registers 33,000 corruption-generating factors in Russian laws RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 14:31 03/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) The Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation discovered 33,000 corruptogenic factors in Russian regulatory legal acts over the first six months of 2021, the press service of the body informs RAPSI. In the first half of 2021, prosecutors carried out anticorruption expert examination of almost 500,000 regulatory legal acts. As it was established, 36,000 of such acts contained over 33,000 factors generating corruption. In order to eliminate these factors, prosecutors issued 2,500 requests, brought in 33,000 protests, submitted 37 claims (statements) to courts, made more than 600 submissions, the body said in its statement. Prosecutors succeeded to exclude more than 32,000 corruption-generating factors from the laws, the body noted. The most frequently identified factors of corruption were lack or incompleteness of administrative procedures (12,300 cases), breadth of discretionary powers (8,700 cases), adoption of regulatory legal acts outside the competence (7,000), selective change in the scope of rights (4,900 cases), regulatory collisions (4,200 cases), the statement reads. Russian Justice Ministry proposes to provide free legal aid on Internet for 2 years RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 17:39 03/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) The Russian Ministry of Justice proposes to organize an experiment on the provision of free legal aid through electronic services; a part of this pilot project is to be the creation of information system Legal Assistance, the press service of the body informs RAPSI. The draft government decree has been posted for public comment. The experiment is proposed to be carried out in the period from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. The main goal of the project is to create conditions for the effective development of state and non-state systems of free legal aid provision by improving the process of interaction between their participants and citizens of the Russian Federation, providing the population with equal access to free legal aid and the ability to choose a convenient way to obtain it, regardless of location, the ministry said in a statement. The authors of the initiative propose to include all regions of the Russian Federation in the experiment by 2022. The functions of the operator of the information system Legal Assistance responsible for its creation and maintenance of its functioning are to be assigned to federal budgetary institution Scientific Center for Legal Information under the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, the body noted. Seguin, Texas (78155) Today Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. [August 03, 2021] Enterprise Connect 2021 Announces Finalists for Best of Enterprise Connect Industry Awards Enterprise Connect, the leading conference and exhibition for enterprise communications and collaboration, today announces the finalists for the Best of Enterprise Connect awards program. Best of Enterprise Connect recognizes excellence and innovation in the enterprise communications and collaboration industry. Judges reviewed entries with a focus on factors including technology advancement, innovation and business impact. Finalists for the Best in Enterprise Connect award are: OVERALL Best in Enterprise Connect 8x8 8x8, for a product to be announced in late September. BlueJeans by Verizon (News - Alert) BlueJeans Telehealth, a customizable telehealth application that helps replicate the experience of onsite care encounters and patient interactions while also providing the flexibility of virtual care. Five9 (News - Alert) Five9 Inference Studio 7.0, a cloud-based Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA) platform with a no-code development interface that allows businesses to quickly build and deploy a digital workforce across multiple channels and multiple languages. Mio Mio Universal Direct Messages, which power intercompany communications across Slack, Microsoft (News - Alert) Teams, Webex, and Zoom Chat through the use of webhooks and APIs. TSG Global tnID, which deploys a patented blockchain solution designed to provide a shared chain of custody and attested identity record relating to telephone numbers (commonly used by IoT devices). Voximplant Voximplant Kit, an omnichannel cloud contact center with no-code AI and a flexible voice-activated IVR that is easy to deploy and manage. Wahsega Carina, mass notification and safety IoT platform designed to protect people and buildings. Best Innovation in Customer Experience Sprinklr Sprinklr, for a product to be announced this Fall. Voximplant Voximplant Kit, an omnichannel cloud contact center with no-code AI and a flexible voice-activated IVR that is easy to deploy and manage. Best Application of Artificial Intelligence AWS AWS, for a product to be announced in late September. Five9 Five9 Inference Studio 7.0, a cloud-based Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA) platform with a no-code development interface that allows businesses to quickly build and deploy a digital workforce across multiple channels and multiple languages. Sprinklr Sprinklr, for a product to be announced this Fall. Uniphore U-Trust Portfolio, composed of U-Trust Agent, a verification solution that uses a unique voiceprint to authenticate agents; and U-Trust Environment, which protects sensitive customer data. VoiceInteraction CallScriber, an AI-driven insight-gathering application that receives, automatically transcribes, and analyzes every customer interaction. Best Innovation for Virtual Meetings Mio Mio Universal Direct Messages, which power intercompany communications across Slack, Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom Chat through the use of webhooks and APIs. Poly (News - Alert) Poly Studio E70, intelligent camera for meeting rooms emphasizing video quality, audio features, and analytics. Zoom Zoom Events, an all-in-one platform for creating a wide range of interactive and immersive virtual events to reach and engage audiences of any size. Best Innovation for the Post-Covid Workspace BlueJeans by Verizon BlueJeans Telehealth, a customizable telehealth application that helps replicate the experience of onsite care encounters and patient interactions while also providing the flexiility of virtual care. Crestron Crestron Flex Phones, a new portfolio of Microsoft Teams-certified desk phones for organizations seeking a dedicated collaboration experience for their employees. Newline Interactive Newline Flex, an all-in-one touch monitor designed for desktop collaboration. Slack Slack Voice Video, & Screen Recordings, which let users create and share short voice, video, or screen share recordings for others to watch and respond to directly in channel-at whatever time works best for them. Wahsega Carina, mass notification and safety IoT platform designed to protect people and buildings. X2O Media X2O OneRoom, designed to create an immersive real-time meeting, collaboration and learning environment for organizations with employees across the globe. Winners will be announced during an awards presentation at Enterprise Connect 2021 on Tuesday, September 28. Enterprise Connect 2021 takes place September 27 - 29 at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando. For more information and to register for the event, visit www.enterpriseconnect.com/orlando. Media and industry analysts who are interested in attending Enterprise Connect 2021 can apply for a complimentary press badge here. Stay connected with Enterprise Connect on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. For additional information on exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Leahy at Michael.Leay@informa.com. Enterprise Connect is taking steps to ensure attendee, exhibitor and partner safety. Enterprise Connect will adopt parent company Informa's (News - Alert) AllSecure Plan at the event. AllSecure is Informa's approach to ensuring the highest standards of safety, hygiene, cleanliness and operational effectiveness for all exhibitors, attendees, speakers and press. Learn more about Enterprise Connect's health and safety plan here. About Enterprise Connect For more than 30 years, Enterprise Connect has been the leading conference and exhibition for enterprise communications and collaboration in North America. Enterprise Connect brings corporate IT decision makers together with the industry's vendors, analysts and consultants to focus on the issues central to enterprise communications. Enterprise Connect owns and produces No Jitter, (nojitter.com), providing daily blogging and analysis of enterprise communications, and it also serves the community with a weekly email newsletter, research surveys and a Webinar Series. For more information, visit enterpriseconnect.com/orlando. Enterprise Connect is brought to you by Informa Tech. About Informa Tech Informa Tech is a market leading provider of integrated research, media, training and events to the global Technology community. We're an international business of more than 600 colleagues, operating in more than 20 markets. Our aim is to inspire the Technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through research, media, training and event brands that inform, educate and connect. Over 7,000 professionals subscribe to our research, with 225,000 delegates attending our events and over 18,000 students participating in our training programs each year, and nearly 4 million people visiting our digital communities each month. Learn more about Informa Tech. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005273/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission on 30 July 2021, this image shows smoke billowing from several fires along the southern coast of Turkey. Turkey has been battling deadly wildfires since last week. Over the weekend, tourists and local residents had to be evacuated from Bodrum and Marmaris, with some fleeing by boat as the flames crept closer to the shoreline. Southeast Europe is currently experiencing extremely high temperatures. Greece is reported to be expecting an all-time European record today of 47C. The heatwave, the result of a heat dome, has seen temperatures reach above 40C in many areas, and meteorologists expect the weather will continue this week, making it the most severe heatwave since the 1980s. Fires have also been raging in Spain, Italy and Greece, some of which have led to the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service being triggered. The mapping service uses data from satellites to aid response to disasters such as wildfires and floods. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Longtime harness racing industry participant Alice Kopas of Ilderton, Ont. has passed away at the age of 90. Alice was the backbone of the successful Jack Kopas Stable, which started in 1958 in Trois Rivieres, Que. The Kopas clan operated a public stable there for several years before moving to Ontario, where they established their home and a stable just north of London. "All Dad had to worry about was training the horse," son John told Trot Insider "Mom took care of everything else. She handled all the staking on all the horses we trained, she did that every year. Plus the majority of the time she was the one making the entries all over and everywhere. She contributed so much to our success, no doubt." While connected to a number of stakes winners and champions over the years, John recalled a couple of performers that stood out as Alice's favourites. Kopas mentioned divisional champion trotting filly Amanda Seelster, a filly that Alice co-owned with good friend Eddie Goodman, as well as pacing colt My Flying Bret -- a horse that Alice picked out herself as a yearling and purchased in Lexington. Predeceased by husband Jack, Alice is survived by sons John and Roger, grandchildren Jack, Allison, George, Clint and Catherine and six great-grandchildren. Cremation will take place with no public service. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Alice Kopas. Thanks to the generosity of so many, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) Charity Night raised $5,169 for the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA), which will help STA in its vital goal of working with organizations throughout the sport that prepare retiring racehorses for careers and homes. The MSOA staged the event during Adios Week, inviting participants to purchase tickets for a pair of auctions. The most unusual raffle prize came from Weaver Bruscemi LLC and the Ron Burke stable, who donated one percent of the earnings of their horses Southwind Gendry and Lous Pearlman in the final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids. Southwind Gendrys fourth-place finish was worth $30,000, meaning the lucky ticket-holder, Kathleen Quinn Hodel won $300 for her $5 ducat. The MSOA wishes to extend special thanks to Weaver Bruscemi, Burke and all other contributors of cash, auction prizes and in-kind services, including: Nick Catalano, Keith Pippi, Kahrig Racing Stable, Lori & Ray Romanetti; The Hyatt & Parlay Lounge, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and John & Nicole Sullivan. (MSOA) The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) has welcomed a high-level delegation at its offices together with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). The delegation, led by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) Acting CEO Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi, was aimed at strengthening ties as well as supporting the growth and development of the trading of financial derivatives in gold, other commodities, foreign stocks, indices and currencies, said a statement. Senior representatives from both the DGCX and DMCC were on hand to receive the group, including the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and Chairman of DGCX Ahmed bin Sulayem, DGCX CEO Les Male, as well as Board Member Feryal Ahmadi, in addition to DGCX Directors. During the visit, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Dr Al Suwaidi toured DGCXs office and DMCCs headquarters in Almas Tower. The delegation was also briefed on the state-of-the-art Dubai Diamond Exchange, UAE Kimberley Process office, DMCC Vault, and Diamond Foundrys Dubai facility. The visit also presented an important opportunity to discuss ongoing ties and collaboration between DGCX and SCA, in addition to current developments, challenges and opportunities in the market, and to demonstrate the DGCX groups services and leading platform to the H.E. Minister of Economy. The delegation also discussed the launch of a variety of new Futures Contracts with the DGCX team. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, and Chairman of DGCX, said: Todays visit from His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq and Her Excellency Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi demonstrates the key role that DMCC plays in advancing the UAEs economy. We look forward to continue working alongside the Ministry and SCA as together, we help shape the future of trade and place Dubai at its very centre. Les Male, CEO of DGCX said: This visit is a testament to the close ties we have with both the Ministry of Economy and SCA. We are very proud of this relationship and look forward to working with them as we explore the launch of a number of new Futures Contracts. It is their forward thinking and support that helps to achieve new milestones and cement our role in the UAE and as we look to become the Exchange and Clearing House of choice for the GCC. TradeArabia News Service Sustainability and digitalisation are two of the worlds leading trends that the regions construction industry must incorporate to ensure sustainable growth, according to Trimble, a global leader in construction technology. Trimble said that its construction technology solutions have been contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the field by at least 553,964 tonnes per year. It noted that the solution further supports the sectors goals of cutting carbon footprint and contributing to the UN global goals towards sustainable development. Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) companies across the globe have experienced higher success in project delivery using Trimble technology, both at job site and in office, reporting up to 50 per cent less rework, up to 30 per cent cost savings, informed decision making, and up to 30 per cent increase in machine productivity and fuel savings, Trimble stated in its latest report. There has been a wide improvement in meeting project deadlines while also enabling them to significantly cut on the environmental impact of their construction activities, according to the report. Designed specifically to improve the five key pillars of the construction industrys operations, namely productivity, quality, transparency, safety, and sustainability, Trimbles Connected Construction has been instrumental in the increased efficiency in various projects across industries. Paul Wallett, Regional Director, Trimble Solutions (Middle East and India) said: "The AEC industry in the region is now waking up to the need to digitalise construction and is increasingly recognising its long-term benefits and business value." "With the regions construction industry projected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.8 per cent by 2025, Trimbles Connected Construction is responding to this projected demand," remarked Wallett. "It puts forward an advanced method which embraces the need for greater accuracy and efficiency for all construction industry players, which include architects, engineers, contractors and owners," he added. The construction sector is rapidly catching up with the digital transformation across the world through Connected Construction. It unifies the people, processes, and phases involved in each project using the latest and most innovative hardware, software, and services. According to Trimble, a jobsite that is seamlessly connected through digital technology - from modeling, imagery, measurement, and data - to the physical world of stakeholders at each level of construction lifecycle and equipment, hugely empowers construction companies. It enables them to manage with full confidence the sheer volume and scale of moving parts involved in large infrastructure projects. Connected construction further helps manage a project end-to-end, starting with pre-construction planning and continuing through its final handover, operations, and maintenance. To further support the sectors current needs, Trimble has introduced a new set of affordable subscription-based configurations of its flagship structural engineering software, Tekla Structures, to enable a larger number of AEC companies to adopt the technology. "With a goal of making our technologies more accessible to small or mid-sized AEC firms who cannot always incur costs for perpetual licences, we at Trimble have made a strategic shift towards subscription-based licence models in March this year," noted Wallett. "Existing and new customers can now choose the most appropriate subscription plan and avail lower entry costs by using the Trimble solutions that are suited for them," he added. Tekla Structures has three configurations Diamond, Graphite and Carbon. While Tekla Structures Diamond offers the full functionality of Tekla Structures, Tekla Structures Graphite offers modeling and design documentation while Tekla Structures Carbon is for viewing and collaboration service. Trimble has been playing a key role in the infrastructure development of the region since 2000 through its technology solutions and branch offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. It has been supporting a significant number of key industry players which have incorporated Trimbles solutions in their workflows across the GCC region. Trimbles flagship product - Tekla Structures has been a key contributor to some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region such as the Museum of Future, Burj Khalifa, Expo 2020 Dubai, Ain Dubai, One Zaabeel, among others. Teklas simple, integrated design and analysis software enables engineers to deliver safe, effective, and rationalized design quickly and efficiently, saving hours of construction.-TradeArabia News Service Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAEs National Rail Network, said it has signed a strategic partnership with Western Bainoona Group. As per the deal, Etihad Rail will deliver rail freight services for transporting onstruction materials from Western Bainoona Group's facilities in Fujairah to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The partnership is one of Etihad Rails largest commercial partnerships for Stage Two of the UAEs National Rail Project. The deal will see a total of 4.5 million tonnes of Western Bainoona Groups aggregates being transported annually on 643 trains from the groups facilities in Fujairah to logistics hubs in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) and Dubai Industrial City. Etihad Rail is allocating 70 wagons for each train (around 1 km long), with an approximate capacity of 7,000 tonnes per trip. Group Chairman Mohammed Khalfan Al Hameli said: "Western Bainoona Group is honoured to become one of Etihad Rails partners. We look to leverage the freight solutions provided by the rail network, bolstering and facilitating trade between the emirates." "In sum, the network will enhance the capacity of companies operating across the UAE. Companies can develop their business by redirecting assets and reducing transportation costs, efficiently utilising their time and resources to become active players in the development of the UAE," he added. Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Rail Relations Sector at Etihad Rail, said: "We are pleased to sign one of the largest agreements for Stage Two of UAE National Rail Network, adding Western Bainoona Group to our list of partners." "We will be providing fast, smooth, and integrated transport solutions for the companys products from Fujairah to the logistics hubs in ICAD and Dubai Industrial City, strengthening the Groups business," he noted. "Etihad Rail delivers cost-effective and time-efficient transport solutions, reducing road traffic in the UAE. In doing so, we protect the environment in reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, we deliver significant benefits for the logistics, infrastructure, and transport sectors across the UAE," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai-based dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has announced the promotion of David Barker to Divisional Senior Vice President (DSVP) for Airport Operations. David has been with dnata for over six years, currently leading the companys extensive airport operations in the US as Chief Executive Officer. In his new role David will oversee dnatas global ground handling and cargo business at 91 airports in 14 countries, managing a team of over 23,000 customer-oriented aviation professionals. David will be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and report to Steve Allen, dnatas Executive Vice President. He will take on his new role on August 1, replacing Stewart Angus who decided to leave dnata for family reasons, after 16 successful years. Steve Allen said: Im delighted to welcome David to dnatas global management team. Over the past years, David has made outstanding achievements as our regional leader, playing a key role in the expansion of dnatas operations and customer base in the United States. His passion for service excellence will ensure the highest level of quality and safety across our global airport operations. Id also like to take the opportunity to thank Stewart for his hard work and significant contribution to dnatas development over the past 16 years. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. David joined dnata in 2015 with over two decades of experience in the aviation industry. In his current role as dnata USAs CEO, he has more than doubled the size of the companys business in the country, won many new customers, and successfully integrated a highly motivated team into the global dnata community. Previously, he held C-suite roles at JetSource and various general manager and regional operational roles with ASIG. He also led the global mergers and acquisitions for BBA Aviation Flight Support. A trusted partner of over 300 airline customers, dnata provides quality and safe ground handling, cargo, catering and travel services in 35 countries. In the financial year 2020-21 dnatas customer-oriented teams handled 290,000 aircraft, moved 2.7 million tons of cargo, and uplifted some 17 million meals. TradeArabia News Service Mubadala Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor, announced that it will be the title sponsor for the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) for the fourth consecutive time. Taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, the fourth edition of the event will run from November 22 to27 in parallel with EXPO Dubai. Focusing on the theme Rewiring Societies: Repurposing Digitalization for Prosperity, the event will explore how the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) can be leveraged to enhance productivity across the manufacturing ecosystem and create shared value for organizations globally. The Summit will also feature the UAEs first tech-driven manufacturing exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in technology and products. Mubadalas participation will see the organization highlight recent changes among its national champions including Strata Manufacturing (Strata), Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Sanad Group (Sanad). As industry partners for GMIS, the three companies reinforce Mubadalas role in the commitment to driving economic transformation across the nation. Umayma Abubakar, Director of Executive Communications and Corporate Center, said: We are proud to announce our role as a title sponsor for the fourth edition of GMIS. As a Summit focusing on the latest trends and innovative solutions for the manufacturing sector, Mubadalas participation will underscore our advancements in the fields of technology and industry, shedding light on our growth strategies, to make a tangible impact on communities worldwide, in line with our objectives to position the UAE as a global hub for advanced technology. With the event taking place in parallel to EXPO 2020, we look forward to exploring more collaborative opportunities with the public and private entities and contributing to the UAEs economic growth and diversification. Mubadalas sponsorship in GMIS 2021 follows the sovereign wealth funds increased focus on the technology and manufacturing sectors, including its role in a consortium to invest a total of $2.25bn in Waymo, the self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Waymo is a proven leader in self-driving technology and is the only autonomous vehicle company with a public ride-hailing service. Furthermore, throughout Mubadala's global and collective response to COVID-19 in 2020, Strata supplied UAE-produced masks to Japan in support of their own national efforts in tackling the pandemic and safeguarding healthcare workers on the frontline. Mubadala has also expanded its investments in advanced digital technologies by acquiring a stake in G42, a UAE born, global leader in artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing. From genomics to smart nation, and from Fintech to space, G42 accelerating the nations growth in technological advancements.TradeArabia News Service Brinc MENA, a venture capital and startup accelerator, has joined forces with Bahrains chief telecom services provider Batelco and the US-based Digital Media Academy to launch an extensive one-year Batelco Digital Bootcamp for the countrys youth. The phased programme, which kick started on July 25, will give 20 students aged 17 and 18 hands-on training in five most in-demand skills by top experts in the fields. It aims to create confident decision-makers with a creative mindset who can adapt and overcome obstacles individually and as a unit. Students will be given certificates from DMA, internship opportunities, and free mentorship guidance twice a year to prepare a smooth roadmap for them for each stage of their education and career. According to Shaikh Bader bin Rashid AlKhalifa, General Manager Corporate Communications and CSR at Batelco: We are happy to be collaborating with Brinc on this ambitious programme which is extremely relevant in todays digital ecosystem. He said: Fast-paced technological advancements are shifting business and market needs for specialty skills and knowhow. Batelco always strives to support educational initiatives in line with its social responsibility commitments that enable todays youth with the necessary capabilities to succeed in a digitally-powered economy. On her part, Latifa Al-Khalifa, Managing Director, DMA, said: Digital Media Academy - Bahrain is excited to lend its world-renowned banner of creative tech excellence to Brincs digital literacy programmes. This partnership will bolster Brincs core offerings and define its footprint in tech education in Bahrain. The Batelco Digital Bootcamp is in line with Bahrains 2030 Vision for talent diversification, while also meeting Brinc Menas core pillar of youth empowerment to make Bahrain the hub of talent and innovation in a fast-paced digital world. Each partnership brings us one step closer to redefining youth empowerment through talent diversification; this year we bring Silicon Valley career opportunities to Bahrain. Our partnership with Batelco and Digital Media Academy is a powerhouse that enables youth to gain an intrapreneurship perspective with 21st-century skills, which will accelerate the digital transformation of the kingdom from within organisations, said Yasin Aboudaoud, CDO & MP of Brinc Mena. Phase 1 of the three phase programme will allow students to learn technical skills for four weeks. The students will learn Java, Python and AI programming to develop apps and games in addition to animation drawing. They will also be introduced to the latest digital skills trends, such as big data, cloud computing and IoT through professional workshops. Phase 2 will focus on developing a problem-solving mindset helping students to utilise research methods to solve global dilemmas. Meanwhile Phase 3 will boost their professional attitude towards establishing their own brand identity and business plan. Before the finish line, students will sharpen their presentation and team skills through a competitive hackathon to pitch their ideas to win the best tech business idea in the bootcamp. Tradearabia News Service The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), a public research institution located in Al Ain and the oldest university in the country, has announced that it will be participating in Expo 2020 Dubai with an independent pavilion situated in the Mobility District. The expo will be held in Dubai from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. The pavilions central programme, the Pathfinders, has invited applications from high school graduates, enrolled students or recent graduates (within one year) from a UAE or an international university. The first iteration of the Pathfinders Program, 1.0, currently on-going, will conclude in September with over 46 participants. Talking about the curriculum of the future, Executive Director of the UAEU pavilion at Expo 2020 and lead of the Pathfinders programme Prof. Nihel Chabrak said: "The curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills of the future by infusing in learners reasoning, problem-identifying and problem-solving, higher level of abstraction, system thinking, creativity, experimentation, and collaboration, teamwork, leadership, effective communication, values of citizenship, quality, and ambition, to make their transition towards existing and future employment opportunities seamless." Experts from leading private, government, and not-for-profit organisations will address the programme. Participants will be recognised and awarded during a graduation ceremony, a statement from the university said. The resulting educational outputs and experiences will be used to enrich and set up the final version of the curriculum of the institute of the future, it added. Applicants will be assessed through their motivation and willingness to initiate a self-discovery path to identify their purpose and talent, develop their mindset, and a lifelong learning habit to explore better challenges faced by society. A total of 40 Pathfinders will be selected for Pathfinders Program 2.0, 50% of them will be from UAEU. Activities will be planned and conducted in line with the national health and safety protocols in the UAE.-TradeArabia News Service Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, will resume flights to Jeddah on August 11, the airline announced. The twice-weekly flights will operate on Wednesday and Saturday as WY 1675 from Muscat (MCT) and WY 1676 from Jeddah (JED). Flights from Muscat will depart at 15:25 and arrive in Jeddah at 17:40. Flights from Jeddah will depart at 19:40 and arrive in Muscat at 23:45. The airline said no quarantine is required for fully vaccinated travellers, with proof of second dose administered 14 days prior to arrival. Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety programme throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman's airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been modified to further ensure safety, and a number of other measures have been implemented to ensure that the airline's guests and crew are safe at all times. Guests who are planning to travel to Muscat should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website, caa.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate, said the airline. Guests travelling to Jeddah should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through the country, it added. Guests travelling for Umrah should be aware of the latest conditions for travel, as well as other relevant Umrah measures and restrictions, it said. -TradeArabia News Service Tata Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai, has announced plans to expand its hospitality brand into the Gulf and Middle East with the opening of at least five Taj hotels in the region over the next two years. The group's Middle East and North Africa Resident Director Sunil Sinha said the region is of strategic importance to the conglomerate due to its proximity to India and the high proportion of expatriates from South Asia. He said: Taj is our pride, our (oldest) business in the Tata Group, and it delivers unmatched experience and lasting memories for guests around the world, with a service culture that has been nourished over 116 years and practised across 50 destinations around the world. With the Taj Exotica due to open on The Palm in late 2021 or early 2022, the number of the Groups hotels in Dubai will rise to three. The construction tender for a fourth in the Deira Creek area will be issued in 2022, and a fifth is planned for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, due to open in 2023 or 2024, zawya.com reported. The cities of Manama, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Doha, Cairo and Istanbul are also possible sites for new Taj hotels, said Sinha. He highlighted the appeal of Saudi Arabia and its economic diversification efforts through its Vision 2030 goals. We feel that with the focus on economic diversification as well as tourism and development, like the NEOM project, the Qiddiya project, there are a lot of opportunities that will come our way, and we want to be a partner in this programme. Sinha continued: There are a number of projects in process; we have not put any limit. We would like to see a Taj flag in each of these cities; that is the first goal that we have. The Taj chain of hotels is one of the Tata Groups 17 companies, which are both listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). According to Sinha, the Tata Group has been impacted by Covid-19 just as many other global businesses, but it is also adapting and finding new ventures as the world recovers. One such venture, he said, is TataMD Check, a fast-turnaround testing solution that produces results in two to four hours. We have already launched this product in India, especially in the airports. We are very close to bringing this product to the Middle East, especially to Dubai, he said. Another new venture, TataMD Secure, is an end-to-end Covid-19 risk management system that has the potential to improve safety at large events and allow employers to bring workforces back to the workplace, he said. On Tatas future in the Middle East, Sinha cited emerging opportunities in telecoms and communications for the company to explore. Emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, IoT, cloud mobility and other industry 4.0 solutions will play a big role in economic diversification. Describing Dubai Expo 2020 as a marquee event and the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, Sinha said Tata will fully participate and contribute to it. We also believe that Expo 2020 will unlock opportunities in this region and provide a tailwind to many businesses seeing some sort of plateauing in the last few years, he said. Voltas, Tatas mechanical engineering plumbing (MEP) provider, developed the Expo 2020 CoEx (Conference and Exhibition Centre), a 148,000 square metre space, and Tata Steel has provided steel solutions to 50 expo pavilions. Taj Grand is going to be the partner for the India pavilion, and we hope to see a very nice fine-dining restaurant from Taj at Expo 2020. We will continue to explore opportunities for all our businesses to be part of Expo 2020, he said. IBTM World, part of RX (Reed Exhibitions) and a leading showcase for the meetings and events industry, has won Best International Trade Show in the Exhibition News Awards for its 2019 event. More than 600 leading industry players gathered at Evolution London for an evening of celebration to mark the achievements of the industrys brightest stars. The awards, hosted by comedian Tom Allen, recognised those who had made an impact over the pandemic as well as those making a difference in how the industry operates. IBTM World 2019 took place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from November 19-21. The event welcomed 2,600 exhibitors from 150 countries as well as over 2,700 hosted buyers and more than 14,000 visitors for three days of bespoke one-to-one business meetings, exciting networking opportunities and specially curated educational content. Almost 74,000 pre-scheduled business meetings took place over the three days. The judges commented that IBTM World 2019 displayed an impressive growth in tangible revenue while facing challenging external market conditions. The organisers have embarked on a transformational approach to this event that has delivered. David Thompson, Event Director, said: Winning Best International Trade Show at the Exhibition News Awards is a huge accolade and its a reflection of the talent and commitment of the whole team that we were able to win in what was an incredibly competitive category. After creating our successful virtual show for the 2020 edition of IBTM World, we are looking forward to bringing the events industry together in Barcelona this year for our first in-person IBTM World since 2019, providing the industry with the tools it needs to thrive in the next chapter in meetings and events, he added. The award-winning IBTM World will take place this year at Fira, Barcelona from November 30 to December 2. The show will be followed by IBTM World Virtual, from December 7 9, 2021. TradeArabia News Service The UAE is lifting a ban on transit flights including from India and Pakistan starting from August 5, reported Reuters, citing the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA). Passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure, said NCEMA said on Twitter. The Gulf state, a major international travel hub, had banned passengers from many South Asian and African states travelling through its airports this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The transit ban had also included Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Nigeria. India and Pakistan are important markets for Emirates, Etihad Airways and other UAE carriers flydubai and Air Arabia. Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers. NCEMA said that a ban on entry to the UAE for passengers from these countries would also be lifted for those with valid residencies and who are certified by Emirati authorities as fully vaccinated. However, they would need to apply for online entry permits prior to travelling and would need to present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure, it added. Dubai carrier Emirates has announced that it has entered into an interline partnership with Mexican airline Aeromar, aimed at providing seamless connectivity for customers between destinations in Mexico and US via Mexico City to Emirates' global network. Through this interline partnership, customers will now be able to book tickets to fly to and from 12 destinations in Mexico and the US covered by the interline agreement via Mexico City, connecting to Emirates' flights EK 256/255 between Mexico City, Barcelona and Dubai. Customers can then journey to Emirates' network of more than 120 cities across the world. The interline agreement allows customers the convenience of booking their entire journey on a single ticket with uniform baggage policy and fare conditions. Tickets can be booked online on Emirates site or through travel agents. "Emirates is delighted to enter into this interline partnership with Aeromar. The strength of Aeromar's regional flight network will allow us to connect a large number of travellers from cities in Mexico and Texas, US to our global network via Mexico City, Barcelona and Dubai," said its Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim. "Customers will not only have the opportunity to experience Emirates' signature hospitality and flight experience but will also have the convenience of booking their journey from Mexico on a single ticket available online on Emirates' website or through their travel agents," he stated. Fabricio Cojuc, Executive Director, Network Strategy and Alliances at Aeromar said: "We are very proud to partner with Emirates, globally recognised for its excellence of service and unrivaled Dubai hub. The agreement is a testament to Aeromars high quality standars and further enhances our strong interline cooperation portfolio, which includes several industry leading international airlines serving Mexico." The destinations in Mexico covered by the interline partnership between Emirates and Aeromar include Acapulco (ACA), Veracruz (VER), Puerto Escondido (PXM), Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH), Ixtepec (IZT), Colima (CLQ), Ciudad Victoria (CVM), Lazaro Cardenas (LZC), Piedras Negras (PDS) and Tepic (TPQ). The agreement also covers Aeromars destinations in the United States, Laredo (LRD) and McAllen (MFE), Texas, he added. In addition to the connectivity enabled by the partnership with Aeromar, Emirates already offers customers the choice of flying to and from over 10 destinations in Mexico through existing partnerships with other airlines.-TradeArabia News Service Help India! In recent months, at least three Kashmiri families have demanded probes into the killing of their slain kin who are accused to be alleged militants. The call for the probe was also raised by the former Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti. Auqib Javeed | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles SRINAGAR On July 28, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehboob Mufti appealed to the Police chief of the Kashmir region to probe the killing of three youth in encounters, saying that people are raising fingers on IGP after the killing of three youth in the encounters. IGP should probe the killings of Zakir, Imran and Azad Mushtaq. The facts in this regard should be made public, Mufti said on her Partys foundation day in Srinagar. The appeal by the former CM is not unusual in Kashmir. Such appeals usually come from the politicians and the people alike who demand inquiry into the killing of thousands of slain youth in Kashmir, as per human rights groups. Zakir Bashir, 17, was killed in an encounter with government forces in South Kashmirs Kulgam on July 1. However, his family claimed that he was a civilian rather than a militant. Quoting Bashirs family, a local news portal, The Kashmir Walla reported that the boy was dragged out of his home with his brother Ashiq by the government forces personnel during a cordon and search operation (CASO). Bashir was beaten up badly a few meters away from his home. Once they recognized that he was going to die, they shot him twice and slit his throat, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Bashirs brother-in-law, told The Kashmir Walla. However, the Jammu and Kashmir police, in a statement, claimed that Zakir along with two other militants were shot dead after acting on specific information about the presence of terrorists a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Kulgam police, 18Bn CRPF and 09RR in the area. The police further added that, Zakir Bashir had recently joined the proscribed outfit. Days after the encounter, Mehbooba Mufti said that forces must be held accountable as legitimate questions are being raised on the security forces, especially on the death of Zakir Bashir during an encounter, she tweeted. A month earlier on June 2, a family from South Kashmirs Tral made a similar claim that their son was allegedly killed in a staged encounter at a Special Operations Group (SOG) camp in Tral. The Jammu and Kashmir Police said that an encounter broke out between a surrendered militant and police inside the SOG camp in Tral after the alleged militant namely Mohammad Amin Malik snatched a rifle of a cop and fired upon him and left him injured. According to police, Malik, who had surrendered before security forces on May 30 along with a 12 bore rifle, then hid inside the camp along with the rifle. The police said they tried to persuade him to surrender, however, he refused the offer and was killed in the brief encounter. The family of Malik, however, refused the police story and claimed that he was killed in a staged encounter and was tortured brutally. His family told The Wire, that they took Malik to the police station as he was summoned, where they claimed he was killed in custody. On December 30, 2020, hours after Jammu and Kashmir police along with CRPF and Army claimed to have killed three militants in an operation, the family members of the trio claimed that the slain militants were civilians and were allegedly killed in a fake encounter. The families of the trio came all the way from South Kashmir to Srinagar (some 50 kilometres) and staged a protest outside the Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar alleging that the slain were not militants but civilians. The three slain youth killed in the Srinagar gunfight were identified as 24-year-old Ajaz Maqbool Ganai from Putrigam village in Pulwama, Zubair Ahmad Lone, 24 of Turkawangan village of Shopian district and Athar Muhstaq Wani from Bellow, Pulwama, South Kashmir. On February 7, the father of one of the slain youth among seven was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the J&K police for organizing a protest, where they demanded the return of the body. Similarly, on July 25 an encounter broke out between militants and government forces in the Munar area of Yaripora in South Kashmirs Kulgam district. As per the police, the encounter broke out after inputs about the presence of militants in the area. Militants, according to the police officials, fired upon forces conducting the searches, and the police retaliated. In the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed. The militant was later identified as Imran Ahmed Dar of south Kashmirs Anantnag district. However, his family members too contested the police claims that their kin was an ordinary civilian, not a militant as claimed by the government forces. Dars brother Zahid Qayoom told TwoCircles.net that his brother was with them till July 20. However, Zahid left the home on Eid after an argument with his father. We received a call from the police station that we need to present ourselves at the police post in Khanabal. We had no idea what was going on, Qayoom told TwoCircles.net. On reaching the police post, Qayoom said they were shown the photograph of Imrans dead body. We were shocked. Our world turned upside-down, Qayoom said. The family was asked to rush to Police Control Room Srinagar, where they were informed that the body had been sent to a graveyard in the Handwara area of north Kashmir for burial. His father, Abdul Qayoom Dar, who wrote a letter to Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag for an inquiry writes that his son was not involved in militancy-related activities nor any member of our family supported any anti-national activities ever. He further added that his son was a civilian moving freely like any other civilian. The letter, a copy of which lies with this reporter states, that the slains father had met his son last at a petrol pump at 6 pm on Saturday, near his house. I request your good self to kindly look into the matter personally and help the family to retrieve his dead body and an FIR should be lodged to investigate the matter properly so that justice is delivered as we are a law-abiding family, Dar added. That within less than 24 hours I saw the photograph of his dead body assuring me that he was killed in a fake encounter at Munad Kulgam, Dar stated. Dars family told TwoCircles.net that police have started the investigation and they received a few calls from the authorities. We demand a fair probe into the incident as we believe that our brother was killed in a staged encounter, Qayoom said. The claims of innocence by the family members of these slain youth (alleged to be militants) are not new. Earlier in July last year, three labourers from Rajouri in Jammu, who went missing in Shopian district, were found to have been killed in a staged encounter by the Army. The police admitted that an army officer was involved in the killing of three Kashmiri civilians in a staged gunfight and were buried far away from homes as unidentified militants. 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 Douglas Dauntless SBD-1 BuNo. 1612, the sole surviving example of its variant, was expected to arrive at the Air Zoos Flight Discovery Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan today, August 2nd, 2021. The museums highly respected restoration team will complete the full restoration of this historic aircraft, making it the third example of the breed which they have tackled thus far and the fourth aircraft recovered from Lake Michigan which they have worked on. Douglas completed this particular Dauntless in the summer of 1940 at their plant in El Segundo, California. She was just the 17th production model built. Douglas delivered her to the U.S. Marine Corps on September 16th, 1940 and she soon joined Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 (VMSB-132) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia. The Dauntless stayed in Virginia for the next eighteen months before flying across the country in March, 1942 to join VMSB-142 at Camp Kearney (presently the site of MCAS Miramar) just north of San Diego, California. That fall, VMSB-142 upgraded to the SBD-4, deploying operationally to the Pacific. BuNo. 1612, being essentially obsolete from a combat perspective by that point, stayed Stateside in a training role, moving on to the Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) at what was then known as Naval Reserve Air Base (NRAB) Chicago in Glenview, Illinois. Here student pilots gained experience in carrier operations, practicing their art in combat-redundant airframes like the SBD-1. But given their inexperience, many trainee aviators ran into problems, sometimes fatally. And such was the case, tragically, when Ensign Herbert Welton McMinn, USNR of Gouldbush, Texas ditched SBD-1 BuNo.1612 in Lake Michigan during a training mission on November 23, 1942. The Dauntless, one of thirty eight SBDs lost in Lake Michigan, remained where it fell for the next half century before its rediscovery. Sadly, however, no trace of Ensign Weltons body was never found. While A&T Recovery raised the well-preserved SBD from the bottom of Lake Michigan in January 1994, the SBD has experienced an itinerant existence in the ensuing three decades, bouncing between a number of different museums in search of a proper home for refurbishment. Indeed, work didnt fully commence on her restoration until she moved to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in 2012. While that museums volunteers made significant progress in their efforts, unfortunately, their institution closed permanently on March 28th, 2021. The National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), which owns the airframe, had to then find a new home for her, and a reputable team (preferably with knowledge on type) to wrap up the restoration. Given the Air Zoos already considerable experience in restoring SBDs, with one example completed and another well under way, it made sense that the NNAM would engage them with this important project. So this July, with an agreement in hand, the Navy arranged for the SBD to make the long journey by road from San Diego to Kalamazoo. However, before she completed this journey, the SBD, along with representatives from the Air Zoo, A&T Recovery, the U.S. Navy, and descendants of the McMinn family, made a week-long stop at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where their presence generated great excitement amongst the shows visitors. With the conclusion of AirVenture Oshkosh this past Sunday, the SBD then began the final leg of her journey to Kalamazoo. She was due to arrive today, August 2nd, at the Air Zoos Flight Discovery Center, where the museums dedicated restoration team can soon begin the completion of this historic aircrafts resurrection. In addition to his report on restoration progress with Avro Anson Mk.I W2472, our good friend John Parker from WarbirdsOnline recently relayed details about another project underway at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. This aircraft is an early military helicopter design, a Westland WS-51 Dragonfly HR.3, which itself was a license-built variant of the Sikorsky S-51, a type which also served in Australias armed forces, as John Parker relates Amongst the restoration projects presently underway with the RAAF Heritage Branch at RAAF Amberley is a Westland Dragonfly HR.3, which once served with Britains Royal Navy as WG725. While this example never flew in Australia, it is representative of a handful that did. The type was one of the first practical helicopter designs to see Australian military service or anywhere else, for that matter. The Dragonfly is actually a British-built variant of the Sikorsky S-51, and both the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Navy (RAN) operated examples of each in small numbers between 1947 and 1963. Three Sikorsky-built S-51s, A80-1, A80-374 and A80-636, served in the RAAF. Only 374 still survives, and she is on display within the RAAF Museum at RAAF Point Cook near Melbourne, Victoria. Meanwhile, the RAN operated four Westland-built Dragonfly helicopters on their British-built Majestic-class aircraft carrier, HMAS Sydney (formerly HMS Terrible). These helicopters were on loan from Britains Royal Navy and comprised HR.1 VZ965 and HR.3s WG707, WG753 and WP498. Two Sikorsky-built S-51s, borrowed with their crews from the US Navys helicopter utility squadron HU-1 Pacific Fleet Angels, also saw RAN service during the Korean War. These aircraft (designated as the HO3S-1 in the U.S. Navy) operated with the serials UP-21 and UP-28 from the carrier HMAS Sydney in the plane guard and air-sea-rescue roles. As stated earlier, the sole survivor of these early helicopters, A80-374, survives at the RAAF Museum, however, another aircraft is the subject of this article, and this is Westland Dragonfly HR.3 WG725 which lived out its service life within the United Kingdom. Westland delivered WG725 to Aircraft Holding Unit (AHU) at Royal Navy Air Station (RNAS) Gosport near Portsmouth, England during 1952, but she moved later that year to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down for trials work. In February 1953 the aircraft took part in flood relief efforts in the Netherlands and that June she was noted at White Waltham, near Windsor, England. Although she went back to the A&AEE in July 1953, the Dragonfly returned to White Waltham again before too long both Westlands and Fairey Aviation staged a fair number of their post-war air trials out of this airfield. In November 1956, the Dragonfly returned to Westlands for modifications, following which she was reissued to Controller Supplies (Air) who assigned her to Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Bedford and then back to Boscombe Down in 1959, albeit briefly, as she ventured aboard the Royal Navys light fleet carrier, HMS Centaur, that January for air trials work. The helicopter returned to RAE Bedford later that January and retired from use in June 1960. In November 1960 she went, as an instructional airframe, to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Technical Training School at RAF Weeton and then into the store at RAF St Athan from 1965 until 1967. WG725 took part as a static exhibit in the RAFs 50th-anniversary display at RAF Abingdon in 1968 and from there she went to RAF Colerne in 1969, where the RAF Museum maintained some of its exhibits in storage at the time. In 1975, the Dragonfly moved again, this time to RAF Odiham (home of the RAFs heavy-lift helicopter fleet) where she remained until moving on to the Army Museum of Flying at Middle Wallop in 1978. Following an exchange arrangement, the helicopter then moved to Southend in 1981, where she was repainted for Venezuelan Air Force celebrations, marked as 0020 and registered N9987Q. However this arrangement failed, sadly, and the aircraft went into store on-site at Southend, until moving to the Cornwall Aero Park in Helston, Cornwall in 1986. Here she underwent a cosmetic restoration, going on display representing WG754 912/CU until early 2000 when the RAN Fleet Air Arm Museum acquired her. They had the Dragonfly moved just down the road to the Aircraft Maintenance Group at RNAS Culdrose that February, where a team dismantled the helicopter for overseas shipment to her new home in Nowra, about 100 miles down the coast from Sydney, New South Wales. However, once in Australia, the helicopter went into storage. While some basic restorative work took place at Nowra, its fair to say that a lot remains to be done. WG725 remained at Nowra until the RAAF Museum acquired her last year, moving the helicopter to Amberley in May 2020. Museum personnel have begun stripping the aircraft down and intend to restore the Dragonfly for static display within the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre. Here she will represent Dragonfly A80-636 which flew with RAAF No.23 Squadron when stationed at RAAF Amberley. We will continue to monitor restoration progress on the Dragonfly as it moves towards completion. The author would like to thank AIRCDRE John Meier and SQNLDR Paul Ashby of the RAAF History and Heritage Branch for helping make this article possible. Many thanks to John Parker at WarbirdsOnline for this article. Lourdes Concludes Annual Future Physicians Program By Baptist Health Paducah PADUCAH - Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital recently concluded its 14th Annual Future Physicians Program.Upon completion of the program, participants Abigail (Abbie) Young, Cassidy Lounsbury and David Hilbrecht attended a reception, where they each received a $500 Dr. Lisa Chaney Lasher Future Physicians Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Dr. Lasher, and OB/GYN who cared for Lourdes Hospital patients for over 20 years and served on the Lourdes Foundation Board. Dr. Lasher was very active in the medical community and worked with several organizations that helped cancer patients and cancer research before her death in 2018.They submitted essays on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their decision to pursue medicine and on their experience in the Future Physicians Program. David received an additional scholarship for his winning essay.Lourdes Hospital's six-week Future Physicians summer program gives undergraduate pre-medicine students to opportunity to shadow physicians, advanced practice clinicians and other providers. Students get an up-close look at different aspects of the medical field before enrolling in medical school.This year, Abbie, Cassidy and David shadowed providers in Labor and Delivery, OBGYN, the Emergency Department, Hospital Medicine, Operating Room, Endoscopy, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Radiology and Pathology.In addition, they completed hands off tasks includingRestocking linensDelivering and collecting food traysOpening or cutting food as requestedAnswering phonesFilingAnswering call lightsSanitizing equipment after a patient completes physical therapyDavid is a junior at Western Kentucky University and is determining his future plans. Cassidy is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and will be attending the University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Medicine in August. Abigail (Abbie) is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, where she completed Pre-Physician Associate studies. She's taking a gap year and working as a medical scribe to continue gaining experience while applying to PA programs.Applications for the 2022 Future Physicians Program will be available in February. Marshall County Hospital Suspends ER Visits By West Kentucky Star Staff BENTON - Marshall County hospital has announced they are temporarily ceasing visitation to the emergency room.The hospital said in a Facebook post Tuesday they made the decision due to the rise in COVID positive cases.The hospital's message said, "starting today for the safety of our staff and patients, our facility is ceasing visitation in the Emergency Department."The hospital is requesting that all other in-patients only have one visitor at a time and said that patients with special needs or special circumstances will be assessed on an as-needed basis. Details Emerge on Pursuit That Led to Fatal Crash By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The McCracken County Sheriff's Department released additional information on the Cairo Road pursuit that ended in a crash on US 60 and claimed the life of a local woman.Monday afternoon, McCracken County detectives attempted to arrest 27-year-old Lamont X. Young of Cairo, who they say was trying to deliver a large quantity of methamphetamine at a hotel in the 5100 block of Cairo Road.After Young backed into a parking spot, detectives attempted to stop him from leaving by blocking him with their vehicles. However, he was able to avoid detectives and fled onto Cairo Road.While driving, Young allegedly threw large amounts of meth from his vehicle.As Young approached US 60 on Cairo Road, detectives said they slowed their pursuit to decrease pressure on Young. As a detective rounded the curve approaching US 60, he reportedly saw Young's vehicle collide with another vehicle on US 60.Detectives immediately began to determine the extent of the injuries on both Young and the driver of the other vehicle. Ultimately, the other driver succumbed to her injuries.Young was taken by air ambulance to an out-of-state hospital due to the extent of his injuries.The Kentucky State Police are investigating the collision. Chinese troops have an offline group discussion during the exercise.(Photo by Zhang Xiaowei) By Chen Dianhong and Li Qi KUNMING, August 3 -- The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief field training exercise (HADR FTX) as part of Cobra Gold 2021 multi-national exercise concluded in Kunming City of China on the morning of August 2. Since the morning of July 30, over 40 participating troops from 9 countries, including China, the US, Thailand, Japan, ROK, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India, have attended the desktop dry run and forum of the HADR FTX via video links in accordance with the plan. During the video forum, 13 experts from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and other professional institutions, conducted in-depth exchanges on "civil-military coordination in humanitarian relief operations" and "establishment of multinational coordination centers, etc. in the context of coping with flood and earthquake relief. During the desktop dry run on August 1, participants from various countries discussed issues including the rational allocation of rescue forces and the organization of joint search and rescue coordination agencies according to the "disaster" and "the realities of the affected country". To tackle typical obstacles such as the shortage of medical resources and the disruptions of transportation and communications, the participants thrashed out highly efficient, comprehensive, and professional rescue plans. All participating parties generally gave positive comments to the speech and performance of the Chinese participating squad. They praised that China had rich hands-on experience in disaster relief, and the Chinese squad shared the "Chinese solution" to the exploration of the best ways to implement joint rescue and relief operations. As an influential joint military exercise in Southeast Asia, Cobra Gold is held in Thailand on an annual basis. China started to join the Cobra Gold exercise as an observer in 2002 and assigned an actual military squad to participate in for the first time in 2014 August 4 marks the first anniversary of the incident that devastated the economic heart of the Lebanese capital. The inquiries ended with nothing. Politicians and institutional figures wave "immunity" to avoid interrogation. Father Abboud: "We have lost everything, but not our faith. We have experienced bloodshed and we will overcome this too". Beirut (AsiaNews) - One year on, the twin explosion at the port of Beirut "is still an open wound", while citizens are still "waiting for justice, to know the names of those responsible for this incident". This is what the president of Caritas Lebanon, Fr. Michel Abboud, tells AsiaNews, describing "a situation that is still very critical" in "various aspects" and linked in two ways "to the economic condition of the nation" and the political, social and institutional crisis. "We see so much confusion," adds the priest, "because when the judiciary summons politicians or members of institutions to ask questions and question them, most refuse and this does not contribute to establishing a climate of trust." 12 months on, explains Fr. Abboud, the greatest difficulties are found under the "psychological" profile, with many families "in need of support, and as Caritas we immediately took action: many people who were not seen before, now come to ask for help for their families, for their children". Before the accident "there was no widespread recourse to psychological support, to therapy and this is a very strong need" that emerged in the months following the explosion. Our experts, he continues, "are strengthening the various projects with the collaboration of doctors and health workers. This is flanked by the distribution of food, because the economic problem has pushed many families to poverty. The devastation caused by the double explosion, considered the worst disaster in peacetime and equal to an earthquake of magnitude 4.5, are witnessed by the numbers: 214 victims, 6,500 injured and 300 thousand people left homeless. About 70 thousand Lebanese have lost their jobs due to causes related to the deflagration; 73 thousand apartments have been damaged, 9,200 buildings, 163 schools and educational centers have been affected, along with 106 health facilities, including six hospitals and 20 clinics. To date there are no ascertained responsible or convicted defendants linked to the incident, while the Country of the Cedars at 359 days after the event is still without a government. Analysts and experts define the explosion one of the biggest and most powerful among the non-nuclear ones, so much to devastate a large part of the port and several areas of the capital. The official version speaks of an explosion caused by a fire in a warehouse in which was crammed - at least six years - a large stock of ammonium nitrate. A few hours after the incident, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud described an "apocalyptic situation". The investigation has so far produced no significant results, and in a nation where political assassinations and high-profile attacks go unpunished, many fear it will have no effect. Several members of the government, parliament and key security agencies have avoided questioning using so-called "immunity" clauses in the Constitution. The president of Caritas continues: "The port was a primary economic source for the government and a resource for the country, for the many people who worked there, but with the explosion everything stopped. A very hard blow" with obvious repercussions also from a social and human point of view: "Many works and construction sites have stopped, many houses have been emptied, many do not want to renovate their homes and return because they feel the precariousness of the situation, others have already left Lebanon. We have to find some certainties". Faced with an emergency that continues, the Christian charity is responding by expanding the distribution of food, personal hygiene kits essential at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, medical care and psychotherapy, funding for the reconstruction of housing. And again, medical care for indigent people who can not go to hospitals, now increasingly saturated and struggling with a crisis in the supply of medicines or private clinics with unaffordable prices for the vast majority. Caritas, says the president, has so far contributed "to the renovation of 1,500 houses, but now we must continue and resources are needed. In this critical context, concludes Fr. Abboud, "the value of faith has emerged even stronger: we have lost everything, homes, schools, families, personal property. They have taken everything from us, but they have not succeeded in taking away our faith, which remains firm. This is not the first time Lebanon has experienced a crisis, we have overcome wars and deaths, we have experience of blood and we will overcome this one too." Pro-democracy activists fear being investigated for supporting political pluralism. Local authorities banned 21 pro-democracy candidates from running for the local parliament. EUs condemnation of the crackdown in Macau elicits China's usual response. Free voices like Steve Vines and Kacey Wong flee Hong Kong. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Like in neighbouring Hong Kong, Macau authorities have targeted pro-democracy activists. In an interview published today by the Hong Kong Free Press, Scott Chiang says he fears he will come under investigation for supporting political pluralism. Chang is one of 21 pro-democracy candidates excluded from the 12 September elections for the renewal of the Macau Legislative Assembly. Last Saturday, the Court of Appeal confirmed the ban of 15 pro-democracy candidates who had appealed against their exclusion. In early July, the Macau Electoral Affairs Commission had disqualified them without the possibility of challenging its decision. The Commission decided that 21 candidates were "ineligible" because they had violated Macaus Basic Law, and refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The former Portuguese colony come under the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China in 1999. What is more, Macau police have accused the disqualified candidates of having ties with pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong, of participating in a 4 June vigil for the Tiananmen massacre in the former British colony, of visiting Taiwan during the last presidential elections, and of commemorating Nobel laureate dissident Liu Xiaobo. According to the Court, the 21 pro-democracy leaders made provocative" and "libellous statements that challenged the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and expressed opposition to the "one country, two systems" principle, which is the basis of the limited autonomy of Macau and Hong Kong. The exclusion drew immediate protests from abroad. The European Union asked Macau authorities to guarantee the rights and freedoms of candidates across the political spectrum. In a statement, the EU noted that ban is a harmful step that goes against the local Basic Law, because it undermines political pluralism and limits democratic debate. In its standard response, the Chinese central government said that China does not tolerate interference from any foreign forces. Macau is now going through what Hong Kong experienced last year. The recent patriotic election reform imposed on the former British colony squashed any chances of victory the pro-democracy camp may have had. In addition, more than a hundred pro-democracy activists have been arrested for alleged offences against national security; more than 60 of them are awaiting trial, including such figures as Jimmy Lai, Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, who have been in prison for months. Hong Kongs political climate has "deteriorated so much that many free voices have decided to leave the city. Steve Vines, a well-known former journalist and presenter at RTHK, revealed today that he had moved to Great Britain to escape the white terror sweeping across the city. The latter expression highlights how the security law is being used to target the media and terrorise the population. Kacey Wong, a famous Hong Kong artist, left the city for Taiwan. On a Facebook post he wrote that he wanted to live in a place where he could enjoy 100 per cent freedom. by Vladimir Rozanskij The consequences of the pandemic forces many families to limit their diet to bread and potatoes. Insufficient nutrition for children. State aid is not considered adequate. Debt for basic necessities has reached record levels. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Forecasts from bread producers predict price increases from 7 to 12% in August due to the hike in the cost of raw materials, reports Kommersant on the basis of data from the commercial network Vernyj and various operators in the sector: a problem for Russian families, already struggling because of the pandemic. The prices of all the ingredients needed to produce bread continue to grow, even if the cost of the basic food has remained fixed so far, as explained by the president of the Russian Union of Bakers, Aleksej Ljalin. According to his information, the price of margarine has increased by 38%, sugar by 9% and packaging material by 26%. Rustam Ajdiev, executive director of the National Union of Bakery, has also raised the alarm about the lack of personnel in the sector, which has forced an increase in salaries for those working in the industry. The Ministry of Agriculture has released information that the prices of bread producers remain stable, although in the last year production costs have increased by more than 6%. The ministry assured that there will be no lack of support measures for producers to keep the price of bread stable. After the catastrophic 2020, for families food prices are becoming less and less sustainable. Anastasia Baskatova writes in Nezavisimaja Gazeta, "after the birth of the third child one is forced to limit oneself to bread and potatoes." The government had promised to launch strong measures to help large families, but so far these promises have not yielded significant results. According to the statistical institute Rosstat, consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish and dairy products in large families has plummeted, with the focus on bread and derivatives, along with potatoes. Overall, the nutrition of children in Russia appears on average insufficient, however, much lower than in previous years. The representative of the Humanity social project, Andrej Loboda, adds that often Russian families, in an attempt not to reduce food rations for their children, are forced to cut almost all expenses for other purchases and services. Deputy Premier Tatjana Golikova pointed out that among Russian citizens close to the poverty line, 80% are large families. "We are not able to solve this problem quickly, but somehow we have to get out of it," Golikova said. In recent weeks the Council of Ministers has approved a one-off support of 10 thousand rubles (just over 120 euros) for families with school-age children aged 6 to 18, and also for those with children of age (but with health limitations), to enable them to attend school. Special measures will support women in the period of pregnancy up to the moment of delivery, the upbringing of children up to 3 years of age, and then also from 3 to 7 years of age, and from 8 to 17 for single parents, as communicated by Minister of Labor Anton Kotjakov. All of these measures could prove to be very ineffective, however, due to price increases: in the autumn, increases of 10-15% are also expected for clothes and shoes, which will exceed 20% at the beginning of 2022, also due to the weakening of the ruble on international markets. At the same time, consumer debts are reaching record levels, which touched 300 thousand rubles per capita, about 42% more than in 2019. These are data released by a research of the National Bureau for Credit History, whose analysts explain the destination of credits granted by banks and other financial institutions to citizens. In 2021, Russians tried to compensate with new credits for the delayed payments accumulated last year for the pandemic. The numbers reveal that citizens' indebtedness is widespread in similar measures in all regions of the Russian Federation. Since July, the Central Bank of Russia has tightened the rules of granting consumer credits, compared to the pre-Covid period, in order to avoid excessive "bubbles" on the markets and prevent possible collapses. The catastrophe of the credit pyramids in 1998, the crisis that forced Boris Yeltsyn to retire, transferring full powers to Putin, has not yet been forgotten. General Min Aung Hlaing has proclaimed himself prime minister and extended the state of emergency until 2023, promising free elections. According to the United States, the junta is "stalling" and therefore a diplomatic intervention is necessary. In the meantime, contagions are on the rise and the arrests of doctors and nurses continue. Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The United States has accused Myanmars military junta of "taking its time" and is calling for an intervention by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to resolve the crisis created in the wake of the February 1 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. The statements come as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is participating in a week of online talks with Asean foreign ministers: an attempt by the Biden administration to counter the Chinese presence in the region. On August 1, General Min Aung Hlaing proclaimed himself prime minister and extended the state of emergency until 2023. In a speech broadcast on national television, the head of the military junta then added that "multi-party elections" would be held in Myanmar. Blinken's statement is a sort of appeal to Asean to "intensify its efforts", because it is clear that the Burmese junta is "stalling for its own benefit". UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also expressed concern about the situation in Myanmar: "The protracted crisis has impacted humanitarian access, education and the fight against Covid-19," he said. "Clearly it has also affected the right of the people to express themselves and to have a government that represents them." Yesterday, Myanmar reported 3,689 new cases of coronavirus and 330 deaths, but the numbers are thought to be vastly underestimated due to the few swabs taken. In his Aug. 1 speech, General Aung Hlaing also accused the opposition of deliberately spreading the virus and called for everyone's cooperation in combating the pandemic. But doctors and nurses continue to be arrested: according to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, so far the military junta has imprisoned over 7,000 people and killed at least 945. Public health experts continue to maintain that not enough people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated and that delta and other COVID-19 strains will continue to spread and acutely infect those who remain unvaccinated. This includes not only those who are resistant or hesitant about getting immunized but also people with certain medical conditions, those who are immunocompromised and children younger than 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccinations. Benjamin, who is a former Maryland state health secretary, said that while the three jurisdictions have strong vaccination rates, a masking order would help lessen the severity of this newest wave of infections. After all, he noted, even vaccinated people can become carriers of the virus for brief periods of time even though theyre unlikely to feel ill. Fort Detrick, which has property in both Frederick and Montgomery counties, is currently at moderate transmission, which means masks are not required, said Jeff Arjes, chief of plans and operations. However, the state is now at a substantial rate of transmission, which means Fort Detrick could soon see the same levels, triggering the DOD mask policy. Fort Detrick is also at HPCON Bravo. The university is asking to remove and store the monument at a private facility under a one-year agreement with the city that will renew automatically each year. No city funds will be used in association with the agreement, the agenda states. After shooting Raynor, Davis parked the vehicle in an alley directly behind an apartment where Davis had lived with his sister only weeks before the murder, according to the agreement, and left the neighborhood that night. Police found the vehicle the next day and identified bullet holes related to Raynors death inside. The Red Line as planned had serious problems, something even its greatest boosters will acknowledge (Odds of Red Line resurrection slim in Baltimore, but upgrading east-west city transit is an achievable goal, Aug. 2). The service offered would be a modest improvement compared to existing bus lines. The spoke model of radial transit lines may also no longer be the best fit for Baltimore and not only because of remote workers. What was once a source of embarrassment for the city and our state will instead become a beacon of hope for those struggling with addiction to get the help that they need to heal, to recover and to turn their lives around, Hogan said. When were talking about reviving the Red Line, it doesnt have to be identical in every way, he said. Obviously some changes have taken place. We would need a state government that was committed to the project because the state would have to put up funds. Igniting Hope: Healing Historical Trauma from Racist Research, Policies and Practices This conference series brings together community and university stakeholders to understand health disparities and discuss viable solutions to this systemic problem. As we transition out of the worst parts of the pandemic, we thought it was important that we create space for the community to gather and begin to come together. After drawing more than 300 attendees virtually in 2020, the Igniting Hope Conference returns with an important theme and an added in-person element for the entire community. An open-to-the-public Walk of Healing kicks things off on August 13, followed by the virtual conference, titled Healing Historical Trauma from Racist Research, Policies and Practices, on August 14. Co-sponsored by the Buffalo Center for Health Equity, the University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and the University at Buffalo Community Health Equity Research Institute, Igniting Hope is supported by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences under award numbers R13 TR003486 and UL1 TR001412. For organizers, the opportunity to include an in-person element offered a way to both tie in with the conference themes and bring members of the community together. The conference is going to be talking about the physical, mental, and social conditions of the African American community, says Rev. George Nicholas, MDiv, convener of the African American Health Equity Task Force; chair of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity; and pastor of Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church. As we transition out of the worst parts of the pandemic, we thought it was important that we create space for the community to gather and begin to come together and talk about not only what we have just recently came out of, but of our historical journey here in America. The two-mile Walk of Healing will take place on Friday, August 13, beginning at the African American Heritage Archway and ending at the Freedom Wall at Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street. A shuttle will be provided from the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts between 4 and 5:20 p.m., followed be a pre-walk convening at the Michigan Street African American Heritage Archway. The walk will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a program of music and inspirational words starting at 6:30 p.m. Alternative transportation will be provided for those who are unable to do the walk. The walk symbolizes that we can begin to gather people in the community again, says Nicholas. Also, there is a level of celebration to it. This is our fourth conference, and we have made so much progress. The virtual conference runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 14, starting with a welcome from CTSI Director Timothy F. Murphy, MD, Director, UB Community Health Equity Research Institute, followed by opening remarks from UB President Satish Tripathi. The first keynote speaker, Thomas LaViest, PhD, Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Health, will present My Journey to Discover Why Disparities Exist and What to Do About It. Murphy says that Dr. LaVeist has done pioneering work on the role of racism in healthcare. He will be followed by Heidi L. Gartland, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, University Hospitals, Cleveland, whose talk is titled The Anchor Mission: Tackling Economic and Racial Disparities to Create Equitable Health Outcomes. Murphy explains that Innovative approaches in Cleveland have led to true investment in minority-owned businesses and Ms. Gartland is a leader in these initiatives. The final keynote speaker is Donald E. Grant, PsyD, Executive Director, Mindful Training Solutions, who will speak on Historical Trauma: A Contemporary Conundrum. Grant, a Buffalo native, is an international speaker, film and TV consultant, and author. His latest book is titled Black Men, Intergenerational Colonialism and Behavioral Health: A Noose Across Nations. Breakout discussions will follow each keynote speaker, and focus on topics like the COVID-19 pandemic, the environment, fines and fees, nutrition, and historical trauma and healing. Additional speakers include Rita Hubbard Robinson, JD, CEO, Neuwater & Associates, and Associate Director, Community Health Equity Research Institute; Alan J. Lesse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for Curriculum, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; A. Scott Weber, PhD, Professor and UB Provost, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; and Jonathan D. Daniels, MD, Pediatrician and Associate Director of Admissions, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This conference series is becoming an annual summit that brings together community and university stakeholders to understand health disparities and discuss viable solutions to this systemic problem in our community, says Murphy. Visit buffalohealthequity.org to register, and see the full conference agenda here. Research News Student project explores health, wellness through historical objects UBNOW STAFF UB anthropology and museum studies students, inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, spent the spring semester exploring the topics of health and wellness through a diverse collection of objects from the UB Art Galleries and the UB Libraries. Their work, Discussing Health and Wellness Virtually, can be viewed on the UB Art Galleries website. The virtual exhibition by students in the combined Anthropology Museum Studies course and the interdisciplinary masters program in Critical Museum Studies features a selection of objects from the Cravens Collection and Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection. The Cravens Collection, housed in the UB Anderson Gallery, comprises more than 1,100 artifacts from across the globe and represents 10,000 years of human achievements; the Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection, housed in the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection in Abbott Library, contains more than 150 medical instruments spanning the Classical Period to the 19th century. I'm fully vaccinated I'm half vaccinated (one dose) and will be getting the second I'm not fully vaccinated and don't want to be I'm not fully vaccinated but am considering it Vote View Results Stanley further admitted in the agreement that he had others assisting him with facilitating his distribution of cocaine in Maryland. Among those who assisted Stanley was Jovan Kirk Louis Savage, 35, of Bowie, who picked up cocaine parcels in exchange for $500 per parcel from Stanley and assisted with delivering proceeds of the drug sales to pay off Stanleys drug debt. Lewis, 44, grew up in Williamsville, New York. While at Cornell University, he landed his first internship as an analyst for Fleet Bank in Buffalo, New York. He was simply looking for opportunities not necessarily a path in business because he was an industrial and labor relations major, he said. He went on to earn a masters degree from Harvard Business School in 2004. The federal grant funding will be prioritized for households with at least one person who has been out of work for 90 days prior to applying for rental assistance and for households that earn less than 50% of the area median income just under $50,000 for a family of four. Some students understandably took time off from college, or took fewer classes, during the pandemic, Kristie Crumley, associate provost, student affairs and marketing, said. We want to help students complete their degrees and certifications as quickly as they can so that they can move on to the workforce or a transfer destination. Our hope is that the COVID relief funds and institutional scholarships will help students to continue on their academic journey. The report from the fire marshal states there was an estimated $50,000 in damages to the structure. It took about 50 firefighters approximately 30 minutes to control the flames, which originated on the roof and were caused by a lightning strike, the fire marshals office reported. As a legal principle, incompetence is the inability for a defendant to assist in their own defense or appreciate the nature of the charges against them. It is different from criminal responsibility Marylands version of the insanity defense and does not denote guilt or innocence. When defendants are found to be incompetent, they are treated by the Department of Health to restore their competency and stand trial. This year grants of $5,000 were awarded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County for Club on the Go, a new program that brings youth development programming and food access to under-resourced families in the Edgewood and Aberdeen areas; to The EPICENTER at Edgewood, for case management, to continue to connect individuals facing challenges due to financial, physical and/or mental health issues with resources in the community; to Humanim, Inc. for its Administrative Assistant Career Training Program; to Mason-Dixon Community Services, Inc. for its Summer Backpack Nutrition Program; and to The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC) for childcare and transportation assistance. The walk took place in the wake of a shooting outside Security Square last month. Baltimore police fatally shot a man outside the mall on July 13 after he shot and injured two officers who were trying to arrest him on a homicide-related warrant. Following the shooting, the Randallstown NAACP called for enhanced security and camera installations around the mall. I thought it was a very amicable and responsible settlement, Gordon said. We took into account the legal challenges as well as the humanity of Korryn Gaines, understanding that both sides had to give up a little. ... We are satisfied. If you are old enough to remember the hit comedy movie of 1980, Caddy Shack, then you will recall that a gopher infestation was threatening a golf course in Nebraska. The somewhat deranged groundskeeper was tasked with getting rid of the pest. His efforts at eradication include shooting, f The burden falls mostly on customers who can least afford it. A 2017 report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found frequent overdrafters had 9% of the bank accounts but paid 79% of all overdraft and NSF fees. The majority of overdrafters were in some degree of financial distress, according to the report. And you know the rise of the delta variant is serious when the conservative New York Post uses it as an excuse to bash former President Barack Obamas upcoming star-studded 60th birthday party this weekend on posh Marthas Vineyard with: Imagine if this was for Trump: Obama bash for hundreds draws jeers amid Delta outbreaks. DeSantis also said media hysteria on the swelling numbers could cause people having heart attacks or strokes to avoid going to an emergency room for fear of being infected. Doctors interviewed by The Associated Press acknowledged this happened during the early months of the pandemic, but say its no longer true, and that theyre treating the usual number of cardiac patients. There were 1,107 coronavirus patients in hospitals statewide as of Monday Night, the first time since June 1 that more than 1,000 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Illinois. Over the past week, there has been an average of 938 COVID-19 patients in hospitals per day, more than double the average of 423 patients during the week ending July 2. Hill is 27. She identifies as queer. Hill wrote Ma Belle, My Beauty from the heart. Its a story of Black American vocalist Bertie (Idella Johnson), formerly in a polyamorous relationship with Lane (Hannah Pepper) and a Frenchman, Fred (Lucien Gugnard). That was in New Orleans; in the films present tense, in France, musicians Bertie and Fred have married and relocated. A visit from Lane, which comes as a surprise to Bertie, is further complicated by the presence of Noa (Sivan Noam Shimon), who may not understand the appeal of polyamory but knows what and whom she likes. Dear Trapped: Even someone who loves you dearly could be trying even unconsciously to sabotage you. Your guy doesnt seem to have resumed his own health kick alongside you, and these tests of willpower might be his way of trying to bring you back to the couch. Deaths from COVID-19 lag behind cases and hospitalizations, so it remains to be seen how well the prevalence of vaccinations helps prevent a later wave of deaths from the current infections. During the third wave of cases this spring, when a smaller portion of the population had been vaccinated, the average number of deaths hit 32 per day for the week ending May 15. Overall, the average number of daily fatalities peaked at 155 in early December. He had been standing outside when he heard several shots fired and realized hed been hit. It wasnt immediately clear how many gunshot wounds he suffered or where on his body he was hit. He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center where his condition was stabilized, officials said. Halal meat is not mass produced like what is typically found in grocery stores, and is more expensive. To be considered halal meat, and permissible for practicing Muslims to eat, it has to come from an animal that has not be abused and is killed in the most humane way possible, with as little pain as possible, Jarad said. Finally, businesses and governments must do everything possible to avoid paying out ransoms to cybergangs. In 2020, hackers raked in $350 million from ransomware victims a 300% increase from the previous year. As the ransom pot grows, so will the universe of cybercriminals who view the venture through a maximum gain, minimum risk prism. Eventually theyll seek more than illicit profit theyll strive for bigger, bolder attacks on critical infrastructure. Too much is at stake to see cybersecurity, at all levels of the public and private sectors of this nation, as anything less than a glaring vulnerability. Fingerprinting became a focus of gun safety advocates in the wake of the Aurora shooting because it showed the potential for keeping guns out of the hands of people who arent legally allowed to possess them. The shooter had his FOID card revoked after fingerprints he submitted to speed up his concealed carry application flagged an out-of-state felony conviction that made him ineligible to own a gun in Illinois. Sanchez was shot around 3:15 a.m. July 29, and his body was found in a hallway of Fox View apartments, the release stated. Robinson had dated a resident of Fox View, and Sanchez was staying in an apartment next door to Robinsons former girlfriend, it stated. An unusual summer cold front dropped temps throughout northern Illinois for days but forecasters now say dry weather with temperatures in the upper 70s to the lower 80s is expected in the area through Thursday, when warmer and more humid conditions should emerge, according to the National Weather Service. Chinese lecturers at the Confucius Institute at the University of Namibia carry on China-Namibia friendship through language teaching. Ji Qingfen, a Chinese lecturer at the institute, always aspired to share linguistic skills with the global community. "It is an unforgettable experience teaching in a country so far away from my homeland. Feeling a quite distinctive culture, meeting with the international students and teaching them our language," she said. She is not the only one. Yang Yujiao has taught Chinese language at the institute since July 2019. "Teaching the Chinese language is a great experience, and I enjoy the process very much," Yang said. The lecturers' efforts are bearing fruits, successively breaking cultural and social barriers. Encounters are reflected in trust and respect for the Chinese lecturers. "When I walked into the classroom, my students said to me 'Ms Yang, hello' in Chinese and when I walked on campus, my students introduced to others: 'Look, this is my Chinese teacher'. I feel delighted and proud. This is my highlight moment," she said. Ji's highlights of teaching career in Namibia are also demonstrated in progress and encounters interacting with students. "I am happy when students make progress daily and strive to be fluent in Chinese in my class. I heard them singing Chinese song. This is evident that they are keen to know more about a true China," Ji added. Another lecturer, Lu Bo, is most proud when a new student reads dialogues proficiently. "I also ask them to teach their family or friend to make sure they master what they had leant," Lu said. Ultimately, more locals take an increasing interest in the Chinese language, offered online since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute had registered about 52 students in the first semester of 2021. According to Ji, despite challenges posed by online learning, lecturers apply strategic learning interventions to retain students, strengthening the friendship between China and Namibia. Plans are also underway to incorporate Chinese language into the Namibian curriculum. In the interim, the lecturers hope to deliver exceptional language education to empower locals and expand Chinese language teaching amid growing interest. "I plan to find ways to increase the communication between my students and me as well as help them pass this year's Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)," added Yang. Zhang Fan, who served as director of the Confucius Institute until June this year, said that language is a key to letting more people understand each other. "I hope the Chinese language teaching in Namibia will develop well to enhance the understanding and friendship between Namibia and China," he said in an interview before his departure. Editor's note: Three events you won't want to miss this week: a famous Chinese painter's retrospective, and two stage plays one adapted from a famous Russian writer and another starring three well-known Chinese actors. 1, Drama "Love, Chekhov" Anton Chekhov, a representative of Russian realism at the end of the 19th century, is considered one of the greatest short story tellers of all time, and his plays are the jewel in the crown of his works. "Love, Chekhov" is based on three of his one-act comedies, namely "The Bear," "The Proposal" and "The Wedding." The three short plays are all light-hearted and witty, echoing each other with the exaggerated character of popular comedy. Dates: August 5-8 Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing 2, "Warmth of Homeland" oil painting exhibition of Chen Shuzhong "Self-portrait at Yecaotan" created by Chen Shuzhong in 1996. [Photo courtesy of National Art Museum of China] "Warmth of Homeland" oil painting exhibition, with more than 60 works, will present dozens of countryside scenes on canvas. Chen's perspective of looking back on his early years in the countryside presents a vision of the realities of life in northern China and the energy of day-to-day life. Dates: July 29 - August 8 Venue: National Art Museum of China (NAMOC), Beijing 3, Play "Duan Jin" A stage photo of the play "Duan Jin" in Tianjin Grand Theatre, staring three well-known Chinese actors Zhang Guoli, Wang Gang and Zhang Tielin on Jan. 24, 2018. [Photo/VCG] "Duan Jin" tells the story of how three men with different personalities ran a business together on the Wangfujing Street in Beijing. They experienced a mixture of love and hate, and the rise and fall of the early period of the last century. Screenwriter Zou Jingzhi is adept at describing the typical old Beijing story. Three well-known Chinese actorsZhang Guoli, Wang Gang and Zhang Tielinplay the lead roles in this play. Dates: August 5-8 Venue: Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center Cultural events of the week: July 26 - August 1 You are here: Business BMW (China) Automotive Trading Ltd. is recalling 8,097 vehicles due to safety risks in airbag inflators, China's market regulator said Monday. The recall involves imported 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X5 M, X6, and X6 Active Hybrid cars manufactured between Feb. 17, 2005, and Aug. 27, 2017, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation. When these cars' airbags are being inflated, the flawed gas generating agent could cause overpressure which may break up the inflators and pose safety hazards, the statement said. The automaker has promised to replace the faulty parts free of charge. The board of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to 650 billion U.S. dollars, the largest allocation in the IMF's history, in an effort to boost global liquidity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an IMF statement released Monday. "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. Noting that the SDR allocation will benefit all IMF members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy, Georgieva said it will particularly help the most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The approval came just weeks after the IMF executive board approved the proposal. Final approval of the SDR allocation by the Board of Governors requires an 85-percent majority of the total voting power of all IMF members. The SDR can be exchanged among governments for freely usable currencies in times of need. The Chinese currency, renminbi, formally became the fifth currency in the SDR basket on Oct. 1, 2016, joining the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, and the British pound. The general allocation of SDRs will become effective on Aug. 23, according to the statement. Georgieva said the IMF will also continue to engage actively with its membership to identify "viable" options for voluntary channeling of SDRs from wealthier to poorer and more vulnerable member countries to support their pandemic recovery and achieve resilient and sustainable growth. One key option is for members that have strong external positions to voluntarily channel part of their SDRs to scale up lending for low-income countries through the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), the statement noted, adding that concessional support through the PRGT is currently interest free. Photo taken on Aug 2, 2021 shows the opening ceremony of the 2021 Global Digital Economy Conference in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua] China's digital economy was worth nearly $5.4 trillion last year, ranking second in the world. That represented a year-on-year growth of 9.6 percent, the fastest in the world, Economic Information Daily reported. The result was announced at the 2021 Global Digital Economy Conference, which is underway in Beijing, and co-hosted by the Beijing municipal government, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Cyberspace Administration of China. According to the global digital economy white paper released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology at the conference, last year, the value added for the digital economy reached $32.6 trillion in 47 nations, with a nominal growth rate of 3 percent on a yearly basis. At the conference, more policy signals were released to further speed up the development of the digital economy, including R&D breakthroughs and iterative applications in high-end chips and key basic software, green smart data and computing facility layouts, and promoting digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. In the wake of the fragile global economic recovery, the digital economy has become a key to realizing economic recovery and promoting sustainable development, as well as a new driver to boost high-quality development, said Zhuang Rongwen, director of the Cyberspace Administration of China. Developing the digital economy has enormous significance, said Xiao Yaqing, minister of Industry and Information Technology. Next, the country will strengthen efforts to tackle key problems in core technologies, strengthen areas of weakness and build an independent, controllable, safe and reliable information technology system. The government will put more efforts into advancing digital transformation in the manufacturing sector, and also promote implementation of the "5G plus industrial internet" innovation development project and smart manufacturing project, Xiao said. Digital technologies should better empower small, medium and large enterprises to fully support industrial upgrading, Xiao said, adding that an open, fair and nondiscriminatory development environment should be built up for the digital economy. Local governments are also actively planning a new round of measures to speed up the construction of a highland for the digital economy. According to a document published by the government of the Beijing municipality, after continual efforts over about 10 years, Beijing aims to become a leader in city digital smart transformation, global data deployment hubs, emerging digital industry incubators, global digital technology innovation, digital governance in China and digital economy opening-up. The country should build new, quality and reliable bases for the digital economy, promote the popularization of information infrastructure, and explore new and innovative space for the digital economy, said Yu Xiaohui, vice president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. You are here: China Border police in the city of Baise, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said Monday they have busted a case involving the smuggling of endangered wildlife products. The police intercepted a total of 10,328 dried seahorses weighing about 40 kg while inspecting a suspicious vehicle in the border county of Napo on July 26. The goods were seized as the driver failed to furnish valid legal documents for the goods, the Baise police said. According to the police, the destination of the bus was Dongguan, a city in Guangdong Province, and further investigation is underway. In China, illegally importing, exporting, or smuggling products from endangered wild animals and plants are punished under relevant laws and regulations. You are here: Travel Flash A group of reporters visit Linglongwan, Youchegang town, Zhejiang province. [Photo by YANG FEIYUE/CHINA DAILY] Colorful paintings capture the eye from the minute one sets foot in Linglongwan, Shengfeng village. They can be seen on the white walls of the buildings that meander through wetland parks and along the banks of the rivers in the village of Youchegang town, Zhejiang province. The paintings are made by local farmers and have become a distinctive feature of Linglongwan. Ding Qiaoying usually spends two hours a day creating her paintings in the art center, situated right at the entrance of Linglongwan. She usually comes to the center after she finishes her family chores. "In the beginning, we learned to draw things related to our lives with guidance from a teacher, but now, we are often given a theme around which to create our paintings," the 67-year-old says. Her artistic creations are mainly a result of her own experiences and imagination. One of her paintings features boats packed in a river, filled with a cornucopia of goods. "It's a depiction of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and those boats are from my childhood memories," she says. Ding says the reason why she can concentrate her mind on artistic creation is the significant improvement of her life. Living conditions were once much tougher. "There were only mud roads," she recalls. Now, the whole village has been given a face-lift, with well-paved roads and spacious buildings. "It's very nice to live here and I don't have to worry anything, especially now I'm retired," Ding says. Years of practice in creating farmer paintings have won her several awards, including the occasional first prize in locally organized contests. Ding is one of about 80 local residents who engage in the art form, which the local authority has made a point of encouraging over the past few years, which has given the whole of Shengfeng village an artistic atmosphere. Some of the painters have now been assigned to teach the art form in local primary schools, says Miao Huixin, who Time magazine named as one of the "10 outstanding Asian artists" of 1998. Miao says his life changed because of farmer paintings, which was what led him on his artistic career path. He has practiced the art form since the 1980s and held exhibitions in numerous countries, including France, the United States and Japan. "I hope that farmer paintings will continue as always," Miao says. In addition to the art scene, local snacks and boatbuilding experiences are available, making the village a tourist draw. Chen Lin has been working as the manager of a cake shop in Linglongwan since April. Flash China's Ministry of National Defense Monday said the 12th round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on the Indian side of the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point. The two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges on promoting disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the western sector of the border, said a statement of the ministry. They agreed this round of meetings is constructive and helped promote mutual understanding. The two sides also agreed to maintain the momentum of negotiations and dialogue and resolve any remaining issues soon. During the meeting, the two sides agreed to make further efforts to ensure stability in areas along the Line of Actual Control in the western sector of the border and jointly maintain peace. Before the meeting, foreign ministers of the two countries met in Dushanbe on July 14. The two sides also held the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs on June 25. Flash Wildfires are raging in southern and central Italy amid sweltering temperatures and hot winds, the National Fire Corps and local media reported Monday. The flames destroyed a 53-acre nature reserve near Pescara, a city in the central Abruzzo region whose Adriatic Sea coast is a popular summer resort area. About 800 people have been evacuated from the Pescara area on Monday and 30 people suffered from smoke inhalation as flames reached the seashore, destroying some beach resorts, RAI public broadcaster reported on Monday, posting video footages of the charred remains of trees, beach furniture and infrastructure. This follows on the evacuation of "over 100 people from homes, two convents and two beach resorts" on Sunday, according to a tweet from firefighters. Fires were also raging on Monday in the southern Puglia region, where "243 interventions are underway to fight forest fires," the National Fire Corps tweeted, posting a video of Canadair aircraft dropping water amid towering billows of smoke. "The teams have been at work for four days (in Puglia), where the flames have devoured 350 hectares of vegetation," the tweet added. The southern Puglia region at the tip of Italy's boot is renowned for its beaches and architectural beauty, which attract domestic and international tourists in summer. In the southern Molise region lying between Abruzzo and Puglia on the Adriatic Sea, "20 hectares of forest are on fire," according to another tweet of the National Fire Corps on Monday. Firefighters have been engaged in a total of "37,407 operations to fight forest fires since June 15, of which 717 interventions were carried out in the past 24 hours to tackle the emergency across the south-central regions," the National Fire Corps said in a tweet on Monday. In a tweet on Monday, the Interior Ministry expressed its thanks to "the women and men of the National Fire Corps who are fighting forest fires across the national territory." Flash Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed on Monday British and U.S. allegations regarding a reported drone attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker in the north of the Arabian Sea, and warned it would "promptly and strongly" respond to "any possible adventure." "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate for an instant in protecting its security and national interests, and will respond promptly and strongly to any possible adventure," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the ministry, was quoted as saying by the ministry's official website. On Sunday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Iran of "launching a deliberate, targeted drone attack on the Mercer Street tanker," which caused the death of two crew members. Later in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeated Raab's allegations. Khatibzadeh regretted the accusation, and urged London and Washington to present "any evidence for their bogus claims." "It is a pity that these countries have remained supportively silent about the terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage against Iranian trade vessels in the Red Sea and international waters," he added. Zodiac Maritime, a London-based firm owned by the Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, said in a statement on Friday that the attack on its oil tanker Mercer Street on July 29 killed a Romanian national and a British national. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that Israel had "intelligence evidence of Tehan's involvement in the incident." Anger is a human emotion as basic as happiness and sadness, anxiety and excitement. It is a feeling which, like all feelings, is merely an exterior to a whole inner story. It is powerful, deep and arguably necessary. Unfortunately, it is also an emotion that is all too quickly shut down or locked away. In Christian circles especially, anger is a dangerous word. One can express a little anger all things in moderation after all but there are specific ways as to how (and how often) one can do so. Too much anger, and youre in danger of causing unwanted ripples, destroying your good name, or even channelling Satan. But anger is not the foul on the playing field. Anger is the red flag. Not paying attention to anger is what makes it dangerous. We smother it with meditation or muffle it with heart-crooning worship music. We teach that anger only afflicts those who have a problem with self-control. We teach that those who are angry are a problem. But they are not the problem, and neither is their anger. Anger is merely the sign that there is a problem. And if we ignore it or worse discredit it, we are committing the far greater crime of purposely closing our eyes to injustice, suffering and more. Too often, the church and mission field treat anger like a pesky kitchen fire. Some idiots stovetop has gone up in flames? Extinguish it, get rid of the smoke, put up signs to make sure it doesnt happen again. But if anger is a desperate signal that something is wrong, then smothering that signal with a Jesus-fire-blanket does nothing to alleviate, acknowledge or address the issue. So what would Jesus do? Apparently, hed throw around heavy tables and lash out with a whip. His anger was chaotic and loud. It was also a shout in the face of blatant corruption. Jesus let his anger roar, and one only has to look at the global protests taking place around the world to see that the he is not alone in using anger as fuel for taking a stance against wrongdoing. Anger is a powerful mover and shaker. Anger can motivate and ignite us. It can bring about action and change, show us where the problems are and inspire us to create better and greater ways of doing things. Anger is also a preparatory emotion. We need anger in order to survive. The surge of adrenaline we feel when angry is our sympathetic nervous system gearing up for a fight, flight or freeze response. Anger floods the body with stress hormones relating to survival. But without alleviation aka honestly and openly facing whatever is causing that anger the stress hormones will just keep pumping. Thus, if left in a ruminative state of anger, a persons normal and necessary reaction to something such as injustice, will soon be overwhelmed by the non-stop flood of fight, flight or freeze signals being screamed into their brain. Soon, the necessary problem-analysis that was inspired by a healthy shot of anger is swallowed up by angers much more dangerous cousin: Rage. This is why anger is too important to ignore. Anger is a signal that something is off. Even if we cant pinpoint right away what the problem is, anger tells us that there is indeed a problem. It is a useful stimulus for honing in on whatever is out of sync and setting about correcting it. Anger is not something to hide from. It is something to adhere. When someone is angry, we need to stop, pay attention and LISTEN. Too often, churches and missions, governments and boards, throw water on any hint of dissatisfaction, miscommunication, injustice and the dreaded anger that follows these. They do not pause to ask what is causing this response. They do not see that there is a person, a community, a whole people group, caught up in a suffering that can only be expressed with anger. Its time to make anger a valid voice. Its time for churches and governments to be places where anger is taken seriously, listened to, and come alongside with respect and empathy. Anger can be a terrifying and destructive scene. But it can also be a cry for help that has been ignored in every other context. Its time to listen to that cry, uncover the real story behind it, and take appropriate action. And if were unsure of the first step, a good place to start is simply do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. And maybe, by liberating anger, we might just end up liberating ourselves. I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief. (Isaac Rowe) Coahoma Community College is one of seven Mississippi colleges recently awarded grant funds given by The Womens Foundation of Mississippi to support students pursuing nursing and healthcare-related studies. Through a two-year $654,500 grant from the Bower Foundation, the Womens Foundation of Mississippi will get to build on efforts already in place at post-secondary institutions in Mississippi. In the first year of the grant, $280,000, or 42 percent, of total grant funds will be portioned off to the Graduating a Healthcare Workforce project at a select number of colleges in the state, including Alcorn State University, Hinds Community College, Itawamba Community College, Coahoma Community College, Pearl River Community College, Meridian Community College, and Jones County Junior College. The executive director of the Womens Foundation of Mississippi, Tracy DeVries, has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue investing in the value of education with the Bower Foundations contribution. At the Womens Foundation, we have already been working with most of the states post-secondary campuses to support women earning degrees and certificates, said DeVries. Our years of connections and experience position us to manage this program focused on developing the healthcare workforce in our state, helping students to graduate on time and secure these much-needed jobs sooner. Our interventions allow students to navigate challenges that might otherwise derail their studies or cause them to graduate later. Since its philanthropic beginnings in 1996, the Bower Foundation has sought to invest funds and efforts into health outcome improvement by way of healthcare workforce education and health-care infrastructure. While the nursing industry stayed on the decline last year in the COVID-19 pandemics aftermath, the grant brings hope for a more populated healthcare workforce. The grant funds are set aside to go toward emergency funding, resources and support to aid students taking healthcare courses, thus enabling graduating on time. In addition, the College is establishing the Coahoma Community College Healthcare Workforce Emergency Fund to assist students at risk of not continuing study in a healthcare program due to financial strains. The purpose of this grant is to increase access to qualifying healthcare for women, men and families who are acquiring training and will be graduating healthcare workers in the state, said Nekedra Blockett, who played a part, along with Chaquina Griffin-Taylor, in landing the grant. The two were presented with a $40,000 grant opportunity in April from the Access to Opportunity-Training and Graduating a Healthcare Workforce for Mississippi grant program. As ambassadors for the college, we are committed to finding ways to meet the needs of students to further their education, obtain certifications and degrees, and secure jobs with livable wages, Blockett added. We want to see our students excel, complete their program, and obtain a job making sustainable wages to support them and their families, said Griffin-Taylor. For more information on the Womens Foundation of Mississippi grant, contact Chaquina Griffin-Taylor at (662) 621-4301 or cgriffin@coahomacc.edu, or Nekedra Blockett at (662)621-4139 or nblockett@coahomacc.edu. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. Today Thunderstorms likely. High 91F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Tomorrow Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. The staff of the Litchfield Jazz Festival is presenting the fourth installment of their free virtual concert series for April. Fire and medical personnel were able to remove the patient to [the] parking area, just after arrival of the helicopter, officials said. By 2 p.m., a helicopter transported the hiker to Yale New Haven Hospital trauma center. Murphy said the spending measure has the potential to be an economic game changer for Connecticut, improving highways and other public works to move people and goods to New York and Boston. He said he would spend Monday reading the legislation to make sure that the priorities we pushed for as a delegation are accurately represented in that text. However, most the details in the massive bill are still not known. In announcing its plans to delay a return to the office, Google rolled out a policy that will eventually require everyone to be vaccinated once its offices are fully reopened. Soon after, social media behemoth Facebook said it would require immunizations for its U.S. employees who work in offices, with some exceptions for medical and other reasons. One critical fact keeps getting lost in this debate: This is a public health crisis, not an individual one. Any solution that is going to be lasting and effective demands a public response from all the public. It means individuals must put aside their insistence on choice and do whats right for the broader good. Those who say I can get sick if I choose fail to acknowledge that when they get sick, the odds of them getting someone else sick goes up. That logic also ignores the fact that the more coronavirus is allowed to spread, the stronger the variants that will come along. Lets take a step back and lets look at what our lines of defense are. Our first line of defense is vaccinations. That is still our pathway out, he said. When vaccinations either stop happening or we think that cases are going to be rising, the next two steps are social distancing and masking. Social distancing is going to be difficult, especially in schools, and so masking I think is going to be the way out of this. Residential students who are not vaccinated are instructed to get tested for COVID-19 several days before arriving on campus, as well as quarantine for a week after moving in, the university said. Then they will be tested again and must participate in surveillance testing on a weekly basis throughout the school year. Unvaccinated, nonresidential students must follow similar instructions. If unvaccinated students come into contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, they will have to undergo medical quarantining. August offers several opportunities to celebrate and experience the culture of the Caribbean in the Hartford area. The month begins with Emancipation Day and weeks later, includes the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, Aug. 23. The celebration extends into September with the Heart and Soul Caribbean Food Festival. In Greater Hartford, it means the flavors, music and gorgeous costumes of Caribbean culture. But even before the pandemic, the two governors had formed a bond. In August 2019, Lamont flew to the shore of Lake Ontario to join Cuomo for an afternoon of policy discussions and fishing. First, we just had a lot of fun, Cuomo told reporters at the time. Fun is important. When you go out on Lake Ontario on a day like today, it is just glorious State employees will be allowed to work from home at least 50% of the time until the end of 2021, according to an agreement reached between Gov. Ned Lamonts administration and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition, resolving for now a dispute about how often employees need to be in the office after being sent home at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Lincoln, NE (68508) Today Mostly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 76F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Ed and Lorraine were married at First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 1969. They moved to Newport News, where they helped start The Mustard Seed, a Christian community that took its name from Scripture: If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say this to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. In 2020, Blanding launched her campaign. But, in order for her name to come across the ballot, she needed 10,000 signatures. So, she began her door-to-door trip across the state. Without the needed funds to purchase the minimum $30,000 voter party affiliations, Blanding said the focus has been to hit every home making sure citizens know her name and policy stances. As an independent candidate, it can be a feat in and of itself, Blanding said. Monin had signed an MoU with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government Of Telangana in 2018 and announced an initial investment of Rs 100 crore to set up a plant in India. youtube.com Mumbai: French fruit beverages manufacturing company Georges Monin has doubled investment in its upcoming manufacturing plant in Telangana to Rs 200 crore. "Despite the setback due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the French company has now doubled its investment for the plant, targeting completion by 2023," said a release issued by the company. Monin had signed an MoU with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government Of Telangana in 2018 and announced an initial investment of Rs 100 crore to set up a plant in India. "With the increased investment of 200 crore, India remains a top-priority market for Monin," said Olivier Monin, chairman, Georges Monin. The French business has since opened its wholly owned subsidiary in Hyderabad as Monin India Pvt Ltd and has acquired 40 acres of land for its manufacturing site. It has also set up an in-house R&D centre in Hyderabad. Foreign currency, which accounts for 93 per cent of the forex reserves, grew from $442 billion to $568 billion during the pandemicbetween April 2020 and July 2021. DC Image Chennai: India increased its foreign exchange reserves by 28 per cent, or $135 billion, since the beginning of the pandemic. As on July 16, 2021, foreign exchange reserves stood at $612.7 billion against $477.8 billion at the end of March 2020 up by $134.9 billion. In FY21, forex reserves were up 20 per cent to $577 billion, from $477.8 billion in the previous fiscalan addition of $100 billion. In FY20, the reserves had gone up by 15 per cent with an addition of $65 billion to $412.9 billion, the Ministry of Finance informed the Lok Sabha. Foreign currency, which accounts for 93 per cent of the forex reserves, grew from $442 billion to $568 billion during the pandemicbetween April 2020 and July 2021. In FY21, foreign currency reserves went up by 21 per cent to $536 billion. Gold reserves went up from $30.6 billion at the end of FY20 to $37.3 billion as on July 16, 2021. In FY21, gold reserves were up by 3.9 billion. In the past three-and-half months, gold reserves valued at $3.4 billion were added. To begin with e-Rupi facility will be available for health services and would later be expanded to other segments. PTI Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched e-RUPI an electronic pre-paid voucher via video conferencing. e-Rupi is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payments that can be issued directly to citizens after verifying mobile number and identity. e-Rupi voucher will be delivered in the form of a QR code or SMS string-based e-voucher to the beneficiarys mobile number. Today the country is giving a new dimension to digital governance. e-Rupi voucher is going to play a huge role in making digital transactions, and direct benefit transfers more effective. This will help everyone in targeted, transparent and leakage free delivery," the Prime Minister said while launching e-Rupi. "Not only government but if a non-government organisation wants to support anyone in their education or medical treatment, then they can use e-Rupi instead of giving cash. This will assure that the amount donated is being used only for the said work," he added. To begin with e-Rupi facility will be available for health services and would later be expanded to other segments. It will connect the sponsors of the services with the beneficiaries and service providers digitally without any physical interface. The users will be able to redeem the voucher without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access at the service provider. Being prepaid in nature, it assures timely payment to the service provider without involvement of any intermediary. It can also be used for delivering services under schemes meant for providing drugs and nutritional support under Mother and Child welfare schemes, TB eradication programmes, drugs and diagnostics under schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, fertiliser subsidies etc., according to PMO statement. Private sectors too can leverage these digital vouchers as part of their employee welfare and corporate social responsibility programmes, the statement said. However, e-Rupi should not be onfused as Indias digital currency as it can be used only on specific grounds or specific goods. e-Rupi has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India on its UPI platform, in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the National Health Authority. The actress has been in Hyderabad for over a week, shooting for her Telugu film, Gurtunda Seethakalam, which is the remake of the Kannada super-hit film Love Mocktail. The actress also has her Malayalam debut waiting, titled Bro Daddy, which is directed by actor Prithviraj. While shes tight-lipped about her role in the Malayalam debut, Kavya states that it was a great experience shooting for the Telugu film. I reprise the role of Jo from the original version, shares Kavya, adding that she had fun shooting for the romantic drama in Hyderabad. Its a story showcasing the life of the protagonist across various phases. I enter his life during his college days. The multilingual approach Although the actress has been to Hyderabad to shoot for several of her Kannada films, she says this is the first time shes shooting in the city for a Telugu film. I have many friends in Hyderabad, and so I understand Telugu a bit, and the language is also close to Kannada so I understand easily, she says, adding that the films director Krishna is a Kannadiga. After a days shift, having wrapped up her part of the shooting, she says the first thing that comes to her mind is the citys character. I like the citys vibrancy; as I have several friends here, Ive been to some of the best places in the city, she shares. Having been part of Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam industries, Kavya says that working in multiple industries is one the most interesting aspects because they will be introduced to a new audience. While it always feels nice to get new roles in other industries it is also equally challenging to live up to the expectations and impress the audience in a different role, says the Smile Please actress. Blessed with shoots Its been nearly eight years since Kavya made her showbiz debut. However, the actress had done only 14 films, a number that she definitely wants to improve upon. Perhaps I should have done a lot more but again the project should excite me. But I have been working on it, and thats why, post-COVID-19, Ive been on a signing spree, she adds. As actors, we dont have the luxury of work from home (WFH), so we have to be on the sets. Its a nerve-wracking experience sometimes. But since this pandemic is far from over so we all ensure we follow all the health protocols while shooting, she says. Kavya contracted the Virus before the second wave in April. she tells us, she recovered quickly, even as she comments that staying in quarantine for two weeks had been extremely challenging although she spent time talking to friends over the phone and watched a lot of films during her recovery. I just dont want to go through or even recall that experience and I pray that no one else goes through those tough times. New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday announced the results of class 10 examinations that were cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country. Similar to the class 12th results, girls have outshone the boys. The board also announced that more than 99 per cent students have been declared pass. Over 57,000 students have score above 95 per cent, while more than 2 lakh students securing places between 90 per cent and 95 per cent. However, the board added that the results for over 16,000 students is still under process, adding that it will also be declared soon. CBSE has also added that no merit list will be announced this year. The results came days after the board announced the results of class 12. The examination board had cancelled the exams for class 10 after the pandemic hit the country. The schools had been asked to submit the tabulated marks by June 30. The CBSE had also announced an alternative marking policy. According to the policy, while 20 marks for each subject will be for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks will be calculated on basis of the students' performance in tests or exams throughout the year. The weightage in terms of maximum marks for schools which have conducted the tests and exams through the year will be -- periodic test/unit test (10 marks), half-yearly exam (30 marks) and pre-board exams (40 marks). Meanwhile, an NGO told the Delhi High Court on July 22 that CBSE's evaluation policy for this year's Class 10 board examination did not have any grievance mechanism for students. In the hearing before a bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, the NGO -- Justice For All -- argued that Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) should make an arrangement for uploading the soft copy of the marking scheme followed by schools. However, the court responded that there was no direction from CBSE to schools to follow the same pattern. The high court had on June 2 sought response of the Centre, Delhi government and CBSE on the NGO's petition claiming that the policy of the board for calculating marks of class 10 students based on the internal assessment by schools was unconstitutional and required to be modified. In its petition, the NGO had said: "The policy of moderating the average marks assessed by the school, based on the historical performance of the previous average result of the school, in terms of the best overall performance of the school would be injustice to the students as the performance of school is not relatable in any manner with the performance of the student." It had also said moderating the marks in consonance with the overall average score of the district, national and state average "was absolutely unreasonable, illogical and punitive for the students of a school which would appear in the board exams for the first time", with no previous data of performance. The NGO had alleged that it can also lead to the manipulation of marks and exploitation, extortion of the students and parents. Officials including member secretaries from both GRMB and KRMB, representatives of the Union ministry of Jal Shakthi, as also of AP water resources and managing directors of AP Transco and AP Genco were present. (PTI Photo) Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government intends to take up certain grievances vis-a-vis the declaration of gazette notification on Godavari and Krishna River Management Boards with the Centre for their quick redressal. The first joint meeting of the coordination committees of GRMB and KRMB was held in Hyderabad on Tuesday to collect information from both AP and TS for fixing the jurisdiction of the boards on the irrigation projects located in both the states and also on grant of funds to run the boards. AP engineer-in-chief Narayana Reddy said, We have informed the boards that we have certain grievances on some irrigation projects incorporated in the gazette notification of GRMB and KRMB. We want to bring them to the notice of the Union Jal Shakthi ministry for redressal after holding talks with our government here. Our grievances are fact-based and reasonable. They will not be having any adverse effect on the other side (TS) and we are hopeful of getting them resolved. We have also informed the boards that once these are resolved, issues of organisational set up, funds and the permissible powers that can be exercised by both GRMB and KRMB can be decided. When we are asked to give the time-frame for implementation of these matters, we have informed them that we shall first consult our government (AP) and later share all information including on the jurisdiction of the projects and about the detailed project reports (DPR) of the new irrigation projects. Now, we will brief our government and based on the directions we get, we will proceed further. Officials including member secretaries from both GRMB and KRMB, representatives of the Union ministry of Jal Shakthi, as also of AP water resources and managing directors of AP Transco and AP Genco were present. Officials from TS did not attend the meeting. KRMB officials are likely to visit lift irrigation schemes in Rayalaseema region including the one coming up at Pothireddypadu, on August 5. The Union ministry of Jal Shakthi notified both GRMB and KRMB via a gazette notification on July 16, fixing the task to administer, regulate, maintain and operate the irrigation projects located in Godavari and Krishna river basins located in both AP and TS from October 14. Each state is to provide a one-time seed money of `200 crore within 60 days from issue of notification to enable the boards discharge their functions. At present, the reservoir is filled to a height of 587.20 ft against FRL of 590 ft with current storage of 305.62 tmcft (97.94%) against the gross capacity at FRL of 312 tmcft of water. DC Image VIJAYAWADA: With heavy inflow of water from upstream projects in Krishna River, the gates at Nagarjunasagar Dam lifted to release nearly 3.54 lakh cusecs of water downstream on Monday. Water resources authorities maintain that as they started lifting the gates one after another from 6.30 pm on Sunday, so far, they had lifted 22 gates to a height of 10 feet out of a total of 26 gates. At present, the reservoir is filled to a height of 587.20 ft against FRL of 590 ft with current storage of 305.62 tmcft (97.94%) against the gross capacity at FRL of 312 tmcft of water. As the reservoir is getting inflow of 3,54,288 cusecs from upstream, the authorities are releasing the same quantity of water by lifting the gates. Meanwhile, Pulichintala project is receiving inflow of 3,13,962 cusecs resulting in the current storage of water at 40.77 tmcft (89.08%) against the gross capacity at FRL of 45.77 tmcft of water. Meanwhile, release of huge quantities of water from upstream projects is having its impact on Prakasam barrage as at present, 2,05,547 cusecs of water is being received at the project with the same amount of water being released downstream. The reservoir is filled to the brim with a storage capacity at 3.07 tmcft of water. The authorities sounded alert along the course of the river at the three projects downstream, urging people living in low-lying areas to be cautious. Border dispute of Assam with Arunachal Pradesh has started surfacing with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) mounting pressure on arunachal Pradesh government to register protest against alleged illegalities committed by Assam Police and Forest officials in several villages under Kangku circle of Lower Siang district recently. PTI Guwahati: Amidst the ongoing attempt to de-escalate the situation between Assam and Mizoram, border dispute of Assam with Arunachal Pradesh has started surfacing with the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has started mounting pressure on arunachal Pradesh government to register protest against alleged illegalities committed by Assam Police and Forest officials in several villages under Kangku circle of Lower Siang district recently. The apex students body of the frontier state has vehemently condemned the act of destroying standing crops, tea plantation and rice cultivation in Lora village in Kimin circle of Papum Pare district and Longkhojan village in Kanubari circle of Longding district by Assam police and forest officials. Terming the incidents as an act of threat and intimidation to the peace-loving people of Arunachal Pradesh, the AAPSU demanded that the state government register its protest at the highest level against the illegalities committed by Assam officials. It also warned that remaining silent over the incidents would only embolden Assam to carry out more such atrocities on the interstate boundary dwellers. The AAPSU had convened a meeting on Sunday in connection with the border issues between Assam and its neighbouring states in the aftermath of the Assam-Mizoram border clash as well as alleged destruction of tea plantations and rice fields in Lora village of Kimin under Papum Pare district and Longkhojan village in the Kanubari circle of Longding district of the state. The deafening silence and meek stand adopted by the Arunachal government is sending out a wrong message and instead emboldening its counterpart in carrying out such atrocities to the interstate boundary dwellers, AAPSU president Hawa Bagang and general secretary Tobom Dai said in a joint statement. Security sources keeping a close watch on inter-state border dispute said that Assam-Mizoram border clash has come as a trigger point that has surcharged the atmosphere of all the states of region accusing boundary dispute with Assam. Meanwhile in a significant development Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that he has directed the Police to withdraw the FIR against K Vanlalvena, the Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram who had allegedly made threatening statements about the border violence issue. This came a day after the Mizoram government said that it would withdraw the FIR filed against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. In between BJP MPs from the Northeast have also met the Prime Minister in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum on various issues pertaining to the region, including the Assam-Mizoram border row. They have expressed disapproval of attempts by a section of polity led by Congress and using these incidents to indulge in one-upmanship. An all party delegation constituted by Assam assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary also visited the trouble-torn area of Assam Mizoram on Sunday. However, some of the members of the assembly alleged that they were not allowed to go up to the Assam border and committee members came back from Lailapur only whereas the Assam border is up to Vairengte about 3.5 kilometer from Lailapur, independent legislators told reporters. The Chief Minister vowed to complete all 15 lift irrigation schemes sanctioned by him for erstwhile Nalgonda district early this year, within the next 18 months. Representational Image (AP) Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao lashed out at the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government, accusing them of meting out injustice to Telangana over sharing of Krishna water. The Chief Minister accused the AP government of resorting to 'dadagiri' and the Centre of adopting 'anti-Telangana stand' on Krishna water sharing. Rao said the AP government was resorting to dadagiri and constructing illegal irrigation projects on the Krishna river without requisite approvals. "Instead of asking the AP government to stop illegal projects on the Krishna and resolve the water dispute between Telangana and AP, the Centre is maintaining silence displaying its anti-Telangana stand," Rao noted, while addressing a public meeting at Halia in Nagarjunasagar Assembly constituency on Monday. Reacting for the first time after the Union Jal Shakti ministry issued a gazette notification on July 15 bringing 107 irrigation projects on the Krishna and the Godavari under the jurisdiction of respective river management boards KRMB and GRMB, the Chief Minister assured that the state government would take all measures to ensure that farmers did not face any troubles due to lack of Krishna water in future. Rao expressed concern that Telangana would face irrigation and drinking water problems in future in Krishna basin due to the stands taken by the AP government and the Centre but he assured people that the Telangana government was making alternate arrangements to divert Godavari water to overcome the water problem in Krishna basin in future. He said the Telangana government would divert Godavari water from Palair to Pedda Devulapalli tank near Nagarjunasagar to meet the irrigation requirements of Nagarjunasagar ayacut, which is in the Krishna basin and save crops. The Chief Minister vowed to complete all 15 lift irrigation schemes sanctioned by him for erstwhile Nalgonda district early this year, within the next 18 months. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Sports Minister Arup Biswas and Cricketer Manoj Tiwari during the inauguration of 'Khela Hobe Diwas', in Kolkata, Monday, August 2, 2021. (PTI) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday declared that Khela Hobe, which turned out to be the Assembly poll winning slogan for the Trinamul Congress, would be reverberated across the country soon for its immense popularity, indicating her partys ambition for a nationwide expansion. The TMC supremos hint came on a day her MP nephew Abhishek Banerjee, however, faced protests while his convoy was attacked allegedly by angry BJP workers during his first visit to Tripura to expand their partys networks there. The TMC national general secretary, however, escaped unhurt. Banerjee, who has already announced Khela Hobe Dibas celebration on August 16 every year in the state, pointed out that already the parliament and some other states have witnessed the electrifying call. She was speaking at launch of Khela Hobe programme of her government from Netaji Indoor Stadium. Banerjee said, Khela Hobe slogan, even if someone does not admit it, has become very popular. It is raised from the parliament to states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan now. So far Khela (Match) happened to some extent. It will happen again across the country. Life can not be without Khela. She also suggested a theme song on Khela Hobe. In Tripura, Abhishek Banerjee slammed the states Chief Minister Biplab Deb for trying to resus his tour. Democracy in Tripura under @BJP4India rule! Well done @BjpBiplab for taking the state to new heights, he tweeted posting a photo and video of the vandalism of one of the cars in his convoy. The Diamond Harbour MP added, Today, I visited the Tripureshwari temple. I pray to Maa Tripureshwari for the well-being of everyone in our country. Despite using all his might, @BjpBiplab SHALL NOT be able to stop me from reaching out to the people of #Tripura who deserve to see the light of Democracy! However, the BJP workers tried to stop TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjees convoy multiple times on the way to the Tripureshwari temple from the Agartala airport in Tripura, police sources said. Banerjees convoy was first stopped at Charilam in West Tripura district as protesting BJP workers raised slogans, trying to block the road, they said. BJP workers also allegedly hit Banerjees car with the batons of their party flag but there was no damage to the vehicle, they said. A group of BJP workers also tried to stop the convoy at Kamalasagar in the Sipahijala district, raising slogans against Banerjee, police sources said. As he reached the Tripureshwari temple in Udaipur, a group of BJP workers tried to block his way as they raised Go back Abhishek slogans. The TMC supporters present at the spot also started raising slogans, leading to a heated situation. Following this, Abhishek Debroy, the BJPs Gomati district president, asked his party supporters to leave the area. Banerjee then went inside the temple for the rituals, sources said. Mark Davis (pictured at right), Emergency Medical Services director for DeSoto County reported that twenty-nine percent of DeSoto County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of Friday, July 30. In this April 22, 2021, file photo, flags of some of the ASEAN member countries fly at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Southeast Asias top diplomats were meeting Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, to appoint a special envoy to help deal with the political crisis and violence gripping Myanmar and finalize an emergency plan to help control a coronavirus outbreak that many fear is spiraling out of control in the military-ruled nation. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form FILE - In this July 2020, file photo, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wears a protective mask during a news conference in Topeka. Johnson County District Judge David Hauber, in Kansas' most populous county, has struck down as unconstitutional a state law requiring unusually speedy legal hearings for people challenging mask requirements and other COVID restrictions. 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. Does this story bring some value to you? Please consider a small donation to help fund our content. We rely solely on support from our adver... Hartford City, IN (47348) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. An enormous Sicklefin Lemon shark bites a fisherman in the lower half of the torso on a fishing trip. The victim was injured that worried the others, but he somehow was able to escape its jaws. The unexpected shark attack happened on Varanus Island that is close to the coastal waters of Western Australia. It was mentioned the particular shark was called the big one. The victim of the vicious bite given by the ferocious predator is a 30-year-old fisherman. The other fishermen gave the first aid to help the injured man survive, reported the Express UK. Ten agonizing hours back to shore after being bitten by a Lemon shark Unfortunately, the attack happened at Varanus Island, which was a long return trip to Exmouth Wharf, an ambulance waiting for their arrival. No one remembers how long it took to get to land. This trip back took ten arduous hours to get the injured fisherman to shore, which took long. The World News Net said that a spokeswoman for St John Ambulance said the extent of the man's injuries were a 'few bites' on the man's lower body. She added the man got bitten at 8:30 pm, but the shark misses his vital organs. Fisheries advise other shark sighted 08:00hrs 28/07, Varanus Island, near Onslow , DPIRD Fisheries Officers are investigating a reported shark bite incident off Varanus Island.. Reported 10:30hrs 28/07 Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) July 28, 2021 Once the victim was on shore, the paramedics worked to stabilize his condition. One source said the wounds bled profusely and was needed to be stopped. Read Also: Immense Great White Called Queen of the Ocean is Over 50 Years Old, Covered in Scars The 30-year-old victim was treated in an Exmouth hospital, and later flown to Perth via the Royal Flying Doctor Service jet. The condition of the injuries needs to be treated further in a better hospital. The victim was asked how big was the shark that attacked him, and he said it was more than 20-feet. Authorities identified the shark as a Sicklefin Lemon Shark. Sicklefin Lemon Sharks are aloof and docile species An expert said the shark is found in Australian waters and reaches 21 to 24 feet long when mature. These fish are seen in shallow waters that are 301.837 feet deep. Agencies like the local fishing authority are looking into what happened at Varanus Island. Getting bitten by such a shark species is very rare. Reasons behind why it bit a human is still not verified. According to Peter Godfrey from the shark response unit at DPIRD, big sharks, but with small teeth, live in the deeper parts, citing the Daily Advent. He added these large sharks are very docile and rarely attacks humans, based on his knowledge. The only time it would bite is if something threatens it seriously. Interactions with these sharks depend on the circumstances of the encounter. It is noted that the animal will do what it needs when it feels threatened, even biting to defend itself. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) scientist Conrad Speed, experienced in tagging Lemons sharks in the Ningaloo coast of western Australia, they are usually aloof. Only the fish caught by spearmen could catch their attention. These sharks are very wary of humans and will rarely interact or approach any human in the water. The lemon shark bites fisherman is one of those oddities not following the animal's behavior patterns, and shark attacks are increasing lately. Related Article: Dad Saved Daughter from Shark by Punching Its Face, But Girl Still Lost Her Leg and Two Fingers. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new kind of virulent COVID-19 type does happen as it evolves. Despite the spate of inoculations to prove everyone against the virus, nature will come up with a standard countermeasure, but it does not mean all are deadly. Thus far, efforts to contain the pandemic by disseminating antibodies in this way appear to work, yet recent research suggests that even now, it may be a wrong time to relax our vigilance. In a study done by the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, utilizing a multivariate method of coronavirus transmission, researchers examined the probability of a vaccine-resistant variant developing in various conditions. The scenario The rate of vaccine delivery in a demographic of 10 million people across three years is essential to every scenario. The efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions like mask-wearing and social distancing reported Sciencealert. When everyone gets their complete set of jabs in the sooner, it will guard against the deadly virus, with just a few opportunities for antibody-resistant genes to develop. It is a better option than having an ever-changing pathogen that jumps and infects everyone, and it allowed the pathogen to pick up changes that will enable it to become a new kind of virulent COVID-19 type. Read Also: Immune Cell's Reaction to Invading Viruses Connected to Age and Sex of Individual The danger of COVID-19 is it might get worse than imagined, able to confuse the immune cells in more ways than expected. If this were to cause a massive outbreak in a group without vaccinations, this would be disastrous for everyone. What are the risks? The scientific report published in Nature concluded that an interesting result of the study is that the most significant risk of resistant strain development occurs when a big percentage of people have been vaccinated yet transmission is unregulated. If the situation is that the new strain does spread unfettered, it will arise even if 60 percent of 10 million citizens are fully immunized. Suppose many in a population got their complete vaccinations and going with no mask, greeting loved ones in celebration of freedom. Despite this, all the protocols should still be done, not letting down the guard. The model is based on caution not to foster unnecessary fear. The researcher reiterates that the best recommendation so a variant won't run rampant in any population is to wear masks, with social distancing. This effort starves the virus of bodies to infect and evolve till it dies out. Viral evolution is possible if there is other DNA or RNA to manipulate. Some assumptions of viral survival have not been verified fully. Inside foreign bodies, the virus will be replication itself fast, and it adds more available genes to assemble itself anew! Sometimes it can fool the immune system, T-cells, Neutrophils, even let antibodies slide off. It takes a one in a million chance for the COVID-19 to enter a body with a supermarket of genes to get, then check out more virulent. A new kind of virulent COVID-19 type happens randomly, but a killing combo virus is not always the case. Related Article: SARS-CoV-2 Lambda Variant With Evolved Spike Proteins Compared to Other Strains May be a Threat, But Still Not Verified @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A British hiker's remains were positively identified after a remnant from a person on the Pyrenees trail was found recently after several months. When she disappeared on the Spain and French border, how she just vanished was sudden with a search that yielded nothing. The 37-year-old Esther Dingley was walking solo on the said border on November 22 but never heard of again. Whether her going missing was caused by foul play or pure accident is not yet determined. An announcement by Charity LBT Global which represents the hiker's family, said the bones found off-trail was at this moment verified in a DNA match. Esther Dingley's family bothered by her disapperance Both the victim's family and her boyfriend, Daniel Colegate, mother, Ria Bryant, said the disappearance bothered them. They added it struck them. Esther was gone beyond words, reported the Independent. When the information about the DNA testing of the bones was finally sorted out, and it was confirmed that it belonged to the missing woman. The remains of Esther Dingley, a British woman who went missing while hiking alone in the Pyrenees mountains eight months ago, have been found, according to an international support group for missing person cases.https://t.co/ejYflPvUDx The New York Times (@nytimes) July 30, 2021 Since her November 22 disappearance, the aggrieved family was hoping to see her alive after many months. Despite the fact, more days passed and nothing was heard of the missing hiker, finding the bones were probably the last step before the confirmation. Based on authorities' reports, only one bone was found on the mountain. Her belongings like gear or items had simply vanished as well. Searches for clues of anything that happened was a big zero. Even after the confirmation of Esther Dingley's remains, the will continue searching for her belongings. It might indicate the circumstances of the awful happening, noted News Sky. Read Also: Axe-Wielding Husband Calls 999 to Confess Ending Life of Estranged Wife The LBT Global groups support those with families who are missing in action and not seen after a while. They added the probe is just starting, and anything can happen; results will take time. According to Matthew Searle, the chief executive of LGBT Global, her death was not the wanted result. He added that it's terrible news for Dingley's loved one, despite the search and Daniel's drive to find her, only to find out later that she is already deceased. Time with boyfriend Colegate proves Dingley's not accidental death She met him at Oxford University and was going all over Europe in a camper van starting 2014. They left Durham when the boyfriend nearly died from an infection The victim is used to hiking, and the last picture she sent to Colegate is on the top of the Pic de Sauvegarde on the France-Spain border, said sources, cited BBC. Travelling solo in a campervan while Daniel was in France Gascony, he was house sitting on a farm while waiting for her return after a month. When they last spoke, he added that the hike she was on would last before turning back. On the day she went missing, it was a hike from Benasque, Spain, on a Saturday. He added that Ms Dingley had planned to spend the night at Refuge de Venasque in France on a Sunday. She was expected to return on November 25. Missing on November 22 and never seeing Esther on the 25th, Daniel set out to look for her from the last known location. He said that she did not die accidentally. Hiker Esther Dingley's remains were found in the Port de la Glere mountain pass and gives conclusion to the long time search. Related Article: Police Found Human Remains Where Missing Hiker Esther Dingley Disappeared, Possible Foul Play Being Verified @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. United States President Joe Biden has successfully hit his target of vaccinating at least 70% of adult Americans with at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine which, experts believe, is a crucial factor in the fight against the pandemic. The country experienced a severely slowed down inoculation process in April but has since observed a massive surge of people getting their vaccines. The primary reason for the lack of hesitancy now is the new Delta variant that has been quickly spreading throughout the nation. Hitting the Vaccination Milestone As of Friday, the United States recorded an average of more than 72,000 new confirmed cases every day, as revealed by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Monday, Biden's administration reported that they administered 468,000 in the last 24 hours, 320,000. Cyrus Shahpar, the White House COVID-19 data director, posted a statement on Twitter where he called that day a "Milestone Monday." The official also revealed that one week prior to Monday the number of people who got their first shots was recorded at 257,000, Bloomberg reported. Read Also: COVID-19 Lab Leak: Suspicions About the Origin of the Virus Continue to Grow Shahpar noted that the country's seven-day average of newly vaccinated individuals rose to 441,000, the highest average that authorities have recorded since June. Biden set his goal in early May to vaccinate at least 70% of adult Americans by Independence Day. Despite falling short on July 4 with only 67% of adults inoculated, the vaccination process continued across the region. The Delta variant has caused a surge in cases in recent weeks, increasing to 150% in the last two weeks. The primary cause of the spread is unvaccinated hotspots in the country, including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. The country is seeing more hospitalizations as Florida has hit a new daily record which was set before vaccines were available, Yahoo News reported. Increase of Daily Vaccinations While authorities reported a rise in the number of fatalities, it does not surpass the death tolls in previous waves. There have also been more breakthrough cases than experts have initially anticipated. The situation forced officials to implement new local mask mandates, which many residents are fighting back against. The CDC recently released data that showed vaccinated individuals can still spread the disease but have a much lower chance of experiencing severe symptoms and hospitalization. This has urged medical experts to encourage residents to get vaccinated to avoid more deaths as the Delta variant continues to spread nationwide, Politico reported. Over the last month, authorities have recorded the daily vaccination rate increased to be at 550,000. The number for first doses, on the other hand, has been rising faster by about 75% in the same timeline. In the last two weeks, officials reported that more than five million Americans have gotten their first shots. Authorities are even more grateful as the numbers come from undervaccinated regions in the country that the Delta variant is ravaging. Related Article: Fauci Assures That US Will Not Implement Mandatory Lockdown Amid Delta Variant Surge @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a challenge to China's claim of the maritime area, a German warship is making its way towards the South China Sea. Germany Sends Warships for the First Time in Almost Two Decades In a recently published article in Express, for the first time in almost two decades, Berlin sent a warship to the contested maritime area on Monday. As a result, the German vessel joins the ranks of other Western countries in opposing China's military presence in the area. The German ship is not anticipated to cruise across the Taiwan Strait, which Beijing considers to be a dangerous operation. The frigate vessel Bayern (Bavaria) left the German naval base of Wilhelmshaven on Monday at a ceremony attended by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the country's defense secretary. The frigate left a German port on its seven-month journey to Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, as seen by German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. "We want current legislation to be maintained, maritime routes to be freely navigable, open societies to be preserved, and commerce to follow fair standards," Kramp-Karrenbauer added, according to a published article in MSN News. Read Also: South China Sea Chinese Flights Impose "No Threat" Says U.S. Military The Dispute in the Territorial Claims Due to the language in the Law of the Sea Convention, China claims that significant parts of the roughly 1.3 million-square-mile region in the South China Sea are inside its sovereign jurisdiction. Various military outposts have been established by the communist nation on manmade islands in the area, which is believed to be rich in oil and fisheries, according to a published article in Newsweek. Meanwhile, the United States and other nations contest these territorial claims, and the U.S. Navy conducts frequent operations in the seas around several of these islands. Allies have also lent their backing to the US in its fight against China's territorial claims in the region. In symbolic defiance to China, the countries like France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have lately boosted their activities in Pacific waterways. Despite Beijing's concerns, the UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and her support boats entered the South China Sea last week. China's Claim Has No Legal Basis In a published article in ALJAZEERA, the Hague Court of Arbitration decided in 2016 that China's claim had no legal validity. China declined to take part in the lawsuit and subsequently declared the decision to be "null and invalid," This escalates the tensions among other countries involved. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said that the preservation of peace and stability, respect for international law, legal unhindered trade, and freedom of navigation and other lawful uses of the sea are all important to the United States. On the other hand, according to a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, nations have freedom of passage and overflight in the waterway under international law, but they cannot use this as a pretext to undermine littoral countries' sovereignty and security. China has been increasing its presence in the area as well. Moreover, with its nine-dash line territorial claim, China claims control of large swaths of the South China Sea. Beijing has built military installations on manmade islands in the wide marine area, posing a threat to international commerce. Related Article: German Warship to Cross South China Sea in August this Year @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Sen. Lindsey Graham became the first senator to report a breakthrough illness. Graham stated on Monday that he's thankful he had the vaccine since his present symptoms might have been far worse if he hadn't. In a statement, the Republican senator said he first felt flu-like symptoms on Saturday night and went to the doctor on Monday morning. Graham indicated that he would quarantine for 10 days after knowing a positive result. Sen.Lindsey Graham attended an event with other senators Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, entertained a group of politicians on his houseboat in Washington, DC, over the weekend, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. In the aftermath of the probable exposure, a spokesperson for Manchin assured reporters that the Democrat, who is also vaccinated, is adhering to public health recommendations. Per Boston Herald, Graham attended a gathering on Sen. Joe Manchin's houseboat over the weekend, which other senators also attended, spokesman Kevin Bishop confirmed. Manchin's spokesperson, Sam Runyon, said the West Virginia Democrat is completely vaccinated and is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols for people who have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual. Earlier this year, Manchin took his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated persons who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 do not need to be quarantined if they are asymptomatic, but they should be tested within five days and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they test negative. Graham, who was vaccinated in December, has long been a proponent of vaccination, saying that "the sooner we get everybody vaccinated, the faster we can go back to normal" during a March visit to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Read Also: Jim Jordan Reveals He Spoke to Donald Trump on January 6 Capitol Riot; What Did They Discuss? Senators follow CDC's guidelines after being in close contact with Graham Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona and Jacky Rosen of Nevada attended the event and talked with Graham, spokespersons for the lawmakers told CNN. Both senators, who are fully vaccinated, are following CDC guidelines and congressional health professionals' instructions. It's unknown who else was at the event aboard Manchin's houseboat, which he uses as a base of operations in DC. The CDC recommends that persons who have been completely vaccinated get tested 3-5 days after being exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 and wear a mask indoors for two weeks or until they test negative for the virus. In December, Graham was vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and expressed satisfaction at having been protected before being infected. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the United States, especially in regions where vaccination rates are poor. The weekly average of new daily cases in the United States has quintupled in the last month, rising from a little over 12,000 at the end of June to almost 72,000 last Thursday. According to the CDC, those vaccinated might still get so-called "breakthrough infections," albeit these occurrences are probably minimal. Delta variant is the most infectious strain of the virus, accounting for more than 80% of infections in the United States. While the House has a mask requirement, the Senate no longer has one. Almost all senators stated they had been vaccinated, but scores of House members have refused to comment whether or not they have been vaccinated. Due to the increase in cases, Senate Democrats have started having virtual leadership sessions after returning to in-person meetings, as per the Business Insider. Related Article: Joe Biden's New COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Prompts Push Back From His Previous Election Supporters @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A 100-year-old former nazi guard was scheduled to be put on trial by a German court after the man was charged with 3,518 counts of accessory to murder on allegations that he served as a Nazi SS guard at one of the country's concentration camps during World War II. On Monday, a spokeswoman for the Neuruppin state court said that the suspect's trial was scheduled to begin in early October. However, the name of the 100-year-old man was not released to the public in accordance with German privacy laws. 100-Year-Old Nazi Guard Authorities have accused the suspect of working at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp between 1942 and 1945. They said the man was an enlisted member of the Nazi Party's paramilitary wing. Despite his age, officials argued that the suspect was considered to be fit enough to stand his trial. However, they noted that the number of hours per day the court is in session may have to be reduced. Spokeswoman Iris le Claire said experts conducted a medical evaluation of the suspect that confirmed he was fit to stand trial but only in a limited way. The man's case was handed to the Neuruppin office in 2019 from the special federal prosecutors' office in Ludwigsburg that was responsible for investigating Nazi-era war crimes, the Associated Press reported. Read Also: At Least 3 Dead, Dozens Injured in Bloody Mass Shooting in New York Authorities have provided the 100-year-old suspect with a place to live in the state of Brandenburg outside of Berlin during the trial. The Sachsenhausen concentration camp was constructed in 1936 just north of Berlin, which was the first camp after Adolf Hitler gave full control of the Nazi concentration camp system to the SS. Thomas Walther, one lawyer involved in the case, said that many of the complainants were just as old as the suspect, who also expected the man to be delivered to justice. A German media reported that the man's case is expected to be one of the last concerning crimes during the era of the Nazis. The Sachsenhausen camp housed about 200,000 people between 1936 and 1945, which included political opponents, prisoners of war, and persecuted groups. The SS, Nazi Germany's foremost security agency, was responsible for detaining the hundreds of thousands of prisoners, BBC reported. History of Brutality Authorities expanded Sachsenhausen to include Soviet prisoners of war during times of conflict, where they were shot by the thousands. Jewish prisoners were also singled out and given particularly harsh treatment compared to other detainees. Many of those who remained alive by 1942 were sent to the Auschwitz death camp. But in April 1945, the Sachsenhausen was liberated and turned into a brutal camp by the Soviets. In a similar incident, a 96-year-old woman is scheduled for trial in late September in the northern German town of Itzehoe. The suspect is believed to have worked during the war as a secretary for the SS commandant of the Stutthof concentration camp. Authorities have charged the woman with more than 10,000 counts of accessory to murder earlier this year, USA Today reported. Related Article: Suspect Admits He Beheaded Minnesota Woman As She Tries to Break Up With Him; Girlfriend Had Heartbreaking Letter @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U.S. and the UK have accused the Taliban of "war crimes" in Kandahar province's southern town of Spin Boldak, claiming that dozens of civilians were massacred. Taliban Fighters Assaulted Three Provincial Capitals In a recently published article in France24, Afghan troops fought to save the first major city from getting captured by the Taliban on Monday as the U.S and the UK accused the militants of "massacring people" in a village near the Pakistan border that they just seized. Overnight, Taliban militants attacked at least three provincial capitals: Lashkar Gah, Kandahar, and Herat. Thousands of people fled the approaching militants after a weekend of intense combat. The Taliban conducted synchronized assaults on the city center and jail in Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, only hours after the government announced the deployment of hundreds of commandos to the region. The conflict has escalated since early May, with the Taliban seizing the last phases of the US-led foreign troops' departure after almost two decades in the nation. Overnight, fighting resumed in the southern Afghan city of Lashkar Gah, as Afghan troops repelled a new Taliban assault, according to a published article in MSN News. Read Also: Biden Administration Expands Processing 'Special Immigration Visa' for Afghan Refugees Afghan President Blames the U.S. for the Detoriarating Security President Ashraf Ghani blamed the country's worsening security on the United States' decision to remove troops abruptly, according to a published article in NDTV. Ghani said that the departure of the U.S. troops will have consequences and that he had informed Washington about them. Meanwhile, Ghani claimed that the situation in the war-torn country would be under control within six months when he presented his security plan to parliament on Monday, adding that the US has promised its complete assistance. However, the details of its plan have not yet been made public. U.S. Offers Refugee Resettlement The State Department stated in a statement on Monday that, in light of increasing Taliban violence, the U.S. government is trying to offer refugee resettlement opportunities to select Afghans, including individuals who cooperated and worked with the U.S. Current and former workers of US-based news organizations, US-based assistance and development agencies, and other humanitarian organizations that receive U.S. money will be among those targeted. Employees of the U.S. government and NATO military operations who do not fulfill the requirements for a specialized program for such personnel are also covered. Casualties in the Escalating Fighting Mount In a recently published article in ALJAZEERA, Doctors Without Border, a medical organization, claimed that the death toll in Lashkar Gah was rising. Sarah Leahy, the aid group's coordinator for Helmand, said in a statement, "There has been relentless gunfire, airstrikes, and mortars in densely populated areas. Houses are being bombed, and many people are suffering severe injuries." One of the locals also said that the city was experiencing numerous dilemmas. Fighting takes place, power outages are occuring, communications networks are down, ill people crowd hospitals, medicines are not available, and pharmacies are closed. The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major psychological and strategic setback for the government, which has vowed to protect provincial capitals at all costs after losing most of the countryside to the Taliban earlier this year. Related Article: Afghanistan: Fighting Intensifies as Taliban Fighters Advances in Key Cities @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Washington has asked 24 Russian diplomats to leave the US by September 3 when their visas expire, claims Russia's ambassador to the US as two countries escalate tensions. Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador in Washington, spoke against what he dubbed as expulsions of Moscow's diplomats in an interview, adding that the US has grown persistent and inventive in this business by limiting Russians to three-year visas. Antonov did not specify if the US move was in response to a specific disagreement. He said that nearly all of them would be leaving without replacements due to Washington's sudden tightening of visa issuance processes. Russian diplomats to leave the US In response to the remarks, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the US was not using Russian diplomats' visas to retaliate against Moscow. He called the ambassador's description "inaccurate," Reuters via MSN reported. Price did not deny that Russian diplomats would have to leave the United States, and he claimed it was "nothing new" that Russians would have to seek a visa extension after three years. He said the applications are looked at on a case-by-case basis. Moscow and Washington have long had a rift over various topics, and relations have deteriorated further since US President Joe Biden stated he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is a killer. After Biden visited Putin for discussions on June 16, tensions began to subside; and some foreign investors' money was returned to Russian government bonds. However, Russia has prohibited the US embassy in Moscow from maintaining, employing, or contracting Russian or third-country employees, forcing the mission to lay off 182 workers and dozens of contractors, according to the State Department. Two dozen Russian diplomats have been told to leave the United States by September 3, the latest in a series of tit-for-tat retaliations on both sides that has further damaged US-Russia ties. The expulsion of the diplomats comes after the United States removed almost 200 local workers from its diplomatic missions in Russia. In an interview with the National Interest magazine, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov claimed the embassy got a list of 24 Russian diplomats scheduled to leave next month without successors. Citing Washington's sudden tightening of visa issuance processes, Antonov added, "Almost all of them will leave without replacements." Per Newsweek, the situation with both nations' embassies hasn't improved since Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden met in Geneva in June. Following being recalled for discussions, Antonov and his American counterpart, John Sullivan, returned to their roles after the summit. Read Also: Israel Blames Iran for Alleged Tanker Attack in Arabian Sea That Killed Briton, Romanian Russia says the US would use force on Putin's warplanes Moreover, Russia has accused the United States of threatening to use force against Vladimir Putin's warplanes flying over the Black Sea. After a top American admiral claimed Moscow's buzzing of NATO ships by low-flying air force jets looked to be "baiting us into shooting first," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko retaliated. The increased US presence near Russian borders is the fundamental cause of rising tensions, according to Grushko. When NATO ships enter the Black Sea, Russian planes, ships, and submarines frequently follow them, The Sun reported. When a strike aircraft flies over a ship at 100 feet height and right over the top, it might be said that they're baiting us into shooting first, said US Admiral Robert Burke, head of American naval operations in Europe and Africa. Leonid Slutsky, a senior Russian parliamentarian, accused the admiral of attempting to disguise NATO nations' actual objectives to increase the situation in the Black Sea through Russophobic hysteria. In June, when a Russian warfare jet allegedly dropped bombs in the course of a British HMS Defender destroyer heading near Crimea, he linked the remarks from the admiral to the farcical flashpoint. As the crew member was "changing your course or I will fire." Moscow said six "warning shots" have been fired from the FSB Coastal patrol boat. A day later, Russia threatened to sink British warships if they came too close to the Crimea again, only to backtrack hours later, claiming their approach was "so polite." Related Article: Russia, China Team Up for Military Force Training Against Terror, Pose Daily Threat With Lasers and Missiles in Space @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Officials from the United Arab Emirates have approved the use of the Chinese Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine for children in the country aged three to 17 years after clinical trials and extensive evaluations of more than 900 young kids, authorities said. They cited the health ministry which touted the decision as being a result of successful trials last June without providing further details. Last month, authorities said they would continue to monitor the immune response among the children to determine if there are any severe side effects, Reuters reported. Approval of Sinopharm Vaccine In May, the UAE approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use among children aged 12 to 15 years. Vaccination within Dubai, the second-largest member of the UAE federation, began inoculating the said age group this month. One of the highest vaccination rates in the world is recorded in the UAE, which documented thousands of new coronavirus infections last month. Under a joint venture between Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi-abused technology company, Group 42 led Phase III clinical trials of the Chinese vaccine and began its manufacture. Authorities said that they will announce the results of the trials once the data are readily available. About 80% of the UAE's roughly 10 million population have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Sunday. This comes after officials announced in May that they would offer a booster shot to people who received the Sinopharm vaccine after six months from their two-dose treatment. The decision comes amid doubts about the vaccine's antibody response and efficacy. Read Also: US Successfully Vaccinates at Least 70% of Americans as Residents Rush to Get Inoculated The UAE's approval of the Sinopharm vaccine comes after China granted emergency approval to its vaccine for residents below 18 years of age in July. The approval was made as Beijing rushed to gain herd immunity within its region, the South China Morning Post reported. Recently, officials also deliberated extending the flight suspension for Pakistan to go beyond the set date of August 7 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The initial suspension was announced last month by Emirates and Etihad. The statement said flight operations from South Asian countries will remain suspended until the first week of August. Suspension of Flight Operations But on Wednesday, the air carrier announced the extension of the suspension of flight operations from India and Pakistan until "further notice." In a statement, the carrier said the decision came after the latest UAE Government directives. However, the company noted the situation was still developing which made the announcements ever-changing. Emirates also announced its suspension of incoming scheduled passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka to the UAE until August 7 amid the health crisis. Authorities will review any potential extension of the suspension. While UAE airlines are not allowed to carry passengers from the affected countries into the UAE, some nationals, diplomats, official delegations, and Golden Visa holders are exempted from the rule. These approved individuals will be required to undergo acceptance and quarantine conditions. Cargo flights in both directions will continue to operate without any restrictions, Etihad said in a statement. Officials said they were working closely with impacted guests to notify them of the changes to their flight schedules and itineraries, Tribune reported. Related Article: COVID-19 Lab Leak: Suspicions About the Origin of the Virus Continue to Grow @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Authorities say a mother's corpse was discovered weighted down in an Oklahoma pond ten days after she was reported missing. News Release from Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation In a recently published article in People, according to a press release from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the victim was reported as a missing person by police just over the state border in Fort Smith, Ark., on July 19. Tara Strozier, 40, was allegedly tortured before being murdered, according to authorities. Strozier, whose address was not disclosed, was last seen driving a black Volkswagen Jetta with Florida license plates at the time. Meanwhile, after receiving information that Strozier was likely last seen in the Cameron, Oklahoma region, Fort Smith police requested assistance from the Le Flore County Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma. After the vehicle was discovered abandoned July 24 in a private drive in Cameron with no trace of Strozier, the sheriff's office suspected "foul play," according to the press release. It was also stated that authorities think Strozier was tortured at an empty mobile home off Neblett Ridge Road in Cameron before being killed by the pond near Rock Island, according to the joint investigation. Read Also: Sarah Everard Murder Probe Leads To UK Police Officer Arrest Suspected Foul Play According to a statement from the Fort Smith Authorities Department, Tara Strozier's family last heard from her on July 17, when she was in Cameron, Oklahoma. When they were unable to contact her, they grew worried and called the police. After the vehicle was discovered abandoned July 24 in a private drive in Cameron with no trace of Strozier, the sheriff's office suspected "foul play," according to the press release, as reported in a recently published news article in MSN News. Moreover, the sheriff's office started an investigation with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and think Strozier was tortured at an empty mobile home along Neblett Ridge Road in Cameron before being killed by the pond near Rock Island, according to the press release. Three Suspects Arrested In relation to Strozier's killing, three individuals were identified and apprehended. Alex Nathaniel Davis, 30, Austin Johnson, 23, and Kaelin Hutchinson, 24, were identified as the main suspects. Alex Nathaniel Davis, 30, confessed to murdering Strozier while Austin Johnson, 23, was present, according to authorities. Her corpse was then weighed and thrown into the pond, where it was subsequently discovered. Authorities claim that after the murder, the two weighted her corpse and tossed Strozier into the sea. Davis and Johnson are both facing first-degree murder charges. Davis is also charged with abduction. Both are being detained without bail in the Le Flore County jail. They will be back in court on August 6th, according to a published report in Oxygen Crime News. According to a news source, Hutchinson is charged with obstruction of an officer, accessory after the fact, and conspiracy. His bail was set at $250,000 on Friday. He has not yet filed a plea, like the other two; and the lawyers for the suspects were not immediately named. Related Article: New Jersey 'Torso Killer' Confesses to 1974 Murder Case of 2 Teenage Friends @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The White House said on Monday that United States President Joe Biden wished to extend the country's eviction moratorium but lacked the legal authority to do so, which allowed the protection to expire over the weekend. The incident has put pressure onto many states that were not quick enough in distributing billions of dollars in financial assistance to millions of American renters. Residents are now facing the possibility of being forced out of their homes. End of Eviction Moratorium In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that Biden would have "strongly supported" an extension of the eviction moratorium recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, she said that in June, the Supreme Court declared the CDC did not have the authority to grant such an extension without approval from Congress. White House officials also said that the CDC rejected Biden's proposal for a new, 30-day eviction moratorium that would prioritize counties with high infection rates of the coronavirus. On Monday, Psaki said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and her team have been unsuccessful in finding legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium, Fox News reported. The secretary said her team is continuing its efforts to identify all possible routes to provide necessary protections to American renters. Psaki noted that Biden will continue to protect affected individuals to the best of his ability in the meantime. In that regard, the Democrat leader has urged landlords to hold off on evicting their tenants and called on states and cities to follow their own policies that support renters in keeping their homes. The White House revealed that he asked the CDC to "consider once again" the use of executive action to extend the moratorium. Read Also: $1 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Will Be Voted Within Days, Schumer Says Gene Sperling, a White House senior adviser who oversees the American Rescue Plan implementation of Biden's administration, said that the president is doing everything he can to protect his citizens. The announcements come after the Democrat faced widespread criticism for not taking any actions regarding the expiration of the eviction moratorium, USA Today reported. Risk of Becoming Homeless Many residents at risk of being evicted due to the expiration of the moratorium are desperately seeking assistance to keep their homes. Several families from Ohio to Virginia appeared in court asking for a last-minute reprieve. At least 600 renters in Detroit had court orders against them and were immediately put at risk of being homeless. Ted Phillips, a lawyer who leads the United Community Housing Coalition in Detroit said the situation has become even more worrisome with the end of the eviction moratorium. Despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking for an immediate extension of the moratorium, the Biden administration was not successful in providing that demand. The Democratic leader leaned on the massive funding that was set aside for American renters to avert the crisis. But officials have been slow in distributing the financial assistance nationwide. From the $25 billion allocated funds, only about $3 billion has been distributed through June by states and local governments, the Associated Press reported. Related Article: House Eviction Moratorium: Congress Calls CDC To Leverage Authority Extending Eviction Ban @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In August, Russian and Chinese soldiers will conduct a large-scale joint exercise, the latest in a series of gradually strengthening defense relations between Moscow and Beijing. Joint Military Exercise Between China and Russia In a recently published article in The National Interest, Russia and China will conduct cooperative military exercises in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northern China during the first part of August, according to Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian. Wu Qian said that the Russian Armed Forces will participate in the exercises West/Interaction-2021, which will take place in China between the beginning and the middle of August, based on the agreement made between China and Russia. Additionally, the exercises will take place at an army facility in the Chinese town of Qingtongxia, according to the spokesperson. Meanwhile, over the weekend, Chinese People's Liberation Army Lieutenant General Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of the Western Theater Command and commanding officer of Chinese troops in the forthcoming exercise, received a warm welcome, according to a published article in MSN News. Read Also: Russia Cooperates With China to Advance Space Missions to Rival US, Other Nations Purpose of the Joint Military Exercise The exercise's goal is to strengthen China and Russia's comprehensive strategic cooperation of coordination for a new age. This would also strengthen the two armies' pragmatic collaboration and historic friendship, Wu added, demonstrating both sides' resolve and capacity to fight terrorist groups and preserve regional peace and security. According to a published article in Global Times, "The Zapad/Interaction-2021" is the name of the drill. China and Russia will test combined reconnaissance, early warnings, and electronic information assault and strike capabilities with a variety of aircraft, artillery pieces, and armored vehicles. The term "interaction" refers to the fact that the exercise would include various services, such as the army and the air force. The exercise will be the first time for Russian troops to visit the military installation of Qingtongxia. This is also the first joint exercise conducted in China since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. This obviously shows that the Chinese and Russian military services' mutual confidence is growing steadily. Biden To Pursue Relationship With China President Joe Biden has set out to build a "cooperative," "competitive," and "confrontational" relationship with China, while also attempting to create "a predictable and steady relationship" with Russia. With the U.S. pulling out of Afghanistan, Moscow and Beijing have grown considerably more mindful of the security situation on their respective borders. Meanwhile, the U.S. considers China and Russia to be its top two great power rivals, and the two countries have feuded over a variety of geopolitical concerns such as human rights, territorial conflicts, and cybersecurity; all of which Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of regularly violating. Russian and Chinese Start To Cooperate with the Afghans In Afghanistan, the outlines of Russian-Chinese collaboration are already taking form. Beijing and Moscow have both conducted high-level discussions with the Taliban as the terrorist organization moves closer to becoming the country's main player. Within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes both Russia and China as members, Beijing has put its support behind Russia's continuing efforts to control the border between Afghanistan and Central Asia. Related Article: Russia and Beijing Collaborate to Build Robotic Weaponry with Chinese AI at the Lead @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A paramedic has been charged with murder after reportedly shooting one woman and wounding another after a drunken altercation at a Tennessee water park. Sarah Romine, 31, of Knoxville, shot Angie Russell, 23, and Kelsy Cook, 24, both of Loudon, after a disagreement in the parking lot of the Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville shortly before 8 p.m. Cook was taken from the parking lot to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where she was pronounced dead a few hours later. Tennessee woman arrested following a shooting incident Russell was taken to LeConte Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. An ambulance provider in the vicinity, American Medical Response (AMR), confirmed Monday that the female shooting suspect in the tragic event at the Soaky Mountain Waterpark parking lot was identified. A Knox County EMT is presently on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the shooting inquiry. After emergency workers responded to a reported gunshot at Soaky Mountain Waterpark on July 31, Romine was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, numerous counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm while drunk. Romine is suspected of shooting both victims, according to Sevierville police. Joshua Dannels, 30, of Crossville, the other person suspected in the incident, was also detained and charged with possession of a weapon while drunk. However, officials at the Sevierville County Jail said Dannels was freed on a $2,500 bail, while Romine's bond was set at $350,000, as per WVLT8. Police said witnesses notified investigators that the suspects were leaving the parking lot via a vehicle. Three individuals were arrested when officers halted the car. Police think Romine was the shooter and have charged her with second-degree murder, numerous counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a handgun while drunk following an investigation. No charges have been filed against the third suspect, whose identity has not been revealed. Romine and Dannels were arrested and sent to the Sevier County Jail. Mike Cohen, a spokesman for American Medical Response (AMR) Knox County, told WATE, a local ABC affiliate, on Monday that Romine worked as an EMT for the company and was off-duty at the time of the event. Read Also: Tech CEO Who Helped Federal Government Against Hackers Found Dead Outside Maryland Home; Son Charged With Murder Soaky Mountain Waterpark's management released a statement Cohen also stated that she is presently on unpaid administrative leave, which will last until the local authorities' inquiry is completed. During the shooting, a local lady who did not want to be recognized was at the waterpark with her family. She told WATE that the park was closed until 9.30 p.m. as police looked for the gunman. Officials stated they couldn't say much more about the incident at this time since the investigation is still in its early stages. On Sunday, the police want to provide additional information to the public. "The Soaky Mountain management team is committed to safety and is cooperating fully with the Sevierville Police Department as they further investigate the situation," Soaky Mountain Waterpark said in a statement to DailyMail.com. Soaky Mountain Waterpark's management said in a statement on Sunday morning that they are committed to their customers' safety and that they are "deeply saddened" by the events that transpired in their parking lot after the park closed on Saturday evening. Soaky Mountain Waterpark is in Sevierville, a famous vacation destination near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tube rides, tunnels, flumes, and wave and surfing pools are all part of the 50-acre water amusement center. Soaky Mountain Waterpark, according to their website, is a family-friendly facility that opened last month on June 9. Related Article: Louisiana Groom Arrested on Wedding Night After Shooting a Friend He Accuses of Having Affair with the Bride @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An article published Sunday alleged that the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft Corporation was arrested by the military forces in the United States for child trafficking, child porn and other "unspeakable crimes against America." In an article published on the website Real Raw News, Bill Gates was reportedly arrested by the U.S. military at a property he "secretly owned" in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on charges of child trafficking. Bill Gates Arrested? The article also claimed that he ran a child trafficking ring with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who hung himself in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York on Aug. 10, 2019. One of the alleged pieces of evidence against the American business magnate is an SD card recovered by the U.S. Navy Seals in May that the RRN claims contained footage showing a young girl handcuffed to a bed and crying out for her mother. The footage also allegedly recorded Gates, who was off camera, encouraging the child to dress in lingerie to please her "new mommy and daddy." The article also cited Melinda French Gates, Bill's ex-wife, as a key player in the Microsoft co-founder's arrest. "Initially she was reluctant to fully cooperate, because she felt that knowledge of her involvement might jeopardize the fortune she aims to get from the divorce settlement, most of which has not been paid," a source told RRN. Read Also: Russia Claims US Urges 24 Diplomats to Leave by September, Accuses Threat to Shoot Down Putin's Jet As Tensions Heighten The article ended with a claim that Gates was taken into military custody and is currently detained at an unknown location. However, Real Raw News' story about Gates' arrest is not true. The website has been known to post numerous fake stories, including the military executing Tom Hanks, arresting Hillary Clinton, and convicting William Barr. No official international media has covered news about Gates' alleged arrest and child trafficking crimes. Accusations of Child Abuse Additionally, Real Raw News' About Us page states that their website posts disclaimers indicating that their stories may contain "humor, parody and satire." Well, the story is not completely fake. Gates has previously been accused of child porn less than a decade ago. The accusations came after Rick Allen Jones, an engineer who was previously employed to work at Bill and Melinda's home, was caught with a 6,000-image child pornography collection, including rape videos and photos, which he had sent to somebody else. During an investigation, Jones admitted that he had been collecting child pornographic materials for years, but argued that he had only shared said materials once. "Jones said that he had been collecting (child pornography) for about 10 years now and has had an interest in young boys since he himself was a teenager," a Seattle Police Department detective told a court, according to Komo News. The engineer pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to the King County Jail for 90 days, along with a two-year probation. He is also required to register as a sex offender and to stay away from children. None of the Gates family members were mentioned to be involved in the matter. Related Article: Tech CEO Who Helped Federal Government Against Hackers Found Dead Outside Maryland Home; Son Charged With Murder @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. While most skin tags do not require treatment and will eventually fall off on their own, a doctor may prescribe a simple medical procedure to remove any that irritates the skin or causes pain. Skin tags may also be removed for cosmetic reasons, especially if they are on exposed areas of the body, such as the face. Skin tags are soft, noncancerous growths that commonly appear in the neck, armpits, breasts, groin region, and eyelids. Loose collagen fibers become trapped inside thicker parts of the skin, causing these growths. The specific source of skin tags is unknown although they may form due to friction or skin rubbing against skin. Skin tags are also persistent, affecting over half of the population, Kemunto Mokaya, MD, told Healthline. According to her, they're more frequent in older adults, overweight people, and diabetic individuals. These skin sores are typically painless, but they can be rather painful if grabbed by jewelry or clothes. If these growths are bothering you, there is help. Skin tags typically don't necessitate treatment or consultation with the doctor. If you want to remove a skin tag from a product, you might be able to do it using items already in your health cabinet or kitchen. Skin tag home remedies The majority of at-home treatments include drying the skin tag until it shrinks and comes off. Here are several home treatments for skin tag removal: Apple cider vinegar- After soaking a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar, put it over the skin tag. Wrap the affected area with a bandage for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it. Repeat every day for a few weeks. Apple cider vinegar's acidity tears down the tissue surrounding the skin tag, causing it to come off. After soaking a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar, put it over the skin tag. Wrap the affected area with a bandage for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it. Repeat every day for a few weeks. Apple cider vinegar's acidity tears down the tissue surrounding the skin tag, causing it to come off. Tea tree oil- Tea tree oil is safe to use on the skin since it has antiviral and antifungal effects. Wash the afflicted area first. Then gently rub the oil over the skin tag with a Q-tip or cotton swab. Overnight, cover the area with a bandage. Tea tree oil is safe to use on the skin since it has antiviral and antifungal effects. Wash the afflicted area first. Then gently rub the oil over the skin tag with a Q-tip or cotton swab. Overnight, cover the area with a bandage. Banana peel- Don't throw out old banana peels, especially if you have a skin tag. A banana peel may also be used to help dry up a skin tag. Cover the tag with a piece of banana peel and secure it with a bandage. Repeat every night until the tag falls off. Don't throw out old banana peels, especially if you have a skin tag. A banana peel may also be used to help dry up a skin tag. Cover the tag with a piece of banana peel and secure it with a bandage. Repeat every night until the tag falls off. Vitamin E- Skin tags may be caused by aging. Because vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy, putting liquid vitamin E on a skin tag might make it disappear in a few days. Massage the tag and surrounding skin with the oil until it falls off. Skin tags may be caused by aging. Because vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy, putting liquid vitamin E on a skin tag might make it disappear in a few days. Massage the tag and surrounding skin with the oil until it falls off. Garlic- Garlic reduces inflammation, which helps to enhance the look of the skin. Apply crushed garlic to a skin tag and wrap the area with a bandage overnight to get rid of it naturally. In the morning, wash the area. Repeat till the skin tag has shrunk and vanished. Read Also: 6 Effective Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth at Home; Easy, Fast, and Guaranteed Techniques Over-the-counter skin tag products Several over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available in groceries and drugstores can safely remove a skin tag, in addition to home treatments. Some methods are more successful and safer than others for eliminating skin tags at home. There are also several items available for this purpose. Try these Medical News Today recommended treatments: Removal creams In certain situations, these creams are effective. Dr. Mokaya suggests avoiding products that include salicylic acid and tea tree oil since these chemicals might irritate the skin or create contact dermatitis. Some of these creams' directions suggest wiping the skin with an alcohol wipe and filing down the tag before applying the cream to ensure that the skin thoroughly absorbs it. According to the label on some of these products, the skin tag should come off after 2-3 weeks. Bands and patches The blood flow to the skin tag base is cut off with a skin tag removal band. The cells die without a supply of blood, and the tag comes off. This is referred to as ligation. Medication is contained in the removal patches. The tag may fall off if a patch is left on it for several days or weeks. Freezing kits Healthcare professionals use liquid nitrogen to remove undesirable skin tissue in a healthcare setting. Cryotherapy is the term for this type of treatment. According to Dr. Mokaya, cryotherapy can entail temperatures as low as 320.8F (-195C). Temperatures of 4F to 58F are required for benign lesions such as skin tags. Before the growth fades away, people may need to apply the product many times. When using home freezing kits, make sure the spray does not contact the surrounding skin. Before removing the tag, apply petroleum jelly to the area around it to protect the skin. When to consult a doctor? Skin tags can be mistaken for other skin conditions such as warts and moles. It's essential to have your skin tags evaluated by a specialist because some moles are cancerous. Your dermatologist or family doctor can diagnose skin tags. This will most likely be accomplished through a visual examination. They may also do a biopsy if they have any doubts regarding the diagnosis. According to the University of Michigan Health, home treatments such as cutting off skin tags with nail clippers or removing moles with creams and pastes can result in bleeding, infection, and scarring. It's also critical that your doctor examines moles before they're removed. Having your moles and skin tags removed by your doctor is considerably safer. Related Article: Why Mole and Skin Tags Grow on Your Body; Here's How to Get Rid of Them @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tokyo 2020 Olympian Vitalina Batsarashkina recently won the gold medal in the women's shooting 10m air pistol competition for the Russian Olympic Committee, but a picture of her holding her pistol has warranted mansplaining from male users on social media. The image of Batsarashkina holding her air pistol was uploaded on Twitter by a user named Zoe, who said she was "obsessed" with the Olympian's stance. The athlete could be seen holding her pistol with her right hand as she placed her left hand inside her left-side pocket. Mansplaining a Gold Medalist However, other online users, particularly male individuals, were quick to point out the apparent "mistake" in how she held her "gun." Keyboard warriors disagreed and told the Olympic gold medalist that she was holding her weapon wrong, with others claiming she must have missed a lot of her shots during the competition. One user also said that while the Olympian's stance and grip on her weapon were "cool," the recoil of the gun would have shattered her wrist the moment she fired. Another male user said he wanted to see Batsarashkina's arm due to the strength she had to withstand the recoil her gun would have made, Indy100 reported. Many others, however, were also quick to come to the gold medalist's defense, arguing that many of the "mansplainers" had no idea what sport Batsarashkina was competing in. One user was quick to note that the weapon the Olympian was holding was simply an air pistol and would not have had much of a recoil. Read Also: China-Russia Ties Strengthen in Joint Military Drill to Combat Anti-Terrorism; America's Joe Biden to Pursue Relationship With China One user also showed another picture of a 10m air pistol competition, where competitors kept the same stance and grip as Batsarashkina did. Another Twitter user also shared a gray-scale picture of soldiers from a century ago holding small pistols with a similar stance and grip. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Batsarashkina won the 10m and 25m categories of the sport. Her achievements made her one of the most celebrated athletes worldwide, ScoopWhoop reported. Wanting to Go Back Home Batsarashkina faced off against South Korean Kim Min-Jung in the women's 25m air pistol event for the gold medal. The two Olympians shot a record of 38, forcing a shoot-off, which resulted in the Russian Olympian cracking a wry smile. When asked, Batsarashkina said she was frequently in shoot-offs, and when she noticed she was entering another one, it amused her, Reuters reported. While leading early, Kim eventually lost the fight against the Russian superstar. After the competition, Batsarashkina immediately pointed out she was homesick and was glad to finally be heading back to her home country. She said that despite her enjoyment of competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was happy to finally go back home. On the other hand, the silver and bronze medalists, Kim and China's Xiao Jiaruixuan, also shared the same sentiments as the Russian Olympian. During an interview, Kim said she missed her mother's sauteed potatoes the most during her time away from home. Despite being anxious, she said she had a lot of fun competing in the event. Related Article: Tech CEO Who Helped Federal Government Against Hackers Found Dead Outside Maryland Home; Son Charged With Murder @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Tesla driver recounted on Twitter how his vehicle's autopilot helped him avoid an accident while cruising on a major highway. In his tweet, Tesla owner Owen Sparks was shocked that another vehicle with an attached trailer had been streaking close to his side, as he observed the other driver was not "looking in their mirror." that their cars nearly collided. Fortunately, thanks to Sparks' Tesla Autopilot, his vehicle swerved away automatically. Our Tesla avoided an accident with a car + trailer this thursday while on autopilot. Seems like the other person wasnt looking in their mirror. I thought we got hit because of how fast the car maneuvered away. Autopilot saves lives @elonmusk @WhamBaamYT @SavedTesla @Tesla pic.twitter.com/BVDgmQZaOp Owen Sparks (@OwenSparks_) August 1, 2021 Tweet Says Tesla Autopilot 'Saves Lives' "Autopilot saves lives," Sparks concluded his tweet, which drew much appreciation from his followers and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom he tagged in his tweet. Musk had since retweeted Sparks' tweet, which showed proof of the Tesla Autopilot's dependability. In a separate tweet, Musk emphasized the importance of having Autopilot V1 in Tesla cars. Reason we hustled so much to get Autopilot V1 out was that someone driving non-Autopilot Tesla fell asleep, crashed & killed cyclist (Tesla driver was uninjured). Driver nonetheless sued us saying new car smell made him fall asleep (sigh). Judge didnt agree. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2021 More such cases have been told on Twitter, as reported by Clean Technica. A fan recounted a case in Norway wherein a driver became unconscious and the Autopilot took over, putting the vehicle to a complete stop. A video was posted with the tweet. Tesla owner in Norway suffers unconsciousness while driving, Tesla autopilot detects it, slows, comes to a stop so EMS can help @elonmusk @Tesla pic.twitter.com/kl1CEeiHDi Austin Tesla Club (@AustinTeslaClub) July 31, 2021 Read Also: Tesla Autopilot Update 2021: New Cabin Camera Could Stop Dangerous TikTok Trend This incident happened in Ski town in Norway, wherein the driver had fallen unconscious with his head slumped forward and to the side. Other drivers followed the car and witnessed it stop on its own after decelerating. The vehicle halted in a tunnel and automatically turned on its hazard lights. Concerned drivers parked near the vehicle and knocked on the window. After the driver did not respond, they alerted emergency services for help. After the accident, Ski Eastern Police reported that the 24-year-old driver was intoxicated and passed out while driving. Even with video evidence, the man denied driving under the influence. Tesla Autopilot Offers Solution to DUI Problem The evidence showed that Tesla's autopilot offers a solution for the long drawn-out problem of DUI. Indeed, drunk driving has long been a national problem even before the Autopilot came into existence, debunking claims that it actually promotes DUI. CleanTechnica cited the 2019 National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) figures indicating that 28 people daily or one person in nearly every hour die from drunk driving incidents in the US. In total, the NHTSA reported 10,142 people lost their lives in the U.S. due to drunk driving crashes. Tesla likewise detailed its vehicle safety report per quarter, emphasizing that during the last quarter of 2019, only one accident was registered for every 3.07 million miles Tesla drivers had the Autopilot engaged. For the other three quarters of 2019, Tesla also gave a breakdown: in Q1 2019. there's one accident per 2.87 million miles driven with Autopilot engaged; in Q2 2019, there's one accident for every 3.27 million miles driven with Autopilot; Q3 2019, one accident per 4.34 million miles driven with Autopilot. With NHTSA figures showing 36,096 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in 2019 in shorter average distances than those mentioned in the Tesla report, indeed, a Tesla Autopilot is a life-saving feature, CleanTechnica concluded. Related Article: Tesla Autopilot Crash Explained: Elon Musk Denies FSD Issue in Fatal Accident, Reveals Data Logs 08/02/2021 Country artist Michael Ray will take the stage on August 19 in a free public concert presented by the JSU Student Government Association. by Buffy Lockette Jacksonvilles largest outdoor festival, Spirit on Mountain Street, is returning for the first time since the pandemic on Aug. 19. The fun-filled community event will include a free concert by rising country star Michael Ray. Now in its 15th year, Spirit on Mountain Street is co-presented by JSU and the City of Jacksonville each August to kick off the school year for the university and local community. The city will close a portion of historic Mountain Street for the evening to allow dozens of area restaurants and other vendors to set up booths along the street in front of JSU Stadium. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m., with music, live performances, games and a Kids Zone. Guests can graze the vendor tables sampling popular restaurant menu items in exchange for festival tokens, which are priced at $1 each. Adult beverages will be available for purchase for attendees ages 21 and older. Admission to the festival is free, and all proceeds will be donated to the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center. As the sun goes down, artist Michael Ray will take the stage at 8 p.m. in a free public concert presented by the JSU Student Government Association. This will be the fourth year the festival has ended with a concert. Starting in 2017, the lineup has included Riley Green, 2017; Morgan Wallen, 2018; and Scotty McCreery in 2019. Raised in rural central Florida, music was Rays childhood refuge as he healed from the pain of his parents divorce. In four short years, he has built an impressive foundation for a lasting career in country music - including two hit records and three No. 1 songs. The third song off of his sophomore album Amos, Her World or Mine, produced a video that has captured more than 26 million YouTube views since its debut less than a year ago. Now, two hit albums into that all-too-rare blend of a critically acclaimed and commercially successful career, Ray has released Whiskey and Rain, the first single off of his upcoming project produced by Grammy-nominated song whisperer Ross Copperman. Proof that heartbroken wallowing can feel good if it swings, Whiskey and Rain has garnered over eight million streams since its release, cementing Ray as the ideal bridge between vintage country cool and modern countrys best sounds. Learn more about Ray at MichaelRayMusic.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter @MichaelRayMusic and Facebook.com/MusicMichaelRay. Seoul Gyobang's "Yul" / Courtesy of ChangMu Performing Arts Festival By Park Ji-won The 27th ChangMu Performing Arts Festival will present 13 contemporary performances by local dance companies at the ARKO Arts Theater and Gangdong Arts Center from Aug. 25 to 29. Themed, "The width of the world, the depth of the perspective," the five-day festival aims to explore our feelings on living amid the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of performing artists and dance performances. The ChangMu International Performing Arts Festival was launched back in 1993 by the ChangMu Arts Center, with the aim of promoting artistic exchanges among performing artists and performing arts companies from different regions and countries. The dance festival has especially highlighted works by Asian choreographers who combine traditional culture with contemporary styles. The festival has previously introduced choreographed performances from abroad to Korean audiences. However, due to the spread of COVID-19, it decided not to invite international dance companies this year, and instead organized this year's festival with only local dance companies. This year, the festival launched the Changmu Dream Prize, awarded to the most creative dance work out of the six choreographed dance performances. The winner will be given 10 million won ($8,707). The opening performance, slated for Aug. 25 at the ARKO Arts Theater, will be Seoul Gyobang's "Yul," choreographed by Kim Ji-young, in which a group of dancers move in sync, based on a traditional bare-handed "salpurichum" (exorcism dance). Artist and choreographer Lee Jung In of Lee Jung In CREATION will share her thoughts about loss due to COVID-19 in the performance, "Share and Coexistence. part1. 2." Company SIGA's "ZERO," choreographed by Kwon Hyuk, is a performance that takes the physical body as a subject in itself, and shows the transcendent phenomena that emerge from the body in extreme conditions. The closing performance, "Soul Piercing," by Goblin Party, will express the contradictory attitudes people reveal during funerals with humorous and grotesque movements at the ARKO Arts Theater on Aug. 28. The piece, which won an award from the Korean Association of Dance Critics and Researchers in 2015, is based on observations of the choreographer's experiences as a funeral director. On the sidelines of the event, Kim Mae-ja, founder of the festival and ChangMu Dance Company in 1976, will hold the Chumbon II workshop for dancers and others from Aug. 20 to 22 in Goseong, Gangwon Province. She is known for her creative dance works that blend traditional dance forms with modern tastes. In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves to participants in a workshop of the commanders and political officers of the Korean People's Army, in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 27. AP-Yonhap The recent restoration of long-severed communication hotlines between Seoul and Pyongyang was initiated at a request by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea's spy agency said in a parliamentary briefing Tuesday. "(The restoration) was what Chairman Kim Jong-un requested," the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was quoted by Kim Byung-kee and Ha Tae-keung, senior members of the parliamentary intelligence committee, as saying during a parliamentary briefing. A week earlier, Cheong Wa Dae announced that the two Koreas reopened direct cross-border liaison hotlines and were resuming inter-Korean communications. The liaison hotlines were disconnected by the North about 13 months ago in protest of propaganda leaflets coming in from the South. "Through the (reconnected) communication lines, South and North Korea are regularly talking on the phone twice every day," the NIS was quoted as saying during the briefing. "Since April, the two leaders, through two rounds of letter exchanges, have expressed commitment to recovering trust and improving relations between the two Koreas," the NIS also said of the background of the recent decision to resume inter-Korean communication. The resumption also reflects the North's "expectations for our government to play a role in reviving North Korea-U.S. relations in the future," according to the spy agency. Pet sitters send photos of their clients' pets to the owners to let them know their pets are fine. gettyimagesbank Demand for pet sitting services rises in vacation season By Bahk Eun-ji Yim Ji-hye, 30, an office worker, had to leave her cat at home for a week recently when she went on a business trip to Jeju Island. She was worried about her pet staying home alone especially during a heat wave but couldn't leave the air conditioner on for the whole week, or leave the window open as she worried about her cat's safety. None of her relatives or friends were available to take care of the pet due to having their own commitments or animal allergies. Yim learned about a pet care service, but was reluctant to use it as it would mean the sitter, a stranger, would come into her home while she was away. "But the sitter used an action cam on her body to record every step of the service from her entering my home to her playing with my cat. I was so relieved because I could check in real time," Yim said. As the number of pet owners here has reached nearly 15 million, they have growing concerns over where to leave their pets when they are traveling or are away from home for other reasons. According to a report released by KB Financial Group in March, 6.04 million households, or 29.7 percent of the total in Korea, were raising pets as of the end of 2020. As such, the number of people looking for pet sitters is increasing rapidly. People can easily find pet-sitting service providers on the internet, such as Dogmate, Petner, Pet Planet and Petfemm. Some of these companies require certain qualifications of their pet sitters, such as having experience raising a dog or cat for more than five years. Pet sitters provide various services according to the client's request, such as feeding, adjusting room temperature and walking dogs. gettyimagesbank Members of the Joint Action for Reproductive Justice, a coalition of pro-choice groups, participate in a press conference in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, calling on the government to include abortion in the public health care system, March 8. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki By Lee Hyo-jin Women are now able to receive medical consultations on abortion legally and at a reasonable price, as the medical service has been newly included in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Monday. The health ministry announced the inclusion as a follow-up measure to a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court in April 2019 which found the ban on abortion was unconstitutional because prohibiting it in the early stages of pregnancy was a violation of women's right to self-determination. Although the so-called anti-abortion law has been abolished in Korea, due to an absence of revisions to related bills, women seeking an abortion have been left without access to accurate medical information and consultations within the public healthcare system. From August, pregnant women can have a one-on-one consultation with a physician, during which they will be provided with overall guidance on the abortion procedure, pre- and post-operative instructions, and possible risks and complications arising from the procedure. The consultation fee has been set at around 30,000 won ($26), of which the patient must pay 30 percent to 60 percent depending on the type of hospital they visit, with the remaining amount to be covered by the NHIS. Pro-choice groups welcomed the health ministry's decision, but at the same time, they urged the government to include the abortion procedure itself under the state health insurance system. "It is meaningful that it is the first time the government has included an abortion-related medical service in the public healthcare system. We hope such an approach will continue through to the guaranteeing of safe abortions for all women," Na-young, head of the Joint Action for Reproductive Justice, a coalition of pro-choice groups, told The Korea Times. However, she questioned the effectiveness of the measure, saying, "There may not be a big demand only for consultations on abortion, as what matters more is whether the women will actually be able to receive the procedure at a reasonable price." According to a recent survey conducted by the Korea Women's Development Institute, 82 percent of women seeking abortion face obstacles due to high expenses. "As the abortion surgery is excluded from the state insurance system, the prices vary by hospital and they are excessively highly priced in many cases, making it difficult for many women to receive the surgery within the early stages of pregnancy," Na-young said. "Public abortion coverage is essential in order to prevent delays in surgery due to expense issues." The activist also criticized the authorities' lack of effort in coming up with related measures after the criminal law on punishment for abortion was nullified as of Dec. 31, 2020. "Although the pro-choice groups have been calling on the government to introduce follow-up measures and laws to guarantee reproductive rights of women seeking termination of pregnancy, the revision bills are pending at the National Assembly, while the health ministry has been delaying introduction of medical services citing a lack of legal basis," she noted. Arriving passengers are guided by quarantine officials at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Yonhap Korea reports first 2 cases of Delta Plus variant By Bahk Eun-ji Concerns are rising over possible future shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, as more and more countries are considering adopting booster shots amid growing cases of variants, which reduce the immune responses of even already vaccinated people. Some vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer and Moderna, also raised the prices of their products for Europe, a move that is likely to affect Korea in next year's procurement. According to media reports, many countries are seeking booster shots for elderly or vulnerable groups. Israel, which has one of the highest vaccination rates of any country, started offering booster shots on July 12 for vulnerable groups, and on July 30 for elderly people who had received their second jabs at least five months ago. The U.K. and Germany are planning to offer the shots from September, while the U.S. is also considering it. The need for booster shots has been raised, as the Delta variant has been spreading fast around the world and even fully vaccinated people often contract it, with immunity decreasing as time goes by following vaccination. The Delta variant is spreading fast in Korea as well. From July 25 to 31, among the 2,109 confirmed cases where a variant was detected, 1,929 or 91.5 percent were caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Now that the Delta variant has become a common strain here, two cases of "Delta Plus," a subvariant of the Delta variant, have also been reported here. The KDCA said that the two people were infected with the Delta Plus variant even after they were fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Not much is known about the subvariant yet, which was first discovered in Europe in March and has been detected in about 20 countries. But it is feared to be as transmissible as the Delta variant and infect even those who have been vaccinated. The variant itself could pose a greater threat to the virus battle of Korea, where some 20 million people, or 39 percent of the population, have received at least the first dose, but adding to the concerns is fiercer competition that is expected among countries to secure more vaccines for booster shots against multiple variants. Korea has also begun to discuss the need for booster shots, although it is still working on getting everyone the first and second shots in its goal to achieve herd immunity by November. "We are reviewing and discussing details over when to introduce additional doses of vaccines," said Jeong Eun-kyeong, head of the KDCA, in a briefing, Monday. "Through the supplementary budget, we have secured a prepayment budget to introduce 50 million doses of vaccines in 2022. We have begun negotiations with overseas pharmaceutical companies and plan to sign contracts in the second half of this year," Jeong said. However, the price increases by Pfizer and Moderna could affect the contract for next year's procurement, according to the government. "This is the beginning of the negotiations so it is premature how the price rises will affect them. But we believe it will," senior health official Sohn Young-rae said. The staff of California Kitchen & Craft Pub, with Chuck Chun second from right in the top row and Justin Sasaki in the upper right. / Courtesy of Cali Kitchen By Jon Dunbar When the restaurant's phone rang, nobody at California Kitchen & Craft Pub expected that on the other end would be a representative of Korean TV's foremost food celebrity, Baek Jong-won. They wanted to feature the restaurant, located in Itaewon's Gyeongnidan area, for an episode of the JTBC show, "Baek Jong-won's National Food: Global Food Edition," about the history of burgers in Korea. "When they first came here, they wanted to temper my expectations," Chuck Chun, founding owner of Cali Kitchen, told The Korea Times about his meeting with the show's producers and writers. "They told me they were planning on going to a lot of places, and may want to use footage here. Once we talked with them and they tried our food, a lot of things shifted. They were like, 'Wow you guys seem to be doing things a little different from other places.'" Chun was curious why they chose his restaurant. "It's not necessarily on the burger lists all the time," he admitted. "One of the reasons why we never get noticed for burgers is we don't have 'burger' in our name." Cali Kitchen's menu is split pretty evenly between burgers and Mexican food, "Inspired by food that we miss from California," Chun explained. What makes burgers from California different from other places, he said, is a focus on fresh ingredients. "That's been a focus for us since the very beginning," he said. Chun opened the restaurant in July 2015, and just marked its sixth anniversary last month. "We want to elevate the burgers and use really good ingredients. We're very ingredient-focused," he said. "We're one of the few places that's using never-frozen beef. Not only are we using non-frozen but we're using USDA Prime that's better quality meat than an average place in the States would use." For their segment, they served three of their burgers to the franchise mogul, who gave a positive response to their butter burger. Chuck Chun, middle, serves the hosts on "Baek Jong-won's National Food: Global Edition," broadcast July 23 on JTBC. / Courtesy of JTBC The camera crew came by three times, first to shoot the food, next time with the celebrities and a third time to shoot B-roll, or alternative footage. But Chun said the producers have been coming back weekly. "Initially, we were supposed to be on for a maximum of two or three minutes, and now we were in a 10-minute segment, presenting us as the culmination of what a burger is," Chun said. "People were telling us, 'if you're on TV, you're gonna blow up just be ready,'" said Justin Sasaki, the restaurant's co-owner, who started working there four years ago. "I said, 'Let's overestimate;' we don't want to be one of those restaurants where we close at noon because we're out of food." The show aired on Friday, July 23, right in time for the weekend. "Saturday was pretty busy, but Sunday was probably the busier day. It was the busiest Sunday we've ever had," Chun said. "But also, the reality is we don't really know. Let's say there were no COVID restrictions would we have been busier?" Cali Kitchen's long-running burger of the month, the Bacon Western Burger / Courtesy of Cali Kitchen They've been working hard to convince the sudden wave of visitors to become repeat customers. To cope with the influx of diners, as well as the strict social distancing measures, they extended their hours, opening for lunch on all days including Mondays. "It's COVID we need to make money somehow," Sasaki said. "The added hours spread it out and make it more manageable for us. More people come out earlier than later now." The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on Korea's food and beverage industry, especially in the Itaewon area, which suffered following an outbreak in the area in May 2020. "It hasn't been easy," Sasaki said. "Yeah we're doing well now, but the numbers (of customers) aren't bigger than before the pandemic. We're figuring out how to survive. Doing great? We're surviving. We're doing double the work just to get by." The current Level 4 social distancing measures mean they can't serve groups larger than four in the daytime, and after 6 p.m., customers can't show up in groups larger than two. "As the pandemic hit, one of the things that helped us survive is that there are so many people in the neighborhood," Chun said. "People aren't traveling very far for food. You need the regulars. Thanks for keeping us afloat." One of the other main focuses of the restaurant has been craft beer. "Gyeongnidan is where craft beer started in Korea, literally down the street," Chun said. "In Korea, food and drinks go hand in hand. A lot of times, you can find craft beer that's decent, but you can't find good food to go with it. We want to give people a lot of reasons to come. We didn't want to be a restaurant where food is the afterthought or beer is the afterthought." Unlike other craft beer places, they don't serve their own in-house beer, instead offering up the beers of supposed "competitors." "We wanted to have a place where we could introduce local beers to people coming through," Chun said. "Something we hear a lot is, 'I've never heard of that brewery before.' We're kind of always sending people to other locations. People who are traveling through, they're glad they came to our place because now they know all the places to go. We want to help people who are doing it the right way so we can be the ambassador for it." As a result of their spirit of experimentation and collaboration, they've turned Cali Kitchen into something of a platform business, where outside brewers and chefs can offer their own products. They've collaborated with Chef Greg who now runs , as well as Sublord Subs and vegan cream cheese and meal providers and . Prior to the Level 4 restrictions, they had monthly industry nights gathering F&B professionals to give honest feedback. "It's a perfect way to test new stuff, because industry people will be honest," Sasaki said. "We've had other restaurants thank us for doing it," Chun added. They partnered with in 2019 to start a Hawaiian brand, Mahalo Kitchen, but the pandemic got in the way before they could open. They also ran food operations at flagship location for a year. When they began offering a burger of the month last year, one of their surprise hits was a vegan burger. "It wasn't the best-selling burger of the month, but we noticed the people coming in, they wouldn't have come in otherwise. It was a new group of customers," Chun said. "It's hard to do a vegan burger in a non-vegan space because of cross contamination. We had to ask, 'How do we make this so it can work in our kitchen?'" Last month, they introduced vegan chorizo, which they had made with tofu, cauliflower, mushrooms and walnuts. But if customers hadn't been told it was vegan, they wouldn't have been able to guess on their own. "Our goal is that vegan people will find vegan food and hopefully they'll find us," Chun said, "But regular people looking don't care that it doesn't have meat in it because it's good stuff. If I can make it taste really great without meat, do I need to (put meat in it)?'" Last August, Chun and Sasaki started their second brand, , serving American-style roasted chicken and non-traditional sides reminding them of Californian restaurants like Zankou Chicken and California Chicken Cafe. "I was being stubborn at the time. I said, 'This is a new kitchen, it's delivery, let's try something new and we can always go back,'" Chun said. Chuck Chun takes a selfie with Justin Sasaki at the opening of American Gentleman Chicken last August. / Courtesy of Cali Kitchen "We're so small we're able to pivot, and we pivot quickly when we do, which is probably why we're able to stay around," Sasaki added. Sasaki, who came to Korea in 2016, originally started working for Cali Kitchen four years ago, when he replied to a job ad on Craigslist. An MBA holder with over 10 years of F&B experience, he had a big company job during the week, but he wanted to get a bit of experience working temporarily and see how businesses work in hopes of getting into the startup industry someday. But he liked what he saw, so he became a co-owner. Chun's entry into the F&B industry was about as unexpected. He had moved to Korea in 2013 to work for a cosmetics company, but after a year, he planned to move back to the U.S. "Before I left, I wanted to do something fun," he said. So he offered a one-day pop-up, which wasn't quite as common back then, named, "Stuff You Can't Eat in Korea." The reception was positive and supportive. He ended up going back to the U.S., working in a cousin's restaurant and then returning to Korea to test the waters. He did more pop-ups and offered an omakase-style private dining service from his home. "Initially I thought that was how it was gonna go," he said. "Although there were burger places in Korea, they didn't hit the spot for me. There wasn't Mexican food that hit the spot for me. The average Korean couldn't have good American food that resonates with me. That's kinda how it all started." So he decided to start Cali Kitchen with his original business partner, Kenny Hirata, where they could introduce easily approachable food to customers. "I'm not a chef, I don't consider or call myself a chef," he said. "I usually make most of the recipes here. I usually set the direction for the food." Three owners of Cali Kitchen, from left, former owner Kenny Hirata, Justin Sasaki and Chuck Chun / Courtesy of Cali Kitchen Both their businesses have seen an increase in delivery orders amid the pandemic, but some of Cali Kitchen's menu items are only available for eating in. Their signature butter burger, Baek Jong-won's favorite, isn't available for delivery or even takeout, because, as they explain, the butter would all melt away by the time it reached a remote customer's mouth. Visit or , or find them on delivery apps such as , Coupang Eats and Baedal Minjok. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Song Young-gil, center, speaks during a meeting of the party's Supreme Council at the National Assembly in Seoul. Yonhap Politicians, government bodies express different stances over joint exercises By Jung Da-min The government is experiencing an internal divide over the joint summertime military exercises between Seoul and Washington, following a warning from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister that they would damage inter-Korean relations. Opinions are divided even within the ruling party and different government departments, over whether to delay, cancel or scale down the regular exercises or to go ahead with them as originally planned from the middle of the month. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Yonhap An activist stages a one-man protest against the parole of Lee Jae-yong, the Samsung Group heir currently in prison, at Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul, Aug. 3. Yonhap Over 1,000 labor and activist groups issued a joint statement Tuesday opposing the parole of Lee Jae-yong, the Samsung Group heir currently in prison, amid speculations that he may receive some type of special amnesty this month. Lee was sentenced to five years in prison in August 2017 for bribing former President Park Geun-hye and her longtime friend to win government support for a smooth father-to-son transfer of managerial power at Samsung. He was freed in 2018 after a high court reduced the sentence to 2 1/2 years, suspended for four years. Lee, however, was sent back to jail again in January after being sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by the same court in a retrial. Recently, speculations have swirled that Lee may be granted some type of amnesty, possibly in the form of parole or a presidential pardon, on the occasion of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day holiday, considering the administration's priority of pushing for private sector business growth in the post-pandemic era. In an online news conference held at the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) in central Seoul, 1,056 labor, rights and civic organizations said that government parole for Lee "would be an act denying the existence of the Moon Jae-in government" and symbolize a regression from the so-called candlelight revolution that led to the regime change in 2017. Lee completed 60 percent of his total jail sentence last month and has become eligible for parole reviews under the justice ministry's regulations. The ministry reportedly plans to hold a parole board meeting next week to deliberate on the topic. Park Jeong-eun, head of the PSPD secretariat, said "the parole of a chaebol leader who has committed a grave economic crime violates the value of fairness" and called for stern punishment against illicit actions between politics and business. Chaebol refers to South Korea's family-owned business conglomerates. The groups also claimed that Lee's parole could affect the course of separate ongoing trials over the controversial merger of two Samsung affiliates and the vice chairman's alleged use of propofol, an anesthesia-inducing medication, without proper prescriptions. (Yonhap) Hyundai-LG battery joint venture offers new opportunity Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government last Thursday to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in the Southeast Asian country. Expectations are high for the first overseas joint venture between the flagship companies of Korea's second- and fourth-largest business groups. Hyundai Motor is Korea's largest and the world's fifth-largest carmaker and its share in the global EV market is growing by more than 100 percent every year. LG Energy Solution is fiercely competing with China's CATL to be the world's largest EV battery supplier. In the first half of the year, CATL led the world's EV battery market. A year ago, LG was the top seller; while Samsung SDI and SK Innovation are ranked in fifth and sixth places. A battery is the heart of an electric vehicle, accounting for 40 percent of its total price. Determining its competitiveness is mileage, charging speed, weight, safety and price. The global battery market has entered an era of limitless competition; and as most governments have declared carbon neutrality and eco-friendly policies, EVs are here to stay. The U.S. administration has designated semiconductors and EV batteries as national strategic goods. President Joe Biden aims to reduce American dependence on Chinese chips and batteries, and reorganize global supply chains with the U.S. at their center. The strategy offers a great opportunity for Korea, which has three of the world's top 10 battery makers. These companies have already unveiled investment plans worth tens of billions of dollars. If Korea can strengthen cooperation with the U.S., dominating the global battery market will just be a matter of time. The latest agreement is the first case of Korean companies joining forces to build EV batteries in Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian car market has been dominated by Japanese carmakers, which occupy 97 percent of the Indonesian market. In contrast, Hyundai Motor's market share remains at a mere 0.1 percent. The EV market there is growing steeply every year. It will be not long before we see Hyundai's electric cars mounted with LG batteries. We hope to see many more similar ventures in the years to come. Governor hit for universal relief scheme Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung has triggered controversy by floating the idea of the provision of universal COVID-19 relief. Lee said Sunday that he was studying ways of granting aid to all residents of his province. His move contradicts the Moon administration's decision to make relief money available only to people in the bottom 88 percent of the income bracket. Lee, one of leading presidential hopefuls from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), came up with the universal handout scheme five days after five mayors in the province called for the provision of relief to all residents regardless of their income. Now, he is seeking to spend the province's budget to pay half of relief grant, while asking each municipality to pay the other half. It is hard to understand why Lee is pushing for such a plan, especially after the National Assembly passed a 34.9 trillion won ($30.3 billion) extra budget bill July 24 to finance a new relief package for individuals and small businesses hit hard by COVID-19. The bill calls for the provision of 250,000 won to each individual belonging to the bottom 88 percent income ladder. This means the top 12 percent would not receive state relief. The passage of the supplementary budget bill, the second of its kind this year, was based on bipartisanship between the DPK and the main opposition People Power Party. The Moon government initially sought to give relief money to 50 percent to 70 percent of the country's 51-million population in order to make those bearing the brunt of the pandemic recipients of state aid. But the DPK pushed for universal provision in an apparent bid to woo voters before the March 2022 presidential election. However, the Ministry of Economy and Finance strongly objected to the DPK's move. Then, the government and the ruling party agreed to meet halfway by increasing the proportion of the recipients to 88 percent. Yet critics denounced the agreement as a populist move which ignored concerns about soaring government debt and deteriorating national fiscal soundness. Against this backdrop, Lee's push for universal relief is seen as noting but populism. An estimated 400 billion won worth of the province's budget should be set aside if Lee puts his idea into action. He said Gyeonggi Province can foot the bill for the additional costs. However, seven major cities such as Suwon, Seongnam, Bucheon and Ansan expressed their opposition, citing a lack of municipal funding. Gov. Lee argued that it was against the spirit of the Constitution to exclude rich people and high income earners, who pay more taxes, from the relief package. But he has drawn criticism from both ruling and opposition lawmakers who have accused him of trying to mobilize his province's budget to rally his supporters behind his leftist causes and boost his presidential bid. His move has also raised the question about fairness because there is no reason to allow only his province universal relief provision. Lee should retract his populist scheme immediately. By Lee Seong-hyon Inside the museum of the Independence Hall of Korea, there is an old photo of men in uniforms, sitting in groups forming the English acronym, "KIA," which stands for the Korea Independence Army. KIA was established on Sept. 17, 1940, in the Chinese city of Chongqing (Chungking), by the Korean Provisional Government (KPG) during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule of Korea. Kim Gye-dong, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University who wrote the book, "Division of the Korean Peninsula: Whose Responsibility?" in 2012, shared an interesting story related to the KPG that merits a wider readership for history buffs. During World War II, 28 countries participated in the Allied Forces, and nine of them were provisional governments or governments in exile. The difference between a "provisional government" and a "government in exile" is that a provisional government is a government established temporarily abroad, whereas a government in exile is a government in which the government of a country has been moved overseas. Therefore, the KPG was not a government in exile. As such, provisional governments lack legitimacy compared to governments in exile, according to Kim. Surely, the lack of legitimacy was a factor for the U.S. not to recognize the KPG in China, but there was another important factor: the KPG and its army, the KIA, were too dependent on China. The U.S. was therefore worried that they would likely become pro-China if they arrived on the Korean Peninsula after WWII. Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea from 1948 to 1960, was active in the United States at that time, and he persistently demanded that the U.S. government recognize the KPG and allow its KIA troops to participate in the war against Japan. However, the United States did not accept it. In the U.S. at that time, there was a difference of opinion between the State Department and the Defense Department on the issue of approving of the provisional government. The State Department did not intend to approve it, but the Defense Department (which was called the War Department at the time) wanted to recognize the KPG and the KIA troops as participants in the war against Japan. The U.S. military subsequently established a plan, called Operation NAPKO, in 1943, which was a plan to utilize Koreans in the war against Japan. The plan was to have Koreans participate in the war, but not by using the KIA troops in China. Instead, it would select and train Koreans from among Japanese prisoners of war managed by the United States, and would use them for military operations, such as reconnaissance and intelligence on the Korean Peninsula. The reason for not using the KIA was that the U.S. military had acquired the "Nine Rules" (Junseung 9 Gaehang) document that the KIA had secretly signed with the Chinese military. According to the document, the KIA was completely subordinated to the Chinese military and its troop movements were even subject to Chinese military approval. The U.S. State Department opposed Operation NAPKO, but at the strong insistence of the Defense Department, the plan was finally approved at a reduced scale, with the condition that the U.S. government would be able to select and train the personnel directly. Accordingly, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) led the formation of a reconnaissance and intelligence unit and began preparations. However, due to the prolonged time delay it took in discussing the matter internally within the U.S. government, the Allies' victory came first, before the plan was put into action. Even though the U.S. aided China during World War II, it was also worried about China's strong influence on the Korean Peninsula in the anticipated post-war process. Therefore, it did not recognize the KPG and tried to use the Korean military units that the United States itself had created. The U.S. was thinking ahead and already very interested in the formation of a U.S. sphere of influence in Northeast Asia, according to Kim. Therefore, at the Yalta Conference in February 1945, Washington pushed forward an agreement on the trusteeship of the countries that the United States would lead, and after that, the proposal to divide the Korean Peninsula across the 38th parallel. Lee Seong-hyon, Ph.D. (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), is a visiting scholar at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. He is the former director of the Center for Chinese Studies at Sejong Institute. SamMobile's rendering of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 to be unveiled next week / Captured from SamMobile website Korean tech giant to rethink mobile biz in coming years By Kim Bo-eun Samsung Electronics has made a major shift in its smartphone business strategy by focusing more on foldable phones, as it seeks to maintain a competitive edge over rapidly-rising Chinese vendors. In less than a decade, Chinese smartphone makers have achieved competitiveness with a diverse lineup of models offered at lower prices. This has had Samsung increasing its focus on premium phones with a high average selling price to achieve profitability, rather than increasing market share with lower-end models. Samsung's head of mobile communications Roh Tae-moon recently said the tech giant would be "expanding its portfolio of foldables, so this groundbreaking category is more accessible to everyone." He was referring to Samsung's strategy of popularizing its premium phones. The world's top smartphone vendor is set to lower the prices of its latest Z Flip and Z Fold models to be unveiled next week, by up to 20 percent, to materialize this. While exact prices for the Aug. Unpacked 11 event have yet to be unveiled, a 20 percent cut will still place the models in the lower- to mid-$1,000 range. And so it is questionable whether the still-pricey premium models will be able to attract a larger user base. Samsung said in a conference call on its second-quarter earnings last week that it will focus on expanding sales of foldable phones and boost marketing to achieve this. Xiaomi's Mi 11 Ultra / Courtesy of Xiaomi Namyang Dairy Chairman Hong Won-sik wipes away tears as he offers to resign from his position at the company's headquarters in Seoul on May 4. Korea Times file Namyang Dairy didn't provide rational grounds: Hahn & Company By Kim Jae-heun Namyang Dairy Products looks like it does not want to be sold to Hahn & Company as it postponed a shareholders meeting abruptly last week. The dairy firm originally planned to invite executives from the private equity fund (PEF) and hand over a 53.08 percent stake owned by Chairman Hong Won-sik and his family. Hahn & Company agreed to pay 310.7 billion won to acquire the shares and the two firms were to decide the payment date at the meeting. However, the chairman delayed the meeting by six weeks to Sept. 14. It was a unilateral decision and Hong did not show his face at the meeting where the event's cancellation was decided. Namyang Dairy said the two companies need more time to smooth out the stock purchase agreement, but the PEF said it is considering taking legal action. "It is difficult to understand why the seller postponed the shareholders meeting given that the closing date of the transaction cannot exceed Aug. 31," a Hahn & Company official said. "There was no mutual consent on the delay, and Namyang Dairy did not provide rational grounds for it." Behind Chairman Hong's failure to appear, some reports said he's been dissatisfied with the proposed acquisition price presented by Hahn & Company. The 310 billion won price is high if only looking at the company's current stock price. However, Namyang Dairy's book value for tangible assets stood at 369.3 billion won at the end of the first quarter of this year. The dairy firm believes the sale price is too low, especially considering the actual price of its real estate holdings. Meanwhile, Namyang Dairy's stock price also soared after Hong announced he will resign as the chairman and sell his company in May. If the deal founders, Namyang Dairy will have to pay Hahn & Company 10 percent of the 310 billion won amount. However, the PEF is likely to sue even if the dairy firm pays the cancellation charge. Reports have claimed an unnamed buyer approached Namyang with a better price than Hahn & Company's offer. However, it would be tough for Namyang Dairy to pursue a new deal with a new partner, due to a clause in the stock purchase agreement (SPA) that does not allow the dairy firm to hand over management rights to a third party. The deal has already received approval from the Fair Trade Commission, which mean the two firms were close to completion. "Also, the penalty clause is not a device for the defaulter. It can be used when the other party wants to cancel the transaction. In this case, only Hahn & Company can revoke the contract with reasonable cause," an investment bank official said. Namyang Dairy was involved in a stock manipulation scandal in May after issuing a false report exaggerating the health effects of its Bulgaris yogurt drink. The company was met with public condemnation and a provincial government sent a notification to the dairy firm of a two-month suspension of operations at its production line. Prosecutors also searched Namyang Dairy headquarters on April 30 as part of their investigation into the company's false report. The chairman instantly offered to resign, taking full responsibility. He also promised he would not pass on management of the company to his children. After the announcement, the company's stock skyrocketed by 24.1 percent, to reach 425,000 won during intra-day trading. Prior to the chairman's resignation, CEO Lee Kwang-bum also stepped down from his position. U.S. President Joe Biden returns to the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday, after spending the weekend at Camp David. EPA-Yonhap The U.S. on Monday finally reached President Joe Biden's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adults a month late and amid a fierce surge by the delta variant that is swamping hospitals and leading to new mask rules and mandatory vaccinations around the country. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana ordered nearly everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear masks again in all indoor public settings, including schools and colleges. And other cities and states likewise moved to reinstate precautions to counter a crisis blamed on the fast-spreading variant and stubborn resistance to getting the vaccine. "As quickly as we can discharge them they're coming in and they're coming in very sick. We started seeing entire families come down," lamented Dr. Sergio Segarra, chief medical officer of Baptist Hospital Miami. The Florida medical-center chain reported an increase of over 140% in the past two weeks in the number of people now hospitalized with the virus. Biden had set a vaccination goal of 70% by the Fourth of July. That figure was the low end of initial government estimates for what would be necessary to achieve herd immunity in the U.S. But that has been rendered insufficient by the highly contagious delta variant, which has enabled the virus to come storming back. There was was no celebration at the White House on Monday, nor a setting of a new target, as the administration instead struggles to overcome skepticism and outright hostility to the vaccine, especially in the South and other rural and conservative areas. The U.S. still has not hit the administration's other goal of fully vaccinating 165 million American adults by July 4. It is about 8.5 million short. New cases per day in the U.S. have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. Those are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak, in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. And nearly all deaths and serious illnesses now are in unvaccinated people. The surge has led states and cities across the U.S. to beat a retreat, just weeks after it looked as if the country was going to see a close-to-normal summer. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday they are reinstating a requirement that everyone _ vaccinated or not _ wear masks in public indoor spaces. (AP) Sr Softw Engineer (Charlotte, NC) Trnslt complex cross-functional business reqs & functional specs into logical prgrm designs, code modules, stable app systems, & softw solns that best leverage Salesforce platform & products. Job reqs: Masters in Comp. Science, CIS, Engineering, or rltd & 2 yrs exp in Salesforce CRM platform, OR Bachelors* in Comp. Science, CIS, Engineering or rltd & 5 yrs exp in Salesforce CRM platform *Employer will accept single degree or combo of degrees, diplomas &/or prof exp equivalent to a Bachelors. Qualified applicants should mail cvr ltr & resume to: Donna Fellinger, Manager, Global Mobility, Lowes Companies, Inc., 1000 Lowes Blvd, Mooresville, NC 28117. Reference # RA recblid m9i6zsx14htqq0egfc0wjxdwq6lkcn $2000 sign on bonus with new hire agreement! McPherson Health and Rehab 45 bed Skilled Nursing Unit. Together, our Resident Core Values and Team Core Values define Mission Health's and McPherson's commitment to the principals of Wellness and Enrichment. We believe our focus on the overall wellness of our residents and our commitment to enriching their lives makes us different from others in our industry. As a Mission team member, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and caring clinical environment. We are proud of the difference we make in the lives of our residents during their rehabilitative journeys, and we invite like-minded individuals to explore this wonderful career opportunity. We are Seeking to Fill the Following Healthcare Openings: Registered Nurse (RN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certified Nursing Aid (CNA) Certified Medication Aid (CMA) Qualifications: This position requires licensure with the state of Kansas. Must have current CPR certification. Preference is given to applicants with previous experience in medical, surgical or geriatric nursing. Must have a desire to work with the elderly. Must maintain confidentiality to ensure compliance with all HIPAA regulations. At our communities, were always looking for new talentpassionate and caring professionals who share our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of those we serve. Benefits Include: employees and their immediate families have the benefit of tuition discounts, scholarships, and additional credit courses Health, Dental and Vison STD, LTD & Life Insurance increased control over when and how you manage your finances throughout the pay cycle. recblid czswgrh4pxqi4q2kmehnej1oht9h0p Location: Cary - North Carolina Location: Boston - Massachusetts Job Description The Project Manager has responsibility for successfully planning, executing, controlling and managing project deliverables with high complexity and risk for a portfolio of projects in the Life Sciences Industry. The Project Manager acts as liaison between the company and the client through an entire project life-cycle, from order acceptance by Rockwell Automation to client sign-off. To ensure that customer satisfaction, margin targets, and quality standards are achieved, project scope, schedule, and budget details and efforts of team members and third party vendors must be managed. Many cross-functional interaction (e.g., sales, systems engineering, product development, finance, and operations) are required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Functional Knowledge of industrial and commercial control technologies, automation, and information platforms, protocols, and communications technologies with emphasis on Rockwell Automation solutions such as PlantPAx and FactoryTalk. Familiarity with various aspects of systems integration (e.g., PLC, HMI, networking, power distribution) Proficiency with Project Management functions such as customer interface, stakeholder management, project financial management, project schedule maintenance and project manpower planning Leadership Commercial project achievement and leadership in a controls engineering and automation related business Skillfully leads, motivates and manages a geographically dispersed engineering and project delivery organization by utilizing collaboration tools Interpersonal Must have commercial savviness with the ability to understand the customer's viewpoint while navigating a path to a mutually successful project for both the customer and Rockwell Automation. Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, and collaborative skills with proven abilities to effectively work in a team setting Primary interface with customer, sales and other Rockwell Automation entities for assigned projects. Demonstrates excellent problem solving and negation skills. Business Demonstrates a personal commitment to excellence in every aspect of the business with an uncompromising stance on ethics and transparency, internally and externally Possess a strong understanding and the ability to discuss the financial aspects of project management: forecasting, cost tracking, percentage completion, revenue recognition, and project accounting Responsible for managing subcontracts that include contract labor and/or fixed price deliverables QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or another technical discipline. Have direct experience as an engineer or project manager in a Life Sciences environment. Able and willing to travel up to 25%, including working at customer industrial sites, which may require climbing, working in confined spaces and other unusual work environments. Rockwell Automation will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. No sponsorship is being offer with this role. Desired Minimum five years of experience with direct customer project management including all aspects of scope, schedule, quality, and financial management. Minimum five years of experience in a systems, software, process automation or application engineering capacity. Process industry application experience. Willingness to work overtime, weekends and holidays to meet customer project commitments. Success working in a stressful environment with many competing priorities where constructive feedback from others is encouraged and expected. Excellent conflict resolution and people interface skills. Proven success in simultaneously managing multiple customer projects of greater than $1 million. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and formal PMI PM training. Further education in business administration, operations, or project management. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details). Richland School District is accepting applications for a Plumber. See the job description at: https://richlandjobs.hrmplus.net/JobOpenings.aspx and apply online at: https://richlandjobs.hrmplus.net/ This position is open until filled. Job Objective and Purpose statement (s): Performs variety of skilled plumbing, pipefitting, boiler, and chiller work as well as routine maintenance and repairs on commercial kitchen and laundry equipment; ensures all equipment remains in proper working order and compliance with standard operating procedures and safety standards. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position description Inspects, tests, adjusts, and repairs all plumbing, heating, cooling, process piping systems, and electrical systems, and maintenance in accordance with schedules. Plans, prioritizes, and monitors the preventative maintenance of all plumbing, heating, and cooling equipment, and appliances; maintenance tools and equipment on a routine basis to ensure the long life of the same. Troubleshoots and repairs minor mechanical malfunctions and performs preventative maintenance on dishwashers, laundry machines, etc.; performs minor adjustments; lubricates and cleans equipment. Performs minor repairs to pumps and backflow systems as required and ensures general maintenance of system. Inspect, diagnose, repair, maintain, and test boilers and pressure vessels. Inspect, diagnose, repair, maintain, and test plumbing, heating, cooling, and all process piping systems. Duties include, but are not limited to pumps, strainers, grease traps, water loops, water heaters, and associated preventive maintenance. Remove, replace, install, repair plumbing fixtures, urinals, sinks, toilets, faucets, other plumbing fixtures, water distribution systems, maintenance of kitchen equipment, fire suppression systems, repairs and maintenance of all waste/ sewer/ drainage lines, dishwashers, steam kettles and steam traps. Tests backflow devices when required. Repairs toilets, urinals, showers, drains, etc. Perform Backflow assembly tests and repairs Maintain all applicable certificates and licenses Drive District Vehicle and maintain records/ logs as appropriate Utilize work order system Inventory/ order/ Stock materials and supplies Maintain shop, tools, equipment Utilize and apply lock out/ tag out procedures as required Attend classes and trainings as required Report to work on time. Follow established attendance/ leave procedures. Assist other district personnel as may be requested/ required for the purpose of supporting the completion of work activities Requirements: Journey level plumber/ pipefitter or 5 years equivalent experience. Consistent attendance is a job requirement. High school degree or GED required. Associates degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year College or technical school preferred. Valid Washington Driver's License is required to operate company vehicles. recblid qzs45pzucohyt19sivlz1da9y991mo University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) at Sac State is seeking a Program Coordinator/Counselor for the Full Circle Project/Educational Opportunity Program respectively. The Full Circle Project (FCP) aims to assist Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students throughout their entire college careers and provide ample opportunities to engage in service both on and off-campus to enhance their university experience. The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) serves California residents from low-income households who demonstrate the motivation and potential to earn a baccalaureate degree. UEI offers an excellent benefits package which includes: UEI contribution to a TIAA retirement plan after one year of service Paid Vacation Time accrual based on hours worked Paid Sick Time accrual based on hours worked Paid Holidays 13 paid holidays per year including paid time off the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day as the CSUS campus is closed Excellent medical benefits 100% employer paid medical & dental for employee-only coverage and low cost for family coverage Apply by 8/13/2021. Pay Rate: $24.09- $36.13 per hour Position Overview: This position counsels and advises Asian Pacific Islander students (API) regarding University procedures, career development, job opportunities, internships, scholarships, and many other personal and academic issues related to university life. The position is responsible for managing a caseload of students, that varies by semester, averaging approximately 250 400 students, working as a part of counseling team, collaborating with Student Organizations and Leadership to promote student engagement, and working on retention projects that will advance the educational goals of API students and EOP students in general. This position reports directly to and receives general direction from the Program Director of the Full Circle Project. The position oversees and monitors the work of part time student assistants, program peer mentors, and tutors. Duties & Responsibilities: Provides individual and small group counseling and advising to a caseload of incoming Freshman through Senior-level students regarding university policies, registration, withdrawal, graduation, financial aid, general education, advising, and other issues typical of university life. Encourages and supports the personal development needs of assigned students. Identifies and resolves student problems, determines services needed, and makes necessary referrals to other student support service units. Provides students with orientation to campus services. Explains polices regarding financial aid, health services and tutorial services. Helps to assess career development, career advancement, and ideas on techniques related to job search opportunities. Coordinates and implements special activities for students and their families, including, but limited to: The Summer Bridge orientation/events, API Student and Parent Welcome Days, API Senior Success Recognition, FCP Gala, FCP Community forums, field trips, career exploration workshops, leadership development activities, and service-learning events tied to the FCP grant on an as needed basis. The counselor will work jointly with the Leadership Advisor to connect students to involvement opportunities. Collects and compiles information and maintains a database regarding job opportunities, internship programs, scholarships, fellowships, and other employment opportunities. Collects, compiles, and analyzes information and statistics on numbers of students counseled, participation in retention activities, and prepares year-end reports on API retention efforts. Closes out student files and develops student referral lists for other campus offices. Writes mini-grants as needed to build upon the API counseling and community building component. Coordinates and implements special educational and cultural activities for the students and their parents. Develops communication tools to effectively reach API students. Coordinates and implements outreach and recruitment services to prospective FCP students including collaborating with Admissions and Outreach office. Meets with Full Circle Project staff and faculty to develop, coordinate, and implement collaborative recruitment strategies. Works with the Registrar to track FCP Students for retention and reporting purposes. Plans and develops the Spring FCP Leadership Retreat with learning outcomes that connect students to their Coalition Groups in the FCP Spring courses. Provides the Educational Opportunity Program and University Learning Communities Program with assistance enrolling FCP students in their fall and spring Learning Community and Ethnic Studies 21 or ID 22 courses. Works with Administrative Assistant to generate enrollment reports. Communicates and coordinates with various campus and community-based programs and organizations to promote the success of API students. Serve as a member of the EOP Retention Team and planning of student success interventions. Performs presentations to students, school personnel, community organizations, parent advisory committees, and community agencies regarding the Full Circle Project, higher education opportunities, and financial aid. Some travel and evening/weekend presentations may be required. Assists in recruiting, hiring, and supervising graduate and undergraduate student assistants and interns. Participates in University-wide committees, attends relevant state and national conferences for information sharing and professional development, and serves as a liaison with other appropriate Student Services units. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director to ensure the success of the program and its participants. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or work experience. Demonstrated experience in counseling and guidance in the student services field and working with underrepresented and low-income students in personal counseling, career advisement, or related leadership functions. Demonstrated experience counseling students individually and in-groups. Demonstrated experience giving presentations to small and large groups. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills in English. Demonstrated knowledge of the unique cultural traits found in API families. Knowledge of research and interview techniques and the principles of individual and group behavior and student development theory. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with coworkers, students, parents, faculty, and staff. Ability to collect and analyze data and to write clear and concise reports. Ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations. Demonstrated ability to work independently. Ability to engage in short and long term program planning and demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate data. Demonstrated experience using computer applications including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases such as the programs in the Microsoft Office Suite. Must pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting. Must continue to meet the established standards. Preferred Qualifications: A Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field or equivalent experience. Knowledge and familiarity with Asian Pacific Islander language and culture. recblid wtnv40gy41f5l9k539i6ilqphptl1i Description System ID 715044 Category General Management Relocation Type No Employment Status Full-Time Unit Description Sodexo is seeking an experienced Regional Operations Support (ROSI) - Executive Chef to support Adventist Health and Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, California. This position may also provide culinary support for other area healthcare locations as needed. This Regional Operations Support position will last for a duration of up to 18 months and during that time you are encouraged to apply to permanent Sodexo positions.. Are you an experienced chef ready to take your career to the next level? At Sodexo, you will find the ingredients for a great culinary career. With benefits including schedules that encourage work-life balance, reimbursement of association dues and continuing education opportunities, you'll enjoy an improved quality of life that's unique in the hospitality industry. We are looking for candidates who will: manage the daily food production including production planning and controls; ensure Sodexo Culinary Standards including recipe compliance and food quality; manage food costing, controls and compliance; develop menus and manage ordering and inventory; provide excellent customer service; ensure food safety compliance; develop, mentor and train front-line staff. The ideal candidate has: a strong culinary background, with the demonstrated ability to stay current with new culinary trends; excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to maintain the highest of standards and implements company policies; previous experience working in a high volume facility; strong management skills; knowledge of Sodexo programs is preferred Learn more about Sodexo's Benefits Working for Sodexo: How far will your ambition, talent and dedication take you? Sodexo fosters a culture committed to the growth of individuals through continuous learning, mentoring and other career growth opportunities, along with the performance of organizations. We believe it is important for our work to be meaningful to all who contribute to it, and we remain faithful to our mission, our core values and the ethical principles that have guided us since 1966. We support these values and help them thrive in each employee. Position Summary The Manager II, Regional Operations Support (ROSI) has overall responsibility, or a portion of an on-sight operations area (ie Food, ES, Clinical, Culinary, Facilities, CTM) as assigned by the Client executive. In this role, the ROSI has direct accountability for executing Sodexo systems, programs, resources, tools, and talent management that drives operational excellence and our service commitments that are: Predictable, Reliable, and Repeatable Primary Responsibilities: Client / Customer Service - 20% Navigates the client organization through effective communication while influencing and persuading at multiple levels. Seeks to collaborate for win-win outcomes. Provide effective communication for clients and customers to ensure excellent customer service. Effectively partners with client and Sodexo employees to drive successful outcomes. Complies with all client policies and procedures. Operational Excellence - 40% Owns, drives, and measures operational excellence outcomes of Sodexo and client. Effectively deploys, embeds and ensures Sodexo standardized processes are in place. Creates a continuous quality improvement culture that drives operational efficiencies. Drives change and creates a culture where change is embraced and operationalized. Utilizes all operational processes to drive continuous improvement and celebrate successes. Analysis & Decision Making - 20% Utilizes tools within Sodexo Healthcare to drive and manage middle of the page (Labor Expense, Raw Materials) to deliver positive outcomes. Accountable for effective utilization of labor resources. Analyses data to engage in data driven decision making using data, logic, benchmarking, and leading practices in decision making to determine best solutions for the business. Effective risk management by ensuring consistent regulatory and legal compliance. Compliance with supply chain management requirements. Understands and effectively manages unit finances in the Sodexo budgets. Sets operational goals with key metrics and ensures quick analysis of variances to ensure a prompt resolution and mitigate adverse impact on our clients or our performance. Delivers predictable top and bottom-line results at the site, relentless focus on driving efficiency, and makes difficult decisions. Effectively delegates operational responsibilities to appropriate individuals / positions. Follows best practices in decision making to determine best solutions for the business. Safety - 10% Ensures that individuals performing service-related tasks have the competence to do so without putting the health and safety of themselves or others at risk. Behaviors include: Working as a team for safety Communicating Effectively for Safety Managing Safety Risks Optimizing Human and Environmental Factors Recognizing, respond and reporting incidents Adherence to all operational safety practices and protocols Drives a safety culture throughout the team Talent - 10% Ability to effectively manage aspects of Human Resources (ie. Leadership, People Management, Employee Relations, etc) to support individual and team development and drive operational outcomes. Creates a culture of continuous learning and development for self and those within the unit assigned. Qualifications & Requirements Basic Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience Basic Management Experience - 3 years Basic Functional Experience - 3 years work experience in facilities (e.g., maintenance, plant operations, engineering services, grounds, custodial/environmental, or transportation) or food (e.g., food services or operations, concessions, retail sales, store operations, or vending) services, CTM, or Clinical Nutrition Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer. Requirements See Job Description ImOn Communications is the LOCAL choice for cable TV, high-speed Internet and phone service. We value the relationships we have with colleagues, customers, and members of our community and look forward to serving Eastern Iowa for many years to come. As we expand our service availability we are looking for a Senior Systems Analyst to be a part of the ImOn Difference! Our employees share a passion for building a culture of Creating Connections One Person at a Time and fostering a fun and rewarding work environment. The Senior Systems Analyst works as member of the IT Infrastructure team to run systems to support our growing Telecommunications business for our Internal Associates, Customers and Partners. This individual is responsible for bringing together hardware, software, and support to provide the right combination of cost, resiliency, and features for the solution. Essential Job Responsibilities for Primary Functional Area of Accountability Responsible for the maintenance of and providing direction for all Internal Computing Systems: 1. Active Directory including DNS, DHCP and Group Policy 2. Desktop and Server Operating Systems including Anti-Virus Protection 3. Client, Server and Database Applications including Sharepoint, Exchange and SQL 4. Backup and Recovery Responsible for the support and maintenance of the Enterprise Application Software designed to support the Telecommunications Billing Processes for own Retail and Wholesale Business. 1. Provide Customer Service to Associates and Partners 2. Provide first line of contact with Software Vendor 3. Provide direction to and oversight of External Consultants Perform complex Hardware and Software updates 1. Collaborate with Vendors as needed Responsible for tuning Systems for Redundancy, Performance, Security, and Data Protection. Responsible for the resolution of Hardware, Software and Application problems. 1. Respond to escalated Client Incidents and Requests 2. Respond to Emergency Calls during and outside of normal business hours 3. Identify Root Cause, Implement Resolution, Recommend Long-term Actions as needed Audit System Alerts to ensure proactive and timely resolution. Contribute to the documentation of procedures and guidelines for internal team use. 1. Ensure that documents are kept up-to-date Act as a Technical Project Leader for complex and/or long duration initiatives. Make recommendations on Technological Direction. Contribute to the annual budget process. All Other Duties as Assigned. Requirements We are looking for someone who has: Advanced understanding and working experience with: Hardware Installation, Configuration and Support (Desktops, Servers, Storage, VMware) MS SQL Database IIS Servers and Websites Office 365, Exchange, & Share point configuration Asset Management Tools and Practices LDAP Project Risk, Cost and Time Management Expert understanding of and working experience with: Windows Operating Systems Microsoft Active Directory and Group Policy Windows Update Services, Print Server Administration Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Antivirus Tools and Remediation Remote Access (VPN) Enterprise Software Deployment and Configuration including Automation via scripting Backup Hardware/Software Networking as it relates to Server/Storage Security as it relates to Server/Storage Virtualization as it relates to Server/Storage Troubleshooting techniques: Operating System, Application System, Hardware/Software Technology-leading principles and methodologies Required Experience, Training, and Special Qualifications Bachelors degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or related field or equivalent work experience. Strong organizational and communication skills. Excellent attention to detail with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Ability to function independently and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Must be team-oriented, friendly and personable with strong focus on customer service. In addition to competitive pay, ImOn also offers health & dental insurance, 401(k), discounted Cable, Internet & Phone services, and additional perks such as FREE vision insurance, FREE life insurance as well as FREE short term/long term disability, vacation & holiday pay, and community volunteer opportunities. recblid t7o46mtgwkzvwhs0t2oolyt91wy1pe Columbia County Judge Denny Foster leads discussions during Mondays Columbia County Quorum Court meeting in Magnolia. One topic at the gathering dealt with the county governments endorsement of a state sales tax refund program for an upcoming $10.7 million capital improvement project at Weyerhaeusers Emerson plant. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 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. Soodesh Callichurn a repondu a repondu au depute Rameswar Doolub sur les Rs 500 millions annonces pour faire baisser les prix de cetains commodites. The Honourable Third Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien (Mr Rameswar Doolub) To ask the Honourable Minister of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection Whether, in regard to the basic consumer goods in relation to which Rs 500 million have been allocated in terms of subsidy, he will state the (a) monitoring process put in place by his Ministry to ensure the availability thereof on the local market and (b) number of operators having benefitted from the said subsidy and not accordingly ensured the availability of the said consumer goods on the local market, if any, and, if so, indicate the number thereof having been booked therefor? Mr Speaker Sir, In the endeavor to protect the consumers, the Government ensured that importers, distributors and retailers do not bear the brunt of this measure. As a result, this Government is providing a subsidy to the importers and distributors through the Mauritius Revenue Authority. This price control measure is estimated to cost around Rs 500 million and is fully funded by Government. Mr Speaker Sir, As regards the first part of the question, officers of the Consumer Affairs Unit of my Ministry are effecting daily visits to trade premises and are inspecting supermarkets, hypermarkets, shops and warehouses. The products under price control are available on the local market and no shortage is foreseen. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has entrusted the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) the responsibility for the payment of subsidy on the abovementioned essential goods. In order to benefit from the payment of subsidy on essential goods, a two-staged process has been put in place. All eligible traders will have to be registered at MRA and secondly make an application for payment of subsidy. Several meetings were held with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, the MRA and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Following discussions, consensus was reached that subsidy will be payable to any registered/licensed importer, manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor who sells directly to a retailer and also to any registered/licensed importer or manufacturer who also holds a Retailer Licence and sells the seven commodities directly to members of the general public. In addition, the MRA has also made arrangements for any licensed retailer who still had in his possession a remaining stock of the seven commodities as at 12 July 2021 to apply for the subsidy only for the month of July 2021. As at 29 July 2021, 14 eligible traders have been registered under this scheme. With respect to payment of subsidy, the eligible traders shall be able to make their applications as from 2 August 2021. The Consumer Affairs Unit has effected 1,435 visits and issued a total of 119 contraventions as at 29 July 2021. These contraventions include offences where traders did not properly affix the prices of products and where they were practicing a price which is higher than that fixed by my Ministry. No case of hoarding has been found and therefore no trader has been contravened for same. Next Level Dance Academy, offering a variety of dance classes such as ballet, modern, tap and jazz, opened July 6 at 6299 Route 309 in Heidelberg Township. The 900-square-foot studio, with a tagline of tradition, precision, grace, is operated by founder and director Savannah Zerff, who enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation of students. (Next Level Dance Academy/Contributed photo) We want items to come out faster, Martin explained. That was one of our few complaints previously even though you were getting a nice, hot sandwich, you sometimes had to wait 10-15 minutes. So, these high-end machines that we bought are going to help us to get things out quicker. Were also going to have ready-made sandwiches of our best-sellers like bacon, egg and cheese on everything bagels under heating lamps. I thought about walking down to the corner to tell his mom he wasnt alone when he died, Vito said. But I thought in that moment it wasnt the right time. I want her to know he was with someone. I would not want to think about my child dying alone in the street. In Whole Womens Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court relied on its Planned Parenthood decision, to rule that those restrictions placed an undue burden on Texas women seeking an abortion. By the time the case arrived at the Supreme Court, half of the former 40 abortion clinics in Texas had closed. Continued enforcement of HB 2 would have closed all but approximately 10 remaining abortion clinics, mostly in urban centers, to serve women in a state comprising nearly 269,000 square miles in area. If youre just catching up, on July 30 the Transportation Revenue Options Commission presented a report to Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature with ideas for how to fund road projects and mass transit. The most-ambitious recommendation was to do away with the 58.7-cents-per-gallon gas tax, and instead charge motorists 8.1 cents for every mile they drive. Keokuk, IA (52632) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Sayre, PA (18840) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Uh, About those Crystal Balls The prognosticators keep prognosticating, but their prognostications don't happen. Home price appreciation shows no sign of slowing down. CoreLogic says home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased in June by 17.2 percent on an annual basis. In May the annual change was 15.4 percent, the greatest increase since 2005. For June's equal, one must look back to 1979. We risk running out of years. Frank Martell, CoreLogic's president and CEO says, "Home prices have been rising in the mid-single digits for some years now. The recent surge to double-digit price jumps reflect the convergence of exceptional demand and persistent low supply. With plenty of cash on the sidelines, along with very low mortgage rates, prices are heading up and affordability will become a more acute issue for the foreseeable future." Seventy-three percent of consumers say that the pandemic and the accompanying stay-at-home orders helped them save money. These cash reserves and low mortgage rates have kept homeownership in reach despite affordability challenges. Prices increased on an annual basis in every state. Those with the highest rates of appreciation were Idaho (34.2 percent), Arizona (26.1 percent), and Montana (24.3 percent). While home price changes on the local level vary, June gains in all top 10 metros surpassed their 2020 levels. There are recent indications that prices are beginning to stabilize. The national increase from May to June was 2.3 percent, the same growth as was seen from April to May. CoreLogic's forecast is for its Home Price Index to gain 0.7 percent from June to July 2021 and grow on by 3.2 percent from June 2021 to June 2022. The company says, "While affordability challenges intensify, low mortgage rates, rising savings and an improving labor market are helping to keep homeownership within reach for many prospective buyers. However, CoreLogic projects home price gains may slow over the next 12 months as demand moderates and for-sale inventory rises." We will see. State Naga political issue dominates first day of the 8th session of NLA Neiphiu Rio addressing the house on Tuesday. (DIPR) Correspondent KOHIMA, AUG 3 (NPN) | Publish Date: 8/3/2021 1:16:58 PM IST After the proposal for an opposition-less legislative assembly is being considered, the 8th session of the current 13th NLA got underway here Tuesday where the Naga political issue dominated the proceedings on the first day. The discussion saw various shades of opinions come to the fore as 15 members participated including the leader of the house and leader of the opposition. The discussion on Naga political issue was initiated by minister of planning and member-secretary of the committees, Neiba Kronu under matter of urgent public importance. Rio urges unity: After several members spoke, leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio in his concluding remarks, thanked all who participated at the highest forum of democracy in the state to carry the aspirations and wishes of the people. Rio begun by touching on divisions within the underground set up where 12 different groups have emerged. Even in the over-ground, he said people were divided among tribal, political and social lines where even the centenary of Naga Club was celebrated by two different organisations. Rio said despite legislators not being perfect and always accused of wrongdoings, yet since 1964 the elected members, leaving all political affiliations and ideologies, have consistently and unanimously passed 12 resolutions on Naga political issue. Rio pointed out that PDA and NPF legislators had issued a joint statement in public domain on Naga political issue as per the directive of union home minister Amit Shah. Also as per the insistence of the NPF, he said all 60 MLAs and two MPs were included in a newly named Parliamentary Committee for Naga political issue. Due to the second lockdown, the core committee was formed and resolution passed on July 9. Rio said both the Framework Agreement of NSCN (I-M) and the Agreed Position of NNPGs had a lot of similarities and so efforts were made to have both the groups reconcile their differences. On the issue of Naga flag and constitution, (which have kept solution suspended after all official negotiations concluded on October 31, 2019), Rio said union home minister Amit Shah did not reject them but assured to discuss them post-solution. On integration, Rio claimed that Shah said it was not possible immediately but that Nagas can have emotional integration through a Pan Naga hoho with its own flag. Rio also claimed that Shah said he was willing even to unfurl the Pan Naga Hoho flag on the occasion of its celebration. On Naga constitution, Rio said it could be discussed minutely by Naga stakeholders, tribal leaders, civil society organisations etc so as to have a meeting point for the Naga aspiration. Zeliangs plea: Leader of the Opposition, T.R. Zeliang said August 3, 2021 marks six years after signing of the Framework Agreement between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) and also four years after signing of Agreed Position on November 17, 2017 between the government of India and NNPGs. Zeliang said these agreements raised hopes of early settlement to the vexed Naga political issue and high time that all legislators pursue early solution as desired by Nagas with the government of India. He said the two major milestones, the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017, should not be left idle out without reaching a logical conclusion. He however said due to the current stalemate between the Naga Political Groups and government of India, final solution could not be inked and which was a cause for great concern. He also expressed the hope the all elected members of newly formed committees for Naga political issue as suggested by his party (NPF) would rise to the occasion despite criticisms levelled against the committees and work whole heartedly for realisation of early solution. He said the formation of the Parliamentary Committee, was the right platform to invite for better understanding between the two groups and which could help both to arrive at mutual understanding. Zeliang also expressed dismay at the souring of relationship between the NSCN (I-M) and government of Indias Interlocutor R.N. Ravi where each blamed the other over misinterpretation of certain clauses in the FA that has only caused confusion among people. Against this backdrop, Zeliang urged upon elected members to stand for what was right for the Nagas, sort out the differences at the earliest through proper dialogue so that things would materialize. He also said NPF has no agenda for proposing an all-party government but was only to help facilitate the Naga Political Issue. He also said the concept of Opposition-less Government should not be for cheap political gains but rather to strengthen the progress of the negotiations and also to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga People. Zeliang also said till the proposal was yet to complete NPF members will continue to maintain status quo as opposition and he also will remain leader of the opposition. He also hoped that the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre would stand true to the slogan of the BJP Party of the State during 2018 election Election for Solution adding that Prime Minister and Union Home Minister has shown great political will-power to resolve the Naga Issue unlike their predecessors. Planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu said the formation of Parliamentary Committee for Naga political issue under the Core Committee comprising of 22 members was to discuss the political issue in detail. He highlighted the activities of the Core Committee and cautioned that if the Naga political issue was not resolved, it will hamper the entire system and society after both the government of India and the Naga groups have reached such a crucial stage. Also taking part in the discussion minister Kashiho Sangtam suggested that the Parliamentary Committee or the Core Committee should negotiate with NSCN (I-M) and 7 NNPGs appealing to sort out their differences and come together for the Naga people. Minister Tongpang Ozukum, while appreciating the supreme sacrifices made by the Naga Political Groups since the beginning of the movement, also appealed to them to forget and forgive the past mistakes and to come together as one. He said that the Government is convinced and committed as before, with more trust and confidence on one another, to give concerted efforts in giving a push to the Naga Political Issue, so as to arrive at a peaceful solution in the interest of the Nagas. Advisor Khehovi Yepthomi said that when the government of India was showing seriousness in solving the Naga issue, the opportunity must not be missed as delay and neglect will only give birth to more political groups. Advisor Pukhayi maintained that any resolution that NLA passes should not contradict to any group but the voice of the August House should conclude in a peaceful settlement. NPF MLA Yitachu said that Naga struggle was one of the longest struggles within the Indian Union that has been going on for 97 years. Yitachu said the blame game between NSCN (I-M) and Interlocutor, of changing goal posts is not going to bring solution and asked whether this changing of goal post was to keep the Nagas in confusion?. He said as opposition members, joining the government for an opposition-less government was an act of cowardice yet they have decided to swallow their pride to move for an all party government to give final push for settlement in upholding the manifesto of the party. Yitachu exuded confidence that the 60 members coming together will send a positive signal to the central government, and the two negotiating groups while endorsing the motion moved by Neiba Kronu. NDPP MLA H. Chuba Chang said 7 NNPGs were ready to sign the agreement but NSCN (I-M) was not. He asked what else does NSCN(I-M) want when Yehzabo can be discussed post solution. He said Naga issue can be solved only politically and called all the leaders to unite in finding a lasting solution which was acceptable to all. Y.M Yollow Konyak NPF MLA reminded that it will be difficult for every member to step down after 2023 election(to pave way). He said the negotiating parties should also think about the elected members and should come together and sort out the differences. Advisor Dr. Longrineken suggested for a resolution appealing the two groups NSCN (IM) and 7 NPPGs to negotiate with the GoI as united Naga and hammer out the differences and sacrifices for the future generation. Framework agreement not defined: Imkong Supporting the motion moved by minister Neiba Kronu, opposition MLA Imkong L Imchen elaborated on the different dimensions of Naga Political struggle Naga political talks of the 1960s between the Government of India (GoI) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and GoI recognition of the NSCN (IM) leadership and Working Committee of NNPGs in sequence. Imchen pointed out that the definition/ interpretation of the sentences entered in Framework Agreement was never defined consequent upon which the interpretation of GoI and NSCN (IM) differ frequently making it an obstacle in the due process of negotiations. He mentioned that two different agreements were signed: Framework Agreement officially signed in presence of the Prime Minister and another The Agreed Position with NNPGs by Interlocutor R N Ravi. However he said after being appointed as Governor even while being the Interlocutor for Naga talks, Ravi could not be made available as required. Imchen said Nagas desire for peaceful existence was becoming unbearable and said whatever the high valued political agenda one may have, practical politics always was with the spirit of give and take and not winner takes all as in contemporary politics. Imchen pointed out that both NSCN (I-M) and government of India have to come down and mad a compromising position and if they were serious about settlement, then solution was lying underneath. Dr. Chumben Murry NPF MLA proposed that the Core Committee on behalf of the Parliamentary Committee call on Central leaders and urge them to be magnanimous on the issue of flag while at the same time have more discussion be held with NSCN (I-M) to urge it to re-consider their stand on the line of the conclusion of negotiations on October 31, 2019 in the interest of the younger generation and posterity. Further he asked whether the members can proactively facilitate to bring about a re-visit to the Naga Concordant signed on August 26, 2011 and bring about a Covenant of sort based on these two monumental documents - the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position adding that this task will not be insurmountable as the connotation of the two documents are basically the same. He also pointed out that the Core Committee must now meet the Tribal bodies, its women wings and the students bodies to make the desire for solution a mass movement while the Churches need to be involved to build emotional and spiritual support in the move towards solution. Murry said basing on point 2 & 3 of the Core Committee resolution; the two negotiating groups must come together to a common platform within six months and that GoI and the Naga negotiating groups should culminate the talks with a further six months and ink an inclusive agreement. Whichever group cannot sign agreement should abrogate cease-fire, says Azo Senior NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, made a bold and frank statement while asking which among the two negotiating groups, was holding back solution? Azo said the government of India must be bold enough to call for round table conference of the stakeholders and see their positions for solution. He said whichever group does not want to sign the agreement, should be brave enough to abrogate the ceasefire and go back to their camps. Azo said today the desire to end the political issue was to also end taxes, threat, intimidation, extortion, kidnapping etc. He said people are totally fed up of all these activities and that prices of all commodities continue to rise due to multiple taxations in the name of peace process. Without naming the political group Azo said the cadre strength has gone to more than 11,000 from the previous estimate of around 2000 members. He asked the members whether they will watch silently as situation becomes more intolerable. Azo said it was time for the government to show its existence and put all these things to an end. Being a mandated government, Azo said it should not allow multiple governments to function as self styled mandated governments. Azo also said occupying the chair does not mean that the elected members were clever as there are more clever people watching. He said the house should show political will and it should be now and not after 2023 state general election, since then, no one will be willing to vacate the chair. NLA adopts 5-point resolution International Turkeys Recep Erdogan faces mounting criticism over wildfires President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an ariel survey. Bozalan, Aug 3 (AP) | Publish Date: 8/3/2021 12:12:30 PM IST As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the countrys southern coast, President RecepTayyip Erdogans government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead, forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkeys Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters were still tackling nine fires in the coastal province of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. Other active fires were reported in the provinces of Adana and Isparta. In all, 137 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. He also could not estimate how long it would take the crews to put the fires out, saying strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned toward the government, which admitted that it did not have a firefighting aircraft fleet, and that the existing planes were not in usable condition. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure fire-fighting planes while channeling funds for construction projects that they say are harmful to the environment. Erdogans government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by refusing help from Western nations, including rival Greece, during the early stages of the fires. Agriculture and Forestry Minister BekirPakdemirli rejected the accusation, saying that the government had only refused offers for planes whose water-dumping capacities were less than five tons. The Israeli Embassy said Tuesday that Israel had also offered to help but that Turkish officials had refused the offer, saying the situation is under control. It said the offer still stands. Local mayors posted videos pleading for areal firefighting responses to wildfires in their areas while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes. The campaign drew an angry response from a top Erdogan aide, FahrettinAltun, who said Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong. Erdogan, meanwhile, has also been accused of insensitivity after he threw bags of tea at residents from a bus during a weekend visit to the fire-hit Antalya region. Fire-dumping planes sent from Spain and Croatia were set to join planes from Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires, officials said. Health Minister FahrettinKoca said 36 people in Mugla and 11 people in Antalya were still being treated in hospitals for fire-related injuries. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as being behind the fires, along with accidents caused by people. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. In Italy, the head of the civil protection agency, FabrizioCurcio, described wildfires affecting much of central and southern Italy as dramatic. Firefighters on Tuesday were fighting seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. They carried out more than 1,100 interventions in the last 24 hours. International UK summons Iranian envoy following oil tanker attack London, Aug 3 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/3/2021 12:13:24 PM IST The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has summoned Irans ambassador after a drone attack allegedly carried out by Tehran on an Israeli-owned oil tanker in the northern Indian Ocean. On Monday, James Cleverly, the UKs Minister for the Middle East, summoned Mohsen Baharvand, the Iranian Ambassador to Britain in response to the unlawful attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman on 29 July, in which a British national and Romanian national were killed, Xinhua news agency quoted the FCDO as saying a statement. Minister Cleverly reiterated that Iran must immediately cease actions that risk international peace and security, and reinforced that vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law, the statement said. The UK, the US, and Israel have accused Iran of carrying out the attack, which Tehran has denied. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that his country had intelligence evidence of Tehans involvement in the incident. In response to Mondays development, Iran has also summoned the British charge daffaires in Tehran. In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said: The source of instability in the Persian Gulf is not Iran; it is rather the presence of warships and military forces of countries from outside the region. Iran also warned against any adventurism by the occupying regime of Israel or others in the region. Irans definite policy is defending itself and giving a crushing, timely and proportionate response to any act of adventurism, the statement added. Zodiac Maritime, a London-based firm owned by Israeli billionaire EyalOfer, said that its oil tanker Mercer Street was attacked on July 29 in the northern Indian Ocean, and two crew members onboard, a Romanian and a Briton, were killed. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran and armed groups associated with it have been blamed for using drone attacks to target its ships in the Gulf in previous cases. The incident marked the first time that such an attack resulted in fatalities. AT least 113 aspiring drivers who paid US$250 each to suspected fraudsters to be issued with driving licence discs in the comfort of their homes without undergoing the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) tests, recently suffered a huge blow after police seized the fake documents before they were released to them. Detectives arrested a Harare businessman Tendekai Madongorere and Julius Punungwe before seizing 113 fake driving licence discs and certificates of competence with names of aspiring drivers, five fake defensive driving certificates, five card printers used to produce the documents, fake blank national identity cards, one fake Zimra tax clearance certificate, one fake deed of grant in respect of a Mufakose house, 29 copies of serialised birth record documents and nine copies of birth certificates. A fake Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) identity card in the name of Madongorere was also recovered together with fake Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) identity cards bearing the names of Innocent Kayo, Edmund Mhere and Tichaona Chijwanha. The arrest of the suspects and the seizure of documents occurred barely three months after The Herald carried an investigative story in which fraudsters were advertising on social media that they can facilitate issuance of driving licences within hours. On the advertisements, they would provide contact cellphone numbers to be used for enquiries. Madongorere (48) is a director of Impact Designs Private Limited which operates in Harares central business district while Punungwe (47) is unemployed. The Herald established that from interviews conducted by the police, most of the 113 people whose names appear on the fraudulent driving licence documents, confirmed to have paid US$250 each for the discs. The people in question, are expected to give evidence as State witnesses in the trial of the two suspects. Detectives at Chitungwiza Police Station received information that some fraudsters were printing forged official documents selling them to people in Harare and Chitungwiza. Acting on the tip-off, police arrested Madongorere in Harare with three blank fake international drivers licence documents, fake birth record forms, five fake defensive driving certificates and a fake ZACC identity card bearing his name. At his house in Waterfalls, police recovered 50 fake driving certificates of competence bearing the names of various clients, CIO identity cards, fake Covid-19 essential staff cards fake Cambridge O-Level and A-Level certificates, a desktop computer, 400 blank national identity cards, three fake diploma certificates, a fake Zimra tax clearance certificate, a fake title deed for a Mufakose property and other dubious papers. Madongorere then implicated Punungwe who was subsequently arrested. Police also recovered 58 fake metal driving licence discs bearing different names of clients, one date stamp, fake national identity cards and other fraudulent documents. The two are in custody, having lost two freedom bids at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court and the High Court. They are now back at Chitungwiza Court with a fresh freedom bid dubbed application for bail pending trial on changed circumstances. A magistrate is yet to determine the application. In April this year, two Herald journalists responded to one of the advertisements circulating on WhatsApp groups and had long chats with the scammers. One of the advertisements read: We will take you all the way from the provisional licence to getting a metal disc, all delivery made within a day and not more than three days for those clients living in and out of Zimbabwe (through Swift, Zimpost, Courier Connect, Fedex, DHL . . . Please note that we only offer original documents, the licences will be in the VID system. In need of a drivers licence in Zimbabwe, take advantage of this amazing opportunity to get driving licence in no time. Its simple, fast, reliable and genuine VID deals. The Herald responded to the advertisement and communicated using the given WhatsApp number (0779 146 852). The man using the line identified himself as Nelson but a check with EcoCash showed that the line was registered in the name of one Tafara Jacob Madhlira. The WhatsApp profile picture that was used by the fraudsters, was downloaded from an online story where TSCZ and Road Rules entered a partnership in 2016. The picture shows representatives of TSCZ and Road Rules signing the memorandum of agreement for TSCZ to provide the Road Rules mobile app with approved content on Zimbabwe traffic regulations, useful to aspiring drivers. The Herald Investigations Editor posed as a someone in need of a Class Two driving licence and was quoted US$200. The man asked for an initial payment of $2 000 to enable him to start working on the document promising to deliver in a day. For the deposit, the man asked the writer to send via EcoCash on 0780508294, a line registered under a different name: Kurai Rongayi Makore. When the payment was not instant, the man called using a different number 0772 255 640 registered in the name of one Tawanda Chando until the money was transferred. The man went quiet for some hours until he asked the writer to send a head-and-shoulder picture for use in the production of a licence. He then sent a soft copy of a licence disc bearing the picture of the writer but without a name and other details, as proof that it was now work in progress. The man demanded an additional $3 000 saying the disc had now been processed but the manufacturers wanted their payment. After payment of the $3 000 was done, the man became slippery avoiding the writer, until it became clear the man was a fraudster. Another journalist from The Herald separately responded to the same advert and was charged US$120 for a Class Four licence. He was asked to deposit $2 000 on a different EcoCash number (0779 146 852), the one used for WhatsApp communication and it was registered in the name of Tafara Jacob Madhlira. Using the same modus operandi, the fraudster told the journalist that he had connections at VID and Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and that once the disc is produced, the details will be punched into the CVR system. However, The Herald had already established that the man was a fraudster and ended the chat without paying anything. Herald CHINESE firm, Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd has filed a lawsuit against Earthlink Minerals (Pvt) Ltd for carrying out mining operations in Mavhuradonha Wilderness in Muzarabani district. Afrochine cited Earthlink and Mines minister Winston Chitando, who it challenged to tell the court the truth regarding ownership of the controversial mining site. The Zimbabwe chrome smelting giant has been accused of looting minerals from a protected area, damaging the main padlock at Mavuradonha Wilderness to gain entry and moving its excavators and other heavy machinery. The Mavhuradonha Wilderness is a 600-square kilometre wildlife resort and has been maintained in its natural state since 1988 when the government designated it a protected area under the Communal Lands Act. This ensured its protection from mining, agriculture and any other activities. However, Afrochine has maintained that it is the rightful owner of the resort, but denied allegations of engaging in mining activities as reported. The Chinese firm is seeking an order barring Earthlink from mining chrome in the wilderness and that it be declared the rightful owner of the claim. Afrochine said Earthlink and Chitando should clarify that the mining company did not carry out any mining operations. The company said it only discovered that Earthlink was mining on its claim on July 24 this year. The mining company said EarthLinks actions impacted negatively on the environment as well as on their reputation as the media widely reported that Afrochine was responsible for the damage. In his founding affidavit filed on behalf of the company, Qedisani Mlambo said Afrochine was still assessing the impact of mining on the environment. What is disturbing to the applicant is that the respondent purported to be Afrochine Smelting and they gained access to the wilderness reserve without proper consultation with the local leadership, Mlambo said. He accused Earthlink of causing serious environmental degradation and disturbing wildlife. This is a clear case of mistaken identity where Earthlinks actions are attributed to the applicant because the mining location in question is owned by the applicant. Mlambo complained that Earthlink had apparently done nothing to dissociate itself from the applicant when allegations of unsustainable and harmful mining arose. Afrochine says it has a legal right to chrome in the location and the actions of the respondents are prejudicial to the companys legitimate mining rights and business in general. Newsday ZIMBABWEANS should ensure they always follow laid down Covid-19 prevention measures to avoid the introduction of deadlier strains of the disease in the country as the virulent Indian Delta variant now accounts for 79 percent of infections. The Beta strain first detected in neighbouring South Africa accounts for 16 percent of the cases followed by the Alpha variant detected in the United Kingdom which accounts for 2,5 percent. Illegal cross-border activities, failing to mask-up properly, crowding and visiting drinking spots are among activities that fuel mutations of the virus and bring new variants into the country. A total of 462 Covid-19 related deaths were recorded in the past week. Over the past seven days the country recorded a total of 10 900 new Covid-19 cases and 462 deaths mostly from health institutions. The Delta variant was first detected in Zimbabwe in June which prompted the Government to tighten lockdown conditions to avert new infections and deaths which have been on the upward trend since then. Scientists have said that the Delta variant is 50 percent more contagious than the Alpha variant.As of August 2, Zimbabwe had 110 855 confirmed cases, including 79 420 recoveries and 3 635 deaths. Zimbabwe has received a total of 6 785 000 doses so far of the Indian Covaxin, Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac as well as Russias Sputnik V vaccines. To date, a total of 1 674 710 people have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 798 880 have received their second dose. The country is targeting to vaccinate at least 10 million people to achieve herd immunity. Statistics for the past two weeks also show that Zimbabwe is one of the five African countries that contributed to 80 percent of total recorded cases. The other countries include South Africa, Tunisia, Namibia and Zambia. Speaking during a fact checking training workshop hosted by the Gender Media Connect Zimbabwe (GMC), the World health Organisation Zimbabwe team leader Dr Lincoln Charimari said all viruses, including Covid-19, change over time through processes called mutations. He said that some changes may affect the virus properties which include increase in transmissibility. These changes may also increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation, decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, said Dr Charimari. He said viruses that have above changes are referred to as a Variant of Concern (VOC). The Alpha (first detected in the UK) variant has been reported in 182 countries, territories or areas. The Beta variant first detected in South Africa has been reported in 131 countries, he said. The Gamma variant (first detected in Brazil) was reported in 81 countries (three new countries); and The Delta variant (first detected in India) was reported in 132 countries (eight new countries). In Zimbabwe Delta is responsible for 79 percent of cases; Beta for 16 percent and Alpha for 2,5 percent. These proportions are dynamic and likely to change over time, he said. Dr Charimari said it was important for people to continue to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of hospitalisation and developing severe symptoms. Not less than six vaccines have since received the WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) approval including the Sinopharm and Sinovac currently being rolled out in Zimbabwe. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) recently approved the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in Zimbabwe. To date, over 1 million Zimbabweans have been fully vaccinated. Contacted for comment, health expert Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said if members of the public continue being complacent, they may attract worse off variants which is likely to lead to more deaths. He said if nothing is done to change risky behaviours displayed by the public the more vicious variants like the Delta Plus could hit the country. Our people continue to disregard all the Covid-19 measures set by health experts and our Government although our deaths have continued to rise in an alarming manner. People are still attending funeral wakes, parties and even visiting each other, he said. We now have a Delta Plus variant which is stronger and deadlier but still under investigation in other countries. There is another airborne variant still under investigation which may hit the country if we continue defying Government regulations. Prof Ngwenya called on the Government to continue monitoring these variants and how people are behaving so that the country is spared mass deaths and hospitalisations. Chronicle ZIMBABWE on Sunday marked three years after six civilians were fatally shot by State security agents in the August 2018 post-election violence, with exiled former Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo accusing the opposition and civic society organisations (CSOs) of letting down the victims by not piling pressure on government to ensure the prosecution of the perpetrators. The six were shot at point-blank range on August 1, 2018 as the army stepped in to help police quell the post-election protests triggered by delays in announcing 2018 presidential election results. At least 35 others, including by-standers, sustained gunshot wounds. A seven-member commission of inquiry led by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe concluded that the army and police were the perpetrators and recommended that individuals involved be made to account for their actions, but three years down the line, no one has been prosecuted. The commission also recommended compensation for the victims. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not honoured his pledge to implement the recommendations and ensure justice is delivered. As the country observed the third anniversary of the brutal shootings, Moyo, who has turned a fierce critic of the Mnangagwa administration, tweeted: The Motlanthe Commission found that only the army and police used guns on August 1, 2018 against defenceless and fleeing civilians and called for accountability for everyone responsible. Civic society and the opposition have let victims down by not ensuring the necessary accountability! He added: It is sad and telling that in these streets, save for MDC, the likes of Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), and MDC-T effectively joined Zanu PF in silence on third anniversary of post-election atrocities of August 2018. But the churches immediately reacted, saying they did a lot to seek justice for the killings outside the media glare. The ZCC and ecumenical partners have continued to seek comprehensive and sustainable redress for the many hurts and injustices of the past beyond August 1 outside the glare of the media. We have a plan, ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata tweeted in response to Moyo. Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director Blessing Vava told NewsDay that it was unfair for Moyo to accuse CSOs of not making enough noise about the killings. The civic society has been demanding accountability on the August 2018 shootings; the coalition has on many occasions even engaged the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to press on the government of Zimbabwe to account for its actions. In 2018, the coalition dispatched its leadership for a meeting with then Sadc chairperson, President Hage Geingob (Namibia) and top on the agenda was the August 1 (2018) shootings. This is also despite the numerous advocacy initiatives by organisations such as Zimbabwe Peace Project, the Human Rights NGO Forum, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Heal Zimbabwe, to mention but just a few, Vava said. Moyo, however, singled out the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa, saying it was one of the few consistent political parties that continued to demand and push for action and redress for the shooting victims. Chamisa told NewsDay that the shootings were a reflection of the Zimbabwean politics where authorities are quick to use violence and the military to deal with political rivals. August 1 is not just an event; it is a pattern of behaviour and context of an environment. It is a characteristic of the setting of politics in Zimbabwe, settings of guns, violence used on unarmed civilians, bullets seeking to reverse the ballot. That there has been an absence of an apology from the highest office in the country confirms that. No apology to the families of the victims, no expression of remorse and whoever allowed guns to be removed from the barracks has to be held accountable. There has been failure to uphold the Constitution. It is the duty of a President to protect citizens, he said. Chamisa described the Motlanthe Commission set up as a ruse and a public relations exercise to hoodwink citizens. It was a cover-up because they knew they were culpable, Chamisa said. MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said: Demands are being made, including from the special commission led by (former) President Motlanthe, which was set to investigate this madness. It is falling on people without ears. They hear, but they dont want to listen because they are cruel and dont care about their lives of people. Mnangagwas government has been under global spotlight over the killings with the United States and the United Kingdom imposing sanctions on some individuals suspected to have played a key role in the shootings, including former Presidential Guard boss, now Zimbabwe ambassador to Tanzania, Anselem Sanyatwe. The US embassy in Harare said despite the Motlanthe report and its recommendations, it was worrying that perpetrators have not yet been prosecuted. Three years ago, Zimbabwean soldiers killed six civilians and injured 35 for exercising their civil rights on the streets of Harare. The government has neither prosecuted nor implemented Motlanthe recommendations to identify and sanction those responsible. Exercising the constitutional right to vote should not be dangerous. Zimbabweans deserve peaceful, credible, and transparent elections. The government of Zimbabwe and parties must commit to preventing violence before, during and after 2023 elections, the US embassy said in a statement. But government has consistently denied refusing to implement the Motlanthe report with Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs ministry secretary Virginia Mabiza, who was also the commissions secretary, claiming that the recommendations had been implemented. There has been a lot of compliance. We have complied fully with the Motlanthe Commission, but some of the processes are still ongoing. Though the COVID-19 lockdown has delayed implementation of some of the recommendations, we have covered a lot of ground, she said. Newsday CABINET yesterday resolved that schools must remain closed as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education prepares for safe reopening of learning institutions. Government postponed the reopening of schools in June following a spike in Covid-19 cases. Covid-19 cases still remain high as Zimbabwe battles with a third wave of Covid-19 infections caused by the fast-spreading delta variant. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is assessing schools preparedness for reopening. Cabinet also took a position to accelerate provision of internet in schools as it implements the national e-learning strategy. The country has connected 400 schools to the internet and an additional 180 rural learning institutions are expected to be connected by the end of the year. Cabinet observed that while schools have been connected to the internet most of them are struggling to pay for broadband and will be allocated free data for a nine-month period. Government has joined development partners in the roll out of the e-learning strategy to ensure that pupils regardless of their geographical location can access e-learning. During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said Government has taken a position that no pupil should be left behind in e-learning. The national e-learning programme will be complemented by the UNICEF GIGA Schools Connectivity Project. The project, which is a response to COVID-19 pandemic by UNICEF and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has the following pillars: raising funding for schools connectivity; mapping the connectivity status of every school; connecting the unconnected and poorly connected schools to the internet; and linking connected schools and young people to digital public goods that provide job skills and remote working opportunities, among other benefits. The overall objective of GIGA in Zimbabwe is to connect every school to the internet and afford every young person access to information. The GIGA project will be rolled out in all provinces, said Minister Mutsvangwa. GIGA is an initiative to mobilise resources to connect schools to the internet. Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet also resolved that Information Communication Centres would start providing free internet services to promote e-learning and e-commerce. In addition to the provision of free access to internet services at Community Information Centres and Community Village Information Centres, Government will meet all operational expenses, inclusive of staff remuneration. Taking into cognisance the financial hardships brought about by the Covid-19 outbreak, Cabinet wishes to advise the citizenry that all students, pupils and the general public using these facilities will enjoy free access to internet services at Community Information Centres and Community Village Information Centres for a period of nine months, said Minister Mutsvangwa. She said those intending to use services at community information centres will continue to pay for the other services such as printing, scanning and photocopying that are offered at these facilities. Minister Mutsvangwa said Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) is expected to lead the capacitation of schools in the implementation of the national e-learning strategy. Chronicle But at a minimum by the time it gets litigated, it will probably give some additional time while were getting that $45 billion out to people who are in fact behind on the rent and dont have the money, Biden said, referring to rental relief programs that were approved by Congress earlier this year but have been marred by slow rollouts in states, including New York. At the current pace, nearly 70% of African countries will go into 2022 with less than 10% of their people vaccinated against COVID-19, he projected. Ghebreyesus said part of the problem is vaccine nationalism by some of the worlds wealthiest nations, which have focused on stockpiling the lifesaving shots over sharing them with poorer nations. I understand that people are concerned about the uptick in cases, and at the same time are exhausted by the relentless and changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Florsheim. My personal thinking when making decisions is to ask what I can do to minimize the risk not only to myself, but to other people. While we support and encourage workers getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, and have actively encouraged our members to do so, it is concerning that Tyson is implementing this mandate before the FDA has fully approved the vaccine, UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in a statement. We believe the FDA must provide full approval of the vaccines and help address some of the questions and concerns that workers have. Additionally, employers should provide paid time off so that their essential workers can receive the vaccine without having to sacrifice their pay, and can rest as needed while their body adjusts to the vaccine and strengthens their immune system to fight off the virus. It should be a mandate, the upper Manhattan congressman said in the same press conference. If we are to suffocate the virus and not allow it to take control again in our city, we must be presenting stricter public policy recommendations. The victim was coming into the building in Belmont about 2 a.m. July 27 when the suspect his face covered with two masks, one red, the other black snatched her from behind, pulled out a gun and forced her into a nearby stairwell, cops said. He then sexually assaulted and raped her at gunpoint. He was like a good friend to me, like my brother. We enjoyed the company with each other, we would talk about everything, ups and downs, said one friend, who only identified himself as T.J. He just tried to come out here every day to better himself. He just tried to do right, everything he did was just right. The victims letter includes the story of a woman who said that after police recorded a call she made to her rapist she was tricked into signing a letter that closed out the case with no arrest. The woman had been led to believe that the investigation was on hold until more evidence could be gathered, according to Jane Manning, director of the Womens Equal Rights Project. Officials said the crooks came up with a creative scheme to rob e-hail drivers, who arent paid in cash. They allegedly tricked the drivers into handing over their cellphones by claiming they were having trouble entering a destination. The gangsters would then distract the driver and quickly transfer the victims in-app earnings to their own personal bank accounts using debit cards and mobile banking apps like Cash App, prosecutors said. The scheme earned four accused gang members $6,500 from more than 50 drivers, according to Manhattan DA Cy Vance. The victims include the 10 shot when a pair of gunman opened fired on a North Corona street on Saturday night, the last night of the month, police said. The gunmen, who fled the scene on scooters, were aiming at three Trinitarios members when they fired more than 40 shots. The seven others wounded, which included a 72-year-old woman, were collateral damage, cops said. On July 25, a bigoted stranger spat on and told an Asian woman to speak English during an unprovoked attack on the Upper West Side, cops said. B---h, if you are in the U.S. you have to speak English, the assailant yelled before storming off. Haddens lawyers also claim the charges should be tossed because some of the conduct overlaps with what he pleaded guilty to in 2016. They argue that his agreement in that case expressly provided protection from future prosecutions for the charges in the [District Attorney of New York] indictment as well as for all similar crimes then known to the DANY. The woman was with her adult son and others in the apartment, and police said they believe the victim, 32, was killed by someone who either came to the womans defense or who had gotten involved in the couples argument. The gunplay marked the latest skirmish in the war between Queens-based ABK, or Always Banging Kings, and the Trinitarios, who are largely based in the Bronx. The mass shooting has been linked to the July 18 murder of Aldair Melchor, 25, who was shot dead on 132nd St. and 32nd Ave. in Flushing by a gunman in a black car, sources said. Since then, two more shootings have been tied to the gang war, sources said. The alleged gunman, Jeffrey Powell, had already fled the scene, located about 50 miles south of Greenville, by the time authorities arrived Monday afternoon. Kelly said he hopped a commercial flight to Florida and was later arrested at a hotel in Jacksonville. Today, nearly 25 years later, McManus said that despite the trauma shes able to live a happy and fulfilling life, being happily married to her wife and having a supportive family. But a ban on the practice wouldve prevented this licensed therapist from using non-medical, homophobic and abusive treatment to change my sexual orientation, she added. Hashida joined MPD in 2003 and was assigned to a special ops team when he responded Jan. 6 to the mob of protesters who stormed the Capitol with the hope of stopping certification of President Bidens electoral win. Special Prosecutor Richard Callahan described the protesters as peaceful and said he had no reason to believe any of them were armed. They were marching to the mayors home to demonstrate when they passed by the McCloskeys property, which the couple argued sits on a private street. According to Dizdar, the two had begun their hike around 10 a.m., but had failed to bring any water. When Tramonte became overheated, she allegedly turned back, but asked Dizdar to continue to the top to take pictures so that she could share them on her social media, according to the Phoenix Police Department. Symptoms include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes, and typically show up within two weeks of exposure. If caught quickly, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Obviously a very trying morning for the employees here. Theyre trying to make sense of whats happened, as well as our police officers, he said. You see active shooting calls across the country and you always hope and pray that those will not happen here. Well, one happened here this morning. Three former police officers who were at the scene of George Floyds murder in Minneapolis want their federal trial to be separated from the trial of convicted killer Derek Chauvin, who was the one pressing his knee on the Black mans neck for nine deadly minutes last year, their lawyers said in court filings Tuesday. New York faces a crime crisis, but the current Attorney General spent her time in office suing the NYPD and introducing legislation that would make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs, he said in a statement. How can you be the chief law enforcement officer in the state when you dont believe in law enforcement? These women went through hell. He put them through hell, de Blasio said. They did not deserve that. It was horrible and unacceptable, and think about what it feels like to be harassed, to be assaulted, to feeling that if you speak up, youre gonna lose your job, lose your livelihood, lose your reputation I mean thats what he did, he used his power to take advantage. And thats unacceptable. He just he has to go. He totally, obviously has a problem, said Messenger. He shouldve resigned today. That would have been the smart thing to do. But I knew he wouldnt, because he has too much of an ego. Its not debatable. Its in the zeitgeist. Its the Me Too era. Its like Stop! Just stop! Cut it out! You know? Im hoping that she will respond, said Sliwa, who was flanked by members of the Guardian Angels, a crime prevention group he founded in 1979. Fear, fright and hysteria are gripping people as theyve been asked to come forward with any information that can lead to the capture, the arrest and the indictment of the young men responsible. The comment is emblematic of the rising tension between the two leaders since the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which a violent mob of former President Donald Trumps supporters broke into the Capitol and some hunted for Pelosi by name. After initially condemning the rioters and blaming Trump for inciting them, McCarthy and his leadership team have recently tried to lay blame on Pelosi, falsely claiming that she was responsible for a delay in military assistance. And McCarthy has remained close to Trump, who often insulted his political rivals in personal terms. Nowhere is this corrosive effect more acute than inside right-wing politics, where loyalty to party and, more specifically, to Donald Trump, have managed to corrupt so many important democratic institutions our elections, for one but worse, institutions as fundamental as the family, what Pope John XXIII called the first essential cell of human society. His response Tuesday was offensive to every victim and all New Yorkers. Cuomos inexcusable excuses being Italian, being from a different era, hugging and kissing men and women are so insulting to the intelligence of the voters that he could resign just on that. For as smart of a man as Cuomo is, he is feigning ignorance of all laws, even though he was the person signing those very laws. It is also fitting that Cuomos name is on every state employee handbook advising what sexual harassment is and the consequences of that behavior because he is the perfect example of how not to behave. The Upsetters toured with Little Richard and also recorded some songs with him, with Connor being credited for drumming on the hit Keep A-Knockin. No, and sadly, we think its dead, Brewster responded. Ill let you know if there is any progress but it seems unlikely. Which is a bummer. I just went to see Lisa and Trevor, my amazing dermatologist and doctors. They saw something that was a little irregular so they took a biopsy, getting it checked. So if you see a shot of me with this on, do not freak out, Jackman said. Thank you for your concern. Ill let you know whats going on but they think its probably fine. I am a Christian, I also am an LGBTQIA [ally]. To me, my message not just in musical theater or film or whatever is that God made us all how he made us, and he loves us, she said. Tucker Carlsons latest opinion piece once again makes me wish Family Guy was on any other network, MacFarlane tweeted Sunday. Look, Fox, we both know this marriage isnt working anymore. The sex is only once a year, I dont get along with your mother, and well Ive been having an affair with NBC. The disruptions at Spirit and American are just the latest examples of airlines scrambling to deal with an increase in travel this summer. Airlines have thousands fewer employees than they did before the pandemic, but U.S. air travel has recovered to about 80% of 2019 levels. One Manatee County tenant wrote to her over the weekend saying that he had been waiting for the money to catch him up on back rent. He asked her to send his landlord a letter, which she did Sunday. By a stroke of luck, the check for his landlord showed up on Monday and he was able to stay in his home, Eskamani said. DeSantis said ER visits went up sharply in July then started to stabilize at the end of the month. We have basically been at a plateau. We are looking to see that roll over, and when that rolls over, I think you are going to see some of the other indicators roll over as well. I think we are going to settle in either this week or next week. One potential legal challenge is that COVID-19 vaccines are being given under an emergency use authorization, a temporary clearance for a public health crisis, Powell said. Although the FDA hasnt granted full approval, about 165 million people have been fully vaccinated in the United States without significant problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We were all hoping we were out of the woods, but some things have come back to life, Mayor Phil Anderson said. One of our core issues is how do you get more people vaccinated and how do you protect everybody as much as you can within reason who are both vaccinated and unvaccinated as well as high-risk folks? You have hit upon a topic dear to my heart, Darren. Gluten-free eating may be a trend on menus (and mandatory for those with conditions such as celiac), but when it comes to bagels, you dont just want gluten, you want lots of it. Which is why bread flour is where its at for bagels. Others arrested included 33-year-old Jarrod Justice, of California, who showed up with condoms and Sour Patch Kids candy, and 33-year-old Jonathan McGrew, 34 , of Kissimmee, who came in an Uber with his girlfriend, Savannah Lawrence, so the girl could have sex with them both, Hortsman said. The victim disclosed that all sexual encounters with the defendant were consensual, and she was never forced or threatened by the defendant, an arrest report said. The victim stated that she actually fell in love with the defendant, and she was hoping they could have a relationship after she graduated from high school. DeSantis appears to have learned a political lesson after making an innocuous comment on July 21 that the shots were saving lives. After a conservative backlash they called him a sellout for promoting vaccines DeSantis got right back to what he does best: ignoring the outbreak, the suffering, the deaths, and instead jetting around the state and roaring about how uncomfortable masks are. The rights of the individual in respect of his liberty may at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint, to be enforced by reasonable regulations, as the safety of the general public may demand and that real liberty for all could not exist under the operation of a principle which recognizes the right of each individual person to use his own [liberty]regardless of the injury that may be done to others. As Orlando Democratic Rep. Carlos Smith said at he time: I found myself thinking: Great! Sure! Lets bring in drugs that are substantially less expensive. But I also started asking them to think: What exactly is Canada doing to keep their prescription costs down? Well, the government sets the price of the drugs. Not Big Pharma. They also have single-payer health care. Those are the differences. I cant talk about his commander in chief in front of him. I cant talk about how I think my personal opinion is how our commander in chief commits treason. I cant talk in front of him because its his commander in chief. And I have to respect that. I cant talk in front of him about how I think his commander in chief is violating his oath of office regularly in the White House. He took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and I see him blowing up the Constitution everywhere he goes, Feaman said. Ben & Jerrys said on its website that it has a licensee that manufactures ice cream in Israel and distributes it in the region. The company said it will not renew the license when it expires at the end of 2022 but will remain in Israel through a different business arrangement. MSC plans to continue its presence stateside when MSC Divina makes its first sailing from Port Canaveral in September. That will mark the first time the line has made Port Canaveral a home port for one of its ships. Most of its business has been out of Miami, and thats where the line got back to business sailing the 171,598-gross-ton, 4,500-passenger Meraviglia. Oswego, NY (13126) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Oswego, NY (13126) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A total of 68 illegal migrants of different nationalities who were heading to the European coasts on board a dinghy were rescued by a Libyan coast guard patrol boat, illustrating the persistence of the phenomenon of illegal immigration in Libya Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The deaths and positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) daily recorded has been increasing daily in Guinea, bringing the National Health Safety Agency (ANSS) to call for safety and respect for precautionary measures News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. SEED Innovations Ltd's investment focus leans towards capitalising on the company's knowledge in the cannabinoid wellness and medical cannabis arenas. As the only AIM-quoted investor with direct exposure to pharmaceutical and medical cannabis, SEED continues to demonstrate its expertise in the sector, notably with two of its portfolio assets selling for a combined value of over $1bn. SEED is focused on investing in a balance of early-stage opportunities that have an upcoming investment catalyst, and more mature investments that offer liquidity in the near term. Panther Metals' ( ) Darren Hazelwood caught up with Proactive after acquiring 1,128 claims, constituting an almost exclusive exploration holding over the Obonga greenstone belt. This is located approximately 80 kilometres north of the Lac Des Iles Mine and 160 kilometres north of Thunder Bay in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Hazelwood says this building on an exploration business supported by a world class team, with highly prospective, multiple assets that could each transform the company. ( , ) ( ) Head of Business Innovation Alan Bullimore to deliver the results of their successful primary outcome of the VLP-Peanut 001; a study evaluating biomarkers from peanut allergic patients. Bullimore explains how they are using human blood samples through their collaboration with Imperial College London. Findings now support the VLP Peanut first in-human Phase I study design which is on track to initiate in Q1 2022. Bullimore also discusses the market, with the food allergy sector representing an $8bln opportunity worldwide. ( , )'s ( ) Michael Laurier joins Proactive London after unveiling collaboration with Meditech Global. The deal involves the conclusion of four separate agreements on distribution, manufacturing, marketing and corporate investment. The plan is to speed up and expand sales of d2w and d2p technologies and finished products in China and globally, through Meditech's network of manufacturers and commercial end-users. Spain has been widely reported as a candidate to be moved on to the amber plus list Airlines and travel companies will know the next round of changes to the UK governments traffic light system on Thursday, ministers confirmed today. Boris Johnson has also scrapped a proposed change to the system that would have seen an amber watchlist set up after from the industry, chancellor Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. Industry figures were concerned that the amber watchlist would have stalled any recovery in summer travel. Countries on the list would have been at risk of being moved up to the red list, which requires anyone coming back to the UK from a visit to quarantine in a hotel for ten days at a cost of 1,750. Concern has been growing that the visitors to places such as Spain, Greece and Italy might bring the Delta variant back to the UK. Spain has been widely reported as a candidate to be moved on to the amber plus list alongside France due to a rise in the number of Beta variant cases. These cases though are being overshadowed by a rise in the more infectious Delta variant, and these are an ongoing concern for the UK government said Boris Johnson. On travel, we have had to balance it because of the anxiety that I think a lot of people have I have about importing new variants, bringing back the disease. France is being tipped to be downgraded to amber again in Thursdays review, after a decline in Beta variant cases. That will mean people who have had two vaccination jabs will not have to self-isolate if they come back from holiday in France, though they will still have to take Covid-19 tests. Shares in British Airways owner IAG dropped 0.7% to 172.24p, EasyJet PLC fell 1.6% to 832.8p though Ryanair rose 0.4% to 16.84. Induction Healthcare PLC's ( ) Joint chief executive, James Balmain joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to discuss their newly acquired medical video consultation business, Attend Anywhere. It has already won its first significant contract since the deal was completed last month by renewing its commercial relationship with NHS Wales. Induction will receive 1.635mln of which 1.22mln will be booked in the current year. A deal might be announced with the aero-engine makers interim results on Thursday, Sky News reported. ( ) is said to be in talks with UK-Based Langley Holdings over the sale of its Bergen maritime engine business after Norwegian authorities blocked a sale to a Russian company in March. A deal might be announced with the aero-engine makers interim results on Thursday, Sky News reported. Rolls-Royce agreed to sell Bergen to Russian firm TMH in February, for 130mln, but the sale was halted by Norway on national security grounds. Engineering conglomerate Langley already owns groups that work for NATO meaning there should be no such problems if a deal can be agreed. Rolls put the Bergen business up for sale again in May as part of a disposal programme designed to raise 2bn. Talks are underway to sell its ITP Aero business and also its stake in Air Tanker to help generate funds to tide it over the slump in civil aviation caused by Covid-19. Rolls-Royce posted a loss of 4bn in the year to March and was forced to raised 5bn through a combination of loans and equity alongside 7,000 job cuts. Shares rose 0.5% to 104p. ( , )'s ( ) Russell Fryer, the chief executive joins Proactive London for an update on their first potential acquisition, with a deal to buy a majority stake of a copper-cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fryer goes on to explain the opportunities that have emerged from this transaction with two more deals already in the pipeline and targeted for completion by the end of this year. He explains the rationale behind the trading halt with the plan to get back to business after the first two transactions are complete. The Swiss bank has an upbeat view on the transitioning oil major. Image credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography / Shutterstock Analysts at UBS see ( )s (LSE:BP) dividend increase as a welcome surprise as the Swiss bank repeated a buy recommendation for the oil major. The UBS buy rating comes with a 380p price target, suggesting some 25% upside to BPs current market price of 305p. BP this morning announced a 4% rise in its second-quarter dividend, up to 5.46 US cents per share, and it plans to repeat the 4% increase in the shareholder pay-out each year until 2025. It also launched a share buyback programme as it reported a strong quarterly performance. The transitioning oil major reported a US$3.1bn profit for the three months ended June 30, compared to US$4.7bn in the prior quarter. Underlying replacement costs profit (a preferred metric for BP) was marked at US$2.8bn, up slightly from the US$2.6bn achieved in the first three months of the year. Operating cashflow (including US$1.2bn of Gulf of Mexico oil spill payments) amounted to US$5.4bn. UBS analyst Jon Rigby in a note said that BPs clean net income beat consensus by around 30% and further highlighted the apparent shift in the companys dividend policy. Rigby said: +4% dividend is a surprise given fixed dividend policy but a welcome addressing of a misstep in the capital frame, we think, allowing for better signalling. BP signals its capacity to grow at 4% per year to 2025. BP sees at around ~$60 per barrel oil price scenario, capacity of cUS$1.0bn per quarter in buybacks (UBS sees up to US$1.3bn adjusted for divi but depends on debt reduction). BP expects 3Q21 production to be higher than the second quarter reflecting the completion of seasonal maintenance activity and the ramp-up of major projects. A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors newswire ( , , ) has reported a sharp jump in the number of Bitcoin acquired in July amid a decline in the mining difficulty on the digital currencys blockchain network. Seeing Machines Limited said it expects its automotive royalty revenues to increase sharply over the next two to three years as production of vehicles containing its driver monitoring system (DMS) technology ramps up. ( ) said it is confident of achieving a strong trading performance for the full financial year after a very strong first half. ( ) PLC has appointed a new team to market services to businesses located in Asia, with a primary focus on firms supporting high net worth individuals acquiring real estate in the UK. ( , ) has released second-quarter operating results in which it noted significant asset level progress at a number of projects over which it holds royalties. Quarterly royalty payments amounted to US$381,808 from royalties over producing assets, namely Mimbula and Koolyanobbing. ( , , , ) said its chief financial officer and executive director, Lisa Mitchell, has resigned to take up a new role and that it has started the search for a replacement. ( ) announced that it has been featured in an article in Digital Health. ( ), an investor within the medical cannabis, health and wellness space, said it participated in the latest US$9.7mln financing round by its portfolio company, ( , ). VietNam Holding Limited announced that it is proposing to conduct a tender for up to 30% of the company's issued share capital. A circular setting out the terms of the tender and convening the necessary Extraordinary General Meeting ('EGM') has today been posted to shareholders. The offer opens today and the EGM will be held on 31 August. ( ) said its annual general meeting will be held on 23 September. As some form of pandemic-related restrictions on indoor gatherings may be in place, the company recommended that shareholders do not attend the AGM in person and instead vote by proxy. ( ) said work continued to complete the workstreams and investigations required to enable the publication and filing of its 2020 annual report and accounts. Half year results to 31 March 2021 will be completed after the filing of the 2020 annual report and accounts for the financial year ended 30 September 2020, it added. Plant Health Care announced that its shares will be traded on the US OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker "PLHCF", from today, making it easier for US investors to transact in the stock. The company plans to increase its investor relations effort in North America, with a view to increasing visibility to investors, further broadening the shareholder base and improving liquidity, with no impact on existing ordinary shares trading on AIM. This result demonstrates the potential for La Paz to be one of the largest rare earths projects in North America, making the asset significant in the development of the US domestic rare earths supply chain. The scale and grade consistency support the economics of the project. ( ) has seen a substantial upgrade in both the quality and quantity of its JORC resource at the La Paz Rare Earths Project in Arizona, US with drilling delivering an increase of 117% to the indicated resource, which now sits at 35.2 million tonnes. The projects JORC-compliant total resource tonnage has also increased by 33.1% to 170.6 million tonnes with an average grade of 391 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth elements (TREE), as well as 4.4 million kg of scandium oxide. Opportunities exist to extend the maiden resource laterally and vertically where mineralisation is not closed off by drilling. Project location Upcoming drill plans to grow the project ARR managing director Keith Middleton said the company is extremely pleased with the results of the resource update. Seeing a 117% increase in Indicated resource tonnage and a 5.2% increase in TREE grade demonstrates the value of our assets at La Paz. Our upcoming exploration plans will allow us to grow the project and continue defining the resource while returning value to shareholders. The new resource estimation demonstrates 66.6 million kilograms TREE, around 80.0 million kilograms TREO with an overall increase of 5.2% to 391ppm from 372ppm. Assay results have revealed La Paz is an environmentally sustainable resource with low thorium and uranium compared to most other projects in the market. Preliminary economic assessment (PEA) planning and design works are now underway. Recommendations and opportunities The company engaged Alfred Gillman of Odessa Resources Pty Ltd (Odessa) to update the JORC 2012 resources for the La Paz Project area and conduct a report, which noted that around 112 (57%) of the 195 drill holes intersected material with TREE grades >300ppm. This report concluded drilling deeper at La Paz could provide an opportunity to increase the resources. ARR is also developing phased exploration plans across the La Paz resource area. The objectives of the exploration plans are: Increase the overall depth of the resource by drilling holes to approximately 150 metres to 200 metres; Delineate the planimetric spatial extent of the resource by drill hole holes around the perimeter; Increase indicated resources by drilling uniformly spaced drill holes in a systematic method; and Exploration plans will also include both geotechnical and metallurgical core holes together with monitoring wells deemed necessary from a gap analysis study currently being performed by ( ) Consulting Services, Inc. ARR is developing exploration targets for the La Paz Southwest area based on favourable results observed in several 2021 drill holes, which has demonstrated the Southwest area is five times larger than the original resource area. The revised mine plan will allow Bardoc to bring forward ounce production in the mine plan and allow for sustained production from both underground mines concurrently. Project development update is expected by end of August 2021. ( ) has initiated a cash-flow optimisation study on improving the already robust Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its flagship three-million-ounce Bardoc Gold Project, situated 40 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The companys study was aimed at increasing the forecast gold production rate, margins, and free cash flow during the first five years of its operations at Bardoc Gold Project. Encouragingly, preliminary analysis conducted by the Bardoc indicates that there is strong potential to increase total ounce production in the first five years by bringing forward production from its cornerstone Aphrodite Deposit in the mine schedule. Operational plan is significantly de-risked Bardoc CEO Robert Ryan said: The benefits of the new strategy had become apparent during ongoing optimisation of the 2021 DFS, engagement with EPC contractors and as a result of recent exploration success. The revised mine plan allows us to bring forward ounce production in the mine plan and allow for sustained production from both underground mines concurrently. This enhances project economics, which will allow the Company to repay debt earlier and expedite returns to shareholders. The operational plan is significantly de-risked, with the establishment of the flotation circuit at the initial construction stage. This allows for earlier production from our highest value deposits at Aphrodite, while also opening up the opportunity to exploit the exciting new discoveries we have made at Omega, Gamma and Sigma. Were looking forward to providing further updates on the project in the coming weeks as we close-in on project financing and a Final Investment Decision before the end of the year. Additional high-grade ounces As part of Bardocs strategy, the proposed 2.1 million tonnes per annum processing facility would be situated at the companys Aphrodite deposit. This provides the opportunity to extract further value from the 1.6-million-ounce Aphrodite Project and, in the future, from the highly prospective Omega, Sigma and Gamma Lodes, where recent exploration success has highlighted the strong potential for significant resource growth. Bardocs analysis suggests that the additional upfront capital expenditure required to bring forward the construction of the flotation circuit required to treat baseload ore from the Aphrodite Deposit is partially offset by other infrastructure cost reductions. Notably, the additional high-grade ounces will provide strong free cash flow in the first five years of the mine plan. EPC tender negotiations Bardoc is presently conducting Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) tender negotiations and is close to finalising the construction of the 2.1 million tonnes per annum gold processing plant. In addition, diamond core drilling is underway at the Zoroastrian deposit targeting untested areas as well as depth extensions. Bardocs project development update is expected by end of August 2021, which will outline in detail the benefits of the increased production on all-in costs and free cash flow generation and refine the upfront capital requirement, paving the way for project financing and a final investment decision. - Ephrems Joseph Preliminary exploration work conducted by APC, and continued by St Barbara is designed to understand the geology and mineralisation potential of the Yamarna area which hosts the fertile Yamarna Shear Zone. A work program of up to 16 diamond drill holes for 4,200 metres is planned for FY22. ( ) has welcomed the latest drilling results from its 2021 drilling program at the Lake Wells Gold JV by joint venture partner ( ) (SBM), where a follow-up drill program to further understand the geographical scale of mineralisation has been planned. Field crew and diamond drill rig mobilisation will take place in late Q1 FY22 with the program comprising up to 16 diamond drill holes for around 4,200 metres. Notable results returned from the 2021 drilling program include: 1.9 metres at 14.25 g/t gold from 73.5 metres, including 1 metre at 26.9 g/t from 73.5 metres; 1.1 metres at 1.14 g/t from 78.9 metres; 1.8 metres at 0.53 g/t from 82 metres; 1.6 metres at 3.46 g/t from 109.2 metres, including 0.8 metres at 6.51 g/t from 109.2 metres; 2.5 metres at 0.85 g/t from 116.5 metres, including 1 metre at 1.62 g/t from 117 metres; 1 metre at 0.52 g/t from 128 metres; and 7 metres at 0.52 g/t from 140 metres, including 2 metres at 1.07 g/t from 144 metres. Gold grade very encouraging Speaking to the results, managing director and CEO Matt Shackleton said: The grade of gold mineralisation seen in only the second DD hole completed at this project is very encouraging. The Yamarna Shear Zone hosts numerous gold deposits, including the Golden Highway, strongly supporting the exploration model being followed by St Barbara. We look forward to the FY22 program and these additional diamond drill holes as we better understand the significance of what has been uncovered. Drilling program Preliminary exploration work conducted by APC, and continued by SBM, was designed to understand the geology and mineralisation potential of the Yamarna area, which hosts the fertile Yamarna Shear Zone. During FY21, a third phase of aircore (AC) drilling was completed for an additional 19,853 metres. The first phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, which included 18 holes for 2,328 metres, and diamond drilling, totalling three holes for 1,034 metres, was also completed. Next on the agenda While a work program is being planned for FY22, associated assay and geochemical analysis, structural logging and lithological analysis is also set to be completed to understand the scale and significance of the mineralisation discovered in the FY21 exploration programs. Mobilisation for the diamond drilling program is anticipated to begin in late Q1 with the drilling component of the program to be completed by end of Q2. Create your account: sign up and get ahead on news and events NO INVESTMENT ADVICE The Company is a publisher. You understand and agree that no content published on the Site constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy is... In exchange for publishing services rendered by the Company on behalf of named herein, including the promotion by the Company of in any Content on the Site, the Company receives from said issuer annual cash... The funding will go towards studying the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine in combination with internet-based CBT to reduce suicidality in people living with depression Ketamine both offers significant symptom relief from depression and demonstrates rapid reductions in suicidal thoughts Braxia Scientific Corp announced its CEO, Roger McIntyre, and chief medical officer, Josh Rosenblat, has received C$918,000 in funding from the Government of Canadas Canadian Institutes of Health Research for ketamine research. In a statement, Toronto-based Braxia said that the funding will go towards studying the effectiveness of intravenous ketamine in combination with internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce suicidality in people living with depression. Nearly 4,000 Canadians die by suicide every year and it is the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults. Ketamine both offers significant symptom relief from depression and demonstrates rapid reductions in suicidal thoughts. Alternatively, CBT may reduce suicidality, but it often takes several weeks to become effective. CEO McIntyre told investors that the results of the study will have tremendous implications for public health, and will help to determine whether it is feasible to integrate virtual health platforms with intravenous ketamine a research priority for Braxia, according to McIntyre. "The public health imperative to reduce suicidality in the general population provides the rationale for identifying scalable strategies," McIntyre said in a statement. "Integrating ketamine with CBT provides an opportunity to rapidly reduce suicidality and sustain the effect over the long term. Moreover, the availability of telehealth networks provides the opportunity to scale this important treatment, and has been shown to be effective and highly acceptable to patients." The clinical trial will take place at Braxias Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence in Mississauga, Ontario. Braxia added that its application for funding was ranked fourth out of 48 potential investigations evaluated by the CIHR review committee. "As health researchers, we are united by a common goal: to improve the health and well-being of Canadians and people throughout the world, the CIHR wrote in awarding the funding. Through CIHR, the Government of Canada provides vital support to Canadian researchers, spanning the tightly linked pillars of health research, with the ultimate goal of improving health for all Canadians." Braxia Scientific is a medical research company with clinics that provide innovative ketamine treatments for persons with depression and related disorders. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas BMW warns that the semiconductor shortage and higher raw materials prices are likely to impact the second half of the year Auto giants BMW and ( , ) both reported a return to profit in the first half despite global Coronavirus restrictions and the shortage of semiconductor components. BMW reported record first-half vehicle sales and a 40% increase versus the same period in 2020. The German carmaker warned that the semiconductor shortage and higher raw materials prices are likely to impact the second half of the year, although it "expects business to develop positively overall" for the full year. "The forecast is based on the assumption that neither the Coronavirus pandemic nor the semiconductor supply situation will worsen significantly and that prices on international raw materials markets remain stable, said Dr Nicolas Peter, a member of BMWs board of management. We were largely able to compensate for the challenging semiconductor supply problems arising in the first six months through the sheer hard work of our purchasing, production and sales staff. However, the longer the supply bottlenecks last, the more tense the situation is likely to become. We expect production restrictions to continue in the second half of the year and hence a corresponding impact on sales volumes," he added. US-European auto giant Stellantis, formed by the merger of Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler, also swung back into profit. It raised its adjusted operating income margin guidance for the full year to about 10%, assuming no further deterioration of semiconductor supply and no further significant lockdowns in Europe and US. Once the additional labs are complete, which is expected this year, the university will have one of the largest known AR-immersive learning programs in the world Nextech also said the new labs are in addition to the 50 labs developed for the 2020/2021 school year ( , , ) announced that Ryerson University, a globally recognized leader in higher education with over 46,000 students, has ordered an additional 35 augmented reality labs for its biology, chemistry, and biochemistry departments. The company said that once the additional labs are complete, which is expected this year, the universitys Faculty of Science will have one of the largest known AR-immersive learning programs in the world. Nextech also said the new labs are in addition to the 50 labs developed for the 2020/2021 school year. And additional AR labs produced through the RALE AR Lab Builder Program, a Government of Ontario Initiative, in partnership with Ryerson University and the company, will be available province-wide to other institutes of higher education in 2022. The use of AR for education institutions is made available through the companys EdTechX platform. Built on Microsoft Azure and available on the Azure marketplace as a Co-sell Ready partner, EdTechX enables educational institutions to transform traditional learning and event formats into valuable, immersive digital experiences that higher education students are seeking. EdTechX combines digital branded spaces with enterprise-scale video streaming, augmented reality holograms, and real-time data analytics. Co-sell status enables joint selling opportunities with Microsoft and access to their global education customers. The key benefits of the AR labs: New functionality includes mistake-driven learning modules allowing students to make mistakes in simulation and get real-time feedback before performing the actual lab; Non-linear experiences allow students to explore in the AR labs based on their own exploration, such as rat or flower dissections. Creation of new modular-like labs explaining common laboratory techniques that are cross-functional in chemical and biochemical analyses; Interactive learning allows students to form memories based on emotional impact. The actual AR seeks to trigger the feeling of the presence of the lab/experience so that students are more engaged; Allows users to repeat the experiment at their own convenience, which is a key function when learning new concepts. This is also a cost-efficient solution for higher education institutions that reduces the waste of resources; and Allows for visual communication of complicated chemical analyses equipment. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the machines actually work, allowing students to learn the abstract theory superimposed on top of the equipment visually. Nextech also noted that the AR Labs have been developed in tandem with instructors and industry experts to ensure that the content is driven in both an academic and professional capacity. We are thrilled to see the hard work we have done in creating AR labs for students in partnership with Ryerson result in such a hugely positive response from both students and faculty, said Nextech CEO Evan Gappelberg. We have developed not just an immersive AR learning platform but also a unique business model for Nextech with a credit system, where one credit is equivalent to one AR lab which costs $5,000 each. Gappelberg added: Once the AR labs are created along with the AR Lab Builder Program, through a Government of Ontario Initiative in Partnership with Ryerson University and NexTech, all AR labs built will be available province-wide to institutions of higher education in 2022. We are extremely excited and gratified to be working with both Ryerson and the government to bring immersive learning experiences to Canadian students.'' Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham The initial 3,000-meter diamond drill program at Mutum is targeting part of the 4.4 kilometers long high chargeability Induced Polarization (IP) anomaly identified during phase 1 of the IP ground geophysical survey Altamira CEO Michael Bennett said the "target is simply enormous, and we look forward to the results of the initial drill program" Altamira Gold Corp has provided an update on the start of its initial drilling program at the Mutum target at its Apiacas gold project in Brazil, which is conveniently located near the companys Cajueiro gold project. The initial 3,000-meter diamond drill program at Mutum is targeting part of the 4.4 kilometers (km) long high chargeability Induced Polarization (IP) anomaly identified during phase 1 of the IP ground geophysical survey. Phase 2 of the survey which extends the IP coverage 2.4km to the west has now been completed and the data is being processed, said the company. Altamira has identified quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration associated with disseminated gold mineralization in an intrusive rock over 4 square kilometres on surface within the area of historic placer gold workings where surface channel sampling has been encouraging and has returned significant gold values including 12m at 2 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 0.9 g/t gold over 6 metres and 0.41 g/t gold over 12 metres. The second environmental license at Mutum has been granted and is located to the west of the previous environmental permit and allows for the drilling of a large portion of the chargeability anomaly and is valid until early 2024. In a statement, Altamira Gold CEO Michael Bennett said that the start of the drilling program at the Mutum target is truly exciting and is the culmination of several years of effort. During the last few months, Altamira has identified a geophysical chargeability anomaly that is now in excess of 4km in east-west extent and is coincident with an area of historic workings which produced 1 million ounces of gold as well as widespread quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration and disseminated gold mineralization, added Bennett. The target is simply enormous, and we look forward to the results of the initial drill program." Altamira's Mutum gold target is part of the Apiacas project area, which is 50 kilometres west of Altamira's Cajueiro gold project which, itself, hosts an NI 43 101 indicated resource of 5.66 million tonnes at a grade of 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 ounces. An estimated 1 million ounces of colluvial gold was historically recovered from the Mutum target, which suggests the presence of a significant underlying hard-rock deposit, noted the company. Drilling is expected to continue until October and samples will be submitted to the SGS laboratory in Belo Horizonte where the turnaround time is expected to be between 4-to-6 weeks, said the company. Altamaria is focused on the exploration and development of gold projects within western central Brazil. Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive There were a lot of people there that had regrets that they wish that they had known more before they votedThere's three of them that voted [for Biden] that feel terrible about it. I said you know what? I said you didn't know about this but you thought you were voting for something. I said you didn't get to vote. I said China did our voteWhen we get through this and the Supreme Court pulls down this election -- like I've been telling everybody -- when they do this, it's going to be a great uniting and that gives me hope[B]y the night of the 12th or the morning of the 13th, if everyone has seen it, including the administration that's in there now that didn't win, maybe, you know, Biden and Harris would say, hey, we're here to protect the country and resign!" My Pillow guy and former crack addict Mike Lindell on what will happen after he broadcasts his cyber-symposium on the 2020 election the return of Trump on August 13. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Urals court grants parole to photographer convicted of killing model wife RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 10:40 03/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) - Urals photographer, Dmitry Loshagin, sentenced to 10 years in high-security colony for killing his wife, model Yulia Prokopyeva, was granted parole on Tuesday, RAPSI was told in the press service of the Chkalovsky District Court of Yekaterinburg. The ruling has not taken effect yet; it can be appealed within 10 days. In June 2015, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Yekaterinburg found Loshagin guilty of killing his wife and imprisoned him to 10 years. The court took mitigating circumstances into account. Loshagin has no previous convictions and has been described as having a good character. He also has some chronic diseases and is the father of a small child. Prosecutors requested 13 years in a high security prison for Loshagin. During the first trial, the prosecution demanded the same sentence. However, on December 25, 2014, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Yekaterinburg handed down a not guilty verdict since there was no direct evidence in the case. The prosecutor and the victims mother filed an appeal against the sentence. On February 26, the Sverdlovsk Court heard the appeal and overturned the verdict. The case was sent back for a review. According to investigators, on August 23, 2013, the photographer was drunk and killed his wife during a fight, after which he took her body to the woods and left it on the side of a road. Later, the suspect returned to the scene to conceal the traces of the crime and to make the womans identification difficult by burning her head, the Investigative Department of the Sverdlovsk Region found. Former Kamchatka police chief arrested on suspicion of abuse of power Interior Minister RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 11:16 03/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) Russias Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev on Tuesday reported arrest of the former head of the Interior Ministrys Directorate for Kamchatka Region Mikhail Kiselev on abuse of office allegations, according to the Ministrys press service. The Interior Ministrys authorities decided to dismiss Kiselev when information on abuse of power by him appeared. Today, he was arrested, Kolokoltsev stated. His afterlife will be determined by investigative and judicial bodies, he added. Kiselev was appointed as the chief of the Interior Ministrys Directorate for Kamchatka Region in July 2018. Previously, he took the post of a deputy chief of the interior Ministrys Directorate for Moscows Southwest Administrative District. Aljazeera, August 1, 2021 The death toll from this weeks flooding in Afghanistans eastern province of Nuristan has risen to at least 113, with dozens of people still missing, officials said. Rescue operations were still under way on Sunday, days after heavy rains overwhelmed Kamdesh district in the remote, Taliban-controlled province, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) northeast of the capital, Kabul, on Wednesday. Abdul Samai Zarbi, spokesman for Afghanistans National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), told dpa news agency more than 170 houses had been either partially or completely destroyed, affecting about 300 families. While he gave an injury toll of 34, Zarbi noted figures were preliminary and subject to change. The flooding has also destroyed a major bridge in the district, according to the disaster authority, which said it was not able to provide essential support such as food, temporary shelter and medical support to the victims. Unfortunately [since] the area is under the control of the Taliban, we were unable to send our provincial teams to the area, Tamim Azimi, spokesman for Afghanistans state ministry for disaster management, told the AFP news agency. However, survey teams from the Afghan Red Crescent Society have travelled to the area to assess the damage and the support needed. Reporting from Kabul, Al Jazeeras Charlotte Bellis said the United Nations was also trying to access the district to provide assistance, including clean drinking water. The Taliban has seized large tracts of rural territory and captured key border crossings since early May when US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal from Afghanistan that is now almost complete. With its fighters gaining more control of such areas, Bellis said, the situation in Nuristan presented a real test for the Taliban over the kind of support it could provide to people affected by these types of situations if they were to remain in control there. Afghanistan is frequently hit by seasonal flooding that damages homes, agricultural land and public infrastructure. In August 2020, more than 150 people died in 13 provinces due to flash floods. Decades of conflict, coupled with environmental degradation and insufficient investment in disaster risk-reduction have contributed to the increasing vulnerability of Afghans to natural disasters, according to the UN. On average, natural disasters affect 200,000 people every year in the country. Posted by Joey on at 09:56 AM CST After the events of The Rise of Skywalker, Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt who has purchased Darth Vaders castle and is renovating it into the galaxys first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-Wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa, and Dean (a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballas mechanic) venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vaders loyal servant, Vanee. Along the way, Vanee shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. As Vanee spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges. With the help of Dean, Poe and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising, and escape to make it back to their friends. Today, Disney+ debuted a teaser image and announced the cast for LEGOTerrifying Tales, which premieres October 1 as a part of Disney+s Hallowstream celebration. The all-new animated special from Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group continues the rich legacy of collaboration between Lucasfilm and the LEGO brand and is a seasonal celebration of the villainous dark side of the Star Wars galaxy just in time for Halloween.LEGOTerrifying Tales features a talented voice cast that includes Jake Green as Poe Dameron; Raphael Alejandro as Dean; Dana Snyder as Graballa the Hutt; Tony Hale as Vanee; Christian Slater as Ren; Trevor Devall as Emperor Palpatine; Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as NI-L8; and Matt Sloan as Darth Vader. David Shayne is writer and executive producer, and the director is Ken Cunningham. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone and Jason Cosler are executive producers. LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales is produced in collaboration with Atomic Cartoons.Summary: The second season of mythological animation series "The Legend of Hanuman" is all set to release on digital platforms with actor Sharad Kelkar as the narrator. "The Legend of Hanuman Season 2", created by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan J. Kang, and Charuvi P. Singhal, has been directed by Kang and Navin John, with Devarajan, Sarwat Chaddha, Ashwin Pande, and Arshad Syed the lead writers. The latest season takes Mahabali Hanuman's journey forward as the mighty warrior faces Ravan and his army. "The response received by the first season of 'The Legend of Hanuman' was amazing and humbling and has been a milestone for original Indian animation. The heroism of Mahabali Hanuman means so much to the world and so much to all of the people who worked on this project," Devarajan, co-creator of the series, said "With the latest season, we take the story to greater heights with another chapter in Mahabali Hanuman's life and his first encounter with the demon King, Ravan which is brought alive through captivating visuals and comprehensible language. As he learns to wield his newfound power, it is a story of inner growth and heroism that we hope is relatable and inspiring to everyone," he added. The 13-episode series will be available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam and Kannada and will release on Disney+ Hotstar on August 6. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced the much-anticipated relief package of Rs 11,500 crore for emergency relief, repairs and longterm rehabilitation measures for the victims of the recent devastating floods which hit 9 districts last month. The decision was taken at a crucial cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and ministers of the three allies -- Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, said Relief & Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar. As an immediate measure, the government will provide Rs 10,000 for all affected families, Rs 1.50-lakh for those who have lost their houses completely, he said. Besides, the government will extend Rs 50,000 to all shopkeepers who have suffered damage, and streetside vendors will be given aid of Rs 10,000 for losses, said Wadettiwar. Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that around 4 lakh hectares agriculture lands have been completely ravaged in the flood and 20 per cent of the balance work of recording panchnamas is still underway. However, all the affected people will be provided sufficient aid to help them rebuild their lives and he urged the Centre to come forward and help the state grappling with the huge crisis. The upper house of the parliament was adjourned for the day on Tuesday after passing Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill. The House saw brief discussion even as the opposition boycotted the proceedngs. The Finance Minister said that she wanted a debate as it is a very important bill. Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the opposition for blocking BJD's Amar Patnaik during the debate. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till 12 noon and then till 2 p.m. The opposition MPs had given suspension notice which was not allowed by the chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu. Congress MP from Assam, Ripun Bora had given suspension notice under rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the discord between Assam and Mizoram. Another Congress MP Shakti Singh Gohil had given notice in the alleged rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in Delhi. CPI MP Binoy Vishwam had also given notice to push for discussion on the Pegasus project which is the cause of stalemate in the upper house apart from rise in fuel price and farm laws. Earlier, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs and Deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha, raising point of order under Rule 238, said that comments made by Trinamool MP about 'papri chaat' are baseless. Later he said, "After hijacking proceedings of the House with uproar over baseless, fabricated issues, the TMC MP has now insulted Parliament and its members by comparing Parliamentary proceedings with making 'papri chaat'". The Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien in a tweet had said, "In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 Bills at an average time of under seven minutes per Bill, passing legislation or making papri chaat!" The TMC MP was referring to the passage of bills in the parliament without debate and discussion. The impasse between the government and the opposition continued even on Tuesday as the monsoon session entered third week since the commencement. The flashpoint is the Pegasus project snooping controversy on which the opposition demands discussion but the government says that after IT Minister's statement only clarification can be sought. The opposition also wants discussion on farm laws and fuel hike. India will keep the spotlight on terrorism during its presidency of the Security Council and make a renewed push for international efforts to combat the scourge in all its manifestations, according to India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti said. Briefing reporters on Monday after his first session as Council president, Triumurti said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will chair a Council session on threats to international peace and security from terrorism. That session will also have a briefing on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's report on the Islamic State. India assumed the presidency of the 15-member Council on Sunday and Tirumurti will lead it through the month. At the briefing on the Council's agenda for the month, he outlined the three areas that India will use its presidency to put before the global spotlight. Tirumurti said that India's concern "is not just about cross border terrorism" but also the use of highly sophisticated mechanisms by the terrorists and the financing of terrorism. Terrorism affects all the major areas of the globe and ISIL (Islamic State) has its reach all over the world," he said. A matter of great concern to all the members of the Council is the increase in terrorism in Africa, and "I've said very clearly that you ignore it at your own peril." India will also be bringing a holistic approach for the first time to the issue of maritime security for the first time to the Council, which has in the past only dealt with certain aspects of it, and seek answers to the dangers on the high seas. "It is time that the various dimensions of maritime security and crime are discussed in a holistic manner, addressed through international cooperation," Tirumurti said. "Our objective for the high-level debate is to make a case for equal access for all nations to use to the use of global commons so that sea lanes are rendered as pathways to mutual prosperity and corridors of peace," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over a virtual session next Monday on maritime security, in which African Union President Felix- Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who is also the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will participate in a demonstration of the global attention to the issue, Tirumurti said. The open debate "will seek answers from member states to questions such as what could be done to address the drivers of maritime crime and insecurity, how would member states, enhance their capabilities and improve operational coordination to access maritime security threats, and how to advance the implementation of international cooperation," Tirumurti said. "Issues such as piracy, use of sea to conduct crimes illicit trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances, trafficking in persons and illicit firearms and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing have implications for the livelihood and security of coastal communities, international trade, energy security, and the global economy," he added. The third focus area is peacekeeping given that India has been the largest contributor to UN operations, having sent over 250,000 troops of whom 175 have made the supreme sacrifice. "We will be strongly advocating for enhanced measures to ensure the safety and security of the protectors of peace," Tirumurti said. "We will focus on two specific aspects pertaining to it. One is how to ensure the safety of peacekeepers by use of technology and to how to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers," he said. Jaishankar will preside over the sessions on peacekeeping on August 18. He said that the adoption of new technologies can "play a significant role in improving the safety and security of the peacekeepers" and will be an "overarching theme of protecting the protectors." Tirumurti said that India was discussing with other Council members a stronger response to the impunity with which peacekeepers are being attacked and adopting a resolution on it. He noted that according to UN statistics from 2013 onwards "the conviction rate is alarmingly low" of people who have committed crimes against peacekeepers. But he said that peacekeepers operated in areas where the governments were weak and lacked the resources to effectively prosecute those attacking the peacekeepers. To remedy this, he said that these countries needed help with capacity-building and financing. "It has received a lot of support from countries because for us, protecting the protectors is an important aspect," he added. We need to talk about Putin. We really do. Not just because he is, like it or not, one of the most important people on the planet, and nor because of the impact of the geopolitical struggle he is waging with the West, with bluster and bluff, memes and money. by Mark Galeotti Putin is a nicer person than I am. ~ Donald Trump, 2015 White Rabbit in Moscow is a quintessentially new Russian restaurant. Under a glass dome above a glitzy shopping centre close to the Stalinist Gothic tower of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is the kind of place where special little chairs are placed next to female diners for their handbags, where the (hefty) bill arrives inside a matryoshka nesting doll and where the idea of a fusion of traditional Russian and international cuisine runs to pine-flavoured ice cream. Im too miserly and too plain in my tastes to be a fan, but its flamboyant and prestigious, a place at which to be seen. I shouldnt have been surprised that, when invited to choose a place for lunch, a former official of the Presidential Administration (Vladimir Putins chancery and the most powerful institution in Russia) would pick White Rabbit. Even an overpriced meal and lots of naturally Crimean wine was not enough to get him to be really indiscreet, but one of the more revealing parts of the conversation was when he launched into a lengthy and moderately profane diatribe about the Wests continued misunderstanding of the boss. Seriously, I read some of the shit in your newspapers, that your politicians say, that your experts write, and I just dont know where they get it. No wonder weve got into the mess were in now. And you know what? He waved an almost-empty glass and frowned at me as if I were a representative of the entire Western journalistic, political and pundit class. It made my job harder. How? What kind of relations can we have with you all, so long as you dont really see us, you dont hear us? So long as you read whatever you want into the presidents every word and his last fart. My job was to try and communicate, but it didnt matter what we said, what we put into the bosss speeches, everyone just assumed they knew what we really meant, whatever we actually said. Everyone thinks they know Vladimir Vladimirovich. We need to talk about Putin. We really do. Not just because he is, like it or not, one of the most important people on the planet, and nor because of the impact of the geopolitical struggle he is waging with the West, with bluster and bluff, memes and money. It is also because he has become a global symbol, which everyone defines in their own way. As the irate and two-thirds-drunk official suggested, he is like a Rorschach inkblot test used by psychologists: the splash of pigment is deliberately ambiguous; what we read into it says more about what is going on in our heads than what is on the paper. Because the irony is that, for all that he has been a fixture of global politics for almost twenty years now, for all that there are biographies of his life and calendars of his bare-chested antics and for all that he is a familiar subject of satirists and pundits alike, we still dont really know who he is. Ruthless autocrat or saviour of a beleaguered nation? KGB veteran or pious Christian? Brooding grandmaster of global geopolitics or self-indulgent kleptocrat? Hes a bit of each of them, but none of these labels truly sum him up and thats partly the point. Putin is ferociously private not just on his own account, but also on behalf of his family, both out of preference and political calculation; his aloofness allows everyone to construct their own personal Putin. Part of my motivation to write this book is a frustration with the simplistic caricatures so often deployed and not only in the West to try and understand him. I remember one newly appointed European ambassador to Moscow blithely asserting that to understand Putin, you simply need to understand his KGB training. If it is that simple, then why do we keep getting Putin wrong? The main drivers for this process of estrangement with Russia may be elsewhere, but it is also depressingly clear how often Western diplomacy has failed. It left a potential pragmatic ally in the early 2000s sufficiently embittered that by 2007 Putin was squaring up for a confrontation. Its toothless response to Russias 2008 invasion of Georgia was used as evidence in Moscow in 2014 that moving into Ukraine would lead to only brief and token protest. It even managed to convince not just Putin but also many within his political establishment that the West was at once too weak to fear and yet too dangerous to ignore. Above all, it failed to persuade them that we do not hate them, their country and their culture. All this happened in no way only or even mainly because of our poor handling of Putin and Russia but we have managed to handle both badly, and to a large extent because of a lack of understanding. In this book, I seek to present a picture of the complexities of Vladimir Putin, and through him of todays Russia, drawing on more decades of contact with Russia than Id care to admit time spent travelling there, talking to everyone from provincial cops to Moscow officials, getting drunk and paying the odd bribe. I dont for a minute think that I have got everything right, nor that everyone else has got everything wrong. This is not primarily a book for my academic colleagues, and I will beg their indulgence for its tone, brevity and distinct absence of footnotes. Rather, it is for anyone who is curious about who this enigmatic figure may be, and why there is so much hype and hysteria around him. By attacking a collection of the most common and most problematic myths that everyone knows about Putin, I hope to try and cut through some of the most unhelpful. Of course, I am, in part, taking on straw man arguments and over-simplifications, and it is not as though every policymaker, scholar or pundit believes all or even most of these. That said, the recent impoverishment of much public discourse about Putin and Russia, with cliche and caricature increasingly mobilised on both sides, has been depressing. As the world gets more complex, the ways we frame and explain it too often seem to be getting simpler and less nuanced. That is something we need to talk about, too but not before weve finished talking about Putin. A Guide to Further Reading As I say, this book does not pretend to be the last word on Putin, and nor does it claim that no one else gets it right. Fiona Hill and Clifford Gaddys Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin (Brookings Institution Press, 2013) is a sharp take on the idea of various Putins that also manages to win my heart by its use of a Mr Benn motif (for those who grew up watching childrens television in 1970s Britain). Brian Taylors The Code of Putinism (Oxford University Press, 2018) draws particularly on official statements to create a good sense of the kind of world view held by Putin and his closest allies. Anna Arutunyans The Putin Mystique: Inside Russias Power Cult (Skyscraper Publications, 2014) looks at the Russian people, and how far their dreams and fears actually shaped Putin and his regime. Mikhail Zygars All The Kremlins Men: Inside the Court of Vladimir Putin (PublicAffairs, 2016) is a brilliant study less of Putin himself and more of the key figures around him. Indeed, it also seems important to stress that Russia is bigger than Putin Tony Woods Russia Without Putin: Money, Power and the Myths of the New Cold War (Verso, 2018) does this especially well. Click Here to Buy This Book About the Author: Professor Mark Galeotti is one of the foremost Russia-watchers today, who travels there regularly to teach, lecture, talk to his contacts, and generally watch the unfolding story of the Putin era. Based in London, he is Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Institute of International Relations Prague, having previously headed its Centre for European Security, and was before then Professor of Global Affairs at NYU. A prolific author on Russia and security affairs, he frequently acts as consultant to various government, commercial and law-enforcement agencies. Defunct Caribbean prefix proposed Alan, VK6CQ (VK0LD, VP8PJ), reports the following: Due to an oversight in the new communications legislation recently introduced in the Falkland Islands, the VP8 prefix no longer applies to the former Falkland Islands Dependencies (Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetlands, South Orkneys, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands). This impasse has been ongoing since 2017 when the Falklands government abruptly stopped issuing VP8 licenses to DXpeditions and other amateurs wishing to operate from the Antarctic, South Georgia etc. The logical solution would be to allocate new prefixes to the former Dependencies and the strongest candidates would be VP0 for British Antarctic Territory (BAT) because several nations already use 0 to indicate an Antarctic station e.g. VK0, DP0, HF0 etc. and ZD0 for South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) because it is the southernmost of Britain's Mid Atlantic territories (the others being ZD7, ZD8 & ZD9). Both these prefixes are available and have never been allocated before. They are eminently suitable for these locations and are probably what most DXers would prefer. Note that BAT and SGSSI are separate British Overseas Territories and therefore each requires its own separate prefix. The Falkland Islands Communications Regulator has never invited any public consultation on this matter, nevertheless VP0 and ZD0 have been previously suggested to him as the logical choices for these rare DX locations. Unfortunately, these suggestions seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, it is now rumored that the Falklands Government is about to revive a defunct Caribbean prefix (VP4, formerly Trinidad & Tobago) and apply it to two separate British territories in the Antarctic by sub-dividing the suffix e.g. VP4 Axx for SGSSI (South Georgia and South Sandwich) and VP4 Bxx for BAT (Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkneys & South Shetlands). For more details, see the various posts on https://www.openfalklands.com/ If you think that resurrecting a defunct Caribbean prefix for use in the Antarctic and subdividing the suffix is a really bad idea and wish to lobby for a proper solution with new prefixes to be implemented you should contact the following Falkland Islands government officials as soon as possible and make your sentiments known: regulator.telecoms@sec.gov.fk headoflegalservices@sec.gov.fk If the worldwide amateur radio community shouts loudly enough, we just might get a couple of new prefixes and a satisfactory resolution to this ongoing five year old stalemate. OPDX Washington, 03 August 2021 (SPS) - A spokesperson for the US State Department said Monday that Washington supports a "credible" political process in Western Sahara that will be led by the United Nations with a view to achieving stability in the region. Responding to a question from the American channel "Al Hurra" on Monday on the policy of the United States towards Western Sahara, the spokesman indicated that "Washington supports a political process enjoying credibility and which will be led by the United Nations, with a view to achieving stability and ensuring the cessation of all hostilities ". He added: "We are consulting with the parties on the best ways to stop the violence and achieve a lasting settlement." "We strongly support the efforts of the United Nations for the rapid designation of a personal envoy of the Secretary General to Western Sahara. We are ready to participate actively with all parties to support this envoy," he said. The statement by the State Department spokesperson supports that of Joey Hood, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, during his visit to the region last week. "Our clear position is: We want to see an UN-led process which results in an acceptable agreement to all parties and which leads to peace and stability, this is the best for the region and it is (the approach) to which we are going to devote our time, our energy and our efforts, said Joey Hood in an interview with APS at the end of his visit to Algeria.SPS 125/090/TRA Belma Givens and their son Keith pass in front of a portrait of her husband Dr. Henry Givens, President Emeritus of Harris-Stowe State University for 32 years, during home-going services on the campus Sat. July 31, 2021. Givens was 90. And theres been no rush to file new cases in either county since the moratorium was lifted on Saturday. As of 5 p.m. Monday, just 23 cases were filed in Broward County during the first two days of August. Six cases were filed in Palm Beach County during that time. Its from my background, adds Ilan. Im from Israel most of the experience I had ... [with] food was the grandmothers. So thats where I got all the flavors from. And also, because Israel is like a melting pot. So there are so many Jews that came from different places in the world. They brought their traditional flavors, cultures and, you know, spices to Israel. My dad never wanted me or my brother in the business, Shidlofsky says. But hes getting older and Im hungry and motivated. Its funny because, when I came home from working in New York due to COVID, I begged to work with him. One day we were trapped at home, and he said, If youre serious, go [to the shop] and bake bagels at 5 a.m. I said OK. And I did it. The Cooper City teen, who has not been named because is a juvenile, was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday by the Broward Sheriffs Office Burglary Apprehension Team after the Special Victims Unit learned he was returning to his home via a rideshare service. X-rays would later reveal shattered metallic fragments left behind from the damage done by the shooters pellet gun. The stray kitten had spinal fractures so severe that it was partially paralyzed and had to be euthanized due to its numerous injuries. Hollywood police officers arrived at the crime scene that morning around 2:30 a.m. after 911 callers reported a shooting in the area. They found a man lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the torso. But the White House says it doesnt see a path for it to extend the moratorium. Thats largely because the Supreme Court signaled in a 5-4 vote in late June that it wouldnt back further extensions, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing that Congress would have to act to extend the moratorium. The White House noted that state-level efforts to stop evictions would spare a third of the country from evictions over the next month. The key way to fight against any potential insider trading is to give the public these disclosures so they can see whether or not their member of Congress is possibly engaging in a conflict of interest with their stock trades, Payne said. They file these disclosures months after these transactions, and it becomes unclear if it is intentional to hide a possible problem, or simply a mistake. But its happening so much that its difficult to assume that there is a mistake, Payne said. I think its very important that we understand that the best defenses we have are the combination of the natural immunity thats been built up, and our seniors-first vaccination efforts, DeSantis said. I think thats why you have such a steep decline in mortality year over year. And look, at the end of the day, I would rather have 5,000 cases amongst 20-year-olds over 500 cases among seniors. Thankfully, Floridas attempt to exert control over online speech was tossed out of court. The First Amendment gives individual citizens and private businesses the right to speak or not speak. Even where courts have upheld speech limitations, they have required that they be narrowly tailored and advance a compelling government interest neither of which applies here. In this case, the judge agreed with us that the bill was unconstitutional, and issued a preliminary injunction against it, stopping it from going into effect. We appreciate the judges ruling on this bill, and agree that compelling some speech and prohibiting others, while also applying arbitrary rules on which providers would be subject to the law is clearly unconstitutional. Lobbyists work in the rotunda between the house and senate chambers during session, Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The Florida House adjourned its annual session three days early that year because of a budget impasse with the Senate over Medicaid expansion. It would be the first and, so far, only time the state attempted to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. (Steve Cannon / AP) DeSantis latest order achieved its immediate effect, which was to intimidate the Broward school board into backing down from its plan to make masks mandatory for students when schools open Aug. 18. But on Tuesday, two other districts, Jacksonvilles Duval and Alachua in Gainesville, voted to impose masks for students, setting up possible clashes with the governor. Duval will allow parents to opt out in writing; Alachua will re-evaluate its decision at an Aug. 17 meeting. Finally cleared to sit at a table in the socially distanced dining room, we then had to fill out contact-tracing information with one-time use pens in plastic wrappers. We were allowed to take off our masks, but there were plastic bags to put them in so no one would have to touch them. There were signs on tables, indicating we were seated in an Area Sanificata. Salt and pepper shakers were one-time-use only. There was no menu just a QR code to scan to see the menu on our phones. Police in the south of Spain are investigating a second possible gender violence death in Malaga province in just three weeks. On Monday night, 2 August, the Guardia Civil arrested a 53-year-old Spanish man in Rincon de la Victoria in connection with the death of his partner, a 37-year-old Russian woman. The charred body of the victim was discovered late in the evening on a bonfire in a Maro ravine, in the town of Nerja. Sources have told SUR that the incident unfolded at a house in the Nuevo Rincon area, where the two lived together. After allegedly killing the woman, the man carried her body to the garage to put it in the car, when he was startled by a neighbour. The man apparently told the witness that the woman had hit her head and that he was going to take her to the hospital, and the neighbour even helped him carry the body to the car. But, after the neighbour saw a trail of blood and considered the events, he decided to call the emergency services to tell them what had just happened. Meanwhile, the suspect had driven the body more than 40 kilometres away to a difficult-to-access ravine in Maro where he built a small bonfire and put the corpse on it. But a resident of the Nerja area found the bonfire at around seven in the evening, between the Aguila aqueduct and the A-7 Mediterranean motorway bridge, and the witness said that there was an arm protruding from the flames and smoke. Terrified, he quickly called the Guardia Civil who arrived on the scene and put out the flames. At around 9pm the charred corpse was transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML) in Malaga, where an autopsy will be performed. The suspect was arrested at his home in Rincon de la Victoria, after several patrols responded to the neighbours call. The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado, through social media, condemned the crime: Hugely shocked by the murder of a woman in Rincon de la Victoria in a new case of gender violence. As mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, and on behalf of the entire council and the residents of the municipality, I want to express my absolute rejection. R. I. P.". Just a few weeks ago, on 15 July, Mari Angeles was murdered by her partner in the Bulto district of Malaga. After shooting her with a shotgun, the man took his own life. The end of Spain's state of alarm and the lifting of restrictions on European and international travel - with a Covid-19 vaccination passport - has not helped travel take off as much as the country's tourism sector had hoped for. Official data from the national INE statistics office has revealed that Spain received only 5.4 million international visitors in the first half of the year until June, which is just 14.2 per cent compared to the 38 million tourists who arrived in the first six months of 2019. Even in 2020, the first six months in the year of the pandemic closed with 10.8 million tourists, double the number of 2021, mainly due to the good performance of the sector in the first three months of the year before the coronavirus crisis broke out in Spain. International tourist arrivals (in thousands). / INE In the first six months of this year, foreign tourists spent 5,765 million euros, half the amount of 2020 and nothing compared with 2019, when the sector's income exceeded 39 million euros in this period. Much of the loss of tourists and income is due to the fact that the United Kingdom, which has always been one of the key markets, is nowhere near the top of the list of countries that have sent most tourists, so far, in 2021. The largest numbers of foreign visitors have been from France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. In fact, until June only 273,000 Britons arrived in Spain, according to the INE figures, due to the restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom Government on tourism. In order to get an idea of the collapse of the market, almost 2.1 million Britons arrived in Spain in June 2019 alone. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 712-243-2624 or email circ@ant-news.com. DES MOINES A state panel on Monday approved a $70,000 settlement with five protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement who were arrested after a scuffle broke out with police at the Iowa Capitol in July 2020. Three members of the State Appeal Board unanimously agreed the state should pay $5,000 each to Jalesha Johnson, Louise Bequeaith, Haley Jo Dikkers, Brad Penna and Brandi Ramus to settle civil rights violation allegations they brought against the state Department of Public Safety that houses the Iowa State Patrol. The settlement also provided $45,000 to cover attorney fees associated with the case. The five Des Moines Black Liberation Movement protesters filed a lawsuit in federal court last year seeking to block Iowa State Patrol troopers from arresting them if they return to the Iowa State Capitol or property surrounding the building. The defendants were granted temporary injunctive relief by the federal court last December. During Mondays board meeting, Anne Updegraff of the Iowa Attorney Generals Office advised that the state settle the matter and that the $70,000 payment was deemed to be a fair settlement. Approving the proposed judgment were State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, the boards president, and board members State Auditor Rob Sand and Michael Bousselot, director of the state Department of Management. Johnson, Bequeaith, Dikkers, Penna and Ramus were among 17 people protesting in support of the Black Lives Matter movement at the Capitol in July 2020. They were calling for Gov. Kim Reynolds to sign an executive order restoring voting rights for felons, an action she took the following month. The five were arrested when a scuffle broke out between police and the protesters. Afterward, they were told by troopers that if they returned to the state property around the building they would be arrested for trespassing. Some were banned for six months and others for a year. They claimed the ban blocked their fundamental constitutional rights of free speech, assembly, their right to petition their government, their fundamental freedom of movement and due process. Attorneys representing the protesters argued there is no statutory authority for such a ban and a federal district court ruled last December in favor of the protesters, saying the state cant ban them from the Iowa Capitol Complex grounds. The court issued a preliminary injunction, saying the ban was likely to violate the activists rights because it restricts all expressive activity at the Iowa State Capitol. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Iowa, sought to invalidate the bans permanently. Now that the State Appeal Board has approved the settlement, attorneys still have to file for dismissal with the court. It will be up to the court to determine whether to approve a request to dismiss the lawsuit and finalize the settlement. The settlement resolves the lawsuit, which named Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens and Iowa State Patrol Lt. Steven Lawrence, Sgt. Tyson Underwood and Trooper Durk Pearston. In addition to the payment, the state agreed to withdraw all verbal and written bans to the protesters. Other settlements Overall, the three-member appeal board approved five settlements totaling $327,500. The panel agreed to pay $22,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging negligence by the University of Iowa when Connie Kyner fell while getting out of the shower at the Rossi Guest House in Iowa City in September 2015. Kyners fall required surgery to repair a fractured patella and prevented her from being able to be with her daughter when she died, according to Mondays board discussion. Also, the University of Iowa Physicians agreed to pay Donna Moore $100,000 to settle allegations of negligence by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the performance of hip surgery in April 2018. The state denied the allegations made in the medical malpractice lawsuit but agreed to settle the claim. A separate $100,000 payment was made to settle a negligence claim brought by Gary Lazear, who was injured when he fell into a ditch at the Iowa State Fair while camping with his wife. Updegraff said the ditch was the result of erosion. And finally, the board approved a $35,000 payment to settle Peggy Waters allegation of disability discrimination against the University of Iowa. if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. MBABANE Sex offenders will now be known. This follows the release of the much awaited Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Regulations, 2021 by the Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM) Office. Following the release of the SODV regulations on July 23, 2021 a national register for all sex offenders which shall contain particulars of persons who have been convicted of sexual offences, will be established and this comes into effect on the date of publication in the gazette (July 23, 2021). The register will also contain a set of fingerprints of all persons whose particulars had been entered into it. Implications Some of the implications of inclusion of particulars in the register include that a person convicted of the commission of a sexual offence is obliged to disclose such information when applying for a job. The employee shall without delay disclose a conviction of a sexual offence to the employer if convicted. Sexual offenders may not be employed to work with a child or with a person who is physically or mentally challenged in any circumstances. A sexual offender can also not be granted a licence or be given approval to manage or operate any entity, business concern or trade in relation to the supervision or care of a child or a person who is physically or mentally challenged. They cannot also be allowed to be foster parents or become curators of a person who is mentally challenged. Also an employee shall without delay disclose a conviction of a sexual offence to the employer if convicted. According to the regulations, a registrar would first be appointed and officials in terms of regulation six who would have access to the data base of the register. Offences The registrar is supposed to be an admitted attorney of not less than 10 years of experience in the legal profession with extensive knowledge and experience in sexual offences and domestic violence laws. The registrar will also be appointed by the minister in accordance with the law governing the public service. Their duties include receiving particulars of persons in terms of Section 59 of the Act from the Registrar of the High Court, the clerk of the court, the Commissioner General of His Majestys Correctional Services, the national commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the Director of Health Services and enter the particulars in the register. Further, the responsibilities include receiving and processing applications for certificates and issue them in terms of Section 64 and regulation nine. MBABANE After missing out on about 40 days of learning, pupils will be pleased to learn that its back to class next week Monday. This follows an announcement made by the Prime Minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, during a press conference held at the Cabinet Offices yesterday. He said government had moved the country to an adjusted Level 3 of the COVID-19 intervention. I am, therefore, pleased to announce that government has taken a conscious decision to open schools under the adjusted Level 3 on August 9, 2021, said Dlamini. The schools had been closed since June 29, 2021, after the then Acting PM, Themba Masuku, announced that the third wave of COVID-19 had hit the country. Though schools eventually opened early this year, they only gained about 60 days of face-to-face teaching and learning time as they had to be closed again, said Dlamini. Protocols He said even during the open days, learners were unable to attend on all days of the week due to the rotational and blended schedules designed to ensure they (pupils) adhered to COVID-19 health protocols such as social distancing. The PM said government fully recognised the importance of prioritising education even during emergencies as educational institutions remained a critical sector towards socio-economic development. Government also understands that schools are not only a place for academic learning, but also for social and mental cohesion, social interaction and social support, he said. Dlamini said for pre-school children, school readiness was critical and had potentially lasting effects. He said the schools closure had not only disrupted childrens learning and development, but also access to school meals, psychological support and speedy referral to basic health and social services. Dlamini submitted that the schools reopening would be preceded by the roll-out of a vaccination exercise for all teachers and education workers from yesterday to the end of the week. Vaccination He said a total of 42 centres had been identified for the vaccination exercise and teachers were encouraged to visit their nearest site. Meanwhile, the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, added that the schools opening would continue to be on rotational and blended schedules to ensure that the pupils and teachers continued to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This, in essence, means that not all pupils will be in attendance at one go. Asked if the schools were ready to conduct learning, the minister responded to the affirmative, stating that she had engaged with head teachers. She highlighted though that the ministry would be conducting inspections in the schools with the assistance of the regional education officers (REOs) and inspectors. MBABANE While they are still anxiously awaiting the outcome of their bail application, Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube will now have to start preparing for their trial. This, after the Chief Justice(CJ), Bheki Maphalala, yesterday granted an order allowing that the accused persons be indicted summarily at the High Court. The filing of the indictment and granting of the order by the CJ means that Mabuza and Dube, who are currently incarcerated at the Matsapha Maximum Prison, will get a speedy trial. According to the indictment, Mabuza and Dube allegedly acted jointly with Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi Magawugawu Simelane to incite people of Eswatini to revolt against the constitutionally established Government of Eswatini. The Crown explicitly stated in the charge sheet that Simelane was a fugitive from the law. According to the charge sheet, as a consequence of the alleged incitement by the trio, there were riots in all the regions of the country. Injury The Crown further brought it to the attention of the court that these riots caused a loss of life, bodily injury to people and destruction of private and public properties. In the second count, Mabuza alone is said to have contravened Regulation 4 of the Disaster Management (COVID-19) Regulations under the Disaster Management Act. It is alleged that, he unlawfully and wrongfully failed to keep a register as required by the regulations for any gathering and to sanitize participants in a gathering he had convened. The order by the chief justice comes after the director of public prosecutions (DPP) moved an application under Section 88 (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67 of 1938. The DPP moved the application ex parte (application made without the knowledge of the other party). Section 88 bis (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act provides that: The chief justice may, on ex parte application made to him in chambers by the director of public prosecutions and on being satisfied that it is in the interest of the administration of justice so to do, direct that any person accused of having committed any offence shall be tried summarily in the High Court without a preparatory examination having been instituted against him. The Act further stipulates that the director of public prosecutions shall not less than four days before the commencement of summary trial cause to be served on the accused a copy of the charge upon which the accused is to be arraigned together with a brief summary of the substantial facts alleged against him. The filing of the indictment is also an indication that the Crown is ready to prosecute the two legislators. The latest development means that the duo will soon be called for a pre-trial conference. A pre-trial conference is a meeting of the parties to a case conducted prior to trial. The conference is held before the trial judge or a magistrate, a judicial officer who possesses fewer judicial powers than a judge. A pre-trial conference may be held prior to trial in both civil and criminal cases. Mabuza and Dubes bail application was argued before Judge Mumcy Dlamini last Thursday. After hearing the arguments of both parties, Judge Dlamini reserved her judgment indefinitely. MBABANE While the location of Siphofaneni Member of Parliament Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane remains a mystery, the US Embassy has dismissed talks that it was harbouring the legislator. While the Times SUNDAY published a picture of Simelane praying on a mountain, believably on Saturday, his whereabouts were not disclosed but there have been allegations that he had sought refuge at the United States Embassy in Ezulwini. It is alleged that he has been hiding at the embassy to avoid being arrested by the police alongside his two other colleagues in the Legislature; namely, Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisi MP Mthandeni Dube. Simelane, who, together with the other two colleagues, is leading calls for political reforms particularly the election of the prime minister - is wanted by the police in relation to charges related to the Suppression of Terrorism Act, under which Mabuza and Dube have also been charged. Accommodated The two MPs are currently accommodated at the Matsapha Maximum Correctional Facility and were remanded today while they await judgment on their bail application, which was heard by High Court Judge Mumcy Dlamini last Thursday. Certain people believe that MP Simelane has allegedly sought refuge at the US Embassy premises so as to avoid being arrested because such premises enjoy diplomatic immunity. Article 21 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulates that premises of a diplomatic mission shall remain inviolable. The agents of the receiving State (in this case Eswatini) may not enter them (premises), except with the consent of the head of the mission, reads the article. It also provides that the receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity. However, the embassys Public Affairs Officer (Spokesperson), Stephanie Sandoval, refuted the allegations that they had taken in the legislator. The US Embassy has not been approached regarding refuge. As is standard practice, we direct anyone with a request for refuge to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she said. Sandoval said they referred such requests to the UNHCR through Caritas Swaziland. Hiding When the Times SUNDAY asked MP Simelane about the allegation that he was hiding at the US Embassy, he first asked where such reports were coming from and then laughed them off. I dont want to talk about this for now but Ill reveal my whereabouts in due course, he said. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is one person who is known to have taken advantage of such immunity when he spent almost seven years in hiding in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he took asylum in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. In 2019, Morenos government put an end to the asylum status for Assange and he was arrested in April of that year by the London Metropolitan Police for skipping bail seven years earlier during a separate legal battle. He has since been lodged in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison. US prosecutors have indicted Assange on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks publication of thousands of leaked millitary and diplomatic documents. If the charges are proven, he could face a maximum sentence of 175 years in jail. Support Meanwhile, when the US Embassy was asked if they had engaged any of the three MPs at the forefront of the calls for political reforms and what support the embassy had extended to these legislators, the spokesperson said they would continue to engage contacts at all levels of government and across civil society, and reiterate calls for an honest, constructive dialogue with all stakeholders at the table. The embassy reiterated calls for His Majesty the King, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and those seeking political reforms, to commit to a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue to chart a way forward. Dialogue must include all stakeholders in the country, including political parties, women and youth movements, trade unions, and other civil society organisations, Sandoval said. The embassy said the calls for reforms coming from within Eswatini; were legitimate, and should be heard. We call on the authorities to respect the right to due process under the law, to exercise transparency in the application of law, and to protect human rights, despite political differences, the spokesperson said. In addition, she said the voice of emaSwati should be heard by their leaders - whether through their elected officials or through other means, including the delivery and consideration of petitions. Moreover, the embassy called on government to issue a clear statement that the kingdoms 2005 Constitution had revoked the ban on political parties under the 1973 Decree. This will allow the government to define the role of political parties in Eswatini, and will give political parties the opportunity to play a constructive role in the upcoming 2023 elections, Sandoval said. Decree Government has always insisted that the 1973 Decree was revoked by the coming in of the Constitution but no clear statement has ever been issued in that regard. Section 25 of the Constitution addresses issues of assembly and association; it states that a person has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The section also states that a person shall not except with the free consent of that person be hindered in the enjoyment of the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, that is to say, the right to assemble peacefully and associate freely with other persons for the promotion or protection of the interests of that person. Despite this, there have been concerns that the section does not clearly pronounce itself on political parties. On the other hand, Sandoval said the embassy continued to urge calm, restraint, dialogue, and accountability. Also, the embassy urged respect for the rule of law and judicial integrity and independence. Sandoval said the US was partners with Eswatini - evidenced by more than 16 years of profound investment and commitment to public health through the PEPFAR programme, and most recently by the donation of enough COVID-19 vaccines to fully vaccinate 45 per cent of adults in the country. These investments reflect a long and deep friendship between the US and Eswatini, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for generations to come, the embassy spokesperson stated. In Parliament last Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Phila Buthelezi blasted the US Embassy for interfering in Eswatinis internal affairs and asked the Americans to stay out of the kingdoms issues. Bahrain-based ila Bank, a digital, mobile-only bank, has released five new seamless app features to further simplify the onboarding process, empowering customers to open an account within minutes using only one ID and a selfie. The new process was made possible by leveraging the national eKYC platform, an extensive online database enabling financial institutions to easily authenticate clients identities, operated by BENEFIT in collaboration with the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), under the supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain. The newly launched features were designed in response to customer feedback, received through the banks various digital touchpoints, as well customer insights gained through ilas agile banking model, powered by state-of-the-art AI and data analytics. Mohamed Al Maraj, Chief Executive Officer, ila Bank said: ilas app upgrade reflects our commitment to continuously customize our offering to transform the overall banking experience in Bahrain and build on the progressive and collaborative fintech ecosystem the Government has cultivated. ila now offers an unparalleled onboarding process, reflecting our commitment to create a banking experience that is accessible and inclusive of all in our fast paced, contactless environment. ilas new release also includes a long-press feature enabling customers to access key features by touching and holding on the app icon right from the home screen; enables transfers between Hassalas, an innovative digital saving pot, further easing the saving process and driving positive behavioural change; and permits two shares for each user in a Jamiyah, a collaborative digital savings tool inspired by a longstanding regional tradition. Nada Tarada, Head of Business & Customer at ila Bank added: ilas latest app release is driven by customer needs and feedback. It reflects our ongoing mission to design banking around their lives and enable their day-to-day and long-term experiences through effortless, frictionless and seamless banking solutions. Our client centric and socially driven banking concept merges cutting edge technologies with a deep human understanding, which enables us to remain attuned to our communitys needs and co-innovate alongside them. We strive to do so while continually challenging the layers, barriers and formalities of traditional banking, concluded Tarada. Since its inception, the Bank continued to disrupt the retail banking sector with many app enhancements, two widely adopted community inspired savings products Hassala and Jamiyah, an in-app donations feature, the first of its kind interest bearing checking account encouraging savings and the lowest income threshold to open an account, accelerating financial inclusion in the Kingdom of Bahrain. TradeArabia News Service Omans Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Energy Centre (NEC) to introduce the experience of smart cities and Internet of Things (IoT) in the sultanate. The agreement also includes cooperation to promote knowledge transfer between the government and the business and academic sectors, reported Oman News Agency (ONA). The agreement covers several fields, namely smart public services, smart infrastructure solutions, smart environment solutions such as managing wasted water and smart road lights system, as well as reading electricity and water meters solutions. The agreement was signed by Dr Ali Amer al-Shidhani, the Ministrys Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology and Abdullah Rashid al-Badi, CEO of NEC. Gulf Bridge International (GBI), a global cloud, connectivity and content enabler, and 2Equinix, the worlds digital infrastructure company, are building on their longstanding relationship. This is done through expanding collaboration and establishing a new deployment for GBI at the Equinix data centre in Oman. Since 2015, GBI has benefitted greatly from connections in key European Equinix data centre locations in both Amsterdam and Frankfurt and so GBIs new presence at Equinix MC1 International Business Exchange (IBX) in Muscat will build on this success, enhancing both its IP Transit and Cloud Connect products and providing customers with greater connectivity throughout the Middle East and onwards. Equinix MC1 IBX is a carrier-neutral hub in Oman and one of the largest in the region, where carriers, cloud providers and content providers can colocate critical IT infrastructure. It serves as a regional interconnection hub providing ultra-low latency connection points between key global business markets. For GBI this means improved quality of its IP Transit and Cloud Connect products. GBI IP Transit already covers the entire GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) and has equal or lower average hop count than other Tier 1s. Moreover, GBIs Cloud Connect offering provides a fully protected premium to GCC and can support network topology seamlessly, resulting in an unbeatable low latency private access to the cloud. The connection to Equinix MC1 will improve performance further, supporting digital transformation in the Middle Eastern enterprise market. Brendan Press, CCO of GBI, comments: Recent Equinix research shows almost two thirds (60%) of digital leaders in the UAE have accelerated their digital transformation plans, all of which has to be underpinned by reliable and trusted connectivity. As such, GBIs presence at the Equinix MC1 datacentre will be highly valuable. Its important to be building on our relationship so we can offer customers the lowest latency access to secure cloud services in the region; it will bolster our IP Transit and Cloud Connect products to serve customers digital transformation needs. Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO of GBI adds: GBI has been connected to Equinix datacentres in Amsterdam and Frankfurt since 2015 and were excited to be taking our partnership to the next level. Together we are fully committed to serving our Gulf and Middle Eastern customers and the MC1 datacentre will help the region thrive. Customers are demanding more content and a greater experience as the next wave of digital transformation gathers momentum, and we are fully prepared for this shift. We are entering a highly exciting era of connectivity and its amazing to be at the forefront of this. Kamel Al-Tawil, Managing Director for Middle East and North Africa at Equinix, said: Putting digital infrastructure at the centre of the business strategy requires the support of a dynamic digital infrastructure. Businesses need a simple way to bring together digital infrastructure that encompasses a choice of multiple providers, distributed geographies and hybrid multicloud architectures. These are the areas Equinix has been devoted to, and we strive to meet businesses evolving needs. -- TradeArabia News Service Kuwait is set to build the region's first city that will exclusively cater to the needs of electric vehicle manufacturers - EV City, reported Reuters. The move comes following the approval from Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) for the project. It will provide all port and logistics services to these global electric car giants. The design and construction tendering process for the proposed EV City will begin during the 2021/22 fiscal year, stated the report, citing KPA's General Manager Yousef Al Abdullah Al Sabah. "Electric car makers do not use local distributors or dealers and sell their vehicles directly to consumers," said Al Sabah, adding that it was common for ports to provide certain infrastructure to manufacturers. Alongside its long-standing local partner Nile Projects & Trading, Bridgestone signed an agreement with AL Nasr Automotive Manufacturing company to fulfil the test phase of new electric vehicles in Egypt. The trial operation plan will cover Cairo and Alexandria and includes a maximum of 13 electric vehicles to be tested annually with a range of 30,000 kilometres for public test drive. The partnership will enable Bridgestone to provide its tyres and Nile Projects & Trading subsidiary Fit and Fix Network to support the success of the trial test phase by ensuring the durability of the electric vehicles and provide excellent service quality. It further aims to revive the national pride brand of Nasr and boost the Egyptian government in making Egypt a hub for electric vehicles in North Africa and to encourage more travelers to embark on safe road trips. Fit and Fix network, an Egypt-based auto service company owned by Nile Projects, will provide a wide array of professional car services for the EVs which will be accessible through its over more than 40 outlets to ensure safe and comfortable drives. This partnership is in line with Bridgestone tyres initiative to lead the industry towards sustainability by reducing fuel consumptions and minimising carbon emissions. Stefano Sanchini, Regional Managing Director, Bridgestone MEA, said: We are excited to be working in this project with our partners Nile Projects & Trading and AL Nasr. This is a step we are taking to support safe and secure mobility while contributing the realisation of a carbon neutral society. The introduction of our electric vehicles is a part of our commitment to develop mobility solutions and innovations that are safe and sustainable. Hani EL Kholy, Managing Director, AL Nasr said: We have been actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in line with the governments vision of transitioning to this mobile innovation. The partnership with global tyre manufacturer and mobility solutions provider Bridgestone aligns with Presidency directives to localise the manufacture of vehicles used for clean energy. Bridgestone is progressing into a sustainable solutions company in providing social and customer value towards the implementation of its Sustainability Business Framework Building upon its mission of Serving Society with Super Quality, Bridgestones midterm business plans include sourcing more than 50 per cent of its power from renewable energy by 2023.-- TradeArabia News Service At its 75th session, the UN General Assembly adopted without a vote the resolution Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to ensure stable and reliable international transport for sustainable development during and after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic which was introduced by Turkmenistan. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov reported this news to President Guranguly Berdimuhamedov via video link. Meredov congratulated the head of state on the adoption of the resolution that was co-sponsored by 48 states. In his turn, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the principles laid down in the resolution correspond to the process of creating an integrated transport network which was launched following the results of the first UN Global Conference on Sustainable Transport in Ashgabat in 2016. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021 Families of 9/11 victims call on Biden to probe Saudi Arabias role in the attack 07 Aug 2021 | 1:22 AM Washington, Aug 6 (UNI/Sputnik) A numerous group of 9/11 family members in a letter to US President Joe Biden on Friday have called to investigate Saudi Arabias role in the terrorist attack as well as to implement a new policy toward Riyadh. see more.. US, Israeli defense chiefs discuss Mercer incident, Iran's drone use 07 Aug 2021 | 12:16 AM Washington, Aug 6 (UNI/Sputnik) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz discussed Irans alleged use of drones in the Middle East and the incident with the Mercer Street marine vessel, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a readout on Friday. see more.. Terror safe havens must be dismantled for enduring peace in Afghanistan: India at UNSC 07 Aug 2021 | 12:00 AM United Nations, Aug 6 (UNI) For enduring peace in Afghanistan, terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries in the region must be dismantled immediately and terrorist supply chains disrupted, said Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations T S Tirumurti, who currently holds the month-long Presidency of the 15-member UN Security Council. see more.. Funding shortage hits World Food Program as millions more face famine in Myanmar 06 Aug 2021 | 11:35 PM Washington, Aug 6 (UNI/Sputnik) Major funding gaps are seriously hindering the UN World Food Program (WFP) as millions more people face the threat of food shortages and famine in Myanmar, the WFP warned on Friday. see more.. New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The United States has approved the sale of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of 82 million, saying the deal will support its national security and foreign policy and help strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Defense delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Monday, and the State Department approved the Foreign Military Sale to the Indian government. Nominations Open for Wyoming Business Hall of Fame Nominations for the 2021 class of the Wyoming Business Hall of Fame are now being accepted. The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, Sept. 1. The Wyoming Business Hall of Fame is a joint venture among the Daniels Fund, the University of Wyoming College of Business, the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation. The recipient of the award will be recognized at the 2021 Governors Business Forum Nov. 16-18 at Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne. The forum is Wyomings premier business conference for analysis and discussion about the states current economic and business climate. To nominate an individual, or to learn more about the business forum, visit www.wyomingbusinessalliance.com. Completed nomination forms can be sent to office@wyoba.com. To be considered for the Wyoming Business Hall of Fame, an individuals record of business achievement should reflect business excellence; entrepreneurial spirit; courageous thinking and action; inspiring leadership; community impact; enduring accomplishments; and an unwavering commitment to ethical leadership. Recipients can be honored posthumously. Nominees for the award may be Wyoming residents, have attended UW or have business interests within Wyoming. Consideration will be given to any nominee who fulfills one or more of these requirements. Additionally, nominees may have started and built a business or have led an established business to significantly greater achievements. Two categories of awards for consideration are: -- Contemporary/visionary: An emerging business leader or entrepreneur who has a dynamic vision for Wyomings future. -- Legacy: A business leader who has made historic and significant long-term contributions to the business community. In leading the selection process, a selected group of individuals will evaluate the nominees business career, achievement record and ethical conduct. For more information, call Kent Noble, UWs Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics, at (307) 760-7860 or email knoble@uwyo.edu. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Halls Sophie Garner-MacKinnon has been named the 2020-21 Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year, according to a release from Gatorade. Garner-MacKinnon is the first Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Hall High School. Details Released on 6-Vehicle I-24 Crash By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The Paducah Police Department released more details about Tuesday's six-vehicle crash on I-24, including the name of the the driver who died.Police said Olimpo J. Gonzalez of California was killed while driving a tractor-trailer that rear-ended another semi backed up from construction on the Illinois side of the I-24 Ohio River Bridge.The resulting chain-reaction crash involved a third semi and three other vehicles. Others injured included Joseph Montgomery and Derrington Jones of Florida; William Niepoetter of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; and Dan Dawson and Claudio Gonzalez of Texas.Bobby Wilbanks of Alabama and Carl H. Scott of Paducah were also drivers in the crash, but they and their passengers were unhurt.I-24 was closed for almost 11 hours while the vehicles were removed and an environmental clean-up company cleared the road of a large amount of oil, diesel fuel and debris. Five Killed in Clarks River Road Crash Identified By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The McCracken County Sheriff's Office released more details about the crash that killed five people Monday on Clarks River Road.The crash happened at the west end of the Clarks River Bridge and blocked the road for several hours.The Sheriff's Office said a car pulled out of the driveway of a business and into the path of a semi and trailer.All five occupants of the car were pronounced deceased at the scene. The Sheriff's Office said the car was driven by 23-year-old Monica Jewell of LaCenter, while the other passengers in the car were 26-year-old Trevor Doom of LaCenter, 44-year-old Eddie Knight of Eddyville, 14-year-old Alexander Hudson of Marion and 54-year-old Linda Young of Marion.The Sheriff's Office said the investigation into the cause of the collision is still ongoing and no further information will be released at this time. 'Fill the Fire Truck' Today With School Supplies By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The Paducah Fire Department invites everyone to help Paducah students during today's Fill the Fire Truck with School Supplies campaign.Firefighters will collect school supply donations day at the Southside Walmart on Irvin Cobb Drive from 9 a.m. to noon, and at the Hinckleville Road Walmart from 1 to 4 p.m.Donations will also be accepted through Tuesday at the Fire Prevention Division office in City Hall.Here are some suggested school supply items to donate:Yellow #2 Pencils, Erasers, Black or Blue Ink PensPlastic School BoxPlastic Pocket FoldersComposition NotebooksLoose Leaf Notebook paperSpiral NotebooksHighlightersGraph PaperProtractorThree-ring bindersGlue SticksDivider TabsPrinter Paper ReamsFlash DrivesBackpacksClipboardsRulersEarbuds (with cord)Individually wrapped food including fruit snacks, tuna salad kits, peanut butter or cheese crackers, potato chips, applesauce and fruit cups, Pop Tarts, and granola bars. IL Woman's Body Found in Woods Identified By West Kentucky Star Staff MARION, IL - An Illinois woman whose remains were found in the woods near Marion has been identified.The Marion Police Department said the woman was positively identified as 35-year-old Kathleen N. Andrews of West Frankfort. Police believe she was homeless and had been living in the same wooded area where she was found.Andrews' remains were found on July 23. An autopsy was previously performed, and foul play is not suspected. Dawson Named Semifinalist for Teacher of the Year By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A Murray Elementary School third grade teacher has been named a semifinalist in this year's Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award.The Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc. announced Kandi Dawson as one of ten semifinalists for the Kentucky Teacher of the Year award.Murray Superintendent Coy Samons said, This a well-deserved honor and best wishes to Mrs. Dawson during the next stage.Winners of the elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year awards, in addition to the overall Kentucky Teacher of the Year, will be announced in a virtual ceremony in September.Competing for elementary Teacher of the Year are:Kandi Dawson, Murray Elementary (Murray Independent)Cindy Hundley, Gutermuth Elementary (Jefferson County)Miranda Newland, Campbell Elementary (Raceland-Worthington Independent)Ashley Ritchie, Beechwood Elementary (Beechwood Independent)The middle school semifinalists are:Hallie Booth, Ballyshannon Middle (Boone County)Jason Hand, Stuart Academy (Jefferson County)Morgan Preston, Corbin Middle (Corbin Independent)In the high school category, the semifinalists are:Jodie Carnes, Lynn Camp School (Knox County)Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr., Montgomery County HighJennifer Sims, Hart County HighMurray Elementary School principal Denise Whitaker said the MES staff is beyond excited for Mrs. Dawson. Advancing to the next level as semi-finalist, along with nine other Kentucky teachers is a truly deserved recognition for Mrs. Dawsons exemplary service and success with our students.The 10 semifinalists are among 24 educators in Kentucky who were named Teacher Achievement Award winners. They were chosen based on their scores from the first round of judging, which was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators. Applications included nominees teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities and letters of recommendation.A virtual presentation and interview with each of the 10 semifinalists will result in the selection of the Elementary School, Middle School and High School Teachers of the Year.The finalist with the highest cumulative score will be named the Kentucky Teacher of the Year. That individual will go on to represent Kentucky in the National Teacher of the Year competition. Graves County Sheriff Looking For Wanted Men By West Kentucky Star Staff GRAVES COUNTY - The Graves County Sheriffs Office is searching for two wanted men on unrelated outstanding arrest warrants and they are asking for the public's help in finding them.The Sheriff's Office said 45-year-old Stanley Franklin is wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for theft by deception including cold checks under $10,000. They say he has connections to the Water Valley community.Twenty-one-year-old Tyson Chambers is wanted on multiple outstanding arrest warrants for charges that include fleeing and evading police 1st degree, driving on a DUI suspended operators license 2nd degree, reckless driving and numerous other traffic violations.Anyone with information about Franklin or Chambers is asked to call the Graves County Sheriffs Office at 270-247-4501. Murray Teen Hurt in Single-Vehicle Crash By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A Murray teen was injured Tuesday in a single-vehicle crash.The Calloway County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded at 8:15 a.m. to the crash in the the 3000 block of Pottertown Road. They arrived to find an overturned vehicle off the roadway.Deputies said their preliminary investigation showed 19-year-old Makenzie Underhill was driving northbound on Highway 280 when her vehicle ran off the road and overturned.Underhill was taken to Murray-Calloway County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.The Calloway County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by Calloway County Fire-Rescue Department. Pedestrian Killed in Murray Collision By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A pedestrian died Monday night after being hit by a vehicle in Murray.Murray police responded to the collision on US 641 at Center Drive.Police said 26-year-old Taylor Schaff told them she was driving on US 641 when she struck someone in the roadway that she had not seen.The identity of the pedestrian was not released. FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves to a supporter as he arrives home in Chicago after his release from prison. On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, a federal judge put an early end to Blagojevich's two-year period of supervised release. PHOTO:AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File Blagojevich Sues for Right to Run Again By The Associated Press CHICAGO - Ex-con and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich sued his home state Monday for booting him from the governors seat after his 2008 arrest for corruption and stripping him of his right to run for elective office in Illinois.Before filing the lawsuit, an unapologetic Blagojevich declared to reporters that he is back. He says he hasnt decided if he will seek to run for anything if he succeeds in eliminating the legal hurdles. But he said he was leaving that option open.Then-President Donald Trump freed Blagojevich in February 2020 after he had served eight years of a 14-year sentence.The lawsuit argues the way legislators went at impeaching and ousting him was unconstitutional, including because he wasnt allowed to call and question witnesses. UofL Reaches Settlement with Former President By The Associated Press LOUISVILLE - The University of Louisville and its investment foundation have agreed to an $800,000 settlement stemming from a legal battle with its ex-president.It closes a turbulent chapter on campus. It settles U of L's lawsuit against ex-campus President James Ramsey and other former executives. Under the deal, the money will go to the universitys foundation, which oversees the schools investments.Campus officials say the $800,000 will be paid for the defendants through an insurance policy that covered foundation officers. It amounts to a sliver of what the university claimed it suffered in damages from what it contended was Ramseys mismanagement. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-02 20:49:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday issued warnings for flash floods in parts of the country. East China's Fujian Province and northwest China's Qinghai Province are highly likely to see flash floods from 8 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to a yellow alert issued jointly by the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration. The authorities also warned of possible flash floods caused by heavy rains in other parts of the country, issuing a blue alert for parts of Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Gansu. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-02 21:38:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Trees are seen burned by wildfires near Manavgat, a resort town of Antalya province, Turkey, on Aug. 2, 2021. Turkey has been battling wildfires that erupted in the southern and southwestern coastal resort towns and have lasted six days, officials announced Monday. Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli pointed out that the fire in Manavgat continues and has the potential to cause new evacuations. (Xinhua) ISTANBUL, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has been battling wildfires that erupted in the southern and southwestern coastal resort towns and have lasted six days, officials announced Monday. "We have controlled 125 out of the 132 fires in the last five days, and are still fighting the remaining seven ones," Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli told reporters in Mugla Province. Firefighters have hard times in Marmaris and Bodrum, the resort towns of Mugla Province, because of a low humidity rate which dropped to 10 percent in the morning hours. "Under normal conditions, the humidity should not be below 30 percent," Pakdemirli explained. He pointed out that the fire in Manavgat, a resort town of Antalya province, continues and has the potential to cause new evacuations. According to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, approximately 10,000 citizens have been evacuated from their houses in Mugla. Soylu said eight neighborhoods were completely deserted while five others partially evacuated as blazes hit the residential areas. The fires have claimed eight lives so far in Turkey. Meanwhile, the European Union announced that the bloc would send three firefighting planes from Croatia and Spain after Turkey activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on Sunday. "The EU stands in full solidarity with Turkey at this very difficult time," the EU said in a statement. Amid the ongoing fires, Turkey has experienced "unplanned" wide-scale power outages on Monday in at least 14 big cities including Istanbul, the capital Ankara, and Izmir. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said in a written statement that partial interruptions occurred because of high demand for electricity prompted by high temperatures. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-02 21:42:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from torrential rains in central China's Henan Province has risen to 302 as of Monday noon, the information office of the provincial government told a press briefing on Monday afternoon. Another 50 people remain missing, said the office. A total of 292 people were confirmed dead and 47 missing in Zhengzhou City, the provincial capital, seven people dead and three missing in Xinxiang City, while the city of Pingdingshan and Luohe reported two and one death, respectively. As of Monday noon, more than 14.53 million people in 150 county-level regions had been affected by downpours. Over 1.09 million hectares of crops were damaged, and over 30,600 houses had collapsed across the province, official data showed. Since July 16, record rainstorms had inundated Henan. In Zhengzhou, 617.1 mm of rainfall fell over a three-day period, close to the city's average annual amount. The city also registered a record hourly precipitation rate of 201.9 mm. Extreme rainfall in a short period of time, disruption of urban traffic, and large water displacement of urban underground space have made search and rescue difficult, said officials at the press briefing. Currently, railways, civil aviation, expressways and major roads in Henan have resumed traffic. The urban and rural public transportation and communication networks have also basically resumed. Areas where disaster-affected people have been relocated, public transport, and flood-affected areas have all completed disinfection. The State Council, China's cabinet, announced Monday that it has decided to set up an investigation team to assess the responses to the devastating flood in Zhengzhou. The team will be headed by the Ministry of Emergency Management and include officials and experts from relevant departments, the State Council said in a statement. The investigation aims to summarize the experience and lessons drawn from the response and propose measures that can be taken to improve disaster prevention and relief in the future, the statement said. Those who are found breaching their duties in the flood will be held responsible according to the law and regulations, it added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 03:17:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Middle East and North Africa expressed on Monday its concern about the increasing COVID-19 transmissions in the region. "The COVID-19 transmission in the region could spark a domino effect with catastrophic health, social and economic impacts," IFRC said in a statement, urging vaccination to be stepped up with reinforcement of protection measures. The statement reported the greatest number of new cases in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia with Tunisia reporting the greatest increase in new reported deaths. IFRC warned that health systems are on the verge of collapse and the vaccination rates in the Middle East and North Africa region continue to lag dangerously behind. "Lower rate on vaccination will only prolong the pandemic, not just in the region, but globally. Many countries are facing other vulnerabilities, including conflict, natural disasters, water shortages, displacement, and other disease outbreaks," said Haytham Qosa, head of IFRC MENA Health Unit. Qosa emphasized the need for global solidarity to ensure equitable vaccine access in the region to reduce the likelihood of variants. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 04:49:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. President Joe Biden returns to the White House after spending the weekend in Camp David, in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Aug. 2, 2021. The White House said on Monday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not have the legal authority to renew an eviction ban to prevent millions of American renters of being forced from their homes during the re-surging of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday called on all states and cities to extend or put in place policies to freeze evictions for at least two months, citing the rising urgency of containing the spread of the Delta variant. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not have the legal authority to renew an eviction ban to prevent millions of American renters of being forced from their homes during the re-surging of the coronavirus pandemic. Facing growing pressure from Democratic lawmakers over the weekend, the White House said that so far the CDC has been "unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium." "In the meantime, the President will continue to do everything in his power to help renters from eviction," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. Also on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden called on all states and cities to extend or put in place policies to freeze evictions for at least two months, citing the rising urgency of containing the spread of the Delta variant. The president also urged landlords to hold off on evictions for the next 30 days as the White House scrambles for solution to the eviction ban, suggesting that rather than evicting tenants who are behind in their payments, landlords can seek federal emergency rental assistance recently allocated for them. The U.S. Congress failed to extend the ban on Friday when the federal eviction moratorium issued by the CDC expired. The Supreme Court ruled in late June that the ban can remain in place through the end of July but the CDC overstepped its authority when it created the policy and any further extension would require congressional authorization. "Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has made clear that this option is no longer available," Psaki said, urging the Congress to extend the eviction moratorium "without delay." House Democratic leaders said over the weekend that "it is clear" the evenly split Senate won't extend the eviction moratorium, urging the White House to take unilateral action. The moratorium was credited with keeping more than two million renters in their homes during the rampant pandemic across the country, said a USA Today report. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 05:21:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (C) speaks at a press conference in Washington D.C., the United States, Oct. 3, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Lindsey Graham is the first U.S. senator known to test positive for the coronavirus in months, and the first known "breakthrough" case among vaccinated senators, according to media. WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lindsey Graham, a veteran U.S. Republican Senator, said on Monday afternoon that he has tested positive for COVID-19 even after being fully vaccinated. Graham is the first U.S. senator known to test positive for the coronavirus in months, and the first known "breakthrough" case among vaccinated senators, according to a The Hill report. The senator said he started having flu-like symptoms on Saturday night and went to the House physician on Monday morning. Hours later he was informed that he tested positive for the virus. "I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms," he tweeted, "I will be quarantining for ten days." "I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse," he added. Local media said Graham showed up at the Capitol on Monday and briefly spoke to reporters. Less than 1 percent of fully vaccinated people experience a breakthrough COVID-19 infection in the country, said a CNN report on Monday, citing a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official state data. The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that less than 0.004 percent of people who have been fully vaccinated experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization, and less than 0.001 percent have died from the disease. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 06:10:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Members of the Afghan security personnel and Public Uprising Forces exchange fire with Taliban militants in Shiberghan city, capital of Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan, July 22, 2021. (Photo by Kawa Basharat/Xinhua) "I don't think we have quite come to the idea of a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan," said T.S. Tirumurti, the Indian UN ambassador. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council is not considering a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan although the situation in the country is a matter of grave concern in light of the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. forces, said T.S. Tirumurti, the Indian UN ambassador, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of August. "At this point of time, I think we are looking at how the talks shape up. At this point of time, we are hoping the talks, the peace talks, will yield results. We are also hoping that there will be no military solution," he told reporters on Monday. "That is where the focus has been right now. I don't think we have quite come to the idea of a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan," he said. The situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the Security Council, he noted. The violence is increasing. Women, girls, and minorities are being systematically targeted. Recently there was an attack on the UN compound in Herat, said Tirumurti. "In fact, I expect that probably the Security Council will be looking at these aspects sooner rather than later on Afghanistan," he said. The United Nations has no peacekeepers in Afghanistan. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan is a political mission. Photo taken on July 21, 2021 shows a damaged vehicle at the site of a bomb explosion in Khogiani district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. (Str/Xinhua) Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Monday that the world body is taking the security of UN staff in Afghanistan seriously. "We clearly take the security of our staff extremely seriously. It is being assessed on a regular basis, whether in Afghanistan or any other high violence zone in which we operate by definition," he said. Ultimately, the responsibility of the protection of UN staff is with the local authorities. But the United Nations also takes the necessary measures, he said. "We work with the local authorities. We also take our own precautions. As the situation evolves, we will take the necessary precautions." Asked whether a different mandate or a stronger mandate from the Security Council in Afghanistan will be helpful, not only for UN workers but for the people of Afghanistan, he said, "What would be helpful is for a political settlement to take place, for a halt to the violence, and a political settlement that takes into consideration the human rights gains made by all Afghans but especially Afghan women and the minorities in Afghanistan over the recent years." Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 06:52:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The board of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to 650 billion U.S. dollars, the largest allocation in the IMF's history, in an effort to boost global liquidity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an IMF statement released Monday. "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. Noting that the SDR allocation will benefit all IMF members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy, Georgieva said it will particularly help the most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The general allocation of SDRs will become effective on Aug. 23, according to the statement. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 14:31:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's top market watchdog has launched an investigation against auto chip dealers over suspicions of price gouging to address issues including price hyping in the market. China's State Administration For Market Regulation said it will continue to monitor market price order of major products such as chips, further strengthen supervision and law enforcement, and punish illegal acts such as hoarding, price hyping and price collusion. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 14:56:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A woman walks past a sign of face mask requirement before entering the New York Public Library in New York City, the United States, Aug. 2, 2021. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday strongly recommended everyone to wear a mask in indoor settings, following a surge in citywide COVID-19 infections. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:20:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HOHHOT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 13 others injured in a fire at a shop in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, local authorities said. The fire took place at about 8:20 a.m. on July 26 in the city of Ordos, Inner Mongolia's regional emergency management department said Monday. Investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:28:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's gold consumption went up 69.21 percent year on year to 547.05 tonnes in the first half of this year. The demand not only surged significantly year on year but also hovered above pre-pandemic levels, industry data showed Tuesday. Consumption of gold jewelry in the Chinese market rose 67.68 percent from a year earlier to 348.56 tonnes in the January-June period, according to data released by the China Gold Association (CGA). During the same period, the fluctuation of gold prices and the recovery of the Chinese domestic economy fueled investment demand for the yellow metal. According to the CGA, consumption of gold coins and bars soared 96.28 percent year-on-year to 151.1 tonnes in H1, while consumption of gold for industrial and other use grew by 23.28 percent from a year earlier to 47.39 tonnes. In contrast, gold-backed ETF experienced a slight outflow of 3.7 tonnes in the second quarter, mainly because some investors chose to trade the investments to cash. The modest outflows only partly offset the strong inflows from the first six months. According to the CGA, in the first half of this year, holdings of gold ETFs listed in China saw an increase of 7.76 tonnes, bringing the total holdings of gold ETFs in the Chinese market to 68.67 tonnes. China produced 152.75 tonnes of gold in the first six months of this year, a decrease of 17.32 tonnes or 10.18 percent compared to the same period of last year, CGA data showed. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:58:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai exported 206,000 motor vehicles in the first half of 2021 (H1), up 1.65 times from the same period last year, Shanghai Customs said Tuesday. The total value increased to 20.64 billion yuan (about 3.19 billion U.S. dollars), up 1.9 times year on year, said the customs, adding that the volume and value of the exported vehicles reached a record high. With more cars sold to developed economies, Shanghai exported 63,000 vehicles to the European Union (EU), Australia and the United States in H1, accounting for 30.5 percent of its total exports. A total of 60,000 electric vehicles were exported by the metropolis from January to June, increasing 7.5 times year on year and accounting for 34.3 percent of the country's total. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 16:20:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on July 29, 2021 shows fireworks celebrating the successful connection of the Peljesac Bridge at Mali Ston Bay near Komarna of southern Croatia. (Ivo Cagalj/Pixsell via Xinhua) "Tonight we have achieved a goal that solves a 300-year-old problem," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in his speech during a ceremony on the Peljesac Bridge built together by a Chinese contractor and its European partners. by Xinhua writer Gao Lei ZAGREB, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The joy and excitement from the successful joining of the Peljesac Bridge on Wednesday night have not faded for many in Croatia, reconnectting the country's territories. It is a long-awaited bridge built together by a Chinese contractor and its European partners. The 2.4-km cable-stayed bridge over the Mali Ston Bay of the Adriatic Sea connects Croatian mainland and the Peljesac Peninsula of its southernmost Dubrovnik-Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of Bosnian and Herzegovina's territory, giving Croatia its territorial continuity and traffic convenience. It will be open to traffic in 2022 when all relevant constructions are finished. RELIABLE CONTRACTORS A Chinese consortium led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) won the bid to build the first phase of the Peljesac Bridge and its access roads in 2018, with a promise to finish the job in 36 months. "The CRBC performed a marvelous job. We are now witnessing a physical linkage of the bridge three months ahead of the planned deadline despite the COVID-19 (pandemic), and the difficulties in the transport from China to Croatia. I think it is a fantastic achievement," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Xinhua at the construction site on the Peljesac Peninsula. Photo taken on July 28, 2021 shows the final piece of steel box girder being lifted at Mali Ston Bay near Komarna of southern Croatia. (Grgo Jelavic/Pixsell via Xinhua) The prime minister and hundreds of others waited patiently until after midnight on Thursday for the joining of the final bridge part and a grand celebration that followed. "Tonight we have achieved a goal that solves a 300-year-old problem," Plenkovic said in his speech during the ceremony on the newly-built bridge. "It is a fascinating strategic achievement of the Croatian people and state and a picture of modern sovereignty that defines how to achieve strategic national interests and what has been the goal of the Croatian people and state for years," he said. BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP On May 27, Hungary inaugurated the country's largest solar power plant, which was built by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) near the country's southwestern city of Kaposvar. "The government of Hungary was supportive of our goal from the start, even though our project with 100MW capacity might have seemed too grandiose to some people back then, when the average size of a solar power plant was less than one MW," said CMC Chairman Kang Hubiao. The supportive attitude of the Hungarian government dates back to 2010, Hungary's Minister for Innovation and Technology Laszlo Palkovics explained to Xinhua, saying that the Hungarian government introduced its "Eastern Opening" policy in 2010 with China as its main actor. Photo taken on May 27, 2021 shows the Kaposvar solar power plant in Kaposvar, Hungary. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) The opening of the Kaposvar solar power plant is crucial to reaching Hungary's carbon-neutral goal, as the production of electricity in the country should fully come from clean sources by 2030, Palkovics noted. The plant, worth around 100 million euros (122 million U.S. dollars), is expected to produce 130 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and help Hungary reduce its carbon-dioxide emissions by about 120,000 tonnes each year. In 2010 when China's COSCO Shipping took over the management of Piraeus container terminal, the site was rather quiet for the largest port in Greece in a geostrategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, it has been expanded, upgraded, linked to the railway and the image of huge new cranes uploading numerous containers on vessels docked here has become a modern, iconic image of Piraeus. In 2010, container handling in Piraeus totaled 880,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent units (TEUs), while it reached 5.4 million TEUs last year despite the challenges of COVID-19. Sino-Greek collaboration here is an exemplary success story of win-win partnership also in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). "It (Piraeus port project) has prospered very much for Greece, but it also has been very useful for both in relations between China and Europe as it is now a major trading hub, transportation hub for goods both ways," former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou told Xinhua in a recent interview. FAIR PLAY Greece enjoys the benefits of its healthy relationship with China in the context of the BRI and will continue cooperation on this path, Spiros Lambridis, Greece's permanent representative to NATO, has said. "At this point all that we are getting out of this is the benefits of a healthy and very legitimate commercial relationship," he said in an interview with CNBC in June, pointing to the large and successful case of bilateral collaboration under the BRI in Greece -- Chinese COSCO Shipping's investment project at the Piraeus Port. Aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows the COSCO Shipping Pisces approaching Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua/Wu Lu) "The Chinese squarely and openly won the commercial part of the Piraeus port ... Now Piraeus has become again, due to the investment and the national efforts, the first biggest port of the Mediterranean," Lambridis stressed. "The Chinese consortium had the best offer under the public procurement process that the Croatian Roads organized, and I don't see why this project wouldn't be an excellent reference for CRBC for future tenders across the member states of the European Union," Plenkovic told Xinhua. "I think this is a fantastic project that is bringing closer not only two parts of the territory of Croatia ... but also the project brings together three actors: Croatia, European Union, because it's co-financed by the EU funds, and China," the prime minister added. (Yu Shuaishuai in Athens, Yuan Liang in Budapest, Zhang Xiuzhi in Sarajevo, and Shi Zhongyu in Belgrad also contributed to the story.) Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 16:32:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MACAO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming election of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is completely the internal affairs of the Macao SAR and China, which brook no foreign interference. The decision by the Electoral Affairs Commission to disqualify certain candidates was an exercise of power endowed by the law. It has been affirmed by the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao SAR. The decision and court ruling were based on solid legal foundation and facts that the candidates concerned failed to uphold the Macao SAR Basic Law or pledge allegiance to the SAR -- both are the requirements laid down by the Basic Law of the Macao SAR. Comments on the issue by the U.S. State Department and the European External Action Service were blatant interference in Macao affairs, which are China's internal affairs. They constituted a serious violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China deplores and rejects the wanton comments made time and again by relevant sides on affairs of China's Hong Kong and Macao SARs. The decision by the Electoral Affairs Commission does not run counter to the rights of Macao residents guaranteed by the law. Their basic rights, including the right to stand for elections and the freedom of speech, are not only protected by the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and relevant laws, but also fully safeguarded by Macao SAR's administrative, legislative and judicial organs. "Patriots administering Macao" is the fundamental rule that must be followed in order to comprehensively and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle. Only patriots should be allowed to enter Macao's governance structure. This is an indispensable red line that must be safeguarded. Having made remarkable achievements on various fronts since its return to China over two decades ago, Macao will only have a brighter future guided by the "one country, two systems" principle. Any external attempt to interfere in Macao affairs, which are China's internal affairs, is doomed to fail. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 16:57:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to 650 billion U.S. dollars, the largest in the IMF's history, in an effort to boost global liquidity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement released Monday. "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Noting that the SDR allocation will benefit all IMF members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy, Georgieva said it will particularly help the most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. About 275 billion dollars (about SDR 193 billion) of the new allocation will go to emerging markets and developing countries, including low-income countries, according to the multilateral lender. "SDRs are a welcome finance mechanism for Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa, they are not conditional, a country can utilize the funds as according to their own blueprints," Gorden Moyo, founder of Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe, was quoted by the Sunday Mail as saying. According to the recently released update to the IMF's World Economic Outlook (WEO), many countries entered this crisis with high debt levels and limited resources to ramp up health and social spending, and access to international liquidity is "vital" to help them combat the crisis. "At a time when many of these countries face difficult choices between meeting essential health and social spending needs, supporting their economies more broadly, and fulfilling obligations on external borrowing, the SDR allocation is set to ease some of the constraints and help them better manage the trade-offs," the report said. The SDR allocation would also add to existing IMF and broader multilateral efforts, such as the Group of 20 (G20) Debt Service Suspension Initiative, directed toward cushioning the impact of the pandemic on financially constrained economies, according to the report. Moreover, the IMF noted that the new SDR allocation will "address a long-term global need" to supplement existing reserve assets. While subject to uncertainty, IMF staff estimates the long-term global need for reserve assets in the range of 1.1 to 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars (about SDR 0.8 to 1.3 trillion) over the next five years. An SDR allocation of 650 billion U.S. dollars (about SDR 453 billion) would cover about 30-60 percent of the estimated global reserve need. The SDR allocation proposal was delayed for more than a year, as the United States, the IMF's biggest shareholder with a unique veto power, blocked it early last year under the Trump administration. The Biden administration quickly reversed the position and voiced its support for the plan. The proposal gained wide support during the virtual spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank held in April, as G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as officials from other IMF members, backed the plan. The final approval by the IMF board of governors, which requires an 85-percent majority of the total voting power of all IMF members, came just weeks after the IMF executive board approved the proposal. The new general allocation of SDRs will become effective on Aug. 23, according to the IMF. The SDR, an international reserve asset created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries' official reserves, can be exchanged among governments for freely usable currencies in times of need. So far, SDR 204.2 billion (equivalent to about 293 billion U.S. dollars) have been allocated to members, including SDR 182.6 billion allocated in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis, IMF data showed. The Chinese currency, renminbi, formally became the fifth currency in the SDR basket on Oct. 1, 2016, joining the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, and the British pound. Georgieva said the IMF will also continue to engage actively with its membership to identify "viable" options for voluntary channeling of SDRs from wealthier to poorer and more vulnerable member countries to support their pandemic recovery and achieve resilient and sustainable growth. One key option is for members that have strong external positions to voluntarily channel part of their SDRs to scale up lending for low-income countries through the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), the statement noted, adding that concessional support through the PRGT is currently interest free. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 18:01:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VIENTIANE -- The Lao government has decided to extend the current nationwide lockdown to Aug. 18 as the COVID-19 cases continued to rise. Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Office, Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday that the lockdown will be extended as the COVID-19 situation in Laos is not yet fully under control and the situation in neighboring countries remained risky.(Laos-Lockdown-Extension) - - - - SEOUL -- South Korea confirmed a total of 1,132 "breakthrough" COVID-19 infections, which refer to people who tested positive after a full vaccination, the health authorities said Tuesday. The number of the fully vaccinated people who were infected with COVID-19 was 1,132 as of July 29, up from 779 a week earlier, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).(South Korea-Breakthrough infections) - - - - KABUL -- Forty-one Taliban militants were killed and 32 others wounded during battles in Herat city, western Afghanistan, the country's Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday. On early Tuesday, Afghan security forces, backed by local Public Uprising Forces, continued heavy fighting, as the clashes entered its sixth day and security forces retook more neighborhoods in the city, capital of western Herat province.(Afghanistan-Militants) - - - - NEW DELHI -- A helicopter belonging to Indian army Tuesday crashed in a dam in the northern Indian state of Punjab, local media reports said. So far there are no immediate reports of any casualty in the crash.(India-Helicopter crash) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 18:36:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on July 31, 2021 shows a vegetation buffer belt at the Huangtaihu Lake water conservation scenic spot in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Like many other cities in north China, Qian'an used to fall victim to urban flooding during rainy seasons. But things have changed for the better since 2015 when the city was included in a national pilot program for "sponge city construction." Following the principle of precipitation reserving, permeating and clarifying in natural ways, the local authority set out to build a city that "breathes." Several years of uncompromising efforts not only put an end to urban flooding but also enabled a tremendous improvement in water supply and ecological system. Qian'an has therefore set itself as an example of "sponge city construction" for its peers in north China. Aerial photo taken on Aug. 1, 2021 shows a project for comprehensive utilization of precipitation in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province. It helps absorb part of run-off incurred by precipitation in the city proper. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) People ride bicycles in rain on a road paved with permeable surface in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province, on July 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) A woman walks with her child on a trail paved with permeable surface at a residential compound in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province, on Aug. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) An opening is seen in the road curb, which ducts water away from road surface during precipitation, in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province, on Aug. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Aerial photo taken on Aug. 1, 2021 shows a natural pond that helps reserve precipitation in the ecological corridor in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Photo taken on Aug. 1, 2021 shows a sunk vegetation area at a residential compound in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) A staff member explains the working mechanism of a sponge city over a model at an exhibition center in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province, on Aug. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) A staff member tests the function of permeable surface of a road in a primary school in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province, on Aug. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 18:52:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported four new imported cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total tally to 11,994. The new imported cases involved patients arriving in Hong Kong from Greece and Turkey. A total of 32 cases have been reported in the past 14 days, and all were imported, according to the CHP. Hong Kong launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 26, and more than 5.78 million doses have been administered so far. Some 3.29 million people, or about 48.4 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the vaccine, and more than 2.49 million people have been fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 19:12:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 civilians have been killed and scores wounded in Lashkar Gah city, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand since early Monday, the UN mission in the country confirmed on Tuesday. "Deepening concern for Afghan civilians in Lashkar Gah as fighting worsens. Latest reports show 118 civilians injured & 40 killed within last 24 hours as Taliban continue ground assault & Afghan Army attempts to repel," UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) wrote on Twitter. The city has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent days after Taliban militants have launched an offensive from several directions, trying to take control of the whole city. The mission urged immediate end to fighting in urban areas as fighting raged in several Afghan cities in recent days. "Parties must do more to protect civilians or impact will be catastrophic," the mission said. The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as more than 1,650 civilians were killed and over 3,250 others wounded due to fighting in the first six months of 2021, according to figures provided by UNAMA recently. UNAMA has attributed 64 percent of civilian casualties to Taliban and other militants, 25 percent to pro-government security forces, while 11 percent of all civilian casualties were attributed to crossfire during ground engagements where the exact party responsible could not be determined, and other incident types. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:05:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on Aug. 3, 2021 shows passenger train No. G9147 from Jinzhou North to Dalian operating along the newly opened Chaoyang-Linghai high-speed railway in northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) Bhokin Bhalakula, former Thai deputy prime minister, said he was impressed by the spirit of sacrifice of the CPC members, who, since the founding of the party, have resolved to devote not only their happiness but also their lives to the good of the people and the country. BANGKOK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led China to make miraculous development achievements with good governance, bringing enlightenment to other countries' political parties, said Bhokin Bhalakula, former Thai deputy prime minister. The people-centered philosophy of the CPC helped eradicate extreme poverty in China, and transform the country from an impoverished backwater into the world's second-largest economy, Bhokin, now president of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "It's unbelievable that China has made the achievements in such a short period of time," he said. Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2021 shows a view of a relocation site for poverty alleviation at Huawu Village in Xinren Miao Township, Qianxi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Under the CPC's leadership, China, the country with the largest population in the world, has achieved complete eradication of extreme poverty, lifting more than 770 million poor people out of poverty since the beginning of its reform and opening up over 40 years ago. Having been to China dozens of times over the past decades, Bhokin said the country has gone through such drastic changes that some places have become unrecognizable. Recalling his first trip to China in the 1990s, Bhokin said bicycles dominated the streets of Beijing at that time, while in Shanghai, big buildings lined up one side of the Huangpu River that separates the city, but the other side was little more than muddy sites. "It is now totally different," he said. Luo Chaobing (2nd L), a Communist Party of China (CPC) member, learns about farmer's preparation for ploughing in Dingdan Village, Rongjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Ying) Bhokin said he was impressed by the spirit of sacrifice of the CPC members, who, since the founding of the party, have resolved to devote not only their happiness but also their lives to the good of the people and the country. The spirit has been carried forward as most of those who fight COVID-19 at the frontline in China are CPC members, he said. Bhokin spoke highly of China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. "We have only one world, and we have to live together, that's why we must join hands to go against poverty, inequality, terrorism and COVID-19," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:15:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) equivalent to 650 billion U.S. dollars, the largest in the IMF's history, in an effort to boost global liquidity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement released Monday. "This is a historic decision - the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis," said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. - - - - CANBERRA -- A biotechnology company in Australia has developed a tablet potentially capable of putting type 2 diabetes into remission. "Gastric bypass surgery at the top of the small intestine, the duodenum, excluded it from the nutrient flow which seems to have a beneficial effect in controlling glucose," Chris Rayner, a University of Adelaide gastroenterologist, told News Corp Australia. - - - - LIMA -- Peru's foreign policy will promote Latin American integration based on the principle of mutual respect and reciprocal benefit, Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Hector Bejar said Monday. "We will strengthen Latin American integration and cooperation, without ideological distinctions. We will revalue the Andean Community in its special economic, trade, social, cultural and physical integration aspects," Bejar said. - - - - WELLINGTON -- New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr have updated the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on macro-prudential policy to further protect the financial system and support the government's housing objectives. "This change will ensure that the Reserve Bank has the flexibility to respond to emerging financial stability risks and deploy appropriate tools as required," Robertson said on Tuesday. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:48:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Eighty-five years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow traveled to northwest China to find out what Chinese Communists were like. Interviewing people holding up in the revolutionary cradle of Yan'an, Snow was moved by their unconquerable spirit, strength and passion. He wrote the book "Red Star Over China" to record what he considered the rich and splendid essence of human history. The areas Snow set foot in, just like other areas across China, have undergone dramatic changes in the past decades, yet the spirit of Chinese Communists that he witnessed has been passed down from generation to generation. A century on, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has grown from just over 50 members at the time of its founding to the world's largest governing party with more than 95 million members. Having started from nothing, the CPC has led the Chinese people in transforming a poor and lagging country into the second-largest economy in the world. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, summed up the great founding spirit of the CPC in his speech at a ceremony marking the Party's centenary on July 1. Calling it the Party's source of strength, Xi said this founding spirit consists of the following principles: upholding truth and ideals, staying true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. The spirit has demonstrated its strength in various endeavors, be it scientific and technological research, rural vitalization, space programs, social governance, or business operation. At a national key laboratory of hybrid rice in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Wu Jun and his team were doing research on the breeding of rice varieties that are resistant to major diseases, insect pests, high and low temperatures and drought. "Developing super-high-yielding rice varieties is important to ensuring grain security. We will make down-to-earth efforts in pushing forward with the research and live up to the original aspiration of our predecessors," said Wu, deputy director of the laboratory. China in February declared a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty. Over the last few years, more than 1,800 CPC members and officials had sacrificed their lives for the cause. During times of crisis, whether triggered by earthquakes, floods or epidemics, great numbers of Party members have rushed to the forefront without the slightest hesitation. In July, Party members in all lines of work, ranging from rescue workers and medics to engineers and train crew members, have built up a strong force of rescue and recovery after record rainfall triggered severe floods in central China. As the country strives for the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, the Party's founding spirit will continue to inspire the nation to overcome various tests and trials on the way forward, observers said. The Party's founding spirit has a far-reaching influence on the country's younger generation, who will carry the baton for national rejuvenation. "The Age of Awakening," a TV series revolving around the CPC founders, has become a sensation, with a high rating of 9.3 out of 10 based on more than 330,000 reviews on networking platform Douban. Through the series, many young Chinese got to admire revolutionary forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the Party in its early years. Most of the revolutionary martyrs were in their youth when they died. In Shanghai, throngs of young people paid visits to CPC forefathers at Longhua Martyr Cemetery. Flowers and written messages were seen laid at the tombs of the fallen heroes depicted in the series. A generation-Z Party member from Tongji University lamented, "I stare at the starry sky that you once watched, but the land under my feet is in a different time and space." "We are now enjoying a better life, just as you had hoped for," read another message. Also in Shanghai, the memorial of the first National Congress of the CPC has opened an exhibition on the theme of the CPC's founding spirit. "We must do our best to preserve the Party's birthplace to let the great founding spirit of the Party maintain its splendor," said Xue Feng, Party committee secretary of the memorial. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:49:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Minister of Defense and National Service, Elias Kwandikwa, has died at the age of 55 in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam on Monday night. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed the death on Tuesday on her Twitter account, saying that she will remember Kwandikwa for "his competence in leadership and patriotism." Aminiel Aligaesha, the head of public communications of the Muhimbili National Hospital, told Xinhua in a telephone interview that the minister died at around 8 p.m. after undergoing treatment at the facility, but declined to reveal the cause of death. Kwandikwa was appointed Minister of Defense and National Service by Tanzania's former President John Magufuli on Dec. 5, 2020. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:01:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Pamela Zeinoun is pictured at work in St. George Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, on July 30, 2021. One year after the deadly explosions rocked the Beirut port, Pamela Zeinoun, the 26-year-old nurse who saved the lives of three babies, voiced her two expectations. "I hope we can bring justice to people who were affected by the explosions, and those who lost their beloved ones can somehow be relieved," Zeinoun said. Meanwhile, she expected future generations would not experience the same awful circumstances that Lebanese are currently suffering. On Aug. 4, 2020, the Beirut port was hit by two big explosions, destroying a big part of Beirut, killing over 200 people, and injuring more than 6,000 others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) by Dana Halawi BEIRUT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- One year after the deadly explosions rocked the Beirut port, Pamela Zeinoun, the 26-year-old nurse who saved the lives of three babies, voiced her two expectations. "I hope we can bring justice to people who were affected by the explosions, and those who lost their beloved ones can somehow be relieved," Zeinoun said. Meanwhile, she expected future generations would not experience the same awful circumstances that Lebanese are currently suffering. On Aug. 4, 2020, the Beirut port was hit by two big explosions, destroying a big part of Beirut, killing over 200 people, and injuring more than 6,000 others. Estimated as one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions recently, the explosions had a major impact on the country's economy while plunging lots of people into psychological distress. Working at Saint George Hospital close to the Beirut port, Zeinoun did not expect a picture of her on the day of the explosion could touch hearts around the world. In the picture, she was seen holding three newborn babies close to her chest, while making a phone call. "Those babies were the first thing I thought of at the moment of the explosion. I had lived with these babies every single day for one month and could not even imagine for a moment that I'd leave the place without them," Zeinoun recalled. Then she managed to pull the three babies from incubators before a long and hard journey of running out of the hospital, along with one father and his baby who were on the same floor. "The electric power was out given the magnitude of the explosion. It was dark in there, and the sound of the alarm was so high that it was barely possible to hear the frightened people screaming when they were trying to find the way out," Zeinoun said. "It was a horrible experience," she added. After reaching the hospital's ground floor a few minutes later, Zeinoun realized how hard it was to find emergency medical care at the intensive care units of the hospital filled with injured doctors and cadavers. "I figured out I only had one choice: to look for another hospital where I can place the babies in incubators to guarantee their survival until they are found by their parents," said Zeinoun. The roads were covered by debris, so she had to walk for five kilometers to reach another hospital. "You cannot imagine how relieved I felt when I was sure that the babies were safe. I felt they were my responsibility," she added. One year after the catastrophic explosions, the horrific image still haunted Zeinoun. "Several days after the incident, I still could not believe what had happened. I lost a lot of weight as I could not eat or sleep," she said. Currently doing her Master's degree in Hospitals Management at the Lebanese German University, Zeinoun had received multiple job offers from Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Kuwait, given her bravery and courage. "I don't want to leave my country. We've already lived through the worst moments," she said, expecting for a better future. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:16:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,500 families have been displaced over the past two weeks due to intensified military operations in Yemen's central province of al-Bayda, a government official told Xinhua on Tuesday. According to the local official who asked to remain anonymous, "the recent armed confrontations between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi militia over the control of key areas in al-Bayda displaced up to 1,535 families." "The ongoing fighting forced the families to flee their houses in al-Bayda's areas and seek for other safer places in the government-controlled southern province of Lahj," he said. The official indicated that all of the displaced families are living in temporary camps amid lack of basic services, warning that the intensification of fighting might force more families to leave their houses in the turbulent province of al-Bayda. The Iran-allied 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 that withdrew from their sites in al-Bayda and elsewhere in Yemen. Yemen has been locked into a civil war since the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi militia overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthis forced him into exile. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:17:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the two sides should join hands to open up a new era of cooperation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday. Wang made the remarks as he attended the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting via video link. ASEAN enjoys a priority position within China's neighborhood diplomacy, said Wang, adding that new and important progress has been made in the friendly cooperation between the two sides. Noting that China regards ASEAN as its primary partner in the fight against COVID-19, Wang said China has provided more than 190 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the 10 ASEAN countries so far, along with other anti-COVID-19 supplies. Regarding the trade and investment cooperation between China and ASEAN, Wang stressed that in the first half of this year, the bilateral trade exceeded 410 billion U.S. dollars, up 38.2 percent year on year. ASEAN remains China's largest trading partner, and their cumulative investment exceeding 310 billion U.S. dollars. Wang stressed continuing anti-pandemic cooperation. China will try its best to meet the ASEAN need in vaccines and other anti-pandemic materials. China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to firmly oppose politicizing scientific issues, resolutely resist the ravages of the "political virus," and ensure the smooth and healthy development of international anti-pandemic cooperation. He called for cooperation in vigorously promoting economic recovery. China would like to work with ASEAN to implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, and forge their all-round recovery cooperation with trade and investment cooperation as the basis and with the digital economy and green development as new growth points. Wang stressed consolidating the existing regional cooperation framework. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation and ASEAN's greater role in international and regional issues, said Wang, adding that China does not approve or participate in any cooperation mechanism that undermines ASEAN centrality. He called for maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. China will continue to honor its commitments regarding the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). China stresses the peaceful settlement of disputes by countries directly concerned through consultation and negotiation, refraining from unilateral actions that aggravate tensions and widen differences, and deepening practical maritime cooperation. The ASEAN foreign ministers said that China is a rational, wise and reliable force, and it does not fear any power as it seeks to safeguard international fairness and justice, adding that China's development will bring new and greater opportunities for all ASEAN countries. They said that ASEAN is willing to promote regional economic integration and jointly safeguard peace, stability and security in the South China Sea to promote regional development and prosperity with China. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:23:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's global market share has risen substantially in the past two years, defying calls for a "decoupling from China" mainly by the United States, British think tank Oxford Economics said in a report released Tuesday. "A broader analysis of China's global market share trends suggests that its recent rise is driven by gains in developed countries, due in part to the specific nature of the recent expansion of global trade," said the report, generated by Louis Kuijs, head of Asia Economics at the think tank. The report said while this implies that some of the recent jump in China's share of the global trade pie will revert, the strong showing of China's exports to developed countries "confirms that there has been little decoupling thus far." The analysis showed the gains in developed nations partly came from the recent increase in demand for imports, fuelled by a temporary shift from services consumption to goods consumption and a surge in work-from-home demand. "In any case, China's strong export performance since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores that the global supply chains developed in recent decades -- and in which China plays a key role -- are much 'stickier' than many suspected," said Kuijs. China's official data in July showed that the world's second largest economy's foreign trade surged by 27.1 percent year on year to 18.07 trillion yuan (about 2.79 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first half of the year 2021, the best performance in history. In June alone, the country's imports and exports mounted by 22 percent year on year to 3.29 trillion yuan (about 0.5 trillion U.S. dollars), marking an increase for the 13th month in a row, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. The report said the export strength reflected less transitory factors, stressing that "a supportive government has also helped." "In its efforts to 'defend (the country's) role in global supply chains', China's government took measures ranging from cutting fees to helping logistically to get goods to the ports, thus ensuring the availability of products at a time when global supply chains have been under strain," said Kuijs. Responding to these developments, the think tank again adjusted its long-term outlook in early 2021, becoming less bearish on economic decoupling, said the report. "Our global colleagues recently also concluded that, while the U.S. tariffs have depressed U.S. imports from China, there is no evidence so far of a broader decoupling process among developed countries," added Kuijs. According to China's official data, the trade with its top three trading partners -- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, and the United States -- maintained sound growth in the first half of year 2021, with the growth rates of trade value with the three standing at 27.8 percent, 26.7 percent and 34.6 percent, respectively. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:24:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Construction of the main structure of the Xiongan branch of Beijing-based Xuanwu Hospital of the Capital Medical University was completed on Monday. It is the first general hospital built in Xiongan New Area, north China's Hebei Province. The whole project covers an area of 13.17 hectares. On April 1, 2017, China announced plans to establish the Xiongan New Area, located about 100 km southwest of Beijing, aiming to build the 1,770-sq-km area into a green city featuring innovation and a national model of high-quality development. Infrastructure construction is proceeding smoothly in Xiongan's start-up area. Designed to take over Beijing's functions nonessential to its role as the national capital, the start-up area will serve as a new home for Beijing's colleges, hospitals, business headquarters, and financial and public institutions. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:27:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on May 26, 2021 shows a view of Yan'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo by Qi Xiaojun/Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Eighty-five years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow traveled to northwest China to find out what Chinese Communists were like. Interviewing people holding up in the revolutionary cradle of Yan'an, Snow was moved by their unconquerable spirit, strength and passion. He wrote the book "Red Star Over China" to record what he considered the rich and splendid essence of human history. The areas Snow set foot in, just like other areas across China, have undergone dramatic changes in the past decades, yet the spirit of Chinese Communists that he witnessed has been passed down from generation to generation. A century on, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has grown from just over 50 members at the time of its founding to the world's largest governing party with more than 95 million members. Having started from nothing, the CPC has led the Chinese people in transforming a poor and lagging country into the second-largest economy in the world. Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, summed up the great founding spirit of the CPC in his speech at a ceremony marking the Party's centenary on July 1. Calling it the Party's source of strength, Xi said this founding spirit consists of the following principles: upholding truth and ideals, staying true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. The spirit has demonstrated its strength in various endeavors, be it scientific and technological research, rural vitalization, space programs, social governance, or business operation. At a national key laboratory of hybrid rice in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Wu Jun and his team were doing research on the breeding of rice varieties that are resistant to major diseases, insect pests, high and low temperatures and drought. "Developing super-high-yielding rice varieties is important to ensuring grain security. We will make down-to-earth efforts in pushing forward with the research and live up to the original aspiration of our predecessors," said Wu, deputy director of the laboratory. China in February declared a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty. Over the last few years, more than 1,800 CPC members and officials had sacrificed their lives for the cause. Customers purchase decorations for Chinese Lunar New Year in Langzhong city, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo by Wang Yugui/Xinhua) During times of crisis, whether triggered by earthquakes, floods or epidemics, great numbers of Party members have rushed to the forefront without the slightest hesitation. In July, Party members in all lines of work, ranging from rescue workers and medics to engineers and train crew members, have built up a strong force of rescue and recovery after record rainfall triggered severe floods in central China. As the country strives for the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, the Party's founding spirit will continue to inspire the nation to overcome various tests and trials on the way forward, observers said. The Party's founding spirit has a far-reaching influence on the country's younger generation, who will carry the baton for national rejuvenation. "The Age of Awakening," a TV series revolving around the CPC founders, has become a sensation, with a high rating of 9.3 out of 10 based on more than 330,000 reviews on networking platform Douban. Through the series, many young Chinese got to admire revolutionary forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the Party in its early years. Most of the revolutionary martyrs were in their youth when they died. In Shanghai, throngs of young people paid visits to CPC forefathers at Longhua Martyr Cemetery. Flowers and written messages were seen laid at the tombs of the fallen heroes depicted in the series. A generation-Z Party member from Tongji University lamented, "I stare at the starry sky that you once watched, but the land under my feet is in a different time and space." "We are now enjoying a better life, just as you had hoped for," read another message. Also in Shanghai, the memorial of the first National Congress of the CPC has opened an exhibition on the theme of the CPC's founding spirit. "We must do our best to preserve the Party's birthplace to let the great founding spirit of the Party maintain its splendor," said Xue Feng, Party committee secretary of the memorial. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:50:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Akbar Djuraev gave Uzbekistan its third Olympic medal in weightlifting as he beat world champion Simon Martirosyan of Armenia to win the men's 109kg gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games here on Tuesday. The final was billed as a battle between Djuraev and Martirosyan, and it proved to be just that. The European champion Martirosyan snatched the most of 195kg with breeze, and was being chased by the 21-year-old Djuraev, who sat behind by two kilos. Martirosyan, world champion both in 2018 and 2019, was not as competitive as he jerked up 228kg with a total of 423kg, while Djuraev jerked 237, totalling at 430kg to nail the title. Arturs Plesnieks of Latvia, ninth-place-winner in the 2019 worlds, took the bronze medal with 410kg. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 22:09:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LANZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Prehistoric painted pottery has recently gained much traction from archaeological experts home and abroad as the ongoing fifth Majiayao Cultural Festival boosts international research engagement and cooperation. The one-month event kicked off on July 20 in Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, featuring symposiums, exhibitions, and field trips to local archaeological sites. The festival was named after one of the renowned discoveries in the province -- the Majiayao culture -- which mainly developed in the upper reaches of the Yellow River and its tributaries. With more than 5,000 years of history, the Majiayao also witnessed the glories of ancient China's painted pottery. "Scholars have found close similarities in prehistoric painted pottery between the Black Sea area and the upper reaches of the Yellow River," said Li Xinwei, a researcher with the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Our joint research will focus on their potential relation and the reason why the two differed in their later development," added Li. Li's institute has teamed up with the Romanian Academy of Science to excavate a painted pottery site in Gansu in search of new discoveries. Due to the high similarity in the style and decoration of painted pottery in China and Romania previously, some archaeologists put forward the concept of "the painted pottery road." It refers to a possible corridor of early cultural communication between China and the West, which centered on painted pottery long before the Silk Road. "Countries along the Silk Road have a lot in common in their painted pottery culture. The commonalities have laid a cultural foundation for the Silk Road formation," said Li. China also plans to cooperate with Turkmenistan on relevant research. The joint research project will focus on the relations between the common patterns like sawtooth in the Namazga-Tepe culture and decorative designs, including cattle, sheep, and wheat in ancient China's Yangshao Culture. International archaeological cooperation on prehistoric painted pottery enjoys a long history. In 1924, Swedish archaeologist Johan Gunnar Andersson first uncovered sophisticated painted pottery in various shapes in the Majiayao Village, Gansu. Over the years, scholars and experts from institutes and universities worldwide, such as Harvard University and the University of Oxford, have conducted archaeological studies and exchanges with their Chinese counterparts in Majiayao. "The Loess Plateau was like a crossroad where multiple civilizations converged in ancient times, bringing surprise gifts to the archaeology world," Li added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 22:54:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHANGSHA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- All the people in the central Chinese city of Zhangjiajie, including residents and tourists, are not allowed to leave the city from Tuesday as part of efforts to curb the latest resurgence of COVID-19, said the municipal headquarters on COVID-19 prevention and control. Zhangjiajie, a well-known tourist destination in Hunan Province, has provided free hotels and epidemic prevention supplies to the tourists stranded by the epidemic, and arranged medical staff to conduct nucleic acid tests for tourists at their hotels. Meanwhile, Hunan Province sent a psychological medical team to Zhangjiajie to provide mental health counseling to residents, tourists and medical staff. Zhangjiajie closed all tourist sites and upgraded 11 neighborhoods to medium-risk for COVID-19 on July 30. The city has reported 13 locally transmitted confirmed cases and three asymptomatic cases since July 29. In recent days, several Chinese cities have reported spikes in COVID-19 infections. A number of the cases had recently visited Zhangjiajie. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:17:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Over 2,700 attacks on healthcare workers and patients have been recorded in 17 countries or territories affected by conflicts since Dec. 2017, killing 700 people and injuring more than 2,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said here on Tuesday. Presenting the findings of the WHO's latest "Attacks on Health Care" report, the organization's representatives said that one out of six such attacks resulted in a loss of life. "We are deeply concerned that hundreds of health facilities have been destroyed or closed, health workers killed and injured, and millions of people denied the healthcare they deserve in Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria, Mozambique, Nigeria, the occupied Palestinian territory, Myanmar, the Central African Republic and Somalia, among others," the report said. In 2020, alongside the spread of COVID-19 in the world, 333 confirmed assaults were reported to the WHO, killing 239 healthcare workers and patients. According to the WHO, 588 attacks have been reported this year on healthcare workers. The coronavirus pandemic has been especially hard on hospital workers, nurses and doctors as they are frequent victims of discrimination and physical assaults, the WHO said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:18:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wealthy countries have not done enough to transfer COVID-19 vaccines to developing nations, according to a recent Al Jazeera report which quoted an independent panel monitoring the world's response to the pandemic as saying. In May, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR), established by the World Health Organization, called for the reallocation of one billion doses of vaccines from high-income nations with adequate coverage to low- and middle-income countries by September, with another billion by the middle of 2022. But the world is "far from meeting those targets," Helen Clark, the co-chair of the IPPPR, told the United Nations General Assembly in a recent briefing. "Vaccine inequity is a key factor in the wave of death we are seeing across Africa, Asia and Latin America," she added. According to the IPPPR, there was an urgent need to overhaul the way vaccines and treatments were developed. In its May report, the penal said a "toxic cocktail" of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs had gone unheeded and politicians had failed to learn from the past. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the other co-chair of the IPPPR who led Liberia during the Ebola crisis from 2014 to 2016, called for "a stronger international system for pandemic preparedness and response that understands the threats, is alert, and is poised to take collective action." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:22:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for justice for Yazidis in northern Iraq seven years after the Islamic State (IS) brutally targeted them, said his spokesman. August 3 marks the seventh anniversary of the atrocities. Thousands of Yazidis were subjected to unimaginable violence on account of their identity, and until today, many remain in displacement camps or are still missing, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement. These heinous acts committed by the IS may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Full accountability of their perpetrators remains essential. Supporting the Iraqi government's efforts to ensure accountability and protecting human rights remains a priority of the United Nations, in accordance with the collective responsibility to protect communities from the most serious crimes under international law, said the spokesman. "Recognizing the pain and courage of the Yazidis, recovery and rehabilitation remain a priority. The secretary-general, therefore, commends the recent enactment of the Yazidi Survivors Law by the government of Iraq and its recognition of the crimes committed by ISIL against the Yazidis and other communities. He encourages its swift and full implementation," said Dujarric, using ISIL, another acronym of the IS. "On this somber anniversary, the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting all efforts to achieve accountability and justice," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:30:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Akbar Djuraev gave Uzbekistan its third Olympic medal in weightlifting as he beat world champion Simon Martirosyan of Armenia to win the men's 109kg gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games here on Tuesday. The final was billed as a battle between Djuraev and Martirosyan, and it proved to be just that. The European champion Martirosyan snatched the most of 195kg with breeze, and was being chased by the 21-year-old Djuraev, who sat behind by two kilos. Martirosyan, world champion both in 2018 and 2019, was not as competitive as he jerked up 228kg with a total of 423kg, while Djuraev jerked 237, totalling at 430kg to nail the title. "I didn't think I could get this medal, so I'm very confused right now. It's not only my medal, it is Uzbekistan's medal," said Djuraev. "I could realise my father's dream, too. I'm very happy to be here today. I appreciate all my supporters, they came all the way to cheer me up, and I'm very happy for that." Arturs Plesnieks of Latvia, ninth-place-winner in the 2019 worlds, took the bronze medal with 410kg. "This medal means 20 years of effort. I have many medals from juniors, from world competitions but this is my first medal from the Olympics, and I'm very happy to have it," the 29-year-old veteran told the press. "Djuraev is a very calm athlete. Actually, we went to a training camp together to the Ukraine. He's young and he has good prospects. Of course he inspires me, his technique is good, and I think he has more than a few more Olympics ahead." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:54:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Residents wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Aug. 3, 2021. (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua) "Vaccine inequity is a key factor in the wave of death we are seeing across Africa, Asia and Latin America," said Helen Clark, the co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR). CAIRO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wealthy countries have not done enough to transfer COVID-19 vaccines to developing nations, according to a recent Al Jazeera report which quoted an independent panel monitoring the world's response to the pandemic as saying. In May, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR), established by the World Health Organization, called for the reallocation of one billion doses of vaccines from high-income nations with adequate coverage to low- and middle-income countries by September, with another billion by the middle of 2022. A local resident receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine on a mobile vaccination bus on Carey Island of Selangor State, Malaysia, July 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) But the world is "far from meeting those targets," Helen Clark, the co-chair of the IPPPR, told the United Nations General Assembly in a recent briefing. "Vaccine inequity is a key factor in the wave of death we are seeing across Africa, Asia and Latin America," she added. According to the IPPPR, there was an urgent need to overhaul the way vaccines and treatments were developed. In its May report, the penal said a "toxic cocktail" of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs had gone unheeded and politicians had failed to learn from the past. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the other co-chair of the IPPPR who led Liberia during the Ebola crisis from 2014 to 2016, called for "a stronger international system for pandemic preparedness and response that understands the threats, is alert, and is poised to take collective action." Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 01:41:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 3, 2021 shows the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, the United States. The Pentagon lifted the lockdown roughly an hour and a half after multiple gunshots were fired near the Metro bus platform outside the building on Tuesday morning. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which sent out a lockdown alert following the "shooting event," said at the noon time that the facility reopened and the "scene of the incident is secure" though remains an active crime scene. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon lifted the lockdown roughly an hour and a half after multiple gunshots were fired near the Metro bus platform outside the building on Tuesday morning. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which sent out a lockdown alert following the "shooting event," said at the noon time that the facility reopened and the "scene of the incident is secure" though remains an active crime scene. The gunman was shot by a Pentagon police officer and did not get inside the Pentagon building, the agency's official told POLITICO. One other officer was injured and sent to hospital. "The Pentagon has lifted the lock down and has reopened," the agency said on Twitter. "We request that everyone stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area." The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said trains and busses were bypassing their stops at the transit center due to the investigation. The Metro bus platform, a major entrance to the Pentagon, is used by multiple bus lines in the area every day. It was closed in March 2020 after a man was fatally stabbed on the platform and reopened hours afterwards. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:09:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi launched on Tuesday investigations in two ministries into the complaints about officials' misuse of state resources in their election campaigns for the upcoming parliamentary elections in October. A statement from al-Kadhimi's media office said "there are complaints about the exploitation of state resources in election campaigns by ministers or officials nominated in the elections." Al-Kadhimi stressed that the government would launch other investigations if it is proven that there is improper use of state resources in the campaigns, the statement said. "The state's resources are devoted for the benefit of the people, and one of the reasons for the failure in Iraq is the exploitation of state resources for the benefit of some parties and influencers at the expense of Iraq," the statement quoted al-Kadhimi as saying. Iraq is scheduled to hold early elections on Oct. 10, in response to the anti-government protests against corruption and lack of public services. The previous parliamentary elections in Iraq were held on May 12, 2018, and the next elections were originally scheduled to take place in 2022. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:17:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DUBLIN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The output value of the non-financial services sector in Ireland grew by nearly 16 percent in June compared with the same month last year, said the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday. The highest growth was recorded in the accommodation and food sector, which saw a 57.1-percent increase in June on an annual basis, said the CSO. This was followed by a 50.9-percent growth for other service activities, 18 percent for information and communication, 17.5 percent for transportation and storage, 15.3 percent for wholesale and retail trade, and 4 percent for administrative and support service activities, it said. The only sector to show an annual decrease in activity in June was professional, scientific and technological activities which reported a 3.3-percent decrease year-on-year, according to the CSO. The strong growth in the accommodation and food sector was largely driven by the government's lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality sector. On June 2, the Irish government allowed all hotels to reopen their services to overnight guests. A few days later, it permitted all restaurants and bars to reopen outdoor services to customers. Industry watchers believe the July 26 decision of the government to allow restaurants and bars to provide indoor services to people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease in the past six months will ensure sustained growth in the sector. They also believe that with more people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ireland, more restrictive measures currently imposed on the services sector will be lifted. So far over 72 percent of the adults in Ireland have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a tweet posted by Prime Minister Micheal Martin last weekend. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:27:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANAA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni army on Tuesday recaptured another strategic mountain near the southeastern tip of the Houthi-held capital Sanaa, a government military source said. "The army advanced this morning onto Al-Bayadh mountain and seized it from the Iran-backed Houthi militia," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. "One soldier was killed and another eight were wounded in the battle," the source added. The Houthi group has made no comment on the battle, but local media reported the death of dozens from both sides. Al-Bayadh mountain, located in the southwestern district of Rahabah in the central province of Marib, is a big mountain overlooking Sanaa. On Sunday, the army seized control of the strategic chain of Al-Abzakh mountains in the same district. Meanwhile, the fighting between the army and Houthi rebels continues on other frontlines in Marib's western districts of Sirwah and Jabal Murad, according to the local media. The Houthis began in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the government's last northern stronghold. The United Nations has warned that the offensive on Marib, which hosts nearly 1 million internally displaced people, could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe. Yemen's civil war flared up in late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:36:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said on Tuesday that he fully supports an impartial investigation into the blasts that rocked the Beirut port last year, MTV local TV channel reported. In a speech on the eve of the first anniversary of explosions that rocked the Beirut port on Aug. 4 last year, Aoun said that he was for a strong judiciary that would not back down from questioning any officials regardless of their rankings. "There is no excuse for anyone to grant himself any immunity, or to arm himself with any argument, legal or political, so as not to provide the investigation with all the information required to help reach proper results," Aoun said. Investigations into the blasts have so far failed to reveal the real reasons behind the explosion of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port. Families of the victims have accused the country's leaders of obstructing Judge Tarek Bitar's investigations launched shortly after the disaster. The blasts that rocked the Beirut port led to the death of over 200 people, while injuring more than 6,500 others. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:55:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VALLETTA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) on Tuesday rescued a boatload of 41 migrants who were in difficulty while in the island's search and rescue region, according to a police spokesman. The AFM also medically evacuated two migrants rescued by a rescue vessel operated by an NGO and who were in critical condition. One of the two is suspected to have suffered a heart attack, the spokesman told Xinhua. The rescue of the group of migrants took place after the alarm was raised by the NGO Alarm Phone, which received distress calls from migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea and finding themselves in difficulty. This is the fourth group to be rescued by Malta since July 14, when Malta rescued 81 migrants and three dead migrants had also been found with that group. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:55:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Widening and worsening conflict and flash floods triggered a humanitarian emergency across and around Ethiopia's Amhara region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said intercommunal conflicts in the Central Gondar and Awi zones of Amhara continue to increase the number of internally displaced persons. Worsening conflict along the Amhara-Tigray regional border is further increasing displacement, with an estimated 100,000 internally displaced people in various pockets across the region, it said. Access to people along the borders between Amhara and Tigray to the north and between Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz to the west is difficult because of intercommunal conflict and tensions, said OCHA. "UN agencies are supporting our partners and government counterparts throughout Amhara, including in health and nutrition and cash programs," it said. International nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners provide water, sanitation and hygiene services in western Amhara and mobile clinics in the North Gondar zone, the office said. However, the humanitarian response is insufficient with limited humanitarian presence in the region, prompting a call for immediate resource mobilization to meet the urgent needs of affected communities. "Emergency shelter, food and non-food items are the key priorities. Pre-positioning of supplies particularly for health, nutrition, shelter, and protection is urgently required," said OCHA. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths is winding up his visit to Ethiopia, his first mission as undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs. He met in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, who also serves as foreign minister. The humanitarian office said Griffiths also met with heads of UN agencies and international NGOs. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 03:58:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Education Cannot Wait (ECW) on Tuesday announced a catalytic grant of 12.5 million U.S. dollars in Iraq to sponsor a new multi-year resilience program to support universal and equitable education in the country. The three-year program seeks to mobilize 35.5 million dollars in additional resources to benefit about 200,000 children and youth, especially those forcibly displaced and impacted by years of war and conflict, said the ECW, the UN global fund for education in emergencies. The initial 12.5 million dollar catalytic grant will reach 36,500 children and youth over the next three years, 60 percent of whom are girls, it said in a press release. "We call on donors, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, and national and international partners to urgently help fully fund this multi-year resilience program, which will support Iraq in building back from years of war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors pushing more and more children out of school," said ECW Director Yasmine Sherif. Before the Gulf War, Iraq had achieved near-universal primary education. Years of crisis, armed conflict, out-of-date policies, economic challenges, and a series of sanctions have led to a deterioration of access, equity and quality of education, said the ECW. Only about one in four internally displaced children are able to access formal education, while just two out of 10 returnees are back in the classroom. Schools were targeted during the years of war, and only 38 percent of school infrastructure remains undamaged. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 04:03:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANTIAGO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chile recorded 616 new COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, the lowest figure since April 2020, Health Minister Enrique Paris said on Tuesday. With this figure, the accumulated caseload rose to 1,618,457. Another 24 deaths were also reported in the same period of time, for a death toll of 35,640. In a statement, the official noted that the positivity rate in 11 regions of the country was lower or equal to 2 percent in the last day. Paris added that all 16 regions of the country had seen a decrease in cases in the last 14 days, while 15 had reported declines in the last seven days. In recent weeks, Chile has recorded the lowest number of infections and hospitalizations of the pandemic, as the country's vaccination campaign continues. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 04:50:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" Friday's attack on the UN compound in Herat, Afghanistan, which resulted in the death of an Afghan security forces guard and several injuries. In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the victim and wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured. They expressed their deep concern about the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban's military offensive, and called for an immediate reduction of violence. The council members also expressed deep concern about the number of reported serious human rights abuses and violations in communities affected by the ongoing armed conflict across the country. They condemned all instances of terrorism and deliberate targeted attacks against civilians. They recalled that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians. They underlined that deliberate attacks targeting civilians, UN personnel and UN compounds may constitute war crimes, and stressed the urgent and imperative need to bring the perpetrators to justice. The council members reiterated their support to the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and, in this regard, emphasized the importance of the safety and security of UN personnel. They called on both the Afghan government and the Taliban to engage meaningfully in an inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process in order to make urgent progress toward a political settlement and a cease-fire. They recognized that sustainable peace can be achieved only through a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process that aims at a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire, as well as an inclusive, just, and realistic political settlement to end the conflict in Afghanistan. They stressed the need for full, equal and meaningful participation of women in this regard. The council members reaffirmed that there is no military solution to the conflict, and declared that they do not support the restoration of the Islamic Emirate run by the Taliban between 1996 and 2001. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 04:53:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel's anti-coronavirus cabinet decided on Tuesday to reimpose some restrictions to contain the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, while urging the public to get vaccinated. After a four-hour session, the cabinet said in a statement that, starting on Sunday, mask-wearing will be required for outdoor events that include more than 100 people. The Green Pass, reimposed last Thursday on gatherings of more than 100 people, would be imposed also on events with less than 100 people. The pass allows only vaccinated persons the entry to gyms, concerts, synagogues, mosques, churches and other places. Half of the staff in government offices and workplaces in the public sector will be working from home in order to decrease the number of people in the offices. The cabinet recommended the private sector shifting its entire workforce to a work-at-home format. The cabinet also urged the public "to understand the situation" and "to stop shaking hands, stop hugging and kissing, and to avoid any unnecessary gathering in closed places." The cabinet said that, as the highly contagious Delta variant is spreading quickly around the world, Israelis are urged to "avoid gatherings and get vaccinated. It also warned that more severe restrictions, including closure, will be imposed if the situation gets worse. Earlier on Tuesday, a parliamentary committee decided to add 18 additional countries, including the United States, Greece, Egypt and Italy, to the list of "red countries." Under the cabinet's decision, "a total ban" will be imposed on flights to the "red countries." About 57 percent of Israel's 9 million population has been vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, mainly the Pfizer vaccine. Israel's Ministry of Health reported 3,460 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the tally of infections in the country to 882,391. The death toll from the virus in Israel rose by nine to 6,495, while the number of active cases rose to 22,727, the highest since March 17, the ministry said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 04:57:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ROME, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The recent spike in coronavirus infections across Europe has surprised healthcare analysts as it occurred earlier than expected, but they agree that the relatively low hospitalization rates offer hope that the newest wave of the pandemic can be kept under control. The number of COVID-19 cases in the WHO (World Health Organization) European Region has passed the milestone of 60 million since the pandemic began, new data from WHO/Europe showed on Monday. According to government data collected by odometer, last week alone, some 125,000 new COVID-19 cases were detected per day in Europe. Globally, COVID-19 infections topped 200 million on Tuesday. Almost all the cases in Europe are now caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant of coronavirus, which was first detected in India. According to media reports, the average daily infection rate in France has increased by more than a third over the past three weeks, and in Spain the increase is 15 percent. Switzerland just registered its highest single-day jump in new COVID-19 cases since May. Iceland's infection rate has hit record high, and the respective figures in Finland, Greece and Russia -- are approaching 80 percent of the all-time peaks. "It's not a surprise that we're seeing a new spike in infections," Matteo Bassetti, director of the infectious diseases section at San Martino Hospital in Italy's coastal city of Genoa, told Xinhua. "What is a surprise is that we are seeing these increases in July. We expected them in August or September when people return from vacation and schools reopen." Still, according to Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and research director at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Europe can afford to see how the newest wave of the pandemic develops before taking major steps. McKee told Xinhua that while the pandemic has shown that it is better to act early than late, healthcare systems have generally proved that they can properly care for those infected, helped by increasing the number of vaccinated individuals. Evidence shows that vaccinated people can still be infected with the Delta variant, but at a far lower rate and with far less severe consequences than those who have not been vaccinated. Medical therapies for those hospitalized with coronavirus infection have also improved, McKee said. "At this level, what we are seeing is a worrying trend but one that remains manageable," he said. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), more than 70 percent of European Economic Area (EEA) residents aged 18 or older have received at least one vaccine dose and over 50 percent of the same group have been fully vaccinated. Bassetti agreed with McKee's level of concern. He said that while the early arrival of the Delta-related wave of infections in Europe is worrying, there are too many variables to sound the alarm bells. "I am encouraged by the fact that on average only around 0.1 percent of the people in intensive care units have been vaccinated," he said. "I would start to worry if that figure rose to 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent because that would mean the variant is learning to make vaccinated people very ill. Until that happens, we should look at the pandemic as a serious threat that is mostly under control." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 05:49:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's economy may grow about 7 percent this year, after a sharp 9.9 percent drop in 2020, according to a forecast released by the government on Tuesday. "The Argentine economy is going to grow about 7 percent this year, recovering part of last year and the previous administration," state news agency Telam quoted a statement of Deputy Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Cecilia Todesca Bocco to local media as saying. While pointing out that the country's recovery is "heterogeneous," the official also noted that sectors such as gastronomy, tourism and commerce are still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that they will recover as the vaccination campaign progresses. Argentina's economic growth forecast for 2021 is in line with projections by international organizations and local private entities. The International Monetary Fund stated in its latest forecast that Argentina's gross domestic product may grow 6.4 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, private analysis companies consulted by the Central Bank of Argentina estimated that the country's economy will grow about 6.3 percent by the end of the year. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 06:02:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentina began to vaccinate adolescents in risk groups between the ages of 12 to 17 against COVID-19 on Tuesday. The population includes those with diabetes, grade 2 obesity, chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease and liver disease. "We are very excited to be able to take this step, it is a population we are very concerned about," Victoria Anadon, Undersecretary for Technical, Administrative and Legal Affairs of the Health Ministry of Buenos Aires province, told Xinhua. All vaccination centers in the province of Buenos Aires, the most populated in the country, began the immunization of this group on Tuesday with the Moderna vaccine, Anadon said. The official commented that the immunization campaign will advance toward "a younger population as other vaccines are authorized," in order to "also vaccinate children and young people without pre-existing diseases at some point." The South American country has applied more than 32.69 million vaccines doses so far. As of Monday, it had accumulated 4,947,030 COVID-19 cases and 106,045 deaths from the disease. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 06:09:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man receives COVID-19 test at a mobile testing site in Times Square, New York, the United States, on July 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) "The United States has reached yet another turning point in this pandemic -- one that may feel particularly unrelenting and confusing," reported National Public Radio. NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Strict requirements of masking and vaccination have been reimposed by federal and municipal governments as well as business entities across the United States, as the COVID-19 pandemic is making a comeback with its Delta variant. "The national outlook is worsening quickly, with a fourfold increase in new cases per day over the last month. Hospitalizations and deaths are also growing, but at far lower rates than cases," reported The New York Times (NYT) on Tuesday. According to the figures updated on NYT's website, the country's new daily COVID-19 cases rose to 85,866 on Monday, while the 14-day change was a 142 percent increase. The coronavirus deaths were 341 on Monday, while the 14-day change was a 27 percent rise. "The United States has reached yet another turning point in this pandemic -- one that may feel particularly unrelenting and confusing," reported National Public Radio (NPR) on Tuesday. On Sunday, Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, described himself as being "very frustrated" over the current situation of the pandemic. The United States was in an "unnecessary predicament" of soaring case counts, and was "going in the wrong direction," he said. CDC INDOOR MASK MANDATE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated guidance to return to masking indoors, despite vaccination status, after finding that even vaccinated individuals can spread the Delta variant of COVID-19, but the guidance is directed at regions with a spread of the virus that is considered "substantial" or "high." "Unvaccinated people: get vaccinated and wear a mask until you do. Everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission should wear a mask, even if they are vaccinated," said the CDC in its latest post on Facebook. Journalists wearing face masks enter the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, July 28, 2021. The White House asked all staff members to wear face masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status starting from Wednesday. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) The cases of Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 are surging in the United States. New data show Delta is different than past versions of the virus -- it is much more contagious. While rare, some vaccinated people can get Delta in a breakthrough infection and may be contagious, it added. Across the country, the total COVID-19 cases have reached 35,170,544 while the total death stood at 614,020 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to figures updated by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Meanwhile, 70 percent of U.S. adults have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, showed data published on Monday by the CDC. The milestone came about a month behind U.S. President Joe Biden's Fourth of July goal. NYC ONE STEP AHEAD New York, ahead of most other American cities, will require people to show proof of vaccination for indoor activities, such as dining, gyms and events, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday, adding that the new policy will be phased in the coming weeks and implemented on Aug. 16. By the week of Sept. 13, the city will begin inspections and enforcement. The move is an effort to increase the number of people vaccinated, he said. "That is the key to protecting people and the key to recovery." "The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if you're vaccinated, at least one dose," de Blasio said at a Tuesday morning press conference. A woman walks past a sign of face mask requirement before entering the New York Public Library in New York City, the United States, Aug. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) In contrast, New York State will not implement new statewide mask rules and leave the decisions on mask mandates to local governments. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo has urged local officials to follow new guidance on masks from the CDC. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will require the agency's frontline healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, making it the first federal agency to mandate compulsory inoculation. TECH GIANTS TAKE PRECAUTIONS Facebook will begin requiring all of its employees to wear masks when on its campuses in the United States, regardless of an employee's vaccination status. The new policy goes into effect on Wednesday and will remain in effect until further notice. "The health and safety of our employees and neighbors in the community remains our top priority," a spokeswoman for the company said in a statement on Monday. "Given the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, the newest data on COVID-19 variants, and an increasing number of local requirements, we are reinstating our mask requirement in all of Facebook's U.S. offices, regardless of an employee's vaccination status." The company isn't alone in the tech industry in reinstating health safety measures as COVID-19 cases pick up again as a result of the Delta variant. Google last week announced that it will require employees on campus to be vaccinated and postponed its return to office plans until October. Apple also pushed back its return to office plans to October at the earliest, according to a report last month. Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2019 shows the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, the United States. (Xinhua/Qin Lang) Microsoft has informed employees that it will require proof of vaccination for anyone entering a Microsoft building in the United States starting in September. Employees who have a medical condition or a protected reason that prevents them from getting a vaccine can get a special accommodation. The company has also pushed its full office reopening date from September to "no earlier than Oct. 4, 2021." CALL FOR VACCINATION MANDATE After more than 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial chunk of the U.S. population continued to assert their own individual liberties over the common good by refusing mask or vaccination, which should be reversed as soon as possible, said USA Today on Tuesday. Sociologists, legal scholars, public health experts and philosophers wonder at what point individual rights should yield to the public interest, the newspaper said in a report, referring to how many COVID-19 deaths can change the mind of these Americans. "Today, millions of U.S. residents shun vaccines that have proven highly effective and resist masks that ward off infection, fiercely opposing government restrictions. Others clamor for regulation, arguing that those who take no precautions are violating their rights -- threatening the freedom to live of everyone they expose," it added. Also on Tuesday, The Washington Post quoted Joseph G. Allen, an associate professor and director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as saying that the U.S. vaccination campaign has hit a wall with its voluntary approach, and the only way out of the COVID-19 morass is to mandate vaccines. First and foremost, the expert stressed, U.S. hospitals and health-care clinics must mandate vaccinations as nearly 60 top health-care organizations called for in July. Currently, only 45 percent of aides in long-term care and health-care facilities are vaccinated, according to the CDC's figures. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 05:17:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TUNIS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed two ministers in the government of Hichem Mechichi who was removed from the post of prime minister on July 25, the Tunisian presidency said Monday. According to a presidency statement, Saied has removed Ali Kooli, Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support, and appointed Sihem Boughdiri Nemissa to run the affairs of this ministry. The president also sacked Mohamed Fadhel Kraiem, Minister of Communications Technology and Acting Minister of agriculture, water resources and fisheries, and appointed Nizar Ben Neji to run the affairs of the ministry of Communications Technology. On July 25, Saied removed Mechichi from the post of prime minister and suspended all activities of the Assembly of People's Representatives, the country's parliament. On the following day, he removed Minister of Defense Ibrahim Bartaji and Minister to the Head of Government in charge of the civil service and acting Minister of Justice Hasna Ben Slimane. The secretaries general or those in charge of administrative and financial affairs at the presidency and within the ministries have been charged with ensuring the interim until the appointment of a new head of government and the formation of a new government. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 10:42:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIGALI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has raised 620 million U.S. dollars through the issuance of a 10-year Eurobond, authorities said in a statement released on Monday. The bond was oversubscribed with orders of 1.6 billion dollars, said the statement released by Rwandan Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. "Rwanda has a strong track record of sound economic policies and reforms that have led to sustained high economic growth, a conducive investment climate, prudent debt management and strong recovery prospects despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," Uzziel Ndagijimana, minister of finance and economic planning, said in the statement. "The funds raised will accelerate strategic projects in productive sectors that will further boost the country's economic transformation efforts," said John Rwangombwa, governor of National Bank of Rwanda, in the statement. The proceeds of the bond will be used partly to refinance the existing Eurobond which is due in May 2023, and the rest will fund priority projects that support recovery from the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and help spur export growth. Other considerations, according to the statement, include safeguarding environmental protection and mitigating adverse effects of climate change. Economic growth of the central African nation averaged at 7.8 percent over the last two decades and the economy is expected to grow 5.1 percent this year, with prospects of returning to the pre-COVID-19 high growth by 2023, according to the statement. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:34:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A staff member transports a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China at the Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, Aug. 2, 2021. Libya received a batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines on Monday amid the country's stepped-up effort to vaccinate as many people as possible. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) TRIPOLI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Libya received a batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines on Monday amid the country's stepped-up effort to vaccinate as many people as possible. Speaking at a joint press conference on Monday along with Health Minister Ali Zanati at the Mitiga International Airport of the capital Tripoli upon the arrival of the vaccines, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said another shipment of the vaccine is expected to arrive on Tuesday. Dbeibah called on people to get vaccinated as soon as possible "as this is the only way to stop the virus." Zanati said that the infection rate in his country has dropped from 68 percent to 24 percent thanks to the recently imposed protective measures against the virus, which include banning public gatherings and public transportation, and imposing a curfew. The government has recently launched an "exceptional" vaccination campaign against COVID-19, under which people above the age of 18, whether Libyans or foreigners, can simply go to temporary vaccination centers to get vaccinated. The country has registered a total of 256,328 COVID-19 cases so far, including 193,144 recoveries and 3,579 deaths, according to the National Center for Disease Control. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 22:18:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to target countries with high vaccination levels in order to boost the revival of the tourism sector that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Najib Balala, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, noted that Kenya is seeking tourists from China, the United States and Britain to make visits to Kenya. "2021 is almost ending and the crisis of quarantines and the Delta variant is complicating our efforts to revive the hospitality sector. We need foreign tourists who are fully vaccinated," Balala said. According to the state-owned Tourism Research Institute, 305,635 tourists visited Kenya in the first six months of 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic cut international travel. Balala said that vaccination of the local population will also help to attract more international visitors as they feel safer in the country. He remained optimistic that over 20 million Kenyans will have received double vaccination jabs by the end of the year so that the country can create a safe travel bubble with countries that have fully vaccinated their populations. The Kenyan official said that 2022 and 2023 should be rebuilding years for Kenya's tourism sector. "We project that the tourism sector will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2024," Balala added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 00:46:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A medical worker takes a swab sample from a man for a COVID-19 test in Tiflet, Morocco, on Aug. 3, 2021. Morocco announced on Tuesday 8,760 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally of infections in the North African country to 642,683. (Photo by Chadi/Xinhua) RABAT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Morocco announced on Tuesday 8,760 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally of infections in the North African country to 642,683. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased by 5,466 to 574,918. The death toll rose to 9,949 with 64 new fatalities reported, while 1,203 people were in intensive care units. Meanwhile, a total of 14,314,037 people have received their first vaccine shots against COVID-19 in the country, with 10,437,707 having received two doses. The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccine. The health ministry said that Morocco is "in a progressive phase of the epidemiological curve which could reach the peak in the very next days". The vaccination campaign has been extended to people aged over 25 and vaccination centers remain open every day until 8 p.m. local time, the ministry added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 10:37:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australia's opposition proposed a cash incentive for Australians to get vaccinated on Tuesday when the country's most populous city of Sydney continued to battle the outbreak of COVID-19 triggered by the Delta variant. Anthony Albanese, the leader of the Labor Party, on Tuesday revealed a plan to offer every Australian who is fully vaccinated by Dec. 1 a 300 Australian dollar (220.8 U.S. dollar) cash bonus. The proposal would cost an estimated 6 billion AUD (4.4 billion USD) but Albanese argued that constant lockdowns across the country were costing significantly more. "That's a small amount compared with the 2 billion AUD (1.4 billion USD) a week that these mass lockdowns are costing our national economy," he told the Nine Network television. "So this would be good for our health but also would provide a much-needed stimulus at a time when workers and small business is really struggling to get by as a result of these lockdowns." Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday revealed details of a four-phase pathway out of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the plan, Australians would be granted greater travel freedoms when 80 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated. As of Monday, about 19.2 percent of Australian adults had received two vaccine doses. In a statement on Tuesday, Albanese said that cash incentives would help Australia reach 80 percent coverage earlier. "The faster this is achieved, the faster the recovery as we emerge from lockdowns that are bleeding hundreds of millions of dollars a day from the nation's finances," he said. "Now that Australians are relying on Scott Morrison to do his job and rollout the vaccines, we are coming last in the developed world." Responding to the proposal, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said it "won't work." "Our approach has been to be guided by principles, principles that making sure spending is targeted, it is proportionate, it is focused on getting the exact outcomes that are necessary," he told Nine. As of Monday afternoon, there had been 34,611 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of locally acquired cases in the previous 24 hours was 222, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 13:19:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SYDNEY, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The premier of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) announced on Tuesday that the state intended to have delivered six million COVID-19 vaccine jabs by the end of August. Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement during her daily update about the outbreak of the virus. A further 199 new locally acquired cases were found in the 24 hours to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, with only 70 of the cases having been confirmed to have been in isolation throughout their infectious period. Berejiklian said higher vaccination rates would give NSW "additional options" when it finally eased lockdown restrictions on Aug. 29. According to official figures, 3,968,811 vaccine doses had been administered as of Monday 8:00 p.m., meaning just over two million doses within the next four weeks. To reach that figure, health administrators will need to overcome hurdles such as reported "bottlenecks" with people being unable to book an appointment for their jabs. In response, the NSW government has announced that it would examine its vaccine booking system, along with providing a 24-hour hotline for pharmacies facing vaccine supply issues. "I was concerned to read reports about the booking system and how long it's taking," Berejiklian said. "We are definitely looking at that. We want to make it as easy as possible." She also referred to incentives for people to get their jab, saying that "allowing people additional movement or activity if they've been vaccinated, we think is a great incentive and that will be linked to our plan for what life looks like on 29 August." Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, there were 250 COVID-related patients in NSW hospitals, with 53 of those being in intensive care units (ICU). The state's chief health officer Kerry Chant noted 43 of the ICU patients were unvaccinated, emphasising the safety benefits of getting the jab. Meanwhile, the Australian state of Queensland recorded 16 locally acquired cases on its third day of lockdown on Monday. All of the cases linked to the state's initial cluster, which now numbers 47. Deputy Premier Steven Miles thanked the 34,718 Queenslanders who turned out to get their COVID-19 test in the past 24 hours to Tuesday morning. In light of the outbreak, Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young has adjusted her previous advice, now calling for Queenslanders under 60 to talk to their doctors about getting the AstraZeneca (AZ) version of the vaccine. Throughout the vaccine rollout there have been concerns about AZ due to very rare but well-publicized links between the vaccine and blood clots. "The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advice says when you reach a large outbreak, which I think we're on the verge of, then that is the time to have that discussion with your GP," Young said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:09:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia recorded 1,019 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing its national tally to 167,229, the country's health ministry said Tuesday. Meanwhile, four more deaths were reported, taking the countrywide death toll to 854. A total of 7,195 samples were tested across Mongolia in the past day, and all the latest cases were locally transmitted, the ministry said. The Asian country launched a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in late February, aiming to cover at least 60 percent of its population of 3.3 million. So far, 67.2 percent of the country's total population have received their first vaccine dose while over 61 percent have been fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:49:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter belonging to Indian army Tuesday crashed in a dam in the northern Indian state of Punjab, local media reports said. So far there are no immediate reports of any casualty in the crash. The helicopter crashed in Ranjit Sagar Dam of Pathankot district. "We have received information that an army helicopter has crashed in the lake. We have rushed our teams to the spot," a senior police official of Pathankot, Surendra Lamba was quoted by a local news agency as having said. Reports said two pilots from the army aviation Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv helicopter on board have survived the crash. The helicopter was on a routine sortie. "The weapon system integrated helicopter had taken off from Pathankot and met with the accident," another report quoting its sources said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 18:28:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led China to make miraculous development achievements with good governance, bringing enlightenment to other countries' political parties, said Bhokin Bhalakula, former Thai deputy prime minister. The people-centered philosophy of the CPC helped eradicate extreme poverty in China, and transform the country from an impoverished backwater into the world's second-largest economy, Bhokin, now president of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "It's unbelievable that China has made the achievements in such a short period of time," he said. Under the CPC's leadership, China, the country with the largest population in the world, has achieved a complete eradication of extreme poverty, lifting more than 770 million poor people out of poverty since the beginning of its reform and opening up over 40 years ago. Having been to China dozens of times over the past decades, Bhokin said the country has gone through such drastic changes that some places have become unrecognizable. Recalling his first trip to China in the 1990s, Bhokin said bicycles dominated the streets of Beijing at that time, while in Shanghai, big buildings lined up one side of the Huangpu River that separates the city, but the other side was little more than muddy sites. "It is now totally different," he said. Bhokin said he was impressed by the spirit of sacrifice of the CPC members, who, since the founding of the party, have resolved to devote not only their happiness but also their lives to the good of the people and the country. The spirit has been carried forward as most of those who fight COVID-19 at the frontline in China are CPC members, he said. Bhokin spoke highly of China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. "We have only one world, and we have to live together, that's why we must join hands to go against poverty, inequality, terrorism and COVID-19," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 19:46:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SUVA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong announced Tuesday seven new COVID-19 deaths and 1,220 new COVID-19 cases reported in the country. Fong said there have now been 261 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 259 of them during the outbreak that started in April this year. Fong said of the 1,220 new cases, 464 cases are from the Western side and 756 cases are from the Central side. There are now 22,689 active cases in Fiji to date. There have been 32,663 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. Fiji has recorded a total of 32,733 cases since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 9,644 recoveries. Around 491,056 adults in Fiji have received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 151,866 have received their second doses. Fong said this means that 83.7 percent of the target population have received at least one dose and 25.9 percent are now fully vaccinated nationwide. Fiji has a population of around 900,000. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 22:11:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Brunei reported one new imported COVID-19 case on Tuesday, bringing the national tally to 339. According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, Case 339 is a 26-year-old woman who arrived in the country from Manila, the Philippines on July 21. She does not have signs of infection and the contact tracing for this case has found no close contacts. There are currently 52 active cases being treated and monitored at the National Isolation Center, who are all in a stable condition. With the detection of this new case, a total of 198 imported cases have been confirmed since the last local infection case on May 6, 2020. Brunei has recorded 454 days without local COVID-19 infection cases. Brunei also reported one more recovery on Tuesday. There have been a total of 284 recovered patients and three deaths reported from COVID-19 so far in the country. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:06:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close STOCKHOLM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Individuals belonging to risk groups will likely soon be offered a third dose of vaccine against COVID-19, the Swedish Public Health Agency said on Tuesday. "The assessment is that it is not possible to eradicate the virus and therefore vaccination work should be long-term and focused on reducing serious illness and death," State Epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said in a press release. The booster dose may be offered in the autumn to older residents in nursing homes, those aged 80 years and over, and individuals with severely weakened immune systems, the authority said in the press release. According to their assessment, a booster dose is also likely to be offered to a larger proportion of the population by 2022. "However, the extent is currently unclear and depends, among other things, on possible new virus variants and on what various research studies will show about the protective effect of vaccines over time," the press release said. The booster dose will likely be a protein-based vaccine, and according to the press release "the availability of vaccines is currently assessed as good for several years to come." "It is still important that we have a special focus on vaccination of groups and residents in geographical areas with low vaccination coverage," Tegnell said. Suburbs with a predominantly immigrant population have previously been identified as such low-coverage areas. The authority is also working to reach 16-and 17-year-olds and adults who have so far chosen not to be vaccinated. According to the Public Health Agency, 78 percent of the adult population had received at least one dose of vaccine in Sweden, while 51 percent had been fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:14:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday declared an Estonian diplomat "persona non grata" as the two countries are engaged in a diplomatic row. Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry and was informed that a staffer of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow must leave the country within a week, the ministry said in a statement. The decision was made in response to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat from Estonia on July 15. "We ask our Estonian colleagues to stop, and not to further complicate the situation that has already aggravated," it said. The Russian Foreign Ministry declared Estonian Consul in St. Petersburg Mart Latte "persona non grata" on July 7 after he was "caught red-handed while receiving classified documents from a Russian citizen." This led to the July 15 expulsion of the Russian diplomat. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:14:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two fire-fighting planes belonging to Spain arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to battle the deadly wildfires that gripped the southern and southwestern provinces of the country. The Spanish team, consisting of 27 crew members in total, will first join the extinguishing efforts in the southwestern province of Mugla, the Spanish embassy in Turkey said. The planes will be diverted to the southern province of Antalya to intervene in the blaze there if needed. The European Union had earlier said the bloc would send two fire-fighting planes from Spain and one from Croatia after Turkey activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Croatian plane had arrived in the Antalya province on Monday, according to press reports. For the last one week, Turkey has been battling massive wildfires that erupted in the southern and southwestern coastal resort towns. The blazes have claimed eight lives so far. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 05:06:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ATHENS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Greece experienced the most painful consequences of the worst heat wave that hit the country in the last 40 years, said Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias on Tuesday evening. A total of 81 forest fires broke out in Greece in the last 24 hours. There were still 40 active fires across the country, he told a press briefing here that was broadcast on Greek national broadcaster ERT. "The largest and most dangerous front is in the north of Athens, on the foothills of Parnitha Mount that broke out earlier, threatening residential areas," said Hardalias. "We ask everyone in the wider area to be on alert. We give battle to protect human life, to have as little damage as possible, to extinguish the fire and protect the natural environment," Hardalias added. The combination of extreme temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius, strong winds up to Beaufort force 6 and low humidity levels was making the task of bringing the blaze under control much harder. The Fire Service has been assisted by the army, the police, volunteers, and municipal crews. A total of 520 firefighters were operating in the area with 150 groups of fire fighters on foot and 150 vehicles, 9 helicopters and 5 aircraft, including a Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibious plane, to contain the fire. Hardalias said 315 people were taken to safety by firefighters or police during the evacuation after running into difficulties. According to Greek national News agency AMNA, six people and one fireman were hospitalized with breathing problems. Hotels across the Greek capital are providing rooms for thousands of evacuees from the ongoing wildfire that has already destroyed houses and affected the electricity grid in some parts of the capital. The Civil Protection service has issued emergency alert messages to residents of Varybobi, Adames, Thrakomakedones and Olympic village, urging them to evacuate their homes. While people in the suburbs of Acharnes, Lykovrisi, Kato Kifissia and Metamorfosi were also advised to shut their windows and chimneys to prevent smoke and ash from getting into their homes. The suburban railroad trains between Athens and Thessaloniki have been suspended due to the conditions created by the fire, Greek railway company TrainOSE said in a statement earlier. Meanwhile, four out of the 40 active fronts in Greece on Tuesday led to evacuations of communities. These were at Kastania in southeast Peloponnese, Vassilitsi in southwest Peloponnese, Asklipion on the island of Kos, and Myrtia on the island of Evia. Greece is hit by wildfires every summer. In 2018, 102 people died in the coastal resort of Mati near Athens in the country's worst-ever forest inferno. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 06:14:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday again urged Congress to raise the debt limit as soon as possible after the federal borrowing cap was reinstated on Sunday after a two-year suspension. "I respectfully urge Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible," Yellen said in a letter to congressional leaders. Yellen also said that the Treasury Department on Monday began using "extraordinary measures" to prevent the United States from defaulting, including a debt-issuance suspension period lasting through Sept. 30 and suspending investments in retirement funds for civil servants and postal workers. Yellen previously warned that the U.S. Treasury could exhaust those extraordinary measures soon after lawmakers return to Washington from their summer recess in mid-September. The Congressional Budget Office also warned recently that the United States is at risk of a default in October or November unless the Congress raises or suspends the debt limit. Assuming the debt limit is either raised or suspended, the U.S. Treasury said Monday that it expects to issue almost 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars of debt in the second half of the year. As part of a bipartisan budget deal enacted in August 2019, Congress suspended the debt limit through July 31, 2021. On Sunday, the debt limit was reinstated at a level covering all borrowing that occurred during the suspension, which had risen to 28.5 trillion dollars as of the end of June. The debt limit, commonly called the debt ceiling, is the total amount of money that the U.S. government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including social security and medicare benefits, interest on the national debt, and other payments. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 06:57:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man with a face covering is seen on a street in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, on Aug. 3, 2021. U.S. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards on Monday reinstated statewide indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued to surge. According to the mandate, which will be effective from Aug. 4 until at least Sept. 1, all people aged five and older must wear a face mask at indoors places. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua) HOUSTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards on Monday reinstated statewide indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued to surge. According to the mandate, which will be effective from Aug. 4 until at least Sept. 1, all people aged five and older mush wear a face mask at indoors places. The mandate also applies to K-12 schools, universities, and other higher education institutions, which return to on-campus learning in the coming weeks. In accordance with new guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all people on campuses should be masked indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. "It has never been more clear that we are in an unchecked COVID surge that, in addition to threatening the health and wellbeing of many Louisianans, also threatens the capacity of our hospitals and medical facilities to deliver care to their patients," Edwards said. Driven largely by Louisiana's insufficient vaccination rate and the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, COVID-19 cases in the state have grown exponentially. Louisiana remains the state with the largest number of new COVID-19 cases per capita. The governor hoped the new mask mandate will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit suffering and death in Louisiana. "This decision is not one I take lightly, but as the fourth surge of COVID-19 is upon us, we know that mask wearing when you are in public is one way to greatly lower your risk of spreading or catching COVID," said the governor. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 20:13:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. vaccination campaign has hit a wall with its voluntary approach, and the only way out of the COVID-19 morass is to mandate vaccines, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday. There are a number of lessons to glean from the failures of the current vaccination strategy, including the slow approval from the Food and Drug Administration and the weak voices from "influencers" like professional athletes, said Joseph G. Allen, an associate professor and director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in his article contributed to the newspaper. "The only way forward is to start embracing mandates," said the expert, adding that hospitals and health-care clinics must mandate vaccinations as nearly 60 top health-care organizations called for in July, while currently only 45 percent of aides in long-term care and health-care facilities are vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that it will require the agency's frontline healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, making it the first federal agency to mandate compulsory inoculation. On Sunday, Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, described himself as being "very frustrated" over the current situation of the pandemic. He said the United States is in an "unnecessary predicament" of soaring case counts, and that the country is "going in the wrong direction." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 21:31:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The so-called report on COVID-19 origin tracing by U.S. congressmen is totally based on the concocted lies and distorted facts without providing any evidence, which is not credible or scientific, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. On Aug. 2, Representative Michael McCaul, Lead Republican of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a report claiming that there is a preponderance of evidence that the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) sometime before September 2019. It also alleged that the WIV, aided by U.S. experts and Chinese and U.S. government funds, were conducting gain-of-function research. In response, the spokesperson said the relevant report, totally based on the concocted lies and distorted facts without providing any evidence, is not credible or scientific. What the relevant U.S. congressmen have done smears and slanders China in pursuit of political gains. "We express categorical opposition to and strong condemnation of such despicable acts that have no moral bottom line," the spokesperson said. This February, a China-WHO joint expert team visited the WIV and had in-depth and candid exchanges with experts there. Members of the joint expert team spoke highly of the institute's openness and transparency, and reached a major conclusion in the joint study report that the allegation of lab leaking is extremely unlikely, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that in 2003, the U.S. side used a test tube of laundry powder as evidence for Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction. One needs not look far for a lesson, and the international community should not let such a thing happen again. "It must be pointed out that, the U.S. side's political manipulation of origins tracing has drawn overwhelming rejection from the international community. As of now, 70 countries have voiced opposition to politicizing origins tracing and emphasized the importance of upholding the joint China-WHO study report via sending letters to the WHO Director-General and issuing statements. It shows that clear-eyed people over the world can tell right and wrong. The United States should listen to these objective and impartial voices." If these U.S. congressmen do have a sense of responsibility, even a tinge of it, for their own people, they should urge the U.S. government to release at the earliest the medical records of those infected in the unexplained outbreaks of respiratory disease in Virginia and the large-scale EVALI in Wisconsin and Maryland in 2019, and of U.S. military personnel who fell ill during the Military World Games in Wuhan, and to allow a thorough international probe into Fort Detrick lab and the 200-plus U.S. biological labs overseas, the spokesperson said. "As to gain of function research on coronaviruses, the United States has provided more funding and conducted more experiments in this area than anyone else. Why don't the congressmen find out if there is such research at home and whether or not it may create the novel coronavirus?" The spokesperson urged the United States to respect facts and science and focus on fighting COVID-19 and saving lives, instead of engaging in political manipulation under the pretext of the epidemic and shifting the blame to others. Enditem En visita del titular de la PCM, se logro poner fin a la medida de fuerza en torno al conflicto por el Corredor Minero Sur, promoviendo el dialogo con las comunidades campesinas de Chumbivilcas en Cusco, para concertar la solucion a sus demandas. https://t.co/lcem2PQKMO pic.twitter.com/GNpOA33VS4 Hoy, hace 200 anos, el General Jose de San Martin emitio el Decreto de 3 de agosto de 1821, que crea el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Conoce mas sobre @CancilleriaPeru, institucion bicentenaria donde se defienden los altos intereses del Peru.https://t.co/eXIIGkKNgg At present, when citizens are diagnosed with any type of cancer, they have to travel to Lima, and if they lack sufficient resources to do so, they die without getting medical care. The head of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) mentioned that the same happens with the mother-child couple, adding that hospitals in the interior of the country lack specialized units to take care of babies who are born with health problems and, even less, of premature ones; so, they need to be transferred to Lima. "This situation should not be normalized in a country, and I say 'normalized' because health services have not changed for decades. The subject is always discussed, but no change has been made," he expressed. The government official affirmed that the political decision proposed by President Pedro Castillo to decentralize health care has been made, and the construction of macro-regional hospitals will take place at first, but this will be carried out on a gradual basis. In statements to Red de Comunicacion Regional (RCR), the minister indicated that the sector will work in coordination with regions so that they can implement maternal-child hospitals in the future and the mother-child couple can get proper health care. He went on to say that the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases will be strengthened and will have branches in other regions. "This means a different resource policy, which encourages decentralization but also provides elements to work," he pointed out. (END) JCB/MAO/RMB/MVB Loading... In this sense, the Cabinet member lamented the stance of certain parliamentarians, who refuse to participate in the round of dialogue initiated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. "They intend to give the Government a hard time and delegitimize the decisions of the President, who insists that the Government will aim to dialogue in search of consensus," he expressed. The high-ranking official considered that citizens' concern for the consolidation of consensus is legitimate. However, it cannot be used by some sectors to harm President Castillo's administration. "We are not at the time to get on the street corners to throw stones against one another," Castillo said in remarks to IDL Radio. "They want to permanently obstruct (the Government), beat teacher Pedro Castillo, and not let him rule," he added. Cevallos indicated that these stances "not only harm the President, but also the country." "They prevent us from standing united and looking for levels of dialogue to find solutions to the crisis in the country," he remarked. In his opinion, when speaking of presidential impeachment or removal from office, these sectors "are throwing up smoke and building a situation that does not exist." "Teacher Pedro Castillo no longer knows in what language to say that he is the one who governs," he pointed out. In this sense, Cevallos recalled that it was the President who had summoned him to be Health minister, adding that he is not part of Peru Libre party. "I don't know why they want to create the idea that Vladimir Cerron is the one who decides," he said. (END) FGM/CVC/MVB Loading... Peruvian Health Minister Hernando Cevallos on Tuesday emphasized that the Government supports dialogue and seeks consensus.Publicado: 3/8/2021 ?? EN VIVO | Desde la sede central del Ministerio de Salud transmitimos la ceremonia de presentacion del ministro de Salud, Dr. Hernando Ismael Cevallos Flores.https://t.co/c3qwOP0Aos Hoy, gracias al dialogo entre el premier Guido Bellido y nuestras hermanas y hermanos cuzquenos, se levanto el paro de 11 dias en Chumbivilcas. Junto al pueblo, nuestro gobierno renueva el compromiso de crear salidas pacificas a los conflictos sociales. Unamonos por el Peru! YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS. The US House of Representatives passage of Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallones amendment on restricting U.S. foreign military financing and training assistance to Azerbaijan is Washingtons first message to Aliyev that he can no longer deal with the United States the way he used to, Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian told ARMENPRESS, reminding that President Joe Biden had vowed to suspend military aid to Azerbaijan back when he was running for office. Biden has spoken about this publicly. Now, months after Bidens election, for the first time Congress had the chance to publicly make a decision, and the Congressmen clearly showed that they want to cut the aid to Azerbaijan. It is noteworthy that none of the members of Congress defended Azerbaijan and no one supported the program of providing military aid to them, Hamparian said, mentioning that the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor, because it is unclear both for them and for ordinary Americans why Americans should send money and military aid to a billionaire, dictatorial, racist and anti-Armenian Aliyev. Hamparian says the Congressmen gave a clear and simple answer to this question, by saying: lets stop military aid to Azerbaijan. Now, the ANCA and supporters of Armenians will make efforts to pass the Pallone amendment in the Senate as well. But the military support which will be stopped with the Pallone amendment is only a small part of the aid which Azerbaijan is receiving. Hamparian says its just about a few million dollars, while most of the aid is provided through programs of the Pentagon. Hamparian says there are different ways to suspend the aid provided through Pentagon channels, one of them is cancelling the waiver of Section 907, or suspending the US law Section 333, which authorizes the Department of Defense to provide military aid to foreign countries to develop ties. This money is given to the Azerbaijani military and they are using the technologies, arsenal and military training skills against Armenians. It is naive to think that one can give military capacities to Azerbaijan and they wont use these capacities against Armenians. Thats how Azerbaijan works. Whatever you give to them, it uses it to kill Armenians, Hamparian said. Im not making any predictions for a long time now, but thats our goal and we are working day and night in this direction, Hamparian said when asked whether or not they will succeed to initiate Section 907 again. Writing by Aram Sargsyan Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh will build a 17,6MW HPP in Getavan, Martakert to restore the energy self-sustainability of the country and boost economic development, the President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan announced on August 3. He noted that before the 2020 war, Artsakh had a self-sustaining energy system, but this changed when most of the energy capacity was left in the towns and regions which were captured by the Azerbaijani military. The 25 million dollar project, called Getavan-1 will be launched through the Artsakh Investment Fund, but other investors will have the chance to join it as well, he added. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan introduced the newly appointed Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan to the staff of the Defense Ministry. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minster, Nikol Pashinyan thanked former Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan for his work and congratulated Arshak Karapetyan on his appointment as Minister. The Prime Minister noted that like Vagharshak Harutyunyan, Arshak Karapetyan assumes the responsibilities of a minister in a very difficult situation. ''I am speaking about the regional situation, which, unfortunately, we cannot assess as stable'', Pashinyan said. Referring to the criticism of why the Armed Forces of Armenia do not take measures to solve the situation over the infiltration of Azerbaijani units into the sovereign territory of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan said, ''From the very beginning our position was the following as long as there is the opportunity to solve the situation through diplomatic, political methods, we will pursue that path. And as long as we see that opportunity, we must push the processes to that direction''. Speaking about unblocking of regional infrastructures, Nikol Pashinyan noted that it's on the agenda of the Armenian Government, but Azerbaijan is trying to add elements which are inadmissible for Armenia, 'I mean, particularly, the talks about a corridor'', he said, emphasizing that there has never been any written or oral agreement over a corridor through the territory of Armenia. Speaking about demarcation and delimitation of the borders, Nikol Pahsinyan noted that it's a priority for the Armenian side, but added that the presence of Azerbaijani armed units in the territory of Armenia and carrying out the demarcation works under those conditions is inadmissible for the Armenian side. PM Pashinyan also emphasized that speedy implementation of reforms in the Armed Forces is of key importance and wished the newly appointed Minister success in that mission. Vitaly Shishov in an undated photo provided by the Belarusian Human Rights Center (AP) A Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv early on Tuesday, as Ukrainian police launch a murder case. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after failing to return home from a run. Police said they had launched a criminal case for suspected murder, including investigating whether killers tried to disguise the crime as suicide. Shishov had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said in a statement. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. Belarusian citizen Vitaly Shishov, who disappeared yesterday in Kyiv, was found hanged today in one of Kyiv's parks, not far from his place of residence, the police statement said. Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Shishov led the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU) group, which helps Belarusians find accommodation, jobs and legal advice, according to its website. We were also repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation, BDU said in a statement. Vitaly treated these warnings stoically and with humour. The organisation had said on Monday it was not able to contact Shishov. It said Shishov had left his residence at 9am (6am GMT) and was supposed to have returned an hour later. The Belarusian authorities have characterised anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries backed by the West, and described the actions of their own law enforcement agencies as appropriate and necessary. BDU was set to organise a march in Kyiv on August 8 to mark a year since the start of mass protests against Lukashenko. Story continues Additional reporting by Reuters. Read More Belarus sprinter safe and secure after refusing to take flight home Belarus Olympian forcibly taken to airport after criticising coaches Short-sightedness in children linked to screens in lockdown - study South Korea has detected its first two cases of the new Delta Plus COVID-19 variant, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) says, as the country battles with its fourth wave of infections nationwide. The Delta Plus variant is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant first identified in India, and has acquired the spike protein mutation called K417N, which is also found in the Beta variant first identified in South Africa. Reports of Delta Plus cases have been few so far, and a handful of countries, including Britain, Portugal and India, have reported some cases. "The first case (in South Korea) was identified in a man in 40s who has no recent travel records," the KDCA told Reuters in a text message on Tuesday. Test results in people who have been in contact with the man showed that a family member of his tested positive, but the KDCA did not confirm the patient was infected with Delta Plus. "The second case was found in an overseas traveller," KDCA said. Health authorities have said several major vaccines work against the highly-contagious Delta variant, which has already become dominant in many countries, but have raised concern new strains may evade some vaccines. Some scientists have said the Delta Plus variant may be even more transmissible. Studies are ongoing in India and globally to test the effectiveness of vaccines against this mutation. South Korea reported 1202 new COVID-19 cases for Monday, raising the total to 202,203 infections, with 2104 deaths. The country on Tuesday said it has given 20 million people, or 39 per cent of its population, at least one dose of a vaccine, while 14.1 per cent have been fully vaccinated. South Korea aims to immunise at least 36 million people by September. The author of a new book about a trio of iconic Auburn women will give a talk in the area in September. The New Yorker Executive Editor Dorothy Wickenden will speak Saturday, Sept. 18, in Auburn as the next guest in the Seward House Museum's Elsa Soderberg Distinguished Speaker Series. Wickenden, the bestselling author of "Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West," will speak about her newest book, "The Agitators: Three Friends Who Fought for Abolition and Women's Rights." Released in March, the book follows the friendship and activism of Harriet Tubman, Martha Coffin Wright and Frances Seward. "This is a history that really has been overlooked, the story of these three women," Wickenden told The Citizen in March. "A fugitive slave, a middle-class mother of seven and the aristocratic wife of a famous politician." Tickets for the talk go on sale Aug. 16. It will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. at Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St., Auburn. Prior to the talk there will be a reception, meet-and-greet with Wickenden and book signing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South St., Auburn. In New York law, incarcerated individuals will no longer be referred to as inmates. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed legislation that replaces the word "inmate" or "inmates" with "incarcerated individual" or "incarcerated individuals." The bill passed the state Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support in June. State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who sponsored the bill in his chamber, recalled meeting with formerly incarcerated individuals when he was the ranking member on the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. He said they told him, "I'm a person. I'm not an inmate. I'm not a convict. I'm not a prisoner." "That education actually led to this moment," Rivera said before the Senate passed the bill in June. "I want to thank each and every one of them for educating me on that subject." On the Vera Institute of Justice's Think Justice blog, Erica Bryant wrote in March that "convict," "felon" and "inmate" are outdated words and harmful to incarcerated individuals. She quotes Jerome Wright, a formerly incarcerated individual who is now an organizer for the #HALTSolitary Campaign in New York. Wright said that after being arrested, "the language begins to be totally derogatory, debasing and dehumanizing." On May 19 after working a 15-hour day, we were woken up at 3:30 in the morning by our security system which observed a person with a flashlight in the farm market. My husband and son were able to restrain the criminal until the Monroe County sheriffs could respond. They responded in record time (many thanks to them!). The criminal was taken to Brockport Police Department, fingerprinted and then was released. This is the second time since August 2020 that we have been broken into by career criminals and this time it was a face-to-face encounter. In this situation we were fortunate that no one was harmed, it could have very easily turned out much differently. It is very disheartening after working 36 years, seven long days a week, to have someone try to take what you have worked so hard for. We employ people and give back to the community. We have also spent a lot of money for security. The repeat offender does not go to jail, but keeps committing crimes, which cost everyone. We have had to spend thousands of dollars on security, many sleepless nights, and the police respond to the same criminals instead of being able to help other people. The crimes these criminals are committing are getting worse and worse because there are no consequences. Bail reform enacted by New York state is a failure, all it is doing is promoting criminal behavior. Prevail Electric Mobility, an arm of French lubricants major FRVelion, will set up an additional manufacturing unit in India for electric two-wheelers to meet demand in the country besides catering to Nepal and Sri Lankan markets, according to a top company official. The company, which will launch its first product in India this month, plans to set up the new manufacturing unit at Behrampur near Gurugram in Haryana to add to its existing plant at Neemrana in Rajasthan with an overall investment of around 50 crore in the two plants. "Currently, we have a capacity of somewhere around 25,000 units a year. We'll be increasing it to around 40,000 to 50,000 units in a year," Prevail Electric Mobility CEO Hemant Bhatt told PTI. He said this has been necessitated due to the company's move to enter Nepal and Sri Lankan markets simultaneously with the launch in India. Initially, the company had planned to launch its electric two-wheelers in India only. (Also read | Top-five rivals to TVS iQube electric scooter: From Ather to Ola, and more) However, the company has been able to sign with partners in Nepal and Sri Lanka to sell its products there as well, he added. The target now is to sell around 10,000 to 12,000 units a year in India and 5,000 units in Sri Lanka and 3,000 units in Nepal, Bhatt said. The company is gearing up to launch three electric scooters with low-speed variants Elite, Finesse, and Wolfury. All the models are fitted with 1,000W motors and one-click-fix functions. These will be able to cover up to 110 km in a single full charge. The EV manufacturing start-up, Prevail Electric Mobility, which began its operations in India in 2019, is also looking to tap on the network of its parent FRVelion in the country to expand its footprint. To start with, the company is opening its flagship stores in Delhi and Mumbai to kick off its journey. "We already have contact in entire India because the parent company is into lubricants. So we already have our footmark in this segment from the past three years now," Bhatt said. (Also read | Ola electric scooter to 2021 RE Classic 350: Top two-wheeler launches in August) Stating that the company already has the dealer network, the plan for this ongoing financial year is to put up 50 flagship stores in India "if everything goes well with no (further) COVID-19 wave", he added. "Then we will build a sub-dealership market," he said. At present, Bhatt said the company imports lithium ion and lithium phosphorus batteries from Taiwan and if its two-wheelers get traction in the market, it will look to set up a battery unit here as well. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. LOS ANGELES #SexTalkTuesday has announced that Fleshlight will serve as special guest moderator of the August 3rd edition of the Twitter-based chat show to discuss male sexual wellness and the destigmatization of male sex toys. The chat will run from 8 to 9 p.m. ESTand this weeks chat will also include a Fleshlight product giveaway to random lucky winners. Fleshlight, headquartered in Austin, Texas, was established in 1995 and become one of the top-selling pleasure products for men. The private company, owned and operated by Steven and Kathy Shubin, has multiple production and distribution facilities located throughout the world. Fleshlight offers patented Superskin texture toys, which are designed to closely emulate the soft and flexible feel of the human body and molded in the shape of a vulva, butt, mouth or non-descript orifice. A Fleshlight rep stated: We think Sigmund Frued said it best: The only shame in masturbation is the shame of not doing it well!" The companys line of adult toys includes Fleshlight Classics, Ice, Stamina Training Unit, Vibro, Flight, Turbo, GO, Quickshot, FleshJack, and the Fleshlight Girls toys, which feature exclusive molds of some of the worlds most famous adult models. With more than 15 million units sold, Fleshlight is a pop-culture sensation and frequent topic of discussion on social media platforms, movies, television programs, and news sources. Angie Rowntree, owner of Sssh.com and producer of #SexTalkTuesday said, We are thrilled and honored to have Fleshlight lead this important conversation on male sexual pleasure. She added, It is vital that the sexual wellness movement should be inclusive, and so it follows that men should be able to enjoy sex toys without shame. Even as toys marketed to women or couples are gaining more acceptance, the stigma and pseudo-scientific myths about male masturbation that continue to persist are truly astoundingand these negatively impact men as well as their partners. Sex Talk Tuesday is a provocative Twitter-based chat held every second Tuesday of the month hosted and coordinated by Sssh.com. Each session, a guest moderator asks thought-provoking questions to a large and active group of participants, who send hundreds of tweets during each round of #SexTalkTuesday. The result is a lively and entertaining discussion that invites participants to be open and candid with their thoughts and opinions on sex, life, love and the humor of it all, in a way that fosters a supportive and compassionate environment for the conversation. For more information on Fleshlight, please follow (@Fleshlight) or visit Fleshlight.com. For more information on Sssh.com (@ssshforwomen), or to inquire about serving as a guest moderator, contact Angie Rowntree (@AngieRowntree) at [email protected] or go to sextalktuesday.com. At the heart of it, she said, will be a community voice and hearing stories, being able to paint a picture of what the various experiences are in Coconino County. The idea of self-healing communities is central to CCC&Ys approach to this project. Watahomigie described the idea as moving through a model of we need to go do something to someone to fix [this problem] versus we need to step out of the way and allow the healing and the potential that's within families and the communities to rise to the surface. She said the goal of this approach is to ensure that the response to an issue (through providing services or interventions, for example) matches a community's actual needs. The idea is what we have been doing as a society hasn't worked, said Watahomigie of CCC&Ys use of the Self-Healing Community Model. We have programs, we have this, but the pain continues. Now it's time to ask the community what has happened, what's going on and come back to the drawing board with true policy and system change that's driven by what actually would work for our community. Photo taken on July 28, 2021, shows the stunning view of cole flowers next to Qinghai Lake at Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest Chinas Qinghai Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhang Ruohan) Lying on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. The lake features two sub-lakes: the saline Gahai Lake and freshwater Erhai Lake. Surrounded by lofty mountains, Qinghai Lake dazzles like a crystal-clear gem, boasting great charms that draw tourists to explore it. Summer is the best time to visit Qinghai Lake, as numerous cole flowers blossom along the lake under the blue sky, forming breathtaking scenes for visitors. Every year, millions of tourists are drawn to Qinghai Lake to grab a glimpse of the spectacular and colorful view, which provides a uniquely raw landscape for creations by photographers and oil painters. May and June are the best seasons for birdwatching, as the mild weather creates a favorable environment for different kinds of birds to breed here, making Qinghai Lake a paradise for bird lovers. Cyclists from across the country can be seen scattered around Qinghai Lake, looking to enjoy the beauty of the lake view and while away the time. Qinghai Lake is not only a bustling tourist attraction but also a crucial body of water for maintaining ecological security in the northeastern part of the roof of the world, the Qinghai -Tibet Plateau. With 4,549.38 square kilometers of water area, Qinghai Lake serves as a species gene pool. In 2008, Qinghai Province launched a 10-year plan on ecological environment protection and comprehensive management of the Qinghai Lake Basin with a total investment of 1.57 billion yuan. The heavy investment in ecological protection has paid off. The improving aquatic ecosystem of Qinghai Lake has made it one of the regions with the richest biodiversity on the plateau. The lake has become a key habitat for wintering of more and more migratory birds, with over 100,000 birds stopping here during their migratory journeys every year. Health professionals continue to urge Nebraskans who havent already done so to get the vaccine. In all, 67.5% of Nebraska adults have received at least one shot, ranking 24th among states. Some 62.5% of adults are fully vaccinated, including 86% of those 65 and older. Health officials stress that the shots are safe and effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, even in the face of the delta variant. Serious side effects from the vaccines occur with a frequency of less than 1/100,000 to 1/500,000, Drs. Maureen Tierney and Renuga Vivekanandan write in an opinion piece in Tuesdays World-Herald. Tierney is assistant dean for public health and clinical research at Creighton University School of Medicine; Vivekanandan is an associate professor at Creighton University and chief of infectious diseases at Creighton and CHI Health. The physicians also encouraged people to mask up in indoor public places and in crowds. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week recommended masking in such settings even for vaccinated people in areas with substantial or high spread, given new data indicating that vaccinated people infected with delta can in rare cases spread the virus. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer said the city currently has about $4 million of cash reserved in its electric budget, and that they consistently have about $5 million. Krajewski said his goal is to find a rate that would increase the amount collected from the customer charge, but decrease the amount collected from the energy charge. He recommended raising the monthly customer charge by $2, but decreasing the energy charge by the same amount. Im recommending some minor adjustments between the summer and the winter season rates, to reflect the cost of service, Krajewski said. When youre with NPPD for all of your requirements, they had very high demand charges in the summer, not as high demand charges in the winterYour rates right now are pretty much fixed year-aroundso theres not a lot of power supply cost difference between the summer and the winter. Krajewski said under the rate study suggestions, the city would likely collect less revenue in the summer and more in the winter, to reflect the cost of service. He said the rates are competitive with both local and similarly-sized cities in Nebraska. On wearing a mask, Blunt said, I think it actually is one of the reasons that people are encouraged to get the vaccine is they dont have to. Theres no way to know just how risky it was for the people who were near Graham vaccinated or not. Vaccinated people are at a much lower risk of being infected at all and for contracting a serious case. But the level of risk depends on whether Graham was masked, whether they were masked, how much virus his body was producing when they met, how close they were and for how long. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fully vaccinated people determined to have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 do not need to quarantine if they are asymptomatic but should be tested within five days and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until testing negative. Graham, who was vaccinated in December, has long been a proponent of vaccination, saying during a visit this spring to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston that the sooner we get everybody vaccinated, the quicker we can get back to normal. The final drawing had been set for Wednesday, but is now scheduled for Aug. 10. The governor's office said Tuesday that the registration deadline also has been extended from Monday night to Sunday. Due to a system glitch, registration for a college scholarship prize available to younger residents closed early. The problem was fixed, but rather than simply reopening registration for one prize, the registration was pushed back for all prizes. Six other weekly drawings have been held. Among the prizes being offered in the finale are a grand prize of $1.588 million, a second-place prize of $588,000, two custom pickup trucks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, hunting rifles and shotguns, and state park weekend lodging trips. In addition, two people ages 12 to 25 will receive a full, four-year college scholarship. WASHINGTON White House press secretary Jen Psaki criticized policies in states such as Texas and Florida that have moved to block employers and proprietors from implementing mask or vaccine requirements to curb the coronavirus. Those two states are among several facing surging cases from the delta variant. I think the fundamental question we have is, what are we doing here? Psaki asked. A former Centennial Public Schools superintendent has been sentenced to a year of incarceration for an inappropriate relationship with a teenager at the school. Timothy DeWaard, 57, resigned in July 2020 after the allegations surfaced. Prosecutors later charged him with felony child abuse alleging he had knowingly or intentionally caused or permitted a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered the child's life or physical or mental health. In the affidavit for DeWaard's arrest, a Seward County Sheriff's deputy said a teenage boy came forward alleging that what started as innocent conversations on Snapchat had turned into locked-door meetings in DeWaard's office, where DeWaard had him sit on his lap, embraced him and touched his inner thigh over his clothes. "The victim felt he had to do this or he would fail out of school," Deputy Lisa Borges said in court records. The teen said it went on for several months. The accuser told deputies that DeWaard had asked him for a shirtless photo in a call on July 6, 2020, and said he had thoughts of touching the boy inappropriately. DeWaard was interviewed and arrested a week later, then resigned. The National Park Service and University of Nebraskas Center for Great Plains Studies will partner once again, to expand research about Black homesteaders. Working with the University of Oklahoma, they will explore the lives of Black homesteaders in Oklahoma in the turn of the century, and examine connections between land ownership, citizenship, and upward mobility for many who had recently been enslaved. The Homestead Act made thousands of acres available for settlement from land that the U.S. acquired from Indigenous nations through war, treaty negotiations, and allotment. The Homestead Act allowed African Americans, whites, and immigrants who were eligible for citizenship to acquire 160 acres for a nominal filing fee while making improvements over five years. African American homesteaders claimed nearly 650,000 acres of land throughout the Great Plains. We are happy to work with the National Park Service to expand our research, said University of Nebraska Project Director Mikal Brotnov Eckstrom. Oklahoma is a state where the histories of formerly enslaved Americans and the forced migrations of many Native Nations come together. These histories help us understand the needs and desires of those intertwined histories with that of a burgeoning nation. The business owners in attendance pointed out that buying and selling recreational marijuana will already be legal in Montana as of Jan. 1, meaning that people in Yellowstone County will be using it regardless of what city or county officials do. However by allowing local marijuana businesses to operate in the county, officials open the door to tax revenue, jobs and resources to combat the issues that arise with the use of recreational marijuana, they said. Commissioners had been debating for the last month whether to go back to voters. Legalized pot was born out of a ballot initiative approved overwhelmingly by state voters last November that was then formalized as HB 701 in the state legislature and signed into law earlier this spring by the governor. The language in HB 701 gives county and municipal governments the authority to go back to voters within their communities to ask if they want recreational pot sold at the local level. Billings City Council will debate the issue during its meeting Monday night. The legislation in HB 701 divided the business of producing and selling recreational marijuana into seven categories, and gave municipalities the ability to go to voters and ask which of the seven categories they want operating within city boundaries. Love 40 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 4 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two Montana men have pleaded not guilty to federal bank fraud charges after the U.S. Attorney for Montana accused them of defrauding a bank of approximately $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and using the money to buy things like property and vehicles. Trevor Gene Lanius-McLeod, also known as Trevor Gene McLeod, 48, of Laurel, and Kasey Jones Wilson, 29, of Helena, each pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and with engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The two men applied for over $1,043,000 in PPP loans last year between April and December with Valley Bank of Helena, alleged the government. The loans were supposed to be used to pay salaries at four different businesses. McLeod applied for funds as the authorized representative of T. McLeod Holdings LLC, Hilltop Estates LLC, and Renovated Montana Properties LLP. McLeod and Wilson applied for funds as the authorized representatives of Step Above Management LLC. In the applications, the men allegedly made numerous false statements about having paid payroll taxes and having employees, and they agreed to use the loan funds for payroll costs, costs related to group health care benefits and insurance premiums, rent, utilities, interest on payments on debt and refinancing a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Big Horn County Wyoming Search and Rescue personnel have found two hikers lost for more than a week in rugged Simmons Canyon. The hikers, a 25-year-old woman and her mid-fifties stepfather, left the Porcupine Falls area on July 18, hiking west toward Little Mountain. The two may have underestimated the amount of supplies needed to complete the trek, or run through their supplies more quickly than expected, said Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn. After running out of food and water on either Sunday or Monday, the two deviated from their planned course, attempting to head directly downhill toward sources of food and water. They went from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, and temperatures increased exponentially, said Blackburn. The additional heat compounded the problem of not having water, resulting in severe dehydration. From Little Mountain, they tried to make their way south to an access road but became trapped on a cliff face in Simmons Canyon. On July 26, eight days after they set off, they were able to get sufficient cell service to call the Big Horn County Sheriffs Office to request rescue, according to a Thursday social media post by the sheriff's office. Recently, President Biden informed us he was sending volunteers across the nation to go door-to-door in an effort to get more people vaccinated. Since then, Ive heard nothing on this new government effort. Could that be considered misinformation if it is not being currently followed through with? Recently, every Democrat in the Texas Legislature went on a private plane to Washington, D.C., in protest of the special session called by Gov. Abbot. Their primary reason was to show solidarity against changing the voting laws in Texas, thereby making it harder for people to vote. Wrong. There are no changes other than putting some enforcement behind the laws that already exist. Again, there are no changes. Could that not be considered misinformation? The newest effort by the White House/Biden/Big Brother is to be in direct communication with the likes of Facebook to somehow censor misinformation being posted regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. The White House is already walking that back a bit. Is that not misinformation? Penny Ceasar, who handles admissions at a hospital near Fort Lauderdale, wants the governor to require vaccines for health care workers and masks for everyone. Ceasar said while Westside Regional Medical Center has been getting temporary staff from other states, the alarming number of new patients is taking a toll. Youre on an emotional rollercoaster because we care for our patients like we care for our families, said Ceasar, a 30-year veteran. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state over the last three days, raising the seven-day average to one of the highest counts since the pandemic began. In total, the state has seen more than 2.6 million cases and 39,179 deaths. DeSantis is running for reelection next year while eyeing a 2024 presidential bid. A central tenet of his national image among conservatives is his refusal to impose mask mandates or business restrictions. We are not shutting down, DeSantis reiterated Tuesday. We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridians job in this state. We are protecting peoples small businesses. These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States but abroad. After stopping the car, the trooper was printing out a warning when she saw Ellsworth get out of his car, court records said. He had pulled up the state Constitution on his phone to show the officer where it states that members of the Legislature cannot be arrested while attending a legislative session or traveling to or returning from one, unless they are committing a felony or a breach of peace, the complaint said. The session had concluded the month prior. Ellsworth attended a Legislative Council meeting at the state Capitol the morning after his traffic stop. The trooper asked Ellsworth six times to go back to his car, during an exchange in which he said: If you want me to call the attorney general ... and the trooper replied, Go ahead and call him. Back to your car now. Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who oversees the Department of Justice, which includes the highway patrol, called Ellsworth's actions inappropriate. During Mondays court appearance, Ellsworth did not mention invoking the attorney general or legislative privilege, but offered an apology to the trooper for getting out of his car, saying it was "completely inappropriate. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Independent Record. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 What caused the failure was not immediately determined, according to government officials and Petro-Hunt. Crews have taken steps to shield off the fourth well on the pad from the other three so that it does not catch fire, Graf said. The risk that flames could spread to grass outside the well pad still exists, but rain in the area last week eased the dry conditions and the line connected to the lake ensures a significant water supply to fight a wildfire if one were to break out, he said. Petro-Hunt has hired specialists from Texas-based Wild Well Control to help put out the fire. Wild Well declined to comment on the process. The timeline for putting out the fire depends on well and weather conditions but the company hopes to have the fire at the remaining two wells out soon, Babb said. Graf was in Washington state Tuesday responding to a fire there, but he said his understanding before he left was that crews were using heavy equipment to clear the well pad and would need to take steps such as cutting off a melted and mangled well head. They would then use a crane to put a new blowout preventer in place, he said. The North Dakota Industrial Commission recently approved a $325,000 matching grant to fund a seismic study of the geology near Dakota Spirit. The money comes from the state Renewable Energy Fund, which includes money from oil taxes and interest on the repayment of water project loans. The study will begin later this summer using trucks and plates that shake the earth. Strategically placed equipment monitors the response from the vibrations and collects data that will be analyzed to learn about the characteristics of the rock underground. Midwest AgEnergy plans to gather data in several directions around Dakota Spirit at various distances up to 20 miles away. Such seismic studies are a common practice, and crews performing the work will take steps to avoid doing it near places such as homes and water wells, Dunlop said. It should be non-eventful, he said. Midwest AgEnergy will share the data gathered through the study with the state, and it could be of use to the operators of other industrial facilities with carbon emissions in eastern North Dakota, Dunlop said. VMware Cloud Foundation: Lowest TCO for Hybrid Cloud A recent study from Taneja Group comparing approaches to cloud infrastructure shows that businesses see hybrid clouds as a better long-term architectural choice. The TCO comparison of these models reveals that no matter which path a business chooses, deploying VMware Cloud Foundation saves money. With that said, explore the infographic to see why else VMware Cloud Foundations can be considered the simplest path to hybrid cloud. When a State Supreme Court jury in Lockport begins deliberations Tuesday, it will face diametrically opposed versions of the evidence in the death of Niagara Falls convenience store owner Ahmad "Poppy" Alsaid. Niagara County Assistant District Attorney Doreen M. Hoffmann said the evidence against defendants William J. Coleman and Jonathan L. McEnnis builds a case that proves they are "guilty as charged." But the defense attorneys for the two men said the prosecution case included no proof, only speculation, that the defendants were at the crime scenes at all. McEnnis, 36, of Buffalo, and Coleman, 30, of Niagara Falls, are charged with the murder and robbery of Alsaid behind the counter of the Bridgeway Market at Niagara Street and Memorial Parkway on the evening of Nov. 21, 2018. Alsaid was fatally shot when he resisted a robbery attempt, surveillance video showed. Both robbers fired shots, since two different types of bullets were recovered, Hoffmann said. McEnnis and Coleman also are accused of two other armed robberies: one at the 7-Eleven store at 68th Street and Buffalo Avenue about 40 minutes after the Alsaid killing, and one on Nov. 9, 2018, on Ninth Street, where a man was robbed of cash and shot while walking near his home. His home raided Casey left City Hall in 2014 to continue his campaign business and to work, from his home in East Aurora, for a developer based in Syracuse. A year later, in May 2015, state and federal investigators launched morning raids at his home and the homes of Pigeon and Christopher M. Grant, a strategist for candidates on the Republican side who had formed another political business with Casey. Grant and Casey had solidified their alliance in 2010, when Grant served as chief of staff to then-County Executive Chris Collins. Grant and Buffalos deputy mayor persuaded a trio of county Legislature Democrats to join the Republicans to give Collins a majority that served his needs. As for Pigeon and Casey, they rather than Democratic Party headquarters got to tap the pipeline of patronage supplied by the Erie County Water Authority. A Monroe County man was arrested on several charges Monday afternoon after he allegedly sped away from officers at 100 mph and swerved into oncoming traffic during a pursuit through three towns, according to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. James Lepore, 23, of North Chili, was arrested following a pursuit that began in the town of Stafford, went through Batavia and ended in the town of Elba after officers employed spike strips, police said. During the pursuit, deputies said Lepore exceeded speeds of 90 and 100 mph and "intentionally went into the opposite lane of travel, causing other motorists to swerve out of the way to avoid a head-on collision." Lepore was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer and speed in excess of 55 mph among 22 traffic offenses; he was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. The pursuit began on Route 33 in Stafford when an officer attempted a traffic stop as Lepore was allegedly driving faster than 55 mph; it continued through the Batavia town and city lines before concluding north of Batavia on Route 98 in Elba. A month before school starts, educators are still waiting for official health guidance from New York State, and pushing back on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's prediction there could be chaos if there's not a policy on staff vaccinations. Cuomo said Monday that school districts, particularly those in higher-risk areas, should have policies in which teachers should either have the vaccine or be tested. "School opens in one month," Cuomo said. "If you don't set policy today, you're going to have chaos when school opens. Because it will be impossible for a teacher to get the two shots done." Not so, said Hamburg Superintendent Michael Cornell, who also is the president of the Erie Niagara School Superintendents Association. "There's absolutely no reason to believe wed have chaos now when we havent for 18 months," he said. "There's no reason to believe wed have anything other than an orderly return to school in September." And, he noted, neither federal or state officials are talking about hybrid learning, but for children to be back in school five days a week, which is what schools are planning. Cuomo repeated his position that all teachers should be vaccinated. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul handled the attorney general's report on sexual harassment in the governor's office just the same way she's handled such allegations against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo from the start: with caution. Defiant Cuomo denies sexual harassment allegations as calls for resignation intensify An explosive report accusing Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of repeatedly sexually harassing female government employees has left the three-term governor seemingly facing a choice between resignation or impeachment. But that's not how the Buffalo-based lieutenant governor is handling her own future, which she's preparing for boldly. Those parallel storylines come clear through the juxtaposition of two documents: Hochul's statement berating Cuomo's "repulsive and unlawful behavior" while stopping short of calling for his resignation, and her July campaign finance filing, which showed her with more campaign cash than any potential 2022 Democratic gubernatorial candidate not named Cuomo. None of this came as a surprise to New York Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf. "It's based on her political acumen," Sheinkopf said. "She's always been a good fundraiser," and Sheinkopf said that if Hochul runs for governor, her fundraising prowess could help her overcome the disadvantage a candidate from upstate always has in a statewide race. "It would be a mistake to count her out," Sheinkopf added. While Hochul refused to comment beyond her statement, those close to her expect that if Cuomo were to resign making Hochul governor she would almost certainly run for reelection next year. For now, though, Hochul continues to do the delicate dance she's been doing since the Cuomo scandal exploded in March. She's traveling the state to push the Democratic agenda while treading lightly around the issue of Cuomo's future. "Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace, and certainly not in public service," Hochul said in a statement released several hours after Attorney General Letitia James issued a scathing report documenting charges by 11 women that Cuomo had sexually harassed them. "The Attorney Generals investigation has documented repulsive and unlawful behavior by the governor towards multiple women. I believe these brave women and admire their courage coming forward." Hochul's statement, which was released about two hours after Cuomo denied James' allegations, also alluded to his possible impeachment by the New York State Assembly. "No one is above the law," Hochul said. "Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps." Hochul has maintained her usual schedule of public appearances across the state in recent months as the accusations against Cuomo lingered and as James worked on her report. She made an appearance in Buffalo Monday for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on a new apartment complex on Jefferson Avenue and was in Albany for an event Tuesday before moving on to a series of appearances in New York City. All through that time, she has been reluctant to comment on the governor's future and she remained reluctant to do so on Tuesday. "Because lieutenant governors stand next in the line of succession, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment," she said. At the same time, though, Hochul has been busy working to secure her place in the line of succession, or to actually succeed Cuomo. Hochul raised $525,267 in the first half of the year, according to her July report to the state Board of Elections. That left her with a campaign war chest of $1.7 million. That's nearly $100,000 more than James, who is widely viewed as the most formidable Democratic candidate for governor in the absence of Cuomo. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, another potential candidate for governor, had about $1.2 million on hand as of June 30. James had to go on a fundraising spree just to come close to Hochul. James whose campaign fund was more than a half a million dollars smaller than Hochul's at the start of the year raised more than $1 million during the first half of 2021. "Letitia will be able to increase that exponentially, I would think, if she wants to run," said former Rep. John J. LaFalce, a Town of Tonawanda Democrat and a longtime mentor to Hochul. "But Kathy will not be a slouch, either. A lot depends on whether Kathy will be governor from this time forward to the election, and that depends on whether Andrew will resign." Cuomo vowed on Tuesday to remain in office, but he faced pressure to quit from every level of Democratic politics, from county party chairs in New York to the state's House members and U.S. senators all the way up to President Joe Biden. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat and close Hochul ally, said he thinks Hochul has been raising money in anticipation of Cuomo's eventual resignation. And once she becomes governor, "Kathy, with a much higher profile, would greatly, greatly enhance her viability as a candidate next year," Higgins said. "She's very professional. She's very smart. She's very telegenic. You know, it could really be an opportunity for her." And while Hochul isn't talking about it, it's clear she's planning on some sort of political opportunity. Political players across the state said she continues to fundraise aggressively and one of them proved it by forwarding an invitation to a "private cocktail hour" at Hochul's Buffalo home in honor of her birthday in August. The cost for those cocktails? It's $5,000 for "host" couples and $2,500 for "supporters." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "The findings in the attorney generals report are deeply disturbing and troubling. They detail systemic abuse and misconduct in the Executive Chamber. That the governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing for months underscores a longtime pattern of dishonesty from this administration," said Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello, R-Niagara Falls. "The governor must step down immediately. It is impossible for him to focus on running the state while trying to protect and repair his reputation," Morinello said. "If he wont, the Assembly must push forward with impeachment and remove him ourselves. James' report was "deeply disturbing," said State Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, R-Elma. "The findings of her four-month investigation indicate the governor not only broke multiple laws and fostered a hostile work environment; he violated his oath of office and is no longer fit to govern effectively. His only appropriate course of action is to resign," Gallivan said. "If he does not, the Legislature should use this report as its basis to immediately commence impeachment proceedings as outlined in the State Constitution. "The details in that report are even more disturbing than we could have imagined," said State Sen. George M. Borrello of Chautauqua County. The former legislator told The News that he heard allegations from an investigator that he was "never meant to win" a 2012 election for a NY Senate seat and that his decades-long friends Steve Casey, then the deputy mayor to Byron W. Brown, and political operative G. Steven Pigeon had coordinated with the incumbent Mark Grisanti to set up Swanick as a spoiler. WASHINGTON (AP) Several House Democrats have called on House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to apologize to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or resign after audio surfaced of him saying at a weekend fundraiser that it would be "hard not to hit her" with a gavel if he's sworn in as speaker after the 2022 midterm elections. The comment is emblematic of the rising tension between the two leaders since the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which a violent mob of former President Donald Trump's supporters broke into the Capitol and some hunted for Pelosi by name. After initially condemning the rioters and blaming Trump for inciting them, McCarthy and his leadership team have recently tried to lay blame on Pelosi, falsely claiming that she was responsible for a delay in military assistance. And McCarthy has remained close to Trump, who often insulted his political rivals in personal terms. Democrats responded quickly, noting the threats on Pelosi's life on Jan. 6, when the insurrectionists broke into her office, stole some of her belongings and called out for her. "Threatening violence against the Speaker of the House is no joke," tweeted New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. "This is the kind of reckless language that led to a violent insurrection." RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina state Rep. Jerry Carter, a longtime Baptist pastor who joined the legislature two years ago, died early Tuesday at age 66, a fellow minister said. Carter died at Duke Hospital in Durham from complications after surgery late last week to treat a rare gastrointestinal disorder, according to Aaron Shelton, assistant pastor at Reidsville Baptist Church. Carter founded the church in 1988 and served as its senior pastor, Shelton said. Carter, a Republican representing Rockingham County, was elected to the state House in 2018 and won a second two-year term in 2020. He was was a chairman of the House Families, Children and Aging Policy Committee. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Carter's death to open Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Council of State, which is comprised of 10 statewide elected officials. He was a very good man a veteran, he was a pastor, he was a representative and he was my friend," Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said at the meeting. It's a devastating loss for his community. He's a fixture in his community. He's touched many lives." Even worse was the harassment reported by a state trooper whom Cuomo wanted transferred to his protective detail, even though in 2017 she was short of the mandatory three years experience. She applied for the transfer and, once on the job, she told investigators, the harassment began. It included flirtatious and creepy comments, she said, and on three occasions each contemporaneously corroborated she said he touched her inappropriately. Buffalos Howard Zemsky, then head of Empire State Development, acknowledged the risks to an aide who had attracted what Zemsky believed to be inappropriate interest from the governor, who said she was more beautiful than a particular Hollywood actress. Zemsky told the aide, Lindsey Boylan, that Cuomo had a crush on her and asked if she wanted his help warding off Cuomos attention, an offer she declined. Hours after the reports release, Cuomo denied sexually harassing current or former staff members, but the denials ask New Yorkers to believe that the 11 women who gave testimony to investigators from aides in Albany to a state trooper to people outside of government, much of it corroborated are either conspiring against him or that all of them misunderstood conduct he insists was innocent. Similarly, he suggests that the investigators, empowered by the Democratic attorney general, are politically motivated. Celebrity real estate is typically sprawling and lavishmeanwhile, Kanye West has holed up in a sparse room in Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the goal of finishing his forthcoming album. Wherever you find yourself this week, stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches and events, recommended reading, and more. Business News In Australias biggest acquisition ever, Square announced a plan to purchase the buy now, pay later company Afterpay for $29 billion in stock. The deal will allow Afterpay to expand into the United States and Square to enter Australia. The takeover speaks to the importance of the installment-payments industry, which challenges traditional banking and credit cards and purports to be more responsible. Square and Afterpay have a shared purpose, said Square chief executive Jack Dorsey in a release. We built our business to make the financial system more fair, accessible and inclusive, and Afterpay has built a trusted brand aligned with those principles. Plant Prefab has completed a $30 million Series B funding round led by Asahi Kasei Corporation, Paris Ventures and the Amazon Alexa Fund. Founded in 2016, the company produces custom prefabricated home designs that aim to expedite the process of building single-family and multifamily homes, as well as cut down on waste and costs. With the new injection of capital, Plant Prefab plans to open a second factory in Southern California and begin construction on a third, slated to open in 2022. Realm has secured a $12 million Series A funding round led by GGV Capital, TechCrunch reports. The New Yorkbased startup aims to use its data platform to help homeowners maximize their property value, with the goal of providing a one-stop shop for accessible, actionable home advice. In particular, the company provides users with estimates of what their homes could be worth after renovations, suggesting projects that could add value. With the new funds, Realm plans to improve its platforms data insights and boost hiring across the board. The two-week lockdown of southern Vietnam, where the majority of the country's furniture production occurs, has been extended to at least August 15 by the government due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The wait could hold up deliveries through the rest of the year. Michael Amini, the CEO of AICO, told Home News Now: I think the furniture industry should brace for a great impact coming within the next couple of months, when we all run out of inventory on certain items. After a four-year tenure, the president and chief operating officer of Hickory Chair, Kevin Bowman, announced his resignation from the brand on July 30, effective immediately. Bowman said in a statement that hes leaving the company in order to pursue other opportunities within the luxury consumer space. Alex Shuford III, the chief executive officer of Hickory Chair parent company Rock House Farm, will step into the role on an interim basis and will be consolidating the roles of president and sales manager. In a statement announcing the news, Shuford, whose family owns RHF, expressed gratitude to Bowman for leading the brand through what he called some of the industrys most turbulent years. The company has a powerful legacy, and I am humbled to be able to take a more active role as we continue to build upon it, he said. The lobby view of SOM's new New York Public Health Laboratory in Harlem SOM | ATCHAIN Mega-architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill unveiled plans this week for the $400 million New York City Public Health Laboratory in Harlem. The new lab will replace an existing facility in Kips Bay owned by the citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Last month, the Public Design Commission honored the project with an Excellence in Design award. When completed, the 230,000-square-foot building will utilize passive solar shading and boast community-facing features aimed at engaging the neighborhood. Former Marlborough Gallery president Max Levai has opened an unusual exhibition space in Montauk, New York. Dubbed This Is the Ranch, Levais new venue sits on a working horse farm, meaning maybe youll catch a glimpse of the ponies when youre checking out the paintings. According to The New York Times, its just one of the latest in a wave of pandemic-triggered migrations by gallerists from the city to the East End of Long Island. Launches and Collaborations New direct-to-consumer dinnerware brand Leeway Home has launched online. After relocating to upstate New York during the pandemic, founding couple Sam Dumas and Lyle Maltz took inspiration from their move to debut the collection of stoneware dishes, glasses and utensils. Showroom Representation Wells Textiles has announced that Primavera Interior Furnishings will now represent Rose Cumming and Classic Cloth in Canada. The Rose Cumming line is best known for its whimsical chintzes, while Classic Cloth offers a range of basic and embroidered designs. Recommended Reading A new piece from Architectural Digest explores the influence of Black architects in antebellum New Orleans. Before the Civil War, the city had the largest, wealthiest population of free people of color in America, largely due to its French and Spanish heritage. Architects like Jean-Louis Dolliole and Norbert Soulie helped develop the citys distinctive architecture and, while their names have been omitted from history books, their influence can still be seen throughout neighborhoods like the French Quarter, Treme and Marigny. In an essay for House Beautiful, designer Kelly Finley shared the hurdles she faced as a Black homeowner trying to sell her house. Finley writes that she was asked to take down artwork featuring a Black woman and remove tribal-influenced fabrics before the property was listed, an example of the discrimination that people of color face in home appraisals. With just a pen and an opinion, wealth can be taken away from Black Americans effortlessly, she writes. Increased flash flooding due to climate change threatens to destroy the foundations and ground floors of historic homes in Southern cities like Charleston, South Carolina, forcing them to hoist the structures now in anticipation of the waters to come, according to an examination in NYT. The story followed one couple who spent more than $500,000 to lift their house 6 feet into the air, a complicated process that requires special design guidelines outlined by preservationists. Homepage image: The design for the New York City Public Health Laboratory, a 10-story building with a training lab and an auditorium available to the Harlem community | SOM | ATCHAIN Dr. Carol Queen Commemorates Activist Margo St. James With a Guided Tour of the Sex Workers Rights Movement This year, we lost a great feminist foremother: Margo St. James, the trailblazing leader of the modern sex workers rights movement. Though the term sex work itself wasnt coined until the late 1970s, St. James San Francisco-based organization of loose women, going by the acronym COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics), brought sex workers and allies together in an unprecedented way in 1973. Soon, other groups cropped up around the U.S., including Prostitutes of New York (PONY). Activists began fighting for decriminalization, a term first coined by Seattle anthropology professor Jennifer Jamesand its an important fight thats still ongoing today. Although mainstream activists sometimes talk about legalizing sex work, this model still involves substantial state control. Sex workers themselves tend to prefer decriminalization, which would simply remove laws that penalize sex workers for doing their jobs. Sex work activism and decriminalization has been particularly successful in Australia and New Zealand, while many European countries have also legalized prostitution in at least some forms. ADVERTISEMENT The U.S. has made significant strides since 1973. In the 80s and 90s, grants aimed at addressing HIV also supported sex workers rights, health, and safety. Today, the primary organization for this type of activism in the U.S. is the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP). Groups including Red Canary Song and Butterfly are raising awareness around issues impacting immigrant women and women of color in sex work. And Washington, D.C., has myriad organizations centering immigrant, trans, and BIPOC sex worker perspectives. Meanwhile, overseas, Red Umbrella groups advocating for sex workers rights are going strong from Europe to Taiwan. The fight for sex workers rights is inherently feminist, but its still a divisive topic between those who are supportive and those who are more conservative. This is often because the rise of the anti-trafficking movement inspired legislation that often conflates consent-based, chosen sex work with kidnapping and sexual slavery. As a result, some anti-trafficking groups are working to ban all prostitution. For example, SESTA/FOSTA, two linked federal bills that passed in 2018, brought the anti-trafficking fight to the Internetwhich has become the most significant tool for many sex workers, allowing them to advertise, screen clients, and more. This legislation conflates nonconsensual and choice-based prostitution, and seeks to shut down websites that facilitate safe sex work. This subsequently made the economic impact of COVID-19 quarantine on sex workers even more dire. The status of sex workers in the U.S. in particular has always been diverse. Some have higher incomes and more powerful clients. Some are street-based (or have been driven there by SESTA/FOSTA and the pandemic), their work made even more dangerous by intersectional issues. Some, but not all, are forced (or choose) to share their earnings with agents. For everyone, though, even those who work in Nevadas legal system, lifting the criminal laws that impact them would alleviate danger and whorephobia. Annie Sprinkle, a revolutionary educator, sex-positive feminist, and advocate, offers up these easy ways to learn more about combatting whorephobia, protecting sex workers, and decriminalizationa great way to honor Margo St. James legacy. Write letters to incarcerated sex workers. Founded in 2016, SWOP Behind Bars (swopbehindbars.org) offers many opportunities for allies to help currently and formerly incarcerated sex workers. One of the easiest things to do is join the organizations pen pal program. Donate your money. Make sure youre donating to organizations run by and for sex workers, not the rescue industry orgs. Keep an eye out for those mentioned on decriminalizesex.work. ADVERTISEMENT Educate yourself. Theres plenty to read about sex work, sex workers rights, and/or health care. Great books, articles, autobiographies, and websites await you! To start, try Revolting Prostitutes by Juno Mac and Molly Smith, To Live Freely in This World by Chi Adanna Mgbako, and the anthology Coming Out Like a Porn Star. Pay for your porn. Find a sex worker who does an OnlyFans or Patreon and sign up to send a monthly fee. You can also donate to the Golden Age Appreciation Fund (tgaafund.blogspot.com) to help porn stars in need. Check out Juliana Piccillos Whores on Film. This feature documentary offers a great history of how sex workers have been depicted in Hollywood. Go to an event produced by sex workers (when its safe). There are many virtual events out there, too! Light a candle and make a wish for sex workers rights and health care. (A little magic might happen.) Follow sex workers digital media feeds. Start with the fabulous podcast The Old Pro Project at theoldestprofessionpodcast.com/opp. By Carol Queen Top Photo Credit: George Csicsery, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Carol Illustration Credit: Marcellus Hall NEW YORK, August 03, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Booka, the popular eBook platform for children, today announced the upcoming relaunch of its application on iOS. The redesigned app will include Bookas exciting new Read to Me function, which allows children to listen to its entire catalogue of books, narrated by professional voice actors with multiple language options. The newly redesigned app will be available on the App Store from September 9th. Booka has been preparing for this relaunch by diversifying and extending its catalogue. It has signed a new contract with Milet publishing, which will bring 30 of its popular bilingual books to the Booka app. Milet publishing house leads the market in publishing adorable picture books in different languages for children. By making their interactive books available on the app, Booka will be able to offer more options to its young readers. Booka understands that language is a big part of a childs learning process. Its very important that the young readers can enjoy Bookas amazing range of interactive books in their native language. The contract with Milet publishing will allow Booka to achieve this goal and offer a more positive experience to its readers. The app will also include a new range of books from Bookas existing partners, such as Red Chair Press. One of the main reasons behind the relaunch was Bookas desire to make their app more interactive and engaging for the readers. Thats why the Booka app has been redesigned with a new interface, one thats more attractive, easy, and fun to use for its little users and their parents. Booka is also preparing for the relaunch by bringing more popular and best-selling books into their app. Theyve recently signed a contract with Larrikin House. The partnership with Larrikin House will allow Booka to introduce more learning and discovery-based childrens books on their app. This partnership will also see the popular book My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart become available on the Booka app. Story continues About Booka: Booka is a modern eBook subscription service for children. Available in IOS, Booka offers hundreds of childrens stories and early learning books to make their first learning experience effortless and fun. Its primary target markets are English speaking countries, Spain, Russia, and Germany. You can find more information about Booka at https://appbooka.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005511/en/ Contacts Company: Booka Contact Person: Andrey Mishenev Phone: +1 (864) 977-1740 Email: am@appbooka.com Lack of supply, economic rebound and demographic trends fuel home price surge Affordability challenges increasingly impact low- and middle-income Americans IRVINE, Calif., August 03, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI) and HPI Forecast for June 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005251/en/ CoreLogic National Home Price Change and Forecast; June 2021 (Graphic: Business Wire) Despite the economic ups and downs brought on by the pandemic, the housing market is still going strong. As supply and demand pressures endure and construction costs spike, in June, home price gains reached the highest annual growth since 1979. While affordability challenges intensify, low mortgage rates, rising savings and an improving labor market are helping to keep homeownership within reach for many prospective buyers. However, CoreLogic projects home price gains may slow over the next 12 months as demand moderates and for-sale inventory rises. "Home prices have been rising in the mid-single digits for some years now. The recent surge to double-digit price jumps reflect the convergence of exceptional demand and persistent low supply," said Frank Martell, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "With plenty of cash on the sidelines, along with very low mortgage rates, prices are heading up and affordability will become a more acute issue for the foreseeable future." Top Takeaways: Nationally, home prices increased 17.2% in June 2021, compared to June 2020. On a month-over-month basis, home prices increased by 2.3% compared to May 2021. In June, appreciation of detached properties (19.1%) was the highest measured since the inception of the index and nearly double that of attached properties (10.7%) as prospective buyers continue to seek more living space and lower density communities. Home price gains are projected to slow to a 3.2% increase by June 2022, as ongoing affordability challenges deter some potential buyers and an uptick in new for-sale listings cause a slowdown in home price growth. In June, home prices rose sharply in the west with Twin Falls, Idaho, experiencing the highest year-over-year increase at 40.2%. Bend, Oregon, ranked second with a year-over-year increase of 35.4%. At the state level, Idaho and Arizona continued to have the strongest price growth at 34.2% and 26.1%, respectively. Montana also had a 24.3% year-over-year increase as home buyers seek out more affordable locations with lower population density and attractive outdoor amenities. "The pandemic sparked an increase in buyer desire for lower density neighborhoods and more living space both inside and outside their home," said Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic. "Communities with single-family detached houses fill this need. Detached homes had the highest annual growth in June since the inception of the CoreLogic Home Price Index in 1976." Story continues The next CoreLogic HPI press release, featuring July 2021 data, will be issued on September 7, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. ET. Methodology The CoreLogic HPI is built on industry-leading public record, servicing and securities real-estate databases and incorporates more than 45 years of repeat-sales transactions for analyzing home price trends. Generally released on the first Tuesday of each month with an average five-week lag, the CoreLogic HPI is designed to provide an early indication of home price trends by market segment and for the "Single-Family Combined" tier, representing the most comprehensive set of properties, including all sales for single-family attached and single-family detached properties. The indices are fully revised with each release and employ techniques to signal turning points sooner. The CoreLogic HPI provides measures for multiple market segments, referred to as tiers, based on property type, price, time between sales, loan type (conforming vs. non-conforming) and distressed sales. Broad national coverage is available from the national level down to ZIP Code, including non-disclosure states. CoreLogic HPI Forecasts are based on a two-stage, error-correction econometric model that combines the equilibrium home priceas a function of real disposable income per capitawith short-run fluctuations caused by market momentum, mean-reversion, and exogenous economic shocks like changes in the unemployment rate. With a 30-year forecast horizon, CoreLogic HPI Forecasts project CoreLogic HPI levels for two tiers "Single-Family Combined" (both attached and detached) and "Single-Family Combined Excluding Distressed Sales." As a companion to the CoreLogic HPI Forecasts, Stress-Testing Scenarios align with Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) national scenarios to project five years of home prices under baseline, adverse and severely adverse scenarios at state, metropolitan areas and ZIP Code levels. The forecast accuracy represents a 95% statistical confidence interval with a +/- 2% margin of error for the index. About Market Risk Indicator Market Risk Indicators are a subscription-based analytics solution that provide monthly updates on the overall "health" of housing markets across the country. CoreLogic data scientists combine world-class analytics with detailed economic and housing data to help determine the likelihood of a housing bubble burst in 392 major metros and all 50 states. Market Risk Indicators is a multi-phase regression model that provides a probability score (from 1 to 100) on the likelihood of two scenarios per metro: a >10% price reduction and a 10% price reduction. The higher the score, the higher the risk of a price reduction. About the Market Condition Indicators As part of the CoreLogic HPI and HPI Forecasts offerings, Market Condition Indicators are available for all metropolitan areas and identify individual markets as "overvalued", "at value", or "undervalued." These indicators are derived from the long-term fundamental values, which are a function of real disposable income per capita. Markets are labeled as overvalued if the current home price indexes exceed their long-term values by greater than 10%, and undervalued where the long-term values exceed the index levels by greater than 10%. About the CoreLogic Consumer Housing Sentiment Study 3,000+ consumers were surveyed by CoreLogic via Qualtrics. The study is an annual pulse of U.S. housing market dynamics concentrated on consumers looking to purchase a home, consumers not looking to purchase a home, and current mortgage holder. The survey was conducted in April 2021 and hosted on Qualtrics. The survey has a sampling error of ~3% at the total respondent level with a 95% confidence level. Source: CoreLogic The data provided are for use only by the primary recipient or the primary recipient's publication or broadcast. This data may not be resold, republished or licensed to any other source, including publications and sources owned by the primary recipients parent company without prior written permission from CoreLogic. Any CoreLogic data used for publication or broadcast, in whole or in part, must be sourced as coming from CoreLogic, a data and analytics company. For use with broadcast or web content, the citation must directly accompany first reference of the data. If the data are illustrated with maps, charts, graphs or other visual elements, the CoreLogic logo must be included on screen or website. For questions, analysis or interpretation of the data, contact Amy Brennan at newsmedia@corelogic.com. Data provided may not be modified without the prior written permission of CoreLogic. Do not use the data in any unlawful manner. The data are compiled from public records, contributory databases and proprietary analytics, and its accuracy is dependent upon these sources. About CoreLogic CoreLogic, the leading provider of property insights and solutions, promotes a healthy housing market and thriving communities. Through its enhanced property data solutions, services and technologies, CoreLogic enables real estate professionals, financial institutions, insurance carriers, government agencies and other housing market participants to help millions of people find, buy and protect their homes. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. CORELOGIC, the CoreLogic logo, CoreLogic HPI and CoreLogic HPI Forecast are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005251/en/ Contacts Amy Brennan newsmedia@corelogic.com Page Content CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 3, 2020) The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County introduced Belton L. Platt as site supervisor for the Alternatives to Violence program. Platt will oversee a team of violence interrupters who will be tasked with mediating and reducing violent crime in the Beatties Ford Road corridor. The ATV team will also include community engagement representatives who will help build trust and relationships with community members. Belton L. Platt Belton L. Platt is a Charlotte native, motivational speaker, mentor, chaplain, author, restaurateur and community activist. He also spent more than 21 years incarcerated for drug distribution and has tragically lost three sons to gun violence. Platt now uses both his personal experiences with violence and his faith to help young people overcome obstacles. Based on his personal experiences, he understands the importance of mentorship and the impact a positive influence can make in people's lives. "I am excited to lead the ATV team in launching the program in the Beatties Ford/LaSalle area. As a native Charlottean, I see this as an excellent opportunity to be a part of the solution in making Beatties Ford Rd, and Charlotte as a whole, a safer place for everyone." Improving Community Safety with Alternatives to Violence The ATV program is part of the city's SAFE Charlotte initiative which includes violence interruption, hospital-based violence intervention and $1 million in grants to local community-based organizations. The SAFE Charlotte initiative also includes pathways to employment and affordable housing. In partnership with Cure Violence Global, and Youth Advocate Programs, the city and Mecklenburg County will launch ATV in the Beatties Ford area. The program will employ violence interrupters and outreach workers to connect with the people who are at the highest risk for perpetrating or becoming a victim of, violent crime, talk to them about the costs of violence and help them to obtain the social services they need such as job training and drug treatment. "I believe we've found the perfect person to guide our Alternatives to Violence program toward the goal of a safer city," said Mayor Vi Lyles. "Belton Platt has an abundance of life experience that will provide an immediate impact in showing members of our community that violence is never the right choice." The city and county will launch the program with a community festival, QC Fest, on Saturday, August 14 at Northwest School of the Arts from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will serve as an opportunity for residents in the Beatties Ford Road corridor to learn more about the program and its goals and meet members of the ATV team. GRAMMY-nominated artist J. Holiday and American Music Award-nominated group Day 26 will perform at the event. QC Fest is free and open to the public. The plaintiffs previously discovered that Huebsch applied to be CEO of Dairyland after leaving the commission in February 2020, though he did not get the job. In briefs filed Saturday with the Court of Appeals, Huebschs attorney argued that Frost ignored presumptions of impartiality, honestly (sic), and integrity outlined in state law that forbid fishing expeditions based on nothing more than speculation. The former state legislator and member of Gov. Scott Walkers cabinet has testified he used Signal to send encrypted, ephemeral messages to long-time friends in the utility industry but never to discuss official commission business. Attorney Ryan Walsh said Frosts decision, if allowed to stand, would have breathtaking implications for public officials, especially judges. All it would take is for one party wishing to shop for a new judge to make allegations of connections between chambers and interested law firms, businesses, or other entities, Walsh argued. And if a judge left the bench and pursued employment at a company that had a matter before it previously, perhaps that would even be grounds for vacating the judges previous decision in favor of the business. That approach could potentially work better than the annual flu shot, for which the three or four strains expected to circulate most are selected months in advance to be included. Mismatches can greatly reduce the effectiveness of existing flu vaccines, which in recent years have worked between 10 percent and 60 percent of the time. COVID-19 vaccine work stalled Meanwhile, FluGen continues to work on CoroFlu, a vaccine against flu and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but is not focusing on the effort as much as it was before, Radspinner said. FluGen researchers have been studying several CoroFlu vaccine constructs in cells, and in tests in mice and hamsters, he said. But while Radspinner said early this year the company could apply this summer to do human trials that might start late this year, those plans are now on hold. CHICAGO Illinois will effectively end immigrant detention and further restrict local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities under a plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Monday. The new law targets local government agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowing jails to house immigrant detainees awaiting court hearings. Current contracts must end by January 2022 and new agreements are prohibited. Currently, three Illinois counties Kankakee, Pulaski and McHenry have such agreements at local jails and house roughly 260 immigrant detainees overall, according to ICE. Every family, every child, every human being deserves to feel safe and secure in the place that they call home, Pritzker said at an event in Aurora where he signed several other immigration-related measures. The measure likely ends the federal agency's power to detain immigrants in Illinois. Most detainees in ICE custody nationwide are held in privately run facilities. The agency owns and operates only a handful of its own detention centers, and none exist in Illinois. The state barred private detention in 2019 following several failed attempts to build a new facility near Chicago. Then-presidential candidate Joe Biden accepted the nomination from his home in Delaware instead of in Milwaukee. Earlier this year, Harrison told Milwaukee TV station WITI that Biden was heartbroken that the convention had to be scaled back, and that hed keep it in mind when considering the 2024 convention site. A spokesperson for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett didnt respond to a request seeking comment. Its unclear whether Milwaukee would put together a bid. The Milwaukee County Democratic Party urged the DNC to quickly reselect Milwaukee as host city. We should not have to make the case for why Milwaukee would be an excellent location for the DNC in 2024 we already did that just a few years ago, its executive committee wrote. Instead, we simply ask the selection committee to follow the precedent of so many other postponed events and follow through on your national commitment to our state. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Amid strict quarantine restrictions against COVID-19, slightly fewer Filipinos were able to find work in June, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday. National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the national unemployment rate among residents aged 15 and above stood at 7.7% during the month, similar to May. This is equivalent to 3.76 million jobless Filipinos, higher than the 3.73 million tally in the previous month. Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal collectively known as National Capital Region Plus eased to general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions during the first half of June. NCR and Bulacan then shifted to the more relaxed GCQ with restrictions for the rest of the month, while Rizal, Laguna and Cavite remained under the prior classification. Meanwhile, other areas were placed under different quarantine levels ranging from modified enhanced community quarantine, GCQ, and MECQ. The number of underemployed Filipinos, or those looking for more work hours or better job opportunities, climbed to 6.41 million up from the record low 5.49 million logged in May. This represents a 14.2% underemployment rate, higher than the previous months 12.3%. The countrys labor force stood at 48.84 million in June, slightly up from the 48.45 million tallied the previous month. Some 45.08 million Filipinos were employed during the period, a mild improvement from 44.72 million in May. In terms of sector share to total employment, agriculture and services saw higher figures in June while industries reported a slightly smaller tally. Administrative and support service activities led the industries with the largest month-on-month jump in employment. Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, fishing and aquaculture, education, and agriculture and forestry also logged more workers in June. Meanwhile, other service activities saw the largest drop in jobs during the month. Accommodation and food services, public administration and defense, transportation and storage, along with financial and insurance activities saw employment fall during the period. The average number of hours worked in a week remained at 39 hours, noted the PSA. It reported that 37.8% of employed persons worked less than 40 hours weekly, higher than Mays figure. Less workers also logged at least 40 hours in a week at 61.1%. The PSA estimated 1.2% of Filipinos had jobs but werent at work. The top reasons for these are health or medical limitations, variable working time or nature of work, and lockdowns. Mapa said the number of jobless adults is expected to go up this August given the return of lockdowns in the capital region, similar to what happened during the declaration of tighter quarantine rules in 2020 and this year. Although the ECQ imposition may temporarily impact employment outcomes in August 2021, the government is determined to maximize this period to accelerate vaccination in high-risk areas in order to safely resume economic activities and restore jobs, the economic team said in a statement. Economic managers also called for the stricter observation of health protocols and cooperation with the governments PDITR strategy. They also encouraged firms to continue innovating to ensure business continuity and peoples incomes. These efforts will also be complemented by the National Employment Recovery Strategy to generate and preserve jobs while supporting existing and emerging businesses, the officials added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) The Philippine agriculture sector churned out a relatively healthy volume of goods during the COVID-19 crisis, the United Nations said, but small farmers remain left behind and suffered from farm-to-market bottlenecks. In the midst of crisis, smallholder farmers and fisherfolk have shown how essential they are to the economic stability of the country and the food security of the population, including those in urban centers, read the UN report published Tuesday. The crisis has also highlighted their vulnerability to widescale market-related and logistical disruptions, and their lack of adaptive capacities due to limited agencies and prevailing social inequities. Farm output grew in the second and third quarters of 2020 according to government data, although the full-year production value tally settled 1.2% lower than the previous year. Kati Tanninen, representative of the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization, said in a Tuesday webinar that authorities must recognize the importance of small farmers and fishers as food producers and provide the assistance needed to get their produce to markets at the right price. She added that vegetable and fish producers suffered massive losses when the pandemic hit last year by way of more expensive transport costs and reduced market access. As a result, some of their products went stale. The government must invest more on logistics and infrastructure support to improve the flow of goods in the supply chain, she added. Asian Development Bank country director Kelly Bird also noted that food security should play a part in local and national disaster risk reduction and management plans, especially on feeding the poor and vulnerable. On Monday, the Department of Agriculture assured the public theres enough food to go around as Metro Manila and several provinces return to lockdowns. But a farmers' group revived their appeal for more aid. Kung meron mang food supply, ang merong kontrol nito ay yung mga pribadong sektor o trader lalo na po sa palay, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson Danilo Ramos told CNN Philippines. Sa mga lungsod nagkakaroon po ng panic buying, pero ang mga magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawang agrikultural, kabilang ang sakada eh wala pong magawa kundi mag-panic pero walang buying. Walang bili kasi nga po dahil sa kahirapan, he added. [Translation: Its the private sector or the traders who have the control over food supply, especially for rice. In the cities theres panic buying, but farmers, fisherfolk, agriculture workers, and even farm tillers can only panic no buying, because they are in deeper poverty.] READ: Hunger a big problem as surging food prices part of 'new normal' He added that farmers are having a hard time keeping up with the new lockdown as they have yet to recover from last years loss of income due to the previous restrictions and with the string of typhoons that damaged their crops. Input costs are also rising, Ramos said, making it harder to make a profit and plant new crops. KMP issued a fresh call for a 10,000 cash aid to farmers and a 15,000 production subsidy, but DA has made no commitments so far. The scale of the crisis has underscored the need for current food systems to transform in order to thrive, withstand and recover from potentially worse future disasters and emergencies, the UN report added, noting more assistance is needed to protect small-scale farmers from future food supply disruptions and even from the impact of climate change. RELATED: Farms are wasting 1 billion tons of food. That's a disaster for the climate (CNN) The Taliban have taken over a TV station in Afghanistan's strategic Helmand province, a source at the TV and radio station told CNN on Monday, marking the latest of a series of advances by the militant group in the country. The Helmand TV station, located in the city of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, is operated by state-run Radio and Television Afghanistan. Local journalists in Lashkar Gah say there is nothing currently being broadcast over the station. In a text message to CNN, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the group has taken over the station. The incident comes as the United States has ramped up airstrikes against the Taliban in a bid to turn back the militants' advances on a number of key provincial capitals in Afghanistan, a senior Afghan security official said Monday. Over the past 72 hours, US airstrikes have targeted Taliban positions around the cities of Herat, Kandahar and Lashkar Gah, the official said. "They strike multiple times when the Taliban try to enter the city," the official said, adding that the three cities were considered "endangered" by Taliban advances. American officials have recently confirmed that US airstrikes are active in Afghanistan again, which are now averaging between one and five strikes a day, a US defense official told CNN on Monday. The airstrikes are currently the only military assistance the US is rendering, the official also said. While control on the ground is likely to shift back and forth still, as of Monday, Taliban forces were controlling some of the southern outskirts of Kandahar. Taliban forces that had initially surged toward Herat, near the Iran border, have for the moment been pushed back. But it is Lashkar Gah "that may be in the most jeopardy," the official said, with at least two police districts believed to be in Taliban control. 'It's not going well' The weekend saw heavy fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces in Lashkar Gah, where local journalists contacted by CNN also said the Taliban now control several districts of the city. The defense official detailed a grim assessment of the situation on Monday, telling CNN: "It's not going well." Lashkar Gah sits on strategic routes in all directions, including the highway between Kandahar and Herat and important agricultural areas to the south of the city. The Taliban has long had a strong presence in Helmand province, including around the provincial capital, but has not occupied any part of the capital since being overthrown in 2001. The Afghan military reinforced its presence in the city on Saturday, bringing in special forces, according to a tweet from the 215 Corps, an army unit. It also carried out airstrikes against Taliban positions. If Lashkar Gah were to fall to the Taliban it would be the first of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals to be lost by the government. But several others are surrounded by the Taliban, which also controls several major highways across Afghanistan. The province of Herat has also seen heavy fighting. The Ministry of Defense tweeted Sunday: "Hundreds of special forces arrived in Herat province! These forces will increase offensive operations and suppress the Taliban in Herat. The security situation in the province will improve soon." In an apparent acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation in Herat, the Ministry of the Interior said that the deputy interior minister General Abdul Rahman Rahman had arrived there with police special forces. Videos that appeared Saturday indicate that the Taliban now control the road linking the capital also called Herat with its airport. A local journalist told CNN Sunday that the Taliban has control of much of Goazara district near the airport, and has also taken Karoakh to the east. The airport itself remains in government hands. "It's not a foregone conclusion" the Taliban will take control of the provincial capitals, the defense official said. The concern, however, is deep in US military circles. Those cities "are under a lot of pressure. If one falls the potential for unraveling of Afghan confidence in the government becomes a real possibility," the official said. US withdraws, Taliban steps in After nearly 20 years in Afghanistan, the US military, at President Joe Biden's direction, is in the final stages of withdrawing troops from the country, bringing an end to America's longest war. The Pentagon has said about 95% of US troops have left and the Taliban have rapidly expanded their presence to large swaths of country. The speed at which Afghan security forces have lost control to the Taliban has shocked many and led to concerns that the capital, Kabul, could be next to fall. All foreign forces are expected to leave Afghanistan by August 31. According to the Long War Journal, a US nonprofit that tracks control of territory in Afghanistan, the Taliban now controls 13 of 16 districts in Herat province. Most of its gains came in the month of July. Nationwide, the Taliban controls 223 districts, with 116 contested and the government holding 68, according to the Long War Journal, whose calculations tally with CNN's estimates. It says 17 of 34 provincial capitals are directly threatened by the Taliban. The vast majority of Taliban gains have come since the US drawdown of forces began in May, after President Biden's announcement that all US combat forces would leave Afghanistan by the end of August. Bill Roggio, who edits the Long War Journal, said Saturday that "the withdrawal of US air assets, which provided more than 80% of the combat power to battle the Taliban, and civilian contractors to provide maintenance, along with combat attrition, has put an enormous strain on the Afghan Air Force." The worsening security situation across Afghanistan in the wake of foreign troop withdrawal and Taliban advances, has forced an estimated 294,000 from their homes since January, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported on July 21, bringing the total internally displaced to more than 3.5 million. International concerns for Afghanistan's citizens are continuing to mount. A recent report from the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) found that the Taliban have killed at least 40 people since July 16 in Kandahar province's Spin Boldak district. The commission said its findings, released on Saturday, revealed that the Taliban has retaliated against past and present government officials and residents who welcomed Afghan security forces during the recapture of the Spin Boldak district on July 14. That same week, Taliban fighters killed 22 members of the Afghan special forces as they tried to surrender. This story was first published on CNN.com "Taliban take over TV station in strategic city as US airstrikes pound key positions in Afghanistan" Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - Before, condominiums were only equated with the word investment. But as more people lived in the city, they became homes near work, where people can sleep and eat after a busy day. But what if we say that this "normal" condo life can be upgraded and be made world-class? This is what The Residences at The Westin Manila Sonata Place offers to the Philippine real estate landscape -- a luxurious living experience at the heart of a lively city district. As the first Westin-branded residence in Southeast Asia, this premium property offers carefully planned and beautifully furnished homes that embody the benefits of an exclusive life experience through its one-of-a-kind amenities for a hotel-like daily experience. This development also ensures that residents get to experience only high-end living through the Westin brand's signature services and features. The Westin way of life PHOTO FROM RLC RESIDENCES. Actual Photo of a 2BR Model Unit. 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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 2) President Rodrigo Duterte has approved granting cash aid to nearly 11 million individuals in Metro Manila during the hard lockdown starting Friday, officials confirmed on Monday. Around 80% of the 13 million residents in Metro Manila are set to receive 1,000 financial assistance or a maximum of 4,000 per household during the strictest enhanced community quarantine period from Aug. 6 to 20. Senator Bong Go, who attended the televised meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, confirmed this was approved by the chief executive. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the financial assistance to 10.8 million Metro Manila residents is assured, but the source of funds remains a question. "Ang hindi lang sigurado, saan kukunin. Pero ang mandato ng Presidente, humanap kayo ng pera," said Roque, adding that budget officials will be meeting with concerned agencies this afternoon regarding sources of funding. [Translation: What is not sure is where this (cash aid) will come from. But the President's mandate is clear, look for funding.] The National Capital Region, currently under general community quarantine with heightened and additional restrictions, will return to a two-week ECQ starting Aug. 6 after mayors sought tighter quarantine measures as COVID-19 cases continue to rise amid the threat of the Delta variant. The government is aiming to distribute the cash assistance to affected households before the ECQ takes effect, Roque added. Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda, office-in-charge of the Department of Budget and Management, said the cash aid funds will be coursed through local governments, adding that the DBM is looking for ways to ensure LGUs will receive them directly. Canda said approximately 19 million people in areas under ECQ will benefit from the latest round of assistance. Meanwhile, Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the distribution of cash aid will still be done in queue system, noting that it may not finish on time if done house-to-house. The MMDA chief assured that a better procedure will be implemented during this round of cash aid distribution to ensure social distancing. CNN Philippines correspondent Melissa Lopez contributed to this report. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) An official on Tuesday discouraged opening community pantries to help struggling Metro Manila residents during the two-week hard lockdown for fear that queues may turn into COVID-19 superspreader events. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos said organizers should coordinate with local government units instead for the possible delivery of food and other goods on their doorsteps. He stressed that Metro Manila residents are required to stay home during the enhanced community quarantine. "I-coordinate na lang para maipagbahay-bahay ito. As much as possible kasi ang purpose ng ECQ ay talagang huwag lumabas ng bahay. Kung magpapapila tayo sa labas at magbibigay tayo, baka magkagulo," he said in a media briefing. [Translation: Let us coordinate so it can be delivered house-to-house. The purpose of the ECQ is for everyone to stay at home. If they line up in community pantries, it might cause a commotion.] The community pantry initiative, where residents can donate basic goods to help fellow citizens in need amid the pandemic, started along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City during the ECQ period in April. After going viral on social media, more pantries and carts sprang up in various areas in Metro Manila and other regions. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) -- The government is considering increasing its COVID-19 vaccination target from 70% to 80% of the population due to the highly contagious Delta variant. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje says this will depend on the country's policies on vaccinating minors as this revision means expanding the local inoculation drive to those aged below 18 years old. "With the Delta variant, there is a looming proposal na kailangang taasan pa iyong ating (that we need to raise our) vaccination coverage to 80%," Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said on Tuesday in an online briefing. "That will mean - include na natin ang below 18 years old kasi karamihan po ng 70 million ay covered na siya ng 18 and above," she added. [Translation: That will mean including those below 18 years old in the vaccination program because our initial target of 70 million already covers people aged 18 and above.] Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the Philippines will not yet start administering COVID-19 shots to minors, citing the need for more studies. Duque said the Duterte administration will wait for other countries to vaccinate children against COVID-19 and learn from their experience. The country's limited vaccine supply is currently earmarked for sectors considered vulnerable to COVID-19. These include the healthcare personnel, senior citizens, and people with comorbidities. The country has administered around 21 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. Based on their estimates, Cabotaje said 50% to 60% of the population could be immunized by the end of the year, and that may go up to 70% in early 2022. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Despite the absence of evidence, the Department of Health believes there is a Delta variant community transmission in the country and it is driving the spike in COVID-19 cases. "What we are doing right now is we assume there is community transmission already because we are seeing this (rise). Sans any evidence right now, we are going to do actions towards this direction that there is already community transmission," Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday. "Sa tingin ho namin talaga (We think that) the Delta variant is driving the rise in the number of cases but of course there are still other variants like the Alpha and Beta which were also detected in most of the regions in the country," she added. First detected in India, the Delta variant is reported to be much more transmissible than the Alpha variant discovered in the United Kingdom and the Beta variant first identified in South Africa. There are to date 216 Delta variant cases reported in the Philippines, 17 of which are active. The World Health Organization said community transmission is divided into four levels, ranging from low incidence, moderate incidence, high incidence, to a very high incidence of locally acquired cases in the past 14 days. Vergeire explained community transmission can be declared when there is no known linkage among individuals with the highly transmissible variant. The DOH is still waiting for further evidence from the Philippine Genome Center before finalizing its assessment. She also said that while cases in the Philippines are already "exponentially rising," the DOH is still waiting for developments to see if the country falls under any specific classification. In a separate briefing, WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe stressed the importance of implementing crucial measures now such as the minimum public health standards, vaccinating senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, and increasing oxygen supply regardless of whether there is community spread or not. "I cannot exclude that there is limited community transmission in some places because we have very limited capacity for whole genome sequencing." he said. "So it may be that there is community transmission." "We need to recognize that we are facing a risk because of a highly-transmissible variant of the disease. We need to implement measures now," he added, Vergeire said experts project that the 13,000 currently active cases in the capital region may rise to 18,000 to 30,000 active cases by end of September even with stricter restrictions in place. With no restriction imposed, the number of active cases may increase to as high as 500,000 next month. These figures are based on last week's COVID-19 situation, which means an updated projection may indicate possibly higher cases, Vergeire said. Metro Manila will be under enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20, in a bid to control the spread of the feared variant. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) President Rodrigo Duterte assured that COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed to all local government units when the government already has stable supplies. During his televised weekly address, the President also noted that given vaccine supply problems, areas with high number of COVID-19 cases will be prioritized for the meantime. Let me just assure everybody, anywhere in the Philippines, that the vaccine that we are giving is for all Filipinos, he said. Its just a matter of priority dito sa mga (here in the) hotspots kagaya ng Maynila (like Manila)... nandito lahat ng tao so iyong transmission mas mabilis (most of the people are here so transmission is faster). Duterte emphasized that if the government has enough doses, no one would have to wait, and vaccines will be given immediately. Ang problema talaga ng Pilipinas ay wala tayong supply na maganda If we have the numbers in sufficient vaccines, hindi na sila maghintay, ibigay na natin agad, he explained. [Translation: The problem of the Philippines really is we have no steady suppy. If we have the numbers in sufficient vaccines, they woud not have to wait and we'll give it to them immediately.] Currently, the country has received some 34 million coronavirus shots, of which almost 21 million were already administered. Most of the supply had been allocated to the National Capital Region, the center of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, followed by CALABARZON, and Central Luzon. Latest government data also shows that total COVID-19 cases in the country has reached over 1.6 million after adding 8,167 on Monday, of which 2,074 came from NCR. Death toll stood at 28,093 and recoveries at 1,515,054. Meanwhile, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. also noted that there is still the issue of vaccine hesitancy among the elderly. He noted that only 2.6 million senior citizens have received both their doses since the government started vaccinating the group early this year. By end-August, he said they hope to fully immunize 5 million senior citizens. To date, around 9.1 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated. The figure is still far from the governments 70-million target in order to achieve population protection this year. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) President Rodrigo Duterte revealed on Monday that COVID-19 vaccine donations from the United States played a role in his decision to recall the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement. Give and take lang tayo, so pasalamat tayo sa kanila at may naibigay naman ako sa kanila na (we thank them, and I also gave them a) concession," he said during his televised weekly address. "I conceded the continuance of the Visiting Forces Agreement in gratitude, he said. Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that there is a good possibility that the vaccine donations contributed to the decision of Duterte to keep the VFA. Last month, the Philippines received 3.2 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine donated by Washington through the COVAX Facility. Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that Duterte canceled the termination of the agreement between Manila and Washington after his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III. This Tuesday, the country will also receive over 3 million vaccine doses of the American brand Moderna, which will be personally welcomed by Duterte. During his address, the President also thanked US President Joe Biden and the American people for not forgetting the Philippines with its vaccine donations. Id like to thank the President of the United States, si Biden, the government and the people of America for not forgetting us, he said. Do not forget us because we share the same outlook sa (in) geopolitics, especially in Southeast Asia, he also said. Currently, the country has received some 34 million coronavirus shots, most of which are Sinovac's CoronaVac of China. Almost 21 million of these were already administered, with around 9.1 million Filipinos receiving two doses. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) President Rodrigo Duterte again revealed what he thought of efforts to get him to face the International Criminal Court: I will never go there alive. "Alam niyo kung gusto niyo talaga akong...it's over my dead body. Makuha niyo ako, dalhin niyo ako sa Netherlands, patay. You will have a carcass. Hindi ako pupunta doon ng buhay," Duterte said during his address to the nation on Monday. [Translation: You know if you really want me...its over my dead body. If you take me to the Netherlands, it will happen only because I'd be dead. You will have a carcass. I will never go there alive.] Duterte was presenting information on recent anti-drug operations when he shifted the topic to human rights activists who, he said, focused only on the killings. READ: Duterte claims public benefited from state-sponsored drug war "Anong problema nitong human rights?... At yung mga listahan sa mga pinatay, bakit listahan lang sa mga pinatay na kriminal? Sagutin nga ninyo ako diyan," he said. [Translation: What is the problem of these human rights activists?... And the list of those who were killed, why do they only list the criminals? Answer me.] He also warned the United States to be careful, adding that authorities there are guilty of human rights violations as well. READ: Palace: Up to Biden to heed US senators' call to condemn PH drug war, attacks vs. critics Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the country cannot be compelled to cooperate with an ICC probe into the Duterte administration's war on drugs, despite a Supreme Court ruling. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Vice President Leni Robredo is still looking at the possibility of running in the 2022 presidential elections, but the goal of uniting the opposition comes first, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. Drilon, vice chairman of the opposition Liberal Party, disagreed with former Senator Antonio Trillanes statement that Robredo should not have talked to Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson, the first to confirm a presidential bid, and Senator Richard Gordon, whos also considering running for president. At this point, the Vice President is still looking at a possible presidential run next year. But the first objective is to make sure that an opposition candidate wins. Therefore, step one is to unite everybody, Drilon said in an online media interview on Tuesday. If she becomes the most viable candidate, she will ask the others to come around and support her because the objective is to have a united front. So, the assessment that she has given up is totally wrong and baseless, he added. In an open letter to fellow members of the opposition on Monday, Trillanes said Robredo should not give way to other candidates and that she does not need Lacson and Gordon, whom he called collaborators of President Rodrigo Duterte. Trillanes recalled that Lacson chaired committee hearings on staunch Duterte critic and detained Senator Leila de Lima and worked on the passage of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act, while Gordon maintained there were no state-sanctioned killings after months of legislative hearings in 2016. The incumbent senators have said they are not pro-administration and have actually made criticisms against the President. Madi-dilute lang ang message of CHANGE ng opposition, which is our biggest campaign weapon in 2022. As regards conducting exploratory talks, hindi kami purists pero let us not sacrifice naman our core principles at the altar of winnability, Trillanes said in the letter. Drilon, for his part, said his colleagues in the Senate have done their share in maintaining their principles. That is why we will present ourselves to the people and the people will judge each candidacy. At this stage, I dont think we should already exclude certain politicians and not pursue a united ticket, the veteran lawmaker said. The LP earlier said it would also reach out to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senators Nancy Binay and Joel Villanueva to forge the broadest unity against the administration in 2022. Drilon also said the Vice Presidents low survey ratings is not a cause for concern, considering that she won in the 2016 elections despite being at the tail end of early surveys. She decided to run for vice president with one percent and she beat Bongbong Marcos. Today, she has anywhere from 6 to 8 percent. She has a better chance today than she had in 2016, Drilon said. It is a question of her being able to decide as soon as possible, he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Some three million more doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States arrived in the country on Tuesday. The shipment containing 3,000,060 doses landed at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 5:30 p.m. President Rodrigo Duterte, along with some members of the national pandemic response task force and the US embassy in Manila, personally welcomed the donations, which were coursed through the COVAX Facility co-led by the World Health Organization. In his speech during the ceremonial turnover, Duterte said the vaccines will be allocated to indigent Filipinos. I know that it is the sentiment of America that the vaccines that will be given to the Philippines should go first to those who have least in life yung mga mahihirap [the poor ones], he said. Rest assured, everybody will follow that directive, he added. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano earlier said the vaccines may be part of those to be distributed in Metro Manila, which will return to the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting August 6 amid rising COVID-19 cases. The latest delivery is the second tranche of US vaccine donations, which now add up to around 6.2 million doses. The first, which came in July, consisted of a total of 3.2 million single-shot vaccines manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. US Embassy Charge d'Affaires John Law said the US will continue to work with the Philippines to make safe, effective vaccines widely available." This August, the country expects to receive a total of 22.7 million coronavirus shots both donated and procured from different vaccine brands, according to Malacanang. A million more doses from Sinovac will be delivered within the first week of the month, followed by another 7.4 million in the next three weeks. Some 800,000 shots of the Pfizer vaccine, 1.1 million of the AstraZeneca, and one million of the Sinopharm are also scheduled to reach the country by next week. The arrival date of the rest of the shipments will still be announced. As of August 2, government data showed some 20.8 million doses have been administered nationwide. Metro Manila (CNN Philippine, August 3) - The National Capital Region has returned to "high risk" classification due to rising COVID-19 cases, according to the Department of Health. Aside from NCR, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao are also under "high risk," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing Tuesday. Vergeire added that the six regions saw an increase in their average daily attack rates (ADAR), or the number of confirmed cases in a certain area or population. The ADAR of the following regions from July 20 to Aug. 2 are as follows: - NCR: 8.96 - Central Visayas: 8.79 - Ilocos Region: 8.47 - Cagayan Valley: 7.50 - CAR: 7.48 - Northern Mindanao: 7.47 The DOH said an attack rate of more than 7 per 100,000 population is considered "high risk." Meanwhile, the healthcare utilization rate in NCR is 46.52% while its intensive care utilization rate is 54.82%. Both rates are classified as "low risk," according to the DOH. Metro Manila will revert to the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20 due to the Delta coronavirus variant. The country on Tuesday recorded 6,879 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total to 1,612,541. Of the nationwide tally, 63,137 are active cases or currently ill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Some 4,100 nurses were deployed to different parts of the country to respond to the rising COVID-19 cases, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday. "We were able to hire already 4,100 nurses and (they) have been deployed to hospitals and other facilities of the country," Vergeire told CNN Philippines' The Source. She said part of the challenge of expanding hospital capacity is the hiring and deployment of more health workers, as the country grapples with a surge driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant. The DOH spokesperson said the government is continuously hiring medical specialists, doctors, and general health practitioners to supplement hospitals in need. "This is what we are really trying to work on right now -- that the healthcare workers would be preserved and that we can be able to hire some more," she pointed out. Vergeire said that despite pending evidence, the Health Department is already "assuming" a Delta variant community transmission which is driving the spike in COVID-19 cases. There are 216 Delta variant cases reported in the Philippines so far. READ: DOH 'assumes' there is Delta variant community transmission in PH Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, told CNN Philippines' New Day that medical practitioners "would like to see more effective containment measures" and strict implementation of health protocols as Metro Manila prepares to shift to a stricter quarantine later this week. READ: Physicians' group says two-week ECQ in NCR 'enough' for now Metro Manila will be under enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20, in a bid to control the spread of the feared variant. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Government savings worth more than 13 billion will be tapped for the financial aid for Metro Manila residents when the region goes into hard lockdown from Aug. 6 to 20, Malacanang said Tuesday. The Palace made the announcement a day after saying the source for funds was still uncertain. In his regular briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque cited the recently signed Administrative Order No. 41 which directed departments to identify savings from their respective 2020 budgets, so that they may be tapped as additional funds for pandemic response measures. A total of 13.1 billion will be used to finance the cash aid for 10.7 million Metro Manila residents, according to Roque. The Budget Department also confirmed the funding source in an interview with CNN Philippines, as it guaranteed a swift release of the financial assistance. We just want to assure that the DBM will facilitate the prompt release of the funds upon the approval of the President, Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo told News Night, pertaining to a written document of approval from the Office of the President. Toledo expressed hope that local government units may start distributing aid by Friday in time for the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the capital region. The President recently approved the provision of 1,000 in assistance per individual, or a maximum of 4,000 per household during the ECQ period. "Kung meron pa po tayong kinakailangan na iba pang ibigay na financial assistance dahil nga po dito sa ECQ, kukunin naman po natin yan sa tinatawag na windfall na nakolekta po ng Bureau of Treasury," Roque added. [Translation: If we still need to provide additional financial assistance because of this ECQ, we will source them from the windfall collected by the Bureau of Treasury.] The President has emphasized lockdowns cannot be declared without the provision of cash aid, Roque reiterated. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) Senior citizens and people with comorbidities without prior appointments can get their vaccines in immunization centers in areas under enhanced community quarantine, the National Vaccination Operations Center, which was tasked to issue inoculation guidelines during ECQ, said Tuesday. Gingoog City, Iloilo City, Iloilo province, and Cagayan de Oro City are currently under ECQ. Meanwhile, Metro Manila will revert to ECQ for the third time from Aug. 6 to 20. "Since our focus is really group A2 and A3 because they are the most at risk and the most vulnerable, pwede silang mag-walk in (walk-ins are permitted for them)," Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, who also heads the NVOC said in an online briefing. Meanwhile, walk-ins for other eligible sectors shall not be allowed, Cabotaje said. Aside from this, vaccination in medical centers and hospitals should be temporarily suspended so healthcare workers can focus on attending to COVID-19 patients, Cabotaje said. She also urged local governments to provide free rides to vaccine recipients and vaccination teams during the ECQ period. LGUs can also continue using bus-based mobile vaccination units, she added. She said they will also deploy mobile vaccination teams to areas where there are more people who need to be inoculated and establish temporary post-vaccination sites. Kalibo, Aklan (CNN Philippines, August 3) Municipal mayors in Aklan have been told to prepare burial grounds for confirmed COVID-19 deaths after the provincial government's partner crematorium facility in Jaro, Iloilo City said it would temporarily stop its services due to the huge volume of bodies received daily. An order signed on Aug. 2 by Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores directed all mayors in Aklan to have burial grounds in their areas ready, reminding them to follow health protocols in light of COVID-19. In a radio interview on Tuesday, Fely Gegato, owner of the Gegato Abecia Funeral Homes & Crematory, said the machine they use for cremation overheated from cremating 20 to 30 bodies daily, and they would scale down to cremating 10 bodies a day. "We will cremate the remaining dead bodies, but starting August 2, we will temporarily stop our operation," she added. Gegato did not say when the crematorium would operate again, but added they ordered another cremation machine that could accommodate 100 bodies a day. Due to the announcement, the bodies of two COVID-19 fatalities in Kalibo were buried in two separate cemeteries on Monday. In a phone interview on Tuesday, Aklan Provincial Health Office Chairperson Dr. Bong Cornelio Cuachon said the government must hire experts to conduct a specific study on how to properly bury the dead bodies to avoid contamination. "Aklan province tallies an average five deaths due to COVID-19 a day," Cuachon added. Aklan has a total of 8,383 COVID-19 cases, of whom 6,544 have already recovered. It has 1,656 active cases, and 184 deaths. Due to the rise in cases, Aklan has been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine from Aug. 1-15. (CNN) -- Coronavirus deaths in Africa rose rapidly over the past month, as fatalities surged by 80 percent within the last four weeks, the World Health Organization has said. WHO's Vaccine Introduction Officer for the African Region, Phionah Atuhebwe, told CNN on Monday that the continent was witnessing an unprecedented rise in coronavirus fatalities. "COVID-19 death rates have increased across Africa, with the highest weekly rate (6,343) to date reported during the week starting 19 July 2021," said Atuhebwe. "Deaths increased by 89%, from 13,242 to 24,987, in the last 28 days, when compared against statistics for the previous 28 days," she added. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference Friday that the pandemic's worsening death toll and rapid infection rate are "being driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant," which is considered to be more deadly than the original strain of coronavirus. Ghebreyesus said the Delta variant so far "detected in at least 132 countries" has also spiked Covid-19 infections globally by 80 percent within the past four weeks. "Almost 4 million cases were reported to WHO last week, and on current trends, we expect the total number of cases to pass 200 million within the next two weeks," Ghebreyesus added. Africa at 'higher risk' Atuhebwe explained that most new deaths in the last 28 days were reported from Southern Africa, which she said accounts for 64 percent of the burgeoning death rate with 16,019, while North Africa accounts for 24 percent with 6036 deaths. Both subregions accounted for 88 percent of all reported deaths in the past month, the WHO official added. Atuhebwe said at least 15 African countries are currently recording an upward trend in weekly deaths associated with COVID-19. "The 15 countries are Algeria, Botswana, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco," she said, attributing the surge in Covid fatality rates to increased transmission rates of the virus. In West Africa, a resurgence of cases is overwhelming the already stretched healthcare systems of affected countries in the region. Less than one million of Senegal's 16 million people have received Covid-19 vaccination, setting the country up for a devastating third wave of infections, which saw more than 15,000 new Covid cases last month. While in Nigeria, a rise in the number of Covid deaths is also causing concern. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Monday that there has been a daily average of six deaths at its isolation centers in the past week. Sanwo-Olu added that there had been an eight-fold increase in infection rate in Lagos, resulting in 4,300 confirmed cases in July alone, while 352 patients were admitted into the state-run isolation centers. A slow vaccination effort Only around 1.5 percent of Africa's more than one billion people have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Much of the continent relies on donations from the global vaccine sharing scheme COVAX, as well as donations from China, India, and the US. Africa's slow vaccination rate has been largely hinged on global vaccine inequality as wealthier countries in the West stockpile more Covid shots than they need. Ghebreyesus described the global distribution of vaccines as "unjust" while expressing worry that Africa was at higher risk of being overrun by the pandemic due to vaccine shortages. "All regions are at risk, but none more so than Africa... Many African countries have prepared well to roll out vaccines, but the vaccines have not arrived," he said. "This is a very serious problem if we're going to take action against this pandemic and end it." Vaccination efforts are ramping up as donations trickle in. The US this week sent millions of doses to countries including Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria. Over the weekend Nigeria received delivery of 4 million doses of the Moderna vaccine on Sunday, this is in addition to more than 4 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca earlier received from COVAX in March, the country's vaccination agency said Monday. More than 2 million people have so far received a vaccination shot in Nigeria, with more than one million fully vaccinated. South Africa took delivery of 2.8 million out of an expected 5.6 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US government. The country has recorded more than 2 million Covid cases and 72,000 deaths the highest in Africa. The WHO had unveiled plans to support countries in vaccinating at least 10 percent of their population by the end of September. The global health body now says just over half of countries worldwide have inoculated 10 percent of their population. However, nearly 70 percent of African nations will not achieve this landmark by September, the WHO director-general stated. "Around 3.5 million to 4 million doses are administered weekly on the continent, but to meet the September target this must rise to 21 million doses at the very least each week," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Delta variant has spiked Covid-19 deaths in Africa by 80% in one month, WHO says" When youre a bartender in Traverse City, Michigan, The Cherry Capital of the World, you get used to making cocktails with cherries. Thats especially true for the team at Traverse City Whiskey Co., a local distillery that has, since its inception in 2012, grown into Michigans single largest craft spirits distillery. Co-founder Chris Fredrickson comes from a multi-generational cherry-farming family, so it only made sense for TC Whiskey Co. to incorporate a cherry whiskey into its product offerings. That whiskey, a bourbon variety steeped in Montmorency cherries and dubbed the American Cherry Edition, is the top-selling craft spirit in the state of Michigan. For Diane Corcoran, crafting cocktails with cherries and cherry whiskey is a big part of the fun of working at TC Whiskey Co. Corcoran is a hospitality industry veteran, a bartender extraordinaire, and an expert in all things craft beverages. She spent seven years as the beverage director for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, and still works with the Windy City Smokeout management team in Chicago. Before officially joining the team at TC Whiskey Co. in 2020, she had consulted with the company multiple times over the years, even helping the business expand its reach to the Detroit area with a tasting room called The Traverse City Whiskey Co. Outpost that opened in Ferndale, Michigan, in 2019. These days, Corcoran wears many hats for Traverse City Whiskey Co., from product sales and marketing to event planning. Shes also one of the core masterminds behind the cocktails served at their two tasting rooms, many of which, predictably, follow a cherry theme. Thats fine by her: Corcoran says that one of the best things about using cherries or cherry whiskey in cocktails is that cherry is actually a really versatile flavor. That versatility opens the door for any number of possible recipes. Cherry plays beautifully with citrus; it plays beautifully with lemon juice, Corcoran says. But it also goes great with really spicy things. It goes great with tropical flavors. It plays beautifully with chocolate. I find that, when Im doing R & D and thinking, Okay, I need a cocktail that's going to be sweet, or I need a cocktail that's going to be boozy, but I want to keep it true to Traverse City, Ill ask, Does cherry work in it? And nine times out of ten, cherry works in whatever cocktail I'm thinking of. Corcorans top tips for mixing drinks with cherry? The first is to get creative. Try mixes that pair different kinds of liquor with cherry flavors, or experiment with some of the many complementary flavor pairings such as citrus, spice, chocolate, pomegranate, coconut and even various herbs. Corcorans second piece of advice is to be expansive with how you define the idea of using cherries in a drink. Fresh cherries are terrific for flavor or garnish if theyre in-season, but there is also something to be said for a dash of cherry bitters, a bit of cherry syrup or a good cherry-infused spirit. Finally, Corcoran advises cherry cocktail aficionados to use well-made, more natural, less commercial forms of cherry wherever possible. You will get a more realistic cherry flavor versus a more sugary one, she explains. For instance, try trading out maraschino cherries the bright-red, artificially colored cherries that many bars use with fresh pitted cherries or with more natural cocktail cherry products. TC Whiskey Co. even makes its own gourmet cocktail cherries, or consider making your own version by heating tart cherries in a mixture of cherry syrup and bourbon. To get you started, here are four of Corcorans favorite cherry-centric cocktails. Cherry Smash This whiskey smash recipe is elevated with a few twists, like cherry-infused whiskey, for a crisp, sweet and refreshing cocktail. Cinnamon-Honey Old Fashioned A variation on the classic old fashioned recipe, this version features cherry-infused whiskey with warming cinnamon and zesty lemon. Fr-iskey Cool off with this cocktail recipe incorporating lemonade, cherry-infused whiskey and a craft whiskey seltzer. Night Moves Named for Detroit native Bob Seger, this whiskey cocktail recipe with chile liqueur and cherry whiskey is an ode to Michigan. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Miller was hired in August 2017 to serve as the Citys first full-time fire chief (it had previously been a volunteer position), and created a new and more efficient culture within the department, according to City officials. Miller also played a pivotal role in helping the City with its plans for a new fire station. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Funded by half of a $16-million bond passed in May 2018, the new facility, 4630 Howard Blvd. in Columbus, boasts a large bay area and increased storage and space, which allows personnel to maneuver vehicles in and out of the building more easily. Theres plenty of storage room for EMS supplies, equipment maintenance, laundry facilities with a bigger gear extractor that extracts contaminants from firefighters turnout gear and a hose tower which is a room long enough for fire hoses to be hung up to dry. The bay area also boasts a floor heating system which is beneficial during wintertime. Getting the new fire station built and the second building, the Charlie Louis Fire Station, on the path to renovation were big career goals, Miller said. Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley confirmed Millers resignation, citing personnel issues and declining to elaborate. Bulkley said he wishes Miller luck and noted he served the community well. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Sen. Lindsey Graham has become the first senator to disclose a breakthrough infection after being vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying Monday he is very glad he received the vaccine, without which his current symptoms would be far worse. In a statement issued Monday afternoon, the South Carolina Republican said he started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor Monday morning. After being notified of his positive test, Graham said he would quarantine for 10 days. I feel like I have a sinus infection, and at present time, I have mild symptoms, the 66-year-old Graham said. I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination, I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse. According to spokesman Kevin Bishop, Graham attended an event over the weekend hosted by Sen. Joe Manchin on his houseboat and attended by other senators. Sam Runyon, a spokeswoman for Manchin, said the West Virginia Democrat "is fully vaccinated and following the CDC guidelines for those exposed to a COVID positive individual. There was was no celebration at the White House on Monday, nor a setting of a new target, as the administration instead struggles to overcome skepticism and outright hostility to the vaccine, especially in the South and other rural and conservative areas. The U.S. still has not hit the administration's other goal of fully vaccinating 165 million American adults by July 4. It is about 8.5 million short. New cases per day in the U.S. have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. Those are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak, in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. And nearly all deaths and serious illnesses now are in unvaccinated people. The surge has led states and cities across the U.S. to beat a retreat, just weeks after it looked as if the country was going to see a close-to-normal summer. Targeting by such groups helped sink three moderate Republican lawmakers in 2016. All three were attacked for votes that put them at odds with Gov. Pete Ricketts, and all three lost, despite outspending their opponents' campaigns. Geis said candidates tell him that they have to "over-raise and overspend" in preparation for possible spending by such outside groups, in addition to countering spending by their opponents' campaigns. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said he expects such pressures to continue pushing up campaign costs. Hilgers spent $261,813 on his 2016 race, making him the top spender that year. He spent $375,656 on his reelection bid last year, which was the second-most for the election. "In competitive races, and with the increase in outside group spending, it can take a lot of resources to get your message out and communicate with voters," said Hilgers, a Republican. In addition, Bostar pointed to the growing polarization of society, which has made donors more motivated to see their ideology prevail in the State Legislature. He said that has translated into larger campaign donations and harder-fought, partisan-tinged races. Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue is emerging as a potential Democratic candidate for governor in 2022. Blood confirmed Monday that she is considering entering the race and expects to make a decision next month. All of the attention on the 2022 gubernatorial contest to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts has centered thus far on a field of GOP candidates that includes University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen of Columbus, Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and agri-businessman Charles Herbster of Falls City. Former Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is also considering entering the Republican derby. "I believe in people and policy, not party and politics," Blood said. "Nebraskans have been reaching out to me to ask how do we transform all of this division into a shared connection and a shared understanding of one another," she said during a telephone interview. "They want a we're-all-in-this-together type of candidate," Blood said. "People want us to find a middle ground," she said. "They don't want polarization." He said he knows Jordan from working closely with his father, Mark, a North Platte-based brand inspector for the Nebraska Brand Committee. When the auctioneer issued the $1,000 challenge, Wasserburger leaned toward his companions. I said (to them), You want to partner on it? he said. They said, Yeah, and the whole place clapped. The humorous scenario was set up by the Lincoln County Agricultural Societys prefair decision to retain an alternative to the traditional end-of-fair animal auction. Due to COVID-19, Buoy said, the 2020 fair had 4-H exhibitors sell their animals privately without a typical auction after finishing their last contest. All the sold animals were off the fairgrounds by Sunday, Buoy said. To let local residents pitch in more support, the youth exhibitors were bid upon Monday after describing themselves and what theyd use their extra money for. After seeing how things went in 2020, they kind of liked that, so they kept it, Buoy said. He got base price approximately $1,725 after the July 24 4-H cattle show for the steer he had raised all year, said his mother, Julie. In an earlier affidavit, Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General David Drumheller reported that UPMC did help with the investigation before the charges were filed, adding that it helped identify locations within the emergency department featured in the recordings, as well as searched and sorted patient records to narrow a list down to 54 potential victims, 50 of which were confirmed through interviews. UPMC then sent letters to those 50 patients letting them know of the investigation. After the attorney generals office issued a notice to the press regarding Braggs charges in December 2019, 27 more people contacted the office, but only one more alleged victim was identified. Drumheller said in the affidavit that theyve exhausted all resources to identify further victims, though they will investigate fully should anyone else come forward. The attorneys in their motion argue the best way to get all potential victims to come forward is to have UPMC contact all women whose time at the hospital overlapped with Braggs hours. HARRISBURG A major Pennsylvania heavy equipment contractor entered no contest pleas to four theft counts on Tuesday and agreed to pay restitution of more than $20 million over allegations it illegally diverted pension money and other benefits from its workers. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. has agreed to have a court-appointed corporate monitor perform oversight, including of the process of returning the money to 1,267 victims. When we talk about big fights, this is what we mean, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a Harrisburg news conference, a few hours after the plea hearing in Centre County. Helping everyday Pennsylvanians take on the powerful and the well connected when theyve been screwed. The company released a statement saying it was pleased to bring this process to a conclusion and avoid costly court proceedings, but it maintains it followed all fringe benefits rules. In pleading no contest, the company accepts the convictions but does not expressly admit it committed the crimes. The fringe benefit practices challenged by the Office of the Attorney General were based upon advice provided by the companys former attorneys, the statement read. Hawbaker has always intended to properly pay all of its employees. HARRISBURG A Republican state senator who wants to have the committee he leads force three counties to turn over election machines, ballots and related material said Tuesday he thinks subpoenas will be issued in the next two weeks. Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County told the conservative friendly outlet Newsmax that hes working on a broad subpoena to York, Tioga and Philadelphia counties. Obviously I cant operate on my own, so I have a committee, so the committee will have a vote, hopefully in the next week or two that will authorize the committee, and me as their chair, to send the subpoenas to three counties, he said. The deadline for voluntary compliance that Mastriano gave the counties expired in recent days officials in Tioga and Philadelphia have said no, and York has raised concerns but has not directly turned him down. Its going to be a big package, actually, Mastriano said. Were going to look at the hard copy ballots. Thank God in Pennsylvania we do require a hard copy of ballots. Well look at the ballots and anything associated with the hard copy ballots, and then well also be asking for the equipment, any voting equipment that was used, or routers, will be also part of that subpoena. HONOLULU (AP) Firefighters gained more control over a wildfire in Hawaii that forced thousands of people to evacuate over the weekend and destroyed at least two homes on the Big Island, but officials warned that strong winds will return on Tuesday, raising the danger again. Authorities have lifted evacuation orders but warned they could be reinstated at any time and that people should be ready to go. Its the biggest (fire) weve ever had on this island, Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said of the more than 62-square-mile (160-square-kilometer) blaze. "With the drought conditions that weve had, it is of concern. You see something like this where youre putting thousands of homes in danger, its very concerning. Fires in Hawaii are unlike many of those burning in the U.S. West. They tend to break out in large grasslands on the dry sides of the islands and are generally much smaller than mainland fires. Even though Hawaii has a wet, tropical climate that isnt typically at risk from large fires, blazes could become more frequent as climate change-related weather patterns intensify. Typically, once hackers gain access to a device or network, they look for ways to persist in the system by installing malicious software to a computers root file system. But that's become more difficult as phone manufacturers such as Apple and Google have strong security to block malware from core operating systems, Ziring said. Its very difficult for an attacker to burrow into that layer in order to gain persistence, he said. That encourages hackers to opt for in-memory payloads that are harder to detect and trace back to whoever sent them. Such hacks can't survive a reboot, but often don't need to since many people rarely turn their phones off. Adversaries came to the realization they dont need to persist, Wardle said. If they could do a one-time pull and exfiltrate all your chat messages and your contact and your passwords, its almost game over anyways, right? A robust market currently exists for hacking tools that can break into phones. Some companies like Zerodium and Crowdfence publicly offer millions of dollars for zero-click exploits. While in Santa Claus, Indiana to cool off at Holiday World, the Tyree family took a side trip to tour the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in nearby Lincoln City. But I thought Abraham Lincoln was from Kentucky! a co-worker objected. True, Honest Abe was born near Hodgenville in the Bluegrass State on Feb. 12, 1809, and he would make a name for himself as a storekeeper, lawyer and politician in Illinois, before settling in Washington, D.C. as chief executive. But from 1816 to 1830, the Thomas Lincoln family lived in a pioneer community in Indiana. This is billed as the 16th presidents formative years. Alas, I am still in my formative years forming ear hairs, forming superfluous chins and emancipating my tummy every night when I arrive home from work. But I digress. Coincidentally enough, the Tyrees wound up making this excursion via a traditional presidential thought process. (What do YOU want to do next? I dont know. What do YOU want to do next? I dont know. Lets flip a coin. Ooooo ... Luxembourg, youre back on the Least Favored Nation list. And your ambassador has to cluck like a chicken!) JEFFERSON CITY In a decision affecting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, Gov. Mike Parsons administration moved to bring on a new company to provide health care to Missouris prison inmates. The ruling, issued Friday but not made public until Tuesday, rejects an appeal of a bidding process that saw the long-time prison medical vendor lose its contract to a competing firm. The decision, which could be appealed, means Corizon Health likely will be replaced by Virginia-based Centurion Health when it comes to who supplies and oversees doctors and nurses behind the prison walls. Centurion, which is a subsidiary of Clayton-based managed care company Centene, was chosen over four other firms in late May for the states lucrative prison healthcare contract. The companys bid of $174 million per year puts them on track to be paid over $1.3 billion if the contract is fully renewed on an annual basis by the state. But Corizon, which has held the contract for nearly three decades, protested the award, suggesting that Centurion had made prohibited communications with the administration in order to gain an upper hand in winning the contract. In other business, City Attorney Mary Boner brought up a discussion regarding "use tax." "I just wanted to bring to your attention that a bill did pass in the general assembly this year and was signed by the governor on June 30 changing the use tax," Boner said. "The use tax is kind of like a sales tax on online sales. So if you buy something on Amazon you dont pay a sales tax well that is changed now." Boner said the use tax will require shoppers to pay state tax on online goods and if the city wants to have the equivalent amount of city sales tax collected they would have to put it on a ballot for the citizens to vote. "It is up to this board as to whether or not you want to put that on the ballot and then the citizens would vote," Boner said. "The pro, and Im not advocating for it, but the reason why you would do it would be for the businesses in town to even the playing field so that if someone bought online they would have to pay the same sales tax as if they went up here to the hardware store or something like that. It evens the playing field for your in-town merchants." Boner said the new "use tax" becomes effective Jan. 1, 2023 giving the city enough time to get it to the voters if they decide to put it on the ballot. Sales in Nelson County remained high in the second quarter, with 85% more homes sold in 2021 compared with the same time last year. Louisa County saw a 27% rise in homes sold, and Fluvanna County had a 22% increase. While the inventory of active listings is about half the level it was a year ago, more listings are being added to the market, which should provide more options for buyers, the report says. There were some early signs that moderation in the market could be on the horizon, it says, such as a slowdown in pending sales activity in June. Homes in the region sold quickly compared with last year, the report shows, and were on the market about 29 days on average overall. Days-on-market ranged from an average of 12 in Charlottesville to as long as 50 in Nelson in the second quarter, up from 35 days and 153 days, respectively, in the second quarter of 2020. Beckham said some of the temporary influences that made homebuying a frenzy in the last year are now lightening up. [Im] knocking on wood that that continues to be the case for the rest of the year, so that when a buyer does find a home, they can go in and its a little bit more of a fair fight, he said. Median sales prices across the region rose 13% over the second quarter of 2020, to $376,000. The division previously required masks to be worn when outside on school grounds, in addition to indoors. The division will work with staff members and families on alternatives to masking if documentation of a medical or developmental reason not to wear a mask is provided, according to the release. During in-person classes last school year, 20 students and one staff member were diagnosed as having COVID-19, and few, if any, of those cases were transmitted at school, according to the release. The division attributes this to the safety measures in place. Working together as a community, we can provide students with the rich learning environment of in-person schooling while also promoting safety, Acting Superintendent Jim Henderson said in the release. Some students will be able to learn virtually in the coming school year as part of a limited, application-only option. The deadline to apply was July 12, but the division said that the application process remains open at charlottesvilleschools.org/virtual. The city School Board will hear more about the divisions safety plan and an update from the Blue Ridge Health District at its meeting Thursday, which will be held in person at Charlottesville High School. Harris has had less public engagement in Southeast Asia, but Asia has been a central focus for the Biden administration from the beginning of Joe Bidens presidency, as hes sought to counter Chinas diplomatic and military incursions in the region. Relations between the U.S. and China deteriorated sharply under Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, and the two sides remain at odds over a host of issues including technology, cybersecurity and human rights. Last week, during a speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Biden warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping is deadly earnest about becoming the most powerful military force in the world, as well as the largest and most prominent economy in the world by the mid-'40s, the 2040s. The president has sent some of his top Cabinet officials to Asia to show support for U.S. allies in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made their first overseas trip to Japan and South Korea. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month where he vowed U.S. support against Beijing's intrusions in the South China Sea. RICHMOND Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, rallied with several dozen supporters outside the state Capitol on Monday to call for a forensic audit of Virginias electoral process. Since the November election, former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters have continued to promote debunked or unsubstantiated claims of election fraud that election officials and courts have rejected. Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump in Virginia by 10 percentage points. Its so imperative that we make 100% sure that voters have 100% confidence in our election process, Chase said at the Capitol on Monday, speaking in front of supporters holding homemade signs. Its important that we audit Virginia. Its important we have a forensic audit, not the faux audit that the State Board of Elections did. Chase said that when the General Assembly makes decisions, Virginians need to know that these people are elected by we the people and that the decisions they make are what the people want. In March, the Virginia Department of Elections said election administrators around the state had completed an audit of ballot scanner machines used in the November elections in which Biden defeated Trump and Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., beat Republican Daniel Gade. RICHMOND The statewide GOP ticket is listed as featured guests Saturday at an election integrity rally at Liberty University, but two of the candidates say they arent attending. Del. Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach, the GOP nominee for attorney general, and former Del. Winsome Sears of Winchester, the nominee for lieutenant governor, wont be attending, their campaigns confirmed Tuesday. Miyares posted on Twitter on Monday that he and Sears would be doing an event Saturday evening in Fairfax County for Harold Pyon, the Republican candidate challenging Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, in the fall election. GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkins campaign would not say whether he still plans to attend the event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, which is being coordinated by the 5th Congressional District Republican Committee and includes a Friday banquet and forums on Saturday. Asked if Youngkin was still scheduled to speak, campaign spokeswoman Macaulay Porter declined to answer Tuesday and sent the Richmond Times-Dispatch a statement attacking Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe. The proposed budget also contains provisions that would offer some protections against evictions and utility disconnections, and it would help fund state agencies ongoing pandemic response efforts. Some funding would remain unallocated for later use. Republicans, in the minority in both chambers, have complained that they were shut out of the budget-writing process. Were not allowing all Virginians to be heard," Del. Bobby Orrock said in a speech on the House floor. Del. Luke Torian, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, shot back that if Republicans wanted to weigh in, they needed only to reach out. I have never shut the door," he said. A meeting of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee proceeded with less divisiveness. The panel advanced the budget bill on a bipartisan 14-2 vote. Theres a lot of good in this," said Sen. Emmett Hanger, a Republican from Augusta County. The House Appropriations Committee approved the budget bill a short time later, also on a bipartisan vote, 19-2. The legislation now advances to the respective chambers, where members were expected to debate floor amendments. I had about 20 baby goats born in the spring and I wanted them to socialize before selling them, so I invited some friends to come and hang out with them, he said. They loved it and kept saying, I would pay to do this! so I thought I would give it a try. The idea took off beyond my wildest dreams, Boyer said. He has had a steady stream of visitors to the farm throughout the spring and summer. A goat-yoga session in the spring proved very popular. I have a lot of ideas, he said. Id like to do farm tours, and teach people about having a relationship with nature sunlight, fresh air, pigs, cows. I used to provide eggs to schools in D.C.; these city kids had no idea their breakfast egg came from a chicken. It was incredible to have these kids see eggs actually hatch, and a baby animal come out that would grow into a chicken and lay more eggs. Boyer said he doesnt sell any of his animals for meat. Most of my animals become family pets, or additions to other farms, he said. Boyer recently gave 10 baby ducks to a neighboring farm that wanted to expand their offerings, for example. He breeds many of the animals and makes some money that way, though he said farming is very expensive. BERLIN (AP) With less than two months before Germany holds an election, the environmentalist Green party announced a 10-point plan Tuesday that puts the Paris climate accord's goal at the heart of its election program. Among the measures proposed is the creation of a dedicated Climate Ministry that would have the power to veto government decisions which don't comply with the 2015 Paris Agreement's target of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit). We need to set a course that would make 1.5 degrees possible, said Annalena Baerbock, the party's candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor in the Sept. 26 vote. Scientists say the goal will be hard to achieve without a wholesale change to the entire world economy, and even the less-ambitious target of limiting global warming to 2 degrees (3.6F) by the end of the century compared with pre-industrial times will be a challenge. Co-leader Robert Habeck acknowledged that the Green partys plan would be expensive. Somebody is going to have to pay for it, he said, adding that the Greens want the additional money needed to be raised through greater government borrowing that he said would spur economic growth. We keep hearing that the Golden State is going down. Last year, it suffered the first drop in population since records have been kept. And theres that parade of natural plagues the droughts, catastrophic wildfires and infernal heat. Critics go on and on about Californias high taxes and various liberal excesses. Californians, their story goes, are leaving in droves for low-tax, lax-regulation places like Texas. And its true that some big California names Oracle, Charles Schwab, Hewlett Packard and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have moved their headquarters there. But is this the whole picture? It is not. As Bloomberg News reports, Californias economy is No. 1 among the states by most economic measures. Furthermore, it is emerging from the pandemic in very good shape. And so when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said last February that California uses heavy-handed government tactics that drive away businesses, California Gov. Gavin Newsom had to respond. We remain the fifth largest economy in the world, Newsoms office said. No. 1 in Bloombergs Innovation Index and home to 20 of Fortunes top 100 fastest-growing companies in the world. Masks and COVID-19: Explaining the latest guidance from the CDC and other experts Jeff Woo/DRC file photo People shop and mill around the Courthouse on the Square on March 10, the first day after Texas mask mandate ended. Many Americans are confused, some even outraged, about the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions new recommendations to return to mask-wearing. But while nearly half the U.S. population is vaccinated against the coronavirus, health officials are concerned about the rising numbers of new infections attributable to the highly transmissible delta variant coupled with low vaccination rates in many areas of the country. Furthermore, while the authorized coronavirus vaccines remain highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalizations and death from the delta variant, data suggests that fully vaccinated people with breakthrough infections which are still considered rare can spread the virus. All of these factors mean masks remain an important tool in slowing the spread of the virus. The CDC underscored that point by issuing a revised guidance on July 27 urging Americans, fully vaccinated or not, to mask up in public indoor spaces under certain circumstances. Below weve compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding masks and how to use them in this latest phase of pandemic life. These recommendations are drawn from CDC guidance, previously published Washington Post articles and new interviews with experts specializing in infectious diseases, public health and air quality. Please keep in mind that as the coronavirus, its variants and vaccines continue to be studied and understood, masking advice is likely to change. What is the CDCs latest guidance on masks? The CDC, which in May said it was generally safe for fully vaccinated individuals to go maskless in indoor public spaces, is now advising all people, regardless of vaccination status, to mask up in such places if they are in areas reporting substantial or high transmission of the virus. This will maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, according to the CDC. The CDC is also urging universal indoor mask-wearing in K-12 schools for everyone over the age of 2. Masks should be worn by teachers, other staff members, students and visitors, even if they are fully vaccinated, the CDC says. (The agencys recommendation that students return to in-person learning in the fall has not changed.) Fully vaccinated people might want to consider wearing a mask regardless of the level of community transmission, the guidance notes, particularly if they or someone else in their household is immunocompromised or otherwise at risk of severe COVID-19 disease. People who are at increased risk include older adults and those with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems, among others. How do I know whether Im in an area with substantial or high transmission? Substantial transmission is defined as 50 to 99 weekly cases per 100,000 people, while high transmission is defined as more than 100 weekly cases per 100,000, The Washington Posts Amy Goldstein reported. As of Monday, more than 78% of U.S. counties met that definition, including Denton County, according to the CDCs tracker. You can monitor transmission rates in your community by using the CDCs tracking tools and following guidance from local public health officials. Why did the CDC change its guidance? The agency was prompted to act when it received data that the delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox, can in rare occasions be spread by people who are vaccinated and is likely to cause more severe illness, according to an internal CDC document obtained by The Post and detailed by Yasmeen Abutaleb, Carolyn Y. Johnson and Joel Achenbach. Health officials were particularly concerned by data suggesting that vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infections of the delta variant have viral loads comparable to unvaccinated people infected with delta and thus may be able to transmit the virus as easily as those who are unvaccinated. CDC researchers analyzed a recent coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts fueled by the delta variant and found good news and bad. The scientists discovered that three-quarters of the 469 people infected were fully vaccinated, a concerning finding that, in part, prompted the CDC to revise its mask guidance. But among all the cases, only five people were hospitalized (with four of them fully vaccinated), and there were no deaths, which demonstrates the efficacy of the vaccines and is a reminder that, as the researchers put it, vaccination is the most important strategy to prevent severe illness and death. William Schaffner, medical director with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, agreed with the CDCs revised guidance. We dont want to have vaccinated people become part of the transmission again, he said. Does the kind of mask I wear matter? The CDCs general guidance for choosing an appropriate face covering has not changed amid the spread of the delta variant. The CDC still recommends masks with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric and an adjustable nose wire to help with fit. There should be no gaps between the mask and your face, and your nose and mouth should be covered. But concerns about the delta variant and its ability to rapidly spread have prompted some experts to suggest that people should consider upgrading their masks to higher-quality face coverings, such as N95 respirators especially people who are unvaccinated or are vaccinated but otherwise vulnerable. According to the internal CDC document, older individuals face a higher risk of hospitalization and death than younger people, regardless of vaccination status, The Post reported. Who would not want to reduce their inhalation dose of virus-laden particles by simply having everyone in an indoor space use good masks? said Richard Corsi, an expert on indoor air quality and dean of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University in Oregon. Corsi added that he has resumed wearing an N95 in indoor public spaces because of the high transmissibility of COVID-19 by the delta variant. Do I need to upgrade to an N95 mask? Not necessarily. At this point, there is no formal recommendation for the public, including those who may be more vulnerable to severe disease, to use N95s or other similar medical-grade respirators. Whats more, experts are split on the issue. Recommendations to upgrade masks appear to be influenced by research that suggests the coronavirus can spread through aerosols, tiny particles that tend to linger in the air for much longer than the larger respiratory droplets that are also responsible for transmission. We can go a long way toward protecting the public by using higher-quality masks in indoor environments where mask-wearing is also required of all, Corsi wrote. He noted that more effective masks, such as N95s, should be a priority for anyone who is not vaccinated. Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech who studies airborne virus transmission, echoed the need for highly protective masks along with everything else, citing the delta variants transmissibility. Where a simple cloth mask was helpful before, its not helpful enough now, especially for those who remain unvaccinated, Marr previously told The Post. On the other hand, Schaffner noted that many epidemiologists and infectious-disease experts think that the virus is primarily spread through infectious droplets large and small that can travel up to six feet in enclosed spaces. Standard surgical masks and well-fitted, multiple-layer cloth face coverings that meet the CDCs standards have been shown to be effective at blocking these droplets, said Jaimie Meyer, an infectious-disease physician at the Yale School of Medicine. They also tend to be more comfortable than N95 masks. If people are concerned about the delta variant and they want to protect themselves, the answer is to get vaccinated, Meyer said, not to go get an N95. While there is disagreement over recommendations for higher-quality masks, experts said the decision to upgrade is personal and depends on various risk factors, including your health, the health of those you are in close contact with, community transmission rates and whether youll be in settings where the potential for exposure is higher. Certain people, for instance, who are fully vaccinated but still vulnerable to severe disease may want to use an N95 and may be willing to wear it properly, Schaffner said. On an individual basis, if you wish to really reduce your risk, you can do that, he said. If a fully vaccinated healthy person wants to wear an N95 mask, that would be going the extra mile, he added. What are some pros and cons of using an N95 mask? The efficacy of a mask is based on its fit and material. N95s are made of nonwoven, melt-blown polypropylene, Marr said. When fitted snugly to the face with no gaps around the edges, N95s can provide greater protection than looser surgical masks made of the same material because the fit ensures the respirators will filter at least 95% of airborne particulates, she said. Its important, however, to make sure you use an N95 mask that has been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and beware of counterfeit models. Although the CDC still recommends that N95s be prioritized for health care workers, the agency noted that as more respirators become available they can be worn in non-healthcare settings. But Meyer urged people to keep in mind that it was not so long ago that we were in the midst of PPE shortages. And practically, Meyer added, N95s may not be the best mask choice for most people. For an N95 to function as designed, the respirator has to be properly fitted. Health care workers, she said, regularly go through specialized fit testing. For someone to just go out and buy a box from Amazon just, to me, doesnt make a ton of sense, she said. Just because you have a mask that is an N95 doesnt mean that it will be appropriately fitted. When choosing a mask, its also important to consider comfort, said Erica Shenoy, associate chief of the infection control unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, and tightly fitted N95s can be difficult to wear for long periods of time. You may have a mask that you kind of dread to wear or feels uncomfortable, or youre constantly touching it because its not comfortable and that also has downsides in terms of how effective the mask is going to be, Shenoy said. What about KN95 masks? KN95 masks, which are manufactured in China, can be equivalent to N95s in effectiveness. But they have not gone through the NIOSH approval process, and some experts caution that it may be more difficult to determine that the KN95 youre using is high-quality. When N95s were in short supply, the Food and Drug Administration authorized some KN95s for emergency use by health care workers, and you can refer to that list to find effective models. Can I still wear a cloth or surgical mask? Yes as long as it meets the standards set by the CDC and youve assessed that its the appropriate choice for you, experts said. You can evaluate the efficacy of your mask with simple tests. A cloth mask should block light when held up to the sun or another light source, according to the CDC. You also shouldnt be able to blow out a birthday candle with a mask on. For an extra layer of protection, some cloth masks also come with a pocket where a filter can be added. If people are concerned or dont know what mask to choose, Shenoy recommended seeking a professional opinion. Ultimately, if theyre unsure that what theyve chosen meets all those criteria or they think that theyre in a special situation where they need something more, thats definitely a discussion to have with their clinician who knows them the best, she said. Do I need to wear a mask outdoors? While the revised CDC guidance does not say that fully vaccinated people need to wear a mask outdoors, the agency did note that they might choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised. The risk of transmission outdoors is much lower than it is in indoor spaces where people are more likely to be crowded together and ventilation may be poor, Meyer said. Its often easier to keep your distance from others outdoors, she said, and theres also the best airflow there could possibly be, and that allows the particles that contain the virus really to disperse so effectively. What else can I do to protect myself? Its important to take a layered approach to safety and consider your individual risk, experts said. Its not just about the mask, Shenoy said. Its the situations that you find yourself in. If your age or health makes you more vulnerable to severe COVID-19, avoid riskier situations, such as crowded public indoor spaces where you dont know whether people around you are vaccinated or traveling to places where transmission rates are high, experts said. If you do have to be in those spaces, stay masked and try to keep your distance from others. Shenoy also suggested that vulnerable people socialize with others who are fully vaccinated. One of the primary interventions is to make sure the people that are in your household and your close contacts are all vaccinated to the extent possible, because that in effect acts like a cocoon for you, she said. While masks are again being deployed to help thwart the spread of the delta variant, experts emphasized that its critical to raise vaccination numbers. If all those people who werent vaccinated would just get vaccinated, then the circulation of this virus in our communities would really plummet, Schaffner said. But at the moment, they are permitting this virus to go out there, circulate and potentially expose even the vaccinated people. The Moldovan telecom market has been affected by a combination of high unemployment and economic difficulties which have led to constraints on consumer spend. In turn this has resulted in telecom revenue having fallen steadily in recent years. This decline continued into 2020, with a 6.3% in revenue from the important mobile sector alone, year-on-year. Moldovas aspirations to join the EU have encouraged the government and regulator to adopt a range of measures to bring the countrys telecoms sector into line with EU principles and standards. In July 2017 the Electronic Communications Act was amended to accommodate the 2009 European regulatory framework, while further amendments were adopted in December 2017 and additional changes were proposed in 2019. Moldova is also part of the Eastern Partnership group of countries, and as such has set in train a glidepath to reducing roaming charges, effective between 2022 and 2026. The countrys broadband strategy through to 2025 has been supported by the ITU and industry counterparts from Korea. The internet market is developing rapidly, and though the penetration rate is well below the average for most European countries there are many opportunities for further development. The market is highly competitive, with 101 active ISPs as of early 2021, though Moldtelecom and Starnet between them account for most connections. The number of cable broadband subscribers is increasing steadily, though fibre is now by far the strongest sector. By the end of 2020 fibre accounted for about 72.3% of all fixed broadband connections. The mobile market has also grown rapidly, and the sector accounts for the majority of total telecoms revenue. The triopoly of operators is dominated by Orange Moldova, while the launch of LTE services has opened up a new revenue growth opportunity centred on mobile broadband. The near comprehensive geographical reach of their mobile networks, market brand recognition and existing customer relationships will make for steady subscriber growth in coming years. BuddeComm notes that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the telecoms market. On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, has offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect has been a reduced (and sometimes negative) subscriber growth, which will continue into 2021. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries. On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth. Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report. The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions. Key developments: Fintur Holdings sells its stake in Moldcell to CG Cell Technologies; Regulator preps for multi-spectrum auction with licenses valid to 2029, issues mobile license to IDC; Orange Group acquires the cableco Sun Communications, secures additional licences in the in the 800MHz and 900MHz bands; Moldcell expands the reach of LTE services; Regulator suspends 3.4GHz auction after no bids are offered; Report update includes regulator's market data to December 2020, telcos' operating and financial data to Q4 2020, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments. Get a Full Copy of this Report Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeComm, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service. The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report: Report title: Moldova - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: April 2021 Analyst: Henry Lancaster Number of pages: 178 Companies mentioned in this report: Moldtelecom, Orange Moldova; Moldcell, IDC Single User PDF Licence Price: US$890 For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Moldova-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 We reported in early July that Djibouti was planning to open up its telecoms sector to competition. Now the country has set Thursday 16 September as the deadline for investors to express interest in taking a 40 percent stake in the incumbent operator. But in a sign perhaps that the country is taking the opening up of the sector very seriously, the government has warned that Djibouti Telecom, a monopoly operator, might face competition in the near future. Djibouti Telecom has an interest in seven subsea cables not too surprisingly as the country is positioned on one of the worlds busiest shipping routes and hosts landing infrastructure for a total of twelve high-capacity undersea cables. The company also has stakes in an eighth cable, through the WIOCC project. As the Capacity Media website points out, there is as yet no timetable for the sell-off once the bids have come forward, albeit those selected will be contacted and invited to submit indicative offers. The sale should be over by the first half of 2022. Neighbour Ethiopia is planning a similar sell-off 40 percent in Ethio Telecom but is also allowing two competitors, a Safaricom-led consortium and one more, yet to be chosen, to enter the market. In its home market, says Capacity Media, Djibouti Telecom has a 2G network covering 95 percent of the population, a 3G network covering 80 percent and a 4G network covering 75 percent. Somalias National Communications Authority (NCA) has set a deadline of 31st August for all unlicensed service providers nationwide to apply for an operating permit. TeleGeography reports that the NCA made the request by issuing a public notice, with all operators and providers of telecoms infrastructure, services and applications obliged to apply. Internet, VSAT and domain services all fall under this umbrella. In October 2019, the NCA opened a consultation to establish a licensing framework for ICT and telecoms the first ever in Somalia. The process was successful and the Unified Licensing Framework was formally implemented in February 2020. The ULF is aimed at stimulating Somalias technology ecosystem by encouraging competition and innovation. There are three types of permit: the Communications Infrastructure Provider (CIP) Licence for network infrastructure operators, the Application and Services Provider (ASP) Licence for operators that lease infrastructure for use rather than building their own, and the Communications Infrastructure and Services Provider (CISP) Licence which enables companies to own and operate infrastructure as well as deliver services. Trinidad and Tobagos state-owned telecommunications provider TSTT has been told that it is legally obliged to implement fixed number portability (FNP). However, TSTT may attempt to bring the case back to court. TSTT has said it is concerned about some aspects of the judgement and is carefully considering all of its options including whether or not to appeal. According to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate, last week Justice Frank Seepersad partially upheld a 2016 lawsuit from Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (CCTL, trading as Flow T&T ) against regulator the Telecommunication Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), over its failure to enforce the issue. In a stinging rebuke, that referred to callous and calculating behaviour, he also rejected TSTTs claims that the Telecommunications Act and its associated regulations only required that it facilitate portability, not implement it. Interestingly, according to the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian website, the ruling has gained the support of TATT, which has welcomed the opportunity for fixed landline customers to change their service without changing their phone number. Not surprisingly, cable and internet provider Flow T&T has called the court ruling on fixed number portability, a victory for customers, noting that for close to five years customers have been denied the service and competition stifled because Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) argued it is not legally obligated to implement FNP. Mantra Data Centres (MDC), an independent data centre platform and wholesale colocation provider, has announced plans to invest $1 billion to develop data centres across India. MDC says it will design, build and operate state-of-the-art data centre facilities with an initial IT load of 20MW in each of the key data hubs: Mumbai, NCR (Delhi), Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The company has already signed MoUs with the Indian state governments of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the development of data centres in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. As has been noted on a number of occasions, the total addressable Indian data centre market is estimated to surpass $8.5 billion by 2023; by that time more than half the development will come from third-party data centres. Global investment in data centres announced in the first half of 2021 has reached approximately $100 billion, with India the largest single market outside the US. Mantra Data Centres offers wholesale tailor-made colocation services focused on the Indian market. MDC offers physical infrastructure that is Tier III and IV-certified and powered by green energy, delivering reliability, security and modularity. These data centres are, says MDC, designed for faster deployment and cost efficiency to meet immediate needs, but they also permit future scalability. Jaan M Chainani, MDCs Co-Founder and Managing Director, said Our aim is to help our customers grow seamlessly in the midst of the digitalization of India." As well as massive digital growth in the country the requirements of the Data Residency Bill that data needs to be stored locally are likely to spur further data centre investments into India. South African operator MTN has announced plans to invest some $11.8 million in network expansion in South Africas Eastern Cape province. According to the CAJ News website, MTN will be expanding both its LTE and its 5G networks in the Eastern Cape province. The hope is that the additional investment will allow the mobile operator to grow its LTE footprint to close to 93 percent by the end of 2021. MTN currently provides coverage to over 98 percent of the population in the province; over 87 percent of the population already have LTE coverage. While the short-term aim is to ensure improved connection and data speed in areas that might have had problems with connectivity in the past, the longer-term strategic intent includes network modernization, network resilience, building new sites and 5G expansion. The investment will involve the building of new LTE sites in districts such as Joe Gqabi District, OR Tambo District and Amathole District. It will also involve expanding 5G in Gqeberha and East London. In addition, key partnerships are planned with local government and municipality partners. These will, it is hoped, boost ongoing support for children and for education facilities in the region. Moscow, ID (83843) Today Plenty of sunshine. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High near 80F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Moscow, ID (83843) Today Partly cloudy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Moscow, ID (83843) Today Lots of sunshine. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. But on his campaign website and Twitter account, Lombardo declares he will stop all efforts to defund the police and said, The GOP is NOT the party of defund the police. His campaign video decries liberal politicians who try to defund the police. When asked about the mixed messages and if he thinks voters know he supports defunding the police, Lombardo said he drew a distinction between his use of the phrase and the way other activists have used it. A lot of time when you talk about defunding the police, people assume its just take the money away from the police because they dont deserve it, he said. When I talk about defunding the police, Im talking about: Give me some resources that supports what were trying to do, and Ill provide some of the funding out of my budget to support that. Laura Martin, the executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, was among the activists and organizers who met with Lombardo during last summers protests to discuss the demonstrations and police response. She said he made comments then indicating he was supportive of the defunding the police concept, but she felt his main point was stopping the protests. We will certainly appeal this decision today and look forward to having another day in court on this matter," Mark McDaniel, an attorney on Blakeys defense team, after hearing the verdict. Blakely, 70, took the stand during the trial to deny any wrongdoing. Initially elected in 1982, Blakely told jurors he sometimes put campaign funds into his personal account because his campaign treasurer lived hours away and encouraged him to deposit the money as reimbursement for campaign expenses. While testimony showed Blakely sometimes left IOUs and took money from a jail safe used to hold inmates money, he said that wasnt a crime. Blakely didnt deny gambling at casinos during trips to the Gulf Coast and Nevada for law enforcement conferences, but he said the outings didnt cost taxpayers extra and denied accusations that an employee sent him money because he was broke from losses. Blakely was indicted in 2019, but the case was delayed several times because of reasons including the pandemic. The share of positive molecular tests on Monday shot above 21%, a level that experts say indicates many infections are going undetected because of a lack of testing. Monday's level is equal to the worst days for positivity in early January, just before Georgia hit its peaks for cases and hospitalizations, and could indicate a further rapid run-up in cases is on the way. The state said in the last two weeks, infections have tripled and hospitalizations have increased by 50%. Deaths have risen by 18%, but usually lag behind when people get infected or enter the hospital. Only 40% of Georgians are fully vaccinated, a rate that ranks in the bottom 10 of states. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who met with Becerra on Monday, said city officials are stressing to people that the worst does not have to happen if they are vaccinated." Its very tough when we are trying to get back to business as usual, and people are still vaccine hesitant, she said. Bottoms said the city was not at the point of mandating that workers get vaccinated, saying she didn't think that would be appropriate or even effective. While Alabama may still have one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, it appeared last week that more residents were opting to get vaccinated. The last update to the states vaccination dashboard put the number of fully vaccinated people in Alabama at nearly 1.6 million. There have been some deliberate efforts to get more people in the state vaccinated, including a few universities offering financial incentives and a state TikTok video contest that wraps up Friday. But Pilgrims Enterprise plans to give away free meat for a year to entice more people to get vaccinated. The company will hold a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Tuesday, giving away free meat for a year to one vaccine recipient. Partnering with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jug Brown Recreation Center, 421 E. Lee St., in Enterprise. Individuals who receive their first vaccine at the clinic will have a chance to win free beef, pork, and chicken to feed a family of four for a year. There will also be a giveaway for four cases of chicken during the clinic. The incentive is part of the companys efforts to increase vaccination rates in the communities where it operates. The four officers were also charged in state court, where Chauvin's trial was eventually separated from the others due to space restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison. The other three former officers face state trial next March on aiding and abetting counts. Floyd, 46, repeatedly said he couldnt breathe as Chauvin pinned him to the ground on May 25, 2020. Kueng and Lane helped restrain Floyd; Kueng knelt on Floyds back, and Lane held Floyds legs. Thao held back bystanders and kept them from intervening during the 9 1/2-minute restraint that was captured on bystander video and led to worldwide protests and calls for change in policing. The federal indictment alleges Chauvin violated Floyds right to be free from unreasonable seizure and from unreasonable force by a police officer. Thao and Kueng are charged with violating Floyds right to be free from unreasonable seizure by not intervening to stop Chauvin as he knelt on Floyds neck. All four officers are charged for their failure to provide Floyd with medical care. The requests to separate the trials were filed with several other routine requests on Tuesday. 13 counts are now down to two counts, said Mark McDaniel, an attorney on Blakeys defense team, after hearing the verdict. We will certainly appeal this decision. Clay Crenshaw, chief deputy attorney general, read a statement from Marshalls office. Public officials are entrusted to perform their duties honestly and above reproach, he said. When that bond of trust is broken, our society suffers undue harm. Blakely, a Democrat, first took office as the sheriff of Limestone County in 1983. Because of the felony convictions, Alabama law says that he will lose the elected office he has held for 10 terms. Until Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey appoints a replacement, state law says that Mike West, the county coroner, will take over as sheriff. Baschab said she will set a sentencing date later. Blakely could face time in prison. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The jury convicted Blakely of stealing $4,000 from his campaign account by funneling the money through Red Brick, a Huntsville consulting firm. The jurors also found Blakely guilty of obtaining $29,050 in interest free loans from a safe that held money belonging to inmates in the county jail he oversaw as sheriff. During my first combat tour in Vietnam (1964-65), there were no TV stations in the Mekong Delta or even English-speaking radio stations. So, I sometimes tuned in Radio Peking (Communist China) and listened to their English-speaking propaganda artist. She spoke better English than many in Alabama, hated America with a passion, and worshipped Chairman Mao. According to her, the "thoughts of Chairman Mao" could cure anything from "irregularity" to cancer. Why did I listen to her? Because I wanted to see what our enemies were thinking and her comments of adoration for Mao were sort of amusing. I thought to myself Americans would never hate America like that or be so "mentally deficient" they would bow down to a despot like Mao. But, of course, I was wrong. Now, if one wants to hear hatred for America, you need only listen to Fox (Carlson, Hannity or others) or some of the false prophets on right-wing religious stations. If you want to see hatred for America and worship of a despot closer to home, you can read Rep. Barry Moore's Facebook page and observe his actions. He bows down to Traitor Trump and, on July 23, he (along with his best buddy Mo Brooks) attended the $100-a-plate dinner with Rep. Margaret Taylor Greene (R-Georgia). Greene is a disciple of Trump and lies and promotes hate for America. People returning from HCMC and southern provinces in Thua Thien Hue Province, August 2, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Van An. Central provinces have either decided or planned on funding residents to remain in Covid-19 epicenter HCMC instead of returning on their own. Quang Binh authorities have set up a hotline to gather information on people currently staying in Ho Chi Minh City and its neighboring provinces for financial support purposes. As planned, the province will give each family VND1 million ($43.51) so they could remain in the south instead of returning home to Quang Binh. Thanh Hoa Province has announced it would stop receiving people returning from all Covid-19 hit localities where the social distancing rule is applied, including HCMC. The province formerly planned to bring back 1,000 residents from HCMC, but said it would rethink its decision. For now, it will allocate each family staying back in HCMC a total VND1 million. HCMC has for a month been the epicenter of an ongoing Covid-19 community wave, which hit Vietnam in late April. The city has recorded more than 100,000 cases so far in the wave, followed by Binh Duong with more than 18,300. Quang Tri Province has made a list of almost 3,000 laborers that wish to return home, mostly from HCMC and its neighboring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai, home to many industrial complexes. So far, Quang Tri has brought home just 384. "Those returning home on their own are exposed to many risks along the way and on the other hand, could disrupt the provincial pandemic prevention plan," said Hoang Nam, the provincial chairman. Duong Thi Hai Yen, deputy head of Quang Tri's Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said the province is considering giving financial aid and essential products to Quang Tri residents that decide to stay back. "If people stay and receive support, it would be safer for all and reduce the risk of spreading the disease and on the other hand, would be less costly," she said. As calculated, the province might have to spend VND7-8 million per person if organizing trips to take them home and then have them stay in centralized quarantine camps for 14 days. In recent days, many central provinces have reported overload when transiting people returning home on their own by motorbikes. As ordered by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 31, localities implementing social distancing measures in line with Directive 16 are not allowed to let people exit after July 31. For people who had already left such localities and departed for another province, the relevant provinces must organize pick-ups and drop-offs by sending trucks and passenger buses, aside from organizing tests, and ensure all are put in centralized quarantine. However, on Sunday and Monday, too many people had headed home from the south, with no trucks or buses available for support. In several cases, authorities had no choice but to let returnees pass checkpoints on their motorbikes and send traffic police over to manage the situation. On Sunday morning, traffic police led a group of more than 200 motorbikes with around 300 returnees past checkpoints in Quang Binh Province before leading another group of more than 400 bikes. In Thua Thien Hue Province, Phu Loc District had let traffic police lead a group of more than 700 motorbikes and 1,200 returnees past a checkpoint on Monday morning. In Hai Lang District of Quang Tri Province, Lieutenant Colonel Va Son, head of the Hai Lang Traffic Police, said the district is holding 1,000 motorbikes after returnees had been sent to quarantine camps, and given the ongoing situation, there is currently no space left to store more bikes. HCMC on Monday requested at least four million more Covid-19 vaccine doses this month to cover 70 percent of its population with at least one shot. Leaders of the southern city said Ho Chi Minh is taking advantage of the ongoing social distancing period to vaccinate its residents against Covid-19 with nearly a million shots. It has expanded the number of vaccination stations, and expects 70 percent of its nine million population would have received at least one vaccine shot within this month. But to achieve that goal, the city now requests the government and the Ministry of Health to supply more Covid-19 vaccine doses, it said at a meeting with the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. The committee requests that HCMC have detailed vaccination plans so the health ministry could distribute the appropriate amount of vaccines. The city should also notify people that vaccinated individuals could still get sick, albeit with much milder symptoms. Covid-19 vaccination is not required by law, but is the right and responsibility of each individual and the community, the committee added. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said the social distancing period has been effective in reducing the number of infections and deaths, as well as speeding up vaccination. "We can handle the situation if the number of severe cases increases," he said. More than three months into the new wave, Vietnam has recorded 161,431 community infections in 62 of its 63 cities and provinces, with HCMC the epicenter with 100,557 cases. The country has administered more than 6.95 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, fully vaccinating 712,864 people with two shots. HCMC was distributed three million doses, followed by Hanoi with 2.3 million. Other localities have between tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of doses. The spraying should only be done in narrowed spaces where Covid-19 cases have been detected, and the amount of chemicals used must be controlled to ensure safety for human beings as well as the environment. "Do not apply the method of spraying chemicals and germicidal preparations on people in any situation, including using a device to spray these directly on people or inside a disinfection chamber," said a Monday statement issued by the ministry. Some localities have sprayed disinfectants in public places to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Some agencies and companies have established disinfection chambers while others have used disinfectant sprayers directly on people sent to centralized quarantine camps. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said it does not recommend the spraying of disinfectants outdoors because it can affect both the sprayer and the people around. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares this view. "The use of large quantities of germicidal chemicals for outdoor spraying can also harm the environment and waste chemical reserves to be used for pandemic prevention," the ministry said. At the end of July, six tons of Chloramin B mixed with water at the rate of 0.5 percent was sprayed across HCMC. Last week, 180 officers and military personnel were mobilized to spray the disinfectant in seven Hanoi districts. So far in the ongoing wave that broke out in late April, Vietnam has registered more than 153,600 Covid-19 cases, with HCMC accounting for almost 96,300. California-based Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc will transfer mRNA vaccine technology to Vingroup this month to start a clinical trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate. Vinbiocare, a unit of Vietnam's biggest private conglomerate Vingroup, has signed a deal for the domestic manufacturing rights to Arcturus's vaccines, including ARCT-154 that targets fast-spreading variants such as the Delta strain. A Vingroup's representative said it will cooperate with the Health Ministry to conduct phase three of the clinical trial of the mRNA-based candidate ARCT-154 in around 20,000 adults. The first two phases in Singapore and the U.S. have ensured the vaccine's safety, the source said. Vingroup plans to apply for approval for emergency use of the vaccine in Vietnam this year and start production in early 2022. A factory under construction is expected to produce 200 million doses a year. Vietnam is having four domestic vaccines under development, with Nanocovax by Nanogen already in the third and final phase of human trials. The country has secured deals for 130 million doses so far and is in talks with other manufacturers for another 40 million shots. The government aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the countrys 96 million population by April next year. Vietnamese National Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (L) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin bump elbows after the signing the Vietnamese Wartime Accounting Initiative Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 29, 2021. Photo by the U.S. Department of Defense/Chad J. McNeeley. The visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Vietnam and the upcoming trip by Vice President Kamala Harris indicate Hanoi's rapidly growing importance for Washington. The U.S.'s appreciation for Vietnam's role is increasing, and it is carrying out diplomatic moves to gain Vietnam's support, both from its leaders and people, for its position in the region, Le Hong Hiep, a fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, told VnExpress International. Austin arrived in Vietnam on July 28 for a two-day visit as part of a Southeast Asian tour, the first by a top member of the Biden administration. During his stay in Vietnam, he met his counterpart, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The U.S. has donated more than five million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Vietnam, called off investigation into Vietnam's so-called currency manipulation, donated the second coast guard vessel recently. The visit by Harris this month would mark the start of a deeper engagement between Biden's administration and Vietnam in the next few years, Hiep said. He said the public may see the bilateral relationship to be upgraded to the level of a strategic partnership. "That could create political and legal frameworks for fostering the bilateral relationship in a far-reaching way, especially in security - defense, to benefit the two countries' national interest." Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor, University of New South Wales Canberra at the Australian Defense Force Academy, said the Biden administration views Vietnam as a priority partner in achieving U.S. objectives such as freedom of the seas and a free and open Indo-Pacific Region as well as non-traditional security issues. In this regard, the forthcoming visit by Harris would reaffirm U.S. continuing engagement with Vietnam beyond defense and security across a range of common issues including combating and recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and mitigating climate change, he said. Thayer stressed that the significance of the two visits lies in the Biden administration's identification of Singapore and Vietnam as priority security partners in the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance issued in March. This document emphasizes both traditional issues (defense and security) and non-traditional ones like Covd-19, climate change and digital trade. Austin did mention the U.S.'s expectations of a higher level in the relationship with Vietnam, Thayer pointed out. At his meetings with both President Phuc and Prime Minister Chinh, he suggested elevating the relationship between the two countries, he said. Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at U.S. think tank RAND, highlighting the fact that Harris would become the first sitting vice president ever to visit Vietnam, said her trip would speak volumes about where the U.S.-Vietnam relationship is today and where it is heading in the coming years. He would not be at all surprised if before or after her visit, Vietnamese leaders traveled to China or hosted Chinese leaders in order to keep the balance in the relationship with two powerful partners, he said. 'Resounding success' Grossman said Secretary Austins visit to Vietnam kept U.S.-Vietnam security ties moving along in a positive direction and focused on war legacy challenges and people-to-people ties, both central to maintaining a healthy bilateral relationship. Other sensitive issues were clearly discussed as well, and perhaps people would get a better sense of what those were as time goes on, he said. "Austin's visit was a resounding success." Thayer said in his view Austins trip to Vietnam set the foundation for continuing cooperation to address war legacy issues (Agent Orange, unexploded ordnance and the search for the remains of U.S. and Vietnamese soldiers missing in action) and maritime security cooperation. Both Phuc and Chinh stressed the importance of the comprehensive partnership that the two sides formed in 2013, he said. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin meets with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam in Hanoi, July 29, 2021. Photo by the U.S. Department of Defense/Chad J. McNeeley. Phuc was quoted as saying he believed Austins visit "will make practical and effective contributions to the promotion of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the U.S in the immediate and long-term." Chinh spoke along similar lines, saying he believed that Austins visit would "contribute to a more substantive development of relations between the two countries in line with the relationship between the two countries comprehensive partnership." He also suggested strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, climate change science and technology and education and training. Chinh noted that economic cooperation "still has a lot of room for development" and could take advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, another U.S. think tank, said Austin did everything he needed to do on this trip. He assuaged concerns that the Biden administration is not paying attention and framed his remarks in Singapore around how the U.S. could be a productive partner rather than around China, he pointed out. In Vietnam and the Philippines, he secured important deliverables like a memorandum of understanding on the legacies of war and saving the Visiting Forces Agreement that provide opportunities to deepen defense cooperation, he said. The trip buys the Biden administration some time to deliver more support to the region, particularly on Covid, and it now has to build on that with Blinken's participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum next week and Harris's visit later in the month, he added. Hiep said the event where General Giang and Austin witnessed the signing of the MOU on cooperation in searching, gathering and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs is of great emotional and spiritual significance to the Vietnamese people. It showed that the two sides are truly seeking reconciliation and are committed to together and sincerely resolving historical issues, he said. The security - defense relations between the two countries would become more and more substantive with time, contributing to each side's strategic goals, especially in responding to emerging common security challenges in the region, he said. "The U.S. and Vietnam are looking to the future as each other's reliable strategic partners, based on the increasingly firm foundation of bilateral trust. Travelers check-in for their flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 25, 2020. Photo by Reuters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added Vietnam onto a group of countries bearing 'moderate' Covid travel risks as the Southeast Asian country grapples with the Delta variant. Twenty-four countries and territories, including Vietnam and South Korea, are now listed at "Level 2," or those with moderate Covid risks. The agency has warned that unvaccinated travelers at increased risk of Covid should avoid non-essential travel to these destinations. If American citizens must travel to Vietnam for essential purposes, they are advised to get fully vaccinated before arrival and follow local recommendations and requirements like wearing a mask and staying two meters away from others. The change came just two months after the CDC put Vietnam in its list of safest destinations with the lowest Covid-19 risks at "Level 1." The U.S. has recorded over 35 million infections and over 629,862 deaths. While low-income countries are struggling to secure enough vaccine doses due to a lack of supply, 50.2 percent of Americans have been fully vaccinated. Vietnam is currently facing its most challenging outbreak triggered by the Delta variant so far, prompting several countries to ban or impose stricter quarantine measures for travelers from here. More than three months into the new wave, the country has recorded 161,431 community infections. It has administered more than 6.95 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, with 712,864 people fully vaccinated. Beginning July 11, tens of thousands of Cubans in dozens of cities and towns throughout the country took to the streets to peacefully demand greater freedom and a better future. In response, the Cuban regime has violently repressed the protests, arresting hundreds of demonstrators simply for exercising their fundamental freedoms and human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The actions of Cuban security forces and violent mobs mobilized by Cuban Communist Party First Secretary Miguel Diaz-Canel lay bare the regimes fear of its own people and unwillingness to meet the demands of the Cuban people to enjoy their human rights. In response to the repression of the Communist Cuban Regime, the United States imposed sanctions on Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Alvaro Lopez Miera and the Cuban Ministry of the Interiors Special National Brigade or Boinas Negras or Black Berets. Lopez Miera and the Special National Brigade have been involved in suppressing the protests, including through physical violence and intimidation. Through the Global Magnitsky sanctions program, the United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences to discourage malign actors and promote accountability for those who commit serious human rights abuses. If left unchecked, the abuses undermine the values that form stable, secure, and functioning societies. In an international display of solidarity with the Cuban people, the United States and 20 other democracies condemned the mass arrests in Cuba and called for full restoration of Internet access in the island nation. Democracies around the world are coming together to support the Cuban people, calling on the Cuban government to respect Cubans demands for universal human rights, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. We stand with every Cuban seeking a government that respects the human rights and dignity of the Cuban people, said Secretary Blinken, We will continue to take action to promote accountability for the Cuban governments human rights abuses, including through additional sanctions. Former President Barack Obama will celebrate his 60th birthday this weekend with a party in Martha's Vineyard, with many COVID-19 safety protocols in place amid heightened concerns over the Delta variant, a source familiar with the planning told CNN. The event on Friday, which will be held outside and will reportedly have roughly 700 people, will follow all U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health protocols, the source said. There will be testing for guests and a COVID safety coordinator on site. Martha's Vineyard, in Dukes County, Massachusetts, is currently designated by the CDC as an area of "moderate" COVID-19 community spread. The CDC has only recommended mask wearing indoors for areas of "high" and "substantial" transmission, which includes nearly two-thirds of all U.S. counties. Obama's birthday is Wednesday, Aug. 4. The Hill was first to report on the former president's big birthday bash. LAS VEGAS (AP) The casino company that owns the former Las Vegas Strip concert venue that in 2017 became the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history said Monday it is donating part of the property for a permanent memorial. MGM Resorts International called creation of a facility commemorating victims and heroes of 1 October vital to continued community recovery, and promised to keep working with a memorial panel on the design. Word of the donation comes as the committee again asked for the public to submit opinions online through Aug. 15 about how the memorial should look. More than 65% of some 6,000 responses received during a two-week period in March called it extremely or very important to have the memorial at the site across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Mandalay Bay resort. Fifty-eight people died in a hail of gunfire that sent 22,000 country music fans fleeing from the Route 91 Harvest Festival. More than 850 people from Nevada, California, 13 other U.S. states and Canada were injured. The deaths of at least two people later were blamed on gunshot wounds. Aimee Eaton, a respiratory therapist in Las Vegas, said health care workers are burnt out after more than a year of responding to the pandemic and seeing a wave of new cases, mostly among the unvaccinated. It is unfortunately becoming a new normal for health care workers and there is going to be a serious shortage of health care workers with people leaving because you cant ask someone to essentially go to war every day. It is just crazy, Eaton said. She said when Nevada reopened and relaxed much of its restrictions and cases were low, it felt as if there was maybe a month of hopeful normalcy before things just started spiking again. It is beyond frustrating," Eaton said. You start running short-staffed. I know our respiratory therapists have been short. We have nurses working mandatory overtime as well. It is like you dont get a break at all ever." In addition to urging people to get vaccinated and seeking help from federal officials to get more shots in arms, Gov. Steve Sisolak recently reimposed a mask mandate for much of Nevada. The order applies to people regardless of vaccination status when they're indoors in 12 of 17 counties, including the areas around Las Vegas and Reno. People who are unvaccinated are required to wear a mask statewide. RENO (AP) The slender, bushy-tailed Sierra Nevada red fox will be listed as an endangered species, federal wildlife officials announced Monday, saying its population has dipped to just 40 animals in area of California stretching from Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided against listing a distinct population of the foxes in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon and near Lassen Peak in Northern California. But it said in a listing rule to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday that the Sierra Nevada segment south of Tahoe is in danger of extinction throughout all of its range. While the exact number remains unknown and is also subject to change with new births and deaths, it is well below population levels that would provide resiliency, redundancy and representation to the population. It provided no estimate of the number of red foxes remaining in the Cascade Range. One of the rarest mammals in North America, the red foxes in the Sierra already are vulnerable due to threats of wildfire, drought, competition in coyotes, reductions in prey and inbreeding with non-native foxes. BOZALAN, Turkey (AP) As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the country's southern coast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkeys Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters on Tuesday were still tackling 11 fires in six provinces, including the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. More than 150 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. Why should identifying anyone as a racist have any power? This word once had a generally agreed upon definition. Surprisingly, the term was not uniformly viewed as negative. Eugenic followers would think themselves as being unscientific if they believed in the equality of races. It was considered a scientific fact, and we all know how important it is to follow the science. Besides, it was all for the better good. Eugenic doctrine stated that it was positive to arrange reproduction so as to increase the occurrence of desired heritable characteristics. It was only the defeat of Nazism that put the doctrine into its deserved negative focus. The word racist has been weaponized by a political movement, but how is that possible? To have an effect, it must be seen as uniformly negative. Calling others racist must be judged by the target as being negative, somewhat like calling a believer a sinner. A true believer does not want anything to do with sin, and wants to avoid it in any of its manifestations. A callused sinner, on the other hand, probably feels the concept of sin is not relevant. Calling this person a sinner would be met with a shrug and an emphatic so what? So it is with being called a racist. Headlines - CDC announces new 60-day eviction moratorium - Ten million could lose unemployment benefits starting 6 September. (Details) - White House did not move to postpone the federal eviction moratorium. Why? (Details) - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act unveiled on Sunday - when will it be voted on? - Fourth stimulus check and the bipartisan infrastructure bill (Details) - Pressure for a fourth round of stimulus checks is coming from various quarters (Details) Useful information / links - How many people will get the $1,600 tax refund payment? (Find out more) - California Golden State stimulus check, information on payments for those with dependents. (Details) - How much can you get from stimulus checks and the Child Tax Credit? (Find out) - When will Golden State Stimulus payment arrive? (Details) - 'Thank you' bonuses for educators - which states are sending them? - When should I contact the IRS if my tax refund hasn't arrived yet? Take a look at some of our related news articles: Photo taken on July 27, 2021 shows women in the Dong ethnic group weaving brocade in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County of Huihua City, central Chinas Hunan Province. Dong brocade weaving is a traditional craft handed out for over 2000 years. Weavers nowadays also enrich the colors and the patterns of the brocade, breathing new life into the ancient technique. (Li Yongzhu/Guangming Picture) Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, GMW.cn makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information. For weeks, torrential rainfall hit several cities in central Chinas Province of Henan, causing millions of people from home with streets and railway stations submerged. Rescue work continues in the affected areas and people across China give a hand to local residents suffering from the record floods. Photo taken on July 22 shows a firefighter delivering drinking water to residents in Gongyi City, Henan Province. (Zhang Xiaoke/Guangming Picture) 4 1 Editor: WXL The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will provide Ukraine with more than $2.7 billion "free of charge and without additional conditions," according to the President's Office of Ukraine website on Tuesday. The relevant decision was made by the IMF Board of Governors at the suggestion of IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to help restore the world economy affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In total, special drawing rights (SDR) in the amount of $650 billion will be allocated between the countries. The IMF said in the official statement that this is the largest allocation of SDRs in the history of the fund. "The SDR allocation will benefit all members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy. It will particularly help our most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis," Georgieva said. Ukraine is expected to receive the tranche on August 23. According to a statement on the presidential website, the decision was made after a telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Georgieva last week. "This will be a good gift for our country on the 30th anniversary of independence. These funds will help overcome the consequences of coronavirus crisis and stimulate our economy. I am grateful to the IMF and personally Kristalina Georgieva for this decision," the President of Ukraine said. He also said that cooperation with the IMF is very important for Ukraine, so it continues to implement reforms and carry out structural beacons to receive a new tranche under the current stand-by arrangements. "We are working on completing the first revision of the current program of the International Monetary Fund and expect the IMF mission in September. I spoke about that during our telephone conversation with Ms. Kristalina Georgieva," Zelensky said. Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoisky, another 3 suspected of stealing 10bln rubles worth of crude oil from Tatneft - source The Russian police are conducting an investigation against former owners of Ukraine's PrivatBank Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov on charges of misappropriating around 860,000 tonnes of crude oil worth ten billion rubles from Tatneft, an informed source told Interfax. "On July 27, investigative agencies of the Interior Ministry for Tatarstan opened a criminal case under Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (establishment of a criminal community) following the misappropriation in 2007 of 858,600 tonnes of crude oil from the Tatneft company worth $439.4 million (over ten billion rubles according to the Russian Central Bank's exchange rate at that time)," the source said. The suspects in this crime are Kolomoisky, Boholiubov, UkrSibbank former owner Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, and Ukrtatnafta CEO Pavlo Ovcharenko, the source said. According to investigators, between April and October 2007, Tatneft shipped more than 2.2 million tonnes of crude oil to Ukrtatnafta worth over $1 billion, of which the enterprise paid some $651 million. "Kolomoisky, Boholiubov, Yaroslavsky, and Ovcharenko suspended Tatarstan's managers and shareholders from Ukrtatnafta's management and misappropriated the remaining amount of oil, causing the aforementioned financial damage to Tatneft," the source said. Interfax does not yet have official confirmation of the report. PJSC Ukrnafta has already received more than UAH 2.3 billion from restructured accounts receivable for a total of about UAH 7 billion, the company's executive board chairman, Oleg Gez, said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. "We have already received more than UAH 2.3 billion in one year and a half. All payments are going in accordance with the planned schedule. We began to receive interest from the moment of the conclusion of amicable agreements, which is important. And within several years we expect that the entire amount will be fully repaid. I think we work effectively with accounts receivable," he said. According to Gez, when deciding on the conclusion of agreements on the restructuring of debts formed back in 2015 to Ukrnafta for the supplied oil, he was guided by the fact that many debtor companies did not have any significant assets. "As for the benefits of restructuring for Ukrnafta, it was a very simple choice for me. Either try to get something or nothing. If a company does not have any significant assets that can be claimed, then it is much more expedient and efficient to try to collect debts through restructuring," Gez said. As reported, accounts receivable for the supplied oil to Ukrnafta were formed in 2015. At the beginning of December 2019, the amount of debt was UAH 7.47 billion. The restructuring envisaged repayment of the debt in installments over three to six years. The payment amount also included interest accrued on the outstanding balance after January 2020. Ukrnafta is the largest oil company in the country. NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy owns 50% plus one share in Ukrnafta, and a group of companies associated with the former shareholders of PrivatBank about 42% of shares. Ukrnafta has 25 drilling rigs, 1,891 oil and 162 gas wells .The company owns 537 filling stations. A citizen of Belarus Vitaliy Shyshov, who disappeared in Kyiv yesterday, was found hanged on Tuesday in one of Kyiv parks, not far from his place of residence, the National Police Department in Kyiv has said. Vitaliy's mobile phone and personal belongings were seized from the scene, the police said. The police initiated criminal proceedings under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (premeditated murder) and will check all versions, including the version of the murder disguised as suicide. The full picture of the events will be established after the interrogation of witnesses, the analysis of video recordings from the cameras of the Safe City system, the conduct of examinations and investigative experiments, the police note and ask everyone who knew Shishov to provide "information about the last weeks of his life, his psycho-emotional state, possible threats." According to the pages of the Belarusian House in Ukraine on Instagram and Twitter, Shyshov moved to Ukraine in the autumn of 2020 after taking part in the protests in Gomel. In the organization, he was involved in helping replicants, holding political actions, applying to government agencies to promote bills that help Belarusians in Ukraine, and forming a diaspora. "Vitaliy was under surveillance. The police were notified of the facts. We were also repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation. Vitaliy was stoic and humorous about these warnings, stating that though so it is possible that the Belarusian House in Ukraine will come out of the information vacuum. There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by the Chekists [state security officers] to eliminate a truly dangerous regime in Belarus. We will continue to seek the truth in the death of Vitaliy!" On the air of the Ukraine 24 television channel, Shyshov's friend, who introduced himself as Yuriy and was one of those who found the body of the deceased, said with reference to information from the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that Shyshov was engaged in the verification of the State Security Committee (KGB) officers of Belarus who entered Ukraine under the guise of refugees, that is, he was engaged in counterintelligence. In addition, referring to information from law enforcement agencies, he said that the deceased had a broken nose when he was found. According to media statements, Belarusian House in Ukraine is a public organization that provides assistance to citizens of Belarus with housing and employment in Ukraine. A week earlier, Igor Makar, a representative of the ByPol initiative uniting former officer of the Belarusian law enforcement agencies, said on his YouTube channel that the State Security Committee (KGB) of Belarus is conducting a major operation in several countries simultaneously under the name "Trust" to seize and deliver to Belarus the most influential supporters of the opposition abroad. As reported, Head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine public organization Shyshov disappeared on August 2 while jogging in Kyiv. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine makes great efforts to ensure that the Ukraine Now brand develops sustainably, first deputy head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Emine Dzaparova said. The brand is intended for use by both government agencies and local governments, businesses and individuals. Now we, our team led by Dmytro Kuleba [Ukrainian Foreign Minister], systematically use this brand "Ukraine Now" in all external communications of Ukraine, and we are making a lot of efforts to ensure that this brand develops sustainably," Dzaparova said at the all-Ukrainian forum "Ukraine 30. Image of Ukraine" in Kyiv on Tuesday. She reminded that three years ago the government of Ukraine officially approved the national visual brand of Ukraine "Ukraine Now". It is a tool of public diplomacy to represent the state in the international arena. Ukraine Now is an "umbrella" brand that can be developed and used for campaigns in different areas. The brand's philosophy is based on the word "now", which is currently the most important for Ukraine and modern Ukrainians," the first deputy foreign minister said. President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law restoring the work of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HQCJ), according to the website of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday. It was reported that on July 8, the head of state vetoed the relevant bill No. 3711-d adopted by the parliament at the end of June, and on July 13 the Verkhovna Rada re-adopted the law, agreeing with the president's proposals. As follows from the cards of the bills, the President also signed laws amending some laws on the procedure for electing (appointing) members of the High Council of Justice and the activities of disciplinary inspectors of the High Council of Justice (reg. No. 685068) and amending Articles 188-32 Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses to establish liability for failure to comply with the legal requirements of the disciplinary inspector of the High Council of Justice (reg No. 5069). Cyber specialists of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) returned the State Register of Seafarers' Documents from the control of third parties to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the attackers used it for corruption schemes. As head of the SBU's cybersecurity department Illia Vitiuk said at a briefing on Tuesday, two individuals, intermediaries of agencies that hired sailors, have already been reported as suspects. The issue of prosecuting other involved persons is currently being resolved. "The SBU, together with the Prosecutor General's Office, stopped one of the largest corruption schemes in our country, which consisted of extorting bribes from Ukrainian sailors and was combined with interfering in state resources and even seizing the latter. The scale of this scheme is impressive: according to preliminary estimates, they more than $150 million in revenue a year. The scheme has been in operation for many years, with tens of thousands of sailors affected," he said. Speaking about when the online register will work in full, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Yuriy Vaskov noted that the situation is very difficult and still needs time. "As for the main issue, when it will work transparently in an IT format that is convenient for sailors, we still need time. This is a very serious work," he said. According to Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, the new register will be fully owned by the state. The entrance to it will be carried out by means of a digital signature, which will make any manipulations in this sphere impossible in the future. "We hope that all services related to seafarers will be launched in a simplified way on the Diia website according to all modern standards of state public services provision by European countries. Today, the task of the Digital Transformation Ministry is to help the Ministry of Infrastructure to do everything possible to create a new register as soon as possible and public services to be provided comprehensively and as soon as possible," Fedorov said. A citizen of Belarus, Head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine public organization Vitaliy Shyshov, found hanged on Tuesday in one of Kyiv parks, had not previously turned to Ukrainian law enforcement officers about possible surveillance of him, Head of the National Police of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said. "I would like to assure you that we checked all the appeals of citizen Shyshov, which, perhaps, could reach the police. There were no such appeals, neither last year, nor this year. If additional information is received during the pretrial investigation [...] surely, this information will immediately be urgently transmitted to the relevant services," Klymenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. When asked by a journalist if the police have any information about the surveillance of Shyshov, the head of the department said: "At the moment, the National Police does not have such information." Klymenko also said the main versions of the investigation are suicide and premeditated murder, simulated suicide. The Chairs of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees of the United States, Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Great Britain and Lithuania have issued a joint statement in opposition to the recent agreement between the United States and Germany to allow the completion of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. "We, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of our respective national parliaments, continue to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and with regret note the recent decision of the United States and Germany on Nord Stream 2, which entails resuming completion of the pipeline," the officials said in a statement released on the website of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday. It is indicated that the completion of the pipeline will strengthen the impact of Russian gas in the European energy mix, endanger the national security of EU member states and the United States, and threaten the already precarious security and sovereignty of Ukraine. "Moreover, the completion of Nord Stream 2 will give Russia yet another tool to pressure and blackmail Ukraine. It continues to face Russia's brutal aggression and military occupation of its territories because of its pro-European choice. As a result, over 14,000 Ukrainians have died, and every week, more Ukrainian soldiers give their lives to protect their homeland and entire Europe. The EU and United States must work together to increase sanctions pressure on the Kremlin to counter aggression in Ukraine," the politicians said. The chairs of Parliamentary Committees on Foreign Relations said the likely repercussion of the completion and operation of Nord Stream 2 is to undermine the development of a single, liberalized, and open European market by consolidating sources of supply in the Nord Stream 2 system and deterring investment in alternatives. "We expect a clear commitment from Germany to reduce dependency on gas imported from Russia and move towards green energy. We presume that Germany will handle its responsibility towards these goals with the utmost dedication. We need to make a collective commitment to increase support to the security and defense capabilities of Ukraine in order to prevent a deepening of the current security crisis, exacerbated by the threats created by Nord Stream 2," the parliamentarians said. They called on NATO, in the changing security environment in the region, to commit itself to strengthening deterrence, especially on the eastern flank from the Baltic to the Black Sea. "In the changing security environment in the region, we call for commitments from NATO to strengthen deterrence, especially on the Eastern Flank from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. We also need to commit to delivering a road map for Ukraine's path towards joining the NATO alliance, if Ukraine makes the necessary reforms and meets NATO membership standards. To consolidate the transformation efforts of the Ukrainian government as well as democracy and human rights in the region, we call for a European Union membership perspective to be agreed upon for Ukraine," the officials said in the joint statement. The chairs of parliamentary committees said they insist that any further agreements on Nord Stream 2 necessitate consultations across the transatlantic family. "Moreover, such diplomacy should happen with the fundamental principle in mind - countering malign Russian aggression is in all of NATO's, all EU members, and our partners in Central and Eastern Europe vital national security interests," the parliamentarians said. Law enforcement officers are studying the lifestyle and social activities of citizen of Belarus, Head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine public organization Vitaliy Shyshov, Head of the National Police of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said. At a briefing on Tuesday in Kyiv, he noted that the versions of Shyshov's suicide and the commission of premeditated murder with imitated suicide are being considered. "We can find out after interviewing witnesses, after analyzing a video camera, conducting investigative experiments and a series of examinations [...] In addition, we are simultaneously studying the victim's lifestyle and his social activities," Klymenko said. According to Klymenko, a mobile phone was found at the scene of the tragedy, right next to Shyshov's body. Also, as Klymenko noted, there was a trace left on the stump nearby. "We are studying whose trace it is of Vitaliy or someone else [...] the height from the loop to the ground is 3.08 m, the height of the first stump is 60 cm, the second one, which was next 50 cm, there is a similar stump next to it. Vitaliy's height is 1.85 m," the head of the National Police said. He also reported that the rope with a loop was folded in four layers. Answering questions about whether any injuries were found on the body, the head of the National Police said that the skin on the nose, on the left knee was scratched off and other minor injuries that are characteristic of a single fall were found on Shyshov's body. "We will be able to tell the details after the examination. This is all we have at the moment," Klymenko said. He also said that in addition to the two main versions that exist now, in the course of the investigation, including conclusions of the examinations that have already been appointed, other versions may appear. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed decree No. 341/2021 on the provision of humanitarian aid to the Republic of Lithuania, the presidential press service has said on Tuesday. "The document provides for assistance to Lithuania in overcoming the consequences of the emergency situation, which has arisen due to a rapid increase in the number of illegal migrants from the territory of Belarus," the report says. It notes that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine must ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to the Republic of Lithuania for equipping its state border. As reported, on July 28, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft decree of the President of Ukraine on the provision of humanitarian aid to Lithuania in the form of barbed wire to equip the border with Belarus. KYIV. Aug 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) Associations of meat and dairy products processors have asked the government to develop and implement a national program for the development and support of the dairy and meat industry to prevent further deepening of the crisis in their activities, Head of the Ukrainian Union of Dairy Enterprises Vadym Chaharovsky said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. "The level of state support for animal husbandry, and we, I emphasize, we all cooperate with our partners-livestock breeders, at the level of UAH 1.2 billion does not meet the development needs of both dairy cattle breeding and the dairy industry," he said. According to the head of the union, the crisis in the industry is characterized by a 5.6% decrease in milk production in the first half of 2021 compared to the first half of 2020, the number of cows fell by 5.8%, to 1.67 million heads, a decrease in the amount received for processing milk was 12%. He said that the production of butter, cheese products, skimmed milk powder and casein decreased the most. The downward trend was aggravated by the growth of imports of dairy products over the specified period from $140 million to $165 million in money terms. The head of the expert and analytical service of the union Leonid Tulush noted the need to develop program documents to support the dairy processing industry, since its share of the food industry of Ukraine decreased from 17% in 2010 to less than 10% in 2020. He said that the theses given in the agrarian block of the current National Economic Strategy until 2030 are correct, but the document does not contain a specific strategy for the development of the dairy industry. "It should be taken into account that over time, milk from households will not be present at all in milk processing. Indeed, from 2024 new standards are being introduced, when processing will finally abandon milk from households due to its non-compliance with standards, which, by the way, will be tightened. We need a program document on how to survive in such conditions," Tulush said. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks from the One World Trade Center Tower while making an announcement in New York City, New York, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo) An investigation into accusations of sexual harassment by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo found that he groped, kissed or made suggestive comments to 11 women and created a "toxic" workplace in violation of the law, the state attorney general said on Tuesday, with the White House calling the allegations abhorrent. Advertisement In a recorded statement issued after Attorney General Letitia James unveiled the findings of the five-month independent inquiry, Cuomo denied that he had acted inappropriately and made clear he had no plans to resign. The civil investigation will not directly lead to criminal charges against Cuomo. Cuomo, a third-term Democratic governor who has served in the post since 2011, called the findings inaccurate and unfair and said his words, gestures and demeanor were misinterpreted and were always intended to convey warmth to the women. The findings of the inquiry, detailed in a scathing 168-page report, could deal a devastating blow to Cuomo - once seen as a possible presidential candidate - and hinder his administration. "What this investigation revealed was a disturbing pattern of conduct by the governor of the great state of New York," said James, a Democrat. "These 11 women were in a hostile and toxic work environment." President Joe Biden, a fellow Democrat who has previously said Cuomo should resign if the allegations were shown by an investigation to be true, plans to give his reaction later in the day, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. "I don't know that anyone could have watched this morning (James' briefing) and not found the allegations to be abhorrent. I know I certainly did," Psaki said. The report's findings prompted some U.S. lawmakers and senior New York Democrats to demand Cuomo's resignation, underscoring the swift fall for a governor who had became nationally popular last year in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting himself as an authoritative figure in daily televised news conferences. The report said one of the women Cuomo targeted was a state trooper. Anne Clark, who helped run the inquiry, said Cuomo stood behind the trooper in an elevator and "ran his finger from her neck down her spine and said, 'Hey you.'" Cuomo also ran an "open hand from her belly button to her hip where she carries her gun," Clark added. The trooper, according to Clark, said Cuomo inappropriately touched her from "her chest to her privates." Cuomo, a divorced father of three adult daughters, said he is sorry if his behavior was misunderstood by his accusers, but denied wrongdoing. He said he would "not be distracted" from his work battling the COVID-19 pandemic, a sign he has no intention of resigning. "I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances," Cuomo said. "I am 63 years old. I've lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am. And that's not who I have ever been." "The facts are much different than what has been portrayed," Cuomo added. Carl Heastie, who as speaker of the Democratic-controlled New York Assembly has authorized an impeachment investigation into Cuomo's conduct, called the report's findings "disturbing" and said they pointed to "someone who is not fit for office." Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate majority leader, said Cuomo should "resign for the good of the state." Investigators spoke to 179 people, James said. She said the probe revealed a "climate of fear" in which Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, many of them young, and showed that his office retaliated against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing. 'RIFE WITH BULLYING' James named two veteran outside attorneys to run the investigation: Joon Kim, a former federal prosecutor and acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, and Clark, an employment lawyer with experience in sexual harassment cases. Kim said Cuomo's workplace was "rife with bullying, fear and intimidation" and one in which crossing him or his senior staff meant you would be "written off, cast aside or worse." The report rejected Cuomo's suggestions that his conduct was an innocent reflection of an affectionate Italian-American culture in which he was raised. Investigators found little credibility in his "blanket denials and lack of recollection as to specific incidents." "What these witnesses - and many others - described is not just old-fashioned, affectionate behavior - it was sexual harassment," the report concluded. Rita Glavin, a lawyer defending Cuomo against the sexual harassment complaints, released a lengthy "position statement" responding to the report, which she said "purposefully omits key evidence." Glavin accused James of bias. The statement included pages of photographs of Cuomo embracing or kissing prominent political figures including Biden, Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore. It also included multiple photographs of Cuomo kissing his late father, who also served as governor. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin answers reporters questions at the Pentagon as the U.S. military nears the formal end of its mission in Afghanistan in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo) During his last days before dying from COVID-19, 26-year-old Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Myers played a breathing game with himself at a Florida hospital to see how high he could get his oxygen levels. Like most of the military, Myers had chosen to get vaccinated - but was exposed just a day after getting his first dose in January, not enough time for it to take effect. Advertisement "He was really excited to be doing his part for society and for his family. He wouldn't have imagined three weeks later he would die alone in a hospital," his sister, Amber Mattson, wrote on a Facebook post, imploring people to get vaccinated. With the Delta variant surging, the Pentagon appears poised to do something it has not so far - mandate vaccinations to safeguard against COVID-19. Officials tell Reuters a decision on next steps could come within days. The U.S. military says around half the U.S. armed forces are already fully vaccinated, a number that climbs significantly when counting only active duty troops and excluding National Guard and reserve members. Vaccination rates are highest in the Navy, which suffered from a high-profile outbreak last year aboard an aircraft carrier. About 73% of sailors are fully vaccinated. That compares with the U.S. national average of about 60% of adults ages 18 and over who have been fully vaccinated. Because U.S. troops are generally younger and fitter, relatively few U.S. servicemembers like Myers have died as a result of COVID-19 - just 28 in total, according to Pentagon data. For the general U.S. population, however, the pandemic has been devastating, leading to the biggest decline in life expectancy in the first half of 2020 since World War 2. More than 611,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States. President Joe Biden could issue a waiver requiring troops to get vaccinated prior to formal vaccine approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Last week, he appeared to move a step closer by asking the Pentagon "to look into how and when they will add COVID-19" to its list of mandatory vaccinations. "Our troops serve in places throughout the world, many where vaccination rates are low and disease is prevalent," Biden said. It is unclear if the Pentagon's initial announcements will go beyond ordering planning for mandatory vaccinations while the Food and Drug Administration is still weighing formal approval for vaccines, which are now authorized only for emergency use. But as the virulent Delta variant wreaks havoc in the United States, Pentagon officials are voicing growing concern for the safety of unvaccinated troops, and even U.S. companies like Walmart and Walt Disney Inc have started vaccination requirements for at least some employees. 'SOLDIERS' MINDSET' Officials acknowledge a significant percentage of the military population - and their families - have shunned a voluntary vaccine, especially since it is not included on the long list of as many as 17 required vaccinations, for everything from measles to smallpox. While some troops may be wary of the new vaccines, many just believe that it would be required if it were actually important, officials say. "'We're not going to do it if we're not ordered to do it' - soldiers' mindset I guess," said one Army official. Another suggested a vaccine mandate would solve the problem. "We have a lot of vaccines that are required for self-protection and once this one is mandatory, I don't think that we will have a lot of pushback. I think people will do as they're required," another official said. Vaccinations have also become a political issue in the United States - as have discussions about making them mandatory for the armed forces. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican lawmaker from Kentucky, introduced legislation to prohibit a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for troops. Still, its prospects look dim in the Democratic-controlled House. Kori Schake, a former national security official now at the American Enterprise Institute think-tank, said servicemembers should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a matter of military preparedness. "This isn't even a close call," Schake wrote in a column. Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the hope was that the FDA moves toward giving the COVID-19 vaccines full approval. That would make mandating the vaccine less controversial. Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Friday he hopes regulators could start granting full approval for the vaccines as soon as this month. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a retired Army general, appeared to tip his hand by suggesting a willingness to mandate vaccines. "Quite frankly, I'm inclined to move towards making sure that everybody is properly protected," Austin said in the Philippines last week. U.S. President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., (Photo : REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) Governments and local authorities around the world have for decades put domestic companies first in the massive public procurement decisions they make with taxpayer money. But as they look to spend trillions on post-pandemic recoveries - and as western suspicion of China grows - many are taking an even more protectionist stance to ensure the funds are spent locally to create or protect jobs. Advertisement Here are the main developments and some of the implications. WHAT ARE THE RULES? The World Trade Organization's 164 members commit to provide trade on the same terms with other partners and treat imported and locally produced goods equally, but are largely left to their own devices on public procurement. Although some legal challenges have questioned the role of state-owned firms, this means national, regional and local authorities can effectively set their own terms. SO THESE MARKETS ARE CLOSED? Not quite. 48 WTO members, mostly developed countries and not including China, are signatories to the Agreement on General Procurement (GPA), hatched in 1994 and revised in 2012. This provides a partial liberalisation, with its backers filing "coverage schedules" that spell out what levels of government will open up and to what extent. In the case of the United States, its schedule only covers 37 states, a third of which exclude purchases of construction steel, vehicles and coal, while at the federal level, there are extensive carve-outs of Department of Defense purchases, as well as for aeronautics and mass transit. Beijing has submitted offers to join, but the current members have not deemed them sufficient to let China in. HOW BIG IS THE MARKET GLOBALLY? Public procurement accounts for 15-20% of global gross domestic product and GPA commitments represent around 1.3 trillion euros ($1.54 trillion) in business opportunities, according to European Commission data. 'BUY AMERICAN'? The United States passed the Buy American Act in 1933, setting a preference for U.S. products in federal procurements, spurring demand for U.S.-made construction materials used in the massive New Deal public works spending. Buy American provisions have since seeped into state and local procurement laws. The act was excluded from the GPA, although automatic waivers are supposed to apply for suppliers from GPA partners for procurement covered by the agreement. There are also exemptions, such as if the product is not sufficiently available domestically or the cost unreasonable. U.S. President Joe Biden, days after entering office, signed an executive order aimed at closing loopholes in provisions, which apply to about a third of the $600 billion in goods and services federal government buys per year. Biden's order also calls for increases in the minimum U.S. content for manufactured goods bought with taxpayer dollars under "Buy American" laws. Both the European Union and Canada have raised concerns. WHAT OF CHINA'S POSITION? Three U.S.-based sources told Reuters that Beijing quietly issued new procurement guidelines in May that require up to 100% local content on hundreds of items including X-ray machines and magnetic resonance imaging equipment. So-called Document 551 was issued to state buyers by the Chinese Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) but not released publicly, a former U.S. government official said. MIIT did not respond to queries about it. The guidelines affect a wide range of goods, including medical devices, which Beijing agreed to buy more of under the terms of the Phase 1 trade deal. For example, magnetic resonance imaging equipment, a key U.S. export in the past, would face a 100% local content requirement, the ex-official said. IS EUROPE GETTING TOUGHER? For years, the European Union has had a more open policy on public procurement. Free trading nations such as the Netherlands and the Nordics countries insist this is the best way to ensure value for money for taxpayers. But the tide has shifted as China, the chief beneficiary, is viewed more suspiciously. The result is the International Procurement Instrument, a set of measures designed to promote reciprocity that was blocked for nine years by some EU countries, but which is now likely to be passed by the end of 2021. Under the proposal, the European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, would investigate cases of discrimination against EU companies in third countries and seek, through discussions, to remedy them. If none is found, the EU could apply a penalty to companies from that country, such as adding as much as 20% to the price of the bid during the selection process. This would give bids from the EU or non-targeted countries an advantage. In some cases, the EU could even exclude bids from particular countries. ($1 = 0.8430 euros) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks before participating in a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House in Washington (Photo : REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo) Vice President Kamala Harris will focus on defending international rules in the South China Sea, strengthening U.S. regional leadership and expanding security cooperation during her trip to Vietnam and Singapore this month, a senior White House official told Reuters. Harris she will be the first U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam as Washington seeks to bolster international support to counter China's growing global influence. Advertisement The U.S. official said Washington saw both countries as critical partners given their locations, the size of their economies, trade ties and security partnerships on issues such as the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. Former U.S. foe Vietnam has been a vocal opponent of China's South China Sea claims. Countries in the region largely welcome the U.S. military presence there in the face of China's militarization of the waterway and its vast coastguard and fishing fleet. "We do not want to see any country dominate that region or take advantage of the power situation to compromise the sovereignty of others," the White House official said. "The Vice President is going to underscore that there should be free passage for trade, throughout the South China Sea, and no single country should disrespect the right of others." The U.S. Navy has maintained a steady pattern of freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and near Taiwan but these appear to have done little to discourage Beijing. Harris' trip will follow one by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week to Hanoi, where he sought to nudge forward steadily deepening security ties. It will also follow high-level talks between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and senior Chinese diplomats last month that did little to ease deeply strained ties. This week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will seek to reinforce the U.S. message that it is serious about engaging with Southeast Asia to push back against China by joining a series of regional meetings held virtually. Addressing a virtual session of the Aspen Security Forum on Tuesday, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said high-level U.S. visits were "greatly valued" as they showed Washington knew it had substantial interests to protect and advance in the region. However, he expressed concern about deteriorating U.S.-China relations and said many countries hoped to see this checked "because many U.S. friends and allies wish to preserve their extensive ties with both powers." "It's vital for the U.S. and China to strive to engage each other to head off a clash, which would be disastrous for both sides, and the world," he said. The White House official said the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccinations and quality of vaccines would also be a top priority for Harris. Last month, Washington shipped 3 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam, bringing total donations to Hanoi to 5 million. Harris is due in Singapore on Aug. 22. She arrives in Vietnam on Aug. 24 and departs on Aug. 26. "Robot, stand up" - Oscar Constanza, 16, gives the order and slowly but surely a large frame strapped to his body lifts him up and he starts walking. Fastened to his shoulders, chest, waist, knees and feet, the exoskeleton allows Oscar - who has a genetic neurological condition that means his nerves do not send enough signals to his legs - to walk across the room and turn around. "Before, I needed someone to help me walk ... this makes me feel independent," said Oscar, as his father Jean-Louis Constanza, one of the co-founders of the company that makes the exoskeleton, looks on. "One day Oscar said to me: 'dad, you're a robotic engineer, why don't you make a robot that would allow us to walk?'" his father recalls, speaking at the company Wandercraft's headquarters in Paris. "Ten years from now, there will be no, or far fewer, wheelchairs," he said. Other companies across the world are also manufacturing exoskeletons, competing to make them as light and usable as possible. Some are focused on helping disabled people walk, others on a series of applications, including making standing less tiring for factory workers. Wandercraft's exoskeleton, an outer frame that supports but also simulates body movement, has been sold to dozens of hospitals in France, Luxembourg and the United States, for about 150,000 euros ($176,000) a piece, Constanza said. It cannot yet be bought by private individuals for everyday use - that is the next stage the company is working on. A personal skeleton would need to be much lighter, Wandercraft engineers said. Just outside Paris, 33-year-old Kevin Piette, who lost the ability to walk in a bike accident 10 years ago, tries one on, walking around his flat, remote controller in hand. "In the end it's quite similar: instead of having the information going from the brain to the legs, it goes from the remote controller to the legs," he said, before making his dinner and walking with it from the kitchen to the living room. Short link: The British navy warned Tuesday of a ``potential hijack'' of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman, without elaborating. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships Tuesday that ``an incident is currently underway`` off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, they said the incident was a ``potential hijack.'' They did not elaborate. The U.S. military's Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry did not immediately return calls for comment. Earlier, four oil tankers announced around the same time via their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were ``not under command,'' according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. One of them later began moving. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, was flying over the area where the ships were, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. The event comes just days after a drone struck an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members. The West blamed Iran for the attack, which marked the first known assault to have killed civilians in the yearslong shadow war targeting commercial vessels in the region. Iran denied playing any role in the incident, though Tehran and its allied militias have used similar ``suicide'' drones in attacks previously. Israel, the United States and United Kingdom vowed a ``collective response'' to the attack, without elaborating. The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. Fujairah, on the UAE's eastern coast, is a main port in the region for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew. Since 2019, the waters off Fujairah have seen a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers. Also in 2019, Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero on July 19 in the Strait of Hormuz as it was headed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Dubai. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, seized an Iranian supertanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Both vessels were later released. In July of last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast, following months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The vessel and its crew ended up in Iran, though Tehran never acknowledged the incident. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Short link: Iranian army chief Ataollah Salehi denied on Wednesday Israel's claim that arms it seized aboard a ship had been sent by Tehran to militants in the Gaza Strip, the official IRNA news agency reported. "The Zionist regime is a regime blended with lies, producing lies and disseminating lies. We reject all such false news," IRNA quoted Major General Salehi as saying. Naval commandos operating deep in international waters on Tuesday boarded the Liberian-flagged ship Victoria some 200 nautical miles west of Israel's territorial waters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said weapons found aboard, including sophisticated anti-ship missiles, were Gaza-bound and made in Iran. "On the boat we discovered many weapons destined for terror groups in the heart of Gaza," Netanyahu said. "We had clear evidence that the vessel was carrying weapons intended to harm Israel... The source of the weapons was Iran, which is trying to arm the Strip," he said. But Salehi said the report came at a time when Israel was "suffering" because of Arab uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. "Following the overthrow of Egypt's Pharaoh (former president Hosni Mubarak), we will witness, God willing, the Zionist regime drowning in the Mediterranean waters in the future," he said. Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi also rejected the report, saying the Israelis weres playing victim to become "the centre of attention" by spreading "false" accusations. "Iranian presence in the Mediterranean waters in very sensitive conditions was very valuable... and the Zionist regime wants to portray itself as a victim," Vahidi told IRNA. In February, the Islamic republic for the first time sent two of its warships to the Mediterranean on a mission conveying "peace" to friendly countries. Its arch foe Israel called the move a "political provocation" and put its navy on alert. Short link: . Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi said she hopes Ethiopia will come to its senses and accept the unwavering Sudanese stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute In a meeting with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, Al-Mahdi said Khartoum seeks to reach a diplomatic solution to the GERD crisis, the Sudanese news agency (SUNA) reported. She highlighted Sudans stance on the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. As Ethiopia implemented this month the second phase of the filling, Sudans irrigation ministry said the River Nile revenue in July reached five billion cubic metres, compared to 7.8 billion cubic metres in July last year. Egypt and Sudan reiterated that they support development in Ethiopia, but called for reaching a legally binding instrument on the filling and operation of the dam. The two downstream states warned of probable significant harm to their water rights and peoples lives. While Ethiopia calls for the resumption of the GERD talks under the auspices of the African Union, Sudans irrigation minister Yasser Abbas affirmed on Wednesday his countrys rejection of participating in the GERD negotiations under the same methodology adopted in previous talks. Abbas described the previous methodology as a waste of time, reiterating Sudans call to involve the international quartet of the United States, United Nations, African Union, and the European Union in the talks to boost the AUs mediating role." Egypt agrees with Sudan on the need for the international community to get involved in the talks to help the three countries reach a legally binding deal. Short link: Egyptian authorities continued the exceptional opening of Rafah border crossing to let in stranded Palestinians and humanitarian cases on both sides, sources at the terminal said on Monday. Medical and administrative teams are stationed for facilitating the passage of humanitarian cases and their companions to hospitals for treatment, said sources at the crossing. Egypt has exceptionally opened the crossing since 16 May to enable people stranded on both sides to cross and to deliver aid to Gaza residents. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said it is time for the very low price of the subsidised bread loaves - sold at 5 piastres for 30 years - to increase in order to help cover part of the cost of providing much needed meals to millions of school students among other urgent social needs that benefit the whole population. El-Sisis remarks came during the inauguration ceremony of Silo Foods, the mega food industries complex, in Menoufiya governorate, which will provide schools meals for around 13 million students nationwide. "The price of the subsidised bread loaves has been fixed for 20 or 30 years. This situation cannot continue." "No one should tell me not to touch the issue of the price of bread loaves. I will," the president said. "Not the prime minister, not the supply minister - I will take responsibility for changing this situation," El-Sisi said. "We are responsible for the livelihoods and the destiny of all our people not just ourselves," the president stressed. The government provides tens of millions of Egyptians with subsidised bread through a system of food cards. El-Sisi said the government needs to procure EGP 7.7 billion to provide school meals to children. I cannot provide 20 loaves of bread at a cost of one cigarette, El-Sisi said, while the EGP 8 billion per year needed for meals for our school kids are not available." "We have to feed our children. I would like to provide nutritional meals to the children every school day. Now, however, we can only do so three days a week because of the cost," El-Sisi said. The president added that the price of subsidised bread loaves will be increased but not all the way to the real cost of 60-65 piastres per loaf. The president affirmed that increasing the price of subsidised bread will help the state save money to serve meals to children in schools. We will pay EGP 7 for a school meal and if a family has two children we will pay EGP 15." I am saying this on the air to all people because we are serious, honest and honourable, and we are entrusted with peoples lives and future and the interests of our country and people, El-Sisi added. School meals will be rigorously monitored to provide safe food to our children, the president promised. Combatting overpopulation, raising healthy kids The fast increase in population in recent years has led people to build illegally on agricultural lands and harms food security, the president noted. The population has increased by 20 million from 2010-11. Therefore, prices must increase because demand increased. if we want food security for 20 million more people then the size of agricultural land has to increase to achieve that, the president said. The president said the state has launched the Hayat Karima Decent Life Initiative' to develop the countryside with the aim of achieving nationwide balanced development. During the event, Minister of Education Tarek Shawki announced that physical exams of 25 million students under the presidential initiative '100 Million Healthy Lives' have shown that 3.4 million students suffer from obesity, 8.2 million suffer from anemia, and 1.3 million suffer from dwarfism. The president interjected and asked: Do we just want to have lots of children or do we want to have healthy children? Do we want a healthy child or 3 sick children? "Do we need to have a large number of children or a number that we can care for? El-Sisi asked. "3.4 million students suffering from obesity means they do not play sports or receive the required healthcare," El-Sisi said. A balance for the general good The president announced that the budget allocated for each ministry in the general budget will also be cut to cover the cost of the childrens meals. "We want our country to prosper, we want to organise our lives in a balanced way in all aspects, the president added. I hope that the true meaning of what I said about the process of adjusting bread subsidies reaches people and is not misconstrued simply as an attempt to increase prices, El-Sisi said. We want to create a balance to secure the EGP 8 billion required to feed students, he said, stressing that we must feed our children. Vaccinating school, university staff El-Sisi urged the health ministry to intensify its coronavirus vaccination campaign before the upcoming school year, which is set to start in October. The president said that it is vital to vaccinate all employees and teaching staff in universities and schools before the next academic year. El-Sisi said the state aims to vaccinate a very large portion of citizens by the end of this year. He affirmed the citizens need to stick to the coronavirus preventive measures in order to maintain the accomplishments the country has achieved over the last two years. We should continue to be cautious and vigilant [towards the coronavirus] but also maintain the balance between observing the preventive measures against the virus and keeping our economy going to minimise the pandemics repercussions, the president stressed. A mega project The first phase of the Silo Foods complex was established over an area of 102 feddans out of a total planned area of 135 feddans, The complex consists of 10 factories to produce 40 different goods, Walid Aboul-Magd, the director-general of the National Service Projects Authority, said during the inauguration ceremony. Silo Foods will secure school meals with integrated ingredients for 13 million students, Aboul-Magd said. Meanwhile, Minister of Supply Ali Moselhi said that "Silo Foods will contribute to securing an abundance of food goods in the market thus exerting downward pressure on prices, in addition to strengthening investments and exports. Moselhi said the state targets increasing the storage capacity of wheat to 5 million tons from the current 3.4 million capacity. He affirmed the availability of adequate strategic reserves of basic commodities for several months, including rice, sugar, oil, and poultry. Short link: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Monday followed up on the implementation status of Julius Nyerere Hydropower plant and dam in Tanzania during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and the ministers of housing and finance. The project is undertaken by a consortium of Egyptian companies, including the Arab Contractors Company and El-Sewedy Electric, under the supervision of the Egyptian government. El-Sisi asserted the need to offer all kind of support to ensure that the project is accomplished in accordance with world-class construction requirements to serve as a leading model for constructive cooperation between Egypt and a sisterly African nation, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady. El-Sisi also directed senior government officials concerned to pay regular visits to the project site across the Rufiji River in eastern Tanzania follow up work progress in coordination with Tanzanian peers. The largest in the East African Community, the dam is expected to produce 5,920GWh of power annually. It will also help in controlling floods and improving agriculture at the lower Rufiji Valley, allowing for the permanent storage of about 34 billion of cubic meters of water in an artificial lake to be used for agricultural and aquaculture purposes, while protecting wildlife in the largest nature reserve in Africa. Presidential Aide for National and Strategic Projects Sherif Ismail attended the meeting. Short link: Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed announced on Tuesday the launch of an initiative for the early detection of genetic disorders and hereditary diseases in newly-born infants under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. During a ceremony for the inauguration of Silo Foods city in Sadat city in Menoufiya governorate under President El-Sisi, the minister also praised the presidential initiative to examine school children to make sure that they are not suffering from anemia, dwarfism and obesity. She said that the "100 Million Healthy Lives" initiative for the treatment and early detection of people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a "turning point" in Egypt's healthcare system where 70 million people had been examined. The anti-Hepatitis C virus campaign was launched in October 2018 under the auspices of PresidentEl-Sisi and ended in April 2019 after targeting more than 45 million citizens. The Health Ministry vowed to completely eliminate the disease from Egypt by 2022. President El-Sisi had ordered intensifying efforts aimed to transfer Egypt's health and medical expertise to other African countries to cure one million Africans from Hepatitis C. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has asserted Cairo's support for what he described as the historic measures recently taken by Tunisian President Kais Saied, a statement by the Tunisian presidency said on Tuesday following a meeting between Shoukry and Saied at Carthage Palace. The Tunisian president announced a number of drastic decisions in late July, suspending the parliament, dominated by the Islamist party Ennahdha, and relieving his prime minister in a step that sparked demonstrations for and against the decision. The Egyptian top diplomat, who arrived in the Tunisian capital earlier in the day, said Saied's measures "aim to fulfil the will of his people and guarantee the stability of his country and its best interests," according to the statement. "Egypt is confident in the wisdom of president of the [Tunisian] state and his ability to lead this constitutional path steadfastly," the statement quoted Shoukry as saying. The Tunisian president underscored his country's keenness on "permanently" boosting its ties and coordination with Egypt. "Egypt's stability and security are closely tied to those of Tunisia," president Saied emphasised. He also renewed his thanks to Egypt for its solidarity with Tunisia in countering the spread of the coronavirus, referring to the medical equipment and drugs Egypt sent recently. Short link: Jihadi rebels in Niger attacked a military supply mission in the West African countrys southwest killing at least 15 soldiers and injuring seven others, the Ministry of Defense said Monday. At least six other soldiers remain missing after Saturdays attack in the Torodi area of the Tillaberi region as defense and security forces were transporting supplies to Boni. The soldiers were ambushed by armed extremists, the ministry said, adding that the rest of the elements, in their effort to evacuate their wounded comrades, fell on improvised explosive devices killing 15 soldiers and wounding seven. Nigers defense and security forces are searching the area, including with planes, to find and capture the attackers, the statement said. Jihadi groups linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaida are active in that part of Niger near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. Short link: A senior UN official on Tuesday condemned as "dangerous" accusations by Ethiopian government officials that aid workers were biased in favour of -- and even arming -- rebel forces in war-hit Tigray. "Blanket accusations of humanitarian aid workers need to stop," UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said at a press conference at the end of a six-day visit to Ethiopia, his first mission in his new role. "They are unfair, they are unconstructive, they need to be backed up by evidence if there is any and, frankly, it's dangerous." At least a dozen aid workers have been killed since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into the northern region of Tigray in November to topple its ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner has said the move was in response to TPLF attacks on army camps. Though he vowed victory would be swift, the war took a stunning turn in late June when pro-TPLF forces retook the regional capital Mekele and the federal army largely withdrew. Fighting has since spread to the Afar and Amhara regions, which border Tigray. In mid-July a senior government official, Redwan Hussein, accused some aid groups of "arming the other side", meaning the TPLF, but gave no details. Aid workers have complained that, even though Abiy declared a humanitarian ceasefire in late June, aid access in Tigray is as bad as ever, hobbled by insecurity and bureaucratic hurdles. Griffiths on Tuesday reiterated the UN's estimate that 100 aid trucks need to reach the region each day to meet the demand on the ground, where the UN has said hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from famine. "To make this work we need to change the circumstances that have seen trucks moving in rather slowly," he said. "We need assured access routes by land as well as, of course, our own flights going in and out of Mekele. And frankly we need the war to end." Short link: Dozens of Ethiopian migrants were flown home Tuesday from war-torn Yemen, in the first repatriation flight from the rebel-held capital Sanaa since 2019, the UN migration agency said. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 79 people, including 19 women and 14 children, were transported to Addis Ababa "in its first voluntary humanitarian return flight from Sanaa since 2019". Migrants travel to Yemen in the hope of reaching Saudi Arabia and Gulf states seeking work. But they often find themselves stuck in Yemen, a country engulfed in war and in the grip of a dire humanitarian crisis. Carmela Godeau, IOM's chief for the Middle East and North Africa, said she hoped Tuesday's flight "is the first of many from Sanaa", according to a statement. Several migrants died in June when their boat capsized in the Bab al-Mandab strait, which separates Djibouti from Yemen and is a key passage for international trade, as well as for trafficking and illegal migration. "Migrants in Yemen face grave risks to their safety and dignity," IOM said, adding they are "routinely impacted by smuggling and trafficking". Yemen's conflict flared in 2014 when the Iran-allied Houthi insurgents seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention to prop up the government the following year. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and left some 80 percent of Yemenis dependent on some form of aid for survival. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Short link: Ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi was Tuesday inaugurated as president of Iran, a country whose hopes of shaking off a dire economic crisis hinges on reviving a nuclear deal with world powers. "Following the people's choice, I task the wise, indefatigable, experienced and popular Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Raisi as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in a decree read out by his chief of staff. Raisi replaces moderate president Hassan Rouhani, whose landmark achievement was the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers. From the outset, Raisi will have to tackle negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear deal from which the US unilaterally withdrew imposing sweeping sanctions. Raisi, in inauguration speech, said his government would seek to lift "oppressive" US sanctions, but would "not tie the nation's standard of living to the will of foreigners". The 60-year-old also faces the United States, Britain and Israel's warnings to Iran over a deadly tanker attack last week for which Tehran denies responsibility. Raisi won a presidential election in June in which more than half the electorate stayed away after many political heavyweights were barred from standing. A former judiciary chief, he has been criticised by the West for his human rights record. Traffic limitations were in force on streets around the inauguration venue with domestic air travel to and from the capital banned for two hours, media reports said. Tuesday's ceremony marked Raisi's formal accession to office. He will then be sworn in before parliament on Thursday when he is to submit his proposed government line-up. - Economy top challenge - Raisi's presidency will consolidate power in the hands of conservatives following their 2020 parliamentary election victory, marked by the disqualification of thousands of reformist or moderate candidates. Last month, he called on parliament for "cooperation" to increase Iranians' hope in the future. "I am very hopeful for the country's future and confident that it is possible to overcome difficulties and limitations," he said at the time. Iran's economic woes, exacerbated by US sanctions, will be the new president's top challenge, said Clement Therme, a researcher at the European University Institute in Italy. "His main objective will be to improve the economic situation by reinforcing the Islamic republic's economic relations with neighbouring countries" and others such as Russia and China, Therme said. The 2015 deal saw Iran accept curbs on its nuclear capabilities in return for an easing of sanctions. But then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the accord three years later and ramped up sanctions again, prompting Tehran to pull back from most of its nuclear commitments. Trump's successor Joe Biden has signalled his readiness to return to the deal and engaged in indirect negotiations with Iran alongside formal talks with the accord's remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. The US sanctions have choked Iran and its vital oil exports, and the economy contracted by more than six percent in both 2018 and 2019. - US warns of 'appropriate response' - In the winter of 2017-2018, and again in 2019, street protests sparked by the economic crisis rocked the country. And last month, demonstrators in oil-rich Khuzestan province, which has been hit by drought, took to the streets to vent their anger. On the foreign front, tensions have escalated after the United States and Britain joined Israel in blaming Tehran for a tanker attack off Oman last Thursday that killed a British security guard and a Romanian crew member. The United States vowed an "appropriate response", while Iran warned Monday that it will respond to any "adventurism". The economic malaise has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has officially cost more than 90,000 lives and also hit many Iranians in the pocket. In his final cabinet meeting on Sunday, Rouhani defended his track record but apologised over the "hardships" Iranians have had to endure. After his election, Raisi made clear that his key foreign policy would be to improve ties with regional countries. In mid-July, Rouhani said he hoped his successor can clinch a deal to lift US sanctions and conclude nuclear talks. But Khamenei, whose word is final in policy matters, has warned against trusting the West. Raisi has already said he will not hold talks simply for the sake of negotiations. His government will only support talks that "guarantee national interests", the incoming president said. Six rounds of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were held in Vienna between April and June. The last round concluded on June 20, and no date has been set for a resumption. Search Keywords: Short link: As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the country's southern coast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead, forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkey's Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters on Tuesday were still tackling nine fires in the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. Other active fires were reported in the provinces of Usak and Isparta. In all, 137 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. He also could not estimate how long it would take the crews to put the fires out, saying strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned toward the government, which admitted that it did not have a usable firefighting aircraft fleet. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure firefighting planes and instead spending money for construction projects that they say harmful the environment. In the village of Bozalan, in Mugla province, where homes and olive groves were incinerated, residents complained that the government's response was inadequate. ``Our fire-extinguishing helicopters were insufficient,'' said 58-year-old Mahmut Sanli. ``Our homes burned down. If there was a firefighting crew in our neighborhood, this wouldn't have happened.'' Nevzat Yildirim, 30, said he had called authorities in Mugla pleading for help but ``nothing came.'' ``We tried to protect our own homes through our own means, by filling up buckets. We organized ourselves with neighbors, youths and saved our homes,'' he said. In the nearby village of Cokertme, Gulseli Karaduman was seen using a fire extinguisher to save her olive trees. ``There has been no air support, nothing. For three days we've been living with this helplessness,`` she said. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, accused Erdogan on Tuesday of lacking a ``master plan'' to prevent and tackle forest fires and of ignoring warnings concerning global warming. ``If a president is incapable of devising a master plan for forest fire prevention, that president cannot prevent forest fires,'' Kilicdaroglu said in a televised address. ``If a president is not aware that forest fires will increase with global warming ... that president cannot prevent forest fires.'' He added: '' We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately. Our country is in the midst of a climate and water crisis.'' Erdogan's government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by allegedly refusing help from Western nations during the early stages of the fires. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli rejected that accusation, saying the government had only refused offers for small water-dumping planes. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also refuted the claim Tuesday, saying Turkey accepted all offers for assistance that met its needs. France and Greece also offered to send fire-dumping planes but were later forced to retract them due to fires there, he said. Germany also withdrew an offer to send helicopters, he said. ``In times of disaster, we would of course accept assistance from other countries in the same way that we provide assistance to other countries,`` he said. The Israeli Embassy, however, said Tuesday that Israel had offered to help but Turkish officials had refused the offer, saying the ``situation is under control.'' It said the offer still stands. Mayors posted videos pleading for aerial firefighting responses to local wildfires while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes. The campaign drew an angry response from a top Erdogan aide, Fahrettin Altun, who said ``Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong.'' Erdogan himself was accused of insensitivity after he threw bags of tea at residents from a bus during a weekend visit to the fire-hit Antalya region. Fire-dumping planes sent from Spain and Croatia joined planes from Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires, officials said. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 36 people in Mugla and 11 people in Antalya were still being treated in hospitals for fire-related injuries. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as the culprit, along with accidents caused by people. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. The Turkish meteorology authority warned that temperatures would rise between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms around the country's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. In Italy, the head of the civil protection agency, Fabrizio Curcio, described the wildfires affecting central and southern Italy as ``dramatic.'' Firefighters on Tuesday were fighting seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. The mayor of Altamura, near the southern Italian city of Bari, advised residents to keep windows closed after a fire broke out in a plastics factory warehouse. A helicopter was dispatched near the city of Pescara in Abruzzo to prevent a wildfire from reaching a gasoline depot, while industrial production sites were under threat in the region's foothills. Italian firefighters have battled more than 37,000 fires since June 15, an 76% increase over last year, when 62,623 hectares (nearly 155,000 acres) were destroyed, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper. In the Oristano province of Sardinia alone, 20,000 hectares of woodlands have burned, dealing a blow to local beekeeping. Short link: A Belarusian NGO on Tuesday accused the regime of strongman Alexander Lukashenko of being behind the murder of its head Vitaly Shishov, who was found hanged in a park in Ukraine's capital. "There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by Chekists to liquidate a Belarusian who presented a true danger to the regime," the Belarusian House in Ukraine said in a statement, referring to security service agents. Short link: International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank member, announced that it is investing $100 million in Egypt's first private sector green bond, which will be issued by the Commercial International Bank (CIB) in June. CIBs green bond is expected to increase lending to businesses that are willing to invest in eco-friendly initiatives and projects, including green buildings, and renewable energy and energy efficiency. IFC said that the debut issuance is an important milestone in a multi-year effort introduced by the government, Egypt's private sector and IFC to grow Egypt's capital market for green finance in the country and to help close infrastructure financing gaps. "Egypt is taking strides towards the achievement of its 2030 development agenda, which is in line with the global sustainability goals. In 2020, the government of Egypt launched its first sovereign green bond offering, that was five times oversubscribed. At the Ministry of International Cooperation, we aim to capitalize on this success by curating impactful partnerships to push towards the green recovery," said Egypts Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. Al-Mashat noted that IFC and CIB partnership is a proof of the global eagerness for more private-led green investments, adding that green bonds are essential for a purpose-driven economy that pushes towards sustainable projects and encourages investors into not only thinking but as well acting green. "Because we realize the importance of promoting sustainable finance as a pathway to the 2030 agenda, the SDGs and the Paris agreement, we have been diligently working to put forward all required regulations and simultaneously working on market development and engaging potential issuers by removing any challenges that might face them," said head of the sustainable development department at Egypts Financial Regulatory Authority, Sina Hbous. "We are building on our multi-year strong partnership with IFC to expand our funding options and introduce a new asset class to the Egyptian capital market, said Hussein Abaza, CIBs CEO and managing director. Sergio Pimenta, IFCs Vice President for Middle East and Africa, said that addressing climate change is a priority for IFC in Egypt as well as across the MENA. "With this landmark transaction, we aim to encourage more private sector investment in long-term climate-smart projects, paving the way for job creation, sustainable growth, and a more resilient and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Pimenta added. IFC is one of the earliest issuers of green bonds, launching its first such issuance in 2010 to help spur the market and unlock investment for private sector projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency. Since the launch of its green bond program in 2010, IFC had issued $10.6 billion across 178 green bonds in 20 currencies. To date, IFC has supported five financial institutions to issue debut green bonds in Africa. Short link: In the heart of Islamic Cairo , I finally reach my destination. There is no sign advertising the exhibition whatsoever. With all doors closed, I started to have some doubts. I knock on the ancient door of Sheikh Shihab Al Din Ahmed Al Suhaimi's house (built in1648 A.D) to be politely greeted and escorted into the quite ancient gem, and then another door is opened where the caricature gems of Salah Jaheen are neatly hanging on display. Hidden behind the ancient doors, like one of Cairos best kept secrets, I found the cartoon treasure. I could not help but smile to myself, thinking what Salah Jaheen himself might have drawn about this secret exhibition. Fi Al Fadia wal Maliana (Over anything and everything) is the name of the one week exhibition at Al-Sehemi house in Al-Hussien district, which is a name of a cartoon series by Jaheen himself, exhibited there. The exhibition is the result of the collaborative efforts of The Egyptian Caricature Association, Caricature Museum in Fayoum and the Egyptian culture development fund. This is the beginning of a series of exhibitions of Egypt's renowned cartoonists and their works. Jaheen's cartoons takes you places. His wit and liberal thoughts break all the barriers that have always been inflicted on Egyptian Society. Scanning the cartoons on display, one can easily relate, seeing how little has changed in our social taboos. During summer, for example, Egyptians are still preoccupied with womens rights to bathing suits and access to the sea. The illustration shows two men checking out an empty slot by the sea shore, commenting Oh can you see the girl wearing a swim suit who is NOT laying here. Another interesting illustration depicts a government employee sitting at his desk, buying a cup of coffee for his jacket until he comes back from the cinema. And the classic one depicts a minister of health wearing a mask while stating that he does not feel any of the pollution the press is talking about. Such wit and talent enabled Jaheen to draw on philosophical ideas as well. Illustrating Sartres quote Man is condemned to be free, is one of them that toys with the idea of actual imprisonment. "This is the first exhibition to be held outside the museum," explained artist Mohamed Abla, founder of Caricature Museum in Fayoum. We aimed to reflect the three main phases of of Salah Jaheen's cartoon's . So we depicted cartoons from Rosa Al-Youssef, Sabah Al-Kheir and later in Al-Ahram," explained Abla to Ahram Online. The style of Jaheen's cartoon varied in different stages of his life. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Jaheen was part of a great team of talented cartoonists whose talents flourished in Sabah El Kheir (Good Morning) Magazine. While there he created characters like Abu Al-Mafhomia (Mr. Knows Everything) and the Qahwat Al-Nashat (The coffee shop of energetic people), where he mocked the stereotyping of society and the attitude of government employees, explained Abla.He added that later, when Jaheen joined Al-Ahram newspaper in the 1970s, he had his own section and leaned towards political cartoons. "The exhibition showcases a glimpse of Jaheen's artistic styles and strokes until his style was fully complete," he added. Salah Jaheens brilliance was manifested across the arts, not just cartoons. Known as a pillar of Egypts vernacular poetry, his poems and lyrics remain deeply rooted within the Arab and Egyptian collective memory. As a screen writer, his films remain classic icons of Egyptian cinema. Looking thoroughly at his lifetime achievements, one can easily see a genuine talent mixed with wit and a great sense of humanity. He always sided with kindness, liberty and common sense. We are currently working on another big exhibition that shall showcase all of Salah Jaheens talents and works, be it poetry, cinema or cartoon, concluded Abla. Fi Al Fadia wal Maliana (Over anything and everything) Salah Jaheens cartoon exhibition at Beit al Al Suhaimi, Al-Moez l din Allah Al Fatemi Street Hours: Daily from 1 p.m to 7 p.m till Tuesday 3 August , 2021 Short link: Between 14 and 19 April, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company stages Sergei Prokofievs ballet Romeo and Juliet . For over four centuries this famed Shakespearean tragedy has inspired composers, painters and writers, resonating in the hearts of audiences of many cultural backgrounds. Equally in Egypt, the Bards classic pair joined by love, separated by family name (the Capulets and the Montagues) holds a special place in the audiences hearts, and the ballet is one of its main representations. However, above Prokofievs music and emotional choreography, Cairo Opera frequenters are also lured by the dancers in whom they find the perfect embodiment of the tragedys characters. It is in this context that, for years now, two of the companys first dancers, Anja Ahcin and Ahmed Yehia, have made their mark on Egyptian and now international stages. And though Romeo and Juliet remains one of their most remarkable works, they also danced together leading roles in numerous ballets: Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Coppelia, among others. Romeo and Juliet is very special to me as a dancer, Ahcin explains, pointing out that it was her first main role on the stage of the Cairo Opera House, back in 2006. Her partner in dance and life, Ahmed Yehia, sees a deep artistic wealth in Romeo and Juliet. I love when a work has rich drama, when it requires more than just the technical skills of ballet, he comments, adding that he finds a similarly rewarding depth in Swan Lake, Le Corsaire and Spartacus. Both take the time to explain how their work on stage is complemented with research into the text. With each re-staging and each re-reading, they find new values in the work presented and it is this profound dedication to their art that makes Romeo and Juliet among their most remarkable works, one in which they fuse skill and ballet beauty, with a highly emotional performance. No wonder they performed a segment of Romeo and Juliet last March during the closing gala of the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition Domenico Modugno in Bari, Italy to the audiences and critics acclaim. That was but one of the several international commitments. They are to perform Coppelia at the International Dance Gala in Livorno, Italy in May. Such growing popularity brings them a lot of joy, but they agree it also entails a heavy responsibility. At first I was very hesitant. I kept asking myself what if I wasnt good enough, what if I let my colleagues, my trainers, all the people who believe in me down, Ahcin comments, displaying the strong self-criticism that seems to be the driving force behind her development and success. Yehia adds however that despite the pressure that recognition places on a dancer, it is a very rewarding feeling to know that the audience reacts to the dancers name, not only to a ballet. It took much passion and talent to achieve such recognition. Both dancers profiles give evidence of both determination and limitless hard work, whether as ballet dancers, artists or creative spirits. Though coming from two different worlds, Ahcin from Serbia and Yehia from Egypt, they were both born into families that encouraged ballet and the arts. As a very young dancer, Ahcin won third place at Italys prestigious Premio Roma ballet competition (2006). It was around the same time that she completed ballet training in her home country Serbia, briefly joining the Belgrade National Theatre. At the time, there was no ballet academy in Belgrade and all secondary ballet school graduates could either continue their dance education outside Serbia or join the troupe at the National Theatre. Though Ahcin was accepted in the theatre, where she stayed for a few months and received a scholarship to continue her studies in Germany to the surprise of many she decided to join the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, finding in it an opportunity for practical experience on a large stage. Ahcin first joined the corps de ballet, within a few months she started taking solo parts and soon after, in 2007, she was given her first big role that of Juliet. Ahcin stresses however that, with her passion for performing, she still wanted to complete a university degree. She enrolled in the Faculty of Management at Alfa Univerzitet, Belgrade to study creative industries, going back to Belgrade to take her exams and doing a lot of work online. She finally graduated only a few weeks ago. Being an extremely well organised person, as Yehia describes her, Ahcin believes that any ballet dancer should have an alternative educational backup. You never know when you will have to stop dancing and start another career. In his turn, Yehia started his ballet education at the age of eight at Egypts Ballet Institute (Academy of Arts). He became the Cairo Opera Ballet Companys principal dancer at the age of 16 and, in 2000, he won First Prize as the best Egyptian dancer in a local ballet competition. Among other early achievements, he was also one of the finalists at a ballet competition organised in Russia. And just like Ahcins, Yehias path was not without self-doubt. As a boy, there was a moment when I wanted to quit ballet altogether. This is when my father, an artist working at the Al-Thaqafa Al-Jamahiria [the Cultural Palaces Authority], told me to make more of an effort before giving up for good. In the same year, a new teacher, Mohamed Mostafa, took care of my development. He saw something in me. He told me, If you like ballet you will grow. You have a talent and you can have a brilliant future. Those few words made a great impact on me. I worked on myself and in a short time I became first in my year, he says. As he matured, dancing, Yehia also got involved in cinema, acting in films such as Youssef Chahines Alexandria-New York (2004), a movie that was featured at Cannes Film Festival and for which Yehia received an award at a local film festival, Emad El-Bahats Ostoghomaya (2006) and El-Belyatcho (2007) as well as Chahines This is Chaos (2007). He was also part of Saad Hendawys TV series Zay El-Ward (2012). Even though, as Ahcin puts it, Ahmed is fascinated with cinema, at the moment he focuses on ballet. He says, Maybe when I have to stop dancing, I will turn to acting more. It is a wonderful field right now, but I cant really predict what my future holds. Preoccupied with their current performances, international exposure, both Ahcin and Yehia, believe their careers are at their peak and hope to utilise those years to the fullest. Their professional support of one another has been strengthened by marriage since they tied a knot in 2012. It is not unusual that a ballet pair finds this unique chemistry which can lead to a deeper relationship, feeding the performance itself, Ahcin explains. We always find a perfect way to work together, to create art together and overcome artistic challenges. Ahmed knows me very well and I know him too. I also feel very secure dancing with him. But an artistic marriage can also be a challenge. Ahmed explains that when dancing with a colleague, you tend to encourage your partner more and criticise less. Both Ahcin and Yehia say that, with a life partner, it is criticism that comes to the fore, at times leading to harsh confrontations in the studio or rehearsal hall. In this context, Ahcin recalls Coppelia, a ballet that was performed in Cairo in October 2015. In it, Swanhilde keeps giving her beloved Franz a hard time and, in his turn, Franz does not refrain from driving the seemingly sweet girl mad. During the rehearsals of Coppelia, our trainers and choreographer kept teasing us, saying the two roles perfectly depict our real-life relationship, she giggles. Yet, despite artistic skirmishes in the rehearsal halls, the creative bond between Ahcin and Yehia is filled with human warmth. As they dance in front of the audience, the real artists as some international critics call them have a unique and distinctive charisma, one that is deeply-rooted in their skills, their understanding of the material and their emotional connection. At the peak of their careers, not only do their performances testify to talent and skill, they also create convincing characters who tell a story through dance. Ahcin recalls the words of the legendary French ballerina Violette Verdy [1933-2016], head of the jury who approached her after her award-winning performance in Rome: Verdy told me, Today, ballet has become gymnastics and art is lost. Please cherish and keep the charisma you have as this is what will make you a successful dancer. At that time I was still perfecting my jumps and turns, and I did not understand what she really meant. It took years to realise that ballet is much more than just technical abilities. Yehia agrees with Ahcin, underlining that what he believes makes a perfect dancer is talent and intelligence; by the latter he also means an ability to look deeply into the character and the text. He reveals that he would never go on stage without first understanding all the details and nuances of his role and those of the other characters, the setting and the cultural components embedded in the ballets historical background. There comes a moment in a ballet career when one has already mastered many technical elements. This is when, as we continue perfecting our skills, we also start searching for more, Yehia comments on stepping beyond pure gymnastics and finding art. Ahcin adds that it is only then that the dancers, mature, can work on their intellectual and emotional development, enhancing the performance creating a unique creative beauty. As Ahcin and Yehia continue dancing and developing, each success urges them to exert even more effort. Having garnered recognition from Egyptian and international audiences, they are now also teaching, hoping to pass their skill and experience to enthusiastic ballet students. I see a lot of potential in Egyptian children wanting to learn ballet. Many have obvious predispositions to this art. We try to give them technical direction, explain to them the many aspects of ballet as an art form and motivate them, Ahcin concludes. Together with Yehia, she says, she hopes to bring up a new generation of Egyptian dancers. Anja Ahcin and Ahmed Yehia dance Romeo and Juliet on 14, 17 and 19 April at the Cairo Opera House. Check other days and all details about the ballet production here This article was first published in Al Ahram Weekly For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: Throughout the past year anyone wishing to travel was at a loss, especially those travelling to destinations requiring full coronavirus vaccinations, or wishing to avoid days of unnecessary quarantine.Sherine Khaled, who will soon be travelling for the first time to study in France, must get the vaccine before she leaves at the end of the month, otherwise she will be stuck in quarantine for days, unable to open a bank account or check in with her university.Khaled was excited to hear that specialised centres dedicated for travel had opened to vaccinate and issue vaccination certificates. She is hoping to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it is a single dose so she would not have to wait for a second shot or to quarantine when she travels.Likewise, Noha Yehia, who is scheduled to travel to the Netherlands, cannot wait for these centre to fully operate. She already took her first dose of AstraZeneca in June and hopes to get her second jab before she leaves.Both Khaled and Yehia have been repeatedly trying to call the hotline 15335 dedicated by the Health Ministry for questions related to the Covid-19 vaccination to ask how they need to proceed, but never succeeded in getting through.Though the new centres have not yet started giving jabs to travellers, they are giving the QR coded vaccination certificates to those already vaccinated. QR coded certificates have become a requirement for travellers.We were relieved to hear that specialised centres dedicated for travel purposes have been set up, said one of three women in their 30s who were drinking soft drinks outside Nasr City health centre, one of the specialised centres. However, they said, almost in unison, that happiness vanished once we arrived.We are now [3pm] drinking soft drinks to celebrate the achievement of obtaining the QR coded certificates, a process that started five hours earlier, one of them said preferring to remain anonymous. Though they appeared exhausted, they were rejoicing the moment of accomplishing their mission.Monday was the second operating day for the Nasr City health centre, one of six centres in Cairo and 126 nationwide, that started issuing certificates for those who wish to travel by documenting that they were vaccinated against the coronavirus.The three, who work as medical staff members in Saudi Arabia, told Al-Ahram Weekly that their complaint is that what should have been a less than five-minute process, in which the QR coded certificate is printed, took five hours to be received. Long queues, no order, no precautions, the three girls said, adding that at 10am their number at the waiting list was 150.The recently-issued certificates are secured by Egypts recently-inaugurated Secured and Smart Documents Complex and have QR codes, which can easily be verified at airports worldwide, according to Health Ministry Spokesperson Khaled Megahed.By scanning the QR code of the new certificate, which costs LE100 for Egyptians and $10 for non-Egyptians, via a mobile phone, the certificate holders information will appear, Megahed said.The specialised centres aim at cutting short multiple procedures for travellers who earlier had to obtain a vaccination certificate from the Ministry of Health before certifying it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Hassan Abdel-Gawwad, a 41-year-old accountant who works in Saudi Arabia, was among those waiting outside. He told the Weekly the process to obtain the new QR coded certificates is cumbersome and wastes a lot of time and energy.As long as the QR coded certificate here in Egypt is intended to be used digitally why dont they ask us to pay the due fees online, and then receive the digital certificate online, or at least give us an appointment to receive it in person instead of waiting hours under the sun to only enter the centre and wait again and waste more time in a new queue, Abdel-Gawwad asked.The Nasr City health centre, which only has one computer and a printer, issued about 250 certificates during the first day of operation, and 350 on the second.The Health Ministry is currently finalising an application, Egypt Health Passport, in two versions for Android and iPhone to serve as an electronic health passport that can be used at international airports by showing the vaccination status, the Health Ministry spokesperson said.Given that a majority of countries have not approved Chinas two vaccines yet Sinopharm and Sinovac even though they have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) the majority of those who wish to travel are choosing to be inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, leading to its shortage.Many citizens, whose second doses were recently due, according to a previous text message received, have complained about the postponement of their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine until 11 August, as new messages they recently received say.Egypt, which started its vaccination campaign in January, has imported millions of doses of the WHO-approved British AstraZeneca vaccine, in addition to the Chinese Sinopharm, and the Russian Sputnik V, which hasnt been approved by the WHO.The still unrecognised vaccines, especially the Chinese shots, will soon be within the loop. It is all about politics, Islam Anan, an epidemics specialist and a pharmaeconomics lecturer at Misr International University, told the Weekly.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve the Chinese vaccine, which means that countries that have traditionally depended on the FDAs lead are also delaying approval, Anan explains. But the delays, he argues, have nothing to do with the effectiveness of the vaccine. What they do mean, however, is that Egypt needs to continue importing vaccines for those who wish to travel.According to Health Ministry officials, Egypt will receive in the coming days shipments of millions of doses of the AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines, which are required for travelling to the European Union, the United States, and some Gulf countries.Egypt will receive 148 million coronavirus vaccine doses between August and the end of the year, which are enough to vaccinate 83.7 million people, Health Minister Hala Zayed said on 29 July.From August until the end of the year, the country will receive 20 million Sputnik vaccine doses, 20 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 35.6 million AstraZeneca doses and 2.4 million Pfizer doses, Zayed noted.In a meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, Zayed stated that Egypt is cooperating with UNICEF to provide the country with 63 vaccine storage refrigerators free of charge.The refrigerators, with a total storage capacity of around 619,000 doses, will be used to store the Pfizer vaccine doses scheduled to arrive in Egypt within days, the minister said.According to Pfizer, there are three ways to store its vaccine: one by ultra-low-temperature freezers, which are commercially available and can extend shelf life for up to six months. The second is through the Pfizer thermal shippers, in which doses will arrive that can be used as temporary storage units by refilling with dry ice every five days for up to 30 days of storage, or in refrigeration units that are commonly available in hospitals in which the vaccine can be stored for five days at refrigerated 2-8C conditions.Though Egypt has announced plans to vaccinate 40 million citizens against the coronavirus by the end of the year, only 5.3 million doses were administered by 26 July, according to the WHO, reportedly due to a delay in vaccine delivery.Egypt has been witnessing a slight increase in daily detected cases which are still below the 100 infections, has so far reported 284,362 cases, including 16,535 deaths and 231,259 recoveries.Egypt will also receive during this period raw materials required to locally produce 70.2 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine, according to the minister. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Cairo and Khartoum, both still after a diplomatic solution to the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), this week welcomed an Algerian attempt at mediation intended to bridge the differences between the two capitals and Addis Ababa and put the negotiations back on track.Visits by Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra to the three states have led to Algeria being given the green light to play the role of mediator between the parties, especially in the wake of its previous role as a mediator in the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict in 2000, said one diplomat who preferred to remain anonymous.However, unless the Algerian initiative is clearly drawn up according to a timetable and mechanism that will lead to a legally binding agreement, it will meet the fate of previous mediation attempts, he said.During his visit to Egypt this week, Lamamra said that his country was keen to see Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia reach satisfactory solutions to the GERD issue.We believe that the relations between the three countries are passing through a critical stage, and that it is important that they reach an agreement on the water issue, he said in a joint press conference after his meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri.Lamamra said he was keen to hear all the information he could about the issue from each country during his visits to the three countries. He also expressed his wish that Algiers could be part of the solution to the problems that face the Arab and African countries, at the top of which is the dam issue.Algeria is influential in both the Arab League and the African Union (AU), and Egyptian professor of political science Tarek Fahmi said he expected Lamamras visit to lead to something new with regard to returning to the negotiating table.He said the visit to Cairo was an exploratory one that could be expected to be followed by either an initiative to restart the tripartite negotiations, or another shuttle tour, or a call for a tripartite summit to be attended by the heads of state of the three countries with the technical teams involved.But the main purpose of Lamamras visit was to thwart an Israeli attempt to join the AU as an observer, he said. He aimed to kick Israel out of the AU, Fahmi told Al-Ahram Weekly. On 22 July, Israel attained observer status at the AU after nearly two decades of diplomatic efforts.Khartoum welcomed the Algerian initiative on the GERD, and in a meeting with Lamamra, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi said her country wanted to see a diplomatic solution to the GERD crisis.She re-emphasised Sudans stance on the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. Sudan has previously proposed the formation of an international quartet made up of the United Nations, the European Union, the US, and led by the AU, to help to resolve the decade-old dispute.During Lamamres visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen asked Algeria to play a role in correcting what he described as the Arab Leagues misperceptions about the GERD and underscoring Ethiopias intentions to see the fair and equitable utilisation of the Nile water, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the meeting.In June, the Arab League issued a resolution after its meeting in the Qatari capital Doha rejecting any measures that would undermine the water share of Egypt and Sudan from the Nile and calling on the UN Security Council to intervene to resolve a crisis that threatens peace and security in the region.Ethiopia denounced the resolution, describing the position of the regional organisation as misguided.During his meeting with Lamamra, Mekonnen said Ethiopia was firmly committed to resuming the trilateral negotiations under the auspices of the AU. Ethiopia has also asked Algeria to help to persuade Sudan to resolve a border issue over the Fashqa region peacefully.According to Abbas Sharaki, a professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, the Algerian intervention indicates disappointment in the UN Security Council, the loss of hope in African AU-led negotiations that have now reached a deadlock, and the lack of seriousness in the EU call to resume the negotiations quickly.Egyptian diplomacy continues on all international and regional levels, however. The fact that Ethiopia could not carry out the second filling of the GERD as originally planned has helped to keep the status quo more or less as it is for another year, he said.Ethiopia declared last month that the second filling of the Dam was complete. Although it did not disclose the exact amount of water used, experts believe that it could not have exceeded four billion square metres (bcm), much less than what was previously declared by officials.They had repeatedly announced that Addis Ababa would unilaterally fill the GERDs reservoir with 13.5 bcm in July and August to raise the amount of water to 18.4 bcm, up from the 4.9 bcm secured in the first filling in July last year.This level of water is sufficient for Addis Ababa to operate the first two turbines of the dam and to start generating electricity.Egypts attempts to use diplomatic channels to resolve the Dam crisis continued in other ways this week.The GERD issue was highlighted during Shoukris meeting with Czech counterpart Jakub Kulhanek, who said their talks had addressed the Ethiopian dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the GERD, voicing his full support for the negotiations and international mediation to reach a solution on the issue.In a phone call last week, Shoukri discussed with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian the latest developments concerning the GERD, reiterating Egypts aim to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam.Shoukri told Le Drian that he was looking forward to continuing consultation and coordination with France on the GERD, drawing on Frances position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.Talks held under the auspices of the AU throughout last year failed to secure an agreement on the dams filling and operations, and Cairo and Khartoum have demanded that Addis Ababa cease filling the massive reservoir until such a deal is reached.The UN Security Council met in early July to discuss the issue, and Tunisia submitted a draft resolution to members of the council during the session. The draft resolution was supposed to be discussed in the session, with a view to later voting. However, Ethiopia slammed the session as an unhelpful distraction to the AU-led negotiating process.The July meeting was the second time the UN Security Council has met to discuss the GERD, having last convened on 29 June last year when it called on the parties to return to the AU-led negotiations.The only way to resolve the GERD crisis is thus within the framework of the AU, Fahmi said. The next move will be resuming the negotiations linked to a time table if possible and prompted by the Democratic Republic of Congo as chair of the AU together with Algeria and the EU.He said this was why Shoukri had recently visited Luxembourg and a number of other European states.However, he added that although the Ethiopian side welcomed the Algerian initiative, any progress would be linked to how far Addis Ababa was willing to present concessions, and, more importantly, to the presence of a clear mechanism drawn up by the AU in collaboration with the EU.He added that Algeria would also need the support of the Arab states in its mediation efforts. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: The interest of Egyptian companies and international firms headquartered in Egypt in the African market has been growing, with many of them now wanting either to venture into the African market or to increase the volume of their operations across the continent. Prime among them are firms working in the food industry and manifested in particular through their participation in the Africa Food Manufacturing Exhibition held this week in Cairo. CEO of Cleopatra Group Mohamed Abul-Enein said last month that Cleopatra Developments, a brand focused on real estate, had held talks in several African countries to mull over the possibility of investing in housing and infrastructure projects. Jumia, an online marketplace for electronics and fashion, announced it had pumped $600 million into several African markets, including Egypt, earlier this year. Misr Capital Investments, the investment arm of Banque Misr, said in April it had launched a $380 million healthcare investment platform called Nile Misr Healthcare along with Elevate Private Equity in Egypt and a number of African countries. Abeer Saleh, managing director of Al-Wafa Life Insurance Egypt, said investors were searching for markets that could garner profits. European markets were mature, rendering profit margins very narrow, she added. The expected rapid growth of African markets is the reason why many international companies are targeting the continent, she said, adding that Al-Wafa, which operates in six countries, is considering venturing into five English-speaking African markets. Many Egyptian companies have been operating in African markets for years, including Al-Sewedi, which owns seven factories in Africa for the production of cables, transformers, electrical supplies, and accessories. It works in electrical interconnection, infrastructure, water delivery, and the electrical cable industry in a number of countries. One project is in South Sudan, where it is setting up electricity linkages able to carry up to 20 Megawatts. The project is slated to open in December, nine months later than earlier scheduled. Al-Sewedi is also building a factory making large cables in Tanzania that is planned to open in the near term. The company targets expanding such factories in the majority of African states. Qalaa Holdings is also operating in several African countries. CEO Ahmed Heikal said last year that the company was working with its partners to build a factory to extract and manufacture gold products in Ethiopia that is scheduled to start operations in two years. In 2010, the company acquired shares from the main investor in the Rift Valley Railways, which has a 25-year exclusive right to manage the 2,000 km railways between Kenya and Uganda. Ahmed Khalifa, deputy chairman and CEO of the Evergrow Group, owner of Evergrow for Specialty Fertilisers, said that Egypts strategic location gave its products a competitive edge due to the rising cost of transportation and delays in releasing cargos, especially with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic had opened doors for Egyptian companies to venture into African markets, he added. Evergrow had been planning to make products for the European market, but after studying Africa it had changed its plans and started making products compatible with African soils, he said. The company is setting up distribution centres across Africa and a collection centre in Kenya to serve East and Central Africa. Khalifa said that the states logistical support had helped Egyptian investors look to African markets. The Gosour Company was established by the Ministry of Public Enterprises to bring together a number of transport and shipping companies and shopping centres in Central Africa, for example. The sector grabbing the attention of many companies is food manufacturing. At the Africa Food Manufacturing Exhibition, which ended on Wednesday, 70 per cent of the 150 exhibiting companies came from Egypt, with the remaining coming from 19 European and Arab countries. The exhibition covered the four main sectors of food manufacturing, namely ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. Egyptian companies are careful to attend this event in order to get to know the needs of African markets, said Ashraf Al-Gazairi, head of the Chamber of Food Industries, which took part. The African market is very promising. The coronavirus and the resulting halt in the movement of goods and raw materials from China, the primary supplier for Africa, created new opportunities for Egyptian companies, lA-Gazairi said. He added that African markets had realised that depending on one supplier could result in problems and that it was better to work with Egyptian companies that are closer to the African countries. There are also many trade agreements between Egypt and the African countries that facilitate the import and export of goods. Egypt has the opportunity to export finished products to the African market, which is in desperate need of these goods, he said, adding that Egypt also has good opportunities to buy raw materials from Africa at reasonable prices. Egypt is part of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and in 2019 it signed a tripartite cooperation agreement that gathers the COMESA, the South African Development Community (SADC), and the countries of the East African Community in one bloc. In 2020, trade between Egypt and the COMESA countries came to $3 billion. Inexpensive goods cater for the African market, which is why Egyptian products are more suitable for African than European products, said Alaa Al-Saqti, head of the Egyptian industrial zone in Ethiopia. Delayed shipping from China as a result of the coronavirus gave Egyptian products easier access to African markets, he stated, stressing that they had a competitive edge because they are good quality and cheaper than European products. The agreements Egypt has signed with the African states allow Egyptian investors to benefit from working on the continent, including by establishing small industrial complexes that benefit from cheap materials, low custom tariffs, low prices of land, and easy bank facilities. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Moves to push for peace in Ethiopia followed the World Food Programme warning this week that hundreds of thousands are in danger of famine, now that the agency in Tigray is expected to have run out of food by Friday. The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) too warned that 100,000 children in Tigray could suffer from life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months, a tenfold jump over average annual levels. The UN estimates that some 5.2 million people more than 90 per cent of Tigrays population depend on external assistance. During her visit, Power focused on pressing the Ethiopian government about reports of ethnic cleansing, mass arrests, beatings and torture of Tigrayans in custody in Addis Ababa accusations that Ethiopia denies, insisting that its fight is not with the Tigrayans but with the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF). Its critical to save lives in Tigray. As intended by Abiy of Ethiopia and Isayass of Eritrea, every day without action on this matter equals the lives of thousands of Tigrayans, said Daniel Negussie, a former ethnocultural advisory member and chair of immigration and employment committee for the Canadian province of Manitoba. The US has a moral obligation to put an end to this ongoing genocide and act now, Negussie added to Al-Ahram Weekly. Recently Macron urged the Ethiopian warring parties to start negotiations, the need to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid and to reach a ceasefire agreement to stop the conflict which has spread to the Amhara and Afar regions in the last few weeks despite the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from Mekelle at the end of June after a siege that lasted some seven months. I suggest Macron do more research into the background of the conflict and the nature of the complexities of Ethiopian society. The human rights violations committed under Abiy Ahmeds watch are not something that can be resolved through a croissant and a cup of tea. They need to be investigated by the international criminal court. If France, a member of the UNSC is not ready to take a hard line towards legal actions, they will be seen in history as genocide deniers, said Kasech Rayaweyti, an independent political analyst focusing on the Horn of Africa as well as a human rights and ethnic nations rights advocate. Highlighting the role that France can play to secure aid to the Tigrayans amid the Ethiopian conflict, Rayaweyti said the conflict threatens the security and sovereignty of Djibouti and the whole region. The nation of Afar and the Somali Issa have been in conflict due to the federal instability in Ethiopia and Eritrea. As aid is primarily shipped through Djibouti, the stability of the region is a must if the people of Tigray are to get the help they require. Not to mention, as violence increases the flow of refugees into bordering Djibouti will be on the rise. Djibouti is an ex-French colony and France has the ability to play a major role in stabilsing the region, Rayaweyti told the Weekly. The international community, including the US and France, continues to call on the Ethiopian government to start talks with the TPLF, which it designates a terrorist group. Last Thursday, the TPLF set new conditions for talks with the Ethiopian government with a view to a ceasefire which included the release of suspended annual budget to the region and release of political prisoners jailed along ethnic lines, but Addis Ababa has not responded to the Tigrayan willingness to negotiate. According to Yonas Atakilti, a Melbourne-based Australian of Tigrayan origin who works for a consulting firm, By continuing to play polemics, the international community is giving free reign to Abiy Ahmed to continue further atrocities including deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid. Subtle diplomatic gestures so far have only given Abiy Ahmed free reign to use sovereignty as a means to chokehold the people of Tigray. Ethiopia is plagued by pathocracy in power. The Ethiopian-Tigrayan War started in November when the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, launched an offensive in Tigray accusing the regions then-ruling party, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) of attacking federal army camps. The TPLF, which dominated national politics for decades until Abiy came to power in 2018, said it was the target of a coordinated attack by federal forces and its longtime foe, Eritrea. From the onset the intent of war on Tigray by the Ethiopian and Eritrean pact has been to capitulate the people of Tigray to the forces of Amhara assimilationists. Now in its ninth month, Ethiopias national army is depleting fast as are its economic and diplomatic arsenals, Atakilti told the Weekly. Tigray is likely to continue to pursue armed struggle as a means to bring an end to the siege and hold accountable those that have inflicted atrocities on civilians as well as force a political resolution to the conflict. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: It doesnt take much to realise that the people of Sudans western region of Darfur are still suffering on every level. Even representatives of regional and international organaisations have admitted it. Atul Khare, the head of logistics for the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which ended its peacekeeping mission in late June, is one such figure. On 27 July he said that varying degrees of destruction and theft have hit facilities and equipment UNAMID left in the region, a major loss for local communities. Another example concerns the events of Al-Fashir city, where hundreds took to the streets on 22 July to protest a recent attack on Sortony Camp that hosts displaced people. It has been hard to determine who committed the attack: even Sudanese media reports have nothing to say about it. But the attack was apparently huge. According to Sudans Radio Dabanga, 17 people were killed and approximately 300 shops were destroyed, burned or looted. Despite a peace deal that was signed last year, these are crystal-clear signs that war is not over in the conflict-ridden region. Observers feel this is the result of political, legal and economic realities. The reasons that led to violence still exist. Agreements alone do not end wars and conflicts, without changing the true reality of people that led them to take up arms, said the Sudanese economist Nagmeldin Karamalla-Gaiballa, a professor at the Polish University of Commerce and Services. Darfur, he says, requires economic and social development the basic necessities for human life, including infrastructure, roads and institutional services like education and health. Other social-economic needs are peace and stability to combat poverty, corruption and nepotism, raise the level of education and health, and pay attention to women and their role in the family. Many Sudanese observers have similar views. Hamid Ali, dean of the School of Public Administration and Development Economics at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, believes Sudans transitional authorities have to communicate with and visit the Darfur communities proactively to prevent escalations. He pointed out that what is vital for Sudans future is state investments in education and agriculture. Ali wants the government to provide different water sources and pastoral zones in Darfur and regulate mining to direct the profits to local community health centres and infrastructure development. The government should rehabilitate projects that were scrapped or stalled due to conflict in Darfur, the Blue Nile, the Nuba Mountains South Kordofan near the border with South Sudan, and invest in Eastern Sudan. The future of Sudan will be determined by stability in Eastern Sudan. Since this is a deeply rooted conflict, everyone in Sudan would have wished that the solution was as simple as pumping cash and allocating resources. Arab tribes have been fighting non-Arab African ones since the early 2000s, a war that started following an uprising by the latter against ex-president Omar Al-Bashir. UN estimates suggest that at least 300,000 humans lost their lives and almost 3.5 million others were internally displaced. The war even led to a refugee crisis as hundreds of thousands fled to Chad when it broke out. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Al-Bashir for crimes of genocide in 2010 after five years of investigating several cases with suspects ranging from Sudanese government officials, Militia/Janjaweed leaders and leaders of the Resistance Front. This includes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Al-Bashirs government signed peace accords with Darfurs factions in 2006 and 2010. But the peace did not last. The civilian-military, interim authorities ruling Sudan since Al-Bashirs ouster in 2019 seemed interested in reviving the peace process. This was part of their liberal approach, since - unlike Al-Bashir - they sought to open up to the world and work on mitigating the social-economic problems of the people. In October 2020, Abdallah Hamdoks government signed a peace agreement in the South Sudanese capital Juba with a number of armed groups, including those from Darfur. But more efforts have to be made now that UNAMID has withdrawn, especially since not all armed groups were signatories to the deal. Looters attacked and destroyed several UNAMID sites earlier in July, and fighting has broken out many times through the year. The UN Refugee Agency announced that Januarys clashes led to the death of 250 people and the displacement of over 100,000. This is pure politics. Hamdi Hassan, political science professor at Cairo University, gave two explanations for the state of renewed conflict. First, the wording and content of the Juba Agreement seem very difficult and complex, often ambiguous. The agreement uses unusual language in defining the tasks of this force. It states that one of its tasks is Undertaking the constitutional, moral and political responsibility of the government of Sudan in protecting civilians. It is no secret that the use of the word moral in particular here is shrouded in ambiguity and confusion, which makes it subject to many interpretations. In both Darfur and the two other conflict-ridden regions, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, there will also be efforts to demobilise and gradually reintegrate armed rebel fighters, which has not yet taken place. Secondly, there is the dilemma of not having the signatures of all rebel groups on the peace document. Hassan stressed that the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel-Wahed Nur rejected the entire peace process and called instead for an all-inclusive national conference. For the Egyptian scholar, this is problematic because the SLM militia controls some areas of the mountainous area of Jebel Marra in Darfur, and has clashed with the Sudanese army on more than one occasion. The peace agreement is also opposed by some of the less powerful armed movements, as well as some civil society organisations. Under the terms of the Juba Peace Agreement, the rebel groups have returned to the Darfur region, which is already teeming with militias, paramilitary groups and government forces. In light of the dangers of the increasing militarisation of society, there are growing fears that the return of the displaced to their homes may lead to societal conflicts between locals and the newcomers. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Four times a week, an Iraqi Airways Boeing 747 leaves Baghdad Airport for Minsk, the capital of Belarus, with hundreds of Iraqis on board. The passengers are not going to one of Europes newfound tourist destinations but are refugees seeking shelter in the Old Continent. Once they are in Belarus, the Iraqi asylum-seekers try to make their way to neighbouring Lithuania, where they hope they can arrange to travel to richer EU countries where they can apply for resettlement. The influx has triggered an uproar in Lithuania, where the government has accused Belarus of orchestrating the massive refugee inflows in retaliation against EU sanctions on the former Soviet Republic. After Minsk forced a European airliner to land in Belarus in order to arrest a dissident journalist in May, Brussels has threatened to ratchet up the sanctions that it slapped on Belarus last year over a crackdown on protests in the country. Yet, the controversy has unexpectedly gone beyond the Belarus-Lithuania tensions to underline Iraqs unending conflicts and raise new concerns about the future of the country. It has overshadowed the larger and more crucial issue of the transition in Iraq, which has become increasingly precarious amid concerns that the country remains marred by conflicts and the challenges of reconstruction and reintegration. The increasing political uncertainty has stoked fears of a new wave of refugees to Europe similar to the ones precipitated by the sectarian conflict in Iraq in 2006-2007 and the rise of the Islamic State (IS) terror group in 2014. This week, hundreds of people have been detained while trying to cross from Belarus into Lithuania, and the countrys border guard service said that all the migrants had come from Iraq. The EU said last week that about 2,700 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed illegally into the Baltic EU member state in recent months and been taken to detention centres. Brussels has intensified the pressure on Iraq to help stem the flow of migrants to Belarus. EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said the EU had been in contact with the Iraqi government in order to better control flights to Belarus. This is an issue of concern not only for one member state, but also for the entire EU. We count on Iraqs support, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell tweeted after talks with Iraqs foreign minister to further press him on the issue. The bloc has said that a large part of those crossing into Lithuania did not appear to be eligible to claim asylum in the EU. It said Iraq had set up a joint committee with the EU to discuss migration matters including the alleged smuggling of people into Lithuania. The EU has already been pressing Baghdad to facilitate the return of Iraqi nationals who have been denied the right to remain in the EU. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has made it clear that it can do little to help in the crisis. It said that Iraqis were travelling to Belarus legally and that it could not stop them as long as Minsk allowed them entry as tourists. No government in the world can do that as long as they are travelling legally, said a statement by the office of the countrys National Security Adviser. The Iraqi government has also publicly said it will not accept Iraqi refugees being returned against their will, but EU officials have said that Baghdad has pledged to facilitate their return. The row has highlighted the dilemma of millions of Iraqis who have been either internally displaced or have sought refuge abroad since the US-led invasion of their country in 2003. A number of European states have shown a willingness to return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq over the past few years. Hundreds of Iraqi migrants who had been living in EU nations have returned to Iraq under arrangements with Baghdad after they were denied permits to stay. The EU has described their return as voluntary. Some EU countries have announced their intention to cancel residency permits for Iraqi refugees, as they now consider Iraq to be safe enough for refugees to return to. More than a million migrants and refugees, including some tens of thousands of Iraqis, crossed into Europe in 2015, sparking a crisis as countries struggled to cope with the influx. The vast majority arrived by sea, but some migrants have made their way in over land, principally via Turkey. Since then, Turkey has been acting as a gatekeeper for the EU in exchange for billions of dollars in aid. Iraq is among the top five most-common countries of people seeking asylum in the UK. The British government is reportedly considering plans to hold asylum-seekers in Australian-style offshore processing centres or even opening new ones in the African nation of Rwanda. In the US, the authorities are conducting an investigation into allegedly fraudulent applications from Iraqis seeking resettlement in the country by claiming refugee status. The US media reported in July that the state department was re-examining applications from more than 104,000 people after about 4,000 applications were found to be suspected of containing false information. Over 500 Iraqis who have been accepted as refugees in the US have already been implicated in the alleged fraud and could now face deportation to Iraq. Iraqis have also fled sectarian conflicts, terrorism and a failed state at home to neighbouring countries. There are some two million Iraqis living in urban centres across the Middle East rather than in refugee camps. The conflict in Iraq has produced one of the biggest movements of displaced people in the Middle East in recent years, with millions returning after the end of operations to damaged and unsafe houses lacking basic necessities and healthcare. Both migration and internal displacement have had a transformative impact on the political, economic and social aspects of forced population movements in Iraq as well as sometimes also on demographic changes. With Iraq battling apparently endless conflict, as well as continuous violence, a protracted political deadlock, severe drought, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and diminishing resources as its future remains uncertain, many Iraqis still hope to flee the country and seek safety and a better life abroad. Like many other asylum-seekers, Iraqis escaping their battered country may also use gaps and loopholes such as the conflict between Lithuania and Belarus to make their way to safe havens abroad. As a result, the international community should stop dealing with Iraqs refugees as a political tool, using them as a pawn for revenge or to flatter or manipulate the corrupt Iraqi leadership to make it take the refugees back. Iraqs refugee problems can only be solved through a comprehensive and integrated strategy that will ensure an equitable worldwide sharing of responsibility to deal with the refugee problem and support efforts to end Iraqs miserable state of affairs. Under the UN refugee convention, people cannot be penalised for entering a country to claim asylum if they are coming directly from a territory where their life or freedom is threatened. A short-term stopover, such as transit through Belarus, should not mean that the Iraqis have to forfeit their right to claim refugee status elsewhere, let alone force them to go back to where they feel their lives are imperiled. Though there are still relatively small groups of Iraqis using the Belarus route to the EU, it is the clearest indication yet of a brewing crisis in Iraq that could trigger a bigger exodus if the country begins to crumble. For nearly 20 years, the international community, primarily made up of the US, the EU and the UN, has failed Iraq because of the unwise decisions, haphazard policies and strategic mistakes applied there. The basic goal following the US-led invasion in 2003 was to rebuild Iraq as a democratic and stable system. However, bad governance, rampant corruption and cronyism in the country have undermined stability and allowed terror groups and militias to entrench themselves. If the EU wants to stem a new refugee crisis, it should address the core issue of state failure in Iraq, which often appears to be out of reach of current EU diplomatic initiatives and political dynamics. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Some weeks ago, after over a decade of arctic temperatures between Ankara and Tel Aviv, the former began to grope for ways to sidle up to the latter. This was prompted at least in part by the fact that Israel was developing much closer relations with Turkeys historic enemy, Greece. Athens and Tel Aviv had signed a series of cooperation agreements in defence and energy, which included the construction of natural gas pipelines in the Eastern Mediterranean. For this reason, rekindling relations with Israel became an imperative of the first order for Ankara. Evidence of this thinking is to be found in Foreign Ministry officials statements and remarks calling for urgent efforts to mend the rift, so that Turkey would not be left behind or isolated as the train of normalisation with Arab Gulf countries pushed full steam ahead. The continued freeze was exacting an exorbitant political toll, they warned, adding that Turkish officials needed to take the first step. And so it came to be. In April, the presidential palace gave several positive signals towards those its principal occupant had often called terrorist occupiers. It expressed a desire to clear the fog filled air with the Hebrew state, then it invited the Israeli Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz to the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. Held on 18-20 June 2021 in a beautiful Antalya resort on the coast of the Mediterranean, as the ADFs webpage says, the title of the forum was, significantly, Innovative Diplomacy: New Era, New Approaches. Mouthpieces of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) were optimistic about the results of such overtures. Above all, they had their hopes set on positive responses from the other side of the Atlantic, which would certainly welcome a rapprochement between Washingtons Israeli and Turkish allies. But then the Israeli war on Gaza erupted on 10 May, bursting that brief bubble of hope as Erdogan gave vent to his vitriol against Israel and Israelis, using expressions, moreover, that earned him hasty rebukes from Washington and elsewhere. Three days after the assault began, Turkey withdrew the invitation to Steinitz so much for turning a new leaf. Or so it seemed. Two days after Erdogan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, his spokesman told the press that the Turkish president had phoned his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog to congratulate him on his election on 7 July. It was the first communication between the two sides on that level since 2017. According to the spokesman, the two leaders discussed matters related to energy, tourism and regional security, and they emphasised the importance of dialogue in overcoming disputes and the need to open a new page in Turkish-Israeli relations. Erdogan then posted a statement on his social networking sites in which he stressed the importance of Turkish-Israeli cooperation for the sake of the security and stability of the region. Herzog reciprocated with a tweet echoing the same sentiment. After the phone call with Erdogan, Herzog took pains to reassure Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou that any improvement in Israels relations with Turkey wont come at the expense of Greece, the Axios news site reported on 21 July, citing Israeli officials. Is there, indeed, a possibility that Ankara and Tel Aviv can overcome their profound differences and start over? Views vary, but all agree that there are deep-seated mutual doubts and suspicions that will be difficult to overcome. The most pessimistic estimate places the chances of reconciliation at minimal to zero, especially now that Netanyahu is gone. They believe that the new Israeli leaders, Naftali Bennet and Yair Lapid are likely to be more forthright in their criticisms of Erdogan than their predecessor. True, Netanyahu had locked horns with Erdogan many times, but Israeli-Turkish trade also increased under Netanyahu. The paradox is not so difficult to grasp. In many ways Erdogan and Netanyahu are mirror images of each other. They balance populism with pragmatism. They engage in loud verbal sparring while essential economic bonds continue calmly and steadily. Bennet and Lapid, on the other hand, who are strongly anti-Erdogan and more open about it, are unlikely to take Netanyahus two-track approach. Some predict that the post-Netanyahu government may officially recognise the Armenian Genocide, in fact. Both Bennet, who has used this issue as ammunition in his attacks against Erdogan before, and Lapid have said more than once that Israel should recognise the Armenian Genocide. Naturally, if the Israeli government takes this step, it will deliver a debilitating blow to the Erdogan regimes plans to revive relations. Here, in Turkey, anti-AKP opposition circles agree that the prospects of reconciliation are poor. They cite Israeli political analysts, such as Eyal Zisser, a lecturer in the Middle East History Department at Tel Aviv University, who recently addressed the subject in an article in the Israel Hayom newspaper. As reported on the Ahval news site, Zisser cautioned that Israel needed to be careful so as not to be caught off guard when Erdogan engages in another vitriolic tirade against it, despite ongoing efforts for rapprochement. He attributed Ankaras shift in tack and tone to Erdogans combative and contrarian policies towards the entire world [which] have led him to a dead end, referring to Turkeys ailing economy, the uncertainty surrounding its military involvement in Syria and Libya, and tensions in US relations. Recalling his experience in a number of small meetings with Erdogan, during the days in which he still met with Israeli leaders, Foreign Israeli Chief of Staff Jacob Dayan said, in an op ed piece in Haaretz, In all of these meetings I felt one thing clearly: the conspicuous lack of affection for Israel, and even hatred, did not come from his head but from his heart. He continues, The cold wind blowing in the direction of Turkey from the Biden administration, which will only grow stronger, the failing economy and the Turkish vision of the Middle East, which has collapsed, may be causing a tactical change in Erdogans attitude towards Israel, but this change will always be only tactical, not strategic. Observing how one telephone exchange between Erdogan and Herzog had changed the spirit of commentators, Dayan said, Can a leopard change its spots? Highly doubtful. I dont rule out a tactical narrowing of differences. Israel also has weighty interests in such closer relations, but we need to go there with our eyes open, and know that the man who provided a base for Hamas activists and permitted the Mavi Marmara to sail to Gaza will not suddenly turn into Anwar Sadat or King Hussein. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: It has been a year since Nassif Hitti, a prominent Lebanese diplomat, resigned from his job as the countrys foreign minister. On 3 August 2020, almost 24 hours before Beirut was hit by devastating blasts in its port where a poorly stored shipment was stored, Hitti announced his resignation as Lebanese minister of foreign and expatriate affairs. It was in January of the same year that Hitti had joined the first government to take office after the October Revolution in Lebanon that made firm calls for an end to economic and political corruption. Upon his resignation, Hitti said that the government had not acted promptly and according to a clear and consensual work plan to live up to the expectations of the people. Things were not going in the right direction, and we should have been acting to save our country, Hitti said upon his resignation. At the time, critics said that Hitti was jumping off a sinking ship. With the blasts that came just one day later, Hitti had no regrets about his decision. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly in a telephone interview, Hitti was as convinced as ever that his resignation was justified. There is no point for anyone to be in government if that government has no political will to act to end the worsening hardships that the Lebanese people are living with today and not just in Beirut that suffered huge damage as a result of blasts that are still being investigated a year later, he commented. What happened [on 4 August 2020] was a crime and a tragedy. We need to know what happened. There must be a serious investigation, he said. Pushing the investigation forward and making sure it is on the right tracks should be happening in parallel with helping new Lebanese prime minister Naguib Mikati put together a new government. Mikati was appointed late last week after the nomination of five former Lebanese prime ministers, including Saad Al-Hariri who failed after over nine months to put together a government that could be approved by Lebanese President Michel Aoun. On Monday, Mikati said things were moving much more slowly than he had hoped. Lebanon has been run by Aoun, Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri and acting Prime Minister Hassan Diab for almost a year while the economic crisis has been moving from bad to worse, causing severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and long electricity cuts. For Hitti, the question is not when Mikati will be able to announce a new government that can be approved by Aoun. The question is whether Mikati will have to succumb to sectarian-based quotas. If it is called a government of technocrats but is based on the same old concept of sectarian-based quotas, then I am afraid that the chances of delivering are not high, if there are any at all, Hitti said. With legislative and presidential elections due in Lebanon in the spring of 2022, the politics of the country seem to be obsessed with this date, and all the countrys political actors are eyeing the day of the elections. Critics of the Lebanese political elite who have spoken over the past few days in Lebanese civil society have said the priority for most politicians is to keep their seats in parliament and their immunity rather than to act promptly to solve the problems the Lebanese people are suffering from. I think we need to be clear about what we really want today: what we want is to resolve the problems as soon as possible. This is the priority, Hitti said. The wider issue relating to overhauling the political system as a whole will need more time and a wider consensus, he added. For the time being, we want a decisive and agreed-upon reform programme that will take effect as soon as possible, so that we will be able to get the countries that wish to support Lebanon to pitch in to help without hesitation, he said. The longer time goes by without any movement on fixing the economic situation and addressing the countrys acute social problems, the higher the risk there is of a social explosion. We have to look reality in the eye. We have to admit that today the Lebanese people are being insulted as they try to get on with their everyday lives. They are insulted as they try to get food and fuel and medicine and even as they try to get their own money from their own bank accounts. This is the fact of the matter, Hitti said. But no matter the sad reality of the political system, it would be unrealistic to talk of overhauling it while the economic situation is in an impasse, he said. SUFFERING Hitti referred to UN statistics that indicate that the poverty level across Lebanon has gone from 55 per cent of the overall population in 2000 to over 65 per cent this year, with people suffering from acute poverty rising sharply from 23 to 33 per cent. We are talking about a situation in which some 30 per cent of the children of Lebanon go to bed at the end of the day without having had dinner, some without even having a filling meal at all, he said. Without a fast and efficient economic-reform programme, it will be very hard to keep the local currency from its apparently unstoppable deterioration. Political stability, Hitti said, is essential to getting the economic-reform programme moving. But it is difficult to attain when the countrys political leaders seem to be a lot more concerned about their electoral prospects in the spring of next year than the current problems. The trouble is that the political players are more concerned with the dynamics of their regional allies than with the situation in Lebanon. This camp and that camp are keeping a close watch on the political gains and failures of their regional allies in order to decide the political choices on the home front in Lebanon. This is disastrous, and it keeps putting the country in harms way, he said. The trouble is that if the ship sinks, there will be no losers and no winners. We are all going to suffer tremendously, Hitti stated. He added that the sooner all the countrys political leaders get to see this basic fact, the better it will be for everyone. Without coming to terms with this fact, the sectarian-based bras de fer will just continue, and things will keep getting worse with the impact of the pandemic, the devaluation of the currency and the shocking brain drain that is hitting us with all the top professionals leaving the country to try to make a decent living, he said. Prior to his resignation in the eleventh hour before Beirut was hit by the shocking blasts, perceived by many in Lebanon as a sign of corruption, mismanagement and even the betrayal of national affiliations, Hitti had proposed a roundtable discussion among all the political groups to agree on a work programme to spare the country from what he warned was an inevitable crisis. Today, while Lebanon is waking up to independent reports that indicate possible deliberate wrong-doing behind the devastating blasts of 4 August 2020, and with Mikati already talking about the slow process of composing a new government, and with Beirut-based diplomats already worrying that he might not be able to put one together, Hitti is even more convinced that there needs to be direct and honest discussion about a work plan that all the political group can agree on. I dont think it is too much to ask for everyone to take a break from sectarian-based politics and to worry more about saving our country. It is not too much at all to ask, he said. If for the sake of argument we have a government tomorrow and then all the members of the government are taken hostage by the political agendas of their sectarian constituencies or leaders, then things will go nowhere, Hitti said. I was in the government myself, and I know how it is simply impossible for cabinet members to act forcefully if they need to worry every step of the way about what their political leaders will say about this or that, he added. He declined to discuss a possible need to revisit the Taif Agreement that ended the 15-year civil war in 1990 with a sectarian-shared based formula. This is not the time to get into that the country is suffering too many splits. It cannot get into working on Taif again now, he said. Hitti would not say whether he thought that at some point down the road the Taif Agreement will have to be revisited, given the many political changes the region has gone through. I think it would be an act of political suicide to get into this debate now. We are just trying to overcome the terms of this sectarian federation that we are living under, in order to get things moving, he said. According to Hitti, it is absurd for the leaders of the countrys political groups to think they are in a situation in which they can stick to their sectarian demands as part of plans for election campaigns next spring. He is not even sure how things will go between August 2021 and April 2022 when the elections are due. I cannot tell what will happen, but I can tell that every day there is a new challenge every hour of every day there is a new reason to worry, he said. Anticipation is high in Beirut over what could happen on 4 August when the families of the close to 250 people who died in the explosions are likely to protest against the failure of the investigation to take the right path and to question all the possible culprits, much less to reveal the truth about who was responsible for the blasts. I cannot predict what will happen on 4 August I just dont know, Hitti said. But it was important to put things in context, because the dismay, not just of the families of the victims but of every citizen angered about what has happened to Beirut, is not isolated from the wider and perhaps more pressing dismay of people who cannot put dinner on the table for their children. I cannot tell what will happen tomorrow or after tomorrow, but I can tell that it is impossible for this country to keep standing on its own two feet if things continue to be the way they are, Hitti said. There is a 50 per cent chance that people will come to their senses and embark on a rescue mission, and a 50 per cent chance that things will slip, he said. RESCUE What would consolidate the chances of a rescue mission, Hitti said, would be for the countrys political leaders to find a way to allow for the creation and operation of a functioning government with a consensual work plan if only to pursue some damage control. On the other hand, persisting with political intransigence would be for the political leaders to keep doing what they are doing. Hitti said he was hoping that regional and international players who know the importance of keeping Lebanon from slipping will do whatever they can to encourage the political players to move beyond limited sectarian agendas. Obviously, some of these countries have been trying for the past year and even before the blasts to offer a helping hand because clearly everybody knows what it means to let Lebanon slip. This is not a scene that anyone in this region would want to see, he said. But all the helping hands have thus far failed to give the necessary push forward. Beirut-based diplomats speak about the efforts that leading capitals, including Cairo and Paris, have invested in trying to get Aoun to come to an agreement with former Lebanese prime minister Saad Al-Hariri on a government to take over from Hassan Diab, sworn in as prime minister fewer than eight months before the blasts and then having to resign. But Hitti is convinced that the international and regional players will just have to try harder, simply because the risks today are much higher, he said. During the past year, most international donors have gone through civil-society groups to bring aid to Lebanon, helping people cover some of their basic needs. However, things have not been working well. The situation is not sustainable. There has to be a government that has the confidence of the Lebanese people and that of the international community, so that we can have a reform programme and encourage donors to come forward, Hitti said. He said that while it was important for the political leaders to get their act together, it was also important for regional players who had got used to making Lebanon the scene for their squabbles to keep their hands off before the situation takes a very sad curve. Lebanon cannot take another bit of sectarianism or another bit of proxy squabbles, he said. Hitti spoke hours before tensions rose in Beirut following a bloody confrontation between a Shia and a Sunni family in the village of Khalde south of the capital. While the confrontation was contained, it raised the level of worry about additional confusion in Lebanon. Hitti said that he believed that all the countrys political leaders would have to refuse to be dragged into any incidental confrontation of that nature. The Arab capitals, he argued, have an important role to play in Lebanon. Lebanon needs an Arab support-system that can help it move in the right direction. I know that it has been a busy time for many Arab countries, but reaching out to Lebanon should be a priority, he said. Helping Lebanon stand on its own two feet, he argued, would dissuade any irresponsible Israeli acts, would spare Lebanon from any spillover from nearby crises, and would push back any non-Arab regional players. In short, if the current situation persists, Lebanon runs the risk of being a failed state. This is certainly not in the interest of any Arab country, and the sooner everybody acts to avoid this scenario, the more chances there are to avoid hitting it, Hitti told the Weekly. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: While the Gulf media Saudi outlets in particular have focused on Tehran protests calling for the downfall of the regime, the Iranian media is talking about an imminent breakthrough in Saudi-Iranian relations. An invitation was extended to Saudi Arabia to attend the inauguration of the new, hard-line President Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi on 5 August. If a Saudi representative does show up, that will be seen as a diplomatic gesture highlighting a detente in relations between the two arch foes. Since April this year, reports of low-level talks between the Saudis and the Iranians in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and now the Omani capital Muscat coincided with the resumption of American-Iranian dialogue in Vienna to revive Irans nuclear deal with world powers. A Saudi source, who insisted that he was not expressing an official viewpoint, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the Iranian hype about a breakthrough might be an exaggerated PR stunt coinciding with a new president taking the reins in Tehran. He did not deny or confirm backchannel talks, whether in Iraq or Oman. However, he did reiterate the Saudi position that restoring relations with Iran is preconditioned by Tehran ending its meddling in its neighbours internal affairs and its support to proxy militias in the region. Even if a representative attended the inauguration it will not mean relations are restored and nobody should make much of it. Such cordial gestures are common between even the fiercest rivals. Contacts on a security level might be needed to keep the minimum level of stability in the region. For example, relations between Washington and Moscow are a constant struggle, but minimum security level contact is maintained to guarantee world peace, the Saudi source said. In his first press conference since he was elected president, Raisi hinted at his upcoming governments readiness for dialogue: As for Saudi Arabia, I say that there is no obstacle to having a dialogue with Saudi Arabia and relations with all countries. We are ready to reopen embassies. Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran in 2016 after mobs attacked its Iranian diplomatic mission buildings in Tehran and Mashhad. Though the government of President Hassan Rouhani arrested around 40 culprits and put them on trial, Riyadh was not sufficiently satisfied to resume diplomatic relations. Saudi defences are intercepting Iranian-made missiles and drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen almost daily. Gulf countries are wary of activities by other Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Attempts to include Gulf concerns in the Vienna talks with the Americans and Europeans seem to be bearing little fruit. Though the Americans are facing what they describe as Iranian far-fetched demands to rewrite the JCOPA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) with provisions to limit Irans missile programme and its support for terrorist organisations in the region. Last week the English-language Iranian newspaper Tehran Times published a report citing sources talking about an imminent breakthrough in Saudi-Iranian relations that could include resuming diplomatic relations. In his weekly press conference last week, Iranian government Spokesman Ali Rabiei answered a question about Tehran-Riyadh talks underlining the importance of regional dialogue from Irans perspective. Regional negotiations are a perennial imperative and so far, we have underlined regional dialogue and talks between the regions various countries Iran-Saudi bilateral talks have been ongoing through proper channels. We are committed to moving ahead with the talks to address all disagreements between the two countries and if there is an agreement and a need for elevating the level of talks, we have no limits for that, Rabiei said. A British ex-diplomat with extensive knowledge of Middle East politics feels that sooner or later the Gulf countries and Iran will have to sort out their differences with the help of outside partners like the US and EU as a catalyst. He seemed optimistic about a possible positive development in Saudi-Iranian relations against all odds. In the course of the Israeli-Arab struggle it was always the left, the Labour Party talking about peace but at the end of the day it was the right, the Likud Party that made the peace and signed agreements with Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians. Even lately, the right executed the Abraham Accords, normalising Israeli relations with Gulf countries and Morocco. So it might be the so-called hardliners in Iran who will eventually settle relations with Gulf countries, he added, making an interesting analogy. He emphasised the notion that an American return to the nuclear deal and Saudi-Iranian open dialogue would definitely change the situation in the region. Yet the backchannel talks between Riyadh and Tehran are mainly focused on Yemen and Iranian support for Houthi militias which makes it difficult for the Saudis to implement a political solution. Although the Omanis are tight-lipped about reported talks in their country, some hint that talks in Muscat might be wider than previous rounds in Baghdad. But Yemen is still the focus. Optimism about a breakthrough still looks like wishful thinking, all things considered. The new Iranian administration might need time in office before it can offer any compromises. Saudi and the Gulf countries have their baseline demands: a change in the Iranian policy of interference in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, ending support for terrorist groups, and guarantees of peace and security in the region by refraining from developing ballistic or nuclear weapons. Unless Tehran makes a genuine effort towards meeting those goals, Saudi Arabia will not budge. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Will the new UN special envoy to Yemen, the Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, succeed where his predecessor Martin Griffiths failed? This is the question on everyones minds as the time approaches for Grundberg to assume his duties and as analysts and commentators urge a reassessment of the strategies used to resolve the more than six-year-old Yemeni Civil War. Experts have cautioned that if the incoming new envoy follows the same approach as his predecessors, he will get nowhere. However, devising a new approach to resolving the Yemeni crisis has to contend with a number of difficulties related to the context of the UN missions work. The most immediate problem is the state of the conflict and its impact on the negotiating process. At present, the military situation favours the Ansar Allah (Houthi) Movement, and this is encouraging it to press forward with its campaign and undermine UN peace initiatives. The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and large portions of northern Yemen, now have their sights set on seizing control of Marib. The last government stronghold in the north, this governorate is also rich in oil and gas. As Houthi success in this campaign would impose new military equations on the ground, the Houthis have little interest in responding to current ceasefire initiatives. Instead, they want to defer the ceasefire talks until after a separate agreement is concluded on the Sanaa and Hodeida airports. The Yemeni government wants the ceasefire and status of the airports to be combined in a single agreement. But the Houthis insistence on taking the last government stronghold in the north, using Iranian support, will definitely hamper the new UN envoys efforts to broker a ceasefire and restart the political process. A second problem is that the adversaries in the conflict have refused to respond to incremental confidence-building measures. In general, complicated wars, such as the one in Yemen, necessitate the use of a mediating strategy that seeks to persuade the adversaries to undertake steps designed to build mutual trust, thereby giving them an incentive to engage in negotiations over the major bones of contention. Unfortunately, the six years of the Yemeni experience, as well as numerous analyses, have established the futility of this approach. The Stockholm Agreement signed by the Houthis and the legitimate government of Yemen in 2018 failed to produce a permanent ceasefire, even if it met with the limited success of averting a potentially fierce and bloody confrontation in Hodeida. Ultimately, the agreement only led to a relatively limited prisoner exchange. It did not generate a sufficient impetus towards solving any of the basic problems. Moreover, it turned out that the UN Mission to Support the Hodeida Agreement (UNMHA) was unable to carry out its duties in the areas that fell under Houthi control, and the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), the mechanism created under the UNMHA to implement the ceasefire in Hodeida, was unable to continue its remit after March 2020 when the Yemeni government suspended its participation in the mechanism. Meanwhile, Griffiths was unable to advance his four-point initiative, which called for a nationwide ceasefire, the reopening of Sanaa Airport, the lifting of restrictions on shipping from and to the Hodeida sea port, and initiating a political process. Not only have incremental confidence-building measures as an avenue towards a breakthrough on basic areas of dispute failed to achieve their objectives, no progress has been made using a top-down approach focusing on shuttling between the opposing leaderships. Griffiths replacement clearly needs to come up with a new and different approach that the key local and regional stakeholders will respond to. Fortunately, Grundberg will be able to draw from his familiarity with the dynamics of the conflict and the causes of the failure of mediating efforts up to now that he has gained in the course of his duties as EU ambassador to Yemen since 2019. A third problem is the precarious cohesion of Yemen itself. While the international community has been trying to resolve the Yemeni crisis while preserving the unity of the state, many observers fear scenarios ranging from the disintegration of the country into several statelets to, at best, a partition between north and south. According to many reports on the situation in the country, the idea of a return to the pre-1990 situation by recreating an independent state in the south has considerable support among southern Yemenis as well as among some foreign stakeholders. Although the southern forces have allied with government forces in the battle against the Houthis in Marib, both sides realise the temporary nature of this alliance and that as soon as the battle in the north is over, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) will take steps to create autonomous governmental institutions. The underlying mistrust and tensions between the government and the STC forces continue to flare up in intermittent skirmishes, despite the Riyadh Agreement of 2019. At the same time, the Houthis continued to hold Sanaa and other areas in the north carry the potential for the emergence of a Houthi-controlled state in the north of the country. Many regional and international stakeholders would be unlikely to acquiesce in such a scenario, especially Saudi Arabia which would not tolerate an entity on its southern borders ruled by a movement loyal to Iran. Nor would the US, which has already taken actions to dry up the Houthis sources of funding and has intensified its criticisms of the Houthis human rights violations, accept an Ansar Allah regime as a legitimate government in the north. In the light of the foregoing, if the new UN envoy is to succeed in carrying out a new approach that has the potential to yield a peace agreement in Yemen, certain elements of the negotiating context will have to change. The following are possible measures that might be taken. First, there is a need to find a means to persuade the Houthis to cooperate with the envoys mediating efforts, though opinions vary on how to go about this. Some recommend using the prospect of an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme to leverage Tehran into making concessions that would facilitate an agreement in Yemen. Others even urge including the Yemeni question in the nuclear negotiations with Iran, as part of the regional issues on the table. On the other hand, some observers believe that the Saudi-led Coalition that backs the Yemeni government should escalate militarily against the Houthis in Marib in order to prevent further Houthi expansion and convince them that they have no chances of further territorial gains and that their wisest option is to return to the negotiating table. Second, there is a need to develop a political approach and negotiating strategy that would win a consensus among regional and international stakeholders. This task would involve closer and more intensive dialogue with the diverse components of Yemeni society, from the southerners to NGOs and womens organisations. It should also strive to benefit from previous local mediating initiatives that have succeeded in producing agreements on certain basic elements of a potential peace agreement. Third, there is a need to explore the potential for new UN resolutions that would take into account the current situation on the ground and the need to bring other parties on board the negotiating process. The UN resolutions that laid the foundations for the UN peacemaking drive have not helped to create a negotiating framework conducive to the work of the UN mission. This applies, in particular, to UN Security Council Resolution 2216. Last months report of the International Crisis Group, an international NGO, pointed out how diverse interpretations of this resolution have hampered progress towards a political settlement and mentioned that many observers and politicians wanted it replaced. Fourth, there is a need to take advantage of the Biden administrations current diplomatic momentum on Yemen, as represented by Bidens pledge to end the war in Yemen and his appointment of Tim Lenderking as the USs special envoy for that purpose. Simultaneously, it will be important to coordinate more closely with Russia, which has also recently intensified talks with the concerned parties, such as former president of South Yemen Ali Nasser Mohamed, the leaders of the Southern Transitional Council, and, most recently, the late Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Salehs nephew Tarek Saleh, who commands the National Resistance Forces. Lastly, there is a need to step up the provision of humanitarian relief to Yemen. Significant progress in this regard, which should be separated from the political track, is essential to creating an environment conducive to negotiations in a country that has been universally described as being in the grips of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The writer is a researcher on security and crisis management. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Cairo welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra this week, a visit that demonstrated the strong, decades-old ties between the two countries. The late leader president Gamal Abdel-Nasser supported Algerias long, just war for independence from the French in the 1950s and early 1960s. Cairos Sawt Al-Arab (the Voice of Arabs) radio station was practically a mouthpiece for the Algerian resistance movement in its heroic struggle, and Nasser vehemently rejected French threats and pressure to end his support for the nationalist movement in Algeria. When Nasser visited the country of the one million martyrs after independence in 1962, he was welcomed as a hero, and spared no effort to help Algeria regain its Arab and African identities. Meanwhile, shortly after Algeria became indepent, its leaders earned worldwide respect for their wise foreign policy and diplomatic mediation to solve Arab and African conflicts, whether in Lebanon, during the war between Iraq and Iran or in African countries seeking independence from either French or British occupation. In the ongoing dispute over the disastrous effects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Egypt and Sudans legitimate share in Nile water, Algerian mediation can definitely benefit all three countries. Although Egypt and Sudan both strongly condemned Ethiopias second, unilateral filling of the GERD in early July, they continued to stress that the door remained open for reaching an agreement. Receiving the Algerian minister confirms Egypt and Sudans openness to any positive effort, particularly by African and Arab countries, to convince Addis Ababa to stop its procrastination policy and reach a fair, binding agreement with both Egypt and Sudan on the conditions for filling the GERD without causing drought and other, severe damage in both countries. Lamamra, who also visited Ethiopia and Sudan before his final stop in Cairo, has a tough mission ahead of him. The skillful diplomat is seeking not just to fix Ethiopias relations with Egypt, but also with the majority of Arab countries who expressed understanding for Egypts stand, and issued a statement by the Arab League in late June calling upon Ethiopia to act in good faith and stop wasting time in endless negotiations before reaching agreement with Egypt and Sudan. Lamamra rightly stated in his joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukri that the dispute between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over the Nile dam was going through a critical stage. He also noted Egypts success in presenting the GERD on the world stage after failing to reach an agreement with Ethiopia for more than ten years, stating that the GERD dispute is a global issue for which the UN Security Council convened and is seen as one of the important world issues. Despite the sincere efforts by several friendly parties to mediate an agreement South Africa, the United States, the European Union and the current African Union president, the Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia has always rejected the outcome at the last moment, wrongly turning the GERD into a national issue in an attempt to unite the Ethiopian people behind an illusionary conspiracy they claimed Egypt was orchestrating to prevent the key African country from making the best use of its water resources. Lamamra also expressed his belief that it was very important for the three countries of the GERD to reach satisfactory solutions that fulfill each partys rights and ensure transparency in their relationship. Transparency, respect for binding agreements among the three countries on the distribution of Nile water dating back to 1902, and honouring the international laws organising cross-border rivers are exactly the key points that Ethiopia has disregarded over the past 10 years in its negotiations with Egypt and Sudan. A decade of negotiations over the hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile have failed to ensure that water will continue to flow downstream to Sudan and to Egypt in sufficient amounts, where 100 million people are dependent on the river as their sole source of water. Perhaps Algerias Foreign Minister Lamamra, might have a better chance, considering that the veteran diplomat has a long experience in Africa. His country also maintains close relations with both Egypt and Ethiopia, which might help ease Ethiopian intransigence and convince its leadership that friendly nations are also seeing the dangers of its unilateral behaviour while dealing with the GERDs serious harmful effects on both Egypt and Sudan. Besides the GERD, maintaining close coordination between Egypt and Algeria is also vital to restoring stability and ending the civil war in Libya, considering that both countries share borders with the war-torn nation. Egypt and Algeria also vowed to provide support for Tunisia after the latest developments there, and the decisions by the Tunisian president to suspend parliament and appoint a new prime minister in an attempt to put an end to the chaos caused by Ennahda Party, the Muslim Brotherhoods Tunisian branch. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Ingrid Volkmer, professor of digital communication and globalisation at the University of Melbourne, spoke to Ahram Online about the impact of the pandemic on journalism, which has led her and a group of media scholars to create the Global Risk Journalism Hub, an international research network that works on recommendations for journalists, who Volkmer says have a responsibility to reflect the interconnectedness of world crises. Volkmer also highlights the outcomes of a WHO survey that she directed on the consumption of COVID-19 news by millennials and their level of dependence on traditional media. Al-Ahram: How did the Global Risk Journalism Hub initiative start? Ingrid Volkmer: The idea for the project started at the start of the pandemic and was developed in April last year when I was meeting with two media scholars on zoom, Professor of Journalism at the University of Technology Sydney Saba Bebawi and Oslo Metropolitan Universitys Maria Konow Lund. We were thinking about journalism amid the COVID crises, and we realised that journalists basically covered what is happening in local communities or certain countries. As we live in this globalised age and with the pandemics spread across all continents, perhaps there is a new dimension of journalism research, not just comparing how journalists across countries cover the crises, but to think about ways journalists in the future could cover other globalised crises. Based on this, we decided to place calls to leading academic institutions. Although we did not have any funding, I was thrilled that we had a lot of requests for research affiliation from 30 different countries around the world. Based on that, we decided that our hub is an international research network of individual researchers trying to identify new ways for journalism to deal with globalised crises. It does not have to do with risks journalists are facing in covering wars or conflicts. Our risk term relates to new dimensions of globalised interconnectedness. We feel journalists have a responsibility to reflect this interconnectedness of crises. As we see with the pandemic, there is no point in just covering the crisis in one country when you know that in the neighbouring country restrictions have been lifted and so the virus has spread again. We are all in this together, as we know from the lockdowns. It is a great phrase, but it also means we are all in this together as a world society, and journalists might have a new role in this global risk arena. That is a new space that we are seeing here, but it is a space that we are seeing in other types of risks like climate change, where journalists are used to covering the national implications of climate change, and we need to address humanity at large. AA: Do you plan to address the medias role in covering regional or local crises? IV: In theory, yes. However, the main aim is really to first look at all these emerging globalised risks. It is very different today than 100 years ago, or 20 years ago even, where we still had this sort of an international perception of global crises, meaning nations get together, Europe gets together, Sub-Saharan Africa gets together to deal with certain climate risks. The pandemic has shown that this kind of regional cooperation does not really work. We need to look across the whole globe. There certainly are risk issues on the regional scale. There is a refugee crisis in Europe. We also have refugee crises in other parts of the world. There are also global issues that play a role if we just look at the Middle East, where there are a lot of local conflicts that are also covered in very different ways on a global scale, although they have a larger geopolitical implication as well. AA: Is the hub interested in the future and sustainability of traditional media? How do you intend to address that issue? IV: One of the research types we are working on is to produce a snapshot service to map out the key challenges of journalism across 30 countries. A large number of journalists said that with the COVID pandemic, they fear significant financial constraints or losing their jobs at their news organisations, and that is one factor to consider. We also see journalism being deeply challenged by digital media, especially for young citizens who do not turn to traditional media that much anymore. They have their own news sites where they get more personalised news, and stories that have an implication on their lives. It is a completely different set of news consumption we are seeing among young generations. This also has an impact on the traditional news organisation, which needs to turn around and develop new formats. The organisational structure of media outlets in this digital world is also a risk factor. It risks disrupting the traditional legitimacy and the traditional public spheres in countries as well. If journalists disappear and journalism is cut back, there will be a big gap within countries where we need new voices and a new fourth estate. AA: How would journalists, policymakers and media institutions profit from the global risk hub studies? IV: What is different in our hub is that we have 60 media scholars from 30 countries. Many of them are from the global south and have never been involved in international media research before. I feel it is important, first of all, to conduct joint research to show how a global risk like the pandemic at the moment is viewed differently across the worlds regions, and how journalists even in small countries create their own global crisis horizon. A COVID crisis for journalists in Mexico might be very different compared to journalists in Malaysia, Fiji, Australia, or Russia. There are very different ways in which journalists across these regions engage with a global pandemic, and that is something that has never been really addressed in research. In short, it is important to understand how we make sense of globalisation in a crisis, how we see a crisis within this large transnational spectrum, wherever we are, and to understand the differences in these perceptions. AA: How would you create a unified list of applicable recommendations for journalists all over the world? IV: Well, we are including journalism scholars and media outlets in our hub, they could take this back into their universities and newspapers for journalism training. We also hope that we could develop training materials for journalists based on our research on how journalists could develop skills to cover pandemics in the future. AA: From your perspective, how has digital media affected the production and consumption of traditional media? IV: I've written a book on the global public sphere, where I explained how digital media is enabling citizens to create their own micro networks to engage with journalists and peers, and to discuss political issues on a transnational scale. These dimensions of discourse and deliberation are really important, and are often overlooked in the way we conceptualise public spheres. Journalism is not just challenged by digital media or news portals, it is also challenged by the fact that citizens create and use their own news spheres (microsystems) to be informed. In other words, when I see certain content in the Australian or German news sites, I keep wondering, why do journalists not cover this issue or focus on that one? Citizens increasingly compare and contrast what they read in the news. That is something to acknowledge and it is also a major challenge to journalism. For example, in a recent WHO survey that I directed, we found that young people still check their national news media, but when it really comes to sites they deeply trust, they only go to the World Health Organization, science blogs, and science outlets. These responses came from different regions around the world and it reflects the shifting of information access in crises and conflicts. National news outlets are relevant as a certain information point, but it does not mean they are the final information point, simply because citizens can search for data on different websites. It is a mix-and-match of sources where journalism is no longer the dominant source for information in crises as was the case 120 years ago, or even 30 years ago. This whole news spectrum that is opening up for citizens needs to be reflected and journalists need to think about new formats of work in the context of the crises. AA: Would you give us more details about the new WHO study you directed? IV: This was a global survey that we worked on to figure out how generation Z and millennials get information on the COVID pandemic. The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the World Health Organization (WHO), Wunderman Thompson (WT) and Pollfish. Between 24 October 2020 and 7 January 2021, we interviewed 23,500 people aged 18 to 40 from 24 countries around the world. The study just focused on the impact of social media on the digital generations. Results from the survey revealed that 51.9 percent are aware of the misleading information about COVID on social media and could deal with it. 58.3 percent said that they are overwhelmed by information and 52 percent have stopped paying attention to the pandemic news. In addition, 43.9 percent of respondents were likely to share scientific content on their social media networks. Although mainstream media remains the main go-to news source for youth, we found that they rely on multiple platforms for information on the coronavirus that vary according to their cultural and ethnic background. Also, two-thirds of respondents feel that the media and their government was not giving the full picture on the pandemic. What is really interesting is that in Nigeria, for example, a country that is hardly included in social media research or journalism studies, youth have access to at least six to seven platforms they constantly use. These are digitally literate generations, and that is what it comes through in this survey. Another interesting outcome is that aside from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, we found that respondents are using smaller, specialised platforms for specific communities, and that is a very interesting field that we need to discuss in the new media studies. Short link: The nation state in Egypt, Saudi Arabia Abdel-Moneim Said, , Thursday 5 Aug 2021 In an article of mine that appeared in Al-Masry Al-Youm on 5 May 2013, The four faces of the revolution, I attempted to depict the general course of events in Egypt for two and a half years since January 2011, and to forecast what lay ahead. At the time, the drums heralding the 30 June Revolution had begun to thunder, and there was as much hope in the air as anxiety. The first element was the enthusiasm of young people whose romanticism, idealism and chants for bread, freedom, social justice and human dignity infected many who had not taken part in the revolution and may initially have been alarmed by it. It led them to embrace the hope for a new beginning in which these ideals would be translated into practical agendas. The second element were the Islamists in their various stripes, from the Muslim Brotherhood to the Salafis and jihadists, with their bouquet of ultra-conservative outlooks. As of 28 January 2011, they represented the physical bulk of the revolution. They are the ones who spearheaded the drive to paralyse the police, after which they steered the transition from the old regime to their vision of a new system inspired by the doctrinal foundations of the Iranian regime. Thirdly, there were opponents to the former Mubarak regime. Their demands were more modest: the old system but with the addition of a fair and just democratic mechanism, or so they said. The fourth element took the form of a curious mixture of revolution and anarchy. It expressed itself in various forms of violence, the only apparent political end of which was to make the perpetrators presence felt. Sometimes one sensed a desire to exact revenge on the state or undermine its prestige. Reports abounded of sexual harassment against women, and sometimes even men, and there were occasions when television viewers watched aghast while outright acts of carnage were carried out, as was the case at the Port Said Stadium. The perpetrators appeared to have no purpose other than spreading anarchy. They blocked roads, opposed law enforcement, insulted the police and judiciary and threatened anyone in an official capacity, from opposition figures to the president. Wherever the Arab spring inflicted its wounds, it produced iterations of the same elements, which never offered answers to that most crucial question: what about the future? The result was versions of the same never-ending story, since independence, of failure, inability to catch up with the developed world, and frequent inability to agree on the very idea of progress. There was much vacillating between arming ourselves for the competitive global market and recoiling into self-sufficiency, and much wavering over whether or not to engage in the Islamist race. In all cases, conspiracy theories were ready to hand to explain positions, justify behaviour and pave the way to evading constructive action. But despite all these problems, the effect of events was to make the major questions concerning progress more pressing than ever and to generate a surging social movement that gave rise to a fifth element of the revolution: a drive to rebuild the modern nation state. This trend emerged in many Arab countries, each according to its particular pace, as we saw in the second wave of the Arab Spring from Sudan, Iraq and Lebanon to Algeria and most recently Tunisia. What they all had in common was the newfound conviction that the key to saving ourselves resided in the nation state, and freedom from sectarian divisions, religious pretence and foreign interventions that tear societies apart. In fact, the ideas borne by the second wave of the Arab Spring were deeply rooted in the Arab reformist movement that gained momentum in the first decade of this century. The primary tenets of this movement were that the state and society required radical change, that this change should be pursued in the framework of a national development project, and it would organise and systemise a process of modernisation grounded in national identity and carried out by institutions rooted in an ancient legacy and armed with the power to penetrate the barriers of the modern era, mobilise national resources and tap the great potentials sometimes latent in the very geography in which the process was designed to unfold. Nothing embodies that spirit more than events in Egypt since the June 2013 Revolution and in Saudi Arabia since 2015. Naturally, there were signs and indicators that foreshadowed these events, but it was the actual programmes and their implementation that turned history and geography into the propellants for building national identity, construction and progress, and the great foray into heretofore unfamiliar territory. As an Egyptian, I was surprised and overawed by the fantastic archaeological discoveries recently made in Saudi Arabia, proving that the beginning of that countrys history was much older than scientists both there and abroad had thought. Not only did these discoveries became part of the process of building Saudi national identity, they also added an important dimension to that countrys economic development programme, which is based on diversification. According to a recently released official statement, Saudi Arabia intends to attract 100 million tourists a year by 2030, and not just for the Hajj. The vision includes plans for a large diversity of tourist packages that includes tours to various historical and cultural heritage sites and centres, or leisure activities ranging from lolling on Red Sea beaches to safari excursions deep into the desert. Egypt has long had and benefited from such attractions. However, investment in them had always oscillated between ambition and the exigencies of war or political fluctuations in the region. Now, Egypt is undergoing another boom in historical discoveries, both on land and at sea, stimulating a new burst of interest in our countrys historical epochs, from the pharaonic, through the Hellenic and Roman eras, to the succession of Tulunid, Fatamid, Ayyubid and modern Islamic eras. All this history enriches the Egyptian identity, pushing it not to return to the past but to look forward to the future. Here, precisely, is where the modernising and reform drives on both sides of the Red Sea converge, even physically, in the African-Asian land bridge from the Nile Valley through Sinai to the Hijazi wadis, all brimming with histories of the holy treks of prophets and companions to the Prophet. Such geographic and historical realities have injected fresh blood into the Egyptian and Saudi national reconstruction drives. These drives are not about some mega projects here or others there. They are about the development of vast markets for the sciences, tourism, mining, manufacturing, export trade and other activities in a region protected not by the blessings of prophets but by the energy of young men and women who not only possess the virtue of the desire for change but also the potential to take their countries long strides forward into the future. History, in this context, is not just evolution over time. It is a geographical thrust, born of the womb of time, towards the development of a modern nation state equipped to hold its own in a competitive global environment without fear, hesitancy or false pride, and with the humility of nations confident in their abilities. *The writer is chairman of the board, CEO and director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition ofAl-Ahram Weekly https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/418319.aspx The way out for Lebanon Bassem Aly, Wednesday 4 Aug 2021 New Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati will likely need regional and international support to form a governing coalition after a year of efforts to form a new government Lebanon sometimes looks for leaders who are not affiliated to any of its powerful forces or families as a way of easing tensions. In the case of new Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, this may at least partially explain how he managed to earn the votes of 72 out of 118 MPs with a mandate to form a new government. However, according to experts, there are no guarantees that Mikati, a successful businessman and ex-prime minister, will be able to form a new coalition government, at least not without regional and international support. Two of the countrys Sunni politicians have failed to do so since last Augusts devastating explosions in the Port of Beirut, the first being former diplomat Mustafa Adib who lost hopes of doing so after a month. The second was Saad Al-Hariri, another former prime minister and the son of former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri. Saad Al-Hariri fought a nine-month battle with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, backed by the Shia group Hizbullah, over the new government line-up. After meeting with Aoun for less than half an hour on 15 July, he told reporters that it is clear that we will not be able to agree with the president on a new government. Al-Hariri had reportedly refused to give Aoun and Gebran Bassil, the presidents son-in-law and leader of the Christian Free Patriotic Movement, a third of the seats in the new cabinet including the interior and justice ministries. This is widely known as the blocking third in Lebanon, as the resignation of a third of the ministers inevitably leads to the collapse of the government. The context of Al-Hariris efforts counted for a lot, as the clashes took place against the background of French and EU sanctions against various Lebanese politicians for creating deadlock in the countrys politics and the halt of Arab financial support for Lebanon amid fears of total Hizbullah control and a heartbreaking set of socio-economic challenges. One US dollar is now worth 1,514 Lebanese pounds, and fuel prices have increased by more than a third after the caretaker government of Hassan Diab reduced subsidies. Lebanon is facing huge shortages of electricity, medicines, and basic supplies. How the country is able to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic at the same time is almost unimaginable. These are the conditions that Mikati has inherited, a man described by the international media as Harvard-educated who was the public works and transport minister in three cabinets from 1998 to 2004. He led the government for three years from June 2011 until February 2014, and he was prime minister for three months after Rafik Al-Hariris assassination and Syrias withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005. Those were tough times, but today things are if anything even harder, especially as Mikati cannot guarantee the extent of any European and US support he will receive. When French President Emmanuel Macron came to Lebanon in August last year, he met with Hizbullah MPs, and, as reported in the French newspaper Le Figaro at the time, told them he wanted to work with them. Similarly, the Biden administration is set to lift sanctions on Hizbullahs patron in Tehran, which will trickle down eventually to Hizbullah and through it also to Lebanon. In other words, the US posture towards Iran, and Frances towards Hizbullah, makes the proposition of EU sanctions even more moot, Tony Badran, a Lebanon expert at the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told Al-Ahram Weekly two days before Al-Hariri stepped down. Meanwhile, Mikati does not seem to be optimistic about his prospects either, saying on Monday that frankly, with regard to the government, I was hoping the pace would be faster after a meeting with Aoun. This is one reason why Lebanon will need the support of regional actors, including Egypt, to finalise the formation of a new government. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi met Al-Hariri in Cairo in July and reaffirmed Egypts full support for Al-Hariris political path, which aims at restoring stability to Lebanon. On 31 July, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri noted that Egypt wants to help Lebanon end its current crisis, stressing that there are strong relations between Egypt and the Lebanese people. His comments came during a meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, a sign that settling the Lebanese crisis is a regional priority for Egypt. Egypt has been providing financial and technical assistance to the Lebanese port sector since last years blasts, Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Yasser Elwi said on 29 July. The announcement followed the Egyptian Arab Contractors Company being awarded a project to develop the northern port of Tripoli and its facilities. Further economic and technological projects by Egypt in Lebanon will follow, Elwi said. Rabha Seif Allam, a Lebanon expert at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, said that several political forces in Lebanon have said they will not join Mikatis government, especially since a new one will be negotiated after next years parliamentary elections. She said that Egypt has always represented the voice of wisdom in Lebanon, especially when the parties in Lebanese politics have been backed by regional forces such as Saudi Arabia or Iran. Its willingness to deal with all the parties in Lebanese politics sets Egypt apart from other states in the region. Egypt has very good relations with Shia Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea, Allam said. The reason is that Egypt does not back one Lebanese side against the other. It backs all the state institutions in Lebanon, including the army, and it has played an important role in the selection of the Lebanese mufti, who is independent, she said. Egyptian companies, especially those working in the fields of electricity and energy, have always been present in Lebanon. After the 2006 war, Egypt contributed to the reconstruction of many electricity facilities in the country, she added. She said that Turkey had sought to win the Tripoli port project in order to replace the port destroyed in Beirut and that Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated groups in the northern city had welcomed the Turkish step. It was highly competent on Egypts part to earn what the Turks were looking forward to getting, Allam concluded. *A version of this article appears in print in the 5 August, 2021 edition ofAl-Ahram Weekly https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/418343.aspx Egyptian wrestlers Mohamed Ibarahim Elsayed "Kesho" and Mohamed Metwally missed out on a place in the final of their respective contests after heartbreaking losses on Tuesday. Kesho threw away a comfortable lead to lose 7-6 to Ukraine's Parviz Nasibov in the men's 67kg category. Kesho led 5-0 at one point but Nasibov staged a superb fightback to snatch a victory at the death. The Egyptian led 6-4 with less than 30 seconds remaining, opting to merely defend with the clock ticking towards the end. However, Nasibov had the upper hand when it mattered most as Kesho's late challenge was not successful. In the men's 87kg category, Metwally also led 2-1 following the end of the first period against 2018 world silver medalist Viktor Lorincz of Hungary but ended up losing 9-2. Lorincz slipped away in the second half with some great moves to widen the gap and secure a deserved victory. There is still chance for redemption for the Egyptian duo as they will contest bronze medals on Wednesday. The iconic Karam Gaber was the last Egyptian wrestler to win an Olympic medal, having clinched silver in 2012 in London. KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 22:32 | All, Japan, World The foreign ministers of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Tuesday on the importance of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, where China has conflicting territorial claims with some of the 10-member bloc. In an online meeting with his ASEAN counterparts, Toshimitsu Motegi stressed Japan's opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo of the Indo-Pacific by force, but did not single out China, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. "As we face the challenge posed by the coronavirus pandemic, it is important for us to maintain and strengthen principles of the rule of law and transparency in the Indo-Pacific region," Motegi said at the beginning of the talks. Motegi also reiterated Japan's support for ASEAN's bid to implement its five-point consensus on how to tackle the political crisis in Myanmar following a Feb. 1 coup by the military, including the immediate cessation of violence and constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, the ministry said. Touching on ASEAN's effort to dispatch a special envoy to help deal with the situation, Motegi said, "A tangible result will be needed," promising Tokyo's continued engagement with ASEAN's actions on the matter. The Japanese minister invited the leaders of the ASEAN countries to Japan for a summit in 2023 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of building friendship and cooperative relationships between Tokyo and the regional bloc. The ministers also discussed cooperation in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, with Japan pledging to provide more vaccine doses and support for the health care system in the ASEAN countries. Tokyo has so far offered 9.6 million vaccine doses to the regional body, according to the ministry. Japan and ASEAN ministers also agreed on the importance of stripping North Korea of its nuclear and missile development programs. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Four of the 10 members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- as well as Taiwan have overlapping territorial claims with China in the South China Sea, through which much of Japan's oil imports pass. In a separate meeting, foreign ministers of ASEAN, Japan, China and South Korea -- a cooperation framework known as ASEAN plus three -- discussed the importance of an early implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Japanese ministry said. The free trade pact, signed last November by all the 13 countries plus Australia and New Zealand and expected to be in force as early as by the end of this year, involves removal of tariffs on 91 percent of goods and standardization of rules on investment and intellectual properties. On climate change, Motegi pledged Japan's assistance for the ASEAN countries' transition to a carbon-free society. He also expressed Japan's readiness to help member states establish a free and open digital space through development of infrastructure and human resources, the Japanese ministry said. Related coverage: Brunei candidate mulled as ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar Japan to hold meeting with Mekong states including Myanmar next week U.S. raps China at ASEAN meeting for unlawful claims in S. China Sea KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 15:10 | Sports, News, All, World Japan said Tuesday it has reassured South Korea over the safety of Fukushima foodstuffs provided during the Olympics as Seoul offers its own food to prevent athletes from eating meals containing ingredients from the prefecture hit by the 2011 nuclear crisis. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference, "I want to make (the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics) an opportunity to send a message to the world that agricultural, forestry and fishery products from the disaster-hit areas are safe." Motegi also said he hopes participants of the major international sporting events can see how the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan, including Fukushima, has recovered with support of other countries. Late last month, Tokyo conveyed to Seoul its concerns over the establishment of South Korea's own food service to athletes, saying the practice causes further reputational damage on Fukushima products, which have been tested and proven safe, according to Japanese government sources. The South Korean government has told reporters that it did not instruct the delegation to launch such a food service. The development has added tension to the already frayed ties between the Asian neighbors, stemming from disputes over wartime history and compensation issues. Japan also expressed concerns to South Korea about local media being critical of bouquets using flowers from Fukushima that are given to medalists at the Olympics, the sources said. South Korea continues to ban imports of fishery products from Fukushima and nearby prefectures, more than a decade after the earthquake and tsunami disaster that triggered the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power station. Seoul is also strongly against Tokyo's plan to release treated radioactive water accumulating at the Fukushima Daiichi complex into the sea. KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 19:50 | All, World, Coronavirus China's central city of Wuhan, the original epicenter of the novel coronavirus pandemic, has locked down certain areas after local authorities confirmed new infection cases for the first time in around one year, state-run media reported Tuesday. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, will conduct citywide COVID-19 nucleic acid testing, the official China Global Television Network quoted the authorities as saying, with Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. saying it has suspended production at its factory there. The Chinese government has taken radical "zero corona" steps, such as compelling foreign visitors to be quarantined at designated facilities for at least 14 days, to keep the epidemic under control. But the virus has recently begun raging again at home, with the Delta variant first identified in India spreading, sparking fears about the outlook for the broader economy. In late May, some people in the southern city of Guangzhou were infected with the variant. In Wuhan, the lockdown that had suddenly started from Jan. 23 last year was lifted 76 days after it was imposed. The authorities had suspended all public transportation services and significantly restricted the movements of citizens. The local government also rushed to bolster its capacity to cope with the virus outbreak, including building more hospitals. After the lockdown, it carried out virus tests on almost all of the city's 11 million residents. The United States and other democratic nations, meanwhile, have promoted the theory that the virus may be traced back to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, claiming some researchers there developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the fall of 2019. China has argued that its joint study with the World Health Organization on the origin concluded it is extremely unlikely that the virus escaped from the laboratory. The state-run Xinhua News Agency said Hubei Province reported three new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and six asymptomatic cases on Monday. All the locally transmitted confirmed cases were registered in Wuhan. Among the asymptomatic cases, five were discovered in the city, the news agency added. The Chinese mainland recorded 90 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, with 61 being local transmissions and 29 from overseas, CGTN said on Tuesday, citing the country's National Health Commission. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases on the mainland reached 93,193, with the death toll unchanged at 4,636, according to the commission. In Beijing, the municipal authorities have also locked down some areas of the nation's capital, around where an infected case was detected late last month. KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 23:50 | Sports, News, All Elaine Thompson-Herah became the first woman to win the 100, 200-meter double at two Olympic Games on Tuesday when the Jamaican ran 21.53 seconds to claim 200 gold at the Tokyo Games. With Usain Bolt in retirement, Jamaica has installed a new ruler on the country's sprint throne, Thompson-Herah adding a national record over 200 to the 100 Olympic record she set on Saturday. "Oh my god, it's amazing that I have ever seen this day. That I could complete another double, I can't believe it," said Thompson-Herah. "I really had to pull it out to win the 200. It's a new PB (personal best) and a national record. I am so, so happy...Honestly I am so tired, my legs just need some rest. I've done so many races in the last few days, but I am very grateful." The 29-year-old finished in clear air at the National Stadium, with Christine Mboma of Namibia crossing in 21.81, a new world under-20 record for the 18-year-old. "This is my first Olympics. I came here for experience but I did better (than I expected). I am really happy with my performance. I am proud of myself," said Mboma, who won Namibia's first medal of the Olympics and only fifth ever. American Gabrielle Thomas was third, 0.06 behind the silver medalist. In the morning session, Norway's Karsten Warholm smashed his own men's 400-meter hurdles world record by 0.76 second in winning gold. Warholm crossed the line in 45.94, beating American Rai Benjamin by 0.23 in a close race held in hot and humid conditions. Benjamin's 46.17 time would have broken Warholm's old world record of 46.70, clocked about a month ago. "I always say that a perfect race doesn't exist, but this is the closest I think I've come," the 25-year-old Warholm said. Benjamin, who is also 25, said it was the "best race in Olympic history," while admitting he needs time to process his loss. Alison dos Santos of Brazil took the bronze at his first Olympics. In the women's 800, U.S. athlete Athing Mu was a cut above, taking a 1-minute, 55.21-second win ahead of Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain and American Raevyn Rogers. The field events on Tuesday brought long jump gold for Germany's Malaika Mihambo. She landed the longest leap of the day in her sixth and final attempt to snatch gold. Mihambo's 7.0-meter splash took the lead from American Brittney Reese, who finished in silver with 6.97. Ese Brume of Nigeria finished third, two spots better than her Rio de Janeiro Olympic result in 2016. Women's hammer was won by Anita Wlodarczyk, the Pole taking her third straight Olympic title in the event. Wlodarczyk threw 78.48, well off her 2016 Games distance, but more than enough to beat Wang Zheng of China and another Polish thrower, Malwina Kopron. Armand Duplantis of Sweden won men's pole vault gold, flying a full 5 centimeters clear of Christopher Nilsen of the United States and 15 cm higher than bronze medalist Thiago Braz of Brazil. In an ominous sign for the competition, Canada's Andre de Grasse set a 19.73 men's national record in recording the fastest time of the 200-meter semifinals. Kenneth Bednarek ran 19.83 for the second-fastest time but his American countryman Noah Lyles almost regretted a decision to relax down the stretch in the second heat. The 2019 world champion over the distance only got through as a fastest third-place qualifier when he was beaten at the line by quick-finishing Liberian Joseph Fahnbulleh. KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 23:52 | World, All Ebrahim Raisi, former judiciary chief of Iran and a conservative hard-liner, was endorsed as the new president of the country by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday. Following his landslide victory in the presidential election in June, Raisi was officially confirmed at a ceremony in Tehran as the new president of Iran, which has had tense relations with the international community including the United States over issues such as nuclear development. In his speech at the ceremony, Raisi acknowledged the deterioration of the economy and said he has "major plans" to reform the country, a report by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said. "The new government seeks to remove the sanctions but will not let economic conditions rely on financial embargos," he said, referring to crippling sanctions imposed by the United States, according to the report. The anti-U.S. Muslim cleric, the first conservative hard-liner coming into power in eight years, replaced relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani who had advocated constructive cooperation with the international community. The Rouhani administration struck a 2015 deal with six major powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- agreeing to limit Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief. The deal initially had a positive impact on the economy. But in 2018, after then President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement, subsequent U.S. sanctions caused rising prices, a plunging currency and high unemployment in Iran. Raisi has promised to fight poverty and indicated that he would continue indirect talks with the United States on reviving the nuclear deal while calling for sanctions against Iran to be lifted. But it is seen that Raisi will not make a major compromise in the indirect talks with the United States, which may intensify the confrontation between the two countries. In addition to sanctions that have damaged Iran's economy, the country has been struggling with a surge in coronavirus infections and other problems such as water shortage amid drought, which have exacerbated public dissatisfaction. Raisi will be sworn in as the president at parliament on Thursday and form his Cabinet in mid-August. Current Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who led Iran's talks with the six major powers when they struck the 2015 deal, is likely to be replaced by a conservative hard-liner, according to sources close to the matter. Related coverage: Japan foreign minister eyes visit to Iran in Aug.: sources Iran's president-elect Raisi demands U.S. lift all sanctions Iran elects conservative hard-liner Raisi as new president KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 11:30 | World, All A joint exercise involving the naval forces of India, the United States, Japan and Australia will be held this year again, the Indian government has said. The planned exercise, which is called Malabar, will be held in the western Pacific and is aimed at keeping China in check amid the Asian power's increasing assertiveness in regional waters. The Indian government announced the plans on Monday. Last year's drills by the four major Indo-Pacific democracies known as the Quad were held in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Separately, India will hold bilateral exercises with Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia in waters such as the South China Sea, where China has made expansive claims. The Indian Navy will be dispatched this month for the drills, which will be held over about two months. The Indian government has put forward plans to advance military cooperation with friendly nations for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Arrangements are being made for the four Indo-Pacific democracies to hold a summit meeting in the United States in late September. KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2021 - 20:16 | All, Japan A Japanese court on Tuesday ruled as unconstitutional the now-defunct eugenics protection law that authorized the government to stop people with disabilities from having children, but rejected a claim for damages sought by five people. It was the sixth ruling in a series of similar lawsuits and the fourth declaring the obsolete law to be unconstitutional. Demands for compensation have been rejected in all the rulings on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired 20 years after the forced surgeries. The plaintiffs are planning to appeal the ruling, according to their lawyers. On Tuesday, the Kobe District Court concluded that the law had deprived the plaintiffs of the opportunity to decide whether to give birth and raise a child. "The purpose (of the law) was extremely inhumane and violated the Constitution, which holds the basic idea of respecting individuals," Presiding Judge Akiyoshi Koike said in handing down the ruling. The five plaintiffs from Hyogo Prefecture -- two couples with hearing impairment and one woman with cerebral palsy -- had sought a total of 55 million yen ($504,000) in compensation from the government. Of them, Kimiko Kobayashi, 88, was forced to abort her child and sterilized around 1960, according to the ruling. Yumi Suzuki, 65, underwent forced sterilization in 1968 at the age of 12 without any explanation. About 25,000 people with disabilities were sterilized under the law, including around 16,500 who were operated on without their consent, according to government data. After neglecting the issue for years, Japan's parliament enacted legislation in April 2019 to pay 3.2 million yen in state compensation to each person who underwent forced sterilization, but there was a backlash over the uniform amount, among other reasons. The latest ruling comes amid expectations among those affected by the 1948 law and their supporters that the ongoing Tokyo Olympics would provide the impetus necessary to resolve the issue if it captures the attention of foreign media. In 1994, a disabled Japanese woman called for abolishing the law at the U.N.-coordinated International Conference on Population and Development held in Egypt, which became a catalyst for its abolition two years later. Related coverage: Court rules defunct eugenics law unconstitutional, denies damages Woman sues Japan gov't over forced sterilization under eugenics law Japan court rejects damages suit by man in forced sterilization case New Delhi: As scientists and space enthusiasts in the world gear up to witness the longest total lunar eclipse or the blood moon or Chandra Granhan 2018 of the 21st century on Friday, July 27, heavy rain and cloudy skies are likely to play spoilsport for common viewers in India. Several parts of the country has been affected by incessant rainfall and flood situation. As a matter of fact, in view of the wet weather, the Astronomical Society of India has cautioned against creating a hype around the blood moon event in a statement. "For serious astronomers, this event does offer an extraordinary opportunity to study Mars through their telescopes. However, the layperson who might expect to see dramatic details of the surface of Mars would probably be disappointed," the ASI said in the release. Also Read | Soon, the blue moon will turn hauntingly blood red | When to watch "Since we are in the middle of the monsoon here in India, the sky is likely to be cloudy," the ASI said. In India, the celestial event can be witnessed most clearly in Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu. "People in Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil Nadu are most likely to be able to witness the event clearly," Aniket Sule, Chair of the Public Outreach and Education Committee (POEC) of ASI, told PTI. The total lunar eclipse The total lunar eclipse will coincide with another relatively rare celestial phenomenon known as the Mars opposition on July 27. The celestial show will coincide with the closest movement of Mars towards earth, scientists say. Also Read | How cell-sized robots can help diagnose disease in your body It is expected that the moon will turn blood red as it crosses the earths shadow. And, at 10:37 pm IST, Mars, Earth, and the Sun will be moving along as straight a line as possible. The lunar eclipse 2018 will last one hour and 43 minutes, nearly 40 minutes longer than the Super Blue Blood Moon of January 31. Read | Asteroid fragment found in Botswanas Kalahari Game Mars would rise around the sunset time and will set around the time of sunrise. An opposition happens when Mars is the closest to Earth in its orbit, both on the same side of the Sun. The red planet will appear brighter and bigger than usual. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday expressed his concerned and said India is way behind in the overall happiness ranking in spite of having high GDP growth and being one of the top economic powers. According to a world survey, India ranks 133rd in the overall happiness ranking 2018, Mukherjee said. The former president added that the ranking indicates a holistic approach towards development in spite of high average life expectancy rate (68 years at present) and a massive jump in foodgrain production since independence, This (poor happiness ranking) indicates lack of holistic approach towards development... Quest for happiness is closely tied with the quest for sustainable development - a culmination for human well being, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, Mukherjee said at an Indian Chamber of Commerce event in Kolkata. He suggested that there should be focus on mental well-being of people and social welfare, with the needed push on economic growth. The Padma Vibhushan awardee also added economy should not revolve around profit making alone, but one has to consider about the planet and people for laying a strong foundation of industrial development and growth. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. J&K: The conflicts between India and Pakistan never stops and even India is tired of Pakistan's wicked conspiracy theories. Recently A Pakistani terrorist Babar Ali has been killed in an encounter by the security forces in the Chhandaji region of Bandipora, police said on Tuesday. "On 23/24 July, an operation was carried out at Shokbaba forest area in which three terrorists were killed, including one Pakistani terrorist. Another terrorist escaped from the jungle and was being tracked ever since," informed Dilbagh Singh, Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir. "Last night information about his presence in village Chhandaji was received and an operation was launched during the course of which a Pakistani terrorist Babar Ali of Pakistan's Punjab has been killed," the DGP added. The three terrorists neutralized in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora in July were members of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. On July 25, Kashmir Zone Inspector General Vijay Kumar had said, "Among the three terrorists killed in the Bandipora encounter yesterday, one was Shakir Altaf Baba who had crossed over to Pakistan from Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar in 2018. The three killed were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba." Suryakumar Yadav departs for UK by remembering blessings... BJPs central leadership set to finalise Karnataka ministerial list today RJD leader speaks on Hockey team's defeat at Olympics- India's performance in Tokyo is... Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday endorsed Ebrahim Raisi as the new President of the Islamic republic. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will officially confirm Ebrahim Raisi as the Islamic Republics new president in a ceremony today ( August 3), marking the end of Hassan Rouhanis government. Khamenei gave his official approval to Raisi at a ceremony broadcast live on state television according to report. Both Khamenei and Raisi are scheduled to give speeches in the televised event that will formally approve his presidency, the reports added Raisi has said he aims to continue negotiations with world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which have been put on hold until he takes office, but has signaled that he wont make the issue the centerpiece of his foreign policy. In June, Raisi was elected by the Iranians as their eighth president since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 by promising to improve the economic conditions which have been seriously affected by US sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic. Intl Monetary Fund approves largest SDR allocation in history to boost liquidity Russia says United States asked 24 of its diplomats to leave by September 3 Indian American girl declared the brightest student in Johns Hopkins' world's 'brightest' list Russias Ambassador Anatoly Antonov to the United States, said that Washington had asked 24 Russian diplomats to leave the country by September 3 due to visa expiration. "We received a list of twenty-four diplomats who are expected to leave the country before September 3, 2021," said Antonov. He added, "Almost all of them will leave without replacements because Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures. last December the State Department unilaterally established a three-year limit on the assignment period for Russian personnel in the US that, as far as we know, is not applied to any other country". Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Ned Price responded on Monday that Antonov's "characterisation of the situation is not accurate. It's incorrect". "The three-year limit on visa validity for Russians, it's nothing new. When visas expire these individuals are expected to leave the country or apply for an extension. That is what is at play here," he told before media briefing. The Russian Ambassador's comment came two days after the State Department said it had laid off 182 local employees and dozens of contractors at American diplomatic facilities in Russia as requested by Moscow. Indian American girl declared the brightest student in Johns Hopkins' world's 'brightest' list Wuhan to test all residents as Covid-19 cases emerge after a year Ismail Haniyeh elected second time as Hamas chief Cybersecurity New report details America's water infrastructure cyber vulnerabilities Danny Jenkins, CEO and cofounder of the cybersecurity firm ThreatLocker, was terrified when he first heard the details behind a cyberattack on a Florida water treatment plant earlier this year. Officials said hackers exploited an outdated version of Windows in an apparent attempt to poison the water supply for a local community. Jenkins wasn't just alarmed that hackers had successfully managed to gain remote access to the plant's TeamViewer software to jack up levels of sodium hydroxide to a lethal dosage, but that a single operator could potentially tamper with the chemical levels - regardless of whether that person was a hacker or utility employee. "Why was an operator, a single person, able to turn a dial that could poison the water?" Jenkins said in a recent interview with FCW. "Water companies tend to live in the past because their technologies live in the past Regardless of the IT parts of this and the controls we put in place, the limitations need to be put in place as well." On Tuesday, ThreatLocker published a report titled Protecting water infrastructure against cyberattacks, which explores issues water utilities have faced when looking to improve their cybersecurity posture. Jenkins said he hoped the report can serve as a framework for officials tasked with creating new guidelines on best cybersecurity practices for water management and other critical industries ahead of a Sept. 22 deadline from in the recent White House memorandum on improving cybersecurity for critical infrastructure control systems. Water utilities plagued by lack of IT cybersecurity funding ThreatLocker's report detailed severely limited information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) financial resources for water utilities across the country. For example, at least 38% of systems nationwide have allocated less than 1% of their overall budgets to IT cybersecurity, according to Information Systems Audit and Control Association's (ISACA) "Cybersecurity 2021 State of the Industry." Another 22.1% of systems were allocating just 1% to 5% of their budgets towards addressing IT cybersecurity issues. State and local infrastructure advocates have testified on Capitol Hill in recent weeks about the need for increased federal investments in cybersecurity resources around water infrastructure for rural and small communities. The $1 trillion infrastructure bill currently being considered in the U.S. Senate also includes a section on cybersecurity support for public water systems as part of a planned $48.4 billion investment in water infrastructure. The bill tasks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to prioritize risks to public water systems and the sources of drinking water. Under the bill, federal officials will provide site vulnerability and risk assessments, along with additional support and consultation, for public water systems which CISA determines should be prioritized for cybersecurity support. A federal auditing process for water utilities similar to the one detailed in the legislation may also help provide clearer, standardized regulations for any public water system hoping to improve its cyber posture, Jenkins said. Experts at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing in July pointed to federal initiatives they said were currently underutilized, like the Rural Water Circuit Rider Program, which can provide technical assistance like cybersecurity training and other resources to water utilities and their employees. The water industry has largely failed to establish clear, universal guidelines around cybersecurity on its own, the report noted, with water infrastructure management typically left up to local municipalities or private firms. A recent Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water-ISAC) survey showed a majority of water utilities have yet to fully assess risks to their own IT assets. Though added financial resources can go a long way in improving cyber posture, Jenkins noted water utilities were in need of clear guidance on how to spend funds in order to adequately protect their infrastructure. "I hope the government is putting together tangible guidance which people can actually follow as opposed to vagueness," he said. "Everyone wants a list of ways to move forward. Nobody knows what to do right now." FCW Insider: Aug. 3, 2021 Water utilities across the country are plagued by a lack of cybersecurity funding and qualified personnel, a ThreatLocker report warns. The $1 trillion infrastructure bill moving in the Senate includes several measures designed to prioritize the cybersecurity of the water supply. According to a GAO report, the Defense Department may have $4 billion in eligible reimbursements for contractors under the CARES Act. The leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee are looking to get the federal workforce particularly program managers and acquisition specialists on board with artificial intelligence. Steve Kelman notes an example of government reinvention at the very local level. Quick Hits *** The infrastructure bill currently under consideration in the Senate includes $1 billion for state and local cybersecurity grants over four years to be administered by the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency. The legislation also includes $21 million to get the National Cyber Director office off the ground, a $100 million cyber response and recovery fund, $35 million for CISA's critical infrastructure capabilities and $157 million for cyber research and development to be managed by the Science & Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. The bill is expected to be amended with potentially more tech items added to the mix before a final vote. *** The National Archives and Records Administration is now accepting comments on a draft strategic plan covering fiscal years 2022-2026. In the plan, the agency projects that by 2026, "NARA will provide policy, requirements, and oversight to support a transparent, inclusive and fully digital government." *** The Commerce Department is using bots to cut the time it takes employees to correct inaccurate forms and process records from hours to minutes a game-changer that's giving employees in the Enterprise Services Division time to focus on more complicated customer service tasks, the agency says. GCN has more on this story. (Bloomberg) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended a ban evictions in areas of the country with substantial and high transmission of coronavirus on Tuesday, after a firestorm of criticism from Democrats following the lapse of a previous moratorium on Saturday. The emergence of the delta variant has led to a rapid acceleration of community transmission in the United States, putting more Americans at increased risk, especially if they are unvaccinated, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings where Covid-19 spreads. The CDC said the new ban, which will be in place until Oct. 3, would allow more time for the federal government and states to enact a rental assistance program thats suffered bureaucratic delays and for more Americans to be vaccinated against the virus. An increase in evictions, Walensky said, could increase the likelihood of new spikes in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Such mass evictions and the attendant public health consequences would be very difficult to reverse. The move shows the extent to which the spread of the delta variant has upended the Biden administrations agenda. President Joe Biden earlier said the CDC announcement was expected, but warned that the new ban would face legal challenges and may be found unconstitutional. Biden said he hoped the measure would buy time for the administration and states to dole out money from a $47 billion rental assistance program that has languished since Congress approved it late last year. The new moratorium is likely to face obstacles, he said at the White House, given indications by a majority of justices on the Supreme Court that the CDCs expired ban wasnt legal. He said his administration has been urging states and localities to more quickly distribute the billions of dollars Congress provided to help struggling renters and landlords. Story continues Ive sought out constitutional scholars to determine what is the best possibility that would come from executive action or the CDCs judgment -- what could they do that was most likely to pass muster constitutionally? Biden said. The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says its not likely to pass constitutional muster, number one. But there are several key scholars who say that it may and its worth the effort. The new moratorium will cover about 80% of U.S. counties and 90% of renters, a person familiar with the matter said. Progressive Anger Progressives were angered when the White House called for Congress to act on an extension of the previous moratorium on Thursday, just two days before it expired. And one liberal Democrat, Representative Mondaire Jones of New York, criticized Bidens rollout of the latest ban. It is odd, I think, to raise issues about the constitutionality of your own executive action shortly before making that executive action, he said, predicting that lawyers for landlords who challenge the moratorium would cite Bidens words in their court filings. That is not the behavior, that is not the commentary of someone who is actually trying to help people, Jones said. And its really frustrating to hear that kind of language come from the president of the United States. But the move to issue a new eviction moratorium was applauded by other Democratic lawmakers and housing advocates. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a day of extraordinary relief and said the new ban will provide time for the money allocated by Congress to flow, as it helps to stop the spread of the virus due the delta variant and protects families and landlords. The executive director of the activist group MoveOn.org, Rahna Epting, said pressure from progressive lawmakers had forced the Biden administration to act. She cited Representative Cori Bush of Missouri, who slept on the steps of the Capitol for several nights beginning on Friday to protest the expiration of the previous ban. She showed us the urgency and the substance of this and how it will affect millions of people. This could have quietly gone into the night if she had not organized and protested, Epting said. Legal Arguments The Biden White House faced days of harsh criticism from its own party for the lapse in the eviction moratorium on July 31. Advocates said millions of Americans potentially could be forced from their homes as Covid-19 cases surged. The White House spent days trying to explain the legal reasoning behind an initial CDC decision that it couldnt issue another extension and sent top officials to Capitol Hill, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, to answer lawmakers questions. Earlier Tuesday, Yellen faced considerable anger from House Democrats, who demanded the administration take immediate action to extend the ban on evictions, according to multiple people who participated in the call. Yellen stressed that the administration was focused on getting states and localities to more quickly distribute the rental assistance Congress has already approved. Biden said that at a minimum litigation over the new moratorium will give some additional time while were getting that $45 billion out to people who are, in fact, behind in the rent and dont have the money. (Adds more details from CDC statement beginning in third paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. John King knew his small town of Rockdale, Texas, had landed on the global crypto map when three Chinese bitcoin miners showed up at City Hall unannounced this summer. Then came the phone calls to the citys Chamber of Commerce, from investors asking about power hookups, to connect mining equipment they planned to ship from China. None had ever stepped foot inside the rural Texas community, with a population of roughly 5,600 people. I didn't have any inkling [about what was happening in China] until my first phone call, King said. But there are lots of smaller miners that are pulling together and trying to come over here now. The interest, sparked by a crypto mining crackdown in China is poised to give Rockdale a significant lift, as miners scan the globe for new opportunities, setting off an exodus dubbed the great bitcoin mining migration. From neighboring Kazakhstan to Canada and the United States, Chinese players are scrambling to find real estate to rehouse their data servers, shifting the crypto power dynamic away from a country thats long been home to more than half of the worlds bitcoin miners. Demand is much larger than the supply because now, all of our capacities are gone. We are building one more data center that will be deployed in October and it's already booked, said Didar Bekbauov, founder of Xive, which helps miners relocate to Kazakhstan. I think every spare kilowatt in Kazakhstan is already booked. Right now a lot of Chinese are reaching us like every day asking for capacities. Its kind of a crazy market. ROCKDALE, TX - JUNE 23: David Schatz, Vice President of Operations for Whinstone, a cryptocurrency mining company recently acquired by Riot Blockchain, explains how miners work at a Riot Blockchain facility in Rockdale, TX, on June 23, 2021. Riot Blockchain, a Bitcoin mining company that hosts Bitcoin mining equipment for clients, houses the largest Bitcoin mining facility in the U.S. in Rockdale, TX. Key drivers for mining migration Cheap electricity has become a key driver in the migration, largely because the crypto mining process where new coins are entered into circulation, consumes enormous amounts of energy. The Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance (CCAF) estimates energy usage to total roughly 110 Terawatt Hours per year, roughly equivalent to the annual energy consumed by small countries like Sweden or Malaysia. Story continues The state of Texas provides an attractive alternative with some of the worlds cheapest energy prices, in part, because the states deregulated power grid allows providers to choose between providers. The cost of electricity is roughly a quarter of where it is elsewhere in the country, according to Riot Blockchain CEO Jason Les, who recently acquired Whinstone U.S. just outside of Rockdale, the owner and operator of the largest bitcoin mining and hosting facility in North America. Try Yahoo Finance Plus now. Les said the structure of the Texas grid allows bitcoin miners to act like a virtual power plant by securing long term power purchase agreements up front, with the flexibility to sell some of that power back to the grid, when the market price of energy becomes very high during peak demand. It's kind of an economic calculation for miners. They see, oh wow, the price of energy is going up so not only does it not make sense for me to mine bitcoin anymore, but it actually makes sense for me to take the power that I own and sell that back to the grid, Les said. When you have intermittent generation sources like wind and solar, loads like Bitcoin mining help provide that reliable demand." That increasing abundance of renewable energy has also contributed to the boon, as miners face scrutiny over their carbon footprint. Roughly 20% of Texass energy is generated by wind power, though fossil-fuel generated natural gas accounts for nearly half of the energy mix. It really depends on the company itself. If a company comes into Texas and they start mining bitcoin, they can choose to buy all of their power from renewables if they want to, said Josh Rhodes, a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute. If they just go by what is on the market... about half of their power on the system just writ large is going to come from fossil fuels. Capitalizing on the exodus Shenzhen-based BIT Mining has already invested $26 million in a 57-megawatt data center in Texas, according to Nikkei Asia, while Beijing-based Bitmain is planning to expand capacity at its Rockdale facility by 20,000 additional servers, according to King. Whinstone is looking to capitalize on the mining rush, by adding an additional 400 megawatts to its facility or 200,000 servers total, to potentially host other miners coming into the market. We have been talking to a number of people and we're seeing what the hosting market looks like, Les said. What we're focused on is building capacity at that site, to kind of leave ourselves optionality there. Lawmakers have moved aggressively to take advantage of the exodus as well. Earlier this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law to establish a legal framework for cyptocurrency investments in the state. In a subsequent tweet, Abbott declared that blockchain is a booming industry Texas needs to be involved in. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Viability of the power grid For all of the excitement around Texas bitcoin boom, there are concerns about the impact the accompanying energy usage is likely to have on the states infrastructure, which suffered major power outages during peak usage this winter. Rhodes conducted a study on the grids ability to withstand demand through 2035, and said much of the viability concerns largely depends on the miners ability to remain flexible and shut down operations during peak demand. That flexibility can also lead to a lower carbon footprint, according to Rhodes. If they're not flexible and they just run 24-7, they increase carbon emissions on the grid because we're using more energy, and some of the energy that was produced in Texas is made from coal and natural gas, he said. If they're willing to be flexible, if they're willing to dial their usage down roughly 20% over the year at key times that it can actually reduce in net, negative carbon emissions. Because the grid builds a lot of wind and solar to handle the energy that these data centers or these mining facilities would want to consume. Back in Rockdale, King said the city is struggling to keep up with demand. The city cant build out power substations quick enough, to distribute the electricity, as miners continue to take up real estate in his town. All of the power stations are taken up. There's no place to immediately hook on to the power lines without building a substation and that's where the holdup is going to be, King said. It's nobody's fault. It's because it wasn't anticipated that this was coming. Still, King is betting Rockdales future on crypto minings success, in part because he said there is no real alternative. The town built its fortune on aluminum for decades, as home to Alcoas largest smelting operation. Its struggled to find a replacement, since production ceased operations seven years ago. We don't have an industry left here, said King, who recently enrolled in an online MIT course to learn more about the blockchain. We're welcoming the possibility of industry here of any sort, but I think, based on what's going on I think technology is where we're going to end up being. Akiko Fujita is an anchor and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @AkikoFujita Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit The Securities and Exchange Commission said Tuesday it hopes to stake out the space to regulate certain cryptocurrencies and crypto markets, but needs help from Congress first. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler committed to take our authorities as far as they go to ensure investor protection, but said gaps exist in defining the SECs role in regulating the emerging technology. We need additional Congressional authorities to prevent transactions, products, and platforms from falling between regulatory cracks, Gensler said in remarks at the Aspen Security Forum Tuesday. He also asked for more resources to staff up the SECs efforts on crypto. Capitol Hill appears primed to at least listen to the SECs call to action. Last week, Virginia Democrat Don Beyer introduced legislation that would define which digital assets fall under the regulatory purview of the SEC and which ones fall under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Lawmakers are also spending time this week working through text in the infrastructure bill concerning the treatment of crypto brokers for tax reporting purposes. Isaac Boltansky, a director of policy research at Compass Point, cautioned that Congress is unlikely to move immediately to set up the legal framework for regulatory oversight. At the moment there is insufficient consensus regarding these issues on Capitol Hill and the odds are against comprehensive digital asset legislation accordingly, Boltansky told Yahoo Finance in an email. He added that the Gensler speech was a reminder that "no singular regulatory entity will be able to respond with a holistic regulatory regime." Forthcoming reports from the Federal Reserve and a U.S. Treasury-led working group on crypto-related matters may lay out the roadmap for an interagency approach. Make no mistake Still, Genslers remarks offer the deepest look at how he would like the SEC to monitor and enforce in the crypto space. Story continues The SEC chairman warned crypto watchers to make no mistake in recognizing the agencys jurisdiction over tokens sold as securities, trading platforms that allow the exchange of securities, and custody services. Gensler expressed concern that many tokens and exchanges are currently unregistered, examples of gaps that he would like to work with Congress and other regulators in closing. Frankly, at this time, its more like the Wild West, Gensler said, pointing to crypto scams and fraud that could, in some cases, present national security concerns as well. Broadly, Gensler said he was not opposed to cryptocurrencies or the technology that underpin them. Gensler, who researched blockchain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology prior to his SEC role, said he would like to install guardrails on the emerging asset class to protect investors. If somebody wants to invest, as they have in gold or silver, that might be a speculative play. But layer over that investor protection, Gensler said. I think that enhances economic activity. Brian Cheung is a reporter covering the Fed, economics, and banking for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter @bcheungz. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit Combined Entity Creates Leader in North American Hospitality Supplies SAN BERNARDINO, Ca., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Hospitality Supplies Holdings ("CHS" or "the Company"), a consolidation platform backed by HCI Equity Partners ("HCI"), today announced the acquisition of the inventory and select North American operating assets of American Hotel Register Company ("American Hotel"), including American Hotel's "Registry" brand (the "Transaction"). Since 1865, American Hotel has supported the growth of the hospitality industry with more than 70,000 products. In 2017, HCI entered into the hospitality supply business with the purchase of Amtex and its "Infinti" and "Hotelo" brands which have a strong presence in the value and mid-tier hotel markets. Following the Transaction, CHS, with the newly acquired assets of American Hotel and its Amtex business, will create a hospitality supply platform that will enhance the Company's market share, expand the product portfolio, and improve customer engagements through its national fulfillment and salesforce coverage. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Consolidated Hospitality Supplies CHS will offer customers a wider array of products from 5,000 brands, recognized for their quality throughout the hospitality industry. The newly formed company will be ideally positioned to serve customers across the full spectrum from value to luxury hospitality markets. "This is great news for the hospitality industry," said Doug McCormick, Managing Partner of HCI. "With the addition of American Hotel's extensive product portfolio, we have created the most comprehensive product offering of any supplier in the lodging industry." "This acquisition is exciting for us and our partners and will reshape the hospitality industry," said Bill Hirsch, industry veteran and Executive Chair of CHS. "Together, the Amtex and American Hotel brands will be uniquely positioned to serve a wide variety of hospitality customers throughout North America. This acquisition gives us a substantial presence in key categories, builds relationships with new suppliers, and will enable us to provide improved value and service to our customers." Story continues "The pandemic created extreme challenges for American Hotel and its stakeholders, so we are very pleased that CHS will be able to revitalize American Hotel's strong legacy of effectively serving the lodging community," said Geoff Feingold, Vice President of Sales for CHS. "With immediate and significant investment in inventory complemented by CHS' management and infrastructure, we are confident that we can re-establish American Hotel's long history of exceptional service." About Consolidated Hospitality Supplies Holdings CHS is the platform used by HCI to execute its growth strategy of acquiring leading hotel supply brands that customers value while delivering efficiencies through consolidated sourcing and fulfillment. About Amtex Amtex, based in San Bernardino, California, is a leader in providing lodging supplies in North America selling bed & bath, housekeeping, guest care, and furniture supplies. Amtex operates as a one-stop shop for comprehensive lodging supplies with four strategically located warehouses across the U.S. to service its growing customer base across North America. www.myamtex.com About HCI Equity Partners HCI Equity Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder owned distribution, manufacturing and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.hciequity.com. Contact: Lisa Baker Lambert & Co. lbaker@lambert.com Amtex American Hotel Register Company Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consolidated-hospitality-supplies-holdings-acquires-assets-of-american-hotel-register-company-301347532.html SOURCE HCI Equity Partners The potential capacity of the projects is approximately 490 MWdc; the consideration will be paid according to milestones based on the progress in development of the projects and is estimated at a total of up to EUR 49 million Zafrir Yoeli, SVP Business Development: "This is another expansion of our portfolio of projects in Spain, which already includes the largest wind farm in Spain which is in advanced stages of construction (Gecama), as well as another 800MWdc in development. The new portfolio, which already secured grid connection rights to the national electricity grid, will add significant solar power in high-radiation areas and will diversify our production sources in the Iberian region" TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enlight Renewable Energy (TASE: ENLT) announced that it signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of photovoltaic solar energy projects, in several stages, that are currently under development in Spain, with potential aggregate capacity of approximately 490 MWdc. The portfolio is made up of ten projects in two regions, Andalucia and Valencia, which have some of the best radiation in Spain, and supplements the location of the projects the company is building and developing in Spain, currently in the Castilla La Mancha region. The projects are held through special purpose companies, which at this stage hold most of the rights to the land for construction of the projects and the approvals to connect to the electricity grid. The seller is an affiliate of the private investment fund, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., with the development of the projects being done by one of Spain's leading solar development companies, Renovalia Energy Group SLU, as part of the existing development agreement with it. The consideration will be paid according to milestones based on the development of the projects, with most of the consideration being paid upon completion of the development and after all the permits for construction of the projects have been obtained. The first milestone is for an amount that is not material for the company, and it includes a guarantee for most of the rights to the land and rights to connect to the grid. The average consideration upon completion of the development is expected to reach EUR 85,000-100,000 per MWdc, depending on materialization of the various parameters of the different projects. Story continues According to the agreements between the parties, the seller will continue to bear the development costs and guarantees for connection to the grid upon completion of development, and then the company will provide the guarantees for connection to the grid and will reimburse the seller for specific expenses only, such as land costs and connection costs, and only for the projects for which development is successfully completed. Additionally, should the development of a specific project not be completed, the consideration paid for it will be offset against the consideration to be paid for the other projects. Note that the Spanish government recently increased renewable energy production targets to approximately 74% of total energy consumption by 2030, with most expected to come from solar energy, with an estimated additional capacity of 37,000 MW of solar energy. The company estimates that the portfolio projects that materialize will do so gradually, in whole or in part, over a two-year period. Enlight Renewable Energy, established in 2008, is traded on the Tel Aviv 125 Index is 98% publicly held. It is one of the Israeli leaders in initiation, development, financing, construction and operation of ventures for generation of green energy from renewable energy sources. The company operates in Israel and Europe, with a diversified portfolio of income-producing projects, projects under construction and pre-construction, with production capacity of 2,000 MW and additional 2,800 MW in various stages of development. The company enjoys a steadily growing revenue backlog from long-term agreements for the sale of power and is also working to expand its footprint in additional clean energy markets and segments. Cerberus, Founded in 1992, is a global leader in alternative investing with over $55 billion in assets across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. Cerberus invest across the capital structure where their integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. the tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns. For additional information: Orli Kasuto Madmon Scherf Communications Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enlight-signs-agreement-to-acquire-a-portfolio-of-solar-energy-projects-currently-under-development-in-spain-301346731.html SOURCE Enlight Renewable Energy NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mantra Health , a digital mental health clinic that partners with higher education institutions, today announced Merari Flores Saldana, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Clinical Social Work at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, as the recipient of the Mantra College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarship for the 2021 academic year. The $3,000 national scholarship was designed to serve Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander graduate and postdoctoral students pursuing a degree related to mental health and completing work in a university or college counseling center. Merari Flores Saldana, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Clinical Social Work at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, has been awarded the Mantra College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarship for the 2021 academic year. People of color in the U.S. are less likely to receive mental health care compared to their white counterparts. Due to the lack of diversity in the mental health industry , seeking the right provider-patient match can be challenging if a patient is interested in seeing a provider with a shared identity. Mantra Health's diversity scholarship was created as a step toward closing the gap of racial inequities in the mental health field by encouraging more students with minoritized identities to enter mental health as a profession and add more diversity among the pool of providers. Merari Flores Saldana used her winning essay to describe how her identity and experiences as a Latina woman and first-generation student has shaped who she is and why it motivated her to pursue a career in mental health. She wrote, "As a first-generation student and oldest daughter of four, I have taken the initiative on many challenges, including navigating university on my own. My family came from a marginalized community in Mexico, people living there faced poverty, government corruption, and dysfunction within their own families. In Mexican culture, along with other Hispanic cultures, there is a negative stigma towards mental health." As a longtime Florida resident, Merari completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida in Gainesville where she conducted research on how parenting styles and environmental factors can affect youth development. In addition to currently attending FSU, she is completing her summer internship at Capital Regional Medical Center, where she facilitates group therapy sessions for a university outpatient program. This program is unique because it services multiple institutions including a historically black university and helps bridge the gap of mental health services for these students. Although Merari was originally interested in working with youth, this internship has convinced Merari to make a professional shift towards working with college and university students. Story continues "I really enjoy the intellectual conversations and ability to go deeper into topics like identity with this age group," said Saldana. "My goal as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker would be to enhance [university] students' self-determination by giving them the tools to promote their own healing. I would keep empathy at the core of my work by listening non-judgmentally, being compassionate, and recognizing the intersectionalities of others and embracing diversity. I'm passionate about serving other people of color and I want to show representation. I would love students to see someone who reflects them, shares similar cultural experiences, and demonstrate that people of color are capable of pursuing higher education." Merari is entering her second year at FSU in August and will graduate with a Master of Social Work in Spring 2022. "Mantra is thrilled to help support Merari on her path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so she can continue to help university students improve their mental health,'' said Ed Gaussen, CEO and co-founder, Mantra Health. "Her scholarship application stood out because like Mantra she believes everyone deserves quality mental health care and to be able to identify with the professionals they seek help from. It's evident that Merari's personal experiences have made her an ambitious, resilient and compassionate person and we're confident she will have a very successful career. We thank her for sharing her story and hope it helps to inspire others." To learn more about the importance of developing culturally sensitive care experiences for historically-marginalized student communities at colleges and universities, check out Mantra Health's webinar . About Mantra Health Mantra Health is a digital mental health clinic on a mission to improve access to evidence-based mental healthcare for young adults. Through augmenting high-quality clinical services with software and design, we're on a mission to improve the mental health of over 20 million university and college students through partnerships with higher education institutions and health insurance plans. Learn more about Mantra Health at MantraHealth.com . Media Contact: Nate Hermes or Laurel Getz 203-767-5963 mantrahealth@hermesprgroup.com Mantra Healths mission is to improve the mental health of young adults by making evidence-based mental health services, and specifically psychiatric specialty care, within reach of all colleges and universities. (PRNewsfoto/Mantra Health) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-state-university-student-wins-mantra-healths-2021-scholarship-for-students-of-color-pursuing-degrees-in-mental-health-301346508.html SOURCE Mantra Health (Bloomberg) -- The British Navy said a ship was safe after a possible hijacking near Iran raised friction in the region, days after a deadly drone attack on a tanker that the U.S., U.K. and Israel all blamed on the Islamic Republic. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors commercial shipping routes, reported on Wednesday that boarders have left the vessel, which it did not name. A day earlier, it said there was a potential hijack roughly halfway between Iran and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. Shipping publication Lloyds List said the the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess was the vessel. Bloomberg was unable to contact the ships Dubai-based owner or confirm the report. Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, denied that Irans forces boarded ships in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman on Tuesday and warned against rumors and the fake news of Western and Zionist media. Tensions have escalated in and around the waterways of the Persian Gulf -- vital for the worlds oil markets -- in the past week. The U.S. vowed a collective response with its allies to Thursdays drone strike on an Israeli-operated ship, for which Tehran denied responsibility. Washington is moving forces into the region to investigate the attack, the Financial Times reported, citing a U.S. defence official. The U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, said it was aware of the latest incident and was coordinating with regional partners, but that no American vessels were involved in the response. The shipping attacks come amid a change of Irans presidency, with Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric whos long argued against a rapprochement with the U.S., taking office on Tuesday. World powers including the U.S. are waiting to see when his administration will resume stalled nuclear talks, which are meant to limit Tehrans atomic program in return for sanctions relief, including on energy exports. The easing of U.S. sanctions are key to Irans ability to increase oil production. Its crude exports have plummeted to almost nothing from more than 2 million barrels a day in mid-2018. Traders have said it could increase daily output by around 1 million barrels within months of a nuclear deal. Story continues UN Moves The U.K. told the United Nations Security Council that Iran was probably behind the drone attack on the vessel off Oman last week that killed a Romanian and a Briton, a first step in bringing the issue before the world body. Initial assessments by the U.K. and international partners, shared by Romania, concluded that it is highly likely that the merchant vessel Mercer Street was attacked by Iran off the coast of Oman using one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, missions from the U.K., Romania and Liberia wrote in a letter to the council seen by Bloomberg News. Its unlikely, though, that the U.K. and allies including the U.S. can win support for a statement blaming Iran in the 15-member Security Council, where nations including Russia and China have veto power. Israel said earlier it had given allies hard evidence that Iran was behind last weeks deadly attack. No one has any doubt who is behind the incident, but we supplied hard evidence for good measure, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said. Israel is seeking international support for a concerted response, but it also knows how to act on its own, he added. In its own letter to the Security Council, Israels UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the latest attack is yet another instance of maritime terrorism undertaken by Iran on the high seas, similar to other recent attacks that I have already brought to the attention of the Security Council, asking that concrete action be taken. (Updates throughout.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. By Tina Bellon and Akanksha Rana (Reuters) -Lyft Inc on Tuesday posted an adjusted quarterly profit three months ahead of target, seizing on a leaner cost structure as rides rebounded, but it warned of ongoing driver shortages and the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant. The company reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the first time in its nine-year history, and said it would remain profitable on that basis going forward. Lyft shares initially gained 6% in after-hours trading following the announcement but pared gains when executives said during the company's earnings call that revenue per ride was expected to decrease on a sequential quarterly basis. The company said ongoing investments in driver incentives and a decrease in prices for riders would pressure revenue in the third quarter. "The road still remains bumpy given the Delta variant and consumer concerns," said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. Lyft on Tuesday said its platform had continued to grow in July despite increasing concerns over the more contagious Delta variant spreading throughout the United States. Company executives are watching the spread of the Delta variant. "We are cautiously keeping an eye on new developments and expect continued volatility and variability among cities," Chief Financial Officer Brian Roberts said on the conference call. "Future conditions can change rapidly and may impact our outlook." Lyft on Tuesday posted adjusted EBITDA of $23.8 million for the three months ending in June. The adjustments exclude one-time costs, primarily stock-based compensation, which drove a $252 million net loss. Shares of larger rival Uber Technologies Inc, which reports results on Wednesday, pared initial gains in after-hours trading. Ride-hail is only part of Uber's business, however, with the company increasingly relying on its growing food-delivery unit. Story continues Lyft said technological and efficiency improvements made over the last two years had allowed it to reduce both fixed and variable costs, allowing the company to keep expenses down even when ridership ramps up to pre-pandemic levels. The company slashed around $2.5 billion from its expenses in 2020, including through widespread layoffs. On a yearly basis, Lyft nearly halved total cost as a share of revenue in the second quarter and costs were also down significantly compared with 2019. "Our business model has never been more healthy," Lyft President John Zimmer said in an interview with Reuters. Executives on Tuesday said late-night and weekend trips, as well as rides to airports, had significantly increased during the second quarter, in a sign of the company's most profitable rides returning. Overall, ridership grew by more than 3.6 million from the first three months of the year to more than 17 million riders during the second quarter - a time when U.S. cities lifted pandemic-related restrictions and more Americans returned to the road. Second-quarter revenue came in at $765 million, above analyst estimates for $697 million. While rising COVID-19 cases created some uncertainty, Lyft's business offered room to grow, said James Cordwell, an analyst with Atlantic Equities. "The fact that the company is profitable while active riders are still 20% below pre-COVID levels suggests there is still plenty of upside in terms of Lyfts profit potential," Cordwell added. DRIVER SHORTAGE But Lyft and Uber have struggled to ramp up driver supply as consumers return to their platforms, providing large incentives and payment guarantees in an effort to attract drivers. Zimmer said the company had welcomed 50% more new drivers in the second quarter compared with the first and said driver earnings remain at elevated levels across the country. Executives on Tuesday said they expected more drivers to return in the third quarter, when enhanced U.S. unemployment pay is phased out in all states. Driver numbers have jumped in U.S. states that already stopped enhanced unemployment pay, executives said. But driver earnings could remain higher long-term compared with pre-pandemic levels, Zimmer said, with more efficient routing software reducing the overall number of drivers and the miles drivers spend cruising around without a passenger in the backseat. "The idea is that we can be more efficient, we can do more with less, we can help drivers earn more," Zimmer said. Lyft in July also resumed its shared rides offer, suspended at the start of the pandemic. It allows multiple passengers to split a car traveling in the same direction, but Lyft currently limits shared rides to two passengers, with the middle and front seats remaining empty. Lyft executives on Tuesday said shared rides volumes were still too low to tell whether the company's new routing algorithm was working as planned. (Reporting by Tina Bellon in Austin, Texas, and Akanksha Rana in BengaluruAdditional reporting by Danielle Kaye in New YorkEditing by Peter Henderson and Matthew Lewis) MONTREAL, QC , Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, Elizabeth Briere, will announce additional funding in support of food security organizations, who are working tirelessly to improve access to food for Canadians in need during the pandemic. Date August 4, 2021 Time 10 a.m. (local time) Contact information for participation Moisson Estrie 520, 10e Avenue Sud Sherbrooke QC J1G 2R9 This announcement will be broadcast live on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Facebook page. Please note that local health directives related to COVID-19 must be adhered to at all times. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2021/03/c1345.html PITTSBURGH, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Five dental students, soon to embark on careers as oral health professionals, have been named recipients of an inaugural scholarship program established this year by North American Dental Group (NADG). North American Dental Group logo (PRNewsfoto/North American Dental Group) "It is imperative that we invest in and support the rising generation of new dentists," said Dr. Andrew Matta. NADG, a leading dental support organization affiliated with 250 dental practices across 15 states, handed out scholarships in June to fourth-year students at Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College (TCDM). The students were selected by TCDM faculty based on financial need, academic performance, and for showing values closely aligned with NADG's empathetic culture and drive for innovation in dentistry. "At NADG, we are committed to advancing dentistry through outcomes-based practices and innovative uses for technology that lead to an exceptional patient experience and enhanced oral care," said Dr. Andrew Matta, an NADG founding partner and chief medical officer. "It is imperative that we invest in and support the rising generation of dentists who will be counted on to continue this important work." In addition to financial assistance, the North American Dental Group Student Scholarship Program will afford each recipient an opportunity to be paired with an NADG-supported dentist for professional mentoring. Each student will also have opportunities to collaborate on oral health research programs led by NADG's doctor-led Professional Dental Alliance. "The partnership with NADG that we have forged will be valuable for both TCDM and our students," said Ronnie Myers, DDS, Dean of the Touro College of Dental Medicine. "Students will have the opportunity to engage in research, learn about being leaders as they advance in their professional careers and experience working collaboratively with an organization that truly values education as a core value." Story continues The 2021 North American Dental Group Student Scholarship Program recipients from TCDM are: E. Perry Allman, of Cedarhurst, NY Yoo Kyung Hwang, of Seoul, Korea Nayab Rizvi, of Buffalo, NY James Schmidt, of Harper Woods, MI Steven Vu, of Santa Ana, CA Allman said the mentoring support from NADG doctors will provide valuable real-life experience beyond the classroom. "I always knew that I wanted to go into healthcare, a career in the sciences that allowed me to help people," said Allman, who hopes to become an oral maxillofacial surgeon. "I had the opportunity to speak to many people over the years from various different fields, and it was the dentists that were consistently the most passionate about their field, as well as the most welcoming and excited to tell me about what they do." Rizvi said NADG's focus on the patient-experience aligns with what has attracted her most to dentistry. "Since seeing patients, I've realized that dentistry is not only about drilling and filling. A lot of what I now love about dentistry is the consistent patient interaction, management and education," said Rizvi, a first-generation college student who will be her families first dentist. "I truly love growing along with my patients." Dr. Matta said NADG plans to award scholarships annually to TCMD students and that there is no limit for how often a student can be selected as a recipient. NADG provides non-clinical administrative support for its partner practices including human resources, information technology, marketing, payroll, and accounting services. The organization's clinical approach is determined by the Professional Dental Alliance, which also provides career advancement and research development opportunities. About North American Dental Group North American Dental Group (NADG), based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was co-founded in 2008 by Ken Cooper and Dr. Andrew Matta. NADG was created to transform the dental experience for patients, clinicians, and support teams and today consists of a network of 250-plus supported dental practices across 15 states. The values of maintaining an emotionally intelligent approach, being thoughtful educators, and displaying a healthy bravado fuel its day-to-day patient care and operations. These founding values are alive and well as NADG celebrates its pioneer spirit by solidifying its partnership with Jacobs Holding AG. For more information, please visit: www.NADentalGroup.com. About Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) is in Westchester county on the campus of New York Medical College, which serves as the principal academic public health resource for the New York Hudson Valley and southwestern Connecticut. TCDM is dedicated to graduating outstanding dental professionals and conducting important clinical research, while providing vital dental health services to the public through its state-of-the-art, 114-chair dental training facility. TCDM is the first new school of dentistry in New York State in almost 50 years and the first in the United States under Jewish auspices. More info: https://dental.touro.edu. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-american-dental-group-awards-scholarships-to-support-oral-health-students-at-the-touro-college-of-dental-medicine-301347292.html SOURCE North American Dental Group Press release Regulated information 3 August 2021 Brussels Orange Belgium announces today that the Board of Directors decided to cancel the liquidity contract with Kepler Cheuvreux. The contract with Kepler Cheuvreux started on 1 August 2019 and will end on 2 September 2021. About Orange Belgium Orange Belgium is one of the leading telecommunication operators in Belgium and in Luxembourg through its subsidiary Orange Communications Luxembourg. As a convergent player, we provide mobile telecommunication services, internet and TV to private clients, as well as innovative mobile and fixed line services to businesses. Our high-performance mobile network supports 2G, 3G, 4G and 4G+ technology and is the subject of ongoing investments. Orange Belgium is a subsidiary of Orange Group, one of the worlds leading telecommunications operators with a presence in 27 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (OBEL). More information on: corporate.orange.be, www.orange.be or follow us on Twitter: @pressOrangeBe. Investor & analyst contacts Ana Castano Lopez +32 468 46 95 31 Koen Van Mol +32 495 55 14 99 ir@orange.be Attachment Deal brings together teams with extensive ASC expertise to enhance quality of RCM services DALLAS, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Surgical Notes, a nationwide provider of revenue cycle services and solutions for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and surgical hospital markets, announces the acquisition of Zulu Health, a revenue cycle management (RCM) provider with a specialized focus on the ASC market. Surgical Notes is a healthcare IT solutions company dedicated to developing cutting-edge, innovative products and services for the ambulatory surgery center industry. The largest management companies and over 20,000 healthcare providers trust Surgical Notes' revenue cycle management solutions and services to enhance the financial strength and performance of their ASCs. (PRNewsFoto/Surgical Notes, Inc.) Zulu Health, based in Los Angeles, California, provides RCM services, predominantly to surgery centers, across the United States. Founded in 2015, the company's customized solutions include revenue cycle outsourcing and consulting, coding and compliance, and accounts receivable (AR) follow-up. Zulu Health is supported by a quality-driven team committed to client satisfaction, operational excellence, and maximizing financial success for partner facilities. Ken Bulow, Zulu Health's President and CEO and a veteran of the ASC industry, will join Surgical Notes as its new EVP of Operations. Also joining the Surgical Notes management team will be Rachael Powell, Zulu Health's Vice President Revenue Cycle, and Carla Reese, Zulu Health's Vice President Operations. "We could not have found a better home for Zulu Health than with Surgical Notes," said Bulow. "We're exceptionally proud of our work over these past six years, particularly our nearly 100% client retention rate. Surgical Notes has established itself as a leading service provider to ASCs nationwide. We look forward to our experience and expertise helping to further strengthen Surgical Notes' position in the market. The joining of our two skilled teams will undoubtedly translate to higher quality services and improved performance for our existing and future clients." "I am so pleased to have Ken and the entire Zulu Health team join the Surgical Notes family," said Randy Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer for Surgical Notes. "Ken's decades-long tenure leading RCM teams and company operations will be invaluable as we continue to grow and mature the Surgical Notes brand. We are excited for this addition to our capabilities." Story continues Bishop continued, "Combining the operations of Surgical Notes and Zulu adds to our position as one of the leading RCM services organizations in the industry. We add an impressive executive leader and talented team of professionals that will help us continue growing our business. Today's news accelerates Surgical Notes ability to deliver high-quality RCM solutions that allow ASCs and other provider organizations to spend more time focused on delivering exceptional patient care. This acquisition is truly a win for both companies and our customers." Surgical Notes is a portfolio company of The CapStreet Group, a lower middle-market private equity firm, based in Texas. About Surgical Notes, Inc. Surgical Notes is a healthcare IT solutions company dedicated to developing cutting-edge, innovative products and services for the ambulatory surgery center industry. The largest management companies and over 20,000 healthcare providers trust Surgical Notes' revenue cycle management solutions and services to enhance the financial strength and performance of their ASCs. To find out more about Surgical Notes and its ASC revenue cycle solutions, visit www.SurgicalNotes.com. About The CapStreet Group The CapStreet Group is a Houston, Texas based private equity firm that invests in lower middle market companies. CapStreet targets companies focused on industrial products and distribution, software and tech-enabled business services. CapStreet's approach is to partner with excellent management teams to build out corporate infrastructure, accelerate growth and profitability, and create long term sustainable businesses. For more information, visit The CapStreet Group website, www.capstreet.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surgical-notes-expands-rcm-operations-acquires-revenue-cycle-management-provider-zulu-health-301347212.html SOURCE Surgical Notes ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic impacted almost every aspect of the delivery of education in the U.S. How companies that provide instructional resources are responding to the changing needs of K-12 schools is defining how those businesses are progressing into a new more digital future. Simba Information Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Simba Information) The industry response to that changing need is the focus of Simba Information's newly published report PreK-12 Instructional Materials Industry Competitive Analysis 2021. The report examines how providers of instructional materials for schools are faring in light of the impacts of the pandemic. Initially in spring 2020, when schools closed, business communication between companies and schools shut down as well. Both the schools and the providers of instructional materials, tools and other resources pivoted. Initially, demand for online products and services increased sharply. Ed tech companies had an edge in seizing the opportunity, but even traditional publishers were able to capitalize and expand their digital products and services. As the industry moved back to offering paid resources and services from the initial offering of free resources for schools and parents, school demand did not slack. "Throughout 2020 and well into 2021 companies were seeing demand for online products and services increase sharply," said Kathy Mickey, managing editor of the Education Group at Simba Information. Yes, revenue was down in 2020, but operating costs were, too. Collectively, the 10 representative companies highlighted in the report had a 4.9% decline in revenue in 2020 but a 4% increase in operating income. PreK-12 Instructional Materials Industry Competitive Analysis, 2021 from Simba Information highlights initiatives taken by the industry in response to the pandemic's effects on schools, the impact on public company stocks and on mergers and acquisition activity in the industry. The report includes brief strategic profiles of 12 leading providers of K-12 instructional resources. Story continues To learn more visit https://www.simbainformation.com/PreK-Instructional-Materials-Competitive-14883318/ or call 888-29-SIMBA. About Simba Information Simba Information is widely recognized as the leading authority for market intelligence in the media and publishing industry. Simba's extensive information network delivers top quality, independent perspective on the people, events and alliances shaping the media and information industry. Simba publishes newsletters and research reports that provide key decision-makers at more than 15,000 client companies around the globe with timely news, analysis, exclusive statistics and proprietary industry forecasts. For more information, please visit www.simbainformation.com. Contact: Kathy Mickey Senior Analyst, Education Group Simba Information 203-325-8193 kmickey@simbainformation.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-textbooks-to-virtual-school-how-the-k-12-instructional-materials-industry-coped-with-covid-19-301347698.html SOURCE Simba Information REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE: VSCO) announced today that it has completed its previously announced separation from Bath & Body Works, Inc. (formerly known as L Brands, Inc.) and is now an independent, publicly traded company. Victorias Secret includes Victorias Secret Lingerie, PINK and Victorias Secret Beauty. Victorias Secret shares will begin trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VSCO. Today marks an exciting milestone as we embark on our journey as a newly independent public company, focused on inspiring women around the world with world-class products and experiences, said Martin Waters, Chief Executive Officer of VS&Co. On behalf of all of our passionate associates, I am proud of our efforts to reposition Victorias Secret to thrive in our evolving retail environment. We continue to deliver substantially improved financial results and we look forward to the many opportunities ahead. With our two category-defining intimates and beauty brands, our proven omnichannel capabilities, right-sized store footprint and strong customer loyalty, we are well positioned to deliver long-term growth and value creation. The separation was achieved through the distribution of 100 percent of the shares of Victorias Secret to holders of Bath & Body Works common stock after the market close on August 2, 2021, with Bath & Body Works stockholders receiving one share of Victorias Secret common stock for every three shares of Bath & Body Works common stock held at the close of business on the record date of July 22, 2021. Bath & Body Works stockholders entitled to receive the distribution received a book-entry account statement or a credit to their brokerage account reflecting their ownership of Victorias Secret common stock. Fractional shares of Victorias Secret common stock were not distributed. Any fractional share of Victorias Secret common stock otherwise issuable to a Bath & Body Works stockholder will be sold in the open market on such stockholders behalf, and such stockholder will receive a cash payment for the fractional share based on its pro rata portion of the net cash proceeds from all sales of fractional shares. Story continues ABOUT VICTORIAS SECRET Victorias Secret is the worlds largest intimates specialty retailer offering a wide assortment of modern, fashion-inspired collections including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear and athleisure, as well as award-winning prestige fragrances and body care. With nearly 1,400 retail stores worldwide and a predominately female workforce of more than 25,000, Victorias Secret boasts the largest team of specialty trained bra fit experts worldwide. Victorias Secret is committed to inspiring women around the world with products and experiences that uplift and champion them and their journey while creating lifelong relationships and advocating for positive change. Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or made by our Company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as estimate, project, plan, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, planned, potential and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this press release or otherwise made by our company or our management: the spin-off from Bath & Body Works, Inc. (f/k/a L Brands, Inc.) may not be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes; a loss of synergies from separating the businesses that could negatively impact the balance sheet, profit margins or earnings of Victorias Secret or that Victorias Secret does not realize all of the expected benefits of the spin-off; general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events; the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations; the seasonality of our business; divestitures or other dispositions and related operations and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have divested; difficulties arising from turnover in company leadership or other key positions; our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs; the dependence on mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms; our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions; our ability to successfully operate and expand internationally and related risks; our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners; our direct channel businesses; our ability to protect our reputation and our brand images; our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs; our ability to maintain, enforce and protect our trade names, trademarks and patents; the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate; consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands, keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully; our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to: political instability, environmental hazards or natural disasters; significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas; duties, taxes and other charges; legal and regulatory matters; volatility in currency exchange rates; local business practices and political issues; potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts; disruption due to labor disputes; and changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation; our geographic concentration of vendor and distribution facilities in central Ohio; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the ability of our vendors to deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations; fluctuations in product input costs; our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft; fluctuations in energy costs; increases in the costs of mailing, paper, printing or other order fulfillment logistics; claims arising from our self-insurance; our and our third-party service providers' ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data; our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party and company information; stock price volatility; our ability to pay dividends and related effects; shareholder activism matters; our ability to maintain our credit rating; our ability to service or refinance our debt and maintain compliance with our restrictive covenants; our ability to comply with laws, regulations and technology platform rules or other obligations related to data privacy and security; our ability to comply with regulatory requirements; legal and compliance matters; and tax, trade and other regulatory matters. We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. More information on potential factors that could affect Victorias Secret results is included in Victorias Secret Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, please contact: Victorias Secret & Co.: Investor Relations: Media Relations: Jason Ware Brooke Wilson investorrelations@victoria.com Communications@victoria.com In support of a universal mask mandate, Wick said the current rate of positive COVID-19 tests in the county is substantial and has not been this high since April 28. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Caroline Schools Superintendent Sarah Calveric reminded the board that students who ride the bus will be required to wear masks, since this falls under a federal order mandating masks on public transportation. Board member Calvin Taylor, who voted against the motion to require masks in grades K5 and make them optional for grades 612, said he thinks masks should be required in all grades with the more contagious Delta variant of COVID on the rise. I would be more apt to look at not masking were it not for the Delta variant. I think its dangerous, Taylor said. I want each of our students to be in the safest situation we can put them in, and even though masks arent the best, thats all we have. Board Chair JoWanda RollinsFells also voted against the motion. She said masking is an issue on which there will never be 100 percent agreement. Thats the ugly truth, she said. What we can do is set an example for our kids in how you can handle a situation when there is no agreement. Because at the end of the day, this is about our kids. We know universal masks are way to ensure all people are safe, especially when physical distancing is not possible at all times, Eberhardt said. We know the guidance out there says six feet, but you can go down to three feet in schools if it means getting kids back. Below that threshold, its safer to have everyone wearing a mask. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Universal masking aligns with the latest guidance from the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, the local Rappahannock Area Health District and the American Academy of Pediatrics, he continued. The rate of COVID-19 transmission Fredericksburg City is currently high, according to the CDC, which identifies high transmission as 50 or more new cases per 100,000 people over the past week or an 8 percent positivity rate or higher. In Fredericksburg as of Aug. 3, there were 85.5 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people and the positivity rate was 8.7 percent, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Just under 40 percent of the citys population under age 18 has received the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the VDH. Fredericksburg schools Superintendent Marci Catlett said about 80 percent of division staff had received the vaccine as of the spring. Funks lifelong aviation experience holds lessons for health care. She had to acquire every one of her flying skills somewhere and demonstrate her competence in each to qualified judges. Then, off she went. Her training was stackable. However narrow her original license was, she was free to stack more certifications (commercial, instrument, etc.) atop her existing portfolio. Health care professions are different. Go to medical school, get a degree, pass the medical examinations, and obtain a state medical license; now youre legally entitled to do anything that falls under the aegis of medicine. (As a practical matter, hospitals and other private institutions may limit the procedures a particular doctor may perform.) But try taking your skills to another state, and your ability to practice will depend on politics, not competence. Move to Arizona, and youre welcome to begin practicing after some brief formalities. If youre licensed in one of the 29 states of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, you can practice in any of the other 29 states (plus D.C. and Guam). But otherwise, youll likely have to undergo a lengthy, expensive process of obtaining a new license. Fighting raged on the streets of a major Afghan provincial capital on August 3 as the United Nations warned of the "catastrophic" impact on civilians caught up in the intensifying conflict between the Taliban and Afghan army. The Taliban has captured many rural districts in recent weeks in a sweeping offensive that is now focused on control over the three large cities of Herat, Lashkar Gah, and Kandahar. Heavy street-to-street fighting was reported in Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand Province, where the Taliban has the city's prison and buildings housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies under siege. Officials said Taliban fighters had seized local radio and television stations in Lashkar Gah, leaving a single, pro-Taliban channel actively broadcasting there. The Afghan Army called on trapped residents to leave the city of 200,000 people so that the government could stage a counterattack. "Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation," General Sami Sadat, commander of the 215 Maiwand Afghan Army Corps, told residents in a message, suggesting government operations against Taliban are about to intensify. "I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses -- it is hard for us, too -- but if you are displaced for a few days, please forgive us, he said. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed "deepening concern" and said at least 40 civilians had been killed in the past 24 hours of violence in Lashkar Gah. The UN said both the Taliban and Afghan Army were causing harm to civilians. The medical charity Doctors Without Borders told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi via WhatsApp that heavy fighting in the city is catching people in the cross fire. There are air strikes, mortars, machine gun fire, bullets in the air -- all happening within densely populated areas, catching people in the cross fire, making it too dangerous for them to leave their homes, the charitys spokesman, Tom Casey, said. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a severe blow for the government, which has vowed to defend cities after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. It would also be the first provincial capital captured by the Taliban in years. Meanwhile, a car bomb blast rocked central Kabul near the residence of Afghanistan's acting defense minister and other senior government officials. Armed assailants then stormed homes in the upscale Sherpur neighborhood. Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said it appeared the guesthouse of acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi was one target of the attack. Details of the attack were unclear, but Stanekzai said that gunmen had entered the area after the explosion. Stanekzai said three attackers were killed by security forces and cleanup operations were still under way. In the western city of Herat, where fighting on the outskirts has been ongoing for almost a week, residents overnight shouted "Allah-u Akbar" (God is the greatest) to boost the morale of the army and pro-government militia fending off the Taliban. In the south, fighting also continued in Kandahar. A source in Kandahar's health department said 28 deaths and nearly 200 injuries had been registered in the past 10 days. The fighting comes as the Taliban faces accusations of targeting noncombatants and fresh condemnation of an attack last week against a UN compound in Herat. The United States and United Kingdom on August 2 suggested the Taliban may have committed war crimes and accused that group of massacring civilians when it captured the southern border town of Spin Boldak, in Kandahar Province, in July. In a joint statement, 15 countries including the United States and EU member states on August 3 condemned what they called a "deplorable attack on the UN compound in Herat that resulted in one death. "The Taliban must stop denying their involvement in human rights violations and follow the rule of law to investigate and prosecute those responsible in their ranks," the joint statement said. U.S.-led international combat troops are on an accelerated timeline to complete their withdrawal by the end of this month despite a stalemate in intra-Afghan peace talks and the Taliban's capture of dozens of districts since May 1. The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, told Radio Azadi in an exclusive interview that all parties to the fighting should prioritize national interests and return to peace talks to avoid plunging the country more deeply into war. "The peace talks that began after the [so-called Qatar agreement in February 2020] have not progressed much and the two sides are focusing more on a military solution," Khalilzad said. "It's time for the leaders to take the talks more seriously instead of thinking they can resolve the issue through war...and to prioritize more quickly reaching an agreement." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed the current situation on what he said was an "abrupt" U.S. decision to withdraw its forces, a move that followed a pledge in a U.S.-Taliban agreement last year. But Ghani said his government had a plan to bring conditions under control within six months and that the United States supported the scheme. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ghani on August 3. The secretary and President Ghani emphasized the need to accelerate peace negotiations and achieve a political settlement, the State Department said. Both leaders condemned the ongoing Taliban attacks, which show little regard for human life and human rights, and deplored the loss of innocent Afghan lives and displacement of the civilian population. With reporting by dpa, AFP, and Radio Azadi U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has called on the countrys warring parties to reach a political settlement amid a blistering Taliban offensive across the war-torn nation. The only way to solve [the war] in Afghanistan and end the violence is a political agreement, Khalilzad told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi by telephone on August 2, urging the sides to speed up negotiations. He said both sides should focus on finding a formula for the formation of a new government that is acceptable to both parties. The prospects for a negotiated end to the decades-long war have plummeted as the militant group has captured scores of rural districts and attempted to seize major cities since the start of the final withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan on May 1. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to push the Taliban back and said in a speech in parliament on August 2 that the insurgents do not believe in a lasting or just peace. But Khalilzad, the architect of the 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement that paved the way for the foreign pullout by August 31, warned of a protracted war if the Afghan government and the Taliban focus on a military solution to end hostilities. Washingtons point person in talks aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan, Khalilzad called on the government and Taliban leaders to put the interests of the country before their own. Under the U.S.-Taliban deal signed in February 2020, all foreign troops were to depart Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the Taliban, which pledged to negotiate a political settlement and permanent cease-fire with the Afghan government. Intra-Afghan talks that began in September have made little progress, hampered by deep mistrust, militant violence, and a huge gulf between the Taliban and Afghan representatives on key issues. In the wake of U.S. President Joe Biden's April decision to withdraw the remaining 3,500 U.S. troops from Afghanistan without setting any conditions, the Taliban immediately intensified its attacks. Since May 1, the Taliban has reportedly seized control of nearly half of the countrys districts and several key border crossings, prompting fears the insurgents are attempting a forcible takeover of the country. Representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban held talks in Qatar on July 17, but there was little concrete progress. Both sides committed to speeding up the negotiations. Khalilzad said the lack of progress in peace talks has led both sides to focus on a military solution. Both sides must understand that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, said Khalilzad. The Taliban is a reality that the government cannot eliminate. Likewise, the Taliban cannot establish by force a government that would be accepted by the majority of Afghans and the international community. His comment came as Afghan security forces, backed by civilian militias and sporadic U.S. air strikes, were battling to stop a major city from falling to the insurgents. On August 3, government forces and Taliban militants were locked in fierce clashes in and around three major cities: Herat in the west and Kandahar and Lashkar Gah in the south. The fate of all three cities could be key to whether the Kabul government can maintain control of major urban areas and much of the rest of the country without international troops who have been fighting the Taliban for nearly two decades. The heavy fighting has displaced thousands of people and triggered warnings of a looming humanitarian crisis. The United Nations on August 3 warned of a "catastrophic" impact due to the fighting and urged Afghanistan's warring sides to better protect civilians caught up in the intensifying conflict. The plea follows increasingly dire accusations of abuses against noncombatants by Taliban militants in eastern Afghanistan and fresh condemnation of an attack last week against a UN compound in Herat. Written by Frud Bezhan based on an interview by Zarif Nazar. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. High 91F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. When Latisha Hardy needed to find herself again, she found dance. It happened, as she tells it, so fast. She was at the college library and two cute boys came up to her. Do you salsa dance? they asked. No, she replied. They invited her to go salsa dancing anyway. She said yes. Because saying yes is what Hardy had decided to do back then. I was in this phase of just saying yes to anything and everything, she said. I needed to figure out who I was again. That was in 2009, when she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship of five years. She was tired of the yelling and the occasional physical abuse and the daily name-calling. He probably put me down every single day, she says now. And then I believed him. I didnt have the confidence to not believe what he was saying about me. After moving here from Las Vegas to attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Hardy broke up and broke away. And started to put herself back together. That meant going to Denver for a night of salsa dancing. She remembers it being the coolest thing she had done in awhile. She remembers feeling like Baby, the leading lady in Dirty Dancing. She remembers thinking, This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Hardy danced every day for the next year. She took lessons and drove to Denver as much as she could for salsa nights. Soon, she was good enough to be considered a professional salsa dancer. It healed me and gave me my life back, Hardy said. I knew I wanted to give that to other people. She wanted to do that in Colorado Springs, partly because she was tired of driving to Denver. There was no salsa scene in Colorado Springs, she said. I built that. She started by hosting social salsa nights around town, drawing crowds of 20 people that turned into 200 people. She also taught pop-up workshops and classes that turned into owning her own studio, Latisha Hardy Dance & Co. In September, Hardy moved into a 3,500-square-foot studio on South Tejon Street. A busy schedule features classes, which are open to adults only, for salsa, mambo and bachata. Plus, Hardy leads a team of dancers, called The Boss Ladies, that perform around the country. And yes, Hardy has kept her promise to herself. To give back. She hears from women who say they wouldve moved away if not for her studio. They tell her they always wanted to dance, but life got in the way. They tell her this is their second chance. They tell each other everything. Its a family, Hardy said. Its warm and fun and its inviting. Were just in it together. For many in her community, the studio and dancing in general is an escape from the struggles, big and small, of life. Its a place where you can talk about it, but dont have to talk about it, she said. Dancing is what we always come back to. For Hardy, dancing continues to heal. On Instagram, where she has 16,000 followers, she often shares how it has changed her life. And she shares quotes like, You are the creator of your own world, and Confidence looks good on you, boo. They are the kind of words Hardys former self really needed to hear. Now, she barely recognizes that girl. I want to inspire and empower people, she said. Im so grateful to have gotten something wonderful in my life and I want to give it back. Denver Public Schools will require universal masking indoors for the coming school year, the new superintendent told staff Tuesday, a district source confirmed. The mandate orders visitors, staff and students to wear masks indoors beginning Aug. 9, according to a message sent to district leaders. Charter schools will be allowed to make their own policies, the source said. District spokesman Will Jones confirmed the news in a statement early Tuesday afternoon. In addition to masking, the district will require self monitoring symptoms; building occupants maintain distance when possible; meet virtually when possible and wear masks when in person; and practicing good hygiene, according to a document detailing the strategies obtained by the Gazette. Alex Marrero, the district's new superintendent, said in a message to school leaders that the decision to require masks "was made in consultation with and has the support of the (Denver Department of Public Health and Environment)," and aligns with recommendations from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment." "Over the past weeks there has been an increase in COVID rates in our community and in many areas across the state and country," he wrote. "As a result, in accordance with the guidance of our health experts, we are returning to strong masking requirements in all DPS buildings." The news comes just 24 hours after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced that all school staff in the county will be required to be vaccinated by the end of next month. It also comes on the heels of repeated shifts in masking guidance, both from the state and federal governments. On July 20, the state "strongly" recommended that districts institute "layers" of infection control. Officials stopped short of requiring or endorsing one specific measure. But 10 days later, updated state guidance recommended that districts either require their unvaccinated staff to wear masks or mandate everyone in the buildings - inoculated or otherwise - don face coverings. A similar shift has come at the federal level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week that all residents wear masks in certain areas with high spread, including Denver and most Colorado counties. The agency had also recommends masks in schools, as does the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some health experts had warned of the threat facing schools this fall, including the surging delta variant, which is more transmissible and more severe than other strains. "School re-opening will bring more mixing," Jon Samet, the dean of the Colorado School of Public Health said last month, adding that "requiring masks per the (American Academy of Pediatrics) is a 'no-regrets' strategy. Probably helps some and is without harm setting aside the politicization of masks." Another public health expert, also speaking last month, agreed. "Given the large numbers of unvaccinated school children (including all kids under 12 years), I believe that a universal mask-wearing policy in schools will be a very beneficial and low-cost strategy to reduce transmission," said Glen Mays, also of the Colorado School of Public Health. "I anticipate that many school districts will need to consider such a policy this fall, despite the fact that mask requirements remain unpopular among some groups." We learned so much about peoples buying habits and why they do what they do, Joe says. We did more customer discovery than we needed to, in a wider market area, because just about anyone is a potential customer at a service station. Joe and Jackie have some advice for their fellow entrepreneurs just starting out. Use the Small Business Development Center and other professionals as a resource, Joe says. They have contacts who can help you find what you need. Jackie adds, Dont be afraid to ask for advice if you dont know how the processes work, even if you feel dumb for not knowing. There are so many things we learned that we never would have known if we hadnt asked. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) An Iowa man was sentenced to a decade in federal prison for cyberstalking a Minnesota woman with conduct the judge likened to a form of mental torture. U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams also ordered Michael Shawn McGuire, 58, of Cresco, Iowa, during a sentencing hearing Friday to pay a $15,000 fine and $17,500 in restitution to the woman. The U.S. attorney's office said in a news release Monday that McGuire pleaded guilty in December to four counts of cyberstalking. The woman met McGuire on an online dating website in 2017 and the two dated for several months before she broke up with him, the U.S. attorney's office said. McGuire then began sending harassing texts and emails. She obtained a no-contact order in 2018, but prosecutors say he continued to torment her for two years. The judge described McGuire's conduct toward the woman as a form of public terrorism in a way. McGuire created fake Facebook profiles containing her name or photo and sexually explicit messages, then sent more than 80 friend requests to her friends and family. Even if the strategys goal is met and the state cuts its nitrogen and phosphorus runoff by 45%, that doesnt mean water quality would be noticeably better, he added. It isnt necessarily saying that the water flowing through the stream through your town or by your farm is going to somehow significantly change, Hamilton said. Its hard to look at a stream and say whether or not nitrates have been reduced by 30% or 45%. Mason City Municipal Airport reports highest monthly passenger total in over a decade According to press release, more than 1,000 passengers boarded flights out of Mason City in the month of July. Fertilizers feed algae blooms, which can cloud water, limit fish reproduction, and consume oxygen when they die. In recent years, Iowa has battled toxic algae blooms which also are associated with farm runoff in some studies. The strategy was developed after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called for action across the massive Mississippi River basin to ease pollution in the Gulf of Mexico, where farm fertilizers disrupt a lucrative shrimping industry in a summertime dead zone. Iowa and Illinois, the top corn-growing states, are two of the biggest sources of the contamination in the Gulf, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Are Iowans serious about water quality? Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Knowing 44 of the Problem Solvers and G-22 are Republicans, this bilateral support may be of sufficient size to get the infrastructure plan approved. Who will be sitting on the sidelines twiddling their thumbs? Iowas delegation to D.C. The bipartisan National Governors Association is on board with the Problem Solvers and G-22. Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) said, on behalf of the National Governors Association, we are pleased that Senators of both parties have come to an agreement on a framework for funding critical infrastructure investments. We urge Congress to capitalize on this rare bipartisan agreement to deliver a transformative infrastructure bill to the American people (July 22, nolabels.org). No Labels (a not-for-profit bipartisan organization) and HarrisX (marketing research firm) surveyed over 12,000 voters with findings that are quite different from what left- and right-wing biased media, Democrats and Republicans have been spouting (July 22, The Hill). Seventy-two percent of voters favor the Problem Solvers bipartisan $1.249 trillion infrastructure plan investing in roads, bridges, water, power grids, broadband and other physical assets. However, 76% of the public do not want the infrastructure bill to be linked to the $3.5 trillion social spending bill. Happy Tuesday, Rundowners! Here's what's happening in North Iowa. Beward the scam Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said that scam calls are a never-ending issue for the Mason City Police Department. (Scam calls) is a machine that never shuts off, Brinkley said. One Mason City resident, who wished to stay anonymous, said her elderly father was experiencing a flurry of scam calls recently. Her father received a call from a person who claimed to be from MercyOne Medical Center and was asking for his social security number. She called the number the number back to see if it was legitimate. The person calling was clearly sounding like an authoritarian figure, The anonymous person said. The number was called later by a Globe Gazette reporter and was directed to a grocery company in India. Two wheels, moonlight and you Mason City's Moonlight Bike Ride will soon be back. The fourth annual ride will take place Friday, Aug. 20 in downtown Mason City. Participants can enter as individuals or families; walk-up registration will begin at 8 p.m. in Mason City's City Hall parking lot. At 10 p.m., the ride will kick off starting in Central Park. The route is a 10-mile loop and a pit stop at the halfway point will provide opportunity for a quick break and snack. The ride will end at the Downtown Plaza with breakfast burritos provided by Happy Donkey. Student starts playground drive J'Lyne Wilson, a Charles City Middle School student, wanted her school to have a playground like all the other schools she saw. Wanting to see this dream come true, Wilson wrote a letter to Principal Joe Taylor. I thought before it would just start with Mr. Taylor getting on board and it would just get built right away, Wilson said. After reading the letter, Taylor asked Wilson to lead a group of students with the playground project by collecting research and helping with the design process. The group, also known as the Playground Leaders, spent their lunch time discussing what they needed to complete for the project. Know anybody on this list? Cerro Gordo County Sheriff and Crime Stoppers North Central Iowa shared a list of fugitives on Facebook that local law enforcement are currently searching for. The fugitives featured in the post are wanted by area law enforcement and it is believed that these suspects are still residing in and around the Cerro Gordo County Area. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 John Hinckley was the youngest of Jo Ann and Jack Hinckleys three children. He was 25 when he shot the 40th U.S. president outside a Washington hotel in 1981. The shooting also paralyzed press secretary James Brady, who died in 2014, and injured two others. According to a book the couple wrote about their son and the assassination attempt, Breaking Points, she was ironing and watching television when a reporter for The Washington Post called and said that her son had been identified as the man who fired shots at the president. Is this your idea of a joke?" she responded before slamming down the phone. At the time of the shooting, Hinckley was suffering from acute psychosis and was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster. Jurors said he needed treatment, not a lifetime in confinement. In the years after the shooting, his parents began to raise money for mental health research and education. They founded the American Mental Health Fund in 1984. In 1986, Jo Ann Hinckley said she and her husband had no idea at the time that their son was sick. NEW YORK (AP) CNN anchor Chris Cuomo appeared to offer advice on a statement by his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, addressing allegations of sexual harassment, according to a report issued on Tuesday. The CNN prime-time personality testified to investigators looking into his older brothers behavior. His name appears four times in the 165-page report issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James as one of several outside advisers who were regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information that impacted the government despite having no formal role, duty, or obligation to the State. The report's appendix included a copy of an email sent Feb. 27, 2021 by Chris Cuomo to his brother's advisers on a suggested public statement that the governor never intended to offend anyone or cause harm with his behavior. It was not clear whether Chris Cuomo had composed the statement himself or was reacting to suggestions by others. In the email, it was suggested that Andrew Cuomo say that sometimes I am playful and make jokes ... My only desire is to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business. CNN directed reporters to past statements it had made about Cuomo, and had no other immediate comment on Tuesday. In Henrico County, delta accounts for 1 in 4 cases caused by COVID strains. Vaccination rates are still below herd immunity levels and, with many Virginians returning to normal, the virus has room to run, the report read. If vaccination rates pick up, the model estimates that over 60,000 cases could be avoided. While Virginia is averaging the same doses administered per day that it was in January when most residents were ineligible, data on Friday indicated that could soon change with a steady rise past 12,000 for the first time in nearly a month. But as vaccinations increased, so did the number of new infections every day this week, from 505 on Monday to 1,178 on Friday, which is why the UVA report emphasizes the need to give vaccines time to have an impact. A person is not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving the final dose. Virginias seven-day case average remains lower than last years figures when there were no vaccines available to curb hospitalization and surges. The difference isnt substantial 865 on Friday versus 1,095 in July 2020 but last year, there wasnt a delta variant, either. We were almost there. Thats the most frustrating thing about the most recent announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that even those who are fully vaccinated against the disease should return to wearing masks indoors in cities that are COVID-19 hot spots. It was only two months ago the CDC said we could put our masks away. We were thisclose to getting this thing under control, to seeing one another smile, to cookouts, to visiting grandpa, to signing off Zoom, to normal. Now we see it all slipping away as inexorably as the tide going out. We return to masking up, hiding our faces like bank robbers. Some of us are vexed with the CDC over its shifting guidelines, but you wont get an amen from this corner. Scientists have to follow science, and if this is where the science leads, so be it. No, if youre looking to apportion blame, blame the delta variant. And blame, too, those people who refused to wear masks or be vaccinated, and the public officials who seconded them. Blame the ones who said these were matters of personal choice. As if personal choice supersedes public interest. And how often have we seen news stories about those same people, newly repentant and freshly contrite, their minds changed after coming nose to nose with their own mortality, courtesy of COVID? With this funding, we have a tremendous opportunity to rebuild our aging water systems and ensure every Virginia family has reliable access to safe, clean drinking water, Northam said in a statement. In addition to modernizing water and sewer infrastructure across the commonwealth, these investments will go a long way towards restoring the health of our waterways and reducing pollution in our communities. We agree. Look, were not saying that every idea put forth in the long-winding infrastructure debate on Capitol Hill fits the definition of need. Some pieces were a vision and we already have appropriated trillions of COVID-19 relief and recovery dollars that still have yet to be realized through well-executed projects. But the U.S. senators who voted to advance the infrastructure bill likely are thinking similar things that Virginians are: What if our drinking water is compromised by a sewage incident? What if a car lands in a river due to a bridge collapse? What if we endure another gas shortage after a pipeline cyberattack? What if something worse happens? BREVARD Dozens of coronavirus cases across 17 states are now tied to a summer camp in the North Carolina mountains, officials say. At least 75 positive COVID-19 tests reportedly have been linked to campers or staff members who were at The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center from June 28 to July 17. The news comes as summer camps across the nation have faced coronavirus outbreaks. At The Wilds, the number of infections tracing back to the camp has grown since last week, when there were 58 coronavirus cases in 14 states. The faith-based camp, which has a corporate office in South Carolina, said it followed quarantine recommendations after a small percentage of campers and staff became sick. The Wilds also canceled a session last week so it could sanitize facilities and conduct testing, according to officials. The Wilds Christian Camp has sought to operate with caution and concern for the health of our campers, staff, sponsors and families, the camp said in a statement. We have been taking various COVID-19 precautions throughout the summer, including weekly screenings and/or testing of our staff, screening of our campers and isolation of any who showed signs of illness. In early June, Carter spent four days at Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville where he was diagnosed with acute colitis and diverticulitis, according to his legislative assistant Teresa Lopez. He returned to Raleigh to his regular work with the General Assembly just after Memorial Day, Lopez said in June, explaining that Carter was able to conduct much of legislative business via computer and phone while an inpatient. His wife, Brenda Bruton Carter, posted on Facebook in early July that her husband was diagnosed with idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins. The illness often mimics inflammatory bowel disease, according to medical experts in publications from the National Institutes of Health. She said it was the first case Duke had ever treated. Shelton said Tuesday in a phone interview that Carter made a difference in many peoples lives. Sunday attendance at Reidsville Baptist averaged about 250 people. I know he was real, Shelton said. Once you got to know him, youd become a better person, too. Rockingham County Republican activists ultimately will meet to pick someone to serve out the remainder of Carters two-year term in the 65th District. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The summit, held at UNCG, touched on a wide range of school safety topics and included presentations about student mental health, school resource officer training and School-Justice Partnerships. The latter is a model where representatives from the courts, schools and law enforcement agree on strategies to address minor misconduct like disrupting class or scuffling in the halls. It seeks consequences at school rather than charging students and sending them to court. The states school safety action plan includes getting stakeholders together in each jurisdiction via School-Justice Partnerships to talk about how to address the school-to-prison pipeline. Thats one of the initiatives included in the plan under the goal of improving the school learning environment. Judge J.H. Corpening, who has been part of such a partnership in New Hanover County, told the audience that for pre-teens and teenagers, swifter, less severe school consequences can be more effective than harsher, but typically delayed, legal penalties. Their developing brains make the connection better when the consequence follows sooner after the action, he said. GREENSBORO The city is reinstating its mask mandate in all facilities, citing the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Beginning Thursday, anyone vaccinated or unvaccinated entering city facilities must wear face coverings. The move is to maximize protection from the delta variant and prevent its possible spread, according to a news release from the city. Signs will be posted at the entrance to city facilities and masks will be available at entrances staffed by security personnel for visitors who do not have one. The delta variant has higher viral loads, Guilford County Health Director Dr. Iulia Vann said last week, which means infected people have more of the virus in their body than was the case with previous variants. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Because of this, the delta variant is more easily spread than previous variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Guilford County reinstated a similar mandate last week. Based on the latest CDC recommendation, employees and the public will be required to wear a mask indoors in an area of substantial or high transmission, the citys release said. GREENSBORO The delta variant of COVID-19 has Cone Health officials expecting hospital admissions to double every 10 to 14 days, according to a news release from the health system. On July 2, seven people with COVID-19 were in Cone Health hospitals needing care. By early Monday, that number was 52, according to the release. "Blame it on the Delta variant," the release said. Cone Healths data science team expects the number of people needing to be treated in the hospital because of COVID-19 to get much higher. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} A couple of months ago, we would expect someone with COVID-19 to infect two or three other people, Michael DeWitt, Cone Health's senior data scientist, said in the release. The Delta variant doubles or triples that. It is likely as contagious as the mumps and chicken pox. DeWitt predicted there will be more than 100 people in the hospital with COVID-19 this month. Dr. Cynthia Snider, Cone Health infectious disease specialist, said: Thats why we are really pushing vaccination among those who are eligible and everyone to mask up. We have become complacent with wearing masks; we are gathering in large groups with others who may be unvaccinated, which is risky. ATLANTA (AP) After two women were found dead in Atlanta-area parks last week, false reports spread on social media suggesting a serial killer was on the loose. Law enforcement say the killings are not related and there's no reason to believe they are the work of one person. Heres a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A serial killer is loose in Atlanta and police officials are not sharing the details of an ongoing serial killer investigation. THE FACTS: False. Atlanta-area police officials are not treating the two cases as being connected, and they say theres no evidence of a serial killer targeting individuals in that region. Still, false reports making the claim circulated widely across social media with warnings to be careful. The first killing was discovered about 1 a.m., on July 28, in Atlanta's Piedmont Park. In that case, 40-year-old Katherine Janness, was found stabbed multiple times. In the second case, Tori Lang, 18, was found shot to death in Yellow River Park, near Stone Mountain, around dawn. The parks are about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from each other. CHICAGO (AP) A judge on Monday granted lawyers for Jussie Smollett more time to prepare arguments on several issues, including whether they can introduce a key witnesss previous conviction for battery. Cook County Judge James Linn scheduled the next hearing in the case for Aug. 26. But Linn also urged lawyers for Smollett and the special prosecutors office to get prepared for a trial or other resolution to the charges that the actor staged a racist and homophobic attack in January 2019. One of Smollett's attorneys said after the hearing that the legal team has evidence to prove Smollett is innocent of the charges that he lied to police about an attack prosecutors allege he staged himself. Like many people in Chicago, when I first heard of the Smollett case I was absolutely certain that he was guilty based on the media coverage, attorney Nenye Uche told reporters. But I can say now categorically, looking at the evidence, hundreds of pages so far, and there are many, many more to look at, so far its obvious to us hes absolutely innocent. The Bay Area health officers said they took action Monday because of troubling numbers of hospitalizations and that they will consider easing the new restrictions when those rates go down. We are alarmed at the rate at which COVID patients are filling our community hospital beds, said Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County, where the number of hospitalized patients has doubled in the past 10 days and increased by more than 400% in July. He urged unvaccinated people to get the shots and said indoor gatherings presents the highest virus spread risk. If you are unvaccinated I would strongly advise against higher-risk indoor activities like eating in an indoor restaurant, going to exercise in a gym, going to a movie theater, Farnitano said. Indoor restaurant dining will still be allowed, although people will have to keep masks on when they are not eating or drinking. In other public settings like gyms and movie theaters, face coverings must be worn, though enforcement will vary depending on location. In Santa Clara County, businesses will be required to enforce the mask mandate and residents can submit complaints on the health departments website, Han said. The 2021-22 school year begins in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on Aug. 23, as well as several other Triad school districts. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has left it to individual school districts to decide whether to require universal masking or allow optional masking for the start of the school year. However, Cooper and state Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen have said they expect school districts such as Davie County Schools that choose optional masking to take care of the students health, or DHHS could step in to enforce masking. Krawiec said in late June she was responding to constituents concern, particularly parents not wanting their children to get the vaccine. Parents should not have to worry that this might happen without their consent, Krawiec said. The vaccines are only approved for emergency use authorization. Parents should make these decisions with their children and should not be excluded. Public health experts point out that all vaccines are required to undergo the same rigorous testing, whether they are approved for emergency use or through a typical license. The county is also pushing back some of its return-to-work plans, Diorio said, as coronavirus conditions worsen. Among county employees, those who do not get their COVID-19 vaccine will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test each week to the human resources department. Through this program, vaccinated employees will not need to wear masks in county facilities. For now, all county employees regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear face coverings inside all county buildings due to the countys high rates of COVID-19 transmission. Masks arent required when employees are eating, drinking or sitting alone in their offices or cubicles. Unvaccinated county employees should also wear masks outdoors on county property, if they are unable to follow social distancing guidelines, Diorio said. New CDC guidance Diorios announcement aligns with mask-wearing guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. People in areas experiencing high COVID-19 transmission should resume wearing masks indoors, the CDC said. That includes the greater Charlotte area and most of North Carolina. Whats been different is people that have called for the first time, people that have never really had to speak to a lawyer, Tackett said. Theyre 45 years old. Theyve never not paid rent, theyve never gotten a notice to go to court, so thats the surprise. But fears of mass evictions after the moratoriums lapse have gone unrealized thus far in some North Carolina communities. Sgt. David Ruppe hardly noticed the end of the federal eviction moratorium as he knocked on a weathered mobile home door in Cleveland County, a rural community an hour west of Charlotte. He said the sheriffs office previously served two to three evictions a day, but that number has dropped to two to three a week. He attributes the decline to landlords reluctance to file eviction paperwork amid the pandemic, though he expects it will eventually pick up. On Monday morning, he explained to one woman three months behind on rent that her landlord had started the eviction process. When the woman told Ruppe that she had paid the back rent, he responded that she would need to bring proof of payment to her upcoming court date. So far, Ruppe wasnt knocking on any more doors than usual. But that could change. We havent seen much of a difference at all, Ruppe said. We would still have evictions issued from the court and we would still serve them as if it happened pre-COVID. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Those groups are the League of Women Voters, the ACLU of North Carolina, the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, the local chapter of the NAACP and the Simkins PAC, one of the citys oldest political groups. McCarley said those groups could be politically impartial yet represent a broad community. Councilwoman Marikay Abuzuaiter voiced concern that some of those groups might lean toward a certain party and that council should consider other organizations as well. McCarley said that while the Simkins PAC and Greensboros NAACP branch could be seen as more supportive of Democrats, the other three groups are less partisan. Councilwoman Nancy Hoffmann suggested that the business community needed to be better represented on the committee and suggested the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition could offer potential members. I have great regard for the Simkins PAC, she said. I think the fact that they are a political action committee puts them in a slightly different category. Mayor Nancy Vaughan suggested that council consider the committees makeup at its Aug. 17 meeting and that it will likely expand the group to seven members. Darlene Mata, Community Development Director, addresses the audience during the town hall meeting about Downtown Hanford at the Hanford Civic Auditorium in this 2015 file photo. Meanderings and Musings Meanderings and Musings: Saying 'thanks' on your worst day HB 702 carves out exemptions for vaccines required for attendance in public schools, as well as long-term care facilities, like nursing homes and assisted living centers but only in the event that the new state law would put them at odds with federal health regulations. A July 28 memo from Department of Health and Human Services Director Adam Meier noted that the current regulations and guidance of CMS and CDC strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccination of all residents and staff, but do not mandate it for any party, referring to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The letter states that those facilities are still required to promote and provide vaccination for all residents and staff, encourage vaccination among new admissions, maintain a record of the vaccination status of patients/residents and staff, and encourage vaccination of all visitors. While most of the arguments for the bill focused on emergency vaccines created to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the new law makes no such distinction, and applies to all vaccines. DECATUR Amy Zahm, principal of Eisenhower High School in Decatur, has been named Regional High School Principal of the Year by the Abe Lincoln region of the Illinois Principals Association. Zahm was honored at the Region Awards Banquet on Monday, Aug. 2, at Dohertys Pub & Pins. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} She hails from Quincy and has been with Decatur schools since 2012. Previously, she was employed by Springfield Public Schools and Mid-State Special Education. Zahm has served as Eisenhower's principal for seven years. . Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The free event, which will include food and refreshments, is sponsored by Decatur Trades & Labor Assembly . It will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Pavilion No. 2, 2465 Pavilion Drive. Turner, D-Springfield, was appointed in February to represent the 48th Senate District following the resignation of Andy Manar. Manar resigned in January after eight years in the Illinois Senate to become a senior adviser to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He departed with less than two years remaining in his term. This is nothing more than a veiled effort to pile on to further shape the publics perception in this case, ignoring that Mr. Kelly is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, his lawyer said by email. ST. LOUIS City health officials are going above federal guidelines and asking those who attended a St. Louis County Council meeting on Tuesday to quarantine, including five council members, the county executive and the director of the county health department. Most of those at the meeting came to protest the county mask mandate and were not wearing face coverings. Many spoke at the podium, and members of the crowd shouted throughout the meeting. A city resident who attended the meeting began experiencing symptoms the day after the meeting and underwent a test for COVID-19 on Thursday, Dr. Fredrick Echols, acting city health director, said at a news conference on Sunday. Echols said the city health department received notification of the positive result on Saturday, sparking the advisory asking that everyone who attended the meeting even those who are fully vaccinated to quarantine for the next nine days to complete the 14-day quarantine period. Because the person is a city resident, the citys health department is in charge of contacting those the person may have exposed and asking them to quarantine. Attendees should wait until 10 days after exposure to take a test, or get tested if they develop symptoms, Echols said. Because the health department was unable to determine the persons movements at the meeting where most people were unmasked, Echols said officials decided the best way to protect the publics health was to ask everyone there to quarantine. The likelihood that several individuals could have been exposed and potentially infected is something we are really concerned about, Echols said. Five of seven council members were at the meeting (two attended virtually) as well as St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis County Department of Public Health Director Faisal Khan. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have been on a sharp increase across Missouri and in the St. Louis area because of a highly infectious mutation of the virus the delta variant. The variant is responsible for overwhelming hospitals in southwest Missouri, where it first took hold in the state. In an effort to prevent a similar trajectory in the St. Louis area, both the city and county issued public health orders requiring people to wear masks indoors and on public transportation, whether they are vaccinated or not. The orders went into effect last Monday. Current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines state that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after contact with a confirmed case unless they have symptoms and that they should get tested three to five days after their exposure and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days. Echols, however, said he is concerned about a new CDC report released Friday that showed 74% of 469 cases of COVID-19 associated with multiple July events in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, were in people who are fully vaccinated. Four of those people were hospitalized. The study also found that vaccinated individuals carried as much of the virus as the unvaccinated. The discovery suggests that while vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, those infected with the delta variant could transmit the virus. The findings led to the CDCs recommendation last week that masks be worn in areas where cases were surging. Because of the study, Echols said he is asking everyone who attended the crowded meeting to quarantine in order to prevent an outbreak. As these new variants develop, we have to make sure that we are doing our due diligence to be very conservative in our approach to make sure that we are not potentially putting the public at greater risk, Echols said. As a health department we are responsible for overseeing the health of the entire population, not just segments of the population who have gotten vaccinated, he also said. So as we think about protecting the entire populations health, we have to make sure we are implementing mitigation measures that can do just that. St. Louis County Department of Public Health officials say they are assisting the city with contact tracing efforts. In statements issued Sunday, county health department deputy director Spring Schmidt agreed that until health officials can contact every person at the meeting to determine their risk of exposure, all those in attendance should quarantine. St. Louis County (Department of Public Health) is appreciative of the level of general concern for the recommendations and the potential for this to become a cluster rapidly, Schmidt wrote. Quarantine is an effective tool to help stop the spread of this virus. Schmidt stated that Page and Khan are quarantining as health officials continue to determine their level of risk. She also recommend that everyone at the meeting get a COVID-19 test. The next County Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday could be more raucous than the last, but the meeting may need to be held virtually because of the quarantine order. That decision will be made by council chairwoman Rita Heard Days, D-1st District. An attempt to reach Days on Sunday was unsuccessful. At last weeks meeting, the County Council voted 5-2 to rescind the mask order. The council chambers with a capacity of 275 was full. People were also standing in the aisles and doorways, and a spillover crowd gathered in the lobby. Council members had rebuked Page for failing to consult them before issuing the mandate, which they say was required under a new state law. Page, however, says the mask order doesnt require council approval and still stands. During the meeting, Khan, the health department director, said the crowd heckled him and mocked his accent. Afterward as he headed for the exit, Khan said he was surrounded by an angry mob who shoved him and berated him with racial slurs. Khan admitted he gave one person the middle finger. Pages office has taken Khans allegations seriously and launched an investigation. Days also said she would investigate. But several council members are skeptical of Khans account, saying it was excuse for losing his temper. Supporters and protesters of the mask mandate, as well as those who support or dont believe Khan, were urged on social media to attend the next meeting. The quarantine order, however, has tempered those requests. The advisory issued Saturday, telling people who attended a large gathering to quarantine because of potential exposure to COVID-19, was the first the city health department has issued, Echols acknowledged. Echols said the order was unrelated to the Khan flap or the controversy over the city and county mask mandates. Our primary focus is protecting the populations health, and that is exactly what we are doing, he said. Echols also said he also expects some resistance to the quarantine order and contact tracing efforts. We are hoping that individuals will comply, and our goal here isnt to impose on individuals personal rights but its really again to protect the health of the population that we are responsible for, he said. Michele Munz 314-340-8263 @michelemunz on Twitter mmunz@post-dispatch.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Three months ago, Canada, which has no domestic manufacturer of COVID-19 vaccines, lagged far behind the United States in immunizations. Only 3% of its population was fully vaccinated. Canadians watched glumly as friends and relatives south of the border lined up for shots, while residents of Toronto and Montreal suffered repeated lockdowns. No longer. Last month, Canada blew past the United States in the share of its population that's fully vaccinated 58% as of Friday, versus 49% in the U.S. to take first place among the seven big industrial democracies. (The United States ranks sixth, ahead of only Japan.) How did Canada, the country that most closely resembles the United States, do so much better, even though it had to wait longer for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to deliver their vaccines? The simple answer is that in Canada, the pandemic didn't become a politically polarized issue, as it did in the United States. Canada's major political parties, including the opposition Conservatives, joined early in full-throated support of mass vaccination. Leading politicians didn't dismiss immunization as unnecessary, deride mask mandates or attack scientists. When Andrew Scheer, then the Conservative leader, criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year over the immunization program, it was to complain that he wasn't delivering vaccines fast enough. Canadians have argued over how quickly to lift limits on public gatherings, restaurants and retail stores, but their debates have been muted by U.S. standards. The country's toughest lockdown was imposed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a populist conservative who has been compared to former President Donald Trump. "I can't stand lockdowns," Ford complained, but he stuck by his health experts' recommendation to keep the restrictions until almost 80% of Ontarians had received their first doses of vaccine. Like the United States, Canada has anti-vaxxers just fewer of them. An Angus Reid Institute poll last month found that only 8% of Canadians said they definitely do not intend to get a COVID vaccination, including 15% of Conservative Party voters. Polls in the United States have found refusal rates at least twice as high. And there lies a clue toward a deeper, more complex explanation for Canada's vaccination success over that of the U.S.: the underlying differences between the countries' political cultures and, especially, their conservative parties. Canadians also differ from Americans in that more of them trust their government to do the right thing. Frank Graves of Ekos Research, an Ottawa pollster, noted that in one survey last year, Americans' trust in Washington was as low as 17%; the trust level in Canada was 37%, about twice as high. Another difference: Canada's Conservative Party is more moderate than the post-Trump Republican Party. Before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Canada's Leger Poll asked Canadians whether they would vote for Trump or Joe Biden. Among all Canadians, Biden was the favorite, by a whopping 84%; even Conservative Party voters preferred Biden over Trump, at 59%. One last difference: Canada has no equivalent of Fox News spreading misinformation about COVID vaccines. Doyle McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Email doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Something like a new Cold War is getting hotter even if the United States seems in confused retreat. As evidence of aggression vs. acquiescence, listen to what Sen. Ted Cruz. R.-Texas, asked three top security officials at a congressional hearing without getting an answer. He wanted to know why there had been no sanctions against China for massive hacking of tens of thousands of computers likely hurting the U.S. in endless ways. An enemy of zipped lips himself, Cruz forthrightly told these officials that the lackadaisical reaction was showing weakness to China and weakness to Russia. America, he said, was thereby inviting more aggression and more cyberattacks, Earlier in the hearing, questioners focused on Russia, and President Joe Biden has in fact exacted penalties for such moves as interference in our 2020 elections. Later, at a Geneva conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the president issued warnings that the United States would retaliate if Putin did nothing to stop cyberattacks of ambiguously specified kinds coming from Russia. Since that redline statement, attacks have been coming hard and heavy with a soft and lightweight reaction as Russia says it cannot control criminal groups, which it can. By way of leadership contrast, Putin recently explained to the world that Russia had developed the first-ever hypersonic missiles that can easily drop nuclear bombs anywhere on the planet within 30 minutes. They will be unstoppable, he said, and most will likely be aimed at the United States. Our own failure to modernize weapons is frightening. Officers have therefore rearranged a diminished military budget to better serve the weaponry cause. Dont count on hypersonic success. Singing a song similar to Putins, President XI Jinping of China recently said that no foreign force was ever going to bully, oppress or enslave us again. China, which deserves a gold medal for bullying, oppression and enslavement, has lately emphasized that it is going to take back the thriving island of Taiwan still legally its own. Analysts say China would have major advantages if the United States intervened, not least because of weapon deficiencies. Dictator Xi also has pronounced that China is on an irreversible historic course to become the worlds biggest superpower. Leave China and Russia for a minute and visit Afghanistan, from which al-Qaida terrorists arose to assault New York City and Washington, D.C., on 9/11. The US military rushed across the ocean to wipe out al-Qaida, which shriveled up and is attempting a comeback. The U.S. also ended the Talibans hateful, hurtful, totalitarian government, but did not eliminate key players who hid out in Pakistan. We hung around for 20 years, losing 2,312 military personnel, but were never very sure of what we were up to, according to a Washington Post series. We indulged in nation building that was mostly futile, although we did help construct a peaceful if fragile government before Biden said we were departing. Not a few forecasters speculate that the Taliban will take over, coalesce with other demon nations, inflict misery on the innocent and recultivate 9/11-style tactics. Expert advice ranges from U.S. use of airpower to helping Afghanistan financially. Finally, lets visit famished Iran, which is spending billions on a nuclear-weapons future. In a nuclear deal bypassing the constitutionally required treaty process, President Barack Obama and friends ineptly agreed that Iran should keep the basic means of making nuclear weapons, keep testing missiles and keep funding terrorism. His successor ended the mess, restoring sanctions, and the successors successor wants to restart the mess, restoring most of the deal. Iran wants to leave it to the United Nations about whether we would ever reinstitute sanctions again, and look at what is coming: a newly elected Iranian president named Ebrahim Raisi, who, in 1988, was part of a small government gang that hanged some 5,000 Iranian citizens who were not politically correct. He will be tough, and, at the very least, we must listen to those understanding that gentleness in return does not preserve peace. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Email speaktojay@aol.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A move in Congress to require young women to register for the draft as young men are required to do has riled conservatives like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The issue is, for the moment at least, a theoretical one. America hasnt drafted anyone in half a century, relying entirely on a volunteer military since 1973. But men ages 18 to 25 still are required by federal law to register for the draft so that if military conscription is ever reimplemented, the government will know where to find them. That somewhat chilling dynamic, once controversial, has long ago fallen under the publics outrage radar. The latest controversy over potential female draft registration has the potential to reignite debate over the entire concept of draft registration. And it should. The pending Senate National Defense Authorization Act would require women to register for the draft as men do. It was recently approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Five Republicans on the committee opposed it. One reason the draft fell out of active use is that, as imposed during the Vietnam War, it was a study in racist and classist injustice. The millions of young men who were able to avoid going to war (including future presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Donald Trump) did so by enrolling in college or pulling other strings that werent available to young men with fewer resources. Beyond that inequity is a simple question of principle: If the public doesnt support a war enough to muster an all-volunteer military to fight it, should it be fought? No war in history answers that question better than Vietnam did. If in 2021 America doesnt have the stomach for drafting women, maybe it shouldnt stomach drafting men, either. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 There is no question that the spread of misinformation on social media is a massive contributor to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in this country. Despite clear and compelling evidence that vaccination is effective in fighting the disease and safe for those who take it, some 44% of Americans over the age of 12 remain unvaccinated. Unvaccinated people seem to have a lot of excuses and explanations. And its easy to find justifications for those excuses online that do a good job of mimicking science but are, in fact, dangerous garbage. People have the constitutionally protected right of free speech. And those rights extend to expression online. But that isnt what this is about. This is about social media posts that lie about science in a way that can be deadly. And this is about the unusually broad protection that social media companies, including one of the most profitable companies in the world, enjoy from being held to account for disseminating this false and often damaging information. Members of Congress in both parties, as well as President Joe Biden, agree. And its time for them to set aside partisan differences and begin to reform the way social media companies operate for the health and well-being of this country. Last week, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced a bill that we think is a good place to start to form legislation that would curtail the liability protections of social media companies under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Klobuchars bill would strip online platforms of their immunity from liability when they publish and spread false information related to public health emergencies. Congress must review and reform Section 230. The law was conceived in 1996 as a way to help a nascent internet grow without websites having to worry about being sued for every third-party post that appeared on their sites. Browsers needed such protection, for example, to avoid suit for returning results that linked to web pages containing libelous or illegal content. Few then imagined social media as it exists now. Nor did they imagine that the internet publishing environment would be dominated by a few companies that host third-party posts from billions of people and just as many bots. In its pre-social media iteration, the internet was composed of far more direct content providers who were and still are responsible for the content they produce. But if Russian bots post fake information on Facebook, thats not Facebooks problem at least not legally. Klobuchars bill is a call to put an end to the free pass social media has gotten. Its crucial to get this right and to seriously debate how to move forward in reforming 230. Even internet companies have recognized that things cannot go on as they are and have signaled some support for changing the law. A healthier country will begin with a healthier internet environment, where rights and responsibilities are in better balance under the law. The Dallas Morning News Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ABINGDON, Va. -- Members of the Washington County School Board decided Monday night to leave former member Terry Fleenors seat vacant for now. Fleenor resigned effective July 31 following a contentious school board meeting July 19, when dozens of people spoke on possible policy changes meant to be more inclusive toward transgender students. The board decided to make no changes. At one point during that meeting, Fleenor asked that some comments be stricken from the record. To that suggestion, audience members shouted First Amendment and freedom of speech. School Board Chairman Tom Musick advised the board that legal counsel suggested leaving the seat open would make sense because a new member will be elected in November. Possibly, Musick suggested, whoever wins that election could immediately take a seat on the board, rather than wait until the new year, when the term would officially begin. Fleenor represented the Wilson District, which includes the High Point and Wallace areas near Bristol. Musick suggested that all board members continue to assure anyone living in those districts that any board member could appreciate their concerns. But we need this statute because we need to set the record straight. There can be no double standard when it comes to acts of terrorism. Whether the perpetrator is Christian or Muslim, American or foreign, violence committed on behalf of an ideology needs to be called out by its proper name. Weve had far more mischief caused by right-wing extremists than we have by Islamists, said Gary LaFree, a professor of criminology at the University of Maryland. I think part of the reason we are getting more domestic right-wing terrorism is because we have been so tepid in our response. A federal statute would provide impetus to take a more proactive and direct approach to domestic extremism. We have the resources we need, Chapman University professor Peter Simi argues; were just not using them. We didnt ignore this problem because we didnt have the right tools, Simi said. Most of the failure to address this problem has been that we just havent perceived it as a problem. What we really need is a fundamental shift in the way we view domestic actors. We have always had them among us: fortune tellers, diviners, readers of palms, tarot cards, tea leaves, stars, horoscopes, discerners of animal entrails, calling on gods of wood and stone, and all sorts of other seers who have attempted to convince the gullible that they have the power to predict the future. To some, climate change proponents are little more than modern-day soothsayers that media continues to legitimize, even when their dire predictions of global catastrophe turn out to be not so dire. The latest, but assuredly not the last, is President Bidens climate envoy, John Kerry. Kerry, whose scientific credentials are nonexistent, recently predicted we have only 100 days to save the planet from climate disaster. That Chicken Little prediction was made at the UN Climate Summit a few days ago, so we had better subtract the days that have followed. Kerry said on CBS This Morning in February that the world has nine years to avert a climate catastrophe. What happened in the last five months to advance his forecast? He doesnt say, and reporters wont ask him. HICKORY The fifth annual Hickory Playground Theater Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Drendel Auditorium at the SALT Block. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested. This is a one-night event. Exactly 48 hours before the performance, six playwrights draw a theme and a random set of actors from a hat. They have only the next two days to write, rehearse and perform an original 10-minute play. Also, this year the Playground will follow the same procedure to produce two original songs, composed and arranged by musicians from the community. There will be additional live music performances throughout the evening. The entire event should run less than two hours. Hickory Playground was founded by three friends (Robert Fuller, Jordan Makant, and Dylan Tashjian) while they were still in college with the goal of creating opportunities for aspiring artists and giving back to the community. The certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit has raised enough money to donate more than $40,000 to local schools over the last five years. It has pledged an additional $15,000 this year. All funds raised at the Playground go directly back to the community through supporting programs in the visual, music, and performing arts in public schools in Catawba County. WASHINGTON (AP) An officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the Pentagon, and a suspect in the incident was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene, officials said. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the building, A Pentagon police officer who was stabbed later died, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. More details about the violence were expected at a Pentagon news conference. The connection between the shooting and the stabbing of the officer was not immediately clear. The authorities did not immediately provide details or the sequence of events. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, according to the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency. The facility is just steps from the Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. An Associated Press reporter near the building heard multiple gunshots, then a pause, then at least one additional shot. Another AP journalist heard police yelling "shooter." Currently in North Carolina, 12- to 17-year-olds are allowed to decide for themselves on whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine under a state law that applies to medical services that prevent or treat communicable diseases. The language inserted into HB96 says that ... a health care provider shall obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to administering any vaccine that has been granted emergency use authorization and is not yet fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration to an individual under 18 years of age. Young people who have been emancipated from their parents would be exempt from the provision. Health-care analysts say the FDA could provide full authorization for the Pfizer vaccine as early as October and likely before January. Infectious diseases experts say some unvaccinated adults also have been waiting for the full FDA authorization before getting the vaccine. Vaccination push The timing of HB96 going before Senate Rules is apt given the push to vaccinate more youths ages 12 to 17 as the highly infectious delta variant spreads in the Triad and statewide. About 30% of North Carolina's 12- to 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated. One of the Southeast Asian diplomats said Myanmar preferred the special envoy be the candidate from Thailand, former Thai ambassador to Myanmar Virasakdi Futrakul. Even if Myanmar were to get its preferred choice, it remains uncertain if and when the nation's military leaders would allow access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained with other political leaders and put on trial for a slew of charges, said the diplomats. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join ASEAN's online ministerial meetings this week, and two senior state department officials said he will urge member nations to hold Myanmar's military leaders accountable and appoint an envoy who will push the military to end the violence, release those detained and restore democratic governance. The officials said the military takeover had impacted all of ASEAN and threatened stability in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak on the record. Indonesian Foreign Secretary Retno Marsudi said after Mondays meeting that if Myanmar would not respond to ASEANs calls, her country will continue to voice its concerns. We will not remain silent about the suffering of the Myanmar people, she told reporters by video. " " A 1607 woodcut of the mythical Lamia who, with the head and breasts of a woman and the body of a serpent, was reputed to prey upon humans and suck the blood of children. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images When it comes to terrifying fictional characters to fear from children's literature, the witch from "Hansel and Gretel" and Baba Yaga of many slavic myths come to mind. But there's one character in Greek mythology who arguably tops them all in terms of evil: Lamia. To put it simply, Lamia is "a female demon who devoured children." Freaked out yet? Allow mythology expert Richard P. Martin, Antony and Isabelle Raubitschek professor in classics at Stanford University, to elaborate. "She would 'get you' if you disobeyed or so kids were instructed," Martin says. "She once lived in Libya, in North Africa. The story goes that, like many a demoness, she used to be a beautiful woman. Zeus (as was his usual habit) seduced and slept with her. The chief god's wife, Hera, got jealous and then killed the children of Lamia. The poor mortal woman was so overcome by continual grief that she became horribly ugly in appearance, and then she began to kill the children of other women, in a sort of madness of revenge." Advertisement Queen of Libya According to Martin, one version of the Lamia tale suggests that she was actually the queen of Libya and ordered all newborn babies to be snatched from their mothers and slaughtered a tale, he points out, that sounds similar to the story of Herod in the gospel of Matthew. "There are hints from late sources that she was thought of as personally eating children," Martin adds. As GreekMythology.com puts it, "as many mortal women found out the hard way, being loved by Zeus came with a severe drawback; namely, being despised by Hera." Hera of course was known as the Queen of the Gods, and she was as known for her fiercely protective instincts as she was for her pride and jealousy. Unfortunately, her husband, Zeus, often tested those fiery qualities with a track record of constant infidelity. When it came to Lamia, Hera sought revenge by murdering each of the mistress's children regardless of whether Zeus was the father or not. The loss pushed Lamia to madness and she then made it her mission to kidnap the children of others and eat them. According to Greek Legends and Myths, "the monstrous actions of Lamia cause her facial features to distort, possibly mimicking that of a shark, and Lamia becomes a monster herself." "Aristotle records in his 'History of Animals' (4th century B.C.E.) that 'lamia' was the name of a kind of shark," Martin explains. The HBO Max series, "Raised by Wolves," features a Lamia-inspired character. While Martin hasn't seen the show, he says that if the character really does "remove her eyes" as this Screen Rant summary suggests, "the writer of the script has picked up on an obscure ancient detail. One story preserved only in late antique and medieval sources says Hera caused Lamia to be sleepless (as well as killing her children), so Zeus, to give Lamia the opportunity to have some rest, made her eyes removable that way they would not always be open (at least not in her head)." There was at least one child who escaped Lamia's clutches: Sibyl. "She was said to be a daughter of Lamia and Zeus, and was the first woman to chant oracles, like the famous Pythia at Delphi," Martin says. Pausanius, a travel writer of the 2nd century C.E., claimed that while visiting Delphi, he was told that the famous oracle Sybil was the daughter of Zeus and Lamia. But it's unclear from the stories why Sybil survived to adulthood and whether she was the only one Hera didn't eliminate. Advertisement The 'Bogey' Women of Greek Literature Martin says that Lamia was just one of several 'bogey' women in Greek folklore, i.e. a set of scary monstress figures. "There were also 'Gorgo' and 'Mormolyke' and 'Empusa' taking the form of beautiful women and then sucking the blood of their victims seems to have been common features in the tales about these demon types." Modern Greek folklore, according to Martin, still preserves traditions about Lamia as a scary bogey-woman. "Maybe every culture needs a way for mothers to keep their kids from doing dangerous things like wandering off into the woods alone or just from misbehaving," Martin says. "In the early 19th century, for example, British nursemaids would frighten children with stories of 'Boney' coming to get them the dreaded enemy of the realm, Napoleon Bonaparte, imagined as an ogre. In ancient Greece, a demoness called 'Lamia' played the same role." According to Martin, "a multiform of the childless woman/crazy child stealer figure" exists in various parts of the United States through legend and myth, as well. "In the Southwest (and generally in Latin America it seems): La Llorona, 'the wailing woman' supposedly drowned her own children (or they drowned on their own) and now haunts places at night crying and stealing other children," he says. "Mothers warn kids that La Llorona will snatch them if they go too close to water." Regardless of why the story of Lamia was originally conceived, her legacy lives on, even today. "'Lamia' in everyday Greek or Latin could also be used as an insult hurled at any threatening, powerful or ugly female," Martin says. "In some ancient fictional stories, courtesans get called this, as do witches. Clearly male anxiety at work here, blaming seductive women for the guys' own lust-fuelled ruin." Now That's Interesting "The Romantic era poet John Keats, building on an ancient fictional work by Philostratus (3rd century C.E.), wrote a very weird poem (1819) about Lamia as a beautiful woman who seduces a young philosopher and is then exposed for what she really is a serpent in disguise," Martin says. Even before the Biden Administration took office and the concept of agricultural carbon markets and credits gained steam, that important element was a major player in the discussions surrounding sustainability and climate change. Carbon footprint is one main way businesses and even individual products may evaluate their environmental impact. But beyond carbon is another compound critical in the climate conversation, particularly for dairy farmers: methane. And comparing the two is kind of like apples and oranges. On the July 21 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream, Virginia Tech animal science professor Robin White explained that methane the natural greenhouse gas produced by cattle has a much shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide or nitrous dioxide. Since methane breaks down faster, a scenario where methane emissions are held constant should result in basically a credit of zero global warming, White said. When methane emissions are falling, that impact is clearly even less than zero. What that means is were overestimating the global warming contribution of methane under our current calculations for most situations here in the U.S. where were holding [methane] emissions constant or were decreasing them, she detailed. Making the most of it Methanes short lifespan also means there is opportunity to manipulate it, and new tools are becoming more effective to do that. Multiple feed additive products have gained attention for their ability to reduce enteric methane emissions, and White said that area is becoming more refined. Theres a lot of feed additives that have been tested over the years, and the major challenge with them is they work for about a three-week period, and then the rumen microbiota adapt and kind of revert back to their original fermentation states, she described. But newer research on seaweed and 3-NOP shows promise for sustained and marked methane emission reductions. Along with adjusting manure management strategies, feed additives that are effective in those two areas can help make an impressive methane difference, White believes, setting dairy up for future climate success. On an international scale, methane is going to be a really, really important point of discussion over the next several years, she said. To watch the recording of the July 21 DairyLivestream, go to the link above. The program recording is also available as an audio-only podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and downloadable from the Hoards Dairyman website. An ongoing series of events The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, August 4 at 11 a.m. CDT. Each episode is designed for panelists to answer over 30 minutes of audience questions. If you havent joined a DairyLivestream broadcast yet, register here for free. Registering once registers you for all future events. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021 July 29, 2021 New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) In the nearly two decades of privatisation of power distribution in the national capital, discoms have helped save around Rs 1.2 lakh crore primarily by cutting down aggregate technical and commercial losses, officials said on Tuesday. In July this year, Delhi's privatization model completed 19 years. Privatisation of the Delhi Vidyut Board in 2002 has substantially increased the power-reliability and customer care, discom officials said. Power distribution in Delhi is handled mainly by BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL, and Tata Power Delhi Distribution (TPDDL). The discoms are joint ventures between private players and the Delhi government. Delhi discoms reduced aggregate technical and commercial losses from 55 per cent to around 7.5 per cent, a record reduction of about 48 per cent in the past 19 years, discom officials said. 'Apart from ensuring reliable power supply, Delhi discoms also brought-about a record reduction in aggregate technical and commercial losses. At the time of privatisation, aggregate technical and commercial losses in Delhi were over 55 per cent and even as high as 63 per cent in east and central Delhi,' an official said Reliable power-supply and record aggregate technical and commercial loss reduction are not the only benefit that has accrued to the Delhi in these 19 years, the official said. 'Delhi discoms have saved the city and its consumers over Rs 1.2 lakh crore over the past 19 years. Of this, the biggest component is aggregate technical and commercial loss reduction, which has saved over Rs 95,000 crore. At present, each percentage of aggregate technical and commercial loss reduction saves the Delhi consumers around Rs 250 crore.' The discoms also have investments of around Rs 19,000 crore in the national capital's distribution network. Today, Delhi discoms have one of the most modern distribution networks in the country, officials said. This has also allowed the discoms to meet the national capital's growing power demand, which has increased from 2,879 in 2002 to 7,409 in 2019 -- an over 250 per cent rise. Story continues Since 2002, power purchase costs of discoms in Delhi have increased by over 300 per cent as compared to just a 91 per cent increase in the retail power tariff in the corresponding period, claimed the discom officials. 'Due to non-cost reflective tariffs, revenue gaps (regulatory assets) of the Delhi discoms have crossed a milestone mark of over Rs 50,000 crore -- reaching Rs 51,646 crore as of March 31, 2020,' an official said. There has been no tariff hike in Delhi since 2014. Delhi power tariffs are not even keeping pace with inflation. In 2020, the rate of inflation in the country was 6.2 per cent, 4.76 per cent in 2019, 3.43 per cent in 2018 and 3.6 per cent in 2017. Food inflation in India has averaged 6.02 per cent from 2012 until 2021, they said. The savings by way of aggregate technical and commercial losses have provided a cushion to the Delhi discoms to ensure business continuity despite non-cost reflective tariffs over the years, officials added. PTI VIT NSD NSD I talk mostly about Joey being high-risk, and especially since Jeff and I are vaccinated, Joey is our biggest worry. But the truth is, Juliet is the only one out of the four of us who doesnt have any elevated risk. I had cancer; I have asthma due to inadvertently being exposed to chemicals; I am overweight. Jeff is overweight and has high blood pressure. Joey has respiratory issues and a weak immune system. He almost always catches two things at once (its a special skill). And they cheered after the vote Now, we have these choices for the upcoming school year: 1. We can send the kids to school. They will wear masks to the best of their ability, but they will have them off at lunch, of course. Many of their classmates will be maskless. Adults who are unvaccinated are permitted to be maskless, too. CHICAGO (AP) A judge on Monday granted lawyers for Jussie Smollett more time to prepare arguments on several issues, including whether they can introduce a key witnesss previous conviction for battery. Cook County Judge James Linn scheduled the next hearing in the case for Aug. 26. But Linn also urged lawyers for Smollett and the special prosecutors office to get prepared for a trial or other resolution to the charges that the actor staged a racist and homophobic attack in January 2019. One of Smollett's attorneys said after the hearing that the legal team has evidence to prove Smollett is innocent of the charges that he lied to police about an attack prosecutors allege he staged himself. Like many people in Chicago, when I first heard of the Smollett case I was absolutely certain that he was guilty based on the media coverage, attorney Nenye Uche told reporters. But I can say now categorically, looking at the evidence, hundreds of pages so far, and there are many, many more to look at, so far its obvious to us hes absolutely innocent. Uche and the other attorneys would not elaborate about the evidence, saying that it would be disclosed in court. Uche was at the center of a legal dispute that slowed progress in the case, as Special Prosecutor Dan Webb argued that Uche had a conflict of interest because he had spoken to the two men who Smollett allegedly hired to help him carry out the attack. But on Friday, Linn ordered that Uche could remain on the case but prohibited him from questioning the two brothers, Abinbola and Olabinjo Osudairo, should the case go to trial. Uche told the judge on Monday that he needed more time to prepare arguments on several pre-trial motions, including the defense's hope to introduce evidence about the older brother's prior conviction. Smollett, who was starring in the television show Empire at the time of the incident, has been charged with felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing false police reports about what happened. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. Smollett attended Monday's virtual hearing and told the judge he was in New York City. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Arbor Acres Retirement Community Inc. is requiring its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 31, making it one of the first nursing homes in the state to make such a requirement. Employees who are not vaccinated by that date will be terminated, Andrew Applegate, the facilitys president and chief executive, told employees in a memo sent Monday. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting their last dose of the vaccine. In order to meet that deadline, workers must get the first dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine by Sept. 19 and the second dose by Oct. 17. Those who chose the single-dose Johnson & Johnson, must take the shot by Oct. 17. Arbor Acres said that, as of Monday, 65% of its full- and part-time staff are fully vaccinated, or 280 out of 432 employees. That means 152 employees have about eight weeks to begin the COVID-19 vaccination regimen. Employees who are terminated can be considered for re-employment once they are fully vaccinated. There will be some exceptions for medical and religious reasons, the systems said. By contrast, 99% of Arbor Acres residents in independent living and 98% of residents in licensed healthcare have been vaccinated, Arbor Acres said. Council Member Jeff McIntosh said the business model for Harris Teeter is about capturing more of the sales that already are on the property ... and they wont be pulling people from other areas. Ardagh Group facility Council unanimously approved a request to rezoning a 91.58-acre tract off Wallburg Road in southeast Winston-Salem where Ardagh Group plans to lease and occupy a 610,000-square-foot distribution and warehouse under construction by Front Street Capital. Ardagh is a global supplier of metal and glass packaging. On May 21, Ardagh pledged to create 94 jobs at its beverage can metal manufacturing facility at 4000 Old Milwaukee Lane in Winston-Salem, expanding the workforce there to 324 positions. The planned distribution and warehouse facility is about eight miles away. The distribution and warehouse facility is projected to have up to 40 employees and begin operations in the second quarter of 2022. The council has approved up to $2.4 million in performance-based incentives, while the commissioners has approved up to $2.75 million, toward a planned capital investment at the existing plant. Those jobs are separate from the incentive packages. Janet Nichols first saw one of the big cats on May 27. Nichols says there may be as many as three of the felines living on vacant property beside her house in Wallburg. She believes theyre cougars, but notes that the felines dont act completely wild. Still, she has not gotten any closer than 75 feet or so from the animals. Nichols has seen them on four occasions, sometimes watching them sit in the shade of some crape myrtles on the north side of her house. Such a sighting might seem wildly improbable, since cougars have been extinct in North Carolina for over 100 years. Nichols has shot photos and videos of the felines with her smartphone and shared them with the Journal and showed them to others. She said everyone shes shown the photos and videos to is convinced the animals are cougars. One of the cats is bigger than the others. Nichols isnt certain there are three but believes that to be the case. When her neighbor Amanda Adams looked at the photo evidence, she said she knew right away that the felines were not domestic cats. I think the big one is 20 to 30 pounds, Adams said. I see raccoons, coyotes and deer, but Ive never seen that. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Tuesday with the Belarusian opposition leader at his office in London, saying the U.K. is on her side" and committed to supporting human rights in her country. Johnson told Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya that Britain is very much in support of what you are doing during their meeting at Downing Street, and condemned Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko's severe human rights violations and persecution of pro-democracy figures, his office said. The talks came as international attention focused on Belarus after Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refused her team's orders to fly home and took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo. In addition, a Belarusian activist who ran a group in Ukraine helping Belarusians flee persecution was found dead in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, local police said Tuesday. An investigation was launched after Vitaly Shishov was found hanged in a city park not far from his home. "It is very important to understand that one of the most powerful countries in the world is supporting Belarus," Tsikhanouskaya said after meeting with Johnson. Bergers not alone. One of our U.S. senators, Republican Thom Tillis, has sent an email of his own pooh-poohing the CDCs directives. I am deeply concerned that the Biden administrations contradictory decision will cause even more vaccine hesitancy, giving many Americans the false impression that the vaccines are not as effective as they were originally told, Tillis said in the Tuesday statement. The CDCs advice has changed because circumstances have changed. The delta variant is taking hold because not enough Americans have gotten vaccinated. And the best ways to cut the variant at its roots and keep the economy open are to get vaccinated and wear masks, even if youve already been vaccinated. Tillis, incidentally, is not the most credible messenger on masks. In September 2020, he preached the gospel of wearing masks and then went without one during a function at the Trump White House. Tillis said was sorry just as hed said he was sorry the month before, for not wearing a mask during a Trump speech at the White House. In October, Tillis became infected with the virus. Not to be outdone, GOP Senate candidate Mark Walker of Greensboro chimed in with a tweet protesting the CDC guidelines (Liberty has a threshold). The Garth Brooks concerts at Kansas Citys Arrowhead Stadium Saturday and Memorial Stadium on Aug. 14 will go on as scheduled. Following the Lincoln concert, however, the remainder of the dates on the stadium tour will be reassessed due to the resurgence of COVID-19. Brooks next announced show is Sept. 4 in Seattle, three weeks after the Lincoln concert that will bring more than 86,000 people into Memorial Stadium. Tickets will not be sold for the Seattle concert until we are sure we can play the date, according to a news release. It breaks my heart to see city after city go on sale and then have to ask those sweet people and the venues to reschedule, Brooks said in the news release. We have a three-week window coming up where we, as a group, will assess the remainder of the stadium tour this year. Two September Brooks concerts, at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium on the 18th and Charlottes Bank of America Stadium on the 25th, are already sold out. Tickets for October concerts in Baltimore and Boston are now on sale. This week's Kansas City show will take place with the city under a renewed mask mandate that covers indoor places of public accommodation. The mandate, reinstituted Monday, does not address outdoor venues and events. Police say a 19-year-old Lincoln man was shot in the face and an 18-year-old was shot in the leg and hip Monday night outside the Edgewood Cinema in southeast Lincoln. A third teenager who had been with them in a black Mercedes was uninjured, Officer Erin Spilker said Tuesday. Witnesses initially reported that people in two vehicles were shooting at each other, but Spilker said investigators still are working to determine what exactly led to the shooting at about 8 p.m. Spilker said they believe the three men had met several people in a second vehicle before the shots were fired. The second vehicle was gone before police arrived to find the wounded 19-year-old man in the front passenger seat of the Mercedes and an injured 18-year-old lying nearby in the parking lot at Edgewood Shopping Center. Police rendered aid to them until Lincoln Fire & Rescue workers got there. Both were taken to the hospital, where they remained in critical condition on Tuesday morning. Two hours after the shooting, the Mercedes was parked, its lights still on, in an otherwise empty lot next to the movie theater and not far from the Target at the shopping mall near 56th Street and Nebraska 2. Spilker said police recovered firearms at the scene. Lincoln police got called to a home in the 1500 block of D Street on a report of gunshots at about 10 p.m. Monday. Officer Erin Spilker said when officers arrived a 21-year-old man came outside to talk to them and kept reaching for his pants pocket, where they saw a handgun. She said they were able to get the gun and noticed that a round was missing from the magazine. They searched the home for potential victims and found a matching shell casing and minor damage to drywall in the hallway consistent with being shot. Police arrested the 21-year-old Lincoln man for carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm in city limits. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On the other side, defense attorney Heather Colton argued that Montgomery, a 250-pound boxer who had registered his hands as weapons, had punched Winston so hard it knocked a tooth loose and cut through both his lips. Then, as another man went after Winston, Montgomery turned to Winston's 5-foot-4, 145-pound cousin, Nathaniel Love. Bystanders testified Montgomery was standing over Love and "pounding on him." Some thought it looked like the guy on the ground was unconscious. "Marcus only pulled his gun and fired four shots when he had no other choice," Colton said. From start to finish, the fight lasted around 90 seconds. Colton said Winston tried to talk it out with Montgomery, then tried to retreat after he punched him. But Montgomery kept coming. "(Winston) had to protect himself, and he had to protect Nate," she said. The jury rejected the self-defense and defense-of-others argument, finding him guilty of manslaughter instead. Montgomery, who also went by the name Timothy Wallace, was the father of four. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 20-year-old Lincoln man is accused of coming after an 18-year-old with an electric drill in a fight just before 6 p.m. Monday in the 2900 block of E Street. Elijiah Phillips was taken to jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon. Lincoln Police Officer Erin Spilker said police found an 18-year-old bleeding from his face who said he'd been assaulted by Phillips, who was still inside. Based on statements, police think it all started with an argument that turned physical between the 18-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, who charged at him. Spilker said they believe that's when Phillips jumped in with the drill, hitting the 18-year-old several times in the face and head with it. The victim went outside and started hitting Phillips' Honda Pilot with a shovel, causing minor damage. Spilker said the victim went to the hospital for his injuries and was ticketed for vandalism, and they referred the 14-year-old to juvenile court for third-degree assault. Police arrested Phillips. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A deluge of disapproving emails followed Pillen's announcement he would, in fact, ask regents to sign onto a resolution opposing critical race theory in early July -- a move endorsed by Gov. Pete Ricketts but criticized by NU's administrators, faculty and student athletes. "I cannot believe an institution of higher learning is even considering introducing such a ridiculous resolution as the one you are proposing banning critical race theory," wrote Michael Stoos. "It appears to me that your resolution is a very blatant political statement rather than an educational concern," another wrote. "I would suggest that you resign from the Board of Regents if you plan to use this platform to campaign for governor." Others like Andy Wit of Papillion slammed the language of the resolution as having "no business being in any official policy of an educational institution that wants to be taken seriously." And Matt Heller, who identified himself as a 2003 UNL alum, suggested his own version of the resolution for regents to consider: Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario will impact air quality in Lincoln this week and is cause for concern among sensitive groups, according to health officials. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department issued an advisory on Tuesday morning, warning of smoke levels that may be unhealthy for children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, other respiratory conditions or heart disease. Smoke levels are expected to linger "through the middle of this week, said Gary Bergstrom, Air Quality Program supervisor for the health department. The department is urging those at risk to reduce strenuous outdoor activity, and watch for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain, according to the advisory. A former Centennial Public Schools superintendent has been sentenced to a year of incarceration for an inappropriate relationship with a teenager at the school. Timothy DeWaard, 57, resigned in July 2020 after the allegations surfaced. Prosecutors later charged him with felony child abuse, alleging he had knowingly or intentionally caused or permitted a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered the child's life or physical or mental health. In the affidavit for DeWaard's arrest, a Seward County Sheriff's deputy said a teenage boy came forward alleging that what started as innocent conversations on Snapchat had turned into locked-door meetings in DeWaard's office, where DeWaard had him sit on his lap, embraced him and touched his inner thigh over his clothes. "The victim felt he had to do this or he would fail out of school," Deputy Lisa Borges said in court records. The teen said it went on for several months. The accuser told deputies that DeWaard had asked him for a shirtless photo in a call on July 6, 2020, and said he had thoughts of touching the boy inappropriately. Water availability across our state has always fluctuated its variability across location and time complicating our need to plan for whats ahead. This uncertainty is seen along the Platte River when wet years and historic precipitation events are interspersed with nerve-wracking dry stretches. Most years, water supplied by the Platte does not meet all the demands of water users in the basin. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources is currently reviewing a project proposal to divert water from the Platte River and send it to the Republican River. If this trans-basin diversion of water is approved, both human and ecological communities along the Platte will have to contend with a future where water availability is even less certain. The impact that removing additional water from the Platte River would have on the annual Sandhill Crane migration, an event that draws thousands of visitors and is an economic driver in Nebraska, is only one example of how this project could tip the scales. The problem lies in where to build it. Even if community members want the facility to exist, many are opposed to having it in their backyard. Months of buildup When the county purchased land in the city to build the new facility last year, at the former Brannum lumberyard on Taylor Avenue across from the Kornwolf Center, city leaders almost unanimously opposed it. Led by City Council President John Tate II, whose district includes the former lumberyard, aldermen argued that building the new facility in the urban area would stifle development in the neighborhood. They also noted that the county-run facility would not add to the citys tax base. Now, the countys tentative plan is to put the facility in a considerably more rural municipality: Caledonia. MADISON The retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who is leading a review of the 2020 presidential election says a very thorough examination of the election is warranted, but the purpose of the investigation is not to overturn the results. Retired Justice Michael Gableman made his comments Sunday on WISN-TVs Upfront. It was one of the first times hes spoken publicly about the review of President Joe Bidens narrow win in the state, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Gableman said he wants to look into election concerns so people can have confidence that their votes count. $1 for 6 months of unlimited local journalism Get the information you need to help keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy and updated on important issues and events. I firmly believe that this is not a partisan issue, that everybody should be interested in making sure that going forward, our voting and ballot system is transparent and honest, he said. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos designated Gableman to lead the election review, which has the backing of former President Donald Trumps supporters. Last week, Vos said he was expanding the probe, after Gableman told him a more robust effort was needed. Wisconsin Democratic Party executive director Nellie Sires has called the review a sham investigation. Recounts in Milwaukee and Dane counties upheld Bidens win, as did several courts. Arguments contained within the letter are two-pronged, focusing first on efforts by then-President Donald Trump to call the results of the 2020 election that he lost into question in order to retain his seat in the White House, secondly on laws Republicans are pushing for that conservatives say will make it tougher for illegal votes to slip through the cracks (even though instances of such are few) but Democrats say are geared to make it tougher for certain groups (primarily minorities and those of little means) to vote. TOWN OF PARIS Plans to expand a battery storage system for a proposed solar energy farm along Highway KR in Kenosha County are pending before state regulators, and the public has until Friday to submit comments on the project. In May, officials with Paris Solar Energy Center LLC asked the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to reopen its 2020 decision authorizing the solar power farm so that approved plans for the battery storage system could be more than doubled. The solar energy farm is to be located on a large section of land about 1.5 miles west of I-94, bordering Highway KR on the north, Highway 45 on the west and partly adjacent to Highway 142 (Burlington Road) on the south. The project, from Chicago-based power generation development company Invenergy, was originally approved in December garnering widespread public support from local community members. The original plan, a 200-megawatt facility that would produce enough power for about 60,000 homes, included a 50-megawatt battery storage system, which would be the largest in Wisconsin. The proposed expansion would add an additional 60 megawatts to the battery system, bringing it to a total of 110 megawatts for up to four hours, allowing the plant to provide power even when the sun is not shining. TOWN OF WATERFORD Opponents are shouting down plans to create the Village of Tichigan, saying they fear that establishing the new village will drive up costs and will pit neighbor against neighbor. $1 for 6 months of unlimited local journalism Get the information you need to help keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy and updated on important issues and events. About 150 people turned out Monday for a public hearing held by a state review board that will soon issue a pivotal ruling on the Town of Waterfords incorporation effort. Town officials laid out their arguments for transforming the town into the Village of Tichigan, largely to prevent unwanted annexation of territory by the neighboring Village of Waterford. But several residents of the town blasted the plan and urged state regulators to reject it, which would undo two years of work aimed at reinventing the town of 6,300. We are just fine the way we are, said town resident Jeff Klass, who joined others in saying that he worries the Village of Tichigan would require higher taxes and fees from its residents. Im going to fight this every way I possibly can, he said. Another town resident, Tanya Maney, told the state panel members that the border battle behind the incorporation effort has split the town and neighboring village. Before that, Purcell was executive director of The Wisconsin Educational Communications Board for about a decade. The agency, in partnership with the UW Board of Regents, oversees most public radio and television stations in the state. Any service that the state provides that attracts nearly a million users every single week has value, Purcell said in a Sunday morning show on WKOW-TV in 2015, when, under then-Gov. Scott Walker, Purcells agency faced a budget cut of about 13%. Purcell held leadership roles in the National Educational Telecommunications Association, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the University Licensee Association, and had recently been named board chair of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Ruth, who runs her own marketing and media relations company, Purcell Communications, said that as a broadcaster, her husband wanted to make sure that all people could access accurate information especially in a time where people can choose what they want to believe. UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank noted Purcells passion for his work in a Monday statement. State Sen. Chris Larson dropped out of the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on Tuesday and endorsed Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, becoming the first victim of a crowded field of Democrats vying to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson. Larson, D-Milwaukee, who entered the race in May, said Barnes who announced his bid just weeks ago and has already positioned himself in the races top tier is best positioned to defeat Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and to champion progressive policies, such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. During Larsons short time in the race, he positioned himself in the fields more liberal wing, supporting ideas such as a single-payer nationalized health care system, having the federal government wipe out trillions of dollars of student debt and making public education free in the U.S. We must do all we can to unrig the system so it works for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy and Wall Street, Larson said Tuesday. Killeen, TX (76540) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. 1. Yes. A sudden surge could be devastating. A mask mandate may be required. 2. Yes. Each county faces different COVID challenges. Let local officials act accordingly. 3. No. Nobody should be forced to wear a mask. It should always be optional. 4. No. A mask mandate isnt any more effective than a strong recoommendation. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether a change is in policy is necessary at this point. Vote View Results I want to create the most welcoming and inclusive campus environment for everyone staff, faculty, students and visitors, Younes said. I want all perspectives to be heard and respected. I want people to feel comfortable walking around this campus. I want them to be treated with dignity. I want to make it OK to be different. John Falconer, senior adviser to the chancellor for executive affairs, knows Younes is the person to make this happen. He recognized her passion when they first met more than two decades ago. When Maha takes on an issue, she is committed to it, he said. She inspires others and is very effective. She also has a very good record of achieving change within an organization, and thats important. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Her background is another benefit. I know what its like to be marginalized, said Younes, whose accent often prompts strangers to ask: Where are you from? An Arab Christian, Younes grew up in a Palestinian family living in Israel. She moved to the U.S. in 1978 one month shy of her 18th birthday and attended UNK as an international student, earning degrees in social work and psychology. KEARNEY A record-high number of passengers made July 2021 the busiest month ever at the Kearney Regional Airport. During July 3,214 passengers left on 50-seat jetliners traveling to Denver or Chicago and beyond, according to City Manager Michael Morgan. The prior record was 2,956 passengers, set in December 2019 Generally, July is not our busiest month, Morgan said. He said passenger boardings are benefiting from pent-up demand as people get back into their traveling habits after being grounded for months during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Morgan said Kearney is a convenient place to begin a trip with free parking within walking distance of the terminal. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Fares also are competitive, Morgan said. He said its possible to fly round trip from Kearney to Chicago for $260. Currently, Kearneys commuter airline, United Express, makes two daily flights to Denver and one flight to Chicago. We look at the loaf factor, which is the percentage of seats filled. We average from 60% to 65% on the Denver flights. For Chicago its 78%, Morgan said. Travelers can visit united.com for fares and flight schedules. Kayla Stott of Tomah has earned a bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University. She graduated Cum Laude with a degree in food science. The University of Wisconsin-Superior has named Chelsey Arendt of Norwalk to the Deans List for the spring 2021 semester. To be named to the Deans List, students must have completed 12 degree-seeking semester credits and achieved at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. The following local students have been named to the Deans List at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls: TomahAdgre Anna Borden, animal science; Drew Kenworthy, early childhood; McKinley Lambert, art; Colby Von Haden, agricultural business. WarrensMark Kortbein, crop and soil science; Mikayla Olson, animal science; Sarah Paepke, agricultural business. WiltonKyle Leis, agricultural engineering tech; Serena Leis, animal science. To be be named to the UW-River Falls Deans List, a student must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0. The universitys faculty advocacy group, PROFS, also came out against Nass proposal last week, calling it another instance of legislative overreach and warned that removing campuses ability to impose public health measures would severely constrain their ability to maintain the safety of students and staff. We want to see students back in the classroom and we know that students want to be back in the classroom, committee member Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, said. That cannot happen if the university cannot guarantee that health and safety measures are put into place. Its not just their right to put those measures into place, it is their responsibility. Subeck also questioned the Legislatures ability to micromanage the Systems coronavirus-related policies. I have no idea what statutory authority Sen. Nass thinks (UW System has) superseded because he wasnt even willing to come into the room and present that to us, she said. Construction of two downtown Lancaster housing projects is set to begin in the coming months, despite delays caused by the rising cost and uncertain availability of construction materials, a project partner says. Eberly Myers LLC intends to start constructing 63 units in historic warehouses on North Prince Street by year-end and start constructing a six-story, 51-unit apartment building on North Queen Street by spring 2022. This is not the easiest business environment to be trudging through, said company co-owner Benjamin Myers. The last thing I want to do is start construction and then have to stall in the middle because I dont have the materials on site. The two ventures are among 10 housing projects proposed or under construction in the city since mid-2019 in response to a persistent shortage of market-rate and affordable housing. In the 200 block of North Prince Street, Eberly Myers intends to develop housing in two historic warehouses. The units will go above I Am Limitless fitness center at 221 N. Prince St. and Roburritos burrito restaurant at 227 N. Prince St. The housing will consist of 29 shared-living units (the first such units in the county for the general public) and 34 apartments (studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units). Affordable housing will be provided in both apartment and shared-living formats. The North Prince Street project was in the news two weeks ago when the state Department of Community & Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission approved $250,000 in historic preservation tax credits for it. In a July 19 press release announcing the credits, the state said the warehouses would become student housing. But last week, the state said its press release had misstated the housing use; they'll be rented to the general public. Myers initially had pegged the project cost at more than $10 million. Last week he said the shortage of construction materials definitely bumps up the project cost, but I dont know where the bump stops. We are working on updating the hard costs now. He believes the units will be ready for occupancy by the end of 2022 -- a year later than the initial timeline. A block to the east, the three owners of Eberly Myers are joining with local contractor Steve Risk to develop the six-story building at 215 N. Queen St., once the site of the Empire TV building, which collapsed in 2010. Initially, the partners hoped to start construction in spring of 2021, with occupancy in summer of 2022. The new timeline pushes the start and finish of construction back a year. The sooner we can get started, the better. But the economics have to make sense. We have to have cost certainty before we can do that, Myers said. The project initially carried a price tag exceeding $9 million; the surge in material costs pushed that about 20% higher, which made the project as designed unfeasible. It sucks the wind right out of the sails, he said. To cope with the escalating costs, Myers said the developers are considering structural design changes. These wont alter the buildings appearance, which already has won city approval, but most likely will require submitting a new land-development plan to the city for approval, he said. Were committed to finding a solution that allows us to move forward, Myers said. A Tioga County bank plans to open a Lancaster County branch office in East Hempfield Township. Citizens & Northern Bank, based in Wellsboro, disclosed its plan to open an office at 2098 Spring Valley Road, near the intersection of Rohrerstown Road and Route 30, in a pair of legal ads published in LNP on Friday. As the 23rd bank operating in the county, Citizens & Northern will occupy a vacant branch that most recently served as an Orrstown Bank branch, which closed in March. Before that, it was a Susquehanna Bank location. The site is across the street from the Lancaster General Health suburban pavilion. Citizens & Northern is a sizable institution, with $2.34 billion in assets and 29 offices; for comparison, the parent company of Ephrata National Bank has assets of $1.58 billion and 12 offices. Though most of its offices are in the northern tier of the state, Citizens & Northern came south by acquiring Monument Bank in 2019 and by acquiring Covenant Bank in 2020, deals that brought it offices in Bucks and Chester counties. A bank spokeswoman declined to comment on the institutions plans until the proposed office wins regulatory approval, a process that typically takes about 60 days. A former Lancaster County woman accused of killing her newborn girl and putting her body in a Lancaster city dumpster nearly 14 years ago will be tried in Lancaster County Court. Tara Brazzle, 44, was held for court on a single count of homicide after waiving a preliminary hearing Tuesday before West Lampeter Township District Judge William Benner. She appeared remotely by video from Lancaster County Prison on a laptop computer in Benner's courtroom. In a clear voice and wearing a white shirt under green prison garb, Brazzle indicated she understood what it meant to waive her right to a preliminary hearing, the purpose of the hearing and what she is charged with as Benner talked to her. She answered "yes, sir" or "no, sir" appropriately as Benner asked her questions to make sure she had knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived her rights as part of the roughly five minute proceeding. In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must present sufficient evidence that a crime was committed and that the defendant probably is responsible and, therefore, that a jury or judge should hear the case at the county court level. In Pennsylvania, a general charge of criminal homicide covers first-, second- and third-degree murder as well as voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, Benner explained. First- and second-degree murder carry a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Third-degree murder, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison, would mean a defendant killed with malice, but lacked the specific intent of first-degree murder. Second-degree murder is any killing done while committing a felony. Voluntary manslaughter is killing in the unjustified belief that one's life is in peril and is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison. Involuntary manslaughter is causing death by acting in a reckless or grossly negligent manner and is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. Brazzle was arrested in California on July 2 at San Jose International Airport. She waived extradition, was brought back to Lancaster on July 28 and has been held at the prison since then. A YMCA employee found the infant's body Sept. 24, 2007, in a dumpster behind the Y, which at the time was located on North Queen Street. Brazzle, who went by the last name Indrakosit then, was also a Y employee. According to prosecutors, in an interview with police last month in Indiana, where Brazzle was most recently living, Brazzle said she had given birth at her Strasburg Township home several days before placing the body in the dumpster. Prosecutors said the infant was born alive; her boyfriend told LNP | LancasterOnline last month that Brazzle said the infant had been stillborn. In 2018, investigators uploaded DNA from the infant into a public genetic genealogy database and essentially built a reverse family tree, leading them to Brazzle, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said last month. The next step in Brazzles case is formal arraignment, which is scheduled for Aug. 27. At arraignments, a judge tells the defendant what charges they are facing and the defendant formally enters a plea of not guilty. Arraignments are often waived and a not guilty plea is entered. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Top supporters of the recall against California Gov. Gavin Newsom want to block him from branding the contest as a Republican effort in the official election guide that will be sent to voters ahead of the Sept. 14 contest. His contention that the effort is led by Republicans seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election and an attempt by national Republicans and Trump supporters to force an election and grab power in California" are at best misleading, at worst flat-out false, and in all events a hyperbolic outrage," according to a lawsuit filed Friday by two Republican activists who led the campaign to get the recall on the ballot. The case is scheduled for a court hearing Wednesday afternoon. Orrin Heatlie and Mike Netter are asking a judge to strike portions of Newsoms ballot statement and edit other parts. Newsom, a Democrat, was unable to get his party affiliation listed on the ballot because of a filing error and has sought to brand the recall as a power grab by right-wing activists in the nations most populous state. He makes that argument in two campaign ads, one of which features video of people storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Its aimed at motivating Democrats, who outnumber Republicans significantly in the state and strongly dislike former President Donald Trump. Heatlie and Netter argue that the effort is not a Republican recall because its supporters come from various political parties and more than half of the 46 candidates vying to replace Newsom are not Republicans. They want the word Republican" stripped from the statement in all but one place. In that instance, they suggest Newsom's language that the effort is led by national Republicans who fought to overturn the presidential election" should be changed to say the recall's supporters include national Republicans." Every registered voter will be mailed a copy of the voter guide, which includes statements from Newsom and Heatlie arguing over the merits of the recall and from candidates looking to replace him if the recall succeeds. County election officials will start mailing the ballots on Aug. 16. The guidelines to Newsom and Heatlie stated their arguments could not include any demonstrably false, slanderous, or libelous statements." State elections officials take no position on the issues raised about the text of the arguments, according to a response filed Monday by Attorney General Rob Bonta. They asked the court to make a ruling before Friday, when the text of the voter guide must be finalized. The recall supporters also want the court to remove a sentence in Newsom's statement that characterizes the effort as an abuse of the state's recall laws. The recall organizers collected the roughly 1.5 million signatures required under state law to place the question on the ballot. Voters will be asked two questions: Should Newsom be recalled, and if so who should replace him. He will be removed from office if more than half of voters say yes on the first question. Newsom campaign spokesman Nathan Click called the arguments totally baseless," noting that the effort was launched by Republicans, including Heatlie, and has raised money from the Republican Party. Republicans know they can't win in a normal election year, so they are trying to force a special election and grab power," he said in a statement. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the announcement by Millersville University applies to students moving into on-campus housing. Millersville University students moving into on-campus housing who do not provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon arriving on campus, the university has announced. Students who are not fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 test to the schools Health Services within 72 hours of arriving on campus for checking into their residence hall, the university said in an emailed message Monday. Students who do not provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will not be permitted to move in. Any student who tests positive for the virus will be required to isolate themselves for 10 days, the university said. Students who have tested positive should make arrangements to return home if possible during that time. Students who are unable to return home will be required to isolate in rooms designated for that purpose. Students who have been exposed to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are not vaccinated will be required to quarantine in their suite for 10 days, according to the email. Students who are still awaiting results of a COVID-19 test will also need to quarantine in their suite. Fully vaccinated students should submit a copy of their vaccination card to Health Services, the university said. Only the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Astra Zeneca vaccines, which have been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization, will be accepted. Photos of vaccine cards or test results should be sent to Health Services. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Police have detained more than 40 suspects in the killing of President Jovenel Moise, but many people fear Haitis crumbling judicial system could result in the assassination going unpunished. Interrogations are continuing, while dozens of suspects, including an ex-Haitian senator and former justice official, are still at large. But the judicial process has already hit significant snags, among them death threats and allegations of evidence tampering. Experts and even Haitis Office of Citizen Protection, an ombudsman-like government agency, warn that the country faces many challenges to properly handle such a complicated case. The judicial system is held hostage by certain sectors and weakened by a disciplinary body ... that protects dishonest and corrupt judges but persecutes, through bogus human rights NGOs, those who are honest, the agency said in a Sunday statement. Brian Concannon, an adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said he worries about so much intentional misdirection as the Moise investigation moves forward. The big issue is are you going to have a structure that can deliver the truth? he said. Its possible there are good people that are getting at the truth, but there is enough misdirection, intimidation (and) people apparently manipulating evidence. ... Im not confident that were getting closer to the truth with the current process. Haitis Office of Citizen Protection noted that 32 high-profile killings dating from 1991 have never been resolved, including those of former government officials, lawyers, academics and journalists. It also accused corrupt judges of freeing suspects arrested by police, noting that in the past two decades there has been no significant criminal process in well-known murder cases. The agency urged judicial officials, especially Haitis chief prosecutor, not to be intimidated by the pressure or the unfair maneuvers of individuals of all stripes who want at all costs to sabotage the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in order to reinforce the phenomenon of impunity in Haiti. Bedford Claude, the Port-au-Prince prosecutor overseeing the case, did not return messages for comment. A recent report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned what it called chronic impunity in Haiti and the lack of an independent justice sector. The judiciary remains in a state of chronic dysfunction, the report said, blaming increased political interference, threats against judicial officials and lack of resources among other things. Corruption is rampant and there are clear indications of the judiciary acting to vindicate political and other ends, rather than those of justice. The report said Haitis judicial system remains marred by lengthy pretrial detentions and paralyzed by the governments failure to pay the salaries of clerks and other workers. It also accused authorities of failing to adequately protect judicial officials. Among those investigating Moises killing who have received death threats is Carl Henry Destin, a justice of the peace who told the AP that he has gone into hiding. He declined to provide other details, including how the threats might be hampering the investigation into the July 7 attack at Moises private home in which his wife, Martine Moise, was seriously wounded. Another targeted official is court clerk Marcelin Valentin, who filed a complaint July 20 with the chief prosecutor saying he received serious death threats by phone. He said that in one two days after the assassination, a caller threatened to kill him if he didnt modify names and statements in his report. One of the messages he received in Creole translates roughly to: Clerk, youve got a bullet to the head waiting for you." Valentin said the threats forced him to remain in hiding and stay away from his office. My family is obligated to take a forced vacation out of fear that something bad will happen to them, he said in the report. Deaths threats issued during the investigation of high-profile slayings in Haiti is nothing new. In one recent case, a judge overseeing the 2020 killing of Monferrier Dorval, head of the bar association in Port-au-Prince, went into hiding out of fear for his life. The case has since been at a standstill. Among the significant challenges in Dorvals case are the theft of evidence from the crime scene and from the courthouse, and there are worries that could be repeated in the Moise investigation. Haitian authorities have not disclosed what kind of evidence they have collected in the presidents slaying with the help of the FBI, and they have released only limited details at news conferences during which they have largely refused to take questions. Among those arrested are 18 former Colombian soldiers. The government of Colombia has said the majority of them were duped and did not know about the real operation that was brainstormed in Florida and Haiti. A growing concern is where the soldiers and other suspects arrested in the case are being held. A June 2021 report issued by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti said that more than 80% of detainees in the country's extremely overcrowded prisons have not been tried and that most live in cells without proper ventilation or clean water and get one daily ration of food and have limited or no access to health care. The conditions of detention ... represent a situation of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," the report said. On Tuesday, Colombia's government said the detained soldiers needed urgent medical care. It said an official mission to Haiti found they were constantly in handcuffs and some were tired and had lost weight: One of them was limping and the other couldn't stand up by himself and had to be helped by his colleague. Another concern are the upcoming Haitian presidential and legislative elections, which newly installed Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pledged to hold as soon as possible as he promised to bring to justice all those responsible for Moise's murder. The first round of voting had been scheduled for late September before Moise was killed, and it is unclear if the date will change. Concannon, adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said the outcome of the Moise investigation could depend largely on whether the candidate elected is somebody who has the mandate and ambition to really get to the truth of this. Associated Press reporters Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Astrid Suarez in Bucaramanga, Colombia contributed to this report. THE ISSUE When Lancaster County sold the county nursing home to a private company, Montgomery County-based Complete Healthcare Resources, in 2005, a contract included in the sale of the property stated that the owners of the home were to provide quarterly reports, meet with county commissioners and maintain a baseline level of care in perpetuity, LNP | LancasterOnlines Tom Lisi reported in late July. But Lisis inspection of public records indicates that county officials ultimately deserted those contractual obligations by failing to enforce them. The 446-bed home, formerly Conestoga View, is now known as Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Complete Healthcare Resources sold the facility last spring to New Jersey-based Imperial Healthcare Group, which has a troubling track record. In his excellent investigative article about the former Conestoga View, Lisis opening paragraphs tell the unfortunate story. When in 2005 Lancaster County sold Conestoga View, its government-run nursing home, top leaders responded to the intense public blowback by promising to hold the new private owners accountable for the care of the areas poor, sick and elderly, Lisi wrote. That promise quickly faded. In the time since, evidence has mounted that inadequate staffing at the 446-bed home may compromise the safety and well-being of residents the very thing former county officials once assured the public wouldnt happen. Lisi inspected public records and conducted interviews to find that the county commissioners never enforced the contractual obligations of Conestoga Views buyers to meet with them and provide quarterly reports. He found that Complete Healthcare Resources produced several public reports to show it was maintaining previous staffing levels and accepting poorer residents, but then attention to the issue evaporated. Dr. Robert Shultz, who said he saw patients living in Conestoga View for some 25 years until his retirement last year, was opposed to the countys sale of Conestoga View to Complete Healthcare Resources. He told Lisi that he wasnt aware the sale agreement required the facilitys owner to maintain a baseline of care in perpetuity, no matter who owned the place. I dont understand why nobody held their feet to the fire for years. I was not even aware they were supposed to give reports to the county commissioners, Shultz said. Why didnt the county commissioners ask for the reports on what was happening? Were asking those same questions. The best answer we could come up with was this: A county public health department could have followed up on the new owners contractual obligations. A county public health department could have worked to ensure that the facility maintained a baseline of care. But no county public health department existed then. Or exists now. Off the horizon County Solicitor Christina Hausner gave LNP | LancasterOnline what she said were all the quarterly performance reports from Complete Healthcare Resources on file. There were just three one each from 2005, 2006 and 2007. It's unclear if the promised meetings ever took place, either, Lisi reported. Lisi wrote that a 2006 story in the Lancaster New Era a precursor to LNP | LancasterOnline reported on a quarterly report from Complete Healthcare Resources that was produced more than two months late. That report is no longer available in the countys records. Hausner said it was unclear to her whether anyone at the county was even supposed to be keeping track of the reports. Ive been here over five years, and I havent heard a blessed thing about Conestoga View, Hausner said. Republican Josh Parsons, chair of the commissioners, said he was not aware of the county having any role in (the nursing home) since the sale many years ago before I was on the board. (He was elected in 2015.) The countys failure to exercise oversight is exactly what those who opposed the sale of the county home had feared. Conestoga View will disappear off the horizon until it becomes a real problem years from now, former Lancaster city Mayor Arthur Morris predicted in 2007, two years after the county sold the nursing home. He was right, of course. Infuriatingly, it seems that it was a changing cast of county commissioners who allowed the facility to disappear off the horizon by failing to exercise their oversight duties. Parsons isnt the only commissioner unaware that the county was supposed to keep an eye on the former Conestoga View. Republican Commissioner Ray DAgostino, who was elected in 2019, and Democratic Commissioner Craig Lehman, who first was elected in 2007, told Lisi that no one in county government ever mentioned the agreement to them either. Only two of the three commissioners in office in 2005 are alive today, Lisi reported. Republican Pete Shaub did not respond to a request for comment. Democrat Molly Henderson declined to answer any questions about the sale. Republican Dick Shellenberger died in 2019. It seems that all those promises to protect the elderly poor of the Lancaster County were empty ones, likely intended to placate public anger. What we know All what we know for sure is the following: When it was still Conestoga View, the facility had more COVID-19 deaths than any other long-term care facility in Lancaster County. Despite the heroic efforts of nurses who were caring for patients living three or four to a room, only five other such facilities in Pennsylvania have seen more COVID-19 deaths. A recent state inspection found the facility to be understaffed. Of the 14 days that state inspectors reviewed Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 13 did not meet staffing standards under state law. A new owner of the facility, Chaim Charlie Steg recently pleaded no contest to three counts of reckless endangerment stemming from the deaths of three residents at a Delaware County nursing home. The failure of county officials to maintain oversight of the former county home was a tragically missed opportunity. As Lisi reported, if county officials had maintained the oversight powers laid out in the sales agreement with Complete Healthcare Resources, a contract law expert said the county may have been able to preserve some influence over the facilitys operations. When you try to attach a right to control property after you sell it, you have to be vigilant about protecting those rights, or you lose them, Marie Reilly, a professor at Penn State Law who teaches contract law, told Lisi. If theres any cold comfort to be had regarding the commissioners lack of oversight, maybe its this: The sales agreement would have been difficult to enforce, Reilly said. As Lisi reported, then-Lancaster County Chief Administrative Officer Don Elliott said at a 2006 commissioners meeting that the county could sue if Complete Healthcare Resources failed to meet the quality-of-care standards agreed to in the sale. But what damages could the county have claimed? Things like maintaining Medicaid beds, and treating indigent people I think it would really be pretty hard for the county to prove what its damages are, Reilly said. Whats the monetary value of that? These things are priceless to the facilitys majority of residents, who rely on Medicaid to pay for their housing. But Reilly is right, of course: Courts rarely deal with the priceless. Of everything we read in Lisis article, we found this quote from Dr. Shultz who, as a physician in private practice, visited the nursing home often when it was owned first by the county and then by Complete Healthcare to be the saddest. Despite the hard work of the staff, Shultz said, I personally think the care met the minimal standards the state agrees should be given to people in nursing homes, but I dont think it was any kind of care I would want my mother, father, brother, or sister to receive. Those who believe that private enterprise delivers better results than government that government shouldnt even play an oversight role should think long and hard about Shultzs assessment. They should consider how a county health department could have helped to ensure that the former county home met more than minimal standards. We should want this countys aged poor to get the care our loved ones get. We should ask why they arent. Greens Contemplate Mandatory Carbon Limits Aug. 2, 2021 (EIRNS)One of the unspoken (genocidal) aspects of the Great Reset scheme is that since its against natural law for a society to commit mass genocide on its own it wont work under democratic conditions. Yet this fact is known to the insiders, then the question becomes: How do we get them to do it? An article for Inside Climate News, July 28 gets at this question, as author Nicholas Kusnetz laments the current ineffective compliance with the Paris Agreement, in Why the Paris Climate Agreement Might Be Doomed To Fail. As he spells it out, the problem is that Paris goals are all voluntary, in contrast to the effective job done by the Montreal Protocol of 1987 to eradicate CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons, blamed for the formation of the ozone hole), and save the planet. Kusnetz points to the work of Scott Barrett, vice dean of Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs, whoalong with behavioral and environmental economist Astrid Dannenberg, at the University of Kassel, Germanydesigned a Monopoly-type game (where countries could volunteer cuts) and showed that voluntary compliance would not workever. As Kusnetz states in his very first sentence, Barrett and Dannenberg published their findings not long before the Paris Agreement was signed, meaning that the perpetrators knew from Day One that the voluntary business was just show. In contrast to the voluntary Paris Agreement, Kusnetz says, The [Montreal] agreement set hard limits on the production and consumption of CFCs, that ratcheted down over time. It also prohibited trade in the chemicals or in products that used them between countries that had signed the agreement and those that hadnt. In terms that only a behavioral economist could truly appreciate, Kusnetz writes, As more countries joined the pact, the global refrigerant market shrank for those that hadnt signed, creating a tipping point that all but forced countries to join up once a critical mass was reached. Barret and Dannenbergs 2015 work highlighted the case of India, which initially did not join the Montreal Protocol, but was essentially forced to in 1992, because Montreal had destroyed the entire market for CFCs. In contrast, under the Paris Agreement, India continues to use coal with abandon: India wanted to develop its economy and reduce poverty. Burning more coal was the simplest way to do that, and the accord gave no compelling incentives to look at alternatives. Barretts point, Kusnetz says, is that diplomats would also have needed a stick to punish India if it didnt agree, as they did with the trade barrier in the Montreal Protocol. In the words of Barrett, thats been the whole problem from the beginning. Weve had 30 years of negotiations, more diplomatic effort on this than any other in all of world history, and all this time global emissions have been rising. In reality, this voluntary shortcoming of the Paris Agreement is being dealt with by the market manipulation stick, as market-movers such as Mark Carney attempt to coax trillions of dollars from compliant private capitalists into the scheme, with intent to freeze out any and all non-compliers. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021 Acting on the Wise Words of Lyndon LaRouche Aug. 2, 2021 (EIRNS)The United States has repeatedly made decisions contrary to the proposals and policies of Lyndon LaRouche over the last half-century, since Nixons dismantling of the Bretton Woods system. One example was LaRouches Homeowners and Bank Protection Act of 2007, which addressed a problem that was not recognized as a problem, while posing a solution that ran entirely counter to the prevailing, suicidal economic trends. At that time of LaRouches proposalprior to the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble, which triggered a financial panic that drove an initially recalcitrant Congress to vote and then vote again for a bailout under threats of the imposition of martial lawnot only were rising house prices and levels of homeownership (or at least mortgage holdership) seen as positive economic indicators, the financial products created based on these mortgages fit right in to the increasingly speculative, financialized, and fraudulent economy of the United States. How was the U.S. transformed from being the primary producer of advanced goods for the entire world in the years following World War II, to an increasingly unproductive land of worsening infrastructure and anti-human culture? Nixons 1971 termination of the gold-reserve system and fixed exchange rates, ushering in a casino economy whose remnants of large-scale growth were largely derived from the monumentally successful Apollo Moon program of the decade before. LaRouches forecasts and insights into this seismic shift in U.S. economic policy drove him towards decades of work as an economist, statesman, and eight-time U.S. presidential candidate. The failure to reverse the trend represented by that action by Nixon, the failure to install the scientific, cultural, and economic policies of LaRouche in the decades that followed, confront us today. An explosion of evictions is expected in the United States, with the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium put in place due to COVID. Yet the stock markets are soaring. The delta variant spreads rapidly in fertile ground as the world eagerly hopes to get back to normal. Yet vaccinations continue their glacial advance in many of the poorer nations of the world, and the paltry billions needed to speed their production are not forthcoming. But why do there even exist poor nations and poor people today? Chinas meteoric rise shows how rapidly development can be accomplished. Why has it been an exception rather than the rule? And can Afghanistana present crossroads of world historyescape decades of warfare and violence to become a rapidly growing, international partner for peace and development? The LaRouche movement, now headed by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, has laid out the parameters for this perspective, and fostered the quality of discussion needed for its achievement. Will this intention succeed? Heed the sound advice of the former President of Mexico Jose Lopez Portillo, for the world to listen to the wise words of Lyndon LaRouche. Now it is through the voice of his wife. ... How important that they enlighten us to what is happening in the world, as to what will happen, and as to what can be corrected. How important that someone dedicates their time, their generosity, and their enthusiasm to that endeavor. To that end, the LaRouche Legacy Foundation invites the world to participate in an online seminarheld on the 50th anniversary of Nixons announcementto examine the unique contributions of Lyndon LaRouche (1922-2019) to the science of physical economy. There is an urgent need to reflect on what has gone wrong with economic policy in the trans-Atlantic sector over the last five decades, in order to correct those persisting policy blunders and change course before we plunge into a breakdown crisis comparable only to the 14th-century New Dark Age. Register for the seminar, So, Are You Finally Willing To Learn Economics? And, in the meantime, heed, and act on, the wise words and courageous devotion of Lyndon LaRouche. Indiana University says nearly 85% of its students have reported receiving at least one dose. Purdue University, Indianas other Big Ten school, isnt requiring vaccinations but is telling students who dont submit documentation that they could face weekly COVID-19 tests. Purdue, which says at least 60% of students are vaccinated, tried to entice students to get the shots with 10 prize drawings for a full years tuition. Many other schools are offering similar incentives, such as the University of Wisconsins regional campuses giving away 70 $7,000 scholarships to vaccinated students at sites with at least 70% vaccination rates. Missouri State has a $150,000 program with prizes that include free tuition, meal plans and computers. Face masks won't fade away as much as hoped on campuses this fall, either. Purdue and the University of South Carolina were among those in the past week to announce a return to required masks following the new CDC guidance that fully vaccinated people wear them indoors if they live in areas with high virus transmission rates. Lewiston, ID (83501) Today Plenty of sunshine. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 91F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Lewiston, ID (83501) Today Sun and clouds mixed. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 89F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. The preliminary hearing for two men charged in the death of Kristin Smart started Monday in San Luis Obispo with the cross-examination of the Cal Poly freshmans parents, who recounted the last correspondence they had with their daughter in the months leading up to her disappearance in 1996. Paul Flores, 44, of San Pedro is charged with murdering Smart following her disappearance on May 25, 1996, and his father, 80-year-old Ruben Flores, of Arroyo Grande, is charged with murder accessory after the fact and accused of hiding her body, according to San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow. Dow charged the two on April 14 after executing search warrants on their residences. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Paul Flores was allegedly the last person seen with Smart before she disappeared as they walked back to their Cal Poly dorm rooms after attending an off-campus party. The 19-year-old Smart was declared legally dead in 2002. Her body has never been recovered. By law, defendants charged with felonies in California have the right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of arraignment, unless they waive that right or there is a grand jury. +5 Unsealed court documents reveal search warrant details in Kristin Smart murder case Court documents unsealed on Tuesday in the 25-year-old Kristin Smart murder case revealed details from the investigation, including the discovery of sexually-graphic videos at Paul Flores San Pedro home and human blood found in the the soil around Ruben Flores residence in Arroyo Grande. The hearings act like mini-trials, during which evidence is presented to determine whether there is probable cause to uphold the charges and proven at a lower standard than at the actual trial. The preliminary hearing is expected to last up to 12 full days, according to Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle. Peuvrelle called four witnesses, including Stan and Denise Smart, Kristins parents, who testified about their relationship with their daughter and communication leading up to her disappearance. Denise Smart was asked to recount her family trips to Hawaii, the close ties between Kristin and her two siblings, whether her daughter talked about boyfriends or if she recalled any turmoil that indicated her daughter wanted to run away due a pregnancy or to work as a model -- two possibilities presented by Bob Sanger, attorney for Paul Flores. Denise Smart recounted the weekend her daughter disappeared and said she wouldnt leave without contacting her parents first. We were not panicked because it was a long Memorial Day weekend, Denise Smart said, her voice breaking after stating she expected a call from her daughter. Both Sanger and Harold Mesick, attorney for Ruben Flores, questioned Denise Smart about whether she knew her daughter referred to herself as Roxy and wanted to become a model and move to Thailand or Canada. The mother said her daughter never acquired her drivers license or had a car. Stan Smart was called next and firmly denied the idea his daughter had serious plans to run away, including to Thailand, which he called a pipe dream. He recounted driving to San Luis Obispo and staying there for at least two months to investigate his daughters disappearance. During that time, he remembered an exhaustive search for his daughter, including consulting with a psychic and an incident in which he went to Arroyo Grande in an unsuccessful attempt to speak with Ruben Flores. I could have been [a] tour director for this county, Stan Smart said. It was a rather depressing and difficult time for me. Two additional witnesses called by the prosecution, Eric Grasso and Kendra Koed, testified to being present at the party and their interactions with Paul Flores and Kristin Smart that night, who they both described as being intoxicated to some degree. The hearing resumes for the second day Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Department 5 of Superior Court. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Dane County and the city of Madison will start requiring their employees to require proof of vaccination or a weekly negative COVID-19 in the latest attempt to tamp down the spreading coronavirus. County Executive Joe Parisi and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced the new rules Tuesday and said they will be implemented over the next two weeks. Dane County government has a large workforce and our priority is to keep our workforce and the public they come into contact with as safe as possible, Parisi said. Last week, Rhodes-Conway said about 93% of city employees were vaccinated and commended municipal workers for leading the way. Our city employees are here to provide services to everyone who lives in Madison and to keep our city safe, healthy and thriving, Rhodes-Conway said Tuesday. We can't do that as a city government if our people could also be spreading COVID throughout the community." "But above all this, perhaps my proudest accomplishment is working to make WisDems more reflective of the Democratic population of Wisconsin," Sires said in a statement. "I entered this role with a goal of always centering equity and inclusion in our work and the proof is in the extraordinary results achieved by the people that weve been able to hire and retain. The diversity of our staff across race, gender, sexuality and rurality, especially in leadership, has made our work more strategic and the organization stronger than ever before." Wikler praised Sires' "values-centric vision, her superb management and her strategic thinking and ability to execute on an unimaginable number of projects simultaneously," calling her a "true fighter for democracy." The future ballot The 2022 ballot is still filled with blank spaces. Evers has announced his plans to run for reelection, but no Republicans have officially entered the race (though several are poised to do so). Barnes, rather than running for reelection on Evers' ticket, has entered the Democratic Senate primary which is brimming with candidates aiming to unseat Johnson. But Johnson still hasn't said whether he'll seek an unplanned third term. And all U.S. House and state legislative races will likely be influenced by redistricting. "Given my experience as a former United States Health and Human Services secretary, I know the biggest threat to in-person classes this fall would be actions that strip the UW System of the tools it has so successfully used to date to address outbreaks and reduce the spread of COVID-19," Thompson said in a statement. "Just as we have this past year, the UW System will continue to use its authority to take nimble and reasonable steps that enable us to keep our campuses open for the education students need, parents expect, and Wisconsin deserves." The Wisconsin State Journal reported Tuesday that UW-Madison is considering implementing a campus-wide mask mandate and potentially expanding testing requirements. Current plans call for weekly testing for unvaccinated students living on campus. That could also apply to all unvaccinated students and employees. Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, voted against the measure, and said the provision could potentially be struck down in court. Roys accused Nass of "abusing the administrative rule process" by "exercising a preemptive veto over anything a public entity might do." The available COVID-19 vaccines are working and effective against serious outcomes of severe disease, hospitalization and death. According to DHS, over 98% of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin from Jan. 1 through July 22 occurred among people who were not fully vaccinated. The vaccines are holding up really well, Conway said. The number of vaccinated people who get severe disease, hospitalized is very small. Vaccinated people who contract COVID-19, known as breakthrough cases, are rare. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported July 30 that the rate of breakthrough cases is less than 1% among fully vaccinated people in states that track this data. Its well below 1% in all reporting states, ranging from 0.01% in Connecticut to 0.29% in Alaska, according to the foundations report. But vaccinated people can still pick up and transmit the virus. People who are considered at high risk for illness if they get infected should take safety precautions like wearing a mask. Vaccinated people, unfortunately, do have to be worried, Conway said. Nipper had his quirks. He was not particularly interested in other dogs, although he tolerated Dolly, the lackadaisical Samoyed from around the corner. His greater regard was reserved for cats, with whom he respectfully shared his food, and small children, who delighted in the penchant of this fur-ball of a dog to lick ice cream from their hands and cheeks. Nipper, we had to explain, was not named for a bad habit. His moniker recalled a mixed-breed dog perhaps a smooth fox terrier or a Jack Russell who appeared in a painting by his last owner, Francis Barraud, staring curiously at the sound horn of an Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph in 1898. The founder of Britains Gramophone Company, William Barry Owen, asked if Barraud could redo the painting with Nipper and a Berliner disc gramophone. Barraud agreed, and an advertising meme was born. The original Nipper, listening intently to His Masters Voice on the gramophone, became the symbol of the Victor record label. After the Victor label was purchased in 1929 by the Radio Corporation of America he came to be known as the RCA dog. A family tie with RCA, and a slight resemblance, gave our Nipper his name. And it fit. He was a different breed, but just as curious and just as intent a listener to the voices of his many humans. In a WisOpinion posting, columnist Bill Kaplan sees the compromise infrastructure bill advanced in the Senate over the weekend as proof that some members of Congress really do want to legislate. Kaplan singles out Wisconsin's Ron Johnson for his steadfast refusal to consider the compromise, showing how out of step he had become, even with his Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Madison is considering changes to building demolitions rules that could remove the future land use from some decisions, allow more administrative approvals, and add new means to help save existing, lower-cost housing. WATERLOO Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. workforce to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, including workers at its Waterloo plant, the company announced Tuesday. The announcement comes as the COVID-19 delta variant spreads across the country and in Black Hawk County, where the rate of spread is listed as high, according to the county health department. It is abundantly clear that getting vaccinated is the single most effective thing we can do to protect ourselves, our families and our communities, Tyson President and CEO Donnie King said in a Tuesday letter to employees. More than 56,000 Tyson employees across the U.S. have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far, the company said. At the Waterloo, Iowa, plant, 47% of the approximately 3,200 workers there have been vaccinated, said Tyson spokesman Derek Burleson via email. "We will continue to make the vaccine as accessible as possible, whether thats with an onsite event or working with local health departments or other vaccine providers," he said. The suspect cuts triangle holes into the safe and removes the money. Burlington officers added that in the videos the suspect then pours a liquid over the safe, possibly to remove DNA evidence. The complaint continues, Burlington identified Bileck as a suspect, he is 69 and approximately 275 lbs, drives a mini-van similar to those used in the Burlington burglaries. Bileck has a history of small burglaries, he was caught in the act in Nebraska and Colorado in 2008. Burlington Police had been tracking Bilecks vehicle in real time and would notify Portage when it was mobile. Around 1 a.m. on July 28 Burlington Police advised Portage Police that Bilecks vehicle was leaving the Portage area. Portage Sgt. Brian Fehd checked the scene where the vehicle had been. The complaint states Fehd went to La Tolteca on New Pinery Road to check on the building. Fehd saw what appeared to be fresh pry marks on a door around the dead bolt. Fehd contacted the owner of La Tolteca, who said the door was not as secure as it usually is and that the pry marks were new. They went inside and saw the safe on the floor with a triangle hole cut out of it and a camera was laying on the ground. It would be strange to believe we dont have that authority but, you know, that will be argued, she said. At least three other schools in the Big Ten the University of Minnesota, Michigan State and Purdue University have reinstated their mask mandates in the past week as concerns about the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus mount. The UW Athletics Department is also working through questions on masking, Blank said. I admit to being worried at this point, given where the delta variant is, for indoor events, she said, pointing out that the womens volleyball team starts its season in the Fieldhouse in early September and other events begin in the Kohl Center by October. The fact that Camp Randall Stadium is outdoors provides Blank with some reassurance, but its 80,000-person capacity may make enforcement of a mask mandate difficult. State Sen. Chris Larson dropped out of the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on Tuesday and endorsed Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, becoming the first victim of a crowded field of Democrats vying to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson. Larson, D-Milwaukee, who entered the race in May, said Barnes who announced his bid just weeks ago and has already positioned himself in the races top tier is best positioned to defeat Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and to champion progressive policies, such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. During Larsons short time in the race, he positioned himself in the fields more liberal wing, supporting ideas such as a single-payer nationalized health care system, having the federal government wipe out trillions of dollars of student debt and making public education free in the U.S. We must do all we can to unrig the system so it works for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy and Wall Street, Larson said Tuesday. In a statement accompanying Larsons, Barnes thanked Larson for the support and said he would support a Medicare for All plan to provide health care for every American; a Green New Deal; and higher taxes for the rich and corporations. A driver who told police he swerved to miss another vehicle rammed his car into a Near East Side boutique early Monday, cracking the corner of the three-story building and forcing an evacuation of some of the buildings residents. The crash happened around 4:21 a.m. Monday at the corner of Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street, damaging Change Boutique, according to the Madison Fire Department. Although no one was injured, firefighters ordered an evacuation of some residents fearing structural damage to the building. The driver of the car told police he had swerved to miss a vehicle that turned in front of him, lost control and hit the building, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. Some residents who were not evacuated worried about the structural integrity of the building. Those included Will Hardt, who lives on the third floor above Hatch Art House, a business next door to Change Boutique, who said he was not aware of the crash until later that morning. My fiancee was awake at the time and saw flashing lights, but nobody came to our door to evacuate us, Hardt said. On Tuesday, the family of Arlington, Texas, firefighter Elijah Snow paid their last respects, still unsure of exactly how he died in Cancun, Mexico. After receiving conflicting reports, they are understandably concerned about whether justice is being served, in addition to grieving the loss of a husband, father, son and colleague. Sadly, that murkiness is not uncommon in tragic cases that cross the border. Dozens of Americans die or go missing in Mexico every year, and their families are often left in limbo, with no one on the case. The State Department keeps a database of American citizens who died from unnatural causes abroad. It shows 149 deaths in Mexico during 2020, more by far than in any other country. Homicide is the most common cause of those deaths. But those are just the cases where a death is confirmed. Since 2006, 324 Americans have vanished in Mexico, according to reporting by the The San Diego Union-Tribune. And when that happens, justice is often forestalled by diplomatic relations. BOISE Albertsons Companies Inc. says its getting ready in case coronavirus restrictions are reinstated as infections fueled by the delta variant have soared in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Walmart told employees Friday that it will now start requiring them to wear masks if they work in counties where virus transmission is substantial or high, as it is in most of Idaho, including Ada and Canyon counties. Customers will be strongly encouraged to mask up but wont be required to. So far, Albertsons has held off from requiring customers and employees to begin wearing masks again. Signs outside its stores encourage but dont require masks for customers who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Were starting to talk about it. We will be prepared, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, noting that the seven-day average of daily new cases is similar to that of a year ago. We should not ignore that. The move followed protests from Democratic lawmakers over the swift end to the moratorium as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges. Historic amounts of rental assistance allocated by Congress had been expected to avert a crisis. But the distribution has been painfully slow: Only about $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed through June by states and localities. A second amount of $21.5 billion will go to the states. More than 15 million people live in households that owe as much as $20 billion to their landlords, according to the Aspen Institute. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera showed up Monday at a Franklin County court after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom, shes behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one- bedroom apartment she rents for herself and three young sons. The 27-year-old said she started to struggle after her hours were cut in May at the Walmart warehouse where she worked. Shes applied to numerous agencies for help but theyre either out of money, have a waiting list, or not able to help until clients end up in court with an eviction notice. An Idaho lawmaker who publicized the name of an alleged rape victim in disparaging social media posts said in an ethics hearing Monday that she did nothing wrong. TWIN FALLS The monthly compensation paid to the citys mayor and councilmembers will go up 10% in January 2022. City Council approved the raise during a meeting Monday. Prior to this, the council last adjusted its compensation in 2007. Under existing city ordinance, councilmembers receive $1,160 per month, while the mayor receives $1,410 per month. A 10% raise increases these amounts to $1,276 and $1,551, respectively. Mayor Suzanne Hawkins and Councilmember Greg Lanting recommended the council review its compensation plan. They said they brought this issue forward because they wont benefit from the increase. Their terms expire at the end of this year, and neither are running for re-election. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Lanting told the council that the previous compensation change in 2007 wasnt an actual increase. Instead, this previous action just changed how councilmembers were compensated. Rather than receiving separate monthly payments and benefits, the city folded both into one allocation. But the overall amount councilmembers received didnt go up. Part of that transition in Durango and elsewhere in the country involves our nations shifting demographics. The United States is aging. At the beginning of the 20th century, the nations typical resident was 23. The average citizen today is 38. And for white Americans, who make up 86% of Durangos population, the median age is now 58 In addition, fertility rates are in free fall. At 1.6 children per woman, birthrates are now at their lowest levels since 1979. Thanks to the pandemic, birthrates have dropped even further. It wasnt until after World War II that government-sponsored initiatives like the Bracero program started a new wave of immigration. By 2010, immigrants once again made up just over 14% of the countrys population. However, today, instead of putting migrants to work, the U.S. government works to keep them out. Weve stepped up enforcement at the border and under the last administration, launched deportation campaigns against undocumented immigrants. Moreover, in 2020, the number of immigrant and non-immigrant visas issued was down 54% from the previous year. In turn, temporary and permanent worker visas fell by 44%. And as surprising as it might sound, more Mexicans are going home today than are coming to the United States. Republican Rep. Wendy Horman said Giddings repeatedly used the ethics complaints to fundraise ostensibly for her own defense. But Giddings apparently didn't use the money to hire an attorney or to serve potential defense witnesses with subpoenas. Horman also took issue with Giddings' claim that she takes a backseat to no one in protecting victims' rights. Rep. Brent Crane, a Republican, accused Giddings of repeatedly making patently false statements in media interviews and to the committee, including her claim that she was being targeted because she was running for lieutenant governor and that the committee worked with one of her political opponents. Giddings didn't declare her intent to run until after both complaints were filed. You can go ahead and report that narrative, but it is a baldfaced lie, Crane said. Giddings in her statement suggested that Idaho Speaker of the House Scott Bedke, also a Republican, trumped up these charges against her because he is also running for lieutenant governor. Bedke was one of the two dozen lawmakers who backed the ethics complaint. Other lawmakers testified that he was one of the last lawmakers they asked to sign the already written complaint. One of the best-known wild horses roaming North Carolinas Outer Banks was found dead on a beach over the weekend and experts suspect heat may have been a factor. Hazel, as the horse was known, was believed to be nearly 30 years old. Her death comes when some areas of the Outer Banks have had a daily heat index near 110 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Hazel lived and died as every wild horse should free, and on her own terms, herd manager Meg Puckett wrote in a Facebook post. We will miss seeing her on the beach but take comfort in knowing she lived a great life and left a huge mark on the herd. She was laid to rest near Pennys Hill, where she spent all of her 20+ years. Rest easy, Hazel. Wild horses endure countless hardships on the Outer Banks, including a lack of fresh water, hurricanes and limited food options. There are about 100 free roaming horses in the Corolla herd and they have adapted to eat sea oats, persimmons, acorns and other course grasses native to the islands. Hazel made headlines this summer when it was discovered her frequent disappearances were tied to an unexpected habit: She would seek newborn horses in different areas of Swan Beach and babysit them. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} According Luebkes analysis, McDowell County Schools have spent about 10% of the $22.4 million in federal funds the district was allotted. The low spending levels by districts, the multiyear spending plans, and extensive discretion local districts enjoy regarding spending are patterns inconsistent with the concept of emergency funding, Luebke noted. It does, however, raise the question: With the pandemic winding down and the emergency largely behind us, what will the remaining funds be used for? Luebke says tracking and accountability mechanisms are needed to know how the remaining $4.6 billion will be spent over the coming years. These are funds that, if used wisely, could be transformational for public education, he said. In an emailed response, DPI communications director Blair Rhoades said school districts have a long runway to spend the funds through 2024. Unfortunately, this time of year brings preventable tragedy when adults leave children in hot vehicles. For this reason, the N.C. Department of Insurance and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are hosting a Hot Car event sponsored by the McDowell County Sheriffs Office and McDowell County Parks & Recreation. It will be held Thursday, Aug. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the McDowell Recreation Department, 25 Academy St. in Marion. There will be free Icees, and the Recreation Department is offering free swimming from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Officials from the Department of Insurance and State Fire Marshals office will be on hand to demonstrate how quickly the temperature in a car can rise by cooking smores on the dashboard of a vehicle. Did You Know Every year, an average of 39 children across the U.S. die from heat exposure in vehicles. Since 1998, 32 children have died in N.C. from being left in a hot vehicle. North Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for heatstroke deaths in children under the age of 14. Heatstroke deaths of children, as a result of being alone in a vehicle, occur for one of three reasons: On the morning of Sunday, Aug. 1, the Rev. Warren Owens preached a sermon from his pulpit about the blessing of life given by the Lord. He then presided over the celebration of Holy Communion at his church, First United Methodist of Marion. God is involved in our lives and his instructions yeah he might test us a little bit but they are life giving instructions, Owens said in his sermon. He wants us to be dependent upon Him. He wants to shower blessings upon us day by day, each day. And He wants us looking toward heaven for that gift. What Pastor Owens and no one else knew was it would be his last sermon and his last Holy Communion service on Earth. After the Sunday service, he went home where he passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep. He was just 61 years old. Now, the members of First United Methodist of Marion and the local community are dealing with the sudden and shocking loss of their beloved pastor and friend. As far as anyone knows, he died of a heart attack in his sleep, church members say. They are remembering his heartfelt sermons and prayers, his humor and his dedication to their church and the surrounding community. MIAMI (AP) An Ohio man was arrested in Florida over the weekend after being accused of groping two female flight attendants and punching a male flight attendant during a flight from Philadelphia to Miami, officials said. Maxwell Berry, 22, of Norwalk, Ohio, was arrested Saturday at Miami International Airport and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery, according to a Miami-Dade police report. Berry had two drinks while on the Frontier Airlines flight and ordered another drink, police said. Berry brushed an empty cup against the backside of a flight attendant, who then told him not to touch her, officials said. At some point, Berry spilled a drink on his shirt, went to the bathroom and came out shirtless, the report said. A flight attendant helped him get another shirt from his carry-on. Police said that, after walking around for 15 minutes, Berry allegedly grabbed the chests of two female flight attendants. They called a male flight attendant over to watch Berry, who punched the other man in the face, officials said. The flight attendant and nearby passengers restrained Berry in a seat with tape and a seatbelt extender, the report said. A medical worker takes swab samples from a chid during mass testing for COVID-19 at a residential block in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. China suspended flights and trains, canceled professional basketball league games and announced mass coronavirus testing in Wuhan on Tuesday as widening outbreaks of the delta variant reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. Credit: Chinatopix via AP China suspended flights and trains, canceled professional basketball league games and announced mass coronavirus testing in Wuhan, as widening outbreaks of the delta variant reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. While the total number of cases is still in the hundreds, they are far more widespread than anything China has dealt with since the initial outbreak that devastated Wuhan in early 2020, and over time spread to the rest of the country and the world. China has not eliminated but largely curbed COVID-19 at home with quick lockdowns and mass testing to isolate infected people whenever new cases pop up. Most previous outbreaks didn't spread far beyond a city or province. This time, cases have been confirmed in more than 35 cities in 17 of mainland China's 31 provinces and regions. The cities of Nanjing and Yangzhou have canceled all domestic flights, and Beijing has halted long-distance trains from 23 stations. The Chinese Basketball Association said that matches of its men's professional league would be suspended because of the pandemic. Wuhan, a provincial capital of 11 million people in central China, is the latest city to undergo city-wide testing. Three cases were confirmed there on Monday, its first non-imported cases in more than a year. Residents rush to stock up on necessities at a supermarket after authorities lockdown near residential blocks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Wuhan city in central China's Hubei province Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Chinese authorities announced Tuesday the mass testing of Wuhan as an unusually wide series of COVID-19 outbreaks reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. Credit: Chinatopix via AP They were among 90 new cases confirmed nationwide the previous day, the National Health Commission said Tuesday. Of those, 61 were locally spread ones and 29 among people who had recently arrived from abroad. Most of the local cases are still in Jiangsu province, where an outbreak started at the airport in Nanjing, the provincial capital, and has spread to other parts of he province and beyond. Authorities reported 45 new cases, five in Nanjing and 40 in the city of Yangzhou, 105 kilometers (65 miles) away, where a second round of mass testing was underway. Five other provinces and the cities of Beijing and Shanghai reported new local cases in the single digits. In Shanghai, the nation's largest city, a driver working at one of its two main airports tested positive. Beijing has reported a total of five cases in recent days. A nurse takes throat swab samples in new round of COVID-19 testing in Nanjing city in eastern China's Jiangsu province Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. The current coronavirus outbreaks in China, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. Many of the cases have been identified as the highly contagious delta variant that is driving a resurgence in many countries. Credit: Chinatopix via AP Medical workers takes throat swab samples in new round of COVID-19 testing in Nanjing city in eastern China's Jiangsu province Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 The current coronavirus outbreaks in China, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. Many of the cases have been identified as the highly contagious delta variant that is driving a resurgence in many countries. Credit: Chinatopix via AP Shelves are empty as residents rush to stock up on necessities at a supermarket after authorities lockdown near residential blocks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Wuhan city in central China's Hubei province Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Chinese authorities announced Tuesday the mass testing of Wuhan as an unusually wide series of COVID-19 outbreaks reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. Credit: Chinatopix via AP A tourist takes a photo near a statue of a mystical beast at the Summer Palace in Beijing Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. The current coronavirus outbreaks in China, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. Many of the cases have been identified as the highly contagious delta variant that is driving a resurgence in many countries. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan Visitors wear face masks to protect against COVID-19 as they walk at a tourist shopping street in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Chinese authorities announced Tuesday mass coronavirus testing in Wuhan as an unusually wide series of COVID-19 outbreaks reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. The current outbreaks, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Tourists wear face masks as they visit the Summer Palace in Beijing Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. The current coronavirus outbreaks in China, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. Many of the cases have been identified as the highly contagious delta variant that is driving a resurgence in many countries. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan The Nanjing outbreak, which has been traced to the delta variant, is the source of the cases in most other places. Separately, delta variant outbreaks in two other places have been linked to neighboring Myanmar, which has seen a sharp rise in infections. An outbreak in Zhengzhou, a city hit by flooding that killed about 300 people last month, started with people who arrived from Myanmar by air. A third outbreak, the one that started the earliest, spilled into Yunnan province from its border with Myanmar. Government-affiliated scientists have said that Chinese vaccines are less effective against the new strains of the coronavirus but still offer some protection. Only Chinese vaccines are currently being given in China, where authorities say more than 1.6 billion doses have been administered. Explore further Chinese cities test millions as virus cases surge 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. (HealthDay)The delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) accounts for most cases of breakthrough infection among vaccinated individuals, according to research published in the July 30 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Catherine M. Brown, D.V.M., from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues describe an outbreak of 469 cases of COVID-19 associated with events and large public gatherings in a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Among eligible Massachusetts residents, vaccination coverage was 69 percent. The researchers found that 74 percent of the cases occurred in fully vaccinated individuals. The B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 was identified in 89 percent of the 133 patients who underwent genomic sequencing; the delta AY.3 sublineage was identified in one patient. Of the vaccinated patients with breakthrough infection, 79 percent were symptomatic. Five patients were hospitalized, four of whom were fully vaccinated; there were no deaths. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold values were similar in specimens from 127 vaccinated persons with breakthrough cases and in 84 persons who were unvaccinated, who were not fully vaccinated, or whose vaccination status was unknown. "Even jurisdictions without substantial or high COVID-19 transmission might consider expanding prevention strategies, including masking in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status, given the potential risk of infection during attendance at large public gatherings that include travelers from many areas with differing levels of transmission," the authors write. Explore further Provincetown outbreak shows Delta can spread among vaccinated, but cases are mild Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Devendra Shah and Rachel Soltys examine antibiotic susceptibility plates in the laboratory. Credit: Washington State University One type of the salmonella bacteria is much more likely to cause disease and fend off frontline antibiotics when acquired in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa rather than domestically in the United States. Washington State University researchers aren't sure yet why salmonella Kentucky isolates from certain parts of the globe are antibiotic resistant while others aren't, but their findings are a key step toward better understanding and treatment. "Quite frankly, I think we've just gotten lucky this drug-resistant type hasn't popped up in the U.S. yet," said Rachel Soltys, a graduate student and first author of a paper on the research in the Journal of Frontiers and Sustainable Food Systems. The study was conducted in the laboratory of Devendra Shah, an associate professor and the Caroline Engle Distinguished Professor in Research on Infectious Diseases. Shah is part of the university's large disease research effort and is housed in WSU's Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology. Researchers in the Shah lab looked specifically at salmonella Kentucky. Just like other salmonella types, the bacteria thrive in the gastrointestinal tracts of food animals such as chickens and cattle, and are known to cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever in humans. The researchers found that more than 60% of Washingtonians with a confirmed salmonella Kentucky infection while abroad from 2004 to 2014 were resistant to fluoroquinolones, a group of frontline antibiotics used to treat salmonella infection. While the lab also collected salmonella Kentucky isolates from domestically raised food animals in the U.S. such as chickens, none showed resistance to this group of antibiotics. To trace the origin of antibiotic resistance in strains, Soltys and Shah analyzed 15 fluoroquinolone-resistant clinical samples of salmonella Kentucky collected by the Washington State Department of Health. In collaboration with the state health department, 11 of those cases were traced directly to international travel to the Middle East and countries such as Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Egypt, and India. To back up their findings, another 140 salmonella Kentucky samples collected from chickens in the northwestern U.S. and a few from the laboratory of Jean Guard, an agriculture research scientist at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, were compared with more than 400 publicly available genome sequences of salmonella Kentucky from various parts of the world. "When we compared our salmonella Kentucky sequences to the international isolates, it corroborated with what we had learned from the Washington State Department of Health epidemiology data and confirmed that the patients had picked up infection when they were traveling," Soltys said. The research builds off work from 2016, when second-year veterinary student Carson Sakamoto found most salmonella Kentucky strains isolated from human patients in Washington state were highly resistant to frontline antibiotics. Shah said while salmonella Kentucky is one of the most common salmonella types found in domestic poultry, the bacterium causes less than 100 cases per year in the U.S. It was generally thought salmonella Kentucky was not a major threat to public health. However, Shah said if this fluoroquinolone-resistant salmonella Kentucky from across the globe were to become endemic in the U.S., reported cases would likely increase, and those experiencing symptoms severe enough to warrant a doctor's visit would likely be prescribed drugs that would not work. "One, you're likely not going to recover with antibiotics. Two, you're going to disturb your normal bacteria in your body, and it can make your infection worse," Shah said. More information: Rachel C. Soltys et al, High-Resolution Comparative Genomics of Salmonella Kentucky Aids Source Tracing and Detection of ST198 and ST152 Lineage-Specific Mutations, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2021). Rachel C. Soltys et al, High-Resolution Comparative Genomics of Salmonella Kentucky Aids Source Tracing and Detection of ST198 and ST152 Lineage-Specific Mutations,(2021). DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.695368 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Half of the European Union's population has now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, an AFP tally showed Tuesday, as China's Wuhan said it would test all 11 million residents after the virus returned to where it first emerged. The highly contagious Delta variant has been driving surging infections across the world, even in places which had long touted their successes in overcoming the worst of the pandemic. China brought domestic cases down to virtually zero after the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019, allowing the economy to rebound and life to return largely to normal. But a fresh outbreak has thrown that record into jeopardy, as the fast-spreading Delta variant reaches dozens of cities after infections among airport cleaners in Nanjing sparked a chain of cases that have been reported across the country. After Wuhan reported its first local infections in more than a year, authorities said they were launching a mass-testing program for all 11 million residents. Mao, a 27-year-old Wuhan resident, told AFP he was "not worried" about the new outbreak because "Wuhan has accumulated rich experience" after enduring a gruelling lockdown in the early months of the pandemic. Across China, authorities have confined the residents of entire cities to their homes, cut domestic transport links and rolled out mass testing in recent days. Hit hard by earlier waves of the pandemic, the European Union has now fully vaccinated more than 50 percent of its population. Spain leads the pack of larger EU countries with 58.3 percent of its population fully vaccinated, followed by Italy with 54.4 percent, France with 52.9 and Germany with 52.2 percent, according to an AFP tally. EU passes US The EU has now passed the vaccination rate of the United Stateswhich remains on 49.7 percentas that country suffers a new wave driven by the Delta variant that has sent hospitalisations soaring to levels not seen since last summer. The US on Monday hit President Joe Biden's goal of administering at least one jab to 70 percent of adults a month latedashing hopes of declaring victory over the worst of the pandemic by Independence Day on July 4. Officials blamed falling vaccine ratesparticularly in areas where hesitancy is higher among younger people, those with less income and racial minoritiesfor the missed deadline as well as the soaring caseload. "These cases are concentrated in communities with lower vaccination rates," Jeff Zients, White House COVID task force coordinator, told reporters. "One in three cases nationwide occurred in Florida and Texas this past week." In a silver lining, US states that previously lagged behind are belatedly catching up according to the latest vaccination data. Troops deployed in Australia In Australia, where only 15 percent of the 25-million population are fully vaccinated, authorities are relying on lockdowns to stop a Delta outbreak that has seen 3,600 cases recorded since mid-June. Millions are still under movement restrictions in the country, and troops on Monday hit the streets of Sydney and surrounding areas, which are entering the sixth week of a lockdown set to run until the end of August. Australian airline Qantas said it would send home 2,500 workers without pay from mid-August for two months, as the lockdowns kill demand for flights. Nearby Indonesia has seen its COVID toll soar, recording 1,568 deaths on Monday, more than double the country with next highest number of fatalities, Russia with 788. Also fighting a major Delta surge is Bangladesh, which extended its lockdown Tuesday and announced plans to vaccinate at least 10 million people within a week. And Iran, the Middle East country worst hit by the pandemic, registered more than 39,000 cases on Tuesday, its highest daily figure yet. The new record comes a day after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered that "necessary measures" be taken to contain what the government warns is a fifth wave of the country's outbreak. Explore further Russia again posts record coronavirus deaths 2021 AFP Transmission electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, emerging from human cells. Credit: NIAID Half of the population of the European Union has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an AFP tally Tuesday, putting it ahead of the United States in the inoculation drive. Nearly 224 million people across the 27 member states have been covered, with Spain leading the pack of larger countries with 58.3 percent of its population vaccinated, followed by Italy (54.4 percent), France (52.9) and Germany (52.2). The figures mean Europe has now nosed ahead of the US in the vaccine drive. Some 49.7 percent of the US population are fully vaccinated, but take-up is slowing particularly in the conservative states of the South and Midwest. The country reached President Joe Biden's goal of administering at least one dose to 70 percent of adults Mondayalmost a month lateas the newest wave of infections pushed hospitalisations to levels seen last summer. The US has also fallen behind its northern neighbour Canada, which started its immunisation campaign later but has now fully vaccinated 59 percent of its people. The EU has given first shots to 59.3 percent of its population, according to the AFP tally from official sources, while the US is just behind at 57.8 percent in the latest figures released Monday. The tiny island nation of Malta tops the EU league with three quarters of its people fully vaccinated followed by Belgium at 58.9 percent. Bottom of the European class are Balkan neighbours Bulgaria (14.5 percent) and Romania which has covered a quarter of its people. Explore further More than half of European adults fully vaccinated 2021 AFP Sanofi will buy Translate Bio, with which it has been working to develop an mRNA Covid jab, for $3.2 billion. France's pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, which has lagged behind rivals in developing new generation mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, on Tuesday said it has purchased a US firm specialising in the technology. Sanofi will buy Translate Bio, with which it has been working to develop an mRNA Covid jab, for $3.2 billion (2.7 billion euros), the company said in a statement. Sanofi was left trailing in the race to break out a Covid-19 vaccine in 2020, as rivals Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna used pioneering mRNA technology to develop jabs in record time. In late June, it said it would invest two billion euros in the technology by setting up a "centre of excellence" employing 400 people at its laboratories in the US city of Cambridge and Marcy-L'Etoile near the French city of Lyon. Messenger RNA technology works by providing human cells with the genetic instructions to make a surface protein of the coronavirus, which trains the immune system to recognise the real virus. Making a traditional vaccine is a longer process that normally involves developing a weakened form of a pathogen. Sanofi, which initially went the traditional route, is still racing to make up ground in the colossal market for Covid jabs. The European Medicines Agency only started a "rolling review" of Sanofi's coronavirus jab, developed with British firm GSK, on July 20. Sanofi, which has been working on developing an mRNA vaccine with Translate Bio, based in Lexington, Massachusetts, said it was betting on the new technology beyond the coronavirus pandemic. "Our goal is to unlock the potential of mRNA in other strategic areas such as immunology, oncology, and rare diseases in addition to vaccines," Sanofi chief executive Paul Hudson said in a statement. Sanofi is not alone in such ambitions. Germany's BioNTech, which developed the coronavirus vaccine with US giant Pfizer, announced in July that it aimed to start trialling a malaria vaccine using the mRNA breakthrough technology. Explore further France's Sanofi to invest 2 billion euros in mRNA vaccines 2021 AFP Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain France's overseas territory of Guadeloupe is to return to partial lockdown for at least three weeks because of a "catastrophic" surge in COVID cases, officials announced Monday. The announcement comes days after Martinique, another French Caribbean island 190 kilometres (120 miles) to the south, returned to lockdown on Friday for at least three weeks. And the French island of Reunion entered a partial two-week lockdown this weekend, including a 6:00 pm to 5:00 am overnight curfew. From Wednesday evening Guadeloupe will return to an 8:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew, with travel during the day restricted to a 10-kilometre radius, prefect Alexandre Rochatte told journalists. The measures were "indispensable" to stop the surge in COVID cases, he said. "We are in a catastrophic situation," said Valerie Denux, director general of Guadeloupe's regional health agency. "We have passed 3,000 cases a week," she said, adding that COVID cases had multiplied by more than 10 over the past three weeks. Denux also appealed for help from any qualified medical professionals on the islandincluding those on holiday there. While shops will stay open on the island and restaurants will be able to serve at lunchtime, all bars, gyms, stadiums and swimming pools will be closed. Nearly 53 percent of the French population has been fully vaccinated, and 63.5 percent have received one shot, but the figures are significantly lower in the French overseas territories. None of the 22 patients currently in intensive care in Guadeloupe had been vaccinated, said Denux. Music fans are already mourning the death of Guadeloupean musician Jacob Desvarieux, the co-founder of Caribbean band Kassav', who died of COVID last week in a hospital at Pointe-a-Pitre, the island's largest city. News of the latest curfew announcement came hours after President Emmanuel Macron appealed to people to get themselves vaccinated in a message on Tik Tok and Instagram. He was speaking after an estimated 200,000 people demonstrated across France on Saturday, many of them hostile to vaccination. On Saturday night, a vaccine centre on the French Caribbean island of Martinique was set alight. Explore further France reports 40 mln vaccinated with at least one jab 2021 AFP Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In the United States, more than 600 institutions of higher education are requiring students to be vaccinated to return to campus this fall. In Canada, Seneca College in Ontario is making vaccination mandatory for anyone attending campus. The University of Ottawa and others will require students living on campus to be vaccinated. The University of Toronto has announced that in addition to requiring vaccination for students living in residence, it will "require students, faculty, staff and librarians who participate in activities that carry a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission to be vaccinatedand require all community members to self-declare their vaccination status" on an online platform. The university will use "anonymous, aggregate data on vaccination status, by campus," to inform health and safety measures. As September approaches, more post-secondary institutions will announce how they are managing COVID-19-related decisions. We are two researchers with an interest in social and structural determinants of health who have been discussing and writing about the pandemic for the last 16 months. We are involved in research about increasing COVID-19 knowledge and protective behaviors, and reducing pandemic stress among diverse LGBTQ+ and racialized people, and how harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs, and other addiction services and HIV prevention have changed in response to COVID-19. While one of us is more supportive of mandatory vaccination on campusesgiven voluminous evidence for COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectivenesswe are both nevertheless concerned about mandatory vaccination. Avoid 'battleground' scenario Our shared experience in social work, public health and ethics, including sexual health and HIV research, leads us to believe that mandating vaccination can risk turning a highly effective and routine public health intervention into a contentious battleground. What otherwise might be an everyday health behavior becomes increasingly loaded with stereotypes and assumptions about political motivations that can divide communities and marginalize individuals and their lived experiences. Our research has shown us that reasons for engaging in practices often not condoned by health researchers and public health officialssuch as sharing drug-using equipmentare often complex. And they often make sense in the context of people's daily realities. In the case of people living with HIV and people who use drugs, they often have sophisticated understandings and complex interactions with the health-care system. These communities often have innovative ideas about how to better meet the needs of their peers. Mandatory in public sectors? The great success of COVID-19 vaccines has led to calls to make them mandatory for health-care workers, for elementary and high-school staff, and in other public sectors. We have personally followed public health requirements and have been vaccinated. We also recognize that vaccines have been the most impactful public health intervention of the last century. Vaccines save millions of lives every year. But we also understand that while everyone who lacks antibodies to new coronavirus strains is at risk, the risks of infection, morbidity and mortality are influenced by broader socio-political and economic systems. In this way, COVID-19, like many other infectious diseases that concern public health experts, is rooted in inequity. Social contexts, inequities The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities among racialized("visible minority") communities because of systemic racism in the health-care system, workplaces and living conditions. Communities that experience the brunt of systemic racism and ongoing colonization, including in the health-care system, may be understandably reluctant or hesitant to get vaccinated. Black and Indigenous communities are navigating especially painful histories with harmful state-sponsored medical interventions. Engaging these communities about vaccination requires cultural humility and respect. Some people have medical reasons to not get vaccinated, such as allergies. Others may have religious reasons. University of Windsor Take a Jab campaign. Then there are those considered "anti-vaxxers," who reject vaccinations despite the evidence for their safety and efficacy. In Canada, 70 percent of the population has received at least one vaccine dose. Fifty-six percent are fully vaccinated. Risk of infection on campus We share concerns about the risk of infection on campus and the importance of students getting vaccinated. We also see rates of vaccination among young people ages 19 to 29 (69 percent at least one dose, and 46 percent fully vaccinated) in a positive light, considering they only became eligible recently, and with challenges in vaccine availability across Canada. Assuming single doses translate into fully vaccinated, we are left with questions about the remaining 31 percent. We consider two possible stances: mandatory vaccination and vaccine promotion. Mandatory vaccination In scenario one, post-secondary institutions view the nearly one-third unvaccinated as a threatto the health and safety of themselves, other students, faculty and staff on campuses. Putting aside the small subset unable to be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons, we are left with young persons who may be vaccine-hesitant. Or possibly anti-vaccination. With the rapidly spreading Delta variant, the unvaccinated are at considerable risk for infection, and transmission to others. Clusters of infection increase risks of further mutations. Mandatory vaccinations might be necessary in this case. But is anything owed to the unvaccinated? As many people return to workplaces, they want flexibility. Many universities adopted online learning platforms. If the unvaccinated are not permitted to attend in-person classes, they should be offered online alternatives. Concerns that this will breach students' privacy and open them up to shaming from instructors and classmates need to be addressed. Shaming people for health choices often backfires, sometimes intensifying their beliefs. We imagine online options being extended to all students during this transition period. Vaccine promotion Scenario two, vaccine promotion, considers the role our respective universities have played during the pandemic. Both the University of Toronto and the University of Windsor host vaccine clinics and offer expert advice. The University of Windsor (UW) does not require students to be vaccinated to return to campus at this time. It is partnering with UW Students' Alliance and WE-Spark Health Institute to promote vaccination through peer-engagement and accessible information. The approach means vaccination is made readily available, including on-campus clinics, and students are given time to make the decision about vaccination. Incentive-based approaches are another option; they may lead some students "on the fence" to be vaccinated, but are unlikely to sway the truly hesitant. Scenario two creates options for diverse students from across Canada, with different levels of vaccine access, to return to campus. This approach may be in keeping with the role of universities as bastions of critical debate. As COVID-19 continues to evolve, it will require ongoing vigilance. Moving forward In considering a highly consequential policy, we both support dialog and community engagement, for which our research in Canada and globally has afforded ample evidence. An important way forward is for higher education leaders to consult with students, faculty and staff. Universities have a short window to be proactive about the fall and winter semesters. They need to consider what a gentler return home for students might look like this time compared to 2020. Significantly, they should also be considering how they can meaningfully support students, faculty and staff to return and recover from this exceptionally challenging periodone that is not yet over. Explore further Rutgers to require students be vaccinated for virus in fall This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Less than two months after France ended compulsory mask wearing outdoors several coastal resorts have made it mandatory again to combat a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. Brittany's Finistere area, which includes the towns of Quimper, Morlaix and Brest, became the latest on Monday to order people to cover their mouths and noses outdoors after a jump in COVID cases since the start of the summer holidays. With its rugged Atlantic coastline Brittany is one of France's most popular destinations. Authorities in Finistere said the number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants had risen over four-fold between June 30 and July 30, from 19 to 90. Last week, masks also became compulsory outdoors again in the Morbihan area, which covers the town of Vannes, and the Cotes-d'Armor, including Dinan and Saint-Brieuc. Other areas to have revived compulsory mask-wearing outdoors include the Mediterranean island of Corsica, the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the border with Spain and Lake Annecy, at the foot of the Alps. Health authorities in Corsica said Tuesday that hospitals would start cancelling elective surgery as they struggle with an influx of COVID patients. They blamed the spread of the Delta variant for an incidence rate of 830 cases per 100,000 people in the north of the island, compared with a national average of 224 cases per 100,000. President Emmanuel Macron has taken to Tik Tok and Instagram to try convince young people to get vaccinated. Some 16 million people have since Monday viewed four video selfies by the French leader trying to debunk false claims about the jabs. So far, 42.6 million people in France have received at least one vaccine shot, representing 63.2 percent of the population. Of these, 35.7 million are fully vaccinated. Explore further France restores mask rule in south as COVID cases soar 2021 AFP In this April 18, 2020 file photo, a subway conductor wears a face mask as the train is in a station, in the Bronx borough of New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "strongly" urged even vaccinated people to start wearing masks indoors. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said unvaccinated transit employees in the metropolitan area would undergo weekly virus testing. But both Democrats on Monday resisted calls to impose new mask or vaccination requirements to counter a rapidly climbing number of new COVID-19 infections. De Blasio explained that the city's "overwhelming strategic thrust" remains getting more people vaccinated. Cuomo said he lacks the legal authority to impose such local mandates on his own. "The Legislature would have to come back, they'd have to pass a law to do that. So I don't have any legal authority to mandate," Cuomo said of a mask mandate. "The best I can do is say I strongly recommend that they do that." The mayor, at a separate briefing afterward, said city health officials are following a strategy based on "data and science." "We thought the right mix was to heavily focus on vaccination to continue to climb the ladder, put more and more vaccine requirements in place, and to give a very clear message to all New Yorkers strongly recommending mask usage, regardless of vaccination status," he said. Infection rates have been rising nationwide. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidelines recommending that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant is fueling infection surges. In this May 17, 2021 file photo, Emily Baumgartner, left, and Luke Finley, second from left, join friends from their church group in a birthday toast to one of the members, upper right, during their weekly "Monday Night Hang" gathering at the Tiki Bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File Calls for a revived mask mandate in New York have grown louder as local numbers rise. An average of more than 2,400 people per day have tested positive for COVID-19 daily across New York state over the past week, up from around 300 new cases per day in late June. More than two dozen of the state's 62 counties met the CDC's recommendation threshold for masking up indoors Monday. "Our leaders are moving slowly while the delta variant does anything but," the city's public advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, said in a prepared statement criticizing his two fellow Democrats. "Waiting to see if cases rise is equivalent to inviting them to do so. We need an indoor mask mandate nowwe needed it a week ago before the CDC issued their directive." New York City already requires face coverings in public schools and public transportation. In this May 19, 2021 file photo. pedestrians wear protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic, in the Queens borough of New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File Cuomo on Monday announced that the vaccinate-or-be-tested policies already covering thousands of municipal employees would be extended to Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority employees working in New York facilities beginning Labor Day. The policy will cover more than 70,000 workers, most of whom are already vaccinated. Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano said they will continue to urge members to get the vaccine and will work with the MTA to make sure testing is widely available. Though the governor said his executive power was limited, he urged private businesses like bars and restaurants to adopt a policy of only admitting vaccinated people and said that more hospitals should require workers to get vaccines. And he said if case numbers continue to climb, mandatory vaccines should be considered for nursing home workers and teachers. Northwell Health, which operates hospitals around the New York City area and employs 76,000 people, said Monday that workers who are not fully vaccinated by Aug. 16 will be required to be tested weekly for COVID-19. In this May 27, 2021 file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses the wearing of masks as he speaks at a news conference, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, Pool, File In this May 17, 2021 file photo, a woman buys a face mask at a newspaper stand in the East Village of New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer "As New York State's largest private employer and health care provider, we believe it is our obligation to set an example for the community by getting our team members vaccinated," the company said in a prepared statement. The governor and mayor have each stressed vaccination as the key to fighting the pandemic. De Blasio announced last week that city employees would have to get coronavirus vaccines by mid-September or face weekly COVID-19 testing. Cuomo later announced a similar rule for state employees. Explore further NYC to require vaccines or weekly testing for city workers 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this April 28, 2021 file photo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, speaks with Matthew Putman, co-founder and CEO of Nanotronics, during a facility tour before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a Nanotronics manufacturing center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Putman said he agonized over his decision to impose a vaccine mandate on his more than 100 employees, who have mostly been working onsite throughout the pandemic. As it turned out, nearly all of his workers were already vaccinated, though he dreads the prospect of having to fire any holdouts.Credit: AP Photo/John Minchillo, Pool New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement, which will be phased in over several weeks in August and September, is the most aggressive step the city has taken yet to curb a surge in cases caused by the delta variant. People will have to show proof that they have had at least one vaccine dose. "The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if you're vaccinated," de Blasio said. "The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If we're going to stop the delta variant, the time is now." The Democrat said some details still need to be worked out, including rules affecting children under 12, who are not yet eligible for any of the approved vaccines. The policy will go into effect on Aug. 16 but inspections and enforcement won't begin until Sept. 13the week the city's public schools reopen for fall. During a Tuesday news conference, President Joe Biden said he supported New York City's move and said other cities need to give "the authority to those restaurants or businesses to say: 'In order to come in, you have to give proof that you're either vaccinated or you can't come in.'" De Blasio has focused on getting as many New Yorkers vaccinated as possible while resisting calls to mandate masks indoors, as several cities and counties in California have done. He said vaccination cards will be accepted as proof of inoculation, along with state and city apps. De Blasio said Monday he was making "a strong recommendation" that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings but stressed that the city's "overwhelming strategic thrust" remained getting more people vaccinated. Asked Tuesday about a mask mandate, de Blasio said all options were on the table but reiterated the city's policy is "vaccine-centric." "Right now what we want to nail is people getting vaccinated, and, very bluntly, showing that life is much better when you're vaccinated," he added. "You have more freedom when you're vaccinated, and you have a lot less, you have fewer choices, fewer opportunities if you're not vaccinated." The mayor announced last week that city employees would be required to get vaccinated by mid-September or face weekly testing, and he has offered a $100 incentive for city residents who get inoculated. De Blasio said Tuesday that he did not think checking vaccination status should be too difficult for businesses, which already have to take tickets or show diners to a table. Some disagreed. Seongmin Jun, the manager of Dear Han Cafe in Queens, wondered how he would check vaccination cards while handling the periodic rush of patrons and serving as the cafe's only barista. "Will customers get offended for checking if they got COVID vaccinations? I mean I don't know how to do that, or even if I will have time to do that," Jun said. In this May 17, 2021 file photo, Emily Baumgartner, left, and Luke Finley, second from left, join friends from their church group in a birthday toast to one of the members, upper right, during their weekly "Monday Night Hang" gathering at the Tiki Bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File The coffee shop opened just months before the pandemic spread early last year. "They're making it too hard for businesspeople," Jun said, but acknowledged something has to be done to get the virus under control. "I get what they are trying to say, but there must be another way to reduce the cases of COVID." Sean Ogs, manager of the nearby Woodside Cafe, said he was "floored" when he heard the news about the new vaccination mandate. "We've already been in a struggle. I don't know how I'm going to deal with it," Ogs said. "It's going to be extra work. It'll make things impossible." Woodside Cafe customer Debbie McCarthy, who is unvaccinated, said she was turned away over the weekend from several establishments that had already begun requiring proof of vaccinations from patrons. "I'm a little shocked they would do that," said McCarthy, who said she recovered from COVID-19 a few months ago and believes her natural antibodies will protect from future infections. "Why are they so afraid of people who haven't been vaccinated? I think we should have a choice." Scientists recommend vaccination for people who have had the virus, saying it's unclear how long immunity without vaccination for those who have recovered would last. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance restaurant group, said he supports the new policy to ensure "that New York City does not revert to restrictions and shut down orders that would again absolutely devastate small businesses that have not yet recovered from the pandemic." The Five-Borough Chamber Alliance agreed that the mandate was a "complicated decisions," but said it was "worthy of support for protecting public health and keeping the city on the path to full economic recovery." Fitness studio owner Bill Zanker said he supports the policy as well, even though it comes as another hurdle after a long coronavirus shutdown. "We've got to encourage people to get vaccinated. ... We're happy to enforce that," said Zanker, the CEO of GRIT BXNG, a Manhattan studio that offers boxing-related workouts and a full bar. "Unfortunately, it will affect the business again." The studio had been open for just seven months before the pandemic shutdown began in March 2020. Since reopening this past May, GRIT has checked patrons' vaccination status, offering some inoculated-only classes where people could go without masks while unvaccinated people had to take other classes and cover their faces, he said. About 25% of the patrons are unvaccinated, he said. Major performance venues including Broadway theaters and the Metropolitan Opera have already announced that vaccinations will be required for patrons. About 66% of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated, according to official data. On Monday, the U.S. reached the president's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adultsa month late and amid a surge by the delta variant that is overwhelming hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic regulations around the country. Explore further Masks encouraged in New York, but no city or state mandate 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo, Juan Avellan, center, and others wear masks while working out in an indoor class at a Hit Fit SF gym amid the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor setting as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File The U.S. on Monday finally reached President Joe Biden's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adultsa month late and amid a fierce surge by the delta variant that is swamping hospitals and leading to new mask rules and mandatory vaccinations around the country. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana ordered nearly everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear masks again in all indoor public settings, including schools and colleges. And other cities and states likewise moved to reinstate precautions to counter a crisis blamed on the fast-spreading variant and stubborn resistance to getting the vaccine. "As quickly as we can discharge them they're coming in and they're coming in very sick. We started seeing entire families come down," lamented Dr. Sergio Segarra, chief medical officer of Baptist Hospital Miami. The Florida medical-center chain reported an increase of over 140% in the past two weeks in the number of people now hospitalized with the virus. Biden had set a vaccination goal of 70% by the Fourth of July. That figure was the low end of initial government estimates for what would be necessary to achieve herd immunity in the U.S. But that has been rendered insufficient by the highly contagious delta variant, which has enabled the virus to come storming back. There was was no celebration at the White House on Monday, nor a setting of a new target, as the administration instead struggles to overcome skepticism and outright hostility to the vaccine, especially in the South and other rural and conservative areas. The U.S. still has not hit the administration's other goal of fully vaccinating 165 million American adults by July 4. It is about 8.5 million short. Hindy Bogner Orenstein, a nurse from Maryland chats with Bren Ingle, a nurse from Chattanooga, Tenn., as nearly three dozen healthcare workers from around the country arrive to help supplement the staff at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Louisiana has one of the lowest coronavirus vaccination rates in the nation and is seeing one of the country's worst COVID-19 spikes. Credit: AP Photo/Ted Jackson New cases per day in the U.S. have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. Those are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak, in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. And nearly all deaths and serious illnesses now are in unvaccinated people. The surge has led states and cities across the U.S. to beat a retreat, just weeks after it looked as if the country was going to see a close-to-normal summer. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday they are reinstating a requirement that everyonevaccinated or notwear masks in public indoor spaces. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York City airport and transit workers will have to get vaccinated or face weekly testing. He stopped short of mandating either masks or inoculations for the general public, saying he lacks legal authority to do so. Denver's mayor said the city will require police officers, firefighters and certain other municipal employees to get vaccinated, along with workers at schools, nursing homes, hospitals and jails. Father Don Ajoko, Phd. anoints the hands of healthcare workers and members of the nearly three dozen healthcare workers from around the country to help supplement the staff at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Louisiana has one of the lowest coronavirus vaccination rates in the nation and is seeing one of the country's worst COVID-19 spikes. Credit: AP Photo/Ted Jackson Minnesota's public colleges and universities will require masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. New Jersey said workers at state-run nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and other such institutions must get the shot or face regular testing. North Carolina's governor ordered state employees in the agencies under his control to cover up indoors if they are not fully vaccinated. And McDonald's said it will require employees and customers to resume wearing masks inside some U.S. restaurants regardless of vaccination status in areas with high or substantial coronavirus transmission. The company didn't say how many restaurants would be affected by the new mask mandate. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a nationwide vaccination requirement "is not on the table," but noted that employers have the right to take such a step. The U.S. Senate saw its first disclosed breakthrough case of the virus, with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina saying he has mild symptoms. In Florida, it took two months last summer for the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 to jump from 2,000 to 10,000. It took only 27 days this summer for Florida hospitals to see that same increase, said Florida Hospital Association President Mary Mayhew. In this Dec. 22, 2020 file photo, signs advising facial covering requirements are shown as travelers stand in line at a Delta Air Lines desk at San Francisco International Airport during the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File She noted also that this time, 96% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated and they are far younger, many of them in their 20s and 30s. Amid the surge, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his anti-mask, anti-lockdown stance, warning in a fundraising email over the weekend: "They're coming for your freedom again." While setting a national vaccination goal may have been useful for trying to drum up enthusiasm for the shots, 70% of Americans getting one shot was never going to be enough to prevent surges among unvaccinated groups. And when he announced the goal, Biden acknowledged it was just a first step. It's the level of vaccinations in a communitynot a broad national averagethat can slow an outbreak or allow it to flourish. Vaccination rates in some Southern states are far lower than they are New England. Vermont has fully inoculated nearly 78% of its adult population. Alabama has just cracked 43%. Explore further Masks encouraged in New York, but no city or state mandate 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Left: Hematoxylin and eosin staining of a partly occluded small airway (OB lesion). Right: A control small airway of a healthy lung. Scale: 200 m. These images were obtained using the VS120 virtual microscopy slide scanning system (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and OlyVIA software V3.2.1 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Credit: Co-authors Catharina Muller and Barbora Michalikova A study of lung tissue from patients with end-stage bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) as a complication of lung transplantation yielded molecular and morphologic insights into the development of chronic rejection. These insights may help develop therapies to optimize long-term outcomes for lung transplantation patients, report investigators in The American Journal of Pathology. BOS, a common form of chronic lung allograft dysfunction, limits long-term survival after lung transplantation. This study improves our understanding of the formation of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) lesions in small airways. Identification of early processes leading to BOS and improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms will help us develop tools to manage BOS. "Lung transplantation can be the last option for some end-stage patients with various underlying lung diseases. Therefore, improving transplantation outcomes may have a significant impact on their survival," explained lead investigator Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson, Ph.D., Lung Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. "Identifying the underlying initial cause of OB lesions in patients undergoing lung transplantation is key to developing therapies to reduce the chance of chronic allograft dysfunction." Investigators examined the protein composition in lung tissue from four patients with end-stage BOS as a complication of lung transplantation using laser-capture microdissection and optimized sample preparation protocols for mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to determine the spatial distribution of commonly identified proteins at the tissue level. Protein signatures were established for 14 OB lesions, which showed variations in their protein content as well as exhibited common features. The study concluded that the OB lesions were heterogeneous and differed within and among patients. The protein patterns in the lesions were correlated to pathways of extracellular matrix organization, tissue development, and wound healing processes. These results encourage further research into ways to affect modulating these cellular pathways and events. "This study shows a link between the morphological appearance of OB lesions in remodeled airways in lungs from patients suffering from end-stage BOS and their respective protein content, providing molecular and morphological insights into the development of chronic rejection after lung transplantation," noted Dr. Westergren-Thorsson. Although a multitude of proteins (up to 89 proteins per lesion) were identified by mass spectrometry, basement membrane proteins were overrepresented and accumulated outside the usual epithelial basement membrane. Since basement membranes provide cell and tissue support and act as a platform for complex cell signaling, these results suggest an epithelial/mesenchymal imbalance in the OB lesion. "The aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins results in an increased stiffness of the microenvironment in OB lesions that creates a vicious circle in which mesenchymal cells respond to the reduced compliance and increase in rigidity by producing an excess amount of extracellular matrix. These structural changes contribute to the lesions and further propagate the obliterations," Dr. Westergren-Thorsson said. These findings are particularly important because survivors of COVID-19 who have developed chronic lung fibrosis and have a poor prognosis may need lung transplantation. "The global impact of the pandemic will propagate over several years to come with long-term lung fibrosis following the initial COVID-19 infection. Our study encourages research into ways to affect these cellular pathways and events to optimize the long-term outcome for lung transplantation," Dr. Westergren-Thorsson concluded. BOS is defined as a progressive airway obstruction causing more than a 20 percent decline in forced expiratory volume in one second with no obvious reason such as infection or other macroscopic lesions. Explore further Finding a personalized approach to treating chronic rejection after lung transplantation More information: Catharina Muller et al, Protein Signatures of Remodeled Airways in Transplanted Lungs with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Obtained Using Laser-Capture Microdissection, The American Journal of Pathology (2021). Journal information: American Journal of Pathology Catharina Muller et al, Protein Signatures of Remodeled Airways in Transplanted Lungs with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Obtained Using Laser-Capture Microdissection,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.05.014 Highway 35 remained closed Tuesday from the Highway 93/35 junction to Blue Bay mile marker 15, as the Boulder 2700 fire has now burned an estimated 1,416 acres. It is 0% contained and 217 personnel are working on the blaze. Residents from Finley Point to south Mahood Lane were allowed to return to their residences on Tuesday. Those wishing to do so were asked to meet Lake County Sheriff deputies near mile marker 2 on Highway 35. Residents would then be able to obtain a tag that allows them to return. Officials are asking citizens to bring "something" or a phone screenshot that has an address on it to prove residence. Contractor tags are also available. Officials cautioned power and phone lines are still out in the area. All homes north of Mahood Lane to mile marker 13 on Highway 35 continue to be under an evacuation order. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Crews are working to continue to provide structure protection and to construct hand lines along the north and south flanks of the fire. They also responded to a spot fire Monday, which was held at four acres. Structure assessment is ongoing and a fire report said the blaze was not expected to grow much on Tuesday. A St. Ignatius man was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison for transporting child pornography and failing to register as a sex offender. The prison sentence for Justin Douglas Lampke, 47, will be followed by 15 years of supervised release, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Lampke pleaded guilty in October 2020 to failure to register as a sex offender and in March 2021 to transporting child pornography he has several prior sexual abuse convictions beginning in 1992 in Oregon, some involving children under the age of 10, the release said. While on supervised release from those convictions, he violated his parole multiple times. In January 2020, he was caught hiding in Montana under an alias. An internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detective received multiple National Center for Missing and Exploited Children cybertips concerning a person who was transporting child pornography files via social media sites namely Facebook. Lampke was identified by officials and arrested. Child pornography was found on multiple devices seized from Lampkes house, and agents determined he transported or moved child pornography to a USB storage device from another digital device in May 2019. We are also proud Jews. Its part of who we are and how weve identified ourselves for our whole lives. As our company began to expand internationally, Israel was one of our first overseas markets. We were then, and remain today, supporters of the State of Israel, the founders said. But its possible to support Israel and oppose some of its policies, just as weve opposed policies of the U.S. government. Unilever's 400 brands include a wide variety of familiar consumer goods such as Dove personal care products, Lipton tea, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Sunlight soap and, of course, Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Unilever CEO Alan Jope said last week that Unilever is fully committed to doing business with Israel despite Ben & Jerrys decision on the West Bank and east Jerusalem. In an email Tuesday, Unilever said it employs more than 2,000 people in Israel and the company rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Anti-Semitism has no place in any society, the company said, adding that Ben & Jerry's will continue selling ice cream in parts of Israel through a different business arrangement." Fleming was too scared at first to check her live stream from her security cameras positioned around her property, fearing the worst, she said. Fortunately, shes been able to see trucks and firefighters check on her home. Smoke blew through but none of her buildings were lost in the blaze. Around the same time that Fleming was evacuating, Mary McKain and her guest, Alberta Bratland, first became aware that something was awry when their power went out unexpectedly. Bratland struggled in the dark to find the fuse box. McKain tried to help restore the power. So I go up onto the deck and I look out and theres a fire down there, McKain said. No one had warned McKain to evacuate. She immediately called the sheriffs office and told them her address. And he went, get out now! McKain said. In the rush to pack, McKain grabbed some musical instruments on her way out the door, but forgot her medication. Bratland lost her home to a fire in North Dakota nearly 18 months ago. Red Cross providing shelter There was no immediate reaction from the king or Muhyiddin. Local media reported that Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri, an UMNO member, along with the attorney general, several Cabinet ministers and other politicians were seen entering Muhyiddin's residence late Tuesday after the UMNO announcement. Muhyiddin is now facing increasing pressure and there is uncertainty about his political future," said Bridget Welsh of Malaysias University of Nottingham, an expert on Southeast Asian politics. Welsh said Muhyiddin may try to fight back but has limited choices. She said it's up to the king now to assess UMNO's claim and decide on the next step. The opposition filed a new no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin last Thursday after the King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Abdullah rebuked the government for misleading Parliament on the status of ordinances issued during a coronavirus state of emergency. The monarch approved the emergency in January, allowing Muhyiddin to suspend Parliament and rule by ordinance without legislative approval until Aug. 1. I am an avid outdoorswoman and hunter who is proud of Montanas legacy of wildlife conservation and fair chase practices. Montana hunters deserved better leadership than they received by the GOP majority in the 2021 Legislature. Republican lawmakers passed bills along party lines that will make it easier for wealthy landowners to restrict access to wildlife and harder for working class Montanans to hunt. Montana is the envy of all other states for our abundant wildlife and access to hunting opportunities. We rely on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, designating wildlife as a public resource and using hunters in partnership with biologists to manage populations for future generations. Participation in Montana's hunting culture is famously independent of one's land ownership status or personal wealth. Unfortunately Republicans of the 2021 Legislature introduced bill after bill designed to take resident Montana hunters out of the equation and shift management preferences towards outfitted hunts and increased control by wealthy, large landowners. Sometimes a property is valued for recreation, in that case we can move closer, Haight said. But this is primarily a cattle ranch operation. Were all really disappointed it didnt work out, he said. Likewise, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations representative said his group was frustrated. RMEF was not satisfied with the appraisal process, the appraised value and the timeline, said Mark Holyoak, senior director of communications and content for RMEF. We worked with the landowners and the BLM for two years, and it is unfortunate and very disappointing that it came to this. The land purchase had been eagerly anticipated by public land hunters, since it would have provided access to a wide swath of BLM lands along five miles of the Musselshell River. It was originally hoped the deal would be closed before the start of this years archery season. We got a lot of calls, Haight said. Holyoak said RMEF has had issues with the AVSOs appraisals in the past. He noted its not an issue isolated to Montana lands. We thought we were on a good path and it didnt work out, he said. " " Tyson Foods just joined a long list of major companies mandating COVID-19 vaccines for all of its employees. Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images) It's been 18 months since the coronavirus reached the United States. Vaccines rolled out across the country in December 2020 and are proving to be highly effective at preventing infection and reducing death. Yet to date, less than 50 percent (49.26 percent) of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. Meanwhile new cases of COVID-19 are rising in all 50 states, especially in communities where vaccination rates are low. And nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are among the unvaccinated, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. Some experts in the health care industry are now pushing for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, especially among health care workers. The possibility and legality of a federal vaccine mandate remains questionable. But on July 29, 2021, President Joe Biden made it clear in a news conference that life was going to get a lot more inconvenient for those who refused to get the COVID-19 shot. Biden said the federal government would be putting into place broad new measures to quell rising-yet-preventable virus-related deaths by requiring all federal workers prove they are vaccinated against the virus. Those who don't must abide by new rules that include mandatory masking, weekly testing (at least) and social distancing, to name a few. Biden later encouraged local and state governments to sweeten the pot by offering $100 incentives to those who voluntarily get inoculated. The news was bookended by announcements from several major U.S. corporations and healthcare facilities, including Walmart, Google and Tyson Foods, that have taken matters into their own hands and issued mandates or incentive programs for employees to get vaccinated, or else risk losing their jobs. So can a company require its employees be vaccinated? What are your options if you still choose not to get the shot? And, if vaccines can curb the rising COVID-19 death rate, why are people resisting them? " " All military and civilian Department of Defense personnel will now be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Pentagon announced it is working on adding the vaccine to the list of required inoculations for service members after President Joe Biden requested it. Nathan Howard/Getty Images Advertisement Can Employers Require Employees to Get a COVID shot? In a word, yes. "Employers have an obligation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to provide a workplace 'free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm' to employees," says Eve Klein, partner and chairperson of the Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group at Philadelphia-based law firm Duane Morris LLP. "As COVID-19 can cause death or serious injury, one of the best ways employers can stop the spread of the virus and protect employees, as well as clients and others they may service, is to require employees to be vaccinated." The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hasn't formally encouraged employers to require workers be vaccinated. But on June 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor issued updated COVID-19 guidance that echoed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's position that non-health care employers may safely allow vaccinated workers to return to normal in workplace conditions, sans face masks and social distancing. But COVID-19 precautions must remain in place for unvaccinated workers. No vaccine mandates or recommendations were mentioned. The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) took a stronger position. On May 28, 2021, the federal agency charged with administering and enforcing civil rights against workplace discrimination issued a statement saying it had updated and expanded its technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic to include COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The new guidance from EEOC says that employers can legally require employees get a COVID-19 vaccine before they re-enter a physical workplace if they follow requirements to provide alternative arrangements for employees who are either unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons or have religious objections. Employers can also offer incentives to employees who voluntarily confirm their vaccination status, though the EEOC said the gifts shouldn't be so great that employees feel pressured to do so. One of the strongest voices behind vaccine mandates came July 26, 2021, when the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issued an opinion (dated July 6, 2021) stating that the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) status of COVID-19 vaccinations does not prevent public and private entities from imposing vaccine requirements. That's not to say other federal, state, or local laws or regulations could stand in the way of an employer mandating vaccines or adopting any vaccine policy. But the OLC is considered the final word within the federal government when it comes to legal issues and, as such, its opinions carry significant weight with judges. Advertisement Why Are People Resisting Vaccine Mandates? Some opposition about the vaccine mandate is due to the approval status of the currently available vaccines. All three vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen were approved under the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This designation enables the agency to accelerate review of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, and make them available during public health emergencies. To date, no COVID-19 vaccines have received full FDA approval because to do so requires more time and data. All three vaccine makers have submitted, or are expected to submit, applications for full FDA approval. The FDA's official nod should come in the next several months, according to the journal Science, which is a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. " " More than 150 employees at the Houston Methodist hospital in Texas were fired or resigned after failing to comply with orders to get a COVID-19 vaccination to continue working there. FRANCOIS PICARD/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Mandates Have Already Been Legally Challenged At least one lawsuit filed by employees pushing back against an employer's vaccine mandate has fallen flat. Houston Methodist hospital in Texas set a June 7, 2021, deadline for all 26,000 employees at its eight hospitals be vaccinated or risk suspension or termination. When the deadline came and went, the hospital system temporarily suspended more than 175 staffers without pay. A group of 117 employees filed a lawsuit against Houston Medical for "illegally requiring its employees be injected with an experimental vaccine as a condition of employment." The lawsuit accused the hospital of "forcing its employees to be human 'guinea pigs' as a condition for continued employment." But a Texas judge ultimately sided with the hospital and tossed the lawsuit. "Methodist is trying to do their business of saving lives without giving them the COVID-19 virus," U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes wrote in a five-page decision. "It is a choice made to keep staff, patients and their families safe." Regarding Jennifer Bridges, a nurse at Houston Methodist and the lead plaintiff in the case who claims she was fired for refusing the vaccine, Judge Hughes wrote, "Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else." Advertisement Can Employees Legally Refuse a Vaccine Mandate? Klein says the only exceptions to employer vaccination mandates employees may rely on, other than working elsewhere, include: Showing medical proof of a disability or pregnancy that prevents them from being vaccinated Setting forth evidence of a sincerely held religious belief to the same effect A collective bargaining agreement applicable to them prohibiting or requiring bargaining with the union regarding vaccine mandates The list of agencies and corporations to hand down vaccine mandates is growing by the day: As a way of side-stepping a vaccine mandate, some companies are dangling incentives to employees who demonstrate proof of vaccination such as cash bonuses, paid time off or other rewards. Walmart offers $75 bonuses to employees. Amazon gives workers an $80 bonus and new hires $100 bonuses. Kroger provides a one-time payment of $100 to associates. Amtrak pays employees an allowance equivalent to two hours of pay, plus excused time off and pay protection for up to 48 hours after vaccination. " " Broadway in New York City will require audiences to be fully vaccinated and wear masks at all shows when theaters reopen in September. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images Now That's Interesting On Aug. 3, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that anybody dining, going to the gym or visiting an indoor performance in the city will be required to provide proof of vaccination beginning the week of Sept. 13. It's the first major U.S. to mandate vaccines for indoor activities. Flowers, messages and a large pink stuffed bear surround the utility pole near where Brianna Page was killed in a hit-and-run collision Saturday morning. Page, 17, was making the half-mile walk from her home at the Silver Springs Apartments to the Bojangles restaurant where she worked when she was struck and killed by what police described as a gray Chrysler. Family friend Alexus Rogers, 25, called Page an amazing young woman who worked hard to support her family, which included Pages mother and three siblings. She helped her mama pay her rent, her bills, Rogers said. I dont even know what shes going to do right now, but Brianna, she was the sweetest little girl the sweetest little girl. Roger said Page would walk to work because the family does not have a car. Susan Wilson, an 18-year-old who called Page her best friend, said she was very devastated and heartbroken, adding that she had trouble sleeping in the wake of her friends death. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} She was beautiful, Wilson said of Page. She was loving. She was a caring soul. City Manager Sally Sandy said either city crews would provide traffic control during the project or the scope of the project would be changed so that traffic control wasnt needed. An unexpected expense for the city came in the form of a new dehumidification system at the citys aquatics center. The old system has had part failures and is just about at the end of its life at 20 years old, information from the city said. The only equipment that would be readily available to replace the old system is a Seresco dehumidification unit. It includes a pool water heater, controls, outside air duct collar, condenser, coils and other items necessary for its function, the city said, and is only available locally through Morris Mechanical Inc. of Dallas. Rob Winkler, director of the citys parks and recreation department, said without the dehumidification system, the humidity would start to damage the citys facility, The new system will cost the city $145,127.92, based on a contract council approved. City staff are seeking grant funding for the purchase. Emergency situations can justify actions that would normally be inexcusable. The social order is not damaged if a lost hiker breaks into an unoccupied cabin to avoid freezing to death. The damage comes if the exception becomes the norm and cabin owners lose all protection from intruders. In the early months of the pandemic, the federal government was doing everything it could think of to limit the damage from COVID-19. One measure was a ban on evictions by landlords at a time when many renters were suddenly out of work and unable to pay. Originally part of the coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, the moratorium was extended in September by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congress later extended it again, and when that extension lapsed, the CDC renewed it until the end of June. Some states, including California, New York and Illinois, imposed their own bans. The overall policy made sense during a grave public health crisis. Depositing millions of tenants onto the streets and into crowded shelters would have accelerated the spread of the virus. The moratorium originated when cities and states were enforcing lockdowns. People who lose their homes cant very well isolate at home. I just feel like if they know who I am, I would feel like I wouldnt be able to go home from that (council) meeting they would pursue me or something if they got wind of the whole discussion, Helvey said Monday. But Helvey says many share her concerns and she shared emails from supporters. She wants commissioners to form a committee to explore changes to an ordinance allowing fireworks to be sold and set off in Butte from June 24 to July 5 and from Dec. 29 to Dec. 31. The Standard has received other letters on the issue recently, including one from a longtime resident who also supports limits and one who said Butte was a patriotic place that loves a parade and fireworks that come with the nations birthday. Immediately attempting to lodge complaints and make changes to local traditions is not the best way to make friends and influence people, Natalie Munden wrote in the latter letter, which was endorsed by six others. This type of behavior is a key reason new residents are often suspect and subject to mistrust while neighbors look for evidence of new property owners attempting to make Butte and Montana just like the place they left, the letter said. At around midnight Sunday, a vehicle was stolen while it was at the fuel pumps at the Thriftway, Amherst and Harrison. The driver left the vehicle running while he went into the store. When he came back out, the vehicle was gone. However, his phone was still inside the vehicle and when he pinged it, it was in the area of Marcia and Utah, which is where officers located it. Inside the vehicle was Zachariah N. Janusiewicz, 27, of Ketchikan, Alaska who was jailed for possessing stolen property. Threatening neighbors Early Sunday afternoon, officers were called to the 500 block of South Idaho Street to investigate an assault. When they arrived, Daniel Scott Thexton, 55, of Butte had a small laceration on his cheek. He was reportedly belligerent, yelling obscenities at his neighbors and refusing to cooperate with officers. So much so that he became aggressive and had to be restrained. Officers learned that Thexton had followed a neighbor as he attempted to dump his garbage and threatened him. Thexton followed the neighbor to his front door, prompting the neighbor to strike him in the chin. Due to Thextons aggressive, threatening behavior, he was arrested for disorderly conduct. PHOENIX (AP) The lower courts in Arizonas largest county braced Monday for new filings allowing landlords to remove renters for failure to pay after a national eviction ban expired over the weekend, but officials said the brunt of any action isnt expected for days. Some believe there will be a large flood of case activity; others believe it will be just a light sprinkle, which builds gradually over time, said Scott Davis, spokesman for the Maricopa County Justice Courts that oversee eviction filings in metro Phoenix. Davis said how quickly or dramatically things play out depends on landlords, who must follow certain legal steps before locking renters out. For a tenant previously protected by the moratorium ban who followed all the rules, a landlord had to wait until Monday to file a writ of possession, starting at least a five-day process unlikely to result in an eviction until next week, he said. "It can be easy to get caught up in the fear scenario that hundreds or even thousands of people suddenly will become homeless this week. This is simply not the case and the courts have taken steps to ensure this will not happen, he said. I didnt serve in the military, mostly because I lacked courage and questioned authority (a lot). But, like every Montana kid, I was uniquely aware that our state has one of the highest populations of veterans in the Nation. This is no surprise; Montanans, by and large, believe in honor, duty, and loyalty, three characteristics that create a strong military. We expect those representing Montana in Congress to have these qualities as well. When President Biden decided to pull our troops from Afghanistan, most of us breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a sense of impending doom for the good people in that country that we are leaving behind. Over the last 20 years, the United States military has worked exhaustively to bring about political stability to Afghanistan, developing strong relations with the Afghan people to prevent the rise of the Taliban. Unfortunately, the Taliban is gaining ground. When the President chose to announce the military withdrawal, every Afghan that helped America and their respective families became a target of the Taliban. Dear Sen. Tester, At the forefront of our recovery from the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is the Biden Administrations $2 trillion-plus American Jobs Plan. Its an ambitious proposal meant to create jobs, strengthen infrastructure, and position the U.S. to compete globally ultimately, putting Americans and our communities back on strong financial footing. However, there are pieces of the presidents plan that, while well-intentioned, will ultimately prove detrimental to the financial well-being of small businesses and local communities across Montana and the rest of the nation. Specifically, increasing the corporate tax and the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) rates. Under the tax plan, the Biden Administration has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to a staggering 28% and the GILTI rate from 10.5% to an untenable 21%. Of course, increasing taxes on Americas largest, multi-national companies is a tried-and-true talking point, but as organizations representing Montanas bankers, businesses and contractors, we know that in reality, corporations wouldnt be the only ones paying for these taxes. You three ambulance groups will have to decide this is what you want to do, he said. Wapello Community Ambulance Service director Cindy Small also pointed out that the public would have a say because of the new taxing ability. Griffin agreed, pointing out 60% of voters would need to approve the $1 per $1,000 taxable valuation levy that would be used to fund the combined service. An optional second effort tax of 75 cents per $1,000 could also be approved by voters, while local option sales tax and income surcharge revenue could be used to supplement the property tax revenue. Griffin said it appeared nearly $700,000 in property tax revenue could be raised through the new levy. Combined with the revenue the services currently bring in through Medicaid, Medicare and insurance reimbursements, he suggested the ultimate budget for a combined service might be around $1 million. An advisory board and a board of trustees would need to be created to help locally implement the new law. The advisory board would oversee and assess needs and other details and guide the implementation, while the trustees would provide overall management of the new system. WAPELLO A settlement has been reached between the Wapello School District and a former roofing contractor and its insurance company over the schools claim for damages related to a 2020 roof repair project. The school board held a special meeting on Monday in which it approved the settlement with T&K Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Ely, and Continental Insurance Company. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. According to previous discussions, T&K submitted the low bid of $470,070 for the roof work during the boards Jan. 15, 2020 meeting. The work was to include repairs of the main high school building roof, large gym roof, a lower roof that extends around the large gym and a canopy roof that covers the west entrance into the school near the greenhouse. During the repairs, school officials reported rainwater started to leak into the auditorium. The schools architect for the roofing repair project blamed the type of roof that had been installed in 2014 as the cause for the leaks, but school board members disagreed and pointed the finger at T&K. For an area that is only four hours away, there was quite a bit of culture shock. The people I spoke with during the weekend were all very friendly but I can break my dissatisfaction with the area down into three categories the traffic, the prices, and the crowds. For anyone going to Chicago, you may want to think about bringing all your supplies with you. Everything in Chicago costs about three times what it does here. A bottle of water is $5. A chicken sandwich and potato wedges (microwaved) was $25. Gas pushed $5 per gallon. Whats more, they ding you for everything there. It costs $4 to drive down the street (tolls). Also, everywhere you went there was an hour long line to get anything. The horror convention was amazing. For any horror movie fan who has never been to one of these, you really do owe it to yourself to check one out. When you go into the main area, you suddenly find yourself surrounded by people in costume or actual celebrities. I swear horror fans are the most artistic people around. Most of them hand make the costumes they wear to the conventions and go in full costume to entertain the other people there. I have to admit, I keep having this image in my mind of someone checking into the motel, not knowing the convention is going on, and seeing Jason or Freddie in full costume and in character, walking down the hallway. Am I a bad person for thinking that would be funny? During questioning by police, Bahena Rivera acknowledged that he encountered Tibbetts as she was running near her small eastern Iowa hometown of Brooklyn and he led investigators to the field where her body lay hidden under cornstalks. But during his trial, he claimed publicly for the first time that two masked men kidnapped him at gunpoint from his trailer, forced him to drive to where Tibbetts was running on a rural road, killed her, put her body in his trunk and made him dispose of it. He said he didnt tell investigators about the two men earlier because they had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and young daughter. Bahena Rivera was to be sentenced last month. But toward the end of the testimony portion of his trial, two new witnesses came forward independently of one another and told police that a local 21-year-old man told them he had killed Tibbetts. Defense lawyers requested a new trial based on that and other newly discovered information, and Yates agreed to postpone sentencing while he considered their request. The Guam Premier Outlets and a trolley are pictured on Aug. 2. GPO has expanded its hours of operation while the Guam Visitors Bureau has launched free trolley rides to promote business recovery. FNB now supports Apple Pay, allowing the banks customers to add their cards to the Apple Wallet and make purchases by tapping their smartphone or smartwatch to a contactless payment point. MyBroadband forum members and Twitter users on Tuesday posted that they were able to add their cards to Apple Pay following an update to the FNB banking app. Once the update was installed, opening the app would present them with a Welcome to Apple Pay message, from where they could select Take me there and choose which cards they would like to enable on Apple Pay. MyBroadband also tested the feature on an iPhone and Apple Watch in our office and confirmed it was working. Physical FNB cards confirmed to be supported on Apple Pay at the time of writing included: Premier Fusion Private Fusion Private Wealth Credit Business Debit Aspire Debit Adding a virtual card also worked, a capability that is not available on rival platform Samsung Pay. Below is the message FNB customers on iPhone will receive when opening the FNB app after the latest update and screenshots of the feature in the FNB app and Apple Wallet. FNB is the fifth bank to support the payment platform in South Africa. Absa, Discovery Bank, and Nedbank were the first to enable the payment method on their cards at the end of March 2021. Investec also activated Apple Pay around two months later, with a launch in mid-May. There are two ways to load your FNB card onto the Apple Wallet and enable Apple Pay. Firstly, you can do this via the FNB app by following these steps: Update and open the FNB app. Select Take me there when the message pops up. If youve dismissed this pop-up, you can navigate to the Cards section on your app and select which cards you want to add to Apple Pay. Once youve added a card, you will be sent an OTP via the app or SMS. Enter the OTP to activate the card. Alternatively, the card can be added within the Apple Wallet app. MyBroadband contacted FNB for comment on Apple Pay support, but the bank did not immediately provide feedback. The South African Post Office is experiencing a meltdown with branches unable to serve clients, service providers not being paid, and mass branch shutdowns. In April this year, Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke revealed that the South African Post Office is commercially insolvent. Maluleke said that over the 2019/2020 financial year, the Post Office incurred losses of over R1.7 billion while its liabilities exceeded its assets by R1.5 billion. The dismal state of the SA Post Office finances is clearly seen in the state of its branches and the way its employees and partners are treated. MyBroadband visited numerous Post Office branches in Gauteng, and many of them had signs about service delivery problems in their windows. One branch has not had electricity since the beginning of 2021. It is because the Post Office did not pay the landlord, who then disconnected their power. Office closed until further notice. We only assist [with] parcel collections between 08:30 to 13:00, a message on the branch window says. Another Post Office said vehicle license services were offline. Please go to the nearest Post Office, a message in the branch window said. Post Office employees have informed MyBroadband that pension fund deductions are taken from their salaries but that these deductions are not paid into these pension funds. This problem, one SA Post Office employee told MyBroadband, has been happening since last year. The employee said they tried to get feedback from the SA Post Office about their pensions, but they are ignored. It is not only employees who are struggling. Many landlords and service providers are struggling to get money from the Post Office. In March, Business Day reported that the Post Office had unpaid invoices totalling R638 million. It admitted that it is battling to pay its creditors and is servicing debt according to a priority schedule. Another problem is that postal agents across South Africa are not getting paid by the SA Post Office for their services. These postal agents handle mail on behalf of the Post Office, for which they are paid a small fee. One agent told Carte Blanche they had not been paid for months which makes it difficult for them to continue operations. South Africa Post Office CEO Nomkhita Mona admitted that they are unable to pay postal agents and could not commit to when they will be paid. Some of them have reached out to my office because we have not been able to pay. It is because the financial situation of the Post Office is really a bit bad right now, she told Carte Blanche. We are careful not to give a date on when we will pay because we really dont know. Mona blamed the Post Offices dire financial situation on an outdated business model and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. She said they had launched numerous initiatives to turn the company around, which include modernising its operations, digitising the business, and ramping up its ecommerce operations. The South African Post Office is also permanently closing 130 branches across the country to save costs. These plans are, however, nothing new. When former CEO Mark Barnes took the reins in January 2016, he punted the digitisation of the Post Office and making it a big ecommerce player. We are looking at ecommerce businesses, and we are looking at ensuring that we digitise the Post Office so that we can run these ecommerce businesses, former telecoms minister Siyabonga Cwele said. In November 2016, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services discussed ways to modernise the postal network to benefit from ecommerce. Five years later, the new Post Office CEO is saying the same things Barnes said when he became chief executive. Why Mona believes things will be different this time around is not clear. MyBroadband asked the SA Post Office for comment, but the company did not respond by the time of publication. Power failures have become routine in South Africa. At the same time, the country wants to wean itself off the coal that generates more than 80% of its electricity and makes it the worlds 12thbiggest source of greenhouse gases. Most of South Africas power stations are near the end of their lives. An average of about 1,000 megawatts of capacity is set to be decommissioned annually over the next decade, which presents an ideal opportunity to begin overhauling the energy system. The question is how. The government aims to cut emissions to net-zero by 2050. Its energy blueprint envisions the construction of scores of solar- and wind-powered plants. But there are widespread doubts that those projects can happen fast enough, or be reliable enough, to replace coal. So a controversial fossil fuel remains part of the planned energy mix: natural gas. Electricity capacity will have to be replaced, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on June 11 during an interview in Mozambiques capital, Maputo, where he suggested that new pipelines could be built to tap more natural gas from the countrys offshore fields. Gas is an alternative, he said. It can be a game changer. PLANS TO USE natural gas to produce at least a quarter of almost 12,000MW of additional power by 2030 are hotly contested. The fuel generates less than half the greenhouse gases that coal does, but replacing the dirtiest fossil fuel with a cleaner one will make South Africas emissions target difficult to meet. Financing for gas-fired plants may also be hard to come by. Several development finance institutions, which are crucial funders of many energy projects in Africa, are revising their investment mandates to exclude the fuel. South Africa may have to rely on companies such as General Electric Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp. that have expressed interest in developing the new gas projects. Gas is seen as a bridge to transitioning South Africa away from coal power while allowing the country to maintain its goals of economic generation through industrialization, says Shridaran Pillay, Africa director at risk advisory service Eurasia Group. I do not think that renewables in South Africa could be scaled to a level where they would provide the same opportunity to replace base-load generation in a way that gas can at this stage. Elisee Sezan, chief executive officer of General Electrics gas power business in sub-Saharan Africa, sees the current capacity and cost of batteries as the main limiting factors to the expanded use of green energy. THE LIMITATIONS OF being heavily reliant on renewables have been seen in California, which had two days of rolling blackouts in part of the state last year when the worst heat wave in at least 25 years overwhelmed the grid. The state is investing in battery storage to ensure a reliable power supply. But some say that problem will be resolved as battery storage technology evolves and costs fall over the next few years. The risk is that South Africa wont be able to take full advantage if it gets locked into relatively new gas infrastructure and fossil fuels. From an economics perspective, it doesnt really make sense to build significantly more new coal or gaseven running existing coal becomes more expensive than building new solar in the late 2020s, says Emma Champion, an analyst at BloombergNEF. She says she doesnt anticipate any significant increase in power demand for the next decade, so it would make more sense to keep existing coal-fired plants running for longer while adding renewable capacity, rather than developing gas projects. Technology exists to recondition lithium batteries, extending their life span to about 15 years, according to Sabine DallOmo, CEO of Siemens AGs South African unit. Gas does seem to be a transition technology, she says. But I do believe, looking at what coal is going through, that these assets will be more difficult to fund going forward. Recent efforts to develop new coal projects in South Africa have been thwarted by court challenges or a lack of financing. Andy Calitz, secretary general-elect of the Switzerland-based International Gas Uniona trade group that advocates for the use of gassays South Africa needs the fuel to turn around its struggling economy and address a 33% unemployment rate. South Africas first energy priority is to secure a reliable power supply, secondly to have more affordable electricity and energy prices, and thirdly to address climate change. This cannot be done without gas, says Calitz, who previously worked as an electrical engineer at Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.the countrys state power utilityand later as CEO of LNG Canada. Let investors decide about the risk of the assets being stranded. PLANS TO DEVELOP gas-fired plants date back to 2015, but they fell by the wayside as then-President Jacob Zumas administration pivoted toward nuclear plants. Gas staged a comeback after the ruling African National Congress forced Zuma to step down and replaced him with his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa. In March the government selected Turkeys Karpowership as a preferred bidder to supply about 1,220MW of electricity from gas-fired floating power stations, a contract worth an estimated $16 billion over two decades. But the companys environmental permit applications have been rejected amid opposition from environmental activists. Eskom, which supplies about 90% of South Africas power, plans to convert existing turbines from diesel to gas. Its also considering rehabilitating some decommissioned plants to use the fuel. It says financing options remain available. South Africa already imports gas from Mozambique through a pipeline to chemical and fuel plants operated by Sasol Ltd. Massive new gas deposits have been found off the coast of Mozambiques northern Cabo Delgado province, though their development has been delayed by an Islamist insurgency. South Africa is also looking to produce more of its own gas. French giant TotalEnergies SE is considering developing a field off South Africas southern coast that contains an estimated 1 billion barrels of gas condensate. The government says that theres also potential to tap shale gas reserves in the semidesert region of Karoo. In an alternative universe, one would immediately eliminate fossil fuel-generated energy such as coal and petroleum, Mantashe told lawmakers on May 18. We are committed to a just transition and have begun investing in clean technologies to ensure that we transition from a high- to low-carbon economy, while ensuring security of energy supply. 0858 Medical aid on San Juan Court. 1020 A woman said an unknown caller was claiming to have her daughter. The caller said they didnt want the police involved, but the girl was in trouble. The woman gave her location, and the caller said they would take her daughter to her. She then contacted both of her daughters and confirmed they were OK. Police took a report. 1227 A woman on Stockton Street was reportedly confused about where shed left her car. An officer helped her find it. 1316 Police were asked to check on a student who hadnt attended school for two days. 1333 Medical aid for a woman whod been coughing for three days on Olive Avenue. 1423 Non-injury accident on Main Street. One party said the other party was refusing to provide information. Police took a report. 1603 The railroad crossing bar at Charter Oak Avenue kept going down over the last 30 minutes. Railroad maintenance personnel were notified. 1605 A doctors office couldnt get ahold of a patient, so police made sure she was OK. 1806 A tree was down on Howell Mountain Road. Yet, the more Mr. Spriestersbach vocalized his innocence by asserting that he is not Mr. Castleberry, the more he was declared delusional and psychotic by the H.S.H. staff and doctors and heavily medicated," the petition said. It was understandable that Mr. Spriestersbach was in an agitated state when he was being wrongfully incarcerated for Mr. Castleberrys crime and despite his continual denial of being Mr. Castleberry and providing all of his relevant identification and places where he was located during Mr. Castleberrys court appearances, no one would believe him or take any meaningful steps to verify his identity and determine that what Mr. Spriestersbach was telling the truth he was not Mr. Castleberry." The impasse resumes a legal battle before U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan in Washington. We are deeply disappointed that the Biden administration has abandoned its promise of fair and humane treatment for families seeking safety, leaving us no choice but to resume litigation," said Neela Chakravartula, managing attorney for the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies. Since late March, the ACLU has been working with advocates to choose particularly vulnerable migrants stuck in Mexico for the U.S. government to allow in to seek asylum. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said the exemptions will continue for another week. Seven months of waiting for the Biden administration to end Title 42 is more than enough, Gelernt said. The breakdown reflects growing tensions between advocates and the administration over use of expulsions and the government's decision last week to resume fast-track deportation flights for families to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Last week, the International Rescue Committee and HIAS also said they were ending efforts to help the administration choose asylum-seekers to exempt from the pandemic-related ban. The asylum advocacy groups had been working on a parallel track with the ACLU to identify particularly vulnerable migrants stuck in Mexico. The CDC said Monday that the ban would remain until its director determines that the danger of further introduction of COVID-19 into the United States from covered noncitizens has ceased to be a serious danger to the public health. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Its a remarkable place where tomorrows problems and tomorrows solutions vie with each other for primacy, Klein wrote. California drives the technologies, culture and ideas that shape the entire world. But for that very reason, our failures of governance worry me. While California professes to seek progressive goals, it has failed to match its words with effective action, Klein concluded. California, as the biggest state in the nation, and one where Democrats hold total control of the government, carries a special burden, he wrote. If progressivism cannot work here, why should the country believe it can work anywhere else? The Atlantic, a magazine usually filled with pro-progressive and anti-conservative articles, has joined the chorus of Californias leftish critics. One recent article by Caitlin Flanagan castigates the University of California for dropping standardized testing as an admissions factor in the name of racial equity. Around California, bureaucrats on a large scale have not yet begun to recognize that the solution to the states housing crisis has been at hand from the moment the coronavirus pandemic struck. All it should take is for some of them to venture outside their ivory tower homes and offices to read the vacancy signs on countless office buildings where billions of square feet once occupied by cubicles and conference tables now sit derelict as many lessees reduce their rent payments while awaiting the end of their leases. In San Francisco, one-fifth of all office space now is vacant. That number will climb as white-collar workers continue operating from homes enabled by computerized virtual commutes. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: 1 year for $26 The obvious use for the languishing square footage is housing. All it takes is knocking down some drywall, altering electricity and plumbing a bit and voila! California can have hundreds of thousands of new housing units in many sizes and price ranges without disrupting neighborhoods in ways that could prove ruinous to the investment of life savings by millions of homeowners now threatened by legislation that aims to end single family zoning. This appears inevitable, even while a few companies like Facebook and Salesforce call on some of their work-at-home employees to spend a day or two weekly in an office. Chris d Craiker writes to excoriate Col. Howard Haupt for painting a pretty picture of Napas 40 Days for Life campaign ("The Pro-life myth," July 23). Apparently, Col. Haupt is supposed to express only Craikers views when writing to the paper. Apparently, the Colonel is required to paint a dark and foreboding picture of the very enterprise that he himself is promoting. The picture that Craiker himself paints is ludicrous and rooted in an ignorance so profound that it seems incorrigible. For personal reasons, I remain uninvolved in Napas 40 Days campaign but I regularly drive by when protesters are present. Usually, there are two or three middle-aged ladies holding signs or saying their rosaries. Opposed to them is a Planned Parenthood escort in a pink vest. Its hard to figure out what would have a grown man trembling as he faced this gauntlet. My assessment of the intimidation quotient of the 40 Days campaign was shared by Napas former police chief, Robert Plummer, in testimony before the Napa City Council. Nothing scary there, folks. Calm down. Pikeville, KY (41501) Today Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Azerbaijan announces construction of second road of "Zangezur corridor" in occupied Shushi Armenia PM and Karabakh President meet Armenia ruling majority MP: Russian border guards might be deployed in other parts of Tavush Province as well Armenia man arrested for transferring young Ukrainian women to Athens Eurowings flies to Armenia for the first time UN calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to show restraint again Old man falls from roof during construction works in Yerevan CNN fires 3 employees who weren't vaccinated against COVID-19 Banner for Armenian singer Andre's concert torn in Stepanakert Opposition MP: Armenia was interesting for the world with Artsakh issue, Syunik Province and nuclear power plant Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijani military servicemen are deliberately setting fires to lands near Yeraskh (VIDEO) Armenia to also participate in CSTO's "Unbreakable Brotherhood 2021" military exercises Armenia premier introduces newly appointed high-tech industry minister Large fire breaks out at logistics center in Istanbul Erdogan says Turkey will plant 250,000,000 trees in areas affected by forest fires Opposition "Armenia" faction MP: Person holding highest position in country hasn't visited Artsakh since October 2020 China premier congratulates Armenia's Pashinyan Armenia ruling party MP Lena Nazaryan states numbers of Armenian soldiers killed Armenia MOD receives Human Rights Defender Opposition 'Armenia' faction leader on deployment of Russian troops in Voskepar village and defense minister's order Armenia ruling faction rejects opposition's proposal to set up parliamentary committee on Karabakh issue Person who burnt statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Yerevan identified Digest: Azerbaijan shelling Armenian positions, COVID-19 situation in Armenia is tense Karabakh State Minister meets with civil society representatives, agreement reached Armenia MOD: Situation in direction of Yeraskh stable as of 6 p.m. First deputy head of Operative Department of Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff dismissed Greek authorities postpone performances in ancient theaters amid forest fires Armenia MOD: Armenian peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon awarded Man found dead after being stabbed in his house in Armenia's Dzoraghbyur village Earthquake recorded in Armenia-Georgia border zone Karabakh emergency situations service: Searches for remains of Armenian servicemen were fruitless today Azerbaijani soldiers deliberately set fires near Armenian border Opposition 'Armenia' bloc MP: I'm not ready to trust current authorities with solution to Karabakh issue Armenia's new justice minister on restrictions on reporters in parliament, says freedom of speech is not absolute value Armenia deputy emergency situations minister meets with ICRC Delegation Dollar and euro down again in Armenia Armenia opposition faction leader: Setting up standing parliamentary committee on Karabakh is a clear political message Armenia economy minister is sure there will be sharp deflation soon Armenia court rejects attorney's appeal, opposition MP Artur Sargsyan to remain under arrest Armenia MOD: Azerbaijani army opens fire at military positions in Yeraskh area Azerbaijan shelling Armenian positions since Friday noon UN Secretary General: The only guarantee against use of nuclear weapons is their complete destruction Turkish companies build new road to bypass Lachin Insanity grows stronger: Turkey calls on Armenia to abandon aggressive rhetoric and actions US ambassador is in Armenia's Syunik province Phone talks take place between FM of Artsakh and Transnistria Tajikistan President congratulates Nikol Pashinyan on being appointed Armenia premier Pashinyan proposes taxing ads on Facebook and other platforms Changes in Armenian Tax Code: E-service providers will pay VAT Eurasian Development Bank to allocate $ 3 million grant to Armenia to fight COVID-19 Over 70 Democratic congressmen urge Biden to once and for all close Guantanamo Bay Greece is on fire: Thousands of residents flee from wildfire Russian peacekeepers clear 2 hectares of farmland in Nagorno-Karabakh from explosives in day Armenian and Artsakh defense minister's meeting takes place Virgin Galactic plans to start commercial space flights: Ticket price $ 450,000 Beijing accuses Washington of interfering in its internal affairs over decision on Hong Kong 303 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Armenia per day Secret ballot is held to elect Armenian parliament's opposition vice speaker Armenia MOD, Rustam Muradov discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border China seeks to provide 2,000,000,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to the world Suspect in murder of Kurdish family in Turkey arrested US urges Iran's Raisi to return to talks on nuclear deal Armenia opposition's candidate for deputy parliamentary speaker promises to present talk with PM in detail Russian peacekeepers clear 2 hectares of area of unexploded ordnance in Karabakh's Martuni Military expert on deployment of Russian border guards in Armenia's Voskepar and possible developments Armenia Constitutional Court declares Law on Higher Education and Science and several other laws unconstitutional Armenian Turkologist: Fires in Turkey don't pose a danger to Armenia Republican Party of Armenia vice-president on Pashinyan's behavior at Iranian President-elect's inauguration Armenia MOD orders to destroy Azerbaijani soldiers who attempt to trespass border Turkey's Baykar is leading negotiations with 10 countries to sell combat drones Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff chief awards former head of army department Valery Kocharyan Armenia 1st President hosts Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan at his mansion Armenia MOD: Russian border guards are deployed in Voskepar village within scope of cooperation with Russia Armenia PM attends Iranian President-elect's inauguration Armenia MOD: Advisory Board adjunct to defense minister holds session, discusses situation on border with Azerbaijan Yerevan court adjourns hearing over case of Armenia 3rd President and other persons Digest: Pashinyan visits Iran, Mary Hakobyan appointed Ukraines Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Russian MFA: Russia has always paid special attention to cultural-historical heritage issues in Karabakh Situation is tense in Armenia's Zolakar, police continue to apprehend village council's employees Russia MFA on possibility of deployment of Russian border guards on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Second secret ballot for election of last vice-speaker of Armenia parliament to be held tomorrow Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of another Armenian serviceman removed from Jrakan region Macron, Aliyev discuss regional security issues Azerbaijani and Turkish special detachments conduct joint military exercises in Nakhchivan Russian MFA on possibility of Azerbaijan obtaining status of observer in CSTO Armenia President appoints new commander of Armed Forces' 3rd army corps Armenian NGO president: Ban on entry of journalist in parliament will make Armenia regress in World Press Freedom Index Opposition 'Armenia' faction MP: We discuss our activities with Robert Kocharyan Dollar continues to go up, euro is stable in Armenia Opposition 'Armenia' faction's candidate for deputy parliamentary speaker: I'm not going to ask anyone for anything Ruling party MP: Opposition 'Armenia' faction member Davit Sedrakyan led the vote to failure with his absence Armenia President receives Japan's Ambassador Fukushima Masanori Opposition 'Armenia' faction nominates Ishkhan Saghatelyan for deputy parliamentary speaker for the third time Consul General of Armenia in LA holds remote meeting with Congressman Michael Steele Opposition 'Armenia' bloc's candidate for deputy parliamentary speaker not elected twice Armenian MFA expresses solidarity to Greece in connection with wildfires that engulfed country 2nd secret ballot is held in Armenian parliament on vice-speaker election Mayor of Armenia's Goris to remain in custody 11 people killed in traffic accident with migrants in Texas 329 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Armenia per day NATO and the European Union have accused Iran of attacking a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea and called on Tehran to abide by its international obligations, AP reports. A British and Romanian citizen was killed in a drone strike on the MV Mercer Street tanker last Thursday. The United States, Israel and Romania blamed Iran for the incident. The latter denied the accusations, calling them unfounded. NATO spokesman Dylan White said the alliance strongly condemns the recent attack on the MV Mercer Street off the coast of Oman and expresses condolences to Romania and the United Kingdom for the losses. Meanwhile, the EU deplored the attack, expressed condolences to the victims and called for a thorough independent investigation. Such actions, contrary to the safety and freedom of navigation in the region, are unacceptable, said spokeswoman for the European Commission. According to her, all parties concerned must avoid any action that could undermine peace and regional stability. Non-governmental organizations of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh for the protection of the rights of the Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh appeal to the international community, in particular, to PACE member states with request for the recognition of the independence of Nagorno Karabakh and the right of the Armenian refugees to return to Nagorno Karabakh. According to the data of the undersigned organizations, as a result of the forced deportation of Armenians from Sumgait, Kirovabad (Ganja), Baku, and other cities of Azerbaijan, about 500 thousand Armenians had to leave the country in the period from 1988-1991. Armenian refugees immigrated to European countries, Russia and the United States. About 360 thousand Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan settled in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Representatives of the organizations also draw the attention of the international community to the fact that as a result of the war in Nagorno Karabakh in 2020, all Armenians from Shushi and Hadrut cities and nearby areas were forced to leave their homes, as these areas were captured by the Azerbaijani army. In addition, persisting anti-Armenian rhetoric of hatred in Azerbaijan, ongoing hostilities and sporadic attacks and their consequences, questionable measures of security guarantees which are temporary in nature to begin with threaten peoples safety and ability to live their lives. The current situation results in a consistent migration flow from the Nagorno Karabakh. This environment creates depopulation of the Armenians from the lands in which theyve lived for centuries. Considering the above, as well as the prehistory of the conflict since Stalin's decision to transfer Nagorno Karabakh in 1920 to Azerbaijan, as well as the cruel injustice against the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, we appeal to give an opportunity to all direct victims of this conflict, namely the Armenians from Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, to return to their historical homeland in Nagorno Karabakh, in Shushi and Hadrut areas. The precondition for the restoration of justice and respect for the rights of all Armenian refugees should be the understanding that this ethno political conflict can be resolved only on condition of sovereignty, unprecedented recognition of the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. Mass killings and pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad (Ganja), Baku, and other cities of Azerbaijan in the 90s, wars, which were unleashed in Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan with the aim to eradicate Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh in the 90s, in 2016 and 2020, brutal beatings, barbaric murders, rapes, war and civil crimes all this is an ironclad evidence and proof of the impossibility of coexistence under the Azerbaijani state. People have a right to live in a safe environment. 'WE, THE ARMENIAN REFUGEES FROM AZERBAIJAN AND NAGORNO KARABAKH, APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE MEMBER STATES OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS TO RETURN AND TO THE SAFE DIGNIFIED LIFE IN OUR HISTORICAL HOMELAND. Refugee Voice, Advocacy and Rights Protection NGO. Chairperson Oksana Musaelyan. Armenia Association of Refugee Women, Chairman Ruzanna Avakyan. Nagorno Karabakh Union of Refugees in the Name of Justice, Snezhana Tamrazyan. Nagorno Karabakh Our House-Armenia, Assistant to the Chairman, Rima Abrahamyan, Armenia Memory Dignity Justice Association, Chairman Garen Bagdasarian, USA," the statement noted. Turkey has banned, without any substantiation, Armenia-registered planes from entering its airspace since September of 2020, Hetq.am reports. All civil aircraft registered in Armenia bear the national mark (EK) of the Republic of Armenia approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Government-owned non-military aircraft bear the words "Armenia" or "Republic of Armenia". As of August 2, 19 civilian aircraft and 1 state aircraft are registered in Armenia. Armenias Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) regulates civil and state non-military aviation in the country. Hetq sent an inquiry to the CAC, wanting to know if the parties to last years Karabakh war had placed restrictions on their airspace both during and after hostilities. The CAC responded that Turkey, as a party to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, has not published any air navigation information (NOTAM) banning the entry of Armenian-registered (EC) aircraft into its skies. Since September 9, when the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance had not yet unleashed a war against Artsakh and Armenia, the flights of Armenian-registered planes through the airspace of Turkey have been banned without justification. In other words, since September 9, Turkey has surrounded Armenia not only by land but also by air, showing its apparent hostility towards Armenia, but has not officially announced the ban. The actual application of the unannounced ban became known after Turkey rejected the requests of Armenian aircraft operators to fly over its skies. The first rejection was on September 9, then on the 18th, 25th and 2021 of the same month, and on March 19 and 23 of 2021. The CAC notes that, in accordance with internationally accepted procedures, information on limitations or restrictions on the use of airspace is published through the aeronautical information package of the country (in this case, Turkey), but Turkey, as stated, did not publish such information (NOTAM). That is, there is no exclusion on paper but in actual practice. According to the CAC, the last time Turkey allowed a flight of an Armenian civil aircraft over its skies was on August 29, 2020, after which all inquiries were rejected. As for the Armenias only government plane, Turkey rejected the transit technical flight of this aircraft on July 24 last year, and its flights are no longer planned through the territory of Turkey. The plane must bypass Turkish airspace when transporting government officials to meetings or visits overseas. Hetq asked the CAC whether, in response to the Turkish ban, Armenia had banned the entry of Turkish national (TC) aircraft, and if not, why not. The CAC replied that it has not imposed any restrictions in accordance with Article 9 (b) of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, stating that every Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) cannot discriminate against the use of its airspace. While it is known that Armenian and Azerbaijani (4K) planes do not enter each other's airspace, the CAC notes that the two aviation authorities have not imposed any restrictions on each others use of their airspace. The CAC notes that the authority to select air routes is reserved for aircraft operators. That is, the airlines determine the route of each flight. According to the CAC, planes registered in Azerbaijan have not entered the skies of Armenia since 2014, and Armenian planes do not use Azerbaijani airspace since there is no demand for flights to the east. Everyone needs to know that there has never been an agreement on a corridor that will pass through the territory of Armenia. This is what Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said while introducing the newly appointed defense minister. You also know that I have talked about the unblocking of links in the region several times, and this is one of the provisions stated in the trilateral statement signed on November 9, 2020. I want to make myself very clear and state that the unblocking of links in the region is one of the priorities of the Armenian government. What is Azerbaijan doing? Azerbaijan is trying to add components that are unacceptable for Armenia in terms of substance. Im referring to the talks about a corridor through Armenia. Everyone needs to know that there has never been an agreement on a corridor that will pass through the territory of Armenia, and Armenia has clearly expressed its positions on the issue. There are a lot of talks about this, and political parties are speculating and stating that there are some confidential protocols and agreements. There is absolutely no such thing. Is there an agreement on the unblocking of links? Yes, there is such an agreement, and it is clearly stated in the statement signed on January 11, 2021. It clearly states that Armenia must have an opportunity to transfer cargo through the territory of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan must have the opportunity to transfer cargo through the territory of Armenia. I would like to call your attention to the text of the statement signed on January 11, 2021 which clearly states that it is necessary to discuss and agree on customs, border guards, sanitary and phytosanitary control. Why has the government adopted this agenda? It is because the government believes the unblocking of links will help do away with Azerbaijans policy of blockading Armenia. Azerbaijan is setting forth the issue of the corridor since it knows that we cant accept it. Azerbaijan wants to make sure the events develop in such a way that the links arent unblocked, Pashinyan said. This is also our agenda because having demarcated and delimited borders is almost the same as having a gate around the country. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said while introducing the newly appointed defense minister and touching upon the topic of demarcation and delimitation of borders. During the election campaign ahead of the snap parliamentary elections, I stated several times that this is our agenda. You recall the leakage of the so-called horrifying document and when I declared in government that Armenia accepts and will accept this agenda, and my stance remains unchanged. Even during the discussion on the document, the government said it doesnt accept the presence of Azerbaijani troops in our territory and the implementation of demarcation and delimitation in these conditions. Back then, we had proposed these conditions to solve the problem and move forward. I believe Armenias stances are in line with the positions of the international community that the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have expressed in several statements after November 2020. It is also very important to state the fact that, with their April 13 statement, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have stated the need for a settlement of the conflict on the basis of the principles and elements that are known to the sides. In this sense, I must also state that Armenias approaches and positions are in line with those of the international community, Pashinyan stated. Pashinyan recorded the fact that the authorities have received a mandate from the citizens of Armenia to start a new era for peaceful development of Armenia and the region. We are resolute to take this path, but we must state the fact that, unfortunately, it doesnt only depend on Armenia. Unfortunately, peace depends on the extent to which Armenia and the international community will be able to make the countries posing a threat to peace in the region be constructive, but Armenia needs to be maximally constructive as well so that we can implement the mandate given by the people, but, of course, never at the expense of the national and state interests of Armenia, Pashinyan said and emphasized that the key objective is to make reforms in the Armed Forces with maximum momentum. First of all, I would like to state that the situation around the Republic of Armenia is rather tense. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said while introducing the newly appointed defense minister today. You are also aware that the units of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have illegally been in Armenia since they trespassed the border on May 12. During this period, many people have criticized the government for not taking measures to resolve the situation, but I would like to state that the governments position has initially been the following: we will solve the issue diplomatically and politically so long as there is an opportunity, Pashinyan stated. The premier considered todays meeting a good occasion and shared views on and information about the current processes with the command of the Armed Forces. I would like to state that, in essence, Azerbaijan continues to lead a somewhat aggressive policy against Armenia, and the peculiarity of the policy is the following: Azerbaijan is trying to create an impression that it has set the agenda in the region and around Armenia and is imposing that agenda. We must state the fact that Armenia has its own agenda, and Armenia, in essence, has been and remains within the scope of international commitments. In other words, Azerbaijan is trying to not give an opportunity for the Armenian government to solve the issues on its agenda, he added. Azerbaijani servicemen stole 8 cows and 1 bull belonging to 3 families of Davit Bek villages, Kapan Front, Syunik province of Armenia, checked alarms. This is what Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan wrote on his Facebook page today, adding the following: "In particular, the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia received alarms found out based on the alarms on 3 August 2021, that on July 26, 2021, 4 cows belonging to two families of the village were taken to pasture in the administrative territory of Chakaten village of Kapan community of Syunik province, right on the pasture about 1 km away from the village. While grazing, the animals reached a pasture called "Yurder" in the administrative area of the village and approached the area under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces. According to the alarms, after that Azerbaijani servicemen tied the animals to their section without allowing them to return, and for about 5 days, the residents saw through binoculars from the mountain in front of their house that the animals were in an area called "Chambar", and as of 1 August, the animals have already disappeared. In addition to the mentioned case, in 2 August 2021, the Office of the Human Rights Defender received one more alarm, that in 14 July 2021, a resident of Davit Bek village, Kapan community, Syunik province of Armenia, took 6 large cattle (1 bull, 5 cows) belonging to 3 villages to graze in the pasture belonging to the village, about 1.5 km away. The villager left the pasture shortly after returning to find that five of the animals were missing and that one of the cows was returning from the side controlled by the Azerbaijani armed forces with a rope tied around his head (he took the animals to graze without a rope). From distance, he noticed how the Azerbaijani soldiers were pushing the animals to their depths. In both cases, the residents informed the heads of the administrative districts of the villages about what had happened. Representatives of the Armed Forces of Armenia and the Russian border guards were also informed about the incidents. Negotiations for the return of the animals did not yield results as of August 3. Azerbaijani servicemen refuse to return the animals reasoning that they do not have them. This information was confirmed by the Human Rights Defender's Office through private conversations with the mentioned residents of the villages of Dakaten and Davit Bek, as well as with their fellow villagers, as confirmed by the community bodies. The theft of animals belonging to the border residents of Armenia by the Azerbaijani servicemen and their damage are regular. Their illegal actions violate the property rights of the residents of Armenia; these actions are aimed at depriving them of the opportunity to engage in cattle breeding and earn a family income. In addition to security, all this causes social problems, including serious damage to the border population of Armenia. The mentioned cases confirm that in order to protect the population of Armenia, to guarantee the rights, it is necessary to create a security zone around Syunik and Gegharkunik. This requires their removal from the neighborhood of the border villages of Armenia, between the roads of Syunik communities." Three Kennesaw State alumni receive Fulbright awards KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug 3, 2021) Jaylen Jackson developed a love of languages as a Kennesaw State University student, and now he has received a Fulbright grant to continue toward his career goal of teaching English as a second language to adults. Being a Fulbright recipient gives me a great opportunity to get experience and pursue my dream, said Jackson, who will serve as an English teaching assistant at a university in Brazil for one year starting in March. I know that a Fulbright is difficult to get, so Im honored to be part of it. Jackson, who graduated last year with an integrative studies degree, is one of three Kennesaw State alumni recently awarded a Fulbright to study or teach abroad. Jaylen Jackson (Integrative Studies 20) Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award, Brazil Jaylen Jackson credits the first Spanish class he took at Kennesaw State with sparking his interest in learning and teaching languages. He furthered that pursuit by taking a study abroad trip to Peru as well as participating in an online language exchange program in which he had conversations with a student in Mexico who practiced speaking English while Jackson spoke Spanish. Everything I needed was easily accessible at KSU, and I always had the greatest teachers and the greatest experiences no matter which class I took, Jackson said. I was fortunate to have so many good influences throughout the Foreign Languages Department and the Education Abroad Office. In Brazil, Jackson will assist in teaching English to college students while also giving them an understanding of American culture. Jackson has completed his first year of a masters degree program in applied linguistics, which he will resume after his year in South America. Kaylee Walker (Communication 16) Fulbright Study/Research Award, Spain Studying for six weeks in Italy as a KSU student ignited Kaylee Walkers passion for learning about other cultures and assisting people through international initiatives. On that trip, she met fellow Owl and future husband Perry Watkins, and the two of them have served together as Peace Corps volunteers in Panama, English teachers in Thailand, and currently as full-time staff at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. My first time abroad really sparked something in me to want to learn more about other cultures, on a deeper level, Walker said. Fulbright really resonates with us because it has similar characteristics as Peace Corps in that its not only going and living in another culture, but its creating those cross-cultural interactions of building friendships and teaching people about our culture while learning about theirs. Walker will spend two years in Spain conducting research about refugee populations while earning her masters degree in global and international studies from the University of Salamanca. Her study will compare the immigration and asylum policies of the United States and Spain, focusing specifically on why so many refugees from Central and South America have migrated to Spain in recent years. Perry Watkins (Psychology 14) Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award, Spain Psychology graduate Perry Watkins received a Fulbright award to teach English to students in Spain. However, he has opted to accept a similar opportunity from a program through the Spanish government, the North American Language and Culture Ambassador Program, which will enable him to be in Salamanca with his wife. Also, by taking the other offer, Watkins will remain eligible to apply for a Fulbright toward the masters degree in international education he plans to pursue. Educating and helping others has been Watkins focus since he first traveled abroad, during the summer after his sophomore year at Kennesaw State, accompanying his mother when she served as a translator in Guatemala. Education is my passion, Watkins said. Receiving the Fulbright, with everything it embodies international education, community engagement, cultural exchange, working collaboratively with teachers is an amazing feeling. Paul Floeckher Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. With great sadness, Mount St. Mary's University announces the death of Gertrude D. Trudy Conway, Ph.D., a much loved and widely accomplished professor of philosophy. Professor Emerita Conway died Friday, July 30 at home surrounded by her loved ones after an extended illness. Conway began her long and storied career at the Mount in 1979, when she returned to the United States with her husband, Abdolreza (Huschang) Banan, from Iran where she and Dr. Banan had been teaching at Shiraz University. In addition to the decades she spent in the classroom, mentoring students and faculty alike, Conway found time to write several books, multiple scholarly articles, serve as associate dean of the College, begin the University Honors Program, and initiate a study abroad program that would become the model for the Mounts foreign studies program today. Besides chairing the philosophy department (1999-2005), she was the inaugural holder of the Delaplaine Professorship as well as that of another endowed chair, the Msgr. Klein Chair of Philosophy, a chair she held for many years. Conway also was instrumental in establishing a chapter of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society at the Mount, and served as its advisor until her retirement in 2015. Her work with students at the Mount to end the death penalty in Maryland was legendary and most effective. She published two of her own books, Wittgenstein on Foundations (1989) and Cross-Cultural Dialogue on the Virtues: The Contribution of Fethullah Gulen (2014), and edited two more, Where Justice and Mercy Meet: Catholic Opposition to the Death Penalty (2013) and Redemption and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Restorative Justice (2017) with Drs. David M. McCarthy and Vicki Schieber.Trudy loved teaching, learning and giving. She approached each day with a kind of joie de vivre that always drew students and faculty to her. Ever the curious deep thinker with a penetrating intelligence, she graduated from The Mary Louis Academy in Queens with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood (1968), and continued on to The College of New Rochelle for her bachelors degree (1972). She earned her doctorate in philosophy from Fordham University. She savored the challenge and reward of academic life, immersing herself in numerous research areas including cross-cultural dialogue and restorative justice. Her body of scholarly work is a testament to her intellect and work ethic. It is also an enduring contribution to the academic community. Trudys love for experiencing other cultures was evident in her travels, teaching, home and community life. She was married for 44 years to Dr. Abdolreza Banan, and together they raised their children, Sedira and Daniel, in a bi-cultural, bi-religious home, in which they embraced the virtues of hospitality, tolerance and generosity. She is survived by family and friends who cherish her invaluable contributions to others and her enduring legacy of kindness seeing this as a life well lived. A memorial Mass to celebrate Trudys life will be held Saturday, August 28 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Mount St. Mary's University. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Trudys name to the Equal Justice Initiative or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Journalist Steve Vines flees 'white terror in HK' The news of Steve Vines' departure from Hong Kong comes two months after he announced he was quitting RTHK. File photo: RTHK Vicky Wong reports Veteran journalist and former RTHK presenter Steve Vines says he has fled the SAR for Britain, to escape the white terror sweeping through Hong Kong. In an email sent to friends and former colleagues, Vines said the decision to leave was prompted by "a cumulative series of alarming events, both personal and political", adding that it was a decision made with "a heavy heart and a mixture of enormous regret and relief". "The personal implications are clear for people who have been public advocates for democracy and liberty and have been engaged in what has become the very high-risk occupation of journalism. The white terror sweeping through Hong Kong is far from over and the near-term prospects of things getting better are simply non-existent," he said. The email goes on to say: "The institutions that ensure the liberty of Hongkongers are being dismantled by people who care so little that they dont even flinch when it becomes abundantly clear that the very essence of the place is being destroyed." The news of his departure from Hong Kong comes two months after Vines announced he was leaving RTHK, citing the national security law. He also said RTHK is now under more pressure to be "an organ of government rather than a public broadcaster". The station said at the time that it would not comment on individual personnel matters. Vines had presented the English-language political TV programme The Pulse for many years. The final episode of the latest series aired in June and it's not clear whether the show will return after the summer. Hong Kong artist Kacey Wong moves to Taiwan Kacey Wong posted a farewell note on social media, saying he's left for Taiwan. Damon Pang reports One of Hong Kong's best known artists, Kacey Wong, said on social media that he has left Hong Kong for Taiwan, reportedly because he wanted to go to a place where he would enjoy "100 percent freedom". Wong posted a video message on Facebook on Tuesday containing a song he wrote, which also featured lyrics from Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again". When you received this letter, I have already left. Leaving is not easy, staying is also difficult. "We have known each other for 51 years, I will not forget you. Lets treasure each other, goodbye Hong Kong," he wrote in the message. "We'll meet again. Don't know where, don't know when," he sang a rendition of the song by Lynn that was popular during the Second World War. Wong, 51, an architecture graduate of Cornell University in the United States who taught at Polytechnic University, told local media that he wanted to pursue "100 percent freedom". Back in March, state mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao published an article alleging the Arts Development Council had sponsored work that "glorifies black violence and Hong Kong independence". Wong was one of the artists named. The piece also accused him of introducing "the so-called revolution" to the overseas audience, when he gave a TED talk in Vienna during the 2019 protests. Wong was a regular at the annual July 1 protests. He was also known for conducting art performances on matters such as the June Fourth crackdown, the disappearance of Causeway Bay booksellers and the anti-government protests two years ago. HSI ends in the red as Tencent struggles Tencent was the biggest blue-chip loser in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Image: Shutterstock Local blue chips finished lower on Tuesday after regulatory panic gripped market heavyweight Tencent. The Hang Seng Index opened in the red and dropped as many as 461 points before reversing course as Tencent recovered some lost ground. The benchmark finished the day down 40 points, or less than 0.2 percent, at 26,194, on turnover of HK$203.7 billion. Tencent plummeted more than 10 percent during early trade after state media branded online video games "spiritual opium" and called for curbs on the industry. The stock pared some of its losses after the newspaper deleted the article from its website. Tencent closed 6 percent lower and was the biggest blue-chip loser. Other firms linked to the video game industry also suffered. NetEase sank nearly 7 percent and CMGE Technology plummeted almost 14 percent. Alibaba rose 0.8 percent ahead of its earnings announcement. Standard Chartered edged up 0.6 percent after posting a 57 percent jump in pre-tax profit and announcing a resumption of interim dividend. Xinyi Solar soared more than 8 percent to become the top blue-chip performer after first-half profit more than doubled for the solar glass manufacturer. Markets across the border were soft. The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.5 percent, while the blue-chip CSI300 index was flat. The Shenzhen Composite shed 0.5 percent. Taiwan inched up 0.3 percent. Shares in Japan gave up 0.5 percent, Singapore declined 0.4 percent and Australia retreated 0.2 percent. But South Korea added 0.4 percent. Ship seized by suspected Iran-backed forces: sources Iran's Foreign Ministry has said reports of security incidents involving several ships near the UAE coast were "suspicious". Photo: AFP Iranian-backed forces are believed to have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, three maritime security sources said, after Britain's maritime trade agency reported a "potential hijack" in the area on Tuesday. Two of the sources identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged asphalt/bitumen tanker Asphalt Princess in an area in the Arabian Sea leading to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil exports. Iran's Foreign Ministry had earlier said reports of security incidents involving several ships near the UAE coast on Tuesday were "suspicious", and it warned of any effort to create a "false atmosphere" against the Islamic Republic. Tensions have simmered in the region after an attack last week on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast killed two crew members and was blamed on Iran by the United States, Israel and Britain. Iran denied responsibility. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, in a warning notice based on a third party source, had earlier reported a "potential hijack" and advised ships to exercise extreme caution due to the incident around 60 nautical miles east of the UAE's Fujairah emirate. Britain's foreign ministry is "urgently investigating" an incident on a vessel off the UAE coast, a spokesperson said. The Times of London newspaper also reported that the Asphalt Princess had been hijacked, citing British sources as saying they were "working on the assumption Iranian military or proxies boarded the vessel". On Tuesday at least five ships in the sea between the UAE and Iran updated their AIS tracking status to "Not Under Command", according to Refinitiv ship tracking data. Such a status generally indicates a ship is unable to manoeuvre due to exceptional circumstances. The United States and Britain said on Sunday they would work with their allies to respond to last week's attack on the Mercer Street, a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned petroleum product tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime. Iran denied involvement in that suspected drone strike and said it would respond to any threat against its security. (Reuters) SIU law schools Veterans Legal Assistance Program receives funding by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Military veterans in the region needing help with Veterans Affairs benefit appeals and discharge upgrades can continue to look to Southern Illinois University Carbondales School of Law for assistance. The law schools Veterans Legal Assistance Program Clinic recently received a $30,000 grant from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation to continue with the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN). Launched in late 2017, IL-AFLAN was the first statewide hotline and network of legal support services for Illinois veterans, active duty military, National Guard, reservists and their dependents. The continued funding supports the program and allows us to assist them, Martin D. Parsons, a clinical assistant professor of law, said. There are other options but not very many. We have clients who, without us, wouldnt have won their appeals and wouldnt receive benefits. Busy over five years The program also allows law school students the opportunity to hone their skills by working on cases in representing clients. Parsons said the clinic has handled more than 200 cases and that more than 50 law students have participated for credit hours in five years. Students participating in the clinic will typically meet with the clients and work on the cases. Ive been really lucky to have some smart, hardworking students who are really passionate about helping people and helping veterans, specifically, he said. I like teaching them and seeing that lightbulb come on when they get it. Parsons noted many of the students have a connection to veterans and up to one-fourth of those students were veterans themselves. A common misconception is that only veterans take my clinic but thats not necessarily true. I have a lot of non-military students who take it, he said. Provides services to veterans throughout Illinois While SIUs primary coverage area is a 15-county region in Southern Illinois, Parsons notes clients also come from areas including the Metro East and central Illinois. In addition to handling discharge upgrades and VA benefit appeals, Parsons said the clinic also handles a smattering of family law and consumer-related cases involving veterans when there is a conflict that involves Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. The program is free for veterans, the National Guard and reserve, and active duty personnel but there are some income-eligible guidelines. Parsons, a 2015 SIU School of Law graduate, served four years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and 22 years in the Illinois Army National Guard. The university has a longstanding commitment and history of assisting veterans, active-duty military, reservists and their dependents. As a veteran myself, its being able to help my brothers and sisters in arms with their issues, he said. I understand them because I am one of them. The quirks and challenges that we share. Eligible veterans and service members, their spouses and dependents who are residing or stationed in Illinois and who need assistance should contact the networks free statewide legal aid hotline at 855-IL-AFLAN (855-452-3526). Offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There were 10,207 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Florida Sunday, more than any time since the pandemic emerged in March 2020. But thats not the scariest fact associated with the coronavirus wildlife sweeping across the Sunshine State since early July. Over 50% of our hospitalizations are between the ages of 25 and 55, Florida Hospital Association President Mary Mayhew said Monday. It is a rapid increase, not only in hospitalizations, but in the deterioration. Sicker, sicker individuals. This is just dramatically different from what we saw last year. Speaking on MSNBCs "Morning Joe" Show, Mayhew said Floridas hospitals, especially in Jacksonville and Orlando, are facing crisis capacities with younger COVID-19 victims. In Jacksonville, in one of our hospitals, their average age now is 42 years old. They have 25-year-olds who are in intensive care, on ventilators, said Mayhew, former secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019 before leaving to head the Florida Hospital Association earlier this year. Mayhew said Florida COVID-19 hospital admissions have been increasing the last 27 days faster than anytime in 2020 with 96% of those hospitalized unvaccinated. This is clearly ripping through the unvaccinated, she said, noting while Florida did a good job vaccinating seniors, it may have conveyed a message that younger people were not at risk. Weve got to up voices, our messaging, and make sure we are loud and clear about how critically important it is for that age group to get vaccinated, Mayhew said. While the former AHCA chief didnt criticize her former boss, plenty of others were ripping DeSantis for issuing an executive order Friday that allows parents to ignore school district mask mandates, and for his hard stance against pandemic restrictions on businesses that plays well to a national conservative media audience in boosting his 2024 Republican presidential profile. Story continues Some of the criticism, especially from Florida metro newspapers, is apparently getting under the governors skin. Influential Miami Herald columnist Fabiiola Santiago wrote, This is the no-mask, anti-vaccine Florida that Gov. Ron DeSantis groomed and enabled. This is the red Florida he has indulged with political gobbledygook about personal freedoms in the middle of a public-health emergency and here are the consequences: a dubious No. 1 national ranking in cases of COVID-19. The Orlando Sentinel, in a Sunday front page article headlined, DeSantis stops pushing shots, said the governor has tempered once-enthusiastic endorsement for vaccinations by appearing more sympathetic to anti-vaxxers a political calculation as he advances his 2024 presidential ambitions for conservative media audiences. The article drew strong rebuke from DeSantis press secretary Christina Pushaw. I feel like headlines such as @orlandosentinels contribute to vaccine hesitancy by turning it into a political issue, she tweeted. What if people read this lie and are misled into believing the governor isnt supporting vaccines anymore? That will not encourage them to get vaccinated. Pushaw said DeSantis just had a press conference on Friday and again reiterated that the vaccines provide good protection against serious illness. In a later statement to Fox News, Pushaw said, It is completely unfair and baseless to claim that Gov. DeSantis is no longer promoting vaccination. Reports to that effect are both inaccurate and irresponsible. The governor has consistently stated that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious illness in most people." Pushaw said DeSantis is opposed to lockdowns and school mask mandates and the best way to make the topic moot is to get vaccinated. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, State, Florida Original Author: John Haughey, The Center Square contributor Original Location: 10,200 COVID-19 cases in Florida hospitals: Half 25-55 years old, 97% unvaccinated Coronavirus regulations may explain why Harry Kane has failed to attend training with Tottenham Hotspur two days running amid speculation the England captain is trying to force a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City. Kane was due back at Tottenham's training headquarters on Monday for a coronavirus test and a fitness assessment following his three-week holiday after Euro 2020 but did not show up and he was not there on Tuesday either. The 28-year-old forward, however, has been on a family holiday in the Caribbean, with the Daily Mail reporting Tuesday he faces a mandatory self-isolation period of up to 10 days as the Bahamas are on the British government's 'amber list'. It is not yet certain if Kane has landed back in England but, in any event, he can take a 'test to release' procedure on day five of his return home, which could see him back training with Spurs by next week at the earliest. Tottenham, who ironically face Pep Guardiola's team on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, have declined to comment about Kane's absence. Kane went public with his desire to leave Tottenham at the end of last season but has also remained silent this week. He has grown frustrated at the club's failure to win a major trophy since 2008, with their latest letdown coming in last season's League Cup final defeat against Manchester City. Kane believes he has a 'gentleman's agreement' with Tottenham which allows him to move this year. But with three years left on his contract, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has no intention of selling his club's prized asset, who is valued at around 150 million ($208 million). Kane has been in the Bahamas following England's Euro 2020 final loss to Italy. With the top-flight season due to start on August 13, Kane appears to intend to push for a move. It could be a rocky road for Kane if he steps up his demand to leave, with some Tottenham fans expressing their anger at his training ground snub on social media. Story continues New Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was reportedly assured Kane would not be sold during discussions before he took charge. Nuno said last month Kane could be "counted on" next season. jdg/iwd Afghan forces are battling the Taliban in Lashkar Gah Residents of a besieged Afghan city have been urged to evacuate ahead of an army operation against the Taliban. General Sami Sadat, who is leading the battle against the Taliban in the southern province of Helmand, called on people to leave its capital Lashkar Gah as soon as possible. At least 40 civilians have been killed in Lashkar Gah in the past day amid intense fighting, the UN says. The Taliban are reported to have captured most of the city. But the fighting is continuing and government forces have vowed not to let it fall into militant hands. In a message to residents of the city, Gen Sadat said the army would "not leave a single Taliban alive". "I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses - it is hard for us too - but if you are displaced for a few days please forgive us," he said. Gen Sadat earlier told the BBC that while government forces had lost ground, he believed the Taliban would be unable to sustain their assault. The Taliban assault in Helmand province is part of a major offensive across Afghanistan. The militants have made rapid advances in recent months as US forces have withdrawn after 20 years of military operations in the country. Helmand was the centrepiece of the US and British military campaign, and any Taliban gains there would be a blow for the Afghan government. If Lashkar Gah fell, it would be the first provincial capital won by the Taliban since 2016, when they briefly held the northern city of Kunduz. 'Corpses on the roads' Residents of Lashkar Gah say they are living in fear as the city faces heavy assault from the militants, who are being targeted with US and Afghan air strikes. "Neither the Taliban will have mercy on us nor will the government stop the bombing. There are corpses on the roads. We do not know if they are civilians or the Taliban," one resident told the BBC. Another said: "I do not know where to go, there are clashes in every corner of the city." Story continues The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) says civilians are "bearing the brunt" of the fighting, with the Taliban ground offensive and Afghan air strikes causing the most harm. It has called on both sides to do more to protect civilians, including an immediate end to fighting in urban areas. In addition to the fatalities, dozens of people have been injured and thousands displaced, according to Unama. Doctors in Lashkar Gah say they are overwhelmed and running low on supplies. "There is fighting all around," one told the BBC. Map shows key locations in Lashkar Gah An Afghan interpreter living in the city said his life was under threat from the Taliban because he had worked for the British forces. "My own house which I left yesterday has been captured by the Taliban and they are living there and they were asking for me," he said. "We don't know what will happen in the future but they are looking from house to house to find the people who worked for Nato." Gen Sadat told the BBC the Taliban were being supported by fighters from other Islamist groups and warned that their gains posed a threat beyond Afghanistan. "This will increase the hope for small extremist groups to mobilise in the cities of Europe and America, and will have a devastating effect on global security," he said. "This is not a war of Afghanistan, this is a war between liberty and totalitarianism." What is happening elsewhere? Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under attack. Attempts by the militants to capture Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city, have continued after rocket strikes hit its airport on Sunday. Seizing control of Kandahar would be a huge victory for the Taliban, giving them a grip on the south of the country. Unama says five civilians have been killed and 42 wounded over the past three days. In a third besieged city, Herat, in the west, government commandos are battling the insurgents after days of fierce fighting. Government forces have taken back some areas after a UN compound was attacked on Friday. Videos shared on social media appeared to show residents on the streets and rooftops of Herat shouting "Allahu akbar" ("God is greatest") in support of the government's gains. As government forces struggled to contain Taliban advances, President Ashraf Ghani blamed the sudden withdrawal of US troops for the increase in fighting. "The reason for our current situation is that the decision was taken abruptly," he told parliament on Monday. Mr Ghani said he had warned Washington that the withdrawal would have "consequences". Although nearly all its military forces have left, the US has continued its air offensive in support of government troops. President Biden's administration announced on Monday that because of the increase in violence, it would take in thousands more Afghan refugees who worked with US forces. The US and UK have accused the Taliban of committing possible war crimes by "massacring civilians" in a town captured near the Pakistan border. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had seen reports of "deeply disturbing" Taliban atrocities. Gruesome videos that emerged from Spin Boldak apparently showed revenge killings. The Taliban have rejected the accusations. You might be interested in watching: Andrew Cuomo and associates. Illustrated | Getty Images, AP Images, iStock On Tuesday, New York Attorney General Tish James published a bombshell report on her office's investigation into sexual harassment allegations leveled against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The investigators conclude "that the governor engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York state law," and present evidence regarding 11 different accusers. The report is utterly devastating and should spell the end of Cuomo's political career. As I have previously written, Cuomo is not just a sexual harasser he is also an appallingly inept and corrupt leader whose horrible policy decisions led directly to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of New Yorkers. Many top Democrats have already called for Cuomo to resign. This is good and correct. But another thing made clear in James' report that should not be lost is the large number of corrupt goons who worked in Cuomo's office, aiding and abetting his abuses. These accomplices, who are all too common in professional Democratic circles, should face accountability as well. The report goes into detail about how Cuomo created a horribly toxic culture around his office, and argues persuasively that this was a key factor in why he was able to get away with what he did for so long. The investigators write that the Executive Chamber (the governor's office) was "rife with fear and intimidation and accompanied by a consistent overlooking of inappropriate flirtations and other sexually suggestive and gender-based comments by the governor," which enabled harassment because victims rightly feared retaliation if they said anything. "Several state employees, including those outside of the Executive Chamber, told us that they believed their careers in New York state government would be over if they were to cross the governor or senior staff, including by reporting any misconduct," they write. For instance, Charlotte Bennett, a former aide and one of Cuomo's alleged victims, said the office "was controlled largely by his temper, and he was surrounded by people who enabled his behavior[.]" A woman anonymized as Executive Assistant #1, who alleges that Cuomo harassed her and groped her breast, "repeatedly testified that she felt she had to tolerate the governor's physical advances and suggestive comments because she feared the repercussions if she did not." Story continues Another woman called Trooper #1 in the report was added to the governor's security detail seemingly because Cuomo thought she was attractive, even though she didn't meet the qualification requirements at the time. This allegedly led to harassment and unwanted touching on her belly, which she hesitated to report in part because when she mentioned previous inappropriate sexual comments from the governor to the commander of the security detail, he replied the conversation "stays in truck" which she took to mean she should not mention it again. Every other victim spoke of similar worries and these fears of retaliation were justified. When Lindsey Boylan wrote on Twitter in December 2020 that Cuomo was an abusive boss, Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa asked Alphonso David (previously the chief lawyer in Cuomo's office and now the president of the Human Rights Campaign) for dirt. David thus gave Cuomo aide Rich Azzopardi confidential legal documents regarding Boylan's time working for Cuomo. Then, when Boylan wrote a few days later that she had been sexually harassed, Azzopardi used Wite-Out to hide the names of everyone but Boylan on the documents and sent them to various reporters, arguing that they contradicted her account. Cuomo's team then drafted an op-ed smearing Boylan, though they ultimately decided against publishing it. (The investigators conclude that this behavior constituted criminal retaliation.) A few months later, as additional accusers stepped forward and the scandal gained steam, DeRosa contacted Larry Schwartz, who was in charge of the state's vaccine distribution at the time, and told him to suss out where county executives stood on Cuomo staying in office. One executive later said that he interpreted the call to "contain an implicit threat linking access to vaccines with County Executive #1's position on the allegations regarding the Governor." Schwartz denied he meant anything by these calls, and two other executives said they did not feel threatened, but it simply beggars belief that Schwartz and DeRosa didn't realize how those calls might sound. Why else would someone in charge of vaccines make that call? Meanwhile, a large team of political operatives held regular meetings to figure out how they might best make the scandal go away, including DeRosa, Azzopardi, the head of New York's Department of Financial Services, Linda Lacewell, special counsel Judy Mogul, former Pete Buttigeig adviser Lis Smith, Cuomo's comms guy Peter Ajemian, the governor's brother and CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, plus numerous other aides-de-camp. As it turns out, the best you could hope for working in Cuomoland was a complaint being buried instead of ruining your career. When Bennett reported her harassment to higher-ups, Cuomo's chief of staff Jill DesRosiers and Mogul (who also informed DeRosa) found the allegations "credible," but contrary to legal requirements did not file a harassment notice or conduct an investigation. Instead they moved her to another department, away from the governor. Elsewhere, DeRosa cynically exploited feminist tropes to bury the story about Trooper #1. When Albany Times-Union reporters got wind of the story, she dishonestly accused them of sexism: "You guys are trying to reduce her hiring to being about looks. That's what men do." The story indeed did not run. Now, Cuomo certainly bears responsibility for what he did personally and it would not be surprising if some of his numerous female apparatchiks (who Cuomo seems to hire as part of a strategy of deflecting accusations of sexism) have also been harassed, which the report implies probably happened. Yet it's also not surprising that he managed to round up a bunch of cynical, ruthless careerists who would indulge his depraved whims. Ultimately, these aides are complicit in what happened. It is wrong to participate in a culture of sexual predation, or to try to hide sexual assault accusations, or to retaliate against victims for speaking up. Cuomo's goons are people who made a conscious, deliberate decision to serve as thuggish enforcers for an abusive bully who is one of the worst governors in New York history, and they did it to protect their own power and advance their own political careers. DeRosa in particular has long been known as exceptionally unscrupulous even by Cuomo standards, and up until his behavior began coming to light was thought to have a bright future in New York politics. Smith was prominent in one quite successful (and baldly cynical) presidential race, and is well-connected to Democratic Party elites like former Obama adviser David Axelrod. David, as mentioned above, now runs one of the most prominent supposedly-progressive political organizations in the country. Chris Cuomo has already skated once on his wildly unethical collusion with his brother, and if history is any guide CNN will probably let him slide again and keep his show. Utter disgrace is not good enough for any of them. You may also like Why Tom Brady's 'gentle' roast of Trump at Biden's White House was actually 'deeply vicious' Israeli data suggest infected, vaccinated individuals have low chance of spreading COVID-19 How sociology shows 'policy makers have been looking at vaccine refusal all wrong' Aug. 3Gary Trent Jr. was selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Many second-round picks don't receive second contracts in the league. Trent Jr. did Monday at the start of free agency, and that contract was massive. The Apple Valley product reportedly agreed to a 3-year, $54 million deal with Toronto, who traded for the wing in the middle of last season. "WAY UP. A lot went into this day since a youngin," Trent Jr. tweeted. "I didn't do it alone, Earned everything, given nothing. @raptors Thank you for the opportunity, let's get to work!" Trent's father, Gary Trent Sr., had a lengthy NBA career himself. He was a part of the 2003-04 Timberwolves team that reached the Western Conference finals. Trent Jr. averaged 15.3 points per game last season, shooting 39 percent from deep. The Timberwolves didn't make any moves on the first day of free agency. BGR Every once in a while, Netflix lets us know which of its original movies have garnered the most views. At last count, Extraction was the most-watched Netflix movie ever, with 99 million views in its first four weeks. In fact, several 2020 movies climbed into the top ten last year, including Spenser Confidential, The Old The post Red Notice is set to be the biggest movie Netflix has ever made appeared first on BGR. Australias longest-running crypto exchange has launched a card backed by Mastercard allowing users to buy, sell and spend digital assets directly from its platform using local dollars. The CoinJar Card, which marks an Australian crypto first under the Mastercard brand, is available either physically or digitally through both Google and Apple Pay integration. CoinJars card supports up to 30 different cryptocurrencies and features a 1% conversion rate that is returned to customers via an in-house rewards program, the company said in a press release on Tuesday. Related: What Does Last Weeks Steep Drop in Bitcoins Balance on Exchanges Really Mean? Dominic Gluchowski, chief marketing officer at CoinJar, told CoinDesk via email on Monday the card was the first Australian-native crypto card. The exchange brought in assistance from payments solutions provider EML for technological advice. All transactions are denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) and are routed through Australian banks and payment providers, said Gluchowski. Other providers utilize the U.S. dollar or Singaporean dollars, which in turn, leads to crippling international transaction fees while using their cards for everyday purchases, Gluchowski added. The move comes hot on the heels of Global payments giant Visa approving local Australian startup CryptoSpend to issue a similar product in July. Related: Australian Lending Startup Loda Gets $15M to Further Crypto Collateralization Efforts We know CryptoSpend is attempting to bring the first Australian-native Visa to market in September, so theres a growing appetite for a local option, said Gluchowski. Were just a tiny bit ahead of them. Related Stories By Colin Packham and Renju Jose CANBERRA (Reuters) -Australian authorities said they could ease a COVID-19 lockdown that demands Sydney's five million people stay home until the end of August if half the population is vaccinated, even as new infections linger near a 16-month high. A lifting of restrictions in the country's most populous city and its surrounds in New South Wales state would be a boost for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, under intense pressure https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-pm-morrisons-approval-rating-slumps-slow-vaccine-rollout-2021-07-18 for his government's handling of the vaccine rollout, with the threat of a second economic recession in as many years looming. New South Wales, which accounts for a third of all activity in Australia's A$2 trillion ($1.47 trillion) economy, has struggled to contain a surge of cases of the highly infectious Delta variant in Sydney despite the lockdown, currently due to be lifted on Aug. 29. While the state on Tuesday reported another 199 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours - near a 16-month high of 239 infections recorded in one day last week - Premier Gladys Berejiklian said curbs could be eased if six million people in New South Wales are vaccinated by the time the lockdown is due to end. "Six million jabs is roughly half the population with at least one or two doses," Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney. "That gives us additional options as to what life looks like on 29 August." Berejiklian didn't say exactly how many in New South Wales were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, but said the state is on course to meet its vaccination target. She cautioned the number of people in the community while infectious would also need to come down. Although Australia has largely kept its COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with just over 34,500 cases and 925 deaths, its national vaccination rollout has hit several roadblocks due to changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses over blood clot concerns and supply constraints for Pfizer inoculation. Story continues The target in New South Wales comes just days after national premier Morrison promised lockdowns would be "less likely" once the country inoculates 70% of its population above 16 years of age - a long way from the current 19% level. Morrison expects to hit the 70% mark by the end of the year. On Tuesday Morrison rejected the idea of offering people financial incentives to boost vaccination rates. "If [Australians] do have hesitancy about vaccine, I am not going to pay them off," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. The PM also released the modeling behind the national strategy which showed Australia would need to vaccinate seven in 10 people to control the spread of the virus without economically damaging lockdowns. The modelling, by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, also called for younger Australians to be the next focus of the vaccine campaign. Once vulnerable Australians were inoculated, "uptake by young adults (aged 16 and over) will strongly influence the impact of vaccination on overall transmission", notes published alongside the modelling said. The lockdown of Sydney is expected to see the Australian economy shrink in the current quarter, and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned the length of the stay-at-home orders will determine whether a recession can be avoided. Despite the ongoing threat to the economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday said it would stick with its plan to taper bond buying from September, contravening marketing expectations. Meanwhile, Queensland state said on Tuesday it has reported 16 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number of new cases in a year. ($1 = 1.3578 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Colin Packham in Canberra and Renju Jose and Byron Kaye in Sydney; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Bangladesh extended its strict lockdown on Tuesday and announced plans to vaccinate at least 10 million people in a week as the country battles a major Covid-19 surge. The vaccination drive from August 7 will be led by tens of thousands of health workers at 14,000 health centres, senior minister A.K.M Mozammel Haque said. "More than 10 million people will be vaccinated in a week. Elderly people, workers and shopkeepers will be given the priority," Haque said. Health ministry spokesman Maidul Islam Prodhan said there was enough stock to inoculate 12 million people following the arrival of vaccines from China and the US under the Covax initiative. The minister also said that the nationwide lockdown in place since July 1 -- except for a religious festival in mid-July -- would be extended until August 10. Shops and public transport will resume from next week, but only vaccinated shopkeepers and transport workers would be allowed out of their homes to work, Haque said. Bangladesh has so far reported some 1.3 million cases and some 21,160 deaths -- figures experts said are a gross undercount. sa/stu/jfx (Shutterstock / fizkes) Black women are typically paid only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white men, losing close to $1m in earnings over a lifetime. On average, Black women lose $2,009 each month, $24,110 annually, and over a 40-year career, an eye-watering $964,400, according to an analysis by the National Womens Law Center. The NWLC is a non-profit organisation that seeks to protect womens legal rights through policy change. Its latest report shows that the gender wage gap has closed by only three cents for Black women over the last 30 years. That means a Black women on average, has to work until August 3 this year Black Womens Equal Pay Day to make as much as a white, non-Hispanic man would have made last year alone. The NWLC report read: Black workers have always faced discrimination in the US workforce, even as they helped literally build America and provided the foundations for its economy. This pay gap is especially stark for Black women, who face not only race discrimination, but also sex discrimination. The Covid pandemic, which has hit Black women disproportionately hard, has made matters worse. Nicole Mason, president and CEO of the IWPR, told Good Morning America last year: When we have a pandemic and then the economic downturn, theres less money to ride out an economic storm, less money that theyre bringing home, especially if their hours have been cut. She added: Some people think that the pay gap doesnt exist or you dont really feel it, but women feel it every day in their wallets, every day when they go to work and bring home less, or during an economic downturn or job loss. They dont have the money they need to be able to provide for their families. Ms Mason said the federal government and employers should both play a role in closing the pay gap for Black women and putting an end to workplace discrimination. Employers have a role to play in terms of making sure there is pay equity and making sure that women across the board earn what theyre worth and the skills and talents they bring to the table, she said. And as a culture and a society, we have a lot of work to do in terms of breaking gender stereotypes around women in the workplace, their value and how much women should be paid for their work. Boeing will have to wait yet again to prove the worth of its Starliner spacecraft. The company and NASA had planned to launch the capsule on Tuesday on top of an Atlas V rocket at 1:20PM ET, but that's not happening anymore. "We're standing down from today's #Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 launch," Boeing said on Twitter. The company attributed the delay to "unexpected valve position indications in the propulsion system" engineers spotted during pre-launch preparations. It's currently unclear if the issue is related to Starliner or the Atlas V rocket that was supposed to carry the vessel to space. Boeing and NASA said they will provide an update on the situation on Wednesday, August 4th. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Were disappointed with todays outcome and the need to reschedule our Starliner launch, John Vollmer, vice president and program manager for Boeings Commercial Crew Program, said. Human spaceflight is a complex, precise and unforgiving endeavor, and Boeing and NASA teams will take the time they need to ensure the safety and integrity of the spacecraft and the achievement of our mission objectives. After its first test flight went awry, Starliner was supposed to return to space on July 30th. However, NASA delayed the flight after the new Russian ISS Nauka module unexpectedly fired its thrusters, tiling the station outside of its typical orientation. Israel will retaliate against an alleged Iranian attack on an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea and unilaterally, if need be, according to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. They cant sit calmly in Tehran while igniting the entire Middle East thats over, Bennett said Tuesday while meeting with military officials in northern Israel. We are working to enlist the whole world, but when the time comes, we know how to act alone. US AND UK ACCUSE IRAN OF DRONE STRIKE ON OIL TANKER Bennetts statement would seem to raise the likelihood of a high-profile clash between Israel and Iran, a development with domestic and diplomatic significance. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged a collective response to the incident, which killed two civilians one from the United Kingdom and another from Romania. We join Allies in strongly condemning the recent fatal attack on the MV Mercer Street off the coast of Oman, and express our condolences to Romania and the United Kingdom for the losses they have suffered, a NATO spokesperson said Tuesday. Freedom of navigation is vital for all NATO Allies, and must be upheld in accordance with international law. The United Kingdom, the United States, and Romania have concluded that Iran is highly likely responsible for this incident. Allies remain concerned by Iran's destabilizing actions in the region, and call on Tehran to respect its international obligations. Still, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Bennett ousted in June, is accusing Bennett of running the risk that President Joe Bidens administration will sabotage an Israeli strike. The information that is sent to America could be leaked to major media outlets, and in this way, our operations will be thwarted, Netanyahu told the Israeli Legislature. This is an existential issue for Israel, in which there may be surprises, and sometimes surprises are needed. Bennett leads a fragile coalition with a thin majority. As a right-wing leader who draws support from some of the same lawmakers most likely to be sympathetic to Netanyahus critique, he could sense a political need to fortify his security credentials. Story continues CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Iran knows the price that well exact when anyone threatens our security, Bennett said. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Foreign Policy, National Security, Iran, Israel, NATO, Naftali Bennett, Benjamin Netanyahu Original Author: Joel Gehrke Original Location: 'They can't sit calmly in Tehran': Israel vows to retaliate against Iran if US wont After the fifth practice of training camp Monday morning, all three Chicago Bears quarterbacks took a turn meeting the media at Halas Hall. This camp has been very different for starter Andy Dalton, rookie Justin Fields and third-stringer Nick Foles, with each quarterback at a unique point in their respective NFL journeys. Heres what each QB had to say. QB1: Andy Dalton Less than a week into training camp, Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy was asked for a progress report on veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, pressed to detail how much improvement Dalton has made since joining the team in March. Nagy, with a gleam in his eye, noted he would have little anxiety if the NFL decided to bump up the start of the season by five weeks and the Bears were suddenly in game-preparation mode this week. Nagys proclamation: Dalton is ready to roll. One hundred percent, Nagy emphasized Monday morning. Hes got full control of this offense. Without a doubt. We could play a game tomorrow and be just fine. >>> Read more about Andy Dalton here QB2: Justin Fields In the Chicago Bears quest to persuade their fans to have patience with Justin Fields development path, the rookie quarterback made a convincing argument Monday at Halas Hall. Greatness doesnt happen overnight, he said. Its a process. Im just trying to take it day by day and literally focusing on getting better and improving every day. In his first news conference since veteran minicamp more than six weeks earlier, Fields seemed comfortable with both his place and progress within the Bears offense. Before he left for the NFLs offseason break in June, Fields promised to put in work every day he was away, whether it meant studying the playbook, breaking down film or working out. Those efforts have helped the first-round draft pick feel more at ease through five training camp practices as the No. 2 quarterback behind Andy Dalton. Ive just gotten more comfortable with the plays and with the offense, Fields said. And instead of trying to remember the play call in the huddle, I actually picture it in my head so I actually can see the play call when Im saying it to the other guys. Story continues >>> Read more about Justin Fields QB3: Nick Foles If the Chicago Bears are going to take trade calls regarding Nick Foles, hed love to have input on that. And if theyre going to move him, hed prefer to go somewhere he has relationships with those running the show. If the Bears do get calls and if they do take into account Foles wishes, they could be ruling out potential destinations, considering he said, I dont want to go to someone I dont know. Speaking after Mondays training camp practice at Halas Hall for the first time since he was injured in the Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last November, Foles acknowledged hes heard some of the chatter about the possibility of the Bears trading their No. 3 quarterback. I know theres a lot of talks out there, Foles said. Trust me, I hear it, I see it. But at the end of the day, that creates clutter in my mind because I still have to go out here and I have to practice. I go out there with the three group, and I always tell those guys: I dont care what the frickin coverage is or if you think youre dead on a route, Im feeling it right now so be ready. I can fit it in anything. And I feel that. >>> Read more about Nick Foles Shares of Tencent and other major Chinese gaming companies plummeted Tuesday after a state-run media article described online games as "spiritual opium", prompting the tech giant to consider a playing ban on children under 12 altogether. The criticism triggered fears among investors that online gaming was the next target for China's communist rulers as they crackdown on Big Tech and other powerful sectors deemed to be out of control. The Economic Information Daily, an arm of the government's Xinhua news agency, complained about "widespread" online gaming addiction among children. "The harmfulness of games has been increasingly recognised by society, and they are often referred to as 'spiritual opium' and 'electronic drugs'," it said. The article cited views that "no industry or sport should develop in a way that wrecks a generation". Shares in Tencent, one of China's biggest tech firms that is behind "Honor of Kings" and other global blockbuster games, dived more than 10 percent in Hong Kong shortly after the publication of the article. Tencent's shares closed over 6 percent lower while rivals NetEase and XD Inc, which also tumbled, ended down around 8 percent in Hong Kong. The fallout spread to Japanese gaming stocks, with shares of online game company Nexon sliding more than 6 percent as well in Tokyo. Tencent pledged in a statement Tuesday to further limit game time for minors, to an hour on weekdays and no more than two hours on holidays, using "Honor of Kings" as a platform for the initial rollout. Children under 12 will be barred from spending in-game as well. Tencent also recommended that the gaming industry discuss the possibility of barring under 12s completely from games, without providing further details. China has stunned investors around the world with a series of crackdowns on tech firms, citing national security, data privacy and monopoly concerns, as well as their impacts on society in general. Story continues E-commerce, education, music streaming and ride-hailing have been some of the sectors targeted, wiping billions of dollars from the share values of companies. Last month, Tencent's super app WeChat -- which is used for everything from messaging to bill payment -- said it was suspending new user registrations in mainland China until early August for a security upgrade, fuelling concerns over its prospects. bys/apj/jfx The Chinese government dismissed a House GOP report that argues COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab in late summer 2019, arguing it is based on "concocted lies. The Communist Party also pointed a finger at the U.S. military, a tactic Republicans said made sense if it was trying to cover up the outbreak's source. House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans concluded the October 2019 World Military Games in Wuhan were one of the earliest super spreader events of the pandemic, with the report contending COVID-19 emerged from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in late August or early September 2019, with China covering it up for months. The report zeroed in on the event, during which more than 9,000 military personnel from over 100 countries came to compete in Wuhan, where Republicans argue the Chinese government knew the virus was circulating. The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Tuesday, titled Remarks on Disinformation about COVID-19 Origins Tracing Disseminated by U.S. Congressmen. The relevant report, totally based on the concocted lies and distorted facts without providing any evidence, is not credible or scientific, the statement read. It claimed the report "smears and slanders China in pursuit of political gains" and said the Chinese government expresses categorical opposition to and strong condemnation of such despicable acts. Chinas embassy in the United States also shared the statement. The Chinese Foreign Ministry pointed to U.S. military personnel who allegedly fell ill during the Military World Games in Wuhan and called for an international inquiry into the U.S. Armys Fort Detrick in Maryland, something China has done dozens of times before. China added: We urge the U.S. to respect facts and science and focus on fighting COVID-19 and saving lives, instead of engaging in political manipulation. HOUSE GOP SAYS COVID-19 ESCAPED WUHAN LAB IN SUMMER 2019 The GOP report said the PRCs efforts to obfuscate the origins of COVID-19 were not limited to destroying samples and silencing doctors, but featured a sustained disinformation campaign as well. Story continues It specifically pointed to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian and other Chinese officials and outlets that have pushed baseless claims about the U.S. military since at least March 2020. Zhao himself tweeted Tuesday: If we just stop and think for a moment, well find the U.S. has done so many highly suspicious things, which are all linked to #COVID19 origins. So if the U.S. wants to cover it up, the best way is? He included a graphic that again pointed to Fort Detrick and brought up the 2019 Wuhan games. The GOP report emphasized: If the CCP realized an investigation would show an uptick in visits of patients with symptoms similar to COVID-19 in September, October, and November of 2019, this would likely be the actions they would take to cover up the source of those illnesses. Zhao and others have pushed the U.S. Army claims for months and revived them earlier this year as the World Health Organization-China COVID-19 report was made public. The U.S. has previously dismissed the Chinese claims as "false, baseless and unscientific," as well as a "myth." The GOP report contended the virus spread throughout Wuhan, "likely via the Wuhan Metro." "In order to prevent national embarrassment, the decision was made to allow the 2019 Military World Games to continue. No spectators were allowed to attend the games, but international athletes and some of the 236,000 volunteers still became infected, spreading the virus in the city, the GOP report argued. Dozens of athletes fall ill with symptoms. ... The athletes return to their home countries in late October, carrying SARS-CoV-2 across the world. Rep. Michael McCaul, the ranking member on House Foreign Affairs, said Monday: When they realized what happened, Chinese Communist Party officials and scientists at the WIV began frantically covering up the leak." But their coverup was too late the virus was already spreading throughout the megacity of Wuhan. ... Athletes at the Military World Games became sick with symptoms similar to COVID-19. Some of them carried the virus back to their home countries creating one of the earliest super spreader events in the world. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Hu Xijin, the editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run Global Times, tweeted Monday: Since when has the Republican Party become a party of science? It is perhaps a cult party since it claims to know what happened on the other side of the earth. The GOP report on Monday said: To further drive this narrative, CCP-controlled media outlets accused Maatje Benassi, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, as being patient zero. Benassi competed at the Military World Games without becoming ill. Two weeks after Zhao tweeted that the U.S. army brought the virus to Wuhan, the Global Times amplified the narrative. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, China, Wuhan Lab, Michael McCaul, Coronavirus Original Author: Jerry Dunleavy Original Location: China lashes out at GOP report on Wuhan lab, repeats US military conspiracy theory China's climate envoy on Tuesday said the world's most populous nation would release its updated plans to reduce carbon emissions "in the near future" as nations prepare to meet later this year for a pivotal global conference. Climate negotiators from 196 countries and the European Union as well as businesses, experts and world leaders will gather in Glasgow in November for the COP26 summit. The meeting is the crucial next step in getting the world's nations to agree to the kind of reduction in carbon emissions needed to stave off catastrophic climate change. Under the Paris Agreement, countries are meant to have submitted updated 2030 climate targets ahead of COP26. But nearly half have yet to do so, including key global emitters like China and India. On Tuesday, China's top climate negotiator said Beijing's updated plans would soon be released, potentially before the Glasgow meet. "In the near future relevant policy papers will be out there, there will be detailed implementation plans," Xie Zhenhua told an online webinar organised by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. "Then we're going to talk about that support to the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow," he added, according to a simultaneous English translation of his speech. The United Nations is pushing for a global coalition committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 which will cover all countries. China has said it will aim for carbon neutrality by 2060. The 2015 Paris Agreement adopted a collective promise to cap the planet's rising surface temperature at "well below" two degrees Celsius and an aspirational limit on 1.5 degrees. - Beijing's reluctance - Many scientists now say 1.5 degrees must be reached to effectively tackle climate change and say huge emitters like China will be crucial in making that a reality. Record-smashing heatwaves, floods and drought across three continents in recent weeks -- all amplified by global warming -- have added pressure for decisive action in Glasgow. Story continues China is reluctant to commit to 1.5 degrees. "Some countries are pushing to rewrite the Paris Agreement," Xie said. "That is, they want to strive to change the target of control for the rise of temperature from two degrees Celsius to 1.5 degrees Celsius." "We have to understand the different situations in different countries, and strive to reach a consensus," he added. China argues that industrialised nations, especially in the West, were able to get wealthy before carbon reduction controls came in and that it and other developing economies should not be expected to make as heavy reductions. Critics of that view say the world cannot afford for huge populous nations like China and India to be slow on reducing their own carbon footprints. "While China has pledged carbon neutrality in mid-century, which is great, it has not so far announced plans to do enough in the 2020s in my judgment," Todd Stern, President Barack Obama's former climate negotiator, who has often sat opposite Xie at summits, told the same webinar. jta/jfx Dia Dipasupil CNN host Chris Cuomo testified in the months-long investigation that ruled on Tuesday that his older brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, had violated state and federal law by repeatedly harassing staffers. New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday morning released the results of her offices probe into the Democratic governors alleged misconduct, ultimately concluding that he violated laws, harassed state employees, and retaliated against an accuser. The findings noted that the governors younger brother Chris, a CNN host, testified in the probe, telling investigators that there was discussion about remedial measures [the governors office] should take in light of the sexual harassment allegations, but some people had taken the position that they should just wait. When asked about any remedial measures during his testimony, the governor testified that the Chamber is talking to people about them. Gov. Cuomo Broke the Law by Sexually Harassing Multiple Women, AG Concludes Furthermore, the attorney generals findings confirmed how, as previously reported, Chris Cuomo advised his gubernatorial brother on how to respond to the unfolding harassment allegations. And, according to one email included in the attorney generals report, the CNN host appeared to be involved in the drafting of his older brothers public statements on the matter. I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm, the younger Cuomo wrote in one email, sometimes I am playful and make jokes. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. My only desire is to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business. The CNN hosts email continued: I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended. Im sorry and feel deeply embarrassed about that. The majority of the text in the CNN hosts email ended up in a Feb. 28, 2021 statement from the governorthough it is unclear the actual level of involvement the younger Cuomo had in drafting the words. Story continues CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the primetime anchors testimony, his various appearances in the attorney generals documents, or whether he plans to address the report on his show Tuesday evening. Chris Cuomo Made a Mistake, CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Tells Concerned Staffers The Washington Post reported earlier this year that the CNN host advised his brother and senior members of the governors staff on how to respond to the sexual harassment allegations from multiple women. The younger Cuomo reportedly encouraged his brother to take a defiant position and not to resign from the governors office and, in one meeting, reportedly cited cancel culture as a reason not to give in to public outrage. The CNN host apologized on his program that evening, admitting to being looped into calls and telling viewers: I understand why that was a problem for CNN. It will never happen again. He further asserted that I know where the line is. I can respect it and still be there for my family, which I must. I have to do that. I love my brother, I love my family, I love my job. And I love and respect my colleagues here at CNN. And again, to them I am truly sorry. And in a town-hall meeting that week, CNN boss Jeff Zucker claimed he understood the unease over Cuomo advising his brother, agreeing that he did cross a line. However, the network executive told staffers, he opted not to suspend Cuomo and instead have him personally apologize on-air to his viewers. 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. Coco Austin and her daughter Chanel. Jim Spellman/Getty Images Coco Austin's daughter Chanel will be 6 in November, but she still loves to nurse, Austin said. Austin said she and her husband, Ice-T, are OK with Chanel nursing occasionally. Experts say nursing a 5-year-old doesn't provide nutrition but could give COVID-19 protection. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Coco Austin, the reality TV star and wife of Ice-T, says her 5-year-old daughter still nurses and that she has no plans to stop breastfeeding anytime soon. Experts say that while nursing a kindergartner is outside the cultural norms in the US, it could have benefits for both the mom and the child. For long-term nursers, "there is a special closeness that you get," Diane Thompson, the director of La Leche League Alliance, an affiliate of La Leche League International, told Insider. "They're just not willing to give up that particular piece of their relationship just yet." Still, Thompson said, the breastfeeding relationship is likely almost over. "Children do wean," she said. "It does come to an end." There is no weaning age The World Health Organization recommends that parents nurse children exclusively for six months and then nurse and offer food "up to the age of two years or beyond." Nursing parents stop for a variety of reasons, from perceived low supply to a return to work to a desire to be done with breastfeeding. In the US, 35% of infants are still nursing at one year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, and there's little data on nursing rates beyond that. There's no consensus on when humans naturally wean, but most experts agree that it's generally between the ages of 18 months and 4 1/2 years. "At some point, most children will get off the breast after the age of 2, voluntarily," G. Thomas Ruiz, the OB/GYN lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, told Insider. Story continues But in many cultures, nursing toddlers is more common, and Austin and Chanel wouldn't be outside the range of normal, Thompson said. Extended breastfeeding looks different Many people may imagine a 5-year-old nursing on demand like an infant does. But nursing a preschooler is very different from breastfeeding an infant, Thompson said. For starters, school-aged kids are getting almost all of their nutritional value from food. That's true for Chanel, who likes to eat steak and hamburgers, Austin told US Weekly. "At this point in nursing its just for comfort and believe me the girl loves meat so it's not like she isnt eating real food," Austin wrote in an Instagram post over a year ago. "Five-year-olds don't nurse like newborns," Thompson, who nursed her daughter until she was 4, said. "It might be before bed or when they get hurt. It's when someone gets hurt or someone just needs comfort." There are some possible benefits Ruiz said that nursing held little nutritional or immunological benefits for preschoolers during normal times. "Five-year-olds are vaccinated, and they have an immune system, so they're not generating a lot of immunity from breastfeeding," he said. But during the pandemic, there could be a benefit, especially if the nursing parent is vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 antibodies have been shown to pass through breastmilk, so Austin could be giving Chanel a little bit of added protection if she's vaccinated. "I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you breastfeed a 5-year-old, but it's an interesting thought now because breastfeeding is a way to deliver antibodies to your child," Ruiz said. Ruiz and Thompson agree that if Austin and Chanel are happy with the breastfeeding arrangement, then it's fine. As for when to stop, Thompson says that's up to the parent and child. "You're both doing this together," Thompson said. "This is a relationship. You both have to be happy with where the relationship ends." Read the original article on Insider In the highest court decision so far when it comes to college immunization mandates, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that Indiana University can proceed with its plan to require students and employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus for the fall semester. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in Chicago, denied a motion for an injunction seeking to stop Indiana Universitys policy, Fox 59 reported. In doing so, it upheld an Indiana district court judges previous ruling that found that the university was acting reasonably "in pursuing public health and safety for its campus communities." Eight IU students had sought to block the requirement while they challenge its legality, claiming that it would violate their constitutional rights under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SUE SCHOOL OVER VACCINE REQUIREMENT, ALLEGE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS VIOLATED The appeals court decision heavily cited Jacobson v. Massachusetts, a Supreme Court decision in 1905, which found that a Massachusetts state law allowing cities to require residents to be vaccinated for smallpox did not violate ones protections under the 14th Amendment. It essentially decided personal liberty may be circumvented for the good of the public under state police power. But unlike in that early 20th century case, Indiana Universitys vaccine policy allows exemptions on religious and medical grounds, which the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday provides constitutional accommodations for those who qualify. The appeals court said a state government cannot require vaccinations, but a state university can, just as it can mandate class assignments. "If conditions of higher education may include surrendering property and following instructions about what to read and write, it is hard to see a greater problem with medical conditions that help all students remain safe when learning," according to the ruling from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Story continues "A university will have trouble operating when each student fears that everyone else may be spreading disease," it continues. "Few people want to return to remote educationand we do not think that the Constitution forces the distance-learning approach on a university that believes vaccination (or masks and frequent testing of the unvaccinated) will make in-person operations safe enough." The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university, and students who dont want to get vaccinated can also seek "ample educational opportunities" elsewhere, according to the ruling. James Bopp, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, who takes on conservative political causes, said he would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the rulings. Similar lawsuits against student vaccine requirements at the University of Connecticut and the California State University system are awaiting action. Bopp argues that such vaccine requirements violate their rights to "bodily autonomy" and that the COVID-19 vaccines differ from other immunizations frequently required for college students, such as for measles and meningitis, because of their newness and the lower risks that younger adults have of suffering from severe bouts of COVID-19. In reaction to the ruling Monday, Indiana University issued a statement, saying, "Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester." A lawsuit was filed after IU officials announced in May that the school would require its roughly 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on its seven campuses to receive COVID-19 vaccinations for the fall semester. Students who dont comply will have their registration canceled and workers who dont will lose their jobs. IU initially was going to require students and employees to provide immunization documentation. That sparked a backlash from Republican state lawmakers and the state attorney general, leading university officials to make providing proof of vaccination optional and allow students and employees to simply attest to their vaccination in an online form. The university is allowing religious and medical exemptions, but school spokesman Chuck Carney said more than 80% of students have reported receiving at least one dose. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A judge on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote a stinging opinion against so-called "equity." Last month, a U.S. 5th Circuit Court decision reinstated part of a lawsuit by a black property owner in Texas who claims that a harbor expansion project has used coercive means to obtain property in the East End, which is a historically black neighborhood. In a concurring opinion, Trump-appointed Judge James C. Ho took aim at a basic premise adopted by critical race theorys advocates. As a July Washington Examiner editorial observed, some may obscure the discussion of critical race theory, particularly its effect on society. But Judge Ho struck at the heart of the national debate and drew a clear distinction between equality of outcome and equality of opportunity. He writes, "There's a big difference between prohibiting racial discrimination and endorsing disparate impact theory. ... It's the difference between securing equality of opportunity regardless of race and guaranteeing equality of outcome based on race. Its the difference between color blindness and critical race theory." Judge Ho wrote his opinion at a time when race-neutral policies, which safeguard against discrimination, have come increasingly under fire. As I wrote last month, both the Boston Public Schools and the Fairfax County Public Schools removed their (race-neutral) standardized admissions tests for their specialized secondary schools, resulting in decreased Asian American admissions. And in 2020, California state lawmakers placed Proposition 16 on the ballot, which would have repealed the well-known anti-discrimination measures in Proposition 209 of 1996. Though the campaign to repeal Proposition 209 failed, it did have the backing of establishment Democratic politicians and received $31 million from liberal donors. The leading self-proclaimed voice of "anti-racism" himself, Boston University professor Ibram X. Kendi, has repeatedly slammed race-neutral policies. As Kendi argues in How to be an Antiracist, The most threatening racist movement is not the alt rights unlikely drive for a White ethnostate but the regular Americans drive for a race-neutral one. Story continues Contrary to that, Judge Ho emphasized the purpose of the Civil Rights Act in his opinion. On race-neutral policies, he said, "Congress enacted Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit intentional racial discrimination not to restrict neutral policies untainted by racial intent that happen to lead to racially disproportionate outcomes." Now, equitable policies have previously been successfully challenged in the courts. However, Judge Hos opinion is notable because it establishes a clear dichotomy between the aspirations of the Civil Rights Act and those of Kendi and his followers, who believe, The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. Ho does so directly by comparing Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech and Kendis How to be an Antiracist. Judge Hos concurrence may be the first step toward equitys judicial reckoning. As Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson wrote at Legal Insurrection earlier this week, "Those of us attacked for speaking out for equality without regard to skin color will be vindicated, and those demanding race-based outcomes will be shamed." If more judges view equity as the perverse discrimination it really is, then critical race theory will indeed have its day in court. And it will be exposed for the sham that it is. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: Critical Race Theory, Race and Diversity, Woke culture, Federal Courts Original Author: Samuel Kim Original Location: Critical race theory has its day in court Denver is cracking its whip to boost citywide coronavirus vaccination rates. Why it matters: Top state and local officials agree that thousands more residents need to get the jab and now if Coloradans want to avoid another devastating blow this fall and winter. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Driving the news: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday announced a new vaccination requirement for the city government's 10,000-plus employees. The city also will invoke its police powers to force private-sector workers in "high-risk" environments to receive the shot, the first major city to do so. Private sector employees covered under the new mandate include those working in nursing homes, homeless shelters, hospitals, correctional facilities, and schools and post-secondary institutions both public and private. After Sept. 30, unvaccinated employees won't be allowed to work onsite or in the field. What they're saying: "After all of our efforts, we're seeing a spike when we generally would get a little bit of a seasonal break. Coupled with that concern is the fact that vaccinations have largely stalled," Denver public health director Bob McDonald said at a briefing Monday. "We need to make sure we're ahead of this so that we don't see another spike in deaths going into the fall," he told reporters. Context: While there's been a recent increase in vaccine requirements for employees among local governments across the country, Denver's rules appear to go further than most by applying to certain private contractors. City attorney Kristin Bronson tells Axios that Denver's authority to do so derives from a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing state and local governments' "police power," which includes mandates issued to protect public health. Violators could be fined up to $5,000 under a new ordinance passed by the City Council Monday night, or face potential jail time. By the numbers: About 70% of eligible Denver residents are fully vaccinated, but McDonald said more shots are needed to combat the city's increasing infection rate. Story continues City data shows that the average number of daily infections has recently jumped from 15 to nearly 70. A recent return-to-work survey showed more than 70% of city employees planned to get vaccinated, but actual rates are unknown, a spokesperson for Denver's health department told Axios. The big picture: Gov. Jared Polis, in a briefing moments after Hancock's, echoed Denver's urgency as hospitalization rates rise, saying the state expects it "to get worse before it gets better." Polis now says an 80% immunization rate is needed to "prevent Colorado from going down this path that we've seen in other states." The governor said he has returned to wearing a mask at the grocery store and other public places, but he does not support a mandate to require their broad use. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free The previous annual pass program was canceled in January. Above, visitors take a selfie in front of the Walt Disney statue inside Disneyland on April 30, the day the park reopened for the first time in more than a year. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) The Disneyland Resort has overhauled its 37-year-old annual pass program to help reduce crowding on high-demand days, replacing it with a program that will require visitors to make reservations before going to the theme parks, while continuing to block out access on the busiest days. By requiring reservations, Disney representatives say, the company hopes to manage how many parkgoers visit Disneyland and California Adventure Park each day, easing the increasingly vexing problem of huge crowds that jam walkways and push wait times for the attractions beyond tolerable levels. Disneyland announced details of the new pass program, dubbed Magic Key, on Tuesday. "We know this allows us to smooth demand throughout the year, Disney spokesperson Liz Jaeger said. Magic Key includes four options, ranging in price from $399 per year for Southern California residents to $1,399 for the option with no block-out days and the greatest flexibility for making reservations. The new pass program is only for Disneyland and California Adventure Park. The previous annual passes ranged from $419 to $2,199, the latter of which included unlimited visits to parks in Anaheim and Orlando, Fla. Although the overall prices of the Magic Key passes are lower than Disneyland's previous annual passes, the number of days parkgoers can visit is now limited by how many block-out dates come with each option and how many reservations will be accepted. Under the previous program, most pass holders could show up to the parks as often as they wanted. Disney representatives acknowledged that pass holders may not be able to make reservations even on days allowed by their pass because of park crowding. Sales of the passes begin Aug. 25. Here are the options: The Dream Key is priced at $1,399 with no block-out dates. The price includes access to both parks and parking, and allows the holder to select as many as six reservation dates at a time. It includes discounts of as much as 20% for merchandise and food and beverages. The Believe Key is priced at $949 with 48 block-out dates, most of which fall around Thanksgiving and the December holidays. The price includes access to both parks and a 50% discount on parking and allows the holder to select as many as six reservation dates at a time. Discounts of as much as 10% are offered for merchandise, food and drinks. The Enchant Key is priced at $649 with 149 block-out dates; most of June and July and the days around Thanksgiving and Christmas restricted. The price includes access to both parks but does not include parking and allows only four reservation dates at a time. Discounts of as much as 10% are offered for merchandise, food and drinks. The Imagine Key, priced at $399, will be sold only to Southern California residents and has 218 block-out dates, with no available weekends and most of the summer blocked out. It allows access to both parks but only two reservation dates can be made at a time. Parking is not included. This option includes 10% discounts on some merchandise, food and drinks. Pass holders who are California residents can still pay for the annual pass on a monthly basis as was allowed under the previous program. When making reservations to visit two parks in one day, the pass holder must pick which to visit in the morning and which to visit after 1 p.m. Story continues Pass holders can make reservations to visit the parks as early as 90 days in advance and can cancel a reservation as late as the night before a visit. If a pass holder fails to show up at the park after making reservations three times, Disney will not allow the pass holder to make new reservations for the following 30 days. Some longtime holders of the previous pass were not impressed with Disneyland's new offering. "The Magic Key offers devout fans less for more within a vague web of rules, regulations, advance reservations and blackout dates that make going to Disneyland as fun and spontaneous as paying income tax," said Matthew Flynn of Studio City, who along with his husband were annual pass holders for the last 10 years. He said he is going to wait for more details before considering getting a new pass. Hastin Zylstra of Santa Ana previously used his annual pass to visit the Disneyland Resort nearly weekly but now he is not sure he will buy the new Magic Key. "I think for me, the question is still out given how I'm not sure how much value I will get out of it in the year," he said. The new pass is an attempt to give parkgoers the access they want while letting Disney better manage the crowds, said Martin Lewison, a theme park expert and professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York. "I think Disneyland gave as much back to the annual pass holders as they could, but what they kept was the ability to control capacity," he said. The previous annual pass, which launched in 1984 for only $65, was canceled in January, less than a year after Disneyland and California Adventure Park closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That closure allowed Disney to rethink the annual pass program, and how to address the long-building problem of overcrowding. The parks reopened April 30. In its 37-year history, the annual program was expanded, modified and adjusted several times, with various tiers added and block-out days adjusted in response to park attendance. When the program was canceled, Disney executives hinted that the replacement would be designed to help spread the attendance, ease crowing on high-demand days and increase revenue for the company. "I don't think we've even scratched the surface in terms of what we can do when we finally restart with some of our programs, in terms of making sure again, that not only do we improve the guest experience, but at the same time get an adequate return to our shareholders," Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Co. chief executive, said about the annual pass program during an earnings conference call in May. The problem with the previous annual pass program, according to theme park experts, was that too many Southern California park fans were using their annual passes to crowd the parks, which discouraged visits from out-of-state tourists or international visitors, who tend to spend more per visit than locals. Although Disney does not release attendance figures, a report by the engineering firm AECOM estimates that in 2019, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park had a combined total of 28.4 million visitors. The number of people who hold annual passes has long been believed to hover around 1 million. According to one estimate by financial analysts at UBS, those pass holders have made up 50% of all annual visitors to the Anaheim resort. Before the previous program was canceled, the least expensive annual pass, the Southern California Select, could be purchased only by Southern California residents and had the highest number of restrictions, including block-out dates on most weekends. It was priced at $419 per year. The Flex Pass, which could be used by anyone with no restrictions on most Mondays through Thursdays, was priced at $649. Flex Pass holders who wanted to visit on most weekends and during high-demand summer months were required to log onto the Disneyland website or use the resort's smartphone app to book a reservation. This allowed the parks to manage attendance on high-demand days. The most expensive annual pass, the Premier Pass, gave guests access to Disney parks in Anaheim and Orlando, Fla., without blocking any dates. It was priced at $2,199. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. One of Hong Kong's best known artists confirmed on Tuesday that he had moved to Taiwan in search of "100 percent freedom" from the government's crackdown on dissent. Kacey Wong's departure is the latest blow to Hong Kong's reputation as a regional haven for the arts and free speech as government critics face growing scrutiny from authorities. Wong, 51, posted a black-and-white video on Facebook in which he sung a rendition of Vera Lynn's wistful ode "We'll Meet Again". "Leaving is not easy, staying is also difficult," he wrote. In an interview with the Hong Kong Free Press website, Wong confirmed he had fled Hong Kong for political reasons, citing the diminishing space for artistic freedom since China imposed a national security law that criminalised much dissent. The Cornell-educated artist is known for his contemporary visual arts focusing on social activism and politics. In one 2018 performance art piece called "The Patriot", Wong performed China's national anthem on an accordion while inside a red metal cage. Last year authorities passed new laws making it illegal to mock China's national anthem or flag, meaning any repeat of such a performance would be fraught with risk. "I want and I demand 100 per cent freedom, with no compromise," Wong told Hong Kong Free Press. "I always appreciated Taiwan's culture and art, I think it's very mature and deep and the society is sophisticated and raw at the same time, which I like," he added. Earlier this year Wong distributed hundreds of candle stubs from previous vigils marking Beijing's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown after Hong Kong authorities banned public commemorations. The arts have been heavily impacted by the security law, which was introduced to quash dissent after pro-democracy protests two years ago. All films must now be censored for any content that breaches the law and multiple books have been pulled from shelves. Story continues On Monday, Cantopop star Anthony Wong Yiu-ming was charged with corruption for singing at an election rally of a pro-democracy politician three years ago. Two authors of a children's book that likened democracy supporters to sheep surrounded by wolves were charged with sedition last month. Despite this, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has insisted that freedom of speech remains intact in the city. "I would honestly ask you, what sort of freedoms have we lost, what sort of vibrancy has Hong Kong been eroded?" she said in a radio show late last month. yz/jta/dva/oho Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League club, they announced on Tuesday. The Brazil international is the second key member of Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad to extend their time at Anfield after Trent Alexander-Arnold completed a new deal last month. "I'm delighted to have signed a new contract with the club," Fabinho told liverpoolfc.com, with British media reporting his contract would run until before the start of the 2026/27 campaign. "Since the beginning of the conversation, I was really positive about it because it's what I wanted - staying in this club, keep playing for Liverpool. Now this is official and I'm really happy. "These last three seasons I've been really happy here. I learnt a lot with the manager, with all the staff, with the boys as well. "We achieved things together and for me I think it's the best place to be, the best place to keep growing, to keep learning from the staff, from the boys. Hopefully we will keep achieving good things." Fabinho's old contract was due to expire at the end of the upcoming campaign. The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018 and has since made 122 appearances for the Reds, helping the Merseyside club win both the Champions League and Premier League. jdg/iwd (Updates Russia, adds Cambodia, Denmark, Germany) (Reuters) - A growing number of countries are looking at switching to different COVID-19 vaccines for second doses or booster shots after supply delays and safety concerns that have slowed their vaccination campaigns. The World Health Organization said on July 12 the practice was a "dangerous trend" since there was little data available about the health impact, while Europe's drug regulator on July 14 made no definitive recommendations on switching doses. The following are countries that are considering, or have decided to adopt, such a solution: CAMBODIA * Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Aug. 1 that a booster shot of AstraZeneca's vaccine would be offered to people who had previously received two doses of either Sinopharm or Sinovac, while a Sinovac booster shot should be given to Cambodians fully inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. DENMARK * Denmark's State Serum Institute, which deals with infectious diseases, said on Aug. 2 that combining AstraZeneca's vaccine with a second dose from either Pfizer-BioNTech, or Moderna's shot provides "good protection". GERMANY * Germany will in September start offering a booster shot of mRNA-vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna to vulnerable individuals such as pensioners and people with weak immune systems, regardless of what vaccines were used for previous inoculations. INDONESIA * Indonesia is considering offering a booster shot to its healthcare workers immunized with Sinovac's vaccine, as thousands of them are testing positive for COVID-19. RUSSIA * Russia's Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on July 30 that trials mixing a first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine with AstraZeneca's shot revealed no serious side effects and no subsequent coronavirus cases among volunteers. It added that the full results of the trial, which was approved on July 26 after being suspended in May by the health ministry's ethical committee because of a lack of data, would be published this month. Story continues SOUTH KOREA * A study from South Korea found in July that a mixed vaccination of an AstraZeneca shot first and then a Pfizer one boosted neutralizing antibody levels six times more than two AstraZeneca doses. In June, a British study showed that an AstraZeneca shot followed by a Pfizer one produced the best T-cell responses, and a higher antibody response than a Pfizer shot followed by an AstraZeneca one. THAILAND * Thailand said on July 12 it would use AstraZeneca's shot as a second dose for people first inoculated with Sinovac's vaccine, in an attempt to increase protection. The move is the first publicly announced mix-and-match of a Chinese vaccine and a Western-developed shot. VIETNAM * Vietnam said on July 13 it would offer the mRNA vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech as a second dose option for those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni, Editing by Nick Macfie, Barbara Lewis and Timothy Heritage) Police in Florida identified the boyfriend of a mother who was shot and killed in front of her two children as the suspect in her death, warning on Monday that he is considered armed and dangerous. Benjamin Robert Williams, 38, is wanted in connection to the Saturday evening killing of 27-year-old Joana Peca, the St. Petersburg Police Department said. FLORIDA MOM SHOT AND KILLED IN FRONT OF HER TWO TERRIFIED CHILDREN: POLICE Officers arrived at the scene around 5:30 p.m. and found Peca dead inside her car from an apparent gunshot wound, department spokeswoman Sandra Bentil previously told Fox News. Pecas two young children were also inside the vehicle. They were "unharmed, but terrified," Bentil said. Williams and Peca were in a relationship and shared a baby together, FOX13 Tampa reported, citing detectives. Police said Peca was holding their baby when "Williams shot her multiple times in the face." The older child was in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the shooting. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Investigators are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the St. Petersburg police at 727-893-7780. Fox News Bradford Betz contributed to this report. France's pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, which has lagged behind rivals in developing new generation mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, on Tuesday said it has purchased a US firm specialising in the technology. Sanofi will buy Translate Bio, with which it has been working to develop an mRNA Covid jab, for $3.2 billion (2.7 billion euros), the company said in a statement. Sanofi was left trailing in the race to break out a Covid-19 vaccine in 2020, as rivals Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna used pioneering mRNA technology to develop jabs in record time. In late June, it said it would invest two billion euros in the technology by setting up a "centre of excellence" employing 400 people at its laboratories in the US city of Cambridge and Marcy-L'Etoile near the French city of Lyon. Messenger RNA technology works by providing human cells with the genetic instructions to make a surface protein of the coronavirus, which trains the immune system to recognise the real virus. Making a traditional vaccine is a longer process that normally involves developing a weakened form of a pathogen. Sanofi, which initially went the traditional route, is still racing to make up ground in the colossal market for Covid jabs. The European Medicines Agency only started a "rolling review" of Sanofi's coronavirus jab, developed with British firm GSK, on July 20. Sanofi, which has been working on developing an mRNA vaccine with Translate Bio, based in Lexington, Massachusetts, said it was betting on the new technology beyond the coronavirus pandemic. "Our goal is to unlock the potential of mRNA in other strategic areas such as immunology, oncology, and rare diseases in addition to vaccines," Sanofi chief executive Paul Hudson said in a statement. Sanofi is not alone in such ambitions. Germany's BioNTech, which developed the coronavirus vaccine with US giant Pfizer, announced in July that it aimed to start trialling a malaria vaccine using the mRNA breakthrough technology. jdy/yad/lth (St. John Parish Sheriff.) A groom in Louisiana has been arrested after allegedly shooting his brides male friend. Devin Jose Jones, 30, was stuck in traffic in a car with his new wife and her friend on Interstate 10, outside of New Orleans, when an argument broke out between them. Mr Jones reportedly accused the pair of having an affair. His wifes friend, who has not been named, fled the vehicle during the argument and was pursued by Mr Jones, who was still wearing his wedding tuxedo. He allegedly chased the man through traffic, firing a weapon at him. People travelling in other cars stuck in the traffic pile-up posted the incident on social media, commenting on the particular scene of a man in a Tuxedo chasing another man down the interstate and shooting at him between cars. The wifes friend was shot in the leg, and another motorist was allegedly injured after a stray bullet came in through the vehicles window. The two victims were transported to a nearby hospital. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. During the altercation between the two men, the bride, still in her wedding dress, fled her vehicle and sought refuge in a nearby ambulance. She was forced to barricade herself in after her new husband allegedly attempted to break into the vehicle to get to her, LObservateur reported. Mr Jones has been arrested on multiple charges including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated second-degree battery, illegal use of weapons and two counts of aggravated damage to criminal property. ZURICH (Reuters) - The European Court of Human Rights has temporarily halted the imminent deportation from Austria of an Afghan whose request for asylum was turned down, a relief group supporting the man said on Tuesday. The ECHR decision, published on the website of the non-governmental organisation Counselling for Deserters and Refugees, told the Vienna government to delay until Aug. 31 the planned deportation of the man, whose identity was not released. The court asked the government to explain how it planned to conduct the removal given that Afghanistan has informed EU members that it has stopped accepting such deportations until Oct. 8. It also asked whether "there is a real risk of irreparable harm" to the applicant's rights given the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. Clashes between Afghan forces and the Taliban have intensified across the country, with the insurgent group gaining control over check points, trading posts and infrastructure projects. The court ruling applied only to the man in question. The European Union is weighing a new package of financial aid to Afghanistan and its neighbours to help limit the flow of refugees from the country, ravaged by intense fighting between government forces and the Taliban, officials told Reuters last month. (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by William Maclean) By Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Neha Arora MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's industrial hub of Maharashtra state eased COVID-19 restrictions in most districts on Tuesday, including in the financial capital of Mumbai, after a steady decline in new cases. Shops, malls and parks were allowed to open for longer and offices were allowed to operate at full capacity. However, cinemas, schools and places of worship will remain closed, according to a state government notice late on Monday. Maharashtra has been the worst-affected state in India's COVID outbreak, accounting for more than 6 million of the 31.7 million cases. At the peak of a second wave of infections driven by the Delta variant of the virus in April and May, state authorities imposed restrictions on movements and only let essential shops open. But as cases have declined in recent weeks, there has been pressure on authorities to ease the restrictions. Mumbai's suburban train network, that ferries more than 8 million people a day, remained shut as fears of a new outbreak loomed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has warned states not to open up too fast and to watch out for overcrowding. India reported 30,549 new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the government said in a statement on Tuesday, the lowest in two weeks, but many health experts are wary about new surges with the vaccination rate still low. "Our models currently predict that the infections are now likely to be rising again with a small bump, and not a towering peak towards the end of this month," Bhramar Mukherjee, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, was quoted as saying by the online news publication the Print. "But the more prominent third wave peak appears to be on the horizon some time around November," Mukherjee said. India has been the second-most hard-hit country in the world with its 31.7 million coronavirus infections, trailing only the United States. India has had 425,195 deaths. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar in Mumbai and Neha Arora in Delhi. Additional reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Satara; Editing by Kim Coghill) An Iowa man accused of tormenting his ex-girlfriend through a form of mental torture for years will spend a decade in prison. Michael Shawn McGuire, 58, of Cresco, met the Minnesota woman on an online dating site in 2017, and they dated for about seven months before she broke up with him. Then began a campaign to stalk and harass her for the next two years, officials said. McGuire created fake five Facebook profiles with the womans name and photo, including sexually explicit messages about her, and sent friend requests to 80 of her friends and relatives, officials said. Hes also accused of making explicit flyers and yard signs that included her name, address and phone number. He delivered dozens of flyers to the womans children, neighbors, employer, priest and others, officials said, while the yard signs were put in the parking lot of the womans employer, the lawn of her church and a popular local restaurant. After the woman obtained a restraining order against him, McGuire sent her a text message telling her to call the police because he was going to violate the order, then followed her as she drove around town, officials said. Afterward, he was arrested, but the harassment continued, officials said. In December, McGuire pleaded guilty to four charges of cyberstalking. A federal judged sentenced him Friday to 10 years in prison after remarking he subjected the woman to a form of public terrorism in a way and the earlier arrest hadnt deterred him from harassing the woman. McGuire was also ordered to pay her $17,500. Michael McGuire tormented the victim for over two years, acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry said in a statement. He will spend the next decade in federal prison, protecting both his victim and the public from his malicious behavior. This sentence sends a strong message to all that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Son who killed mom with baseball bat thinking she was intruder avoids prison in Illinois Teachers boyfriend pushed her to film sexual videos near children, Georgia cops say Husband yanked wheel from his wife causing crash that killed him, Texas cops say The Asphalt Princess, formerly called Thalassa Desgagnes, is believed to be the ship involved in the hijacking incident Iranian-backed forces were suspected of seizing an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf last night, just days after Iran was blamed for a drone attack on another tanker that killed a British crew member. The Royal Navys UK Maritime Trade Operations [UKMTO] agency warned of a suspected hijacking incident near the Emirati port of Fujairah but did not give further details. The hijacked ship was believed to be the Asphalt Princess, a Panama-flagged vessel. Armed soldiers had reportedly stormed on board. The asphalt and bitumen tanker was believed to be travelling to Sohar, a port on Oman's northern coast, when it was attacked at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday afternoon. Satellite-tracking data for the vessel showed it slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early on Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The incident comes after Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, accused Iran of a "deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law" following a drone attack on the Liberian-flagged tanker Mercer Street last week. Britain, the United States and Israel say they are confident that Iran was behind the attack, which killed a British security guard, and have vowed to retaliate. There are growing concerns about increasingly aggressive Iranian actions in the Middle East, with Britain, America, Israel and other nations in secret discussions about how to retaliate. A British special forces team is understood to have been sent to the region and there is growing speculation an offensive cyber attack against Iran is being considered. Israel's prime minister on Tuesday called for an international response to the attack on the MV Mercer Street but warned he would be prepared to launch a unilateral strike if an alliance took too long to form. File image of the Mercer Street ship which was struck by drones five days before Tuesday night's hijacking incident involving the Asphalt Princess vessel - Rula Rouhana/REUTERS "They cant sit calmly in Tehran while igniting the entire Middle East, thats over, Naftali Bennett said. We are working to enlist the whole world, but when the time comes, we know how to act alone. Iran knows the price that well exact when anyone threatens our security. Story continues Israeli television said the country's defence and foreign ministers would present "hard evidence" of Iranian complicity in the attack on the tanker at a meeting of ambassadors of United Nations Security Council members today. Britain is also expected to send a letter to the security council blaming Iran for the attack on the MV Mercer Street. Nato on Tuesday night condemned the attack on the MV Mercer Street and said member states Romania, the US and Britain had all concluded Iran was responsible. "Allies remain concerned by Iran's destabilising actions in the region, and call on Tehran to respect its international obligations," the alliance said. Growing tension as UK calls for release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Amid the growing tensions, an Iranian news agency reported on Tuesday night that talks on releasing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other British-Iranian citizens held in Iran had been frozen after Tehran said it had abandoned a prisoner exchange deal with the West. An unnamed Iranian official told the pro-regime news agency Nour that there was no longer any incentive to continue negotiations on swapping US and Iranian prisoners. The agency claimed that Iran had also frozen the process of releasing Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian mother who has been detained since 2016. It claimed that Iran had scrapped the talks because the UK had pushed for the release of the environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who holds both British and American citizenship. British negotiators are believed to have told their Iranian counterparts that they will reject any deal that does not include the release of Mrs Zaghari Ratcliffe, Mr Tahbaz, and Anousheh Ashoori, a London businessman. A UK Government spokesman said: "Irans continued arbitrary detention of our dual nationals is unacceptable. We urge the Iranian authorities to release the detainees without any further delay." Richard Ratcliffe, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband, said he had spoken with Mr Raab on Tuesday and received assurances that he was keen not to leave anyone behind. What the Foreign Secretary said to me is that they felt they had come closer than they had before, but they hadn't got there, Mr Ratcliffe said. "And they need to wait to see how the new administration takes office, and see how the next few months go. Iranian hardline leader takes power The escalation comes after a new Iranian leader, Ebrahim Raisi, an ultra-conservative judge who was elected president in June, was inaugurated by Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, at a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday morning. Mr Raisi is known as a strict hardliner who opposed outgoing reformist president Hassan Rouhani's policy of reaching out to the West. His election victory in June raised fears of mounting tensions in the Middle East. He has been sanctioned by the United States over his alleged role in the massacre of hundreds of suspected militants in Iranian jails in the 1980s. Iran's former president Hassan Rouhani with his successor Ebrahim Raisi - KHAMENEI.IR / AFP Tuesday night's apparent hijacking was already causing major disruption to one of the world's most important shipping routes. Shortly after the UKMTO alert, four vessels in the same area reported that they were no longer under command, a nautical term meaning they were unable to manoeuvre. British sources told Sky News on Tuesday night that there was no British link to the Asphalt Princess. However, Wendy Sherman, the US Deputy Secretary of State, said the US is looking to the UK to take the lead in formulating a response. "We are letting the British take the lead, both at the UN in terms of what the response would be, as well as any further response," she told reporters. A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are urgently investigating an incident on a vessel off the UAE coast. The Mercer Street is owned by a Japanese company and managed by a subsidiary of the London-based Zodiac Group, owned by the Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. However, it was reported on Tuesday night that the Asphalt Princess did not have any connection to Israel. Irans foreign ministry said on Tuesday night that reports of the Asphalt Princess hijacking were suspicious and claimed they were an attempt to create a false atmosphere against Tehran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, which maintains a navy in the Persian Gulf, denied involvement. It is not the first time this year that Iranian forces or its proxy groups in the region have been suspected of hijacking a merchant vessel. In January, a South Korea-flagged ship was seized by Irans Revolutionary Guards, who detained its crew as part of a dispute over funds frozen in South Korea due to US sanctions. In 2019, Iran seized a tanker carrying 700,000 litres of diesel, saying it was involved in illegal fuel smuggling on behalf of unnamed Arab states. Additional reporting by Ahmed Vahdat Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie will premiere in Japan on 24 December 2021. (Photo: Twitter/animejujutsu) Scheduled to premiere in Japan this Christmas Eve, Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie has dropped a 30-second teaser, with voice actress Megumi Ogata voicing the protagonist Yuta Okkotsu. Ogata is best known for voicing Sailor Uranus in the Sailor Moon series, Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho and Yukito Tsukishiro, also known as Yue, in Cardcaptor Sakura. As Gege Akutami, the original author of Jujutsu Kaisen, envisioned Okkotsu to be a neutral, soft and gentle character with a large range of fluctuating emotions, the movie director Park Sunghoo and the anime staff felt that Ogata fits the image really well. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. When I received the offer, I was really surprised! Im suddenly given such a major role in the highly acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen! Ogata expressed. While still in disbelief, I read the manga all at once, from volume zero to the latest volume. I finished watching the anime as well. Although Ogata found it challenging to voice Okkotsu as it is a charming yet complicated character, she hoped to keep the authors image in mind, while creating her own image of Okkotsu. Jujutsu Kaisen is a horror fantasy story about cursed spirits and jujutsu sorcerers. A prequel to the anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie follows the story of Yuta Okkotsu, who lost his childhood friend Rika when he was young. Rika became a Curse and followed Okkotsu around, causing harm to the people around him using her enormous power. Although Okkotsu has been living a life avoiding contact with people, he vows to break this curse of a loved one after meeting Satoru Gojo, a teacher at the Jujutsu High School. Hear the voice of Okkotsu in the new teaser, as he said, I will break Rikas curse at the Jujutsu High School. Get more TV and movie news from Yahoo Lifestyle on our Entertainment page. KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Kidnappers are demanding a ransom of one million naira each to release around 80 children snatched from a boarding school in northern Nigeria last month, according to a pastor involved in the negotiations for their release. The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School in the state of Kaduna was the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to criminal gangs seeking ransom payments. "(Bandits) are asking for one million naira on each of the 80 students remaining with them," Reverend Ite Joseph Hayab told Reuters by telephone. Kidnappers released 28 children last month after a first batch of 28 was released two days after the raid. But another 81 remain in captivity. Hayab said three students escaped before the 28 were released last month but they were kidnapped again by an unidentified person in the forest who demanded a ransom and was paid over one million naira by parents. Nigerian authorities have attributed the kidnappings to what they call armed bandits seeking ransom payments. Schools have become targets for mass kidnappings for ransom in northern Nigeria by armed groups. Such kidnappings in Nigeria were first carried out by jihadist group Boko Haram, and later its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province, but the tactic has now been adopted by other criminal gangs. ($1 = 411.00 naira) (Reporting by Garba Muhammad; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Sandra Maler) Several lawmakers released immediate calls Tuesday for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign after state Attorney General Letitia James released an investigative report indicating that the governor harassed multiple women while in office. New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik was one of the first to release a statement, requesting President Joe Biden to make the call for Cuomo to step down as governor. "No one is above the law and today justice must be served. Governor Cuomo must resign and be arrested immediately," Stefanik wrote. Stefanik was one of the first members of a public office in December to call for an independent investigation into at least 11 allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault relating to the governor's reported conduct. ANDREW CUOMO SEXUALLY HARASSED MULTIPLE WOMEN, CREATED HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT, NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL FINDS This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said she read the report from James's office and found the contents "disturbing." The report found that both Cuomo and the Executive Chamber engaged in retaliatory behavior by intend[ing] to discredit and disparage former employee Lindsey Boylan, who came forward with her allegations of harassment in December 2020. "The fact that there are 11 women coming forward is deeply, deeply disturbing," Gillibrand said, adding, "I do believe he should resign." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also released a statement about the governor's alleged conduct, saying, "This report highlights unacceptable behavior by Governor Cuomo and his administration." "As I said, when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the Governor must resign for the good of the state," Stewart-Cousins added. The Senate majority leader said that the contents of the report should make it "clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor." Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Several members of New York's House of Representatives too issued statements calling on Cuomo to resign, including Democratic Reps. Gregory Meeks, Tom Suozzi, and Hakeem Jeffries. "The time has come for Governor Andrew Cuomo to do the right thing for the people of New York State and resign," the lawmakers wrote in a joint statement. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. GOP candidate Andrew Giuliani joined the chorus of resignation calls as the son of former Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani seeks to win a bid for the governor's office. "Today, I renew my call for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign his office. The Attorney Generals report has shown the world what New Yorkers have known for the last decade," Andrew Giuliani wrote on Twitter. He accused Cuomo of "stopping at nothing to hold on to power" and said the people of New York "deserve a leader who will stand up for them." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Cuomo issued a live address following the release of the report, denying the sexual harassment allegations underlined in the document. "I never touched anyone inappropriately, Cuomo said in what appeared to be a prerecorded statement. Thats just not who I am." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER James's report also found that Cuomo's conduct created a "toxic" environment for the Executive Chamber and said the evidence for the allegations was "substantiated" and "corroborated" by witnesses. I welcome the opportunity for a full and fair review by a judge and jury, Cuomo said. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Congress, Campaigns, New York, Andrew Cuomo, Elise Stefanik, Sexual Harassment, Kirsten Gillibrand, Hakeem Jeffries Original Author: Kaelan Deese Original Location: Lawmakers demand Cuomo to resign after New York attorney general's investigation By Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin agreed on Tuesday to consider debating emergency laws in parliament, easing a standoff with the country's monarchy, but a key ally in the premier's ruling coalition said he had lost legitimacy. Muhyiddin has governed with a razor-thin majority and led an unstable ruling coalition since coming to power in March 2020. He has been under mounting pressure to quit after Malaysia's king last week issued a rare rebuke of a government move to revoke emergency laws without his approval, an act the palace said was against the constitution. Some allies have accused Muhyiddin of treason, while opposition lawmakers have urged him to step down for disrespecting the king. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the king is revered across the country's multi-ethnic population. "Muhyiddin must take responsibility for the failure and defiance of his government that contradicted the king's decree by resigning as PM with honour," Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, said in a statement. UMNO is the biggest bloc in Muhyiddin's ruling alliance. Some of its lawmakers have sent a letter to the king to show they have withdrawn support for Muhyiddin and that he has lost his majority, the statement said. The party is split on its support for Muhyiddin, however. Last month, UMNO said it had pulled support for Muhyiddin but its cabinet ministers did not quit. Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO politician Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week said he supported Muhyiddin and the government had the support of 110 of Malaysia's 222 parliamentarians. Earlier on Tuesday, Muhyiddin said his cabinet would discuss holding a debate in parliament to repeal laws imposed during emergency rule, which was in place from January until August 1 to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The debate could be held during a scheduled parliamentary session in September, Muhyiddin said in a statement. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by James Pearson) A man accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old returning home from a Houston Astros game with his father and brother in an act of road rage turned himself into authorities, police said Monday. David Xavier Castro died July 7 after being shot in the head and spending time on life support, according to his father, Paul Castro. "One of the gentlest souls to walk the earth was taken from us," the father said in a Facebook post after his death. "David will be missed by a world that barely got to know him." Gerald Wayne Williams was charged with murder after he arrived at Houston Police Department headquarters with activist Quanell X on Monday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Minutes after Williams' arrest, Quanell X said the suspect was "concerned about his safety and about turning himself into law enforcement," according to NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston. Justin Brown, a detective with the Houston police homicide division, told the news station that Williams was on the department's radar after authorities had several interactions with him following the shooting. Investigators said his cellphone records and a vast number of tips were key pieces of evidence leading up to his arrest. A judge granted Williams a $350,000 bond. If he is released, he must wear an ankle monitor and cannot drive without permission from the court. Attempts to reach Williams were unsuccessful Tuesday. It was unclear if he had an attorney. David Castro was leaving an Astros game about 11 p.m. on July 6. Paul Castro was driving back home with his sons when they encountered a man in a white, four-door Buick LaCrosse with a sunroof, police said. The driver exchanged hand gestures with Davids father as they were stuck in slow-moving traffic. Police allege the driver followed the Castro family for several miles on Interstate 10 before shooting at their truck shortly after both vehicles exited the freeway. Paul Castro and Davids brother were not injured during the shooting. Story continues The Buicks driver had been driving aggressively and swerving around vehicles when he got stuck in traffic, according to Brown. When the driver unsuccessfully tried to merge into the same lane as Castros truck, he opened his door and yelled at Castro, he said. Paul Castro, who has worked over 26 years in education as a teacher and principal, said that he was grateful for everyone who helped identify his son's alleged killer. I understand that there were a great number of tips that came in and they came in because you all were touched by this story and you could see your own children in my son, and so, I thank you for doing that," he said during a news conference with Houston police Monday. The fact that he safely surrendered and did not put any of the community members in jeopardy, none of the police department members in jeopardy, is the answer to my prayers." Paul Castro said Williams' peaceful surrender "just proves that love is greater than anger and hate," but added that the family was still grieving the loss of his son. There are no words in the English language, nor should there be, to describe the pain that we are going through right now," he said. Locksmith using pick tools to open locked door. (FILE PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE He broke into into the house of his ex-girlfriend, whom he had met through Tinder, to steal valuables in order to pay off his debts. Even after the ex-girlfriend, 23, changed the locks to her house, Moreno Nino Jusner Jashua Taguibao managed to get a locksmith to dismantle the padlock after having shown a forged address. Moreno, a 27-year-old Filipino, was jailed one year and 10 months on Tuesday (3 August) after he pleaded guilty to one count each of housebreaking to commit theft and forgery for the purpose of cheating. Another two counts of a similar nature were considered for his sentencing. The victim and Moreno began dating after they met in 2015 on the dating application Tinder. Three years later, Moreno moved in with the woman, who gave him a set of keys to her unit. When they broke up in September 2019, Moreno returned the set of keys. The woman was not aware that Moreno had duplicated the keys for himself. In January last year, Moreno borrowed money from a licensed moneylender. When he was unable to pay his debts, he resorted to breaking into his ex-girlfriend's unit. He did so on at least nine occasions between 3 February 2020 and 21 January this year to steal $12,500 in cash and jewellery, which he pawned for $27,746 at pawnshops islandwide. On 18 March this year, just before heading to the womans unit for the same purpose, Moreno had a feeling that his ex-girlfriend might have changed the locks to the unit. In the event that he needed to call a locksmith and prove his address, he took a screenshot of a police report and edited the address to reflect the womans address by using an Adobe software. He then saved the photos on his mobile phone, intending to use it as proof. Close to noon, as Morena reached the womans residence, he found out that the woman had indeed changed the locks. He then contacted a locksmith and showed him the forged police report. The locksmith broke open the locks of the gate and door and Moreno paid him. Story continues At about 12.11pm, the woman, who was at work, called the police saying that her neighbour had filmed Moreno getting a locksmith to break her locks. Housebreaking in order to commit any theft carries a jail term of up to 10 years, and a fine. Forgery for the purpose of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years, and a fine. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: 11 EP, S-Pass holders in ICT sector submitted fake qualifications in 2018-2020 Student climbs over Yio Chu Kang MRT platform door, disrupts services Unvaccinated Singapore residents 18 and above can walk in to get Moderna COVID jabs Fresnillo plc company logo. Photo Illustration: Igor Golovniov/SOPA/LightRocket via Getty Images European markets rose on Tuesday in London, buoyed by a bumper round of company financial results. Top risers for the FTSE were BP (BP.L), Standard Chartered (STAN.L) and Fresnillo (FRES.L). BP said that it had hiked its half-year dividend by 4%, taking it to 5.46 cents per share, and announced a $1.4bn (1bn) share buyback. Shares were 59% higher by the end of the day in London. Standard Chartered also announced a $250m share buyback and restart of its interim dividend payments worth 3 cents per share, or $94m in total. Precious metals miner Fresnillo told investors of a sharp rise in profitability with a 445.8% increase in half-year profit to $308.4m and a 250.8% jump in adjusted earnings to 41.4 pence a share. By the closing bell, the FTSE 100 (^FTSE) was up 0.4%, the DAX (^GDAXI) had fallen back down 0.1% and France's CAC (^FCHI) was up 0.7%. The FTSE 250 (^FTMC) also gained off the back of earnings from Direct Line (DLG.L), which was up 5.5% by the closing bell, and Hiscox (HSX.L), which gained 6.2%. The moves also came as UK chancellor Rishi Sunak urged young people back into offices or risk harming their careers. Ministers said that they expect and recommend a gradual return [to offices] over the summer. The chancellor said in an interview with LinkedIn news that working an office can be "really beneficial" to careers. The warnings against remote working becoming the norm come as the UK rides out the third wave of coronavirus infections. On Monday, figures showed that the seven-day average for infections is 27% down from the previous week, while fatalities are up by 20.2%. By 4.30pm in London, US stocks were still making muted moves. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) ticked up 0.2%, the Dow (^DJI) also headed 0.4% upwards and the Nasdaq (^IXIC) was down 0.3%. "Yesterday, we saw another underwhelming reading of US ISM spark concerns about economic growth and this forced investors to sell off," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at AvaTrade. Story continues Watch: What is inflation and why is it important? "The focus will be on the US factory order numbers and of course on the Feds monetary policy stance. We are going to get some more hints on the Feds monetary policy later today when the Fed member Bowman will speak." Read more: What is stopping employers from introducing four-day weeks? Overnight in Asia, stocks pulled back. The Nikkei (^N225) fell half a percent, the Hang Seng (^HSI) was down 0.4% and the SSE Composite (000001.SS) had pulled back 0.6% by the close. Investors are still on high alert following Beijing's regulatory crackdown on tech and education. A state broadcaster branded video games "electronic drugs", causing a pullback of more than 10% for Tencent and NetEase in early Hong Kong trade. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell threatened to block a bipartisan infrastructure package on Tuesday if Democrats cut off debate on amendments too quickly. The Kentucky Republicans warning comes in response to a plan by Democrats to wrap up the $1.2 trillion measure this week. Democrats plan a Thursday vote to end debate on carefully negotiated legislation and to pass it before leaving town for the Friday funeral of former Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, who died following a bicycle accident last week. Thats too fast, McConnell warned. INFRASTRUCTURE BILL FLOATS NATIONAL MILEAGE FEE DESPITE BIDEN'S $400,000 TAX HIKE 'RED LINE' This is an extremely important bipartisan bill, McConnell told reporters. There's an excellent chance it will be a bipartisan success story for the country, and to try to truncate an amendment process on something of this magnitude, I think it's a mistake. Republicans accuse Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of attempting to rush passage of the spending bill in order to clear next weeks schedule for a critical budget resolution that would give Democrats the authority unilaterally to pass a $3.5 trillion spending measure later this year. No Republican is expected to support the resolution, but it can pass with a simple majority. I understand that the rush to get this done is so that Sen. Schumer and the Democrats can then move to that $3.5 trillion tax-and-spending spree that they want to get on immediately after the bipartisan bill, said Senate Minority Whip John Thune, a South Dakota Republican. McConnell wants the Senate to continue debating the infrastructure bill and amendments requested by the GOP into next week. Negotiators released the text of the 2,700-page measure on Sunday, and lawmakers have not been provided sufficient time to digest it, McConnell said. Democrats, meanwhile, are touting the bipartisan cooperation and amendments that have been considered in the past few days. Story continues Schumer said the Senate will finish both the infrastructure bill and the budget resolution before we leave for August recess and warned, The longer it takes to finish this bill, the longer we will be here. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said the bipartisan cooperation so far harkens back to the old ways of the Senate, when the parties worked together. People know we can make history in the Senate this week, with an infrastructure bill that is long overdue. Schumer has not responded yet to McConnells demand that the debate continue into next week. Other Democrats signaled they are running out of patience for the GOP. Hearing lots of Republicans griping about amendments, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, tweeted. Republicans already received more roll call votes on their amendments this year than in any year under Trump/McConnell. Oh and theyre getting votes on their amendments right now. Spare us. McConnell's threat signals the debate on the bill will likely have to continue into next week since it requires at least 10 Republicans to avoid a filibuster. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The bipartisan bill took weeks of negotiations between the White House and a group of Senate Republicans and Democrats. While McConnell is threatening to block quick passage, he suggested it can ultimately pass with bipartisan support. Im interested in what it looks like at the end, McConnell said. But I'm in favor of trying to get an outcome on a bipartisan infrastructure package. The past two administrations tried to do it and were unable to. The American people need it. I think it's one of those areas where there seems to be a broad bipartisan agreement. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Congress, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Infrastructure, John Thune, Dick Durbin Original Author: Susan Ferrechio Original Location: McConnell warns Democrats he'll block rushed infrastructure package Fast-food giant McDonald's on Monday confirmed it will require masks for all customers and staff, regardless of vaccine status, in areas with high or substantial coronavirus transmission rates. A year prior to the company's decision, face coverings were mandatory, though that restriction was lifted earlier in the year. A rise in cases in the United States has spurred businesses across the country to renew face mask mandates and require vaccinations. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said residents should wear masks, regardless of if they've received both shots, in a number of circumstances after the government body previously indicated that those same people need not don face coverings. BIDEN MASKS FLIP-FLOP COULD FLUSH VACCINE PROGRESS 'DOWN THE DRAIN,' OFFICIALS FEAR Major corporations, including Google, Uber, and Facebook, have mandated that employees receive vaccinations. In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that all restaurants, gyms, and other venues will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination in a system, dubbed the Key to NYC Pass." The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner, though the development was reported by Reuters. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Over the last two weeks, cases have risen 142%, largely due to the highly contagious delta variant, as hospitalizations jumped 83% and deaths rose 27%. A total of 50% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated, while 58% has received at least one dose. On Monday, the country reached a milestone when 70% of the adult population became fully inoculated against COVID-19. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, McDonalds, Face masks, Vaccination, Coronavirus Original Author: Jake Dima Original Location: McDonald's requiring masks for customers and staff, regardless of vaccine status By Tom Polansek and Aishwarya Venugopal (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc, Microsoft Corp and Detroit's Big Three automakers joined a growing list of U.S. companies that are changing their vaccination and masking policies as the Delta variant triggers renewed pandemic restrictions. Microsoft said on Tuesday all employees, vendors and guests will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter its U.S. buildings, while meatpacker Tyson Foods said it was mandating vaccinations for its workforce. "We did not take this decision lightly," Tyson Chief Executive Donnie King said. "We have spent months encouraging our team members to get vaccinated today, under half of our team members are." Gap Inc said any employee who enters its office buildings in its Bay Area, New York, and Albuquerque hubs must show proof of vaccination starting Sept. 7. https://bit.ly/3rRnpWY The U.S. apparel chain also said it will continue to enforce wearing mask within its Bay Area hubs and stores, while in other locations, only unvaccinated employees will need to wear masks indoors, unless required by law. While not mandating vaccinations, General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Stellantis NV and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union will reinstate requirements to wear masks at all U.S. plants, offices and warehouses. Surging COVID-19 cases and new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that recommends fully vaccinated individuals wear masks have led companies to rethink their policies. U.S. officials said on Monday that COVID-19 cases, along with hospitalizations and deaths from the virus, have increased in the last week, even as vaccination rates have accelerated amid concerns over the highly contagious Delta variant. Many of corporate America's biggest names have acted following the CDC's guidance, including mask mandates from McDonald's Corp and Apple Inc, and vaccination requirements by Walmart and Walt Disney. Story continues Tyson said it is negotiating with unions about mandating vaccines for unionized workers, who make up about one-third of its hourly workforce. Rival JBS USA also said it is in talks with unions about vaccine mandates and already requires vaccines for new corporate employees, America's largest meatpacking union, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, said it is concerning that Tyson is implementing its mandate before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has fully approved vaccines. Labor unions and meat companies pushed states to speed up the vaccine rollout in the food sector to protect workers and avoid supply-chain disruptions from COVID-19 outbreaks, such as closures of slaughterhouses last year. (Reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago and Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Steve Orlofsky and Shinjini Ganguli) A variant-fueled COVID-19 wave in the U.S. continued to show ripples in Minnesota. On Tuesday, the state reported a 4% positivity rate of diagnostic testing for the infectious disease and case and hospitalization rates that are back above state caution thresholds. While Minnesota has the ninth-lowest rate of new viral infections among states, according to a weekly federal profile report released Tuesday, the rising positivity rate suggests a resurgence in the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The rate had been as high as 15.5% at the peak of COVID-19 activity last fall, but dropped to 1.1% at the start of July. State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm on Monday said a "very opportunistic" delta variant is fueling the latest uptick with roughly a third of eligible Minnesotans 12 and older having received no vaccine against COVID-19. Viral loads have tended to be much higher in people infected with the delta variant even in rare breakthrough cases involving vaccinated people making them more likely to spread the coronavirus to others. "Heading back up in these case counts is a direction no one wanted to go," Malcolm said. Businesses and organizations scrambled to react to the rising impact of the variant this week with Hennepin and Ramsey counties both announcing Tuesday that they were reinstating indoor mask mandates in county buildings. Ramsey leaders had preliminary discussions of a vaccine mandate for workers as well. The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul issued similar requirements in city facilities, but went a step farther in recommending mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces in the Twin Cities while coronavirus transmission levels remain high. "This pandemic is far from over," said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter in a statement. "These measures will help protect us as we continue our work to get our entire community vaccinated." While the COVID-19 positivity rate remains below the state caution threshold of 5%, Minnesota's hospital and infection rates are both back above caution thresholds for the first time since late May. Story continues The Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday reported 1,667 more diagnosed infections, accounting for cases identified over the weekend, and another four COVID-19 deaths. The additions raise Minnesota's pandemic totals to 614,990 known infections and 7,678 COVID-19 deaths. The state on Tuesday also reported 248 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota, up from 90 three weeks ago. Malcolm said studies have shown that all three COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduce the risk of severe illness and death, and she hoped fatalities would remain lower in this latest wave when compared with others as a result. Health care providers such as Allina and Fairview responded to the variant risk with vaccine mandates for employees, and the University of St. Thomas announced a vaccine requirement for students and staff before returning to campus. All offered exemptions for people with medical or religious reasons. Target, Cub and other retailers responded to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance by requiring masks for workers and recommending them for customers in areas experiencing high virus transmission levels. Vaccination levels remain below state targets, but the latest state data showed a gradual increase in doses administered from 36,033 in the week beginning July 11 to 41,007 in the week beginning July 18 to 45,112 in the week beginning July 25. The state on Tuesday reached a first-dose vaccination rate of 69% in people 16 and older. The state had initially sought to reach 70% in that population by July 1, but fell short amid slowdowns in vaccination activity in May and June. New vaccine recipients will receive $100 under a new state incentive program with the registration site for the reward opening on Wednesday. Staff writer Shannon Prather contributed to this report Jeremy Olson 612-673-7744 By Natalia Zinets and Margaryta Chornokondratenko KYIV (Reuters) -A Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv early on Tuesday, and Ukrainian police launched a murder investigation. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after failing to return home from a run. Police said they were considering the possibility of suicide or of a murder staged to appear as suicide. Shishov had been found with abrasions on his nose and knee but it was too early to determine whether he had been attacked, Ukraine's national police chief, Ihor Klymenko, told a briefing. Shishov, 26, had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a security crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Tens of thousands of people have been detained and leading opposition figures are either in jail or living abroad. "It is worrying that those who flee Belarus still can't be safe," exiled opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter ahead of a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She said the death could be a crime. Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, she said a non-violent transition to democracy from Lukashenko's "hell" was possible in the former Soviet republic. "When we put enough pressure on the regime there will be no other way out." Shishov's death was reported by the Belarus official news agency Belta, but the Minsk authorities did not otherwise comment. Lukashenko's spokesperson could not be reached. In May a dissident journalist, Roman Protasevich, was detained by Belarusian security forces after his flight from Greece to Lithuania was forced to land in Minsk. This week, a Belarusian athlete took refuge in Poland's embassy in Tokyo after refusing her team's orders to fly home from the Olympics. Story continues The United States will closely monitor the Ukrainian authorities' investigation into the cause of Shishov's death, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Tuesday. "We condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing violent crackdown on Belarusian civil society and transnational repression by the Lukashenko regime," Price told reporters. SOUNDING THE ALARM Shishov led the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU) group, which helps Belarusians find accommodation, jobs and legal advice. Neighbouring Ukraine has become a haven for Belarusians fleeing Lukashenko's crackdown. "We were also repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation," a BDU statement said. "Vitaly treated these warnings stoically and with humour." Ihor, 24, a fellow Belarusian exile who had known Shishov since last October, told Reuters Shishov knew he was under surveillance, recounting instances of his car being followed or his girlfriend being approached by strangers while they were staging protests in Kyiv. "Lukashenko's regime is at war, and he is at war. He is at war with anyone who can offer any resistance," said Ihor, who gave only his first name. Ukrainian police chief Klymenko said Shishov had not informed the police about his suspicion of being under surveillance, nor were police aware of any foreign agents tracking him. Shishov's organisation had announced a day earlier that he had gone missing. Shishov had left his residence at 9 a.m. (0600 GMT) and was supposed to have returned an hour later. Belarusian authorities have characterised anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries backed by the West, and described the actions of their own law enforcement agencies as appropriate and necessary. "The death takes place amid an unacceptable Belarusian crackdown on civil society, and we look forward to a complete and thorough investigation by Ukrainian authorities to establish its causes and circumstances," the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets, Margaryta Chornokondratenko, Ilya Zhegulev and Sergiy Karazy in Kyiv and Emma Thomasson in Geneva; Additional Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington;Writing by Matthias WilliamsEditing by Andrew Heavens, Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and David Gregorio) Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A surge in Covid-19 infections, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant, has prompted San Francisco and six other counties in Californias Bay Area to reimpose mask mandates for indoor spaces, less than two months after experts in the highly vaccinated region celebrated what they hoped would be a return to normal. In recent days, San Franciscos infection rates have surged to nearly 20 times what they were at their lowest point in June and two of the citys hospitals have reported that more than 200 of their own workers have tested positive for the virus. It teaches us that no one is invincible, said Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an associate dean at UCSF who specializes in infectious diseases. The surge in cases comes as California and the nation have seen continued increases in infections, with federal officials acknowledging that the war has changed and the new Delta variant is as contagious as chicken pox. The return to mask wearing sees the San Francisco Bay Area join other parts of the state, including Los Angeles and Sacramento, that have already reimposed mandates as cases climb across the state. New California cases have jumped from fewer than 900 a day at the end of May to more than 9,000 a day now, according to state data. Nationally, new cases hit a low point in late June of about 12,000 per day, but they have now shot up to more than 78,000 a day, according to data from the New York Times. Related: US reaches Bidens 70% first-shot goal as threat to unvaccinated people grows Chin-Hong was among those who thought the fact that San Francisco had vaccinated 77% of eligible residents would protect it against future surges. At the time the state reopened, we felt invincible. But now we know were not, he said. However he predicts that high vaccination rates mean the city will avoid the huge surges in hospitalizations that have hit states like Missouri and Louisiana, where far fewer residents are vaccinated. Were not filling the hospitals, he said. A year ago, a large number of these cases would have been admitted to the hospitals. Now people are getting symptoms of a cold. If youre vaccinated, he said, youre not going to end up on a ventilator in the hospital dying. Story continues Chin-Hong believes cases will level off as residents begin to reinstate masking and a few of the other precautions they had been practicing a few months ago. Research has shown the Delta variant now makes up more than 84% of all California cases, while Californias statewide reopening on 15 June meant greater social contact. Recent research shows that vaccinated people can spread the Delta virus, although they are less likely to get it and become seriously ill. Related: Uber and Google are latest among tech firms to delay reopening as Delta variant spreads Health officials say that unvaccinated residents are being hit far harder than those who have taken the vaccine and stress that getting immunized is by far the most effective strategy for preventing hospitalization and death. The vaccine continues to be our best way to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. Indoor masking is a temporary measure that will help us deal with the Delta variant, which is causing a sharp increase in cases, said Dr Naveena Bobba, San Franciscos acting health officer, in a statement on Monday. We know increases in hospitalizations and deaths will follow. Several major tech firms, including Google, Uber, Apple and Netflix, recently backtracked on plans to reopen their sprawling offices out of caution. On Friday, the San Francisco health department released data showing case rates among those who havent received the full course of vaccinations are more than twice those among fully vaccinated residents, while hospitalization rates for unvaccinated patients who get the virus are eight times higher. The data we are seeing shows vaccines are highly effective in protecting people from severe illness and hospitalizations due to Covid-19, even as we see some breakthrough cases, said Dr Grant Colfax, director of health. Getting vaccinated continues to be your best protection. The daily case totals for San Francisco are even higher than the peak of last summers Covid surge, when daily totals reached 131 cases per day. The city is now reporting 198 new cases per day nearly 20 times what it was seeing at its low point in mid-June, when it recorded only 10 new cases per day, according to data from the citys health department. An analysis by the San Francisco Chronicle found the surge was partially driven by increased cases among millennials, adults aged 25 to 39. The Chronicle found that cases among that age group jumped from 35% of all new cases in May to 50% now. Hospital officials at the University of California, San Francisco, confirmed that they had detected 183 cases among employees, while Zuckerberg San Francisco general hospital reported that 55 of its employees were out of work after recently testing positive. Both hospitals say the cases seem to be reflective of spread in the larger community and most did not stem from exposures inside the hospitals. Of the 183 UCSF workers who tested positive, 153 had been vaccinated and 30 had not. Only two have been hospitalized including one who was vaccinated and one who was not. None of the 55 cases at Zuckerberg San Francisco general hospital have resulted in hospitalizations. UCSF officials said if it werent for the fact that more than 90% of their employees were vaccinated, they would probably be seeing much higher infection rates among their campus population of 35,000, given the high rates of spread in the community. Cristina Padilla, public relations officer for Zuckerberg San Francisco general hospital, agreed. The cases among hospital staff are reflective of whats happening in the broader community as cases have been rising, she said. Breakthrough cases were and still are expected. We know vaccines wont completely prevent infections, but they are very effective at making hospitalizations and death preventable. By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan hit a target on Tuesday to vaccinate one million people a day against COVID-19, making strides in its inoculation campaign just weeks away from a deadline for workers in public-facing roles to obtain vaccination certificates. The government announced last week that from the end of this month that workers in schools, shopping malls and hospitality businesses, and the transport and air travel industries would be barred from entering public offices unless they had a certificate. "Happy to report that the target we had set for 1 million vaccinations in a day was crossed," Asad Umar, the minister in-charge for COVID-19 operations, said in a tweet. Pakistan has seen soaring coronavirus infections, fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant, putting its poor health infrastructure under extreme pressure. Out of a population of 220 million, more than 31 million have received one vaccine shot, but only 6.7 million have been fully vaccinated, according to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), a military run body that oversees the COVID-19 operations. It said Pakistan registered 3,582 new cases and 67 deaths in the last 24 hours, with more than 3,300 people in critical condition. So far 23,529 people have died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, with over one million infections. Officials say more than 70% of new cases are Delta variant infections. After a sluggish start to the inoculation campaign, the new requirement for certificates of vaccination has led to a rush of people seeking shots, with queues stretching over a kilometre outside some vaccination centres, notably in the southern port city of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province. The provincial government in Sindh has put extra pressure on people to get vaccinated, warning that it would withhold the salaries of government servants and block people's cell phone SIM cards unless they had the required certificates. Around 23% of people being tested for COVID-19 in Karachi during recent days were found to have the virus, while nationwide the positive test rate stood just over 7%, according to the NCOC. [nL3N2OL3NF} (Additional reporting by Syed Raza Hasan in Karachi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) Aug. 2A man claiming to be Jesus stabbed three people in a Carrick apartment early Monday and then hid in the rafters until he was taken into custody by Pittsburgh police, according to charges filed against him. Rami Jasim, 33, is charged with three counts of attempted homicide and three counts of aggravated assault, court records show. Emergency dispatchers received a call shortly before 2 a.m. in which the caller said someone had tried to kill him and then hung up, according to the criminal complaint. Officers arrived and found three stabbing victims inside an apartment on Brownsville Road two men and one woman. One man was listed in stable condition and another in critical condition. The woman was listed in serious condition. The three injured were taken to the hospital, and officers heard noise coming from the apartment basement, according to the complaint. In the basement, police found Jasim hiding in the rafters. Officers wrote that he was taken to the Allegheny County Jail but not interviewed as he was "being uncooperative." Speaking to police from his hospital bed, one of the injured men told officers he'd recently offered Jasim a play to stay because he was homeless, according to the complaint. He said sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., he and Jasim were talking about the Gregorian calendar when Jasim said he was Jesus and began stabbing people. The woman who was in the apartment told a similar story said she'd met Jasim about a week earlier and the four were "all just hanging out" the night of the stabbing, according to the complaint. She said Jasim went into one of the men's bedroom. She followed and saw the man had been stabbed, at which point, she said, Jasim grabbed her and began stabbing her as well. She said he told her that he was Jesus, according to the complaint. Police wrote that they tried to interview the third injured person, but he was too heavily sedated. Support Local Journalism and help us continue covering the stories that matter to you and your community. Support Journalism Now > Paul Rudd with chef Asma Khan. Courtesy of Asma Khan Paul Rudd dined at Asma Khan's London restaurant twice in one week. The chef told Insider he FaceTimed a staff member who was in India caring for her father. Khan praised Rudd for going above and beyond to make the call. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Paul Rudd visited chef Asma Khan's Darjeeling Express in London over the weekend, bringing "Schitt's Creek" creator Dan Levy with him. It turned out Rudd loved the food so much, it was his second visit in a week, "Chef's Table" subject Khan told Insider. During his time at the restaurant, Khan was bowled over by Rudd's "humility" and "kindness." Not only did the "Ant-Man" actor take pictures with Khan's employees, "who were melting at the fact he turned up," he even FaceTimed one staff member who couldn't be there. "I have someone who works for me who had to go back to India because her father was in intensive care," Khan, whose kitchen is staffed entirely by South Asian women, explained. "He had COVID, he has survived, and everyone is fine." Asma Khan, Dan Levy, and Paul Rudd dine at Darjeeling Express in London. Courtesy of Asma Khan "She was crying when they messaged to say Paul Rudd has been here. And when he came out to take a picture with everybody, they told him that one of our girls has gone back to India because her father was unwell and she loves you very much. Can you sign an autograph?" Khan said that not only did Rudd sign an autograph, but he also spoke to the worker on FaceTime, causing emotions to run high. "She was weeping and crying and saying, 'I love you. I love you.' And he told her, 'I love you very much. You did the right thing.' Everyone was in tears because I think that shows the man for what he is. I thought that was just the most beautiful thing he did. "He talked to her in an unhurried way," Khan added. "He listened to her while she babbled and kept saying, 'I love you very much. I can't believe this.' And kept saying, 'I love you too. Don't worry. Everything will be okay.' That was just so moving." Story continues A photo Khan posted on Twitter of her, Levy, and Rudd at her restaurant drew significant responses from fans delighting in the unlikely comedy pairing and at Rudd's seemingly eternal youth. Khan posited that Rudd's youthful looks come from being "unbelievably kind." "I think he's a man at peace, and that shows," she said. Read the original article on Insider RABAT (Reuters) - Moroccan human rights activists on Tuesday urged Rabat not to extradite a Uyghur man to China, citing fears he might face arbitrary detention or torture. Yidrissi Aishan has been held at a prison near Casablanca after being arrested on an Interpol notice filed by China after arriving last month from Turkey, where he lives. China has accused him of terrorism and he faces an extradition hearing in Morocco, his lawyers said, saying the charges against him lack evidence. "We call on Morocco to uphold the international anti-torture conventions it has ratified and abstain from extraditing the Uyghur citizen to China where he risks torture and arbitrary detention, said Khadija Riadi of Moroccos AMDH rights group. Mustapha Ramid, the minister in charge of human rights in the Moroccan government, was not immediately available to comment. Aishan, 34, lives with his wife and three children in Turkey where he has residency status on humanitarian grounds, Amnesty international said last week, urging his release. He was active in a Uyghur diaspora newspaper in Turkey that denounced what it called atrocities against the Muslim minority in China, said Safeguard Defenders, a rights group. China has been rebuked by international rights groups for its crackdown on Uyghurs, described as subject to arbitrary mass detention, indoctrination and torture. U.N. experts estimate at least a million Uyghurs and other Muslims are held in detention centres in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region. China denies accusations of abuses in Xinjiang, and has said the complexes it set up in the region provided vocational training to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism. Aishan's Moroccan lawyer, Miloud Kandil, said China's accusations lack evidence, while the Turkish judiciary has acquitted him three times and rejected his extradition. "Every Muslim Uyghur is a potential terrorist in the eyes of China. Therefore his extradition is a violation of national and international law," said Kandil. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Angus McDowall and Peter Graff) BEIRUT (AP) Senior Lebanese officials knew of the risks posed by the highly explosive material stored for years at Beiruts port and did nothing to protect the public against it, an international human rights group said Tuesday. In a report on last year's massive blast, Human Rights Watch said those same officials are now trying to thwart the investigation. It called for targeted sanctions against implicated officials and an international probe. The report comes as Lebanon marks one year since the horrific Aug. 4 blast that ripped through Beirut, killing at least 214 people, injuring more than 6,000 and destroying or damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The explosion was preceded by a huge fire at a port warehouse after hundreds of tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrates detonated. A year later, the investigation has yet to answer questions such as who ordered the shipment of the chemicals and why officials ignored repeated internal warnings of their danger. In the 650-page report titled They Killed Us from the Inside, the New York-based group published scores of documents and exchanges between Lebanese officials about the ammonium nitrates haphazardly stored for nearly six years at the port. The actions and omissions of Lebanese authorities created an unreasonable risk of life, the report said, adding that under international human rights law, a states failure to act to prevent foreseeable risks to life is a violation of the right to life. In addition, HRW said evidence strongly suggests some government officials foresaw the possible devastation from the nitrate's presence and tacitly accepted the risk. Under domestic law, this could amount to the crime of homicide with probable intent, and/or unintentional homicide, it added. The report names senior leaders, including President Michel Aoun, then-Prime Minister Hassan Diab, a former Lebanese army chief, senior security officials and several ministers among others who were informed of risks posed by the nitrates in the middle of a densely populated commercial and residential area but failed to take the necessary actions to protect the public. Story continues Lebanese officials have acknowledged they knew about the nitrates and either claim they pursued the matter after learning about it, or they say they didn't, because it was not within their jurisdiction. HRW said a lack of judicial independence, constitution-imposed immunity for high-level officials, and a range of procedural and systemic flaws in the domestic investigation rendered it incapable of credibly delivering justice. Survivors of the blast and families of the victims have been calling for an international investigation, saying they lack faith in the Lebanese judicial system. HRW says the case for an international investigation has only strengthened. Aya Majzoub, a researcher on Lebanon at HRW, said all the individuals named in the report knew of the dangers posed by the material and had a responsibility to act and failed to act under international law." Thats a grave human rights violation. Its a violation of one of the most basic rights, the right to life, she told The Associated Press. The Rhosus, the ship that carried the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate to Lebanon in 2013, was supposedly sailing from the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi and bound for the Mozambican port of Beira. It made a stop in Beirut to try to earn extra money by taking on several pieces of heavy machinery. But that additional cargo proved too heavy for the Rhosus and the crew refused to take it on. The Rhosus was soon impounded by the Lebanese authorities for failing to pay port fees, and never left the port again. HRW said questions remain whether the shipment was intended to reach Mozambique or whether Beirut was the intended destination" all along. It said evidence currently available also indicates multiple Lebanese authorities were, at minimum, criminally negligent under Lebanese law in their handling of the Rhosus cargo. Last month, Lebanon's lead investigating judge in the case, Tarek Bitar, announced he intends to pursue senior politicians, and former and current security chiefs in the case, and requested permission for their prosecution. Those named in the probe including the outgoing prime minister, lawmakers and top generals, have so far not shown up at the prosecutors office, citing that they either have immunity as members of parliament or need special permission from the prime minister or the interior minister to appear. Also Tuesday, the World Food Program said that it's now supporting one in six people in the country, more than at any time in its history as Lebanon's economic meltdown has plunged millions into poverty. WFP said it has scaled up its assistance to reach 1.4 million people in Lebanon with food and cash support. MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian court on Tuesday sentenced Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, to 1-1/2 years of parole-like restrictions after finding her guilty of inciting people to break COVID-19 safety regulations. Sobol, who says the accusation against her is politically-motivated nonsense, was charged after an unsanctioned street protest in support of Navalny earlier this year. Sobol was ordered to remain at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for 18 months, banned her from attending mass events and told she must check in with the police three times a month, her lawyer Vladimir Voronin wrote on Twitter. Sobol had initially been placed under house arrest. Several close Navalny allies, including his brother, are being tried for the same offence. Navalny himself is serving 2-1/2 years in jail for parole violations in an embezzlement case he says was trumped up. Navalny's allies accuse the authorities of using the law to crush dissenting voices ahead of September parliamentary elections. (Reporting by Anton ZverevWriting by Alexander MarrowEditing by Andrew Cawthorne) Susan Collins on Capitol Hill (Getty) Two senators are teaming up for a bipartisan bill to address the so-called Havana Syndrome attacks, which officials purportedly believe involve directed energy attacks targeting US personnel. Sens Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins announced the bill on Tuesday in a statement to Politico. If passed, the legislation would create a new position on the White House National Security Council dubbed the Anomalous Health Incidents Interagency Coordinator, which would direct a government-wide response to the attacks. The Independent has reached out for a copy of the legislation. US officials have released little to no official information about the incidents, which are believed to affect hundreds of US personnel, including spies and diplomats, around the world. The attacks were first reported to be targeting US personnel in Cuba, earning the nickname. The director of the CIA told NPR in March that he was absolutely determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious attacks, and was tripling the size of his agencys medical team responsible for investigating the symptoms. We still dont know for sure, but I am absolutely determined and Ive spent a great deal of time and energy on this in the four months Ive been CIA director to get to the bottom of the question of what and who caused this, he said. As recently as last month, the State Department reported that cases of the ailments had been reported among the US Embassy community in Vienna, Austria, and said that multiple agencies were investigating. Among the new positions responsibilities would be ensuring that victims of such attacks receive adequate medical treatment. Critics of the US governments response thus far have complained that victims symptoms are not treated seriously by lawmakers. Those targeted have reported conditions ranging from ringing in the ears to brain damage and loss of cognitive abilities, according to multiple news reports in recent years. U.S. public servants injured by directed energy attacks should be treated with the same urgency as any other American injured in the line of duty, Ms Shaheen told Politico. Story continues They shouldnt have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to access the care they need, which compounds the suffering theyve already endured. A spokesperson for the NSC told the news outlet that it look[s] forward to working constructively with Senator Shaheen on her legislation to advance our shared aim of ensuring the safety and security of Americans serving around the world, discovering the cause of these anomalous health incidents, and helping affected individuals receive the care they need as quickly as possible. Read More Biden calls on Andrew Cuomo to resign after Attorney General says he sexually harassed aides Cuomo shares bizarre photo montage defending himself as report concludes he sexually harassed 11 women Matt Gaetz under fire for trying to use Cuomo to claim hes been treated unfairly A man suspected of killing three people and injuring a child in a shooting in South Carolina on Monday has been arrested in Florida following a manhunt, authorities said Tuesday. The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. at a home in rural Greenwood County, about 50 miles south of Greenville. Deputies found a woman, man and a girl dead inside, said Greenwood County Sheriff Dennis Kelly. Authorities said the suspect, Jeffery David Powell, 36, took a commercial flight after the shooting. He was arrested hours later when U.S. Marshals found him at a Jacksonville, Florida, hotel, according to the sheriff's office. SOUTH CAROLINA MAN WHO KILLED UBER RIDER GETS LIFE Kelly didn't provide details into how Powell made it to the airport or how officers learned of his whereabouts, the Index-Journal of Greenwood reported. At a news conference Monday evening, the sheriff noted that deputies were still trying to piece together what led to the shooting. "Theres a relationship there, but were still trying to get some of those details on how they know each other," Kelly said. As of Monday night, the child injured in the shooting was in stable condition, according to the paper. Kelly said the child managed to get out of the home and ask a neighbor for help -- and someone there called 911. The sheriff added that authorities were holding off releasing more information into the relationship between the suspect and victims until the Greenwood County Coroner's Office is able to notify the next of kin. During the course of the investigation, the sheriff's office said Powell's status was upgraded from a person of interest to a suspect. MURDAUGH DOUBLE MURDERS: SOUTH CAROLINA INVESTIGATORS RELEASE HARROWING 911 CALLS The State Law Enforcement Division had been called to help with the investigation, and police dogs were seen searching the area around the home where the shooting occurred. According to court records, Powell was convicted of domestic violence in 2013 and 2014. The sheriff's office didn't say what charges Powell is facing after the shooting, or if he has a lawyer. The marquee of the Egyptian Theater in Park City, Utah, in 2020. Sundance 2022 is scheduled to begin Jan. 20. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The 2022 Sundance Film Festival will require all participants attending in Utah to be fully vaccinated. In an announcement released on Tuesday, festival director Tabitha Jackson said, We are providing this information now to ensure that all in-person participants feel comfortable attending, and can adjust their travel plans if needed. The announcement further reads, "As part of our commitment to this community, we will be requiring all participants attending the Festival, or Sundance-affiliated events, in person in Utah to be fully vaccinated ... We will share our full details and processes for health precautions closer to the Festival, including theater capacity along with information on mask-wearing. We will continue to assess other elements of health and safety protocols regularly and in accordance with best practices." Sundance 2022 is scheduled to run from Jan. 20 through 30. The 2021 edition of the festival took place virtually and with in-person events in 20 cities across the United States, resulting in viewership numbers reported to be more than 2.5 times larger than the usual in-person festival based in Park City, Utah. In Tuesdays announcement, Jackson also noted that the 2022 festival will be larger than the previous year but still with a smaller program than in pre-pandemic years, estimating that around 80 features are expected to play during the festival. Films will play both online and in-person, with screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at the Sundance Resort. Online premieres will follow in-person premieres. The festival will also again have a series of satellite screenings at up to 10 arts organizations and regional cinemas around the country during the closing weekend. In the statement, Jackson said, Since 1985, artists and audiences have gathered at the Festival to affirm the transformative power of independent film and media. And for all of those years, the Festival took place in our home state of Utah until 2021, when we came together not in a place but in a moment, from places all around the world. Story continues Jackson added, In other words: It was Sundance, in a new form. Tabitha Jackson speaks onstage at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival awards ceremony at Basin Recreation Yoga Studio on February 01, 2020 in Park City, Utah. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Film festivals around the world have all responded to the COVID era in different ways. The recently concluded Cannes Film Festival required attendees from the U.S. to show a negative COVID test from within 48 hours, regardless of vaccination status. The upcoming Toronto International Film Festival will begin just after Canada is scheduled to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from all other countries. The Venice Film Festival will recognize vaccination certificates from the U.S., and festival attendees will need to prove they are fully vaccinated, have recovered from a COVID infection or have a negative antigen test in order to enter screenings. The Telluride Film Festival will also require attendees to provide proof of vaccination. The upcoming New York Film Festival has not yet announced its exact health and safety protocols and requirements. In an interview with The Times last week, Jackson spoke about planning the 2022 festival after already putting on a COVID-era event in 2021. We're ahead of where we were last year in terms of thinking and understanding, but then we're still in a pandemic year, so we have to keep flexible, said Jackson. [As] it did last year, it gives us a sense of, Well hey, why don't we just try this? Aside from the seriousness of the public health situation, there is something creatively liberating about uncertainty. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Tennessee lawmaker who once downplayed the threat of the coronavirus urged his constituents to get vaccinated, saying Covid-19 "is real" and "wants to kill us." State Rep. David Byrd, 63, insisted he's never been against vaccinations, but urged anyone who hasn't been jabbed yet to do so because inoculations "should not divide us." "I have never been against taking the Covid-19 vaccine, but I understand the concerns of those who are hesitant," the Republican lawmaker said in a lengthy statement obtained Tuesday by NBC News. "To them, I would say Covid is real and it is very dangerous. It is a disease that wants to kill us. Please take it seriously. Please consider getting vaccinated. This is an issue that should not divide us." Byrd tested positive around Thanksgiving and didn't believe he'd have any problems as a healthy man in his early 60s. He had been spotted on the House floor without a mask on Nov. 24, days after hosting a dinner for dozens of GOP members at a local restaurant, the Tennessean newspaper reported. In summer 2020, he supported a House resolution that decried "the mainstream media for sensationalism" of the coronavirus pandemic "to advance their political agendas." "Up until this point in my life, Ive been pretty healthy and active," according to Byrd's statement. "Foolishly, I believed this virus only seriously affected people who are at high risk." He described his life's roller coaster in the past eight months and the desperate moments when death seemed inevitable. "Covid took over my lungs with lightning speed. I developed pneumonia. I got sicker and sicker, and more and more anxious. Every breath was pure agony," he wrote about life before checking into the hospital on Dec. 5. "Like an unfortunate few, I quickly crossed the boundary of needing life supporting interventions." Story continues He was unconscious for much of the next 55 days, as the lawmaker languished on a ventilator in intensive care. "I have no memories of this time, but my family will certainly never forget it. They were traumatized daily by the distressing updates on my status," Byrd said. "My wife and family prayed for a miracle while facing the very real prospect of planning my funeral." He thanked all the caregivers who helped him at Wayne Medical Center, St. Thomas Hospital, Tennessee Select, West Tennessee Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital. Over an eight-month span, Byrd said he spent all but two weeks in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. "This experience has brought much clarity to me and my family and the importance of having each other," he continued. "I am not looking backward, but rather focusing on today. I hope that by sharing my experience, it helps others to act against an enemy that knows no skin color, economic status or political affiliation." Before this bout with Covid-19, Byrd was best known for sexual misconduct allegations made against him in 2018 by women who were under his care when the lawmaker was a high school basketball coach in the late 1980s. Byrd previously said he does "not condone sexually inappropriate behavior" and questioned the motive of accusers. "Conduct over 30 years ago is difficult, at best, to recall, but as a Christian, I have said and I will repeat that if I hurt or emotionally upset any of my students I am truly sorry and apologize," Byrd said in a 2018 statement. Despite calls from fellow Republicans to step down, he won re-election in 2018 by a three-to-one margin and faced no opposition this past November. He represents the 71st District in far southern Tennessee, just north of state borders with Alabama and Mississippi. The district includes Hardin, Lewis and Wayne counties and a portion of Lawrence County. Two employees were shot Tuesday morning at a manufacturing facility in Tennessee, police say. The shooting happened just before 6 a.m. at the SmileDirectClub on Antioch Pike in Nashville, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Police said during a news conference streamed by WKRN that they believe a day shift employee walked into the facility during a shift change and opened fire. Three employees were shot, and one is in critical condition, police said. Officers responded to the facility and shot the suspected gunman, police tweeted. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said during the news conference. The suspect was carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine and refused officers demands to drop the weapon, instead pointing it at them, police said. An active shooter investigation is underway, according to police. SmileDirectClub said in a statement to local news outlets that it is saddened at the shooting. The incident was contained quickly by security personnel on site, the company said, according to WZTV. The safety of our team members is a top priority for our Company and we maintain strict security protocols and a no weapons policy at all of our facilities. We are working with the local police as they investigate this matter. Iceberg wall collapses at Titanic museum and injures 3 visitors, Tennessee officials say Deadly shooting at water park followed an escalating altercation, Tennessee cops say Groom shoots brides friend while stuck in traffic after wedding, Louisiana police say Mom turns in 15-year-old son wanted in deadly quadruple shooting, New Orleans cops say Two teens were arrested in Mark Makela/Getty Images Two Texas teenagers recorded themselves taking jewelry from a dead body, police said. Video of a 17-year-old teen taking a necklace from the body reportedly circulated on social media. The teens were both charged with theft from a dead body or grave, according to police. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Two San Antonio teenagers were arrested and charged with theft from a human corpse after a video circulated on social media that police say shows one of them removing jewelry from a deceased man's body, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. In a statement provided to Insider, police said investigators learned of videos circulating online that showed a 17-year-old girl removing jewelry from the body after deputies responded to a 911 call about the death. Investigators identified the two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, as those who had discovered the body. Insider is not naming the suspects because they are minors. According to the arrest affidavit obtained by Insider, deputies were dispatched on the morning of July 26 to respond to calls reporting an injured or sick adult. They discovered a deceased male hanging from the railing of a drainage ditch, police said. According to local news outlet KENS 5, the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide. Per the arrest affidavit, the older suspect told investigators that when she and the 16-year-old discovered the deceased man, the younger said that she liked the jewelry around his neck. The 17-year-old then took it, telling investigators that she had done so without touching the deceased's neck. The 16-year-old told investigators that she had recorded the incident on her friend's phone using Snapchat. KENS 5 reported that the video then circulated on NextDoor, a neighborhood-based social network. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said that in the video, the teens were laughing as they took the necklace and were "treating it as a joke," according to KENS 5. Story continues Police said in their statement to Insider that the two teenage girls found the deceased man while on the way to a nearby gas station and called a friend, who called 911. According to the arrest affidavit, the teenagers admitted that they had stolen the necklace and a charm from the body, keeping the charm but disposing of the necklace. Both were charged with theft from a human corpse or grave, a felony in the state of Texas, and placed into custody on July 27. The deceased was a 25-year-old male, police said. The 17-year-old, whom KENS 5 reported was charged as an adult, was booked on July 28 and charged with theft from a dead body with a bond set at $2000, according to Bexar County Jail records. She was released on bond and has a court appearance set for August 24. Her attorney did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. There were no publicly available court records for the 16-year-old suspect. Read more stories from Insider's Digital Culture team here. Read the original article on Insider For the past decade, wealthy Venezuelan Naman Wakil has traveled the globe for business deals while living with his family in a $3.5 million Coconut Grove condominium overlooking Biscayne Bay. On Tuesday, federal agents arrested Wakil in a corruption and money-laundering conspiracy case accusing him of making an illicit fortune off hundreds of millions of dollars in food and oil contracts with the Venezuelan government and then diverting some of the tainted money into Miami-Dades luxury real estate market. Wakil controlled food and oil companies that paid millions in bribes to Venezuelan officials in exchange for securing government contracts between 2010 and 2017, and he held bank accounts in the United States, Cayman Islands, Panama and Switzerland, according to an indictment filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Berger. Wakil has been charged in the United States because authorities say he invested his illegal profits from the corrupt government deals in the familys condo at the Residences at Vizcaya on Hiawatha Avenue in Coconut Grove as well as in high-rise units on Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami and at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach among more than a dozen assets including a plane and yacht that the feds plan to confiscate from him. The total value of his ill-gotten purchases is at least $50 million, according to the indictment. Wakils defense attorney, Stephen Binhak, declined to comment on the foreign corruption and money-laundering conspiracy charges in the indictment. Wakil, 59, a lawful U.S. resident, had his first appearance in federal court on Wednesday. Wakils arrest was made by Homeland Security Investigations, which has been at the forefront of Venezuelan corruption and money laundering cases in Miami. Wakil is the latest member of Venezuelas politically connected business class who has been accused in Miami federal court of exploiting cozy relationships with senior officials in the governments of past President Hugo Chavez and current President Nicolas Maduro to enrich themselves through inflated government contracts, lucrative loans and currency exchange schemes. Most of their money has ended up in Swiss and other foreign bank accounts, along with investments in South Florida real estate. Story continues The embezzlement of billions of dollars from Venezuelas socialist government, particularly from its main cash source, the national oil company known as PDVSA, has contributed to the South American nations drastic economic collapse, forcing millions of people to flee to neighboring countries and the United States, U.S. authorities say. Wakil, a Syrian-born entrepreneur, gained some notoriety in 2016 when he was featured in a McClatchy series on the Panama Papers scandal that exposed secret shell companies set up in off-shore bank accounts by the wealthy clients of a Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The accounts were set up to help the law firms clients hide money, make foreign investments and evade taxes, according to the McClatchy series. In the spring of 2015, according one McClatchy story, a Miami-based Citigroup banker emailed the Panamanian law firm with an inquiry about a wealthy client who needed assistance. Mossack Fonsecas leaked emails identified that client as Wakil, a globetrotting entrepreneur worth about $400 million with business interests in both North Carolina and Miami. He wanted to reduce his U.S. tax liability and protect his assets from creditors, his lawyers memo indicates. The Panamanian law firm proposed creating a series of trusts and offshore companies for the client. A year later, Wakil was embroiled in a controversy that tied him to a Venezuelan general in an alleged procurement scam that reportedly netted $76 million. More than 500 banks, their subsidiaries and branches registered nearly 15,600 shell companies with Mossack Fonseca between 1985 and 2015, according to an analysis by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Thats the umbrella group that partnered with 370 journalists from news organizations in 80 countries, including McClatchy as the sole U.S. newspaper partner, to examine the 11.5 million leaked documents from the law firm. Wakil had ties to the highest levels of the government of Venezuela, an oil-rich nation and U.S. nemesis. Wakil, a Syrian-born U.S resident with a Venezuelan passport, was named in a 2015 book called El Gran Saqueo (The Great Plunder), which alleged widespread government corruption. Then, an online investigative news site, www.cuentasclarasdigital.org, posted a report alleging Wakil had provided nearly $6 million to the brothers-in-law of a powerful Venezuelan general, Carlos Osorio Zambrano, in exchange for a lucrative supply contract. In 2019, Bloomberg described Wakil as a former street peddler who accumulated vast wealth through the purchase of discounted meat products that were sold at vastly inflated prices to the Venezuelan government. Wakil, who was born in Aleppo, immigrated to Venezuela and lived in Caracas Petare district, one of the worlds largest slums. He rose from selling goods on the streets to immense wealth. According to a Venezuelan audit commissions findings, he had a close relationship with Osorio, a major general in Venezuelas military who oversaw billions of dollars of food contracts as the nations food minister. Kevin Hall, McClatchys chief economics reporter based in Washington, D.C., contributed to this story. By Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking $11.5 billion in urgent funding to fight the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus, a draft report seen by Reuters shows, amid worries wealthy nations are partly bypassing its COVID-19 programmes. A large portion of the cash being requested from the WHO's partners is needed to buy tests, oxygen and face masks in poorer nations, says the document which is expected to be released this week. And a quarter of it would be to buy hundreds of millions of vaccines for them that would otherwise go elsewhere. The paper, still subject to changes, outlines the results and financial needs of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), the programme co-led by the WHO to distribute fairly COVID-19 vaccines, drugs and tests across the world. The programme, set up at the start of the pandemic, remains vastly underfunded, and its coordinators are now acknowledging it will remain so as many governments look to address global COVID needs "differently", an ACT-A official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. As a result, it has cut by nearly $5 billion its total request for funds, the document shows. But it still needs $16.8 billion, almost as much as what has been raised so far, and $7.7 billion is required urgently. The document also calls for a further $3.8 billion, on top of the $7.7 billion, to take up options for 760 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that would be delivered next year. "These options to buy need to be exercised in the coming months or vaccine doses will be lost," the document warns. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last week said that $7.7 billion were urgently needed, but did not give a breakdown of planned spending, and did not say how much extra money was needed for vaccines. The WHO was not immediately available to comment. The latest cash crunch will underscore concerns about the long-term future of the programme, which has struggled to secure supplies and equipment to tame a pandemic that has killed more than 4.2 million. Story continues The vaccine portion of the project, called COVAX, is increasingly reliant on donations from wealthy nations, rather than its own supplies, after key manufacturer India restricted exports of shots to boost domestic vaccinations. But the United States, European Union and Japan have also donated vaccines directly to countries as part of their vaccine diplomacy drives. Japan has also said it's a quicker process than going through COVAX. Some countries have provided equipment directly to others too. Last month, Australia said it would donate oxygen-related equipment, antigen test-kits as well as vaccines to Indonesia. The plea for cash comes as a review of the ACT-A gets under way, with France, Germany and Canada among the countries steering the process. A report on the programme's results and shortcomings is expected in September by consultancy Dalberg Global Development Advisors, the ACT-A official said. OXYGEN NEEDS Among ACT-A's immediate needs are $1.2 billion for oxygen to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients in poorer countries where supplies are low, the report says. Oxygen has moved up the priority list given vaccines are not available, the ACT-A official said, highlighting the repercussions from the shortage of shots as the Delta variant spreads to 132 countries. COVAX has delivered about 180 million vaccines, far short of its 2 billion target by the end of this year. Oxygen is needed to "control the exponential death surges caused by the Delta variant," the document says. Global demand for medical oxygen is currently more than a dozen times greater than before the pandemic, the document says, but many countries are struggling to access sufficient supplies. The urgent need for the most basic treatment against COVID-19 one and a half years into the pandemic shows how little has been done to combat the virus in most of the world, the ACT-A official said, noting: "There hasn't been much progress. What was urgent three months ago is still urgent now." "Inequity in access to life-saving COVID-19 tools has never been more apparent," the document says. In rich nations, most people have already been vaccinated, including the younger who are less at risk from COVID-19, whereas in poorer nations the most vulnerable are still waiting for a first dose and there is a lack of basic materials, such as face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). "Avoidable death and unsustainable pressure on health systems is mounting in many countries due to insufficient access to oxygen and PPE," the document says. At least $1.7 billion are urgently needed to buy protective devices for healthcare workers in poorer nations, the document says, and another $2.4 billion are needed to boost testing in low-income countries. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascioEditing by Josephine Mason and Mark Potter) Stacy Torres and her father, Raul Torres, in May 2021. Imagine spending decades trying to unlock doors to secure your loved ones survival. You pull at frozen doorknobs, bang on doors, camp out waiting for them to open, try charming the bouncer to let you in. Finding the door often requires navigating a maze of dim corridors. You hit detours and dead ends. Sometimes you succeed and pass through. But inevitably, you encounter another locked door. Then one day, imagine your incredible fortune. You receive a magical key that unlocks every door. The only catch this golden period lasts one brief week. And the beloved person you are trying to save will die at the end of those seven days. This may sound like a cruel fairy tale or an impossible video game. But this scenario reflects reality for millions of Americans like me trying to obtain lifesaving health care for ourselves and those we love. When my father was dying from metastatic lung cancer in May, the ease of accessing end-of-life care, services and medical equipment through a home hospice program felt like receiving a magical key that unlocked doors we had tried to break down for years. Complexity fuels health inequities Why does the most accessible health care of my fathers life come only at the end? It doesnt have to be this hard. My fathers one week in hospice pried my eyes open to how much better our fragmented American health care system could function if we eased the "administrative burdens" that stymie patients, families and their health care providers. In their powerful treatise, professors Pamela Herd and Donald P. Moynihan define administrative burdens as onerous experiences people face when trying to access government benefits and social services. People struggle with learning, compliance and psychological costs when attempting to determine their eligibility, keep their benefits and endure the stigma of using them, a shame unique to the United States with its meritocracy myth and threadbare social safety net. These burdens disproportionately harm those with less money and education and lower cognitive reserves. Story continues U.S. health care is riddled with these burdens. Policy experts point to ballooning administrative costs as one reason our system falters when compared with other countries that deliver better, cheaper, more expansive care. In upcoming negotiations on a Democratic spending bill, as we press for increased funding for proposed home care expansions and Medicare coverage for vision, hearing and dental services, we must also ease the administrative burdens that inflict so much misery on American families and fuel racial, ethnic and income inequality in health outcomes. Josie Graham: When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, family helped, but we needed professional support According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. life expectancy plunged 1.5 years last year, the largest decrease since World War II. Racial and ethnic minorities experienced steeper declines, with African Americans and Latinos losing about three years of life expectancy. The pandemic widened this gulf, but such disparities stem from accumulated lifetime disadvantage, including disproportionate burdens accessing health services. Economic deprivation, racial discrimination and persistent health inequities result in reduced life expectancy, more years of disability and poorer health for minorities. Hospice demonstrates we can reduce health care administrative burdens while improving care for patients and family caregivers and saving money by keeping patients out of hospitals. Medicare covered my fathers hospice care with zero co-pays. Ive never applied easy to anything health care-related, but freed from bureaucratic hurdles for my fathers care, the Staples tagline (Wow, that was easy) played on repeat in my head. Hospice provides unexpected relief As if all the declines of old age compressed into a month, Dad went from walking to a wheelchair in a week. We raced to keep up with his changing needs and faced egregious barriers in this sprint before his hospice admission. As my father struggled into taxis for numerous appointments, we sought paratransit services from Access-A-Ride. He would have had to travel to an in-person assessment to prove he couldnt walk and wait weeks for a decision. I wisely held off on filling out a ream of eligibility paperwork. He died six weeks before the evaluation I knew he would never make. Accessing virtual medical care required downloading an NYU Langone Health app on a smartphone that neither I nor my father owned. Unable to attend the appointment on my laptop, a receptionist informed me that my father, with tumors eating at his lungs, brain, liver and bones, had to come in. He canceled. Stacy Torres and her father, Raul Torres, in May 2021. Death shouldnt offer the only escape from these burdens. Hospice provided us with prompt consultation from a 24-hour number; house calls from nurses, a doctor and a social worker; medications delivered. After weeks trying to secure my fathers wheelchair, a hospice-ordered walker, hospital chair and bed, cane, adjustable bedside table, oxygen tank and assorted medical supplies arrived within a day. Days before, we had poured hours into comparison shopping for a commode, urinal, toilet seat lift and underpads we bought ourselves. Had my father lived longer, wed have used the weekly 15-hour allotment for home care services, ordinarily not covered by Medicare without meeting convoluted eligibility requirements. Dads hospice admission entitled me and my sisters to a year of bereavement counseling, which Ive begun. Easy. Room to improve: Coronavirus exposed cracks in U.S. health care. Here are 5 ideas to fix the system. Administrative burdens harm patients and families forced to navigate a system unnecessarily complex by design. Detours and dead ends rob us of precious time and energy drained hunting down care. How many give up from exhaustion and forced exits? Accumulated burdens undermine trust in key institutions and drive growing health inequality. They undergird negative interactions with our health care system that feed the avoidable crises we face now, such as vaccine hesitancy hardening into resistance for some. Easing our burdens doesnt require magic but political will. Inertia is a policy choice we could never afford, but never more so than now. Stacy Torres, a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors, is an assistant professor of sociology in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at University of California, San Francisco. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: All health care should be as easy as hospice, even if you're not dying Harlems Fashion Row Founder and President Brandice Daniel attends Harlems Fashion Rows prelude to New York Fashion Week on Feb. 5, 2020 ay Sony Hall, New York City. Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage. Come the return of museums, come the return of the blockbuster fashion exhibit. And this September, the return of an in-person Met Gala will herald the two-part, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Both encompass the history of American fashion. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute will hope the ambitious undertaking will boast the same crowd numbers that descended for shows like its Alexander McQueen retrospective and Camp: Notes on Fashion. The Met is not alone in realizing the popularity of fashion-focused exhibits. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosted an entire exhibit on Thierry Mugler several years ago. The Museum at FIT has held exhibits ranging from Fairytale Fashion to Ballerina costumes. But one perennial issue hangs over many such shows: where are the Black designers? Do These Fashion Brands Really Care About George Floyd and RacismOr Their Public Image? A spokesperson for the Met, referencing the two upcoming shows, told The Daily Beast that these are profoundly important issues that will be central to the two shows. Its best for the work to speak for itself when the shows open in September (part one) and May 2022 (part two). The Met did not respond for further request for comment when asked a range of questions about their efforts to include more Black artists in exhibits, if there were any potential exhibits being discussed to spotlight Black art history, or if there were any diversity initiatives to help rectify the lack of Black representation among exhibits, or how many Black curators they have. A spokesperson for New Yorks Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) told The Daily Beast that the museum had organized two fashion exhibitions in its history: Are Clothes Modern? (1944) and, more recently, Items: Is Fashion Modern? (2017). While 1944 was eons before conversations about inclusivity in the fashion industry became mainstream, Items: Is Fashion Modern did include 10 Black designers, namely Laduma Ngxokolo, The Sartists, New Breed, Juliana Chez Julie Norteye, Dapper Dan, Kerby Jean Raymond of Pyer Moss, Loza Maleombho, Araba Stephens Akombi, Bernadette Thompson, and Nana Kwaku Duah. Story continues A spokesperson said that over the last 10 years, MoMA had worked with purpose and urgency to confront the gaps in its collections and exhibition programming, and to collect and present more art created by women and people of color. Research and collaboration leading to exhibitions like Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960-1980 (2012), Charles White: A Retrospective (2018), also led to multiple acquisitions of work by the artists included. Adrian Piper: Synthesis of Institutions 1965-2016 (2018) directly confronted issues of deep-rooted systemic racism in both museums and America and remains the largest exhibition of a living artist in the MoMAs history. MoMA also has the Fund for the 21st Century, a trustee fund committed to purchasing contemporary work for MoMA by emerging artists that have helped them make important acquisitions of work by women and BIPOC artists. Examples include major installation works by Cameron Rowland and Sondra Perry, both very early in the artists careers. In 2019 at their reopening, many galleries within the collection gallery circuits highlighted work by Black artists, including Faith Ringgold, Jacob Lawrence, Pope.L, Benny Andrews, David Hammons, Roy de Carava, and William H. Johnston. A MoMA spokesperson told The Daily Beast: The Museum came together in new ways, after the brutal murder of George Floyd last May, to confront issues of systemic racism and inequity and catalyze its anti-racism efforts. The spokesperson said that six BIPOC staff members had been invited from different museum departments, each at different points in their respective career experiences, to form a Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) Steering Committee. The committee is independent and interdepartmental and it seeks everyones participation in a process that prioritizes the well-being of BIPOC staffand therefore all staffto thrive at the museum. It has full authority to work with any and all groups it wishes to within our museum and to engage outside support as needed. Its purpose is to lead and collaborate across the museum to build an inclusive process for positive change, and its impact to date is clear: a new visitor code of conduct, facilitated listening and discussion sessions with BIPOC staff, an all-staff introduction to the science of implicit bias, and the launch of an assessment phase of the museums race equity work with its DEAI accountability partner: soliciting staff perspectives, experiences, and opinions through surveys, focus groups, facilitated conversations, and drop-in sessions that are critical to shaping a successful DEAI plan for MoMA. That work continues. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has also made space for Black designers in its show schedule. In 2019 they held Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech, an exhibit dedicated to the Off-White creative director and arguably the most prominent Black luxury fashion designer. A spokesperson for the museum told The Daily Beast, While we do not have any upcoming exhibits of Black fashion designers, as an ongoing initiative we regularly collaborate with BIPOC designers (Hebru Brantley, Joshua Vides, Lorraine West, JoeFreshGoods, Lingua Nigra) on exclusive lines and products that are sold through the MCA Store. The Museums current exhibition, Chicago Comics: 1960s to Now, also puts a spotlight on BIPOC comic artists and cartoonists. Brandice Daniel, the founder of Harlem Fashion Row, considers studying Black fashion history a personal hobby of hers. She had the opportunity to meet Lois Alexander Lane, the founder of the Black Fashion Museum in Harlem, which sadly closed in 2007. People do not realize how deep Black fashion history is, Daniel said. People dont realize Rosa Parks was a seamstress. She was in the middle of making a dress when she was arrested for refusing to move for a white passenger on the bus. That dress was later exhibited in a fashion show that Lois Alexander Lane had. When you start digging into Black fashion history, it is so rich. The women who were making dresses on plantations during slavery were Black slaves making dresses for society women. Those dresses were the modern equivalent of couture. Daniel acknowledges that the conversation around exhibits lacking Black designers is very new, but she views it as more reactive than proactive. People are more concerned with what people are going to say if Black designers are excluded from exhibits rather than actually including Black designers, Daniel said. Museums havent done a proper exhibit to really celebrate and inform people on the contributions of Black fashion. The story of Black art in museums and who curates the art on display is much larger than the Met and MoMA. In 2019, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, in partnership with the Association of Art Museum Directors, the American Alliance of Museums, and Ithaka S + R, conducted a comprehensive survey of the ethnic and gender diversity of the staffs of art museums across the United States. At the time, the survey found that the number of Black curators increased from 2 percent in 2015 to 4 percent in 2018, an increase of 21 positions. However, the survey also find that at senior positionsincluding museum director, CFO, and CEOthere was literally no change in regard to race and ethnicity, with senior leader positions only seeing a 1 percent diversity increase from 2015 to 2018. Pamela Edmonds, a Canadian-based curator, describes herself as a decolonizer of art spaces and museums. Over her 20-year curatorial career, she says it is only within the last five years has she really seen things change in terms of work by Black artists being included in museums. In the 90s, there was a lot of talk around identity politics in the museum and art communities, but then in the 00s there was a backlash against identity politics, Edmonds said. After last year with all the civil rights protests, the conversation around social issues and identity politics was full-on again. Black creatives used to be treated like they were restricted to just getting work during Black History Month, and after that finding work was like being stuck in the desert. It was tokenism. Institutions just wanted to check off boxes to say, We did the Black show. According to Edmonds, museums are inherently white and colonial in their very existence because that is the foundation upon which they were built, but she added, That doesnt mean we cant reimagine these spaces and create different models and conversations. Museums can be gathering spaces for communities to have conversations around life and culture. Even with exhibitions with largely European collections, works can be used to explore decolonization. Its about the narrative you build around it and creating conversations relevant to the moment. I had a show of mostly European works and used Sun-Ra for the background music. Its possible to have inclusivity with all types of work on an exhibit. Edmonds says that because of protests and work on anti-racism, Museums are looking at their collections, their board of directors, and being called to be accountable. Im seeing a lot of anti-racist policies and efforts toward inclusion. You didnt see that five years ago. Black folks are engaging art in a way that is multidisciplinary, from contemporary art to fashion. With people becoming more media specific, museums have had to expand their horizons and open their doors to more of these creatives. Edmonds said with increased awareness over how Black creatives have been excluded from museum spaces, theres more people calling them out. Dominique Fontaine, an art curator and consultant who is the founder of aPOSteRIORi, a non-profit curatorial platform, is focused on diversifying art and museum spaces. Fontaine says the reason Black creatives have been excluded from museum spaces is because in art history programs, there is almost no mention of Africa. The only mentions of Africa are Egypt. It takes much more research to educate yourself on Black cultural productions, but there are places with Black arts movements that are very proactive, but Western institutions dont make it easy for people to bring Black bodies into white institutions. We have to prove that Black people can occupy these spaces. Fontaine says more Black representation will come in museum exhibits once there is more representation across the board. We need to advocate for representation not only on the museum walls, but on the board of directors, on staff, and everyone from the lowest to the highest level from the security guards to the executives at the top. Black people are capable of occupying every space across the board and being part of every discussion. Fontaine says to ensure that there are Black professionals get the opportunity to occupy these spaces, museums need to reevaluate their hiring processes to guarantee diversity and inviting more Black people to be on their boards of directors. Fontaine says that her feelings regarding institutions making tangible change for Black people is best summed up by Ohio State Universitys Dr. Monica F. Cox, who tweeted: Instead of showing me your diversity statement, show me your hiring data, your discrimination claim stats, your salary tables, your retention numbers, your diversity policies, and your leaders public actions against racism. In her efforts to preserve and foster Black fashion history, Brandice Daniel has created an E-book called Fashion in Color: Preserving the African American Legacy in Fashion. Daniels colleague Kimberly Jenkins, an assistant professor of fashion at Ryerson University, is also compiling The Fashion and Race Database to provide information about Black designers and Black fashion history for museums, brands, colleges, and universities to use. Daniel said that the exclusion of Black designers from museum exhibits has, caused Black people to never realize what a big role we have played in the fashion industry, nor does the fashion industry acknowledge that. Museums can frame history in a way that would help people see the value of Black creatives. Thats the role museums play. Black designers not being exhibited leaves the fashion industry uninformed and leaves people of color walking into this industry feeling like outsiders, meanwhile weve laid so much of the groundwork for fashion as we know it. Daniel said one of the reasons addressing these issues is difficult is because non-Black people have been so uncomfortable having conversations about race, and until those conversations can happen more openly there is a roadblock in addressing how to amplify Black voices and guarantee Black representation. Black fashion designers and industry professionals have this treasure that we have not uncovered, Daniel said. I would love for museums to start to uncover and discover all of the impact Black people have had on the industry. Museums need to do consider doing something over the next few years that will do Black fashion history justice. Daniel says one of the critical components to making sure this happens is making sure there are more Black curators and consultants. The Smithsonians National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. has led the way in preserving Black fashion history. In 2007, it inherited the Black Fashion Museum collection of 700 garments, 300 accessories, and 60 boxes of archival material. In a statement e-mailed to The Daily Beast, Elaine Nichols, NMAAHCs fashion curator, said, The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is painfully aware of the racial and gender disparities that exist within the global world of fashion. We have intentionally identified and collected objects and research data related to black, women and LGBTQ+ fashion designers. In September 2016, when NMAAHC formally opened to the public, at least half of the Inaugural Exhibitions highlighted black fashion designers. Galleries that featured various fashion and costume creations by Black designers included one featuring a dress designed by Tracy Reese and worn by then-First Lady Michelle Obama in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. In addition to including Black designers and fashion in a multitude of exhibits, the museum also has two curators who serve as resources for scholars and the public seeking information about African American and African diasporic dress and fashion. They receive and respond to numerous requests for information related to the museums dress and fashion collections. As a Black-focused museum, NMAAHC has had no issue with Black representation. The overwhelming majority of the museums curators are Black, and they continue to ensure the majority, if not all works at the museum are directly connected to the African diaspora. Prior to the larger national conversation around Black inclusivity being a major part of the 2020 headlines, NMAAHC was a part of the Smithsonians public programs. Next, NMAAHC is planning a symposium on Fashion, Culture, Futures: African American Ingenuity, Activism and Storytelling scheduled for this October. In collaboration with Cooper Hewitt, the symposium will explore the history of Black people in fashion, offer dialogue with black models, and LBGTQ and transgender fashion icons, and examine the future impact of fashion on marginalized communities of color. While the road for inclusivity is still lengthy, the work is slowly being done. As Daniel puts it, Having Black voices in the room is crucial to representation. 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. Haitian President Jovenel Moise and his wife Martine Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images Haiti's president was assassinated next to his wife. She said she was later found by a maid. Martine Moise, who was shot, said she asked the maid for one of her husband's ties to use as a tourniquet. She questioned where security staff were, and if someone had ordered them to leave. See more stories on Insider's business page. The wife of Haiti's assassinated president said she was found with a gunshot wound by a maid after the attack, and needed to use her dead husband's tie as a tourniquet. Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home on July 7. Martine Moise was shot in the arm and was left in critical condition. She told CNN that it was the maid, rather than security staff, that found her in their bedroom after the attack. She said she asked her maid to bring her one of her husband's ties so she could use it as a tourniquet. She previously told The New York Times that she had told her children to hide in a bathroom. They survived the attack. In the CNN interview, Martine Moise questioned how the attackers were able to reach the couple: "The guards wouldn't leave without an order. Maybe they received an order to leave - this is what I think," she said. "I've been thinking a lot about how this could have happened." Haiti has detained several Colombians, Haitians, and Haitian Americans over the attack. But Moise said authorities need to find who ordered and paid for the attack. "Someone gave the order, and someone paid the money. Those are the people that we are searching for. I want the United Nations Security Council's help to find those people," she told CNN. She previously told The Times that she survived the attack because the attackers thought she was dead. Read the original article on Business Insider NEW YORK (AP) New York Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, a day after fellow starter Gerrit Cole was sidelined by the virus. General manager Brian Cashman revealed Montgomerys positive test during a radio interview before Tuesday nights game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. The All-Star ace Cole was expected to start Tuesday, but manager Aaron Boone revealed the right-hander's positive test after Monday's 7-1 loss to the Orioles. Cole was replaced by top prospect Luis Gil, who is set for his major league debut. Montgomery and Cole, who share the team lead with 21 starts apiece, will be out at least 10 days unless they draw two negative test results. Montgomery's most recent start was Sunday, when he had a no-decision in a 3-1 win over Miami. The positive tests came after the Yankees returned from a weeklong trip to Florida, which is among the states experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases. At least 85% of New York's players are vaccinated. Boone says he believes its up to the players to decide whether they want the COVID-19 vaccine. I think the right thing to do is to be vaccinated, Boone said. Ive said that a number of times, but in the end its up to individuals. All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge, infielder Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka have tested positive since the All-Star break, as have pitchers Wandy Peralta and Jonathan Loisaga. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports RICHMOND The statewide GOP ticket is listed as featured guests Saturday at an election integrity rally at Liberty University, but two of the candidates say they arent attending. Del. Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach, the GOP nominee for attorney general, and former Del. Winsome Sears of Winchester, the nominee for lieutenant governor, wont be attending, their campaigns confirmed Tuesday. Miyares posted on Twitter on Monday that he and Sears would be doing an event Saturday evening in Fairfax County for Harold Pyon, the Republican candidate challenging Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, in the fall election. It was unclear Tuesday if GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin still planned to attend the event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, which is coordinated by the 5th congressional district Republican committee and includes a Friday banquet and day of forums on Saturday. Miyares tweet on Monday followed days of Democrats attacking the GOP ticket for agreeing to appear at the event, and calling on them to withdraw. Miriams House is a Lynchburg nonprofit that works to end homelessness in the city and the surrounding counties. It helps to rehouse individuals, provide supportive services and offers street outreach and engagement to unsheltered individuals in the area. While Quarantotto said Salvation Armys temporary closure, which was announced last week, came as a bit of a surprise, Miriams House staff met with the Salvation Army to create plans for all 21 of its current residents to ensure none would be displaced. With two residents going to Hand-Up, others were returning to family, were placed temporarily in hotels or had income and were able to move into housing. Looking forward, she said the focus now is on developing a plan for those newly experiencing homelessness over the next two months. On Wednesday, the board of the Central Virginia Continuum of Care a coalition of agencies, nonprofits, congregations and individuals working to end homelessness that includes both Prieto and Quarantotto is meeting to establish a temporary plan to put in place. On average, based on numbers from the last five years, the Salvation Army provided emergency shelter to 150 individuals between August 1 and Oct. 31. Editors note: This is the second of a two-part editorial. The first part appeared Monday. The sudden curtailing of admissions to state mental hospitals sent a shock wave through the entire system, said state Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta. That wave is expected to spread to the law enforcement system and exacerbate an already difficult relationship between policing and mental health. Unfortunately, many patients enter the mental health system through the doors of local police and sheriffs departments often literally. When people experience a crisis so severe that it endangers themselves or others, law enforcement often is called. And if hospital beds cant be found for these crisis patients, what is the alternative? Patients would be released: To hold them beyond the limit of a court order would be a violation of their constitutional rights. But if they are not treated, their mental conditions could deteriorate to the point that they commit crimes, for which they are jailed. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has asked for support from medical professionals in providing medical care to COVID-19 patients asked to recuperate at home. Suga held talks with leaders of medical associations on Tuesday. This comes after his announcement of a new policy on Monday that will see coronavirus patients free of severe symptoms being asked to stay at home. Suga explained that the government will ensure that seriously ill patients and those who need breathing support or have underlying conditions will be admitted to hospital. He added that other patients will also be hospitalized if their condition deteriorates. The prime minister said he wants doctors at regional clinics to monitor the condition of non-hospitalized patients and provide the care they require through home visits or online consultations. He stressed his determination to protect people's lives and well-being. He renewed his call for cooperation in the effort to ensure enough hospital beds are available for COVID patients. Japan Medical Association chief Nakagawa Toshio pointed out that the government should declare a nationwide state of emergency so stronger antivirus measures, including a ban on cross-prefectural travel, can be put in place. He went on to say that local doctors' associations and medical institutions will step up efforts to care for patients, including those recuperating at home. Why are pork producers constantly trying to overturn laws relating to cruelty to animals? Balk asked. It says something about the pork industry when it seems its business operandi is to lose at the ballot when they try to defend the practices and then when animal cruelty laws are passed, to try to overturn them. In Iowa, which raises about one-third of the nations hogs, farmer Dwight Mogler estimates the changes would cost him $3 million and allow room for 250 pigs in a space that now holds 300. To afford the expense, Mogler said, hed need to earn an extra $20 per pig and so far, processors are offering far less. The question to us is, if we do these changes, what is the next change going to be in the rules two years, three years, five years ahead? Mogler asked. The California rules also create a challenge for slaughterhouses, which now may send different cuts of a single hog to locations around the nation and to other countries. Processors will need to design new systems to track California-compliant hogs and separate those premium cuts from standard pork that can serve the rest of the country. A layer of concrete 19 inches thick will eventually overlay the portions of the runway that bear the heaviest loads, at each end and where it is crossed by taxiways. Other parts of the runway (the center and shoulders) will be paved with asphalt up to 8 inches thick, on top of 15 inches of red rock, selected for its strength and drainage qualities and hauled in by rail from a quarry in South Dakota. Offutts runway may look like a flat expanse, but it actually sits on a hill. The northwest end (1,049 feet above sea level) is 77 feet higher than the southeast end. The slope of less than 1 degree is no problem for pilots, Michaud said. But the low end of the runway also sits in the floodplain of the Missouri River, just over a mile away. Two levees protect the base, but the March 2019 flood exposed the limits of that protection when about one-third of the runway (and 137 structures, including 44 buildings where people worked) were inundated, causing about $800 million worth of damage. It was the worst flooding in Offutts history, dating back to its early days as an Army post called Fort Crook, established in the 1890s. Job vacancies are at a record high at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The 988 vacancies are more than 200 more than on Jan. 1, an HHS spokeswoman said, prompting new incentives for nurses and food service workers. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the new hiring and retention bonuses on Friday, with extra incentives offered to protective services staff willing to relocate to the Tecumseh prison for a year. They would receive an immediate $7,500 bonus. That's on top of the stipends Tecumseh workers receive for commuting there, which range from $100 to $200 a month, depending on the length of the commute. All prison security staff hired before July 31 will be eligible for $500-a-month retention bonuses billed as a pilot program over the next year. Hiring bonuses for new prison staff are being increased from $10,000 to $15,000, payable over three years, and new bonuses for HHS and Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs workers are being offered that total up to $10,000. Bonuses also are offered for employees who recruit new staffers. The Department of Veterans Affairs has 354 job vacancies at its four retirement homes, which has required hiring contract workers. State officials said that all employers are responding to the increased competition for workers. Canadians have argued over how quickly to lift limits on public gatherings, restaurants and retail stores, but their debates have been muted by U.S. standards. The countrys toughest lockdown was imposed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a populist conservative who has been compared to former President Donald Trump. I cant stand lockdowns, Ford complained, but he stuck by his health experts recommendation to keep the restrictions until almost 80% of Ontarians had received their first doses of vaccine. Like the United States, Canada has anti-vaxxers just fewer of them. An Angus Reid Institute poll last month found that only 8% of Canadians said they definitely do not intend to get a COVID vaccination, including 15% of Conservative Party voters. Polls in the United States have found refusal rates at least twice as high. And there lies a clue toward a deeper, more complex explanation for Canadas vaccination success over that of the U.S.: the underlying differences between the countries political cultures and, especially, their conservative parties. There is much less polarization in Canada overall, Peter Loewen, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, told me. Theres not a lot of political mileage in appearing to be anti-science in Canada; there is in the United States. The following editorial appeared in the Sioux City Journal on Sunday: COVID-19 infections were up last week. Some businesses implemented mask mandates. Health experts warned we possibly could be facing lockdowns again. No. No. No. We didnt get this far to go back to the beginning. And, considering how uncomfortable masks are in 90-plus degree heat, we certainly dont want to cover up during the hottest season of the year. If we have to do it, though, we will because we trust the experts who say thats whats needed to quell the virus. And yet, think how far we might be now if everyone had gotten vaccinated. We wouldnt be worried about unvaccinated children who arent yet eligible for the vaccine going back to school. We wouldnt freak about the economy. We wouldnt question whos acting in our best interests. 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. ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming one of the first major employers of front-line workers to do so amid a resurgence of the virus. Microsoft also announced Tuesday that it will require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors and visitors to its U.S. offices starting in September, following similar actions recently taken by Google and Facebook. Microsoft also postponed its planned return to the workplace from September to no earlier than Oct. 4, although it will allow flexibility for some employees to continue working from home, including parents of children who are not eligible for vaccines. While vaccination mandates have gained traction among employers, many of the companies adopting them have workforces that can transition to remote locations easily. Many companies that rely on large low-income workforces have far largely declined to mandate vaccines for their front-line workers, making Tyson's announcement significant. One of the world's largest food companies, Tyson said that members of its leadership team must be vaccinated by Sept. 24 and the rest of its office workers by Oct. 1. Its front-line workers must be vaccinated by Nov. 1, although the company said the specifics were being negotiated with unions. Indianapolis, IN (46208) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. A man shows a vaccination certificate after receiving a dose of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in Sumapaz, Bogota's rural zone on July 29, 2021. Authorities in a Colombian town have run out of patience with people refusing coronavirus vaccines, ordering them on Monday to stay at home or face a fine, or even prison. "We have to take a strong stance as leaders... Everyone has to be vaccinated, if not, they cannot circulate in the municipality of Sucre," the town's mayor Elvira Julia Mercado said on Blu Radio. She decreed a stay-at-home order, lasting eight days, for people who have not yet been vaccinated despite the municipality having enough doses to immunize all its 28,000 inhabitants. So far, only 10,000 have opted to be immunized, said Mercado, blaming fake news. "There are religions that are reluctant to get vaccinated, young people because are told they cannot go out for drinks... others that they will die in two years, that the vaccine is the antichrist," she said. Under the decree, non-vaccinated people can leave home only to access health services or to go get the shot. All townsfolk will have to show a vaccine card to access supermarkets, bars, discos, restaurants, banks and shops. Those who defy the measure risk a fine equivalent to $260, and repeat offenders can end up in jail. The measure will be reviewed in eight days' time, based on the epidemic situation then. With 50 million inhabitants, Colombia is the Latin American country with the third-most deaths per capita after Peru and Brazil with nearly five million confirmed infections and 121,000 reported deaths. Some 12.2 million people have been fully vaccinated. Sucre is the first municipality in the country to act against vaccine refusers, but Health Minister Fernando Ruiz has warned of similar steps elsewhere. lv/vel/lm/mlr/jh This week kpop kings' BTS english single Butter remains at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It's Butter's 9th week in that position and it was only briefly replaced by another BTS song, Permission to dance. But "Butter" is actually the first song in history at #1 to be out of the top 40 of the Streaming Songs chart (#44 this week). It also has had the lowest score on US radio mediabase callouts for 2 weeks straight. Which shows most radio listeners dont know and dont like the song. So how does a song no one is actually streaming and which is rejected by the general public get on top of the most popular chart in the world? Massive sales. Despite recent reforms, pure sales (from artist's websites and online retailers) still outweigh streaming and radioplay on Billboard's points system. This makes positions fairly easy to manipulate, and other artists have done it before BTS: Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift etc. Usually by selling merch bundles with albums and songs. Billboard eventually stopped counting these for their charts. Most recently, they removed some of Dua Lipas sales of Levitating, once they found out international fans were using VPNs to pretend more American fans were buying the song. It seems ARMY got inspired by this particular scam, and since VPNs are easy to detect, they resorted to shadier practices. This is the money laundering part. BTS fans from all over the world now spend the week crowdfunding and then donate the money obtained internationally to people based in the US and Puerto Rico, so THEY can purchase the song. These few but dedicated Americans focus on using BTS official shop for the song, which allows buying 4 copies at a time, unlike iTunes or Amazon, which only allow 1. Indonesia ARMY donated $457 (Rp. 6,606,580) (split into $305 for Butter W10 and $152 for PTD W3) to @borakore52 as support PTD W3 and Butter W10 buying project for US/PR Army Thank you all! Permission to Dance and Butter lets stay on the billboard chart!! @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/6i2v8IjC2Y Funds for BTS Indonesia (@fundsforBTS_ID) July 29, 2021 We forwarded the third batch of donations in full to @/FundsForUSARMYs to help our US/PR ARMY with the charting of Permission to Dance & Butter. We collected a total of 1200 Thanks to all the generous ARMY. pic.twitter.com/0aYXwp7yrE BTS India Funds (@btsindiafunds) July 26, 2021 So close to $1500 Remember $1500 = 50 full sets $2K = 66 full sets $2500 = 83 full sets $3K = 100 full sets We need to keep both songs stable as they gracefully descend Who can send us some funds please #BTS_Butter #PermissiontoDance https://t.co/G7F2h2ODlU pic.twitter.com/b6IhmV4hIi Sherry (@pjmstolemyheart) August 2, 2021 Are we ready for another week of ? We are hoping to gather enough donations to kick-start funding so please consider donating to to us or any trusted micro-funders! Borahae!https://t.co/PRu0KcifKq pic.twitter.com/Jnho3GnRQx D2A Micro-Funds (PP in Bio) (@D2A_MicroFunds) August 1, 2021 Butter/PTD BH Store Update: WK 10 Total orders: ~7.9K Goal: 14.4K - 14.8K LAST HOUR. Time to go BIG. Can we try to reach at least ~10K TOTAL ORDERS? Plz buy Full sets for both songs if you can. Or you can use 16:16 or 16:12 or 20:12 ratio if it works for you. pic.twitter.com/Ds5x6jUqdT ARMY_Connect (@Army_Connect) July 30, 2021 ARMY also got help from their US distributor, Columbia Records, who are no strangers to chart manipulation (that's Lil Nas X's label): besides releasing 4 remixes of Butter and an instrumental, the label has also issued alternative single covers with new ISRC codes (digital fingerpring for a track). So fans can buy 4 copies of all these too, but they count as sales for the original Butter track. The ISRC thing is illegal, by the way. They can only do that if the cover is for a track thats significantly different from the original. No one knows why Billboard isn't looking into this, allowing BTS fans to do it for 10 weeks. Most likely because they really need the massive engagement and ad revenue generated by ARMY, and because they don't want to deal with the double shitstorm of being accused of xenophobia and then getting actual death threats from ARMY for it. As for Columbia, they're probably doubling down on this sort of chart manipulation because they know kpop doesnt have an actual market in the US (for all the BTS paved the way claims, NO ONE has followed) and are just milking BTS like a very lucrative short-term cash cow. sources: Hot 100 tweets: this post is going to be a mess and nobody is going to win Reply Thread Link sure is Reply Parent Thread Link mte Reply Parent Thread Link can we not fucking link kiwifarms on this website Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly the way 4chan/ED/Kiwi Farms obsessed over Chris for early two decades was freaky, but I honestly never thought the whole thing would devolve to this. Reply Thread Link I had heard of 4chan and was aware of its presence, but I had no idea they were as awful as they were until that HBO docuseries about Qanon. Reply Parent Thread Link what's sad is that at some point, even 4chan got tired of qanon and kicked them off the site which is how they ended up on 8chan. like, how bad do you have to be to get kicked off of 4chan. Reply Parent Thread Link I can't describe the feeling I had when I found out why Chris was trending on twitter. Like, I could have never imagined but also of course this is how it would end. How truly fucking awful for everyone. Reply Parent Thread Link I guess thats enough internet for today. Reply Thread Link Seriously. I wish I hadnt hit refresh on the page Reply Parent Thread Link Well. I think its time to go straight to bed and purge the entirety of today from my mind Reply Thread Link was so weird when this was trending the other day. and i wish cwc would log off but idk what is up w/ the people who just have been documenting her for like 10 years Reply Thread Link the poor mom jfc I don't get how sites like 4chan and kiwifarm are still allowed, they are magnets for far right radicalization Reply Thread Link i'd never read kiwifarms before a few days ago and every other post has the r or n word. it's vile. Reply Parent Thread Link My best friend hangs out in KF and she told me they make fun of us here bc we have too many rules/ thought police I was like yeah and we arent a bunch of racist, ableist pieces of shit lol Reply Parent Thread Link I'd be a bit suss about your bestie tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Bigots love to make fun of others for not being bigots. Reply Parent Thread Link Why on earth is this person your best friend Reply Parent Thread Expand Link jesus fuck Reply Thread Link Made my first ONTD post in years no need to make another gonna go bleach my brain now Reply Thread Link He's ultimately responsible for his own actions, but his family and the internet created a problem that was destined to end terribly, one way or another. It's sad. Reply Thread Link how? who is this demon? Reply Parent Thread Link mte I feel so lost, everyone is acting like there's all this drama around this person and I'm like "whomst???" Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's 20+ years of people online bullying and trolling a child abuse victim who has obvious mental issues. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link There is a lot to Chris chan, but essentially she is a high functioning autistic woman who was pretty much targeted by 4chan, and later ED and troll sites, for years, partly because she was easy to troll and often volunteered information about herself. And I mean she was subject to insane levels of trolling, from people pretending to be women who are interested in her to pretending to be her overall just to harass her. By no means is she a good person, largely because she was known to harass women under the guise of finding a boyfriend-free girl and was also pretty racist and antisemitic. Its been years since Ive last checked but she transitioned over the past decaxe, assaulted a GameStop employee and is still targeted by trolls for harassment. Shes pretty much touted as one of the most documented people in recent history. Thats basically the gist of it, although there is just. So much about this person. Theres a 58 part docuseries on Chris that goes into detail about everything, thats how documented this last person is. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link for anyone else trying to make sense of this: i first heard of this person through the contrapoints video "cringe". it uses chris chan & the harassment directed at her (if i remember correctly that's how she identifies) as a case study to discuss the topic, so it gives a good overview of the whole story. it's peak internet, in the worst way possible. Reply Parent Thread Link this video talks about the cult around chris chan pretty succinctly (at around 31:00) Reply Parent Thread Link didn't they also grope women who showed an inkling of interest? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yup completely agreed. it's just tragic all around. chris is definitely responsible for their own actions, but maybe if the internet hadn't been obsessed with Chris' clearly incredibly unwell, mentally ill spiral life like they're some kind of freak show exhibit, this could've been avoided. Edited at 2021-08-03 11:42 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link jfc, I hope the mom is getting the care she needs. Reply Thread Link Wait, who is getting arrested for incest, her or her mother? A friend of mine unfortunately knows her and she's unfortunately been messy for ages. Reply Thread Link Christine Weston Chandler, known online as Chris Chan, was arrested and charged with incest after a leaked phone conversation spread online. its literally the first line of the post lol Reply Parent Thread Link I know, but did she rape her mom or was it the other way around? I'm confused. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It doesnt help that everyone is throwing around different pronouns for this person on here. Some are saying he, she, they, guy Edited at 2021-08-04 04:17 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link um, I'm sorry, arrested for incest? When did this happen, because it seems more like CSA? Reply Thread Link His mother is 80 and has dementia. Reply Parent Thread Link That's why I asked about the timeline-- did this happen 30+ years ago, or is this something that's happened as seniors abuse? IDK the background of this situation. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I feel sick Reply Parent Thread Link She was abusing her 79 year old mother. Reply Parent Thread Link Iran has spent a lot of its time, money, and lives of its direct and proxy military forces in building up its influence across the Shia Crescent of power in the Middle East Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq - and it continues to target the further acquisition of power in those countries on the edges of the Crescent, together with China and Russia. A core strategy in Irans methodology is to build out a pan-Middle Eastern power grid with Tehran at the centre. In just the same way that Russias huge level of gas supplies to Europe gives it immense power across that continent so Irans electricity and other power supplies will give it enduring power over the Middle East. Roping in potential countries into this notion initially through a less overtly threatening proposition Irans front agent Iraq offering oil supplies, for example is a standard tactic for Tehran to achieve its aim and this is precisely what happened last week in Lebanon. On the face of it, the statements on the deal from Iraqs Oil Ministry might seem like a perfectly standard and straightforward agreement: Baghdad has agreed to sell Lebanon 1 million metric tons per year (just over 21,000 barrels per day or just under 7.8 million barrels per year) of heavy fuel oil in return for goods and services. This deal, the Iraq Oil Ministry added, will help Iraq to reduce its surplus of fuel oil while at the same time enabling the financially troubled Lebanon to obtain the fuel stock for its power plants required to avoid the widespread and frequent power outages from which it has been suffering recently. According again to official comments from Iraqs Oil Ministry, the fuel oil is to be sold at international prices and will be paid in exchange for Lebanese goods and services. A more careful look at the details underpinning the deal reveals that it is anything but standard and straightforward. For a start a key point, really Iraq does not have any fuel oil at all that meets the specifications of any power plant anywhere in Lebanon. Indeed, Lebanons own caretaker Energy Minister, Raymond Ghajar, openly stated in February of this year: Iraqs heavy fuel does not match Lebanons specific needs. Given this bewildering premise, the plan is that because Iraqs fuel oil cannot be used in Lebanon despite the country just pledging to buy 1 million metric tons of it every year - Lebanon will resell the Iraqi fuel and use the proceeds to buy spot cargoes of a fuel that does meet its specifications and that it can actually use. At least as baffling, on the surface at least, is precisely what good and services Lebanon is going to use to pay for this useless Iraqi fuel oil. Lebanons two major exports categories by a considerable margin, accounting for well over half of its GDP are gems and precious metals and arms and ammunition, a very handy combination in the Middle East as a whole and particularly for a country such as Iraq that is intimately tied up with Iran, politically, economically and militarily. Given these principal exports it is perhaps no surprise to find that the single country that accounts for by far the largest proportion of all of Lebanons exports is the number one global centre for discrete trade and banking services and facilities Switzerland. On the other side of the equation the root in the square root of the equation, it might be said Iran has been under considerable financial pressure itself ever since the end of 2018 when the U.S. re-imposed sanctions on it after Washingtons unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May of that year. Despite promises from China for massive financing facilities to be extended to Iran under the wide-ranging 25-year deal between the two countries, the threat of retaliation from the U.S. should it overstep the mark has kept Beijing wary of giving all the help it promised to Tehran so far. Related: Libya: Shell Considers Resuming Activities In Country This has meant that Iran has been finding it increasingly difficult to pay its military proxies in the [Shia] Crescent [countries], including those in Lebanon, so this deal [between Iraq and Lebanon] is really just an effective way for Iran to pay its militias in Lebanon, a senior oil and gas industry figure who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. The oil supposedly comes from Iraq although it is impossible to tell whether it is from Iraq or Iran as there are so many shared fields then Lebanon sells it for U.S. dollars and then it uses this some of this money to actually buy some fuel oil for its power stations and the rest to either pay Iran via Iraq U.S. dollars that Iran needs to pay its militias in Lebanon and elsewhere or it pays the militias itself on Irans behalf, he added. Its a basic oil for arms deal, in essence, including money to pay the wages of the paramilitaries as well, he underlined. The maintenance and expansion of its multi-layered influence across the Shia Crescent countries does not just mean Iran pushing Iraq to conclude oil supply deals of this type with the countries involved but also using this as a leverage point to rollout corollary developments to oil supplies, such as pipelines and the single-centre power grid with Tehran at the centre. As highlighted recently by OilPrice.com, the Iraq-Lebanon oil deal was originally announced at around the same time as the Iraq-Jordan oil deal, and this in turn was shortly followed by the announcement of extending the Basra-Aqaba pipeline to Egypt as this would be an important addition and a new outlet for Iraqi oil exports to North Africa (according to representatives of the two negotiating teams). The idea for the Basra-Aqaba route is for a pipeline of around 1,700 km that does not include Israel land or sea territory and December 2019 saw an announcement from Iraqs Oil Ministry that it had completed the prequalifying process for companies interested in participating in the pipeline project. For Iran, this allows another alternate Iraq/Iran oil export line to the historically vulnerable Strait of Hormuz route, to add to the current plans for the Guriyeh-Jask pipeline and plans to roll out a pipeline to Syria as well. It will also provide another cover route for Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi oil, which can then be shipped easily both West and East. There are a number of options for this Iraq-Aqaba-Egypt pipeline route, even the favoured ones that avoid any Israeli land or sea threats, including a very short route following the same ground as one of the Arab Gas Pipeline flows: from Aqaba to Taba, and then if required up north to Arish and then west to Port Said. All of this in turn complements, and is complemented by, Irans ongoing rollout of a Pan-Middle East power grid. In this context, just a month or so before Iraq Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimis visit to Washington in 2020, Irans Energy Minister, Reza Ardakanian, stated that Iran and Iraqs power grids have become fully synchronised to provide electricity to both countries by dint of the new Amarah-Karkheh 400-KV transmission line stretching over 73 kilometres. This also paves the way for increasing energy exports to Iraq in the near future, from the current 1,361 megawatts per day now, he said. He added that Iranian and Iraqi dispatching centres were fully connected in Baghdad, the power grids were seamlessly interlinked, and that Iran had signed a three-year co-operation agreement with Iraq to help the countrys power industry in different aspects. At the same time, it was announced by the Iranian Electrical Power Equipment Manufacturing and Provision Company that Irans electricity exports to other neighbouring countries in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on 19 March 2020) reached over 8 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a mean average increase of 27.6 per cent year-on-year. So far, the countries receiving power from Irans grid are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, plus, of course, Iraq (which saw an increase of 34.6 per cent from the preceding year). This network does not include the parallel network connections that Iran is consolidating in terms both of direct electricity and gas exchanges, which further includes Turkmenistan and Turkey. In the meantime, Iraqs Electricity Minister, Majid Mahdi Hantoush, announced that not only is Iraq currently working on connecting its grid with Jordans electricity networks through a 300-kilometre-line a project that will be finished within two years - but also plans have been finalised for the completion of Iraqs electricity connection with Egypt within the next three years. This, in turn, he added, would be part of the overall project to establish a joint Arab electricity market. Specifically, under the electricity deal signed between Iraq and Jordan, the Kingdom will provide Iraq with 1,000 gigawatt (GW) hours per year in the first phase of the project, after the completion of the electricity linkage project that will take around 26 months. This will be followed by a second phase that allows for the two sides to further increase the power exchange capacity. Jordans Zawati highlighted that the project will enhance the stability and reliability of electricity networks in both countries, as well as adding impetus to the creation of a joint power market in the Arab world. This, Hawati added, should include Saudi Arabia, with which Jordan had just signed a similar agreement to connect the two countries electric power grids. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com From California to Massachusetts, some U.S. cities are enactingor trying to enactbylaws banning natural gas hookups in new homes, citing concerns over climate change and efforts to decarbonize energy supply. The quest of many U.S. towns and cities to ensure that all newly built homes will be all-electric has resulted in a fierce battle in dozens of states, many of which have moved to preemptively prohibit their towns from banning natural gas in new homes. The battle is also between the gas lobby and environmentalists, while many consumerswhile supporting their states clean energy goalsare wary of rising energy bills and rising costs of building and maintaining an all-electric new home. Emissions from the commercial and residential sectors accounted for 13 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, as per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. These emissions are generated primarily from fossil fuels burned for heat, the use of certain products that contain greenhouse gases, and the handling of waste. As climate change concerns and climate goals became a prominent issue at town meetings, Berkeley, California, became two years ago the first U.S. city to ban natural gas hookups in new homes, with few exceptions. Other towns followed, or at least they tried. Related: Small Crude Inventory Draw Disappoints Markets Gas Ban Bylaws Pit Cities Vs States More than a dozen states have introduced this year preemption bills to restrict local communities efforts to enact regulations banning natural gas hookups in new homes. As of the end of June, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming had such preemption bills introduced, according to a tally compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Four other laws went into effect last year in Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. In March this year, Colorado homeowners and businesses called on the General Assembly to protect their right to propane and natural gas as part of a new initiative, Protect My Gas. Theres a movement underway to ban gas from homes and businesses. This effort would have severe consequences on the residents and businesses of our state: higher utility bills, new appliances and the threat of rolling blackouts, said Dan Binning, Executive Director of the Colorado Propane Gas Association and a member of the Protect My Gas coalition. Massachusetts Towns Fight To Demand All-Electric New Homes The latest chapter in the cities-vs-states battle over natural gas hookups is unfolding in Massachusetts, where a town outside Boston is taking its fight to ban fossil fuels in new homes into a second year. Brookline, Massachusetts, passed such a bylaw in 2019, becoming the first city outside California to attempt to restrict a type of energy supply to new homes. In July 2020, however, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey rejected Brooklines bylaw, saying it superseded state authority, although she noted that she supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Brookline now tries with new ordinances, and instead of outright bans, the town is rewording the proposed bylaws requiring future homeowners to agree to go fossil free in exchange for a special building permit. We think it will pass muster with the AG, Brookline Town Meeting member Lisa Cunningham told Bostons news outlet WBUR in June. Theres really only one way to reduce our emissions, and that is to stop using gas and stop using fossil fuels, Cunningham told The Wall Street Journal last month. Acton, Arlington, Concord, and Lexington also want to have the right to demand all-electric new homes by asking the Massachusetts legislature to allow them to ban gas hookups in new homes or in buildings undergoing major renovations. Related: Merger Mania Paves The Way For A New Era In U.S. Shale Energy Choice and Energy Costs However, many consumers are not sold on the idea of living in all-electric new homes. They are concerned that their choice of energynatural gas or propane in this caseis taken away, and that their energy bills will be higher, especially in towns with colder winters. Opponents of the natural gas ban, including the American Gas Association, say that residential energy costs would be much higher without any use of natural gas at homes. According to an American Gas Association study from 2019, the total annual residential energy cost for appliances in a typical new natural gas home is $879 lower than the electric home, $924 lower than the oil home, and $965 lower than the propane home. For space heat alone, residential consumers of natural gas can save $525 a year relative to electricity consumers, $593 a year compared to oil customers, and $655 a year compared to propane customers, according to the association. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said in two separate studies this year that all-electric homes cost more upfront and that American consumers still prefer gas to electricity for cooking. NAHBs What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition survey showed that consumers generally prefer electricity (51 percent) to gas (33 percent) for their air heating and cooling systems, but prefer gas (51 percent) to electricity (39 percent) for cooking. Consumers were split on electricity (45 percent) versus gas (40 percent) for water heating systems, with 15 percent indicating no preference. Total added construction costs for all-electric homes range from around $11,000 to $15,000 for cities with colder climates such as Denver and Minneapolis, a study prepared for NAHB showed earlier this year. In warm climates such as in Houston, the total added construction costs range from $3,988 to $11,196. Overall, the study found that all-electric homes cost more upfront in comparison to gas homes. Electric homes in cold climates were also found to have higher ongoing utility costs, NAHB said. Higher costs for homes could be a big hurdle to lower-income households, opponents of the all-electric buildings say. Jurisdictions considering electrification should evaluate these impacts on consumers and work with stakeholders to develop supporting economic measures, NAHB says. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nigerias oil industry has been confronted with a plethora of challenges endless litigation, social unrest, majors regularly mulling a country exit, and all this against the background of a genuine societal demand to make oil revenues more equitable, more accessible and transparent. Whilst the recently adopted Petroleum Bill might be utilized to the resuscitation of NNPC, the soon-to-be full-blown national oil company, or the restart of the countrys idled refineries, there is every reason to believe that Nigeria might misallocate the solid momentum that it currently has. Bringing back to life the seemingly old-forgotten Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, hailed as a building block of Nigerias Decade of Gas, might just as well be the ideal incarnation of such risks. The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline is essentially composed of two separate projects, one that would link the countrys gas-rich south to the populous areas of the north and one that would see Nigerias gas being exported to generate much-needed currency. Considering the socioeconomical importance of the intra-Nigerian conduit, especially so that President Buhari hails from the north, construction works on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline (often abbreviated as AKK) started last year so the idea was really about finding a potential continuation thereof. The public utterances of Nigerias Oil Minister Timipre Sylva insinuate concerns with regards to the entire pipelines viability, having stated that if the federal government can get it to Kano, it can (just as well) continue all the way to Algeria, insinuating that the government sees even the intra-Nigerian pipeline section as fraught with risks. Related: Merger Mania Paves The Way For A New Era In U.S. Shale The reasons for Nigeria to push for such projects is fairly straightforward, Africas most populous country is well-endowed with oil and gas reserves, however the intra-national allocation of those hydrocarbons is oftentimes shaky as half of the populace lacks stable power supply. Crudely put, Nigeria would be much better off if it could extract and market its gas reserves which heretofore were mostly either flared or just left undeveloped. Needless to say, the lost revenue from burning away natural gas is massive, estimated by PwC to total $0.8-1 billion on average per year. The Nigerian government estimates its own gas reserves at 203 TCf (5.85 TCm), meaning that roughly 3% of global gas reserves are located in Nigeria and most of them have heretofore been flared. At the same time, Nigerias nationwide consumption stands at around 700 BCf per year (slightly below 20 BCm), equivalent to 40% of the countrys total output. The reasons why the Trans-Saharan Pipeline is sub-commercial are plentiful, yet it is always worth it to reiterate the main arguments. First and foremost, there is almost no way Nigeria can guarantee the security of the pipeline all the way through the territory of Niger and southern Algeria, a region as impossible to control as one can only get. Nigeria cannot even properly control its own territory with the Boko Haram insurgency remaining an ever-present threat after more than 12 years. Second, the pipeline was initiated when gas prices were still predominantly pegged to oil prices and has not been dovetailed to the realities of todays gas trading. Third, even in the 2000s the pipelines price tag was assumed to be north of $20 billion; with NNPC as strained as a national oil company can get, funding for such an adventurous endeavour would be scarce. Related: Shale Giants Hit Hard By Poor Hedging Decisions The strained financial stature of NNPC brings us to the fourth weakness of the Trans-Saharan Pipeline, namely its reliance on Chinese financing. Nigerian authorities understand well enough that they need external sources of funding that is why the Nigerian section of the pipeline was to be financed by the Bank of China and Sinosure, the two reportedly committing $2.6 billion towards the project. This has prompted NNPC to start working on the AKK pipeline, presenting it as new form of a debt-equity financing model that could render it economically viably, yet the Chinese help never arrived. Media reports emerging lately seems to insinuate that Chinese financial institutions do not want to expose themselves too much with such a risky endeavour and NNPC has started seeking out other potential project partners to keep the ball rolling. Even overlooking the issue of Chinese financing, the Trans-Saharan Pipeline lacks the solid geopolitical footing that a gas project of such scope would necessitate. Inevitably, security is the primordial issue at hand here, whatever underlying rationale one might entertain, building a pipeline across a sparsely populated territory that has become one of the hottest spots for international jihadism bodes ill for its future. At the same time, the Algerian-Nigerian relationship can hardly be described as cloudless. In the late-2000s Algerian officials even went as far as to ask NNPC to prove its gas reserves, demanding a third-party assessment which, of course, was not received very well by Algerias YarAdua administration. Additionally, Nigeria entertains a weird dichotomy, simultaneously launching the same project towards two potential partner countries, Morocco and Algeria. Incidentally, the two nations have a very strained relationship, aggravated by a long-standing dispute over the future of Western Sahara. Moreover, it needs to be highlighted that whatever the legal background in Nigeria, the actual implementation of regulations is an altogether different issue in the absence of a non-biased enforcer. Technically speaking, gas flaring has been banned for almost three decades in Nigeria, yet it still is a fairly regular occurrence. Alas, Nigerias problem lies not in a dearth of ideas of those it has a great deal, often too much of them. Its main problem is the incongruity between whatever is written in official documents, policy papers and government manifestos and the gruesomely corrupt reality of day-to-day operations. And it is precisely this incongruity that would inevitably send monster-projects like the Trans-Saharan Pipeline down the drain. By Gerald Jansen for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Crude oil markets have been jittery lately as additional OPEC+ output counters expectations of continued strong demand and coincides with concerns about the resurgence of Covid-19 in key markets. Yet some believe oil could still hit $80 a barrel. Analysts believe strong demand during the second half of the year will prevail, writes Dan Eberhart from Canary LLC in an article for Forbes. In addition to these demand expectations, there is still substantial uncertainty around the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, especially now, in the wake of a tanker attack that Washington, along with London, blamed on Tehran. Israeli-managed Mercer Street was attacked with drones at the end of last week off the coast of Oman, with two crew members killed. "Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing throughout the region," said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Iran denied any involvement in the attack, but the event would almost certainly have an adverse effect on nuclear talks, which have been stalling for a while. Last week, the U.S. warned Iran's new government that it will not be offering better terms, according to an Axios report, with Secretary Blinken separately saying that the talks could not drag on forever. So, with the prospect of Iranian oil returning to official markets becoming more distant, that's a bit less downward pressure on prices. Traders had factored in the possibility of additional barrels coming from Iran, Canary's Eberhart noted, and now that the chance of that happening waning, prices have higher to go. Meanwhile, expectations of further draws in U.S. inventories added to upward pressure on prices, per a Reuters report from earlier today. "Delta related concerns will likely keep oil markets volatile over the coming weeks but at the same time we also see flying activity across Europe and the U.S. continue to grind higher, supporting oil demand," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The strife-torn South American nation of Colombia was rocked by anti-government protests which commenced in late April 2021 and lasted for roughly two months. By mid-May 21 road blockades had sprung up all over Colombia in response to President Ivan Duques government violently repressing the protests, impacting the economically crucial oil industry. By the end of July-2021, the deaths of 45 protestors at the hands of authorities had been recorded by peace thinktank Indepaz. That coupled with the governments unwillingness to negotiate with the national strike committee caused civil dissent to escalate leading to nationwide blockades of roads which prevented the movement of supplies impacting the economy and oil industry. Those events came on the back of Duques unwillingness to fully implement what increasingly appears to be a failed peace agreement with Colombias largest leftwing guerilla group the FARC. It is the rapid growth of dissident FARC groups, those guerillas who refused to accept the 2016 peace accord, that has been a driver of a sharp uptick in violence. By the end of 2017, it was estimated that 7,000 FARC combatants, most of the active guerillas, had demobilized and surrendered their weapons in a process supervised by the UN mission in Colombia. It was believed that less than 1,000 FARC fighters had rejected the peace agreement remaining active in their struggle against the state. After a series of missteps by the national government in Bogota and increasing unwillingness to implement the peace deal since Duque took office in late-2018 those dissident FARC groups surged in strength. Estimates put the number of dissident FARC at around 2,500 combatants plus civilian supporters, which is roughly three times greater than the number of fighters at the end of 2017. The National Liberation Army (ELN Spanish initials), Colombias last remaining leftist guerillas, took advantage of the demobilization of the FARC to seize control of the abandoned territory and significantly expand operations. By the end of 2020, it was estimated that the ELN is operating in 156 municipalities across Colombia compared to 96 at the time of the 2016 FARC peace accord. The Marxist group which is believed to have 2,500 armed combatants and 5,400 members rely heavily upon violence to enforce its territorial control. The ELN has aggressively expanded into Venezuela, taking control of vast regions of the near-failed state, filling the vacuum left by authorities as Maduros regime steadily crumbles due to a lack of resources. The ELN is locked in conflict with the Gulf Cartel, Colombias largest neo-paramilitary group, and the remnants of the Popular Liberation Army (EPL Spanish initials) for control of lucrative coca cropping territory and smuggling routes. During August 2019 key former FARC leaders, notably including former peace negotiator Ivan Marquez, announced a return to arms under what was called the Second Marquetalia and sought refuge in Venezuela. These events, which are the result of Duques failure to implement the 2017 peace deal, are fueling a sharp uptick in violence with massacres (defined by the UN as the killing of three or more people at any one time) rising sharply during 20201. According to Indepaz, there were 60 massacres during the first seven months of 2021 compared to 39 a year earlier. That is compared to 36 massacres recorded during 2019, a year the UN described as the most violent in nearly a decade. Related: Small Crude Inventory Draw Disappoints Markets Of considerable concern is the numbers for the first seven months of 2021 are more than double the 29 massacres recorded for 2018, the year President Ivan Duque won Colombias top office, and more than five times the 11 massacres reported during 2017, which was the first year after the historic FARC peace was signed. It is Colombias remote regions, where there has long been a minimal government presence, that are the most severely impacted and it is in those areas where upstream oil operations are located. The uptick in violence, as well as growing lawlessness since Duque took office, is a key driver of further conflict and anti-government sentiment. Former FARC fighters are rearming and joining dissident groups as a form of self-protection and war-weary civilians are campaigning against the Duque administrations mishandling of an escalating security crisis. While a return to the multi-actor asymmetric conflict, which peaked in the 1990s, is unlikely, heightened violence is a significant contributor to Colombias growing turmoil. That in turn is hurting the reactivation of Latin Americas fourth-largest economy and its crucial oil industry. Duques failure to fully implement the FARC peace treaty and curb the surge in violence means Colombia is yet to enjoy the long-awaited economic dividend that a sustained peace would deliver. The considerable political turmoil and civil dissent triggered by a breakdown of law and order under the Duque administration is responsible for an escalation in community protests against the petroleum industry and disintegrating social license in some communities. That has resulted in violent oilfield invasions in the Llanos basin and community blockades that have forced oil companies to shutter operations. Nationwide road blockades during May 2021, caused by the Duque administrations violent repression of anti-government protests, pressured onshore oil producers to shutter operations. As a result, oil output plunged to a low of 650,864 barrels per day at the height of the anti-government protests. For this reason, May 2021 crude oil production plunged by 5.6% compared to a month prior and 3.9% lower year over year to be an average of 703,478 barrels per day, That sharp decline compared to a year earlier is of particular concern because May 2020 production fell to a multi-year low due to Colombias pandemic lockdown, which forced drillers to shutter operations to contain the coronavirus. Related: DUC Well Inventory Plunges As Drillers Frack More Than They Drill The notable decline in May 2021 crude oil output highlights just how vulnerable Colombias onshore petroleum industry is to being disrupted by a deteriorating security environment. That is impacting Colombias economy because crude oil is the crisis-driven countrys largest export, followed by coal and coffee, responsible for around one-third of all export income for the first five months of 2021. During 2020 crude oil was responsible for earning 17% of Bogotas 2020 fiscal income and generating over 3% of GDP, further illustrating the petroleum industrys importance to Colombias economy. The marked uptick in violence is weighing heavily on Bogotas much-vaunted economic reactivation further weighing on an economy deeply damaged by the pandemic, with 2020 gross domestic product shrinking nearly 7%. The risks posed by rising violence and deteriorating security, particularly in rural regions, are adversely affecting Bogotas push to bolster investment in exploration for hydrocarbons. Colombias low proved crude oil reserves (Spanish) of 1.8 billion barrels only have a short production life of just over six years. Those numbers underscore the urgency with which Colombia must boost exploration activities if any new significant petroleum discoveries are to be made, with no major onshore oil finds occurring over the last decade. President Duques reluctance to implement the FARC peace treaty and escalating violence, as well as lawlessness since he took office in August 2018, is weighing heavily on Colombias economy. Rising violence, notably in rural regions is directly impacting Colombias oil industry. This along with political turmoil engulfing the Andean nation, combined with the oil industry disintegrating social license, is responsible for protests and violent attacks upon the industry which are impacting operations and production. Those developments along with Colombias high breakeven price, which averages up to $45 per barrel and is higher than offshore Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil, are deterring urgently required investment needed to boost exploration and development activities. While civil war, on a scale reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, is unlikely not to return to Colombia, a deteriorating security situation and rising violence will impact the strife-torn countys economically crucial oil industry. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Shell is considering resuming operations in Libya by contributing to oilfield developments and increasing marketing and refining activities, Libya Herald reported on Tuesday, citing Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) as saying after a meeting with Shell representatives in Tripoli. Shell had suspended its upstream operations in Libya in 2012, abandoning exploration activities in two blocks in the country because of disappointing results. At the time, NOC said that Shells negative assessment of the blocks prospects did not reflect reality. Now Shell, whose representatives visited Libya, discussed the possibility to help oilfield development in the African OPEC member, NOC said, as quoted by Libya Herald. The parties also discussed cooperation in refinery development and development of renewable energy projects, NOCs chairman Mustafa Sanalla said, as per Libya Herald. At the end of last year, NOC said that another European major, Frances TotalEnergies, planned to increase its investments in Libyas oil industry. NOC added it had discussed with the company raising Libyas production to the highest levels. TotalEnergies, the new name of Total, has stakes in several Libyan oil fields, including the nations biggest, Sharara. The field, along with many others, was shut down for more than eight months last year after groups affiliated with the eastern government blockade oil export terminals, which pushed Libyas oil output from above 1 million bpd to less than 100,000 bpd. Libya could boost its oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) by the middle of 2022 if the industry has the necessary funding, Libyas Oil Minister Mohamed Oun told Italian news agency Agenzia Nova in an interview published last week. Currently, the North African producer exempted from the OPEC+ cuts pumps around 1.2 million bpd. According to secondary sources in OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report, Libyas crude oil production averaged 1.163 million bpd in June, up from 1.157 million bpd in May. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The biggest state-held oil firms in the Middle East, including Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), consider selling more assets to investors to monetize stakes in their various downstream and upstream businesses as prices rise, sources have told Reuters. Saudi Arabias giant Aramco considers sales of part of upstream and downstream assets, including its gas pipelines and stakes in refineries and power plants, two sources with knowledge of the plans told Reuters. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported, quoting sources familiar with the matter, that Aramco, which operates all upstream oil and gas assets in Saudi Arabia under a multi-decade concession deal with the Kingdom, was reviewing its upstream business and could decide to sell stakes in some not-so-strategic fields to external investors. Aramco has already made one major asset sale deal this yearit sold a 49-percent stake in its pipeline business to a consortium led by U.S. EIG Global Energy Partners for $12.4 billion. We plan to continue to explore opportunities to capitalize on our industry-leading capabilities and attract the right type of investment to Saudi Arabia, Aramcos president and chief executive Amin Nasser said at the closing of the deal in June. In the UAE, ADNOC is getting ready for an initial public offering (IPO) of its drilling business and aims to attract foreign investors to it, sources with knowledge of the deal told Reuters. ADNOC has already raised billions of U.S. dollars from energy asset deals, including the sale of a 49-percent stake in its gas pipelines last year, for $10 billion. This sale marked the start of asset sales from Gulf oil producers, who are looking to raise cash and attract investors. According to Reuters sources, Oman and Bahrain are also looking to monetize assets via stake sales or IPOs. In April this year, Bloomberg reported that the government of Oman was looking at several options to plug the widened budget hole, including selling a stake in state oil firm OQ via an initial public offering (IPO). OQ is also reportedly looking to sell assets and tap the international debt market in order to fund its planned $7.9 billion expenditures over the next five years. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Health-med-fit Delta variant helping fuel rise in COVID cases in Nebraska Fueled by the highly contagious delta variant, COVID-19 cases continued to escalate in Nebraska last week, marking a sixth straight week of increases. The state recorded 1,611 cases for the week ending Friday, up from 978 the previous week and more than double the 690 the week before that. Cases in Nebraska increased at a faster rate than they did nationally, with Nebraskas 65% growth in cases last week ranking 15th highest among states. The states per-capita case rate, however, remained well below the national average and ranks 30th nationally. The Southern states of Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi had the nations highest per-capita case rates. Several states in Nebraskas region, however, were among those experiencing the most serious outbreaks, including Missouri at No. 6, Oklahoma at No. 7, Kansas at 11 and Wyoming at 18. In Nebraska, hospitalizations also continued to rise, with the seven-day average of 126 up 25% from 101 the previous week. The state reported no new COVID deaths in the past seven days the states pandemic death toll remained at 2,280. 40 counties in Nebraska have substantial or high COVID transmission Forty of Nebraska's 93 counties are considered communities with substantial or high rates of transmission of COVID, where masks are recommended in indoor public places. Health systems report that nearly all of those now hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, with a few such patients having compromised immune systems or taking immune-suppressing medications. Health professionals continue to urge Nebraskans who havent already done so to get the vaccine. In all, 67.5% of Nebraska adults have received at least one shot, ranking 24th among states. Some 62.5% of adults are fully vaccinated, including 86% of those 65 and older. Health officials stress that the shots are safe and effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, even in the face of the delta variant. Serious side effects from the vaccines occur with a frequency of less than 1/100,000 to 1/500,000, Drs. Maureen Tierney and Renuga Vivekanandan write in an opinion piece in Tuesdays World-Herald. Tierney is assistant dean for public health and clinical research at Creighton University School of Medicine; Vivekanandan is an associate professor at Creighton University and chief of infectious diseases at Creighton and CHI Health. The physicians also encouraged people to mask up in indoor public places and in crowds. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week recommended masking in such settings even for vaccinated people in areas with substantial or high spread, given new data indicating that vaccinated people infected with delta can in rare cases spread the virus. With the continued rapid rise in cases, things will continue to get worse, Tierney and Vivekanandan wrote. We as public health officials are most worried about the continued and unnecessary loss of life, and the long-term health complications seen in approximately 10% of COVID survivors. CDC recommends masks indoors, UNMC's Lawler calls move overdue Specifically, the CDC recommended that vaccinated people who live in areas with substantial and high transmission rates wear masks in public indoor spaces. In some hard-hit areas of the country, health officials have reported an uptick in vaccinations. In Nebraska, 22,500 new shots were injected over the past week, roughly the same number as the previous week. Locally, the number of shots given at clinics run by the Douglas County Health Department began picking up late last week, said Phil Rooney, a Health Department spokesman. Staff at a number of the events gave 80 or more shots; previously, they had been giving a fraction of that number. Some 53.1% of all Douglas County residents are fully vaccinated. Today we vaccinated 80 folks from the SE Asian refugee/immigrant community in Omaha. A community service project led by @OPS_BensonHigh Thrive Club. These young leaders planned the event including free produce boxes, back 2 school gear & vaccines! TY @HealthDouglasCo 4 the shots! pic.twitter.com/e7KgGu1vjd Jasmine R Marcelin, MD, FACP (@DrJRMarcelin) July 31, 2021 Dr. Jasmine Marcelin, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and an infectious diseases physician with Nebraska Medicine, tweeted that health professionals vaccinated 80 members of the southeast Asian refugee and immigrant community at a clinic Saturday organized by Omaha Benson High Schools Thrive Club. The students also distributed free produce boxes and back-to-school gear. +2 +2 What to know about COVID-19 restrictions for traveling between US, Canada The United States last month extended its pandemic restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada land border for at least a month. Th The newest bundle of joy born at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium stands shy of 6 feet tall and weighs right around 140 pounds, zookeepers estimate. The new herd member, a male giraffe calf, was born over the weekend at the Omaha zoo. The new addition brings the zoos herd of reticulated giraffes to 10. Reticulated giraffes are endangered, with about 16,000 found in the wild, said Dennis Pate, CEO and executive director of the zoo. Every new birth gives us a little bit more hope here, Pate said. The baby who has yet to be named was born to parents Betty Francis, 10, and Jawara, 12, at about 11 a.m. Saturday. Betty Francis, who weighs about 1,800 pounds and stands nearly 15 feet tall, moved to Omaha in 2016 from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jawara was born at the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, and moved to Omaha in 2010. Jawara, who weighs about 2,250 pounds and is nearly 16 feet tall, has sired five calves. Betty Francis has been curious about other calves and births in the herd before. But because shes a first-time mom, zoo staffers kept a watchful eye on her after she gave birth. On Thursday, U.S. markets appeared to shrug off a report by the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, that manufacturing slowed in July. Many companies are being held back by supply chain disruptions. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% to 4,387.16. The index is coming off a weekly loss but is within 0.8% of its all-time set a week ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.3% to 34,838.16. The Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to 14,681.07. A slide in technology, industrial, raw materials and communication companies weighed on the market. Energy stocks also fell in tandem with crude oil prices. Gains by health care stocks, utilities and a variety of retailers and other companies that rely on direct consumer spending helped keep the losses in check. Also this week, some 150 companies in the S&P 500 are due to report results. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude lost 1 cent to $71.25 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Monday, the contract fell $2.69 to $71.26. Brent crude, the price basis for international oils, shed 3 cents to $72.86 per barrel in London. It tumbled $2.52 the previous session to $72.89 a barrel. The dollar declined to 109.22 yen from Monday's 109.25 yen The euro was little-changed at $1.1873. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. During a public safety power shutoff, a utility de-energizes its grid in order to prevent its equipment from failing and sparking a wildfire, often amid hot, dry and windy weather. Power lines have been blamed for about half of the most destructive wildfires in state history, according to the PUC, including 2018s Camp Fire in Butte County that killed 85. The risk of wildfire is expected to worsen as climate change has made California much drier and more flammable. PG&E has reported to regulators that its equipment may have sparked the state's largest wildfire to date this year. On Monday, the Dixie Fire in Northern California was burning near the town of Paradise, which was largely destroyed when failing PG&E equipment sparked the Camp Fire. The utility pleaded guilty last year to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter with prosecutors unable to pin the remaining death on the utility. San Diego Gas & Electric officials said Monday that they have fine-tuned weather forecasting, cleared flammable vegetation and created microgrids that can power town centers even with the electricity turned off. They've provided backup power to eligible customers and are better at targeting customers who will be affected, they said. The utility powered down five times last year, with the largest planned outage affecting 74,000 customer accounts, said John Jenkins, vice president of electric system operations. He said the utility notified around 96,000 customers but missed alerting 2,000 customers who had their power turned off. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. But Brown, a centrist backed by Hillary Clinton, influential House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the Congressional Black Caucus, leading unions and many local leaders, prevailed after a surge in national attention to her campaign in the weeks leading up to the election. In the heavily Democratic 11th Congressional District, she is strongly favored in the Nov. 2 general election over Laverne Gore, a business owner, consultant, trainer and community activist who won the Republican nomination. In her victory speech, Brown said she has not sought headlines or attention" in her nine years as a local legislator, but effectiveness and making headway. Things Ive done havent gotten a lot of attention. Theyre not sexy," she said. "But I dont need the credit. I just need to make sure the people I have been called to serve are getting the resources they need. Im not about lip service. Im about public service. Turner said she knew the campaign would be an uphill battle. While we didnt cross the river, we inspired thousands to dream bigger and expect more," she said in a Twitter statement. "We couldnt overcome the influence of dark money, but we left our mark on OH11 and this nation. That $100 offer remains in effect through the end of August. The strategy was pioneered by New Mexico for several days in June, with about 25,000 eligible participants. The states $5 million sweepstakes prize for one vaccinated resident is scheduled to be awarded on Saturday. President Joe Biden recommends that more states use cash payments to increase the pace of vaccination, as health authorities grapple with the more-contagious delta variant. Starting on Tuesday, New Mexico is requiring that vaccine-eligible state workers either get the shot or get tested each week for infection. ATLANTA A top federal health official said Monday that he understood frustration with new mask requirements, but hoped Americans recognize their responsibility for combating the coronavirus. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra was in Atlanta as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Georgia continued to rise amid a low vaccination rate. I cant tell you the depth of frustration that Americans are feeling whove done everything they can, theyve done it right, to know that now weve got to go back to wearing masks, he said. Scott Frakes, the state corrections director, said in an email to prison staff on Friday that there has been a large increase in staff turnover at the agency in the last four months and a decline in new job applicants at many state agencies. But corrections spokeswoman Laura Strimple said Monday that since the bonus for transferring to Tecumseh was announced, about 20 staffers have expressed interest. Four of the states 10 prisons, including Tecumseh and three prisons in Lincoln, are now operating under a staffing emergency status, which means they have shifted to two, 12-hour shifts per day as a way to operate with fewer guards and other staff. Turnover in security posts has hovered around 30%, which is double the rate Frakes has said is preferred. Complaints from inmates and their families to The World-Herald have increased in recent weeks over the postponement of required rehabilitation programs and the abrupt cancellation of visitation periods. The states unemployment rate in June stood at a nation-low 2.5%. While state officials have often blamed the tight labor market for the inability to fill jobs as have employers in the private sector union officials like Chipman say its low starting wages that deter applicants and encourage state workers to change jobs. Our parents would tell us to open our eyes to the marked increase in contagiousness of this variant it is at east twice as infectious as other variants and likely more. Recent data shows that the amount of virus present in the nasopharynx is up to 1,000 times greater with the new delta variant. Our parents would be bewildered at individuals complaining that wearing a mask is an infringement on personal liberty. Our parents sacrificed far more and did it willingly. They understood that personal liberty does not include the freedom to put someones elses liberty or health into jeopardy. With the new delta variant, vaccinated individuals can sometimes infect others, so wearing a mask is imperative to protect the community as well as yourself. Reducing viral exposure (the inoculum) appears to reduce the severity of disease. Thus, wearing a mask can reduce the severity of disease if you do get infected. Our parents would have had compassion and would never forget that about 3% of Americans suffer from immunocompromise from underlying diseases, certain medications and life-saving treatments such as chemotherapy. Even with full vaccination, some of our neighbors are not as protected as others who have received their shots. As the City of Omaha and area school districts work to develop plans for how to use a windfall of federal COVID relief money, we urge that childrens needs rise to the top of their lists. These entities are getting huge chunks of cash $194 million for Omaha Public Schools, an amount equal to nearly a third of the OPS general fund; and $112 million for the City of Omaha, equal to about a quarter of the citys general fund. Other school districts get millions Millard gets $14.2 million and Westside $3.8 million, for example with the money allocated based on enrollment and the proportion of students living in poverty. The cash comes from the $1.9 trillion relief package approved early this year by Congress, which put few limits on how the money can be used. Cities can replace lost revenue, continue the COVID fight, support a range of community programs and work to boost economic recovery, such as with small-business loans or back-to-work incentives. Schools must reserve 20% of the money for summer programs and other efforts to address learning loss during last school years remote sessions, but otherwise have broad latitude. No matter how competent and dedicated our public servants may be, these are scary amounts of money to trust government to allocate and spend effectively. Not too old Pulse writer Mike Weaver Sr., 82 years old and fully vaccinated, states in his letter Too old of July 30 that he will not be wearing a mask for whatever time he has left to live on Earth. Everything in life is by choice. I am not old (almost 100) and am, like Mr. Weaver, fully vaccinated, but I will most definitely wear a mask as mandated by the medical experts. Mr. Weaver, please have second thoughts about mask-wearing. We all can get through this terrible pandemic together. Marjorie Stevens, Ralston Support freedom It is time to end the insanity of the last 18 months. The mask mandates, the lockdowns, the social distancing, all of it. Decisions are not being made based on science, but political science. Whether people get the COVID shot or wear a mask that is entirely their own decision, and they shouldnt be singled out, pressured or face retaliation for it. This is still a constitutional republic and the last 18 months have damaged it severely, without any realistic explanation at all. The National Cathedral is expected to generate about US$83 million within three to five years of its completion. The Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, who disclosed this in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, describes facilities to be built within the National Cathedral as income generators. For him, the facility is a national investment, saying What we are doing is actually an investment." He explained that the National Cathedral will drive traffic to the country due to its uniqueness, pointing out that the cathedral has a Bible museum, "the first of its kind", he said, multi-purpose halls, a 350-seater restaurant, and banquet halls. Dr Opoku-Mensah also disclosed that the project stalled not because of lack of funds but due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said the appeal to Ghanaians to contribute towards the building of the cathedral has received warm reception. Background The National Cathedral was proposed by the government in March 2017 as a physical embodiment of national unity, harmony and spirituality. The design for the cathedral was unveiled by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in March 2018. He said at the time that the construction of the cathedral was in fulfilment of a promise he made to God in the run-up to the general election in 2016. Work picked up in earnest in January 2020, with a fence wall bearing an artistic impression of the cathedral erected around the perimeter of the site. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An 18-Member Board of the Upper West Regional Lands Commission has been inaugurated in Wa in accordance with Article 260 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767). The board is to steer affairs for the next four years. Fifteen members of the Commission led by the Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdul-Haq, were present and were sworn into office by Justice Abdul-Yussif Assibey, the Supervising High Court Judge in the Region with three absent. Mr George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources who performed the inaugural ceremony on behalf of the Minister, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, congratulated members and urged them to bring onboard their skills and expertise to deliver well on their mandate. He noted that the role of land in the economy of the nation was of great significance and that without sound tenure security and appropriate land management principles, there could be no sustainable development as they would be little or no willingness by local and foreign investors to make long term investments. The Deputy Minister indicated that one of the cardinal functions of the Commission was to provide advisory services not only to government agencies but also to Traditional Authorities as well in the management of Land. Mr Duker noted that one of the major challenges of land administration and management in the region was the fragmented nature of land ownership and holdings. He pointed out that investors needed to negotiate with some landowners when a sizeable parcel of land was to be acquired, noting that this at times could be frustrating as some may not be willing to dispose of their interest within the said area. He said this was not conducive for large-scale investment, adding that the Commission would be expected to play a strategic role to ensure that the interests of both the landowners and investors were adequately catered for. Mr Duker noted that the de-vesting of lands in the Northern Regions had resulted in landowners threatening to sell undeveloped lands within areas already developed by the state without due process, urging the Commission to critically examine the phenomena and come up with a better approach to deal with it. He listed boundary disputes between allodial owners/communities; multiple land sales; illegal felling of rosewoods; illegal mining activities; and encroachment on state lands, road reservation, open spaces, water bodies, and the sitting of temporal structures popularly known as containers along the principal roads within the Wa Municipality as some of the other challenges faced by the region. The Deputy Minister advised that in dealing with these issues, members of the Commission should be fully guided by the provisions of the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767) and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) and always ensure that there was equity in the functional responsibilities and privileges of all divisions of the Commission and allied land management agencies as well as the Customary Authorities. Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, said it was a known fact that Government Lands and Natural Resources were seriously under threat of encroachment by developers coupled with the unsustainable exploitation of the natural resources by the present generation. He said this attitude ought to be checked so that Government lands would be used for the purpose for which they were acquired and urged the newly inaugurated Commission to make that their utmost responsibility. Alhaji Sulemana Mahama, the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, noted that land issues were very emotive and urged the Committee members who were carefully selected from relevant institutions across the districts to let their responsibilities reflect the land issues in their areas. He noted that to be effective, members of the Commission must familiarize themselves with the laws of the Commission especially the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767) and the new Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) recently accented to by the President. Alhaji Mahama noted that the Lands Commission itself was not adequately resourced to carry out its numerous responsibilities and therefore cautioned members of the Commission to manage their expectations and focus on their responsibilities. 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 man has killed his wife and attempted suicide at Asuofia Asaman in the Afigya-Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region. Daughter of the deceased, 13, who witnessed the horrific scene, gave detailed account of the incident on Akoma FMs current affairs and political show GhanAkoma. In a sobbing voice, she explained that my father wielded a gun and attempted to shoot my mother so I pleaded with him not to kill my mother but he wont listen. He shot her and even tried to shoot me but I ran for my life. Abuakwa Police Commander Chief Superintendent Alhaji Maama Arhin told host of the show Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin that my men rushed to the scene and arrested the suspect. He had attempted suicide by taking in some substances so we had to rush him to the hospital. As at yesterday, he was in critical situation so I hope he survives. The suspect has been identified as Bashiru Gambo and was married with the deceased wife for over 15 years with 4 kids. A senior brother of the deceased, Daniel Larry, while recounting the ordeal on the show, noted that I went to visit my sister and her husband that very Sunday. We all ate together and we had some issues slashed out concerning their marital issues. I courted my in-law (suspect) to come see my family head and follow due diligence and perform the customary rites and marry my sister because after living with her for 15 years with four kids, he hasnt originally married her. He further added that I left their home only to be called in the night at about 10:30 that the man has shot my sister. The suspect is still on admission. 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 The Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has given an assurance that the police administration is tracking the whereabouts of the alleged killer of Police Constable Sandra Aseidu. The Regional Police Commander DCOP Enoch Adutwum Bediako told journalists in Damongo that investigations into the gruesome murder of a police officer Constable Sandra Asiedu in Damongo are underway. The Savannah Regional Minister and Chairman of the Savannah Regional Security Council Saeed Muazu Jibril has also on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, announced a reward of 10,000 cedis for anyone with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect in the murder of a police Constable Sandra Asiedu in Damongo on August 2, TV3s Savannah Regional correspondent Christopher Amoako, reported. Residents say before the police constables death, a misunderstanding ensued between the boyfriend and another man believed to be a military officer whom the former suspects of having an amorous affair with. Savannah Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Agyekum Owusu who spoke on the 3FMs Sunrise morning show said When we entered the room we saw an inscription written on the wall with the blood of the lady that we love together and we will die together. Secondly that Sunday evening, the boyfriend told other tenants in the house that he is travelling with the lady to Kumasi and that the lady has gone to town to buy certain items and he is following suit. According to the Savannah police, series of events make the boyfriend a prime suspect in this case. So, if Monday morning we see this heinous crime being committed, we cannot suspect anybody other than the boyfriend. Another clue is that the person who killed the lady tried hanging himself unfortunately; the ceiling fan detached from the ceiling so all these elements go to show it was the boyfriend who committed the crime, revealed. According to the police account, after the crime was committed the murderer locked the door to the room. Other tenants, mostly student nurses, were not around at the time. However, Inspector Agyekum Owusu said one other tenant who was around the house witnessed an unusual behaviour of the boyfriend but did not expect the man would murder the girlfriend. The only tenant who was in the house suspected something: the guy would come out and look around and enter the room. Anytime he comes out he will lock the trap door so she suspected something. 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 Former Member of Parliament for Adentan constituency, Yaw Buaben Asamoa has commended the Attorney General (AG) over his law suit against former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda and four other people for wilfully causing financial loss to the State. The AG and Minister of Justice have dragged the former Minister, his successor, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah and three others to court pressing 52 counts of criminal charges against them over the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. The three other persons are the Chief Director at the ministry from 2009 to 2017, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu; the Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS, the Brazilian company which constructed the affordable housing project at Saglemi, Andrew Clocanas, and a director of RMS, the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) consultancy subcontractor, Nouvi Tetteh Angelo. The accused persons have been charged for intentionally misapplying $200 million of State funds by paying for 1,412 affordable housing units at Saglemi instead of 5,000 units approved by Parliament. Addressing the issue during Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Monday, Mr. Yaw Buaben Asamoa bemoaned the action of the accused persons in the housing project brouhaha. Whiles slamming them for misusing the funds given them to establish houses that currently sit in bushes without the aim of completing the project, the NPP stalwart cautioned the opposition NDC to desist from politicizing the issue. "....we (the Attorney General) must carefully look into it...If you have a good case, you will get a good response in the law court and accept that you have a good case but don't politicize it if you don't have a good case''. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Last week at an Education Summit in the United Kingdom,President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo disclosed the government plans to replicate the Free Senior High School policy at the tertiary level. According to the President, the subject of free tertiary education has been discussed at top levels because it is seen as a natural consequence of broadening the base for SHS. Mame Yaa Aboagye, contributing to the Presidents laudable plans, applauded him and described his statement as a positive step in right direction. According to her, President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government have placed importance on the welfare of children and their right to education in the country, therefore such a move deserved commendation. Mame Yaa urged Ghanaians to repose confidence in Nana Akufo-Addos vision because he has done some before and can also do this as promised. She also asked the NDC to applaud the President instead of trying to shed negative light on his efforts to transform Ghanas educational system and the free tertiary education policy. Give Akufo-Addo some credit for such an innovation plan before turning around and claim ownership of the idea some day, she said. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr Stephen Atubiga has taken a swipe at the Director of IT of the NDC Mr Osei Kwame Griffiths over the inability of the NDC to use technology to effectively conduct the 2020 polls. Mr Atubiga reiterated a comment he made earlier that the IT centre created by the NDC for the 2020 elections were below standard and not fit for the purpose of their creation. He said comparing Mr Griffiths to the current Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) who is also Director of IT for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr Joe Anokye is like comparing Akpeteshie alcoholic drink produced by distilling palm wine or sugar cane, to a well packaged and branded Johnnie Walker. Comparing NDCs Griffiths to Joe Anokye is like comparing Akpeteshie and Johnnie Walker, he said. He added The NDCs IT centres created were like Binduri internet cafe which were not functioning properly. Mr Atubiga who resigned from the NDC further described the current National Chairman of the party Samuel Ofosu Ampofo as the most incompetent National Chairman ever in the history of the party. Mr Atubiga who has formed his own political party, the National Liberation Congress Party, claimed that Mr John Dramani Mahama will never occupy the seat of government again if Ofosu Ampofo remains the National Chairman of his party. He explained that Ofosu Ampofo lack the organizational skills and competence to ensure that a presidential candidate of the NDC wins an election. In the 2020 elections, he said, the NDC was clueless and did not know about how to even collate the results owing to Ofosu Ampofos ineffectiveness. Apart from the poor organizational skills, Atubiga stated that Mr Ofosu Ampofo has the intention of running the party in opposition in order to punish somebody and prevent him from becoming president. Ofosu Ampofo has sworn that as far as he remains the National Chairman somebody will not be president. Let me state that NDC should forget about 2024 if Ofosu Ampofo is the National Chairman of the party. There is no way John Mahama will win if Ofosu is National Chair. What is happening in the NDC shows that they are not ready for 2024. The party is the wicked party in Ghana. That was why the Founder Jerry John Rawlings had issues with the party. The party I am forming people are willing to support me. I am no more loyal to the NDC, I have left the NDC, he said on Accra base Net 2 Monday August 2. 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 The Government has laid before Parliament a 111 million sales and performance agreement for the purchase and supply of 6, Six L-39 next-generation aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). The agreement laid by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on behalf of the Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul on Tuesday August 4 is part of measures to retool the GAF. The agreement has been referred to the Defence and Interior Committee for consideration. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s of the Czech Republic is the named supplier in the agreement. Eelier, Defense Minister appearing before the house to answer questions on the state of the presidential jet, justified the need for the armed forces to be retooled with the state of the art aircrafts for defense . Details emerging says seven aircraft were supposed to have been acquired for the Ghana Armed Forces before the end of 2020, TV3s Parliamentary correspondent Komla Kluste reported on Tuesday. Government according to the document, also targeted to Refurbish fifteen (15) aircraft [used by the Ghana Armed Forces] by December 2020. As part of efforts to retool the security agency, in the 2021 budget statement, government announced that it had awarded a contract for the procurement of high technology communication equipment i.e. Night Vision Binoculars and Monoculars for the GAF to improve night operations. Dominic Nitiwul who is also lawmaker for Bimbila explained in an earlier media interview that Ghana has spent over 50million United States Dollars in the last 10 years alone to rent aircraft, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, has revealed. Justifying a move to purchase a new presidential jet, he said on Good Evening Ghana Thursday June 17 that We are spending more money to charter aircraft that we would have if we had our own aircraft. Over the last 10 years we have spent over 50million dollars to charter aircraft and the Ghana Air force is saying why are you wasting all these money. If you have 50million United States dollars to charter aircraft to cater for soldiers only, why wont you give us that money for us to buy a bigger aircraft. 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 Failing to disclose the title of the movie, the renowned actor said he turned down that particular role because he was required to act naked scenes. I turned down a role on homosexuality. It was requesting me to be in briefs and some scenes naked. I mean, these were pretty early days for me, and I didnt want to position myself to be showing my butt to the world, he said. Asides from the homosexuality factor, Adjetey Anang said he refused to participate in the movie because the story had no proper direction. The story had no position where the story states the stance on the issue whether they were for it or against it. The producer was just throwing things in there dangerously for the public, and I wasnt prepared for a storyline like that, he stated. You know people havent really accepted that or people were not even beginning to question or find details of this culture or lifestyle, and here I was projecting this character, he added. Meanwhile, scores of Ghanaian celebrities have defended the rights of homosexuals in the country. The likes of Sister Derby, Wanlov the Kubolor, Lydia Forson and have taken to social media to condemn the passage of the anti-LGBT bill which is currently being laid before parliament. Source: ghanaweb.con 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 This painted turtle from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Oak Harbor, Ohio, was trapped and released by Refsnider and her assistants after they took measurements to assess the effects of algal blooms on the reptile. Credit: University of Toledo Toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes region cause mixed reactions in wildlife, from higher stress levels to weaker immune systems. "We looked at four different species and found four different results," said Dr. Jeanine Refsnider, an associate professor of environmental sciences at The University of Toledo. "Although we are making substantial inroads toward understanding how microcystin affects human health, less is known about effects of microcystin on wildlife exposed to harmful algal blooms." The UToledo research published in the journal Science of the Total Environment finds that physiological stress levels were higher in songbirds and snakes, and immune function was higher in snakes but lower in turtles, impacting their ability to fight off pathogens. "While harmful algal blooms aren't directly causing exposed wildlife to die, the research suggests they are causing reptiles and birds to have generally worse health, putting their system at a disadvantage," Refsnider said. "The reptiles and birds are ramping up their response which can be harmful if you have a constantly elevated stress level in your body. "In humans, if you have chronically high stress, you have distressed immune system. The indirect effects that stress has on other functions can be negative, such as lower reproductive output and population decline." The research team, which included UToledo undergraduate students who are co-authors on the study, collected blood samples from two bird species and two reptile species in two locations: around Lake Erie wetlands before algal bloom season begins and Grand Lake St. Marys during algal bloom season. The wildlife included in the study are barn swallows, red-winged blackbirds, Northern watersnakes and painted turtles. Brittany Holliker, who graduated from UToledo in May 2020 with a bachelor's degree in biology, worked in the lab staining blood from watersnakes and tadpoles and analyzed them with a microscope to identify and record numbers of white blood cells. "It is incredible that my undergraduate research is now part of a published study that can be used for wildlife conservation," said Holliker, who worked as an avian field technician in Mississippi after graduating from UToledo and is moving to Kansas to be a scaled quail field technician. "My experience at UT definitely helped me launch my career in wildlife biology by giving me the opportunity to become involved in interesting scientific research and by giving me knowledgeable professors who helped prepare me for the science field." While the study found that turtles had weaker immune systems, snakes in the algal bloom site had stronger immune systems and birds showed no difference in immune function. "Snakes are putting more energy into their immune system to fight off infection, but the extra immune energy has to come from somewhere elsemaybe they're skinnier or maybe not reproducing quite as much," Refsnider said. "If they're increasing immune functioning to deal with the harmful algal bloom, that comes at a cost to something we haven't identified yet." After identifying the inconsistent response of wildlife to harmful algal blooms, Refnsider next wants to track the movements of the animals through satellite or acoustic transmitters to see if they are changing their travel patterns to avoid experiencing the negative impacts. Explore further Harmful algal bloom becomes detectable along western Lake Erie More information: Jeanine M. Refsnider et al, Effects of harmful algal blooms on stress levels and immune functioning in wetland-associated songbirds and reptiles, Science of The Total Environment (2021). Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Jeanine M. Refsnider et al, Effects of harmful algal blooms on stress levels and immune functioning in wetland-associated songbirds and reptiles,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147790 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Millions of army ants occasionally stream out of their nest in a coordinated hunting swarm, seeking prey to devour. How this extraordinary mass raiding behavior evolved has long been a mystery, until now. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Rockefeller's Daniel Kronauer, together with graduate student Vikram Chandra and postdoctoral associate Asaf Gal, determine that mass raiding originally emerged from a similar form of organized hunting conducted by ant colonies, known as group raiding. Group raiding is a foraging strategy practiced by ant species, such as clonal raider ants, which live in much smaller colonies than army ants. As the above video shows, individual clonal raider ants leave the nest to scout for prey. Upon discovering some grub, a scout heads back to the nest, leaving a trail of pheromones behind that its fellow ants can follow to the feast. The research team wondered whether army ants were following similar patterns, albeit on a larger scale, when mustering for their ravenous mass raids. In order to answer that question, the scientists focused on clonal raider ants, which are easier to study in the lab than army ants. By increasing the size of raider ant colonies bit by bit, they were able to observe how the ants' group raids began to gradually resemble that of army ants' mass raids. That observation, coupled with analyzing the evolutionary relationships between species, led them to conclude that army ant mass raiding likely evolved from scout-initiated group raiding over tens of millions of years in concert with the enormous increases in colony size. An ant scout leaves a trail of pheromones so his nestmates can easily find their way to the feast. Credit: Rockefeller University "This work is a nice insight into how collective behaviors evolve," says Kronauer. "More generally it shows that you don't have to alter an individuals' neural circuitry to encode a new behaviorcollective behaviors can evolve from simple scaling effects." Explore further How army ants' iconic mass raids evolved More information: Vikram Chandra et al, Colony expansions underlie the evolution of army ant mass raiding, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Vikram Chandra et al, Colony expansions underlie the evolution of army ant mass raiding,(2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026534118 This NASA photo shows A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on top. Boeing will be aiming to get its spaceflight program back on track Tuesday with an uncrewed flight of its Starliner capsule to the International Space Station (ISS), after its last such test in 2019 ended in failure. The spaceship is due to launch on an Atlas V rocket built by the United Launch Alliance from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:20 pm Eastern time (1720 GMT). A livestream of the mission, Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2), will be up on NASA's website. About 30 minutes after launch, the Starliner capsule will fire its thrusters to enter orbit and begin a daylong trip to the space station, with docking set for 1:37 pm on Wednesday. The weather forecast currently predicts a 60 percent chance of launch, with clouds and lightning the main possible hurdles. The test flight was supposed to take place Friday but had to be rescheduled after a Russian science module inadvertently fired its thrusters following docking with the ISS, sending the orbital outpost out of its normal orientation. After NASA ended the Space Shuttle program in 2011, it gave both Boeing and SpaceX multi-billion dollar contracts to provide its astronauts taxi services to the space station and end US reliance on Russian rockets for the journey. SpaceX's program has moved forward faster, having now undertaken three crewed missions. Boeing's program is lagging behind. During an initial uncrewed test flight in December 2019, the Starliner capsule experienced software issues, failed to dock at the ISS and returned to Earth prematurely. NASA later identified 80 corrective actions Boeing needed to take and characterized the test as a "high visibility close call" during which time the spacecraft could have been lost twice. Steve Stich, manager of NASA's commercial crew program, told reporters last week he had confidence this time around. "We want it to go well, we expect it to go well, and we've done all the preparations we can possibly do," he said. "Starliner is a great vehicle, but we know how hard it is, and it's a test flight as well and I fully expect we'll learn something on this test flight." The spacecraft will be carrying more than 400 pounds (180 kilograms) of cargo and crew supplies to the ISS and will return more than 550 pounds of cargo, including air tanks, when it lands in the western US desert at the end of its mission. Explore further Boeing's troubled Starliner capsule now aiming for July launch 2021 AFP A large coral (Siderastrea siderea) colony at Glovers Atoll (2018) shows dead surfaces covered with boring sponge (Cliona sp.), which bio-erodes the calcium carbonate coral skeleton framework resulting in lost structure and physical complexity all impacting biodiversity. Credit: A. Tewfik/WCS In 1842, Charles Darwin described the Belize Barrier Reef as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies." Fast forward to 2021, only about 17 percent of live coral cover remains on fore-reefs in Belize. Overfishing, resulting in reduced grazing of algae, has long been blamed for adversely impacting this globally significant ecosystem along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Designated in part as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Mesoamerican reef is second in length only to the iconic Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A first-of-its-kind study provides evidence that reduced grazing is not solely responsible for coral death in this barrier reef and the proof is in the chemistry. Instead, nitrogen enrichment from land-based sources is significantly driving macroalgal blooms to increase on the Belize Barrier Reef and causing massive decline in hard coral cover. With only 2 percent of hard coral cover remaining in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it's too late to save that reef, but there is still hope for the Belize Barrier Reef. To assess the level of nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in the coastal waters of the Belize Barrier Reef due to human impacts on watersheds and subsequent management of these nutrients, researchers used benthic macroalgae as cumulative bioindicators of nutrient enrichment. Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., co-author and a senior research professor from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and collaborators from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Belize Program, analyzed the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content and molar C:N:P ratios of baseline tissue from the 1980s and compared them with more recent samples collected in 2017 and 2019, with the recent data also being analyzed for stable isotopes of C and N. Credit: Florida Atlantic University Results of the study, published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, suggest that N:P ratios have doubled over the past 35 years within the main Belize Barrier Reef lagoon, similar to the three-fold increases in N:P of macroalgae at Looe Key reef in the lower Florida Keys since the 1980s. The study provides an expansive geographic scope of potential nutrient impacts in the northern and central lagoon, while also using a unique, local historical baseline in the central lagoon to gage the change in nutrient availability across the Belize Barrier Reef over the past four decades. "Our study is the first to suggest that nutrient stress caused by nitrogen enrichment and elevated N:P ratios, both detrimental to hard coral physiology, is a primary mechanism by which human activities within watersheds and coastal environments of Belize are negatively impacting the barrier reef," said Lapointe. "This is perhaps most acute for the health and biodiversity of hard corals that are the critical ecosystem engineers of tropical reefs. The impacts of deforestation, agriculture run-off, sewage, increasing numbers and capacity of cruise ships and tourism infrastructure, effluent from large-scale aquaculture production and large amounts of nutrient-rich ash from forest fires in the region are contributing to overall declining water quality and incidents of hyper-eutrophication in areas such as the Placencia Lagoon and the New River, Belize." Lapointe and co-authors Alexander Tewfik, Ph.D., a marine ecologist who served as senior conservation scientist from 2014 to 2019 for the Wildlife Conservation Society and is currently a consultant for the organization; and Myles Phillips, MSc., technical coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society, examined the relationships between the C, N, P contents, stoichiometry (C:N:P) and stable isotopes of C and N found within the tissue of a variety of common macroalgae species sampled in the lower riverine, estuarine and shallow marine environments from around Belize City to the offshore fore-reef habitats of the Belize Barrier Reef. They also compared their Belize City transect data from 2019, which included the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary declared to protect the endangered West Indian manatee and lying just 3 kilometers from Belize City, to similar elemental content (N, P) and stoichiometry data collected from macroalgae by the team in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve in 2017 and during the 1980s by Lapointe. Researchers found that increasing nutrients, especially N, from the Belize River and Haulover Creek (a side channel and outfall of the Belize River), sustain macroalgal blooms from nearshore areas of the main lagoon to the offshore fore-reef. Significant offshore gradients of C:N:P in macroalgae all indicated land-based sources of these key nutrients; C:N and C:P ratios of macroalgae were lower in nearshore waters with lower salinity values, pointing to freshwater runoff as the source of nutrient enrichment; and N values of macroalgae were overall enriched well above values for N 2 fixation, especially in near-shore waters, where values matched those reported for sewage pollution. N:P ratios of macroalgae were elevated across the entire Belize City nearshore-to-offshore gradient to values of approximately 70:1, some four-fold higher than the Redfield Ratio (16:1) for oceanic waters and more than two-fold higher than values for macroalgae on the Belize Barrier Reef in the mid-1980s (about 30:1). This indicates widespread N-enrichment, increasing N:P ratios and a strengthening of P-limitation, which also is consistent with patterns of pelagic Sargassum across large areas of the Atlantic basin and Caribbean Sea, which have plagued the nearshore waters and beaches of the region with increased biomass since 2011. "The mouth of Haulover Creek was clearly the most polluted site examined in our study, as it drains directly through the commercial center of the Belize City watershed that is heavily impacted by untreated sewage," said Tewfik. "In addition, effluent from the processing of hundreds of metric tons of queen conch and Caribbean spiny lobster, the two most important fisheries exports in Belize, entering Haulover Creek is contributing to the negative effects of poor water quality in the lagoon." To mitigate the environmental impacts on the Belize Barrier Reef, the researchers say that a number of actions could be taken to reduce nutrient loading from urban effluents and agricultural run-off to improve water quality and restore the shallow coastal ecosystems of this globally significant coral reef ecosystem. They recommend to continue efforts in compiling ecological assessments of impacts, standardize appropriate management practices and water quality monitoring protocols, and adopt a focused ridge-to-reef conservation strategy as well as increasing awareness of often "invisible" nutrient contamination among the general public and political bodies. Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., pictured holding macroalgal blooms at Man-O-War Cay in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR). Credit: A. Tewfik/WCS "Eutrophication is an important and widespread problem that is recognized by coral reef scientists around the world," said Lapointe. "Our latest data provide further evidence that it is unlikely that simply controlling fishing practices, even in light of climate change, will enhance resilience of Belize's coral reefs or any other coral reefs being impacted by eutrophication. The reality of this large-scale coastal pollution must be rigorously confronted by scientists and resource managers alike in Belize, the United States and world-wide." This research was supported by NASA's Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting Program under contract number 80NSSC19K0200 (Climate-influenced Nutrient Flows and Threats to the Biodiversity of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System), Coastal Association of Science and Technology (COAST) and FAU Harbor Branch. A number of additional staff of Wildlife Conservation Society, Belize aided with all field logistics, initial sample preparations and project support. Explore further Offshore exploration ban in Belize More information: Brian E. Lapointe et al, Macroalgae reveal nitrogen enrichment and elevated N:P ratios on the Belize Barrier Reef, Marine Pollution Bulletin (2021). Journal information: Marine Pollution Bulletin Brian E. Lapointe et al, Macroalgae reveal nitrogen enrichment and elevated N:P ratios on the Belize Barrier Reef,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112686 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Climate scientists have long warned that the 21st century would see more natural disasters made worse or more likely by global warming. But a cascade of deadly extreme weather this summer in the northern hemisphere could make 2021 the year when climate predictions became a reality that can no longer be ignored. From Death Valley-like temperatures in Canada to killer floods in China and Europe, we look at some of the worst disasters so far as the IPCC, the UN's climate change body, meets in Geneva. The Mediterranean burns Forest fires are raging around the Mediterranean from Turkey to Spain, with tourists evacuated in Italy and Greece and eight killed in the deadliest Turkish wildfires in decades. The European Union sent three firefighting planes to Turkey on Monday as neighbouring Greece roasted in its worst heatwave since 1987. Greek Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said "we are no longer talking about climate change but about a climate threat". Deluge in China The death toll in floods that hit China last month rose to 302 on Monday, with the central city of Zhengzhou deluged by a year's worth of rain in just three days. Torrents of muddy water carried cars through the streets, and people were trapped in road tunnels and the subway system as the waters mounted. Canada's heat dome In late June, western Canada was caught under a "heat dome", a phenomenon causing scorching temperatures when hot air is trapped by high pressure fronts. The country broke its record high temperature several times, finally hitting 49.6 degrees Celsius (121 degrees Fahrenheit) in the village of Lytton on June 30. Lytton was then mostly destroyed by fire. The US Pacific northwest states of Washington and Oregon were also badly affected. The exact death toll is not yet known but several hundred people are likely to have perished. A study by a group of leading climate scientists found that the weather conditions would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change. The World Weather Attribution group said global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions made the June heatwave at least 150 times more likely to happen. Deadly floods in Europe In mid-July western Europe was hit by devastating floods after torrential rains ravaged entire villages and left at least 209 people dead in Germany and Belgium, as well as dozens missing. The flooding also caused damage in Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Up to two months' worth of rainfall came down in two days in some parts of the region, waterlogging soil that was already near saturation. California wildfires Triggered by an alarming drought, the wildfire season is just starting in the American West where thousands of firefighters have already had to tackle more than 80 large blazes. With 66 still burning and 3.4 million acres ravaged, President Joe Biden said at the weekend that climate change can no longer be ignored. Some fires, including the Dixie blaze in northern California, have grown so large they are generating their own weather systems. Marcus Kauffman, a specialist with the Oregon forestry department, said the blaze "feeds on itself" and has even been causing its own lightning. Explore further Deadly summer of extreme weather 2021 AFP The government said it had contained 147 fires and was still fighting nine. Roaring blazes encircled a Turkish thermal power plant Tuesday and forced farmers to herd panicked cattle toward the sea as wildfires that have killed eight people raged on for a seventh day. The nation of 84 million has been transfixed in horror as the most destructive wildfires in generations erase pristine forests and rich farmland across swaths of Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Frightened tourists have been forced to scamper onto boats for safety and dozens of villages have been evacuated as wild winds and soaring heat fan the flames. An AFP team in the Aegean city of Hisaronu saw farmers pulling their screaming animals out of burning barns and shepherding to them to the relative safety of the beach. "The fire happened in an instant," local farmer Mevlut Tarim said after managing to pull some of his panicked herd through pitch-black smoke and patches of burning turf encircling his farm. "One of my cows died. It burned," he recalled. "I had never seen anything like it. You can't even call it a fire. It was really like a bomb." 'Whole new dimension' Officials in neighbouring Greece have blamed two blazes on the island of Rhodes and the Peloponnese peninsula on a record heatwave they link to climate change. Farmers pulled their screaming animals out of burning barns to take them to the relative safety of the beach. Another fire near Mount Parnitha cut off Athens from large stretches of northern and southern Greece. Temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Farenheit) across the south of Turkey have set off a record surge in electricity use that caused power outages Monday in cities such as Ankara and Istanbul. But the mayor of the Aegean coast city of Milas said he was more worried about what might happen should an uncontrolled fire raising massive plumes of smoke over the region engulf the local thermal power plant. Mayor Muhammet Tokat posted an increasingly urgent series of messages on Twitter showing the blazes spreading up a hill toward the presumed location of the plant. "The fire has reached the residential complexes," he tweeted. "Going beyond this hill will mean that the fire will reach a whole new dimension." He later reported briefing Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu about the unfolding crisis and then sheltered with some other local officials by the beach. Turkey's most destructive wildfires in generations have erased pristine forests and rich farmland across swaths of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Anger at Erdogan Tokat is a member of Turkey's main opposition party and one of a growing chorus of voices critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's response to the disaster. The Turkish leader came under a torrent of angry ridicule on social media for tossing out bags of tea to confused locals while visiting the affected region under heavy police escort last weekend. Erdogan also tweeted a message of thanks to "all friendly countries" after being criticised for being slow or unwilling to accept foreign offers of help. Many Turks turn to social media for news after a crackdown that followed a failed 2016 coup against Erdogan saw top TV channels and newspapers fall under government influence. Erdogan's media aide Fahrettin Altun warned that "information spread on social media platforms, instant messaging groups and forums is fake news" designed to make Turkey look weak. Temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Farenheit) across the south of Turkey have set off a record surge in electricity use that caused power outages. HaberTurk television also released a letter from the media regulator telling broadcasters they may be fined if they continue airing live footage of the fires and running stories "that provoke fear and worries in the public". The government said Tuesday it had contained 147 fires and was still fighting nine. Turkey's defence and interior ministers said they were also mobilising their forces to help the firefighters. The Milas mayor suggested the help was arriving too late. "It was obvious that this would happen," he tweeted as the fire neared the power plant. "I am going to cry in anger." Explore further Turkey wildfires death toll rises to eight 2021 AFP Figure shows a model of the HY5-STOMAGEN module in promoting light-mediated stomatal development. Light suppresses COP1 and leads to HY5 accumulation. In the mesophyll layer, HY5 binds and induces STOMAGEN production. The increased production of STOMAGEN in turn inhibits the repressive signalling pathway of the epidermal stomatal lineage, leading to the accumulation of SPCH and enhanced stomatal production. Credit: Nature Communications NUS biologists have discovered the mechanism of how light regulates stomatal production on the leaf surface, a process critical for the adaptation and fitness of plants. Stomata are pores found on the outer layer (epidermis) of leaves and stems that control the rate of gas exchange in land plants. The number, size and distribution of stomata vary widely and change with external factors, enabling plants to adapt to diverse environments. It is widely accepted that light, as a critical external signal on plant development, triggers production of stomata for carbon dioxide uptake. However, the detailed mechanism of how light signals are linked to stomatal production remains unclear. Extensive studies have found that a gene ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) plays important roles in light-mediated developmental changes in plants. Prof Lau On Sun and his team from the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore have established a link between HY5 and light-triggered stomatal production. The researchers found that under light, HY5 positively regulates stomatal development at early stages. Interestingly, they discovered that HY5 is expressed in the inner tissue of leaves (mesophyll) and activates STOMAGEN, which is secreted into the extracellular space and in turn stabilizes the master regulator of stomatal development SPEECHLESS (SPCH) on the epidermis. This leads to enhanced stomatal production (see Figure). The exciting results from this research reveal that environmental stimuli could modify gene expression in cells from one tissue and subsequently influence cell development from another tissue. Prof Lau said, "The findings are intriguing as it suggests there is tight coordination between tissue layers in plants when they respond to the environment. Embarking on this, we plan to investigate if other stimuli, including plant hormones and temperature changes, may play a role in stomatal development through HY5 and STOMAGEN. The regulatory module uncovered here could also serve as an entry point for improving plant vigor in diverse growing conditions." Explore further Remote control for plants More information: Shenqi Wang et al, Light regulates stomatal development by modulating paracrine signaling from inner tissues, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Shenqi Wang et al, Light regulates stomatal development by modulating paracrine signaling from inner tissues,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23728-2 Emperor penguins will be pushed towards extinction by the climate crisis melting the sea ice they need for survival and reproduction. These iconic birds need reliable sea ice for breeding and raising their chicks. In parts of Antarctica sea ice will disappear or break up early, meaning their populations will decline or be lost entirely. In this trio of figures, you can see the rapid decline in sea ice coverage and emperor penguin populations between the years 2050, 2080 and 2100. Credit: Natalie Renier/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution A new study published today in Global Change Biology provides valuable new data that highlights how species extinction risk is accelerating due to rapid climate change and an increase in extreme climate events, such as glacial calving and sea ice loss. The study, led by Stephanie Jenouvrier, associate scientist, and seabird ecologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and co-authored by an international team of scientists, policy experts, ecologists, and climate scientists, provided pivotal research and projections tailored for use by the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Their work proposed that emperor penguins be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and this week, USFWS submitted that listing proposal. "Scientists have a responsibility to make people aware of the need for change through objective evidence," explained Jenouvrier. "With the help of a dedicated team, we put together this paper for the USFWS to provide additional analyses of future projections and help inform policy and protection for the species." The study presents the projected dynamics of all known emperor penguin colonies under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios using a climatedependent meta-population model that includes for the first time, the effects of extreme climate events based on the observational satellite record of colonies. According to co-author Shaye Wolf, Climate Science Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, "Protection of species through legal frameworks should facilitate conservation actions that in turn should help mitigate climate change impacts." Co-author Judy Che-Castaldo of the Lincoln Park Zoo added, "The study is framed in the context of the U.S Endangered Species Act, one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in relation to species protection." The study demonstrates that extreme events impact the resiliency, redundancy, and representation (3Rs) of emperor penguins. Resiliency is the ability to withstand stochastic (or random) disturbance, which may be measured through population size, growth rate, and connectivity among populations. Redundancy is the ability to withstand catastrophic events, and considers the number, distribution, resiliency, and connectivity of populations. Representation is the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, and is related to capturing the geographic, genetic, and life history variation that exists across the species' ecological setting. Together, the 3Rs encompass aspects that contribute to species persistence (e.g., demography, spatial distribution, diversity) and are important for assessing climate threats in the foreseeable future. The study shows that if sea ice declines at the rate projected by climate models under current energy-system trends and policies, the 3Rs would be dramatically reduced and almost all colonies would become quasi-extinct by 2100. New research shows that rapid climate change is increasing stress on species and ecosystems, and the risk of extinction will accelerate with continued global warming. Emperor penguins live in the icy coastal regions of Antarctica, but current climate models project significant declines in Antarctic Sea ice to which the emperor penguins life cycle is closely tied. Credit: Natalie Renier /Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The novel results described in the paper also have important implications for assessing climate change risks to other species. According to the authors, rapid climate change is increasing stress on species and ecosystems, and the risk of extinction will accelerate with continued global warming. Emperor penguins live in the icy coastal regions of Antarctica, but current climate models project significant declines in Antarctic Sea ice to which the emperor penguins' life cycle is closely tied. The study reinforces the need for legal recognition and enhanced precautionary management, particularly given continued increases in greenhouse gas emissions. "Emperor penguins live in a delicate balance with their environment, there is a sea ice 'Goldilocks' zone", said Jenouvrier. "If there is too little sea ice, chicks can drown when sea ice breaks up early; if there is too much sea ice, foraging trips become too long and more arduous, and the chicks may starve." "Given the species' reliance upon sea ice for breeding, molting, and feeding, the most important threat for emperor penguins is climate change, which would lead to Antarctic Sea ice losses over this century," explained Marika Holland a climate scientist with the National Center for Atmospheric Research. "Trends in warming and consequential sea ice losses through the end of the century are clear and unidirectional under all projections from all climate models." Christophe Barbraud, from the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chize, has been studying emperor penguins for decades, and added, "The long-term monitoring of emperor penguins at Pointe Geologie, Antarctica, over the past 70 years was critical to decipher how sea ice affects the bird's life cycle. This knowledge, together with recent satellite imagery, provided necessary information to build and validate population models." "The high-resolution satellite images provided critical remote access to places we'd never be able to see otherwise. As it turns out, sometimes colonies 'blink', seemingly because of drastic changes in the environment that we are still working to solve," added Michelle LaRue of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota. New research shows that rapid climate change is increasing stress on species and ecosystems, and the risk of extinction will accelerate with continued global warming. Emperor penguins live in the icy coastal regions of Antarctica, but current climate models project significant declines in Antarctic Sea ice to which the emperor penguins life cycle is closely tied. Credit: Natalie Renier /Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Extreme events, as observed through the satellite records, amplify the projected declines by previous studies. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at levels similar to todaycausing temperatures to rise and Antarctic Sea ice to shrinkpenguin population numbers will diminish slowly until about 2040, after which they would decline at a much steeper rate as sea ice coverage drops below a usable threshold, with the species being quasi -extinct as 98% colonies will have disappeared by 2100. Phil Trathan, the head of conservation biology with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has studied Antarctic penguins for over 30 years. "Near-term global policy decisions under Paris Agreement objectives are intended to limit temperature increases to well below 2C. This would ensure safe places for the emperor penguin, halting dramatic global population declines. As such, the future of emperor penguins ultimately depends upon decisions made today. The most important action is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit further warming". "We hope that global society will listen to science and meet the moment. Protecting these systems requires legal frameworks that must be appropriately founded and based on the best available scientific evidence. Building an international framework will be key, but in the meantime immediate efforts should focus on those tools already in place, such as the ESA". The international team that carried out the study highlights how this work cuts across the boundaries of science disciplines and how interdisciplinary science is key in protecting the future of this iconic species. "This study provides the best available science for projecting emperor penguin populations in the context of future climate change and informs policy makers about whether the emperor penguin warrants listing under the ESA," concluded Jenouvrier. "The future of this iconic species depends on immediate actions to decarbonize society and increased protections for species endangered by climate change. Explore further Unless warming is slowed, emperor penguins will be marching towards extinction More information: Stephanie Jenouvrier et al, The call of the emperor penguin: Legal responses to species threatened by climate change, Global Change Biology (2021). Journal information: Global Change Biology Stephanie Jenouvrier et al, The call of the emperor penguin: Legal responses to species threatened by climate change,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15806 Mesothelial cells with colors indicating direction of cell orientation. Red and blue symbols denote topological defects. Credit: Jun (Jay) Zhang Ovarian cancer devastates more than 20,000 women in the U.S. every year, due in part to its tendency to evade detection and present after metastatic spread. A key element to slowing metastasis is understanding the mechanisms of how tumor cells invade tissues. In APL Bioengineering, by AIP Publishing, biophysics researchers at the University of Wisconsin explain how microscopic defects in how healthy cells line up can alter how easily ovarian cancer cells invade tissue. Using an experimental model, where the cellular makeup mimics the lining of the abdominal cavity, the group found that disruptions in the normal cellular layout, called topological defects, affect the rate of tumor cell invasion. "My lab is very interested in identifying ways to slow metastasis. This study is exciting, because it demonstrates a unique role for organization of nontumor cells to either aid or slow that process," said author Pamela Kreeger. "Identifying factors that regulate this organization could help us to achieve our goal." Topological defects are well known to the world of physics, ranging from quantum field theory to cosmological phenomena, but are only starting to find use in medicine and biology. The group's model consisted of a single layer of healthy cells, called mesothelial cells, the predominant cell type that covers structures inside the abdomen, where ovarian cancer often metastasizes. "A common way to fill space is a honeycomblike packing, in which each 'cell' would be nearly spherical," said author Jacob Notbohm. "But in our case, the mesothelial cells were elongated, making the honeycomb packing not possible." Such elongation led to areas of well-ordered cell layers and left other areas with alignment imperfections, causing the topological defects. These flaws in this alignment have been associated with a host of microscopic influences, including altered cell density, motion, and forces. They seeded ovarian cancer cells on top of the mesothelial cell layer and compared what effect the arrangement of the mesothelial cells had on how the tumor cells passed through this barrier. The patterns of cell flow were different near the defects, with certain defects causing inward cell flow, toward the center of the defect. At those locations of inward flow, the cancer cells passed through the mesothelial barrier more slowly. In addition to pursuing the impact of topographical organization in cancer cell metastasis, the group is looking to investigate the cause of topological defects, with the hopes of finding ways to direct cell patterning in uses, such as tissue engineering. The article "Topological defects in the mesothelium suppress ovarian cancer cell clearance" is authored by Jun Zhang, Ning Yang, Pamela Kreeger, and Jacob Notbohm. The article will appear in APL Bioengineering on August 3, 2021. Explore further Mesothelial cells promote ovarian cancer metastasis More information: "Topological defects in the mesothelium suppress ovarian cancer cell clearance" APL Bioengineering, DOI: 10.1063/5.0047523 "Topological defects in the mesothelium suppress ovarian cancer cell clearance" Longitudinal sections (top) and cross sections (bottom) of the fossil seed cones from two newly described genera of Cretaceous conifers: (A) Nishidastrobus japonicum gen. et sp. nov.; (B) Ohanastrobus hokkaidoensis gen. et sp. nov. (published in Atkinson et al. 2021, available at https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjb-2021-0005). Credit: Brian A. Atkinson, Ph.D. Illustrations depicting the dinosaur erawhether in books or moviesare often accompanied by lush greenery. During the Cretaceous period, the trees commonly dominating a wide range of Earth's terrestrial environments were coniferssimilar to the pines, spruces, cypresses and cedars that populate the earth today. These conifers played a key role in ecosystems, providing nourishment, nutrients, and habitat for a range of prehistoric creatures. In a recently-published paper, a team of American paleobotanists describe two new genera of ancient conifers based on two beautifully preserved 3D fossil seed cones. The scientific paper describing the findtitled "Ancient diversity and turnover of cunninghamioid conifers (Cupressaceae): two new genera from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan"has been published online in the prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journal, Botany. Co-authors of the report are Brian A. Atkinson, Ph.D., assistant professor at University of Kansas and curator of paleobotany at the Biodiversity Institute, Lawrence, Kan.; Dori L. Contreras, Ph.D., curator of paleobotany, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, Texas; Ruth A. Stockey, Ph.D., professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.; and Gar W. Rothwell, Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Read their manuscript and view renderings, here. The fossils are named Ohanastrobus hokkaidoensis and Nishidastrobus japonicum in honor of Tamiko Ohana (National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Japan) and Professor Harufumi Nishida (Chuo University, Hachioji, Japan) for their contributions to paleobotany. These cones belong to the Cupressaceae (cypress) family, which was widespread and important in many ecosystems during the age of dinosaurs. This is especially true for one of the oldest lineages of familythe cunninghamioids. The two new genera show that cunninghamioids had very diverse forms and were particularly important components of Cretaceous ecosystems of eastern Asia. "What's interesting about these two new genera, specifically, is that they represent part of the last heyday of cunninghamioids before the group's diversity declined toward the end of the Cretaceous," said Contreras. "Today we are left with only one living genus, Cunninghamia, which are large evergreen trees that grow in the forests of China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Laos." The two new cones showed combinations of unique features that indicated they were different from each other and all previously known species, therefore they have been named as two new genera. Differences include their more cylindrical shape compared to the modern Cunninghamia and most other extinct genera, the number and form of their cone scales, and many aspects of their internal anatomy. How the discoveries were unearthed and analyzed The cones come from the Cretaceous of Japan and are permineralizations, a type of fossil which preserves all the details of the cells that make up the cones. To study them, the team of paleobotanists used a method called the cellulose acetate peel technique. The fossils are originally cut with a rock saw in two halves vertically to get a "longitudinal section" and then cut perpendicular to that to get a "cross section" (see image). The cut surfaces are polished and then etched with an acid. A sheet of acetate film is placed on the surface with acetone, which adheres to the fossil surface. The film is then removed, leaving a microscopically thin peel of the fossil specimen attached to the film. The process is repeated so that the successive peel slices can be studied under microscopes to understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the specimens and describe them in detail. As part of their findings, the research team analyzed and compiled the records of all cunninghamioid and similar conifers to understand how their diversity has changed through time. They show that during the Jurassic to Cretaceous there was a much greater diversity of this important group of conifers, both by the number of different genera (at least 12 fossil genera compared to only one living genus!) and species, and by the variation in the form of their cones. The living genus Cunninghamia appears during the Campanian and maintains a nearly continuous fossil record through to today, while nearly all other extinct genera of cunninghamioid Cupressaceae disappear by the close of the Campanian (~72 million years ago). The two new species expand the known diversity of the cunninghamioids before their decline toward the end of the Cretaceous and further demonstrate the importance of these conifers in Cretaceous ecosystems, particularly in eastern Asia. More information: Brian A. Atkinson et al, Ancient diversity and turnover of cunninghamioid conifers (Cupressaceae): two new genera from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan, Botany (2021). Journal information: Botany Brian A. Atkinson et al, Ancient diversity and turnover of cunninghamioid conifers (Cupressaceae): two new genera from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan,(2021). DOI: 10.1139/cjb-2021-0005 Provided by Perot Museum of Nature and Science A mother Rothschild's giraffe tending to her baby. The photo was taken in Soysambu Conservancy, in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. Giraffes are attentive mothers to their offspring, and all female adults in a group are invested in each others' offspring. Credit: Zoe Muller Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered evidence that giraffes are a highly socially complex species. Traditionally, giraffes were thought to have little or no social structure, and only fleeting, weak relationships. However in the last ten years, research has shown that giraffe social organization is much more advanced than once thought. In a paper published in today in the journal Mammal Review, Zoe Muller, of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, has demonstrated that giraffes spend up to 30% of their lives in a post-reproductive state. This is comparable to other species with highly complex social structures and cooperative care, such as elephants and killer-whales which spend 23% and 35% of their lives in a post-reproductive state respectively. In these species, it has been demonstrated that the presence of post-menopausal females offers survival benefits for related offspring. In mammalsand ncluding humansthis is known as the 'Grandmother hypothesis' which suggests that females live long past menopause so that they can help raise successive generations of offspring, thereby ensuring the preservation of their genes. Researchers propose that the presence of post-reproductive adult female giraffes could also function in the same way, and supports the author's assertion that giraffes are likely to engage in cooperative parenting, along matrilines, and contribute to the shared parental care of related kin. Zoe said: "It is baffling to me that such a large, iconic and charismatic African species has been understudied for so long. This paper collates all the evidence to suggest that giraffes are actually a highly complex social species, with intricate and high-functioning social systems, potentially comparable to elephants, cetaceans and chimpanzees. "I hope that this study draws a line in the sand, from which point forwards, giraffes will be regarded as intelligent, group-living mammals which have evolved highly successful and complex societies, which have facilitated their survival in tough, predator-filled ecosystems." Giraffes in group. Credit: Zoe Muller For scientists to recognize giraffes as a socially complex species, Zoe has suggested eight key areas for future research, including the need to understand the role that older, post-reproductive adults play in society and what fitness benefits they bring for group survival. Zoe added: "Recognizing that giraffes have a complex cooperative social system and live in matrilineal societies will further our understanding of their behavioral ecology and conservation needs. "Conservation measures will be more successful if we have an accurate understanding of the species' behavioral ecology. If we view giraffes as a highly socially complex species, this also raises their 'status' towards being a more complex and intelligent mammal that is increasingly worthy of protection." More information: A review of the social behaviour of the giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis: a misunderstood but socially complex species, Mammal Review (2021). Crew members of the eXXpedition Round the World voyage clear plastics from a beach during Leg 5 of the voyage between Aruba and San Blas, Panama. Credit: Sophie Dingwall/eXXpedition The Caribbean is renowned globally for its stunning beaches and crystal clear ocean. However, its islands and the surrounding sea are being contaminated by plastics and other manmade fibers, posing a potential future threat to its diverse marine life and the tourism industry on which its economy depends. That is according to a new study, the first holistic assessment of marine and land-based plastic pollution in the Southern Caribbean and some of the environmental and human factors which might influence its distribution. The study is the result of sample analysis from a pioneering all-female Round the World sailing mission led by eXXpedition. Samples were collected in late 2019 from the seas and seafloor, and from land-based assessments. Off the coast of five Caribbean countries, it identified 18 different polymers of plasticincluding, synthetic fibers, paint flakes and acrylicsin waters across the Caribbean, with the highest concentrations (5.09 particles per m) located off the San Blas islands in Panama. Detailed ocean modeling and an assessment of regional policies indicated the abundance of microplastics in the area likely arose from a combination of distant sources carried by ocean currents and run-off from mainland Panama, which has some of the highest estimated levels (around 44%) of mismanaged waste in the region. Crew members from the eXXpedition Round the World voyage collect plastic samples from the ocean on the leg between Antigua and Aruba. Credit: Jamie Colman/eXXpedition By contrast, the waters off Antigua, Bonaire and Colombia had lower quantities of terrestrial and marine plastics. Antigua, in particular, had a high diversity of polymers, with the research suggesting the majority of the microplastics collected were likely to have been transported by currents generated in the wider North Atlantic Ocean, even originating in the so-called North Atlantic garbage patch. Writing in Science of the Total Environment, the study's authors suggest both terrestrial litter and the microplastics identified in marine samples may arise from the maritime and tourism industries. That in turn, they say, represents the complex challenges of managing plastic pollution since both are major contributors to the economies of the Caribbean region. The research was led by scientists at the University of Plymouth (UK) in conjunction with the University of Georgia (U.S.), Plymouth Marine Laboratory (UK) and the Technological University of Panama. Dr. Winnie Courtene-Jones, eXXpedition Science Lead and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University of Plymouth, is the study's lead author. She said: "Until now, evidence of the abundance of plastics within the Caribbean has been lacking. This study presents a snapshot of plastic pollution, and how it differsin quantity, nature, origin and the policies in place to manage itacross the south of the region. It contributes towards the void of knowledge regarding marine plastic pollution in the Caribbean Sea but also highlights the need for international and interdisciplinary collaborative research and solutions to plastic pollution." The S.V. TravelEdge moored off Antigua during the eXXpedition Round the World voyage. Credit: Lara Hoad/eXXpedition eXXpedition's Round the World voyage left Plymouth in October 2019 to visit some of the most important and diverse marine environments on the planet with the aim of inspiring a network of changemakers, informing effective solutions with industry and influencing policy change on land. Emily Penn BEM, eXXpedition Founder and one of the co-authors on the current study, said: "Our vision for eXXpedition Round the World was to explore remote and inaccessible parts of the planet to pinpoint where the solutions to plastic pollution lie on land by better understanding the sources. The surprising thing from our discoveries is the huge diversity of polymer types which means the pollution has come from many different sources and as a result means the solutions need to be diverse too. We all share one planet and wherever we live the ocean connects usthis study demonstrates why for any game-changing action to tackle ocean plastic pollution all sectors of the community must come together in a holistic way across the Caribbean region and beyond." The University of Plymouth was the first to highlight the global problem of marine microplasticsearning the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2019and was recently named the leading university in the world for marine research and teaching. Professor Richard Thompson OBE, Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit and senior author on the study, added: "It is now very clear that plastic litter presents a global environmental problem. There are changes we can all make in our everyday lives to help address that challenge. However, it is only by gaining a better understanding of how plastic debris passes from its source to the ocean that we will be fully equipped to tackle the problem." Explore further Systemic change to the entire plastics economy is needed to halt ocean plastic pollution More information: Winnie Courtene-Jones et al, Source, sea and sinkA holistic approach to understanding plastic pollution in the Southern Caribbean, Science of The Total Environment (2021). Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Winnie Courtene-Jones et al, Source, sea and sinkA holistic approach to understanding plastic pollution in the Southern Caribbean,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149098 Mats of Sargassum seaweed off the coast of St. Martin in April 2018. Credit: ELY Michel CC BY-SA 4.0, , CC BY-SA Here's a handy geography question for your next trivia match: What is the world's only sea that doesn't have a land border? The answer is the Sargasso Seaa 2-million-square-nautical-mile haven of biodiversity that lies east of Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean. Rather than beaches, it's bounded by rotating ocean currents that form the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. The Sargasso is named for sargassum, a free-floating brown seaweed that grows in its calm, clear waters. In the open ocean this seaweed serves as nursery grounds and a haven for sea life. But over the past decade, a new "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt" has inundated Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida coastlines, wreaking environmental and economic havoc. It's driving away tourists, devastating local fishing industries and requires costly cleanup. In my work as a coastal scientist, I've watched these invasions become the new normal, choking beaches and turning clear blue waters golden brown. Along with other researchers, I'm trying to understand why sargassum has proliferated into this new sprawling bloom, how to deal with such massive amounts of it, and how affected countries can predict the severity of the next influx. A mysterious 'golden floating rainforest' For centuries people have viewed the Sargasso Sea with superstition and fear. Early myths described a treacherous section of the Atlantic Ocean where seaweed ensnared ships. Christopher Columbus documented this ecosystem in his 1492 expedition journals when his ships were becalmed there. His crew feared they would be dragged to the ocean floor, never returning home to Spain. This region was sometimes called the Devil's Triangle. Sea captains mapped routes to circumvent it completely. Mysterious accidents and disappearances there prompted author Vincent Gaddis to give it a new name in 1964: the "deadly Bermuda Triangle." But these sargassum islands also create a rich ecosystem that ocean explorer Sylvia Earle calls "a golden floating rainforest." Suspended by round "berries" filled with gas, the seaweed offers food, sanctuary and breeding grounds for crabs, shrimp, whales, migratory birds and some 120 species of fish. Mats of it form the sole spawning grounds for European and American eels and habitat for some 43 other threatened or endangered species. Sargassum also shelters sea turtle hatchlings and juvenile fish during their early life in the open ocean. Ten endemic species live nowhere else on Earth. The Sargasso is a valuable commercial fishery worth about US$100 million per year. Sargassums berrylike structures are gas-filled bladders that help the plant float. Credit: H. Scott Meister, SCDNR Noxious blooms Enormous amounts of sargassum first engulfed Caribbean coastlines in 2011. I was there at the time, conducting research in the British Virgin Islands, and I saw huge "rafts" of this brown macroalgae extending 500 feet offshore. Swimmers couldn't get into the water. Some boats couldn't leave port. Beaches were piled with massive mounds, some nearly as tall as I was. Nesting sea turtles couldn't lay their eggs. The seaweed isn't toxic, but as it decomposed it reeked of rotten eggs and swarmed with insects. Small quantities of sargassum have always turned up as "beach wrack"stuff that washes ashore. It stabilizes shorelines by helping to build sand dunes and nourishes dune plants. For these reasons, it's left to naturally decompose in wild areas, such as Cape Florida State Park. But the scale of recent coastal influxes is unprecedented. And since the 2011 event, they have occurred every year except for 2013. Gluts of coastal seaweed have a damaging influence on the coastal environment. In large quantities, the seaweed strips oxygen from the water, killing fish and seagrasses that offer key habitat for many species. It may reduce sunlight needed by ocean plants and smother shallow coral reefs, like those in the Florida Keys. In 2018 NASA satellites revealed the largest marine algae bloom in the world. A belt of sargassum that contained over 22 million tons of seaweed stretched some 5,500 miles across the Atlantic to West Africa. Satellite images are showing abnormally high amounts again in 2021. Beaches covered in sargassum have become the new normal in Florida and the Caribbean. Warmer, overnutrified waters Data gathered over the past decade has revealed the likely causes of these seaweed invasions: Saharan dust clouds, warming temperatures and the growing human nitrogen footprint. Just as nutrients feed red tide blooms, they feed sargassum, which thrives in warmer water. Climate change also increases upwelling of nutrients from deep ocean waters at the other end of the sargassum belt in West Africa. The influxes of the past decade seem to have originated along Brazil's Atlantic coast, not in the Sargasso Sea. Large amounts of fertilizer flow into the Amazon River and then to the ocean from industrial-scale agriculture and ranches. Nutrients also pour into the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River. Climate change-driven downpours increase runoff. Saharan dust clouds that extend for thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean have also contributed to this explosion of sargassum seaweed. The dust contains iron, nitrogen and phosphorus that fertilizes plankton and seaweed blooms. These thick atmospheric dust plumes corresponded with a sargassum spike in 2015 and the worst incursion of sargassum in 2018. Researchers are also exploring changing in ocean currents, which may be another contributing factor. Monthly mean sargassum density for the month of July, 2011-2018. Credit: Wang et al., 2019, CC BY Economic and ecological harm Sargassum threatens tourism, a major economic engine for the Caribbean and Florida. Mexico has deployed Navy ships for cleanup operations in Cancun. Some Caribbean destinations have installed floating barriers, like those used in oil spills, to keep seaweed offshore. In 2019 Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados likened the scale of the economic fallout to that of a hurricane. Due to heavy surf, winds, and currents, we have had an excessive amount of sargassum seaweed wash in. Although it may be stinky as it begins to break down, this is how our beautiful beach naturally restores any lost elevation. The seaweed catches and collects the wind blown sand. pic.twitter.com/b3X5rOiYzs Volusia Beaches (@VolusiaBeach) May 21, 2021 There is currently no good way to dispose of such great volumes of seaweed. It's labor-intensive and expensive. Removing sargassum from 15 miles of Miami-Dade beaches cost $45 million in 2019. Some communities plow seaweed under the sand. Others, like Fort Lauderdale, collect it, wash off the salt and convert it to natural fertilizer or mulch. In Mexico some entrepreneurs are compressing it into bricks and using it, like adobe, for building construction. In the long term, lasting solutions will come only through addressing climate change and nitrogen emissions from human activities. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2021), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO Captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission on 30 July 2021, this image shows smoke billowing from several fires along the southern coast of Turkey. Turkey has been battling deadly wildfires since last week. Over the weekend, tourists and local residents had to be evacuated from Bodrum and Marmaris, with some fleeing by boat as the flames crept closer to the shoreline. Southeast Europe is currently experiencing extremely high temperatures. Greece is reported to be expecting an all-time European record today of 47C. The heatwave, the result of a heat dome, has seen temperatures reach above 40C in many areas, and meteorologists expect the weather will continue this week, making it the most severe heatwave since the 1980s. Fires have also been raging in Spain, Italy and Greece, some of which have led to the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service being triggered. The mapping service uses data from satellites to aid response to disasters such as wildfires and floods. Explore further Satellites map floods in western Europe Schematic images of optoelectronic synaptic functions of vertically aligned graphene/diamond junctions. Researchers at Nagoya University, Japan, have taken high-performance computing to the next level with their design of vertically aligned graphene-diamond junctions that mimic the human brain, boosting the information processing speed compared to other modern computers. Credit: Elsevier / Kenji Ueda from Nagoya University The human brain holds the secret to our unique personalities. But did you know that it can also form the basis of highly efficient computing devices? Researchers from Nagoya University, Japan, recently showed how to do this, through graphene-diamond junctions that mimic some of the human brain's functions. But, why would scientists try to emulate the human brain? Today, existing computer architectures are subjected to complex data, limiting their processing speed. The human brain, on the other hand, can process highly complex data, such as images, with high efficiency. Scientists have, therefore, tried to build "neuromorphic" architectures that mimic the neural network in the brain. A phenomenon essential for memory and learning is "synaptic plasticity," the ability of synapses (neuronal links) to adapt in response to an increased or decreased activity. Scientists have tried to recreate a similar effect using transistors and "memristors" (electronic memory devices whose resistance can be stored). Recently developed light-controlled memristors, or "photomemristors," can both detect light and provide non-volatile memory, similar to human visual perception and memory. These excellent properties have opened the door to a whole new world of materials that can act as artificial optoelectronic synapses! This motivated the research team from Nagoya University to design graphene-diamond junctions that can mimic the characteristics of biological synapses and key memory functions, opening doors for next-generation image sensing memory devices. In their recent study published in Carbon, the researchers, led by Dr. Kenji Ueda, demonstrated optoelectronically controlled synaptic functions using junctions between vertically aligned graphene (VG) and diamond. The fabricated junctions mimic biological synaptic functions, such as the production of "excitatory postsynaptic current" (EPSC)the charge induced by neurotransmitters at the synaptic membranewhen stimulated with optical pulses and exhibit other basic brain functions such as the transition from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM). Dr. Ueda explains, "Our brains are well-equipped to sieve through the information available and store what's important. We tried something similar with our VG-diamond arrays, which emulate the human brain when exposed to optical stimuli." He adds, "This study was triggered due to a discovery in 2016, when we found a large optically induced conductivity change in graphene-diamond junctions." Apart from EPSC, STM, and LTM, the junctions also show a paired pulse facilitation of 300%an increase in postsynaptic current when closely preceded by a prior synapse. The VG-diamond arrays underwent redox reactions induced by fluorescent light and blue LEDs under a bias voltage. The researchers attributed this to the presence of differently hybridized carbons of graphene and diamond at the junction interface, which led to the migration of ions in response to the light and in turn allowed the junctions to perform photo-sensing and photo-controllable functions similar to those performed by the brain and retina. In addition, the VG-diamond arrays surpassed the performance of conventional rare-metal-based photosensitive materials in terms of photosensitivity and structural simplicity. Dr. Ueda says, "Our study provides a better understanding of the working mechanism behind the artificial optoelectronic synaptic behaviors, paving the way for optically controllable brain-mimicking computers better information-processing capabilities than existing computers." The future of next-generation computing may not be too far away. Explore further Artificial visual system of record-low energy consumption for the next generation of AI More information: Y. Mizuno et al, Optoelectronic synapses using vertically aligned graphene/diamond heterojunctions, Carbon (2021). Journal information: Carbon Y. Mizuno et al, Optoelectronic synapses using vertically aligned graphene/diamond heterojunctions,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.06.060 NASA's Lucy spacecraft arrives by cargo plane and is unloaded on the runway of the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 30, 2021. From there, the Lucy spacecraft will move to the Astrotech Space Operations - Florida payload processing facility in nearby Titusville, Florida, before its scheduled launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on October 16, 2021. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett NASA's first spacecraft to explore the Trojan asteroids arrived Friday, July 30, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. It is now in a cleanroom at nearby Astrotech, ready to begin final preparations for its October launch. The mission has a 23-day launch period beginning on October 16. Lucy will undergo final testing and fueling prior to being moved to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. "The coronavirus pandemic required us to re-engineer the way we conducted assembly, integration, and testing," said Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, Lucy project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "When I think about where the project was a year ago and the challenges we faced, I couldn't be prouder of the entire team. The fact that the spacecraft is safely at KSC is a testament to the sacrifice and dedication shown by every member of the team and their families." The Lucy mission is the first space mission to explore a diverse population of small bodies known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. These small bodies are remnants of our early solar system, now trapped in stable orbits associated with the giant planet Jupiter, forming two "swarms" that lead in front of and trail behind Jupiter in its path around the Sun. These orbits are clustered around stable points of gravitational equilibrium known as Lagrange Points. Over its twelve-year primary mission, Lucy will explore a record-breaking number of asteroids, flying by one main belt asteroid and seven Trojan asteroids. Lucy also incorporates three Earth-gravity assists to reach the Trojan swarms and accomplish these targeted encounters. The spacecraft was transported from Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane. Lockheed Martin Space designed and built the spacecraft in its Littleton, Colorado, facility. "It takes a lot of coordination and careful planning to get this spacecraft to its launch site, and I'm very proud of the team who worked so tirelessly through a global pandemic to get us to this moment," said Rich Lipe, Lockheed Martin Lucy program manager. Over the weekend, the team transferred the spacecraft from its shipping container into the Astrotech cleanroom and performed post-ship inspections, confirming that Lucy arrived in good condition. The spacecraft is now ready to begin its final round of testing and pre-launch checks, which include software tests, instrument and powered functional tests, propulsion propellent load tests, telecommunication tests, and spacecraft self-tests. "It is hard to believe that we are finally here after over seven years of hard work," says Hal Levison, Lucy's principal investigator from Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "We would not have made it without an extremely talented and dedicated team. It's now time to get Lucy into the sky so that it can deliver its revolutionary science about the origin of our planetary system." Explore further NASA Lucy mission's message to the future A crimson clover plant, which is generally recommended to grow in a mixture of grasses, which was used in this study. Credit: Sandra Wayman Both chemical fertilizers and cover crops can help build the nitrogen content in soil. But cover crops come with many other benefits, like improving soil structure and boosting beneficial microbes. Researchers at Cornell University are looking at ways to help breed better cover crops, also known as green manures, that could help farmers in their quest to grow crops in the most sustainable way. Their results were published in Crop Science, a publication of the Crop Science Society of America. Katherine Muller and her team are working on strategies to measure nitrogen fixation in breeding programs for two common cover crops: crimson clover and hairy vetch. Both crops can pull nitrogen from the air to help them grow. This is called nitrogen fixation. "Green manures are crops used to improve soil fertility," says Muller. "They help the soil by adding nutrients. We look at legumes, which bring nitrogen into the soil due to their symbiotic relationship with bacteria." The use of legume green manures has been around for thousands of years. However, after the 1950s, chemical fertilizers became the main nitrogen source for farmers in developed countries. This is because two scientists, Haber and Bosch, found a way to pull nitrogen from the air, and make chemical fertilizer. Though this type of fertilizer is productive, it also takes energy to make itand it can easily slip into water bodies if not managed correctly. A root system of a hairy vetch plant, with nodules that contain a symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria. Credit: Katherine Muller "Cover crops are important ecological management tools," says Muller. "They foster microbial communities and put nutrients in the soil. Essentially, they help build fertile soil that can supply nutrients when plants need them." The use of cover crops can be risky to farmers because they cannot determine the exact amount of nitrogen supplied to the soil. Chemical fertilizers allow for the exact calculation of the amount of nitrogen applied to a crop. But how much nitrogen is provided by each type of cover crop isn't a known number. The amount of nitrogen supplied by a legume cover crop depends on how well it grows and how much of its nitrogen comes from fixation versus uptake from soil. Currently, cover crop seeds available do not have selective breeding for nitrogen fixationa valuable trait. Plant breeders are working to develop cover crop varieties that reduce the risks and increase benefits to farmers. They hope that better varieties will increase the use of cover crops as an alternative to chemical fertilizer. Nitrogen fixation is one of their top priorities for legume green manures. "We aim to help plant breeders develop strategies to target nitrogen fixation in cover crops," explains Muller. "Because nitrogen fixation is a complicated trait that changes as plants grow, the timing of measurements is important." For farmers, the most important measurement of nitrogen fixation is when the crop is terminated. Legume green manures are usually terminated in the late flowering stage. Earlier termination means the crop is likely to resprout and become a weed. However, breeding programs for hairy vetch and crimson clover cannot take that measurement, as they need to remove the plant before cross-pollination. Hairy vetch ripe seeds, which were used in the study to display kinds of samples and measurements available to breeders. Credit: Sandra Wayman "Our team did a field experiment with an active breeding program," says Muller. "We collected plant tissues and measured nitrogen fixation. We were able to tell how much of the plant's nitrogen comes from fixation versus the soil." The team tested three kinds of samples that a plant breeder may take to compare them to the sample most relevant to farmers. They then measured nitrogen fixation by sending their samples to a lab that measures total nitrogen content and the abundance of a naturally occurring stable isotope. Nitrogen from soil usually has a higher abundance of the nitrogen stable isotope than nitrogen from fixation. This allows researchers to estimate the proportion of nitrogen a plant obtains from soil versus fixation. "Our recommendation is to collect stems from each plant in the early flowering stage to measure the nitrogen fixation via stable isotopes," says Muller. "This provides a good proxy for nitrogen fixation in whole plants, measured in the late flowering stage that is more relevant to farmers." According to Muller, if breeders are going to add one measurement, it should be this. The proportion of nitrogen obtained by fixation often does not correlate with plant size or other measurements. "It is important to measure actual nitrogen fixed in the cover crop because it can vary," says Muller. "Farmers want to know how much nitrogen they are bringing into their fields. We need to accurately measure and provide this information to help farmers make decisions. We hope our research will encourage more farmers to adopt legumes cover crops as a nitrogen source." Explore further Balancing nitrogen for sunflowers More information: Katherine E. Muller et al, Estimating agronomically relevant symbiotic N fixation in green manure breeding programs, Crop Science (2021). Katherine E. Muller et al, Estimating agronomically relevant symbiotic N fixation in green manure breeding programs,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20517 Greenland is experiencing a record heatwave, forcing polar bears to wander further for food. A polar bear in Greenland may be shot dead next time it endangers people after several close encounters, including one where it bit the hand of a documentary team member, authorities said. The attack on the documentary team near an army base comes as the autonomous Danish Arctic territory experiences a record heatwave and as polar bears wander further for food. Early on Monday, while the sun does not set in summer at this latitude, the bear poked his head through a poorly closed window of a research station where the documentary team was staying about 400 metres from the small base of Daneborg. A Danish Artic military unit based in Greenland said the bear bit the hand of one of the three male team members before they used warning pistols to force the animal to flee. Transported first to Daneborg, the injured documentary maker had to be evacuated to Akureyri, a town in Iceland. Already blamed for five incidents until now, the bear returned again later in the morning and then again overnight Monday to Tuesday when it broke a window of the research station before fleeing. "The local authorities have from now on categorised the bear as 'problematic,' which allows for it to be shot dead, if it returns," the Danish military unit said. The incident comes as the northeast of Greenland experiences a heatwave, with a new record temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius (74.2 Fahrenheit). Experts say the retreat of the ice pack, the hunting ground of the polar bear, forces them to stay on land more often and they find it harder to find food and sustain a species already considered vulnerable. Although still rare, the close encounters with humans are increasing as bears more frequently approach inhabited areas in their search for food, environmental protection officers say. A study that appeared in July 2020 in the publication Nature Climate Change warned that polar bears faced extinction around 2100. They currently number around 25,000 individuals. Explore further Heatwave causes massive melt of Greenland ice sheet 2021 AFP Some people feel spite for those who are more successful than them. Credit: fran_kie/Shutterstock As communism imploded in 1989, the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama asked if liberal democracy was "the end of history," being the form all societies were destined to take. The past decades have suggested not. Illiberal democracies and hybrid democratic-authoritarian regimes continue to emerge. Fukuyama foresaw this possibility. He felt that citizens dissatisfied with liberty and equality could destabilize liberal democracyrestarting history as it were. One way they could do so, I realized while writing a book about spite, is if such dissatisfaction led to spiteful acts. I therefore believe defenders of liberal democracy must understand the danger of spite. The need for recognition Fukuyama argued that political struggle causes history. This struggle tries to solve the problem of thymosan ancient Greek term referring to our desire to have our worth recognized. This desire can involve wanting to be recognized as equal to others. But it can also involve wanting to be recognized as superior to others. A stable political system needs to accommodate both desires. Communism and fascism failed, argued Fukuyama, because they couldn't solve the problem of recognition. Communism forced people to make humiliating moral compromises with the system. Fascism offered people recognition as members of a racial or national group. Yet it failed after its militarism led to defeat in the second world war. In contrast, Fukuyama claimed that liberal democracy could solve the problem of recognition. Granting universal human rights, acknowledging the dignity and worth of all, moved to address desires for equality. Encouraging entrepreneurship, competitive professions, electoral politics and sport created safe outlets for those wanting to be recognized as superior. But liberty can lead to inequalities, frustrating the desire to be recognized as equal. And measures taken to reduce inequalities can impede the desire to be recognized as superior. These frustrated urges can lead to a spiteful backlash. This could lead to decision-making that weakens a liberal democracy. It could even rip apart the delicate net of rights that holds liberal democracy together. Counter-dominant spite A desire for equality is found in contemporary hunter-gatherer societies. Whenever someone gets above themselves, the group will bring them down. Means can range from gossip to murder. If ancient humans evolved in comparable conditions, we likely evolved "counter-dominant" tendencies. Indeed, we can see this today in games devised by economists. In such games, the majority of people, when anonymous, will pay to destroy someone else's undeserved gains. Furthermore, nearly half of people, if anonymous, will destroy others' fairly earned gains. We even see people paying to punish others who help them, finding the esteem gained by generous people to be threatening. This is called do-gooder derogation. Counter-dominant spite can weaken liberal democracies. During the 2016 Brexit referendum, some people in the UK voted Leave to spite elites, knowing this could damage the country's economy. Similarly, during the 2016 US presidential election some voters supported Donald Trump to spite Hillary Clinton, knowing his election could harm the US. Regimes hostile to liberal democracy encouraged such spiteful actions in both the UK and US. Ultimately, counter dominance achieved by spitefully pulling others down risks destroying property rights in a communistic race to the bottom. Dominant spite The desire to be superior to others, regulated by hunter-gatherer societies, broke loose about some 10,000 years ago, when agriculture started. People then lived in larger groups, with more personal resources. Dominance-seeking, also part of our evolved nature, could no longer be easily constrained. The desire to be seen as better can be socially productive and motivating. Yet it can also lead to what is known as dominant spite. This can involve accepting a loss to retain an advantage over another. For example, many of us would rather earn less yet be ahead of our neighbor than earn more and be behind them. Similarly, around 10% of people will accept less if it maximizes how far ahead they are of others. In short, dominant spite reflects a desire to rule in hell rather than serve in heaven. Dominant spite is also seen in some people's need for chaos. Researchers have found that around 10%-20% of people endorse statements such as that society should be burned to the ground. This may represent frustrated status seekers who think they could ultimately thrive in the ruins. Liberty, equality, democracy? To prevent a spiteful descent into hell, we need to understand what triggers spite. We know that spite increases as inequality and competition rise. Do-gooder derogation is greater in societies where the rule of law and co-operative normshow acceptable people find tax evasion or fare dodgingare weaker. An economically growing liberal democracy, seen as lawful and fair, may be the most effective way to address the problem of recognition. Yet this society must still deal with some members believing all inequalities are the result of oppression, while others think any brake on inequality is immoral. Such feelings still leave the door ajar for destructive acts of spite. Yet, although spite can threaten liberal democracy, it may also save it. When people violate values we find sacred, the activity in the part our brains that deals with cost-benefit analyses is dampened down. This encourages us to act regardless of what harm may come to us, allowing us to feel spite for the other. At the end of history, Fukuyama argued, people would no longer risk their lives for causes once deemed sacred. But if no-one felt liberal democracy was sacred, who would risk themselves to defend it? To defend liberal democracy, it must be held sacred. This is what motivates its defenders to "go on to the end whatever the cost may be," as Winston Churchill once put it. Spite may pull liberal democracy apart, but it may also be the sublime madness that saves it from tyranny. Explore further Democracy in decline for one-third of the world This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Fig. 1: The QAOA quantum circuit. A schematic representation of the QAOA circuit and our approach to simulating it. The input state is trivially initialized to |+|+. Next, at each p, the exchange of exactly (UC) and approximately (RX() = eiX) applicable gates is labeled (see Sec. Methods). As noted in the main text, each (exact) application of the UC gate leads to an increase in the number of hidden units by E (the number of edges in the graph). In order to keep that number constant, we "compress" the model (see Sec. Methods), indicated by red dashed lines after each UC gate. The compression is repeated at each layer after the first, halving the number of hidden units each time, immediately after doubling it with UC gates. After the final layer, the RBM is parametrized by opt, approximating the final QAOA target state |,|,. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41534-021-00440-z Two physicists, from EPFL and Columbia University, have introduced an approach for simulating the quantum approximate optimization algorithm using a traditional computer. Instead of running the algorithm on advanced quantum processors, the new approach uses a classical machine-learning algorithm that closely mimics the behavior of near-term quantum computers. In a paper published in Nature Quantum Information, EPFL professor Giuseppe Carleo and Matija Medvidovic, a graduate student at Columbia University and at the Flatiron Institute in New York, have found a way to execute a complex quantum computing algorithm on traditional computers instead of quantum ones. The specific "quantum software" they are considering is known as Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and is used to solve classical optimization problems in mathematics; it's essentially a way of picking the best solution to a problem out of a set of possible solutions. "There is a lot of interest in understanding what problems can be solved efficiently by a quantum computer, and QAOA is one of the more prominent candidates," says Carleo. Ultimately, QAOA is meant to help us on the way to the famed "quantum speedup," the predicted boost in processing speed that we can achieve with quantum computers instead of conventional ones. Understandably, QAOA has a number of proponents, including Google, who have their sights set on quantum technologies and computing in the near future: in 2019 they created Sycamore, a 53-qubit quantum processor, and used it to run a task it estimated it would take a state-of-the-art classical supercomputer around 10,000 years to complete. Sycamore ran the same task in 200 seconds. "But the barrier of "quantum speedup" is all but rigid and it is being continuously reshaped by new research, also thanks to the progress in the development of more efficient classical algorithms," says Carleo. In their study, Carleo and Medvidovic address a key open question in the field: can algorithms running on current and near-term quantum computers offer a significant advantage over classical algorithms for tasks of practical interest? "If we are to answer that question, we first need to understand the limits of classical computing in simulating quantum systems," says Carleo. This is especially important since the current generation of quantum processors operate in a regime where they make errors when running quantum "software," and can therefore only run algorithms of limited complexity. Using conventional computers, the two researchers developed a method that can approximately simulate the behavior of a special class of algorithms known as variational quantum algorithms, which are ways of working out the lowest energy state, or "ground state" of a quantum system. QAOA is one important example of such family of quantum algorithms, that researchers believe are among the most promising candidates for "quantum advantage" in near-term quantum computers. The approach is based on the idea that modern machine-learning tools, e.g. the ones used in learning complex games like Go, can also be used to learn and emulate the inner workings of a quantum computer. The key tool for these simulations are Neural Network Quantum States, an artificial neural network that Carleo developed in 2016 with Matthias Troyer, and that was now used for the first time to simulate QAOA. The results are considered the province of quantum computing, and set a new benchmark for the future development of quantum hardware. "Our work shows that the QAOA you can run on current and near-term quantum computers can be simulated, with good accuracy, on a classical computer too," says Carleo. "However, this does not mean that alluseful quantum algorithms that can be run on near-term quantum processors can be emulated classically. In fact, we hope that our approach will serve as a guide to devise new quantum algorithms that are both useful and hard to simulate for classical computers." Explore further Implementing a quantum approximate optimization algorithm on a 53-qubit NISQ device More information: Matija Medvidovic et al, Classical variational simulation of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm, npj Quantum Information (2021). Matija Medvidovic et al, Classical variational simulation of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41534-021-00440-z In this Dec. 13, 2014. file photo provided by the National Park Service from a motion-sensitive camera, a Sierra Nevada red fox walks in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, that it will list the red fox as an endangered species, estimating its population now totals fewer than 40 individuals in an area of California stretching from just south of Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. Credit: National Park Service via AP, File The slender, bushy-tailed Sierra Nevada red fox will be listed as an endangered species, federal wildlife officials announced Monday, saying its population has dipped to just 40 animals in area of California stretching from Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided against listing a distinct population of the foxes in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon and near Lassen Peak in Northern California. But it said in a listing rule to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday that the Sierra Nevada segment south of Tahoe "is in danger of extinction throughout all of its range." "While the exact number remains unknown and is also subject to change with new births and deaths, it is well below population levels that would provide resiliency, redundancy and representation to the population." It provided no estimate of the number of red foxes remaining in the Cascade Range. One of the rarest mammals in North America, the red foxes in the Sierra already are vulnerable due to threats of wildfire, drought, competition in coyotes, reductions in prey and inbreeding with non-native foxes. Additional future threats include climate change, as scientists project continuing loss of snowpack and of the general subalpine habitat to which the Sierra Nevada population segment has adapted, the agency said. This will likely lead to increased numbers of coyotes in high-elevation areas and to increased competition between coyotes and Sierra Nevada foxes for prey, the service said. Some biologists believed 20 years ago the Sierra Nevada population already had gone extinct before a small remnant population was confirmed in 2010. California banned red fox trapping in 1974. The Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned for federal protection in 2011 and filed lawsuits in 2013 and 2019 before the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the species for addition to the endangered list in 2020. The Sierra Nevada red fox has declined dramatically because of poisoning and trapping, habitat destruction from logging and livestock grazing and disturbance from off-road vehicles and snowmobiles, said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate for the center. He said the animals face the same threats in the Cascade Mountains to Mount Hood, Oregon. "This is an important step, but the Fish and Wildlife Service should also protect these imperiled animals in the Cascades," he said Monday. The Sierra Nevada red fox is one of 10 North American subspecies of the red fox. The small, doglike carnivores stretch about 3.5 feet (1.1 meter) long and have elongated snouts, pointed ears and large tails. With deep winter coats and small toe pads, they are specially equipped to adapt to cold, snowy areas. They feed on small mammals. The Fish and Wildlife Service noted it is not proposing designation of critical habitat for the species at this time because habitat "does not appear to be a limiting factor for the species." The agency estimates the 18 to 39 animals remaining in the Sierra extend south of California State Highway 88 from just south of Lake Tahoe into the easternmost portion of Yosemite Park in Tuolumne and Madera counties, as well as portions of Alpine, Mono, Fresno and Inyo counties. Most of the foxesbetween 10 and 31are known to occupy an area north of Yosemite. About five have been spotted just east of Yosemite, and three have been identified south of Yosemite, in the general area of Mono Creek. All sightings have been on federal land. Explore further DNA found in poop helps scientists learn about secretive fox 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A TED conference under the theme "The Case for Optimism" on Monday threw down the gauntlet for a return to face-to-face gatherings, despite the daunting challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and deep political divides. Even with those dark clouds, speakers ranging from scientists and academics to artists and entrepreneurs took to the TED stage for the four-day event. "We are trying to juggle it and do it right," TED curator Chris Anderson told the gathering while stressing pandemic precautions. "We are living through a piece of history. Even though what we've heard is alarming, we can find optimism." The event at the heart of what has become a global platform for mind-bending concepts aimed at making the world a better place returned to its roots with a scaled-down event on the edge of Silicon Valley. Proof of vaccination was required, and badges were only given to those who passed COVID-19 tests on arrival. A welcome kit included masks, wipes and sanitizers. And the annual gathering that had grown to some 1,800 attendees at its venue in Vancouver was limited to about 600 attendees at a Monterey conference center. Despite none of the attendees testing positive for COVID-19, Anderson urged everyone to wear masks given the highly-transmissible Delta variant. "I felt the weirdest combination of intense excitement and intense nervousness," Anderson said of the weeks leading up to the conference. "I want to salute the courage and commitment of each of you to come here; I know it wasn't necessarily easy to come." The annual TED conference was among a slew of events that went virtual last year due to the pandemic, which prompted lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19. TED attendee Betul Kacar, an astrobiologist who is a professor at the University of Arizona, took solace in the turmoil roiling society. "Chaos is needed for change to occur, and the world is definitely changing," Kacar said during a break in the talks. "When things go smoothly, evolution doesn't happen." TED talks tackled hot-button topics from capturing the carbon that is damaging the climate to researchers developing vaccines, and people dealing with shutdowns caused by the pandemic. "I'm a cynic by nature," said Akash Bhatia, a managing director at Boston Consulting Group who specializes in disruptive technologies. "It's early in this, but some of the talks nudge a bit to the other side to be a little more optimistic." Conference talks are crafted into videos shared free online for what has grown into a global following since its founding in 1984. "We are living through a cynicism epidemic," said speaker Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor who heads a neuroscience lab at Stanford University. "It is not a system upgrade; it's mental malware. We can take control of our stories to escape the cynicism trap." 2021 AFP The blaze spread at the foot of Mount Parnitha with the fire service telling people to evacuate. Hundreds of firefighters, water-bombing planes and helicopters battled forest fires near Athens on Tuesday that saw villages evacuated and part of a major motorway closed, officials said. With the country reeling under a severe heatwave, a blaze spread at the foot of Mount Parnitha, 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Athens, sending thick smoke over the city. The fire service said about 300 people had to be evacuated because of the approaching flames. Police reported helping 70 people to escape from homes threatened by fire. "Our priority is to save lives hence the decision to evacuate villagers," Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis told reporters in the evening. Local media reported dozens of children had been rescued from a holiday camp near the Athens suburb of Varympompi, while the motorway linking the capital with the north and south of the country was cut for safety reasons. The fire brigade said seven water-bombing aircraft, five helicopters, 70 fire trucks and more than 500 firefighters were battling the flames in a zone that includes the former Greek royal family's summer palace of Tatoi and several monasteries. "There was no wind," one resident told the Open TV channel. "How come the firemen couldn't quickly extinguish the blaze?" Police and firefighters have evacuated hundreds of people from suburbs north of Athens. NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo said he had called off a planned meeting with fans in his home suburb of Sepolia Tuesday evening because of the fires. "We hope there are no casualties. Obviously we have postponed the party in Sepolia," the Greek-Nigerian tweeted. Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias listed 40 active fires on Tuesday. - 'Coming hours decisive' "We are facing extreme conditions with temperatures around 45 degrees Centigrade (113 Fahrenheit)," he said. "The coming hours will be decisive. The heatwave will last, we are asking people to remain vigilant." Experts have warned climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of the wildfires. "We are facing the worst heatwave since 1987," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this week. In the southern Peloponnese region, 300 kms from the capital, three villages were evacuated after a fire started Tuesday afternoon. Tourists swelter in the Athens heatwave. The fire brigade said five helicopters, five water-bombing aircraft, 70 fire trucks and 350 firemen were fighting the flames. And on the Aegean island of Kos, firefighters were also tackling a blaze. More than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of pine and olive were burned out by a fire that erupted Saturday near the city of Patras, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Athens. It was brought under control on Monday. A blaze on the Greek island of Rhodes, near the Turkish coast, has been burning since Sunday with firefighters struggling to gain the upper hand. Turkey is suffering its worst fires in at least a decade, claiming the lives of eight people and forcing hundreds to evacuate in southern areas popular with tourists. Explore further Greek firefighters battle to contain forest blaze for second day 2021 AFP Social network diagram. Credit: Daniel Tenerife/Wikipedia Users banned from social platforms go elsewhere with increased toxicity, according to a new study featuring researchers from Binghamton University, State University of New York. When people act like jerks on social media, one permanent response is to ban them from posting again. Take away the digital megaphone, the theory goes, and the hurtful or dishonest messages from those troublemakers won't post a problem there anymore. What happens after that, though? Where do those who have been 'deplatformed' go, and how does it affect their behavior in future? An international team of researchersincluding Assistant Professor Jeremy Blackburn and Ph.D. candidate Esraa Aldreabi from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science's Department of Computer Scienceexplores those questions in a new study called "Understanding the Effect of Deplatforming on Social Networks." The research performed by iDRAMA Lab collaborators at Binghamton University, Boston University, University College London and the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Germany was presented in June at the 2021 ACM Web Science conference. Researchers developed a method to identify accounts belonging to the same person on different platforms and found that being banned on Reddit or Twitter led those users to join alternate platforms such as Gab or Parler where the content moderation is more lax. Also among the findings is that, although users who move to those smaller platforms have a potentially reduced audience, they exhibit an increased level of activity and toxicity than they did previously. "You can't just ban these people and say, 'Hey, it worked.' They don't disappear," Blackburn said. "They go off into other places. It does have a positive effect on the original platform, but there's also some degree of amplification or worsening of this type of behavior elsewhere." The deplatforming study collected 29 million posts from Gab, which launched in 2016 and currently has around 4 million users. Gab is known for its far-right base of neo-Nazis, white nationalists, anti-Semites and QAnon conspiracy theorists. Using a combination of machine learning and human labeling, researchers cross-referenced profile names and content with users that had been active on Twitter and Reddit but were suspended. Many who are deplatformed reuse the same profile name or user info on a different platform for continuity and recognizability with their followers. "Just because two people have the same name or username, that's not a guarantee," Blackburn said. "There was a pretty big process of going through creating a 'ground truth' data set, where we had a human say, 'These have to be the same people because of this reason and that reason.' That allows us to scale things up by throwing it into a machine learning classifier [program] that will learn the characteristics to watch for." The process was not unlike how scholars determine the identity of authors for unattributed or pseudonymous works, checking for style, syntax and subject matter, he added. In the dataset analyzed for this study, about 59% of Twitter users (1,152 out of 1,961) created Gab accounts after their last active time on Twitter, presumably after their account was suspended. For Reddit, about 76% (3,958 out of 5,216) of suspended users created Gab accounts after their last post on Reddit. Comparing content from the same users on Twitter and Reddit versus Gab, users tend to become more toxic when they are suspended from a platform and are forced to move to another platform. They also become more active, increasing the frequency of posts. At the same time, the audience for Gab users' content is curtailed by the reduced size of the platform compared to the millions of users on Twitter and Reddit. This might be seen as a good thing, but Blackburn cautioned that much of the planning for the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol happened on Parler, a platform similar to Gab with a smaller user base that skews to the alt-right and far-right. "Reducing reach probably is a good thing, but reach can be easily misinterpreted. Just because someone has 100,000 followers doesn't mean they're all followers in the real world," he said. "The hardcore group, maybe the group that we're most concerned about, are the ones that probably stick with someone if they move elsewhere online. If by reducing that reach, you increase the intensity that the people who stay around are exposed to, it's like a quality versus quantity type of question. Is it worse to have more people seeing this stuff? Or is it worse to have more extreme stuff being produced for fewer people?" A separate study, "A Large Open Dataset from the Parler Social Network," also included Blackburn among researchers from New York University, the University of Illinois, University College London, Boston University and the Max Planck Institute. Presented at the AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media last month, it analyzed 183 million Parler posts made by 4 million users between August 2018 and January 2021, as well as metadata from 13.25 million user profiles. The data confirm that users on Parlerwhich briefly shut down and was taken off of Apple and Google app stores in response to the Capitol riotoverwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump and his "Make America Great Again" agenda. "Regardless of what Parler might have said, publicly or not, it was very clearly white, right-wing, Christian Trump supporters," Blackburn said. "Again, unsurprisingly, it got its largest boost right at the 2020 electionup to a million users joining. Then around the attack at the Capitol, there was another big bump in users. What we can see is that it was very clearly being used as an organization tool for the insurrection." So if banning users is not the right answer, what is? Reddit admins, for example, have a "shadow-banning" capability that allows troublesome users to think they're still posting on the site, except no one else can see them. During the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic, Twitter added content moderation labels to tweets that deliberately spread disinformation. Blackburn is unsure about all the moderation tools that social media platforms have available, but he thinks there need to be more "socio-technical solutions to socio-technical problems" rather than just outright banning. "Society is now fairly firmly saying that we cannot ignore this stuffwe can't just use the easy outs anymore," he said. "We need to come up with some more creative ideas to not get rid of people, but hopefully push them in a positive direction or at least make sure that everybody is aware of who that person is. Somewhere in between just unfettered access and banning everybody is probably the right solution." Explore further Controversial social network Parler announces relaunch More information: Shiza Ali et al, Understanding the Effect of Deplatforming on Social Networks, 13th ACM Web Science Conference 2021 (2021). Shiza Ali et al, Understanding the Effect of Deplatforming on Social Networks,(2021). DOI: 10.1145/3447535.3462637 People vote infrequently after being incarcerated, and the criminal legal system disproportionately incarcerates people of color. Credit: Manny Becerra/Unsplash In March 2020, 83,000 New Jersey residents who had been ineligible to vote became eligible when a new law took effect restoring voting rights for people on parole or probation who had previously been convicted of felonies. Ariel White, an associate professor in MIT's Department of Political Science and an MIT Governance Lab faculty associate, is one of several researchers working with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) to inform these people of their eligibility. NJISJ spearheaded the effort to get the law passed, and worked throughout 2020 to register people to vote before the presidential election. Now, White and her colleagues are gathering more information about the barriers making it more difficult for previously incarcerated people to vote, as well as what messaging might convince people to register. People vote infrequently after being incarcerated, and the criminal legal system disproportionately incarcerates people of color. White has been studying this issue for several years, focusing in particular on situations where people legally can vote, but don't manage to. Now, she's trying to find ways to address this inequality. "I got sick of writing the 'this is a problem' papers," she says. "I wanted to see what could be done about it." Increasing political participation among previously incarcerated people In the first stage of their research in New Jersey, the researchers are interviewing previously incarcerated people. They're talking with active voters to better understand what motivates them to participate in the political process. They're also asking people who aren't voting why they're reluctant to do so, and seeing what arguments for voting might resonate with them. Some people are hesitant to vote because they're simply not sure if they're eligible, and don't want to get in trouble. Others feel like their votes don't make a difference, or that their voice isn't valued. "This is something they have learned through personal experience with a system that doesn't generally reward speaking up and making your opinion known," says White. "The criminal legal system is both scary and disempowering to interact with." White and her colleagues have attended NJISJ organizing meetings to learn from a group that has a lot of experience mobilizing people to vote. "We've gotten to learn about what they're already doing, what kinds of things are working for them, what kinds of messages they think are resonating," she says. This work is in line with MIT GOV/LAB's engaged scholarship approach, which promotes collaborating with partners to gain valuable insights from people living these issues and to make research more valuable to decision-makers. Adding to the voter mobilization literature Early interviews have suggested that particularly convincing messaging might focus on the importance of local politics, as well as how it might be meaningful to someone's friends and family that they vote. White says that while the existing literature has shown that these and other strategies are effective at increasing turnout among people who are already registered, "there is actually a lot less published work on how you register people who are not currently registered." There is also little evidence specifically on increasing turnout among people who have had contact with the criminal legal system. Once interviews are completed, the researchers will put their findings to the test by reaching out to people via mail before New Jersey's state and municipal elections this November. They'll try some different messages for convincing people that their votes matter and collect data on which are most effective at getting people registered and voting. This project comes on the heels of similar research White and other researchers conducted in North Carolina and Texas leading up to the 2020 presidential election. In this instance, the research team wanted to see if mailing certain pieces of information to people with criminal records increased registration and turnout. "Does it matter whether you include, for example, the registration form itself, or is it more just the information about eligibility," White explains. Results from this project are forthcoming. People rarely vote after being incarcerated Voting rates are low not only among people who have served longer sentences for felonies, but also among people who have served shorter sentences for misdemeanors. In a 2019 paper, White found that jail time for a first-time misdemeanor offense actually made it less likely that someone would vote after they were released. White explains that fewer people vote after a misdemeanor conviction because even the shortest jail stint can turn someone's life upside down. "Going to jail for a couple weeks could mean that you lose your job, it could mean that you lose your housing," she says. People can also lose custody of their children. "You're likely to have a lot of other stuff on your plate that could just make it really unlikely that you manage to vote," says White. While incarceration didn't affect voting among white people in the study, voting dropped significantly among Black people, who were more than twice as likely to have voted before being incarcerated, a difference White suggests could be attributable to racial disparities in policing and the criminal legal system. White says that a lot of research on incarceration and voting has focused on legal restrictions on voting, like felony disenfranchisement laws. "These [legal restrictions] are important for a whole range of reasons," she says. "But there are millions of people who pass through the criminal legal system with their voting rights intact, but who do not manage to exercise those rights." She also points out that we should incarcerate fewer people to begin with. But there will need to continue to be efforts to increase voting among previously incarcerated people. "We have this system that incarcerates an enormous number of people who have this intense personal knowledge, this particularly intimate understanding of how that system works," she says. "But they are rarely involved in electing the people who could potentially change the way the system works." Explore further Mailing it in: Getting the word out on getting the ballots in Credit: Rightclickstudios/Shutterstock Many scientists are likely to be invited for media appearances in the run up to COP26, the international negotiations on global heating that will take place in Glasgow in November 2021. Journalists will ask climate scientists to help place the talks in context and to discuss the value of particular options for reducing emissions, or to explain how climate change may have contributed to particular weather events. Given the exposure these opportunities afford, it's no surprise that some climate scientists take the chance to lend their support to particular measures. While there is some debate over how effective it is for scientists to act as advocates, many consider it a moral obligation to discuss possible solutions to climate change, even if it goes beyond their direct expertise. Still, lots of scientists who are convinced of the importance of advocacy often refrain from it, fearing the harm it could cause their professional reputation. In a new study, published in the journal Public Understanding of Science, myself and fellow researcher Lauren Armstrong were the first to examine how climate scientists are perceived by other scientists when speaking in favor of particular policies in the media. What we found suggests women scientists may have less to fear from their peers than they might think. Advocacy involves making subjective judgements about how the world should be. That subjectivity can be accentuated by dramatic, narrative-based writing when it's reported in the media. This would seem opposed to the disinterested objectivity of science. Reputational fears can be particularly discouraging for women scientists. They face well-documented barriers in science, including lower pay, fewer citations and lower funding success. Women are more likely to be stereotyped as emotional, which some seem to consider contrary to the spirit of scientific endeavor. Wanting to avoid being considered unscientific by peers could prevent female climate scientists from giving media statements, particularly ones in which they are urged to advocate for action. The lack of publicly visible women scientists has been linked to the lower number of women who enter the profession, and it reduces the number of female messengers on an issue that disproportionately affects women globally. Gender bias in science We sent environmental scientists in UK universities a fictitious media statement that ostensibly responded to the 2016 Climate Action Summit, a two-day meeting hosted by the UN and held in Washington DC. The statement reported a number of existing and projected effects of climate change and advocated for "strong policies and strong action from government." Each statement was attributed to either Daniel, Matthew, Rebecca or Helen Thompson. Participants were asked to read the statement and rate the scientist who wrote it on 23 attributes, including those stereotypically associated with women (such as emotive and caring), men (competitive and decisive), science (objective and impartial) and the media (dramatic and biased). Across 19 of the attributes, there was little or no evidence of a gender difference. When treating the participants as a single population of men and women, there were no significant differences between the male and female scientists for any attributes. Male participants did rate the female scientists as significantly more dramatic and biased than their female counterparts, however. This trend is in line with previous studies. For example, research in management science has found that female leaders are typically perceived by their male colleagues as more dramatic, and more prone to making judgements based on their emotions. But the analysis didn't reveal whether male scientists were rating their female peers as more dramatic and biased than their male peers, or if female scientists were giving higher ratings to their female peers. The latter outcome would also be in line with previous studies, which suggest female scientists tend to associate female peers with the objective, rational traits commonly associated with both science and masculinity. That means that, with the exception of some minor differences between male and female participants, there's reason to believe that advocacy in the media won't significantly harm women climate scientists' standing among their peers based on their gender. This is a significant finding for climate science communication, and for climate politics more broadly. To more thoroughly understand the experiences of women scientists, it would be useful to learn how these perceptions translate into behavior. Nevertheless, encouraging female scientists to take on more visible roles, without fear of gender-based repercussions, could bring more women into climate science and help make people more aware of the science of climate change. Explore further Gender pay gap means fewer female candidates on the ballot This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Chapmans pygmy chameleon is one of the worlds rarest chameleons, and now clings to survival in small patches of forest. Credit: Krystal Tolley Urgent conservation measures are needed to save a Critically Endangered species of chameleon which has been found clinging to survival in patches of rainforest in Malawi. Chapman's Pygmy Chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum), which grows to a length of just five-and-a-half centimetres, was first described in 1992 and is believed to be one of the world's rarest chameleons. It was feared extinct due to the destruction of its native forest in the Malawi Hills, much of which has been cut down for agriculture. But a survey carried out in 2016 by a team from the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Museums of Malawithe results of which are now being published for the first timehas found populations of the tiny reptiles in surviving patches of forest. They estimate that the forestand with it chameleon numbershas shrunk by 80 percent since the 1980s. A genetic (DNA) analysis also suggests that the animals are trapped in their forest patches, unable to move between them to breed. Without this interbreeding, genetic diversity will be lost over time and this poses another serious threat to the species' survival. The study, published in OryxThe International Journal of Conservation, was led by Professor Krystal Tolley from the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the University of the Witwatersrand. It was her assessment work in 2014 which led the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to list Chapman's Pygmy Chameleon as Critically Endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species. Comparing satellite images of the Malawi Hills with those taken in the 1980s revealed dramatic forest loss, with the area where the chameleon was first described having been completely cleared. What remained had become fragmentedsmall patches of forest, cut off from each other. Chapmans pygmy chameleon is one of the worlds rarest chameleons, and now clings to survival in small patches of forest. Credit: Krystal Tolley Fearing the chameleon may have become extinct, Prof. Tolley and her fellow researchers turned to crowdfunding website, RocketHub, to raise the money needed to survey the remaining patches for any surviving populations. Chameleon enthusiasts responded to the appeal, donating $5,670 which included a $1,000 donation from the Scion Natural Science Association, and was enough for the researchers to survey two of the remaining forest patches in the Malawi Hills and an area 95 km away near Mikundi, where 37 of the chameleons had been released in 1998 to try to safeguard the species. The chameleons were found in all three locations and Prof. Tolley described the survey team's jubilation at discovering that the species was still present. She said: "The first one we found was in the transition zone on the forest edge, where there are some trees but mostly maize and cassava plants. When we found it we got goosebumps and just started jumping around. We didn't know if we would get any more, but once we got into the forest there were plenty, although I don't know how long that will last." Samples taken from the chameleons were then analyzed to see if their genetic diversity had also been reduced. While this was not evident, the researchers believe this may be because such effects take time to show. They did see evidence that the flow of genes between the fragmented populations had been disrupted. In effect, each forest patch is now home to a small, isolated population, unable to breed with chameleons in neighboring patches. This will reduce genetic diversity over time and increases the extinction risk for the species as a whole. Lead author, Professor Krystal Tolley, searches for chameleons in the forests of southern Malawi. Credit: Gary Brown Prof. Tolley said: "The forest loss requires immediate attention before this species reaches a point from which it cannot return. Urgent conservation action is needed, including halting of forest destruction and recovery of habitat to promote connectivity." The researchers suggest including the remaining forest as part of the nearby Matandwe Forest Reserve so it can be proclaimed as a Key Biodiversity Area, and introducing strong measures to ensure its protection. They also recommend more and thorough surveys of the chameleons to monitor their population and genetic diversity and call for the involvement of local landowners in protecting the Mikundi forest and its population as some insurance against the loss of the chameleon's natural range in the Malawi Hills. Overall, they say a comprehensive and properly funded action plan needs to be drawn up and enacted to prevent the species becoming extinct. Prof. Tolley said: "They are little, gentle creatures. Other chameleon species can be hysterical, hissing and biting, but pygmy chameleons are gentle and just beautiful. "Chapman's in particular are one of the smallest and don't have a prehensile tail like most chameleons, perhaps because they aren't particularly arboreal but walk about on the forest floor in the leaf litter, crawling up into low bushes at night to sleep. They blend right into the leaf litter and perfectly pattern match the dead leaves. "They are mostly brown but they can change to quite beautiful blues and greens with little dots all over them and that's probably a way of communicating with each other. They also vibrate and we could feel it when we held them. We don't really know why but it's also probably some form of communication. The fact they do it while held in our hands could mean it's a way to try and scare predators." She added: "I get sad when I think what's happening to themwhat we are doing to their habitat. They are really just helpless victims." Explore further Team discovers 3 chameleon species More information: Clinging to survival: Critically Endangered Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum) persists in shrinking forest patches, Oryx (2021). DOI: Journal information: Oryx Clinging to survival: Critically Endangered Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum) persists in shrinking forest patches,(2021). DOI: doi.org/10.1017/S0030605320000952 In the meantime, theres no problem with speeders on Academy Street everyone slows down to gawk at the rubble, Sartoris said. Were trying to figure out what is the best course of action, Mayor Bogle said. Its extremely complicated. The county has condemned the house and filed an order of remedy against the owners, Bogle said. Their court date is Aug. 23. Bogle said she was unaware of the problem until she received the certified letter in April. I started working with the village attorney, she said. Although the village can demolish the structure, it would have to get a county demolition permit and the state requires an asbestos survey. In an emergency, the village can raze the structure without the survey, but then the entire rubble pile would be considered contaminated. Disposal of the rubble would be very expensive, Bogle said. Were trying to contact the property owners, who still have rights, Bogle said. The owners could sue us for damaging their property. We cant not follow the law on this one. But even if she is referring to COVID vaccines only, that is bad enough. No one likes getting shots, just as no one likes wearing masks. Both are done to prevent something much worse. The data shows children are very unlikely to develop life-threatening symptoms from COVID-19. But they can get sick, and we dont know yet what the long-term effects could be. Vaccination is about more than any one individual or any one demographic. It aims at making infection more difficult generally, to curb the spread of the virus as well as the severity of symptoms. Getting shots, for those who qualify (no shots are available yet for children under 12), and taking simple steps at prevention like wearing masks, is sensible. We should be doing everything possible to ensure our kids can go back to school in the fall and can stay there the whole year. The worst case scenario would be for students to return to school in September, then have to switch back to remote learning because of a resurgence of the virus. That is the scenario Stefanik makes more likely with her anti-vaccine, anti-masking (or should we call it pro-COVID?) grandstanding. We dont know why, as a federal representative, Stefanik is expending her energy on public school policy, which is the purview of the states. Like everyone else, we are weary of dealing with COVID-19. Being weary or angry or rebellious doesnt make the virus go away, however, while vaccinations and mask-wearing do. Local editorials are written by the Post-Star editorial board, which includes Ben Rogers, president and director of local sales and marketing; Brian Corcoran, regional finance director and former publisher; Will Doolittle, projects editor; and Bob Condon, local news editor. Love 42 Funny 6 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 17 She said in December she was the first federal official to call for an independent investigation into the allegations. The media and Democrats smeared me and closed ranks to protect Cuomo, a shameful chapter in New York history. All of them including his staff must be held to account. These brave women deserve swift and definitive justice, Stefanik said in a news release. Democratic U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand also issued a joint statement calling on Cuomo to step down. The New York State Attorney General has conducted an independent, thorough and professional investigation that found the governor violated state and federal law, had a pattern of sexually harassing current and former employees, retaliated against at least one of the accusers, and created a hostile work environment, they said in a statement. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office, the statement went on to say. U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Long Island Republican running for governor, called on Cuomo to resign or be impeached. ABSECON Celebration of a successful rescue turned to heartache when an 11-year-old boy, who had been pulled from the Egg Harbor City Lake, later died. Saul Carranza, the father of 11-year-old Jayson Carranza, has launched a Go Fund Me page seeking help covering funeral expenses for his son. Reached on Monday, Carranza said the entire family is in mourning. At the moment we are not ready to speak out and ask for privacy, he said. Many community members expressed grief at the news. Were so sorry about the loss of your sweet boy. May God help you to find peace and comfort during such a difficult time, wrote one donor on the fundraising website page. The family attended a church event at the lake on Sunday, July 25. According to reports from Egg Harbor City Police, the boy had been playing alone in the water before being found unresponsive. He was pulled from the water at around 4:30 p.m. and CPR was performed before Galloway Township Ambulance transported him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City. He was later taken to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The next morning, July 26, he was listed in stable condition. The lot is totally inadequate to do 500 tons daily in construction and debris waste, Dovey said. An 8,000-square-foot building is too small for a 500-ton daily operation, and the Washington Avenue access is inadequate, he said. Its not good for Pleasantville. Its not good for the county and its ratepayers. Its not good for the ACUA, Dovey said during an interview Tuesday. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The topic of the signs came up at Tuesdays county Board of Commissioners meeting, after Maria K. Mento, a former staff member at the ACUA, was approved as a new ACUA board member. Roadwork set for Pleasantville, Linwood A detour will be in effect beginning 11 a.m. Friday in the eastbound lane of Delilah Road in Who authorized them to use county money for printing signs? Coursey asked. Coursey also said the authority is being hypocritical. ACUA went out for bids to transfer stuff down to Cape May County, Coursey said. They didnt have a problem then. You cant have your cake and eat it, too. The ACUA is allowed to spend money on public information campaigns, Dovey said, and the signs and the website are part of that campaign. Nobody knew about it (the trash transfer station) except a handful of people, Dovey said, mentioning the project has been discussed on the government level for about a year. Somers Point woman killed in single-car accident PLEASANTVILLE A Somers Point woman was found dead after a single-car accident Tuesday morn 2 rail conductors among 3 charged with prescription scheme NEWARK Two NJ Transit conductors, including one who sits on the board of directors, took p With Hamilton on board, the proposal will likely move forward, county Executive Dennis Levinson said Friday, before the Township Committees decision. The way things are going, were going to move forward on this, Levinson said. Hamilton Township is on the cusp. Once they come in, it would probably be worthwhile. County officials had said at least eight communities needed to come on board for the proposal to work. But Levinson said that number was a little misleading. If the eight smallest municipalities in the county approved joining the system, the numbers would not have worked. Levinson has projected annual savings in excess of $1 million by combining municipal court services in a single operation. He said some towns, including Atlantic City, have rejected the idea out of hand, and others have declined to hear details at a public meeting. All we want to do is to be able to present our case, Levinson said. It is a bit irksome, to put it mildly, that some towns wont even listen. They owe it to their taxpayers to at least hear us out in a public forum. It is not too late for towns to sign on, Levinson said. Weve got time, he said. They realize the cops cant do anything to them, and certain kids are taking advantage of the situation. You add alcohol and marijuana to the mix and take away officers ability to curtail it, and nobody should be surprised at the outcome, Rosenello said. Last winter, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a package of bills legalizing cannabis, following overwhelming support of a November referendum. It included limits on how police handle underage possession of both alcohol and marijuana, restricting searches of those underage and limiting the punishment to curbside warnings. Critics argue that the law essentially legalizes underage drinking and cannabis consumption. Police can still make arrests in assaults and other serious crimes. Thats what happened in North Wildwood. According to Rosenello, two juveniles face charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy in connection with the fight over the Fourth of July weekend. All of those involved are from out of town, he said. Because of the age of those involved, no names were released. There were other fights reported in town. Some of them have been more significant than others. Weve had eight assaults on juveniles in North Wildwood since Memorial Day, Rosenello said. RENO, Nev. (AP) The slender, bushy-tailed Sierra Nevada red fox will be listed as an endangered species, federal wildlife officials announced Monday, saying its population has dipped to just 40 animals in area of California stretching from Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided against listing a distinct population of the foxes in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon and near Lassen Peak in Northern California. But it said in a listing rule to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday that the Sierra Nevada segment south of Tahoe is in danger of extinction throughout all of its range. While the exact number remains unknown and is also subject to change with new births and deaths, it is well below population levels that would provide resiliency, redundancy and representation to the population. It provided no estimate of the number of red foxes remaining in the Cascade Range. One of the rarest mammals in North America, the red foxes in the Sierra already are vulnerable due to threats of wildfire, drought, competition in coyotes, reductions in prey and inbreeding with non-native foxes. An employee at a Camden County UPS hub bragged about breaching House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office and declared the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to be the best day of his life, federal authorities said, citing the accounts of several coworkers who eventually turned him in. Donald Smith, 51, of Lindenwold, returned to work at the companys Lawnside facility the day after the deadly insurrection, boasting of his participation and eager to share photos and videos he shot during his illegal tour of the building, according to the charging documents in his case. But several of them had already spotted him in coverage of the riot that aired on TV and had been sharing screenshots of the footage among themselves. Within a week, at least three of them contacted the FBI to report Smiths boasts. I work with a man who showed up with pictures and video of him and others storming the Capitol, one wrote. He says he was in Nancy Pelosis office, and that it was the best day of his life. I do not condone these actions and would like to report him. Mays Landing man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot A conversation between family friends led to the arrest this week of a Mays Landing man for The Moline-Coal Valley School District will hold a special meeting Thursday to decide on the district's mask policy for the upcoming school year. An agenda for a special meeting lists a recommended motion that the Board of Education approve a strong recommendation for mask use for all staff and secondary students and a mask requirement for all elementary students. The agenda states there would be the possibility of adjusting the rules if positive cases in the district and/or Rock Island County shift significantly, or if the age range for the vaccination changes. The meeting comes as Rock Island County is considered by the CDC to have a substantial level of community transmission and has seen 77 new positive cases in a seven-day span, and the positivity rate rise to 8.48%. Moline schools are set to begin opening on Aug. 13 with sixth-grade and freshmen orientation days. The debate over whether South Carolina students and staff should wear masks this fall has been roiling since the spring, when McMaster called it the height of ridiculosity for a school district to require a mask over any parents wishes that their child go without one. State lawmakers subsequently passed a budget proviso prohibiting the states public colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. During a continuing debate over whether students and school staff should wear masks this fall, McMaster tweeted last month that, while The Delta Variant poses a real threat to South Carolinians, he felt that "shutting our state down, closing schools and mandating masks is not the answer. Personal responsibility is. Even during the peak of the pandemic last year, McMaster did not issue a comprehensive mask mandate, opting instead for smaller-scale mandates such as requiring face coverings in state government buildings and restaurants. The governor consistently stressed, however, that residents take personal responsibility for their actions. MINNEAPOLIS Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd's civil rights are asking that their federal trials be separated from the trial of Derek Chauvin, who has already been convicted on state murder charges for kneeling on Floyd's neck as the Black man pleaded for air. Attorneys for J. Kueng and Tou Thao said in court filings Tuesday that their clients would be unfairly prejudiced if they went to trial alongside Chauvin. An attorney for Thomas Lane filed a motion asking to join in his co-defendants' request. Keung's attorney, Tom Plunkett, said evidence against Chauvin would confuse the jury and deprive Kueng of his right to a fair trial. He also said there is a conflict of interest due to Chauvin's level of culpability in Floyd's death, saying "the jurors will not be able to follow the Courts instructions and compartmentalize the evidence as it related to Mr. Kueng." A federal grand jury indicted Chauvin, Kueng, Thao and Lane in May, alleging they violated Floyds rights while acting under government authority as Floyd was restrained face-down, handcuffed and not resisting. Codfish Hollow will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to attend concerts in 2021. "In accordance with recommendations by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and thoughtful consideration by the Codfish Hollow team, we will require proof of full vaccination in order to attend any Codfish Hollow shows during the 2021 season. We will continue to monitor the circumstances and adjust as necessary," the music venue posted on its Facebook page. As COVID-19 cases increase again from the delta variant, the Maquoketa concert barn is not alone. Broadway venues in New York City are requiring proof of vaccination for entry. At Lollapalooza last weekend in Chicago, patrons were required to either be fully vaccinated, or to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of attendance. Some businesses, like Tyson Foods, have begun requiring vaccination for employment. And masking requirements are in place again for shoppers at large chains like Walmart and Target. COLUMBUS JUNCTION Tyson Foods will require workers to have the COVID-19 vaccine, and they will receive $200 as a thank you, the company announced Tuesday. But the union supporting the rank-and-file workers is calling foul. According to a press release from Tyson Foods President and CEO Donnie King, all Tyson members working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated, including the 1,100 workers who run the Columbus Junction Tyson plant, and those in the Joslin, Illinois plant. King said Tyson officers and above must be vaccinated by Sept. 24, office workers by Oct. 1 and all other team members by Nov. 1. New hires will have to be vaccinated before their start dates. As people have heard, new variants of COVID-19 are more contagious, more deadly, and responsible for most cases in America today, King said. In some communities, doctors and hospitals are once again overwhelmed, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting nearly all hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. are among those who are unvaccinated. It is abundantly clear that getting vaccinated is the single most effective thing we can do to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. She has also led the expansion of AP's video business into a fully digital operation that can provide live video on a multichannel basis. As its core business of selling news to newspapers and broadcasters began shrinking, the AP has broadened its licensing efforts to other areas, like business and academia. It has also built a business licensing old photos and video, the latter through the purchase of a company that owned old movie newsreels. AP also makes money by providing studio space and news equipment to organizations, selling news software and election vote-counting and surveys. Further diversification efforts are underway, including offering customized news reports and managing video for auctions held by companies like Sotheby's, Veerasingham said. The AP is probably on the most solid footing it's been on for a very long time, she said. I don't think the world needs to worry about the future of The Associated Press. Do we have challenges ahead? Yeah, we've got to diversify our revenue and we've got to stabilize revenue in our core. But I think that is something we can actually do in the next three years because of the financial strength we've built. He noted that the new Sangamon County health department recommendations didn't suggest a mask mandate. A statement from the department said: "Throughout the pandemic, Sangamon County has always heeded the advice of trusted public health experts. There is now increasing and justifiable concern amongst those public health experts regarding the spread of new COVID-19 variants." The statement said the new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Illinois Department of Public Health includes "the use of masks by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals when in indoor settings. Their recommendation regarding mask use is advisory only and not mandatory." Wearing a mask in public places is "the best and safest practice ... even if you are vaccinated, to help reduce the spread and to help prevent serious illness," the statement said. "Masks aren't perfect shields, but the weight of evidence indicates that they do reduce the spread of COVID." The statement concludes by stressing the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. "Based on all of the available evidence, the vaccines do work," the statement said. "We ask all county residents to do the right thing for themselves, their families and their community, and get vaccinated." In the summer of 1721 a deadly epidemic of smallpox besieged the city of Boston. An African slave named Onesimus told authorities that in his homeland they had discovered that they could fend off contagions by inoculating themselves with a specimen of fluid from an infected person. To many Bostonians this sounded like an outlandish idea. They feared it would spread smallpox all the more. And it was suggested by an African slave! Only one Boston doctor was willing to try the new method. He inoculated his son and his own slaves. Only 2.5% of those vaccinated died, versus 15% of the unvaccinated. By 1750 vaccinations became standard practice in Massachusetts and later in the whole country. Today this "Holy Grail of smallpox prevention" has eliminated this once deadly disease worldwide. Modern vaccines against the coronavirus have proved 95% effective. As infections among the unvaccinated continue to rise, it behooves all of us to believe the science and protect ourselves and our neighbors from this deadly disease. When everyone is vaccinated, the virus will have no place to grow. Frank Samuelson Moline Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I see in the paper that the governor is again refusing to issue a mask mandate, thumbing her nose at the CDC and anyone else that knows more about it than she does. She touts her "trust in Iowans to do the right thing". And yet, not too long ago she signed legislation that limits Iowans' ability to vote, ostensibly because Iowans cheat while casting votes, mailing votes and counting votes. So which is it, governor, do you trust or not? If you do, petition to withdraw the voting restrictions. If you don't, issue a mask mandate. You can't have it both ways. Police officers and firefighters will receive COVID-19 hazard pay bonuses after the Rapid City Council voted 6-2 for them on Monday night. Police and fire department employees who worked throughout the pandemic and are active employees as of Aug. 2 will receive a one-time $1,000. The funding will come from undesignated cash in the general fund. A total of 371 employees will receive the one-time pay. Council members Ritchie Nordstrom and Lance Lehmann opposed the measure. Council member Jason Salamun brought up the COVID-19 bonuses for public safety employees on July 14 after the council received a letter from the police and fire chiefs. Weve already said and well say it again, its not enough, but I do hope it at least shows the sacrifices you make on a day-to-day basis, Salamun said at Monday nights meeting. It is not lost on us what you do for our community and the sacrifices that you make. Nordstrom asked if itd be better to use funds the city is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. The city has received about $6 million so far of an expected $13 million in the federal funds. This is nice to have this done, she said. The next steps include waiting to hear about the bankruptcy resolution. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Before the sentencing was carried out, Hymans addressed the court and said she filed for bankruptcy to clean financial house. Hymans, who sounded like she was fighting tears, said shes trying hard to get her finances in place in order to pay restitution. She said she may be promoted to general manager at the Sturgis Dominos location where she works now. Her lawyer, John Murphy, said Hymans was able to save $5,000 to put toward restitution while Hymans was a delivery driver for the company. Murphy said Hymans is a good person and is involved in her community, particularly with efforts to help the less fortunate. He said Hymanss goal is to make the victims whole and the best way she could do that is through a house arrest sentence and paying the restitution. A 41-year-old Florida woman is now in jail for disorderly conduct on a plane Friday at Rapid City Regional Airport. Mistie Justice Watkins of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla., was charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, simple assault on law enforcement and a Meade County Warrant. According to court records, she is also charged with unlawful occupancy. Justice Watkins appeared in court Monday and is held on a $100 cash-only bond for simple assault on law enforcement and a $1,000 cash-only bond for unlawful occupancy. According to a police press release, an officer at the airport was notified of an unruly passenger around 8:50 p.m.. The officer told Justice Watkins he would escort her off the plane, and she was loud and disruptive. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} According to the release, Justice Watkins indecently exposed herself to other passengers on the plane and was advised she was going to be arrested. The officer noted he could smell alcohol from her person. Justice Watkins also attempted to pull away from the officer and kicked him, and additional officers arrived to transport her from the airport. Bodnar told the Missoulian on Monday that Yellow Robe was a strong advocate for Native Americans as well as a talented playwright and a beloved teacher. "As an educator, he was able to unlock the passion for storytelling for a countless number of students," Bodnar said. "It was an honor to get to know Bill as we awarded him an honorary doctorate from UM, and I join the entire UM family in expressing our condolences to the Fort Peck community and celebrating his timeless contributions to society. John DeBoer, the director of the School of Theater and Dance at the university, said he didn't know Yellow Robe but was at the ceremony. "He had a really powerful speech that I was really honored to be there for," DeBoer said on Monday. "It changed the way I think about how we make UM a more welcoming place for Native American students who are interested in studying the arts, and I'll be forever grateful for that opportunity." During the ceremony, Yellow Robe talked about being the target of racism growing up. I dont feel angry toward the people who used to use race to attack me, he said, according to a news release. They have a sadness to them. Yellow Robe is survived by his wife and many other relatives. A funeral service was held on July 27 in Wolf Point. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 "I don't want to treat anyone any better or anyone any worse because of their position," he said. He added the $350 fine was typically higher than he would have offered to another defendant, but didn't feel it was exorbitant. "I feel that the deterrent effect was probably accomplished," he said. A Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped Ellsworth at about 10:20 p.m. on May 23 when her radar clocked him driving 88 mph in a 55-mph construction zone, according to charging documents. After he had stopped, Ellsworth exited his vehicle with the Montana Constitution readied on his phone. Trooper Mackenzie Gifford repeatedly told Ellsworth to return to his car, but Ellsworth insisted he be let go due to a provision in the state constitution that exempts lawmakers from an arrest in any case except a felony while going to and returning from the state legislative session. The session had concluded the month prior, although Ellsworth attended a Legislative Council meeting at the state Capitol the morning after his traffic stop. Trace Knighten, 12, of Butte sat with bandaged hands and gave a statement to a game warden about the wildlife attack Knighten had suffered Friday along the Big Hole River. It wasnt the average mauling. The animal involved in the attack is known for its playfulness, its aquatic acrobatics and seemingly sleek and carefree frolics. Trace Knighten was attacked by an otter. He and a cousin were floating the river on inner tubes and were about a half mile upstream from the Powerhouse Fishing Access Site when they spotted several otters downstream. The boys tried to avoid the otters but one approached and attacked Knighten. It bit his ankle and head and arms and hands, said Steve Knighten, the boys father. There were some chunks missing out of his arm. Hes got stitches and staples but hes fine, Steve Knighten said Monday. Hes out riding his bike, he said. Shane Yaskus, a game warden for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, took Trace Knightens statement. FWP issued a press release Monday. Facing a surging COVID-19 variant, some Richmond-area restaurants are asking patrons for proof of vaccinations or negative COVID-19 test results or requiring people who dont have either to wear masks when not seated at the table. With COVID-19 cases rising again around Virginia and nationally, beleaguered restaurants everywhere are bracing for another round of fallout. Last week, Gov. Ralph Northam urged Virginians to get vaccinated and encouraged them to wear masks inside indoor public spaces, but stopped short of making that a requirement. The requirement would need to come from the governors office, said Cat Long, spokesperson for Richmond and Henrico Countys health districts. Local health districts cant make a requirement or a mandate; the strongest response we can offer is a recommendation. A mask requirement or mandate would require some version of the law changing. In the past, weve seen this done through the Governors executive orders, Long said. Although not a universal mandate, another pathway is for individual businesses, workplaces, schools, etc. to require masks indoors. On Tuesday, Virginia had 1,403 new cases and a positivity rate of 6.1% a stark contrast to just over a month ago, when there were 165 new cases and positivity rates were less than 2%. Dolgopyats mother told the radio station that her son and his girlfriend have lived together for three years, but they cant marry. They need to go abroad, but they dont let him go abroad because he always needs to do sports. The Olympic champion, for his part, tried to downplay the controversy. These are things I have in my heart, its not right to talk about this now, he told reporters in Tokyo. Yair Lapid, Israels foreign minister, said Monday that he will fight in every way possible so that there will be civil marriage in order for Dolgopyat and others to marry in Israel. He said it was intolerable that someone can win a gold medal for the country and not be able to wed. Its insufferable in my eyes that someone can stand on the podium, hear Hatikva, and get a gold medal in the name of Israel, and then not be able to wed here, he said, referring to the countrys national anthem. Its a situation that cannot continue, and we will fight for change. A 14-year-old boy already facing three charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Lucia Bremer has been charged with three additional crimes, including threatening to shoot up a school. Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor said Monday that the defendant, who has not been named publicly because of his age, made the threat on social media, which was discovered after Bremer was gunned down on March 26. But it had been posted in mid-March, before her death. Taylor would not say which school the boy had allegedly threatened. Bremer attended Quioccasin Middle School, where she was in eighth grade. The shooting occurred in a neighborhood just behind Godwin High School. Taylor and Henrico school officials have not said where the boy attended school, saying that it might identify him. On Monday, the boy was also charged with attempting to murder another girl, who was with Bremer when she was killed, and brandishing a firearm at that girl. Taylor did not identify the second victim, but said she was younger than Bremer. Authorities have not found any connection between the boy and the two girls. Roger Loria, a Holocaust survivor, knows the importance of music. Jewish musicians were often forced to play music in ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust as people were getting off of trains, marching to work and going to gas chambers. Their music was a way to save themselves, while the Nazis used it to mask the horrors of what was to come. On Tuesday, at a media preview event for a new exhibit that is looking to spark meaningful conversation and educate on the history of the Holocaust, the Belgian-born Loria, who lives in Richmond, talked about a particular moment when music impacted his life. He was held prisoner several places in Europe during the Holocaust, the last one being at Rivesaltes, a military camp in France that shipped thousands of Jewish people to Auschwitz. Loria outlived all of the family on his fathers side; they have the largest mass grave of a single family in Poland, and some of his family has no markers or graves. After the war, Loria lived in an orphanage with 100 children in Antwerp, Belgium. They were eventually all taken to Israel, and when they arrived at the port of Haifa, Israels national anthem Hatikvah was played. The meaning of Hatikvah is hope, he said, and that hope permeated us all the way to our bones for the first time. Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule on Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season. By early evening, Spirit had canceled more than 400 flights, or nearly 60% of its schedule, according to the FlightAware tracking service. Nearly 100 other flights were late. The blame appeared to lie at least partly with a technology outage affecting crew scheduling. American Airlines had already canceled nearly 350 flights. It is much larger than Spirit, so those flights amounted to 11% of its schedule still an unusually high rate. About three-fourths of the American cancellations appeared to be due at least partly to a lack of pilots, according to a company log. The disruptions at Spirit and American are just the latest examples of airlines scrambling to deal with an increase in travel this summer. Airlines have thousands fewer employees than they did before the pandemic, but U.S. air travel has recovered to about 80% of 2019 levels. A Spirit spokesman said the low-cost carrier was proactively canceling some flights dropping them before most passengers drive to the airport to reset the operation. The contest provided the opportunity for students to tell a fuller and more complete version of our shared history, the states secretary of education, Atif Qarni, said during the virtual celebration. The students at an adult English as a second language program in Chesterfield County submitted Filipinos in the U.S. Navy for the contest. Melissa Dart, an ESL educator for the program, said during the virtual celebration that she was excited to bring to light a story that is deeply personal. Dart, who is of Filipino descent, said her grandfather and father both served in the Navy. I am so grateful for this opportunity to give the Filipinos in the U.S. Navy a voice and the recognition they deserve for their behind-the-scene service, which greatly contributes to the history of Virginia and the nation, Dart said. The five markers will be submitted to the Board of Historic Resources in September and are expected to be approved in the coming months. Virginia has erected more than 2,600 state historical markers. The highway marker program started in 1927 and is an effort to document Virginias history through people, places, or events of regional, statewide or national significance. In February 2020, the Department of Historical Resources launched the annual Black History Month Historical Marker Contest to highlight the contributions of Black Virginians. *** The quick committee action on the budget does not mean the General Assembly got off to a fast start on a special session that could last two weeks, or longer. For the second straight year, the House and Senate failed to agree on a procedural resolution to define the rules and boundaries of the special session, including when it will adjourn. The House had unanimously approved a resolution that would have required the session to adjourn by Saturday, Aug. 14. The resolution also would have allowed either chamber to adjourn temporarily and reconvene on 48 hours notice to allow the budget and courts committees to work on the spending plan and the election of eight judges to the Virginia Court of Appeals. The Senate, led by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, eliminated the closing date and required the House and the Senate to make a joint call to adjourn temporarily. The Senate also reduced the required time for reviewing the final budget plan from 48 hours to 24. Surovell said the House and the Senate should synchronize their schedules so they have to work together and talk together. He said special sessions traditionally have not had a deadline for adjournment, although he said, All of us want to get out of here as soon as humanly possible. The statewide GOP ticket mates are listed as featured guests Saturday at an election integrity rally at Liberty University, but two of the candidates say they arent attending. Del. Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach, the GOP nominee for attorney general, and former Del. Winsome Sears of Winchester, the nominee for lieutenant governor, wont be attending, their campaigns confirmed Tuesday. Miyares posted on Twitter on Monday that he and Sears will be doing an event Saturday evening in Fairfax County for Harold Pyon, the Republican candidate challenging Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, in the fall election. GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkins campaign would not say whether he still plans to attend the event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, which is coordinated by the 5th congressional district Republican committee and includes a banquet on Friday and forums on Saturday. Asked if he was still scheduled to speak, campaign spokeswoman Macaulay Porter declined to answer on Tuesday and sent the Richmond Times-Dispatch a statement attacking Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe. Since he moved in with his mother, Hinckley was grateful to have been able to reciprocate in some measure by providing full-time care for her, said Levine, his attorney. John Hinckleys brother Scott had moved to the Williamsburg area in 2017 and expressed interest in living with John after their mothers death, according to a risk assessment of Hinckley that was filed in court last year. Scott and Johns relationship has grown much closer over time, and they routinely spend time together both running errands and attending community events, the assessment said. Levine said Tuesday that Hinckley had already moved out of his mothers home before her death. Hinckley is in the process of asking a federal judge in Washington to grant him release from various conditions that he has been living under. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27. His life is probably one of the most scrutinized lives of anyone on the planet, Levine said. He has adhered to every requirement of law, every requirement of the release. 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. Year after year, weve watched as the General Assembly repeatedly fails to fully fund the Standards of Quality set forth by the Virginia Board of Education. The reason were always told is a lack of funding. Well, this time that excuse doesnt hold up. With the funds made available through the American Rescue Plan, the General Assembly must invest the $62 million per year for the next three fiscal years to establish the Equity Fund. Additionally, rather than continuing to debate who does and doesnt fund school construction, the General Assembly should use funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds toward making investments in allowable general school infrastructure support, and intentionally and equitably invest in our school facilities and infrastructure. We cant continue to allow the students of tax-poor areas to sit in decrepit and unsafe school facilities when we know other localities benefit from the current local composite index, which is not devoid of its own racist origins. Prioritizing the Equity Fund and school infrastructure investments must be the priority during the General Assemblys special session if we are to establish an acceptable new normal for all Virginia students. However, this is only the first and most basic step. Funding and budgets are a product of our priorities, and right now in Virginia, its clear that our priority has been profit over our students. If we are to change priorities, then we must meaningfully reimagine both our school funding formulas and tax revenue. As of this writing, the governors proposed budget proves that once again, Virginia students are not our priority. Its up to the General Assembly to prove it has the political courage to say otherwise. Data from the National Low Income Housing Coalitions (NLIHC) Housing Needs By State page shows just how much work has to be done. In Virginia, 22% of renter households are extremely low income (a maximum income of $28,120 for a family of four). Compounding the strain, 71% of extremely low income households are severely cost-burdened (spending more than 50% of income on housing). And even if a family tried to find a more feasible living situation, the commonwealth has a shortage of 148,720 affordable rental homes. Severely cost-burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and health care to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, the NLIHC warns. But COVID-19 has expanded the scope of our nations housing crisis. A July Aspen Institute report estimates that more than 15 million people (6.5 million households) are behind on rent. A collective $20 billion-plus is owed to landlords, with an average debt of $3,300 per tenant. Roughly half of people who are behind on rent expect to be evicted in the next two months, the report added. Go beyond HB 2038; improve penal system Editor, Times-Dispatch: House Bill 2038 was signed into law this July by Gov. Ralph Northam. The law marks a critical step forward in Virginias recent efforts to acknowledge and address its racist criminal justice system. Specifically, this law limits the courts ability to issue parole violations and restricts the maximum parole sentence length to five years. In other words, minor technical parole violations that often keep formerly convicted persons trapped in a cycle of recidivism will lose much of their power. With the support of successful activist and hip-hop icon Meek Mill, aka Robert Rihmeek Williams, Del. Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, was able to get the attention and support that HB 2038 needed. While celebrating this progress, it is important that we also discuss how this legislation falls short. Five years of parole is often a harsh and excessive sentence that can haunt nonviolent formerly incarcerated persons for years. Park police and Botetourt County emergency workers responded to the crash at 7:04 p.m., where they found a Dodge Durango that had been traveling southbound upright but heavily damaged, Alexander said, reading the report into the record. About 50 feet away lay Juvier Alexander Espinoza-Regaldo, 19, dead at the scene. Christian David Spil-Canales, 23, lay about 100 feet away, in respiratory failure. Spil-Canales died three-and-a-half hours later. Jorge Moran-Hernandez, 19, no relation to the defendant, was pinned under the passenger side rear wheel. His multiple injuries included an open fracture to the right femur and a concussion. He was conscious and intermittently screaming in pain, Alexander said, reading from the document. Moran-Hernandez, who is walking with difficulty on crutches after rehabilitation, will face resulting difficulties throughout his life, Alexander said. Hernandez, apparently the only person in the vehicle who was wearing a seat belt, was uninjured in the crash, Alexander told the judge. We had to import bad air from the West and its rampant wildfires, with an atmospheric pattern finely turned to drive it thickly into our region, to have a day choked with smoky haze and several that have been at least tinged with it. It is important to be empathetic to the fact that this is a Western disaster and only an Eastern inconvenience. We get a few smoky days while parts of the West have had several days with far denser smoke, and of course wide swaths of forest and some populated areas threatened by fires that climatologists project are worsening with hotter, drier weather linked to climate change. While being downstream in the atmospheric flow means we almost always get at least some effects of Western wildfires, a different weather pattern could have taken most of it far away from us. Weve had summers when weve seen more effects from Saharan dust than Western wildfires. Alaska, Africa sources of Southwest Virginia's recent bad air days On June 21, the air was so clear that, from ridgelines near Roanoke, cumulonimbus towers on But the bad air day we had on July 21 was an exception, rather than the rule. Certainly, environmental activists would say that there is still much left to do for cleaner air. Ozone can still come down further its more frequently a problem in some larger metro areas. Particle pollution occasionally spikes near harmful levels, and of course there are the ever-climbing levels of greenhouse gases. During a key ruling party meeting in June, Kim urged officials to find ways to boost agricultural production, saying the countrys food situation is now getting tense. Earlier, he even compared the ongoing pandemic-related difficulties to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Chinese data show North Koreas trade with China, its last major ally and biggest trading partner, nosedived by about 80% last year a result of the Norths strict border closure. South Koreas central bank said last week that North Koreas economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5% last year, the biggest contraction since 1997. Kwon said North Koreas current food problem will continue until it harvests corn, rice and other grains in autumn. But he said North Korea isn't likely to suffer a humanitarian disaster like the 1990s famine, during which he said there was little grain remaining at most markets. Currently, North Korean citizens can still buy grain at expensive prices if they have money, he said. Other experts say China isn't likely to allow a massive famine to occur in North Korea. They say China worries about North Korean refugees flooding over the border into China or the establishment of a pro-U.S., unified Korea on its doorstep. Of course, some of the claims about 2020 give no credit to Democrats and instead suggest that the election was rigged by Italian intelligence officers, Chinese paper ballot counterfeiters or long-dead Latin American socialists. At least the cow people can correctly say that some milk and some milk-producing animals are brown. Those are unrelated observations, but they are true. Truth and the big lie never get that close together. Some will say that we should excuse big lie supporters. After all, authoritative figures a former president and Fox News commentators actively promote voter fraud claims. Appeals to authority bolster controversial conclusions and maybe the blame belongs to Donald Trump, the Republicans who fail to call him out, and the conservative media that amplify his lies. Trump is responsible for the big lie, but there is also a problem with the believers. They give credence to the fears that a poorly informed citizenry could someday destroy our democracy. A few tried to do exactly that on Jan. 6, and more disruptions and violence could occur in the weeks and months ahead. Under the initiative, suppliers can qualify for discounted rates on short-term working capital financing when they meet sustainability standards accepted by McCormick. Those standards include performance on labor conditions, health & safety practices, crop management, environmental impact, farmer resilience, and womens empowerment. The higher the suppliers performance level in meeting these standards, the more they save. The financial partnership includes an advisory component in Vietnam, where IFC is helping McCormick build a more sustainable, traceable, certified, and quality-compliant pepper supply chain through capacity development and the empowerment of women farmers, aimed at helping to achieve environmental and social improvements for pepper suppliers and producers. At McCormick, were committed to doing whats right for people, communities, and the planet we share. Through our partnership with IFC and Citi, were enabling our suppliers to sustainably source our herbs and spices more easily, and, in turn, are working toward our own goals at the same time, said Michael Okoroafor, Vice President for Global Sustainability and Packaging Innovation at McCormick & Company. Through our Purpose-led Performance approach, were going beyond the industry standard to ensure that were improving farmer resilience, elevating womens empowerment, and mandating ethical behavior at every level of our supply chain. This innovative partnership between McCormick and IFC leverages Citis global Supplier Finance offering. Citis Supplier Finance platform is made available to McCormicks suppliers with environmental, social, and governance credentials so they may benefit from liquidity at preferential rates based on their sustainability performance. Adoniro Cestari, Global Head of Trade Product Management and Structuring with Citis Treasury and Trade Solutions, said Bringing this sustainable financing solution to life is a huge milestone for us. Citi is committed to helping clients achieve their sustainability objectives, especially with respect to supply chains and environmental challenges. We are working with clients around the world to help them balance environmental and economic needs, adhere to defined standards, and manage risks in their supply chains. Helping to support the sustainability of the supply chains and stimulating international trade flows are critical priorities for us. Citis Supplier Financing infrastructure has recently been enhanced to help meet clients environmental, social, and governance requirements and is available globally. IFC previously partnered with Citi in June 2020 to create an $800 million facility to boost trade finance amid the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting sustainable business starts with clear incentives, said Rana Karadsheh, IFC Director of Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services for Asia and Pacific. Thats why were proud to support McCormicks sustainability goals and build upon IFCs sustainability goals and work with them to enhance IFCs trade finance offering. Such initiatives help make sustainable business good business for emerging market players. The partnership is part of IFCs Global Trade Supplier Finance (GTSF) program, a $500 million multicurrency investment and advisory program established in 2010. GTSF provides short-term financing to small and midsized suppliers in emerging markets selling to large domestic buyers or exporting to international buyers, by discounting invoices once they are approved by the buyer. The financing rates can be linked to sustainability measures to minimize impacts on the environment and promote climate-resilient agriculture practices, while connecting smallholders to global markets. Rewarding our suppliers to incentivize sustainability performance enables us to further accelerate our journey toward achieving our Purpose-led Performance sourcing commitments, said Donald Pratt, Chief Spice Buyer and Managing Director, McCormick Global Ingredients Limited. Lori Robinson Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. COLUMBIA, S.C. More than $260 million in unclaimed property has been returned to its South Carolina resident owners since 2011. South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced Tuesday morning that $35.3 million in unclaimed property has been returned to South Carolina residents in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and more than $260 million has been returned since he took office in January 2011. We appreciate our partners in the media, followers on social media and community organizations that help us spread the word about unclaimed property, Loftis said in a news release. I always encourage people to search their names at least twice a year, as were always receiving new properties. Loftis said in a news release. Millions of dollars are transferred to the unclaimed property program annually by companies that cannot locate the rightful owners. Loftiss office acts as custodian of those funds until those owners can be located. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The suspect in the killing of three people in rural South Carolina hopped on a plane after the shootings and was arreste He focused on Irans mounting domestic issues, praising Raisis anti-corruption campaign and asking him to encourage local production. The nation needs competent, effective and brave management, Khamenei said. Iran, now struggling to stem the spread of the highly contagious delta variant, has recorded a total of more than 3.9 million virus cases and 91,785 fatalities the highest death toll in the region. Without commenting specifically on the stalled nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Raisi stressed in his speech he would pursue the removal of oppressive sanctions in order to salvage the crippled economy. We will not (tie) the peoples dining tables and the economy to the will of the foreigners, he said. Raisi won a landslide victory in the June election, which saw the lowest in the Islamic Republics history. He will take the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony Thursday before parliament. President Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the landmark nuclear accord and lift sanctions if Iran moves back into compliance with the agreement. But escalating tensions in the Middle East now risk complicating the diplomatic choreography. The West has blamed Iran for a drone attack last week that struck an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members. Iran has denied involvement in the incident, which marks the first-known fatal assault after a yearslong shadow war targeting commercial shipping in the region. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. As best I recall, the sequence of statements coming from the government and experts since the beginning of COVID-19 has gone something like this: You dont need to wear a mask and its no more serious than the flu; you do need to wear a mask, though the virus is so small it can penetrate all but the N95 brand, so you should wear two masks; a vaccine will protect you from catching the virus and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you wont have to wear a mask if fully vaccinated; you must still wear a mask even if fully vaccinated because of the Delta variant; If you have been fully vaccinated, it is unlikely you will catch the Delta variant, but wear a mask anyway just in case; kids may or may not return to school and if they do return, they may or may not be forced to wear masks, even though young children appear to be less affected by the virus. "Empathy and Remote Legal Proceedings" | Main | "Newspaper Expungement" August 3, 2021 Spotlighting considerable racial disparities in modern criminal enforcement of gun prohibitions I came across this notable recent commentary by Jeff Jacoby in the Boston Globe titled "The very racist history of gun control: The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is indispensable to Black equality." The piece highlights some of the racialized history of gun control in the US, but it failed to discuss the important modern reality of racially disparities in criminal enforcement of gun prohibitions. And with the US Supreme Court taking up a major Second Amendment case in the coming Term with New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Corlett, I think it important to spotlight how gun control laws are actually enforced in federal and state criminal justice systems. We can start in New York because the SCOTUS case comes from that state and because the Black Attorneys of Legal Aid caucus and lots of NY public defender offices filed this interesting amicus brief to highlight how gun control enforcement actually operates: [E]ach year, we represent hundreds of indigent people whom New York criminally charges for exercising their right to keep and bear arms. For our clients, New Yorks licensing regime renders the Second Amendment a legal fiction. Worse, virtually all our clients whom New York prosecutes for exercising their Second Amendment right are Black or Hispanic. And that is no accident. New York enacted its firearm licensing requirements to criminalize gun ownership by racial and ethnic minorities. That remains the effect of its enforcement by police and prosecutors today. The consequences for our clients are brutal. New York police have stopped, questioned, and frisked our clients on the streets. They have invaded our clients homes with guns drawn, terrifying them, their families, and their children. They have forcibly removed our clients from their homes and communities and abandoned them in dirty and violent jails and prisons for days, weeks, months, and years. They have deprived our clients of their jobs, children, livelihoods, and ability to live in this country. And they have branded our clients as criminals and violent felons for life. They have done all of this only because our clients exercised a constitutional right.... In 2020, while Black people made up 18% of New Yorks population, they accounted for 78% of the states felony gun possession cases. Non-Latino white people, who made up 70% of New Yorks population, accounted for only 7% of such prosecutions. Black people were also more likely to have monetary bail set, as opposed to release on their own recognizance or under supervision, even when comparing individuals with no criminal record. When looking at only N.Y. Penal Law 265.03(3) which alleges only possession of a loaded firearm 80% of people in New York who are arraigned are Black while 5% are non-Hispanic white. Furthermore, according to NYPD arrest data, in 2020, 96% of arrests made for gun possession under N.Y. Penal Law 265.03(3) in New York City were of Black or Latino people. This percentage has been above 90% for 13 consecutive years. For another example, consider great recent work by Loyola University Chicagos Center for Criminal Justice Research, Policy and Practice in recent reports on "Arrests in Illinois for Illegal Possession of a Firearm" and "Sentences Imposed on Those Convicted of Felony Illegal Possession of a Firearm in Illinois." Here is key arrest data from this first report: "Black males between the ages of 18 and 24 had the highest arrest rate statewide; for every 100,000 Black male between the ages of 18 and 24, there were 2,404 arrests.... By comparison, the statewide arrest rate for White males between 18 and 24 was 307 per 100,000, and 1,108 per 100,000 for Hispanic males between 18 and 24." And case-processing data from the second report details how Black offenders are more likely to be convicted on more serious charges: "[T]he majority (79%) of convictions for Class 2 felonies occurred in Cook County, whereas the majority (59%) of convictions for Class 3 felonies occurred outside Cook County. Also, while the majority of those convicted of either felony class were Black individuals, a larger share of those convicted of the more serious Class 2 felony were Black (83%), compared to 64% of those convicted of Class 3 felony offenses." And, lest one think these kinds of racial disparities are unique to state systems, the US Sentencing Commission published in March 2018 this potent report titled "Mandatory Minimum Penalties For Firearms Offenses In The Federal System." Here is part of that report's "Key Findings" under the heading "Firearms mandatory minimum penalties continue to impact Black offenders more than any other racial group" (with my emphasis added): Black offenders were convicted of a firearms offense carrying a mandatory minimum more often than any other racial group. In fiscal year 2016, Black offenders accounted for 52.6 percent of offenders convicted under section 924(c), followed by Hispanic offenders (29.5%), White offenders (15.7%) and Other Race offenders (2.2%). than any other racial group. In fiscal year 2016, Black offenders accounted for 52.6 percent of offenders convicted under section 924(c), followed by Hispanic offenders (29.5%), White offenders (15.7%) and Other Race offenders (2.2%). The impact on Black offenders was even more pronounced for offenders convicted either of multiple counts under section 924(c) or offenses carrying a mandatory minimum penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Black offenders accounted for more than two-thirds of such offenders (70.5% and 70.4%, respectively). Black offenders also generally received longer average sentences for firearms offenses carrying a mandatory minimum penalty than any other racial group. In fiscal year 2016, Black offenders convicted under section 924(c) received an average sentence of 165 months, compared to 140 months for White offenders and 130 months for Hispanic offenders. Only Other Race offenders received longer average sentences (170 months), but they accounted for only 2.2 percent of section 924(c) offenders. than any other racial group. In fiscal year 2016, Black offenders convicted under section 924(c) received an average sentence of 165 months, compared to 140 months for White offenders and 130 months for Hispanic offenders. Only Other Race offenders received longer average sentences (170 months), but they accounted for only 2.2 percent of section 924(c) offenders. Similarly, Black offenders convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act received longer average sentences than any other racial group at 185 months, compared to 178 months for White offenders, 173 months for Hispanic offenders, and 147 months for Other Race offenders. Of course, the Supreme Court's eventual Second Amendment ruling in the Corlett case, no matter what it holds or says, is highly unlikely to dramatically alter the considerable racial disparities in modern criminal enforcement of gun prohibitions. But, as debate over Second Amendment jurisprudence and gun control policy heats up in the coming months, I hope everyone keeps in mind the disconcerting demographic realities that consistently define modern criminal enforcement practice in the gun control space. August 3, 2021 at 05:48 PM | Permalink Comments The race problem in criminal justice (I might say justice overal) is well expressed by various sources & a defense attorney amicus brief aside, not sure the Second Amendment "supporters" [what that means is the debate] who flag the racism are truly consistent about things here. (A black writer at the Nation strongly disagreed with the public defender brief.) https://www.thenation.com/article/society/black-gun-owners-court/ Concern that a gun law would violation due process in some fashion was shown to cross ideological lines in the past. See, e.g., Sotomayor joining part of Thomas' dissent in Voisine v. United States. It is a reasonable concern to flag the inequities of criminal penalties as a whole, including something that is more liable to result in discrimination. As to the wider point, for instance, "stand your ground" laws have been shown to be applied in a discriminatory fashion. How this should factor into the wider issue of regulation of guns in public spaces is a complicated debate. Posted by: Joe | Aug 3, 2021 7:35:56 PM Sorry, but this blog hits a new low if it cites Jeff Jacoby of all people. He's only "notable" for a being a completely delusional reactionary. Now back to our regular programming... I second (no pun!) what Joe says generally, in particular the point about lack of sincerity on behalf of the gun zealots. Posted by: kotodama | Aug 4, 2021 12:44:07 AM As we already know, guns and gun control laws are very complicated issues in American, in no small part thanks to the National Rifle Association, which may be about to be shut down by the New York Attorney General's Office, after the NRA's Texas bankruptcy case was dismissed by the Judge. Start with the fact that there are believed to be more guns (362 million) in America than there are people (340 million). Black men comprise 34% of America's prison population (Hispanics 29% and whites 24%), despite making up only 14% (black men and women) of America's population. So, we can say with some certainty (without factoring in racism) that black men may be prosecuted more often for firearms offenses because they commit more crimes in general than their representation in the population as a whole. Yet, we also know from New York's notorious "stop and frisk" policies that black men are targeted by law enforcement more than white men are. In New York, a Federal Judge found that the targeting was illegal and unConstitutional. I still remember one case Judge Jack B. Weinstein ended up dismissing, where the New York police officer's alleged probable cause for stopping and frisking a black man (who was a felon carrying a pistol) was that he had a construction utility knife clipped in his pocket. Judge Weinstein and his law clerk determined that in the prior year, New York's Home Depot stores alone had sold like 24,000 such utility knives, which are commonly used in the construction trades. Thus, mere possession of such a common tool could not constitute probable cause to stop and frisk the man, so Judge Weinstein dismissed the Federal felon in possession of a firearm charge. By analogy, the Judge wrote that just because drug dealers use cell phones doesn't mean that the police can stop and frisk anyone carrying a cell phone, which most of America carries and uses for perfectly legitimate personal and business reasons every day. On the one hand, racial profiling by the police needs to end, but on the other hand, we as a society need to address the sociological and educational reasons that more black men turn to crime than white men. There are many pieces to this puzzle. Posted by: Jim Gormley | Aug 4, 2021 9:31:36 AM Nice thoughts and statistics from Jim, as usual. I agree there can beand certainly isa massive helping of racism and racial disparities in policing. One could even argue that's actually baked into the formal job descriptionoppressing minority populations. But, that can be true and require serious attention, while still having nothing to do with anyone's fictional 2A "rights" being attacked. Jacoby's piece (no pun) is ... of a piece (no second pun) with all the disingenuous, bad-faith argumentation being vomited out by the death and maiming lobby. Posted by: kotodama | Aug 4, 2021 9:40:36 AM I was critical of the to me misguided praise of Trump since a few of his action in some fashion advanced the ends of the blog. So, it is not surprising to me that the op-ed is cited. Looking at it, it spends much of its time stating that "Second Amendment rights" (translated -- individual right to own a firearm, which to me is a constitutional right, but I would not use the 2A for it in this context) apply to black people too. Yeah. The issue at hand is not the recognition of an individual right to a firearm. Before Heller, nearly every state clearly recognized that. The U.S Congress repeatedly recognized that. The issue here is how to properly regulate firearms -- which like speech, voting, the right to reproductive liberty etc. is regulated [well regulated hopefully] -- particularly in public places. A heavy-handed use of the criminal law is not the best approach. But neither is a free range use of guns in public places. Posted by: Joe | Aug 4, 2021 10:04:17 AM While a large number of gun offenders may be minorities; so too are a disproportionate number of gun victims. I have trouble believing, given the sources, that most of these disparate treatment arguments for strict scrutiny on gun regulations is motivated by an actual concern for minorities. Posted by: tmm | Aug 4, 2021 2:20:27 PM tmm, exactly. Speaking of scrutiny, or lack thereof, it gives me quite a sad to see this blog acting as an uncritical conduit for these kinds of spurious arguments. -kd Posted by: kotodama | Aug 4, 2021 4:08:41 PM "motivated by an actual concern for minorities" I think a brief submitted by "Black Attorneys of Legal Aid caucus and lots of NY public defender offices" might have some concern. I saw a reply to the Nation piece (critical of the brief) from at least one progressive leaning person who had some "actual concern for minorities." Yes, the victims of guns are also minorities. But, the complication is that it is unclear how useful the criminal policy involved is net. At the very least, even if bad actors selectively cite it, the disproportionate enforcement is problematic. Thus, I do think it is all very complicated. For instance, MANY criminal justice policies arise with support of the communities that are harmed by crime. But, a lot of words have been written about the problems with the policies. It's all very complicated. Posted by: Joe | Aug 4, 2021 6:49:11 PM To me, there are two very different kind of gun violators. I think the punishment, or lack thereof, should depend heavily on the person's criminal history, or lack thereof. Consider two gun defendants: Defendant A has no criminal history but does not have the appropriate license for their gun. Their only charges are related to their gun. Defendant B was previously convicted of a crime in which they used a gun to threaten the victim and is a prohibited possessor for that reason. I would want to see violator A receive little punishment, probably without jail time. I would want the book to be thrown at defendant B. For example, if defendant A received a $500 fine and community service, while defendant B got 25 years with no chance of parole, that would not bother me at all. If, in addition to the above, defendant A was white and defendant B was black, it would not change my opinion. The most important racial disparity is the disparity in crime victimization. In light of the large amount of black-on-black crime, I expect that keeping B in prison would protect other black people. That said, the post does not contain enough information to determine whether or not the racial disparities are related to that type of difference. Posted by: William C Jockusch | Aug 4, 2021 9:11:11 PM Enjoying this comment engagement, and wanted add on. First, Elie Mystel actually seems to recognize the factual soundness of the defender brief: "The argument public defenders make against gun laws is exactly the same as the argument I and others have made against drug laws. Law enforcement over-punishes Black and Latinx gun owners, and uses the mere suspicion that gun laws are being violated to instigate stops, frisks, harassment, brutality, and murder. Everything that has been said about the need to liberalize drug laws is being said by the public defenders about the need to liberalize gun laws. And the statistics totally back them up." But Elie goes on to say that liberalizing gun laws is a bad idea because, as he puts it "Guns do not keep people safethey kill people." Of course, he fails to talk about the fact that the same exact argument is made against liberalizing drug laws: drug prohibitions are often quick to say that drugs "do not keep people safethey kill people." My main point is to highlight, as said in my title, that there are "considerable racial disparities in modern criminal enforcement of gun prohibitions," and Elie does question this claim. He just seems to think these disparities are worth baring in the name of gun control (just like many believe siminar harms are both baring in the name of drug contol). Meanwhile, kd, I am not vouching for the motives or goals of Jeff Jacoby (whose work I do not follow). This post was intended just to note that government enforcement of gun prohibitions have always had racial skews and often racialized roots. Many people think that kind of history should inform constitutional/policy debates over non-unanimous juries and/or felon disenfranchisement and/or other legal doctrines with racialized pasts and impacts. To overlook racial realities in this setting would be, in my view, problematic. How we react in jurisprudence and policy is a broader and ever more challenging issue. Posted by: Doug Berman | Aug 5, 2021 11:34:01 PM I don't want to prolong this debate further. But I recognize and appreciate that Prof. B. put some time and effort into replying, so I will say a few things in closing. First, I see no contradiction at all in condemning racist policing and prosecuting on the one hand and vigorously supporting gun control on the other. The former, at its core, is a violation of EP, and can be addressed via EP and similar arguments. I think it's telling that the gun fanatics avoid EP like the plaguewe all know reactionaries hate any approach that would bolster EP. That might actually benefit minorities, and we can't be having that. But anyhow it's a complete non sequitur to say that, because gun control laws like FiP and whatever else is being mention *just happen to be enforced* in a racially discriminatory manner, then ipso facto those laws *themselves* also magically violate 2A somehow. Of course, it makes sense from the perspective of the death/maiming lobby. They just want to create a slippery slope to dismantling all gun regulations. Once that's done, they'll happily resume their hobby of terrorizing minorities with assault rifles. If you don't believe me, just ask the McCloskeys. And don't think for a moment that any minorities will be permitted to benefit from the flood of weapons even after they're deregulated. For FiP in particular I suppose you could say there's something about overcriminalization of black folks in general, so that they end up as felons and consequently are denied various civil rights. I agree, but again, it's an EP/voting rights problem at its heart. So get back to me when the gun locos are prepared to help with the task of ending felon disenfranchisement. I won't hold my breath. Second, the supposed equivalence between the gun and drug laws is way unconvincing. The discriminatory aspect of the latter, as I see it anyway, is *baked into* the substantive law itself. I'm thinking specifically of crack and marijuana. So yes, in that case, regardless of what enforcement fixes you make, you'd still have to modify or repeal the substantive law as well. But that's certainly not true for all drug laws as a blanket proposition. Certainly lots of white folks get arrested and locked up for meth and heroin. It might be a problem say in the latter case with opioids, but there's nothing racist about it. And meth and heroin are in fact quite dangerous. There's nothing inherently racist about recognizing that and wanting to do something about it. It's exactly the same for guns. Third, I want to dispel any confusion. I didn't accuse Prof. B. of "vouching" for anyone. And of course I'm gratified to hear that he doesn't follow Jacoby's "work" (using that loosely) on a regular basis. But my point about a "conduit" still stands. Jacoby already has a platform on the op-ed section of a major metropolitan newspaper. Unless you're going to offer *some* analysis when you quote himand I'd even take "vouching" over complete silencethen I don't think he deserves the unearned benefit you give him of simply expanding the reach of his columns. -kd Posted by: kotodama | Aug 6, 2021 11:33:04 AM Post a comment California will begin enforcing an animal welfare proposition that requires more space for breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves. Only 4% of hog operations now comply with the new rules. Tyson Foods announced Tuesday that it will require all of its roughly 120,000 U.S. employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The food processing company said about half of its workforce has already chosen to voluntarily be vaccinated. The other half will have until either Oct. 1 or Nov. 1 to get fully vaccinated, depending on where they work. Those in meat processing plants will have until Nov. 1, although the company said the requirement will be subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. Tyson said it will allow limited exemptions based on health and religious reasons. It did not say what consequences employees will face if they don't get vaccinated. The move appears to make Tyson the first company with a significant employment presence in Nebraska to require vaccinations. The company employs thousands of workers at plants in Dakota City, Lexington, Madison and Omaha, which also were the source of major COVID-19 outbreaks last year. Tyson also employs several hundred workers at Smart Chicken facilities in Waverly and Tecumseh. SIOUX CITY -- The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce was host to a cryptocurrency Summit Monday that featured a roundtable discussion led by a former Disney child actor-turned-cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Best known for his starring role in 1996's "The First Kid" and the young version of Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) in 1992's "The Mighty Ducks" and 1994's "D2: The Mighty Ducks," Brock Pierce began working in venture capitalism after retiring from acting at age 17. Now 40 years old, Pierce is considered a national authority in the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin industry. "People have questions regarding Bitcoin," Pierce said of the decentralized digital currency that was first introduced in 2008. "It is easier to think of it as being digital gold instead of digital currency. It is secure, highly efficient for transaction and limited in quantity, with only 21 million bitcoin ever to exist in the world." Although he said Bitcoin is the most democratic form of investing, Pierce admitted it can also be volatile. For instance, he doesn't recommend small investors invest more than $100 in Bitcoin at a time. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "Like gold, Bitcoin can be a hedge against financial uncertainties," Pierce, who is a member of the Forbes List of the "Richest in Crypto." Tyson employees at U.S. offices, including its Fresh Meats headquarters in Dakota Dunes, will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1. All other team members, including front-line workers at the company's flagship beef plant in Dakota City, will be required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Exceptions to the mandate will be made for workers who seek medical or religious accommodations. UFCW International President Marc Perrone said while the UFCW supports and encourages workers to get vaccinated, the union has "made clear that this vaccine mandate must be negotiated so that these workers have a voice in the new policy. "UFCW will be meeting with Tyson in the coming weeks to discuss this vaccine mandate and to ensure that the rights of these workers are protected, and this policy is fairly implemented," Perrone said. We believe the FDA must provide full approval of the vaccines and help address some of the questions and concerns that workers have." SIOUX CITY -- Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday touted the largest multi-family housing development in Sioux City history, calling it the type of high-quality project Iowa needs to help fill thousands of jobs in the state. Reynolds spoke at a ceremony for District 42, a $22 million development that features 215 townhomes and apartments. The governor mentioned that while flying into Sioux City Tuesday morning she caught a glimpse of the "gorgeous" complex at Sunnybrook Plaza. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "The competition for this type of development is fierce," Reynolds told the crowd at the ceremony. "I couldn't be more pleased that Eagle Construction chose to (locate it) here in Iowa." Sioux Falls-based Eagle Construction has developed housing projects across Iowa and in other Midwest states. Eagle CEO Steve Boote, an Orange City, Iowa, native, praised the cooperation the company received from state and local government on the project. Reynolds noted Iowa continues to have "more jobs available than people to fill them" and "ambitious housing investments like this are a critical step in helping to solve our workforce needs." District 42's first phase, which includes half of the units, opened in June. All of the units have been leased. SAN DIEGO (AP) The number of children traveling alone who were picked up at the Mexican border by U.S. immigration authorities likely hit an all-time high in July, and the number of people who came in families likely reached its second-highest total on record, a U.S. official said Monday, citing preliminary government figures. The sharp increases from June were striking because crossings usually slow during stifling and sometimes fatal summer heat. U.S. authorities likely picked up more than 19,000 unaccompanied children in July, exceeding the previous high of 18,877 in March, according to David Shahoulian, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security. The June total was 15,253. The number of people encountered in families during July is expected at about 80,000, Shahoulian said. That's shy of the all-time high of 88,857 in May 2019 but up from 55,805 in June. Overall, U.S. authorities stopped migrants about 210,000 times at the border in July, up from 188,829 in June and the highest in more than 20 years. But the numbers aren't directly comparable because many cross repeatedly under a pandemic-related ban that expels people from the country immediately without giving them a chance to seek asylum but carries no legal consequences. After Boylan first made her allegations public in December, the Cuomo administration undercut her story by releasing personnel memos to media outlets revealing that Boylan resigned after she was confronted about complaints she belittled and yelled at her staff. Boylan has said those records "were leaked to the media in an effort to smear me." Other aides have said that the Democratic governor asked them unwelcome personal questions about sex and dating. One former aide, Charlotte Bennett, said Cuomo asked if she was open to sex with an older man. Last winter there was a chorus of calls for Cuomo's resignation from many top elected Democrats in New York, including two U.S. senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. But Cuomo refused to quit and has been raising money for a fourth term in office. His position on the allegations has also hardened into one of defiance. Cuomo has always denied touching anyone inappropriately, but he initially said he was sorry if his behavior with women was "misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation." In recent months, he's taken a more combative tack, saying he did nothing wrong and questioning the motives of accusers and critics. CHICAGO (AP) Ex-con and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich sued his home state Monday for booting him from the governors seat after his 2008 arrest for corruption and stripping him of his right to run for elective office in Illinois. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Young people would need parental permission now before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in North Carolina legislation approved unanimously Tuesday by the state Senate. The bill, which now must return to the House for consideration, contains a parent or guardian requirement for vaccines approved by federal regulators for emergency use, such as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It's currently the only coronavirus vaccine available to children as young as 12. North Carolina law currently allows those under 18 to make the vaccine decision on their own if they show the decisional capacity to do so, according to the state Department of Health Human Services. DHHS says it's expected most teens would receive parental consent. But legislators wanted more assurances that parents will have the say over whether their child gets an immunization still authorized for emergency use. The consent provision is contained within a bill that also would expand the types of medications immunizing pharmacists can administer. Ricketts rebuked the CDC on Tuesday, saying the guidance flies in the face of the public health goals that should guide the agencys decision-making and that it would add to public distrust of the CDC. The State of Nebraska will not be adopting their mask guidance, Ricketts said in the statement. He also reiterated his expectation that schools and universities will reopen this fall without mask or vaccine requirements. Asked whether the governor was concerned that by encouraging business owners, schools and others to not follow CDC guidance that he could expose them to lawsuits, a spokesperson said Friday that Ricketts statement pertained to the State of Nebraska. Earlier this week, Taylor Gage, the governors spokesman, did not respond to questions regarding whether theres something the governor can do to prevent schools, universities or local governments from having mask requirements and whether there would be consequences if they put requirements in place. Dizzee Rascal has been charged with assault. The 'Bonkers' hitmaker - whose real name is Dylan Mills - was arrested on June 8 on suspicion of common assault following a "domestic argument" with a woman at her home in South London in which she reportedly sustained an injury but did not require hospital treatment. The Metropolitan Police told The Sun newspaper: "Dylan Mills, 36, of Sevenoaks, Kent, has been charged with assault after an incident at a residential address in Streatham on 8 June. Officers attended and a woman reported minor injuries. She did not require hospital treatment." The 36-year-old grime artist is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court in London on Friday, 3 September 2021. The alleged incident comes just a year after Dizzee helped to distribute food parcels to families amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The 'I Luv U' hitmaker joined the team at Kitchen Social in east London, where he grew up, to hand out five meals for families of four. The music star also wore the costume for his Super Bowl halftime performance, the MTV Video Music Awards and the AMAs. The Weeknd - who has also appeared with face prosthetics - explained how the bandages reflect the absurdity of celebrities who get plastic surgery and manipulate their appearance for validation. Meanwhile, the 'Blinding Lights' hitmaker has insisted that although he's done some acting and producing lately - he'll never ditch music. He told the publication: I want to do this forever. And even if I start getting into different mediums and different types of expressions, music will be right there. Im not going to step away from it. The Weeknd made his big-screen debut in 2019s Uncut Gems and he's set to star in, co-write and executive produce a new HBO series. The 'Save Your Tears' hitmaker is teaming up with the creator of the television network's hit series 'Euphoria', Sam Levinson, on 'The Idol'. The plot follows a pop star who starts a romance with an enigmatic LA club owner who is the leader of a secret cult." The 31-year-old singer previously starred in and penned lines for the animated comedy 'American Dad'. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This article originally ran on celebretainment.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. It didnt seem like there would be a bipartisan infrastructure bill. Negotiations had been going on for weeks, and there were lots of stops and starts, including a moment back in June when President Joe Biden announced a dealwhich then got scuttled. But this weekend, there it was: 2,700 pages of legalese about roads and bridges, with senators from both sides of the aisle singing the bills praises. The people who made this weeks bill happen are Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona, and Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio. Both consider themselves moderates and compromisers. And thats clear from the text of their legislation, which still has a few hurdles to clear before heading to the presidents desk. On Tuesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Jordan Weissmann, Slates senior business and economics correspondent, about how to make an infrastructure bill in Washingtonand why we may end up with more than one. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: What exactly is this bill paying for? Jordan Weissmann: It is about $550 billion of new spending. About $110 billion of that is going to be roads, bridges, tunnels, things that we think of as the core of infrastructure. Theres $66 billion for rail. Theres $40 billion for public transit. I think theres more for airports. Theres $15 billion for electric vehicles, which is less than Joe Bidens initial proposal but still a substantial investment in things like charging stations. Theres a whole bunch of money thats going to electric power infrastructure like the grid and some new clean energy testing and water, things like clearing out lead pipes. And theres a lot of money going to environmental resiliency. If you look through the summary of this bill, youre going to find a lot of stuff about dealing with drought and flooding and wildfires. Advertisement Youve made the point that some folks have looked at this bipartisan legislation and underlined the fact that a lot of things have shrunk from Bidens initial request, but actually some of the funding that looks like it may have disappeared from this bill is actually stuffed into other pieces of legislation. So the Democrats are kind of just trying to find places to squirrel away money in whatever bill they can get it in. Do you want to explain that a little bit? Advertisement Biden came out the gate with three big proposals: There was the American Rescue Plan, which was economic recovery; there was the American Jobs Plan, for human infrastructure; and then there was the American Families Plan, which was things like child care, pre-K, extending the child tax credit, more Obamacare subsidies, improvements to Americas welfare state and family policy. Advertisement Those were the three pillars of Bidens agenda, nd hes breaking off pieces of those pillars and mixing and matching them. So what were getting in this bill, the bipartisan one, is the core of the infrastructure plan, what we think of mostly as traditional, hard infrastructure: waterways and tunnels and trains, etc. A lot of what has been stripped from this infrastructure billraising wages for home health care workers, investments in public housing and community centerscould get jammed through anyway. That is, if all 50 Democrats stick together and use the budget reconciliation process. The real heavy lifting on climate is probably going to happen in the reconciliation bill. The family and child policy stuff, thats all going to happen in the reconciliation bill. If we upgrade Medicare a little bit, thats going to happen in the reconciliation bill. And then theres this other piece of legislation that Chuck Schumer passed, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. This is a big science and industrial policy funding bill that also borrowed some ideas from Biden and some from other places. It comes to $250 billion in spending on things like semiconductor plants and more National Science Foundation funding and more funding for the national labs. Advertisement Advertisement I feel like this is so Joe Biden, to operate in this way and to get your priorities into a bunch of different bills and have one be really bipartisan. The question is, really, if the big, most important things can still get done on a bipartisan basis. Even Biden seems to have tacitly admitted that thats not possible with with his two-track solution, where things like really major investments in climate are going to be done entirely, if at all, through Democratic votes. I thought we were going to tax the rich to fund infrastructure, but that is not part of this bipartisan legislation. No, were not taxing the rich here, which, I think thats good personally. Advertisement Really? Yeah, because it means there are more pay-for options left over that Democrats can use for their other bills. If you do something in reconciliation, permanent spending has to be paid for on a permanent basisthats the rule of thumb. So the extra capacity Democrats have for taxing the rich is good: It means they can make more programs that Biden wants to pass permanent. Lets talk about what happens now. These senators are technically supposed to leave Aug. 9. So theyve got like a week to do this. Advertisement So Schumer wants to pass this bill by next week and then he wants to move on and pass the $3.5 trillion budget resolution, which is sort of the prelude to the reconciliation package. Before you can pass a reconciliation package, you have to pass a budget resolution. And the budget resolution does some technical things, like state the maximum youre going to spend and what committees the money is going to go to. Then once both houses of Congress approve the budget resolution, then they actually start working on what really will be in the bill. Thats when youre going to see the hardcore internecine Democratic infighting. Theyre going to be scraping this thing together and then presumably in the fall, after the August recess, they will get that done and, if all goes according to plan with this two-track strategy, they will send both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill and maybe some version of that innovation act to Joe Bidens desk. Advertisement At the same time? Thats the idea, because Nancy Pelosi says she doesnt want to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill until she gets the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill. Advertisement Advertisement Explain something to me, though: This week we saw this moment on the Senate floor, like, We got this done. This is how the Senate is supposed to work. Were doing the thing right. So theyre really excited. But what youre telling me is that this bill is a teeny extension of this ginormous other thing that will go to Bidens desk. So if Im a Republican, whats the point of negotiating on this bipartisan bill? I think there are a few things. One is the way Republicans felt like they got some say in the policy, to some extent. There seems to be an agreement that the issues that are dealt with in this reconciliation bill are probably not going to get reopened in reconciliation. Advertisement So Republicans can stop the conversation on some things by getting it done in a bipartisan bill. Right, they can leave their mark. And I think another piece of it, they can show that they worked with Joe Biden: We are not this insane insurrectionist party. We are reasonable people. There is the fact that they want to keep Joe Manchin and Sinema in the fold: If you want your two Democratic partners who are keeping the filibuster alive to continue saying they want to keep making bipartisan deals an dont want to kill the filibuster, you have to keep them happy and you have to make them not look like idiots. So theres that. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. Another veteran District of Columbia police officer who responded to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has died by suicide. Gunther Hashida, an 18-year veteran on the force, was found dead at his residence Thursday and became the fourth law enforcement officer known to have died by suicide since responding to the riot. We are grieving as a Department and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashidas family and friends, Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Kristen Metzger said.* Hashida had been assigned to the Emergency Response Team that was part of the Special Operations Division sent to the Capitol on Jan. 6. Advertisement DC Metropolitan Police Officer Gunther Hashida, who responded to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, has taken his own life, the third policeman to die by suicide after facing the Jan 6 assault. He would have turned 44-yrs-old on Thursday, instead, his funeral is Friday pic.twitter.com/Rl59uRrhIT Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) August 2, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement 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. Hashidas was the second death by suicide of a D.C. police officer last month. On July 10, Metropolitan Police Officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead. DeFreytag had been a more recent addition to the force, as he joined the Metropolitan Police Department in November 2016. DeFreytags death was only confirmed after news that Hashida had been found dead in his home. Advertisement Very sad news: @MikevWUSA @wusa9 reports MPD Officer Kyle DeFreytag died by suicide in July after defending the US Capitol on January 6. His obituary says he was a hiker, drummer, motorcyclist, and resident of Alexandria, who served with MPD for five years https://t.co/cRsLSqnAyu pic.twitter.com/yCHxbYPn5L Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) August 3, 2021 Three days after the riot, a Capitol Police officer, Howard Liebengood, died of suicide. Liebengood had been part of the U.S. Capitol Police for 17 years. A few days later, on Jan. 15, Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, a 12-year veteran of the force, fatally shot himself. A bipartisan Senate report on the insurrection listed the two officers among seven people who ultimately lost their lives because of the insurrection. Also included on that list was Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from strokes a day after the riot, where he was sprayed with chemicals. Advertisement Sad news: 4th officer that defended our #Capitol on #January6th has died of suicide. Pictured: Officers Hashida, Liebengood, Smith and DeFreytag. Are you struggling? You can call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, any time day or night: 800-273-8255https://t.co/L3430cWYwB pic.twitter.com/QVDxl5j20R John Scott-Railton (@jsrailton) August 3, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her condolences over Hashidas death on Monday. Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congressional community and our very Democracy. All Americans are indebted to him for his great valor and patriotism on January 6th and throughout his selfless service, Pelosi said in a statement. During a hearing of the House select committee that is investigating Jan. 6, Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn spoke of how the insurrection continued to live on in the minds of many officers who were there that day. More than six months later, Jan. 6 still isnt over for me, Dunn said. I know so many other officers continue to hurt, both physically and emotionally. Dunn said he sought counseling and encouraged others to do the same. I want to take this moment and speak to my fellow officers about the emotions they are continuing to experience from the events of Jan. 6. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional counseling, Dunn said. What we all went through that day was traumatic, and if you are hurting, please take advantage of the counseling services that are available to us. Irans drone strike on an Israeli-owned oil tanker last week was but the latest in a series of skirmishes between the two states in the past two yearsthough it also marked a dangerous escalation, in which both sides are taking higher risks but achieving no apparent gains in their security. The attack may have been retaliation for an Israeli attack on an Iranian military vessel in April, which may have been a response to an Iranian attack on an Israeli-owned container ship in Marchand on and on the trail of tit-for-tat attacks goes, at least back to the summer of 2019, when Israel attacked a ship carrying Iranian oil and arms through the eastern Mediterranean and Red Seasin violation of sanctions that were re-imposed when then-President Donald Trump after he withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the two years since, Israel has launched at least 10 attacks on Iranian vessels. It is not known how many times Iran has attacked Israeli vessels, as Iranian spokesmen have denied involvement in any of the strikes and Israeli officials have often declined to acknowledge that the strikeswhich demonstrate Israeli vulnerabilityoccurred. In any case, rancor over the Iran nuclear deal lies at the heart of this new cold war at sea. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister until his party lost Junes elections, was instrumental in convincing Trump to scuttle the dealand then hyperactive in keeping President Joseph Biden from reviving it when he took over the White House in January. Congressional Republicans (and several Democrats as well) always despised the nuclear deal; Biden was keen to seek bipartisan support for a number of other contentious issues when he first gained office, and so put restarting the deal on the back burner. In the interim, Netanyahu stepped up attacks on Iranknowing that Iran would strike back, which would make a new nuclear deal still more unpalatable politically. Advertisement On April 6, hours before U.S., Iranian, and European diplomats assembled in Vienna to reopen talks on the nuclear deal, an elite commando unit of the Israeli Navy attacked an Iranian military vessel. The next day, to drive the point home, Netanyahu said, The deal with Iran thatthreatens our destruction will not obligate us. Advertisement The number of Israeli attacks rose considerably after Trumps electoral defeat in 2020. As a result, speedboats manned by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began to escort tankers through the Red Sea, then hand them off to Russian naval escortsfrom a distancethrough the Mediterranean. The Israeli attack in April occurred while the Russian ships were too far away to respond. Advertisement Throughout this game of tit-for-tat, Israelis and Iranians have taken care to minimize damage, usually aiming to hit (in some cases, attaching mines to) sections of the ship that would damage but not sink the vessel. However, last weeks Iranian attack on the oil tankerowned by Israeli shipping magnate Eyal Oferkilled two crewmen, one British, one Romanian. Iranian spokesmen have denied involvement in the strike, as they have after every attack. But Irans leading ultraconservative publication, Kayhan, acknowledged the deed, claiming that the Israeli vessel was a spy shipunlikely, since Israel has plenty of intelligence assets in the region without having to use a commercial ship as cover. Both sides know that they are playing a risky game. Hossein Dalirian, a military analyst affiliated with Irans IRGC, recently told the New York Times, We are at war but with our lights out. A senior Israeli diplomatic source told al-Monitor that Israels strategy is controlled escalation, though the diplomat added, The problem is that the ability to control deterioration is limited, and you could find yourself deep inside a war at any given moment without meaning to go there. Advertisement Advertisement Nations with preponderant military strength tend to fall into this trap when swatting a smaller power, especially when the latter turns out to be more determined or have more at stake. In June, after U.S. fighter jets bombed Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria (in response to the militias launching a drone strike on U.S. troop-positions in Iraq), a Pentagon spokesman said the bombing was meant to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent messagei.e., dont attack us again, or well attack you again, harder! The problem is, the militias did attack againand will always do so, especially if the U.S. portrays the back-and-forth as a contest of determination. As long as the U.S. (or, in the present instance, Israel) isnt waging all-out war, theres no reason for Iran to back downand every reason to keep the attacks going. Advertisement Iran is hardly blameless in this escalation. Some of the vessels Israel has attacked have carried not just oil to markets but weapons to militias that pose a threat to Israels security. Given the many Iranians (especially the IRGC) oppose reviving the nuclear deal or any friendly ties to the West, it may well be that some of their moves have been provocations for their own sake. All three countriesthe U.S., Israel, and Iranhave (or, in Irans case, is about to have) new leaders. It is possible to shift patterns. But the opportunities for detente are swiftly diminishing. It still puzzles me why Biden didnt move quickly to re-start nuclear negotiations, taking up an EU offer to mediate a step-by-step process where the U.S. gradually lifted economic sanctions and Iranonce againgradually cut back its enriched uranium. Now, with a more hardline president about to take office in Tehran and with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring (not without reason) that the Americans cannot be trusted, it may be too late. Israels fragile new government is in no position to take daring moves toward engaging with Iran. Advertisement Meanwhile, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been holding talks since Aprilat first in secret, now openly acknowledgedthat seem to be on track to some form of rapprochement. The main topic at hand seems to be ending the brutal proxy war in Yemen, but if broader measures are broached, they could disruptand possibly finish offSaudi Arabias alignment with Israel (based entirely on their shared hostility to Iran), which could sour the Abraham Accords that Israel signed with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, all of which could shatter Israels security. Shia and Sunni are as unlikely as lions and lambs to make peace and lie down together, but the regions politics are shifting in one way or another, and by playing their games of controlled escalation and deterrent messagingfocusing too much on tactics, not enough on strategythe United States and Israel are losing control of the story, shooting themselves in their heels. On a recent episode of Slates legal podcast Amicus, host Dahlia Lithwick spoke with historian Carol Anderson, professor and chair of African American studies at Emory University, about her new book, The Second. Andersons work explores how the Constitutions Second Amendment was not only crafted to suppress Black Americans, but was continually enforced throughout the centuries in a racist manner, leading to everything from the terrorizing of Reconstruction-era Black Americans to the police killings of even legally armed Black people today. A portion of the conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, has been transcribed below. Advertisement Dahlia Lithwick: I wonder if you could start by talking about what led you to this exploration of the connection between slavery, the founding, and guns. Carol Anderson: It began in 2016 with the killing of Philando Castile. In Minnesota, you have a Black man who was pulled over by the police. The officer asked to see his ID. Castile, following NRA guidelines, alerts the officer that he has a license to carry a weapon with him but he says hes reaching for his ID. The police officer begins shooting and kills Philando Castile. We see the film of it. It is horrific. Advertisement Advertisement We have a Black man killed simply for having a gunnot for brandishing it, not for threatening anyone, simply for having a license to carry a gun. The National Rifle Association, that protector of the Second Amendment, goes virtually silent. And I thought, how is the NRA silent on this, particularly when it was calling federal law enforcement jackbooted government thugs at Ruby Ridge and at Waco? On this, theyre like virtually silent. Journalists began asking, Well, dont African Americans have Second Amendment rights? And I thought to myself, thats a great question, and thats what led me on to this hunt. Advertisement In the epilogue to your book, you put in Trevor Noahs quote from when he looks at a whole host of incidents in which police officers talk down a white man with a gun: They persuade him to disarm and they arrest him. Noah makes the argument that the Second Amendment is not intended for Black people. I think the argument is saying that the Second Amendment is in fact working exactly the way it was intended to work with respect to Black folks, and that is as a tool of persistence, subordination, and destruction. I just want to be super clear that youre not saying the Second Amendment is broken, that it was conceived to do a thing that it doesnt do. Youre saying the Second Amendment does precisely the thing it was crafted to do. Advertisement Advertisement Exactly. You nailed it. Going right back to the Colonial era, how much were guns and gun ownership really at the heart of the plantation owners who were attempting to keep control over situations in which they were simply outnumbered? Guns were central to that, as the militia was central to that. There was this massive fear of slave uprisings and revolts, of Black people fighting for their freedom and willing to do whatever it took to be free. With each rumored uprising, you see the rise of a legal infrastructure in terms of laws banning the enslaved from gun possession, as well as the rise of slave patrols and the militia in order to curtail and control Black people. Advertisement The slave patrol was a smaller unit that did the kind of regular routine, going through the slave cabins, looking for contraband, looking for weapons, looking for books, looking for anything that sparked of somebody believing they could be free. The militia was there to backstop the slave patrols so that, if the uprising was too large, more than the slave patrol could handle, the militia could come in. The numbers that you lay out show that 50 percent of all wealth holders in the 13 Colonies in 1774 owned guns. That number soared if you were looking just at the South: 81 percent of slave-owning states had firearms, and plantations with the largest numbers of enslaved people were 4.3 times more likely to have guns than those with few or no slaves. At the point of the birth of the Second Amendment, already it was absolutely clear that guns were in some sense as essential to continuing slaveholding way of life as were the crops themselves. Guns were just that braided into it. Advertisement Advertisement "With each rumored uprising, you see the rise of laws banning the enslaved from gun possession, as well as the rise of slave patrols and the militia in order to curtail and control Black people." Carol Anderson Absolutely braided into it. You see it, for instance, in the 1739 Stono Rebellion in South Carolina. In Stono, you had a group of Black men who were laborers building a road day after day after day, and they began figuring out what the routine and rotation of the guards were. They began figuring out where the weapons were kept. On a Sunday, they struck and killed two of the guards who were manning the arms, and they took those and began this quest toward Spanish Florida, because Florida had no slavery, and they wanted to be free. They demonstrated that they were willing to kill or be killed in the process of getting free. On that Sunday morning, Stonos white folks were in church and the alarm bell rang. They grabbed their guns as part of their work as the militia and went after these rebellious folk, hunting them down to kill them, to make an example of them. White men having guns was the expectation by law. Black folks being banned from having access to guns was the expectation by law. Advertisement After Stono, you have the 1740 Negro Act. That Negro Act defined the African-descended people as slaves, absolute slaves, for those here and those not yet born. It defined what they could do and what they could not do. They could not be literate. They could not have access to guns, and they could not walk about freely. They had to be subjugated, controlled by whites. Advertisement I want to talk for a minute about what you describe as a three-part move for subjugating slaves from Colonial time on into the framing of the Second Amendment and the way we talk about Second Amendment rights. Youve talked a about the militias denying the enslaved the right to have arms and then of the right of self-defense. And that, I think, is what you would say filters into the way we still frame these questions today. Advertisement Absolutely. One of the things Im tracking historically is how this plays out over time and whether the legal status of black people changes that dynamic. As we move from enslaved to denizenwhich was that in-between space between a slave and citizento emancipated and freed people to Jim Crow to postcivil rights African Americans, does that change? The answer is no. You dont see any significant change in the ways that access to weapons, and the surveilling, and the right to self-defense, plays out for Black people in the United States. It was Virginia that actually developed that three-pronged mechanism of control, and we see how well that has worked over time. When I looked at the individual right to bear arms, when I looked at the right to a well-regulated militia, and when I looked at the right to self-defense all over time, Im seeing that those do not apply to Black Americansin fact, each of those have been used against African Americans because it is the quality of anti-Blackness, to define African Americans as a threat, as dangerous, as criminal, as people who need to be subjugated and controlled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you are unarmed, youre still a threat. How many times have we in this current day heard of a Black person being gunned down simply because they had a cellphone and somebody felt threatened because they thought it was a gun? Or seeing a Black person like Jonathan Ferrell in North Carolina, who had been in a car accident and was happy to see the police because he thought help was on the way, and the police gunned him down? They said, We were afraid. He was dangerous. He was threatening. We see that somebody like Philando Castilewho has a licensed gunis a threat and hes gunned down. It doesnt matter whether you have a gun or you dont. Your Blackness is the threat, and it is the default threat in this society. This is also why stand your ground laws have such a strong racial bias, because it says wherever you have a right to be. So if Im at the grocery store, if Im in a parking lot, if Im in a park, and I perceive a threat, I have the right to use lethal force. Well, when Black is the default threat in American society, that perception of threat puts the crosshairs on Black people. When you look at the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Report on stand your ground, we see that for white people who kill Black people using stand your ground, they are 10 times more likely to walk with justifiable homicide than are Black people who kill white people. We also see that white people who kill Black people under stand your ground are 281 percent more likely to walk than white people who kill white people. Because when Black Americans are the victims in these killings, it becomes much more justifiable because of the default threat. Advertisement Advertisement There was this essential moment at the Constitutional Convention: Youve got 25 of the 55 delegates who are slave owners, including George Washington, and the Second Amendment is a grand bargain. It was not in and of itself this lodestar of freedom. It was a deal. I wonder if you can walk us through what that deal was and why the question of what they were going to do about slavery baked into the very framing of the Second Amendment? At the Ratification Convention in Virginia, the Constitution has been drafted, ratification is happening, and then it stalls. Virginia is one of the big holdouts. James Madison runs down back home to Virginia to try to push this thing through. He runs up against Patrick Henry and George Mason, who are apoplectic because Madison has put control of the militia in the federal Constitution, under federal control. Theyre like, You know the North detests slavery. If we have a slave revolt, how can we count on them to get the militia to come down here and protect us, to put the slave revolt down? We will be left defenseless. Madison is quaking in his boots because his arguments arent working. Hes already like, Look, slavery is protected. You already got the three-fifths clause. You already got 20 extra years on the Atlantic Slave Trade. You already got the Fugitive Slave Clause. But what they wanted was a bill of rights that would protect them. And they said, If we dont get it, were going to push for a new Constitutional Convention. What Madison was afraid of was that this would hurl the U.S. back to the unworkable Articles of Confederation. He runs to that first Congress, and he was obsessed with drafting these amendments. Advertisement Advertisement When you think about it, in these amendments, you get freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the right not to be illegally searched and seized, the right to a speedy and fair trial, the right not to have cruel and unusual punishmentand then you have the right to a well-regulated militia for the security of the state? This thing is such an outlier in this Bill of Rights. And this outlier is because this is the bribe to Patrick Henry, to George Mason, to the Southern slaveholders: This is how you contain federal control, by making sure that the states have control of the militia and so they will not be left vulnerable to the abolitionist whims, as Patrick Henry saw it, of those in Pennsylvania or Massachusetts. Now the control of the militia will be in the hands of the enslavers. Advertisement I think one of the things youre saying is that the more widespread white peoples ability to arm oneself to the teeth became, the more unarmed Black people who cannot have arms were put in these untenable lose-lose situations. Absolutely, you see the asymmetry in access to firepower. There was an 1841 riot in Cincinnati, where white people were coming to basically burn down and kill the Black community. They were moving toward the neighborhood, but Black folks had guns and they shot back. The rioters were just like, What just happened here? They have the audacity to shoot at us simply because we were trying to kill them? Advertisement They came back with a cannon, the vintage mass murder machine. Then the police finally move in, but what they is they disarm the Black community, thinking that disarming Black folks will calm white folks down, that the rioters will now be pleased that Black people dont have their guns. Instead, the slaughter happened, because it was so clear that the police were on white peoples side, and that there would be no consequences for their killings of Black people. Advertisement We see that asymmetry again happening after the Civil War: in Colfax, Louisiana, where there is an election and white supremacists because Republicans won. These Democratswho are the white supremacist party at the timethen were going to attack the seat of democracy in Colfax, Louisiana, and oust those who won the election. The Black militia was called upon to protect this bastion of democracy, but they were outgunned. They didnt have enough ammunition, and they were overwhelmed by the number of white fighters. It was a slaughter. About a hundred Black people were killed, many of them after they had surrendered, because white attackers had set the courthouse on fire where the Black militia had taken up to protect themselves. This case goes all the way up to the Supreme Court as a look at the constitutionality of the Third Enforcement Act, which was the act to deal with the domestic terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan. The court ruled that that piece of legislation only applied to state action, not to private action. Basically, the slaughterthat domestic terrorism by these private groupswas fine. And then we had the Hamburg massacre shortly thereafter, which again showed the disparity, the asymmetry, in access to weaponry. President Ulysses S. Grant was beside himself. He said, What these states all have in common is not Christianity, is not civilization. It is the right to kill Negroes. I remembered thinking, Wow! To hear their entire discussion, listen below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. As cases of the coronavirus (especially the delta variant) swell, there are constant stories of people who flouted vaccination and general public health guidance and then got sick. An attendee of Hillsong Church who refused to get vaccinated dies of coronavirus; a radio host who mocked vaccinations on the air is under intensive care. These stories often provoke anger. Even politicians who actively politicized public health measures are now frantically trying to encourage vaccination in their communities. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has talked about blaming the unvaccinated for the increase in cases and is trying to rebrand the Trump vaccines in a push to motivate uptake among Republicans, while simultaneously banning universities and other public institutions from requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination. Advertisement Acknowledging that these people endangered the health of others, even caused harm, is natural; blaming them and thinking they deserve sickness as comeuppance is a tricky moral posture. And its even trickier when people suggest turning this blame into policy. Advertisement Advertisement There is a tangle of social, moral, and practical issues here. Politicians suddenly showing deep confidence in the vaccine deserve only limited moral credit since they are partly responsible for the vaccination uptake problem in the first place; lots of vaccination skeptics seem only to change position when it directly affects their red states, after ignoring the impact on New York and California. But I want to focus on a particular element: What does blame the unvaccinated mean and imply? Advertisement Anger is an understandable and visceral reaction; several recent articles note that vaccinated people and groups are angry because rising case rates have resulted in revisiting public health measures, and because people following public health guidance feel its wrong they should continue to shoulder the burden to compensate for those who flout that guidance. There is a reasonable moral issue around the fairness of having a responsible population doing work when so many are trying to ride for free on that work. Ivey and other such figures suggesting that we blame those shirking their responsibility look entirely reasonable (though wildly hypocritical) in that context. Blame typically entails that some punishment or adverse consequence is justified. Pam Keith, a former Democratic nominee for a Florida congressional seat, echoed a sentiment common on Twitter: that we should suspend government benefits to unvaccinated people. Others suggest that perhaps insurance companies should increase premiums for those who decline vaccination; a nurse told the New York Times, If you choose not to be part of the solution, then you should be accountable for the consequences. Advertisement Advertisement There are a few ways to respond to this point. One is rather technical: The post-Obamacare structure of insurance companies is supposed to prevent them from gouging patients by targeting particular risk factors, so that we dont price some people out of the insurance market because the cost of insuring them is too high to be profitable for private insurers. (As my colleague Mia Brett points out, If you suggest raising insurance rates for non vaccinated people [were] one step away from going back to justifying raising insurance rates for people with uteruses.) Another way of responding is straightforward and moral: There are limits to the kind of punishment that we can inflict on people, and taking away the social safety net and putting them at risk of financial and even health disaster because of their noncompliance is not an acceptable punishment for anything. Advertisement Those who want to shift costs onto the unvaccinated are advocating a particular moral position, that there should be severe and direct consequences for those who flout vaccine recommendations. Politicians and more serious political commentators have not taken to these kinds of approaches so overtly yet, but some of the existing proposals come close to doing this. For instance, its one thing for the government to institute a vaccination mandate for public employees; vaccinations as a general requirement for employment or school enrollment are a standard part of the business. Certain areas of public life need to be areas where people can be reasonably confident their health is being respected, at least by the government itself. If you are getting treatment for cancer, for example, then you should be reasonably confident that your medical team has done what it can to limit your exposure to infectious disease (by getting vaccinated and taking other precautions). Advertisement Advertisement However, there have been proposals from ostensibly more serious people to implement partially veiled punitive measures. The Tax Policy Center has suggested that there be tax breaks given to vaccinated people. This looks better, as its framed as reward people being responsible, but it ultimately behaves the same way that tax things we dont like does. Tax cuts for X and tax raises for not X look different, but rarely are from an implementation standpoint. Alternatively, professor Dov Fox noted last year that states can compel vaccination using fines, as well as restricting access to certain public accommodations. Several op-eds have been published arguing that we should be sympathetic to those who are hesitant about vaccination as a matter of practical strategy, that you vaccinate more people with honey than with vinegar (figuratively, not literally). Perhaps that is so; perhaps there is a practical argument for preferring positive public relations to punitive measures (though its worth noting that the two are hardly exclusive). Much of the discussion about blame also assumes that anyone who is not yet vaccinated has made an ideological choice. But many are concerned that they will have to pay money for the shot, or are unable to take the day off of work unpaid, or dont have a ride to a clinic. Along those lines, then, there is a public policy argument that punishing the least well-off people who refuse to vaccinate is regressive and unfair, because those without the resources to easily pay financial penalties (through private insurance premium increases or loss of the social safety net or tax penalties) are also the least responsible for their vaccine hesitancy. They are very different from the well-off politicians and news figures who spent the past year selling anti-vaccination propaganda. Even if we are talking about the most blameworthy, that doesnt mean we can induce medical bankruptcy or deprive people of care as a punishment. Our obligations to members of our society dont end just because they do something that is dangerous, even blameworthy. Consequences like causing the person to be in extreme medical debt or denying them social services push against the minimum social goods to which every member of our community, regardless of their moral failures, should be entitled. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The impact Brexit has on businesses is hard to tell due to the pandemic Prospective sectors are emobility, intelligent autonomous vehicles and green-tech. Font size: A - | A + The departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union has affected British-Slovak economic relations negatively. Mutual trade keeps shrinking and ordinary people feel the effects when shopping online, which has become increasingly complicated. But the impacts of Brexit are mingling with those of the Covid-19 pandemic. The transition period, during which travelling to and from the EU, freedom of movement and UK-EU trade were not burdened with any extra charges or checks, ended in December 2020. Brexit Departure of Great Britain from the EU After the EU referendum on June 23, 2016, in which 51.9 percent of the votes cast were in favour of leaving the EU, the United Kingdom left the European Union on February 1, 2020. Even with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in place, big changes were expected at the end of the transition period on January 1, 2021. On that date, the UK left the EU Single Market and Customs Union and withdrew from all EU policies and international agreements. This put an end to the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital with the EU. The EU and the UK now form two separate markets, i.e. two distinct regulatory and legal spaces. This recreates barriers to trade in goods and services, cross-border mobility and exchanges. This is why it is very difficult to look at the economic impacts of Brexit, as this time is significantly affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and it is therefore difficult to say which movements in the economy were caused by the pressure of one event or another, Matej Hornak, an analyst with the biggest Slovak bank Slovenska Sporitelna, told The Slovak Spectator. Whether, in the end, the UK and the EU have suffered economically from this departure will be seen in a few years at the earliest. However, there is no doubt that the EU has lost part of its diplomatic power, as it has lost a powerful member on the international stage. Hajni Hayler, executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia, has highlighted the effect the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement will have on future commercial relations between the UK and the EU. The most important point of the agreement is that it maintains a duty-free and an unlimited exchange of goods between the UK and the EU, Hayler told The Slovak Spectator, adding that customs procedures have changed and costs have increased, too. Shrinking trade Trade between the UK and Slovakia started decreasing even before Brexit. The UK contributed 3.6 percent of Slovakias total foreign trade in 2018 and the UK was Slovakias ninth-most important trade partner. In 2020, this share shrank to 3 percent and the UK fell to the 10th position. The downward trend continued in the first quarter of 2021 when the share further decreased to 2.8 percent and the UK slumped to 11th place. The comparison between mutual trade and Slovakias total foreign trade proves the downward trend, too. 3. Aug 2021 at 12:34 | Jana Liptakova The third wave will concern the vaccinated more than it could have. Police Corps president in hot water over protests. Demanovska Jaskyna Slobody cave was discovered 100 years ago on this day. Good evening. Welcome to the Tuesday, August 3, 2021 edition of Today in Slovakia. Read the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Ministry is rewriting measures for the third wave Trnava (Source: TASR) Vaccinated people in Slovakia cannot be sure that the potential closure of restaurants, cinemas or theatres in the third pandemic wave will not concern them. The ultimatum of the coalition party Sme Rodina and its leader Boris Kollar , that the rules for unvaccinated people with a negative Covid test result should be equal to those who are vaccinated, effectively brought down the plan of measures the ministry had prepared for Slovakia in the third pandemic wave. Some easing of measures was planned for people who have received one dose of the vaccine or those who had Covid-19, though they would face more limitations than the vaccinated if the infection numbers are very high. The limitations and measures would have automatically applied towards the unvaccinated. "Now it all needs to be rewritten," said Henrieta Hudeckova, chief epidemiologist of the Health Ministry and member of the consilium of experts who prepared the new rules . The changes will harm the vaccinated, she added, because the superinfectious Delta variant will spread faster in Slovakia if antigen tests are put to use. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you. Police Corps president faces questions over protest A number of coalition MPs are dissatisfied with the police's conduct during the recent protests against vaccination in the capital, when protesters stalled the traffic in downtown Bratislava and attacked journalists and passersby. Along with ongoing tensions among the law enforcement bodies, this has eroded the trust of part of the coalition in the Police Corps President, Peter Kovarik. Za Ludi MP Juraj Seliga asked the head of the defence and security committee of the parliament, Juraj Krupa of OLaNO, to summon Kovarik for questioning in front of the committee. The committee may recommend that he be dismissed from the top police post. Meanwhile, the far-right LSNS leader Marian Kotleba is calling on people to come to Bratislava for longer and larger protest on Thursday and Friday, with the aim of blocking several traffic junctions in the city, the Dennik N daily reports. The police said they will intervene if a public disturbance arises. On this day Demanovska Cave of Liberty. (Source: Andrej Galica/TASR) The Demanovska Jaskyna Slobody cave, part of the longest cave system of the Carpathians, was found one hundred years ago on this day. On August 3, 1921, a Czech teacher named Alois Kral took advantage of the extremely dry weather and climbed through a dried-out river bed to the underground channels of the Demanovka River. There he found the cave, which was so impressive that efforts were quickly begun to protect and preserve it. Read all about Slovakia's caves and caverns in this feature story from the Spectacular Slovakia travel guides. Exploring Slovakias caverns and caves (Spectacular Slovakia - travel guide) Read more Coronavirus and vaccination news 41 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed after 7,703 PCR tests were conducted in Slovakia on Monday. In the last week, 74 of the 87 positive samples were diagnosed as the Delta variant, which is 85.1 percent . Overall, Slovakia has so far sequenced 5,216 samples, with 293 identified as Delta. . Overall, Slovakia has so far sequenced 5,216 samples, with 293 identified as Delta. At least 30,000 new people should be vaccinated against Covid for the investment in the lottery with prizes for vaccinated people and the vaccination referral programme to pay off, according to the Value for Money unit running under the Finance Ministry. As many as 280,000 registered for the lottery and the special bonus by Tuesday noon. Education Minister Branislav Grohling (SaS) called on parents, pupils and teachers to be vaccinated in August. "The higher vaccination uptake will allow schools to work better," he said. The higher vaccination rate will result in fewer outbreaks and fewer closures of schools. (TASR) The investment in the lottery and the referral programme introduced to motivate people to be vaccinated will return if it results in at least 30,000 people getting the jab, who would otherwise have rejected vaccination. Picture of the day New collector coin issued by the National Bank of Slovakia. (Source: NBS) A honey bee decorates the latest edition of special collector coins. Slovaks in Tokyo Jan Volko did not make it to the semifinals in the 200 m run. With 21,21 seconds in the heat rounds, he ended 42nd in the overall ranking. did not make it to the semifinals in the 200 m run. With 21,21 seconds in the heat rounds, he ended 42nd in the overall ranking. Canoeist Peter Gelle ended seventh in the semifinals of 1000 m K1 and did not advance to the finals. In other news Former judge Richard Molnar is facing charges after the investigator working on his case collected new evidence. Molnar faced corruption charges following Operation Gale, but General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka dropped the charges in May. (Aktuality.sk) after the investigator working on his case collected new evidence. Molnar faced corruption charges following Operation Gale, but General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka dropped the charges in May. (Aktuality.sk) Real estate prices in Slovakia increased by 6.4 percent quarter on quarter, most significantly in the Bratislava and Trencin regions. The prices increased by 18.6 percent in the year-on-year comparison during the second quarter of 2021. (NBS) by 6.4 percent quarter on quarter, most significantly in the Bratislava and Trencin regions. The prices increased by 18.6 percent in the year-on-year comparison during the second quarter of 2021. (NBS) The State Veterinary and Food Administration has issued an extraordinary emergency measure allowing hunters to increase the killing of wild boars in the districts where infection has not been detected yet. The overpopulation of wild boars is the main reason for the spreading African swine flu, which currently affects 29 of the 79 districts of Slovakia. Do not miss on Spectator.sk today: Related article Related article The impact Brexit has on businesses is hard to tell due to the pandemic Read more Related article Related article Investments of Slovak companies and start-ups in space exploration are growing Read more Related article Related article How a troubled marriage led to a miraculous baroque church Read more If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. 3. Aug 2021 at 17:38 | Michaela Terenzani Slovakia's first brass 5-euro coin celebrates honey bees A special collector coin brings nature and environment in focus. A honey bee decorates the latest edition of special collector coins whose aim is to bring into focus the diverse and rare animal species living in our country and their environment, endangered by pollution and human interference. The National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), the country's central bank, launched the sale of the coin that is part of the Fauna and Flora in Slovakia edition on July 22. The coin is unique in several ways. For example, it is the first coin with a nominal value of 5, and the very first one made of base metal, more specifically brass, instead of precious metals. The coin was designed by Karol Licko. Currently, 45,000 collector coins have been minted and put on sale, but there is the possibility of minting more in the future. The number of collector coins one person will be allowed to buy is limited to 10. They are on offer at the cash desks of the NBS building in Bratislava, as well as in its branches in Nove Zamky, Banska Bystrica, Zilina, Poprad and Kosice during opening hours. Slovakia: Where the bees buzz and the honey flows Read more The NBS has been supporting activities focusing on the protection of nature for a long time. The motifs for the Fauna and Flora in Slovakia series were selected together with Bojnice Zoo and the Environment Ministry of the Environment. The selection of motifs took both the endangerment of the species and the education dimension as well as the attractiveness to collectors into consideration, the NBS explained. With the new edition, the bank wants to address numismatists, collectors and the broad public, including children, and point to the necessity of protecting nature and the environment. This is why the bank set the value of the coin at 5. Those not satisfied with the coin will be able to return it to the NBS, refunding their money. Related article Related article Special coins minted to commemorate Stefaniks death Read more 3. Aug 2021 at 17:23 | Compiled by Spectator staff The 31st annual Industry Day, held Monday (Aug. 2), welcomed spectators back to Grand River Raceway in full force and featured some of the best Ontario-Sired two-year-olds on the track for this year's edition of the Battle of the Belles and the Battle of Waterloo. Historically the largest day of the racing season at Grand River Raceway, Industry Day featured more than $600,000 in purse money, and was truly a day for those racing and spectators alike. Full recaps from those events, plus the undercard with Ontario Sires Stakes Gold and Grassroots action for three-year-old pacing fillies, are available below. Video from Industry Day is available below, with bonus coverage from COSA TV also available. Betterhavemymoney Blazes In Battle Of Waterloo The 2-5 favourite Betterhavemymoney refused to sit pocket to 5-2 second choice Erinwood Yves early, and the Betterthancheddar gelding survived his own swift pace to claim a narrow victory in the $251,050 Battle Of Waterloo on Monday (Aug. 2) at Grand River Raceway....read on Patience Pays For Love That Smile In Battle Of The Belles Driver Louis-Philippe Roy sat Love That Smile off a first-turn flurry for position before sending the 4-5 favourite after the lead and to a 1:54.4 score in the $145,060 Battle of the Belles....read on Voelz Delight Equals Grand River Record Front-end control was the name of the game at Grand River Raceway on Monday (Aug. 2) as the winners of both $101,400 three-year-old pacing filly Gold Series divisions and all five $21,000 Grassroots divisions controlled the tempo on their way to victory. Voelz Delight captured the first Gold Series division in a track record-equalling 1:52.4, matching the record set by Neon Moon during the 2018 edition of the Elora, Ont., ovals signature event....read on Kelly Doubles In Preferreds Driver Colin Kelly left quickly with Willyorwonthe from post 7 and gave the field the slip to win the $11,500 Preferred 2 & 3 Trot. He employed similar tactics to take the $8,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace with Pretty Handsome....read on A great crowd was on hand for the 31st annual Industry Day and fans were happy to be back on track for the raceways signature day. Total handle for this years 11-race Industry Day card was $371,125, with over $38,000 wagered on track. To view Monday's compete results, click the following link: Monday Results Grand River Raceway. The 2-5 favourite Betterhavemymoney refused to sit pocket to 5-2 second choice Erinwood Yves early, and the Betterthancheddar gelding survived his own swift pace to claim a narrow victory in the $251,050 Battle Of Waterloo on Monday (Aug. 2) at Grand River Raceway. Erinwood Yves slid to the lead around the first turn while driver James MacDonald darted Betterhavemymoney for the front from post 5. The pair scooted well clear of the field as their backside brawl clocked a :26.2 opening quarter before Betterhavemymoney forged to the lead. He started to slow the pace passing the stands into a :54.4 half, where the field came back into contact with the loose leaders. Betterhavemymoney snagged another breather up the backstretch, passing three-quarters in 1:24 as he and Erinwood Yves again gained separation on the field. Erinwood Yves readied a stretch charge from the pocket after Betterhavemymoney at the base of the turn, but the Nick Gallucci trainee held firm to the pole to win by a head over Erinwood Yves in 1:52.4 a fifth of a second off the track record. Century Inspector took third while Stews Watching finished fourth. Theres no layups in this business. I knew I had the heavy favourite, but I thought if Jody [Jamieson and Erinwood Yves] got off the gate well he would be more than content to follow me, but he was going to make sure he made me pay the price, MacDonald said after the race. Kudos to Gabby [Sasso] shes got a good barn of horses and that horse raced terrific. I think the world of my horse, and he got stretched hard and I had to push him, and he was right there at the wire. I mean its huge any time you get a crack at some of these signature events, youve got to take advantage of them, MacDonald also said. Nick [Gallucci] did a great job. He had the horse ready, and the horse just did it all. Im really happy for everyone involved, and Im happy to see a good crowd here today at Grand River. Its really awesome. A winner in all four of his starts, Betterhavemymoney has accrued $236,025 for owner-breeder Millar Farms. He paid $2.80 to win. To return to the Industry Day News Centre, click here. To view Monday's compete results, click the following link: Monday Results Grand River Raceway. The hot combination of driver Tom Jackson, trainer Fred Grant, and owner-breeder Russell Williams continued their recent success with trotting two-year-olds on Monday (Aug. 2) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, visiting Victory Lane with a pair of fillies. There were four $11,700 events scheduled for two-year-olds at the mountain oval, one for each combination of sex and gait. The Bar Hopping-Melusine miss Luisella remained undefeated through two starts by speeding to victory in her groups race in 1:56.3, lowering her mark by almost three seconds. Jackson moved Luisella to the lead in front of the stands, circled by early pacesetter Rheia Rose, then came home in :28.2 to keep her rival three lengths behind. With two trotting fillies needing a race and only one opportunity to face peers, Williams and Grant decided to give the Resolve-Afterimage filly Grace And Favor her debut in a maiden contest against older horses, both females and males. But the experience factor was overcome by the sheer talent of the baby filly, who was sent to the lead in the second quarter by Jackson and came home with a two-length advantage over favoured Hurrikane Willie G in 1:57.2. The meets leading driver, George Napolitano Jr., had four winners on the card. Tom Jackson visited Victory Lane three times in addition to the two baby trotting distaffs, he guided the fastest performer of the day, Captain McKee, to a 1:51 win. The $15,300 events for the class-climbing nw 8 races horses will make for a triple feature on Tuesday (Aug. 2) at Pocono: pacing females in Race 8, pacing males in Race 10, and trotters in Race 13. Program pages are available at the PHHA website. (PHHA/Pocono) Winbak Farm is sad to announce the passing of CR Renegade (2, Q1:58.4; 3, 1:53.4 [$903,785]). CR Renegade passed away at the age of 25 on July 31. He succumbed to complications from colic. He had been standing at Winbak Farm of Maryland. Between his performance as a racehorse, including an exciting Breeders Crown Final Win, and his strong pedigree, Joe Thomson thought that CR Renegade would make a great addition to our stallion roster when he retired from racing, said Garrett Bell, Winbak Farm General Manager. CR Renegade won nine races competing against the best three-year-old colt trotters in North America. At three, CR Renegade won the Beacon Course Stakes elimination and final, $588,000 Breeders Crown, Currier & Ives Stakes elimination and Final, Yonkers Trot elimination and $273,891 Final, and $112,000 Zweig Memorial division. He also won the $430,000 Beacon Course Trot (now the Stanley Dancer Memorial) at The Meadowlands. He was second in a Colonial Stakes division, Hambletonian elimination and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes leg. He was third in a World Trotting Derby heat. CR Renegade was a full brother to Horse of the Year CR Kay Suzie (2, 1:55.1; 3, 1:52.4; 1:52.3 [$1,611,131]). CR Renegade had stood at Winbak Farm since 2001, said Garrett Bell, Winbak Farm General Manager. He had been a Winbak Farms stallion lineup representative in Ontario, Indiana and Maryland. As a sire, CR Renegade has sired 66 Race Winners. He had sired four who had won $200,000+ including 49x Winner, Commander Richards (1:55.3f [$293,305]), 21-time Winner Mintoes (3, 2:00.1f; 1:55.2s [$281,648]), B Cor Rennegade (2, 1:57.1s; 3, 1:55.4s [$229,283]) and The Original (1:55.2s [$204,231]). CR Renegade was also a winning broodmare sire. Performers from CR Renegade-sired dams include Majestic Mistress (3, 1:56.2s; 1:53f [$338,554]), Majestic Marvel (3, 1:56.3s; 3, 1:53f -21 [$265,096]), Winbak Charles M (3, Q1:57.3f; 1:54.2f [$235,067]) and Renegade Magic (3, 1:55.4s; 1:53.2s [$217,552]). Winbak Farm would like to thank the breeders, trainers, owners and other supporters who helped CR Renegade be a successful sire. We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported CR Renegade during his breeding career, said Bell. We would also like to say thank you to the Allen family for connecting us with this stallion. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of CR Renegade. Flowers explained that firefighters with the Gering Fire Department have had a long history of specializing in fighting wildfires. For about 20 years, our guys have been working really hard to get a lot of certifications and credentials to meet the requirements to do these things (fight wildfires). Several years ago, we signed a contract with the state to be able to cooperate with federal agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Once we became a cooperating agency, they entered us into the federal dispatching system. At any time, he said, the resources of the Gering Fire Department can be called into play to fight wildfires throughout the region. Last week, the regional dispatch center, the Great Plains Interagency Dispatch in Rapid City, South Dakota, issued the call to Gering and three of its firefighters responded to an order to assistance and left Thursday, July 22. The standard assignment is 14 days, however, dependent on the individual fire managers at an incident, crews can switch firefighters during that time. Gering has opted to do so, so the crew that responded last Thursday will switch with another crew after serving seven days. That second crew was expected to travel on Thursday, July 29, to Montana. Being openly queer and finishing in the top five at the Miss America Outstanding Teen competition was like a Miss Congeniality moment, Chen said. Following the competition, director for Miss Nebraskas Outstanding Teen Alyssa Howell said, The Miss Nebraska Scholarship Organization is so incredibly proud to have such a fantastic representative of our state. She carries herself with such poise, grace, and humility, and we are so excited to watch her continue to represent the state of Nebraska throughout the year. Chen said she is thankful for the support from her family and friends throughout her journey. She also appreciates the Miss America Organization for offering scholarships to contestants to support their efforts to continue their education. Its such a relief to know that I can go to college debt-free if I so choose, she said. It removes a lot of burden from my familys shoulders and from my shoulders. Chen said she also appreciates the support from her family when she decided to compete in pageants. My mother is really the reason why I have been able to do this and why Im standing here today as Miss Nebraskas Outstanding Teen, she said. Im glad with this, we are moving into a space that is better for us where we can succeed and really appreciate each other and the time we have with each other. Of course, there are people all too happy to use the D word -- the Taliban and the terror groups it remains affiliated with. Osama bin Laden used the defeat of the Soviets to rally the faithful, and it seems foolish to think a new generation of bin Laden successors wont do likewise. In 2009, my friend Charles Krauthammer, who passed away three years ago, delivered an important speech at the Manhattan Institute. Id say it was an influential speech, but alas, it wasnt. In his lecture, titled Decline Is a Choice, Krauthammer said: The question of whether America is in decline cannot be answered yes or no. There is no yes or no. Both answers are wrong, because the assumption that somehow there exists some predetermined inevitable trajectory, the result of uncontrollable external forces, is wrong. Nothing is inevitable. Nothing is written. For America today, decline is not a condition. Decline is a choice. Two decades into the unipolar world that came about with the fall of the Soviet Union, America is in the position of deciding whether to abdicate or retain its dominance. Decline -- or continued ascendancy -- is in our hands. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Microsoft Windows 11 is shaping up to be one of the biggest upgrades to the companys popular Windows operating system, with many new features and performance improvements under the hood. Even the old apps have received upgrades and fresh looks to match Windows 11 glitzy avatar. Users are also excited to see new system elements, while others are simply waiting for Android app support. However, one thing that Microsoft has remained tight-lipped about is the actual Windows 11 release date. The company has just refused to mention Windows 11 release date when the public could start downloading the OS. Microsoft has previously hinted at the Windows 11 release date, during the unveiling of the operating system back in June, all users were told was that it could arrive in the holiday season. Windows 11 launch information was accidentally leaked later in some of Intels driver documentation. Now, a report by Windows Latest suggests that Microsoft itself may have hinted at the release schedule for the next version of Windows. Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here. The report states that Microsofts documentation for Windows 11 version 21H2 hardware driver submissions from June 24, which suggests that the new operating system could arrive between October 2021 and November 2021. This document is used by Microsoft to inform OEMs about the last date for them to submit their drivers in time for the operating system to stick to the planned Windows 11 release date. According to the report, the Windows creator has informed OEMs that drivers for Windows 11 must be submitted by the end of September. Partners looking to achieve compatibility for systems shipping with Windows 11, version 21H2 Release may factory-install drivers for components that achieved compatibility with Windows 10, version 2004 until September 24, 2021, the company states in the document. However, readers must take all these speculation with a grain of salt, as Microsofts plans to release Windows 11 could always change due to technical reasons or something else. Similarly, Microsoft has never mentioned October 2021, and the reference to the holiday could also be in connection with the Christmas holidays. However, based on previous leaks and older posts, it looks like Microsoft may just have made a big revelation. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The Abbey Library of St. Gall in Switzerland is home to approximately 160,000 volumes of literary and historical manuscripts dating back to the eighth centuryall of which are written by hand, on parchment, in languages rarely spoken in modern times. To preserve these historical accounts of humanity, such texts, numbering in the millions, have been kept safely stored away in libraries and monasteries all over the world. A significant portion of these collections are available to the general public through digital imagery, but experts say there is an extraordinary amount of material that has never been reada treasure trove of insight into the world's history hidden within. Now, researchers at University of Notre Dame are developing an artificial neural network to read complex ancient handwriting based on human perception to improve capabilities of deep learning transcription. "We're dealing with historical documents written in styles that have long fallen out of fashion, going back many centuries, and in languages like Latin, which are rarely ever used anymore," said Walter Scheirer, the Dennis O. Doughty Collegiate Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Notre Dame. "You can get beautiful photos of these materials, but what we've set out to do is automate transcription in a way that mimics the perception of the page through the eyes of the expert reader and provides a quick, searchable reading of the text." In research published in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers journal Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Scheirer outlines how his team combined traditional methods of machine learning with visual psychophysicsa method of measuring the connections between physical stimuli and mental phenomena, such as the amount of time it takes for an expert reader to recognize a specific character, gauge the quality of the handwriting or identify the use of certain abbreviations. Scheirer's team studied digitized Latin manuscripts that were written by scribes in the Cloister of St. Gall in the ninth century. Readers entered their manual transcriptions into a specially designed software interface. The team then measured reaction times during transcription for an understanding of which words, characters and passages were easy or difficult. Scheirer explained that including that kind of data created a network more consistent with human behavior, reduced errors and provided a more accurate, more realistic reading of the text. "It's a strategy not typically used in machine learning," Scheirer said. "We're labeling the data through these psychophysical measurements, which comes directly from psychological studies of perceptionby taking behavioral measurements. We then inform the network of common difficulties in the perception of these characters and can make corrections based on those measurements." Using deep learning to transcribe ancient texts is something of great interest to scholars in the humanities. "There's a difference between just taking the photos and reading them, and having a program to provide a searchable reading," said Hildegund Muller, associate professor in the Department of Classics at Notre Dame. "If you consider the texts used in this studyninth-century manuscriptsthat's an early stage of the Middle Ages. It's a long time before the printing press. That's a time when an enormous amount of manuscripts was produced. There is all sorts of information hidden in these manuscriptsunidentified texts that nobody has seen before." Scheirer said challenges remain. His team is working on improving accuracy of transcriptions, especially in the case of damaged or incomplete documents, as well as how to account for illustrations or other aspects of a page that could be confusing to the network. However, the team was able to adjust the program to transcribe Ethiopian texts, adapting it to a language with a completely different set of charactersa first step toward developing a program with the capability to transcribe and translate information for users. "In the literary field, it could be really helpful. Every good literary work is surrounded by a vast amount of historical documents, but where it's really going to be useful is in historical archival research," said Muller. "There is a great need to advance the digital humanities. When you talk about the Middle Ages and early modern times, if you want to understand the details and consequences of historical events, you have to look through the written material, and these texts are the only thing we have. The problem may be even greater outside the Western world. Think of languages that are disappearing in cultures that are under threat. We must first of all preserve these works, make them accessible and, at some point, incorporate translations to make them a part of cultural processes that are still underwayand we are racing against time." Explore further Solving the mystery of an unusual medieval text More information: Samuel Grieggs et al, Measuring Human Perception to Improve Handwritten Document Transcription, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (2021). Journal information: IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence Samuel Grieggs et al, Measuring Human Perception to Improve Handwritten Document Transcription,(2021). DOI: 10.1109/TPAMI.2021.3092688 Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares hailed the new company's first half earnings as "very strong". US-European auto giant Stellantis, formed by Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler this year, posted Tuesday a sizeable first-half net profit and announced that its Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands would go fully electric. Stellantis, whose brands also include Maserati and Jeep, said Tuesday that its net profit totalled 5.8 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in the first six months of the year. Net revenues reached 72.6 billion euros. Richard Palmer, the company's chief financial officer, said Stellantis hit a "record margin" compared to past performances of the previous companies, Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler. "We feel we had a very strong first half in terms of margins and commercially speaking," Palmer said in a press conference. The company had an adjusted operating income marginor operating income divided by net salesof 11.4 percent. Stellantis performed well despite a global shortage of semiconductors that forced the company to cut production of 700,000 vehicles. Palmer said production would be reduced by another 500,000 vehicles in the third quarter but that the chip shortage is not expected to worsen. Stellantis expects a 10 percent margin for the full yearbetter than previously forecastassuming "no deterioration of the semicondutor situations and no further lockdowns" due to Covid, he said. The company performed well in North America, with strong sales of its Ram pickup trucks and Jeep hybrids. In Europe, its main market, sales were driven by the Peugeot 2008 model and the new Citroen C4, Opel Mokka and Fiat 500 electric cars. Electric cars The company said it was going "full speed ahead" with the launch of 11 battery-electric vehicles and 10 plug-in-hybrids over the next 24 months. "While delivering this strong operational performance the Company also made significant progress on strategic matters related to electrification acceleration and software, which are fundamental pillars of our strategy," chief executive Carlos Tavares said in a statement. The company said its Lancia brand would go fully electric by 2026 around the world while Alfa Romeo would follow suit by 2027 in Europe, North America and China. Its French DS car will join the fray by 2024. Other Stellantis brands have already announced plans to go electric, with Opel eyeing 2028 in Europe and Fiat aiming for 2025-2030. Germany's Daimler said last month that its Mercedes-Benz brand would be all-electric by the end of the decade. The EU has signalled that it wants a ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 to meet its target of reaching carbon neutrality by mid-century. Explore further Stellantis CEO expects chip shortage to drag into next year 2021 AFP The app, paired with a 3D-printed stand containing a simple heating element, controls the temperature of the origami test, heating it in around ten minutes to the temperature the LAMP process requires to work. Credit: University of Glasgow A new approach to tackling the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, which combines affordable, easy-to-administer blood tests with machine learning and unbreakable encryption, has generated encouraging early results in Uganda. Malaria is one of the world's leading causes of illness and death, sickening around 228 million people each year, more than 400,000 of them fatally. Like COVID-19, malaria can spread asymptomatically, making widespread field testing vital to containing outbreaks and saving lives. One significant challenge for making field testing widely available is that the most common and accurate malaria blood test is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. PCR tests require trained staff to draw blood, and laboratory conditions to test the samples. In remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa, malaria infections often break out hundreds of miles away from trained staff and lab conditions, making effective infection control very difficult. While more portable lateral flow tests for malaria have been developed and delivered in recent years, their reliability has been questioned, with some studies suggesting they may be only 75% accurate. Over the last few years, biomedical engineers from the University of Glasgow and the Ministry of Health in Uganda have worked together to develop a more reliable, low-cost 'origami' alternative to PCR and lateral flow tests. It uses sheets of folded wax paper to prepare patient samples for a different type of detection process known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification, or LAMP, which can be delivered in the field. Previous field tests in Uganda have shown the origami test technique is 98% accurate. A blood sample taken from a patient via fingerprick is placed on in a wax channel in the folded paper. The paper then is folded, directing the sample into a narrow channel and then three small chambers which the LAMP machine uses to test the samples' DNA for evidence of Plasmodium falciparum, the mosquito-borne parasitic species which causes malaria. In a new paper published today in Nature Electronics, the researchers describe how they have developed a secure smartphone app to pair with their origami tests, which uses deep learning to allow more accurate diagnosis and could facilitate better surveillance of community transmission. Then, the LAMP results are analyzed using a cloud-based machine learning process to ensure they are being correctly administered, enabling users of varying skill levels to properly conduct the test. A positive or negative diagnosis of the patient's malaria infection is provided via lines on a lateral flow strip similar to those used for home COVID-19 testing. The patient's results are securely stored on a blockchain-based ledger to ensure their privacy, and shared with the local authorities to allow anonymised monitoring of local infections. Professor Jon Cooper, of the University of Glasgow's James Watt School of Engineering, led the development of the diagnostic system. Professor Cooper said: "In 2018, a World Health Organisation report on controlling malaria highlighted a need for fast, effective testing which would be available to everyone who needed it, even in the most remote, rural locations. The WHO report also recommended that disease diagnostics becomes more digitally integrated into regional or national case management systems to better monitor the spread of malaria. "We believe that the system we've developed could help deliver on both of those urgent requirements. It allows non-experts to administer blood tests anywhere, then have those results securely shared with local and regional authorities. Widespread uptake of a system like this could have a big impact on the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa." The researchers validated their approach with some initial field tests in Uganda's rural Eastern Tororo District. They used their system to test blood samples collected from 40 school children from a local primary school aged between five and 12 with their parents' permission. The tests were 98% accurate. All samples were later re-tested in the UK using a standard PCR test for malaria. Dr. Julien Reboud, senior lecturer in biomedical engineering at the University of Glasgow, is a co-author on the paper. Dr. Reboud said: "Smartphones are widely used in Africa, even in the remotest areas, making them potentially invaluable in enabling widespread testing and effective surveillance of communicable diseases like malaria. "We're keen to make this technology as widely available as possible and are in early talks with healthcare management providers to explore our options." M. Moses Adriko, Program Officer at the Uganda Ministry of Health's Vector Borne & NTD Control Division, said: "Malaria and other infectious diseases are responsible for a significant burden in remote communities, affecting families not only through poor health but also impacting children's education. "The development of this new digital health technology with our partners at the University of Glasgow uses artificial intelligence and blockchain on a mobile phone to deliver field-based DNA testing coupled with an expert decision diagnostic support tool, all with the required high level of trust and security. "The testing in Tororo district schools in Eastern Uganda highlighted the high local burden of disease, not only allowing us to treat affected children timely and precisely but also enabling us to provide data that has informed regional health and education authorities to adjust wider disease management strategies locally." The team's paper, titled "Smartphone-based DNA malaria diagnostics using deep learning for local decision support and blockchain technology for security," is published in Nature Electronics. Explore further 'Origami' diagnostic device offers affordable malaria diagnoses More information: Xin Guo et al, Smartphone-based DNA diagnostics for malaria detection using deep learning for local decision support and blockchain technology for security, Nature Electronics (2021). Journal information: Nature Electronics Xin Guo et al, Smartphone-based DNA diagnostics for malaria detection using deep learning for local decision support and blockchain technology for security,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-021-00612-x FILE - In this July 15, 2021, file photo, Cristhian Bahena Rivera appears during a hearing at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa. Bahena Rivera was convicted of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. The lead investigator in the death, Division of Criminal Investigation agent Trent Vileta expressed confidence Tuesday, July 27, 2021, that the right man was convicted, rejecting defense claims that her abduction could be tied to other local criminal suspects. Construction of a tiny home village for the homeless in Brunswick is progressing on schedule and should be ready to house its first residents early next year. The treasury secretary tried to encourage Democrats to work together, even as lawmakers said Biden should act on his own to extend the eviction moratorium, according to someone on the private call who insisted on anonymity to discuss its contents. Yellen said on the call, according to this person, that she agrees "we need to bring every resource to bear and that she appreciated the Democrats' efforts and wants "to leave no stone unturned. The CDC put the initial eviction ban in place as part of the COVID-19 response when jobs shifted and many workers lost income. The ban was intended to hold back the spread of the virus among people put out on the streets and into shelters, but it also penalized landlords who lost income as a result. National Apartment Association president and CEO Bob Pinnegar said the organization has always held the same position -- the eviction moratorium is an unfunded government mandate that forces housing providers to deliver a costly service without compensation and saddles renters with insurmountable debt. Democratic lawmakers said they were caught by surprise by Bidens initial decision to end the moratorium even though the CDC indicated in late June that it probably wouldn't extend the eviction ban beyond the end of July. A couple of the new land-use categories that are being proposed include one called mixed residential and another named neighborhood center. The first will allow a mix of housing types such as duplexes, townhouses, smaller scale apartment complexes and stand-alone single-family homes to all be blended into certain areas. The neighborhood center is what Halle-Schramm has described as the second-most intense land-use category. She said it is essentially a Century Square-style development in which there is a mixture of uses; for example, she said there could be a two-story building with office and retail space right by a single-story restaurant. Those who participate in the online engagement portion can search the maps by property address and leave comments on the changes that were made. There is also an online survey where people can comment on other comprehensive plan changes. A fourth candidate has thrown his hat in the ring to run for College Station City Council. College Station Planning and Zoning Commissioner William Wright filed on Monday to run for Place 4. Wright is a production supervisor at Reynolds and Reynolds. Last month, incumbents Elizabeth Cunha and Dennis Maloney filed to run for Place 4 and Place 6, respectively. Self-described business leader and entrepreneur David Levine filed to run against Maloney. College Stations council is made up of a mayor and six council members who are elected at large. This year, Places 4 and 6 will be on the ballot. Cunha was elected to Place 4 in November following a nearly one-year-long campaign for the spot. The position opened when former Councilwoman Elianor Vessali stepped down in fall 2019 to seek the Republican nomination for the District 17 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Maloney is wrapping up a three-year term. Those who win the Place 4 and 6 seats could end up serving in the last of the citys three-year terms, since College Station is moving toward four-year terms. The filing period runs through Aug. 16. Election Day is Nov. 2. The mask mandate will apply to anyone age 5 and older who enters a business, a school, a church or other inside location. It also will cover any kindergartners if they are under the age of 5. Students start returning to some K-12 schools this week. Louisianas education leaders had declined to enact any masking orders across all districts, leaving it to individual school systems to determine their plans. The governors executive order will end the district-by-district negotiations. Stephanie Flood Thomas, a resident of Mississippi and spokesperson for the disaster medical assistance team helping at Our Lady of the Lake, said she recently returned from working at a hospital in Texas, where there was a need for lab techs, nurses, respiratory therapists and a host of other areas of care. Its the entire hospital, she said. Its not just one group of people that are getting sick. Its the front desk who are getting sick. There are some people who are scared to come to work. Some of the hospitals that we backfilled, they were scared that they were going to get it. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Fegler Daiss said she was surprised by the suddenness of the decision. This sort of came out of the blue. We didnt even know they wanted to have a conversation about it, she said. They just started contacting people. Pam Lancaster, chair of the Hall County Board, voiced concerns about the short time frame for discussing and implementing the transfer. I think that 60 days is very short, Lancaster said. Because probation has to weigh in on this, because probation would take over a portion. It is quite complicated. Their board hasnt even met yet. From a fiscal standpoint, it would be more beneficial for the state to take over the drug court from the county, Daiss said. We have a lot of close supervision because of the way its structured as to how the court actually runs and once it goes to the state, then the state takes over all of that and we have very little to say about how it will run, she said. But fiscally, certainly, the counties would no longer have that fiscal responsibility. Central Nebraska Drug Court submitted a total budget of $476,468.93 for the upcoming year, though it is unknown what will become of the allocation if the change is approved. SEATTLE (AP) The divorce of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates has been finalized. The Microsoft co-founder and his wife announced in May they were ending their 27-year marriage and on Monday a King County Superior Court judge signed the dissolution decree. The New York Times reports the court documents didnt detail how they would divide their assets. Bill Gates was formerly the worlds richest person and his fortune is estimated at about $150 billion. They met after she began working at Microsoft as a product manager in 1987. The two were married in 1994 in Hawaii. The Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the most influential private foundation in the world, with an endowment worth about $50 billion. It has focused on global health and development and U.S. education issues since incorporating in 2000. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A major Pennsylvania heavy equipment contractor entered no contest pleas to four theft counts on Tuesday and agreed to pay restitution of more than $20 million over allegations it illegally diverted pension money and other benefits from its workers. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. has agreed to have a court-appointed corporate monitor perform oversight, including of the process of returning the money to 1,267 victims. When we talk about big fights, this is what we mean, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a Harrisburg news conference, a few hours after the plea hearing in Centre County. Helping everyday Pennsylvanians take on the powerful and the well connected when theyve been screwed. The company released a statement saying it was pleased to bring this process to a conclusion and avoid costly court proceedings, but it maintains it followed all fringe benefits rules. In pleading no contest, the company accepts the convictions but does not expressly admit it committed the crimes. The fringe benefit practices challenged by the Office of the Attorney General were based upon advice provided by the companys former attorneys, the statement read. Hawbaker has always intended to properly pay all of its employees. Schools are soon to start back in session just as Covid-19 cases are rising in the Red River Valley. The rise is due to the delta variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is as contagious as chickenpox and four to nine times more infectious than previous Covid-19 strains. The majority of cases are being seen in unvaccinated people, a group that includes school-age children. The back to school guidance from local and national medical groups includes having mask requirements in place, however, Gov. Greg Abbott has prohibited schools from taking such action. Should schools be allowed to require masks? You voted: The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. PADUCAH Five people, including a 14-year-old from Marion, Kentucky, are dead after a collision Monday involving a semi-tractor trailer, authorities said. The McCracken County Sheriffs Office responded at 12:11 p.m. Monday to the 4000 block of Clarks River Road, according to a news release. An investigation revealed a 2001 Volvo semi-tractor, operated by Frank Holland, 45, of Paducah, with an attached flatbed trailer was traveling eastbound on Clarks River Road, police said. A 2006 Ford Taurus was exiting the driveway of a business, crossing both eastbound lanes of travel on Clarks River Road, and the two vehicles collided in a broadside manner in the eastbound lane, police said. All five occupants of the Ford Taurus were pronounced deceased at the scene, including Monica Jewell, 23, of LaCenter, the driver. The passengers were identified as Trevor Doom, 26, of LaCenter; Eddie Knight, 44, of Eddyville; Alexander Hudson, 14, of Marion; and Linda Young, 54, of Marion. Jussie Smolletts legal team used a news conference Monday to blast the actors prosecution in Cook County as character assassination and a waste of resources, and said they have proof that he is innocent. Smolletts new defense attorneys addressed reporters for the first time since signing on to the case earlier this year, saying they are eager to proceed in earnest after last weeks ruling that one of them Nenye Uche could stay on despite the prosecutions claim that he had a conflict of interest. Like many people in Chicago, when I first heard of the Smollett case I was absolutely certain that he was guilty based on the media coverage, Uche told reporters. But I can say now categorically, looking at the evidence, hundreds of pages so far, and there are many, many more to look at, so far its obvious to us hes absolutely innocent. Uche and his colleagues declined to specify what evidence points to Smolletts innocence, saying that it would have to come out in court proceedings. Aurora police Chief Kristen Zimans last week on the job started with a moment shes been working toward ever since an employee at the Henry Pratt Co. warehouse whod just been terminated opened fire two years ago, killing five co-workers and wounding a sixth, along with five of Zimans officers. The shooter was a convicted felon whose state firearm owners identification card had been revoked. But the system broke down when authorities failed to make sure he turned over any weapons in his possession, including the gun he used in the Feb. 15, 2019, mass shooting. What has kept me up at night since that horrific day is that the shooter used a gun he never should have had, said Ziman, who will retire Friday. He used that gun to steal these precious lives. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed into a law a measure that Ziman, gun safety advocates and lawmakers from both parties say could prevent similar tragedies by charging an Illinois State Police task force with the task of taking guns from people whove had their FOID cards revoked but havent turned over their weapons. The measure also aims to streamline the process for renewing FOID cards and concealed carry licenses and requires background checks for private gun sales or transfers beginning in 2024. SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed four bills into law Monday aimed at protecting the states immigrant and refugee populations, saying they will help make Illinois the most welcoming state in the United States for immigrants. Among those are a requirement for local governments to end partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a law making a persons citizenship or immigration status a potential motivation for a hate crime, and protections from workplace discrimination based on a persons work authorization status. Speaking at a bill-signing ceremony at East Aurora High School, Pritzker said the measures were in keeping with actions his administration has been taking since its beginning to expand opportunities and protections for noncitizens in Illinois actions that have included extending eligibility for Medicaid and state-based student financial aid for noncitizens regardless of their documentation status. I think many of you know that throughout my governorship, I've directed my administration to adopt policies that make Illinois a welcoming state for immigrants, and I'm very proud to sign these accountability measures into law to advance our cause, Pritzker said. Rizk also indicated he expects the charge to be dropped and that he will regain his job. According to a redacted partial incident report provided by the North Charleston Police Department, a woman contacted the agency on July 26 to report a July 13 incident. The woman said she did not want to meet with officers at the residence, telling them Rizk is a Holly Hill police officer. She claimed she was afraid he would kill her. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Officers met the woman at a shopping center on Dorchester Road. Officers noted the woman was crying and seemed highly intoxicated. She told officers that she and Rizk got into a verbal altercation on July 13. She accused him of brandishing his department-issued baton before he allegedly said to her, If you dont be quiet, Im going to beat you with this. She accused Rizk of striking her on her legs about three or four times. She claimed he then told her to lay down and be quiet. The alleged incident did not occur while he was on duty. She showed officers copies of text messages she claimed Rizk sent her. Although there are a lot of high-paying jobs that require employees to have training and skills in instrumentation and process control, there are not a lot of training options for those who want to go into this line of work, he said. Murphy said students from surrounding counties regularly take advantage of the program, but the out-of-state interest is relatively new. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Although these students face additional challenges that many of our students dont typically have, such as finding housing in the area, they have excelled through the program, he said. They knew what they were getting into when they began and were focused on completing it. Both Surrency and Holland participated in the EIT programs spring co-op experience their senior year Surrency at Shaw Industries in Columbia and Holland at International Paper in Savannah. There are a couple of schools in Georgia that offer this type of program, but they didnt have the reviews like OCtech and they didnt have a co-op, Surrency said. The co-op really stood out. It looks amazing on a resume. Before they even received their degrees, both Surrency and Holland had been hired by Rayonier Advanced Materials in Jesup. Pastides said Tuesday that the university will change course because of Wilson's opinion and will not require anyone to wear face coverings in our buildings, except when in university health care facilities and when utilizing campus public transportation, though wearing masks indoors is still encouraged. The debate over what to do with masks in schools across South Carolina has been simmering since the end of the past academic year, as officials debated whether schools should drop face covering mandates before the summer break, citing declining virus rates amid the rollout of several vaccines. A budget proviso that went into effect July 1 prohibits the state's pubic colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. The measure was backed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who earlier this year called it the height of ridiculosity for a school district to require a mask over any parents wishes that their child go without one. The proviso, wrote Wilson, a fellow Republican, while inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks. The July 25 story at its essence was (and remains) a petition campaign to overturn a Bamberg County budget that was formulated by two non-Bamberg County residents (County Administrator Joey Preston and County Controller Gina Smith, who both still reside in Anderson County), for which Bamberg County Council itself was excluded from the budget formulation process, which was illegally passed on first reading by a voice vote the outcome of which has been questioned by at least one council member, which failed on second reading approval but a revote held just two days later, for which the state required 15-day notice of a public hearing on the budget was somehow met by running two small classified ads in The T&D rather than posting the notice on the countys website where Bamberg County citizens could read it, by not providing a means by which county voters could participate in real time in the hearing, by not including and disallowing negative comments during the public hearing, and by indirectly perpetrating a fraud on the public by saying the new budget requires no millage increase when in fact the budget is $737,765 higher than the previous years and is being paid for in about $2 million the county expects to receive in free federal bucks (American Rescue Fund). Redistricting and gerrymandering aren't sexy. No summer blockbusters or viral videos will highlight the drawing of legislative districts. But if ensuring that South Carolina is divided into districts that allow all South Carolinians to have a voice in their government appeals to you, well then you'll want to check out this hot new streaming service. The State Senate is hosting 10 public hearings across the state designed to give you an opportunity to learn about the process and speak up with your concerns and questions as the state determines the boundaries of the 46 state Senate districts, 124 state House districts and seven U.S. House districts. (The local hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.) Lynn Teague, Vice President for Issues and Action for the League of Women Voters of South Carolina, will be watching and her team will be using the hashtag #wearewatching to make sure legislators know it. "Our ultimate concern is one of human nature," Teague said, explaining that the league wants to make sure legislators are serving the public interest rather than their own private interests. This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Here Fort Payne, AL (35967) Today Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) James Jim French, the founder of a weekly paper that has served as a mainstay for Black communities in Charleston, South Carolina, for nearly half a century, has died. He was 94. French, who founded The Charleston Chronicle in 1971, died July 31, The Post and Courier reported. The Kansas native established the esteemed community paper after retiring from the Navy, crafting the publication into a go-to news source for African Americans in South Carolina's Lowcountry. The Chronicle soon became a respected institution among Charleston's Black leaders, shaping discourse on how to best address problems of economic distress and racial inequity as it advocated for the Black community. His greatest contribution was providing the vehicle that a lot of people used to wage (their) battles, said Barney Blakeney, a longtime Chronicle contributor. State Rep. Wendell Gilliard, a Charleston Democrat, told The Post and Courier that French used to spend hours discussing the problems facing Charleston's communities. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A growing number of Kansas school districts are imposing mask mandates because of the more contagious COVID-19 delta variant, just before in-person classes resume for the fall. As of Tuesday, at least nine districts serving more than 92,000 students had imposed a mask requirement at least for students under age 12, who can't get vaccinated, and most are requiring masks for everyone indoors. The nine districts serve more than 19% of the state's 476,000 students. Kansas has seen daily COVID-19 cases increase steadily over the past six weeks, and confirmed delta variant cases have doubled or nearly doubled every two weeks, according to state data. Kansas also averaged 28 new hospitalizations per day for the seven days that ended Monday, bringing the total to more than 11,700. In Johnson County, the state's most populous county, the DeSoto board of education voted 4-3 on Monday to require everyone to wear masks inside district facilities. The district has about 7,100 students. Things have changed quite a bit, Superintendent Frank Harwood told the board during its meeting. This is a fluid situation. What Wyoming needs to do, he explained, is look beyond legislation and address the root of the issue. Public perceptions on Wyomings hate crime law is difficult to shift when some advocates are so convinced we do not have one. But that really misses the point altogether, unfortunately, Serrano said in an email. The question we should be asking is what Wyoming can and should do to address bias and hate, not whether or not we have a cookie-cutter hate crime law. So if there is a statute on the books that addresses race, color, sex, creed [and] national origin, why is Wyoming widely considered to lack a hate crime law? Some people consider the existing statute to be more of an anti-discrimination law than a true hate crime law. Logan Casey, a senior policy researcher at the Movement Advancement Project, called 6-9-102 an anti-discrimination section. Rep. Pat Sweeney, a Casper Republican and one of the primary legislators pushing for hate crime reform, agreed. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Both entities use the same thresholds for the rate of new virus infections and to calculate the percent of tests that are positive. But because of Wyomings small population, the state made a few customizations to the formulas. Instead of calculating case rates and percent positivity over a 7-day period the way CDC does, we calculate those over a 14-day period, Harrist explained via email. This helps stabilize the metrics. We also take into account the number of active cases, which is especially important for smaller counties where just a few cases can have a large impact on case rates. She added, Our metrics may be slower to change than CDCs metrics, but do provide more stability. In practice, this can result in contradictory guidance from the state and the CDC. For example, the new masking recommendations are based on a communitys transmission category, but Wyomings counties fall into vastly different groups depending on the metrics. The Wyoming Department of Healths metrics have eight counties experiencing low virus transmission rates, while the CDC would say not a single Wyoming county falls below moderate transmission, with all but four counties seeing a high degree of spread. Ten more Wyomingites have died from COVID-19, the Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday. There have now been 786 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020. The state does not include a death in its COVID-19 count unless the virus is listed on the patients death certificate as either the cause of death or a contributing factor. There is often a lag between when deaths occur and when deaths are reported because of the time it takes for death certificates to be processed. Of the newly reported deaths, seven occurred earlier in July, two occurred within the last week, and one occurred in April. Eight of the individuals had been hospitalized prior to their deaths. Five had underlying health conditions. Four of the deaths are among Laramie County residents. Residents from Campbell, Carbon, Fremont, Platte, Sublette and Sweetwater counties are also included in the new deaths. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Deaths were dramatically declining in the state, with the number reported each week in the single digits since mid-March, but in recent weeks are growing again. The death toll has been in the double digits for the last two weeks, though the figures are much lower than early winter, when the state was recording more than 50 deaths per week. MEXICO CITY (AP) Crews that distribute LP gas in Mexicos capital went on strike Tuesday, just two days after the government imposed price controls on the fuel that most Mexicans use to cook and heat water. Independent distribution trucks and their crews blocked the entrances to gas tank farms on the outskirts of Mexico City to protest maximum prices that they say will hurt their earnings. Experts had warned that price controls announced Sunday would probably lead to shortages, because the largely private gas distributors may refuse to operate under government-imposed profit margins. Photos posted by local media showed masked men smashing the windows of some small gas tank trucks to enforce the strike. Such tankers are used to refill large rooftop gas tanks in homes. The Mexican Association of Gas Distributors said it distances itself from the actions by groups of independents who work on commission, who do not hold distribution permits and who are blocking plants, preventing us from going out and working to supply homes and businesses that need gas. According to U.S. census data, the second fastest growing city in Arizona in 2021 is Marana. The reasons for this are many affordable housing, access to Interstate 10, an expanding number of employers, to name a few. In any municipality, a chamber of commerce is one of the most important organizations driving growth and economic health. According to ChamberNation, an organization that supports the growth of chambers of commerce, a chambers mission is creating an environment in which businesses can prosper. A chamber works to improve and grow the industrial and business base in a community. This, in turn, supports the community with jobs, commerce and tax revenues. I had the pleasure of meeting with Amanda Wiggins, the new CEO of the Marana chamber. If the town of Marana is growing and contributing to the regions economic health, I wanted to learn the role the Marana Chamber of Commerce is playing. Wiggins and her family are part of Maranas growth, relocating from Florida. Wiggins held leadership roles in chambers and civic organizations there before taking the reins at the Marana chamber. Here are two examples that illustrate how the chamber is a catalyst for action. Through the Sky Center, the public can come in and not only get excited and use the telescopes but also get right into the middle of the telescopes and speak with the experts, Strauss said. The five-hour program, which feels like a long time, is immersive, and people immediately get into it and are just present being on the mountain. Guests are introduced to the telescopes including the G96 60-inch telescope used to find near-earth bodies or, in the words of the Catalina Sky Survey, world-ending asteroids. Niraj Mehta, who traveled from Houston to Tucson, made the SkyCenter the last stop on his Fathers Day trip with his two daughters. The trio had already checked Sedona and the Grand Canyon off their list; the summit of Mount Lemmon completed their journey. When I saw this online and the fact that (this) is a small group, an extended program with people who really knew what they are talking about as opposed to just setting up a bunch of telescopes and say go, its just really nice and really informative, Mehta said. No matter what you see on the website, even the pictures wouldnt do it justice, Mehta added. Until you come up here and spend an evening like this, nothing can describe what youll actually see once youre up here. For information on the SkyCenter, visit skycenter.arizona.edu. Sebastian Janik is a University of Arizona student apprenticing with the Arizona Daily Star. PHOENIX A judge has ordered the Senate to immediately produce the records it has related to the audit of the 2020 election including those in the hands of Cyber Ninjas Inc., the private firm hired to conduct the review. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Kemp on Tuesday rejected last-ditch arguments by the Senate and Karen Fann, its president, that he should hold off on making a final order. The judge said there is no need for further litigation, saying the question involves undisputed issue of fact. And the fact is the records are public, he said. More significant, Kemp rejected arguments by the Senate that it is immune to being sued over the records. Despite the order, however, it could be some time before American Oversight, the self-described nonpartisan watchdog group that is seeking the records, actually gets them. An attorney representing the Senate, Kory Langhofer, said he will seek an immediate stay of Kemps order from the state Court of Appeals. Even if that fails, some of the documents that Kemp ordered the Senate to produce are in the hands of Cyber Ninjas. I cant produce something I dont have, Fann told Capitol Media Services. Kemp was not impressed. In a separate letter to Fann, Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, also a Republican, ticked off objections she has to the Senates demand. For example, she said there is no need for the actual envelopes in which early ballots were mailed since the county provided images. Also, Adel said, the Senate has provided no assurance it could protect those items. But beyond that, the county attorney said the latest subpoena is an abuse of process or designed merely to harass. Still, Adel said the county might provide some information on its own schedule. For example, she said the county might provide details about a breach of a voter registration website last year operated by the County Recorders Office, even though she said it was never connected to election tabulation equipment and is irrelevant to the audit. But Adel said county officials are busy and they will will respond to a parallel public records request for the same information when they have time. The supervisors, meanwhile, called the whole investigation little more than political theater. He said the Senate is not doing anything to make voters confident about the electoral system. Pima County employees could soon be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine to keep their jobs. At the Board of Supervisors Aug. 10 meeting, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry will ask the supervisors to consider mandating vaccinations for county employees as a condition of employment, setting a deadline of Oct. 1 for employees to get at least their first dose. Our position is that vaccinations improve the public health strategy to significantly reduce the probability someones going to be infected with COVID-19 and dramatically reduce the severity of the illness that occurs, he said. We need to ensure that the people we serve are protected as well, so I think its critical that we have a mandatory vaccination requirement. New York City has required all city employees to get vaccinated or test weekly for the virus, as has California for state employees. Pima County would be the first government entity in Arizona to make the move. COVID-19 cases in Pima County have more than doubled from the first to last week of July, according to Arizona Department of Health Services data, and the county health department updated its guidance last week to recommend mask-wearing indoors regardless of vaccination status. The gun Scarlett used in the attack was involved in a private-party undocumented sale several years ago, Chief Criminal Deputy Dan South said federal agents have learned. It's unknown who bought the gun from the registered owner, or how it got to Scarlett, a convicted felon. "Therein lies one of the problems: We don't know where guns are in the community," South said. Gun violence is a public-health epidemic and an issue that needs to be dealt with on a communitywide basis, but it's important people understand that mental illness is not the cause of gun violence, said Sierra Tucson's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal. Individual, family and societal risk factors all come into play when it comes to gun violence, and ensuring people are uplifted is of vital importance in its prevention, Chhatwal said. With more than 15,000 domestic violence-related 911 calls in Pima County each year, domestic violence has also established itself as a public-health issue, and the time has come for the community to pause and consider its shortcomings when it comes to addressing domestic violence, said Ed Mercurio-Sakwa, CEO of Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Federal prosecutors are seeking to retry a former University of Tennessee researcher accused of hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from the federal government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Arrowood filed a one-page notice in U.S. District Court in the case against Anming Hu, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported on Tuesday. Hu was an associate professor in the universitys Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering when he was charged in February 2020 with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. A federal judge declared a mistrial in June after deliberating jurors said they had reached an impasse." Hu's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing the governments evidence of fraud is too weak. CORONA, Calif. (AP) A man charged with fatally shooting two young people inside a Southern California movie theater last week was accompanied by three friends who told investigators they were alarmed because they believed he had brought a gun into the cinema, a newspaper reported. Police records obtained by the Orange County Register and reported in a story Monday show the suspect's friends told detectives he was acting so strangely that they snuck out of the theater, apparently without warning anyone. Two of the friends told investigators they later saw defendant Joseph Jimenez run out of the Regal Edwards cinema in the city of Corona and speed away in his car, according to a police detectives sworn declaration filed in court. A short time later on the night of July 26, a theater employee found Rylee Goodrich, 18, and Anthony Barajas, 19, with gunshot wounds to their heads. Goodrich died at the scene. Barajas, a budding social media star, died at a hospital on Saturday. Barajas, known online as itsanthonymichael, had nearly 1 million followers on TikTok and more on other platforms. MACON, Ga. (AP) A former Georgia sheriff's deputy, who was arrested during an investigation into a violent extremist group, has been sentenced to serve more than three years in federal prison for possessing unregistered guns, prosecutors said. Cody Richard Griggers, 28, was sentenced Tuesday to serve three years and eight months in prison followed by a year of supervised release. He had pleaded guilty in April. Law enforcement officers should be above reproach, and the vast majority of them are," Acting U.S. Attorney Peter Leary said in a news release. "Cody Griggers disgraced that trust by espousing violent extremism and possessing a cache of unregistered weapons while on duty, including a machine gun with a silencer and obliterated serial number. Griggers worked for the Wilkinson County Sheriff's Office in central Georgia. During a California investigation into a man making violent political statements on social media, FBI agents discovered a group text that included Griggers. HOUSTON (AP) Houston city workers are being told they must resume wearing masks while on the job, a requirement that could go against Gov. Greg Abbotts most recent executive order banning such mandates. Mayor Sylvester Turner issued the mask mandate on Monday due to a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in our community and in our workplace linked to the new delta variant. It is so very important that we remain vigilant in doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Turner wrote in memo to all city employees. The new order was first reported on by the Houston Chronicle. The new order requires all employees to wear a mask while on city premises and when they cant be socially distant from others. Officials in Dallas and Williamson counties this week put in place new orders requiring people to wear masks inside county courthouses. They cited a Texas Supreme Court order they say lets the judiciary take reasonable actions to protect people from COVID-19. It can not be ruled out that (border guard) officers will face aggression from migrants, Abramavicius said, adding the measures were necessary to stop illegal border crossings. Lithuania can not accept this influx, which grows day by day. Some 4,026 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed from Belarus into Lithuania, a EU and NATO nation of slightly less than 3 million, this year. Lithuanian officials turned away 180 migrants attempting to enter the country on Tuesday. Lithuania officials estimate that more than 10,000 more migrants might try to arrive this year as the number of direct flights from Iraq to the Belarus capital of Minsk tripled in August. The country has no physical barriers for its almost 679 kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus. On Monday, EU officials pledged millions of euros to help Lithuania tackle its migrant crisis. Lithuania wants to build a physical barrier with Belarus, which it estimates will cost more than 100 million euros ($119 million) but EU funding is not usually permitted to finance border barriers. Some Lithuanian politicians, meanwhile, urged the government to still respect the migrants' rights. OPINION: Vaccinations seem to be the main topic of the day with Tucsonans urging others to think of the kids who don't qualify for the vaccinations to get theirs to help protect our young ones. Join the discussion by submitting a letter at tucon.com/opinion. OPINION: "Legislators in Arizona and Texas saw value in using CRT much like bans on transgender athletes or allegations of voter fraud - as a cudgel to attack opponents and rally their base, even though few if any public schools actually taught it," writes University of Arizona history professor emeritus Michael Schaller. Cherokee Nation Treasurer Tralynna Scott will leave her cabinet position to become Cherokee Nation Businesses chief economist, the tribe announced on Tuesday. Scott was appointed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., and unanimously confirmed by the Cherokee Council as the tribes treasurer in August 2019, overseeing Cherokee Nations more than $1.5 billion government budget and managing more than 100 employees across a number of finance-related departments. Chief Hoskin praised Scotts service as treasurer. Tralynna Scott has performed extraordinary work during extraordinary times in the Cherokee Nation. I am beyond proud of her work. More importantly, her work has helped improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Cherokees, he said. In just two years she has been instrumental to Cherokee Nation navigating the worst public health crisis in living memory. She did so while helping craft record-setting budgets, achieving clean audits and securing overall financial strength for our nation. Tralynna Scott will continue to provide indispensable leadership to Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses as she takes on this new opportunity. One day earlier, the Muscogee Nation announced that a scholarship was being created in Harjos name to promote the education and growth of Indigenous youths interested in filmmaking. Standing in front of a theater screen before the premiere, Harjo who co-created and executive produced Reservation Dogs with Taika Waititi praised the partnership with FX. Said Harjo: You hear all these horror stories about creating shows in Hollywood, and you hear all these things. Oh, they try to change everything and, by the time it sees the screen, its not what you wanted in the beginning. But that has just not been my experience at all. It has been amazing. They have encouraged me every step of the way. They encouraged me to just seek the truth and be authentic to what I know about this place. FX officials, including Kate Lambert, the chief development officer on the series, were at the premiere. Lambert said the extraordinary show started long before FX became involved, beginning with Sterlin and his family and the community that raised and shaped him. His journey is why you are standing here tonight. Lambert also read aloud an excerpt of a glowing review from Variety. With the first day of school less than three weeks away, Tulsa Public Schools is asking staff and students not to ditch their masks quite yet. Presented as part of a staff report at Monday nights school board meeting, the districts COVID-19 safety plan for the 2021-22 school year includes expecting students and staff to wear masks while on campus. TPS first day is Aug. 19. Masks were mandatory on TPS campuses until June 8 and, citing federal rules regarding public transportation, will remain mandatory on school buses. Our kids deserve to go to school without worrying about spreading the virus to their immunocompromised neighbors and family members, board member Judith Barba Perez said. We shouldnt have to ask our families to choose between going to school and staying safe. We know that masks work. Earlier this year, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law Senate Bill 658, which bars school districts from requiring masks unless a state of emergency is declared by the governor for their community. Even if such a declaration is issued, the new law requires that additional steps be observed, including revisiting the mask mandate at every regular school board meeting while it is in place. For the first time since the pandemic started, the rate of ICU admissions is higher for younger Oklahomans than for those 65 and older, with the ICU admission rate for COVID-positive patients age 18-35 now at an all-time high. Professionals in the Healthier Oklahoma Coalition are saying their COVID patients now are younger than before and that those younger patients are sicker than other young patients had been in the past. And in some cases, younger patients are dying, they said. Grace Zieba, an emergency room nurse with Integris Grove Hospital, said she was among those who resisted getting vaccinated for scientific reasons. She said she felt young and healthy, but treating gravely ill patients younger and healthier than she is finally persuaded her to get the shot. Im not ready for it to give me the fight of my life, Zieba said. For the increasing numbers of COVID patients in Oklahoma, most of whom are infected with the highly transmissible delta variant, its too late for the vaccine to help. Delta is now causing community spread similar to what the state saw during vaccine rollouts. Mark McCloskey emerged from his home with an AR-15-style rifle, and Patricia McCloskey waved a semiautomatic pistol, according to the indictment. Photos and cellphone video captured the confrontation, which drew widespread attention and made the couple heroes to some and villains to others. No shots were fired, and no one was hurt. Special prosecutor Richard Callahan said his investigation determined that the protesters were peaceful. "There was no evidence that any of them had a weapon and no one I interviewed realized they had ventured onto a private enclave, Callahan said in a news release after the McCloskeys pleaded guilty. Several Republican leaders including then-President Donald Trump spoke out in defense of the McCloskeys actions. The couple spoke on video at last year's Republican National Convention. Mark McCloskey, who announced in May that he was running for a U.S. Senate seat in Missouri, was unapologetic after the plea hearing. Only 20% of poll respondents said state government should require employees of businesses to be vaccinated. Slightly fewer, 17%, said the state should prohibit businesses from requiring vaccinations. The majority of the people want to let the businesses decide for themselves, McFerron said. There is, however, quite a bit of disagreement along political party and ideology lines. Republicans and especially self-identified very conservative Republicans are much less likely than Democrats to favor vaccination mandates or to say they believe that vaccines are safe and effective. The picture also changes somewhat when respondents are asked specific questions about health care providers. Sixty percent overall, and half of Republicans, said patients have a right to know whether their providers have been vaccinated and are taking precautions. Sixty-four percent said it is appropriate for nursing homes and businesses that serve immune-compromised populations to require employee vaccinations. The sample was almost evenly divided on whether vaccinations should be required of state employees who come into regular contact with the public. Supplies of goods are still enough to meet the demand of people in Hanoi though many supermarkets and convenience stores have been temporarily closed due to new coronavirus infections, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Following the detection of an infection cluster at Thanh Nga Food Co. Ltd., a major meat supplier to several modern retail chains in the capital city on Sunday, at least 37 VinMart supermarkets and VinMart+ convenience stores had been suspended as of Monday afternoon, according to Khuc Tien Ha, a director of the VinMart/VinMart+ chain. Despite the suspension, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed that authorities still ensure the supply of goods, especially food, for people in the capital city. According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trades report to the ministry, it had directed distributors and retailers to proactively find alternative suppliers. At traditional markets, supplies of food and other commodities remained stable, with no abnormal price fluctuations reported. There has been only a slight increase in the prices of some fresh foods in the past few days due to higher transportation costs. People also tend to buy larger quantities of food on each shopping trip as they are allowed to go out to buy groceries only two to three times a week under the prevailing social distancing implementation. In general, the supply of goods at markets is well maintained and people have easy access to the commodities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed. Retailers have also promoted online sales. Besides, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has published a list of 7,866 essential goods supply points and 455 traditional markets in the city for its residents reference. Vietnam had documented 165,339 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, with 46,965 recoveries and 1,881 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. The country has recorded 161,482 local infections in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities, including 1,571 cases in Hanoi, since the fourth wave began on April 27. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Germany will in September start to offer a booster shot against COVID-19 to vulnerable individuals such as pensioners and people with weak immune systems, the health ministers of the country's 16 states said in a statement on Monday. The vaccinations will be done using mRNA-vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna regardless of what was used previously, the ministers concluded after talks with Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. They also agreed to make vaccination available to all children aged 12 to 17. The decisions reflect concerns in Germany that the Delta variant first discovered in India, and which spreads faster, could force the country back into restrictions and lockdowns as Europe's largest economy nears a general election in September. Germany's 16 states, which manage their own health affairs, are eager to vaccinate more people to avoid a fourth wave of the coronavirus. Just over 52% of the population has been fully vaccinated and about 62% have received at least one shot. Vaccinating children between 12 and 17 is voluntary, as for the rest of the population, and will be done only after parental consent and a medical check up that rules out serious health risks, the ministers said. About 10% of the 4.5 million children in this age group have been fully vaccinated. Germany has recorded more that 2,000 new cases a day since Wednesday. The seven-day average incidence stood at just under 18 per 100,000 on Monday. BELGRADE -- Serbia is benefiting from COVID-19 'quarantine tourism' as thousands of Indians make a two-week stopover on the way to other countries. India has registered more coronavirus cases than any other country except the United States. Its citizens are barred from entering many countries during the pandemic unless they spend two weeks in another country en route. Serbia has become a popular stopover destination for Indians because it offers them visa-free entry if they have been vaccinated and test negative for the virus. They are also required to spend at least the first seven days of their stay in Serbia in isolation, depending from conditions set by their destination countries. They must also take another coronavirus test at the end of their quarantine. Jagdish, who is from the Indian city of Visakhapatnam, stayed in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, en route to the United States. Jagdish, who declined to give his full name, said he had waited in India for "some time for things to open up." "But things were not opening up .... We chose Serbia because we do not need a visa ... and it (Belgrade) is also a beautiful city to explore," Jagdish said. Hotel owners said thousands of Indians came to Belgrade in July. "I would not call this 'quarantine tourism', but in the end it comes to that ... there are plenty of hotels which are full," said Ilija Smiljanic, manager of Mark Group hotels. In June, Serbia recorded a 48.4% annual increase in tourist arrivals and the number of overnight stays increased by 39.3%, the Statistics Office said. Tourism accounts for around 2.5% of the countrys gross domestic product. Serbia suffered a loss more than 1 billion euros ($1.19 billion) in revenues last year because of COVID-19 restrictions. Since last December, Serbia has vaccinated almost a third of its 6.7 million population. Serbia has recorded more than 722,220 people COVID-19 cases and 7,118 deaths from the virus. ($1 = 0.8416 euros) Officials in the southern Vietnamese province of Binh Duong have registered for 200,000 workers to take part in the ongoing experiment of the homemade vaccine Nano Covax, amid a vaccine supply shortage and surging coronavirus infections. In an urgent dispatch to the Ministry of Health on Monday, the provincial administration made the registration for a large number of workers to partake in the phase-3 human trial of Nano Covax, developed by Ho Chi Minh City-based Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. The registration was made based on the proposal of the Provincial Business Federation amid the scarcity of vaccines while COVID-19 infections have been on the rise, explained the provincial administration. Mai Huu Tin, chairman of the federation, said that he proposed registering for a large number of local workers to join the trial even though this vaccine has not been approved for use because he and all members of the federation have trust in the efficacy of domestically developed vaccines. The 200,000 workers registered for the trial account for about 16 percent of the province's total workforce of over 1.2 million workers. The phase-3 trial of Nano Covax commenced in mid-June and is expected to end this month. The vaccine is slated to be registered for emergency use authorization in the same month to make the first Vietnamese vaccine available soon. Businesses are ready to spend money vaccinating their workers as immunization is the best solution for COVID-19 prevention and control, Tin said. At a meeting with State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on July 23, Ho Nhan, Nanogen general director, reported that after seven months of human trials since December 2020, the vaccine showed no adverse responses while having good immunogenicity and neutralization efficacy, including for the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Binh Duong authorities have announced free COVID-19 vaccination for all residents and now need 3.2 million coronavirus vaccine doses to immunize over 95 percent of people over 18 years old to reach herd immunity. However, only 97,600 shots have been administered so far and local health authorities are speeding up inoculation with 285,000 doses having been distributed by the health ministry. Nationwide, the numbers of people receiving the first and second vaccine doses have reached nearly 6.25 million and 713,000, respectively, while Vietnam needs as many as 150 million vaccine doses to vaccinate two-thirds of its 98 million population, the ministry said. Binh Duong, one of the industrial park hubs in the southern part of Vietnam, is home to a great deal of immigrant workers who represent most of the provinces workforce. The province, the second-largest COVID-19 hotspot after Ho Chi Minh City, has recorded 17,800 coronavirus infections to date and the figure may increase to 20,000 in the near future, local sources said. Since the pandemic hit the country in early 2020, 165,339 infections have been documented, including 163,052 domestic and 2,287 imported cases, of which 46,965 have recovered and 1,881 others died, the health ministry reported on Tuesday morning. Of the domestic patients, 161,482 have been recorded since April 27, when the pandemics fourth wave kicked off in the Southeast Asian country, with the highly contagious Delta variant being dominant. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Monday attended the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-54), which was held virtually, according to the Vietnam News Agency. COVID-19 Updates -- The Ministry of Health registered 3,563 domestic COVID-19 infections, including 1,998 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, on Tuesday morning, raising the national tally to 165,339, with 46,965 recoveries and 1,881 deaths. -- More than 180 health workers at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi traveled on a special Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to assist the fight against COVID-19 in the southern metropolis. -- Ten people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the central province of Quang Nam after returning from Ho Chi Minh City, provincial authorities confirmed on Monday, adding that they had been quarantined following their arrival. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has allowed postal delivery service to operate after 6:00 pm every day as per a proposal from the Department of Information and Communications. Society -- A police officer in Ho Chi Minh City succumbed to serious injuries as he had fallen off his motorbike while chasing after a man during a COVID-19 patrol session on Monday night. The man, who reportedly caused the accident by kicking the front of the officers motorcycle, turned himself in later that night. Education -- Many owners of private kindergartens in Vietnam have been trying to sell their schools after they ran out of money to maintain the operations following a prolonged shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business -- Vietnam's import-export value reached US$373.36 billion in the first seven months of this year, according to statistics from the General Statistics Office. -- A total of 8,740 enterprises with a registered capital of VND122.8 trillion ($5.34 billion) were established in July, down 22.8 percent from the previous month, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Go Vap District Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City has recently brought a cohort of mental health specialists to its COVID-19 isolation ward in order to provide relief for the pressured coronavirus patients. The mental health experts will provide advice and address the perturbation that over 400 COVID-19 patients are facing as they fight off the disease with no friends or family members around. Doctor Nguyen Trung Hoa, director of Go Vap District Medical Center, said the support of mental health professionals is needed as the mental burden on COVID-19 inpatients is immensely high. Acknowledging the issue, the institution has formed a cohort consisting of top mental health doctors and experts, who will enter the isolation ward to provide informed advice to patients. Most COVID-19 patients look forward to having their issues and questions addressed, Hoa said. After a physician performs their daily check-ups on the patients, a mental health expert will visit them to provide consultation and ease their mental burden. The consultation is proving beneficial to patients' mental wellness. According to Hoa, the majority of COVID-19 transmission cases fall into episodes of anxiety, panic, and insecurity when they are brought to the isolation ward. This leads to several undesirable reactions, including self-imposed seclusion, which worsen their mental health and even physical state, proving specifically detrimental to elder patients with pre-existing conditions. Seeing the extent of the issue, the mental health cohort has offered in-person consultation, as well as live sessions via phone calls to share the burden with medical staffers in the isolation ward. Many patients have shown good mental health recovery after these consultations, which helped them proceed with their COVID-19 treatment and cooperate better with practitioners, Hoa reported. Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as Vietnams gravest outbreak site, recording 100,557 cases out of the countrys total of 161,482 domestic infections since the fourth wave began on April 27. The situation prompted authorities to put the city under a tightened social distancing mandate that forbids public gatherings of over two, bans non-essential businesses and services, and requires people to stay home. Nationwide, the total number of patients has so far reached 165,339 cases, including 46,965 recoveries and 1,881 deaths, according to the Health Ministrys data. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have set a goal to administer four million COVID-19 vaccine doses in August. In an urgent document sent to the Ministry of Health, vice-chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Duong Anh Duc stated that the city is expected to further expedite the vaccination process and give over four million shots to local residents this month. The city plans to provide vaccine doses to 70 percent of citizens age 18 and older by August 31, Duc added. The official thus asked the health ministry to consider continuous allocation of COVID-19 vaccine shots to Ho Chi Minh City. A total of 3,096,770 vaccine shots have been distributed to the southern metropolis, of which over 1.7 million have been administered. During the fifth inoculation, which lasted from July 22 to August 2, more than 920,000 shots were given to local residents. The campaign targeted all residents age 18 and older, with priorities given to people over 65 years old, those with underlying health conditions, and frontline workers. Ho Chi Minh City has 6,966,626 residents age 18 and older, and needs approximately 13.8 million vaccine shots to vaccinate 99 percent of these citizens. Vietnam had documented 165,339 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday afternoon, with 46,965 recoveries and 1,881 deaths. The country has recorded 161,482 local infections in 62 provinces and cities, including 100,557 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, since the fourth wave began on April 27. More than 6.2 million vaccine doses have been administered across the nation since inoculation began on March 8, with 712.860 people fully vaccinated. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ministry of Health recorded almost 8,400 domestic COVID-19 cases in Vietnam on Tuesday, along with more than 3,800 and 370 deaths. Forty-six provinces and cities documented 8,377 locally-infected patients while 52 separate cases were imported from abroad, the health ministry said. A total of 1,570 infections were detected in the community whereas the remainder were found in isolated areas or centralized quarantine facilities. Ho Chi Minh City detected 4,171 of the latest local infections, Binh Duong Province 1,606, Long An Province 566, Dong Nai Province 364, Tay Ninh Province 298, Khanh Hoa Province 189, Dong Thap Province 141, Can Tho City 120, Ben Tre Province 98, and Hanoi 98. Since the fourth COVID-19 wave began in Vietnam on April 27, the country has found 166,296 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities. Ho Chi Minh City stays on top with 102,730 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 19,413, Long An Province with 7,023, Bac Ninh Province with 5,737, Dong Nai Province with 5,295, Dong Thap Province with 3,405, Khanh Hoa Province with 2,483, and Tien Giang Province 2,299. By comparison, Vietnam confirmed 106 community cases in the first wave from January 23 to April 16, 2020, 554 in the second from July 25 to December 1, 2020, and 910 in the third from January 28 to March 25, 2021. The health ministry reported 3,866 recoveries on Tuesday, taking the total to 50,831 recovered patients. The death toll has mounted to 2,071 after the ministry recorded 376 fatalities the same day, including 331 registered in Ho Chi Minh City from July 28 to August 2. The Southeast Asian country has overall documented 167,866 domestic and 2,324 imported cases since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it on January 23, 2020. Health workers gave a record 538,488 vaccine doses today. To date, almost seven million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Vietnam since the country rolled out vaccination on March 8, with nearly 713,000 people having been fully vaccinated. The Vietnamese government expects to obtain 175 million shots of various vaccines, including 51 million Pfizer-BioNTech jabs, by early 2022. It set a target of immunizing two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications has unveiled a VND10 trillion (US$435 million) relief package benefiting customers of seven telecom service providers. Seven service providers, including Viettel, VNPT, MobiFone, CMC, FPT, Vietnamobile, and SCTV, have unanimously agreed to provide a relief package with a combined value of VND10 trillion, which will be rolled out this Thursday and last for three months, according to the ministry. The package is intended to benefit service users affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry added. Customers of the seven service providers will get their Internet bandwidth doubled for an unchanged price, which will improve their experience in online learning and working from home. Internet access to the official website of the Ministry of Health, as well as contact tracing application BlueZone, will be free of charge and automatically upgraded to high speed. The data allowance for most subscription packages will be increased by a half with no price change, while other data bundles, namely VX3 and VX7, will get a discount of up to 50 percent. Viettel, VinaPhone, and MobiFone the three biggest telcos in Vietnam also vowed to donate VND5,000 ($0.2) to Vietnams national coronavirus vaccine fund for each sign-up or renewal of VX3 or VX7 data package. Meanwhile, customers in locales placed under the prime ministers Directive No. 16 will receive a complimentary 50 minutes of on-net calls. Directive No. 16 includes the closure of non-essential businesses and services, a stay-home order, a ban on gatherings larger than two people, a minimum two-meter distance between people, and the suspension of public transport. Besides the mentioned relief policies, Viettel, VNPT, FPT, and CMC are also joining hands with the Ministry of Information and Communications to launch 17 new platforms that support residents in COVID-19 prevention and control, which is valued at VND2 trillion ($87 million) in aggregate. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung has extended thanks to the service providers and digital companies in Vietnam for their contribution to the countrys combat against the COVID-19 pandemic. We will overcome the pandemic and come out of it in a new normal state with a strong digitization movement, Hung stated. It is estimated that domestic telcos have distributed VND23 trillion ($1 billion) to Vietnamese residents in the form of service fee waivers and support packages, with Viettel, VinaPhone, and MobiFone administering VND21 trillion ($914 million.) Since the fourth COVID-19 wave began in Vietnam on April 27, the country has detected 161,482 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities. The Southeast Asian country has overall logged 165,339 patients, including 46,965 recoveries and 1,881 deaths, since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it on January 23, 2020. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! An official from the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang has claimed his act during a COVID-19 sampling session that many people have described as slapping a medical worker was just an unintentional arm move, which found the wrong destination. Tran Vinh, deputy chief of the Office of the National Assembly delegation and the Peoples Council in Da Nang City, admitted his shortcomings and reached a conciliation agreement with the medical worker in question during a working session at a local police station, his office said on Monday night. Functional forces in Nai Hien Dong Ward in the citys Son Tra District had to use force to control Vinh on Sunday morning after he had got into a dispute with Phan Thi Loan, a health employee from the districts medical center who was in charge of collecting samples from residents in the ward, including Vinh, for COVID-19 testing on the same day. Vinh claimed that Loan used too much force and took four tries to succeed in taking samples from his nose, making him uncomfortable. As a natural reaction, he swiped his hand, which reached Loans face by accident, the man said. The two then got into an argument. It was not the case that I intentionally hit the medical worker, Vinh stated during an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday. After the incident, I went home. A while later, police officers came and asked me to go to the police station to work on the incident. In response, I told them to sit down at my home for me to explain the situation, but they didnt agree to do so. As I refused to go, they used force to control me. In stark contrast, Loan told Tuoi Tre on Monday that Vinh stood up and slapped me in front of many doctors and local people. According to Loan, he complained that she worked in a perfunctory style as he observed the medical worker collecting samples from two children before his turn. Loan assured Vinh that she had formal university training to do the task, as well as clarifying that childrens noses are different from adults, so the sampling procedure is not the same. As it was Vinhs turn, I took samples from his nose, Loan said. When I finished, he stood up and slapped me in the face in the presence of the head doctor, other nurses, and the people lining up behind. It was obviously not an accident." Vinh then swiftly fled the scene while Loan was still unable to react, according to her. The medical worker added that Vinh later admitted his fault and apologized in the presence of her medical centers director and the citizens during the working session at the local police station on Sunday. I accepted his apology for the common good, Loan said. However, now he denied the slap and told local media it was only an arm swipe, I could not hold my resentment anymore. Dr. Pham Hong Nam, director of Loans medical center, backed the health employees account while refuting Vinhs. Theres no way that my staff had to try three to four times to be able to collect the samples as they are skilled, Dr. Nam said. This is not an accident but an attack against a pandemic prevention worker. That man stood up and slapped my employee. Other medical staff and local people were all there, they saw it all." The Office of the National Assembly delegation and the Peoples Council in Da Nang is following the case and would consider handling the related official according to regulations, a representative of the office said on Monday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Actor Sam Johnson has made his first statement in weeks since an accident in June landed him in hospital. On Facebook he wrote, Woot, Im home! So, I got into a dust-up with a small white vehicle, and lost badly! Huge props to the gang at Ambulance Victoria, VicPol, The Alfred and The Epworth for putting this Humpty back together again. Wont bore you with all the medical stuffski, suffice to say Ive been surrounded by a gang of experts, including the Occupational Therapist, who says its OK for me to go back to work on light duties today! When youve been hit by a vehicle, little or otherwise, it can take a while to un-wonk yourself. Full recovery is within my grasp, Ive just got a lot more work ahead of me. I feel very lucky to be OK, but Im worried about what cancer is getting away with whilst I am on the mend. Johnson, who will wear a beck brace for 4 more weeks, continues to campaign for cancer research through the Love Your Sister Foundation. Next week he can be heard as narrator of Nines Paramedics, no doubt with a new-found appreciation of their work. US drama The Chi has been renewed for a fifth season. The series created by Lena Waithe is described as a timely coming-of-age story about a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The renewal comes amid strong ratings for the series, which is averaging 4.2 million weekly US viewers and is on pace to become the most-streamed Showtime series ever, according to the network. Season 5 is slated to premiere in 2022. It screens in Australia on Disney+. Source: Deadline If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Today, a story about bridges and kinship. The University of Houston's College of Engineering presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them. J ohn Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge, but his foot was crushed near the site in 1869 -- just after construction began. He died of tetanus a month later, and his son, Washington, was left to build the bridge. Then Washington Roebling was paralyzed by the bends when he came up too many times from the high-pressure air in the subsurface foundations. Actually, Washington's wife, Emily Roebling, finally became the on-site director. She finished the bridge while she alone consulted with her crippled husband. The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, and it stands as a monument to many things: to the determination of the Roebling family, to beauty in design, to 19th-century ironwork, and especially to John Roebling, who figured out how to make modern suspension bridges. Bridges had been suspended from iron chains for 2000 years. But the idea of spinning a wire cable right in place over a river -- adding a few strands in each pass -- was very new and very radical. It all began in 1841, when John Roebling, then a wire cable manufacturer, wrote an article on building bridges that way. A competitor first built such a bridge before Roebling did. But when Roebling built this kind of suspension bridge over the Allegheny River, he began a remarkable career of bridge-building. John Roebling's next bridge spanned the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania. It was one of four bridges he built as part of the Delaware/Hudson canal system. It opened in 1847, 36 years before the Brooklyn Bridge, and it's still in service. This so-called Delaware Aqueduct Bridge emerges out of the trees on either side of the river. Its four sections span 535 feet. It's narrow by today's standards, but it's the only river-crossing for fifteen miles in either direction. Its massive piers support the delicate wound cables, and they're anchored deep in the earth on either side. This bridge is, in fact, the oldest wound cable bridge that still survives intact. And it plays fitting counterpoint to Roebling's last crowning glory in Brooklyn. Both bridges enjoy a kind of organic symbiosis with the world around them. The Brooklyn Bridge is so much a creature of the city. The aging Delaware Aqueduct Bridge, with its wooden planking and grass-grown moorings, seemed until recently to flow out of the wilderness and back into it. But today it's been restored into a vehicle-carrying bridge. These two bridges tell a tale of kinship. Kinship of concept and execution, kinship of father and son, and finally the all-important kinship of function and art. I'm John Lienhard, at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work. (Theme music) Michael Pelletier, executive director, UH Institute for Global Engagement For more than 30 years as an American diplomat, Michael Pelletier worked around the world advancing the goals and objectives of the United States government, most recently as the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros. Now Ambassador Pelletier (Retd.) is bringing his expertise in foreign affairs to the University of Houston, appointed this week as the first executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement, an Aspire Initiative. The new interdisciplinary institute aims to enhance students international and cultural understanding by embedding learning and research experiences focused on globally relevant topics within all academic programs and disciplines. By expanding the Universitys international footprint, graduates will become global change makers known for their capacity to innovate solutions to complex challenges and devise strategies to drive systemic change. The Institute for Global Engagement will equip students with a global mindset to meet the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly interconnected world, said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Ambassador Pelletier will play a pivotal role in the future of the Institute and the University. He is a visionary and innovative leader with tremendous international experience and global expertise. Pelletier was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros on January 2, 2019, a position he held for more than two years. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, and served as an American diplomat from 1987 until his retirement last summer. From 2016-2019, Pelletier was dean of the School of Professional and Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, the U.S. governments premier foreign affairs training provider. He has served at eight U.S. missions overseas and in senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, including as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, India, and deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs. "Global engagement enriches everything we do. I am excited to join UH's great team to build on the Universitys strong commitment to international engagement and on the diversity of the University and city of Houston to help take UH global," said Pelletier. We will work to equip our students with the tools to succeed and thrive on the world stage, while adding value to the community and workforce. Pelletier is no stranger to leading ambitious global initiatives, responsible for launching the Dubai Regional Media Hub for the U.S. Department of State to improve engagement with the Arab world. Fluent in Arabic, French and English, he spent three years conducting interviews with journalists and building relationships with Arab leaders to ensure that the United States was part of ongoing international conversations. The UH Institute for Global Engagement seeks to collaborate with industry partners that have international interests and operations, Pelletier said. Houston was recently ranked the most diverse city in America, according to a WalletHub study. By all measures, Houston is a great global city, set apart from many of our U.S. peers by our strong cultural and business ties around the world. In our increasingly interconnected world, its more crucial than ever for students to have a deep understanding of these connections to not only drive personal success, but to advance Houstons prominence on the global stage, said Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, the regions principal business organization focused on attracting investment and trade to Houston, building a strong workforce and advocating for sound public policy. Pelletier earned a bachelors degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, a Certificat dEtudes Politiques from Institut dEtudes Politiques in Paris, and a masters degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He is the recipient of 13 senior State Department awards, including a Presidential Meritorious Service Award and the Linguist of the Year. The Institute for Global Engagement is the first institute to launch from funding from the Aspire Fund, a landmark $50 million gift to build upon the Universitys current strengths, support our ability to recruit renowned faculty and expand thought leadership around four complex, global issues that uniquely underpin the social, political and economic future of Houston and the world. The donor, who is remaining anonymous, launched the fund and the Universitys $100 Million Challenge to encourage matching investments from other donors. The White House has defended plans for Barack Obama's 60th birthday this weekend, as America brings back some COVID-19 restrictions due to a surge in Delta variant cases. Hundreds of people have reportedly been invited to celebrate the former president's milestone at his multimillion dollar home in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Mr Obama, who turns 60 on 4 August, has been criticised for going ahead with the party when new rules state that everyone, including the vaccinated, must now wear a mask in indoor public settings in the US. New cases per day in the US have increased six-fold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. Deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Mr Obama's party would be held outdoors and follow all local and federal health protocols. "What CDC has provided guidance on is for indoor settings in high or substantial high zones of COVID cases. This event, according to all the public reporting, is outdoors and in a moderate zone," she explained at the briefing. When pressed on whether the party could be a 'super-spreader' event, she answered: "We certainly advise everyone to follow public health guidelines, which I know the former president - who is a huge advocate of getting vaccinated, of following the guidance of public health experts - would certainly advocate for himself as well." It is understood that President Biden will not be attending and will instead be travelling to Delaware where he has a holiday home. Ohio Republican Jim Jordan suggested that the Democrats would be very critical about the decision to hold a party at such a critical time if it was for Donald Trump. He tweeted: "'This is a dangerous super-spreader event.' 'How can someone be so reckless?' 'They're killing people.' - "The things Democrats would say if this was President Trump's birthday party." Turkey cannot address a problem like irregular migration, which originates in its neighborhood, with a racist or populist approach. To develop a rational, long-term and comprehensive policy, we need to decouple the migration debate from ideological myths, Burhanettin Duran reports in his article for Daily Sabah. The first myth. On demography The myth is that the Turkish government seeks to reshape the countrys demography by welcoming Syrian and Afghan refugees. Some advocates of that view note that the governments supposed plan is motivated by religion an attempt to create a deeply religious social class. According to that view, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan created a power vacuum and Turkeys government responded to that development by making room for a Taliban-like brand of Islam with the help of Afghan asylum-seekers. At the same time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans remarks about the Taliban are being distorted to support that claim. It goes without saying that Turkeys diverse approach to Islam has nothing to do with the Talibans hardliner/Salafist mindset. Still, Islam, as a common denominator, has obviously contributed to the presence of Turkish troops in Afghanistan for the last two decades. At this point, Turkey seeks to engage with the Afghan government and the Taliban in order to ensure Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport's safety. That step, in turn, is part of a broader attempt to manage the geopolitical void that the United States will leave behind. In addition to the security concerns of Afghanistans neighbors, there are questions about migration from that country questions that neither Turkey nor the European Union can simply avoid. In this regard, Erdogan has no interest in legitimizing the Taliban or aligning his approach to Islam with the Talibans interpretation. He merely strives to create a political framework to quickly restore Afghanistans political stability. By taking that step, the Turkish president aims to stem the arrival of Afghan refugees via Iran. The second myth. EU and blackmail claims The myth, which primarily appeals to the Western media, is that Turkey exploits the refugees to mount pressure on Europe. Critics argue that European leaders must not allow Erdogans regime to blackmail them. Ironically, it is the Europeans, who still lack a common migration policy, that violate the 1951 Geneva Convention. EU countries have been violent towards asylum-seekers and have systematically violated their human rights. To criticize Turkey, which hosts more refugees than all of Europe, merely amounts to hypocrisy, fueled by narrow interests. The Europeans conveniently accuse the Turks of mounting pressure on them whenever Turkish officials remind European leaders of their failure to share the burden. Notwithstanding the accusations against Turkey, Europes approach to the refugee question effectively embodies the collapse of Western values. Having backed authoritarian regimes against the Arab revolts, the Europeans took nothing but symbolic steps in response to the resulting humanitarian crises. In the end, they made xenophobic and Islamophobic policy choices. Europes current attitude, which is reckless and cowardly, is a return to its colonial plight and style of oppression. The third myth. Unshared duty The final myth is that Turkeys government bows to European pressure by ignoring the EUs failure to share the burden. It is a matter of public record that Erdogan repeatedly entered into negotiations with his European counterparts, forced their hand as required, and warned that Turkey could be compelled to stop preventing refugees from reaching Europe. It is no secret that the Western media demonized the Turkish president for that very reason. Against that backdrop, the idea that an opposition leader will drive a hard bargain with Europe to solve the refugee question is nothing but a pipe dream. The opposition cannot find a solution by ignoring past steps and statements or blaming the government, together with the Europeans, for Europes failure to live up to its responsibilities. What Turkeys political elite needs to do, instead, is set aside the myths and join forces to mount pressure on Europe regarding asylum-seekers. Irans incoming hardline leadership is looking to China to provide economic relief for the countrys flatlining economy. But so far, the foundation for a new strategic partnership seems to rest more on rhetoric than substance. As Eurasianet writes, Ebrahim Raisi, who will be inaugurated August 3 as Irans president, is inheriting a domestic economy that is on life support, thanks to decades of corruption and mismanagement, compounded by U.S. sanctions. The situation ensures that a top foreign policy priority for Raisi will be cultivating stronger ties with China. Not only does Beijing possess the economic clout that can ease Tehrans sanctions-related pain, the two countries have a mutual interest in checking Washingtons global influence. The cornerstone of a strategic partnership was put in place in March, when Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement. The text has not been made public, and neither side has been willing to disclose specifics. But according to a leaked draft, the pact provides for roughly $400 billion in Chinese investment in Iranian infrastructure, including port facilities, railroads and energy exports. The funding would be geared toward integrating Iran into Chinas grand Belt and Road Initiative. The cooperation pact, if realized, could boost the export hopes of Central Asian states by potentially opening rail access to a deep-water port. From Chinas perspective, the main benefit of the Iran pact is access to cheap energy. Iran apparently will sell Beijing large volumes of oil and gas at steeply discounted prices. Iranian reticence about disclosing the cooperation agreements specifics may be an indication that the sale price for energy exports is so favorable to Beijing that it could spark outcry inside Iran if the details were made public. Even though terms remain unclear, officials from both countries have trumpeted the possibilities. Mohammad Reza Mirtajodini, a former vice president and currently a ranking member of the Iranian parliament, hyped the agreement as capable of breaking Irans economic isolation and neutralizing the sanctions. Mirtajodini also revealed that the agreement had widespread domestic political support, including from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The 25-year agreement is a cross-factional roadmap for stability and enduring joint cooperation which is supported by the entirety of the state, he said in a March speech in the northwest city of Tabriz. For all the expressions of goodwill and high hopes, many remain skeptical. Some doubt Iran has the capacity to effectively absorb such a high level of foreign investment. Others dont believe Beijing will end up investing anywhere near the $400 billion figure that has been bandied about. Observers in Tehran note that China showed little interest in helping Iran mitigate the effects of U.S. sanctions until relatively recently. Accordingly, there are jitters within some segments of the Iranian elite that Beijing is playing an Iran card as part of an effort to gain leverage in a broader geopolitical game with Washington. They point to the fact that the March cooperation agreement was signed only days after a highly contentious meeting between American and Chinese diplomats in Alaska. A signal of lingering suspicion is seen in an editorial choice made by the ultraconservative website Alef, known for its strong anti-Western slant. The site posted a Persian translation of an article originally published March 24 by a U.S. outlet, the National Interest. The piece highlighted a connection between the Anchorage meeting and the potential growth of Chinese purchases of Iranian energy. Many readers comments raised questions about Chinas reliability and intentions. Afshar Soleimani, Irans former ambassador to Azerbaijan and a critic of the agreements opacity, sees it as politically motivated. Naturally, this [agreement] has a propaganda side to it. Both Iran and China need this maneuvering in the conduct of their foreign policies, he told the moderate website Asriran on April 3. It is entirely conceivable that China intends to wring concessions out of the U.S. and all the buzz about the volume of the investments is in reality using the Iran card in its dealings with the U.S. Soleimani added that American sanctions limit Irans ability to play a Chinese card. We could have gained more had we had normal relations with the U.S., meaning that we could have asked for more concessions from the Chinese side and our trade agreements with China would have cost us less, Soleimani said. Other geopolitical considerations may influence Chinas follow-through. For one, China has similar cooperation agreements with several Middle Eastern states Saudi Arabia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates that have prickly relationships with Tehran, and thus are inclined to look askance at closer China-Iran ties. Beijing will be challenged to keep all its partners in the region satisfied, and, at some point, it seems likely that Chinese leaders will have to make some cold, hard calculations that leave one or more of its Middle Eastern partners unhappy. Chinas tangled relationship with the United States is an additional X factor for Iran. Though the two are at loggerheads, trade considerations will continue to exert considerable pressure on Washington and Beijing to maintain a constructive dialogue. China thus may not want to go full throttle on an Iranian partnership, not wanting to rile Washington and wishing to maintain manageable levels of rancor in U.S.-China relations. Iran is a major liability for China in many cases. China is extremely sensitive to sanctions and now as a global power in a rules-based system is also sensitive to reputational costs, Lucille Greer, a China Research Fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, told Eurasianet. China also has to maintain partnerships with other countries in the Middle East that think of Iran as an enemy or rival. Popular anger While Iranian hardliners may be eager for closer economic ties with Beijing, other segments of society are not. Small-scale entrepreneurs and merchants, for instance, are wary of a growing Chinese presence in the domestic economy. Starting in 2005, when the populist former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began his first term, cheap Chinese goods flooded into Irans market, cutting profit margins for merchants, and pushing local small-scale manufacturers out of business. Alireza Babolfath ran a small workshop with 15 employees that specialized in office products for decades before going bankrupt; his experience is representative of countless rural and urban producers who lost their businesses amid the flood of imports. In the face of Chinese competition, he trimmed profit margins and his workers agreed to halve their monthly wages to keep the business afloat. But in the end, it was not enough. The continuation of the production line was simply futile, he told the Dana News Agency recently. He added that his brother, who was a partner in the firm, grew depressed over the business environment and emigrated. Popular anger over Chinas economic encroachment was evident during the short-lived Green Movement against Ahmadinejad in 2009, when some anti-Chinese slogans were voiced by protesters. Incensed by reports that Beijing had provided Iranian authorities with surveillance and riot-control assistance, thousands of protesters routinely vented their anger by chanting Death to China that year. Religion may prove another source of tension. Some reformists within government structures are disgruntled by Chinas ongoing crackdown against Muslims in Xinjiang Province. In 2020, pro-reformist MP Ali Motahari sharply criticized the government for its silence on Xinjiang. He described Chinese actions as aimed at the total eradication of Islamic culture in the region. It is shameful for the Islamic Republic that the U.S. protests the mistreatment and torture of Muslims in detention camps while Iran for sheer economic imperatives is silent about them, Motahari said. Hardliners acted quickly to quash mentions of Xinjiang. A prominent member of the Iranian parliaments National Security Committee, Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash, assailed critics of China as vulgar and called for their criminal prosecution. Given all these preexisting conditions, it's unlikely that a Chinese investment infusion can ease Irans economic sclerosis. If Raisi wants a cure, he'll have to conduct major surgery. As forest fires continued threatening Turkey on Monday, countries lined up to offer their condolences, messages of solidarity and airplanes to help the country fight the fires, Daily Sabah reports. The European Commission expressed support against fires and said: "In an immediate response, the European Commission has already helped mobilize 1 Canadair plane from Croatia and 2 Canadairs from Spain. These firefighting airplanes are part of rescEU, the European reserve of civil protection assets." "The EU stands in full solidarity with Turkey at this very difficult time. I thank all the countries which have offered help," said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, adding they stand ready to provide further assistance. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to extend his condolences and announce the decision to send two firefighting planes, a cargo plane and a military unit specialized in emergencies, to help the extinguish the blazes. The planes were set to arrive on Monday and Tuesday in Turkey. Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Iran had dispatched firefighting planes to Turkey last week, boosting the country's fleet. Qatar also has sent a team to Turkey to take part in search and rescue activities amid the forest fires, local media reported Sunday. Azerbaijan has already deployed some 100 firefighters to the fire-hit areas. According to Qatar's state news agency QNA, a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Qatari Internal Security Forces departed for Turkey at the instruction of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Croatia will also send a firefighting plane to Turkey as part of the fight against the fires, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman said on Twitter. Elsewhere, Yemen, Palestine and Egypt expressed solidarity with Turkey as they conveyed their condolences to the country over the fires. Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak sent a message to his Turkish counterpart Cavusoglu, relaying his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fires, according to Yemen's Foreign Ministry. Mubarak also wished a speedy recovery to those injured, stressing that Yemen is on the "fraternal" Turkish people's side in the fight against this natural disaster. A delegation of Palestinian scholars also issued a message of condolence. "We are deeply saddened by the wildfires that have erupted in many parts of fraternal country Turkey," it said. "We extend our condolences to those who lost their lives and to their families. We heartily share the pain of the fraternal Turkish people." The message also noted that Palestine is praying for all the firefighting teams and wishes them success. Meanwhile, Egypt's Al-Azhar University published a statement expressing its sorrow. The university conveyed its condolences for the forest fire victims and their relatives as well as all the workers and volunteers trying to stem the spread of the massive fires. Al-Azhar also wished for urgent healing to the injured, according to a statement on Facebook. The statement said the university was on the side of the Turkish people in the face of this tragic event. On July 31, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry also sent a message of solidarity to Turkey as it battled the flames. Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov also sent a message to the Turkish president, extending condolences for the lives lost. Sweden also expressed solidarity with Turkey over the blazes. "Today, I extend my condolences for the loss of lives by the deadly wildfires in Turkey. Our solidarity and thoughts are with the people of Turkey and the firefighters battling the blazes," Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Twitter. Armenias Central Bank said today its Executive Board has raised the key refinancing rate by 0.5 percentage points, setting it at 7%. It said also that the Lombard repo rate provided by the Central Bank is 8.5%, and the rate on funds attracted by the Central Bank from other banks is 5.5%. The Central Bank had already upped the refinancing rate on June 15, 2021, increasing it by 0.5 percentage points to 6.5%. The information disseminated on social networks that the Ural truck belonging to the Azerbaijani troops was allegedly shelled by the Armenian Armed Forces in the direction of Kalbajar district and as a result of this incident there are casualties, is false, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reported. "The equipment of the Azerbaijani troops is in its place," the message says. Belarus has invited Kazakhstan to participate in the joint exercise with Russia Zapad-2021, due in September, the Defense Ministry's press service said after a meeting between Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin and Kazakhstan's First Deputy Defense Minister, chief of the General Staff Murat Bektanov. "During the meeting, Lieutenant-General Viktor Khrenin noted the unanimity of views regarding the challenges and threats in the East European and Central Asian regions of collective security and spoke highly of the level of military cooperation between Kazakhstan and Belarus. He invited Kazakhstan's contingent to participate in the Zapad-2021 exercise," the Belarusian Defense Ministry said. He recalled that at a meeting of Kazakhstan's first deputy defense minister with Belarus's First Deputy Defense Minister chief of the General Staff Viktor Gulevich ways were explored of stepping up military cooperation in the fields of mutual interest. "Special attention was paid to increasing the number and improving the quality of joint combat training events, expanding the range of training specialties available for Kazakh specialists at Belarusian military academies and the need for exchanging experience in the patriotic upbringing of youth," the Belarusian Defense Ministry said. Currently, a delegation of Kazakhstan's armed forces is in Belarus on an official visit. It is due to visit some military units and a military academy. The joint strategic exercise Zapad-2021 will be held at training sites in Belarus and Russia on September 10-16. Firefighters in southwestern Turkey on Monday continued their efforts to put out wildfires that have threatened populated areas in the Bodrum and Milas districts of the coastal Mugla province. A fire started in a forested region of the Beyciler area and rapidly spread to several other neighborhoods due to the wind. Some of the houses located in the fire-struck areas are now unusable, and some locals were seen fighting to save their livestock. Only authorized vehicles are allowed into the region, where locals and firefighters work side by side to contain the blaze, Anadolu Agency reported. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has confirmed October 2 as the date of local self-government elections of Georgia. Several hours before Zurabishvili confirmed the election date, the Georgian parliament elected Giorgi Kalandarishvili as the new chair of the Central Election Commission for a six-month term on August 3, Agenda.ge reported. On July 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party annulled its signatory status to the April 19 EU-mediated agreement which resolved a six-month political crisis in the country following the 2020 parliamentary elections and proposed large-scale electoral and judiciary reforms. Head of the ruling party Irakli Kobakhidze said that the agreement had completed its mission and accused opposition parties of non-fulfilment of the agreement. Kobakhidze also said holding the October 2 municipal elections under the EU-mediated agreement while opposition parties refuse to sign it would be harmful to Georgias interests. Irakli Kobakhidze noted that the ruling party is ready to show goodwill and accept the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections even if they receive 53 per cent of total votes in the municipal elections, instead of 43% as was proposed in the EU-mediated agreement. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei endorsed Ebrahim Raisi as the next president of Iran, who vowed on Tuesday. Raisi said he had a comprehensive plan to save the Islamic Republic from its severe economic crisis as well as the spiking health crisis caused by the coronavirus. On Monday, a spokesman for the Iranian Parliament, Seyyed Nezam Al-Din Mousavi announced that 115 officials from 73 countries would attend the follow-up inauguration ceremony for Raisi on Thursday. Whereas Tuesdays ceremony demonstrated Raisi being given authority by Khamenei and focused on top domestic officials of the Islamic Republic, Thursdays affair is expected to have more of a global character. Thursdays "inauguration ceremony will be attended by 10 presidents, 20 speakers of parliament, 11 foreign ministers, 10 other ministers, envoys of presidents, vice presidents and parliamentary delegations," Mousavi announced on Monday, according to Iranian media. He went on to say, "The heads and officials of 11 international and regional organizations, the representative of the UN Secretary-General, the President of OPEC and officials from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the European Union, Eurasian Economic Union, Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation will be also attended the event." Despite Thursdays introduction of Raisi to the world, in many ways the ceremony Tuesday is the more crucial one, given that Khamenei is the final word for all things in the country. "Representatives and prominent figures of different religions and sects of the world were also invited. Important cultural and social figures of the Islamic world will also be present and these figures will arrive in Tehran in the coming days," Mousavi told Iranian media. Raisi won election with over 60% of the vote (17,9 mln votes) on June 18. A large wildfire, spreading across 10 hectares has broke out in a forest near Shoersh, a moshav on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Tuesday. A total of 8 firefighting planes, a helicopter and 24 crews of the Fire and Rescue services were rushed to the scene in attempt to control the wildfire. In addition, 2 firefighting planes are on standby. Highway 1, which connects Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is blocked from Shaar Hagai interchange heading east, as the wildfire remains uncontrolled, The Jerusalem Post reported. Israel's Fire and Rescue Services released a statement on Tuesday afternoon stating the wildfire is approaching a nearby gas station, as Border Police officers evacuate residents and sightseers in the area. Israel entered a massive heat wave on Monday morning which is expected to last until Sunday of next week. Israel Meteorological Service has predicted unseasonably hot conditions in mountainous regions last week.Magen David Adom has published a short guide on ways of surviving the heat, preventing heatstroke and dehydration. Three Russian citizens injured in a road traffic accident in Turkey have undergone surgery and are currently under supervision. About 10 more Russians are expected to be discharged on Tuesday, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has told reporters. "To date, according to the Turkish Health Ministry, three patients have undergone surgery, [they] are under intensive supervision. About 10 people are expected to be discharged today," he said. Nine more people are still undergoing treatment in Turkeys hospitals, Murashko added. "Unfortunately, three people could not be saved yesterday, they were pronounced dead, and all measures are being taken to repatriate their bodies. Together with the governor, we are dealing with the medical care and assistance to relatives," TASS cited the minister as saying. On Monday, a road traffic accident involving a bus that was carrying 22 Russian tourists occurred in an area close to the resort town of Manavgat in Turkeys Antalya province. There were nine children in the group. The Intourist travel agency said that all of them were from the Samara Region. According to preliminary reports, the bus driver lost control, after which the vehicle crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, when it then overturned. Three Russian nationals were killed in a road accident in Turkey on Monday, five are in a serious condition, while two more are in an intensive care unit, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Health told journalists on Monday. "A road accident with a bus carrying Russian tourists occurred in Antalya Province, in the area of the resort city of Manavgat," the ministry said. "As of now, out of 22 people on the bus, three were killed, five are in a serious condition, and two more people are in an intensive care unit. The situation with medical aid to the Russian tourists is controlled by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation," TASS cited the press service as saying. The bus was carrying 22 tourists to the airport from the settlement of Konakli. There were nine children on the bus. According to the Intourist tour operator, four Russians were killed and 16 are in hospitals. All Russian tourists were from the Samara Region, Intourist said. According to early reports by the road police, the driver lost control of the bus, the vehicle crossed the dividing stripe, drove into the oncoming lane and turned over. The United States has handed Russia a list of 24 diplomats who are to leave the country by September 3 due to a unilaterally established three-year limit on the assignment period for Russian personnel in the US, Russia's ambassador Anatoly Antonov told The National Interest magazine in an interview. A transcript of the interview was uploaded to the Russian embassy's Facebook page on Monday. "Unfortunately, the situation does not change for the better. Russian diplomatic missions in the United States are still forced to work under unprecedented restrictions that not only remain in effect, but are stepped up," the ambassador said. "Regardless of the [US President Joe] Biden administrations declarations concerning the important role of diplomacy and willingness to develop stable and predictable relations with our country, the Russian diplomatic presence experiences continuous strikes," Antonov went on to say. "U.S. colleagues get persistent and creative in this business. The expulsions of diplomats are implemented under far-fetched pretexts now and then. Last December the State Department unilaterally established a three-year limit on the assignment period for Russian personnel in the United States that, as far as we know, is not applied to any other country," the diplomat said in the interview. "We received a list of twenty-four diplomats who are expected to leave the country before September 3, 2021. Almost all of them will leave without replacements because Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures," Antonov said. The nation aspires Russia to help it ensure vaccine supplies, accelerate the implementation of signed vaccine contracts and vaccine production technology transfer, especially COVID-19 medicine production, and other medical supplies and medicines. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Russian Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko (centre) and Mikhelson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NOVATEK Group - (Photo: VGP) Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the statement during a reception for Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko in Hanoi on August 3, during which the former pledged to offer the best possible conditions for the later during his term of office in the country. Vietnam regards Russia as one of the top priorities in its external policy, and desires to reinforce time-honoured friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a more practical and effective manner, the Vietnamese Government chief told his guest. Chinh showed his elation at the positive development of the bilateral ties, with all-level meetings being maintained via phone and online talks. Amid the increasingly complicated COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral economic links have continued to see growth, with two-way trade hitting US$ 2.6 billion in the first half of 2021, representing a 13% year-on-year rise. The cabinet leader thanked Russia and Novatek group for donating Spunik V vaccine to Vietnam. He suggested the Russian diplomat work closely with Vietnamese ministries and agencies and continue bolstering bilateral ties in such field as politics, national defence-security, economy, trade, investment, science-technology, education-training, especially in basic sciences and humanity, culture, arts and sports. PM Pham Minh Chinh affirms Vietnam's readiness to create favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Russia - (Photo: VGP) Vietnam always welcomes and stays ready to create optimal conditions for foreign investors and those from Russia in particular to explore and engage in investment projects in accordance with the country's law, particularly in fields where Russia has strengths and Vietnam has demand such as infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, for the benefit of the two nations and for peace, cooperation, development in the region and the world, Chinh emphasized. In response, the Russian Ambassador described Vietnam as a priority partner of Russia in Asia-Pacific and agreed with measures and orientations to promote the bilateral ties as suggested by PM Chinh. Bezdetko pledged to further enhance and tighten the bilateral relations, especially in the context of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in both nations and across the globe as well. Regarding regional and global issues, the pair vowed to continue close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). On the East Sea issue, they underlined the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, as well as settling disputes over sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction via peaceful measures and solutions in line with the United Nations Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Source: VOV On August 2, an additional 3,127 patients were discharged from the hospital in HCM City, bringing the total number of people recovered to 40,973. Doctors bid farewell to Covid-19 patients after they were discharged. Photo: Gia Dinh Hospital According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC,) as of 6 am on August 3, the city had 100,974 Covid-19 cases announced by the Ministry of Health, including 100,617 locally-transmitted cases. Hospitals in the city are treating 33,474 Covid-19 patients, including 1,026 critically ill cases who need ventilators and 15 requiring ECMO intervention. An additional 170 Covid-19 related deaths were also recorded. HCDC reported a new outbreak cluster detected in a residential area in District 4 on August 2, in addition to the 29 outbreak clusters that have already been zoned and closely monitored. The city started the 5th Covid-19 vaccination campaign with 930,000 doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines o' July 22, which is scheduled to be completed within 2-3 weeks. According to the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, as of 8:30 a.m. on August 3, the city administered 920,329/930,000 vaccine doses. On August 2 alone, 145,576 people were vaccinated, the highest number so far. HCDC said that the city is coordinating with a network called Companion Doctors (coordinated by the Vietnam Young Physicians Association) to provide counseling for people infected or at high risk of contracting the SAR-CoV-2 virus in the community. Based on the daily updated information of all infected people and those who have contact with infected cases on the shared database, the network will divide these cases for doctors who will contact patients and suspected cases to screen and classify risk levels, from 0 to 4, but still ensure the confidentiality of patient information. Local people can also call 1022 - press 3 for health care advice and support. On August 2 nearly 538,490 people were vaccinated, the highest in a single day so far, taking the total number to nearly 6,959,200, with 712,860 people fully vaccinated. If the number in the city reaches 500,000 doses a day or more, Vietnam is likely to complete the target of herd immunity by the end of 2021, according to the Ministry of Health. The number of infections since the fourth wave began at the end of April is nearly 170,000, with HCM City accounting for more than 100,000. Tu Anh HCM City calls on workers from other provinces to stay and get vaccinated HCM City has called for local residents to "stay where one is" and people from other provinces to stay in the city where they will be fully taken care of, including vaccinations against Covid-19. In HCM City, gateway roads were quiet on August 2. There were no more images of motorbike caravans with up to hundreds of people leaving the city to go to their hometown. The number of migrant workers leaving Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces to return to their hometowns by motorbike has dropped as provinces have strictly observed the Prime Minister's dispatch, which says: "Absolutely not allow people to leave the province or city where they reside after July 31 until the social distancing is over, except for those allowed by the authorities." In HCM City, gateway roads were quiet on August 2. There were no more images of motorbike caravans with up to hundreds of people leaving the city to go to their hometown. An officer at the checkpoint at Dong Nai bridge, which connects Bien Hoa city in Dong Nai province and Di An city of Binh Duong province, told VietNamNet that the number of people returning home was insignificant on August 2. This checkpoint was very busy in the past few days when thousands of migrant people were traveling by personal vehicles to their hometown. The situation was similar at a checkpoint at Vinh Binh bridge, on National Highway 13 between Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. This checkpoint was also stuck with thousands of people passing through to the Central Highlands provinces in the past few days. In addition, there were also a huge number of people who are workers in Binh Duong passing through this checkpoint to the southwestern provinces. On August 2, only a few private vehicles came here. They were all stopped and asked to return. In Da Nang, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Rang. Head of Hoa Hiep Gate Traffic Police Station, told VietNamNet that at around 11pm on August 2, a group of nearly 300 motorbikes carrying over 500 people passing through the territory of Da Nang. Earlier, at around 10 am, this unit welcomed a group of nearly 1,000 people. "It is expected that there will be other small groups of people going through Da Nang on August 3," Lieutenant Colonel Rang said. Major Nguyen Thien Hoang, Chief of Staff of the Da Nang City Traffic Police Department, said that the group of over 500 people passing through Da Nang on August 2 evening was probably the last departing before the issuance of the Prime Minister's dispatch. After the PMs dispatch was issued, many provinces decided to stop welcoming people leaving southern provinces after July 31. At a checkpoint at Vinh Binh bridge, on National Highway 13 between Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, the number of people leaving HCM City to the Central Highlands has dropped in the past few days. At the checkpoint of Dong Nai Bridge on August 2. People are not allowed to pass this checkpoint. Those who have to return are stamped like this so they can pass other checkpoints to come back to their houses or inns. Volunteers in Da Nang city fix motorbikes for migrant workers who are on their way back home. Volunteers in Da Nang city fix motorbikes for migrant workers who are on their way back home. A group of migrant workers passing through Da Nang on August 2. At a checkpoint in Da Nang on August 2. Ben Thuy bridge checkpoint at the gateway to Vinh City of Nghe An Province. Many trucks carry migrant workers for free from this checkpoint to their hometowns in mountainous districts of Nghe An. Free water for migrant workers for migrant workers who arrived in Vinh City on August 2. Free food delivered for migrant workers in Ha Tinh provinc.e A quiet checkpoint on August 2. Photo: D. Nguyen PV Thousands of people drive motorbikes from epidemic-hit areas to Central Highlands Within five days, nearly 12,000 people from Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces affected by the Covid-19 pandemic rode motorbikes back to the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong to avoid the disease. Two selections copied from a 1886 Sanborn Fire Insurance map offer a detailed look of the city square and a block of downtown Waco bordered by Washington and Franklin Avenues and Sixth and Ninth Streets, containing outlines of individual buildings, livery stables and the like. The Sanborn maps, many contained in the Library of Congress extensive archive thats viewable online, were created for fire insurance purposes and their detail of building locations, construction materials such as wood or brick, and water sources such as wells gave insurers a better grasp of insurance risk. More than a century later, those maps provide contemporary historians with a remarkable look at city life back then. I love Sanborn maps. I feel like a detective when Im looking at them, admitted Kiesling. Waco city and zoning maps from 1877 and 1913 also offer a glimpse of past city life, with streetcar lines, a County Poor Farm located in East Waco and an Interurban train line that connected downtown with cities as far away as Denton. Those maps also show neighborhoods that got pushed out by later city development, such as Sandtown, where many Hispanic Wacoans lived before Urban Renewal projects made way for expansion of the Baylor campus in the 1950s and 1960s. New COVID-19 cases in McLennan County continue to rise with 53 cases and four deaths reported Monday by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. The new cases raised the number of estimated active cases in the county to 674 with local hospitals reporting 79 patients with COVID-19, an increase of 16 since Friday. Four more people died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of county deaths due to the disease to 474 persons. Nearly half of the new cases, some 40%, were adults in their 20s and roughly a third were adults in their 30s. Vaccinations in the county began to tick upward since Friday with 1,474 persons receiving their first of two doses and 549 becoming fully vaccinated. Nearly half of the countys vaccine-eligible population, 106,044 people, has received one dose, with 41.8% of the countys population 12 years and older now fully vaccinated. Health district spokesperson Kelly Craine said the accelerating number of new cases is a clear signal that those yet unvaccinated should not waste time before getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Its high. COVID is roaring back, she said, adding vaccinations and masking are effective strategies in tamping down coronavirus spread. FirstEnergy made the payments to Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio Inc., of which Randazzo was the owner and sole employee. The $4.3 million payment paid in January 2019 was for years 2019 through 2024 listed in the consulting contract. The consulting contract showed Randazzo was to be paid nearly $7 million from 2013 through 2018. It's unclear when and why the remaining $11 million was paid. Randazzo resigned as utilities commission chair in November after FBI agents searched his Columbus townhome and FirstEnergy made public the $4.3 million payment in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Randazzo met with FirstEnergy Executive 1 and Executive 2 on Dec. 18, 2018, at his Columbus townhome, the day after he emailed Executive 2 and others an announcement that the utilities commission was seeking applications for an open seat. It has not been disputed that Executive 1 is Chuck Jones, who was fired in October as CEO for violating company policies and its code of conduct. Executive 2 is one of two senior vice presidents who was fired with Jones, according to the statement of facts. PIERMONT, N.H. (AP) A preliminary report released Monday details how three passengers were able to radio for help and crash-land a hot-air balloon without injury in July, after their pilot and a fourth passenger were thrown overboard by the impact of an initial crash and bounce back to the sky. The pilot, Brian Boland, 72, died in the crash. He took flight July 15 from an airport he owned in Thetford, Vermont, with four passengers aboard the balloon that was registered for sightseeing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The balloon flew northeast along the Connecticut River, cruising for about 45 minutes before Boland reported that the pilot light on the burner was out. Boland changed to a new propane tank, but could not find the striker to relight the burner, a passenger told the safety board. Boland found a backup striker and relit the burner, but the balloon had descended too far to avoid impact with the earth. It made contact in a field south of Bradford, Vermont, throwing a passenger from the basket and sending the pilot overboard with a foot entangled in the balloon's attach rope, according to the safety board. COMPANIES L3Harris declares its post-merger divestiture push as nearly done L3Harris Technologies sounds just about done with the post-merger divestitures it has worked on in the two years since the business combination was created. During L3Harris second quarter earnings call Tuesday, CEO Chris Kubasik told investors the company has agreed to sell two business units within its aviation segment for $185 million in cash and those deals should close before the year ends. The buyer is private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, which is acquiring the Electron Devices and Narda Microwave-West divisions. Arlington Capital will operate them as a new standalone defense electronics company named Stellant Systems, with its 800-employee team to be led by L3Harris Electron Devices management team. As that sale and a few other divestitures in process move ahead, Kubasik declared to analysts the portfolio shaping program announced in 2019 is largely complete with 10 percent of post-merger revenue sold off. That ratio is the top end of the range L3Harris had targeted for divestitures. The category of done divestitures include those of the military training and combat propulsion businesses to CAE, plus the security detection and automation product unit to Leidos. While that big-picture item is done, the other two of integrating all the different pieces and pursuing revenue synergy opportunities remain at the top of L3Harris agenda. Success for L3Harris on both fronts is also tied to how it sees itself in the broader government markets landscape, especially considering how Kubasik has spoken of the company as a Nontraditional Sixth Prime in the past. Kubasik characterized the markets overall shape as this: traditional primes at one end and new entrants on the other that are maybe a little more commercial (in) mindset, a little more agile, maybe a little more creative. What we're trying to do is put L3Harris right in the middle of those two, take the best of the both and position ourselves to listen to our customers and be a trusted disruptor, he said. Awards in L3Harris space business have driven a sizeable portion of the revenue synergy efforts as the company looks at opportunities in an estimated $20 billion pipeline for that market. Space also has relatively the same overall shape with regards to its competitive landscape as Kubasik sees it. When I look at the exquisite satellites, we continue to have some of the best payloads out there, so we're working with partners, usually the larger prime and that's contributed to some success and we have some awards coming up in the next few months that are classified, Kubasik said. Then we're working collaboratively with some of these new entrants, just like we do with the traditional primes and find where we can partner, where we can compete, and it seems to be working. Melbourne, Florida-headquartered L3Harris nudged its revenue outlook for this year down slightly to between $18.1 billion and $18.5 billion, or down $400 million at both ends on the divestitures. The company still sees organic growth this year of 3-to-5 percent but raised its expected profit margin to 18.5 percent. Regarding the transaction announced Tuesday: Harris Williams and Kirkland & Ellis respectively are acting as financial and legal advisers to Arlington Capital. Houlihan Lokey and Holland & Knight are serving respectively as financial and legal advisers to L3Harris. WATERLOO Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. workforce to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, including workers at its Waterloo plant, the company announced Tuesday. The announcement comes as the COVID-19 delta variant spreads across the country and in Black Hawk County, where the rate of spread is listed as high, according to the county health department. It is abundantly clear that getting vaccinated is the single most effective thing we can do to protect ourselves, our families and our communities, Tyson President and CEO Donnie King said in a Tuesday letter to employees. More than 56,000 Tyson employees across the U.S. have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far, the company said. At the Waterloo plant, 47% of the approximately 3,200 workers have been vaccinated, said Tyson spokesman Derek Burleson via email. We will continue to make the vaccine as accessible as possible, whether thats with an onsite event or working with local health departments or other vaccine providers, he said. MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) Five Florida police officers have been charged with battery connected to the violent arrests of two Black men last week, prosecutors announced Monday. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle held a news conference to announce the first-degree misdemeanor charges against Miami Beach police Sgt. Jose Perez, Officer Kevin Perez, Officer Robert Sabater, Officer David Rivas and Officer Steven Serrano. The officers had previously been suspended, and Fernandez Rundle said additional charges might follow. All five officers turned themselves in earlier Monday. Surveillance video shows an officer chase Dalonta Crudup, 24, into the lobby of the Royal Palm Hotel in South Beach in the early morning hours of July 26. The officer orders Crudup onto the ground at gunpoint, and Crudup complies. Moments later, more than a dozen other officers run into the lobby and surround Crudup, who can be seen on the ground with his hands behind his back. Fernandez Rundle said body camera footage shows Sgt. Jose Perez kick a handcuffed Crudup three times, while Officer Kevin Perez kicked Crudup at least four times. It's no secret the restaurant industry is still reeling from Covid-19. Indoor mask mandates are back, and many bars and eateries are requiring proof of vaccination to visit, creating even more unfortunate but necessary barriers to healing their businesses. And yet, the force is strong with San Francisco Bay Area chefs and restaurateurs, many of whom continue to follow the siren call to start up or expand their footprints. The need to cook, serve, eat, repeat is as ingrained as everand, perhaps, even more important. At these new restaurants in SF, Oakland and Berkeley, the flavors are diverse, the vibes are decidedly local, and the price points are (surprise!) pretty affordable. Here's where to eat now, as well as a few openings to look out for this fall. Now Open... Barrio Chefs/owners Billy Riordan and Tim Milojevich have opened the second location of their agave bar and Latin kitchen, this time with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows overlooking Aquatic Park. If you've dined at the North Beach restaurant, you know their heirloom blue corn tortillas are made from scratch in house. Dip them into classic ceviche (fresh halibut, shrimp, red onion, avocado, corn, sweet potato, and leche de tigre) or go for tacos or quesadillas stuffed with cochinita pibil, beef birria, or vegan chorizo. House cocktailslike margaritas, sea breezes, and daiquirishighlight Mexican spirits, but highballs, draft beer, and wine are also on offer. The heavily touristed area promises a crowd, but the sweeping bay view from the patio is a solid reminder why. // 900 North Point St. (Ghirardelli Square), barriosf.com Soul Slice In the mood for comfort food? You don't know what you're missing if you haven't tried pizza on a biscuit crust. Oakland's Soul Slice, which opened on Juneteenth, is pioneering this mouthwatering goodness with inventive Southern-style toppings such as fried oysters and country ham. Build your own pie, or choose from signature selections such as the Cajun Shrimp topped with beef hot links, tomato, green onion, pickled peppers, and tomato sauce. Don't miss apps and sides like grit sticks, soul nuggets, fried okra, and green bean salad. There's also brunch and cocktailsthink Henny margaritas and gin and juice. // 5849 San Pablo Ave. (Oakland), soulslicepizza.com Luna The old Luna Park sign remains, but there's a new restaurant, also called Luna, in its place. The American-style brasserie opened in late June for dinner only, with the kind of menu that's sure to satisfy neighborhood regulars. Sure to become favorites: the Luna burger, a blend of short rib and chuck on a brioche bun; a heritage pork chop with polenta and forest 'shrooms; a wedge salad with applewood smoked bacon; and buttermilk fried burrata with romesco sauce. The cocktail menu offers modern twists on classics. Order up a New Fashioned (Buffalo Trace bourbon, sherry, Gran Classico, Cocchi Torino, apricot) or a Vesper spritz. // 694 Valencia St. (Mission) lunasf.com Chao Pescao On June 16th, SF restaurateur Rene Denis opened Chao Pescao in the Civic Center location of his former restaurant, Soluna. Serving Latin-Caribbean cuisine with vibrant flavors and approachable price points (all entrees are $20 or less), this is your new go-to for empanadas stuffed with slow-cooked garlic pork; arepas with shredded flank steak or tajin fried chicken; Cubano sandwiches; and rice pudding with dulce de leche. Wash it all down with classic and original cocktails and even take a six pack of wine to go. // 272 McAllister St. (Civic Center) chaopescaosf.com Coming Soon... Daytrip Look, it's a restaurant! No, it's a wine shop! Wait, it's also a weekend bakery! Welcome to Daytrip, the soon-to-open "party food" spot that we expect will fit right in with the vibe of Oakland's Temescal. From Finn Stern and Stella Dennig (of those Finn + Stella popups), this will be your destination for small-plate dinners, Saturday morning pistachio-rose croissants, and bottles selected exclusively from wineries owned by women and people of color. Look for the restaurant to open this fall. // 4316 Telegraph Ave. (Temescal), instagram.com/this.is.daytrip La Vaca Birria When chef/owner Ricky Lopez closed the doors to his Top Round Roast Beef in the Mission, he decided to pivot and bring his successful taco truck operation indoors at the same address. La Vaca Birria's first brick-and-mortar restaurant, set to open on August 18th, will serve its signature super burrito, quesabirria tacos, and flan. // 2962 24th St. (Mission), yelp.com/lavacabirria The Kebabery The Oakland eatery has closed its doors and is in transit to a new and more spacious home in Berkeley. Soon, Shattuck Avenue passersby will be able to grab all the skewers, sandwiches, and soups. Grilled kebab plates and sandwiches will come with your choice of chicken, lamb, or mushrooms; there are also salads, herby yogurt, spicy pickled chiles, and red lentils. Save room for pastries filled with seasonal fruit by Sesame Tiny Bakery. // 2929 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley) thekebabery.net Then she discovered a Facebook group with a complaint forum about her moving company. Steve Larson, 67, an IT professional in upstate New York, started the Facebook group after his girlfriend's 30-year-old daughter had a horrible experience with the same mover in May on what was to be a move from Portland, Oregon, to Rochester, New York. The FBI and local police are probing the cases, some of the five consumers said. The FBI had no comment. The moving company manager could not be reached for comment. A woman who answered his office phone said none of the consumers property some slated for delivery as far back as April was missing. With the pandemic, you know, everything's been so busy. So have patience, she said. I don't have any information for you. We're doing the best that we can. Their things aren't missing." Lots of red flags Larson says he had gone to Portland with his girlfriend, who was paying for her daughter's move. When the movers failed to call ahead, or to arrive during the designated time slot, there were frantic calls to the broker because they had not been given the mover's name. Later, at 8 one morning, a mover showed up without a helper, moving pads or any equipment besides a flat-tired dolly. Larson even helped load the truck. The mover wouldn't accept a cashier's check that had been made payable to the broker, so another check had to be obtained from a bank, he says. Larson says the mover didn't provide an itemized inventory list of the items loaded onto the truck, noting: The driver said he only had one copy of the bill of lading [a moving contract and receipt for your belongings], so I had to take a picture of it. And his girlfriend's daughter still is waiting for her belongings, he says. A few bad actors, many complaints A 2012 report from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation said a significant number of consumers had complaints about how some moving firms operate. The consumers described a bait-and-switch scheme a company agrees to move household goods for one price but dramatically increases its charges after possession of a consumer's property. The report also said that in some cases, the moving company will refuse to deliver the goods at the customers new homes unless they pay exorbitant extra charges, a practice referred to as holding goods hostage. So where's all the missing stuff? Henline has no idea where her missing things are. Larson says his girlfriend's daughter, likewise, has no clue where her belongings are. However, another of the consumers interviewed by AARP recently heard from police in Portland, Oregon, where some time ago he had filed a report about his missing possessions. He says police indicated some of his belongings had been found in a storage unit, but that it appeared his valuables were gone. He says he was told that his remaining possessions were about to be auctioned off since rent on the storage unit hadn't been paid. Another of the consumers told AARP that she was contacted by police in Renton, Washington, where suspected stolen merchandise was recovered from a storage unit. She hopes the cache includes her stuff. A Portland detective probing the case there could not be reached for comment; Renton police declined to comment. In Ohio, Henline says she's still waiting for her things, and is planning to submit a claim to her own insurance company. The waiting is taking a toll. Her dog, Devi, she says, is the only reason I get out of bed in the morning these days." loading......... Sydney, Aug 3, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Droneshield Ltd ( ASX:DRO ) ( FRA:DRH ) ( OTCMKTS:DRSHF ) ABN Newswire interviews CEO Oleg Vornik on Drone Defence and the global concerns around infrastructure and security.In this interview Mr Vornik discusses the technology advances in drone intelligence and countermeasures used to detect and immobilize drones through a variety of techniques.To view the Interview, please visit:About DroneShield Ltd DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (OTCMKTS:DRSHF) is an Australian publicly listed company with its head office in Sydney and teams in the US and UK. We specialise in RF sensing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sensor Fusion, Electronic Warfare, Rapid Prototyping and MIL-SPEC manufacturing. Our capabilities are used to protect Military, Government, Law Enforcement, Critical Infrastructure, Commercial and VIPs throughout the world. Through our team of primarily Australian based engineers - we offer customers bespoke solutions and off-the-shelf products designed to suit a variety of terrestrial, maritime or airborne platforms. DroneShield is proudly exporting Australian capability to customers throughout the world and supporting Australia's defence, national security and other organisations protect people, critical infrastructure and vital assets. . .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal A jury on Monday found Izaiah Garcia guilty of first-degree depraved-mind murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old Sandia High School student outside a homecoming party in 2019. The 2nd Judicial District Court jury also found Garcia, 20, guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting at a second man described by prosecutors as the intended target of the shooting. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Sean Markey was fatally shot by a single round after he and a friend left the party and were waiting for a ride home, witnesses testified last week. Markey was struck by a stray bullet outside the house party in Northeast Albuquerque on Sept. 29, 2019, and later died at a hospital. We are just happy that Sean got justice today, said Tara Ross, who identified herself as Markeys legal guardian. He was the sweetest kid, Ross said. We have just been praying for justice for him, and we are glad we got it today. Markeys mother, Tricia Thompson-Ruger, clutched a photo of her son as 2nd District Judge Brett Loveless read the verdict shortly before 11 a.m. Monday. She and Markeys father, Sean Markey, hugged and wept after the verdict was read. He was so sweet, Sean Markey said of his son outside the courtroom, his voice cracking with emotion. He was a good kid, Markey said. He never went to parties. He went to one party. Thats the worst luck someone could have. Jurors reached a verdict after deliberating less than six hours in all on Friday afternoon and Monday morning. Im very, very pleased and happy, and satisfied for the family, Deputy District Attorney John Duran said after the verdict was read. Nothing like this will ever bring their son back, but at least they can get a little peace of mind and some justice, Duran said. In a separate case, Garcia is charged with first-degree murder for the 2019 shooting death of Cayla Campos, 21, who was playing Pokemon Go with her boyfriend when her car was sprayed with bullets. Campos was killed Oct. 18, 2019, less than three weeks after Markeys killing. That trial is scheduled to begin in December. For the verdict reached Monday, Garcia faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison for his conviction on a count of first-degree depraved-mind murder, Duran said. A depraved-mind murder is described as an action dangerous to the lives of others, indicating a depraved mind without regard to human life, according to the indictment. We cant have these kinds of acts happening in New Mexico, Duran said. It happens way, way too often. Garcia faces an additional 2 years for his conviction on the second count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a fourth-degree felony, for shooting at Christian Mattock outside the party, Duran said. A sentencing hearing had not been scheduled Monday. Duran told jurors last week that Markeys death stemmed from a years-old dispute between Garcia and Mattock that became violent after the two showed up at the same party in the 3900 block of Garcia NE, near Montgomery and Eubank. Garcia confronted Mattock in the street outside the party, drew a pistol, and began chasing and shooting at Mattock as he ran down the street, Duran told jurors last week. Mattock was uninjured by the gunfire, but one round ricocheted off a driveway and struck Markey as he and a friend were sitting on a landscape rock waiting for a ride. Garcias attorney, Nicole Moss, told jurors that the prosecutions case was weak because at least seven people were firing guns on Garcia NE at the time Markey was shot. Moss said prosecutors could not show that Garcia fired the fatal round because at least five people were shooting 9mm guns, which is the type of round that fatally struck Markey. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Two supervisors in addition to former state Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton are among the dozen Albuquerque Public Schools employees who have been put on paid administrative leave while the school district conducts its internal review of procurement issues raised by the Attorney General's criminal investigation into Stapleton. The director of Career and Technical Education at APS, Stapleton joined APS in 1984 and has been with the district longer than any of the other employees. Two other supervisors, Associate Superintendent Madelyn Serna-Marmol and Amelia Milazzo, executive director of curriculum and instruction, also were put on leave pending the APS review. The list of those placed on leave, released to the Journal in response to a request under the Inspection of Public Records Act, also includes eight teachers. APS has made clear that placing the employees on administrative leave was a procedural step and not an accusation of wrongdoing. Stapleton, a Democrat who on Friday resigned from the state Legislature where she served as majority leader, is under investigation by the office of Attorney General Hector Balderas for possible racketeering, money laundering and receiving illegal kickbacks through several entities she owned or controlled. The probe focuses on Stapleton's relationship with Washington, D.C., based Robotics Management Learning Systems. Robotics was paid more than $5 million by APS dating back to 2006 much of it on a sole-source contract and more than $950,000 from the company was funneled to two businesses and two nonprofits with close ties to Stapleton. Stapleton and her attorney, Ahmad Assed, have said the allegations are without merit and have promised to fight any criminal charges and clear her name. Robotics supplies a software system used to produce quizzes for students in APS career education programs and teacher training on the system. The Attorney General's investigation was launched at the request of APS Superintendent Scott Elder after the district's procurement and finance department raised questions about the contract with Robotics. Elder said in a letter to Balderas that the district suspected violations of the procurement code and governmental conduct act by Stapleton. The FBI, according to a grand jury subpoena, also is investigating the APS contract with Robotics for possible fraud of a federal grant program. IRS agents were present when investigators from the Attorney General's Office and New Mexico State Police served search warrants on Stapleton's home last week. Associate Superintendent Serna-Marmol has been with APS since August 2017 and is paid $141,891 a year. Milazzo, executive director of curriculum and instruction, has been with the district since 2003 and her annual salary is $115,282. Stapleton has been with the district since 1984 and is paid $79,853. The other non-teacher placed on leave was Abigail Manzanares, a CTE specialist who works for Stapleton. She has been with APS since 2005 and makes $44,457. The rest of those placed on leave are teachers. They are vocational education teachers or otherwise connected to the use of the Robotics program. The list includes: 1. Stapleton, Sheryl Director Occupational Education 2. Serna-Marmol, Madelyn Associate Superintendent 3. Milazzo, Amelia Executive Director: Curriculum and Instruction 4. Manzanares, Abigail Specialist for Sheryl Stapleton 5. Washington, Adolphus Teacher, Sandia High School 6. McLeod, Scott Teacher, West Mesa High School 7. Gonzales, Donald Don Teacher, Eldorado High School 8. Quintana,Vivian Teacher, Van Buren Middle School 9. Brown, Caia Teacher Harrison Middle School 10. Palmer, Ryan Teacher, Harrison Middle School 11. Campbell, Rebecca Teacher, Harrison Middle School 12. Spencer, Curt Teacher, Harrison Middle School ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BATON ROUGE, La. Louisiana on Monday reinstated a mask mandate in all indoor locations, including schools and colleges, as the state experiences the highest per capita COVID-19 growth in the nation, driven by the delta variant and one of the countrys lowest vaccination rates. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards said the mandate will go into effect on Wednesday and will apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents. Less than three months ago, Edwards lifted a previous face covering requirement amid hopes that the virus was abating. But the states fourth coronavirus surge since the pandemic began 17 months ago shows no sign of flattening, Edwards said. This is bad. And its not this bad anywhere else in the country today, the governor said at a news conference flanked by hospital leaders backing his mandate. This is having an adverse impact on peoples lives today. And the least we can do is put a mask on. It is not an onerous burden. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Hospital leaders described grim conditions around Louisiana: facilities filled with COVID-19 patients, including children, and hospital hallways lined with stretchers because there arent enough beds. Weve all been dreading the opening of schools because we just feel that that will be a catalyst for more and more cases, more and more suffering and, potentially, more deaths, said Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans. Louisianas education leaders had declined to enact any masking orders across all districts, leaving it to individual school systems to determine their plans. The governors executive order will end the district-by-district negotiations. Kline called the mask mandate a lifeline to help children and their parents stay safe as they begin returning to some K-12 schools this week. The requirement will apply to anyone age 5 and older and will cover any kindergartners if they are under the age of 5. The governors announcement came as Louisianas largest standalone hospital Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge brought in a disaster medical assistance team of nearly three dozen health care workers Monday to help the facility cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients. Chief medical officer Dr. Catherine ONeal said the hospital is caring for 155 COVID-19 patients, occupying one-quarter of the facility, while people with chest pains and other medical conditions are forced to sit in the emergency room waiting for an ICU bed. These are the darkest days of this pandemic. We are no longer giving adequate care to patients, she said. Edwards warned things would only get worse, at least in the short term, saying he expects the state on Tuesday to report the largest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at any point in the pandemic. His mask order will last until Sept. 1, but could be extended beyond that. Louisiana reported 11,109 new cases since Friday, with 27 more deaths. The number of hospitalized climbed to 1,984 seven times the number of COVID-19 patients a month ago. The state has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, although the number of people who had received at least one dose rose by more than 46,000 between Thursday and Monday, to nearly 43%. More than 1.72 million, or just under 37%, are fully vaccinated. If youre not going to trust the science and get the vaccine, respect the virus and wear a mask, said Dr. Phyllis Mason, chief medical officer at Natchitoches Regional Medal Center. Business organizations including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Louisiana Restaurant Association urged people to comply with the mask mandate before the state risks further economic damage. Edwards whose office announced earlier Monday that a third vaccinated staff member had contracted COVID-19 expressed frustration with those who have refused to get vaccinated or wear masks. Do you give a damn? I hope you do. I do, he said. Ive heard it said often: Louisianas the most pro-life state in the nation. I want to believe that. It ought to mean something. ___ Associated Press reporters Stacey Plaisance in Baton Rouge and Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. The body of a California man who apparently drowned in Bullhead City was recovered Monday, authorities said. Mohave County Sheriffs officials said a citizen spotted the body in shallow water near an apartment building and notified Bullhead City police. They said the victim identified as 35-year-old Reyes Munoz-Rodriguez, of Fullerton was located about 5 miles from where he was last seen at Davis Camp Park on the Colorado River. Witnesses told authorities that Munoz-Rodriguez was swimming with two women around 7:40 p.m. Friday when the three people began to struggle in the water. The two women were able to get back to shore but Munoz-Rodriguez didnt resurface. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Davis Camp Park rangers unsuccessful searched for the man until dusk Friday. The search resumed Saturday morning with divers plus an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter checking all caves and docks from Davis Dam to Rotary Park. Sundays search ranged from Rotary Park down the Colorado River before the body was located Monday morning. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX The lower courts in Arizonas largest county braced Monday for new filings allowing landlords to remove renters for failure to pay after a national eviction ban expired over the weekend, but officials said the brunt of any action isnt expected for days. Some believe there will be a large flood of case activity; others believe it will be just a light sprinkle, which builds gradually over time, said Scott Davis, spokesman for the Maricopa County Justice Courts that oversee eviction filings in metro Phoenix. Davis said how quickly or dramatically things play out depends on landlords, who must follow certain legal steps before locking renters out. For a tenant previously protected by the moratorium ban who followed all the rules, a landlord had to wait until Monday to file a writ of possession, starting at least a five-day process unlikely to result in an eviction until next week, he said. It can be easy to get caught up in the fear scenario that hundreds or even thousands of people suddenly will become homeless this week. This is simply not the case and the courts have taken steps to ensure this will not happen, he said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Elsewhere in the Southwest, rental assistance is available in Nevada but the burden is on renters not landlords to seek help. In New Mexico, a state moratorium remains in place to prevent evictions for non-payment of rent. In Arizona, landlord advocacy groups like the Arizona Multihousing Association have encouraged members not to evict tenants who have applied for government funds to pay off back rent, but owners dont have to follow that suggestion. The associations president and CEO Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus said last month smaller property owners in particular have struggled for months to pay their own mortgages and taxes with many tenants not paying rent. A lot of small landlords are having a very hard time, said LeVinus. She said about 11% of the states landlords have been forced to sell at least one property and some 12% have left the rental business entirely. LeVinus said many landlords are working with tenants to get their back rent, waiving fees and helping them fill out government relief applications. But only about $67 million of Arizonas nearly $900 million in rental relief funds had been distributed by late June. Phoenix tenant Donald Anderson said he was assisted by his own landlord and a dedicated caseworker with a nonprofit thats helping distribute the government money. Anderson said working together they got more than $12,000 in government funds to pay back rent that piled up when he and his wife had to temporarily stop driving for Uber and Lyft. Having a cooperative landlord really helps, he said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Mexico reached 148 patients Monday more than twice as many as a month ago. The increase in patients comes as the highly contagious delta variant fuels a surge of new cases in New Mexico and other states. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Public schools in Santa Fe and Espanola, meanwhile, said Monday that they will require students and others returning to campus this month to wear masks when indoors. The mandate matches a similar requirement by Albuquerque Public Schools and recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Espanola will also require masks in outdoor settings, such as recess. The mandate in Santa Fe and Espanola applies to students, staffers and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Santa Fes first day of school is Friday, and Espanolas is next Monday. The superintendents of the Espanola and Santa Fe districts said they will revisit mask requirements later in the school year for vaccinated people, which would primarily affect secondary schools. Both districts are prioritizing a return to in-person learning, but remote learning remains an option for students. SFPS is allowing all grade levels to apply for its Desert Sage Academy for remote learning. Espanola Public Schools is allowing eligible students, such as those with medical conditions, to request remote learning options, according to its reentry plan. These requests will be evaluated case by case. Mondays hospitalization total in New Mexico 148 patients represents a 121% increase since July 2. The last day with more hospitalizations was in late May. New Mexico also reported four more coronavirus deaths Monday, two of which happened more than 30 days ago. The official virus-related death toll is 4,414. The Department of Health announced 1,076 new cases of the disease over the last three days, including 15 among people being held by federal agencies at the Otero County Processing Center. New Mexico ranks middle of the pack for new cases per capita over the past seven days No. 29 among states, at 72 daily cases per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. The state on Monday launched a new round of $100 incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations and continued to encourage residents regardless of vaccination status to seek testing if theyve been exposed to the disease. COVID-19 testing and vaccines are free. To be eligible for the $100, register at vaccineNM.org or call 1-855-600-3453. You can receive the $100 for getting any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine such the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot or either the first or second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Dr. David Scrase, the states secretary for human services and acting secretary for health, said the emergence of the delta variant now roughly 80% of all cases in the state makes testing all the more important. Testing is that important first step that allows us to identify and isolate cases before the virus can spread to friends, family and others, Scrase said in a written statement. People should seek testing if they have COVID symptoms, such as fever, cough or chills; have been in close contact with someone who tested positive while they were infectious; are unvaccinated and work in a group setting, such as a jail; or are a patient scheduled for surgery. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Police have identified two of the people killed over the past five days. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said 23-year-old Mathew Chavez was fatally shot at the Quick Track convenience store at Central and University on July 29. He said 34-year-old Samuel Hernandez was found dead outside a home in the 1000 block of Cuatro Cerros Trail SE, just south of Central and Tramway on July 31. Police have not said how Hernandez died. No arrests have been made in either case. Gallegos did not identify the victims of two other weekend homicides because, he said, the next of kin has not yet been found. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding across northern and central New Mexico this week. Daniel Porter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, said Tuesday will likely pose the greatest flooding risks. As we continue to deal with abundant moisture in the atmosphere, an upper level disturbance will be migrating its way through the state very, very slowly, Porter said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Albuquerque is expected to reach a high of 88 degrees on Tuesday, and the city has a 40% chance of rain. The weather agency has issued a flash flood watch through late Tuesday night for most of northern New Mexico, a warning Porter called pretty serious in nature. Flash flooding could impact the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Jemez Mountains, Tusas Mountains, San Miguel, Harding, Colfax and Union counties. Strong, slow-moving storms could bring 1 to 2 inches of rainfall to the region. Some of those areas have been above normal so far for this monsoon season, Porter said. And then you add in the (flooding) hazards associated with burn scars. On Wednesday, areas along and east of the central mountain chain are still at risk of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Thursday will kick off a warming and drying trend for New Mexico. Albuquerque could hit 89 degrees, and the metro area has a 0% chance of precipitation. Fridays forecast shows a high of 93 degrees and 10% chance of rain. Rain chances will also drop off sharply for northern New Mexico as the week progresses. Scattered thunderstorms could return this weekend. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BOISE, Idaho An Idaho state lawmaker refused to answer questions she deemed irrelevant during a hearing Monday to determine whether she violated ethics rules by publicizing in disparaging social media posts the name of a woman who accused another lawmaker of rape. The lawmaker also argued that the young Statehouse intern who said she was raped wasnt actually a victim or entitled to privacy under the law. Republican Rep. Priscilla Giddings became the subject of two ethics complaints by about two dozen lawmakers after she publicized the rape accusers name, photo and personal details about her life in April by sharing links to an far-right news article on social media and in a newsletter to constituents. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The Legislatures ethics committee scheduled the public hearing after finding probable cause that Giddings engaged in conduct unbecoming a representative, which is detrimental to the integrity of the House as a legislative body. The lawmaker accused of raping the intern, Republican Aaron von Ehlinger, resigned earlier this year after the ethics committee recommended he be removed from the Statehouse. Von Ehlinger has denied all wrongdoing. The rape allegation is under investigation by police. Giddings told the ethics committee Monday that shortly after the allegations against von Ehlinger became public in April, she called one of his attorneys to ask if he would release von Ehlingers response to the rape accusation, and if he planned on including the accusers name. After the attorney did so, Giddings said she checked with a news reporter to determine if he had received the document, Giddings told the committee. Then she said she went on Facebook to post a link to a different far-right blog article that included the interns photo, name and other personal information and linked to the same article in a newsletter to constituents. After the interns identity was revealed, she was subjected to a flood of harassment. Advocates for victims of sexual assault said the situation showed why many are afraid to report crimes. But Giddings, who is running for lieutenant governor, said the complaints about her behavior amounted to little more than woke cancel culture and argued the ethics investigation was politically motivated. She also said sharing the article link was the same as handing someone a newspaper, and was protected under her First Amendment right to free speech. When Giddings entered the hearing Monday, she was met with applause, shouts of support and a standing ovation by some supporters in the audience which included some militia members, members of an anti-vaccination group and others with far-right political organizations. Some wore shirts with messages of support, including victims for Priscilla, and Stand with Priscilla, fighting for our freedom. In her opening statement, Giddings said the ethics investigation was an unfair attack by political opponents and that she exercised her constitutionally protected right to free speech by sharing the link that revealed the interns identity. Giddings also said she believed the outcome of the hearing had been pre-determined and left the hearing room for most of the day, declining to cross-examine any of the witnesses who testified against her. Rep. Brooke Green, a Democrat and one of the bipartisan group of lawmakers that signed onto an ethics compliant, said that the other two dozen lawmakers who also signed the complaint were approached individually and not told who else was signing to ensure that political motivations didnt play a part. Green said the complaint was made because the Legislature has an obligation to ensure that sexual assault victims are safe and not revictimized by having their privacy violated. The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted. Rep. Greg Chaney, a Republican who brought one of the complaints against Giddings, said not all speech is protected under the First Amendment, including speech that wrongly defames someone. Chaney also said Giddings actions amounted to retaliation against an employee or coworker who reports harassment or sex assault and therefore did not qualify as constitutionally protected speech. Republican Rep. Julie Yamamoto, who also signed one of the complaints, testified that she would have withdrawn her name and forgiven Giddings if Giddings had apologized. But that never happened, and Yamamoto said she didnt want to be counted among the lawmakers who are unwilling to hold each other accountable. You can do whatever you want, you can say whatever you want, but you need to be willing to accept the consequences, she said. The hearing grew increasingly tense after the committee called Giddings to return as a witness, asking her why she shared the links and whether she felt that the intern whom the committee called Jane Doe was entitled to any privacy protections under the states crime victim laws. Youre way out of the park right now because there is no victim, so that doesnt apply at all, Giddings said. Christopher McCurdy, the attorney representing the ethics committee, then asked Giddings, Do you believe Jane Doe is entitled to dignity during the ethics hearing? Giddings declined to answer, calling the question irrelevant. She also said she wasnt initially aware that the interns photo was included in the post she made on her page, and that she only skimmed the article before sharing it. The link and the photo remained on her page until the afternoon of April 29 and screenshots collected by The Associated Press showed that commenters on that Facebook post and others repeatedly criticized Giddings for doxing the accuser. Critical comments appeared to be frequently deleted. Some of the committee members grew visibly frustrated with Giddings combative approach at the hearing, particularly when she refused to answer questions she deemed irrelevant or that she said focused on her beliefs. Just be candid with the committee. Tell us yes or no,' Republican Rep. Brent Crane said. Dont hedge this way and hedge that way and play semantics and games. Giddings declined to call any witnesses to testify on her behalf, saying she thought that the committee would have served the subpoenas for her. She said she wasnt able to reach them all by email. The hearing is scheduled to resume Tuesday, when committee members will decide whether they will recommend that the full House censure, reprimand or expel Giddings. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal With local COVID-19 cases on the rise, the city of Albuquerque is once again requiring people to wear masks at libraries, community centers and all other indoor facilities, regardless of their vaccination status. The city reinstated the policy on Monday, referring to it as protective requirements to protect against a resurgence of the COVID-19 outbreak. It joins Bernalillo County, which last week announced it would also again require everyone to wear masks inside its facilities. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ City government had in May dropped the mask requirement for vaccinated individuals, except for certain facilities, such as the Albuquerque International Sunport. But New Mexico has seen higher rates of COVID-19 in recent weeks. The state Department of Health on Monday reported 1,076 new infections from Saturday to Monday. Thats up from 632 reported the previous weekend and 378 two weekends ago. Bernalillo County alone had 340 cases in the past three days, according to the DOH report. Albuquerque city government one of the metros largest employers is not requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, nor does it know how many in its ranks have received shots. City officials said in response to Journal questions that only the DOH has that information. Last week, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that all state government workers must be vaccinated or undergo regular testing for the virus. New York City and the state of California are doing something similar. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller had in June said he did not think a mandate that city employees be vaccinated was appropriate at that juncture, but city officials left open the possibility of at least a testing regimen on Monday. We are keeping a close eye on COVID trends and how various policies across the state are working, and will adjust our approach if needed, Roger Ebner, the citys director of Office of Emergency Management, said in a written response to Journal questions. A Bernalillo County spokesman, meanwhile, said Monday that it is weighing a possible vaccine mandate for employees. The county is looking into that, exploring that possibility and keeping a close eye on how this works for the state, and a decision will be made down the road, spokesman Tom Thorpe said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Back in August 2014, then-Eldorado High School junior Juanita Womack was standing in the Embudo Channel talking with a friend when she was suddenly swept away by flood waters. Juanita screamed for help during a nearly 2.5-mile harrowing ride before two quick-thinking police officers used jackets tied together to fish her out. Juanitas mother told the Journal her daughter had lived her entire life in New Mexico and been told not to go into arroyos, but you know teenagers. Just before Juanitas perilous experience on the same day, an unidentified middle-aged man was pulled from the Embudo Channel near Morningside and Cutler NE. Despite the known flash-flooding dangers of our arroyos, people getting swept away is almost an annual occurrence, so much so that all Albuquerque fire personnel are trained on swift-water rescue techniques. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Weve seen five people swept away in two separate flash-flooding incidents in recent weeks. Four died. Their bodies were recovered across town in a washout where the North Diversion Channel meets the river. The fifth was able to walk out of the arroyo near Washington and Cutler NE with the help of Albuquerque police. Bottom line arroyos are dangerous. Those who choose to walk, skateboard, play or camp in them are playing Russian roulette with their lives. And not just their lives. They create unnecessary risks for first responders tasked with attempting to rescue them, not to mention the rescue costs incurred by taxpayers. Thats why enforcing basic trespassing laws is essential the best way to keep people safe around the arroyos is to keep them out of them. No one should be living, camping or hanging out in a channel designed specifically to move large amounts of water quickly. Its akin to hanging out on railroad tracks, freeway interchanges or airline runways. There also is the issue of a system meant to prevent flooding now clogged and at risk of overflowing because of mattresses, clothing, shopping carts and detritus where it never should have been allowed to gather. City Council President Cynthia Borrego has filed legislation encouraging the Albuquerque ditch and water safety task force to complete a map of where people are routinely in channels, arroyos and irrigation canals. Check. We need to know the extent of encampments and hangouts so the proper folks can better guide people to the appropriate venue, be it a skate park or a shelter. Alexandra Paisano, director of the Albuquerque Coordinated Entry System for the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, says her organization has clients who say the arroyos are sometimes their best places to stay, they are a place with a little more privacy and its still a choice whether or not someone wants to be in the arroyos and take that risk; we cant stop people. But they can try if all jurisdictions, be it the city, flood control authority, conservancy district, etc., have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to trespassing in channels designed to carry walls of water moving at high rates of speed. Borrego also wants a report on the installation of flash-flood early warning systems. Thats challenging given the multiple jurisdictions and miles of arroyos. Voters approved bond measures in 2015 and 2017 for an Embudo Arroyo flash-flood warning system, but the City Council reallocated the collective $550,000 to pump stations after the city determined a warning system would cost $4 million. Why $4 million? Anyone who grew up in middle America remembers the fire whistle blowing whenever a tornado was spotted. Coupling something along those lines with the emergency broadcast system that alerts cellphones, radios and televisions makes more fiscal sense, at least as a starting point. And it would let us know if those who are at risk and putting others in danger pay attention to such things when the flood waters surge before we spend millions on a higher-tech warning system they ignore. In the meantime, arroyos are deadly, and officials need to work together to ensure everyone stays away. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX A Phoenix science teacher is asking a judge to put a halt to a districtwide mask mandate, which goes against a new state law, district officials said Tuesday. Richard Franco, a spokesman for Phoenix Union High School District, confirmed Douglas Hesters filing for a temporary restraining order on the mandate. The superintendent and governing board members are named as defendants in the motion. We stand behind our decision to require masks at this time and remain steadfast in our commitment to do all we can to protect our staff, students, families, and broader community, Franco said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Attorneys for the school district have been ordered to make their case at a hearing Wednesday in Maricopa County Superior Court. The court proceedings could be a test case for Arizona school districts determined to defy Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. Phoenix Union, which resumed classes Monday, has about 28,000 students and 4,000 employees. Its governing board made the decision to enforce indoor mask-wearing last week. Hester is listed on the district website as a biology, environmental science and math teacher at Metro Tech High School. No school district is above the law, Alexander Kolodin, Hesters attorney, told The Arizona Republic. We are pleased to take action on behalf of this brave teacher to ensure government bodies follow state law. A second school, Phoenix Elementary, approved a mandatory mask rule Monday regardless of the vaccination status of students, staff and visitors. The only exceptions will be for special medical reasons. We know that our children learn best in person and we will implement mitigation strategies that help to minimize the spread of illnesses, reduce the need for quarantining, and avoid classroom and school closures, a district statement said. Phoenix Elementary has 14 schools primarily located in central Phoenix. The districts more than 5,000 students start classes on Thursday. The states prohibition against mask mandates by school districts was included in budget legislation enacted in late June. The legislation doesnt take effect until Sept. 29, though it included a provision saying the prohibition is retroactive. Its not clear whether the states prohibition is now in force. A legislator who supports the prohibition has asked government lawyers to say when it takes effect. In other developments: Virus-related hospitalizations in Arizona have more than doubled over the past month, according to data reported Tuesday by state health officials. There were 1,207 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds as of Monday, up from 520 a month earlier on July 2. The state reported 1,974 additional COVID-19 cases and 30 more deaths, increasing the pandemic totals to 933,361 cases and 18,282 deaths. The chief clinical officer at Banner Health, the states largest hospital system, implored the public Tuesday to get vaccinated. Dr. Marjorie Bessel warned that case surges like those seen in July 2020 and in January are a strong possibility. The slope of what were starting to experience is starting to look very, very close to the exponential growth we experienced during those two very, large surges, Bessel said during a virtual press conference. Banner Health also announced it would tighten visitor restrictions due to increased virus spread. The restrictions include only allowing one or two visitors per patient per day, depending on location. Also, visitors must be at least age 12 and cant have or be suspected of having COVID-19. Yavapai County announced Monday it will again close its public buildings to the public, starting Thursday, due to rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations and the countys low vaccination rate, The Daily Courier reported. As during previous closures during the pandemic, county offices and services will continue to operate though public access will be restricted, Board of Supervisors Chairman Craig Brown said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... LONDON A 21-year-old free climber who was imprisoned two years ago for climbing the U.K.s tallest skyscraper has scaled another building in London, this time to draw attention to climate change. George King-Thompson climbed up the 36-story Stratosphere Tower, a residential block in east Londons Stratford neighborhood, unaided Tuesday morning and reached the top in less than half an hour. The former personal trainer said he picked the skyscraper because he was shocked by the flash floods that recently hit the area. Pudding Mill Lane, a subway station in Stratford, was one of eight stations that closed due to flooding on July 25, when almost a months worth of rain fell on central London. I wanted to raise awareness to the seriousness of climate change at the moment, because only a week before that, there was a heat wave throughout London, King-Thompson said. I hope to raise awareness by climbing this building to urge political leaders to take action immediately. The young climber said he spent a week preparing for the feat, studying every aspect and surface of the 147-meter (482-foot) building and trying to climb a few floors overnight in secret. But there was one thing he wasnt prepared for. First eight floors, the windows were sticky. They had grip. But eight floors and above, they didnt. So, its very slippery, which I underestimated, he said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ King-Thompson admits climbing buildings is dangerous but said he planned the climb so he would not be a danger to the public or cause disruptions. Police dispatched a helicopter to search the area Tuesday after they received a call that a man was spotted at height in Stratford. They said officers attended but did not locate the climber. King-Thompson was arrested in 2019 after scaling the Shard in London the U.K.s tallest skyscraper at 310 meters (1,017 feet) tall after the owners of the building pressed charges against him for trespassing. He was sentenced to six months in prison in October 2019 and served three. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DENVER A woman who was filmed hitting a protester with her car during a demonstration against police violence in Denver last year was sentenced Monday to 48 hours of community service. Jennifer Watson was acquitted of assault in July but found guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving. A cellphone video shot in downtown Denver in May 2020 showed protesters surrounding an SUV with a man on the hood. That man jumps off as the vehicle speeds up. In the video, the vehicle seems to be free from protesters, but the driver turns sharply and runs into the man who had been on the hood, knocking him to the ground. Watsons attorney, Ryan Brackley, previously told KUSA-TV that she feared for her safety after getting caught in the protest. People kicked and hit her car and yelled at her, he said. While stopped, Mr. Max Bailey jumped up onto the hood of her car and her windshield was smashed in two places, Brackley said. Bailey has said he jumped onto the car because he was afraid of being run over. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BOZALAN, Turkey As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the countrys southern coast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkeys Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters on Tuesday were still tackling 11 fires in six provinces, including the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. More than 150 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned toward the government, which admitted that it did not have a usable firefighting aircraft fleet. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure firefighting planes and instead spending money for construction projects that they say are harmful the environment. In the village of Bozalan, in Mugla province, where homes and olive trees were incinerated, residents complained that the governments response was inadequate. Our fire-extinguishing helicopters were insufficient, said 58-year-old Mahmut Sanli. If there was a firefighting crew in our neighborhood, this wouldnt have happened. Nevzat Yildirim, 30, said he had called authorities in Mugla pleading for help but nothing came. We tried to protect our own homes through our own means, by filling up buckets. We organized ourselves with neighbors, youths and saved our homes, he said. In the nearby village of Cokertme, Gulseli Karaduman was seen using a fire extinguisher to save her olive trees. There has been no air support, nothing. For three days weve been living with this helplessness, she said. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkeys main opposition party, accused Erdogan of lacking a master plan against forest fires and of ignoring warnings concerning global warming. We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately. Our country is in the midst of a climate and water crisis, he said. Erdogans government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by allegedly refusing help from Western nations during the early stages of the fires. But official said the government had only refused offers for small water-dumping planes. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that Turkey accepted all offers meeting its needs. France and Greece also offered to send fire-dumping planes but were later forced to retract them due to fires there, he said. In times of disaster, we would of course accept assistance from other countries in the same way that we provide assistance to other countries, he said. The Israeli Embassy, however, said Tuesday that Israel had offered to help but Turkish officials had refused the offer, saying the situation is under control. It said the offer still stands. Mayors posted videos pleading for aerial firefighting responses to local wildfires while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes. The campaign drew an angry response from a top Erdogan aide, Fahrettin Altun, who said Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong. Erdogan himself was accused of insensitivity after he threw bags of tea at residents from a bus during a weekend visit to the fire-hit Antalya region. Planes sent from Spain and Croatia joined aircraft from Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires. Four helicopters would be arriving from Ukraine on Wednesday, Cavusoglu said. On Tuesday, officials evacuated residents from dozens of holiday homes as blazes advanced toward the Turkevleri region, near the town of Milas, in Mugla province. Milas mayor, Muhammet Tokat told Halk TV that the blaze was approaching a thermal power plant but also said that authorities there had taken precautions. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants. A 16-year-old was detained on Tuesday in connection to a blaze that started in Antalyas Manavgat region on Wednesday, pro-government Sabah newspaper reported. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as the culprit, along with accidents caused by people. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. Temperatures in Marmaris, in Mugla, reached an all-time high of 45.5 C (114 F) on Tuesday, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said. The Turkish meteorology authority warned that temperatures would rise between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms around the countrys Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. In Greece, thousands of people fled their homes north of Athens in cars and on motorcycles as a wildfire broke out of the forest and reached residential areas. The blaze sent a huge cloud of smoke over Athens and prompted multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles) to the north. In Italy, firefighters fought seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. The mayor of Altamura, near the southern Italian city of Bari, advised residents to keep windows closed after a fire broke out in a plastics factory warehouse. A helicopter was dispatched near the city of Pescara in Abruzzo to prevent a wildfire from reaching a gasoline depot, while industrial production sites were under threat in the regions foothills. Italian firefighters have battled more than 37,000 fires since June 15, an 76% increase over last year, when 62,623 hectares (nearly 155,000 acres) were destroyed, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper. ___ Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Ayse Wieting in Istanbul and Colleen Barry in Rome contributed. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... HELSINKI At least three people have been wounded in a shooting in the southern Swedish city of Kristianstad, police said. No suspects have been detained yet, Swedish media reported. Swedish police received an alert Tuesday afternoon that several loud bangs were heard in one of the districts of the city. Police soon arrived at the scene with several patrols. According to preliminary information, at least three people were taken to hospital with suspected gunshot wounds, Swedish police say. A man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s have serious injuries, according to police, who added theres a possibility the number of wounded will still rise. The police investigation is focused on finding where precisely the shooting took place, as there were reports of shots being fired around the city and its surrounding areas. The Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that one or more perpetrators left the main scene of the shooting by motorcycle. Police wouldnt confirm that information. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ There was no immediate information on the cause of the shooting, but it comes amid a rise in gun violence in the Scandinavian nation. A report by the Swedish national council for crime prevention said earlier this year that Sweden is the only European country where fatal shootings have risen significantly since 2000, primarily because of the violent activities of organized criminal gangs. We are currently working to get an overview of how many are injured. An ambulance has been called to the scene, police spokesman Richard Lundqvist was quoted as telling local newspaper Sydsvenskan. On Monday evening, there were also reports of shootings in the same area in Kristianstad, the Swedish news agency TT reported. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... WASHINGTON A Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit center outside the building, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after a man attacked the officer on a bus platform shortly after 10:30 a.m. The ensuing violence, which included a volley of gunshots, resulted in several casualties, said Woodrow Kusse, the chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which is responsible for security in the facility. The deaths of the officer and the suspect were first confirmed by officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The Fairfax County Police Department also tweeted condolences about the officers death. Officials said they believe two bystanders were injured. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The suspect was identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. The officer was ambushed by Lanz, who ran at him and stabbed him in the neck, according to two of the law enforcement officials. Responding officers then shot and killed Lanz. Investigators were still trying to determine a motive for the attack and were digging into Lanzs background, including any potential history of mental illness or any reason he might want to target the Pentagon or police officers. The officials could not discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity. Lanz had enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 2012 but was administratively separated less than a month later and never earned the title Marine, the Corps said in a statement. Lanz was arrested in April in Cobb County, Georgia, on criminal trespassing and burglary charges, according to online court records. The same day, a separate criminal case was filed against Lanz with six additional charges, including two counts of aggravated battery on police, a count of making a terrorist threat and a charge for rioting in a penal institution, the records show. A judge reduced his bond in May to $30,000 and released him, imposing some conditions, including that he not ingest illegal drugs and that he undergo a mental health evaluation. The charges against him were still listed as pending. A spokesman for the Cobb County Sheriffs Office confirmed that Lanz had been previously held at the agencys detention center but referred all other questions to the FBIs field office in Washington. An attorney who represented Lanz in the Georgia cases didnt immediately respond to a phone message and email seeking comment, and messages left with family members at Lanzs home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth, Georgia, were not immediately returned. Tuesdays attack on a busy stretch of the Washington areas transportation system jangled the nerves of a region already primed to be on high alert for violence and potential intruders outside federal government buildings, particularly following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. At a Pentagon news conference, Kusse declined to confirm that the officer had been killed or provide even basic information about how the violence had unfolded or how many might be dead. He would only say that an officer had been attacked and that gunfire was exchanged. Kusse and other officials declined to rule out terrorism or provide any other potential motive. But Kusse said the Pentagon complex was secure and we are not actively looking for another suspect at this time. He said the FBI was leading the investigation. I cant compromise the ongoing investigation, Kusse said. The FBI confirmed only that it was investigating and there was no ongoing threat to the public but declined to offer details or a possible motive. Later Tuesday, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency issued a statement confirming the loss of the officer, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his condolences and said flags at the Pentagon will be flown at half-staff. This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in and who visit the Pentagon on a daily basis, Austin said in a statement. This tragic death today is a stark reminder of the dangers they face and the sacrifices they make. We are forever grateful for that service and the courage with which it is rendered. Tuesdays violence occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, a hub for subway and bus lines. The station is steps from the Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington. An Associated Press reporter near the building heard multiple gunshots, then a pause, then at least one additional shot. Another AP journalist heard police yelling shooter. A Pentagon announcement said the facility was on lockdown, but that was lifted after noon, except for the area around the crime scene. Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden at the time of the shooting. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin returned to the building and went to the Pentagon police operations center to speak to the officers there. It was not immediately clear whether any additional security measures might be instituted in the area. In 2010, two officers with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency were wounded when a gunman approached them at a security screening area. The officers, who survived, returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman, identified as John Patrick Bedell. _____ Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Matthew Barakat and Sagar Meghani in Arlington, Va., contributed to this report. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Dont fall for a fake text message that appears to come from the states Motor Vehicle Division asking people to validate their drivers licenses. The texts started going out earlier this month, according to the agency, and are nothing more than an effort to vacuum up Social Security numbers and other personal information. They do that by including a link that people are supposed to follow to see details and make the validation. The texts are not coming from MVD and the agency is encouraging people not to click on the link. The messages appear to be a scam known as smishing, similar to the email scam known as phishing, but which instead uses texting (SMS) to lure in victims, according to a scam alert. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The messages come from a 972 area code and say, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Driver License Waiver Validation. Validate Your Details Below. n n A sneaky scam targeting Southwest Airlines customers has been hitting local residents in the past few months via Google ads that misrepresent an affiliation with the air carrier. The fraudsters pretend to book new reservations or modify existing ones, taking the customers credit cards and information, such as name, address and date of birth. One woman got scammed when she instructed Siri to call Southwest Airlines and was connected to one of the bogus entities. (Siri is the Apple voicemail assistant.) Southwest spokesman Dan Landson adds that some of these Google ads appear on mobile devices with a link to call phone number that takes customers to the scammers. Landson says this problem appears to be hitting other airlines, as well, and Southwest is part of an industry-wide discussion with Google about solutions to the problem of these sponsored ads. The correct website address for Southwest Airlines is southwest.com. n n Heres another example of fraud-related texting aimed at getting access to financial information and personal accounts. Scammers are sending texts to potential victims asking if they made a particular investment purchase. When the recipient responds with a no, the trickster follows up with a phone call, claiming to be from where the supposed purchase was made or from the persons financial institution, and asks for personal information to track the supposed investment. The criminals are doing their homework, says Kara Suro, vice president of fraud surveillance and investigations at Charles Schwab. They continue to find ways to trick people into providing information via phone or text. Keep these things in mind: It is especially important to create unique and hard-to-guess passwords for financial accounts. Most financial institutions will never ask for your password over the phone. Contact your bank or investment broker using a published phone number or website, so you can be sure youre reaching a legitimate source. Links or phone numbers in texts can take you to something fraudulent. Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-888-255-9210 or file a complaint at www.nmag.gov/file-a-complaint.aspx. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... In (N.M. Attorney General) Hector Balderas (July 26 Journal) op-ed, he says an unreasonable woman wants to kill the PNM-Avangrid/Ibedrola merger. That would be me. The AG proceeds to explain why the settlement is good for New Mexico and its ratepayers. Hes either misinformed or trying to mislead. Consider the following: 1. The AGs own experts testified the merger was not in the public interest, the legal standard. AG expert witness Andrea Crane testified there were nine requirements that should be met in order to ensure the merger would be in the public interest. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ 2. Only two of these requirements were even addressed at all when the AG suddenly shifted its position from against to in favor of the merger. 3. Balderas ignored all of his experts conditions, other than trivial increases to the amounts devoted to rate credit and economic development, trivial as compared with the costs ratepayers will be saddled with. 4. One thing Crane was adamant about: PNM should agree to assume all costs of abandonment of its interest in the Four Corners Power Plant and withdraw its filing for the abandonment of the plant under the Energy Transition Act that sets forth an estimated $300 million cost of abandonment. Yet, the settlement and merger will not only stick ratepayers with PNMs price tag, plus interest, for getting rid of this old coal plant, which has no value, but also will allow PNM/Avangrid to sell it to another company that will keep on burning coal. Ask Balderas why thats in the public interest. 5. Balderas failed to explain why he made the shocking about-face, moving from opposing the deal to endorsing it, even though it was legally deficient and contrary to PRC rules. The AGs position switched after several meetings with attorney Marcus Rael his good friend and former partner who was hired by Avangrids parent company, Iberdrola, to influence Balderas and others. Perhaps Balderas said it best when he told the Santa Fe New Mexican on June 9 after visiting with Rael: There are more important issues in the merger for the experts to focus on than legal details. Shouldnt our chief law enforcement officer be focused on the legal standards that exist to protect us? 6. Balderas has lavished lucrative contracts on Raels firm to represent New Mexico in cases the AG is responsible for litigating, resulting in millions of dollars in fees going from taxpayers to Raels firm. Rael is simultaneously representing N.M. taxpayers in these cases while lobbying our AG to settle with a multinational energy giant without first securing the consumer protections advised by his own experts an apparent concurrent conflict of interest Balderas fails to address. 7. Balderas shows no concern top managers of Iberdrola/Avangrid face a criminal investigation in Spain (into allegations of) corporate spying, bribery, fraud and falsification of documents. (Or that) Iberdrola/Avangrids track record in the U.S. is riddled with regulatory fines and penalties for failure to provide reliable electricity and adequate customer service. Why would we want such a company here? In its securities disclosures, Avangrid stated: Iberdrola exercises significant influence over Avangrid, and its interests may be different than yours. We should heed their warning. This merger is not in the public interest and the AG has a lot more to answer for. Avangrid has poor customer service track record AVANGRID IS running an ad on TV wooing the New Mexico public. The public needs to be aware its Maine subsidiary has been found guilty of poor electric customer service issues and has suffered related penalties. Like every other large corporate America business its primary interest is its profit line. Unfortunately that results in poor customer service and poor maintenance. Please let the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (know) we do not want the same poor customer service issues in New Mexico. SYLVIA I. ANDERSON Albuquerque .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX Extreme triple digit heat is back in central and southern Arizona after a wet monsoon season that briefly cooled Phoenix summer temperatures down into the 80s last month. The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued an excessive heat warning for the Phoenix area and lower deserts from 10 a.m. Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Highs in those areas over the next few days are expected to range between 110-113F (43-45C) Heat relief stations offering water and a place to rest in the shade have been activated by municipal governments and the Salvation Army around the greater Phoenix area. Under a pilot program that runs through Sept. 30, Phoenix city officials say they are keeping hikers off some trails during the hottest hours. The measure came after fire crews were getting sick and injured during mountain rescues of people who ventured onto trails in the extreme heat. A woman visiting from Chicago died Friday on Phoenixs Camelback Mountain, a favorite among hikers. Initial reports said she was overheated when she turned back down the mountain alone and her hiking companion continued up. Her cause of death has not been determined. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... HOUSTON Pros Holdings Inc. (PRO) on Tuesday reported a loss of $18 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Houston-based company said it had a loss of 41 cents. Losses, adjusted for stock option expense and pretax expenses, were 14 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 22 cents per share. The pricing and revenue-management software maker posted revenue of $62.4 million in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $61.6 million. For the current quarter ending in October, Pros Holdings expects its results to range from a loss of 23 cents per share to a loss of 21 cents per share. The company said it expects revenue in the range of $61.7 million to $62.7 million for the fiscal third quarter. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had expected revenue of $63.9 million. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Pros Holdings expects full-year revenue in the range of $250.5 million to $253.5 million. Pros Holdings shares have fallen 17% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $42.21, an increase of 27% in the last 12 months. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PRO at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PRO .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX A top Arizona lawmaker asked state Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Tuesday to investigate whether Maricopa County is breaking the law by refusing to comply with subpoenas for records related to the 2020 election. Majority Whip Sonny Borrelli of Lake Havasu City, the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, filed his complaint under Senate Bill 1487. The 5-year-old law allows any lawmaker to demand an investigation of any ordinance, regulation, order or other official action taken by a local government that may conflict with state law. Brnovich has 30 days to review the complaint. If he finds a violation, the county could face a loss of funding if the problem is not rectified. The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has been at increasingly tense odds with Senate GOP leaders over the 2020 election. As former President Donald Trump looked for reasons to overturn the election results late last year, top senators issued subpoenas for all 2020 ballots, the machines that counted them and other data in the states most populated county. The materials were given to contractors with little to no election experience for what Senate President Karen Fann calls a forensic audit. Election experts say the 2020 election was secure and well-run, and the contractors are using bizarre and unreliable procedures. Maricopa County has refused further participation. The Board has real work to do and little time to entertain this adventure in never-never land, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, a Republican, wrote to Fann on Monday. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Fann and Judiciary Committee Chairman Warren Petersen issued a new subpoena last month demanding mail-in ballot envelopes or images of them, administrator-level access to vote-counting machines, network logs and routers. The level of disrespect and contempt from the supervisors toward Senate leadership and Arizona voters is appalling, Borrelli said in a statement. County officials say they have already provided the envelope images. They say giving up the routers would compromise the security of the countys entire network and that only the voting machines manufacturer, Dominion Voting Systems, can provide administrator-level access. A spokeswoman for Brnovich, Catherine Mejia, confirmed he received the complaint and declined to comment further. Meanwhile, a Maricopa County judge on Tuesday ordered the state Senate to release public records requested by American Oversight, a political watchdog group. Judge Michael Kemp rejected the Senates arguments that records maintained by the contractors are not subject to public records law and that legislative immunity prohibits the court from weighing in. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A 45-year-old civilian was convicted last week of sexually assaulting a woman on Kirtland Air Force Base in the summer of 2019. A federal jury found Zechariah Freeman guilty of sexual abuse on July 30. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Mexico said Freeman will remain in custody until sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces up to life in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. Freeman was indicted on Jan. 9, 2020. According to the indictment and other court records, on the evening of June 15, 2019, Freeman, a civilian, attended a gathering at a house on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, where the victim was also present, spokesman Scott Howell wrote in a Tuesday news release. In the early morning hours of June 16, 2019, Freeman sexually abused the victim while she was physically incapable of declining or communicating her unwillingness to participate. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Instagram TV The eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham is said to be taking real pride in his cooking, and wants to capitalize on the popularity of his social media videos with his own online food series. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Brooklyn Beckham is hoping to land his own cooking show. The 22-year-old son of David Beckham and Victoria Adams - is hoping to capitalise on the popularity of his social media videos showing him rustling up various treats in the kitchen by launching his own online food series on YouTube or Facebook, and he's signed a deal with digital talent expert Kai Gayoso to help with his ambition. "Brooklyn's got a real flair in the kitchen and the tutorials he has posted on Instagram have received great feedback," a source told Britain's The Sun newspaper. "Brooklyn takes real pride in his cooking and has been given some handy hints and tips by Gordon Ramsay, who is a close friend of the family. It's all incredibly exciting and Victoria and David are thrilled." Brooklyn missed out on a recent chance to further hone his culinary skills when his dad David treated two of his other children, Romeo Beckham, 18, and ten-year-old Harper to a private masterclass with French chef Raymond Blanc in London. This arrived after Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz celebrated their first engagement anniversary their first engagement anniversary. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, June 23, the 22-year-old shared a short clip of him and Nicola smooching for the camera. He followed it up with a picture that saw the two posing at the beach. In the accompaniment of the post, he raved, "This exact day 1 year ago I asked this gorgeous woman to marry me." "She makes me a better person everyday and is my best friend," the model and photographer further gushed. "I can't imagine my life without you because you continuously make me laugh and smile x happy 1 year baby." Instagram Celebrity Joining the former 'Quantico' star as part of the Italian luxury brand's family is Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, who is appointed as its North American Ambassador. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Priyanka Chopra has been snapped up as a new global ambassador by bosses at Italian luxury brand Bulgari. The White Tiger" star shared the news on Sunday, August 1 on Instagram, alongside photos of her wearing two diamond-studded rings and a gold necklace from the line, known for its high end jewellery and accessories. But it's not all about the bling for the former beauty pageant winner - Priyanka's a big fan of Bulgari chiefs' philanthropic work for the charity Save The Children too. "I endeavor to align myself with brands that recognize their immense social responsibility," she said in a statement. "Bulgari has made great impact in their efforts to support children in need around the world, and I look forward to working together to continue that work." The company also admits that "India holds a special place in our hearts at Bvlgari." The chief executive Jean-Christophe Babin says, "It doesn't only offer us a continuous source of inspiration, but this rich, incredible land provides us with some of the most precious gems of nature to craft our creations, from jewellery to fragrances." Jean adds, "I'm beyond excited that Priyanka is joining our family. I'm sure that together we will develop exciting projects, with a significant social impact." And Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez has also signed on to join Priyanka as a brand ambassador. "Beyond excited to announce that I am joining the @bulgari family! I'm incredibly proud to become the first Latina to be a North American Ambassador," wrote the "Baby Driver" standout on Instagram last week (ends Jul 30). "I want to thank BVLGARI for the great honor to be part of such an iconic Italian brand," Gonzalez added. Past Bulgari models include Bella Hadid, Lily Aldridge, and Martha Hunt. ABC/Richard Cartwright Celebrity When talking about her future, the Meredith Grey depicter admits she has no desire to go through the long days on sets anymore after she leaves her hit series. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Ellen Pompeo is considering turning her back on acting after her hit show "Grey's Anatomy" ends. Pompeo, who has played Meredith Grey on the medical drama since it debuted in 2005, is already looking forward to pursuing a different career path after she leaves the series. "I'm not saying I'll never act again, I very well may, but I'm not super excited about continuing my acting career," she told InStyle's "Ladies First with Laura Brown" podcast on Monday, August 2. "I'm more entrepreneurial at this stage. I'm excited about investing in businesses, and starting business. That's an area of growth that I'm excited about, using my brain in a different way." The actress is tired of the long days on sets that are part of being the star of a television series. "The acting I feel like, even though I haven't done a million different roles, I feel like I've done it," she explained. "Sitting around in trailers, travelling around, shooting this in Atlanta, shooting that in Vancouver. I have no desire to go sit in trailers at 11 o'clock at night and wait to shoot scenes and have ADs [assistant directors] knock on my door and tell me when I can eat lunch. You know, it's for the young at heart." One thing that is exciting Ellen right now is her new podcast, "Tell Me". "[I thought], 'Let me go out there and do something I've never done before and try something completely different for absolutely no other reason than to try something different because I haven't for so long. If it fails, it fails, but at least I'm trying something new.' " She is currently one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, earning $20 million a year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In May Pompeo, who also serves as a producer on "Grey's Anatomy", signed a one-year deal to return for the 18th season after "lengthy" negotiations. It's not yet known if the series will have a 19th season. Instagram Celebrity In a new ABC News interview, the former 'Suddenly Susan' star blames the aftermath of her infamous 2017 photoshoot featuring Trump's mock-severed head for her developing a painkiller addiction. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kathy Griffin struggled with a painkiller addiction and considered suicide during the COVID lockdown last year (2020). The comedienne, who has also revealed she's battling lung cancer, admits her 2020 crisis was linked to the aftermath of an infamous 2017 photoshoot, which featured Kathy holding a severed head that resembled then-U.S. President Donald Trump. In a new ABC News interview, the 60-year-old says she received "legit death threats with everything" online, including "Google pictures of the house, the address." She adds, "I mean, folks showed up to my husband's parents' house. They tracked my sister down when she was dying of cancer in the hospital and called her... I picked up the call and heard it myself because I happened to be visiting her." The drama turned Griffin to painkillers. "I take a couple pills now and again, who doesn't?" she told ABC. "Also, my age was a big part of it. I mean, who bottoms out and tries to take their life at 59? It's almost a joke, right, and by the way, someday, this will all be comedy. Trust me... I was laughing to stay alive." "What I found is I felt like, if I can't make others laugh, then there's no purpose for me to live. There's no reason for me to live." "I started thinking about suicide more and more as I got into the pill addiction and it became almost an obsessive thought. I started really convincing myself it was a good decision. I got my living revocable trust in order. I had all my ducks in a row. I wrote the note - the whole thing." She has since detoxed and is celebrating one year of sobriety. "The detox was nasty," Kathy explains. "I mean, it was months. I mean, the tremors... and the flop sweat, and I was so unsteady. Like, when I would brush my teeth, my husband had to hold my hips so I wouldn't fall over." "I would go to, like, two Zoom meetings a day, and the sober clinicians would come over every single day and they would pee-test me. And every day, my goal was to... test clean." WENN/Dennis Van Tine TV Upon learning that 'And Just Like That...' goes on without Samantha Jones, the 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' host questions the point of the show if he doesn't 'have [his] naughty Samantha.' Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - John Oliver was disappointed that Kim Cattrall won't be a part of "Sex and the City" reboot. Putting "And Just Like That" on blast, the "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" host insisted that the show is "never gonna work" without the Samantha Jones depicter. The comedian shared his thoughts in the Sunday, August 1 episode of his show. "No workplace should be in danger of shutting down because it loses one person. Unless that is, that workplace is the 'Sex and the City' reboot. What are you thinking?" he questioned. "It's never going to work without Kim Cattrall." "It's not that any of you are bad it's that you only work together," he said of Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. "I can't appreciate my puritan Charlotte if I don't have my naughty Samantha. And I live for Miranda Hobbs, but if she's not serving side-eye while Samantha is using penne pasta to describe her new Italian lover's d**k, what is the point?" HBO Max announced "SATC" revival back in January. It stated that the show "will follow Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s." As for Kim, she previously announced that she's not interested to reprise her role of Samantha in a third movie after appearing in 2010's "Sex and the City 2". She told Piers Morgan in October 2017, "Another actress should play it. Maybe they could make it an African-American Samantha Jones or a Hispanic Samantha Jones." Sarah, meanwhile, made it clear that she was against the idea of replacing Kim. In January, a fan commented on her Instagram post, "You are still my hero. please replace or write her out kim/samantha if she is not interested and bring back 'Sex and the City' movie #3. the fans need this." In response, Sarah replied, "Not sure if I can imagine doing another movie without her." Celebrity The artist is sent to Henrico County Regional Jail in Virginia after a phone recording in which she could be heard talking about having sex with her 79-year-old mother Barbara surfaced on online forum Kiwi Farms. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Chris Chan, whose real name is Christine Weston Chandler, is having a brush with the law. The creator of the Sonichu character was arrested and charged with incest after a leaked audio spread online. The 39-year-old character creator was sent to the Henrico County jail in Virginia after police arrested her on Sunday, August 1 afternoon. According to a representative for the jail, currently, no court date or bond has been set. Additionally, Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory informed Newsweek that the blogger's arraignment will be in Greene County. The sheriff was unable to provide any further information relating to the arrest other than to say "the criminal charges are not for Henrico County, but Greene County." The police officer added, "We are just housing until transport can be arranged." Her arrest came after she allegedly admitted to having sex with her mother in an eight-minute phone recording that surfaced online on Friday morning, July 30 on a forum called Kiwi Farms. In the recording, someone purporting to be the creator discussed sexual interactions with her 79-year-old mother Barbara. In the audio, Chris could be heard saying that since June they have "been doing it every third night" and describing sex acts in detail. A text said to be from the YouTube star that was posted alongside the recording read, "Barb and I just had another romp in the hay." Engaging in sexual intercourse with one's father or mother is a Class 5 felony in Virginia. After her audio recording was leaked, Chris took to her Twitter account to address the issue. "There is drama in the air today," she tweeted on Friday. "Each and every one of you all are encouraged to withdraw from any and all dramas, gossip, rumors, and whatever else will, and already has, approached your way today." Chris Chan addresses the leaked audio recording that described her sex acts with her mother Barbara. On Sunday, a live stream from the alt-right podcaster Ethan Ralph appeared to show Chris' arrest outside a hotel in Charlottesville. While it appeared that the artist was in handcuffs, she told the podcast host, "Everything is going to work out." Voltage Pictures Movie Channelling the notorious serial killer, the 'One Tree Hill' alum exudes his charms to win the trust of his victims before luring them into his car and killing them. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - The first full official trailer of "Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman" is here for viewing pleasure ahead of the film's release. Making its way out via ET Online, the chilling video sees Chad Michael Murray's transformation into the notorious serial killer. Hunting in seven states between 1974 and 1978, the real-life criminal was regarded as handsome and charismatic, traits that he exploited to win the trust of victims and society. The trailer offers a look at how his uses his charms to win the trust of his victims before luring them into his car and killing them. The trailer also hints at his freaky fetish as he is seen lying half naked while surrounded by mannequin limbs. Contradicting his portrayal as a serial killer, his mother says, "He was a good son," though admitting that her father disagreed with her. "My father used to say Teddy was conceived in hell," she recounts to two FBI agents. The movie focuses on the story of "the manhunt that brought [Ted] to justice" and "the detective and the FBI rookie who coined the phrase 'serial killer.' " FBI agent Kathleen McChesney (Holland Roden) says of Ted, "There's always that need that's left, desire for more. It's a never-ending cycle, like a serial." The trailer also captures her ambition to catch the elusive serial killer as she faces opposition from her superior who tells her to let it go. Summary for the film reads, "A specter roams the highways of a gritty 1970s America, his name is Ted Bundy. Hunting him are intrepid FBI agents Kathleen McChesney and Robert Ressler, organizers of the largest manhunt in history to apprehend America's most infamous serial killer." Also starring in the true-crime film are horror icon Lin Shaye as Ted's mother, Louise Bundy, and Greer Grammer ("Awkward") as Florida State University student and survivor Cheryl Thomas. The film is written and directed by Daniel Farrands. "Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman" will be released in theaters one night only, August 16, and on demand September 3. Instagram Celebrity According to his brother Mark Valentine, the conservative radio host 'has stabilized' amid his coronavirus battle as his 'kidney function is fine, HR and BP are good as well.' Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Phil Valentine is continuing to fight for his life against COVID-19. The conservative radio host, who previously expressed skepticism about the coronavirus vaccine, is in "critical but stable" condition as he remains hospitalized with the deadly virus. Offering an update on his recent condition in the hospital was his brother Mark Valentine. "Phil has stabilized, kidney function is fine, HR & BP are good as well. Condition is critical but stable," he wrote on his Facebook page Sunday, August 1. He then asked people for their prayers, adding, "Keep the prayers coming please!" A day earlier, Mark shared that Phil "had another good night." Sharing more details, the brother of the SuperTalk 99.7 WTN broadcaster wrote, "His condition is critical but stable. All of his vital signs are great and the vent is doing its job. We get more optimistic each day." On Friday, July 30, Mark revealed that Phil needed to "be on an ECMO machine." In a Facebook post, he penned, "Phil made it through the nite. He needs to be on an ECMO machine which is lung part of a heart/lung machine." He further explained that his family tried to "get him to a hospital with that equipment via helicopter." "The protocol requires he be able to be on his back for several hours which I didn't think he could dobut he did!" Mark added. "We're checking bed availability now and if he is a candidate for transport. It ain't over." Previously, Phil wrote on his blog about his skepticism towards the deadly virus and vaccines. "What are my odds of getting COVID? They're pretty low," he insisted. "What are my odds of dying from COVID if I do get it? Probably way less than 1%." He went on to point out, "I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I'm just using common sense." Last week, his family members said that Phil regretted not being a vaccine advocate and was battling COVID pneumonia, though he had not been placed on a ventilator. The radio host currently wants others to take their jabs. Amazon Studios TV In a press release, Amazon shares that the upcoming series, which has yet to be officially named, will be available to stream in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - More details about Amazon's ambitious "The Lord of the Rings" TV project are here. On Monday, August 2, the network announced that the original series based on J.R.R. Tolkien's books will premiere on September 2, 2022 on Amazon Prime. In addition, it has unveiled the first look at the upcoming series. In a press release, Amazon shared that the series, which has yet to be officially named, will be available to stream in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The network also revealed that the show will take a weekly episodic approach to "The Lord of the Rings". However, it's currently unknown how many new episodes they're planning to release each week. As for the first-look image, it features a beautiful scenery of the Middle-Earth. A character can be seen standing in the vast green field while donning a white long outfit. The person is looking over things beneath him as the sun is seemingly setting. "On September 2, 2022, a new journey begins," the series' official account on Instagram wrote alongside the new picture. According to its official plot synopsis, "the new epic drama brings to screens for the very first time J.R.R. Tolkien's fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. Beginning in a time of relative peace, thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings' books, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth." Of the project, Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said, "I can't express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth!" She continued, "Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life." Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay added, "As Bilbo says, 'Now I think I am quite ready to go on another journey.' Living and breathing Middle-earth these many months has been the adventure of a lifetime. We cannot wait for fans to have the chance to do so as well." Among the cast are Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh and Joseph Mawle. They will be joined by Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman and Sara Zwangobani. Instagram Celebrity The 29-year-old reality star, who shares daughter Kensie and son Saint with Thomas Ravenel, is currently fighting to regain joint custody of the two children. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kathryn Dennis managed to keep a positive attitude despite having her kids moving in with his ex Thomas Ravenel. The "Southern Charm" star, who is currently fighting to regain joint custody of daughter Kensie and son Saint, appeared to be in good spirits in her recent social media post. Making use of Instagram on Monday, August 2, the 29-year-old mom shared a selfie in which she flashed a pair of bronze necklaces. Alongside the snap, she wrote, "My necklace says Mama on the front, Kensie on one side and Saint on the other, with Inner Strength close to the heart #battlelessons." Fans have since shown their support for the reality star. "I hope you can get them back again for more time," one follower wished, before another added, "Kathryn definitely deserves to be with her kids as much as she wants after what she had to go thru." One day earlier, Kathryn's ex Thomas divulged that their daughter Kensie is staying at his house. Sharing a picture of the six-year-old girl sitting on a bench by the window, he raved, "So thrilled to have my daughter in our new home." He then let out one picture of Kensie and Saint sitting at a table with 2 other children and captioned it, "Kids starving after swimming most of the day." According to The Sun, Kathryn temporarily lost custody of the two kids back in March. A source told the outlet, "She has supervised visitation during the day Saturday and Sunday every other weekend." Kathryn previously lost full custody of her children in 2016 after failing a drug test. She then won joint custody after finishing a stint at a Los Angeles rehab facility. She is now in an effort to get it back after Thomas accused her of leaving "cocaine within grasp of the children" during a North Carolina trip. Kathryn and Thomas were dating on-and-off before finally calling it quits in 2016. Instagram Celebrity For the night event, the 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' wears a long, black silk frock while her beau looks dapper in a black suit and a rainbow-striped shirt. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Lena Dunham has made her romance with Luis Felber red carpet official. The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" actress and her boyfriend made their first public appearance as a couple during the "Zola" screening. The 35-year-old actress attended the Sundance Film Festival in London on Sunday, August 1. At the event, the "Girls" creator and her beau looked cozy as they posed for photos on the red carpet. At one point, the musician could be seen giving her a sweet kiss on the forehead. Meanwhile, in another photo, she stared lovingly at her beau with a big smile on her face. For the special occasion, the actress looked glam in a long, black silk frock with a satin purple purse. She also paired her look with sparkly heels for the night out. In the meantime, her 35-year-old plus one donned a black suit over his own pop of color with a rainbow-striped shirt. The actress first confirmed she was dating Luis, known professionally as Attawalpa, in June. At the time, she posted a series of photos of the couple on her Instagram account in honor of his birthday. "Feliz Cumpleanos Luis," Lena began her caption. She then wrote, "When I was 3 weeks old in downtown Manhattan, I had no idea a baby was being born in England (Winchester, no less!) who would rocket into my life -- wearing a lime green polar fleece snood -- and challenge so many of my beliefs about myself and the world with magical abandon." "Everyone who comes into contact with you -- creatively, emotionally, accidentally -- is lucky. But I am the luckiest, because that snood is now in our shared chest of drawers," Lena continued. She went on to conclude her sweet tribute with a quote from the Zombies song "This Will Be Our Year", writing, " 'The warmth of your love is like the warmth of the sun and this will be our year, took a long time to come.' Happy Birthday, Lulu." Instagram Celebrity The Baton Rouge spitter once again shows support for the North Carolina star, who landed in hot water for his homophobic comments about gay people and HIV/AIDS at Rolling Loud. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Boosie Badazz (Lil Boosie) has an unconditional support for fellow rapper DaBaby. The Baton Rouge spitter once again showed support for the North Carolina star, who landed in hot water for his homophobic comments about gay people and HIV/AIDS at Rolling Loud. "It's sad how y'all trying to force this gay stuff on the world," Boosie said in an Instagram Live on Monday, August 2. "How y'all trying to ban artists. It's sad bro. In ten years it ain't going to be normal for a kid to be straight." He went on to rant, "Y'all trying to force it on these kids bros. Push it on all the biggest artists. You attacking these kids bro. We're going to make all of them promote it and who gonna follow, the kids." As for DaBaby, the repercussion of his remarks only further cost him money as he was bumped from the upcoming Governors Ball and Day N Vegas line-ups. The "Rockstar" spitter's headlining slot at the Lollapalooza festival on Sunday, August 1 was yanked due to the controversial remarks. Additionally, organizers of the Governors Ball and Day V Vegas events had replaced him. In response to the double cancellation, DaBaby took to Instagram on Monday to issue another apology to the LGBTQ community. "Social Media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes," he wrote. "As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me - knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance - has been challenging." "I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources. That's what I needed and it was received," he added. "I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless." DaBaby sparked outrage after making offensive comments during his Rolling Loud set on Sunday, July 25. At the time, he said, "If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases, that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up Fellas, if you ain't sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up." Warner Bros. Pictures Movie Despite circulating rumors that the 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' actor is going to appear in the Ezra Miller-starring movie, he is not contractually obligated to reprise the role of Superman in any DC movies. Aug 3, 2021 AceShowbiz - Henry Cavill's fans may have to squash their hope of seeing the actor putting on Superman's cape again in a foreseeable future. Contrary to swirling rumors that said the British hunk would appear in "The Flash" solo movie, it is now said that he currently has no deal to reprise the role anywhere in the DC Extended Universe. On Monday, August 2, a Twitter user fuelled the speculation about Cavill possibly starring in the Ezra Miller-starring movie. "I'm going to feel like an a** if this doesn't pan out but two different people, both whom I trust, have sworn to me that Henry Cavill is in THE FLASH," so it reported. Another user claimed to have worked on the flick with both Superman and Batman on the set. "That's awesome," the user said. "A few weeks ago I did some work on the new Flash movie with Superman and Batman on set at the same time. Boyhood dream come true." The user, however, didn't specify whether it was Cavill who was under the Superman suit. Regardless, TheWrap reporter Umberto Gonzalez has ruled out Cavill's possible appearance in "The Flash" movie. Responding to the first person's tweet, he wrote, "He isn't going to be in The Flash and in fact doesn't currently have a deal to reprise Supes in any movie." Cavill last appeared as Superman in 2017's "Justice League" and Zack Snyder's version which was released in May of this year. In September 2018, there was rumor that Cavill had stepped down as Superman after negotiations surrounding a cameo in 2019's "Shazam!" fell apart due to a scheduling conflict. While there's currently no film with Cavill's Superman being greenlit, "The Witcher" star has expressed his interest to return as the Man of Steel onscreen. "I would absolutely love to play the character again," he said back in July 2020. As for "The Flash", it has been confirmed to feature Batman with Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck reportedly reprising their own versions of the Gotham hero. The movie is directed by Andy Muschietti and set for a November 4, 2022 release in the United States. HBO TV The filming of the HBO hit series took a toll on the Jon Snow depicter's mental health, prompting him to take a hiatus from acting after the show came to an end in 2019. Aug 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Filming "Game of Thrones" led to mental heath troubles for star Kit Harington, which prompted him to take a year off acting after it wrapped. Harington, who played fan favourite Jon Snow on the epic TV fantasy series, had to take a hiatus from work to "really concentrate" on himself after the show ended in May 2019. The actor told SiriusXM's "The Jess Cagle Show", the "nature" of the violent, intense drama "directly" affected his mental state. "I went through some mental health difficulties after (Game of) Thrones, and during the end of Thrones, to be honest," Kit shared. "I think it was directly due to the nature of the show and what I had been doing for years." The actor, who wed "Game of Thrones" co-star Rose Leslie in 2018 and welcomed their first child in early 2021, said he's "really happy" he took off an entire year to focus on his own well-being. However, his planned comeback did not go quite as expected. "Just when I was wanting to come back to work the pandemic hit," he explained. He was, however, able to film an episode of upcoming Amazon series "Modern Love", which is based on The New York Times' column of the same name. "You don't have to live in that intense place all the time," Harington said of the welcome change of pace. "Why don't you do something that takes the weight off? Why don't you do something fun?" In the episode, Kit plays a man who meets the girl of his dreams - played by Lucy Boynton - but their plan to reconnect two weeks later is derailed by the COVID lockdown. "Modern Love" season two debuts on 13 August (21) on the U.S. streaming site. WENN Celebrity The 'Bulletproof' actor has decided to give up his position at the production company, Unstoppable Film and TV, after he was hit with multiple misconduct allegations. Aug 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Noel Clarke has stepped down from his TV production company as he continues to experience the fallout of the sexual misconduct claims made against him. The actor and screenwriter was accused of multiple counts of sexual harassment in an expose published in The Guardian in April (21) with the alleged victims claiming they were subjected to inappropriate actions from Clarke, who they met in a professional capacity. Clarke strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Following the allegations against Clarke, his production company Unstoppable Film and TV's backer All3Media launched their own investigation, after which Clarke and Jason Maza - who ran the company with the actor - were apparently both suspended. A spokesperson for All3Media told Variety, "Noel Clarke has left Unstoppable Film and TV. Jason Maza has also left the company." After forming Unstoppable in 2007, the organisation produced over 10 movies, including "Brotherhood", "The Fight", and Sky's cop comedy "Bulletproof", which starred Clarke and Ashley Walters. According to Variety, many of the production staff at Unstoppable have moved onto other companies, and All3Media is "looking at the various projects that were in development at the London-based outfit, which could move to other companies in the portfolio." "It's likely that Unstoppable will be wound down," the insider added. Meanwhile, the fourth season of "Bulletproof" was canceled by Sky following the misconduct scandal. A final episode of his other TV drama "Viewpoint" was also yanked off by ITV. BBC additionally shelved an adaptation of Alex Wheatle's book "Crongton Knights" produced by the actor. On top of that, he was suspended by BAFTA weeks after he received the organisation's Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award at a ceremony on 10 April (21). Instagram Music The 'Kirk' rapper has been removed from two more major music events after previously losing performer slots at three U.S. festivals and another across the pond. Aug 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - DaBaby's homophobic comments have cost the rapper another two U.S. festival slots. The hitmaker has been yanked from the Austin City Limits and iHeartRadio festivals after insensitive comments he made about Aids and HIV sufferers at Rolling Loud Miami last month (Jul21). The rapper has now been dropped from five music festivals in the last three days - he was pulled from Sunday's (01Aug21) Lollapalooza bill hours before he was set to take the stage and he has since been dropped from the Day N Vegas and Governors Ball line-ups. Announcing their decision to cancel his slot on Twitter, ACL Festival officials wrote, "DaBaby will no longer be performing at Austin City Limits Music Festival." iHeartRadio Fest bosses have issued a statement to Rolling Stone, which reads, "DaBaby will no longer be performing at the iHeartRadio Music Festival Daytime Stage." The "Blame It on Baby" rapper issued a formal apology for his Rolling Loud Miami remarks on his Instagram account on Monday. It read, "I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless." At the festival on 25 July, he told the crowd, "If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up. Ladies, if your p**sy smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain't sucking d**k in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up." He has also been dropped from the U.K.'s Parklife festival. ***Editors note: Photos and video available upon request WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2021 The American Chemical Society (ACS) is proud to announce that Team USA earned two gold and two silver medals at the 53rd International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), held virtually from Japan. More than 300 students from 79 countries participated in this years competition. Team USA earned the following medals: Gold Medalists Qiyang Zhou, Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science, N.J. Yitian Zhu, Seven Lakes High School, Katy, Texas Silver Medalists Kien Phuong, Landon School, Bethesda, Md. Nikhil Seshadri, University City High School, San Diego Chemistry was a lot more than Id originally thought, remarked Seshadri. The more Ive learned about chemistry, the more Ive found that there is to learn, which has made me even more interested. With an understanding of chemistry, I can explain the natural world around me. Originally, Im from Vietnam, and since grade seven Ive had interest in chemistry, says Phuong. Back in high school in Vietnam, I was in the Olympiad there. When I moved to the U.S. in mid-August 2020, I set my target to participate again in the IChO program with ACS. Zhou says, My favorite part is organic chemistry because it is particularly interesting. Its an experimental science and designs new processes. Those new reactions are the epitome of human intelligence. The people around me are just so supportive. They would just do anything to help each other, says Zhu. There was no competitiveness among the team members. Whenever someone didnt know something, somebody else would be super enthusiastic to help out. I just love that sort of community. The U.S. team was supported by head mentor Joseph Houck, Ph.D., Penn State University in University Park, Pa.; high school mentor Esther Hines, Billerica Memorial High School, Billerica, Mass.; college mentor Laura Serbulea, Ph.D., University of Virginia; and peer mentors Anugrah Chemparathy and Edward Jin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ACS has sponsored the U.S. team annually since the nation joined the Olympiad in 1984. Principal funding is through the ACS Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Chemistry Olympiad Endowment, with additional support from other donors. For a complete list of donors, visit www.acs.org/olympiad. WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2021 The American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting a fun, educational Kids Zone event on Saturday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Everyone is invited to learn how chemists are catalysts for positive scientific and social change through the event theme, Chemists Catalyze Change. During a scheduled one-hour shift, attendees will: Watch a short interactive play called Choose that Catalyst. The audience will help the host choose the perfect catalyst to make a chemical reaction go, go, go. called Choose that Catalyst. The audience will help the host choose the perfect catalyst to make a chemical reaction go, go, go. Visit hands-on activity stations to participate in engaging science experiments. Learn all about chemical reactions with color-changing ultraviolet (UV) beads, loud Pop Rocks and bright glow sticks! to participate in engaging science experiments. Learn all about chemical reactions with color-changing ultraviolet (UV) beads, loud Pop Rocks and bright glow sticks! Interview scientists at the meet-a-chemist station and ask questions and more questions! Why and how did the chemists get where they are? What did they experience along the way? and ask questions and more questions! Why and how did the chemists get where they are? What did they experience along the way? Discover the importance of advocacy and learn about ACS advocacy efforts and about U.S. civics by playing trivia and voting for the best hands-on activity. and learn about ACS advocacy efforts and about U.S. civics by playing trivia and voting for the best hands-on activity. Walk away from the event with a giftbag, which includes ACS publication for kids, Celebrating Chemistry, as well as other fun and educational goodies. This Kids Zone day of exploration is a presidential outreach event for ACS Fall 2021, a meeting of chemists being held Aug. 22-26 in Atlanta. The event is co-hosted by the ACS Committee on Community Activities and ACS President H.N. Cheng, Ph.D. To promote the safety of everyone at ACS Fall 2021 and related events, including the ACS Kids Zone, ACS has developed an attendee safety plan that will follow the guidance and requirements of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia World Congress Center, as well as other local regulations regarding COVID-19 safety practices. Effective July 27, 2021, the CDC is now advising those vaccinated (either fully or partially) to wear face masks while indoors in public. As a result, ACS is now requiring all attendees (vaccinated and unvaccinated) at ACS Fall 2021 to wear a face mask while in the Georgia World Congress Center or while attending an ACS hosted/sponsored event or meeting. ACS may adjust its practices to account for changes in government health-related COVID-19 directives. Attendees should become familiar with the attendee safety plan, as well as the Georgia Aquarium safety measures prior to attending the ACS Kids Zone event and will need to sign the ACS Kids Zone attendee acknowledgment upon completing the required registration. SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. - Several different fires are burning in Siskiyou County's Klamath National Forest. The U.S. Forest Services has divided them into two areas, the River Complex and the Antelope Fire. The River Complex has burned a total of 20,783 acres and is at 3% containment. The largest fire in the complex is the Haypress Fire which is about 13,500 acres. Other fires are the Summer Fire, which is about 6,611 acres, and the Cronan Fire, which is about 662 acres. The Antelope Fire is around 34,479 acres with 0% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Overnight the U.S. Forest Service said flames were seen as large as 100 ft. and winds blew from the north and west. Firefighters are trying to protect structures in Tennant, Bray, Shasta Wood and other small communities. Here are the list of evacuation orders and warnings as of Tuesday: River Complex An evacuation order for the town of Cecilville and residents along Caribou. Rd. An evacuation order for Taylor Creek Rd. and surrounding areas, Summerville and Petersburg. An evacuation order is for the area south of McNeil Creek and west of the Siskiyou and Trinty county line. An evacuation warning fore surrounding areas of Cecilecille area: Godfried, Blue Ridge, Black Bear, Uncle Same Mine and Eddy Gulch Rd. An evacuation warning for Forks of Salmon and Sayers Bar areas. Antelope Fire Evacuation orders Round Valley Area (Butte Valley) including Long Prairie Rd, Old State Hwy and Robinson Rd. Bray area Tennant Antelope Creek near Tennant Mount Hebron Shasta Wood Duck Lake A temporary evacuation point (TEP) has been set up at the Dorris City Hall at 307 Main Street in Dorris. Click here to see the Siskiyou County evacuation map issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. If you are evacuated and need assistance or sheltering, please proceed to Dorris City Hall or call (530) 340-3539. COLUSA COUNTY, Calif. - The Colusa County Sheriffs Office released the identity of the four people killed in Sundays helicopter crash. The Sheriffs Office said 67-year-old William Vann, 60-year-old Marie Vann, 62-year-old Bobbie Keaton and 71-year-old Charle Wilson all died at the scene of the crash. RELATED: 4 dead after helicopter crash near Sacramento River in Colusa County William, Marie and Keaton were from Williams, Calif. And Wilson was from Rocklin, Calif. The Sheriffs Office said the cause of death is not determined and autopsies are pending. The crash was in the area of Highway 45 and Reservation Rd. around 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Chingari, Indias renowned Socio-Commerce App, celebrated its first anniversary with the Chingari family and other content creators through an exciting campaign #SaalEkChingariAnek. On the occasion, Chingari has launched its Official Chingari Anthem, to offer creators a unique chance to be part of its celebration by creating exciting videos and winning lakhs of Chingari Coins. Within a short span of one year, Chingari has made a strong mark owing to its unique ideation and concepts. The major reason for the platforms success is its zeal towards providing an independent stage for content creators. Thereby also promoting their passions and creativity through various contests organized over the past one year. Speaking on the occasion, Sumit Ghosh, CEO & Co-founder - Chingari App said, It has been a memorable one year since the inception of Chingari. We saw a rapid upward growth trajectory owing to the efforts of the team who have been instrumental in taking our insights forward and applying it in a way that could benefit the maximum Indian audience. We shall continue to provide a plethora of opportunities to the artists in the country and aim at becoming the voice of the creators who often struggle to get an unbiased platform. The long-term objective of the brand is to foster the growth of art professionals so that they can explore their maximum potential and gain from it. Chingari has gained great impetus within the industry owing to the trust that the brand has built amongst the audience and partnering entities. In the past one year, Chingari has collaborated with various brands and celebrities to expand its user base and open new opportunities for the users on its platform. The brand has also developed a learning platform for content creators where artists can learn from experienced professionals and sharpen their skills. It is through such path-breaking initiatives that Chingari has been able to develop a holistic growth environment for all independent artists and content creators alike. Speaking on future plans, Deepak Salvi, COO & Co-founder - Chingari said, Just like entrepreneurs and institutions invest in science, commerce and technology, similarly our aim is to invest in nurturing talent and those who create it. Past one year has helped us understand the psychology, demographics and audience perception around creative content and we aim at harnessing this data and information to further upgrade our strategies for creators across the country to benefit from them. The anthem Bann Chingari has been written by Creative Director Pranat Ghude, with a multilingual, millennial appeal and captures the essence of Bharat. The video spreads a vibrant canvas of authentic talents that form the Chingari culture. Through the anthem, Chingari aims at building an even stronger connection with the audience, eventually making them a part of this mega celebration. The anthem is also available on leading music streaming platforms. With the mega success of the platform, several public and private entities are looking forward to collaborating with Chingari, which only speaks volumes of the brands authenticity. This backed by regular technological innovations, Chingari aims to become Indias most widely used Socio-Commerce platform within the next few years. Grapes Digital, a digital-first marketing agency has announced its expansion by strengthening its first-ever team in Bangalore. The agency has currently closed in on a couple of key leadership roles. After witnessing a significant growth in its business revenue owing to the exponential rise in the digital landscape, the agency is planning to increase its headcount by hiring over 150+ employees across various roles this year, making a total count of 350. In the last few months, the company has been on an expansion phase and have added new members in both the offices, Delhi and Mumbai. All the new employees will work from home because of the COVID-19 situation. With the Bangalore expansion, the agency will expand its horizon into new and emerging business areas by creating newer possibilities to serve the ever-evolving need of clients. Speaking on the expansion, Himanshu Arya, Founder and CEO, Grapes Digital said, In the last few months, there has been a considerable increase in spending on digital marketing by brands, and we expect a 2x increase in our revenue by the end of the current financial year. With this expansion, our objective is to expand our client base and offer the best and innovative solutions to our clients. We have managed to build a strong presence in Delhi and Mumbai. Hence, the next crucial step to expand the companys base is to have our presence in Bangalore, the market caters to a host of start-ups and businesses in India. With this expansion, we will serve as a hub for the southern region as well. Been in the industry for more than a decade, the company has a diversified portfolio of more than 100+ brands and is serving some of Indias largest renowned clients such as Mankind Pharma, Hindware, Bajaj Finserv, Perfetti Van Melle, Daawat Basmati Rice, Relaxo, Cholayil, Eicher, Streax Professional, Bunge amongst others. With extensive experience in delivering quality and high-standard communication strategies, Grapes has built an enviable reputation in the industry. Powered with deep technical knowledge combined with extensive experience in Digital marketing, Grapes is equipped to service all clients with perfect communication advice as apt for their brands. The vision is clear, outperforming expectations at every possible stage. Publicis Sapient, the digital business transformation company, announced today the appointment of Arthur Filip in the newly created position of Chief Growth Officer, effective immediately. Based in New York, he will report to Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz. Arthur Filip will be responsible for accelerating how Publicis Sapient brings its full ecosystem, including industries, solutions, client leaders, delivery, marketing and alliance partners, to deliver greater value to the companys clients, maximize business opportunities and drive growth. In his role, he will lead the global sales ecosystem, business development and operations for Publicis Sapients new and existing clients as well as partner on clients of parent company Publicis Groupe, and will collaborate with teams across the organization to drive multi-disciplinary expansion. Arthur is a seasoned global leader with a growth record of over 30 years in the technology services and software industries. He is uniquely qualified to identify and unlock sources of value for our clients businesses and will build on our business momentum to further drive the global growth of the company, said Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz. As more businesses accelerate their digital business transformation, we will be even better positioned under Arthurs leadership to significantly impact our clients businesses in an agile and iterative way that meets their needs. Im thrilled to join a leading innovator like Publicis Sapient at this important time. Building digital capabilities is crucial to value creation, and Publicis Sapient has the right mix of strategy, product, experience, engineering and data to power companies digital business transformation journeys, said Arthur Filip. I look forward to working with Nigel, the leadership and our teams to drive our global expansion while helping companies around the world to develop the right capabilities to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Over the course of his 30-year career, Arthur Filip has built, led and grown teams and functions at HCL Technologies, Microsoft, HP, Oracle, Unisys and IBM. He combines strategic and operational experience in the global IT industry, has led teams through change while creating profitable growth and shareholder value and has deep experience optimizing people, processes and technology for the digital age. He joined Publicis Sapient from HCL Technologies, where he served as EVP, Global Head of Sales Transformation and Marketing. Under his leadership, HCL achieved industry records as the fastest-growing technology company over $5 billion in revenue and largest brand valuation gained over a five-year period. He is an advisor to leaders on big scale digital transformation, ecosystem growth and revolutionary change. He attended Boston Universitys Questrom School of Management. S4Capital launches its unitary brand by merging MediaMonks and MightyHive into Media.Monks, represented by a dynamic logo mark that features MightyHives iconic hexagon. The single brand emphasizes a shared heritage in creative content and roots in data&digital, while unifying a team of nearly 6,000 digital-first experts working as a single P&L across 57 talent hubs in 33 countries. As the operational brand, Media.Monks underpins S4Capitals agility, digital knowledge and efficiency and is the next step in delivering on its foundational promise to unify content, data&digital media and technology services. S4Capital plc (SFOR.L) will remain the financial brand, publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and deployed amongst investor, financial and banking stakeholders and in reports. GAMEXX Awards 2021 Stakeholders to share their learning & experiences on the gaming industry in India... - Thursday, August 12, 2021 - REGISTER NOW The traditional, analogue holding company model is over 70 years old, dating back to Marion Harper and IPG in the 1950s and cries out for disruptive change. Digital has altered the landscape permanently and brands need a different type of organization to execute and show up for their customers at every moment in the journeypurely digital, with data-driven creative and content, faster, better, cheaper, and with a single P&L, says Sir Martin Sorrell, S4Capital Executive Chairman. So far, S4Capital has brought together 24 companies that have each disrupted their industry in complementary ways, buying into our mission to create a new age/new era advertising and marketing services model and disrupting the old. Earlier this year, the company launched its API-inspired organizational structure, designed to ignite collaboration and fuel innovation by connecting its different types of teams: countries, core, client, categories, capabilities and corporate. The hexagon, previously representative of MightyHive, has been adapted to symbolize this structure and the six components it connects. A system for scale, the API combines disciplines globally to provide Media.Monks clients seamless access to subject matter experts, while creating ownable space for S4Capitals ambitious merger model and the entrepreneurs that join. The single brand was not a boardroom decision. It involved input from a broad range of teams and talent, and many of our founders, explains Media.Monks Co-Founder Wesley ter Haar. "For our people, this means theyre all colleagues and can build amazing careers across the globe and keep going and growing. For our clients, it means they keep the same team and the day-to-day they lovebut now have even simpler access to an amazingly deep pool of specialist talent. Consolidation is an engine to innovate and this makes it easier to help our clients show up better for theirs." The API is reflected in the new dynamic logo mark that activates a flexible brand framework in which "media" becomes a variable. Teams within the six operational components can personalize and express themselves within the framework using a new internal tool, Brand.Lab. The addition of the dot represents a point of connection between diverse talent with different experiences and expertise, and encourages freedom of expression through a malleable framework. Integrating the MightyHive hexagon into Media.Monks is a great representation of our unitary team, but even more so it reflects our operational model, says Media.Monks Co-Founder Chris Martin. Weve built a structure where our people have clear, ownable space, to represent themselves and the work they do, but without the traditional fights and frictions that are built into more traditional models. Hexagons are one of nature's ways of maximizing the properties of strength and space efficiently, and that's exactly what we're offering clients: the most efficient model to help them consolidate their efforts in content, data&digital media and technology services. Kenny Griffiths, Managing Director Data and Digital Media APAC, Media.Monks With Media.Monks, were doing something unlike anything the market has ever seen before, connecting the dots across the entire organization to operate as one single office. Both the dot and the hexagon align perfectly with who we are as a businesswhere we come from and where were headed. Our APAC team has a very strong focus on innovation, and its moving incredibly fast, so I can only imagine where this unitary approach will take us. Were ready to better serve clients with the flexibility of our new brand, changing how the work gets done as we always have. Michel de Rijk, CEO APAC, S4Capital With our new joint brand, Media.Monks, were unifying all our pillars under the same identity. Its how were bringing all our teams together, and how were introducing ourselves to the world as we keep challenging the industry with the entrepreneurial mindset that characterizes every single one of S4Capitals brands. Based on a unitary structure, our strategy will provide brands across all industries with the capability to adapt and deliver with speed-to-marketwhich is ultimately what the new era calls for. Together with the worlds most innovative and forward-thinking brands, Media.Monks will push the boundaries and transform the market through a model that grants 100% access to the best talent with flexibility and speed. Pioneers of the sleep-tech movement in the country as well as Asia's first and only grid based mattress makers, The Sleep Company, today introduced Bollywood megastar Anil Kapoor as its first-ever, official brand ambassador. With an aim to elevate the sleep experience of customers across the country, the D2C sleep solutions brand looks to amplify its national presence through a slew of digital campaigns which will be headlined by Mr. India himself. His dynamic personality and active lifestyle make him the perfect fit for The Sleep Company, who believe that the start to a healthy lifestyle begins with sound sleep. The Sleep Company has been pioneering innovation in the comfort and sleep solutions market, charting out a transformative path with sleep science at the core of its innovations. Building on that base of scientific invention, the company offers premium products that are based on its revolutionary, patented Super Stretchy SMART GRID. Through its availability in the digital marketplace (Amazon and Flipkart), the company has received a fair share of attention and success. However, with this association the brand now vies for a slice of India's mainstream market with heightened brand awareness and visibility for its SmartGRID technology. Speaking on the association Anil Kapoor, Ace Actor & Brand Ambassador, The Sleep Company, said, If the last year and a half has taught us anything it's that we need to take care of our physical and mental wellbeing, with sleep being critical to that self-care. It's important for me to be able to believe in a brand first, before endorsing it and The Sleep Company is one such brand that I have full confidence in. I am excited to be associated with the brand and as a customer first, I can, without a doubt say that their patented SmartGRID mattress is truly a Eureka moment in sleep and comfort solutions. Commenting on this exciting brand update, Priyanka Salot - Founder, The Sleep Company said, Having Anil Kapoor on board with The Sleep Company as brand ambassador is an absolute dream. His personality and lifestyle completely resonates with our product and we are thrilled to extend our relationship with him from customer to now, the face of the brand. Our products are targeted towards the conscious buyer, those who do not want to compromise on quality and look for something that adds value to their lives. With this association we hope to leverage his unique brand of fun, quirk and class to further amplify The Sleep Companys unique value proposition and technology. The association will begin with Anil Kapoor featuring in a slew of collaterals as well as ongoing digital campaigns. The Sleep Company will then go on to introduce the superstars distinct brand of charisma in a nationwide campaign, releasing this month. This announcement comes after the brands recent funding, which saw fresh capital of about INR 13.4 CR funneled into the startup, part of which will go towards investments in the brand. Zoomcar, the largest car sharing marketplace covering emerging markets today announced the launch of their operations in international markets. Zoomcar, which dominates the self-drive car rental market in India, has expanded to Southeast Asia and the Middle East and appointed country heads in Philippines and Egypt to help scale their business. As the Vice President & Country Head, Hany Olama will lead Zoomcars operations in Egypt. Prior to joining Zoomcar, Hany has held positions in some of the largest companies in the MENA region. He has worked in the Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, Retail, Software Development and Group buying industries with ArabyAds, Carrefour, Raya Electronics, Enlight and DarenDeal respectively. Gene Angelo Ferrer joins Zoomcar as the Vice President and Country Head for the companies expansion into the Philippines. Gene previously led Dostavistas, a Russian-based crowdsourced delivery platform, entry into the Philippines in 2018. Locally known in the Philippine market as MrSpeedy Gene grew the company exponentially with record setting year on year growth rates both on daily revenue and total deliveries per day. Gene and Hany come with over a decades experience and their expertise in start-up management will prove vital in establishing Zoomcar as the first-to-market car-sharing platform in Philippines and Egypt. Commenting on Zoomcars international expansion and appointment of new country heads Greg Moran, CEO & Co-Founder Zoomcar said, At Zoomcar, we have always been focused on personal mobility and this is the perfect time for us to expand internationally. Against the backdrop of Covid there are a lot of inherent tailwinds, which is really helping us capture more of the consumer mindset and gain market share. People want to get out and travel, they want to be social again. Places like Philippines and Egypt have low levels of vehicle ownership but large, upwardly mobile populations and its the perfect opportunity for us to leverage because theres simply no vehicle accessibility and affordability is a huge constraint. We are thrilled to welcome Hany and Gene as our new country heads and look forward to benefiting from their experience of scaling up aggressively and building synergistic partnerships contributing to our growth. Egypt and Philippines will be a benchmark for us to expand into other countries in Southeast Asia and MENA. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. After a 350-year-old Canadian fur trading company went bankrupt just as Wisconsin mink farmers were beginning their harvest, a Finnish competi Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean 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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 WASHINGTON White House press secretary Jennifer Psaki said Friday that there are early discussions about a range of options for new vaccine mandates or penalties for certain situations, such as domestic travelers and nursing home workers. She added that the administration has concern a LinkedIn has decided to join the Woke Movement. Recently, when I clicked on my profile, I was invited to identify my preferred pronouns. LinkedIn could not resist being excluded by the Big Tech family. For the most part, on the surface, they have maintained a presence without politics. Every so often, someone posts something political, but until the last year or so, people have stayed away from this arena, sticking to professional endeavors. Over the last few months, however, there has been an increase in pronoun use. Why? Who knows. The majority of people continue to use she/her/hers and he/him/his. Most of the time, you see this in the younger generation, but now a few of the Boomers have joined the ranks, especially the mental health professionals. As a therapist, I have an inside look at the culture, and what it reveals is not promising. There does not seem to be any reversal in the ensuing devolution of sanity. This past week, even my liberal clients questioned some of the latest actions and behaviors on display. One very left-leaning individual wondered about the reason for changing the language of something because the word no longer appeals to the masses. Another client who is more centrist shared how a relative who married someone (that is, someone of the opposite sex) now identifies as someone of the same sex. This relative announced to her followers on social media that they would be "unfriended" if they supported a particular conservative organization. A very liberal client talked about the activities occurring at the client's temporary place of employment. A few adolescent girls are taking hormones to "transition" in their desire to become male. Another young female insisted that she be identified with specific pronouns one day, emphasizing they could change another day. Finally, two other teens indicated they do not wish to go by their female first names, choosing more "gender-neutral" or masculine names. This client verbalized confusion about the idea of "nonbinary," neither male nor female. Sitting with several Gen Zs, I heard about friends of one particular client who either "transitioned" from female to male, being a "he/him/his" or is "trans," preferring "they, them." The trans individual will be undergoing "top" surgery, no longer referred to as a mastectomy. The individual who informed me of these activities does not seem to be fazed by this. Like one of my Millennials, another college-aged client informed me that she identifies as "queer," not gay. Initially, she said she was not sure she was gay. As I told her and the Millennial, in my day, queer was considered derogatory, but I understood that it was resurrected and used as a positive connotation. Both validated that. About a month ago, the same college student told me she no longer identified as a woman even though she preferred everything feminine. She now sees herself as "gender expansive," which falls under "gender fluid" and is the asterisk in the LGBTQIA+* label. This young woman is now a "they" and is most upset with her parents, who hope her same-sex orientation is only a phase. I try to use humor with clients about the pronouns and identifications, reminding them that I am not young, and ask for forgiveness if I forget. All of them laugh because they know I accept them for who they are. With that said, I come away from these particular sessions bewildered, wondering if and when this movement will change direction. My clients on the right who have a sense of how I view the world are extremely upset about this and the country's overall state. Unfortunately, the left-leaning individuals have not expressed any discontent other than what I mentioned. Honestly, I believe that many are unaware of the extent to which this is happening. They stubbornly cling to their beliefs with no signs of surrender. You hope the younger ones will begin to see the truth as many of us did long ago. I am not sure. I continue to have friends in their sixties and seventies who view the world as these young people do. I have lost one long-term friend because she could not tolerate my beliefs. Another friend is obsessed with race, does not like the police, and sees innumerable flaws in our great nation. Since retiring, she has become increasingly obsessed with all of this. Jesse Watters is correct. This insanity consumes white liberal women because they are unhappy with other aspects of their lives. I would add especially Baby Boomer women. For both young and older liberals, Donald Trump remains the devil incarnate. The frenetic, hyper-partisan media continue to feed false information. One of my older clients claimed that her relative was "Trumpian" because the relative refused to get the COVID vaccine. I reminded her that Trump did receive the vaccine. A young college student referenced a friend who hates Trump and was angry at another friend who voted for a third party. This young man was confused about her anger, indicating that the mutual friend was not wearing a MAGA hat and didn't want to suppress the women's vote. The left has done a masterful job distorting the truth. Although some parents are pushing back because of CRT, this revolt is not enough. I do not know the answer for halting this "long march through the institutions." With LinkedIn joining the rest of Big Tech, there appears to be no remittance to this madness. Outside my therapy practice, I try to share information that would, at the very least, pique someone's curiosity. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but I will end on a positive note. Some of my Millennial clients and children of my Boomer clients recognize the truth. Also, when seeing young people from Turning Point USA and Campus Reform express their love of our country, I become more optimistic. Hopefully, they will help save our nation from the folly of the left. We shall see. Image via Pxhere. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. When Donald Trump won the Presidency in 2016, it was a rude awakening for Democrats. It was time for the Democrats to humbly look inward regarding the reasons they lost the working class and middle America. The Democrats urgently needed to embark on a course of rectification, lest they became politically irrelevant. How did the Democrats react in reality? Like the jilted lover who cannot accept rejection, they refused to concede that the public had voted against them. They were unequivocal that the fault was not theirs or that of their policies. The voter was called a bigot. Finally, they launched their most audacious disinformation campaign of Trump-Russia Collusion. There was not an iota of evidence, but it was endorsed by almost every Democrat and rogue intelligence personnel, and it passed through the cacophonous echo chambers of the news media. Democrat bomb-throwers such as Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell tried to outdo each other as they made preposterous claims such as calling Trump a Russian agent who reported to Putin. Republicans, members of Trump's Cabinet, and pro-Trump voices in the media were shamed into repeating this blatant falsehood of Russian interference. It caused the appointment of a special counsel, Robert Mueller. The media gleefully carried spurious news from "sources" that the Mueller team had discovered ironclad evidence of collusion. The process cost the taxpayers $32 million and over two years of grave uncertainty. It has to be remembered that the Republicans controlled the House, the Senate, and the White House at that time. The Democrats continued with their myriad blatant malicious falsehoods about President Trump all through his tenure and did so without much challenge. COVID was weaponized to destroy the Trump economy through lockdowns and alter voting behavior that made fraud easier during the presidential elections in 2020. Say what you will about the Democrats, but it is undeniable that they are fanatics which causes them to possess the killer instinct. They hunt down their opponent in a coordinated manner and are devoid of compassion or shame as they spout blatant falsehoods about their target. It has been almost six months since Biden started occupying the White House. It is an understatement to say the Harris-Biden administration has been an unmitigated disaster. The Harris-Biden administration has been marred by scandals and several instances of misgovernance, such as these: Hunter Biden profited in the order of millions from foreign adversaries when Joe Biden was vice president and continues to do so now that he is president. He has been accused of consuming drugs and racist language. The investigation of the Capitol Hill "insurrection" and confronting "White Supremacy" is being used as an excuse to silence, demean, and destroy all political opposition. There are indications that citizens may be mandated to get the COVID vaccine despite being skeptical and mask up despite being fully vaccinated. There are also indications that COVID restrictions may be reimposed without much scientific basis. The border chaos has caused a mass exodus of illegal aliens, many of whom are COVID-positive. These individuals are being surreptitiously transported to the interiors of America. Big Tech continues to silence opposing voices a serious threat to the First Amendment. How did Republicans react to all this? Some of them merely do not react at all. Some appeared on Fox News to viciously condemn Biden and the Democrats with every epithet available in their lexicon. Some played to the galleries during Senate and congressional hearings to have "testy" exchanges as they question the adversary. Some gleefully crossed the aisle and concurred with the Democrats. But beyond the amateur theatrics, precious little was actually done to prevent or correct the many missteps of the Biden administration. Hunter Biden's illicit involvements in Ukraine and China, and his art scandal, easily merited the appointment of a special counsel. It is essential to investigate Biden's blatant conflict of interest and to know Biden is compromised or is susceptible to blackmail. But Republicans were silent, despite facts being on their side. If challenged, they will claim that Democrats control Congress, the Senate, and the White House. It has to be remembered that in 2016, the Democrats were in an identical position but managed to wreak havoc. The consequence of this inaction from the Republicans is that the Democrats and the Biden-Harris administration function like dictators. Their allies in the media function as their P.R. agencies. During the G7 meeting conducted recently, French premier Emmanuel Macron inadvertently called Joe Biden a part of the club before the cameras. The "club" is the root cause of inaction from the Republicans. The "club" is a glib term for the political establishment, headquartered in Washington, with branches all over the world. Members of this "club" include government officials, diplomats, personnel from the leadership in the armed forces and intelligence services, members of the media, showbiz, and academics. Members of this "club" subscribe to groupthink. This groupthink is the source of all the talking points mouthed by Democrats and their confederates in the media. The "club" controls the narrative of politics through America. Anybody such as Donald Trump who dares to challenge the status quo of the "club" is treated with extreme ferocity. The "club" ensures that its members live in luxury. The "club" funds the political campaigns of its members. If any member were to lose elections, the "club" ensures that the members get lucrative jobs as lobbyists and media pundits. The "club" helps family members secure positions in prestigious universities and places of employment. The club specializes in legalized corruption. The leadership of the "club" comprises mostly uber-liberal Democrats, who are master practitioners in the art of hypocrisy. The "club" has ceaseless contempt for the working class, middle America, conservatives, and Republicans and is particularly incensed by Trump supporters. Owing to the myriad benefits of the "club," everybody in Washington, including Republicans, often finds himself desperate to be accepted. Most Republicans fear vicious attacks from the "club," so they subscribe to Democrat talking points such as global warming, identity politics, and Russian interference in the U.S. elections. They even support BLM. The Republicans have devised a smart strategy to placate both the "club" and their voter base. They put on a performance on TV or during hearings that makes them appear to be passionate advocates for their voters. For the voting public, watching a clip of their representative or senator excoriating a "club" member is conflated with action being taken. Perhaps these Republicans have a tacit understanding with the "club." They will put on a show for their voters but do exactly what the "club" desires, for which they will be handsomely rewarded. The trick is to offer the voter an illusion that they are different. An ineffective ally is worse than a sworn enemy because the enemy is doing what is expected. But by being a bystander, the putative ally allows nefarious acts to occur. It is essential that conservative media hold the Republicans accountable for the inaction. As voters, it is time for you to wake up and not fall for the charade. Judge candidates by their actions and not by their words. Primary out all the pretenders, and get brave, confident, and ideologically committed candidates in their place. Voting the same people back in will cause no change. The Republicans may win the House and the Senate, but the "club" will be running the show. Image via Max Pixel. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Sometimes art imitates life and sometimes life imitates art. Today we are living the latterand its called The Terminator. Little did we know when we first watched Arnold utter Ill be back in 1984 that we were watching our real future. For those who dont remember, Terminator was set in 1984 Los Angeles when a cyborg is sent back from 2029 to kill Sarah Connor. The premise is that at some point Skynet, an artificial intelligence defense system, had gained self-awareness and launched a nuclear war in its effort to destroy civilization and the humans who built it. John Connor was leading the resistance against Skynet and was nearing victory. In a last-ditch attempt to win, Skynet sent the Terminator, a cyborg, back in time to kill Sarah Connor before her son, John, could be born. The resistance sent back Kyle Reese, their best soldier, to try to save Sarah. While the names may have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent and while we may not be in 1984, make no mistake, we are very much in the throes of the apocalypse that Linda Hamilton was facing as she drove off into the sunset. Our Skynet is called Silicon Valley and it is comrade to the American left. Unlike Skynet, which gained self-awareness, Silicon Valley is full of people who seem to have no self-awareness at all. They proffer ideas that normal people recognize as ludicrous e.g., men can give birth, America is systemically racist, and defunding police leads to safer streets -- yet they think they are correct about everything. Just look at the world they exist in. The Bay Area is overrun with homelessness, with drug addicts literally sprawled out on the sidewalks; the streets are covered with human feces and hypodermic needles; violence is raging out of control; and so many criminals shoplift with impunity in full view of employees and cameras that national chains and Mom & Pop shops alike are having to close their doors because theyre losing so much money. Whats more, their calls for defunding the police persist, despite extraordinary spikes in violence. The left is anything but self-aware. They push insane policies that lead to societys literal destruction and still somehow believe they are standing up for the oppressed. They claim that America is racist when, in fact, the United States may be the least racist nation on the planet. Of course, none of this would matter if Silicon Valley were today just the sleepy erstwhile farmland it was when Hewlett & Packard launched their company in 1939, or even as late as 1976 when Apple was launched. But Silicon Valley is no longer that tranquil, serene suburb. Rather, it has become the hub of our Skynet. Silicon Valley, between social media, information hosting, and communications, has gained a stranglehold on virtually every American citizen. Privacy no longer exists. Free exchange of ideas no longer exists. Opinions that differ from the approved script are no longer allowed and are banned from the public square. Silicon Valley, in general, and social media, in particular, have set Americans against one another every bit as much as Skynet set humans against one another via nuclear war. The truth is that social media is even more insidious than Skynet. At least with nuclear war, you understand the enemy is indeed an enemy and you recognize that mortal danger that lies ahead. Social media creates enemies where there used to be friendship, it creates victim-oppressor relationships where none exist, and it provides tools for groups to attack individuals with unapproved ideas and do so both online and off, usually with impunity. Like Skynet, which started out as a useful tool to game out various scenarios and ended up bastardizing itself into a tool to conduct actual war, social media started out as a useful tool to connect with friends and ended up as a tool that allowed citizens to go to war against one another. In addition to turning people against one another, the other aspect of The Terminator that rings far too true in 2021 America is historys erasure. The Terminator went back in history to try to eliminate Sarah Connor in order to stop John Connor from ever existing. In a similar way, social media, BLM, Antifa, and the Democrats writ large are actively erasing American history. First, it was statues of Confederate generals, then it was the Founding Fathers, followed in short order by Aunt Jemima and Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Seuss. Half of history is erased and the other half is rewritten. No longer was America born in 1776, but rather 1619. No longer was America founded on freedom, but instead on slavery. America was never a land of opportunity, but a land of oppression. The last, and perhaps most disturbing element of The Terminator documentary is the fact that Skynet never gave up. Although the movie ended with the cyborg crushed to death in a press, we all know that that was not the real end of the story. Not only did the cyborg survive, but Skynet kept sending newer and better assassins to kill Sarah or John or somehow destroy the past to prevent the future. Donald Trump is our John Connor and his tenure in the White House was the perfect demonstration of this unbridled attack machine: Four years of the Russia hoax, even after it was proven demonstrably false Kids in Cages Suckers and losers Good people on both sides Trumps a racist Trumps a sexist Trump hates immigrants Trumps a fascist Obstruction of justice Not to mention the impeachment. And when all that fails, our American Skynets blatantly stole an election under the cover of night and now attack as White Supremacists the people who point out the theft. And then another impeachment! The left was and is simply relentless. Like Skynet, leftists literally never, ever give up. Even when you think they are defeated, when you win the highest office in the land, they find novel ways to thwart your victory. If you get elected on the platform of building a wall, they engage a dozen different ways to thwart it. When one element of the Skynet swamp is eliminated, three more immediately arrive to take its place. At the end of the day, Silicon Valley, the Media, and the Democrat party are what Skynet was: An existential threat to civilization and everything we hold dear. A threat to common sense, rational thought, individual freedom, the Constitution, and most of all, the Republic. America has been the bulwark against tyranny in the world for almost a century. When our Skynet succeeds in eliminating the United States, the entire world will be less safe and, eventually, civilization will collapse just as it did when 2029s Skynet launched its war. Reeses characterization of Skynet couldnt be more accurate today: Listen and understand. That terminator is out there. It cant be bargained with. It cant be reasoned with. It doesnt feel pity, or remorse, or fear, and it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you are dead. That is the future we are facing. Unless Americans can figure out how to stop it. IMAGE: Silicon Valley panel sign by Daniel Benavides (edited by Andrea Widburg). CC BY 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. It's mask theatre time again, as the latest attempt to panic the public into accepting limits on our freedom and an experimental gene therapy gathers steam. In countless locations, Americans are being hectored to wear face masks, and don't you dare point out that most of them are useless in preventing the transmission of microscopic droplets of the COVID virus. How is Nancy Pelosi supposed to be able to color-coordinate her outfits with an N94 mask, after all? But Democrats and nearly all the media go along with the charade, even when it is blatantly obvious none of them believes that the masks are effective. Consider the case of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Yesterday, she was there in front of the U.S. Capitol, demonstrating with a densely packed crowd to demand an extension of the eviction moratorium on tenants who don't pay their rent. Until she knew she was going to be photographed, she was perfectly okay with being unmasked in the midst of the crowd. But when she thought the cameras were about to roll, she hastily put on a mask. A video of the entire scene is embedded below, but this sequence of three screen grab pictures captures the utter artificiality of her dedication to masking. Gee, it's fun demanding free stuff! Oh, we're going to be photographed? Well, let's fool the dummies into thinking masks work. Delta variant is going to kill us all unless we mask up and submit to an experimental drug! She really does think her supporters are that stupid. And she's right. Here is the entire video: Hat tip: Breitbart. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. A recent front-page headline in my local paper read as follows: "County bordering on high virus transmission rate." A doctor with a large regional health system was concerned that the COVID-19 transmission rate had increased by 37% in one week and stated, "A transmission rate above 5% from the prior week is very scary." It seems useful to provide some context regarding numbers such as these, considering all the numbers being thrown around regarding COVID-19, the apparent push to create a panic over the delta variant of COVID-19, the obvious push for everyone to get vaccinated, and the fact that the United States is ranked so poorly in math and science. The first number to be considered is the 37% increase. It certainly looked pretty bad, but percentages do not always provide an accurate picture. The county-wide cases went from 11 to 15 during the week in question, an increase of four cases. So a 37% increase does not seem to be all that concerning, given a population of over 91,000 people. According to the doctor's statement that a transmission rate above 5% is scary, the next thing considered was what it would take to get to that level. Going from 11 cases to 11.55 cases, something not even physically possible, would put the county in the "scary" range. Looking at something that is actually possible, going from 11 cases to 12 cases generates a 9% increase. So an increase of a single COVID-19 case would put my county well into the scary range, according to the doctor. Percentages do not always tell the entire story. Let's look at how underlying numbers and percentages work together. It is reported that COVID-19 cases have gone up 200%. Should you be concerned? Going from 1 case to 3 cases is a 200% increase and is insignificant. On the other hand, going from 1,000,000 cases to 3,000,000 cases is also a 200% increase and has more significant implications. It is also worth noting that applying an increase of two cases to the 1,000,000 cases, as was done in going from 1 case to 3 cases, results in a 0.0002% increase. Consider the situation where reported COVID-19 cases go up 100% and then decrease by 50%. Do you feel that things are better or worse than they were at the starting point? Let's look at the numbers, picking 10,000 cases to start with. The number of cases increases by 100%, which brings the total to 20,000. Next, cases drop by 50%, which puts the total cases at 10,000 again. So a 100% increase is comparable to a 50% decrease, and the order of their occurrence is not important. How do your feelings after seeing the underlying numbers compare with how you felt when just seeing the percentages? Something else to take away from this example is that as things improve, you are likely going to see smaller percentages reported for case decreases than were reported for case increases. Consider looking at the underlying numbers to determine where things really stand. I have no idea what motivated the doctor quoted in my local paper to present the information the way he did. What I do know is we can sometimes be unjustifiably optimistic or pessimistic by accepting information at face value when it is relatively easy and quick to dig just a bit deeper, whether that information involves COVID-19, taxes, finances, or a variety of other meaningful areas. Image: Marco Verch. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. In just six months, Biden's destroyed jobs, presided over a 30% increase in gas prices, made America energy-dependent again, unleashed transgender madness, and aimed aggressive racial attacks against Whites. The worst thing he's done, however, was to open the southern border, destroying American sovereignty and violating federal immigration law. Finally, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) had the courage to say, albeit delicately, that Biden and his Homeland Security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, need to be impeached. When Biden took the oath of office, he swore that he would "faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Under Art. I of the Constitution, Congress has the sole authority to enact the laws of the United States and, if it decides to do so, to rescind them. The president's responsibility is limited to enforcing the laws to the best of his ability. Depending on available resources and the political temperature of the time, he may put more energy into enforcing one law than another. What the president cannot do is blatantly violate a law. By doing so, he exceeds his power under the Constitution, and, rather than protecting and defending it, he tramples it and puts American citizens at great risk. In this case, Biden has blatantly overthrown America's immigration laws. There's not even a pretense now that the people streaming in from all over Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East are "refugees." The administration deliberately dumps these alien invaders in communities across America regardless of whether they're infected with dangerous diseases, or are cartel members, sex-traffickers, people being trafficked, rapists, or terrorists. The Constitution, in Art. II, Section 4, states that "[t]he President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Allowing a foreign invasion of one's country easily comes within the category of Treason, and violating the entire immigration code slots right into the category of "high Crimes." Finally, six months into a crime spree that would make any convicted felon jealous, Chip Roy took a small step toward impeachment. It began with a Twitter thread: A thread by Chip Roy THREAD: PRELIMINARY JULY BORDER NUMBERS (USBP only, subject to increase) Total encounters: 205,029 Total known gotaways: 37,400 1.3 million for FY 21 so far Largest monthly encounter number since 2000. Total is bigger than every full-year total since FY21 Breakdown below: RGV Sector Encounters - 81,034 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 5,219 Del Rio Sector Encounters- 34,553 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 9,737 El Paso Sector Encounters- 20,736 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 4,203 Tucson Sector Encounters- 18,960 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 9,792 San Diego Sector Encounters- 16,094 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 4,053 Yuma Sector Encounters- 15,095 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 682 Laredo Sector Encounters- 9,177 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 1,383 El Centro Sector Encounters- 5,565 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 942 Big Bend Sector Encounters- 3,815 Got Aways (known/recorded)- 1,389 Now, take that and factor this in: CBP agents and officers have seized more than 8,500lbs of fentanyl during the first 9 months of FY21 That's not only an increase of 234% year over year It's enough to kill everyone in America five times over, (since 2mg can be fatal) Add in the fact that we know that cartels and coyotes use and "recycle" children to abuse our asylum system Add in the fact that we know that cartels are making millions per day in human and sex trafficking off this administration It's only going to get worse with this crisis Add in that vaccinated Americans are being forced to mask up while people with COVID are being dumped in places like La Joya, TX Add in that thousands of CBP employees have tested positive & at least 33 have died from COVID because @POTUS & @VP aren't enforcing Title 42 And while House Dems are obviously complicit in this monstrosity, remember that @RepHerrell and I introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on this OVER THREE MONTHS AGO. Yet only 149 House Republicans have signed it where are the other 60+? (clerk.house.gov/DischargePetit) It's time to draw a line in the sand, for the sake of our country, our communities, our kids, and those who seek to come here. Its time to impeach @SecMayorkas for failing to uphold immigration law, enforce Title 42, and secure our border. We demand a secure border and safe neighborhoods. It's our country. These are our terms. While Roy spoke of impeaching Mayorkas, it was Jesse Kelly who responded to the thread by saying that Biden too deserves to be impeached: What Joe Biden is doing at our border is impeachable. Its more impeachable than Watergate. This is an attack on the sovereignty of America and its coming from the Oval Office. Republicans should move to impeach after 2022. https://t.co/g9S0wbpaGa Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) August 2, 2021 Roy agreed: A hashtag is not a ringing endorsement or loud cry for impeachment. However, considering how cowed Republicans are (I assume it's because of the way Democrats have spun January 6 as an "insurrection" rather than the same type of scuffle in which Democrats routinely engage), this is a start. I would add that Kamala Harris, as border czar, needs to be impeached, too. The fact that she did nothing to stem the flow makes her equally culpable. Image: Drone reveals thousands of illegal aliens under a bridge in Texas. Twitter screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. I bet most people don't know the name of a woman who was beheaded last week in Minnesota or that of the killer. She was a Cuban immigrant, and her name is America Thayer. He was out on bail for arson and is a serial domestic abuser. His name is Alexis Saborit. Why wasn't he in jail? Of course, many journalists and other Democrats pretend that some arsonists are mostly peaceful. Maybe if she had a different skin pigmentation, or if the murder weapon were a gun instead of a machete, and the killer had been a white cop instead of a known criminal, there would have been more coverage and people would know their names. America Thayer beheaded latest Alexis Saborit arrested in Shakopee, Minnesota after video of 'bloody body' shared Disturbing footage circulating online appeared to show the moment America Thayer, 55, was dragged from her car and attacked before her body was left on the pavement in Shakopee, Minneapolis, on Wednesday. Police said Alexis Saborit, 42, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree murder after her grisly death as officers recovered a large knife in an alley near the scene. Alexis Saborit, the man accused of beheading a Minnesota woman earlier this week, had a history of domestic abuse, records show. California Democrats have caused shoplifting to skyrocket since they decriminalized thefts under $950. Now these same people pretend they will solve the problem by going after organized shoplifters. Unorganized shoplifters will still be above the law. Governor Newsom, joined by SFPD chief, signs bill targeting rampant organized retail theft Does anyone believe that these shoplifters are otherwise law-abiding citizens? The Biden administration, along with sanctuary cities and states, decides not to enforce immigration laws that Congress has passed and in a huge surprise, illegal immigration has soared along with gun-running, drug-running, and human-smuggling. The cartels are very happy with the results. Murder charges were dropped in St. Louis because the district attorney forgot to replace a prosecutor who was out on maternity leave and no one showed up in court. I wonder why St. Louis has a crime problem. Judge drops murder charges after no show of prosecutor from St. Louis Circuit Attorneys office St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is under fire after a judge drops murder charges against an accused killer. The unusual move came after the prosecutor from Gardners office, who was assigned the case, didn't show up to court. Judge Jason Sengheiser wrote a scathing order dropping the murder charges. The accused killer, Brandon Campbell, was released from jail and is still at large. The judge noted in his order that the prosecutor who was assigned to the case was on maternity leave for three months and said the office hadnt replaced her. Democrats, including Joe Biden, support cashless bail systems, where criminals essentially go in and out of jail at will. The violent protesters in radical leftist groups were constantly set free, no matter how many buildings and how much public property they destroyed and no matter how many cops they injured. How often do we see murders and other violent crimes committed by career criminals? Some Experts Warn That Joe Bidens Cashless Bail Policy Is A Prescription For More Anarchy As rioters and looters have turned many American cities into mob turf, ostensibly to express their outrage at the criminal justice system and law enforcement, Joe Biden and the Democrats cashless bail policy has already added fuel to the infernos in places like Minneapolis and New York. Minneapolis, New York, L.A., and other Democrat cities cut their police budget as they repeat the talking points that white cops are racist. Most journalists and other Democrats supported these actions and talking points against the police. The defunding is unpopular in polls, so Biden and others call Republicans liars when they say Democrats supported defunding. Facts don't matter. Spokespuppet Psaki and others even claimed that it was Republicans who defunded police because they didn't vote for the $1.9-trillion slush fund that said nothing about police funding. Biden: Republicans who say Democrats want to defund the police are lying There are many investigations of the Capitol riot on January 6 where four died of natural causes and an unarmed veteran was killed by a cop, but Democrats in Congress decide they need to showcase this with a partisan commission. Meanwhile, over 600,000 people have died from COVID in the last eighteen months, and Democrats won't even show up for a hearing to determine the origin. The supposedly unbiased, independent A.G. Merrick Garland just issued an order for the IRS to turn over tax records of former president Trump to Democrats for another investigation. The Democrats are clearly more interested in their power, destroying Trump, and the next elections than they are about 600,000 Americans dying, Fauci lying about taxpayer funding getting to the Wuhan lab, the massive Biden family corruption, the deadly, destructive riots by radical leftists, or that the Biden administration refuses to abide by its oath to enforce immigration laws Congress passed. When the public sees any piece of propaganda put out that claims that either the Obama or Biden Justice Department operates independently from the White House, they should just admit that the supposed journalists are just as delusional as Biden himself? This article by Jennifer Rubin is a prime example. Biden has reestablished the separation between the White House and Justice Department. Good. Here are some suggestions for Democrats if they truly cared about decreasing criminal activity. Start enforcing the border and get rid of lawless sanctuary cities and states. Keep career criminals in jail. Go after the gangs. The police and politicians know who they are and where they are, so why are they operating so openly and violently? Stop giving common thieves a pass. They destroy society. Their thefts cause prices to go up and jobs to be destroyed. This especially harms the poor and middle class whom Democrats pretend to care about. It creates retail deserts. Stop the constant verbal attacks on police. It demoralizes them and causes them not to be able to do their jobs to protect us. Why haven't social media outlets stopped the hate speech against police since they claim that is what they do? How many deaths from fentanyl should be attributed to Obama for his disastrous, deplorable, dictatorial order to the FBI to let terrorist drug-runners be above the law to appease Iran, which continues to pledge death to America? Why don't journalists care about what Obama did when they feign concern about fentanyl deaths by overdose or suicide? To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Parts of Chicago no longer are governed by the rule of law. In place of ordered civilization, criminal gangs operate with impunity, the residents living in a state of terror, afraid to tell the police anything that would aid in capturing the criminals. The true exercise of power is in the hands of those who would be called warlords in other contexts, but (at least for now) the term is too harsh for most ears. The Chicago Sun-Times has produced a stunning story capturing the extent of lawlessness today, with both granular detail and an overview. After describing one mass shooting: About two hours after the shots rang out, an alarming dispatch pierced through police radio: Another mass shooting had just rocked the Marquette Park neighborhood, roughly six miles away. Three alleged gang members had sprayed bullets at a crowd hanging out in the 6200 block of South Artesian Avenue, enjoying the summer night. Twelve people were hit, among them Nyoka Bowie, 37, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to her chest. Like Grimes and many other victims of mass shootings defined by the Sun-Times and some researchers as incidents in which four or more people are wounded she apparently was not the intended target. In both cases, there was a large number of witnesses and surviving victims, yet no arrests have been made. That is all too common in Chicago, where police say they do not prioritize the cases despite the especially harsh toll such shootings have on a community. Only one person has been charged in any of the at least 39 mass shootings so far this year, according to a Sun-Times analysis of city data and court records. That amounts to charges in just 2% of this year's mass shootings far below the police department's dismal 13% clearance rate for shootings overall, which is the lowest of any big city in the nation. Going back to 2016, the alleged shooters have been charged in just 21 of at least 212 mass shooting incidents or less than 10% of the cases, the Sun-Times analysis found. Just two men have been convicted in those attacks, which through Friday night have wounded 1,032 people, 126 of them fatally, records show. Two of the other 21 people who have been charged were ultimately found not guilty, while another suspected shooter had his case dropped, records show. Almost a daily occurrence (YouTube screen grab). President Trump announced a "surge" of federal agents into Chicago in the summer of 2020, which offer was derided by local authorities: Under no circumstances will I allow Donald Trumps troops to come to Chicago and terrorize our residents. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 21, 2020 It doesn't seem to have done much good. Naturally, once control of some areas is lost, the anarchy spreads. CWB Chicago: Armed hijackers physically pulled two people from their Audi A6 near the Magnificent Mile on Sunday morning and sped away with the victims' car, police said. The victims were not injured, but no arrests have been made. One offender walked up to the vehicle on Ontario between State and Michigan around 6:20 a.m. and ordered a 20-year-old man to get out at gunpoint, Officer Steve Rusanov said. Then, another hijacker pulled a 54-year-old man and a 22-year-old man out of the car. The carjackers were last seen heading west on Ontario with the Audi, which bears Indiana plates that begin with BOM. The offender who pulled the victims from the car is described as a Black male who wore red headphones. No other descriptions were available. As of July 24, the city recorded 880 carjackings this year. That's up from 577 during the same period in 2019. We are watching the premier city of our nation's heartland devolve into something not just third-world, but pre-civilization. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. There's an old saying: he who pays the piper calls the tune. In England, doctors, nurses, and hospitals get their paychecks from the government. That's all that matters to them, rather than the fact that it's the British people who pay the taxes that fund those paychecks. With their loyalty to the British government that writes their checks, rather than to the public that funds those checks, a gaggle of nurses earnestly told a pregnant mother that she had no rights to her baby once he was born and he was getting a COVID test, or the British version of Child Protective Services would be all over that family. This is what Democrats want for you. Summit News explains what's happening, which is otherwise a little confusing because the people are talking over each other and the mom and dad have strong Cockney accents: A video out of the UK shows NHS nurses demanding to COVID test a newborn baby, claiming it's not the mother's property once outside the womb and then threatening to report her to social services for refusing. The shocking video, which was posted to Twitter, shows a heavily pregnant mother in a hospital bed being lectured by nurses about how it's mandatory for the baby to be given a COVID test immediately after birth. "It is my property," states the mother, to which one of the nurses responds, "so you willwhile the baby's in your abdomen." "So you're saying once the baby comes out it's not my property no more, yes it is, I gave birth to it, it's got my blood running through it," the mother asserts. The mother, who apparently is close to giving birth, is getting more and more upset. The nurses, instead of offering an explanation for the policy, empathy, or even sympathy, continue to insist that the baby is getting tested whether the mother likes it or not. This is a peculiar stance, given that "most newborns who test positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover," although "serious cases have occurred." Since January 4, 2020, here in the U.S., only 124 children in the entire 04 age group have died, although it's unclear whether they died with or from COVID, and how many were newborn infants. Every child's death is a tragedy, but that's 124 children out of roughly 23.6 million children 5 and under (in percent form, 0.0005% died). The baby's father eventually says they're leaving the hospital, at which point the nurses make the ultimate threat: the parents' objections are going to be documented and passed along to the "safeguarding team," which is their version of Child Protective Services. I have issues with Child Protective Services (CPS). Although I never had a run-in with them, I've known several loving parents who found themselves embroiled with CPS for infractions such as taking a blow dryer away from a teenage girl using it over a sink full of water; punishing a boy by giving him water, instead of milk, for one lunch; and struggling with a child suffering from night terrors. In each case, CPS instantly conceded that the parents' action was not wrong and in each case, CPS nevertheless dogged and second-guessed these parents for years. Worse, the children learned that they could get anything they wanted from their parents by threatening to call CPS and they taught their school friends that cool trick, too. Meanwhile, a friend fought his local CPS for years to recover a child from a mother who was drug-addicted and prostituted herself, often taking the child with her to bars to pick up business. CPS refused to act because of the bias in favor of mothers. (In that jurisdiction, the rule was, if she aborts, no problem; if she abuses, also no problem.) But most importantly, if you put yourself within the National Health Service, you have no rights. They can kill you if you're old, and when you bring your children in, you have no say over them. Much the same is true in Democrat enclaves all over America, where abortions and birth control pills are freely available to tweens and teens without parental knowledge or consent. The thing to remember is that the state does not love you. As long as the state has money, it will keep its promises to care for you as was the case in Europe, when America took care of its defense costs during the Cold War, leaving European nations more money to fund their medical care. However, the moment the money starts running out, the state does not have an incentive to be efficient, inventive, or courageous. Its only interest is in keeping its paychecks going, and to heck with you. If you doubt me, look at the teachers' unions across America the moment COVID hit our shores. They've destroyed children's education and, often, their emotional health, without ever having a break in their paychecks. Their priority is not your children. I have spoken to a representative for the family involved and reached out with an offer of an uncensored interview. I await response. Dissent Media (Official Account) (@DisabledJourno) July 28, 2021 Image: Babies in nursery cribs. Internet meme. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-561-7737 Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* Anniston, AL (36206) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. (ANSA) - ROME, AUG 3 - The government's reform of Italy's criminal justice system survived two confidence votes in the Lower House on Monday. The reform aimed at speeding up the system caused considerable tension within Premier Mario Draghi's coalition before a compromise was reached at a cabinet meeting last week. The reform, drafted by Justice Minister Marta Cartabia, sets limits on the time it can take to rule on first appeals and on cases at the supreme court. It effectively waters down a reform passed by Alfonso Bonafede, a 5-Star Movement (M5S) lawmaker who was the justice minister in ex-premier Giuseppe Conte's two coalition governments from June 2018 until the start of this year. Bonafede's reform puts the statue of limitations on hold after the first-instance ruling in order to stop criminals getting off because their cases get timed out due to the slowness of the legal system. The judiciary's self-governing body, the CSM, said a huge number of cases would end up being shelved if the Cartabia reform had been is approved in its original form. The M5S demanded changes to the reform to stop this happening, which led to a compromise in which crimes regarding the mafia, terrorism, sexual violence and criminal association are handled under a different regime. Speeding up Italy's notoriously slow judicial system is necessary, among other things, because the granting of EU COVID Recovery Plan funds is conditional upon it. In an interview in Monday's edition of La Stampa, M5S leader Conte had promised that the movement's lawmakers would be united in voting in favour in the confidence votes. The bill is set to be approved by the House with a final vote later on Tuesday. (ANSA). ROME - Anti-terrorism prosecutors are set to investigate last weekend's hacker attack on the Lazio Region's IT systems. Among other things, the region's COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been hit by the attack, which was launched on Sunday from abroad, sources said. The attack has stopped bookings for jabs. Regional Health Chief Alessio D'Amato said Tuesday that vaccine bookings should resume "within 72 hours". Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti said Monday that the region that Rome belongs to was the victim of a "terrorist" hacker attack on its IT systems. "At the moment we are defending our community from these attacks of a terrorist nature," Zingaretti told a press conference. "Lazio is the victim of a criminal offensive, the most serious that has ever occurred on the (Italian) national territory. "The attacks are still taking place. The situation is very serious". D'Amato said the attack would not stop people being issued with the Green Pass vaccine passport after jabs. Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese is set to report to parliamentary security committee COPASIR on this case on Tuesday. A European Commission spokesperson said Tuesday that the EU executive saw the hacker attack on the Lazio region's IT systems, which has disrupted its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as a major problem. "We saw the news of the cyber-attacks on the health portal and vaccination network of the Lazio region," the spokesperson said. "The European Commission is taking the issue very seriously. "We are making efforts to guarantee a resilient online space that is safe from hacker attacks. "The European Commission is intervening in various ways to guarantee cybersecurity". The spokesperson said hacker attacks had increased recently in the health sector. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has expressed concern that the growth of Covid-19 infections in the region could trigger a domino effect with catastrophic health, social and economic consequences, unless vaccinations are stepped up and protective measures are strengthened. In a statement, IFRC said Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia reported the greatest number of new cases in the past weeks, with Tunisia reporting the greatest increase in new reported deaths. "Concerns for the future are mounting as variants continue to spread, health systems are on the verge of collapse and the vaccination rates in the Middle East and North Africa region continue to lag dangerously behind," it said. "Leaving countries behind on vaccines will only serve to prolong the pandemic, not just in the region, but globally," said Dr. Haytham Qosa, head of IFRC's MENA health unit. "Many countries are facing other vulnerabilities, including conflict, natural disasters, water shortages, displacement, and other disease outbreaks. This makes people even more vulnerable to the devastating impacts of Covid-19. This alone should be a reason enough for global solidarity to ensure equitable vaccine access in the region. At a global level, vaccine equity is key to reducing the likelihood of variants and saving lives by limiting the spread of the virus. This is the only way we can truly end this pandemic," he said. The Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been on the frontline of the Covid-19 response since the outset. "Despite lofty rhetoric about global solidarity in terms of vaccine equity, there is a deadly gap in the global plan to equitably distribute Covid-19 vaccines," IFRC said. "Only 10 doses per 100 people have been administered in many countries, including Libya, Algeria, Egypt, and Iraq. In Syria and Yemen, there has been less than one dose per 100 people," IFRC said. "The new waves of the pandemic remind us that the battle against it is unfortunately not yet over," said Hosam Faysal, head of IFRC's MENA disasters, climate and crises unit. MADRID - Spain saw a historic drop in its unemployment rate in July, with 197,841 fewer people registered in July (-5.47% compared to the previous month), a monthly reduction never seen before. At the same time, the number of those actively enrolled in public social security system rose to almost 19.6 million, nearly to the level seen in February 2020 prior to the pandemic. About 331,000 people are receiving redundancy payments. The drop in unemployment - which was particularly prominent in the services sector, where there were 133,000 fewer unemployed people - hit a record for the third consecutive month. The figures reveal some recovery in economic activity following a first quarter in 2021 marked by Covid and severe restrictions in many parts of Spain. Spanish daily El Pais said July is traditionally a positive month for the labour market due to the increase in tourism. Autumn employment indicators will show whether this positive trend consolidates. Greece: wildfire near Athens, highway closed 104 firefighters working with helicopters and planes (ANSAmed) - ROME, 03 AGO - A new forest fire broke out Tuesday at the foot of Partnitha, 30 km north of Athens, forcing local authorities to close, as a precaution, part of the highway that connects the Greek capital to the country's north and south, firefighters said. A total of 104 firefighters, 35 trucks, five helicopters and four planes mobilised in Varympompi, where residents were invited to stay on alert while dozens of children were evacuated from a nearby summer camp. Since last week, Greece has been experiencing its worst heat wave of the past 30 years, with temperatures that could reach 43 degrees in some regions. Last weekend, 3,000 acres went up in smoke in the Peloponnese, while another wildfire on the island of Rhodes has been devastating a forest since Sunday, with firefighters struggling to contain it. (ANSAmed). Israel: forest in flames near Jerusalem Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway closed to traffic (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 03 AGO - Large wildfires broke out Tuesday in some forests west of Jerusalem, as Israel faces a heatwave that began Monday. In the town of Shoresh, residents of some streets were ordered to evacuate as flames neared the first houses. Highway 1 between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is closed to traffic. No victims have been reported thus far. Firefighters are on the scene and are being assisted by firefighting aircraft. (ANSAmed). Lebanon: MSF says 50% live on less than 1 USD/day One year after explosion at Beirut port (ANSAmed) - ROME, 03 AGO - Teams from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Lebanon are witnessing a growing need for humanitarian aid, one year after the explosion at the port of Beirut. In a statement on Tuesday, MSF said half of the Lebanese population is now living in extreme poverty on less than one dollar per day, with many unable to afford food and medicine. One year after the Beirut explosion people's need for medical and psychological support is still enormous, but for many people a doctor visit has become a luxury due to the cost of private healthcare. "The health system in Lebanon is highly privatised so more and more people cannot afford medication or to see a doctor," said Hammoud al-Shall, MSF assistant project coordinator. "People have to decide whether to spend their money on food or medicine. The prices of both are up to five times what they used to be." MSF began working in Lebanon in 1976 and has been in the country continuously since 2008. It currently provides free medical assistance to the most vulnerable people in 10 different cities throughout the country. Assistance includes: support for mental, sexual and reproductive health, pediatric health, non-communicable diseases and vaccinations. With a team of over 600 people, MSF conducts about 150,000 consultations each year across Lebanon. (ANSAmed). MARSEILLES - The ship Ocean Viking, in an "unsustainable situation" with 555 people aboard, asked to be assigned a safe port for landing, according to the NGO SOS Mediterranee. "We asked all the competent authorities: Malta, Tunisia, Libya, and today, Italy," the NGO said. It said Malta responded no, and Libya and Tunisia didn't respond. More than 700 migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean aboard makeshift boats were rescued at the weekend during operations carried out by the Ocean Viking and ships with the German NGOs Sea-Watch and ResQship. "The situation aboard is unsustainable," said a spokesperson with SOS Mediterranee. "Many are suffering from seasickness. Some fainted on deck due to the heat and the ordeal they've lived through," tweeted a medical team leader with the NGO. (ANSAmed). Spain: Italian and French police in the field in Granada Initiative for tourist safety in Europe extended (ANSAmed) - MADRID, 03 AGO - Italian police will work together with their Spanish and French colleagues for the first time to conduct patrols along the main streets of Granada, the tourist gem in southern Spain, said Spanish media on Tuesday. The service is part of an initiative launched several years ago by various European countries, with the aim of making their own citizens feel safer while traveling abroad thanks to the presence of police from other nations together with local officers. Italy and Spain have been working together for years on this front. Granada, together with Madrid, Benidorm and Tenerife island are the tourist destinations where Italian state police conduct patrols during the summer months. Starting 16 August, a French colleague will join the patrols in Granada. The officers will be recognisable by their uniforms. (ANSAmed). Israel urges EU to not participate in Raisi inauguration Says servility towards violent regimes encourages aggressions (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 03 AGO - The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement that the European Union's decision to send its diplomat Enrique Mora on Thursday to the inauguration ceremony of new Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, "leaves us appalled and shows poor judgment". It called on the EU to "cancel its shameful participation in the ceremony of the 'butcher of Tehran'". In the statement, Israel noted that the inauguration is taking place "just days after Iran killed two civilians, one of them a member of an EU country, in a terrorist attack launched against a civilian ship". Israel was referring to the attack on the oil tanker "Mercer Street", whom many attributed to Iran, in which a British and a Romanian citizen were killed. "The new president of Iran has his hands soaked in the blood of thousands of Iranian citizens," the statement said. "Flattery and servility towards violent and totalitarian regimes only serve to encourage new violence and aggression," the Israeli foreign ministry said in the statement. (ANSAmed). The retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who is leading a review of the 2020 presidential election says a very thorough examination of the election is warranted, but the purpose of the investigation is not to overturn the results Tearful and proud family members watched on as Team GB ruled the waves in Tokyo with sailors scooping double Olympic gold medal glory on Tuesday. Giles Scott won gold in the mens Finn class, Britains sixth successive title in the event, shortly after fellow sailors Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell narrowly claimed first in the mens 49er. There were tears and jubilant scenes at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, as Bithells parents Vivian and Leslie watched the pair take the final turn in second but then edge over the finish line in front. The pair went into the final medal race, where double points are awarded, in second, four points behind New Zealands Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, but victory for Fletcher and Bithell and third for New Zealand saw them claim the title. Viv Bithell, 68, told the PA news agency: Its been really exciting and we are absolutely delighted whats happened. Weve spoken to him on Facetime and hes absolutely beaming and cant believe it, he said himself its not sunk in yet, so theres going to be some celebrations going on in the next week or so. Fletchers mother Jane spoke of the agonising wait to see her son in action, after the race was postponed 24 hours due to low wind. She told Good Morning Britain: We were in the shaking position yesterday morning and then we had to stop shaking and then start shaking again this morning. I havent stopped! Ive been blubbing all over the place, its amazing. And Bithells partner Katherine Kimber cracked open the champagne to celebrate at Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole, Dorset, telling Good Morning Britain: It was just so tense right into the last second, it was just amazing to watch. Meanwhile, Scott finished fourth in his medal race to end the event on 45 points overall, just three points ahead of second place in a nail-biting finish. Giles Scott defended his Rio 2016 title (Bernat Armangue/AP) The 34-year-old retained the title he won at Rio 2016, finishing ahead of Hungarys Zsombor Berecz and Spains Joan Cardona Mendez. Scott, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, said: I made it by the skin of my teeth, it was properly to the wire, it was really tight. I tried to stay relaxed but Ive never been involved in a boat race as close as that. Scotts father John described his pride as he and his wife Ros watched on at the National Sailing Academy in Weymouth, Dorset. Im afraid I was up at 2.30am, I couldnt sleep but fortunately there was plenty on the telly, so I was watching all the sport, getting ready for this ride, the 69-year-old told PA. Im proud for him as much Im proud of him hes shown his mettle by coming back into this boat, and after a really rocky first day, showing why he was defending Olympic champion. The couple spoke to their son via video call after his victory, when Mr Scott said his son told him Im relieved to see I didnt give you a heart attack. The wins at Japans Enoshima Yacht Harbour took Britains gold medal haul to 13. Great Britains Anna Burnet and John Gimson compete during the mixed Nacra 17 medal race at the 2020 (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) There was also a silver for Olympic debutants John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the mixed Nacra 17 class, who finished in fifth in the medal race to stay in second place behind Italians Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti. Burnets mother Louise Burnet, from Shandon, Gare Loch, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, said she was completely over the moon after the awesome result. Mrs Burnet told PA: We would never ever have dreamed of this happening. Im a very proud mum. Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the display on the water as a brilliant performance. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Elsewhere, Great Britain struck silver in the velodrome, with cyclist Jason Kenny equalling Sir Bradley Wiggins record medal tally of eight. He missed the first of his three chances to move clear of Sir Chris Hoys Olympic gold medal tally as Team GB came second in the mens team sprint, while his wife Laura Kenny and the womens team pursuit squad also had to settle for silver. And there was another medal in the pool as Harrogates Jack Laugher, 26, bagged the third Olympic medal of his diving career with bronze in the mens 3m springboard final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. A convicted terrorist shot dead by police after going on a high street stabbing rampage signalled his intention to commit jihad and kill the Queen before he was released from prison, an inquest heard. Sudesh Amman, 20, was killed by undercover police on Streatham High Road in south London on February 2 2020 after stealing a knife and injuring members of the public at random during a broad daylight attack lasting 62 seconds. Amman, jailed for 40 months for preparing and engaging in acts of terrorism, was automatically released from prison with a parole hearing 10 days before the atrocity despite pleas from the police to keep him locked up due to concerning intelligence about him. On Tuesday, inquest jurors at the Royal Courts of Justice heard that Ammans behaviour became increasingly violent while serving time in Belmarsh prison, and he shared extremist views including the desire to join the so-called Islamic State (IS) and kill the Queen. Sudesh Amman walking from his bail hostel to Streatham High Road, where he carried out his terror attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) Jurors were shown a prisoner report on Amman which described: A young Asian prisoner who is in for terrorism has been shouting different things on the wings such as this place is full of non-believers and everyone here will come under the black flag (of IS). He also shared extreme views including a desire to kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber and join Isis, the inquest heard. Jonathan Hough QC, referring to monitored phone calls made by Amman from Belmarsh, said the Coventry-born terrorist had become angry and agitated with his mother and claimed prison officers were racist. In another call, he said: I was a bad person, Im not going to lie to you, I still am a bad person but Allah will forgive me, you know Im a bad person. A note found in his prison cell also contained an apparent pledge to so-called Islamic State. Sudesh Amman running along Streatham High Road as he stabbed passers by (Metropolitan Police/PA) Mr Hough said interrogation of Ammans computer following his original arrest in May 2018 also found internet references to knives, guns and potential attacks. A folder on Ammans computer named Chemistry included videos and instruction manuals such as one described as: How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mum. A notebook found in Ammans bedroom listed what were believed to be his Goals for life, which included paradise and jihad. The inquest also heard how Amman went on holiday with a friends family in March 2018 during which he was seen reading a book about paradise. He also had a conversation with the friends mother about fighting in Syria, something the woman tried to discourage his interest in. Amman was staying in a probation hostel in Streatham following his release from prison on January 23. Police were aware he had bought items used to create a fake suicide belt, which he was wearing during the atrocity, two days before he struck. The inquest continues. A convicted terrorist shot dead by police after going on a high street stabbing rampage signalled his intention to commit jihad and kill the Queen before he was released from prison, an inquest has heard. Sudesh Amman, 20, was killed by undercover police on Streatham High Road in south London on February 2 2020 after stealing a knife and injuring members of the public at random during a broad daylight attack lasting 62 seconds. Police decided against arresting Amman two days earlier, it emerged on Tuesday, despite calling an urgent meeting with MI5 to discuss him buying items later used to fashion a fake suicide belt he wore during the atrocity. While in Belmarsh prison, Amman was also said to have revelled in his perceived notoriety, and was said to have mixed with other high-profile terror offenders including the brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi. Amman had been jailed for 40 months for preparing and engaging in acts of terrorism, but was automatically released into the community 10 days before the attack despite pleas from the police to keep him locked up due to the concerning intelligence about him. Sudesh Amman walks from his bail hostel to Streatham High Road, where he carried out his terror attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) On Tuesday, inquest jurors at the Royal Courts of Justice heard that Ammans behaviour became increasingly violent while serving time in Belmarsh prison, and he shared extremist views including the desire to join so-called Islamic State (IS) and kill the Queen. There was evidence that Amman maintained an interest in carrying out an attack, while excerpts from two Extremist Risk Guidance (ERG) assessments also highlighted his potential risk to the public upon release. An intelligence report described him as an impressionable young man who appears to crave status, and he was said to have tried to convert fellow inmates to Islam. Prison governor Jenny Louis described how Amman repeatedly sought to disengage with custody staff amid concern about his mixing with others. He also found it quite exciting to be deemed a Category A prisoner, she said. Ms Louis told the inquest: I think its very rare that you have somebody who disengages so openly whilst in custody. Jurors were shown a prisoner report on Amman which said: A young Asian prisoner who is in for terrorism has been shouting different things on the wings such as this place is full of non-believers and everyone here will come under the black flag (of IS). He also shared extreme views including a desire to kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber and join Isis, the inquest heard. Jonathan Hough QC, referring to monitored phone calls made by Amman from Belmarsh, said the Coventry-born terrorist had become angry and agitated with his mother and claimed prison officers were racist. Sudesh Amman buying items from Poundland on January 31 2020 which he used in his fake suicide belt (Metropolitan Police/PA) In another call, he said: I was a bad person, Im not going to lie to you, I still am a bad person but Allah will forgive me, you know Im a bad person. Detective Chief Inspector Luke Williams, from the Metropolitan Police, told inquest jurors that Amman appeared proud to have been the youngest terrorist offender at Belmarsh (and) didnt seem remorseful. Intelligence shared with police by prison authorities in October 2019 also suggested he was involved in radicalising other inmates at Belmarsh. A list of names involved with Amman, shown to jurors, included terror plotter Hashem Abedi, who conspired with his brother Salman, who detonated a suicide bomb in May 2017, killing 22 people. Sudesh Amman running along Streatham High Road as he stabbed passers-by (Metropolitan Police/PA) The inquest also heard that a note found in Ammans prison cell contained an apparent pledge to IS. Mr Hough said interrogation of Ammans computer following his original arrest in May 2018 found internet references to knives, guns and potential attacks. A folder on Ammans computer named Chemistry included videos and instruction manuals such as one described as: How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mum. A notebook found in Ammans bedroom listed what were believed to be his Goals for life, which included paradise and jihad. The inquest also heard how Amman went on holiday with a friends family in March 2018 during which he was seen reading a book about paradise. He also had a conversation with the friends mother about fighting in Syria, something the woman tried to discourage his interest in. Amman was staying in a probation hostel in Streatham following his release from prison on January 23. Police were aware he had bought items from Poundland on January 31 which were later used to create a fake suicide belt he wore during the attack. But they said the decision was not made to arrest him because no offences were deemed to have been committed. The inquest was adjourned until Wednesday. The family of silver medal-winning weightlifter Emily Campbell said her success will inspire others as they praised the community support which helped her to train. Emily Campbell was crowned Britains first female medallist in weightlifting after lifting 161kg in the clean-and-jerk a new British record to come second in the womens +87kg category. The family live in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, and Campbells mother, Lynda, said the local market gave money towards her training, free fruit and vegetables and even repaired her Olympic weightlifting shoes free of charge. All these little things added up and took some of the pressure off Emily, and off me and her dad, she told the PA news agency. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Mrs Campbell, who took bottles of bubbly to the market for them to celebrate Emilys win, said locals were wearing stickers that read Ey up Emily and some had even called for a permanent monument in the market in her honour. She added: She is so passionate about the sport and wants to give back to the local community and now she has raised herself to an international level she will be looking further afield and wanting to inspire young people all over the world. Campbells sister, Kelsie, a swimmer who currently competes for Jamaica, said her sisters win will push her to try to compete at the next Commonwealth Games and Olympics. She inspires me, she told PA. The past year with the pandemic it has been really tough on all athletes to find creative ways to carry on training. Emily Campbell with her silver medal (PA) For me it has made me realise, OK I have got an Olympic silver medallist sister now, I need to sort my act out and get myself on the next plane to the Olympics. Their mother added: Emily knows 100% that right from her being a little girl, our goal was investment in her, and then when Kelsie arrived it was investment in them both. We would have moved heaven and earth to give them what they needed to achieve their dreams. Weightlifting lost its UK Sport funding in the wake of the Rio Olympics in 2016 but there is hope Campbells win will increase support. British Weightlifting will now nominate athletes, including Campbell, for extra funding from UK Sport. British Weightliftings head of performance and Tokyo team leader, Stu Martin, said: Its hard to put into words how special it is for the sport, from losing funding four years ago to having someone like Emily fall into our laps. Emily Campbell during the +87 kg weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan (PA) He added: Hopefully, there will be some more funding now. Weve had some support through the aspiration fund and we now have a great group of young girls with potential who are hopefully feeling incredibly inspired by what theyve seen. Kelsie Campbell has also experienced similar funding issues and her parents have often had to fund her flights to international competitions. I think thats also a common problem in sport, I think thats a big reason why a lot of people dont carry on the sport after 18, because at that point, youre not in school any more and you cannot earn a living off sport without some help, she said. Being successful in sport is all relative, for one person the goal may be Olympic champion for another it might be reaching a national final, so I would say to anyone, follow your dreams and you can find a way to make it happen. Not impressed! Malia White is not happy with Lexi Wilsons apology following their altercation on season 6 of Below Deck Mediterranean. Read article The TV personality, 31, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, July 28, that Lexi, 29, didnt appear to be completely sincere when she spoke to the Lady Michelle crew about her breakdown, which played out during the July 26 episode of the Bravo series. I think she was kind of like, Yeah, whatever. I dont remember. Im sorry. Like, everyone get over it, Malia recalled. We were like, How do you not remember? You were saying some, like, pretty intense stuff, you know? So, I dont think it was as sincere as we wanted it to be, but I think for her, thats the best we were going to get. Below Deck Meds Malia Didnt Like Lexis Apology Its Best Well Get Fans saw Lexi get into multiple arguments on the July 26 episode, beginning with her and Malias tiff at a restaurant with Malia while they were docked in Croatia. They had some words while discussing the check and later argued in their room back on the yacht. The stewardess, who has been vocal about her burn list and was drinking that night, then joined some of their shipmates in the hot tub and things got even more tense. At one point, Lexi went to the galley and yelled at Mzi Zee Dempers, eventually shoving her. Malia told Us on Wednesday that Lexi has yet to reach out to her after their fight aired on Bravo. Read article The story with Lexi isnt done, so youll get to see, you know, what else happens and what we go through with Lexi, she teased. But I think whats happened has happened with Lexi and shes just kind of done with it and thats fair. The bosun noted that she has mixed feelings on whether Lexi should have been fired for her actions. Thats a tough one because I do think we should give second chances, Malia said. Everyone has a drunken night that they regret, and this being her first one, I think thats something we can look past. If the behavior or, like, physically pushing someone keeps up, then I would say she should be fired. When all is said and done, Malia thinks Captain Sandy Yawn handled the situation the best she could. [The] captain generally does like to give the crew second chances. And, you know, she was going through a lot at the time and none of the crew were like, Ah, get rid of her! the Florida native recalled. No one was so deeply hurt by what she did that they needed her off the boat. I think we all were willing to say, Weve had bad nights. Lets have a new start. Malia also reacted to Matthew Shea quitting for a second time on the current season Below Deck Med, which happened the same night as Lexis drama. Read article Most of the time on a boat, if you quit, youre done. I think in this case, again, it was a drunken night and he immediately came back and was so apologetic, she told Us. He instantly went up to everyone and was like, Guys, my bad, Im sorry, its my fault. Let me make it up to you guys. So I think because he did that we were more receptive to having him back. Malia noted that Matts apology did feel sincere, adding that she would work with him again. When it comes to Lexi, however, she admitted she wouldnt work with her again by choice. Below Deck Mediterranean airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. With reporting by Mandie DeCamp By Jan Wolfe (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump will challenge a recent U.S. Justice Department order that his tax returns should be turned over to a House of Representatives committee, one of his personal lawyers signaled on Monday. "There is no evidence of any wrongdoing here and I object to the release of the returns not only on behalf of my client but on behalf of all future holders of the Office of the President of the United States," said Trump lawyer Ronald Fischetti in a statement. "This politicization and harassment of Mr. Trump is uncalled for and outrageous," Fischetti said, adding that he had "never seen anything like this" in his career as a lawyer. The Justice Department on Friday ordered the Internal Revenue Service to hand over Trump's tax returns to a House committee, saying the panel has offered "sufficient reasons" for requesting the material. House Democrats have said they need Trump's tax returns to see if the IRS is properly auditing presidential tax returns in general and to assess whether new legislation is needed. The order marked a reversal for the Justice Department. In 2019, when Trump was still in office, the department's Office of Legal Counsel declared that the request for his taxes by the Democratic-led House Ways and Means Committee was based on a "disingenuous" objective aimed at exposing them to the public. Unlike other recent presidents, Trump did not publicly disclose his tax returns. In 2019, the House Ways and Means Committee filed a lawsuit in hopes of forcing the Trump administration to comply with its request for the tax returns. That lawsuit, which is still pending, provides a vehicle for Trump to argue that the Justice Department's order from last week is unlawful. U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, who is hearing the case, has given Trump and his lawyers a Wednesday deadline for explaining their view of how the case should proceed. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) No junk food passes these lips Candy bars Donuts Pie Ice cream (yogurt) Any sort of chocolate will do It's summer, so: snow cones (and the like) Cookies Other Vote View Results ROSWELL, Ga. After 33 years, two months and six days, Roswell police arrested the man they believe murdered 8-year-old Joshua Harmon, whose body was found in a wooded area 100 yards from the apartment complex where he lived. It was the departments oldest unsolved homicide. Master Police Officer Jennifer Bennett led the investigation for about four years. As an investigator of crimes against children, she knew the case would bring challenges, but she said she was determined to see it through. This case had a profound impact on the police department, Bennett said. That any homicide, and especially a child homicide, would be unsolved for so long is incredibly frustrating. Some of us have grown up knowing of this case and to now have children of our own, it is distressing to know that there is a family that for 33 years has had few answers with regards to the death of their child. During a traffic stop July 21, officers arrested 56-year-old James Michael Coates from the back of an Uber and booked him into the Fulton County Jail. In June, detectives received lab results from DNA evidence collected from the scene which linked him to the murder, and they were able to secure warrants for his arrest. Coates is charged with seven counts of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, false imprisonment, cruelty to children in the first degree, concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence. Coates previously served a 20-year prison sentence for a child molestation case that occurred in 1990. Roswell Police Chief James Conroy said in a press conference he hoped the most recent arrest offered a sense of closure to Joshuas family. I only wish Joshs mother Cherie could be here today, but what I do know is that she is with Joshua and they are looking down on us and they are happy with these developments, Conroy said. Cherie passed away Oct. 15, 2020, at the age of 65. She reported Joshua missing Sunday, May 15, 1988, when he didnt return home for dinner. In an online memorial, Cherie said Joshua had been playing outside that day and had gone to wait for his friend to finish dinner before he disappeared. Police and volunteers discovered his body two days later. Evidence found at the scene indicated the juvenile was a victim of homicide, the 1988 police report states. Although the case went cold, few ever forgot Joshua. Bennett, who was often in touch with Cherie, said she thinks she would have been excited that Coates was arrested, but it would have been tempered awaiting a conviction. Cherie was a lovely person who had experienced frustration within her life that few can imagine, Bennett said. It would break my heart to give her an update with no progress. But being the resilient woman that she was, she would take it in stride and provided encouragement for the investigation to continue. Detective Zack Kowalske said Bennett was truly the driving investigative force of the contemporary investigation. He took over as the lead detective on the case 18 months ago. By that time, he said, the case had exhausted most of its leads other than the DNA evidence. However, Kowalske said, I have been involved with the case since 2014 when a new team was tasked to the case. I have always been focused on the forensic side of it. My first memories of the case were utilizing the original crime scene photographs from 1988 to locate the original crime scene within the woods. Roswell detectives, in partnership with the GBI, routinely re-examined the evidence to keep pace with evolving leads and advancing technology. Their breakthrough came in February, when, with the permission of Joshuas family, his body was exhumed in hopes of identifying further evidence. In March, the Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative taskforce, a subset of the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, provided Roswell Police with funding to pursue additional DNA testing on evidence from the crime scene. Results from that testing, performed by an independent laboratory, CyberGenetics Inc., linked Coates to the crime. Kowalske said the lab results gave him a sense of confirmation. To have an answer based out of science in this case reaffirmed why I am passionate about utilizing the disciplines of the forensic sciences to bring truth and justice to cases, Kowalske said. Kowalske and Bennett began their careers with the Roswell Police Department. Since joining in 2009, Kowalske has spent most of his career within the Crime Scene Investigations Unit. Bennett has been with the department for 18 years. When the murder occurred, Conroy was in college. Since then, hes worked a 30-year career, retired as chief of police in DeKalb County and joined the Roswell Police Department. He said 85% of the department had not even been born when Joshua was murdered. This shows you that police officers are not going to stop, Conroy said. We will continue until justice is done. Police spokesman Tim Lupo said the Roswell Police Department has seven additional open cold cases. Six are homicides and one is a missing persons case. Joshuas case remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-640-4100, or provide anonymous information through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477). Owosso, MI (48867) Today Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 541-889-5387 Kristene Blair is the operations manager for Project DOVE. Citizens can submit questions for the column to editor@argusobserver.com with safety in the subject line or by calling them in to (541) 823-4818. The opinions and views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer. YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the French President congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on being appointed Prime Minister of Armenia and saluted the uninterrupted implementation of democratic processes in the country. Macron informed Pashinyan about the decision to provide Armenia with 200 thousand of does of COVID-19 vaccines. PM Pashinyan expressed gratitude to Macron for that. The Prime Minister of Armenia provided information on the recent border provocations by Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijan's aggressive rhetoric, emphasizing that their purpose is to destabilize the situation in the region. He also considered inadmissible the trials based on trumped up charges of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan. President Macron strongly highlighted the demarcation and delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Agreeing with this idea, the Armenian Prime Minister stressed that the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are not intersecting processes. He reiterated the proposal to deploy a CSTO observation mission along the border, or in case of impossibility of such a decision, as an alternative, the deployment of an observation mission of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. The French President reaffirmed his readiness to continue consistent efforts aimed at the establishment of lasting peace in the region. PM Pashinyan expressed confidence that the regional initiatives and steps can succeed if they are approved by all the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed that the Armenian government welcomed the statements made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs following November 9, including in the direction of resumption of the negotiation process, and is ready to be fully involved in the negotiation process. YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan visited the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and presented to the staff the newly appointed Minister Narek Mkrtchyan. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime MInister, Pashinyan noted that it's a formal event, since Narek Mkrtchyan had served as the acting Minister for a long time. Pashinyan congratulated the Minister and wished him success in the responsible work. Nikol Pashinyan attached great importance to providing social assistance to the disabled servicemen, so as the can return to normal life as soon as possible. ''You know, my belief is that the best way to ensure a person's social protection is to ensure dignified job for him. That is, a person is best socially protected when he has a decent job. And this should be the our goal', Pashinyan said. The newly appointed Minister thanked PM Pashinyan for trusting him the management of the extremely responsible sphere. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. India had on Sunday taken over the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted late on Monday night, PM @narendramodi will Chair open debate on maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August. This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate. PTI New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair an open debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Maritime Security at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in virtual mode, in what will be a first by an Indian Prime Minister to preside over such a debate, New Delhi announced late on Monday night. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted late on Monday night, PM @narendramodi will Chair open debate on maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August. This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate. India had on Sunday taken over the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August and is looking at important focus areas including maritime security, peacekeeping, and combating terrorism, the Covid pandemic as well as climate change. India takes over the Presidency of the @UN#SecurityCouncil for the month of August. A world view anchored in #VasudhaivaKutumbakam (the world is one family), Arindam Bagchi had tweeted on Sunday. Just last week, he had said, We are gearing up for this important phase in our membership of the United Nations Security Council, which as you know, covers 2021 and 22. PM expressed anger at the conduct of some opposition members and noted that those who tore papers, threw it around have remained unrepentant Modi accused them of having "undemocratic" attitude and said they are not keen on meaningful debates. (ANI) New Delhi: With Parliament's proceedings being stalled by the opposition's protests over the Pegasus issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed it for its conduct, including tearing papers and making "derogatory" remarks on the way bills have been passed, as he accused them of insulting the legislature and the Constitution. Briefing reporters on Modi's speech at the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the prime minister expressed anger at the conduct of some opposition members and noted that those who tore papers and threw it around have remained unrepentant. This shows their arrogance, Modi said and asked his party members to maintain restraint. While a TMC member in Rajya Sabha had torn the statement of IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the Pegasus issue, several opposition members had torn papers in Lok Sabha and threw it in the air and towards the Chair. A tweet of TMC leader Derek O'Brien criticising the manner of bills' passage in Parliament also drew Modi's ire, Joshi and another Union minister V Muraleedharan told reporters, without naming the TMC member. He had tweeted, "In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 Bills at an average time of UNDER SEVEN MINUTES per Bill. Passing legislation or making papri chaat!" Such comments are "derogatory" to the parliamentary procedure and the esteem of elected representatives, Muraleedharan said quoting Modi. The conduct of the opposition is an "insult" to Parliament and the Constitution, Joshi said, quoting the prime minister. Modi accused them of having "undemocratic" attitude and said they are not keen on meaningful debates. The opposition has stalled Parliament's proceedings demanding a discussion on the Pegasus snooping row, an issue dismissed as inconsequential by the government. In the meeting, Modi asserted that his government will leave no stone unturned to fulfil its commitment to people. Bills do not belong to the government but are aimed at people's welfare, he added. The prime minister, Joshi said, reiterated the government's stand for constructive and rich debates. The BJP parliamentary party also hailed Modi at the meeting over the government's decision to provide reservation to the OBC and the EWS in the all-India quota in the medical entrance test NEET. The prime minister also highlighted the rise in the GST revenue in the month of July with a collection of 1.16 lakh crore to express confidence about the state of economy. Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman also spoke in detail about the economic conditions and asserted that the recovery has gathered pace despite the second wave. India's foreign reserves are at an all-time high while the GST collection also rose significantly last month, she added. The government's package for the MSME sector is now at Rs 4.5 lakh crore while the banking sector has also made recovery and posted profit of over Rs 31,000 crore, sources quoting her said. Economic indicators have been doing well, she said. The four accused were shot dead on NH-44 near Hyderabad Forensic experts collect evidence from the spot where police shot dead four accused in the rape-and-murder case of a 25-year-old woman veterinarian. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday gave another six months to the three-member inquiry commission, headed by former apex court judge V S Sirpurkar, to file the final report on encounter killing of the four accused in the case of gang-rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad. A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana asked the lawyer appearing for the inquiry panel as to how much more time it wanted to conclude the probe. The bench, also comprising Justice Surya Kant, referred to a similar panel, set up to inquire into the encounter killing of gangster Vikas Dubey in Uttar Pradesh, and said it has already filed the report. The commission was headed by former Supreme Court judge B S Chauhan and had concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that the encounter of Dubey was staged. Referring to the inquiry into the Hyderabad encounter killings, the bench sought to know from lawyer K Parameshwar the reason for the delay in concluding the inquiry. The lawyer said the commission has to hear from over 130 witnesses in the matter and the COVID situation contributed to the delay as well. Ok. Six months, the bench ordered. The Sirpurkar panel was set up on December 12, 2019 to inquire into the circumstances leading to the encounter and was to submit the report in six months. The other members of the commission include former Bombay High Court judge Rekha Sondur Baldota and ex-CBI director D R Karthikeyan. The term of the inquiry panel has now been extended thrice. It was extended in July 2020 for the first time for six months. While appointing the panel, the top court had stayed the proceedings pending in the Telangana High Court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the case and had sought an SIT report, saying no other authority shall inquire into the matter pending before the commission till further orders. It had ordered that security to the three-member commission shall be provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the six-month deadline for submission of the report by the commission shall start from the first day of hearing and it shall have all the power under the Commission of Inquiry Act for conducting inquiry into the December 6, 2019, encounter deaths. The top court had noted that "conflicting versions about the incident demand an inquiry to uncover the true facts". It had directed that the panel would sit at Hyderabad and all the expenses including for the secretarial staff would be borne by the Telangana government. Further, the state would render all assistance required by the commission. Two petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, one by lawyers G S Mani and Pradeep Kumar Yadav, and the other by advocate M L Sharma, seeking independent investigation against the police officers concerned. The PIL, filed by Mani and Yadav, claimed that the alleged encounter was "fake" and an FIR should be lodged against the police officers involved in the incident. The Telangana Police had said that the accused were killed in an exchange of fire. The incident took place around 6.30 am when the accused were taken to the site of offence for the reconstruction of the scene of crime as part of the investigation. The four accused Mohammed Arif, Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu, Jolu Shiva, and Jollu Naveen were arrested in connection with the gang-rape and murder of a young veterinary lady doctor in November 2019. The four accused were shot dead on NH-44 near Hyderabad -- the same highway where the charred body of 27-year-old veterinarian was found. The police had claimed that on November 27, 2019, the woman veterinarian was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and later found murdered. It had said that the accused had subsequently burned the body of the woman. The matter is being raised in the parliament. I think the matter should be investigated so that truth comes out, he said His statement is being seen as a major boost for the Opposition parties who had been demanding an investigation in the case and staging uproar amid parliament proceedings. PTI file photo Patna: In a major development on Monday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called for a probe into allegations of phone tapping with the help of Pegasus spyware. The matter is being raised in the parliament. I think the matter should be investigated so that truth comes out, Nitish Kumar said. His statement is being seen as a major boost for the Opposition parties who had been demanding an investigation in the case and staging uproar amid parliament proceedings. These days you never know what would happen. I feel things should be investigated properly to find what is happening and who is tapping the phone. We keep reading about it in newspapers. So I think the matter should be investigated to find out the truth, he said. He is perhaps the first ally of the BJP to demand a probe in the Pegasus case. Sources said that his remark on the issue may cause some unease in the NDA, especially within the BJP. You are the owner of this article. Story Timelines In our effort to always give our readers the best, up to date local reporting, we have recently collaborated with Ohio University students to build interactive, constantly updated timelines for stories that are important to you. So what's the story of this Miura, you ask? Well, it turns out that it was originally owned by a 19-year-old Iranian student attending college at the University of California. Her parents purchased and took delivery of the car at the Lamborghini factory and shipped it to the United States.She was supposed to list it for sale upon its arrival in North America, so the Miura was likely just a means of transferring money out of Iran. But things didn't go according to plan, as the daughter decided to keep and drive the car. She kept the supercar for around two years until a fender bender left the Miura in need of repairs.Although the damage was minor, the Miura's intricate design was too great of a challenge for local repair shops at the time and the car was eventually sold to a body shop. The new owner reportedly ordered parts from Lamborghini in 1977 but he never got around to fixing the car, which remained locked in a warehouse for more than 40 years.The Miura resurfaced and was purchased by a preservation specialist in 2019. It went through a lengthy restoration process that included a nose reconstruction by Beckman Metal Works and a drivetrain refresh by Miura specialist Jeff Stephan. But the owner chose not to restore the car's original Gray-White finish. Instead, he opted to enjoy the Miura's sculptural design in bare metal.Perhaps the only unpainted (but restored) Miura out there, this supercar also stands out thanks to its desirable "transitional" specification. A late P400 S model, this Miura is one of about 50 cars that made the transition from S to SV specs in 1971. While it retains the narrow fenders and the "eye-lash" headlamps of the earlier models, it features the reinforced frame, larger Weber carburetors, and ported intake manifolds and cylinder heads that Lambo introduced on the SV.As far as production numbers go, it's the rarest iteration of the Miura save for the extremely rare SVJ-spec cars based on the unique Jota.While the decision to keep the car with an unfinished, bare-metal body seems questionable from a market value perspective, this Miura is considered a million-dollar classic in its current form. RM Sotheby's , which will put it under the hammer in Monterey, California on August 14, estimates that the supercar will change hands for $1.8 to $2.2 million.Should the next owner repaint the car in its original hue or is the Miura better off with a naked and polished body? Let me know the comments. Texas-based Late Model Restoration found out how much of that power goes to the rear wheels thanks to their friends at Bird-Kultgen Ford in Waco, and as the headline implies, the base motor peaks at 225 horsepower delivered at 4,750 revolutions per minute. Torque isnt exactly lethargic either at 304 pound-feet (412 Nm) at 3,400 rpm, especially if you compare these figures to the V8-engined 1996 Bronco that LMR tested a month ago.The presenter, Landan Durham, highlights that a Big Bend with the Sasquatch Package like this fellow here makes a little more power because the dyno run was hindered by the 10-speed transmissions software nannies. The pull was made in seventh gear, which is the 1:1 ratio, with 93-octane fuel in the tank, 4.70:1 rear gearing, and the stock 35-inch Goodyear tires.Also worthy of mentioning, the canvas top of this four-door Bronco doesnt look right. Not only is the roof lose on the passenger side, front and rear, but the waviness of the rear windows is pretty bad. Although Ford came up with the design, you can blame Haartz Corporation for this substandard quality because Haartz produces the four-door soft top. The molded-in-color hardtop roof comes from Webasto, and it has a load of issues as well.Speaking of issues, the Bronco in the following video has reminded me of a recently published technical service bulleti n. More to the point, the Big Bend and Outer Banks trim levels both exhibit a whistling sound that will be rectified by Ford this fall with an improved seal design for the hood. HP FWD AWD Launched in the United States, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT builds on the SEL with Convenience Package specification, and features black plastic cladding on the lower parts of the body, and dark silver skid plates at both ends.The special model also has a matte black grille, black side mirror casings, and black roof rails and cross rails, and comes with 18-inch dark alloy wheels that are exclusive to this trim level.Besides these, the 2022 Santa Fe XRT brings the usual infotainment system and digital instrument cluster combo, with 8- and 12.3-inch screens respectively, smartphone integration, 4.2-inch multi-info display, proximity key, push-button start, heated front seats with eight-way electric adjustment for the driver, and several other things.In terms of safety, drivers will be assisted on their daily journeys by the lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear occupant alert, etc.Customers choosing the XRT variant of the 2022 Santa Fe will have to settle for the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 188and 182 pound-feet (247 Nm) of torque. It comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but the all-wheel drive system is available as an option.Pricing starts at $32,300 for themodel, and $34,000 for thegrade. Both are starting to arrive at dealers and are accompanied by a 10-year/100,000-mile (160,935-km) powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile (96,560-km) new vehicle warranty, 7-year anti-perforation warranty, and complimentary maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles (57,935 km), whichever comes first.The 2022 Santa Fe lineup starts at $27,200 for the SE, followed by the SEL and Limited, available from $29,000 and $38,960 respectively. The Calligraphy sits at the top of the range, priced from $40,960. Introduced in March 2021 for the 2022 model year, the Wilderness family is going to welcome the Forester in a matter of weeks. The automaker doesnt mention the Forester nameplate in the following release, but Subaru of New England has confirmed the Forester Wilderness back in the spring.Heres a quote from the dealerships general manager Jeffrey T. Ruble from March 23rd: This year alone, we are launching the all-new 2022 BRZ, 2022 WRX, and 2022 Subaru Forester and Outback Wilderness editions.Just like the Outback, the Forester employs the Subaru Global Platform vehicle architecture. The SGP is also utilized by the upcoming WRX , but thats a story for another time. What Im trying to say here is that Subaru is likely to mirror the off-road goodies of the Outback Wilderness on the Forester Wilderness, starting with the 2.4-liter turbocharged FA24 engine.The force-fed powerplant is rated at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet (376 Nm) of torque, and obviously enough, a continuously variable transmission is the only transmission available in the Outback Wilderness.Customers of the overlanding crossover should also look forward to 4.44:1 final-drive ratios up front and out back (pun intended), along with a Wilderness-exclusive advanced feature for the X-MODE system. More to the point, X-MODE automatically switches from low-speed managed driving to speeds over 25 miles per hour (40 kph) without any interruption.Its safe to assume the Forester Wilderness will feature Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain rubber mounted on 17-inch alloys finished in matte black, along with 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) of additional ground clearance.And finally, the most capable Forester of them all is expected to receive hex-designed fog lights with light-emitting diodes, an anti-glare hood decal in matte black, the window trim in black, and copper-finished tow hooks. The switch to the mild-hybrid 48-volt system will involve replacing the T5 and T6 versions with the B5 and B6 variants. All the engines that are used are all four-cylinder inline units that come with a turbocharger, while some of them even feature a supercharger along with the turbocharger.On top of those inline-four-cylinder engines, Volvo employs a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that helps improve fuel economy. According to EPA ratings, the fuel consumption of the models that get the new setup is reduced by one to three miles per gallon. While we usually convert the units, it would not make sense entirely, as the EPA's ratings work differently from the ones employed in other parts of the world.The 2022 Volvo S60 will get 26 mpg in the city instead of 23 mpg, while the V90 Cross Country will get 22 mpg in the same driving conditions instead of just 20. These improvements may appear small, but they add up as the car racks up miles.Volvo has yet to reveal how much power do its new B5 and B6 units have for the American market. However, if the specs in Europe are any indication, the B5 should provide around 247 to 250 hp, while the B6 could get around 295 to 300 hp. Meanwhile, the ongoing T5 comes with 250 hp and the existing T6 provides 316 horsepower.Unfortunately for American fans of Volvo models, the automaker has decided not to implement the change in its entire range. Therefore, the XC90, XC60 Cross Country, and XC40 will not get those new mild-hybrid setups. As Car and Driver notes, it might be a matter of time until those engines also get the shift, but we shall have to wait and see. Meanwhile, U.S. buyers can also order the new Volvo C40 Recharge , if electric vehicles are what they really desire. On August 2nd, 2021, NASA marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 15s third and final cruise on the lunar surface using a wheeled vehicle. A tremendous achievement back in day, and a sad reminder we were unable to replicate even this aspect of Apollo program since.NASA sent the first crew to the Moon, Apollo 11, in 1969, and the famous words spoken by Neil Armstrong as he set foot on the surface ushered in about three years of heavy traffic by means of spaceships between our planet and its satellite.Exactly a dozen men stepped on the Moons surface as part of six missions that made it there (a seventh, Apollo 13 , failed to land), but fewer were lucky enough to drive what can easily be considered the greatest (and simplest) vehicle ever constructed: the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).Built not to go off-road, but off-planet, the LRV is a Boeing design, the first purpose-built wheel-driven vehicle to take to the skies, and the only one of its kind to carry people around on the surface of a world other than Earth. Having cost around $38 million (that would be roughly $258 million in todays money), it became essential for three Apollo crews to perform their duties much better than their predecessors.The members of the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions are the ones who used the rover to drive around on the surface of the Moon, and NASA considers the machine essential for the major scientific discoveries of these adventures.But what was the LRV?The 210 kg (463 pounds) machine was meant to carry around two crew members and some supplies to a distance of several miles beyond the landing site. It could move more than twice its weight on a 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) long wheelbase, on top of which sat some sort of a frame made of aluminum alloy.Power for the rover came from two 36-volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide non-rechargeable batteries. The batteries sent their juice to four DC electric steering motors, one for each of the four wheels, and each developing 0.25 horsepower.Astronauts controlled the rover by means of a T-shaped stick, which could turn each set of wheels in opposite directions, giving the thing a steering radius 3.1 meters (10 feet). The same stick was used to command steering and acceleration/deceleration - forward for forward, left for left, backward for brake.As said, three Apollo missions used the rovers, each taking to the Moon their own machine. In all, six men drove around in such a contraption, namely David Scott and Jim Irwin (Apollo 15, the ones NASA is celebrating these days), John Young and Charles Duke (Apollo 16), and Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17).The rovers covered a total of 22.30 miles (35.89 km), and even if that might not seem like much traveling being done, consider the fact that before its use, the Apollo 11 crew only manage to cover about half a mile on foot during their stay on the Moon. The machines have been left behind on the Moon.Now, the world is looking forward to the launch of the Artemis program. It too will make use of a rover, one called Lunar Terrain Vehicle ( LTV ) and developed by GM and Lockheed Martin. But that's another story for another time. The Defiant X is one of the 2 final contestants in the U.S. Army s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition, as part of the Future Vertical Lift program, together with Bells V-280 Valor. One of these 2 will become a major asset for the U.S. military and play a vital role over the next 50 years. Until the final choice, each of these remarkable aircraft continues testing.The SB>1 Defiant is the technology demonstrator that is used for testing the capabilities of the future Defiant X. The most recent flight test gave us a taste of what this powerful weapons system can do, in terms of cargo capacity. Designed to be able to carry troops and cargo at a double range compared to the current fleet, Defiant proved that its got enough strength to do that.During the recent test that took place at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, the helicopter lifted a 5,300 lbs (2,400 kg) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System training load. According to Lockheed Martin, this lifting power is equal to an Infantry Squad Vehicle, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, or supplies such as 240 cases of MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) or 600 gallons (2,270 liters) of water. All of these things are some of the essential assets that troops require during combat, and are vital for survivability in a contested environment.Specifically designed to deliver the maximum payload, as fast as possible, while also evading the enemy in challenging terrain conditions, the Defiants ability to simultaneously carry troops and a heavy sling-load cargo is one of its most important features. Plus, a few months ago, it also demonstrated that it can exceed 230 knots (264.6 mph) in level flight, which makes it one of the fastest military helicopters.The U.S. Army will decide in 2022 whether the Defiant X or the V-280 Valor will be the one to replace the reputable Black Hawk in the next 5 years. ACE is, in essence, an operational concept that seeks to take advantage of any available resource, no matter where it is, to deploy, disperse and maneuver combat capability to create dilemmas for near-peer adversaries.The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command gave not long ago an example of how ACE should work, so that we can all understand:Somewhere above the vast Pacific Ocean, a fighter aircraft has flown for hours, and its fuel supply is running low. Unable to return to its home station for fuel, that's when Agile Combat Employment (ACE) comes into play. Down below on a small island, three Airmen are waiting to refuel the aircraft and rapidly launch it back into the fight.Not sure if that explanation worked, but that essentially means a large number of bases can be used to help air forces conduct sorties. This, in turn, not only helps friendly forces, but also makes it harder for the enemy to strike a specific base, given how military units could always move operations from place to place.It was exactly such an ACE scenario that was practiced at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska in mid-July. And it was there where the pic (click main photo to enlarge) showing a mighty F-35A Lightning II flying over a clear blue sky was taken.This particular F-35 is deployed with the 354th Fighter Wing, the host unit at Eielson. Like all others of its kind, its an impressive metal beast, capable of incredible feats during combat at least on paper, that is, as the plane was barely used in action since it first saw battle in 2018.Packing a Pratt & Whitney engine, the plane can fly at speeds of Mach 1.6 and at altitudes of 50,000 ft (15,000 m). It can also deliver its deadly cargo of missiles and bombs to over 1,700 miles (2,800 km), the distance it can cover without refueling To date, there are close to 700 F-35s in different configurations serving the needs of about ten countries around the world. The U.S. Navy began developing the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) in 2016, as an enhanced variant of the existing AGM-88E AARGM. This new long-range anti-radiation missile leverages the U.S. Navy's AARGM program with significant improvements in some technology areas, providing the advanced capability to detect and engage enemy air defense systems.Back in May, the U.S. Navy conducted a flight test that demonstrated the AARGM-ER weapon's ability to "talk" with the F/A-18 E/F aircraft for the first time. The test's observations have led to the expansion of AARGM-ER flight testing to cover the full performance envelope of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. As the new missile is moving closer towards deployment as a powerful, versatile air-to-surface weapon, the recent test has demonstrated its long-range capability. The AARGM-ER was successfully deployed from a F/A-18 aircraft on July 19th off the coast of southern California, meeting the main test objectives of a first missile live-fire event."This first live-fire event is a major step to providing our fleet with the most advanced weapon system to defeat evolving surface-to-air threats," said Capt. Alex Dutko, Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapon (PMA-242) program manager.The live-fire test verified overall system integration, rocket motor performance, and the beginning of modeling and simulation validation. This was the first of a series of development events aimed at ensuring that AARGM-ER can accomplish its goals.This firing marked a significant milestone for the program, as it is slated to start low-rate initial production this summer, allowing for future fleet deployment and initial operational capabilities of the AARGM-ER.Currently, the new missile is being integrated on the Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft and the Air Force F-35A, Marine Corps F-35B, and Navy and Marine Corps F-35C aircraft. The only problem is that the subscription-based service already has so many great games that its impossible to play them all, so as Microsoft adds more good stuff, we must learn to be increasingly picky.If youre a racing enthusiast who spends their time playing Microsofts Forza series or EAs catalog of car racing games, we have great news for you. New EA and Codemasters games will join Xbox Game Pass this month, and while theyre not necessarily new, some of them are must-play titles.Starting August 10, EA Play will add five games to its catalog accessible via Xbox Game Pass: Dirt Rally , Dirt Rally 2.0, Dirt 4, F1 2020, and Grid. All five will only be available on console, so youll have to pay for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate rather than the basic Xbox Game Pass tier.Xbox Game Pass for PC added EA Play with around 60 games back in March, including titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Titanfall, as well as Battlefield and Madden series. The EA Play subscription costs $5 per month and can also be purchased via Steam, but Microsofts Xbox Game Pass service includes EA Play at no extra charge.However, in order to play any of the titles included with EA Play, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have to install EAs launcher app. Obviously, an EA account is needed too, which can be created for free. Keep in mind though that Xbox Game Pass for Console does not include EA Play, you must either pay for Xbox Game Pass (PC players) or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (console players). Lets start with the sad news, as we were recently a bit heartbroken to find out that although someone else offered to pay for the trip, Kevin Hart refused to go into space . If you followed the reasoning behind fellow actor Ashton Kutchers own decision to back out of a scheduled flight, then you already know Harts rationale: its still too risky.After all, hes also a family man, and he recently entrusted his life in the hands of his daughter riding in the passenger seat with her at the wheel after just turning 16 a few months ago (and getting a Mercedes-Benz as a present from dad) so he must have considered that he tempted fate enough already.Whats a bit safer, although still involves Hart and a splash of adventures, is his MotorTrend app show, which recently premiered online. Now, as it turns out, everyone is allowed albeit for an unspecified, limited period to check up on YouTube the full first episode of Kevin Hart's Muscle Car Crew . No need to hurry up, just go to the bottom of the page as weve already embedded the treat down there.In the new show, both Kevin Hart and his friends have decided that its finally time for them to join the amazing muscle car world. Naturally, it all starts with a bit of fooling around, namely Hart arriving in a custom beauty and revving up the engine to the point of not hearing what others have to say... repeatedly. Then, everybody shows off their muscle cars and decides to attend a show... where they find out that ignorance is not necessarily bliss.So, they start doing something about it, namely taking the cars to a builder shop and having them customized . As far as we can tell, this show is going to be a mixture of great fun, cool cars, and a little bit of learning about what makes muscle car builds utterly special. Cool. This collaboration aims to improve high-speed regional transportation in a country with about 100 million domestic air passengers annually. Azul, one of Brazil's largest airlines in terms of flight departures and destinations served, has over 700 daily flights. It operates a fleet of more than 160 aircraft and has a network composed of a total of 200 routes.The companies seek to develop a co-branded network in Brazil that will combine Azul's vast expertise in the Brazilian market with Lilium's innovative electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft platform.As part of the commercial agreement, Lilium plans to sell 220 air taxis to Azul. The Brazilian airline will use the aircraft across the network, which is expected to begin in 2025 and cost up to $1 billion. Lilium intends to operate in several places, providing passengers with the opportunity to travel faster than current high-speed alternatives, and with zero emissions.Azul plans to operate and maintain the jet fleet, with Lilium providing a platform for technical monitoring of the aircraft, the necessary batteries, spare parts, and other materials. Azul will also assist Lilium with the necessary regulatory approval processes in Brazil for the certification of the Lilium air taxi and with all other required regulatory approvals.By 2025, Lilium wants to build a sustainable and accessible high-speed regional transportation system. Its 7-seater eVTOL will enable regional shuttle service to be both sustainable and high-speed, "saving hours, not minutes," according to the company. Due to the fact that the aircraft will be able to take off vertically, Lilium will be able to develop a higher network density, and an expensive ground infrastructure will not be required.The company says its air taxis will be quick, efficient, quiet, and emission-free. They will focus on comfort, providing enough room for six people and their luggage, and will have a separate cabin for the pilot. The Lilium jets will be cruising at 282 kph (175 mph) and will have a maximum range of 250 km (155 miles). Director and writer Kay Cannon delivers a daring, star-studded musical reinterpretation of the classic tale. Camila Cabello, in the title role, is a modern-day Cinderella who defies tradition, patriarchy, and her stepmother to achieve her own goals.Mercedes-Benz has created a new commercial based on the film that wants to urge women to redefine the roles they are expected to play in society. The new spot, which features Cabello, Kay Cannon, and producer Shannon McIntosh, premiered on August 2nd on the German carmaker's website and social media channels."We are excited to join forces with Mercedes-Benz to launch a campaign that celebrates strong individuals and promotes female empowerment. Our heroine (Camilla Cabello) is an ambitious young woman whose dreams are bigger than the world will allow, but with perseverance and the help of her Fab G (Billy Porter), she makes her dreams come true.", says Ukonwa Ojo, CMO of Amazon Prime Video.Mercedes-Benz also worked with the Fabulous Godmother "Fab G" played by Billy Porter to design a custom glittery gold modern "chariot." This "chariot," which is a Mercedes-Maybach S 560, features massaging chairs, new tech, a shimmering custom-made golden wrap to display "Fab G's" glittery color palette, and other unique components, all inspired by Porter's stylish character.The spot also features the Mercedes-Benz G-Class , another modern variant of a "chariot" (this time not decked out) in which the audience can see a new kind of Cinderella behind the wheel. Check out the clips released by the German brand to catch a glimpse of what a modern fairytale looks like. GRMN HP kW The mysterious model was first seen at the Nurburgring last fall, and more recently, it returned to the (in)famous German racetrack for more testing, which is where our spies snapped this prototype.Presumably put through its paces by a professional racing driver, this Toyota GR Yaris, referred to by some as the GR Yaris Extreme and Yaris, has a pair of big air vents behind the front wheels.Moving further back, we can see that it features what appear to be side canards, wrapped in black tape, which can also be found on the roof that might otherwise be made of carbon fiber. The biggest update, however, is the big, two-piece wing, which should increase the cars downforce on the rear axle.The measuring equipment is still present, at the back and on the rear wheels, telling us that it will probably be a while until the model celebrates its official unveiling. Our spy photographers, who couldnt get close enough to this prototype to capture a few images of the cockpit too, believe that it might debut sometime next year.Supposedly a more track-focused version of the GR Yaris, in turn a hot hatch with rallying DNA, built on a combination of the GA-B (normal Yaris) and GA-C (Corolla) platforms, the more extreme specification could boast a bit more power.However, thats pure speculation for now, and with 257(261 PS / 192) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque produced by the 1.6-liter three-pot in the European-spec , and 268 HP (272 PS / 200 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) in the Japanese model, its not like it lacks in this department.The engine is connected to a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, with two limited-slip differentials available as an option, and rockets the small hatch to 62 mph (100 kph) in less than 5.5 seconds, up to a limited top speed of 143 mph (230 kph). Its hard to believe that its been more than 80 years since Bell first started developing VTOL technologies, being the first one to develop these types of configurations for the U.S. Air Force and NASA. These pioneering models later led to the development of the famous Bell-Boeing V-22 Ospre y tiltrotor, which is now an invaluable U.S. military asset for amphibious assault and long range infiltration.Coming back to the present day, Bell is now focusing on high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (HSVTOL) technology, and it has recently announced new design concepts for aircraft systems based on this technology, specifically aimed for military applications. Although the company has not released full specifications of this new military aircraft, based on the existing information, it looks like an undeniable step up from previous models.VTOLs have been known for significantly improving speed and range, compared to helicopters, but this new concept takes it up a notch. According to Bell, thanks to the HSVTOL technology, it will combine the increased hover capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fighter jet.More specifically, this new HSVTOL will be able to reach outstanding jet-like cruise speeds of over 400 knots (460.3 mph). Compared to the Bell V-280 Valor, which is one the most advanced military VTOLs rights now, theres a major upgrade, with the V-280 reaching its limit at 300 knots.In addition to that, Bell says that the new aircraft concepts range between 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) to over 100,000 lbs (45,359 kg) and are built with a versatile, scalable design that can be suitable for a variety of missions, from unmanned personnel recovery, to tactical mobility.The next-generation HSVTOLs will also combine the latest propulsion technologies with highly-advanced digital flight control systems, for a big step towards increased performance, compared to the existing military VTOLs. Instead of 50 to 100 electric trucks, Nikola said it will probably deliver between 25 to 50 units. The company also informed investors that it lost $143 million in the second quarter of the year, which is more than the $116 million it lost in Q2 2020, according to Reuters If there were any good news, Nikola said it is building Two prototypes in Ulm and Coolidge. There will be two units of the Two in each location for tests. The Nikola Two is the semi-truck powered by fuel cells that also caused controversy a while ago. Milton presented them as if the company had a working prototype, and that was not the case.The Nikola Tre built in a partnership with Iveco is the vehicle that will be ready for deliveries in 2021. It will be powered solely by batteries at first: fuel cell trucks would emerge in 2023.It is not clear what happened with one of Nikolas most interesting objectives: establishing a hydrogen refueling network in the major U.S. highways. These hydrogen stations would use electrolyzers to produce the gas and would benefit from critical PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) the company would have managed to sign.Establishing this network without the trucks that will need it obviously makes no sense. At the same time, waiting to sell them to get these stations ready would be capital intensive and challenging to achieve in a short time. If Nikola can stand on its own feet long enough to sell these trucks, it will be enlightening to watch how it solves this dilemma. When we think of superyachts , most of the times we imagine these lavish vessels just resting in some amazing secluded spot, while people on board are soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails. But a lot of these lucky owners are actually looking for more adventure and are even curious about what is out there, in less traveled places. Exploring and luxury yacht sailing dont seem to mix, at first glance, yet this is a niche market that continues to grow. Explorer or expedition yachts have to main characteristics they need to be able to reach some of the most remote areas in the world, meaning that they can travel long distances without having to refuel or stop in a port, and they need to be powerful enough to withstand harsher conditions.Combining the build of an explorer with the luxurious features of a superyacht is a form of art, and well-known naval architecture brand Turquoise Yachts has mastered it. A 242.7 feet (74 meters) yacht, the Barracuda Explorer is inspired by military ships , with a more aggressive exterior geared towards functionality. With a powerful engine and 17 knots speed, it can effortlessly sail from one part of the world to another.While on this exploring journey, the owner and 14 guests will still indulge in the pleasures of a large pool, spa facilities, beach club and sky lounge. Glass floor sections connect all the decks, for a remarkable aesthetic effect, and the circular staircase leads to a cinema. Besides the owners suite and VIP cabin, the owners deck also hosts a generous saloon, with inside/outside dining options, and plenty of room for all-guest parties, on the way to some remote part of the world.Like all superyachts, the Barracuda also couldnt do without a large garage, with enough space for a 315 feet (9.6 meters) luxury tender, a rescue tender and several jet skis for a perfect mix of adventure and fun. EV According to the reports, neighbors heard an explosion at around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Capps Street and Utah Street in North Park. When the firefighters arrived at the scene, it was already too late to save the. The car burned to the ground, and only char remained at the fire site, according to Fox 5 San Diego.Some of these neighbors were interviewed, and they reported that they could feel the heat from quite a distance. One of them said he often heard about a couple of these Teslas just spontaneously set on fire, but that trash cans and other things had been burned in the neighborhood as well, so the Tesla could have been just another target.Another neighbor said her husband tried to kill the fire with a fire extinguisher but that it was not possible. She believes that was a clear case of arson sinceShe hopes the police catch whoever did this and can clarify their reasons for that.That would make the Tesla hate hypothesis go down the drain, but other cars should have been set on fire as well to make it look like a random choice. The dust bin fires and the Model 3 blaze could also be unrelated, as unlikely as that sounds. Only an extensive investigation will be able to explain the cause of the blaze.Source: Fox 5 San Diego And unfortunately, there are moments when using a cable makes the whole thing much worse, as occasional connectivity bugs show up out of nowhere for some users.This time, the struggle appears to be a little bit more widespread, with several Android Auto users explaining on Googles forums that the error showed up after installing the recent update.And in almost all cases, Android Auto simply fails to launch with a perfectly working cable, all without displaying a single error on the screen.In other words, a phone that was working just fine with a proper cable is no longer capable of launching Android Auto after installing the latest update , and as it turns out, the typical workarounds like clearing the cache and rebooting the phone dont make any difference.Neither does changing the cable, it seems, as Android Auto just fails to run even when using a cord that seems to be working properly when connected to a different car or computer.Someone on Googles forums has discovered that simply heading over to the Android Auto settings and changing the USB connection mode to a different profile brings things back to normal, allowing the app to run correctly in the car.Of course, this isnt necessarily the most convenient way to get Android Auto up and running, especially because the same change must be applied every time you start the engine, but at least, it does the trick until Google comes up with a fix.And speaking of an official fix, Google is yet to acknowledge the problem, so nobody knows for sure if and when a new update to resolve the whole thing is supposed to land. Going on a vacation is no longer the same experience as it was a couple of decades ago, and thats not a things were better in the old days-type of statement. Its progress, its natural, and it comes with the territory. But if you do feel nostalgic for the bygone days, you still have options of getting back to that. Since August is autoevolutions Travel Month, heres one such option: Wander 2.0. Wander 2.0 is a relatively new project based in Mexico. Developed through a partnership between Rojkind Arquitectos, Amasa Estudio and TUUX, it proposes a new vacation experience one that is far removed from what you can experience today in most hospitality locations, but also sustainable and still incredibly comfortable. Its based on a prefabricated modular cabin.The idea, of course, is not new. The year 2020 has seen a surge in glamping options, if only because of the travel restrictions and social distancing regulations imposed by the international health crisis. These have reshaped the way we travel for pleasure and the way we vacation. Prefab cottages are just one of the many ways in which you can go glamping, with countless advantages in addition to offering more luxurious stays in the (relative) wilderness. Prefab cabins are also movable (though not in a tiny house -type of way), greener and more Instagrammable and, in todays scenery, you cant ignore that last part.Of course, glamping has been around for years, even if we only started calling it that more recently. While Wander 2.0 doesnt bring much novelty to the table, it is a gorgeous proposition worth considering if youre ever in the country.You can choose between three cabin types, of different sizes and accommodation capacity. The smaller one offers just 27 square meters (291 square feet) of living space, while the largest 63 square meters (678 square feet). Each cabin, regardless of size and shape, offers a combination of sleeping area, living area, kitchen area, and bathroom, and is modular so can be integrated within another structure. Each cabin also includes an upper level and comes furnished, equipped and fully-stocked (except for food) for guests to move in. Even stuff like shampoo and conditioner is included.The idea with Wander 2.0 is that it proposes a different type of vacation , so you dont get wifi and have only limited phone coverage. Basically, youll be going offline for whatever duration you choose to spend there. Cabins are situated in three locations, Valle Bravo, Malinalco and La Marquesa, and youll receive the map and indications on how to drive yourself there after you book a reservation.It is time to rethink our relationship with nature and with ourselves. We are convinced that through collaboration of talents we can expand the wander experience achieving, even more, focus on design, sustainability, and community impact, Michel Rojkind, CEO of Rojkind Arquitectos, says of the project, which was inaugurated earlier this year.Sustainability and community impact are achieved through what Rojkind calls aggregated value. The cabins are placed on private land , through business partnerships with local landowners. For each of the three camp sites, managers invest in preserving and maintaining the existing environment, respecting community traditions and regulations, and involving the community.What tourists get with this prefab vacation site is more than the promise of an idyllic stay off the grid and assorted activities like hiking or horseback riding. They also get to experience a unique space with the knowledge that their stay there will have minimal impact on the environment.The designers say that Wander 2.0 could serve as more than just a glamping site: it could serve a much nobler purpose , offering housing in areas where accessibility to it is limited for whatever reason. Being prefabricated, the cabins have lower production costs and times, higher movability and shorter assembly times. Because theyre modular, they can be mixed and matched by simply taking off a couple of walls, and thus suit different needs, or different terrains and climate conditions.But until then, Wander 2.0 could be a suitable vacation option, if youre ever in Mexico and willing to disconnect from everything for a few days. Copyright 2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. With Florida at the forefront of the nation's COVID surge, local governments across Tampa Bay are wondering if or how they can subvert Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to do something to slow the spread. Why it matters: A day after Florida broke its record for daily cases, it did the same for the total number of COVID hospitalizations set way back in July 2020, per the AP. It's clear DeSantis won't budge on bringing masks back. He banned mandates in schools last week and blocked local governments from requiring them in May. His spokesperson said that "there is no reason to believe that a mask mandate would prevent a case increase," Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee bureau. State of play: Leaders who want to reinstate mask policies find their hands tied. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman told Axios that he's "frustrated that the state has seen fit to tie the hands of local leaders, when our only goal is the health and safety of our citizens." He's reconvened his COVID team to discuss how to tackle the surge. The City of Tampa is requiring its vaccinated workers to wear a button or wristband if unmasked while unvaccinated workers must mask up, according to Adam Smith, a spokesman for Mayor Jane Castor. No other new polices are planned, he added. Hillsborough County Commission chair Pat Kemp told the Times/Herald she wants to pass another countywide mask ordinance, but she'd be breaking state law. For now, Hillsborough only requires masks inside county buildings. State courts in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties started requiring masks inside their buildings this week. The big picture: Beyond the mask debate, local leaders are doing all they can to encourage vaccinations. They also pledged to challenge the legality of the election of the parliaments speaker affiliated with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians Civil Contract party. The speaker, Alen Simonian, was elected on Monday in a vote boycotted by the opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem blocs. The blocs nominated the jailed lawmakers, Mkhitar Zakarian and Artur Sargsian, for the post in a show of solidarity with them. The other deputies representing them walked out of the parliament floor and boycotted the ensuing secret ballot in protest against the Armenian authorities refusal to let Zakarian and Sargsian attend the inaugural session of the National Assembly. The opposition minority claimed that the vote was illegal because neither man was able to address fellow deputies and answer questions from them. They cannot hold the election without the participation of the two other candidates and consider it normal, fair and competitive, said Armen Rustamian, a senior Hayastan figure. The opposition will therefore ask the Constitutional Court to declare Simonians election null and void, Rustamian told reporters. Vladimir Vartanian, a senior lawmaker from Civil Contract, dismissed the opposition claims. All nominated candidates were on the ballot and those who nominated [the arrested oppositionists] did not come to vote for them, he said. Zakarian and Sargsian were arrested on separate corruption charges shortly after the June 20 parliamentary elections won by Pashinians party. They reject the accusations as politically motivated. Up until their arrests the two men ran major communities in Armenias southeastern Syunik province and openly challenged Pashinians administration. Two other elected Syunik mayors affiliated with Hayastan were also arrested in the wake of the snap elections. The parliamentary opposition says that Zakarian and Sargsian are held in detention in violation of the Armenian constitution which stipulates that a deputy may not be deprived of liberty without the consent of the National Assembly. Prosecutors and leaders of the parliaments pro-government majority maintain, however, that they do not enjoy immunity from prosecution because they were indicted before formally becoming parliament deputies. Rustamian said the opposition minority will ask the Constitutional Court to reject the ludicrous explanation given by the authorities. We will demand an answer to this simple question from the court, he said. Rustamian again insisted that the arrested oppositionists are political prisoners. The Armenian Defense Ministry said Zohouri and the Iranian military attache in Yerevan inspected a border section outside a village in Gegharkunik province after meeting with Major-General Arayik Harutiunian, the commander of an Armenian army corps stationed in the area. Tensions there have run high since Azerbaijani forces reportedly advanced several kilometers into Gegharkunik in mid-May. They escalated on July 28 into heavy fighting that left three Armenian soldiers dead and four others wounded. Yerevan and Baku reported more truce violations at this and another portion of the frontier in the following days. They blamed each other for the flare-up of violence which prompted serious concern from Russia, Western powers and Iran. One of the photographs released by the Armenian Defense Ministry showed Zohouri looking through a binocular at nearby border posts. A ministry statement said the Iranian diplomat expressed concern at the lingering tensions along the border and urged both sides to show restraint and resolve their disputes peacefully. He also said Iran is ready to contribute to a lasting peace in the region, according to the statement. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif toured the region in late May to discuss the tensions with Armenias and Azerbaijans leaders. We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that internationally recognized borders and territorial integrity is our red line, Zarif said in Yerevan. Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami visited Yerevan two days before Zarifs trip. Eslami expressed Tehrans readiness to help Armenia upgrade its roads leading to Iran via Syunik province bordering the Islamic Republic as well as Azerbaijan. Armenian troops deployed in Syunik have also been locked in a military standoff with the Azerbaijani side for nearly three months. PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - A CDC study found the delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox. That has made it the dominant strain in the United States and in Arizona, which is forcing businesses and hospitals to once again re-evaluate and update policies. Less than a week ago, the CDC recommended that everyone in areas with surging COVID-19 cases should wear masks. This is regardless of vaccination status. So, the question is, are businesses enforcing this recommendation? Walmart and Sam's Club, Target and Home Depot are just some of the recent businesses updating their mask policies due to the surge. Will others hop on the train? Robert Heidt, the president and CEO of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, thinks so. "We started surveying businesses last week and I would say that I was pleasantly surprised to see the number who are automatically going to implement some sort of mask policy for their employees or their customers," Heidt told Arizona's Family. Walmart and Sam's Club say that their employees need to mask up in areas of high infection, which is currently all of Arizona. Target is requiring their employees to starting Tuesday here in the state. And Home Depot started requiring both customers and employees to wear a mask starting Monday. Customers in the Valley expressed their opinions to Arizona's Family. "I don't think it's necessary. I don't really think the delta variant is as bad as they're saying," said Phoenix resident David Crook. "It would be annoying because 50% of the Arizona population is vaccinated. They are a private business. They do have a right to mandate masks or not," Phoenix resident Christine Wolfe added. "I will always wear masks anyway. So, sometimes it doesn't really affect me anyway because I'm wearing one anyway," said Ed Princer, who lives in Las Vegas but frequently travels to Phoenix. But, let's say an Arizona business chooses not to implement these measures? Heidt says that it's their right. "We follow the data. We follow the science. ASU has had some remarkable data throughout the pandemic. So, I think if they're going to do it, they're going to do it. If they're not, they're not," he said. Banner Health announced Monday they are cutting back on visitors. The rules change based on the county. But, in Maricopa, Gila and Pinal, it's just one visitor per day. Nobody younger than 12 is allowed at all. Mothers in labor may also have one person with them. And, there will be exceptions for things like end-of-life but you need to check with each hospital. Banner Health brings back visitor restrictions amid COVID-19 spike in Arizona Banner Health is restricting patients to one visitor per day in Maricopa County hospitals. Arizona's Family also spoke with Safeway and Albertsons. They said they'll be releasing an update to their policy Tuesday. For more information on the current surge of COVID-19 cases across the state, visit the state's health department website. PRINCETON [mdash] Shelby Jean Anthony, 84 of Princeton died Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Born February 9, 1937 in Rock she was the daughter of the late Roscoe Calfee and Roxie Tilley Calfee. She was an active member of First Assembly of God Church in Princeton and a former employee of Maidenfo Bluefield, WV (24701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Click here to read the full article. Charles Connor, best known as a drummer for Little Richard in his 1950s heyday, and decades later later a familiar sight to L.A. radio veterans as a security guard at KROQ, died Saturday at age 86. His daughter, Queenie Connor Sonnefeld, told the Associated Press he died peacefully in his sleep while under hospice care for normal pressure hydrocephalus in Glendale, Calif. Connor established the choo choo style of drumming heard throughout Keep a Knockin, one of the most instrumentally influential songs in rock history. He was seen performing with Little Richard as a member of his backup band, the Upsetters, in the seminal rock n roll movies The Girl Cant Help It, Mister Rock and Roll and Dont Knock the Rock. After Little Richard quit rock n roll for the first of several times to join the ministry in the early 60s, Connor went to work for Sam Cooke and James Brown. Other artists he performed with included Jackie Wilson, the Coasters, Lloyd Price, Big Joe Turner, Champion Jack Dupree, Larry Williams, Don Covay, Papa George Lightfoot and Larry Birdsong. Later in life, he went to work at the headquarters of KROQ. Every day I went in the studio, Id ask Charles for a story, said longtime KROQ air personality Kat Corbett, about growing up in New Orleans, what it was like for Black musicians playing for white audiences, the ladies oh, he loved the ladies. He was truly one of a kind. Connor was also invited on the air at KROQ, coming on with DJs Stryker & Klein to discuss his experiences in 2020. Last year Connor took to Twitter to post a video hed come across of himself sitting in with Little Richard to play The Girl Cant Help It at a gig in 1990, noting it was the first time theyd played together since the late 50s. He published the books Dont Give Up Your Dreams: You Can Be a Winner Too! in 2008 and Keep a Knockin: The Story of a Legendary Drummer in 2015. Connor was happy to share lessons in how he accomplished those primal, seminal rock n roll beats in person or on video, like this lengthy clip in which he described the origins of Keep-a-Knockin.' He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Connor was living in Nashville in the 50s when Richard Penneman aka Little Richard took him and to Macon to form the Upsetters. He recalled to Goldmine magazine in 2009 that, in Macon, we went to the train station on 5th St., and I said, Now, what do he want me to go to the train station on 5th Street for? Why? He said, Charles, I want you to hear this train pull off. And so the train pulled off like [makes choo-choo sound] he said, Thats the kind of beat I want you to do.' In Connors recollection they followed the train for about a mile and a half. He said thats the kind of beat I want you to play behind. I said, Richard, that sounds like eighth notes. He said, Well, if thats eighth notes, thats what I want you to play behind me on my fast tunes. And thats how, in Richards tunes, you can hear the choo-choo train beat. Im credited for creating the choo-choo train you can hear in Richards tunes like Good Golly Miss Molly And I created that beat behind Little Richard. And Richard said, Thats what I really want cause that will fill in a lot of space.' Connor was born in 1935 to a merchant marine seaman from Santo-Domingo and a Louisiana-born mother in New Orleans and said he was born to be a drummer probably cause of that exotic Creole and Dominican blood coursing through my veins. He met a girl on a tour in the Philippines in 1955 and reconnected with her after his first two marriages ended in divorce, wedding Zenaida Connor in 1981. She survives him, along with his daughter, his son-in-law Joe Sonnefeld and his granddaughter, Viviana. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Marcia Nasatir, a trailblazing female executive and producer who elbowed her way into a male-dominated Hollywood, shattering conventions and an important glass ceiling in the process, died on Tuesday morning. She was 95. In a career of firsts, Nasatir worked for United Artists, Orion Pictures and Carson Productions, while producing the likes of The Big Chill and Vertical Limit. In 1974, she became the first female vice president of production at a major Hollywood studio when she was tapped for the job at U.A. It was a heady time to be at the studio, which had developed a reputation for backing edgy, filmmaker-friendly fare. In her post, Nasatir helped develop such movie classics as One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Carrie, Apocalypse Now and Rocky. It was called having a career back then, not going to work,' Nasatir said in a 2018 interview with the San Antonio Current. I was fortunate. I had parents who thought their children could accomplish whatever they wanted. I had the courage to say, I want a career and Ill work with men.' Her route to Hollywood didnt follow a straight line. She started in the New York publishing world before breaking out as a literary agent, a job that took her across the country to Los Angeles. As the only female literary agent at The Ziegler Agency, Nasatir represented writers the likes of William Goldman and Robert Towne, making a name for herself. Nasatir would leave United Artists in the late 1970s, following the companys chief Arthur Krim to Orion Pictures, the new company he founded in 1978, where she became a production executive. She would then go on to Carson Productions, late-night host Johnny Carsons production company, before becoming an independent producer. Her credits as a producer include the war drama Hamburger Hill and Ironweed, a Depression era drama with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. The Big Chill, which Nasatir executive produced, is her most enduring film. The script for the drama about a group of college pals reuniting after the suicide of a friend landed on her desk while she was a top executive at Carson Productions, and she persevered despite hesitance from other studios. I said to myself, If I cant get this picture made, I shouldnt be in the movie business,' Nasatir recalled in a 1998 interview with Entertainment Weekly. Because this is what a screenplay is supposed to be. The film went on to be a box office success when it opened in 1983 and was nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. In her later years, Nasatir and Lorenzo Semple Jr., a screenwriter and creator of TVs Batman, reviewed movies on a YouTube channel called Reel Geezers. Her life in pictures inspired a 2016 documentary about her career titled A Classy Broad. Nasatirs story was engagingly chronicled by Anne Goursaud. The film earned strong reviews when it premiered, with The Hollywood Reporter praising it as a documentary that should entertain and inspire a new generation of women who refuse to be stymied by the status quo. Robert King, who wrote the 2000 survival thriller Vertical Limit and produced the film alongside Nasatir, Martin Campbell and Lloyd Phillips, tweeted that she had Great taste. Great sense of humor. Wonderful woman. She produced Vertical Limit for me. Great taste. Great sense of humor. https://t.co/GgPzRhEwfm Robert King (@RKing618) August 3, 2021 Sorry to hear about the passing of Marcia Nasatir, a glass ceiling breaker, a creative force and simply a wonderful human being. RIP, wrote producer Ira Deutchman. Sorry to hear about the passing of Marcia Nasatir, a glass ceiling breaker, a creative force and simply a wonderful human being. RIP Ira Deutchman (@nyindieguy) August 3, 2021 Melissa Silverstein, founder and publisher of Women and Hollywood, called her a pioneer. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MIAMI (AP) Melissa Sosa had a 6-year-old at home and a salary as a restaurant chef that hadnt changed within her sons lifetime. Forget that she was well respected among her peers and worked in prized Miami restaurants with James Beard award honors, including Zak the Baker, Pubbelly, Sugarcane and, lastly, Balloo. She had accepted she would be broke, making $15 an hour, working 10- and 12-hour days at a 2-Michelin star restaurant in Brooklyn last year when the coronavirus forced restaurants to close. Thats when a Miami friend called with an offer: Would she consider coming back to be a personal chef? A private plane flew her from Miami to the Bahamas, where she cooked in an island vacation home for 15 people over seven days around New Years Day. As a private chef, she says she commands $60 an hour. What I made in a week, I would make in a month in a restaurant, sweating my bum off working on a line, said Sosa, a 12-year restaurant veteran. Sosa, 29, has not returned to restaurants after restrictions were eased. And shes not alone. More restaurant chefs, from line cooks to the second in command in well-respected kitchens, are making the decision to work as personal chefs after the pandemic exposed their industrys fragility. Some are moonlighting on their off days. Others left restaurants altogether. Its another dent to a big Miami hospitality industry struggling to staff up in the pandemic. But for chefs who have turned years of restaurant experience into cooking in private homes, it has been a revelation. I didnt feel like I was a success as a mom and wasnt a success in my professional life. Now Im succeeding at both in a way I never have, she said. Its been really life changing, and people need to know its possible to do this. CHEFS FOR HIRE Demand for private chefs has been skyrocketing. Larry Lynch, president of the Orlando-based U.S. Personal Chef Association, said his group has about 1,000 members including 260 who joined last year during the pandemic, most out-of-work restaurant chefs. The work behind the line is hard, and a lot think, Theres got to be something better out there. Thats what we heard: We just dont want to go back to the line again, Lynch said. As part of a chefs dues, the organization not only helps place chefs, but also ensures they have all the appropriate business licenses, food handling and food safety certifications, liability insurance, even continuing education. Miami-area chef David Melendez decided to focus on being a private chef two years ago, before the pandemic. His company, Soflo Chefs, is busier than ever. In 2019, he worked 90 events. In 2020 that number nearly doubled to 170. Halfway through this year, hes already hosted 240. He and his team make between $25-$100 an hour, he said. Its better than standing on your feet all day on a hot line, he said. Some chefs have signed on with companies that pair them with this kind of work. Besides opening a new restaurant in Miami Beach and preparing to open two others, Michael Kaplan was a private chef who started New Wave Hospitality to place chefs with private cooking jobs on the side. Kaplan learned to appreciate the work early on as the private chef for the billionaire Nelson Peltz. During the start of the pandemic, Kaplan had wealthy clients who were looking for big dinner parties, but not in restaurants. Count David and Victoria Beckham among them. And there were restaurant chefs out of work as governments closed indoor dining to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases. People still had to eat and they were craving the restaurant experience, Kaplan said. We found an insane amount of talent out there, people ready to get back to work and people willing to pay to have that experience at home. We married the two together. New Wave has amassed a roster of more than 15 chefs that he helps place in everything from one-off events to part-time cooking in homes to full live-in chefs. Chefs are vetted with private tastings, lengthy interviews and matching a chefs personality to the job. An experienced chef can make anywhere between $100,000-$150,000 a year as a personal chef to start. Thats not counting the use of a car, living quarters and, often, health benefits, Kaplan said. NOT JUST FOR THE RICH Those turning to private chefs are not just the ultra-rich. Melendez said he has seen more people eschewing restaurants for chef-prepared dinner parties at home. Its not for the rich and famous anymore, he said. They want to Instagram every dish, and capture every milestone. It became cool to have a personal chef. He said his company has packages for as little as $65 a person and most of the dinners he has served in private homes in the last year had fewer than 15 people. For comparison, Miami Spice the annual, summer dining promotion at more than 200 Miami-Dade county restaurants charges fixed-price dinners for $42 a person. Melendez compared his rates to a dinner for two at a steakhouse like Ruths Chris, $200-$240. Thats about what wed charge but we bring the event to you, he said. Andy Bates, a television chef for Food Network UK based near Miami Beach, has worked almost exclusively as a private chef. In Miami, he has had out-of-towners stay at Airbnbs, and he brings everything for the blowout event, from silverware and plates to table decorations. And, of course, they handle all the dishes. Its all about you that evening, he said. All youve got to do is sit down and eat, and its all done. ITS AN EYE OPENER For most chefs turning to private work, its about being in control. Sasha Ariel Ullman, 31, has worked at some of Miamis best restaurants, including 27 Restaurant in Miami Beach and Coral Gables Madruga Bakery; and she worked as a chef for Michelle Bernstein. But she has worked exclusively as a private chef since November of last year. It was a big change for someone who has been cooking in restaurants since she was 14, working at the Boca Resort dining room. I love being a chef in a restaurant kitchen but its also taken a huge toll. Its a really stressful, really hard job, she said. Ullman met two families during lockdown in Miami and is spending the summer in the Hamptons, where she is living with one and cooking for another. Its another world from making $18 an hour in an independent, 50-seat restaurant. I always told myself Im not in this for the money. Its what I love. But this has shown me I can save for my future and do what I love, she said. This whole thing has been an eye opener. Still, it has been an adjustment, she said. Working directly for a client means learning about making corporations, paying taxes, building a client base, things she never had to think about in a restaurant. You have to learn to be a server, a bartender, a nanny sometimes, Ullman said. It takes someone multifaceted to succeed at this You have to have a lot of confidence in yourself. That variety is what appeals to some chefs. In the last year, Sosa has cooked one-off dinners, served a 10-course tasting menu, made a taco night for a supermodel and her family, and now she spends most of her days meal-prepping for a family. She does this from her home. You enjoy your work more and you can see your bank account benefiting from it, Sosa said. Its the most beautiful thing thats happened in my career. Sosa, a Key West native, is spending this week cooking for a family at a resort home in Islamorada, shopping for fresh ingredients and writing a different menu every day of the week. Then, shes taking a month off. And thats not something she ever imagined she could do as a chef. Wow, I can take a four-week holiday! Can you believe it? she said. CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. (AP) Services are set for a West Virginia soldier who went missing during the Korean War. The remains of Army Cpl. Pete W. Conley will be interred Friday at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Logan County community of Pecks Mill, the U.S. Army said in a news release. Evans Funeral Home in Chapmanville will hold a funeral service before the interment. AUSTIN, Texas A federal judge has ordered Texas to keep state troopers from stopping vehicles that are carrying migrants on the grounds that the migrants may spread the coronavirus. The temporary restraining order handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone comes as coronavirus infections are rising along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week authorized Texas growing presence of state troopers along the border to stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion that it transports migrants. The Biden administration accused Abbott of potentially worsening the spread of the coronavirus. It argued that impeding the movement of migrants would prolong the detention of unaccompanied children in increasingly crowded facilities. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: New York City: Vaccination proof needed for indoor events, dining, gyms WH: US shipped abroad more than 110M doses of vaccines China orders mass coronavirus testing for Wuhan 1st cruise ship docks in Puerto Rico since start of pandemic ___ Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is pressing forward with efforts to allow schools to mandate face masks as coronavirus infections continue to rise in the state. Hutchinson on Tuesday called the legislature back into session to consider revising a law he signed in April that prohibits mask mandates by schools and other governmental entities. Some lawmakers in the Republican-controlled body are opposing a mandate. The session will begin Wednesday and include a proposal to prevent the state from having to resume making supplemental unemployment benefits to thousands of residents. ___ NASHVILLE, Tenn. Country music star Garth Brooks says he is reassessing whether to continue his stadium tour in light of the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country. Brooks says in a statement that while he is scheduled to play the next two tour stops in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska, he will not put tickets on sale for the next planned stop in Seattle. The singer says he will take a three-week break to assess what to do about the remainder of the tour. Brooks is one of the biggest selling entertainers in music. He restarted touring in July and regularly performs in front of 60,000 to 70,000 people. Many of his shows sell out well in advance. ___ PHOENIX A science teacher in Phoenix has filed suit seeking to block a school district from imposing a mask mandate, arguing the requirement violates a new state law. The Phoenix Union High School District confirmed the filing Tuesday, and says the superintendent and governing board members stand behind our decision to require masks at this time and remain steadfast in our commitment to do all we can to protect our staff, students, families, and broader community. Phoenix Union resumed classes Monday and has roughly 28,000 students and 4,000 employees. The fight over masks comes as Arizona reported 1,974 new coronavirus infections and 30 deaths from COVID-19. ___ JERUSALEM Israel has reimposed a series of coronavirus restrictions amid a wave of rising infections, despite widespread vaccination. The government said late Tuesday that the Cabinet had approved tighter measures, including allowing only vaccinated people at indoor gatherings of 100 or more persons and requiring the wearing of masks at outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people. Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry ordered that all individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated arriving from the U.S. and 17 other countries must to quarantine for 14 days starting Aug. 11. Authorities reported 3,834 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, the highest daily count so far in a month-long acceleration in new infections. Over 57% of the countrys 9.3 million citizens are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. This week Israel started administering booster shots to citizens over age 60. ___ DOVER, Del. As the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads in Delaware, state health officials recommended Tuesday that unvaccinated people get tested weekly and they announced more opportunities to access testing, including take-home kits offered at libraries. In a statement, Gov. John Carney, the Division of Public Health, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency urged everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated and encouraged anyone who is unvaccinated to get weekly testing to prevent additional infections. Cases climbed steadily in Delaware during the month of July and more than 100 new cases have been reported every day for the last 5 days, officials said. ___ SALT LAKE CITY Utahs hospitals are feeling the strain as coronavirus cases increase, the vast majority among unvaccinated people. Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday called the latest wave a pandemic of the unvaccinated, yet maintained the state wouldnt be following New York in requiring people show they got the shot. But he said the state will support private companies that require some sort of proof. Cox warns that our hospital ICUs are filling up and our healthcare workers are feeling the strain. Officials say ICUs around the state have exceeded 100% capacity multiple times over the last several days. ___ LAYTON, Mo. People in Missouri's St. Louis County will not be required to wear masks for at least two more weeks, after a judge issued a temporary restraining order against a mask mandate imposed last month. Circuit Judge Ellen Nellie Ribaudo on Tuesday sided with state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who sued seeking to stop the mask mandate issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and county health officials. A hearing has been set for Aug. 17. The St. Louis County Council voted last week to rescind the mandate, but Page insisted it remained in effect. Ribaduo said in her ruling the state is likely to prevail in its argument that the law gives the county council the authority to terminate the mask requirement issued by health officials. ___ LAS VEGAS -- A surge in coronavirus cases driven by the highly contagious delta variant has pushed Nevada's hospitalization rate past levels seen in last summers surge, well before vaccines were available. Nevada on Monday reported 1,130 people hospitalized for confirmed cases of COVID-19. That level was last seen in late January, though it was well below the state's pandemic peak of 1,857 hospitalizations on Dec. 15. But the current outbreak has surpassed the highest rate when a surge in coronavirus virus infections began last summer, when there were 972 confirmed hospitalizations for COVID-19. ___ MINNEAPOLIS The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul says they will require city employees to wear masks in indoor public spaces as the delta variant of the coronavirus spurs concern nationwide. Mayors Jacob Frey and Melvin Carter said Tuesday that they also will require visitors to city-owned buildings to wear masks. The moves are in line with the latest recommendations from the CDC. The mayors also are urging businesses to require masks indoors to lessen the chances of virus spread. Minnesota reported 1,667 more infections Tuesday. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexicos court system is taking steps to ease financial upheaval as the state resumes foreclosures on delinquent mortgage loans and phases out a pandemic moratorium on commercial debt collection orders often tied to credit cards or health care. The Administrative Office of the Courts on Monday announced staggered deadlines for a return to debt collection orders that can be used to garnish wages or seize property to pay off commercial debts. Common forms of overdue credit are linked to credit card spending and medical expenses. At the same time, the state judiciary said mortgage lenders cant foreclose on properties without first providing homeowners with information about various ways to avoid foreclosure including forbearance agreements that reduce or suspend loan payments temporarily. ___ CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has postponed the final drawing in the states vaccination sweepstakes for several days, allowing more people to get their coronavirus shots and enter for a chance to receive prizes. The final drawing had been set for Wednesday, but is now scheduled for Aug. 10. The governor's office said Tuesday that the registration deadline also has been extended from Monday night to Sunday. Due to a system glitch, registration for a college scholarship prize available to younger residents closed early. The problem was fixed, but rather than simply reopening registration for one prize, the registration was pushed back for all prizes. Six other weekly drawings have been held. Among the prizes being offered in the finale are a grand prize of $1.588 million, a second-place prize of $588,000, two custom pickup trucks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, hunting rifles and shotguns, and state park weekend lodging trips. In addition, two people ages 12 to 25 will receive a full, four-year college scholarship. ___ WASHINGTON White House press secretary Jen Psaki criticized policies in states such as Texas and Florida that have moved to block employers and proprietors from implementing mask or vaccine requirements to curb the coronavirus. Those two states are among several facing surging cases from the delta variant. I think the fundamental question we have is, what are we doing here? Psaki asked. Biden planned to speak Tuesday about U.S. strategy to slow the spread of the coronavirus at home and abroad, noting that were all in this together. Earlier, the White House announced the U.S. had shipped more than 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries. ___ BATON ROUGE, La. Louisianas COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged to record levels. The Louisiana Department of Health reported Tuesday that 2,112 mostly unvaccinated people are in hospital beds struggling with the coronavirus illness. The states previous peak of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 2,069 patients in early January, after holiday gatherings spurred a spike in cases. But the highly contagious delta variant of the virus is propelling record-breaking numbers of hospitalizations at a faster pace. Health officials say the influx of COVID-19 patients is damaging the ability of hospitals to care for people with heart attacks, injuries from car accidents and other health conditions. The Louisiana Department of Health says 89% of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 arent vaccinated. ___ COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolina's top prosecutor says the University of South Carolina cant require students and staff to wear masks on campus this fall despite increasing cases of coronavirus. Last week, university officials announced they would require face coverings at all times inside all campus buildings, unless in ones own residence hall room, private office or eating inside campus dining facilities. But in a letter sent Monday, state Attorney General Alan Wilson says the universitys mask mandate is likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. A budget proviso that went into effect July 1 prohibits the states public colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. ___ RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina officials say more 74,000 state residents were vaccinated against the coronavirus last week, a figure higher than during any other week in the past two months. A push to get young adults vaccinated before the start of th eschool year and a growing number of employers requiring their workers to get the shot is likely fueling the improvement. Vaccine providers at dozens of sites across North Carolina are currently providing $25 to residents who come in for a shot and drivers who bring people in for their initial dose. Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday that his administration will raise that amount to $100 for people who get the shot starting Wednesday. Drivers will still qualify for the $25. ___ NASHVILLE, Tenn. Cattle owners in Tennessee have incentives to inoculate their herds against animal diseases. But officials arent planning to offer any incentives for people to get coronavirus shots, despite having some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. The state has reimbursed farmers nearly a half million dollars over the past two years to vaccinate herds against respiratory and other diseases. Gov. Bill Lee says he doesnt think the state should offer people incentives for coronavirus inoculations. Vaccination rates hover at 39% in Tennessee vs. 49% nationally for the fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, Tennessees hospitalizations for COVID-19 have more than tripled over the past three weeks. ___ The Pentagon says one of its police officers has died after being stabbed during a burst of violence at a transit center outside the building, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a virtual meeting with foreign ministers from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, July 13, 2021. The United States has said it is imperative for ASEAN to speed up its plan for initiating dialogue and reducing violence in Myanmar, now that the Burmese junta leader has appointed himself prime minister and announced that elections will not take place until 2023. At the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting scheduled for Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will impress upon the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that it needs to name and send an envoy to Myanmar, as the blocs members had agreed to in April, a senior State Department official said. Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaings announcement on Sunday is a call for ASEAN to have to step up its efforts, because its clear that the Burmese junta is just stalling for time and wants to keep prolonging the calendar to its own advantage, the official told a briefing for reporters in Washington late Monday. The official was one of two senior State Department officials who briefed reporters on condition that their names not be used. So all the more reason why ASEAN has to engage on this and live up and uphold the terms of the Five-Point Consensus that Myanmar also signed up to. Blinken will attend various ASEAN meetings this week, during which he will go deep into the details in understanding the complex issues in Southeast Asia, the State Department official said. Of these meetings, the ASEAN Regional Forum is the largest one and it focuses on regional security issues not the least of which is the coup in Burma, which has impacted all of ASEAN and threatens the stability of the entire region, the official said. [Blinken] will urge ASEAN to hold the Burma military junta accountable to the April 24 ASEAN Leaders Five-Point Consensus to name and send its special envoy to Burma to engage all stakeholders and for the junta to immediately end the violence, restore democratic governance, and release those unjustly detained, the official said. As of Tuesday, 950 Burmese most of them anti-coup protesters had been killed by Myanmar security forces since the military toppled an elected government on Feb. 1. In late April, ASEAN leaders convened in Jakarta for a special meeting on the crisis in post-coup Myanmar. The leaders including Min Aung Hlaing met in person. They all agreed on five points to be implemented as soon as possible to stem the violence and begin the process of returning Myanmar to normalcy. ASEAN leaders agreed to appoint a special envoy to Myanmar, constructive dialogue among all parties and mediation of such talks by an ASEAN special envoy, as they called for an end to violence. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi talks to journalists during a virtual press conference in Washington, Monday, Aug 2, 2021. [Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP] Time for firm decision from ASEAN Six months later, none of these points from the consensus have come to fruition and some ASEAN members have expressed frustration at the impasse. Retno Marsudi, the foreign minister of Indonesia a founding member of the 54-year-old bloc said Monday that the delay of implementation of the five points of consensus would not bring anything positive to ASEAN. Its time for ASEAN to take a firm decision, Retno told a virtual meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers. Indonesia hopes that this meeting can decide on the appointment of the special envoy according to ASEANs proposal along with its clear mandate and the Myanmar militarys commitment to providing full access to the envoy to carry out its duties. Retno also indicated that Myanmars junta may be delaying the naming of an ASEAN envoy. Indonesia hopes that Myanmar will immediately approve ASEANs proposal for the appointment of a Special Envoy, Retno said. As of Tuesday afternoon (Washington time), ASEAN had yet to issue a joint statement on the meeting. According to sources in Jakartas diplomatic corridors, Myanmar had not approved the person that ASEAN had suggested for the special ambassadorship. Myanmar has to approve an ASEAN emissary because the 10-member bloc takes decisions by consensus. For his part, Min Aung Hlaing said on Sunday the six-month anniversary of the coup that of three envoy nominees ASEAN had presented, he picked a former Thai minister, but no further progress was made because the bloc then proposed new names. Of the three original nominees for the ASEAN special envoy, we agreed to select the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul. But for various reasons, the new proposals were released and we could not keep moving onwards, the junta leader said, according to a transcript of his speech published in state-run publication The Global New Light of Myanmar. I would like to say that Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including the dialogue with the ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has close ties with the Burmese military. Prayuth chose Myanmar as the first foreign country to visit after he seized power also in a military coup in May 2014, and four years later, Thailand awarded Gen. Min Aung Hlaing a royal decoration. On Monday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan voiced American support for ASEANs efforts to resolve the political crisis in Myanmar, during talks in Washington with Retno, the Indonesian foreign ministry said. The Indonesian minister is in Washington at the invitation of Secretary Blinken. Sullivan and Retno shared deep concerns regarding the crisis in Burma and recommitted to promoting a swift return to democracy, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council said. Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassins tenuous grip on power weakened further on Tuesday after the head of the largest party in the ruling coalition claimed that enough of its lawmakers had withdrawn support to force him from power. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, president of the United Malays National Organization, told reporters that he had met King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah and presented him with declarations signed by at least 12 of the partys MPs to prove that Muhyiddin had lost majority support in Parliament. The signees included himself, a cabinet minister, and other senior UMNO members, Zahid said, without sharing other details about the meeting. As proof, lawmakers from UMNO who have signed declaration letters that I have dispatched to His Majesty the King, and for legitimacy as well, here with me are the members of parliament who have signed these declaration letters, Zahid told reporters at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The 10 UMNO lawmakers who joined Zahid at the news conference included former Prime Minister Najib Razak, Deputy House Speaker Azalina Osman Said, former Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, and MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Najib, who was driven from the top office in 2018 in an electoral upset, has been facing trials on 42 charges linked to the alleged embezzlement of billions of dollars from 1MDB, a state development fund. There are more lawmakers who cannot be with us today because they are in their respective locations, especially those in Sabah, Zahid said. But once my request for another audience with the king is granted, I will present these additional declaration letters that I have. Minutes before the news conference started, Energy and Natural Resource Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah announced his resignation from Muhyiddins cabinet. Taking into account several decisions and [the] stance of the party, therefore, as a member of UMNO that is obedient and loyal to the party, I hereby resign as cabinet member of the federal government, Shamsul said in a statement. UMNO previously asked its member lawmakers to resign from their government posts following a resolution reached during the partys general assembly in March. The party has nine ministers serving in the cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The 75-year-old party represents the largest single bloc in the governments coalition. UMNO holds 38 of the 222 seats in parliament (two are vacant because of the deaths of MPs), followed by Muhyiddins Bersatu party with 31 seats. If he loses support of the UMNO MPs, Muhyiddin would no longer have support of at least 112 members one more than half of the full parliament. Angry king Muhyiddins relationship with the monarchy was tested lately when the king openly expressed his disappointment over a misleading statement by the government about the status of emergency ordinances enacted because of the pandemic. Last week, the king said Muhyiddin had not reached out to him as required before revoking COVID-19 ordinances. In a statement on Tuesday, Muhyiddin said a motion to debate and potentially annul the emergency ordinances could be brought before parliament next month. Muhyiddin also said his cabinet would discuss such a motion on Wednesday. He noted that the state of emergency had expired at the beginning of the month. With the end of the state of emergency on Aug. 1, 2021, based on the provision of the Federal Constitution, revocation of the emergency ordinances by the king does not arise, he said. Malaysian MPs participate in a House of Representatives session, July 26, 2021. [Handout/Malaysia Department of Information/Nazri Rapaai/ Reuters] After Zahids news conference on Tuesday, Muhyiddin no longer had a government to lead, according to Awang Azman Awang Pawi, a political scientist at Universiti Malaya. Once Shamsul Anuar resigns in line with the party line, surely others will follow, Awang Azman told BenarNews. He said Muhyiddin needed to prove that he had majority support to stay in power. Once Muhyiddins majority comes into question, the formation of an interim government can happen, he said. Meanwhile, political analyst James Chin of Tasmania University said the king would have a say on what happens next. The government has not fallen. It is all up to the king now, Chin told BenarNews. He can accept or reject the statutory declarations. If he accepts them, he will have to ask Muhyiddin to prove his majority. For that, Chin said, Muhyiddin would have to recall parliament to allow for a vote of confidence. To recall a parliament sitting is a power of the prime minister and right now, he has no incentive to do that, he said. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his weekly national briefing remained defiant about his administrations deadly war on drugs, while applauding law enforcers for raids that led to the largest haul of methamphetamine this year and the death of a Chinese suspect. At a televised late-night cabinet meeting on Monday, Duterte, 76, showed photos from the haul as he congratulated police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for three operations that culminated in the seizure of crystal meth valued at 1.4 billion pesos (U.S. $28.2 million). To the team, from the different agencies, police, PDEA, Army, the intelligence community, Id like to commend you. Congratulations, he said. The Philippine leader also vowed to never appear alive before an international court investigating his controversial drug war, which has left more than 8,000 dead, according to official figures that activists say do not capture the actual toll. On Monday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported that four suspected traffickers were arrested and a suspect identified as a Chinese national was killed during the course of the counter-narcotics operations in different areas of Metro Manila a day earlier. The raids led to the seizure of more than 200 kg (440 pounds) of crystal meth concealed in tea packets, along with mobile phones and at least one gun. The Chinese national, identified as Wu Zishen, 50, was killed during a shootout in the town of Balagtas, but his accomplice, Chen Hongli, managed to escape, according to a statement from the PDEA. Three other Chinese nationals, identified as Chen Bien (alias Wille Lu Tan), 42; Wang Min (alias Antong Wong), 28; and Chen Zhin, 79; were arrested in suburban Quezon City, the agency said. A fourth suspect, Joseph Dy, whose nationality was not released, was arrested in a raid in Valenzuela City. 'Shared values' Last week, ahead of a maiden visit to the Philippines by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, 10 American senators called for an investigation of the Philippine government over its war on drugs, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During the visit, the two nations reaffirmed a military pact that allows U.S. troops to conduct drills and exercises in Philippine territory. Sen. Edward Markey and nine other Democrats expressed concern about the human rights situation in the Philippines, while seeking to better understand the Biden administrations strategy for addressing the Duterte governments continuing pattern of human rights violations. Dated July 26, the senators letter told Blinken that maintaining a bilateral relationship required upholding shared values, including the protection of human rights. Yet, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a multi-year extrajudicial, violent, and inhumane war on drugs that has devastated communities, the senators wrote. Late Monday, in an apparent response to the letter, Duterte challenged Washingtons human rights record. Id like to say something about the State Department. Be careful. Be careful of what you are planning or doing there because you yourself, your country is not just was is guilty of so many violations of human rights, Duterte said, without detailing specific violations. The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment about the senators' letter. But Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque did reply when asked how the U.S. government should respond. We leave that decision to President Joe Biden. They are Americans. In the same way that we dont like for them to comment on what the Philippine Congress is doing, we would also not interfere, Roque said in a statement on Monday. That is, anyway, a personal view of 10 American senators. We leave it up to them whatever they want to do. Five-year drug war Duterte launched his drug war soon after becoming president in 2016. He had campaigned for office on a pledge of ridding the Philippines of the scourge of illegal drugs and drug addiction. He even promised to turn Manila Bay red with the bodies of dead drug suspects. Since he took power, at least 8,000 suspected dealers and addicts have died in police operations, according to government figures, while rights groups claim that the number could be thousands more when including extrajudicial killings blamed on vigilantes linked to the government. Fatou Bensouda, the then-top prosecutor of The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), announced in June that she was seeking a probe into allegations that crimes against humanity took place under Dutertes drug war. A day before leaving her post, she announced the investigation would cover the period from when Duterte took office on June 30, 2016, until March 2019. Over my dead body. You can get me and bring me to the Netherlands dead, Duterte said on Monday, in his latest diatribe against the investigation. You will have a carcass. I will not go there alive, you fools. In 2019, Duterte pulled the Philippines out of an international treaty that created the ICC. Despite that action, the Philippine Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that Duterte could face trial at the ICC. During his final State of the Nation Address on July 26, the president delivered another defiant message against the ICC. I never denied and the ICC can record it those who destroy my country, I will kill you, and those who destroy the young people of my country, I will kill you, because I love my country, he said at the time. Lt. Gen. Kriangkrai Srirak (center), commander of the 4th Army Region, visits a government outpost that was attacked by suspected insurgents, in the Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, Aug. 3, 2021. A Thai soldier was killed and four others were injured when insurgents attacked a military outpost along the Malaysian border in Thailands Deep South on Tuesday, officials said, a day after government forces shot dead a suspected rebel. The Thai army commander in the region said that authorities had asked Malaysian officials for help in checking reports that the rebels had fled into Malaysia after mounting the attack across the Kolok River, which separates the two countries in that area. The attack took place 2:15 a.m. at the makeshift base in Moo 1, a village located in the Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, officials said. Soldiers were stationed there to prevent illegal border crossings as a COVID precaution measure, they added. There were eight servicemen on duty at the base, Col. Thaweerat Benjathikul, the commander of the 45th Ranger Task Force Regiment, told reporters. And at least 15 armed men cut the lights, encircled and fired upon them with guns and hurled pipe-bombs at them. The fight lasted about 15 minutes. Thaweerat said security personnel found more than 50 casings from an M-16 rifle, AK-47 assault rifles and shotguns at the attack site. The slain soldier was identified as Kiattikhajorn Nakdee, he said, adding that the injured servicemen did not have life-threatening injuries. [I] believe the attackers were avenging the death of Rosalee Lamso, he said. According to military officials, Rosalee was the leader of a cell of separatist fighters who was gunned down by government forces on Monday after a five-hour standoff at his father-in-laws home in Pattani, another province in the Deep South. He was wanted in connection with several attacks, including the murder of a couple in a car-bomb explosion in 2017. Attackers were certainly Thais A Thai official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the insurgents who perpetrated Tuesdays attack had crossed the river from Malaysia to launch the attack before retreating. BenarNews tried to reach Abdul Rahim Noor, the Malaysian broker of southern Thai peace talks, but he did not respond right away on Tuesday night nor did Gen. Wanlop Rugsanaoh, Thailands chief negotiators in those talks. Senior Malaysian police officials also did not respond immediately to related inquiries from BenarNews. Col. Kiatisak Neewong, spokesman for ISOC-4, the militarys regional command, said officials found boot marks along the river bank and were investigating them. We do not rule out any motives, but the attackers were certainly Thais, said Kiatisak. Lt. Gen. Kriangkrai Srirak, the commander for the 4th Army Region, which covers Thailands southern region, went to inspect the site of Tuesdays attack. We have asked Malaysia to help, he said. Since the decades-old separatist insurgency reignited in January 2004, more than 7,000 people have been killed in Thailands southern border region, according to Deep South Watch, a Pattani think-tank. Face-to-face peace talks between Thailand and the National Revolutionary Front, or BRN -- the largest armed insurgent group in the far south -- have been stalled since March last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But both sides said they were still meeting online through technical-level panels. The last virtual meeting was held in February, Malaysian facilitator Rahim Noor confirmed to BenarNews at the time. 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. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Reporter Greta Jochem, a Report for America Corps member, joined the Eagle in 2021. Previously, she was a reporter at the Daily Hampshire Gazette. She is also a member of the investigations team. Seventy-four members of the Massachusetts Legislature, including most of the Berkshire delegation, have signed a letter asking the federal government to bolster access to the ballot as several states, including Massachusetts, have seen proposals for voting restrictions. State Sens. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Becca Rausch, D-Needham, were expected to present the letter, addressed to federal lawmakers and the administration of President Joe Biden, at a Tuesday rally in Washington. Close to 400 anti-voter bills have been introduced in legislatures across the nation, with many signed or on the way to becoming law in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona, and others, state lawmakers said in the letter. Make no mistake: these unpatriotic attacks on our elections will undermine confidence that elections in America can possibly represent the will of a checked and balanced majority. Proposed restrictions in 47 states, such as limiting drive-thru voting and voting by mail, will lead to material harm to communities that have long been under-represented, the letter said. Letter writers expressed support for the For the People Act, which Senate Republicans stalled after it passed in the House. Ten Massachusetts Democrats Comerford, Rausch, Sonia Chang-Diaz, Cynthia Creem and Adam Gomez in the Senate, and Mindy Domb, John Lawn, Tram Nguyen, Chynah Tyler and Bud Williams in the House led the effort on the letter, according to a news release from Comerfords office. State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, and state Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, signed the letter. Lauren R. Stevens | The View from White Oaks: Establishing and acknowledging the truth of this land's first inhabitants The family of Birmingham, Alabama, native Nicole Denise Jackson, has been searching for her since she went missing in 2018 after traveling to Germany with a man she met online. She has now been found safe. AL.com reports after hiring a private investigator, the family was able to discover the identity of the man she has been with during her absence. His employer and landlord were contacted. On July 30, the family was contacted by the State Department and informed that Jackson had come in voluntarily with proof of identification. However, the family has not spoken to her. Her older sister, Ela Vaughn, told the outlet, Im more at peace. Id still like to hear her voice. Im happy to know our prayers have been answered. Shes safe and shes okay. RELATED: D.C. Missing Teen Shares Her Story In The Midst Of Viral Posts With Incorrect Information Vaughn does not know why her sister has not contacted their family in two years, Shell reach out to us when hes ready. I feel a whole lot better. She will eventually reach out. I know she will. Vaughn and her family originally believed Jackson went to Germany to pursue music and to attend school because it was free in the country. However, she eventually discovered her sister was dating a man she met online. The family periodically received birthday text messages from Jackson but they questioned the authenticity of the messages. Text messages wouldnt go through when they replied and they werent able to connect when they called. The last text message was in 2019. None of Jacksons close friends had from her, according to Vaughn. Its unknown why Nicole Denise Jackson stopped communicating with her friends and family. Call ahead to confirm events. Due to COVID-19, many events have been canceled but hosting organizations might not have updated their entries. Email Blast Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Daily News Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a digest of each day's headlines & events from The Daily News by email? Signup today! The Amplifier Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a weekly digest of headlines & events from The Amplifier by email? Signup today! Daily News Hosted Events The Daily News is a proud host of community enrichment events. Join our Daily News Events mailing list to learn about the next event we are planning. Sign up now. Manage your lists Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 86F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 87F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Thunderstorms, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall at times. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. The Bible records only one specific time that Jesus fasted during his time on earth. Just after his baptism, Jesus immediately was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he fasted for forty days, according to the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:2). The Gospel of Matthew further explains the fast was forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:2). What does it mean that Jesus fasted, and why did he do this? And what does the length of Jesus fast teach us about spiritual disciplines and their role in our lives? When and How Long Did Jesus Fast? In the Gospel of Matthew, just after Jesus has been baptized by John in the Jordan river, were told that heaven opens, the Spirit of God descends upon him, and the voice of God can be heard declaring, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17). Then, Jesus immediately heads into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). The Gospel of Luke tells us Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and was tempted for forty days. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry, Luke 4:2 describes. The baptism and temptation are immediately followed by the beginning of Jesuss travels, as he traveled Judea teaching and preaching Gods word to any who would listen. Many say the temptation prepared him for his ministry. Where Did Jesus Fast? Scholars believe that Jesus fasted in the Judean wilderness, which is near the Jordan River. They believe the high mountain, where the devil took him at one point, was called the Mountain of Temptation, an isolated and secluded locale that overlooks the city, but is steep and very difficult to climb. What Happens in This Story? In both accounts, Jesus fasts, which means he voluntarily reduced or eliminate his intake of food. Lukes account tells us he ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry (Luke 4:2). The devil tempts Jesus during this time, attempting to take advantage of Jesuss weakened state. He tells Jesus to turn a stone into bread, to throw himself off the cliff (to demonstrate how the angels would save him), and to worship him (the devil) in exchange for the splendor of all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus counters each of the temptations with the Word of God. To the challenge to turn the stone to bread, Jesus counters the devil with the truth that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). To the challenge to throw himself off the cliff, Jesus counters with, Do not put the Lord your God to the test (Matt. 4:7). And to the challenge to bow down and worship the devil, Jesus counters, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only (Matt. 4:10). Then the devil left; Jesus passed the test and did not succumb to temptation. Photo credit: Unsplash/Kyle Cottrell Why Did Jesus Fast? Jesus likely fasted to prepare himself for ministry by drawing closer to God. One of the reasons people fast is to get their body into a weakened state where they can focus on the basics of life and hear Gods voice better without all the so-called creature comforts that can both soothe and distract us. Jesus knew he had hard work ahead of him, and he needed to get his mind straight before he began performing miracles. Having just been declared the Son of God at his baptism, he needed to regain his humility and cling to God so he could truly fulfill his Fathers work. He also knew he needed to understand the vastly weaker mind of humankind, a sinful and sometimes rebellious people who desperately needed their savior Messiah, the Christ. Did Jesus Drink Water or Eat Anything While Fasting? Fasting involves reducing food intake and sometimes eliminating food entirely. Were not told the specifics. Some scholars believe Jesus ate nothing at all, which is what Luke 4:2 indicates. Others think he scrounged the barren landscape for scraps of very little food intakevirtually nothing. Most agree he likely drank water during this time, for the fast only specifies he ate nothing, not that he drank nothing. How Did Jesus Fast for Forty Days? Scientists believe people can go without water a few days and without food for a few weeks at mostforty days is far longer than this. Assuming he drank water but consumed no food, Jesus would likely have not lasted forty days if he were a typical man. But Jesus was not a typical manHe is the Son of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and endowed with supernatural gifts that enabled him to fast whatever length of time was needed. The fast was designed to get him to a weakened state so that hed draw closer to God, yet be perhaps more susceptible to the temptationsmaking his victory over these temptations even more of a win. Even if he did have some food during the fast, it still would have left him in a weakened physical and mental state. During the fast, he likely conserved energy and moved as little as possible. Likely he prayed and spent time meditating in the presence of the Lord. When the devil came, he was ready. What Is the Point of Fasting? Some people fast for weight-loss reasons, but most people fast for spiritual reasons. Typically, people do a spiritual fast as a way of denying themselves pleasures of the flesh, or even just basic sustenance, in order to reach a heightened state of consciousness and knowledge of the Lord. Jesus would have fasted to draw closer to God and focus on his spiritual self, pushing aside the physical needs and wants as best as possible. Today, we often do a spiritual fast for similar reasons. We fast to deprive ourselves and gain greater spiritual insight. We fast to decrease our own strength so we can be strengthened by relying on the Lord. We also fast to be in solidarity with those who suffer. How Can We Do a Fast Today? If you are interested in trying a spiritual fast, rememberyou are not Jesus, so heading into the wilderness alone for forty days is not a recommended option. However, there are some ways you can fast safely. The Bible mentions fasting dozens of times as a way to pray, to grieve, or to draw close to God. First, be sure to consult a medical doctor before fasting to ensure you do so in a healthy way. Next, experts recommend you start slowly with short periods at a time and build up to longer periods. Stay hydrated, and dont make denying all food the goal. Rather, understand the point is to get to a place of physical denial so you can better focus on your spiritual heart. And finally, keep your focus on prayer and on God. Use the time to get honest and vulnerable with your Creator. Jesuss forty-day fast in the Bible was an important part of his life and prepared him for his earthly ministry. We dont know if Jesus fasted just this once, or if he made a habit of fasting. The Bible only mentions this fast. But when he emerged victorious from the wilderness, he was in right relationship with his Heavenly Father, ready and willing to do all God wanted him to doincluding die on a cross for the sins of the world. Learning about Jesuss fast can teach us a lot about him, about the importance of time alone with God, and about what we can learn when we step away from physical comfort and embrace difficulty for a season. Related articles What Christians Need to Know about Fasting and Prayer What Exactly Is Fasting All About? 6 Reminders for Facing Temptation Like Jesus Photo credit: Getty Images/1971yes Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional, too. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. JULIAETTA - On Tuesday, August 3, the Eastern Area Type 2 Incident Management Gold Team commanding the Leland Complex Fires provided an update on fire growth and containment operations of the Sand Mountain and Johnson Creek Fires. As of Tuesday morning, containment on the Sand Mountain Fire has grown significantly from 58% on Monday to now 82%, while containment on the Johnson Creek Fire has grown to 63%. The Leland Complex was last estimated at a combined 3,492 acres. Fire crews have been extremely successful over the last 2 days on both fires maintaining the fire size and substantially increasing containment. Heavy equipment will be moving off the fires as mop up operations expand, and the backhauling of unneeded supplies begins. Management personnel from the Maine Forestry Service, supporting the North Idaho Incident Management Team, have been reassigned to assist the Cougar Rock Complex as the Leland Complex winds down. Demobilization of resources has begun as crews reach the end of their 14-day cycles and critical needs lessen. Sand Mountain Fire As of 9:00am on Tuesday, August 3, the Sand Mountain Fire located approximately 2.5 miles from Laird Park in Latah County was estimated at 1,617 acres and is 82% contained. Containment on this fire has improved significantly since Monday, when the fire was estimated to be 58% contained. Patrol, monitor, and mop up operations continue along most of the fire perimeter. While line has been constructed around the entirety of the fire, there remains a section along Big Sand Road that due to terrain and hazard trees, crews have not been able to directly engage the fire. Water delivery systems have been installed and crews will focus on buttoning up that section today. Johnson Creek Fire As of 9:00am on Tuesday, August 3, the Johnson Creek Fire east of Elk River was estimated at 1,327 acres and 63% contained. Containment on the Johnson Creek Fire has increased from the 44% containment that was reported on Monday. Ground forces were successful in constructing handline along the north side of the fire tying into Shite Creek. Today they will reinforce that line and work the fires edge down to the creek edge to clean up the fuels through the drainage keeping the fire to the south and west of Shite Creek. The eastern edge of fire is burning in an area that is very steep and only accessible by foot. Yesterday crews conducted successful firing operations reducing the fuel load so that they can safely continue to directly engage the fire. Bonami & Pine Creek Fires The Pine Creek Fire remains 542 acres in size and is 100% contained. The Bonami Fire remains 6 acres in size and is also 100% contained. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) There is a TFR in place for air space over the Leland Complex fires. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you Fly, We Cant! Cooperating Agencies Idaho Department of Lands, Maine Forest Service, Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), USDA Forest Service, Latah County Sheriffs Office, Deary VFD, Moscow VFD, Elk River VFD, PotlatchDeltic. Hope you watched the No Spin News last night as we accurately reported the Covid madness. All Americans need facts to protect themselves from this insidious virus and right now, facts are not coming forthcoming from the Biden administration or the corporate media. For example, questioning the effectiveness of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is ridiculous. They work. Yet I continue to hear some media people doubt the vaccines. Awful. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less protective. Fear is driving both the spread of Covid and the reaction to it. Tonight on the No Spin News, well analyze the fear factor. See you beginning at six eastern. Sign up to watch the No Spin News every weeknight beginning at 6:00 pm Eastern.] State-of-the-art facility significantly enhances WuXi STA's drug product capacity in Europe while better enabling global customers WuXi STA a subsidiary of WuXi AppTec has completed the acquisition of a drug product manufacturing facility in Couvet, Switzerland from Bristol Myers Squibb. WuXi STA first announced its plans to purchase the facility earlier this year. The acquisition will enhance WuXi STAs capabilities by adding capacity to support its global partners in bringing innovative medicines to patients around the world. The Couvet site is the first facility in Europe for WuXi STA. Opened in 2018, this facilitys state-of-the-art tablet & capsule manufacturing and packaging capabilities will provide WuXi STAs customers more flexibility thanks to an enhanced supply of global drug products and greater access to the European market and beyond. By enhancing its network, WuXi STA can better support customers long-term needs globally, as they bring new and existing commercial manufacturing projects from their pipelines to the facility, with the capability and capacity to supply drug products to major global markets. We are delighted to have added the Couvet site to our global supply network and are excited to welcome its highly skilled team to the WuXi STA family, said Dr Minzhang Chen, Co-CEO, WuXi AppTec. Through combining resources of the Couvet site with our other facilities, we continue strengthening and broadening our capacity and capabilities to better support our global customers in delivering innovative medicines to patients in need. Through this transaction, WuXi STA has increased its global presence to eight R&D and manufacturing sites across Asia, North America and Europe, including the recently announced Middletown site in Delaware, USA. Techade REDEFINING FUTURE OF life sciences industry Digital transformation is the topmost priority for global corporations and in a highly connected world that will remain largely contactless for an extended period, there are shifts in business models, customer experience, operations, and employee experience. With technology adoption accelerating across sectors, 2021 is likely to put the spotlight on the emergence of growth verticals in the life sciences sector namely healthcare, pharma, medical devices, diagnostics etc. India is now standing at the cusp of a re-imagined decade of technology, commonly being referred to as Techade. While we anticipate a significantly better global economic growth this year as compared to 2020, we are also very much looking forward to the enhancement being brought to the Indian life sciences industry as it continues its transformation journey in this redefined techade. UNIZA has set up a modern, state-of-the-art facility complying with WHO-GMP and PIC/S guidelines at Kadi near Ahmedabad, Gujarat Ahmedabad-based Uniza Group has entered into an exclusive tie-up with Lysulin - an innovator company from the US to launch Lysulin - a breakthrough evidence-based nutritional product for Indian Market. Lysulin is patented in the USA for the prevention of protein glycation using Lysine supplements and as a method of diabetes support using a supplement. UNIZA is a pharmaceutical venture of Pashupati Group. The company has set up a modern, state-of-the-art facility complying with WHO-GMP and PIC/S guidelines at Kadi near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Having launched India business in August 2020, the company has gradually expanded its product range to over 80 SKUs with a sale of Rs 25 crore in the first year. Sreekanth Seshadri, CEO and Managing Partner, Uniza Healthcare, said, "We endeavour to bring the best of global healthcare products to India and the launch of Lysulin, Schones and Keratizaare testimony to our commitment. The company is looking to introduce more innovative products in India. Focussed on dermatology, cardiology and diabetes management we offer products that include antifungals, anti-dandruff preparations, moisturizers, antibiotics, anti-allergic preparations, anti-acne, multi-vitamins, anti-hypertensives, oral hypoglycemic agents, lipid-lowering agents and iron preparations." "Our international business would mainly focus on ROW markets like Africa, LATAM, South East Asia and CIS countries and planning to file over 180 dossiers. Our Indian business is aiming to achieve sales of Rs 100 crore in FY 2021-22," said Saurin Parikh, MD, Uniza Group & Founder, Pashupati Group. The winners of the 2021 Durban International Film Festival were announced at the closing of the festival on Saturday, 31 July, ahead of the screening of its closing documentary film, Threshold by Brazilian director Coraci Ruiz. Durban International Festival announces theme, Framing the Future, Cinema Unleashed The 42nd Durban International Festival (DIFF) will take place from 22 July - 1 August 2021 and will focus on a film programme that focuses on narratives that will speak hope for tomorrow. We want to award recognition to filmmakers, organisations and institutions who share in our commitment to engage the cinematic arts to grow, mature and defend our democracy, says Mahomed. This award recognizes an organization that does outstanding work to bring about sustainable & free screenings in predominantly under-privileged communities. The award goest to Sunshine Cinema.#DIFF2021 #DIFFAWARDS pic.twitter.com/b4fU5Cum7z Durban International Film Festival (@DIFFest) July 31, 2021 The announcement comes as the festival rounds off a very successful year, with a significant increase in online attendance. Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) director Ismail Mahomed says of this years event: I was delighted with the success of DIFF 2021, and it was very gratifying to view a large number of streams and also to see the huge enthusiasm from our South African audiences for the festival.In the spirit of being a champion for democracy, human rights, social justice, creative education and access to the arts for all, The Centre for Creative Arts introduced three new awards categories.The inaugural DIFF Promoting Access to Cinema Award was won by the mobile cinema project Sunshine Cinema for their outstanding work that brings sustainable and free screenings in predominantly communities. The inaugural DIFF Film in Education award was won by non-profit media company Steps for producing over 100 documentaries for a diverse range of public education projects. The third inaugural award, the DIFF Human Rights Award, went to filmmaker Enver Samuels for creating documentaries that played a vital role in documenting the lives of South African human rights legends and unearthing the need for a thorough investigation into the deaths of assassinated political leaders such as Dulcie September and Ahmed Timol.At the awards ceremony, the festivals highest accolade of Best Feature Film went to Chinese director Shin Xins masterful A Little Bird Reminds Me, from a selection of competition films that the international jury described as diverse in topics and styles. The Best Feature Film award carries a cash prize of R50,000. Xin was also honoured with the award for Best Director, with the jury saying: This director reminds us that sometimes less is more. The jury commended Xins film for having a light touch, beautiful cinematography, and a story that refreshingly unfolds. A Little Bird Reminds Me_Clip2_ENsub from PARALLAX Films on Vimeo. The Best South African Feature Film award, which carries a prize of R25,000, was a challenging choice to make, as the circumstances could not be ignored. The jury emphasises that the films in competition were all by first filmmakers. Due to the pandemic, 2020 was a very difficult year for film in South Africa, which the jury did consider in making their choice.The award went to Cape Town production Sons of the Sea, directed by John Guttierez. The jury stated that they chose the film because it poignantly displays the power of relationships for good and evil. SONS OF THE SEA Trailer from Amiga Pictures on Vimeo. The complete list of awards is as follows: Best Documentary was awarded to the Congolese director Dieudo Hamadis Downstream to Kinshasa. According to the jury, we were taken by using the tool of theatre in this documentary. It was beautifully expressed and conducted. We found the storytelling stylish, even though the subject matter was complicated.The accolade for Best South African Documentary had joint winners of I Am Here, directed by Jory Sank and Murder in Paris, directed by Enver Samuels. According to the jury, both of these stories are unique stories about freedom and survival.This year's festival had a powerful selection of 53 short films, and the shorts jury had the difficult task of choosing the winners.The Best South African Short Film was awarded to the King Shaka-themed animation Shaka Inkosi Yamakhosi directed by Manzini Zungu for its fresh, unique and decolonial take on history.The best African Short Film went to the South African What Did You Dream? by Karabo Lediga. We wanted to distinguish the film for its breath-taking mise-en-scene, magical realism and surprising ending, but also for the directors great feel for working with children actors, said the jury.The Best Short Film unanimously went to Ala Kachuu-Take and Run by director Maria Brendle from Kyrgyzstan all of us will remember this film for a very long time, said the jury.Aside from the winners, the jury added special mentions for Lakushon Ilanga, by which they were deeply touched; TukTuk was commended for the extraordinary acting; The Worlds Best Orchestra, for its universal topic presented with an excellent sense of humour. Also, special mentions went to the animation TIO, which surprised the jury and Dustin for changing the way people look at the world.Best Actor: Seounggyun An My SonBest Actress: Tsholo Maseko Pusha Pressa PhandaBest Screenplay: My SonBest Director: Shi Xin - A Little Bird Reminds MeBest South African Feature Film: Sons of the SeaBest Feature Film: A Little Bird Reminds MeArtistic Bravery: Pusha Pressa PandaBest South African Documentary: I Am HereBest South African Documentary: Murder in ParisBest Documentary: Downstream to KinshasaBest South African Short Film: Shaka Inkosi YamakhosiBest African Short Film: What Did You Dream?Best Short Film: Ala Kachuu - Take and RunAmnesty Durban Human Rights Award: I, MaryDIFF Human Rights Award: Enver SamuelsDIFF Film In Education Award: StepsDIFF Access to Cinema Award: Sunshine Cinema Female education = female empowerment. MediaHeads 360 wants to change the world. This is no small feat, but they believe that change, and empowerment, starts with a single act and a single person (or organisation). They believe that one of the most powerful ways to effect change is to invest in women, crediting education with the power to give women the ability to determine their own future.Kofi Annan explains when uplifting women entire communities become uplifted: "When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: families are healthier; they are better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is true of communities and, eventually, whole countries."That's why, since its relaunch in 2019, MediaHeads 360 has consistently supported and emphasized the importance of education to uplift both youth and women. This is done annually, in celebration of Women's Month, by offering bursaries to women in the media industry. This year is no different, as there will be five bursaries available for 2021. Continuing their support, five women will be given the opportunity to study a bursary for a course in either Digital Marketing or Social Media Marketing through the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business."Empowered women, empower women and we, as a female led company, see it as our responsibility to give women opportunities to grow. It is of paramount importance that we allow women the chance to expand their horizons and hone their skills so that they may advance in their careers, and in turn, empower other women. This is how we will build a better South Africa for all women, by enriching lives and working together. In fact, a key pillar for MediaHeads 360, is to drive education through empowering the youth and women." Candy Dempers, MediaHeads 360 managing director said.If you are a woman currently employed by an advertising or media agency and want to upgrade your skills to take your career to the next level, email a 100-word motivation to az.oc.063sdaehaidem@tnelat . You can also visit www.mediaheads360.co.za for more information. Applications close on Tuesday, 10 August 2021 and successful recipients will be announced on Monday, 16 August 2021. Your name lays the foundation for your purpose. Changing ours is a small way of honouring the women who are finding ways to achieve unimaginable success. Stay on #SheOwnsHerSuccess as we surface the barriers that hold us back & work with you to facilitate your unstoppable success pic.twitter.com/5G3C74KGL0 Momentum (@Momentum_za) August 2, 2021 Following the launch of the first #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign in 2019, which inspired women to be unapologetic about their success, the theme in 2020 sought to inspire women to identify and break through barriers, while encouraging them to take others with them.This year, Momentum aims to celebrate the strides and achievements that women continue to make despite existing socioeconomic, psychological and cultural barriers. It seeks to empower women to rise above the nos and burst through the no not yous - with practical tools that empower and remind them that their success is indeed unstoppable.Despite the enormous headways that women have made in the workplace, gender disparities persist. More than one-third of South African households are headed by women and these are approximately 40% poorer than those headed by men, with women earning up to 30% less than their male counterparts. These are fundamental gaps that we need to address through every aspect of society, including the financial sector, and with the support of men.The Momentum #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign kicked off on 1 August and runs throughout the month of August, promising a lineup of workshops and panel discussions geared toward equipping women with relevant skills. These skills include engaging in personal branding exercises, learning how to negotiate the pay that you are worth, overcoming imposter syndrome in the work place, leaning on support structures to manage burnout and partnering and managing money to leave the financial legacy that your loved ones deserve.The challenges faced by women are not unique to South Africa. This may be disheartening, but every day women are choosing to partner with individuals, networks and movements to empower them to make previously unimaginable strides on the quest to defining their career and personal success stories, says Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa, head of brand marketing at Momentum.The 360-degree campaign will include a virtual workshop series with Success speaker,best-selling author, podcast host and professional troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi - Jones. Each workshop is tailored differently throughout the month of August and will aim to provide women with practical tools, advice and solutions to help get them onto the next step on their journey to success.Momentum also seeks to further this campaign beyond Womens Month because a womens momentum doesnt end after August. The journey is just the beginning. The company wishes to encourage women to keep their success in motion by sharpening their focus and refining business skills and passions all year round with the #SheOwnsHerSuccess online hub for with advice, tools, and continuous updates to keep womens success unstoppable. Having recently launched TikTok For Business in South Africa, the popular entertainment platform is now taking its offerings a step further with the introduction of Spark Ads. Adding weight to the current belief that creator content is one of the biggest draws for consumers today, TikTok is aiming to empower brands to team up with TikTok content that is already trending. News that billionaire Google co-founder Larry Page has been hiding out on and buying isolated private islands in Fiji to avoid tourists who arent allowed in once again underscores how the elite is using the fallout from the pandemic to segregate themselves from the general public. Page has been living off grid for over a year and forced a state-owned news website to remove an article about his activities that was also de-listed by Google in an apparent effort to conceal his location. He has spent months in Fiji during the coronavirus pandemic mostly on the island of Tavarua and it has been rumored the billionaire has bought at least one island in the countrys Mamanuca archipelago, reports the Daily Mail. Page has also been spotted an a smaller island called Namotu which a sailor named Lorenzo Cipriani claimed Page bought in a blog post in August. Page, who has a net worth of $117 billion, making him the sixth-wealthiest person in the world, was able to take advantage of Fijis Blue Lane program, which lets the super wealthy visit the archipelago on their superyachts and private jets, even when other travelers were banned. So while Page gets to enjoy a sumptuous view of the South Pacific while being attended to on his luxury private island by 30 staff waiting on him, ordinary people who have lost their jobs, businesses and homes due to the lockdown arent even allowed to travel there. Google co-founder Larry Page 'has been living off-grid and hiding out on isolated Fijian island for most of the pandemic' via https://t.co/4BICcpeuDD https://t.co/w2p7Kk7ALp Sarah (@brontesarah) July 23, 2021 Pages story is just a microcosm of how wealthy elitists have rapaciously exploited the lockdowns that they have vehemently supported and facilitated to further expand the economic inequality gap and segregate themselves from the peasants. While Page has his staff prepare him cocktails and the finest cuisine after a day of surfboarding in paradise, children in his home country are either permanently traumatized and afraid to go outside or literally committing suicide out of loneliness caused by lockdown. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum architects of the Great Reset that has been rapidly advanced thanks to lockdown policies tells people that theyll own nothing and be happy. It tells them to look forward to their rental servitude under a system of neo-feudalism that will make home ownership completely unaffordable. Meanwhile, Davos billionaires like Bill Gates are buying up huge swathes of property, with Gates recently becoming the largest owner of farmland in America. In terms of individual land owners, Gates is still far behind media mogul John C. Malone, who is in top spot with 2.2 million acres of ranches and forests and CNN founder Ted Turner, who owns 2 million acres of ranch land. Amazons Jeff Bezos is also investing in land on a large scale, according to Forbes. Americas biggest owner of farmland is now Bill Gates https://t.co/j9gW4zQ0Yh pic.twitter.com/0tZLJcGXfg Forbes (@Forbes) January 14, 2021 While billionaire philanthropists and technocrats are acquiring land at an accelerating speed, they appear to be telling the general public that in the future private property will virtually cease to exist. The WEF also celebrates the notion that lockdowns are quietly improving cities, greasing the skids for climate lockdowns and regulated air travel even as the likes of Page and his ilk jet off for luxury holidays whenever they please, absent the nuisance of those pesky tourists who might spoil their tranquility. While our quality of life is eroded, while we have to take vaccines and jump through 100 flaming hoops to be allowed to travel internationally, theyre all completely exempt exempt from the same rules they onerously impose on us. Tourists are flushed out and banned from entering countries so Page and his rich friends can enjoy their days of pampered, opulent leisure in total seclusion. Indeed, many elitists have expressed delight at how global lockdowns have left roads, airports and luxury resorts in Caribbean countries virtually empty, allowing them to avoid any interaction whatsoever with the unwashed masses. This then has the knock-on impact of forcing low income workers to flood to western countries in search of work, exacerbating tensions caused by mass uncontrolled immigration. This is the tweet the @wef deleted, saying lockdowns are quietly improving cities Lockdowns have destroyed cities, lives & economies. Yet climate change zealots see them as tools of control These unelected cranks must NEVER be allowed near policy pic.twitter.com/NKtqQbjUXm Martin Daubney (@MartinDaubney) February 27, 2021 Billionaires also exploited the pandemic to snuff out their remaining competition and create even more centralized monopolies. Worldwide, the combined wealth of the worlds 10 richest men rose by $540bn during the first year of the pandemic, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who saw his personal wealth grow by $86 billion as Amazon shares soared. According to an Oxfam report, billionaires exploited the the impact of lockdown to create a rigged economy, causing expanding wealth inequality during the worst economic downturn in a century. A record number of billionaires were also created in the UK during the pandemic even as millions of ordinary people lost their jobs and saw their businesses go under. Meanwhile, lockdowns caused 150 million people globally to be pushed into extreme poverty. 'Wealth increase of 10 men during pandemic could buy vaccines for all' Never mind hungry people. Never mind those without shoes. Never mind. It will trickle down. https://t.co/3wQ1cpjvIk Some Fella (@BusterPell) June 23, 2021 But for those lucky enough to hold onto their jobs, theyre kept at arms length by stay at home orders, remote working and Zoom calls, even as globalists continue to enjoy maskless BBQ parties at the G7 and socially un-distanced black tie dinners at Davos. They still get to meet each other in person (while avoiding the worker drones), but you dont. None of this is anything new. Since humanity began to divide into class systems, entrenched elites have always sought to aggressively separate themselves from the public, prevent the creation of a strong middle class, and maintain a poor service class that is only good for attending to their needs. The major difference now is that the elite have built a giant technocracy which enables them to maintain total surveillance of the populations under their control, while they get to enjoy total exclusivity and privacy. As Larry Pages successful effort to get the article about his whereabouts removed from the news media proves, they get to conceal everything about their activities while demanding to know everything about yours. They get to avoid attention and they get to avoid people knowing their location. Meanwhile, your government health app knows your every locations and pings you back under quarantine at the drop of a hat. 'Pingdemic' Triggers Widespread Panic Hoarding At UK Supermarkets https://t.co/65AncfvZEV zerohedge (@zerohedge) July 23, 2021 The advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence will also ensure that even much of the elites servant class will become obsolete in the near future. This agenda will all be facilitated through puppet governments and private corporations, allowing Page, Gates, Zuckerberg and other billionaires to fade into the background and hide their role in the managed decline of civilization. While they continue to inflict all of this upon humanity, we continue to bicker over identity politics, racism and all manner of relative trivialities that keep us divided and asleep. And if youre naive enough to think that this is all coming to an end as the coronavirus pandemic winds down, rest assured that there are many more variants to be discovered and innumerable more reasons to put you back under lockdown. Dont worry though, because none of these restrictions will apply to Larry Page and his billionaire friends, who will remain totally isolated on their luxury private islands as the rest of the world goes to hell in a hand basket thanks to the economic warfare they declared on us. SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: Follow on Twitter: Follow @PrisonPlanet Brand new merch now available! Get it at https://www.pjwshop.com/ ALERT! In the age of mass Silicon Valley censorship It is crucial that we stay in touch. I need you to sign up for my free newsletter here. Support my sponsor Turbo Force a supercharged boost of clean energy without the comedown. Get early access, exclusive content and behinds the scenes stuff by following me on Locals. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 814-368-3173 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey OTTAWA - The federal government is expecting to receive more than 2.3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week, as public health officials brace for a potential fourth wave of infections. A vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is pictured at an Alberta Health Services vaccination clinic in Didsbury, Alta., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The federal government is expecting to receive more than 2.3 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines this week, as a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections looms driven by the spread of the highly-contagious Delta variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh OTTAWA - The federal government is expecting to receive more than 2.3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week, as public health officials brace for a potential fourth wave of infections. Ottawa has already received more than 66 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, enough to fully immunize all eligible Canadians. As of Tuesday, the federal government had 6.7 million COVID-19 vaccines in its national reserve, an amount that provinces and territories can draw from if they need more doses. The new COVID-19 vaccine shipments come as Canada's top doctor warns that the country could be headed towards a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases if public health restrictions are lifted before vaccination rates pick up. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Dr. Theresa Tam said an updated national modelling for the pandemic trajectory suggests that the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 could drive a fourth wave of infections. "The trajectory will depend on ongoing increase in fully vaccinated coverage and the timing, pace and extent of reopening," Tam said. "While some resurgence is expected as measures are eased, this updated model shows that if we maintain current levels of community-wide contacts, we would expect to see a modest increase in cases." Tam said the country could see a high increase of COVID-19 infections if reopening continues quickly before enough people are fully immunized. "We could expect to see a sharp resurgence by the end of the summer," she said. She said the new forecast "reaffirms the need to take a cautious approach to relaxing public health measures to remain vigilant and responsive to signs of resurgence and to continue to increase first and second dose vaccine coverage." Canada reported an average of 640 new cases over the past seven days, she said, which is still 93 per cent lower than the peak of the third wave. As of Friday, 80.3 per cent of those eligible had received a first dose, while 63.7 per cent are now fully vaccinated. Tam said the country has made "great progress" on vaccinating those who are eligible over the last month, but there is a need to increase numbers of vaccinated even more. "This means increasing fully vaccinated coverage above 80 per cent across all age groups and particularly in younger age groups where most of the transmission is occurring." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2021. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. RM of CORNWALLIS For five days starting late last week, nature hunters across Canada were called upon for the second year in a row to take up their cameras and audio recording devices for the sake of scientific research. Advertisement Advertise With Us RM of CORNWALLIS For five days starting late last week, nature hunters across Canada were called upon for the second year in a row to take up their cameras and audio recording devices for the sake of scientific research. From Thursday through Monday, the Nature Conservancy of Canada hosted its second annual Big Backyard BioBlitz, which encourages people to use their cameras to take photos of plants, animals and insects to catalog them for science. MATT GOERZEN/THE BRANDON SUN A wild thistle flowers in the sunshine along a trial in the Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area on Sunday. As I enjoy getting out into nature with my camera, this activity seemed ideally suited to me, and also gave me a chance to enlist my two elementary school-aged kids to help me find some creepy crawlies around the Brandon Hills and Lake Clementi region. Curiously enough, they dont seem to mind heading out with their old man in search of bugs, birds and other critters. Of course, theyre not teenagers yet. Armed with my work camera, and they with my cellphone, we hiked out into Brandons favourite backyard trail system on Sunday for the morning. MATT GOERZEN/THE BRANDON SUN My kids got into the waters of Lake Clementi on Saturday morning, and into the spirit of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's second annual Big Backyard BioBlitz, which took place from Thursday through Monday. Part of the fun of such an exercise is getting the chance to spend some time with the kids during summer vacation, while letting them learn some basic tenets of science and observation. How do we find out what kind of animal or plant we have photographed? Where do they live? How does an insect or amphibean move and can we catch it long enough for a photo? Aside from a nasty brush with a large mound of thatching ants red and black ants that were swarming a hill made of twigs, leaves and pine needles on part of a two kilometre trail in the Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area our trek through the woods and along the shores of Lake Clementi offered a wealth of flora and fauna to keep their attention focused and our cameras busy. The BioBlitz campaign started in 2020 while the COVID-19 pandemic kept many at home as a way to gather data on the number and location of various species around the country. That first year saw more than 20,000 observations sent in by amateur naturalists. MATT GOERZEN/THE BRANDON SUN What appears to be a crop of shaggy mane mushrooms grow along the side of the trail. This year, according to iNaturalist.ca, which is part of the BioBlitz campaign, more than 31,600 observations as of 5:15 p.m. local time on Monday. Clearly, word is getting out. The observations of species especially rare species can be very valuable to conservation groups and researchers to get a sense of where the different species are and how theyre doing. Among our most interesting discoveries was a dome of spongy fungus that was growing on the side of a broken tree stump and that we could not identify, a colourful treefrog that we had to find twice the second time after it got away and into the underbrush and a pair of free-roaming Guinea fowl at Lake Clementi that are actually native to Africa, not North America. MATT GOERZEN/THE BRANDON SUN A gray treefrog, found in the brush along a trail in the Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area, rests on top of a cell phone. According to naturewatch.ca, many treefrogs have large toe-pads. The species can be distinguished from other frogs by a dark-edged light spot under the eyes and by bright yellow-orange colouration under the thighs. All in all, it was worth taking the time to participate in order to see the kids learning about the world around them. Although, honestly, I could have done without the swarming ants. I felt like a couple of those little creatures were doing laps up and down my back for the entire drive home. Closeup pictures of giant ant hills are off my list next year. mgoerzen@brandonsun.com Twitter: @MattGoerzen NINETTE Alf Iverson and his wife Betty, are 82 years old. The Minnedosa residents have been sailing for more than 27 years. Advertisement Advertise With Us NINETTE Alf Iverson and his wife Betty, are 82 years old. The Minnedosa residents have been sailing for more than 27 years. Iverson said his love of sailing just sort of happened. "I really liked the boating and sailing part of it. We did buy a 17-foot sailboat about five years before I retired." After taking courses in sailing, including a stint in the Virgin Islands, both of the Iversons are experienced sailors. This week, the couple will be celebrating their 60th anniversary. They dont argue, and work as a team when out in the water on their boat, Alfabet. Iversons still agile, slipping off his sandals to climb on top of the boat to adjust the foresail on Saturday. Betty is first mate, filling in the gaps when Iverson is too busy steering. Together, they are a team and enjoy being on the water in their portable cabin. KIMBERLEY KIELLEY/BRANDON SUN Clubs across Canada participated in the first ever national and provincial event titled Picture Perfect. An event was held in Westman on Saturday at the Pelican Yacht Club in Ninette. Iverson has owned two sailboats in his lifetime. Alfabet is his second. For the past 16 years, they have been active members of the Pelican Yacht Club in Ninette. On Saturday, they hoisted their sails and participated in the "Picture Perfect" event to promote sailing in the province and the country as its Sail Manitoba and Sail Canadas first co-ordinated effort to promote the sport on a local and national level. Open to yacht club members only, due to COVID-19, the event saw sailboats of all shapes and sizes in the water. Sheila Baird, the commodore of the Pelican Yacht Club, said the event is being held to promote sailing across Canada. "It is weather dependent though," she said. Decreased water levels on the lake due to the drought also impacted the number of participants in Saturdays event. Sailboats with longer keels sat on shore, while sailboats with shorter ones inched their way out of the harbour and into deeper water. Regardless, there were still about 11 sailboats out on Pelican Lake for Saturdays event. KIMBERLEY KIELLEY/BRANDON SUN At 82, Alf Iverson of Minnedosa doesn't plan on slowing down when it comes to sailing. On his boat, Alfabet, Iverson takes the decorations down from the rope holding his foresail in place in the hopes of catching some wind. Boats were expected to sail past the Terry Fox Park in Ninette in the Parade of Sails, Baird said. Smoke from wildfires in the province made for a hazy day. Winds were perfect, though, as sailors from the club hoisted their sails and skipped across Pelican Lakes surface. Boats with larger foresails almost touched the lakes surface as their sails caught the wind and pushed their boat within inches of the waters surface. Pelican Lake is in a bit of a valley, which makes manoeuvring sailboats against ever-changing winds a challenge. However, Saturdays winds were practically perfect as club members exchanged stories with the common thread of how good the winds were once they docked. Pelican Lake is Manitobas largest navigable lake in the southwest of the province. It is about 11 miles long and one mile wide with a surface area of 10.8 square miles. There are more than 15 sailing clubs in the province who are members of Sail Manitoba, the provincial organization that is sponsored by Sport Manitoba and club funding, according to Sheila Bellideal, the organizations executive director. For Saturdays event, 11 clubs across the province held events, she said. With many clubs participating in a national event, Bellideal is optimistic it will encourage more people to learn how to sail. KIMBERLEY KIELLEY/BRANDON SUN A bright sail on a small catamaran splashes some colour across a smoke-filled sky Saturday as Westman suffered through another day of smoke from wildfires on the eastern border of the province. "Its a sport you can do by yourself or with a group of people. You need a boat and a body of water. And you can just go," she said. Bellideal said since the pandemic, she has seen an increase in awareness and interest in the sport. She hopes that the event will turn into a yearly thing where the province and the country take one day out of the year to recognize a sport that appears to be gaining in popularity. For the Iversons, sailing is a great sport. Theyre content to explore Pelican Lake after years of hauling their boat to Florida. "Its such a rewarding type of experience," Iverson said. "We train new sailors at our club. That goes on all year. Its such a wonderful thing for people to put in their time. Its a great learning experience for teenagers. It doesnt get any better. You have to get along and work together at the same time." For the Iversons, age is just a number. They have no intention of retiring from sailing or selling Alfabet. "I have no desire to get rid of it anytime soon." For further information on the Pelican Yacht Club, see pycmb.ca. For further information on Sail Manitoba, see sailmanitoba.com. kkielley@brandonsun.com SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor public settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. FILE In this March 4, 2021 file photo Gen Til wears a protective face mask while working out at Planet Granite climbing gym in San Francisco. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor public settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. The new mandate applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, and takes effect on Tuesday in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, as well as the city of Berkeley. In a news conference announcing the new orders, Bay Areafor health officers also recommended that people gather outdoors if they have that option. It is unfortunate we have to do this at this point in the pandemic. None of us wanted to be here, said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. But the virus has changed. The delta variant accounts for 95% of new coronavirus cases in the region, said Sundari Mase, the interim health officer for Sonoma County, which is north of San Francisco. We are facing a much more aggressive and contagious opponent right now, she said. The vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people, but the Bay Area mandate affects all people because there has been an increase in the number of vaccinated people testing positive and evidence that vaccinated people can transmit the virus. FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo, Juan Avellan, center, and others wear masks while working out in an indoor class at a Hit Fit SF gym amid the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor setting as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Mase and the other health officials said the relatively low number of vaccinated people who are hospitalized now are primarily elderly or those with significant underlying health conditions. In line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, California last week recommended that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, but officials stopped short of requiring it. Indoor mask mandates are already in effect in Los Angeles, Yolo and Sacramento counties. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana, with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, also reinstated a mask mandate Monday, going a step further to include schools and colleges. The San Francisco Bay Areas health officers were the first in the nation to announce a shutdown at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The region collectively leads the state in vaccination rates, with over 60% of residents fully vaccinated. Marin County, north of San Francisco, has the highest rate, with about 73% of its residents vaccinated. California has experienced a steady rise in virus cases since the state fully reopened its economy on June 15 and did away with indoor and outdoor capacity limits and social distancing. The Bay Area health officers said they took action Monday because of troubling numbers of hospitalizations and that they will consider easing the new restrictions when those rates go down. We are alarmed at the rate at which COVID patients are filling our community hospital beds, said Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County, where the number of hospitalized patients has doubled in the past 10 days and increased by more than 400% in July. He urged unvaccinated people to get the shots and said indoor gatherings presents the highest virus spread risk. If you are unvaccinated I would strongly advise against higher-risk indoor activities like eating in an indoor restaurant, going to exercise in a gym, going to a movie theater, Farnitano said. Indoor restaurant dining will still be allowed, although people will have to keep masks on when they are not eating or drinking. In other public settings like gyms and movie theaters, face coverings must be worn, though enforcement will vary depending on location. In Santa Clara County, businesses will be required to enforce the mask mandate and residents can submit complaints on the health departments website, Han said. In the city of Berkeley, which is in Alameda County but has its own public health department, businesses will be required under the new order to have signs indicating that masks are required indoors, said Lisa Hernandez, the citys health officer. San Francisco does not plan to enforce its new order but will rely on the tendency of residents to follow the science and the data," said Naveena Bobba, the city's deputy director of health. The Kaiser Permanente health care business joined other U.S. employers and public health departments Monday in making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for an estimated 239,000 employees and physicians. The Oakland-based health care and health plan provider said nearly 78% of its employees and more than 95% of physicians are fully vaccinated. Associated Press writer Janie Har contributed to this report. Vice President Micheal Pence poses for his official portrait at The White House, in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen) Suburban office markets are being boosted by tenants moving out from city centres, increasing their resilience to the pandemic and making them attractive to international investors willing to pay a premium. The leasing performance of suburban assets in the face of the pandemic has resulted in developer Bill McNee selling a newly constructed South Yarra complex for $75 million to German fund manager Real I.S. Viclands new office at 11 Wilson Street in South Yarra sold to a German fund manager. Credit: Landlords including pure-play Centuria Office REIT are reporting strong leasing activity in city fringe markets as tenants seek flexibility and cheaper rents away from downtown environments. Fitting the mould, Mr McNees tower was fully let to long-term corporate tenants. His Vicland group sold the nine-level office at 11 Wilson Street, which it constructed on the site of a former car park that it purchased from Jam Factory owners Newmark Capital. The Australian sharemarket retreated from record highs on Tuesday as miners, banks, and industrial stocks dragged on gains in growth companies, although the buy now, pay later sector helped limit losses. Ongoing interest in Afterpays takeover by US-tech company Square pushed its price up a further 11.4 per cent to a six-week high of $127.85. This saw the whole technology sector rise sharply for the second day in a row. However, with technologys low weighting in the ASX, this was not enough to counterbalance declines in the mining and banking sector. The ASX 200 fell 0.2 per cent on Tuesday, backing away from record highs. Credit:Tamara Voninski The ASX 200 closed 0.2 per cent lower at 7,474.5 points. A Reserve Bank board meeting confirming stimulus would be tapered later this year sent the Australian dollar up 0.6 per cent to US74. Other big gainers included 6.8 per cent rise in Chalice Mining and a 5.4 per cent gain in Appen. Fellow buy now, pay later stock Zip Co jumped up by 7 per cent to a new two-week high of $7.95, but this was due to a short squeeze, according to portfolio managers at Tribeca Partners, Jun Bei Liu. In the last few weeks we have seen a lot of shorts in Zip and it reached a very high level, so when the Afterpay news came through it jumped as people covered their shorts, she explained. Its not people buying them, its short sellers in Zip cutting their exposure. Last week nearly 12 per cent of Zip Co shares, or 66.5 million, were shorted, according to shortman.com.au. The big four banks all declined and major miners like BHP dropped 1.4 per cent and Fortescue fell 1.6 per cent amid a weaker outlook for iron ore prices. A 3.6 per cent fall in oil prices overnight weighed on the energy sector with Woodside Petroleum down 1.5 per cent and Santos down 1.1 per cent, while Whitehaven Coal dropped 5.4 per cent after hitting a 17-month high last week. Meanwhile, market sentiment was focused on the upcoming full year reporting season. It will be the good, the bad, and the not so ugly, said Bell Directs market analyst Jessica Amir. All in all we are expecting to see the biggest earnings growth in ten years broadly across the Aussie share market. While miners were tipped to report record dividends, Ms Amir warned it could be the last hurrah given the outlook for iron ore prices. The ugly will be those sectors that have been hit the hardest from the lockdown. Its really no surprise that we are tipped to see some pretty stark numbers out of travel, tourism, hospitality and those types of sectors, she added. Qantas shares fell 0.9 per cent and closed at a ten-week low of $4.52 after it announced 2,500 layoffs. Sydney Airport fell 1.3 per cent, and Corporate Travel fell 1.1 per cent. The theft of Weeping Woman was discovered yesterday. A group calling itself the Australian Cultural Terrorists claimed responsibility for the theft, and said in a ransom note that the painting would be destroyed if the groups demands were not met in seven days. NGV director Patrick McCaughey speaks to media after the theft of Picassos Weeping Woman was discovered. Credit:Bruce Postle The State Government last night refused to meet the ransom demands of a group claiming to have stolen the National Gallery of Victorias most valuable painting, a $A1.6 million Picasso. Police and gallery officials were uncertain last night whether the painting had left the gallery and said a thorough search of the building would be completed this morning. The thieves, who left their typewritten calling card on the gallery space once occupied by the painting, have demanded that the Minister for the Arts, Mr Mathews, increase arts funding by 10 per cent in real terms over three years and establish a $25,000 annual art prize called the Picasso Ransom. Constable Steve Wilson, one of 25 policemen who searched the National Gallery of Victoria for the missing Picasso. Credit:Bruce Postle Mr Mathews response last night was: Budgeting by blackmail is just not on. A reward had not been considered, he said. The people who were responsible for this outrage were obviously very familiar with the internal procedures of the gallery and were able to pass off what they had done in circumstances that minimised the chances of detection, he said. On the surface, The White Lotus is the exact type of show those of us in lockdown should be desperately avoiding. Set on a glorious five-star resort in Hawaii, HBOs comedy-drama series, airing on Binge, is an ode to a pre-pandemic world (even though it was actually shot in a coronavirus bubble). Guests mingle without concern, queue greedily at packed breakfast buffets (remember buffets!?), and the only noticeable virus is upper-middle-class privilege. Highly contagious but hardly life-threatening. But despite the many sweeping sunset shots - and there are plenty - The White Lotus might just be the surprise cure to your travel blues. Ostensibly, the show is a murder mystery, but really its a searing exploration of class, wealth, and relationships played out between a mixed bag of painfully familiar characters. Each character is unlikeable in their own unique way and serves as a reminder that while travelling is soothing for the soul, it also thrusts you into the path of people you cant stand, cant avoid and cant wait to get away from. The obnoxious newlyweds If you are one of the millions of parents home-schooling your children, it is unlikely you will have enough time to read this. However, someone has to say something about the shemozzle that is home learning and how desperately unfair it is on children, parents and teachers. Parents face a heavy burden when home-schooling their children. Credit: Home-schoolers are the forgotten victims of this pandemic. There is government financial relief if you cannot work, if you get the virus, if you are caring for someone and if you are working at home. But there is next to nothing for those who have taken over the burden of teaching their kids, despite still paying the government and/or private schools to do so. Although he didnt hear the call, Mr Thompson said others had told him it sounded like she was in a struggle, screaming and pleading with someone to take their hands away from her. The manager of the school [where he and Ms Edward worked] came to the apartment [after he arrived] as well and he phoned the police originally, Mr Thompson said. That night, me and a couple of Shanaes friends went with the search and rescue teams through the area trying to find her, but because it was dark and because the area is full of trees, shrubs and bushes, we couldnt find her. Mr Thompson said Ms Edwards friends put notifications about her disappearance in expat Facebook groups, and many joined the search effort. Shanae and I used to do a lot of hiking there together I knew some of the less-known areas, I went there myself to see if I could find anything, Mr Thompson said. But by Saturday evening, when he was called to the station to provide a witness statement, he was told her body had been found. Tiblisi doesnt have an urban sprawl to the south, it just ends with hills, and these hills are a popular place for people to go walking, to get exercise, to go on dates together, Mr Thompson said. Hed heard reports of some recent assaults happening in the area - Mr Gomelauri denied those reports - but said in the daytime, theres usually so many people in that area that its perfectly safe. Shanae knew the paths well - some parts of the year, she would go up [to] that area every day, more or less, because it was very close to where she lives, Mr Thompson said. He said the community felt a sense of national shame, because this sort of thing almost never happens here, and certainly not to a foreigner. Friends have been posting tributes online to the incredible woman. Shanae was always up for an adventure, so kind-hearted to those around her, full of laughter and a shining light, one wrote. Another said: I cant believe we live in a world where this can still happen to an innocent person, let alone Shanae, one of the most selfless, kind and down-to-earth women Ive had the pleasure of meeting. Mr Thompson, who is originally from Northern Ireland but has been living in Tbilisi for about four years, described the 31-year-old as a unique person who impacted many lives. Organisers of the Rick Amor drawing prize have been thrown a curly one as they prepare to exhibit the finalists work at Melbournes McClelland Gallery later this month. Zoe Amor, daughter of the prizes founder Rick, is among the 19 artists on the shortlist for the $20,000 first spot and whose work will be hanging at McClelland from August 28. Father Rick is on the judging panel which chose the finalists - unsurprising for a prize thats he founded and funded. The gallery is at pains to assure visitors to its website that Zoe Amors entry was judged under a pseudonym and was selected by the panel anonymously. Amor senior is one of the nations most renowned portraitists, a nine-time Archibald exhibitor and former Australian War Memorial official war artist. Zoe Amor is no slouch either, beginning to build a solid record of commissions and exhibitions. Although she is better known so far for her sculpture than her drawings, CBD suspects Zoes latest prize entry could be her most talked about work yet. Geelong and the states south-west reported vaccination rates of about 50 per cent, while the inner south of Melbourne stretching from Brighton to Chelsea had the highest vaccination rate in the city, at 49 per cent. On Tuesday, four new coronavirus cases were recorded in Victoria, but all were in isolation for their entire infectious period, including one colleague of the traffic controller at the Moonee Ponds testing centre who tested positive last week. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the government would review restrictions in a week, in line with the two-week time frame outlined when Victoria exited lockdown a week ago, and he warned the Delta outbreak in Victoria would have a long tail, putting pressure on any decision about home visits, currently banned in most circumstances. There might be another week or more of a trickle of cases, he said. And we need to make sure that we can clear those remaining 3000 primary close contacts, and make sure that no one has been out in the community during a potentially infectious period that might kick all of this off again. There were 199 new infections in NSW and 16 in Queenslands growing cluster. One suspected case was detected in Cairns, the first sign of spread far beyond Brisbane where the outbreak began last week. Queenslands lockdown is due to end on Sunday. The Operation COVID Shield data on regional vaccination rates to August 1 was released after persistent requests from the media and others for a much more detailed geographical breakdown of vaccination rates. People wait to be vaccinated at Melbournes Royal Exhibition Building. Credit:Getty In Victoria, many of the areas with higher rates of vaccination also have an older population, suggesting that lower uptake could at least be partly driven by there being more younger people, who are still mostly ineligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Bendigo has a median age of 41 and Geelong 39.8, while the median age in Melbournes west is 33.7 and north-west is 35.4. Sydneys south-west, which also has a young population and is the epicentre of the NSW outbreak, has one of the lowest rates of fully vaccinated people in the state with just over 33 per cent having received at least one dose of vaccine. UNSW data visualisation specialist Dr Ori Gudes said the areas of Melbourne and Sydney that had been hardest hit by COVID-19 outbreaks had a key thing in common the inability of people to work from home. Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. Credit:Chris Hopkins Professor Sutton said while the younger population of some areas could be a factor in the lower vaccination rates he believes the disparity was chiefly driven by social disadvantage, the same issue that has driven higher rates of COVID-19 in these areas. So Hispanic populations in the US, black American populations in the US, even though theyve had a higher burden of COVID-19 also tend to have a lower vaccine uptake, Professor Sutton said. That simply should be a lesson to all of us in Australia, he said, adding that Victorian authorities had an intensive engagement program for multicultural communities that had seen them reach more than 17,000 community leaders and members to date. Asked about the merit of Labors plan to give $300 to every Australian vaccinated by December, Professor Sutton was supportive, saying incentives could play a role along with addressing misinformation and improving access to vaccines. Whether its lotteries, cash incentives, or a ticket to something else as a reward, I think all of those things play a role. Suman Majumdar, an infectious diseases expert at the Burnet Institute, said global experience suggested incentives for vaccine uptake were useful alongside other measures, and helped tackle inequality. Loading He said a good example was the Australian TB screening program in the 1950s. A screening X-ray van came to your house or area, and you were paid if you had TB, and that was a population-wide [program in] Australia that was highly successful, Dr Majumdar said. Professor Julie Leask, a vaccination expert at the University of Sydney, said some of the least-vaccinated areas revealed how confusing booking systems and changing recommendations affect culturally diverse and disadvantaged communities. Practical issues such as access to the internet was also a problem, she said. Knowing where, when and how to get an appointment and even someones gender can determine if you are vaccinated. If youre homebound and dont speak English it is going to be more difficult to get a booking, she said. Dozens of Sydney schools have cancelled in-person HSC trials even though year 12 will be allowed to return to classrooms in two weeks amid anxiety from students, parents and teachers about the safety of attending campus while COVID-19 case numbers remain stubbornly high. The Catholic sector has also called on the government to urgently provide more information on its plan for large-scale COVID-19 screening for schools, and asked it to release the medical advice upon which it based its decision to allow face-to-face HSC classes to resume. Dozens of schools pull out of HSC trials amid health concerns from students, parents and teachers. More than 70 schools have pulled out of the Catholic Schools Secondary Association HSC trials, which are due to begin on August 18; most of those will do online assessments instead. Other schools will hold in-person trial exams but will continue with remote learning afterwards. As Premier Gladys Berejiklian flagged that amendments to her controversial plan to let HSC students return will be released within days, including strict conditions for hotspot local government areas, the Catholic sector wrote to Education Minister Sarah Mitchell outlining the challenges faced by its schools. TAFE NSW will offer 10 new fee-free courses in mental health, digital security, business administration and construction to help people re-skill during the pandemic. Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the fee-free training in areas of employment growth was designed to help support the community through the lockdown. Whether you are in lockdown in Greater Sydney, or in a regional community, I urge NSW residents to take advantage of the free training options available that will help build the skills needed to get a head-start in a post-COVID economy, Mr Lee said. Mark Adamik is studying to be a carpenter at TAFE, after a career in the tourism industry was interrupted by the pandemic. Credit:Janie Barrett TAFE NSW is committed to helping the people of NSW to grow their skills in a COVID-safe way. He was taken to Gosford Hospital for observation but rescuers said he was as good as gold. Mr Farr had spent the night crouched over the hole, calling out to William, singing nursery rhymes and watching the rescue workers. Mrs Farr knelt by the hole, and at other times was comforted by friends and relatives. One of the rescue workers said William responded well to the encouragement from the surface. In fact he was quite chirpy, he said. William had even called out: Hello there. Ive lost my galosher. The borehole was drilled about 30 metres deep for water three days ago in a paddock on a farmlet in Fernside Road, Palmdale, near Ourimbah, owned by Mr Farrs parents. An artists impression of the rescue operation. Credit:Staff Body twisted, caught on ledge Mr Peter Farr and his brother work the farm and a nearby nursery. William was walking across the paddock with his mother and two other local boys about 4.15 pm yesterday when he got too close to the edge of the hole. The soft, spongy tuff collapsed under him and he fell down, feet first. About four metres down, his body twisted and one elbow became jammed on a ledge. The ledge which caught him has saved his life because he would have fallen to his death down 100 feet to the water below without a doubt, one rescue worker said. Doctors were called from Gosford Hospital. They supervised ambulancemen who fed oxygen hoses down the hole to stop William from suffocating. The first rescue workers from the SES at Gosford spent nearly an hour trying to hook a loop in a rope around Williams arm to support him if he fell any further. It was pretty dicey we had to use a fishing rod to hook the loop in the rope on to his arm in case he fell any further, one of the rescuers said. As the men worked, the chief ambulanceman, Superintendent Ken Heard, said that ambulancemen were keeping u constant check on Williams health and were ready to do whatever they could should he show signs of deteriorating. Not only is there the further danger of him falling down from the ledge but we are very worried about the danger of him suffering from exposure, he said. The cold temperature (about 10 degrees) is very hard for a two-and-a-half-year old boy to endure, especially given the state of shock he would be in, Superintendent Heard said. But you have to hand it to him, he has a lot of guts. Police rescue squads from Sydney. Hornsby and Newcastle and State Emergency Service volunteers from the Central Coast were helped by miners and mining engineers in the rescue. The rescuers started the second hole about four metres from the borehole, to avoid dangers of a collapse of the soil above William. First they drilled with a post hole digger, then used shovels and picks. The hole was dug a metre too deep, so they had to then dig across and upwards to reach the borehole. The rescuers worked in five and 10-minute shifts, passing the soil out in buckets. Billy Farr is carried by his father after being rescued from the borehole and discharged from hospital. His mother is at left. Credit:Paul Matthews; Paul Murray Mr Theunis Van Der Nerwe, a miner from Cooranbong Colliery, one of the first men to get near William, said, We grabbed his little buttocks and saw his feet dangling when we broke into the borehole underneath him. We felt his temperature and chatted to him in baby talk he wanted his grandfather. The tunnel was tight and we could barely get through. Once we were through underneath him we inflated a dinghy-type balloon by pulling a ripcord which saved him from falling any further. Despite the cold the atmosphere around the hole was tense. Police, the rescuemen, ambulancemen and volunteers stood around the hole in a tight knot as Mr Farr, wearing a pair of khaki overalls, lay on the red soil mound reassuring his son. While giving his son encouragement, Mr Farr took sips of coffee from a cream cup and spoke with his wife, who stood alongside him. Uppermost in many of the rescuers minds was the tragedy in Italy in June in which Alfredo Rampi, a six-year-old boy, died of exposure 34 metres down a shaft on his parents property, despite four days of rescue work. Loading Constable Terry Stanyers, of the Police Rescue Squad, said in Sydney last night that the squad did not have contingency plans for emergencies like the rescue they were attempting. He said the incident in Italy had provoked some thought in the squad, but had not brought about any changes. Church leaders are concerned migrant communities in Sydneys west are being influenced by COVID-19 vaccination conspiracy theories and fears the pandemic was part of Gods judgment on the world. Reverend Alimoni Taumoepeau, who works for Unitings Mission and Education Unit, said he and other religious leaders had raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy at a meeting with NSW Health and state government officials including Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday. Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and representatives from the government agency Multicultural NSW were also at the meeting. Uniting Church minister Alimoni Taumoepeau. Credit:Wolter Peeters Reverend Taumoepeau, who is from Tonga and is a former minister of Strathfield-Homebush Uniting Church, said he was concerned people in the South Pacific Island community were being influenced by conspiracy theories, which had contributed to their distrust of COVID-19 vaccines. Pacific Islanders are broadly more conservative in their religious beliefs, and they are listening to conspiracy theories that link anti-COVID-19-initiatives to biblical references to end times in which government seeks to increase control over people, he said. Yet there is no biblical argument against the COVID-19 vaccine or the government-imposed lockdowns. Queenslands Chief Health Officer has given a clearer idea about what the state needs to do to get out of lockdown, but shes also warned that everyone needs to do the right thing or risk lockdown being extended. An initial plan to lift the lockdown at 4pm on Tuesday was extended to 4pm on Sunday after a rise in cases rendered the three-day lockdown insufficient. Authorities have warned that lockdown breaches will be dealt with harshly. Credit:Matt Dennien However, whether an eight-day lockdown will do the trick, or whether south-east Queensland will continue to bunker down beyond that, depends on a complex series of criteria being met. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said on Tuesday that while the number of new cases would have to come down, that was only part of the story. Victoria recorded four new local cases of COVID-19 on Monday after national cabinet agreed to review protocols for truck drivers to ensure freight workers do not reintroduce the coronavirus into the state. All four cases are linked to current outbreaks and have been in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period, the Department of Health said. However, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has warned the Delta outbreak in Victoria will have a long tail and he expects more cases, putting pressure on any decision about home visits. Well have a long tail to this outbreak, there might be another week or more of a trickle of cases, he said. And we need to make sure that we can clear those remaining 3000 primary close contacts, and make sure that no one has been out in the community during a potentially infectious period that might kick all of this off again. Nickel miner IGO Limiteds managing director and chief executive Peter Bradford said on the sidelines of Diggers the BHP deal was a vote of confidence in an underlying thematic. WA is so well-positioned in this electric vehicle battery space, he said. The opportunity is there for WA to work out how far we go. Mr Bradford said state and federal governments had missed an opportunity to help the electric vehicle industry in Australia by not focusing enough on charging infrastructure, despite spending billions on economic stimulus packages. The lag in infrastructure is matched by a different lack of understanding in other sectors becoming reliant on battery and base metals. Mr Beament said car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Toyota were getting an understanding of where supply chains came from, but the rest of the motoring industry thought they could still just go to Aldi or Costco and pull the material off the shelf. Loading But its not just what is dug up which could change, according to Mr Beament, who announced a renaming of Venturex to DEVELOP with no mention of words like resources in the new title. DEVELOP will look to create an expert underground workforce able to consult and contract to operations around the world. The idea goes that less carbon is created at underground operations compared to open pits, and Australians were global experts on the former. Mr Beament said people loved the big hole Kalgoorlies Superpit but no one would be allowed to dig a similar sized mine again with a town built next to it. Developing an expert workforce would also guard DEVELOP against the cyclical nature of the base metals market, according to Mr Beament. Changing climate agenda and mining go hand in hand Mr Beament was one of many presenters on Monday championing commodities which were part of a new energy economy. Former World Bank vice president and Oxford University globalisation and development professor Ian Goldin who predicted in 2014 the most likely cause of the next financial crisis would be a pandemic gave a keynote speech where he spoke about the need for the minerals sector to help guide the transition. He said there was no climate change solution which did not involve the mining of many metals and minerals. Loading Minerals and metals that are very, very close to all of you, including gold, lithium, nickel, rare earths, and others have tremendously good potential, Professor Goldin said. Lithium, nickel demand demand will increase eight to 10 times at least over the coming decade. The green new deal is the key, question is can we create jobs ... I think theres a huge amount to learn how to use stimulus packages, how do we create meaningful jobs in the long term. Mr Beament said one of the challenges in filling jobs in the new energy era was turning around the negative perception of the entire mining industry in the minds of young people. He said the industry needed to tell the story of how base and battery metals were needed to help change the world to attract more people into the industry. People still love gold, but cold war fears loom Gold may not be green, according to Mr Beament, but Karora Resources executive chairman Paul Huet told the conference his company, which runs the Beta Hunt project in the WA Goldfields, was working hard to achieve net zero status in the coming years. And gold is not coal with the value of the precious metal continuing to hold throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, once again cementing its status as the go to commodity in a crisis. Professor Goldin said he thought gold would remain around $US2000 an ounce. Loading I have seen projections for going to $3000 and even $3500 in the 2025 horizon; I think thats too optimistic, I dont think the markets will sustain that but I do think that gold will hold its own in real terms, which means continuing to bubble around $2000 for the next few years, he said. The big looming issue which could create headaches for nearly all sectors of mining is the potential for a new cold war, according to Professor Goldin. The pandemic has also accelerated the rise of China and threat its perceived to pose with the rest of the world, he said. In the outback town of Bourke in north-west NSW, a program called Connected Beginnings has almost tripled the number of Indigenous and vulnerable children attending preschool. Now more than $120 million will be spent expanding the early childhood education initiative and other programs to reach an extra 12,000 children, many of them Indigenous, as part of a renewed bid to help lift kids out of entrenched disadvantage. Bourke Childrens Services general manager, Prue Ritchie, who runs the areas Connected Beginnings project, said her organisation worked with the local preschool provider to boost enrolments by 180 per cent by changing the model on offer to parents. Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt and Education Minister Alan Tudge will announce $120 million designed to help close the gap in Indigenous early childhood education. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen We looked at what families wanted. We were offering a one day a week program for three-year-olds, and we changed that to two days a week. As a consequence, more kids actually enrolled because parents wanted to have the children in preschool two days a week, Ms Ritchie said. Vaccinating younger people is key to stopping the spread of the coronavirus around Australia with new modelling showing it would be the most effective strategy to slow down outbreaks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday revealed the Doherty Institutes modelling that national cabinet relied on to set Australias new pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left multiple states in lockdown even 18 months after it began. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, COVID-19 Taskforce Commander Lieutenant-General John Frewen, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Professor Jodie McVernon from the Doherty Institute says the modelling shows that immunising younger people who tend to transmit the virus more rather than older Australians who come into contact with fewer people is a better strategy for the country to adopt from now on. So this is showing why at this point a strategic shift to targeting transmission and stopping these people getting exposed in the first place, can substantially improve outcomes, Professor McVernon said. A German warship will visit Australias shores in October before sailing through the South China Sea to reinforce its call for international law to be upheld in the disputed waterway. Germany announced on Monday that one of its frigates, the Bayern, and its 230 crew members had left the port of Wilhelmshaven for a months-long trip through the Indo-Pacific. It will make port visits in Australia, Guam, Japan, China, Singapore, India and on the east coast of Africa. The German frigate Bayern will visit Australian shores in October. Credit:Bundeswehr The ship is expected to make a port visit to Perth in October before sailing through the South China Sea as anxiety increases about Chinas expansion in the waterway. Considering the voyage involves just one frigate and it is also making a stop in Shanghai, it is not expected to antagonise Beijing in the same way as recent British and French voyages through the South China Sea. However, Beijing on Tuesday said it would not consider a port call request from the German frigate until Berlin clarifies its intentions in sailing through the South China Sea. More than 220,000 people are on Queensland Healths waiting list for a Pfizer vaccine, with many not expected to get an appointment until at least October. A total of 223,344 people have registered their interest to receive Pfizer but have not yet received an invitation to make a booking. Health Minister Yvette DAth has asked for Queenslands August Pfizer supplies to be brought forward as the state tackles a growing Delta outbreak. Credit:AP Only one in five Queenslanders are fully vaccinated. Last week - before the current outbreak - people who registered for a Pfizer jab were told vaccinations were being prioritised for second doses and people with a high exposure risk, such as police, healthcare, hotel quarantine, airport, border, aged care and freight workers, because of limited national supply. Victorian Coalition MPs engaged in a feisty debate over Opposition Leader Michael OBriens new hardline position on border closures during a private, online meeting on Tuesday. In their first gathering after the six-week winter break, MPs sought clarity about the oppositions stance on border closures and some expressed concern about the impact on border communities and the states economy. Michael OBrien with his leadership team earlier this year. Credit:Justin McManus It was colourful and energised, said one MP, who described the Opposition Leader as a deer in headlights during the meeting. Mr OBrien told The Age last month that the Andrews government could have avoided the states fifth lockdown if it had closed the border with NSW sooner. But the Biden donation, worth $US3.5 billion ($4.7 billion), comes with a caveat: To help fund it, the administration is diverting hundreds of millions of dollars promised for vaccination drives in poorer countries, according to notes from a meeting between COVAX and American officials. Short on funding, those countries struggle to buy fuel to transport doses to clinics, train people to administer shots or persuade people to get them. Even as COVAX officials scramble to fill that funding gap, the overriding question is whether the program can move beyond an imbalance of power that has left it at the mercy of wealthy countries and pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer, for example, balked at a direct deal with COVAX this spring, interviews reveal, instead reaching an agreement through the Biden administration, an arrangement that hurt COVAXs credibility as an independent vaccine purchaser. Loading Driven by a nonprofit funded by the Gates Foundation, COVAX is a creation without precedent. It has gotten vaccines to poorer countries faster than was previously typical and developed a system to compensate people for serious post-vaccine reactions and protect vaccine-makers from legal liability a plan that saved those countries months of negotiations. Still, the 163 million doses it has delivered most free to poorer nations, with the rest to countries like Canada that paid their way are a far cry from plans to have at least 640 million doses available by now. Dr. Seth Berkley, the chief executive of Gavi, the nonprofit at COVAXs heart, said insufficient early financing made supply shortages inevitable. When distribution problems of the type in Chad and Benin emerge, COVAX tries to move those vaccines to other countries, but then to work with those countries to try to improve capacity, he said. Supporters and critics agree that the program must improve, rapidly. As of early July, confidential COVAX documents indicated that 22 nations, some with surging fatalities, reported being nearly or entirely out of doses from the program. The way COVAX was packaged and branded, African countries thought it was going to be their saviour, said Dr Catherine Kyobutungi, who directs the African Population and Health Research Center. When it didnt meet expectations, there was nothing else. Rich and Poor In the frantic early months of 2020, health experts strategised on how to equitably inoculate the world. COVAX was the answer, bringing together two Gates-funded nonprofits, Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI; the World Health Organisation; and UNICEF, which would lead delivery efforts. It hoped to be a major global vaccine buyer, for both rich and poor nations, giving it the clout to bully vaccine-makers. But if rich nations pledged donations, they did not make obliging partners. Britain negotiated for wealthier participants to be given a choice of vaccines to purchase through COVAX, creating delays, said Kate Elder, senior vaccines policy adviser for Doctors Without Borders Access Campaign. Rich nations also became rivals in a vaccine-buying race, paying premiums to secure their own shots while slow-walking financial pledges that COVAX needed to sign deals. You cant be passing the tin cup in the middle of a pandemic, said Dr Nicole Lurie, the US director at CEPI, referring to the desperate scramble for financing. Initially, COVAX planned on giant deliveries from the Serum Institute, an Indian manufacturer. But after the virus surged in India in March, the Indian government halted vaccine exports. Many poor countries were rattled. They had banked on COVAX. Dr Alakija, who is leading African delivery efforts, said health officials in Africa were scarcely consulted in mid-2020 when the program set an initial target of vaccinating at least 20 per cent of poorer countries populations. Alakija recalled that people involved in COVAX had said they believed Africa was at low risk and mass immunisation were unnecessary, a claim a Gavi spokesperson denied. The spokesperson said that the target was set in the face of limited resources and a limited understanding of COVID-19 epidemiology, and that it now had enough money to buy vaccines for almost 30 per cent of poorer countries populations. Desperate, 17 countries eligible for free COVAX doses, including Rwanda, have struck deals to buy doses from Pfizer directly. By this May, COVAX appeared poised to strike a new deal of its own to buy low-cost doses from Pfizer. It had already ordered 40 million in January; this deal was expected to be bigger. But behind the scenes, tension was simmering between Pfizer and COVAX, two people familiar with the negotiations said. The company wanted the new doses to go to poorer nations alone. As a global purchasing pool, COVAX insisted on also fulfilling orders from wealthier countries that had been buying directly at higher prices. South Korea, for example, had received Pfizer doses from the program. And the two sides had already tangled. In negotiations over the first round of doses, Pfizer had sought liability protections beyond COVAXs model indemnification agreement, Berkley said, asking countries to sign additional legal letters. Joe Biden promised 500 million doses for COVAX during the G7, but money was cut from other programs to help finance it. Credit:Getty Into the standoff stepped Jeffrey Zients, President Joe Bidens coronavirus response coordinator. To allay Pfizers unease about wealthier nations getting the doses, the White House would donate the vaccines to only the programs poorest countries, as well as the African Union. The United States is paying about $US7 ($9) per donated dose, roughly a third of Pfizers price for Americans, two people familiar with the deal said. Berkley said the U.S. purchase allowed COVAX to get more doses, and faster, than the program was trying to secure on its own. A Pfizer spokesperson, Sharon Castillo, said the company had a collaborative relationship with COVAX. Jeremy Konyndyk, executive director of USAIDs COVID-19 Task Force, acknowledged that the United States had diverted some distribution funds to pay for Pfizer doses because contributing shots was the priority. The deal looked good for Pfizer and the Biden administration, positioning the United States as a leader in global vaccinations. But it also highlighted COVAXs difficulty securing a major supply agreement by itself, people involved with the program said a reputational blow, even as it needs to wrestle with other manufacturers. Production issues have choked deliveries in June from COVAXs main supplier, AstraZeneca, which said shipments had since picked up. Johnson & Johnson, which also had production struggles, has yet to deliver any doses ordered by COVAX. Loading Washington: Scientists have long been worried about what many call the methane bomb the potentially catastrophic release of methane from thawing wetlands in Siberias permafrost. But now a study by three geologists says that a heatwave in 2020 has revealed a surge in methane emissions potentially in much higher amounts from a different source: thawing rock formations in the Arctic permafrost. Heatwaves have caused fires in Siberia and raised deep concerns about the melting permafrost. Credit:AP The difference is that thawing wetlands releases microbial methane from the decay of soil and organic matter, while thawing limestone - or carbonate rock - releases hydrocarbons and gas hydrates from reservoirs both below and within the permafrost, making it much more dangerous than past studies have suggested. Nikolaus Froitzheim, who teaches at the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Bonn, said that he and two colleagues used satellite maps that measured intense methane concentrations over two conspicuous elongated areas of limestone stripes that were several kilometres wide and up to 600 kilometres long in the Taymyr Peninsula and the area around northern Siberia. Freedy returned home with a brutal sunburn, purplish red in colour with water blisters, and a number of symptoms: lack of appetite, restlessness, feverishness, dizziness and nausea. He stayed home from work the next two days But DuPreez said there was little concern because they chalked up these symptoms to his sunburn, as they thought he had come down with a case of sun stroke. Loading DuPreez said Freedy went to the ER three days following their return from San Diego as his symptoms persisted. She said not much was made of Freedys condition at the time; the doctor who saw him just told him to drink some Gatorade. Freedy went to work that night. However, Freedy continued feeling unwell and called in sick the next two days, DuPreez. He visited a different ER at the beginning of the following week, where a different conclusion was reached about his condition Freedy tested positive for COVID-19. Hes panicking, saying how he doesnt want to die and he doesnt want to leave his babies without a dad, DuPreez said. DuPreez said Freedys young age he had turned 39 a couple days before his diagnosis and relatively good health offered her some reassurance at the time, which she tried to channel into encouragement. I promise well get through this, she told him. I should have gotten the damn vaccine, Micheal Freedy, 39, of Las Vegas, texted his fiance from hospital. Freedy went back home, advised by doctors to stay hydrated, rest and self-isolate. But his condition rapidly worsened. He woke up DuPreez around 3am the following morning, according to her account of Freedys illness on GoFundMe, telling her he couldnt breathe or stand up straight. DuPreez took Freedy to the ER for his third visit in 96 hours. His blood oxygen level was low, and hospital staff were surprised he was even able to walk and talk. Scans found pneumonia in both of his lungs, DuPreez said. It was a rapid decline DuPreez never saw coming. [I didnt] realise when I was dropping him off at the ER because he couldnt breathe that that was going to be the last time I held his hand while he was awake, she said. That I wasnt going to be able to hug him again, that I wasnt going to be able to sleep next to him ever again. Freedys fiance has spoken of her partners heartbreaking regret after he died from COVID-19. Although DuPreez wasnt able to see Freedy after this point, other than bringing him clothes and other items to the hospital, she said she still felt hopeful, even as an anxiety began to settle in. DuPreez said Freedy was transferred to another hospital and then into an intermediate care unit. During one of their text conversations, Freedy expressed regret. I should have gotten the damn vaccine, Freedy wrote, according to a report from FOX5. After five days in the intermediate care unit and a week after his COVID-19 diagnosis, Freedy was taken to the ICU, DuPreez said. He was fully intubated and sedated within about two hours of his arrival, she added. Loading DuPreez said she was told by a nurse that night to contact next of kin and to take all of his belongings home. DuPreez got up early the day her fiance died. She said she was planning on going to work that day and had to drop her kids off at her sisters place across town. But she wanted to visit Freedy first. I want to make sure he knows that Im here, DuPreez said. When she arrived at the hospital, she thought there was good news. Freedy was in a new bed and some of his numbers had improved. But soon his blood oxygen numbers plummeted. DuPreez said a nurse reassured her that this was normal. Then Freedys numbers bottomed out and he no longer had a detectable pulse. A swarm of doctors and nurses rushed in. DuPreez was promptly moved to the back of the room as the doctors performed chest compressions on him. After 30 minutes of compressions, DuPreez said, one of the doctors came over to her and told her they had to stop. Weve done everything that we can. Brant Graves, one of Freedys best friends, normally works late and sleeps during the day. That day, he woke up to a million text messages and missed phone calls, all sharing a tone of sorrow Oh, thats so sad and Oh, Im so sorry. Loading Graves said at first he couldnt believe the news of Freedys passing. It was just very hard to realise that one of my best friends is just gone, and Im never going to see him again, Graves said. Graves is fully versed in dealing with the harrowing realities of the coronavirus. He is a registered sleep technologist and spent three months working side by side with nurses every single day on the frontline dealing with COVID patients and seeing them die left and right and seeing all the tragedy. He said he didnt know Freedy was unvaccinated and that the only time they spoke of COVID-19 was in the in the context of working with pandemic restrictions, such as wearing face masks. Its just a shame that he didnt get it [the vaccine], Graves said. DuPreez said she and her oldest child were vaccinated the same day Freedy tested positive for COVID-19. Looking back on her own experience, DuPreez said vaccine-hesitant people should push through their scepticism and get vaccinated. DOYLESTOWN >> The Central Bucks Board of School Directors will formally name Dr. Abram M. Lucabaugh as the districts next superintendent of schools at its next meeting on Tuesday, August 31 beginning at 7:30 p.m. subject to the execution of a mutually agreed upon contract. : ABL Indira Projects -- a Joint Venture between Ashoka Buildcon Ltd and city-based Indira Projects and Developments, on Tuesday said it recently signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract worth Rs 350 crore with the Police Service. The agreement was towards the design, construction of police stations, barracks and detention centre facilities. The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM) was funding 85 per cent of the total construction through buyers credit facility, a company statement said. Top officials, including the Commissioner of Police, Police Service, Mohammed Hammed, ABL Indira Projects joint venture chairman Bhupesh Nagarajan exchanged documents in the presence of High commissioner to Sanjay Sudhir recently. According to Nagarajan, the move to set up police stations, barracks and detention centres was in the backdrop of the government of Maldives' proposal to upgrade the police infrastructure in that country. The Government of Maldives aims to improve the island police stations, police post, police staff barracks, he said. "The improvement of the facilities will support the law enforcement system more effectively and improve the overall law and order situation in the country. The project will support the vision of Maldives government to make the country beautiful, bright, and safe", the release said. The project is spread across 61 different islands in the country, spread from North to South and includes a custodial facility and expansion of two existing buildings in K Dhoonidhoo, it said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dukaan, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that helps businesses create an online storefront, on Tuesday launched Dukaan Plus, a social commerce platform aimed at connecting merchants to brands and helping them earn a commission. With Dukaan Plus, merchants will be able to source the best quality products from the top direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands and earn commissions on each sale. Dukaan believes that it is crucial to improve and alter social commerce in India to ensure that the outcome justifies the efforts of internet entrepreneurs as well as manufacturers, it said in a statement. With Plus, Dukaan is onboarding multiple manufacturers and vendors from across the country, and will be an early enabler of accessibility to various D2C brands like online clothing and fashion firm Bewakoof.com and its cosmetics brand Cosmos Beauty in the tier-2 and 3 cities. The retail sector is ever evolving and is primed for the next big change. While we constantly innovate our technology, we believe the social commerce industry requires an upgrade to reap the best results out of any innovation introduced. With Dukaan Plus, we will eliminate various steps and errors to improve the quality and sales for both customers as well as the sellers. said Suumit Shah, Founder and CEO, Dukaan. The need for such a solution was felt given the increasing number of product returns, unhappy customers, and faltering sales. The tier-2 and 3 markets are growing to drive the next wave of retail growth and Dukaan wants to improve the supply chain that runs from the manufacturer to the consumer with quality products as well as superior brand experience for them, the frim said. We were among the first brands in India to go the D2C route and want to be the first D2C brand to tap into social commerce. Though e-commerce has grown rapidly, it is still limited to about 100 million people in India. Social commerce selling is increasing the e-commerce market and will further bring in 200 million people over the next 5 years. With this partnership, now there will be thousands of Bewakoofs Dukaans in India. said Prabhkiran Singh, Founder and CEO, Bewakoof.com. Dukaan Plus will bring together manufacturers, vendors, D2C brands and the resellers, on a single platform with their customers, and provide them with a commission on every sale they make at Dukaan Plus regulated rates, the company added. Dukaan enables local stores go digital and use WhatsApp to sell their products. The firm raised $6 million last year led by Lightspeed India and Matrix Partners India and was valued at about $22 million. It was also reported to be in talks with Tiger Global for another round of funding. Integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in the business will help in long-term value creation, thereby decreasing risk factors rising from national and global factors, an EY report Can help future proof your business' says. The Covid-19 pandemic has been instrumental in reinforcing the importance of framework as a key approach to long-term business resilience, says the report. The number of Indian signatories to United NationsPrinciples of Responsible Investment tripled in 2020, while the number of active mutual funds now total eight. The task force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures supporters from India have grown three times in 2020-21 even as 220 India-based are now disclosing to their investors and customers through CDP, a not-for-profit that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impact. Businesses are thinking to go beyond non-financial reporting and start reporting in an integrated profit and loss approach, which attempts to correlate or monetize the positive and negative impact of business operations and products through a range of capitals, helping in long-term value creation, says the report. Chaitanya Kalia, Partner and Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS), EY India said, In an increasingly uncertain and volatile world that is throwing up new challenges for the businesses, ESG provides a framework for businesses for staying resilient by holistically safeguarding people, the planet and profits. The report talks about a total value method, a concept that allows to measure the most material aspects of their value creation, which otherwise go hidden or unmeasured. Further, total value methodology takes an integrated approach of profit and loss and monetizes non-monetary parameters in calculation. Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPC) is under liquidation process on the directions of the National Company Law Tribunal and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. The liquidator appointed for the company is undertaking the liquidation process. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar said that Cachar Paper Mill, Panchgram and Nagaon Paper Mill, Jagiroad are mills of HPC in Assam and these mills are presently non-operational. A proposal for revival of HPC was under consideration when the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) through an order in 2018, directed the initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016. "Presently, HPC is under liquidation on the directions of NCLT, New Delhi and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The Liquidator appointed for HPC by the NCLT, New Delhi is undertaking the process of liquidation as per the provisions of law," he said. In a separate reply, he said at present, Phase-II of FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India) scheme is being implemented from April, 2019 for a period of five years with a total budgetary support of Rs 10,000 crore. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has partnered with International Air Transport Association (IATA) to launch a pilot project for IATA Travel Pass, which will enable passengers to create a 'digital passport' to verify their pre-travel test or vaccination status to meet the SOPs of the destination. The IATA Travel Pass will be a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. The pilot project will begin in the country from August 20. The passengers will be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities as well as airlines to facilitate travel, the airline said in a statement on Tuesday. The IATA Travel Pass will also enable authorised labs and test centres to securely send test results or vaccination certificates to passengers, the airline noted. Ronojoy Dutta, chief executive officer, said, Today, most countries have implemented protocols for travellers across the globe and this IATA Travel Pass will simplify and digitise the requisite passenger information for respective countries." "We are certain that our collaboration with IATA on this innovation will prove to be a stepping-stone towards international air travel recovery, while providing a hassle-free experience to our customers," he said. Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, special international passenger flights have been operating from India under air bubble arrangements formed with around 27 countries since July last year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online marketplace for construction materials Infra.Market has raised USD 125 million (about Rs 928 crore) in Series D round led by Tiger Global, valuing the platform at USD 2.5 billion. Founded by Souvik Sengupta and Aaditya Sharda in 2016, the Thane-based firm is a construction solutions company that leverages technology to provide an enhanced procurement experience for all players in the sector. It will use the funds to enhance its technological offerings, enter newer markets and advance their initiatives such as private label brands, direct to retail channel and exports, apart from increasing its presence across product verticals and look at acquisition opportunities, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. The company is targeting the USD 140-billion construction materials market with a strong focus on the infrastructure sector, as it expects to significantly benefit from the ongoing investment in infrastructure projects under the national infrastructure pipeline, which has planned projects worth USD 2 trillion over the next few years. We are also embarking on new business verticals within the construction ecosystem beyond materials to enable us to provide end-to-end solutions to our customers across the lifecycle of a construction project, Sengupta said. We are seeing huge growth in buyer wallet share as we are rapidly expanding our product portfolio and market presence and the launch of new verticals will help us fulfill our vision of creating a technology backed end-to-end construction solutions company, he added. Scott Shleifer, a partner at Management, said they are delighted to double-down on their investment in Infra.Market. Over the past year, it has become the go-to partner, especially during the pandemic when the traditional supply chains were disrupted. The company caters to both institutional customers and retail outlets. Over the last 12 months, it has grown supply to retail outlets steadily and follows a dual model of flagship stores to cater to smaller stores and dealership stores for retail customers. It supplies across 10 states and exports to Dubai, Singapore, Jordan, and Italy. Recently, it had acquired Equiphunt, a fully integrated equipment solutions platform with complete solutions geared towards equipment ownership, maintenance and utilisation. Infra.Market is expecting to cross the USD 1 billion sales target by the end of December. More than two-thirds of its present revenue is contributed by its own brands. (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.) and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) on Tuesday said that the company believes that its in a port in is not in violation of any sanction guidelines issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of Treasury. In notes to its first quarter results, APSEZ further said the port is expected to create stable jobs, promote private commercial trade, facilitate the arrival of goods such as food, medicine and clothing for the Burmese people. "APSEZ believes that it is not in violation of any sanction guidelines issued by OFAC, and has, therefore, applied to OFAC for a general license to operate the Port," it said. The firm said in addition to the anti-bribery, anti-corruption guideline, the company will utilize the compliance procedures aimed at combating corruption in the Port. "The company will abide by the guidelines and compliance programme of OFAC while issuing a general licence," it said. The project had run into controversy after it was reported that APSEZ chief executive Karan Adani had in July 2019 met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief who led the coup against the elected government. Adani group had previously said it had won the Yangon International Terminal project last year through a global competitive bid. The project requires USD 290 million The land acquisition for the project was facilitated by "the Commission led by U Thaung Tun, its chairman and Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations under the guidance of President Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy government," it had previously said. APSEZ said it has disinvested its stake in Bowen Rail Operations Pte Ltd. as per the SPA signed on 25th March 25, 2021. "The company realized its 'held for sale investments' in July 2021 amounting USD 25 million, thus the entity is no longer a subsidiary of APSEZ," it said. and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), the largest port developer, is a part of the globally diversified Adani Group. (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.) State-run (IOB) has posted a 170 per cent increase in net profit during the first quarter of the current financial year ended on June 30 to Rs 327 crore, from Rs 121 crore during the same quarter in 2020-21. Total income during the first quarter of 2021-22 was seen at Rs 5,155 crore, down marginally by 1.5 per cent from Rs 5,234 crore during the same period last year. The banks managing director and chief executive officer P P Sengupta said fewer provisions and more recovery mainly contributed to the rise in net profit. IOB's provision for bad loans and contingencies for the quarter under review dropped by 11 per cent from Rs 970 crore during the first quarter of the last financial year to Rs 868 crore during the April to June quarter of 2021. The banks asset quality showed signs of improvement with its gross non-performing assets falling by 16 per cent from Rs 18,921 crore during the first quarter in 2020-21 to Rs 15,952 during the same quarter this fiscal. GNPA ratios improved to 11.48 per cent from I1.69 per cent in Q1 last year. Net NPA for the period under review dipped 34 per cent to Rs 3,998 crore during the current financial year. The bank said that its net NPA stood at 3.15 per cent, which is within the prescribed limit of the Reserve Bank of India. IOBs provision coverage ratio was seen at 91.56 per cent. Though IOB has seen slippages to the tune of Rs 1,158 crore, it saw a higher cash recovery of Rs 1,125 crore. This was compared to a cash recovery of only Rs 275 crore during the same time last financial year, he said. Owing to a reduction in interest expenditure, the lender's operating profit rose from Rs 1,094 crore to Rs 1,202 crore during the period under review. During the quarter, the banks total business (including investment) increased by 8 per cent to Rs.4,78,365 croreas against Rs. 4,43,155 crore during the April to June quarter of 2020. The banks total deposits too saw a rise of 8 per cent in Q1 to Rs 242,941 crore from Rs 225,546 crore during the same period last fiscal. The bank's CASA improved to 4l.63 per cent as on June 30 this year from 41.02 per cent in the same quarter in 2020-21. Total CASA also increased from Rs 92,514 crore last year to Rs 101,129 crore during the Q1 of this fiscal, SB (Savings Bank) registered 10.82 per cent year-on-year growth compared to last year. Gross advances increased to Rs 1,38,944 crore as on June 30, 2021 from Rs l,31,565 crore during the year-ago period. The bank said it has evolved a policy of not taking fresh exposures in stressed sectors, below hurdle-rated accounts and BB and below rated accounts. The bank has also exited accounts in stressed sectors. During the quarter, the banks interest income saw a decline of 6 per cent, while non-interest income increased by 17 per cent. Regarding Covid restructuring, Sengupta said, We have done around Rs 4,300 crore of Covid restructuring, we are also planning to do another Rs 3,000 crore. We are expecting that most of the restructured accounts will be turning around. Pune-based plug-and-play tech fulfillment startup, Quickshift has raised $770k in seed funding from Anicut Angel Fund and Axilor Ventures. The company will step-up its proprietary technology and expand its network of fulfilment centres across the length and breadth of the country with the new lease of funds. Quickshift is a technology fulfilment company providing solutions through a quick turnaround time. QuickShift also acts as an accelerator for brands in the D2C, e-commerce, B2B & retail spaces, enhancing their scale and penetration across 26,000 pin codes across India. Anshul Goenka, Founder of QuickShift, said, It has been our mission to streamline the vast scale of day-to-day operational activities for brands to make a product reach the customer on a real-time basis, keeping this vision in line, we built QuickShift for speed. We have endeavoured to change the way brands look at this, by giving them the comfort of focusing exclusively on their core product while we ensure that it reaches their customer in no time. With the new funding coming in we will set-up modernized fulfilment centres and become a one-stop solution for SMBs. Backed by its own network of decentralised warehouses across locations in India, its end-to-end supply chain solutions are built around its data-driven technology and seamless plug-and-play integration. The experience leads to cost efficiencies, industry fast turn around time and operational ease. The company leverages its pan-India network to place their inventory, manage it across all their sales channels, track real time inventory changes and utilise the data analytics provided to reduce inventory ageing and effectively plan their marketing spends. The overall experience leads to cost efficiency, industry-best turn around time and operational ease. Goenka added, Today the entire customer journey is undergoing massive disruption with the uptick of digitised channels. Quick and hassle free delivery has become an essential point for ensuring customer delight and loyalty. We are currently offering next-day and two-day delivery models to brands and would soon be opening up 2-hour delivery options for mission critical deliveries. Today, India houses over 800 D2C brands which have garnered immense interest from the VC community. While the pandemic brought unprecedented changes, these brands seized the day to grow multi-fold, and with that came the need for enablers in the ecosystem. We believe that the idea that has been put into motion at QuickShift, is perfectly poised to capitalize on this opportunity that is expected to be worth over $100 bn in the next 3-4 years, said Ashvin Chadha, Co-founder, Anicut Angel Fund. Mumbai-based Pareto Capital acted as the sole transaction advisor for the deal. Group Plc has ruled out any further equity infusion in its debt-ridden telecom joint venture in India. While the UK-based telecom major did not comment on partner Kumar Mangalam Birlas offer to sell his stake in Idea (Vi), its chief executive officer Nick Read, on July 23, reiterated the companys decision of not infusing further capital in Vi. On the companys plans to support Vi, which is struggling to raise fresh capital, Read, speaking during an investor conference call, said, We as a group try to provide them as much practical support as we can, but I want to make it very clear, we are not putting any additional equity into India. His comments came on the day the Supreme Court dismissed Vis application for recomputation of dues. Vi has a debt of about Rs 1.8 trillion, including deferred spectrum obligations and AGR dues. The company had in last September announced a plan to raise Rs 25,000 crore, but new investors are not forthcoming in the absence of support measures from the government. The company auditors have flagged concerns about the companys ability to continue as a going concern due its inability to generate sufficient cash flow. So, I mean, it is a highly stressed situation, a difficult situation that they are trying to navigate, Read told analysts. Group Plc merged with Idea Cellular in 2017 in a $23-billion deal and the merger was completed in August 2018. The company has suffered constant losses and is losing subscribers, too. Vodafone Group has already written off its investment in Vi. At least 15 people have died, and lakhs of people were rendered homeless or marooned, as the flood situation in six districts of aggravated on Tuesday, triggering a slugfest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP over the release of "excess water" by the DVC. Around three lakh people got displaced after heavy rain in the last few days, followed by discharge of water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) dams, inundated major parts of the districts of Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah and South 24 Parganas, officials said. The DVC, since July 31, has released 5.43 lakh cusec of water till Tuesday evening. Seven people died and 2.5 lakh have been affected by the flood Till Monday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who keeps a tab on the relief and rescue operations and has sent ministers to the affected areas, is likely to conduct an aerial survey of Howrah and Hooghly districts on Wednesday to take stock of the situation. She will later conduct an administrative meeting, officials said. "We are collecting the details of all 15 people who have lost their lives due to the flood. Some deaths are due to electrocution, snake bite, wall collapse. We are waiting for a final report from district administrations," an official said. Several areas in the six affected districts are reeling under flood, with people struggling to wade through waist-deep water. The districts of Hooghly, Howrah and West Midnapore are among the worst affected due to the Around 79,000 people were affected in Hooghly district alone, whereas crops and livestock worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed. "Around 345 villages are affected by the floods, and more than 34 thousand hectares of crop area have been damaged. Around 1159 houses have been damaged in the district. We are presently running 89 relief camps," a Hooghly district official said. The situation was worse in Kolkata's neighbouring Howrah district, where around 1.8 lakh people were affected as 10 gram panchayats were severely affected by the "Seven Gram Panchayats are completely under water, and three are partially submerged. The Udaynarayanpur block is the worst affected," a Howrah district official said. Water from the Rupnarayan and the Dwarakeswar rivers have overtopped banks and entered residential areas, flooding homes, the official said. State Irrigation Minister Soumen Mahapatra conducted a tour of the Udaynarayanpur block in Howrah district and took stock of the relief and rescue operation. The Paschim Medinipur district administration has opened 212 relief camps as areas under 172 gram panchayats and seven municipalities were flooded. The link road between towns of Keshpur and Medinipur is under water. Over one lakh tarpaulin, 1,000 MT of rice, thousands of drinking water pouches and clean clothes have been sent to the shelters homes, an official stated. On Monday, the Army and the Air Force had undertaken rescue operations in Hooghly district, where rivers have overtopped banks and flooded villages. The ongoing flood situation triggered a political slugfest between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP. Mahapatra accused the Central government-owned DVC of releasing water and causing a "man-made flood" situation. "The DVC deliberately released so much of water that it led to a flood-like situation. The Central government deliberately created this man-made flood situation in Bengal. We condemn such politics," Mahapatra told reporters after his visit to Howrah. BJP state spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya termed the allegations "baseless". "Before making such allegations, the TMC government should know why the water was released. There must be a logic behind DVC releasing the water. The fact is the state government has failed to conduct relief and rescue operations properly and are now blaming others," he said. The DVC on Saturday said the storage facilities at Panchet and Maithon dams have reached their capacities due to heavy inflow of water from upstream Jharkhand, and discharge under such circumstances was "unavoidable". A DVC official stated that the corporation released 5.43 lakh cusec of water till Tuesday evening since July 31. Water discharge is regulated by Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee, which has a representative from the state government, the official said. Teams of NDRF and SDRF, along with the state administration, are involved in the relief and rescue operation. (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 2030, India might lead the world in every category, a former top America's diplomat has said asserting that the two largest democracies of the world can do much together. I look out at the year 2030, for example, and I see an India that may lead the world in almost every categorythe most populous nation, the most college graduates, the largest middle-class, the most cell phone and Internet users, along with the third largest military and third largest economy, all coexisting in the world's largest democracy, with 600 million people under the age of 25, Richard Verma said on Monday. That's on top of the massive development that is taking place in India today right before our eyes. Some $2 trillion will be spent on infrastructure in just the next decade. The bulk of the infrastructure needed for 2030 is yet to be built. That's why some 100 new airports are under planning or construction today alone, he said. In his commencement address to the Jindal University School of Banking and Finance, the former US Ambassador to India told young students that India has the youngest workforce in Asia. and you'll hold that advantage until 2050. That's pretty formidable, he said in his remarks on 'Driving Shared Prosperity A 21st Century Priority for US-India Ties'. The first ever Indian-American envoy to India said the modern US-India relationship was quite young. We mark the start of this era with President Clinton's visit to India in the year 2000. It was a breakthrough visit after decades of being somewhat distant, and even at times, estranged, he said. In his address, Verma asserted that it was now time for the relationship to deliver. We can no longer look decades into the future. The time to deliver results for our people is now it's today that's a big challenge, but it's also exciting, for us here in America, and for all of you in India, especially as you start out on your studies and then careers, he said. The reason I care about this subject so much and want to talk to you about it today is that I do think this is the most consequential relationship of this century. We can do so much together," he added. "Whether it's battling a pandemic, countering terrorism and proliferation, or bringing to market all those new innovations and solutions that will make people's lives easier, safer, greener, more prosperous, more inclusive and more secure. We can do that. We are not there yet, but can we get there, he explained. Verma also said he first-hand witnessed the picture of India on the dramatic rise when he travelled to every Indian state. It is why I am so excited for all of you. You have the world at your fingertips. Your country will have a leading seat in international institutions, your businesses will continue to power economic growth and innovations globally, and all of you can choose what role you want to play today and in the future. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Tuesday reported a net reduction of 8,760 in active cases to take its count to 404,958. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 2.65 per cent (one in 37). The country is eighth among the most affected countries by active cases. On Monday, it added 30,549 cases to take its total caseload to 31,726,507 from 31,726,507 an increase of 0.1%. And, with 422 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 425,195, or 1.34 per cent of total confirmed infections. With 6,109,587 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Monday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 478,544,114. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 30,896,354 or 97.38 per cent of total caseload with 38,887 new cured cases being reported on Tuesday. Now the eighth-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases, and first by recoveries, India has added 285,556 cases in the past 7 days. India now accounts for 2.65% of all active cases globally (one in every 37 active cases), and 10% of all deaths (one in every 10 deaths). India has so far administered 478,544,114 vaccine doses. That is 1508.34 per cent of its total caseload, and 34.31 per cent of its population. Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (53679939), Maharashtra (49700590), Rajasthan (38067365), Gujarat (38050561), and Madhya Pradesh (35764109). Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Kerala (653114), Delhi (600333), Gujarat (595728), Uttarakhand (591773), and J&K (517792). Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 26 days. The count of active cases across India on Tuesday saw a net reduction of 8,760, compared to net addition of 2,766 on Monday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Mizoram (127), Himachal Pradesh (75), Jammu and Kashmir (43), Goa (16), and Tripura (12). With 38,887 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 97.38%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.34%. The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.72%), Uttarakhand (2.15%), and Maharashtra (2.11%). The rate in as many as 14 is higher than the national average. Indias new daily closed cases stand at 39,309 422 deaths and 38,887 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 1.07%. 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 719.5 days, and for deaths at 698 days. Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (13984), Maharashtra (4869), Tamil Nadu (1957), Andhra Pradesh (1546), and Karnataka (1285). Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Kerala (94.66%). India on Tuesday conducted 16,149,295 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 471,294,789. The test positivity rate recorded was 1.9%. Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR) percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases are Goa (16.1%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.71%), Maharashtra (13.05%), Sikkim (12.96%), and Kerala (12.48%). Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added are, Mizoram (61.72%), Sikkim (11.23%), Kerala (10.93%), Meghalaya (10.2%), and Arunachal Pradesh (6.06%). Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1271243), J&K (869298), Kerala (768839), Karnataka (576312), and Telangana (563895). The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6315063), Kerala (3425473), Karnataka (2908284), Tamil Nadu (2563544), and Andhra Pradesh (1970008). Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 4869 new cases to take its tally to 6315063. Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 13984 cases to take its tally to 3425473. Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 1285 cases to take its tally to 2908284. Tamil Nadu has added 1957 cases to take its tally to 2563544. Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 1546 to 1970008. Uttar Pradesh has added 24 cases to take its tally to 1708500. Delhi has added 51 cases to take its tally to 1436401. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal | Photo: ANI Delhi will now get Rs 90,000 per month as salary and allowances with the Arvind Kejriwal government approving a hike cap recommended by the Centre on Tuesday. Earlier, each MLA was getting Rs 53,000, including Rs 12,000 as salary and the remaining amount as allowances, the government said in a statement. With this hike, each legislator will get Rs 30,000 as salary and allowances totalling Rs 60,000, it said. Despite the hike, Delhi will continue to be among the lowest-paid legislators in the country, it claimed. The salary of Delhi's hasn't increased in 10 years and the Kejriwal government had requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that their salary and allowances be at par with MLAs of other states, the statement said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Industry body on Tuesday contended that floor price fixation is absolutely critical and need of the hour, given the "major financial stress" in the industry. The association -- whose members include Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea -- said floor prices need to be fixed for data only for an interim period, say two years, and that voice calls and tariffs can be excluded from this. "In the last few years, fixation of floor prices has become a critical issue and is need of the hour today with industry going through major financial stress," S P Kochhar, director-general of Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI), said in a statement. Despite the financial constraints faced by them during the pandemic, the service providers continued to plough in significant investments and provide seamless network connectivity to Indians, argued. "It is important to understand that the telcos have incurred losses because of the downward pricing trend of data tariffs. Revenue generation is now essential to sustain their financial health," Kochhar added. The association said it has made regular pleas for setting the floor prices, and noted that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had also done a consultation with over the issue. "Floor prices must be fixed to provide some relief from the immense cost burden. Floor prices should be fixed for data only for an interim period, say two years, and voice calls/ tariffs can be excluded from this," said the association said. Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal has said that the industry's tariffs need to go up amid "tremendous stress" in the telecom sector. "To say telecom industry is in a bit of trouble is actually an understatement. It is in a tremendous amount of stress. "I hope the government, the authorities, and telecom department...all...focus on this issue and ensure India's digital dream remains intact through the provision of at least three operators," Mittal had said recently. The top boss of Bharti Group had emphasised that market repair must take place. The industry stress is perhaps most visible on cash-strapped Vodafone Idea. Aditya Birla group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had, in June this year, offered to hand over the Group's stake in debt-laden Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) to the government or any other entity that the government may consider worthy, to keep the company afloat. In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on June 7, Birla had said investors are not willing to invest in the company in the absence of clarity on AGR (statutory dues) liability, adequate moratorium on spectrum payments and "most importantly floor pricing regime above the cost of service". Without immediate active support from the government on the three issues by July, the financial situation of VIL will come to an "irretrievable point of collapse", Birla had said. VIL had an adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liability of Rs 58,254 crore; out of which, the company has paid Rs 7,854.37 crore and Rs 50,399.63 crore is outstanding. The recent dismissal of telcos' plea by the Supreme Court on re-computation of AGR-related dues has made matters worse for Vodafone Idea, whose balance sheet situation is 'precarious', analysts have 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.) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister on Tuesday emphasised on the roll-out of flex- vehicles (FFVs) in the Indian auto market within a year. Gadkari also appealed to vehicle manufacturers to compulsorily provide a minimum of six airbags across all variants and segments of a vehicle. "Met a delegation of CEOs of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) in New Delhi today. Emphasised on the need for a quick roll-out of Flex- Vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on 100% ethanol and gasoline into the Indian auto market within a year's time," the minister said in a tweet. "In the interest of passenger safety, I have also appealed all private vehicle manufacturers to compulsorily provide a minimum of 6 airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle," he added. According to an official statement, the minister met a delegation of CEOs from the Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) comprising private, commercial and two-wheeler automobile manufacturers. " The delegation presented an update of the auto industry's status and requested for Deferment of emission-based regulations such as BS-6 phase 2, CAF Phase 2 among others such as OBD regulations for two-wheelers," the statement said. According to the statement, the minister congratulated the OEMs for performing well on the front of vehicle-engineering. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Tuesday recorded 17 fresh cases of COVID-19 that took the tally of infections to 8,24,939 in the state, an official from the health department said. The state did not report a single COVID-19 death for the 16th day in a row, keeping the toll steady at 10,076, the official said. With the addition of 42 patients who were discharged from hospitals during the day, the count of recoveries rose to 8,14,637, leaving the state with 226 active cases, he said, adding that the recovery rate stands at 98.75 per cent. Ahmedabad district reported the highest number of five new cases, followed by Surat and Vadodara with three cases each, Anand, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Mehsana, Navsari and Patan with one case each, it was stated. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu reported just one case during the day, an official said. With this, the region's tally stood at 10,623, of which 10,605 patients have recovered from the infection and four have died so far, the official said, adding that there are 14 active cases in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, as many as 3,43,187 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total number of doses administered in to 3,44,19,588. Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 8,24,939, new cases 17, death toll 10,076, discharged 8,14,637, active cases 226, people tested so far - figures not released. (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.) Indoor operations at AIIMS, Kalyani in West Bengal's Nadia district are likely to begin from September this year, a senior official of the medical establishment said on Tuesday. AIIMS, Kalyani Executive Director Ramji Singh, while inaugurating a vaccination centre on the campus, said that the work to start the inpatient department (IPD) got delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The outpatient department (OPD) is already functional in the medical establishment. "The pandemic created obstacles in completing the infrastructural facilities on time. We had decided much earlier to start the IPD. A date has not been finalised yet but we are trying to start the indoor services from September," he said. Once fully operational, the premier medical establishment will benefit not only the people of eastern India, but also of neighbouring Bangladesh, who visit as far as Chennai and Vellore in Tamil Nadu for treatment. (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.) Chief Minister on Tuesday condemned the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in the city and demanded capital punishment for the culprits. He said there is a need to improve the law and order situation in the capital. The Dalit girl died under suspicious circumstances, even as her parents alleged that she was raped and her body was forcibly cremated by a crematorium's priest, according to police. The police said based on the statement of the girl's mother, rape charges have been added in the FIR. Four people, including the priest, have been arrested in connection with the case. "The murder of a nine-year-old innocent in after subjecting her to brutality is very shameful. There is a need to improve the law and order situation in The culprits should be given capital punishment at the earliest, the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi. "Going to meet the victim's family tomorrow, will do everything possible to help the family in this fight for justice," Kejriwal tweeted. Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam had met the victim's family on Monday. "This is a very shocking matter. I have spoken to the DCP and the district magistrate here. I asked them that the matter should be investigated in a fast-track manner. The statement of the parents should be immediately recorded without any delay," he said. "There should be a thorough investigation in the matter. If we feel that the investigation is not carried out properly, then the Delhi government will conduct a magisterial inquiry," Gautam had 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.) Delhi Police told a court here on Tuesday that the death of 21 COVID-19 patients in Jaipur Golden Hospital in April was not caused due to shortage, a claim which contradicts the hospital's stand. In the same status filed by the police before the court, the hospital has stated that there was a link between inadequate supply and deaths of the patients as no was supplied to them for 30 hours despite several alerts. As many as 21 in-patients died at the hospital on the intervening night of April 23-24 allegedly due to lack of oxygen as it awaited for the supply to be replenished. On scrutiny of death summaries of all deceased persons, it revealed that no death of any patient caused due to shortage of oxygen, the police stated in the status report on a plea seeking FIR against the hospital for deaths. Deputy Commissioner of Police Pranav Tayal told Metropolitan Magistrate Vivek Beniwal that as the allegations are against doctors and medical staff, the opinion regarding any medical negligence has been sought from Delhi Medical Council. However, the hospital said: INOX supplied oxygen 3.8 MT on 22 April at 5:30 pm. There was no refill by INOX at the scheduled time of 5:30 pm on 23 April. This resulted in a crisis situation. The hospital management also explained how the average mortality per day before and after the incident was only two and three, respectively, which increased to 21 within a span of 7-8 hours. Resultantly, when this situation ensued, there appeared to be a linkage between the unusually high number of deaths and the common factor i.e. deficient oxygen supply, it added. The hospital added that they made frantic calls during the afternoon but by night, the oxygen levels dipped and the liquid oxygen almost got exhausted, following which they had to maintain the supply through oxygen cylinders. ALSO READ: 4,25,981 oxygen-supported isolation beds available as of July 23: Govt This has never ever happened in the history of their hospital that the whole regular supply had to be switched to reserves in the form of cylinders. This situation was unprecedented and amounted to an acute emergency occasioned by a shortage of oxygen, the hospital said during the inquiry. After initial scrutiny of the patients' death, prima facie at that moment, it appeared that in four cases there was a drop of oxygen pressure around 9:45 PM on April 23, which is an unusual occurrence in such numbers, the hospital said. Family members of the deceased approached the court claiming that the hospital management should be punished, but police, with mala fide intention, have neither arrested nor set up an inquiry against them. In the plea filed through advocates Sahil Ahuja and Siddhant Sethi, the complainants have stated that the hospital management should have stopped admitting the patients or start discharging them if they were low on oxygen supply. The Delhi government's expert committee had earlier said that shortage of oxygen as the cause of death could not be ascertained". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister will invite India's Olympic contingent to the as special guests on August 15 when he will deliver his eighth straight independence day speech. Official sources said Modi will also invite them to his residence for interaction. India has been represented by a 228-strong contingent, including over 120 athletes, at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Modi has been regularly offering words of encouragement to the team and has also spoken to many of them. (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 Tuesday said the contempt plea against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for appointing Rakesh Asthana as Commissioner in alleged violation of a judgement would be posted for hearing if the registry has numbered it. "If it is numbered, we will post it for hearing," a bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Surya Kant told lawyer M L Sharma who was seeking listing of his plea for hearing on Monday. "I have filed a contempt petition against the appointment of Rakesh Asthana," Sharma said. A 1984-batch IPS officer, Asthana, serving as the director general of Border Security Force, was appointed Commissioner on July 27, four days before his superannuation on July 31. He will have tenure of one year as police chief of the capital. According to the petition, the Prime Minister, who is the head of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and the Home Minister jointly decided and appointed Asthana as the Commissioner. The petition alleged this is against the judgement of the apex court in the Prakash Singh case. In his petition, Sharma said that according to the apex court's judgement of July 3, 2018, the process of appointment should begin three months prior to the vacancy and the person being appointed must have a reasonable period of service left. Besides the contempt action, the plea has sought a declaration from the apex court that the appointment of Asthana be held illegal being contra to the judgment dated July 3, 2018. The top court had issued a slew of directions on police reforms in the country and ordered all states and Union Territories not to appoint any police officer as acting Director General of Police (DGP). It had also directed all states to send the names of senior police officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for being considered as probable candidates to be appointed as DGPs or Police Commissioners as the case may be. The UPSC, in turn, will prepare a list of three most suitable officers and the states will be free to appoint one of them as police chief, it had said. The bench had also said that endeavour should be made that a person, who had been selected and appointed as DGP, has reasonable period of service left. These directions were issued on interim pleas which were filed in the disposed of PIL, titled as Praksah Singh versus Union of India. Prior to this, the apex court, deciding the PIL filed by two former DGPs Prakash Singh and N K Singh in 2006, had given a slew of directions, including setting up of a state security commission to ensure that the government does not exercise unwarranted influence on the police. It had then said the appointment of DGPs and police officers should be merit-based and transparent and officers like DGPs and Superintendent of Police (SP) should have a minimum fixed tenure of two years. It had recommended separation of police functions of investigation and maintaining law and order. (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 reproduction number of has increased beyond one in eight states across the country with the sounding cautious that the second wave of the epidemic was still raging. The R or the reproduction number indicates the average number of new infections generated by one infected person during the entire infectious period. When this number is more than one, it indicates a spread of infection. Indias R number currently is 1.2, which is the same as the US, Canada, and Australia. The Covid situation in the country is showing a mixed picture. The high caseload in Kerala is a significant worry. The R number of the country is moving in the wrong direction. It is truly a cause of concern as the second wave is persisting, said V K Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog and chairman of the National Covid Task Force. The ministry said this number had come down to 0.6 but gradually rose to more than one in the eight states Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Mizoram, Puducherry, and Kerala. Almost 50 per cent of the total cases in the last week were from Kerala. Of the 18 districts in the country reporting an increasing trend in the daily new cases in the past four weeks, 10 are from Kerala. These 18 districts make up for 47.5 per cent of the total new cases in the country, according to the ministry. ALSO READ: No recommendation made so far on mixing Covid vaccines, govt to Rajya Sabha Forty-four districts in India are reporting more than 10 per cent weekly positivity. Ten of these are in Kerala while nine are in Mizoram. A central team led by Sujeet Singh, director of the National Centre for Disease Control, visited the affected districts of Kerala. In Malappuram, where the test positivity was more than 17 per cent, the team has asked the state authorities to increase surveillance, create containment and buffer zones. It was found that only symptomatic people were getting tested and only 20 per cent of the tests were the RT-PCR. More stress has to be laid on contact tracing and the gold standard of testing which is RT-PCR, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary of the health ministry, said. Stepping up vaccination Average daily vaccinations in July rose to 4.3 million from 3.9 million in June and doubled compared to 2 million in May, the ministry said. Over half of those in the vulnerable age group over 45 years have got at least one dose so far. The government also said there was no plan to alter the 25 per cent quota of vaccine supply reserved for the private sector as it is helpful in enhancing the reach of the drive. Paul said giving priority to children with comorbidities is a sound and valid scientific principle but a decision would be taken once the vaccine for children is available. Among those between 45 and 60 years of age, 52 per cent have got the first dose and 19.4 per cent both the doses. In the over 60 years group, 55.6 per cent have got one dose at least and 27 per cent have got the second dose as well. This proportion has to be increased as is the best way to protect our vulnerable population, Paul said. Paul also assured that there was no shortage of Covaxin in the country and that the Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals was on track to produce 2 million doses by September. An American lawmaker accused of violating ethics rules by publicising the name of an alleged victim in disparaging social media posts refused to answer questions she deemed irrelevant during an ethics hearing. The Idaho lawmaker on Monday also claimed the young Statehouse intern who reported the alleged wasn't actually a victim or entitled to privacy under the law. Republican Representative Priscilla Giddings became the subject of two ethics complaints by about two dozen lawmakers after she publicised the accuser's name, photo and personal details about her life in April by sharing links to a far-right news article on social media and in a newsletter to constituents. The Legislature's ethics committee scheduled the public hearing after finding probable cause that Giddings engaged in conduct unbecoming a representative, which is detrimental to the integrity of the House as a legislative body. The lawmaker accused of raping the intern, Republican Aaron von Ehlinger, resigned earlier this year after the ethics committee recommended he be removed from the Statehouse. Von Ehlinger has denied all wrongdoing. The rape allegation is under investigation by police. Giddings told the ethics committee Monday that shortly after the allegations against von Ehlinger became public in April, she called one of his attorneys to ask if he would release von Ehlinger's response to the rape accusation, and if he planned on including the accuser's name. After the attorney did so, Giddings said she checked with a news reporter to determine if he had received the document, Giddings told the committee. Then she said she went on Facebook to post a link to a different far-right blog article that included the intern's photo, name and other personal information and linked to the same article in a newsletter to constituents. After the intern's identity was revealed, she was subjected to a flood of harassment. Advocates for victims of sexual assault said the situation showed why many are afraid to report crimes. But Giddings, who is running for lieutenant governor, said the complaints about her behavior amounted to little more than woke cancel culture and claimed the ethics investigation was politically motivated. She also said sharing the article link was the same as handing someone a newspaper, and was protected under her First Amendment right to free speech. When Giddings entered the hearing Monday, she was met with applause, shouts of support and a standing ovation by some supporters in the audience which included some militia members, members of an anti-vaccination group and others with far-right political organisations. Some wore shirts with messages of support, including victims for Priscilla, and Stand with Priscilla, fighting for our freedom. In her opening statement, Giddings said the ethics investigation was an unfair attack by political opponents and that she exercised her constitutionally protected right to free speech by sharing the link that revealed the intern's identity. Giddings also said she believed the outcome of the hearing had been pre-determined and left the hearing room for most of the day, declining to cross-examine any of the witnesses who testified against her. Representative Brooke Green, a Democrat and one of the bipartisan group of lawmakers that signed onto an ethics compliant, said that the other two dozen lawmakers who also signed the complaint were approached individually and not told who else was signing to ensure that political motivations didn't play a part. Green said the complaint was made because the Legislature has an obligation to ensure that sexual assault victims are safe and not revictimised by having their privacy violated. Representative Greg Chaney, a Republican who brought one of the complaints against Giddings, said not all speech is protected under the First Amendment, including speech that wrongly defames someone. Chaney also said Giddings' actions amounted to retaliation against an employee or coworker who reports harassment or sex assault and therefore did not qualify as constitutionally protected speech. Republican Representative Julie Yamamoto, who also signed one of the complaints, testified that she would have withdrawn her name and forgiven Giddings if Giddings had apologised. But that never happened, and Yamamoto said she didn't want to be counted among the lawmakers who are unwilling to hold each other accountable. The hearing grew increasingly tense after the committee called Giddings to return as a witness, asking her why she shared the links and whether she felt that the intern whom the committee called Jane Doe was entitled to any privacy protections under the state's crime victim laws. You're way out of the park right now because there is no victim, so that doesn't apply at all, Giddings said. Christopher McCurdy, the attorney representing the ethics committee, then asked Giddings, Do you believe Jane Doe is entitled to dignity during the ethics hearing? Giddings declined to answer, calling the question irrelevant. She also said she wasn't initially aware that the intern's photo was included in the post she made on her page, and that she only skimmed the article before sharing it. The hearing is scheduled to resume Tuesday, when committee members will decide whether they will recommend that the full House censure, reprimand or expel Giddings. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Indias auto component industry saw the cumulative revenue decline 3 per cent to Rs340 lakh crore in the year that ended in March 2021, industry body ACMA (Auto Component Manufacturers Association) said at a press briefing on Tuesday. The nationwide lock-down in wake of the pandemic put the entire supply chain in disarray, said Deepak Jain, president, ACMA. The entire industry took a significant time to stabilise again post the gradual unlocking of the economy, said Jain. While vehicle sales and production improved quarter-on-quarter from second quarter of FY20-21 onwards, however the first quarter of FY 21-22 was once again confronted with another round of disruptions due to the second wave of the pandemic, he said. Amid a contraction in the overall auto market due to the pandemic, this is for the second straight year that the turnover of industry has slipped. Besides that, a global shortage of semiconductors also weighed on production. Other segments including aftermarket, imports and exports also saw a drop. Exports of in the same period dropped 8 per cent to Rs.0.98 lakh crore (USD 13.3 billion) in 2020-21 from Rs 1.02 lakh crore (USD 14.5 billion) in 2019-20. A slowdown in the domestic market also impacted imports of components into India. It fell by 11 per cent to Rs1.02 lakh crore in FY21 from Rs1.09 lakh crore in FY20. Asia accounted for 66 per cent of imports followed by Europe and North America at 13 per cent and 17 per cent respectively. Imports from Asia declined by 9 per cent, while those from Europe by 13 per cent and from North America by 17 per cent, it added. The industry body is hoping that the Governments PLI and other policies focused on export compositeness and increasing localisation will further reduce trade gap. Rating agency Icra expects Indias auto component industry to witness revenue growth of 20-23 per cent in FY22 on a low base of last fiscal and a likely decent recovery in production in the second half of the year, it said in a release last month. Semiconductor shortage and high commodity prices though could impact component manufacturers' performance. Taking a grim view of the sagging recoveries by the banks and a huge delay in the entire process, the Standing Committee on Finance of the Lok Sabha today recommended overhauling the entire IBC (insolvency and bankruptcy code) process, rejecting any bids which comes after the lenders select the highest bidder and appointment of high court judges in the (National Company Law Tribunal) as judicial members in order to reduce litigation. In its report, the committee noted that 71 per cent cases are currently pending for more than the mandatory 180 days in the NCLT, which points out the deviation from the original objectives of the code as envisaged by the Parliament. The Indian banks' funds worth Rs 9.2 trillion are currently stuck in the after they took defaulters to the court under the code. Asking for a thorough evaluation of the entire process, the committee said it is imperative to have a benchmark for the quantum of haircuts, comparable to the global standards, as the haircuts in many cases are as high as 95 per cent. On the role of resolution professionals, the committee said a professional self-regulator for RPs that functions like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) should be put in place. The committee, therefore, recommended that an Institute of Resolution Professionals may be established to oversee and regulate the functioning of RPs so that there are appropriate standards and fair self-regulation. On the delay at NCLT, the committee noted that the takes considerable time to admit cases and during this time the company remains under the control of the defaulting owner enabling value shifting, funds diversion, and asset transfers. The NCLT should accept defaulters within 30 days and transfer control to a resolution process within this time period, the committee recommended. The committee noted that when the invited bidders are asked to submit their respective resolution plans and when these resolution plans are evaluated by the CoC, suddenly other bidders may emerge and submit their own resolution plans. These bidders typically wait for the H1 (highest) bidder to become public, and they then seek to exceed this bid through an unsolicited offer that is submitted after the specified deadline. Currently, the CoCs have significant powers to accept late bids and these unsolicited bids create a huge delay, the report said. The committee, therefore, recommended that the IBC be amended so that no post hoc bids are allowed during the resolution process. ALSO READ: Rajya Sabha adjourned for day amid protest, passes IBC (Amendment) Bill The committee said as the cases decided at the NCLT are litigated at the NCLAT and the SC, it is imperative that the NCLT members should be highly trained and well experienced. The committee believes that the NCLT judicial members should be at least High Court judges so that the country will benefit from their procedural experience and wisdom. The report, tabled in the parliament today, said financial creditors took 4,356 companies to NCLT under the IBC to recover Rs 6.77 trillion, while the operational creditors moved the court against 8,331 companies to recover their dues worth Rs 78,000 crore. In 266 cases, the companies themselves moved the NCLT after they failed to repay debt worth Rs 52,000 crore. On the low recoveries by the banks under the IBC with haircuts as high as 95 per cent, the committee report quoted the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs who said initially, when the companies came to the IBC, 33 per cent of the companies that were rescued were defunct and virtually did not have anything. Of the companies that actually liquidated, almost 73 per cent of these companies were defunct. The MCA said recovery also depends on what stage a company comes to the IBC. "If it is at a stage where it can be revived and restored and, if it is resolved, the results will always be better. We can show previous cases where it has come at a proper stage and even the recovery, though incidental, has been quite good and there have been cases where recovery has been even up to 80-90 per cent also," the Ministry informed the committee. "Nevertheless, the resolution value is almost 188 per cent of the liquidation value. If the companies come for resolution the alternative is to go for liquidation, then they will get much lesser value than what they are getting now. The IBC is not designed for haircut, but the commercial wisdom is lying with the Committee of Creditors. If the CoC does not agree to a 90-95 per cent haircut, then the plan will not go to NCLT. If it does go to NCLT, then it will not be approved and then the company will go for liquidation or financial creditors will have to go for another mode of recovery," the report said. Union Minister congratulated the students who passed class 10, results of which were declared by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) on Tuesday. The board recorded the highest ever pass percentage of 99.04 in the class 10 results declared on Tuesday, with girls outshining boys by a slender margin of 0.35 per cent. "Heartiest congratulations to all young friends who have cleared the Class 10 examinations. I wish for their healthy and bright future. To my friends who did not meet expectations this year, I urge them to not lose heart and continue working hard. Success will surely follow. "The last one-and-a-half year has been challenging for everyone, particularly for our students, teachers and parents. I compliment all, especially our young friends, parents, teachers, academics and for making this day possible," Pradhan said in a series of tweets. The pass percentage increased by over seven percentage points against last year's 91.46 per cent. The difference between the pass percentage of girls and boys was 3.7 per cent last year. The board has announced the results on the basis of an alternative assessment policy after the exams were cancelled in view of the aggressive second wave of COVID-19. Under the policy, while 20 marks for each subject were for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks were calculated on basis of the student's performance in various tests or exams throughout the year. Schools were also asked to ensure that the marks awarded by them are in consonance with the past performance of the school in class 10 board exams. (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 Khallikote Autonomous College, one of the oldest colleges in Odisha, was given the status of a unitary university, officials said on Tuesday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced in May that unitary status would be granted to the 165-year-old college, located in Berhampur town in Ganjam district. Some of the university's existing problems, including staff crunch, will be solved gradually, while recruitment of new teachers will be carried out, an official said. The institution was started as a school in 1856 in Berhampur and became an intermediate college in 1878. The autonomy was conferred to it in 1990. It got an 'A' grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2017, according to the college website. A unitary is a varsity that acts as a single unit without any affiliated college under it. "Unitary status to this college has fulfilled the aspirations of the people of southern Odisha," Berhampur MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu said. It will usher in a new academic journey, promoting research, he said. "We hope the new university will provide quality to the students, along with the research activities in contemporary subjects," he added. Khallikote College is one of the oldest and famous colleges in the state, having a rich academic tradition, he said. Many of its alumni have established themselves in various fields, said Sahu, who is also one of the alumnus of the college. The student strength of the college is presently around 5,000. The college offers teaching in 21 different subjects, including six self-financing courses. Khallikote Cluster University (KCU) Vice-Chancellor PK Mohanty will be acting as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the new university, officials said. The government has also decided to merge the KCU with Berhampur University. It will come into effect from October, they said. All the regular employees of the KCU would be absorbed in Berhampur University as regular employees, they 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.) Natasha Peri, an 11-year-old Indian-American girl has been judged as one of the brightest in the world by a top US university for her exceptional performance in the SAT and ACT standardised tests. Both the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT) are standardised tests that many colleges use to determine whether to accept a student for admission. In some cases, companies and non-profits also use these scores to award merit-based scholarships. All colleges require to take either the SAT or the ACT and submit their scores to their prospective universities. Peri, a student at Thelma L Sandmeier Elementary School in New Jersey, has been honoured for her exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, or similar assessment taken as part of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent (VTY) Search, a statement said on Monday. She was one of nearly 19,000 from 84 countries who joined CTY in the 2020-21 Talent Search year. CTY uses above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their true academic abilities. Peri took the Johns Hopkins Talent Search test in Spring 2021, when she was in Grade 5. Her results in the verbal and quantitative sections levelled with the 90th percentile of advanced Grade 8 performance. She made the cut for Johns Hopkins CTY High Honors Awards. This motivates me to do more, Peri said, adding that doodling and reading J R R Tolkien's novels may have worked for her. As part of Johns Hopkins policy, granular information is not broken down by age or race. Likewise, it is left to the guardian to disclose the prodigy's name. Within the US, awardees come from all 50 US states. Less than 20 per cent of CTY Talent Search participants qualified for CTY High Honours Awards. Honorees also qualified for CTY's online and summer programmes, through which bright students can form a community of engaged learners with other bright students from around the world. "We are thrilled to celebrate these students. In a year that was anything but ordinary, their love of learning shined through, and we are excited to help cultivate their growth as scholars and citizens throughout high school, college, and beyond," Virginia Roach, CTY's executive director, said in a statement. There are more than 15,500 enrolments in CTY Online Programmes courses each year. In addition, CTY's in-person Summer Programmes for bright students is offered at about 20 sites in the United States and Hong Kong, the statement said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Public sector on Tuesday signed an MoU with Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay for extending exclusive credit facility to start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The initiative was part of the bank's 'Ind Spring Board for financing Start-ups' scheme to empower the MSMEs and start-ups to realise their efforts, powered by financial support from the bank and backed by incubation facilities offered by SINE, IIT Bombay. The bank would extend loans of upto Rs 50 crore to the start-ups forpurchase of machinery, equipment or to meet working capital requirements, a bank release said. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by General Manager (MSME), Sudhakar Rao and SINE professor in charge, Santosh J Gharpure, in the presence of the bank's MD Padmaja Chunduru. IIT Bombay, SINE CEO, Poyni Bhatt, Indian Bank, Mumbai, FGM, Rohit Rishi and senior officials of the bank and IIT Bombay were present on the occasion. (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.) Washington [US], August 3 (ANI): US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday (local time) has said that People's Republic of China (PRC) interest in could be "an alignment of interest" when it comes to what the United States and China seek in "There's an alignment of interest in at least some areas when it comes to what we seek, what China seeks and what the broader community seeks in Afghanistan," Spokesperson Price told ANI on being asked what is US' assessment of meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and delegation led by its chief negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar. The meeting between the Chinese and nine officials from the group coincided at a time when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on his official visit to India. The Chinese invited the leaders in the coastal city of Tianjin and the optics of that coincidence showed Wang welcoming Baradar, the Taliban's co-founder and head of its political commission, with open arms, then sitting down for talks with the Taliban delegation. The display was a sharp contrast to the reception that the Chinese Foreign Minister had offered in Tianjin two days earlier to Wendy R. Sherman, the American deputy secretary of state. The visit was a part of what her office described as ongoing US efforts to hold candid exchanges with Chinese officials to "advance US interests and values and to responsibly manage the relationship." US State Department spokesperson Price referred to this meeting and said that the US-China relationship in one word is 'complex' and in three terms it is 'oriented around competition.'"She (Sherman) had an opportunity to explore all three of those areas in a conversation that was candid and expansive, one of those areas where there is at least the potential for some level of cooperation was Afghanistan," Price stated in the briefing. Experts say although the US might once have fiercely resisted Chinese attempts to increase their influence inside Afghanistan, now Washington's priority appears to keep away a civil war. Spokesperson Price also affirmed that is in no one's interest to see descend into all-out civil war. "It is in everyone's interest to see a solution to the conflict that is just as durable as Afghan-led, and Afghan Owned" he concluded. (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 federal official has recommended overturning the results of a union election at an com Inc. warehouse in Alabama, giving the retail union an opportunity to reverse its defeat, according to people familiar with the issue. After losing the election in April, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union appealed the outcome to the National Labor Relations Board, setting in motion a contentious hearing in May that was presided over by NLRB hearing officer Kerstin Myers. The defeat had been seen as a major setback for union organizers, who have struggled to make significant inroads among workers at the e-commerce giant. But now, Myers has recommended the election be run again, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the recommendation isnt yet public. The recommendation will be considered by a labor board regional director, and has the right to appeal the ruling to an NLRB panel in Washington. If a new election is called, it could happen later this year. The union has accused of making anti-union threats, firing an employee for distributing union cards and pressuring workers to cast their votes in a mailbox the company had installed in a tent on its property, in view of surveillance cameras. Amazon denied any wrongdoing. Myers recommendation centers on the mailbox, according to one of the people familiar with it. During the NLRB hearing, an employee said Amazon security guards used keys to open the mailbox, testimony that former NLRB chair Wilma Liebman said could be reason enough to overturn the result. Amazon has said that it had no access to the outgoing mail, and that it asked the Postal Service to install the mailbox in order to boost voter turnout in the union election. The labor board has the authority to invalidate election results in response to conduct that could have changed the outcome and prevented employees from making a free choice about whether to unionize, which can include even creating the impression of surveillance or interference by management in the balloting process. Stuart Appelbaum, RWDSU president, said the union presented compelling evidence that the e-commerce company sought to interfere in the election. The question of whether or not to have a union is supposed to be the workers decision and not the employers, Appelbaum said Monday in a statement. Amazon cheated, they got caught, and they are being held accountable. Amazon vowed to appeal. Our employees had a chance to be heard during a noisy time when all types of voices were weighing into the national debate, and at the end of the day, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of a direct connection with their managers and the company, an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement. Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens. The ruling is a blow for Amazon, but theres no guarantee the union will prevail a second time round. While the pandemic hampered the RWDSUs first campaign, union membership was a tougher sell in Bessemer, Alabama, than in larger cities. Amazons starting wage of $15 an hour goes a lot further in Bessemer than in more expensive locations. The company also provides health benefits not offered by many local employers. Moreover, Amazon can be expected to wage as fierce a campaign as it did last time -- holding mandatory information sessions with employees, where managers argue that a union wont necessarily improve wages and benefits. Such direct appeals likely helped the company win handily last time. Of the more than 3,000 ballots cast, Amazon garnered 1,798 no votes to 738 yes votes in favor of the union. While federal officials set aside 505 contested ballots -- most of them disputed by Amazon, according to the union-- there werent enough to change the result. Residents of a besieged Afghan city have been urged to evacuate ahead of an army operation against the General Sami Sadat, who is leading the battle against the in the southern province of Helmand, called on people to leave its capital Lashkar Gah as soon as possible, the BBC reported. At least 40 civilians have been killed in Lashkar Gah in the past day amid intense fighting, says the UN. The pressed ahead with their advances in southern on Tuesday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said. Afghan government forces launched airstrikes, backed by the US, in a desperate effort to defend the city of Lashkar Gah. In a message to residents of the city, Gen Sadat said the army would not leave a single Taliban alive. "I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses - it is hard for us too - but if you are displaced for a few days please forgive us," he said. Gen Sadat earlier told the BBC that while government forces had lost ground, he believed the Taliban would be unable to sustain their assault. Residents of the city, speaking to The Associated Press over the telephone, said the fighting has them trapped, hunkered down inside their homes and unable to step out for basic supplies. They said Taliban fighters were out openly in the streets, and that all but one Lashkar Gah district was under Taliban control. Elite commando units were dispatched from Kabul to aid Afghan forces as the government held on to key government buildings, including the local police and army headquarters. Co on Tuesday postponed the planned launch of its CST-100 Starliner capsule from Florida's Cape Canaveral bound for the Station due to a glitch in what was to have been a crucial do-over test flight following a near-catastrophic failure during its 2019 debut. During pre-launch preparations, engineers detected "unexpected valve position indications" in its propulsion system, said in a statement. The problem was detected during checks after electrical storms in the region, Boeing added. "We're disappointed with today's outcome and the need to reschedule our Starliner launch," said John Vollmer, the program's manager. "Human spaceflight is a complex, precise and unforgiving endeavor, and Boeing and NASA teams will take the time they need to ensure the safety and integrity of the spacecraft and the achievement of our mission objectives." The Starliner capsule loaded with supplies had been scheduled to have blasted off atop an Atlas V rocket flown by the United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp, at 1:20 p.m. EDT (1720 GMT) from Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Force Station. The launch had been planned for last Friday https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/space-station-mishap-prompts-nasa-postpone-launch-boeing-starliner-2021-07-29, but was postponed by NASA after the space station was briefly thrown out of control with seven crew members aboard, a mishap caused by the inadvertent reignition of jet thrusters on a newly docked Russian service module. Russia's space agency blamed a software glitch. Tuesday's planned uncrewed mission was intended as a precursor to a closely watched crewed flight potentially to be conducted before the end of the year. It was to be a key trial for the U.S. aerospace giant after back-to-back crises - a pandemic that crushed demand for new planes and a safety scandal caused by two fatal 737 MAX crashes - that have damaged Boeing's finances and engineering reputation. Atlas V's dual Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines were poised to send Starliner on a 113-mile (98 nautical miles/181 km) suborbital trajectory before the capsule separates and flies under its own power to the space station in a roughly 24-hour overall journey. The Starliner capsule headlined Boeing's efforts against billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX to be the first to return NASA astronauts to the space station from U.S. soil in nearly a decade. But a series of software glitches during the December 2019 debut launch resulted in its failure to dock at the orbital laboratory outpost. SpaceX's Crew Dragon has gone on to launch three crewed space station missions since 2020, with a fourth slated as early as Oct. 31, according to NASA. Boeing has spent a year and a half correcting issues flagged during NASA reviews, part of the U.S. space agency's strategy to ensure access to the sprawling research satellite some 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. NASA in 2014 awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to build their own capsules that could fly American astronauts to the space station in an effort to wean the United States off its dependence on Russia's Soyuz vehicles for rides to space following the end of NASA's space shuttle program in 2011. If all goes well, Boeing will bring the capsule home on Aug. 9, and then attempt the follow-on crewed mission that the company has said will take place no earlier than December. Chinese state-backed groups compromised at least five global telecommunications companies and stole phone records and location data, according to researchers. The groups waged a campaign across Southeast Asia from 2017 to 2021, in some cases exploiting security vulnerabilities in Corp.s Exchange servers to gain access to telecommunication companies internal systems, according to a new report published Tuesday by US-based security firm Cybereason Inc. Lior Div, the chief executive officer of Cybereason, said the hackers had obtained the holy grail of espionage, by gaining total control of the telecommunication networks they penetrated. Cybereason named the groups Soft Cell, Naikon and Group-3390. These state-sponsored espionage operations not only negatively impact the telcos customers and business partners, they also have the potential to threaten the national security of countries in the region and those who have a vested interest in the regions stability, Div said. Chinas Foreign Ministry didnt respond to requests for comment. A government spokesperson previously denied allegations that Chinese hackers infiltrated Exchange servers. The US ganged up with its allies and launched an unwarranted accusation against on cybersecurity, Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing on July 20 in Beijing. It is purely a smear and suppression out of political motives. will never accept this. A spokesperson said the company hadnt yet seen the report and therefore declined to comment. Div declined to name specific companies or countries where the hackers carried out their intrusions, though the report said they targeted telecommunications providers in some Southeast Asian nations that had long-standing disputes with It also pointed to older research from the firm Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. that found one of the groups had previously targeted government foreign affairs, science and technology ministries, as well as government-owned companies in countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The hackers intent was likely to obtain information about corporations, political figures, government officials, law enforcement agencies, political activists and dissident factions of interest to the Chinese government, according to Cybereasons researchers. However, the hackers also had the ability to shut down or disrupt the networks if they chose to shift their priority from espionage to interference, the security firm concluded. Cybereason found the hackers to be highly sophisticated and adaptive, continuously evading security measures. One of the groups was observed hiding its malicious software in computers recycle bin folders. Another group disguised itself within anti-virus software and also used a South Korean multimedia player called PotPlayer to infect computers with a keylogger that recorded what they were typing. In some cases, the hackers accessed the telecommunication networks by breaking in through security weaknesses in Microsofts Exchange Servers. Hackers affiliated with the group known as Soft Cell were exploiting some of the vulnerabilities at least three months before Microsoft publicly disclosed them in March 2021, according to Cybereason. The security firms findings follow allegations by the US and U.K. governments, which on July 19 blamed actors affiliated with the Chinese government for a series of global hacks on Microsoft Exchange servers. The Chinese Government must end this systematic cyber sabotage and can expect to be held account if it does not, U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. Authorities in central China's Wuhan, where the first emerged in 2019 and spiralled into a pandemic, on Tuesday began testing of its over 11 million people following the resurgence of cases, a year after it contained the deadly virus, even as a sense of unease prevailed in the country as several provinces reported fresh infections. Wuhan, which became famous all over the world for its first lockdown early last year, broke the zero-infection record since June 2020, as seven new COVID-19 cases were reported. Authorities began a city-wide COVID-19 testing on Tuesday, the official media here reported. The city has upgraded its epidemic response measures in the face of the recent infections, locking down the area where COVID-19 infections have been reported while upgrading its risk levels, state-run Global Times reported. The city metro has adopted stricter anti-epidemic rules, and all schools have been closed. Just as Wuhan braced for the second COVID-19 resurgence, especially the Delta variant, several provinces and cities including Beijing are rushing to test millions of people. Authorities in cities, including Beijing and Dalian, have told residents to stay home over summer as they try to stop the spread of the virus. Anyone from a city where cases have been reported is barred from entering Beijing, and transport from those places has been halted, Hong Kong-based South Morning Post reported. The National Health Commission (NHC), in its daily report on Tuesday, said that 61 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases have been reported from different provinces, including Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Yunnan besides Beijing, Shanghai and Fujian. This is in addition to a host of imported cases of Chinese nationals returning home from different countries. The municipal authorities of Zhangjiajie, a tourist destination in China's south Hunan province where the new clusters of cases were reported, and spread to 15 Chinese provinces, banned people from leaving the city. has so far reported 93,193 COVID-19 cases, including 1,157 patients still receiving treatment, and 4,636 deaths. The new infections raised concern over the Chinese vaccines, especially against the Delta variant, as has administered 1.60 billion doses of the locally-made vaccines so far. China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan has claimed that the Chinese vaccines were effective against the Delta variant. The Chinese COVID-19 vaccines can protect people against the Delta variant, Zhong said, referencing studies of some 100 patients who were infected with the variant in southern Guangzhou city in May. The preliminary studies found that the Chinese vaccines are 100 per cent protective against severe cases, and 76.9 per cent, 67.2 per cent and 63.2 per cent against moderate cases, mild cases and asymptomatic infections respectively, Global Times quoted him as saying. Zhong said that to achieve herd immunity through vaccination, China - which has a population of nearly 1.4 billion - needs to inoculate 83.3 per cent of its population. Meanwhile, reports from Wuhan said that people were getting ready for the second COVID-19 outbreak. A Wuhan resident surnamed Xiao told the Global Times that her residential community has set up a site for nucleic acid tests. A resident of Zhuankou neighbourhood, who was the first to test positive in the latest spike, transmitted the virus to six other close contacts, prompting the officials to declare a lockdown. Another seven communities near the infected patient's workplace, a construction site in Wuhan's Jingkai district, have also been put under closed-off management. All residents living within the communities will receive nucleic acid testing, the local health commission said. All schools and tutorial institutions have been asked to suspend offline classes and strengthen campus health monitoring, speeding up the vaccination for teachers and students, the report said. "Wuhan people are always on high alert of such things The subways in Wuhan are all empty now, as if people have disappeared suddenly," a local resident said. The city's metro has reinforced stricter COVID-19 rules, making it mandatory to wear masks, measuring body temperature and checking health codes. Several stations near the Zhuankou neighbourhood are temporarily closed. "Some of my neighbours have been piling up food since last night, but I haven't," another resident said. Major supermarkets in the city are now stockpiling their shelves to ensure there is full supply and prices are kept stable, the report said. "Some would laugh and think that Wuhan people are overreacting, hiding away immediately after the epidemic strikes," said Dong, a local resident. "But Wuhan shouldn't bear such scolding. We are the ones that were once the most desperate, and the deep wounds have left us with a scar," he added. According to Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker, the contagion has so far infected over 199,002,824 people and killed 4,237,665 globally. (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 Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Crude oil prices reversed course after an early bounce on Tuesday, as concerns over coronavirus curbs combined with slowing factory activity in key weighed on sentiment. Brent crude oil futures shed 5 cents, or 0.1%,to $72.84 a barrel, as of 0309 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 8 cents, or 0.1%, at $71.18 a barrel. Both dropped more than 3% on Monday. ANZ analysts in a note highlighted resurgent economic risks to major oil consumer China from the coronavirus pandemic. "Cases of the highly contagious Delta variant have emerged in 14 of 32 provinces. This could see further mobility restrictions introduced," ANZ analysts wrote. They also flagged slowing manufacturing activity as a key concern, to both China and the United States. "China's economic activity continued to ease in July, with the official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index falling to 50.4 from 50.9 in June," ANZ said. "Manufacturing activity also slowed in the U.S., with the ISM index falling to 59.5" - the lowest reading since January - from 60.6 in June. Meanwhile, Iran will respond promptly to any threat against its security, the foreign ministry said on Monday, after the United States, Israel and Britain blamed Tehran for an attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the coast of Oman. Elsewhere, U.S. crude and product inventories likely declined last week with both distillates and gasoline stockpiles predicted to have fallen for a third straight week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. (Reporting by Naveen Thukral; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Jacqueline Wong) (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 Vice President (Photo: Reuters) US Vice President (Photo: Reuters) US Vice President (Photo: Reuters) US Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo: Reuters) Vice President Kamala Harris will visit later this month aiming to bolster US engagement in the region in an effort to counter China's growing influence globally. In an early preview of the goals for her trip to Singapore and Vietnam, Harris deputy national security adviser Phil Gordon said the vice president will emphasize the Biden administration's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on reinforcing regional security in the area. The vice president will meet with government officials, leaders, people in the private sector and civil society, and she'll focus on strengthening US leadership, expanding security cooperation, deepening economic partnerships, defending the rules-based order, in particular in the South China Sea, and standing up for our values as we do with all of our friends and partners, he said. The full details of Harris' trip are still being worked out, but for her second foreign trip and first trip as vice president overseas, she is planning a weeklong engagement in the region from Aug. 20 to 26 a significantly longer trip than her two-day tour through Guatemala and Mexico in June. Then, she met with the leaders of both countries to discuss ways to address the root causes of migration to the US from the region, a central focus of her portfolio as vice president. Harris has had less public engagement in Southeast Asia, but Asia has been a central focus for the Biden administration from the beginning of Joe Biden's presidency, as he's sought to counter China's diplomatic and military incursions in the region. Relations between the US and China deteriorated sharply under Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, and the two sides remain at odds over a host of issues including technology, cybersecurity and human rights. Last week, during a speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Biden warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping is deadly earnest about becoming the most powerful military force in the world, as well as the largest and most prominent economy in the world by the mid-'40s, the 2040s. The president has sent some of his top Cabinet officials to Asia to show support for US allies in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made their first overseas trip to Japan and South Korea. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month where he vowed US support against Beijing's intrusions in the South China Sea. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman traveled to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia in May and early June. Last month she visited Japan, South Korea and Mongolia before heading to China for high-level talks that ultimately did little to resolve many of the deep divisions between the two countries. Harris will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam, and her trip is meant to show the depth of the US commitment to the region. "The National Security Council was very supportive of the notion that the vice president would be well placed to complement those other meetings and visits with travel to Singapore and Vietnam, Gordon said. It's really part of an overall unified administration engagement strategy that shows our comprehensive engagement in East Asia, South Asia and as well. (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 Bozorgmehr Sharafedin LONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose on Tuesday on expectation of a continuous decline in U.S. oil inventories, recouping some losses from the previous session due to lingering concern over rising cases of the Delta coronavirus variant. Brent, the benchmark for oil prices, rose 60 cents, or 0.8%, to $73.49 a barrel, at 0905 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 63 cents, or 0.9%, at $71.89 a barrel. Both markets dropped more than 3% on Monday. "Some market participants see Monday's price set-back as a bit exaggerated, considering that we are likely to see another decline in oil inventory this week," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. A preliminary Reuters poll showed U.S. crude and product inventories likely declined last week with both distillates and gasoline stockpiles predicted to have fallen for a third straight week. Despite recent fluctuations, are high and healthy, lifting earnings of major oil firms. BP, Diamondback Energy Inc, Continental Resources Inc and Pioneer Natural Resources Co reported strong second-quarter profit this week. Brent prices have risen more than 40% since the beginning of the year. However, concerns over the spread of Delta variant in the United States and China, the top oil consumers, put pressure on prices. In China, the spread of the Delta variant from the coast to inland cities has prompted authorities to impose strict measures to bring the outbreak under control. "Delta related concerns will likely keep oil markets volatile over the coming weeks but at the same time we also see flying activity across Europe and the U.S. continue to grind higher, supporting oil demand," Staunovo said. also came after pressure on expectations of return of Iranian crude to the markets. Iran's new president, Ebrahim Raisi, said on Tuesday his government would take steps to lift "tyrannical" sanctions imposed by the United States on its energy and banking sectors. Iran and six powers have been in talks since April to revive a nuclear pact. But Iranian and Western officials have said that significant gaps remain. The sixth round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington adjourned on June 20, two days after Raisi was elected president. Parties involved in the negotiations have yet to announce when the talks will resume. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Jacqueline Wong) (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.) will buy its messenger-RNA development partner Translate Bio Inc. for $3.2 billion as the French drugmaker plays catch-up in deploying the technology behind some of the worlds top-selling Covid-19 vaccines. agreed to pay $38 in cash for each of Translate Bios shares. While the price is 30% above Mondays closing price, the company is getting a potential bargain in a very hot therapeutic area, said Wimal Kapadia, an analyst at Bernstein. Ordinarily a giant in the vaccines space, has lagged behind upstarts BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc. in the pandemic as they raced ahead with mRNA shots that have now been injected into arms more than a billion times. Those two have been lavishly rewarded for their pioneering work, with Modernas market valuation rocketing toward $140 billion as of Monday and BioNTechs valuation now exceeding $80 billion. Pfizer Inc., which is partnered with Germanys BioNTech, said last week that their shot could bring in $33.5 billion in revenue this year alone. Sanofis thinking extends beyond vaccines and aims to harness mRNA for treatments -- something BioNTech is investigating for cancer. ALSO READ: European Union begins real-time review of Sanofi-GSK Covid vaccine Our goal is to unlock the potential of mRNA in other strategic areas such as immunology, oncology and rare diseases in addition to vaccines, said Sanofi Chief Executive Officer Paul Hudson. Sanofi shares rose less than 1% in Paris while Translate Bio surged 30% in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The boards of both approved the transaction, according to a statement Tuesday. We like Sanofis approach, Bernsteins Kapadia wrote in a note to clients, although its a little early to know whether the takeover is a bargain. The drugmaker hasnt brought a Covid to market yet. Its leading candidate is based on the recombinant-protein technology already in use in the companys seasonal flu shots. That product, which suffered months of delays, is now in a late-stage trial and could gain clearance by the end of the year. But the French drugmaker has also been working on an mRNA Covid shot with Translate Bio since March 2020. That effort grew out of a partnership between the companies, forged in 2018, to develop mRNA vaccines for as many as five infectious-disease pathogens. Their candidate is currently in an early-stage trial, with results expected by the end of September, and it could be approved in 2022. Product Pipeline Translate Bio, based in Lexington, Massachusetts, is also developing an early-stage flu with Sanofi. Its pipeline includes experimental therapies for cystic fibrosis and other lung ailments, along with treatments for diseases that affect the liver. Sanofi is working hard to catch up with its competitors in the mRNA area, said Jean-Jacques Le Fur, an analyst at Bryan, Garnier & Co. We see this acquisition as a good move, especially not to be left behind, as has happened to the company in other fields such as cancer and diabetes. CEO Ronald Renaud and the U.S. biotechs largest shareholder, Baupost Group LLC, have both signed binding commitments to support the tender offer, with their stakes and shares already held by Sanofi representing about 30% of total outstanding stock, the company said. Sanofi expects to close the deal later this quarter. Other potential mRNA in the spotlight include CureVac NV, although its different approach produced disappointing results against Covid. The German biotech is working on a second-generation shot with GlaxoSmithKline Plc -- another industry leader that has disappointed investors by not being at the forefront of the race. In June, Sanofi announced plans to invest about $480 million a year in mRNA technology with a newly created center of excellence focused on everything from basic research to manufacturing. That initiative is aimed at speeding up the pipeline of mRNA products being developed by Sanofi and Translate Bio, along with making mRNA shots that are more stable at average temperatures and less likely to cause side effects. Sanofi expects at least six mRNA vaccine candidates in clinical trials by 2025. Washington has urged 24 Russian diplomats to leave the US by September 3 due to visa expiration, the Russian ambassador to the US informed on Sunday. Almost all the diplomats will leave the US without replacements as Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures, Xinhua reported citing Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov. "We have received a list of twenty-four diplomats who are expected to leave the country before September 3, 2021, last December the US State Department unilaterally established a three-year limit on the assignment period for Russian personnel in the United States that, as far as we know, is not applied to any other country," Antonov added. His remarks came during an interview with the Washington-based The National Interest. While the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price responded to Antonov's remarks and said that his "characterization of the situation is not accurate. It's incorrect." "The three-year limit on visa validity for Russians, it's nothing new. When visas expire, these individuals are expected to leave the country or apply for an extension," Ned informed. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry in April announced a complete ban on the US diplomatic missions from hiring citizens of or third countries to administrative and technical posts in response to US sanctions and expulsion of Russian diplomats, Xinhua reported. (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.) UST, a digital transformation solutions company based in California, said Tuesday it will hire more than 10,000 new employees this year globally, looking for skills in cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. The company is for North America (US, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica), South America (Chile, Peru, Argentina, Colombia), Europe (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Asia Pacific (India, Israel, Malaysia, and Singapore) and Australia. UST has more than 26,000 employees and 35 offices in 25 countries and it is looking to add more technologists for clients seeking transformation in digital economy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic. The US-headquartered global company is over 10,000 people, including 2,000 entry-level engineering positions with skills in digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, Java, data science and engineering, application development and modernization, artificial intelligence and machine learning, automation (Robotics Process Automation/IPA). At UST, we champion inquisitiveness and lifelong learning in an entrepreneurial environment and are proud to provide individuals with opportunities to start or advance their careers. From day one, our new hires will be on the ground innovating with the newest technologies to deliver solutions and build products that matter to clients and their end customers, said Manu Gopinath, Joint Chief Operating Officer, UST. Entry-level employees who join UST undergo more than 100 hours of accelerated skilling programmes. Team members are empowered to run with their own ideas through hackathons and programmes like USTs in-house incubator, UST Garage Ventures, said the company. USTs employee retention is above the industry average, and it has one of the highest percentages of employees rejoining the company, the firm said in a statement. UST encourages and helps women candidates seeking a career comeback, especially those who have taken a job break for family reasons or to raise children. Now is an ideal time to join UST. With our flexibility and hybrid workplace culture, we embrace solving business-critical problems of our customers and promote entrepreneurship as they are the catalysts of innovation, added Alexander Varghese, Joint Chief Operating Officer, UST. Indias benchmark indices logged new record highs on Tuesday amid favourable global cues and gains in heavyweight stocks such as HDFC. Positive domestic macroeconomic data and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions further boosted investor sentiment. The index closed above the 16,000 mark for the first time, ending the session at 16,123 with a gain of 238 points, or 1.55 per cent. The index had topped the 15,000 level on a closing basis on February 8. The closed at 53,823, gaining 872 points, or 1.65 per cent the most since May 21. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said volatility had reduced considerably since March 2020. The stock are, therefore, likely reflecting the future growth prospects of the Indian economy given the support provided by the policy response of the government, she said. The latest surge in the market comes despite sustained selling by overseas investors. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been net-sellers in 11 of the past 12 trading sessions, in which they pulled out over Rs 10,000 crore. On Tuesday, however, they turned net-buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 2,117 crore. Market observers said domestic institutions and retail investors had been instrumental in driving the over the past month. Positive flow around GST (goods and services tax) collection and export data has buoyed the market. The Niftys journey past 16,000 has clearly been led by retail investors, said S Ranganathan, head of research at LKP Securities. In July, had pulled out Rs 14,088 crore from the domestic the most since March 2020. Mutual funds helped offset the sell-off by pumping in more than Rs 12,000 crore. Locals are more than absorbing the FPI selling. In July, with the US bond yields coming off, there was a growth scare. However, the European economy is starting to look up and is proving to be more of a guiding factor for investors, said Andrew Holland, CEO, Avendus Capital Public Markets Alternate Strategies. Stocks in Europe rose as positive earnings neutralised worries about the Chinese clampdown on its technology sector. Gains in the US and other Asian markets were muted amid delta variant concerns. Oil prices fell as virus concerns and a slower Chinese economic revival clouded the demand outlook. Brent Crude was trading at $73.31 per barrel, an eight-day low. Investors are waiting for the US jobs recovery to make sense of the recovery and gauge whether the US Federal Reserve will begin its tapering sooner than expected. On Monday, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he would back a tapering announcement by September 2021 if the next two months of employment reports show continuous gains. Markets touching all-time highs are a combination of various factors, including global liquidity, decent operational performance, multiple sectors and various government support schemes. However, one should not get carried away by the buoyancy in the markets as some signs of stress are visible too. Most notable among them is the high provisions done by most banks in Q1FY22. So a sensible strategy is to focus on segments in the markets which are facing genuine tailwinds and are still available at reasonable prices, said Ronak Gala, fund manager at AlphaQuest. Shares of Indias largest housing lender HDFC rose nearly 4 per cent after its first-quarter profit beat analyst estimates and made a 150-point contribution to the gains. The market breadth was positive, with 1,740 stocks advancing and 1,505 declining. As many as 538 stocks hit their 52-week high, and 520 hit the upper circuit. Barring three, all stocks ended the session with gains. Barring one, all the sectoral indices gained. Telecom and FMCG stocks gained the most, and their indices gained 1.7 and 1.6 per cent, respectively. The price of 10 gm of 22-carat gold remain unchanged on Tuesday to trade at Rs 47,380. Silver was selling at Rs 67,850 per kg, down Rs 50 compared to yesterday, according to the website Good Returns. Gold price varies across India, the second-largest consumer of the metal, due to excise duty, state taxes, and making charges. In New Delhi, the price stands at Rs 47,150 per 10 gm. For Mumbai, the yellow metal is selling at Rs 47,380, while, in Chennai, it is at Rs 45,360, according to the website. The rate of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 48,380 per 10 gm. On Monday, in the global market, ticked higher, propped up by a weaker dollar and US bond yields, though an uptick in risk appetite took some shine off the safe-haven metal, Reuters reported. Spot gold rose 0.1% to $1,816.01 per ounce by 1:44 pm EDT (1744 GMT), having hit a session low of $1,804.49, while US gold futures settled up 0.3% at $1,822.20. Meanwhile, a fund manager has predicted that the could double in the next 3-5 years. Gold is primed to surge to fresh highs as the risks around central banks unwinding massive stimulus are under-appreciated by investors, said Diego Parrilla, who manages the $250 million Quadriga Igneo fund, Bloomberg reported. on Tuesday joined the elite club of companies with Rs 7-trillion market capitalization (m-cap) on the BSE after its share price hit a new high of Rs 1,646.40 in the intra-day deals. The stock of the information technology (IT) consulting & services company has outperformed the market in the past two weeks, by gaining 7 per cent, after raised its revenue growth guidance for financial year 2021-22 (FY22) buoyed by a robust deal pipeline. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 1.5 per cent during the same period. With an m-cap of Rs 6.993 trillion, at 11:05 am, stood at number fourth position in the overall m-cap ranking, BSE data shows. Reliance Industries is at number one position with Rs 13.10 trillion m-cap, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) with Rs 12.11 trillion m-cap and HDFC Bank with an m-cap of Rs 7.88 trillion, data shows. While announcing its April-June quarter (Q1FY22) results on July 15, 2021, Infosys said it expects its revenue to grow by 14-16 per cent in FY22, up from the earlier estimate of 12-14 per cent. This guidance is ahead by one-percentage point increase that analysts were estimating. The company, however, maintained margin guidance at 22-24 per cent in FY22. In Q1Fy22, large deal intake was healthy at $2.6 billion in (30 per cent new), with 22 large deals signed during the quarter. The deal pipeline remains healthy with a good mix of new and renewal deals, offering good revenue visibility. "The company retained its FY22 EBITM guidance of 22-24 per cent, considering the impact of salary hikes (w.e.f July 2021), large deals transition costs and likely normalization of discretionary costs like travel, facility and other related costs. However, revenue acceleration, improving business mix, employee pyramid and role ratio, pricing in digital projects, automation and other operating efficiencies would help to negate these headwinds," analysts at Emkay Global Financial Services said in a post-Q1FY22 result update. In a separate development, the company said, Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, and Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP), a leading bank in the Philippines, announced that the bank will migrate from an on-premise deployment to the state-of-the-art Finacle Digital Banking Solution Suite on Cloud. Over 8 million customer accounts will be considered for migration to the new software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. The transition will enable UnionBank to scale both its Retail and Corporate Banking operations, rapidly develop and deploy new capabilities, and deliver frictionless, personalized, and secure digital banking services to its customers, in a cost-efficient manner, it said in a press release. The largest franchisee of Yum Brands in India and one of the top operators of chain quick-service restaurants (QSRs) Devyani International is all set to hit the primary with its initial public offer (IPO) on Wednesday, August 4. The company, which operates brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, has priced its in the range of Rs 86-90 per share and looks to raise Rs 1,838 crore at the upper end of the price band. The is mainly an offer for sale, with a fresh issue worth only Rs 440 crore, which it plans to utilise to repay debt worth Rs 324 crore. At the upper end of the price band, Devyani is offered at 9.5x market capitalisation/sales as per FY21 financial statement, compared to peers like Jubilant Foodworks (15x), Westlife Development (8.8x), Burger King India (14x). The scrip is already commanding a premium of Rs 62 per share or 68-72 per cent in the grey market. Analysts have largely assigned a 'Subscribe' rating to the issue as they find the company's valuations compelling and believe the company is poised for long-term growth. We believe the company remains well placed for long term growth considering its portfolio of recognised global brands catering to a range of customer preferences, cross-brand synergies, expansion of store network and EBITDA positive earnings, said Ronak Kotecha, an analyst at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. The company's association with Yum, together with its marketing and operational expertise has enabled Devyani International to establish itself as a comprehensive player in the QSR industry. Analysts note that the fast-food culture under QSR is expected to flourish in India due to the increase in the working-class population and continued urbanisation. The value sales of QSRs grew by a CAGR of 5.5 per cent between 2015-2020 and are expected to grow at an even higher pace of 12.4 per cent, Religare Broking observed. Furthermore, to leverage growth opportunities, the company is expanding its store network. In H2FY21, it opened 109 stores of core business brands. "We note that the business model of QSR is quite impressive, as each restaurant franchise starts generating significant RoE (return on equity) at restaurant level once it reaches utilization level of >90 per cent, which bodes well for the long-term investors. Additionally, the superior cash flow generation ability of the business offers comfort. Hence, we recommend 'Subscribe' to the issue," Reliance Securities' senior research analyst Vikas Jain said. The red flag remains in terms of profitability. The company is loss-making in the last three reported years, although EBIDTA margins are at a satisfactory level of 17.3 per cent over FY19-FY21. Additionally, the company's cash flow generation has been impressive with cumulative OCF and FCF of Rs 820 crore and Rs 180 crore, respectively over FY19-FY21. "DIL will utilise Rs 324 crore to the repayment of debt which in turn will aid the company to improve net profit margin. OCF margin also remained at a healthy level at 20 per cent during FY19-FY21. With the strong boost in revenue, cash flow generation is expected to remain healthy also driven by likely improvement in margin and favourable working capital cycle," noted Choice Broking. Considering the discounted valuation and likelihood of strong business growth going forward, the brokerage also assigned a subscribe rating to the Nifty futures on Singapore Exchange traded 29 points lower at 15,882, indicating a weak start for benchmark indices on Tuesday. Here are the top stocks that are likely to remain on investors' radar: Results Today: Some 70 companies are looking to release their quarterly earnings, including Adani Ports, Adani Enterprises, Bharti Airtel, Barbeque Nation, Dabur, Inox Leisure and Tata Consumer Products. Analysts, on average, expect Airtel's consolidated net profit to halve in Q1 sequentially to Rs 318 crore while its revenue may remain largely flat at Rs 26,120 crore. READ PREVIEW HERE PNB: Punjab National Bank (PNB) reported over three-fold jump in its standalone net profit to Rs 1,023.46 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, mainly due to fall in operating expenses and good recovery. The total income during Q1FY22 however declined to Rs 22,515 crore from Rs 24,292.80 crore in Q1FY21. RBL Bank: The lender reported a loss of Rs 459.47 crore for the June quarter as against a profit of Rs 141 crore in the year-ago period as the money set aside for future loan setbacks shot up by nearly three-times. The overall provisions rose to Rs 1,425 crore from Rs 500 crore in the year-ago period. Tata Motors: The company said it has increased prices of its passenger vehicles by 0.8 per cent with effect from August 3. The company noted that it would offer protection from the price increase to vehicles that will be retailed on or before August 31. Tejas Networks: Tata Sons arm Panatone Finvest picked up an 8 per cent stake in domestic telecom equipment maker Tejas Networks for over Rs 193 crore through an open market transaction. Balaji Amines: The company reported a consolidated profit at Rs 97.39 crore in Q1FY22 as against Rs 31.58 crore in Q1FY21, while its revenue jumped to Rs 450.68 crore from Rs 222.91 crore YoY. IRCTC, BHEL: According to a Business Standard report, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) are planning to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to run passenger trains on routes for which IRCTC has put in bids. READ MORE Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers: The company reported a more than two-fold jump in net profit for the quarter ending June at Rs 24.32 crore compared to the same period of the previous financial year. Revenue from operations during the quarter under review increased 29.70 per cent to Rs 687.19 crore compared to Rs 529.79 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal. NMDC: State-owned NMDC said its iron ore production rose by 3.6 per cent to 11.96 million tonne (MT) during the April-July period of the ongoing financial year. The company had produced 8.80 MT of iron ore during the corresponding period of 2020-21, NMDC said in a BSE filing. Ajmera Realty & Infra: The company reported five-fold jump in consolidated net profit at Rs 10.26 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Its net profit stood at Rs 2.10 crore in the year-ago period. Total income of the Mumbai-based company rose to Rs 135.27 crore in the quarter from Rs 40.16 crore in the year-ago period. CG Power and Industrial Solutions: The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 48 crore for June quarter 2021-22 mainly on the back of higher revenues. The company had reported a net loss of Rs 262.88 crore for the year-ago period, it said in a BSE filing. NCC: The company has received four new orders totalling to Rs 1,679 crore in July. Out of the total orders, one order valuing Rs 732 crore pertains to Building Division and two orders valuing Rs 730 crore pertain to Water & Environment Division and one order valuing Rs 217 crore pertains to Electrical Division. These orders were received from state government agencies. VA Tech Wabag: The company has secured an engineering and procurement order worth $165 million (about Rs 1,230 crore) from Amur Gas Chemical Complex LLC., in Russia. Computer Age Management Services: CAMS has appointed Anuj Kumar as the Managing Director for a period of 5 years effective August 1 and SR Ram Charan as the Chief Financial Officer. Shree Renuka Sugars: The company will raise up to Rs 1,500 crore via qualified institutional placement. Minda Industries: The company board approved launch of QIP issue on Monday. The floor price of Rs 734.84 per equity share is at a discount of 2.50 per cent to Mondays closing price. Barbeque-Nation Hospitality advanced 3.02% to Rs 915.65 after the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 43.9 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 60.5 crore in Q1 FY21. Revenue from operations rose 10.4x to Rs 102 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 9.8 crore in Q1 FY21. The company recorded same store sales growth of 960% in Q1 FY22. Delivery revenue was Rs 56 crore in Q1 FY22, as increase of 1251% over Q1 FY21. The company reported EBITDA loss of approximately Rs 10 crore, primarily impacted due to second wave of pandemic lockdowns and ensuing restrictions. The company reported a pre-tax loss of Rs 55.9 crore in the first quarter as against a pre-tax loss of Rs 73.6 crore in the same period last year. The company opened 2 new Barbeque Nation restaurants during the quarter and 8 restaurants are under construction. It also opened 4 extension kitchens to increase the delivery footprint. Kayum Dhanani, managing director, said: We have delivered strong performance in Q1 FY22 despite the second wave of pandemic and ensuing lockdowns and restrictions on dine-in businesses. While this quarter was a similar situation to Q1 FY21 we were better prepared and our diversification strategy have helped mitigate the decline in revenues. We have transformed Barbeque Nation from a casual dining restaurant chain to a diversified food services company, focusing on building a strong delivery business and develop our digital assets. Rahul Agrawal, CEO, said: The strength in our diversification strategy was evident during the quarter with strong growth in our delivery segment. With the dine-in segment facing the brunt of the pandemic induced lockdowns we maintained our momentum of growth in our delivery business, and this reinforces our belief that the delivery segment will allow us to leverage our assets, opening up an incremental business opportunity. We have resumed our focus on network expansion and opened two Barbeque Nation restaurants in the first quarter and have a strong pipeline of under construction restaurants. In line with our strategy to expand delivery segment, we have launched four extension kitchens in July, thereby increasing our points of sale and catering to a larger customer base. On the BSE, 17,978 shares of the company were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 5,130 shares in the past two weeks. The stock hit a high of Rs 932.10 and a low of Rs 891.25 so far during the day. The scrip has outperformed the market in past one quarter, up 45.45% as against Sensex's 8.69% rise during the same period. Barbeque Nation is a food services company. It currently owns and operates 166 outlets across India and 3 other countries. The company pioneered the format of 'over the table barbeque' concept in Indian restaurants. The company has a majority stake in 'Red Apple Kitchen', which operates 11 Italian cuisine restaurants under the popular brand 'Toscano'. 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 benchmark indices continued to trade on firm note in afternoon trade on steady buying demand in index pivotals. The Sensex hit fresh record high above the 53,500 level. European markets opened in positive zone. At 13:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 544.97 points or 1.03% at 53,495.60. The Nifty 50 index soared 148.70 points or 0.94% at 16,033.85. The S&P BSE Sensex scaled a new all-time high of 53,537.89 while the Nifty 50 index hit 16,043.45 during intraday trade. Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) (up 3.06%), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (up 1.83%) and Infosys (up 0.97%) boosted the market. Broader markets underperformed the benchmark indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.01%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.28%. Buyers outnumbered the sellers. On the BSE, 1,763 shares rose and 1,391 shares fell. A total of 135 shares were unchanged. Gainers & Losers: Titan Company (up 3.84%), Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) (up 3.06%), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 2.88%) and IndusInd Bank (up 2.06%) were major gainers in Nifty 50 index. Grasim Industries (down 1.74%), Shree Cements (down 0.97%), Bajaj Auto (down 0.81%), JSW Steel (down 0.76%) and UPL (down 0.58%) were major losers in Nifty 50 index. Nifty Results Today: Bharti Airtel (up 2.35%) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) (up 1.53%) will announce their quarterly results today. Earnings Impact: Shree Renuka Sugars hit a lower circuit of 5% at Rs 31.95 after the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 240.4 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 34.9 crore in Q1 FY21. Revenue from operations declined by 36.7% Y-o-Y to Rs 829.5 crore during the quarter. During the period under revenue, Distillery revenue rose to Rs 190.9 (up 44.4% Y-o-Y), revenue from Co-generation improved to Rs 32.5 crore (up 4.8% Y-o-Y) and Engineering revenue increased to Rs 13.3 crore (up 44.6% Y-o-Y). CG Power & Industrial Solutions was locked in 5% upper-circuit at Rs 83.40 after consolidated net profit (from continuing operations) stood at Rs 48.29 crore in Q1 June 2021 (Q1 FY22) over a net loss of Rs 262.86 crore in Q1 June 2020 (Q1 FY21). Consolidated revenue from operations surged 189.48% to Rs 1,050.04 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 362.73 crore in Q1 FY21. Pre-tax profit was at Rs 71.35 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a pre-tax loss of Rs 237.37 crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA for Q1 FY22 stood at Rs 120 crore as compared to an EBITDA loss of Rs (41) crore in Q1 FY21. Global Markets: European markets rally across the board on Tuesday, 3 August 2021 despite rising COVID-19 cases, Chinese tech regulation and U.S. growth worries. Asian stocks mostly edged lower as the Delta coronavirus variant spread in key markets in the region and put Chinese authorities on high alert, rattling investor confidence. U.S. stocks gave up early gains and turned negative for the session on Monday as concerns about COVID variants and peaking economic growth weighed against strong earnings results. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kajaria Ceramics advanced 2.56% to Rs 1,027.50 after the company's consolidated net profit stood at Rs 41.46 crore in Q1 June 2021 (Q1 FY22) as compared to a net loss of Rs 32.94 crore in Q1 June 2020 (Q1 FY21). Consolidated revenue from operations soared 102.35% to Rs 561.66 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 277.56 crore in Q1 FY21. Pre-tax profit was at Rs 56.88 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a pre-tax loss of Rs 33.55 crore in Q1 FY21. The Q1 earnings was declared during trading hours today, 3 August 2021. On consolidated basis, production grew 820.39% to 13.99 million square metres (MSM) in Q1 FY22 as compared to 1.52 million square metres (MSM) in Q1 FY21. Sales climbed 99.21% to 15.26 MSM in Q1 June 2021 from 7.66 MSM in Q1 June 2020. EBITDA for Q1 FY22 stood at Rs 80.42 crore as compared to an EBITDA loss of Rs (7.57) crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA margin for Q1 FY22 was at 14.32% as against (2.73)% in Q1 FY21. The chairman of the company said that: "The Indian economy is seeing a strong resurgence of growth with the gradual lifting of covid restrictions fueled by pent-up demand, historic low financing costs and the concerted efforts of government, industry and citizens to drive vaccination. Already, we see several upward revisions of India's near-term GDP guidance with policy support and investment for infrastructure and real estate sectors. These factors are translating into tailwinds for Kajaria and will help consolidate our leadership position given our strong brands, diversified product portfolio, world-class manufacturing capability and pan-India distribution network." "Our performance this quarter shows a significant uptick on a Y-o-Y basis, in spite of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns continuing in several states. On a Q-o-Q basis, our revenue, profit and EBITDA margins are muted given the unexpected disruption from the second wave, but we see a secular turnaround of demand and key financial metrics starting July. Even as we set forth towards a post-covid world, the wellbeing of our Kajaria family remains our primary focus. We recognize the resilience and support of all our customers, investors and employees through the pandemic and are incredibly excited to partner with you on the tremendous growth opportunities ahead of us." Meanwhile, the board has accorded its in-principle approval for making cash investment of upto Rs 2.64 crore in the equity shares of an entity (i.e. Special Purpose Vehicle), to be formed by CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions for solar power captive consumption as required under the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003, at par value. The time period for the completion of acquisition is 12 months (1 year). Kajaria Ceramics is the largest manufacturer of ceramic/vitrified tiles in India and the eighth largest in the world. It has present annual capacity of 70.40 million sq. meters (MSM) presently, distributed across eight plants - one at Sikandrabad in Uttar Pradesh, one at Gailpur and one at Malootana in Rajasthan, three at Morbi in Gujarat and one at Vijayawada and one at SriKalahasti in Andhra Pradesh. 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 main indices scaled fresh record high and traded with gains in mid morning trade. The Nifty scaled fresh record of 15,982.75 and inched towards the 16,000 mark. The Sensex hit an all-time high of 53,338.12. Barring metal and media stocks, buying was seen across the board. At 10:31 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 321.19 points or 0.61% at 53,271.57. The Nifty 50 index was up 81.35 points or 0.51% at 15,966.80. The broader market lagged benchmark indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.03% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.33%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1787 shares rose and 1265 shares fell. A total of 118 shares were unchanged. COVID-19 Update: Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 198,891,340 with 4,235,449 global deaths. India reported 404,958 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 425,195 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday issued revised guidelines for the city, permitting non-essential shops to operate till 10 pm. Dining in restaurants will remain open till 4 pm. According to new guidelines, all government and private offices can be operational with full capacity. The municipal corporation has also allowed all indoor and outdoor games, except the use of swimming pool. The government has also allowed shopping malls to open and operate as per the new guidelines. Yoga centres, spa, saloon and gyms can operate with 50% capacity and without the use of air conditioning. Meanwhile, the state government has still not taken any decision on allowing common people to travel by suburban trains in Mumbai. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Metal index slipped 0.78% to 5,736, slipping for second consecutive trading day. The metal index has lost 1.28% in two sessions. JSW Steel (down 1.29%), Hindustan Zinc (down 0.92%), Vedanta (down 0.7%), Jindal Steel & Power (down 0.62%) and Tata Steel (down 0.54%) were the top losers. Among the other losers were Steel Authority of India (down 0.54%), NMDC (down 0.53%), Hindalco Industries (down 0.45%). Earnings Impact: Shree Renuka Sugars hit a lower circuit of 5% at Rs 31.95 after the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 240.4 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 34.9 crore in Q1 FY21. Revenue from operations declined by 36.7% YoY to Rs 829.5 crore during the quarter. The company reported a pre-tax loss of Rs 241 crore in Q1 FY22 as compared with a pre-tax loss of Rs 29.8 crore in Q1 FY21. Balaji Amines advanced 2.93% to Rs 3,411.35 after the company's consolidated net profit soared 208.39% to Rs 97.39 crore on a 101.59% increase in total revenue from operations to Rs 451.94 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21. Consolidated sales volume soared 27.98% to 25,621 million tonnes (MT) in Q1 FY22 as compared to 20,019 million tonnes (MT) in Q1 FY21. Consolidated profit before tax surged 211.19% to Rs 131.48 crore in Q1 FY22 as against Rs 42.25 crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA for Q1 FY22 was at Rs 144.29 crore, recording a growth of 164.77% as compared to Rs 54.51 crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA margin for Q1 FY22 was at 31.93% as against 24.31% in Q1 FY21. Global Markets: Asian stocks were trading mixed on Tuesday as the Delta coronavirus variant spread in key markets in the region and put Chinese authorities on high alert, rattling investor confidence. U. S. stocks gave up early gains and turned negative for the session on Monday as concerns about Covid variants and peaking economic growth weighed against strong earnings results. 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 benchmark indices continued to extend intraday gains to scale fresh all-time highs in early afternoon trade. The Nifty index hit record high above the psychological 16,000 mark. Pharma stocks rose. At 12:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 497.29 points or 0.94% at 53,447.92. The Nifty 50 index jumped 130.75 points or 0.82% at 16,015.90. The S&P BSE Sensex scaled a new all-time high of 53,478.57 while the Nifty 50 index hit 16,025 during intraday trade. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.03% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.34%. The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 1,793 shares rose and 1,325 shares fell. A total of 122 shares were unchanged. Coronavirus Update: Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 19,89,33,145 with 42,36,469 deaths. India reported 4,04,958 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 4,25,195 deaths while 3,08,96,354 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday issued revised guidelines for the city, permitting non-essential shops to operate till 10 PM. Dining in restaurants will remain open till 4 PM. According to new guidelines, all government and private offices can be operational with full capacity. The municipal corporation has also allowed all indoor and outdoor games, except the use of swimming pool. The government has also allowed shopping malls to open and operate as per the new guidelines. Yoga centres, spa, saloon and gyms can operate with 50% capacity and without the use of air conditioning. Meanwhile, the state government has still not taken any decision on allowing common people to travel by suburban trains in Mumbai. India reported 30,549 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours. The hill states of north India saw the maximum rise in fresh cases during the week ended Sunday (26 July 2021 - 1 August 2021) as compared with the previous seven days. Himachal Pradesh registered a surge of 64%, the highest in the country, with cases rising from 670 in the previous week to 1,100. In total numbers, Kerala's weekly surge was by far the highest. The state logged nearly 1.4 lakh fresh cases, 20,000 more than the count in the previous week, translating to a 27% spurt in infections. Karnataka's weekly total was 12,442, a 17% rise from 10,610 cases recorded in the previous week. Derivatives: The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, jumped 4.60% to 13.3950. The Nifty 26 August 2021 futures were trading at 16,017.10, at a premium of 1.20 points as compared with the spot at 16,015.90. The Nifty option chain for 26 August 2021 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 24.7 lakh contracts at the 16,000 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 50.3 lakh contracts was seen at 15,000 strike price. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Pharma index rose 1.33% to 14,667.55. The index added 5.36% in two days. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 3.27%), Lupin (up 1.98%), Alkem Laboratories (up 1.48%), Divi's Laboratories (up 1.24%) and Torrent Pharma (up 0.88%) were the major gainers in the Pharma segment. Stocks in Spotlight: Tata Motors rose 1.63% after the automobile major announced that effective 3 August 2021, it will increase prices of its passenger vehicles, on an average of 0.8%, depending on the variant and model. The company will offer protection from the price increase to vehicles that will be retailed on or before 31 August 2021. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone gained 1.37% after the company said that the cargo volume handled was 24.44 MMT in July 2021, registering a growth of 34% on year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vedanta Ltd is quoting at Rs 314.05, up 0.26% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 163.8% in last one year as compared to a 44.43% spurt in NIFTY and a 165.41% spurt in the Nifty Metal. Vedanta Ltd is up for a fifth straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 314.05, up 0.26% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.88% on the day, quoting at 16025.1. The Sensex is at 53471.05, up 0.98%. Vedanta Ltd has risen around 15.27% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Vedanta Ltd is a constituent, has risen around 11.35% in last one month and is currently quoting at 5781.3, down 0.04% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 88.58 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 102.58 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark August futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 314.6, flat on the day. Vedanta Ltd is up 163.8% in last one year as compared to a 44.43% spurt in NIFTY and a 165.41% spurt in the Nifty Metal index. The PE of the stock is 10.55 based on TTM earnings ending June 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.) Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the central leadership of the will send the final list of the new ministers to be inducted in his cabinet on Wednesday morning, as some issues are yet to be resolved. Bommai also said if he receives the list in the morning, the oath-taking ceremony could take place on Wednesday or some other auspicious day. He further said the will be done in stages. The chief minister, however, did not disclose the number of new ministers to be inducted in the first stage. Bommai met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J P Nadda in Parliament during the day and the two leaders gave a finishing touch to the keenly-awaited expansion of the state cabinet. He also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue. Briefing the media about the meetings, Bommai said, "There won't be another meeting on this issue. I am returning to Bengaluru in the morning. I will get the final list over the phone." A detailed discussion took place with Nadda and the draft list was discussed from regional and social aspects, he added. "Naddaji asked for several clarifications on the information that he has collected. I clarified all of them. He said he will give the final decision tomorrow morning," Bommai said. After getting the green signal from the chief, the list will be sent to the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday, he added. Asked about the delay in finalising the list, Bommai said, "Three-four issues are to be decided. For instance, whether to accommodate a few more in the final list or not and whether to have deputy chief ministers." Once these issues are resolved, the final list will be ready, he added. There are two opinions on having deputy chief ministers, Bommai said. However, the decision on this will be taken by the central leaders of the "The central leadership will discuss with (former chief minister and senior party leader) B S Yediyurappa," he added. Asked if senior leaders and those who have joined the BJP from other political parties will be kept out of the cabinet, the chief minister said, "Nothing of that sort. Experience and youthful spirit will be considered. Overall, it will be a pro-people government." The cabinet will be expanded with a priority to give good governance, keeping the 2023 Assembly polls in mind, he said. Bommai said he expects the to take place in two stages. He said there was no delay in finalising the list as the central leaders got free only in the evening due to the ongoing Parliament session. Asked if he was tired of this exercise of cabinet expansion, Bommai said, "I am not tired. I am very cool. This is not the first cabinet. I have worked with four-five chief ministers. This is a normal process." Earlier in the day, Bommai paid a courtesy visit to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. He also met the BJP in-charge of Karnataka affairs, Arun Singh. The chief minister discussed railway projects in the state at Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi's residence here in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. MPs from the southern state were also present at the meeting. Bommai took oath as the chief minister on July 28 after his predecessor Yediyurappa resigned on July 26. (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.) Further disruption of Parliaments Monsoon Session appeared inevitable with both the government and the Opposition digging into their respective positions. At a breakfast meeting hosted by leader Rahul Gandhi, the Opposition parties spelt out the bottom line: If the government wants to run the rest of the session, it will have to agree to a debate on Pegasus, even as Prime Minister renewed his attack on the Opposition, terming repeated adjournments forced by it an insult to the Constitution... to democracy and to the public, suggesting there is no change in the governments stance that the Pegasus issue is irrelevant. Parliament is being insulted by the acts of the Opposition in both Houses. The person who snatched the paper and tore it is not even penitent about what he did, Modi told Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs at a meeting. He focused on the conduct of the Opposition, rather than the issue they sought to raise. In response, the Opposition appeared resolute in unity. The single motive to invite you (to breakfast) is that we should unite. The more this voice unites, the more powerful it will become, the more difficult it will become for the BJP and RSS to suppress this voice, Gandhi said at the meeting. We should remember the foundation of unity and it is important that now we start to come up with the principles of this foundation, he told those gathered. This could be among the first moves to get the Opposition together on a common slate ahead of the 2024 general elections. Although many parties have differences with the Congress, like the Trinamool and the Samajwadi Party, and many have differences with each other, like the Left parties and the Congress, which are at loggerheads in Kerala, Tuesdays meeting was attended by all, barring the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The government says the Opposition is wasting the collective time of Parliament by not allowing it to function and merely wants an issue to disrupt the two Houses. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said in a statement in Parliament that checks and balances against the kind of snooping alleged by the Opposition is impossible in Indias legal framework. But it is obvious that the government is caught in a cleft stick: If it agrees to a discussion, it will have to accept or deny government role in the use of the intrusive phone-tapping technology. If it does not agree to a discussion, it will be charged with hustling important legislation through without a discussion. TMC MP Derek OBrien said as much, when he tweeted that the government was passing laws at the speed it takes to assemble papri chaat. The PM called his remarks derogatory. Modi also criticised the conduct of TMC MP Santanu Sen, who snatched the IT ministers papers from his hand, as he was about to make a statement on the Pegasus scandal. MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said: If a dozen Bills are passed in the Rajya Sabha amid uproar... is this a parliamentary system? Government should answer this first... Adding to the pressure is the prospect of judicial action. The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea on the issue on August 5. In tandem, the Editors Guild of India also filed a case in the apex court on Tuesday, challenging the constitutional vires of electronic surveillance, hacking and use of spyware, and the existing legal architecture for surveillance, in light of the gigantic leaps in technology and surveillance capabilities. The guild has sought a court-appointed and monitored special investigation team to look into every aspect of the alleged use of Pegasus by the Centre against Indian citizens, especially journalists. The government is pushing ahead with its legislative business even amid uproar. At this rate, once it has cleared emergent business like the passage of Ordinances (an Ordinance to ban strikes in defence ordnance factories was passed on Tuesday) the chances are the monsoon session will come to an end earlier than the scheduled date of August 13. is furious over the remark of "...as if we are going to attack Bhawan" by (BJP) leader Prasad Lad as party's MP said such remarks would not be accepted. " Bhavan is not a party's office. It is the identity of Maharashtra. It is a temple and a court for us. Shiv Sena is a Sena. Shiv Saniks do not tolerate such things," he said in an interview with ANI on Monday. Hitting out at BJP, he further said, "BJP is digging its grave by giving such statements." "Do not touch the identity of Maharashtra," he warned. Meanwhile, Lad had apologised for the statement earlier. He had said, "In my address, I had said that when we come to Dadar-Mahim, such huge police security is deployed here as if we are going to attack Shiv Sena Bhawan. I have apologised for the statement." Shiv Sena also slammed BJP in its editorial mouthpiece, Saamana. They wrote, "The end is near for the BJP in Maharashtra because of the way they are behaving. Whosoever has looked scornfully towards Shiv Sena Bhavan, their leaders and their party were washed away in the gutters of Worli." "Many people having political differences with Shiv Sena, challenged Shiv Sena from time to time. But Shiv Sena stood up to those challenges. However, those political opponents never talked about demolishing Shiv Sena Bhavan," the party said in Saamana. Earlier on Monday Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that his party will not accept Prasad Lad's apology for his remark on Shiv Sena Bhavan. (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 financial capital saw the highest addition of capacity in the entire Asia Pacific region in the quarter ending March 2021, boosted by the continuing pandemic-driven lockdowns, says an industry report. added 56 mega watts (mw) in the January-March quarter, the sharpest increase in supply in Asia Pacific, taking the total supply to 753 mw, a report by international property consultants Knight Frank said on Tuesday. Between 2016 and 2019, Mumbai's IT power capacity (the industry word for data centre) rose from 148 mw to 456 mw, the report published in partnership with research and analytics platform DC Byte said. But Mumbai's has only 162 mw of live supply and 23 mw under-construction capacity. The report attributed the record addition in Q1 to the pandemic driven push for digital services which began in 2020 when the city added 252 mw to to 697 mw over 2019 supply. The report said while the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) markets saw a demand growth of 4 per cent in Q1 of 2021 to 120 mw, the supply grew 10 per cent, totalling to over 180 mw. In Asia Pacific markets, total supply increased by about 200 mw in Q1, to total supply of 5,800 mw across the region, reflecting a similar supply growth in seen in 2020 when total addition was over 800 mw for the full year. " is amongst the better-established data centre hubs in the region. The city's location has a strategic importance as a landing destination for undersea data-cables connecting the East and West. "The presence of an established telecom industry and the push for digital services during the pandemic has further fuelled the growth of data centres in the megapolis," Shishir Baijal, chairman and managing director at Knight Frank India said. With respect to the data centre market composition, colocation wholesales comprised the largest chunk with 126.68 mw, accounting for 73 per cent of the overall market while colocation retailers commanded the supply of 31.42 mw registering 18 per cent of the overall supply. Telecoms commanded 8 per cent, and financial institutions just 1 per cent of the supply, with 14 mw and 2.5 mw respectively. With the addition of 56 mw, total capacity now stands at 753 mw. With respect to take-up, Q1 of 2021 saw only 8 mw, compared to 44 mw in all of 2020. Cloud companies are continuing to develop a substantial network in Mumbai, leading to the creation of multiple new hyper-wholesale colocation facilities. When it comes to available capacity, Mumbai recorded a little under 600 mw of available IT power in Q1, as against the total capacity of 753 mw. Available IT power includes all live, under-construction and phased IT power. The report covers 28 key markets closely tracking the significant pandemic-driven data usage shift in 2020, which in turn magnified the traditional buy cycle and led to record developments in the global data centres market. Globally, London leads the data centre space with a live supply of 919.92 mw, and an underconstruction of 143.1 mw, while Frnakfurt has the largest under construction of 576.1 mw with live supply of 474.31 mw. Shanghai has a live supply of 621.66 mw and and 139.03 mw of upcoming supply, Tokyo has 737.9 mw live and 107 mw upcoming supply. Globally, the key data centre markets are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris and Dublin in Europe, South Africa and Kenya in Africa, Sydney, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Chennai. (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.) Here you'll find our latest collection of Caledonian-Record reports on the coronavirus outbreak and local response, from the beginning of April. Our January, February and March stories are here: https://www.caledonianrecord.com/news/local/our-coronavirus-coverage/collection_5885178c-692e-11e Become A Subscriber A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content. Republican Rep. Priscilla Giddings, left center in black, enters her ethics committee hearing Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, to applause and shouts of encouragement from supporters in the audience in Boise, Idaho. An Idaho lawmaker accused of violating ethics rules by publicizing the name of an alleged rape victim in disparaging social media posts, and then allegedly misleading lawmakers about her actions, said in an ethics hearing Monday that she did nothing wrong and claimed the allegations against her were politically motivated. (AP Photo/Rebecca Boone) Father Don Ajoko, Phd. anoints the hands of healthcare workers and members of the nearly three dozen healthcare workers from around the country to help supplement the staff at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Louisiana has one of the lowest coronavirus vaccination rates in the nation and is seeing one of the countrys worst COVID-19 spikes. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson) Carroll, IA (51401) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Photo: The Canadian Press Kayshawn Olivier, son of Jean-Rene Junior Olivier who was shot dead by police officers, pauses next to the mother of the victim, Marie-Mireille Bence, during a news conference in Repentigny, Que., on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson Jean Rene Junior Olivier's family told reporters gathered outside his mother's home on Monday they had called police because they were concerned for his well-being and wanted him to get help. Instead, they said, he received three bullets in the stomach just a few houses over from his mother's home on a leafy residential street in Repentigny, Que., just north of Montreal. "I'm very angry about what happened, I called for help and they killed my son," Marie-Mireille Bence, the victim's mother, said. "A 37-year-old man, they gunned him down, he was not dangerous," she added. "He didn't have a gun on him, he just had a knife on him." The family says Olivier had discarded the knife on the ground before police shot him. If police had to shoot, they say, officers should have aimed for another part of his body. "He threw the knife on the ground and that's when they shot him, they shot him three times," Bence said. "I called for help and I lost my son, I find it absurd because there were other ways of dealing with this, of bringing him under control." The death has Olivier's mother thinking twice about calling police. "If tomorrow I have another problem, will I call 911? Not at all, because I do not have confidence in the police," Bence said. Quebec's police watchdog began investigating the death on Sunday. It said in a statement that officers responded to a 911 call just after 7:30 a.m. that morning regarding an allegedly confused and unstable man armed with a knife. They said police found the man outside and tried to speak to him but he fled on foot and allegedly became threatening toward officers. The watchdog said police used pepper spray to try and subdue the man but failed and then shot him multiple times. Montreal-based civil rights group Center for Research-Action on Race Relations is assisting the family. Executive director Fo Niemi told reporters the Repentigny police force has been criticized for the way it has treated Black residents. City police have been hit with at least four complaints for racial profiling before the province's human rights commission and Niemi said several other complaints are forthcoming. Dolmine Laguerre, Olivier's cousin, said she's outraged. The mother of three, also a Repentigny resident, said she feels unsafe in the community. During the news conference, she showed the small kitchen knife Olivier allegedly had in his possession and questioned why six officers and three bullets were necessary to bring Olivier under control. "The family wants answers, the family wants justice and the family wants to know what happened," Laguerre said. "If you come to Repentigny, do you feel that we're safe? Do you feel that we have to hide? Our skin colour speaks for us." Repentigny police held a news conference Monday and said Olivier's death was the first police-involved shooting in the force's history. "We understand this event has shaken our community our police officers as well as the family of the victim to whom we offer our sincere and profound condolences," police Chief Helen Dion told reporters. Dion declined to go into specifics but said "despite all the training or experience a police officer has, believe me, no one gets up in the morning wanting to discharge a firearm." She said the watchdog investigation and a coroner's probe will shed light on the incident, adding that she and the mayor will meet with Bence as soon as possible. Kayshawn Olivier, one of the victim's sons, said he has only one question for authorities. "All we want is answers," he said. "The question is why three bullets?" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2021. Umm Al Qura Cement sees 17% decline in profit 03 August 2021 Saudi Arabias Umm Al Qura Cement has seen a 16.8 per cent decline in net profit to SAR49.45m (US$13.19m) in the first half of 2021, compared to SAR59.48m in the year-ago period. Sales also decreased 2.9 per cent YoY to SAR154.3m from SAR159.01m in the 1H20. The company also announced the resignation of its CEO, Fawaz bin Saleh Al-Mutairi, which will take effect from 1 September 2021. Published under 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 The Allied Arts Council of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce will host Chair-ries Jubilee Into the Sun in 2021, Aug. 18-19 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Chamber, 225 Keith St. SW. The 23rd annual fundraiser will be a two-day silent auction in hybrid format allowing in-person attendance or participation through the Chair-ries Jubilee Facebook page. Supporters may participate in the two-day silent auction by placing bids on locally donated art, furniture and other valuable packages. After the auction, volunteers will notify the winners of their prizes to be picked up on Friday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Chair-ries Jubilee exists to aid Cleveland and Bradley County schools by fundraising for their art programs while supporting local artists in the community. The ongoing advocacy from the community for arts education continues to inspire us every year," said Nancy Cason, Chair-ries Jubilee committee chair. "We are so thankful for every participant from artists to bidders and to volunteers who contribute to this fundraiser." The Allied Arts Council supports local art programs to keep students engaged and build their self-confidence. Studies have proven that investing in arts education will pay significant dividends for students, said Ms. Casson. Since inception, the annual event has raised more than $524,000 for local schools by auctioning off art showcases and uniquely decorated furniture donated by local artists. The money raised sends grants to schools to maintain arts education and allows artists to visit the schools and the community. No advance tickets or RSVPs are necessary for this event. For more information, contact the Chamber at 472-6587. A man on Koblentz Circle told police he had video evidence of his neighbor's fireworks being discharged towards his residence. The neighbor claimed it was an accident and agreed to cease her fireworks, at least for the evening. The man said did not observe any damage to his property. * * * A shoplifting was reported at Walmart, 2020 Gunbarrel Road. Loss prevention associates stopped a shoplifter prior to police arrival on scene. Police spoke with the woman in the loss prevention office, and discovered that she "skip-scanned" at a self-checkout register by failing to scan some ground beef. Loss prevention associates decided not to prosecute the woman. She was not trespassed. The incident was merely documented in case she shoplifted again in the future. * * * A man and woman got into a verbal argument on Roanoke Avenue. The man told police he just wanted his belongings and would leave. He gathered some belongings for the night and said he would call back tomorrow during normal business hours to retrieve the rest of his belongings. * * * A woman on Cherryton Drive called crying and asked for police. While on the phone, the call-taker overheard her arguing with a man who was very upset and overheard a physical altercation possibly occur. When police responded, they saw someone shut the blinds. Police knocked on the door multiple times but could not get anyone to come to the door. Police walked around the house to look for anything that would indicate a struggle or distress and did not find anything. Police monitored the property for about 10 minutes and did not hear or see any signs of distress, or any movement after the blinds were closed. While monitoring the property, police could see through a side window into the living room and part of the bedroom and did not see anyone in that part of the home at all. After monitoring the property and finding no exigent circumstances for police to take any other action, they left without incident. * * * A man on Passenger Street was trying to gain access into a building. He said he just moved into Douglas Heights that night and believed he was at the address. He could not call an Uber as his cellphone was dead. The officer took the man to Douglas Street without incident. * * * A woman on West Martin Luther King Boulevard said she is having a continual problem with "John" who lives in another apartment and is riding the elevator all night which prevents her from getting the rest that she needs. She says that this is the third report that she has made relevant to this situation and gave the case number of the most recent incident to officers. She went on to say that the resident management is looking to get this man put out and she will need to obtain a copy of this report. * * * A woman was driving on Barton Avenue around 8 a.m. when a full-size black Chevy pickup truck came up behind her. She said she had to slow down for a bad spot in the road (potholes, etc.) and then she sped back up to the speed limit. She said the truck then started tailgating her and continued to do so even when she moved over to another lane to get out of its way. Eventually, she said the truck went on around her and seemed to be in a hurry. She said she couldnt see the driver because the truck had tinted windows, but she got a tag and it was a commercial plate. According to dispatch, the tag is not on file. * * * A woman said she recently moved to Studio 6 motel at 7324 Shallowford Road after being removed from a motel in East Ridge. She said the manager refused to accept her money and told her to leave and she had to be out of the motel by 11 a.m. She said she believes the manager does not like black people and that was the reason for removing her from the room. Police spoke with the manager and he said there is a pet policy at the motel and her dogs are over the weight limit. The man requested police trespass the woman from the motel. Police informed the woman she needed to leave the motel after gathering her items and that she would be arrested for trespassing if she returned. After the police left, another woman told police by phone the manager told her she had until 11 a.m. to gather her items and leave the area. The second woman said the only reason the manager wanted her out of the motel was that she was talking with the first woman and they both are black. Police told both of the women they needed to file a complaint with Studio 6 corporate office if they disagreed with the service of the owner. * * * A woman on Integra Vistas Drive told police she received a call from an Asian sounding male who said his name was Alex. She said he told her that someone is using her Amazon account to order things. She said he got her to give him her investment account information. She says that he then told her that he accidentally put $30,000 in her checking account with Bank of America and was going to have her wire it to him to an off shore account. She said that he gave his call back number and his supervisor's phone numbers. She said that the money is still in her account and has not been sent. She said, as it stands, she has not suffered a loss over this and is working with her broker to make sure everything is secure with her finances. She understands that since she has not suffered a loss that this report is a miscellaneous report. The officer recommended she read the website "identitytheft.gov' and freeze her credit record both as a precaution. * * * A woman said her mother lives on Triangle Farm Road and she called her to report a loud alarm going off in or outside of her house. The noise scared her so she left the house and needed police to come check her house. Police checked the house and found a smoke alarm was beeping like it needed a new battery but the alarm was hard wired and a battery compartment was not located. It is unknown what the noise was that the woman heard. * * * A woman said her vehicle started having mechanic issues and she parked it on the side of the road near 9000 Lee Hwy. She was informed by a friend that the car was gone and she called multiple wrecker services but could not find it. Police were unable to locate any reports with her car involved. Police entered the vehicle as stolen. * * * Police spoke with a woman and her long-time boyfriend on 4th Avenue. Both said they were in a verbal disorder and that is why police were called. The man said he thought the woman was trying to leave the house to go see another man. The woman said she was just trying to go to Taco Bell. Both told police that they could get along for the night and both remained at the house. A recent article from a National Association of Realtors HouseLogic, really captured some great strategies when looking to purchase a home in this sellers market. I know youll find this article from Lynn Ettinger as insightful as I do. Lynn writes: A competitive real estate market can set buyers up to purchase a home thats either beyond their budgets sometimes hugely beyond or doesnt meet their needs, according to a 2021 survey by Bankrate and YouGov. The survey found that recent home buyers, including 64 precent of millennials, had regrets about their home purchase. The top reason? They were unprepared for maintenance and other home ownership-related costs. On top of that, 13 percent percent of millennials said they think they paid a higher sales price than they should have. Things in homes always break down, so people should put aside a budget for anything that will need fixing, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. A rule of thumb is to anticipate 1 percent or 2 percent of the home price for potential maintenance, he explains. So, for a $300,000 home, that means setting aside $3,000. One reason home buyers may be tempted to go over budget is theyve been influenced by the beautiful homes on TV, according to an NAR report on home staging. The shows can create unrealistic expectations for the home buying process and how homes should look, says Brandi Snowden, NAR director of member and consumer survey research. In time, buyers can view features that used to be luxuries as necessities. They believe everyone has them and they should too. One solution: Work with a realtor as early as possible in the process. Make sure your agent knows your budget, so they can help you set expectations and stick to them, she advises. In addition to pressure to exceed their budgets, buyers are facing hurdles like these five: Requests to Waive Contingencies. Tamara Suminski, a real estate agent at Beach Real Estate Group in Manhattan Beach, Ca., is seeing not only bidding wars but also sellers wanting buyers to waive contingencies. With an appraisal contingency, if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer has choices. They can choose to try to renegotiate with the seller, bring in the difference, or cancel. When they remove that contingency and its protection, and if the home doesnt appraise at the right level, the seller is not very likely to renegotiate with them. And the buyer has waived their right to cancel. If they cancel anyway, theyre risking their deposit. Some buyers are also waiving contingencies related to home inspections. These investigations are an opportunity to have a home inspector view the home based on disclosures and for the buyer to use findings as a bargaining tool, Ms. Suminski says. Eliminating these protections can end up costing money for buyers. And the more offers the buyer writes and loses, the more risk they will tolerate. So, they may waive contingencies and regret it later, says Ms. Suminski. Talk to a buyers agent who will guide you through this and explain the risks of removing protections and unknown variables, she advises. Speed Showings and Decisions. Bryan Yap recently bought a home in an expensive and highly competitive market Orange County, Ca. He found that with the pandemic, each showing lasted only 15 minutes. That was one of the biggest hurdles. Wed see three, four, or five homes in one day. Its hard to keep track of what you like and dont like with each house. What I would do differently is take notes immediately after viewing a home. If youre able to prepare beforehand, create a list of wants and requirements in priority order. Immediately after seeing each home, rank it based on the list. Focusing on the Top of Your Price Range. If youre looking in a micromarket where listings are achieving multiple offers and homes are going above asking price, dont set your on the houses at the top of your price range, Ms. Suminski says. If $300,000 is your upper limit, look at houses priced at $250,000 or $275,000. Otherwise, youre going to be outbid from the gate every time. That was the process Mr. Yap used when he was looking. I would look for homes $25,000 under my max budget. I went on Zillow and looked at homes that were sold recently and tried to calculate the average over-listing price those homes were being sold for and factor that into my offer price. The Need to Compromise. Mr. Yaps must-haves were three bedrooms, two baths, and being closer to the city center of Anaheim. I was able to get three beds, two baths, but I did have to compromise on location. I also had to compromise on price, which was doable because I could still afford it. To compete with all the potential buyers, I knew that we had to either offer an over-list price or remove some contingencies. Ms. Suminski advises adjusting your search outward geographically, even if it means a longer commute. Buyers might also have to compromise on property types and features. In addition, they should consider doing some DIY projects instead of wanting everything to be move-in ready. They may have to be willing to look at townhouses instead of single-family homes or install carpet and paint on weekends. Information Overload. In the two years before he started searching for a home, Mr. Yap did a lot of reading. It was a massive plan I had to come up with and stick to so that Id be able to afford buying a home. Because of how hot the Orange County market is, agents scheduled showings as soon as a house was listed or showed coming soon status. Mr. Yap treated the home search as almost a second job, using lunch breaks and evenings to check emails, do online searches, and text his real estate agent about what he wanted to see. I had to make a lot of sacrifices. People wanted to set plans with me for the weekend, but I said, Sorry, I have to go view homes that day. He primarily credits his real estate agents, including Ms. Sumiski, for keeping him informed. They made all this possible. I learned a lot from them. Some agents, like Ms. Suminski, hold an accredited buyers representative designation but usually work with sellers as well as buyers. An [agent with an] ABR has taken extensive buyers representation training, Ms. Suminski says. Theyll provide education to buyers so that theyre learning as much as they can about the market, including the risks involved with different negotiations. If buyers are going to shorten terms or remove protections, they need to be well informed about the pitfalls. Learn from Experiences. That access to information and guidance will help buyers making an offer on a home especially in a competitive market. Todays buyer has seen and written offers on many properties before they get their offer accepted, Ms. Suminski says. Thats common across the country. Each is a learning opportunity for buyers about what information they might need to be researching so they can move more quickly. When you act on advice from recent buyers and agents, you can stay well informed and get good results even in a tough market. And thats the best way to prevent home buyers remorse. Thanks to Lynn for such insightful guidance. This market absolutely requires the guidance of a realtor to help navigate such unfamiliar areas. Realtors work for their clients every day of the year. Thats Who We R. Former Chattanooga broadcaster Jerry Brown is retiring after a lengthy radio and television career. Mr. Brown was co-anchor for the evening news on WDEF TV 12 in the 80s and 90s. He also hosted a top-rated afternoon country music show on WDOD FM. Mr. Brown is from Rome, Ga. where he went to work as a radio announcer in 1968. He joined the Army Reserve in 1971 and served as a public information officer until 1977. His unit was part of the American Forces Radio and Television Service. A short time later, Mr. Brown got a job at WMAZ in Macon, Ga. Doris Ellis, longtime WDEF TV program director, said Mr. Brown is among the top Chattanooga television news anchors. Mrs. Ellis said she never worked with anyone more conscientious than Jerry Brown. Mrs. Ellis said Mr. Brown was friendly to everyone and was never in a bad mood. Mr. Brown was at Channel 12 for almost 20 years. Veteran TV news anchor David Carroll worked with Mr. Brown at Channel 12. In describing Mr. Brown, Mr. Carroll said, Hes humble, talented, nice, and I cant find a flaw in Jerry. He called him Mr. Smooth. Mr. Carroll said, Brown is extremely professional and doesnt make mistakes. Hes everything a news anchor should be. Mr. Brown was employed in several major markets including Wilmington, N.C., Nashville and Chattanooga, but the last 16 years he co-anchored the news at WMBB in Panama City, Fl. WMBB News Director Tom Lewis said Mr. Brown was committed to his job and to Panama City. Mr. Lewis said Mr. Brown was a great mentor to young journalists and will be sorely missed by everyone. Mr. Lewis said Mr. Brown has been a leader in broadcast journalism. Mr. Brown plans to continue support of two of his favorite charities in north Florida - the Salvation Army and March of Dimes. Mr. Brown's final telecast was last Friday. He said he plans to remain in Panama City, may do some traveling, enjoy his wife and two daughters, and just take life easy. This writer worked with Jerry Brown for several years at WDOD. I never heard anyone say anything negative about him. His afternoon program was at the top in radio ratings. Mr. Brown is a Christian gentleman and was very much interested in the community and his audience loved him. Mr. Brown was involved in several civic projects. Frankly we hated to see him leave WDOD and radio. Jerry, I wish you the best in your retirement. Vazgen Zohrabyan, an Armenian pastor who continues to spearhead ministry and ongoing relief efforts among refugees in his country, is visiting the United States and will share his story at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15, at Chattanooga Church. Last year, war between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupted over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Before the fighting stopped, more than 5,000 soldiers and civilians lost their lives and more than 100,000 refugees were forced from their neighborhoods and farms as the bombing continued for several weeks. Moved by the need of so many refugees, Pastor Vazgen and Abovyan City Church reached out to their community through Facebook to see if they could help anyoneand more than 2,000 responses poured in over the next few days. Vazgen, overwhelmed by the response, broke down in tears with his wife one night. As he cried out to God, the phone rang. Mission Eurasia President Sergey Rakhuba reached out to see how his organization could help Vazgen and his community. Since then, the pastor and his church of about 300 members and other ministry partners have worked alongside Mission Eurasia to hand out 10,000 food packages and tons of clothing to refugee families and also distribute thousands of Bibles and other Christian literature. Though a ceasefire agreement has been reached, and some refugees have returned home, many families still struggle to rebuild their lives. To help those struggling emotionally from the crisis, the church has led critical training and counseling and also opened bakeries to meet more physical and spiritual needs. Please join us at Chattanooga Church to hear Pastor Vazgens story. For more information, please contact Pastor Morty Lloyd, who also is the vice president of development at Mission Eurasia, at Morty@missioneurasia.org or 423 593-3043. The Catoosa County Senior Center is expanding its offering of services for people 60 years of age and up through a partnership with regional agencies that are able to provide enhanced support for nutrition, mobility, transportation, household needs, home healthcare, advocacy and more. The partnership includes the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, Area Agency on Aging and Coosa Valley Regional Services. Our commissioners and I are committed to providing the best quality services and support for our senior neighbors, said Catoosa County Board of Commissioners Chairman Steven M. Henry. We have worked hard to strengthen our relationships with outstanding regional partners who understand the needs of our seniors. A shared goal of the partnership is to assist elderly citizens with their desire to continue living in their homes and community instead of long-term facilities. This is accomplished through daily hot meal service at the Senior Center, home meal delivery through the Meals on Wheels program, caregiver assistance, housekeeping services, legal resources, Alzheimer and dementia care and home healthcare. We are so excited to partner with local, regional and state resources to bring the highest level of services and opportunities to Catoosa Countys senior citizens. said Lloyd Frasier, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission executive director. I invite people to visit the Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging website or call 1-800-759-2963 for more detailed information. The Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in 15 counties of northwest Georgia with support and services designed to assist them live safely, healthy and independently in their homes and communities, said Lynne Reeves, Area Agency on Aging director. We are continuing to serve senior citizens in Catoosa County and look forward to more enhanced program delivery through our partnership with the county and its leadership. Coosa Valley Regional Services works through 10 senior centers in nine northwest Georgia counties to provide activities, congregate and home delivered meals. It is Coosa Valleys mission to provide services to the aging and disabled population and to enhance their quality of life and well-being while maintaining the dignity and respect they deserve, said Coosa Valley Regional Services Executive Director Stacey Holbrook. We have served Catoosa County for over 25 years and are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the county, its senior citizens, and the board of commissioners. We will strive to have a strong, positive workforce and work environment with better communication between clients and staff. The Catoosa County Senior Center, at 144 Catoosa Cir. in Ringgold, is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and can be contacted during those hours at (706) 935-3555. People who have questions about activities and meals provided by Coosa Valley Regional Services can call (706) 935-2541. Daily activities are scheduled to promote good nutrition, engagement, companionship, and physical activity. Area 61 Gallery opens a new featured artists show Spience and Organics by local artists Denice Bizot and Bob McElhaney during this weeks First Friday Open House Friday from 6-8 p.m. Review for the exhibits: Ms. Bizot's latest work featured in Spience - a mashup of Spiritual & Science - was inspired by absorbing an assortment of new thought information with an open mind from podcasts and a diverse reading list during the global shutdown. Topics and conversations involved New Earth-living in the 4th density, Starseeds, our two-sun solar system, the multiverse, chakras, the seven densities, quantum physics, energy healing, sun, fire and water gazing...And thats the short list. Hints of what piqued Ms. Bizot's interest are seen in the designs, process, and titles of the pieces in SPIENCE, like Expansion Who Knew This, Would Happen, Mineral aka 2nd Density, Crown Chakra, Sacred/Scared, and more. Organics features wood creations by Mr. McElhaney. After a successful career in the construction industry, he learned the art of wood-turning in retirement. For the past 13 years he has sought out rare and unusual wood to use in his art creations. He experiments with various shapes and sizes and turns or carves to reveal the uniqueness of the inner grain, natural defects and character of the wood. Both Ms. Bizot and Mr. McElhaney often use discarded materials for their creations. Ms. Bizot scours salvage yards for her metal sculpture canvases and Mr. McElhaney collects discarded wood chunks from the side of the road or through his network of friends and professionals that notify him of fallen trees. Ms. Bizot and McElhaney will be available to meet during the opening reception Friday at Area 61 Gallery, 721 Broad St., left of the Tivoli Theatre. This featured artist show will continue to evolve and update as pieces sell and new work is added through September. Regular gallery hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12-6 p.m. or by appointment Tuesday-Thursday by calling 648-9367 to schedule. If youre among the dedicated Bosch fan base, it shouldnt surprise you that star Titus Welliver is as multi-layered as his character Harry Bosch. The Amazon Prime video series follows an unshakable Hollywood homicide detective as he tries to solve some of Los Angeless grittiest, most disturbing crimes including that of his mother. In real life, Welliver has a story just as interesting. Heres a fast-five rundown before the Bosch spinoff arrives. Titus Welliver is an audiobook narrator of several books, including Bosch Titus Welliver attends Amazon Red Carpet Premiere Screening For Season Two Of Original Drama Series, Bosch | Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Amazon Studios RELATED: Bosch Season 7 Review: Harry Bosch Takes a Stand As the star of Bosch, it makes sense that Welliver also narrates the audiobooks by Michael Connelly. Thats not the only one of Connellys projects Welliver can be heard on. Hes also narrated The Crossing, The Burning Room, and The Wrong Side of Goodbye for the author. As for other books, Welliver narrated Robert B. Parkers American Western novels, Appaloosa, Brimstone, Blue-Eyed Devil, and Ironhorse. That said, if youre missing Harry Bosch and his smooth-as-butter voice, download one of these to get your fix. Welliver has been married five times and has four children Much like his Bosch character, Wellivers relationship department had a few dings. The star has been married a total of five times. Three of those to Heather Wielandt, Dani Sexton, and Joanna Heimbold (with whom he shares two sons) ended in divorce. Wellivers fourth wife, Elizabeth Alexander, died from breast cancer. The two share a daughter. Two years after losing Alexander, Welliver wed Jose Stemkens. The two made it to 2019 before that, too, ended in divorce. They share one daughter together. Yes those tattoos shown on Bosch are real RELATED: Bosch Season 7: Natalia Castellanos Talks Playing the Mayor of LA in Final Season of Amazon Series NBCs Good Girls utilized faux tattoos for cartel member Rio (Manny Montana) but all that ink on Welliver is real. The star has more than 30 pieces of art on his body with his latest in early July. Welliver also added that hes been going to Sunset Strip Tattoo since 1990. Each one represents something personal, he told Inked in 2018. Some of them are the names and birth dates of my children, and others relate to my Irish and Native American background. The Bosch star has lived with a lot of tragedy Harry Bosch carries a lot of weight. Its something viewers can feel through his mannerisms and conversations without having to explain in explicit detail whats bothering him. Welliver can relate as hes been dealt plenty of tough cards throughout his life. Seven months later my stepmother, who I loved dearly, and my younger brother, Eli, was killed in Thailand at the age of 21, and my older brother, Silas, died from a form of muscular dystrophy, Welliver told the Toledo Blade in 2015. He died at 45. When one sustains that kind of loss I think its very difficult to trust happiness. So I think in many ways it formed not always the best parts of myself. After the death of Eli, Wellivers father Neil a famed landscape painter hired private investigators to look into it, but received death threats and had to go into hiding. He appeared in every Ben Affleck-directed movies up until 2016 RELATED: Bosch Spinoff: Michael Connelly Has Revealed Some Major Details About the New Show If youre a Bosch fan and think Welliver looks familiar, its likely because the star has appeared in a ton of projects over the years. Aside from some of his more famous projects like Sons of Anarchy and The Good Wife, hes also appeared in every Ben Affleck-directed movie between 2007 and 2016. Those films include Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo, and Live by Night. The 90 Day Fiance series Darcey & Stacey is officially back with season 2. Fans can catch new episodes on Mondays on TLC and discovery+. The drama hasnt gone anywhere for fans of the first season. Darcey Silva and Georgi Rusev are still having problems. This week, Darcey learns that Georgis car has been repossessed. Darcey Silva | Raymond Hall/GC Images Darcey Silvas fiance has a room in Washington D.C. still on Darcey & Stacey Georgi has been living with Darcey in Connecticut during quarantine, although he still has a room in D.C. It was something that concerned Darcey. However, Georgi explained that until his ongoing divorce was concluded, he still needed to be a resident in D.C. But Georgi is now divorced from his former wife, and its finally official. However, Georgi still has his room in D.C. Darcey broached the subject, and Georgi was receptive. Darcey asks him, I mean I feel like you still have some things in D.C. What are you going to do about all that? But Georgi said he just needed to go get his stuff. Darcey comes along too after Georgi says she can come along, which wasnt a smooth conversation between them. Darcey also invited her sister, Stacey Silva, and her husband, Florian Sukaj, to go to D.C. with them after Stacey says that sometimes Darcey puts on blinders, and she wants her to make sure she sticks to her guns. Darcey Silva and Georgi Rusev head to Washington D.C. with Stacey Silva and Florian Sukaj RELATED: Darcey & Stacey: Georgi Rusev Explains the Money in the Sock The day finally comes for the four of them to head to D.C. so Georgi can move his stuff. Darcey drives a big SUV, and during the drive, she learns some interesting information from Georgi. What do you have in D.C. that you want to bring back? Darcey asks Georgi. You never know what you have until you start moving, Georgi replies. Then Darcey mentions Georgis car. Good thing the other car is just sitting there, you havent used it in months, she says. The bank pick it up, he casually says. Hmm? Darcey asks. For repossession, Georgi clarifies. Of course, Darcey questions that, and Georgi adds, Yeah, I dont make payments. Georgi told me that he has a car in D.C. that he said he wants to take back to Connecticut, Darcey tells the camera. But I just found out it just got repossessed. Once again Im finding out these things last minute, and I cant keep piecing it together like a f puzzle piece. You know, I hate f puzzles. Georgi also adds, It is what it is. I mean, I know the credit here in United States very important but, I mean, what I can do? The repossession gets brought up again They get to the hotel in Virginia, and the next day, Darcey brings the situation of the repossession up again, and Georgi tells her, I wanna protect you because I love you. And I dont wanna tell you stuffs happening because I dont wanna stress you out, I dont wanna worry you, because I know you have your own issues you need to deal with. Darcey insists Georgi can tell her anything. And Georgi tells her that he cares about her and doesnt want to freak her out. Not because Im hiding something, its because Im protecting you, he says. Sometimes I dont open up about my problems because for me to open up is like complaining about your problems, and I dont like to complain because in Bulgaria thats how Im raised, he reveals to the camera. They end up hugging it out. Well have to see what else comes up as season 2 of Darcey & Stacey continues. Kanye West never does what people expect him to. From running for president to interrupting Taylor Swift at the VMAs, fans are used to West doing things differently. And it seems like hes not done. West is currently living in Atlantas Mercedes-Benz stadium while he finishes his latest album, Donda. The work promises to be some of his most personal music to date, and West is going all out to make it the best it can be. Kanye West is basically roughing it in Atlantas Mercedes-Benz stadium Kanye West | Getty Images Photos of Wests current living quarters were shared online a few days ago and are a far cry from his sprawling Wyoming ranch. West posted a pic of the room he is staying in while working on Donda. A stadium isnt designed to have living space, so it makes sense that theres no luxurious suite for West to stay in. It seems like he set up camp in some glorified utility closet. The room has no windows, although there is a flat-screen TV. In one corner is a twin bed. From the looks of it, Wests new bed could be an air mattress. There doesnt appear to be a frame, and it makes sense that West would get a temporary bed for his temporary living space. Of course, a stadium is no hotel, so there are no dressers or drawers for clothes. Wests scant belongings are placed neatly against the wall of the room. There appears to be an open suitcase against the closet. A bottle of some alcohol sits next to a single glass by the bed. Donda was all but finished before Kanye West held his release party West moving into the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to finish work on Donda is ironic. The whole reason he went to the stadium was to celebrate the finished product. Donda was all but done, according to West. He held a listening party on July 22nd. The event sold out the stadium. Something at the event inspired West because he decided to stay at the stadium to finish the album. The album is deeply personal for West, and his behavior at the event reflected that. According to Page Six, sources claim that West shed a few tears at the event. His recent separation from wife Kim Kardashian West seemed to be weighing heavily on Wests mind since he became emotional while rapping about losing his family. What will be on Donda? Donda is surely in part about loss. Although fans attribute Wests emotional response to his impending divorce, the whole album is in memory of Wests deceased mother. Donda West died of complications from plastic surgery in 2007, and her parting hit West hard. West and his mother were very close. Donda West was a brilliant woman who obviously passed her love of language and art to her son. She was an English professor and later managed Wests career. West and his mom may be so close because they only had each other for a long time. Wests dad left the picture when he was still small, so Donda West raised her son as a single mom. She later headed both West Brands LLC and The Kanye West Foundation. Donda West was quite the multitasker because she somehow found time to write a book shortly before she died. Despite obligations as a manager, chief executive of West Brands, and the Kanye West Foundation chairwoman, Donda West released Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar just a few months before her untimely passing. Fans can expect tracks about Donda West on this upcoming album and some about Wests life in Calabasas. RELATED: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West Divorce: Everything Thats Happened Since Their Split Holy Super Kook, indeed. Outer Banks Season 2 saw John B. (played by Chase Stokes) and Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline) travel to the Bahamas to retrieve the $400 million gold treasure stolen by Sarahs father (Charles Esten). He hid the gold inside the Camerons massive Bahamas villa, which in reality, is not in the Bahamas at all. In real life, the $40 million villa featured in Outer Banks is located in Barbados, and its been a popular vacation home to Prince Harry and countless celebrities. Heres everything you need to know about the beautiful mansion fit for the King of the Kooks, Ward Cameron. Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron and Chase Stokes as John B. in Outer Banks Season 2 | Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix Outer Banks Season 2 was set in the Bahamas, but filmed in Barbados The second season of Outer Banks was largely filmed in Barbados. The showrunners did not clarify why they chose to film here instead of the Bahamas, but set decorator Missy Ricker did reveal how they chose the Barbados mansion, called Cove Spring House. She explained to House Beautiful that two Outer Banks creators hired a location scout in the Caribbean island. Two of our writers, Josh Pate and Shannon Burke, actually hired a local location scout in Barbados to find the location, and they saw the house and fell in love with it! Ricker said. Although the Barbados house was only briefly shown in Outer Banks Season 2, viewers did catch a glimpse of the exterior and some of its interior decor. Much of the home remained in its original form. However, the set designers did add in a few Cameron touches, including family photos and artwork. The bones of the house were already gorgeous lovely furnishings with a clean and minimal look and palette, Ricker continued. I worked with several local contacts to find local artists and rented their original pieces to hang in the house, which included paintings, drawings, and even some ceramic sculpture. The Camerons vacation home was once occupied by Prince Harry guaranteed to be a trip you'll never forget, or ur money back!! pic.twitter.com/XjquxtrhOy obxnetflix (@obxnetflix) August 2, 2021 In Outer Banks, the Camerons had the home built for them. But in reality, Cove Spring House has been home to several famous faces. The villa even housed royalty in 2010, as Prince Harry once occupied the home. According to Hello Magazine, he and Prince Seesio of Lesotho stayed in Cove Spring House when they launched the Sentebale Polo Cup in January that year. Chestertons reveals that the home has 10 bathrooms, seven bedrooms in the main beachfront house, and a 3-bedroom guesthouse. It also includes a private gym, spa, jacuzzi, media room, private beach access, and a resort-style pool area. With a clifftop view overlooking the Caribbean Sea, its no wonder why Cove Spring House has become so popular. The $40 million Barbados villa has been popular among other celebrities i knew the camerons were rich but HOLY SUPERKOOK #obx2 pic.twitter.com/VLfp1EOolN obxnetflix (@obxnetflix) July 31, 2021 According to Hello, the Barbados home used in Outer Banks has also housed Simon Cowell. He used Spring Cove House in the British version of The X Factor. Elton John, Rihanna, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, and Rod Stewart have also vacationed here. Chestertons currently has the home listed for sale for a whopping $40 million. However, in 2020, it was listed at $25 million. Those who want to live the Kook life for a short while can check out the official website to rent a stay at Cove Spring House. RELATED: Outer Banks: Would John B. Really Get Sentenced to the Death Penalty in North Carolina? Sam Heughan booked the role of a lifetime with Jamie Fraser. The Outlander leading man is beloved by fans of both the books and series. And over the shows last five seasons (soon to be six), Outlanders fan base has only grown. And as a result, Heughans. But there are downsides to playing the fictional Scottish highlander. And in a recent interview, Heughan said he would have thought twice about accepting the role had he known then what those downsides would be. Sam Heughan | Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images Sam Heughan says the Outlander fan base can be overwhelming Speaking with Alex Zane on the Just the Facts podcast, Heughan revealed the hard parts about playing Jamie Fraser. Its remarkable and it has this great fan base and I was totally unaware of it when I first got the job, he said. If I had known about the fan base I think I probably wouldve thought twice because it just wouldve been so overwhelming. Indeed, Outlanders fandom is massive. And each fan has their own relationship to the characters, both the book and screen versions. The team at STARZ has worked hard to make the show a loyal adaptation of Diana Gabaldons books and please fans. And producer Maril Davis said they knew they had a hit series on their hands when the fans loved an early screening of the Outlander pilot. As she said in an episode of the official Outlander podcast in May 2021: I knew it had the potential, but I think, as you know, in this industry nothing is for sure. And even things you think are gonna be a smash sometimes dont for various reasons. But I do think I had a pretty good indication when we had an event before we even premiered in Los Angeles. It was really our first big event. We invited fans to come see the first episode and a Q&A. After that and how well that did, I was like, OK, I think this is going to do really well. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan in Outlander Season 6 | Robert Wilson/STARZ RELATED: Outlander Season 6: How Old Are Jamie and Claire in the New Season? What are Sam Heughans fans called? Outlander took Heughan from a struggling actor to a global star. It did the same for his co-star, Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire Fraser. Their on-screen chemistry has inspired a fandom of its own. The Outlander shippers are RPF (Real Person Fiction) shippers who hope to see Heughan and Balfe get together in real life. They arent together. In fact, Balfe is married. But some fans dream of the on-screen Jamie and Claire being a couple in real life one day. Heughan has his own individual fandom as well called Heughans Heughligans. But it was a different group of Outlander fans that the actor had to call out for harassment in 2020. Unfortunately, there are Outlander fans who Heughan says have bullied him on social media for years. They went so far as to send Heughan death threats and stalk him and his loved ones at times. Heughan called for a stop to the harassment in a Twitter statement in March 2020. After the past six years of constant bullying, harassment, stalking and false narrative I am at a loss, upset, hurt, and have to speak out, he said. Its affecting my life, mental state and is a daily concern. He said the harassment included personal slurs, shaming, abuse, death threats, stalking, sharing of private information and vile, false narrative directed at him, his co-stars, and loved ones. When he was isolating in Hawaii during the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people reportedly stalked his housing accommodations. The Outlander cast Balfe, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, and more spoke out in support of Heughans statement. RELATED: Outlander Spinoff Conversations Are Underway, Producer Says Heres the Likely Star The good outweighs the bad when it comes to playing Jamie Fraser The vitriol is unfortunately something hes had to deal with throughout the production of Outlanders six seasons (season 6 debuts in February 2022). The intensity comes from a deep investment in a character, but that doesnt excuse harassment. Heughan said: I think playing an iconic character, and I think Jamie Frasers definitely one, people are. Theyre obsessed with these characters because theyre so invested in them and they want them to be real and they want to get as close to them as possible. So I think sometimes it is hard for people to separate the actor from the character. Some other difficulties are that Heughan has had to turn down some exciting roles because it didnt work out with Outlanders filming schedule. But overall, playing Jamie Fraser in Outlander has been more rewarding than it has been difficult. The 41-year-old star said the role has changed his life. In a professional sense, hes offered roles outright now instead of having to audition for all of his parts. And he feels hes part of a new category of actors who have played leading men. But the thing hes especially grateful for the support the fans give of his work outside of Outlander, including his charitable efforts. Laura Ann Spangler Howard, 77 of Laramie, WY was called home to be with her family in Heaven on Wednesday July 21, 2021. She was born on June 3, 1944 in Chickasha,OK to Orby and Mabel Spangler. Ann graduated from Chickasha High School. She married her husband Michel Don Howard on September 2 We continue series with Northern Seminary DMin grads who summarize their chapter from Wise Church. This post is by Julie Murdock. Music is a time-honored way of lifting our voices together in praise and thanksgiving to God our Father as well as introducing and reinforcing important lessons of our faith. (p.87) Music and, more specifically singing, has been integral to Christianity at our defining moments; the angels sang celebrating the birth of Jesus, and Jesus and the apostles sang hymns as a part of the Last Supper. Regrettably, music has also been a source of conflict within churches, especially during the last 200 years. I would imagine that most, if not all, church leaders at some point in time have encountered hymn wars. These conflicts are emotionally charged because music speaks to our emotions, our traditions, and our soul. Although music in most churches serves in a secondary or support position, the dissensions surrounding hymns and music often take front stage in the life of the congregation. Traditional or contemporary, organ or guitar, the musical preferences often pit segments of the church family against one another: younger versus older, conservative versus progressive, tradition versus innovation. The time and resources spent in finding solutions or options to please everyone tax the church through the creation of multiple services, multiple hymnals or songbooks, multiple groups of musicians, or any other multitude of solutions the church has witnessed over the last 50+ years. This is a most unfortunate development and, in the truest Proverbial sense, foolish. Music has been and can continue to be a powerful tool in the transmission of wisdom and in building a culture of wisdom. Like no other mode of communication, music has the power to transcend the spoken word and relate what is being said to the emotional and spiritual self in addition to the rational self. In discerning how music can be used wisely as a tool for growing wisdom, it is important to examine how the church has used music throughout its past to worship as well as teach. Additionally, it is important to understand how music impacts the listener as they listen and after. Knowing the history of music in the church, the traditions that have been passed down for millennia, and understanding the conscious and sub-conscious reactions to music can nor only help leaders of the church choose wise music, but also address the conflict which arise from musical choices. The early church, born from the cradle of Judaism, sang Psalms and hymns as they had been accustomed to in the synagogue. Gentile converts to Christianity also were comfortable with singing hymns to God as it was common in the worship of pagan gods as well. This early music was centered around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Thus, it was also engaged as a pedagogical tool for the transmission and reinforcement of the basic beliefs of Christian faith. Singin hymns and psalms was also encouraged as a practice not only as a form of personal worship and devotions, but also as a way to keep the churchs teaching in mind. As teachings began to diverge, the church used hymns to promote orthodoxy and combat heresies. In the 4th century CE when Christianity became legal and churches were no longer required to meet in small groups in secret, congregation size swelled. At the same time, hymnody increased; many believe that this was in part a result of less intimate practice of the Eucharist. Also during this era, there surfaced some debates on whether or not hymns should be used in services at all as some church fathers were uncomfortable with the similarities between Christian and pagan practices. Specifically, the flute and cithara were viewed as pagan instruments, whereas the harp and lyre were thought to be acceptable due to their use in the Psalms. After the reformation, church leaders discovered a new use for music, involving the congregation in worship, although this view was not unanimous. Up to this time, hymns were composed mainly of psalms and scripture. However, in the 18th century, and most notably in the Methodist tradition, hymns began to be written and sung as a guide to Christian living and practical doctrines of the Christian faith. While remaining true to scripture, they attempted to answer questions on a more practical level. Some examples of these new topics were the goodness of God, rejoicing of fellowship, and songs appropriate to the seasons of the church calendar. There were churches who resisted this new direction in hymnody, notably the Church of England and Catholic church. The Great Awakening saw hymns which combined worship and teachings with experiences of the community. No where is this more evident than in the moving Negro Spirituals which were created in the 19th century and are still sung today. Throughout the history of the church, music has been used to praise and worship God and to teach scriptural truths and doctrines which are important for the congregants to rehearse. As noted above, in addition to rich traditional heritage, we are impacted by music in more ways than singing or listening. Through the experience of music, we benefit from a synergy between the words and the music, creating an experience that is more than the parts. On a corporate scale, uniting voices in praise and worship reinforces feelings of unity and koinonia. Additionally, when the music is chosen in agreement with the sermon or scriptural teaching, the message is reinforced, underlined, if you will, by the emotions encountered through the singing and participation. On the individual level, each hearer participates mimetically in the music, whether through singing, humming, or simply moving in rhythm. This mimetic participation fosters feelings of achievement as well as belonging. The more familiar a listener is with a piece of music, the more powerful its impact in that the mind receives a reward as sense is made from the music and the message is reinforced. Mimetic participation motivates and forms conceptions in the mind of the congregant. Combining a message with music which will reinforce the aims of the message and help listeners to conceptualize the message results in a powerful tool. As a tool, this mimetic action can be used wisely, or a tool which can cause damage and misconceptions. In conclusion, the church has always used music and hymnody first for praise and worship, and secondly as a pedagogical tool. They have also been used to address Christian living in practical means and celebrate the Christian life of love and fellowship. These messages and lessons have a lasting impact on the congregants as they leave the church. They will reflect on the music and the message well past Sunday morning by mimetically participating in the music. Church leaders can use this influential tool to guide their congregations and foster growth in wisdom by choosing hymns that maintain the churchs original focus on worship and the life of Christ and using it to communicate sound doctrine and guidance. Great care and attention should be given to the selection of music for the service understanding the lasting and impactful effect the hymns will have on their listeners. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, What should I do then? I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. (1 Cor. 14:15) Chinese communist officials forcibly remove crosses from Christian fishermens boats Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Communist officials in Chinas Zhejiang province forcibly removed crosses and other Christian symbols from Christians' fishing boats and threatened to cancel their fishing permits, according to a report. Officials from Qushan County, an island, did not show any legal documents when they forced Christian fishermen to remove crosses and Emmanuel slogans painted on their boats last Wednesday, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog China Aid reported. The officials, who appeared to target only Christians, and not individuals from other beliefs, threatened the fishermen that if they refused to allow them to remove the Christian symbols, they would not grant them fishing permits and nor would they allow them to purchase gasoline or drive their boats. The government is completely unreasonable, a fisherman wrote online, according to China Aid. Fishing boats are our personal property. We have the right to put crosses on our boats. Religious freedom is written in the Constitution. However, it is just empty talk. The government never enforces the Constitution. Another fisherman wrote: The county government is destroying personal property when they forcibly remove crosses, isnt it? Why do they only remove crosses, but not signs and slogans from other religions? Why do crosses bother them? If they dont like a cross, why cant they simply regard it as the logo of The Red Cross? About a third of the 70,000 residents in Qushan island are Christians. People in Qushan first heard the Gospel more than 100 years ago and Christianity is a vital part of the life and culture there, according to China Aid. Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, estimates that there are about 97 million Christians in China, a large percentage of whom worship in what China considers to be illegal and unregistered underground house churches. According to recently-released reports, religious persecution in China intensified in 2020, with thousands of Christians affected by church closures and other human rights abuses. Under the direction of President Xi Jinping, CCP officials are enforcing strict controls on religion, according to a report released in March by China Aid. Christians in both official, state-run churches and house churches were ordered to fly the Chinese flag and sing patriotic songs in services. Authorities in China are also cracking down on Christianity by removing Bible apps and Christian WeChat public accounts as new highly restrictive administrative measures on religious staff went into effect this year. Last October, internet censorship targeting Christians in China became so severe that even official government-sanctioned Christian groups started using the Chinese Pinyin initials JD to replace Chinese characters for Christ, China Aid reported at the time. China is ranked on Open Doors USAs World Watch List as one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians. The U.S. State Department has also labeled China as a country of particular concern for continuing to engage in particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Historian Gary Scott Smith recently spoke with the Institute for Faith and Freedom think tank about his new book discussing the religious beliefs of iconic American author Mark Twain. Below is an edited transcript of that interview. Institute for Faith and Freedom: Oxford University Press has just published your book, Mark Twain: Preacher, Prophet, and Social Philosopher, as part of its Spiritual Lives Series. Why did you write this book? Smith: No other American author has attracted as much scholarly or popular attention as Mark Twain. Hundreds of books, articles and films tell the story of his life, writings and influence. Despite being born in an obscure village in Missouri and having little formal education, Twain was arguably Americas greatest writer from 1870 to 1910 and is one of the nations premier authors. His literary works have intrigued, illuminated, inspired and irritated millions from the late 1860s to the present. Twain has been dubbed the most dominating personality in American literature and the Lincoln of our literature. His works have helped shape Americans view of ourselves and our national identity. Twains magnetic personality, striking appearance, national and world speaking tours, stage presence and genius for publicity made him widely known and respected. Twains likeness, photographed and drawn, is probably the most frequently reproduced in human history. Among Americans, only Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln have been quoted as often as Mark Twain. Despite the intense focus on Twain as a literary figure, his perspective of religion has often been misconstrued and his extensive discussion of religious themes in his varied writings has been underappreciated. Most scholars have ignored or underplayed the spiritual dimensions of both Twains literary works and life. Literature professors have especially paid little attention to the place of religion in Twains life or fiction. Many Twain scholars have argued incorrectly that he knew little about or had little interest in Christian doctrines. In many of his books, short stories, and essays, however, Twain discussed biblical concepts, sometimes accepting but also often questioning, lampooning, and revolting against them. IFF: What was Twains religious perspective? Smith: Those who have investigated Twains religious views have disagreed substantively about what he believed. Some biographers insist that Twain was a secularist, an atheist or an agnostic who rejected Christianity, while others argue that Twain accepted many Christian doctrines and primarily critiqued faulty understandings of Christianity and its adherents failure to live by its teachings. Since Twains death, many skeptics of Christianity have cited him for support. Christopher Hitchens, for example, includes some of Twains writings in The Portable Atheist (2007), and atheist websites often feature Twain quotations. To some, Twains ridicule of missionaries in Roughing It, his lampooning of camp meeting revivals in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, his skewering of Christian concepts of the afterlife in Extract from Captain Stormfields Visit to Heaven, and his attack on major Christian doctrines in What Is Man? clearly demonstrate his anti-Christian perspective. IFF: Is this perspective correct? Smith: In some ways, Twains assault on religious orthodoxy is as scathing as those of leading 21st-century detractors or of the attacks lodged by Robert Ingersoll, Americas best-known late 19th-century critic of Christianity. Twain criticized the character of God, predestination, the Calvinist concept of election, Christs invention of Hell, Gods alleged admission of only a small percentage of people to Heaven and numerous other Christian doctrines. Twain raised many questions about Christianity, expressed doubts about the Christian God, Jesus, and the Bible, and even offered an alternative conception of God. Despite his Presbyterian upbringing, substantial knowledge of the Bible, frequent worship at Congregational churches as an adult, and friendships with many ministers, Twain seemed unable to believe the central Christian message that he probably heard hundreds of times: God loves people unconditionally and offers them His grace, and salvation depends on peoples response to Christ, not their good deeds. IFF: What roles did Twain play during his life? Smith: Twain was a journeyman printer, riverboat pilot, prospector, miner, journalist, novelist, humorist, businessman and world traveler. These roles, combined with his incredible imagination and astonishing creativity, enabled him to devise some of American literatures most memorable characters and enthralling stories. IFF: About what themes did Twain write? Smith: Twain tackled universal themes with penetrating insight and wit, including the character of God, human nature, providence, sin, the problem of evil, the conditions of heaven, political corruption, greed, poverty, racism and imperialism. He denounced discrimination against African Americans, Asian Americans, Jews, women and blue-collar workers. Arguably, no other American literary figure wrote so persistently, passionately, provocatively and prophetically about religious issues and social ills during the Gilded Age. IFF: So, how important was religion to Twain? Smith: His collected works contain more references to the Bible than to any other literary work and are saturated with religious imagery and allusions. Many elements of Twains work, including his characters, plots, themes and settings, reveal a fascination with religion. IFF: What is your final assessment of Twains religious convictions? Smith: Twain was mesmerized, perplexed, frustrated, infuriated and inspired by Christianity. As much as any public figure of his era, he strove to understand, critique and occasionally promote various theological ideas and insights. He referred to himself, sometimes in jest, as a theologian, missionary, prophet and saint, and as the Reverend Mark Twain. On the other hand, he was called a skeptic, an agnostic, an unbeliever, an apostate, a heretic, a Profaner of Divinity and a son of the devil. Many of his published worksespecially those that Twain deemed too provocative to print while he was alive as well as his autobiography condemn not only the repeated failings of Christians to live up to the best features of their faith but also the metaphysical and the ethical foundations of Christianity. Ironically, a man so wracked with guilt, so tormented by loss, so preoccupied with human foibles, so pessimistic about human nature and so angry with God wrote some of the worlds wittiest prose and evoked laughter in countless people. Strikingly, a man who loved his family and friends so deeply did not during his final decades feel the love of God. Nevertheless, by ruminating extensively about religious themes and issues, Twain has given us much to contemplate. Originally published at the Institute for Faith and Freedom. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Most Americans are familiar with Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Many Americans, however, have not yet heard of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Center, an upcoming Supreme Court case that could overturn Roe and likely return jurisdiction over abortion legislation to the states. What should Americans, and especially Christians, know about Dobbs? Is it possible that Roe v. Wade could be overturned? These and other questions are important to consider as the Supreme Court prepares to reconsider its abortion jurisprudence. Context Since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973, there have been an estimated 62 million abortions in the United States. The Roe decision created abortion rights on the basis of a supposed right to privacy provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. Under Roe, the Court initially established a trimester system and prevented states from restricting abortion in the first trimester. An accompanying case, Doe v. Bolton, made it almost impossible to restrict abortion in the later trimesters as well. In 1992, the Supreme Court revisited Roe in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. It replaced the trimester system with the standard that states cannot impose an undue burden on pre-viability abortion. Although infants were once thought to reach viability at 28 weeks, modern medicine has determined that children can survive outside of the womb beginning around 22 weeks, thus moving the point of viability to earlier in gestation than it had been understood to be at the time of Roe. Mississippis law In 2018, Mississippi passed the Gestational Age Act (known as HB 1510), which prohibits elective abortions post-15 weeks gestation. The law points out that America is out-of-step with international norms regarding abortion: The United States is one (1) of only seven (7) nations in the world that permits nontherapeutic or elective abortion-on-demand after the 20th week of gestation. In fact, fully 75% of all nations do not permit abortion after 12 weeks gestation, except (in most instances) to save the life and to preserve the physical health of the mother. On the same day that the Gestational Age Act was signed into law, Dr. Sacheen Carr-Ellis filed suit on behalf of Jackson Womens Health Organization, the only abortion facility in Mississippi. A district court evaluated the Gestational Age Act and declared it to be unconstitutional on the basis that the point of a babys viability outside the womb was the earliest point at which the state could implement a legislative ban to protect fetal life. When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district courts ruling, Mississippi appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Mississippis law directly challenges the abortion jurisprudence of Roe and Casey, and its brief in the case calls upon the court to overturn these two decisions, stating, [N]othing in constitutional text, structure, history, or tradition supports a right to abortion. If Roe and Casey were overturned, the question of abortions legality would likely fall to the states. Twenty-one states currently have laws that would immediately come into effect and restrict abortion in some manner if Roe and Casey were overturned. Ten of those states have trigger laws that would immediately ban all or nearly all abortions. Christian reflections The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). It also affirms the personhood of the unborn. Consequently, abortion is morally incompatible with these truths. Probably the most well-known articulation of the Bibles affirmation of the unborn is found in Psalm 139, where David refers to his unborn self as being fully individual, not an impersonal fetus with no moral value: "For you [God] formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Ps. 139:13-16)." The prophet Jeremiah provides a high view of human life in the womb: Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jer. 1:4-5) Notably, the prophet is consecrated and appointed to his vocation while in utero. God explains to Jeremiah that He formed and knew him prior to this birth. The passage reveals that God had a personal relationship with the unborn prophet, similar to how He relates to him as an adult. Other pro-life passages include Isaiah 49:1b, Luke 1:39-45, Psalm 51:5-6, Job 3:3, Judges 13:3-5 and Genesis 25:22-23. Christians should care about the Dobbs case because it poses a serious legal challenge to a deadly practice that is incompatible with Christian ethics abortion. We urge you to follow activity related to the Dobbs case and join us in praying that the U.S. Supreme Court would act to defend life. For a more in-depth survey of what the Bible has to say about abortion and the personhood of the unborn, we invite you to read FRCs helpful resource Biblical Principles for Pro-Life Engagement. For more information on what would happen if Roe v. Wade were overturned, we invite you to read our explainer on this consequential case. Originally published at Family Research Council. Georgia megachurch, UMC conference enter mediation amid threat of separation, asset seizure Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Georgia megachurch seeking to leave the United Methodist Church and the regional church body that recently seized its assets have begun a mediation process to resolve the tenuous situation. Mt. Bethel UMC of Marietta, which has about 10,000 members, and the UMC North Georgia Conference jointly announced Wednesday that they are looking to resolve their differences. Mt. Bethel UMC and the UMC's North Georgia Conference have jointly agreed to use their best efforts to resolve an ongoing dispute through a mediation process and will refrain from public comment on this matter until the mediation process has concluded, reads the statement. The joint statement also explained that Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, a private school overseen by the megachurch that serves kindergarten through 12th grade, will also be included in the mediation process. In April, Mt. Bethel leadership unanimously voted to begin a process of discernment for leaving the UMC, citing as reasons the reassignment of lead pastor Jody Ray and what they considered the overall direction of the mainline Protestant denomination. UMC pastors are usually assigned to a congregation for one year at a time, with the possibility of being sent to another congregation or a different role occurring annually. Given the recent actions of our bishop and the direction of the United Methodist denomination, both the leadership and members of Mt. Bethel Church strongly believe it is time for us to part ways with the denomination, a church spokesperson told The Christian Post in April. We believe this process could be accomplished in a matter of months if the Bishop and the North Georgia Annual Conference are willing to enter into an amicable and orderly disaffiliation. The church went on to state that its members simply want to continue serving in this great community and making our church a beacon of hope for all Gods people. Mt. Bethel also filed a complaint before the UMC Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops. The church accused North Georgia Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson and a local district superintendent of Disobedience to the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church and Haupert-Johnson of Relationships and/or Behaviors that Undermines the Ministry of Another Pastor. Haupert-Johnson wrote a pastoral letter defending the decision to reassign Ray to another position, saying it was not done out of spite. The placement of a pastor is not done as a form of punishment. The reassignment of a pastor is not designed to persecute, wrote Haupert-Johnson in April. Instead, the process is begun with the goal of matching the gifts and graces of a particular pastor with the ministry needs of a particular congregation and community in a particular season. Ray maintained that he wasn't consulted about the reassignment to a position in the conference on racial reconciliation. On July 12, the conference announced that it had seized control of the church's assets, explaining in a statement that it did so out of love for the church and its mission." The conference cited exigent circumstances for the decision. Given this determination, all assets of the local church have transferred immediately to the Conference Board of Trustees of the North Georgia Conference, stated the conference at the time. These conference agencies have taken action to preserve the legacy of the Mt. Bethel church and its longstanding history of mission and ministry. Mt. Bethel leadership disputed the claims of exigent circumstances, pointing to examples of the contrary, such as the church having a vibrant congregation, financial stability and adhering to Book of Discipline rules on clergy. Despite an unresolved formal complaint, Mt. Bethel has agreed to accept appointed clergy under protest given that said proposal has been approved by the North Georgia Conference and is now official, stated the church on an FAQ page entry. Mt. Bethel has not violated the Discipline by hiring its preaching pastor, nor has it allowed uncredentialed use of the Pulpit." NY archdiocese says priests cant grant religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccine Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The leadership of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has issued a memorandum saying that priests cannot grant religious exemptions to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. In a memorandum dated July 30 and recently circulated on social media, Archdiocese Chancellor John P. Cahill informed all clergy and staff that there was no basis for a priest to issue a religious exemption to the vaccine. Pope Francis has made it very clear that it is morally acceptable to take any of the vaccines and said we have the moral responsibility to get vaccinated, read the memo, in part. By doing so [a priest] is acting in contradiction to the directives of the Pope and is participating in an act that could have serious consequences to others. Cahill wrote with concern about the possibility of a hypothetical student receiving a religious exemption, only to contract the coronavirus and then spread it to others at a school. Clearly this would be an embarrassment to the archdiocese, continued the memo. Some even argue that it might impose personal liability on the priest. The memo concluded that while a person is free to exercise discretion on getting the vaccine based on his or her own beliefs, the archdioceses clergy should not be active participants to such actions. There has been some controversy over the COVID-19 vaccines in some Catholic and pro-life circles due to the research being tied to the practice of abortion. For example, the AstraZeneca vaccine was partly developed via growing a modified virus in cells taken from embryonic kidney tissue derived from an abortion performed decades ago. However, researchers tied to the AstraZeneca vaccine have stressed that the aborted tissue was only used for testing it and was not part of the vaccine itself. Also, the Moderna vaccine was developed from the HEK-293T cell line, which was indirectly derived from aborted fetal cells taken from a baby aborted in the Netherlands in the 1970s. Last December, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church issued a statement expressing support for the COVID-19 vaccine despite its research history. It is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process, stated the CDF, as reported by Vatican News. The CDF clarified that the morally licit use of these types of vaccines, in the particular conditions that make it so, does not in itself constitute a legitimation, even indirect, of the practice of abortion, and necessarily assumes the opposition to this practice by those who make use of these vaccines. In the absence of other means to stop or even prevent the epidemic, the common good may recommend vaccination, especially to protect the weakest and most exposed, the statement continued. Catholic charity has sent nearly $50M to aid Syrians since start of civil war Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment To provide spiritual, financial and physical support to Syrians amid the ongoing economic crisis in Syria, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need has sent close to $50 million in aid to conduct various projects since the start of the civil war in the Middle East country. In partnership with numerous churches in Syria, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has provided ongoing support, including food, rent, medical aid and psychological support to thousands of Christian families in the country, which has endured nearly a decade of war and terrorism. A representative from Aid to the Church in Need confirms that the charity has provided rent for hundreds of families in Aleppo for a year. The charity also runs a summer holiday program for disabled children who have suffered injuries from the war or were born disabled. Since September 2020, the organization has also provided over 1,000 families with affordable bread. In recent years, the charity pledged over 1 million ($1.3 million) for projects in Syria. Since 2011, the start of the Syrian civil war, the charity has sent close to $50 million to provide pastoral and humanitarian aid to Syrias Christian population. There are so many Syrians who went from supporting themselves to waiting in lines for help, and this has created a real sense of loss of dignity because many have become completely reliant on aid from our charity to survive, said Edward Clancy, the director of outreach for Aid to the Church in Need, told CP. We have to make sure that Christians in Syria are supported. We dont want the churches in Syria to become just a bunch of museums or empty buildings that are only open to people who are visitors simply because the Syrian residents stop finding hope in their churches. Conflict erupted in Syria in 2011. Since then, the United Nations reports that over 5 million Syrians have fled the country, while 6 million are internally displaced. The international agency estimates that about 13 million people are in need of assistance. In addition to the civil conflict, Syrians have also been terrorized by Islamic extremists groups, such as the Islamic State. Clancy told CP that since 2011, Aid to the Church in Need has provided about $35 million toward humanitarian aid (food, healthcare and housing), just under $7 million to support education and nearly $5.5 million for the reconstruction of homes, churches, schools and community centers. More than $1 million in general pastoral and community support. Clancy, who has worked for ACN Charity for over 20 years and has been a director of the charity for 13 years, said he has been passionate about helping others in need for over a decade. As Christians, we are called to live and express faith to others, and evangelization happens in the way you serve others, Clancy said. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Jesus died serving, and I think its our duty to do as Jesus did by living to serve. There are so many people in Syria that are in desperate need right now, and they dont want to flee their country because that is the home they know. There is a dire need. Many residents in Syria are without electricity, Clancy said. And without the ability to power a refrigerator, milk and food will spoil. Aid to the Church in Need has helped provide non-perishable items like flour, rice, dry beans, oil, sugar and powdered milk for many families in need. The charity has built a soup kitchen and a social market in Syria while also building two COVID-19 testing centers, as well as providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizers to many families, according to Clancy. Many children in Syria do not have access to nutritional items that they need, such as milk, so we have worked to provide non-perishable items and powdered milk to as many families as we can so that their children can get the nutrition they need to be healthy and grow, he said. Theres no simple answer for these Syrian people because there are many diplomatic, civil, religious and economic issues coming together in one place. ... Christians had a life, and now it has gotten much worse. Clancy has not visited Syria in person in several years. However, his organization continues to be run by one staff member working on the ground in Syria alongside many priests and nuns from various Syrian church communities to help run the charity's efforts. The testimonies that Ive seen on video from many of the Syrian people has told me and many others working to support the charity that we are helping in big ways, Clancy said. I think the biggest fear that many of these Syrians have is to be forgotten. Our biggest goal is to give hope, light and faith to people in difficult situations because faith moves us beyond darkness. Clancy encourages people everywhere to pray for peace and hope in Syria. My prayer is that God would give the leadership in Syria wisdom to lead and that they will have a lasting impact on the Christian community in Syria, he said. I hope that the communities that were most harshly affected will have healing and recovery and for the community to go back to the ability to grow. Security and reconciliation: How Canadian dioceses are responding to wave of church arsons Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dioceses in Canada are responding in various ways to the wave of church arsons and attacks following the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at multiple religious, residential schools that once aimed to reeducate indigenous children. As several Canadian churches have been physically attacked over the summer, The Christian Post reached out to dioceses in Canada for their perspectives on what is happening and what measures they are taking in response. Many churches are taking action to increase security for their buildings while some are working to foster reconciliation. Security The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nelson, based in British Columbia, has seen four mission churches burned down that were located in First Nations Reserves and two other churches vandalized with paint. Bishop Gregory Bittman told The Christian Post via email that the regional body has suggested to its parishes consider having extra security for our churches, either professional or volunteer. It is regrettable that more suffering and harm is being inflicted on people, especially the indigenous people by these acts of violence," the bishop stated. "It is no solution, and only perpetuates the cycle of violence." Bittman said he believes government officials should take a more active part in stopping the apparent uptick in church violence, stating that they could do more as they have done with other churches or institutions. In May, the remains of 215 children were found buried at a property on which the Kamloops Indian Residential School stood in British Columbia, which closed its doors in 1978. The school was affiliated with the Catholic Church and was part of a national system overseen by government and religious authorities to assimilate indigenous communities. Soon after, an additional 751 unmarked graves were found near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, which had also been under Catholic Church administration. Following these revelations, dozens of churches have suffered from arson or vandalism, especially those in western indigenous territories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, located in the southern part of Saskatchewan, has yet to experience any arson or vandalism during the summer. Nevertheless, Regina Archdiocese spokesperson Lisa Polk told CP that the parishes are making preparations to double-check or expand upon their security measures. All parishes have completed an Arson Risk Assessment and Church Safety Checklist and have taken steps to reduce the risk of arson and vandalism, she explained. Some have initiated or increased security patrols of their property during the overnight period. A couple of parishes have added video surveillance cameras to their security systems. Although largely impacting Catholic church buildings, Anglican and Orthodox congregations have also been targets during the summer. Truth and Reconciliation Although many churches and dioceses are concerned about the apparent uptick in arson attacks since the residential schools report, many want to focus on racial reconciliation labors. Catherine Pate, director of communication for the British Columbia-based Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets, told CP that churches in her diocese are more focused on doing the work of reconciliation and decolonization. We, in this diocese, are not focused on the spate of vandalisms, but are instead focusing our time and energy on the reconciliatory work we need to do and are doing as a church, said Pate. Pate viewed this as the true Gospel work we are called to and directed CP to a 2015 report created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of the University of Manitoba. Among the reports 94 calls to action, some spoke of what churches, namely those tied to the residential schools, should do in response to the abuses of indigenous Canadians. These include calling on Pope Francis to issue an apology for the Roman Catholic Churchs role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children in Catholic-run residential schools." The report calls for churches to dialogue with indigenous religious leaders and help fund projects to benefit native populations. The Catholic Archdiocese of Regina directed CP to a statement by Archbishop Donald Bolen released in June. He spoke about the church regional bodys own Diocesan Committee for Truth and Reconciliation. Formed under Archbishop Bolen, the committee comprised both indigenous and non-members, which took up the Calls to Action addressed to churches. We tried many things. Some worked and some did not, stated Bolen. But the Committee for Truth and Reconciliation proved an effective way to listen to many different Indigenous voices, and to learn to walk together. We do not want to suppress or hide from the suffering of the past, nor to overlook or dismiss the many ways that Indigenous people in the present continue to carry the heavy burdens of the legacy of residential schools. We desire to turn our apologies into concrete plans of action oriented to justice, healing and reconciliation. Despite the apparent wave of anti-church violence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had no plans as of late July to form a national task force to address the issue, according to the Jesuit news publication America Magazine. While we are certainly sensitive to recent events, we will allow the evidence to guide us in each of the investigations and will not speculate as to possible motives, stated Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the RCMP in British Columbia, as reported by America Magazine. Our officers have been working closely with indigenous leaders and local church administration to discuss possible options with respect to crime prevention. Ex-Planned Parenthood head claims abortion giant wanted to exploit her miscarriage in new book Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Former Planned Parenthood President Dr. Leana Wen claims in a new book that the abortion giant tried to exploit her miscarriage as a public relations stunt, adding that pro-choice critics blasted her public grief for stigmatizing abortion. Wen, an emergency physician and former Baltimore health commissioner, only served as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund president for eight months from late 2018 into 2019 and cited philosophical differences with the organization after the board voted her out of the top position. In her new book released last week, Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health, she explains how the nation's largest abortion provider urged her to blame her departure from the organization on her miscarriage that she suffered during the end of her tenure at the organization. She said her loss from miscarriage was devastating in a way that I couldnt have anticipated, Business Insider reported. Planned Parenthood reportedly encouraged Wen to use her miscarriage to explain her departure as president of the organization even though the actual reason was her difference in opinion on the organization's future. "This was offensive and hurtful on so many levels," she wrote. She detailed the heartbreak of her miscarriage in a Washington Post op-ed published in July 2019. When the test results confirmed [pregnancy loss], I felt numb, Wen wrote in the article intended to break the silence and shame that often come with pregnancy loss. Wen, who has two children, said she could not fathom the additional trauma if the news of her miscarriage was made public by those wishing to use it to promote their purpose. She said that her miscarriage made her commitment to womens healthcare even stronger, criticizing state laws that allow investigations into mothers who've miscarried. "What cruelty would that be, to compound the trauma of my miscarriage with the indignity of a government investigation into my personal medical records?" she wrote in the op-ed. When she spoke of the heartbreak from her miscarriage openly, Wen claimed Planned Parenthood activists criticized her, arguing that the discussion of the grief of pregnancy loss stigmatized abortion, according to Business Insider. An estimated one in four women has experienced a miscarriage, and the cause is often unknown. Women often experience grief and emotional lows after losing a baby to a miscarriage. Wen shared in July 2019 a New York Times op-ed regarding her departure from the organization that she sought to focus more on womens healthcare during her tenure as president. But Planned Parenthood sought a more abortion-centric political mission. When Planned Parenthoods board finally voted her out of her position, she learned of the news from a New York Times news alert on her phone. Wen said she attempted to depoliticize Planned Parenthood and turn it from a progressive political entity into a mainstream health care organization." However, she and her team faced opposition from within. "But the team that I brought in, experts in public health and health policy, faced daily internal opposition from those who saw my goals as mission creep," she wrote. "There was even more criticism as we worked to change the perception that Planned Parenthood was just a progressive political entity and show that it was first and foremost a mainstream health care organization. " In her farewell message to colleagues, Wen cited "philosophical differences over the best way to protect reproductive health." While the traditional approach has been through prioritizing advocating for abortion rights, I have long believed that the most effective way to advance reproductive health is to be clear that it is not a political issue but a health care one," she wrote. Though she said she was passionate about protecting abortion access, she did not see it as a stand-alone issue." "Ultimately, my departure is not about me or the organization I continue to care deeply about," she wrote. "It goes beyond the movement for reproductive rights to the very ethos of our country. Can we put aside partisan differences to do what is best for the people we serve? Will the conversation continue to be dominated by a vocal minority from both ends of the spectrum, or can there be space for those of us in the middle to come together around shared values?" Alexis McGill Johnson, a social justice advocate, replaced Wen and now serves as the Planned Parenthood president. Cassy Fiano-Chesser of the pro-life activist organization Live Action argued Sunday that Planned Parenthood tried to "exploit her miscarriage." "Planned Parenthood wants Americans to believe it is a health care organization, but as soon as a medical doctor arrived on the scene who wanted to refocus its mission to health care, Planned Parenthood removed her, replacing her with another political organizer focused on abortion," Fiano-Chesser wrote. "Rather than admit its true goal of expanding abortion and its motivation behind firing Wen (she wasnt pro-abortion enough), Planned Parenthood tried to use her tragic miscarriage to hide the truth and silence her." 'Antiracists are the new racists': Black civil rights veteran Bob Woodson slams CRT Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Distinguished African American civil rights activist Bob Woodson recently expressed his opposition to critical race theory, arguing that the ideology in question is "racist" in nature. In an interview with conservative Christian author and radio host Eric Metaxas posted online Wednesday, Woodson discussed his issues with CRT and its proponents. Woodson, who spent years coordinating community development programs local and national organizations, including the NAACP, said that the "so-called antiracists are the new racists." Lets be very clear, said Woodson. They are propagating a theory that harkens back to the days of racism, where they are saying that we should not be judged by the content of our character, but by the color of our skin. He said that the arguments of CRT were an "esoteric debate on campuses for many years." "But then after the George Floyd and other incidents, the radical left has migrated it into the public domain and using it now as an instrument to attack American whites, attack democracy," he added. "Its being used as a pervasive strategy to really undermine the values and principles of the nation. Metaxas concurred, saying that CRT proponents are trying to get people to think racially, compelling people to think more in terms of racial identity than individual identity. It makes you look through the lens of race, which you and I know as Christians, as Americans, we know that thats wrong no matter where it goes, no matter where its coming from, Metaxas told Woodson. Theres something unhealthy about it, and it undermines our unity as Americans. It undermines our unity as believers. Whats wrong with Critical Race Theory? The first thing I would say is that it encourages people to think about race more and not less. Woodson described CRT as destructive to all Americans, but especially for African Americans because it tells them that personal responsibility has no role in our future. Despite being opposed to CRT, Woodson disagreed with the plans of some lawmakers and others to censor the ideology, believing that debate and dialogue were better alternatives. The pushback from that is not to ban it, continued Woodson. The best disinfectant is sunshine. So what we should do is challenge those who are propagating this destructive theory to prove how does it improve the quality of life of the people. How does it improve the quality of life? Does it increase performances in schools? Does it promote the kind of unity that we need to address the problems confronting America? he asked. Born in Philadelphia in 1937, Woodson became active in the civil rights movement and community development efforts. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and served with the National Urban League in New York City the early 1970s. From 1974 to 1981, Woodson was a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He also directed the Neighborhood Revitalization Project in Washington, D.C. He founded the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise in Washington, D.C, which was re-christened the Woodson Center in 2016. The center seeks to empower indigenous leaders in troubled neighborhoods to increase public safety, spur upward mobility and inspire racial unity in America. In March, Woodson penned an op-ed arguing that the "Civil Rights Movement of which I was proudly a part has been betrayed by a twisted progressive ideology that hyper-racializes our country." "It divides our country into two groups: on the one side, blacks and other minorities who are permanent and powerless victims; and on the other irredeemable white supremacists, bent on their destruction," he warned. "Instead of helping to create a society in which all have an equal opportunity to thrive, it insists that systemic racism prevents anyone except 'privileged' whites from succeeding." Critical race theory drew its origins to the 1970s when academics and other intellectuals sought to explain the apparent loss of momentum of the 1960s civil rights movement. By and large, CRT proponents came to believe that the fundamental institutions of the United States were inherently and pervasively racist and geared towards defending white elites. Notable intellectuals of the movement include Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, Richard Delgado, Charles Lawrence III and Mari Matsuda, who in 1993 co-wrote a book titled Words That Wound: Critical Race Theory, Assaultive Speech, And The First Amendment. In the introduction of the 1993 book, the CRT proponents explained that their views were [b]orrowing from and critiquing other intellectual traditions, among them Marxism, feminism, postmodernism, and liberalism. Our work presented racism not as isolated instances of conscious bigoted decision making or prejudiced practice, but as larger, systemic, structural, and cultural, as deeply psychologically and socially ingrained, they explained. CRT has been criticized by many, especially conservatives, under the accusation that the movement wrongly vilifies the U.S. and is more racially divisive than informative. Many school boards have debated proposals to add CRT-inspired materials to the curriculum, while some state legislatures have advanced measures to ban CRT from classrooms. Ousted Episcopal school teacher slams woke curriculum: 'There is no math without objectivity' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A teacher who was ousted after publicly airing his concerns about "antiracism" training at an elite New York City private school warns that an ideology taking aim at the concept of objectivity is harming American students. Paul Rossi, a former math teacher at the Grace Church School in Manhattan, appeared on Fox News Thursday to explain that the curriculum embraced by the $57,000-per-year school associated with the Association of Episcopal Schools is not an isolated incident. Rossi shared his concerns in an April 13 op-ed titled I Refuse to Stand By While My Students Are Indoctrinated. I got into trouble because at a racially segregated Zoom meeting, I questioned the facilitators assertion that values like objectivity and individualism were characteristics of white supremacy. I wanted to model for my students, who I knew had doubts that they couldnt voice, that its okay to question these beliefs and ideas that were being misrepresented as knowledge. The former teacher noted that after he raised objections, students did start to ask questions. Rossi said he was publicly reprimanded and had his classes reassigned. After he published the op-ed in April, he was "barred from the building. Whats the effect on our society when the most powerful people send their kids to schools that teach those kids theres no such thing as objectivity and individualism is racist and you can judge someone by the color of his skin? host Tucker Carlson asked Rossi. Rossi said, students are being sort of seduced away from their personal identity, their preferences, their character, their interests, goals and dreams into this group identity based around race and gender. My school, like so many others, induces students via shame and sophistry to identify primarily with their race before their individual identities are fully formed," Rossi told Carlson. "Students are pressured to conform their opinions to those broadly associated with their race and gender and to minimize or dismiss individual experiences that dont match those assumptions. The morally compromised status of oppressor is assigned to one group of students based on their immutable characteristics," he added. "In the meantime, dependency, resentment and moral superiority are cultivated in students considered oppressed." Rossi warned that once that "collectivist mindset is exposed to children by third or fourth grade, they will run on top of that kind of operating system" based on "all of the various claims that are made about our history, the one-sided claims. While he acknowledged that there is much truth to the claims, he alleged, they present a one-sided view of that and also about how that carries through to the present day. Im a math teacher. There is no math without objectivity, he declared. We have black and brown students struggling in math across the country. How does it help them succeed to tie objectivity to what is an ultimate evil? Rossi announced that he is working on a book illustrating for parents how these ideas manifest for their children in the classroom and what is happening on the ground for students. The book will include interviews with teachers, students and psychological experts, he added. In his April op-ed, Rossi said that the Antiracist training at his school "requires teachers like myself to treat students differently on the basis of race." "Furthermore, in order to maintain a united front for our students, teachers at Grace are directed to confine our doubts about this pedagogical framework to conversations with an in-house 'Office of Community Engagement' for whom every significant objection leads to a foregone conclusion," he said. "Any doubting students are likewise 'challenged' to reframe their views to conform to this orthodoxy." In his op-ed, Rossi admitted that he knew that publishing the piece could lead to loss of employment as an educator because too many schools are "captive to this backward ideology." "But witnessing the harmful impact it has on children, I cant stay silent," he argued. "They report that, in their classes and other discussions, they must never challenge any of the premises of our 'antiracist' teachings, which are deeply informed by Critical Race Theory. These concerns are confirmed for me when I attend grade-level and all-school meetings about race or gender issues. There, I witness student after student sticking to a narrow script of acceptable responses. Teachers praise insights when they articulate the existing framework or expand it to apply to novel domains. Meantime, it is common for teachers to exhort students who remain silent that 'we really need to hear from you.' Encyclopedia Brittanica defines critical race theory as an intellectual movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to express and exploit people of colour. Those who subscribe to critical race theory believe that the law and legal institutions in the United States are inherently racist insofar as they function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans. Several states have worked to ban the teaching of critical race theory in public schools in recent weeks. Grace Church School has come under fire for its Inclusive Language Guide, which advised students and staff members to refrain from using the terms Mom and Dad, traditional family, Happy Holidays and boys and girls. The guide suggested the use of phrases such as grown-ups, folks or family, Have a great break and people, folks, friends, readers, (and) mathematicians as more inclusive alternatives. The guide characterized the term traditional family as outdated because each family is unique. It also asserted that human sexuality exists across a spectrum, sexual orientation is a choice rather than an identity, and that when we see the skin tones of people, assumptions are made about how someone identifies racially. Therefore, people cannot be colorblind as it pertains to race. RZIM leader Vince Vitale announces resignation in wake of Ravi Zacharias scandal Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Vince Vitale of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries has announced his decision to step down from the organization, effective next week, along with his wife, Jo, who also works for the ministry. In a letter, they said they had undergone a time of repentance following a devastating report last December into alleged sexual misconduct by the ministry's founder, the late Ravi Zacharias. "Thank you for allowing us a few minutes of your time. We have sought to spend this season lamenting, listening, and learning from others rather than speaking," the Vitales said. The couple said that since the publication of the report, they had sought to live with "three very strong convictions." "One of these convictions was that God was leading us to take seriously what we personally needed to repent of to spend far more of our prayers, thoughts, and words on our own mistakes and failures than on those of anyone else," they said. "Another conviction, this our most pressing, was that RZIM's response to the grave abuse that occurred was critically important most crucially for the survivors, and also for the mission and witness of the wider church in sober recognition of the need to do far better to ensure that the vulnerable are seen and heard and valued and safe." The couple then said they stayed with the organization until now because they wanted to be able to speak into "significant decisions" about RZIM's future and its response to victims in the months that followed the release of the report. "The third conviction we have lived with since December has been that once we had done what we could to encourage a victim-centered response, it would be important for us to step into a substantial season of reordering," they said. "This is why we are resigning now in order to embrace the time and space needed to allow ourselves to be deeply formed by all that we have been humbled by and wrecked over in the last year." Looking to the future, the Vitales said they wanted to spend the next season in a period of introspection. "One challenge we want to wrestle with is to what extent subconscious desires, for example to be thought well of or to preserve relationships, might have contributed to some of the ways we acted and failed to act," they said. The letter ends by expressing their desire to do better going forward. "We will always deeply grieve the suffering and the ways in which we contributed to it, but it is our prayer that the grief we carry from this will serve as a lasting reminder of our duty to care for the many whose wounds are far deeper than our own," they said. Originally published by Christian Today Lutheran bishops worldwide condemn criminal prosecution of Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Lutheran bishops from around the world have issued a statement condemning the criminal prosecution of Paivi Rasanen, a Christian politician who is facing six years in prison for sharing her biblical beliefs on sexuality and marriage, and Finnish Bishop-elect Juhana Pohjola, who distributed a pamphlet written by Rasanen. The actions of the Finnish State in prosecuting Christians for holding to the clear teaching of the very words of Jesus regarding marriage and sex (Matthew 19:4-6) are egregious, says the statement issued by the International Lutheran Council and joined by the bishops and presidents of dozens of Lutheran church bodies worldwide. Rasanen, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, could face up to six years in prison after being charged with three counts of ethnic agitation related to statements she made expressing her beliefs about human sexuality and marriage. A longstanding member of the Finnish Parliament, Rasanen publicly voiced her opinion on marriage in a 2004 booklet on sexual ethics, describing marriage as between one man and one woman. She also expressed her views on a 2019 radio show and tweeted church leadership on the matter. Pohjola, the bishop-elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, has also been charged with one count of ethnic agitation for publishing Rasanens booklet. The accused clearly affirm the divinely given dignity, value, and human rights of all, including all who identify with the LGBTQ community, says the letter, titled A Protest and Call for Free Religious Speech in Finland. We Lutherans make this strong confession along with Drs. Pohjola and Rasanen, it continues. The vast majority of Christians in all nations, including Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, share these convictions. Would the Finnish Prosecutor General condemn us all? Moreover, shall the Finnish State risk governmental sanctions from other states based on the abuse of foundational human rights? Prosecutors determined that Rasanens previous statements disparage and discriminate against LGBT individuals and foment intolerance and defamation. The mother of five maintains that her expressions are legal and should not be censored. I cannot accept that voicing my religious beliefs could mean imprisonment, said Rasanen in a statement previously issued by ADF International, which is representing her. I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering or insulting anyone. My statements were all based on the Bibles teachings on marriage and sexuality. She added, I will not back down from my views. I will not be intimidated into hiding my faith. The more Christians keep silent on controversial themes, the narrower the space for freedom of speech gets. In May, law professors and scholars called on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to pressure the State Department to sanction Finlands prosecutor general for prosecuting Rasanen and Pohjola. In an open letter published by Real Clear Politics, professors from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University argued that the prosecution of the politician for her remarks could compel Finlands clergy and lay religious believers to choose between prison and abandoning teachings of their various faiths. Rasanen is no stranger to controversy as she has become known as a prominent Finnish defender of traditional Christian views on marriage, euthanasia and abortion. As Evangelical Focus noted earlier, Rasanens views are often more conservative than those in the ECLF leadership. Some of the most recognizable and successful businesses in the world today started as side hustles with humble beginnings. Steve Jobs was working the night shift at Atari while spending his free time during the day on a project that would ultimately become Apple. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were side projects that quickly blossomed beyond the wildest imaginations of their creators. Meanwhile, other businesses such as Spanx, Yankee Candle and Under Armour started as passion projects that grew into major global brands. Of course, those success stories have more often than not been the exception instead of the rule. So much of succeeding with any type of business is about identifying a product or service that is greatly needed, figuring out how to fund the project and then determining ways to scale the business. Sometimes, all this must be done, of course, while you are still working your primary job. It can sometimes be maddening and exhausting trying to work a day job that pays the bills while also devoting time and energy to a side hustle you are hopeful will one day become your main source of income. If you can survive the double duty long enough and find success with that side hustle, ultimately it can become your path to entrepreneurship, being your own boss and, if you are lucky, achieving all of your goals. Related: Now's the Perfect Time to Launch Your Amazon Side Hustle I can speak to this from experience. I personally have had more than one side hustle six of them, actually. I tried it all from vending machines at my parents restaurants, to a failed apparel company, to my now current, full-time focus of helping businesses find the capital that they need to grow. Not long after college, I worked for Bonobos and helped the company transition from an online-only business model to becoming one of the first digitally native brands to roll out a meaningful brick-and-mortar-retail presence. While working there, a coworker turned me onto online affiliate marketing. We marketed whatever would pay us a good commission, and that ultimately led me to online lending and, more specifically, purchase-order finance. What started out as my side hustle ultimately allowed me to transition into a career in finance that I was always after. Even now, seven years later, I apply the same side-hustle mentality and practices to my full-time job with Star Funding, Inc. With Star Funding, we help small companies grow their business through purchase-order financing and factoring. My experience with a side hustle taught me some valuable lessons. You must make sure that you are working efficiently on your side hustle because of the limited time you have available. The biggest key is working smarter and utilizing the best tools in the market to scale your business. Then, let other people manage the aspects of it that you cant handle, and you will be successful. Related: Stop Calling It a Side Hustle Here are my five tips to help you manage your side hustle. 1. Use social-media-management tools Social media is probably the best way to communicate with your customers and prospective customers today. Without the right social-media-management tools, you will need to spend hours each day posting, updating and engaging. Loomly is a tool that I use to manage multiple social-media platforms. It allows you to sit down on a Sunday night, set up all of your social-media content for the week and then just push play. It automatically updates Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn so that you dont have to worry about waking up in the morning before going to work to update the social-media channels for your side business. Remember, so much of having success with a side hustle is about working smarter and not harder. 2. Hire a PR agency This is all about finding somebody who can help you create content and working to find the right outlets to get word out there so that youre not spending all week pitching publications and trying to find ways to get your voice heard. You sit down with a company, and it can help you come up with a strategy and then execute it. There are affordable and accessible options for young businesses that arent looking to spend tens of thousands of dollars on bigger public-relations firms. 3. Outsource, outsource, outsource I cant stress this one enough! Find reliable, project-based help with functions that you are not great at doing. Upwork, for example, allows you to outsource pretty much any function of work that you want done from bookkeeping, to accounting, to marketing, to social-media management, to content creation and web design. You can hire people to do that work on an hourly basis or by project. Or, as your business grows and you need someone to help with customer service and answer emails during the day when you arent there, you can find someone at a very reasonable cost on that platform without committing to long-term employees until you need them. 4. Find the right financing partner To be successful, you are going to have to find the right financing partner. Doing that will allow you to scale your company without interfering with your personal cashflow. Bootstrapping is important and finding the right lenders for your business is vital because they are the ones who can provide you the capital to grow. This way, you can still live the lifestyle that you want to live with your main, 9-to-5 job. If you can, find a lender who will help you with purchase-order financing and your accounts receivables to make sure that every transaction you get no matter how big or small is going to be taken care of. Purchase-order financing is a great program for side-hustle CEOs because youre not making a big commitment to long-term loans or something that you have to worry about paying back weekly or monthly. 5. Utilize sourcing agents If you are selling a physical product, turn to a sourcing agent for access to their network. Their network, expertise and, most importantly, their experience with product manufacturing, designing and importing will be vital for the growth of your company. There are companies that can help you design products and find the right manufacturers. In some cases, they can help you find the right products for your company, source the right manufacturers and help you manage the entire process. Related: 5 Reasons Why You Must Have a Side Hustle (Unless You're Happy Living Paycheck to Paycheck) Good luck finding success with your side hustle! Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Click here to read the full article. President Biden has called on Andrew Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment allegations from 11 women, joining a growing list of Democrats who are calling on New Yorks powerful three-term governor to step aside. The anti-Cuomo chorus got louder and larger Tuesday after after New York State Attorney General Letitia James released the findings of an independent investigation into the harassment allegations. James described the governors behavior as in violation of both federal and state law. That was enough for Biden, who had earlier said hed call on Cuomo to leave office if the investigation found the allegations to be credible. Im sure there were some embraces that were totally innocent, Biden said during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. Apparently the attorney general decided there were things that werent. When he was asked if he was calling on Cuomo to resign, Biden said yes. The president declined to say whether he thought Cuomo should be impeached if the governor does not resign. Cuomo has denied the allegations and did so again on Tuesday, this time by releasing a lengthy report and video that contested the allegations and questioned the motives of his accusers. The report included dozens of pages of photos of politicians hugging, part of the governors argument that none of his interactions with the women were abnormal. The report alleges Cuomos actions went well beyond gestures meant to convey warmth, nothing more, as Cuomo claimed. The 11 women alleging misconduct include a state trooper who says the governor touched her inappropriately and an executive assistant who says Coumo groped her breast and buttocks. The report also found Cuomo had retaliated against former staffer Lindsey Boylan by leaking internal documents about her to the press and drafting and circulating a letter seeking to discredit her. The Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women, the report said. Cuomo, known for his steamrolling style, had plenty of enemies before this, and calls for his resignation had begun months go, as sexual harassment claims against him accumulated. The release of the independent investigation report has supercharged efforts for his removal from office one way or another. All 27 Democratic U.S. representatives from New York have now called for Cuomo to step down, with Reps. Tom Suozzi, Hakeem Jeffries, and Gregory Meeks speaking up today for the first time. The office of Attorney General [Leticia] James conducted a complete, thorough and professional investigation of the disturbing allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo. The investigation has found that the Governor engaged in abusive behavior toward women, including subordinates, created a hostile work environment and violated state and federal law, the three Democratic members of Congress said in a joint statement. We commend the brave women who came forward and spoke truth to power. The time has come for Governor Andrew Cuomo to do the right thing for the people of New York State and resign. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had also previously not weighed in, issued a statement Tuesday that praised Cuomos love of New York but urged him to resign. I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth, Pelosis statement read. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand renewed their March calls for Cuomo to resign. As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate, and completely unacceptable, they said in a joint statement. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign. Cuomo, however, shows no sign of going quietly. What matters to me at the end of the day is getting the most done I can for you and I will not be distracted from that job, he said in his video address. Click here to read the full article. Italian director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino first made a splash in Locarno in 2010 when his atmospheric short Diarchia, starring Louis Garrel, Riccardo Scamarcio and Alba Rohrwacher, scooped the Leopard of Tomorrow prize and went on to earn an honorable mention at Sundance. His feature debut, Antonia, was an intimate portrait of Italian poet Antonia Pozzi who, like the director, grew up in upper crust Milanese society. Hes back with Beckett, the English-language thriller that will open the Swiss fest toplining John David Washington as an American tourist hunted by unknown people amid political turbulence in Greece. Its a Netflix Original that will drop globally on the platform on Aug. 13. Cito Filomarino spoke to Variety about his transition into directing genre fare for a global audience It doesnt happen often that an Italian director goes from making an art movie about a poet to a manhunt thriller with a Hollywood star. How did that happen? I did not experience it that much as a transition. I love many things about cinema, and I love many different filmmakers and the idea of being able to tell different types of stories. When the opportunity came along to make a film about Antonia Pozzi, the poet, it resonated with me and I thought: Okay what is the best angle to go about this? And came up with that very intimate portrait. In parallel to this I have always loved, lets say, manhunt thrillers, and political thrillers before I even knew Antonia Pozzi existed. And I always dreamed that I could make my own version of that. Then there is also the reality that some movies are more practical, more realistic to put together as first features. What I mean is I didnt really feel the transition in my approach, my angle, my take, my taste. I apply that equally whether its a poet or a tourist hunted by unknown people in a foreign country. How did you come up with the story? I had this idea of adapting a book that was a sort of manhunt thriller into a movie, and when the book was not available the idea came along to just create a new story based on my personal specific passion for the genre. So it stems from various pieces of inspiration. From material that was literature, movies, graphic novels. The first thing I put together was a sort of Frankenstein monster of the things I wanted to put in the story. More or less what sort of general tone. The tone was the first thing I had to figure out and the general movement of the story. Then with the support of my producers [including Luca Guadagnino] I came across [screenwriter] Kevin Rice. Id read something that hed written that used genre in a very different way, with very tangible characters. He responded to what I wrote in that sort of draft of a story. I like the idea of our different backgrounds merging for the idea of making this genre film, with a specific angle which ended up being the angle of character. How did you get such an amazing cast that besides Washington also includes Alicia Vikander? First off it was crucial to have access to their representation and to these people themselves. That comes of course from the work of my producers. But I would say the most important element is the page. These actors would not have met with me if they hadnt liked what they read. Specifically I have to say what fun the first meeting was that I had with John David Washington. He told me: I love this character. Thats why I also shared my first feature with him and he spent a lot of time talking to me about why he liked it, which is exclusively character. The conversation started from the work itself. I imagine the main reason John David wanted to make this movie is he liked the opportunity. We had plenty of subsequent conversations developing the character. Why did you set the film in Greece? I dont want to spoil too much, but there is definitely political intrigue in the backdrop. In order for that to be in any way believable we needed the context of a country going through a difficult time, to say the least. As much as I am inspired by fiction, I also make it a very strong point to seek inspiration from the real world. While the story is completely fictional, we imagined the film to be set in the years when in Greece people were literally occupying streets and squares to protest. Then of course a manhunt film is in many ways a kind of road movie. And if you want to portray the sheer distance that is being covered, one way is to have a variety of different landscapes. I definitely wanted to find a place that was not very seen or known in international cinema. Mainland Greece is not very filmed in international cinema and it offers an immensely beautiful, very dramatic variety of landscapes from mountains and rivers to ancient cities and modern cities. Its got so much to discover! Talk to me about working once again with cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, who is Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakuls regular collaborator. Antonia was the first movie he shot out of Thailand, so a great friendship and collaboration continued. In this film, the point is that there is a sort of matrix that references American genre movies, lets say. But it is contaminated, in the positive sense, by the cinema lets say of Michael Powell, Im thinking 49th Parallel, of Costa Gavras, Im thinking Z, or Missing, of Hitchcock, of course. At the same way Sayombhu comes with his baggage, with his very specific taste. But in terms of the framing I make a point not to be too specifically inspired by cinema. I prefer to look at photography. So I collected a humungous amount of images and printed them all over my office in Athens. A fun thing Say and I did together when we were talking about prepping a scene and we needed ideas: we would just look at the wall! How does it feel to be back in Locarno? I have a special relationship with this festival. To put it quite simply I started existing as a filmmaker there. Therefore it was a sort of baptism. And now the idea that my first truly international film can be the opening film on the biggest screen in Europe, with thousands of people attending. It feels like a blessing, something that is very reassuring to me. It makes me feel like what Im trying to do is coherent at least and appreciated in a context that I feel is central to cinema today. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Brent N. Clarke/Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Country star Garth Brooks said he will be reassessing whether to continue his stadium tour because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Brooks said he is still scheduled to play the next two shows scheduled in Kansas City and Lincoln, Nebraska, but will not put tickets on sale for the next planned stop, Seattle in September. KAMIYOGA, Japan (AP) Jessica Springsteen had no luck going solo in Tokyo. Perhaps she'll do better with a band. The daughter of famed rocker Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band wife, Patti Scialfa, failed to qualify for the Olympic individual jumping finals at Tokyo's Equestrian Park on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old's Olympic debut was off to a strong start on the 14-jump course before her horse got uneasy around the 11th obstacle, and the pair earned four penalty points for knocking down a rail. That put her on the bubble of the 73-horse field for one of 30 spots in the final. She was formally eliminated about an hour after riding. She'll ride again Friday night as part of America's four-rider entry in the jumping team event. All in all, I'm thrilled with the round and I'm excited for the rest of the week," she said. Springsteen learned to ride on her family's horse farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and she was an alternate for the London Games in 2012 but didn't participate. She's been riding 12-year-old Don Juan van de Donkehove he answers just fine to Don for about two years. The duo arrived in Tokyo ranked 14th in the world. They whirled around a jumping course with a distinctly Japanese feel obstacles were adorned with life-sized sumo wrestlers, geisha kimonos, cherry blossoms and even a miniature recreation of a Japanese palace. In a sport without any household names, Springsteen has generated some rare buzz from Tokyo. Nearly all the mainstream press coverage for equestrian in the U.S. during these Games has focused on Springsteen. On the ground here, about a half dozen members of the Bruce Springsteen Japan Facebook group gathered outside the locked stadium last week to offer support. The rider herself has been buffered tightly from the attention. U.S. Equestrian denied requests for 1-on-1 interviews with her, and questions at a news conference Monday were screened by the public relations staff to block any mention of her famous family. Reporters in the mixed zone Tuesday were warned not to ask about her family. When a journalist began to ask about Springsteen's experiences riding as a child, a U.S. Equestrian staffer grabbed her and ushered her away. The Bosss daughter is hardly the first famous offspring to trot an Olympic track no surprise given the sports significant financial barriers. Princess Anne represented Britain in the eventing competition at the 1976 Montreal Games. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, jumped at London in 2012. Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, has also jumped for Team USA but never at the Olympics. This years field included another billionaire relative Egypts Nayer Nassar is the son-in-law of Bill Gates. Nassar ran a clean qualifier to earn a spot in Wednesday's finals. I support many athletes in the Tokyo Olympics at the moment, Gates wrote on Instagram. But there is no athlete I support more than my son-in-law Nayel Nassar. Good luck Nayel. Britain's Ben Maher had the fastest time among qualifiers who did not commit any penalties, a sharp showing as he begins his effort to follow countryman Nick Skelton as a gold medalist. Skelton retired after winning the 2016 championship. Steve Guerdat, the 2012 gold medalist, took on four penalties and was eliminated. Springsteen's teammates Kent Farrington and Laura Kraut also failed to make the final. ___ Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner ___ More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/2020-tokyo-games and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports MOAPA, Nev. (AP) Authorities said impairment is suspected in a wrong-way crash that killed two people in Interstate 15 in rural Clark County in southern Nevada. The Nevada Highway Patrol said the wrong-way vehicle was going southbound in the freeway's northbound lanes Monday night and that those killed included a juvenile. BOSTON (AP) Travelers between New York and Boston tired of the time-consuming hassles of crowded airports and commercial flights now have a more convenient, albeit pricey, alternative. Tailwind Air on Tuesday started direct nonstop seaplane service between Manhattan and Boston Harbor. The flights on eight-passenger aircraft between the New York Skyport on the East River and a floating dock in Boston Harbor take about 75 minutes. In Boston, a water taxi shuttles clients to and from the float on a seven-minute trip from the South Boston waterfront. Our service combines the accessibility of the train with the speed of a flight, CEO and Tailwind founder Alan Ram said in a statement. Although the seaplanes can cut total travel times up to 60%, flights start at $395 one way, which includes a standard-sized rolling bag up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms). The service is also dog friendly. The owners also point out that in a time of COVID-19, their service cuts down on the number of person-to-person interactions unavoidable in large airports and on commercial jets. Tailwind uses a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibians. The service currently offers four Boston-to-New York and four New York-to-Boston flights daily through November. Shop Adidas back-to-school sale for apparel under $30 Score great deals on athletic clothes and accessories before the sale ends on August 10. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) People who inject drugs in West Virginia's largest county should have expanded access to sterile syringes, testing and treatment in response to one of the nations highest spikes of HIV cases, according to federal and state recommendations released Tuesday. The report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health and Human Resources and Kanawha Countys health department comes amid a new state law that tightens requirements for needle exchange programs. Other guidance resulting from the CDC investigation includes getting the community involved in addressing the HIV outbreak and doing more analysis of public health data to understand the extent of injection drug use in Kanawha County. The agency also recommends expanding and improving so-called harm reduction programs that connect people with substance abuse treatment, recovery support and other health services. And it outlines actions that should be taken by agencies such as health departments, social services, clinical and correctional settings, and public safety. Dr. Ayne Amjad, the states health officer, said in a statement that the Bureau for Public Health is committed to assisting the community in keeping infection rates as low as possible. She said the state will continue to work with its partners to implement innovative approaches to delivery of prevention and care for people who inject drugs. The report found that there were 63 new intravenous drug-related HIV cases in Kanawha County from January 2019 through May 13 of this year. Before 2019, the average number of such cases in the county was less than five per year. The surge was attributed at least in part to the cancellation in 2018 of a needle exchange program in Kanawha County. Such programs for controlling disease outbreaks among intravenous drug users exist in dozens of states, but they are not without their critics, including in West Virginia, who say they dont do enough to prevent or stop drug abuse. Last month a preliminary report released by the CDC found emergency departments and inpatient medical personnel rarely conducted HIV testing on intravenous drug users in the county, which includes the state capital of Charleston and has 178,000 residents. Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill in April to put more stringent requirements on needle exchange programs, which opponents said would make it harder to get clean needles amid the HIV spike. A federal judge last month denied a request by the American Civil Liberties Unions West Virginia chapter to issue a permanent injunction. Under the law, operators of syringe collection and distribution programs would have to offer an array of health outreach services. Participants must show an identification card to receive a syringe, which must to be marked with the program passing them out. Another provision would give local governments the authority to bar certain groups or providers from setting up a needle exchange program. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Federal prosecutors are seeking to retry a former University of Tennessee researcher accused of hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from the federal government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Arrowood filed a one-page notice in U.S. District Court in the case against Anming Hu, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported on Tuesday. Hu was an associate professor in the universitys Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering when he was charged in February 2020 with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. A federal judge declared a mistrial in June after deliberating jurors said they had reached an impasse." Hu's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing the governments evidence of fraud is too weak. The Justice Department has cracked down on university researchers who conceal their ties to Chinese institutions. A Harvard chemistry professor was arrested on similar charges. Federal officials have warned schools to be on alert for espionage attempts, asserting that Beijing is intent on stealing intellectual property from Americas colleges and universities. Prosecutors say Hu defrauded the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by failing to disclose that he also was a professor at the Beijing University of Technology in China. Under federal law, NASA cannot fund or give grant money to Chinese-owned companies or universities. Hu's defense presented testimony that university officials told faculty the NASA restriction didnt apply to them. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Michael Paul Nelson, Oregon State University and Peter Mark Groffman, CUNY Graduate Center (THE CONVERSATION) Record-breaking heat waves and drought have left West Coast rivers lethally hot for salmon, literally cooked millions of mussels and clams in their shells and left forests primed to burn. The extraordinary severity of 2021s heat and drought, and its fires and floods, has many people questioning whether climate change, fueled by human actions, is progressing even faster than studies have predicted and what that means for the future. As ecologists, we have watched climate change play out over decades at long-term research sites in forests, fields and coastal areas across the U.S. A recent series of five papers in the journal Ecosphere presents more than 25 case studies from these sites, providing a unique perspective on the changes underway and whats likely ahead as the planet continues to warm. Here are snapshots of what were seeing firsthand in the National Science Foundations Long-Term Ecological Research Network sites, from the effect of increasing fires in Oregons Cascades to shifting marine life off the coast of Maine, and surprising resilience in Baltimores urban forests. Forests of the Pacific Northwest In the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest, scientists have been tracking changes in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, a 16,000-acre watershed, for 70 years. The forest is a blend of iconic old-growth hemlock, cedar and Douglas fir trees, many of them 400 to 500 years old; steep terrain; fast, cold-running streams; and a smattering of forest plantations. While its tempting to see permanence in an old-growth forest, the climate may be exceeding thresholds, pushing even these ecosystems dominated by long-lived trees into conditions outside of anything they have experienced. In the coming century, the rising temperature is expected to prolong summer droughts and increase winter floods as snow melts sooner or falls as rain. As a result, we anticipate more frequent and more severe forest fires, more trees dying and shifts in stream and land ecosystems. New species, such as timber wolves, are likely to move in, while some native species, such as the Northern spotted owl, disappear. Well also likely see shifts in public values and land management that can either help or hurt species survival. These changes will interact with one another in surprising, perhaps unimaginable, ways. The biological responses to changes in the physical systems have, thus far, been subtle and variable, but that could change. Even with records going back more than 70 years, the magnitude and direction of future changes is largely uncertain we can anticipate some changes, but there may be tipping points and interactions that we dont yet understand. Eastern forests rural and urban In the Northeastern U.S., the forests are younger because humans have been using the land longer and in more intense ways. At the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the ecosystem has shown remarkable resilience to disturbance. It was established by the Forest Service in 1955, and early research included clear-cutting entire watersheds to study the impact on the water quality and ecosystems. Current research there focuses on whether this capacity for resilience has been degraded by climate change, acid rain, invasion by pests and pathogens and the inexorable march of climate migrant species, such as oak and pine that may displace the sugar maple and beech that currently dominate the forest. These recent results suggest that in 50 years, these northern hardwood forests will likely still resemble the communities we see today, with sugar maple and beech dominating a closed-canopy forest. However, the responses of forest growth and tree species to the drivers of change now suggest that their resilience may be overwhelmed toward the end of the 21st century, resulting in a forest with markedly different structure and services. This might come as a surprise, but in comparing urban forest research sites, like a network site in Baltimore, with rural forests, we have found that some urban forests may actually be more resilient. In the same paper describing the resilience at Hubbard Brook, researchers discuss how forests in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern regions of the U.S. have experienced changes in biodiversity because of fire suppression and high deer populations that dont affect natural areas in cities as much. These changes reduce the resilience of these forests, resulting in the loss of oak and a suite of biodiversity and ecosystem services associated with these species. Midwestern fields Kellogg Biological Station in southwest Michigan is the only Long-Term Ecological Research site in an agricultural setting. Insects, and how they might change in a warming future, are a concern. Research here shows how the arrival of invasive predators has changed native and exotic predator and prey communities in ways that may make the ecosystems less resilient. Invasive species have the potential to reshape interactions among entire communities, in turn influencing ecosystem function and ecosystem services. Like shifting climate patterns, the movement of species outside their native ranges can have profound consequences for biodiversity and the functioning of communities in the invaded areas. In agricultural ecosystems of the north-central U.S., successive invasions of exotic lady beetle predators have influenced community structure and ecosystem processes with wide-ranging effect on both natural and managed ecosystems. Now the question is whether the changing climate will affect insect communities, with implications for pest management and native species loss. Shifting marine life in the Atlantic Changes in biodiversity are especially dynamic in coastal marine sites. In 2012, a researcher reported seeing a blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, swimming in the estuary of the Plum Island Ecosystem Long-Term Ecological Research site, an estuary in northeastern Massachusetts we call PIE. The site is in the cooler waters of the Gulf of Maine and 70 miles (114 km) north of the historical northern limit of blue crabs. Then, in 2014, a male fiddler crab, Minuca pugnax, turned up. Like the blue crab, its historic northern limit was south of PIE. Field surveys found that fiddler crabs were now not only in PIE, but as far north as Maine. The northern shift of these crabs habitat as the water warms reflects what scientists are seeing for marine species globally as global temperatures rise. The movement of species into nonnative ranges, whether as an introduced species or via climate-driven range shifts, represents a biological disturbance in the system. What that will mean for these species in the future, and the structure, function and services of ecosystems they move into, is less clear. Coastal marine ecosystems are especially dynamic, and our colleagues at sites in Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and California are helping us understand and predict these effects. Tracking change today to respond to the future These snapshots reflect changes elsewhere across the Long-Term Ecological Research Network. The network has roughly 2,000 researchers at 28 sites around the country as well as in Antarctica and on a Pacific coral reef. Together they represent thousands of years of on-the-ground observation and experimentation. Their research feeds into global climate analysis, like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report expected to be released on Aug. 9, 2021. Predicting the future of ecosystems is difficult, particularly under an accelerating force like climate change. These extensive long-term datasets, with everything from changes in soil nutrients to the growth and decline of animal species, provide insight into the changes underway to guide responses for the future. The following scholars contributed to this article: Christie A. Bahlai, John J. Battles, Natalie L. Cleavitt, Timothy J. Fahey, David Samuel Johnson, Douglas A. Landis, Joe Sullivan, Laura Templeton and Natalie S. Van Doorn. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-already-disrupting-us-forests-and-coasts-heres-what-were-seeing-at-5-long-term-research-sites-164906. MILTON, Del. (AP) A man was arrested after his truck crashed into a tree and he assaulted two state troopers as emergency workers tried to take him for treatment, Delaware State Police said. A truck driven by Dylan L. Martin, 23, of Felton, crashed early Sunday, and he was knocked unconscious, officials said in a news release on Monday. Emergency medical workers managed to awaken Martin inside the ambulance, but state police said he became disorderly in the ambulance, began flailing his arms and struck an EMS worker in the chest. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) Two international aid groups said Tuesday that the Ethiopian government had suspended part or all of their operations, while the United Nations humanitarian chief warned Ethiopian authorities that blanket accusations against aid workers in the countrys embattled Tigray region and elsewhere are dangerous and must stop. Martin Griffiths spoke to reporters amid a new push to get more badly needed food and other supplies into Tigray, where hundreds of thousands of people face famine conditions and Ethiopias government has been accused of blocking assistance. He acknowledged that his own flights into and out of Tigray had difficulties with searches and delays. Separately, the aid groups Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council said Ethiopias government had suspended their operations on July 30. An NRC spokesman said the stated reasons were public advocacy and failure to obtain proper permissions for foreign staff and that all operations were suspended. A Doctors Without Borders spokeswoman said the operations of the charitys Dutch section, its largest in Ethiopia, were suspended for three months in the Tigray, Amhara, Gambella and Somali regions, and the group was urgently seeking clarification from the authorities. Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF, warned of dire consequences in the regions where access to aid is already limited. MSF already had suspended operations in three major Tigray towns after the murder of three colleagues by unknown attackers. The Ethiopian government spokesman for the Tigray emergency task force, Redwan Hussein, alleged last month that aid groups are playing a destructive role in the nine-month conflict and even arming the Tigray forces that long dominated Ethiopias government before a falling-out with the current prime minister. Redwan didnt respond to questions on Tuesday. Such blanket allegations are unfair and need to be backed up by evidence, the U.N. humanitarian chief said. Griffiths also told reporters that some progress had been made on aid delivery to Tigray after more than two weeks as 122 trucks with supplies had finally reached the region. The previous attempt at an aid convoy was attacked last month on the only operational land route into Tigray as fighting continues. But some 100 such trucks are needed to enter Tigray every day, Griffiths said, adding the needs are huge, they are urgent. He said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during their talks asserted that he was trying to ensure more than one land route from other parts of Ethiopia into Tigray for aid. But a route from a neighboring country such as Sudan can be politically sensitive, Griffiths added. The conflict recently spilled into Ethiopia's neighboring Afar and Amhara regions after the Tigray forces rejected the unilateral cease-fire that Ethiopia's government declared in June as its soldiers retreated. Now the Tigray forces have said they want Abiy out. Some 100,000 people in the Amhara region have been displaced by the insecurity, the U.N. humanitarian chief said. On Wednesday, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, is visiting Ethiopia in another push for better access to the Tigray region, which remains without phone, internet or banking services. While Ethiopias government has blamed the blockage of aid on the Tigray forces, a senior USAID official last week told The Associated Press that the allegation is 100% not the case. RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) A disbarred South Dakota lawyer who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and other counts for allegedly stealing nearly $144,000 from a dead man's estate was sentenced to more than two years in prison and must repay the money she stole. Rena Hymans of Vale, who practiced law in Sturgis, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of bank fraud. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday downplayed a spike in COVID-19 cases thats shattered state hospitalization records and strongly reiterated his vow not to impose a mask mandate or any business restrictions. With the much more contagious delta variant now spreading exponentially, Florida hit 11,515 hospitalized patients Tuesday, breaking last year's record for the third straight day and up from just 1,000 in mid-June. DeSantis said he expects hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, asserting that the spike is seasonal as Floridians spend more time together indoors to escape the summer heat and humidity. DeSantis credited his response to COVID-19, which has focused on vaccinating seniors and nursing home residents, for the fact that fewer Floridians are dying now than last August. A year ago, Florida was averaging about 180 COVID-19 deaths per day during an early August spike, but last week averaged 58 per day. However, 2,400 COVID-19 patients are in an intensive care unit, and deaths general don't spike until a few weeks after hospitalizations. Even among a lot of positive tests, you are seeing much less mortality that you did year-over-year, DeSantis said at a Miami-area press conference. Would I rather have 5,000 cases among 20-year-olds or 500 cases among seniors? I would rather have the younger. DeSantis also said media hysteria on the swelling numbers could cause people having heart attacks or strokes to avoid going to an emergency room for fear of being infected. Doctors interviewed by The Associated Press acknowledged this happened during the early months of the pandemic, but say it's no longer true, and that they're treating the usual number of cardiac patients. President Joe Biden criticized DeSantis and other officials who have moved to block the reimposition of mask mandates. He called on resistant Republican governors to get out of the way of vaccine rules and endorsed New York Citys move to require vaccinations to dine indoors or go to the gym. If youre not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing, Biden said. Dr. ONeil Pyke, chief medical officer at Jackson North Medical Center in Miami, said many Florida hospitals are facing staffing shortages. Hospitals also report putting emergency room patients in beds in hallways, and some are again banning visitors or postponing elective surgeries. Theyre just coming in faster than we discharge them," said Justin Senior, CEO of Florida Safety Net Hospital Alliance, which represents some of the state's largest hospitals caring for low-income patients. Still, he said few hospitals will run out of room as they can convert non-traditional spaces like conference areas into COVID-19 wards. Penny Ceasar, who handles admissions at a hospital near Fort Lauderdale, wants the governor to require vaccines for health care workers and masks for everyone. Ceasar said while Westside Regional Medical Center has been getting temporary staff from other states, the alarming number of new patients is taking a toll. Youre on an emotional rollercoaster because we care for our patients like we care for our families, said Ceasar, a 30-year veteran. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state over the last three days, raising the seven-day average to one of the highest counts since the pandemic began. In total, the state has seen more than 2.6 million cases and 39,179 deaths. DeSantis is running for reelection next year while eyeing a 2024 presidential bid. A central tenet of his national image among conservatives is his refusal to impose mask mandates or business restrictions. We are not shutting down, DeSantis reiterated Tuesday. We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridians job in this state. We are protecting peoples small businesses. These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States but abroad. DeSantis did encourage people to get vaccinated, saying shots provide a strong defense against getting seriously ill. About 95% of those hospitalized and almost all recent deaths have been among the unvaccinated, hospital officials have said. You can still test positive, but at the end of the day you can turn this from something that was much more threatening to a senior citizen, say, to something that is more manageable, said DeSantis, who has been vaccinated. That is a huge, huge thing. The spike has come as DeSantis and local officials have fought over how to protect children and staff as the school year begins. Broward County's school board reversed a decision to require facial coverings after DeSantis barred mandates and threatened to cut funding from districts that dont comply. Browards board had responded to the latest science on the virus and the latest recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the governor said parents should decide whether their children should wear a mask to school. - Contributors include Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale. Gomez reported from Miami. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Florida won't put any state money into the parent company of Ben & Jerry's unless it reverses a decision to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday. The Republican governor said the State Board of Administration added London-based Unilever to its list of scrutinized companies that boycott Israel. This means that if Ben & Jerry's position on Israel is not reversed in 90 days, Florida will not invest in or contract with Unilever or its subsidiaries. As a matter of law and principle, the state of Florida will not tolerate discrimination against the state of Israel or the Israeli people, the Republican governor said in a news release. I will not stand idly by as woke corporate ideologues seek to boycott and divest from our ally, Israel. The decision, similar to those in other states, comes after Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's announced last month that it will stop selling its products in territories sought by the Palestinians. The company's founders, Bennett Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, said in a recent New York Times opinion piece that they no longer control the company but approve of the action in Israel as reflecting their progressive values. The company has a long history of advocating for social justice. We are also proud Jews. Its part of who we are and how weve identified ourselves for our whole lives. As our company began to expand internationally, Israel was one of our first overseas markets. We were then, and remain today, supporters of the State of Israel, the founders said. But its possible to support Israel and oppose some of its policies, just as weve opposed policies of the U.S. government. Unilever's 400 brands include a wide variety of familiar consumer goods such as Dove personal care products, Lipton tea, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Sunlight soap and, of course, Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Unilever CEO Alan Jope said last week that Unilever is fully committed to doing business with Israel despite Ben & Jerrys decision on the West Bank and east Jerusalem. In an email Tuesday, Unilever said it employs more than 2,000 people in Israel and the company rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Anti-Semitism has no place in any society, the company said, adding that Ben & Jerry's will continue selling ice cream in parts of Israel through a different business arrangement." Florida officials say the company told them in a call Wednesday that there are no plans to change Ben & Jerry's stance on Israel. It wasn't immediately clear what kinds investments or contracts Florida currently has with Unilever or its subsidiaries. We'll continue working with the SBA to ensure Florida law is upheld for those who target our friends in Israel, said Jimmy Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer. Israel does not differentiate between the West Bank settlements and the rest of its territory. When home-rental company Airbnb announced in 2018 that it would no longer list properties in the West Bank, Israel harshly condemned the move and eventually pressured the company into canceling the decision. Israels ambassador to the United States and United Nations, Gilad Erdan, recently sent a letter to the governors of 35 U.S. states urging them to punish Unilever under anti-boycott laws such as that in Florida. ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greece's migration minister has accused neighboring Turkey of allegedly endangering migrants at sea and ignoring an agreement with the EU to stem illegal migration into Europe, citing survivor testimony from a recent boat accident in the Aegean. In a letter to European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas and other European Union officials, Notis Mitarachi said the allegations stemmed from an incident just inside Turkish waters on July 30 that left three people missing. The Greek coast guard rescued another 10 migrants, nine inside Turkish waters and one who had swum into Greek waters. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A jury on Tuesday acquitted an Iowa racial justice advocate who police accused of interfering with an arrest during protests last year. The jury found 24-year-old Jaylen Cavil not guilty of interference with an official act, The Des Moines Register reported. Police said Cavil got in the way as they were trying to arrest another protester during a demonstration last year. Video footage provided to jurors showed Cavil standing next to a detective and demanding an explanation for the other protester's arrest, despite police orders for him to stand aside. The prosecutor said she respected the jurys decision. Cavil said his case and others involving protesters that have been dismissed or resulted in not-guilty verdicts in Polk County show police acted unjustly during last year's protests. A Des Moines Register analysis in March found nearly 80 such cases related to the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Cavil ran a write-in campaign for Polk County sheriff after his arrest but received less than 5% of the vote. An Iowa State Patrol trooper driving Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also hit Cavi l as he and other protesters attempted to block her SUV during a June 2020 event. St. Louis County residents will not be required to wear masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for at least two more weeks, after a judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday against a mask mandate that was issued last month. Circuit Judge Ellen Nellie Ribaudo sided with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had sued to stop a mask mandate issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and county health officials. She set a hearing on a preliminary injunction for Aug. 17. Hours after the ruling, Schmitt filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a recently reinstated mask mandate in Kansas City. The rule took effect Monday and was scheduled to last until at least Aug. 28. The St. Louis County Council voted last week to rescind the mandate but Page insisted the mask requirement remained in effect. Ribaduo said in her ruling the differing interpretations left St. Louis County residents on their own in deciding whether to wear masks. And she said the state was likely to prevail in its argument that current law gives the St. Louis County Council the authority to terminate the mask requirement issued by health officials. The court notes that although some will take this court's ruling as a victory there is no victory while the COVID-19 virus remains a significant threat to public health and there is no question it remains a significant threat to public health, Ribaduo wrote. There can be no victory until the residents of St. Louis County and the State of Missouri are no longer risking their health, well being and lives at the hands of COVID-19 virus. Schmitt said in a statement that the ruling was a huge win for the people of St. Louis County. This is an important, hard-fought victory, but our fight against unreasonable and unconstitutional government overreach continues, Schmitt said. Page said in a tweet that health officials are disappointed in the judges decision as more mask mandates are being enforced across the county in the face of increasing COVID-19 cases. "The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends wearing masks in public places and we ask everyone to follow that guidance as we continue our vaccine efforts, Page said. County Councilman Tim Fitch, an outspoken critic of Page's mandate, said the council felt all along that it was on solid legal ground. "We dont do these things emotionally like (Page) seems to, Fitch said. We would like to have the opportunity in the future to work with the county executive on any kind of health mandate as the law requires. During a virtual hearing before Tuesday's ruling, Missouri Solicitor General John Sauer argued state law clearly gives political subdivisions such as the County Council the power to rescind public health orders, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Neal Perryman, a lawyer representing St. Louis County, argued that issuing a temporary restraining order would only cause more uncertainty in the county, particularly if a higher court overturns it later. Tuesdays hearing did not consider a similar mask order in the city of St. Louis. In his lawsuit against Kansas City's mandate, Schmitt said the new requirement is an unconstitutional and unreasonable government overreach (that) must stop, especially in the face of a widely available vaccine. He is asking the court to invalidate the mask mandate and issue an injunction or other relief against it. Among the seven counts alleged in the lawsuit, Schmitt argued that Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas does not have the power to issue a mask mandate because state law gives that authority to local health authorities. Lucas said in a news conference that he expects Kansas City to prevail in its lawsuit because the procedures used to issue its mask mandate were different than those used in St. Louis, and the city cited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its mandate. He also said the majority of the city council supports the mask order. Lucas also criticized Schmitt, a Republican who is running for the U.S. Senate, for playing politics with COVID-19 prevention efforts and said the attorney general completely ignored updated CDC guidelines in his lawsuit. This is about getting clicks, this is about getting attention, it is not about saving lives, he said. Here in Kansas City government we will continue to fight hard to do so." In Kansas City, a regional health council on Tuesday issued a plea to residents to avoid using emergency rooms if possible because the region's hospitals are seeing a surge in patients, causing hourslong waiting times and overwhelming hospital workers. Steve Hoeger, co-chair of the Mid-America Regional Councils Health Care Coalition, asked people to go to their primary care physicians or urgent care unless they have a true emergency, such as a heart attack or significant car accident, The Kansas City Star reported. COVID is not the only player. We have a lot of other really sick people in the hospital, Hoeger said. But COVIDs becoming more and more of a player in this." The legal fight comes as Missouri reported 574,125 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, an increase of 1,863 from the previous day. The state reported there have been 12,524 positive cases over the last seven days, with an average of 1,789 cases a day. COVID-19 has claimed 9,755 lives in Missouri since the pandemic began, an increase of 88 deaths from Monday. Those numbers include 72 deaths that had not been previously reported to the state, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. LISD began distributing its schedules to middle and high school students on Monday with the added benefit of providing a vaccine clinic to those in need of one. As students gathered masks on to receive their schedule, they were also offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for students age 12 and up. With the first day of school set for Monday, Aug. 16, the district announced its current schedule pick-up dates and vaccine clinic times. These include: Seniors Monday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. Juniors and eighth-grade students Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. Sophomores and seventh-grade students Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. Freshman and sixth-grade students Thursday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. New students to LISD Friday, Aug. 6. The COVID-19 vaccine and mask-wearing continue to be highly encouraged by schools and health professionals throughout the city. This past week, Laredo reported 686 positive cases, more than doubling the 333 cases reported the week before. With the delta variant showing to be a more aggressive strain of the virus, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are recommended to wear their masks when out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both UISD and LISD have agreed that it is vital to make the return to school as safe as possible, and vaccines for those 12 years of age and older is the strongest option. As mandated mask wearing is not allowed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the responsibility lies within students and parents to protect themselves and others. On a lighter note, LISD will also host a Meet the Teacher Night prior to the return to school. On Thursday, Aug. 12 between 4-6 p.m., elementary students will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher and principal. Furthermore, this gives families the opportunity to introduce themselves and understand the expectations had by the staff, LISD states. Lastly, LISD reminded parents about the start and end time of the school days across the school levels. These include: Elementary school students will start class at 7:45 a.m. and end class at 3:30 p.m. Middle school students will start class at 7:55 a.m. and end class at 4:15 p.m. High school students will start their school day at 8:15 a.m. and end class at 4:00 p.m. cocampo@lmtonline.com VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) Lithuania has ordered its border guards to turn away, by force if needed, migrants attempting to enter the Baltic country, as a surge of Iraqis and others coming in from neighboring Belarus has emerged as a major foreign policy issue. Lithuania says the migrant influx in the past months is an act of retaliation by Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to increased sanctions by the European Union toward his country over an air piracy incident. The Interior Ministry distributed a video shot from a helicopter as a proof that large groups of immigrants were being escorted to Lithuania's EU border by vehicles belonging to Belarus border guards. Lithuanias Interior Ministry said Tuesday that at least three large migrant groups were stopped in thick woods in the border between the two countries, and Lithuanian border guards ordered them to return back to Belarus. "First of all, (Lithuanian border) officers tell them (migrants) that they are lost; that they have arrived in the beautiful country of Belarus and got the wrong way while enjoying its nature but now they must continue the tourist track back into that country, Vice Interior Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius told reporters. If that method proves unsuccessful, he said Lithuania has reserved the right to use force to keep the migrants away but the use of force depends on circumstances. It can not be ruled out that (border guard) officers will face aggression from migrants, Abramavicius said, adding the measures were necessary to stop illegal border crossings. Lithuania can not accept this influx, which grows day by day. Some 4,026 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed from Belarus into Lithuania, a EU and NATO nation of slightly less than 3 million, this year. Lithuanian officials turned away 180 migrants attempting to enter the country on Tuesday. Lithuania officials estimate that more than 10,000 more migrants might try to arrive this year as the number of direct flights from Iraq to the Belarus capital of Minsk tripled in August. The country has no physical barriers for its almost 679 kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus. On Monday, EU officials pledged millions of euros to help Lithuania tackle its migrant crisis. Lithuania wants to build a physical barrier with Belarus, which it estimates will cost more than 100 million euros ($119 million) but EU funding is not usually permitted to finance border barriers. Some Lithuanian politicians, meanwhile, urged the government to still respect the migrants' rights. Tomas Vytautas Raskevicius, the head of the parliamentary human rights committee, said he saw the measures taken by Lithuanian authorities as necessary but acknowledged that the migrant situation "is sensitive from the point of view of human rights, and that should be assessed. Raskevicius, a member of the liberal Freedom Party, said attention should be paid in particular to women who migrate with children. __ Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A Republican-controlled legislative committee moved Tuesday to block the University of Wisconsin System from taking several steps to fight the spread of coronavirus without its approval. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the committee's move comes as university officials in Madison are weighing a campuswide mask mandate as well as expanded testing requirements for people who haven't been vaccinated. It also comes as the delta variant is sending daily virus cases upward in Wisconsin and around the U.S. The vote by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules came without a formal meeting or public comment. It requires the UW System to submit any plans for COVID-19 policies to the committee as emergency rules within 30 days or else drop mandates for any such measures, the State Journal reported. The committee could then vote to suspend all or parts of the measures. System spokesman Mark Pitsch said the committee's action feels like a political statement; our focus is to ensure we are doing what needs to be done now to safely open for in-person teaching this fall. Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said in a statement that government mandates and lockdowns have failed miserably in dealing with this virus. The path forward in addressing Covid-19 is not through excessive government mandates, but in the restoration of Americans being able to make voluntary informed decisions based on their individual health circumstances," Nass said. The committees four Democratic members all voted against the measure. They said the move is contrary to public health recommendations. Legislative Republicans sat idly by for nearly a year, refusing to lift a finger to help stop the spread of COVID or address the economic devastation it caused, Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, said in a statement. Now, theyre doing something even worse abusing their positions to ensure that the virus spreads faster, by discouraging vaccination and masking and taking legally dubious steps to stop reasonable mitigation practices. UW-Madison currently plans to require weekly testing for unvaccinated students living on campus this fall. Officials also are discussing whether to extend the testing requirement to include all unvaccinated students and employees. Chancellor Rebecca Blank said Monday a decision may come later this month. Elsewhere, city and county leaders in Madison and Dane County announced Tuesday that public employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19. They also will have to wear masks in city and county buildings, and so will visitors. Employees who can't prove vaccination will have to be tested weekly, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said. Coronavirus cases in the city and county have gone up 111% in recent weeks, but hospitalizations and deaths have stayed stable. Dane County's vaccination rate of nearly 70 percent is highest in the state. GREENBELT, Md. (AP) A Maryland man pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to launder more than $6.2 million from a romance scheme to fraudulently solicit money from more than 200 victims targeted through social media and dating websites. Lesley Annor, 23, of Gaithersburg faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge George Hazel is scheduled to sentence him on Oct. 29. Annor has been jailed since he and his brother, David Annor, were arrested in November 2020 on money laundering charges. David Annor pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy charge in January. Their victims' ages ranged from 38 to 83, lived in the U.S. and overseas and often were elderly or isolated, prosecutors said. A Texas woman told FBI agents that she lost approximately $100,000 in the scheme after meeting someone through Facebook whom she believed was a U.S. soldier preparing to return home from Afghanistan. She thought she was paying for a surgery for the man after a car accident, an FBI agent said in an affidavit. A Virginia woman told FBI agents that she lost roughly $177,000 after meeting somebody through Facebook whom she believed to be an underwater welder from Canada. The Facebook user asked her for money to buy equipment after they engaged in romantic conversations, the agent said. The agents affidavit also describes how the plot's co-conspirators defrauded a Hawaii woman, a Georgia woman and a man from Washington state. Lesley Annor and others laundered money through approximately 34 bank accounts at 11 financial institutions, with victims paying more than $400,000 into personal bank accounts controlled by Annor, according to prosecutors. They said the brothers sent money to other co-conspirators, often in Ghana, and kept at least 10% of victim payments for themselves. David Annor laundered money through a shell company called Ravid Enterprise LLC that purportedly sold cars, the FBI said. MEXICO CITY (AP) Supporters of an independent union in northern Mexico said Tuesday they have been harassed while trying to hand out leaflets by beefy representatives of an old-guard union. The mainly women handing out the leaflets said that state police stood by and may have helped prevent them distributing literature outside the Tridonex auto parts assembly plant starting in late July. The export facility in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, was the subject of a complaint filed by labor unions in May under the U.S.-Mexico Canada free trade agreement. The complaint argues that new unions have been harassed while fighting corrupt old unions that have kept wages low in Mexico for decades. Video showed the independent union supporters handing literature to workers leaving the plant in their cars, when several stocky men in white shirts came out of the plant and tried to move them away. The outside organizer of that union, lawyer Susana Prieto, said that for four days now there have been state police patrols stationed outside to prevent the union from handing out literature. For decades, corrupt Mexican unions signed low-wage protection contracts behind workers backs, often before plants were even opened. Union votes were held by show of hands, or not at all. Workers at many factories in Mexico were unaware they even had a union until they saw dues deducted from their paychecks. Mexican workers make about 15% of wages for similar jobs in the United States. As part of efforts to get the USMCA, which replaced the old North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico passed labor law reforms stating all union votes would be by secret ballot, and workers at all factories in Mexico could vote on whether to keep their current union. But implementing those reforms has met resistance from old-guard unions affiliated with the Confederation of Mexican Workers, or CTM, which once effectively served as an arm of the government to keep labor peace and wage rates low. Jesus Mendoza, the leader of the CTM-affiliated union that currently controls the plant, depicted the independent union supporters as troublemakers. Let people work in peace, we want labor stability and recovery in Matamoros, they just cause trouble and scare off investment, Mendoza told local media. Prieto has been jailed, harassed and prohibited from traveling to Tamaulipas, the state where Matamoros is located. She says about 600 workers at the Tridonex plant have been laid off in retaliation for supporting the new union. Cardone, the U.S. company that operate the Tridonex plant, said in a statement earlier this year that we do not believe that the allegations in the complaint are accurate and welcome a full inquiry so that the facts can be disclosed. The U.S. government filed its first labor complaint with Mexico under the USMCA in May after another old-guard union was caught allegedly destroying ballots at a General Motors plant in northern Mexico. The USMCA allows a panel to determine whether Mexico is enforcing labor laws that allow workers to choose their union and vote on contracts and union leadership. If Mexico is found not to be enforcing its laws, sanctions could be invoked, including prohibiting some products from entering the United States. The vote at the GM plant has been scheduled to be held again, with observers, around Aug. 17-18. STORRS, Conn. (AP) More than 800 UConn students have asked to be exempted from the school's requirement that they be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning for the fall semester, the school confirmed on Tuesday. UConn said it granted 55 requests for medical exemptions to the vaccine policy and 504 requests for non-medical exemptions. Another 267 requests, all for non-medical reasons, remain under review, the school said. The school had an enrollment last year of just over 32,600 students, including just under 19,000 undergraduates on its main campus in Storrs. The exemption requests were first made public in court documents obtained by Connecticut Public Media. They are part of the school's response to a federal lawsuit filed by students who oppose the vaccination requirement. A group of students and parents sued the universitys board of trustees last month in U.S. District Court, arguing the mandate violates their constitutional rights. It's part of a nationwide pushback against vaccination mandates at colleges and universities. The state Attorney General's Office is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing the students lack standing to sue because they can request an exemption. Students returning to UConn this month are required to either be vaccinated or have sought an exemption. Those granted an exemption will be required to adhere to increased safety protocols. Those include being tested for the virus before arriving on campus, undergoing a modified quarantine for seven days after getting to campus and being tested again at the end of the quarantine period and once a week while on campus. No request for an exemption has been turned down, school spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said in an email. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP BRUSSELS (AP) The NATO military alliance and the European Union on Tuesday joined a growing chorus of international condemnation of Irans alleged attack on a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea last week and urged Tehran to respect its international obligations. Last Thursdays drone strike on the MV Mercer Street killed a British national and a Romanian. It was the first known fatal strike on commercial shipping in the region after years of tensions over the tattered nuclear deal between western nations and Iran. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina state Rep. Jerry Carter, a longtime Baptist pastor who joined the legislature two years ago, died early Tuesday at age 66, a fellow minister said. Carter died at Duke Hospital in Durham from complications after surgery late last week to treat a rare gastrointestinal disorder, according to Aaron Shelton, assistant pastor at Reidsville Baptist Church. Carter founded the church in 1988 and served as its senior pastor, Shelton said. Carter, a Republican representing Rockingham County, was elected to the state House in 2018 and won a second two-year term in 2020. He was was a chairman of the House Families, Children and Aging Policy Committee. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Carter's death to open Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Council of State, which is comprised of 10 statewide elected officials. He was a very good man a veteran, he was a pastor, he was a representative and he was my friend," Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said at the meeting. It's a devastating loss for his community. He's a fixture in his community. He's touched many lives." Carter also served previously in the Army, and as a State Highway Patrol chaplain. House Speaker Tim Moore said in a news release that he's heartbroken and devastated" by Carter's death. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Bruton Carter. She posted on Facebook in early July that her husband was diagnosed with idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins. The illness often mimics inflammatory bowel disease, according to medical experts in publications from the National Institutes of Health. Shelton said Tuesday in a phone interview that Carter made a difference in many people's lives. Sunday attendance at Reidsville Baptist averaged about 250 people. I know he was real, Shelton said. Once you got to know him, youd become a better person, too." Rockingham County Republican activists ultimately will meet to pick someone to serve out the remainder of Carter's two-year term in the 65th District. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Young people would need parental permission now before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in North Carolina legislation approved unanimously Tuesday by the state Senate. The bill, which now must return to the House for consideration, contains a parent or guardian requirement for vaccines approved by federal regulators for emergency use, such as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It's currently the only coronavirus vaccine available to children as young as 12. LAS VEGAS (AP) An uptick in coronavirus cases driven by the highly contagious delta variant and Nevadas flagging rate of vaccinations has pushed hospitalization rates in the state past levels seen in a surge last summer, well before vaccines were available. Nevada reported Tuesday that 1,148 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 67 others were suspected to have the illness. Those are levels last seen in late January but below the peak seen since the pandemic began. That was in December when hospitals were pushed to near capacity, with few people having access to vaccines and many gathering over the holidays. On Dec. 15, Nevada reported 1,857 confirmed COVID-19 patients. Now, hospitals have more COVID-19 patients than during a previous surge last summer, when 972 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized and 174 were suspected of having the virus. The Nevada Hospital Association is expected to release new statewide hospital data Wednesday. Amy Shogren, a spokeswoman for the association, said no one was available for an interview Tuesday. As of last week, the Nevada Hospital Association said seven hospitals were reporting a surge in cases above licensed bed counts and five had staffing shortages. There were 231 COVID-19 patients in intensive care last week about half the peak of 460 seen on Dec. 22. There were 142 people on ventilators, less than half the level seen at the peak the same December day. Aimee Eaton, a respiratory therapist in Las Vegas, said health care workers are burned out after more than a year of responding to the pandemic and seeing a wave of new cases, mostly among the unvaccinated. It is, unfortunately, becoming a new normal for health care workers, and there is going to be a serious shortage of health care workers, with people leaving because you cant ask someone to essentially go to war every day. It is just crazy, Eaton said. She said that when Nevada relaxed most of its pandemic restrictions and infection numbers were low, it felt like there was maybe a month of hopeful normalcy before infections and hospitalizations started spiking again. It is beyond frustrating," Eaton said. You start running short-staffed. I know our respiratory therapists have been short. We have nurses working mandatory overtime as well. It is like you dont get a break at all ever." Mason Van Houweling, CEO of University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, said nearly every hospitalized COVID-19 patient his staffers see is unvaccinated and many are facing life-threatening illness and long-term complications. He said in a statement that the hospital has the resources, staffing and capacity to handle a future influx but that the hospital is urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. At this point, contracting COVID-19 is largely inevitable for those who remain unvaccinated, he said. Dr. Joe Corcoran, chief medical officer for HCA Healthcare hospitals in Nevada and California, said the intensive care units at the group's three facilities in Las Vegas Sunrise Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital are all at or near capacity. At Sunrise Hospital, elective surgeries such as knee and hip replacements are on hold because of the increased patient load. Those beds are increasingly filled with patients who are admitted with COVID," he said. In addition to urging people to get vaccinated and seeking help from federal officials to get more shots in arms, Gov. Steve Sisolak recently reimposed a mask mandate for much of Nevada. The order applies to people regardless of vaccination status when they're indoors in 12 of 17 counties, including the areas around Las Vegas and Reno. People who are unvaccinated are required to wear a mask statewide. ___ Associated Press reporter Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas, contributed to this report. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Mike Carey, a coal lobbyist backed by former President Donald Trump, beat a bevy of Republicans in central Ohio, while Cuyahoga County Council member Shontel Brown pulled out a victory for the Democratic establishment in Cleveland, in a pair of primary elections for open House seats Tuesday. The special elections were both viewed as a measure of voters influences, though low turnout and huge candidate fields complicated interpreting the results too broadly. In both races, party leaders showed they still held sway. Careys race reinforced Trumps status as GOP kingmaker, particularly after the former presidents preferred candidate lost a special election in Texas last week. Browns primary win over progressive Nina Turner handed another blow to a liberal wing that has been challenging the Democratic old guard with a more confrontational style. Turner, a leading national voice for Bernie Sanders presidential campaigns, was for many months the best known and most visible among 13 Democrats running in the fiercely fought primary and the choice of Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others. But Brown, a centrist backed by Hillary Clinton, influential House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the Congressional Black Caucus, leading unions and many local leaders, prevailed after a surge in national attention to her campaign in the weeks leading up to the election. In the heavily Democratic 11th Congressional District, she is strongly favored in the Nov. 2 general election over Laverne Gore, a business owner, consultant, trainer and community activist who won the Republican nomination. In her victory speech, Brown said she has not sought headlines or attention" in her nine years as a local legislator, but effectiveness and making headway. Things Ive done havent gotten a lot of attention. Theyre not sexy," she said. "But I dont need the credit. I just need to make sure the people I have been called to serve are getting the resources they need. Im not about lip service. Im about public service. Turner said she knew the campaign would be an uphill battle. While we didnt cross the river, we inspired thousands to dream bigger and expect more," she said in a Twitter statement. "We couldnt overcome the influence of dark money, but we left our mark on OH11 and this nation. The race came at a pivotal moment for the progressive movement. Centrists have been ascendant in the early months of the President Joe Biden era, while the partys left flank has faced a series of defeats in New York Citys mayoral race, a Virginia gubernatorial primary and a Louisiana House race. Meanwhile, a contingent of moderates are worried that a leftward drift could cost the party seats in the next years midterm elections. Biden hasnt heeded the lefts calls for more aggressive action on such issues as voting rights and immigration. Thats left progressive leaders searching for new strategies that can bolster its influence. Turner would have added another voice to those efforts, but Brown successfully used her history of biting criticism of fellow Democrats she once likened supporting Biden to being forced to eat excrement against her. The political newcomer Carey defeated a crowd of other Republican candidates in his Columbus-area race, including some with establishment backing and experience in state politics. Hell take on Democratic state Rep. Allison Russo, a health policy consultant who won the Democratic nomination, in the GOP-leaning 15th Congressional District this fall. Trump quickly celebrated Careys win Tuesday in a statement. Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots, he said. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down! Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown tweeted congratulations to Russo, pledging to"get to work to elect a champion for Ohio working families this November. The GOP result was a blow to former U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers, a moderate Republican who retired from the seat in May and endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe, a security executive with law enforcement experience, in the race. But Stivers pledged hed support Carey this fall and LaRe called for Republican to all work together to keep central Ohio red for decades to come. Tuesdays results come as recent polling shows Democrats are generally upbeat about their partys future and the job Biden is doing, while the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll reflected widespread unease among Republicans over everything from the direction of the country to the state of American democracy and Biden's performance. Most want Trump to have at least some influence over their partys future direction. All of the candidates in the Columbus-area GOP primary billed themselves as conservatives and many boasted more legislative-branch experience than Carey, including LaRe, state Sens. Bob Peterson and Stephanie Kunze and former state Rep. Ron Hood. In the end, they divided the vote and left Carey with only about 37% of the vote to win. By contrast, with nearly all votes counted, more than 94% of votes in the Cleveland-area 11th District voted for either Brown and Turner, dividing the rest among the other 11 candidates. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The president of the Oklahoma Medical Association said Tuesday that talks with Gov. Kevin Stitt show no sign that a special legislative session is in the offing to overturn a law banning schools from requiring masks. We have been talking and chatting with the governor and also discussing with some of the legislators, but with no indication of a desire to overturn the law, said Dr. Mary Clarke. Who knows what will happen next week? But right now, we don't think there'll be any change to that law, which Stitt signed in March, Clarke said. Legislative Democrats have also called for a special election or an emergency declaration to allow schools to require masks. The calls come as coronavirus cases in Oklahoma increase amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant. Stitt has not commented specifically on calls for a special session but said in a statement Tuesday that there is no need to declare a state of emergency based on Oklahoma's current COVID-19 data. We have an effective vaccine that is free and widely available to all eligible Oklahomans and we are well-prepared to manage COVID without a state of emergency, Stitt said. Oklahoma State Department of Health officials have indicated they are comfortable in their ability to implement their surge plan without an emergency declaration, even though only about 16% of the state's 804 staffed ICU beds are currently unoccupied. The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Tuesday reported 946 new virus cases and a seven-day average of 1,657 new cases daily, compared to a seven-day average of 213 on July 1. The Cherokee Nation announced Tuesday that it was temporarily suspending elective surgeries at its health facilities because of the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. It said about 90% of the tribe's new cases are in unvaccinated patients. Not only is COVID-19 putting added pressures and risks on our hospital, health centers and our amazing health care team tasked with treating COVID patients, but the resurgence once again threatens the overall wellbeing of the Cherokee Nation and the most vulnerable among us, including our Cherokee elders," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement. OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) Police have arrested and charged the husband of a woman whose remains were found in the Des Moines River. Gregory Allen Showalter, 61, of Ottumwa, turned himself in at the Wapello County Law Enforcement Center on Tuesday morning in the death of 60-year-old Elizabeth Showalter, also of Ottumwa. Her body was found by a hiker Sunday afternoon, a day after she was reported missing by family members. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) A powerful explosion rocked an upscale neighborhood of Afghanistan's capital Tuesday in an attack that apparently targeted the country's acting defense minister. At least 10 people were wounded, a health official said. Several smaller explosions could be heard as well as small arms fire. It was unclear if the wounded were hurt in the explosion or by gunfire. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack, but it came as Taliban insurgents have been pressing ahead with an offensive that is putting pressure on the provincial capitals in the south and west of the country. Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said the blast happened in the posh Sherpur neighborhood, which is in a deeply secure section of the capital known as the green zone. It is home to several senior government officials. Stanekzai said it appeared the guesthouse of acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi was targeted. His Jamiat-e-Islami party was told the minister was not in the guesthouse and his family had been safely evacuated. A party leader and former vice president, Younus Qanooni, reassured the party in a message shared on social media that the minister and his family were safe. The Defense Ministry released a video in which Mohammadi says that his guards had been wounded in a suicide attack. "I assure my beloved countrymen that such attacks cannot have any impact on my willingness to defend my countrymen and my country, he says. Details of the attack were sketchy even as it ended, but gunmen appeared to have entered the area after the explosion. Stanekzai said all four attackers were eventually killed by security personnel and a cleanup operation was conducted by police. All roads leading to the minister's house and guesthouse were closed, he said. Hundreds of residents in the area were moved to safety, said Ferdaws Faramarz, spokesman for the Kabul police chief. He said security personnel had also carried out house-to-house searches. At least 10 people were wounded in the attack and were taken to hospitals in the capital, said Health Ministry spokesman Dastgir Nazari. The Islamic State group has claimed some recent attacks in Kabul but most have gone unclaimed, with the government blaming the Taliban and the Taliban blaming the government. The U.S. State Department condemned the bombing. Im not in a position to attribute it officially just yet, but, of course, it does bear all the hallmarks of the spate of Taliban attacks that we have seen in recent weeks," spokesman Ned Price said in Washington. "We unequivocally condemn the bombing and we continue to stand by our Afghan partners. I think the broader point in all of this is that there is broad international consensus that there is no military solution to the conflict and that is why were looking at ways and means by which we can help it celebrate the peace negotiations that are ongoing. ____ Associated Press writers Kathy Gannon in Islamabad and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report Lea en espanol At-home schooling was no vacation for Francis Huang and her 11-year-old daughter, Cheyenne Kuo. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust remote learning upon their family in spring 2020. With it came the stresses now familiar to millions of families. "I think the whole year, we just tried to survive," said Huang, who lives in suburban Dallas. In August, they finally leave all that behind, when Cheyenne starts sixth grade in person. But this year, that means a whole new set of stresses. Cheyenne feels both excitement and worry. "I think I'm half and half." Experts say heading back to school will be anything but routine this year. Which means parents and teachers will need to take extra steps to protect children's mental health. "There is certainly going to have to be a new way of thinking about everything that goes into the start of a school year," said Amanda Fitzgerald, assistant deputy executive director of the American School Counselor Association. She co-wrote a guide to re-opening schools that was released last year by her organization and the National Association of School Psychologists. More than 90% of households with students did some form of remote learning during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many students returned to in-person learning last school year, but for those who didn't, Fitzgerald said, "there's going to be an adaptation period." Consider the 5-year-olds who were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit, said school psychologist Eric Rossen, director of professional development and standards for the National Association of School Psychologists. They might be starting second grade without knowing basic classroom expectations, such as raising their hands before speaking. Rossen, who also co-wrote the school re-opening guide, said older children have their own challenges. "Imagine what it was like for students who were in seventh grade," he said. "They missed their eighth-grade year in middle school, and now they're entering a high school for the first time. So that transition will not only be extremely significant from the perspective of having been out of a regular routine of school the past year and a half or so, but now they're entering a brand new building, where they have to reorient themselves." On top of all that is the unequal impact of the pandemic. Some families suffered terrible losses and challenges. "Everybody was affected to some degree, which makes this a universal trauma," Fitzgerald said. "But everybody still has their own experience." Addressing the emotional issues that stem from such factors is essential, she said. "We know that students need to come to school ready to learn. And if they have all of this other stress that they're dealing with, or in some cases, trauma, it's going to prevent them from actually learning." Stress and trauma can lead to unhealthy behavior and heightened risk of heart disease. Education also has a significant long-term connection to overall health. So to promote mental wellness, Fitzgerald said, schools and parents will need to adapt. "There's going to need to be a little bit more grace and flexibility in terms of ensuring that everybody's comfortable and confident going to school," she said. Rossen similarly emphasized the need for "patience, compassion and understanding." Schools don't need to lower standards, he said. But they should avoid overly harsh discipline and be understanding as families re-adapt to a school-day schedule. The priority should be relationships, Rossen said. "That is, relationships between administrators and staff, between staff and families, between teachers and students, students and peers, all those things." Lessons from the pandemic could help, Fitzgerald said. Schools could rethink the traditional model of an "open house" night and instead connect remotely with parents. That, she said, could help identify students who need help coping with the loss of a family member to COVID or a parent's job loss. But parents needn't wait for the schools to come to them, Fitzgerald said. "I'm not saying that everybody needs to be a PTA president, but understand what services are there for your kids if they're struggling. And ask for help if you need it." Heading back to school will be positive for many kids, Rossen said. But kids should know there's no right or wrong way to feel about it. "It's OK if you are not looking forward to going back to school. It's OK if you're excited. It's OK if you're conflicted about it." Cheyenne has had all those feelings. She's eager to see her school friends in person regularly. She's also worried about all the new people she'll encounter at her new middle school. "It's kind of, like, exciting," she said. "At the same time, you're nervous. But it'll all be OK at the end." Her mother shares her optimism, and some fears. Huang is worried about what might have been lost academically. She's also worried about the coronavirus: Cheyenne, who is not old enough for the vaccine, will stay masked but will be interacting with a lot of people. "And I don't know how many of them have been vaccinated," Huang said. But she's seen her daughter, who was born with a heart defect, overcome challenges before. "What I'm thinking is the kids are pretty resilient." But, Huang said, "I'm pretty sure that the counselors at the school are going to have a lot of work." Editor's note: Because of the rapidly evolving events surrounding the coronavirus, the facts and advice presented in this story may have changed since publication. Visit Heart.org for the latest coverage, and check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials for the most recent guidance. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News. Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service. HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The quickly approaching fall semester has Americas colleges under pressure to decide how far they should go to guard their campuses against COVID-19 while navigating legal and political questions and rising infection rates. Hundreds of colleges nationwide have told students in recent months they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before classes begin. California State University, the country's largest four-year public university system, joined the list last week, along with Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Their announcements cited concerns about the highly contagious delta variant and came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated mask guidelines based on new research regarding its spread. CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro called case surges linked to the variant an alarming new factor that we must consider as we look to maintain the health and well-being of students, employees and visitors. Yet many more colleges have held off on vaccine mandates in a reflection of the limits school leaders face in adopting safety requirements for in-person classes. In many Republican-led states, governments have banned vaccine mandates, or school leaders face political pressure to limit their anti-virus actions even among students who live in packed residence halls. Opponents say the requirements tread on personal freedoms. Some campuses have sidestepped pushback by instead offering enticements, such as prize drawings for free tuition and computers, as they seek to boost student vaccination rates to 80% or higher. And a few have gone against the grain of their GOP-led states, such as Nova Southeastern in Florida requiring employees to get the shots and Nebraska Wesleyan mandating vaccinations for its 2,000 students. Private colleges like these have more legal leeway regarding coronavirus rules, experts say. Prominent private universities mandating student vaccinations include Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Duke and Stanford. University of California law professor Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, who writes and teaches about vaccine law, said the biggest legal gray area is whether colleges can require the COVID-19 vaccines while they remain under federal emergency use status. Courts will likely allow university leaders to take such steps to protect student health, but many colleges cant avoid the reality of states taking a stance against vaccine mandates, Reiss said. Especially a state university, going against the prevailing political view is probably going to be short-lived, Reiss said. Coronavirus politics have been a complicating factor for the vast majority of campuses without vaccine requirements, said Dr. Michael Huey, interim CEO of the American College Health Association, which in April recommended vaccination mandates for all students taking on-campus classes. If you set up a situation where you cant require vaccination, you cant ask about vaccine status and you cant have required testing or mitigation strategies, like masking, it cant be safe, said Huey, former executive director of student health services at Emory University in Atlanta. Indiana University has so far prevailed against a court challenge to its student vaccine requirement, which school officials say is a clear path forward to removing limits on in-person classes, sporting events and social activities. Noah Hamilton, wholl be a sophomore at Indianas main campus in Bloomington this fall, said he had anxiety about getting the shots and likely wouldnt have done so without the requirement. But I dont want to be stuck doing 100 percent online," Hamilton said. "I want to be back on campus and actually trying to have a normal college experience. Among the some 4,000 college campuses across the country, more than 600 have imposed a vaccine mandate, according to tracking by the Chronicle of Higher Education. But their requirements vary. The University of Washington and the University of Maryland, for example, are among the public schools mandating shots for both students and employees. The University of Connecticut and the University of Maryland require the doses for students but not faculty or staff. In some cases, union contracts or state laws prevent schools from requiring staff member vaccinations. Meanwhile, the University of California and California State University Californias two major state systems, with more than 750,000 total students initially were holding off on inoculation requirements until at least one COVID-19 vaccine had full Food and Drug Administration approval. But both have now mandated shots for students and employees. Religious and medical exemptions from vaccine requirements are commonly offered, although the universities are generally making those students undergo frequent COVID-19 testing and wear masks in public areas. Opponents of student vaccine requirements have gone to federal court challenging mandates issued by Indiana University, the University of Connecticut and the California State system. In the first ruling among those cases, a judge last month rejected arguments from eight students that Indiana Universitys requirement violated their constitutional rights to bodily autonomy by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. A court in Chicago also denied an appeal from their attorney, James Bopp, whos been prominent in many conservative political causes. Bopp works with the group Americas Frontline Doctors, which criticizes the COVID-19 vaccine and has been widely discredited for spreading disinformation about the coronavirus and unproven treatments. Bopp said hundreds of people across the country have contacted him wanting to challenge vaccine mandates. He argues the students he represents, primarily young adults, are at low risk of severe COVID-19 illnesses while facing possible dangers from the vaccine being administered under federal emergency use authorization. Why are they being targeted for a vaccine that older people arent required to take even though their risk is enormously greater? he said. Indiana University says nearly 85% of its students have reported receiving at least one dose. Purdue University, Indianas other Big Ten school, isnt requiring vaccinations but is telling students who dont submit documentation that they could face weekly COVID-19 tests. Purdue, which says at least 60% of students are vaccinated, tried to entice students to get the shots with 10 prize drawings for a full years tuition. Many other schools are offering similar incentives, such as the University of Wisconsins regional campuses giving away 70 $7,000 scholarships to vaccinated students at sites with at least 70% vaccination rates. Missouri State has a $150,000 program with prizes that include free tuition, meal plans and computers. Face masks won't fade away as much as hoped on campuses this fall, either. Purdue and the University of South Carolina were among those in the past week to announce a return to required masks following the new CDC guidance that fully vaccinated people wear them indoors if they live in areas with high virus transmission rates. Rachel Rae Applegate, an incoming Notre Dame freshman, was vaccinated this summer with her 16-year-old sister and said she was hesitant because the vaccines are so new. She also feared a greater risk of COVID-19 exposure on campus than at home in Evansville, Indiana. I can understand peoples concerns about not wanting to be told what to do, but to me, this (getting vaccinated) just makes sense, Applegate said. When were all together on a campus like this and with the variants and everything else, its like, dont we all want to be as safe as possible? ___ Associated Press writer Casey Smith contributed to this report. BOSTON (AP) Some gig workers and a coalition of app-based businesses including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart are pushing a proposed ballot question in Massachusetts they say would grant new benefits for workers while stopping short of declaring them employees. Supporters said Tuesday that the ballot question would set a minimum earnings guarantee for workers, extend new benefits including health care stipends, paid sick time and paid family and medical leave and occupational accident insurance, and protect drivers from discrimination. At the same time, the question would maintain the status of the workers as independent contractors instead of employee. Backers of the question say that will continue to give the workers the freedom to work when, where, how often and how long they want. Supporters say the question would establish an earnings floor equal to 120% of the Massachusetts minimum wage for app-based ride-hailing and delivery drivers. Drivers would continue to keep 100% of their tips. They would also be guaranteed at least $0.26 per mile to cover vehicle upkeep and gas. Ride-hailing and delivery network companies would be required to pay health care stipends for drivers who work at least 15 hours per week, including full stipends equal to 100% of the average employer contribution toward a Health Connector plan premium for those who work an average of 25 hours or more per week. Drivers would also earn paid sick time and paid family and medical leave, and be provided with on the job injury protection. Critics of the proposed ballot question said the measure would create a second class status for drivers, delivery workers, and other app-based workers in Massachusetts. They described the ballot question as a ploy to avoid paying taxes and paying workers fairly while allowing big tech companies to buy their way out of the basic obligations of every other business. Opponents also said the firms backing the question are pushing a false choice that drivers can only maintain scheduling flexibility by surrendering other worker rights. Big Tech should follow the same laws as everyone else, pay their taxes, contribute to Social Security, and treat their workers with basic fairness, Steven Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. The unveiling of the proposed ballot question comes as Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey is pushing forward with a lawsuit that would recognize Uber and Lyft drivers as employees under the states wage and hour laws. The lawsuit, filed last year in Suffolk Superior Court, challenges the designation of drivers as independent contractors by the ride hailing companies. Healey said the new designation as employees would give drivers access to what she described as critical labor rights and benefits including minimum wage, overtime, and earned sick time. Wednesday is the deadline for groups hoping to get a question on the 2022 ballot to submit the language of the question to Healeys office. Its up to Healey to decide if a question passes constitutional muster. Once a question gets the green light from Healeys office typically by the first Wednesday in September supporters need to file the question with the secretary of the commonwealths office and then begin the laborious process of collecting more than 80,000 voter signatures and filing them with local election officials. The certified signatures must be filed with the secretary of the commonwealths office by the first Wednesday in December. The question is then send to state lawmakers. If the Legislature opts not approve the question, supporters must then collect more than 13,000 additional signatures to guarantee a spot on the November ballot next year. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Just a little more than a month after figuring out how to spend $11 billion in this year's state budget, South Carolina senators are starting to talk about how to spend $2.5 billion more of federal COVID-19 relief. The Senate subcommittee coming up with its own spending plan met for the first time Tuesday and heard the rules and limitations on how the money can be spent. They also heard a world of possibilities fixing water and sewer problems or extending service, giving government employees a pandemic bonus, making up for a budget shortfall caused by the economic shutdown or improving public health. There are things the money can't be used for, including decreasing taxes, shoring up pensions, and legal settlements or infrastructure outside water, sewer and broadband internet. Then there are gray areas: Would a new fire truck or police car fit in the rules? If a government used money it saved to pay its bills during the pandemic, how strict is the rule against using the money to replenish reserves? I think this is a great chance to see how we can invest in the great state of South Carolina," said Republican Sen. Thomas Alexander from Walhalla, who is chairman of the Senate American Rescue Plan Act Subcommittee. A number of different programs are sending money to the state, county and municipal governments. Some of the local officials have money they can already spend. But the 254 municipalities in South Carolina with fewer than 50,000 people are waiting for their share of $435 million set aside by the federal government. Rules require the state to officially ask for the state and smaller town money to be released, and Gov. Henry McMaster has said he is waiting until closer to the planned fall General Assembly's special session to finalize how to spend the billions. South Carolina is only one of seven states that haven't asked for the money. Representatives for the municipalities said many have been discussing plans on how to spend the aid money for months. They must spend it by late 2024, which seems like a long time, but all 317 city and county governments across the state and so many more across the region will be competing for a limited number of professionals and crews to do the work, Municipal Association of South Carolina Executive Director Todd Glover said. Theres going to be a lot of competition for engineers and contractors, Glover said. The state isn't intentionally dragging its feet getting the money. Instead, they are carefully planning how to spend it and making sure states and cities don't spend on the same things, South Carolina Department of Administration Executive Director Marcia Adams said. How can we take this money both at the state and local level and actually multiply the benefit?" Adams said. Senators also suggested discussions among lawmakers about creating a match program where state money could be shared with municipalities on certain projects like broadband for rural areas or better sewer systems. "We have a huge opportunity in South Carolina. Instead of acting independently as municipalities, counties, whatever - slow down a little bit and we can possible supersize this stuff," said Sen. Ross Turner, a Republican from Greenville. The 17 cities in South Carolina with more than 50,000 people and all 46 counties can get their share of about $1 billion in federal pandemic money now. Worries about whether smaller cities are ready and capable to handle a sudden influx of cash into their budgets are overblown, said Steve Pelissier, executive director of the Appalachian Council of Governments. They have been calling his regional group for months seeking advice so they don't waste money or break federal rules, he said. They want to do good things. They dont want to end up in the newspaper and they dont want to have to give the money back, Pelissier said. ___ Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. SEATTLE (AP) Voters in Seattles mayoral primary on Tuesday set up a choice between candidates representing the political divide between activist-left residents and more moderate progressives in one of the nations most liberal cities. Bruce Harrell, a former City Council member who has called for hiring more police officers to stem a rise in shootings and who is endorsed by the business community, was leading all candidates in early returns. The top two finishers in the nonpartisan race advance to the November election. He will likely face City Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez in the general election. Gonzalez, who was finishing in second place, has been critical of Seattles police and has called for reform of a department that is under federal supervision after the Justice Department found a pattern of excessive force and evidence of biased policing. She embraced calls to defund the police following the murder of George Floyd last year. Votes will be counted for several days in the city's all-mail election, but Harrell and Gonzalez were easily outpacing the other candidates. Seattles primary election happened during an ongoing surge in shootings, a recent phenomenon echoed in other large cities in the U.S. Worries about inequity in a city with skyrocketing home prices and a vexing homelessness problem were also big issues between those running for the city's highest office. But it was the increase in violence that marked the ending weeks of the primary campaign. In late July, four people were fatally shot across the city over a 24-hour period. Incumbent Mayor Jenny Durkan, who is not running for reelection, and interim police Chief Adrian Diaz have announced more than $10 million toward violence prevention and $2 million for a pilot program that approaches violence from a public health perspective. Diaz has said more than 200 officers have left the department since large, sometimes violent protests in Seattle last summer. He said the department, which was criticized by City Council members and others for being too aggressive and quick to deploy tear gas and other measures during protests, was in a staffing crisis. Seattles primary came weeks after Democratic primary voters in New Yorks mayoral race chose a former police officer who objected to calls to defund the police. Harrell has committed to hiring more officers to address both the gun violence epidemic and other urgent public safety concerns. He grew up in Seattles Central Area, a redlined neighborhood; his father was a Black transplant from the Jim Crow South, and his mothers family was Japanese and interned during World War II. An attorney, he served three terms on the City Council, advocating for police accountability. People are tired of this fighting in Seattle, Harrell said after the initial results were released. The city is expecting me to come up with new solutions. Gonzalezs parents were migrant farmworkers in central Washington; she picked cherries as a child before becoming a lawyer and representing victims of police brutality. As council president she has helped pass a payroll tax on big corporations, such as Amazon, to pay for city services, as well as worker protections such as a secure-scheduling law. On Tuesday night, she said people want a mayor "who will stand up to big, wealthy corporations. Seattle, home to Amazon and legions of wealthy tech workers, is a notoriously difficult city to govern and one with a fickle electorate. The last three mayors elected by the people have not served more than one term. ___ AP writer Gene Johnson contributed to this report. TOWSON, Md. (AP) A settlement has been reached in the 2016 death of a Black woman shot by Baltimore County police after a standoff she posted on social media, a county official and attorneys for the womans family confirmed. An agreement was reached last week in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of 23-year-old Korryn Gaines, news outlets report. J. Wyndal Gordon, an attorney for Gaines family, would not confirm the total amount of money. CAIRO (AP) Sudan on Tuesday approved a draft bill allowing the East African country to join the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court. The decision by the Cabinet to join the Rome Statute is a step forward in the long-waited trial of suspects wanted for war crimes and genocide in the Darfur conflict, including former President Omar al-Bashir. The bill, however, still needs to be ratified by a joint meeting of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council and Cabinet. Together they serve as an interim parliament. The Cabinet did not offer a time frame for ratification. Sudan has been led by a joint military-civilian government since a popular uprising led to the militarys overthrow of al-Bashir in April 2019. That transitional government, which promised democratic reforms, has previously said that war crime suspects including al-Bashir would be tried before the ICC, but the trial venue is a matter for negotiations with The Hague-based court. Samantha Power, who wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning book on genocide and now leads the U.S. Agency for International Development, hailed the decision as BIG news on Twitter. A revolution for Freedom Peace & Justice just took a key step toward ending impunity, Power, who is on a visit to Sudan, wrote. She was referring to the uprising that led to al-Bashir's ouster. Tuesdays decision came two months after a visit by the International Criminal Courts then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to Khartoum and Darfur, during which she urged the countrys transitional authorities to hand over suspects wanted for war crimes and genocide in the Darfur conflict. The Darfur conflict broke out when rebels from the territorys ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. Al-Bashirs government responded with a campaign of aerial bombings and raids by militias known as janjaweed, who stand accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. The court charged al-Bashir with war crimes and genocide for allegedly masterminding the campaign of attacks in Darfur. Sudanese prosecutors last year started their own investigation into the Darfur conflict. Also indicted by the court are two other senior figures from al-Bashirs rule: Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, interior and defense minister during much of the conflict, and Ahmed Haroun, a senior security chief at the time and later the leader of al-Bashirs ruling party. Both Hussein and Haroun have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military, under pressure from protesters, ousted al-Bashir in April 2019. The court also indicted rebel leader Abdulla Banda, whose whereabouts are unknown, and janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, who was charged in May with crimes against humanity and war crimes. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council condemned deliberate attacks on civilians in Afghanistan and all instances of terrorism in the strongest terms on Tuesday, while declaring its opposition to restoration of rule by the Taliban. In a press statement agreed by all 15 members, the U.N.s most powerful body called on the Afghan government and the Taliban to engage meaningfully in an inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process in order to make urgent progress towards a political settlement and a ceasefire. The Security Council expressed deep concern at the high levels of violence and reported serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan following the Talibans offensive. It urged an immediate reduction in violence. The war between the Taliban and Afghanistans government forces has intensified over the past few months as U.S. and NATO troops complete their pullout from the war-torn country. The Taliban are now trying to seize provincial capitals after already taking smaller administrative districts. The council is expected to hold an open meeting Friday on the worsening security situation in Afghanistan, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement. In the statement, the council condemned in the strongest terms the deplorable attack against the United Nations compound in western Herat on Friday that killed an Afghan security forces guard and injured several others. Council members reiterated that all parties are required to protect civilians under international humanitarian law and that deliberate attacks targeting civilians and U.N. personnel and compounds may constitute war crimes. It said that the urgent and imperative need to bring the perpetrators to justice. The council reaffirmed that there is no military solution to the conflict and stressed the need for full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace negotiations. Under the Taliban, women were not allowed to go to school, work outside the home or leave their house without a male escort. Though they still face many challenges in the countrys male-dominated society, Afghan women have increasingly stepped into powerful positions in numerous fields and many fear the departure of international troops and a Taliban takeover could take away their gains. RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) A Florida woman is facing multiple charges after police say they took her off a plane at the Rapid City Regional Airport for exposing herself and becoming unruly. According to police, an officer at the airport was notified Friday night of a disruptive passenger who was exposing herself to others on the plane. The officer says he could smell that she had been drinking. The officer told the 41-year-old Daytona Beach Shores woman he would escort her off the plane. Images By Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) Washington state has seen an average of 1,500 new cases a day of COVID-19 over the past four days, and health officials said Tuesday they are concerned about not only a rise in cases but hospitalizations due to the highly contagious delta variant. The Department of Health said that hospital occupancy is at the highest levels seen to date this year, with more than 600 people hospitalized with COVID-19, an increase of more than 20% from last week. MERIDEN, Conn. (AP) A woman was critically injured Tuesday in a fall from a cliff at a popular park for hiking in Connecticut. Ken Morgan, Meriden's fire chief, said the hiker fell 65 feet (19.8 meters) from the cliff above Castle Craig at Hubbard Park and tumbled another 120 feet (36.6 meters). DENVER (AP) A woman who was filmed hitting a protester with her car during a demonstration against police violence in Denver last year was sentenced Monday to 48 hours of community service. Jennifer Watson was acquitted of assault in July but found guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving. Homesick Just because your kids are going away to school doesnt mean they have to feel far from home. With great deals on dorm room decorations like these, your Houston grads will always remember where they come from: good old Space City. So, send them off with a cozy Astros blanket for $35.09 or a spunky howdy, howdy poster for only $7.99 to remind them of their roots. From lounging on the bed to working long hours at their desk, these affordable dorm decorations will motivate your student to work hard and play hard. Claim your favorite dorm pieces now to help your kids get acclimated before the semester is in full swing. Plus, with decorations like these, theyll carry a bit of home with them, wherever they go. A. The once-a-week designation was only supposed to be temporary. It's ok to return to twice-a-week. B. Watering allowances should be more fluid and seasonal depending on rain amounts and droughts. C. Only those going over their watering limits should have to water less. D. Florida has a major overconsumption problem, and people need to get used to watering less. Once-a-week needs to stay put. E. Whatever is done, all citizens need to have equal rules. Vote View Results Driven by a need to meet rapidly evolving business requirements, CIOs find themselves writing a new playbook, one focused on agility, overcoming old habits and technical debt, reskilling the workforce, and even reshaping the IT mandate. The big ideas offered here came up in CIO's recent CIO Think Tank discussions on IT reinventionvirtual roundtables that brought together 36 IT leaders to unpack this important issue. [Editor's note: Download the full Think Tank report here.] They wont work for every organization, but if one applies to yours, youve gotten your times worth, many times over. Throw out your strategic plan I stopped using a strategic plan, This is what were going to do in year one, this is what were going to do in year two, said Rodney Nobles, CIO/CSO, Waukesha County Technical College, Wisconsin. Instead, Nobles created a simple brand statement for IT: reinvent, rethink, repurpose processes and technology so people can have content anytime, anywhere, on any device. Thats easy to remember and gives the IT department a laser focus. Everything the team touches should focus on achieving that brand statement, Nobles said, or we dont do it. Were education, so were about enrollment, retention. and completion. And thats what we work towardsnone of this other stuff that doesnt matter. Create internal incubators for innovation Several IT leaders noted the use of incubators to help develop more significant ideas, with expectations set differently from the usual requirements and pressures for immediate ROI. Every single piece of work were doing, one of the biggest questions is: How can we create intellectual property? How can we create IP licensing? How can we create internal startups so we can drive revenue back to the university? said Lin Zhou, SVP/CIO, The New School. BMC software takes this approach as well. We established BMC Innovation Labs to seed organic product innovation, and this is about experimentation: who fails fast or who succeeds fast, you learn and move on to the next one, said BMC CTO Ram Chakravarti. Thats a great way to explore leading-edge technology without investing a gazillion dollars. Change how you solve problems At Erickson Living, CIO Hans Keller says reinvention is less about what were doing, and more about how were doing it. Keller is working with his team to apply new disciplines to problem-solving. He describes their evolving method as an intersection between design thinking, lean, agile, and visual collaboration. The visual collaboration component is a particularly new element in this seeming grab-bag of methodologies. Keller says visualization allows us to take very, very complex pieces and distill them into images so that we can get a better grasp on what people are trying to accomplish. IT departments that have struggled to find a common language for business objectives or needs might consider an approach like this one. When we first sit down to tackle new problems, were not solutioning right away. Its about digging in and really understanding the problem first, building a consistent approach to getting everyone on the same page. Keller says that of course Erickson is experimenting with RPA, AI, custom software development, and other technologies this year. But next year thats going to be just a new set of things. I think the how is the critical piece for us. Turn IT into a data science department As the cloud offers more easy-to-consume services, some IT leaders say less focus on infrastructure is requiredUC San Diego CIO Vince Kellen said he will soon have no data center to oversee, for the first time in his career. Kellen also said he is gradually changing the entire department to focus on information curation. The big purpose for a central IT shop is to convert data and information into meaningful action. And that last bit is now the land of machine learning and data science, so Im gearing up our office, our unit, to be a data science operations group, Kellen explained. Where knowledge is scarce and valuable to the organization, it must be curated in a team, not an individual. Many panelists indicated a move to strengthen their data science capabilitiesthats where we see the most competitive opportunity, said Carhartts CIO/SVP John Hillbut Kellen describes a more extreme kind of data-focused reinvention for IT. Don't have an IT department at all At Ohana Biosciences, VP IT Nathan McBride is trying a completely new model for an IT department, which is very light and radically decentralized. Ohana has only two people working across units: McBride as the CIO/CISO and this infrastructure, middleware, DevOps kind of role that Im creating to work with me. Each department then has a single full stack IT expert, reporting to the business, and fully empowered to apply technology to solve business problems (within certain governance requirements). Yes, its more expensive up-front to hire these people, McBride said, but this model is more agile and responsive to the evolving needs of an increasingly tech-savvy business. As a bioscience company, McBride says Ohana employees use a number of highly specialized tools and services, so much so that its harder for IT generalists to add a lot of value in managing that toolset. I have 20 computational biologists who can run circles around your best AWS guy in using the cloud for their specific jobs, explained McBride. So, he sees no need to hire an AWS expert; instead, the light central governance model offers those biologists somebody who can put in AWS governance and provide a framework for these brilliant people to work, and then let them go. Administratorii portalului nu poarta raspundere pentru continutul postarilor si materialelor plasate de utilizatorii site-ului. Utilizati informatia din acest articol pe propriul risc. The issue of police violence and racism is a familiar one. Its been present in the United States since the Republics beginnings. And the stories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice and others cannot be understood if we do not know and comprehend that history. In this episode of How We Got Here, a new podcast by the Columbia Journalism School faculty, we discuss race, crime, criminal justice, violence and the kind of cyclical dynamic that we have seen repeatedly over the decades with Harvard historian Dr. Khalil Muhammad . The conversation, hosted by Professor Jelani Cobb, gives greater context and an insight into the shattering events of today by illuminating the roots of injustice and violence against Black Americans by those in authority. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today The Editors are the staffers of the Columbia Journalism Review. Last week, the Biden administration called on Congress to extend a federal ban on evictions that health officials implemented last year as a response to the pandemic, citing the White Houses view that a recent Supreme Court ruling prohibited it from taking unilateral action. On Fridaywith the Delta variant of the coronavirus raging nationwide and the moratorium set to expire on Saturdaythe House left town for recess without even taking a proper vote on the issue. Progressive lawmakers were furious, so much so that several of their number slept on the steps outside the Capitol in protest. Cori Bush, a Democratic Congresswoman from Missouri who has personal experience of being unhoused, is still there; reporters have taken notice, and Bush has called into cable shows for interviews. Eviction is actual violence on a person, she told Chris Hayes last night, on MSNBC. I will not sit by and be quiet because we want to talk about procedure and protocol. The expiry of the moratorium has been a big story in recent days. News organizations, which generally seem to enjoy talking about procedure and protocol, have detailed the ins and outs of the legal and policy situation: the Biden administration still believes it cant act alone, so is now urging local authorities to extend or implement eviction bans of their own; officials are also urging localities to speed up the disbursement of rental-assistance funds that Congress already legislated, much of which is sitting untouched. Journalists have also told the stories of some of the millions of Americans facing the risk of eviction. NPR spoke with Safiya Kitwana, a single mom in DeKalb County, Georgia, who was approved for financial assistance, but did not receive enough cash to pay her landlord in full. A judge just imposed a temporary local eviction ban and Kitwana should soon be eligible to get the remainder of the money she owes, but its been a close call. Ive seen it happen where they just throw your stuff out in the parking lot, she said. It hurts to even talk about that portion of it, as far as what my kids are gonna see. ICYMI: How major media outlets screwed up the vaccine breakthrough story The eviction crisis didnt suddenly become a big deal with the expiry of the moratorium; it was important before the pandemic, and, since COVID hit, has been a slow-moving story of various directives, deadlines, and delays. There has been some very good, ongoing coverage in that time, including on the local level. But the story has only rarely risen to the top of the national news cycle, and its arguably taken the crunch point of the expiry to focus the media conversation at its highest levels. (Speaking on CNN yesterday, Peter Hepburn, an academic involved with Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab, noted that local officials have so far disbursed only three of the forty-six-billion dollars Congress allocated for rental assistance. Jim Sciutto, the host, cut in, sounding incredulous. Three billion out of forty-six billion? Wow.) The eviction story feels like yet another victim of the news peg, or the belief, sacrosanct within the media business, that coverage of a broader issue should hang on the hook of a specific event. As I wrote earlier this year, this dynamic privileges novelty (see: billionaires flying into space) while diluting the attention major outlets pay to deep, long-running societal problems. Another recent example of this dynamic was the child tax creditan unconditional cash benefit for most US parents that experts and campaigners have hailed as a historic, transformational step in the fight against child poverty. The policy received a flurry of national attention earlier this year when Biden passed it as part of his COVID relief package, and then again recently when checks started hitting bank accounts. In between times, it got much less attention; as The Atlantics Annie Lowrey noted, citing data maintained by Stanford University, the tax credit has barely been mentioned on cable news compared to, say, vaccines or Donald Trumpperhaps contributing, among other factors, to a lack of awareness of the policy among the small, yet significant, proportion of parents who are eligible to receive the tax credit but wont get it automatically. (When I searched Stanfords cable-news tool for eviction moratorium this morning, the results looked even worse, up until a coverage spike in the past few days.) Again, thats not to say theres been no good coveragebut on the whole, the scale of attention paid to the credit over time has not matched its historic nature, whatever you may think of it as a policy. Maintaining a longer-term focus on the tax credit is important, too, because it is a temporary measure; many Democrats want to extend it, but will likely face a fight to do so. Coverage that picks up the story again only on the eve of that fight will do a disservice to the families affected, which is most families, as well as any news consumers who are interested in hearing evidence on the effectiveness of public policies in real time. The same is true of other anti-poverty measures. Appearing on The Takeaway last week, Sarah Beth Gehl, a researcher at the Southern Economic Advancement Project, noted that while the overall poverty rate in the US has trended down thanks to pandemic-era assistance programs, many of these programs have been episodic, with the result that we see this kind of lurching families could really benefit for a few months and then dip back down into poverty. That lurching, Gehl said, is an important part of the policy conversation. The same is true of the media conversation, and its own tendency toward the episodic. It shouldnt take a member of Congress sleeping on the steps of the Capitol building to grab our collective attention and make poverty a big story again. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Below, more on the eviction moratorium and the child tax credit: Some news from the home front: Today, Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism, in partnership with CJR, will release the first episodes of How We Got Here, a new podcast for journalists exploring how history and identity shape narrative. In the podcast, six Columbia journalism professors will examine how race, gender, class, immigration, and American empire impact the stories we cover and how we tell them. First up, Jelani Cobb discusses race, crime, criminal justice, and violence with Dr. Khalil Muhammad, a historian at Harvard, and Sam Freedman talks with Nell Irvin Painter and Eric Goldstein, two scholars in the field of Whiteness Studies. You can find out more, and listen, here. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Getting the vaccine mandates story right Correction: This post has been updated to clarify that Fox News announced that it has parted ways with Andrew Napolitano after John Fawcett filed his lawsuit. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) A wind-driven wildfire destroyed more than a dozen homes, outbuildings and other structures around northwestern Montanas Flathead Lake after the flames jumped over a state highway, authorities said Sunday Evacuations had been ordered by the Finley Point/Yellow Bay Fire Department about 1 a.m. Sunday as winds pushed the fire across Highway 35 north of Polson and toward the lake. People living in the fires path safely escaped, and no injuries were reported, said spokesperson C.T. Camel with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes fire division. As many as 20 structures were destroyed, Camel said. High temperatures had contributed to the fires overnight expansion across an area of almost two square miles (five square kilometers), Camel said. It was 90 degrees at midnight, Camel said. We still had day-like fire behavior all through the night. The evacuation order included Finley Point, the Skidoo Lane area and houses along a seven mile stretch of Highway 35 north of Polson. The fire was detected on Saturday morning eight miles east of Polson and is believed to be human-caused. A chance of heavy rain in the area was forecasted for Sunday. In southeastern Montana, a fire that began last week in the Poverty Flats area northeast of Hardin grew to 103 square miles (267 square kilometers). The fire was burning in grass, sage brush and cottonwood trees along the Bighorn River and was about 20% contained Sunday. Authorities believe the blaze was started by a burning coal seam. Underground coal seams can smolder for years if they are ignited by lightning or other causes. On the Crow Indian Reservation, authorities said a person would be charged with arson in connection with a fire east of Lodge Grass. The fire threatened multiple homes and burned 24 acres (9.7 hectares) of grass and brush and destroyed a shed. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A billboard with the photo of New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger has been erected outside the newspapers headquarters at 620 Eighth Ave. in New York City, August 2021. The second annual Shop & Rock Handmade Fest will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at Market Square at Crocker Park in Westlake. We are in very close contact, in coordination with the United Kingdom, Israel, Romania and other countries, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The post Blinken assures collective response to Irans attack on Israeli-tied oil tanker appeared first on JNS.org. At 5 years old, Milton Maltz faced hate for the first time an experience that has been indelibly etched in his mind, even 85 years later. Clinton, IA (52732) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) The country recorded 6,879 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,612,541, according to the Department of Health. Of the case total, 3.9% or 63,137 are active cases or currently ill with 94% experiencing mild symptoms, 2.1% with severe symptoms, 1.46% in moderate condition, 1.3% without symptoms, and 1.2% in critical condition. The death toll rose to 28,141 or 1.75% of the COVID-19 count with 48 more fatalities while 6,337 got better, pushing the survivor count to 1,521,263 or 94.3% of the case tally. The DOH said the case numbers are relatively lower due to low submission of samples on Aug. 1. Ten laboratories were not counted in the total one was not operational on Aug. 1 while nine did not submit their reports on time. The past four days, the daily infection tally had been over 8,000. The DOH said it removed 100 duplicate cases including 98 recoveries. It also reclassified 30 survivors 12 into active cases and 18 into deaths after validation. The DOH added that the ten laboratories not counted in the total, contributed an average of 3.7% of samples tested and 3.6% of positive individuals in the last 14 days. Over 17% positivity rate The positivity rate or percentage of people who tested positive is again the highest in over three months at 17.5% based on 37,302 tests reported on August 1. It is the highest since April 26 when the figure was 17.8%. The country broke the same record only four days ago when the rate was at 16.2%. For reference, an area has inadequate testing efforts when its positivity rate is above 20% while the benchmark for adequate testing is below 3%. This is based on the metric of US nonprofit Covid Act Now, which the OCTA research team uses as reference for its recommendations. The current rate puts the country in the "high" risk category. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization states the positivity rate should be below 5% to say the infection is under control. Community transmission With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department is now assuming there is community transmission of the feared Delta variant, although there is still no sufficient evidence to say so. There are 216 Delta variant cases reported in the Philippines so far, 17 of which are active. However, the DOH said it is waiting for more data from the Philippine Genome Center to confirm community transmission, or the spread of the disease in an area where there is no known linkage among individuals with the highly contagious variant. The DOH also flagged Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao as regions under "high" risk classification due to upticks in their average daily attack rate. Vergeire said more than 4,000 nurses have been deployed to hospitals and facilities in the country to help address the increasing number of infections. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) The head of the Philippine College of Physicians believes that for now, there is no need to extend the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region, which will take effect starting Aug. 6, citing the economic impacts of strict mobility restrictions. "I think the two weeks will be enough. Kasi pag nagtagal pa tayo, talagang mahirap na para sa kababayan natin (If we extend it, it may be difficult for our fellow Filipinos)," PCP President Maricar Limpin told CNN Philippines' New Day on Tuesday. Placing Metro Manila, the countrys financial and commercial hub, under ECQ for the third time, will lead to more job losses, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines has warned. For her part, Limpin said while lockdowns help in preventing the "rapid transmission" of the coronavirus as seen in the past, "for us medical practitioners, we would probably like to see more effective containment measures," including the establishment of a standardized contact tracing system. She also underscored the need to strictly implement the infection control protocols like wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance, saying they are the "most effective strategy" against the pandemic. She added authorities must ensure capacity limits in business establishments are complied with. Officials of the pandemic response task force were earlier quoted in reports as saying the length of the ECQ in the capital region will depend on the number of cases. Pandemic problem not confined in NCR The PCP President also said the problem of the pandemic is not just confined in Metro Manila. She expressed alarm over the COVID-19 situation in the provinces, where a number of hospitals have reached capacity due to the rise in COVID-19 patients. "In Cebu, if you look at the hospitals there -- private or government -- nakalinya ang mga tao, ang mga sasakyan naghihintay (people in vehicles are queuing up, waiting) for their turns to be taken care of. And then, may dala dala na silang sari-sarili nilang mga (they have also brought their own) oxygen tanks," Limpin said. "This is very alarming for us health practitioners to see this happening right before our eyes," she added. She said the health facilities in Ilocos Norte are also filled right "up to the brim." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) The World Health Organization on Tuesday commended the government for buying the Philippines more time to respond to the threat of the more contagious Delta coronavirus variant, but said other efforts have to be stepped up to cut its spread. WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the travel ban and longer quarantine period and stricter testing for incoming travelers have contributed to delaying the entry of the feared variant that has spread to at least 123 other countries. "All of these measures have contributed to the delay in the eventual detection of Delta in the country. But now we have it here," he said in a media briefing. The official said the country has to prepare in anticipation that it will become the most dominant variant in the country due to its higher transmissibility, which could lead to unprecedented surges in COVID-19 cases like in other countries. There are to date 216 Delta variant cases reported in the Philippines, with 17 active infections and nine deaths. Abeyasinghe said the national and local governments should "strategically focus" its vaccination efforts on the elderly and people with comorbidities to prevent overwhelming hospitals. He said the healthcare system will be able to cope with more cases as long as they are not severe infections. In addition, he said hospitals should boost their supply of oxygen tanks while Delta cases are still relatively manageable so the healthcare system will not suffer the same fate as India, Indonesia, and Myanmar which are severely battling the surge of Delta-driven cases. "We have seen the Delta variant has caused significant demand in many countries. We see that hospitals are running short of oxygen supplies so it is now time for us to prepare for this situation in anticipation. We need to prepare for the eventuality that we will need more oxygen supply," he said. Cebu City is currently experiencing this problem due to higher demand as COVID-19 patients line up to wait to be admitted in major hospitals. Emergency rooms in the city are filling up and reservations to purchase or rent oxygen tasks have also become difficult. The Department of Health previously said the government has asked manufacturers of oxygen tanks to double their current output. Ordinary citizens can also do their part in preventing a surge by wearing face masks and face shields, observing physical distancing, and following proper hygiene, Abeyasinghe said. He added the public should consider doing "voluntary ECQ" by avoiding nonessential trips and gathering especially in enclosed spaces. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved in a peaceful manner in compliance with international maritime law. A peaceful South China Sea is essential to its protection and sustainable management, Locsin said during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference Session with China on Tuesday. Disputes in it should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and in the recent light of the 2016 Arbitral Award which singles out no one, was carefully crafted as to be unusable as a weapon for disputation; and most helpful in clarifying maritime issues, he said. Beijings State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the event. The Philippines has filed multiple diplomatic protests against the East Asian superpower over the presence of the latters vessels in the disputed waters. This is despite the 2016 arbitral ruling in The Hague in favor of Manila invalidating China's claims over the West Philippine Sea a decision Beijing continues to reject. In April, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin even urged the Philippines to respect their sovereignty, rights, and interests in the South China Sea, and to stop any action that will complicate the situation in the area. Meanwhile, Locsin expressed deep concern over the developments in Myanmar and also asked China to help in restoring peace and freedom in the sad land. The Five-Point Consensus must be swiftly implemented, he said. The Chairs Special Envoy should be allowed to begin work so unhindered humanitarian assistance be provided. My own ambassador in Washington urged there that Myanmar not be excluded from vaccine assistance out of humanitarian concerns; that would be inhuman to do, Locsin added. The countrys top diplomat also called for the release of political detainees, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her foreign adviser. Constructive dialogue is what the Five-Point Consensus calls for; it can only happen when everyone concerned is at the table, Locsin said. ASEANs survival as a credible partner for all, including China, hinges on this. This finally is the test that all in ASEAN feared but we must face it," he added. "Can there be ASEAN centrality based on convenience rather than principle? Convenience by definition can never be principled. I dont think its ever a bad time to think about retirement, Thomas Lawrence, a teaching professor of history at Penn State said. And he isnt alone in that sentiment. According to several studies, people are beginning to worry about life after work as early as their 20s whether theyll have enough money, if theyll be comfortable and if theyll be able to have relaxing final years of life. Lawrence said he believes worrying about retirement early is a smart decision. Though it doesnt seem like it right now, youre going to get older, Lawrence said. Life is uncertain, and sometimes you can get older and maybe you wont be able to work. He said its best to prepare for the worst in life and that starts with thinking about retirement and savings. Student Kelly Chege said hes already started planning for his retirement. As a 28-year-old graduate student, Chege (graduate-agricultural engineering) said the early 20s are a great age to start thinking about the future. The quicker people start to think about retirement, the quicker you can put your life path on a trajectory, Chege said. Starting to save money early, he said, can be a safeguard for later in life and ease anxieties about aging. Chege said he sees retirement as a continuum and not just an end goal. Its not necessarily thinking about the end but trying to create a path now, Chege said. But not everyone in their early 20s is able to save for retirement and create a path to 30, 40 or even 50 years into the future, Lawrence said. Though he said he thinks retirement is a necessity, Lawrence said other needs must sometimes come first. Everybodys in a different position when they graduate, Lawrence said. Sometimes youre more worried about making rent than you are about retiring. To Lawrence, food, living costs and health insurance are often more important for young people trying to find their financial footing after college. Lawrence said he believes, however, retirement should not be seen as a scale but as a concurrent goal with food, living and health insurance costs. In life, he said, goals often intertwine, and retirement is one that connects with most others. Juleana Landmesser emphasized the importance of relating retirement to other life goals. Everything leads up to that what job you get, how much money you make, all your friends and everything it all determines how well you do in retirement, Landmesser (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE And this was a sentiment shared by Yury Bogatyrev, too. Its a good time to start worrying about what youre going to be doing with your life and planning it out toward retirement, Bogatyrev (senior-marketing and psychology) said. Its a good idea to get a groundwork for where youre going with your career. Both Landmesser and Bogatyrev said retirement planning is on their radar but for them and for other students, it isnt the most important thing at their current stage in life. Finding a job and saving money, Landmesser said, is what she said students should focus on. She said the entitlement and laziness of members of Gen Z pits them against themselves in the journey of life. A lot of people dont want to work, Landmesser said. When theyre in retirement, they might have a hard time. Bogatyrev said he believes personal development, grades, classes, relationships and networking are more important than thinking about retirement for current students. Worrying about retirement, he said, would distract from the purpose of the undergraduate experience. A good age to start thinking about retirement would be around 26 or 27, Bogatyrev said which would be well after graduating, establishing a career and handling student loans. You wouldnt be living in the moment, Bogatyrev said. You would constantly be living somewhere far in the future. Focus on the here and now. Focusing on the present was what student Pratham Gala said he thinks is most important as an undergraduate student. I wouldnt worry about retirement so early, Gala (freshman-computer science) said. Jobs, Gala said, should be the main concern. He said retirement can wait until ones 30s or 40s once a career and life have been established. Aidan Dougherty said he believes grades and doing well in school should be an integral priority. Set yourself up for your future, Dougherty (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said. Getting good grades in school now might end up helping you later. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE It would also be smart, Dougherty said, for students to start saving money if they can and to start planning for the future early but not to an unhealthy extent and not so that it distracts from other, more important, life concerns. Its so far away, Dougherty said. Im a freshman student here. I have better things to worry about. Taking a different approach, Abdullah Alomair said retirement should be a concern 10 years into an established career and after at least a few years of marriage. You should only start worrying about retirement when youve got a foot down in the workplace, Alomair (junior-petroleum engineering) said. Planning retirement before getting married and before having two years or five years experience is just asking for your finances to be all over the place. Alomair said he thinks a well-established marriage teaches both parties in the couple to better manage their finances after experiencing a financial chokehold during the first couple years. He said aside from studying abroad, marriage is the most financially stressful event in life, and handling it before retirement will make the latter easier to manage. Contemplating retirement as a student before thinking about a career, marriage and savings would be a waste of time, Alomair said. Once an individual is married and financially stable in their career, Alomair said he believes children will be a factor that could impact retirement goals. His solution? A side business during retirement to keep money flowing into already established savings. This, Alomair said he believes, will ensure success and comfort after the end of a career and will also satiate individuals with a continued itch to work after their career ends. Miguel Rubio, 49, however, said he believes planning so much isnt living life the way it was meant to be lived. While he said its never too late to consider saving money, he said he believes its more important throughout life to work toward financial independence and security. When people focus on retirement, they work as much as they can in a 20, 30-plus year career, and then at the end, theyre too tired and old to enjoy retirement, Rubio, husband of Penn State 1992 environmental resource management graduate Erin Rubio, said. Focus on being financially secure and independent and then go from there. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE Penn State students offer campus food advice to newcomers When Penn State student Nick Hagan imagines eating on campus, he said his mind goes straight To Rubio, savings are important, but he said he thinks the word retirement has derived a negative connotation that scares many people away from thinking about it. Instead, Rubio said he believes worrying about needs and desires and what an individual wants out of life is more important than planning for life after a career. Its better to spend a little bit of time knowing yourself, knowing what you really want out of life and what you want to focus on, Rubio said. After that, worry about how to get there. Ones 20s are the perfect years to begin thinking about life goals and these needs and desires, Rubio said. Karyn Landmesser, the 49-year-old mother of Juleana, echoed many of Rubios sentiments but also said the worry and anxiety young people are dealing with regarding retirement relates to the character and nature of Gen Z. A lot of this generation is very entitled, Karyn said. Theyre more worried about not working than working. Karyn said students and young adults thinking about retirement at such young ages need to stop and worry about finding jobs, making money and saving it instead. Yet Chege said he believes the problem isnt with Gen Z but with American work culture and the economic decisions of older generations. As he works toward his doctorate., Chege said he worries about not just the future of his generation but that of himself. Being born and raised in America, I see retirement as not realistic for a lot of people, Chege said. As someone who wants to relax by the age of 40, I feel like Im going to have to move out of the United States and still get paid in U.S. dollars. Juleana, however, said shes holding onto hope and that being a student at Penn State is helping her keep it alive. Im going to have more of an idea of what goes into working and jobs and understand how important it is to get a good job, Juleana said, so then [Im] able to retire at a decent age and be successful enough. Most importantly above all, Bogatyrev said, is holding onto youth and enjoying ones 20s while they last. Were only young for so long, Bogatyrev said. Save the worries about retirement for just a little later. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE Penn State to award summer semester students with coronavirus relief funding Penn State announced Monday it will award summer students grant money totaling $10 million t Earlier this summer, Penn States Palmer Museum of Art acquired a new exhibition of artwork accentuated with fine brush strokes, an emphasis on natural light and depictions of summertime a display of American Impressionism. Summer Light: American Impressionist Paintings from the Thomas Clark Collection opened at the end of May and is on display through Aug. 29. Erin Coe, director of the museum and associate clinical professor of art history, said via email she is excited to showcase the exhibition throughout the summer. It features 24 paintings on loan from the art collector, Clark, who promised his collection of pre-1940 American Impressionist paintings to the Palmer Museum as a bequest, according to Coe. This exhibition is the first presentation of a selection of works from Clarks forthcoming gift, which consists of approximately 170 paintings, Coe said. The works of 10 female artists are featured, according to Coe. She said their contributions are significant to American Impressionism, though they were not as well-known as their male counterparts or recognized for their achievements. The exhibition explores how American artists, working in the Impressionist style in the first four decades of the 20th century, rendered the sun-drenched landscape and fostered a summer aesthetic for American tastes, Coe said. It also considers the pivotal role of summer schools and art colonies that flourished in the United States during this period and spread and further popularized the Impressionist style. The exhibition also features several artists affiliated with Cape Ann, Massachusetts, for example, which was home to the oldest art colony in the country, according to Coe. It also features artists who painted further afield including California and Texas. The main event associated with Summer Light took place virtually on July 8, where Adam Thomas, curator of American art at the Palmer, and Coe hosted a Museum Conversation, discussing artists and paintings in the exhibition. The conversation was moderated by Alicia Skeath, who is a summer curatorial research intern at the Palmer Museum, according to Coe. The exhibition focuses on Impressionism, which originated in France in the 1870s and is broadly characterized by paintings that capture the changing conditions of natural light through loose brushwork, bright colors and the depiction of contemporary subject matter, as well as the practice of painting outdoors, according to Coe. Though the Impressionist style was initially considered radical, it soon became popular and gradually transitioned to American soil where it found fertile ground and flourished, Coe said. Impressionism is an enduring style that has spanned generations and geographic locales. Coe said the exhibition explores the legacy of Impressionism in the United States, and the style continues to appeal to audiences today. Tom Clark has reclaimed the work of women artists of this period and thereby ensured that their stories and legacies are preserved and shared with students today and for generations to come, Coe said. I hope students at Penn State will visit us this summer to see the exhibition, which I think they will find refreshing and uplifting after this extended period of social distancing and isolation. Caitlin LeBlanc, visitor services manager at the Palmer Museum, said she has seen an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the exhibit throughout the summer. I've enjoyed the conversations I've had with visitors about [Summer Light], LeBlanc said. The title was aptly chosen because it truly reflects the space and the art in it. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE Penn State students offer campus food advice to newcomers When Penn State student Nick Hagan imagines eating on campus, he said his mind goes straight According to LeBlanc, the visitor reservation numbers since Summer Light opened are 2,706 and counting. I love the accessibility of this exhibition for all ages and levels of interest and think that every visitor has a personal reaction and response to these works, LeBlanc said. Thomas, who is also an affiliate assistant professor of art and history at Penn State, was able to acquire the exhibition from Clark and said working with him has been a pleasure. One of my favorite aspects of the exhibition was unearthing interesting research finds pertaining to paintings in the exhibition, Thomas said. Some of the artists are not well-studied but deserving of further attention and scholarship. Thomas said he hopes visitors will know more about the legacy of Impressionism in the United States after seeing the exhibition. I hope all museum visitors, students included, will find something in the exhibition that speaks to them something that they connect or react to and something that prompts them to ponder or reflect or slow down or share. When Penn State student Nick Hagan imagines eating on campus, he said his mind goes straight to one thing cookies at West Halls Waring Commons. With the fall semester right around the corner, one of the first questions that can dominate new students thoughts may be, Wheres the food? There are plenty of answers from current students as to where some of the best food and the worst food can be found on campus. For Hagan (senior-economics), the easiest choice for any new or returning student ought to be Waring Commons, not just because of the cookies but also for the sheer amount of options. Obviously, you cant forget about the West cookies, but when they have the taco station there, I get that a lot, he said. Even just the daily special usually I would get that, and it was always really good. Theres always a lot of options where you could get something you like. Not every dining commons is created equally though, Hagan said, especially in regard to Pollock. It seemed when I lived in Pollock and I would go there every day, it had the least amount of options compared to West or even South, Hagan said. It seemed like the food wasnt always as fresh there compared to other places. Rylie Kenney agreed with Hagan and said she believes not all dining halls hit the spot. To her, Findlay Dining Commons in East Halls is best left alone. My least favorite is probably East because I was forced to eat there almost every day of freshman year, Kenney (senior-biobehavioral health) said. I feel like, other than the Edge Coffee Bar in East, the actual dining hall food was never that great. However, when it comes to Redifer Commons in South, she said, theres no going wrong. They always have the best food, like the quesadillas, and just a lot of options, Kenney said. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE If students happen to tire of the dining commons, there are plenty of places elsewhere to find good food, Ian Wanner said. One of those places he said he enjoys is Panda Express in the HUB-Robeson Center. Its usually pretty quick, pretty easy. Tastes pretty good, Wanner (senior-physics) said. If students find themselves at Panda, Wanner recommended the orange chicken and the teriyaki chicken as ideal choices to stave off their hunger. Just down the hall in the HUB is where Fatima Alzaabi said she enjoys getting some of her favorite campus food. She said she usually goes for the poke bowls at Hibachi-San. I usually just go to the HUB and get the poke bowls [at] Hibachi, Alzaabi (senior-Japanese language) said. And, you cant forget the avocado and the onions. If students are hankering for something sweet, though, there is one essential place to go, Lamisse Hamouda and Trey Campbell said. I highly recommend the [Penn State Berkey] Creamery. Its a nice experience when youre in the mood for ice cream or milkshakes, Hamoud (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said. Campbell (senior-hospitality management) said he enjoys how the Creamery has plenty of flavors to choose from and recommended it for any freshman. Its something that if its not on your bucket list, it should definitely get on there eventually. A State College-based construction contractor is facing new developments surrounding a case in which it was accused of stealing millions of dollars from its own workers by violating wage laws. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced "major updates" in the Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. case following a hearing Tuesday morning in Centre County Court. The Glenn O. Hawbaker company, which is one of the largest construction companies in the region, pleaded no contest to four felony counts of theft for illegal wage theft schemes that stole tens of millions of dollars from its workers, Shapiro said in a press conference following the hearing. The company was accused of violating Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Law and the Federal Davis-Bacon act for stealing more than $20 million from workers over the course of three decades, according to Shapiro. Shapiro said the company was awarded $1.7 billion in contracts from the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2003-2018 to complete projects like building roads and bridges. Contract workers are required to receive a "prevailing wage," meaning a set wage per hour they are on the job. Workers can receive the full set wage in a paycheck or the money can be split between a paycheck and other fringe benefits like health care. However, Shapiro said the full prevailing wage must ultimately go back to the employees. Vice President of Glenn O. Hawbaker, D. Michael Hawbaker, was present at the hearing and said although the company is not pleading guilty, it agrees to pay the restitution in full. Based on the accounts of 250 victim impact statements presented by prosecutors in the courtroom, over 1,000 victims were "shocked" to discover they were never paid nearly enough for their work when filing for retirement. The company allegedly overstated the cost of their health benefits by millions of dollars to make it seem like the workers received more healthcare than they did by the use of "phony billing" tactics, Shapiro said. Hawbaker was ordered to pay $20,696,453 in restitution to employees after pleading to Centre County President Judge Pamela Ruest. In April 2021, Shapiro announced the criminal case involving Hawbaker's alleged underfunding of employee retirement funds. In the statement, Shapiro said the Hawbaker case is the largest Davis-Bacon prevailing criminal wage case in U.S. history. As a result of Tuesday's hearing, Hawbaker will be required to pay the attorney general's office $240,562 for investigative costs. "When we're talking about big fights," Shapiro said in a Facebook post, "this is as big as it gets. Every Pennsylvanian who works hard deserves to retire with dignity and live their own American dream." In a statement, Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. said it believed it was following state and federal laws, and "always intended" to pay all of its employees. Hawbaker was charged for theft that occurred from 2015 to the present. MORE COURTS COVERAGE Former employees sue State College restaurant for alleged labor, wage violations Jian Zhong Xue and Raymond Chow filed a lawsuit against former State College restaurant John This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! Columbia, MO (65201) Today Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Mostly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Danville, IL (61832) Today An isolated thunderstorm possible this evening, then occasional showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight An isolated thunderstorm possible this evening, then occasional showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Danville, IL (61832) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Microsoft last week said the most important Windows policies enterprises can set to speed up Windows servicing are those configuring deadlines. "Setting Compliance Deadlines is the most important policy that every enterprise who cares about achieving reliable update velocity should set," the Redmond, Wash. company said in the recently-published "Optimizing Windows 10 update adoption" document. (The document is included in this download, "Windows 10 Update Baseline," as a separate PDF.) By setting deadline policies, IT admins determine how quickly the update components of Windows should complete the task. According to Microsoft, "These Windows components adapt their behavioral heuristics based on these deadlines in order to attempt to meet the stated deadline." IT admins, then, have ultimate control over how long a user can dawdle over or delay an update, but the exact moment when the update is installed is left to the black box of Windows and its inherent intelligence. The policies there are currently four were introduced with Windows 10 1903, the feature upgrade launched in May 2019. Later that summer, they were added to Windows 10 1709 through Windows 10 1903 with those versions' August security updates. (This means that all currently supported versions of Windows 10, absent the first two LTSC/LTSB SKUs, support the deadline policies.) The policies begin a countdown to the update's installation deadline from the day the update is published plus any deferral IT may have set. Thus, if the deferral for quality updates (Microsoft's term for the monthly updates issued on Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of each month) were set to 7 days and the deadline to 3 days (Microsoft's recommendation, by the way), Windows will try to wrap up the update's installation within 10 days of its release. Microsoft's recommended deadline for feature updates the twice-annual (so far) refreshes that are supposed to include some new features and functions is a slightly longer 7 days. Users may choose from several options when notifications pop up regarding quality or feature updates, including asking for a later reminder, rescheduling the install at a later time and/or date, or immediately restarting. Windows decides which of those options to show, "depending on how close the deadline is." In other words, with a looming deadline if it's today, for example the only option may be to restart. Here, as elsewhere in setting update policies, Microsoft advises customers to keep their mitts off, essentially telling them that Windows knows best. "We recommend that you do NOT set any notification policies, as they are automatically configured with appropriate defaults," the white paper states. Microsoft also urged IT administrators to set grace periods for update deadlines. Grace periods, expressed in days, are the amount of time Windows is given to "find a minimally interruptive automatic restart time before the restart is enforced." The key there is the phrase "minimally interruptive." Sans a grace period Windows will simply enforce a restart at the deadline, no matter what's happening on the device. One possible scenario: The user returns to work after being absent several days, a stretch during which the device was off and the deadline came and went. In that case, minus a grace period, Windows might force an immediate restart as soon as the user logs in at return. Not cool. (Microsoft's recommended grace period? A mere two days.) Once both the deadline and grace have expired, Windows applies the updates and a restart occurs, even if it's during work hours (as expressed by Windows 10's Active Hours setting). The "Optimizing Windows 10 update adoption" document includes a whole host of other Microsoft advice on accelerating Windows maintenance, ranging from how to handle seldomly-used PCs (which because they're turned on infrequently, can go for weeks or months without being updated) to how IT can monitor update compliance. Consider it a must-get. It's also part of a push by Microsoft to urge commercial customers to adopt cloud-based update management tools. a push that has gotten more pronounced with the announcement of Windows 11 the successor to the once forever Windows 10 and then the introduction of Windows 365. Gabe Frost, a group program manager who leads the commercial Windows-as-a-Service engineering team, used the phrase "cloud cadence mindset" to describe a faster patching philosophy. Not surprisingly, that model requires customers shift from on-premises patching platforms notably Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to one reliant on Redmond's cloud-based tools, particularly Intune and Windows Update for Business (WUfB). Frost cited data he said was gleaned from "the many tens-of-millions of devices that are sending telemetry" to claim that changing to a cloud cadence mindset proved able to patch significantly more of an organization's devices at both the 14- and 28-day marks after an update's release. While that may very well be true, it's also in Microsoft's interest to trumpet cloud-based tools because unlike on-premises alternatives, they are licensed through subscription plans notably Microsoft 365 that the company prefers for their regular revenue. The Windows 10 Update Baseline can be downloaded from Microsoft's website, here. Vantage Specialty Chemicals announced the opening of its LATAM Region headquarters in Bogota, Colombia. Previously: Vantage Hemp Receives ICH Q7 and WHO GMP Certifications This structure will help the company stay connected to its customers while managing the day-to-day customer service needs of other accounts. By centralizing much of the companys customer service capabilities in Bogota, with a limited presence elsewhere, the company reports it can pool its resources and prioritize strategic objectives. The headquarters offices are within a WeWork building. Those who are centralized in the Bogota headquarters are already working together to support the companys commercial team colleagues and its customers. Some team members are staying in Mexico, Argentina and other countries to maintain a Vantage presence. This is another big step in our regional restructuring process to grow our business and work more effectively across LATAM, said Alberto Laveran, senior vice president of the LATAM Region. Meet Apipa Wanasathop, a student pursuing her doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences with a focus on biomembrane sciences. She anticipates graduating in fall of 2021. Previous "Ones to Watch:" Lynnette Greber Wanasathop is currently a student at James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati What interests do you have, or what work are you conducting, that is relevant to cosmetics R&D? My journey in the cosmetic science world started when I was an intern in a cosmetic R&D factory in Thailand. I fell in love with formulating and testing all the different formulations. When I decided to continue my study, I wanted to learn more in-depth about how each ingredient can affect the skin, hair and other membranes. Being a part of this industry makes me feel that I have contributed something to mankind. My main research is on membrane permeation. We have tested several rinse-off products on several aspects such as skin permeation of a moisturizer, eye irritation from surfactants and methods to reduce teeth sensitivity. Most of the work we have done is in vitro testing using tissue samples. I hope that by developing these in vitro techniques, we can provide a better correlation to clinical testing and reduce the use of animal testing. What do you like most about your work? What do you find most challenging? Working in research requires a lot of imagination. I find it challenging to develop a method that will answer the targeted questions by using only what we have in the lab. Most of the time, it will be a modification of the equipment/instrument or even a tiny tweak in the protocol. Every little detail matters. I like that there are so many possibilities and outcomes. Describe one of your biggest achievements or A-ha! moments relevant to cosmetics R&D. I love working on data, especially when summarizing the numbers into figures and make them representable. When we were working on the data for the eye irritation study previously mentioned and all the data came up as expectedit was my biggest A-ha! moment. We all know that sometimes the results from the experiment can be different, hard to summarize or even not applicable but when it came together beautifully, it really made my day. What is it about the cosmetics and personal care industry that excites you? The trends are always changing and there are so many new things coming up along the journey. By experiencing and seeing new ingredients and formulasand then being able to discuss these trends with friends who have the same passion for cosmeticsit really excites me. Moreover, cosmetics can appease personal problems and help increase self-confidence. They can make an impact on a consumer's life and enable them to show how beautiful they truly are. Being a part of this industry makes me feel that I have contributed something to mankind. What areas or technologies do you think are untapped for cosmetics R&D? i.e., what areas would you like to explore to shape the future of our industry? With the advances in technologies, apparatuses, processes and materials, it is possible to develop an in vitro method that is sensitive enough to show the efficacy and safety of new products and formulations. This will not only help reduce the use of animal testing, but also increase the speed of the testing procedure. The OECD recently approved the first animal alternatives sensitization test developed by BASF and Givaudan. I was very excited when I saw the news and I believe that there are many more to come! Related: UK Government to Certify Cosmetics for Animal Test Exemptions in China We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Community News Washington, IL (61571) Today Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Crossville, TN (38555) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. The attack on US-based software provider Kaseya by notorious Russia-linked ransomware group REvil in July 2021 is estimated to have affected up to 2,000 global organizations. REvil targeted a vulnerability (CVE-2021-30116) in a Kaseya remote computer management tool to launch the attack, with the fallout lasting for weeks as more and more information on the incident came to light. The event served as a reminder of the threats posed by software supply chains and sophisticated ransomware groups. Following is a timeline of the attack and the ramifications for the affected parties based on Kaseyas incident update page and other sources. Kaseya REvil ransomware attack timeline Friday, July 2: Kaseyas incident response team detects a potential security incident involving its remote computer management tool Kaseya VSA With an investigation underway, the company advised all on-premises customers to shut down their VSA servers until further notice, while also shutting down its SaaS servers as a precautionary measure. Kaseyas internal team, alongside security experts, worked to determine the cause of the issue, alerting enforcement and government cybersecurity agencies, including the FBI and CISA. Kaseya said early indicators suggested that only a small number of on-premises Kaseya customers (40) were affected and that they had identified the vulnerability source. A patch was being prepared as of 10 p.m. EDT. Saturday, July 3: Kaseya confirms that it was the victim of a cyberattack Kaseya continued to strongly recommend its on-premises customers to keep VSA servers offline until it released a patch. It also advised any customers that were experiencing ransomware and had received communication from the attackers to avoid clicking on any links. The company announced it was making a compromise detection tool available to VSA customers to help them assess the status of their systems. Kaseya continued to contact impacted users and stated that CEO Fred Voccola would be interviewed on the incident on Good Morning America the following day. Sunday, July 4: Kaseya announces delay in bringing data centers back online, releases compromise detection tool Kaseyas executive committee met and determined that, to best minimize customer risk, more time was needed before bringing data centers back online. In an interview on Good Morning America, Voccola said, We are confident we know how it happened and we are remediating it. The compromise detection tool was made publicly available via download, while the FBI and CISA issued their own joint guidance for MSPs and their customers impacted by the attack, urging them to take action such as ensuring backups are up to date and stored in an easily retrievable location that is air-gapped from the organizational network, reverting to a manual patch management process and implementing multi-factor authentication. REvil operators boasted on the groups Happy Blog that more than a million individual devices were infected, and that they would provide a universal decryption key to Kaseya for $70 million in Bitcoin. Monday, July 5: Kaseya claims fewer than 60 customers compromised, patch being tested Kaseya promised that the patch for on-premises users was being tested and would be made available within 24 hours. Amid widespread media reports of the attack, the company estimated that it would be able to bring its SaaS severs back online between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EDT on July 6. Tuesday, July 6: Kaseya adds security layers to SaaS infrastructure Kaseya began configuring an additional layer of security to its SaaS infrastructure to change the underlying IP address of its VSA servers, allowing them to gradually come back online. However, upon rollout, an issue was discovered, delaying the release. Operations teams worked through the night to fix the issue with an update due the following morning. An update on the on-premises patch stated that 24 hours or less remained the estimated timescale. Across the pond, the UKs National Cyber Security Centre said the impact of the attack on UK organizations appeared to be limited, though it advised customers to follow Kaseya guidance as a precaution. Wednesday, July 7: Kaseya apologizes for SaaS and on-premises fix delays Kaseya published a guide for on-premises customers to prepare for the patch launch and stated that a new update from Voccola was to be emailed to users clarifying the current situation. The company apologized for ongoing delays with SaaS and on-premises fix deployment. Thursday, July 8: US government tells Russia it will be held accountable; Kaseya pushes back patch release White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that a high level of US national security had contacted top Russian officials about the Kaseya attack to make clear its intentions to hold Russia responsible for criminal actions taking place within its borders. She also said that another ransomware-focused meeting between the two countries was scheduled for the following week. Meanwhile, Kaseya set a new estimate of Sunday July 11 for the launch of the on-premises patch, while it was starting deployment to its SaaS infrastructure. Kaseya released two update videos, one from Voccola and another from CTO Dan Timpson, addressing the situation, progress, and next steps. The company also warned of spammers exploiting the incident by sending phishing emails with fake notifications containing malicious links and attachments. It stated that it would not send any email updates containing links or attachments. Friday, July 9: Kaseya updates VSA hardening advice Kaseya updated its VSA On-Premise Hardening and Practice Guide while executive vice president Mike Sanders spoke of the teams continued work towards getting customers back up and running. He also raised awareness of ongoing, suspicious communications coming from outside Kaseya. Saturday, July 10: Report says Kaseya was warned of security flaw Kaseya said it remained on course to release the on-premises patch and have its SaaS infrastructure online by Sunday July 11 at 4 p.m. EDT. The latest video update from Sanders outlined steps companies could take to prepare for the launch. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg article reported that, according to ex-employees of the company, executives at Kaseya were warned of critical security flaws in its software on several occasions between 2017 and 2020, which they failed to address Sunday, July 11: Kaseya release patch, begins SaaS restoration Kaseya launched the on-premises patch and began restoring its SaaS infrastructure ahead of the 4 p.m. target. As of 10 p.m. EDT, it claimed to have 60% of SaaS customers live and servers due online for the rest of its customers in the coming hours. Support teams were working with any on-premises customers requiring assistance with the patch. Monday, July 12: SaaS restoration completed The restoration of Kaseyas SaaS infrastructure was complete as of 3:30 a.m. EDT. However, it was forced to carry out unplanned maintenance due to performance issues, causing a short downtime. It continued to support on-premises users with patch assistance. Tuesday, July 13: REvil websites disappear All REvil ransomware gang websites suddenly went offline, leaving security experts to speculate potential action by US or Russian governments. This left some victims unable to negotiate with REvil to recover data through a decryption key to unlock encrypted networks. At Kaseya, advisors prompted users to continue to review its various customer guides to dealing with the incident and getting back online. Wednesday, July 14: Kaseya issues patch install check advice to customers When running the Kinstall patch on your VSA, if you chose to reinstall VSA and either unchecked the default option to install the latest patch, or reran the Reinstall VSA process a second time without the install patch option selected, its possible your patch was not re-applied, the company wrote. While these are rare edge cases, we recommend that you verify that the latest patch was installed properly. We have made a tool that enables you to ensure the patch is properly installed. Friday, July 16: Victims struggle with decryption tool, Kaseya releases non-security patch With REvils websites still offline, some victims struggled to unlock files and systems despite having paid for the decryption tool but with no way of contacting REvil for support. Kaseya announced it was releasing a non-security-related patch (9.5.7.3011) to fix functionality issues caused by enhanced security measures and other bugs. Deployments were estimated to begin on July 17 (SaaS) and July 19 (on-premises). Saturday, July 17: First updated SaaS patch deployments go live Monday, July 19: Remainder of updated SaaS patch deployments go live Tuesday, July 20: New functionality patches released Kaseya provided further patch updates (9.5.7.3015) to fix functionality issues and bugs, and made the updated on-premises patch available. Wednesday, July 21: SaaS functionality updated Kaseya again updated SaaS instances to remediate functionality issues and provide minor bug fixes. This resulted in a brief interruption (2 to 10 minutes) as services were restarted. Thursday, July 22: Kaseya acquires universal decryption key Kaseya announced it had obtained a universal decryption key for ransomware victims. We can confirm that Kaseya obtained the tool from a third party and have teams actively helping customers affected by the ransomware to restore their environments, with no reports of any problem or issues associated with the decryptor, the company wrote. Kaseya is working with Emsisoft to support our customer engagement efforts, and Emsisoft has confirmed the key is effective at unlocking victims. Customers who have been impacted by the ransomware will be contacted by Kaseya representatives. Across the industry, mass speculation arose as to exactly how Kaseya accessed the decryption tool and whether a ransom payment was involved. Friday, July 23: Another functional patch and SaaS update released, Kaseya reportedly requests non-disclosure for decryptor As news of the decryption key made global headlines, details of how it became available remained unclear. Meanwhile, Kaseya released a quick fix patch 9.5.7b (9.5.7.3015) for on-premises customers to resolve three non-security issues. All SaaS instances were also updated. According to a CNN report, Kaseya was requesting the signing of a non-disclosure agreement for customer access to the decryptor. Saturday, July 24: Kaseya declines to comment on ransom payment Security sources and outlets continued to speculate as to the details of how the decryption key was obtained, with Kaseya declining to comment on whether it had paid a ransom. Monday, July 26: Kaseya says decryption tool 100% effective, no ransom paid Kaseya released the following statement on the decryption key: Throughout this past weekend, Kaseyas incident response team and Emsisoft partners continued their work assisting our customers and others with the restoration of their encrypted data. We continue to provide the decryptor to customers that request it, and we encourage all our customers whose data may have been encrypted during the attack to reach out to your contacts at Kaseya. The decryption tool has proven 100% effective at decrypting files that were fully encrypted in the attack. Despite claims that Kaseyas silence over whether it had paid attackers a ransom could encourage additional ransomware attacks, the company argued that nothing was further from its goal. While each company must make its own decision on whether to pay the ransom, Kaseya decided after consultation with experts to not negotiate with the criminals who perpetrated this attack and we have not wavered from that commitment. As such, we are confirming in no uncertain terms that Kaseya did not pay a ransomeither directly or indirectly through a third partyto obtain the decryptor. The US General Accountability Office (GAO) issued the 19-page report, Cybersecurity and Information Technology: Federal Agencies need to Strengthen Efforts to Address High-Risk Areas on July 29. It was preceded by President Bidens comments made to the Office of the Director National Intelligence and staff and the leadership of the intelligence community on July 27. Both pointed out shortcomings in the cyber readiness of the United States government. The Presidents comments to the intel community caused a bit of a stir when he said, If we [United States] end up in a war, a real shooting war with a major power, its going to be as a consequence of a cyber breach of great consequence. The Presidents thoughts were not made in coordination with the GAO, yet one could argue he displayed a bit of prescience when he uttered the cause of a future conflagration being found within a cyber breach of great consequence. To that end, the GAO report was all about highlighting gaps and work to be done. It identified four areas of great import: Establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and performing effective oversight Securing federal systems and information Protecting critical infrastructure Protecting privacy and sensitive data General Accountability Office GAO continued within the report to signal how the US federal government is ripe for a cyber failure, highlighting key cybersecurity challenges needing the governments attention. Develop and execute a more comprehensive federal strategy for national cybersecurity and global cyberspace. Mitigate global supply chain risks. Address weaknesses in federal agencies information security programs. Frustration from the GAO on the need to be repetitive in their admonishments is evident as they discuss recommendations: Federal agencies have implemented about 73% of the approximately 5,100 recommendations that GAO has made since 2010 on cybersecurity and IT management. However, about 950 cybersecurity and approximately 300 IT recommendations have not been implemented. Actions are needed on these to successfully address the high-risk areas." GAOs cybersecurity recommendations The GAO called it as they saw it, highlighting how federal IT investments often suffer from a lack of disciplined and effective management. They noted, again, the how 23 agencies have failed in their efforts to put together a comprehensive risk management strategy. They also called onto the carpet the National Security Council (NSC) for its silence in addressing the recommendation that the NSC work with various government entities to formulate and update a national security strategy. Who is going to lead the creation of a national cybersecurity strategy? In April 2021, President Biden nominated former deputy director of NSA, John Chris Inglis, as the first National Cyber Director and in June 2021, the Senate confirmed this nomination. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) saw the Senate confirmation of Jen Easterly, a former NSA and Cyber Command official, to the role of director CISA. Upon the confirmation of Inglis, Senator Angus King (I-ME) commented, America is a uniquely connected nation, but that leaves us especially exposed to bad actors, and our cyber vulnerabilities are being exploited to make our nation less safe. It stands to reason that the national cybersecurity strategy formulation and implementation will fall under the purview of these two new leaders and should be on their to do list, as they snap-in to their new roles. The role of federal CIOs In August 2018, the GAO had recommended, government-wide, how the CIOs role across government needed to evolve to align with federal law and OMBs guidance. The guidance, quite basic, makes sure CIOs and staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively acquire IT. As of July 2021, only three of the 24 major federal agencies had taken action to adopt the GAO recommendations. Meanwhile, OMB must adjust their guidance to affect change and the CIO responsibilities. Until this occurs, CIO offices they will be operating at a deficit, and may not have the personnel needed to effectively acquire, maintain and secure their IT systems. OMB as gatekeeper The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had been identified in December 2020 as the gatekeeper of the funds allocated in the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). The GAO report chastised the OBM for not having: Developed a plan to address the challenges with the operating fund Clarified guidance for agencies on awarding projects Congress and the President, through legislature, allocated an additional $1 billion to the TMF. As of July 2021, OMB had not yet taken the necessary steps to help the CIOs do their job. Indeed, the report highlights how only 11 projects, valued at $89 million have been awarded to date by seven federal agencies. The GAO will continue to evaluate OMBs effort in relation to the TMF with the intent to issue a report by the end of CY2021. GAOs conclusions For those within government and supporting government IT and information security efforts, the fact that the government is targeted by foreign adversaries is not hypothetical. On Friday, July 30, the US Department of Justice revealed that 27 US attorney offices had at least one employees email compromised in the SolarWinds attack attributed to Russia. Additionally, the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of New York had approximately 80% of their employees emails compromised. The Presidents commentary concerning the likelihood of the next armed conflict being set off by a major cyber breach, while sobering, should be equally as motivating for the OMB and federal agencies to update federal CIO authorities, IT processes and procedures to secure government systems. Again, approximately 1,250 GAO recommendations have not been implemented across government. The GAO report concludes with how longstanding and pervasive weaknesses continue to jeopardize the security and effectiveness of federal agencies IT and electronic data and the safety of our nations critical infrastructures. Federal agencies and OMB have taken some important actions; nevertheless, further actions are needed. With gaps identified and guidance provided from budgeting to procurement to implementation, CIO offices across government have their marching orders. In my pursuit of peace of mind, I stopped reading about politics, and Im a better man for it. Well, maybe just a little better. Now, Ive vowed to stop reading about the weather. My wife insists I have to delete the Weather Channel and all those other apps on my cellphone because theyre not good for my blood pressure. They just cant get it right. As Mark Twain is once said to have said, but didnt say, Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. (It was actually a Hartford Courant editor who said that.) I hate to complain, but were plagued by fake science, fake polls, fake news and fake forecasts. Every day, the temperature has been five degrees higher than forecast. Its like global warming on steroids. Then, they predicted thunderstorms for three days straight, and there were none. Then, there was no rain in the forecast, and we had a downpour. Does this constitute misinformation? Will Facebook start censoring the National Weather Service? Where are those Washington Post fact-checkers when we really need them? What I cant understand is that modern meteorologists have billion-dollar computers, global radar and recreational marijuana, so why are there so many inaccuracies? Back to the drawing board, or better yet, back to the Ouija Board. Where is Big Tech when we need those pinheads? They should spend less time spying and do something productive. And what about Jeff Bezos, who paid $5.5 billion for a 10-minute space flight. Forget the space ship. Spend that cash on better weather satellites. Meteorologists and investment advisers are the only ones who dont get penalized for bad predictions. Algorithms and computers dont always get it right because if they did, my 401(k) would be in better shape and I could retire. The guy at the 42nd Street newsstand where I got my New York Post had a better record than Al Roker. Every day Id ask, Whats the weather gonna be? And he told me: Rain... Sunny ... Cloudy. He was never wrong. I dont want to criticize paid professional weather forecasters because I myself was once a paid professional something or other. Plus, theyve had a horrendous month with a heat wave, poor air quality from the wild fires, and a tropical storm that almost ended life as we know it in Connecticut. And this summer could be the hottest one since the government began keeping records in the 1890s. Forecasters need to emulate their illustrious forefathers who were involved in the invasion of Normandy on June 5, 1944, during World War II. Author William Bryant Logan described it this way: Perhaps the most important weather forecast ever made was the one for D-Day, the Allied invasion of France. It succeeded not because of the brilliant work of any solitary forecaster, but because a group of forecasters imitated the weather. They jostled, yelled, scribbled, and cast malevolent looks at one another. They fought it out and voted. And in the end, they were just right enough. In the olden days, we didnt have weather apps. People got their weather from their morning newspaper. The forecast on Page One said something like Its going to rain. No rainfall predictions or percentages or all that excruciating erroneous detail we get nowadays. Just rain. And you know what? It rained. I learned everything I know about forecasting from my first editor, the late Chuck Gamzey, who was responsible for the weather at Greenwich Time. He didnt call the National Weather Service or the Associated Press. But just before we went to press, he got up from the news desk, walked to the window, pulled up the blinds and looked outside. And if the sun was shining, he told our readers, Expect sunshine ... blue skies. Ive decided to ditch the weather apps and get back to basics. Instead of paying for the premium Weather Channel service with forecasts in 15-minute increments, Im going to find a newsstand somewhere on the planet if one still exists. Every morning Ill ask the proprietor, Hey, Rocco, whats the weather going to be? Hell stick his head out and look up at the sky and spot the precipitating nimbostratus clouds and say, Gonna rain. Hell do better than all those computers. For that matter, I trust my knees more than the National Weather Service because they start to ache when the barometric pressure falls and a storm is coming ... even though the forecast calls for sunshine, blue skies. Former Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time Editor Joe Pisani can be reached at joefpisani@yahoo.com. WASHINGTON (AP) A Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit center outside the building, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after a man attacked the officer on a bus platform shortly after 10:30 a.m. The ensuing violence, which included a volley of gunshots, resulted in several casualties, said Woodrow Kusse, the chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which is responsible for security in the facility. The deaths of the officer and the suspect were first confirmed by officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The Fairfax County Police Department also tweeted condolences about the officer's death. Officials said they believe two bystanders were injured. The suspect was identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. The officer was ambushed by Lanz, who ran at him and stabbed him in the neck, according to two of the law enforcement officials. Responding officers then shot and killed Lanz. Investigators were still trying to determine a motive for the attack and were digging into Lanzs background, including any potential history of mental illness or any reason he might want to target the Pentagon or police officers. The officials could not discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity. Lanz had enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 2012 but was administratively separated less than a month later and never earned the title Marine, the Corps said in a statement. Lanz was arrested in April in Cobb County, Georgia, on criminal trespassing and burglary charges, according to online court records. The same day, a separate criminal case was filed against Lanz with six additional charges, including two counts of aggravated battery on police, a count of making a terrorist threat and a charge for rioting in a penal institution, the records show. A judge reduced his bond in May to $30,000 and released him, imposing some conditions, including that he not ingest illegal drugs and that he undergo a mental health evaluation. The charges against him were still listed as pending. A spokesman for the Cobb County Sheriffs Office confirmed that Lanz had been previously held at the agencys detention center but referred all other questions to the FBIs field office in Washington. An attorney who represented Lanz in the Georgia cases didnt immediately respond to a phone message and email seeking comment, and messages left with family members at Lanzs home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth, Georgia, were not immediately returned. Tuesday's attack on a busy stretch of the Washington areas transportation system jangled the nerves of a region already primed to be on high alert for violence and potential intruders outside federal government buildings, particularly following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. At a Pentagon news conference, Kusse declined to confirm that the officer had been killed or provide even basic information about how the violence had unfolded or how many might be dead. He would only say that an officer had been attacked and that gunfire was exchanged. Kusse and other officials declined to rule out terrorism or provide any other potential motive. But Kusse said the Pentagon complex was secure and "we are not actively looking for another suspect at this time. He said the FBI was leading the investigation. I cant compromise the ongoing investigation, Kusse said. The FBI confirmed only that it was investigating and there was no ongoing threat to the public but declined to offer details or a possible motive. Later Tuesday, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency issued a statement confirming the loss of the officer, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his condolences and said flags at the Pentagon will be flown at half-staff. This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in and who visit the Pentagon on a daily basis, Austin said in a statement. This tragic death today is a stark reminder of the dangers they face and the sacrifices they make. We are forever grateful for that service and the courage with which it is rendered. Tuesday's violence occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, a hub for subway and bus lines. The station is steps from the Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington. An Associated Press reporter near the building heard multiple gunshots, then a pause, then at least one additional shot. Another AP journalist heard police yelling shooter. A Pentagon announcement said the facility was on lockdown, but that was lifted after noon, except for the area around the crime scene. Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden at the time of the shooting. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin returned to the building and went to the Pentagon police operations center to speak to the officers there. It was not immediately clear whether any additional security measures might be instituted in the area. In 2010, two officers with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency were wounded when a gunman approached them at a security screening area. The officers, who survived, returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman, identified as John Patrick Bedell. _____ Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Matthew Barakat and Sagar Meghani in Arlington, Va., contributed to this report. DALLAS (AP) Air travel in the U.S. is hitting new pandemic-era highs, and airlines are scrambling to keep up with the summer-vacation crowds. Despite rising numbers of coronavirus infections fueled by the delta variant, the U.S. set another recent high mark for air travel Sunday, with more than 2.2 million people going through airport checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. That is nearly 11,000 more people screened than July 18, and the highest number since Feb. 28, 2020, before the U.S. felt the full brunt of the pandemic. However, air travel was still down 17% Sunday from the same Sunday in 2019. The resurgence of leisure travel, coupled with some bad weather, has led to delays and flight cancellations at airlines struggling to ramp up after being crushed by the pandemic. Airlines have thousands fewer workers than they did before the pandemic, and at times they have been caught short-staffed even though they received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep employees on the payroll. By midafternoon Monday, Spirit Airlines canceled about 290 flights more than one-third of its schedule citing weather and operational challenges. That was after canceling one-fifth of its flights Sunday. The Florida-based discount carrier was working around the clock to get back on track," spokesman Field Sutton said. The disruptions created long lines at airport ticket counters in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Some stranded passengers speculated that the breakdown in service was caused by a strike or work slowdown. The airline and labor unions said the rumor was false. American Airlines canceled 500 flights, or 16% of Monday's schedule by late afternoon. With other planes mostly full this summer, airlines are struggling to rebook passengers on canceled flights. David Snell, who runs an air-tour business in Dallas, was stuck in Detroit after American canceled his Monday night flight home and emailed him a list of available flights none of which were sooner than Wednesday. When Snell looked into Tuesday flights, he said, prices started around $1,200 or 30,000 frequent-flyer points. They are absolutely gouging people who are trying to get home after cancellations, Snell said. He said he called American three times and spent four hours on hold before buying a $308 one-way ticket on Southwest. Everyone was left to fend for themselves. American Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Ahles said a seat opened up on a flight Tuesday afternoon from Detroit to Dallas via Philadelphia, and the airline would ask Snell if he would like to take it. Monday's cancellations came one day after 7,400 U.S. flights arrived at least 15 minutes behind schedule on Sunday the governments definition of late and more than 900 were canceled, according to tracking service FlightAware. Nearly half of Sunday's cancellations were at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, American's largest hub, which was hit with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. There have been at least 5,000 delayed flights on most days since early July, according to FlightAware figures. Southwest, American and Spirit are among airlines with the biggest problems. For Sunday and Monday combined, Southwest delayed more than 2,500 flights and American more than 1,600. A key senator is quizzing several airlines to explain the high numbers of flight delays and cancellations. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, said airlines did a poor job of managing their workforces and might have failed to live up to the purpose of the taxpayer funding. The travel recovery faces a renewed public-health threat, as the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. The seven-day rolling average of new U.S. infections is around 80,000 a day, up nearly 150% from two weeks ago, although the increase in deaths is far smaller. Airline officials say they haven't seen bookings suffer because of the delta variant, although some have said it could delay the return of business travel, which airlines were hoping would gain speed this fall. ___ David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter WASHINGTON (AP) Several House Democrats have called on House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to apologize to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or resign after audio surfaced of him saying at a weekend fundraiser that it would be hard not to hit her with a gavel if hes sworn in as speaker after the 2022 midterm elections. The comment is emblematic of the rising tension between the two leaders since the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which a violent mob of former President Donald Trumps supporters broke into the Capitol and some hunted for Pelosi by name. After initially condemning the rioters and blaming Trump for inciting them, McCarthy and his leadership team have recently tried to lay blame on Pelosi, falsely claiming that she was responsible for a delay in military assistance. And McCarthy has remained close to Trump, who often insulted his political rivals in personal terms. Democrats responded quickly, noting the threats on Pelosis life on Jan. 6, when the insurrectionists broke into her office, stole some of her belongings and called out for her. Threatening violence against the Speaker of the House is no joke, tweeted New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. This is the kind of reckless language that led to a violent insurrection. The public strain between the two extraordinary even by congressional standards has moved beyond the insurrection into most every matter between them as McCarthy is eyeing the speakership and an election map that could be favorable to Republicans next year. McCarthy last week blamed Pelosi for a renewed mask mandate in the House as a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state. Pelosi shot back that he was a moron. On Saturday, McCarthy was attending a Tennessee Republican Party Fundraiser when he was gifted an oversized gavel with the words fire Pelosi on it, according to local publication Main Street Nashville, which also posted audio of the comments. McCarthy responded by saying that he wanted the crowd to watch Pelosi hand him the gavel if he wins the speakership, and itll be hard not to hit her with it, but I will bang it down. Asked about the comments, McCarthys office said in a statement that he was joking. But Democrats suggested the remarks were part of a broader problem. New Hampshire Rep. Annie Kuster noted that McCarthy had voted against the Violence Against Women Act, legislation designed to protect women from domestic violence that passed the House in March. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., tweeted: Theres nothing funny about hitting Speaker Pelosi or any woman," adding that he "continues to reminds us that nothing will get in the way of his ambitions including joking about hitting a woman to excite his small base. Democratic Reps. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Eric Swalwell of California said McCarthy should step down. Ive said it before & Ill say it againhe should RESIGN!! tweeted McGovern. While already disagreeing on most policy matters, McCarthy and Pelosi have also clashed in recent weeks over the mask mandate, which some Republicans have resisted and argued is not based on science. The requirement was re-instituted in the House after a recommendation from the Capitol Physician. Asked about her moron comment last week, Pelosi responded: To say that wearing a mask is not based on science, I think is not wise, but thats all I am going to say about that. McCarthy also withdrew five members from a select committee established last month to investigate the insurrection after Pelosi rejected two of his members, saying they couldnt sit on the panel because of their antics defending Trump after the attack. McCarthy called the move an egregious abuse of power and the committee a sham. Holding a news conference ahead of the committees first hearing, in which police officers spoke emotionally about their physical and mental pain after the rioting, McCarthy and his leadership tried to shift blame from the Trump supporters who laid siege to Pelosi herself. McCarthy said there were questions into the leadership within the structure of the Speakers office about delays in the National Guards arrival that day. However, Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for the guards help after the fighting began, and Pelosis office has said she did not weigh in on the guards presence before that. The delays were instead due to communications between security officials in the Capitol and the Pentagon and a lack of preparedness ahead of the attack. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who was then majority leader, had identical authority over the guard as Pelosi. But McCarthy has repeatedly ignored all questions about his role. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) A man accused of torturing a Florida man to death and robbing him has avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty just days before his a trial was set to begin. Keith Earl Davis, 47, pleaded guilty to murder in Hillsborough County court on Monday in exchange for a life sentence, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Prosecutors were seeking the death penalty if the case went before a jury. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor public settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. The new mandate applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, and takes effect on Tuesday in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, as well as the city of Berkeley. In a news conference announcing the new orders, Bay Areafor health officers also recommended that people gather outdoors if they have that option. It is unfortunate we have to do this at this point in the pandemic. None of us wanted to be here, said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. But the virus has changed. The delta variant accounts for 95% of new coronavirus cases in the region, said Sundari Mase, the interim health officer for Sonoma County, which is north of San Francisco. We are facing a much more aggressive and contagious opponent right now, she said. The vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people, but the Bay Area mandate affects all people because there has been an increase in the number of vaccinated people testing positive and evidence that vaccinated people can transmit the virus. Mase and the other health officials said the relatively low number of vaccinated people who are hospitalized now are primarily elderly or those with significant underlying health conditions. In line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, California last week recommended that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, but officials stopped short of requiring it. Indoor mask mandates are already in effect in Los Angeles, Yolo and Sacramento counties. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana, with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, also reinstated a mask mandate Monday, going a step further to include schools and colleges. The San Francisco Bay Areas health officers were the first in the nation to announce a shutdown at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The region collectively leads the state in vaccination rates, with over 60% of residents fully vaccinated. Marin County, north of San Francisco, has the highest rate, with about 73% of its residents vaccinated. California has experienced a steady rise in virus cases since the state fully reopened its economy on June 15 and did away with indoor and outdoor capacity limits and social distancing. The Bay Area health officers said they took action Monday because of troubling numbers of hospitalizations and that they will consider easing the new restrictions when those rates go down. We are alarmed at the rate at which COVID patients are filling our community hospital beds, said Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County, where the number of hospitalized patients has doubled in the past 10 days and increased by more than 400% in July. He urged unvaccinated people to get the shots and said indoor gatherings presents the highest virus spread risk. If you are unvaccinated I would strongly advise against higher-risk indoor activities like eating in an indoor restaurant, going to exercise in a gym, going to a movie theater, Farnitano said. Indoor restaurant dining will still be allowed, although people will have to keep masks on when they are not eating or drinking. In other public settings like gyms and movie theaters, face coverings must be worn, though enforcement will vary depending on location. In Santa Clara County, businesses will be required to enforce the mask mandate and residents can submit complaints on the health departments website, Han said. In the city of Berkeley, which is in Alameda County but has its own public health department, businesses will be required under the new order to have signs indicating that masks are required indoors, said Lisa Hernandez, the citys health officer. San Francisco does not plan to enforce its new order but will rely on the tendency of residents to follow the science and the data," said Naveena Bobba, the city's deputy director of health. The Kaiser Permanente health care business joined other U.S. employers and public health departments Monday in making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for an estimated 239,000 employees and physicians. The Oakland-based health care and health plan provider said nearly 78% of its employees and more than 95% of physicians are fully vaccinated. ___ Associated Press writer Janie Har contributed to this report. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday downplayed the abysmal turnout for a national referendum on pursuing ex-presidents for alleged wrongdoing during their administrations. Only 7% of Mexicos eligible voters participated Sunday, but the president preferred to focus on the fact that more than 6 million voted, declaring it a triumph. Nine out of 10 voted yes on the question. GREENWOOD, S.C. (AP) Three people were killed and one other person was hurt in a shooting Monday in rural South Carolina, and deputies released the name and picture of a man they want to interview. The shooting happened around 3 p.m. at a Greenwood County home just off U.S. Highway 25 about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of Greenwood, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release. MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) A conservative coalition registered a former leader of the 1980s Contra rebels Monday as a presidential candidate to challenge the re-election bid by President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua's Nov. 7 elections. The Citizens for Liberty coalition registered Oscar Sobalvarro, a rancher and former commander in the U.S.-backed rebellion against Ortega's government during the 1980s. That came despite calls from some opposition parties to boycott the race after Ortega arrested most of his potential opponents. The country has experienced too much harassment and repression, and Nicaraguans deserve to live in peace, Sobalvarro said. The conservative coalition nominated Berenice Quezada, who was crowned Miss Nicaragua in 2017, for vice president. As expected, the Sandinista party nominated Ortega for re-election as president and his wife, Rosarillo Murillo, for re-election as vice president. In a unanimous show-of-hands vote among 2,932 party delegates at 28 regional meetings hooked up by video link, all the delegates raised their hands for Ortega and Murillo. In his acceptance speech, Ortega was unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the arrests of opposition figures. The dogs are barking, brother Nicaraguans, but they are barking because we are walking, Ortega said. Let no one be mistaken ... savage capitalism will never be reinstated in our country. Monday was the deadline for registering candidates. With at least seven opposition contenders jailed on vague treason charges, critics doubt the presence of long-shot candidates like Sobalvarro would do anything more than lend a thin veil of legitimacy to already discredited elections in which Ortega, 75, is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Electoral authorities allied with Ortega previously barred two opposition parties from even running candidates. The European Union on Monday placed sanctions on Murillo and seven other senior officials accused of serious human rights violations or undermining democracy. The first lady and dozens of other regime leaders already face U.S. sanctions. EU headquarters said in a statement that its sanctions, which include asset freezes and bans on travel in Europe, are targeted at individuals and are designed in this way not to harm the Nicaraguan population or the Nicaraguan economy. The latest move brings the total number of Nicaraguan officials subject to EU sanctions to 14. In the past two months, police in Nicaragua have arrested and detained about two dozen opposition figures. Most of those arrested in the crackdown are being held incommunicado, at undisclosed locations and with no access to lawyers. Ortega alleges the countrys April 2018 street protests were part of an organized coup attempt with foreign backing. INDEPENDENCE, Mo (AP) A toddler has died after finding and firing an unsecured gun inside a home in suburban Kansas City, police there said. The shooting happened Sunday night in Independence, according to police. First responders arrived shortly before 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the home to find a 2-year-old child with a gunshot wound. The child was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead. Police did not immediately release the childs name. STRATFORD A popular downtown art gallery and tattoo studio has plans to move to a well-known new location by fall. Forest to Shore Gallery and Tattoo Studio, which is currently located above Acapulcos restaurant on Main Street, will be moving about a mile up the road to the property of the Little Red School of Art and Music. The move represents a homecoming of sorts for owner George Perham, who originally got interested in art at the school, where he was taught by owner Carolyn West. Perhams studio and gallery has been at its current location since 2011 and is ready to spread its wings, he said. Its just a growth thing, he said Monday, Aug. 2 of the planned move. We kind of outgrew the space were in now. Plans call for the business to occupy the 2.5-story red building that fronts 2965 Main St., with an art gallery on the first floor and space currently used for music lessons to become booths for tattoo artists. The Zoning Commission approved the plans July 28 after a public hearing. Perhams lawyer, Christopher Russo, told the commission that the business is a far cry from what people may have thought of in the past when they read the words tattoo studio. Its not your girlfriends initials with a heart around it, he said. Its an actual piece of art that they spend a lot of time working on. Patrons will make appointments, and will sometimes visit for an initial consultation with an artist before coming back to get tattooed. Its not people coming in and out, Russo said. Its very controlled. Its not an intense use. This is frankly one of the least intense uses around in that area. Perham told the Zoning Commission the tattoo equipment conforms to strict health and safety standards. Everything that we use is disposable, so its all one-time use, he said. The local health department checks that its disposed of properly, he said. Perham also displays art from local artists, hosts art shows several times a year, and partners with local charities and businesses like Two Roads. He said there are also plans in the works for the studios artists to help teach classes at the art school on the property. Zoning Commission members supported the plans. In the tattoo world, theyve put Stratford on the map, Michael Henrick said. Ive heard nothing but positive things, Dion Francis said. Chairman Christopher Silhavey said he voted against the business when it was first proposed 11 years ago at its current location, but added that the feedback hes received on the business has been positive. So I was wrong, Silhavey said. Im glad that I can admit that and glad to see the repurposing of the Little Red Schoolhouse. Its an asset in the community and a well-known landmark. Perham said the move will be happening soon. Were hoping the beginning of fall, he said. Its open-ended right now, but hopefully sooner rather than later. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The entire Virginia General Assembly returned to the state Capitol for the first time in over a year Monday, kicking off a short special session to elect judges and adjust the state budget to account for billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money. Some lawmakers wore masks and plexiglass shields were placed between each member of the House and Senate as a precaution against COVID-19, but Monday marked something of a return to business as usual. Legislators had not met indoors and in person since the 2020 regular session ended, with meetings in the meantime taking place virtually or in special event centers because of the pandemic. I would like to start with two words: Welcome back, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn told her chamber to applause. Over the course of about two weeks, legislators will be taking up a wide-ranging budget proposal crafted by Gov. Ralph Northam and fellow Democratic leaders. It calls for spending most of Virginia's $4.3 billion share of American Rescue Plan funding on initiatives such as increasing broadband access, supporting small businesses and tourism, improving air quality in public schools, boosting mental health and substance-abuse treatment, and backfilling the states unemployment trust fund. The proposed budget also contains provisions that would offer some protections against evictions and utility disconnections, and it would help fund state agencies ongoing pandemic response efforts. Some funding would remain unallocated for later use. Republicans, in the minority in both chambers, have complained that they were shut out of the budget-writing process. Were not allowing all Virginians to be heard," Del. Bobby Orrock said in a speech on the House floor. Del. Luke Torian, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, shot back that if Republicans wanted to weigh in, they needed only to reach out. I have never shut the door," he said. A meeting of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee proceeded with less divisiveness. The panel advanced the budget bill on a bipartisan 14-2 vote. Theres a lot of good in this," said Sen. Emmett Hanger, a Republican from Augusta County. The House Appropriations Committee approved the budget bill a short time later, also on a bipartisan vote, 19-2. The legislation now advances to the respective chambers, where members were expected to debate floor amendments. Lawmakers will also be filling eight spots on the Court of Appeals this session, after legislation passed earlier this year expanded the intermediate court substantially. Democratic lawmakers involved in narrowing the pool of applicants to a short list had not made the candidates' names public as of Monday. Sen. Scott Surovell said lawmakers are aiming for a diverse court, both demographically and professionally, with judges who have experience in various areas of the law. Surovell said a committee hearing will be held once eight finalists have been certified, but no date has been set yet. At that hearing, lawmakers can question the candidates and members of the public will be allowed to testify. We're making progress, Surovell said. Last year, lawmakers approved a bill to expand the court from 11 to 17 judges. With one vacancy and a second judge announcing his retirement, lawmakers have a total of eight openings to fill. The three-sided plexiglass enclosures placed between senators caused a bit of a stir, but Republican Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant tried to lighten the mood by handing out colorful butterfly stickers for senators to decorate the shields. I was not thrilled about being put in a box, so I decided to make the best of it, Dunnavant said. A little silliness, just trying to make fun of this situation a little bit, even though its serious. Graveside services for Krysta Joy Ballew, age 48, of Cullman, will be at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 9, 2021, at Antioch Baptist Cemetery with Dr. David Chambers officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 9, 2021, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. Cullman Heritage Fun Memorial Service for Geraldine Parson, age 73, of Hanceville, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021, at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Parson passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021, at her residence. She was born September 24, 1947, in Orlando, Florida, to Harry and Ruby Monr Governor urges residents to wear masks With rising COVID-19 case numbers around the state, Gov. JB Pritzker is urging Illinoisans to wear a mask whether they are vaccinated or not. On Monday in Aurora, Pritzker did not hint at a mask mandate, but said a mask should be worn in certain situations. If you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, but certainly, either way, wearing a mask indoors in a large event is a good idea, Pritzker said. Pritzker said the organizers of Lollapalooza were reasonable by asking attendees for vaccination cards before entering. The governor said last week he planned to attend the four-day music festival, but later decided not to go. It was also reasonable for people like me who got up near the date and decided I would rather not go just out an abundance of caution, Pritzker said. Pritzkers decision also came in the wake of a recent document from the Centers for Disease Control which indicated that fully vaccinated people could spread the virus if they contracted breakthrough infections. The Center Square Kankakee, IL (60901) Today Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Weather Alert ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a * Flash Flood Watch for a portion of northeast North Carolina, including the following areas, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Eastern Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Western Currituck. * From Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * Showers and thunderstorms are expected across northeast North Carolina on Saturday, especially from late morning through the evening. On average, 1 to 1.5 inches of rain are expected across the watch area. However, localized amounts of 2 to 4 inches will likely result in a few instances of flash flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. && Mr. Roger Lee Westmoreland, age 69 of Chatsworth, passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at his residence. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, restoring old cars and gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Sarah Simonds Westmoreland; brother, Ronni Burnadean Allen Fryer, 91, of Ashland, Ky died Thursday, August 5, 2021 at her home. She was born June 14, 1930 in Ross County, Ohio a daughter of the late Marion and Emma Annon Allen. She was a homemaker. She is preceded in death in addition to her parents by 4 brothers James Allen, Johnny Sunbury, PA (17801) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Janet Colliton, Esq. is a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Her practice, Colliton Elder Law Associates, PC is limited to elder law, life care, special needs and estate planning and estate administration, and guardianship with offices at 790 East Market St., Suite 250, West Chester, 610-436-6674 , colliton@collitonlaw.com. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and, with Jeffrey Jones, CSA, co-founder of Life Transition Services, LLC, a service for families with long term care needs. Listen on Wednesdays at 4 p.m.to radio WCHE 1520, A Plan Ahead, with Janet Colliton, Colliton Elder Law Associates, and Ron Ehman, Next Home Signature. Coatesville Program to make homes better for disabled gets $300,000 in state funding Letter to the editor Why was resident escorted from West Chester board meeting? After a long silence during which great swathes of Britain's aerospace and defence industries have disappeared into private equity and overseas hands, ministers look at last to have decided that enough is enough. Following a dramatic 6.3billion bid for aerospace and engineering firm Meggitt vital suppliers to the UK's big two defence contractors BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce the Government has said it is minded to intervene. The proposed takeover by US competitor Parker-Hannifin at least comes from a trade buyer and one of Britain's Nato allies. This can only be preferable to a private equity group only interested in a quick deal, an easy profit and with no loyalty to anyone. But, as with a series of recent takeover attempts for companies in Britain's leading aerospace, defence and satellite sectors, the present deal will be paid for largely by debt and could lead to the loss of UK intellectual property and skills overseas. No wonder Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who in the past has welcomed overseas deals as showing global confidence in Britain, has indicated he wants to draw a line against the foreign marauders. Meggitt has been a key player in UK aerospace since 1850. It joins a long list of British firms including satellite company Inmarsat, flight refuelling group Cobham, antennae maker Laird and GKN Aerospace to fall into the hands of owners with short-term horizons in an industry where it can take decades to create expertise and an innovative culture. Following a dramatic 6.3billion bid for aerospace and engineering firm Meggitt vital suppliers to the UK's big two defence contractors BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce the Government has said it is minded to intervene [Stock image] More distressingly still, aerospace and hi-tech are seen as areas in which the UK is most competitive in global markets. Many believe they have a great part to play in powering the British economy, exports and jobs markets forward after Brexit and Covid. City advisers backing the Parker-Hannifin bid point out that just 10 per cent of Meggitt's income comes from the UK. What is seldom mentioned when it comes to foreign takeovers are the longer-term impacts. The companies effectively become branches for the foreign buyer. During an economic downturn it is the overseas interests which first lose jobs and investment. Moreover, with each foreign takeover the corporation tax base, that is the levy on company profits, moves abroad. When the deal is done by adding debt to the balance sheet, cuts in jobs and investment eventually have to be made. The latest deal comes at a time when other UK defence firms including Ultra Electronics, which makes detector equipment that monitors Russian submarines, and Senior Engineering, which makes parts for fighter jets, are also under siege. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured), who in the past has welcomed overseas deals as showing global confidence in Britain, has indicated he wants to draw a line against the foreign marauders seeking to buy up companies in the UK's aerospace, defence and satellite sectors [File photo] Many UK companies have become easy prey for overseas buyers because share prices on the London Stock Exchange are at big discounts to their overseas counterparts as a result of the 'Brexit discount'. This is writ large in the proposed takeover of Meggitt where Parker-Hannifin is offering to pay 70 per cent more for the shares than they were worth before the bid. A price premium on this scale makes it hard for the board of the company being attacked to defend because they have to get the best deal for investors. Defence firms are different because they go through a national security and public interest test. In the recent past many pledges made at the time of a takeover, to keep jobs, headquarters and R&D spending, have proved unenforceable because of fast-changing economic conditions. If the Government indeed stops the Meggitt sale, it would be a rare setback for veteran Meggitt chairman Nigel Rudd, who has earned the sobriquet the 'man who sold Britain' for his role in selling major enterprises including railway signalling firm Invensys and Boots the Chemists. Many UK corporate horses already have bolted but finally there is a chance to slam the stable door firmly shut. A hospital should be a refuge somewhere that ill and vulnerable people can stay in absolute safety, their only concern being to focus on getting better. But, sadly, I have come to learn these institutions can at times stray far from this ideal. For well over a year now, people working across the NHS have been writing to me to tell of their deep concerns about a tragic and, I believe, dangerous shift that has taken place inside our hospitals. The consequences of this change were foreseeable but are no less horrifying. In my capacity as Chair of the parliamentary campaign group Children and Women First, I have been reading of the most appalling sexual behaviour alleged by whistleblowers to have taken place on hospital premises, including at least one case of rape. Though the accounts are unproven at this stage, they are serious enough to be highly worrying. A hospital should be a refuge - somewhere that ill and vulnerable people can stay in absolute safety, their only concern being to focus on getting better (stock image of hospital) And what has made this possible? Without consultation and in my opinion, in defiance of the law NHS Trusts across the country have issued guidance saying patients should be accommodated based on the gender they say they identify with. This means they can pick which ward, toilets and shower facilities they use. As a result, a biological male who is 'physically intact' that is, who possesses a penis has the right to choose to be accommodated on a female ward and to use women's lavatories and facilities. Many biologically female patients have understandably been left distraught, forced to share some of their most intimate and vulnerable moments alongside a member of the opposite sex. Others, like those in the ward disturbed by their presence, have been left uncomfortable to a degree. Still others, as my correspondents from across the NHS have said, are alleged to have seen or experienced far worse. Yet, often, they object at their peril. Many of those who have expressed discomfort at this turn of events be they patients or nursing staff have been accused of transphobia and hate crime. Some nurses have lost their jobs. In my capacity as Chair of Children and Women First, I have been reading of sexual behaviour alleged by whistleblowers to have taken place at hospitals. Pictured: Baroness Nicholson Hard to believe, isn't it? Hospitals are exempt from the Equalities Act of 2010, which outlawed discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, among them age, religion or sexual orientation. It means they were one of the few places where you can or could insist on the privacy of a single-sex space. Moreover, that right had been hard-won in only recent history. While single-sex wards were standard practice for decades, in the late-1970s and early-1980s the NHS started to move towards mixed-sex wards to cut nursing costs and make the best use of diminishing numbers of staff. It led to widespread complaints, particularly from female patients worried about being in beds alongside male patients, and sharing washing facilities with them. It took years of lobbying from health professionals and organisations among them the Mail for the law to change. That happened in 2011, when a redrafted version of the Patient's Charter announced mixed-sex hospital wards were to be phased out, with patients given the right to request a bed on a single-sex ward. Separate lavatories also had to be provided on existing mixed-sex wards. Since April that year, Trusts have been fined 250 when a patient is placed on a mixed-sex ward. Of course, there are exceptions. There are clinical circumstances where mixed-sex accommodation can be justified, for example, patients who need specialised care, such as in critical care units. And, let me be clear, no one would want to deny the rights of a vulnerable trans person to be accorded the respect of hospital accommodation that best caters to their needs, both emotional and physical. Without consultation, NHS Trusts across the country have issued guidance saying patients should be accommodated based on the gender they say they identify with (stock image) I appreciate there are no easy answers, as there rarely are when it comes to overlapping rights. But it must be discussed openly, not in secret. Sadly, what is happening in wards up and down the country is that that very basic respect for a patient's rights is being overturned. In September 2019, NHS England and NHS Improvement published a revised version of their guidance. They advised patients should be accommodated according to their presentation: the way they dress, and the name and pronouns they use. This has formed the basis of a change of policy in a number of NHS Trusts, some of whom concluded this right should be extended to male-born sex offenders, telling staff that while a criminal history should be part of a 'risk assessment' it is not a bar to admission. Leaving aside the momentousness of that statement, the fundamental point is that this has been done without discussion. In their haste to assert the primacy of 'Self-Identification' in which a person can legally declare their own gender regardless of their biology NHS chiefs have knowingly distorted the equality laws that Parliament has passed and the Queen herself has signed. And it is women who are paying the price. As a woman who has spent a great deal of her adult career campaigning for the rights of women and children, I approached colleagues to form an all-party campaign group to collect evidence from patients and medics on the impact of the deviation from single-sex spaces. The examples we have received are legion. In hundreds of emails and hours of personal testimony, we have heard cases ranging from dementia patients distressed at waking up next to someone who, in their mind, looks like a man, to reports of a rape on a psychiatric unit undertaken by a biological male who identified as a woman. I urged the Government to suspend the NHS guidelines which are at the root of the policies. Health Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) said he had 'asked [the Department] for advice' I recently urged the Government to suspend the NHS guidelines which are, to my mind, at the root of policies of NHS Trusts nationwide. And last night, Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: 'It's not wrong to look at whether guidance is right, or how it's being applied, to reassure everyone... I've asked [the Department] for advice.' It is time he did so, whatever the furore it may provoke. I am in no doubt my forays into the whirlpool of transgender issues leave me open to abuse. I refuse to be cowed by it: it hasn't worried me in the past, just as sticking my head above the parapet now doesn't worry me. When you speak up for what is right there will always be those who endure cancellations from much-loved institutions; it doesn't matter. What does matter is that we find a way of protecting the vulnerable. In my work around the globe, I have always cited the country of my birth as a shining example of a nation which upholds the rights of women, and our NHS as a beacon of health care provision. However, the scandal that is unfolding in our single-sex wards has led me to conclude that neither of these proclamations remains true. Baroness Nicholson is Chair of the Parliamentary campaign group Children and Women First. Yet again the Covid pessimists have been proved wrong. These peddlers of doom predicted the near-complete easing of restrictions on July 19 would lead to a dramatic spike in infections, creating a public health disaster. Neil Ferguson, aka Professor Lockdown and the scaremonger-in-chief on the official Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), warned that the number of new daily cases could rise to 100,000 to 200,000. Thankfully this grim scenario has not materialised. The number of new infections has maintained a steady and significant decline since Freedom Day, falling to 21,952 cases on Monday, the lowest daily figure for more than a month. Nor has there been any surge in hospitalisations or deaths. There are two obvious lessons to be drawn from this. Pictured: A woman on Sydney's iconic Bondai Beach shows her ID to a police officer. Police check IDs to ensure visitors to the beach meet the exercise radius stipulated in lockdown directives The first is that Covid vaccinations are key to protecting the public and building herd immunity. Thanks to the success of the roll-out since last December, almost 60 per cent of us have now been double-vaccinated, with the rate above 90 per cent in vulnerable groups. The second is that lockdowns are far less effective than their noisy advocates claim. In the first wave in spring last year, the lockdown may have had some initial beneficial impact in preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed. But, in general, lockdowns are a blunt instrument, causing more harm than the disease itself through their impact on the economy, democratic freedoms and mental and physical health. The experience of two countries illustrates the truth of this analysis: Australia and Sweden. Throughout most of the pandemic, Australia has been held up as a shining example of how to halt the spread of Covid through robust border controls and tough national and local lockdowns as it pursued a zero-Covid policy. This fortress mentality was presented by its government as the optimum way to keep the population safe, in contrast to chaotic Europe, with its porous borders, where the disease was raging like wildfire. Pictured: Protesters are seen during the 'World Wide Rally For Freedom' anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, Saturday, July 24, 2021 But now the lucky country appears to have run short of luck. Australia is sliding into its own Covid crisis caused by the new, more transmissible Delta (formerly the Indian) variant. The authorities answer has been to impose ever harsher measures in areas with the highest incidence of the disease, including New South Wales and Queensland. Travel to and from local areas is curtailed in some cities, shops are closed, and public gatherings banned. At the weekend, 300 troops were deployed in the Sydney suburbs, door-to-door checking that those who have tested positive were self-isolating at home. But this draconian approach isnt working. Indeed, the goal of zero-Covid is more distant than ever. The premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, conceded this week: Its spreading like weve never seen before. And yet there is a perfectly simple explanation and it lies in Australias abject failure to establish a vaccine programme. Australian ministers initially focused solely on a homegrown product manufactured by the company CSL in cooperation with Queensland University and failed to secure millions of doses of other vaccines from around the world as back up (unlike Britain which, despite the early promise of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, ordered a range of Covid jabs). Pictured: Police arrest protesters at Victoria Park in Glebe during the 'World Wide Rally For Freedom' anti-lockdown rally at Hyde Park in Sydney, Saturday, July 24, 2021 That decision to stick with the CSL vaccine proved calamitous after it emerged that its molecular structure, which used elements of a protein from the HIV virus, meant that some patients in trials tested false positive for HIV. The vaccine was dropped but Australia had no Plan B. And just like President Emmanuel Macron in France, who had put all his hopes in a French vaccine (which failed to deliver), the Australian government took to bad-mouthing other vaccines, including AstraZeneca, making dubious claims about associated health risks. No surprise, then, that when the Australian vaccination programme finally got under way, public confidence had been badly undermined. Just 15.5 per cent of the population have had two doses and it will be early 2022 before the adult population is fully vaccinated. While Australia struggles, Sweden has shown that there is another way. As I have long argued, the approach adopted by the Stockholm government enabled it to achieve the Holy Grail of herd immunity without sacrificing either the economy or liberty. When the first wave of Covid hit Europe, Sweden (population 10.2million) refused to be panicked. Despite condemnation by many global experts one modeller predicted that up to 183,000 Swedes would die state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell remained firm in his belief that lockdowns only postponed the reckoning and are not a means of solving anything. Pictured: Clubbers queue around the block at a few minutes to midnight waiting for Covid-19 restrictions to be dropped and for Pryzm nightclub to open its doors once more on July 18, 2021 in Brighton, England Schools stayed open, citizens mingled, and hospitality venues welcomed customers. The results have defied all the apocalyptic forecasts. In the last fortnight, Sweden has averaged just 0.7 Covid deaths a day, compared to 75 in the UK over the same period, and 329 in the USA. It is true that Sweden, with 14,655 deaths so far, has had a higher proportionate total than its Scandinavian neighbours, but the number is far less than many other European countries which engaged in ferocious lockdowns. And the Swedish toll would have been far lower if the authorities, like those in Britain, had not decanted many elderly patients from hospitals into care homes without testing them first. Moreover, thanks to the avoidance of lockdown, Sweden suffered less economic damage from the pandemic than anywhere else in Europe. The same outcome can be found in some American states, such as California and Florida. The former went for a strict lockdown, while the latter was more open. However, they have had roughly the same Covid death rates, largely because they have both double-vaccinated just over half their populations. On the other hand, as Australia shows, countries with a low vaccination rate are paying a high price, no matter what other restrictive measures were instituted. Vietnam one of the first countries to impose a draconian lockdown last year - has just imposed another 15-day lockdown following an alarming new wave of infections. Yet, with just 0.74 per cent of the population (96.46million) double-vaccinated, this crackdown looks doomed. Throughout the pandemic, governments around the world have regularly vowed to follow the science. But as we can now clearly see, when it came to lockdowns, that science was far from settled. Angus Dalgleish is professor of oncology at a London teaching hospital. Hailey Bieber has traded her usual designer jackets for a $109 blazer from an Australian fashion label. The 24-year-old model has been spotted out and about in Los Angeles wearing the over-sized 'Hailey' blazer from clothing brand, Lioness, who were so delighted with the endorsement, they named it after her. The budget-friendly piece is a striking departure from the wife of Justin Bieber's usual choice of blazer, which typically come from brands such as Acne Studios where they cost in the region of $600 (AUD). Hailey Bieber traded her usual designer jackets for this $109 blazer from an Australian fashion label Made from cotton and polyester, the Lioness coat is such a hit that it has already sold out in sizes XS and small - but you can still get your hands on medium, large and XL. Fans can order the blazer online from The Iconic or Lioness' official website, which offers free express delivery to customers worldwide. And Hailey is not the only celebrity who has fallen in love with the piece. The Lioness blazer is also a favourite of Australian businesswoman, Elle Ferguson. Elle recently shared a series of outfit posts featuring the blazer which sent fans into a frenzy. Made from cotton and polyester, the Lioness coat is such a hit that it has already sold out in sizes XS and small - but you can still get your hands on medium, large and XL Fans can order the blazer online from The Iconic or Lioness' official website, which offers free express delivery to customers worldwide Photos posted to Lioness' Instagram account have attracted gushing responses, with fashionistas giving the blazer their seal of approval. 'In love with this blazer,' one woman wrote. 'Goals,' said a second, while a third added: 'Yes.' Others left rows of fire emojis and faces with heart-shaped eyes to show their appreciation. Sarah Ferguson has gushed about how her friendship with Princess Diana would have brought a smile to their grandchildren's faces. The Duchess of York, 61, who lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor, revealed that although she leaves her daughter Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank to get on with parenting their son August, it's 'lovely' being a grandmother for the first time. She told Bella magazine that if her friend Princess Diana had been around it's likely they would've shared their experiences as grandparents by hosting parties for the children. 'Diana and I had the same complete love for children. We both loved nothing more than to put a smile on a childs face,' she said. 'Wed be having granny parties together and having a great time. I wonder whether there would be room for the kids to get onto the bouncy castle, as she and I would be the first on.' Sarah Ferguson has gushed about her friendship with Princess Diana, while discussing how they would loved being grandmothers together in an interview with Bella magazin. Pictured: Sarah and Diana attending a polo match in 1983 Sarah whose daughter Beatrice is currently pregnant with her first child, also has a grandson, August, born to her daughter Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in February 2021. She said it's likely the late royal would have split her time between visiting her grandchildren Archie and Lilibet in California and spending time with George, Charlotte and Louis at Kensington Palace. She added that Diana would've been 'proud' of her sons Prince William and Prince Harry as well as their wives. Sarah (pictured) said she and Diana would've hosted 'granny parties' for their grandchildren as they shared a love of making children smile Despite her new role as a grandmother, Sarah commonly known as Fergie, has found time to write a novel with co-author Marguerite Kaye. She gushed about the story to Bella magazine, explaining that it was influenced by a look at her ancestry. Her Heart For A Compass is a fictionalised retelling of her own great-great aunt Lady Margaret. Sarah explained that she was led to create a story after finding very little information about her relative and being left wondering about specific life choices including why she got married relatively late. She admitted to having thought about writing a novel for the past 20 years and said 'it is a dream come true' to have finally achieved her goal. While the book and e-book are being published this week, Marguerite has revealed they've already started working on another project together. Sarah Ferguson revealed how looking into her ancestry influenced her new book in the new issue of Bella magazine (pictured) Bellas new issue is on sale now A shopper has defended her giant stockpiled grocery haul using Coles and Woolworths buys, saying you always need to 'be prepared'. The Western Australian woman, called Losalio Leota, shared a video of her humongous supermarket shop stored in her spare room at home, comprising a range of food items, toiletries and medical supplies. 'Turning our spare room into a store room,' Losalio posted alongside the clip, adding the hashtags 're-arranging', 'be prepared', 'need another shelf' and 'OCD'. 'Don't come at me,' she added in the caption. Scroll down for video A shopper has defended her giant stockpiled grocery haul using Coles and Woolworths buys, saying you always need to 'be prepared' (oats and flour supplies pictured) The stockpiled haul included the likes of body wash, laundry powder, endless rolls of toilet paper, dish soap, toothpaste and disinfectant wipes. But it wasn't just cleaning products Losalio had stocked up on for the future. The Western Australian woman also had another Kmart shelving unit packed full of tinned fruit and veg, dried pasta, soups, jams, noodles and baked beans. Losalio had a third shelving unit, this time full of large storage containers filled with flour, oats and sugar, as well as medical products like Band-Aids, Dettol and Vicks VapoRub. Finally, she also had countless boxes piled up inside the room, and she said she needs to make space for her cleaning products. While some were impressed with her organisation, it wasn't long before commenters accused Losalio of being 'one of those panic buyers' (some of her supplies pictured) While some were impressed with her organisation, it wasn't long before countless commenters accused Losalio of being 'one of those panic buyers'. 'Be prepared for what? The supermarkets don't close, even in lockdown,' one commenter wrote. Another added: 'Be prepared? I'm not being mean, just genuinely asking'. Losalio defended herself underneath the comments, writing that she lives in a small rural town, Port Hedland, and this shopping was for her own 'personal preparations'. 'Growing up, my parents did it, so I just carried it on in my own way,' she said. She added that she doesn't panic buy, but just buys two of something every time she sees an item on special. 'I've just escalated from a small pantry room to a spare room turned into my own personal store room,' she said. Some were impressed with the haul, describing it as 'goals' and 'inspiring'. 'Very clean and organised, good on you sister, each family's wants are different and that's okay,' one commenter posted. Another added: 'It's always good to have a backup supply of food, especially in these times'. The world's top models partied the week away in bikinis from an Australian fashion label at Victoria's Secret angel Jasmine Tookes' bachelorette party in Croatia. The 30-year-old, who is set to wed Snapchat executive Juan David Borrero, celebrated her last days as a single woman at the four-star Villa Ora Belle in Dubrovnik with a bevvy of her closest catwalk colleagues. The group, which included Shanina Shaik, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Taylor Hill, Sara Sampaio and new mum, Romee Strijd, slipped into surprisingly affordable swimwear from Sydney clothing site, White Fox Boutique. Wearing two-pieces from the brand's new Hawaiian swim collection, the girls posed up a storm on a yacht floating in the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Scroll down for video The world's top models including Shanina Shaik (pictured) wore affordable bikinis from an Australian fashion label for Jasmine Tookes' bachelorette in Dubrovnik, Croatia The group, which included Lais Ribeiro (left), Jasmine Tookes (centre, looking left) and Shanina Shaik (third from right) slipped into swimwear from Sydney clothing site, White Fox Boutique Their tops cost $49.95 (AUD) while the bottoms and matching sarongs start from just $29.95 (AUD). Later that day, bride-to-be Jasmine put her incredible body on display in a blue bikini as she relaxed by the pool of her luxury villa. 'I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!' she captioned a photo uploaded to her Instagram stories. In videos posted to social media, the model was also seen taking part in traditional bachelorette rituals, even donning a 'bride-to-be' sash as she partied with her pals. Portuguese model Sara Sampaio (pictured) was just one of the many Victoria's Secret Angels at the bash wearing a $49.95 bikini top and $29.95 bottoms from White Fox Boutique Shanina Shaik (left), Sara Sampaio (centre) and Lais Ribeiro (right) posed for photos next to the sparkling Adriatic Sea After four years of dating, Juan proposed to Jasmine in September 2020 with a whopping $358,000 (AUD) diamond ring. 'Si, mi amor! We're engaged!!!' she gushed on Instagram. Jasmine's Snapchat executive beau reportedly shocked her with the proposal, after whisking her away for a surprise trip to Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River in Utah and Arizona. Speaking to Vogue about her big moment, the 5ft9in stunner revealed: 'It was a complete surprise!' Jasmine Tookes (pictured) celebrated her last days as a single woman with her fellow Victoria's Secret Angels in Dubrovnik, Croatia Team bride! Tookes partook in many of the traditional bachelorette rituals, including the donning of a 'bride-to-be' sash Jasmine explained her Ecuadorian boyfriend announced he was taking her away following her day of meetings and that she had just two hours to pack. Describing the unexpected trip, she said: 'We hopped on a helicopter which flew us to the most beautiful, otherworldly-like secluded place in the middle of the desert rocks in Utah. It was just us.' The model recalled how they sipped champagne before her beau brought her to the rocks where 'WYMM' was spelled out on the ground. She said yes! Jasmine became engaged to Snapchat executive Juan back in September 2020 Long-time love: The model accepted a proposal from the Snapchat executive after four years together (pictured in 2017) After realising what it had meant - Will you marry me? - Jasmine then recalled the unique way Juan presented the ring. She continued: 'I heard a drone flying from above which had a string hanging from it with a small black pouch below. This is how the ring was delivered to him. As the drone approached, he reached into the pouch pulled out the box and went on one knee.' She added she cried many 'happy tears' and said the proposal was 'the best day I could've ever imagined.' Tea described physical changes as 'wonderful' and said given her mental clarity Their youngest daughter, Adelaide, 6, was open to having another mother Tea-Lynn Van Dyk, 36, from Canada came out as trans to wife, Gabrielle Van Dyk A mother whose husband became her wife when he transitioned to become a woman has said she is 'happier than ever' but admits there were signs - including dressing up in her clothes. Tea-Lynn Van Dyk, 36, from Ontario, Canada, first came out as trans to her wife, Gabrielle Van Dyk, 35, in December 2019, and their two daughters shortly after that, following what she called a 'three-day panic attack'. Their youngest daughter, Adelaide, 6, was immediately open to having another mother, and often corrected other members of their extended family who misgendered her. Arya, 7, took around two weeks to accept the change, due her anxiety around Tea-Lynn leaving and being apart from her. Gabrielle Van Dyk's husband who became her wife when he transitioned to become a woman has said she is 'happier than ever' but admits there were signs - including dressing up in her clothes. Pictured: Tea-Lynn (pre-transition) and wife Gabrielle Van Dyke Tea-Lynn Van Dyk, 36, first came out as trans to her wife, Gabrielle Van Dyk, 35, in December 2019, and their two daughters shortly after that, following what she called a 'three-day panic attack'. Pictured: Gabrielle, Arya, Tea-Lynn (post transition), and Adelaide Van Dyk Pictured: Tea Lynn and wife Gabrielle Van Dyk now 'They know it's a sensitive topic but we haven't really talked about it too much since we first told them, life moves on,' Tea-Lynn said. 'Now I'm Mommy and Gabrielle is Mama.' 'Adelaide was a super supporter from day zero. She's the kind of person where, if someone was being transphobic to me out on the street she would be in their face. 'And with Adelaide I just had to reassure her that I wasn't going anywhere, and that I would always love her, and she's been wonderful ever since.' Gabrielle was very calm when Tea-Lynn first came out, and suggested she see a therapist to help her with her transition. Gabrielle says her attitude is part of the reason they are still together. Tea-Lynn started her hormonal transition in April 2020, following consultations with her doctor and speaking to a therapist about her feelings and experiences. Pictured: Tea-Lynn Van Dyk at pride pre-transition Tea said when she first told Gabrielle she assumed she would be gone. Pictured: Tea Van Dyk post-transition 'When I first told her I assumed she would be gone, I assumed we would get a divorce because it's a lot for some people,' explained Tea-Lynn. 'I couldn't imagine my life without her. 'Now, I feel like I can love her to the full extent that I do, which is fiercely and wildly. I feel like finally there's no barrier between us.' But Gabrielle claims there were some telling signs that Tea-Lynn wanted to express herself differently, including when Tea-Lynn admitted she had been dressing up in Gabrielle's clothes. 'She had hinted that she was dressing up in some of my clothes, so it wasn't completely out of nowhere, I had that in the back of my mind,' said Gabrielle. 'When she first told me I was like OK, let's talk about this and see how is this going to work for us. 'She still likes the same things, she laughs at the same type of humour, so in my mind she's still the same person and it doesn't matter that she's dressing feminine or changing her name. Tea-Lynn has also come out to her family and friends, who have been largely supportive. Pictured: Tea-Lynn pre-transition The couple's youngest daughter, Adelaide, 6, was immediately open to having another mother, and often corrected other members of their extended family who misgendered her. Pictured: Tea-Lynn, Gabrielle, Arya (CL) and Adelaide (CR) Gabrielle was very calm when Tea-Lynn first came out, and suggested she see a therapist to help her with her transition. Pictured: Gabrielle and Tea Lynn Van Dyk 'I think because that's how I'm looking at the whole thing, that has allowed this to be successful.' Tea-Lynn started her hormonal transition in April 2020, following consultations with her doctor and speaking to a therapist about her feelings and experiences. She has also come out to her family and friends, who have been largely supportive. 'I'm so blessed and lucky to have people in my life who recognise this transition is about me realising my own happiness, and they are happy for me,' explained Tea-Lynn. 'I have had to cut some family off who were not supportive, and I've lost a few friends, but on the whole my transition has been overwhelmingly full of love and support and I am extremely thankful. 'I feel so much happier. The physical changes have been wonderful, but there's also a kind of mental clarity. Arya, 7, took around two weeks to accept the change, due her anxiety around Tea-Lynn leaving and being apart from her. Pictured, Arya, Tea-Lynn (pre-transition), Adelaide, and Gabrielle Van Dyke 'Before I transitioned there was a mental fog of just confusion and sadness and depression, and being on these hormones have lifted that. 'I have laughed to tears more in the last 16 months than I had in the 35 years I was on earth before I started. It's amazing to finally really feel.' 'I know everyone is curious about surgery, but for me it's like if I were to walk up to a man on the street and ask if he was circumcised, it's really none of my business. 'Unless you're a doctor or a sexual partner I don't see why you would need to know what surgeries I've had or not had. Surgery doesn't make a trans woman more valid, she's already a woman.' Princess Charlene of Monaco has revealed how 'terribly frustrating' it is to not be with her children while she remains in her native South Africa due to a serious ear and throat infection requiring surgical interventions. The former Olympian, 43, 'can't wait' to return to her six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella, but revealed she won't be back in the principality 'until the end of October' as she recovers from a 'serious sinus infection'. Speaking to South Africa Radio 702's host Mandy Wiener, the royal said: '[It's] very frustrating, terribly frustrating. I can't wait to get back to them, I can't wait to see my children.' Charlene, who hasn't been seen in Monaco since January, joined the video interview from bush country in the KwaZulu-Natal region and said she felt well, despite the 'waiting game' during her healing process. It comes as her husband Prince Albert of Monaco made yet another public appearance without his wife at the Tokyo Olympics amid rumours of a rift between the couple. Scroll down fro video Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured) has revealed how 'terribly frustrating' it is to not be with her children while she remains in her native South Africa due to a serious ear and throat infection requiring surgical interventions The former Olympian, 43, 'can't wait' to return to her six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella (pictured with Prince Albert in June), but revealed she won't be back in the principality 'until the end of October' as she recovers from a 'serious sinus infection' Charlene revealed: 'It's the longest period I've actually been away from Europe, let alone my children, but I'm FaceTiming them most days and they've been here and will be returning to see me again after my procedure. 'It's an amazing opportunity [to be here] but I'm very sad I can't be with my children this summer in Europe.' She added that she was initially only supposed to be in her native South Africa for ten to 12 days for a conservation trip with her Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation. However, the royal had a problem 'equalising her ears' and was told by a doctor that she was suffering from a serious sinus infection. 'It's taken time to address the problem that I'm having,' explained Charlene. 'I cannot go into full detail, but I cannot force healing so I will be grounded in South Africa until the end of October. Speaking to South Africa Radio 702's host Mandy Wiener, the royal (pictured) said: '[It's] very frustrating, terribly frustrating. I can't wait to get back to them, I can't wait to see my children.' It comes as her husband Prince Albert of Monaco (pictured) made yet another public appearance without his wife at the Tokyo Olympics amid rumours of a rift between the couple 'The reason being I cannot fly above 3,000 metres otherwise I'll have a problem with my ears.' 'I feel well, I feel good, it's just obviously a waiting game for me, but I've had a great opportunity to understand a little bit more about South Africa, the environment, the needs and it's been wonderful to be back in South Africa, and I think at this time it's crucial that people are aware of certain things via my foundation.' Charlene is hoping to raise awareness about the preservation of Rhinos, insisting she wants her 'grandchildren to see a Rhino someday'. She also talked about how 'great' it is to be home, adding: 'Africa will always be part of me, it always has been. I'm always going to come home, and be of service and help where I can and any area where I can South Africa means so much to me. 'I just cannot do some things because obviously I am in a different position right now, but I'm an African at heart and I'm proudly that.' Albert and the twins paid a brief visit to South Africa in early June, the Palace has confirmed, but they otherwise keep in touch via video link The royal (pictured in July) said she was initially only supposed to be in her native South Africa for ten to 12 days for a conservation trip with her Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation Charlene is passing the hours rooting for her country in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 'I really salute the athletes,' she said, 'that have taken a very high risk to be in Japan during a pandemic. It's not easy for the parents, it's not easy for the athletes. 'As a former Olympian, I don't think I would have taken the risk myself of going that far. The determination and the sacrifice that these athletes have made, they are my heroes. 'My congratulations to the parents to the families that are watching their children compete to win a medal. For me they're all gold medallists.' The mother-of-two hasn't been seen in Monaco since January, but her husband and children visited her in South Africa earlier this year. In a statement last month, Charlene explained she would not return to her family in time for her 10th wedding anniversary, saying: 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me. In a statement last month, Charlene (pictured in May) explained she would not return to her family in time for her 10th wedding anniversary 'However, Albert and I had no choice but to follow the medical team's instructions even though it is extremely difficult. He has been the most incredible support to me. 'My daily conversations with Albert and my children help immensely to keep my spirits up, but I miss being with them. It was special to have my family visit me in South Africa, and it was truly wonderful seeing them. I can't wait to be reunited with them.' But according to sources, Princess Charlene's 'excuses' about her health are 'wearing thin' and she has no intention of ending her six-month exile in South Africa any time soon. Following the couple's 10th wedding anniversary last month, when unusually no new official portrait of Charlene and Albert was released, even normally reverential outlets such as the highly respected Madame Figaro in Paris used long dated images of the pair, asking: 'Are Charlene and Albert II of Monaco on the verge of divorce?' Those responsible for such devastating headlines note that the couple are geographically some 8,500 miles apart, while the emotional gap between them appears even wider. Those who attended Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's glittering wedding at the start of July 2011 in Monaco (pictured) certainly expected it to be for life So much so that Stephane Bearn, easily the most high-profile and trusted Royal commentator in France, uses an impeccably sourced piece in the latest Paris Match to discuss the torturous separation. He describes subjects in Monaco becoming increasingly angry about their runaway Princess, as they criticise everything from Charlene's mood swings to her appearance. Princess Charlene's life in the Monaco royal family 1987 - Bea Fiedler, a German topless model, claims her son Daniel was the prince's son. 1992 - An American national files a paternity lawsuit against the Prince, claiming that he was the father of her daughter, Jazmin Grace. 2000 - Princess Charlene meets Prince Albert at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo 2005 - In May, a former flight attendant claims that her youngest son, whom she named Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, was Prince Albert's child. She states that his parentage had been proven by DNA tests requested by the Monegasque government. On 6 July, a few days before he was enthroned on 12 July, the Prince officially confirms via his lawyer Lacoste that Alexandre was his biological son. 2006 - After a DNA test confirmed the child's parentage, Albert admitted, via statement from his lawyer, that he is Jazmin Grace's father. 2010 - Princess Charlene and Prince Albert announce their engagement 2011 - Princess Charlene was said to have bolted two days before the royal wedding after hearing Prince Albert had a third love child during their relationship. It was alleged that Charlene tried to flee home to South Africa three times before her 'arranged marriage', at one point taking refuge inside her country's embassy in Paris. Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride that she provide him with a legitimate heir. After that she would be free to leave of her own free will. During the wedding, Charlene was in floods of tears, while her husband looked on impassively. Later in the year, Princess Charlene confessed she felt 'very lonely' in Monaco 2012 - Princess Charlene was reported to be 'depressed' at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir. 2014 - Pregnancy was announced in May. In December Charlene gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and heir to the throne Prince Jacques. 2017 - Princess Charlene visits Africa, tells media: 'I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. It's in my heart and in my veins.' 2019 - In a rare interview, Princess Charlene confessed it is 'sometimes hard to smile' and said the year had been 'very painful'In another interview, she said she found motherhood 'exhausting' 2020 - Charlene debuts a shocking half-shaved hairstyle. It is announced Prince Albert of Monaco will appear in court in the new year to fight explosive claims he fathered a third love child with a secret girlfriend before marrying his now wife Princess Charlene. 2021 - January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. It is the last time she has been seen in Monaco this year. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter. It is unknown where the image was taken. May and June - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend several events in Monaco without Charlene, while she shares snaps from her trip in South Africa. June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately July 7 - Charlene says the last few months have been 'trying' and says she misses her husband and children Advertisement 'In Monaco, since the departure of Charlene, tongues have loosened,' Mr Bearn writes. 'In the whirlwind of a hard-nosed court, her fine shine is rubbing off. Her sad looks are regarded as haggard. 'Disappointed Monegasques talk about her anger, her whimsical moods, which are as changeable as her hair.' Charlene notoriously shaved her head in the style of a punk rocker last December an act which many saw as the first public sign of a worsening crisis that could end in a multi-million pound divorce. Referring to the couple's six-year-old twins, who remain in Monaco with their nannies, Mr Bearn writes: 'The Palace had to invoke a suffering Princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe. By crying wolf, the mother of Jacques and Gabriella would have discredited and isolated herself.' A Monaco source who knows the royal couple well suggested Charlenes health reasoning for not flying and returning to her family was 'sounding very thin, especially considering how many times it has been reeled out'. She added: 'Patients with very serious problems are flown to other parts of the world all the time. 'The Princess has the finest medics in the world looking after her making a flight home extremely safe and comfortable would not be that difficult.' Another Palace source was even more forthright, telling Paris Match: 'The Princess has, for the time being, in reality, no intention of returning.' Instead, she has been seen house-hunting near Johannesburg, close to where she was brought up in a modest suburban family as Charlene Wittstock, the daughter of Mike Wittstock, a photocopy machine salesman. Princess Charlene came to South Africa to do conservation and anti-poaching work, earlier this year. Her foundation says she was driving the causes close to her heart, pouring herself into her Foundation work in South Africa when she fell ill. Before contracting the infection and undergoing the procedures, Princess Charlene worked with various ambassadors and partners to raise awareness and funds for the Foundation's initiatives. Former Olympian Charlene had originally been due to return to Monaco in time for the Grand Prix in May, where she was guest of honour. Months later and she is still not home. Charlene and Albert's marriage has been plagued with rumours from the start. The couple met at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, announced their engagement in 2010. Former Olympic swimmer Charlene reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had allegedly fathered a love child - his third - while they were together. Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride, saying she could leave once she had provided him with a legitimate heir. One source said at the time: 'Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don't go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she's served a decent amount of time.' Charlene was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011. Just one year after their wedding, it was reported that Charlene was 'depressed' at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir. Her pregnancy was announced in May 2014, and in December that year she gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and heir to the throne Prince Jacques. In the almost 10 years since, Charlene, who shares six-year-old twins with Albert, has rarely spoken publicly of her experience. In 2017, the Princess made an emotional return to Africa, where she spoke about how much the continent means to her. 'I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. Its in my heart and in my veins,' she told Eyewitness News. Last year she admitted life was 'very painful', saying: 'I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I'm often sad because I cannot always be there for them.' It's been a tumultuous start to the year for the royal, after news emerged that her husband is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship. The 63-year-old prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have had a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005. The claim, which his lawyers dismissed as a 'hoax', is particularly painful as he was dating Charlene at the time, having met the former Olympic swimmer in 2000. The 34-year-old claimant who cannot be named for legal reasons says she had a passionate affair with Albert, leading to the birth of their daughter whose name is also classified on July 4, 2005. Albert received a handwritten letter from the child, who is now 15, in September last year reading: I don't understand why I grew up without a father, and now that I have found you, you don't want to see me. Legal papers were also filed, as lawyers for the claimant called on Albert to undergo a DNA test just as he did before finally being identified as the father of two illegitimate children born in the 1990s and early 2000s. In January, Charlene spoke publicly for the first time since the allegations, telling Point de Vue: 'When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. 'I often tell him, "No matter what, no matter what, I'm a thousand percent behind you. I'll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad." The mother-of-two went on to say she also often tells her husband she will 'protect him' and will 'always be by his side.' A furious shopper has blasted M&S for flogging a pastry called a Plain Jane - claiming 'name-calling is not OK' as 'not all Janes are plain'. Jane Hudson, 52, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, took umbrage when she spotted the retail giant had called its vanilla flavoured yumnuts 'plain Jane' after she bought a pack of three. The stay-at-home mother was aghast at the name for the 1 sweet treat, described as 'simply delicious, with a sweet vanilla flavour' on the store's website, and took to social media on Saturday to complain. Jane Hudson, 52, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, took umbrage when she spotted M&S had called its vanilla flavoured yumnuts 'plain Jane' after she bought a pack of three. There the mum-of-three admitted she was 'annoyed', demanding to know the connection and if they were 'implying all Janes are plain'. However she was branded 'sensitive' while others, including Karens and Debbies, shared their experiences of being the butt of people's jokes. Jane said: 'They wouldn't call them 'Crummy Karens' because of all the abuse that Karens [get]. Jane, pictured, said that she was offended by the suggestion that all Janes are plain, and that name calling is not right in the 21st century 'I just thought, in this day and age why does M&S feel they need to do it? 'Don't get me wrong, I don't consider myself plain. Personally I think I'm quite fabulous. 'People [online] kept harping on: "Well it was ok in my day in the playground". 'I said: "But it's not those days, it's the 21st century and name-calling isn't OK", but they didn't really want to know.' Jane's post reads: 'Feeling a little annoyed. Why do Marks & Spencer feel the need to call their yumnuts Plain Jane? 'What's the connection? Are they implying Janes are plain!!!! NOT HAPPY!!!! 'People were also saying "Well I don't hear Colins moaning about caterpillars" and I said, "But you name an animal, it's a bit different when it comes to a doughnut". 'M&S want to get in the 21st century and have this younger clientele but that's not the way to go about it in these politically correct days really.' Facebook users thought Jane was being too sensitive, and shared their own experiences of jokes being made about names such as Carol, Karen and Debbie Jane was blissfully unaware she'd bought the controversially-named yumnuts home from the Epping branch of the store in Essex last week. Jane said: 'I bought them at M&S not realising [the name] and went home. 'My 23-year-old thought it was hilarious that they were called Plain Janes, so jokingly I said "I think that's disgusting". 'They're a plain vanilla doughnut, I don't know why they need to name it that person's name. 'I'm not moaning, they were very tasty, I just think M&S should know better. 'My kids think I'm totally bonkers. My son now walks around calling me a doughnut. The Plain Jane Yumnut - a cross between a yum yum and a doughnut - is described as 'simply delicious, with a sweet vanilla flavour' 'My daughter says I've got too much time on my hands and that's why I'm moaning about it.' There were mixed reactions to Jane's Facebook post, with many claiming she was being overly sensitive. Social media users called Debbie, Karen, Carole and Susan suggested life's 'too short' to be offended by it. Carole Barlow wrote: 'Why do people get offended about everything these days? You aren't a Plain Jane, I'm not a Christmas carol. 'Life's too short to be always offended, they just aren't very inventive.' Debbie Eibbed commented: 'Try being Debbie.... did I do Dallas or am I a downer?' Susan Fleming wrote: 'Try being a Lazy Susan!' Karen Willis commented: 'It's a bit like being a Karen - I have found if you laugh together with those people calling these names they laugh and love you.' Jane Edwards wrote: 'I'm a plain Jane and proud of it. It's how I describe the spelling of my name. 'Anybody or anything lucky enough to be called this, should be very pleased with themselves!' Zena Bailey commented: 'When did the general public become so sensitive over the smallest things?' M&S has been contacted for comment. Viewers have been left shocked by new Body Shop advert showing woman pleasuring herself, which appeared during ad breaks for Love Island. The new Self Love ads, which do not feature a single product, focuses on three housemates on 'Self Love Street' all facing different issues related to self-worth. One housemate, Fran, has no matches on a dating app and initially feels disheartened, but at the end of the ad she's seen lighting candles, closing the curtains and jumping on to the bed before letting out a sigh as her hand slips down her pyjamas. According to the Body Shop, the ads hark back to the ethos of founder Anita Roddick, who founded the brand - now owned by Natura - in the 70s. Love Island fans claimed they were 'gobsmacked' by the clip with one questioning whether it would be acceptable to show a man in the same situation. After not getting any matches on a dating app, Fran is seen lighting candles, closing the curtains and jumping on to the bed The business changed hands a year before the founder's death in 2007, and many criticised it for selling out. It was bought by Brazilian company Natura - which also owns Avon and Aesop - in 2017 in a 880m deal. UK marketing director Rhiannon Scarlett explained how the company was going back to its roots with the ads. 'We're re-finding our roots and our core, thinking back to Anita,' she said. Viewers have been left shocked by new Body Shop advert showing woman pleasuring herself, which appeared during ad breaks for Love Island Roddick opened the first shop in Brighton in the heart of the progressive 70s, simply to make a living for herself and her children because her husband travelled a lot for work. She was one of the first to take the stance that cosmetics could be feminist. And her most famous 1997 campaign was Ruby - a size 16 red-headed doll alongside the slogan 'There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels and only 8 who do.' 'At the time, it was a first of its kind,' Ms Scarlett said. The new Body Shop Self Love Street campaign harks back to the brands roots in the '70s when founder Anita Roddick pushed the boundaries and did the unexpected In the footage, one woman is disappointed and not getting any matches on a dating app but decides to take matters into her own hands 'There are three things from that campaign that reflect today. The Body Shop is always at the forefront. 'We like to be there because Anita led by doing things before everyone else. 'We'd like to say things that make people feel a bit uncomfortable because we're prepared to talk about things that others are thinking but not quite ready to say. And we believe more than ever that self-love is absolutely central.' Last year the brand asked 22,000 people from 21 different countries how they rated their self-worth, happiness and wellbeing. Fran is one of three housemates on Self Love Street, who is struggling with issues surrounding self-worth She is heard letting out a sigh as she jumps on the bed at the end of the advert, which finished with the slogan 'Rise up with self love' Unearthing a universal problem, the average score of the Ipsos Mori 'Self Love Index' was just 53 out of a total 100, which meant nearly half of people feel more self-doubt than self-love. She added: 'We wanted to tell real stories that represented women. 'There are many types of self-love that are individual to that person. Masturbation actually helps with physical and mental well-being.' But many viewers watching ITV2's Love Island were shocked by the subject matter. One said: 'That body shop ad was not PG13.' One added: 'I just realised that woman was fingering herself in the Body Shop ad.' One said: 'Is the new Body Shop ad promoting masturbation or....? Ok. This is a bit risky.' Viewers were left shocked by the ad, which features three housemates living on Self Love Street, all struggling with various issues around self-worth Another said: 'Has anyone see the new Body Shop Self Love ad? Have I got a dirty mind? Did I imagine ..??' And another added: 'I'm all for normalising female masturbation but if there was a man w*****g in an ad for the body shop I'm sure everyone would kick off no? Just baffled haha.' Another said: 'Hold up what was that Body Shop ad about. Who's idea was that the woman decides to play with her f**** at the end ???? Was it necessary? WTF.' And a final viewer said: 'Am I hallucinating or was there just a Body Shop sex toy ad, sick of it #LoveIsland.' A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: The Body Shop launched the Self Love Uprising to help people find an authentic relationship with themselves and understand that this is their strength and a superpower. 'Women have spent too long being made to feel ashamed or embarrassed about masturbation, and we hope this ad helps normalise it. This ad is part of something larger - our Self Love Uprising - which is all about encouraging self-acceptance and building self-esteem.' A heartbroken groom who recited the vows intended for his wedding day at his fiancee's funeral has told how the woman he loved slipped away just a fortnight before he could make her his wife. Following his speech, Ryan Dixon, 25, then returned to the Cornish headland where he had proposed on May 30, 2020 - the day before his partner first felt the agonising chest pains caused by the skin cancer that killed her - to scatter her ashes in their 'favourite place.' Diagnosed with stage four melanoma - advanced skin cancer - in July 2020, Kate Wignall, of St Austell, Cornwall, an occupational therapist until her illness took hold, was aged just 25 when she passed away on April 14, 2021. Bravely reading aloud the vows they wrote together, as the 30 loved ones permitted by Covid restrictions at her funeral on May 4, 2021, gathered to say goodbye, Ryan recited: 'Although these are the vows we did not get to speak, they will be ours forever, to cherish and keep.' Diagnosed with stage four melanoma - advanced skin cancer - in July 2020, Kate Wignall, of St Austell, Cornwall, an occupational therapist until her illness took hold, was aged just 25 when she passed away on April 14, 2021. Pictured, Kate and Ryan after getting engaged in May 2020 Ryan (pictured left), who recited the vows intended for his wedding day at his fiancee's funeral, has told how the woman he loved slipped away just a fortnight before he could make her his wife Kate in hospital with her parents and Ryan, who became her teenage sweetheart after they met when he moved to St Austell from nearby Lost Withiel, Cornwall, when he was 15 Lab technician Ryan, who became Kate's teenage sweetheart after they met when he moved to St Austell from nearby Lost Withiel, Cornwall, when he was 15, has now vowed to honour her by continuing to tick off a bucket list of experiences she hoped to have before her death. Despite his grief, he has just helped to raise more than 5,000 for Cancer Research by hiking up the three highest peaks in the UK in her memory. He said: 'If I can take Kate's legacy with me everywhere I go, that's what I'm going to do. 'She was the most beautiful soul in the world inside and out, so I hope I can do her just a little bit of justice, but it will never compare to how she really was. The way I see it is she's always with me, so it's never truly goodbye.' The first sign that anything was wrong with Kate came on May 31, 2020, when she experienced sudden, agonising chest pains. After seeing the doctor and being sent for tests, just six weeks after Ryan proposed she was diagnosed with the aggressive disease. Following his speech (pictured), Ryan Dixon, 25, then returned to the Cornish headland where he had proposed on May 30, 2020 - the day before his partner first felt the agonising chest pains caused by the skin cancer that killed her - to scatter her ashes in their 'favourite place.' Ryan (pictured with Kate after getting the keys to their first home) has now vowed to honour her by continuing to tick off a bucket list of experiences she hoped to have before her death Despite his grief, Ryan (pictured with Kate) has just helped to raise more than 5,000 for Cancer Research by hiking up the three highest peaks in the UK in her memory Further investigations resulted in an official diagnosis of stage four advanced melanoma, which had spread to her brain, spine, spleen, kidney and lungs. Speaking last year, to warn other young people of the dangers of skin cancer, she said: 'It was heartbreaking telling Ryan. We'd been on such a high and now our lives were suddenly and sharply going in a different direction.' At first, she responded well to treatment but, sadly, not long after spending an 'amazing' Christmas with Ryan and her family at their home, Kate's condition took a sharp decline. Ryan said: 'Her scan in January had shown a significant decrease in her cancer, meaning her chemotherapy treatment was working as well as it was expected to. But then things happened very quickly.' Later that month, Kate found a lump above her left breast and was referred immediately for tests. Ryan said: 'If I can take Kate's (pictured) legacy with me everywhere I go, that's what I'm going to do' The first sign that anything was wrong with Kate (pictured with Ryan and their pet dog Coby) came on May 31, 2020, when she experienced sudden, agonising chest pains Told it was melanoma, meaning her cancer had spread further, doctors quickly started her on a new course of immunotherapy. But she started having bad headaches, being sick and experiencing high temperatures, and on March 7, 2021, she was hospitalised. 'Just two days into being in the hospital, Kate's oncologist phoned to say there was a serious bleed on her brain caused by a tumour,' Ryan said. 'They told us she might only have a couple of days to live.' The next day, after four days in the hospital, she came home to her parents' house in St Austell, where she could live downstairs, with nurses visiting her. Ryan said: 'I became her full-time carer. Then, three days after being at home, she woke up and started making progress. Doctors started to think maybe the treatment had just begun to work, but it was too early to tell.' Deeply in love, Ryan and Kate accelerated their plans to get married - moving their wedding forwards from May 2022, when they had intended to tie the knot in Rhodes, Greece, to the first week of May 2021 at Knightor Winery, in St Austell. After seeing the doctor and being sent for tests, just six weeks after Ryan proposed she was diagnosed with the aggressive disease. Pictured, the couple with their pet dog 'When she came round at home we could talk again and we started the process of trying to get married,' Ryan explained. 'We went to the register office and we had the rings and the venue all ready.' Focused on making memories, the couple also managed to go on a day trip to Lerryn, a nearby coastal village, to spend time together. Another cruel blow came shortly after, when Kate began a rapid and terminal decline - finally slipping away on April 14, just two weeks before their longed-for wedding day. Ryan said: 'We didn't quite make it. Only three and a half weeks after being at home she passed away with me, her mum, her dad and her sister by her side at home. 'Kate's last memories were planning our wedding which is a slight comfort as she was so excited about it. She was very strong-willed, and she didn't want to get married at home. Further investigations resulted in an official diagnosis of stage four advanced melanoma, which had spread to her brain, spine, spleen, kidney and lungs. Pictured, Kate and her mother during a charity fundraising walk Kate (pictured) started having bad headaches, being sick and experiencing high temperatures, and on March 7, 2021, she was hospitalised 'She wanted the venue and the dress and, typical Kate, she wouldn't have it any other way. But neither would I. ' Kate's funeral was held at Glynn Valley Crematorium on May 4, 2021, and, in line with her wishes, everything was 'bright and colourful.' Her mother and sister had written poems and messages, which were read aloud. 'It just summed her up,' Ryan said. 'She was so full of life and always smiling.' And while Covid rules limited attendance to 30 people, the service was also streamed online. No one will forget the poignant moment when Ryan said their wedding vows. He recalled: 'I said the vows we were going to make to each other at our wedding. I said, "Although these are the vows we did not get to speak, they will be ours forever, to cherish and keep. 'I feel so privileged to have felt true love. To have loved you and been loved by you, to have lived our lives so fully, together. Soon Kate (pictured) began a rapid and terminal decline - finally slipping away on April 14, just two weeks before their longed-for wedding day 'You have already given me the world, Kate. I will always love you and my heart will always belong to you.''' On May 30, Ryan returned with Kate's parents and siblings and their partners to the Cornish headland where he had proposed to scatter Kate's ashes, as she had wished. He said: 'It always will be such a special place to me. We did it on May 30. So, exactly one year after our engagement, I scattered her ashes at the same place. 'It felt like I was fulfilling a purpose, but at the same time, I felt completely broken. It was an absolutely beautiful day. We had the place to ourselves and it was just very peaceful. 'It felt like it was the end of her physical presence and then the start of whatever comes next.' Ryan and friends at the top of Ben Nevis, in Scotland, when raising funds for Cancer Research UK in honour of Kate Ryan holding a sunflower at the top of Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, England, pictured left, and holding a sunflower at the top of Snowdon, Wales, pictured right In the final months of her life, Kate had compiled a 'live list' of things she wanted to do - some of which Ryan now hopes to complete in her honour. He explained: 'With lockdown, we hadn't been able to do much. Kate wanted to go back to the cinema, go camping again and hike up Snowdon. 'One wish was to get a dog, which we did manage to do. We got Coby, our gorgeous little golden-red Labrador puppy for Kate's 25th birthday on January 19, 2021. WHAT IS MELANOMA? Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body. The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the back in men and the legs in women. In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and are more than 1 colour. The mole may also be larger than normal and can sometimes be itchy or bleed. Look out for a mole that gradually changes shape, size or colour. In most cases, once the melanoma has been removed there's little possibility of it returning and no further treatment should be needed. Most people (80 to 90 per cent) are monitored for one to five years and are then discharged with no further problems. Information supplied by NHS Advertisement 'He's now eight months old and a cheeky chappy, full of personality. He was one of the biggest ticks.' Another major achievement has been Ryan's fundraiser for Cancer Research, which saw him and three friends, including Kate's cousin Patrick, complete the Three Peaks Challenge climbing the three highest mountains in the UK between July 24 and 25, raising a total of 5,300 for the charity. 'I knew Kate wanted to hike up Snowdon, so it came from that,' he said. 'I am sure she was with us, bringing us sunshine, for the whole weekend.' The group climbed Ben Nevis, in Scotland, starting at 4am on July 24, before driving to Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, before finishing with Snowdon in Wales. Ryan said: 'We did Ben Nevis first, as it's the most difficult, the longest and highest. 'That took us five hours, 54 minutes total, while Scafell Pike took four hours 40 minutes total, and we managed to climb Snowdon in five hours 20 minutes - including a leisurely walk down and a stop for a swim. 'It was amazing to raise so much for Cancer Research and, together with Kate's seven-mile charity walk in Cornwall last summer and the fundraiser at her funeral, we've raised 13,000 in a year.' Looking to the future, Ryan said he knows Kate would want him to enjoy life. He said: 'She told me she wanted me to really live my life, to bring Coby up and to live for her as well. 'She even told me she wanted me to find someone to love again, someday. Hopefully, that will happen when the time is right, but what I'm trying to do now is make the most of every day. 'I know far too well that life is so short and none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. Kate and I knew that. We explored so much of the world together, we lived each day as fully as possible with each other for the last 10 years. 'And I will carry her in my heart and take her positive views with me throughout my life.' Ryan is supporting Cancer Research UKs vital work. To play your part and help support the research that will beat cancer, visit cruk.org. To donate, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/3-peaks-challenge-in-memory-of-kate. Viewers of Taken: Hunting the Sex Traffickers have slammed the 'joke' five year sentence given to the head of an organised crime group who made up to 1.3million a year and was found in Spain living in a 7-bedroom villa, with three Porsches and a yacht nearby. The three-part Channel 4 documentary details the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) investigation into Mark Viner, 62, who last year was jailed for more than five years for trafficking women from Brazil to the UK to work in a brothel in Cheltenham. Last night's final episode focused on the process needed to make an arrest - which proved tricky after the police learned that Viner, who they discovered was making up to 1.3 milion a year, had moved to Spain. After officers finally managed to track his whereabouts, they found him living in a seven-bedroom villa with three Porsches, a Mercedes near to Barcelona. He also had 300,000 yacht, several other boats and jet skis in a marina nearby. Outraged viewers were quick to take to Twitter to slam Viner's 'lenient' five year, nine month sentence. 'Absolute shocker of a sentence. 5 yrs 9 months for human trafficking and exploiting sex workers. The beast will be out and enjoying his retirement fairly soon. Meanwhile his two cohorts escape unscathed. What the f***?!' wrote one. Viewers of Taken: Hunting the Sex Traffickers have slammed the 'lenient' five year sentence given to the head of an organised crime group (pictured, Mark Viner) who made up to 1.3million a year Mark Viner (pictured) was found in Spain living in a 7-bedroom villa, with three Porsches and a yacht nearby Outraged viewers were quick to take to Twitter to slam Viner's five year, nine month sentence (pictured) A second commented: 'I cant believe they all got such lenient sentences! Heinous crimes which need much tougher sentences, absolute joke after all that time and expense spent building a case. So frustrating.' Meanwhile, a third agreed: 'You can go to prison for 3years for protesting about it, but 5 yrs, 9 months for Sex trafficking, running brothels and money laundering. What an absolute joke.' The investigation initially started after an anonymous tip-off letter was posted through the door of Cirencester police station. A two-year investigation into Mark Viner and his circle ensued, but police still had the tough task of finding damning evidence to prove that he trafficked women from Brazil to work in the brothels in Cheltenham. WaQuas Khan (pictured) pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a 22 month suspended sentence and 150 hours unpaid work Lezlie Davies and Rosana Gomes (pictured( pleaded guilt to assisting the management of a brothel and were sentenced to 12 month community orders Taking to the comments section, one person penned: '='Feel like a six year sentence for becoming a millionaire after treating hundreds of women like slaves isnt a deterrent though' (pictured) To make matters worse, they had to work quick before Viner moved on to Brazil, where they knew they would be unable to touch him. Large-scale surveillance teams and undercover officers were used to gather evidence on Viner, his partner Davies and associate Rosana Gomes, by watching their every move. How many victims of modern slavery remain in Britain today? The number of suspected modern slavery victims in the UK hit a record of more than 10,000 in April 2020. Some 10,627 potential victims of trafficking, slavery and forced labour were identified in 2019 compared with 6,986 in 2018, the Home Office data found. The figures have been rising each year and are now the highest in a decade, after 546 were recorded in 2009. The data looked at the number of potential victims of modern slavery who were identified and referred for support under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The 'upward trend in referrals' is thought to be 'partly as a result of increased awareness of modern slavery and the NRM process', the Home Office report said. The majority (6,564) claimed they were exploited in the UK only, and a quarter (2,762) said it had been only overseas. A third were women or girls (3,391), who were most commonly referred for sexual exploitation. Some 43 per cent of referrals (4,550) were for children - where criminal exploitation was the most common form, driven by a rise in the identification of so-called county lines drugs gangs. According to the figures, 27 per cent of people referred were UK nationals (2,836) with Albanians (1,705) and Vietnamese (887) being the second and third most common nationalities. Advertisement The brothel operated out of a penthouse in Cheltenham where the trafficked women would be given profiles, which needed to be authenticated with a picture of the woman holding a copy of the day's paper at an identifiable location. Footage showed Viner photographing two women next to a post pox holding a copy of a newspaper before returning to the house. Their surveillance also revealed Viner was travelling to and from the UK frequently and was raking in as much as 4,000 a week with 'hardly any legitimate income'. For six months, officers also secretly filmed the car park of the premises believed to be at the centre of Mark Viner's operation. It lead them to WaQuas Khan, and after searching his house, they discovered a wealth of evidence in a notebook that appeared to show several financial transactions - up to 30,000 - where Mark was named repeatedly. When the total of the transactions were added up, it came to around 1.3 million a year. Before the case reached trial, Mark Viner pleaded guilty to 2 counts of human trafficking, keeping a brothel and money laundering. The police estimated that they may confiscate up to 1 million of his assets. Lezlie Davies and Rosana Gomes pleaded guilt to assisting the management of a brothel and were sentenced to 12 month community orders. WaQuas Khan pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a 22 month suspended sentence and 150 hours unpaid work. And viewers were left less than impressed with the sentences. 'Feel like a six year sentence for becoming a millionaire after treating hundreds of women like slaves isnt a deterrent though,' wrote one, while a second penned: 'Taken: Hunting the Sex Traffickers on C4 is just the tip of the iceberg. Scary how many vulnerable women are coerced into sex work so the scum get rich.' A third added: 'How can these people be let off so lightly? The police have spent countless hours making a watertight case and the sentences are farcical. Not much of a deterrent for future scumbags!' while a fourth commented: 'Omg#Taken Im speechless! 5 years for everything he did?' Elsewhere, a further commented: 'Imagine spending two years investiagting a sex trafficking and money laundering gang and they get the most pathetic sentences in court.' Prince Harry may whisk Meghan Markle off on an 'intimate getaway' to mark her 40th birthday, sources have claimed. The Duchess of Sussex turns 40 on August 4, and contrary to previous reports, the couple are not planning a party for 65 people at their 11million Montecito mansion, according to Page Six. It was suggested that Meghan had enlisted top celebrity wedding and event planner, Colin Cowie, to organise her birthday celebration, but that is 'absolutely not happening', the publication reported. Instead the mother-of-two - who recently gave birth to daughter Lilibet 'Lili' Diana - will reportedly celebrate a 'low-key' affair amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in California. Royal experts have also speculated that the Sussexes may choose to release an eagerly-anticipated family photo to mark the special occasion. Fans are still waiting to catch a glimpse of Lili, who was born in June. Prince Harry may whisk Meghan Markle off on an 'intimate getaway' to mark her 40th birthday, sources have claimed (pictured together in October 2018) Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: 'I think it's likely we will see a picture of the family. It wouldn't surprise me, if Meghan does release a pic of her with Lilibet to mark her 40th birthday, as they'll will want to emphasise what a happy family unit they are. 'And it will be interesting to see what messages she gets from the royals - I suspect they will post messages, even though in private they are very upset about was has happened,' - presumably a nod to their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview. The couple are not planning to attend the grand birthday party of former President Obama - who turns 60 on the same day - which is believed to be taking place at his Martha's Vineyard home over the weekend. How Harry - who is on parental leave - is planning to spoil his wife on her special day is not known, but people close to the couple told the publication there are plenty of spots near their home where he can take her and their two children. According to The Mirror, Prince Harry has reportedly ordered a cake for his wife from a local bakery, Posies & Sugar, which creates cakes in a simple semi-naked icing look and decorated with flowers. Last year Meghan enjoyed a quiet birthday at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, five months after she and Harry sensationally quit the Royal Family and moved to the US. Last year Meghan enjoyed a quiet birthday at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, five months after she and Harry sensationally quit the Royal Family and moved to the US (pictured while pregnant earlier this year) Her 40th is five months before her sister-in-law Kate Middleton's, while Prince William also hits the milestone in June next year. Since they got together, Harry and Meghan have enjoyed intimate birthday celebrations. For the Duchess' 36th, the prince took her away to Botswana where they carried out conservation work with the charity Elephants Without Borders. She marked her 37th - her first birthday as an official member of the Royal Family - at the wedding of Harry's friend Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks in Surrey. On her 38th, which was Meghan's first as a mother, having given birth to son Archie in May 2019, the couple held a private celebration at their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor before flying to Ibiza. Last month it was reported Prince Harry has clinched a lucrative four-book deal with the second due out only after the Queen has died. How Harry - who is on parental leave - is planning to spoil his wife on her special day is not known. Pictured: Harry and Meghan with Archie in a photo released to announce they were expecting their second child Industry insiders said the initial 'tell-all' tome unveiled by Harry is only the 'tip of the iceberg'. Sources said the Duke of Sussex oversaw the bidding and told publishing houses to begin at 18million, with the final figure possibly reaching 29million. The deal will see a memoir released next year when it is the Queen's platinum jubilee with the second book to be held back until after her death. Meanwhile Meghan is to pen a 'wellness' guide as part of the contract with Penguin Random House. The subject and author of the fourth title is unknown. The Duchess is also believed to be working on a new animated Netflix series that will be based - at least in part - on her own childhood, with its title character called Pearl, the origin meaning of her name. Last month she revealed she will both 'create and produce' the series, which focuses on a '12-year-old heroine who finds inspiration in influential women from history'. Few other details were released about the series - which is being co-produced by Elton John's husband David Furnish - including which influential female figures will feature, however the choice of name for its young 'heroine' offers a fair amount of insight into the kind of character that will be portrayed on screen. The name Meghan originated in Wales, where it is traditionally spelled Megan, however it originally came from the Greek name Margaret, derived from the word margarites, which translates to 'pearl'. A 26-year-old woman busted a man she was dating for cheating by paying close attention to a reflection in a photo he sent her. Kayla Paeth, who lives near Chicago, has gone viral on TikTok for sharing the Snapchat photo sent to her by a man she was involved with. Kayla quickly noticed something suspicious about the photo: Based on a reflection in a shiny surface, he appeared to be standing next to another woman. Paying attention! Kayla Paeth has gone viral on TikTok for sharing the Snapchat photo a man sent her which made her realize he was seeing another woman Caught! Kayla zoomed in on a shiny surface behind the stove, which reflected the hands of a woman holding a phone 'Geta a snap from a man I'm talking to,' Kayla wrote at the beginning of her video, which has been viewed 840,000 times. The image shows a stove with two burners going, one browning ground beef and the other cooking pasta in a skillet. The man appears to have sent the photo to show Kayla that he was staying home for dinner that night. 'Haha you ain't lyin, I couldn't eat out another night in a row,' he wrote. But while the man may have in fact been at home, he wasn't alone. Kayla zoomed in on a shiny surface behind the stove, which reflected the hands of another person holding a phone. Examining the hands, it was clear to Kayla that these didn't belong to the man she was dating but another woman. She pointed out what look like long white acrylic nails, bracelets in one wrist, a ring, and what she deduced to be a rose gold Apple watch. Cringe: Kayla revealed in a comment that when she confronted the man and asked who the other woman was, he tried to be smooth, telling her, 'should've been you' Come on, dude! Commenters are in agreement that the man should be treating her better 'Gots to do better my guy lmao,' Kayla wrote. Fortunately, Kayla doesn't seem to be too cut up about the man's dating activity, and as she didn't call him her boyfriend, they may not have even been exclusive. She also revealed in a comment that when she confronted the man and asked who the other woman was, he tried to be smooth, telling her, 'should've been you.' Commenters are in agreement that the man should be treating her and the other woman better. 'Please let that girl know. I would be so upset if I cooked for someone else and then he sent it to someone,' wrote one commenter. 'Not him snapping you while she's RIGHT there,' wrote another. Several other commenters even shared their own stories of finding out a man was cheating due to a reflection in a photo. Rude! A 23-year-old American woman cought a man scrolling through Bumble while out on a date earlier this year. She spotted it through the reflection in his glasses Bad date: The man cluelessly swiped through the dating app, seemingly unaware that he had been caught out No-no: Some commenters pointed out that it was rude that he was on his phone at all, regardless of what app he was using Yikes: While plenty of TikTok users like to make up content for likes and views, this woman swore that this was a genuine experience Kayla is one of many women to go viral on TikTok for using a reflection to expose a man behaving badly. Earlier this year TikTok user @ppidhebwklwosjwpqlqmbdb recorded a man scrolling through Bumble while out on a date with her through the reflection in his glasses. 'I wish I was kidding,' the 23-year-old American captioned the video. The video begins on her unamused-looking face in what appears to be a restaurant. She then flips the screen to show her date, a mustached man in a black hoodie and glasses. He is looking down at his phone, which already would be a no-no for some people on a date but when the woman zooms in on his glasses, it shows a reflection of what's on his screen: Bumble. The man cluelessly swipes through the dating app, seemingly unaware that he's been caught out. While plenty of TikTok users like to make up content for likes and views, this woman swore that this was a genuine experience. Whoops! Sydney Kinsch revealed how her relationship ended in a viral TikTok video last year, showing the selfie her boyfriend of four years sent her on Snapchat In November, Sydney Kinsch shared a selfie that her (presumably) now-ex-boyfriend sent her via Snapchat. Before hitting 'send,' the two-timing dunce apparently failed to notice the reflection in his sunglasses, which showed another woman's legs lounging in the car next to him but Sydney certainly didn't miss it. 'That one time my boyfriend of 4 years snapchatted me him cheating on me,' Sydney wrote in the video. The short clip shows her standing in front of the selfie, covering half of her ex's face. In the image, he is in a car wearing black sunglasses, and in the frame that's visible, his arm on the steering wheel is reflected back at the camera which is concerning enough, as the young man appears to have taken the photo of himself while driving. But Sydney then shifts to the other side of the picture, revealing the other lens. And there, the reflection is also quite clear: a woman's bear legs, propped up on the inside of the car with her feet out the window. 'Check the reflection in your boyfriends sunnies ladies,' Sydney captioned the clip. Not so smart! The man didn't realize that the woman sitting comfortably in the car next to him was reflected in his sunglasses Suspicious: The boyfriend tried to claim it was his friend's girlfriend and he's 'allowed to have friends.' Sydney later learned he's been with five different women in the past month alone In the comments section, she went on to share more details, revealing that things got even worse after she got the photo. 'I called him and asked if he realized he sent me a b***h in his Snapchat and he had no idea' she wrote. 'So I sent it to him and he called me crazy and that it was our friends gf and [that] hes allowed to have friends.' She later learned that he as been seeing at least five other women on the side in the past month alone. 'Guys always thinking they can pull a fast one on us,' wrote one horrified commenter. 'Dont know why hes got the sunnies on, hes not that bright,' said another, Biographer Tom Bower has vowed to tell the 'truth' about Meghan Markle after reportedly agreeing to a six figure sum to tell the Duchess's story. Mr Bower, 74, is renowned for his unsparing, unauthorised biographies of towering figures including Boris Johnson, Prince Charles and Robert Maxwell. Speaking to The Express, he said: 'I'm writing it now. It will tell the truth when it comes out next year.' It's thought the writer embarked on 12 months of meticulous research speaking to friends, foes and associates of Harry and Meghan before putting pen to paper. 'This is the book Meghan will be dreading,' a source told The Sun when the six-figure book deal was first announced earlier this year. 'Tom doesn't pull his punches, and is terrifyingly thorough in his research. No stone will be left unturned.' Biographer Tom Bower (pictured) has vowed to tell the 'truth' about Meghan Markle after reportedly agreeing to a six figure sum to tell the Duchess's story 'Tom has previously worked with some of his subjects, and even spent time trailing them, but it has been made perfectly clear to him that this will not be an option with Meghan. She wants no part of it.' In 2018, Mr Bower wrote The Rebel Prince about Prince Charles which explored how the heir to the throne sought to overcome Princess Diana's death. The author's comments come shortly after the Duke of Sussex last month confirmed the forthcoming release of his autobiography, which he has collaborated on with a ghostwriter and is due out late next year. It is believed Harry did not warn The Queen, Prince Charles or Prince William about the tell-all book until 'moments before it became public' in a press release by publisher Penguin Random House. The author's comments come shortly after the Duke of Sussex (pictured left, with Meghan) last month confirmed the forthcoming release of his autobiography, which he has collaborated on with a ghostwriter and is due out late next year His decision to write the book has been branded a 'moneymaking exercise at the expense of his blood family' by royal experts and insiders who predicted it would be 'a book by Harry, as written by Meghan.' Harry said of the book: 'I'm writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. 'I've worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.' Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'heartbreak' following the Duke of Edinburgh's death will be documented in the new epilogue of Finding Freedom. The couple's biography has been updated with a new chapter that publisher HarperCollins said will also recount 'Meghan's emotional healing journey from losing a child to the birth of their daughter'. The first edition, by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was published on August 11 last year and painted a flattering picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from when they met in 2016 to their departure from the Firm in early 2020. It is now being updated with an epilogue, set to be released on August 31, which will detail the couple's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, their move to California and is also expected to discuss their multi-million pound deals with Netflix and Spotify. She is the Oxford pioneer who led the development of one of the first life-saving Covid vaccines. And now Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert's contribution to the battle against coronavirus has been immortalised... in plastic. Toymakers Mattel have created a Barbie doll modelled in the vaccinologist's likeness. Dame Sarah said she initially found the gesture 'very strange' but hoped it would inspire young girls to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem). She added: 'I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into Stem careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us.' The one-of-a-kind doll is dressed in a blue trouser suit, white blouse, black glasses and black shoes. Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert (pictured with her Barbie) said she initially found the idea of having the iconic toy recreated in her likeness 'very strange' but hoped it would inspire young girls to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) As well as the likeness of Dame Sarah, 59, the company has created models in honour of five other women working in Stem around the world US healthcare workers Amy O'Sullivan and Dr Audrey Cruz, Canadian doctor and campaigner Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Brazilian biomedical researcher Dr Jaqueline Goes de Jesus and Dr Kirby White, an Australian medic who co-created a reusable gown for frontline staff. Lisa McKnight, of Mattel, said: 'Barbie recognises that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic. To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories and leveraging Barbie's platform to inspire the next generation.' As well as the likeness of Dame Sarah (third from right), Mattel has created models in honour of five other women working in Stem around the world Barbie has showcased more than 200 diverse careers over the decades. They include an astronaut, launched four years before man walked on the moon, and a presidential candidate. Among criticisms over the years are that her anatomically improbably long legs and ample bust may feed body image disorders. Academics from the University of South Australia have claimed the likelihood of a woman having Barbie's body shape is just one in 100,000. Shoppers are obsessing over a new Aero caramel gold chocolate block, with some fans even likening the flavour to the hugely popular Caramilk. The aerated bar, which costs $2.50 at Coles, consists of 'light bubbles' of caramel gold covered with smooth milk chocolate. 'It's a melt-in-your-mouth experience not to be missed,' the brand said. Australian hoppers are obsessing over a new Aero caramel gold chocolate block Hundreds of shoppers said they couldn't wait to get their hands on the new creation, with many saying: 'Shut up and take my money.' 'Wowser what a time to be alive,' one wrote, while another added: 'This will be the best ever chocolate.' One said: 'This could be the start of a new love affair, I hope I can find it at my local supermarket,' while another wrote: 'This is like my ultimate after peppermint flavour. They can't do this to me right now.' And another added: 'My caramel dreams have come true.' Some were divided over the new flavour while other customers suggested the chocolate reminded them of Cadbury Caramilk. Consumer brand The Grocery Geek also announced the news to its fans, saying: 'Be on the look out! This is not a drill. 'The wizards at Aero have delivered their latest creation - Aero Caramel Gold Block... an Aero bubbly caramel flavoured centre encased in delicious Aero smooth milk chocolate,' the brand wrote on Facebook. The chocolates are made in Australia from 100 per cent certified sustainable cocoa supplied through the NESTLE Cocoa Plan to ensure a better future for cocoa farmers - and it's said to be a better chocolate for you. The new flavour comes just days after two of Australia's favourite chocolate bars joined forces to delight choc-mint fans with the launch of KitKat Chunky Aero Mint. Two of Australia's favourite chocolate bars have joined forces to delight choc-mint fans with the launch of KitKat Chunky Aero Mint. The bar features three layers of the classic crisp wafer, topped with peppermint light aerated chocolate, and smothered in smooth milk chocolate In a sweet collaboration, the two iconic brands have merged into one chocolate bar, the first of its kind, to offer shoppers a refreshing experience like no other. The minty bar features three layers of the classic crisp wafer, lusciously topped with peppermint light aerated chocolate, and smothered in smooth milk chocolate. This is the first time the two brands have come together to elevate their individual flavours, inviting fans to 'feel the bubbles' of Aero like never before with a crunchy wafer texture. 'The KitKat team are always looking for ways to create the most exciting break,' Nestle head of marketing confectionery Joyce Tan said. 'So we wanted to launch a new creation which would excite fans with a flavour and texture combination that would leave them longing for more. 'There's so much love for both of these chocolate bars, so we're excited for them to become one and take the KitKat choc mint experience to the next level.' KitKat Chunky Aero Mint will be available in supermarkets and convenience stores around the country for just $2 a bar. Sales of spirits have surged as lockdown has turned the country into a nation of amateur mixologists. Waitrose has seen a huge increase in sales of aperitifs such as Vermouth as people working from home used their previous commute time to wind down with a tipple before dinner. Sales of trendy Italian spirit Aperol, made by Italian group Campari, have shot up 148 per cent compared to the same month last year, while Pimms have also increased in sales by more than 100 per cent. Sales of trendy Italian spirit Aperol, made by Italian group Campari, have shot up 148 per cent compared to the same month last year The surge in sales of the bitter spirit will be in part due to the popularity of Aperol Spritz - a popular summer cocktail made with Aperol, prosecco and soda water. Thanks to it's refreshing taste and bright orange flavour, the photographic drink has become an Instagram sensation, with more than 1.7M posting pictures using #aperolspritz. Pubs are bars across the country have also launched 'Club Aperol terraces' while Eataly, a new giant Italian food market in Londo, has its own dedicated spritz bar, boasting a cocktail menu in collaboration with Aperol. Interest in Aperol peaked in June 2021, according to Google Trends data, with searches for the spirit increasing every year since 2004 with most searches during the summer. Sales of Pimm's The Original No. 1 Cup is are also up 105 per cent as people make the summer staple at home From trendy bright orange Aperol to old time classic Vermouth - how much have sales of spirits increased at Waitrose? Aperol 148% Pimm's The Original No. 1 Cup 105% Noilly Prat Dry (Vermouth) 64% Cocchi Rosa Aperitif 35% Martini Extra Dry Vermouth 33% Martini Fiero Aperitif 19% Martini Rosso Vermouth 10% Advertisement Sales of Pimm's The Original No. 1 Cup is are also up 105 per cent as people make the summer staple at home while sales of Pampelle Grapefruit Aperitif are up 4850 per cent compared to last year. Vermouth is sales are also up - with Noilly Prat Dry seeing sales increase by 64 per cent while Martini Extra Dry is up by 35 per cent. John Vine, Spirit Buyer at Waitrose told FEMAIL: 'With many of us now spending our summer break closer to home, we're seeing strong demand for "summer type serves" which are quick and easy to do. 'Our customers are looking for ways to end their working day while they're still working from home and mixing up some delicious sundowners before dinner has driven sales of aperitifs in recent weeks. Waitrose have also seen people whipping up Espresso Martinis for a caffeine kick with recipe searches up 148 per cent and sales of Kahlua Coffee Liqueur up 51 per cent. Earlier this year Waitrose revealed nostalgic 1970s dishes are set to make a comeback with sales of dinner party staples from the era including prawn cocktail, beef stroganoff and baked Alaska soaring in popularity as lockdown restrictions ease. Vermouth is sales are also up - with Noilly Prat Dry seeing sales increase by 64 per cent while Martini Extra Dry is up by 35 per cent Recipe searches for prawn cocktail have risen by more than a third, while there was a 300 per cent boom in those searching for how to make a stroganoff. Other classic recipes in demand include beef wellington and coronation chicken. And the trend extends to those looking to whip up a dessert, with Waitrose seeing a 200 per cent increase in searches for Baked Alaska, as well as spotting surges in searches for Black Forest Gateau, Arctic rolls and chocolate roulade. As Americans bake and sweat in the summer heat, one thing that can always be counted on for a quick cooldown is a creamy, sugary ice cream cone but one popular ice cream chain thinks Americans also want their ice cream cones to be cheesy and spicy. Starting today, Marble Slab Creamery which has nearly 400 locations around the world will offer a limited-edition Flamin' Hot Cheetos flavor across the US. The flavor will come in both scoops and milkshakes, and the Georgia-based ice cream chain promises customers will 'have their world turned upside down.' Spicy, cheesy... ice cream? Marble Slab Creamery is selling a limited-edition Flamin' Hot Cheetos flavor across the US. The flavor will come in both scoops and milkshakes Cheetos Flamin' Hot Ice Cream and Shakes will be available at all US locations through September 30. It's made with Marble Slab Creamery's sweet cream base, with h Flamin' Hot Cheetos crushed and scattered throughout. Cups and cones start at $5.99 and shakes start at $6.99. 'Marble Slab Creamery and Cheetos has a lot in common. Our brands are both fun, witty, youthful and provide a playful release from reality,' Annica Conrad, Chief Marketing Officer Marble Slab Creamery parent company, said in a press release. 'Our Cheetos Flamin' Hot Ice Cream encourages you to not take life too seriously. Its unexpected, a bit surprising and a whole lot of delicious. What's not to love?' Jessica Spaulding, Head of Cheetos Marketing, added: 'As a brand, Cheetos loves to work with partners who are as imaginative and playful as we are, and Marble Slab Creamery is a perfect fit. Sweet? It's made with Marble Slab Creamery's sweet cream base, with h Flamin' Hot Cheetos crushed and scattered throughout Cheetos Flamin' Hot Ice Cream and Shakes will be available at all US locations through September 30 'Our fans biggest passion points are Food Mashups and we're constantly inspired by how they use Cheetos as an ingredient in their culinary creations. We know they will love Cheetos Flamin' Hot Ice Cream and can't wait to bring a little mischief to summer.' While a video from the ice cream shop shows taste-testers enjoying the new flavor, commenters on the CandyHunting Instagram account are more divided. 'They've gone too far,' wrote one. 'Hard pass,' wrote another, while a third begged: 'Stop this madness.' But another said it looked 'lowkey good' while one more wrote, 'Ok.. promised myself to never knock it before I try it so sign me up.' In 2018, Drill'd Ice Cream in Fountain Valley, California debuted Hot as Hell, which is made with vanilla ice cream, Xxtra Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and Hot Cheeto Dust If you say so! Drill'd founders Steve Kim and Eugene Inose told Today in 2018 that the Hot as Hell was one of the shop's most popular flavors Shockingly enough, Marble Slab Creamery isn't the first ice cream shop to make a Flamin' Hot Cheetos flavor. In 2018, Drill'd Ice Cream in Fountain Valley, California debuted a specialty ice cream dish called the Hot as Hell which has proven popular enough that it's still on the menu today. It's made with vanilla ice cream mixed with Xxtra Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and is topped with Hot Cheeto Dust. With a price of $8.50, the ice cream comes in either a cup or a cone. Drill'd founders Steve Kim and Eugene Inose told Today in 2018 that the Hot as Hell was one of the shop's most popular flavors. 'First you get the vanilla ice cream and at the end, you really get a kick to your throat,' said Kim. 'A lot of times when someone has a spicy tongue, they drink dairy to calm the heat. This is really confusing. It's crazy.' 'People are really hesitant at first about it but the adventurous ones that tag along, because no one really eats ice cream by themselves, usually have it,' he added. 'Someone tries it and gets addicted. It's confusing to the palate but it's so good you can't really stop,' he said. A Kraft Heinz Company and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream partnership resulted in the limited-edition mac and cheese-flavored ice cream last month 'Who would've thought #NationalMacAndCheeseDay would break the internet,' Van Leeuwen said The ice cream was sold online nationwide, as well as at their ice cream shops located in New York, Texas, New Jersey, and California Meanwhile, Kraft Heinz and Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream partnered last month to make a limited-edition macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream. 'Who would've thought #NationalMacAndCheeseDay would break the internet,' Van Leeuwen said in an Instagram post. 'We're so flattered by the overwhelming response to this cheesy partnership with our friends Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.' Meanwhile, Kraft Heinz Company celebrated the bizarre flavor, adding that the ice cold collaboration came just in time for the summer season. 'We know that there is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than ice cream. That is why we wanted to combine two of the most iconic comfort foods to create an ice cream with the unforgettable flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese we all grew up with,' Emily Violett, senior associate brand manager for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, said in a statement. 'Not only does it taste delicious, but it's also made with high quality ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes just like our Kraft Macaroni & Cheese,' said Violett. The ice cream was sold online nationwide, as well as at their ice cream shops located in New York, Texas, New Jersey, and California. As Covid restrictions ease and the number of people vaccinated in the UK continues to rise, it feels as though the end of the pandemic is within sight. But speak to any scientist and they will tell you that it is far from over. In fact, an outbreak of a different member of the coronavirus family of viruses is inevitable, owing to a confluence of environmental and lifestyle factors such as fast travel and large cities, says Ted Schenkelberg, co-founder of the Human Vaccines Project, an international research organisation based in New York. We are living in a world that is ripe for pandemics, he warns. But could the solution be a universal vaccine a single jab that would offer protection against Covid-19, all its variants and all members of the coronavirus family? The virus that causes Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, is the third coronavirus to jump from animals to humans in the past two decades. In 2002, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) emerged in China, infecting more than 8,000 people and killing 774. Then, in 2012, MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) appeared in Saudi Arabia, killing 881 people worldwide. With all coronaviruses having some common characteristics, this scientific Holy Grail is potentially within grasp, and research has begun [File photo] With 198 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide and more than 4.2 million deaths (with 5.88 million cases and nearly 130,000 deaths in the UK), no one wants a repeat of the latest outbreak, or worse. SARS and MERS were less infectious than Covid-19 but far more deadly (the latter killed a third of those infected), and the fear is a future strain could combine the easy transmission of Covid-19 and the lethality of MERS. A single, universal coronavirus vaccine is a big ask: we are still working on getting the vaccine right for SARS-CoV-2, and the new strains of it that are emerging, never mind the whole family of coronaviruses. But with all coronaviruses having some common characteristics, this scientific Holy Grail is potentially within grasp, and research has begun. Earlier this year, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership developing vaccines against infectious diseases, launched a 2.5 billion five-year plan to reduce or even eliminate the future risk of pandemics. The new drive includes a 24 million partnership with VBI Vaccines, a U.S. company, to develop a jab against all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the South African and Brazilian strains which are thought to be more transmissible and deadly. CEPI, which has received 276 million in funding from the UK government, is also seeking proposals from researchers working on all-in-one vaccines that could protect against a broad range of coronaviruses including SARS, MERS and Covid-19. SARS-CoV-2 is highly unlikely to be the last coronavirus, says Dr Richard Hatchett, chief executive of CEPI. We know from history that additional coronaviruses will almost certainly cross from animals to humans again and cause disease, says Ted Schenkelberg, who has a background in infectious disease and worked on HIV vaccine programmes. Scientists are really worried about the next coronavirus SARS X and what it is going to be. The idea of a universal vaccine is that it would work across any of the known coronaviruses, or any others that are lurking in animal reservoirs. Ideally, we want to be in a position where we have vaccines in storage before an outbreak occurs; or, better still, already have people vaccinated so that theyre protected prior to the next pandemic. To create a universal vaccine, scientists must focus on common characteristics and structures between coronaviruses and then exploit them. One approach being investigated is targeting the core of the virus, not just the trademark spike protein (the way coronaviruses gain entry into a cell, and the target of existing vaccines). Scientists at Nottingham University and the UK company Scancell are developing a universal Covid-19 vaccine which, as well as the surface spikes, targets a protein in the core of the virus which is far less likely to mutate. Human trials are expected to start this year after positive results on mice showed the formula can induce an immune response. Biotech companies in Belgium and France are working on similar jabs. Computer modelling and artificial intelligence could dramatically speed up the process of identifying other structural weaknesses, says Schenkelberg. We can use science to understand which coronaviruses are going to be a threat to humans, as well as which immune responses are most protective, helping scientists design vaccines that protect against new threats, he told Good Health. But others are not so hopeful. Yes, we should be looking for a universal coronavirus vaccine, but that doesnt mean it will be easy to develop, says Dr Chris Smith, a consultant virologist, lecturer at Cambridge University and presenter of The Naked Scientists radio show. Viruses are tough customers. They know where their Achilles heels are and they disguise the bits of the virus that dont change very much between different strains to actively safeguard and protect themselves. That makes it much more difficult to exploit those vulnerabilities. So while I believe in the power of science, these are tough nuts to crack and sometimes it is easier, cheaper, safer and speedier to go for the lower-hanging fruit, regularly updating vaccines we do have, like we do for the flu. Vaccines arent our only option. As Schenkelberg explains: We can do things differently to reduce the chance of another epidemic. We need better stewardship of the environment and surveillance of viruses in animals, so we know what coronaviruses are circulating. We cant flip back into complacency. We cant go through 2020 again. Patients in opioid therapy to manage chronic pain who had their doses reduced saw a rise in overdoses and mental health events, a new study finds. Researchers from the University of California, Davis analyzed data from 113,618 patients using opioids to deal with pain from cancer, accident and other illnesses. They looked at doctors who administered a treatment called tapering in which the amount of opioids are slowly reduced over time. The team found that those who slowly taper off their opioid use were nearly 70 percent more likely to suffer from an overdose, and are even twice as likely to go suffer a mental health incident than others. Researchers speculate that some who are tapering are often taking their existing supply of drugs on the side, leading to a potential overdose. The data asks questions as to what the most effective treatments for pain management truly are, and whether some treatments could be inadvertently causing harm. Researchers found that patients in opioid therapy for pain management who used 'tapering' as part of their treatment were 68% more likely to overdose and more than twice as likely to experience a mental health event 'Our study shows an increased risk of overdose and mental health crisis following dose reduction,' said Alicia Agnoli, assistant professor at UC Davis School of Medicine and first author on the study, said in a release. 'It suggests that patients undergoing tapering need significant support to safely reduce or discontinue their opioids,' The team, who published findings in JAMA on Tuesday, gathered data from patients receiving long-term, high-dose therapy for chronic pain. Of the 113,000 participants, 29,101 took part in tapering. Among those who used tapering as part of their treatment, an average of 9.3 overdose events happened for every 100 years of treatment, a 68 percent jump from the 5.5 per every 100 years of treatment for others. There were also 7.6 mental health events -like being diagnosed with depression, anxiety or attempting suicide - per 100 years of treatment among those who used tapering, more than twice the 3.3 figure per every 100 years for the others. Researchers suggest that their data shows patients who take part in tapering need more monitoring and follow up appointments than they are currently getting. We hope that this work will inform a more cautious and compassionate approach to decisions around opioid dose tapering,' Agnoli said. 'Our study may help shape clinical guidelines on patient selection for tapering, optimal rates of dose reduction, and how best to monitor and support patients during periods of dose transition.' The Department of Health and Human services recommends for physicians to regularly follow up with patients going through opioid treatments because the regular contacts could stave off them reaching towards illicit versions of the drugs. 'I fear that most tapering patients arent receiving close follow-up and monitoring to make sure theyre coping well on lower doses,' said Joshua Fenton, senior author of the study and and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UC Davis. Opioid addiction has become a massive, yet underreported, killer in the United States. Opioids were responsible for nearly 70,000 deaths in the U.S. last year as the pandemic caused a record number of overdose deaths Provisional CDC data show there were 93,331 drug overdose deaths recorded in the U.S. in 2020, a 29.4% jump from 72,151 deaths reported in 2019. Opioids were responsible for nearly 70,000 of the deaths Last year, a record 93,000 overdose deaths were recorded in the country - a 30 percent increase over the previous year - with nearly 70,000 opioid deaths. Many Americans get addicted to opioids after receiving the drug through legal means, before eventually turning to illegal drugs like heroin or fentanyl to get their fix. Fentanyl, a synthetic version of the drug, is considered the leading cause of opioid related addictions. The pandemic was especially troubling, as many who were undergoing treatment for addiction had their programs interrupted, causing them to potentially relapse and overdose. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused long periods of social isolation for many, opening the door for people to get addicted to the drugs. The current U.S. vaccination rate is the highest it's been in a nearly month as the Indian 'Delta' variant drives rising COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated Americans. An average of 673,000 doses were administered each day in the week ending August 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the highest daily average seen since July 8, after which the average of shots administered per day fell below 600,000. Some of the states with the highest vaccination increases right now are also the states bearing the brunt of this new COVID surge, such as Louisiana, where daily vaccinations have more than doubled in the past three weeks. Still, it could take months for under-vaccinated states to catch up to parts of the country that are more protected against Delta. More Americans are getting vaccinated as Delta drives surges across the country. Pictured: Vaccination at a clinic in Wilmington, California on July 29 The U.S. is now administering an average of 673,000 shots a day, compared to under 600,000 throughout the month of July On Monday, the U.S. finally hit President Biden's big vaccination goal - 70 percent of adults have now received at least one dose. This goal was originally set for July 4, but it's still a notable achievement as cases surge across the country. Along with meeting that goal, more Americans are getting vaccinated now than earlier in the summer. The CDC reported more than 700,000 new doses administered for five days in a row, from last Wednesday through Sunday. As of Tuesday, the daily average hit 673,185 doses each day, which is the highest daily average since July 7, when the figure stood at 732,848 doses. The U.S. had administered under 600,000 doses a day throughout the month of July. This number is a fraction of the daily doses administered during the peak of America's vaccination campaign - in mid-April, over three million doses were administered a day. Still, public health officials are encouraged by the rising numbers, since it means more Americans are becoming protected against the Delta variant. The U.S. is now seeing more than 80,000 new cases a day, according to data from Johns Hopkins. That's the highest case number since February - and more than 80 percent of those cases are caused by the Delta variant. 'This may be a tipping point for those who have been hesitant to say, 'OK, it's time,'' Dr Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said in an interview with CNN on Sunday. 'I hope that's what's happening. That's what desperately needs to happen if we're going to get this Delta variant put back in its place.' This 'tipping point' is especially apparent in some states that have been hardest hit by the Delta surge. In Louisiana, daily vaccination numbers have doubled in the past three weeks to 15,000 shots a day In Arkansas, daily vaccination numbers are the highest they've been since May at 9,000 doses per day Florida is now seeing over 60,000 people get vaccinated a day, compared to under 40,000 earlier in the summer In Louisiana, about 15,000 new doses have been reported every day for the past week. That's more than double the state's daily dose count from three weeks ago - and the highest number since April. 'We've seen our daily new administrations double, and this week they're on pace to triple or quadruple,' Joseph Kanter, Louisiana's state health officer, told Bloomberg. 'Everybody knows someone who is sick right now. Those people who are not real anti-vaxxers but were just not real confident are saying, 'I'm not waiting a day longer.' The situation is similar in Arkansas, where about 9,000 new doses have been reported daily for the past week - the highest vaccination count since May. Some of these vaccinations are driven by the state's younger population - who are seeing fellow young adults go to the hospital for Covid - Mark Williams, public health dean at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, told Bloomberg. 'They can identify with the people who are getting infected and getting ill,' Williams said. Even with recent increases, it could take months for under-vaccinated areas to catch up to states with high inoculation rates Florida - now setting all-time high records for Covid hospitalizations at more than 11,000 - is seeing a vaccination uptick as well. About 63,000 new doses have been reported daily for the past week, compared to under 40,000 in mid-June. From an analysis of the CDC's county-level vaccination data, Bloomberg found that the 20 percent of counties with the slowest vaccination rates six weeks ago now have the highest rates in the country. Even with these recent increases, it could take months for these under-vaccinated areas to catch up to states like Vermont, which has over two-thirds of its population fully vaccinated. Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island also have m60 percent of their populations fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. In Louisiana, that number is only 37 percent - and in Arkansas, it's 36 percent. Still, with every vaccination, one more person is protected against infection, severe disease, and death from Covid. Out of about 165 million Americans fully vaccinated against Covid, the CDC has identified just 6,600 severe breakthrough cases. Data from U.S. states and cities demonstrate how dangerous it is to be unvaccinated in America as COVID-19 cases surge. In Maryland, all virus-related deaths during the month of June were among people who hadn't received their shots. Several other states - including Louisiana, Alabama, Illinois, and California - have all reported that 96 percent or more residents who recently died of Covid were unvaccinated. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified just 6,600 severe cases leading to hospitalization or death. The figures back up health officials' comments calling the current surge a 'pandemic of the unvaccinated.' The vast majority of Covid deaths in the U.S. are now occurring among those who haven't been vaccinated. Pictured: Vaccination at a clinic in Wilmington, California, July 2021 In Louisiana, 97 percent of Covid deaths since February 2021 were among the unvaccinated The U.S. is well into a new Covid surge, with rising cases driven by the Indian 'Delta' variant. On Monday, officials recorded 127,976 new COVID-19 cases with a seven-day rolling average of 85,459, according to data from Johns Hopkins University - a 266 percent increase from the 23,291 average recorded three weeks ago. These cases have included a number of breakthrough cases, in which someone tests positive for the virus after being fully vaccinated. But when it comes to severe disease and death, COVID-19 is overwhelmingly impacting those who haven't received shots. For example: in Maryland, every single person who died from Covid in the month of June was unvaccinated, according to a spokesperson for the state's governor. During that same month, 95 percent of Covid cases and 93 percent of hospitalizations in Maryland occurred in people who were unvaccinated. Louisiana recently reported similar statistics. According to Governor John Bel Edwards, 97 percent of Covid cases and deaths in the state since February were in people who were unvaccinated. The state is currently seeing renewed interest in vaccinations. While just over one-third of Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated, the daily dose numbers have doubled in the past three weeks. In Alabama, 96.2 percent of residents who died from Covid since April 1 were unvaccinated. 'COVID-19 vaccines are our best defense in preventing serious disease as well as deaths, and this is especially important as the highly transmissible Delta variant spreads,' Alabama State Health Officer Dr Scott Harris said last month. 'While it is possible to get any strain of the virus, infected people are much less likely to experience complications or hospitalizations if fully vaccinated.' Over 97 percent of Illinois residents who died of Covid in 2021 were unvaccinated In Illinois, 97.6 percent of Covid deaths since January 2021 have occurred in unvaccinated people. The state public health department has reported a total of 169 deaths and 644 hospitalizations among breakthrough cases - out of more than six million Illinois residents who are fully vaccinated. California's breakthrough case numbers are even lower, relative to the state's vaccination numbers. The state has identified 93 deaths among breakthrough cases. That represents just 0.3 percent of California Covid deaths since January 1 - meaning 99.7 percent of deaths were among the unvaccinated. Out of more than 20 million people fully vaccinated in California, the state public health department says, just 0.1 percent (about 21,000) have been identified as breakthrough cases. The vast majority of 2021 Covid cases, deaths, and hospitalizations in New York City have struck unvaccinated New Yorkers In New York City, 98.8 percent of residents who died of Covid between January and mid-June were unvaccinated. Among those New Yorkers who have been hospitalized with Covid, 98.4 percent were unvaccinated. Nationwide, the CDC has identified about 6,600 severe, post-vaccination cases leading to hospitalization or death. Among over 164 million Americans who have been fully vaccinated against Covid, only 1,263 have died after testing positive for the virus. The CDC additionally notes that 309 of those deaths were asymptomatic or not directly linked to Covid symptoms. CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky and other officials have called the recent Covid surge a 'pandemic of the unvaccinated' in recent weeks, referring to the overwhelming evidence that vaccines protect people against severe illness. 'Our vaccines are working to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death,' Dr Walensky said at a press briefing Monday. 'If you are not vaccinated, please protect yourself and get vaccinated.' The director of the National Institutes of Health says he not believe Americans currently need a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines/ Dr Francis Collins, who appeared of CNN's New Day on Tuesday, said his team assesses the need for a potential third shots 'every day' but that evidence suggests the current crop of vaccines protect against the Indian 'Delta' variant. 'At the present time, though, the data in the United States does not indicate that that's necessary,' he said. His statements come as other countries like Germany and Israel have announced plans to offer booster doses to priority people. Dr Francis Collins (pictured), director of the NIH, told CNN's New Day that after reviewing the data, he does not believe a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is necessary at this time National Institute of Health's Dr. Francis Collins answers some questions on getting vaccinated against Covid-19: - Do I need a booster shot? - When should a vaccinated person get a Covid-19 test? - Is the notion of herd immunity obsolete with variants? pic.twitter.com/i9RG9njUd6 New Day (@NewDay) August 3, 2021 Despite insisting there is no evidence Americans need boosters shots now, Collins did leave the door open for the use of boosters in the future. 'If we change that based upon the concerns about whether immunity wanes over time, then we're prepared to start offering boosters particularly to high-risk individuals,' he told New Day. 'But right now, looking at that data, we're not quite there, so people should be pretty reassured.' Israel began offering the third dose at the start of August. Anyone aged 60 years or older, a transplant recipient, or who has a qualifying comorbidity that puts them at high risk from the virus, can get the shot. The Middle Eastern country suffered from an outbreak of breakthrough cases from the Delta variant early in July. Many of those hospitalized at the time were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as well. Since then, Israeli health officials have reviewed data, and decided to go forward with the third shot. In Germany, people with high-risk comorbidities and the elderly populations will be eligible for the booster shot starting in September. The topic of a third dose in America has long been discussed, but health officials have not given a consistent answer on whether or not they will be needed. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said in the past that he expects a third dose to be needed in the coming months. Though, he said last month that he does not expect booster shots to be needed for the fully vaccinated at this time. Fauci said last week, though, that those who are vulnerable to the virus even after vaccination still may require a third dose. Speculations about third doses also began after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data showing vaccinated people can transmit the Delta variant just as easily as unvaccinated people. Pfizer, whose vaccine is the most common in the U,S,, published data last week showing their vaccine drops in efficacy from 96 percent to 84 percent six months after receiving the second dose. The company published data last week that showed one of their booster shots in clinical trials could especially be effective against the Delta variant. The New York based company also revealed they are working on a Delta variant specific vaccine. Pfizer will soon seek approval for a third dose of their vaccine in America. Moderna has also launched a trial for the third shot of its COVID vaccine, and initial data is also promising that it can combat virus variants. COVID-19 cases have been spiking in recent weeks, especially among the unvaccinated, as the United States suffers from a fourth wave of the virus. On Monday, officials recorded 127,976 new COVID-19 cases with a seven-day rolling average of 85,459, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. This is a 266 percent increase from the 23,291 average recorded three weeks ago, Men who ejaculate more often have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, a new study finds. Researchers from Harvard University analyzed data from nearly 32,000 men and found that ejaculating at least 21 times a month cut the risk of developing the cancer by one-third. The links between ejaculation and prostate cancer are not fully known. However, some believe ejaculation could rid the prostate of carcinogens, lower inflammation and also lead to less stress and better sleep, all of which can reduce risk of the cancer. Men who ejaculate at least 21 times a month are at a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer, a study finds The American Cancer Society says prostate cancer is the most common cancer in US men aside from skin cancer. An estimated one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during the course of his lifetime. In 2021, it is estimated that more than 248,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 34,000 will die from the disease. However, prostate cancer typically grows slowly and, if detected early while it's still confined to the prostate gland, there is a successful chance of treatment. Researchers, who published their findings in European Urology, analyzed self-reported data on ejaculation from men who participated in the study. The study was conducted from 1992 to 2010, with men completing surveys monthly. Frequency of ejaculation was analyzed when the men started the study, in the men's 20s and in their 40s. After adjusting for outside factors like body mass index, physical activity, consumption of food and alcohol and life stressors like divorce, they determined that men who frequently ejaculated - at least 21 times a month - were one-third less likely to develop the cancer than those who ejaculated four to seven times a month. 'These findings provide additional evidence of a beneficial role of more frequent ejaculation throughout adult life in the aetiology of prostate cancer, particularly for low-risk disease,' the authors wrote. The link between ejaculation and prostate cancer has been controversial among researchers. A 2004 Harvard study found no links between ejaculation and prostate cancer. An Australian study published in 2003 found that men who ejaculated often in young adulthood would grow up to have a decreased risk of the cancer. A 2008 study conducted by the University of Cambridge actually found that rates of prostate cancer increased alongside frequent masturbation. 'There have been other contradicting studies. But most of them agree that there's a decrease in the incidence of the low-risk cancer,' said Dr Odion Aire, a South African urology expert, told Mashable. 'There's no clear verdict for the high-risk cancer, from the study,' Men most likely to develop prostate cancer are over the age of 50, and have African ancestry. Eating a lot of dairy products, smoking or being obese also seem to increase risk of the condition. Some believe there are also genetic factors that make men more vulnerable to the disease. Experts recommend that men at risk for prostate cancer conduct semi-regular tests for the condition, as discovering it early could make it easier to treat. Driving around Menorca for two weeks is an annual tradition for Natalie Ward and her family. But they have had to change their plans for the first time in 12 years due to the staggering cost of holiday car hire. The family of four usually pay between 60 and 350 to rent a car during their trip. But this July, the cheapest deal they found was more than three times that, at 1,200 for a fortnight. That is more than the price of an all-inclusive holiday to Menorca in August, where a two-week stay at the Globales Apartments Binimar, Cala'n Blanes, with flights from Stansted, costs from 710 per person, according to Travelsupermarket. The eye-watering car hire prices are yet another blow to holidaymakers who already face costly bills for Covid tests The eye-watering car hire prices are yet another blow to holidaymakers who already face costly bills for Covid tests. And it means increasing numbers of families desperate for a sunny break are finding themselves priced out of a foreign trip. At a glance, holiday and flight prices may seem to be at bargain lows, with a return flight to Barcelona available for less than 30. But costs linked to coronavirus, including testing and the threat of having to pay to quarantine in a hotel, mean the real cost of a trip soars by hundreds of pounds. Earlier this week, we revealed how the average cost of hiring a car for a week in Europe had jumped by 144 to 500 since 2019. But today we lay bare the true scale of the price hikes facing families, with some rental firms now charging as much as 2,868 to hire a car for two weeks. The price of extras such as children's car seats has also rocketed: they cost more than double in some locations. Experts warn that hire firms are raising prices to recoup hefty losses made in lockdown when no one could travel and cover new costs from Covid, such as extra cleaning and safety measures. There are also fewer rental cars available after many companies reduced the size of their fleet at the height of the pandemic. Prices begin at 1,028 to hire an 'economy' Ford Fiesta for two weeks on the Greek island of Corfu this month, while the average price across all car sizes is 2,868, according to car-hire broker holidayautos.com. By comparison, a two-week all-inclusive stay on the island at the Panorama Sidari Hotel, with flights from Manchester, costs from 640 per person in August, according to TravelSupermarket. Families could also be stung with extra unexpected charges that have increased significantly. For example, Europcar is charging 52.58 for two weeks' rental of a car seat for children under four in Nice on the French Riviera, but 126.43 for the same seat in Sardinia or Sicily. Travellers who have had to factor in extra holiday time to countries such as Italy where Covid rules mean Britons must quarantine for five days on entry are facing prices for car rental which work out more expensive than buying a second-hand vehicle. Hiring a car for three weeks from Palermo airport in Sicily costs an average of 3,413 this August. You could buy a used car for less, with local adverts showing a 2009 Fiat Grande Punto on sale for 3,400 (2,900) and a 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class for 1,900 (1,600). Natalie Ward and her family abandoned their plan to hire a car for their holiday in Menorca (pictured), after they were quoted 1,200 for a fortnight In Verona the airport closest to Lake Garda, Italy budget car hire usually costs between 170 and 190 for three weeks in August, but this year the cheapest available family car for hire is 1,004. After receiving their sky-high quote, Natalie, 35, a business director from Surrey, decided to go ahead with her July holiday to Menorca with her husband and children Harper, three, and Ethan, 22 months. But the family abandoned their plan to hire a car. 'In the end we decided to stay local,' she says. 'We spent 90 to get to and from the airport, and just walked to everything else. One taxi driver told us there were not enough cars on the island because of the uncertainty around Covid. The hire companies didn't order any, which was why the prices were so high.' Afsaneh Parvizi-Wayne and her family booked a last-minute break to Greece, but were horrified to find the price of renting a family car was nearly 1,000 for a week. The needed the car to travel from Athens airport to their accommodation 235 miles away in the Peloponnese region. I understand these companies have suffered in the past year and need to recover their costs, but it is jarring when you know you are being ripped off but you have no choice To cut costs, Afsaneh, 56, a business founder from North London, resorted to booking a tiny Toyota Yaris for 745 for the week, including insurance. Her 6 ft 4 in husband Chris and their 23-year-old daughter Sophia, who is 5 ft 11 in, had to squeeze into the car with their knees up around their luggage for the four-hour drive. 'I understand these companies have suffered in the past year and need to recover their costs, but it is jarring when you know you are being ripped off but you have no choice,' Afsaneh says. Ernesto Suarez, chief executive officer at iCarhireinsurance, says: 'There is always a lot of variation in car-hire prices, which are influenced by supply and demand. This is why there can be big differences in the same locations, and you may even get a different price with the same company depending on how far in advance you book. 'This year, rental companies will have faced additional costs to do with Covid, such as enhanced cleaning regimes and other measures to keep their customers and staff safe. These will inevitably have an impact on price.' Holidaymakers are also being urged to check their contract's small print to avoid being left out of pocket if travel advice changes at the last minute. Many firms have flexible booking policies to allow drivers to cancel fee-free, but some of the cheapest deals are non-refundable or require at least 48 hours' notice. Gerry Keaney, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association's chief executive, says: 'Like the wider tourism sector, car rental prices will be adjusted to reflect supply and demand. 'Companies are also being cautious about building up their fleet size in the face of what is a very uncertain market in terms of travel restrictions and further waves of the pandemic.' Advertisement Just seven of Englands 300-plus authorities saw a rise in Covid positivity rates last week, according to official statistics which offer even more proof that the rapid decline in cases is genuine and not simply down to a lack of testing. Cases have dropped week-on-week for the past 12 days, leaving scientists baffled over the true state of the crisis with some suggesting fewer tests are to blame. Hospitalisations have also started to fall, leading many of the country's top experts to suggest deaths could begin to drop next week. But MailOnline analysis today gives the clearest sign yet that the decrease in number of cases is genuine, with data revealing test positivity rates the proportion of swabs that detect the virus are now dropping almost across the board. Researchers say, however, that the worst of England's summer resurgence may not be over, warning the dumping of most remaining restrictions on July 19 could still lead to a rise in cases over the next few weeks. Figures show the number of tests carried out across the nation fell last week, with 400,000 fewer PCR tests done in the week to July 26 compared to the previous seven-day spell. And the number of lateral flows which were used in schools before they went off on summer holidays also dropped by 100,000, according to Government statistics. But despite the downturn in swabbing, Department of Health figures showed the positivity rates still fell in 308 council areas. The proportion even halved in parts of the country. Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert at the University of East Anglia, said this was yet another sign the fall in Covid cases was genuine. But he warned the fall in cases being observed 'does not mean to say we are past' the resurgence of the virus, adding that the rate of decrease in infections appears to be slowing in recent days. England recorded 19,175 daily Covid cases yesterday, which was down only five per cent on the same time last week. Infections more than halved on the previous Monday. Other commentators tracking the outbreak say England could be 'over the edge' of the third wave. Jamie Jenkins, the former head of health figures at the Office for National Statistics, said today England and Wales may be 'over the hill now when it comes to deaths'. And No10's minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan said the data was 'very, very promising'. Almost every area in England saw its Covid positivity rate proportion of tests that detected the virus fall in the week to July 26, the latest available (left). The biggest drop was in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, by 8.3 percentage points. This was followed by North East Lincolnshire, by 7.7 per cent. Only seven areas saw their positivity rate rise or stay flat (right) The number of PCRs carried out on July 26 had dropped by about 400,000 compared to the same time last week. But the positivity rate (blue line) has also fallen, suggesting there is a real decrease in Covid cases In a sign that fatalities may start to flatten out or even fall within the next week, Covid hospital admissions fell by nearly 20 per cent in England. Some 593 infected patients were admitted for medical treatment on July 31, the most recent day NHS figures are available for. For comparison, 734 patients were hospitalised the previous Saturday Just 14 neighbourhoods in England and Wales have recorded ZERO Covid deaths since pandemic began Just 14 postcodes in England and Wales have suffered zero Covid deaths since the start of the pandemic, official data that breaks down fatalities in all 7,200 neighbourhoods in the countries has shown. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures released today show Crabtree and Fir Vale in Sheffield had the most excess deaths the amount of deaths above the five-year average during the first wave pandemic, recording 123 deaths between March and July 2020. It was 77 more than the average of 46, an excess of 167 per cent. Meanwhile the West St Leonards area of Hastings suffered the most victims in the second wave, with 184 deaths between September and March, 55 per cent more than the average for that time of the year. But 14 areas in Bristol, Cornwall, East Devon, the Isles of Scilly, Leeds, Manchester, Devon, Somerset, Plymouth, Oxfordshire and Conwy recorded no fatalities at all. And the figures appeared to show a huge urban rural divide, with inner city areas in London, Essex and Manchester suffering the highest excess deaths across the pandemic. Advertisement MailOnlines analysis compared the PCR test positivity rate in all 315 authorities on July 26 against the same figure for the week before. The figures measures the number of positives found among laboratory-analysed swabs taken in the previous seven days. Over that time, daily cases in England fell almost two fifths from around 32,000 to fewer than 26,000. Of the seven council areas that saw their positivity rates rise, the biggest jump was in Breckland, Norfolk, where it went up by 0.6 percentage points between July 19 and 26. Rates increased by just 0.1 per cent in Somerset West and Taunton, Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, Thanet and Canterbury. Torridge in Devon also saw a 0.1 per cent rise but it saw an increase in tests, unlike the other areas. The figure stayed flat in Lincoln, according to the data. Professor Hunter said the drop in the positivity rate was 'good evidence' that the fall in cases was 'due to an actual reduction in cases'. But he added: 'That doesn't mean to say that we are past (the third wave), because if we look at daily cases the fall has slowed significantly over the past ten days. 'It is down to a 12 per cent, 10 per cent drop compared to last Monday's data. It would not surprise me if we start to see cases going back up again.' For comparison, cases were almost halving compared to the same time the previous week when they first started to fall. Dr Gabriel Scally, the former public health director for the South West and a member of Independent SAGE, said the drop in case positivity rates was a welcome sign. 'It is a very good indicator of cases going down,' he told MailOnline. 'That is a good thing'. But he warned it was still unclear to what extent the drop may be due to fewer people getting swabbed for the virus because they are not suffering the three tell-tale symptoms. Scientists say temporary factors like schools closing, last week's hot weather and people not wanting to get tested before going on holiday may be behind England's declining cases. Others believe one of the major reasons for the drop especially in younger people is because groups are no longer meeting up indoors to watch the Euros. Experts suggest the downturn in older adults could also be linked to warmer weather, allowing people to spend more time outdoors where the virus finds it harder to spread. They said it was unlikely the vaccination drive and any type of population immunity was behind the drop because too few Britons have been jabbed. Dr Stephen Griffin, an associate professor in the school of Medicine at the University of Leeds, said last week in response to falling infections: 'It is clear that this cannot realistically be due to achieving a relevant level of population immunity given that just over half the UK population has received both doses.' Official data shows 38.4million Britons have received two doses of the Covid vaccine, or almost 60 per cent of the population. Some experts have warned Covid cases could still rise in the coming days because of the impact of July 19 easings which allowed night clubs to reopen and removed limits on gatherings, even though its effects appear to have had little effect on daily figures. The World Health Organization says an outbreak is not under control unless fewer than five per cent of swabs detect the virus. Only seven parts of the country fell under that threshold in the most recent week data is available for. And the proportion of tests that came back as positive was above 17 per cent in three parts of the North East Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland. All official figures collated by the Department of Health and Public Health England are pointing downwards because they are based solely on testing. Separate Covid surveillance data collected by Kings College London researchers last week revealed rates had only started to level off at around 60,000 cases a day. One of the researchers behind the study said the drop detected by official data may be because the Government was testing the 'wrong people'. They said this was because the jabs had morphed an infection with the virus into a 'bad cold' for most, suggesting many are not showing the three symptoms that lead to them getting a swab. Separate figures from the countrys gold-standard tracking scheme ran by the Office for National Statistics estimated Covids prevalence still increased at the end of July. The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which carries out tens of thousands of random swab tests every week, estimated one in 65 people were carrying the virus on any given day in the seven-day spell ending July 24 the equivalent of 856,200 positive cases. But experts said it was a lagging indicator and not fully reflective of the current situation on the ground because people can test positive for several weeks after they are swabbed. And they said the King's data was based on syndromic surveillance, which was likely to struggle to pick Covid out from other infections such as flu and the common cold. England's Covid hospital admissions have 'PEAKED': Minister says third wave data is 'very, very promising' as experts say nation is now 'over the edge' and deaths may start to fall next week By Joe Davies and Luke Andrews Health Reporter for MailOnline Data suggesting England's Covid outbreak in retreat is 'very, very promising', a minister said today as experts claimed the country could already be 'over the edge' of the third wave. Daily cases plunged to a five-week low yesterday, with England's infections down to 19,175 the fewest since June 29 (16,802). And hospitalisations which lag at least a week behind now also appear to have peaked. Official figures showed 593 admissions were recorded on July 31, the latest day figures are available for, down a quarter from the same time the week before. Gillian Keegan, No10's minister for apprenticeships and skills, told LBC today the drop in Covid admissions was another glimmer of hope that the worst part of the third wave had ended weeks earlier than predicted. But she added: 'I guess we all look at the data with hope, but we've seen how this virus can turn at several points.' Experts hailed data yesterday that suggested England's hospitalisations have now peaked, saying deaths would start to decline within the next week. The former head of health data at the Office for National Statistics, Jamie Jenkins, said England and Wales may be 'over the hill now when it comes to deaths'. Also speaking on LBC, he said: '[Cases] in England and Wales have been coming down since July 19. 'The cases have been falling for a couple of weeks there, then you get that time-lag effect when cases start coming down, around five or six days later you start seeing hospital admissions come down. And then you start seeing deaths come down. 'I think looking at the data, we normally see deaths peaking around 14 days after cases come down, I think we might start being over the hill now when it comes to deaths.' Mr Jenkins added: 'We probably are over the edge of the wave at the moment but let's have a bit of caution as we go into the autumn period.' His words echo Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert from the University of East Anglia, who last night claimed it will take 'another week or so' for deaths across the UK to fall in line with hospitalisations and cases. He said the fall in Covid hospitalisations was yet another sign that the drop in cases was genuine. Some experts had said the decline could be down to reduced testing. But the test positivity rate the proportion of swabs that pick up the virus has also dropped, suggesting cases really are falling. Minister Gillian Keegan told LBC today the drop in hospitalisations looked 'very, very promising'. And Jamie Jenkins, the former head of health statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said England and Wales may now be 'over the hill now when it comes to deaths' Despite heralding the fall in cases and hospitalisations, Ms Keegan said ministers would still not be relaxing self-isolation requirements for the double-vaccinated for another two weeks. She told LBC that 'obviously, we've got many people double-vaccinated' but warned more Britons would still need to get two jabs. Ms Keegan added: '[This] is why weve got this August 16 date to say everybody get vaccinated and, of course, that gives young people the chance to get double-vaccinated as well but it looks very, very promising.' Official figures show 46.8million Britons or 88.6 per cent of adults have got one dose of the Covid vaccine, and 38.4million or 72.7 per cent have got two doses. Mr Jenkins said hospital admissions were around 80 per cent lower than what they would have been in the past and deaths were 90 per cent lower. He added: 'The vaccine effect has kicked in as well if you look at the same number of cases to what we had in the winter, it would have been 800 deaths rather than 65-70.' Nicola Sturgeon will announce today when most of Scotland's remaining Covid restrictions on social distancing and WFH rule will be lifted Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce if Scotland will lift its coronavirus restrictions and move beyond the current Level 0 rules in place. Her statement this afternoon will say whether or not most measures implemented north of the border as a result of the pandemic are to be lifted on Monday August 9 as hoped. The Scottish First Minister set the date in June, even before the move to Level 0 on July 19 which increased the numbers of people who could gather and extended the opening hours of hospitality. Other businesses such as soft play were finally allowed to reopen however nightclubs are among those still closed ahead of Tuesday's statement in a virtual session of the Scottish Parliament. Sports stadia and concert venues may go back to being able to welcome full capacity crowds again for the first time in nearly 18 months if changes are approved. It was previously suggested all the major Covid-19 restrictions would be relaxed on Monday as long as the over-40 age group is fully vaccinated, which the Scottish Government described as a 'gateway condition'. While lifting the restrictions could also bring an end to social distancing, Ms Sturgeon has already confirmed face coverings in shops and public transport will remain mandatory for 'some time to come'. Advertisement Professor Hunter said: 'We can now see that in England new admissions to hospital have peaked. 'It will take another week or so before we see any impact on reported deaths. 'The fact that hospital admissions are now falling provides further evidence that the decline in cases in the last couple of weeks was real and not due to an artefact from changing testing or people deleting the NHS Covid app as some have suggested.' Covid cases across Britain were lower yesterday than they have been since June 29, according to the official figures. But the number of virus tests conducted also fell to their lowest levels since June 26, suggesting there are cases that have not been picked up. Some experts think fewer people are coming forward to get swabbed for Covid to avoid having to self-isolate. But separate analysis shows that test positivity rates have fallen across the board, suggesting the drop in cases is genuine. Speaking on Sky News today, SAGE adviser Professor Stephen Reicher, a social psychologist at the University of St Andrews, said ONS data released last week shows 'the public are behaving responsibly'. He said: 'The thing is, the public have always been behaving responsibly. 'The remarkable thing when you look at the data is the people have always been ahead of the Government in being aware of the dangers and being cautious. 'The problem to some extent is the Government is not matching the public with its own responsibilities. 'So for instance, we should be using the summer to drive down infections and keep infections down through some very simple things. 'We now know, more than before, how important ventilation is, so we should be installing ventilation in public spaces, in schools, as indeed they are doing in other countries.' Yesterday's daily figures also signalled a slow down in the week-on-week drop in infections, with cases plunging by 12 per cent on the figure recorded on Monday last week. For comparison, the week-on-week drop last Monday stood at 37.5 per cent. Meanwhile, there were just 24 deaths yesterday, down from 65 on Sunday but an increase of 71.4 per cent compared to last Monday. Covid death figures released on Mondays are often lower than expected because of a delay in recording deaths over the weekend. Professor Hunter said the case figures show a 'continuing decline' and represent the first day that reflected the reopening on July 19. He said: 'As expected, we are not seeing the rapid fall in case numbers that we were seeing last Monday. 'Whether we see a continuing decline over coming weeks or see cases plateau is not clear but I doubt we will see further rapid falls or indeed increases over the next month.' Indiana University is legally allowed to require students and staff to get vaccinated against Covid-19, a federal court has ruled. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Indiana district court judge's ruling in the highest court decision yet regarding college vaccination mandates, saying if students don't like the rules they can go elsewhere. A group of eight students had tried to block the requirement, saying it would violate their constitutional rights by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. But both courts have rejected their request after the Chicago-based appeals court found the university was acting reasonably 'in pursuing public health and safety for its campus communities'. The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university, and students who don't want to get vaccinated can also seek 'ample educational opportunities' elsewhere, according to the appeals court ruling. Indiana University is legally allowed to require students and staff to get vaccinated against Covid-19, a federal court has ruled. Pictured: anti-vaxx protesters outside the university The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university (pictured), and students who don't want to get vaccinated can also seek 'ample educational opportunities' elsewhere The vaccination policy allows exemptions on religious and medical grounds, which the court said provides constitutional accommodations for those who qualify. The panel of three Republican-nominated judges at the appeals court pointed to a 1905 case in which the state was allowed to force all members of the public to be vaccinated against smallpox. The judges said this case was easier to argue because the university has made exceptions for adults, unlike the smallpox case, and it is only applicable to people wishing to attend the school rather than the entire state. They wrote in a statement: 'Many universities require vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, but many others do not. Plaintiffs have ample educational opportunities. 'Other conditions of enrollment are normal and proper. A group of eight students had tried to block the requirement, saying it would violate their constitutional rights. Pictured: protesters at Indiana University 'The First Amendment means that a state cannot tell anyone what to read or write, but a state university may demand that students read things they prefer not to read and write things they prefer not to write.' The university said in a statement: 'Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester.' James Bopp, a lawyer for the plaintiffs who takes on conservative political causes, said he would ask the US Supreme Court to review the rulings, which legal experts say are the first from federal courts regarding college immunization mandates. Similar lawsuits against student vaccine requirements at the University of Connecticut and the California State University system are awaiting action. College officials across the country have struggled with whether they have the authority to require student vaccinations, which some see as key to returning campus to in-person classes and other normal activities. James Bopp (pictured), a lawyer for the plaintiffs who takes on conservative political causes, said he would ask the US Supreme Court to review the rulings Bopp argues that such vaccine requirements violate their rights to 'bodily autonomy' and that the Covid vaccines differ from other immunizations frequently required for college students, such as for measles and meningitis, because of their newness and the lower risks facing younger adults. The lawsuit was filed after IU officials announced in May that the school would require its roughly 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on its seven campuses to receive vaccinations for the fall semester. Students who don't comply will have their registration canceled and workers who don't will lose their jobs. IU initially was going to require students and employees to provide immunization documentation. That sparked a backlash from Republican state lawmakers and the state attorney general, leading university officials to make providing proof of vaccination optional and allow students and employees to simply attest to their vaccination in an online form. The university is allowing religious and medical exemptions, but school spokesman Chuck Carney said more than 80 per cent of students have reported receiving at least one dose. Louisiana, Nevada and the city of San Francisco have all brought back mask mandates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents as the Delta variant surges across the country. The mandates, which require everyone to mask up indoors, took effect in Nevada on July 30, and in Louisiana on August 4, while multiple counties in California have also reintroduced them. According to the CDC, San Francisco County saw 1,513 additional cases last week, a 47 percent increase over the prior seven days, Contra Costa recorded 2,723 new cases, a 53 percent spike, and Sonoma County's case average increased 58 percent, with 684 new infections. 'Indoor masking is a temporary measure that will help us deal with the Delta variant, which is causing a sharp increase in cases, and we know increases in hospitalizations and deaths will follow,' San Francisco's acting health officer, Dr. Neveena Bobba, said in a statement. The mandates were announced by health officials in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties Monday afternoon amid a surge in cases driven chiefly by the contagious Indian delta variant. Louisiana became the second state to announce mask mandates as it reported the highest surge of new cases in the country, with Covid hospitalizations in the state nearing the highest point during the entire pandemic. As of Monday, the state was seeing 11,109 new cases with 27 new reported deaths and 1,984 people with COVID in the hospital, of whom 213 were on ventilators, according to the state Department of Health. The state remains number one nationwide for number of new cases per capita, according to KATC.The positivity rate in the state is 13 percent 'It has become clear that our current mitigation in place cannot deal with our current surge of COVID,' Governor John Bel Edwards said in a Monday news conference, adding there does not appear to be any signs 'that things will flatten.' He said he had taken the weekend to look over COVID data with state and health officials, and determined that it was necessary to reinstate the state's indoor mask mandate - even for those who are vaccinated. The mandate would apply to students in school, Edwards said, and will be enforced for everyone ages 5 and up. It will go into effect on Wednesday and will stay in place until at least Sept. 1, but may be extended if necessary. So far only 37 percent of the state's population is fully vaccinated, while 34 percent have received one does. 'The Delta variant is a game changer, and at this point it's not whether we vaccinate or mask, we have to do both,' Edwards said. 'Our latest numbers confirm that we simply have to do more,' The mandates come as all seven counties have seen upticks in infections in recent weeks In California, seven counties introduced mask mandates on Monday. Meanwhile, on July 29, neighboring Sacramento County reinstated its face covering order, and on July 17 LA County did the same. San Francisco's acting health officer, Dr. Neveena Bobba (pictured) announced, along with health officials from six neighboring counties, an indoor mask mandate, even for the vaccinated, Monday afternoon, making them the latest municipalities to reinstate face covering orders amid a surge in coronavirus cases Marin County had a nearly 35 percent spike of 282 cases, Santa Clara saw a 40 percent increase with 1,637 new cases and San Mateo recorded 742 new cases, a 33 percent increase. Meanwhile, Alameda County had 2,385 new cases, a 11 percent jump. In San Francisco, hospitalizations have also risen to 69 over the past week, a 38 percent increase, but still below its winter peak. The orders in the bay area come after Los Angeles reinstated its own indoor mask mandate on July 17 amid its own surge in infections. Despite that, it continues to see an increase in positivity rates, with LA's seven day moving average increasing by nearly 22 percent, with 19,499 new cases recorded as of Aug. 1. The surge appears to be driven by the highly contagious Indian delta variant in California, which as of July 21, the latest data available, made up 84 percent of all recorded cases in the state, compared to the month prior, when it made up 53 percent of cases. Nationwide, the delta variant makes up 82 percent of all recorded cases. Overall, California recorded 24,439 new cases over the past week. San Francisco's case surge comes despite high vaccination rates, with 69 percent of its total population vaccinated. A bicyclist pictured recently with a face covering in San Francisco's Ferry Building The bay area mandates are intended to stem the increase in cases of the contagious Indian delta variant as well as stop the vaccinated with breakthrough infections from further spreading the virus The surge in cases is despite relatively high vaccination rates. In San Francisco, for instance, 69 percent of its population is fully vaccinated. The bay area health officials said the masks were intended to halt the spread of the virus in both cases of a breakthrough infection among the vaccinated as well as for the unvaccinated. They urged as many to people to get vaccinated as possible. 'Covid-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting people against severe illness and hospitalizations, and the vaccine continues to be our best way to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,' Bobba said. The decision by San Francisco and its neighboring counties comes as Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (pictured) announced Monday that his would be the second state in the country to issue a statewide mask mandate In New York City on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio is refusing to bring back the indoor mask mandate, at least for now, and instead is focusing on getting more of the city vaccinated. Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday he would not bring back NYC's indoor mask mandate because he wants to focus instead on getting more people vaccinated New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday urged NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and other local leaders to adopt the CDC's new mask guidance because he no longer has the authority to instate a mask mandate Vaccinated people are far less likely to become ill with or die from COVID-19 than unvaccinated people are, but half of the country remains unvaccinated and the variant is three times as contagious as previous strains. There is now a debate over whether or not local governments should adopt it the mask advice because it would force vaccinated people to adopt restrictions for the benefit of those who choose not to get the shot. Republican governors are standing against it, while Democratic leaders are rushing to enforce it. On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who issued some of the strictest COVID rules last year before being stripped of his powers in anger over how his administration tallied nursing home deaths, urged de Blasio to make it a law. Right now, masks are not required indoors in New York City unless the business enforces it as a rule. People are pictured dining at a restaurant on the Upper West Side recently This CDC map shows how Delta is spreading across the country. Southern states and states on the West Coast are seeing the highest number of cases 'I don't have any legal authority to mandate. The best I can do is strongly recommend that they do that,' he said. But de Blasio - who took repeated insults from Cuomo during the pandemic about his lack of authority - is standing firm. At his own press conference 30 minutes later, he said: 'The overwhelming strategic thrust is vaccination. 'We think the right mix is to heavily focus on vaccination and continue to climb that leader and also give a very clear message, strongly recommending mask usage. 'Mask wearing is not a substitute for vaccination,' he said. In order for Cuomo to create a mask mandate, he'd have to make it a law and he can't do that now without the approval of the state legislature, which stripped him of his powers in March because of his handling of nursing home COVID deaths. This map shows how hospitals are faring across the country. Dark blue shaded areas have the lowest number of available beds and those being hospitalized are mostly unvaccinated He was forced to acknowledge the change at his press conference on Monday. 'We had extensive authority under the previous law that overrode local governments. 'That law has lapsed. So now, the law is as set by the local government and we are just recommending. 'If we get to a situation where local governments don't step up, then you'd need the state to pass a law. It comes amid research that shows while vaccinated people are far less likely to become gravely ill with COVID-19, they still can contract and transmit it. With half of the country still unvaccinated, it is causing a spike in hospitalizations and deaths in some parts of the country where vaccination rates are low. The trend is the same in New York City. Cases are on the rise thanks to Delta but deaths and hospitalizations are low In Austin, Texas, there are now just 7 ICU beds left across the city because others have been filled by unvaccinated COVID patients. New York City has not, however, seen an uptick in hospitalizations or deaths, despite cases being on the rise in Delta variant cases. New York state and city workers have until Labor Day to get vaccinated or they face rigorous testing requirements. The same rule has been adopted by other states. In New York City, de Blasio is also offering $100 to people who get their first shot at a city-run site. Florida has broken its record for COVID hospitalizations with more than 10,200 hospitalized with the virus. On Monday, the Director of the National Institute for Health said on Monday masks may be necessary to avoid future lockdowns. 'We want to avoid lockdowns at all costs, but that means were going to have to do some other things that wont necessarily be welcomed by people,' Dr. Francis Collins told Good Morning America. Goldman Sachs is raising salaries for its junior employees in the investment bank division. The bank's second-year analysts will now make $125,000 in base compensation, while first-year associates will earn $150,000. The increase comes following complaints by younger bankers of long working hours - sometimes as much as 100 hours a week. They said the conditions were 'inhumane'. A number of investment banks have raised their pay for first- and second-year associates this summer in an attempt to ease the strain on such workers and to compensate them more for their work supporting more senior staff in a year of unprecedented deal making. Goldman Sachs is raising salaries for its junior employees in the investment bank division. The bank's second-year analysts will now make $125,000 in base compensation, while first-year associates will earn $150,000 Goldman's Chief Executive Officer David Solomon has said the bank was working to hire more associates to help with the workload It means the compensation at Goldman is greater than that of rivals Citi Group, Morgan Stanley, UBS Group and Deutsche Bank which have already increased pay for their first-year analysts to around $100,000, a raise of about $15,000, second-year to $105,000 and to $110,000 for third years over the past few weeks. In February, a leaked presentation by a group of junior bankers in Goldman's investment bank told senior management they were working nearly 100 hours a week and sleeping 5 hours a night to keep up with an over-the-top workload and 'unrealistic deadlines.' It resulted in declining physical and mental health with half of the group, which consisted of 13 first-year employees, saying they were likely to quit by summer unless conditions improved. 'The sleep deprivation, the treatment by senior bankers, the mental and physical stress I've been through foster care and this is arguably worse,' said one. Another remarked: 'This is beyond the level of 'hard-working', this is inhumane/abuse.' Instead of raising salaries, Goldman had been focused Goldman on hiring more juniors staff. Goldman's Chief Executive Officer David Solomon has said the bank was working to hire more associates to help with the workload, and vowed to enforce the 'Saturday rule,' which prohibits employees from working between 9pm Friday night and 9am on Sunday, except in certain circumstances. Compensation at Goldman is greater than that of rivals Citi Group, Morgan Stanley, UBS Group and Deutsche Bank which have already increased pay for their first-year analysts to around $100,000, a raise of about $15,000, second-year to $105,000 and to $110,000 for third years over the past few weeks Xavier Rolet, who ran the London Stock Exchange for eight years, said the younger generation of bankers should stop complaining about long working hours or find another job. Rolet worked at Goldman Sachs in New York and in London early in his career and said on LinkedIn that he would regularly work 130 hours a week, seven days a week in the 1980s. He claimed: 'We'd work the whole New York trading day in the office, have dinner on the desk then trade Asia and Tokyo from 8:00pm until 10:00pm, go home during the half-day recess and trade the Tokyo afternoon session from home from 12:00pm to 2:00am. 'Grab some shut-eye until 4:00am to put our orders in the European markets in time for the opening quick commute to 40 Wall to be in the office by 6:30am to continue to trade our European orders in time for the pre-opening in New York. Tokyo was open on Saturdays and half day every other Sunday in those days. 'How many single working mothers trying to put several kids through school do you think work less than 130 hours a week?' Rolet asked. 'It's a free world. If you don't love what you're doing or think the hours don't suit your lifestyle, by any means do something else,' Rolet told the Mail on Sunday 'Junior bankers are paid very well compared to other industries or sectors: ask a young entrepreneur drawing no salary how they would like to make $100,000-plus straight out of college?' he added. China has mocked Australia for its draconian 'Zero Covid' restrictions that have seen police using helicopters to tell people disperse populated areas and leave beaches. Beijing propaganda mouthpiece the Global Times, which once called Australia the 'gum on China's shoe', has targeted Sydney's strict stay-at-home-order saying it is proof of an 'authoritarian' regime. The Communist diatribe refers to an ABC article from last year that quotes Foreign Minister Marise Payne criticising the politicising of the pandemic many countries are employing, including China. 'Now, quite ironically, it turns out that Canberra plans to send its military personnel to help enforce social lockdown,' the story reads. Chinese state outlets are the latest to mock Australia for its draconian 'Zero Covid' restrictions that have seen police using helicopters to tell people disperse populated areas and leave beaches Streets around the Coogee and Bondi beaches were packed with locals as thousands made the most of the 25C heat, despite pleas from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to stay at home, prompting police to call in air support to order people off the sand Sydney's five million residents are under a strict stay-at-home order due to a worrying surge of nearly 3,000 infections since the middle of June While Covid cases in the UK have fallen week-on-week for ten days in a row amid a lifting of restrictions and hopes that the pandemic could be shrinking, the situation is quite different in Australia, where armed forces and thousands of police officers are now enforcing the country's 'Zero Covid' lockdown. Just 17% of adults in the country have been vaccinated, and now Sydney's five million inhabitants are under a strict stay-at-home order due to a worrying surge of nearly 3,000 infections since the middle of June. Streets around the Coogee and Bondi beaches were packed with locals as thousands made the most of the 25C heat over the weekend, despite pleas from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to stay at home, prompting police to call in air support to order people off the sand. The Global Times again seized the opportunity to mock Australia, despite China facing its biggest Covid crisis since the pandemic started with several outbreaks of the Delta strain. Hu Xijin, the authoritative editor of the Global Times, has referred to Australia in the past as the 'gum on China's shoe' and a tool in America's anti-China foreign policy The Chinese government's proxy speaks to the Director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University who is overly critical of the island nation, repeatedly labelling its practices as 'draconian' and accusing the government of 'demonising' China. 'Australia has manipulated the definitions of democracy, freedom and human rights as a political weapon to discredit China,' Professor Chen Hong tells the mouthpiece. 'The Canberra government has been handling such concepts arbitrarily to serve their ulterior motives. Their goal is crystal clear that is to attack China.' He says Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken 'every opportunity' to attack China and says Australia is participating in America's agenda against the superpower. 'For a time, the Morrison administration has made use of every opportunity to smear and demonise China by politicising issues such as lockdowns, QR code inspection, mass vaccination and other measures adopted in China's battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. 'The rapid spread of the Delta variant is complicating global attempts to stem the spread of the virus, and it is high time for global co-operation. Co-ordinating the US government's anti-China strategy by badmouthing China will do no good to Australia.' Bondi Beach, Sydney: Police check IDs to ensure visitors to the beach meet the exercise radius stipulated in lockdown directives For weeks, the NSW Premier has been begging Sydneysiders to only leave their home for essentials like exercise, shopping, vital work or getting vaccinated. 'Assume that you have the virus, or that people you come into contact with have the virus,' she has repeatedly told the state. We can't afford to have people who have the virus going about their business.' Now Professor Bruce Robinson, chairman of Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council, is calling for a rapid vaccine rollout to address the snowballing outbreaks in Queensland and New South Wales, saying people cannot 'afford to be hesitant'. 'The chance of eliminating this is close to zero there are many people I have spoken to who share that view,' he said. 'We might suppress it but we will be really unlikely to eliminate it and that's because we see people who are clearly infectious without knowing it and they're out and about.' Earlier this week the former leader of Britain's Conservative Party, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said there were 'some scientists' who wanted no restrictions to be lifted until there was 'zero Covid'. Police officers check ID cards of people walking in the CBD in order to prevent an anti-lockdown protest, during lockdown in Sydney, Australia Police check IDs in Sydney's Bondi Beach to ensure visitors meet the exercise radius stipulated in lockdown directives He told The Telegraph: 'The Government is constantly being assailed by scientists whose forecasts seem to be around fulfilling a purpose, keeping us in lockdown. 'We are in a state of unreality, it's as though we don't need an economy, we don't need to meet each other, we don't need to do anything that makes life worthwhile. But we do.' Professor Robinson, who is spearheading a 'second opinion' signed by some of the country's top medical practitioners, recommending everybody get AstraZeneca, believes all restrictions on that version of the jab should be scrapped because there are not enough doses of Pfizer to go around. 'This virus is spreading and there's probably no stopping it,' Professor Robinson told the Herald Sun. The head of Australia's top medical research organisation said the ruling by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation was 'wrong' and needs to be changed 'ASAP'. He explained the vaccine got a 'really bad rap' and the ATAGI advice was only appropriate for a time when Covid outbreaks were under control. The professor said he believed there was now a 'groundswell of medical opinion which feels ATAGI's advice was wrong and that it needs to be publicly changed'. A top doctor has warned that Australia has a 'close to zero' chance of eliminating the Delta variant of Covid-19 if restrictions aren't removed for the AstraZeneca jab He said this would encourage more Australians to get jabbed as the highly contagious variant continues to spread through Sydney and now Queensland. ATAGI recommended Pfizer as the 'preferred' option for people younger than 60. However, it changed its unofficial stance after the latest outbreak of Covid-19 began in Sydney on June 16. The organisation now urges younger Sydneysiders to consider getting the AstraZeneca vaccine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also vouched for a mass rollout of AstraZeneca, claiming recommendations from the ATAGI slowed inoculation rates. Professor Robinson's dire warning comes as a record number of young Australians rolled up their sleeves for AstraZeneca in the past four weeks. More than 340,500 under 60s have received their jab with under 40s accounting for a staggering one third. Bruce Robinson, the outgoing chairman of the National Health and Medical Research Council says the ATAGI ruling on the vaccine was 'wrong' and needs to be changed 'ASAP' Professor Robinson believes all restrictions on the AstraZeneca vaccine should be scrapped as there aren't enough doses of Pfizer to go around The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is now urging younger Sydneysiders to consider getting the AstraZeneca vaccine The massive uptick suggests a change in attitude to the AstraZeneca vaccine after its extremely rare blood clotting side effect fuelled hesitancy across the country. Pharmacies are finally running out of the AstraZeneca vaccine with demand outpacing supply, with national vaccination rates also seeing an upward shift. Around 39.46 per cent of Australians have received their first dose while 17.73 per cent have been fully vaccinated. More than 78 per cent of over 70s have received their first dose while 39.5 per cent have received both. Around 64.13 per cent of over 50s have received one dose, while 24.34 per cent are fully vaccinated. A 15-year-old boy is accused of raping three young girls at his school and blackmailing one of the teenagers for explicit photos of herself. The boy allegedly attacked the three students - aged 14 to 15 - over 18 months at a school in Perth's southern suburbs. He pleaded not guilty to 24 child sex and violence charges in Perth Children's Court on Monday. Included in the charges were two counts of sexual penetration without consent and 15 counts of dealings with a child under 16. One of the alleged victims - a 15-year-old girl - is too terrified to return to the classroom and is on a suicide prevention plan. The boy allegedly attacked the three students - aged 14 to 15 - over 18 months at a school in Perth's southern suburbs (stock image) Her distressed mother alleged the boy threatened to physically harm her daughter if the 15-year-old didn't send him explicit photos of herself. She also claimed he sexually harassed her child in the lead-up to the alleged indecent assault that occurred earlier this year. The alleged victim victim claimed the boy touched her inappropriately even while a teacher was in the classroom. The young girl has a six-month restraining order against the boy which bans him from messaging her on social media or coming within 20m of her or her school. He is also accused of bashing the girl and will face two assault occasioning bodily harm charges as well as four counts of indecently dealing with child aged 13 to 16. The charge of sexual penetration without consent relates to a second victim who the boy is also accused of physically assaulting. Magistrate Andree Horrigan recommended a judge rather than a magistrate handle the case due to the 'serious bundle of charges'. 'There was [alleged] touching, photographs, procuring, penetration,' she said of the 'variety' of 'significantly serious' charges. The 15-year-old boy allegedly assaulted three students - aged 14 to 15 - over an 18 month period at a high school in Perth's southern suburbs Education Minister Sue Ellery told The West Australian the series of sexual assault and violence charges were 'very distressing for the student and their family'. The boy did not attend school for a month after he was charged but was able to return to the classroom when the first victim's restraining order was taken out. The alleged offender was removed from the school for a second time after the restraining order was issued. The mother of the 15-year-old victim said her daughter's alleged abuser was allowed to return to class and roam the school freely for weeks. Meanwhile, her daughter had to rearrange her timetable to avoid the boy and was given a list of crisis numbers in case she was ever in danger of taking her life. The mother said she was shocked the boy was allowed to return to the classroom while the allegations were still being investigated. 'My daughter does not feel safe at school,' she said. 'I can't understand why someone charged with such shocking crimes should be allowed to stay at the same school.' The mother slammed the Education Department for allegedly inadequately protecting and supervising her daughter while she was in its care. A mother of another young victim has claimed the school was warned about the male student when he allegedly attacked her child a year ago. She believes the boy has more victims who are yet to come forward. 'How can this happen in a classroom... they need to protect our children because they have a duty of care,' the mother said. The alleged offender pleaded not guilty to 24 child sex and violence charges in Perth Children's Court on Monday and will front court again in September Ms Ellery said the school was approaching the incident as best it could. 'I understand the school is managing the court's decision in the best way it can to keep all students safe,' she said. Education Department deputy director general Melesha Sands said affected students had access to psychologists and could be assisted with individual support plans if they required it. Ms Sands said when schools had students facing charges it was up to the court to determine their bail conditions. She added the department worked to implement these conditions and ensure education continued for all students involved. 'This may mean the student could be removed from a school temporarily or permanently while continuing their education,' Ms Sands said. The 15-year-old boy will face court again in September for a status conference with the judge. A one-time elite level triathlete has been caught with a large haul of party drugs cocaine and ecstasy in a bumbag and down his underpants. Blayden Meagher, 30, pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria on July 30 to multiple illegal drug charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA. Meagher's world turned on its head when he was pulled over by police near Carrum Downs, in Melbourne's southeast, on November 16 in 2019. It followed reports from fellow motorists he was driving erratically, the court was told. Blayden Meagher, 30, (pictured) was nabbed by police with a cocktail of party drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy Police then raided an address in Bulleen and seized 1.8kg of MDMA from an open safe, various other drugs, a box of needles and a large amount of cash (stock image) Meagher was then busted with 100 ecstasy tablets he had stored in a bumbag. Police also found 26 deal bags containing cocaine stashed in his waistband, scales, deal bags and cash - some of which was bundled in his underwear. Officers later raided an address in Bulleen where Meagher was living and found more drugs. They seized 1.8kg of MDMA from an open safe, various other drugs, a box of needles and a large amount of cash. Meagher was then exposed as a drug trafficker after analysis of his phone revealed photos of drugs on scales and a text message exchange 'discussing the sale of drugs', according to the Herald Sun. The court was told Meagher, a former student at the exclusive Southwood Grammar, had a privileged upbringing and his involvement in a drug racket was a 'shock to the family' - who have stood by him. He studied a double-degree at Deakin University before forging a career in carpentry. Meagher, who also pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, will look to take up rowing after finishing his jail stint. Meagher, who appeared in court via video link, will be sentenced at a later date. An infectious diseases expert has declared Australia can't keep going into lockdown to achieve zero cases of community Covid transmission. Professor Emma McBryde, an epidemiologist with James Cook University, has also predicted Sydney's daily case numbers of the more contagious Delta strain would remain in triple digits until at least October. 'My prediction is that Sydney won't drive cases down to zero but what it will do is maintain a small number of cases and, by small I mean a couple of hundred a day or less for another couple of months,' she told the ABC's 7.30 program. 'By then the rest of Australia will have sufficient vaccination and be in a position where we no longer concentrate on cases and we start to look at hospitalisations and deaths and then Sydney will join the rest of Australia at that point.' An infectious diseases expert has declared Australia can't keep going into lockdown to achieve zero cases of community Covid transmission. Professor Emma McBryde, an epidemiologist with James Cook University, has also predicted Sydney daily case numbers of the more contagious Delta strain would remain in triple digits until at least October In New South Wales, case numbers have continued to hit new record highs even after Premier Gladys Berejiklian extended the lockdown for another four weeks until August 28. The numbers on Monday remained high at 209, and on Tuesday stood at 199, with 50 of them infectious in the community. On Sunday, the state had a record 239 new locally-acquired cases, despite even harsher restrictions in Sydney's west and south-west in the Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Georges River local government areas. Still, the highest number in NSW since the pandemic began are only a third of the 723 cases Victoria recorded on July 30 last year, following a hotel quarantining debacle in Melbourne. Professor McBryde, who is based in Townsville, said the case numbers were still low by world standards. 'In Sydney, even though we're very worried about these 200, 300 cases a day, that is not a lot of cases compared to what we've seen in the UK and in the US,' she said. Since the pandemic all mainland Australian states, except NSW, have deployed a zero Covid strategy where hard lockdowns are imposed in a bid to achieve 28 days of no community-acquired cases, even if the numbers are low. Ms Berejiklian has instead used the phrase 'close to zero' to justify unwinding the lockdown. In New South Wales (pictured is Fairfield in Sydney's south-west), case numbers have continued to hit new record highs even after Premier Gladys Berejiklian extended the lockdown for another four weeks until August 28 With the Indian Delta strain significantly more contagious than the original virus from China, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Saturday announced a snap, three-day lockdown in 11 council areas covering Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich after six locally-acquired cases were detected. That was extended on Monday until Sunday, with 13 new daily Delta cases, with another 16 new cases on Tuesday. Professor McBryde said this approach was unsustainable. 'We need to have a plan B,' she said. 'I don't believe that we should have thresholds that mean we have herd immunity before we open up because what that means is we have zero tolerance for any Covid transmission at all and I think it's unrealistic and it is going to keep us in lockdown for much too long.' With the Indian Delta strain significantly more contagious than the original virus from China, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Saturday announced a snap, three-day lockdown in 11 council areas covering Brisbane (pictured is a Covid testing centre), the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich after six locally-acquired cases were detected Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said Australia would have to 'ultimately live with the virus' when at least 70 per cent of people were vaccinated. 'Of course, the virus will never be eliminated but we can get to a point where we live with the virus,' he said. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the federal Liberal Party's deputy leader, subtly rebuked NSW, which has a Coalition government, for not locking down earlier, before June 26. 'Short, sharp, lockdowns are the most cost effective way to handle the virus, particularly at the current time,' he said. 'It's five times more costly if governments don't move early like Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the federal Liberal Party's deputy leader, subtly rebuked NSW, which has a Coalition government, for not locking down earlier, before June 26 'The economic cost comes down significantly if governments work significantly to get on top of the virus.' Just 19.2 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over were fully vaccinated as of August 1, with 41 per cent of the eligible population having received one dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer, Department of Health data showed. Last week, Nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty suggested politics was behind the zero-Covid strategy behind lockdowns, predicting this would be hard to undo even as more Australians were fully vaccinated to sufficiently prevent deaths and serious illness. 'It is going to be difficult politically for the politicians to open up because there will be disease circulating and we are so accustomed to the idea that no virus should circulate but we don't shut down the country because of flu,' he told 7.30. A wrangler who was called to remove a red-bellied back snake hiding in the roof of a family's home has shared an impressive photo of the venomous reptile. Queensland man Luke Huntley shared a photo of the 1.7metre red-bellied snake in a striking position to his Facebook page Snake Catchers Noosa on Monday. Mr Huntley said he had been called to the home in Cooroy, on the Sunshine Coast, earlier this year after a woman found the snake in her ceiling storage space. He released it in nearby bushland, explaining it was important to keep snakes near their natural habitat to avoid them dying of shock. Luke Huntley posted a photo (pictured) to his Facebook page, Snake Catcher Noosa after the successful relocation of a 5.5ft red bellied black snake from a woman's roof in Cooroy, QLD 'Generally when you catch and release a snake, release locations are really important,' Mr Huntley told Daily Mail Australia. 'I took it far enough away that it won't come back, but not too far away that it would die of shock. 'If you relocate a snake from near the sand dunes, and its spent its whole life growing up in the sand dunes you can't put it in a completely different environment'. Mr Huntley warned residents on the Sunshine Coast to keep an eye out for snakes as breeding season approaches in September and November. 'Snake season is definitely coming and we have had a bit of a hot snap here on the Sunshine Coast and there is definitely heaps of snakes moving around,' he said. 'Often in August on the warmer days boys start coming out looking for the girls.' The reptile wrangler (pictured holding his pet red belly) warned Queensland residents of the upcoming snake season, as the hot weather and September to November breeding season comes closer Mr Huntley said it was a myth that venomous snakes couldn't climb. '(Red bellied snakes) prefer to hide around creeks and dams and won't need to climb, however they definitely do climb when they need to and are quite good at it,' Mr Huntley said. Social media users were stunned by the photo of the huge snake. 'This is a brilliant photo. Imagine having that in your roof, actually lets not,' one person wrote. 'That is one of the most majestic shots I have ever seen of an red-bellied black,' added another. The expert capturer (pictured) also dispelled a common myth, saying that venomous snakes do climb and are quite good at it Vaccinations are demonstrably saving the lives of Sydneysiders, proven by new data which revealed there isn't a single fully-immunised Covid patient in intensive care. Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, confirmed on Monday that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are keeping people out of hospital, even as high case numbers in New South Wales persist. Of the 2,700 cases of the Delta variant that have been recorded in NSW throughout this outbreak, 93 per cent of diagnoses were in unvaccinated people. A further six per cent of known cases were identified in people who have only had a single jab, meaning they weren't entirely protected. That leaves just one per cent if the infected NSW population who have had both jabs - but not a single one of them wound up in intensive care as a result of the virus. Of the 2,700 cases of the Delta variant that have been recorded in NSW throughout this outbreak, 93 per cent of diagnoses were in unvaccinated people. A further six per cent of known cases were identified in people who have only had a single jab, meaning they weren't entirely protected Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, confirmed on Monday that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are keeping people out of hospital. Pictured: People lining up for Covid testing in Brisbane Vaccinations are demonstrably saving the lives of Sydneysiders, proven by new data which revealed there isn't a single fully-immunised Covid patient in intensive care. Pictured: Isla Fisher getting her vaccine There are 53 Covid patients in intensive care units throughout NSW. Professor Kidd said 96 per cent were unvaccinated. Four per cent have had one shot. None of the 15 deaths recorded that have been linked to this outbreak were fully vaccinated. The statistics illustrate what Premier Gladys Berejikilan, her right-hand woman Dr Kerry Chant, and experts globally have been saying since the rollout of the vaccine: It is designed to keep you out of hospital. Anti-vaccination rhetoric has relied on the fact that people can still contract and pass on Covid even after the jab. Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, confirmed on Monday that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are keeping people out of hospital, even as high case numbers in New South Wales persist Queensland is in the midst of a Delta outbreak, with cars lining up in Labrador for Covid testing Pictured: People queuing to receive their vaccine at the hub in Homebush KEY FACTS - 93 per cent of Covid cases in NSW were in unvaccinated people - Six per cent of Covid cases in NSW were in partially vaccinated people - Of 53 Covid patients in intensive care, 96 per cent are unvaccinated - The other four per cent are partially vaccinated - There have been no Covid deaths during this outbreak in fully vaccinated people Advertisement But studies show those who do catch Covid after they've been vaccinated are far less likely to have a severe case or die. They're also less likely to transmit the virus, though it is still possible. When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a roadmap out of repeated lockdowns last week, he made clear that high vaccination rates remain the key. Hopes of Australia fast-tracking its struggling vaccine rollout have been thrown into doubt however by Queensland's stubborn chief medical officer Dr Jeanette Young, who is refusing to endorse the AstraZeneca jab for young people. Dr Young was steadfast in her refusal on Monday to endorse the vaccine for Queenslanders under the age of 60, placing her firmly at odds with her counterpart in NSW Kerry Chant who is urging Sydneysiders to get jabbed regardless of age. She maintains the AZ vaccine should only be available to people over the age of 60, even though Australia's regulatory body has changed their advice to encourage all Australians to come forward. None of the 15 deaths recorded that have been linked to this outbreak were fully vaccinated Poll Whose health advice are YOU following? Dr Kerry Chant - NSW Dr Jeanette Young - QLD Whose health advice are YOU following? Dr Kerry Chant - NSW 559 votes Dr Jeanette Young - QLD 375 votes Now share your opinion The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation's latest advice states that increased transmissibility of the Delta variant outweighs any minor risks associated with the AstraZeneca jab. 'In a large outbreak, the benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are greater than the risk of rare side effects for all age groups,' the advice states. 'ATAGI reiterates that all adults in greater Sydney should strongly consider the benefits of earlier protection with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca rather than waiting for alternative vaccines.' Six Australians have died as a result of developing blood clots after receiving their AstraZeneca jab, out of about 12.3million doses administered. But Dr Young is standing by the advice she gave to Queenslanders in mid June after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian - on the advice of her own chief health officer, Kerry Chant - made a public plea for Sydneysiders to get jabbed, regardless of their age. 'I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID, probably wouldn't die,' Dr Young said at the time. Many felt Dr Young had the luxury of holding that opinion because her state had remained relatively Covid-free and contained outbreaks with short, sharp lockdowns. On Tuesday, a further 16 Covid cases were recorded in Queensland, prompting more people to go out and get tested On Monday, Dr Young confirmed her opinion had not changed. 'I said I didn't want 18-year-olds to have AstraZeneca. And I still don't. Even now,' she said, adding that nobody under the age of 60 should consider AstraZeneca. Meanwhile Dr Chant appeared on our screens just one hour after Dr Young this morning, appealing for young people to get vaccinated in droves. When asked about Dr Young's comments, Dr Chant said: 'My view is that we follow the ATAGI advice and ATAGI has looked at risk benefits. The advice is for people to have the discussion about the risks and benefits. 'Everyone has got their personal considerations. They live in different parts of the city. Their risk is different and so for me, it is around informed consent,' she said. Dr Chant said anyone who has waited more than four weeks since getting their first dose of AstraZeneca should book in for their second jab immediately. Australians living in areas with coronavirus outbreaks were urged to shorten the time between their first and second AstraZeneca jabs to four to eight weeks instead of the usual 12 on July 24 by ATAGI. 'Can I stress that August is the month where we all should come forward and get vaccinated,' Ms Berejiklian said. New South Wales recorded another 207 cases of Covid-19 on Monday as Sydney continues to grapple with an outbreak of the highly-contagious Delta variant Pictured: People exercising near the Brisbane River during Queensland's snap lockdown 'It will be a combination of seeing where the case numbers are in a month's time as well as the rate of vaccination that determines what August 29 looks like.' The NSW premier said the priority was vaccinating the state's 'mobile' residents aged between 20 and 40 - particularly in the eight local government areas in Sydney's west and south-west where the virus is spreading the most rapidly. She said on Monday health officials would have to get 9.2 million jabs in arms across the state to reach a vaccination target of 70 per cent, which she has repeatedly said would trigger an easing of lockdown restrictions. 'Vaccines are working extremely effectively,' she said. 'We still don't know of anybody in intensive care [in NSW] who has received both doses of the vaccine. Australian Defence Force personnel are pictured enforcing the city's lockdown in Fairfield in Sydney's south-west on Monday morning 'We are at 3.9 million jabs already. Five million jabs means we're halfway to the 80 per cent target and 9.2 million jabs gets us to 70 per cent.' NSW's vaccination rate sits at about 15 per cent for those who have received both jabs and 32 per cent have received only one dose. But with 82,000 doses distributed in 24 hours and 4.5 million more Pfizer jabs to be delivered to Australia in August, federal health officials are confident NSW could carry out about 650,000 vaccinations a week. At that rate, NSW could hit its target of 70 per cent coverage by early September. Meanwhile in Queensland, 921,750 vaccine doses have been administered in total. Advertisement Boris Johnson today faces calls to tear up the Government's travel traffic light system completely after dramatically dropping plans for a new 'amber watch list' amid a furious backlash from Tory MPs. The PM last night axed much-hate proposals for a new section of the amber list, which would have highlighted holiday destinations at risk of being put on the UK's dreaded red list. The proposals sparked uproar among travel chiefs and Tory MPs, who raised fears of chaos for millions of Britons if top holiday hotspots such as Spain, Greece and Italy ended up on the new watch list. Cabinet big hitters including the likes of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were also said to have opposed the plans while critics have repeatedly asked to see the evidence about how countries are being categorised. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is thought to be among the few who backed the proposals, believing the scheme would have given holidaymakers a fair warning that they could face the an expensive quarantine hotel stay on their return to the UK. But with the plans now dropped, travel chiefs have launched a surprise counter by demanding Number 10 now drops the travel traffic light system altogether. Labour said the muddled thinking showed the Tories are 'in total chaos' over their pandemic borders policy. Bosses at more than 300 travel firms have written to the premier urging him to boil down the scheme to just a red list - containing the countries with the highest Covid rates or worrying variant outbreaks. Meanwhile, experts have predicted holiday sales will soar today after the amber watchlist plans were dropped, giving more confidence to British holidaymakers that they will still be able to travel this summer. But a new computer system at the UK border is 'crashing repeatedly' leading to massive queues at Heathrow, it can be revealed. The latest breakdown on Sunday meant all passengers were rejected by e-gates in Heathrow arrivals halls and had to be checked manually by immigration officers, sources said. This left queues stretching for more than a quarter-of-a-mile. Last night's dramatic policy U-turn came as: It was revealed that travellers are getting caught in huge lines at Heathrow because a new 372m computer system keeps crashing; There were tears and joy at airports as families who have been separated for more than a year because of Covid travel restrictions are finally reunited after quarantine rules are loosened; Britain's daily Covid cases fell to a five-week low with 21,952 positive tests in 12% weekly drop - as hospital admissions fall by a fifth but deaths jump to 24; Kate Garraway warned 'there are MORE long Covid symptoms emerging' as she gave an update on husband Derek's road to recovery. Boris Johnson today faces calls to tear up the Government's travel traffic light system completely after dramatically dropping plans for a new 'amber watch list' amid a furious backlash from Tory MPs. Pictured: People embrace as they arrive from the United States at Heathrow's Terminal 5 following the easing of quarantine for those fully jabbed in the US and the EU Spain and Italy are thought to have been among the countries set for the watch list - a move which industry experts warned could ruin the holiday plans of millions of Britons. Pictured: A mother and her son check the departures at Heathrow Airport today The PM (pictured during a visit to Stevenage yesterday) last night axed much-hate proposals for a new section of the amber list, which would have highlighted holiday destinations at risk of being put on the UK's dreaded red list It is thought that Spain would be added to a new 'amber watchlist' while countries like Italy and Greece could also follow suit Travellers are getting caught in huge lines at Heathrow as it is revealed new 372m computer system keeps crashing A new computer system at the UK border is 'crashing repeatedly' leading to massive queues at Heathrow, it can be revealed. The Home Office's 372million security database known as Border Crossing was rushed into use at the end of June when it was already more than three years overdue. The latest breakdown on Sunday meant all passengers were rejected by e-gates in Heathrow arrivals halls and had to be checked manually by immigration officers, sources said. This left queues stretching for more than a quarter-of-a-mile. Last night insiders predicted 'total chaos' at major airports later this week when the number of Britons returning from holiday reaches levels unseen since the start of the pandemic. Major problems with the security database come just months after MPs criticised the way the project had been handled and warned that the Home Office had 'no proof' it could cope with higher numbers of passengers. This Friday marks two weeks since most schools broke up, meaning large numbers of families will be returning after a fortnight away. 'The peak hasn't even started yet. It's going to be total chaos by the end of the week,' said one source. 'Border Crossing is falling down all the time, and when it goes down, it stays broken for days. It's particularly vulnerable when there are higher numbers of travellers. 'I can't see any scenario where there isn't going to be chaos when those larger numbers of passengers who went away as soon as schools broke up begin to return to the UK in the next few days.' The Border Crossing system checks travellers' names against terrorism records, the Police National Computer and immigration records. MPs on the Commons public accounts committee, which published a report on the system in March, said the Home Office had 'no proof that it can cope with passenger volumes that existed prior to Covid-19'. The MPs also criticised the 'staggering' cost of government IT schemes and blamed a 'lack of effective leadership, management and oversight'. Their report said: 'Due to low passenger numbers resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, Border Crossing has not been operationally tested at the scale it is expected to require based on passenger number expectations outside of the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.' Advertisement It comes as, in a letter to the Prime Minister, major airlines and tour operators said simplified rules would help the UK travel sector recover while protecting the country's health needs. They called for the UK to adopt a US-style system, where fully-vaccinated citizens can travel to any countries that will allow them to enter. Provided they take a pre-departure test on their return, double-jabbed American holidaymakers do not need to quarantine when they get home. The Save Our Summer group, which co-ordinated the letter to the PM, accepted there would continue to be 'a number of red countries which would be out of bounds' to British travellers. But the signatories said everywhere else would be accessible to the fully jabbed and the 'easy-to-understand' policy would build confidence among consumers. The group also called for an end to the requirement for the fully-vaccinated to have a PCR test on the second day after returning from a green or amber country. The letter, seen by the Daily Mail, was last night signed by more than 300 travel firms. It states: 'We urge Ministers to simplify travel urgently so that at least the key travel month of August can be salvaged. 'The traffic light system should be either abandoned or made much easier, along the lines of the American system. 'There would continue to be some red countries which would be out of bounds but the majority of destinations would be accessible to the fully jabbed. 'This easy-to-understand policy would help the UK travel sector recover, build confidence quickly among consumers and still protect our country's health needs with pre-departure testing. 'We call on the Prime Minister to act swiftly so as to save tens of thousands of jobs and provide clarity for consumers hoping to travel to see loved ones.' Signatories included small and large travel firms such as Trailfinders, United Airlines, Finn Air, Kirker Holidays and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Last night Tory MP Henry Smith, whose Crawley constituency includes Gatwick, welcomed the proposal. He told the Mail: 'I'm in favour of anything that is simplified and more easy to understand. 'The traffic light system could have provided that but shortly after it was announced there were all sorts of caveats.' Diana Holland, the Unite union's assistant general secretary for civil air transport, also urged the Government to take further action to support jobs. She said: 'The traffic light system is not working and there is disagreement within Government about how to move forward. 'While the situation remains uncertain and complex, the Government must provide job-saving support to our aviation and travel industry.' France and Germany had put in place sector-specific support for aviation but 'the UK civil air transport sector has haemorrhaged jobs', she said. The Save Our Summer group also called for an end to the requirement for the fully-vaccinated to have a PCR test on the second day after returning from a green or amber country (Pictured: A beach in Tarragona, Spain, last month) In a sign that fatalities may start to flatten out or even fall within the next week, Covid hospital admissions fell by nearly 20 per cent in England. Some 593 infected patients were admitted for medical treatment on July 31, the most recent day NHS figures are available for. For comparison, 734 patients were hospitalised the previous Saturday Fiona Charrington, chief executive of Martin Randall Travel, said: 'Some hoteliers are losing patience. If there's a German company wanting to book or a British one, of course they will go with the one who is less likely to make last-minute changes.' (Pictured: Tourists enjoying the sizzling temperatures in Greece) What are the current travel traffic light rules and how would an 'amber watchlist' work? There are currently three main categories in the Government's international travel traffic light scheme: Red, amber and green. But there is also an 'amber plus' list and ministers are considering introducing an 'amber watchlist', although Boris Johnson this afternoon hinted the latter could be ditched. Below is a breakdown of the rules for each category: Red: Travel to the UK from a red list country is banned for non-UK nationals. Brits returning must take a pre-departure test and book a 10 day stay in hotel quarantine at a cost of 1,750. Amber: A pre-departure test is required while non-vaccinated people have to quarantine for 10 days at home and book tests on day two and day 8. The fully-vaccinated do not have to quarantine but they do have to book a day two test. Amber Plus: A new category which currently only includes France. It means everyone returning from the country, including the fully-vaccinated, must quarantine at home for 10 days and take tests on day two and day eight. Amber Watchlist: Ministers were considering introducing the category to highlight countries which are amber but at imminent risk of turning red. Mr Johnson appeared to distance himself from the policy yesterday as he said he wants the travel rules to be as 'as simple and as user friendly for people as possible'. It was then dropped last night. Green: Returning travellers must take a pre-departure test and book a day two test as well. Quarantine is not required for anyone unless the test is positive. Advertisement Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: 'The Prime Minister could win enormous support by making travel even simpler, not just by removing watchlists, but also by widening the green list and creating a stop-go system as American citizens use. 'The US is still protected with pre-departure testing. The UK can follow a similar model as the Government's own data shows no variants are being brought in from amber or green countries. 'Let's see the end of the complex traffic lights and a move to less onerous testing.' Tour operators warned that changing rules are causing distrust among hoteliers in Europe. Noel Josephides, director of Aito, the Specialist Travel Association, told The Guardian: 'Hoteliers are turning away bookings from the UK in August because they don't trust us and European travellers are taking our availability. 'There is no confidence; why should people trust us when we have the sword of Damocles constantly hanging over us and things could change and result in cancellations at any moment?' Fiona Charrington, chief executive of Martin Randall Travel, said: 'Some hoteliers are losing patience. 'If there's a German company wanting to book or a British one, of course they will go with the one who is less likely to make last-minute changes.' It comes as the Prime Minister was last night forced to step in an axe the Government's amber watchlist proposals - which experts warned could have sparked chaos for millions of British holidaymakers - after an outcry from backbenchers and concern from key cabinet ministers. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, and Liz Truss, the international trade minister, are said to have opposed the plans. A number of Tory backbenchers also publicly opposed the proposals, and, according to the Telegraph, some 'bombarded' Mr Shapps with calls and messages making clear their dislike of the plans. One of those reportedly told the Telegraph before the sudden u-turn: 'This is genuinely vote-losing stuff. People are genuinely p----- off with this.' Meanwhile, Labour also attacked the plans last night, with the party's Shadow Transport Secretary, Jim McMahon accusing the Government of being in 'total chaos' over the border policy. Britain's daily Covid cases fall to a five-week low: UK records 21,952 positive tests in 12% weekly drop - as deaths jump to 24 Britain's daily Covid cases today fell to a five-week low, with just 21,952 positive tests recorded across the nation. Department of Health figures show the number of infections is 12 per cent down on last week, as the third wave continues to slow. Meanwhile, deaths which lag several weeks behind cases continued to rise. Another 24 victims were posted today, compared to 14 last Monday. The most recent data on hospital admissions shows 911 people were admitted last Tuesday, down from 926 seven days earlier. Covid cases are lower today than they have been since June 29, according to the official figures released today. But the number of virus tests conducted also fell to their lowest levels since June 26, suggesting there are cases that have not been picked up. The new figures follow data published on Friday, which suggested cases are still on the rise and as many as one in 65 people in England are currently infected. Some experts think fewer people are coming forward for Covid tests to avoid isolation. The figures also signal a slow in the week-on-week drop in infections, with cases dropping by 12 per cent on seven days earlier. Last Monday, cases had dropped by 37.5 per cent compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, there were just 24 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid tests were recorded, down from 65 yesterday, but an increase of 71.4 per cent compared to last Monday. Covid death figures released on Monday often lag, due to a delay in recording deaths over the weekend. Advertisement He told the Mirror: 'They've refused to be straight with the public and give them the information they need to book travel with confidence.' However, despite the criticism, Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to have supported proposals. The amber watch list would have seen a new list created to warn holidaymakers that an amber list country could soon be upgraded on to the red list - which carries a mandatory hotel quarantine requirement for UK arrivals. It is thought Mr Javid backed the new system, because he reportedly believed it would give holidaymakers fair warning that they could face the costly quarantine. But Spain and Italy are thought to have been among the countries set for the watch list - a move which industry experts warned would scupper holiday plans for millions of Britons. Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade told the Mirror the decision to scrap the plan was a 'victory for common sense'. He said: 'The PM has hit the nail on the head - people want a clear and consistent travel system they can understand. We now need to go one step further.' Mr Johnson had earlier hinted that the amber watchlist proposals could be scrapped after a furious backlash from Tory MPs and warnings from travel bosses that the industry is in the 'last chance saloon'. The Prime Minister was asked yesterday, during a trip to Stevenage, if he is personally in favour of the new category. Mr Johnson did not categorically rule the move out but said he wanted international travel rules to be 'as simple and as user friendly for people as possible' as he appeared to distance himself from the policy. The premier said there needs to be a 'balanced approach' because 'this is still a dangerous virus' and the nation must guard against importing variants. But he added 'obviously the double-vaccinations that we have got really do offer the way forward'. His comments came after fears were expressed that the 'amber watchlist' could plunge the plans of 1.2million Brits into chaos and wreak further devastation on the beleaguered travel industry. Reports suggested that Spain could have been added to the category while fellow holiday hotspots Greece and Italy could also have followed suit. Moving a country from amber to red at a moment's notice would force travellers to scramble to return home or face having to pay 1,750 for a mandatory 10 day stay in hotel quarantine. Travel experts said there are approximately one million British tourists currently in Spain along with 150,000 in Greece and 50,000 in Italy. Just how BAD is the Covid situation in Spain, Italy and Greece? Rates of Beta variant are falling in two and barely noticeable in the other... and cases have already started plateauing in the worst-hit nation, official data suggests By Luke Andrews Health Reporter for MailOnline Covid cases of the South African 'Beta' variant are falling in Spain and Greece while the outbreak in Italy is barely noticeable, official statistics suggest. There are mounting fears all three countries will be placed on a new 'amber watchlist' later this week, potentially sparking holiday misery for thousands by threatening to end quarantine-free travel for the double-jabbed. The push to create the category was prompted by concern among health officials about the rise of the Beta variant, which scientists say makes vaccines less effective and was behind further restrictions being imposed on travellers returning from France last month. But figures reveal cases of the mutant strain are either falling or very low in the three major destinations rumoured to be contenders for making it onto No10's list. And outbreaks of the variant in Italy and Spain are mostly away from tourism areas, data implies. But the variant appears to make up almost a third of tests on the Greek islands popular with British travellers. Experts said today the mutant strain was unlikely to 'outrun' the more transmissible Indian 'Delta' variant which is already dominant across the continent, meaning it was unlikely to spark major outbreaks. They added current rules requiring two jabs and proof of a negative test upon return to the UK 'should be enough to ease fears' over the spread of the mutant strain, and that officials should be 'more worried' about the variants that are already in the country and how much Delta continues to spread. Official data also suggests daily Covid cases are already plateauing in Spain and Greece in a sign the worst of the outbreaks may already be behind them. Infections are mostly among 15 to 24-year-olds who are least at risk from the virus. More than half of people in the countries are also already double-vaccinated, similar to the UK where it is closer to 60 per cent of the population when children are included. Boris Johnson today hinted that a proposed 'amber watchlist' could be scrapped after a furious backlash from Tory MPs and warnings from travel bosses that the industry is in the 'last chance saloon'. Asked this afternoon whether he favoured the new category, the Prime Minister did not rule it out but said travel rules should be 'as simple and as user friendly for people as possible'. It came hours after Digital Minister Matt Warman refused to dismiss concerns over the new list and insisted it was not over complicating travel restrictions to add another category. Professor Gary McClean, a microbiologist based at London Metropolitan University, told MailOnline: 'It's right to be concerned about Beta because we know it can escape vaccine induced immunity somewhat, particularly with the AZ vaccine used frequently in the UK. 'However, with the rather limited spread of that variant currently in Europe and that it is likely not to outrun Delta, which has an impressive transmission ability, the current rules on travel requiring double jabs and evidence of a negative test should be enough to ease any fears over changes to the travel restrictions currently.' He added: 'At the moment, we still need to be vigilant about the virus entering through the border but I'm more worried about the virus variants already here in the UK and how much Delta continues to spread, even among vaccinated individuals.' But scientists also warn variant data from Italy, Spain and Greece cannot be completely relied upon because they carry out much less sequencing than the UK. Each nation checks about 1,000 cases a week, compared to more than 30,000 in Britain. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to update the Covid travel list on Thursday to outline which countries may get more or less travel restrictions. This graph shows the Covid cases in the UK, Spain, Greece and Italy. Britain has the second highest infection rate (387 cases per million people) with only Spain having more (509 per million). But cases are already dropping in Spain and have plateaued in Greece at 250. They are rising in Italy which is being linked to the country's victory in the Euros Cases of the South African variant which was behind the move to slap tighter travel restrictions on France 1 are falling in Spain and Greece, according to the latest data. They are barely noticeable in Italy. The percentage is the proportion of cases down to the variant over the week to July 18 (left) and July 11 (right). Each country only checks around 1,000 cases for variants each week, compared to more than 30,000 a week in the UK The UK is still carrying out the most Covid tests per week suggesting it has the most reliable figures for its outbreak. But the number of swabs done is also increasing in Greece, Spain and Italy to keep track of the virus there Covid deaths in Greece, the UK, Spain and Italy remain low amid the successful vaccination drive, this graph shows Spain has now managed to get two doses to a higher proportion of its population than the UK at almost 60 per cent, this graph shows. Italy has managed to double-jab more than half its population, and in Greece almost half are double-vaccinated Spain: South African 'Beta' cases are falling and the Covid outbreak is mostly away from tourist areas Spain may be pushed onto the watchlist later this week, despite data showing that rates of the Beta variant have fallen in recent weeks and outbreaks appear to be mostly away from tourist areas. The country is currently on the 'amber' list, allowing double-jabbed Britons to visit and dodge ten-day quarantine upon their return to the UK. If Spain is moved to the watchlist, it means the quarantine exemption could be dropped at short notice if ministers decide to mark it 'red' or 'amber plus'. Officials have not explained why Spain could be slapped with extra travel restrictions, although it is thought to be linked to cases of the South African variant which spooked them into tightening rules for France. Latest data submitted to the European Centre for Disease Outbreak and Control (ECDC) show there were no cases of the South African variant detected in the week to July 18. This was down from 1.7 per cent in the previous seven-day spell. But this is based on only a handful of samples surveyed for variants. Only about 1,000 cases are checked every week, according to the ECDC. The same data shows the more transmissible Indian variant is taking over in Spain, and already makes up almost half of all cases. In Britain this strain is responsible for more than 99 per cent of cases after 'outcompeting' other variants. Outbreaks of the mutant strain and the Brazilian 'Gamma' variant that also makes vaccines less effective which are published together by the country's Ministry of Health are mostly focused in areas not popular with tourists, except for Catalonia where Barcelona is based. Outbreaks appear biggest in Catalonia (9.7 per cent in the week to July 18), the Basque country (3.6 per cent) and Galicia (2.7 per cent). Data from the week before the latest for some regions suggests there are also outbreaks in Asturias (8.6 per cent) and Castile and Leon (3.6 per cent). The data is collated by Spain's own health officials and is based on PCR tests that giveaway tell-tale signs that it may be one of the two variants. For comparison, in tourist hotspot Andalusia the vast majority of cases are not down to the variants (only 2.2 per cent in the week to July 18, the latest available), and in the Balearic Islands it is even lower (0.5 per cent). And in another promising sign, Covid cases in Spain which has fully vaccinated a slightly higher proportion of its citizens than the UK are also now starting to drop. It recorded 509 cases every day per million people on August 1, which was down seven per cent on 550 recorded in the previous seven day spell. The UK's infection rate is currently 387 cases per million people. This graph shows Covid cases in Spain by the proportions down to each variant. It shows that the South African 'Beta' variant (orange) was behind more than 5 per cent of cases at the end of June (second bar from the right), but less than 1.7 per cent in the week to July 11 (bar on the right). In the latest week it was not spotted in any samples sequenced This graph shows the percentage of cases down to the South African 'Beta' variant and Brazilian 'Gamma' variant by region in Spain over the latest week ending July 18 (No. 28 on the table) and , where the latest is not available, July 11 (ending 27 on the table). It gives the percentage of cases down to the variants and, in brackets, the number of cases checked for variants by region. The final column shows the same for the previous week. It suggests Spain's outbreak is mostly focused away from tourist areas except for Catalonia where Barcelona is based The above shows graphs of cases down to different variants by week. The South African variant (orange) is shown to have sparked large outbreaks in Castille and Leon (second from top on the right) and Ceuta (third from top on the left) in recent weeks which are not popular with tourists. There are also a few cases in other areas Italy: South African variant is barely noticeable and away from southern tourist areas Italy has spotted almost no cases of the South African variant of Covid and the handful of people struck down have been in the north of the country, according to the latest data from the country. The country is currently on the 'amber' list allowing double-jabbed Britons to visit and dodge ten-day quarantine upon their return to the UK. Ministers have not said why they would move Italy to the watchlist, although it is thought it may be linked to cases of the South African variant and the country's overall outbreak. But the latest data for Italy from the ECDC showed the mutant strain was behind just 0.3 per cent of all infections checked for variants in the week to July 18. This was similar to the rate the previous week. This is based on only based on a handful of cases that were checked for variants. Italy screens about 1,000 cases a week, according to the ECDC. The Indian variant is now behind half of all infections in the country, and is 'outcompeting' other mutant strains of the virus. And separate promising data from Italian Health authorities revealed the variant is mostly being spotted around Milan, which is away from popular tourism destination Rome and beaches in the South where Britons are likely to visit. A number of cases have been previously found in Sicily and Sardinia, although there are so few they are unlikely to lead to the country being slapped with further restrictions. However, Italy's daily Covid cases are currently rising and have ticked up by more than a quarter in a week to 89 cases per million people yesterday. The rise was partially linked to the country's victory in the Euro 2020 football tournament. But this is still barely a fifth of the UK's infection rate which currently stands at 387 per million, suggesting it is not likely ministers will be able to tighten travel rules for the country solely because of rising Covid cases. The above graph shows the percentage of Italian cases down to different variants. It reveals that the South African variant (very dark orange) has barely registered among national cases since it was first identified. The Indian 'Delta' variant (light orange) has become the most dominant strain in the country in recent weeks The above map shows where in Italy cases of the South African variant have been detected between June 5 and July 19. It reveals that outbreaks have been mostly based around Milan and away from southern cities and tourism hotspots. But there have been a few cases noticed by authorities on Sicily and Sardinia which are popular summer getaway destinations This graph shows the percentage of cases that were checked for mutant strains of the virus since the start of the year. They reveal that while it was more than 20 per cent in June when case numbers were very low. But this has now dropped to less than five per cent. Italy checks about 1,000 cases for variants every week Greece: Cases of the South African variant have fallen in recent weeks while total Covid cases have plateaued Greece has seen cases of the South African variant fall in recent weeks and its daily Covid cases plateau, figures suggest. Latest data from the ECDC says the mutant strain was behind 4.4 per cent of cases in the week to July 18, which was down by almost half from 7.5 per cent in the previous seven-day spell. And in other promising news, daily Covid cases in the country also appear to have plateaued at around 250 cases per million people since late June. This is 66 per cent of the infection rate in the UK at 387, suggesting Britons are more likely to bring Covid to the country than take it back to the UK. In yet another glimmer of hope the Indian variant also now makes up around half of all infections in the country. Studies show it is so transmissible it 'outcompetes' other mutant strains. But official data from the country's health ministry could put holidays to the country in doubt because it suggests the South African variant is most common on the Greek islands which are popular with tourists. Almost 30 per cent of cases checked for variants in the Southern Aegean were found to be down to the mutant strain in the two weeks to July 4, the latest available. Epirus which is less popular with foreign tourists but next to Corfu had the second-biggest outbreak with a quarter of cases down to the variant over the same period. But Greek data on variants can only offer a snapshot of the situation in the country because they sequence about 1,000 cases a week, compared to more than 30,000 in the UK. The above graph from the Greek Health Ministry shows the proportion of cases checked that were down to different variants. It reveals that the South African variant (yellow) was behind 7.5 per cent of cases in the week to July 11, but 4.4 per cent in the week to July 18 which is the latest available Two hundred members of the clergy and activists including Reverend Jesse Jackson were arrested on Monday during a protest at the U.S. Capitol. The protest, organized by Poor People's Campaign, was part of a series of events to demand improved voting access, an end to the filibuster, a $15 hourly minimum wage and protection for immigrants. Speakers at the rally - that began in Washington DC in front of Union Station, and ended on the Capitol - included Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter Luci Baines Johnson. Her father signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which organizers say 'has since been gutted.' She told the rally: 'The vote gave Americans of all backgrounds the opportunity to address the inequities of our country. 'Those seeking to limit access to that vote will strangle liberty and justice for all. 'I cannot speak for our father now, as I dared not in his lifetime. But I know for sure that he would want us to be with you in the fight for social justice and voting rights.' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez looks up at Jesse Jackson on Monday, ahead of the rally in Washington DC. Jackson was later arrested Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush, fellow 'Squad' congresswoman, are pictured with Jackson. Bush has been sleeping out on the steps of the Capitol to protest the end of the eviction moratorium Reverend Jesse Jackson is seen on Monday addressing the crowd in Washington DC Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter, Luci Baines Johnson, is seen on Monday addressing a rally in Washington DC. She told the crowd that her father - who in 1965 passed the Voting Rights Act - would have supported the march Jackson stands beside a sign outlining the campaigners' demands. They want them to be passed by Congress before August 6 - the 56th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act The group gathered in front of Union Station in Washington DC before marching through the city towards the U.S. Capitol Activists held placards and wore matching t-shirts reading: 'Protect freedom: vote' Reverend Liz Theoharis , a New York City co-founder of Poor People's Campaign, addresses the rally The group marched past the Capitol building and the U.S. Supreme Court, and were then denied entry to the Hart Senate Office Building. Demanding to speak to the senior Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, they also requested a meeting with Democratic senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona - both 'swing' senators who have spoken against ending the filibuster. Jackson was arrested on July 26 along with Bishop Barber and 37 people others after refusing to leave the Sinema's Phoenix office. He was also arrested on June 23 at a previous Poor People's Campaign rally. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York congresswoman, and Cori Bush, representative for Missouri, greeted Jackson and showed their support. Bush has been sleeping out on the steps of the Capitol to protest the end of a moratorium on evictions, which has been in place due to the pandemic but expired this week. She is demanding it be reinstated. The activist are demanding that Congress approve their petitions by August 6 - the 56th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Last week the group staged a four-day march from Georgetown, Texas, to Austin, Texas, ending on July 31 with a rally of thousands of faith leaders and low-wage workers at the state Capitol in Austin. The protesters on Monday refused to leave the entrance area on the street, and Capitol Police then began arresting them for obstruction. Bishop William J. Barber addresses the crowd ahead of the march on Monday Cheers went up from the crowd as famed civil rights leader Jesse Jackson was arrested, and then Bishop William J. Barber and Reverend Dr Liz Theoharis, the co-founders of the organization. Capitol Police set up tables in the shade to process one-by-one all of those arrested, including people in wheelchairs and elderly protesters with walkers. Organizers and onlookers described it as one of the largest days of mass-arrest in recent memory, with Capitol Police confirming 204 detained. The group marched through the streets and refused to disperse when the police asked Protesters on Monday are seen lining up, as the police ready to make their arrests for obstruction 'At approximately 1:30pm, the United States Capitol Police responded to the 100 block of Constitution Avenue, NE for a demonstration,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com. 'The protesters were arrested after they were given a third and final warning over a loud speaker to leave the street. 204 people were arrested for crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.' Reverend Raphael Warnock, senator for Atlanta, attended the gathering but Jackson said Joe Biden should have been at the march. 'If we lose, they lose,' Jackson said. 'If we lose, democracy loses. 'If we lose, the nation loses credibility in the world.' Governor Andrew Cuomo faced 11 hours of questioning by the lead investigators in the state attorney general's probe into the sexual harassment allegations against him. On July 17, Cuomo submitted to questioning under oath by investigators hired by state attorney general Letitia James to lead the probe: Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clarke. Few details had emerged from the interview until Monday when it was revealed that the governor had reportedly been combative during the lengthy interview; repeatedly hitting back at Kim and questioning his impartiality. Cuomo believes Kim is biased after his past investigations into Cuomo and his allies, according to sources who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (pictured Monday) was reportedly questioned for 11 hours by the lead investigators into the sexual harassment probe against him The state hired two outside lawyers, Joon H. Kim, left, and Anne L. Clark, right, to lead the investigation into Cuomo. Kim and Clark interviewed Cuomo for roughly 11 hours on July 17 during which he cast doubt on Kim's impartiality after previous investigations into Cuomo and his allies In 2014 Kim, as a prosecutor in the US attorney's office in Manhattan, he had questioned Cuomo over his sudden decision in 2014 to shut down the Moreland Commission, an anticorruption panel that had begun looking into the governor's allies. When he was US Attorney in 2018, he was also involved in the prosecution of former Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco, who was convicted of corruption in 2018. The interview with Cuomo likely means that Kim and Clark's investigation is coming to a close, with their findings expected to be released by the end of summer. Kim, a former US attorney, and Clark, an employment lawyer, had spent roughly four months gathering testimony from women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. The allegations have included unwanted touching, hugs and kisses, as well as inappropriate comments. It was also revealed that the interview was kept so under wraps that they exited at night via a loading dock at Cuomo's office in midtown Manhattan. Publicly the governor and his allies have tried to cast doubt on the investigation. On July 19, two days after the interview, Cuomo suggested that the probe was politically motivated. Speaking to reporters, Cuomo said that people will be 'shocked' at how it was being handled. 'I'm very eager to get the facts to the people of this state and I think that when they hear the actual facts of what happened and how this situation has been handled I think they will be shocked,' Cuomo said Monday. 'Shocked because at the end of the day, the truth wins and facts win.' Joe Percoco, former top aide to Cuomo, leaves federal court after being sentenced to six years in prison for corruption charges September 20, 2018. As US Attorney, Kim had been a part of the investigation into him The sexual harassment investigation is being overseen by Attorney General Letitia James, pictured He declined to say what was discussed during his questioning, and instead, raised doubts about those leading the investigation. 'I have concerns as to the independence of the reviewers,' he said. 'That's what I've said, and as politics, is this happening in a political system? Yes, that is undeniable.' When asked why Cuomo appeared to be questioning the reliability of the investigators hired in the probe, he replied, 'Look at who the independent investigators are. Google the independent reviewers and tell me what you see.' An on the Thursday before the interview Cuomo senior advisor Richard Azzopardi said: 'We have said repeatedly that the governor doesn't want to comment on this review until he has cooperated, but the continued leaks are more evidence of the transparent political motivation of the attorney general's review.' His statement was the second time he had claimed that James, also a Democrat, and her probe were politically motivated. In April, Azzopardi blasted James for confirming that her office was also investigating whether Cuomo broke the law by having members of his staff help write and promote his recent memoir 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic'. 'Both the comptroller and the attorney general have spoken to people about running for governor and it is unethical to wield criminal referral authority to further political self-interest,' Azzopardi said at the time. Cuomo hired Rita Glavin (pictured) to represent him as claims of sexual harassment, misconduct and inappropriate behavior started to mount against him earlier this year Documents filed Friday with the state Board of Elections reveal the New York governor paid lawyer Rita Glavin $111,774 on May 3 for 'professional services' and another $173,098 on June 2 The New York Post reported that Cuomo prepped with his own lawyers for the questioning. Cuomo, who has publicly denied any wrongdoing, is being represented by Rita Glavin, a former US Department of Justice official. Cuomo had hired Glavin to represent him as claims of sexual harassment, misconduct and inappropriate behavior started to mount against him earlier this year. On the day of Cuomo's meeting with Kim and Clark, it was revealed that he used $285,000 of campaign funds to pay Glavin after publicly saying he would not foot his legal bills with campaign money. During the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo was lauded for his handling of the crisis in the virus epicenter of the world, with his daily press briefings even earning him an Emmy. But the governor's reputation has unraveled in recent months as nine women have now come forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Cuomo has repeatedly denied the allegations saying he 'never touched anyone inappropriately' and 'never made any inappropriate advances' but has apologized for making anyone feel 'uncomfortable.' Meanwhile, he has also been rocked by the COVID-19 nursing home deaths scandal and pointed questions have arisen over the writing of his controversial memoir and the alleged special treatment afforded to his friends and family in the early days of the pandemic. Investigators were always expected to speak with Cuomo, who said at the start of the probe in March that he would 'fully cooperate.' Cuomo is also facing an impeachment inquiry in the state assembly. Kim and Clark have gathered testimony from several of the women who have accused him as part of the investigation. Lindsey Boylan, a former Cuomo aide, came out in December with allegations against him she further detailed her experience in a February post to Medium Charlotte Bennett, 25, accused Cuomo of propositioning her in his office last June She also claimed Cuomo looked down her shirt to compliment her on her necklace during a meeting with him Anna Ruch has accused Cuomo of inappropriate behavior Karen Hinton (left), a press aide, and Jessica Bakeman accused Cuomo of inappropriate actions Cuomo initially apologized and said he 'learned an important lesson' about his behavior around women, though he's since denied he did anything wrong and questioned the motivations of accusers. He has also rebuffed calls to step aside over the allegations. Lindsay Boylan, 36, was the first woman to accuse the governor in social media posts back in December. She worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018. Boylan claims the governor kissed her on the lips and suggested they play a game of strip poker. The governor has denied these allegations. After she came forward with the accusations, the governor's office released her personnel records which included disciplinary recommendations against her and allegations of bullying. Boylan has said her personnel material was leaked in an effort to smear her. Since she came forward, at least eight other women have accused the governor of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior, including former aide Alyssa McGrath, told The New York Times Cuomo had flirted with her, looked down her shirt and commented on her appearance by calling her 'beautiful' in Italian. Some of Cuomo's top allies in the state legislature have called on the public to await the results of James' investigation and not to undermine her integrity. State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, said he trusts the independent investigators selected by James, and said that 'their credibility and professionalism can't be questioned.' The UK is mulling a cyber attack on Tehran and potential special forces assault in retaliation for an attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker that killed a British security guard, according to reports. A Romanian sailor was also killed in the suspected drone attack on the MV Mercer Street on Thursday, which Israel, the United States and the UK have blamed on Iran. Iran has denied responsibility, calling the claims 'baseless'. The UK is working with the US and Israel to determine a response and is considering a 'range of options,' The Sun reported, citing 'Government sources'. A cyberattack would be most likely, 'a senior defence source' reportedly told the paper, explaining: 'Nobody will see it here but they will be left in no doubt you cannot kill a Brit unchecked'. 'A British national was killed and we have to make clear there are certain lines that can't be crossed,' the paper reported a 'Foreign Office insider' as saying. Meanwhile, British commanders are said to be putting together plans for a strike against an Iran-backed 'terror team', according to The Mirror. The paper reported that Israeli intelligence has located the area from which a team is believed to have launched the drone suspected in Thursday's attack. It said British special forces, already in the region, were reinforced over the weekend for a 'kill or capture mission'. The UK is mulling a cyber attack on Tehran and potential special forces assault in retaliation for an attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker that killed a British security guard, according to reports. A Romanian sailor was also killed in the suspected drone attack on the MV Mercer Street (pictured in 2015) on Thursday 'This has reached [a] tipping point where Iran's actions can no longer be allowed to continue,' The Mirror reported a 'former British military intelligence officer' as saying. 'British special forces have been concerned about hostage taking on the high -seas for some time but are clearly going to take a more aggressive posture against Iran's proxies.' The reported preparations come after Boris Johnson on Monday told Iran to 'face up to the consequences' of its actions following the attack. The Prime Minister also demanded that Iranian government accept responsibility for the suspected drone strike. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab earlier blamed Tehran for the 'unlawful and callous' attack. Iran has denied responsibility, calling the claims 'baseless'. The Mercer Street was sailing in international waters off Oman when it was struck by missiles thought to have been fired from an Iranian drone. Mr Johnson told reporters yesterday: 'I think that Iran should face up to the consequences of what they have done, accept the attribution that the Foreign Secretary has made. 'This was clearly an unacceptable and outrageous attack on commercial shipping, a UK national died. 'It is absolutely vital that Iran and every other country respects the freedoms of navigation around the world, and the UK will continue to insist on that.' The ship was sailing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates with no cargo on Thursday when the crew reportedly heard the noise of a flying drone followed by explosions as a hole was blasted through the top of the vessel. The drone is thought to have been packed with explosives that detonated on impact. Two US warships escorted the tanker to port after the attack. The reported preparations come after Boris Johnson (pictured) on Monday told Iran to 'face up to the consequences' of its actions following the attack The strike has been linked to tensions between Iran and Israel, which has seen at least three other Israeli-connected ships targeted since February. The 28,400-ton vessel was managed by a London-based company owned by an Israeli billionaire. Israel and the US have threatened Iran with reprisals. Iran's ambassador to the UK Mohsen Baharvand was summoned to the Foreign Office yesterday by Middle East minister James Cleverly and warned that Iran must 'immediately cease actions that risk international peace and security'. In a tit-for-tat response Iran then called the British charge d'affaires to a meeting in Tehran to express its anger over 'accusations against the Islamic Republic'. A spokesman for Iran said: 'Such blame games are nothing new. Those who are responsible for this [attack] are the ones who made it possible for the Israeli regime to set its foot in this region. Iran has no hesitation in protecting its security and national interests and will respond promptly and strongly to any possible adventure.' Mr Raab said on Sunday: 'UK assessments have concluded that it is highly likely that Iran attacked the MV Mercer Street in international waters off Oman on July 29 using one or more unmanned aerial vehicles ... The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack.' The UK could impose fresh sanctions on Iran. Relations between London and Tehran remain strained over the case of dual-national charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who served five years in an Iranian jail and remains under house arrest. Tehran has offered to free her if Britain pays a decades-old 400million debt. Rishi Sunak has said it was really beneficial being in an office at the start of his career as he highlighted the benefits of young people being in the workplace. In a clear sign the Chancellor is keen for staff to return to the workplace, he spoke of the helpful relationships he had made. It comes after he said last month that it was really important for young people to be in a workplace and that he was looking forward to slowly getting back to that. Rishi Sunak has said it was really beneficial being in an office at the start of his career as he highlighted the benefits of young people being in the workplace Since July 19 the Government has no longer been instructing employees to work from home in England and guidance published online says it expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer. Asked about a return to offices, Mr Sunak told LinkedIn News: I have spoken previously about young people in particular benefiting from being in offices. It was really beneficial to me when I was starting out. The Chancellor said that on a visit to Scotland last week he met young people starting careers in financial services, an industry he has also worked in. In a clear sign the Chancellor is keen for staff to return to the workplace, he spoke of the helpful relationships he had made I was telling them [about] the mentors that I found when I first started my job [who] I still talk to and they have been helpful to me all through my career even after we have gone in different ways, he said. I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom. But Mr Sunak also said the Government has left the decision up to businesses. He said: Weve kind of stopped saying that people should actively work from home and have now left it up to businesses to work with their teams to figure out the right approach. In terms of a return to work, we have said we would expect that and recommend that to be gradual from when the restrictions eased. Mr Sunak was speaking on a visit to Aston Business School in Birmingham. Three oil rig workers narrowly avoided being crushed when a 200-tonne platform began swinging out of control as it was lifted by a crane. The offshore technicians were dismantling a Santos oil rig off Varanus Island on the Western Australian coast on July 5 when disaster suddenly struck. Horrifying footage shows the workers scramble to get out of the way of the huge platform as it unexpectedly separated from its steel column. Horrifying footage shows the workers scramble to get out of the way as the huge platform as it unexpectedly separated from its steel column As the giant platform starts to rock back and forth, metal cables flail and snap, narrowly missing the high-vis wearing workers underneath. A spectator urged the crane operator to 'get it off' as the men scrambled out of the way of the airborne platform and clung on to the column ladder for dear life. Experts told WA energy industry website BoilingCold it was a miracle no workers were killed in the die industrial accident. The outlet explained the plan was for the workers to cut through the column with flame cutters while the crane held the caisson's weight. However, as separation was about to be reached, the caisson began to rock wildly in danger of smashing into the workers in its path. With a loud bang it suddenly separated at the height of the workers' heads and swung around uncontrollably as cables and pieces rained down. A huge metal cable still dangling from the caisson was dragged past the workers as they frantically climbed down to get out of the way. The quick-thinking crane driver saved the day by lifting the caisson as far away from the workers as it could, but they and those on the boat were still at risk from falling debris. As the giant platform starts to rock back and forth, metal cables are seen flailing and snapping as dropped objects narrowly miss the orange-clad workers underneath The offshore technicians were dismantling a Santos oil rig off Varanus Island on the Western Australian coast on July 5 when disaster suddenly struck Australian Workers' Union national secretary Daniel Walton described the incident as one of the 'most horrifically scary accidents' the union has ever seen in the WA resources industry. Mr Walton said without the quick actions of the crane driver the three men would have 'undoubtedly been squashed'. 'It seems to be a race to the bottom, that is, try to cut costs in every way you possibly can to save a buck or two,' he told 9 News. 'And as a consequence of that safety is jeopardised.' The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety said Santos was banned from performing any similar lifts while the accident was being investigated. A diagram of the platform that the workers were dismantling. American energy company Apache built them in 1993 and ceased operation in 2006. They have been inactive since then Santos said it had ceased all activities and later notified the industry regulator of the accident. 'Following the incident and investigation, work recommenced on the remaining Sinbad structure and the removal of the facilities has now been completed,' it said. Santos said it was working with the regulator to ensure measures were implemented for future operations to ensure an incident did not happen again. American energy company Apache built the Sinbad platforms in 1993 and ceased operation in 2006. They have been inactive since then. Apache sold them to Quadrant Energy in 2018, which Santos bought out months later. It is now dismantling all the platforms. The price of coronavirus travel tests has actually escalated over the past week despite repeated Government promises to drive down the cost, the Mail can reveal. Even though ministers have repeatedly pledged to make travel testing more affordable, the official government website for booking gold standard PCR tests has instead seen prices rise by 60 per cent. Analysis shared with the Mail suggests the average cost for a package of two PCR tests advertised by the 50 cheapest government-approved providers was 46 on Thursday. But last night it stood at 75 an increase of 63 per cent in just four days. And in reality, the true cost facing families is likely to be much higher with the average price usually twice as high as the one listed once the tests are actually booked. Analysis shared with the Mail suggests the average cost for a package of two PCR tests advertised by the 50 cheapest government-approved providers was 46 on Thursday. But last night it stood at 75 an increase of 63 per cent in just four days (Pictured: Citoswab Coronavirus Home Test Kit) This is because, when holidaymakers click through to the companies websites, many of the cheapest packages are unavailable pushing the average price of a two-swab home test package to about 117. Currently, people returning from amber list countries who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for ten days and take a PCR test on days two and eight of their self-isolation. The requirements are adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of family holidays. Even those who have had both jabs need at least one PCR test after returning to the UK. These requirements are adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of family holidays, but there has been little in the way of concrete action to reduce the bill for travellers. The cost of tests could be immediately slashed if the Treasury heeded calls to remove VAT of 20 per cent, but sources last night suggested such a move was no longer being considered. In a sign that fatalities may start to flatten out or even fall within the next week, Covid hospital admissions fell by nearly 20 per cent in England. Some 593 infected patients were admitted for medical treatment on July 31, the most recent day NHS figures are available for. For comparison, 734 patients were hospitalised the previous Saturday Removing VAT would reduce the average price of a two-swab home test package from 117 to 97.50. It comes as research suggested 17million people are considering going abroad this summer meaning the Government stands to make 476million in VAT on holiday tests. Last night Avi Lasarow, of testing firm Prenetics, said: Our research shows if the Government removed VAT, it would not only pay for the flights of a family of four travelling to Majorca, it would also stimulate demand and provide a much needed boost for the hard-hit UK travel industry. He called on other firms to promise to pass on potential VAT savings to consumers too. Yesterday Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye also urged the Government to get rid of the requirement for everyone to have a PCR test and replace it with a cheaper, simpler lateral flow test and only use the PCR test if people test positive, for genomic purposes. An 8-year-old girl who was born in America and grew up under ISIS rule has reportedly been rescued from a Syrian camp and is now waiting to hear whether she can return to the United States. Aminah Mohamad was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on December 8, 2011 to an American woman and an Iraqi father. She has been living under ISIS rule since her parents joined the terrorist organization in 2014. After her parents' death, Aminah sent to a Kurdish-controlled detention camp for people with ties to the Islamic State. Aminah was rescued from the facility on July 17, Buzzfeed reports. She is now being held at a secure location in northeast Syria and is waiting confirmation that she can return to the states. The girl's American relatives said they hadn't been in contact with the family and was unaware of her mother's death, noting that they were also concerned about the status of her younger brother. Aminah Mohamad, 8, was reportedly rescued from a Syrian camp after she was left in the care of one of her step-father's other wives, a devout ISIS supporter Aminah was born to Chattanooga-native Ariel Bradley, who grew up as an evangelical Christian. Bradley, who grew up in poverty, was homeschooled by her mother with a curriculum based on the beliefs of the Pentecostal Church of God, according to the Herald-Sun. She had several gaps in her knowledge, such as not learning to read until she was a pre-teen and never obtaining a high school diploma or GED. As she aged, Bradley grew embarrassed of her mother's evangelism, became an atheist and denounced religion as a 'delusion.' She ran away from the family home around age 16 and spent the next decade bouncing between relationships, homes, and religion. 'Not to throw her under the bus or anything, but she was definitely always looking for love, always looking for that sense of belonging,' one friend told Buzzfeed in 2015. 'Her life was a solar system without a star, without a sun,' another echoed. Bradley later committed her time to social activism, pushing for racial equality, teachers' rights and fair housing, while also volunteering with the homeless. Her friends claim she got tattoos, drank and smoked weed, before developing a crush on a young Muslim man she met while working at a local restaurant. She then started dressing more modestly, made Muslim friends and wore scarves over her head, and officially converted to Islam in 2011. 'The thing about Ariel that was just so weird was that she had a clearly segmented life,' a friend said after Bradley joined ISIS. 'It was like when I first met her, she was a Christian, and then she was a socialist, and then she was an atheist and then a Muslim. 'As far as I could tell it was always in relation to whatever guy she was interested in. So if she meets a guy that's an atheist, she falls into that for a year. Then the guy leaves and she becomes somebody new and it starts all over again. 'It seemed like whatever guy she was with, she would just crawl into his skin and kind of become him.' Aminah's mom, Ariel Bradley, grew up in a devout Christian household in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and converted to Islam in 2011 Bradley started talking to Yasin Mohamad on a dating website that year, and traveled to Sweden to meet him in person in December 2011. They wed during her visit. Her friends, particularly her Muslim friends, were concerned about the arrangement. Some believed that Mohamad, a refugee from Iraq who was not a Swedish citizen, was using her to obtain American citizenship. 'Everybody warned her and just said, 'Don't do it, don't do it, you don't know him, you don't know anything about his background, you don't know his family.' It could be a trick or something,' a close female Muslim friend told the news outlet. When she became pregnant, Buzzfeed reports, she returned home to give birth in her hometown, before moving back to Sweden to be with Mohamad and eventually to Syria so Bradley and Mohamad could join ISIS in 2014. Aminah was 18-months-old when her family relocated to Syria. At the time, Bradley was pregnant with her second child, Yaqub. She used social media to document her life inside, Buzzfeed reported at the time, sharing stories about her children and bemoaning the barrage of bombs as she would eat breakfast with her kids. She reportedly wrote that she would take her kids to the park to play - an adventure that ended with the family watching ISIS propaganda. Mohamad was reportedly killed in an airstrike in June 2015, and Bradley soon remarried Tareq Kamleh, a devout ISIS follower from Australia. Kamleh and Bradley shared a son, Yousef. But their marriage did not last long - Bradley, Kamleh and Yousef were killed in 2018 in a hospital airstrike, at which point Aminah was put in the care of one of her step-father's other wives, a Somali woman who remained devoted to the cause even as the Syrian Democratic Forces gained traction against the terrorist group and rounded up its supporters in detention camps. It is unclear at this time if Yaqub is alive as his whereabouts remain unknown. Aminah was held at Camp Roj in Syria, and was reportedly rescued in a July 17 raid A woman sits with her child on the ground at Camp Roj, where relatives of people suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group are held In one of the Syrian detention centers, Camp Roj, a Canadian woman who had met Bradley while living under ISIS - an ideology she now opposes, said Somali women tried to hide Aminah from the Kurdish guards. 'They knew the camp authorities were always searching for orphans,' the Canadian woman told Buzzfeed on the condition of anonymity. She said the Somali women lived together in the camps, and 'all helped each other avoid being identified by the Kurds.' They would reportedly dress Aminah up in long robes and a niqab to conceal her identity and race, since her caretaker was black and she was white, even though it is not part of the Muslim faith for children to wear naqibs. The woman used Kurdish authorities to alert former United States diplomat Peter Galbraith, who dealt with the Kurds for the United States government and has spent the past three years trying to repatriate women and children from the detention camps, of Aminah's condition. Word of Galbraith's successes spread through the camp, Buzzfeed reports, and he said that when he found out about Aminah he decided he needed to free her. He said he 'couldn't just leave her there if it was possible to get her out'. 'This is a part of the world where I've worked for decades,' Galbraith said. 'I have friendships and contacts in a part of the world where relationships are very important.' Galbraith managed to secure the release of the Canadian woman, who is now in Iraq waiting to be repatriated to her home country, and on July 17, a team of SDF soldiers descended on the Somali enclave and retrieved Aminah, according to Buzzfeed. It is unclear what happened in the raid. A State Department spokesperson would not confirm to Buzzfeed whether Aminah had been rescued and whether the department was involved in her return to the United States. But, the spokesman said, the country's official policy is to: 'repatriate, prosecute when appropriate, rehabilitate when possible and reintegrate their foreign terrorist fighter nationals and associated family members currently living in northeast Syria and Iraq.' Peter Galbraith, a former United States diplomat who worked with the Kurds, has spent the past three years trying to repatriate women and children from the detention camps Aminah was reportedly interviewed by the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism following her release. 'She clearly self-identified as Aminah and talked about her family with deep sadness,' director Anne Speckhard told Buzzfeed, adding she 'doesn't have a clear context as to where she's from.' Speckhard said she needs 'a safe, predictable and loving environment to replace the traumatic one [she] lived under.' According to the Canadian woman, 'Children in the camps have the worst start to life. They are already traumatized y losing one or more parents and growing up around violence, poverty and misery. 'They deal with constant danger, lack of food, lack of education and their lives are simply going to waste.' Galbraith said he wants to do whatever he can now to ensure that her new life in America will be different from the one she escaped. He said he wants her to play with other children, attend school and 'get the counseling and the mental health support she's clearly going to need.' 'My ability to do anything is limited,' Galbraith said. 'But I want the people who make the decisions to know where she came from and what she went through.' Custody arrangements for orphaned children of Americans who joined terrorist organizations are handled by the individual states, Buzzfeed reports, and Aminah still has family in Chattanooga. Bradley's brother told DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning that he hadn't spoken with his sister since she left the United States, noting he was unaware of her death until being contacted by a journalist. He questioned the whereabouts of Bradley's son, saying he doesn't even know the child's name. The family declined to comment on possible custody for Aminah. DailyMail has also outreached to state and federal government officials for more information about this case. They did not immediately respond to our request for comment. A GP clinic in Sydney's southwest that charged people hundreds of dollars to receive the Pfizer vaccine appears to be refunding its patients. But those who paid to receive their vaccine there have been left unsure whether they can get a second dose, after the clinic suggested the government would no longer supply it with Pfizer. Blessed Health Care, which operates two clinics in the Covid hotspot of Campsie, was widely criticised after AAP revealed it had charged non-English speakers up to $250 for a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Blessed Health Care (pictured) is giving patients refunds after charging them up to $250 for Pfizer vaccines Signs outside the two clinics in the Campsie area (pictured) suggested the government may stop providing the clinic with further vaccines The clinic said the charge was for the consultation rather the jab itself. However, Covid-19 vaccines and consults for them are supposed to be free. The clinic has now asked for the bank details of those who paid to be vaccinated so that they can be reimbursed, Cumberland councillor Kun Huang says. The Health Department told AAP that the National Covid Vaccine Taskforce would work with GPs and any affected patients to ensure they were reimbursed. Mr Huang said hundreds of people had joined a WeChat group for patients who'd paid for vaccine consultations at the clinic. Now the patients are 'desperate' because they don't know how to get a second shot, he said. Chinese-language signs outside the two clinics last week suggested the government may stop providing the clinic with further Pfizer vaccines. The sign outside the Evaline St clinic said the government was likely to stop providing Pfizer doses to the clinic because of 'false' media reporting, but that they would try their best to get enough for the second doses. At the other clinic, a notice said patients who'd received their first dose there would get their second free of charge, if the government provided them. The clinics said they were no longer accepting new patients. AAP asked NSW Health whether the clinic would receive enough Pfizer to dispense second doses. However, the department did not respond to the question. Health Minister Greg Hunt has said charging for the vaccine was 'plain bad behaviour', and promised to 'throw the book' at them. The Health spokesperson said privacy obligations prevented it from disclosing if any practice was under investigation. Mr Huang called on the state or federal government 'to come out and say how they will get the jab'. The clinic says the cost was for a consultation however, both vaccine and consultation are supposed to be free of charge (stock image) 'We need a process here,' he said. 'They should be properly refunded and be sure of getting their second dose.' The receptionist at the Evaline St clinic said 'we are busy' and immediately hung up, when contacted by AAP on Tuesday,. The Anglo St clinic was unattended. AAP has contacted the practice nurse. Greater Sydney's seven-week COVID-19 outbreak has left paramedics at breaking point and living in fear of contracting the virus and spreading it to their families, the union says. The Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) is demanding better PPE and safety practices, greater hospital capacity and rapid antigen testing. APA Assistant Secretary Alan O'Riordan says paramedics are contracting the highly-contagious Delta strain of the virus after being forced to wait inside ambulances for up to two-to-three hours with COVID-19 positive patients, before being able to off-load them to hospitals. Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) is demanding better PPE (pictured) and safety practices for paramedics Union says paramedics have contracted the virus due to being forced to wait inside ambulances for long periods of time with Covid positive patients (stock image) "This system is not under pressure, it's broken," he said on Tuesday. "The public would be horrified if they could see what our day-to-day work was like in the middle of the outbreak. "Every paramedic I know is at breaking point. We are scared for our safety, our families' safety, and the safety of the community." The union says the NSW government had failed to implement key safety measures to ensure paramedics had appropriate PPE and minimal workplace exposures. It says steps need to be taken to avoid staff working between Sydney and regional NSW. The union has written to Health Minister Brad Hazzard demanding that specialist cleaning teams clean and restock ambulances at all major hospitals. It also wants a fit test for every on-road paramedic to ensure masks create a proper facial seal. It's also asking for rapid antigen testing for all paramedics. "NSW Health's inaction on key safety issues is a disaster already happening," he said. Lockdowns to control Covid-19 may still be needed after 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated, Scott Morrison has said. Modelling released on Tuesday showed that if an outbreak of the Delta strain lasted for six months then 1,984 Australians would die if 70 per cent of the population were vaccinated and 1,281 would died if 80 per cent were double-jabbed. Mr Morrison said that scenario wouldn't happen because state governments would re-introduce restrictions regardless of vaccination rates. Doherty Institute modelling (pictured) released on Tuesday showed that if an outbreak of the Delta strain lasted for six months with only 'baseline restrictions' then 1,984 Australians would die if 70 per cent of the population were vaccinated and 1,281 would died if 80 per cent were fully-jabbed 'I have no doubt that if such a scenario were to eventuate, then there are additional measures that would be taken to avert those types of outcomes,' he said. 'In the same way if we had a very aggressive flu strain that was moving in a similar direction that would have similar results then obviously governments would take steps. 'But the likelihood of that occurring under an 80 per cent vaccination rate or indeed the other figures you have there at 70 per cent is obviously very different.' The Prime Minister said an 80 per cent vaccination rate would allow the nation to treat Covid-19 like flu and only require restrictions to prevent too many deaths instead of stopping infections. 'There will always be infectious diseases resulting in hospitalisation, and indeed in death,' he said. 'That is something that happens, sadly, each and every day, that is the world we live in, and I think Australians understand that.' Mr Morrison said that once 80 per cent of population have been vaccinated than lockdowns are 'almost completely unnecessary'. Under Mr Morrison's four-stage re-opening plan, a state or territory can move to remove the need for restrictions when the national vaccination rate hits 70 per cent and the rate in that state also hits 70 per cent. Restrictions to control Covid-19 may still be needed after 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated - but they will be much less likely, Scott Morrison (pictured) has warned Residents queue up for their dose of the Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at the Homebush vaccination centre in Sydney on Monday Mr Morrison said he hopes this phase will be achieved before the end of the year but warned the timing 'is entirely up to how the nation responds to this challenge we're setting for ourselves.' This phase, known as phase B, will make lockdowns 'less likely' and will give doubled-vaccinated people 'special rules' to allow them more freedom than Aussies who refuse a jab. A 'small working group' involving the Northern Territory, Victoria and Tasmania has been set up to determine which restrictions will not apply to the double-vaccinated. The Prime Minister warned that some localised lockdowns may be required in phase B but 'broad-based metropolitan-wide lockdowns' shutdowns will not be needed. The phase will increase the cap for vaccinated Australians arriving from overseas and allow 'reduced' quarantine requirements such as home quarantine - as well as capped entry for students and economic visa holders. Phase C begins when 80 per cent of adults are double-jabbed, allowing vaccinated Australians to travel overseas for any reason. Lockdowns and state borders will be largely removed when 70 per cent of Australians over 16 are jabbed, Scott Morrison announced. He is pictured holding his four-stage plan Travel bubbles will be set up with safer countries such as Singapore to allow vaccinated travellers to fly in without quarantine. Mr Morrison said a country would be deemed safe if it has 'the same sort of vaccination levels as Australia'. The UK has already fully vaccinated 71.4 per cent of adults. Phase C will remove all domestic restrictions on double-jabbed Aussies and abolish caps on returning vaccinated Australians. There is no vaccination rate set for phase D, which will remove almost all rules except for testing of unvaccinated arrivals and quarantine for arrivals from 'high risk' places. The Prime Minister warned the plan is based on the Delta variant and is 'subject to change' if a new, more contagious variant comes along. Donald Trump's Secretary of State has accused Joe Biden of being weak on Iran, calling the administration 'crazy' for continuing with discussions over the nuclear deal while Tehran attacked Western assets and allies. Mike Pompeo appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show on Monday night, and said that he was dismayed at the failure to take a tougher line on countries such as Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. Iran, Pompeo said, was taking advantage of U.S. 'weakness' - referencing an attack on the MV Mercer Street, operated by an Israeli-owned firm, off Oman on Thursday. The UK and US believe Iran was behind the attack that killed two people, and have vowed to respond, calling it a violation of international law. 'They have now killed a Brit, killed a Romanian, attacked a ship at sea,' said Pompeo. 'Launched rockets through their proxy Hamas into Israel from the Gaza Strip. 'We are still sitting at the table trying to negotiate a nuclear deal with them. This is crazy.' Mike Pompeo appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show on Monday night to discuss the Biden administration's response to international events Pompeo referenced an attack on Thursday on the Mercer Street - a Japanese-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime that was attacked off Oman's coast Sailors are seen responding to an emergency call made by the Mercer Street on July 30 Pompeo, widely considered to be sizing up a run at the White House in 2024, said that Trump had forced adversaries to take the United States seriously. 'Whether it is Chairman Kim in North Korea or President Xi in China, they can see weakness we will literally try to drive a truck through it,' he said. Pompeo, 57, said once again that the Biden administration should do more to punish China for its role in the COVID pandemic. China still insists that the virus spread naturally, from animals to humans, but Pompeo and others are now convinced that it escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan. Pompeo said that the Biden administration was giving Iran, China, Russia and others the confidence to take advantage of the U.S. and their allies 'We have seen the deep cover up, right?' he said, referencing China's failure to grant the World Health Organization officials full access to the Wuhan facility. 'That continues to this day, they won't let anybody in to do the investigation in a proper way.' He accused Beijing of being slow to act to prevent the virus from spreading. 'The Chinese Communist Party is responsible for a lot of people that traveled with a known very contagious virus, one that is very lethal - they put it across the world,' he said. 'That is reckless. And they have to be held accountable. 'There are a lot of ways we can do that. It doesn't appear that Biden administration is going to head down that path. 'There are many tools that, without any further legislation, the Biden administration could use to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for the millions of deaths around the world and billions of dollars in lost wealth that resulted from this Chinese foisting of the virus upon the world.' He said that Biden must also 'put real pressure on the Chinese Communist Party, in particular, with Taiwan.' Biden is seen meeting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Pompeo said that America's allies were threatened by U.S. 'weakness' Pompeo pointed out that the Trump administration had sold fighter jets and drones to Taiwan, and pushed back against Chinese attempts to take control of the waterways. 'We have to be serious about these things,' Pompeo said. 'When you are weak, you create risk because your adversaries believe they can walk all over you. 'When you are strong, clear about the words that are used, and are prepared to back them up - as the Trump administration always was - when you are prepared to back up the things that will secure American freedom, your adversaries take note of that.' A fourth police officer who clashed with Capitol rioters on January 6 has killed himself - putting the suicide rate among Capitol and DC cops at six times that of the normal rate among American cops. Kyle DeFreytag, 26, died on July 10. He had responded to the Capitol insurrection on January 6th and had worked the later shift on that day. DeFreytag had been positioned outside the Capitol. DeFreytag had been a Metropolitan Police Department officer for five years and worked in the city's fifth district. On January 6, he worked the late shift and was tasked with enforcing the city's curfew as people rioted and protested through the night. Three others who responded to the Capitol that day have also killed themselves; Howard Liebengood, 51, Jeffrey Smith, 35, and Gunther Hashida, 43. The suicide rate among police is higher than the general population with 17 of every 100,000 cops in America killing themselves, a rate of 0.01 percent. The four Capitol officers' deaths represents a suicide rate of 0.06 - six times as many. It leads to fears of the long-term psychological effects the riot might have had on them and questions of whether or not any other factors may have been at play. DC Metropolitan Officer Kyle DeFreytag, 26, killed himself on July 10. He had been working at the Capitol on January 6. The DC Metro Police sent a memo to staff in mid July informing them of his death but it only became public yesterday after the suicide of another cop was reported Howard Liebengood, 51, and Jeffrey Smith, 35, also killed themselves. Liebengood died on January 9 and Smith shot himself in his Ford Mustang on January 14 Most of the men's families have not laid the blame squarely with what happened on January 6 and they have been quiet publicly, aside from the widow of Jeffrey Smith, who said previously that he slipped into a deep depression after the incident and 'wasn't the same.' He killed himself on January 14, shooting himself in his Ford Mustang while on his way to the overnight shift. Howard Liebengood was the first officer to take his life after the riot. He had worked in the Senate and his loved ones said afterwards it was his favorite posting. He was survived by his wife and his siblings. In a letter that was obtained by CBS earlier this year, his widow Serena said his death was a direct result of the riot. She wants the United States Capitol Police to reclassify his death to a line of duty death, which would give her more financial benefits. 'What must not be lost in all of this is my beloved husband died as the result his dedication to the USCP and the sacrifices he made to his well-being on January 6 and the ensuing days, just as assuredly as if he had been slain on the Capitol steps. SUICIDE AMONG CAPITOL RIOT COPS SIX TIMES AS HIGH AS OTHER POLICE Suicide among cops 17 out of every 100,000 (0.017%) Suicide among Capitol and DC Metro Cops since January 6 4 out of 6,050 (0.06%) Suicide among general population 13 out of every 100,000 (0.013%) Advertisement 'Recognition of the cause of his death, much like the critical examination of the riot itself, will remain central to how we make right those tragedies and help avoid their repetition.' 'There is no way to convey what our family is going through, as we struggle to simply function in our grief'. 'Although Howie was severely sleep-deprived, he remained on duty as he was directed practically around the clock from January 6th through the 9th. On the evening of the 9th, he took his life at our home.' 'The USCP must be held accountable for its actions and structural reforms instituted; and the mental and emotional well-being of these officers can no longer be overlooked or taken for granted.' It is not known where he killed himself or how. Rep. Wexton, who was the recipient of the letter from his widow, told CBS that she will push to ensure reforms are made by the USCP. 'We know that if not for the events of January 6, Officer Howie Liebengood would still be with us today,' she stated. 'His death was a direct result of his defending the U.S. Capitol, an institution that he was devoted to and loved. I will continue to fight for proper recognition for Howie and his family.' Liebengood was the son of former top Senate aide Howard S Liebengood, who served as a Sergeant of Arms at the Capitol from 1981 to 1983 and died of a heart attack aged 62 in 2005. At the time, the USCP made no suggestion that the younger Liebengood's death had anything to do with the riots at the Capitol. The next suicide to be reported was that of Jeffrey Smith. Smith killed himself two weeks after the riot, where he'd been hit in the head with a pole. He was on his way to work and shot himself in his Ford Mustang. It's unclear if he used his service weapon or not. On the day of January 6, he texted his wife Erin as the protesters rushed the building, saying: 'London has fallen.' It was a reference to a movie with that name which is about an assassination plot against British politicians. He also sent her a selfie which showed him in full riot gear, with a gas mask on, ready to take on the rioters. Erin, in an interview with The Washington Post afterwards, said he behaved differently in the two weeks afterwards. He refused to leave their home, even to walk their dog, and would not watch TV. She said he seemed to be in pain and had trouble turning his head. 'He wasnt the same Jeff that left on the 6th. . . . I just tried to comfort him and let him know that I loved him. I told him Id be there if he needed anything, that no matter what, well get through it. I tried to do the best I could,' she said. Like Liebengood's widow, she has petitioned the Police and Firefighters Retirement and Relief Board to rule his death as in the line of duty too. 'When my husband left for work that day, he was the Jeff that I knew,. When he returned after experiencing the event, being hit in the head, he was a completely different person. 'I do believe if he did not go to work that day, he would be here and we would not be having this conversation,' she said. Several officers testified how they were outnumbered and feared for their lives on January 6 Erin added that at a medical appointment for his injuries, Jeffrey was only seen for roughly 10 minutes. 'He told me it was chaos,' Erin said of the clinic. 'There were so many people there.' Police would not comment on the visit, citing privacy laws. Officer Gunther Rashida was found dead at home on July 29. He had worked for the DC Metropolitan Police since 2003 and on January 6, was in the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Division. It's unclear how he killed himself but DC Metro Police confirmed his death on Monday. His family also launched a GoFundMe page where they asked for donations to pay for his funeral. The GoFundMe page has raised more than $90,000 since yesterday. In its description, the family said: 'In his work as an officer with the DC Metropolitan Police Department, he worked to serve and protect the public. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. This fund will help support his memorial service and his family in the loss of his love and guidance.' A relative for Defreytag is yet to speak publicly about his death. A former nurse has backtracked on outlandish claims the army is going door-to-door in Sydney suburbs and forcing residents to have the Covid vaccine. Naomi Cook shared a 'warning' to people in the suburbs of Fairfield, Blacktown and Mount Druitt - all in Sydney's west or southwest - which sparked fear and panic among constituents. She claimed that she was told the military were going 'door-to-door late at night armed with the vaccine in hand'. Defence forces have been enlisted to support police in maintaining compliance with lockdown orders. They've also delivered food packages to struggling residents. Naomi Cook shared a 'warning' to people in the suburbs of Fairfield, Blacktown and Mount Druitt - all in Sydney's west or southwest, which sparked fear and panic among constituents She claimed that she was told the military were going 'door to door late at night armed with the vaccine in hand' In actuality, the ADF are providing logistical support, even delivering emergency food supplies to people in lockdown But Ms Cook, who also goes by 'Nurse Naomi', falsely alleged they were forcing residents into the streets in the dead of night, demanding they not film, and were told they would be 'coerced and pressured into' having the jab. 'Everyone in the neighbourhood refused the vaccine and they were told [officers] would return within the week to coerce and pressure them,' she said in a since deleted post. 'Please if you live in the above suburbs try to record the event and spread it far and wide This was my friends nephews.' After the post gained traction within anti-vaccine communities, Ms Cook was forced to backtrack on the claims. She later claimed she was simply asking for 'further' experiences and did not mean to alarm anybody by sharing the post. Ms Cook, who also goes by 'Nurse Naomi', falsely alleged they were forcing residents into the streets in the dead of night, demanding they not film the altercation, and were told they would be 'coerced and pressured into' having the jab Australian Defence Force personnel are pictured enforcing the city's lockdown in Fairfield in Sydney's south-west on Monday morning Ms Cook removed the post within two hours after she realised her followers were spooked by the messaging, clarifying she 'never wants to scare anyone'. There has been no corroborating evidence to back up the claims, and Ms Cook later explained that there was simply 'pressure to consider getting vaccinated' rather than military personnel 'armed with vaccines' as first stated. In the same clarification post, she referred to Covid-19 as 'CoNvid'. Vaccinations are demonstrably saving the lives of Sydneysiders, proven by new data which revealed there isn't a single fully-immunised Covid patient in intensive care. Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, confirmed on Monday that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are keeping people out of hospital, even as high case numbers in New South Wales persist. Of the 2,700 cases of the Delta variant that have been recorded in NSW throughout this outbreak, 93 per cent of diagnoses were in unvaccinated people. A further six per cent of known cases were identified in people who have only had a single jab, meaning they weren't entirely protected. That leaves just one per cent if the infected NSW population who have had both jabs - but not a single one of them wound up in intensive care as a result of the virus. Defence forces have been enlisted to support police in maintaining compliance with lockdown order Of the 2,700 cases of the Delta variant that have been recorded in NSW throughout this outbreak, 93 per cent of diagnoses were in unvaccinated people. A further six per cent of known cases were identified in people who have only had a single jab, meaning they weren't entirely protected Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, confirmed on Monday that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are keeping people out of hospital. Pictured: People lining up for Covid testing in Brisbane There are 53 Covid patients in intensive care units throughout NSW. Professor Kidd said 96 per cent were unvaccinated. Four per cent have had one shot. None of the 15 deaths recorded that have been linked to this outbreak were fully vaccinated. The statistics illustrate what Premier Gladys Berejikilan, her right-hand woman Dr Kerry Chant, and experts globally have been saying since the rollout of the vaccine: It is designed to keep you out of hospital. Anti-vaccination rhetoric has relied on the fact that people can still contract and pass on Covid even after the jab. Pictured: People queuing to receive their vaccine at the hub in Homebush KEY FACTS - 93 per cent of Covid cases in NSW were in unvaccinated people - Six per cent of Covid cases in NSW were in partially vaccinated people - Of 53 Covid patients in intensive care, 96 per cent are unvaccinated - The other four per cent are partially vaccinated - There have been no Covid deaths during this outbreak in fully vaccinated people Advertisement But studies show those who do catch Covid after they've been vaccinated are far less likely to have a severe case or die. They're also less likely to transmit the virus, though it is still possible. When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a roadmap out of repeated lockdowns last week, he made clear that high vaccination rates remain the key. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation's latest advice states that increased transmissibility of the Delta variant outweighs any minor risks associated with the AstraZeneca jab. 'In a large outbreak, the benefits of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are greater than the risk of rare side effects for all age groups,' the advice states. 'ATAGI reiterates that all adults in greater Sydney should strongly consider the benefits of earlier protection with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca rather than waiting for alternative vaccines.' Six Australians have died as a result of developing blood clots after receiving their AstraZeneca jab, out of about 12.3million doses administered. Far-right British pundit Katie Hopkins claims Australia is in a 'dark place' with Covid lockdowns after she was fined and deported for arrogantly flouting hotel quarantine rules. Hopkins was paid $200,000 and flown to Sydney by Channel Seven to appear on Australian Big Brother VIP, of which she is a former winner back home in Britain. But she was booted out of the show and kicked out of the country with a $1,000 fine after posting a bizarre video detailing her plans to break quarantine. They included refusing to wear a mask and surprising staff by opening her door while stark naked when they delivered her food. But now safely back in the UK after being frogmarched to the airport, Hopkins hit out at Australia's coronavirus strategy in a new video on YouTube on Monday. The personality, who has previously called Covid lockdowns 'the greatest hoax in human history, continues to take on Australia's stay-at-home orders since arriving back in the UK 'An Australian update from me Katie Hopkins,' the controversial anti-lockdown campaigner begins while siting in front of a mashup of the US and British flags. 'I think I can safely say from very personal experience that Australia is in a very dark place indeed,' she continued. 'The different premiers of the different states seem to be competing as to who can treat their citizens the most harshly.' Hopkins claimed state premiers had reverted the country back to a 'penal colony' with lockdowns in four states since her departure. She in particular slammed Sydney's 'never-ending' lockdown, restrictions on shopping, exercising, and compulsory social distancing in the four-minute tirade. Television personality Katie Hopkins has responded to her deportation from Australia by taking aim at the state's premiers who she claims have reverted the country back to a 'penal colony' The social commentator then turned her attention to Queensland and criticised the state government for calling a lockdown over fewer than 20 cases. Hopkins said while the premiers were competing on who can be the toughest, there was one thing on which they agreed. The TV personality said state leaders agreed the way out of the lockdown was with a vaccine, citing Gladys Berejiklian's target of six million jabs by the end of August. She said the NSW premier was only willing to release residents from the stay-at-home orders after half her state rolled up their sleeves for a jab. Hopkins went express outrage over helicopters hovering above peoples' homes in western Sydney to ensure they remained at their home address. She then tried to compare Australia's 'stringent' lockdown with the second amendment in the US that gives Americans' the right to keep and bear arms. 'This couldn't happen in America,' she explained. Hopkins was here to take part in Channel 7's Big Brother VIP but was dropped and deported from the country after her comments while in hotel quarantine led to a huge backlash Ms Hopkins slammed Greater Sydney's 'never-ending' lockdown and restrictions on shopping, exercising and social distancing in a four-minute tirade she uploaded to YouTube on Monday 'This can't happen in states that uphold their second amendment because you couldn't just send police and the army door-to-door to check if people are imprisoned in their own homes against their will.' Hopkins said the amendment gave citizen's freedoms to defend their own homes. The Covid sceptic also vented her outrage that her 'friends at Sky News' were banned from YouTube for a week for 'speaking things that go against the government narrative'. YouTube blocked the Australian TV channel after 'numerous' videos violated the tech giant's medical misinformation policies. Sky News promoted content that denied the existence of Covid-19 and spruiked controversial treatments that aren't backed by science. Hopkins instead claimed the ban was used to scare producers and media channels into becoming more compliant in the kind of Covid-19 content they posted. 'And of course, I guess I'm an example of that as well,' Hopkins said. 'Don't speak out, or we will deport your a**.' The commentator concluded her monologue by questioning who could challenge Australia's political leaders if certain individuals and media channels were not allowed to speak on the 'dark direction' Australia was heading in. 'Is this really still a functioning democracy or is this more of a dictatorship? And has Australia really got freedom for its citizens?' she asked. 'Has Australia reverted to being a penal colony where the prisoners are in fact Australians themselves?' The scathing tirade comes after Hopkins blasted Australian authorities on Instagram and attempted to spark a 'free Australia' viral trend. 'I will not relent. I will not back down. I will not apologise. Australians must be set free. #FreeAustralia,' she wrote on several Instagram posts last week. Katie Hopkins has tried to claim her humiliating deportation from Australia as a victory, telling her supporters on Instagram she will never be 'silenced' after being sent back to the UK for joking about breaching hotel quarantine in Sydney Hopkins was here to take part in Channel 7's Big Brother VIP but her comments while in hotel quarantine led to a huge backlash. The personality, who has previously called Covid lockdowns 'the greatest hoax in human history, continues to take on Australia's stay-at-home orders as a cause since being kicked out of Australia. She was deported after publicly claiming she taunted hotel security by answering the door naked while not wearing a mask during her mandatory 14-day quarantine in Sydney. 'The police officer who checked me in told me when they knock on my door I have to wait 30 seconds until I can open the door,' she said in an Instagram Live video while breaking out into hysterics. Hopkins said she was 'lying in wait' to 'spring [the door] open and frighten the s*** out of them and do it naked with no face mask.' The controversial British social commentator boarded a Singapore Airlines flight from Sydney on July 19 after her 'critical skills' visa was torn up by the Federal Government and she was fined $1,000 (536) for the hotel room incident. She continues try and claim her humiliating deportation as a victory, also telling her supporters she will never be 'silenced'. Hopkins rose to fame after starring on The Apprentice in the UK in 2007 and is known for her contentious views on race, sex, class, obesity and migration. Hopkins rose to fame after starring on The Apprentice in the UK in 2007 and is known for her contentious views on race, sex, class, obesity and migration Meanwhile, Sydney's long-awaited path to freedom out of lockdown will hinge on an ambitious target of six million jabs in arms across NSW by the end of August. Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday flagged Australia's largest city could start opening up in stages as the state recorded another 199 cases of Covid-19 overnight, including 50 who were infectious in the community. Queensland's latest Covid outbreak of the Indian delta variant continues to grow, with 16 new cases of community transmission announced on Tuesday morning. Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the threshold for lifting the lockdown next Sunday at 4pm would be the number of cases in quarantine. 'On Sunday, we will want to have seen that any new cases that have been coming up have been in quarantine for their full infectious period.' Booze bus-style police checkpoints will be set up across south-east Queensland to enforce the region's lockdown as the state's Covid-19 outbreak continues to grow. Queensland Police said the checkpoints would appear randomly in Brisbane and the Gold Coast to catch anyone breaking strict stay-at-home orders. The state recorded another 16 cases of the virus on Tuesday as 11 local government areas endure a snap seven-day lockdown to slow the spread of the highly-contagious Delta variant. Residents in those LGAs can only go out if they have an essential reason and must not travel more than 10km for exercise. RBT-style police checkpoints will be set up across south-east Queensland to monitor the region's snap lockdown. Pictured is a similar roadside check in Sydney on Saturday to prevent protesters from gathering in the CBD to rally against the city's lockdown 'Most Queenslanders are doing the right thing but a portion of the community think they can do what they want,' Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said on Tuesday. 'We'll start RBT-type stops at intersections to check if people are out for a valid reason.' The fine for breaking an emergency health order in Queensland is $1,378, while residents face a $260 penalty for failing to wear a mask. Mr Gollschewski said motorists in the region would have nothing to fear if they are 'doing the right thing'. 'If you know you are doing the wrong thing and you do not try to change your behaviour, there are serious consequences,' he said. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young meanwhile urged Queenslanders in the southeast to stay home until the hard lockdown ends on Sunday. Pedestrians wearing masks in Brisbane on Sunday. Eleven local government areas including the Queensland capital are enduring a snap seven-day lockdown to slow the spread of the highly-contagious Delta variant 'Please don't move the virus,' Dr Young said. 'So wherever you are in those 11 LGAs, if you can at all, just stay put so that that virus then doesn't move, because we know that there are people out there who could have been infected, who have no symptoms. 'So the best way to deal with someone who has no symptoms is that they just stay at home. That's why lockdowns work, because we know that the virus can burn out. So please just stay at home.' Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young urged residents in the state's southeast to stay home until the hard lockdown ends on Sunday Brisbane schools continue to be the focus of the latest outbreak, with one new case linked to Indooroopilly State High School, two cases linked to Brisbane Girls' Grammar School and three new cases linked to Ironside State High School. Five new cases are household or family contacts of already confirmed cases. Another was a neighbour of a known case. The new cases bring the number of active cases linked to the current outbreak to 47. FOX News host Tucker Carlson slammed former President Barack Obama in his episode Monday night, claiming that the former president is skirting Centers for Disease Control guidance by hosting an extravagant birthday party with 500 guests. The former president is set to turn 60 on August 4, and is said to be planning a large soiree at his 7,000-square-foot mansion in the Edgarton section of Martha's Vineyard next weekend. An official familiar with the plans told Axios that there are 475 confirmed guests for the party - including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg - with more than 200 staff members. The CDC, however, recommends that people hold large gatherings virtually. 'So it turns out Martha's Vineyard is exempt from the new COVID rules,' Carlson said on his episode Monday night. FOX News host Tucker Carlson claimed former President Barack Obama was skirting CDC rules by planning to have nearly 500 people at his birthday party in Martha's Vineyard The host later brought on Mark Steyn, a conservative author, who claimed people are surprisingly OK with global leaders having these types of parties while also limiting gatherings He later said former First Lady Michelle Obama previously claimed she was oppressed, 'but when she's at home, she goes big, for she and her husband, the king of the Democratic Party, he's turning 60, so naturally they're celebrating with 200 servants.' He jokingly asked whether elephants would be brought in and asked what CDC Director Rochelle Walensky would think about Obama's plans. 'Talk about a super-spreader event,' Carlson said, before introducing Mark Steyn, a conservative author, to further discuss the plans for the party - especially the fact that 200 staff members would be on hand. Steyn joked that he did not mind the large amount of staff members, saying they would be the most diverse group at the party. 'We're basically back to medieval Europe, where it's the same 400 people who go to all the parties,' he said. 'As you know, Obama's got Oprah and George Clooney, just as Oprah and George Clooney went to Harry and Meghan's wedding, even though they never met either of them. 'I mean you have to feel sorry for George and Oprah,' he continued, 'just going to the parties of people you don't know is a really sad and miserable existence.' 'But I have to say, when you look at this, 500 guests, 200 fawning footmen and under butlers, what's interesting to me is the way that people are actually perfectly happy with this,' Steyn said, adding: 'A disturbing number of people are quite happy to be subjects. 'They say "Oh yeah, I couldn't go to granny's 90th birthday, but it's perfectly fine for Barack Obama to have 500 people because our rulers are so much better than us.' Carlson replied that he agreed, and said: 'The fierce egalitarian spirit of American society is dying and that's our fault.' The former president is turning 60 on August 4 and is planning a soiree at his Martha's Vineyard home The party is said to include a performance by Pearl Jam, seen here at a concert in 2018 The party will be held outside the Obamas' 7,000-square-foot home in Edgarton he and former first lady Michelle bought in 2019 for nearly $12 million (pictured) The ex-president is requiring all guests to be COVID tested and vaccinated. The party will be held outdoors on the Obama's $12 billion 30-acre waterfront property and a 'COVID coordinator' will be on hand to ensure all proper protocols are being followed. It remains unclear what proof of a negative COVID test or a vaccine will be required, and whether guests will be required to wear masks. In an interview with CNN, though, Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said Sunday on CNN that big parties should be avoided. 'If you're talking about a small party like I might have at my house for six or eight people who are all fully vaccinated, I do not believe, at this point, we need to put masks on to be next to each other,' he said. 'But if there were 100 people, and, of course, how are you really going to be sure about people's vaccination status?' The Obamas' spent some of their time in quarantine at the Martha's Vineyard property As news of the party broke, some people took to Twitter to call the party irresponsible in light of a recent resurgence in COVID cases in nearby Provincetown. The New York Times reports that the community, at the tip of Cape Cod, was crowded with over 60,000 people, many of whom were maskless, during the July 4 holiday. Officials did not worry about it, however, as the community had one of the highest vaccination rates in the state. But since then, scientists have traced 965 cases to the gatherings, 238 of them involving Provincetown residents. Fortunately, only seven people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. 'Based on the recent outbreak on Cape Cod, this just isn't safe,' Greg Pollowitz tweeted on August 1. 'Obama must cancel his birthday party.' Another user, with the handle @TheLesson55, wrote that he has 'tremendous respect for Barack Obama. 'He stirs my soul when he speaks about America,' the twitter user wrote. 'But I think he made a bad call on his upcoming birthday party in Martha's Vineyard, even though it will be outdoors. 'It's very dangerous and a bad visual that the GOP will leverage relentlessly.' A Trump supporter also questioned why Obama was able to throw such an extravagant party 'but the open border that brings in an entire city population each month isn't cause for concern.' And Beth Baumann tweeted about the apparent hypocrisy in what events had been allowed and which ones weren't. As news of Obama's party broke, some took to Twitter to call it irresponsible amidst a resurgence in COVID cases Obama's party will take place next weekend at the $11.57 million seven-bedroom home he and Michelle bought in 2019, which includes an in-ground pool and plenty of space to relax on warm summer days. The party will also feature a performance by Pearl Jam. A spokesperson for the former first family told The Sun the guest list 'includes a number of family members and friends to mark the occasion,' but The Hill reports guests include Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg. President Joe Biden will not be attending the soiree, the White House announced, with a spokesperson telling Axios in a statement: 'While President Biden is unable to attend this weekend, he looks forward to catching up with former President Obama soon ad properly welcoming him into the over 60 club.' A local hairdresser was also reportedly hired to style one of the Pearl Jam member's hair before their big performance. In lieu of gifts, Axios reports, guests are being asked to 'consider giving to programs that work to support boys and young men of color, and their families here at home in the United States, empower adolescent girls around the world and equip the next generation of emerging community leaders.' The party is reportedly being paid for by the Obamas' personal funds. A US Army sergeant is thought to be the first Christian in the service to receive a religious exemption to skip the crew cut and grow his hair out. On July 25, Sgt. Jacob DiPietro of the Florida Army Reserve's 489th Transportation Company received the go ahead from his superiors that he could officially grow his hair in religious observance. 'In observance with your Christian faith, you may wear uncut hair in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards provided in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1,' a memo to DiPietro from Lieutenant General Gary M. Brito, the head of Army personnel read. 'You may grow your hair in accordance with the standards for long hair set forth in AR 670-1.' Sgt. Jacob DiPietros is thought to be the first Christian in the service to receive a religious exemption to skip the crew cut and grow his hair out. He was first granted permission to grow out his beard last year (he is pictured in May 2021) but had to wait until this year for permission to grow out his hair It capped a two-year effort on the soldier's part after he put in his initial request for the exemption. DiPietro observes the Christian Nazarite vow from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament, according to Task & Purpose, which states that, 'no razor may be used on their head.' In the New Testament, John the Baptist and Paul are known to have taken the Nazarite vow, which also calls forbids alcohol consumption, according to Christianity.com. DiPietro wasn't always a Nazerite, however. He joined the Army in 2010 on the day he turned 18. He said he had known he would join the military upon witnessing the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when he was in third grade. DiPietro's request languished for two years in Pentagon bureaucracy. While he was granted the exemption to grow his beard out early on, he did not get the go-ahead to grow his hair out until last week 'That seed was planted early in my life, he told Task & Purpose. 'I knew what I was going to do.' He said he enjoyed his service, where he worked as a cargo specialist for several years, until he returned home from deployment in Kuwait in 2017, and went through a dark period in his home life. He had gotten married to a women he had been dating for years, but when she became pregnant with their first child, she left him. That was when he said he turned to prayer. 'I noticed that by praying, I found strength,' he said. 'By finding strength, I was able to keep fighting these personal battles of mine.' Finally, he received a memo from Lt. General Gary Brito head of Army personnel in his email inbox on July 25 with the go ahead to grow his hair out He enrolled in classes for a degree in business administration, which he is scheduled to receive this week, and found he was feeling better. DiPietro said he wanted to give back, and came across the inspiration when he was reading the Bible and came across the passage containing the Nazarite vow. 'I said, "Oh, this is it,"' he recalled. 'I just felt utterly compelled that this is what I was being called to do.' In 2019 DiPietro spoke to his unit chaplain of his decision, who then passed it along to his immediate superiors, who he said were supportive of the decision. When it went to the top brass, things started getting more difficult. His first request was kicked back, with officials saying it was formatted incorrectly. Then, in June, 2020 he received an email from a Pentagon official saying the beard portion of DiPietro's request had been approved, but not the hair portion, and he would have to pursue it separately. In 2016, Air Force Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan was one of the first in the branch to be given a waiver to shave his beard for religious reasons By March, 2021, however, DiPietro had yet to hear back, and began asking around to chaplains he knew worked in the Pentagon. Finally, four months later he got his approval. DiPietro is not the first US service member to receive a religious hair exemption. Sikh's, Muslims, as well as a Norse Pagan, have been allowed to grow out their hair in recent years. In 2016, Air Force Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan was one of the first in the branch to be given a waiver to shave his beard for religious reasons when it issued new guidance on religious accommodations. For DiPietro, despite getting the exemption, he said the ordeal soured him on the service. 'There are things that I see and I dont like like the way soldiers are treated when they seek an exception to policy while following Army regulation,' he said. 'If a soldier is following the rules as set by the Army, they should absolutely be free from harassment discrimination. I feel like theres still a culture that is, truthfully, fearful and hating towards that which is different.' As a result, he said, he says he'll likely leave the service when his contract is up next year. He had originally planned to remain in the Army for 20 years. But those who do not have religious reasons to skip out on shaving or buzzing their head he said, 'If youre trying to fleece the system because you just dont want to shave, or you just want to grow your hair out, Im telling you now: Its not gonna work.' Queensland's chief health officer has suddenly changed her tune on young people getting the AstraZeneca vaccine as the state's Delta variant outbreak surges. Dr Jeannette Young has long insisted only those aged over 60 should line up to get the AstraZeneca vaccine - despite Australian government advice recently shifting. Even on Monday, Dr Young stood by her position that younger Queenslanders should wait for Pfizer or Moderna because of a rare risk of clotting illnesses. 'I said I didn't want 18 year olds to have AstraZeneca -- and I still don't. Even now,' she said. She then nominated 60 as an appropriate age to get the Oxford University-designed vaccine. But Dr Young appeared to shift away from her harsh previous stance on Tuesday, as the state reported 16 further cases of the highly infectious Indian Delta strain. A reporter asked: 'Should young people be talking with their doctors now about getting AstraZeneca?' Dr Jeannette Young (above) has taken a strident tone against AstraZeneca but her advice appeared to shift on Tuesday as Queensland's Covid cluster grows to 47 cases Dr Young responded: 'Now is the time that people who are under the age 60 should be talking to their GP about what is best for them as an individual. 'GPs know their patients and know what advice to give them'. The softening of her position came as her advice to Queenslanders on Monday was contradicted by the Federal government's acting top medical official. Dr Michael Kidd told reporters that southeast Queensland was in a 'large outbreak' situation. Therefore, 'the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca are greater than the risk of rare side effects occurring, in all age groups,' Dr Kidd said. The Federal government's technical advisory group on immunisations (ATAGI) has urged any Australian who don't have access to Pfizer to 're-assess' getting an AZ jab. Dr Young on Tuesday pointed to that advice in making her comments. 'The ATAGI advice said that when we reach a large outbreak - which I think that we're on the verge of (and) I suspect it will become larger, that is the time to discuss that with your GP,' she said of people receiving AstraZeneca. The shift came as the state's Health Minister Yvette D'Ath enthusiastically welcomed a promise of an additional 150,000 AstraZeneca vaccines from the Federal Government this week. 'We will take them and more,' Ms D'Ath said. Queensland Health's longstanding position on AstraZeneca has cut a sharp contrast with New South Wales's in recent weeks. A jogger wears a mask during her run around Brisbane earlier this week. South-east Queensland's lockdown is due to run until least Sunday NSW authorities have urged all residents aged over 18 to go and get AstraZeneca, given people under 40 are mostly likely to contract and spread the virus. 'The health advice for Greater Sydney has changed in relation to AstraZeneca,' Ms Berejiklian said. 'All adults can come forward and get the AstraZeneca vaccine. If anyone has concerns they can go to their GP.' Queensland's contact tracers have been focused on Brisbane schools with the latest outbreak. One new case was linked to Indooroopilly State High School, two cases linked to Brisbane Girls' Grammar School and three new cases linked to Ironside State High School. Long queues are seen at a Metro South Health clinic at Capalaba, Brisbane, recently Five new cases are household or family contacts of already confirmed cases. Another was a neighbour of a known case. The new cases, calculated from 34,178 tests, bring the number of active cases linked to the current outbreak to 47. Deputy Premier Steven Miles said hours at Queensland testing sites would be extended and new sites would be opened up. Dr Young said the threshold for lifting the state's lockdown next Sunday at 4pm would be the number of cases in quarantine. 'On Sunday, we will want to have seen that any new cases that have been coming up have been in quarantine for their full infectious period.' An Australian teacher has been raped and murdered while hiking in Eastern Europe, with her terrifying final moments heard by a friend over the phone. Shanae Brooke Edwards, 31, was hiking Mount Mtatsminda alone above Tbiilsi, Georgia, when she was ambushed on Friday and her body found the next day. Ms Edwards was on a call to a friend in the US while trekking when she was heard shouting 'take your hands off me' - before the call cut out. Shanae Brooke Edwards, 31, was hiking Mount Mtatsminda alone above Tbiilsi, Georgia, when she was ambushed on Friday and her body found the next day Ms Edwards was on a call to a friend in the US while trekking when she was heard shouting 'take your hands off me' - before the call cut out Ms Edwards called the friend moments earlier, who heard her pleading 'please let me go, ok just let me go'. She was seen on CCTV footage leaving her apartment at 3.35pm on Friday with her hair tied up, wearing a black hiking outfit and carrying a green bag. That afternoon, one local woman posted on an expats Facebook group that she heard 'a woman screaming at the trails under Mtatsminda Park' about an hour after Ms Edwards had left home. Mtatsminda Park is a booming tourist park with several adventure rides on top of Mount Mtatsminda. Another woman wrote in the same group claiming to have witnessed a disturbing sight on the mountain about the same time Ms Edwards went missing. She claimed to have seen a man having 'aggressive' sex with a woman about 50m away, while her and her partner were walking 'exactly one day before the missing expat'. Ms Edwards has been remembered as a kind and caring person with a love of adventure and animals. Her death is being treated as a premeditated murder by the Georgian authorities Ms Edwards went missing after being attacked on Mount Mtatsminda near Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, where she had been teaching English. Her body was discovered after an overnight search below Mtatsminda Park, which is on top of the mountain Ms Edwards' phone was tracked to Mtatsminda Park, a booming tourist funpark on top of the mountain she was hiking when she was attacked and murdered. A tram leading up the mountain is pictured above Others urged her to report what she saw to police, while several reported separate incidents of harassment by one or more men in the same area previously. Members of the group helped to organise a search for Ms Edwards following the call. Her phone was tracked to the Mtatsminda Park but early searches proved fruitless. Ms Edwards' body was retrieved from near a mountain trail by a searchers including police with rescue dogs, volunteers and her friends, on Saturday. She had been teaching English in the former Soviet republic for two years and travelling the world since 2016, when she left Melbourne. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia launched an investigation into her death, which is being treated as a premeditated murder. Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri told local media the suspect was believed to be a Georgian national - although that person was not yet in custody. 'The ministry and police officers are doing their best to find the murderer We [the Ministry of Internal Affairs] have some information, though I can not talk about it due to the interests of the investigation,' he said. Ms Edwards posted a photo of herself on a mountain with the caption 'Joy' on Instagram on Thursday. Ms Edwards' final Instagram post, of her on a motorbike on July 29, was captioned 'Joy' Ms Edwards, from Melbourne, had been teaching English for two years in the former Soviet republic of Georgia and was known to have climbed Mount Mtatsminda above Tbilisi before she was murdered She volunteered with various causes in Melbourne including with homeless people and was a passionate animal lover, having rescued stray cats in Australia and Europe. Dozens of tributes to the 'kind' and 'adventurous' Ms Edwards flooded social media this week, many with memories from around the world as she travelled. Many remembered how she helped them find their feet in a foreign country when they arrived, or how they met her when she moved in. Elina Osmanova, posted a video of Ms Edwards after she adopted a cat and her kittens, saying she had cut short a holiday to care for them. 'She was that kind of person. Loving and caring. I miss her so much,' she wrote. Dozens of tributes to the 'kind' and 'adventurous' Ms Edwards flooded social media this week, many with memories from around the world as she travelled Ms Edwards was travelling the world since 2016, when she left Melbourne Ms Edwards had volunteered in Melbourne. Her body was retrieved by a team of volunteer searchers, including her friends, on Saturday July 31 Another post called for help in taking care of and finding homes for a female street cat and her four kittens Ms Edwards was looking after. 'Shanae helped this cat that came to her house to give a birth. She let the furry family stay for a few months till the kittens grew a bit,' they wrote. 'She taught them to go to cat's toilet, vaccinated and treated from parasites all of them, and neutered the mom cat. 'Her friends know how she loved them!' Lina Kha posted to Instagram that Ms Edwards was 'one of the truest people I ever known. The warmest friend anyone can ever find'. 'I never told you how dear you were to me... You didn't deserve to go like this, but I'm glad I had a chance to spend some moments with you,' she wrote. 'You are forever in my mind. Anytime I'd ride a bike and play in my head Taking a Ride With My Best Friend by Depeche. 'Anytime I'd see an adorable Georgian house, anytime I'd stand on a top of a hill and see beautiful nature - I'd see you.' Tributes for the kind and adventurous Shanae Brooke Edwards have flooded social media since her brutal murder Shanae Edwards was described as fun loving, adventurous and caring in tributes posted to social media since her murder 'Shanae was always up for an adventure, so kind-hearted to those around her, full of laughter and a shining light. I lack the words to fully express what I feel, however I only have love for her,' Sarah Richards wrote. Another friend, Natalie Curro, described her as 'selfless, caring and tough as nails'. Mr Gomelauri confirmed there were reports of women being followed by men in Mtatsminda Park, but denied they had been assaulted. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said it was was providing consular assistance to Ms Edwards' family. 'The Australian government offers its deepest condolences to the family of an Australian woman whose death is being investigated by authorities in Tbilisi, Georgia,' a DFAT statement read. A backpacker is fighting for life after falling from a verandah in Queensland. Police are investigating after the woman fell several meters from a terrace in Brisbane's CBD, believed to be a backpacker's hostel. Emergency services were called to the Eagle Terrace and Quay street address just after 11:45 am. Police are investigating after a woman fell from a terrace in a Brisbane CBD backpacker's hostel (stock image) Paramedics performed CPR on the patient for some time at the scene. The woman was transported in a critical condition to hospital. The circumstances around the fall are not known however it is understood the woman fell from a small verandah at the hostel. Police are set to continue investigating the incident as they work to determine how the person fell. The U.S.. State Department had been criticized for its 'tepid' response in its investigation into 'Havana Syndrome' that has left around 100 CIA officers and family members, and some 200 U.S. officials sickened by a mysterious set of ailments that include migraines and dizziness. Dozens of U.S. diplomats and other officials, including CIA officers, have been afflicted by 'Havana Syndrome,' so named because it first was reported by officials assigned to the U.S. embassy in Cuba. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in June that a government-wide review was underway into who or what caused suspected radio frequency attacks 'directed' at diplomats. The illnesses have been dubbed the 'Havana syndrome' after American diplomats were first targeted in Havana, Cuba Since it was first reported in 2016 roughly 200 US diplomats, intelligence officers and others have experienced symptoms consistent with 'Havana Syndrome' Since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January, roughly two dozen intelligence officers, diplomats and other officials in Vienna have reported symptoms similar to those of Havana syndrome, making it the second-biggest hotspot after Havana, but so far, the feeling is that the State Department has been 'tepid' in moving forward with the investigation. The lackluster response is now causing some diplomats to shun moving to new postings around the globe. Some foreign service officers have deciding against taking jobs overseas because they are worried they could become the 'Havana Syndrome's' next targets, reports CNN. 'For the most part we don't know anything other than what is in the press,' said one US diplomat to the network. 'It is difficult for people to make informed decisions about where to serve.' As early as 2014, the National Security Agency (NSA) said in a memo to one intelligence officer who said he had suffered possible symptoms that an unnamed 'hostile country' to which the official traveled in the late 1990s had a 'high powered microwave system weapon that may have the ability to weaken, intimidate or kill an enemy over time and without leaving evidence.' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in June that a government-wide review was underway into who or what caused suspected radio frequency attacks 'directed' at diplomats The weapon believed to cause Havana Syndrome is said to be a smaller version of this 1990s Soviet microwave generator, which is kept at the University of New Mexico The memo said intelligence indicated that such a weapon was 'designed to bathe a target's living quarters in microwaves, causing numerous physical effects, including a damaged nervous system.' Seven years on and the State Department's approach still appeared to be very 'hands off' despite Blinken promising to open an investigation and to meet with any of the State Department victims. The suspected directed-energy attacks have baffled US investigators who are working to determine who and what is causing them since they first began in Cuba. In May reports emerged that some US officials suspect Russia's infamous foreign intelligence agency - the GRU - could be the culprit. A U.S. military officer based in a country with a large Russian presence also says he felt like his head was going to explode during one incident where he was found to have been near a G.R.U. vehicle. Marc Polymeropoulos, a 26-year CIA veteran who was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury following a 2017 visit to Russia Diplomat Mark Lenzi, 45, left, was stationed in Guangzhou in 2017, when he developed unexplained symptoms, including headaches, memory loss and trouble sleeping. His neighbor Catherine Werner, right, also fell ill Matthew Pottinger, pictured, another former deputy national-security adviser, said: 'This is Russia's M.O.' What is 'Havana Syndrome'? The problem has been labeled the 'Havana Syndrome,' because the first cases affected personnel in 2016 at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. At least 130 cases across the government are now under investigation, up from several dozen last year, according to a U.S. defense official who was not authorized to discuss details publicly. The National Security Council is leading the investigation. People who are believed to have been affected have reported headaches, dizziness and symptoms consistent with concussions, with some requiring months of medical treatment. Some have reported hearing a loud noise before the sudden onset of symptoms. Investigators believe there are at least four cases involving Trump White House officials. Advocates for those affected accuse the U.S. government of long failing to take the problem seriously or provide the necessary medical care and benefits. US senators said last month that the government is investigating an apparent increase in the mysterious directed-energy attacks. Symptoms include; -hearing loss -severe headaches -memory issues -dizziness -brain injury Advertisement Last month former CIA officer and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Marc Polymeropolous claimed that he was zapped by one of the attacks while visiting a Moscow hotel room in 2017 and blamed it for destroying his career, as well as debilitating headaches that he continues to suffer from. In October last year it was reported how diplomat Mark Lenzi, 45, was stationed in Guangzhou, China, in 2017, when he developed unexplained symptoms, including headaches, memory loss and trouble sleeping. His neighbor Catherine Werner also fell ill and fellow US official Robyn Garfield was evacuated from Shanghai with his family in June 2018 Charles Kupperman, former deputy national-security adviser, and John Bolton, Trump's national-security adviser, both believe the syndrome is real, The New Yorker reports. Matthew Pottinger, another former deputy national-security adviser, said: 'This is Russia's M.O.' A senior National Security Council official who fell near the White House said he made it to hospital in a cab where he was told he may have suffered a 'massive migraine'. He was later contacted by a colleague, who told him about the so called 'Havana Syndrome'. The Biden administration is facing new pressure to resolve the mystery with lawmakers from both parties, as well as those believed to be affected, are demanding answers. But scientists and government officials are not yet certain about who might have been behind any attacks, if the symptoms could have been caused inadvertently by surveillance equipment - or if the incidents were actually attacks. Whatever an official review concludes could have enormous consequences. People who are believed to have been affected have reported headaches, dizziness and symptoms consistent with concussions, with some requiring months of medical treatment. Some have reported hearing a loud noise before the sudden onset of symptoms. Diplomats say they are not even being given the most basic information such as the numbers of those affected nor the locations of such 'attacks'. Diplomats want to know what measured the State Department is putting in place to prevent families from returning to apartment or office buildings where incidents have been reported in the past. The United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. The problem has been labeled the 'Havana Syndrome,' because the first cases affected personnel in 2016 at the embassy, pictured There are also concerns over what the department is doing to ensure that they and their families are not sent back into buildings or apartments where health incidents have been reported previously. State Department officials are claiming that it is about balance with concerns over sharing data about the incidents whilst also preventing any scaremongering and over-hyping the issue. The complete lack information other than what has been reported in the press is leading to rumors circulating whereby as and when job positions abroad become vacant, diplomats are trying to work out if the vacancy was as a result of a medical issue such as 'Havana Syndrome.' 'When you are going to a high threat post you know that diplomatic security will keep you informed as to what the threats are, and that they will take every possible step to mitigate those threats. In this situation the threat is not clear and mitigation isn't either,' said a second diplomat. Rowdy Australian Olympians were 'wrestling' when they smashed a hole through the wall of their village rooms, while others were caught 'mingling' with athletes from other countries. Officials have disciplined members of the Australian men's rowing and rugby teams for their involvement in wild post-Games celebrations on the weekend that saw rooms completely destroyed and soaked in vomit. The Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic team confirmed the string of breaches from Australian athletes including the wild party and illegal interaction with other countries' athletes. 'Yes, there was a hole in the wall,' Ian Chesterman said. 'Some big people were wrestling and these are some flimsy temporary walls so I don't think he had to do much actually.' Rowdy Australian Olympians were 'wrestling' when they smashed a hole through the wall of their village rooms, while others were caught 'mingling' with athletes from other countries. Pictured is Australia's HQ in the Olympic Village An illegal party that was held in the park of the Olympic Village was initially cleared as having no Aussies present, but a different gathering did see many 'mingling'. 'On Saturday night there was a similar mingling,' Chesterman said. 'Afterwards we became aware of that and that a few of our athletes had been mixing with other athletes not in the heat of the party but in places outside of our direct allotment. 'That's clearly something we don't encourage.' The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed there were 10 Aussie athletes that were illegally 'mingling' with athletes from other countries at a party on Saturday night. The 10 were immediately told to be tested and isolate until they received their result following their participation. Officials have disciplined members of the Australian men's rowing and rugby teams for their involvement in wild post-Games celebrations on the weekend that saw rooms completely destroyed and soaked in vomit (pictured is one of the rooms used for athletes in the Olympic Village in Tokyo) 'We brought that small group into our procedures, tested them, proved they were (negative) non-infectious and they've rejoined the group,' Chesterman said. 'That was just a very, very small number of athletes out of the total cohort. It was a very minor offence, I've not taken any disciplinary action, none was necessary. 'They understood that what they did was not according to the Australian playbook. 'But nonetheless it didn't lead me to any great concern.' Horrified Olympic Village cleaners reportedly found wrecked rooms covered in vomit after the two nights of drink-fuelled celebrations, sparking complaints from other athletes. The party came as the rowing and rugby teams completed their Tokyo competitions and prepared to fly home the following day. Horrified Olympic Village cleaners reportedly found wrecked with vomit after the two nights of drunken celebrations, sparking complaints from other athletes But the traditional celebrations on Friday and Saturday nights are said to have gone beyond acceptable limits while the Olympic Village is in Covid lockdown. Under the strict restrictions, drinking is only allowed in athletes' rooms and no socialising is permitted. But the Australian Olympic Commitee admitted the men's teams went too far. 'A few individuals did leave their rooms in a messy and unacceptable state prior to departing back to Australia,' an AOC spokesman told the Daily Telegraph. 'Two apartments had minor damage, one each involving athletes from the men's rowing and rugby teams. 'The CEOs of both organisations have apologised to the AOC and have made their own enquiries into the athletes' behaviour.' Athletes have been rushed out the country following the end of all their events at Tokyo 2020 under Covid restrictions in a bid to minimise any possible outbreaks. As a result, there have been many athletes trying to fit in their celebrations at the end of years of training and dedication throughout the two weeks of the Olympics. Under strict Covid restrictions, drinking is only allowed in athletes' rooms and no socialising is permitted. Seen here is a general view of the Olympic Village where athletes are living Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman defended the overall conduct of the Aussie stars in Japan. 'Let's be clear, the vast majority of athletes have absolutely done the right thing through their stay and been model citizens both on and off the field of play,' he said. 'A few have let themselves down and, as we have high standards, the matters were reported to the national federations and they will deal with those athletes involved. 'It has all been appropriately dealt with and we have put the matter behind us here. I continue to be happy impressed by the behaviour and spirit of this team.' The man accused of dealing the deadly drug ice with reality TV star Brynne Edelsten is facing a further five months behind bars - as she is set to appear in the upcoming series of SAS Australia. Leigh Ellis, 39, appeared in the Ringwood Magistrates' Court on Tuesday from behind bars where he has remained since he and Edelsten were arrested in May. Edelsten, who remains free in the community on bail, has declared she is innocent after she was charged with trafficking ice alongside Ellis. Leigh Ellis, 39, remains caged behind bars after allegedly being sprung dealing meth with the help of Brynne Edelsten Brynne Edelsten has declared she is innocent after she and another man were charged with trafficking ice Edelsten was granted bail and says she intends to fight the charges at her upcoming appearance at Ringwood Magistrates Court The 38-year-old, who will appear in Channel 7's upcoming SAS Australia, said she will fight the charges brought against her after police executed a search warrant at a Hazelwood Road property at Boronia, east of Melbourne, on May 11. The Melbourne socialite was arrested and charged with four offences, including trafficking methylamphetamine, possessing methylamphetamine, using methylamphetamine and dealing in property suspected of being the proceeds of crime. In July, Edelsten gave followers on social media some insight into her frame of mind. 'Anyone else guilty of going back to an ex that made their life hell?? I need to learn to follow my head again & not my heart. Some things never change & some people dont either. Time to focus on self-preservation again!!' she wrote. The court heard Ellis had an atrocious history of dealing methamphetamine and had spent much of last year in jail on similar trafficking charges. It remains unclear how Edelsten allegedly became involved with the unemployed drug loser, who has lived with his parents for the past five years. Dressed in green prison garb, Ellis sat quietly while his lawyer Tony Danos did the talking for him. The court heard police executed a search warrant on Ellis' Boronia property - east of Melbourne - where they confiscated a quantity of ice, an electric bike and other pharmaceutical drugs. Detectives also seized two mobile phones and an Ipad belonging to Ellis, which allegedly revealed extensive trafficking of methamphetamine, cannabis and Xanax to at least 10 individuals. Mr Danos claimed Ellis had been a 'functioning addict' for years before his addiction took over in 2016, when he lost his job as a pokie manager at Zagame's in Caulfield. Since then, Ellis has been picked up at least seven times for drug dealing, which has seen him jailed for most of last year. Leigh Ellis, 39, was allegedly dealing the deadly drug ice with Brynne Edelsten Edelsten is a well-known reality TV star who has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Splash and My Bedazzled Ellis had been serving an 18-month community corrections order when he was allegedly found peddling his evil trade with Edelsten in May. Mr Danos told Magistrate Michael Wighton drug dealing had not made his client rich. 'He's a drug dependent person ... he's not a wealthy person. He doesn't do it to make money,' he said. The court heard Ellis was merely providing the drugs to his mates to save them some money. 'He's the one that actually buys the methamphetamine, or whatever the drug is, and he then on sells it to his close group of friends,' Mr Danos said. 'He's not out there finding anyone and everyone to sell to. It just means that at the end, his drugs end up being a bit cheaper.' Ellis had hoped to walk from jail with time served and another community corrections order for his alleged offending. But Mr Wighton indicated such a sentence would not be suitable given Ellis' previous bad form. 'Mr Ellis' conduct has got him arrested at least seven times for trafficking in the last two years. This is pretty out of control behaviour from where I'm sitting,' he said. Brynne Edelsten was charged with drug dealing alongside Leigh Ellis She made headlines after publicly announcing her engagement to Geoffrey Edelsten on at Melbournes Crown Casino New Years Eve in 2008 Mr Wighton said Ellis would need to be specifically deterred from drug dealing in order to get the message through. 'He spent a good deal of last year in jail for trafficking in methamphetamines and other drugs,' he said. 'So I think imposing the exact same sentence as the last couple of times is just really not available.' Mr Wighton said he would have no choice but to jail Ellis for at least five months and another community order upon his release in the likelihood that he plead guilty to the charges. Ellis was cut-off from the videolink before he could provide an answer. 'We just lost him,' Mr Wighton exclaimed. 'These links are completely impossible for the court. They ruthlessly manage the time even to the point where it's adverse to the course of justice, but that's just a condition of Covid-19 situation that we don't have people before the court physically.' He will now return to court next week where he expected to plead guilty to the charges. Edelsten is a well-known reality TV star who has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Splash and My Bedazzled. She made headlines after publicly announcing her engagement to Geoffrey Edelsten at Melbourne's Crown Casino on New Year's Eve in 2008. The pair married one year later before they split in 2014. The unpaid legal fees from the messy divorce led Edelsten to bankruptcy in 2016. She is due to front court herself next week. Advertisement Residents trapped inside Australia's Covid ground zero are fed up with the toughest restrictions anywhere in the country. Sydney's south-west is the epicentre of the Delta outbreak, with pictures showing the frustration of only being allowed 5km from home and being forced to wear a face mask outside at all times as the Defence Force patrols the streets and police helicopters circle the skies. In Cabramatta, a white board expressed the mental anguish of many with the words: 'Lockdown is not working! Infection rates are high every day! Why are we still prisoner in our own homes?' The Fairfield council area also has Australia's highest number of coronavirus cases, with 952 recorded during the past four weeks in suburbs where three-quarters of people speak a language other than English at home. In Cabramatta's main mall, a white board expressed the mental anguish of many with the words: 'Lockdown is not working! Infection rates are high every day! Why are we still prisoner in our own homes?' The multicultural outer suburbs of Australia's biggest city are continuing to account for the vast majority of the new daily numbers, with New South Wales on Tuesday recording 199 new locally-acquired cases with 50 of them infectious in the community. Sydney's south-west also have the state's lowest vaccination rate with just 33.1 per cent of those aged 16 and over having received a first dose, compared with the national average of 41 per cent as of August 1. The proportion of fully-vaccinated people stood at just 14.6 per cent compared with 19.7 per cent nationally making it by far Australia's worst metropolitan immunisation rate, federal Department of Health data showed. In the more affluent North Shore of Sydney, 51.9 per cent of people have received one dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer, with 26.9 per cent having had two jabs. Sydney's south-west is the epicentre of the Delta outbreak, with pictures showing the frustration of only being allowed 5km from home and being forced to wear a face mask outside at all times as the Defence Force (pictured in Fairfield) patrols the streets Compared with south-west Sydney even the Richmond-Tweed area of northern NSW, covering the traditional anti-vaxxer hubs of Mullumbimby and Byron Bay, had a higher first dose vaccination rate of 39.7 per cent with 17.2 per cent fully vaccinated. Sydney's eastern suburbs, where the Delta outbreak began in June, had a higher-than-average first dose rate of 44.8 per cent with 23.9 per cent in the two-dose category. People in Sydney's south-west are also more likely to work in services jobs like taxi driving, ride sharing or construction site labouring, which means they can't work from home. In Fairfield, the worst affected council area, Vietnamese is most commonly-spoken language other than English, followed by Arabic, Census data showed. With daily case numbers stubbornly remaining in the triple digits, residents of the Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Georges River council zones are banned from leaving their local government area for work unless they are employed in health, aged care or critical services. Sydney's south-west (pictured is a woman in Fairfield) also have the state's lowest vaccination rate with just 33.1 per cent of those aged 16 and over having received a first dose, compared with the national average of 41 per cent as of August 1 NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has stressed at media conferences how she grew up in Punchbowl, in the Canterbury-Bankstown area. The Reserve Bank of Australia is now expecting national gross domestic product to shrink in the September quarter, marking the first three months of contraction since the Covid recession of 2020, as a result of the Sydney lockdowns. 'The economic outlook for the coming months is uncertain and depends upon the evolution of the health situation and the containment measures,' Governor Philip Lowe said. 'The recent outbreaks of the virus are interrupting the recovery and GDP is expected to decline in the September quarter.' With daily case numbers stubbornly remaining in the triple digits, residents of the Fairfield (pictured is a sign in Arabic and English), Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Georges River council zones are banned from leaving their local government area for work unless they are employed in health, aged care or critical services Gangs dubbed 'rural wraiths' are using e-scooters to sneak on to farms and steal GPS systems, insurance claims for which nearly doubled last year to 2.9 million, a rural insurer has said. Amid the coronavirus lockdowns last year, NFU Mutual said the total number of claims fell by 20 per cent to around 43.3 million in the UK. But the cost of claims linked to the theft of GPS systems and vehicles such as quad bikes and ATVs remained at more than 9 million, only a 2 per cent drop on 2019. This included claims for GPS systems which nearly doubled to 2.9 million, up from 1.5 million in 2019. DC Chris Piggott, from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, a police unit funded by businesses, said: 'Rural thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated to get round high levels of security on modern farm machinery. 'The pattern we are increasingly seeing is of gangs who patiently watch farms from a distance to discover where expensive tractor GPS kit is stored. Gangs dubbed 'rural wraiths' are using e-scooters to sneak on to farms and steal GPS systems 'They generally return at night to steal, and are now using silent electric scooters to get into farmyards undetected and make off at high speed. 'Thieves are also becoming even slicker stealing quad bikes - watching for hours to rush into farm yards and steal them when they are left unattended for a few minutes.' Dog attacks on farm animals also rose sharply as visits to the countryside and pet ownership increased during the pandemic, the insurer's annual report on rural crime said. The first quarter of 2021 saw the value of insurance claims by farmers relating to attacks jump 50 per cent, having already risen 10 per cent to 1.3 million for the whole of last year. Livestock theft fell by 25 per cent to a cost of 2.3 million, apart from in the South West where it rose by a third, from around 248,328 in 2019 to 345,825 in 2020. The top three counties most affected by rural crime by total value of insurance claims were Lincolnshire (2.48m), Cambridgeshire (2.02m) and Essex (1.65m). Insurance claims for theft of GPS systems on farms nearly doubled last year to 2.9 million last year despite overall rural crime dropping by 20 per cent due to the coronavirus lockdown Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: 'Coronavirus restrictions, beefed-up security on farms and more effective police rural crime teams provided a welcome fall in rural thefts last year. 'While lockdown may have locked some criminals out of the countryside - rural crime hasn't gone away. 'Thieves are now returning armed with new tactics and targets. As the economic impact of the pandemic bites, we are very concerned that rural theft may escalate significantly. 'Last year saw sharp rises in other crimes such as dog attacks on livestock which caused appalling suffering to farm animals and huge anxiety for farmers and their families as they dealt with the aftermath. 'Organised criminal gangs also continued to target farmyards for high-value GPS systems, quad bikes and tractors with the cost of agricultural vehicle theft remaining at over 9 million - only a 2 per cent drop in cost from 2019.' The company is investing 430,000 in rural security schemes this year. Stood down: Paramedic Sally-Ann John marched in Sydney's anti-lockdown rally and livestreamed her appearance at the demonstration on TikTok - and has now been suspended from her job A paramedic has been suspended for marching in Sydney's illegal anti-lockdown protest while livestreaming a video of herself spewing falsehoods about vaccines. Daily Mail Australia can reveal Sally-Ann John, 52, has been stood down from NSW Ambulance after posting a TikTok video of herself marching down George St on July 24. The Kemps Creek woman, who calls herself 'Ambo Sal', was among at least 3,500 protesters who participated in the illegal demonstration - broadcasting a running commentary of the violent protest. In her broadcast the paramedic - who until recently worked out of the Covid hotspot of Liverpool - wrongly claimed coronavirus jabs 'aren't even vaccines' and slammed viewers who believe the science behind them as 'sheep.' Her conduct sparked a flurry of calls for her to be sacked and on Tuesday a NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Ms John had been stood down. 'NSW Ambulance has suspended a paramedic who attended a protest in Sydney on Saturday 24 July in breach of the current COVID-19 public health orders,' the official said. About 3,500 people protested against lockdowns in the Sydney CBD the Saturday before last - actions which left NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian 'disgusted' 'A police investigation into the matter is ongoing and it has also been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Paramedicine Council of NSW.' The Ambulance spokesman said the agency doesn't usually comment on staff matters but had made an exception in this case 'to maintain the public's confidence in the paramedics who continue to provide world class care to the people of NSW.' Ms John's actions alarmed her colleagues and have already resulted in a $1,000 penalty infringement notice from NSW Police. During her broadcast Ms John was inundated with comments demanding she go home, to which she responded: 'F*** you and your comments.' 'All you people saying go home - you've got no idea, you've been brainwashed, youse are all brainwashed. 'All you sheep who like to lap it up - 'oooh I'm going to get my vaccine'. Yeaaaah riiiiiiiiight. It's not even a vaccine. Should do your research.' Case numbers in NSW: The state reported 199 new cases on Tuesday, August 3 - but figures remain stubbornly in the hundreds despite five weeks of lockdown By the numbers: NSW Health figures show the vast majority of active Covid cases are unvaccinated Ms John, who called herself 'Ambo Sal' online, is being investigated by police and has been referred to the health regulator and Paramedicine Council A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed Ms John has been spoken to by officers in the wake of the rally and had been hit with a $1,000 fine. Police have assigned 22 detectives to Strike Force Seasoned to identify people who attended the protest march. CrimeStoppers has been inundated with 15,000 tips since the investigation opened a little more than a week ago. Fears of repeat protest this past weekend didn't eventuate. Ms John deactivated her social media accounts in the wake of the backlash. She couldn't be reached for comment. A 'genius' Covid website has been created that alerts eligible Australians to new Pfizer appointments, helping locked down Sydneysiders book in with ease. An Aussie Reddit user has created the website covidqueue.com after finding that many residents couldn't easily access a vaccination appointment in NSW. The website was made last weekend by Fraser Hemphill with just a spare $20 after a friend of his who works as a nurse spent hours struggling to book online. Website 'Covid Queue' was created by Sydney man Fraser Hemphill for $20 and it helps you to find new Pfizer appointments at Sydney's four biggest vaccination hubs Mr Hemphill took to Reddit to share the site creation and wrote, 'I struggled to book a vaccine, so I made a site that DINGS where there are vaccine bookings available.' The website gathers a list of all the next available appointments in real-time at the largest vaccination clinics and centres in Sydney, including Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst, Westmead Hospital and the vaccination hub at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush. Users simply click a button that reads 'Get in the line' and the site starts to collate the appointment data of the four locations. 'Covid Queue' makes searching for a vaccine easier as Sydneysiders struggle to find available vaccination slots (pictured, Aussies queue for the jab at the Olympic Park on Tuesday) The site says, 'It's difficult to book a Covid vaccination in Sydney right now, so this website will update you when there are slots available'. The website also encourages you to log in to the booking sites of the four vaccination locations ahead of time so that when an appointment becomes available, you can book quickly. A bell 'rings' when a Pfizer appointment is found when you're accessing your computer and a link is sent to direct you to book. The site has also made an alert sound of two bell rings when two available spots are found three weeks apart allowing you to book both appointments for the two doses. When a Pfizer vaccine slot is available the site 'rings a bell' to alert user's and sends a direct link to book the appointment The site has come at a time when many Sydneysiders eligible for the Pfizer vaccine have been struggling to find appointments to book their shot. Talya Jacobson from Mascot in Sydney's east is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and said: 'It's been really frustrating trying to find appointments as the GP sites are booking in two week periods only and I have to keep checking to see if there are any available.' 'It's the luck of the draw. I know more should open up but it's very painful having to keep searching around.' While Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for younger people, anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to access AstraZeneca as the rare side effects far outweigh the risks of Covid-19 (pictured, a woman gets the vaccine on Wednesday in Bankstown) Mr Hemphill, the creator the site told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'The booking sites are really hard to find via Google. This saves time because you only need to check one site, not multiple. 'I've been watching all the appointments go through the system and for Pfizer appointments it's crazy: bookings sometimes pop up the next day but - depending on when you log in - the next appointment can be in November.' NSW residents above the age of 18 are now eligible to receive the widely available AstraZeneca vaccine from GPs, pharmacies and vaccination hubs. ATAGI changed its medical advice on July 23 telling residents over the age of 18 to 'strongly consider' getting the AstraZeneca jab On July 23, Australia's top immunisation advisory body, ATAGI, told Sydneysiders over the age of 18, to 'strongly consider' getting the AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab. ATAGI said it was also advising Australians living in areas with coronavirus outbreaks to shorten the time between their first and second doses to four to eight weeks instead of the usual 12. 'All individuals aged 18 years and above in Greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine including Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca,' the group said in a statement. 'ATAGI reaffirms our previous advice that in a large outbreak, the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca are greater than the risk of rare side effects for all age groups.' Anyone aged 18 years and over can access a booking for the British-developed vaccine as long as they provide 'informed consent'. Advertisement Thousands of travelers were left stranded on Monday after two of the country's largest airlines canceled almost 1,000 flights. American Airlines canceled or delayed 1,500 flights on Monday - more than half of their scheduled itinerary - with its Dallas/Fort Worth hub bearing the brunt. The airline canceled 562 flights on Monday, representing 18 per cent of all their departures, and saw a further 32 per cent - 979 flights - delayed, according to FlightAware.com. Spirit canceled 400 on Sunday and Monday, with Spirit's toll accounting for 30 percent of its scheduled flights nationwide. Orlando and Fort Lauderdale were hard hit, with 40 per cent of Orlando's flights canceled or delayed on Monday, and 37 per cent of Fort Lauderdale's. Despite rising numbers of coronavirus infections fueled by the delta variant, the U.S. set another recent high mark for air travel Sunday, with more than 2.2 million people going through airport checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. That is nearly 11,000 more people screened than July 18, and the highest number since February 28, 2020 - just before the U.S. felt the full brunt of the pandemic. However, air travel was still down 17 per cent on Sunday from the same Sunday in 2019. The resurgence of leisure travel, coupled with some bad weather, has led to delays and flight cancellations at airlines struggling to ramp up after being crushed by the pandemic. Airlines have thousands fewer workers than they did before the pandemic, and at times they have been caught short-staffed even though they received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep employees on the payroll. A man is pictured sleeping in San Juan airport in Puerto Rico on Monday, amid widespread cancellations by Spirit and others Large crowds gathered in Houston as the airlines cancelled a series of flights, leaving many stranded Passengers in Puerto Rico were complaining about being stranded for 11 hours in San Juan airport San Juan international airport in Puerto Rico was hard-hit by Spirit's cancelations, with many people now stuck on the island for days One Instagram user posted a photo on Sunday of a sign jokingly reading: 'Pilot wanted' Passengers were left lying on airport floors for hours as Spirit and American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights Monday's cancellations came one day after 7,400 U.S. flights arrived at least 15 minutes behind schedule on Sunday the government's definition of late and more than 900 were canceled, according to tracking service FlightAware. Nearly half of Sunday's cancellations were at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, American's largest hub, which was hit with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. There have been at least 5,000 delayed flights on most days since early July, according to FlightAware figures. Southwest, American and Spirit are among airlines with the biggest problems. For Sunday and Monday combined, Southwest delayed more than 2,500 flights and American more than 1,600. A key senator is quizzing several airlines to explain the high numbers of flight delays and cancellations. Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, said airlines did a poor job of managing their workforces and might have failed to live up to the purpose of the taxpayer funding. 'I am deeply concerned by recent reports highlightingworkforce shortages that have caused flight cancellations and generated delays for passengers,' she wrote in a July 16 letter to the CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Republic Airways, and Allegiant Airlines. 'These shortages come in the wake of unprecedented federal funding that Congress appropriated, at the airlines' request, to support the airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'As passenger travel has boomed in recent weeks, new reports also suggest that some airlines are now unprepared to meet the increased demand that they scheduled for, and have resorted to delaying or canceling flights,' the Senator continued. 'This reported workforce shortage runs counter to the objective and spirit of the PSP, which was to enable airlines to endure the pandemic and keep employees on payroll so that the industry was positioned to capture a rebound in demand.' Cantwell asked each airline to account for its utilization of federal funds and provide further information on current and projected workforce shortages. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, said earlier in July that 'the challenges of getting our airline fully back to the service level our customers expect and deserve is daunting in light of the huge surge in demand that we are experiencing.' The travel recovery also faces a renewed public-health threat, as the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. The seven-day rolling average of new U.S. infections is around 80,000 a day, up nearly 150% from two weeks ago, although the increase in deaths is far smaller. Airline officials say they haven't seen bookings suffer because of the delta variant, although some have said it could delay the return of business travel, which airlines were hoping would gain speed this fall. Travelers took to social media to vent their frustrations from airports in cities such as San Juan, Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale while they waited for updates from Spirit. The airline tweeted on Monday morning that there were delays, but then fell silent - to the fury of passengers. Photos and videos showed the travelers seated on the ground as they complained of being hot and hungry in packed terminals. One woman tweeted that the ground staff in Puerto Rico walked out. 'Confirming. I was there. They were temp workers and they literally took off their badges and said f*** this,' she tweeted. 'They were lead by security through an underground tunnel out of the airport for their safety.' Rumors of a pilot strike began circulating online before a Spirit spokesperson quashed that speculation and said the cancellations were due to weather and 'other operational challenges'. Thousands of Spirit Airlines passengers have been stranded in airports for hours after the budget-friendly carrier canceled 30 percent of its scheduled flights nationwide. Photos and videos posted by travelers venting their frustrations on social media showed them seated on dirty airport floors as they complained of being hot and hungry in packed terminals While rumors began circulating of a strike, a spokesperson for Spirit quickly denied those rumors, citing weather and 'other operational challenges' as the culprit for the delays Following the cancellations, many passengers began voicing their frustration online, commenting on long waits for refunds, missing luggage, and other customer service challenges 'We're working around the clock to get back on track in the wake of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to a series of weather and operational challenges,' Sprit spokesperson Erik Hofmeyer told the Sun Sentinel in an email. 'We needed to make proactive cancellations to some flights across the network, but the majority of flights are still scheduled as planned,' he added. Passengers flying on Spirit Airlines were stranded for hours after the budget-friendly carrier canceled 30% of its scheduled flights nationwide, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.com Following the cancellations, many passengers began sharing their woes on Twitter, describing long waits for refunds, missing luggage, and other customer service challenges. One passenger even complained about waiting in line for almost seven hours. 'Update, been here in line almost 7 hrs. I'm tired, hungry, hot and I'm finally close to the front. @SpiritAirlines No comment on what's going' they wrote. 'This is absolutely ridiculous. First fight was delayed. Twice. Then canceled. Got my flight changed to a different airport. Then THAT flight got canceled. Then went to the desks and all the spirit employees left and refused to come back to help us!' another user tweeted. A third passenger commented on agents refusing to assist guests after waiting in line four hours. 'What's worse is the fact only two people are actually assisting guests when the other agent assist line are refusing people. Been on the phone for almost 2 hours waiting on an agent to fix this mess as well,' they wrote. One passenger said he and his family were stranded overnight in Puerto Rico, without any clothes or essentials for his one and three-year-olds. 'When #spiritairlines leaves you stranded in Puerto Rico with no employees in sight and holds your luggage and money hostage. We were stuck overnight with no clothes or essentials for our 3 or 1 year olds and are still without answers and searching for flights,' he wrote on Twitter. Carolyn Fennell, an Orlando airport spokeswoman, speculated that COVID-19 also played a factor in the cancellations. 'I think the question of why it's happening is a combination of weather with afternoon storms and lightning; airline staffs are reduced by COVID not just here but across the nation and you've got a huge spike in travel,' she told the Sun Sentinel. 'It's all of that, a perfect storm.' Spirit did not immediately return DailyMail.com's request for comment. Advertisement Companies whose revenues have plunged due to workers having to isolate amid the pingdemic should be compensated by the Government, economists said today as tweaks to the NHS Covid-19 app were revealed. Business leaders have warned that changes to the app to ease the crippling staffing crisis due to self-isolation were 'too little too late' for firms who have seen their revenue plunge and were 'not a silver bullet'. And the Adam Smith Institute economic think tank said the Government 'should consider handing impacted firms a rebate for the lost business the NHS app has taken out of our productive and otherwise healthy economy'. The changes to the app announced last night mean people will now be forced to isolate only if they have come into 'close contact' with an asymptomatic coronavirus case in the two days before they test positive. Previously it had gone through a five-day window of an infected person's contacts to send 'ping' alerts. The major climbdown by the Government means tens of thousands of Britons will now be spared self-isolation. An Adam Smith Institute spokesman said: 'This is exceptionally welcome for firms struggling with employees off - not because they've got Covid but because of an app designed for a world with no treatments and no vaccines. 'It comes too little and too late though for so many companies that have lost revenue and taken on debt from reduced service provision and custom due to the app. The Government should consider handing impacted firms a rebate for the lost business the NHS app has taken out of our productive and otherwise healthy economy.' And UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said more had to be done, with the fact that fully vaccinated staff are still having to self-isolate being a 'significant barrier to venues operating viably and moving towards recovery'. Some 689,313 alerts were sent by the app to users for the week to July 21, while NHS Test and Trace also identified 600,000 people, meaning more than one million people may have been told to self-isolate in one week. Tens of thousands of Britons will be spared self-isolation after ministers tweaked the NHS app to ease the crippling pingdemic This graph shows the number of people told to isolate by NHS Covid app (blue), contacts of someone testing positive reached by Test and Trace call handlers (orange) and people isolating because they tested positive (green) each month Ms Nicholls said: 'This intervention from Government is absolutely necessary to prevent a complete loss of summer trading for the hospitality sector following prolonged periods of severely disrupted trading. How the NHS Covid-19 contact trace app works Bluetooth technology will keep a record of which phones spend 15 minutes within 2metres (6'7') of one another and then alert people if they have been near someone who later tests positive for Covid-19. People's phones are only recognised by the system if they are running the app themselves - it cannot detect others. The contacts it keeps track of are all anonymous and phones exchange digital 'tokens' with every app-using phone within Bluetooth range. If one person develops symptoms of the coronavirus or tests positive, they will be able to enter this information into the app. The phone previously sent out a notification to all devices they had exchanged tokens with over the five days before - the infection window - to warn people they had been exposed to Covid. But an update has now seen this period slashed to two days amid concern over 'pingdemic' chaos. Each phone keeps an individual log of the Bluetooth profiles someone has come close to. These are then linked anonymously to people's NHS apps. People can delete their data from this app at any time. Users also have an 'isolation companion' which has a countdown timer if they are asked to self-isolate, and are able to 'check in' to places such as pubs using QR codes. The app also shows what the Covid risk level is in someone's local area based on the first half of their postcode. Will the app tell me what to do? The app can only react to data that people put into it, and it will only ever offer guidance. If a user reports that they have symptoms of coronavirus - a new continuous cough, a fever, or a changed sense of smell or taste - they will be urged to self-isolate for 10 days from the start of the symptoms and to get tested. If they test positive for Covid, they should report this to the app. The app then sends out an anonymous alert to everyone with whom that person has been within 2m (6'7") of for 15 minutes or more since they started feeling ill. How well does it work? The app is far from perfect, and the Department of Health has admitted that around half of people who are warned they have been near an infected person will actually not have been within the 2m for 15 minutes danger window. Three out of 10 people who were put at risk - 31 per cent - won't receive a notification at all. In trials it had a 69 per cent accuracy rate at detecting people who had been at risk, and it was 55 per cent accurate at detecting people who had not. Advertisement 'This will help to alleviate some of the pressure currently being experienced by hard-hit businesses, but is not a silver bullet. 'The fact that fully vaccinated staff will still currently have to self-isolate is a significant barrier to venues operating viably and moving towards recovery. We urge Government to update guidance and bring forward a workable test to release scheme at the soonest possible opportunity.' She added that the industry body's research found more than 250,000 hospitality workers are being affected by 'pings' at any given point by the app. Although the change to the app is a major move to address the pingdemic, it will apply only in cases where Covid-carriers do not have symptoms about one third of total infections. This means hundreds of thousands are still likely to be pinged each week and the self-isolation carnage will continue to wreak havoc until the rules are fully relaxed later this month. Currently when people are pinged by the app they are advised but not legally obliged to self-isolate for ten days. Trade union Unite said the change in guidance does not go far enough, and repeated its call for the automotive and steel sectors to be exempt from self-isolation rules. Steve Turner, the union's assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said: 'Manufacturing workers share shifts so the two days decision may make little difference. Sometimes whole shifts have been stuck at home as has been the case of late. 'The costs are horrific to workers and industry alike and there are real concerns that work will move overseas or even that steel furnaces could be damaged, which would be devastating for this industry. 'We simply cannot have a situation, for example, where a blast furnace is shut down because workers are stuck at home, testing negatively daily, but forced to self-isolate. 'UK workers must not lose out because the Government's reopening of the economy is incoherent.' The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the change, saying its research found up to 1,000 pubs have been forced to close temporarily due to large numbers of staff being pinged. Emma McClarkin, the association's chief executive, said: 'On average, each pub forced to temporarily close due to staff being pinged costs 9,500 in lost trade per week and our larger venues much, much more at a critical time in their recovery. 'On top of changes to the NHS app, more investment is needed for our sector if it is to recover and play a leading role in building back better. 'The Government must do this by reforming VAT, beer duty and business rates by which pubs and other hospitality businesses are greatly overtaxed.' Twitter user Carmel Day, listed on her profile as an NHS worker, tweeted: 'End the pingdemic now, it's causing equal stress as Covid. Scrap the app. Fit healthy people can't get to work as a result of negative positive pings!' The decision to update the app follows a campaign by the Daily Mail calling for the pingdemic mayhem to be eased. It represents another major virus U-turn by the Government, which until now had stubbornly refused to back down over strict isolation rules paralysing the economy. Industry leaders kept the pressure on the Prime Minister to exempt the fully vaccinated for having to self-isolate. Under the current timetable, those with two doses of a Covid jab in England will not be exempt from self-isolation rules until August 16 - despite Scotland and Wales both bringing the date for this change forward to next week. Yesterday Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the 'logic' of the app was being tweaked to reduce the number of people getting pinged. He said: 'We want to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause for people and businesses, while ensuring we're protecting those most at risk from this virus. Half of Britons avoiding social contact over fears they could be 'pinged' Almost half of Britons have cut back on their socialising over fears they could fall victim to the 'pingdemic', a survey has found. Some 46 per cent of people said they reduced their contact with others because of the risk of being 'pinged' by the NHS ' Covid app and being forced into self-isolation. The YouGov poll for The Times also found that 39 per cent had not reduced their contact. The figures show that the government's self-isolation policy for people coming into contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus is having the 'designed' effect of minimising the spread of the virus. The policy has been incredibly disruptive, with almost 700,000 people being 'pinged' in the last week alone. Current rules mean they will all have to self-isolate for 10 days even with a negative test. However, from August 16 those who are double-vaccinated will not have to stay at home. Boris Johnson confirmed the change last week, saying it was 'nailed on'. The survey of 1,722 people, conducted on July 29 and 30, also suggested the vast majority were sticking to rules, although 10 per cent said they had deleted the NHS Covid app from their phones and 13 per cent had turned off contact tracing. Some 7 per cent of people said they had even avoided taking a Covid test because of the rules which say the 10-day period starts again if you test positive. Advertisement 'This update to the app will help ensure that we are striking the right balance. It's so important that people isolate when asked to do so in order to stop the spread of the virus and protect their communities.' The Government said fewer people will now be pinged overall but the total number of 'high-risk contacts being advised to self-isolate' will stay the same. Research shows that asymptomatic people are unlikely to be infectious beyond the two days before they test positive. Some 689,313 people were pinged by the NHS app in the week to July 21. On top of this, 536,338 alerts were issued manually by NHS Test & trace. The sheer numbers have led to devastating staffing shortages across all sectors of the economy, with hospitality chiefs warning one in ten businesses have had to shut down entirely. Boris Johnson had previously resisted intense pressure from business leaders and Tory backbenchers to end the pingdemic chaos and insisted the measures must stay until August 16. Last night the Department of Health claimed that in the first three weeks of July the app averted up to 2,000 cases per day and approximately 1,600 hospital admissions. It said usage remains high, with about 40 per cent of the 'eligible population' regularly using the app and about 50 per cent of all reported tests being inputted. Dr Jenny Harries, CEO of UK Health Security Agency, said: 'I strongly encourage everyone, even those fully vaccinated, to continue using the app. It is a lifesaving tool that helps us to stay safe and to protect those closest to us as we return to a more familiar way of life.' Liz Kendall, Labour's health spokesman, commenting on news that the NHS Covid app will be tweaked, said: 'The Government has allowed infections to spiral out of control, leaving hundreds of thousands of people forced to self-isolate every day, their response is not to drive down infections but instead quietly change the app that helps to keep us safe. 'This is yet another Covid U-turn from ministers at a time when the public need clarity and certainty - not chaos and mixed messages. It's shambolic and they must get a grip.' Yesterday, Ms Nicholls said one in ten hospitality businesses in Britain had to close over the last month as the 'pingdemic' had a major impact on staffing levels,. She added that one in five firms have had to 'significantly adjust their offer or services' to cope with the pandemic as their revenues plunged. Pictured: Mikaela Testa dressed to go grocery shopping A young influencer has hit back after Woolworths shoppers stared at her skimpy outfit in 'disgust' when she visited a supermarket - and she says it happens all the time. Mikaela Testa was buying groceries with her boyfriend Atis at a store on the Gold Coast before Queensland went into lockdown on Thursday. The 21-year-old left the house that morning feeling confident in her denim mini skirt, cropped pink cardigan and matching handbag, but her mood quickly changed when she saw 'old grandmas' glowering at her. While no one spoke to Ms Testa as she walked through Woolworths on Thursday, she told Daily Mail Australia that older women often make negative comments about her clothes to 'humiliate' her in front of friends and loved ones. Ms Testa (pictured) said she was stared at by older women when she went grocery shopping in a skimpy outfit 'Honestly it makes me feel really enraged and have huge anxiety with going anywhere in public because every time I do I'm constantly stared at and judged by older women,' she said. 'On the odd day one of them might say something to me or to a friend of theirs about me but I can still hear what they are saying.' Ms Testa said an elderly woman who saw her at some outdoor markets in May said loudly, 'That woman is dressed like a stripper at the markets on a Sunday - that's disgusting, where's your self respect, young lady?' The influencer, who makes her living uploading raunchy videos to OnlyFans, said the woman looked at her husband and said, 'Can you believe that?' before they both laughed and walked off. Ms Testa was again wearing a denim mini skirt, a sheer white top with spaghetti straps, and a black handbag. Pictured: Ms Testa before she went to outdoor markets and copped abuse from an older woman Ms Testa makes her living by uploading private videos for her subscribers on OnlyFans Ms Testa thinks people make negative comments about her clothing choices because they're insecure Unable to contain her rage, Ms Testa said she yelled back: 'This is 2021, who do you think you are to abuse a young woman like that? This is a trending outfit.' She also claimed the woman's husband had been 'checking me out' moments before the altercation. While most people don't confront her, Ms Testa says she cops negative stares on a daily basis. 'I think it happens almost every single time I go to a shopping centre or restaurant wearing any trending outfit that I believe most young women wear,' she said. Asked why her clothes attract commentary, Ms Testa said puts it down to insecurity. 'Its usually when they are side by side with their husband or partner because at the end of the day any woman that drags another woman down for their looks or anything of that nature is just plain jealousy.' Pictured: Australian OnlyFans star Mikaela Testa and her boyfriend Atis Paul Ms Testa said she has anxiety and negative commentary about her outfits has a profound impact on her Ms Testa has previously claimed she makes $162,000 per month uploading racy selfies and private sex videos to paid subscription platform OnlyFans. Her Instagram account has gathered a following over one million and is stacked with bikini snaps, topless photos and pictures with her social media manager boyfriend. The couple live with Atis' sister Anna and her partner in a luxurious waterfront mansion on the Gold Coast, complete with a $100,000 stone wall. Ms Testa previously recorded a walk-through of the three-storey 'dream home' and bragged the house had 'massive ceilings, massive hallways, and a massive kitchen'. Her tour of the luxurious home showed off a private cinema, waterfront pool, and 'so many spare bedrooms'. Rapist Carvel Bennett, 74, was convicted thanks to evidence from the daughter conceived in the abhorrent attack on a child, then 13 A pensioner has been jailed for 11 years for the historical rape of a 13-year-old babysitter who then became pregnant, after the daughter conceived in the attack doggedly pursued the case against him for more than a decade. Carvel Bennett, 74, faces the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted by a jury in 90 minutes in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in UK legal history. His daughter Daisy, who was given up for adoption after Bennett's victim gave birth, took DNA tests in her 40s that proved that he was her father with the evidence used to put him in the dock. But she also revealed today that her fight for justice has caused a 'deeper split' between her and her birth mother which she described as 'utterly tragic'. She said in a statement read in court today: 'Carvel Bennett you have caused total carnage. Your act of violence decimated any potential relationship between my birth mother and me because you chose to rape a child.' She added: 'You have avoided justice for 45 years. You have got to have a family life, had the opportunity to get married, live with children and see them grow up. Because you raped a child I only had seven days at the hospital with my birth mother'. 'Because you chose to rape a child we are still paying the price,' she said, adding that his crime had robbed her of a family life. She said: 'I read my grandmother visited and thought I looked like you. Imagine how it felt for my 14-year-old mother to look down to see the features of her perpetrator. 'I was left in hospital for three days before being placed with my foster family. Who cared for me in that time I will never know. How terrifying. How traumatic.' She added: 'I know I exist because you chose to rape a child, to know I'm, for some, the embodiment of one of the worst things to happen, to be pregnant by your perpetrator, to find out what happened to my mother was horrific. 'It could have been a reason for her not to meet me. That horrendous thought weighed heavy until we were able to reunite. I am more than evidence, more than a witness, more than a product of rape. I am not your shame.' She concluded by telling Bennett: 'This sentence is 46 years overdue. The pain you have caused is immeasurable.' Daisy, Bennett's daughter, was taken into care at birth but later discovered Bennett was her father and took DNA tests to prove it, eventually getting him in the dock Daisy had been taken into care just after being born in Birmingham and adopted at seven months old. It was only when she was given access to her social services documents that she discovered that her mother was 13 when she was raped, and that her father was Bennett, then 28, with a 1975 file stating: 'The matter was investigated by police but never brought to court'. Police bring charges in just seven per cent of violent crimes and in only 1.5 per cent of rapes, figures show Less than seven per cent of violent crimes ended in anyone being charged with sexual offences even lower at just 3.5 per cent and rape only 1.5 per cent. Theft figures were nearly as bad, with just 5 per cent of cases going to court, followed by robberies at just 8.2 per cent. The statistics released by the Home Office suggest a challenging picture of justice and few offences leading to prosecution. They show over 1.6million violent offences were reported in the year leading up to March 2021 of which around 139,000 saw charges from the Crown Prosecution Service. Shadow policing minister Sarah Jones said: 'Under the Conservatives, criminals have never had it so good'. Advertisement In 2014 the Jimmy Savile scandal broke and he was revealed as a sexual abuser that Daisy decided to trace her birth father with the aim of getting him prosecuted for raping her mother as a child. She also took DNA tests to prove the biological connection and also found her birth mother, who cannot be named. After a decade of battling with police and other agencies who told her that she was not the victim she won the battle that saw her father convicted of rape at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday. The jury heard heartbreaking evidence from his victim, who remembers repeatedly telling her attacker: 'I don't want to do this' but he carried on anyway. Bennett will be sentenced today but his legal team admit he expected to die in jail. The pensioner admitted having sex with the Daisy's teenage mother in the 1970s and accepted he is the biological father of her daughter. But Bennett, of Erdington, denied a charge of rape and claimed the victim told him she was 16 and consented to sex. After a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury took just one hour and 48 minutes to reject his account and find him guilty. The full circumstances of how Bennett came into contact with the girl cannot be reported in order to protect the victim's automatic legal right to lifelong anonymity. But the jury heard evidence from Daisy's birth mother, now 59, that she had been informed by her mother that she had to babysit Bennett's children one evening. But she was then shocked to find him there, before he asked her to come upstairs to a bedroom. Prosecutor Peter Glenser QC said the defendant told the girl to take her clothes off when they were alone together. Mr Glesner said: 'She does recall saying: 'I don't want to do this' and him saying: 'It's going to be alright. 'She remembers him saying he wasn't going to hurt her and she should say nothing.' Mr Glesner revealed that a few weeks later it 'became obvious she was pregnant'. The court heard how the victim was taken to a mother and baby home to give birth to her daughter, who was ultimately put up for adoption. She said when she returned home she was made to sit in a chair and watch a programme about someone having to give up her child. She said: 'I had to sit there and watch it to see if I would cry. I know that's why I had to watch it. I thought I won't cry. I was adamant I wasn't going to cry. So I never.' Bennett will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court later today but expects to spend the rest of his life in jail The victim stated she was still 'shocked' at the whole ordeal but felt it was soon 'brushed under the carpet' by everyone. The jury heard when Bennett's daughter reached the age of 18 she obtained some social security records and tracked down her mother who revealed how she was conceived. When she acquired her full social services records she saw that Bennett was named as her father. Mr Glenser said DNA results suggested it was 22 million times more likely the defendant was the girl's dad than any other unknown Afro-Carribean man unrelated to him. Mr Glenser said: 'In reality, there is little in dispute in this case save for the central and important issue of consent.' In an interview played to the court the victim stated Bennett did not use any violence, but that she was 'scared' to resist his attack. Tom Walkling, mitigating, requested his client be given the chance to put his affairs in order, arguing he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, given his age. But Judge Martin Hurst stated 'the risk he might do something foolish is too great' and remanded him into custody. Bennett will be sentenced today. Advertisement Data suggesting England's Covid outbreak in retreat is 'very, very promising', a minister said today as experts claimed the country could already be 'over the edge' of the third wave. Daily cases plunged to a five-week low yesterday, with England's infections down to 19,175 the fewest since June 29 (16,802). And hospitalisations which lag at least a week behind now also appear to have peaked. Official figures showed 593 admissions were recorded on July 31, the latest day figures are available for, down a quarter from the same time the week before. Gillian Keegan, No10's minister for apprenticeships and skills, told LBC today the drop in Covid admissions was another glimmer of hope that the worst part of the third wave had ended weeks earlier than predicted. But she added: 'I guess we all look at the data with hope, but we've seen how this virus can turn at several points.' Experts hailed data yesterday that suggested England's hospitalisations have now peaked, saying deaths would start to decline within the next week. The former head of health data at the Office for National Statistics, Jamie Jenkins, said England and Wales may be 'over the hill now when it comes to deaths'. Also speaking on LBC, he said: '[Cases] in England and Wales have been coming down since July 19. 'The cases have been falling for a couple of weeks there, then you get that time-lag effect when cases start coming down, around five or six days later you start seeing hospital admissions come down. And then you start seeing deaths come down. 'I think looking at the data, we normally see deaths peaking around 14 days after cases come down, I think we might start being over the hill now when it comes to deaths.' Mr Jenkins added: 'We probably are over the edge of the wave at the moment but let's have a bit of caution as we go into the autumn period.' His words echo Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert from the University of East Anglia, who last night claimed it will take 'another week or so' for deaths across the UK to fall in line with hospitalisations and cases. He said the fall in Covid hospitalisations was yet another sign that the drop in cases was genuine. Some experts had said the decline could be down to reduced testing. But the test positivity rate the proportion of swabs that pick up the virus has also dropped, suggesting cases really are falling. In a sign that fatalities may start to flatten out or even fall within the next week, Covid hospital admissions fell by nearly 20 per cent in England. Some 593 infected patients were admitted for medical treatment on July 31, the most recent day NHS figures are available for. For comparison, 734 patients were hospitalised the previous Saturday Minister Gillian Keegan told LBC today the drop in hospitalisations looked 'very, very promising'. And Jamie Jenkins, the former head of health statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said England and Wales may now be 'over the hill now when it comes to deaths' Despite heralding the fall in cases and hospitalisations, Ms Keegan said ministers would still not be relaxing self-isolation requirements for the double-vaccinated for another two weeks. She told LBC that 'obviously, we've got many people double-vaccinated' but warned more Britons would still need to get two jabs. Ms Keegan added: '[This] is why weve got this August 16 date to say everybody get vaccinated and, of course, that gives young people the chance to get double-vaccinated as well but it looks very, very promising.' Official figures show 46.8million Britons or 88.6 per cent of adults have got one dose of the Covid vaccine, and 38.4million or 72.7 per cent have got two doses. Mr Jenkins said hospital admissions were around 80 per cent lower than what they would have been in the past and deaths were 90 per cent lower. He added: 'The vaccine effect has kicked in as well if you look at the same number of cases to what we had in the winter, it would have been 800 deaths rather than 65-70.' Nicola Sturgeon will announce today when most of Scotland's remaining Covid restrictions on social distancing and WFH rule will be lifted Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce if Scotland will lift its coronavirus restrictions and move beyond the current Level 0 rules in place. Her statement this afternoon will say whether or not most measures implemented north of the border as a result of the pandemic are to be lifted on Monday August 9 as hoped. The Scottish First Minister set the date in June, even before the move to Level 0 on July 19 which increased the numbers of people who could gather and extended the opening hours of hospitality. Other businesses such as soft play were finally allowed to reopen however nightclubs are among those still closed ahead of Tuesday's statement in a virtual session of the Scottish Parliament. Sports stadia and concert venues may go back to being able to welcome full capacity crowds again for the first time in nearly 18 months if changes are approved. It was previously suggested all the major Covid-19 restrictions would be relaxed on Monday as long as the over-40 age group is fully vaccinated, which the Scottish Government described as a 'gateway condition'. While lifting the restrictions could also bring an end to social distancing, Ms Sturgeon has already confirmed face coverings in shops and public transport will remain mandatory for 'some time to come'. Advertisement Professor Hunter said: 'We can now see that in England new admissions to hospital have peaked. 'It will take another week or so before we see any impact on reported deaths. 'The fact that hospital admissions are now falling provides further evidence that the decline in cases in the last couple of weeks was real and not due to an artefact from changing testing or people deleting the NHS Covid app as some have suggested.' Covid cases across Britain were lower yesterday than they have been since June 29, according to the official figures. But the number of virus tests conducted also fell to their lowest levels since June 26, suggesting there are cases that have not been picked up. Some experts think fewer people are coming forward to get swabbed for Covid to avoid having to self-isolate. But separate analysis shows that test positivity rates have fallen across the board, suggesting the drop in cases is genuine. Speaking on Sky News today, SAGE adviser Professor Stephen Reicher, a social psychologist at the University of St Andrews, said ONS data released last week shows 'the public are behaving responsibly'. He said: 'The thing is, the public have always been behaving responsibly. 'The remarkable thing when you look at the data is the people have always been ahead of the Government in being aware of the dangers and being cautious. 'The problem to some extent is the Government is not matching the public with its own responsibilities. 'So for instance, we should be using the summer to drive down infections and keep infections down through some very simple things. 'We now know, more than before, how important ventilation is, so we should be installing ventilation in public spaces, in schools, as indeed they are doing in other countries.' Yesterday's daily figures also signalled a slow down in the week-on-week drop in infections, with cases plunging by 12 per cent on the figure recorded on Monday last week. For comparison, the week-on-week drop last Monday stood at 37.5 per cent. Meanwhile, there were just 24 deaths yesterday, down from 65 on Sunday but an increase of 71.4 per cent compared to last Monday. Covid death figures released on Mondays are often lower than expected because of a delay in recording deaths over the weekend. Professor Hunter said the case figures show a 'continuing decline' and represent the first day that reflected the reopening on July 19. He said: 'As expected, we are not seeing the rapid fall in case numbers that we were seeing last Monday. 'Whether we see a continuing decline over coming weeks or see cases plateau is not clear but I doubt we will see further rapid falls or indeed increases over the next month.' Sausage roll stalwart Greggs has said it will open 100 new branches by the end of 2021 under plans that will create 500 new jobs after the bakery chain announced pre-tax profits of 55.5million for this year. The Newcastle-based high street bakery, which has 2,115 stores, said the business had swung from a loss to a profit after the Covid lockdown was eased and they were given the green light to trade properly. In interim results published today, bosses announced that 48 new branches opened in the first half of this year, though 11 were shut down for good. Greggs said it anticipates 100 net new shop openings in 2021. The figures were for the 26 weeks to July 3, compared with a 65.2million loss for the same period last year while Greggs was hamstrung by restrictions on trade and Government stay-at-home orders. Bosses now expect full-year profits to be 'slightly ahead' of previous predictions after making gains against pre-Covid levels. Sausage roll stalwart Greggs has said it will open 100 new branches by the end of 2021 under plans that will create 500 new jobs after the bakery chain announced pre-tax profits of 55.5million for this year An employee wearing PPE including a mask and visor serves at the counter of a Greggs bakery in London on June 18, 2020 MailOnline understands that the majority of the new shops are likely to be opened at car-access sites such as retail parks and drive-thrus as the Covid crisis accelerates the decline of the British high street. The group saw like-for-like sales drop 9.2 per cent against 2019 after the impact of the third national lockdown but it was lifted by the opening of 48 new sites. CEO Roger Whiteside said: 'Greggs once again showed its resilience in a challenging first half, emerging from the lockdown months in a strong position and rebuilding sales as social restrictions were progressively relaxed. 'We continue to make good progress with our strategic priorities, growing the shop estate and investing in our digital capabilities to compete in all channels and dayparts of our market. 'Whilst there continue to be general uncertainties in the market, given our recent performance we now expect full year profit to be slightly ahead of our previous expectation.' Greggs said it has returned the money it received from the Government through the furlough scheme and has re-instated its dividend to shareholders. In March, Greggs bosses reported a pre-tax loss of 13.7million for 2020, compared with a 108.3 million profit a year earlier. Sales fell by 300million during the pandemic, from 1.17billion to 811.3million. Greggs stores across England remained open for takeaways during lockdowns, as they are classed as essential retailers. But city centre locations and travel hub sites saw substantial falls due to the stay-at-home orders. The Newcastle-based high street bakery, which has 2,115 stores, said the business had swung from a loss to a profit after the Covid lockdown was eased and they were given the green light to trade properly Delivery services and a partnership with Just Eat helped offset some of the falls, the company said, with 9.6 per cent of total sales in the first ten weeks of 2021 now coming via deliveries. But the latest lockdowns and restrictions since the start of the year hit overall sales, the company said, with like-for-like sales down 28.8 per cent in the 10 weeks to March 13. The company said the results for 2020 were slightly better than expected, considering the lockdowns, adding that it benefited from the furlough scheme and business rates holiday. Bosses added they have access to a new 100million revolving credit facility to fund further expansion beyond the 2,078 stores in operation. Greggs listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1984 and had never previously reported a loss since becoming a public company. The hospitality industry has been one of the worst affected industries by the pandemic, with thousands of pubs and restaurants closing permanently and hundreds of thousands of jobs being lost. Chris Daly, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, said: 'Throughout the pandemic, we've seen Greggs work hard to adapt its services and operations to keep up with the changing consumer habits and these interim results show its hard work is now paying off. 'Innovations like offering a click and collect service, and a partnership with Just Eat, have made it easier for consumers to continue buying Greggs' products even throughout lockdown. 'Last week's announcement of the new vegan sausage, bean and cheese melt also created a stir of excitement, which will no doubt entice customers to re-enter stores when it hits the shelves. 'Greggs' two-pronged focus on digital innovations, coupled with releasing in-demand products, has allowed it to keep high street and online shoppers at its fingertips and bounceback following a difficult year.' Business leaders and staff say changes to NHS app are 'too little, too late' after changes to 'pingdemic' Covid alert system will only save tens of thousands from self-isolation at a time when up to a MILLION are being ordered into quarantine each week Business leaders warned today that tweaks to the NHS Covid-19 app to ease the crippling pingdemic were 'too little too late' for companies who have seen their revenue plunge and were 'not a silver bullet'. The changes to the app announced last night mean people will now be forced to isolate only if they have come into 'close contact' with an asymptomatic Covid case in the two days before they test positive. Previously it had gone through a five-day window of an infected person's contacts to send 'ping' alerts. The major climbdown by the Government means tens of thousands of Britons will now be spared self-isolation. But UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said more had to be done, with the fact that fully vaccinated staff are still having to self-isolate being a 'significant barrier to venues operating viably and moving towards recovery'. And the Adam Smith Institute think tank said the Government should now consider handing impacted firms a rebate for the 'lost business the NHS app has taken out of our productive and otherwise healthy economy'. Some 689,313 alerts were sent by the app to users for the week to July 21, while NHS Test and Trace also identified 600,000 people, meaning more than one million people may have been told to self-isolate in one week. Tens of thousands of Britons will be spared self-isolation after ministers tweaked the NHS app to ease the crippling pingdemic This graph shows the number of people told to isolate by NHS Covid app (blue), contacts of someone testing positive reached by Test and Trace call handlers (orange) and people isolating because they tested positive (green) each month Ms Nicholls said: 'This intervention from Government is absolutely necessary to prevent a complete loss of summer trading for the hospitality sector following prolonged periods of severely disrupted trading. 'This will help to alleviate some of the pressure currently being experienced by hard-hit businesses, but is not a silver bullet. How the NHS Covid-19 contact trace app works Bluetooth technology will keep a record of which phones spend 15 minutes within 2metres (6'7') of one another and then alert people if they have been near someone who later tests positive for Covid-19. People's phones are only recognised by the system if they are running the app themselves - it cannot detect others. The contacts it keeps track of are all anonymous and phones exchange digital 'tokens' with every app-using phone within Bluetooth range. If one person develops symptoms of the coronavirus or tests positive, they will be able to enter this information into the app. The phone previously sent out a notification to all devices they had exchanged tokens with over the five days before - the infection window - to warn people they had been exposed to Covid. But an update has now seen this period slashed to two days amid concern over 'pingdemic' chaos. Each phone keeps an individual log of the Bluetooth profiles someone has come close to. These are then linked anonymously to people's NHS apps. People can delete their data from this app at any time. Users also have an 'isolation companion' which has a countdown timer if they are asked to self-isolate, and are able to 'check in' to places such as pubs using QR codes. The app also shows what the Covid risk level is in someone's local area based on the first half of their postcode. Will the app tell me what to do? The app can only react to data that people put into it, and it will only ever offer guidance. If a user reports that they have symptoms of coronavirus - a new continuous cough, a fever, or a changed sense of smell or taste - they will be urged to self-isolate for 10 days from the start of the symptoms and to get tested. If they test positive for Covid, they should report this to the app. The app then sends out an anonymous alert to everyone with whom that person has been within 2m (6'7') of for 15 minutes or more since they started feeling ill. How well does it work? The app is far from perfect, and the Department of Health has admitted that around half of people who are warned they have been near an infected person will actually not have been within the 2m for 15 minutes danger window. Three out of 10 people who were put at risk - 31 per cent - won't receive a notification at all. In trials it had a 69 per cent accuracy rate at detecting people who had been at risk, and it was 55 per cent accurate at detecting people who had not. Advertisement 'The fact that fully vaccinated staff will still currently have to self-isolate is a significant barrier to venues operating viably and moving towards recovery. We urge Government to update guidance and bring forward a workable test to release scheme at the soonest possible opportunity.' She added that the industry body's research found more than 250,000 hospitality workers are being affected by 'pings' at any given point by the app. And a spokesman for the Adam Smith Institute said: 'This is exceptionally welcome for firms struggling with employees off - not because they've got Covid but because of an app designed for a world with no treatments and no vaccines. 'It comes too little and too late though for so many companies that have lost revenue and taken on debt from reduced service provision and custom due to the app. 'The Government should consider handing impacted firms a rebate for the lost business the NHS app has taken out of our productive and otherwise healthy economy.' Although the change to the app is a major move to address the pingdemic, it will apply only in cases where Covid-carriers do not have symptoms about one third of total infections. This means hundreds of thousands are still likely to be pinged each week and the self-isolation carnage will continue to wreak havoc until the rules are fully relaxed later this month. Currently when people are pinged by the app they are advised but not legally obliged to self-isolate for ten days. Trade union Unite said the change in guidance does not go far enough, and repeated its call for the automotive and steel sectors to be exempt from self-isolation rules. Steve Turner, the union's assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said: 'Manufacturing workers share shifts so the two days decision may make little difference. Sometimes whole shifts have been stuck at home as has been the case of late. 'The costs are horrific to workers and industry alike and there are real concerns that work will move overseas or even that steel furnaces could be damaged, which would be devastating for this industry. 'We simply cannot have a situation, for example, where a blast furnace is shut down because workers are stuck at home, testing negatively daily, but forced to self-isolate. 'UK workers must not lose out because the Government's reopening of the economy is incoherent.' The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the change, saying its research found up to 1,000 pubs have been forced to close temporarily due to large numbers of staff being pinged. Emma McClarkin, the association's chief executive, said: 'On average, each pub forced to temporarily close due to staff being pinged costs 9,500 in lost trade per week and our larger venues much, much more at a critical time in their recovery. 'On top of changes to the NHS app, more investment is needed for our sector if it is to recover and play a leading role in building back better. 'The Government must do this by reforming VAT, beer duty and business rates by which pubs and other hospitality businesses are greatly overtaxed.' Twitter user Carmel Day, listed on her profile as an NHS worker, tweeted: 'End the pingdemic now, it's causing equal stress as Covid. Scrap the app. Fit healthy people can't get to work as a result of negative positive pings!' The decision to update the app follows a campaign by the Daily Mail calling for the pingdemic mayhem to be eased. It represents another major virus U-turn by the Government, which until now had stubbornly refused to back down over strict isolation rules paralysing the economy. Industry leaders kept the pressure on the Prime Minister to exempt the fully vaccinated for having to self-isolate. Under the current timetable, those with two doses of a Covid jab in England will not be exempt from self-isolation rules until August 16 - despite Scotland and Wales both bringing the date for this change forward to next week. Yesterday Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the 'logic' of the app was being tweaked to reduce the number of people getting pinged. He said: 'We want to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause for people and businesses, while ensuring we're protecting those most at risk from this virus. Half of Britons avoiding social contact over fears they could be 'pinged' Almost half of Britons have cut back on their socialising over fears they could fall victim to the 'pingdemic', a survey has found. Some 46 per cent of people said they reduced their contact with others because of the risk of being 'pinged' by the NHS ' Covid app and being forced into self-isolation. The YouGov poll for The Times also found that 39 per cent had not reduced their contact. The figures show that the government's self-isolation policy for people coming into contact with anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus is having the 'designed' effect of minimising the spread of the virus. The policy has been incredibly disruptive, with almost 700,000 people being 'pinged' in the last week alone. Current rules mean they will all have to self-isolate for 10 days even with a negative test. However, from August 16 those who are double-vaccinated will not have to stay at home. Boris Johnson confirmed the change last week, saying it was 'nailed on'. The survey of 1,722 people, conducted on July 29 and 30, also suggested the vast majority were sticking to rules, although 10 per cent said they had deleted the NHS Covid app from their phones and 13 per cent had turned off contact tracing. Some 7 per cent of people said they had even avoided taking a Covid test because of the rules which say the 10-day period starts again if you test positive. Advertisement 'This update to the app will help ensure that we are striking the right balance. It's so important that people isolate when asked to do so in order to stop the spread of the virus and protect their communities.' The Government said fewer people will now be pinged overall but the total number of 'high-risk contacts being advised to self-isolate' will stay the same. Research shows that asymptomatic people are unlikely to be infectious beyond the two days before they test positive. Some 689,313 people were pinged by the NHS app in the week to July 21. On top of this, 536,338 alerts were issued manually by NHS Test & trace. The sheer numbers have led to devastating staffing shortages across all sectors of the economy, with hospitality chiefs warning one in ten businesses have had to shut down entirely. Boris Johnson had previously resisted intense pressure from business leaders and Tory backbenchers to end the pingdemic chaos and insisted the measures must stay until August 16. Last night the Department of Health claimed that in the first three weeks of July the app averted up to 2,000 cases per day and approximately 1,600 hospital admissions. It said usage remains high, with about 40 per cent of the 'eligible population' regularly using the app and about 50 per cent of all reported tests being inputted. Dr Jenny Harries, CEO of UK Health Security Agency, said: 'I strongly encourage everyone, even those fully vaccinated, to continue using the app. It is a lifesaving tool that helps us to stay safe and to protect those closest to us as we return to a more familiar way of life.' Liz Kendall, Labour's health spokesman, commenting on news that the NHS Covid app will be tweaked, said: 'The Government has allowed infections to spiral out of control, leaving hundreds of thousands of people forced to self-isolate every day, their response is not to drive down infections but instead quietly change the app that helps to keep us safe. 'This is yet another Covid U-turn from ministers at a time when the public need clarity and certainty - not chaos and mixed messages. It's shambolic and they must get a grip.' Yesterday, Ms Nicholls said one in ten hospitality businesses in Britain had to close over the last month as the 'pingdemic' had a major impact on staffing levels,. She added that one in five firms have had to 'significantly adjust their offer or services' to cope with the pandemic as their revenues plunged. Tom Barras, Daley and George all born in 1994 at height of name's popularity What's in a name? Well for Tom it's currently a tally of nine Olympic medals - five of them gold. Team GB has seen record success at the Tokyo Games so far, and they have a small 'team of Toms' to thank for an impressive quarter of their haul. A rush of successes into this morning saw Britain go into fifth place in the medal table ahead of the Russians. Equestrian rider Tom McEwen, 30, won gold in the Team Eventing - Britain's first for 49 years - before taking home a silver in the individual competition. But the podium finishes also provided a boost to Team Tom. If all the British athletes named Tom were their own Olympic nation, their five gold medals would place them eleventh in the table, above Italy. Team GB has seen record success at the Tokyo Games so far, and they have a small 'team of Toms' to thank for an impressive quarter of their haul. Pictured: Tom Pidcock celebrates winning gold medal in the men's cross country mountain biking If all the British athletes named Tom were their own Olympic nation, their five gold medals would place them eleventh in the table, above Italy. Pictured: New Olympic champion diver Tom Daley The first gold for the unofficial team came from Tom Pidcock, 22, who won the men's mountain bike race at the start of last week. This was was followed by diver Tom Daley realising his dream of winning Olympic gold in a stunning set of synchronised 10-metre platform with partner Matty Lee. Over the next two days Britain had one of its best ever Olympics in swimming events, with Tom Dean winning gold in the Men's 200m freestyle and Men's 4 200m freestyle relay. Tom Barras also won silver in the quadruple sculls rowing and two Toms, Ford and George, were part of the men's eight rowing team that claimed bronze. Equestrian rider Tom McEwen, 30, won gold in the Team Eventing - Britain's first for 49 years - before taking home a silver in the individual competition Team Tom now have nine medals. The success of the Toms - mostly given the name 'Thomas' - may not however come as much of a surprise. Diver Tom Daley and rowers Tom Barras and Tom George were all born in 1994 when Thomas was the most popular boy's name - ahead of James, Jack and Daniel. It was also the second most popular given name when Tom Pidcock was born in 1999 behind Jack, the most popular boys name from 1996 to 2008. Men will dramatically outnumber women within decades because of 'cultural preferences' for boys and prenatal sex selection, a study has found. The paper, published in the journal BMJ Global Health, blamed cultural preferences for boys for causing uneven ratios and projected a 'conservative' deficit of 4.7million female births by 2030. Researchers also said prenatal sex selection has accounted for about half of the recent female deficit, creating skewed ratios at birth in countries across Southeast Europe to South and East Asia since the 1970s. The total number of missing female births between 1970 and 2017 was estimated at 45million - 95 per cent of them were missing from China or India, countries with the largest number of annual births in the world. Researchers also said prenatal sex selection had led to skewed ratios at birth in countries across the globe since the 1970s (stock image) Researchers warned over one third of the world's population would be left with long-term sex imbalances as a result, with unknown social and economic impacts on affected countries. Lead author Dr Fengqing Chao said: 'Fewer than expected females in a population could result in elevated levels of antisocial behaviour and violence, and may ultimately affect long-term stability and social sustainable development.' A male-biased sex ratio could also result in marriage squeeze - where many men do not marry because there are not enough women. Researchers said understanding the potential evolution of sex imbalances at birth was 'essential' for anticipating and planning for changing sex structures across the world. The main challenge, the paper said, is to understand whether birth masculinity will stay indefinitely skewed in countries affected by sex-selective abortions and whether new countries may be affected in the future. Dr Chao called for 'broader legal frameworks' to establish gender equality. Sex selection is one of the key harmful practices defined by the United Nations and targeted under the Sustainable Development Goals. The results were projected in a global sex ratio model using over three billion birth records from 1970 to 2020 from 204 countries. The data also included records from countries, such as China and India, which already have an uneven birth sex ratio. The results showed several sub-Saharan countries, Nigeria, and Pakistan, were expected to have a skewed sex ratio in the coming years - but projected the rate was likely to plateau and then decline in two decades. Panic-buying shoppers have stripped bare shelves in supermarkets in Wuhan after authorities announced they will test the entire city for Covid-19 following the first local infections in more than a year. Supermarkets in the city were packed with shoppers who cleared out shelves as they stocked up on household supplies to brace for another lockdown last night. The city of 11 million is 'swiftly launching comprehensive nucleic acid testing of all residents', official Li Tao said at a press conference on Tuesday after cases emerged among migrant workers. Millions of Chinese people are already under brutal new lockdown orders after an outbreak of the Indian variant linked to airport workers in Nanjing spread across the country. Beijing has severed transport links, imposed mass testing and shuttered people inside their homes as it seeks to cling onto its zero-Covid strategy. Panic-buying shoppers stripped bare shelves in supermarkets in Wuhan after authorities announced they will test the the entire city for Covid-19 following the first local infections in more than a year Supermarkets in Wuhan were packed on Monday as people stocked up on groceries and household supplies in anticipation of being locked down again Panic-buyers filled supermarkets across Wuhan on Monday night after authorities said they would test the entire 11 million population after local Covid-19 cases were reported China has recorded more than 400 domestic cases reported since mid-July when a cluster among airport cleaners in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, sparked infections in over 20 cities across more than a dozen provinces China has been hit by what state media are calling the 'most extensive Covid outbreak since Wuhan' after cases of the Delta variant escaped border quarantine in Yunnan and an outbreak emerged at an airport in Nanjing Authorities in Wuhan have vowed to test the city's entire 11 million population for Covid-19 after reporting new local cases for the first time in over a year The Communist Party had boasted of its success in eradicating the virus throughout much of the country but the new cases in Wuhan - where the virus first emerged - have struck fear into the population. China has recorded more than 400 domestic cases reported since mid-July when a cluster among airport cleaners in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, sparked infections in over 20 cities across more than a dozen provinces. Wuhan city chiefs announced on Monday that seven locally transmitted infections had been found among migrant workers in the city, breaking a year-long streak without domestic cases after Wuhan squashed an initial outbreak with an unprecedented lockdown in early 2020. And the holiday destination of Zhangjiajie in central China's Hunan province abruptly announced Tuesday that no one would be allowed to exit the city, after closing tourist attractions and encouraging visitors to leave last week. 'All residents, tourists and other personnel are forbidden to leave Zhangjiajie,' according to a brief notice published in the city's Communist Party mouthpiece Zhangjiajie Daily. Major cities including the capital Beijing have now tested millions of residents while cordoning off residential compounds and placing close contacts under quarantine. China reported 61 domestic cases on Tuesday. The eastern city of Yangzhou, near Nanjing, was the latest local government to order residents to stay home after large-scale testing detected 40 new infections over the past day. Supermarkets in Wuhan were packed on Monday as people stocked up on groceries and household supplies in anticipation of being locked down again Panic buyers wearing protective face masks line up at the supermarket checkout in Wuhan on Monday Wuhan residents rushed to buy essentials on Monday after authorities said they would test the city's entire population for Covid-19 after reporting its first local cases in over a year Panic-buyers line up at the checkout in a supermarket in Wuhan in the anticipation of a new lockdown after local cases were reported in the city for the first time in over a year Panic-buyers emptied shelves in supermarkets across Wuhan ahead of a new lockdown after the city reported its first local cases in more than a year The more than 1.3 million residents of Yangzhou's urban core are now confined to their homes, with each household allowed to send only one person outside per day to shop for necessities, the city government said Tuesday. The announcement comes after Zhuzhou city near Zhangjiajie imposed similar orders in recent days on more than two million people combined. The outbreak spread to Hunan from Nanjing last month after people in the airport cluster attended theatre performances in Zhangjiajie. Officials have since been desperately tracking down thousands of fellow theatregoers and urging tourists not to travel to areas where cases have been found. Meanwhile, Beijing has blocked tourists from entering the capital during the peak summer holiday travel season and asked residents not to leave unless necessary, with top officials vowing over the weekend to 'spare no expense' in defending the city. Wuhan residents were seen clearing out supermarket shelves in the city on Monday People wearing face masks queue up in a packed supermarket in Wuhan on Monday Panic buyers in Wuhan on Monday amid fears the city is about to plunged into another brutal lockdown Panic shoppers at a supermarket in Wuhan on Monday as the local administration announced plans to test every citizen for Covid Locals pack into a supermarket amid fears they are about to placed under a lockdown order Photos from Wuhan on Monday showed supermarket shelves stripped bare by shoppers apparently stocking up in preparation of being locked back down, in scenes reminiscent of the panic buying before the city was cut off from the rest of the world for 76 days last year in the first lockdown. Officials took to social media on Tuesday pledging to 'calm the panicked mood of city residents', announcing that stores had promised to keep prices and supply chains stable. Mao, a 27-year-old Wuhan resident, told AFP he was 'not worried' about the new outbreak as 'Wuhan has accumulated rich experience', including widespread vaccination. 'I'm not concerned at all that the city will be locked down again,' he said, giving his surname only. It follows Boris Johnson last night axing proposals for new section of amber list Greece is an amber country, meaning people have to quarantine on their return he ex-MEP admitted his trip to the country in July last year was a 'bit fraught' The Prime Minister's father revealed he will use the 'Stanley Johnson loophole' to travel to Greece and visit his holiday let while calling for his son to 'make the country an easy destination again' amid the amber list chaos. Stanley, 80, plans to stay on the Pelion peninsula with his wife at the beginning of September to manage his holiday home, which he says is a 'legally acceptable' excuse even if government policy advises to 'avoid non-essential travel'. The ex-MEP also admitted his trip to the country in July last year was a 'bit fraught' because there were no planes to Athens. But he recalled speaking to a Greek journalist who said the country's government had banned 'direct flights', prompting him to stop over at the Bulgarian capital of Sofia before taking a 'more-or-less connecting flight to Athens'. Currently, Greece is listed as an amber country, meaning visitors must take a Covid test within three days before travelling back to England and quarantine for 10 days upon their return, booking tests on day two and day eight. Those who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine, but they do have to book a day two test. Following a furious backlash from Tory MPs, Boris Johnson last night axed proposals for a new section of the amber list, which would have highlighted holiday destinations at risk of being put on the UK's red list. Reports suggested that Spain could have been added to the category while fellow holiday hotspots Greece and Italy could also have followed suit. Stanley Johnson (pictured in Greece), 80, plans to stay on the Pelion peninsula with his wife at the beginning of September to manage his holiday home Boris Johnson (pictured on Thursday) last night axed proposals for a new section of the amber list, which would have highlighted holiday destinations at risk of being put on the UK's red list Referring to his Greek holiday home, Stanley yesterday wrote in The Telegraph: 'We [Stanley and his wife] will be going there at the beginning of September - though my trip last year, I admit, was a bit fraught'. He then recounted taking a Wizz Air plane to Sofia before taking a connecting flight to Athens, saying it is now 'water under the bridge'. The Prime Minister's father continued: 'Ironically, in March this year Parliament approved the "Stanley Johnson loophole" by deciding that, even if government policy is to "avoid non-essential travel", travelling abroad for the purpose of managing a holiday home is now legally acceptable. 'Perhaps the Government will make Greece an easy holiday destination again. I certainly hope that they do.' His trip to Greece last year sparked criticism from MPs, with Labours Rosena Allin-Khan saying at the time: 'Most people have been following the guidelines and socially distancing not everyone will get a holiday this year. 'Those closest to the Prime Minister have different rules though.' Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael also accused him of 'flouting' the rules, adding: 'This is simply further evidence that when it comes to following the rules, it is one rule for the Conservatives and one rule for everyone else.' But defending his journey, Stanley previously said: 'I'm in Pelion on essential business trying to Covid-proof my property in view of the upcoming letting season. Currently, Greece is listed as an amber country, meaning visitors must take a Covid test within three days before travelling back to England and quarantine for 10 days upon their return, booking tests on day two and day eight It was thought that Spain could be added to the new 'amber watchlist' while countries like Italy and Greece were also feared to follow suit 'I need to set up distancing measures at the property because they're taking it very seriously here.' He continued: 'The Greeks are trying to stop bulk arrivals from the UK but they were quite happy to have me coming in. 'All they wanted to know where I was coming from and what I was doing. Then I had my temperature taken and was swabbed twice. 'We must get these air bridges set up as soon as possible. From what Ive seen the arrival of the British will not be a danger to the Greeks because theyre so careful here.' Meanwhile, the PM today faced calls to tear up the Government's travel traffic light system completely after dramatically dropping plans for a new 'amber watch list'. Bosses at over 300 travel firms have written to the premier urging him to boil down the scheme to a red list. Pictured: A mother and her son check the departures at Heathrow today Labour said the muddled thinking showed the Tories are 'in total chaos' over their pandemic borders policy. Pictured: Passengers arriving at Heathrow yesterday Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were said to have opposed the plans while critics repeatedly asked to see the evidence about how countries are being categorised. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is thought to be among the few who backed the proposals, believing the scheme would have given holidaymakers a fair warning that they could face an expensive quarantine hotel stay on their return to the UK. But with the plans now dropped, travel chiefs have launched a surprise counter by demanding Number 10 now drops the travel traffic light system altogether. Labour said the muddled thinking showed the Tories are 'in total chaos' over their pandemic borders policy. Bosses at more than 300 travel firms have written to the premier urging him to boil down the scheme to just a red list - containing the countries with the highest Covid rates or worrying variant outbreaks. And experts have predicted holiday sales will soar today after the amber watchlist plans were dropped, giving more confidence to British holidaymakers that they will still be able to travel this summer. Scotland will today find out if its remaining major coronavirus restrictions can be lifted on August 9 as Nicola Sturgeon announces her decision on the nation's next step out of lockdown. The First Minister will deliver a statement this afternoon to the Scottish Parliament in which she will set out whether Scotland will be able to move beyond the current Level Zero rules. The SNP leader set the August 9 target date back in June before the country moved to the lowest tier of curbs on July 19 which increased the numbers of people who are allowed to gather and extended the opening hours of hospitality. Other businesses such as soft play were finally allowed to reopen however nightclubs are among those still closed ahead of today's statement. Nicola Sturgeon will today announce whether the remaining major coronavirus rules in Scotland will be lifted on August 9 SNP and Greens set to seal pro-independence alliance deal The SNP and the Scottish Greens are close to a co-operation agreement, a source has said. The two parties have been locked in negotiations since May, after the SNP fell just one seat short of an overall majority at the Holyrood elections. While both parties said there would not be a formal coalition between the two, an agreement would see them work together on key issues, and could even see some Green MSPs appointed as ministers in Nicola Sturgeon's government. An agreement would help towards formalising the 72 pro-independence MSPs in Holyrood, seven more than the 65 needed for a majority. A source familiar with the negotiations said there had been 'good progress' made and a deal was '95 per cent' done. An announcement, the source claimed, could come as early as the end of this week. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar referred to the Scottish Greens as a 'branch office' of the SNP, saying: 'Scotland needs a real alternative that is standing up for our national recovery, the NHS and decent jobs - not the same old constitutional arguments.' Advertisement Sports stadia and concert venues may go back to being able to welcome full capacity crowds again for the first time in nearly 18 months if changes are approved. It was previously suggested all the major remaining Covid-19 restrictions would be relaxed from next week as long as the over-40 age group is fully vaccinated, which the Scottish Government described as a 'gateway condition'. While lifting the restrictions could also bring an end to social distancing, Ms Sturgeon has already confirmed face coverings in shops and public transport will remain mandatory for 'some time to come'. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said social distancing guidance should change as planned but called for amendments to the self-isolation rules of those who are double vaccinated. He said: 'The success of Scotland and the UK's vaccine scheme overall means we can now look to move forward, cautiously but confidently, and remove almost all Covid restrictions. 'The blanket requirement to self-isolate for 10 days should be amended for those who are double vaccinated, since the virus now poses far less risk to people with that level of protection. 'We should move to a test-first system that lets people get on with their lives safely. 'Scotland's economic recovery hinges on the SNP Government moving beyond Covid restrictions we must seize this opportunity to start rebuilding from the damage of Covid now and not delay any longer.' Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, said: 'We are at a crucial moment in our exit from restrictions and while there is light at the end of the tunnel, we must make sure we take all the action necessary to jump start Scotland's recovery. 'We need to ensure that people are kept safe and that businesses are helped to restart the economy. 'Perhaps most importantly, we urgently need a plan for our NHS and care systems to ensure that workers feel supported, services are invested in and the backlog of appointments is cleared. 'We have to learn to live with the virus, but to do so in such a way that the people of Scotland, our NHS and our economy are supported and protected.' The number of positive coronavirus cases continues to fall in Scotland, according to official data published by Public Health Scotland John Staunton, from Rochdale, was caught almost three times over the alcohol limit A Mercedes driver who was caught almost three times over the alcohol limit has claimed he is teetotal and mistakenly downed four pints of vodka mix thinking it was lemonade. John Staunton, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, said he assumed the drink he had been given at a party was alcohol free - but several hours later police found him slumped over the wheel of his car. The 57-year-old was so drunk he could barely speak or unlock the driver's side door and began 'flailing his arms' when asked to produce his driving licence and take a breath test. The father-of-two, who claims to have been abstinent for ten years, initially failed to provide two roadside tests but later at the police station he blew 102 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Staunton, who said he had no recollection of the night and 'woke up in the police station', urged JPs at Tameside Magistrates Court not to ban him from driving - claiming he had not 'knowingly' drunk alcohol. He was spared imprisonment but was instead disqualified for two years and ordered to be electronically tagged for four months as part of a 6pm-6am curfew. Staunton was also ordered to pay 495 in costs and surcharges. The incident occurred at 12.15am on February 10 after police spotted Staunton's Mercedes stopped in a filter lane near a roundabout. In a statement one of the officers named as PC Ryhan said: 'It was causing an obstruction and I pulled up to the side of the vehicle to speak to the driver. 'I originally thought it was broken down and I saw a white male and loud music was coming out of the car. 'I shouted to the driver to put the window down but he didn't respond at first so I got out of the car and tapped on the driver's window. The male appeared intoxicated and confused, and I asked him to open his door. 'The driver started looking around for the unlock button and I then heard the music coming from the car getting louder. Staunton, who said he had no recollection of the night and 'woke up in the police station', urged JPs at Tameside Magistrates Court (pictured) not to ban him from driving - claiming he had not 'knowingly' drunk alcohol 'After asking a few more times, and tapping on the window to unlock the door, the driver finally found the unlock button opened the vehicle door, and I could smell alcohol. 'I turned the vehicle off and the driver was extremely incoherent. I asked him what his name was but he wasn't speaking much, and when he did respond, he was slurring his words. It was difficult to make out what he was saying. 'He started looking for the licence in his wallet and while looking, I saw it was behind his bank card. But the defendant wouldn't allow me to show him where it was and he told me to "get off". 'I asked the male for a sample of breath but he provided two insufficient samples. He was warned he would be arrested for failing to provide a sample and he began flailing his arms around and became abusive, stating: "I will do it again." 'It was not obvious what he meant, but I believed it was he would drive under the influence again.' Staunton told the hearing he had visiting the home of a friend and when asked how clear his recollection was of that night he replied: 'I woke up in the police station.' He added: 'Earlier I was on my way to a petrol station when I thought I will pop in to see Chris Conner - a friend I hadn't seen for a while. I just popped in to say "hello" and his mate gave me a drink of what I thought was lemonade in a pint glass. 'Chris and everyone else knows I don't drink and I haven't drunk for nearly ten years intentionally. I'm on medication and I'm severely disabled in my leg. I drank it in the house and just assumed it was lemonade. 'After that, it's a bit hazy and I really do not know anything. I would never put my licence at risk. My car is my lifeline. I had no idea there was vodka in the lemonade.' Mr Conner told the hearing: 'I had a couple of friends at my house. We were drinking vodka and cream soda in pint glasses and I said to John "do you want a drink?" 'Someone just made him a drink in a pint glass and it just looked like a pint of cream soda. 'He drank three to four glasses then seemed to get happier, a bit more lively. I realized then he had been drinking and took him into the front room and put him on the couch and went to bed. But the following morning, the car wasn't there and I heard from him what happened a day or two later when he rang me.' Prosecutor Adam Bonney said: 'Cream soda and lemonade are not the same. They can't be mistaken and you know when a drink has alcohol in it. 'Even when mixed with vodka, you can tell there is alcohol in a drink. The findings of the reading was 102. He must have known there was alcohol.' But defence lawyer Adrian Palmer said: 'He went to his friend's house and given a pint of drink, which he thought was cheap lemonade or cream soda. 'He didn't know that there was alcohol in it. After that first drink, he doesn't remember anything until he was at the police station. He has been as candid and as open as he can. 'He is remorseful for his actions and devastated at this lapse. He has remained abstinent from alcohol for the last ten years. He may well have been given three to four more glasses, but he doesn't know.' Staunton was also ordered to pay 495 in costs and surcharges. Advertisement The distraught mother of a five-year-old boy whose body was found in a river over the weekend collapsed when doctors told her he could not be saved, family friends have revealed. Logan Williamson was discovered in the River Ogmore close to his home in the village of Sarn near Bridgend early on Saturday, and South Wales Police officers have been questioning three people on suspicion of murder. Logan and his family had recently returned from a holiday in Blackpool and contracted coronavirus during the trip. A man aged 39, a 30-year-old woman and a boy aged 13 remained in police custody last night. Family friends said they received a phone call on Saturday morning from Logan's distraught mother Angharad Williamson to say he had been taken to the nearby Prince of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. She is said to have collapsed when doctors told her Logan could not be saved. Miss Williamson, a full-time mother, attended the hospital while her fiance Jay Cole, a carer, stayed at home with their other children. Logan Williamson is pictured with his mother Angharad Williamson and stepfather Jay Cole, who is Miss Williamson's partner Logan Williamson, five, is pictured at the Ogmore River in Sarn near Bridgend where he was found dead on Saturday Floral tributes near the scene where the body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in Sarn, Bridgend, pictured today A police officer near the scene today after Logan was found in the Ogmore River in the early hours of Saturday morning Police tape at a property in the Sarn area of Bridgend this morning, near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead The couple had been in a relationship for around three years. Miss Williamson's best friend Rhiannon Hales, 26, led tributes to Logan and described Miss Williamson as a devoted mother who was now devastated. 'They are good parents who love their children and bring them up well,' Miss Hales said. 'My little girl is also five and she loved Logan, they were like little boyfriend and girlfriend together. 'I'm shocked and just devastated by what's happened, he called me Auntie Rhi, but Logan was like my own little boy. He was such a happy kid, always said please and thank you. He loved colouring and did all the coronavirus posters in the front window of their flat.' A neighbour said that Logan, also known as Logan Mwangi, was 'the kindest boy you could meet' and 'always looked so happy'. The neighbour added: 'He had a lovely mischievous smile and was a cheeky chap.' Neighbours claimed Logan's mother and stepfather were planning on getting married after Mr Cole proposed in May. One said: 'I think they were planning on getting married next year but they wanted to get the kids involved. 'Logan was beyond excited - he was also so smiley. He didn't really know what a pageboy was - only that it meant getting dressed up. A neighbour said that Logan (pictured) was 'the kindest boy you could meet' and 'always looked so happy' Logan's mother Angharad Williamson and stepfather Jay Cole, who live in the village of Sarn near Bridgend Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend, South Wales, today near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead A tributes to Logan left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today as police continue their investigation A police officer stands outside a house in Sarn today as the investigation into the death of Logan Williamson continues A photo of Logan Williamson is left today amongst the floral tributes near the scene where his body was today The couple had been together for around three years after Miss Williamson and Logan moved to the ground-floor flat in Sarn. Mr Cole later moved into the house following Miss Williamson's split from her first husband after less than a year of being married. Today, police widened the search area of the Ogmore River with divers spending a fourth day scouring the water and its banks after taping off another stretch. Another neighbour said: 'The divers have been in and out of the river for a long time now they're definitely looking for something specific. 'They've had the drone overhead flying up and down the river and the forensics teams have been in and out of the house. It's all very thorough.' Family friends paid tribute online to the 'kind, funny, polite, handsome and clever' boy. Those wanting to pay their respects were encouraged to place teddy bears at a lamppost and footbridge near where his body was found. Floral tributes near the scene where the body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in Sarn, pictured today Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today as the South Wales Police investigation continues The body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in the Ogmore River in Bridgend in the early hours of Saturday morning Neighbours speculated yesterday that police had removed a video doorbell as part of the search for evidence. A photo of the family home showed a strip on the doorframe where a doorbell may have been fixed. But friends said the family did not have a video doorbell. The devices alert homeowners that somebody is at their front door by sending a notification to their phone along with a video. Logan was in a nursery class at Brynmenyn Primary School in Bridgend where he was loved by pupils and staff. Mother Lois Shepherd, 25, left a cuddly toy baby shark chosen by daughter Maisie-Rae, four. She said: 'I'm just shocked and gobsmacked - the is such a small community everyone is feeling the pain of what happened.' Messages left at the river bank include: 'Fly high Logan, sending love and kisses,' 'RIP angel' and 'Thinking of you.' A mother of two who drove two miles to the scene said through tears: 'I didn't know the little boy and his family but I felt I had to come. It's so sad, I can't comprehend what the family is going through.' Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today, near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead A police officer at a cordon near the scene in Sarn today as the investigation continues Chief Inspector Geraint White, of South Wales Police, said: 'This is a tragic incident. We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information, to get in touch. 'We would ask the public not to speculate about this incident on social media as this is an active investigation. If you have any information that can help, please report this to us. Our thoughts are with the family and we are supporting them in every way we can.' Chief Inspector White said 'regular contact' has been made with Logan's family, who are being supported by specialist officers. He added: 'We are keeping an open mind and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of his death so that we can provide answers to his family. 'This is an extensive and sensitive investigation and many people have been affected by this death.' A spokesman for South Wales Central Coroner's Office said they had been notified of the death but an inquest was not yet due to open. People in their 30s can book in for the Pfizer vaccine in Western Australia despite having no new Covid-19 cases, while Sydneysiders grappling with thousands of infections beg for more jabs. Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday announced that a two-week vaccine 'blitz' will start on August 16 for residents between 30 and 39. Those who have already registered on the Roll Up For WA website will be given first priority for bookings and are able to book in immediately for one of the 140,000 Pfizer jabs on offer. Western Australia has not recorded a single case local of Covid since July 4. Pictured: young couple are seen in the water at Cottesloe Beach in Perth. WA has not had a Covid case since July 4 People under 39 in Western Australia will be able to book in for Pfizer. Pictured: Bar staff in Perth pouring drinks Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) said people between 30 and 39 who are registered for the Covid jab will receive a text 'Those registered will receive an SMS from today with a link to book,' Mr McGowan said. 'I encourage those to book as soon as possible and remind people to not just walk in.' Everyone who has not yet registered will be able to make bookings from August 9. The Western Australian government previously allowed people in their 30s to get Pfizer, but the initiative was paused due to short supplies. Mr McGowan hopes to have between 70 and 80 per cent of Aussies on the west coast vaccinated by the end of the year. 'Vaccination is our way out of the pandemic,' he said. Pictured: Members of the Australian Defense Force enforcing Covid restrictions in the Liverpool CBD on August 3 Pictured: people queuing for vaccines in Sydney on Tuesday. Gladys Berejiklian wants millions of NSW residents jabbed in the coming weeks Further east in Covid-addled New South Wales, people under the age of 40 are unable to book in for Pfizer amid the worst outbreak the state has ever seen - with 199 new cases announced on Tuesday. In order to get a vaccine, younger people have to get a letter from their doctor granting them permission to get AstraZeneca because it carries an ultra-rare risk of a blood clotting disorder. Nevertheless, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said during a press conference that she wants six million jabs in arms across the state within weeks. That would mean half the eligible population receiving either their first or second dose of a Covid-19 vaccination. Western Australian announced a two-week testing 'blitz' on Tuesday. Pictured: Members of the public wait to be vaccinated at the Claremont Showground mass vaccination centre in Perth The Western Australian government previously allowed people in their 30s to get Pfizer, but the initiative was paused due to short supplies. Pictured: A woman in a face mask in Perth 'We know that 10 million jabs gives us 80 per cent of the adult population vaccinated,' she said. 'By the end of August, Id like to see New South Wales record six million jabs - that is roughly half the population with at least one or two doses.' Ms Berejiklian said though even a 50 per cent vaccination rate would not be enough to completely remove all social distancing restrictions in Sydney. 'We would never relax completely at a 50 per cent vaccination rate,' she said. 'Every milestone we hit gives the government more options but we can't have those freedoms at 50 per cent.' Advertisement Wally the Walrus has finally left the UK and swum towards Ireland - with experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic. The lonely walrus has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months and spent more than six weeks off the Cornish coast. The walrus is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and to have travelled by himself between Wales, Cornwall and France. The walrus had been in the Isles of Scilly since June 17 and proved a popular hit with tourists and locals. But now Wally has left St Mary's - and locals think he's heading back to Ireland where he was first noticed. Isles of Scilly resident and wildlife enthusiast Scott Reid tweeted: 'Wally has finally left us! He brought so much joy to the islands during his prolonged visit, he'll be missed! Enjoy your stay in Ireland big fella. Safe travel.' Wally the Walrus has finally left the UK and swum towards Ireland as experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic Animal welfare groups believe it initially came across the North Atlantic ocean from Greenland on an ice floe. It was first seen in Ireland before taking up residence in Tenby, Pembrokeshire in March. Posting on Facebook, Seal Rescue Ireland said: 'The Walrus is back in Irish waters! 'The young, male Atlantic Walrus, who was originally sighted on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, last March, has returned to Irish waters after completing the European leg of his tour. 'We ask if anyone encounters the Walrus to please: '1) Do not approach him as he is a protected species. Observe quietly from a minimum of 300m and keep dogs on a lead. Wally the Walrus is swimming back north after abandoning his temporary home on the Isles of Scilly, experts have said The seal trust had warned that if he is continually distracted, he will not gain the weight and energy for a long journey home Wally the famous Arctic Walrus causing havoc for boat owners of the Isles of Scilly earlier this month after returning to the UK '2) Do not publicly disclose the location of the sighting to avoid attracting crowds to him. Remember that this is a very sensitive species, and he's a very long way from his Arctic home. '3) Report sightings to SRI's 24/7 Rescue Hotline on 0871955393. We are working with a number of wildlife organizations who have been monitoring his movements since he was first spotted last March, to minimize the risk of stress and injury and in hopes that he will make his way back to his native northern waters. 'As sea ice melts due to climate change, Arctic species, such as walruses, are losing habitat and may be forced to explore new areas. 'This isn't the first Arctic visitor Ireland has received in recent years (like Cloudberry the Ringed Seal), and he likely won't be the last.' Wally was pictured hitching a ride on a boat so he could sunbathe and rest as experts believe he was seeking physical contact Locals on the Isles of Scilly were warned to stay away from Wally the walrus especially in 'challenging' high temperatures Organisations and individuals, including British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and the St Mary's Harbour Team, had been monitoring Wally's behaviour, implementing strategies to ensure his safety and limit damage to property. The walrus had got into hot water after he became accustomed to climbing on dinghies in the area and damaging boats in St Mary's Harbour. A customised pontoon with his own scent was built for him so he could have a safe space to rest before he ws able to travel again. Dan Jarvis from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which has been monitoring the walrus, said a sighting was confirmed on Monday afternoon. He told the BBC: 'We are really pleased it has worked out for the best. The best news would be that he continues to travel north under his own steam. We'll just have to wait and see. 'He has been a very popular character while he's been here but we're all quite pleased that he's moved on now because we were starting to worry how long this might carry on for. He has certainly been a highlight and something to remember.' BDMLR said in a statement shared with their supporters: 'We hope after having spent enough time recuperating after his jaunt from South Wales to Scilly via Spain, that this is a good sign he now has the energy to power himself back to the Arctic. 'We will of course continue to keep an eye on his travels and assist our colleagues should any help and advice be needed.' Four people have been killed and 20 wounded in a coordinated bomb and gun attack targeting the Afghan defence minister and several lawmakers. The wave of blasts, which Washington said bore the 'hallmarks' of the Taliban, came on Tuesday near the heavily fortified Green Zone, as the Afghan army urged residents to evacuate a besieged southern city ahead of a planned offensive against the insurgents after three days of heavy fighting. Violence has surged across the country since early May when the Taliban launched a nationwide offensive soon after the US-led foreign forces began their final withdrawal. Security officials told AFP news agency that four people were killed and 20 others wounded in Tuesday's attack, with medical charity Emergency saying four bodies of people killed in the assault had been brought to its facility in Kabul. The interior ministry said the attack had been successfully repelled and all the attackers had been killed by security forces. 'A big number of people were rescued and the area is secured now,' spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai told reporters. The first bomb blew up in central Kabul late on Tuesday, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky, AFP correspondents reported. Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi said it was a suicide car bomb attack targeting his house. 'Unfortunately some of my guards are wounded,' he added in a video message. A powerful car bomb followed by several blasts and gunfire rocked the Afghan capital on Tuesday. Pictured: A plume of smoke rises over Kabul after the car bomb exploded The wave of blasts hit not far from the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses several embassies, including the US mission, and came as the Afghan army urged residents to evacuate a besieged southern city ahead of a planned offensive against Taliban insurgents after three days of heavy fighting Less than two hours after the car bomb detonated, another loud blast followed by smaller explosions and rapid gunfire again shook Kabul, in what appeared to be the same area of the city Less than two hours after the car bomb detonated, another loud blast followed by smaller explosions and rapid gunfire again shook Kabul, also near the high-security Green Zone that houses several embassies, including the US mission. A security source said several attackers had stormed a lawmaker's house after setting off the car bomb and were also shooting at the residence of the defence minister from there. 'Several lawmakers were meeting at the house of this MP to make a plan to counter the Taliban offensive in the north,' the source told AFP. No group has yet claimed the attack, but Washington has pointed the finger at the Taliban. 'We're not in a position to attribute it officially just yet but of course it does bear all the hallmarks of the spate of Taliban attacks that we have seen in recent weeks,' State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. 'We unequivocally condemn the bombing, and we continue to stand by our [Afghan] partners.' The Islamic Sate group has claimed some recent attacks in Kabul but most have gone unclaimed, with the government blaming the Taliban and the Taliban blaming the government. Hundreds of residents in the area were moved to safety, said Ferdaws Faramarz, spokesman for the Kabul police chief. He said earlier that security personnel were searching house to house should more attackers be hiding in the area. Security officials told AFP news agency that four people were killed and 20 others wounded in Tuesday's attack, with medical charity Emergency saying four bodies of people killed in the assault had been brought to its facility in Kabul Even as the blasts and gunfire rocked the city, crowds of people marched down Kabul's streets and took to rooftops chanting 'Allahu Akbar' and 'Death to the Taliban' in support of Afghan forces battling the insurgents in three regional capitals. 'We are in support of Afghan forces and all those who are against the Taliban and fighting on the frontlines,' said Karim, a resident of Kabul who gave only one name. The insurgents' assaults on the cities of Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat since last week have come after they seized control of much of rural Afghanistan, and foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal from the country in May. The explosions in Kabul came as the general charged with defending one of Afghanistan's major cities against the Taliban urged civilians to evacuate the besieged provincial capital ahead of a major army offensive. Acting Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi appeared to have been targeted in an attack but was taken to safety. All roads leading to the minister's house and guesthouse were closed, he said Afghan police are searching door to door for attackers following the series of explosions in Kabul The explosions in Kabul came as the general charged with defending one of Afghanistan 's major cities against the Taliban urged civilians to evacuate the besieged provincial capital ahead of a major army offensive General Sami Sadat, whose troops are manning barricades in the city of Lashkar Gah, said civilians should 'leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation'. 'I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses - it is hard for us too - but if you are displaced for a few days please forgive us,' he added. 'We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them and... we will not leave a single Taliban alive.' It came hours after Sadat warned of 'devastating' consequences if the Islamists claim victory. He spoke out amid five days of continual fighting that has seen Taliban fighters seize districts in the city centre, raising fears it could be the first provincial capital to fall. Sadat had warned a win for the Taliban will inspire terror groups across the globe and could spark a renewed wave of attacks in Europe and America. 'This is not a war of Afghanistan, this is a war between liberty and totalitarianism,' the commander warned. The general charged with defending Lashkar Gah against a Taliban assault (pictured) has warned of devastating consequences for global security if the Islamists claim victory Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, has been under attack for five days with Taliban fighters capturing parts of the city centre (pictured) The commander in charge of Lashkar Gah's defences has urged civilians to evacuate ahead of an army offensive against the Taliban Officials said insurgents had seized more than a dozen local radio and TV stations in Lashkar Gah, leaving only one pro-Taliban channel broadcasting Islamic programming. Sefatullah, director of Sukon radio in the city said fighting was 'intense' on Tuesday morning with US and Afghan air force plans pounding Taliban positions. He added fighting was ongoing near the city's prison and a building housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies. At least 40 civilians have been killed and more than 100 wounded in the last 24 hours of fighting in the southern city, the United Nations said on Tuesday. In a tweet, the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan expressed 'deepening concern' at the plight of civilians in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, urging an 'immediate end to fighting in urban areas'. The Taliban have been on the march in Afghanistan for months, capturing swathes of countryside from government forces as the US and NATO withdrew. In some places the fighting has been fierce, with Taliban fighters scoring major battlefield victories. In others, government forces have fled or surrendered. In recent days, the US military has intensified air strikes across the country in a bid to stem Taliban advances. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. President Ashraf Ghani and his allies have attempted to portray the retreat as tactical - saying the government is massing forces in cities which are easier to defend and vital for overall control of the country. But that is now being put to the test, with a major Taliban assault on those regional capitals which had long been expected beginning at the weekend. Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province which is the Taliban's historic stronghold, has been the hardest-hit - with fighting there now in its fifth day. Explosions were seen near police headquarters, the provincial governor's compound and the city's main prison on Monday, according to TOLO News. Afghan security personnel patrol the deserted streets of Lashkar Gah, a city under siege by the Taliban, on Tuesday The streets of Lashkar Gah were deserted on Tuesday as the Taliban continued their advance towards the provincial capital Despite major gains by the Taliban in Lashkar Gah, General Sadat told the BBC that he is confident the Islamists will not take the city, believing they cannot sustain the ferocity of their current attack. But he was sufficiently worried to issue a warning to world leaders about what could happen, if the city falls into their hands. 'This will increase the hope for small extremist groups to mobilise in the cities of Europe and America, and will have a devastating effect on global security,' he said. Also hit were the cities of Kandahar - also in Helmand - and Herat, in the north west. In Herat hundreds of residents chanted 'Allahu akbar' (God is greatest) from their rooftops after government forces repulsed the latest Taliban assault. Afghan officials said government forces had managed to push back the insurgents from several areas of that city - including near the airport, which is vital for resupplies. Another official said US warplanes had carried out air strikes, but that could not be confirmed. Addressing parliament in Kabul on Monday, President Ghani blamed a hasty retreat by American and NATO forces while peace talks were still underway between his government and the Taliban for destabilizing the country. In some places the fighting has been fierce, with Taliban fighters scoring major battlefield victories. In others, government forces have fled or surrendered President Ashraf Ghani has warned that America and NATO's rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan has destabilised the country and led to the Taliban's resurgence He then urged ministers to back to a 'national mobilisation' drive to bolster the armed forces and drive the Taliban back, predicting a 'sea change' in the conflict in the next six months, though did not elaborate further. Ghani has been forced to turn to regional warlords for support in the fighting, which analysts have warned could drag the country back into a civil war of the kind seen in the 1990s - from which the Taliban first emerged. He also insisted that his Afghan forces are up to the task and have the 'capacity' to defeat the insurgents. But in past weeks, the army has struggled against the Taliban onslaught and have often been left without reinforcements and resupplies. Hours after the president's remarks, Taliban fighters seized control of Helmand province's government radio and TV building in Lashkar Gah. Resident Haji Sadullah said they broadcast religious songs and invited people to follow their path for close to an hour on both AM and FM frequencies, The building is located 400 yards to the north of the provincial governor's office. 'Taliban were announcing that Radio Sharia started broadcasting after almost 20 years,' Sadullah said. On Sunday, the Afghan armed forces spokesman, Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari, told reporters that three provinces in southern and western Afghanistan face critical security situations. Taliban fighters have also attacked Herat (pictured), in the north west of the country, and Kandahar in the south Southern Kandahar - the birthplace of the Taliban - as well as Helmand and Herat provinces have witnessed several attacks. Helmand provincial council chief Attaullah Afghan said the Taliban now have control of Lashkar Gah's seventh district. On Monday, elite Afghan commando units were dispatched to help defend the city. 'There has been relentless gunfire, air strikes and mortars in densely populated areas. Houses are being bombed, and many people are suffering severe injuries,' said Sarah Leahy, Helmand coordinator for Doctors Without Borders. The group, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres or MSF, said in a statement Monday that life in Lashkar Gah was at a standstill as residents hunker down inside their homes, afraid to venture out. 'Some of our colleagues are staying overnight in the hospital as it's safer, but also so they can keep on treating patients,' the organization said. 'The situation has been dire for months but now it is even worse.' Faizullah, who like many other Afghans goes by one name, told The Associated Press over the phone that he fled Lashkar Gah with his family and was now following the Helmand River to safety. Clashes between the Taliban and Afghan forces have intensified, he said, and 'Afghan security forces are out of supplies and food in the city.' Back in Kabul, Ghani claimed his government has the financial and political support of the United States and the international community to turn the tide even as he urged the insurgents to rejoin peace talks. 'We either sit knee to knee at the real negotiating table or break their (Taliban) knees on the battleground' Ghani said. Washington and London have lashed out at the Taliban, accusing them of committing atrocities that may amount to 'war crimes' in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan. Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the insurgents had indulged in revenge killings there, leaving at least 40 people dead. 'The Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict,' the group said. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken also slammed the militant leaders. An Afghanistan without a democratic, inclusive government would be a 'pariah state,' he said, adding that the international recognition the group wants will not be possible if it 'seeks to take the country by force and commits the kind of atrocities that have been reported.' Fighting across the country, meanwhile, has displaced around 80,000 children from the start of June, humanitarian organisation Save the Children said on Tuesday, adding that many schools and health facilities had also been damaged. Advertisement The traditional pub that stars in ITV's Doc Martin series is in need of a new landlord as the local brewery advertises it as a 'dream job'. St Austell Brewery is looking for new licensees to take over the Golden Lion Pub in Cornwall that overlooks Port Isaac's harbour front. The scenic watering hole will be familiar to fans of Martin Clunes' hit show as well as those of the 2019 Fisherman's Friends movie - having featured in both. It is also set for a further appearance in the anticipated Fisherman's Friends sequel due to hit cinemas in 2022. St Austell Brewery is looking for new licensees to take over the Golden Lion Pub in Cornwall that overlooks Port Isaac's harbour front While the pub is famous from the outside, inside there are plenty of historical artefacts with a bar area, separate from the main bar, affectionately called 'The Bones Bar' The scenic watering hole will be familiar to fans of ITV's Doc Martin TV series The main ground floor hosts a principal bar with 26 covers, a snug bar with around further 12 covers and a small balcony which can cater for approximately 30 covers that looks out across the harbour. While the pub is famous from the outside, inside there are plenty of historical artefacts. The bar area separate from the main bar, affectionately called 'The Bones Bar,' lies on the lower ground floor. It features a section of glass flooring that reveals an old passageway believed to have been a storage area used by smugglers many years ago. The pub also boasts an outside area called 'The Gun Deck,' accessed through a door from the bar, which is home to a gun from the SS Milly, a 3,000-ton British steamer that was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Port Isaac in 1918. A spokesperson for St Austell Brewery, which has the Golden Lion as part of its estate, said: 'Running a pub is a dream job for many. 'Taking the helm of an establishment that not only resides in a North Cornwall coastal haven but has also appeared on the silver screen represents a unique and exciting prospect. 'The ideal operator will need to be aware of the local opportunities and have an understanding of very large seasonal uplift. The pub also boasts an outside area called 'The Gun Deck' which is home to a gun (pictured) from the SS Milly, a 3,000-ton British steamer that was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Port Isaac in 1918 The main ground floor hosts a principal bar with 26 covers, a snug bar with around further 12 covers and a small balcony that looks out across the harbour The Golden Lion Pub is also set for a further appearance in the anticipated Fisherman's Friends sequel due to hit cinemas in 2022 The traditional pub that stars in ITV's Doc Martin series is in need of a new landlord overlooks Port Isaac's harbour front (pictured) 'Being set in such a desirable location means the pub experiences significant seasonal demand over the summer. A passion for quality cask ales, delicious locally sourced food, and building a successful team is essential.' ITV's Doc Martin debuted in 2004 and has so far enjoyed nine seasons with a tenth anticipated for 2022. The show was previously registered as one of the UK's top five scripted programmes after Series Five achieved an average of over 10 million viewers across its run. Older workers have an 'obligation' to return to their workplaces to help pass the younger generation learn key skills, a minister claimed today. Gillian Keegan said it was now 'safe' to reduce working from home and suggested that the more experienced should lead the charge to help inexperienced colleagues build 'social capital'. She said younger staff were 'desperate to return' but 'you can't go in and just sit there on your own, you have to be there with people that you can learn from'. Her comments came after Rishi Sunak again advocated for younger workers to ditch their kitchens and spare rooms for the sake of their careers. In a clear sign the Chancellor is keen for staff to return to the workplace he last night said it was 'really beneficial' being in an office at the start of his career as a banker. And this morning Ms Keegan, the Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, told Talk Radio that while flexible working would continue 'all of us can still remember all the people we learned from all of our career and that is important for young people as well'. 'We have that obligation to pass on our knowledge, our skills, our talents, to nurture people, to mentor people,' she said. 'That is still an important part and there is a limit to how much you can do that on screen.' Gillian Keegan said it was now 'safe' to reduce working from home and suggested that the more experienced should lead the charge to help inexperienced colleagues build 'social capital. Rishi Sunak has said it was 'really beneficial' being in an office at the start of his career as he highlighted the benefits of young people being in the workplace It comes after Mr Sunak last month said that it was 'really important' for young people to be in a workplace and that he was looking forward to 'slowly getting back to that'. Since July 19 the Government has no longer been instructing employees to work from home in England and guidance published online says it 'expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer'. Asked about a return to offices last night on a visit to Aston Business School in Birmingham, Mr Sunak told LinkedIn News: 'I have spoken previously about young people in particular benefiting from being in offices. It was really beneficial to me when I was starting out.' The Chancellor said that on a visit to Scotland last week he met young people starting careers in financial services, an industry he has also worked in. 'I was telling them [about] the mentors that I found when I first started my job [who] I still talk to and they have been helpful to me all through my career even after we have gone in different ways,' he said. 'I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom.' But Mr Sunak also said the Government has left the decision up to businesses. He said: 'We've kind of stopped saying that people should actively work from home and have now left it up to businesses to work with their teams to figure out the right approach. In terms of a return to work, we have said we would expect that and recommend that to be gradual from when the restrictions eased.' In a clear sign the Chancellor is keen for staff to return to the workplace, he spoke of the helpful relationships he had made Ms Keegan, the Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, told Times Radio: 'I have been in the office four days a week since June last year, as have many of us you know because obviously we have had to navigate these very difficult decisions during the pandemic. 'And many of the civil servants are also back now, more and more are coming back, and quite frankly they are all excited to come back.' She added: 'We have been there all the time as have many civil servants who support us. Of course the Government's advice was to work from home and we have only recently changed that advice to say it is safe to go back to the office.' She said the Government has said 'use the summer to sort of reintroduce people coming back'. Asked how many civil servants are back in the office, she said: 'In the DfE, I would say probably 20-25 per cent at the moment on any one day, obviously different people are coming in different days.' She added: 'I think we have led by example and I think more and more people will, but we have said use the summer to get people coming back, get people comfortable with coming back, and you know not everybody will be back all the time, flexible working will be part of our future and we are not telling businesses what to do.' A bizarre video has captured the moment an anti-lockdown protester who pretended to be doing yoga in a park with a group of others was dragged away by cops. In the wild footage, a maskless man could be seen kneeling on the grass of New Farm park in Brisbane's CBD on Monday as police held his arms behind his back. 'Leave my jacket alone,' he told the officers before they carted him away. People in locked-down south-east Queensland are only allowed to exercise outdoors with one other person amid some of the toughest restrictions the state has ever seen to curb the growing number of Covid infections in the region. While the video is captioned 'man arrested in a park in Brisbane for doing yoga', a spokesman for Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia the group used yoga as a strategy to avoid arrest at the demonstration. Pictured: A man being arrested by police at New Farm Park in Brisbane at a demonstration on Monday after he claimed he was only practising yoga 'That was a strategy for the protesters - they pretended they were doing exercise and police were moving them on,' the spokesman said. Even though the man wasn't wearing a face mask like he should have been, the spokesman said cops would have simply given him a fine if he wasn't protesting. After her friend was dragged off, a woman tried to argue with a nearby officer about whether he was allowed to enforce Covid-19 restrictions. He assured her that he was, before asking if the group were all from the same household. 'No,' she replied. 'Then you can't be sitting together in the park doing yoga - you can only be out with one other person who is not from your household,' the officer said. Pictured: Police drag a man away after he was caught at a protest with a group of others Seventeen people were arrested at the small demonstration, and police largely blasted attendees for 'wasting resources'. Protesters could be heard chanting 'I decline your offer of contract' before two men were taken into a police van. Officers spoke with everyone at the park to find out why they were there, and whether they were within a 10km radius of their homes. Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said: 'It is quite regrettable we have to be out policing a protest this morning when we're in lockdown. 'My message to those people tying up hundreds of police when they can be out doing other things is go home, now is not the time to protest, put the interests of the community ahead of your own views.' The state's latest Covid outbreak of the Indian delta variant continued to grow, on Tuesday with 16 new cases of community transmission. Long queues are seen at a Metro South Health clinic at Capalaba in Brisbane Brisbane schools continue to be the focus of the latest outbreak, with one new case linked to Indooroopilly State High School, two cases linked to Brisbane Girls' Grammar School and three new cases linked to Ironside State High School. Five new cases are household or family contacts of already confirmed cases. Another was a neighbour of a known case. The new cases bring the number of active cases linked to the current outbreak to 47. At a press conference on Tuesday, chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said it was 'pleasing' that all new cases were linked to the Indooroopilly State High School outbreak but that she still did not know how it was transmitted from two international arrivals. She said the threshold for lifting the lockdown next Sunday at 4pm would be the number of cases in quarantine. 'On Sunday, we will want to have seen that any new cases that have been coming up have been in quarantine for their full infectious period.' An FBI agent had an inappropriate relationship with a junior colleague then asked her for suggestive photos he used to mount an online pedophile sting. The unnamed agent was originally accused of having 'engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an FBI support staff employee.' He is then said to have leveraged that relationship to ask the woman to 'provide him with provocative pictures of herself for online [undercover] operations.' That agent had allegedly used the support employees' photos in his investigations, which prompted a Department of Justice investigation whose findings were shared Monday. A memo from DoJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz said an investigation led by the Justice Department's internal watchdog's revealed that the unidentified agent's conduct was not an isolated incident, with his co-workers engaging in the same highly inappropriate practice. Hortwitz's office also slammed the accused agents of not documenting which female employees were used as bait as well as not keeping track of which websites their photos were being posted on. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz criticized the FBI after an investigation revealed agents were soliciting photos of female employees for their own investigations An FBI agent allegedly asked a female support staffer to provide 'provocative' photos of herself that he used as bait in an undercover sex-trafficking operation Horowitz explained that the unnamed agent at the center of the investigation posted the photographs on social media without seeking the approval of supervisors, USA Today reported. While their faces were blurred and they remained clothed, Horowitz said the staff whose photos were used were not certified undercover or covert employees. The agent under investigation never obtained written consent from the employees, and he advised them 'not to tell anyone, including their supervisors, about the UC [undercover] operations'. 'It was almost defensible until 'don't tell anyone,' attorney and National Security Counselors Executive Director Kel McClanahan wrote on Twitter. The DOJ's Office of Inspector General does not note the exact number of FBI agents who also took part in this behavior, nor do they say when these investigations using the photos took place. No identifies of any of those involved in place, and it is unclear if any disciplinary action was meted out as a result. In a memo on Monday, Inspector General Michael Horowitz said the investigation led his office to discover that the unidentified agent's conduct was not an isolated incident It added that the agent and his supervisor couldn't document 'how the photographers were obtained or used'. Horowitz said that 'this conduct poses potential adverse consequences' for non-undercover certified staff, noting that posting their photos online could place them 'in danger of becoming the victims of criminal offenses'. He added that the FBI had no policy in place concerning the use of photos of non-certified undercover staff in undercover operations. Horowitz recommended that the FBI to establish one and to make sure agents obtain written consent from employees who appear in photographs for undercover operations. Brian Turner, an executive assistant director at the FBI, responded in a July 27 memo, saying the bureau will 'evaluate existing policy and determine which policies require adjustment'. He said the findings concerning the special agent's conduct would be adjudicated by the Office of Professional Responsibility. The findings follow a scathing inspector general report issued last month, which found that the FBI bureau had botched its investigation into sex abuse allegations against disgraced US Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The Senate Judiciary Committee has said it intends to conduct an oversight hearing into the FBI's failings in the Nassar case. If you or someone you know needs help, call Samaritans free on 116123 Addiction expert Ian Hamilton said the figures are 'absolutely damning' and the UK 'clearly has a problem' Experts have called the figures 'tragic and concerning' and called on the Government to take action The number is 3.8 per cent higher than one year earlier and marks the eighth year drug deaths have increased Over 4,500 deaths last year were linked with drugs, the highest number since records began in 1993 Advertisement Deaths from MDMA, cocaine and sleeping pills such as Xanax have spiralled up to ten-fold in a decade, official figures revealed today as drug fatalities surged to their highest level since 1993. Office for National Statistics data showed 4,561 deaths in England and Wales registered last year were related to drug poisoning in 2020, marking the ninth successive year that drug fatalities have risen. MDMA, also known as ecstasy, was behind ten times more deaths than in 2010, and among men fatalities linked to the drug were thirteen times higher than ten years ago. Cocaine-related fatalities jumped almost five-fold over the same period to 777, with rates among women soaring from just 19 to almost 160. And deaths involving benzodiazepine a class of powerful sleeping pills that include Xanax and Valium rose by almost 60 per cent in ten years. Experts said today the figures were sad but not surprising, especially for cocaine 'given that [the drug] is so readily available and as easy to order as a Deliveroo'. They slammed the data as 'tragic and concerning', and called on ministers to urgently dish out extra support to fix the 'public health emergency'. Many of those who died from taking illegal drugs were born in the 1970s. The victims include members of the so-called 'Trainspotting generation' that live in poorer towns and cities and became addicted to heroin in the 1990s when prices were cheap. Health Secretary Sajid Javid responded to the figures today saying the Government 'is committed to tackling drug misuse and saving lives'. Ministers are now proposing to make naloxone a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose more widely available. The ONS figures cover 2020 but because of registration delays most of the fatalities occurred the previous year, meaning they do not show how lockdown may have encouraged the use of illegal drugs. Experts said successive shutdowns were only likely to spark a rise in drug-linked deaths. It comes after Scotland recorded a record high 1,339 drug-related deaths in 2020, the worst drugs death rate in Europe. Heroin, morphine and cocaine were behind the most drug-related deaths in 2020 Office for National Statistics figures today revealed that drug-related deaths have risen to their highest level in almost 30 years. Charities slammed the figures as 'tragic and concerning' and called on the Government to do more to help people with addictions. But one said the rise in cocaine-related deaths, which were the second highest in the country, were sad but 'especially unsurprising... given that the drug is so readily available and as easy to order as a Deliveroo'. Below are the top ten drugs that sparked the most deaths from addiction: Drug Heroin and morphine Cocaine Any antidepressant Methadone Any benzodiazepine Pregabalin Diazepam Any paracetamol Paracetamol Any other antidepressants Codeine No. of deaths in 2020 1,337 777 517 516 476 344 304 235 235 219 203 Advertisement Official figures showed MDMA and ecstasy were only behind eight deaths in 2010, compared to 82 last year. The jump was most pronounced among men where the number rose from five to 70, compared to a three-fold rise from three to 17 for women. Cocaine was mentioned on 777 death certificates, compared to 144 ten years ago. It is now the second most common cause of death from drugs, behind heroin and morphine, up nine places from 2010. Women saw the sharpest rise in deaths from the drug after they surged from 19 to 158. But the majority were still among men after they rose almost four-fold from 125 to 619. There were also 476 deaths linked to benzodiazepine, which includes sleeping drugs such as Xanax. This was the fifth most common cause of drug-related death, and up from 307 ten years ago. Of the deaths registered last year, two thirds (2,996) were related to drug misuse and around half (2,263) involved an opiate. Heroin and morphine was the most common cause of drug related death in 2020 after it was mentioned on 1,337 death certificates. This was an increase of 69 per cent on ten years ago. Antidepressants were the third most common cause of death after they were linked to 517 fatalities, and methadone which is used to treat heroin addiction was the fourth most common after being linked to 516 fatalities. The worst-hit areas had three times more fatalities due to drugs than the least impacted places. The North East experienced the highest rates at 105 drug-related deaths per million people. But in London there were 33 per million. Breaking England down by local areas revealed Blackpool in the North West was worst hit, recording 31 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people. It was followed by Middlesbrough, in the North East (24.8 per 100,000) and Hartlepool, also in the North East (23.8 per 100,000). For comparison, Harrow in London had the lowest drug-related death rate ( 2.5 per 100,000). It was followed by Bromley (2.8 per 100,000) and Windsor and Maidenhead (also 2.8 per 100,000). Wales recorded its lowest rate since 2014 51.1 deaths per million which was an annual fall of 9.1 per cent. The ONS said death registration delays could be affecting the figures. The highest rate of drug misuse deaths was found in those aged 45 to 49, closely followed by those in their early 40s. But rates stayed flat across teenagers and the elderly. So-called Generation X, born in the 1970s, has consistently had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths in the past quarter of a century. The ONS said this ageing cohort of drug users is likely to be suffering the effects of long-term drug use and are at increasing risk of having an fatal overdose. Males accounted for more than two thirds of the registered deaths (3,108), but rates increased in both genders. Separate figures released last week showed that 1,339 people died from drugs last year in Scotland, which has the worst drug death rate in Europe. Drug-related deaths in the worst-hit areas were 12 times higher than in the least affected places Drug-related deaths were 12 times higher in the worst-hit areas of England compared to those where few people took the substances, official figures reveal. Office for National Statistics data today showed the North East suffered from the highest levels of drug deaths last year, with a rate of 105 drug-related fatalities per million residents. This was three times higher than in London, which suffered the smallest impact from drugs, where the rate was 35 per million. The worst hit area in the country was Blackpool, in the North West, with a drug-related death rate of 31 fatalities per 100,000 residents last year. It was followed by Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, both in the North East, where the rate was 24 per 100,000. For comparison, the area recording the fewest drug fatalities was the London borough of Harrow where the rate was 2.5 per 100,000. Below are the five worst-hit and five least badly affected areas in England. Worst hit areas Blackpool Middlesbrough Hartlepool Blackburn Stoke-on-Trent Fewest drug fatalities Harrow Waltham Forest Windsor and Maidenhead Bromley Brent Drug deaths per 100,000 31 24.8 23.8 17.6 16.4 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.8 3.1 Advertisement Ian Hamilton, a senior lecturer in addiction and mental health at the University of York, told MailOnline the rise in drug deaths is 'absolutely damning'. He said: 'The UK clearly has a problem as we now lead Europe in having the highest rates of drug related deaths in the continent. 'What really worries me is the surge in deaths due to cocaine up 10 per cent on the previous year which was already at a record high. 'This is due to the rising potency of cocaine which is also more affordable than its ever been. 'There is no quality control provided to users of the drug the only way they know how strong it is unfortunately is when they overdose on it.' He added: 'The Government has a clear choice: they can continue to ignore the record numbers dying or they can embrace the evidence that shows how to reduce these tragedies. 'Investing modest amounts in specialist treatment we know protects people from dying prematurely so does the availability of naloxone, a drug that reverses overdose. 'But instead the Prime Minister and Home Secretary seem fixated on cheap political posturing by saying they will target recreational users of drugs who they think they won't get caught, doing this will do absolutely nothing to prevent another rise in drug related deaths next year.' Dr Emily Finch, vice-chair of the addictions faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'Another year and yet another increase in the number of tragic and wholly avoidable drug-deaths. Years of cuts have left addictions services ill-equipped to treat people and prevent these deaths from rising. 'The Government needs to wake up to the fact that cuts to services, disconnecting NHS mental health services from addiction services and shifting the focus away from harm reduction to abstinence-based recovery is destroying lives and fuelling the increase in drug-related deaths. 'They have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle rising drug-related deaths by acting on the recommendations made in Dame Carol Black's landmark report on addiction services. 'Funding must increase, the workforce crisis must be tackled, and people living with a drug addiction must have access to the mental health support they desperately need.' The Dame Carol Black report, the second part of which was published last month, made recommendations to Government after concluding that the public provision for drug prevention, treatment and recovery is 'not fit for purpose and urgently needs repair'. The report was commissioned by the Home Office and the first part, published last February, laid bare the extent of the illicit drugs market in the UK. Scottish drug deaths hit a new record of 1,339 - the worst in Europe - after rising for a SEVENTH year running as Nicola Sturgeon is accused of presiding over 'national shame' The grim toll went up 5 per cent last year, the seventh annual rise in a row, as the country continued to have the worst fatality rate in Europe Nicola Sturgeon was accused of presiding over 'national shame' today as Scotland's drugs deaths hit a new record of 1,339. The grim toll went up 5 per cent last year, the seventh annual rise in a row, as the country continued to have the worst fatality rate in Europe. With 21.2 deaths per 1,000 people, the level is more than three-and-a-half times higher than the rest of the UK. Some 291 lost their lives in Glasgow alone - the worst hit area. Of the overall figure, 1,192 deaths were related in some way to opioids. Amid outrage at the scale of the tragedy, Ms Sturgeon said it was 'unacceptable' and each was a 'human tragedy'. She insisted the Scottish Government 'does not shirk the responsibility & we are determined to make changes that will save lives'. Advertisement Clare Taylor, national director of operations at Turning Point an organisation dedicated to fighting substance misuse, said the 'public health emergency' needed an immediate response. Eytan Alexander, a recovering drug addict and chief executive of UK Addiction Treatment Centres, told the Guardian the rise was upsetting but not a shock, with cocaine 'so readily available and as easy to order as a Deliveroo'. He added: 'We're living in a parallel pandemic: a drug, alcohol, and mental health pandemic that has only worsened due to the virus. Enough is enough we need to come together as a society and take real action.' Jon Murray, executive director of services in England at With You said: 'The stark figures released today by the ONS are tragic and concerning. Behind these figures are heartbreaking stories of extreme trauma and resilience. Every drug-related death is preventable and impacts families and communities years down the line. 'Our thoughts are with the thousands of people who have lost a loved one in the past year. 'For many people drug use is a reaction to their environment so it's no surprise that drug-related deaths are highest in the most deprived areas of the country. 'Issues such as rising homelessness, poor mental health and a lack of economic opportunities all lead to people using drugs, and for many, these challenges have become worse due to the pandemic. 'Too many people who need treatment aren't accessing it, and too many people are unaware of the potential harms of their drug use. 'These figures are unacceptable but we are hopeful that change is possible. The recommendations in Dame Carol Black's Independent Review of Drugs outline achievable steps that will help to reduce the level of drug-related deaths in England and Wales. 'The additional investment through project ADDER and the newly announced drug strategy are all positive developments but we need to do more. 'We are calling on the Government to respond to today's statistics by bringing serious political commitment to this issue and ensuring the appropriate financial investment is made in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to action the recommendations of Dame Carol Black's review.' Mark Moody, chief executive of charity Change Grow Live, said the continued increase in drug death rates signals 'the need for us to take action now'. He said: 'The recommendations made to Government in the Dame Carol Black Review offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change things for the better, but only if they are implemented in their entirety.' 'For things to improve, we must directly challenge the stigma faced by people who use drugs. This starts by recognising that drug dependency is a chronic health condition which must be integrated alongside NHS services, criminal justice pathways and housing support.' 'No single organisation has the solution to drug-related deaths, and a national Drug Strategy must be led by the voices of the people who are most affected. We hope to work together with Government and other partners to share our expertise, insights, and evidence.' 'By working together, we have a much greater chance of preventing harm, saving lives and changing society for the better.' Dr Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at mental health care provider Priory, said: 'The figures are alarming and reflect what we are seeing at the Priory. 'Cocaine use is prevalent across classes and used by all levels of society. There's been a huge rise in its availability, and it's as easy to get hold of as pizza often people get it delivered to their door. 'It's highly addictive and still seen as fashionable in many circles, and we see people whose lives have been totally destroyed by it. As people get older, especially if they have been using it for some years, they are far more vulnerable to heart attacks. 'An increase in the availability of cheaper, low-purity, powdered cocaine means that many have access to the drug without breaking the bank. People want an instant anti-depressant, and they think cocaine is it, but it absolutely isn't. 'Increased use is also partly linked to the stresses of modern living, and lockdown itself has exacerbated the problem. People either have two jobs or no job, so they become exhausted and get depressed; that's often when they use cocaine. 'During lockdown people were more isolated, they got bored and their personal relationships were strained, and we saw a sharp acceleration of drug-taking during the pandemic. Isolation was leading to anxiety and depression but drugs themselves were also more deadly. Sometimes they are mixed by suppliers or people themselves to boost their effects.' Over 42,000 has been donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution after a mocking fundraiser was set up to buy the organisation a new hovercraft and name it 'The Flying Farage'. The tongue-in-cheek GoFundMe page is already nearing the halfway mark of its 100,000 goal after being set up on Saturday, July 31. Its playful name is a thinly-veiled shot at former UKIP leader and GB News presenter Nigel Farage, 57, who had described the charity as a 'migrant taxi service' after rescuing people crossing the Channel in tiny boats. Simon Harris, the fundraiser's creator, said he was inspired to raise the funds for a 'lifesaving hovercraft' after Farage's 'active interest' in the RNLI's recent activities. Mr Harris, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, also donated more than 5,000 on his Facebook page after taking the sarcastic swipe at Mr Farage. GoFundMe page creator Simon Harris wrote in the description: 'I am trying to raise enough money to buy a new lifesaving hovercraft for the RNLI, and I would like it to be called 'The Flying Farage'. 'I feel this would be incredibly appropriate due to Mr Farage taking such an active interest in the RNLI's activities right now.' The tongue-in-cheek GoFundMe page, set up by Simon Harris of Southend-on-Sea, is already nearing the halfway mark of its 100,000 goal after being set up on Saturday, July 31 Controversy over the RNLIs role in rescuing migrants began when former UKIP leader Nigel Farage wrote online: Sadly the wonderful RNLI in Kent has become a taxi service for illegal immigration, to the dismay of all involved' Ex-Ukip leader and GB News presenter Nigel Farage, 57, (above) points out a migrant boat crossing the English Channel He joked leftover funds would be used to smash a pint of ale on the hovercraft during the naming ceremony - or even buy a second vessel and name it after political commentators Katie Hopkins or Darren Grimes. The description continued: 'If there is any money left over, we will purchase a pint of real English ale to smash against the front in the naming ceremony, and if there is loads of money left over we may even buy a second vessel and call it 'The Galloping Grimes' or 'The Hovering Hopkins'. 'Please give generously.' Mr Harris added: 'The final decision about whether or not to proceed with 'The Flying Farage' is entirely at their [the RNLI's] discretion.' Dramatic bodyworn footage of a dinghy full of migrants being rescued by the RNLI in the English Channel has been released by the charity this month Controversy over the RNLIs role in rescuing migrants began when former UKIP leader Nigel Farage wrote online: Sadly the wonderful RNLI in Kent has become a taxi service for illegal immigration, to the dismay of all involved. The RNLIs Tower lifeboat crew then tweeted: We are shocked and saddened to report some of our volunteer crew were verbally assaulted due to their role when reporting for duty tonight. Farage's comments sparked a backlash from the charity's chief executive, Mark Dowie, as well as a flood of donations of more than 200,000 - around 30 times its 6,000-7,000 daily average. Volunteering inquiries are also understood to have quadrupled. Mr Farage insisted he did not want to pick a fight with the RNLI but had spoken to lifeboat crew and local residents who were unhappy at the situation. He said on GB News: All I can tell you is a very, very large number of people in our coastal communities are deeply disquieted by whats going on. Record numbers of migrants are trying to cross the Channel, despite vows from the Home Office to make the route from mainland Europe 'unviable'. More than 9,000 people have made it so far this year on board small boats, despite the dangerous journey claiming lives in the past. In July so far, more than 3,300 have arrived in the UK in a new record for a single month. A RNLI spokesman said: 'We are incredibly grateful for the donations we receive to enable us to continue saving lives at sea and the outpouring of support we've received recently has been overwhelming. 'It is so important that we have the right lifesaving assets in the right locations to meet the demands of that stretch of coastline. 'We must always ensure the kind donations we receive are spent wisely to ensure we can save lives as effectively as possible. 'There are many other things that we need to help run our service aside from lifeboats and hovercraft, including volunteer kit, training and fuel for our lifeboats - our supporters fuel our rescues and this money will go towards helping us with our mission to save every one particularly along the South East coastline. 'Their kindness means so much to us, without them we could not save lives at sea, every one is a lifesaver.' A prankster has been jailed for two years for faking a coronavirus seizure on the Russian metro and sparking a passenger stampede. Karomatullo Dzhaborov, 26, was filmed falling down and appearing to suffer a seizure on a train in the Russian capital in February 2020. In the video, passengers initially rush to help him but scramble away to escape the carriage as he begins to twitch and voices are heard shouting that the man has coronavirus. He was sentenced to two years and four months in a penal colony for the stunt. Two accomplices, Stanislav Melikhov and Artur Isachenko, were also given two-year terms but they were suspended for three years. Russian prankster Karomatullo Dzhaborov (right) was arrested after faking a coronavirus seizure on the Moscow metro in February 2020 Karomatullo Dzhaborov, 26, was filmed falling down and appearing to suffer a seizure on a train in the Russian capital in February 2020 Dzhaborov's lawyer Aleksey Popov claimed his client's prank was intended to raise awareness of Covid-19. He said: 'He has a bunch of videos on different topics that are important for our society. 'His goal was to turn people's attention to the fact that people need to wear masks and protect themselves from a dangerous virus.' Dzhaborov could be released in three weeks if judges allow his time spent in pre-trial detention to count towards his sentence. Video uploaded to a prank site showed Dzhaborov collapsing on the floor of the train as people rush to help him, before they turn and flee as he begins seizing As people rush to help, two voices - believed to be Dzhaborov's accomplices - begin shouting about coronavirus, causing passengers to panic Popov said this would only happen if the prosecutor's office and the metro administration did not appeal the verdict. Footage of the incident was posted on a prank site on February 2, but was later deleted. It is unclear when exactly it was filmed. Police subsequently issued an arrest warrant for the perpetrator and Dzhaborov was arrested on February 3. He was detained on suspicion of criminal hooliganism, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a fine of 500,000 rubles (6,000). Lawyer Popov said at the time his client handed himself over to police after a warrant was issued, and never expected the situation to get so out of hand. Advertisement A daredevil free climber who was previously jailed for scaling the Shard has climbed a 36-storey building in east London - and revealed he almost slipped during the ascent. George King-Thompson, from Oxford, admitted he struggled during today's difficult ascent up the high-rise Stratosphere Tower building in Stratford, east London. But the young freeclimber, who said he took on the challenge to raise awareness of climate change, insisted he is not a danger to the public as if he had fallen 'he would have hit a roof'. The 21-year-old was previously sentenced to 24 weeks in prison in 2019 for scaling the London Bridge high-rise - Europe's tallest building - without ropes or a harness. When asked whether a six-month stay in Pentonville Prison deterred him from illegally scaling a second skyscraper, Mr King-Thompson said he resolved to complete the feat while still behind bars. Mr King-Thompson, who shares his climbs on his Instagam as @shardclimber, said: 'I decided to do it as I came out of prison to be honest, or maybe inside prison. 'I climbed with a roof below, so if I were to fall, I'd fall upon the roof,' he added. 'I was at zero danger to the public and caused no disruption. So all considering, I'm all good.' The climb, which began at sunrise around 5:30am and took him just 30 minutes, marks Mr King-Thompson's 10th skyscraper climb and his second in the UK. George King-Thompson, from Oxford, was pictured this morning scaling a 36-storey building without ropes in Stratford, east London The 21-year-old climbed the high-rise Stratosphere Tower building - a residential tower block in the east of the capital He can be seen climbing up the building without ropes, passing the windows of residential flats with curtains closed as he made his way to the top The former personal trainer chose the residential block because it overlooked Pudding Mill Lane Tube station which flooded last week following torrential downpours in the capital. Mr King-Thompson, from Oxford, said: 'I picked this climb because a couple of weeks ago I saw a photo go viral of a Stratford station under water because of a flood following the heatwave. 'It was a stark reminder of how bad climate change is getting, so I thought: what can I do to help promote the message - me of not much power in this world? 'I saw one of the tallest buildings in Stratford so decided last week to climb it, and since then it has just been intense preparation to get me to that point. 'I would urge political leaders to take drastic action as soon as possible to get this situation under control.' He can be seen climbing up the building without ropes, passing the windows of residential flats with curtains closed as he made his way to the top. Once at the pinnacle of the high-rise, he walked along the edge of the building wearing shorts and a T-shirt and with his arms outstretched. Mr Mr King-Thompson said after starting his ascent at 5am it took him less than 30 minutes to reach the roof, but he did feel worried at one point when his grip began to slip. 'The night before, there's always a lot of pressure when you know you've got to climb first thing in the morning, so the nerves were high, the fear was there, but I had it under control and by morning time I went and did it - and I'm alive,' he said. 'But one of the things which I underestimated was how from eight floors right to the top the windows had lots of stuff on them and they were extremely slippery. That was the only fear and disconcerting thing about it.' He did not use a harness or any ropes to get to the top and was photographed by one woman out of her flat window Mr King-Thompson was dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts for the daredevil challenge on Tuesday morning He added: 'I gained a lot from this experience. I come away from each climb enlightened. 'It's an indescribable feeling - it's like trying to describe a colour to a blind person. The feeling I get from doing these things is just out of this world.' It is not known if Mr King-Thompson will face any charges for the dangerous stunt. The Metropolitan Police told Mail Online: 'Police were called at approximately 05:42hrs on Tuesday, 3 August after a man was spotted at height on Great Eastern Road, Stratford. 'Officers attended along with National Police Air Service helicopter. Officers carried out a thorough search of the area and found no trace of anybody matching the description.' In July 2019, Mr King-Thompson took just 45 minutes to scale the capital's tallest building without the aid of a harness, rope or suction pads - his first attempt on a high rise building. His daredevil stunt prompted police to rush to the scene and resulted in a security review by the building's Qatari owners. An injunction which stopped people from scaling the 1,017ft-tall Shard had been put in place in 2018, according to The Times. The order was intended to prevent a protest about the number of empty luxury apartments, but remained in place when Mr King-Thompson took on the challenge. He was sentenced to 24 weeks a young offenders institution after a High Court judge said his breach of the order was 'deliberate and knowing'. In July 2019, Mr King-Thompson took just 45 minutes to scale the Shard - Europe's tallest building - without the aid of a harness, rope or suction pads The Shard was his first attempt to climb a high rise building. Now his Instagram account is filled with many other similar stunts The Stratosphere building is the latest challenge for the young climber, who is from Oxford Mr King-Thompson previously told MailOnline he experienced a 'Godlike feeling' at the top of the Shard saying: 'It's a totally remarkable experience' He added: 'Euphoria is an understatement' when talking about his most famous dangerous ascent When he reached the top of the building he walked along the edge with his arms outstretched and a smile on his face His lawyer previously said in court that Mr King-Thompson does not complete his challenges is 'for fame or notoriety, whatever might be thought by some' The lawyer added that he instead had 'laudable aims' to 'inspire others' through his various challenges Mr King-Thompson's social media is packed with photos of him climbing up other high-rise buildings and carrying out other dangerous stunts, including train surfing His lawyer said in court that Mr King-Thompson does not complete his challenges is 'for fame or notoriety, whatever might be thought by some', but that he instead had 'laudable aims' to 'inspire others'. Mr King-Thompson previously told MailOnline he experienced a 'Godlike feeling' at the top of the Shard saying: 'It's a totally remarkable experience. Euphoria is an understatement.' He said he took on the Shard challenge because it was a 'dream' sparked when he was just 13 on a school trip to London. A policeman met Mr King-Thompson at the top of The Shard, where he shook his hand instead of arresting him. He was not charged for trespass as it was seen as a civil offence rather than a criminal one but was jailed for contempt of court after breaching a High Court injunction on the building. Mr King-Thompson's social media is packed with photos of him climbing up other high-rise buildings and carrying out other dangerous stunts, including train surfing. George King-Thompson revealed he had scoped out the Shard building for months before making his climb in 2019 - which he was later arrested for The former personal trainer was the first person to freeclimb the tallest climbing walls in both the UK and Europe. In June this year, Mr King-Thompson climbed the CopenHill climbing wall in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 282-foot wall was created by architectural company Bjarke Ingels Group and George decided to climb it - the world's tallest climbing wall - with no ropes or safety equipment to highlight Denmark's 'outstanding eco innovation'. After going up The Shard in London, George gained fame from a Channel 4 documentary that followed his journey, explored his motives and his family's reaction to the extreme climb. Piers Morgan dubbed him as The Great British Daredevil when he featured on Good Morning Britain in January 2020 after he was released from prison. After serving half of his six-month sentence he released a documentary with Channel 4 in 2020 called 'The Boy Who Climbed The Shard'. Back in 2018 George became the first in the world to freeclimb the former world's tallest climbing wall, Excalibur in Groningen, Netherlands. He was also the first to do the same on the UK's tallest climbing wall, ROKT in Bridghouse, West Yorkshire, which at 36m is taller than both the Tower of London and the Angel of the North. Mask-free Sweden is approaching zero Covid deaths per day while the country's chief epidemiologist has swatted away fears over the Delta variant's infectiousness. In the last two weeks, Sweden has recorded an average of 0.6 Covid deaths per day, this compares with 74 fatalities in the UK and 329 deaths in US per day over the same period. Although it has the highest per capita death toll of its Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden has kept its economy afloat throughout the pandemic with its reluctance to enforce tough social distancing rules or lockdowns. At the beginning of July it dropped its last remaining mask mandate - for public transport - while health chiefs in the US and the UK are arguing that face coverings must still to be worn to stop the spread of the rampant Delta (Indian) variant. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday warned the Delta variant was as infectious as chickenpox - but Anders Tegnell, the architect of Sweden's Covid strategy, cautioned against such sweeping analogies. In the last two weeks, Sweden has recorded an average of less than one Covid death per day, this compares with 74 fatalities in the UK and 329 deaths in US per day over the same period People sit at the tables at an outdoor bar in Stockholm on July 1 - the day that the final restrictions on wearing masks were dropped The epidemiologist said there is still 'a lot we do not know' about the Delta strain and that it was wrong to draw any 'far-reaching conclusions.' Speaking to the Aftonbladet newspaper, Tegnell said that the Delta variant was the dominant strain in Sweden and had been circulating for 'for quite some time.' He told the paper: 'It is difficult to say how contagious Delta is, [as] when it comes to chickenpox, we have been able to follow the disease for several years. 'The infectiousness [of Delta] seems to be very uneven in some cases, one person infects a hundred people, then we have other occasions when an infected person does not infect anyone at all.' Sweden's chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell warned against sweeping analogies about the Delta variant such as that drawn by the CDC in comparing its infectiousness to chickenpox He said that the spread of the Delta variant was highest among young people who are not adhering to social distancing guidelines as much as older citizens. But despite zero infections being recorded in many municipalities, Tegnell by no means believes the pandemic is over. 'There is a need for preparedness and attention everywhere. One should not draw any conclusions from the fact that no sick people have been found in a municipality this week. It can lead to serious consequences if you drop your guard,' he said. On Monday, Tegnell announced plans for booster vaccine doses for the most vulnerable citizens from the start of September. 'The assessment is that it is not possible to eradicate the virus and therefore vaccination work should be long-term and focused on reducing serious illness and death,' the health chief said. Sweden's department of health said it expected the entire adult population will have received two jabs by autumn, and that there will be a good supply of vaccine over the coming years. The authority did not give an exact figure for how many people would get a third jab next year, but said that a large part of the population would be offered another jab. This follows similar declarations in Britain, Germany and Israel. Boris Johnson wants boosters to be offered to 32 million Britons from next month, The Telegraph reported on Monday. Commuters in London on July 25. People are still required to wear face masks on the tube Subway riders in New York wearing face masks on July 30 amid surging Delta variant cases Over 50s and immunosuppressed people, along with NHS and care home staff will be offered third doses from as soon as September 6. The vaccines will be administered at up to 2,000 pharmacies, with the goal of 2.5m per week. And they will be dished out at the same time as flu jabs, ministers hope. No10 is aiming to get the most vulnerable groups jabbed by mid-December, so the vaccine has at least fortnight to kick in before Christmas, the paper reported. All eligible adults are expected to get a dose of Pfizer, regardless of which vaccine they received for their first two injections. Latest data from Public Health England suggests the Pfizer injection is slightly more effective against the Indian 'Delta' stain, which could encourage the Government to adopt the mix-and-match strategy. But Department of Health bosses have yet to confirm any official details of the UK's booster scheme, with ministers waiting on final advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Fair was postponed from usual date of first weekend in June and is instead taking place from next Thursday Advertisement Travellers have been spotted heading to Appleby Horse Fair - a traditional gathering that typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors - after it was cancelled last year for the second time in its 250-year history due to Covid-19. The Fair at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, was postponed this year from its usual date of the first weekend in June and is instead taking place from Thursday, August 12, until Sunday, August 15. The event would normally bring 10,000 visitors in around 1,000 caravans and a total of 30,000 people to watch the showing and trading of horses. Travellers were seen riding in horse-drawn carriages near Kirkby Lonsdale yesterday, where many are based for a few days on their way to the annual gathering. Despite its postponement, visitors have been seen arriving for the famous Cumbrian village fair as early as June 5. Families stop at Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria on their way to Appleby Horse Fair, which was postponed this year from its usual date of the first weekend in June and is instead taking place from Thursday, August 12, until Sunday, August 15 Ian Williams from Preston, Lancashire, approaches Kirkby Lonsdale, where he will stay for a few days on his way to Appleby Horse Fair. The event typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors A boy runs his horse along the road near Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, where travellers are based for a few days on their way to Appleby Horse Fair. Last year, police and traveller leaders urged people not to travel to the event after it was cancelled Par Doherty and his son, aged four, from Durham, sit outside their caravan at Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, on their way to Appleby Horse Fair. The date in August was said to be chosen to allow the vaccination programme extra weeks to roll out from the Government's original roadmap date of June 21 South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) workers and Cumbria Police will be carrying out daily verge patrols to check that motorised caravans are parking at the allocated temporary stopping points and ensure there are no issues on the routes being used by travellers, reports the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. SLDC locality officer John Barwise said: 'Through our arrangements leading up to and during the fair we want to ensure the movement of gypsies and travellers through the district is safe and enjoyable for everyone and to reduce the impact on the environment.' Billy Welch, a representative on the Appleby Horse Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), previously confirmed that members of his community were doing everything they could to keep safe ahead of the fair, with everyone eligible receiving the vaccine. And Les Clark, who is the chair of Appleby Horse Fair MASCG and the deputy chief executive of Eden District Council, earlier said that it was preferable for a new date to be set as there would otherwise 'be an increased likelihood of ad hoc gatherings', according to News and Star. The date in August was chosen to allow the vaccination programme extra weeks to roll out from the Government's original roadmap date of June 21, Mr Clark added, which is currently under jeopardy due to new variants of the virus spreading in the country. Last year, police and traveller leaders urged people not to travel, but to the fury of locals around 100 people still arrived with their horses in the Cumbrian town in the first weekend of June. Children from the Wilkinson family from Bradford take Nellie the goat for a walk during their stop at Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, on their way to the annual gathering A tattoo reading 'Irish traveller' pictured on a man making his way to Appleby Horse Fair. The event would normally bring 10,000 visitors in around 1,000 caravans and a total of 30,000 people to watch the showing and trading of horses Families stop at Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, on their way to Appleby Horse Fair, which is the largest gathering of travellers in Europe. At the event, people traditionally wash their mounts in the river Eden before leading them up to the show field Relatives Savannah Wilkinson (pictured left), aged four, and Margaret Wilkinson (right), 82, from Bradford, at Kirkby Lonsdale One local said at the time: 'Everybody knew this was going to happen, there was no way they would stay away and they were able to arrive here without being checked. 'For the week leading up to the fair there were gypsy caravans parked around the town which would disappear and then turn up somewhere else. 'We have an older population in this area and people in the town are being cautious about coronavirus. We hoped the gypsy community would respect that but it's no surprise to see them here. 'The police did nothing to stop them coming and took no action as they were riding their horses up and down the street.' Despite its postponement, visitors have been seen arriving for the famous Cumbrian village fair as early as June 5. Pictured: Two men with their horses in the river around two months ago The Cumbrian town basked in glorious sunshine on June 5, while one man held his horse by its reins as it nears a wooden fence and onlookers sat on the grassy verge next to the river Travellers seen riding through the town on June 5, with their horses and carts as locals looked on from the street sides Others took their horses into the river Eden in June. Traditionally they washed their mounts in the river Eden before leading them up to the show field Mr Welch, known as the Shera Rom or Head Gypsy, had also warned families to stay away. He said: 'The Fair is cancelled and I will not be coming to open the gates. 'We have spread the word round our community and I hope people don't show up. The current situation with Covid-19 is bad and I wouldn't want any of my family put in danger or the chance of the settled community being put in any danger. 'Over the weeks there you will see people moving around the country. This is what we do, it's our heritage.' He said that when the Fair was called off in 2001 during the foot and mouth outbreak, the Gypsy and Traveller community 'respected the decision and stayed away'. Traditionally, travellers wash their horses' mounts in the river Eden before leading them up to the show field. A migrant was seen flashing a 'V for Victory' sign as he arrived in Dover alongside dozens of others including babies and young children - with the Home Office spending 5,000 a day to put up new arrivals in a three-star hotel. Around 25 men, mainly from the Middle East in their late teens or early 20s, were picked up by Border Force at around 8am today before being brought into the port. The group were seen wearing coats and hoodies after making the perilous 21-mile journey - with some carrying their possessions in camouflage-patterned rucksacks and another young man using a walking stick to make his way up the gangway. A second group of around 25 migrants, which included babies and young children, also arrived at the marina at around 11.30am today. An Immigration Enforcement officer held a baby wrapped in a light blue blanket in front of her while a male officer carried a young girl in his arms. A male migrant could be seen carrying his young daughter up the gangway for processing as a young boy aged around five who hesitantly approached the processing tent. It is believed they were brought in after being picked up off the Kent coast by Border Force catamaran Hurricane and transferred onto Speedwell. The RNLI's Dover Lifeboat also docked around noon and dropped off the approximate 35 migrants who were rescued from a red RHIB off Capel-le-Ferne. It had been tasked by Dover Coastguard to help rescue them with small Border Force RHIB Artemis. Around 80 migrants are estimated to have arrived on UK shores so far today, according to onlookers. It comes after the Home Office commandeered a three-star venue on the south coast to secure extra accommodation for the record numbers of asylum-seekers crossing the Channel in dinghies - at a cost of 5,000 a day. Dozens of migrants have arrvied in Dover already today including a group of babies and young children One migrant was seen flashing a 'V for Victory' sign as he arrived in Dover at around 8am today A second group of around 25 migrants, which included babies and young children, also arrived at the marina at around 11.30am today Around 25 men, mainly from the Middle East in their late teens or early 20s, were picked up by Border Force at around 8am today before being brought into the port Other small boats are believed to currently be in the Dover Strait with Speedwell heading back to the Marina after potentially picking up more migrants. The Home Office is yet to confirm exactly how many migrants have made the treacherous trip so far today. Yesterday, officials detained 44 people making the crossing in a single vessel for the first time in a week as people smugglers took advantage of a break in bad weather. The group sporting blankets and red lifejackets, mainly consisting of men appearing to be from Africa, were brought in on search and rescue cutter Speedwell. The group were seen wearing coats and hoodies as they arrived in Dover after making the perilous 21-mile journey Some were thought to be carrying their possessions in rucksacks as they made their way up the gangway Around 25 men were picked up by Border Force at around 8am today before being brought into the port One young man who arrived earlier today required a walking stick (left) to make his way up the gangway It comes after the Home Office blockbooked The Oyo Stade Court hotel, on the seafront in Hythe, for 68 days at a cost of 5,000 a day, according to the BBC. It is thought that the occupants are all young men. Some were spotted leaving the hotel earlier today as others sat on their balconies. More than 9,450 people have crossed the Channel so far this year on board small boats despite the dangerous journey claiming lives in the past. It is a record-breaking year for migrants crossing to the UK - despite vows from the Home Office to make the route 'unviable'. Home Secretary Priti Patel said last week: 'The British public should be in no doubt of our unwavering determination to stop these dangerous crossings from safe EU countries and take down the evil criminal gangs behind them. 'We are utilising all aspects of Government to tackle this issue and our significant actions are having an impact. It is a record-breaking year for migrants crossing to the UK - despite vows from the Home Office to make the route 'unviable' The Home Office commandeered a three-star venue on the south coast to secure extra accommodation for the record numbers of asylum-seekers - at a cost of 5,000 a day 'French authorities have already prevented over 7,500 migrants entering the UK this year nearly treble the number for the same period in 2020 and earlier this week we signed a strengthened agreement to increase police patrols on French beaches, improve surveillance technology and enhance intelligence sharing. 'Since the start of 2020, we have secured more than 65 small boat related prosecutions, totalling over 53 years in jail. This is the result of extensive collaborative upstream operational work taking place with our law enforcement and intelligence partners. 'This week, we also saw the landmark Nationality and Borders Bill proceed through Parliament, which will reform the system to make people think again before attempting to enter this country illegally and break the business model of people smugglers.' A train conductor who celebrated pubs reopening by declaring that he didn't want to live in a 'Muslim alcohol-free caliphate' has succeeded in arguing that his opinion is the equivalent of a religious belief. 'Secular atheist' Jeremy Sleath was sacked for making the Facebook post in which he claimed Britain should not become like 'ISIS' to beat Covid-19. The long-serving conductor was fired for gross misconduct but the 63-year-old - who describes himself as a 'secular, pluralist, atheist' - alleges he was discriminated due to his firmly held convictions. Mr Sleath is against one-religion or one-party states, believes 'all religions and none should exist in harmony', and is 'serious' about his beliefs. An employment judge, who described him as 'a character', has now ruled his views amount to a religious or philosophical belief and his allegation of discrimination can now be tested at a full tribunal. Conductor Jeremy Sleath is a 'secular atheist' employed by West Midlands Trains and was fired after a controversial Facebook post declaring that he didn't want to live in a 'Muslim alcohol-free caliphate' But the train conductor has succeeded in arguing that his opinion is the equivalent of a religious belief A preliminary hearing was told Mr Sleath served West Midlands Trains for 17 years, lived alone with no dependants, and his life 'revolves around the pub' where he enjoys open discussion and debate. He 'makes regular posts on Facebook with a view to stimulating discussion and debate' but landed himself in hot water with a post in July last year. In the post that led to his dismissal Mr Sleath said: 'Thank f*** our pubs open up today. 'We cannot let our way of life become like some sort of Muslim alcohol-free caliphate just to beat Covid-19. 'We must button up, face it, stiff upper lip, if necessary herd immunity it, but we must learn to live with it and not let our fantastic culture and way of life be trashed.' Following a complaint to West Midlands Trains, he posted: 'Apparently someone has complained about a comment I made about hoping UK never becomes an alcohol-free Muslim caliphate! (Or Islamic State). 'Unbelievable but true! If that's a controversial statement now, the world's gone mad! 'Incidentally, I wouldn't want UK to become any sort of religious or theocratic state, whether Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Chinese politburo, or even Christian. I wouldn't even want an atheist state, my faith, if it involved banning other beliefs!' Mr Sleath admitted he may have misunderstood the exact meaning of caliphate and was 'thinking of ISIS' when he made the post. An employment judge has ruled he can sue his former employer West Midlands Train for unfair dismissal (stock image) During a West Midlands Trains investigation, he said: 'Most Muslim states in the world are alcohol-free - e.g. Dubai. I don't think it's slurring the Muslim religion; not all Muslims don't drink. Some people might be Jewish by faith but still eat bacon. 'I did clarify [previously] that I was saying that I did not want to live in a Muslim caliphate - I meant no theocratic hard-line state. 'We do live in a Church of England [state] but it doesn't have an impact apart from Sunday working hours. 'My ideal is a secular society where all religions can be together.' The Birmingham Employment Tribunal heard he senior conductor was sacked for gross misconduct in September 2020, having worked for the train service since December 2003. Mr Sleath says that he is not anti-Muslim and does not wish to be disrespectful to religions, but that he has the right to criticise. He also believes 'Remembrance Day should be a non-religious ceremony and does not believe Church of England bishops should have the right to sit in the House of Lords'. He told the tribunal: 'I am secularist, pluralist, free thinker, who wants all religions and none to exist in harmony, and values freedom of speech highly. 'I am secular, pluralist, atheist who wants to live in a State where all political, religious, or philosophical beliefs can be expounded and where freedom of speech exists. 'My strongly held secular, pluralist, and atheist views have been ignored by West Midlands Trains. They are as important to me as a religious person's beliefs are to them. 'I strongly believe that a Muslim Senior Conductor stating that he did not want to live in an alcohol-free Muslim caliphate would not have been treated in the disgraceful way I have been, so it is a clear case of discrimination.' Employment Judge David Battisby ruled 'the specific beliefs that Mr Sleath holds... are philosophical beliefs protected by the Equality Act 2010'. But, Judge Battisby agrees with West Midlands Trains that his discrimination case has little reasonable prospect of success' and must pay a deposit order of 500 to have the matter settled at a full tribunal. Mr Sleath, from the Leamington Spa area, Warks, will also bring a claim of unfair dismissal. Hardline judge Ebrahim Raisi was inaugurated as the new president of Iran on Tuesday. Known as the 'Butcher of Tehran' over accusations he had pregnant women tortured and prisoners thrown off cliffs, Raisi immediately vowed to tackle 'oppressive' US sanctions. He replaces moderate president Hassan Rouhani who secured the landmark 2015 nuclear pact with the US, Britain and other major powers to limit uranium enrichment - used for making atomic bombs. 'Following the people's choice, I task the wise, indefatigable, experienced and popular Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Raisi as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in a decree read out by his chief of staff. The 60-year-old's first priority will be to haul Iran out of dire economic straits wrought by the pandemic and swingeing international sanctions over its breaching of the nuclear deal. The outgoing president Hassan Rouhani stands beside the incumbent Ebrahim Raisi during a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives his official seal of approval to Iran's newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi during a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday The Butcher of Tehran Raisi in 1980 as a young cleric Born on December 14, 1960 to a strictly religious family, Ebrahim Raisi was destined for a clerical education. He studied Islam at some of the country's most prestigious seminaries as a teenager and holds the title of hojatoleslam, which means 'authority on Islam.' In Iranian clerical hierarchy, it is second only to the rank of ayatollah. His judicial career started after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 when aged just 20-years-old, he was appointed prosecutor of Karaj - a suburb of Tehran. From these beginnings, Raisi rose the ranks of the judiciary before being appointed the deputy prosecutor general of Tehran in 1985. He came to the attention of the country's fearsome dictator Ayatollah Khomeini who granted him special legal powers over further territories. In 1988, while Raisi was still the justice chief of the capital, the Iranian government carried out a political purge which saw as many as 30,000 people executed. Children as young as 13 were hanged from cranes six at a time, pregnant women were tortured and killed, and prisoners both male and female were raped and subjected to humiliating torture. The Butcher was a member of Tehran's 'death commission' at the time - a type of kangaroo court which was set up across the country to send thousands to their deaths. Raisi is accused of personally flogging prisoners with electrical cables, ordering his henchman to torture pregnant women and of invoking a rare judicial order for condemned men to be executed by being thrown off cliffs. The purge is believed to be without precedent in modern political history both in terms of its scope and the extent to which it has been covered up. Amnesty International gives a lower estimate of at least 5,000 executions during the purge, however other historians put the death toll at 30,000. Raisi went on to serve as the prosecutor general of Tehran between 1989 and 1994, the first deputy head of the judiciary from 2004 to 2014 and the country's prosecutor general from 2014 to 2016. Advertisement Raisi, who is personally sanctioned over human rights abuses, declared that in dealing with the West he would 'not tie the nation's standard of living to the will of foreigners.' 'We believe the people's economic position is unfavourable both because of the hostility of our enemies and because of the shortcomings and problems inside the country,' he said. In his response, Khamenei acknowledged Iran suffered from 'many shortcomings and problems,' but quickly added: 'The country's capabilities are even more numerous. 'Fixing economic problems takes time and cannot be done overnight,' he said. Raisi won a presidential election in June in which more than half the electorate stayed away after many heavyweights were barred from standing. A former judiciary chief, he has been criticised by the West for his human rights record. Raisi was the deputy prosecutor general of Tehran in 1988 - a year notorious for the execution of thousands of political prisoners over a five month period. Children as young as 13 were hanged from cranes six at a time, pregnant women were tortured and killed, while there are various reports of rapes of both male and female detainees. The Butcher was a member of Tehran's 'death commission' at the time - a type of kangaroo court which were set up across the country to send thousands to their deaths. The purge is believed to be without precedent in modern political history both in terms of its scope and the extent to which it has been covered up. Amnesty International gives a lower estimate of at least 5,000 executions during the killings, however other historians put the death toll at 30,000. Tuesday's ceremony marked Raisi's formal accession to office. He will next be sworn in before parliament on Thursday when he is to submit his proposed government line-up. Raisi's presidency will consolidate power in the hands of conservatives following their 2020 parliamentary election victory, marked by the disqualification of thousands of reformist or moderate candidates. Iran's economic woes, exacerbated by US sanctions, will be the new president's top challenge, said Clement Therme, a researcher at the European University Institute in Italy. 'His main objective will be to improve the economic situation by reinforcing the Islamic republic's economic relations with neighbouring countries' and others such as Russia and China, Therme said. The 2015 deal saw Iran accept curbs on its nuclear capabilities in return for an easing of sanctions. But then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the accord three years later and ramped up sanctions again, prompting Tehran to pull back from most of its nuclear commitments. Trump's successor Joe Biden has signalled his readiness to return to the deal and engaged in indirect negotiations with Iran alongside formal talks with the accord's remaining parties - Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. The US sanctions have choked Iran and its vital oil exports, and the economy contracted by more than six percent in both 2018 and 2019. In the winter of 2017-2018, and again in 2019, street protests sparked by the economic crisis rocked the country. Trump's successor Joe Biden (pictured at a meeting inside the White House on July 30) has signalled his readiness to return to the deal and engaged in indirect negotiations with Iran alongside formal talks with the accord's remaining parties - Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia And last month, demonstrators in oil-rich Khuzestan province, which has been hit by drought, took to the streets to vent their anger. On the foreign front, tensions have escalated after the United States and Britain joined Israel in blaming Tehran for a tanker attack off Oman last Thursday that killed a British security guard and a Romanian crew member. The United States vowed an 'appropriate response', while Iran warned Monday that it will respond to any 'adventurism'. The economic malaise has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has officially cost more than 90,000 lives and also hit many Iranians in the pocket. In his final cabinet meeting on Sunday, Rouhani defended his track record but apologised over the 'hardships' Iranians have had to endure. After his election, Raisi made clear that his key foreign policy would be to improve ties with regional countries. In mid-July, Rouhani said he hoped his successor can clinch a deal to lift US sanctions and conclude nuclear talks. But Khamenei, whose word is final in policy matters, has warned against trusting the West. Raisi has already said he will not hold talks simply for the sake of negotiations. His government will only support talks that 'guarantee national interests', the incoming president said. A woman has died in the Arizona desert less than 24 hours after arriving in the area for a hike with a police officer she had just met for the first time following two months of speaking online. The body of Angela Tramonte was discovered by mountain rescue crews off the Echo Canyon Trail on the northeast side of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, after an extensive search for her. Tramonte, 31, had traveled to the area from her home in Saugus, Massachusetts, to meet Phoenix cop Dario Dizdar who she had been speaking to on Instagram for two months. The pair had gone on a walk up the mountain trail but Tramonte had turned around halfway up after she became 'overheated' while Dizdar continued hiking. Friends of Tramonte claim that she had complained to the police officer and first responder that she was 'exhausted and couldn't continue'. But when Dizdar arrived back at the parking lot, Tramonte was nowhere to be found so he called the emergency services to report her missing. Rescue teams including over 30 fire personnel and a police helicopter were dispatched to the area but four hours later crews found the body of Tramonte at 4.40pm on Friday near a home, the Phoenix Fire Department said in a statement. The body of Angela Tramonte (pictured) was discovered by mountain rescue crews off the Echo Canyon Trail on the northeast side of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, after an extensive search for her Tramonte, 31, had traveled to the area from her home in Saugus, Massachusetts, to meet Phoenix cop Dario Dizdar (pictured) who she had been speaking to on Instagram for two months She was found unresponsive, beyond resuscitative efforts and was pronounced deceased, authorities said. Police said Tramonte did not appear to have water with her - and neither did Dizdar - when she was found despite the temperatures reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, the Boston Globe reported. Investigators believe she was found near a home as she was trying to seek help. 'But at that point in time, [she] could have conceivably been in the early stages of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, where you become delirious, and unfortunately, your faculties are not about you,' Phoenix fire Captain Rob McDade told the Globe. Dizdar was first identified by ABC15 as being the person who had gone hiking with Tramonte - no charges have been made in connection with her death while the cause of her death is still listed as 'pending' by the coroner. Friends of Tramonte have paid tribute to her, describing her as a 'beautiful, kind, strong and good hearted woman who would do anything for anyone'. They have questioned how Tramonte, who was 'obsessed with drinking water' died from what they claim is heat exhaustion and accused Dizdar of having 'no regard for her safety' when he left her to continue walking up the trail. Her friends are now calling for justice for her after they claimed there 'are many inconsistencies in the timeline and facts that just don't make any sense'. But Dizdar reportedly told police that Tramonte had asked him to continue walking to the top when she decided to turn back so that he could take pictures and share them on her social media, reports the Boston Globe. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area but four hours later crews found the body of Tramonte at 4.40pm on Friday near a home, the Phoenix Fire Department said in a statement Friends of Tramonte claim that she had complained to the police officer and first responder that she was 'exhausted and couldn't continue' 'It's very unforgiving, is the word I like to use,' McDade said of Camelback. 'This mountain doesn't care who you are, or how great of a hiker or an experienced hiker you are. The mountain, in a situation like that, usually wins.' Mercedes Fortune, a spokeswoman for the Phoenix Police Department, told DailyMail.com that no 'traumatic injuries' were seen on Tramonte when she was discovered or during the autopsy. She added that Tramonte's cell phone was found on her when she was discovered. 'At this time there is no evidence to indicate foul play is suspected in connection with Ms. Tramontes tragic death,' Fortune said. She added: 'The City employee who was with Ms. Tramonte is a witness and is cooperating with investigators. He has been granted personal time off and has been offered resources to deal with this tragedy.' But Tramonte's best friend Stacey Gerardi told CBS Boston: 'As a cop, as a first responder, you're supposed to help people.' 'If somebody's walking up a mountain and you're seeing her in distress and she's not feeling well and she's exhausted why wouldn't you walk her back down,' she questioned. 'Why would you continue to walk back up? It doesn't make sense.' 'Not even 24 hours and she's dead,' she added. 'We want justice. We want answers. We need to keep pushing. That was my sister. We had 25 years of friendship.' 'It's hard to imagine she went out there, wearing the [improper] shoes, and with no water,' her friend Evelyn Doherty Trefry told NBC Boston. 'That's just completely out of character for her. She wouldn't make those decisions, she just wouldn't.' McDade told 12News that it is never a good idea to split up while hiking. 'If you start as a group, you should end as a group,' McDade told the station. Dizdar, who has reportedly served with the Phoenix Police Department since 2007, has in the past been disciplined for lying to Arizona police about who he was during a criminal investigation in 2009, according to documents acquired by ABC15 in 2020. Dizdar had given police a false name and age. Phoenix Fire Department said in an initial statement: 'Technical Rescue Teams on scene at Camelback Mountain for reports of a missing hiker. 'The adult hiker is from out of town [and] turned around halfway up the trail - her group continued hiking. 'She did not come down to the parking lot according to her group. Crews are actively searching for her.' Around four hours later, the fire department released another statement which said they had found Tramonte who was pronounced dead at the scene. 'At approximately 4.40pm, after an extensive search, the missing hiker was located off the Echo Canyon Trail, adjacent to a home, on the northeast side of Camelback Mountain. 'The 30's female was pronounced deceased and this will now be a death investigation led by Phoenix PD [Police Department].' Friends of Tramonte have paid tribute to her, describing her as a 'beautiful, kind, strong and good hearted woman who would do anything for anyone' Officer Fortune, of the Phoenix Police Department, told DailyMail.com in a statement: 'On July 30, 2021, at about 1:00 p.m., Phoenix Fire personnel responded to a trail at Camelback Mountain after receiving a 911 call reporting a hiker missing. 'The person who called 911 was an off-duty Phoenix Police officer, who informed the emergency operator that he and Ms. Tramonte had separated during a hike, and he could not find her. The initial search included over 30 fire personnel and the police helicopter.' She added: 'At 3:00 p.m., Phoenix Fire requested the assistance of Phoenix Police officers to help with search efforts. 'The witness told officers Ms. Tramonte and he began their hike around 10:00 a.m. and neither one of them had any water. 'The witness also told officers, during the hike Ms. Tramonte decided to head back down the trail and asked him to continue to the top to take pictures so that she could share them on her social media. The pair agreed to meet later at the car.' Fortune added: 'At approximately 4:40 p.m., Ms. Tramonte was located off the Echo Canyon Trail, adjacent to a home, on the northeast side of Camelback Mountain. Phoenix Fire personnel responded and found her unresponsive, beyond resuscitative efforts and she was pronounced deceased. 'No traumatic injuries were observed during the initial investigation or discovered during the autopsy. Ms. Tramontes cellular phone was located on her when she was found.' Melissa Buttaro has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the cost of bringing Tramonte's body back to Saugus and paying for funeral expenses. She paid tribute to Tramonte, but also called for justice relating to her death. Buttaro wrote: 'Angela Tramonte was born and raised in Saugus, MA. She was such a beautiful, kind, strong, good hearted woman who would do anything for anyone. 'She recently took a trip to Arizona to meet a man she was talking to online for two months. They supposedly went for a hike at Camelback Mountain on Friday, July 30th.' She added: 'Halfway up the mountain, Angela told this man, who is a police officer and first responder, that she was exhausted and couldn't continue. She supposedly walked back down the mountain ALONE to the car while this man continued on by himself. 'He clearly has no regard for her safety. She went missing for hours and was found dead from heat exhaustion.' Buttaro continued: 'Angela lived a very healthy, active lifestyle. She woke up early every morning to go the gym. She did weekly meal planning and was obsessed with drinking water. She also loved walking her dog Dolce every day. 'We just want justice for our friend. Please consider donating to help us bring Angela's body home and pay for funeral expenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated.' A cheap drug used to fight Covid could also help millions of women who suffer from heavy periods, a study has suggested. Dexamethasone the steroid used to treat President Donald Trump during his bout of coronavirus last year has been proven to save the lives of patients hospitalised with coronavirus. And research by the University of Edinburgh shows the drug which costs only 5 per patient can be used to treat women who have menorrhagia. Prolonged bleeding during menstruation affects up to one in five women, statistics suggest. It can cause anaemia, fatigue and pain, as well as force sufferers to stay in their homes out of fears of social embarrassment. If approved for use, the drug would be the first new option to treat the condition in 20 years. Currently women with heavy periods can be prescribed intrauterine systems, which are small plastic devises that release hormones in the womb cavity. But they have been criticised for being painful when they are put in and for causing mood swings, skin problems or breast tenderness. Dexamethasone used since the 1960s to treat conditions such as lupus would provide a non-invasive treatment. The Scottish researchers found the drug, taken as a pill, can reduce blood flow by nearly 20 per cent when taken during periods. Dexamethasone the steroid used to treat President Donald Trump during his bout of coronavirus last year could help hundreds of thousands of women who suffer from heavy periods, a study by the University of Edinburgh has suggested Menorrhagia affects one in five women and can cause anaemia, fatigue and pain, as well as forcing people to leaving their homes out of fears of social embarrassment WHAT IS DEXAMETHASONE? Oxford University researchers last June announced steroid drug dexamethasone which costs just over 5 for a course of treatment cut the risk of death by up to 35 per cent for infected patients on ventilators and by a fifth for anyone needing oxygen at any point. Following the news World Health Organization (WHO) bosses said they will update its Covid-19 treatment guidance to include dexamethasone. The WHO wrote: 'It was tested in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the United Kingdom's national clinical trial RECOVERY and was found to have benefits for critically ill patients. 'According to preliminary findings shared with WHO (and now available as a preprint), for patients on ventilators, the treatment was shown to reduce mortality by about one third, and for patients requiring only oxygen, mortality was cut by about one fifth.' It did not appear to help less ill patients. Researchers estimated that the drug would prevent one death for every eight patients treated while on breathing machines and one for every 25 patients on extra oxygen alone. The steroid drug is a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a wide-range of conditions. It is given via an injection or once-a-day tablet and is sold under the brand names Ozurdex and Baycadron. In coronavirus patients, the steroid reduces inflammation in the lungs triggered by an overreaction by the immune system. One in 10 symptomatic Covid patients are thought to suffer from the nasty symptom, known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS causes the immune system to become overactive and attack healthy cells in the lungs. This makes breathing difficult and the body eventually struggles to get enough oxygen to vital organs. Dexamethasone was first made in 1957 and was approved for medical use in 1961. The steroid is also used to treat conditions that cause inflammation, conditions related to immune system activity, and hormone deficiency. Dexamethasone can cause mild to moderate side effects, including vomiting, heartburn, anxiety, high blood pressure, muscle weakness and insomnia. Advertisement The study, published in the journal EBioMedicine, examined the use of the anti-inflammatory drug among 107 women from across the UK. All volunteers were aged between 21 and 54 years old, and had experienced heavy menstrual bleeding. Women who were given a 0.9mg dose of dexamethasone twice daily for five days showed an average reduction in menstrual blood loss volume of 19 per cent. The researchers said the findings mean dexamethasone could be a future treatment option for women whose heavy menstrual bleeding harms their quality of life or health. Study author Professor Hilary Critchley said: 'Menstruation and heavy menstrual bleeding are still taboo topics and the debilitating impact of the latter is under-reported by patients. 'Our findings open the way for further study of dexamethasone as a possible safe and effective therapy.' Fellow researcher Dr Pamela Warner said: 'This trial evolved from groundbreaking laboratory research and years of multi-disciplinary collaboration between clinicians and methodologists, combined with specialist expertise in new efficient and ethical approaches to trial design. 'It has been an exciting and gratifying journey.' The drug's potential use for heavy periods comes amid calls to increase the amount it is prescribed by doctors to treat Covid patients at home. MPs on Saturday called on the health service to look into more at-home use of the drug to further cut cases of serious illness from Covid. The steroid, which reduces the amount of damage in the lungs, is used as standard practice in hospital, reducing patients' need for ventilators. A study by NHS England earlier this year estimated that the steroid has saved at least 22,000 lives in the UK and a million globally. It has been hailed as proof that combined with vaccines, improved treatment means the virus no longer poses the same threat. One GP prescribing it for at-home use told the Mail On Sunday: 'This is saving lives. It works and it makes sense to give it to more people to stop them from being seriously ill.' Conservative MP Neil O'Brien said: 'It's a huge triumph one of the real bright spots of the past year.' He added the treatment breakthrough is 'one of the great British contributions to the work on the pandemic'. Mr O'Brien said: 'It is fantastic to find something that is cheap and works.' The use of dexamethasone for patients who require oxygen is now standard care in NHS hospitals. NHS England said dexamethasone is 'not routinely' prescribed for Covid patients at home, in line with current guidance. The brother of Olympic star Joslyn Hoyte-Smith says a six-figure Windrush compensation payout is 'not enough' as the scandal robbed him of the chance to become a homeowner. Lorenzo Hoyte, 64, derided the 100,000 Home Office compensation offer because the proposal did not take into account the fact he was refused mortgage funding more than 16 years ago because he was not a British passport holder. Barbados-born Lorenzo, who has lived in Yorkshire since he was just 10, was refused funding under the right to buy scheme in 2005 as he did not have a British passport. He had plans to buy his Wakefield property, which he still lives in today and is estimated to be worth 160,000. Lorenzo was never able to watch his sister compete at the Moscow or Los Angeles Games in the 1980s, and worked on temporary contracts for much of his career because he never owned a British passport. Reacting to the Home Office's offer, Mr Hoyte said: 'I have paid more in rent than what they have offered me. They took away my right to buy a house.' Lorenzo Hoyte, 64, derided the 100,000 Home Office compensation offer because the proposal did not take into account the fact he was refused mortgage funding more than 16 years ago because he was not a British passport holder His sister is British athlete Joslyn Hoyte-Smith (pictured above) who won bronze in the women's 4x400m relay at the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980 The Windrush scandal began to surface in 2017 after it emerged hundreds of Commonwealth citizens, many of whom from the 'Windrush' generation, had been wrongly detained, deported and denied legal rights. The government has since been forced to apologise, however many victims of the scandal are continuing to speak out about the mistreatment they experienced. Lorenzo was born in the West Indies and moved to Leeds as a child, where he was brought up before moving to Wakefield. He was offered the maximum compensation fee for Windrush victims' 'impact on life', but says he was awarded nothing for financial loss over the last four decades. Barbados-born Lorenzo, who has lived in Yorkshire since he was just 10, was refused funding under the right to buy scheme in 2005 as he did not have a British passport How the Windrush Generation were wrongly classed as 'illegal immigrants', lost their jobs and homes, and were threatened with deportation 1948-70 - Nearly half a million people moved from the Caribbean to Britain, which in 1948 faced severe labour shortages in the wake of the Second World War. Working age adults and many children travelled from the Caribbean to join parents or grandparents in the UK or travelled with their parents without their own passports. Since these people had a legal right to come to the UK, many worked or attended schools without any official documentary record of their having done so, other than the same records as any UK-born citizen. 2012 - The hostile environment policy, which came into effect in October 2012, comprises administrative and legislative measures to make staying in the UK as difficult as possible for people without 'leave to remain', in the hope that they may 'voluntarily leave'. The policy was widely seen as being part of a strategy of reducing UK immigration figures to the levels promised in the 2010 Conservative Party Election Manifesto. Measures introduced by the policy include a legal requirement for landlords, employers, the NHS, charities, community interest companies and banks to carry out ID checks and to refuse services if the individual is unable to prove legal residence in the UK. 2013 - The Home Office received warnings that many Windrush generation residents were being treated as illegal immigrants and that older Caribbean born people were being targeted. 2017 - Newspapers reported that the British government had threatened to deport people from Commonwealth territories who had arrived in the UK before 1973, if they could not prove their right to remain in the UK. It was estimated in April 2018 on figures provided by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford that up to 57,000 Commonwealth migrants could be affected, of whom 15,000 were from Jamaica. The Home Office and British government were further accused of having known about the negative impacts that the 'hostile environment policy' was having on Windrush immigrants since as early as 2013 and of having done nothing to remedy them. 2018 - Questions were raised in Parliament about individual cases that had been highlighted in the press. On April 16, David Lammy MP challenged then Home Secretary Amber Rudd in the House of Commons to give numbers as to how many had lost their jobs or homes, been denied medical care, or been detained or deported wrongly. In late April, Rudd faced increasing calls for her to resign and for the Government to abandon the 'hostile environment policy'. On May 2, Labour introduced a motion in the House of Commons seeking to force the government to release documents to the Home Affairs Select Committee concerning its handling of cases involving people who came to the UK from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and the 1970s. On April 25, in answer to a question put to her by the Home Affairs Select Committee about deportation targets, Rudd said she was unaware of such targets, saying 'that's not how we operate'. The following day, Rudd admitted in Parliament that targets had existed, but characterised them as 'local targets for internal performance management' only, not 'specific removal targets'. She also claimed that she had been unaware of them and promised that they would be scrapped. Two days later, The Guardian published a leaked memo that had been copied to Rudd's office. The memo said that the department had set 'a target of achieving 12,800 enforced returns in 2017-18' and 'we have exceeded our target of assisted returns'. Rudd responded by saying she had never seen the leaked memo. Diane Abbott MP called for Rudd's resignation: 'Amber Rudd either failed to read this memo and has no clear understanding of the policies in her own department, or she has misled Parliament and the British people.' On April 23, Rudd announced that compensation would be given to those affected and, in future, fees and language tests for citizenship applicants would be waived for this group. On April 29, Rudd resigned as Home Secretary . Advertisement His sister is former 400m runner Joslyn Yvonne Hoyte-Smith who won bronze at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and gold at the Commonwealth Games two years earlier. Lorenzo has worked as a welder all his life but was forced to take on temporary contracts because he didn't have a passport. The grandfather-of-six could not attend his mother or brother's funerals abroad because he was previously not classed as a British citizen. And he was unable to travel to Moscow in 1980 or the Los Angeles Games in '84 to see his sister Josyln compete for Great Britain in the women's 4x400m relay. Lorenzo, who was finally granted a UK passport in September 2018, said: 'They [Home Office] have offered me the maximum for the impact on life, but nothing for financial loss. 'The main thing for me is my home. They took away my right to buy a house and have something for my family. 'I've been paying rent on this house since 2000. I tried to buy it in 2005 and the only reason I couldn't buy it was because I didn't have a passport to prove my citizenship.' Lorenzo said: 'When I tried to travel to see my mum for her funeral I was told if you leave the country you cannot get back in. 'I would like to ask any politician in this country - would you accept 100,000 for living as a third-class citizen for 40 years? 'Would you accept 100,000 not to go to your family's funeral - your mother's your brother's your grandparents'? 'If you would, you can have the 100,000 that I have been offered. 'I'm not going to give up. I will fight for what is mine. My message to Priti Patel is meet me, speak to me. hear my story. If you have got time, right my wrong. 'I'm not going to go away, I'm going to fight with everything that I have got. It is not the money, it is what they have taken away from me.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The Home Secretary has overhauled the Windrush Compensation Scheme, increasing the amount of compensation paid from 3m to almost 27m, with a further 7.1m offered to victims. 'If someone is unhappy with the award they have been offered they are able to ask for a review by a different decision-maker and subsequently by the Adjudicator's Office who are independent of the Home Office.' Lorenzo said he is hoping to travel to Canada to see his 98-year-old father and to Barbados to see his sister Dolores 81, who he hasn't met since he was five. The 'Windrush generation' is a phrase linked to the ship Empire Windrush, which brought hundreds of Caribbean immigrants to the UK on June 22, 1948. According to the National Archives, between 1948 and 1970 almost half a million people left their homes in the West Indies to live in Britain. Britain was seeking nurses, railway workers and others to help rebuild the nation after the devastation of the Second World War. The Windrush scandal erupted in 2018 when British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation, despite having the right to live in Britain. Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits. Following public outcry, the UK Government put in place a compensation programme designed to reimburse those impacted by the scandal. The Home Office initially estimated it would receive around 15,000 eligible claims, but so far 2,631 have been submitted. But the Public Accounts Committee, after reviewing the Home Office's progress, criticised the approach to redressing the wrongs done to the Windrush generation. MPs have since warned the Windrush remuneration scheme is too complex, too slow to hand out money and understaffed, with only six people hired to deal with a predicted 15,000 claims. It is thought the value of the final payments could total somewhere between 90million and 250million. The cross-party group found that some people had died before their claims were dealt with, while fewer than a quarter of claimants have received a payout. The 17-page report said that when MPs took evidence in June, only 412 of the 2,367 claims submitted had received a final payment despite the process being open for two years. In an update to the Commons earlier this summer, Home Office minister Kit Malthouse put the number of people who had been awarded money at 732, with 24 million paid out from the 32 million on offer. The PAC report also said people were 'still waiting far too long to receive compensation' and that Ms Patel's department had made 'little progress' in processing claims where people had died, resulting in 'future distress' for those families. Haiti's First Lady Martine Moise said gunmen were 'looking for something' in their bedroom before shooting her husband dead. Mrs Moise appeared in her first TV interview since the attack and asked why not a single security guard who was protecting the home was injured. After the attack, when she was finally let out of the house by police, Mrs Moise noticed that there were no security guards outside and came to the conclusion they had either 'let the attackers in' or 'abandoned their posts'. Haiti's First Lady Martine Moise said gunmen were 'looking for something' in their bedroom before shooting her husband dead The President of Haiti Jovenel Moise was assassinated by gunmen in a night-time raid that also left Mrs Moise seriously injured. Mr and Mrs Moise were asleep in their bed in their home on the hills of Port-au-Prince on July 7 when deafening gunshots rang out and woke them up in a state of panic. Mrs Moise and her husband hid in the bedroom when the door burst open and the attackers 'ransacked the room', after Mrs Moise was hit with a bullet. The President of Haiti Jovenel Moise was assassinated by gunmen in a night-time raid that also left Mrs Moise seriously injured Mrs Moise appeared in her first TV interview since the attack and asked why not a single security guard who was protecting the home was injured. (Pictured: People look into a police car s the crowd surrounds the Petionville Police Station where armed men were accused of being involve in the assassination of the president were taken) Talking on CNN, Mrs Moise said: 'They came to find something because I heard them saying "that's not it, that's not it, there it is", which means they found what they were looking for.' She added that she does not know what they found, but after finding the item the attacker approached her husband and called someone. The attackers described President Jovenel, who at this time was unhurt and alive, and said that he was 'tall, skinny and black'. First Lady Mrs Moise said: 'Maybe the person on the phone confirmed to the shooter that was him and they shot him on the floor.' Talking on CNN, Mrs Moise said: 'They came to find something because I heard them saying "that's not it, that's not it, there it is", which means they found what they were looking for' Martine Moise, 47, (right) was laying on the floor of her bedroom as her husband Haitian President Jovenel Moise, 47, was shot dead next to her. Her daughter Jomarlie Moise (right) was also home at the time of the attack She believes the attackers thought she was dead too when they left. Usually, there are dozens of security guards on hand to protect the President but the First Lady said they were 'nowhere to be found' after the incident, coming to the conclusion that they 'let the attackers in' or 'abandoned their post'. She said: 'There is no other explanation. You're there to protect the president and the president is dead and you're nowhere to be found.' Mrs Moise was amazed that no security guards were injured after the attack and thinks that it's part of a much larger conspiracy. The former First Lady was shot and seriously injured before her husband was fatally shot In the attack on July 7, Mrs Moise ran to wake up her two adult children instructing them to hide in the bathroom the only room with no windows with the family dog. President Moise called his head of security and told his wife to lie down on the floor. 'That's where I think you will be safe,' she remembers him saying. It turned out to be the last thing he would say to his wife of 25 years. Moments later the group of assassins broke into the presidential bedroom and opened fire. Gun shots hit Martine first, in the hand and elbow, as she lay on the floor as instructed. Her elbow was shattered by a gunshot and her mouth filled with blood as she lay on the floor as the group of assassins charged into her bedroom. Suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel are shown to the media in Port-au-Prince on July 8 Suspects accused of playing a role in the assassination of the president sit up against a white wall with a group of weapons lined up in front of them Last week, federal agents raided five South Florida locations on Tuesday while serving warrants in an investigation into the assassination. The search warrant included the homes and offices of Antonio Intriago and Walter Veintemilla - two businessmen whom officials in Haiti suspect funded and trained those who have been implicated in the assassination, the Miami Herald reported. Helicopter footage from WPLG shows FBI agents and investigators with Homeland Security searching for financial records and other documents at the home of Veintemilla - president of Worldwide Capital Lending Group. Moise was assassinated on July 7 by a hit squad made up mostly of Colombian mercenaries but many details surrounding the brazen attack have remained a mystery - as the country erupted into political fights and gun violence. Investigators hoped to determine if Intriago and Veintemilla played roles in the July 7 assassination, or committed other crimes. Haitian authorities had tied them to South Florida doctor Christian Emmanuel Sanon's alleged plot to become president. Haitian authorities have alleged that Intriago, head of the firm CTU Security in Doral, trained a group of Colombians implicated in the assassination - while Veintemilla's Capital Lending Group is alleged to have funded their training. Since Moise's assassination, 44 suspects have been detained and investigators are seeking several more. Those in custody include 18 former Colombian commandos and numerous members of Moise's security team. However, none of those detained have been charged or appeared in court despite Haitian law requiring suspects to be charged within 48 hours or released. Streatham knife terrorist Sudesh Amman was repeatedly flagged during his 40-month jail sentence as being a danger to release - but a prison governor said today by the time they realised it was too late to extend his detention. The 20-year-old extremist was subject of multiple reports to HMP Belmarsh , including two that spelled out he could carry out a 'community stabbing incident'. Amman strived to get put in the 'prison's high security unit' for 'kudos', repeatedly disengaged with attempts to help him, and said he wanted to kill the Queen. He bragged about being the youngest terrorist in Belmarsh and openly spoke about becoming a suicide bomber and joining ISIS. Amman also associated with Manchester Arena bombing mastermind Hashem Abedi, abused a prison officer and smashed the observation window, as well as asking a fellow inmate to make a weapon and attack another convict. He would shout out in the wings 'This place is full of non-believers' and 'everyone here will come under the black flag of ISIS'. But it was only a month before his release after an incident on January 3, 2020, that the authorities thought to refer him to try and extend his sentence. He was released and a month later on February 2 carried out a terror attack that risk reports had tragically correctly predicted. Amman was shot dead by police after he stabbed Monika Luftner, a 52-year-old nursery school teacher, in the back before knifing a male passer-by in the torso. Sudesh Amman was under 24-hour surveillance by armed police when he stole a eight-inch knife from a shop in South London and stabbed two people while wearing a fake suicide belt before he was shot dead Sudesh Amman running along Streatham High Street captured on CCTV before the attack Amman lies dead on the pavement on Streatham High Road after being shot dead by police Armed police shot dead Amman after he grabbed a knife and stabbed a man and a woman The second day of his inquest today heard evidence from Belmarsh governor Jenny Louis who explained due to the imminence of his release, additional days could not be added to his sentence. She told jurors there was not enough time to refer the January incident to an independent adjudicator, which had the power to add time. During the incident, Amman jumped on to internal netting inside the prison, supposedly in protest over the death of a Muslim inmate, disrupting the prison 'regime' for a short while. 'It's not an offence that would ever go to an independent adjudicator, it just doesn't meet the threshold,' said Ms Louis. 'Mr Amman was on an internal netting... this is a passive approach usually taken by prisoners when they are unhappy.' Earlier the inquest heard evidence relating to communications made to Belmarsh prison about the suspected risk and 'significant concerns' of Amman's release. A letter written by the Metropolitan Police to the Prison Service said: 'It is clear ... (Amman) has maintained an extremist mindset and the latest incidents indicate an escalation in his risk. 'We are reviewing his risk assessment in light of the latest intelligence and this will most likely lead to his risk to be increased from 'high' to 'very high' to reflect the imminence of the risk posed by him upon release.' The mobile phone given to and used by Sudesh Amman, which did not have internet access CCTV taken from Poundland of Sudesh Amman, buying items used in his fake suicide belt The remnants of a hoax suicide belt used by Sudesh Amman in his 2020 Streatham attack CCTV images were released of Amman setting out from his bail hostel on the way to carry out his terror attack last year Amman was seen walking the streets of Streatham moments before his terror attack, in these CCTV images released by the Metropolitan Police Timeline: Streatham 2020 terror attack January 23, 2020 Sudesh Amman, a 20-year-old from Harrow in north-west London, is automatically released from prison having been handed a 40-month sentence for 13 counts of obtaining and distributing material used for terrorist purposes. He is released to a probation hostel in Streatham, south London. January 24 Amman, who is originally from Coventry, is under day-time surveillance by plain clothes officers. January 29 A decision is made to allow those surveillance officers to carry firearms. January 30 Amman's covert surveillance is relaxed slightly, meaning there would be no coverage between 6am and 10am due to intelligence about Amman's lack of movement at this time of the day. January 31 Amman is seen looking at knives in a shop and buying items that could be used to create a hoax suicide belt. These items include a roll of tape, aluminium foil and four bottles of Irn Bru soft drink. It is then decided to put Amman under 24-hour surveillance. February 1 Amman is placed on 'round-the-clock' - i.e. 24-hour - surveillance. This includes armed covert police, as well as uniformed officers nearby. February 2 1.22pm - Amman leaves his approved premises, the probation hostel, at Leigham Court Road. 1.50pm - Amman is seen on Streatham High Road. He is said to be walking 'very slowly'. 1.57pm - The 20-year-old enters a shop called Low Price Store. He is inside for barely a minute, and emerges with a knife which he has stolen. He is pursued by undercover police. Amman stabs two people - a man and a woman - before being shot at by an armed officer. 1.58pm - Amman, reaching the Boots shop, turns to face the police. Police shoot at him five times, with two shots hitting him. A total of 62 seconds after running from the shop, Amman falls to the ground. 2.40pm - A police explosives expert arrives on the scene to check the device around Amman's waist, which was identified as a hoax. 3.24pm - Sudesh Amman is pronounced dead by a paramedic. Advertisement Asked whether she agreed with the assessment, Belmarsh governor Jenny Louis said: 'There was evidence to support that risk, yes.' The inquest heard prison intelligence while in Belmarsh suggested Sudesh Amman wanted to spend time in the prison's high security unit due to the 'kudos' it gave him among his peer group. The intelligence report said: 'He is an impressionable young man who appears to crave status.' Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the inquest, said there were a number of consistent themes during Amman's time in prison, including evidence of a continued extremist mindset, disruptive anti-authority behaviour, interest in committing attacks, and being resistant to efforts aimed at disrupting him. Jenny Louis, Belmarsh governor, told the inquest: 'A number of times you can engage with an individual, and Sudesh Amman chose to disengage a number of times. 'I think it's very rare that you have somebody who disengages so openly whilst in custody.' The inquest also saw excerpts from two Extremist Risk Guidance (ERG) assessments during Amman's time in Belmarsh, which highlighted his potential to strike upon release. The first assessment highlighted the previous intelligence that Amman spoke of his 'desire to kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber, and join Isis'. The second assessment found 'an escalation in the presence of over-identification with an extremist group, cause or ideology to 'strongly present''. Both reports suggested Amman posed a risk to the community through a potential stabbing incident. In one phone call from prison Amman said: 'I was a bad person, I'm not going to lie to you, I still am a bad person but Allah will forgive me, you know I'm a bad person.' Jurors were told he was subject to a total of 30 'stringent licence restrictions' following his release from prison, including sticking to agreed curfew hours and not using any internet-enabled devices without permission. He had been serving a 40-month sentence for 13 terror offences after pleading guilty to six counts of possessing material useful for terrorism and seven counts of disseminating terrorist material online. Detective Chief Inspector Luke Williams from the Metropolitan Police said staff at the approved premises where Amman lived said he 'was polite to staff and didn't cause them concern'. He said Amman had been provided with a Nokia 105 mobile phone which did not allow any internet capability, and had meetings with both a practical and theological mentor to assist with his return to the community. But Mr Williams added that reports said Amman still 'appeared proud to have been the youngest terrorist offender at Belmarsh - and didn't seem remorseful.' He confirmed details about Amman's life in the build-up to his arrest for terror offences in May 2018. The Low Price Store on Streatham High Road where Sudesh Amman stole a knife before stabbing passersby Police handout photo of knife packaging at the Low Price Store on Streatham High Road where Sudesh Amman stole a knife A receipt from Poundland when Sudesh Amman, on January 31 2020, bought items used in his fake suicide belt. Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the inquest, said Amman's phone was analysed following his arrest and among the thousands of lines of chat was evidence that Amman 'talked about preferring knives over guns and making sure he targets those who don't look like Muslims'. Mr Hough said: 'He talked about wanting to commit a terrorist attack and asks (his apparent girlfriend at the time) if she can order him a machete.' A folder on Amman's computer named 'Chemistry' included videos and instruction manuals concerning use of weapons. Another instruction manual was described as: 'How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your mum.' A notebook found in Amman's bedroom listed what were believed to be his 'Goals for life', which included paradise and jihad. The inquest also heard how Amman went on holiday with a friend's family in March 2018 during which he was seen 'reading a book about paradise'. He also had a conversation with the friend's mother about 'fighting in Syria' - something the woman tried to discourage his interest in. Yesterday the inquest showed him in CCTV images setting out from his bail hostel on his way to carry out the horrendous attack. Amman - from Harrow - was automatically released from prison on January 23, 2020, and placed under 24-hour surveillance by police and security services. Just 10 days later, the terrorist ran into a shop on Streatham High Road, stole an eight-inch carving knife, and stabbed two people on a 62-second rampage while wearing a fake suicide belt. He stabbed Monika Luftner, a 52-year-old nursery school teacher, in the back. He then knifed a male passer-by in the torso before being confronted by two armed surveillance officers. Police fired six bullets and Amman was pronounced dead 90 minutes later, once explosives experts had established that the belt wrapped around his body was harmless. Amman was said to have been a prefect and mentor at his school before developing 'behavioural issues' and showing signs of 'anger', according to counter-terrorism police. An inquest heard how Amman's mother had told officers from the Met Police's counter-terrorism unit how her son used to become angry with her, his brothers and other people while he was at school. He also became more religious from around 2014, when he began praying in his bedroom, according to his mother. As his behaviour worsened, Amman was later suspended three times from school, including for being under the influence of alcohol and a 'serious weapons offence'. The convicted terrorist was shot by armed police as he carried out a knife attack in Streatham in January last year - 10 days after being release from prison. It was also revealed how police were so concerned about pleaded with a prison governor not to release him because he still held 'extremist views' and had told an inmate he was 'not finished with non-believers', his inquest heard today. However, the request to extend Amman's custody was turned down because the earlier offence that he had committed could not justify an extension of his sentence, a senior Met officer told jurors. Senior Tories including Theresa May have distanced themselves from a major party donor embroiled in a 'cash for access' row involving the Prince of Wales's nephew. Former prime minister Mrs May has stepped away from plans to become a patron of Mohamed Amersi's Conservative Friends of the Middle East and North Africa (Comena), which he hoped would become an affiliate group of the party. But he has become embroiled in a dispute with ex-MPs who run the Conservative Middle East Council, even threatening legal action over memos written about his background that claimed he had business ties to Russia. And at the weekend he made the explosive allegation that party chairman Ben Elliot, whose aunt is the Duchess of Cornwall, had sold him access to Charles. Mr Amersi revealed that he had been an elite client of Mr Elliot's lifestyle management firm Quintessentially, and as a result had enjoyed a private dinner with the heir to the throne later becoming a trustee of one of his charities. He also told how the Conservatives operate a secretive club called the Advisory Board for top donors and that 'one needs to cough up 250,000 per annum or be a 'friend of Ben' to gain admission. The Times today revealed that Mrs May had reversed plans to become a patron of Comena if it became affiliated. It came as Mr Amersi lashed out at the Conservatives' treatment of him, saying he would have been treated better by the party if he had been white. Mr Amersi said the Conservatives would have treated him better if he had a traditional English name and had been to Eton and Oxford. The Kenya-born businessman and his Russian partner Nadezhda Rodicheva have between them given 793,000 to the party and senior MPs in recent years. Mohamed Amersi (left) said the Conservatives would have treated him better if he had a traditional English name and had been to Eton and Oxford. (Pictured right, former Prime Minister Theresa May) Ben Elliot (right), 45, is said to have introduced super-rich clients from his company Quintessentially to the Prince of Wales (left) A Swiss tribunal ruled that First National Holding, which paid Amersi $4million, was one of a number of firms controlled by Leonid Reiman (left), who at the time was Russian telecoms minister. 'I sometimes wonder if I was white and my surname was John Smith and I had been to Eton and Oxford I might have been treated differently. And I think there is some truth in that,' he told the Daily Mail. However he insisted that he loves the party and will continue to donate to it. He also apologised to Prince Charles. 'My intention was never to embarrass the Royal Family and particularly the Prince of Wales,' he said. 'I have the greatest respect for him and have witnessed his work first-hand round the world.' There are now calls for the Tories to stop taking money from him. One senior figure said: 'Donor money is being used to buy a position of influence.' A party spokesman said: 'The Conservative Party is the party of aspiration and opportunity for all, no matter your gender, your ethnicity or where you come from.' Last night Mr Amersi told the Daily Mail he believed he had been treated badly by the Tories because of his background. (Pictured, current Tory leader and Prime Minister Boris Johnson) The party board is expected to consider Comena's application for affiliation next month. Labour chairman Anneliese Dodds said: 'Ministers ... must be beyond reproach, but instead it seems like a six-figure sum can buy you access to their offices.' However Tory co-chairman Amanda Milling pointed out that Labour had taken 1.2million from the Unite union in the past year and is seeking cash from billionaires. She wrote to Miss Dodds: 'The Labour Party runs its own Chair Circle Membership group and the Rose Network whose members can pay a fee to get access to Sir Keir Starmer, yourself, and other senior Shadow Cabinet members.' Yesterday it was claimed Mr Amersi was paid $4million by a firm he knew was controlled by one of Vladimir Putin's ministers. He received the seven-figure payment in 2005 for work carried out for Luxembourg company First National Holding when it took over a Russian rival. The following year a Swiss tribunal ruled that First National Holding was one of a number of firms controlled by Leonid Reiman, who at the time was Russian telecoms minister. Mr Amersi has said that he did not know Reiman ran the Luxembourg budsiness at the time, believing it to be owned by a Danish lawyer. But a British expert in telecoms today told the Financial Times that this is incorrect. James Hatt told the paper he met Amersi in 2000 in New York, saying: 'Mohamed understood a lot about Russian telecom. If we're going to discuss British politics, we're not going to spend a lot of time discussing who the prime minister is. We know who the prime minister is. 'And in the same way, that meeting with Mohamed to discuss telecoms in St Petersburg you're not going to spend a lot of time talking about whether or not Leonid owns First National Holding. Because you know he does.' Mr Amersi denied Mr Hatt's claim, telling the FT: 'I cannot speculate on what Mr Hatt may have known at the time but, for my part, it is untrue that I was aware of Mr Reiman's concealed ownership of First National Holding, so I could not have possibly engaged in discussions about this.' Victor Stockinger, 61, made a series of racist and sexist remarks at a lawyers' function A solicitor who blamed 'wokeism' after he was hauled before his governing body for making a series of racist and sexist remarks at a lawyers' function has since been struck off. New Zealander Victor Stockinger, 61, told an Afghan human rights lawyer she should 'return to Afghanistan to educate the Taliban on terrorism'. He also told a director of procurement at a top company that Africans 'were no good at business and never ever will be' and that it was 'Indians and Europeans who made the Congo civil.' Stockinger later questioned a Jewish lawyer about whether she really was Jewish at all. Stockinger, who has worked extensively in African and Afghanistan, said he had simply made innocent remarks as 'icebreakers' at the High Court function held by the Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates in 2019. He claimed the partner of one of the women held a grudge against him and taking revenge by 'ambushing' him at the do by getting the three women to complain about him. But the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal found all the witnesses who gave evidence against him were 'entirely sincere' and Stockinger has now been struck off. Tribunal chair Mr Paul Housego said solicitors must conduct themselves in a way 'which reflects everyone's personal characteristics'. 'This is not wokeism as Mr Stockinger suggests. The depth of hurt, humiliation and anger felt, even two years later by the young and diverse legal professionals to whom Mr Stockinger misspoke at that meeting was plain by their evidence to us, which we found entirely sincere,' he said. 'People should not be expected to tolerate this on the basis that in the past people did so or stood up for themselves.' Mr Housego said solicitors should 'embrace the qualities of equality, diversity and inclusion' but Stockinger had made 'stereotypical assumptions and been patronising'. Stockinger, who has worked extensively in African and Afghanistan, said he had simply made innocent remarks as 'icebreakers' at the High Court (pictured) function held by the Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates in 2019 The lawyer was also found guilty of the more serious allegation of dishonesty by misleading his regulatory body over a client complaint. The lawyer told the Solicitors' Regulatory Authority in a letter there was an appeal against a court decision when there was none. 'It can only be dishonest to tell the regulator something that you know not to be true about a material fact relevant to an allegation,' said Mr Housego. Stockinger appeared to be on the verge of tears as the charges were proved against him and gasped: 'I'm traumatised.' He was also hit with a costs bill for 41,850. Nimi Bruce, for the SRA, said his remarks at the function were racially, ethically, and religiously motivated. Stockinger also told shocked guests that 'the definition of a successful woman is one that can afford to spend anything she likes, the definition of a successful man is one who can afford such a woman'. The offended procurement boss, who has African heritage, told the hearing she felt 'scared and victimised' when Stockinger made his remarks about the Belgian Congo. 'I was one of the only non-legal persons at the event,' she explained. 'I didn't know whether he had victimised me in particular. I was one of the only people of colour at the event. I felt that the conversation would not have been had with anyone else. 'I thought the conversation was being held with me because of my ancestry. I was aghast. I felt quite scared to do anything about it.' She said Stockinger's words were 'horrific, racist and misogynist'. Stockinger had previously been in dispute with an organiser, known only as 'Person G' who was the partner of the procurement director. He claimed the organiser used the women who complained to conspire against him. 'This person had a axe to grind against me. He has got long standing issues and grievances with me,' said Stockinger. 'He has concocted a cabal of people who needed to make a complaint. They were all connected with eac hother. They were out on a mission that night. 'Why is it that these people who were all connected with Person G were all offended?' Stockinger, of Bloomsbury, central London, denied making racially, ethnically, or religiously motivated statements, and failing to comply with an SRA investigation. The sole practitioner, admitted to the profession in 1990, also denied failing to comply with orders 'made in proceedings requiring him to make costs payments to other parties'. The charges were found proven and he was struck off. A wealthy businessman's daughter flew 3,500 miles from New York to give evidence against her alleged stalker - only to see the trial adjourned for four months. Honor Weatherall, 24, claims she felt 'terrified and almost helpless' after being stalked by Alexander Rodrigo Kaliszewski, 34, for eight months, between January and August last year. Ms Weatherall alleges that Mr Kaliszeweski, of Kensington, approached her outside her London flat, followed her and took pictures of her home over the period. But, the trial was postponed this week after her lengthy journey over concerns the defence was not provided with all of the case's evidence. Ms Weatherall's extended family control the conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited, and her father, Percy Weatherall, was managing director of the company until 2006. Honor Weatherall, 24, (left) claims she felt 'terrified and almost helpless' after being stalked by Alexander Rodrigo Kaliszewski, 34, (right) for eight months, between January and August last year Kaliszewski's trial was adjourned because his solicitor, Moira MacFarlane, had not been provided with all of the evidence in the case. Magistrate Alan Elias said: 'We are mystified why there was not any active case management on both sides. 'Inescapably we have to consider that an adjournment is inevitable. 'We have an advocate who currently is not in a position to properly advise their client. 'We think both sides are at fault here, we have to ultimately consider what is in the interests of justice, and the balance falls with an adjournment.' Ms Weatherall claims 'total stranger' Mr Kaliszewski approached her outside of her London flat and conducted an eight-month stalking campaign that included him following her, taking photographs of her home and writing her messages. She also said she had to close down her social media accounts and now fears being left on her own. Ms Weatherall had said in her statement read at Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'Each incident has had a profound effect on me. I'm usually a confident, headstrong person. 'I was left terrified and almost helpless. The whole experience has made me change the way I live my life. Ms Weatherall alleges that Mr Kaliszeweski approached her outside her London flat, followed her and took pictures of her home over the period 'A total stranger persistently and forcefully writing you messages, following you, taking photos of your home and potentially putting you in grave danger will affect the way you live your life. 'I fear being on my own. 'My parents will vouch that for the fact that in the two and a half months I was at home I was not feeling myself. 'I'm usually an incredibly independent person and now I feel incredible dependent on them. 'The idea I was the one to make the alteration to my life due to the horrific actions of another human being with no understanding of his true impact felt very unfair.' Kaliszewski, of Longridge Road, Kensington, denies stalking involving serious alarm or distress between 26 January 2020 and 4 August 2020. He appeared in the dock wearing a flowery kimono-style jacket and brown corduroy trousers. According to the charge his conduct amounted to stalking and caused Ms Weatherall 'serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress to her on each occasion in that you sent many communications and attended her residences many times'. Kaliszewski, was released on bail on the condition he does not contact Ms Weatherall, or her parents Clara and Percy, ahead of his trial on 17 December at City of London Magistrates' Court. The U.S. has donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia, the White House announced Tuesday. President Joe Biden plans discuss that milestone and more later Tuesday in remarks updating the public on the U.S. strategy to slow the spread of coronavirus abroad. It comes as Biden also plans to update the country on finally meeting the goal of getting a vaccine shot into 70 per cent of Americans. It came a month after his original July 4th goal. President Joe Biden will tout the U.S. shipping more than 100 million vaccines, although the global demand is in the billions Biden wants the nation to become the 'arsenal of vaccines for the world' a term that echoes the 'arsenal of democracy' during World War II, but that notably does not contain any ideological component. 'Our goals are to increase global COVID-19 vaccination coverage, prepare for surges and prioritize healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations based on public health data and acknowledged best practice, and help our neighbors and other countries in need,' the White House said in a fact sheet Tuesday. 'Importantly, the United States has not and will not use its vaccines to secure favors from other countries. Our aim is to save lives.' The White House said the donations exceed those of all other countries combined. Getting the vaccines shipped and then into people's arms has proved a logistical challenge for the international vaccine initiative COVAX, with many shots expiring, STAT News reported. Meanwhile, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimated states are sitting on 26 million doses that are set to expire in summer or fall. The administration's aim is to 'save lives,' not 'secure favors' The Charge d'affaires of the United States embassy Daniel Fannel; the Minister of Health of Guatemala Amelia Flores; and the manager of American Airlines in Guatemala Juan Guerra, pose next to a shipment of 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the United States to Guatemala, at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala, 20 July 2021 The announcement comes amid a rise in infections in the U.S., fueled by the highly contagious delta strain of the virus, which led U.S. public health officials last week to recommend that people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 resume wearing face coverings in public indoor settings. The 110 million doses the U.S. has donated largely through a global vaccine program known as COVAX represent a fraction of what is needed worldwide. The White House called it 'just the beginning' of its efforts, with plans to begin shipping 500,000 Pfizer doses at the end of the month. The White House said in a statement Tuesday that U.S. at the end of August will begin shipping 500,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine that it has pledged to 100 low-income countries by June 2022. The 110 million donated doses came from U.S. surplus vaccine stock as the pace of domestic vaccinations slowed amid widespread vaccine hesitancy in the country. Roughly 90 million eligible Americans aged 12 and over have yet to receive one dose of vaccine. Biden had pledged to ship more than 80 million doses overseas by the end of June, but had only been able to share a fraction of that due to logistical and regulatory hurdles in recipient countries. The pace of shipments picked up significantly through July. Under Bidens sharing plan, about 75% of U.S. doses are shared through COVAX, which aims to help lower- and middle-income nations, with the balance being sent to U.S. partners and allies. The White House insists that nothing is being sought in return for the shots, contrasting its approach to Russia and China, which it alleges have used access to their domestically produced vaccines as a tool of geopolitical leverage. A British man says a Spanish quarantine hotel where he had to stay after testing positive for Covid was 'worse than a prison'. Cameron Moir said he was left without food for 24 hours at Hotel Palma Bellver in Palma, Majorca, where he accused staff of rationing basic supplies such as paracetamol and bottled water. The 22-year-old, from Tile Hill, Coventry, also claims his access to online food deliveries from the local supermarket has been restricted. Cameron's girlfriend of three years, Bethany Keenan, was allowed to fly back on July 26 - ten days after she had tested positive for Covid. But Cameron had to stay for longer after testing positive on July 23, despite having been separated from Bethany after they arrived at the quarantine hotel. Cameron, who says he has lost two stone in weight, was due to fly back last night in line with Covid guidance on international travel. Cameron Moir, 22, from Tile Hill, Coventry, had to go into quarantine at the Hotel Palma Bellver in Palma, Majorca, after his girlfriend Bethany Keenan tested positive for Covid Speaking from Majorca, Cameron said the phone in his room was disconnected on his final night after he remonstrated with staff over claims an evening meal had not been brought to his room. To make matters worse, Cameron says he had to return to the hotel from the airport, hours after checking out, because staff had allegedly failed to sign a certificate clearing him to fly. Cameron said: 'It's been the holiday from hell. I didn't get an evening meal on my last night so I went from 1pm on Sunday to 8am today without anything. 'The evening meal arrives at 8pm but sometimes it can be late so I called (hotel reception) at 9pm. 'They told me the meal had been left outside the room, but it hadn't. 'They said I would have to wait until Monday morning for breakfast, which was a bread roll and butter, without fail. 'They hung up on me so I called back but they buttoned me. When I tried to call again, the phone had been disconnected, so I rang on my mobile phone. 'The woman was so rude it was unbelievable. I nearly passed out when I woke up today because I was so low on energy. 'One day I ordered a McDonald's and they turned it away because they said I had to order from the local supermarket. Cameron, a roller driver on the HS2 project, said the food (pictured, one of the meals) was often inedible The 22-year-old from Coventry said he thought the food was supplied by the local hospital 'Then, after about five days at the hotel, they said I couldn't order from the supermarket any more. I will never come back to this island again. It's been appalling.' Cameron, a roller driver on the HS2 project, said the food - which he said was thought to have been supplied by the local hospital - was often inedible. From the moment they tested positive for Covid, Cameron and Bethany were treated like second-class citizens, he claimed. Cameron said: 'It was horrible being away from Bethany when I knew she wasn't well. 'I called her to say she needed to ring a doctor. She called the reception for some paracetamol and they gave her three for the day. You're supposed to take four every four hours. 'I can't imagine what it would have been like for a family with young children and kids having to eat that (hotel food). The children would have been so malnourished. 'I'm so happy Bethany was able to leave when she did because she needed her family and was really not well. I went for two weeks without seeing a human being. 'I know they have to avoid contact and leave the meals at your door, but it makes you feel so alienated. 'I would describe it as being worse than prison. At least in prison you get three or four meals a day and you can go out for exercise. 'I know we had Covid, but there wasn't even a room we could go to to exercise. It was absolutely horrible. 'Anyone thinking of going to Majorca needs to be really careful because as soon as we tested positive they were different with us. They really didn't care.' Bethany's mum, Kay Blythe, described the alleged lack of food, water and medical intervention as 'just shocking'. The pair were separated in different rooms and Cameron says he has not seen another humanbeing in two weeks Kay said: 'Cameron told me he went 24 hours without being offered any food because they weren't able to give him breakfast on one of the mornings. 'All they did was leave him a bottle of water, which is disgraceful, especially if you're poorly. There's no air conditioning in the room, which is especially hard when it's 40C outside, as it has been.' Cameron's symptoms were not as bad as Bethany's, however. Bethany, now 21, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, when she was just three. And while she overcame the rare cancer, which affects just 100 UK youngsters every year, doctors fear her immune system may have been weakened by the battle. Kay said: 'To say Bethany looked ill when she got home would be an understatement. 'I did not recognise her straight away. She'd lost about a stone in weight and was really not well. 'The food was inedible. It was supplied by the local hospital, which is a laughable really. 'She'd got a really sore throat from coughing so much and all they gave her for breakfast was a crusty bread roll which she obviously couldn't eat. 'I think she should have been in a hospital over there, but there were no medical checks. They have not had to pay for the hotel, but basic human needs should be met. Cameron compared quarantine in the Hotel Palma Bellver to 'worse than a prison' 'Prison is better than that because you get three or four meals a day and an hour's exercise. They were not allowed out, so yes, it's like a prison.' Kay has been in touch with various authorities, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. A FCDO spokesperson said: 'Our consular staff have been in contact to provide assistance throughout the self-isolation period.' The couple had been due to fly back to Birmingham International Airport on July 16 after a week on the sunshine island. They said they were initially made to self-isolate at Melia South Beach hotel in Magaluf, where they had originally been staying, after Bethany tested positive for Covid on the day of their flight. Three days later, and with little warning, they were woken at 4am and taken by ambulance to Hotel Palma Bellver. Bethany was allowed to fly back, but Cameron had to stay put. His five-day wait for a Covid test result came back positive after he had initially tested negative, he says. Majorca was on the green list of countries when the couple flew out on July 8. Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera), are now on the amber list. Hotel Palma Bellver and its PR company have been contacted for comment. A police video has captured the horrific moment officers tackled a naked killer on a murderous rampage through a sleepy Townsville suburb in far north Queensland. Cops found Anthony James O'Keefe covered in blood and trying to hide in bushes after murdering grandmother Beth Kippin, 81, and trying to kill two others. As police moved in to arrest him, he begged: 'I am on a killing spree and I want to be famous. Just shoot me, kill me.' Police bodycam video of the arrest five years ago was finally released after O'Keefe, 37, was found guilty at Townsville Supreme Court of Ms Kippin's murder in July 2016. A police video has captured the horrific moment officers tackled a naked killer on a murderous rampage (pictured) through a sleepy Townsville suburb in far north Queensland Cops found Anthony James O'Keefe covered in blood (pictured) and trying to hide in bushes after murdering grandmother Beth Kippin, 81, and trying to kill two others The court was told O'Keefe had only been released from jail that day when he pumped himself full of amphetamines with a friend, Brittny Speechly-Faulks. But moments later, he suddenly turned on her and attacked her with a kitchen knife. She was left for dead in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor with several stab wounds and a serious liver injury that would have killed her if police hadn't found her. He then ran naked around neighbouring houses, taunting locals before smashing his way into one home. Unknown to police, the body of grandmother Beth Kippin (pictured) was still lying undiscovered in one of the nearby homes A resident called police and warned: 'He's stark naked and saying he's going to kill people.' Another neighbour, Jason Cox, confronted O'Keefe in his driveway before he too was savagely attacked. 'He said, "Help me, they're trying to kill me,"' Mr Cox told the court, according to the ABC. O'Keefe then lunged at him and struck him in the face. Cops called to the scene found O'Keefe naked and hiding in the bushes, armed with a fence paling. Cops called to the scene found O'Keefe naked and hiding in the bushes, armed with a fence paling (pictured) '(He was) quite erratic, quite drug affected, quite paranoid,' Senior Constable Aston Bell told the court, the Townsville Bulletin reported. The bodycam footage from the arrest shows a dramatic pursuit through the dark streets before O'Keefe is lit up by the light of Constable Bell's Taser. Constable Bell added: 'I had my taser drawn, I was yelling at him.' The officer used his taser 'several times' before other officers arrived and it took four of them to subdue the drug-addled killer. An officer used his taser 'several times' before other officers arrived and it took four of them to subdue the drug-addled killer (pictured) Unknown to them, the body of grandmother Beth Kippin was still lying undiscovered in one of the nearby homes. The following morning police held a media conference at the scene which was disrupted when a neighbour discovered the elderly lady's body. The following morning police held a media conference at the scene (pictured) which was disrupted when a neighbour discovered the elderly lady's body He decided to check on her when he noticed her morning newspaper had not been collected - and then found her dead in her home. The neighbour yelled for help just as Inspector Kelly Harvie was addressing local journalists, before she rushed off to give assistance. The jury found O'Keefe (pictured) guilty of Ms Kippin's murder and seven other offences including two attempted murders. He will be sentenced on Wednesday The jury found O'Keefe guilty of Ms Kippin's murder and seven other offences including two attempted murders. Justice David North will sentence him on Wednesday. Advertisement A five-year-old boy whose body was found in a river over the weekend had been looking forward to being a page boy at his mother and stepfather's wedding next year, neighbours claimed today. Logan Williamson was discovered in the River Ogmore close to his home in the village of Sarn near Bridgend early on Saturday, and South Wales Police officers have been questioning three people on suspicion of murder. The boy's distraught mother Angharad Williamson had been due to marry her fiance Jay Cole, a carer, next year after he proposed in May - and Logan was said to have been 'beyond excited' about the wedding. The couple had been together for around three years after Miss Williamson and Logan moved to the ground-floor flat. Mr Cole later moved in after she split from her first husband after less than a year of marriage. One neighbour said today of Miss Williamson and Mr Cole's upcoming wedding: 'I think they were planning on getting married next year but they wanted to get the kids involved. Logan was beyond excited - he was also so smiley. He didn't really know what a pageboy was - only that it meant getting dressed up.' A man aged 39, a 30-year-old woman and a boy aged 13 remain in custody as police continue to investigate. Logan and his family had recently returned from a holiday in Blackpool and contracted Covid-19 during the trip. Family friends said they received a phone call on Saturday morning from Miss Williamson to say Logan had been taken to the nearby Prince of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. She is said to have collapsed when doctors told her Logan could not be saved. Miss Williamson, a full-time mother, attended the hospital while Mr Cole stayed at home with their other children. Logan Williamson is pictured with his mother Angharad Williamson and stepfather Jay Cole, who is Miss Williamson's partner Logan Williamson, five, is pictured at the Ogmore River in Sarn near Bridgend where he was found dead on Saturday Floral tributes near the scene where the body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in Sarn, Bridgend, pictured today A police officer near the scene today after Logan was found in the Ogmore River in the early hours of Saturday morning Police tape at a property in the Sarn area of Bridgend this morning, near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead Miss Williamson's best friend Rhiannon Hales, 26, led tributes to Logan and described Miss Williamson as a devoted mother. She said: 'They are good parents who love their children and bring them up well. 'My little girl is also five and she loved Logan, they were like little boyfriend and girlfriend together. I'm shocked and just devastated by what's happened, he called me Auntie Rhi, but Logan was like my own little boy. 'He was such a happy kid, always said please and thank you. He loved colouring and did all the coronavirus posters in the front window of their flat.' Today, police widened the search area of the Ogmore River with divers spending a fourth day scouring the water and its banks after taping off another stretch. Another neighbour said: 'The divers have been in and out of the river for a long time now they're definitely looking for something specific. A neighbour said that Logan (pictured) was 'the kindest boy you could meet' and 'always looked so happy' Logan's mother Angharad Williamson and stepfather Jay Cole, who live in the village of Sarn near Bridgend Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend, South Wales, today near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead A tributes to Logan left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today as police continue their investigation A police officer stands outside a house in Sarn today as the investigation into the death of Logan Williamson continues A photo of Logan Williamson is left today amongst the floral tributes near the scene where his body was today 'They've had the drone overhead flying up and down the river and the forensics teams have been in and out of the house. It's all very thorough.' Family friends paid tribute online to the 'kind, funny, polite, handsome and clever' boy. Those wanting to pay their respects were encouraged to place teddy bears at a lamppost and footbridge near where his body was found. Neighbours speculated yesterday that police had removed a video doorbell as part of the search for evidence. A photo of the family home showed a strip on the doorframe where a doorbell may have been fixed. But friends said the family did not have a video doorbell. The devices alert homeowners that somebody is at their front door by sending a notification to their phone along with a video. Floral tributes near the scene where the body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in Sarn, pictured today Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today as the South Wales Police investigation continues The body of five-year-old Logan Williamson was found in the Ogmore River in Bridgend in the early hours of Saturday morning Logan was in a nursery class at Brynmenyn Primary School in Bridgend where he was loved by pupils and staff. Mother Lois Shepherd, 25, left a cuddly toy baby shark chosen by daughter Maisie-Rae, four. She said: 'I'm just shocked and gobsmacked - the is such a small community everyone is feeling the pain of what happened.' Messages left at the river bank include: 'Fly high Logan, sending love and kisses,' 'RIP angel' and 'Thinking of you.' A mother of two who drove two miles to the scene said through tears: 'I didn't know the little boy and his family but I felt I had to come. It's so sad, I can't comprehend what the family is going through.' Chief Inspector Geraint White, of South Wales Police, said: 'This is a tragic incident. We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has any information, to get in touch. Tributes left at the scene in the Sarn area of Bridgend today, near to where five-year-old Logan was found dead A police officer at a cordon near the scene in Sarn today as the investigation continues 'We would ask the public not to speculate about this incident on social media as this is an active investigation. If you have any information that can help, please report this to us. Our thoughts are with the family and we are supporting them in every way we can.' Chief Inspector White said 'regular contact' has been made with Logan's family, who are being supported by specialist officers. He added: 'We are keeping an open mind and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of his death so that we can provide answers to his family. 'This is an extensive and sensitive investigation and many people have been affected by this death.' A spokesman for South Wales Central Coroner's Office said they had been notified of the death but an inquest was not yet due to open. Sen. Joe Manchin arrived to the Senate Monday with a bandage on his forehead following an accident on his boat he told reporters, according to Politico Playbook. Over the weekend, the West Virginia Democrat hosted a soiree on his house boat that is leading to concerns that the Senate is on the cusp of a COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak after Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham tested positive for the virus Monday. Throughout Monday, Manchin was peppered with questions on whether he accidentally hosted a superspreader event on 'Almost Heaven.' Sen. Joe Manchin was spotted with a bandage on his forehead Monday after an accident on his house boat 'Almost Heaven.' Over the weekend, the West Virginia senator hosted Sen. Lindsey Graham and other senators at the boat - and then Graham tested positive for COVID-19 Sen. Joe Manchin showed up with a bandage on his forehead Monday, an injury he said he got on his boat, according to Politico Playbook He referred to the gathering as 'no celebration' and said it was with a 'small group of senators.' 'We're just trying to keep people together and do things in a bipartisan way. That's what we do,' Manchin told The Huffington Post. Later, as Manchin walked outside the Capitol, he was asked how many people attended the event. The West Virginia senator replied 'maybe, not quite,' when asked if the number of attendees was a dozen. He confirmed it was all senators on board. 'If they want you to know who they are, they'll tell you,' Manchin said. 'We were outside, OK? And everybody's been vaccinated,' the West Virginia Democrat added. Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Monday afternoon that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms. Graham is captured without a mask walking around the Capitol Building on Friday He also said the event lasted for 'whatever it takes to eat a hamburger or two.' Manchin lives on 'Almost Heaven' when he's in Washington. The boat was purchased for $220,000 in 2014, but the vessel is insured for $700,000 - something Republicans have attacked him for in the past claiming he owns a '$700,000 D.C. luxury yacht.' Politifact rated that claim only half-true. For years, Manchin has hosted bipartisan cruises, serving pizza, beer and sometimes merlot, according to a 2014 piece in Time magazine. Manchin's office wasn't commenting on the boat party initially, instead saying, 'Senate Manchin is fully vaccinated and following the CDC guidelines for those exposed to a COVID positive individual.' Then Sen. Mark Kelly's spokesperson confirmed to CNN that the Arizona Democrat had come into contact with Graham at Manchin's fete. 'Sen. Kelly came into contact with Sen. Graham during a bipartisan gathering this weekend hosted by Sen. Manchin,' spokesman Jacob Peters told CNN. Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat, was also in attendance, CNN said. Punchbowl News reported that Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, was there too. As were Sens. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, and John Thune, a South Dakota Republican. Thune's and Coons' offices said Monday night that the senators tested negative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that vaccinated individuals who have been in contact with COVID-positive individuals get tested three to five days after exposure. They're also advised to wear a mask in public for 14 days following a potential exposure - or until a negative test comes back. Vaccinated individuals who test positive are supposed to quarantine for 10 days. Graham said Monday he's only experiencing mild symptoms after receiving a positive test result that morning. 'I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated,' Graham said in a statement. Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted Monday afternoon that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing flu-like symptoms Sen. Lindsey Graham said if he hadn't been vaccinated against COVID-19, 'My symptoms would be far worse' He said he started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor Monday morning. 'I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms,' he continued. 'I will be quarantining for ten days.' 'I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse,' the Republican added. Huffington Post reporter Igor Bobic reported seeing Graham in the Capitol Building earlier Monday sporting a mask. Graham was captured by reporters walking around Capitol Hill Friday without a mask. The Senate didn't put back in place mask-wearing as the vaccination rate among lawmakers in the upper chamber is nearly universal. The vaccination rate in the House of Representatives is lower. A group of House Republicans protested the House's resumption of mask-wearing last week, by parading to the Senate side of the Capitol Building. A number of Senate Democrats began wearing masks again once the guidance changed. Most Senate Republicans, however, remained mask-less. Graham joins nearly 70 of his Congressional colleagues in testing positive for the coronavirus - but this is the Senate's first breakthrough COVID infection since most of the upper chamber received the vaccine. Graham announced in December he had received the vaccine - tweeting out a picture of himself getting his first shot. 'Thank God for nurses who help people in need and know how to use a needle. Thank God for those who produced these vaccines. If enough of us take it, we will get back to normal lives,' Graham said at the time. Graham and other Republican lawmakers who received early doses of the vaccine were criticized for doing so after party members downplayed the dangers of the virus. Graham mocked mask-wearing as recently as Thursday. 'To my liberal Democratic friends: If you are looking to "Mask Up," how about "Mask Up" the border?' Graham said sharing a Fox News story quoting former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who claimed migrants coming over the southern border were bringing COVID-19 into the country. During President Donald Trump's time in office, Graham was one of his top allies on Capitol Hill. Trump helped politicize mask-wearing and hosted large political rallies for months leading up to the November 3 presidential election, despite vaccines not being available yet. The former president and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in early October and Trump was briefly hospitalized at Walter Reed because he had low oxygen levels. With Graham sidelined, the bipartisan infrastructure deal could once again be in danger of falling through, as every senator's vote is needed and the votes were expected to take place this week, before August recess. Graham was one of the 17 Republicans to join Democrats in a key vote last week to get the bipartisan infrastructure deal moving toward passage. Punchbowl News asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer if Graham's diagnosis will derail the infrastructure vote timeline. 'Really hope not,' Schumer said. 'I don't think it will. And we're trying to let it not.' A judge and two legal clerks investigating the assassination of the Haitian president have been forced to go on the run after receiving death threats. Justice of the Peace Carl Henry Destin and clerks Marcelin Valentin and Waky Philostene say the threats began rolling in hours after the killing of former premier Jovenel Moise on January 7. They were repeatedly ordered to remove sworn testimony of two witnesses from their investigation documentation - and forced to go into hiding as the threats ramped up. The clerks received a text warning that failure to comply with orders to tamper meant they'd get 'a bullet in your head.' 'There are great interests at play that are not interested in solving this case,' Valentin told the New York Times. 'There's no progress, no will to find the truth.' He added: 'This is an exceptional case. But it is being conducted in the same system of impunity and corruption as all the others. Carl Henry Destin, a Haitian justice of the peace, was working with FBI agents and forensic teams during his investigation on July 15. He is now on the run along with two judges after receiving death threats for failure to alter evidence and sworn statements Haitian President Jovenel Moise, left, and Haitian First Lady Martine Moise are seen at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on May 23, 2018 Now the three are on the run, changing their location every few hours, with a backpack full of legal documents that could determine whether or not the nation sees justice over the murder of their president. During their investigation, the clerks witnessed police moving the bodies of the suspects and tampering and removing evidence, all while denying the investigators access to the crime scene for nine hours after the killing. As Justice of the Peace, Destin also fulfils the role of crime scene investigator, and is tasked with checking out a crime scene. But he says he was barred from going near Jovenel's body for nine hours after his death, with officials claiming they feared assassins might still be on the loose. Court documents also show that two Columbian former soldiers killed after the assassination were found with about $42,000 in cash on them, but subsequent reports exclude mention of the money among the evidence collected by police. Valentin said that after reviewing the interrogations of more than 50 suspects, he received a call from the late-president's security chief, Jean Laguel Civil, asking him what the suspects had said. Suspects accused of playing a role in the assassination of the president sit up against a white wall with a group of weapons lined up in front of them on July 8, hours after Jovenel Moise was killed Suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel are shown to the media in Port-au-Prince on July 8 Later that day, an unknown man entered his office to demand that he had two prominent Haitians - Reginald Boulos, a businessman, and Youri Latortue, a politician - to the suspects' statements in order to implicate the men in the assassination plot. When Valentin refused, the death threats began. Both men deny all involvement in the case, and say an attempt is being made to frame them. 'Clerk, you can expect a bullet in your head,' read a text message Valentin received on July 16, according to a complaint filed to the prosecutor's office. 'We ordered you to do something, and you're doing jack all.' Both Philostene and Destin said they received similar threats after being pressured to modify sworn statements. Mrs Moise appeared in her first TV interview since the attack and asked why not a single security guard who was protecting the home was injured. (Pictured: People look into a police car s the crowd surrounds the Petionville Police Station where armed men were accused of being involve in the assassination of the president were taken) MSAU Marines were sent to Haiti on July 16 in wake of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which has prompted violent protests (as seen in this photo from July 26) nationwide Demonstrators have blocked roads, demanded justice and threatened to disrupt the slain president's funeral (Photo taken as police prevented protesters from attending Moise's funeral outside his family home) Boulos said the attempt to throw his name into the investigation revealed that the nation's elite were using the assassination as a way to persecute political opponents. 'They could not find any evidence against me, so they are trying to subvert the process by the process by putting pressure and threatening the courts,' Boulos told The New York Times. Although they reported the threats to the prosecutors' office, their requests for help were ultimately ignored. The Haitian government has faced further allegations of corruption after interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph vowed to bring the assassins to justice hours after Moise's killing on July 7. He appealed for US federal investigators and Interpol agents to travel there to aid in finding the killers - only for them to find themselves barred from viewing crucial evidence when they flew to the island as a matter of urgency. DailyMail.com has contacted Haiti's police chief Leon Charles, who ignored requests for a comment from the New York Times. These types of threats and corruption have continued to plague the investigation. While police have detained more than suspects in connection to the murder, experts believe Haiti's crumbling judicial system and the chaotic nature of the crime could result in the assassination going unpunished. 'The judicial system is held hostage by certain sectors and weakened by a disciplinary body... that protects dishonest and corrupt judges but persecutes, through bogus human rights NGOs, those who are honest,' Haiti's Office of Citizens Protection said in a statement. Haiti's First Lady Martine Moise appeared in her first TV interview this week since the attack and asked why not a single security guard who was protecting the home was injured. The former First Lady was shot and seriously injured before her husband was fatally shot Martine Moise, 47, (right) was laying on the floor of her bedroom as her husband Haitian President Jovenel Moise, 47, was shot dead next to her. Her daughter Jomarlie Moise (right) was also home at the time of the attack. After the attack, when she was finally let out of the house by police, Moise noticed that there were no security guards outside and came to the conclusion they had either 'let the attackers in' or 'abandoned their posts'. The president and first lady were asleep in their bed in their home on the hills of Port-au-Prince on July 7 when deafening gunshots rang out and woke them up in a state of panic. Mrs. Moise and her husband hid in the bedroom when the door burst open and the attackers 'ransacked the room', after she was hit with a bullet. Talking on CNN, Mrs. Moise said: 'They came to find something because I heard them saying 'that's not it, that's not it, there it is', which means they found what they were looking for.' She added that she does not know what they found, but after finding the item the attacker approached her husband and called someone. The attackers described President Jovenel, who at this time was unhurt and alive, and said that he was 'tall, skinny and black'. First Lady Mrs. Moise said: 'Maybe the person on the phone confirmed to the shooter that was him and they shot him on the floor.' She believes the attackers thought she was dead too when they left. Mrs. Moise was amazed that no security guards were injured after the attack and thinks that it's part of a much larger conspiracy. In the attack on July 7, Mrs Moise ran to wake up her two adult children instructing them to hide in the bathroom the only room with no windows with the family dog. President Moise called his head of security and told his wife to lie down on the floor. 'That's where I think you will be safe,' she remembers him saying. It turned out to be the last thing he would say to his wife of 25 years. Moments later the group of assassins broke into the presidential bedroom and opened fire. Gun shots hit Martine first, in the hand and elbow, as she lay on the floor as instructed. Her elbow was shattered by a gunshot and her mouth filled with blood as she lay on the floor as the group of assassins charged into her bedroom. An Iowa man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stalking his ex for two years, going as far as putting 'sexually explicit' yard signs with her image on them and sending flyers to her job and church. Michael Shawn McGuire, 58, of Cresco, Iowa pled guilty to four counts of cyberstalking on December 8 and was jailed on Friday. During his sentencing hearing, Judge C.J. Williams said McGuire engaged in 'a form of mental torture' and a 'form of public terrorism in a way.' McGuire dated the unidentified victim, who lives in Minnesota, for seven months after meeting her on a dating site in the fall of 2017, according to the Department of Justice. He runs an insurance and tax business in Cresco, according to the West Central Tribune. Michael Shawn McGuire, seen above in two separate mugshots, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts of cyberstalking in US District Court After she broke up with him, he texted and emailed her so much that she sought a 'no-contact' order in the summer of 2018. His actions got worse after that. McGuire made more than five Facebook profiles with her name and photo. He sent friend requests to more than 80 of his friends and family from the accounts, which included 'sexually explicit messages.' He also made 'dozens' of fliers and yard signs featuring her name, phone number, address and 'sexually explicit photographs of women appearing to be the victim.' The fliers were delivered to the victim's children, extended family members, neighbors, friends, her employer, a priest and a business she associated with, the DOJ said. The yard signs were left at her employer's parking lot, her church and a popular local restaurant. At one point, he spray-painted her name and a lewd message in front of a business in her hometown. McGuire made five separate Facebook accounts with the victim's name and sexually explicit photos. He sent requests from them to her friends and family He spent 'a few days' in county jail after texting her that she should call the police because he was violating his restraining order by following her around in his car. The victim saw him following her around Wilmar, Minnesota, about 95 miles west of Minneapolis, on October 3, 2018. The stalking incident coincided with a court hearing he had in Wilmar, according to the West Central Tribune. Much of the stalking happened in Wilmar, a small lake-side city in southwestern Minnesota Kandiyohi County, where Wilmar is located, filed 91 separate charges against McGuire, ranging from misdemeanor harassment to felony stalking. Those charges have since been dismissed. During a search of his workplace in the fall of 2019, investigators found photos of the victim, her family and friends, her Facebook friends list, supplies for fliers and yard signs, rubber gloves and rope. 'Michael McGuire tormented the victim for over two years,' Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry said after the sentence. 'He will spend the next decade in federal prison, protecting both his victim and the public from his malicious behavior. This sentence sends a strong message to all that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.' McGuire was also sentenced to three years of supervised release after his prison term, and he was fined $15,000, along with $17,500 in restitution to the victim. Maxwell Berry, 22, was arrested on three counts of battery Footage captured the moment a belligerent passenger on a Frontier flight to Florida was duct taped to his seat after downing several drinks then allegedly groping and assaulting flight crew members. Maxwell Berry, 22, was arrested on three counts of battery after the incident, on a flight from Philadelphia to Miami on Saturday. The meltdown began when the 22-year-old Ohio native, who already had several drinks on the flight, ordered an additional one. A Miami-Dade County Police report says he brushed an empty cup against the backside of a flight attendant who told Berry 'don't touch me.' Cell phone video youll only see on @WPLGLocal10 shows a @FlyFrontier flight attendant duct taping an unruly passenger to his seat on Flight 2289 from Philadelphia to @iflymia. @MiamiDadePD says Maxwell Berry groped two flight attendants and punched a third. pic.twitter.com/SSLpCer8wh Madeleine Wright (@MWrightWPLG) August 3, 2021 The meltdown began when the 22-year-old Ohio native (pictured) who already had several drinks on the flight, ordered an additional drink Alfredo Rivera, who was sitting in a seat behind Berry captured the 22-year-old being unruly and scuffling with a flight attendant trying to subdue him Berry then spilled his drink on his shirt and went to the bathroom. When he came out shirtless, crew members had to help him get a clean shirt out of his carry-on luggage. After walking around for 15 minutes, Berry allegedly groped the chest of two female flight attendants. 'He came up from behind and put his arms around both of them and groped their breast again,' the report said. Police said he then punched a male flight attendant in the face. Alfredo Rivera, who was sitting in a seat behind Berry, captured the 22-year-old while he was scuffling with a flight attendant, trying to subdue him. 'He started to get aggressive and basically attack the male flight attendant,' Rivera told Local10.com Rivera captured the moment Berry was taped to his seat, while fellow passengers looked on. Berry's head appears to be taped down along with the rest of his body as he screams 'help!' A Miami-Dade County Police report says he brushed an empty cup up against the backside of a flight attendant who told Berry 'don't touch me' Rivera captured footage of Berry's head being taped down while the rest of his body is secured with the tape onto the airplane seat as he screams 'help!' After the Frontier plane landed, the 22-year-old was charged with three counts of battery and taken to Miami-Dade County Jail - TGK Correctional Center, 6abc.com reported. Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident and said the flight attendants involved will be relieved of flying until investigations into the incidents are complete. 'During a flight from Philadelphia to Miami on July 31, a passenger made inappropriate physical contact with a flight attendant and subsequently physically assaulted another flight attendant,' the airline said in a statement. 'As a result, the passenger needed to be restrained until the flight landed in Miami and law enforcement arrived. The flight attendants will be, as required in such circumstances, relieved of flying pending completion of investigation of the events.' Violent incidences like these are becoming more frequent on airplanes and at airports as air travel picks up following the pandemic. In June, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airlines have reported more than 3,000 incidents involving unruly passengers since January 1, with about 76 percent of the nearly 3,300 reports involving passengers who refused to wear masks on board their flights. It has collected $682,000 in penalties since the new regulations went into effect. While the FAA agency did not track such reports in prior years, a spokesman said it was safe to assume this year's numbers are the highest ever. Since announcing a 'zero-tolerance policy' against unruly passengers in January, the FAA has publicized potential fines - some topping $30,000 - against more than 80 passengers. That is about three times the full-year average number of cases over the past decade, according to FAA figures. Last week two women were seen brawling on a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta. The video, tweeted by Las Vegas Scoop on Friday, shows a woman in the aisle of the plane pointing at another woman in her seat, as people yell: 'It's not even worth it, it's not even worth it.' The woman in the seat then starts pointing back at the woman in the aisle, who starts slapping at her and points again, while the two argue. At that point, the woman in the seat grabs the woman in the aisle and starts pushing her down and punching her, grabbing her by the hair to keep her down. A man in the background could be heard yelling 'It's lit, it's lit.' They are seen brawling in the aisle, as a group of passengers surrounds them. It remains unclear what led to the brawl or whether either of the women faced any repercussions for their actions. DailyMail.com has reached out to Spirit Airlines for more information about the apparent assault. The body of a woman reported missing in Arkansas last month has been found weighed down in a pond in eastern Oklahoma, leading to the arrests of three men in connection with her kidnapping, torture and murder. Tara Strozier, 40, a mother-of-three, was discovered dead last Thursday in the pond in Rock Island on the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line, about 15 miles southwest of Fort Smith, Arkansas, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced. Law enforcement officials have not said how Strozier died. Alex Davis, 30, Austin Johnson, 23, and Kaelin Hutchinson, 24, were jailed in connection with the death. Tara Strozier, 40, a mom-of-three, was reported missing in Arkansas on July 19. Her body was found in Oklahoma pond on July 29 Davis was arrested on first-degree murder and kidnapping warrants after allegedly confessing to killing Strozier, Johnson on a murder warrant and Hutchinson for obstruction, according to the OSBI. Strozier was reported missing by her family on July 19 in Fort Smith and the LeFlore County Sheriffs Office asked the OSBI for assistance after her vehicle, a black Volkswagen Jetta with Florida license plates, was found abandoned five days later in in a private drive in Cameron, Oklahoma, about 4 miles southwest of Rock Island. Investigators believe that Strozier was tortured at an abandoned mobile home off Neblett Ridge Road in Cameron, killed and her body weighted down then left in the pond, where it was found last week. Alex Davis, 30 (left), was arrested for murder after he allegedly admitted to killing Strozier. Davis said second suspect, Austin Johnson, 23 (right), was present during Strozier's killing A third suspect, Kaelin Hutchinson, 24, has been arrested on an obstruction charge Investigators believe that Strozier was tortured at an abandoned mobile home in Oklahoma before her body was weighed down and thrown into a pond At the time of his arrest, Davis was said to have admitted to killing Strozier while Johnson was present. After she was murdered by the pond, the OSBI said the suspects attached weights to her body and threw her into the water. Investigators have not said how Strozier knew the suspect, nor have they revealed a possible motive behind the killing. Davis, Johnson and Hutchinson were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center. According to her Facebook page, Strozier was divorced. She is survived by her three children. Advertisement Anderson Cooper has listed his famous mother's Manhattan apartment for $1.125 million two years after her death. Cooper's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, moved into the apartment at 30 Beekman Place in 1997 and owned it for more than 20 years. The pre-war residence built in 1931 has two bedrooms, two-full-bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen, a library and an oversized windowed foyer with high ceilings. Vanderbilt left the majority of her estate, valued at less than $1.5million, to Anderson Cooper. Pictured with sons Carter (left), who committed suicide in 1988, and Anderson, who went on to become a successful journalist The apartment is an extension of the late heiress' energetic style, with vibrant colors and accents being part of the decor The eat-in kitchen is notoriously contrasting, with all of the appliances in white and clear tones Vanderbilt moved into the apartment in 1997 and owned it for more than 20 years until her death in 2019 The heiress' ground-floor art studio is not included in the listing Anderson Cooper has listed his late mother's Manhattan apartment at 30 Beekman Place for $1.125 million, two years after her death The property enjoys a newly completed fitness center, a bike storage and easy access to the East River promenade. The future owner will have to pay a $4,311 monthly maintenance fee. Vanderbilt's vibrant and energetic style can be appreciated in the apartment's decor. The Turtle Bay residence is listed through Brown Harris Stevens, but the heiress' ground-floor art studio is not included, The New York Post reported. The floor plan of the apartment at 30 Beekman Place The property enjoys a newly completed fitness center, a bike storage and easy access to the East River promenade The future owner will have to pay a $$4,311 monthly maintenance fee Vanderbilt's singular style is evident in the apartment's lavish decorations The residence in Turtle Bay is listed through Brown Harris Stevens Vanderbilt, the granddaughter of railroad tycoon Cornelius 'Commodore' Vanderbilt, was a well-known actress, writer, artist and fashion designer Vanderbilt, the granddaughter of railroad tycoon Cornelius 'Commodore' Vanderbilt, passed away in 2019 at the age of 95 from stomach cancer. She left the majority of her estate, which was valued at less than $1.5million, to Cooper. She left her eldest son, Leopold Stokowski, a Manhattan apartment, and left nothing to her estranged son, Christopher Stokowski. Vanderbilt had one more son, Carter, who committed suicide in 1988. In 2016, Cooper created a documentary about her mother and their especial relationship. He also published a collection of their correspondence, The Rainbow Comes and Goes; A Mother and Son Life, Love, and Loss. The bond between Cooper and her mother was evident. In the eulogy that Cooper deliver at his mother's funeral, he said: 'I knew it [that she loved him] from the moment I was born, and I'll know it for the rest of my life. And, in the end, what greater gift can a mother give to her son?' The pre-war residence was built in 1931 Reginald Vanderbilt with his wife and their baby daughter Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt as they returned from abroad Cooper was very close to his mother. After her death, he said 'I knew it [that she loved him] from the moment I was born, and I'll know it for the rest of my life. And, in the end, what greater gift can a mother give to her son?' Swiss-born socialite Gloria Vanderbilt runs down a street with her two children Anderson (left) and Carter Led by Cornelius 'Commodore' Vanderbilt, the Dutch family lived opulently from money accumulated through the railroads. Cornelius Vanderbilt amassed his fortune after borrowing $100 to begin ferrying passengers from Long Island to Manhattan. He eventually went into the railroad business. Aside from her dynastic family, she was known as an actress, writer, artist and fashion designer who pioneered designer jeans in the 1970s with her eponymous collection of denim. Between raising children, Vanderbilt acted on Broadway and in films, wrote poetry and novels and produced popular art. In the 1970s, she made a name for herself in the fashion industry with her line of jeans - Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans - which were emblazoned with a swan and her name. Vanderbilt had four children from two husbands between 1941 and 1978 until the death of her fourth husband, Anderson's father Wyatt Cooper. Two people with matching face tattoos have been charged with capital murder after hitting an Arkansas cop with their Jeep and dragging him nearly 150 feet. Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple died after being hit by Shawna Rhae Cash, 22, of Pine Bluff, and Elijah Michael Andazola, 18, of Bentonville at White Oak Station on June 26. Cash was driving the Jeep that struck Apple with Andazola in the passenger seat, according to KNWA-TV. Shawna Cash, 22, and Elijah Andazola, 18, have been charged with capital murder after running over and killing Arkansas officer Kevin Apple Pea Ridge officer Kevin Apple was a 23-year law enforcement veteran who stopped to speak with Cash and Andazola in a convenience store lot Cash is charged with capital murder, two counts of aggravated assault, first-degree escape, fleeing, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, two counts of criminal mischief, obstructing governmental operations and reckless driving. Andazola is charged with accomplice to capital murder and escape. The pair are being held at Benton County Jail without bond. The Benton County Circuit Court has set arraignment dates for the couple with Andazola scheduled for Aug. 23 and Cash for Sept. 15. Apple reportedly stopped to talk to Cash and Andazola at a gas station after their Jeep was reported to be fleeing from police officers from a neighboring town. The pair then ran him over and left the scene. They were found and arrested in Bella Vista. Both Cash and Andazola had previous brushes with the law. Cash has had multiple theft and drug cases in two Arkansas counties. She has also had failure to appear charges and probation violations. The police also found suspected meth and a glass pipe in a car that Cash had stolen on February 18. She was released from Dub Brassell Detention Center after being deemed a 'nonviolent offender.' Andazola was also arrested in February and charged with the possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Residents of Pea Ridge have organized memorial services over the past month for Apple, a 23-year law enforcement veteran. The pair were running from police from a town near Pea Ridge as it was reported they were driving a stolen jeep Cash has had multiple drug and theft charges in two Arkansas counties with one of them involving a suspected possession of meth in February with Andazola also charged for possession A funeral service was held on July 2 for Apple. Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke highly of Apple as he said: 'He did what he was trained to do. He did what he pledged to do. And he confronted danger to protect others. His death tragically illustrates the danger our law enforcement officers face every day to keep us safe.' PepsiCo Inc. is ditching juice. The soda giant will be selling its Tropicana and Naked Juice brands for $3.3 billion to private-equity firm PAI Partners, following a 36 percent drop in sales over the past 10 years. The move comes as consumers increasingly are steering clear of fruit drinks because of their high calorie and sugar count, while more are opting for beverages like seltzer, plant-based milks and fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable blends. Juice consumption also had a steep decline over the past decade, falling 19 percent from 3.4billion gallons in 2011 to 2.8billion gallons in 2020, according to Beverage Marketing Corporation. PepsiCo will keep 39percent non-controlling stake in the brands in the joint venture, which is valued at roughly $4.5 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. PepsiCo announced Tuesday that it will sell its Tropicana and Naked Juice brands for $3.3 billion following a 36percent drop in sales over the past 10 years The move comes as consumers are increasingly steering clear of name brand fruit drinks because of their high calorie and sugar count Data from the US Department of Agriculture shows the drop in orange juice sales over five years, ending at their most recent data in 2020. Demand for its orange juice rose during the pandemic, when more people were making breakfast while working from home According to the Wall Street Journal, PepsiCo intends on using the funds from its sale for future investments and to augment its balance sheet. Last year, PepsiCo bought Rockstar Energy Beverages for $3.85 billion and, in 2018, it bought SodaStream, the producer of a kitchen appliance that carbonates water, for $3.2billion. PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta, who assumed the post in 2018, said in a press release on Tuesday that the sale 'will free us to concentrate on our current portfolio of diverse offerings, including growing our portfolio of healthier snacks, zero-calorie beverages, and products like SodaStream which are focused on being better for people and the planet.' PepsiCo yielded $3billion in net revenue from its juice ventures last year, compared with about $70 billion for the company as a whole, according to the Associated Press. PepsiCo's share prices ultimately jumped between Monday and Tuesday, when it made the announcement Shares have fluctuated between the two prices throughout Tuesday morning PepsiCo's share prices ultimately jumped between Monday and Tuesday, when it made the announcement, going from Monday's 10am low of $155.79 a share to a high of $157 a share on Tuesday morning around the same time. Shares have fluctuated between the two prices over the past 24 hours. PepsiCo bought Tropicana from Seagram in 1998 for $3.3 billion, when it was already the top refrigerated orange-juice brand in the U.S. The brand began in Florida in 1947 by Anthony Rossi, a Sicilian immigrant who was 21 when he came to America and had $25 to his name, according to an obituary in what is now known as the Tampa Bay Times. Rossi pioneered flash pasteurization and orange juice transportation via train from Florida to New York in 1970. He died in 1993 at 92. PepsiCo bought Naked Juice in 2006 for $150 million, in one of its early pushes to diversify its repertoire. Friends Jimmy Rosenberg and David Bleeden founded the juice brand in California in 1983 and sold them on the beaches of Santa Monica. Demand for its orange juice rose during the pandemic, when more people were making breakfast while working from home. U.S. retail sales of the product jumped about 38percent in March 2020 compared to March 2019, according to Nielsen. But that serves as an outlier in a decade-long growing trend. According to the Associated Press, juice consumption in the U.S. peaked in 2003 at 4.2 billion gallons, but dropped to 3 billion gallons by 2017. PepsiCo bought Tropicana from Seagram in 1998 for $3.3 billion, when it was already the top refrigerated orange-juice brand in the U.S. Above is a commercial for the brand, which aired throughout the 1980s The above photo is from a 1987 ad for Tropicana, while it was owned by Seagram Before Pepsi purchased the brand, it had already attempted to diversify its products with Tropicana Twister. The above ad from 1993 reveals the juices, which combined different tropical fruits Coca-Cola has also picked up on the shift and announced last year that it would end production on its juice and smoothie brand Odwalla, CNN reported. PAI is headquartered in Paris and is a known investor in consumer brands. In 2019, it bought Nestle's U.S. ice cream businesses, including Haagen-Dazs and Movenpick, in deal valued at $4 billion, Reuters reported. 'We are delighted to bring these storied beverage brands into the PAI portfolio through another partnership with a leading global food and beverage company,' said Frederic Stevenin, a Managing Partner at PAI, in a press release on Tuesday. He continued, 'We believe there is great growth potential to be realized through investments in product innovation, expansion into adjacent categories, and enhanced scale in branded juice drinks and other chilled categories. We are also thrilled that PepsiCo will remain involved as our partner in the joint venture as we execute our plans to drive the future success of these brands.' Seven out of eight federal agencies responsible for security and oversight of millions of Americans failed to overcome significant cybersecurity flaws they were made aware of more than two years ago, a damning new report finds. The new findings titled 'Federal Cybersecurity: America's Data Still At Risk' is an update on a June 2019 report from the Senate Homeland Security Committee which flagged 'systemic failures' in eight federal agencies to meet even 'basic cybersecurity standards.' Failures from 2019 that were detected again in the new report include use of outdated digital systems no longer supported by security updates. Five agencies were found to lack accurate and comprehensive tools to track their software and hardware records. Some of those agencies are the State Department, Homeland Security (DHS), the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Education (DOE). The Senate Homeland Security Committee, led by Chairman Gary Peters (left) and Ranking Member Rob Portman (right), released the scathing 47-page report The blistering report accuses the government of using outdated systems and insufficiently tracking both personal and classified government data In the most recent update, only DHS was found to have strengthened its cyber defenses - the other seven agencies were accused of 'minimal improvements.' 'As such, this report finds that these seven Federal agencies still have not met the basic cybersecurity standards necessary to protect America's sensitive data,' the report, led by Senators Gary Peters and Rob Portman, states. Agencies were assigned letter grades from A through F, the latter being the lowest. DHS scored highest - with just a B. The State Department ranked among the lowest with a D grade after it failed to show records of 60 percent of its employees with access to its classified information network. It also left thousands of classified and non-classified accounts active even after the employee had left the department. Also with D grades were DOE, SSA and the Department of Transportation (DOT). In a test of the former's systems, a DOE watchdog was able to pull hundreds of personal data files including 200 credit card numbers 'without the agency detecting or blocking it.' The DOT, run by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, owned nearly 15,000 mobile devices, servers and workstations that it had no record of, its watchdog found. The Department of Transportation, led by Pete Buttigieg, and the State Department, led by Antony Blinken, were found to have some of the most significant cybersecurity flaws DHS, despite having the best grade, was the only agency whose watchdog didn't submit an annual evaluation to Congress. Its flagship cybersecurity program 'suffers from significant limitations in detecting and preventing intrusions.' The SSA, which 'houses sensitive financial information on every working and retired American,' was warned by its Inspector General that outdated systems and inadequate tracking of its own hardware and software could put millions of Americans at risk of 'significant harm or distress.' In response the agency responsible for the benefits of 64 million people criticized the watchdog for overstating 'any negative control sample' and supposed failure to provide a 'holistic view' of its programs. 'It is clear that the data entrusted to these eight key agencies remains at risk,' the report reads. 'Congress and the executive branch cannot continue to allow [personal data] and national security secrets to remain vulnerable.' Senators also accused the federal government of relying on expensive 'legacy systems' which are difficult to secure and divert funding away from newer and more reliable security efforts. They blame the patchwork of flaws on the government's failure to create a 'unified cybersecurity strategy' against a landscape of increasingly frequent and sophisticated cybersecurity attacks. In 2020 alone the White House reported more than 30,000 'information security incidents' across the entire federal US government, an 8 percent increase from 2019. The White House reported 30,819 'information security incidents' across the entire federal government in 2020 The 2020 SolarWinds hack allowed Russian cyber-spies to infiltrate nine federal agencies and remain undetected for at least nine months until detected by FireEye, a private cybersecurity firm which was also compromised. In April 2021 the government detected Chinese hackers bypassing passwords and multifactor authentication via remote access to breach multiple agencies' data. The report states that incidents like these 'illustrate the considerable threat facing federal agencies.' 'Unpatched critical vulnerabilities and shadow IT make breaking agencies' networks and stealing sensitive data easier and cheaper, at a time when the Federal Government should be making it harder and more expensive,' lawmakers write. A rogue stunt motorcyclist (pictured) riding on a Chicago expressway caused a fiery crash on Saturday afternoon A rogue stunt biking gang causing a fiery crash Saturday afternoon on one of the busiest roads in Chicago was caught on video. CBS Chicago obtained footage of the horrific motorcycle accident, which left fellow riders fearing for their lives. The motorcyclists 'swarmed' the busy Stevenson Expressway before one rider 'pops a wheelie' putting his feet together in the air, said one witness. Within seconds, that motorcyclist, identified as Calien Rosas, loses control of the speeding bike as he attempts to get his feet back on the ground. In a domino effect, a rider behind him then flips over the crashed bike, which ignites the fiery pileup. Rebecca James was in a car behind hundreds of motorcycles, ATVs and dirtbikes at the time of the crash, and said the group crowded her lane in the moments leading up to the pileup. 'It was a swarm, to say the least,' James said of Saturday's accident. 'There was a fireball just a complete fireball.' The man, identified as Calien Rosas, was attempting to place his feet down after 'popping a wheelie' before losing control of the bike and careening out of control The initial bike crash caused the rider behind him to crash into the fallen bike, causing a fiery crash and pileup that was all caught on video The moment where the fiery pileup began, after stunt motorcyclists in Chicago swarmed a busy expressway on Saturday afternoon 'My life was in danger theres no doubt about it,' she added. 'There was a sense of like: What are you doing in our space? Get off.' Immediately after the crash, fellow bikers could be seen frantically patting out the blaze on the stunt rider, whose bike was burning just feet away. He dropped to the expressway and rolled to help extinguish the flames. James said some of the stunt riders began banging on her car window after the crash, and she started filming. Video showed the riders toward the front of the pack, where the crash took place, staring at the burning bike, completely engulfed in flames. The bikers then start to flee the scene on their motorcycles and ATVs. YouTube video shows the group was riding and performing impromptu stunts throughout the city all weekend prior to the burning pileup, in some cases riding on the sidewalk to get around. Pictured: Rebecca James' car was right behind the pack of stunt cyclists at the time of the fiery crash. 'My life was in danger theres no doubt about it' she said Hundreds of stunt riders flocked to Chicago city streets over the weekend These kinds of stunt motorbike meetups can attract upwards of hundreds of riders, like in the case of Saturday's fiery crash, with some even coming from out of state to join the pack These kinds of stunt motorbike meetups can attract hundreds of riders, with some coming from out of state. Motorbike gangs are familiar in urban areas across the country; law enforcement is often stymied when it comes to a solution. 'We are not allowed to pursue (them)' Isaac Soberal, NYPD captain from the Bronx's 45th Precinct, said of the gangs of urban stunt motorcyclists. 'But the way we get around this is we wait to see the dirt bikes refueling at a gas station or, as the councilman said, if we get info that a place is storing illegal dirt bikes, we investigate that angle. And thats something that often leads to large seizures of dirt bikes.' The moment where Rosas hit the pavement just prior to his fellow stunt rider crashing into his fallen bike Cailen Rosas and Felipe Rodriquez pose together after the fiery crash, where both men's motorcycles were left in a fiery heap In New York City, the issue of rogue dirtbikes and motorcycle gangs roaming the city's highways and streets has become such a pressing issue that the city is considering raising fines for illegal bikes, NY 1 reported last month. For James, who witnessed Saturday's motorbike brigade gone awry, any type of law enforcement for mass motorcyclists is long overdue. 'How many peoples lives are being put into danger?' James said. 'Its profoundly selfish thats the thing that is frustrating.' A social media post identified the two riders in Saturday's crash, as Rosas and Felipe Rodriguez. They said they are OK physically and don't blame anyone for the accident, saying they accept the risks that come with motorcycle stunt riding. A photo of the two men shows one in an arm cast and sling, although details on their exact injuries are unknown. Advertisement Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes near Athens as wildfires moved closer to the Greek capital. Authorities in Greece closed the Acropolis and other ancient sites during afternoon hours on Tuesday as temperatures reached 45C. It comes as wildfires raging in neighbouring Turkey for a seventh day have left at least eight dead. France, Italy and Albania are also battling blazes. A forest fire broke out on Tuesday in Dekelia, north of Athens, cutting a section of the main motorway between Athens to northern and southern Greece, officials said, as the nation reels under a severe heatwave. Greece is grappling with the worst heatwave in decades that strained the national power supply and caused forest fires to break out. Thousands of people fled their homes north of Athens on Tuesday after the wildfire reached residential areas and send a huge cloud of smoke over Athens. There were multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20km to the north and residents left their homes in cars and on motorcycles, heading toward the capital amid a blanket of smoke. Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias said the fire north of Athens was 'very dangerous,' and had been exacerbated by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions due to the heat that reached 45 Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the area. 'We continue to fight hour by hour, with our top priority being to save human lives,' Hardalias said. 'We will do so all night.' 'These are crucial hours,' Hardalias said. 'Our country is undergoing one of the worst heatwaves of the past 40 years.' GREECE: Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes near Athens as wildfires moved closer to the Greek capital GREECE: A forest fire broke out on Tuesday in Dekelia, north of Athens, cutting a section of the main motorway between Athens to northern and southern Greece, officials said, as the nation reels under a severe heatwave GREECE: There were multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20km to the north and residents left their homes in cars and on motorcycles, heading toward the capital amid a blanket of smoke GREECE: Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias said the fire north of Athens was 'very dangerous,' and had been exacerbated by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions due to the heat that reached 45 Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the area The wind dropped later Tuesday, and the regional governor for greater Athens, Giorgos Patoulis, said this could allow the fire to be tamed after water-dropping aircraft resume operations at first light Wednesday. 'If the winds don't grow it can be brought under control by the early morning so the planes can provide the final solution,' he told state ERT TV. As the flames approached their homes, residents were seen running to their cars, faces covered with dampened cloths to protect them from the heavy smoke. One group stopped to help staff from a riding school push their horses into trucks to escape the flames. Fire crews went house to house to ensure that evacuation orders were carried out. As the heat wave scorching the eastern Mediterranean intensified, temperatures reached 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) in parts of the Greek capital. Wildfires also raged in other parts of Greece, prompting evacuations in a coastal area of the southern Peloponnese region as well as on the islands of Evia and Kos, authorities said. The fires prompted Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo to cancel celebrations planned in Athens for the NBA championship he won recently with the Milwaukee Bucks. 'We hope there are no victims from these fires, and of course we will postpones today's celebration,' Antetokounmpo wrote in a tweet. GREECE: There were multiple evacuations near Athens after a wildfire broke out in Dekelia (pictured) on Tuesday and reached residential areas as temperatures reached 42C in parts of the Greek capital GREECE: Flames burn on the mountain near Limni village on the island of Evia, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Athens on Tuesday as Greece grappled with the worst heatwave in decades that strained the national power supply GREECE: Flames burn on the mountain near Limni village on the island of Evia, about 160km north of Athens as Greece grappled with the worst heatwave in decades that strained the national power supply Earlier, authorities closed the Acropolis and other ancient sites during afternoon hours. The site, which is normally open in the summer from 8am until 8pm, will have reduced hours through Friday, closing between midday and 5pm. As night fell, more than 500 firefighters battled the blaze on the lower slopes of Mount Parnitha, assisted by nine helicopters, seven aircraft and 305 police in a densely vegetated area in the suburbs of Varympopi and Adames. 'It is a difficult day for the country, we had 81 forest fires in the last 24 hours due to the extreme weather conditions,' Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias told reporters. The blaze north of Athens had three main fronts at the towns of Varympopi, Adames and Thrakomakedones, scorching homes and cars and forcing residents to flee. Authorities had removed valuables at the former royal estate at Tatoi nearby and the civil protection service ordered residents of the Olympic Village to leave their homes. They could stay at designated hotels at the state's expense. Seven people were taken to hospital with breathing problems. Earlier, children were evacuated from a summer camp and residents were ordered out of their homes in the suburbs of Varympopi, Adames and Thrakomakedones, some 20 km north of central Athens. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited a fire brigade operations centre coordinating efforts to contain the blaze and other fires, in the Peloponnese Peninsula and on the islands of Evia and Kos. 'All available means and resources have been deployed in the fight on multiple fronts,' his office said in a statement. 'In these difficult times, the priority is to protect human lives.' In Athens, the power grid operator IPTO said the fire had damaged parts of the grid, posing a major risk to the electricity supply in parts of the metropolitan region. 'Dozens of homes are being burnt,' Michalis Vrettos, deputy mayor of the Acharnes region, told Open TV as thick plumes of smoke rose over the houses behind him. The extreme heat, described by authorities as the worst in Greece since 1987, has strained the national power supply, disrupted train services, and fuelled the wildfires. The national grid operator said the power supply to part of the capital was 'endangered' after part of the transmission system, damaged and threatened by the fires, was shut down. Five water-dropping planes and five helicopters were involved in the firefighting effort near Athens, including a Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft leased from Russia. The blaze damaged electricity pylons, adding further strain on the electricity network already under pressure due to the widespread use of air conditioning. The Greek Fire Service maintained an alert for most of the country for Tuesday and Wednesday, while public and some private services shifted operating hours to allow for afternoon closures. GREECE: Greece grappled with the worst heatwave in decades that strained the national power supply and caused forest fires to break out. Pictured: Smoke from a wildfire spreads over Athens GREECE: An airplane drops water during a wildfire that broke out in Tatoi, northern Athens, Greece, on Tuesday. The Greek Fire Service maintained an alert for most of the country on Tuesday GREECE: Thousands of people fled their homes (pictured in Tatoi) north of Athens on Tuesday after the wildfire reached residential areas and send a huge cloud of smoke over Athens GREECE: There were multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20km to the north and residents left their homes in cars and on motorcycles, heading toward the capital amid a blanket of smoke (pictured over Athens) Meanwhile, neighbouring Turkey is battling its 'worst fires in living memory' as infernos raging across the country's south entered their sixth consecutive day today - with no end to the crisis in sight. Worst-hit are the provinces of Antalya and Mugla - which contain the popular tourist resorts of Marmaris and Side - where swathes of forest have been destroyed - leaving eight dead, and forcing locals and travellers to evacuate. Nine fires are still burning in those two provinces, forestry officials said today, fanned by strong winds and fed on timber dried to a crisp by a 40C heatwave. Such is the extent of the damage, they were unable to estimate how many acres had been destroyed. Smaller fires were also burning in Adana and Isparta as critics hit out at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of leaving the country unprepared for the crisis and of failing to reach out to western countries for help sooner. Help is now on the way with water-carrying planes sent from Spain, Croatia and Ukraine headed to assist after it emerged Turkey did not have any of its own. Celebrities and regional ministers have also appealed for help on social media. TURKEY: Two men fight a desperate battle against flames engulfing woodland in Turkey's Antalya province, where fires have now been burning for six days and show no signs of stopping TURKEY: Forestry officials have described the fires as Turkey's worst 'in living memory' and were unable to even estimate the extent of the destructions they have caused TURKEY: A car drives through smoke-filled skies and past firefighters who are trying to douse nine blazes across Turkey's Antalya and Mugla provinces, where at least eight people have died and dozens have been injured TURKEY: A man flees from flames during efforts to extinguish nine fires in southern Turkey that have been raging for six days, fed on tinder-dry vegetation and fanned by strong winds TURKEY: A woman at a resort on Turkey's southern coast watches as flames get closer to the beach. Hundreds of locals and tourists have already been forced to evacuate as the fires rip through woodland A senior forestry official described the fires as the worst in living memory, saying it is impossible to tell how long it will take to put out the flames as patches that had previously been brought under control were reignited by winds. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned towards the government, which admitted it did not have a firefighting aircraft fleet and that existing planes were not in a usable condition. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure firefighting planes while channelling funds for construction projects they say are harmful to the environment. Mr Erdogan's government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by refusing help from some nations, including rival Greece, during the early stages of the blazes. Agriculture and forestry minister Bekir Pakdemirli rejected the accusation, saying the government had only refused offers of planes whose water-dumping capacities were less than five tons. The Israeli embassy said Israel had also offered to help but Turkish officials had refused, saying the 'situation is under control'. A tree is engulfed by flames as wildfires rip through the south of Turkey, causing devastation so widespread that officials are unable to estimate its true scale Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Turkey had accepted all offers meeting its needs. France and Greece offered to send fire-dumping planes but were later forced to retract them due to domestic fires, he said. 'In times of disaster, we would of course accept assistance from other countries in the same way that we provide assistance to other countries,' he said. Local mayors posted videos pleading for responses to wildfires in their areas while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help. The campaign drew an angry response from a senior Erdogan aide, Fahrettin Altun, who said: 'Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong.' In the village of Bozalan, in Mugla province, where homes and olive trees were incinerated, residents complained that the government's response was inadequate. 'Our fire-extinguishing helicopters were insufficient,' said 58-year-old Mahmut Sanli. 'If there was a firefighting crew in our neighbourhood, this wouldn't have happened.' Nevzat Yildirim, 30, said he had called authorities in Mugla pleading for help but 'nothing came'. 'We tried to protect our own homes through our own means, by filling up buckets. We organised ourselves with neighbours, youths and saved our homes,' he said. In the nearby village of Cokertme, Gulseli Karaduman was seen using a fire extinguisher to save her olive trees. 'There has been no air support, nothing. For three days we've been living with this helplessness,' she said. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began last Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes. Firefighters are still tackling nine fires in the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla which are popular tourist destinations. Other active fires were reported in the provinces of Adana and Isparta. In all, 137 fires that broke out in more than 30 provinces have been put out, while total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were involved in tackling the fires, officials said. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkey's Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party, accused Erdogan of lacking a 'master plan' to prevent and tackle forest fires and of ignoring warnings concerning global warming. 'We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately. Our country is in the midst of a climate and water crisis,' he said. Fire-dumping planes from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan are already at work in the country. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires, officials said. Health minister Fahrettin Koca said 36 people in Mugla and 11 people in Antalya were being treated in hospitals for fire-related injuries. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants, but experts mostly point to climate change, along with accidents caused by people. Health minister Fahrettin Koca said 36 people in Mugla and 11 people in Antalya were being treated in hospitals for fire-related injuries. A heatwave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. In Italy, the head of the civil protection agency, Fabrizio Curcio, described wildfires affecting much of central and southern Italy as 'dramatic'. Firefighters on Tuesday were fighting seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. GREECE: The extreme heat, described by authorities as the worst in Greece since 1987, has strained the national power supply and fuelled the wildfires (pictured over Athens) GREECE: Earlier, authorities closed the Acropolis (pictured) and other ancient sites during afternoon hours. The site, which is normally open in the summer from 8am to 8pm, will have reduced hours through Friday, closing between midday and 5pm GREECE: Volunteer firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire close to beehives at Varympompi suburb north of Athens on Tuesday GREECE: Authorities described the heatwave as the most intense in more than 30 years. Pictured: An airplane drops water during a wildfire that broke out in Tatoi, northern Athens GREECE: Flames burn through a forest area during a wildfire that broke out in Tatoi, northern Athens on Tuesday GREECE: The national grid operator said the power supply to part of the capital was 'endangered' after part of the transmission system, damaged and threatened by the fires, was shut down. Pictured: Flames burn in Tatoi, northern Athens GREECE: The Fire Service maintained an alert for most of the country on Tuesday, while public and some private services shifted operating hours to allow for afternoon closures. Pictured: A helicopter drops water during a wildfire in Tatoi GREECE: The wildfire that broke out in a forest in Varybobi (pictured) on Tuesday spread quickly due to the dry conditions. There are 350 fire-fighters with 70 vehicles, 10 teams of fire fighters on foot and five helicopters and five aircrafts deployed TURKEY: Umbrellas and sun loungers sit on the beach near Marmaris, Mugla province, as flames torch trees in surrounding woodlands TURKEY: A man makes a vain attempt to extinguish flames by beating them with a stick as they rip through woodland in Turkey's southern Antalya province TURKEY: A cameraman captures scenes of the devastation in southern Turkey's Antalya province as flames cover a hilltop behind him TURKEY: Two firefighters rescue a dog from flames in southern Turkey, where fires have now been raging for six days TURKEY: A helicopter drops water on forest fires currently burning out of control across southern Turkey A top consultant for Rhode Island's Democratic Party is in hot water after tweeting Monday night about Sen. Lindsey Graham's COVID-19 diagnosis. 'It's wrong to hope he dies from COVID right? Asking for a friend. #COVIDIsNotOver #Lindsey Graham,' wrote Kate Coyne-McCoy, an executive consultant for the state's Democratic party. Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Joe McNamara told radio host Gene Valicenti Tuesday morning that the party is 'reviewing her contract.' A top consultant for Rhode Island's Democratic Party is in hot water after tweeting Monday night about Sen. Lindsey Graham's COVID-19 diagnosis Kate Coyne-McCoy, an executive consultant for the Rhode Island Democratic Party, is having her contract reviewed by the party's leadership after sending out a controversial tweet Monday night about Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham contracting COVID Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Monday afternoon that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms. Graham is captured without a mask walking around the Capitol Building on Friday Coyne-McCoy tweeted Tuesday morning: 'I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret' 'The state Democratic party does not wish ill will on anyone and her statement does not reflect, in any way, the values of the Democratic Party. It was a stupid thing to do,' McNamara said. 'It's a horrible thing to say,' he continued. 'Especially in light of the fact that we have lost so many loved ones to this pandemic. It's very, very hurtful.' By Tuesday morning, Coyne-McCoy had pinned up a tweet that said, 'I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret.' She deleted the original message. The tweet received swift condemnation on Twitter too. Graham said Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms. 'I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated,' Graham said in a statement. He said he started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor Monday morning. 'I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms,' he continued. 'I will be quarantining for ten days.' 'I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse,' the Republican added. Over the weekend, according to Politico and CNN, Graham attended a gathering on Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's house boat 'Almost Heaven' with a 'small group of senators.' Manchin said Monday evening he has since tested negative for COVID - and said the boat gathering wasn't a party. 'There was no celebration, were just trying to keep people together and do things in a bipartisan way. Thats what we do,' Manchin told The Huffington Post. Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted Monday afternoon that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing flu-like symptoms Sen. Lindsey Graham said if he hadn't been vaccinated against COVID-19, 'My symptoms would be far worse' Sen. Lindsey Graham attended a gathering on Sen. Joe Manchin's house boat 'Almost Heaven' over the weekend Sen. Joe Manchin hosted a bipartisan group of senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, at his D.C.-based house boat over the weekend. Manchin has since tested negative for COVID-19 Later, as Manchin walked outside the Capitol, he was asked how many people attended the event. The West Virginia senator replied 'maybe, not quite,' when asked if the number of attendees was a dozen. He confirmed it was all senators on board. 'If they want you to know who they are, they'll tell you,' Manchin said. 'We were outside, OK? And everybody's been vaccinated.' He also said it lasted for 'whatever it takes to eat a hamburger or two.' Manchin's office wasn't commenting on the boat party initially, instead saying, 'Senate Manchin is fully vaccinated and following the CDC guidelines for those exposed to a COVID positive individual.' But then Sen. Mark Kelly's spokesperson confirmed to CNN that the Arizona Democrat had come into contact with Graham at Manchin's fete. 'Sen. Kelly came into contact with Sen. Graham during a bipartisan gathering this weekend hosted by Sen. Manchin,' spokesman Jacob Peters told CNN. Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat, was also in attendance, CNN said. Punchbowl News reported that Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, was there too. As were Sens. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, and John Thune, a South Dakota Republican. Thune's and Coons' offices said Monday night that the senators tested negative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that vaccinated individuals who have been in contact with COVID-positive individuals get tested three to five days after exposure. They're also advised to wear a mask in public for 14 days following a potential exposure - or until a negative test comes back. Vaccinated individuals who test positive are supposed to quarantine for 10 days. Huffington Post reporter Igor Bobic reported seeing Graham in the Capitol Building earlier Monday sporting a mask. Graham was captured by reporters walking around Capitol Hill Friday without a mask. The Senate didn't put back in place mask-wearing as the vaccination rate among lawmakers in the upper chamber is nearly universal. The vaccination rate in the House of Representatives is lower. A group of House Republicans protested the House's resumption of mask-wearing last week, by parading to the Senate side of the Capitol Building. A number of Senate Democrats began wearing masks again once the guidance changed. Most Senate Republicans, however, remained mask-less. Graham joins nearly 70 of his Congressional colleagues in testing positive for the coronavirus - but this is the Senate's first breakthrough COVID infection since most of the upper chamber received the vaccine. Graham announced in December he had received the vaccine - tweeting out a picture of himself getting his first shot. 'Thank God for nurses who help people in need and know how to use a needle. Thank God for those who produced these vaccines. If enough of us take it, we will get back to normal lives,' Graham said at the time. Graham and other Republican lawmakers who received early doses of the vaccine were criticized for doing so after party members downplayed the dangers of the virus. Graham mocked mask-wearing as recently as Thursday. 'To my liberal Democratic friends: If you are looking to "Mask Up," how about "Mask Up" the border?' Graham said sharing a Fox News story quoting former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who claimed migrants coming over the southern border were bringing COVID-19 into the country. During President Donald Trump's time in office, Graham was one of his top allies on Capitol Hill. Trump helped politicize mask-wearing and hosted large political rallies for months leading up to the November 3 presidential election, despite vaccines not being available yet. The former president and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in early October and Trump was briefly hospitalized at Walter Reed because he had low oxygen levels. With Graham sidelined, the bipartisan infrastructure deal could once again be in danger of falling through, as every senator's vote is needed and the votes were expected to take place this week, before August recess. Graham was one of the 17 Republicans to join Democrats in a key vote last week to get the bipartisan infrastructure deal moving toward passage. Punchbowl News asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer if Graham's diagnosis will derail the infrastructure vote timeline. 'Really hope not,' Schumer said. 'I don't think it will. And we're trying to let it not.' Tucker Carlson has slammed English-speaking democracies for 'allowing Covid to defeat them' by imposing harsh lockdowns at the expense of civil liberties. The Fox News host accused the various governments of 'committing suicide' by kowtowing to the virus with draconian restrictions in response to relatively few deaths. He said on his Fox show: 'The Anglosphere [is] committing suicide collectively. 'Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and Great Britain, what do they have in common? 'They speak the same language, they have the same culture and all of them are allowing Covid to defeat them.' Carlson said the countries were not responding to the science but were instead intent on destroying the 'rights that we took for granted'. Tucker Carlson has slammed English-speaking democracies for 'allowing Covid to defeat them' by imposing harsh lockdowns at the expense of civil liberties An anti-vaccine rally protester dressed up as Joe Biden holds a sign outside of Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston on June 26. More than 150 employees were either fired or forced to resign for refusing to get vaccinated A woman walks past a sign calling for mask wearing at Penn station in New York on Monday In Australia, severe lockdowns have been imposed despite only nine deaths this summer, while the US is considering mandatory vaccinations even though the majority of the country is already fully inoculated. The Australian military has deployed some 300 soldiers to the country's largest city, Sydney, where troops will help overstretched police officers go door to door to ensure compliance with quarantine measures. Carlson said: 'In Australia, people are not allowed on the beach and not allowed to ask why either. 'We know that because Sky News Australia, which has the same owners as this channel, has just been banned on YouTube in Australia. Why is that? The Fox News host accused the various governments of 'committing suicide' by kowtowing to the virus with draconian restrictions HOW THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD IS FARING IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 UNITED STATES 7-day moving average of COVID cases: 63,250 7-day moving average of deaths: 284 Percentage of those fully vaccinated: 50.2% Mask mandate or lockdown: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the US where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges. Citing new information about the variants ability to spread among vaccinated people, the CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status. The CDCs new mask policy follows recent decisions in Los Angeles and St. Louis to revert to indoor mask mandates amid the spike in COVID-19 infections. The guidance on masks in indoor public places applies in parts of the US with at least 50 new cases per 100,000 people in the last week. That includes 60 percent of US counties, officials said. New case rates are particularly high in the South and Southwest, according to a CDC tracker. In Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, every county has a high transmission rate. The US on Monday finally reached President Joe Bidens goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70 percent of American adults - a month late and amid a fierce surge by the delta variant that is swamping hospitals and leading to new mask rules and mandatory vaccinations around the country. New cases per day in the US have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. Those are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak, in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. And nearly all deaths and serious illnesses now are in unvaccinated people. UNITED KINGDOM 7-day moving average of cases: 26,669 7-day moving average of deaths: 69 Percentage of those fully vaccinated: 57.7% Some 14 postcodes in England and Wales suffered no Covid deaths since the start of the pandemic, official data that breaks down fatalities in all 7,200 neighbourhoods in the countries has shown. Graph shows: The amount of Covid and non-Covid deaths in England and Wales from January 3, 2020, to July 23, 2021 Mask mandate or lockdown: Britain on Tuesday reported 138 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, and another 21,691 infections. The reported deaths is higher than Monday's 24 but that figure has previously been elevated on Tuesdays, owing to reporting patterns in hospitals after the weekend. The number of new cases is in line with Monday's 21,952. Britain opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the US and the European Union on Monday as travel industry leaders urged the government to further ease restrictions and allow people to enjoy the benefits of a successful COVID-19 inoculation program. The new rules came into effect amid reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government may add a new category to Britains traffic light system of travel restrictions, a move industry officials say would make many people decide to stay home. All remaining lockdown restrictions in England were lifted last month despite a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said although risks of the pandemic remain, legal restrictions will be replaced by a recommendation that people wear masks in crowded places and on public transport. Nightclubs and other venues with crowds should use vaccine passports for entry 'as a matter of social responsibility,' he added. 'This pandemic is not over. This disease, coronavirus, continues to carry risks for you and your family. We cannot simply revert instantly from Monday July 19 to life as it was before COVID,' Johnson said. The final stage of easing Englands lockdown means that all restrictions on social gatherings will be removed and social distancing measures will be scrapped. Nightclubs can reopen for the first time since March last year, and there will no longer be limits on people attending concerts, theaters, weddings or sports events. AUSTRALIA 7-day moving average of COVID cases: 218 7-day moving average of deaths: 1 Percentage of those fully vaccinated: 15.5% Mask mandate or lockdown: Australia's Queensland state on Monday extended a COVID-19 lockdown in Brisbane, while soldiers began patrolling Sydney to enforce stay-at-home rules as Australia struggles to stop the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus spreading. Queensland said it had detected 13 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours - the biggest one-day rise the state has recorded in a year. The lockdown of Brisbane, Australia's third-biggest city, was due to end on Tuesday but will now stay in place until late on Sunday. CANADA 7-day moving average of COVID cases: 4,166 7 day moving average of deaths: 50 Percentage of those fully vaccinated: 59.72 Mask mandate or lockdown: On July 28, the province of Alberta on said it is dropping quarantine requirements for close contacts of COVID-19 cases, easing public health measures just as neighboring British Columbia reinstates a mask mandate in one region to tackle surging cases. Canada's federal guidelines still say people should quarantine if they are in close contact with a COVID-19 case. NEW ZEALAND 7-day moving average of COVID cases: 14 7 day moving average of deaths: 0 Percentage of those fully vaccinated: 14.23 Mask mandate or lockdown: Negative COVID-19 test results are required for most travellers to New Zealand. Advertisement 'Well, Sky News Australia reported that outdoor mask mandates and universal lockdowns may not be necessary to defeat COVID or very effective in defeating COVID. 'They reported that the science is far from settled on those questions, and they are right. It is far from settled.' In the UK, even though most restrictions have been eased after a huge vaccination campaign, face masks are still being encouraged and mandatory vaccination passports are being considered to enter clubs, bars and universities. Meanwhile in the US, there are ongoing debates about enforcing federal vaccine mandates, with senior Democrats eager to push towards herd immunity. Federal workers have been required to sign forms attesting they've been vaccinated or else comply with new rules on mandatory masking, weekly testing, distancing and more. Despite these ongoing concerns about the virus from those in government, President Barack Obama is hosting an extravagant birthday party with 500 guests, even though the CDC is recommending only virtual gatherings. Carlson said it highlights the contempt shown by the elite towards the Americans who have suffered so much in the past 18 months. The former president is set to turn 60 on August 4, and is said to be planning a large soiree at his 7,000-square-foot mansion in the Edgarton section of Martha's Vineyard next weekend. An official familiar with the plans told Axios that there are 475 confirmed guests for the party - including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg - with more than 200 staff members. The CDC, however, recommends that people hold large gatherings virtually. 'So it turns out Martha's Vineyard is exempt from the new COVID rules,' Carlson said on his episode Monday night. The former president is turning 60 on August 4 and is planning a soiree at his Martha's Vineyard home FOX News host Tucker Carlson claimed former President Barack Obama was skirting CDC rules by planning to have nearly 500 people at his birthday party in Martha's Vineyard He later said former First Lady Michelle Obama previously claimed she was oppressed, 'but when she's at home, she goes big, for she and her husband, the king of the Democratic Party, he's turning 60, so naturally they're celebrating with 200 servants.' He jokingly asked whether elephants would be brought in and asked what CDC Director Rochelle Walensky would think about Obama's plans. 'Talk about a super-spreader event,' Carlson said, before introducing Mark Steyn, a conservative author, to further discuss the plans for the party - especially the fact that 200 staff members would be on hand. Steyn joked that he did not mind the large amount of staff members, saying they would be the most diverse group at the party. 'We're basically back to medieval Europe, where it's the same 400 people who go to all the parties,' he said. 'As you know, Obama's got Oprah and George Clooney, just as Oprah and George Clooney went to Harry and Meghan's wedding, even though they never met either of them. 'I mean you have to feel sorry for George and Oprah,' he continued, 'just going to the parties of people you don't know is a really sad and miserable existence.' 'But I have to say, when you look at this, 500 guests, 200 fawning footmen and under butlers, what's interesting to me is the way that people are actually perfectly happy with this,' Steyn said, adding: 'A disturbing number of people are quite happy to be subjects. 'They say "Oh yeah, I couldn't go to granny's 90th birthday, but it's perfectly fine for Barack Obama to have 500 people because our rulers are so much better than us.' Carlson replied that he agreed, and said: 'The fierce egalitarian spirit of American society is dying and that's our fault.' The party is said to include a performance by Pearl Jam, seen here at a concert in 2018 The party will be held outside the Obamas' 7,000-square-foot home in Edgarton he and former first lady Michelle bought in 2019 for nearly $12 million (pictured) The ex-president is requiring all guests to be COVID tested and vaccinated. The party will be held outdoors on the Obama's $12 million 30-acre waterfront property and a 'COVID coordinator' will be on hand to ensure all proper protocols are being followed. It remains unclear what proof of a negative COVID test or a vaccine will be required, and whether guests will be required to wear masks. In an interview with CNN, though, Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said Sunday on CNN that big parties should be avoided. 'If you're talking about a small party like I might have at my house for six or eight people who are all fully vaccinated, I do not believe, at this point, we need to put masks on to be next to each other,' he said. 'But if there were 100 people, and, of course, how are you really going to be sure about people's vaccination status?' The Obamas' spent some of their time in quarantine at the Martha's Vineyard property Obama's party will take place next weekend at the $11.57 million seven-bedroom home he and Michelle bought in 2019, which includes an in-ground pool and plenty of space to relax on warm summer days. The party will also feature a performance by Pearl Jam. A spokesperson for the former first family told The Sun the guest list 'includes a number of family members and friends to mark the occasion,' but The Hill reports guests include Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg. President Joe Biden will not be attending the soiree, the White House announced, with a spokesperson telling Axios in a statement: 'While President Biden is unable to attend this weekend, he looks forward to catching up with former President Obama soon ad properly welcoming him into the over 60 club.' A local hairdresser was also reportedly hired to style one of the Pearl Jam member's hair before their big performance. In lieu of gifts, Axios reports, guests are being asked to 'consider giving to programs that work to support boys and young men of color, and their families here at home in the United States, empower adolescent girls around the world and equip the next generation of emerging community leaders.' The party is reportedly being paid for by the Obamas' personal funds. Kim Jong Un has been seen with a dark spot on the back of his head, sometimes covered by a bandage, fuelling more speculation about his health. The North Korean tyrant's dark patch was first seen at the end of July when he attended a series of events including a military parade and meeting with veterans. The apparent wound, with a greenish hue, was variously seen uncovered or covered by a broad nude-coloured plaster. There has been rampant speculation about the 37-year-old's health since he lost a considerable amount of weight earlier this year, with his Mao-style suit hanging loose over his shoulders and his facial features conspicuously defined. State media made the highly unusual decision in June to describe Kim as 'emaciated' and 'breaking our people's hearts,' in an apparent effort to evoke sympathy for the despot who has admitted publicly to a 'great crisis' brought about by the pandemic. Kim Jong Un with plaster on the back of his head and without the bandage, revealing a dark spot, during a military conference held in Pyongyang from July 27 to 29 Kim Jong Un is seen with a plaster on the back of his head during the recent state TV broadcast The bandage was plain to see during certain moments of the broadcast, in the exact spot where in other shots he is seen with a greenish mark It is believed that he developed the mark on his head some time after July 11 because on that date he was seen at an appearance with musicians with no trace of it, according to North Korean monitoring site NK Daily. It is not the first time Kim has appeared publicly with a curious mark on his body. In May last year, he was seen with a small dark spot on his wrist from what medical experts claimed was the result of a needle used in heart surgery. Kim's health has been the subject of international speculation for years as his death would raise questions over succession and stability in the nuclear-armed nation. Known as a heavy smoker and a big eater, the leader has been obese throughout much of his life and has appeared to gain weight as he has grown older. Kim's father Kim Jong-Il and grandfather Kim Il-Sung were also obese and heavy smokers. Both died of heart attacks. But he looked noticeably less overweight in recent media images published by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency and on state television. Some observers say Kim - who is about 5ft8in tall and has previously weighed 308 pounds may have lost between 22 and 44 pounds. Kim's personal life is normally taboo for North Korea's state media and Pyongyang has never even confirmed how many children he has. But KCTV last month aired a clip of an unnamed resident of the capital claiming everyone in the country was 'heartbroken' by his 'emaciated' condition. 'Seeing our respected general secretary looking emaciated breaks our people's hearts the most,' he said. 'Everyone is talking about how their tears welled up immediately.' Analysts say Pyongyang is using Kim's appearance as a way to glorify him by portraying him as a 'devoted, hardworking' leader as the country struggles to tackle its food crisis and other challenges. 'If outside observers picked up on the change in Kim's appearance, you can bet your bottom dollar that the North Korean people noticed it, too, and more quickly,' said Christopher Green, a Korea specialist at Leiden University in the Netherlands. It shut its borders in January last year to protect itself against the pandemic, and as a result trade with Beijing - its economic lifeline - has slowed to a trickle while all international aid workers have left the country. 'The message Pyongyang is sending is that Kim is a leader who works very hard for his people even to a degree he skips meals and loses weight,' defector-turned-researcher Ahn Chan-il told AFP. Global speculation about Kim's health flared last year after he missed the commemoration of the birthday of his late grandfather, and was absent from public view for about 20 days. In 2016, South Korea's spy agency reported Kim had bulked up to 285 pounds, having piled on around 90 pounds since taking power in 2011, 'bingeing on food and drink'. Last year it was estimated he had put on another 20 pounds, taking him to around 305 pounds. Slim Kim: Korean leader Kim Jong Un has faced fresh speculation about his health as he appeared noticeably slimmer. In recent state media images, Kim appeared to have lost a large amount of weight as his face is thinner and the strap on his fancy watch is tighter Kim Jong Un waving to a crowd of enthusiastic military officers looking noticeably slimmer in his trademark Mao suit in a photo issued on July 30 The North Korean leader - seen in a picture taken on July 24 - is thought to have lost between 22 and 44 pounds already this year But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, pointed out it was unlikely his recent weight loss was a symptom of acute ill health, as he had attended several public events this month. 'No one can really know why he lost weight,' he told AFP. 'What's clear - from the KCTV footage - is the regime wants the world to think that its people love care for their leader, to a point where they'd cry over his thinner appearance.' Kim has acknowledged a 'tense' food situation that could worsen if this year's crops fail, exacerbating economic problems amid strict self-imposed border and movement restrictions that have slowed trade to a trickle. 'The most likely reason they would mention his declining weight in this way would, in my opinion, be related to ongoing COVID-19-related border measures,' said Chad O'Carroll, CEO of the Seoul-based Korea Risk Group. 'Regardless of the motivation for Kim's rapid weight loss, it seems there is propaganda value in showing that even the leader of North Korea is enduring the same food shortages that are hitting the country at the current time.' The regime may have intended from the beginning to emphasise the fact that Kim is working hard for the people at a time of widespread hardship, or its messaging may have been an unintended consequence of Kim's inevitable appearance, Green said. 'What matters is that the North Korean regime will have received word from its many, many, many informants that Kim's condition was a talking point among ordinary people,' he said. North Korean state TV says Kim Jong Un's 'emaciated' condition is 'breaking our people's hearts' in a highly unusual broadcast (pictured at a concert last month) 'From there it is a simple matter to respond by designing a propaganda strategy to use the existing public discussion to the regime's advantage.' The 'pseudo-voxpop' - carefully staged by state media to look authentic - such as the one from the unnamed Pyongyang resident was a common North Korean media tactic, he added. It is unusual, though not unheard of, for North Korean state media to mention a leader's health. In 2014 it reported that Kim - who inherited his position from his father and grandfather before him - suffered from 'discomfort' after a prolonged period out of the public eye. With succession plans unclear, a sudden decline in Kim's health could throw nuclear-armed North Korea's 76-year-old system of hereditary leadership into disarray. 'It is a major weight loss, and his health is important to the functioning and fate of the state, which is why people are watching this closely,' said Town of 38 North. A record list of 174 new Sydney coronavirus exposure sites has been revealed, by far the highest number of venues ever released in New South Wales, in a worrying sign the state's spiralling crisis is far from over. During every one of NSW's Covid outbreaks since the pandemic began, the health department has released a handy daily list of exposure sites where infected people have visited. But on Tuesday night, officials were forced to abandon their strategy for the first time - as there were simply too many affected venues to list. The 174 venues are spread across 80 suburbs and include 20 Woolworths supermarkets, three Bunnings, five Coles and a host of cafes, pharmacists and grocery stores. Instead of adding the venues in a PDF for people to easily check, bureaucrats provided convoluted instructions for how to look at the extensive catalogue of 949 infection sites on their website. The worrying change of tack came hours after Gladys Berejiklian announced a further 199 cases as Sydneysiders suffer through their fifth week of lockdown. Scroll down for the full list of new exposure sites Sydney has recorded 174 new exposure sites - a record for the state. Pictured: A woman in Sydney's inner-west on Tuesday Among the 11 sites in Bankstown was the Woolworths store inside Bankstown Central Shopping Centre (pictured) which was exposed over 13 days The worst-hit area is Cabramatta with a whopping 14 sites, including a range of financial branches such as ANZ, a Commonwealth Bank branch and ATM, Westpac, Captain Cash Loans, Hai Ha Money Transfer and Western Union. Customers who shopped at any of the venues listed have been told to isolate until a negative test is received. Everyday Happy Shoes is also on the list, as well as New Good Luck Butchery, Phuong Thao Fruit Ang Vegetable, Sharetea Cabramatta, Viet Hoa Seafoods and Woolworths Cabramatta which is listed between July 21 and 28. Bankstown came a close second with 11 exposure sites, including Woolworths at Centro Shopping Centre which is listed 13 times under various dates spanning July 20 to July 31 after infected staff unknowingly worked with the virus. An Aldi supermarket in Bankstown is also an exposure site, along with a BWS liquor store, a post office, Baby Bunting, three pharmacies, a kebab shop, bakery and a fruit store. A Woolworths supermarket on Patrick Street was also on the list, along with Good Luck Meat, Daily Bread Shop, Coles and Broaster chicken. There were 20 Woolworths supermarkets added to the list on Tuesday evening. Pictured: People shopping in Fairfield on Tuesday HOW MANY NEW SITES IN YOUR SUBURB? Banksmeadow: 1 Bankstown: 11 Bankstown Aerodrome: 1 Bass Hill: 3 Belfield: 1 Berala: 1 Bexley: 1 North Blacktown: 5 Bonnyrigg: 1 Brookvale: 1 Cabramatta: 14 Campsie: 10 Canley Heights: 2 Canterbury: 1 Carlton: 1 Castle Hill: 1 Casula: 5 Chester Hill: 1 Chullora: 1 Clemton Park: 1 Condell Park: 3 Constitution Hill: 1 Doonside: 2 Edmondson Park: 1 Fairfield: 1 Fairfield West: 1 Figtree: 1 Georges Hall: 1 Granville: 2 Greenfield Park: 1 Greystanes: 1 Guildford: 3 Harris Park: 4 Heckenberg: 3 Hurstville: 3 Ingleburn: 2 Kingsgrove: 1 Kogarah: 1 Lakemba: 2 Leppington: 1 Liverpool: 3 Macquarie Fields: 3 Macquarie Park: 1 Mascot: 1 Merrylands: 1 Minchinbury: 1 Mount Annan: 1 North Rocks: 3 Northmead: 1 Padstow: 3 Parklea: 1 Parramatta: 7 Peakhurst : 1 Pendle Hill: 10 Prestons: 4 Punchbowl: 1 Quakers Hill: 2 Rockdale: 1 Rooty Hill: 1 Rosehill: 1 Roselands: 1 Ryde: 1 Seven Hills: 7 Smithfield: 1 South Wentworthville: 1 St Marys: 2 Sydney: 1 Toongabbie: 1 Tregear: 1 Ultimo: 1 Villawood: 1 Wakeley: 1 Warwick Farm: 1 Wattle Grove: 1 Wentworthville: 3 Westmead: 1 Wetherill Park: 1 Woodcroft: 1 Yagoona: 2 Advertisement 'To view these venues, please visit the NSW Government website. Click the "advanced filter" drop arrow at the top of the page and choose "sort by last updated' to see the newest additions",' a Twitter alert read. Once on the site with the advanced filters applied, users can scroll through a hefty and alphabetised catalogue comprising reams of supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, medical centres and restaurants - mainly located in Sydney's west. One user pointed that the result of not including an easily-accessible list 'is that people will stop looking because it is too onerous, and people who should be isolating will just miss the information'. In Campsie, also in Sydney's west, there were ten sites including Chemist Warehouse, Discount Drug Store, Alan Lo Chemist, Canaan Supermarket and Wholesale, Om Sri Stores, The World of Fruit and Woolworths. Worrying modelling shows the virus is likely to spread even further in Sydney (pictured on Sunday) and the latest list of exposure sites only adds to those fears FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU Pendle Hill recorded ten infection sites, including 7-Eleven on Wentworth Avenue which has exposure five dates spanning from July 14 to 26. CTC Pendle Hill is also on the list, along with Metro Petroleum, Pendle Hill Fish Market, Halal Meat, Mediadvice Pharmacy, Rajah Supermarket and Woolworths. Other affected suburbs in the west included Parramatta with seven sites, Casula with five sites, Seven Hills with seven, Doonside with two, Hurstville with three, Quakers Hill with two and Wentworthville with three. Further east, a person infected with Covid went to Chemist Warehouse on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD on July 23 between 6.20pm and 6.40pm, and Guzman Y Gomez at Broadway Shopping Centre on July 29 between 8.05pm and 8.15pm. There were 14 exposure sites in Campsie and 11 in Bankstown. Pictured: A testing facility in Sydney's west on Tuesday The outbreak in the city's north appears to be fairly contained, with one site listed in Macquarie Park - an Aldi at the Macquarie Centre between 4pm and 4.30pm on July 24. Other social media users were frustrated that a list was not published in an easy-to-read way. 'We've got to go searching through all the suburbs to find the recent ones?' one user asked. 'So you've just given up now with easy to read updates?' another wrote. Another Sydneysider was irritated because they downloaded the list from the website, not realising it comprised all 950 exposure sites added during the current outbreak. Sydney recorded 174 new exposure sites on Tuesday night. Pictured: People lining up for a vaccine on Tuesday Authorities have yet to find the source of infection for 111 of Tuesday's 199 new cases of Covid-19 'I went to the trouble of downloading the entire CSV file from the website. There are 950 exposure sites. Feel free to let that sink in for a while. Most are major retail outlets,' they said. Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced another 199 cases of Covid-19 overnight, including at least 50 who were infectious in the community. She said transmission of the virulent Indian Delta strain was still highest in the eight local government areas in the city's west and south-west, including Bankstown and Blacktown, living under tightened lockdown rules. Authorities have yet to find the source of infection for 111 of the new cases. There are now 250 patients suffering from Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, including 53 in intensive care and 20 who require ventilation. Ms Berejiklian said the number of new cases each day could still increase, with officials not yet sure if the Sydney outbreak has peaked yet or not. 'There's clearly been a plateauing in the last week but we don't know if we'll see them worsen before they get better,' she said. 'It concerns me that there were still 50 people infectious yesterday in the community. That could mean we'll get higher numbers.' Ms Berejiklian also flagged Australia's largest city could start opening up in stages as the state, but for that to happen, she wanted six million jabs in arms across the state within weeks. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) said she wants millions of people vaccinated in just weeks Australian Defence Force troops have joined NSW police patrolling streets in Sydney's west and southwest during lockdown. Pictured: health workers at a testing site That would mean half the eligible population receiving either their first or second dose of a Covid-19 vaccination. 'We know that 10 million jabs gives us 80 per cent of the adult population vaccinated,' she said. 'By the end of August, Id like to see New South Wales record six million jabs - that is roughly half the population with at least one or two doses.' Ms Berejiklian said though even a 50 per cent vaccination rate would not be enough to completely remove all social distancing restrictions in Sydney. 'We would never relax completely at a 50 per cent vaccination rate,' she said. 'Every milestone we hit gives the government more options but we can't have those freedoms at 50 per cent.' Freshman progressive Rep. Cori Bush spent a fourth night sleeping upright on the Capitol steps on Monday in protest of the White House and Congress allowing the Covid-19 eviction moratorium to expire. The Missouri Democrat, whos made waves with the stunt, said her protest wont end until the moratorium is extended. She slept in a sitting position to evade being stopped by Capitol police. To Bush, the matter is personal - the 45-year-old was evicted three times before entering politics and lived in her car with her two children. It ends when we win, it ends when we win. It ends when we dont have to worry about this moratorium at this point, she told Punchbowl News. It ends when we get to say, Okay, we got a little bit of time. Lets go ahead and get to work to get a bill done so Congress can actually act. Thats when it ends for me.' Bush's protest comes amid a slew of Democratic finger pointing. Congressional Democrats are calling on the White House to extend the eviction freeze, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said it cannot find the legal authority to do so after the Supreme Court said the moratorium should only be extended by legislation. The White House, meanwhile, has called on Congress to extend the freeze, but Democrats haven't wrangled up enough votes to do so, and now the House is in recess. The congresswoman turned the heat up on President Joe Biden. I think the quickest way to get this thing done is for our president to go ahead and get this thing done by an executive order and get it done. He can get it done right now, Bush insisted. Bush has been living on the Capitol steps since Friday night Freshman progressive Rep. Cori Bush spent her fourth night sleeping sitting up on the Capitol stairs on Monday night in protest of the White House and Congress allowing the Covid-19 eviction moratorium to expire The Missouri Democrat, whos made waves with the stunt, said her protest wont end until the moratorium is extended. To Bush, the matter is personal - the 45-year-old was evicted three times before entering politics and lived in her car with her two children. Bush was at times joined by other progressive 'Squad' members, and visited by a number of Democrats showing support. In addition to meeting with her party's leadership, Bush met with Vice President Kamala Harris yesterday to implore the White House to take action.' 'I just had a conversation with @VP Kamala Harris. I needed her to look me in my eyes and I wanted to look in hers when I asked for help to prevent our people from being evicted,' she wrote on Twitter. Bush met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday The White House has said it appealed to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to extend the order, but the agency did not find the legal authority to do so. Democrats all the way up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are unsatisfied with that answer and believe Biden could unilaterally extend the order to buy them time to do so legislatively. On Tuesday, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., pushed the CDC to extend the moratorium, asking 'who is going to stop them.' 'I don't buy that the CDC can't extend the eviction moratorium - something it has already done in the past! Who is going to stop them? Who is going to penalize them? There is no official ruling saying that they cannot extend this moratorium. C'mon CDC - have a heart! Just do it!' she wrote on Twitter. The administration has also pointed to a Supreme Court ruling from last month that allowed the moratorium to extend another month but said after that, it would take an act of Congress to keep it going. The White House then asked Congress to handle the matter, but there werent enough votes in the House or the Senate to extend the moratorium and it expired. Democrats attempted to approve an extension of the freeze by consent, or without a formal vote on Friday but House Republicans objected. The White House also implored states to dole out some of the billions in unspent federal relief for rental assistance. 'The administration has provided states and local governments with the flexibility to get funds out efficiently without burdensome documentation, to use funds to help those who are homeless or in need of new housing, and to use American Rescue Plan state and local funds to expand any effort to help those whose housing is at risk due to the pandemic,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday. Bush has at been joined by other progressive Squad members, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Bush has blasted Democrats for going 'on vacation' instead of extending the moratorium. The House is slated for a seven-week recess, but is due back if the Senate passes an infrastructure bill Sen, Elizabeth Warren embraces with Bush in support of her fight of the eviction moratorium 'The American Rescue Plan allocated an additional $21.5 billion for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) that can be used by renters to cover arrears and make landlords whole. This is on top of $25 billion allocated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act,' a White House press release explained last month. 'But state and local governments must do better. Money is available in every state to help renters who are behind on rent and at risk of eviction.' Of that $46 billion total, just $3 billion has gone to help renters and mom and pop landlords, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said on CNN on Sunday. It is up to individual governors to handle money allocated to states and local municipalities for emergency rental assistance. 'I think, in some states, some governors and state administrations might be slow walking this process to get it out. In other states, theres the administrative burden of setting it up. But there are states and municipalities who have been getting it right. Frankly, those state governments need to get it together, but we cannot kick people out of their homes when our end of the bargain has not been fulfilled.' Infection rates are three times lower among fully-vaccinated Britons, a major study has found. Data from the REACT study which randomly tested 100,000 people between June 24 and July 12 found 0.4 per cent of double-jabbed adults tested positive. But prevalence of the virus was 1.21 per cent among those who had not yet received either jab. The findings mirror tests results from a month earlier, highlighting how the vaccines have really helped in slashing infections. But the same study, which ministers rely on to track the outbreak, found two doses were less effective at preventing infection than previously thought. Imperial College London academics warned it is 'highly likely' the country will face another wave in the autumn. The Government-backed team suggested children should be vaccinated to prevent another resurgence of the virus. It came after Nicola Sturgeon yesterday revealed all over-16s in the UK are set to be given approval for Covid vaccines within the next few days. Any move to green light jabs for children would mark a huge U-turn by health chiefs, who have until now recommended against routinely inoculating youngsters. Data from the study also revealed that two doses of a vaccine are 49 per cent effective at preventing asymptomatic infection, a marked decline compared to other estimates. But the protection offered by the vaccines rises to 59 per cent against symptomatic cases, researchers said Cases are continuing to fall in the UK, with just 21,691 positive Covid tests recorded yesterday with the figure being the lowest for five weeks. The Imperial study, funded by the Department of Health, warned the recent decline in cases could reverse when schools reopen in September. It concluded vaccinating more children could 'substantially reduce transmission' and have 'knock on benefits across the whole population'. Researchers wrote: 'In our data, the highest prevalence of infection was among 12 to 24 year olds.' They claimed it raises the prospect 'vaccinating more of this group by extending the UK programme to those aged 12-17 could substantially reduce transmission potential in the autumn when levels of social mixing increase'. Half of all infections were in those aged five to 24 despite them only making up one in four of the population, reflecting lower vaccination rates in this age group. Professor Paul Elliott, who led the study, said there was 'the opportunity to get more vaccine into people' over the summer. Unveiling the findings in a briefing for health and science journalists, he said: 'Clearly the issue of vaccinating teenagers is very important and topical. 'It's under constant review by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).' He added: 'That age group is a potential source of infections, we've seen it in current data.' Top graph: Data from June 24 to July 12 (orange bars), gathered by Imperial researchers as part of the REACT study, shows that infection rates were highest in five to 24-year-olds. Half of all Covid infections were in this group, despite them making up just 25 per cent of the population. Nine times more children aged 13 to 17 tested positive in the most recent testing window compared to rates from May 20 to June 7 (grey bars). Bottom graph: Figures also show that infection rates were highest in London, where 0.94 per cent tested positive by July 12, up from just 0.13 per cent in the previous study period Positive PCR test samples taken as part of the REACT study closely follow the waves of the pandemic Vaccinating children could reduce transmission in the autumn, experts say Vaccinating over-12s could be a way to tackle a possible spike in cases when children return to school in September, Imperial College London experts said. Between June 24 and July 12, five to 24-year-olds accounted for more than half of all infections, despite only representing a quarter of the population. And nine times more children aged 13 to 17 tested positive compared to rates from May 20 to June 7. Experts said their findings, part of the latest REACT study by Imperial, raises the prospect of expanding the vaccination rollout to over-12s, as this could 'substantially reduce transmission' in the autumn. There is a risk infection levels rise later this year, when schools return, more people socialise more indoors and the continued presence of the Delta strain, despite high vaccination levels, they said. Their study also found infection rates were highest in London, where 0.94 per cent tested positive by July 12, up from just 0.13 per cent in the previous study period. Black people were also twice as likely to test positive for the virus (1.21 per cent), compared to white people (0.59 per cent). And households with six people or more were three times more at risk (1.35 per cent) of catching Covid compared to single or two-person households (0.44 per cent). Meanwhile, people in deprived areas were nearly twice as likely to test positive compared to the least deprived areas. Advertisement Imperial's study found one in 160 people tested positive a fourfold increase on the previous month. Cases were driven up by the Delta variant replacing Alpha, with the more infectious strain making up 99.996 per cent of all cases in the country by mid-July. Co-author Professor Steven Riley pointed to official data showing cases had started to level off in mid-July. He added: 'The very high growth that was happening up until the end of the Euros and the end of the academic year is not continuing. 'Continued high vaccination uptake in younger ages through summer will reduce potential for transmission.' Asked about the possibility of a fourth wave starting in September, Professor Riley said: 'There are a number of key processes currently in our favour: schools, weather, outdoor mixing. 'They will not be in our favour from September so there is a possibility prevalence may increase.' He said that in the autumn there will be a 'trade off' between increased mixing and increased immunity from vaccination and infections. Researchers studied Covid tests from 98,233 people taken in the most recent test window, of which 55,765 were double jabbed. After adjusting for factors including age and sex, scientists estimated two doses of the vaccine roughly halves the risk of getting infected. The figures are less optimistic than the estimates from Public Health England, which calculated they offer 65 to 90 per cent protection against infection. Experts explained the discrepancy was due to how data is gathered PHE based its calculations on Covid test results from people with symptoms For comparison, the Imperial study tests a huge sample of the population, meaning it includes more asymptomatic cases. Professor Elliott said vaccines were even more effective at preventing hospitalisation and death. He insisted the findings show the jabs are still 'highly effective' but admitted it would be a 'good thing' if they could be tweaked to become better. Researchers said their findings which did not breakdown efficacy rates between Pfizer and AstraZeneca are also in line with data from Israel. Data also showed one in 25 double jabbed people picked up the virus after being in close contact with someone who was infected. For comparison, unvaccinated people have double the risk of catching the virus. Findings also suggest fully immunised people experience a less severe infection and are less likely to transmit the virus to other people. It took more rounds of PCR tests 27 cycles versus 23 to pick up the virus in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated people, suggesting those who got the jabs experienced a lower viral load. The graph shows the proportion of positive Covid swabs taken as part of the REACT trial that sequencing identified as the Delta variant The graph shows the proportion of people in each age group who had received one Covid jab (light blue) and who were fully immunised (dark blue) The graph shows the Ct value in infected people aged 18 to 64 who had not been vaccinated (red line) compared to double jabbed Brits (blue line). Each graph shows that those not protected against Covid had lower Ct levels, which are associated with higher amounts of the virus in their test sample and is usually linked with a more severe infection Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'Our vaccination rollout is building a wall of defence that means we can carefully ease restrictions and get back to the things we love, but we need to be cautious as we learn to live with this virus. 'Today's report shows the importance of taking personal responsibility by self-isolating if you are contact traced, getting tested if you have symptoms and wearing face coverings where appropriate. 'I urge anyone who has yet to receive a vaccine to get jabbed and take up both doses the vaccines are safe and they are working.' Dr Tom Wingfield, a senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant physician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said the findings show vaccines are 'contributing to a decrease' in Covid transmission and symptomatic illness. He said: 'The REACT-1 findings, when coupled with other studies demonstrating the impact of coronavirus vaccines on reducing hospitalisation and death from Covid, are encouraging.' But the study 'serves as a reminder' that 'even with extremely high vaccine coverage, we are highly likely to have a further wave of SARS-CoV-infections in the autumn', Dr Wingfield said. Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson told a group of constituents he believes the FBI had advanced knowledge of the Jan. 6th riot but failed to act even as he ripped a select committee probing the events as a 'total sham.' During his remarks following an event in his home state Saturday, he repeatedly downplayed the actions of the mob that took part in the Capitol riot, saying there were 'a couple hundred really bad actors' among thousands he defended. 'By and large those folks were peaceful protesters,' said Johnson, days after four police officers testified about battling crowd members outside the Capitol. He said most 'wouldn't even consider breaking the law.' Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson said after an event in Milwaukee that he didn't believe the FBI somehow 'didn't know squat' about January 6th despite infiltrating militia groups and also faulted congressional leaders while downplaying the role of protesters In remarks captured after the completion of the event he held in Milwaukee, Johnson spoke to a small group of attendees. He went after the FBI for its role. 'I dont say this publicly, but are you watching whats happening in Michigan? Johnson said. 'So you think the FBI had fully infiltrated the militias in Michigan, but they dont know squat about what was happening on January 6th or what was happening with these groups? Id say there is way more to the story,' he said, according to video published by the Washington Post. There is no evidence that the FBI collected information out of Michigan about the riot and then sat on it. Last fall, the government revealed charges of Michigan militia members who alleged plotted to kidnap the state's governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, and cited information provided by informants. FBI Director Chris Wray has testified about information collected by an FBI field office in Roanoke that was passed to officials in Washington warning about online threats of violence. It was provided Jan. 5th, the day before the riot. Other security officials have said despite information made public in advance by 'Stop the Steal' protesters, they anticipated typical First Amendment protests, rather than a violent mob that beat back law enforcement and stormed the Capitol. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) was captured on video after an event in his home state Republican Senator from Wisconsin Ron Johnson made the remarks after an event in his home state. He also said he wouldn't encourage people to get vaccinated 'By and large those folks were peaceful protesters,' said Johnson, who condemned people who engaged in violence FBI Director Chris Wray told Congress an FBI field office in Virginia picked up online chatter about Jan. 6th that it sent to Washington the day before the riot Ron Johnson: I dont say this publicly you think the FBI had fully infiltrated the militias in Michigan, but they dont know squat about what was happening on January 6th or what was happening with these groups? Id say there is way more to the story. pic.twitter.com/wLMcsdtzNX Poli Alert (@polialertcom) August 3, 2021 Johnson repeatedly went after the House select committee probing the Capitol riot, and mentioned GOP Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, both put on the panel by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He called it a 'sham.' He accused Cheney and Kinzinger of trying to paint protesters with the same 'broad brush' as 'domestic terrorists.' He said he condemned people who committed acts of violence 'immediately.' 'Are they going to talk about the culpability of congressional leadership, both sides? Johnson said. No. . . . They wont even bring it up.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell were at the top of congressional leadership at the time, although the U.S. Capitol Police are overseen by a Capitol Police Board. According to the Post, the video was provided by Republican Hospice worker Bridget Kurt, a Wisconsin native who was staying at the hotel where Johnson's event took place. She said she wanted Johnson to encourage people to get vaccines, but he refused. 'Im not going to do that. I dont encourage or discourage,' Johnson told her. Four days before the riot, Johnson was among a group of senators who said they would object to votes in 'disputed states' amid Donald Trump's election overturn effort. But after the riot occurred, he opted to vote and count electoral votes certified by states. He said in a statement Jan. 7th: 'What follows is the speech I was going to deliver on the Senate floor explaining my concerns about the election in Arizona. Unfortunately, lawless protesters entered the Capitol and by consensus we decided to expedite the proceedings.' Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday it would have been ideal for the former president to have received his coronavirus vaccination on national television to help reduce hesitancy from Republicans. 'I'm glad former President Trump got vaccinated, but it would have been even better for him to have done so on national television so that his supporters could see how much trust and confidence he has in what is arguably one of his greatest accomplishments,' Azar wrote in a New York Times op-ed. Azar served as chairman of Trump's White House Coronavirus Task Force for just one month from its inception in January 2020 before he was replaced by then-Vice President Mike Pence in February 2020. He remained in his HHS post, however, until Trump vacated office on January 20, 2021. He was also one of the original architects of Operation Warp Speed, the initiative under Trump aimed at getting a vaccine developed as quickly as possible. Trump was quietly vaccinated in January. Conversely, then President-elect Joe Biden and then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris both received their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine on live television. Other politicians, like Nancy Pelosi, also opted to get their jab on camera to encourage confidence and that the public follow suit. Azar admitted that HHS and the White House task force did not anticipate the bipartisanship that would emerge from the creation of the vaccine, claiming more should have been done to combat that in the early stages of development under the Trump administration. Trump era Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar (pictured on January 12, 2021) penned an op-ed on Tuesday claiming the former president should have gotten his COVID-19 vaccine on national TV to help reduce hesitancy among Republicans On Monday, 70 per cent of American adults had received at least one dose of the vaccine, reaching the Biden administration's July 4 goal nearly a month late Vaccination rates plateaued around June, shortly after the CDC told vaccinated Americans they no longer had to wear masks indoors 'We could have done more to address vaccine hesitancy,' he wrote, listing things the administration did do to try and address these issues head on, like making sure clinical trials included a diverse sampling of participants. 'But we did not predict the politicization of vaccines that has led so many Republicans to hold back,' Azar wrote of the partisanship surrounding the jab. He cited an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showing that 'as of mid-July, 43 percent of Republicans said that they have not been vaccinated and definitely or probably wouldn't be, versus 10 percent of Democrats.' The Biden administration finally hit its goal of getting 70 per cent of American adults the first dose of the vaccine on Monday nearly a month after it intended to hit that milestone on July 4. Hesitancy toward getting the jab has been high among Republicans, young people who don't feel as threatened by the virus and minority communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated it's face covering guidelines last week, telling Americans in high transmittance areas they should go back to wearing masks indoors. President Biden, during televised remarks, and the CDC claim the updated guidance is in response to the Delta variant surging in certain parts of the country and an increase in breakthrough cases in vaccinated Americans. Experts also claim that the masks are necessary again considering unvaccinated Americans have likely unmasked along with the rest of the vaccinated population over the last few months leading to a surge in cases among those without the jab. Azar was an architect of 'Operation Warp Speed' the Trump initiative aimed at developing a coronavirus vaccine as quickly as possible. Trump and Azar speak to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on May 14, 2020 'The vaccines could be a victory lap for the Republican Party, and I call upon all party leaders and conservatives to double down on encouraging vaccination,' Azar said. He added: 'Party leaders like Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida are making clear that vaccines save lives. Sean Hannity of Fox News is now telling viewers to 'please take Covid seriously.' Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana shared a photo of himself recently getting vaccinated. I urge more of this from trusted voices on the right.' Trump has also encouraged his supporters to get inoculated. 'I would recommend it and I would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly,' Trump told 'Fox News Primetime' in a March interview. 'It is a great vaccine,' he continued at the time. 'It is a safe vaccine and it is something that works.' The CDC has reinstituted indoor mask guidelines for the vaccinated in high transmission areas where the Delta variant is surging and break through cases are steep Case rates have massively spiked in the U.S. since mid-July Two hospitals in San Francisco have reported that scores of staff members have been infected with Covid-19, with the majority of cases being among vaccinated staff. The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center has reported 183 infections among their more than 35,000 staff members, with 84 per cent of those being breakthrough infections among those who are fully jabbed. Just five miles away at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, 55 staffers out of over 7,000 are currently suffering from Covid-19 and up to 80 per cent are fully vaccinated, reports Fox News. The worrying trend comes after health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Areas announced that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor public settings as Covid-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious delta variant. The mandate came into effect on Tuesday. It also comes as fully-vaccinated Senator Lindsey Graham tested positive for Covid and is experiencing flu-like symptoms after he partied on Senator Joe Manchin's house boat with a 'small group of senators' The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center (file photo) has reported 183 infections among their more than 35,000 staff members, with 84 per cent of those being breakthrough infections among those who are fully jabbed At UCSF, two vaccinated staff members who tested positive for the virus were hospitalized, while none of the infected staffers at the San Francisco General Hospital required such treatment, reports ABC7 News. 'Breakthrough cases were and still are expected,' Cristina Padilla, a ZSFG hospital spokesperson told Fox News. 'We know vaccines won't completely prevent infections, but they are very effective at making hospitalizations and death preventable.' Dr. Lukejohn Day, chief medical officer of San Francisco General Hospital told ABC7 that more infections are occurring than before. 'More staff are getting COVID than we saw before, and it's mostly vaccinated staff. And that's just because of the easing of restrictions,' Day said. 'We are seeing it among physicians, nurses, ancillary staff, we sort of are seeing that across the board.' He claimed that most of the cases were due to community spread but investigations into how the staff got Covid-19 is still ongoing. The staff are currently isolating at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Just five miles away at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, 55 staffers out of over 7,000 are currently suffering from Covid-19 and up to 80 per cent are fully vaccinated Dr. Day said: 'I think close to over 99% of those cases, almost 100%, we have been able to trace back to community spread. 'We have so far not detected any patient to staff or staff to patient transmission right now. But we still have some active investigations that are going on.' Meanwhile, Dr. Josh Adler, UCSF's chief clinal officer told he outlet: 'In some ways it's a little bit surprising and disappointing that we're here talking seriously about COVID after all this time. 'We were expecting and planning for breakthroughs, that said the rate of breakthroughs is a little bit higher than we had originally predicted.' But if none of the staff were vaccinated, the UCSF believes they would have seen four times as many Covid-19 infections now. Both of the San Francisco hospitals were able to find these cases through symptom screenings after more staff had been reporting mild cold-like symptoms. The UCSF said it will enforce a Covid vaccine mandate from September 1. It comes after San Francisco as well as Louisiana and Nevada announced they are reinstating a mask mandate while applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status. The mandates, which require everyone to mask up indoors, took effect in Nevada on July 30, San Francisco on August 3 and in Louisiana on August 4, while multiple counties in California have also reintroduced them. The mandate took effect on Tuesday in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, as well as the city of Berkeley. 'Indoor masking is a temporary measure that will help us deal with the Delta variant, which is causing a sharp increase in cases, and we know increases in hospitalizations and deaths will follow,' San Francisco's acting health officer, Dr. Neveena Bobba, said in a statement. 'It is unfortunate we have to do this at this point in the pandemic. None of us wanted to be here,' said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. 'But the virus has changed.' In San Francisco, hospitalizations have also risen to 69 over the past week, a 38 percent increase, but still below its winter peak. The surge in cases is despite relatively high vaccination rates. In San Francisco, for instance, 69 percent of its population is fully vaccinated. The bay area health officials said the masks were intended to halt the spread of the virus in both cases of a breakthrough infection among the vaccinated as well as for the unvaccinated. They urged as many to people to get vaccinated as possible. Vaccinated people are far less likely to become ill with or die from COVID-19 than unvaccinated people are, but half of the country remains unvaccinated and the variant is three times as contagious as previous strains. There is now a debate over whether or not local governments should adopt it the mask advice because it would force vaccinated people to adopt restrictions for the benefit of those who choose not to get the shot. Republican governors are standing against it, while Democratic leaders are rushing to enforce it. A pervert who took sick snaps of children outside schools has been spared jail after a judge said his fetish for girls wearing tights was a 'powerful factor in his life.' Mark Stephenson, 52, amassed more than 11,000 indecent images of children as young as five which he then shared with other online paedophiles. When police raided his home, officers found 11,567 vile pictures, including 113 of the most serious categories A and B - involving sexual activity - that were stored on seven devices. Some of the photographs were found to have been taken of children as young as five in short skirts outside schools, on trains and in shops by Stephenson. The father-of-three admitted making indecent images of children, distributing them and outraging public decency. Warwick Crown Court heard Stephenson, who worked as an insurance broker, had led a 'double life' after becoming obsessed with girls in tights. Mark Stephenson, 52, was given a two-year suspended jail sentence after admitting to making indecent images of children, distributing them and outraging public decency Stephenson, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, and told to register as a sex offender for ten years. Sentencing him yesterday, Recorder Balraj Bhatia QC said his tights fetish had been 'a powerful factor in his life'. He said: 'You had been living a double life, because it is plain that on one hand you have been a successful, hard-working provider for your family. 'But there is a side to you which has caused considerable concern, and that has been reflected through your criminal conduct over a sustained period of time. 'It has been a sexual interest in young children, although in your own mind perhaps blurred through an obsessive fetish with tights and young girls wearing tights. 'You had in your occupation the opportunity to be away from home for a considerable period, and much of your offending took place in the privacy of hotel rooms. 'It would be easy to say "24 months, take him down", but you would be released after half and have limited supervision.' Warwick Crown Court heard how officers found 11,567 vile pictures, including 113 of the most serious categories A and B - involving sexual activity - stored on seven devices in a raid on the father-of-three's house The court heard that police arrested him after raiding his home in April 2018. Grace Ong, prosecuting, said messages he had exchanged with other users on a social media site made it clear he had also been distributing category C images right up until the day before his arrest. She said: 'The main feature of the groups is that pictures of young girls in tights were actively sought.' On a hard disk he had images of girls aged five to 14, showing their legs and clearly taken outside school gates, in trains and in shops. Michael Duck QC, defending, said: 'His family life was decimated, and in that period he has felt unable to work for a significant part of that period. 'He is a man who was, before the offences, a decent, hard-working family man who had worked in the insurance industry for the better part of three decades. 'He had married his childhood sweetheart, and they had three children, but there is no prospect of that marriage being resurrected. 'This is a man who has a complex sexual background. These offences were committed while in his alter-ego. 'For a number of years he has kept that part of his life from everybody. 'He had long hours when he found himself in hotel rooms, which no doubt gave him the opportunity to carry out some of the activity found on his computers.' An oil tanker suspected of being hijacked by Iranian forces in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday has been ordered to sail for Iran, according to reports. Panamanian-registered tanker Asphalt Princess was boarded by armed men in the Arabian Sea and re-routed, Lloyds List Maritime Intelligence confirmed. Citing British government sources, The Times also confirmed that officials believe the tanker was seized by about nine armed men around 60 miles off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), in a warning notice based on a third-party source, had earlier reported a 'potential hijack' and advised ships to exercise extreme caution due to the incident. The reports were dismissed by Iran's revolutionary guard, calling them a pretext for 'hostile action' against Tehran. Abolfazl Shekarchi, Iran's senior armed forces spokesman, called the reports 'a kind of psychological warfare and setting the stage for new bouts of adventurism,' the Fars News Agency said. Tensions have simmered in the region after a kamikaze drone attack last week on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast killed two crew members and was blamed on Iran by the United States, Israel and Britain. Iran has denied responsibility. Satellite-tracking data for the vessel showed it slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. Two sources identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged asphalt/bitumen tanker Asphalt Princess in an area in the Arabian Sea leading to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil seaborne oil exports flow. Pictured: A similar tanker Asphalt Princess under a different name Earlier, six tankers had reported through their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were 'not under command', according to MarineTraffic.com, which usually means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. Maritime sources told the MailOnline that this did not necessarily mean all the ships had met the same fate as the Asphalt Princess. 'At the same time, if they are in the same vicinity and in the same place, then very rarely that happens,' Ranjith Raja, an oil and shipping expert with data firm Refintiv, told Reuters. 'Not all the vessels would lose their engines or their capability to steer at the same time.' One of the vessels later began moving. British sources were 'working on the assumption Iranian military or proxies boarded the vessel', The Times newspaper reported earlier on Tuesday, while Britain's foreign ministry was 'urgently investigating' an incident on a vessel off the UAE coast, a spokesperson said. The White House called the reports 'deeply concerning'. A hijack occurred around 61 nautical miles east of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, according to reports. The area in the Arabian Sea leads to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's seaborne oil exports flow The UKMTO initially warned ships on Tuesday that 'an incident is currently underway' off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, they said the incident was a 'potential hijack.' They did not elaborate on the unfolding incident, but The Times defence editor tweeted: 'British sources believe Asphalt Princess has been hijacked. They are working on the assumption Iranian military or proxies have boarded vessel.' Iran's Revolutionary Guards denied that Iranian forces or allies were involved in action against any ship off the UAE coast, saying the incident was a pretext for 'hostile action' against Tehran, state television reported on its website. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh also denied his country was involved and 'warned of any effort to create a false atmosphere for special political purposes. 'Iran's naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region,' he said. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, was flying over the area where the ships were, according to data from FlightRadar24.com Alluding to the reports, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister told a U.S. think tank in an online appearance that he sees an emboldened Iran acting in a negative manner in the region, including endangering shipping. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, was flying over the area where the ships were, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, did not immediately respond to a Reuters news agency request for comment. Apparently responding to the incident, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as calling the recent maritime attacks in the region 'completely suspicious.' He denied that Iran was involved. 'Iran's naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region,' Khatibzadeh said. On Thursday night, a kamikaze drone laden with explosives crashed into the bridge of the Mercer Street tanker off the coast of Oman, killing a British Army veteran working as a security guard and a Romanian crew member. The attack was swiftly condemned by Israel, followed by the US and Britain, who blamed Tehran for the strike. Iran denied involvement in that suspected drone attack and said on Monday it would respond promptly to any threat against its security. The United States and Britain said on Sunday they would work with their allies to respond to the attack on the Mercer Street, a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned petroleum product tanker managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime. Britain, Romania and Liberia told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that it was 'highly likely' that Iran used one or more drones to carry out a deadly tanker attack last week off the coast of Oman. U.S. officials have said privately they are watching the situation closely but do not expect a military response for now. Tensions have increased in Gulf waters and between Iran and Israel since 2018, when then U.S. President Donald Trump ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. On Monday, Washington promised to lead a 'collective response' against Tehran, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling the MT Mercer Street incident 'a direct threat to freedom of navigation and commerce'. Damage purportedly to the Mercer Street oil tanker after the bridge of the vessel was struck by an explosive-laden kamikaze drone One image shows a huge gaping hole in the top deck of the vessel while another shows the main mast (pictured) which appears to be blackened from a blast. Neither images could be independently verified Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MailOnline that 'Iran should face up to the consequences of what they've done', while adding that it was 'clearly an unacceptable and outrageous attack on commercial shipping'. In response, Tehran said any move against the national security of Iran will 'face a tough and firm response', while adding that Washington and London will be 'directly responsible for its consequences'. Iran 'will not hesitate to protect its security and national interests, and will immediately and decisively respond to any possible adventurism,' foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. Fujairah, on the UAE's eastern coast, is a main port in the region for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew. Since 2019, the waters off Fujairah have seen a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers. Also in 2019, Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero on July 19 in the Strait of Hormuz as it was headed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Dubai. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, seized an Iranian supertanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Both vessels were later released. In July of last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast, following months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The vessel and its crew ended up in Iran, though Tehran never acknowledged the incident. Before Rudy Giuliani's wild November press conference in the parking lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Northeast Philadelphia, the Trump campaign took interest in a similarly-named landscaping company in California. Trump's team paid $48,515.78 to a Four Seasons Landscape and Property Service in Santa Clarita, California on December 15, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show. The bill was paid by the Trump Victory Committee which was jointly run by Donald Trump's re-election campaign and various Republican Party groups including the RNC. The RNC reportedly booked the company in late September for a Trump event in October. The Trump Victory Committee paid nearly $50,000 to Four Seasons Landscape and Property Service on December 15, FEC filings show (pictured: The office at the company's stated address, according to its website) The Four Seasons payment was for a different company to where Rudy Giuliani held his infamous press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia At the time the ex-president was expected to embark on a short fundraising tour on the West Coast, stopping in Beverly Hills for a $25,000-per-plate fundraiser and another $2,800-per-plate event at a private Newport Beach residence, according to Spectrum News. The specific event Trump's team hired the Santa Clarita-based company for is under wraps, according to owner Dan Blumel who cited a non-disclosure agreement to Politico. 'My staff met with the RNC,' he told Forbes. 'The Secret Service was there. They built a stage. There was a lot of landscaping that went in. We did the work in full and were paid in full.' But he confirmed to Politico Trump was not in attendance - 'sadly,' he said, 'Mr. Trump got COVID.' The then-president's highly publicized struggle with coronavirus saw him taken to Walter Reed hospital on Marine One, and later reports stated his condition was so severe he was nearly put on a ventilator. According to Blumel however the event reportedly went on with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in his place. President Trump was unable to attend the event because he 'got COVID,' according to the California company's owner Dan Blumel (pictured July 7) Blumel told Politico that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were present at the event (pictured on July 12) Ivanka Trump stumped for her father in Arizona on October 11 while he was recovering from COVID She visited Nevada the day after, though neither event has been linked to Four Seasons Ivanka Trump did visit the West in early October to campaign on behalf of her father, stopping in Arizona on October 11 and Las Vegas, Nevada on October 12. However no record links those events to Blumel's company. Shortly after ex-Trump lawyer Giuliani raged against the media and claimed Trump won the election in an industrial parking lot near an adult bookstore, Blumel reportedly began receiving a barrage of messages. He said he was asked whether the now-infamous event at Four Seasons Total Landscaping was at all related to him. But he confirmed all they share is a name, and his Four Seasons Landscape and Property Services is 'not affiliated' with the Philly-based service. Mexican officials extradited the man who allegedly oversaw El Chapo's financial operations to the U.S. over the weekend as the feds continued to turn up the heat on the Sinaloa Cartel. Jorge Perez was handed over to U.S. federal agents at Mexico City International Airport on Sunday and flown to Washington, D.C., where he faces multiple charges. According to the Attorney General's Office of Mexico, Perez reportedly functioned as the transnational criminal organization's financial officer. He is accused of overseeing the criminal organization's cash flow and was in charge of trafficking drugs from Latin America to the United States. His extradition comes as U.S. officials have tightened their squeeze on the Sinaloa Cartel, run by El Chapo, who is being held at a super maximum penitentiary in Florence, Colorado. Already, U.S. authorities have arrested his wife Emma Coronel, who is being held at a prison in Virginia. Last Wednesday, a San Diego court sentenced Jorge Sanchez, who was accused of building secret drug trafficking tunnels between Mexico and California, to 10 years and one month in prison. Jorge Perez was extradited from Mexico to the United States on Sunday. Perez reportedly was the Sinaloa Cartel's financial officer and also functioned as the middle man between the cartel and other drug trafficking groups in Guatemala and Colombia that sent cocaine shipments to Mexico before they were smuggled across the United States southwestern border. He faces multiple drug trafficking related charges in Washington, D.C. Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel was known for using underground passageways to smuggle drugs from Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego The Attorney General's Office of Mexico alleges that Perez also served as a liaison between the Sinaloa Cartel and other drug trafficking groups in Guatemala and Colombia that sent cocaine shipments to Mexico before they were smuggled across the United States southwestern border. Perez had been in custody of Mexican authorities following his arrest on May 14, 2016 and was being held at the Altiplano maximum security prison, where El Chapo infamously escaped from through a tunnel built underneath his jail cell bathroom. He is the second Sinaloa Cartel operative to make headlines over the last week. Sanchez, who was the architect of several tunnels that were used by the cartel to smuggle marijuana from Tijuana, Mexico to southern California, was sentenced by a federal district court in San Diego. The 58-year-old admitted to planning, covering the cost and overseeing the construction of cross-border tunnels from 2010 to 2012, but was only charged in connection for two of them from where authorities confiscated over 50 tons of marijuana. During his sentencing hearing, Sanchez told the judge, 'I promise I will not do anything illegal again, because the easy way to get money is usually the bad way to get it.' A San Diego federal court sentenced Jose Sanchez to 10 years and one month in prison during a court hearing Wednesday. Sanchez admitted to being the mastermind of the construction of various underground passages that allowed Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's transnational organization to smuggle drugs from Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego Jorge Gastelum or Orso Gastelum, also known as 'El Cholo Ivan,' was unsuccessful last month when a Mexican court refused to overturn his pending extradition to the United States. Gastelum served as El Chapo's security chief and commandeered all of the cartel's assassin squadron and was with him when the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder was arrested in January 2016 Emma Coronel (left) is slated to be sentenced September 15 after pleading guilty in June to charges in the U.S. and admitting that she helped her husband, El Chapo, run his multibillion-dollar criminal empire On July 14, a Mexican court rejected an appeal by the legal team of Jorge Gastelum or Orso Gastelum, otherwise known as 'El Cholo Ivan,' to have his extradition to the United States shot down. Gastelum served as El Chapo's security chief and commandeered all of the cartel's assassin squadron. He was captured on January 8, 2016 alongside El Chapo when security forces raided the then-fugitive drug lord's safehouse in the Sinaloa Pacific coast city of Los Mochis, sparking a gun battle that left five cartel members dead and six others arrested. Both men fled through a tunnel connected to the home and climbed out of a manhole before they highjacked several vehicles. They were apprehended at a roadside checkpoint and taken to a local hotel in the outskirts of Los Mochis following rumors that Sinaloa Cartel henchmen were on their way to free them. Mexican prosecutors had previously charged Gastelum with unlawful possession of a firearm, homicide and the assault soldiers in 2013. While El Chapo serves his life sentence at ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado, his wife and mother of twin daughter, Coronel, awaits to be sentenced September 15 by a federal district court in Washington, D.C. Coronel, who holds dual Mexico-US citizenship, acknowledged in June helping her husband run his multibillion-dollar drug trafficking empire. As part of a deal with federal prosecutors, she pleaded guilty to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and a criminal violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Mother Charlotte gave birth to Przewalski foal at zoo in Bedfordshire on July 17 A rare and endangered foal from the last 'truly wild' species of horse in the world has been born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Mother Charlotte gave birth to the Przewalski foal on July 17 at the safari park near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Keepers asked ZSL conservationists working in Mongolia to name the female foal, who is now called Sooton, meaning 'sassy and vigilant' in Mongolian. Team leader Mark Holden said Sooton has 'mostly stayed close to her mum and her big sister Shargahan' but is just beginning to explore her surroundings. Mother Charlotte gave birth to the Przewalski foal (pictured above), named Sooton, at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, on July 17 The newborn Przewalski foal with her mother and sister Shargahan. Team leader Mark Holden said the mother has been 'very protective', so keepers have 'kept their distance' Przewalski's horse: The last 'truly wild' species of horse in the world Przewalski's horses are believed to be the last remaining species that was never domesticated. Most 'wild' horses today, like the ponies of Assateague Island in Virginia, are actually ferals descended from domesticated horses that escaped and adapted to life in the wild. Hunting, habitat depletion and competition from livestock caused native Przewalski's horse populations to declined precipitously after World War II. All surviving Przewalski's horses are related to 12 horses born in the early part of the 20th century. While it's possible to increase their population density through captive breeding programs, having such a close group of ancestors means offspring are less able to adapt to environmental changes and more likely to exhibit undesirable recessive traits. Advertisement Mr Holden said: 'We are delighted to welcome another Przewalski foal to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, boosting the number of these incredible endangered animals - the last remaining species of truly wild horse left in the world.' He added: 'While we monitored the situation carefully, we also knew that, as an experienced mum, Charlotte would know just what to do, and that she would care wonderfully for her newborn foal. 'She's been very protective, so we've kept our distance, happy to see that Sooton's suckling and developing well. 'Sooton has mostly stayed close to her mum and her big sister Shargahan but is just starting to stretch her legs and trying to gallop.' Unlike other species of horse that are sometimes described as wild, the Przewalski's horse is the only species considered by conservationists to be truly wild because it is not descended from domesticated horses. First documented by Russian scientist Nikolai Przhevalsky in 1881, the species was nearly extinct in the 1960s and was listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2008. Hunting, habitat depletion and competition from livestock caused native Przewalski's horse populations to decline precipitously after World War II. In August last year, scientists successfully cloned a Przewalski's horse. A foal named Kurt was born to a surrogate, a domestic mare, at Timber Creek Veterinary in Canyon, Texas. His sire, a Przewalski's stallion named Kuporovic, had DNA samples taken and preserved in 1980 for use when cloning technology was perfected. Before his death in 1998, Kuporovic's DNA was cryopreserved at the San Diego Zoo Global Frozen Zoo in hopes of using it to create a clone. The newborn Przewalski foal, who was born as part of the European Endangered Species Programme, pictured with her mother Mr Holden said: 'Sooton has mostly stayed close to her mum and her big sister Shargahan but is just starting to stretch her legs and trying to gallop' Sooton and her mother. The Przewalski's horse is the only species considered by conservationists to be truly wild because it is not descended from domesticated horses Most 'wild' horses today, like the ponies of Assateague Island in Virginia, are actually ferals descended from domesticated horses that escaped and adapted to life in the wild. All surviving Przewalski's horses are related to 12 horses born in the early part of the 20th century. While it's possible to increase their population density through captive breeding programmes, having such a close group of ancestors means offspring are less able to adapt to environmental changes and more likely to exhibit undesirable recessive traits. Believed extinct in the wild, the Przewalski's horse has survived for the past 40 years almost entirely in zoos and wildlife parks. A prison worker who had sex with an inmate in his cell has been jailed for eight months. Yatewuladio Djeny Matuasilva was 'caught in the act' when she was found in a compromising situation with the prisoner at HMP Pentonville in north London on August 30 2020. The Operational Support Grade (OSG) officer initially denied engaging in sexual activity with the inmate. She claimed she 'blacked out' and could not remember how she came to be in his cell. When questioned the 26-year-old from Barnet inisisted: 'I don't remember how my trousers got half way down.' But she later admitted misconduct in a public office and engaging in sexual behaviour with a prisoner at Snaresbrook Crown Court. She was accused of 'letting the side down' and 'endangering the safety of her colleagues and the public' and was sentenced to eight months in jail. Yatewuladio Djeny Matuasilva, 26, was 'caught in the act' when she was found in a compromising situation with the prisoner in his cell The incident took place at HMP Pentonville (pictured, stock image) in north London last 30 August Prison officers carry keys to the cells and the court heard how these master keys could have been stolen and released prisoners from their cells. Judge Martyn Zeidman QC told her: 'You carried a sealed pouch key. It should only have been used in a life-threatening emergency and, even then, only when you have the support of other officers. You used that special key to gain access to the cell. 'You could easily have been overpowered and, with the keys in your possession, every cell door on that wing could have been opened; and access could have been obtained to other keys, opening the cells in other wings. 'In doing so, you took a tremendous and dangerous risk.' The pair both shared a Congolese heritage and the judge suspected this is how she developed a bond with the prisoner. The judge said: 'This might be why he felt able to speak to you. 'He noticed you and spoke through the cell door. You cannot explain why you did it; or why this led to sexual relations. You were caught in the act. 'By choosing to have sex with a prisoner in his cell, you endangered the safety of your colleagues and the public.' He added: 'Initially you denied that you have been engaged in sexual activity and suggested to officers that you had "blacked out" and could not remember how you came to be in his cell. 'There was no suggestion in that interview with the duty governor, Sarah Poynter, that you had been coerced in any way; or feared for your safety. 'You said: "I don't remember how my trousers got half way down". 'You were asked if the sex was consensual and if you understood the meaning of the word consensual. Matuasilva claimed she 'blacked out' and could not remember how her 'trousers got half way down.' But she later admitted misconduct in a public office at Snaresbrook Crown Court (pictured, stock image) 'You confirmed that you understood but said: "I don't believe that there was any sexual activity."' The judge said Matuasilva later 'resiled from the false account.' Jailing her for eight months he said: 'I do not underestimate the seriousness of the inappropriate relationship with the prisoner but my greater concern is, as I have indicated, the risk that you created to colleagues and the public. 'It follows that, sadly, despite your lack of previous convictions, this offence so serious that there must be an immediate prison sentence. 'Those who work in prison truly deserve respect and admiration. But you have let the side down.' David Kitson, defending, said Matuasilva had asked to be transferred to a different area of the prison with more female members of staff and less contact with inmates but this did not happen. He said the prisoner had initially approached Matuasilva and said he needed a listener and a relationship developed. Nick Walmsley, head of security at the jail, said Matuasilva's actions 'undermined her female colleagues and will undoubtedly lead more prisoners to attempt to be sexually inappropriate to female staff'. Matuasilva, who has a degree in criminology, worked as a prison officer for three years but has since lost her job. According to the Ministry of Justice website no qualifications are required to be an OSG officer. They help with the 'day-to-day' running of prisons, have limited contact with prisoners and do some 'night work'. The website adds: 'Unlike our prison officers, your contact with prisoners is limited, although depending on the particular prison you may interact with offenders occasionally.' Matuasilva, of Old Farm Road, Barnet, admitted engaging in sexual behaviour with a prisoner and was jailed for eight months. Arizona's partisan election audit is backed with millions of dollars from rightwing groups intent on laying the groundwork to influence future contests, according to a new report. This week a senior county Republican dismissed the ballot review as an 'adventure in never-never land' as he rejected a subpoena from Arizona state senate Republicans. It followed weeks of embarrassing revelations, the suspension of the audit's Twitter account and one of its early supporters describing the process as botched. But the New Yorker's Jane Mayer said it would be wrong to dismiss the work of the Cyber Ninjas, a private company hired by state senate Republicans to review millions of votes cast in former President Donald Trump's 2020 election defeat. 'The Cyber Ninjas have a tiny amount of money that's coming just from the state Senate in Arizona, but the vast proportion of it, something like over $5 million, comes from contributors who are basically national conspiracy theorists who are aligned with former President Trump,' she told MSNBC's Morning Joe on Tuesday. Maricopa County ballots cast in the 2020 general election are unsealed to be examined and recounted by contractors working for Florida-based company, Cyber Ninjas. The partisan audit, ordered by state Republicans, has been widely criticized for its chaotic conduct Trump supporters immediately cried foul after election day. In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 file photo, his supporters rally outside the Maricopa County Recorder's Office in Phoenix Supporters of former President Trump insist he was denied victory in Arizona by fraudulent votes and are working around the country to tighten voting rules - restricting the use of mail-in ballots, for example - in an push that is dividing the nation Her new report published by the New Yorker on Monday links the audit with conservative power players. They include the Heritage Foundation and donors such as Overstock founder Patrick Byrne, who reportedly gave $3.2 million to the effort, and the Milwaukee-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. She added: 'The audit itself, which people think of as a clown show, as you said, is actually not that funny when you look at it closely, because what it's trying to do is overturn a certified American presidential election, and the forces that are pushing that, and this is what I was sort of looking at, include a number of - a whole array of very prominent national conservative groups, people that you don't ordinarily think of as involved in flaky conspiracy theories.' She said they were trying to exploit distrust of the election to influence the 2022 midterms. The issue of election reform and fraud has become one of the key dividing lines in American politics. Trump supporters continue to insist he was robbed of reelection. But while Republicans are pushing to tighten voting rules around the country in what they claim is an effort to fight fraud, Democrats see an attempt to tighten rules and disenfranchise millions of voters. In the new report, Ralph Neas, who has been involved in voting-rights battles since the 1980s, when he was executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, described the Arizona audit as a 'farce' - albeit one with 'extraordinary consequences.' 'If they come up with an analysis that discredits the 2020 election results in Arizona, it will be replicated in other states, furthering more chaos,' he said. 'That will enable new legislation. 'Millions of Americans could be disenfranchised, helping Donald Trump to be elected again in 2024. Thats the bottom line.' It was not just about 2020, he said, but about retaking the House of Representatives and the presidency. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, who tracks the flow of dark money in American politics, said a' flotilla of front groups' had taken on the issue. One of the leaders of the movement, says the report, is the Heritage Foundation, one of the most prominent conservative think tanks, and the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonprofit that develops model law for state legislators. They have been working on drawing up new laws to impose voting restrictions, says the report. Campaign groups have spotted an opportunity. Last year, the Judicial Education Project rebranded itself as the Honest Elections Project. FreedomWorks, best known for opposing the reach of government, is now campaigning for more regulation of voters with the National Election Protection Initiative. And there are new arrivals such as the Election Integrity Project California. What they have in common, according to the report, is funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, which wields an $850m endowment. Its website says it works to promote a 'common belief in the self-worth of individuals, the inherent dignity of work and the need to reduce government dependence.' Public records reportedly show that it has spent $18m since 2012 on supporting eleven conservative groups involved in election issues. Another key player in Arizona has been Jake Hoffman, who runs a digital marketing company Rally Forge, that works closely with Turning Point, a conservative youth organization. Last year the Washington Post revealed how Rally Forge had paid teenagers to post propaganda messages on social media, ranging from claiming coronavirus numbers were inflated to arguing that mail-in ballots would cause fraud. The company has been banned from Facebook and Hoffman has been banned from Twitter. Last year he won election to the state House of Representatives and is now vice-chair of the Committee on Government and Elections, reportedly working with the Heritage Foundation on election law. Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action, which is the campaigning arm of the Heritage Foundation, singled out Hoffman for praise at a private gathering outside Tucson. 'Were moving four more through the state of Arizona right now . . . simple bills, all straight from the Heritage recommendations.' she said according to video obtained by the New Yorker. She later justified the collaboration in a statement sent to the magazine. 'After a year when voters trust in our elections plummeted, restoring that trust should be the top priority of legislators and governors nationwide,' she said. 'Thats why Heritage Action is deploying our established grassroots network for state advocacy for the first time ever. There is nothing more important than ensuring every American is confident their vote countsand we will do whatever it takes to get there.' Three people including a woman in her sixties have been seriously injured in a shooting in broad daylight in Sweden. A 'large police operation' is underway in the southern city of Kristianstad after multiple gunshots were heard at 3.40pm on Tuesday. Police said three people have been hospitalised with gunshot wounds and are in a 'serious condition' after ambulances rushed to the scene in the Nasby district. Police say they have arrested three males in connection with the incident, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported, adding that - according to its own information - those arrested are teenagers. The victims are two men in their twenties and thirties and a woman in her sixties according to police. But police said there could be more injuries with the situation still unclear. A cordon is in place with investigations ongoing. Three people including a woman in her sixties have been seriously injured in a Swedish shooting in broad daylight. Pictured: police at the scene The victims are two men in their twenties and thirties and a woman in her sixties according to police There was no immediate information on the cause of the shooting, but it comes amid a rise in gun violence in the Scandinavian nation. Pictured: Police technicians at the scene of a shooting incident on Tuesday Rickard Lundqvist, a police spokesman, said officers were on their way after reports of the loud bangs were confirmed as a shooting. 'Several people have been found in various places in the area with suspected gunshot wounds,' he said. Witnesses said the cordoned off crime scene is by a shopping centre. The police investigation is focused on finding where precisely the shooting took place, as there were reports of shots being fired around the city and its surrounding areas. Regional newspaper Kristianstadsbladet reported that guards have been placed outside the central hospital, which has closed its entrances. Expressen said that one or more perpetrators left the main scene of the shooting by motorcycle. Police wouldn't confirm that information. A 'large police operation' is underway on Kristianstad after multiple gunshots were heard at 3.40pm There was no immediate information on the cause of the shooting, but it comes amid a rise in gun violence in the Scandinavian nation. A report by the Swedish national council for crime prevention said earlier this year that Sweden is the only European country where fatal shootings have risen significantly since 2000, primarily because of the violent activities of organised criminal gangs. Nasby has been classified by police as a vulnerable area with a number of recent riots and murders in the district. The area has a high rate of unemployment and low education levels, according to police. On Monday evening, police were alerted to loud bangs in the same area and found evidence of guns having been fired, but no victims. A Texas firefighter was arrested Friday after allegedly claiming that he and his family got coronavirus so he could collect more than $12,000 in paid time off - while he went on vacation. William Jordan Carter, 38, is now on administrative leave from his job at Fire Station 7 in Dallas. All told, Carter collected $12,548.86 in paid time off over three pay periods after claiming he and his family had tested positive for COVID-19. William Jordan Carter, 38, was arrested Friday in Dallas and released on $1,500 bail after allegedly lying about having Covid to collect more than $12,000 in paid time off During his time away, bank statements from mid-April show he spent $1,400 at a waterpark in the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas, where all-day passes start at $150 per person. He also spent money at a gift shop in Waco, about 95 miles south of Dallas and halfway to the resort. Another purchase was logged at a Buc-ee's convenience store in Temple, about 52 miles from the Kalahari Resort. Bank statements show Carter spent more than $1,400 at the Kalahari Resort water park Passes for the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas start at $150 a day per person Carter first asked for time off on March 24, claiming that his wife had tested positive for Covid-19, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Dallas Morning News. A week after that, he said his daughter had also tested positive and that he was worried due to her pre-existing conditions. Two days before he was due back at the station, he said he was sick and that he'd also tested positive for Covid. But he couldn't provide a copy of his own test results or those of his family. When a deputy chief asked if his family's infections were true, he replied, 'I guess not,' according to the affidavit obtained by Dallas Morning News. He then said he made the statements out of, 'greed, I guess.' He was released from Dallas County jail on $1,500 bail. The mother of a disabled three-year-old has told how they are facing living in her car after her landlord almost doubled her rent and then started eviction proceedings - before the CDC issued a new eviction ban. An moratorium on residential evictions that kept millions of people from being forced out of their homes lapsed on Saturday, and the Biden administration scrambled to issue a new extension on Tuesday. Before the extension was brought in, Sheryl Chavez, 39, says she was given 30 days to leave her home of eights years in rural Edenton, North Carolina, after her landlord decided to suddenly evict her. Chavez, a former Correctional Sergeant for Pasquotank Correctional Institution, says mass migration to the area from urban COVID-19 hotspots in the last 18 months has pushed up rental prices to unaffordable levels. She shares the home with her friend, Lefein Noel, 29, and son Allister, 3, who was born with severe damage to his nervous system. 'I feel hurt and scared,' Chavez told DailyMail.com. 'I rented from this lady for 8 years only for her to slip a letter in my mailbox. I don't know where I'm going to go if I have to leave. 'To be evicted like it's not a big deal is very hurtful, and not because rent is owed, but just to cash in on the great housing market. 'Because of the housing shortage and the demand for homes, landlords all over this region are evicting their tenants and putting the houses up for sale at far greater than their value.' Without being able to find affordable housing within the area, Chavez says she risks living out of her car with her son. In Edenton, North Carolina, Sheryl Chavez, 39, (pictured) was given 30 days to leave her home of eights years, after her landlord decided to raise the rent from $450 a month to $825 unexpectedly. Chavez, a former Correctional Sergeant for Pasquotank Correctional Institution, shares the home with her friend, Lefein Noel, 29, and son Allister, 3, (pictured) who was born with severe damage to his nervous system. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday extended the eviction moratorium for 60 days, a move that risks being challenged in court and one that President Joe Biden admits may not be constitutional. CDC director Rochelle Walensky signed an order that determined the 'evictions of tenants for failure to make rent or housing payments could be detrimental to public health control measures' to slow the spread of COVID, the agency announced. The order expands the eviction moratorium until October 3 and applies to counties 'experience substantial and high levels' of COVID transmission. The order will allow more time 'to further increase vaccination rates,' the CDC said, calling it an 'effective public health measure.' 'This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings where COVID-19 spreads,' Walensky said. 'Such mass evictions and the attendant public health consequences would be very difficult to reverse.' It will cover about 90 per cent of renters in the country, White House officials said. More than 15 million people live in households that owe as much as $20 billion to their landlords, according to the Aspen Institute. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey. It is not yet known if the new extension will cover Chavez and her family - or other tenants who found themselves in court facing eviction proceedings on Monday and Tuesday. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera, 27, showed up at Franklin County court Monday, after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom of three, Rivera is behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one- bedroom apartment she shares with her young sons. Rivera told The Associated Press she started to struggle after her hours were cut in May at the Walmart warehouse where she worked. Shes applied to numerous agencies for help but theyre either out of money, have a waiting list, or not able to help until clients end up in court with an eviction notice. Rivera said shes preparing herself mentally to move into a shelter with her children. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera, 27, (pictured) showed up at Franklin County court Monday, after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom of three, Rivera is behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one- bedroom apartment she shares with her young sons. 'We just need help,' she told The Associated Press, fighting back tears. 'Its just been really hard with everyday issues on top of worrying about where youre going to live.' In a different case, Luis Vertentes, 43, was told by a judge he had three weeks to clear out of his one-bedroom apartment in nearby East Providence. Vertentes, a landscaper, said he was four months behind on rent after being hospitalized for a time. 'I'm going to be homeless, all because of this pandemic,' Vertentes told The Associated Press. 'I feel helpless, like I cant do anything even though I work and I got a full-time job.' In Miami, Florida, Antoinette Eleby, 42, expects an eviction order within weeks, after her landlord refused federal assistance to cover $5,000 in back rent. She is sending her five children to live with her mother in another county. 'My main concern is that now that I have an eviction, how will I find another place? Some places will accept you and some will not,' said Eleby, whose entire family got COVID-19 earlier this year. In a different case, Luis Vertentes, 43, (pictured) was told by a judge he had three weeks to clear out of his one-bedroom apartment in nearby East Providence. President Joe Biden was under intense pressure from the liberal wing of his party to do something to help renters suffering under the pandemic. The White House had pushed the issue to Congress and the states after deciding a June Supreme Court ruling prevented additional executive action. But Biden said Tuesday he had spoken to several constitutional scholars and will see if the new announcement will 'pass constitutional muster.' 'The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that it's not likely to pass constitutional muster, number one. But there are several key scholars who think that it may, and it's worth the effort,' he said. But, Biden noted, the order will 'probably give some additional time' for rental assistance funds to flow. The Supreme Court would likely have to issue a new ruling on any new orders out of the CDC. Biden said Tuesday he had spoken to several constitutional scholars and will see if the new announcement will 'pass constitutional muster.' Distribution of rental assistance that Congress allocated in December and March has been painfully slow. The $47 billion Emergency Rental Assistance program has, to date, disbursed only $3 billion. But Democrats expressed hope the new order would buy time for that money to flow. 'This brand new moratorium will provide time for the money allocated by Congress to flow, as it helps stop the spread of the virus which is worsening due to the delta variant and protects families and landlords,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. Homeless shelters were bracing for a surge of people due to the mortarium, adding more strain on local shelters, which already have their hands full helping thousands of homeless individuals. 'We've had lots of individuals who have come in and have come to us and said, 'I have never had to deal with this before. I don't even know where to start; I haven't had to ask for help,' Nicole Anderson, director of social services at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, told 8 News Now. The charity operates 16 programs, providing support to more than 4,200 people daily. They told 8 News Now they're prepared for the evictions. 'If we get an influx of people, we are ready,' Anderson said. 'And if it comes in small droves, then we are ready for that, as well.' Advertisement The friends, relatives and work colleagues of Loch Lomond drowning victim Muhammad Asim Riaz attended his funeral today a week after he, a mother and her nine-year-old son tragically died after misjudging the depth of the water and getting into difficulty. Mr Riaz, 41, Edina Olahova, 29, and her son, Rana Haris Ali, died in the horror accident near Pulpit Roch in Scotland's biggest loch in the evening of Saturday, July 24. A seven-year-old boy, Mr Riaz's son, is fighting for his life in a children's hospital in Glasgow. Today friends, relatives and taxi drivers who worked alongside Mr Riaz attended his burial at the Linn Cemetery following a service at the Central Mosque in Glasgow. Widower Waris Ali previously told BBC Scotland that of the three drowning victims, only Mr Riaz was able to swim. The heartbroken father revealed his desperate attempts to save Ms Olahova and Rana just hours after they posed for photos in the water on their holiday. They had been travelling around the Isle of Skye when they visited Loch Lomond last month. Mr Ali, 40, said: 'We were coming back from Isle of Skye holidays and we decided to take a break and we stopped there. We were sitting and out kids were playing on the pier, when he reached he end of the pier he tried to put a foot in and then he suddenly went over the side. 'When we see him we went to save him-, everybody thought we could walk in, but you couldn't walk. At first your foot is in deep water. It looked very safe. Everybody was thinking this was maybe a safe place. But when you put your foot inside, that's deep water.' Friends and relatives of Loch Lomond drowning victim Muhammad Asim Riaz attended his funeral today a week after he and a mother and her nine-year-old son died after getting into difficulty in the water The funeral of Loch Lomond drowning victim Muhammad Asim Riaz was held today Today friends, relatives and taxi drivers who worked alongside Mr Riaz attended his burial at the Linn Cemetery following a service at the Central Mosque in Glasgow Mr Riaz, 41, Edina Olahova, 29, and her son, Rana Haris Ali, died in the horror accident near Pulpit Roch in Scotland's biggest loch in the evening of Saturday, July 24. A seven-year-old boy, Mr Riaz's son, is fighting for his life in a children's hospital in Glasgow Edina Olahova, Waris Ali and Muhammad Asim Riaz with his wife pictured hours before the tragedy during the family holiday at Loch Lomond Rana (left) was seen helping an adult steer a boat as they enjoyed a sunny day out during the heatwave. Right: Widower Waris Ali, 40, said his son and friend were playing on the pier and at the end of the pier, his friend put his foot into the water and fell in. The BBC reported that only Mr Asim was able to swim He added: 'When I came out from the water, I could see my wife's hand. I tried to pull off my shirt and give it to her to catch but she couldn't.' Mr Ali also told Sky News his wife saw the children drowning and the adults jumped in to save them. The tragedy was described as 'one of the worst weekends' in the history of the national park by bosses as it emerged another three children lost their lives in Scottish waters in a 48-hour period. That Friday, Conor Markward, 16, died in Ballcoh Castle Country Park, West Dunbartonshire. On Saturday, Dean Irvine, aged 11, died in Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, while a 13-year-old boy also died in a river at Hazlebank, South Lanarkshire. Mr Ali said of trying to save his wife: 'I managed to stay afloat and head towards the shallow water, but when I got out, I saw my wife's hands outside and just her eyes out of the water. 'I took my shirt off and threw it to her so she could grab it, but she couldn't. I then went to go and get help.' He said a Scottish man saved Mr Riaz's son but could not rescue the other three from the water. 'I was trying to save my wife for some time, took my shirt off but realised I couldn't do anything to save her. And the guy who came couldn't save anyone else, just Asim's son,' he said. The seven-year-old boy was was taken to hospital. Friends and relatives of Loch Lomond drowning victim Muhammad Asim Riaz attended his funeral today a week after he and a mother and her nine-year-old son died after getting into difficulty in the water The funeral of Loch Lomond drowning victim Muhammad Asim Riaz was held today Today friends, relatives and taxi drivers who worked alongside Mr Riaz attended his burial at the Linn Cemetery following a service at the Central Mosque in Glasgow Raza (left) and Ali (right) pictured on their family holiday at Loch Lomond Speaking about the deaths last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'These are just heartbreaking human tragedies. Like everyone else across the country my thoughts are with the families of those who are grieving loved ones right now.' She added: 'These tragedies are a reminder that the beauty of some of our waters often belies the dangers they hold. 'Even if you think you're a good, strong swimmer, if you don't understand the current or the depths or the impact of sudden cold water on the body, then you can be putting yourself in real danger. 'I think we'll want to reflect on what more can be done to educate young people about the dangers as well as the beauties of water.' Police Scotland deputy chief constable Will Kerr urged people to be aware of the 'float for your life' campaign, which urges swimmers who find themselves in difficulty to float as much as possible and call for help. The family had stopped at the beauty spot (pictured) as they headed home from Skye He said: 'We're realistic and practical, we're not going to stop everybody going into the water in this beautiful weather. 'Please, please, we want to avoid any more of these terrible tragedies. 'Just be very, very careful when you do so and make sure you know the advice on how to protect yourself and save yourself if you do get into trouble.' Alasdair Perry, a deputy assistant chief officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: 'This is the worst weekend in relation to incidents of this nature I can remember and I'd like to offer my condolences and those of everyone at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to all those affected by this weekend's tragic events, and in particular to the friends and families of all those involved.' Simon Jones, the executive lead for water safety at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, added: 'It's been a terrible week in the park and across other parts of Scotland as well for tragic events. 'Our deepest sympathies go out to friends and family. 'We can't remember a period like this, many of our staff were closely involved and it's been very traumatic for people involved.' Mr Perry urged those swimming in open water to adhere to safety advice, not to leave young people unattended and to ensure they do not swim after consuming alcohol. Hawaii's Big Island has been hit by the largest wildfire it has ever seen with 40,000 acres of land already torched by its flames. The blaze - blamed on climate change-related weather patterns - started Friday, and and consumed 14,000 acres as of Saturday, prompting a mandatory evacuation for all residents of Pu'u Kapu Hawaiian Homestead and Waikii Ranch. Even though 26,000 more acres burned over the weekend and the fire has consumed 16-square miles of the island, Hawaii County mayor Mitchell Roth lifted all evacuation orders on Sunday evening. But he has warned the orders could be imposed with no notice, because of swirling winds that make the route of the fire impossible to predict. Thousands evacuated and at least two homes were destroyed. Local reporter Tom George captured footage of the 62-square mile blaze - the largest Hawaii's Big Island has ever seen Forty-thousand acres have already been torched and thousands of Pu'u Kapu Hawaiian Homestead and Waikii Ranch residents evacuated over the weekend Waimea resident Kanani Malakaua said: 'I just seen the flames coming. I mainly got my important papers, made sure my kids were in the car, got my animals but this is a very, very scary time for us.' Joshua Kihe's house was destroyed by the fire despite his attempts to protect it by moving earth with heavy machinery. 'I tried to make a fire break. I definitely need to think of a plan because it's a life-changer,' he said. He spoke as Roth warned that evacuation orders could be reinstated at any time and people should be ready to go. As the Big Island gets blanketed with smoke, Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd advised anyone with health or breathing problems to find somewhere to stay Water was dropped on the blaze by a US Army aircraft from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade on Oahu on Monday. The National Guard have been asked to assist 'The winds kind of swirl, so they'll be coming at one direction for a couple of minutes and then all of a sudden, they're blowing in a different direction; that makes it really very difficult to fight a fire when you have swirling winds,' Roth said. Winds in the northern part of the island have made conditions difficult for firefighters and Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said he expected the fire to continue growing. The forecast showed strong winds will return today - with gusts up to 40mph - and they will raise danger again. Hawaii County mayor Mitchell Roth lifted all evacuation orders on Sunday evening. But he has warned the orders could be imposed with no notice, because of swirling winds that make the route of the fire impossible to predict Mandatory evacuations lifted | Residents may return home if need be | Roads remain closed pic.twitter.com/zpV8RPz4KR Mitch Roth (@HIMayorMitch) August 2, 2021 As the Big Island gets blanketed with smoke, Todd advised anyone with health or breathing problems to find somewhere to stay. A shelter for displaced residents is available at the Waimea District Park in Kamuela and have been advised to bring personal food, water and sleeping supplies. More than 150 personnel have been working to stop the fire's spread and the National Guard was requested to assist. Hawaii's wet, tropical climate has seen a downward trend in overall rainfall in recent years and drought conditions have reached the most severe level in some parts of the state. Drought tied to climate change has made wildfires such as this one harder to fight, with the island deprived of the rain and damp weather that act as natural firefighting measures. The couple is allowed to remain in contact They were taken to Pinellas County Jail and released the next day The couple had a heated argument during dinner which involved shoving plates of spaghetti in each o ther's faces Stephanie Lannas, 45, and Adolfo Rivera, 35, were arrested at their Clearwater home on August 2 A violent encounter involving plates of spaghetti resulted in a Clearwater, Florida, couple being arrested on Aug. 2. Stephanie Lannas, 45, and her boyfriend Adolfo Rivera, 35, were eating dinner when an alcohol-infused verbal confrontation quickly became violent and plates of spaghetti were shoved in one another's face, according to arrest affidavits and The Smoking Gun. Police were notified around 1am and found the couple 'still covered in spaghetti upon officer's arrival.' They were then arrested on charges of domestic battery. Stephanie Lannas, 45, (left) and Adolfo Rivera, 35, (right) were arrested in their Clearwater, Florida, home on August 2 after a violent confrontation involving spaghetti Police found the couple 'still covered in spaghetti' when they arrested them and brought them to Pinellas County Jail The couple were brought to Pinellas County Jail and were then released the next day on their own recognizance. They have also pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor counts and the judge has allowed them to keep contact with one another while the case is still being investigated. This was not the first time the Lannas has run into trouble with the law. Lannas was arrested for stabbing Rivera in the arm with a knife during a drunken fight early on Oct. 15. 2020, according to a Pinellas County police report. A case for felony aggravated battery was dropped after it was discovered she had multiple narcotics possession charges on her rap sheet. Advertisement Britain's daily Covid cases fell to another five-week low today as hospitalisations continued to drop, official data revealed. Department of Health bosses posted 21,691 positive tests, which was 7.7 per cent down on last week's figure and the fewest recorded since late June. But there are early signs the pace of the drop is slowing, suggesting the effects of 'Freedom Day' are starting to trickle through into the Government's data. For comparison, daily cases last Tuesday were 50 per cent down on the previous seven-day spell. Covid hospitalisations also fell again. Another 731 admissions were recorded by officials on July 30, the latest date available down 15 per cent on the week before. Deaths linked to the virus are still rising, however, with health chiefs announcing another 138 today. This was up 5.3 per cent compared to last Tuesday and was the highest daily figure since March. But experts today admitted they expect coronavirus fatalities which are always higher on Tuesdays because of the recording lag at the weekend to peak next week, with the country now being close to being 'over the hill'. No10's minister for apprenticeships and skill Gillian Keegan told LBC today that the drop in Covid admissions was 'very, very promising'. It comes after official data revealed today just 14 postcodes in England and Wales have suffered zero Covid deaths since the start of the pandemic. An Office for National Statistics (ONS) report published today broke down all of the fatalities seen across the two countries' 7,200 neighbourhoods. Some 14 postcodes in England and Wales suffered no Covid deaths since the start of the pandemic, official data that breaks down fatalities in all 7,200 neighbourhoods in the countries has shown. Graph shows: The amount of Covid and non-Covid deaths in England and Wales from January 3, 2020, to July 23, 2021 Now Boris 'is poised to ditch amber plus and green watchlist' Ministers are preparing to streamline the travel traffic light rules in a move which would pave the way for summer holidays to France to resume following a ferocious backlash from Tory MPs and aviation bosses. Travel chiefs believe the current system is far too complex and confusing and some experts have claimed the Government is now poised to axe some of the more complicated categories to get back to the original red, amber and green approach. Experts have claimed the existing 'green watchlist' - a category which refers to countries rated as green but in danger of being moved to amber - will be scrapped. But crucially they have also predicted the 'amber plus' list - a category which currently only includes France and requires all travellers, including the fully-vaccinated, to quarantine on their return to England - will be dropped. Boris Johnson is under pressure from aviation chiefs to scrap the Government's traffic light travel rules Moving France back to the normal amber list would provide a massive boost to the travel industry because double-jabbed Brits could return from there without having to spend 10 days in isolation. Travel expert Paul Charles, director of The PC Agency travel consultancy, said he had been told by 'high level sources' that 'amber plus' and the 'green watchlist' will be ditched and that 'simplicity is to return'. Education Minister Gillian Keegan had earlier appeared to hint that changes will be made as she said the Government wants the rules to be 'simple enough for people to really understand' and to take decisions 'based on the system so we have the red list countries, the amber list countries and the green list countries'. Boris Johnson yesterday abandoned controversial Government plans to introduce a new category to the system: the 'amber watchlist'. It would have been used to identify countries which are amber but at imminent risk of turning red. Advertisement In other Covid news: Ministers are preparing to streamline the travel traffic light rules in a move which would pave the way for summer holidays to France to resume following a ferocious backlash from Tory MPs and aviation bosses; British tour operators claimed 'almost every' hotel they work with in Europe is turning away summer bookings in favour of firms from other countries because UK tourists are not confident enough to travel; Nicola Sturgeon was accused of 'clinging on to large parts of people's lives' as she revealed lockdown will officially end in Scotland next week - but some laws will remain in place indefinitely; Mask-free Sweden is approaching zero Covid deaths per day, while the country's chief epidemiologist has swatted away fears over the Delta variant's infectiousness; MailOnline analysis revealed only seven of England's 300-plus areas saw its positivity rate rise, in more proof the drop in Covid cases is genuine. Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious diseases expert at the University of East Anglia, warned yesterday that the decline in cases was likely to slow in the coming weeks because of July 19 easings. He said: 'Whether we see a continuing decline over the coming weeks or see cases plateau is not clear. 'But I doubt we will see further rapid falls or indeed increases over the next month.' He said the impact of the final round of lockdown easings should now be 'obvious' in the statistics. It takes at least a week for someone who is infected with the virus to start developing tell-tale symptoms and get a positive test. Professor Hunter also said hospitalisations were clearly plateauing and were likely to start falling in the next few days, with deaths set to follow a week later. The former head of health data at the Office for National Statistics Jamie Jenkins told LBC this morning England and Wales may now be 'over the hill when it comes to deaths'. He said: '[Cases] in England and Wales have been coming down since July 19. 'The cases have been falling for a couple of weeks there, then you get that time-lag effect when cases start coming down, around five or six days later you start seeing hospital admissions come down. And then you start seeing deaths come down. 'I think looking at the data, we normally see deaths peaking around 14 days after cases come down, I think we might start being over the hill now when it comes to deaths.' Mr Jenkins added: 'We probably are over the edge of the wave at the moment but let's have a bit of caution as we go into the autumn period.' It comes after ONS statistics revealed which neighbourhoods had been most heavily hit by the pandemic. The Sheffield district of Crabtree and Fir Vale had the most excess deaths the amount of deaths above the five-year average during the first wave, the data showed. It recorded 123 deaths between March and July 2020 77 more than the average (46), an excess of 167 per cent. The West St Leonards area of Hastings in Sussex fared the worst in the second wave, with 184 deaths between September and March 55 per cent more than the average for that time of the year. But 14 areas of England and Wales including parts of Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Cornwall, Devon and Somerset recorded no Covid fatalities at all. And the figures appeared to show a huge urban/rural divide, with inner city neighbourhoods in London, Essex and Manchester suffering the most excess deaths across the pandemic. Separate ONS data released today showed coronavirus deaths in England and Wales hit a three-month high in the week ending July 23. There were 327 deaths across the countries, the highest total since April 16, when 362 were recorded. In a sign that fatalities may start to flatten out or even fall within the next week, Covid hospital admissions fell by nearly 20 per cent in England. Some 593 infected patients were admitted for medical treatment on July 31, the most recent day NHS figures are available for. For comparison, 734 patients were hospitalised the previous Saturday No 'Freedom Day' for Scots as Nicola Sturgeon is accused of 'clinging on to large parts of people's lives' by KEEPING lockdown laws on masks and mass events 'indefinitely' The First Minister confirmed the country would exit Level 0, ending social distancing and limits in the size of social gatherings, on August 9. Nicola Sturgeon was accused of 'clinging on to large parts of people's lives' as she revealed lockdown will officially end next week - but some laws will remain in place indefinitely. The First Minister confirmed the country would exit Level 0, ending social distancing and limits in the size of social gatherings, on August 9. But she said it was too early to declare freedom from Covid as she confirmed face coverings will still be required by law indoors and large events with capacities of more than 2,000 inside and 5,000 outside will have to gain special permission to take place. Schoolchildren will also have to wear mask in lessons and socially distance in schools for six weeks from September. But in a move that will heap pressure on Boris Johnson amid the English 'pingdemic', self-isolation requirements will be dropped if someone passes a PCR test from Monday, a week before the quarantine requirement ends in England. Announcing that face coverings would remain mandatory the First Minister said it was 'premature' to suggest the pandemic had been beaten. She also raised the spectre of some restrictions returning in winter, saying she could not rule it out. But Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross accused her of 'moving the goalposts' by keeping masks and other measures in place. 'There are some welcome steps in the right direction but these ongoing restrictions will hold Scotland back,' he said. 'We are beyond Level 0, at Level -1 or -2 and still the Government is clinging on to large parts of people's lives.' Advertisement The ONS data released today broke down monthly excess deaths in middle layer super output areas (MSOA) statistical areas home to around 8,000 people each for the first time ever. Crabtree and Fir Vale recorded the most Covid deaths from March 2020 to April 2021 with 78. It was followed by West St Leonard (71), Walton and Frinton Coastal in Tendring (70) and Haywards Heath West in Mid Sussex (67). However, reviewing the percentage of excess deaths which take into account fatalities from all causes and not just Covid present a different picture, with urban areas of London and the South East suffering the worst. Stamford Hill North in Hackney, east London, had the highest proportion, with fatalities 285 per cent above the five year average during the first wave of the pandemic. It was followed by Forest Gate South in Newham, south London (263 per cent), Purfleet, South Stifford and Lakesde in Thurrock, Essex (226 per cent) and Tottenham Green West and Canary Wharf, London (both 200 per cent). In the second wave, Aldershot Town in Hampshire had the highest excess deaths, with rates 208 per cent above the five year average. Old Oak and Wormwood in Hammersmith, London, followed with deaths 200 per cent higher than average, while Lozells East and Balsall Heath East in Birmingham had rates of 194 per cent and 181 per cent, respectively. It comes as Mr Johnson was reportedly poised to ditch plans for the 'amber plus' watchlist today, amid calls to use just one list of banned nations to save the summer. Travel chiefs believe the current system is far too complex and confusing and some experts have claimed the Government is now poised to axe some of the more complicated categories to get back to the original red, amber and green approach. Experts have claimed the existing 'green watchlist' - a category which refers to countries rated as green but in danger of being moved to amber - will be scrapped. But crucially they have also predicted the 'amber plus' list - a category which currently only includes France and requires all travellers, including the fully-vaccinated, to quarantine on their return to England - will be dropped. Moving France back to the normal amber list would provide a massive boost to the travel industry because double-jabbed Brits could return from there without having to spend 10 days in isolation. Travel expert Paul Charles, director of The PC Agency travel consultancy, said he had been told by 'high level sources' that 'amber plus' and the 'green watchlist' will be ditched and that 'simplicity is to return'. Education Minister Gillian Keegan had earlier appeared to hint that changes will be made as she said the Government wants the rules to be 'simple enough for people to really understand' and to take decisions 'based on the system so we have the red list countries, the amber list countries and the green list countries'. Boris Johnson yesterday abandoned controversial Government plans to introduce a new category to the system: the 'amber watchlist'. It would have been used to identify countries which are amber but at imminent risk of turning red. The Prime Minister intervened to torpedo the proposals after they provoked a wave of fury from Cabinet ministers, Tory MPs and the travel industry, with critics blasting the idea of adding a further level of complexity to the already chaotic system amid warnings it would prompt a collapse in bookings. Travel firms welcomed the U-turn but immediately pressed the PM to go further as they called for the current system to be scrapped completely and replaced with a single 'red list' of banned countries. A major airport food and drink operator is facing an audit to investigate how much it charges customers after a guest shared a menu from LaGuardia Airport listing a Sam Adams Summer Ale costing $27.85 plus a 10 percent so-called COVID Recovery fee. OTG, the hospitality group overseeing LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark airports, is auditing at the request of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in response to Twitter user Cooper Lunds July 7 post that drew dozens of angry comments from travelers. Lund tweeted, lol at all of this, including the additional 10% COVID Recovery Fee that doesnt go to workers. OTG, the major airport food and drink operator, is facing an audit after Twitter user Cooper Lund shared a menu from LaGuardia Airport that priced a bottle Sam Adams Summer Ale at $27.85 OTG have since said that the price was incorrectly listed on the menu and should have read $18.15 OTG has since said that the price was incorrectly listed on the menu and should have read $18.15. This is a situation where someone simply input the wrong prices, OTG said in a statement to The Independent. Once we learned of it, we immediately took action to correct and began proactively auditing our entire system to ensure there were no other mistakes. OTG took this initiative on its own. OTG spokesperson Michael Marchese sent a statement to The City and said, Because of these posted-pricing hiccups, our in-house menu teams have been diligently working to ensure pricing across all restaurants are, in fact, rendering correctly. The official OTG Twitter account replied to Lunds post with the same explanation and offered him a complimentary beer during his next flight. The companys response read, Yikes. GOOD CATCH! That Sam Summer **price is incorrect** and has been updated. + note all other listed prices are for 23oz pours. @cooperlund - we very much appreciate you spotting. DM us next time you're passing through [for a free beer] on us. One reason for the uptick in prices is because of a rule Port Authority established last year that allows airports to charge up to 10percent more than street prices.' However, Sam Adams seasonal beers cost around $7 and $8 at local NYC bars Meanwhile, the Covid-19 recovery charge is a New York City initiative to compensate restaurants for the drop in patrons when capacity was capped. Following his experience at LaGuardia, Lund said to The City, Its just Sam Adams Summer Ale thats insane! It strikes me as an enforced monopoly. Lund, 32, of Brooklyn, said he would welcome prices that are more in line with those outside of the airports. He ended up passing on the expensive Sam Adams Summer Ale and instead purchased a 12-ounce Heineken for $11. Jason Rabinowitz, an aviation writer, shared Lunds tweet and wrote, $28 for a 23oz Sam Adams. @OTGexp has lost its mind. I understand that last year was tough but these prices are outrageous. Airport concession prices are through the roof and it's doubly bad since airlines really aren't serving any food in economy. Passengers have little choice. Rabinowitz didnt seem pleased by OTGs price correction either. He replied to the comment and wrote, What should the price actually be? It looks to me like *all* of these prices are hugely inflated, not just the Sam Summer. Most of Lunds other comments were from shocked Twitter users, with one Twitter user JZ writing, I shook my head and walked out at EWR 2 weeks ago. Cant believe the @PANYNJ is unaware of these outrageous prices. Plus the 10% COVID fee is just a slap in the face. Twitter user Mike noted that the price of the airport beer is more expensive than a full pack at grocery stores or beer distributors. He wrote, Btw, Sam Adams Summer Ale is $17 for a 12-pack, or $1.42 each, which is about 5% of what they are charging. Walk away folks. Its the only way to stop price gouging. Sam Adams seasonal beers also have significantly lower price tags at bars throughout New York City, costing $7 at the Westside Tavern bar and $8 at Lasagna restaurant, both in the Chelsea neighborhood, according to Business Insider. Other common snacks and drinks have inordinately high prices at airports compared to retailers not far from its doors. At a convenience store in LaGuardia, it costs $5.99 for a five and a half-ounce tin of Pringles potato chips, $4.69 for an 11.5 ounce bottle of Simply Lemonade and $5.49 for a five-ounce bag of Kettle Corn Popcorners, according The City. The news outlet reported that the same can of Pringles costs $2.50 and the Simply Lemonade costs $2.75 at the Pronto Lotto and Vape convenience store in Flushing. And the Kettle Corn Popcorners are $2.99 at the Saanvi Food Mart in Flushing. Other common snacks and drinks have inordinately high prices at airports compared to retailers right outside their doors. At a Hudson News store in JFK, it costs $3.89 for a 20-ounce bottle of soda and $3.69 for a bottle of Dasani water. But at the Long Island Express Deli across from the AirTrain station in Jamaica, the soda and water each go for $1.75. Jose Guanam, 61, a clerk at the deli, said to The City, We sometimes get people who stop by on the way to JFK and get stuff here. They say its too expensive. We know this market is expensive enough already, so were committed to everything we can do to ensure reasonable pricing for our customers, Port Authority said in a statement to The Independent. At our request, OTG is conducting a full audit of their pricing, and we will be working with all of our terminal operators and concession partners to review pricing across restaurants and airports to ensure customers are being treated fairly. One reason for the uptick in prices is a rule Port Authority established last year that allows airports to charge up to 10percent more than street prices. The board made the move in response to the 2018 increase in minimum wage for tens of thousands of airport workers to $19 an hour by 2023. Prior to the decision, airport concessionaires were not permitted to sell goods at a higher price than those available outside airports and airport concessionaires are supposed to conduct four product comparisons to businesses in the New York City region and have on their menus at least one value item, like a combo meal. But many guests say they have always encountered extremely high prices at airports. Emily Fishman, 75, told The City that she paid $4 for a 12-ounce bottle of Minute Maid orange juice at a JFK food court during a layover on a flight to Israel. She said, Oh my goodness, I thought it was going to be $2.50. Theyve got you, they know you dont have a choice. And Felipe Rodriguez, 61, who flew into JFK from Puerto Rico, said to the outlet, I paid $8 for two Fantas, thats a ripoff. Its not like this is freshly squeezed juice its Fanta! A child's toy scooter sits where an 8-year-old girl was killed after a marble handrail fell on top of her at her Bronx home Monday An 8-year-old girl died after a marble handrail outside her New York City home collapsed on her while she played with a friend Monday evening, authorities say. The girl, whose name was not released, was with a friend on the front porch of her Bronx home on Zerega Avenue in Westchester Square around 8pm. The two attempted to squeeze through the marble columns when one of the handrails collapsed and crashed down directly onto the victim. Police sources told the New York Post that the girl's mother was inside the home cooking along with other relatives when she heard the girl scream. They rushed outside to find her lying trapped underneath the piece of marble handrail with a bleeding head wound. She was rushed to nearby Jacobi Hospital with severe head trauma, and was later pronounced dead. Police and building inspectors at the scene where an 8-year-old girl was killed when a marble handrail collapsed on top of her as she played outside her home in the Bronx yesterday Pieces of the broken marble bannister could be seen strewn about the front of the home, along with a dark red-colored stain at the site of the tragic accident Pictured: the Bronx property on Zerega Ave. where an 8-year-old girl was killed after a marble handrail collapsed and fell onto her as she played with a friend on the front porch The girl's aunt told investigators that the family only moved into the apartment three or four months ago. However, the owner of the property warned them about the loose bannister at the time, sources told the Post. According to the Department of Building's online records, the NYPD requested a structural stability inspection of the front porch just two hours after the incident. 'NYPD REQUESTS A STRUCTURAL STABILITY INSPECTION OF FRONT PORCH DUE TO COLUMN FALLING DOWN ON A PERSON' the complaint for 1433 Zerega Avenue reads. 'FRONT PORCH BALUSTRADE HAS FALLEN TO FRONT YARD RESULTING W/ A FATALLY OF A CHILD,' continues the building complaint, which is assigned to an emergency response team with the highest priority level. Bystanders look on at the scene on Zerega Avenue in Westchester Square around 8pm The NYPD requested a structural stability inspection of the front porch just two hours after the incident Police talk to neighbors at the scene as investigators look to see what was the exact cause of Monday's deadly structural collapse A list of complaints served against the site of the property for Monday's tragic incident, which include one filed just hours after the girl was killed In May 2016, there were complaints filed about an illegal conversion of a basement into an apartment, and illegal use of plaster at the property. A notice from the city agency was affixed near the property's front door Tuesday, along with yellow caution tape surrounding the gated entrance. A large, red-colored stain could be seen directly in front of the home. Meanwhile, authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the structural collapse. The Department of Buildings confirms that a violation was issued to the property's owner, Ahmed Mehraj. A hiker found the naked body of the seven-year-old son behind a bush near Mountain Spring close to Las Vegas on May 28 Rodriguez was arrested on June 8 at a Denver restaurant having breakfast with a man she had just met Rodriguez said the boy 'stopped listening', then began to wail after she shoved him - she then strangled him until he stopped crying and, ultimately, breathing Liam Husted's body went unidentified for a week until a family friend who recognized the child's likeness on a newscast 'Samantha... watched television crime shows and thought that by removing his clothing it would make it more difficult to associate him with her' detectives said The California mother allegedly dumped her naked son's body behind bushes up in Mountain Spring near Las Vegas in May Samantha Moreno Rodriguez, 35, of San Jose was indicted for the murder of her 7-year-old autistic son on Friday Samantha Moreno Rodriguez, 35, of San Jose, California was arrested June 8 in Denver less than 12 hours after she was identified as the suspect in the death of her 7-year-old son, whose body was found by hikers in Nevada more than 10 days prior A San Jose mother accused of killing her autistic 7-year-old son told police that she stripped the clothes off his body before dumping him on a hiking trail because she thought it would make it more difficult to link her to the killing, according to court documents. Samantha Moreno Rodriguez of San Jose, 35, told investigators she was inspired by true crime television to strip the corpse of her son, Liam Husted, according to court documents obtained by the Las Vegas Review Journal. 'Samantha indicated that she had watched television crime shows,' Metropolitan Police Department homicide Detective Robert Ochsenhirt told a Grand Jury. '[She] thought that by removing his clothing it would make it more difficult to associate him with her after she left the scene.' Liam's body was found shortly after dawn May 28 behind a bush at a trailhead off the main highway between Las Vegas and rural Pahrump. Twenty-four detective parsed through over 500 tips before the boy was identified and his mother was named a suspect in his killing. Police were led to Rodriguez by a family friend who recognized the boy when police publicized an artist's rendition of the corpse's face on newscasts and social media. Rodriguez was arrested on June 8 during an apparent breakfast date with a man she had just met in Denver. Police do not believe the man had any involvement in the case. A coroner determined last week that the child died of strangulation. According to Rodriguez's alleged confession, relayed by to jurors in court proceedings, she throttled the child on May 27 in a fit of exasperation. Liam's body was found shortly after dawn May 28 behind a bush at a trailhead off the main highway between Las Vegas and rural Pahrump. Liam Husted, 7, is seen posing for a photo among trees. His naked body was found by hikers up in Spring Mountain on May 28 the day after his San Jose mother allegedly killed him. Liam, who was on the autism spectrum, was reportedly 'not really listening to Samantha' as she tried to coax him into her car on the morning of May 27. She allegedly shoved the child, who hit his head on the ground and began to scream 'louder than she had ever heard him scream before.' Rodriguez strangled the child for 10 to 15 minutes until he 'stopped crying and breathing', detective Ochsenhirt said. Police believe the body was left near State Route 160 after dark May 27. Before Liam was identified, authorities released digitally enhanced images of an unidentified boy, developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - based on images shared by the medical examiner. Days earlier, Rodriguez had set off with the child from their home in San Jose to Southern California in a 'somewhat aimless' search to find affordable housing. The mother and son had walked up and down the Las Vegas strip the night before the killing, where Rodriguez took the child to 'look at the lights' in an attempt to get him to sleep that evening. Liam's father, Nicholas Husted, who was preparing to divorce Rodriguez and fight for their child's custody, had reported his son missing on June 1 after his wife left San Jose with their child. 'I'm sorry I had to do it like this,' she wrote to Husted in a note on May 24. 'I'm going to try to get a house for Liam and I and we can talk about this in the future.' 'He could say certain words,' the father told the Las Vegas Review Journal of the child's disorder. 'He didnt string together sentences, but he could tell you, you know, he knew how to get what he wanted, you know. He could get that message across.' Husted's body was found by hikers behind a bush on Mountain Springs Trailhead between Las Vegas and Pahrump, Nevada. The police official had said it was clear the boy was killed, but did not say on Monday how Husted had died Flowers were left on the hiking trail where the young boy was found before he was identified When Liam began to wail, Rodriguez was exhausted from driving and a lack of sleep from the night before. 'She wasn't so sure how to stop him from crying,' said the detective. 'The things she had tried in the past to calm him down weren't working.' Rodriguez 'indicated kind of physically with her hands going toward her neck' when police asked whether she had laid hands on the child, Ochsenhirt said. When asked whether she put her hands around his neck, the detective said, she said yes. These artist's renderings created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were distributed Thursday, June 3, 2021, by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in an attempt to identify Liam Husted's body. Police found several scrapes on the boy's body which indicated that he was dragged up the mountain - Rodriguez deposited the corpse eight feet off a dirt road behind a bush and disposed of his clothing. She then set off for Denver, where she intended to start a new life, police say. 'There's every indication that when she left San Jose that she was intending on starting a new life,' Las Vegas Metro Homicide Lt. Ray Spencer told 8 News Now. Rodriguez was indicted for murder by a grand jury for murder on July 30; she will reappear in court on Wednesday. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a photo montage on Tuesday showing him hugging and kissing numerous public figures including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Al Sharpton - which the New York governor says is proof that he didnt sexually harass women. 'I've been making the same public gesture all my life. I actually learnt it from my mother and my father,' a defiant Cuomo said on Tuesday, referring to the late New York Governor Mario Cuomo and his widow, Matilda Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo said that while he accepts responsibility, he made no hint of planning to resign, as is being demanded by top Democratic Party leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. State Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings of her investigation into claims Cuomo harassed more than 10 women. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday refused to resign after a damning report by the State Attorney General's Office accused him of sexually harassing multiple women Cuomo unveiled a photo montage on Tuesday showing him hugging and kissing numerous public figures including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Al Sharpton The montage shows the governor hugging, kissing, and greeting powerful people and constituents. Cuomo says these 'everyday interactions' are how he is accustomed to behaving and that there was no malicious intent The probe found that the Democratic governor sexually harassed multiple women in and out of state government and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers. The finding quickly renewed calls for the Democrat's resignation or impeachment. Cuomo remained defiant on Tuesday following the investigation's findings, saying that the facts are much different than what has been portrayed and appearing to reject calls to resign. The nearly five-month investigation found that Cuomo's administration was a hostile work environment and was rife with fear and intimidation. The probe, conducted by two outside lawyers, involved interviews with 179 people including Cuomo's accusers, current and former administration employees and the governor himself. In response to James news conference, Cuomo released a videotaped statement in which he denied the allegations. The governor specifically mentioned the allegations brought forward by Anna Ruch. Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress. The governor on Tuesday specifically mentioned the allegations brought forward by Anna Ruch. Anna Ruch, now 33, met Andrew Cuomo at her friends' wedding in September 2019. He was photographed cupping her face A third woman has accused Governor Cuomo of unwanted touching and sexual attention, saying he placed his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her at her friend's wedding. A friend took a series of pictures of the incident as it occurred. https://t.co/bgvzBK4vK0 pic.twitter.com/hXvgTvSntQ Evan Hill (@evanchill) March 2, 2021 Cuomo said on Tuesday that grabbing a person's face and kissing them was a gesture he learned from his parents. The governor is seen above with his mother, Matilda Cuomo Cuomo's montage also included a photo of him with his late father, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report. Cuomo then grabbed her face with both of his hands and said 'can I kiss you?' He was pictured kissing her cheek. Ruch, 33, told The New York Times earlier this year that she met Cuomo at a wedding in September 2019. The governor, now 63, had given a toast to the newlyweds, and Ruch, a former member of the Obama administration and the 2020 Biden campaign, thanked him for his words. She claimed that he then touched her naked back, and she removed his hand. He said she was 'aggressive', then cupped her face in his hands and asked: 'Can I kiss you?' A photographer captured the moment, with Ruch looking distressed and taken aback, while Cuomo stares intently at her. 'I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed,' said Ruch. 'I turned my head away and didn't have words in that moment.' Cuomo, who served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, is seen above planting a kiss on the cheek of former Vice President Al Gore It is meant to convey warmth, nothing more, Cuomo says of the touching and kissing Indeed, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of me using the exact same gesture,' the governor said Several more images flash on the screen of Cuomo touching and greeting constituents, like the one above I do it with everyone - black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ, the governor said The photo montage included an image of the governor getting close to the Reverend Al Sharpton She told The New York Times: 'It's the act of impunity that strikes me. 'I didn't have a choice in that matter. I didn't have a choice in his physical dominance over me at that moment. And that's what infuriates me.' After the encounter, Ruch said her friend 'looked at me and said, Are you OK? with such genuine concern in her face that I realized how obviously inappropriate it was.' Later, she tried to find the governor at the reception to give him a piece of her mind but couldn't track him down. 'I would have rather just said it that night,' Ruch said. 'I wanted to say, That wasn't OK. She added: 'I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed when really he is the one who should have been embarrassed.' Cuomo is seen above touching the chin of a war veteran during a public appearance I do kiss people on the cheek, Cuomo said. The clip then cuts to more photos of Cuomo kissing well-known figures on the cheek Cuomo's montage included another image of him planting a kiss on his mother's forehead The image above shows the governor playfully grasping the chin of an unidentified person The image above shows Cuomo greeting actor Robert DeNiro Cuomo showed another image of him planting a kiss on the cheek of a woman during a public appearance What next for Andrew Cuomo? It looks like checkmate for Andrew Cuomo as pressure grows on him to step down despite his desperate attempts to cling on to power. Senior Democrats including President Joe Biden are pushing for Cuomo to resign, with some looking to impeach the embattled politician. New York state assembly speaker Carl Heastie, who launched an impeachment inquiry in March, said Cuomo has 'lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority' and 'can no longer remain in office', according to CNN. If Cuomo tries to cling on to power rather than step down, he will likely face an impeachment probe. Impeachment would be carried out by the New York state assembly which is made up of 150 lawmakers. Only a majority of votes is needed for impeachment for 'misconduct of malversation', according to the state constitution. The assembly's makeup is overwhelmingly Democrat, with 106 out of 150 seats, and a majority of 76 votes needed for impeachment. If impeached, Cuomo would be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. A trial would then be held by the New York senate where Democrats hold 43 of 63 seats and a two-thirds majority is needed to convict. If convicted, Cuomo would be removed from office, but if he is found not guilty, he could return to being governor. An impeachment probe launched in March is still ongoing and are meeting to decide whether to proceed or draft articles in other areas of Cuomo's leadership relating to the nursing homes Covid scandal, cover-up allegations over the Mario Cuomo Bridge, and claims of using state resources for personal gain. So far, Cuomo has insisted he has done nothing wrong and has made no moves to step down as he desperately tries to cling on to power. Advertisement Ruch told The New York Post that the photo of Cuomo clutching her face speaks for itself. 'The photo pretty much sums it up. Gross. What the fk?,' she said, adding: 'Every woman has to go through this in the 21st century.' Cuomo on Tuesday blasted The New York Times for running a photo of the kiss on the front page. That is not front page news, Cuomo says. The video then cuts to old photographs of Cuomo being kissed and touched by his parents as the governor narrates. It is meant to convey warmth, nothing more, Cuomo says of the touching and kissing. Indeed, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of me using the exact same gesture. Several more images flash on the screen of Cuomo touching and greeting constituents. I do it with everyone - black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ, the governor says. Cuomo then shows photos of him greeting powerful people including former President Bill Clinton, the late Congressman Charlie Rangel, former Vice President Al Gore, actor Robert DeNiro, and others. The governor says he uses the gesture with friends, strangers, [and] people who I meet on the street. Cuomo then noted that Ruch told the press that she took offense at the gesture. And for that, I apologize, the governor said. Cuomo then alluded to another allegation from a different woman who claimed the governor kissed her on the forehead and said Ciao, bella. Translated from the Italian, Ciao, bella means Hello, beautiful. I dont remember doing it, but Im sure that I did, the governor said, adding: I do kiss people on the forehead. I do kiss people on the cheek, Cuomo said. The clip then cuts to more photos of Cuomo kissing well-known figures on the cheek. The governor is seen with his mother, the Reverend Al Sharpton, and other constituents and supporters. I do kiss people on the hand, I do embrace people, I do hug people, Cuomo said. Cuomo included a photo above showing the governor grabbing a young boy's face James, the attorney general, is seen far left in a photo showing Cuomo being kissed on the cheek by an unidentified man Cuomo greets a Jewish man during a public appearance in the above undated file photo The governor is seen above comforting a woman in the above undated file photo Cuomo is seen above embracing a man at a church in the above undated file photo Cuomo is seen above hugging and kissing a woman during a public appearance Cuomo cups the hand of a young girl during a public appearance in the above undated file photo I do kiss people on the hand, I do embrace people, I do hug people, Cuomo said The image above shows Cuomo playfully kissing and grabbing the neck of an unidentified person I now understand that there are generational or cultural perspectives that, frankly, I hadnt fully appreciated, and I have learned from this,' Cuomo (seen above kissing a woman's hand) said Cuomo said that he and his team would undergo training on new sexual harassment policies and procedures to prevent the sort of misunderstandings that he claims arose from these encounters with women I do on occasion say Ciao, bella. Cuomo added: On occasion, I do slip and say Sweetheart. I am the same person in public as I am in private, the governor said. I try to put people at ease, Cuomo continued. I try to make them smile and I try to connect with them. I now understand that there are generational or cultural perspectives that, frankly, I hadnt fully appreciated, and I have learned from this. Cuomo said that he and his team would undergo training on new sexual harassment policies and procedures to prevent the sort of misunderstandings that he claims arose from these encounters with women. I accept responsibility and we are making changes, the governor said. Instagram posts show just enthusiastically a former Evangelical Christian from Tennessee embraced life as an ISIS bride, with her rescued eight year-old daughter Aminah now on the verge of returning to the US to be adopted. Ariel Bradley shared multiple photos of herself posing with a Koran, looking out at a bomb-scarred Syrian landscape she branded a 'land of believers' and eating meat from an animal sacrificed to celebrate the birth of her son. Bradley, her second husband Tareq Kamleh, and the couple's youngest son Yousef all died in a 2018 US air strike on a hospital. Aminah was injured but survived. News of her rescue at Camp Roj refugee camp in Syria was first reported earlier this week, with the youngster now on the verge of returning to the US, where she may be put up for adoption. US Diplomat Peter Galbraith, who helped rescue Aminah Mohamad from the Camp Roj refugee camp in Syria, told DailyMail.com: 'Once a child is rescued, appropriate authorities will determine a placement that is in the best interest of the child.' The repatriation process, which is handled by the U.S. Department of State, involves a DNA confirmation of identity before Aminah can be brought home. Afterwards, authorities will work to determine a placement that is in her best interest. Aminah has been through things that no child should ever go through war, hunger, the deaths of her mother, father and stepfather, being hidden away. She will need a lot of supports, psychological and material,' Galbraith, who is not involved in the placement process, explained. The state department did not provide DailyMail.com with specific details on Aminah's case, however a spokesman said in a statement, the country's official policy is to: 'repatriate, prosecute when appropriate, rehabilitate when possible and reintegrate their foreign terrorist fighter nationals and associated family members currently living in northeast Syria and Iraq'. Bradley, under the handle @umaminahamrikl, used social media to document her life inside She would share stories online about her children and bemoaning the barrage of bombs as she would eat breakfast with her kids Bradley also shared this photo of a bowl of meat from an animal sacrificed to celebrate the birth of her baby son The youngster's grandparents, aunt and uncle live in the US, although it remains unclear if she will be returned to their custody. They have declined to comment publicly on the death of Aminah's mom Ariel Bradley, or on the rescue of Aminah, which was first revealed earlier this week. Aminah's mom Ariel Bradley grew up a strict Evangelical Christian, but later rebelled against her devout upbringing. She became a drug-taking anti-climate change protester, before converting to Islam after taking up with an Iraqi refugee based in Sweden - Yasin Mohamad - who is Aminah's father. Mohamad was killed while fighting in 2015, with Bradley then marrying Australian pediatrician Tareq Kamleh. Bradley and Kamleh were both killed in a hospital air strike in 2018 which injured Aminah, who is now being looked after at a safe location in northern Syria. Galbraith added that he had broken the news of Ariel's death to her family in 2020. I contacted Ariels sister, Dara McIntyre, a year ago when I learned of [Ariels] death. I tried calling and messaging her on Facebook. She never responded,' he said. Aminah and her parents had been living under ISIS rule since her parents joined the terrorist organization in 2014. Her parents were killed in a hospital airstrike in 2018 that left Aminah injured. She was then sent to a Kurdish-controlled detention camp for people with ties to the Islamic State. Aminah was rescued from the facility on July 17 after a Canadian woman who has since denounced her ties to the terrorist organization managed to alert former US diplomat Peter Galbraith of her condition. Aminah Mohamad, 8, was reportedly rescued from a Syrian camp after she was left in the care of one of her step-father's other wives, a devout ISIS supporter. Authorities are not releasing an unmuzzed photo of the girl in effort to protect her safety/wellbeing She is currently being held at a secure location in northeast Syria and is waiting confirmation that she can return to the states, at which point authorities will determine the best placement for her. While in Camp Roj, a Syrian detention center, a group of Somali women living together took steps to hide Aminah from the Kurdish guards, who would regularly search for orphans. It is famously home to Shamima Begum, a British ISIS bride who fled London in February 2015 at the age of just 15 to join the caliphate. Begum married a Dutch ISIS fighter, and is said to have joined the terror group's morality police. Her husband and three children have all died, with Begum currently pleading to be allowed home. According to Galbraith, the women would dress Aminah up in long robes and a niqab to conceal her identity and race, since her caretaker was black and she was white, even though it is not part of the Muslim faith for children to wear niqabs. Galbraith, who dealt with the Kurds for the United States government and has spent the past three years trying to repatriate women and children from the detention camps, was alerted of Aminah's condition after successfully rescuing another family. He told DailyMail.com that he visited the camp in November 2019 after a German woman asked him to help rescue her children from the facility. When he successfully repatriated that family, his contact information spread through the camp, reaching a Canadian woman who was crucial to Aminah's rescue. The woman used Kurdish authorities to alert Galbraith of Aminah's situation and he decided he needed to free her. 'I didn't know if I could get Aminah out,' Galbraith said. I want to give credit to the Canadian woman without her courage in terms of identifying Aminah and saying where she is, we wouldnt have been able to get her out.' She risked her life to save this child,' he added. On July 17, a team of SDF soldiers descended on the Somali enclave and retrieved Aminah. It is unclear what happened in the raid. The 8-year-old is currently in a safe location and waiting to hear if she can return to the United States, Buzzfeed reported. According to Buzzfeed, Bradley had three children: Aminah, Yaqub and Yousef, who was killed in the same airstrike that took Bradley's life. Yaqub's whereabouts remain unknown. Peter Galbraith, a former United States diplomat who worked with the Kurds, has spent the past three years trying to repatriate women and children from the detention camps Bradley, who grew up in poverty, was homeschooled by her mother with a curriculum based on the beliefs of the Pentecostal Church of God, according to the Herald-Sun. She had several gaps in her knowledge, such as not learning to read until she was a pre-teen and never obtaining a high school diploma or GED. As she aged, Bradley grew embarrassed of her mother's evangelism, became an atheist and denounced religion as a 'delusion.' She ran away from the family home around age 16 and spent the next decade bouncing between relationships, homes, and religion. 'Not to throw her under the bus or anything, but she was definitely always looking for love, always looking for that sense of belonging,' one friend told Buzzfeed in 2015. 'Her life was a solar system without a star, without a sun,' another echoed. Bradley later committed her time to social activism, pushing for racial equality, teachers' rights and fair housing, while also volunteering with the homeless. Her friends claim she got tattoos, drank and smoked weed, before developing a crush on a young Muslim man she met while working at a local restaurant. She then started dressing more modestly, made Muslim friends and wore scarves over her head, and officially converted to Islam in 2011. Aminah's mom, Ariel Bradley, grew up in a devout Christian household in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and converted to Islam in 2011 'The thing about Ariel that was just so weird was that she had a clearly segmented life,' a friend said after Bradley joined ISIS. 'It was like when I first met her, she was a Christian, and then she was a socialist, and then she was an atheist and then a Muslim. 'As far as I could tell it was always in relation to whatever guy she was interested in. So if she meets a guy that's an atheist, she falls into that for a year. Then the guy leaves and she becomes somebody new and it starts all over again. 'It seemed like whatever guy she was with, she would just crawl into his skin and kind of become him.' Bradley started talking to Yasin Mohamad on a dating website that year, and traveled to Sweden to meet him in person in December 2011. They wed during her visit. Her friends, particularly her Muslim friends, were concerned about the arrangement. Some believed that Mohamad, a refugee from Iraq who was not a Swedish citizen, was using her to obtain American citizenship. 'Everybody warned her and just said, 'Don't do it, don't do it, you don't know him, you don't know anything about his background, you don't know his family.' It could be a trick or something,' a close female Muslim friend told the news outlet. As she aged, Bradley (right) grew embarrassed of her mother's evangelism, became an atheist and denounced religion as a 'delusion' When she became pregnant, Buzzfeed reports, she returned home to give birth in her hometown, before moving back to Sweden to be with Mohamad and eventually to Syria so Bradley and Mohamad could join ISIS in 2014. According to Buzzfeed, Aminah was 18-months-old when her family relocated to Syria. At the time, Bradley was pregnant with her second child, Yaqub. She used social media to document her life inside, Buzzfeed reported at the time, sharing stories about her children and bemoaning the barrage of bombs as she would eat breakfast with her kids. She reportedly wrote that she would take her kids to the park to play - an adventure that ended with the family watching ISIS propaganda. Mohamad was reportedly killed in an airstrike in June 2015, and Bradley soon remarried Tareq Kamleh, a devout ISIS follower from Australia. Kamleh and Bradley shared a son, Yousef. But their marriage did not last long - Bradley, Kamleh and Yousef were killed in 2018 in a hospital airstrike, at which point Aminah was put in the care of one of her step-father's other wives, a Somali woman who remained devoted to the cause even as the Syrian Democratic Forces gained traction against the terrorist group and rounded up its supporters in detention camps. According to Galbraith, 'Aminah was injured in the attack that killed her parents'. Bradley's (pictured) friends said she often changed her beliefs to match those of 'whatever guy she was interested in' at the time Aminah was reportedly interviewed by the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism following her release from the camp. 'She clearly self-identified as Aminah and talked about her family with deep sadness,' director Anne Speckhard told Buzzfeed, adding she 'doesn't have a clear context as to where she's from.' Speckhard said she needs 'a safe, predictable and loving environment to replace the traumatic one [she] lived under.' According to the Canadian woman, 'Children in the camps have the worst start to life. They are already traumatized y losing one or more parents and growing up around violence, poverty and misery. 'They deal with constant danger, lack of food, lack of education and their lives are simply going to waste.' Galbraith said he wants to do whatever he can now to ensure that her new life in America will be different from the one she escaped. He said he wants her to play with other children, attend school and 'get the counseling and the mental health support she's clearly going to need.' 'My ability to do anything is limited,' Galbraith told Buzzfeed. 'But I want the people who make the decisions to know where she came from and what she went through.' Galbraith also managed to secure the release of the Canadian woman, who is now in Iraq waiting to be repatriated to her home country. President Joe Biden and the top brass at the White House are rejecting a progressive push to have 82-year-old Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer retire so Biden can appoint a younger liberal before next year's midterm elections. Axios reported Tuesday that Biden and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain are worried that pressuring Breyer, either publicly or privately, could backfire - motivating the judge to stay on the bench longer to prove he's unmoved by politics. 'The President's view is that any considerations about potential retirements are solely and entirely up to justices themselves,' White House spokesman Andrew Bates told the publication. Axios reported Tuesday that President Joe Biden and his top aides are rejecting progressive calls to encourage liberal Justice Stephen Breyer to retire from the Supreme Court while Democrats have control of the White House and Senate 82-year-old Justice Stephen Breyer is now the Supreme Court's most senior liberal, following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last year. Ginsburg was replaced by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett a week before the presidential election Those on the party's left - including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - have said they believe Breyer should retire while Democrats have control of the White House and Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already indicated he'll, again, play hard ball if Biden gets a chance to pick a new justice and the Republicans are in power. McConnell had appeared on Hugh Hewitt's radio show in June and was asked if he'd repeat with Biden what he did to President Barack Obama in 2016 - and not give Obama's Supreme Court pick, now Attorney General Merrick Garland, a vote, because it was during a presidential election year. 'I think it's highly unlikely - in fact, no, I don't think either party, if it were different from the president, would confirm a Supreme Court nominee in the middle of an election,' McConnell responded. McConnell then left the door open to go even further - and reject any Biden SCOTUS pick - even before 2024 - if the Senate flipped back to GOP control. 'Well, we'd have to wait and see what happens,' the Kentucky Republican said. Democrats and Republicans are evenly split 50-50 in the current make-up of the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris available to make a tie-breaking vote. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court balance has tipped to six conservatives and three liberals, with Breyer now in the most senior position of those on the left. Former President Donald Trump was able to appoint three conservatives in just four years, with Justice Neil Gorsuch getting the seat Obama chose Garland for, with McConnell successfully keeping the seat open. Then Justice Brett Kavanaugh replaced Justice Anthony Kennedy, a Reagan appointee who had become the Court's centrist swing vote. But progressives mostly point to the case of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when making the case for Breyer to retire. Some Democrats had wanted the 87-year-old Ginsburg to retire while Obama was still in office, but she remained on the bench. Ginsburg died on September 18, 2020 - with about six weeks to go before the presidential election. With a Republican in the White House and the party in charge of the Senate - and no filibuster in place for judicial nominations - McConnell helped usher conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett onto the bench a week before voters went to the polls. Brian Fallon, co-founder and executive director of Demand Justice, and former press secretary to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, told Axios he believed Democrats were poised to repeat history by not pushing Breyer to budge. 'For Democrats to sit on their hands and be content to potentially watch a slow-motion replay of the RBG situation play out just goes to show the folly of our party's passive approach to the courts over the years,' Fallon said. 'The Court is already a deeply politicized institution, and there it nothing lost by acknowledging that reality and responding accordingly.' A pet owner has accused the Government of 'dog racism' over a law that can see the animals placed in kennels or even euthanised based on how dangerous they look. In 2019, Anita Medhi had her pet, Lola - an 18-month-old American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross - seized without warning by police from her home in Middlesbrough. This was because it looked like one of four types of dogs banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act - Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Fila Brasileiros or Dogo Argentinos. Anita Medhi (pictured with her dog Lola) has accused the Government of 'dog racism' over a law that can see the animals placed in kennels or even euthanised based on how dangerous they look A court ruled that Lola posed no threat to the public and could therefore be placed on an exemption index and returned home to its owner. However, the fact the dog shared some of the same characteristics as a Pit Bull Terrier meant that she must still wear a lead and a muzzle at all times when outside. After Lola was returned home, it developed a infection which caused the dog to urinate around the house, something that was attributed to the stress of her ordeal. Ms Medhi told the PA news agency the seizure and subsequent hearing also had a negative impact on her own mental health, causing her 'post-traumatic stress'. In 2019, Lola - an 18-month-old American Bulldog/Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross - was seized without warning by police from her home in Middlesbrough because it looked like one of four types of dogs banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act It could have been even worse for Lola, however - many dogs face waits of months or even years in kennels while waiting for exemptions. In addition, any stray dogs 'typed' in the same way due to the legislation must be killed by vets as charities are not legally allowed to rehome them. Campaigners such as Ms Medhi are now calling for reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act, with her recent petition now signed by 50,000 people urging ministers to change the law. 'This is dog racism, how can you determine a dog to be dangerous by its look?' she asked. 'A dog should be judged on behaviour and nothing else, if a dog is well balanced, brought up correctly there should be no issue. 'Lola was proven in court to be a well-balanced, lovely dog that has no risk to the public, there is no reason to have restrictions on her.' 'I can't tell you how important it is to get rid of this act, I never knew a Dangerous Dog Act existed, it's been a pain in my life every since Lola was seized.' She added: 'The longer this Act exists, more dogs will be in danger - the Government does not listen to change and now is the time to listen.' A court ruled that Lola posed no threat to the public and could therefore be placed on an exemption index and returned home to its owner. However, the fact the dog shared some of the same characteristics as a Pit Bull Terrier meant that she must still wear a lead and a muzzle at all times when outside National pet charity Blue Cross has called on the Government to scrap the relevant section of the law immediately, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act on August 12. Becky Thwaites, public affairs officer at the organisation, said the law was 'ineffective' and had made no difference to the number of dog attacks in the past 30 years. 'We still see a number of dog attacks each year, it's meaning healthy pets are put to sleep due to the way they look,' she said. 'This is a piece of legislation that does not protect the public and has a negative impact on dog welfare. 'It's time the Government reviews the legislation and introduces something that works and is based on deed not breed.' The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: 'Dog attacks can have horrific consequences, which is why it is a criminal offence to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control. 'Any dog has the potential to be dangerously out of control and therefore it is important that the police and the courts are able to employ a range of measures to limit the risks to public safety. 'We will be formally responding to this petition in due course.' Covid can cause a 'substantial' drop in intelligence in people recovering from the virus, research has suggested. The Great British Intelligence Test examined the IQ of 81,337 people across the UK between January and December last year. Among those surveyed, 13,000 had caught coronavirus and they were found to have the largest drop off in intelligence. People recovering from Covid found problem solving, planning and reasoning more difficult, compared to people who were never infected. And virus survivors who had spent time on a ventilator in hospital lost the equivalent of seven IQ points, data suggested. This 'brain fog' has already been reported by sufferers for weeks, even months after recovering from Covid. Some have told of losing the ability to recall everyday facts or hold a conversation. It has sparked fears the disease could have long-term cognitive impacts, in a similar way to the lasting effects strokes or microbleeds have on the brain. Covid can cause a 'substantial' drop in intelligence in people recovering from the virus, new research has suggested. Graph shows: The fall in intelligence in people recovering from Covid based on the scale of their symptoms. In a classic intelligence test, 0.47 standard deviation units (shown on the Y axis) equates to a 7-point difference in IQ Researchers asked respondents to take on a series of questions to test their mental capacities WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS OF COVID? Most coronavirus patients will recover within a fortnight, suffering a fever, cough and losing their sense of smell or taste for several days. However, evidence is beginning to show that the tell-tale symptoms of the virus can persist for weeks on end in 'long haulers' the term for patients plagued by lasting complications. Data from the Covid Symptom Study app, by King's College London and health company Zoe, suggests one in ten people may still have symptoms after three weeks, and some may suffer for months. Long term symptoms include: Chronic tiredness Breathlessness Raised heart rate Delusions Strokes Insomnia Loss of taste/smell Kidney disease Mobility issues Headaches Muscle pains Fevers For those with more severe disease, Italian researchers who tracked 143 people who had been hospitalised with the disease found almost 90 per cent still had symptoms including fatigue two months after first falling unwell. The most common complaints were fatigue, a shortness of breath and joint pain - all of which were reported during their battle with the illness. Source: NHS Advertisement The Covid research by scientists from Britain and the US was published in EClinicalMedicine, a Lancet-owned journal. They asked respondents to take on a series of questions to test their mental capacities. Respondents self-reported whether they had previously contracted Covid and researchers used statistical analysis to determine the drop off in intelligence between people who had the virus and those who had not. They found people who had Covid had a lower cognitive score than they were modelled to have if they not been infected, based on their age, sex, occupation and other factors. The authors wrote: 'These results accord with reports of long-Covid, where "brain fog", trouble concentrating and difficulty finding the correct words are common. 'The deficits were of substantial effect size for people who had been hospitalised.' They said one of the reasons people's intelligence appear to drop could be the continued effect of Covid to affect their ability to think clearly. High temperatures and respiratory problems which have been linked with long Covid in previous studies make it harder for people to concentrate. The authors wrote: 'Previous studies in hospitalised patients with respiratory disease not only demonstrate objective and subjective cognitive deficits but suggest these remain for some at five-year follow-up.' They warned the study could provide conclusive evidence that a person's long term IQ can be damaged by Covid with brain imaging data. They said future research should look into how the virus affects the brain in more detail. It comes after previous research by Imperial College London showed Covid could have real 'chronic cognitive consequences'. The team analysed questionnaire answers from almost 85,000 people who had recovered from confirmed or suspected Covid. They discovered that damage to the brain occurred in varying levels depending on how severe the disease had been. Of those who took part, 60 Covid-sufferers were put on a ventilator, 147 were hospitalised with no ventilator, 176 were cared for at home due to respiratory problems, 3,466 struggled with their breathing but were not medically cared for and 9,201 said they had Covid but with no difficulty breathing at all. Those who were in intensive care or who needed ventilation, recorded the equivalent of an 8.5-point drop in their IQ. This is a big enough fall for an individual to notice an impact on their day-to-day life and job, the authors said. Engelbert Humperdinck was spotted bravely waving to fans and well-wishers as he bid farewell to his wife of 56 years at her funeral after her battle with Alzheimer's. Dozens of fans stood outside their sprawling mansion in Great Glen, Leicestershire, as a hearse covered in red and pink flowers carried her coffin past the family home. The funeral cortege started in Market Harborough before continuing to a private church service in a chapel in Loughborough. Patricia Dorsey was 85 when she 'slipped away' in February after battling Alzheimer's and testing positive for coronavirus. Fans stood outside their sprawling mansion in Great Glen, Leicestershire, as a hearse covered in red and pink flowers carried her coffin past the family home The funeral cortege started in Market Harborough before continuing to a private church service in a chapel in Loughborough Patricia Humperdinck was 85 when she 'slipped away' in February after battling Alzheimer's and testing positive for coronavirus A fan pays their respects as the funeral hearse makes its way to the private church service Patricia, nee Healey, married Engelbert in 1964, and they had four children together - Louise, Bradley, Jason and Scott. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007, and her husband has previously spoken about the difficulty of her living with the disease. Legendary crooner Engelbert, whose real name is Arnold Dorsey, was famous for his hits Release Me and the Last Waltz. Days before her Tuesday's funeral, Engelbert posted a video online asking fans to pay their respects. He said: 'It would be lovely to see friendly faces along the way and so a prayer or a tip of the hat or a wave would be so wonderful. 'It doesn't matter where you are in the world, please just say a prayer for my beautiful and wonderful wife.' The couple met in 1953 at Leicester's Palais De Danse nightclub when Patricia was 17. When Patricia was interviewed by the BBC several years ago about their first meeting, she said: 'The night that I saw Enge, it was just something different.' Pictured: Engelbert with Patricia in 1968 When Patricia was interviewed by the BBC several years ago about their first meeting, she said: 'The night that I saw Enge, it was just something different. 'He stood out because he had got this wonderful white suit on.' In 2017 Engelbert revealed that Patricia had been suffering from Alzheimer's for years. More and more of her slipped away from him, but with prayer, holy water from Lourdes and the help of German doctors, she regained her speech and seemed to be making progress. 'Then along came Covid,' says Engelbert. 'It invaded my home in LA and everybody got it including myself and my wife, her carers, one of my sons and my daughter. But Patricia had no Covid when she passed, it was a cardiac arrest. 'Covid did get hold of her for a while, but she had the antibodies prior to her death and when she died she didn't have the disease. I think it must have stirred up something else that caused her to have a heart condition. In 2017 Engelbert (pictured) revealed that Patricia had been suffering from Alzheimer's for years 'When she was suffering with Alzheimer's I took her to Lourdes and it's quite wonderful there. I'm sure all these little things I tried to do for her were instrumental in keeping her here longer than she should have been. 'I used every kind of treatment for her. I took her to Germany for stem cells, I took her to acupuncture and electroacupuncture for years and that helped keep her going. 'The doctor said it was the only thing that would work so we persevered with that, but then along came Covid and that changed the path. Now I'm left with long Covid, stupid little things like aches and pains, but the good part is my voice is still there. The Covid's hard to get rid of in a hurry, it's leaving me but it's taking its time.' He added: 'The problem is that a spouse cannot heal a spouse, for some reason no healer can do that. The person that told me I had healing powers was a healer himself, but he couldn't heal his wife who had cancer. 'It broke his heart. This is the same with every healer.' Was he able to heal anyone in his family with Covid? 'All I can tell you is that our prayer ritual was constant, every night at 8pm. I told people 8pm was the time of prayer, and prayers came from all over the world. It was a chain of prayer, and I felt those prayers at 8pm. 'I was the reader every night. It was a ritual we kept going, all my friends and some of my fans all prayed at the same time.' A former Columbia University doctor who allegedly preyed on patients for over two decades has requested his federal trial be moved out of Manhattan because he's had too much bad publicity from candidates in the Manhattan District Attorney race. Robert Hadden, 62, faces seven federal charges after being accused of sexually abusing patients between 1993 and 2012. He was charged with six counts of inducing others to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and released on $1million bail with no home confinement last September by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Robert Lehrburger. A seventh count was added on July 19 after child pornography was allegedly found on an Apple iBook laptop seized by the government at Hadden's late father's home, CBS reported. Prosecutors have until September 3 to tell Hadden's defense team whether they plan to use material obtained from electronic devices at trial. In 2016, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance granted a jail-free deal to Hadden, after he pleaded guilty to two state charges of criminal sex acts in the third degree and forcible touching. Former Columbia University doctor, Robert Hadden (pictured after being released on bail last September) wants his trial to be moved out of Manhattan because 'he's had too much bad publicity' from DA candidates The disgraced gynecologist was released on $1million bail last September after he was indicted on sex abuse charges Hadden's lawyer, Deirdre Von Dornum, filed a motion on behalf of his client to have his charges dismissed or moved to a different jurisdiction Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's wife, has come forward as one of Hadden's victims Hadden's lawyer, Deirdre Von Dornum, asked for the charges against Hadden to be either dismissed because some of them are the same he pleaded guilty to in 2016, or moved to a different jurisdiction, the Daily News reported. She pointed to the bad publicity her client received from candidates in the upcoming election for Manhattan DA, who were critical of Vance's handling of the case. 'The candidates linked Mr. Hadden with Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein as prime examples of the outgoing DA's mishandling of sex crimes,' Von Dornum wrote in the motion. She also complained about Alvin Bragg, who is expected to become the next Manhattan DA, who sent flyers to Manhattan voters denouncing the leniency showed to Hadden. Hadden was initially charged with six counts of inducing others to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. A seventh count was added after child pornography was alleged found on his laptop Marissa Hoechstetter (pictured with NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson) called for Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance to resign for 'failing to protect victims of sexual assault' after Hadden reached a plea deal for sexual assault charges in 2016 Hadden allegedly took advantage of his victims 'under the guise of conducting purported gynecological and obstetric examinations' at his medical offices and Manhattan hospitals. Evelyn Yang, the wife of failed presidential and New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, is among those who have come forward as one of Hadden's accusers. Another is a minor the doctor delivered. Last year, Jessica Sell Chambers, an alleged victim, urged Judge Lehrburger to remand Hadden into custody pending his trial, but her requests and those of prosecutors were ignored. 'He has injured many, many, many women and he needs to be held accountable for that,' Chambers said. 'I think the court needs to ensure he has no chance to flee or hurt himself or anything like that.' Marissa Hoechstetter, another accuser, has said Vance's office misled her about the statute of limitations in Hadden's 2016 case and was already negotiating the plea deal when she was still talking to prosecutors about testifying at a potential trial. She called for Vance to resign for 'failing to protect victims of sexual assault.' Hoechstetter said the way Hadden's case has been handled 'only puts into high relief the betrayal I and his other victims experienced by the Manhattan DA.' Hadden allegedly made sexually inappropriate remarks and surreptitiously performed oral sex on patients. The indictment from last year claims that he encouraged his patients to see him often and would try to make them feel at ease by showing them photographs of his family. Federal prosecutors have yet to respond to the motion filed by Hadden's lawyer. Hadden obtained a jail-free deal in 2016 (Pictured appearing in Manhattan Supreme court in 2016) Two special House elections in Ohio being held Tuesday will test both political parties: Donald Trump's sway on the Republican Party and the moderate and liberal divisions among Democrats. The primary contests in a Republican-leaning district near Columbus and a Democratic-leaning one near Cleveland have turned into proxy wars with both drawing big-name politicians and thousands in outside spending. In Ohio's 15th congressional district, Trump is trying to make his weight felt in the crowded field of 11 primary contenders trying to replace Republican Steve Stivers, who resigned in May. Trump is backing coal lobbyist Mike Carey but the other candidates have their own big names supporters. Stivers has endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe to replace him. 'There's only one Trump, just like there's only one Steve Stivers,' LaRe told The Washington Post. 'At the end of the day we're all individuals. An endorsement doesn't make the candidate.' Donald Trump is trying to make his weight felt in Ohio's crowded GOP primary in the 15th Congressional district - he has endorsed coal lobbyist Mike Carey (above) Other Republican candidates have big-name supporters: Former Rep. Steve Stivers, who used to hold the seat, has endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe (above) to replace him In Ohio's 11th Congressional district, Democrats have gone to war in the race to replace Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge, who President Joe Biden named as his housing secretary. The top two contenders have drawn big names from both wings of the Democratic Party: Nina Turner is a progressive favorite endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez while Shontel Brown has the backing of main stream Democrats like Hillary Clinton. Winners of the August primaries will face off in the Nov. 2 general election. Carey was a little known contender until he earned Trump's endorsement. He is a close friend of Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager. The former president has touted his blessing as the political equivalent of a golden ticket. But he's struggling to redeem his record after suffering an embarrassing lose in Texas when his candidate, Susan Wright, the widow of the congressman from the Texas seat who died of COVID in February, lost to another Republican in the runoff. There's an assortment of other candidates running the Republican primary for the 15th district - all with their own big name backers: Bob Peterson, a state senator who has the backing of Ohio's leading anti-abortion group, Ohio Right to Life Ruth Edmonds, who has a strong following among Christian conservatives and the backing of Debbie Meadows, an activist and the wife of Mark Meadows, Trump's last White House chief of staff former state Rep. Ron Hood, who has the backing of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul A pro-Trump super PAC has put $350,000 into ads backing Carey. Trump joined a tele-rally for Carey on July 20 and complained that other candidates were trying to suggest they also had his endorsement. 'He's the only candidate in the race that has my complete and total endorsement,' Trump said of Carey on the call, according to Bloomberg News. 'I know Mike Carey, he's a true outsider, he's a true fighter, he's a warrior, and he's going to win.' But it's unclear what impact the crowded field could have on the former president's pick. Trump is planning to get involved in a series of Republican primaries headed into next year's midterm election, particularly targeting those GOP lawmakers who supported his second impeachment. Democrats are at war in the primary in the 11th Congressional district - Bernie Sanders has endorsed Nina Turner, a progressive favorite Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also endorsed Turner and campaigned for her in Cleveland last month Shontel Brown has been endorsed by main stream Democrats like Hillary Clinton Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Turner and Brown emerged as the leading contenders among 13 Democrats running in the 11th district. Big name Democrats have flooded the district as the primary winner is expected to be the victor in the November general election. Rep. Jim Clyburn was in to campaign for Brown while Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stumped for Turner. Brown, a member Cuyahoga County Council, has touted her support for Biden and his agenda. Turner is a former state senator and a leading Sanders supporter. She already has a national profile among progressives, who see her as a needed force in Washington D.C. to counter Biden's more moderate tendencies. Sanders, campaigning for her on Saturday, said: 'I would have come (to the district) because Nina is a close personal friend of mine and somebody I admire. But the real reason I am here is that we desperately need her in the U.S. Congress.' The Democratic contest has gotten nasty. Turner is running a commercial questions Brown's ethics and ends with the image of a jail door slamming. Brown has touted Turner as too much of an outsider and too critical of Biden to accomplish anything in Congress. Special elections usually see small turnout compared to midterm or presidential years. A candidate's name - or the prominence of their endorsers - can be a heavy factor in determining the outcome. A smiling human trafficker has been caught on camera smuggling illegal immigrants into Europe from Belarus. The woman in Belarus is believed to be carrying out dictator Alexander Lukashenko's threat to flood the continent with migrants. The people-smuggler is seen waving to a dozen or so men without passports or IF documents where to cross into the EU state of Lithuania. A male voice is heard telling them: 'Go left.' They are told 'good luck', and the smiling blonde woman in stripy leggings instructs them to tiptoe and stay quiet. The woman in Belarus is believed to be carrying out dictator Alexander Lukashenko's threat to flood the continent with migrants So far this year some 4,026 migrants - mostly from Iraq - have crossed into Lithuania. Numbers have spiralled since the West imposed sanctions on Lukashenko's regime for forcing a Ryanair passenger plane to land in capital Minsk to enable the arrest of a political foe Roman Protasevich, 26, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, 23. Today Lithuania threatened to use force against migrants, forcing them back to Belarus, if they refused to turn around at the border. But the Baltic state faces a highly organised racket to transport the migrants to the border, as highlighted by the blond trafficker who was accompanied by a driver. Lukashenko has approved daily flights from Iraq to Minsk, and it is clear people smugglers on the ground are organising routes for the migrants. They are told 'good luck', and the smiling blonde woman in stripy leggings instructs them to tiptoe and stay quiet Lithuania's deputy interior minister Arnoldas Abramavicius said: 'First of all, (Lithuanian border) officers tell them (migrants) that they are lost. 'That they have arrived in the beautiful country of Belarus and got the wrong way while enjoying its nature. - but now they must continue the tourist track back into that country.' If this friendly advice fails the army reserves the right to use force to keep migrants away. So far this year some 4,026 migrants - mostly from Iraq - have crossed into Lithuania Lithuania alleges that Belarus border officers are complicit in the smuggling operation and that their vehicles are used to help the migrants. Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said 'these are hundreds of troops who are now involved, helping to protect the border'. Lithuania has complained that Belarus is using migrants in a 'hybrid war' against the West. The video was leaked to opposition Telegram channels in Belarus. Lindsay Boylan, 36 Former aide Lindsay Boylan, 36, was the first woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment in a Medium post on February 24. She claimed that the governor asked her to play strip poker and kissed her on the lips without her permission when she worked for him in 2017. Lindsay Boylan, 36 Charlotte Bennett, 25 Charlotte Bennett, 25, came forward a few days after Boylan and claimed that Cuomo sexually harassed her last June while she was working as a health policy adviser in his administration at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Bennett accused Cuomo of 'grooming' her and asking inappropriate questions about her sex life. She also claimed that he told her he was open to dating women in their 20s. BENNETT said the governor asked her about her love life - including whether she ever had sex with older men - and talked about his own, saying that age differences didn't matter in relationships and he was open to dating women over 22. During a meeting alone in his office, the governor said he was lonely and talked about wanting to hug someone, Bennett said. She said she swiftly complained to Cuomo's chief of staff and was transferred to another job. She said she spoke to a lawyer for the governor, but didnt insist on further action because she liked her new post and wanted to move on. Charlotte Bennett, 25 Anna Ruch, 33 Anna Ruch was the third woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment and the only one thus far who did not work with him in a professional capacity. She claimed that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan. Anna Ruch, 33 Ana Liss, 35 Ana Liss, 35, a former aide, said Cuomo asked her whether she had a boyfriend, once kissed her hand at her desk and called her by patronizing names, including 'blondie,' 'sweetheart' and 'honey.' At a reception, the governor hugged her then put his arm around her lower back and waist as they posed for photo, Liss said. She said she eventually asked for a job transfer. In an interview, Liss said she was 'not claiming sexual harassment per se,' but felt the administration 'wasn't a safe space for young women to work.' Liss, who previously served as Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015, told the Wall Street Journal that during her time in his administration, the governor had subjected her to unsolicited advances, including touching her lower back, kissing her hand and quizzing her about her love life. Ana Liss, 35 Karen Hinton, 62 The oldest allegations against Cuomo came from Karen Hinton, who served as a press aide for him when he led the US Department of Housing and Urban Development two decades ago and she was a consultant for the agency. Hinton told the Washington Post about a 2000 incident when she said Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event. She said she tried to pull away from Cuomo when he pulled her back and held her before she managed to escape the room. Karen Hinton, 62 Unnamed sixth accuser The most damning allegations leveled against Cuomo to date came from a sixth accuser, whose name has not been released. The accuser, who is a member of Cuomo's staff, alleged that he closed a door, reached under her blouse and fondled her after summoning her to the governor's mansion in Albany for help with his cellphone, according to the Times Union of Albany. It first reported on her accusation last month; she then gave more detail in her first interview on the matter, published Wednesday. The woman spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect her privacy, although her identity is known within the governors circle, the Times Union reported. The woman, an executive assistant, told the Times Union the governor gave her kisses on the cheek and inappropriately tight hugs for years and made remarks including, 'If you were single, the things that I would do to you' and 'I'm single and ready to mingle.' Then, one day in November, she was summoned to his Executive Mansion office to help him with a cellphone problem, she said. He got up from his desk, started groping her and told her 'I don't care' after she tried to deflect him by saying he was going to get them into trouble, and then he slammed the door, she said. Then he reached under her blouse and clutched one of her breasts over her bra, she told the newspaper. The woman told a colleague this winter about the alleged encounter, and the co-worker told a supervisor in early March, according to the newspaper. Cuomo called the report 'gut-wrenching' in a March statement and said: 'I have never done anything like this.' Another female aide, who has remained anonymous, claimed he called her to his Executive Mansion last year, reached under her blouse and fondled her Jessica Bakeman Jessica Bakeman claimed in a first-person article for New York Magazine that she was sexually harassed by Cuomo on several occasions since the start of her journalism career in 2012. Bakeman added her voice as the seventh accuser as she detailed inappropriate touching by the governor as he continued to deny all of the claims. 'He took my hand, as if to shake it, then refused to let go,' Bakeman wrote of an interaction with Cuomo as she said goodnight at a holiday party in 2014 when she was only 25 years old. 'He put his other arm around my back, his hand on my waist, and held me firmly in place while indicating to a photographer he wanted us to pose for a picture.' At the time Bakeman had been working for what is now Politico New York and claimed that red flags went up as her 'job was to analyze and scrutinize him'. 'I didn't want a photo of him with his hands on my body and a smile on my face,' she wrote. Jessica Bakeman, a reporter who once covered the Cuomo administration, was the seventh woman to come forward with claims of harassment 'But I made the reflexive assessment that most women and marginalized people know instinctively, the calculation about risk and power and self-preservation. I knew it would be far easier to smile for the brief moment it takes to snap a picture than to challenge one of the most powerful men in the country.' In an earlier 2012 incident while she was working for USA Today, Bakeman also claims that Cuomo kept her pinned to his side as he told a story to her male colleagues. 'He left it there, and kept me pinned next to him, for several minutes as he finished telling his story,' she said. 'I stood there, my cheeks hot, giggling nervously as my male colleagues did the same. We all knew it was wrong, but we did nothing.' The reporter, who now works in Florida, claimed that Cuomo 'never let me forget I was a woman' as she also alleged that he made frequent attempts to humiliate her, including calling out her purple phone instead of answering her question during a press gaggle. Alyssa McGrath, 33 McGrath, a current administrative assistant in Cuomo's office, told The New York Times that he looked down her shirt, quizzed her about her marital status, and told her she was beautiful, using an Italian phrase she had to ask her parents to interpret. McGrath didn't say the governor made sexual contact with her but thought his behavior was sexual harassment. She recalled Cuomo kissing her on the forehead and gripping her firmly around the sides while posing for a photo at a 2019 office Christmas party. Alyssa McGrath (pictured) is one of two aides who have come forward to accuse the governor of harassment Sherry Vill, 55 Sherry Vill, 55, accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct during a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred on Monday. She alleges Cuomo grabbed her face and kissed her 'aggressively and in a sexual manner' on both cheeks in May 2017 while he was touring her home in Greece, near Rochester, as he inspected local flood damage. Vill, who said she felt uncomfortable at the time, shared an image her daughter took on the day that showed Cuomo holding her face as he kissed her cheek and her attorney held up multiple photos showing the Governor inside her home. The same photos appear on Cuomo's Flickr account, as well as multiple others that show him kissing and greeting residents as he toured the town. None of the women in the other photos have accused the governor of inappropriate behavior or wrongdoing. The U.S. Congress on Tuesday agreed to award Congressional Gold Medals to police officers who fought rioters who tried to overrun the Capitol building, seven months after the attack and two days after authorities announced that two more of those officers had taken their own lives. 'Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal is a way to commemorate their sacrifice and make sure that the truth of Jan. 6 is recognized and remembered forever,' Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said on the chamber floor. He said it was the 'highest expression of gratitude' that Congress could bestow. 'I cannot imagine more worthy recipients than the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this temple of democracy,' he added The honor will go to officers with the U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department. The Senate voted unanimously to award Congressional Gold Medals to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol from rioters on Jan. 6 More than 100 police officers were wounded during the violence and one died after confronting rioters as they stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 Tuesday's unanimous Senate vote comes after months of discussion about how best to honor the officers who fought a mob of former President Trump's supporters as they rushed the entrances to the Capitol building. No member of Congress was physically harmed, but a Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, died after confronting the rioters. More than 100 were injured. The horrors they faced were laid bare last week when officers gave evidence to a House select committee which is investigating how the events of Jan. 6 unfolded. During an emotional session, three of the four officers said they believed they were going to die as a violent mob stormed the building. They also discussed the lingering impacts on their mental health. The award comes during a dark week for the capital's police officers. On Monday, it emerged that two more officers who were on duty at the Capitol that day had taken their own lives, bringing the total to four. President Biden paid tribute to two more officers who took their own lives after serving at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. H e called them 'American heroes.' President Joe Biden was among those who paid tribute to the two officers, describing them as, 'American heroes.' The medals would be a reminder of what the officers had done, said Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar. While introducing the legislation, she said children of the future would able to see the medals on display in the Smithsonian, and their parents will tell them: 'This happened, this attack happened.' The legislation passed on Tuesday authorizes the striking of four medals. Two will go to the Capitol Police and the D.C. police department, and the others will go to the Architect of the Capitol and the Smithsonian Institution, who will put them on public display. The legislation names several individual officers for their bravery, including Eugene Goodman, who singlehandedly diverted rioters away from the Senate chamber while it was being evacuated 'Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who sustained injuries, and the courage of Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, exemplify the patriotism and the commitment of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our country,' it says. Liebengood died by suicide in the days after the attack. The bravery of the officers was further laid out last week during testimony to the House select committee investigating the attack. Officer Michael Fanone, who suffered a heart attack from his injuries, described how he believed would die. He was battered with a flagpole and then protesters grabbed for his gun. 'I was aware enough to recognize I was at risk of being stripped of and killed with my own firearm,' he said. 'I was electrocuted, again and again and again with a taser.' Video showed how he pleaded with attackers as they discussed killing him with his own gun. 'I have kids,' he told them, according to the footage. U.S. Capitol Police sergeant Aquilino Gonell; Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone; U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges stand together following the opening hearing of the U.S. House (Select) Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol U.S. Capitol Police officer Sgt. Aquilino Gonell becomes emotional as he testifies before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges said someone had tried to gouge his eyes. 'Terrorists pushed through the line and engaged us in hand-to-hand combat,' he said. Several attempted to knock me over and steal my baton. 'One latched onto my face and got his thumb in my right eye, attempting to gouge it out. 'I cried out in pain and managed to shake him off before any permanent damage was done.' Yet passage of the medals bill became a partisan issue when 21 House Republicans voted against the legislation in June. They objected language referring to a 'mob of insurrectionists.' Trump and his supporters have sought to play down the extent of the violence on display, insisting it was a peaceful protest. YouTube personality and the creator of a popular web comic series Chris Chan has been arrested on an incest charge involving her elderly mother after allegedly admitting to the crime in a leaked phone call. Chan, a 39-year-old transgender vlogger and artist who goes by the name Christine Weston Chandler, was booked into the Henrico County Jail in Virginia on Sunday on a felony count of incest, which is punishable by up to 12 years in prison. She was transferred on Monday to Greene County, where the sheriff's office issued a statement confirming her arrest. YouTuber Christine Chandler, 39, has been arrested in Virginia on an incent charge involving her 79-year-old mother, who allegedly has dementia Video recorded by alt-right podcaster Ethan Ralph purports to show Chandler being arrested at a motel in Richmond, Virginia, on Sunday Chandler (far left) is heard telling Ralph that 'everything is going to work out' According to a press release from county law enforcement, a warrant was issued for Chandler's arrest after investigators 'received information involving sex crimes against a family member, who resides in the Ruckersville area.' Chandler has lived with her 79-year-old mother, Barbara, in Ruckersville, Virginia, for many years. Chandler is currently being held without bond at the Central Virginia Regional Jail. The sheriff's office said additional charges were pending, reported Newsweek. Chandler is best known for creating the comic series characters Sonichu, which is a cross between Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog, and its love interest, Rosechu. Her YouTube channel has more than 50,000 subscribers. Chandler's arrest came just days after a phone call was leaked on an instant messaging platform, on which a person believed to Chandler seemingly admitted to having sex with her elderly mother, who is believed to have dementia. The authenticity of the audio recording hasn't been confirmed. During the eight-minute conversation, Chandler apparently tells a friend that it was her mother, Barbara, who had 'made the first move,' leading to two to share a kiss, according to the audio file, which Newsweek reported. A day before her arrest, Chandler tweeted about 'drama in the air' Chandler allegedly claimed she approached the situation with 'care and caution' after years of harboring sexual feelings toward her mother, and even having dreams of having sex with her. 'She was partially confused at one point, but then she came around, obviously,' Chandler is allegedly heard saying on the call. As they delve further into the mother and daughter's allegedly intimate relationship, the person said to be Chandler says that she and her mother now have a 'routine' where they have sex 'every third night', and that her mother enjoys it. Toward the end of the recording, Chandler apparently tells her friend: 'God... said this was okay.' Chandler has featured her mother on her social media pages several times over the years, most recently on July 11, when she shared photos of Barbara sporting a new haircut. 'Barbie Chan got a styling haircut. I did that; first time cutting anyones hair. It looks really good,' she wrote. Chandler is a transgender YouTube personality and creator of the comic character Sonichu, which is a cross between Pikachu and Sonic In May, Chandler shared a series of photos of her mother as a younger woman, writing in a caption: 'Hi, Mom. Remember, everyone, regardless of situation, your Mom, Mother, or Motherly Figure had a life and past of her own back in the day before you came along. She has gone through a lot for not only you and yours, but herself as well.' Chandler's final public post came on July 30, when she tweeted in part: 'There is drama in the air today. Each and every one of you all are encouraged to withdraw from any and all dramas, gossip, rumors, and whatever else will, and already has, approached your way today.' The following day, the 39-year-old YouTube star was filmed by alt-right podcaster Ethan Ralph getting arrested by police at the Regency Inn in Richmond, Virginia. 'I am compliant, I am good like this,' a handcuffed Chandler is heard saying in the video, before adding that 'everything is going to work out.' This is not Chandlers first run-in with the law. In October 2011, Chandler and her mother were arrested after Barbara hit a manager of a game center with her car, reported Insider. In 2014, Chandler was arrested for pepper-spraying a worker at a GameStop store. A Texas tourist crashed a drone into New York's 7 World Trade Center while filming a video for Instagram, and ended up being quizzed for six hours by NYPD's Counter Terrorism cops before being let off with a summons for a city code violation. Adam Ismail, 22, told followers that it 'didn't cross my mind' that he was near the World Trade Center when he launched his $1,200 gadget, and admitted he was 'blatantly ignorant about what he did' until cops arrived later. Ismail lost control of the his DJA Air 2s drone, and it got wedged between the windows and metal facade right above the front entrance to the 42-story building - which was the first to be rebuilt after the 9/11 terror attacks. Ismail shared the drone's footage of the crash with DailyMail.com, showing a panning shot of the fountain at the Silverstein Family Park, outside the front of 7WTC. Suddenly the camera shakes violently and the streamed feed cuts out as the drone crashes into the building. Posting on Instagram, a grinning Ismail said that his first thought was 'c**p, and I going to be able to get that drone back?' But he later posted pictures online of NYPD counterterrorism cops at the scene, with the caption 'This is not a joke'. A laughing Adam Ismail, 22, told followers that it 'didn't cross my mind' that he was near the World Trade Center before he crashed his $1,200 drone The Instagrammer posted pictures of NYPD counterterrorism officers at the scene Ismail shared the drone's footage of the crash with DailyMail.com, showing a panning shot of the fountain at the Silverstein Family Park, outside the front of 7WTC After crashing the drone into 7 World Trade Center at around 3pm, Ismail went into the building to speak with front desk staff. He explained: 'I'm like 'hey man, I just crashed a drone into y'alls building, this is a little embarrassing to tell somebody right now but it kind of is what it is.' 'Is there any way that you, me or somebody can maneuver around the building and get that for me to file a claim for my drones warranty?' The building's manager and chief engineer were summoned, and the three gazed up at the stuck drone before telling Ismail, he said, they 'didn't think [he would be] getting [his] drone back.' The Texan said the September 11th attacks only crossed his mind once he saw a group of three or four members of the NYPD waiting for him outside the building. 'They interview me, ask me a few questions: where am I from, what am I doing, why am I in New York and the just the series of events that took place and everything,' he recalled. 'I've been asked the same questions more than I can count on two hands so they can confirm I'm not BSing my story and I'm here to do what I said I was doing.' Adam Ismail, 22, said via Instagram that he was 'blatantly ignorant about what he did' until a cadre of police reported to the scene The 42-story 7 world Trade Center was the first to be rebuilt after the 9/11 terror attacks The DJA Air 2s drone is similar to this and is worth around $1,200 How violating New York City drone restrictions could result in a criminal record It is illegal for any hobbyist to fly a drone (or any aircraft) anywhere within New York City limits, per Administrative Code Section 10-126(c) Violations of this code can carry misdemeanor charges and a criminal record Additionally, New York City Park Rule 1-05(r)(2) outlaws any drone flight over parks within the city - violators can face fines of up to $1,000 or up to 90 days in prison Flying a drone in an area where people are or could gather can result in charges for reckless endangerment, as some drones are heavy enough to cause injury should it fly off course In 2014, two men were charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, for flying drones too close to an NYPD helicopter Source: The Law Firm of Andrew M. Stengel, New York Penal Law Advertisement Ismail said: 'Everybody was a good sport. I didn't give the cops a hard time, and they didn't give me a hard time. They just had to check that I was doing what I said I was doing.' When he began filming after a day of photography throughout the city, Ismail said he was inspired to capture aerial footage for a personal travel video by a fountain near the Oculus and World Trade Center. After the crash, he sat through police questioning on that fountain for six hours. 'I realized a little too late that drone was a little bit too far back in its circle - the circle was just a little bit too big to clear all the buildings,' he said to over 3,000 followers on his Instagram. 'I realized that a second before it crashed sideways into that building, which so happened to be 7 world trade center building.' He bragged that the incident was a 'great New York story' - but said a fine and the loss of the $1,200 drone meant that it came with a high price tag. He also said that the operating system of the DJA drone, which typically disallows pilots from flying their drones in restricted areas, did not notify him that the area was off-limits. The majority of New York City is restricted for drone flight, according to the NYPD, due to the city's congestion of high rise structures. But Port Authority police only issued Ismail with a summons for violating the city code preventing personal drone use, an agency spokesman told the New York Daily News. President Donald Trump will not use the courts to try to prevent former Justice Officials from testifying about their conversations with him in his election overturn efforts before he left office even as his lawyer called a Biden Administration waiver for testimony 'unlawful.' Trump's posture, which his new lawyer former Rep. Doug Collins cast as a limited waiver of authority, comes as House investigators probe the days leading up to the January 6th Capitol riot. Collins who months ago Trump was touting as a possible candidate for Georgia governor over Brian Kemp who clashed with Trump over his claims of election fraud spelled out the position in a new letter. Donald Trump lawyer former Rep. Doug Collins said in a letter congressional requests for former DOJ officials to testify were 'unlawful,' but said Trump would not exercise legal options for now That letter was in response to the Biden Justice Department allowing officials to testify, citing the extraordinary circumstances of the riot on the day Congress met to count the electoral votes. 'Please be advised that the Department's purported waiver and authorization are unlawful, and that President Trump continues to assert that the non-public information the Committees seek is and should be protected from disclosure by executive privilege,' wrote Collins on his Georgia law firm stationary. But he indicated Trump would avoid outright opposition. The letter references a House committee's request for former Trump administration officials to testify The officials took part in conversations with Trump as he sought to overturn the election House committees are probing Trump's election overturn efforts 'Just say that the election was corrupt,' former President Donald Trump told top Justice Department officials, according to notes of a Dec. 27, 2020 conversation 'Nonetheless, to avoid further distraction and without in any way otherwise waiving the executive privilege associated with the matters the Committees are purporting to investigate, President Trump will agree not to seek judicial intervention to prevent your testimony or the testimony of the five other former department officials so long as the Committees do not seek privileged information from any other Trump administration officials or advisors,' he wrote. It was not known whether he was seeking such an agreement in advance, or whether the House Oversight Committee would consider providing it. Collins didn't identify what other former officials would provoke a different response. Trump's lawyer raising judicial intervention is no idle threat: when he was president, Trump fought to prevent key aides from participating in congressional probes he branded part of a 'witch hunt' against him. Former White House counsel Don McGahn did not appear to take questions on the Russia probe until after Trump left office. Collins' letter, dated August 2, comes days after the House Oversight Committee released internal documents that appear to show Trump pressuring top officials to parrot his claims of election fraud amid his effort to overturn the results. 'Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen,' Trump told then-Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue of a December 27, 2020 phone call that also included Acting AG Jeffrey Rosen. The notes memorialize a phone call between Trump, identified as 'P,' and Rosen, identified as 'DAG.' Rosen had assumed authority in the last weeks of Trump's term after Attorney General Bill Barr departed days earlier after himself saying there was not evidence of widespread election fraud. Rosen tried to tell the president there were limitations preventing him from giving the president what he wanted. The notes say: 'understand that the DOJ can't + won't snap its fingers + change the outcome of the election, doesn't work that way.' 'These people who [are] saying that the election isn't corrupt are corrupt,' according to notes of the president's conversation with top DOJ officials 'We have an obligation to tell people that this was an illegal, corrupt election,' according to notes on Trump call with DOJ officials Collins previously served on the House Judiciary Committee, where he was a Trump defender. His bio on his law firm web site notes that he 'led the defense' of Trump during House impeachment proceedings, and served on Trump's defense team for the second impeachment as well. It also notes that 'Trump has said in the past he would like Collins to challenge Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the primary election next year.' Governor Andrew Cuomo has formally been accused of sexually harassing eleven women by New York's Attorney General, in a stunning string of allegations. AG Letitia James claimed the embattled governor was behind a concerted campaign of unwanted comments and touching spanning from 2013 to 2020. Cuomo was first accused of sexual misconduct last year, but Tuesday's press conference named several new victims, and also detailed Cuomo's nine previous accusers - whose testimony investigators said they found compelling. The governor has furiously denied impropriety and refused to resign, despite President Biden adding his voice to calls for Cuomo to go on Tuesday afternoon. Here we take a detailed look at the women whose claims have triggered the biggest crisis of Cuomo's three-term career. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has formally been accused of sexually harassing 11 women by New York's Attorney General State Trooper #1 Cuomo is accused of sexually harassed a state trooper, referred to in the report as Trooper #1, who he hired onto his protective detail in 2017 - bending the three-year experience requirement. Although she had only completed two years on the force, the governor reportedly wanted the unnamed trooper in his inner circle. He is said to have asked a senior member of his security detail to add her to the team even though she did not meet the standard requirement. 'Ha ha, they changed the minimum from 3 years to 2 just for you,' the senior security member told the trooper in an email, which was included in the AG's report. Once she was on his team, he allegedly harassed her on a number of occasions, including one where he ran his hand across her stomach from her belly button to her right hip while she was holding the door open for him at an event. 'I felt...completely violated because to me...that's between my chest and my privates,' the trooper said, according to Business Insider. 'But, you know, I'm here to do a job.' He also ran is accused 'running his finger down her back' while they were in an elevator together and saying 'hey you', and kissing her on the cheek in front of another trooper. 'I remember just freezing, being - in the back of my head, I'm like, oh, how do I say no politely because in my head if I said no, he's going to take it out on the detail. And now I'm on the bad list,' the trooper said. Cuomo also allegedly asked her to help him find a girlfriend and said he wanted someone who 'liked pain', and asked her why she wanted to get married, saying 'your sex drive goes down'. 'Trooper #1 found these interactions with the Governor not only offensive and uncomfortable, but markedly different from the way the Governor interacted with members of the PSU who were men, and she conveyed these incidents contemporaneously to colleagues,' the report reads. The trooper said she was afraid of being retaliated against if she were to speak out against the behavior. The State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it was 'dismayed and disturbed' by the findings. Tom Mungeer, president of the association, said: 'I'm outraged and disgusted that one of my members, who was tasked with guarding the governor and ensuring his safety, could not enjoy the same sense of security in her work environment that he was provided.' State Entity Employee #2 A doctor says she was sexually harassed while administering a televised COVID-19 test to Cuomo. The doctor who administered a COVID-19 test to Cuomo she was sexually harassed during the incident. On May 17, 2020 Cuomo told the medic, in front of cameras 'nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good'. The doctor, who appeared in full PPE gear, did not respond to his comment. Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing the medic while she administered him a COVID-19 test in front of cameras Cuomo allegedly made comments towards the medic that were sexual in nature. He said: 'Nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good' The report also claims that before the test, Cuomo asked her not to swab him so hard that it 'hit his brain'. She replied that she'd be 'gentle but accurate' and he said 'I've heard that before,' which the doctor said was 'implied in a sexual nature'. The medic considered the interaction to be sexual harassment and investigators agreed. Another unnamed 'state entity employee' The unidentified employee, identified in the report as 'State Entity Employee #1,' said she attended an event with Cuomo in September 2019. After giving a speech, Cuomo is said to have posed for pictures with her. While the picture was being taken, he 'grabbed her butt'. 'The employee was shocked and discussed it with a number of friends, family and co-workers,' the report says. She also 'memorialized the Governor's inappropriate touching' contemporaneously, but the report doesn't say how. 'Executive Assistant One' Cuomo is accused of groping an executive assistant, whose identity remains anonymous, at an event last November after routinely engaging in a pattern of impropriate conduct that began in late 2019. The report includes photos of Cuomo with a woman described as 'executive assistant one' The report says Cuomo repeatedly sexually harassed 'Executive Assistant One' when she worked for him by subjecting her to 'close and intimate hugs', 'kisses on the cheeks and forehead', 'at least one kiss on the lips' and 'touching her butt'. He allegedly referred to her and one other assistant as 'mingle mamas' and asked her repeatedly if she would ever cheat on her husband. On December 31, 2019, Cuomo asked her to take a selfies of them as they worked together inside his office at the Executive Mansion. As she held up the camera, Cuomo 'moved his hand to grab her butt cheek and began to rub it' for at least five seconds, the report alleges. The assistant 'was shaking so much during this interaction' that the photos came out blurry and Cuomo suggested the two sit down to take one more, the document says. That photo, showing Cuomo smirking while he sits back on a couch with the aide, is included in the report. The governor then allegedly told her to send the snap to another aide, Alyssa McGrath - who has also accused Cuomo of sexual harassment - and said 'not to share the photograph with anyone else.' The woman said she didn't report what happened because she was terrified. '[T]he way he was so firm with [me] that I couldn't show anyone else that photo, I was just terrified that if I shared what was going on that it would somehow get around,' she told investigators. Cuomo admitted that he and the staffer took a photo together, but said it was her idea, because 'he does not like to take selfies.' In November 2020, he allegedly groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in Albany. 'For over three months, Executive Assistant #1 kept this groping incident to herself and planned to take it 'to the grave,' but found herself becoming emotional (in a way that was visible to her colleagues in the Executive Chamber) while watching the Governor state, at a press conference on March 3, 2021, that he had never 'touched anyone inappropriately.' She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the Executive Chamber, the report says. Cuomo, in a defiant address after the report was published, presented a montage of photos of him being tactile with people such as Bill Clinton, his mother and Robert De Niro. He used the photo show to claim he was never abusive, but merely someone who frequently hugged and touched people Cuomo, who served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, is seen above planting a kiss on the cheek of former Vice President Al Gore Cuomo's montage included another image of him planting a kiss on his mother's forehead Cuomo included a photo above showing the governor grabbing a young boy's face The assistant was summoned to the mansion under the pretext of having to assist Cuomo with a technical issue involving his phone, the Times Union reported in March. The two were alone together on the second floor of the residence when Cuomo allegedly closed the door, reached under the woman's blouse and began to fondle her. 'You're going to get us in trouble,' the woman said she told Cuomo, who replied, 'I don't care,' according to the report. His demeanor 'wasn't like 'ha ha,' it was like, 'I don't care.' . . . It was like in this - at that moment he was sexually driven. I could tell and the way he said it, I could tell,' the woman testified. The governor then 'slid his hand up her blouse, and grabbed her breast, cupping her breast over her bra,' the report alleges. A source familiar with the incident told the newspaper that the victim had asked Cuomo to stop. This was allegedly the only time he touched her; all other instances involved flirtatious behavior. Lindsey Boylan Boylan, who was the first accuser to speak out publicly, said that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks to her when she worked as chief of staff to the CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation. Boylan is seen in Washington Square Park in Manhattan on March 20 at a rally demanding Cuomo resign Cuomo said that he found her attractive and that he wanted to play strip poker. She also said that he physically touched her on various parts of her body, including her waist, legs, and back. She claimed that once she reported her allegations, she was victimized by his team who ran a smear campaign against her while she ran for office. The alleged harassment took place between 2015 and 2018. Reports released earlier this year revealed that Cuomo's top aide tried to discredit Boylan and allegedly called at least six former employees looking for dirt on her. Lindsey Boylan was the first accuser to speak out publicly against Cuomo. She says he made inappropriate comments towards her and physically touched her on various parts of her body Charlotte Bennett Bennett worked briefly for Cuomo as an aide. She was a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later. AG Letitia James says her allegations that Cuomo harassed her with a series of comments are corroborated. Among his alleged remarks are questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured. Charlotte Bennett, who worked for Cuomo last year, told CBS News she felt 'vindicated' by the report EXCLUSIVE: I feel vindicated, former Gov. Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett tells @NorahODonnell after New Yorks attorney general said she believed the women who came forward saying they had been sexually harassed by the governor. pic.twitter.com/O6Iwjndwo8 CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 3, 2021 Charlotte Bennett worked briefly as a an aide for Cuomo. He allegedly asked her questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured One of the other comments that he made was that he wanted to ride into the mountains with women. Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor. Charlotte Bennett made notes about her experience working with Cuomo which she gave to investigators In an interview earlier this year, Bennett said her first awkward conversation with Cuomo occurred on May 15, 2020. The report included text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. 'The governor invited me to lift weights with him,' she wrote in one message. 'He challenged me to a push-up competition'. She had told her parents how he was surprised to learn that she lifted weights and boxed, and that he had asked her to do push-ups in the office. In another text chain she said Cuomo 'talked about age difference in relationships,' calling his comments 'explicit'. Charlotte Bennett saw Cuomo as a mentor, but she says he was clear he wanted more The report also included messages in which Bennett tells a confidant that she was incredibly uncomfortable following an interaction in the office. Bennett said she was 'shaking' and 'so upset and so confused'. In texts to another aide, Bennett said Cuomo repeated to her 'over and over' that she had been 'raped'. Cuomo was also recorded singing the popular 1960s love song Do You Love Me?, by the Contours, to Bennett during a phone call in 2019. According to the New York Post, Bennett initiated the phone call saying, 'Hi, governor. This is Charlotte'. Cuomo allegedly answered the call with 'Are you ready? Doo, doo, doo,' and proceeded to ask her if she was familiar with the song. Bennett told him the song was 'before her time'. Cuomo allegedly continued singing, 'Do you love me? Do you really love me? Do you love me? Do you care?' Virginia Limmiatis Virginia Limmiatis worked for National Grid and was wearing a t-shirt with the company's name written across her chest when she says she met Cuomo. Virginia Limmiatis worked for the National Grid when Cuomo allegedly groped her He ran his 'two fingers across her chest, pressing down on each of the letters as he did so and reading out the name of the company as he went'. The report says he then 'leaned in, with his face close to her cheek, and said 'I'm going to say I see a spider on your shoulder' before brushing the area between her shoulder and her breasts'. 'Ms. Limmiatis came forward in this investigation after she heard the governor state, during the March 3, 2021 press conference, that he had never touched anyone inappropriately. 'As Ms. Limmiatis testified to us, 'He is lying again. He touched me inappropriately. I am compelled to come forward to tell the truth... I didn't know how to report what he did to me at the time and was burdened by shame, but not coming forward now would make me complicit in his lie, and I won't do it.'' Alyssa McGrath McGrath, 35, was the first current employee to accuse Cuomo, and works as an executive assistant. 'In his interactions with another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, the Governor made inappropriate comments and engaged in harassing conduct, including: regularly asking about her personal life, including her marital status and divorce; asking whether Ms. McGrath would tell on Executive Assistant #1 if she were to cheat on her husband - and whether Ms. McGrath herself planned to 'mingle' with men'. She also claimed he looked down her shirt to compliment her on her necklace, told her that she's beautiful in Italian and kissed her on the forehead during an office Christmas party in 2019. Alyssa McGrath was quizzed by Cuomo about her marital status and divorce and kissed on the forehead by Cuomo at an office Christmas party Her attorney, Mariann Wang, said on Tuesday that McGrath and another accuser she represents, Virginia Limmiatis, were relieved. The two women 'feel profoundly grateful to the AG's team for taking this seriously and examining their reports thoroughly and carefully.' Wang continued: 'Cuomo's misogyny and abuse cannot be denied. He has been doing this for years, without any repercussions. 'He should not be in charge of our government and should not be in any position of power over anyone else.' 'Kaitlin' Kaitlin - whose second name is not public - met the governor in 2016 at a fundraising event where they were photographed together in a dance pose. Afterwards, she was hired by him in a junior position but given a salary of $120,000 - a figure so high she says it was laughed at in her interview. Ana Liss Liss, 35, worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist. Ana Liss (pictured) worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist He also kissed her hands and cheek, she said. Despite feeling uncomfortable, she says she did not report them because 'for whatever reason, in his office the rules were different.' She added: 'It was just, you should view it as a compliment if the Governor finds you aesthetically pleasing enough, if he finds you interesting enough to ask questions like that. 'And so even though it was strange and uncomfortable and technically not permissible in a typical workplace environment, I was in this mindset that it was the twilight zone and...the typical rules did not apply.' Anna Ruch Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress. She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report. Cuomo then grabbed her face with both of his hands and said 'can I kiss you?' He was pictured kissing her cheek. Anna Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was Cuomo, in 2019. She says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress Karen Hinton Karen Hinton, 62, spoke to the Washington Post about an incident in which Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000. She was not among the 11 women on who the attorney general based her report. Hinton said that she tried to pull away from Cuomo, but that he pulled her back and held her before she backed away and escaped the room. Peter Ajemian, Cuomo's director of communications, told the Post that Hinton is a 'known antagonist of the Governor's who is attempting to take advantage of this moment to score cheap points with made up allegations from 21 years ago'. 'All women have the right to come forward and tell their story however, it's also the responsibility of the press to consider self-motivation. This is reckless,' he added. Karen Hinton, 62, (pictured above) claims the governor summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000 before she managed to escape In response, Hinton told the Post that 'attacking the accuser is the classic playbook of powerful men trying to protect themselves' as she said that watching Cuomo's apologetic press conference 'drove me crazy'. 'I really thought the flirt wasn't about having sex,' Hinton said. 'It was about controlling the relationship.' At the time of the alleged encounter in the hotel room, Cuomo would have been leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Hinton was a consultant after moving to California. The Post reports that Hinton and Cuomo have a contentious past and that they had a major blow up before she left the agency in 1999, remaining on as a consultant. She had joined Cuomo in Los Angeles to promote a HUD program and later had dinner in his hotel before allegedly receiving a phone call from him stating: 'Why don't you come to my room and let's catch up?' Hinton said that she began to think it was unusual when Cuomo asked her to avoid being seen by Clarence Day, his longtime head of security, but that she continued to his room anyway. 'I paused for a second,' she told the Post about noticing the low lights in the room. 'Why are the lights so low? He never keeps the lights this low.' Hinton said they sat on opposite couches and talked about their work at HUD and that Cuomo asked her personal questions about her life and marriage - including if she would leave her husband. She claims that she grew self-conscious after speaking so much about herself and went to leave. 'I stand up and say, "It's getting late, I need to go," ' she said, describing the embrace Cuomo gave her as 'very long, too long, too tight, too intimate'. 'He pulls me back for another intimate embrace,' she said. 'I thought at that moment it could lead to a kiss, it could lead to other things, so I just pull away again, and I leave.' Hinton told the Post that she viewed the move as a 'power play' for 'manipulation and control' and that the pair never discussed the incident again, although they have remained in touch. She has both publicly praised Cuomo and been critical of him, especially when working as press secretary in 2015 and 2016 for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, with whom the governor has an intense rivalry. The Post spoke to two people who confirmed that Hinton had told them about the hotel incident after it happened. Advertisement Some 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds are expected to be told tomorrow they can receive vaccinations within weeks, as Boris Johnson performs another U-turn in a bid to head off an autumn surge of cases in schools. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation had previously ruled that only children with serious underlying health conditions should receive the vaccine. But health chiefs are expected to announce on Wednesday that new evidence makes the case for jabbing all aged 16 and over. For now, the JCVI will stop short of recommending jabs for all secondary age children, despite concerns that the virus could take off again in schools this autumn. Instead it is likely to continue to study the case for extending vaccination to younger age groups. Under-18s wanting the jab will have to provide proof of parental consent. Whitehall sources pointed to polling suggesting a large majority of parents support the vaccination of children. Jabs could be administered in schools but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to push for GP surgeries and NHS hubs to be used. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs yesterday: 'I am hoping, possibly veering towards expecting, updated advice from the JCVI literally in the next day or so.' It comes as: Boris Johnson 'is poised to DITCH the 'amber plus' rule for the country which forces even double-jabbed Brits into quarantine'; Scottish government offers to PAY people 50,000 to set up homes, families and businesses on its most remote and beautiful islands; UK's daily Covid cases fall to another five-week low of 21,691 in just a 7% drop on last week - as hospital admissions dip by 15%; Study finds Covid survivors who were hooked up to a ventilator in hospital lost up to seven IQ points; Nicola Sturgeon is accused of 'clinging on to large parts of people's lives' by KEEPING lockdown laws on masks and mass events 'indefinitely'; British tourists queue for two hours to get through passport control after three hours of Covid admin to board flight at Malaga Boris Johnson, pictured right with Grant Shapps, is expected to give the green light to jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds Maisie Ayres, aged 18, receives a Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at an NHS Vaccination Clinic at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium in north London last month Vaccine regulators are set to give the green light to jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds in the coming days, Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday PM snubs Sturgeon invite to discuss Covid recovery in Edinburgh Boris Johnson has snubbed an invitation from Nicola Sturgeon to meet during his visit to Scotland this week. The Scottish First Minister had invited Mr Johnson to meet at her official Edinburgh residence, Bute House, to discuss the UK's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Prime Minister has replied to Ms Sturgeon in a letter - posted on Twitter by a Sky News journalist - instead aiming to focus on wider discussions at a later point. In his letter, the Prime Minister said: 'As I noted when we last met, I am keen to arrange an in-person meeting with you and the other first ministers and deputy first minister to build on the constructive discussions we had earlier this summer. 'We agreed then that we should establish a structured forum for ongoing engagement between the Government and the devolved administrations to deliver tangible outcomes in the interest of people throughout the UK. 'There is much for us to discuss as all parts of the UK work together on our shared priority of recovering from the pandemic. 'I understand our officials have made good progress on the details of this since we last spoke.' Mr Johnson added: 'I am particularly keen that we work closely together on the vaccination booster campaign this autumn which will be crucial as we continue to tackle the pandemic. 'The UK Government has procured millions of vaccines for the entire United Kingdom and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government as we roll out booster jabs in line with JCVI's advice. 'The UK Government is working closely with the devolved Scottish Government on a variety of different issues. 'I know that you have been meeting regularly with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, but I look forward to meeting with you soon and working together in the interests of people in all parts of our country.' Ms Sturgeon acknowledged in her own letter on Monday she and Mr Johnson 'differ politically', but stressed the Scottish and UK governments must 'work together where we can'. It comes after she confirmed most of Scotland's remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be scrapped from Monday - which she hailed as 'perhaps the most significant date so far' in the pandemic. From August 9, Scotland will move 'beyond Level 0' with the removal of most restrictions such as physical distancing and the size of social gatherings. Advertisement A major government-funded study found that vaccinating all over-12s could 'substantially reduce transmission potential in the autumn when levels of social mixing increase.' Run by Imperial College London, the React Study found the summer wave had been driven by infections among youngsters aged 12 to 24. It said vaccinating children could have 'knock on benefits across the whole population'. Because Covid poses little direct risk to children, scientists have been nervous about recommending vaccination if there is even the tiniest risk of negative side effects. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said in June that safety would always be the paramount factor. But he said policy makers also had to consider the 'wider question around the effects on children's education'. More than 1.1million children were forced to stay at home in the last week of the summer term because of outbreaks in schools. Ministers are also concerned that, with some countries demanding proof of vaccination for all over-12s, families could find their travel options limited. The offer of a Covid jab was extended to all over-18s in mid-June. But, to the frustration of ministers, three million under-30s have yet to take it up. The React study, which is based on random testing of nearly 100,000 people, found that half of all infections are in those aged five to 24 despite them only making up one in four of the population. It warned that the rampant spread of the virus in the young means the recent decline in cases could reverse when schools reopen in September. The study concluded that vaccinating more children could 'substantially reduce transmission' and have 'knock on bene - fits across the whole population'. Ms Sturgeon added: 'I very much hope that that expectation will prove to be the case. I am hoping, but this is the JCVI's advice, that they will recommend further vaccination of people in the 12 to 18-year-old age group. 'But I'm particularly hopeful that we will see some updated recommendations in relation, as a priority as the first part of this, for 16 and 17-year-olds.' Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'With the JCVI apparently about to give the green light to vaccinating 16 year olds, ministers need to ensure plans are in place to roll out this vital next stage of vaccination while ensuring parents have all the facts and information they need.' A spokesperson for the department of health and social care (DHSC) said it continues to keep jabs for children under review and will be guided by the JCVI's advice. It comes after Ms Sturgeon was yesterday accused of 'clinging on to large parts of people's lives' as she revealed lockdown will officially end next week - but some laws will remain in place indefinitely. The First Minister confirmed Scotland would exit Level 0, ending social distancing and limits in the size of social gatherings, on August 9. But she said it was too early to declare freedom from Covid as she confirmed face coverings will still be required by law indoors and large events with capacities of more than 2,000 inside and 5,000 outside will have to gain special permission to take place. Schoolchildren will also have to wear mask in lessons and socially distance in schools for six weeks from September. Data from the study also revealed that two doses of a vaccine are 49 per cent effective at preventing asymptomatic infection, a marked decline compared to other estimates. But the protection offered by the vaccines rises to 59 per cent against symptomatic cases, researchers said Top graph: Data from June 24 to July 12 (orange bars), gathered by Imperial researchers as part of the REACT study, shows that infection rates were highest in five to 24-year-olds. Half of all Covid infections were in this group, despite them making up just 25 per cent of the population. Nine times more children aged 13 to 17 tested positive in the most recent testing window compared to rates from May 20 to June 7 (grey bars). Bottom graph: Figures also show that infection rates were highest in London, where 0.94 per cent tested positive by July 12, up from just 0.13 per cent in the previous study period Positive PCR test samples taken as part of the REACT study closely follow the waves of the pandemic The graph shows the proportion of positive Covid swabs taken as part of the REACT trial that sequencing identified as the Delta variant The graph shows the proportion of people in each age group who had received one Covid jab (light blue) and who were fully immunised (dark blue) The graph shows the Ct value in infected people aged 18 to 64 who had not been vaccinated (red line) compared to double jabbed Brits (blue line). Each graph shows that those not protected against Covid had lower Ct levels, which are associated with higher amounts of the virus in their test sample and is usually linked with a more severe infection But in a move that will heap pressure on Boris Johnson amid the English 'pingdemic', self-isolation requirements will be dropped if someone passes a PCR test from Monday, a week before the quarantine requirement ends in England. Announcing that face coverings would remain mandatory the First Minister said it was 'premature' to suggest the pandemic had been beaten. She also raised the spectre of some restrictions returning in winter, saying she could not rule it out. But Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross accused her of 'moving the goalposts' by keeping masks and other measures in place. 'There are some welcome steps in the right direction but these ongoing restrictions will hold Scotland back,' he said. 'We are beyond Level 0, at Level -1 or -2 and still the Government is clinging on to large parts of people's lives.' Vaccinator Suzanne Pozzo gives a vaccine to Omar Khalifa in a pop up tent at a drop in clinic outside Stenhousemuir Football Ground after Scotland moved to Level 0 of the country's five-tier coronavirus restrictions system The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said some children with underlying health conditions should get jabs, but so far has not recommended a broader rollout of shots to under-18s The devolved Scottish government has control over its health policy, but the JCVI gives advice for the United Kingdom's four nations on the rollout of vaccines Festival goers at Feile an Phobail queuing to receive their first vaccination. The west Belfast festival launched an initiative with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust that will see free tickets given to the Feile's dance night to the first 500 people who turn up to the pop-up vaccine clinic at the Falls Park Bowling Pavilion Britain's daily Covid cases fall to a five-week low: UK records 21,952 positive tests in 12% weekly drop - as deaths jump to 24 Britain's daily Covid cases today fell to a five-week low, with just 21,952 positive tests recorded across the nation. Department of Health figures show the number of infections is 12 per cent down on last week, as the third wave continues to slow. Meanwhile, deaths which lag several weeks behind cases continued to rise. Another 24 victims were posted today, compared to 14 last Monday. The most recent data on hospital admissions shows 911 people were admitted last Tuesday, down from 926 seven days earlier. Covid cases are lower today than they have been since June 29, according to the official figures released today. But the number of virus tests conducted also fell to their lowest levels since June 26, suggesting there are cases that have not been picked up. The new figures follow data published on Friday, which suggested cases are still on the rise and as many as one in 65 people in England are currently infected. Some experts think fewer people are coming forward for Covid tests to avoid isolation. The figures also signal a slow in the week-on-week drop in infections, with cases dropping by 12 per cent on seven days earlier. Last Monday, cases had dropped by 37.5 per cent compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, there were just 24 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid tests were recorded, down from 65 yesterday, but an increase of 71.4 per cent compared to last Monday. Covid death figures released on Monday often lag, due to a delay in recording deaths over the weekend. Advertisement Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has snubbed an invitation from Ms Sturgeon to meet during his visit to Scotland this week. The First Minister had invited Mr Johnson to meet at her official Edinburgh residence, Bute House, to discuss the UK's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Prime Minister has replied to Ms Sturgeon in a letter - posted on Twitter by a Sky News journalist - instead aiming to focus on wider discussions at a later point. In his letter, the Prime Minister said: 'As I noted when we last met, I am keen to arrange an in-person meeting with you and the other first ministers and deputy first minister to build on the constructive discussions we had earlier this summer. 'We agreed then that we should establish a structured forum for ongoing engagement between the Government and the devolved administrations to deliver tangible outcomes in the interest of people throughout the UK. 'There is much for us to discuss as all parts of the UK work together on our shared priority of recovering from the pandemic. 'I understand our officials have made good progress on the details of this since we last spoke.' Mr Johnson added: 'I am particularly keen that we work closely together on the vaccination booster campaign this autumn which will be crucial as we continue to tackle the pandemic. 'The UK Government has procured millions of vaccines for the entire United Kingdom and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government as we roll out booster jabs in line with JCVI's advice. 'The UK Government is working closely with the devolved Scottish Government on a variety of different issues. 'I know that you have been meeting regularly with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, but I look forward to meeting with you soon and working together in the interests of people in all parts of our country.' Ms Sturgeon acknowledged in her own letter on Monday she and Mr Johnson 'differ politically', but stressed the Scottish and UK governments must 'work together where we can'. It comes after she confirmed most of Scotland's remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be scrapped from Monday - which she hailed as 'perhaps the most significant date so far' in the pandemic. From August 9, Scotland will move 'beyond Level 0' with the removal of most restrictions such as physical distancing and the size of social gatherings. The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment. Elsewhere on Tuesday, it emerged that ministers are preparing to streamline the travel traffic light rules in a move which would pave the way for summer holidays to France to resume following a ferocious backlash from Tory MPs and aviation bosses. Travel chiefs believe the current system is far too complex and confusing and some experts have claimed the Government is now poised to axe some of the more complicated categories to get back to the original red, amber and green approach. Experts have claimed the existing 'green watchlist' - a category which refers to countries rated as green but in danger of being moved to amber - will be scrapped. But crucially they have also predicted the 'amber plus' list - a category which currently only includes France and requires all travellers, including the fully-vaccinated, to quarantine on their return to England - will be dropped. Moving France back to the normal amber list would provide a massive boost to the travel industry because double-jabbed Brits could return from there without having to spend 10 days in isolation. Travel expert Paul Charles, director of The PC Agency travel consultancy, said he had been told by 'high level sources' that 'amber plus' and the 'green watchlist' will be ditched and that 'simplicity is to return'. Education Minister Gillian Keegan had earlier appeared to hint that changes will be made as she said the Government wants the rules to be 'simple enough for people to really understand' and to take decisions 'based on the system so we have the red list countries, the amber list countries and the green list countries'. Boris Johnson yesterday abandoned controversial Government plans to introduce a new category to the system: the 'amber watchlist'. It would have been used to identify countries which are amber but at imminent risk of turning red. The Prime Minister intervened to torpedo the proposals after they provoked a wave of fury from Cabinet ministers, Tory MPs and the travel industry, with critics blasting the idea of adding a further level of complexity to the already chaotic system amid warnings it would prompt a collapse in bookings. Travel firms welcomed the U-turn but immediately pressed the PM to go further as they called for the current system to be scrapped completely and replaced with a single 'red list' of banned countries. The problems caused by the traffic light rules were illustrated today by warnings that European hotels are rejecting holiday bookings from UK travellers for August because they fear they will just cancel. Noel Josephides, director of Aito, the Specialist Travel Association, and chairman of tour operator Sunvil, told The Guardian: 'Hoteliers are turning away bookings from the UK in August because they don't trust us and European travellers are taking our beds and availability.' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to update the travel rules on Thursday and it is thought he could add 10 countries to the green list, including Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. Mr Shapps is being blamed by some of his Cabinet colleagues for the latest travel rules debacle. Five Cabinet sources told Politico that they believed Mr Shapps and the Department for Transport were responsible for the chaos. The Government is also under fire after it emerged the boss of the Joint Biosecurity Centre, which advises ministers on the travel rules has quit, with no successor in place. The Guardian reported last night that Clare Gardiner had left her role as director general and it is currently unclear who is actually in charge of the body, with critics claiming it is 'rudderless' at a crucial time. The Department of Health and Social Care said Ms Gardiner had 'returned as planned to a role in national security' and the JBC 'continues to operate routinely under robust interim arrangements' with a replacement to be 'announced imminently'. A group of mothers searching for their missing children have pleaded to a Mexican cartel cell for peace in an attempt to allow authorities to comb through property where the bodies of their loved ones may have been buried. The Tamaulipas Union of Collectives of Searching Mothers appealed to the Gulf Cartel's Cyclones of Matamoros and asked for permission to enter an uninhabited property in a village known as La Bartolina, located seven miles from Brownsville, Texas. It's an area where local authorities already have dug out 500 kilograms worth of human remains. The cartel controls access to the area. Its members have been seen on videos in the past allegedly burying the victims from its violence in mass 'graves' in the area. 'We want to make it clear that we are not looking for culprits, we are searching for our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and relatives,' the group said in a statement that was issued last Friday. The collective went on to recognize the criminal organization's efforts to reach and provide basic goods to lower income neighborhoods throughout the COVID-19 pandemic after the government failed to act. 'That is why we appeal to your compassion and good heart as human beings that we are and allow us to go to the La Bartolina property in your city to demand that the aforementioned (local, state, and federal) government authorities carry out all the necessary procedures to soon begin exhuming the remains that are there,' the Tamaulipas Union of Collectives of Searching Mothers indicated. The group is seeking a peace accord with the 'Ciclones de Matamoros' (Cyclones of Matamoros) due to the lack of 'due diligence and response from all the authorities responsible for searching, locating, and identifying our relatives.' Authorities search through an empty property in La Bartolina, a village in the northeastern Mexico state of Tamaulipas for the bodies of missing persons. At least 500 kilos of human remains have been located throughout La Bartolina dating back to 2017 Pictured are some of the human remains that have recovered from the Tamaulipas village of La Bartolina. Tamaulipas Union of Collectives of Searching Mothers has petitioned to the Gulf Cartel's Ciclones of Matamoros faction for a truce and permission to search a property in the village where they believe missing individuals may be buried The collective is searching for at least 200 individuals who have been reported missing over the last couple of years. The Tamaulipas Union of Collectives of Searching Mothers called on the cartel's criminal cell to respecter their lives and allow them movement through the property free of any reprisal. 'The uncertainty of not finding our people has resulted in endless torture for us, not knowing the fate or whereabouts of our missing (relatives), which is unbearable,' the collective said while adding that each group member would be wearing a piece of white clothe tied around their arms and carrying white flags as a sign of their peace agreement. Investigators (pictured) dig out human remains at an empty property in La Bartolina, Tamaulipas. The village is located at least seven miles from Brownsville, Texas, and has been used by criminal organizations to bury the bodies of their murdered victims Government data shows that there were 89,488 people reported missing as of June 30, 2021. From December 2018 to June 2021, authorities found 49,581 people who were reported missing, but only 25,777 were found alive. At least 2,258 people were found dead. Pictured are some of human remains that have been cleared from mass graves in the Tamaulipas, Mexico, village of La Bartolina Authorities searching for missing persons in La Bartolina village discovered in 2017 a mass grave site with cremated human remains. Since then, at least 500 kilos of burned body parts have been dug out. It's said that most of the people buried there were killed between 2009 and 2012. Three of the warring factions of Gulf Cartel - Metros, Escorpiones (Scorpions) and Rojos (Reds) - signed a truce last Monday. However, it's unknown if the Ciclones were part of the peace treaty. Multiple mass graves where authorities in Tamaulipas, Mexico, dug out the remains of missing persons Members of a Gulf Cartel faction recorded themselves on video two years ago holding the lifeless bodies of individuals before dumping them in burning containers at a property in La Bartolina. Government data shows that there were 89,488 people reported missing as of June 30, 2021. From December 2018 to June 2021, authorities found 49,581 people who were reported missing, but only 25,777 were found alive. At least 2,258 people were found dead. Dog walker Amy Cooper, the white woman dubbed 'Central Park Karen,' says that she called the police on a black bird watcher, Christian Cooper, after he appeared to be threatening her in a secluded part of the New York City landmark last year. In an interview with Bari Weiss's Honestly podcast, Amy Cooper told podcaster Kmele Foster that since viral video of her calling the police surfaced, she has had to flee the country and go into hiding. She also says she has been traumatized to the point where she has considered suicide, Weiss's Substack, Common Sense, reports. Amy Cooper was walking her dog alone in an isolated part of Central Park on Memorial Day last year when Christian Cooper, the black bird watcher who filmed her calling the police, approached her on the north edge of the Ramble. 'Get out of here. You shouldnt be here,' Christian told Amy, who was with her dog, Henry. Dog walker Amy Cooper (left), the white woman dubbed 'Central Park Karen,' says that she called the police on a black bird watcher, Christian Cooper, after he appeared to be threatening her in a secluded part of the New York City landmark last year After Christian told Amy to put a leash on Henry, Amy refused, saying that he needed his exercise. She claims she was about to leash the dog when Christian issued his threat. 'If youre going to do what you want to do, then Im going to do what I want to do, but youre not going to like it,' Christian purportedly told her. 'I'm trying to figure out what that means? Is that a physical attack on me? An attack on my dog?' Amy says in an interview with Bari Weiss' Honestly podcast. 'What is he about to do? 'Before I could even figure out how to process this, he pulls out dog treats [from his fanny pack] and I'm like What the heck is this guy doing? She continues: 'I look up and hes holding these dog treats in one hand and a bike helmet in his other hand and Im thinking, Oh my god, is this guy going to lure my dog over and try to hit him with his bike helmet? Cooper with her dog. She was fired from her investment banker job and was deemed racist by public figures including NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio And if I end up over there am I going to get hit by this bike helmet? DailyMail.com has reached out to Christian Cooper seeking comment. Amy was charged with one count of falsifying an incident report - a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 1 year in prison and a $1,000 fine - in May 2020 after calling the cops on Christian, a birdwatcher who had told her to put her dog on a leash. She called the cops hysterical, claiming he was threatening her life. He videoed the incident and it went viral on Facebook. In February, Manhattan prosecutors dropped their charges against Amy, claiming she learned her lesson in therapy. Amy was fired from her job at an investment firm in Manhattan and became one of the faces of a series of incidents in which white women across America were seen to be abusing their privileges to report black or minority people for crimes they didn't commit. Amy says that she felt she didn't have a choice but to call the police. 'I dont know that as a woman alone in a park that I had another option,' she says. Amy also says she was thrown off guard by Christian's change in demeanor when she called the cops. 'Its really weird because hes still standing there, you know, same very physical posture, and suddenly out of him comes this voice from man whos been very dominant towards me,' she says. 'Suddenly, you know, almost this victimized voicing, [saying,] "Dont come near me. Dont come any closer",' she says. 'Like, almost like hes terrified of me To me thats even more terrifying now because youve gone from screaming at me - if you kept screaming at me, at least it was consistent, but now his whole verbal demeanor has changed.' Amy says that when she asked Christian to stop recording, he refused, adding to her anxiety. In a lawsuit filed earlier this year against her former employer, Amy cites another dog owner, Jeremy Lockett, who says that he and other dog walkers in Central Park have been threatened by Christian Cooper (above) in the past 'Id explored all my options. I tried to leave. I tried to look for anyone whos around,' she says. 'There was no noise, no sound. 'And it was, you know, it was my last attempt to sort of hope that he would step down and leave me alone.' Amy sued her former employer, saying it fired her without doing a fair investigation and falsely portrayed her as racist. Amy filed the complaint against investment firm Franklin Templeton, where she worked from June 2015 to May 2020, in Manhattan federal court earlier this year, nearly a year ago to the day after she was fired. Franklin Templeton said in a May 26, 2020 tweet - which was liked 277,000 times - that it performed a legitimate investigation and 'determined indisputably' that Cooper was racist and terminated her. Amy's lawsuit, however, claims there was never a 'legitimate' investigation and the company's tweet gave the 'Karen' narrative 'legitimacy' and 'caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal.' Amy is seeking unspecified damages for race and gender discrimination, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Her lawsuit cites another dog walker who says he and two others have had unpleasant encounters with Christian. Amy says that she felt she didn't have a choice but to call the police. 'I dont know that as a woman alone in a park that I had another option,' she says The legal action cites a previous run-in Christian had with a man named Jerome Lockett, a black dog owner who frequents Central Park. Lockett told media outlets that Christian is a 'd**k' and 'probably did threaten her.' 'Sure, were breaking the rules by having our dogs off leash in a park that has 80percent of its area off-leash hours, but that gives that guy no authority to accost people in such manner,' Lockett said, according to the court document. 'My two fellow dog owners have had similar situations with this man, but dont feel comfortable coming forward because theyre white. They think they'll be seen as a "Karen" or whatever.' But the company still 'perpetuated' the 'Karen' vs. an innocent African American narrative and never contacted Lockett, the lawsuit says. Cooper worked at Franklin Templeton and was earning upwards of $170,000-a-year. After the incident went viral last year, the company fired her, saying: 'Following our internal review of the incident in Central Park yesterday, we have made the decision to terminate the employee involved, effective immediately.' Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who condemned the incident. He called her racist. AOC and other members of the Squad were seen celebrating on the steps of the Capitol on Tuesday after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention extended the eviction moratorium for 60 days, a move that risks being challenged in court and one that President Joe Biden admits may not be constitutional. CDC director Rochelle Walensky signed an order that determined the 'evictions of tenants for failure to make rent or housing payments could be detrimental to public health control measures' to slow the spread of COVID, the agency announced. The order expands the eviction moratorium until October 3 and applies to counties 'experience substantial and high levels' of COVID transmission. The order will allow more time 'to further increase vaccination rates,' the CDC said, calling it an 'effective public health measure.' 'This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings where COVID-19 spreads,' Walensky said. 'Such mass evictions and the attendant public health consequences would be very difficult to reverse.' It will cover about 90 per cent of renters in the country, White House officials said. AOC (pictured on the steps of the U.S. Capitol) and The Squad celebrate as Biden orders the CDC to begin new 60-DAY moratorium on evictions Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush celebrate after news of the order A very happy Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) greets others at the steps of the U.S. Capitol CDC director Rochelle Walensky signed an order extending the eviction moratorium to Oct. 3 President Joe Biden was under intense pressure from the liberal wing of his party to do something to help renters suffering under the pandemic. The White House had pushed the issue to Congress and the states after deciding a June Supreme Court ruling prevented additional executive action. But Biden said Tuesday he had spoken to several constitutional scholars and will see if the new announcement will 'pass constitutional muster.' 'The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that it's not likely to pass constitutional muster, number one. But there are several key scholars who think that it may, and it's worth the effort,' he said. But, Biden noted, the order will 'probably give some additional time' for rental assistance funds to flow. The Supreme Court would likely have to issue a new ruling on any new orders out of the CDC. Distribution of rental assistance that Congress allocated in December and March has been painfully slow. The $47 billion Emergency Rental Assistance program has, to date, disbursed only $3 billion. But Democrats expressed hope the new order would buy time for that money to flow. 'This brand new moratorium will provide time for the money allocated by Congress to flow, as it helps stop the spread of the virus which is worsening due to the delta variant and protects families and landlords,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. President Joe Biden admitted new CDC order may be unconstitutional The announcement came as the feud among Democrats over what to do about the eviction moratorium escalated on Tuesday when Pelosi refused to bring back Congress to vote on the matter. Pelosi ruled out that option despite President Biden calling on Congress to extend the moratorium and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling her fellow lawmakers 'cowards' for refusing to vote on the issue. On a call with House Democrats Tuesday, where Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin spoke with lawmakers, Pelosi made her stance clear. She said the House should not come back from its recess and that lawmakers should focus on urging the Biden administration to extend the moratorium unilaterally, The Washington Post reported. Pelosi's strong stance came after Ocasio-Cortez told Politico her fellow Democratic House members are 'cowards' who needed to come back into town and 'put their names next to a 'yes' or 'no' vote, or the White House needs to do a damn thing about [eviction moratoriums].' Other liberal lawmakers joined in on the pressure campaign on the White House. Democratic Rep. Cori Bush has lead a sleep out on the front steps of the Capitol building to protest the matter. Bush praised the decision and credited the protest for the new CDC order. The Squad; US Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) speaks as, Ilhan Omar (D-MN)(2R), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) (R), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) look on during a press conference 'On Friday night, I came to the Capitol with my chair. I refused to accept that Congress could leave for vacation while 11 million people faced eviction. For 5 days, we've been out here, demanding that our government acts to save lives. Today, our movement moved mountains,' she wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. Any legislation addressing the eviction moratorium passed in the House would likely fail in the Senate. Democrats would need 10 Republicans to vote with them and GOP lawmakers oppose extending the moratorium. President Biden on Monday pleaded with landlords to hold off evictions for the next 30 days as his administration sought ways to extend a moratorium after Congress failed to do so. The federal eviction moratorium was put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November. A June ruling by the Supreme Court led administration officials to concede the agency could not do so again. In Monday's statement, Biden called on states and localities to extend or put in place evictions moratoria for at the least the next two months and for landlords to give a 30-day break. He directed federal agencies to extend all the moratorium they were allowed to do. The administration also called on states to speed up issuing housing funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan. Rep. Cori Bush, second from left, has led a protest on front steps of Capitol for four days Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez protests the expiration of the eviction moratorium on the front steps of the Capitol Speaker Nancy Pelosi ruled out bringing back Congress to do something about the eviction moratorium and pushed the Biden administration to use its executive powe More than 15 million people live in households that owe as much as $20 billion to their landlords, according to the Aspen Institute. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. The speaker put the onus back on President Biden's administration after the House failed to pass an extension. Biden asked Congress to extend the moratorium after officials decided the Supreme Court's June ruling meant the CDC couldn't unilaterally extend it. 'The purpose of the extension is to provide more time to expedite the distribution of the $46.5 billion that was allocated by Congress and that has long been transferred by the Administration to the states and localities,' Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats on Monday. Some Democrats expressed frustration that Biden asked Congress to extend the moratorium two days before it was set to expire - even though the Supreme Court ruling had come down a month before in June. White House relief coordinator Gene Sperling downplayed that on Monday. 'The wording in the Supreme Court opinion was fairly, you know, clear that they said the CDC did not, could not grant such extension, without quote, clear and specific congressional authorization,' he said. On Friday, House Republicans blocked passing an extension by unanimous consent. Democrats, who hold a three-seat majority in the House, didn't have the votes in their own caucus to pass it either. Friends of a man who shot and killed a TikTok star and his girlfriend last week inside a California theater told police they were alarmed because they believed he had brought a gun into the cinema, but they left without apparently warning anyone. The three friends of Joseph Jimenez, 20, told detectives he was acting so strangely that they snuck out of the movie house, records obtained by the Orange County Register show. The unidentified pals later saw Jimenez run out of Regal Edwards Cinema in the city of Corona on the night of July 26 and speed away in his car, according to a police sworn declaration filed in court. A theater employee found Rylee Goodrich, 18, and social media influencer Anthony Barajas, 19, with gunshot wounds to their heads after the 9.35pm showing of The Forever Purge. The accused gunman, his friends and the two victims were the only people who attended the film as only six tickets had been purchased for the screening, police said. It remains unclear whether the inaction by the three friends amounts to a crime. Their names were not listed in county jail records on Tuesday. Joseph Jimenez, 20, appeared in the Riverside Hall of Justice on Friday, in Riverside, California Jimenez is alleged to have killed Rylee Goodrich, 18, with a bullet to the back of the head Anthony Barajas was also shot in the head as one of the bullets went through his eye. He died on Saturday after being on life support David Goodrich, Rylee's father, revealed that she was texting her mother just moments before the fatal shooting. 'She texted my wife how boring and stupid it was, how she didn't like the movie. That was the last we heard from her,' he said. 'It had to be right then.' The 43-year-old dad said police told him they believe it was a random attack, and that Jimenez intended to steal from the young couple. Goodrich died at the scene. Barajas, a budding social media star, died at a hospital on Saturday after being on life support. Barajas, known online as itsanthonymichael, had nearly 1 million followers on TikTok. Goodrich was majoring in marketing and had a full academic scholarship to Grand Canyon University. Joseph Jimenez, 20, was arrested on July 27 and charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery in a shooting that left two teens dead Goodrich and Barajas were killed at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings in Corona, California Jimenez did not enter a plea deal when he appeared in court on Friday, opting instead to have his arraignment postponed until Thursday. At court, he was confronted by Goodrich's father. 'Hey, look at me, bro! Look at me! Look at me, dude! That was my ...' the distraught parent said before breaking down in tears to be comforted by a friend. Jimenez was arrested last Tuesday and charged with murder and attempted murder, but the second count is expected to be upgraded to murder by the time Jimenez appears in court Thursday for his arraignment, said John Hall, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorneys Office. Police seized a handgun of the same caliber as the one believed to have been used in the shooting and recovered Goodrich's wallet and other possessions from Jimenez's home less than 24 hours after the shooting. Rylee Goodrich's father, David (in white shirt), is seen leaving court on Friday after a brief court hearing, where he confronted Jimenez Jimenez did not enter a plea deal when he appeared in court on July 31, opting instead to have his arraignment postponed until Thursday of this week The allegations filed against Jimenez include sentencing enhancements of personal use of a firearm causing death, personally inflicting great bodily injury and personal use of a firearm causing great bodily injury. Prosecutors also filed a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, which makes him eligible to receive the death penalty. Jimenez's lawyer, Charles Kenyon, has not responded to requests for comments. There is no indication that Jimenez knew the victims or that Barajas' role as a TikTok influencer played a role in the crime, Corona police Cpl. Tobias Kouroubacalis said last week. Australians in regional areas are up in arms about their appointments for the coronavirus vaccine being cancelled and given to Year 12 students instead. The NSW government has diverted 40,000 jabs from regional areas to vaccinate the students in Sydney hotspots as the city's Covid-19 outbreak persists. Aged care worker Angela Murry and her husband Craig from the Newcastle region north of Sydney booked to get the Pfizer jab at the new mass vaccination centre at Belmont. The couple aged in their 50s were then shocked and disappointed to receive a message this week saying their appointments had been delayed, despite constant pleas from the NSW government and health officials for everyone to get jabbed. 'The message is quite clear, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,' Ms Murry told A Current Affair. HSC student Keira (pictured) agreed it's not fair that jabs are being rediverted from regional areas by the NSW government 'So, I do the right thing. I sanitise, I go to work, I wear my mask, I use all of my PPE equipment, make the booking, have it cancelled. 'Now, I'm really cranky.' She's among a third of aged care workers who haven't received the jab. 'I'm in the 1B category, so it's critical,' Ms Murry said. 'Put it this way, if we were to have an outbreak and the person standing next to me was fully vaccinated, they would possibly keep their job and I would lose mine. 'That's not something I'm prepared for. I love the people I look after. I love my job, I love what I do.' Ms Murry has since had her appointment reinstated and is booked in to receive the jab next week. Her husband Craig is still waiting. 'I've tried to go on again and there's no bookings, nothing available,' he said. Aged care worker Angela Murry was furious that her appointment was put on hold HSC students are due to return to school in the coming weeks for face-to-face learning as they prepare for their final exams. Student Keira, who's scheduled to get the jab next week, agreed that school kids - who having very little likelihood of getting symptomatic Covid - should not be prioritised. 'They're giving the vaccine to us when it could be going to all of these different people,' she said. Orange MP Phil Donato is also furious his constituents in central-west NSW are missing out. Craig Murry (pictured) is currently unable to reschedule his cancelled appointment NSW Health issued a message to regional residents last Friday (pictured) to advise their Pfizer appointments had been cancelled 'It should be equally fair across all of NSW, we shouldn't be treated like the poor cousin,' he said. 'We have nothing against Year 12 students doing their HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate), but we have vulnerable people still yet to be vaccinated who are enlisted and enrolled to be vaccinated with Pfizer. 'We're not immune to Covid in Orange, we were shut down only a week or so ago, we've still got traces in the sewage treatment facility at Molong, so we're not immune to Covid here in the bush.' NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian defended the decision on Sunday, where she argued it would not pose a risk to regional areas and vaccination was an important a tool in their battle against the highly infectious Delta strain within red zones in Sydney's west and south-west. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wants six million residents jabbed by the end of August. Pictured are residents waiting in line at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination centre 'When you consider there are eight million people in NSW, and we have been able to stop the spread of the virus in our regions and other parts of Sydney,' she said. 'It is important for us to give those Year 12 students a chance to finish their exams and get rewarded. 'We know that we are finding younger people are getting the virus and spreading it. It is important particularly for younger people, people up to the 30s in particular, to get access to the vaccine as soon as possible.' Ms Berejiklian still wants six million jabs in arms by the end of August, despite rediverting doses from rural areas. A senior civil servant tipped to be UK ambassador to Nato has been blamed after sensitive Ministry of Defence documents were found at a bus stop. Angus Lapsley was named last night as the mandarin responsible for the loss of the papers, which included details of a Royal Navy warship's passage through Crimea's disputed territorial waters. The pile of almost 50 documents was picked up by a member of the public in Kent in June and handed to the BBC. They also detailed plans for a possible UK military presence in Afghanistan after the US-led Nato operation ended. Two Government sources have named Mr Lapsley, who was working in the MoD at the time but has since been redeployed to the Foreign Office. He is unlikely to be made UK ambassador to Nato but it has not been ruled out definitively, the Guardian reported. Angus Lapsley (pictured) was named last night as the mandarin responsible for the loss of the papers, which included details of a Royal Navy warship's passage through Crimea's disputed territorial waters [File photo] Mr Lapsley (left) has had security clearance suspended pending a full review, meaning he cannot continue as an MoD director general for defence policy on Nato and the Euro-Atlantic area. Pictured: Mr Lapsley Chilean actress Cecilia Bolocco and former UK Ambassador to Chile Jon Benjamin at the launch of the GREAT campaign in Chile in 2012 Mr Lapsley has had security clearance suspended pending a full review, meaning he cannot continue as an MoD director general for defence policy on Nato and the Euro-Atlantic area. A final penalty has yet to be decided, leaving Government security sources unhappy. One said it would make it harder to discipline junior employees for similar errors. Most papers were marked 'official sensitive', a low level of classification. But one addressed to the Defence Secretary's private secretary was marked 'Secret UK Eyes Only' and addressed whether special forces would stay in Afghanistan after Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops. This level of documents, on pink paper, are not supposed to be taken from Government buildings unless logged out and securely stored. A Whitehall source said: 'The document should not have been taken out of the building in this way and in this case.' Tory MP James Sunderland said in June that there must have had to be a 'deliberate act' in removing a pink document from an MoD secure area. The Foreign Office said: 'The individual concerned has been removed from sensitive work and has already had their security clearance suspended pending a full review.' A gang of drug dealers who plotted to blow-torch a retired businessman's testicles in order to steal a 'huge sum of cash' have been warned they face years behind bars. The thugs, from Openshaw, Manchester, talked about 'cutting an ear off' the target, believed to be in his 80s, during the vicious attack. They also mentioned 'how much an iron placed on someone's chest can hurt' as they planned the assault. But police planted listening devices into their industrial unit and uncovered the terrifying plot. Officers raided the building and arrested the men just hours before the robbery was due to take place. The thugs, from Openshaw, Manchester, talked about 'cutting an ear off' the target, believed to be in his 80s, during the vicious attack. Pictured: Gary Betts Gary Betts, 57, Gerard Boyle, 52, Christopher Sammon, 32, his brother John Sammon, 35, and Wayne Simmonds, 39, were all found guilty of conspiracy to rob. They have all previously admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine. The National Crime Agency said the men discussed buying and selling about 5kg of cocaine, which could have been worth almost 250,000. Judge Anthony Cross QC told the men today to expect 'extremely lengthy' sentences. Listening devices were installed at the premises of South Manchester Plastics in Openshaw after the men came to the attention of the National Crime Agency. Boyle was the director of the firm, but the prosecution said it was a 'front' for crime. They also mentioned 'how much an iron placed on someone's chest can hurt' as they planned the assault. Left: Gerard Boyle. Right: Christopher Sammon Officers listened to recorded conversations and monitored video cameras which had been placed there during April and May last year. They found the men were involved in cocaine dealing and began to hear conversations about the robbery plot at the end of April. Betts was heard saying: 'I'd just walk in and I'll just bang him and just tie him up, and cut his ear off and then tell him I've been down your area and cut people up. 'Believe me I'll blowtorch your balls and cut your ear off*put it this way I know an iron hurts in your chest.' The businessman, a 'very wealthy' retired director of a family firm of butchers, had previously been the victim of crime. He had more than 200,000 in cash stolen from his home in a burglary and was attacked and robbed of his Mercedes after returning home. The gang believed he would have a 'huge' amount of cash at his home or business. Betts was heard to say: 'His dad's an old man and there's only one kid in the house. 'You've got to give him a f****** slap... you know what I mean? To tell you where the dough is.' The Manchester-based thugs plotted with Londoner Simmonds, who said he had contacts with a gang who would pose as fake police officers to commit the robbery. They would raid his home claiming they had a warrant, Manchester Crown Court heard. Simmonds, who used an Encrophone, a highly encrypted device recently hacked by the authorities, had a contact on the network who referred to himself as the 'old Bill'. Police monitored further conversations about the plot in the days before the planned robbery, which was said to have been set for the evening of Monday, May 11 last year. Officers raided South Manchester Plastics that morning and arrested Boyle, Betts and Christopher Sammon. John Sammon and Simmonds were arrested later. Left: John Sammon. Right: Wayne Simmonds Officers raided South Manchester Plastics that morning and arrested Boyle, Betts and Christopher Sammon. John Sammon and Simmonds were arrested later. At an address linked to Simmonds in Southampton, police found a hydraulic press with moulds for packaging drugs, and boric acid, a cutting agent. Giving evidence, Simmonds claimed the robbery plots were 'all bull****'. He said: 'It wasn't going to happen, it was all bull****. This is talk, this is bull**** talk.' Betts, of Stretford, Boyle, of Chorlton, Christopher Sammon, 32, of Burnage, John Sammon, 35, of Burnage, and Simmons, 39, from London, will be sentenced this month. Another man, William Skillen, 35, from Warrington, also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine. NCA Operations Manager, Jon Sayers, said: 'These men were clearly very dangerous, and stated that they were willing to carry out abhorrent acts of violence in pursuit of their aims. 'They used a business premises to freely talk about their drug dealing, where it became apparent that their links to the trade were very much serious and organised. 'With the support of the Met Police flying squad and Greater Manchester Police, the NCA was able to secure the men's arrests and obtain the evidence that has led to today's verdicts. 'Class A drugs are inextricably linked to violence and exploitation in local communities and the NCA, together with partners, uses all of its capability to disrupt the perpetrators and bring them to account.' Advertisement Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday night was clinging on to power, despite his impeachment seeming inevitable after the state Democrats declared that they had lost confidence in the governor and would vote against him. President Joe Biden led calls for Cuomo to resign, echoing demands made by other Democratic Congressional leaders, as one of his most high-profile accusers said she felt 'vindicated' by the attorney general's report. The governors of neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, plus Rhode Island, all joined in the chorus of condemnation. All four are fellow Democrats. Carl Heastie, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, said later on Tuesday that Cuomo has lost the confidence of the Democratic majority and 'can no longer remain in office.' He said he hopes to conclude the impeachment investigation 'as quickly as possible.' During the video meeting of the state Democrats, which began at 2pm. and stretched for more than two and a half hours, most of the lawmakers who spoke said that they believed enough evidence existed for the Assembly to draw up articles of impeachment as soon as possible, The New York Times reported. Andrew Cuomo is pictured in January 2020 with Carl Heastie, the Assembly Speaker. On Tuesday Heastie, who had been a strong ally of the governor's, said that he could no longer rule and would be impeached if he did not resign Heastie, a congressman for the Bronx as well as being Speaker, issued a statement on Tuesday after his caucus met for two and a half hours to discuss how to proceed Cuomo, who has always denied the allegations, gave a televised address an hour after James' report was released during which he denied all of the claims and called the report a political attack on his character About 50 or 60 people spoke, the people said, and the discussion focused on the issue of timing: how fast could the Assembly draw up the articles and make them thorough enough for an impeachment trial in the State Senate? 'There was not a single word of support for the governor,' a source told the paper. Heastie has long been seen as a defender of Cuomo, but on Tuesday felt that the tide had turned. If Cuomo is impeached, the Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, would see out the rest of his term, which ends following the November 2022 election. 'The attorney general's investigation has documented repulsive and unlawful behavior by the governor towards multiple women,' said Hochul on Tuesday. 'I believe these brave women and admire their courage coming forward. 'The Assembly will now determine the next steps. Because lieutenant governors stand next in the line of succession, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment.' It will take 76 votes to impeach Cuomo. The 43-member Republican conference would likely support such a move unanimously. New York Senate Minority and Majority Leaders both called for him to resign. 'The Attorney General's report clearly and concisely documents that Governor Cuomo engaged in disturbing and unacceptable behavior,' Senate Minority Leader Michael Gianaris said. 'Andrew Cuomo lacks the integrity required to be the leader of our state and can no longer serve as New York's Governor. 'He must heed the calls of so many New York leaders and resign.' Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins said: 'This report highlights unacceptable behavior Cuomo and his administration. 'The Governor must resign for the good of the state. 'Now that the investigation is complete, and the allegations have been substantiated, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor.' His most powerful ally, Joe Biden, on Tuesday said he had to go. 'I think he should resign,' Biden said, after telling reporters that he stood by his previous statement that if the investigation found accusations of sexual harassment against Cuomo were credible, the New York Democrat should step aside. The president answered, 'let's take one thing at a time here,' when asked if Cuomo should be impeached and removed from office. He also demurred when asked if Cuomo should be prosecuted. Cuomo is contesting a damning report from AG Letitia James that found he did sexually harass 11 women. He unveiled a photo montage on Tuesday showing him hugging and kissing numerous public figures including Bill Clinton, Obama, and Joe Biden - which the New York governor says is proof that he didn't sexually harass women. 'I've been making the same public gesture all my life. I actually learnt it from my mother and my father,' a defiant Cuomo said on Tuesday, referring to the late New York Governor Mario Cuomo and his widow, Matilda Cuomo. Cuomo said that while he 'accepts responsibility,' he made no hint of planning to resign. And following this, one of the 11, Charlotte Bennett, on Tuesday night told CBS she felt 'vindicated' and that he needed to resign. Charlotte Bennett, who worked for Cuomo last year, told CBS News she felt 'vindicated' by the report EXCLUSIVE: I feel vindicated, former Gov. Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett tells @NorahODonnell after New Yorks attorney general said she believed the women who came forward saying they had been sexually harassed by the governor. pic.twitter.com/O6Iwjndwo8 CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 3, 2021 She described his defiant press conference - in which he spent significant time discussing her allegations in particular - as 'propaganda' and self-serving, calling it 'weird' and 'a circus act'. Cuomo claims it omits facts and is a political attack on him - despite growing calls to step down and the increasing likelihood of impeachment. Cuomo had used a photo of Biden in his slideshow of touchy-feely behavior, explaining it away as it being just how he is. When asked being included, Biden replied: 'Look, I'm not going to fly speck this.' He added: 'I'm sure there were some embraces that were totally innocent, but apparently the attorney general decided there were things that weren't.' President Joe Biden called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign during a Q&A session at the White House Tuesday afternoon What next for Andrew Cuomo? It looks like checkmate for Andrew Cuomo as pressure grows on him to step down despite his desperate attempts to cling on to power. Senior Democrats including President Joe Biden are pushing for Cuomo to resign, with some looking to impeach the embattled politician. New York state assembly speaker Carl Heastie, who launched an impeachment inquiry in March, said Cuomo has 'lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority' and 'can no longer remain in office', according to CNN. If Cuomo tries to cling on to power rather than step down, he will likely face an impeachment probe. Impeachment would be carried out by the New York state assembly which is made up of 150 lawmakers. Only a majority of votes is needed for impeachment for 'misconduct of malversation', according to the state constitution. The assembly's makeup is overwhelmingly Democrat, with 106 out of 150 seats, and a majority of 76 votes needed for impeachment. If impeached, Cuomo would be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. A trial would then be held by the New York senate where Democrats hold 43 of 63 seats and a two-thirds majority is needed to convict. If convicted, Cuomo would be removed from office, but if he is found not guilty, he could return to being governor. An impeachment probe launched in March is still ongoing and lawmakers are meeting to decide whether to proceed or draft articles in other areas of Cuomo's leadership relating to the nursing homes Covid scandal, cover-up allegations over the Mario Cuomo Bridge, and claims of using state resources for personal gain. So far, Cuomo has insisted he has done nothing wrong and has made no moves to step down as he tries to cling on to power. Advertisement Biden said he hadn't spoken to Cuomo on Tuesday. 'I've not read the report. I don't know the detail of it. All I know is the end result,' the president said. Biden was delivering remarks on COVID-19 and stuck around to answer questions. Bennett, who worked for him, said it was a relief to be believed. 'Today was so validating and really emotional, and I feel vindicated,' she told CBS. 'It's been a long day, but I'm proud to be a New Yorker right now. 'He's trying to justify himself by making me out to be someone who can't tell the difference between sexual harassment and mentorship. 'We have a report. We have the facts. The governor broke federal and state law when he sexually harassed me and current and former staffers. 'And if he is not willing to step down then we have a responsibility to act and impeach him. 'He sexually harassed me. I am not confused. It is not confusing. I am living in reality. And it is sad to see he is not.' Cuomo said that he was trying to help Bennett deal with the trauma of a previous sexual assault, but Bennett told CBS this was not the case. 'His intention was trying to sleep with me,' she said, dismissing his explanation of cultural or generational misunderstandings. 'Publicly he would rather play dumb. Privately he knows he sexually harassed staffers. 'And I think it's easier to explain his behavior publicly be saying there was some misunderstanding.' She added: 'Accepting responsibility means stepping down. I don't believe him. I don't want an apology - it's not necessary. It's fake. 'And his propaganda video was downright weird and unnecessary.' She said his only concern was 'maintaining the power he has' rather than 'protecting New York'.. Bennett accused him of 'normalizing not only victim blaming, but sexual harassment' and said it was dangerous and 'a circus act.' 'It sends a message that sexual harassment is not important, and not dangerous. It is important, and it's just plain illegal.' On Tuesday night the Democrat governors of four states in the north east who worked closely with Cuomo during the pandemic said it was time for him to resign. Ned Lamont of Connecticut (left) and Phil Murphy of New Jersey on Tuesday night called for Cuomo to resign Pennsylvania's Tom Wolf (left) and Dan McKee of Rhode Island (right) made up the four governors calling on Cuomo to resign 'We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office,' they said. The statement was signed by Phil Murphy of New Jersey; Ned Lamont of Connecticut; Dan McKee of Rhode Island and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania. Their resignation calls came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed the same opinion. Pelosi called James' investigation 'comprehensive and independent.' 'As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth,' Pelosi said. 'Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.' Twelve New York representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called on Cuomo to resign Twelve New York representatives - including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Carolyn Maloney, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, and Jerry Nadler, chair of the House Judiciary Committee - also all called for him to resign. James released her long-awaited report into the allegations against embattled Cuomo on Tuesday morning. It says he sexually harassed 11 women including some whose allegations were not previously known, like two state troopers and an executive assistant who says he groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany in November 2020. James said all of the allegations are corroborated but she has not recommended any criminal charges against him, saying the scope of her work didn't include prosecution. There has since been an onslaught of calls for him to resign afterwards on both sides of the aisle, including from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who went as far as to call for him to be impeached. In his address, Cuomo he said he is a 'warm' person who sometimes 'slips' and calls women who work for him 'sweetheart and darling', but insisting he has never been predatory or physical in his interactions with staffers. His attorney has also released an 85-page rebuttal to the report which she says she will continue to update. 'Even on a quick first review, it is clear that the report purposefully omits key evidence,' said Cuomo's attorney Rita M. Glavin. In his televised address, Cuomo used a slideshow of images of him hugging and kissing people throughout his life to demonstrate what he described as an affectionate and tactile personality, that he says the women have confused for a sexual predator. Biden spoke moments after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent out a statement calling on Cuomo to resign The 168-report was released on Tuesday after a five month investigation by the NY AG. It substantiated the allegations of 11 women who say Cuomo sexually harassed them either by groping them or making inappropriate comments dating back to 2013 New York Attorney General Letitia James announcing her findings on Tuesday after a five month investigation. She said she believes all of the women but she cannot bring criminal charges, instead saying her focus was on determining if the allegations were true 'This has been a long and painful period for me and my family as others feed stories to the press,' he said. 'I never touched anyone inappropriately. The facts are much different to what has been portrayed. 'I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public service. That is just not who I am or who I ever have been.' He went on: 'Trial by newspaper and biased reviews are not the way to find the facts. I welcome the opportunity for a full and fair review before a judge and jury because this just did not happen.' 'It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. 'He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio He had been asked if Cuomo should resign. In his rebuttal, Cuomo said he would never sexually harass anyone, much less a sexual assault survivor like Charlotte Bennett - one of the accusers - and claimed he has helped a female relative overcome sexual abuse himself. He said that the women invariably misinterpreted his 'warm' gestures like hugs and kisses, or misunderstood compliments. After he spoke, critics renewed calls for him to resign and some suggested he should be impeached. 'My first thoughts are with the women who were subject to this abhorrent behavior, and their bravery in stepping forward to share their stories,' said Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City. CUOMO FACING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND IMPEACHMENT The Albany District Attorney said on Tuesday he would use the NY Attorney General's report in Andrew Cuomo in an ongoing criminal investigation into the embattled governor as New York State Democrats plotted to impeach him. Cuomo, who denies the allegations in the report, has vowed to fight them and is refusing to step down. Now some of the most senior Democrats in the New York Legislature are planning to draw up articles to impeach him. 'Governor Cuomo must resign. The Attorney General's report leaves no room for any other acceptable course. 'It confirms that federal and state laws were broken. 11 women is 11 too many,' Senator Liz Krueger, one of the most senior Democrats in New York's Senate, tweeted. AG Letitia James did not weigh any criminal charges against Cuomo but Albany DA David Soares has launched an investigation and is asking women to come forward. 'We will be formally requesting investigative materials obtained by the AG's Office and we welcome any victim to contact our office with additional information. 'As this matter is developing and we are reviewing the document released by the AG today, we will refrain from any additional public comment at this time regarding the status of the ongoing criminal investigation by our office,' he tweeted in a statement. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has said that if Cuomo continues to resist calls to step down, he must be impeached. 'It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. 'He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately.' Advertisement 'The Attorney General's detailed and thorough report substantiates many disturbing instances of severe misconduct. 'Andrew Cuomo committed sexual assault and sexual harassment, and intimidated a whistleblower. 'It is disqualifying. 'It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. 'He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately.' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement calling for Cuomo's resignation. 'As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate and completely unacceptable. 'Today's report from the New York State Attorney General substantiated and corroborated the allegations of the brave women who came forward to share their stories - and we commend the women for doing so. 'The New York State Attorney General has conducted an independent, thorough and professional investigation that found the Governor violated state and federal law, had a pattern of sexually harassing current and former employees, retaliated against at least one of the accusers and created a hostile work environment. 'No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor's office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.' The 168-page report by James' office finds that Cuomo fostered a 'toxic work environment' where women were punished for reporting their allegations. It says that instead of dealing with the complaints properly, the women were simply moved out of his orbit, into different departments. The report cites 'relevant laws' as Employer Liability and Executive Chamber Policy. The Governor, who has always denied the allegations, is yet to respond to the report's findings. Among the allegations which the report says are true is that he sexually harassed a state trooper by running his 'finger from her neck down her spine' while they were sharing an elevator and saying 'hey you'. He is also said to have rubbed a state employee's stomach, ran his finger across the chest of another woman, and engaged in 'widespread pattern' of subjecting women to 'unwanted hugs'. The report concludes: 'The Governor sexually harassed a number of State employees through unwelcome and unwanted touching, as well as by making numerous offensive and sexually suggestive comments. 'We find that such conduct was part of a pattern of behavior that extended to his interactions with others outside of State government.' Non-consensual touching, repeatedly made comments of a sexualized, gender based nature. Cuomo was grilled for 11 hours as part of the investigation. During questioning, the report says he 'did not dispute that he sometimes commented on staff members' appearance and attire (although generally only to compliment), and stated that, being 'old fashioned,'. He said he uses terms like 'honey', 'sweetheart' and 'darling' and that he regularly gave women hugs and kisses - sometimes on the lips. THE BOMBSHELL CUOMO REPORT - TEXTS BETWEEN AIDES REVEAL HOW HE MADE GIRLS 'DO PUSH UPS' AND REVEAL HE SANG 'I LOVE YOU BABY' TO ONE ACCUSER DOWN THE PHONE Charlotte Bennett, in an Instagram story selfie, said the Governor had challenged her to a 'push-up competition' The bombshell, 163-page report reveals new details including the evidence used by investigators to reach their findings. Those include text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. Others include emails from some of Cuomo's staff, including one with a tweet by one of his accusers which shows her support of Cuomo. The aide sent it to an AP reporter in an apparent attempt to discredit the accuser. The investigators also included an Instagram selfie where Bennett also boasted: 'The governor invited me to lift weights with him. 'He challenged me to a push-up competition'. She had told her parents how he was surprised to learn that she lifted weights and boxed, and that he had asked her to do push-ups in the office. Elsewhere, current aides discuss their strategy on how to respond to the allegations and they used Biden's response to his accuser, Tara Reade. They also discussed an op-ed that Cuomo wanted to write to discredit Boylan, one of the accusers, and said of one woman's allegation: 'This doesn't pass the smell test'. It was a reference to Anna Ruch and her complaint about Cuomo grabbing her face and kissing her on the cheek at a wedding in 2019. In texts to another aide, Bennett said Cuomo repeated to her 'over and over' that she had been 'raped'. Those include text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. Those include text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. Cuomo told Bennett that he was 'lonely' because his ex-girlfriend Sandra Lee was not replying to him as he spilled his heart out to the 25-year-old staffer. But the governor said no to Bennett's suggestion he date Chelsea Handler because she was 'nuts', the New York state Attorney General report into his sexual misconduct reveals. Cuomo also said no to Bennett's suggestion that he date Jada Pinkett Smith because she is married. Cuomo, 63, asked Bennett to memorize the lyrics to the song Danny Boy and once sang the 1950s hit 'Do You Love Me' down the phone to her. Charlotte Bennett recalled that Cuomo 'wants to get drunk and get on his motorbike and take a woman into the mountains and forget about the pandemic for a few hours'. When the conversation returned to finding the governor a girlfriend, Bennett 'didn't know what to say' so she suggested Jada Pinkett Smith and Chelsea Handler. The notes say: 'He said CH (Handler) was crazy'. The notes where Charlotte Bennet describes advising him to date Chelsea Handler or Jada Pinkett Smith but he says Handler is 'nuts' The appendices to the report appear to include notes taken by investigators interviewing Bennett. They show that on June 5 last year Bennett had a discussion with Cuomo where they began talking about relationships. The notes state that Cuomo 'brought up his ex - he said Sandy (Sandra Lee) was not talking to him' - the couple had ended their eight-year relationship in 2019. Cuomo said he was 'lonely, that he was not sleeping well, he was looking for a girlfriend'. Cuomo told Bennett she was 'in charge of finding him a girlfriend'. At the time Cuomo was winning national plaudits for his handling of the pandemic and his daily press conferences which would later win him an Emmy. But according to the notes, Bennett recalled that Cuomo 'wants to get drunk and get on his motorbike and take a woman into the mountains and forget about the pandemic for a few hours'. When the conversation returned to finding the governor a girlfriend, Bennett 'didn't know what to say' so she suggested Jada Pinkett Smith and Chelsea Handler. The notes say: 'He said CH (Handler) was crazy'. CNN anchor Chris Cuomo among his brother's crisis management team Chris Cuomo was part of an 'inner circle' of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against his brother, a bombshell report into the New York governor's misconduct reveals. Chris Cuomo was part of an 'inner circle' of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against his brother, according to a bombshell report into Andrew Cuomo's misconduct The CNN presenter was one of a dozen other confidantes called in to help 'control and direct the response' to the claims, despite none being employed by the State of New York. The investigation found Chris and other advisers counseled Governor Andrew Cuomo to 'express contrition' after the allegations from Charlotte Bennett, the second accuser to come forward, emerged in February. The governor ultimately took his brother's advice and issued a press release on February 27 saying he did not 'intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.' According to the report, investigators also found it 'revealing and consistent with the Executive Chamber's overall approach' that Cuomo's inner circle of advisers 'included a number of individuals with no official role in the Executive Chamber.' Among those involved were PR consultant Jefrey Pollock, who was hired by Cuomo for public relations work, Democrat PR strategist Lis Smith, former staffer Steve Cohen, and Linda Lacewell, who was known as Cuomo's 'enforcer.' 'Some had never served in the Executive Chamber, and others, like Mr. Cohen, had not served there in a decade. None of them was officially retained in any capacity by the Executive Chamber or any of the individuals involved,' the report states. 'Nonetheless, they were regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information about state operations and helped make decisions that impacted State business and employees - all without any formal role, duty, or obligation to the State.' Chris, 50, was also brought in even though his only credentials appear to be being related to Cuomo and working in the media. Emails show Chris also apparently helped craft a response by drafting a written statement characterizing Andrew as someone who is sometimes 'playful' and 'makes jokes'. The news anchor came under fire in May after admitting that he had been 'looped into calls' on how his high-profile brother should handle the allegations, on his primetime CNN show. Some of Chris' staffers were also on the phone at the time. The revelation drew harsh criticism from his own colleague Jake Tapper, who accused Chris of putting network employees in 'a bad spot' and said he couldn't 'imagine a world in which anybody in journalism thinks that that was appropriate.' The younger Cuomo later apologized for his behavior and acknowledged he had made a 'mistake.' In May Chris said he is 'truly sorry' and admits he crossed the line taking part in strategy calls advising his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo through his sex-pest scandal The governor made numerous appearances on his own brother's show last year, for lighthearted interviews that featured brotherly banter 'I understand why that was a problem for CNN. It will not happen again. It was a mistake because I put my colleagues here, who I believe are the best in the business, in a bad spot. I never intended for that. I would never intend for that and I am sorry for that,' he said at the time. 'I love my brother. I love my family. I love my job, and I love and respect my colleagues here at CNN. And again, to them I am truly sorry.' Despite not being employed by the State, Cuomo's advisers were 'regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information about state operations' Emails show Chris also apparently helped draft a written statement characterizing Andrew as someone who is 'playful' and 'makes jokes' sometimes Advertisement THE 11 WOMEN CUOMO HARASSED WITH UNWANTED TOUCHING, KISSING, INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS AND RETALIATION 'Executive Assistant One' The report says Cuomo groped 'Executive Assistant One' repeatedly sexually harassed her when she worked for him by subjecting her to 'close and intimate hugs', 'kisses on the cheeks and forehead', 'at least one kiss on the lips' and 'touching her butt'. He allegedly referred to her and one other assistant as 'mingle mamas' and asked her repeatedly if she would ever cheat on her husband. In November 2020, he allegedly groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in Albany. 'For over three months, Executive Assistant #1 kept this groping incident to herself and planned to take it 'to the grave,' but found herself becoming emotional (in a way that was visible to her colleagues in the Executive Chamber) while watching the Governor state, at a press conference on March 3, 2021, that he had never 'touched anyone inappropriately.' She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the Executive Chamber, the report says. State Trooper #1 The report says Cuomo sexually harassed a state trooper, referred to as Trooper #1, who he hired onto his protective detail, bending the three-year experience requirement. Once she was on his team, he allegedly 'sexually harassed her on a number of occasions' by 'running his hand across her stomach from her belly button to her right hip while she held a door open for him at an event', 'running his finger down her back' while they were in an elevator together and saying 'hey you', kissing her on the cheek. He also allegedly asked her to help him find a girlfriend and said he wanted someone who 'liked pain', and asked her why she wanted to get married, saying 'your sex drive goes down'. 'Trooper #1 found these interactions with the Governor not only offensive and uncomfortable, but markedly different from the way the Governor interacted with members of the PSU who were men, and she conveyed these incidents contemporaneously to colleagues,' the report reads. Charlotte Bennett Charlotte Bennett Bennett worked briefly for Cuomo as an aide. AG Letitia James says her allegations that Cuomo harassed her with a series of comments are corroborated. Among his alleged remarks are questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured. One of the other comments that he made was that he wanted to ride into the mountains with women. State Entity Employee #1 The unidentified employee said she attended an event with Cuomo in September 2019. After giving a speech, Cuomo is said to have posed for pictures with her. While the picture was being taken, he 'grabbed her butt'. 'The employee was shocked and discussed it with a number of friends, family and co-workers,' the report says. She also 'memorialized the Governor's inappropriate touching' contemporaneously, but the report doesn't say how. State Entity Employee #2 - Doctor who gave Cuomo his COVID test on camera One of the women whose allegations were corroborated was the doctor who performed his COVID-19 test at one of his March 2020 press conferences. She says that when he told her, in front of cameras 'nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good,' it was sexual harassment. One of the women whose allegations were corroborated was the doctor who performed his COVID-19 test at one of his March 2020 press conferences. She says that when he told her, in front of cameras 'nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good,' it was sexual harassment. The investigators agreed. They also said that before the test, he asked her not to swab him so hard that it 'hit his brain'. She replied that she'd be 'gentle but accurate' and he said 'I've heard that before.' The doctor said his remark was 'implied in a sexual nature'. Virginia Limmiatis Virginia Liammiatis worked for National Grid and was wearing a t-shirt with the company's name written across her chest when she says she met Cuomo. He ran his 'two fingers across her chest, pressing down on each of the letters as he did so and reading out the name of the company as he went'. The report says he then 'leaned in, with his face close to her cheek, and said 'I'm going to say I see a spider on your shoulder' before brushing the area between her shoulder and her breasts'. 'Ms. Limmiatis came forward in this investigation after she heard the Governor state, during the March 3, 2021 press conference, that he had never touched anyone inappropriately. National Grid worker Virginia Limmiatis (left) who said he touched her chest while running his hand across her t-shirt. Lindsey Boylan (right) 'As Ms. Limmiatis testified to us, 'He is lying again. 'He touched me inappropriately. I am compelled to come forward to tell the truth... I didn't know how to report what he did to me at the time and was burdened by shame, but not coming forward now would make me complicit in his lie, and I won't do it.'' Lindsey Boylan Boylan says that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks to her when she worked as chief of staff to the CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation including that he found her attractive and that he wanted to play strip poker. She also says that he physically touched her on various parts of her body, including her waist, legs, and back. She claims that once she reported her allegations, she was victimized by his team who ran a smear campaign against her while she ran for office. Alyssa McGrath McGrath was another executive assistant who says Cuomo harassed her. 'In his interactions with another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, the Governor made inappropriate comments and engaged in harassing conduct, including: regularly asking about her personal life, including her marital status and divorce; asking whether Ms. McGrath would tell on Executive Assistant #1 if she were to cheat on her husbandand whether Ms. McGrath herself planned to 'mingle' with men'. Alyssa McGrath (left) who worked as an executive assistant for the Governor. She says he made inappropriate remarks about her personal life. Ana Liss (right) worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist. 'Kaitlin' Kaitlin - whose second name is not public - met the Governor in 2016 at a fundraising event where they were photographed together in a dance pose. Afterwards, she was hired by him in a junior position but given a salary of $120,000 - a figure so high she says it was laughed at in her interview. Ana Liss Liss worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist. Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the Governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress. She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report. He also kissed her hands and cheek, she said. Despite feeling uncomfortable, she says she did not report them because 'for whatever reason, in his office the rules were different. It was just, you should view it as a compliment if the Governor finds you aesthetically pleasing enough, if he finds you interesting enough to ask questions like that. 'And so even though it was strange and uncomfortable and technically not permissible in a typical workplace environment, I was in this mindset that it was the twilight zone and...the typical rules did not apply.' Anna Ruch Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the Governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress. She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report. Cuomo then grabbed her face with both of his hands and said 'can I kiss you?' He was pictured kissing her cheek. 'I learned it from my mom and my dad. It's a sign of warmth': Cuomo shows gallery of him kissing and touching 'men, women, old and young, straight and LGBTQ' to prove he didn't sexually harass 11 women Cuomo unveiled a photo montage on Tuesday showing him hugging and kissing numerous public figures including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Al Sharpton - which the New York governor says is proof that he didn't sexually harass women. 'I've been making the same public gesture all my life. I actually learnt it from my mother and my father,' a defiant Cuomo said on Tuesday, referring to the late New York Governor Mario Cuomo and his widow, Matilda Cuomo. Cuomo said that while he 'accepts responsibility,' he made no hint of planning to resign. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday refused to resign after a damning report by the State Attorney General's Office accused him of sexually harassing multiple women Cuomo unveiled a photo montage on Tuesday showing him hugging and kissing numerous public figures including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Al Sharpton The montage shows the governor hugging, kissing, and greeting powerful people and constituents. Cuomo says these 'everyday interactions' are how he is accustomed to behaving and that there was no malicious intent The video cuts to old photographs of Cuomo being kissed and touched by his parents as the governor narrates. 'It is meant to convey warmth, nothing more,' Cuomo says of the touching and kissing. 'Indeed, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of me using the exact same gesture.' Several more images flash on the screen of Cuomo touching and greeting constituents. 'I do it with everyone - black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ,' the governor says. Cuomo then shows photos of him greeting 'powerful people' including former President Bill Clinton, the late Congressman Charlie Rangel, former Vice President Al Gore, actor Robert DeNiro, and others. The governor says he uses the gesture with 'friends, strangers, [and] people who I meet on the street.' Cuomo, who served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, is seen above planting a kiss on the cheek of former Vice President Al Gore 'Indeed, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of me using the exact same gesture,' the governor said 'I do it with everyone - black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ,' the governor said The photo montage included an image of the governor getting close to the Reverend Al Sharpton Cuomo is seen above touching the chin of a war veteran during a public appearance 'I do kiss people on the cheek,' Cuomo said. The clip then cuts to more photos of Cuomo kissing well-known figures on the cheek Cuomo's montage included another image of him planting a kiss on his mother's forehead The image above shows the governor playfully grasping the chin of an unidentified person The image above shows Cuomo greeting actor Robert De Niro Cuomo then noted that Ruch told the press that she 'took offense at the gesture.' 'And for that, I apologize,' the governor said. Cuomo then alluded to another allegation from a different woman who claimed the governor 'kissed her on the forehead' and said 'Ciao, bella.' Translated from the Italian, 'Ciao, bella' means 'Hello, beautiful.' 'I don't remember doing it, but I'm sure that I did,' the governor said, adding: 'I do kiss people on the forehead.' 'I do kiss people on the cheek,' Cuomo said. The clip then cuts to more photos of Cuomo kissing well-known figures on the cheek. The governor is seen with his mother, the Reverend Al Sharpton, and other constituents and supporters. 'I do kiss people on the hand, I do embrace people, I do hug people,' Cuomo said. Cuomo is seen above hugging and kissing a woman during a public appearance Cuomo cups the hand of a young girl during a public appearance in the above undated file photo 'I do kiss people on the hand, I do embrace people, I do hug people,' Cuomo said The image above shows Cuomo playfully kissing and grabbing the neck of an unidentified person 'I now understand that there are generational or cultural perspectives that, frankly, I hadn't fully appreciated, and I have learned from this,' Cuomo (seen above kissing a woman's hand) said Cuomo said that he and his team would undergo training on new 'sexual harassment policies and procedures' to prevent the sort of misunderstandings that he claims arose from these encounters with women 'I do on occasion say 'Ciao, bella'.' Cuomo added: 'On occasion, I do slip and say 'Sweetheart'.' 'I am the same person in public as I am in private,' the governor said. 'I try to put people at ease,' Cuomo continued. 'I try to make them smile and I try to connect with them. 'I now understand that there are generational or cultural perspectives that, frankly, I hadn't fully appreciated, and I have learned from this.' Cuomo said that he and his team would undergo training on new 'sexual harassment policies and procedures' to prevent the sort of misunderstandings that he claims arose from these encounters with women. 'I accept responsibility and we are making changes,' the governor said. Advertisement Andrew Cuomo asked one of his accusers to help him find a girlfriend then rejected her suggestion of Chelsea Handler because he thought the comedian was 'crazy'. The governor of New York told Charlotte Bennett that he was 'lonely' because his ex-girlfriend Sandra Lee was not replying to him as he spilled his heart out to the 25-year-old staffer. But the governor said no to Bennett's suggestion he date Handler because she was 'nuts', the New York state Attorney General report into his sexual misconduct reveals. Cuomo also said no to Bennett's suggestion that he date Jada Pinkett Smith because she is married. Appendices to the report reveal a trove of texts, emails among Cuomo staffers and notes from interviews with his accusers which shed new light on the claims. They reveal that Cuomo, 63, asked Bennett to memorize the lyrics to the song Danny Boy and once sang the 1950s hit 'Do You Love Me' down the phone to her. Charlotte Bennett recalled that Cuomo 'wants to get drunk and get on his motorbike and take a woman into the mountains and forget about the pandemic for a few hours'. When the conversation returned to finding the governor a girlfriend, Bennett 'didn't know what to say' so she suggested Jada Pinkett Smith and Chelsea Handler. The notes say: 'He said CH (Handler) was crazy'. The notes where Charlotte Bennet describes advising him to date Chelsea Handler or Jada Pinkett Smith but he says Handler is 'nuts' The emails from Cuomo's team show that they downplayed the allegations, with one saying that Cuomo, who is Italian American, trying to kiss a young woman at a wedding 'isn't even a thing - (it) sounds like every Italian grandad at a wedding'. Charlotte Bennett made notes about her experience working with Cuomo which she gave to investigators The devastating report revealed that Cuomo, a prominent Democrat once tipped for the presidency, sexually harassed at least 11 women including a state trooper assigned to protect him. The third term governor, who Joe Biden considered to be his Attorney General, created a 'hostile and toxic work environment' which enabled his 'deeply disturbing' pattern of conduct which included unwanted kissing, groping and suggestive comments. The appendices to the report appear to include notes taken by investigators interviewing Bennett. They show that on June 5 last year Bennett had a discussion with Cuomo where they began talking about relationships. The notes state that Cuomo 'brought up his ex - he said Sandy (Sandra Lee) was not talking to him' - the couple had ended their eight-year relationship in 2019. Cuomo said he was 'lonely, that he was not sleeping well, he was looking for a girlfriend'. Cuomo told Bennett she was 'in charge of finding him a girlfriend'. At the time Cuomo was winning national plaudits for his handling of the pandemic and his daily press conferences which would later win him an Emmy. But according to the notes, Bennett recalled that Cuomo 'wants to get drunk and get on his motorbike and take a woman into the mountains and forget about the pandemic for a few hours'. When the conversation returned to finding the governor a girlfriend, Bennett 'didn't know what to say' so she suggested Jada Pinkett Smith and Chelsea Handler. The notes say: 'He said CH (Handler) was crazy'. The report includes photos of Cuomo with women - some whose faces were muzzed, some whose weren't - as proof of how tactile he is More photos of Cuomo with women at his events, with his hands over their waists. His team says he is tactile with everyone The appendices include text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. Those include text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. Another section of notes says that Cuomo dismissed the two women because 'Jada is married and Chelsea is nuts'. Ironically Handler, 46, has said she had a crush on Cuomo but that it ended when he was accused of sexual misconduct. Handler has said 'in the pandemic, I was very turned on by his morning news conferences, as many of us were'. They had a 'couple of conversations' but Cuomo never followed through on Handler's offer to go for a drink when he was in New York. Pinkett Smith, 49, who is married to actor Will Smith, has admitted that Cuomo was her 'celebrity crush' and last year said that she 'doesn't miss a press conference' about the pandemic, though her feelings appear to have gone nowhere. The notes from the Cuomo report reveal that his conversation with Bennett took a darker tone when the governor said that the only criteria for a prospective girlfriend was that they should be over 22 years of age. At that point Bennett realized that Cuomo was 'grooming' her and became extremely uneasy. Chris - a reference to the Governor's brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo - 'wants to make sure we have enough contrition in there', said PR exec Lis Smith In a December 2020 Op-ed, Melissa DeRosa, one of his senior aides, talks about an op-ed he wanted to write about one of the accusers and said the team was 'fighting for their lives' PR adviser Lis Smith says in March 2021 that Cuomo's behavior was that of 'every Italian granddad at a wedding' After being asked for a comment by a New York Times journalist, Melissa DeRosa asked if they could say that Cuomo 'hugged and kissed men and women alike for the last 40 years'. She was shot down by others in the team One of Cuomo's advisers sent this tweet by one of the accuser to a journalist from 2018 to try to discredit the allegations What next for Cuomo? It looks like checkmate for Andrew Cuomo as pressure grows on him to step down despite his desperate attempts to cling on to power. Senior Democrats including President Joe Biden are pushing for Cuomo to resign, with some looking to impeach the embattled politician. New York state assembly speaker Carl Heastie, who launched an impeachment inquiry in March, said Cuomo has 'lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority' and 'can no longer remain in office', according to CNN. If Cuomo tries to cling on to power rather than step down, he will likely face an impeachment probe. Impeachment would be carried out by the New York state assembly which is made up of 150 lawmakers. Only a majority of votes is needed for impeachment for 'misconduct of malversation', according to the state constitution. The assembly's makeup is overwhelmingly Democrat, with 106 out of 150 seats, and a majority of 76 votes needed for impeachment. If impeached, Cuomo would be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. A trial would then be held by the New York senate where Democrats hold 43 of 63 seats and a two-thirds majority is needed to convict. If convicted, Cuomo would be removed from office, but if he is found not guilty, he could return to being governor. An impeachment probe launched in March is still ongoing and lawmakers are meeting to decide whether to proceed or draft articles in other areas of Cuomo's leadership relating to the nursing homes Covid scandal, cover-up allegations over the Mario Cuomo Bridge, and claims of using state resources for personal gain. So far, Cuomo has insisted he has done nothing wrong and has made no moves to step down as he tries to cling on to power. Advertisement The report contains a transcript of an October 4, 2019 phone call between Cuomo and Bennett in which he calls her 'hun' and sings to her. Cuomo sings: 'Are you reaaaaaady? do do do do do do do do'. When Bennett says she doesn't know the song, Cuomo says it is 'before her time'. Cuomo sings: 'Do you love me, do you really love me? Do you love me, do you care?' Cuomo says that the song is 'like a 50's, it's before even my time' The investigators behind the report have said that they found the accusers 'credible' and released dozens of Bennett's contemporaneous texts messages sent by Bennett to back up her claims, In one exchange with what appears to be a friend, Bennett writes that she is 'GOING TO BURST INTO TEARS' after an apparent incident with Cuomo. Other messages show Bennett's response to Cuomo's statement following similar allegations by Lindsey Boylan. Bennett appears to write that it 'left me with a pit in my stomach' and Cuomo's statement was 'gross' and left her 'SO mad'. She writes: 'You creepit's such b*******' In other messages which appear to be to another Cuomo staffer Bennett writes: 'He only spoke to me twice today and both times it was to tell me he didn't like how I did my hair'. Another section of the report deals with the fallout from the allegations made by Anna Ruch, who claimed that Cuomo kissed her against her will on her cheek at a wedding in 2019. Cuomo PR adviser Lis Smith says in an email that 'in front of dozens of people and with cameras around? At a wedding? This doesn't pass the smell test' In a follow up email Smith says: 'This also isn't even a thing - sounds like every Italian grandad at a wedding'. As Cuomo's team scrambled to respond to the mounting allegations, they circulated a statement put out by Joe Biden's team in response to allegations of sexual assault by Tara Reade. They also tried to get together a letter signed by dozens of women who had worked with Cuomo saying he had been a good boss but appeared to struggle to get enough people to sign on. His family have bravely and loyally overseen security at the British Embassy in Kabul for 70 years. But Afghan translator Mohammad fears he will soon be abandoned by the UK and left at the mercy of the vengeful Taliban. Mohammad followed in the footsteps of his father and brothers in becoming a guard, security supervisor and translator over the two decades Britain has been involved in the quagmire of conflict in Afghanistan. But when he applied for sanctuary in the UK fearing Taliban reprisals once Western troops withdraw, his case was rejected. Mohammad followed his father Zahoor (pictured) in becoming a translator at the British Embassy in Kabul. But when he applied for sanctuary in the UK, his case was rejected On a day when the Helmand capital Lashkar Gah came on the brink of falling to the insurgents following days of intense fighting against Afghan government forces, Mohammad said of the decision: 'I was very disappointed. 'I am scared of the security situation as it becomes worse as everyone knows my family's connection to the British Embassy. We have been here beside our trusted friends for many, many years and that will make me a target. 'If the Taliban come when the Taliban come they will take me and kill me. People say to me, 'you are the son of the British' when they see me now and that is a warning.' The father of two, 45, said the Taliban have every reason to remember his family's ties to the British. His late father Zahoor worked as a guard and supervisor at the embassy for 50 years and had a remarkable history which saw him awarded an MBE in 2002. When UK diplomats withdrew from the embassy in 1989 after the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan, Zahoor and a second guard, Afzal, continued to turn up for work every day protecting the compound. On a day when the Helmand capital Lashkar Gah (Taliban fighters pictured there) came on the brink of falling to the insurgents, Mohammad said of the decision: 'I was very disappointed' They even hid the silver teapots, Wilton china and crystal glasses under a bed. During the years of Taliban rule, they continued to stand guard and were on duty when British troops arrived at the gates in November 2001 following the ousting of the Taliban. Pictures of Zahoor receiving the medal hang proudly in the family's Kabul home. Mohammad said: 'My family loved and respected the British for their decency, justice and understanding. 'I have five brothers and they all have worked at the embassy. If we put together our service then it is more than 100 years and I fear the Taliban will think that is a long time to have been supporters of their enemy. 'I hope and pray that the British will show me their compassion and change their minds.' Adding to Mohammad's feeling of betrayal is the fact three of his brothers working at the embassy have been accepted for relocation. Only Mohammad and another brother, Rahim, 39, have not. Mohammad was told his case was rejected because he was no longer directly employed by the British Government but via a subcontractor. He had been directly employed between 2001 and 2004, but when the UK moved its embassy, he and his colleagues were subcontracted, meaning they fell outside the relocations policy. Adding to Mohammad's feeling of betrayal is the fact three of his brothers working at the British Embassy in Kabul (pictured) have been accepted for relocation His case mirrors that of Farid, 37, a senior interpreter who worked at the embassy for 17 years but was denied relocation. Within hours of his case being highlighted by the Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign on Saturday, the decision was reversed a move understood to have come after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was told about the rejection. Now Mohammad hopes he too will be saved. Farid said: 'Mohammad is a very good and loyal man. 'His father was famous because of how he defied the Taliban, his brother was the ambassador's driver they are all known as 'British'. Mohammad will be a Taliban target.' Mohammad's case has been taken up by the Sulha Alliance, which campaigns for translators and other Afghan workers. Founding member Sara de Jong said: 'How can the Government deny Mohammad our protection through relocation to the UK? This demonstrates a major flaw in the Afghan relocation policy.' President Biden on Tuesday demanded that the Republican governors of Texas and Florida - home to about a third of all coronavirus cases in the country - use their power to save lives or get out of the way of people doing the right thing. His pointed remarks came as he delivered an update on efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and urged Americans to protect themselves from a surge in cases. He backed city and private mandates that require people to be vaccinated to take part in some daily activities. And he reserved special criticism for state officials who were getting in the way of letting 'people do the right thing' such as banning mask mandates in schools or elsewhere. 'The escalation of cases is particularly concentrated in states with low vaccination rates,' he said. 'Just two states, Florida and Texas, account for one third of all new COVID-19 cases in the entire country. Just two states. 'Look, we need leadership from everyone.' President Biden took aim at the Republican governors of Texas and Florida as he delivered an update on his administration's COVID-19 response, saying they were making 'bad health policy' that meant their states were responsible for a third of all coronavirus cases in the U.S. 'I believe the results of their decisions are not good for their constituents,' said Biden when he was asked whether the governors of Texas and Florida were harming people in their states July and August's COVID spike has been attributed to the highly transmissible Delta variant spreading among unvaccinated Americans 'They should free people to do the right thing, such as allowing teachers to ask students to wear masks, he continued. 'I say to these governors, please help,' he said. 'But if you're not going to help at least get out of the way of the people who are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives.' Biden's comments came as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday downplayed a spike in COVID-19 cases that's shattered state hospitalization records and strongly reiterated his vow not to impose a mask mandate or any business restrictions. With the much more contagious Delta variant now spreading exponentially, Florida hit 11,515 hospitalized patients on Tuesday, breaking last year's record for the third straight day and up from just 1,000 in mid-June. DeSantis, a Republican, said he expects hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, asserting that the spike is seasonal as Floridians spend more time together indoors to escape the summer heat and humidity. 'We are not shutting down,' DeSantis said Tuesday during a wide-ranging press conference. 'We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridian's job in this state. We are protecting people's small businesses. These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States.' DeSantis says COVID cases will decrease in the coming weeks amid spike in Delta cases and says 'interventions' have not stopped the spread On Monday, the White House announced that it had finally reached its target of delivering at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 70 percent of the population. However, the milestone was reached a month late, reflecting hesitancy among young people in particular. Combined with the highly infectious Delta variant, the result has been a surge in cases around the country. That rise in infections prompted health officials last week to recommend that even people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 return to wearing masks in some public indoor settings. But as some states and cities scrambled to reimpose safety measured abandoned when officials believed the pandemic was over, Texas and Florida were among those that moved to limit mandates. While some states scrambled to reimpose social distancing conditions and mask mandates, Gov Greg Abbott of Texas, left, and Gov Ron DeSantis, of Florida, signed executive orders rejecting such moves. It puts them at odds with a White House urging action on COVID-19 Average cases in Texas have risen by 74% from 4,577 per day to 7,992 per day in the last two weeks (left). Hospitalizations have also increased to more than 6,200 patients, which is the highest since February (right) Florida is averaging 27,681 cases per day, a 342% increase from the 6,492 average cases reported two weeks ago (left). COVID-19 hospitalizations also reached a record high with 11,515, breaking the previous record of 10, 207 set on Monday (right) In an executive order signed on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of the Texas, banned state agencies from mandating vaccinations. It also reinforced a previous order preventing officials from introducing mask mandates. A day later, Gov Ron DeSantis of Florida issued an executive order rejecting mask mandates in schools. At the weekend it emerged that Florida had set a new state record for hospitalizations. It reported 10,207 people were in hospital with confirmed COVID-19 cases, surpassing the 10,170 recorded in July last year, before vaccinations had begun. At the end of his formal remarks, Biden was asked by journalists at the White House whether the governors of Florida and Texas were harming their voters. 'I believe the results of their decisions are not good for their constituents,' said Biden. 'And it's clear to me and to most of the medical experts that the decisions being made - like not allowing mask mandates in school and the like - are bad health policy.' As he left the East Room of the White House he was asked whether he would call Gov. Ron DeSantis personally 'And say happy birthday or what?' joked Biden. The two appeared to have struck a cordial tone when the president visited the site of the Surfside condo collapse in Florida last month. The latest numbers also indicate more Americans are concerned about the pandemic than any other issue facing the country Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis displayed a friendly relationship when the president visited the scene of the Surfside condo collapse in Florida and offered help But when asked whether he would call DeSantis to deliver his message that more needed to be done on tackling COVID-19, the president said: 'He knows the message' The number of people who said the US is moving in a favorable direction with the pandemic has also fallen as cases surged over July But when Biden was further pressed on whether he would call the governor to deliver the same message he had just outlined, Biden suggested the relationship went only so far. 'He knows the message,' he replied. 'He knows the message.' Biden has seen his own approval ratings drop by 10 percent as his promised 'summer of freedom' has been replaced with fresh mask mandates and an increase in COVID-19 cases. DeSantis had been riding high on his handling of the pandemic. The worst forecasts failed to materialize as he reopened the state early from lockdowns last year. But that has changed in the past month and last week the state announced 409 deaths. DeSantis has resisted mandatory masking and vaccine requirements, and along with the state legislature, has limited local officials' ability to impose restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. For his part, the governor has blamed the surge on hot weather, forcing more Floridians indoors were air conditioning can spread the virus. Wind your neck in! This angry swan looks desperate to escape after it was captured and held a police car in a scene that echoes the comedy film Hot Fuzz. It was detained for blocking traffic and escorted to a lake after motorists saw it by a busy road outside Cambridge. The incident drew comparisons with the 2007 film featuring hapless police officers played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. This angry swan looks desperate to escape after it was captured and held a police car in a scene that echoes the comedy film Hot Fuzz The incident drew comparisons with the 2007 film featuring hapless police officers played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (pictured) Memorably responding to descriptions of a suspect with a long, slender neck, the movie duo grappled with their own escaped swan in the fictional town of Sandford, supposedly in rural Gloucestershire, before driving it away in their patrol car. Posting an online image of the Cambridge incident, police said they had received reports of an angry individual swanning around and blocking traffic on the A428 on Friday. They added: One swan detained (put in the back of a police car) and taken to custody (the nearest water officers could find!) Thank you to those who reported it and helped us to rescue this cheeky chap. A terrified former British military translator trapped in Lashkar Gah told of seeing bodies on the streets yesterday as the battleground city stood on the brink of falling to the Taliban. Sharif Karimi, 31, who worked for three years beside UK troops, described a 'hell' where desperate families were fleeing from their homes, which were then seized by insurgent fighters as bases to launch rocket attacks. The father of four said: 'It is a terrifying situation and the Taliban has made big gains so they control sections of the city where you can see their fighters openly walking around. Former British military translator Sharif Karimi, 31, who worked for three years beside UK troops, described seeing bodies on the streets of Lashkar Gah on Tuesday 'We fear they will seek revenge on those who worked for Western forces, they will show no mercy. There are dead bodies in every street, all the roads.' Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province where more than 450 British troops sacrificed their lives, is a key target for the Taliban. Just weeks after the last British soldiers left Afghanistan following the US decision to withdraw, more than 40 civilians have been killed in fighting and thousands have gone into hiding. Sharif, a former supervisor for 120 British Army translators, has been rejected for relocation to the UK because records show his employment was terminated. But he insists he resigned and claims he has the support of former officers. He says he hopes Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will 'honour' his promise to personally review contentious claims. He was rejected for UK relocation as records show his employment was terminated. He hopes Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (above) will 'honour' his promise to review contentious claims Sharif, who is one of at least three former translators trapped in the city, said: 'The people know that I worked for the British forces, and my own house which I left yesterday has been captured by the Taliban, who now live there. 'They were asking for me. They are looking house to house for the people who worked for Nato. 'Interpreters are a favoured target for them because of the vital role we played in helping on operations that led to many Taliban deaths or capture.' He spoke as reports emerged of the assassination of another ex-US interpreter in the city of Jalalabad. Imdadullah is the eighth ex-translator to have been killed this year. He was said by colleagues to have worked for US Special Forces and had sought sanctuary. As few as one in five civil servants has returned to the office and they are not being ordered back to their desks in Whitehall. Skills minister Gillian Keegan conceded yesterday that just 20 to 25 per cent of those in her department had actually come back. This is despite the Government changing the official work from home guidance to recommend a gradual return over the summer. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also highlighted the benefits of young people working in the office this week. Skills minister Gillian Keegan (pictured) conceded yesterday that just 20 to 25 per cent of those in her department had actually come back Until last night the Governments own website was still telling people to work from home, with Gov.uk stating on its main page that everyone who can work from home must do so. But the sites Covid-19 guidance page had a different message, stating: Whilst Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, Government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer. The Government last night changed the website to ensure it reflected the current message that a return to work is recommended after the Daily Mail pointed out the inconsistency. A Cabinet Office source said the page one of the most prominent on the site was out of date. However, it emerged yesterday that civil servants are not being ordered back to their desks in Whitehall, with government departments reportedly being left to decide for themselves whether staff come back. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also highlighted the benefits of young people working in the office this week Asked how many civil servants had returned to the Department for Education, Mrs Keegan told Times Radio: I would say probably 20 to 25 per cent at the moment on any one day, obviously different people are coming in different days. I think we have led by example and I think more and more people will, but we have said use the summer to get people coming back, get people comfortable with coming back. And you know not everybody will be back all the time, flexible working will be part of our future and we are not telling businesses what to do. She added: I have been in the office four days a week since June last year, as have many of us. And many civil servants are also back now, more and more are coming back, and quite frankly they are all excited to come back. We have been there all the time, as have many civil servants who support us. The Cabinet Office declined to release a figure or estimate for the proportion of the Civil Service currently working back in the office across all departments, and said each area has flexibility to make its own arrangements. It contrasts with last summer when permanent secretaries were told to move quickly to get 80 per cent of their staff back to their desks. Boris Johnson formally ditched the work from home rules last month, telling a press conference: We must find a new way of living with the virus. Ministers are increasingly concerned that city and town centres could be damaged by the shift away from offices. Businesses are taking a cautious approach, with millions of workers expected to spend more days at home than in the office. Office for National Statistics figures show a gradual move back. In February 37 per cent of employees said they were solely working from home, compared with 34 per cent fully in the office. At the end of last month, the figures were 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. A Government spokesman said: We are no longer instructing people to work from home and employers can plan for a safe return to workplaces. We expect and recommend a gradual return to the workplace over the summer this is so we remain cautious whilst prevalence remains high. Boris Johnson has snubbed Nicola Sturgeon's offer to meet her when he visits Scotland this week. First Minister Ms Sturgeon had urged Mr Johnson to discuss the coronavirus recovery in Edinburgh. But in his reply the PM instead suggested they hold talks with other first ministers at a later date. It came after police in Scotland named a mission to guard Mr Johnson as Operation Bunter, but later scrapped the name over fears it would offend him. In his letter, the Prime Minister said: 'As I noted when we last met, I am keen to arrange an in-person meeting with you and the other first ministers and deputy first minister to build on the constructive discussions we had earlier this summer. First Minister Ms Sturgeon had urged Boris Johnson (pictured) to discuss the coronavirus recovery in Edinburgh 'We agreed then that we should establish a structured forum for ongoing engagement between the Government and the devolved administrations to deliver tangible outcomes in the interest of people throughout the UK. 'There is much for us to discuss as all parts of the UK work together on our shared priority of recovering from the pandemic. 'I understand our officials have made good progress on the details of this since we last spoke.' Mr Johnson added: 'I am particularly keen that we work closely together on the vaccination booster campaign this autumn which will be crucial as we continue to tackle the pandemic. 'The UK Government has procured millions of vaccines for the entire United Kingdom and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government as we roll out booster jabs in line with JCVI's advice. 'The UK Government is working closely with the devolved Scottish Government on a variety of different issues. Ms Sturgeon (pictured) acknowledged in her own letter on Monday she and Mr Johnson 'differ politically', but stressed the Scottish and UK governments must 'work together where we can' 'I know that you have been meeting regularly with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, but I look forward to meeting with you soon and working together in the interests of people in all parts of our country.' Ms Sturgeon acknowledged in her own letter on Monday she and Mr Johnson 'differ politically', but stressed the Scottish and UK governments must 'work together where we can'. It comes after she confirmed most of Scotland's remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be scrapped from Monday which she hailed as 'perhaps the most significant date so far' in the pandemic. From August 9, Scotland will move 'beyond Level 0' with the removal of most restrictions such as physical distancing and the size of social gatherings. Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) shared the first look at their new module, Nauka, which made headlines last week when it inadvertently fired its thrusters after docking and threw the ISS out of control. Russian space officials said a software glitch and possible lapse in human attention were to blame for the mishap. A senior official in the Russian space agency Roscosmos, former cosmonaut Vladimir Solovyov, said in a statement: 'Due to a short-term software failure, a direct command was mistakenly implemented to turn on the module's engines for withdrawal, which led to some modification of the orientation of the complex as a whole.' Now that the immediate danger has passed, cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov gave the world a tour of the upgrade that provides a new science facility, docking port and spacewalk airlock for future operations, along with additional crew quarters, a galley and a toilet. Scroll down for videos Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) shared the first look of their new module, Nauka, which made headlines last week when it inadvertently fired its thrusters after docking and threw the ISS out of control The tour begins at the opening hatch, with the cosmonauts unlocking and opening the door into the new section of the ISS. The pair floats through the large opening and into Nuaka where tons of wires and new mechanics line the walls of the modular. Novitiskiy shared the clip to Twitter, saying they plan to release a more detailed tour soon. Nauka, which means 'science' in Russian, launched on July 21 atop a Russian Proton rocket. Pictured is a look inside the new module The tour begins at the opening hatch, with the cosmonauts unlocking and opening the door into the new section of the ISS The pair floats through the large opening and into Nuaka where tons of wires and new mechanics line the walls of the modular This rocket also carried the new European Robotic Arm, or ERA, a 16-foot-long two-handed robot that can move freely outside of the ISS. After eight days in free-flight, the uncrewed 43-foot-long module linked up to the port on the Earth-facing Russian segment of the ISS on July 29. The module docked at 9:29 am ET, but shortly after the flight control team noticed the 'unplanned firing' of its thrusters about three hours later, NASA announced. This caused the ISS to move out of attitude its orientation in relation to its direction of travel by 45 degrees, or one-eighth of a complete circle. The station's position is key for getting power from its solar panels. If this was lost, the ISS would 'decay', meaning it would get closer and closer to Earth before it came crashing down. Russian state-owned news agency RIA cited NASA specialists at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, who described the struggle to regain control of the ISS as a 'tug of war' between the two modules. The seven crew members aboard two Russian cosmonauts, three NASA astronauts, a Japanese astronaut and a European Space Agency astronaut from France were never in any immediate danger, according to NASA. Nauka provides a new science facility, docking port and spacewalk airlock for future operations, along with additional crew quarters, a galley and a toilet The module docked at 9:29am ET, but shortly after the flight control team noticed the 'unplanned firing' of its thrusters about three hours later, NASA announced Roscosmos released an official statement on Friday about the mishap, which they said was caused by a short-term software failure. 'The crew is now busy balancing the pressure in the Nauka module. This is a rather lengthy procedure, because the total volume of the module is about 70 cubic meters,' Solovyov shared in the press release. 'In the afternoon, the crew will open the hatches, enter the module, turn on the necessary means of purifying the atmosphere and begin normal regular work. The Chief Operating Control Group operates normally and manages the entire complex, including the Nauka module.' Shortly after the statement was released, Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, told Reuters that human inattentiveness could have been involved. 'Everything was going well but there was a human factor. There was some euphoria (after successful docking), everybody got relaxed,' he was quoted as saying by the Komsomolskaya Pravda website. One of the world's rarest chameleons is facing extinction as its natural habitat is being converted to farmland, requiring 'urgent' conservation efforts, study finds. Chapman's pygmy chameleon had been feared extinct due to massive forest clearances in the Malawi Hills, but has been found 'clinging to survival' in patches of rainforest in Malawi by South African National Biodiversity Institute experts. Also known as Rhampholeon chapmanorum, the creature grows to a length of just 5.5 centimetres (2.1 inches), and was first described by scientists in 1992. Researchers say urgent conservation measures are required in order to save the 'critically endangered' species from extinction due to habitat destruction. The study is based on the recently published findings of a survey conducted in 2016 by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Museums of Malawi. The survey found small pockets of the reptile clinging on in surviving patches of forest in Malawi, with a total population down 80 per cent since the 1980s. One of the world's rarest chameleons is facing extinction as its natural habitat is being converted to farmland, requiring 'urgent' conservation efforts, study finds CHAPMAN'S PYGMY CHAMELEON: RHAMPHLEON CHAPMORUM The Chapman's pygmy chameleon is just 2.1 inches long and found in the Malawi Hills. They were first discovered in 1992 and their population has since dropped 80 per cent due to deforestation. They were once thought extinct but a 2016 survey revealed tiny isolated pockets remain in the Malawi Hills. It is one of the worlds rarest chameleons, if not the rarest. The tiny species is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Advertisement A genetic (DNA) analysis also suggests that the chameleons are trapped in their forest patches, unable to move between them to breed. Conservationists say that without this interbreeding, genetic diversity will be lost over time posing another serious threat to the species' survival. The study was led by Professor Krystal Tolley from the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the University of the Witwatersrand. It was her assessment work in 2014 which led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to list Chapman's Pygmy Chameleon as 'Critically Endangered' on its Red List of Threatened Species. Comparing satellite images of the Malawi Hills with those taken in the 1980s revealed 'dramatic' forest loss. The area where the chameleon was first described in 1992 has since been completely cleared, with just small fragmented and isolated patches remaining. Fearing the chameleon may have become extinct, Prof Tolley and her colleagues turned to crowdfunding website, RocketHub, to raise the cash needed to survey the remaining patches for any surviving populations. Chameleon enthusiasts responded to the appeal, donating enough cash for the researchers to survey two of the remaining forest patches in the Malawi Hills. They were also able to survey an area 60 miles away near Mikundi, where 37 of the chameleons had been released in 1998 to try to safeguard the species. The chameleons were found in all three locations - and Prof Tolley described the team's jubilation on discovering that the species was still present. She said: 'The first one we found was in the transition zone on the forest edge, where there are some trees but mostly maize and cassava plants. 'When we found it we got goosebumps and just started jumping around. We didn't know if we would get any more, but once we got into the forest there were plenty, although I don't know how long that will last.' Samples taken from the chameleons were then analysed to see if their genetic diversity had also been reduced. While this was not evident, the researchers believe that may be because such effects take time to show. They did see evidence that the flow of genes between the fragmented populations had been disrupted due to their isolation and inability to interbreed. Prof Tolley explained that, in effect, each forest patch is now home to a small, isolated population, unable to breed with chameleons in neighbouring patches. Chapman's pygmy chameleon had been feared extinct due to massive forest clearances in the Malawi Hills, but has been found 'clinging to survival' in patches of rainforest in Malawi by South African National Biodiversity Institute experts MALAWI: A LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN AFRICA The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa bordered by Zambia, Tanznia and Mozambique. It spans 45,747 square miles and has a population of over 19.4 million. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name for the Chewa people who inhabit the area the country covers. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country and the nation has elephants, hippos, antelopes, big cats, monkey and rhinos. It also has birds of prey, parrots, falcons and unique reptiles such as Chapman's Pygmy Chameleon. Advertisement She said that will reduce genetic diversity over time and increases the extinction risk for the species as a whole. She added: 'The forest loss requires immediate attention before this species reaches a point from which it cannot return. 'Urgent conservation action is needed, including halting of forest destruction and recovery of habitat to promote connectivity.' The research team suggest including the remaining forest as part of the nearby Matandwe Forest Reserve so it can be designated as a Key Biodiversity Area, and introducing strong measures to ensure its protection. They also recommend more and thorough surveys of the chameleons to monitor their population and genetic diversity. The team also suggest the involvement of local landowners in protecting the Mikundi forest and its population as some insurance against the loss of the chameleon's natural range in the Malawi Hills. Overall, they say a 'comprehensive and properly funded action plan' needs to be drawn up and enacted to stop the species disappearing forever. Prof Tolley said: 'They are little, gentle creatures. Other chameleon species can be hysterical, hissing and biting, but pygmy chameleons are gentle and just beautiful. Lead author, Professor Krystal Tolley, searches for chameleons in the forests of southern Malawi 'Chapman's in particular are one of the smallest and don't have a prehensile tail like most chameleons, perhaps because they aren't particularly arboreal but walk about on the forest floor in the leaf litter, crawling up into low bushes at night to sleep. 'They blend right into the leaf litter and perfectly pattern match the dead leaves. 'They are mostly brown but they can change to quite beautiful blues and greens with little dots all over them and that's probably a way of communicating with each other. 'They also vibrate and we could feel it when we held them. We don't really know why but it's also probably some form of communication. The fact they do it while held in our hands could mean it's a way to try and scare predators.' She added: 'I get sad when I think what's happening to them - what we are doing to their habitat. They are really just helpless victims.' The findings have been published in the journal Oryx. Huge swathes of the oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice are at high risk of melting this summer, a new study has warned, after being blown into warmer waters by record-breaking winter winds. The perennial ice, which is less prone to melting than new ice and has survived for at least one year, helps keep the Earth cool by reflecting sunlight. It is also a vital part of the habitat of animals such as polar bears and seals. But its coverage has reduced by about 50 per cent since 1984 and is currently at its lowest on record for this time of year. Scroll down for video Huge swathes of the oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is at high risk of melting this summer, a new study has warned. The research vessel Polarstern is pictured drifting in Arctic sea ice Record-breaking winter winds have driven eight per cent of the Arctic's entire perennial ice store into the Beaufort Sea, a southerly region where two thirds of ice melts in the summer WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF LOWER SEA ICE LEVELS? The amount of Arctic sea ice peaks around March as winter comes to a close. NASA said in 2018 that the maximum amount of sea ice that year was low, following three other record-low measurements taken in 2015, 2016 and 2017. This can lead to a number of negative effects that impact climate, weather patterns, plant and animal life and indigenous human communities. Additionally, the disappearing ice can alter shipping routes and affect coastal erosion and ocean circulation. NASA researcher Claire Parkinson said: 'The Arctic sea ice cover continues to be in a decreasing trend and this is connected to the ongoing warming of the Arctic. 'It's a two-way street: the warming means less ice is going to form and more ice is going to melt, but, also, because there's less ice, less of the sun's incident solar radiation is reflected off, and this contributes to the warming.' Advertisement The new study led by University College London (UCL) found that winds blowing persistently clockwise for most of the winter drove eight per cent of the Arctic's entire perennial ice store into the Beaufort Sea, a southerly region where two thirds of ice melts in the summer. This means almost a quarter (23.5 per cent) of perennial ice is in melt-prone regions outside the central Arctic the largest fraction since records began in 1989. The winds, which normally blow weakly anti-clockwise, blew the sea ice clockwise about twice as hard as the previous record. UCL PhD student Robbie Mallett, who led the study, said: 'In mid-February we saw that a strong weather system was literally spinning the Arctic sea ice around. 'When we looked closer we saw that the Arctic's older ice was drifting out of the "survival zone" the shrinking area where ice can still survive the summer melt season.' Co-author Professor Julienne Stroeve, of UCL Earth Sciences and the University of Colorado Boulder, said: 'Since perennial ice tends to be thicker ice that is more resistant to melting out during summer, the loss of this ice removes the ocean's reflective ice cover, allowing the ocean to absorb more heat and light, which in turn melts more ice and warms the planet.' The persistent clockwise winds that spun the Arctic sea ice around were linked to a weakening of the polar vortex a circulation of cold winds high up in the Arctic atmosphere. This weakening caused cold weather to move southward, causing UK temperatures to fall to their lowest level since 1995. In Texas, extremely cold weather paralysed the power grid, leaving four million people without power. The Arctic, meanwhile, had very high air pressure, warmer temperatures and unprecedented clockwise winds blowing more persistently than ever recorded. The Arctic, together with the Antarctic, act as the world's refrigerator, with snow and ice in the region reflecting heat back into space, while other parts of the planet absorb heat WHAT IS THE ARCTIC LAST ICE AREA? The Last Ice Area is thought to be home to the oldest and thickest sea ice in the Arctic. It is in a region located north of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic archipelago. This area is a safe haven for ice-loving animals, such as polar bears, and is usually covered in ice all year round. It is beginning to crumble due to rising temperatures in the region caused by climate change, according to scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle. Like other parts of the Arctic Ocean, the ice here has been gradually thinning, though last spring's sea ice was on average slightly thicker than previous years. The Last Ice Area was one of the last places where animals could seek refuge, but experts say it is unlikely to continue to offer ice all year round. Advertisement In the study, researchers analysed weather data and satellite maps showing the thickness of sea ice, how it was moving around, and the coverage of perennial versus first-year ice, over December, January and February. Using data from the European Space Agency's CryoSat-2 mission, they found that the movement of older, thicker ice to melt-prone regions contributed to a record low in the thickness of ice remaining in the Arctic Ocean 'survival zone' at the end of winter the region where ice normally survives the summer melt season. As well as being thinner, perennial ice is accounting for a highly diminished proportion of the Arctic region its coverage was low at the start of the year, and is now at its lowest ever for this time of year, beating a previous record set in 2017. 'Last winter things started badly, and then they got worse,' Mallett said. 'We saw a record-late start to the winter growth season, from which the sea ice never really recovered. 'To add to that, we now have a record-low and precariously positioned perennial ice cover in the Arctic's hottest months. 'If this ice melts before September, then it's gone.' Prof Stroeve found in a previous study that when the perennial ice is blown into the southern Beaufort Sea, much of it will melt the following summer. Last month separate research claimed that Earth has lost enough ice every year since 1979 to fill North America's Lake Superior because of climate change. The research said the planet had lost approximately 33,000 square miles of ice every year from 1979 until 2016. The collective area of ice, which is known as the cryosphere and holds almost three-quarters of the planet's fresh water, is a good indicator that the surface area of Earth's ice is shrinking from warming temperatures. A separate study published in July looked at the Wandel Sea north of Greenland, which is inside what's known as the 'Last Ice Area' of the Arctic Ocean. It found that this is rapidly melting due to climate change and will have devastating effects on polar bears if it disappears Another study, published in July, found that the 'Last Ice Area' in the Arctic is rapidly melting due to climate change and it will have devastating effects on polar bears and walruses if it disappears. The region located north of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic archipelago, which is a safe haven for animals, is usually covered in ice all year round. It is beginning to crumble due to rising temperatures in the region caused by climate change, according to scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle. Animals such as polar bears depend on permanent ice cover to hunt for seals and build dens where they raise their young, but rising global temperatures have meant permanently ice-covered patches in the Arctic are few and far between. The Last Ice Area was one of the last places where animals could seek refuge, but experts say it is unlikely to continue to offer ice all year round. The UCL findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment. Earth's rotation began to slow around 2.4 billion years ago and that may have sparked the growth of oxygen on the planet, a new study reveals. A team of scientists, led by researchers from the University of Michigan, suggest Earth's slowed rotation resulted in continuous daylight that kick-started bacteria into producing large amounts of oxygen. The theory was tested at Michigan's Lake Huron, where researchers analyzed microbial communities 80 feet below the water's surface that is rich in sulfur and low in oxygen. The brightly colored bacteria, called cyanobacteria, that call this sinkhole home, are close examples to the single-celled organisms that formed mat-like colonies billions of years ago, carpeting both land and seafloor surfaces. The researchers brought up pieces of the bacteria-filled mats to the surface, where they were exposed to varying amounts of light for 26 hours - they found that more continuous light caused the microbes to produce more oxygen. These results reveal a previously unconsidered link between Earth's oxygenation history and its rotation rate, the team shared in a press release. Scroll down for video The brightly colored bacteria, called cyanobacteria, that call this sinkhole home are close examples to the single-celled organisms that formed mat-like colonies billions of years ago, carpeting both land and seafloor surfaces University of Michigan geomicrobiologist Gregory Dick, who is one of the study's corresponding authors, said in a statement: 'An enduring question in the Earth sciences has been how did Earth's atmosphere get its oxygen, and what factors controlled when this oxygenation took place. 'Our research suggests that the rate at which the Earth is spinningin other words, its day lengthmay have had an important effect on the pattern and timing of Earth's oxygenation.' The study, published Monday in Nature, explains that Earth's rotation period may have been as low as six hours when it was around four billion years old, but has gradually slowed to the 24 hours we experience today, which sparked the idea for the study. About 2.4 billion years ago, there was so little oxygen in Earths atmosphere that it could barely be measured, so no animal or plant life like we know could live. The theory was tested at Michigan's Lake Huron, where researchers analyzed microbial communities 80 feet below the water's surface that is rich in sulfur and low in oxygen The researchers brought up pieces of the bacteria-filled mats to the surface, where they were exposed to varying amounts of light for 26 hours - they found that more continuous light caused the microbes to produce more oxygen Instead, microbes breathed in carbon dioxide, and in the case of cyanobacteria, produced oxygen in the earliest form of photosynthesis. The rates of oxygen were very low at first, but in roughly 400 million years, Earth's atmosphere went to one-tenth the amount of oxygen we have now a huge jump, said the study's lead author, Judith Klatt, a biogeochemist at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. That oxygen burst allowed plants and animals to evolve, with other plants now joining in the oxygen-making party, she said. With this in mind, the team setout to learn where the burst of oxygen may have came from and started looking at the Middle Island Sinkhole in Lake Huron. This body of water has a layer of 400-million-year-old limestone, dolomite and gypsum bedrock that formed from the saltwater seas that once covered the continent. The study, published Monday in Nature , explains that Earth's rotation period may have been as low as six hours when it was around four billion years old, but has gradually slowed to the 24 hours we experience today, which has sparked the idea for the study Lake Huron is home to both purple oxygen-producing cyanobacteria and white sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that compete with each other. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria covers its opponent during the day and evening, blocking its ability to make oxygen It is also home to stunning, purple oxygen-producing cyanobacteria that use photosynthesis to produce oxygen. However, there is also another bacteria living with the cyanobacteria that competes for space. This white sulfur-oxidizing bacteria covers the cyanobacteria during the day and evening, blocking their access to sunlight and preventing them from carrying out oxygen-producing photosynthesis. When sunlight levels increase to a critical threshold, the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria migrate back down below the photosynthetic cyanobacteria, allowing them to start producing oxygen. The competition between the two has previously been observed, but what the study found was how these movements are linked how Earth's day length contributes to rates of oxygen production. But when sunlight levels increase to a critical threshold, the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria migrate back down below the photosynthetic cyanobacteria, allowing them to start producing oxygen Judith Klatt of the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and lead author, said: 'Two groups of microbes in the Middle Island Sinkhole mats compete for the uppermost position, with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria sometimes shading the photosynthetically active cyanobacteria. 'It's possible that a similar type of competition between microbes contributed to the delay in oxygen production on the early Earth.' A key to understanding the proposed link between changing day length and Earth's oxygenation is that longer days extend the afternoon high-light period, allowing photosynthetic cyanobacteria to crank out more oxygen. 'The idea is that with a shorter day length and shorter window for high-light conditions in the afternoon, those white sulfur-eating bacteria would be on top of the photosynthetic bacteria for larger portions of the day, limiting oxygen production,' Dick said. Despite being the most sought after in the supermarkets, the plumpest red tomatoes aren't the sweetest, a new study reveals. Tomato varieties with more chlorophyll which famously gives plants their green colour have a higher sugar content, researchers in Japan found. Green tomatoes, which are crumbed and fried in the southern United States, may therefore be more satisfying in a salad or a homemade pasta sauce before they reach an attractive ruby red colour. Green tomatoes tend to be unripe varieties that eventually ripen to a brilliant red, although there are some varieties that stay green when fully ripe. Scroll down for video Researchers in Japan found chlorophyll-abundant varieties of tomatoes have relatively higher sugar content HOW TO GROW TOMATOES FROM SEED - Cut a normal salad tomato or cherry tomato in half and extract the seeds - Place the seeds on a piece of tissue paper and allow to dry - When dry, put the seeds in small pots and fill with at least 1 cm of soil - Spray regularly with water and add liquid fertiliser if you have it, or tea leaves from a used tea bag if you don't - Keep in a sunny position - Within seven days, your tomato plants will have started to grow - Re-pot into bigger pots as your vine begins to grow Advertisement For the study, Miyako Kusano and coworkers at the University of Tsukuba analysed the pigment molecules in 157 kinds of tomatoes. Varieties included the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), which you're most likely to find at your greengrocers and is a bright red when ripe, and Solanum pimpinellifolium, commonly known as the red currant tomato. They also looked at the green zebra, which gets its name from its green colour and subtle yellow stripes even when ripe, as well as the chocolate cherry (brown in colour) and the dixie golden giant (orange). Rather than tasting the tomatoes themselves, the experts used chromatography to separate the chemical components in a sample from each tomato. Pigment molecules in tomatoes are called carotenoids and are usually red, yellow, or orange but these compounds don't have a flavour. Carotenoids are known to be important for human health benefit to decrease the risk of disease, the experts say. Carotenoids degrade into compounds called apocarotenoids, which are responsible for flavour, taste, aroma and fragrance of flowers and foods. 'Some apocarotenoids are released from the fruit as flavor compounds and have a fruity or floral scent,' Kusano told Chemical & Engineering News. The team measured amounts of chlorophyll and prolycopene, a type of carotenoid that makes tomatoes orange. Overall, tomato varieties with high amounts of chlorophyll also had higher sugar content and therefore tasted sweeter. Tomatoes with a lot of prolycopene, such as dixie golden giant, had higher amounts of a volatile compound called sulcatone, which is one of the main flavours of tomatoes and delivers a fruity, slightly citrus odour. Green tomatoes also have a lower water content, so they're well suited are suited to frying. Fried green tomatoes (pictured) is a famous US dish Another tomato called Kelloggs Breakfast, for its resemblance to the colour of cornflakes when ripe, also had a notably high sulcatone content. Overall, the most pleasant to eat struck a balance between chlorophyll and prolycopene content, but weren't necessarily the ripest varieties, the experts found. 'Our results suggest the importance of these pigments not only as components of fruit colour but also as factors influencing flavor traits, such as sugars and aroma,' the experts say in their paper, published in Metabolites. Kusano also told Chemical & Engineering News that his tomatoes of choice are the Japanese variety Aiko, known for its crisp, sweet flesh, and the Maglia Rosa cherry, with its attractive mottled skin both of which are red when fully ripe. Female giraffes have evolved to go through the menopause early so they can help care for their grandchildren, a new study reveals. Elegant females spend up to 30 per cent of their lives in a 'post-reproductive state' to help raise successive generations of offspring in later life and ensure the preservation of their genes, the authors claim. This evolutionary trait is known as the 'grandmother hypothesis' and has been used to explain why humans live such a comparatively long time after reproduction. The authors also say 30 per cent is comparable to elephants and killer whales, which spend 23 per cent and 35 per cent of their lives in a post-reproductive state, respectively. Scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered evidence that giraffes are a highly socially complex species - more so than previously thought - because females help care for their offspring's offspring. Pictured, a other Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, a giraffe sub-species) tending to her baby. The photo was taken in Soysambu Conservancy, in the Rift Valley region of Kenya THE GRANDMOTHER HYPOTHESIS The grandmother hypothesis, put forward by evolutionary biologist William Hamilton in a 1966 paper, has been applied to humans and other animals. Female chimps rarely live past childbearing years, usually into their 30s and sometimes their 40s. Human females often live decades past their child-bearing years - and that may have begun with our early Homo relatives 2 million years ago. The grandmother hypothesis says that before then, few females lived past their fertile years. But changing environments led to the use of food like buried tubers that weaned children couldn't dig themselves. So older females helped feed the kids, allowing their daughters to have the next baby sooner. By allowing their daughters to have more kids, grandmothers' longevity genes became increasingly common in the population and human lifespan increased. A 2010 modelling study suggested the hypothesis isn't plausible, however. Advertisement Both elephants and killer whales are known for being 'socially complex', meaning they live together in large groups and cooperate to conduct tasks. But, in comparison, the social complexity of giraffes may have been unfairly overlooked until now. Giraffes have been thought as having little or no social structure, and only weak and fleeting relationships, according to the authors at the University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences. 'It is baffling to me that such a large, iconic and charismatic African species has been understudied for so long,' said lead author Zoe Muller. 'This paper collates all the evidence to suggest that giraffes are actually a highly complex social species, with intricate and high-functioning social systems, potentially comparable to elephants, cetaceans and chimpanzees. 'I hope that this study draws a line in the sand, from which point forwards, giraffes will be regarded as intelligent, group-living mammals which have evolved highly successful and complex societies, which have facilitated their survival in tough, predator-filled ecosystems.' For the study, Muller looked at how long adult giraffe females live for in the wild (28 years, according to a 2017 study) then deducted the age at which they stop bearing young (20 years). 'This left an eight-year period where adult giraffes remain with the herd, but are not producing offspring,' she told MailOnline. This eight-year period represents 35 per cent of their total lifespan, but to 'err on the side of caution', this was rounded down to 30 per cent. Muller has suggested key areas for future research, including the need to understand the role that older, post-reproductive adults play in society and what fitness benefits they bring for group survival. The study author says 'giraffes are actually a highly complex social species, with intricate and high-functioning social systems' 'Recognising that giraffes have a complex cooperative social system and live in matrilineal societies will further our understanding of their behavioural ecology and conservation needs,' she said. 'Conservation measures will be more successful if we have an accurate understanding of the species' behavioural ecology. 'If we view giraffes as a highly socially complex species, this also raises their "status" towards being a more complex and intelligent mammal that is increasingly worthy of protection.' The paper, published in the journal Mammal Review, follows previous research into giraffe behaviour by Muller. According to her 2018 study, the size of giraffe groups is not influenced by the presence of predators, unlike other animal species in the wild. It is commonly accepted that group sizes of animals increase when there is a risk of predation, since larger group sizes reduce the risk of individuals being killed, and there are 'many eyes' to spot any potential risk. Giraffe populations have declined by 40 per cent since the late 1980s, and there are now thought to be fewer than 98,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The Northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis) is listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation in Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN currently recognises only one species and and nine subspecies of giraffe, even though Germany-based researchers confirmed earlier this year that there are four distinct giraffe species and seven subspecies. Hackers have been paid by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to search their computer systems for vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by real criminals online. The government department has successfully concluded its first bug bounty programme, conducted in partnership with US firm HackerOne. The programme recruited 26 'ethical hackers' who went under the bonnet of its networks for 30 days, in a bid to get ahead of 'bad actors' and improve national security. California-based HackerOne acts as a middleman by connecting businesses with its community of ethical hackers who have been through criminal background checks. Neither HackerOne nor the MoD would reveal how much each hacker is getting paid as part of the programme. However, another business already partnered with HackerOne recently handed out $50,000 (more than 36,000) for discovering a severe vulnerability while the highest amount ever paid was $100,000 (76,000) by another firm. While this is an attractive sum, it's a mere drop in the pond considering how much money a single flaw can cost businesses if it's noticed by cyber criminals first. Scroll down for video Bug bounty programs offer 'ethical hackers' a financial reward in exchange for reporting technical flaws that could cost organisations millions BUG BOUNTIES A bug bounty is a reward that is paid out to developers who find critical flaws in software. The bounty can be monetary reward, or being put into a 'hall of fame' list for finding the bounty, or gear from the company giving the bounty, or any combination thereof. With open-source software, anyone in the world is free to comb through the code of an application and look for flaws. Source: OSTIF Advertisement The average bounty paid for critical vulnerabilities is much also even lower $3,650 (2,600), according to HackerOne, while the average amount paid per vulnerability of any severity level is $979 (700). Christine Maxwell, the MoD's chief information security officer, described the programme as an 'essential step in reducing cyber risk and improving resilience'. 'Working with the ethical hacking community allows us to build out our bench of tech talent and bring more diverse perspectives to protect and defend our assets,' she said. 'It is important for us to continue to push the boundaries with our digital and cyber development to attract personnel with skills, energy and commitment.' One of the 26 ethical hackers, Trevor Shingles, said he was able to alert the MoD to a flaw he uncovered which would have allowed a bad actor to modify permissions and gain access. 'It's been proven that a closed and secretive approach to security doesn't work well,' he said. 'For the MoD to be as open as it has with providing authorised access to their systems is a real testament that they are embracing all the tools at their disposal to really harden and secure their applications. 'This is a great example to set for not only the UK, but for other countries to benchmark their own security practices against.' Bug bounty programs offer people a financial reward in exchange for reporting technical flaws. It is a non-traditional approach for the MoD but common practice among the technology industry and has already been adopted by the US Department of Defence to great success. Other massive companies who have worked with HackerOne's ethical hackers include Facebook, Dropbox, AT&T, Starbucks, Shopify and Twitter. HackerOne's advertising encourages the public to 'hack for good' to help companies prevent cyber crime. Pictured, a HackerOne billboard in San Francisco Last September, HackerOne released its annual report of bounty data from across the industry in the previous 12 months. It revealed more than $44.75 million (32.2 million) in bounties were awarded to hackers across the globe over the year prior a year-over-year increase of 87 per cent in total bounties paid. Nine individual hackers in seven countries have each earned $1 million (720,000) in bounties on the HackerOne platform for their efforts, it also revealed. Sometimes, it's good to be a 'bird brain.' Nearly 75 percent of all life on Earth, including the dinosaurs, were wiped out by the massive asteroid that hit the planet 66 million years ago, but a new study suggests that ancient birds may have survived the cataclysmic collision thanks to their evolving complex brains. A new study suggests early birds may have survived the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs because of complex brains. A 70-million-year-old Ichthyornis fossil (pictured) shows the early bird had a small large forebrain, unlike modern-day birds Ichthyornis' brain (pink) had more in common with nonavian dinosaurs than living birds A newly discovered, well-preserved, Ichthyornis fossil shows that the early bird, had a small large forebrain, similar to Archaeopteryx, but dissimilar to modern-day birds, which have large forebrains. 'Living birds have brains more complex than any known animals except mammals,' said the study's lead author, Christopher Torres, in a statement. 'This new fossil finally lets us test the idea that those brains played a major role in their survival.' 'If a feature of the brain affected survivorship, we would expect it to be present in the survivors but absent in the casualties, like Ichthyornis,' Torres added. 'That's exactly what we see here.' WHAT IS THE ICHTHYORNIS DISPAR? The Ichthyornis was a toothy, tern-like seabird with a 60-centimetre wingspan, which lived around 100 to 66 million years ago in what is now North America. Ichthyornis is uniquely situated in the fossil record, being closely related to modern birds but retaining many ancestral features, including sharp, curved teeth. Although it was first discovered back in 1870, the heads of the first specimens were incomplete and badly crushed. New fossils currently under study are much better preserved and three-dimensional, including one extraordinarily complete skull, experts say. The authors used high-resolution three-dimensional scans to reconstruct the head of the bird. This involved each bone being reconstructed by taking extremely thin cross-sectional images all the way through the bone. Advertisement The 70-million-year-old fossil showed that Ichthyornis' brain had more in common with nonavian dinosaurs than living birds, as its cerebral hemispheres were considerably smaller. A larger cerebral hemisphere likely allowed ancient birds to change their behavior in response to the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs The experts theorize that it's this key trait, the larger cerebral hemisphere, spread above the optic lobes, that may have helped modern birds stave off going extinct. The earliest known bird was Archaeopteryx and there were roughly a dozen or so bird species that lived between the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction (K-Pg) event that caused the Chicxulub crater, but until now, scientists did not know how their brains operated. The well-preserved 'nearly complete skull' Ichthyornis skull changes all that. 'Usually one of the first things that happens is the skull gets crushed,' Torres told ABC News. 'What makes our new specimen of Ichthyornis so special is that it preserves a nearly complete skull.' It's likely there may have been other factors that helped the ancestors of modern birds survive, but a larger cerebral hemisphere likely allowed birds to change their behavior in response to the asteroid and the subsequent changes to the climate. 'Ichthyornis is key to unraveling that mystery,' said Julia Clarke, a professor at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences and co-author of the study. 'This fossil helps bring us much closer to answering some persistent questions concerning living birds and their survivorship among dinosaurs.' The research was published last month in journal Science Advances. In 2018, a 100-million-year-old Ichthyornis fossil revealed that the first bird beaks had teeth. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to install 'water generators' that turn moisture in the air into drinking water for public consumption. Powered by environmentally-friendly solar energy, the 'hyper-dehumidifiers' provide a plentiful and uninterrupted water supply from the humid UAE air. About 20 of the dehumidifiers can produce 6,700 litres of fresh water a day when local conditions are at 78F (26C) and 60 per cent humidity. The technology is being tested as part of a pilot this October, but if successful it will be rolled out in Masdar a futuristic 'sustainable city' currently being built next to Abu Dhabi airport. The 'hyper-dehumidifiers' (pictured) provide an uninterrupted water supply that's safe for the public to drink. The water generators will be installed at Khalifa University's Masdar Institute Solar Platform in Masdar City as part of a pilot this year DEW POINT AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY The machines use a coolant to reduce the temperature of the moisture-packed air until it reaches 'dew point' The dew point is the temperature the air needs to be cooled to in order to achieve a relative humidity (RH) of 100 per cent. Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air compared to what the air can 'hold' at that temperature. At 100 per cent relative humidity, the air can't 'hold' all the moisture, resulting in dew, condensation or rain. At 0 per cent relative humidity, air is devoid of water vapour. Advertisement Masdar is powered by an impressive 22-hectare (54-acre) field of 87,777 solar panels, as well as additional panels on the roofs of its buildings. It's these solar panels that power the generators' massive fans, which themselves suck moisture-packed air from the surrounding environment. Pipes filled with this moisture-packed air are circulated with a liquid coolant, to cool the air down until it reaches what's known as the 'dew point' when water vapour condenses into liquid water. Once the liquid forms, it is collected and purified, allowing the public to fill their water bottles for free around dedicated stations. The project is being run by US-based water technologies firm Aquovum, in partnership with Masdar and Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. According to experts, the carbon-free technology will help relieve the UAE's reliance on desalinating seawater and expensive imports of bottled water in what's one of the hottest climates on Earth. Middle East and Africa alone are some of the world's harshest climates where water is needed the most. 'Almost shockingly, being that the UAE is one of the water-stressed areas in the world, it has adequate temperature and humidity to provide an infinite supply of water through dehumidification,' Robert Wood, Aquovum's chief technological officer, told the Times. 'At times there are periods of immense fog in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and through its coastal region and weather patterns the humidity ranges between 60-90 per cent. 'Unclean water is a terrible problem and the worst part is that in theory it's solvable, simply by capturing moisture in the air. This technology is going to be simple, sustainable and scalable.' If the pilot goes well, the water generators will be installed at Khalifa University's Masdar Institute Solar Platform in Masdar City, which is still only partially finished. Emiratis walk in Masdar City, on the outskirts of the rich Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The buildings have been designed to provide shelter from the sun and are placed fairly close together to maximise a cool flow of wind Masdar City is in close proximity to Abu Dhabi International Airport and only a 40-minute drive to Dubai Masdar City started construction in February 2008 but its full completion has been hit by setbacks since the global financial crisis. Its set for completion at 2030 at the very earliest at which point it will house around 40,000 people and another 10,000 commuters each day. The futuristic mecca is designed to be a hub for cleantech companies, complemented by apartments, schools, shops, cafes and sustainable travel. 'Masdar City is already home to over 900 companies, dedicated to developing innovative technologies across the sectors of renewables, energy storage, water, artificial intelligence, health, space, and mobility,' Abdulla Balalaa, executive director for 'sustainable real estate' at Masdar City. Archaeologists digging near the ancient Talayotic settlement of Son Catlar in Menorca, Spain have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts from Roman soldiers, dating back to around 100 B.C. The discovery, which happened in late July, includes an assortment of items found at the site, according to a statement from the University of Alicante. Included in the find were 'weapons, knives, three arrowheads, spearheads, projectiles, surgical tools, a bronze spatula probe, and so on,' the statement explained. Son Catlar is the largest Talayotic settlement in the area, surrounded by a stone wall that measures 2,850 feet (870m) in length, according to Heritage Daily. Archaeologists digging near the Talayotic settlement in Menorca, Spain have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts from Roman soldiers The ancient Talayotic settlement of Son Catlar is located in Menorca, Spain An assortment of items were found at the site, including a knife (pictured) Other items include three arrowheads, spearheads, projectiles, surgical tools, a bronze spatula probe and more Occupation at the area started between 2,000 and 1,200 B.C. and lasted until the late Roman period, which ended around 476 A.D. It's likely that the stone barrier was built several hundred years prior, between the 5th and 4th centuries, B.C., according to Spanish news outlet La Vanguardia. The stone wall, which measures 2,850 feet (870m) in length, was likely built between the 5th and 4th centuries, BC It's possible that the Roman soldiers, who conquered the area in the second century B.C., associated the stone barrier with Janus - the Roman god of doors, gates and transitions - given how superstitious they were, Heritage Daily added. 'This type of gate was characteristic of Punic culture, and it was used as a defense system to protect against possible sieges by the Romans,' the statement from the university explained. 'Roman soldiers were very superstitious and used to perform these rites. At that time, the world of gates was charged with magic. The Romans gave a sacred value to the gates of the cities, and sealing one definitively would entail certain actions of a magical nature.' The dig leader, Fernando Prados, suggested it was the Roman superstitions that may have led to the discoveries being in such good condition, as the soldiers believed they had a 'magical protective character ... against evil spirits when sealing doors.' 'The conservation of the entire perimeter of the wall at Son Catlar makes the site a source of great value, as it provides a great deal of scope for studying the archaeology of conflict and war,' Prados added in the statement. The wall also has sentry boxes and square towers known as Talayots, which gives the region its name, according to the World Heritage Convention. It was built using cyclonic masonry, which according to the WHC, meant it was constructed 'without mortar,' only using the blocks themselves. The wall was later strengthened, possibly due to the Roman conquest of the territory or the Punic Wars, the university added. The Punic Wars took place from 264 to 146 B.C., and artifacts stemming from these times have been recovered in recent years. In 2013, archaeologists found a treasure trove of items, including helmets, weapons and ancient bronze battle rams found off the Sicilian coast in 2013, from the first Punic War. The famous Inca site of Machu Picchu is several decades older than previously thought, archaeologists have discovered. Carbon dating of human remains suggests that it was in use in 1420 more than 20 years earlier than scientists expected. Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Emperor Pachacuti, who according to historical records rose to power in 1438 before conquering the area where the site is located. This led experts to believe it was built after 1440, and perhaps as late as 1450. Scroll down for video Surprise discovery: The famous Inca site of Machu Picchu (pictured) is several decades older than previously thought, archaeologists have found Carbon dating: Researchers dated 26 individuals recovered from three cemeteries in Machu Picchu during excavations in 1912. Archaeologists are pictured at the site in 1911 WHAT IS CARBON DATING AND HOW IS IT USED? Carbon dating, also referred to as radiocarbon dating or carbon-14 dating, is a method that is used to determine the age of an object. Carbon-14 is a carbon isotope that is commonly used by archaeologists and historians to date ancient bones and artefacts. The rate of decay of carbon-14 is constant and easily measured, making it ideal for providing age estimates for anything over 300 years old. It can only be used on objects containing organic material - that was once 'alive' and therefore contained carbon. Carbon-14 occurs naturally in the atmosphere as part of carbon dioxide, and animals absorb it when they breathe. Animals stop taking it in when they die, and a finite amount of the chemical is stored in the body. Radioactive substances all have a half-life, the length of time it takes for a material to lose half of its radioactivity. Carbon-14 has a long half-life, 5,370 years to be exact. This long half-life can be used to find out how old objects are by measuring how much radioactivity is left in a specimen. Due to the long half-life, archaeologists have been able to date items up to 50,000 years old. Radiocarbon dating was first invented in the 1940s by an American physical chemist called Willard Libby. He won the 1960 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery. Advertisement 'Machu Picchu is among the most famous archaeological sites in the world,' said the study's lead author, Prof Richard Burger from Yale University. 'But until now estimates of its antiquity and the length of its occupation were based on contradictory historical accounts written by Spaniards in the period following the Spanish conquest.' He added: 'This is the first study based on scientific evidence to provide an estimate for the founding of Machu Picchu and the length of its occupation.' Prof Burger and a team of experts from several US universities carried out accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of human remains from Machu Picchu. AMS dating is an advanced form of radiocarbon dating that can date skeletons with only small amounts of organic material left, expanding the pool of remains that can be examined. In this case, the team dated 26 individuals found at three cemeteries in Machu Picchu and recovered during excavations in 1912. The study found the site was in use from 1420 to 1530 ending around the time of the Spanish invasion of the Inca Empire. It also suggests that Pachacuti ascended to the throne and began his conquests decades before the accepted historical records indicate. Pachacuti took control of a city-state but his reign put the Inca on the path to becoming the most powerful empire in pre-Columbian America. Researchers said the discovery could have dramatic implications for our understanding of Inca history, and also challenges the reliability of using historical records of colonial forces. 'The results suggest that the discussion of the development of the Inca empire based primarily on colonial records requires revision,' said Prof Burger. 'Modern radiocarbon methods provide a better foundation for understanding Inca chronology than the contradictory historical records.' Machu Picchu is located in modern-day Peru's Cusco region, on a 7,970ft-long (2,430m) mountain ridge. It was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. The site was abandoned during the time of the Spanish conquest, but was not discovered by the invading forces. Geological analysis has suggested that the citadel's location above a network of intersecting tectonic faults was deliberately chosen. These would have provided an abundance of easy-to-work rock as well as a source of water and drainage. Carbon dating, also referred to as radiocarbon dating or carbon-14 dating, is a method that is used to determine the age of an object. Machu Picchu is pictured during the 1912 expedition when the remains tested were first found Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Emperor Pachacuti, who according to historical records rose to power in 1438 before conquering the area where the site is located The study found the site was in use from 1420 to 1530 ending around the time of the Spanish invasion of the Inca Empire. They analysed the remains from three cemeteries (pictured right) Carbon-14 is a carbon isotope that is commonly used by archaeologists and historians to date ancient bones and artefacts. Lat year radiocarbon dating of ancient seafood remains revealed that Aboriginal Australians settled in the continent's Riverland region 22,000 years earlier than previously thought. The dated shell middens remnants of 'meals eaten long ago' captured a record of Aboriginal occupation that goes back 29,000 years in the Katarapko Riverland Floodplains, South Australia. They had to deal with unpredictable river flows and heavily-salted valley waters that may have limited their seafood options. Radiocarbon dating was first invented in the 1940s by an American physical chemist called Willard Libby, who won the 1960 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery. The new study has been published in the journal Antiquity. The 2020 heatwave that occurred during the summer in Siberia led to an increase in methane gas emissions from limestones, an event that could lead to Earth's atmosphere getting hit with a 'methane bomb.' A new study from researchers at the University of Bonn found that the extreme heatwave in Siberia resulted in a 'temperature anomaly' of 6 degrees Celsius over the baseline time period of 1979-2000. Since June 2020, there has been an increase in methane concentration in two long areas in the region: the Taymyr Fold Belt and the rim of the Siberian Platform. The summer 2020 heatwave in Siberia led to an increase in methane gas emissions from limestones, which could result in a 'methane bomb' In early 2021, the methane had spread all over the region, the researchers found. The extreme heatwave resulted in a 'temperature anomaly' of 6 degrees Celsius over the baseline time period of 1979-2000. Since June 2020, methane concentration has increased in Taymyr Fold Belt and the rim of the Siberian Platform What is concerning about the two areas is that the bedrock has been formed by limestone formations from the Paleozoic era, dating as far back as 541 million years ago. In early 2021, there was methane all over the area, as methane spread. The bedrock has been formed by limestone formations from the Paleozoic era, dating as far back as 541 million years ago 'Methane is particularly dangerous here because its warming potential is many times higher than that of CO2,' the study's lead author, University of Bonn professor Dr Nikolaus Froitzheim said in a statement. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, methane has 80 times the warming power that carbon dioxide does over the first 20 years it hits the atmosphere. WHY IS PERMAFROST SO IMPORTANT? Permafrost - soil that has been frozen for at least two years - is sensitive and susceptible to global warming. It is mostly found in high-latitude regions like the Arctic, and stores large quantities of carbon dioxide and methane, which are released into the atmosphere if the soil melts and decomposes. An estimated 35 million people currently live in cities or towns on top of permafrost, and thawed soil could cause the ground to become unstable, the scientists said. This would put buildings, roads and other infrastructure at risk of collapsing. Advertisement The researchers compared spatial and temporal distribution of methane concentrations in the air of northern Siberia with geological maps to come up with their findings. Approximately 15 percent of the Northern Hemisphere or 11 percent of the entire globe is covered by permafrost, according to an April 2021 study. If this portion of the ground were to thaw due to climate change, it could be especially worrisome, given the implications it would have on rising temperatures. Previous research suggested that a thawing of the permafrost would contribute to a rise of 'only' 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2100 and would not lead to the aforementioned 'methane bomb,' but the new study challenges that assumption. Froitzheim noted that the soil formation in these areas are 'very thin to nonexistent,' so there is little to worry about methane from decaying soil. However, the fracture and cave systems in the limestone are likely to become porous with higher temperatures. 'As a result, natural gas being mainly methane from reservoirs within and below the permafrost can reach the Earth's surface,' he explained. Frotizheim continued: 'The estimated amounts of natural gas in the subsurface of North Siberia are huge. When parts of this will be added to the atmosphere upon thawing of the permafrost, this could have dramatic impacts on the already overheated global climate.' The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Several groups of scientists have expressed concerns about what would happen if Earth's permafrost were to melt. In July 2020, a separate group of experts found that increased permafrost melt could result in microbes releasing 40 billion more tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously thought. Other studies, including one published in September 2017, have expressed concern about the unlocking of ancient diseases that are trapped in the permafrost. NASA's incredible supersonic aircraft dubbed the 'son of Concorde' is taking shape as it gears up for its first test flight next year. The American space agency shared a time lapse video of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology's (QueSST) construction for the craft, which is taking place at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The craft is designed to prevent a startling sonic boom from being heard on the ground when it cruises at Mach 1.4, or 1,074 miles per hour. For comparison purposes, the speed of sound is 767mph. The short 43-second clip shows the development of the fuselage that houses the cockpit, and the 29.5-foot-wide wing that holds the fuel systems and parts of the control systems. At the end of the video, viewers see the tail assembly coming together. This section is built with heat resistant materials that protect the aircraft from the heat given off by the X-59's GE F414 engine, which sits in the upper section of the craft. This is one of many purposeful design elements that ensure the aircraft is shaped as desired to produce a quieter noise to people below. Also nearing completion is the tail designed with heat resistant materials, which will contain the engine compartment. Scroll down for videos NASA's incredible supersonic aircraft that will travel faster than the speed of sound, which is 767 miles per hour, is taking shape as it gears up for its first test flight next year Jay Brandon, NASA chief engineer for the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) project, said in a statement: 'We've now transitioned from being a bunch of separate parts sitting around on different parts of the production floor to an airplane.' X-59, first announced in 2018, is being made in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, which said the move 'marks a milestone to bring supersonic commercial travel over land one step closer to reality.' NASA awarded the American aerospace and defense company a $247.5 million contract to build the X-59, which is set to finish development this year and begin test flights in 2022. The team began the venture by creating laser projects of the aircraft's wing, tail assembly and fuselage to ensure their designs fit perfectly. The American space agency shared a timelapse of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology's (QueSST) construction for the craft dubbed the 'son of Concorde,' which is taking place at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California The short clip shows the development of the fuselage that houses the cockpit and the 29.5-foot-wide wing that holds the fuel systems and parts of the control systems As the project has progressed, Lockheed and NASA have started to put the pieces together, with Lockheed Martin's program director David Richardson likening it to Legos. 'The extensive use of features and pre-drilled, full-size fastener holes has significantly reduced the time it takes to locate and fit parts, especially mating large assemblies like this,' Richardson said in a statement. 'It is sort of like how Legos go together. We used the laser tracker to make sure it is all aligned per the engineering specs before we permanently bolted it all together.' The team celebrated when they confirmed all the hardware would fit in the real craft. Dave Richwine, NASA's LBFD deputy project manager for technology, said: 'A milestone like this - seeing the airplane coming together as a single unit - really reinvigorates and motivates the team.' Also nearing completion is the tail designed with heat resistant materials, which will contain the engine compartment The front part of the craft, known as the fuselage, helps form the entire shape of the supersonic craft. This area will soon get its 30-foot-long nose that is specifically designed to minimize resistance associate with shock from the craft traveling faster than the speed of sound. The fuselage (the front part of the craft) helps form the entire shape of the supersonic craft. This portion of the craft will soon get its 30-foot-long nose that is specifically designed to minimize resistance associated with shock from the craft traveling faster than the speed of sound. According to NASA, the cockpit will look more like an office with its cutting-edge technology that helps pilots navigate the powerful aircraft. The cockpit will contain the forward-facing 'window' the eXternal Vision System (XVS), which consists of two cameras mounted above and below the X-59's nose. The XVS serves as an additional safety aid to help the pilot maneuver safely through the skies; it's also the only system that will fit in the cockpit other variations would protrude through the canopy, according to NASA. The video also shows the wing, what NASA says is the 'most recognizable part of the airplane. Later this year, Lockheed Martin plans to ship the X-59 to a sister facility in Ft. Worth, Texas, where ground testing will be done to ensure the aircraft can withstand the loads and stresses that typically occur during flight Dubbed the 'son of Concorde,' the craft is designed to prevent a startling sonic boom from being heard on the ground when it cruises at Mach 1.4 (925mph) Richwine explained that this was 'the most complicated section and first section of the X-59 that was fabricated by Lockheed Martin.' 'The Lockheed Martin team used robotic machines with names that sound like pilot call signs Mongoose and COBRA to manufacture the wing before its mate to the tail assembly and fuselage,' NASA shared in the statement. 'Mongoose is a tool with the ability to weave together composite wing skins using ultraviolet light to bind the composite material COBRA - Combined Operation: Bolting and Robotic AutoDrill efficiently created holes that allowed the team to attach the wing skins to the wing frame.' Later this year, Lockheed Martin plans to ship the X-59 to a sister facility in Ft. Worth, Texas, where ground testing will be done to ensure the aircraft can withstand the loads and stresses that typically occur during flight. The team will also calibrate and test the fuel systems, sending the X-59 back to California for more tests before it hits the skies for its first test flight sometime in 2022. In 2024, NASA will fly the X-59 over several communities around the nation to gauge people's response to the sonic thump sound produced by the aircraft if they hear anything at all If the test flight is successful, NASA plans to fly X-59 over the test range at the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California in 2023 to prove it can produce a quieter sonic thump and is safe to operate in the National Airspace System. In 2024, NASA will fly the X-59 over several communities around the nation to gauge people's response to the sonic thump sound produced by the aircraft if they hear anything at all. 'The data collected will be given to the Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization for their consideration in changing the existing bans on supersonic flight over land,' according to NASA. A polar bear that has been the cause of several incidents with people - including one earlier this week where it bit a person - may be shot dead next time it endangers someone, officials said on Tuesday. A Danish Arctic military unit in Greenland said the bear - in search of food - put its head through a research station where a documentary team was filming and bit the hand of one of the three male members, AFP reports. A 'problematic' polar bear that has caused 5 incidents with people may be shot dead the next time it endangers someone. The bear bit the hand of a documentary filmmaker after it stuck its head inside a research station in Greenland in search of food The unnamed person was transported to Daneborg, Greenland and ultimately evacuated to Akureyri, Iceland to treat his injuries The filmmakers used warning pistols and the bear scurried off, but not before the unnamed person had to be transported to Daneborg, Greenland, and ultimately evacuated to Akureyri, Iceland, to treat his injuries. Scroll down for video The bear came back and broke a window of the research station before it eventually left the area. Given that it's now responsible for at least five incidents with humans, it has been labeled as 'problematic.' 'The local authorities have from now on categorized the bear as 'problematic,' which allows for it to be shot dead, if it returns,' the Danish military unit said. The bear came back and broke a window of the research station, before it eventually left the area The increase in incidents comes as the territory is experiencing a record heatwave and polar bear habitats continue to be impacted by climate change, causing them to wander further for food than they had previously. Northeastern Greenland saw temperatures hit 23.4 degrees Celsius (74.2 Fahrenheit) in recent days. On July 27, the mercury hit 68 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in the Greenland ice sheet losing 8.5 billion tons of surface mass in a single day. Since June, the island has lost more than 100 billion tons of ice. According to the IUCN Red List, polar bears are considered a 'vulnerable' species and there are believed to be between 22,000 and 31,000 left on the planet. In July 2020, a study suggested that climate change could wipe out the polar bear population in 80 years as a result of melting Arctic sea ices, pushing them away from their natural hunting grounds. In April, a separate group of researchers found that polar bears are mating with grizzly bears in Alaska that may be more resilient to climate change and better suited for warmer temperatures. Olivier Giroud wants Hakim Ziyech setting him up for his debut AC Milan campaign after getting a taste of the Moroccan's left foot magic at Chelsea last season. The Frenchman has moved out of west London as a Blues cult hero after 39 goals in 119 games, joining the historic Serie A side for a bargain of 855,000. Between them Giroud and Ziyech only managed 25 starts for Chelsea last season, with their appearances dropping off after Thomas Tuchel's arrival. Olivier Giroud has joined AC Milan from Chelsea this summer, and wants to take a team-mate Hakim Ziyech has struggled to settle at Chelsea after one season, despite showing good spells The winger showed flashes of the brilliance Blues fans watched on his Ajax highlight reel last summer but he couldn't find his rhythm. Now there are reports Chelsea are willing to sell the 28-year-old, with Milan among those who are interested. Ziyech is a great player,' Giroud told a press conference. We have had a great connection even though we have played few games together. He has a top left foot, has experience and he is very good technically. It would be nice to play with him again. Giroud believes he has a strong partnership with Ziyech and wants to link-up once again Ziyech has been preparing for another season with the Blues, hoping for a better 12 months Giroud always wanted to nail down the centre forward spot at Chelsea but never quite gained Mauricio Sarri, Frank Lampard nor Tuchel's trust at Stamford Bridge. The striker had some stunning highlights, such as his four-goal masterclass against Sevilla and overhead kick past Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season. However, Giroud admitted he realised he had to leave after the Blues launched their pursuit of a new striker to challenge Timo Werner this summer. I have always said that when I was little I had the dream of playing in the Premier League but I think it was time to discover a new culture and a new country, France's third-highest all-time scorer added. Giroud revealed he had to make the move to Italy after realising Chelsea wanted a new striker Milan was the best option for me and I am grateful to be able to wear the Rossoneri colours. Im happy to be here. My time at Chelsea was over also because the manager wanted to play with other players, spending a lot of money in the transfer market. There I realised I had to leave the club and I received a great welcome from (Paolo) Maldini. Im a Christian and I think God wanted me to move to Milan this season and not Inter the last one and Im happy with that. Twice in an hour, British hearts were pounding. But after all the fretting, Giles Scott was a gold medallist for a second time and celebrating his indomitable victory in the sun-warmed waters of Sagami Bay. This big, long hulk of a man had crowned one of the most astonishing afternoons in our Olympic sailing story by winning the Finn class in breathtaking style after an awful start, proving himself again a rightful heir to the legend that is Sir Ben Ainslie. Scotts gold was the second of two won by the team in 57 unforgettable minutes in sweltering heat 40 miles south of Tokyo, the other coming in the mens Skiff 49er through the brilliance of Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell. Theirs was as touch and go as Scotts. A silver medal in the Nacra 17 catamarans followed, and the lily was well gilded. Team GB won their twelfth gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics in the men's 49er FX sailing Giles Scott celebrates after reigning supreme in the Finn class, making it 13 golds for GB Both golds hung in the balance right up to the line. Scotts was not meant to. He could barely have been a firmer favourite in a one-horse race: not only the defending champion but he led his nearest challenger, Hungarian Zsombor Berecz, by a yawning 11 points going into the final, double-scoring medal race. But Scott got off to the worst possible start. Fearing he may have crossed the line prematurely he went round again, voluntarily putting himself to the back of the fleet rather than run the risk of disqualification. Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell edged out New Zealand in dramatic fashion at Enoshima I dont know whether I was over the line but I didnt want to take any chances, he said. And guess who was up front as the race hotted up? Only Berecz. Oh no. But Scott possesses a deep fighting spirit. He is also a fine sailor, strong of build and a super tactician. He later admitted he found himself in the toughest race of his life. With some 200 yards remaining Scott lay in seventh place. That wouldnt do with Berecz leading or occasionally slipping into second. It was all playing out in front of Scotts eyes and he only needed a basic grip of maths to know the figures werent adding up for him. He sniffed out the wind, such as it blew in these light conditions. Ultimately, with inches of the race remaining, his bow powered into the required fourth place, and for the sixth time in as many Olympics the Finn title was in British hands. The run stretches back to Iain Percy in 2000, through Ainslie from 2004 to 2012, to Scott from 2016. Fletcher and Bithell had to beat New Zealand and hope at least one boat finished between them and their rivals. They just sneaked over the line in front of Germany to do so Fletcher and Bithell wave a Union Jack flag as they celebrate their huge victory on Tuesday Scott banged the side of his boat in relief. Berecz then hugged him so hard he fell into the water, where victor and vanquished staged an impromptu celebration. This is to be Scotts last Olympics, with the Finn being dropped from the programme after 18 Games dating back to Helsinki in 1952. But, anyway, he is 34 and it is to the Americas Cup that he will now turn his attention full-time after playing a crucial role at Ainslies elbow earlier this year. Before victory in the Finn came an equally thrilling finale to the 49er. The equation for those boys was: beat New Zealand with a boat between them. This was not easy because the Kiwis, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, had serious pedigree as defending champions and Americas Cup winners. The pair were rivals before deciding to pair up for the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer Britain were right up there throughout the race. They led for a while but on the final run were second, with Germany in front and New Zealand directly behind them. Not enough. As the line approached the Brits squeezed ahead, winning by a finger. It was one of the most remarkable denouements to an Olympic sailing race anyone could remember. Fletcher, though, had dreamt he would win. Yes, it was last week, he said. I didnt tell anyone beforehand. Its amazing to feel that dream come true. It wasnt quite that close in my dream. As Bithell added: Dreams come true, kids. Scott celebrates with Hungary's Zsombor Berecz (right) and Spain's Joan Cardona Mendez (left) who gained silver and bronze respectively Scott just about fended off the challenge of his chief rival Berecz on Tuesday in Tokyo Vivian and Leslie Bithell roar with delight and wave the Union Jack as they watch their son Stuart win Olympic at his home club, Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club, near Rochdale Cue jubilation among the team on boats and on land. Also for Fletchers bride-to-be, Charlotte Dobson, who had just finished seventh and out of the medals in the womens 49ers. I am sure the gold medal will be on our dining room table for the foreseeable future, said Dobson. I am really proud of him. It is a really precious moment to be Olympians together. Our races epitomise the yin and yang of sport. But there is no talk about sailing at home. We have a big iron curtain drawn on that. One man who chose not to watch the 49ers cavort in delight was Scott, who was preparing for his own shot at glory. I saw the race but I made a point of not looking at them celebrate. Im so happy for them but its not what you need to see five minutes before you start your race. The medal rush was not over yet, courtesy of happy couple John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the mixed Nacra 17 catamarans. The pair, who are together on and off the water, finished fifth in the medal race which secured the silver medal. Mrs Bithell was in tears as she watched her son make Olympic history in Tokyo Family, friends and Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club members cheer on Bithell in his medal race Stream every unmissable moment of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 live on discovery+, The Streaming Home of the Olympics. The designer behind the rapid track that has seen a series of extraordinary times at the Olympics says the surface is generating one or two per cent improvements in performances. In the latest blistering run at the Olympic Stadium, Norways Karsten Warholm smashed his own 400m hurdles world record by more than 0.7sec on Tuesday. That in turn followed Olympic records by the Puerto Rican Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in the 100m hurdles and Elaine Thompson-Herah on her way to 100m gold. While the performances have been spectacular, they have raised questions about the technologies in the spikes and the running track. In terms of the latter, which has been supplied by Mondo, Kyron McMaster, who finished fourth in the 400m hurdles, described it as like running on air. One of the team behind the tracks creation, Andrea Vallauri, said: What you are seeing is evolution. Clearly every time there is an Olympic Games we try to improve the formulation of the material, and Tokyo has been no different. We have tried to improve by adding an extra compound. The track is very thin - 14mm. But we have added these rubber granules. How best to describe it: in the lower layer of the track is this hexagonal design that creates these small pockets of air. The designer behind Tokyo Olympic Stadium running track is making athletes faster 'They not only provide shock absorption but give some energy return; at the same time a trampoline effect. We have improved this combination and this is why we are seeing the track has improved performance. In Rio (in 2016) the track was called WS. This new one is called WSTY, for Tokyo. Its the latest evolution of the track. It is completely within the rules but it is also what we were asked to provide; two components. Karsten Warholm poses alongside his world record achievement in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium Warholm smashed his own 400m hurdles world record by more than 0.7sec on Tuesday Thompson-Herah marks her new Olympic record of 10.61, the second fastest time in history 'To protect the health of the athletes, to avoid trauma, but it should also give them a push, let me say it like that. In lab testing we can see the improvement. It is difficult to say exactly but maybe a one or two per cent advantage. It is all prefabricated so every lane is the same, and the run-ups for the long and triple jumps also. The production is the same as a Formula One tyre. Cruises are a brilliant way to taste a cocktail of destinations as you relax between ports, while a land tour will give you an in-depth experience of a country or region. Now that we can set sail again, both are on the cards, so which should you choose? Thankfully there is a third option: a hybrid holiday, where there is no need to settle for one or the other. Choose a cruise and land tour and package them into one unforgettable trip for the best of both styles of holiday variety and downtime, iconic sights and immersive travel. Of course you could put together a big trip yourself, but by letting an expert do the hard work youll have every assurance your money is safe and get good value too. And there are some sensational trips available to book now for next year and 2023. Take in the iconic sights of the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and Mount Fuji all in one amazing exploration of the Far East An Antarctica, Argentina and Brazil tour aboard luxury super-yacht Scenic Eclipse showcases the White Continent in extraordinary style, with a helicopter on board to take you swooping over dazzling icebergs and a submarine to take you to the ocean floor. Before the 11-night cruise youll stay in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, and afterwards youll spend a few days on the Brazilian border at the thundering Iguazu Falls, taking a thrilling jet-boat ride right up close. The 22-day trip ends in the throbbing beachside city Rio de Janeiro where youll enjoy sunset drinks at the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, with 360-degree views of the city and sea. The cost is from 14,799pp, including flights, for departure on January 13, 2023 (scenic.co.uk). Take in the iconic sights of the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and Mount Fuji all in one amazing exploration of the Far East. This 20-night journey starts in Beijing for a tour of China, followed by three nights in shopping paradise Hong Kong before boarding Cunards grande dame, Queen Elizabeth, for costume balls and afternoon teas between ports of call in Manila, Taiwan and Japans subtropical island of Okinawa en route to Yokohama. Youll stay in Tokyo for a couple of days, visiting soaring Mount Fuji and travelling on the legendary bullet train. Prices for the tour, From The Forbidden City To Mount Fuji: China And Japan Explorer, are from 4,799 and include flights and a balcony cabin, with departure on April 1, 2023 (imaginecruising.co.uk). Alternatively, how about spying the Big Five safari animals from a hot-air balloon in Africa and a voyage across the Indian Ocean, all in one holiday? This magical trip and photographers heaven starts with a wildlife-packed safari across the Serengeti and in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. See flamingoes while hopping around the West Indies with abercrombiekent.co.uk In Dar Es Salaam youll join Golden Horizon, a brand-new cruise ship with acres of creamy-white sails that harness the winds to navigate to Zanzibar and through the Seychelles archipelago, calling at a handful of the most beautiful islands and dropping anchor for snorkelling, diving and watersports from the ships marina platform. The 19-day holiday, starting on March 14, 2022, costs from 9,395pp, including flights, with an option to add a stay at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort when the cruise ends in Mahe, the Seychelles main island (abercrombiekent.co.uk). Maybe you prefer sensational sightseeing in the US cities of the East Coast and Deep South along with a colourful Caribbean cruise? From Washington DC youll start with a four-night escorted tour of Philadelphia and New York. Then, aboard sparkling new ship Enchanted Princess, watch the Statue of Liberty disappear over the horizon as you sail towards Puerto Rico for 13 nights of island-hopping around the West Indies. Cruise.co.uk offers a 24-night holiday that takes in Philadelphia and New York Ports of call include Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Bonaire and Curacao. And dont be surprised if you see pink flamingoes strolling along the beach on Aruba. Refreshed, youll disembark in Fort Lauderdale in Florida for a five-night tour from New Orleans to Memphis, with an evening of jazz on a Mississippi steamboat and a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presleys extraordinary mansion, where you will stay in the Guest House on the estate. This 24-night holiday departs on November 1, 2022, and costs from 3,799pp including flights (cruise.co.uk). Sights to savour: Visit the Taj Mahal on a tour of India with uniworld.com No photographs can prepare you for the beauty of the Taj Mahal, so youll be thankful that on this tour, Indias Golden Triangle And The Sacred Ganges, youll get to see this astonishing monument to love twice at sunrise and sunset. All your senses will be filled on your land tour, including a cycle rickshaw ride around Old Delhi, the bazaars of Jaipur and the vast, hill-top Amber Fort. So, a weeks cruise on luxury riverboat Ganges Voyager II, deep into rural West Bengal, makes a delightful contrast, before disembarking in Calcutta. Prices for the 12-night holiday are from 5,399pp for departures in January 2023, including flights, with a free one-way business-class upgrade if booked before the end of this year (uniworld.com). Advertisement We've waved goodbye to lockdown and the timing couldn't have been better (or worse, depending on how you see it) as temperatures soared. Beaches were packed and pools, lidos and leisure centres booked up, but some of the country's most beautiful areas for wild swimming remained primarily the preserve of those in the know. So get ready for the next heatwave with our guide to the best spots to take a dip but always exercise caution and check that the water conditions are safe. Coniston Water, Cumbria From five-mile-long Coniston Water you can explore Peel Island and spy John Ruskin's house Go river deep and mountain high in Coniston. From five-mile-long Coniston Water you can explore Peel Island (the inspiration for Wild Cat Island in Swallows and Amazons), spy John Ruskin's house (he once said, 'there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather') and to the west, 2,600ft of The Old Man of Coniston (the name comes from a Celtic phrase meaning High Stones). Pack a picnic and don't miss the lovely tarn Goat's Water. Stay: B&B doubles at The Coniston Inn from 149 (inncollectiongroup.com/coniston-inn, 0191 580 3610). The Thames, Clifton Hampden, Oxon The River Thames at Clifton Hampden, where the scenery is rich and beautiful, according to writer Jerome K Jerome With a village backdrop of immaculate thatched cottages, this calm, inviting stretch of the Thames has plenty of micro- beaches. In Three Men In A Boat, Jerome K. Jerome wrote that 'the river scenery is rich and beautiful' there. Stay: The Plough B&B, Clifton Hampden, from 78 (ploughbnb.com, 01865 409976). Loch Etive, Glencoe, Scotland Loch Etive is so serene you won't know which half is the reflection in your photographs Protected by mountains, the vast and much-loved Loch Etive is so serene you won't know which half is the reflection in your photographs. Elsewhere, dip into the 20 miles of river, with its deep canyons of glassy water, or jump from the cliffs to make a bigger splash. Stay in nearby Taynuilt and take in Tralee Beach, too. Stay: B&B doubles at Taynuilt Inn from 110 (taynuiltinn.com, 01866 822437). Fritton Lake, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk You'll be sharing this corner of 1,000 acres, which is part of the Somerleyton Estate, with 'wildstock' cattle, pigs, deer and water buffalo, all as part of an ambitious rewilding project. Stay in the clubhouse or a plush cabin (with hot tub for stargazing) and glide around the two miles of peaceful lake (new this year is a floating sauna), though nobody will judge you if you prefer the heated 22m pool. Stay: B&B doubles at Fritton Lake from 160, two nights minimum (frittonlake.co.uk, 01493 484008). River Wye, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire By the River Wye in Herefordshire there is a top glamping spot with hot showers and an outdoor cinema Enjoy your own river beach and peaceful swimming just a few steps from your giant tipi, glamping (with hot showers, barbecues and an outdoor cinema) in an apple orchard on a working farm by the river Wye. Your hosts can even organise a night swim with a local guide. Stay: B&B doubles at White House on Wye from 169 per night (whitehouseonwye.co.uk, 07849 621669). River Rawthey, Sedbergh, Cumbria Four rivers run through this valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the foot of the Howgill Fells. Accompany a local swimming guide on the Rawthey; don't miss the deep pool in the Akay woods with a waterfall, and the pool at Uldale Force. Stay: Doubles at the Black Bull in Sedbergh from 139 (theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk, 015396 20264) Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Cliftonville, Margate Walpole Bay Tidal Pool in Margate, which was built in the 1930s, is one of only 13 in England Ideal for swimmers who like a dip in the briny, this 1930s Grade II-listed seawater pool is one of only 13 in England. It is fully submerged by the tide and so refilled with seawater twice a day. The pool is perfectly positioned on the Queen's Promenade and spans four acres. Restorative fish and chips are within easy reach, too. Stay: B&B doubles at Cliftonville Town House from 99 (cliftonvilletownhouse.com, 01843 228 164). River Dove, Ellastone, Peak District Handel is said to have begun composing his Water Music when he was staying near Ellastone, and George Eliot was inspired to write Adam Bede while sitting on the Dove's banks. Wallow in the shallows upstream near Norbury Church, then try the pools and rapids. Stay: B&B doubles at The Dunscombe Arms from 170 (duncombearms.co.uk, 01767 650764). Port Isaac Bay, Cornwall Take a session with a swim guide to improve your open-water skills at the sheltered beach of Port Gaverne Port Gaverne is a sheltered beach near Port Isaac, where Doc Martin is filmed. Take a session with a swim guide (available from their beachside office) to improve your open-water skills, then keep your strength up with fresh Cornish crab from Port Isaac. Stay: Doubles at the Slipway Hotel from 165 (portisaachotel.com, 01208 880264). Rosebush Quarry, Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire This secluded freshwater lagoon in the Preseli Hills of Pembrokeshire National Park was originally dug as a pit and is so famously 'fresh' that local cold-water swimming clubbers break the ice to enter it. Stay local and explore the sandy beaches at Barafundle or Broadhaven, and the waterfall in Ffynone Wood. Stay: B&B doubles at The Mill, Rhosfach, from 385 for three nights (qualitycottages.co.uk, 01348 837871). The River Nene, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire The River Nene in Northamptonshire is a top spot for experienced swimmers, especially the two-and-a-half-mile stretch from Cotterstock to Fotheringhay via Tansor The two-and-a-half-mile stretch from Cotterstock to Fotheringhay via Tansor is a beautiful one for experienced swimmers. Others can enjoy Fotheringhay, near the castle where Mary Queen of Scots met her end, where you can camp and also swim in the private river. Stay: Fotheringhay Castle Farm camping from 8 per adult (fotheringhaycastlefarm.co.uk, 07976958452). Advertisement Want to pimp up your Instagram feed? Then take a seat at any one of these stunning restaurants and snap away. They are the most Instagrammable restaurants in the world, according to the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Best of the Best Restaurants Awards, with the 20 dining spots showcased here making up the ranking for the Picture-Perfect Restaurants category. The list includes the dark and sultry Craft in Birmingham, a restaurant in China with a wine corridor, a spot in Greece with unparalleled views of a volcanic caldera', and Sunset Monalisa in Mexico, which offers a sensational coastal sunset panorama. Turkey, Thailand, Argentina, and Spain are also represented here. Scroll down to see pictures of all 20 of the Picture-Perfect restaurants, presented here in reverse order. 20. NEMO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE, KADRIYE, TURKEY: Tripadvisor touts this eatery as a feast for the eyes and taste buds that offers an other-worldly experience as you descend into the restaurant via a floating staircase to be met with striking decor and an aquarium backdrop. The site adds: We know, another aquarium restaurant. Can you ever have enough aquarium restaurants? 19. CRAFT, BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM: Here diners are immersed in dark and sultry vibes and the occasional imitation cherry blossom tree. Plus, theres a striking glass-walled private dining room 18. HAOMA, BANGKOK, THAILAND: Here, in whats claimed to be Bangkoks first urban farm dining restaurant, diners sit in a two-storey glass house surrounded by lush greenery 17. LA COLLINE RESTAURANT, FIRA, SANTORINI, GREECE: Want unparalleled vistas of the Santorini caldera while you munch? This is the spot, apparently 16. EL MIRADOR RESTAURANT, TODOS SANTOS, MEXICO: Whats on the menu here? A stunning view of the Pacific coast, the desert and surrounding mountains, says Tripadvisor 15. STAG, SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE, ARGENTINA: One diner described the lake view here as 'amazing' and the dinner 'exquisite' 14. SUNSET MONALISA, CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO: The name might sound a bit cheesy, but as the image shows, the owners would be justified in hyping their restaurant even more 13. PEACH BLOSSOMS, SINGAPORE: One for fans of minimalism, says Tripadvisor. This restaurant features light woods, a nature-inspired palette and a touch of oriental. And with that, views of the iconic Marina Bay 12. ENTRE DOS FUEGOS, TOLEDO, SPAIN: The beautiful architecture on show here matches that of this ancient city, says Tripadvisor a stunning mix of the various periods of its history and the cultures that converged there 11. SAMSHA, VALENCIA, SPAIN: Diners here (just 16 at a time) are treated to jaw-dropping artistic cuisine and a show with music and lights 10. MISTICO RESTAURANT, ARMACAO DOS BUZIOS, BRAZIL: The aesthetics here are droolworthy theres a gorgeous infinity pool and a panoramic view of the Bay of Armacao 9. RISTORANTE PIZZA INCONTRO, LIMONE SUL GARDA, ITALY: Here there are spellbinding views of Lake Garda for diners to digest 8. OPSO DUBAI: This restaurant exudes chic style thanks to a combination of gold, tan, orange and blue accents throughout, says Tripadvisor. It adds: The panoramic views of Dubai dont hurt either 7. SABAYON, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: This seriously stylish rooftop restaurant has dreamy high ceilings, mood lighting to die for and stunning views of the Kuala Lumpur landscape, including the famous Petronas Twin Towers' 6. THE GRAND GETAWAY BY GRAND HYATT KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: This restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur lets you travel around the world through its 360-degree virtual dining experience 5. TIN LUNG HEEN, HONG KONG, CHINA: Two words wine corridor. Thats Tripadvisors summation here 4. I DUE ROCCOLI, ISEO, ITALY: The set menu of stunning views here includes 16-mile-long Lake Iseo and the surrounding mountains 3. DOR, TOHANU NOU, ROMANIA: This eatery definitely has the Elven Middle-earth vibe nailed 2. LE GRILL RESTAURANT, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: Le Grill serves up a hearty dose of Bridgerton styling 1. KORAL RESTAURANT, NUSA DUA, INDONESIA: Located within the luxury Apurva Kempinski hotel, Koral offers a dining experience that's truly fin-tastic She was third on the Forbes top-earning models list in 2012, with an estimated yearly earning of $8.6 million. And Natalia Vodianova, 39, has admitted that her children pile 'the pressure...on themselves' because of her supermodel status. The Russian supermodel is mother to Lucas, 19, Neva, 15, and Viktor, 13, with her English ex-husband Justin Portman, and Maxim, seven, and Roman, five, with her French businessman husband Antoine Arnault. 'They see who I am and how I live': Natalia Vodianova said her children 'put pressure on themselves' because of her supermodel status - as she covered Harper's Bazaar magazine Speaking to Harper's Bazaar about her brood in their September issue, she said: 'It's not about having all, or having nothing, it's more the pressure they put on themselves, seeing who I am and how I live'. She added: 'I sometimes feel very compassionate towards my own children, because I think that in some way, they got the other extreme,' referring to her own success in the modelling industry. Natalia's stellar career has seen her walk the runway for the likes of Calvin Klein, Valentino and Versace, as well as found a charity called The Naked Heart Foundation and partnering with another charity called UNFA. Mother first, model second: Despite her incredible success in the modelling industry, Natalia said her 'most important role' is her part as a mother Despite her incredible success in the modelling industry, Natalia said her 'most important role' is her part as a mother. 'I have five children, it's a great responsibility. And it's probably the most important role in my life, to empower my children and to make sure that I can pass on some of the incredible lessons that I've received from my life in a way that will not be invasive.' Out soon: The September issue of Harper's Bazaar is on sale from August 5 'For me, it's really more about teaching them to be happy.' The fashion mogul shares her three eldest children with ex-husband Justin, 52, who she divorced in 2011. She has her youngest two kids with businessman Antoine, 44, who she described as 'a great role model' for her brood. 'I definitely believe that the only way to educate your children is to be an example yourself,' she said. Her priorities were shifted last year due to the pandemic, with the model enjoying a slower pace of life. 'I realised, at the end of March last year, that I was waking up naturally and not feeling sleep-deprived for the first time since I was six years old. You prioritise in a very different way when you're not exhausted.' She also relished the fact she could spend more time with her family: 'Having this routine of waking up and making lunch, and then having a little break and starting to cook dinner. This feeling of feeding my family was very beautiful. And everyone knew where to find me.' As well as speaking to the magazine, Natalia posed for a striking shoot. Natalia looked phenomenal as she posed in a sparkly lingerie-style dress which featured a metallic silver skirt. The star gave a sultry gaze to the camera as she modelled cherry-red lipstick and wore her auburn tresses in sleek waves. The September issue of Harper's Bazaar is on sale from August 5. She made her acting debut in 2011 as Arya Stark in Game Of Thrones. Yet 24-year-old Maisie Williams revealed she's now exploring a different path, as she launched her new production company Rapt at Gymkhana London in Monday The MTV Movie Award nominee embraced punk fashion as she sported a white T-shirt dress and chunky black shoes for her dinner party at the Michelin-star restaurant. New horizons: The star exuded rebellious charm at a Michelin-star restaurant in Mayfair on Monday for the launch of her new production company Rapt Maisie's edgy little white dress boasted a pocket detail on the bust, a cinched-in waist and pleats on the mid-length skirt. The actress contrasted the light dress with a pair of black chunky shoe, which she paired with sheer socks. She beamed as she was pictured at the bash wearing a striking makeup look - comprising a burgundy bold lip with her trademark bleached brows. Edgy: Maisie headed out in the edgy ensemble - which boasted a pocket detail on the bust Maisie rocked a pair of small gold hoop earrings while she wore her blonde tresses in a low ponytail - leaving her long curtain bangs out to frame her face. A slew of VIP guests showed up at her exclusive event, including Gangs Of London actress Pippa Bennett-Warner. Pippa, who stars alongside Hugh Laurie in BBC's Roadkill, looked stylish in a caramel and red pinstripe long-sleeve jumpsuit. VIP: A slew of VIP guests showed up at her exclusive event, including Gangs Of London actress Pippa Bennett-Warner (pictured left) and Jude Law's model daughter Iris Law Her dinner look featured tortoise shell-coloured buttons, a tied waist and an elaborate ruffled cape which she wore draped across her shoulders. She carried her essentials in a red patent leather purse and stood tall in black open-toe heels. The starlet looked radiant as she was pictured wearing minimal makeup next to her friend and future producer Maisie. Chic: Her dinner look featured tortoise shell-coloured buttons, a tied waist and an elaborate ruffled cape which she wore draped across her shoulders Maisie lead the launch of Rapt on the night, which is 'committed to amplifying the diverse range of voices and outlooks of a new generation'. As an environmentalist, Maisie produced Searching for Chinook- a documentary to fight for the survival of the last 72 Southern resident orcas. She also helped launch WaterBear alongside Sir David Attenborough - the first global video streaming platform dedicated to the future of our planet. But despite her new producing endeavours, she's not ready to give up acting just yet. The critically acclaimed actress will play punk icon Jordan in the Danny Boyle-directed upcoming TV series Pistol, about the Sex Pistols. The drama series began filming in March this year, though no official release date has been confirmed yet. The action-packed trailer for the Money Heist: Part Five Vol. One was released on Netflix's official YouTube channel on Monday. In the clip, several members from the team are seen preparing for the final act of their robbery while numerous government officials launch a siege on the building. The upcoming release serves as the first portion of the crime drama series' final season, and it is set to be released next month. New footage: The official trailer for the first Volume of Money Heist Part Five made its debut on Netflix's official YouTube channel on Monday The trailer begins with the show's main character Tokyo, portrayed by Ursula Corbero, dozing off while remaining handcuffed to two walls on both sides of her. While Helsinki, played by Darko Peric, carries a corpse up a staircase, the series; narrator comments that as she has been 'locked up for a hundred hours...it feels like a hundred years have gone by.' The mastermind of the heist, Alvaro Morte's The Professor, is then confronted by inspector Alicia Sierra, played by Najwa Nimri, who fires a gun towards his face and pistol-whips him. After the National Police Corps officer ties up the criminal mastermind, he is put in contact with the rest of the heist's team and confesses that he may not see them again. Content: In the featurette, the heist team is seen preparing for the final stage of their robbery while military forces approach their position Reflection: Tokyo, played by Ursula Corbero, comments that she has been 'locked up for a hundred hours...it feels like a hundred years have gone by' Colonel Luis Tamayo, played by Fernando Cayo, announces that he has detained the criminals and that he is sending the military to apprehend them. Several shots of soldiers advancing on the team's position is shown, while the brash military official remarks that his forces will 'come out victorious or come out dead.' Sierra then pushes The Professor over a ledge and leaves him hanging by a chain, after which Tokyo is seen sharing a tender moment with her boyfriend Rio, played by Miguel Herran. Lisbon, played by Itziar Ituno, addresses the team and expressed that they are 'up against the ropes, but we're not going to end up in the morgue.' Making moves: Colonel Luis Tamayo, portrayed by Fernando Cayo, announces that he will be sending military forces to apprehend the heist team Going for broke: A member of the heist team rallied the squad in the trailer and told them that they will not 'end up in the morgue' Winner takes all: During a tense conversation, the Colonel comments that the military forces will 'come out victorious or come out dead' The crew then begins preparing to take on the military forces, and one of its members is seen putting on a mask with the visage of Salvador Dali. The soldiers then begin their assault on the team's position, firing a hail of bullets and several explosives while Tokyo tearfully takes aim at an unknown target. While several flashback scenes are shown, Berlin, portrayed by Pedro Alonso, comments that he will guide an offscreen character to 'authentic liberation, and if we ever have to pay a price for it, then we pay it.' The trailer ends by following an unknown individual with smoke rising from their chest making their way towards a pair of military vehicles and falling to their knees. Getting ready: The heist team was also seen preparing to take on the forces, and one of its members donned a mask with the visage of Salvador Dali Running and gunning: Several soldiers then assaulted the team's position, and Tokyo was seen aiming at an unseen target No regrets: Berlin, played by Pedro Alonso, was also shown having a conversation with an offscreen individual and commented that 'if we ever have to pay a price for it, then we pay it' Money Heist, or La Casa De Papel as it is known in Spanish-speaking territories, was renewed for a fifth and final season last April. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the last run of episodes would be split in two and released months apart from each other. Series creator Alex Pina gave a statement via Deadline to express how the show's production team took great care in raising the tension of the heist team. 'We've spent almost a year thinking about how to break up the band. How to put the Professor on the ropes. How to get into situations that are irreversible for many characters,' he noted. Production: A fifth season of Money Heist was renewed for a final run of episodes last April Big changes: Series creator Alex Pina later said that the show's writing team took great care in coming up with 'situations that are irreversible for many characters' The producer then remarked that, although great losses would be suffered on all sides, the storytelling would keep fans at the edges of their seats. 'The result is the fifth part of La Casa De Papel. The war reaches its most extreme and savage levels, but it is also the most epic and exciting season,' he noted. The first Volume of Money Heist Part Five will make its debut on Netflix on September 3rd, and its second set of episodes are set to premiere on December 3rd. HBO has opted not to move forward with a planned adaptation of Elena Ferrante's critically acclaimed novel Days Of Abandonment after its star Natalie Portman left the production. The premium cable network announced Monday that Portman, 40, was stepping down from the project due to 'unforeseen circumstances,' according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Due to unforeseen personal reasons, Natalie Portman has stepped down from HBO Films Days Of Abandonment prior to the start of filming. Unfortunately, the production will not move forward, reps for HBO said in a statement. It's over: Natalie Portman, 40, has dropped out of HBO's filmed adaptation of Elena Ferrante's Days Of Abandonment, leading the network to cancel the film on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter; seen in 2019 in Hollywood 'We are very sorry we wont be able to bring this beautiful story to the screen with our talented writerdirector and cast. We send our sincere thanks to our cast, producers, and crew for all their passion and hard work,' the statement concluded. It's not yet clear what led Portman to leave the production. The Daily Telegraph had previously reported last week that the actress was set to begin filming on Thursday, July 29. She was going to be staying in Sydney, Australia, for an additional stretch after relocating their to film the superhero sequel Thor: Love And Thunder, which will be her return to the franchise after sitting out 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. End of the line: 'We are very sorry we wont be able to bring this beautiful story to the screen with our talented writerdirector and cast,' HBO said in a statement Acclaimed novel: Portman would have starred in the the film as Tess, a woman who suffers an identity crisis after her husband leaves her unexpectedly for a younger woman Representatives for Portman and the film's producer have so far declined to comment. In addition to starring in Days Of Abandonment, the Oscar winner was also going to executive produce the film. The novel, written by the pseudonymous author Elena Ferrante, was published in 2002 in Italy and follows a woman named Olga (who would have been renamed Tess in the film) whose life is thrown into turmoil when her husband abruptly leaves her for another woman. She's on the verge of a breakdown when she finds herself locked in her own home with her two children and seemingly no one around to help them escape amid a summer holiday. The novel was previously adapted as a well-received Italian film in 2005. Portman was to star alongside English actor Rafe Spall (Prometheus, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) as her husband, while Weeds' Mary-Louis Parker would have played a woman surprising entry into her life encourages her to reassess her independence. Support: English actor Rafe Spall would have played her husband, while Mary-Louise Parker would have played a woman who goads her into reconsidering her life; Parker seen in 2019 Although she has resisted the allure of prestige television and high-profile streaming shows, Portman is set to star with Lupita Nyong'o in Apple TV+ limited series adaptation of Laura Lippman's acclaimed crime novel Lady In The Lake. The series is about a former housewife who tries to restart her career as a reporter to help solve a series of murders of women in 1960s-era Baltimore. Even though HBO has canceled its Days Of Abandonment adaptation, the network is still very much in the Elena Ferrante business. Her most acclaimed works, the four-part Neapolitan series, is currently being adapted by HBO as the series My Brilliant Friend (named after the first book). The network renewed the series for a third season, based on the third book, Those Who Leave And Those Who Stay, back in April of last year. Sarah Jessica Parker is best known as a movie and TV star who has appeared is Sex And The City and is now shooting the reboot And Just Like That... in Manhattan. But the New York City based actress also oversees the wine Invivo X, SJP, which she launched in 2019. The mother of three told DailyMail exclusively that she is happy that the label has been a major success. 'It's such an honor to be awarded two gold medals and the Europe Rose trophy from the 2021 New York International Wine Competition,' the blonde told DailyMail.com. Wine on her mind: Sarah Jessica Parker is best known as a movie and TV star who has appeared is Sex And The City and now the reboot And Just Like That... But the New York City based actress also oversees the wine Invivo X, SJP, which she launched in 2019 Props to SJP! The mother of three told DailyMail exclusively that she is happy that the label has been such a major success 'Lots of love has gone into making our wines, from vineyard through to blending, and we are thrilled and honored to be recognized,' added the former child star. The red carpet wonder added, 'We thank everyone who has brought a bottle home and included us as part of their special moments. We're delighted to share this exciting recognition with you.' Having her wine take off like this is a joyful moment for the actress: 'We are proud. And stunned. And honored. And delighted. '...To all those who have included us in their homes, on their tables, at their parties, for special moments and celebrations.' So good! 'It's such an honor to be awarded two gold medals and the Europe Rose trophy from the 2021 New York International Wine Competition,' the blonde told DailyMail.com Love in a bottle: 'Lots of love has gone into making our wines, from vineyard through to blending, and we are thrilled and honored to be recognized,' added the star The Family Stone star said she was 'intrigued' when she was contacted by two men from InVivo in 2018 about starting a wine with them. Invivo winery partners Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron were the ones she worked with. Parker explained she was already a fan of the brand as she and her husband Matthew Broderick would buy it when visiting their home in Ireland. Thanks fans: The red carpet wonder added, 'We thank everyone who has brought a bottle home and included us as part of their special moments. We're delighted to share this exciting recognition with you' Drink up... please: Having her wine take off like this is a joyful moment for the actress: 'We are proud. And stunned. And honored. And delighted and ready to toast the weekend and all those who have included us in their homes, on their tables, at their parties, for special moments and celebrations' They called her: The Family Stone star said she was 'intrigued' when she was contacted by two men from InVivo in 2018 about starting a wine with them. Invivo winery partners Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron were the ones she worked with Sarah felt 'ill-equipped' about heading up her own wine, but then was properly educated about the business giving her confidence. 'Its been a wonderful experience,' added the State And Main star. Parker, who is currently filming the much-anticipated revival of Sex in the City And Just Like That in the streets of New York, launched the Invivo X, SJP wine brand in 2019. Wine in hand: Sarah felt 'ill-equipped' about heading up her own wine, but then was properly educated about the business giving her confidence. 'Its been a wonderful experience,' added the State And Main star The wine range has gone on to sell over 700,000 bottles, receiving two 90-point ratings from Wine Spectator and rated in their Top 100 Wines of the World in 2020, from over 10,000 wines tasted. Making a difference in the community is hugely important to Invivo X, SJP and the range currently supports FEED an impact-driven brand founded by Lauren Bush Lauren. Each month, from the proceeds of Invivo X, SJP sales, 37,500 meals are donated to school children worldwide through FEEDs on-the-ground giving partners. The wines are available nationwide in the US in a number of retailers and online at www.invivoxsjp.com. 'Crisp, fresh and vibrant with subtle berry notes, the final blend was created over an afternoon of tasting with SJP,' it said on her wine's Instagram on Tuesday. In addition to making wine, the star designs shoes. In February 2014, she launched SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, a footwear, apparel and accessory label. They had a tumultuous relationship on Married At First Sight in 2018. And almost three years after calling it quits, Gabrielle Bartlett and Nasser Sultan are embroiled in a very public feud. Gabrielle, 47, called Nasser, 53, a 'lonely little man' with 'no friends or a job' in a scathing Facebook comment - accusations he categorically rejects. Messy break-up: TV exes Gabrielle Bartlett (left) and Nasser Sultan (right) are embroiled in a very public feud three years after calling it quits on Married At First Sight Australia She left the comment below an interview Nasser did with a social media personality. On Tuesday, the controversial reality star hit back at his TV 'bride' and told her she 'needs to move on' with her life. 'Doesn't Gab have anything better to do with her time than watch and leave nasty comments on all of my interviews?' Nasser told Daily Mail Australia. 'That was such a long time ago. I think it's time to move on.' False claims: Gabrielle, 47, called Nasser, 53, a 'lonely little man' with 'no friends or a job' in a scathing Facebook comment (pictured) - accusations he categorically rejects Get over it, Gabs: On Tuesday, the controversial reality star hit back at his TV 'bride' and told her she 'needs to move on' with her life 'I'm not lonely. I'm never alone. I've had many relationships after the show,' he added. Nasser also denied he was unemployed, saying: 'I have several streams of income on top of commercial deals and online endorsements.' It comes after Nasser told former X Factor star Jason Owens he realised things weren't going to work with Gabrielle halfway through their on-screen marriage. Feud: 'Doesn't Gab have anything better to do with her time than watch and leave nasty comments on all of my interviews?' Nasser told Daily Mail Australia. Pictured in 2018 'They matched you to be chalk and cheese, opposites,' he said. '[Our relationship] didn't work out because Gabrielle was a completely different person. She had a child, and I told them [producers] I didn't want someone with a child. That's fair enough. 'We had nothing in common, we had no conversation. She was a little bit depressive all the time.' Interview: It comes after Nasser told X Factor star Jason Owens he realised things weren't going to work with Gabrielle halfway through their on-screen marriage. Pictured on MAFS Responding to other allegations Nasser made during the interview, which cannot be published for legal reasons, Gabrielle commented below the video: 'Oh babe. You're a lonely little man with no friends or job or life. 'You do not make any money You do not have any media demand. Check out your Instagram followers compared to anyone else. 'All of us get invitations to the opening of envelopes - but it's you that feverishly turns up as if you're a VIP bless. The friends you had have cut their ties. Why is that?' Nasser laughed off these claims, saying: 'It's not my fault the red carpet is rolled out for me.' She often sends her fans wild with saucy snaps. And Rhian Sugden didn't disappoint on Monday as she shared another sexy selfie with her 463,000 followers. Taking to Instagram, the 34-year-old glamour model wowed in a barely-there Ann Summers bodysuit. Blue-tiful: Rhian Sugden showed off her famous curves in a sheer plunging bodysuit as she posed for a sexy Instagram selfie on Monday Rhian left little to the imagination in the sheer blue one-piece which featured a plunging neckline. While putting her ample cleavage on full display, the high leg garment also drew attention to her tiny waist. Teasing her fans, Rhian penned in the caption: 'Could I wear this out? Probably not. But I might.' The sizzling post comes after Rhian revealed that a married businessman once offered her 200,000 to spend the night with him. The blonde bombshell also revealed one inappropriate social media user asked if she could sleep with their wife so they could film it. Rhian told fans on her Instagram Story last month: 'Eurgh there are some right creeps in my inbox this week. 'Just woke up to an offer of 200K for one night with a married businessman... and another offer to couple up with someone's wife and be filmed!!' Rhian sternly ended her post with: 'Leave it out will you. This isn't a knocking shop,' followed by a 'barf' emoji. Blimey: The blonde bombshell also revealed one inappropriate social media user asked if she could sleep with their wife so they could film it The social media star spent the UK's multiple lockdowns with her husband Oliver Mellor. Back in November, Rhian revealed her third round of IVF failed and said even though she was disappointed, she was 'OK'. The couple, who wed in 2018, revealed last year they had endured gruelling IVF for 18 months. The IVF treatment came after Rhian discovered she couldn't conceive naturally. Before their third go, Rhian and Oliver bought a puppy and Rhian told Instagram fans: 'So many people told me that getting a puppy after failed IVF is a godsend and a good distraction. 'After two failed rounds I tell you what, I've not been this happy in months. My heart could burst.' She has been referred to as the Queen of Burlesque. And Dita Von Teese looked regal as ever on Monday, when she was spotted at the airport in capital city Palma de Mallorca in Mallorca, Spain. The star, 48, was dressed in a tailored and stylish trench coat, featuring squared shoulders and well-placed darting. Gorgeous: Dita Von Teese looked regal as ever on Monday, when she was spotted at the airport in capital city Palma de Mallorca in Mallorca, Spain Stunner: The beauty, 48, was dressed in a tailored and stylish trench coat, featuring squared shoulders and well-placed darting She wore her raven locks in her iconic style, swept to the side with curls hanging behind her ears. The entertainer and lingerie designer sported a black lace face mask, along with reflective cat eye sunglasses. Her French tip manicure was in shades of red and white. Dita also wore a multicolored purse which hung from a thin tan leather strap. She walked along in simple black flats with red soles. In town for his gala: Dita was accompanied by German real estate tycoon and television personality Marcel Remus, who pushed along a cart topped with a Louis Vuitton square bag On their way: The handsome Marcel wore a heather grey polo shirt and blue shorts, along with a patterned face mask in black and pink The former spouse of Marilyn Manson was accompanied by German real estate tycoon and television personality Marcel Remus, who pushed along a luggage cart topped with a Louis Vuitton square bag. The handsome Marcel wore a heather grey polo shirt and blue shorts, along with a patterned face mask in black and pink. Marcel was also seen with David Hasselhoffs daughter Hayley, who arrived at the airport draped in a navy blue shawl with fur trim. Underneath, the 28-year-old actress was dressed in a chic blue and white patterned blouse and pants set. Another guest: Marcel was also seen with David Hasselhoffs daughter Hayley, who arrived at the airport draped in a navy blue shawl with fur trim Underneath: The 28-year-old actress and model was dressed in a chic blue and white patterned blouse and pants set Hasselhoff carried a black leather handle bag, and walked along in black platform flip-flops. The model layered several gold necklaces around her neck, and stayed protected with a black disposable face covering over her mouth and nose. She wore her blonde hair down straight, and had a pair of light blue shades sunshades resting on the bridge of her nose. As mentioned on Hayleys Instagram Stories, both she and Dita were in town for two gala event hosted by Remus this week. Marcel is known for his 'social media villa' in Mallorca, where followers of the dedicated Instagram account for the property can decide both its style and design, as well as rent it for vacation. Traveling in style: Hasselhoff carried a black leather handle bag, and walked along in black platform flip-flops The Block producers have long believed the fictional Ramsay Street from Neighbours would make the perfect setting for the renovation series. And that dream is finally about to be realised, with the latest season of the Channel Nine hit set to take place in the Hampton cul-de-sac of Bronte Court, which bears a striking resemblance to the setting of the popular Australian soap. 'We really think its the perfect setting for our show,' The Block's executive producer Julian Cress told TV Tonight on Tuesday. Goals: The Block producers have long believed the fictional Ramsay Street from Neighbours would make the perfect setting for the renovation series - and that dream is finally about to be realised. Pictured: The Block host Scott Cam 'It just felt like the perfect location for a series of The Block would be Ramsay Street,' added Mr Cress. But it took ten years to find an appropriate street with five owners willing to sell. The producers enlisted the help of resident and buyer's advocate Nicole Jacobs to convince four of her neighbours to join her in selling to the show. Their own Ramsay Street: The latest season is set to take place in the Hampton cul-de-sac of Bronte Court, which bears a striking resemblance to the setting of the popular Australian soap Inspiration: 'It felt like the perfect location for a series of The Block would be Ramsay Street,' said The Block's executive producer Julian Cress. The fictional Ramsay Street pictured here The five homes, which are not all side by side, were purchased by Nine for 'above market value'. 'It just all worked out beautifully,' said Mr Cress. Despite the fortuitous nature of the buy-up, the forthcoming 2021 season will also have its fair share of scandal, according to host Scott Cam. The 58-year-old revealed to TV Week that a 'cheating scandal' - billed as the biggest in the franchise's history - will 'change everything'. Good neighbours indeed: The producers enlisted the help of resident and buyer's advocate Nicole Jacobs to convince four of her neighbours to join her in selling to the show The Block's biggest scandal: Meanwhile, the show's host Scott Cam has revealed a cheating plot on the new season will 'change everything' 'There's something massive on the horizon that comes from the contestants themselves and it turns The Block on its head,' said the TV tradie. Returning contestant Ronnie Caceres, who starred alongside wife Georgia in the 2017 season, described the moment as 'the biggest cheating scandal in TV history'. The as-yet undisclosed scandal will be one of several shake-ups this season as the contestants renovate a cul-de-sac of homes in the Melbourne suburb of Hampton. The 2021 series will also see contestants building with 'no plans' for the first time. The new season of The Block: Fans vs Faves is set to premiere on August 8. Jason Momoa was displeased when asked about performing in a sex assault scene in the 2011 pilot episode of Game of Thrones. In a piece with The New York Times' David Marchese, the Aquaman leading man, 42, was asked if he regretted playing the role of Khal Drogo, who raped the Daenerys character, played by Emilia Clarke, following their storyline wedding. The 6ft4 screen star at first said the scene - which was rewritten from the book to resemble a sexual assault as opposed to a consensual encounter - was essential to establishing the character as monstrous. The latest: Jason Momoa, 42, was displeased when asked by The New York Times about performing a sex assault scene in the 2011 pilot episode of Game of Thrones 'It was important to depict Drogo and his style,' he said. 'Youre playing someone thats like Genghis Khan. It was a really, really, really hard thing to do.' The Honolulu, Hawaii native continued: 'My job was to play something like that, and its not a nice thing, and its what that character was. 'Its not my job to go, "Would I not do it?" Ive never really been questioned about "Do you regret playing a role?" Well put it this way: I already did it. Not doing it again.' Following the completion of the interview, the A-list action star expressed his disappointment about the nature of the question. Good spirits: The A-list actor was snapped in London last month Details: In the storyline, Momoa's character Khal Drogo, sexually assaulted the Daenerys character, played by Emilia Clarke, following their wedding 'When you brought up Game of Thrones, you brought up stuff about whats happening with my character and would I do it again,' he said. 'I was bummed when you asked me that. It just feels icky - putting it upon me to remove something.' Momoa stressed the dynamics of the business, and how limited his creative influence (outside of his performance) was, an up-and-coming actor at the time. 'As if an actor even had the choice to do that. Were not really allowed to do anything,' he said. 'There are producers, there are writers, there are directors, and you dont get to come in and be like, "Im not going do that because this isnt kosher right now and not right in the political climate."' He added, 'That never happens. So its a question that feels icky. I just wanted you to know that.' She is the star of the premiere episode of Modern Love season two. And Minnie Driver looked splendid on Monday evening, wearing a bright red Carolina Herrera dress for the premiere of the Amazon series based on the popular New York Times column. The Oscar-nominated actress, 51, smiled widely in the crimson spaghetti-strap gown, which featured a loose bow-inspired bust spilling out from a high waistband. Looking great in red: Minnie Driver looked splendid on Monday evening, wearing a bright red Carolina Herrera dress for the premiere of Modern Love's season two in New York City The column sheath skirt of Minnie's dress hung to just above her ankles, where she sported lovely silver strappy heeled sandals. Driver's luscious brown hair fell in curled waves past her shoulders and down her back, and she wore delicate and subtle makeup. The Good Will Hunting actress finished off her statement look with a striking yellow clutch purse, adorned with a bejeweled buckle. Something to smile about: The Oscar-nominated actress smiled widely in the spaghetti-strap gown, which featured a loose bow-inspired bust spilling out from a high waistband Statement look: Driver's luscious brown hair fell in curled waves past her shoulders and down her back, and she wore delicate and subtle makeup Posing: The column sheath skirt of Minnie's dress hung to just above her ankles, where she sported lovely silver strappy heeled sandals Wow: All eyes were on Minnie and her ever-glamorous style Statuesque: The Good Will Hunting actress finished off her statement look with a striking yellow clutch purse, adorned with a bejeweled buckle Several other Modern Love cast members joined Minnie for the evening, including Andrew Rannells, Zoe Chao, Marquis Rodriguez and Zuzanna Szadkowski. Rannells was handsome in a field blue suit, worn over a lighter dress shirt. The Girls star also sported a mustache, chin stubble and crisp white sneakers. Great group: Several other Modern Love cast members joined Minnie for the evening, including (L-R) Andrew Rannells, Zoe Chao, Lulu Wilson, Marquis Rodriguez, Zane Pais and Zuzanna Szadkowski Mustache moves: Rannells was handsome in a field blue suit, worn over a lighter dress shirt Chao, who previously appeared in Netflix's Paul Rudd-starring Living with Yourself, looked sweet in a burgundy peplum cocktail gown, with capped sleeves and a textured sheen. She topped off the look with black floral Mary Janes. Marquis Rodriguez, who will appear in season two of Modern Love's episode titled How Do You Remember Me?, wore a red, white and aqua colorblocked shirt, along with a touch of matching red and aqua eye makeup. Three's company: The Girls star posed with costars Pais and Rodriguez Cute: Chao, who previously appeared in Netflix's Paul Rudd-starring Living with Yourself, looked sweet in a burgundy peplum cocktail gown, with capped sleeves and a textured sheen Bold eye makeup: Marquis Rodriguez, who will appear in season two of Modern Love's episode titled How Do You Remember Me?, wore a red, white and aqua colorblocked shirt Marquis was accompanied by his model girlfriend Hillary Fisher, who wore a strapless maroon metallic sweetheart dress. Other stars including Coco Bassey attended the premiere, with Coco in a lovely white lace shirt dress, featuring a partially sheer top, woven belt and paisley stitching throughout. Actress Lulu Wilson could not contain her giddiness on the way to the event, also dressed in a white shirt dress that featured delicate frills at the rounded collar and peasant sleeves. Coupled up: Marquis was accompanied by his model girlfriend Hillary Fisher, who wore a strapless maroon metallic sweetheart dress Coco Bassey attended the premiere: She was in a lovely white lace shirt dress, featuring a partially sheer top, woven belt and paisley stitching throughout Excited: Actress Lulu Wilson could not contain her giddiness on the way to the event, also dressed in a white shirt dress that featured delicate frills at the rounded collar and sleeves The Glorias star completed her look with frilled white ankle socks and clunky black Doc Martens. Lauren Wolfe was in white as well, wearing a minidress covered in a photographic print. Modern Love cast member Szadkowski also looked radiant, in a lovely deep blue dress featuring embroidered stitched detailing. Fabulous ensemble: The Glorias star completed her look with frilled white ankle socks and clunky black Doc Martens Lady in blue: Modern Love cast member Szadkowski also looked radiant, in a lovely deep blue dress featuring embroidered stitched detailing Cute: Andrew posed with Zuzanna later on outside Stunning: Minnie also got a breath of fresh air at the reception, outdoors at Grand Banks... ...and made sure to pose with Rannells as well Little white dress: Lauren Wolfe was there in white, wearing a skintight minidress covered in a photographic print Wolfe, meanwhile, posed with Natalie Wojtanowski, who wowed in a delicate cantaloupe-colored dress. Rounding out the guest list was model and influencer Christian Bendek, who wore an orange and tan garment somewhere between a blazer and shirt, paired with taupe pants. The second season of Modern Love premieres on Amazon Prime on August 13th. The anthology series, based on the mail-in, romantically themed NYT column of the same name, debuted its first season in 2019 featuring stars including Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel, Tina Fey and Andy Garcia. Fashionable duo: Wolfe posed with Natalie Wojtanowski, who wowed in a delicate cantaloupe-colored dress Thigh tattoo: Natalie completed her look with while sandals and an orange ring purse Jai Courtney says his version of Captain Boomerang in the Suicide Squad films was very different to the character's comic book counterpart. The actor, 35, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday that Boomerang's overt racism had to be 'toned down' for the movies to avoid offending modern audiences. 'When I first heard about [the character] I thought it sounded pretty silly,' Jai said of his initial reaction to the role. Updates: Jai Courtney (pictured in February 2020) says his version of Captain Boomerang in the Suicide Squad films was very different to the character's comic book counterpart 'In the original comics, he's kind of controversial,' he added. 'There's some pretty gnarly racist stuff. It's very dated, very early '60s. 'It's not something you can put on screen now and necessarily be proud of.' He explained the Suicide Squad screenwriters had to 'pull some of the elements' of the character forward and 'modernise it'. Offensive: The actor said Boomerang's racism had to be 'toned down' for the movies to avoid offending modern audiences. Pictured: Captain Boomerang on the cover of an old comic book In the original DC Comics, Captain Boomerang was a racist white Australian who used the offensive slur 'abo' - short for Aboriginal - to refer to black people. But these unsavoury aspects of his character were eliminated for the Suicide Squad movies. Jai is joined in the latest movie, titled The Suicide Squad, by fellow Aussie Margot Robbie, who is reprising her role as Harley Quinn. Removed: In the original DC Comics, Captain Boomerang was a racist white Australian who used the offensive slur 'abo' - short for Aboriginal - to refer to black people. However, these unsavoury aspects of his character were eliminated for the Suicide Squad movies The movie also stars Idris Elba, John Cena, Pete Davidson and Sylvester Stallone. The Suicide Squad sees the government send the most dangerous supervillains in the world to the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Director James Gunn, best known for helming Marvel's Guardian of the Galaxy, has said the film is neither a reboot or sequel of the 2016 David Ayer-directed movie Suicide Squad. The Suicide Squad hits Australian cinemas on Thursday, August 5 John Cena oozed excitement at the premiere of his new film The Suicide Squad on Monday evening. Decked out in full costume as his character Peacemaker, the 44-year-old actor put on quite the show as he flexed his muscles and playfully wielded his prop gun. By his side was his wife Shay Shariatzadeh, 31, who he affectionately planted a kiss on as they walked the red carpet together at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. Scroll down for video Feeling festive: John Cena, 44, arrived to the premiere of new movie The Suicide Squad in full costume as his character Peacemaker on Monday evening The former WWE star's costume consisted of white pants with blue cushioning on the side and a utility belt to hold his arsenal of fighting tools. As seen in the movie, the full look included a fitted red top with blue trimming and his signature logo on the front which exposed his bulky muscles. Embodying the DC Comics character he also showed off his blue superhero gloves and a silver helmet with black boots. Cena hammed it up at the highly anticipated movie premiere as he posed for some solo photos with his prop gun before bringing his wife of nearly a year beside him. Fit: The former wrestling pro showed off his bulging muscles Easy does it: Cena playfully wielded his prop gun as he got into character ahead of the screening The Iranian born engineer looked stunning in an ornate sparkling dress in shades of black, gold, red and blue to match her man's costume. The mini dress showed off her incredible legs which she accentuated with a pair of black strappy heels and she added a touch more color to the look with blue winged eyeliner. The brunette's hair was teased back and she wore large gold earrings while carrying a black clutch purse. Shay and John shared a few tender moments as he planted a kiss on her forehead before he pulled her in for another smooch. Coordinating: The engineer matched her husband in a sparkling mini dress that picked up on his costume's color scheme The pair who were first romantically linked in March 2019 looked very much in love in the PDA-filled snaps. Cena and Shariatzadeh first met when he was filming Playing with Fire in Canada where she resides. They made their official red carpet debut at that film screening the following October, where he publicly gushed that she was 'someone special' and called her his 'beautiful date.' In October 2020 they officially tied the knot in a small courthouse ceremony in Tampa, Florida. PDA: The actor kissed Shay on her forehead as she beamed Married man: Though he had previously said 'I don't want marriage' his romance with Shay moved swiftly Though the once-divorced actor had previously said 'I don't want marriage' something about Shay changed his tune. Speaking about the movie, Cena said in several virtual interviews while wearing his costume that the action in the James Gunn directed film just 'doesn't stop.' 'A two-hour and twenty-three-minute movie with 25 main cast members. It doesn't stop. And I think that's why we had so much fun filming.' The movie is set to be released in theatres on August 6 and includes a star studded cast including Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) and Idris Elba (Bloodsport). Action packed: 'A two-hour and twenty-three-minute movie with 25 main cast members. It doesn't stop. And I think that's why we had so much fun filming,' he said of the film's action She debuted her relationship with her boss and Selling Sunset costar Jason Oppenheim. But it seems as though not everyone has heard the news. On Monday, Chrishell, 40, hilariously hit back at commenters who were still unaware about her and Jason. 'A real Sherlock Holmes here': Chrishell Stause playfully hit back at commenters who were unaware of her new relationship with Jason Oppenheim One Instagram user responded to video Chrishell posted of herself, clinging to Jason's back as he did push-ups. 'You are 100% getting with him,' wrote the Instagram poster. 'A real Sherlock Holmes here,' Chrisell wrote in bold font, along with a string of silly emojis and a meme of Benedict Cumberbatch in character as the detective. Another fan was also perplexed by the same workout video. Time to break the news to her! Another fan was also perplexed by the same video Chrishell posted with Jason 'That's just weird with your boss!!' replied another viewer. 'Who's gonna tell her...?' Chrishell wrote, along with an array of winking and goofy emojis. The video was just one of many Chrishell has been posting of her current travels to Mykonos, Greece, where she is currently relaxing with Jason and their fellow Selling Sunset co-stars. Impressive routine: Chrishell worked up a sweat during a steamy bikini workout as she climbed on top of her boss and beau, Jason, in clips shared to Instagram on Monday morning The videos first showed Chrishell doing a few of her own pushups, before she climbed onto her boyfriend's back as he worked out poolside. 'Being tough on the boss,' she jokingly wrote across the video while Jason flexed his muscles with every move. Chrishell and Jason revealed their blossoming romance just last week while traveling abroad with the cast of their popular Netflix series. He must work out: After showing off a few of her own pushups, Chrishell climbed onto her boyfriend's back as he worked out poolside Sweethearts: Chrishell and Jason revealed their blossoming romance just last week while traveling abroad with the cast of their popular Netflix series It's unclear if Stause and Oppenheim's blossoming romance will be covered in the upcoming season, but during the explosive third season of Selling Sunset, Chrishell claimed her ex, Justin Hartley, informed her of his intent to divorce via text message, just 45 minutes before the heartbreaking news was made public. The TV star also referred to Justin's divorce filing as an 'impulsive' decision and that he would often use the same 'I'm out' approach during fights they had in the past. A source told People at the time of their split that the pair had been having trouble for a while' and were 'fundamentally incompatible' as a couple. Sylvester Stallone commanded an imposing presence at the Westwood premiere of The Suicide Squad on Monday evening. The 75-year-old actor was seen raising his hands and greeting his fans while making his way to the red carpet before posing for a photo with the feature's director, James Gunn. The Rambo star provided the voice of Nanaue, also known as King Shark, for the upcoming movie, which is currently set to have its debut in the United States later this week. Making an appearance: Sylvester Stallone was seen walking the red carpet at the Westwood premiere of The Suicide Squad on Monday Stallone kept it simple at the premiere as he sported a black crewneck sweater with pulled-up sleeves to the event. The Rambo star also wore a pair of slightly loose-fitting pants and a set of leather shoes, both of which matched his top. The performer's silver hair provided an interesting contrast to the dominant tone of his outfit. One and done: The Rambo star was dressed in a black crewneck sweater with pulled-up sleeves during the event Matching it up: The performer also sported a loose-fitting pair of matching pants while spending time on the red carpet Stallone was first attached to The Suicide Squad in November of last year, which was confirmed by the feature's 54-year-old director on his Instagram account. The filmmaker spoke to CinemaBlend last month and noted that the Rambo star's character went through a lengthy design process. Specifically, Gunn noted that 'developing him from the very beginning as this sort of lovable, but incredibly dangerous, galoot was very, very difficult.' Making it official: Stallone's involvement with The Suicide Squad was confirmed on Instagram by James Gunn last November Taking their time: The director later spoke to CinemaBlend and expressed that the character underwent a lengthy design process The director also noted that he desired audiences to see the character as a real presence alongside his human co-stars. Gunn said that the film's team 'really wanted him to be able to walk and move in a way that was as believable as a King Shark could be. There's a thing about this movie where I wanted it to be sort of a magical realist film.' The writer went on to make a statement about the film as a whole and expressed that he took on the project with the intention of straddling a line between spectacle and believability. Extra effort: Gunn expressed that he wanted viewers to see the character move in a realistic way. The filmmaker noted that the film's producers wanted to make King Shark look 'beliveable' Intention: The director also expressed that he wanted The Suicide Squad to come off as 'sort of a magical realist film' He remarked that attempting to keep a 'sort of magic about the characters and the movie, while also keeping it gritty and grounded, was important to me. But it was a really big process.' Gunn later noted that Stallone's involvement was not always set in stone, as he and the feature's producers considered bringing in other talent. He specifically recalled that 'we had a huge audition process with tons of voice actors.' High expectations: Gunn went on to note that he wanted the tone of the DC Comics-based film to be 'gritty and grounded' Working through it: Prior to casting Stallone as King Shark, the filmmaker presided over 'a huge audition process with tons of voice actors' Although the sessions did not prove to be fruitful, the filmmaker contacted the Rocky star and noted that he was enthusiastic about filling the role. 'I called up Sly. He said he would love to do it. He came in and right away, that character just sort of came to life,' he said. Gunn did point out that he did have the actor in mind when coming up with the part, as he noted: 'I wrote the role for Sylvester.' The Suicide Squad made its debut in the United Kingdom last week and it is set to premiere in the United States on Thursday. It was a chaotic race in Hungary for everyone, even the drivers who normally drive on their own. Williams even scored points with two cars, while Mick Schumacher in a Haas also competed for a long time. He even fought with Max Verstappen for a while. This happened just after the restart of the race, which was created by the crash of Valtteri Bottas and many others. As a result, Verstappen dropped to the back of the field and had to play catch-up with a broken car. During that race, he met Schumacher. Schumacher thought it was fantastic, he says to Motorsport Magazin. "It was nice to fight with Max like that. But of course, the situation was crooked because his car had suffered a lot of damage. So it wasn't completely fair. Of course, it was good for us to be in the situation and feel for the first time what it is like to be in the middle of the fight and try to defend your position." Schumacher secretly hoped for points Because anything was possible on Sunday. However, Haas is still, and also the only constructor, on zero points. Nevertheless, Schumacher did at one point think about a top ten. "I always hope, but I think realistically it was difficult. The others had a faster car, of course. We needed a delta of about 1.4 seconds so they couldn't overtake me. We were always close, but soon there was a mistake, that was it. Then we were out and they got their chance." It remains to be seen whether Schumacher will have another chance like this to get into the top 10 this year. You could almost argue that the German had his best chance last weekend. Absolutely yes No, employees should have the choice No, but they should do everything to encourage vaccination None of my business Vote View Results The mistake described by Christian Horner as a "howler" on Sunday will not automatically cost Valtteri Bottas his Mercedes seat. That is the claim of Toto Wolff, even though he issued a public apology on behalf of Mercedes for Bottas' first-corner mistake that took out both Red Bulls. Footage has emerged of Red Bull's Horner refusing to shake the hand of his Mercedes counterpart after the Hungarian GP. Giusto Ferronato, a correspondent for La Gazzetta dello Sport, thinks the consequences for Bottas will be dire. "There is a lack of precision in his driving. He can say goodbye to his Mercedes seat," he wrote. An editorial in Suddeutsche Zeitung agreed: "The massive driving error further weakened his chances of another season next to Lewis Hamilton. "And while Bottas apologised to his opponents, his potential successor (George Russell) drove to ninth place in a damaged Williams." Wolff was already deliberating whether to replace the 31-year-old with young charger George Russell for 2022 and beyond. "In the summer we have to analyse exactly what we are doing," the Mercedes team boss admits. "Are we going for youth or for stability?" Wolff added. As for whether Bottas' mistake will cost him the seat, the Austrian insisted: "One mistake by Valtteri is not significant." When asked the same question, the Finnish driver himself answered: "I spoke with Toto briefly after the race, but we didn't talk about that. "But I don't think one race changes the situation too much. We'll see what happens in the coming weeks," Bottas said. However, it is notable that Bottas' manager Didier Coton was in Hungary at the weekend, amid swirling reports that he could switch to Alfa Romeo for 2022. "My management is working on it," said Bottas when asked about his potential options. What is notable is that Russell will be sitting in a 2021 Mercedes car as soon as this week, as Pirelli continues its 18-inch tyre testing for 2022 in Hungary. (GMM) Gunther Steiner has fended off a rebuke by former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. In Hungary, the Haas team boss had hit out at Ralf's nephew, team driver Mick Schumacher, for a practice crash that meant he sat out qualifying. "Mick has had too many accidents in the last few races," Steiner said. "We have reached the point where it is too much." Ralf Schumacher, whose brother Michael is the father of 22-year-old Haas driver Schumacher, said he was "really surprised" to hear Steiner's criticism. "You don't talk to the media like that before you've spoken to the driver," he told Sky Deutschland. Steiner, though, is totally unapologetic. "I do things the way I do them," he told a website when asked about Ralf's rebuke. "I don't ask you or Ralf how to do my job. I do my thing, my way." However, Steiner also played down the significance of his criticism of Mick Schumacher, insisting: "I just said that it was getting to be too much. "I said there were a few too many unnecessary crashes. But one thing is certain - I run my team as I want. And if you are not honest with yourself or your drivers, you will never be successful." Steiner also says he remains happy with Schumacher's overall progress - especially his fighting form in the midfield amid the tumultuous Hungarian GP. "Mick showed what he is capable of," said the Haas chief. "That was the race this year that we enjoyed the most from the pitwall." However, he stopped short of giving Schumacher a grade between 1 and 10 for the first half of his maiden season in Formula 1. "No, because something like that is always misinterpreted," said Steiner. (GMM) Formula 1 has found itself at the centre of a political storm in Hungary. Quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel was reprimanded after Sunday's Hungarian GP for having worn a rainbow-coloured, LGBT-themed t-shirt declaring 'Same Love' during the national anthem. The Aston Martin driver, however, was defiant, warning that he is prepared to "do it again" as a protest against laws like the so-called child protection act in Hungary that bans LGBT-themed teaching in schools. He told Sky Deutschland he is even open to auctioning the offending t-shirt. "We can talk about that," said Vettel, 33. "We have to make sure we find the right format so that we can get as much out of it as possible. And I'm absolutely willing to do the same thing again." Although Lewis Hamilton had removed his political-themed t-shirt before the national anthem as per F1's rules, he said he is "super proud" of Vettel for pushing the boundaries. "There is no rule that says what colour shirt you can wear and supporting the LGBTQ community is not reprimandable," said the seven time world champion on social media. "This is BS. Well done, Seb. I'll join you next time with the same shirt." However, F1 race director Michael Masi clarified that Vettel's t-shirt was indeed a clear breach of the rules. "Earlier this year, after internal discussions with the FIA and Formula 1, we made it clear that during the national anthem of the country, the drivers must wear only their racing overalls," he said. "This is the first time this has happened." And now it is becoming clear why Formula 1 made such a move - to avoid the sort of political storm that is now brewing as a consequence. For instance, Tamas Deutsch, a European parliamentarian for the ruling Hungarian party Fidesz, likened Vettel's allegiance to the left-wing movement to the Nazis. "The Germans have always been good at using politically correct symbolism at sporting events in accordance with current trends," he wrote on social media along with a photo of the Nazi salute during the 1936 Olympics. "Everything is subtle, cultural, European. Those who know will understand." (GMM) The US Army has awarded Cummins an $87-million contract to complete the development of the Advanced Combat Engine (ACE), a modular and scalable diesel engine solution, capable of hybridization, that uses innovative opposed-piston (OP) technology to provide leap-ahead capabilities in power density and heat rejection not available in the current marketplace. (Earlier post.) Coupling our opposed-piston technology with Cumminss robust engine design, manufacturing, and new product introduction capabilities allows us to create a high performing and reliable engine for military operations. Achates Power is pleased to continue to support Cummins as a key technology partner in creating the next generation of engines for combat vehicles. Dave Crompton, President and CEO of Achates Power The recently awarded Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract builds upon a competitive multi-year effort from the US Armys Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) to develop transformational powertrain technology that is power dense, thermally efficient, modular, scalable, and affordable enough to enable the toughest mobility, survivability, and lethality vehicle requirements. Furthermore, the OTA allows for transitioning the new technology into the next generation of vehicle programs ahead of the programs launch dates. ACEs innovative OP technology provides a 50% increase in power density, a 20% reduction in heat rejection, and 13% improved fuel efficiency when compared to todays best in class combat engine. ACEs flexible layout options allow the engine to be configured in 3 cylinder, 4 cylinder, and 6 cylinder arrangements to deliver power ranging from 750 to 1,500 horsepower. ACE can be integrated into hybrid architectures enabling commonality, thereby eliminating the expensive logistical burden of having multiple combat powertrains and facilitating the incorporation of new electrified technologies. Israel-based Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (earlier post) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a multiphase business cooperation with Wuhu Chery Technology Co., LTD (Chery), a global Chinese vehicle manufacturer and Xuanyuan Idrive Technology Co. Ltd. (XY), a subsidiary of Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. (Guide Infrared), a leading Chinese developer and manufacturer of infrared thermal imaging systems. During the first phase, Chery will test the QuadSight vision prototype system for the purpose of evaluating Foresights technology and its potential further integration into advanced solutions for vehicles manufactured by Chery. Upon successful evaluation, the parties will negotiate a commercial agreement for the co-development of advanced solutions based on Foresights technology integrated with XYs automotive sensors. The advanced solutions are designed for potential integration into semi- and fully autonomous vehicles manufactured by Chery. As a part of the cooperation, the parties will consider establishing a joint venture in China, by themselves or with third parties. Furthermore, the parties are considering promoting and selling the advanced solutions in Greater China through the joint venture. Additionally, to help accelerate innovation in the autonomous vehicles market and enable Foresights product expansion, Chery will consider a strategic investment in Foresight, in an amount and upon terms and conditions to be negotiated in the future. By signing this cooperation MOU with a leading automotive OEM, we continue our strategy to expand our presence in the Chinese automotive market. Our advanced 3D vision technologies combined with Guide Infrareds thermal imaging capabilities potentially offer an accurate and reliable vision solution that can be integrated into Cherys semi- and fully autonomous vehicles to enhance their current safety systems. I believe that this vote of confidence from another vehicle manufacturer, along with a potential strategic investment, may open the door for additional opportunities, worldwide and specifically in the Asian automotive market. Haim Siboni, CEO of Foresight Foresight is developing smart multi-spectral vision software solutions and cellular-based applications. Through the companys wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd. and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., Foresight develops both in-line-of-sight vision systems and beyond-line-of-sight accident-prevention solutions. Foresights vision solutions include modules of automatic calibration, sensor fusion and dense 3D point cloud that can be applied to diverse markets such as automotive, defense, autonomous vehicles and heavy industrial equipment. Eye-Net Mobiles cellular-based solution suite provides real-time pre-collision alerts to enhance road safety and situational awareness for all road users in the urban mobility environment by incorporating cutting-edge AI technology and advanced analytics. GAC Group and Huawei: the two firms are partnering to develop a medium- to large-size electric SUV Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. Mass production is targeted for the end of 2023. The SUV will be the first joint product of the two enterprises. GAC is also working with Didi on Level 4 automation. Didis intelligent hardware platform, Didi Gemini, is already being road tested by several multinational car companies. GAC Group embraces and encourages extensive technological innovation in its vehicles, and Huawei is a global leader in many types of technology. This strategic cooperation will allow them to build a new generation of intelligent vehicles and digital platforms. This SUV and multiple other future models will utilize GACs GEP.30 chassis platform and Huaweis CCA (Computing and Communication Architecture), as well as carrying Huaweis full stack of intelligent vehicle solutions. Since signing a strategic cooperation agreement in 2017, GAC and Huawei have worked together in the fields of intelligent connected electric vehicle technology. In September 2020 in Guangzhou, the two firms signed an agreement to further deepen cooperation, with a focus on computing and communication architecture in accordance of the development trend towards software-heavy vehicles. Data predicts that the EV global market will expand almost fivefold between 2016 and 2027; an annual increase of 20%. GAC Group is positioned to fully embrace this trend towards creating cleaner, greener, better cars, with GAC Motor aiming to produce an entirely electrified lineup of vehicles by 2025. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. Connecticut has been home to an array of artistic talent over the years, including artists creating everything from dynamic abstracts representing the natural worlds energy, to works inspired by ancient Egyptian and Roman art. Its home to art that responds to American ideals and values, works inspired by the ethos and people of Connecticut, 90s-nostalgia brands whipped into candy-colored confectionery, and paintings that re-imagine the sensations of Vietnamese refugees in America. Here are five artistic creators who should be on your radar in the coming months and years. John Dennis/ Contributed photo Canadian-born Conley has lived in Connecticut for more than a decade, and her work reflects her experience living in the U.S. Her bold, varicolored art has over the past few years been the story of this country; my feelings and experience of this country in response to historic imagery, she explains. Growing up in Canada with an American mother who held up patriotic notions of individualism, perseverance and ambition as a national character, Conley is particularly interested in what she calls a collective need to have these ideals and to hold up individuals to embody them. In her work, she references historic photographs in which she explains, I can often glimpse the roots of our current moment, as parallels or connections that can act as a framework to comprehend the latest headline of chaos or hope. Conleys work has been exhibited at venues across the world, including a solo show at Skarstedt Gallery in London this June, and in the U.S. in spaces such as The Painting Center and NURTUREart in New York City, and the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield. She was an artist-in-residence at New Havens NXTHVN art space in 2019 and received several grants, including an Elizabeth Greenshields Award and, recently, a Connecticut Office of the Arts Fellowship. Through Aug. 27, Conley is part of a group exhibition, Horses?, at CHART in New York. jaclynconley.com @jaclynconley on Instagram Zachary Keeting Zachary Keeting/ Contributed photo Keeting has had what he calls a remarkably productive year, making art so consistently that he has a studio now full of his gorgeous paintings. Currently teaching at The Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, Keeting first moved to New Haven after earning his graduate degree in painting from Boston University to play in a rock band. He started his art career as an art handler at The Yale Center for British Art, which is also where he met the woman who would become his wife. Theyre now living and creating in Connecticut, which Keeting says is a great place to make art. Of his recent work abstract art rooted in what he calls direct observation, he says, I want the chaotic, dynamic energies of the natural world all of its elemental states: the gaseous, the liquid, the solid to course through these pictures, like coagulating blood, like spirit. Hes participated in residency programs at the Santa Fe Art Institute in New Mexico, Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Millay Colony for the Arts in Austerlitz, New York. Determined not just to create art but to meet more artists, and contribute to the community in ways I hadnt initially, Keeting co-founded, with artist Christopher Joy, Gorkys Granddaughter. Its a series of studio-visit conversations with more than 500 artists across the country that he calls mini-documentaries. zacharykeeting.com @zacharykeeting on Instagram Thuan Vu Courtesy of Thaun Vu The award-winning artists work uses nature as both mirror and window to communicate who I am, where Ive come from, and how I feel living in our world, Vu says. The New World, a series that hes made for the past 10 years, is a beautiful, abstract re-imagining of sensations felt by his parents when they fled Vietnam during the war settling in the U.S. with seven of their eight children. These completely imaginary landscapes tap into a refugees feelings of hope, joy and confusion but these feelings are universal, he says. Hes called Connecticut home for 22 years, living and working (as a professor at Southern Connecticut State University) between East and West Rock in New Haven. He says that the land and ethos of its people find prominence in his work. Thuans most recent series is called Kintsugi. It utilizes the Japanese practice-slash-philosophy of repairing broken pottery by rejoining the pieces together using gold. The newly repaired piece, proudly showing its golden scars, is seen as more beautiful for showing its history, resiliency and its ability to be transformed from trauma, he says. His paintings are inspired by the loss of his father in 2018 and the state of our world and this country, where beauty, hope and decency seem tempered and hard to maintain. Its something thats reflected in the black and white flowers in his Kintsugi paintings. In 2020, he was the sole painter to receive the Artistic Excellence Award by the Connecticut Office of the Arts. In October, Vu will exhibit in the group show Arrivals at the Katonah Museum of Art. thuanvu.com @thuanvupainting on Instagram Jill Sarver Rossi Katie Settel/ Contributed photo A native of rural Ohio, Rossi paints with a soundtrack of 90s grunge in the background and co-habits with two adorable rescue tortie cats Maizy and Fabia. She relocated to Connecticut in 2008 for grad school and hasnt left since. Rossi and her husband Dan now live in Bridgeport, and shes spent the last decade jurying and curating independent exhibitions. Shes also taught art education in the Midwest, New York metro area, and Italy. Her journey into the art world began as early as age 5 and was cemented at 12 when she developed a love for ancient Egyptian and Roman art and archaeology. Choosing to pursue art over archaeology, Rossi now incorporates both worlds into her work, especially in her recent painting series titled Anonymous. The series, she says, uses a single portrait as a vehicle for expression and channels different emotional responses in each painting, often reflecting the current events of todays chaotic world. From personal tragedy and distant empathies to a social and political outcry, each painting embodies a degree of ambiguity or anonymity, allowing the viewer to bring their interpretation and response to the table. The series has been exhibited in Connecticut and New York City. jillsarver.com @jillsarverstudio on Instagram Olivia Bonilla Courtesy of Olivia Bonilla Vermont-born Bonilla grew up in Connecticut, where she says, Summers were beautiful, and winters were rough, and where she worked as a substitute teacher and did catering on the weekends to sustain herself as a young artist. Bonillas melting ice cream and confectionary-based creations draw inspiration from toy culture, classic cars and 80s/90s cartoon stills. Her candy-colored palette is lifted from the Rugrats or neon primaries from Pac-Man. The hype on nostalgia is the core of my work, says Bonilla, an admirer of brands like Hot Wheels, Barbie, Rubix cubes, neon video games, and iridescent fabrics for their impact on popular culture. When Nancy Carr learned that a good friends son had been diagnosed with cancer, she knew she wanted to support Swim Across America, a fundraising effort that supports research for a cure. But there was one small problem. Im not a swimmer, said Carr, who moved to Old Greenwich in 1992. You dont want me in the water. But that hasnt stopped her dedication to the cause. Since 2016, Carr has been a vital part of the Swim, this year as co-chair of the 15th annual Swim Across America-Fairfield County Open Water Swim. An estimated 300 swimmers and about 150 volunteers are expected to gather Aug. 8 at the beach off Cummings Park Road in Stamford with a goal of raising $500,000 for Stamford-based Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. Swimmers can choose from among three courses as they take the plunge into Long Island Sound. This is the most amazing event, said Carr. Its fun and joyous just a community out there supporting each other. The event is one of 21 SAA swims taking place across the country this year to raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment. The local swim at the Stamford/Greenwich border near the Alliances headquarters offers three swim lengths including a half-mile, 1.5 miles and 3 miles. In addition, the group will host SAA My Way, which allows participants to complete any type of activity they wish to raise funds to fight cancer. Last year, participants walked, ran, biked and even jumped out of an airplane to support the cause, Carr said. The co-chair said the event is popular because it resonates with so many people who have been touched by cancer. In 2021, SAA estimates 1.9 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and there will be 608,570 cancer deaths in the U.S. Carrs co-chair for the event is her friend, Cristy Fraser of Old Greenwich. Cristys son Julian, the youngest of her three boys with her husband, Alec, passed away in 2017 at age 20 after a short battle with osteosarcoma. Fraser, whose father swam competitively in his native Cuba, spent many days cheering on her own boys, who excelled at swimming and water polo. Julian was a sophomore athlete at Santa Clara University in California when he experienced pain in his hip and pelvis and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a common and aggressive form of cancer, she said. He passed away 10 months later. He was very fun, loving very mischievous, she said. A character, a real character. An All-American, 2014 Greenwich High School graduate and Division 1 college water polo team member, Julian looked after underdogs and wouldnt tolerate bullying, Fraser said. He was all about his team, she said. After his 2016 diagnosis, his friends and family formed Team Julian to support cancer research through SAA, she said. Childhood cancers receive only four cents of every dollar of cancer research funding, Fraser said, and the type of gene therapy research done through the Stamford-based Alliance offers hope to many families. This years Alliance-funded fellows include three world-renowned researchers studying ways to treat pancreatic cancer, pediatric sarcomas and brain cancer. Some top researchers will speak about their work at the Aug. 8 event. While SAA is a national organization with events from Boston Harbor to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, it has Connecticut roots. Darien resident Matt Vossler and his former college roommate Jeff Keith founded SAA in 1987. In the ensuing years, the organization says it has raised more than $100 million for the fight. More than 120 current and former Olympians support their efforts, including Michael Phelps, Greenwich resident and honorary Fairfield County co-chair Donna De Varona, Rowdy Gaines, former Ridgefield resident Janel Jorgensen McArdle and more. The Connecticut event will also feature Georgia swimmer Vicki Bunke, who plans to complete 14 open water charity swims for SAA to honor her daughter, Grace, who died of osteosarcoma at age 14 in 2018. Fraser, who will cheer on her husband and sons, Andrew and Matthew, and all of Team Julian during the swim, said she will be forever grateful to her friends and family in Greenwich. We are so fortunate to be in this community, she said. You cannot believe the love and support and generosity of our friends and community. For more information on Swim Across America or to make a donation, visit https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/SPageNavigator/SAA_Homepage.html. NEW YORK (AP) The Associated Press appointed Daisy Veerasingham, its executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the news cooperatives president and CEO on Tuesday, setting her up to replace the retiring Gary Pruitt at the beginning of next year. She will become the first woman, first person of color and first person from outside of the United States to lead the AP in its 175-year history. Veerasingham, 51, is a first-generation Briton of Sri Lankan descent. Her appointment speaks to the changing portrait of the AP, where 40% of the companys revenue, double what it was 15 years ago, is now generated outside of the United States. She'll be tasked with continuing to diversify income sources. The AP, caught in the same financial vise as most of the media industry, saw its revenue drop to $467 million in 2020, down more than 25% in a decade. Veerasingham said she's determined to maintain the AP as a source of fact-based, nonpartisan journalism, and to fight for freedom of the press and access to information. The AP produces roughly 2,000 news stories, 3,000 photos and 200 videos every day, reaching more than half the world's population. These are values that are core to the AP since its founding 175 years ago, she said in an interview. I think that they are actually more important today. Pruitt, 64, has led AP since 2012. The company has won six Pulitzer Prizes under his leadership, two of them this year, and had three other finalists for journalism's top award in 2021. He's currently working with Veerasingham to find a successor to Sally Buzbee as the AP's executive editor, an appointment expected in a month or two. Buzbee was named executive editor of The Washington Post this spring. I'm most proud of the fact that the journalism at the AP excelled as we met the challenges of the marketplace, Pruitt said. AP is is in a strong financial position to look forward to the future with confidence and continue to provide a foundational news report to the world. The AP's board of directors appointed Veerasingham in a meeting last week. She was named AP's executive vice president and chief operating officer earlier this year after two years as chief revenue officer. Steven R. Swartz, board chairman and president and CEO of Hearst, called her a proven leader with a deep understanding of how AP operates and a clear vision for the future. Veerasingham joined AP in 2004 as a sales director for AP Television News in London. She eventually became responsible for content licensing and marketing in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia, leading the company's expansion efforts. She has also led the expansion of AP's video business into a fully digital operation that can provide live video on a multichannel basis. As its core business of selling news to newspapers and broadcasters began shrinking, the AP has broadened its licensing efforts to other areas, like business and academia. It has also built a business licensing old photos and video, the latter through the purchase of a company that owned old movie newsreels. AP also makes money by providing studio space and news equipment to organizations, selling news software and election vote-counting and surveys. Further diversification efforts are underway, including offering customized news reports and managing video for auctions held by companies like Sotheby's, Veerasingham said. The AP is probably on the most solid footing it's been on for a very long time, she said. I don't think the world needs to worry about the future of The Associated Press. Do we have challenges ahead? Yeah, we've got to diversify our revenue and we've got to stabilize revenue in our core. But I think that is something we can actually do in the next three years because of the financial strength we've built. Like many other companies, AP is expected to head back to offices in the next few months, although a hybrid approach that includes working from home will be in place at the start. One of the things working through the pandemic taught her about AP is that we are capable of much more than we thought we were, she said. Veerasingham worked in marketing jobs at LexisNexis and the Financial Times before joining AP. A trained lawyer, she has not worked as a journalist. Upon retirement, Pruitt said he planned to split time between California and New York, and looks forward to taking classes at the University of California-San Diego. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) The biggest party in Malaysia's ruling alliance declared Tuesday that embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the right to govern because a number of its lawmakers have signed declarations withdrawing their support. The announcement by the United Malays National Organization was followed by the resignation of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is from the party. Muhyiddin took power in March 2020 after initiating the collapse of the former reformist government that won 2018 elections. His party joined hands with UMNO and several others to form a new government but with a razor-thin majority. UMNO, which has 38 lawmakers, earlier said it would pull its support for Muhyiddin, but some party lawmakers still back the prime minister. UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared Tuesday that Muhyiddin's government has fallen because enough of the partys lawmakers have signed declarations withdrawing their support for it. He said at a news conference that the declarations were presented to the king to show Muhyiddin has lost majority support and the legitimacy to rule. He didn't say how many party members signed the declarations, but there were at least 10 other UMNO lawmakers at the news conference. Muhyiddin had only a two-seat majority last year, and Parliament hasn't been able to hold no-confidence votes since then. There was no immediate reaction from the king or Muhyiddin. Local media reported that Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri, an UMNO member, along with the attorney general, several Cabinet ministers and other politicians were seen entering Muhyiddin's residence late Tuesday after the UMNO announcement. Muhyiddin is now facing increasing pressure and there is uncertainty about his political future," said Bridget Welsh of Malaysias University of Nottingham, an expert on Southeast Asian politics. Welsh said Muhyiddin may try to fight back but has limited choices. She said it's up to the king now to assess UMNO's claim and decide on the next step. The opposition filed a new no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin last Thursday after the King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Abdullah rebuked the government for misleading Parliament on the status of ordinances issued during a coronavirus state of emergency. The monarch approved the emergency in January, allowing Muhyiddin to suspend Parliament and rule by ordinance without legislative approval until Aug. 1. But the king chastised the government last week, saying he did not condone the annulment of the emergency ordinances and that they should be debated in Parliament, which could lead to a vote testing Muhyiddins majority. Muhyiddin responded that the king must act on the Cabinets advice and insisted his administration did not violate the constitution. After the uproar, Muhyiddin shut down Parliament for two weeks, citing coronavirus cases. Critics slammed the move as an excuse to avoid a vote on his leadership. Public anger against Muhyiddin has built as coronavirus cases have jumped eightfold despite the state of emergency. New infections breached 10,000 on July 13 for the first time and have stayed above that level since then, despite a lockdown that began June 1. Deaths have risen above 9,000, and only about 20% of the population has been fully vaccinated. Hearst Connecticut Media / file photo GREENWICH Greenwich police are receiving advanced training in deescalation tactics, which are methods for defusing potentially dangerous situations that they may encounter on the job. The Police Executive Research Forum, which is a police research and policy organization, recently hosted an educational event at a private school campus in southern Maine for officers from all over the Northeast. The participants learned about ways to communicate with people who are undergoing a mental-health crisis, or other emotional turmoil, to avoid the use physical force and to find ways to end a stand-off peacefully. Google officially confirmed the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's existence yesterday and gave us an early look at the duo while also revealing a few features. And, while Google hasn't announced the Pixel 6 lineup's pricing yet, the Internet search giant has confirmed the availability of the two phones in eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the US. However, Google doesn't tell us the exact date of launch in these countries other than vaguely saying that the Pixel 6 pair will be up for purchase in these markets in September or sometime in Q4 2021. Besides, the number of countries in the list could increase after the launch event. Google didn't detail the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro's specs sheets yesterday, but it did confirm that both smartphones will have the in-house developed Tensor chip at the helm, run Android 12 out of the box, and come in three colors. The vanilla Pixel 6 will sport a 6.4" FullHD+ 90Hz screen while the Pro variant will pack a 6.7" QHD+ 120Hz curved display - both having centered punch holes for the selfie shooters. The rear panels of the phones, reminiscent of the Nexus 6P, will feature wide and ultrawide angle cameras. But the Pixel 6 Pro will also have a 4x telephoto unit in tow. Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro Via Samsung Galaxy A20 is getting Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update in the US Samsung released the Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update for the Galaxy A20 in June, and it has now arrived in the US. The new firmware, carrying version number A205USQU9CUG3, is currently rolling for Xfinity Mobile customers, but it shouldn't be too long before other variants also pick up the update. The new build comes with the July 2021 Android security patch, and if you haven't received the update prompt yet, you can navigate to your Galaxy A20's Settings > Software update menu to check for the update manually. Via Strategy Analytics has issued its quarterly report on the smartphone market in Europe, and we have a new leader in sales. Xiaomi managed to surpass Samsung and has become the best-selling vendor with 25.3% of the market share. The Korean giant is sitting closely behind and the analysts predict we haven't seen the end of the battle for top positions. Company Shipments (in million) Market share Q2 2021 Yearly change Xiaomi 12.7 25.3% +67.1% Samsung 12 24% -7% Apple 9.6 19.2% +15.7% Oppo 2.8 5.6% +180% Realme 1.9 3.8% +1800% Others 11.1 22.2% -20.1% Total 50.1 100% +14.4% The European market had a strong quarter, driven by COVID-19 recovery, said Boris Metodiev, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics. Xiaomis success is based on tremendous sales in Russia, Ukraine, Spain, and Italy where customers are eager for Mi and Redmi series of feature-rich, value smartphones. Samsung is the only company in the Top 5 to ship fewer devices, and Neil Mawston, Executive Director, revealed this is due to increasing competition from Apple in the high-end market and Chinese vendors in the low-end scene. It also failed to capitalize on Huaweis demise, but at least is performing well with new 5G models, thanks to the Galaxy A series. Apple posted strong results because fans were overdue to replace their devices and the iPhone 12 series resonated with them. Realmes now a top 5 maker in Europe as well, its great Q2 showing being attributed to the Realme 8 series. Source | Via Yesterday, Motorola revealed that there is a new smartphone coming on August 5 (Thursday) and that it will have a new brand spokesperson for China. This info was posted from a Motorola Edge S Pro, a model that hasnt been announced yet, leading to predictable speculation. Motorola will unveil the Edge S Pro in China on August 5 (Thursday) Now the company has made it official and has sent out press invites. This will be Motorolas thinnest and lightest 5G phone yet (6.99 mm and 163g, according to a teaser). How does it relate to the recently unveiled Motorola Edge 20 series? The current thinking is that the global Edge 20 Pro will be sold as Edge S Pro in China. From the teasers that Motorola has been posting on Weibo it is clear that the Pro model will have a display with 144 Hz refresh rate, 576 Hz touch sampling rate, a Snapdragon 870 with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage and an impressive camera with up 50x digital zoom. All that matches the 20 Pro, lending credence to the Edge 20 Pro = Edge S Pro talk. Official Motorola Edge S Pro teasers Retailer JD is supposed to start accepting pre-registrations for the upcoming phone, so you should be able to buy one not longer after it is announced. You can see a close-up of the camera (and a demo of its skills) in the video below: Keep in mind that the vanilla Motorola Edge S (which was unveiled in January) has no equivalent Edge 20 model, though they do share some similarities (e.g. the Snapdragon 870 chipset). However, this vanilla model lacks the 108 MP main camera and the periscope lens. And it has a 90 Hz IPS LCD instead of 144 Hz OLED display. Source (in Chinese) | Via Tiyan senior Kristian Catts internship at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport this summer brings her one step closer to achieving her professional goals. My dream career is to become a pilot. This internship allows me to see the behind-the-scenes work of the different people at the airport, Catt said. It gives me slight insights into my path toward becoming a pilot. I can also meet the people that allow flights to happen by keeping the airport running. The Guam Department of Education Internship Program offers paid summer internships at different workplaces around the island, where interns get first-hand experience and are expected to act as professionals. Catt, who interned at the airports engineering division, attended meetings and learned about airport developments. The 17-year-old from Maite was also tasked with exploring AutoCAD software with two other engineers at the airport who handle it. Catt advises incoming interns not to be scared. You just have to remember that no one is ever fully comfortable doing something new the first time, so be brave. Rudy Cruz, an incoming senior at Okkodo High School, was placed in the human resources department for her airport internship. As an intern in personnel, she helped manage, organize and distribute information to different departments. The Dededo resident started her six-week internship at the airport on June 23. The 17-year-old said she wanted to pursue the training to build her resume when applying to college and future jobs. I should have started last year, but since that opportunity wasnt available at the time, I needed to do what I can at the moment, Cruz said. Partially, I was motivated by my friends joining internships, but the stipend was hard to ignore. It took a while for Cruz to get used to the working environment, but she affirmed that her skills and experiences learned as an intern will apply to future jobs. Cruz plans to work in aerospace engineering, and being stationed at an airport was an opportunity to explore this career path. Being placed in HR may be a different direction, but it is still very beneficial to me, she said. I can explore other career paths while simultaneously adding to my resume and gaining work experience. I was also able to make friends with other interns from different schools and ages, and the supervisors of each department are so hospitable and understanding. Jim Pamplona from Yigo also worked at the engineering division at the airport. He decided to pursue this internship because he wanted to use the money for his college expenses while also gaining the technical knowledge he would need for future jobs. His dream career is to become an aerospace engineer. The paid internship gives the students an incentive and motivation to work, but its not only about the money, Pamplona said. Its also what we gain afterward. We learn many things about our future careers and ourselves. It helps build our character and prepares us for the real world. Pamplona encourages students to apply for the GDOE program if it is available again next year. Make the most out of your time. If youre bored at home, dont waste it sleeping in or doing things that wont help you become a better individual. Whats essential in an internship is the knowledge, skills and experience we gain from investing our time to learn. Attorneys involved in the trial of veterinarian Dr. Joel Josephs case against several government employees for denying the renewal of his controlled substance registration license made their closing arguments to the jury on the 15th day of proceedings. Mitch Thompson, who is representing Joseph, argued the whole case began because former Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Abrams conspired with the Department of Public Health and Social Services employees to make sure Joseph could not practice as a veterinarian on Guam. Abrams had to get Dr. Joseph, Thompson said. He did anything he could to destroy Dr. Joseph. Abrams and Joseph had encountered each other in previous court cases, which Thompson argued was the basis of Abrams hatred toward Joseph. In response, Abrams who is now retired and representing himself, gave his arguments over Zoom because hes currently not on Guam. Abrams denied that he had any hatred toward Joseph. He said he would never allow any potential personal conflicts or agendas he had toward anyone to influence his work as an attorney. Im sorry, but Im offended, Abrams said of the accusation. As for the particular case against Joseph, he said he was doing his job as usual and was under advisement of the AGs office, who agreed there was cause for Joseph to be denied his license. Attorney Patrick Civille, who is representing the Public Health employees listed as defendants in the case, argued to the jury that Joseph is attempting to punish the employees for doing their jobs. Joseph wants punitive damages for bringing in date-rape drugs? Civille said. He said some of the drugs found in the raid of Wise Owl included ketamine and a steroid called Winstrol. Not on my watch, Civille added. Civille said Josephs application for a license was the first time the defendants ever came across something of that nature. They told their superiors, who eventually brought it to the attention of the AGs office. They didnt even know the guy, Civille said. They are Public Health people. What they were worried about was controlled substances and accountability. For the past year Guam Bakery in Dededo has been donating 20 loaves of bread each week to those in need through Catholic Social Service programs. If they are giving to the community and its an outreach program to the homeless and the hungry, we are more than happy to help out, said Guam Bakery general manager Anthony Henri Oftana. Apart from Catholic Social Services, the bakery also donates bread to the food pantry at Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo. Oftana said his parents were very active in the church, so it felt very natural to give back in this way. Loaves are consistently given to the Catholic Social Service Karidat program, which is three separate homes where eight or nine adults with cognitive or physical disabilities live and are cared for by staff 24 hours a day. We provide all of their meals, so for them to have fresh bread is really a treat and they have been beneficiaries of that bread every week, said Catholic Social Service client program manager Lisa Bordallo. Slices of bread are also included in food packages distributed through the food pantry while supplies last. The Alee shelter for women and children who have suffered abuse, neglect or sexual assault are recipients of some loaves, as meals are provided for them. Bordallo said that Guam Bakery is, very supportive of the community and did not hesitate when we asked if we could have some bread donated. She said the business helped during mass food distribution during the height of the COVID-pandemic by providing bread for 1,000 food bags at a very low cost for 1,000 families. Legislative Director for the Office of Del. Mike San Nicolas, Sahara Defensor, has stepped down from her position working in D.C., officials from San Nicolas office confirmed on Sunday. Defensor was brought onboard as staff leadership at the delegates office after San Nicolas was sworn in as Guams non-voting delegate in January 2019. She had previously spent several years as a disability advocate, trial attorney, civil litigator and policy analyst. According to disbursement statements released by the U.S. House of representatives, Defensor was the second-highest paid member of San Nicolas staff, being compensated about $107,000 in total during 2020, and $22,833.33 in the first quarter of 2021. Officials from the office of the delegate stated that the office was unable to provide a statement on the matter as of Aug. 1. A follow-up request for statement on Aug. 3 was unanswered. Defensor did not respond to the PDNs request for comment on why she vacated her position at the office. Five of Guams southern villages are one step closer to seeing their names changed to reflect their CHamoru pronunciation, after several measures at the Tuesday session of the legislature advanced to the voting file. Sen. Telo Taitague introduced a number of bills to change the names of Agat, Umatac, Merizo, Santa Rita, and Talofofo to reflect the pronunciations in the CHamoru language. Upon passage, the official names of each village would be Hagat, Humatak, Malesso, Santa Rita-Sumai, and Talofofo. Mayors of each of the five villages appeared during a public hearing on the bills in June, and expressed support for the change. The move is in line with the Kumision I Fino CHamorus master plan to update place names and bring them in line with the current CHamoru orthography. Inalahan has already seen its name changed in April. According to Taitague, the measures are a small step to reconnecting with Guams CHamoru identity, and are not a change but a restoration of the village names. It defines who we are and it brings our history forward for the new generation, the younger generation who will not know these villages, as those of us in our generation grew up, Sen. Joanne Brown said of the change. Sen. Frank Blas addressed some of the complaints from the community that the legislature was spending time on the matter. If not now, then when? Blas said. Even with all the other matters that the legislature had to address, there was still a need to fight to preserve the islands culture, he said. Sen. Sabina Perez said that the change was an important part of the movement toward decolonization. It has the power of potential to affect the psyche, of our community, to reinforce that this is Guahan, the homeland of the CHamoru people, she said. Including Sumay in the name of Santa Rita-Sumai was significant, Sen. Tony Ada stated, and would help to bring recognition to the village which the government has been memorializing in past years. The village of Sumay played an important role in Guams development before World War II, Taitague said. While the families who lived there were not likely to see their land returned anytime soon, the name could help preserve the memory of the place, she added. While the renaming of central and northern villages was a more controversial move, Taitague said, the Kumision would be moving forward with the place name project in coming months. The session concluded with a call and response of, Biba Hagat! Biba Humatak! Biba Malesso! Biba Santa Rita-Sumai! Biba Talofofo! With July around the corner, residents may be ready to welcome the rainy season and say good Have any questions? Please give us a call at 520-625-5511 More Resources Resilient Arizona crisis counseling services are provided at no cost to any individual affected by the pandemic. Services are available in both English and Spanish and can be accessed by visiting resilientarizona.org or dialing 211. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a behavioral health crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Haiti - FLASH : Until the last moment, President Moise hoped for the intervention of security agents Sunday, August 1 Martine Moise was the 8:00 am guest of star reporter Anderson Cooper of CNN in South Florida. Returning to the night of the assassination of her husband, President Jovenel Moise, she spoke of automatic gunfire outside their house around 1 a.m. pointing out "At that time, I didn't even think that they were going to be able to get into the room where we were, because we had about 30 or 50 security guards [...] Yet they did, in a massive security failing that Haitian authorities still have not explained [...]" Once they realized armed men had entered the house, the presidential couple tried to hide on the ground behind their bed. From where she was lying on the ground, her forearm broken by a burst fired when the attackers entered the presidential suite, Martine Moise said she could only see the boots of the intruders who were looking for something "They came to the room to find something, because I heard them saying in Spanish, 'No es eso, no es eso -- eso es' (in Spanish: 'That's not it, that's not it -- that's it'). Which means they found what they were looking for." Only then did they turn their attention to the president on the floor and make a phone call [...] He was alive at the time. They said he was tall, skinny and Black, and maybe the person on the phone confirmed to the shooter that was him. Then they shot him [...]" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34181-haiti-news-zapping.html "the attackers never addressed the president directly, and Mr. Moise said nothing to them in the moments before his execution," then left, leaving the First Lady for dead... "Even after the attack, the security guards charged with protecting Haiti's first family never came," underlines the former First Lady of Haiti, specifying that several dozen guards are usually stationed on the property and their dormitories are in the basement of the house "The guards wouldn't leave without an order. Maybe they received an order to leave, this is what I think [...] I believe the president died with the hope that his security team would come." Recall that according to the information disclosed by the authorities, no guard was injured when the men of the commandos crossed the main door, crossed the enclosure, forced the door and entered the house. There is no doubt that what the presidential security agents know, or have seen, is essential testimony to the investigation. At least 24 police officers were arrested but it should be noted as revealed by CNN https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34343-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-many-obstacles-threaten-the-smooth-conduct-of-the-investigation.html that the forensic investigators were not allowed to meet them and collect the testimony of the agents present during the attack on the President's residence. For Martine Moise, the real intellectual authors are always free "The people that they arrested are the people who pulled the trigger. They wouldn't pull the trigger with no orders. So the main characters that we need are the people who paid for that. And the people that gave the order." She doubts the ability of local authorities to uncover the truth, recalling that her husband had made dangerous enemies among the country's powerful oligarchs by attempting to terminate or rewrite lucrative government contracts. "There are powerful people in Haiti. And because of their power, I'm not sure that the current investigation can find answers" calling for an independent investigation led by the UN. It should be noted that so far 44 suspects have been arrested, but none have been formally charged. Read also on the assassination of President Moise : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34371-haiti-flash-a-4th-police-officer-arrested-in-direct-connection-with-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html Haiti - FLASH : A 4th police officer arrested in direct connection with the assassination of President Moise 01/08/2021 09:12:53 Haiti - FLASH : A 4th police officer arrested in direct connection with the assassination of President Moise Friday July 30, 2021, 23 days after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, during a press briefing, Marie-Michelle Verrier Spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH), announced that the investigation was progressing fast and take stock. She said that so far 44 suspects have been arrested and their role in the attack is being investigated. Of these 44 suspects, 12 police officers were arrested either for negligence or for their direct involvement. On this last point, the Spokesperson presented a 4th policeman arrested (William Moise) who joined 3 other of his arrested colleagues, who have a direct link in the assassination of the Head of State "[...] They have accompanied Colombians from their arrival on the national territory until the day of the crime. On the day of the act, these police officers were present at the scene," the spokesperson said. Summary in figures : 44 suspects arrested including 18 former Colombian soldiers; 1 Arrest of one of the alleged intellectual authors of this attack https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34210-haiti-flash-arrest-of-one-of-the-intellectual-authors-of-the-assassination-of-president-moise-and-an-attempted-coup.html 46 hearings carried out; 9 police officers in isolation 4 police officers under protective measure; 14 houses searched in Haiti and many others in the United States by the FBI. Marie-Michelle Verrier indicated that the police are still looking for other suspects and specified that significant rewards will be given to anyone whose information would allow the arrest of the wanted persons, without specifying the amount of these responses... But the mystery remains about the identity of the mastermind and the sponsors of this plot ... Read also on the assassination of President Moise : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34351-haiti-flash-all-the-arrested-colombian-ex-soldiers-were-aware-of-a-plan-to-kill-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34339-haiti-flash-official-report-by-dimitri-herard-on-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34331-haiti-flash-arrest-of-the-presidential-security-coordinator-jean-laguel-civil.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34299-haiti-flash-7-of-the-colombians-arrested-had-received-american-military-training.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34296-haiti-flash-the-company-which-participated-in-the-financing-of-the-operation-knew-nothing-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34283-haiti-flash-follow-up-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-moise-video.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34278-haiti-national-funeral-note-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34250-haiti-flash-according-to-colombia-in-the-commando-only-a-few-knew-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34238-haiti-flash-monitoring-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34225-haiti-notice-the-pnh-is-looking-for-3-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-including-a-former-senator.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34223-haiti-justice-the-dg-of-the-colombian-police-wonders-about-the-role-of-the-chief-of-security-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34220-haiti-politic-creation-of-the-organizing-committee-for-the-national-funeral-of-president-moise-text-of-the-decree.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34218-haiti-flash-wanted-notice-for-a-very-dangerous-colombian-mercenary.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34217-haiti-flash-the-white-house-does-not-rule-out-sending-troops-to-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34214-haiti-assassination-of-president-a-colombian-team-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34212-haiti-politic-a-large-american-delegation-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34210-haiti-flash-arrest-of-one-of-the-intellectual-authors-of-the-assassination-of-president-moise-and-an-attempted-coup.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34205-haiti-flash-statements-and-testimony-from-colombia-about-the-commando.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34203-haiti-usa-no-american-military-assistance-for-the-moment.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34201-haiti-flash-authenticated-message-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise-audio.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34199-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-names-of-the-20-members-of-the-commando-arrested-5-others-still-on-the-run.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34183-haiti-flash-the-commando-that-killed-the-president-included-26-colombians-and-2-haitian-americans-official-video.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34182-icihaiti-assassination-of-president-moise-15-days-of-national-mourning-text-of-the-decree.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34178-haiti-politic-what-measures-contains-the-state-of-siege-text-of-the-decree.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34177-icihaiti-usa-the-pm-met-with-secretary-of-state-anthony-blinken.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34176-haiti-un-the-security-council-condemns-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34174-icihaiti-diplomacythe-assassins-of-moise-were-professional-mercenaries-dixit-bocchit-edmond.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34173-haiti-flash-the-police-intercepts-the-presumed-assassins-of-president-moise-official-video.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34172-haiti-flash-martine-moise-in-florida-for-treatment.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34170-haiti-flash-the-first-lady-martine-moise-would-still-be-alive-but.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34168-haiti-flash-the-state-of-siege-is-declared-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34165-haiti-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-what-says-the-constitution.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - DR : The Dominican Police concluded in suicide for Me Claudy Gassant (details) Ana Jimenez Cruceta, the spokesperson for the Dominican National Police (PND) affirms that after having questioned the wife of the former Commissioner of the Government of Port-au-Prince Claudy Gassant, the guard of the house and two other people and taken into account the report of the National Direction of Investigation, the DNI concluded with the suicide of Me Gassant. Sarah Gassant, the wife of the former Government Commissioner who died of a fatal stab wound to the chest from a knife, said that the week before his death, her husband was "in a bad mood, depressed" and "morale was low" after testing positive for Covid-19 after traveling to the United States with his two youngest children. Saturday July 31, the day of his death, he had attempted to commit suicide by ingesting chlorine "[...] his wife declared that she had immediately called 911 when she realized it, but that it was at that moment he locked himself in the bathroom and inflicted a fatal wound in his chest with a knife" reported the Director of Police Communication adding that when the 911 emergency unit arrived at the Gassant residence, it was already too late Me Claudy Gassant was dying. In the coming days, the Embassy of Haiti in the Dominican Republic should receive the autopsy report and police reports on the interrogations, said Ambassador of Haiti Smith Augustin. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34374-haiti-obituary-me-claudy-gassant-died-suicide-or-murder.html S/ HaitiLibre Breaking News & Review Update Get Breaking News as it happens and our weekly newsletter for upcoming news, events and more. Sign up today! Published on 2021/08/02 | Source Kim Eun-hee-I, writer of "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" told her plans about the next series of "Signal". Advertisement "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" is a special episode of the "Kingdom" series that tells the story of the resurrection flower and Ashin, the beginning of a huge tragedy that covered Joseon. In "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" which was released on the 23rd, the identity of Ashin, who appeared at the end of "Kingdom - Season 2" and raised countless questions, and the secrets and origins of life and death were revealed. Writer Kim Eun-hee-I, who is currently working hard on writing the "Kingdom" series, told her plans for the sequel to the drama "Signal", "Signal 2". Asked what happens to the sequel to "Signal", author Kim Eun-hee-I said, "I may be sensitive, but as a writer, "Signal" was a great gift for me. I have a desire and will to make a story that I couldn't tell in season 1 of "Signal"". Writer Kim Eun-hee-I wants to show "Signal" in any way before retirement. However, the writer is not alone in the work. "I personally want to make sure everything is right". Meanwhile, "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" was released on Netflix on the 23rd. 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 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit If the U.S. government determines that it is against the law for the words In God Havre Police Department Officers investigated a complaint from a Second Street caller Tuesday at 9:42 a.m. about family members not giving a juvenile son back. -- A caller at a Second Street facility reported at 12:43 p.m. Tuesday that a phone was stolen. -- Falcon Leigh Meyers of Havre, 25, was arrested on charges of partner or family member assault and endangering the welfare of children when officers investigated a disturbance on Third Street Tuesday at 2:41 p.m. -- Venita Lavenger of Havre, 43, was arrested on a partner or family member assault charge after officers responded to a domestic disturbance call on Second Street at 3:48 a.m. today. Hill County Sheriff's Office The sheriff's office dispatch log listed no arrests, summonses or investigations in the 24-hour reporting period. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to two calls in the 24-hour reporting period. -- Havre Fire Department also sent an engine and two firefighters to the Taylor Fire in the Winifred-Denton area. Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Courtnage said a mutual aid request went out for assistance, and the personnel and engine left at 5:45 a.m. today. The state fire tracking website said the Taylor Fire, which was reported at 11:14 a.m. Sunday in Fergus County on Montana Secondary Highway 547 about halfway between Denton and Winifred, reached 30,000 acres with zero percent containment by about 9 p.m. Monday. Havre Animal Shelter The shelter this morning held three 6-week-old kittens, one 8-week-old kitten, three 15-week-old kittens and one 11-week-old kitten all of unknown gender, seven female cats, one female 21-week-old kitten and three male cats. A male 12-week-old kitten and a male 13-week-old kitten were being held separately. -- The shelter also held three female and two male 8-week-old puppies, a female 16-week-old puppy, a male 7-month old puppy, a male 10-month-old puppy, and a male and a female 11-month-old puppies. Births A girl was born Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, to Brianna and Cameron Nelson of Havre. Uncontested city elections could be canceled Havre City Council Monday night approved authorization to submit a Montana Coal Endowment Program infrastructure planning grant application. The resolution says, The City of Havre is applying to the Montana Department of Commerce for financial assistance from the Montana Coal Endowment Program to fund a Preliminary Engineering Report for water and sewer projects within the city. Havre Mayor Tim Solomon referred Havre Daily to Havre Public Works Director Dave Peterson, who did not attend Mondays council meeting, for more details about how the grant money would be used. Peterson could not be reached by printing deadline this morning. The resolution says the city commits to provide the amount of matching funds as proposed in the MCEP application and the city commits to provide any funding from other grant sources listed in the application budget if not awarded by those grant sources. Solomon is authorized by the resolution to submit the application to the Montana Department of Commerce and to act on behalf of the city. The council also approved a resolution to cancel the Nov. 2, 2021 general election of certain municipal officers. Havre Finance Director and City Clerk Doug Kaercher, who is a candidate for mayor, said the Legislature allowed cities to not hold primary elections in races with two or fewer candidates, and cities can cancel some general election races. If you dont have opposed races for the general (election) you can actually cancel those, Kaercher said. He said cities need to pass a resolution after the write-in deadline to cancel the races in those elections. Passing an election-by-affirmation resolution elects the uncontested candidates. The resolution says the following offices are eligible for election cancellation, Mayor, City Judge, Ward 1 Alderman, Ward 2 Alderman, and Ward 3 Alderman and Ward 3 Alderman two-year unexpired term. The one contested race is for the Ward 4 Alderman position between current alderman Sarah McKinney and candidate Anthony Gabrielsen. The position has a four-year term. That election will be held with mail ballots. The deadline to file as a write-in candidate is Aug. 30. Kaercher said the resolution states that if one or more of the municipal officer positions remains uncontested as of Aug. 30, the city will cancel the 2021 general election for the positions. If one or more eligible people file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate and creates a contest for one or more of the municipal officer positions, the city will hold general elections for those races. Other items approved by the council during the meeting included the ratification of AFSCME Local 336 Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement lasting from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The council approved a request by Friends of the Havre Animal Shelter for a variance to a city ordinance to allow dogs in Pepin Park from 4-8 p.m. Aug. 14. Also approved was a request by Palace Bar to barricade the alley between Second and Third avenues behind the bar Saturday, Sept. 18, for a cornhole tournament with alcohol sales. Havre Chief of Police Gabe Matosich told the council law enforcements National Night Out will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31, on the Montana State University-Northern campus. The event will include a barbecue. Matosich also announced the promotion of multiple officers. C.J. Reichelt is now a lieutenant. Jordan Chroninger and Justin Gomke were both promoted to sergeant. Matosich also said the department recently passed audits from the FDIC and the state. The next City Council meeting will be Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Press release Havre Elks Lodge #1201 and the Elks National Foundation have announced that the 2021-2022 Most Valuable Student Scholarship program is now underway. All high school seniors who are U.S. citizens are welcome to apply. The entire MVS application process is handled online with applicants being judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Elks Scholarship Co-Chair Brandy Kurtz said applicants will be judged at three levels with the opportunity to earn scholarships at the local, state and national level. Six scholarship winners three young men and three young ladies from the local lodge level will be advanced to the Montana state judging with the top five students receiving additional scholarships as well as advancing to the national level. Kurtz said that at the national level two first-place awards of $50,000 each, two second-place awards of $40,000 and two $30,00.00 third-place awards will be awarded. The remaining 14 finalists will receive $20,000 each and 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000 for a total of $2,440,000 nationwide. Students wanting to apply for the scholarships do not have to have an affiliation with the Order of Elks. The deadline to apply for the 2022 application deadline is Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Online applications and additional information are located at https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm . For more information or assistance, interested students, families or high schools can contact Kurtz at 406-390-0091 or Linda Hoover at 406-945-0454 Editors note: This version corrects misreporting about Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department responding to an out-of-area fire. Local firefighters are responding to a growing blaze in Fergus County. The Taylor Fire in Fergus has grown to 30,000 acres and calls are going out to local fire departments to send help. The Taylor Fire was discovered Sunday, 2021 at 11:14 a.m. It is being managed as an active Type 3 Incident with 92 personnel on site says a listing on http://mtfireinfo.org at 9:11 p.m. Monday. The fire, as of yesterday evening, is zero percent contained and the cause is unknown. Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson said his department was asked for a couple fire fighters and an engine at 5:45 a.m. this morning, and they departed shortly after. He said its not unheard of to get a call for mutual aid from as far away as Fergus County, and the Taylor Fire is pretty bad. He said hes heard that the call for help went out to fire departments in Chinook as well. Everybodys been called, he said. Paulson said Fergus County is hurting for personnel but the situation being what it is in Montana, and the frequency of fire seasons like this, thats not overly surprising. The whole state is hurting, he said, ... but this is pretty common. Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department has not been asked for aid, and several other local fire departments did not respond before print deadline this morning. On July 27, Pulitzer Prize finalist and investigative reporter Alan Maimon, author of Twilight In Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning, held a book signing event in downtown Hazard. The event was hosted by the Read Spotted Newt and the Appalachian Arts Alliance, and was held in the ArtStation on Main Street. While in Hazard, Maimon discussed his book Twilight In Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning, which was published in early June. The book, said Maimon, is the account of how a perfect storm of events made a devastating impact on the residents in small Appalachian towns, and how rural distress has expanded over the years. During Tuesday's event, Maimon spoke about the many challenges the area faces that were mentioned in the book. I was here during a time of political assassinations which were caused by illegal drug trade by rampant local corruption. I was also here during a time when politics became what it is today, said Maimon. In his book, Maimon tells about how when he was fresh off a reporting stint at the New York Timess bureau in Berlin he was given the assignment late in 2000 to report on life in rural Eastern Kentucky. His editor at the Louisville Courier-Journal told him to cover the region like a foreign a foreign correspondent would, said Maimon, and when he arrived at his post in Hazard, he said he felt like an outsider and that he had arrived in an area that was already in the grip of ecological devastation and was about to descend full-bore into the corporate-made epidemic of prescription pain pills. Maimon said he felt Hazard was also a place where vote-buying and drug-motivated political assassinations were common occurrences. Maimon said he spent years embedded in Hazard, immersing himself in the cultures, the families and the folkways of Eastern Kentucky, covering stories of every possible description. The result from this time in Hazard, he said, is Twilight In Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning, a chronicle of what he witnessed there firsthand, including the intense religious alliances, the bitter political rivalries and the faltering attempts to emerge from the area's century-old coal-based economy. While in Hazard, Maimon said he learned that this was a place suffering from generational struggles that were the result of uniquely American forces. The book, he said, also tells the story of his return visits to Hazard and the region in subsequent years. Maimon said he has found the area to be struggling with its identity, and said the book makes a plea to the leaders in the region to move past their fixation with coal as a central industry, while at the same time illustrating the perils of allowing local journalism to die out. This, he said, is an intimate portrait of a population forced to stare down multiple types of pernicious forces, some from the past, some the present and others awaiting in the future. When reading the book, he said, he hopes people are open minded and consider all the factors being brought up. Twilight comes twice a day; it comes right before dusk and it comes right before dawn. As you read the book I would challenge you to ask yourself which one is it, said Maimon, explaining that the book could be seen as a complaint of the area's troubles or as a way to start discussing solutions to those problems that have been ongoing. What I'm seeing in places like Hazard and Pikeville especially which I consider to be the unofficial capitols of southeast KY I'm seeing some really good and interesting and exciting things happening in those places. I think the region would benefit from more of a regional approach, Maimon said, adding that the progress in Appalachian communities is evident, but they all need to work together to truly make change. I think of it as a table. It has four legs, it won't stand if it doesn't have four legs. The four legs of that table are local government elected honest and smart politicians who have your interests at heart not their own; state government that's responsive state government that doesn't steer coal severance tax money to reparations at Rupp Arena but towards Martin County to fix the water problems; federal government that shows compassion by passing legislation like the Reclaim Act and much needed reform in rewarding black lung benefits to those that deserve them, said Maimon. The fourth leg is you; the fourth leg is the people, the foundation. On the table I sort of see a jigsaw puzzle of all the different pieces tourism, the arts, all these things that none of which alone is going to create the type of economic development that will allow the region to fulfill its potential but by being pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle we start getting somewhere, he said. Good people need to be sitting at the table, people with vision need to be sitting at the table. The book is currently available on Amazon and at the Read Spotted Newt. To purchase a copy of Twilight In Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning, please visit either the Read Spotted Newt in downtown Hazard or visit Amazon. Regulatory board rejects proposal to reopen Thos. Shepherd funeral home Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, which has been shut down by state regulators since last November, is struggling in its effort to reopen. The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service last week declined to approve a consent order that had been negotiated by the boards general counsel and the 118-year-old funeral home, which has had its license suspended after an inspection in June of 2020 found numerous alleged violations. In a show-cause order the state board issued last October, an inspector documented the late filing of a death certificate, found inadequate upkeep of the crematory and detailed five consumer complaints from families who had used services at the funeral home. The Board of Funeral Service, which regulates the business of funeral homes and crematoriums, preneed contracts and other matters, took up a number of proposed consent orders on July 21, including one that would have allowed Shepherd to reopen under certain conditions, Stephen Davis, executive director of the funeral service board, said last week. The board deliberated and carefully reviewed all the elements of the proposed settlement but did not approve it, Davis said. The board will move to schedule a hearing on the suspension, though probably not in August because our docket is pretty full. It most likely would be September, possibly October, but were anxious to bring some kind of resolution to all this. They are still under a summary suspension of their at-need and preneed (services) and crematory. Davis said consent orders are not a public record until theyre approved by both parties and adopted by the funeral service board. He said he did not know the reasons the board declined to OK the settlement because he does not attend that part of the meetings. The board met in closed session to deliberate once they had a chance to hear from the Shepherds and their attorneys on the proposed consent order, he said. During closed session its limited simply to board members. I dont really know what their specific concerns were but they obviously did not find the proposed consent order acceptable. Its killing us physically, financially and emotionally Melody Shepherd, who has run the funeral business and crematory alongside her husband, Thomas R. Tom Shepherd, for more than 20 years, is not a licensed funeral director herself. The proposed consent order, she said, barred her from representing the funeral home in any capacity. The funeral home said in a response it submitted last November to the regulatory boards show cause order that because of serious health issues Tom Shepherd was not currently competent to address violations spelled out in the order. We had a hearing on Wednesday the 21st and they declined for us to open, Melody Shepherd said. I guess we have to appeal it again, I dont know. Tom is declining so much in health, this has bothered him so much. I dont know the next thing to do or what the next option is. I dont know. Theres a lot of people in funeral service that have done a whole lot worse than weve done and they turn their heads to that, she said. If they like you they like you and if they dont they dont. They wont even talk to me, she added. They dont like me because Im outspoken and I call them on things. Its a personal vendetta. Its me against them but its killing Tom and its killing us physically, financially and emotionally. Davis said the professional staff and board have no personal bias against the Hendersonville funeral business, nor any funeral home they regulate. That just is not true, he said of Shepherds accusation of a vendetta. The board considers consent orders on a regular basis whenever disciplinary matters come to its attention and require its deliberation. The board is exercising its statutory authority to oversee and regulate in this case a funeral home that has a number of complaints and allegations against it. Theyre being deliberate and certainly being fair because the Shepherds and their attorneys have had ample opportunity to present their case. The board never acts on personalities, he added. In fact when cases come before the board in the form of a disciplinary report in a regular board meeting, the board doesnt know, other than just a number, an individual or a funeral home. Theyre identified by a case number. Of course, in this case they did know because were beyond the board just getting a report from the disciplinary committee. Theyre now deliberating. But theres no vendetta of any kind. County Commissioner Michael Edney, a friend of the Shepherd family, reported to his fellow commissioners last week that things had improved at Shepherd Memorial Park, which had been the subject of complaints from families in May about cemetery upkeep and access. They now have four fulltime employees, Edney said. Theyre going through some reorganizational type things to make sure everything is as good as it can be and improve where they need to make improvements and theyre trying to be open and transparent in working with folks to let everybody know that things are over the hump and heading in the right direction. Everythings looking good. Edney did not comment on the status of the funeral homes license. Attorney Jon Yarbrough, who represented the Shepherds at last weeks Board of Funeral Service hearing, said Tuesday he would have to speak with his clients before he could talk about the next steps in their case. Here's how schools will operate in-person and virtually this year The big news Monday was that the Henderson County School Board voted to make masks optional in schools for students and staff. Behind that is a lot of detail about how the school year will work, including virtual school options. Here's the information from the school system. The board voted to make face coverings optional indoors at the start of the new school year, though they will still be required on buses, vans, and other group school transportation, following the CDCs Order. The board also approved district leaders recommendation to provide virtual learning options based on students grade level, to accommodate younger students not yet able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under current age restrictions and older students whose families prefer the remote-only option once face coverings are no longer required. Virtual Learning Options Students who choose a virtual learning option will be attending school entirely online, as the virtual learning options are not designed to serve a hybrid student population this year. To provide district staff with accurate enrollment numbers for these new virtual-only classrooms and hire teaching staff accordingly, HCPS is requiring families who choose a virtual option for their child to commit to a full semester by Monday, August 9, at 5 p.m. Kindergarten - 8th Grade: The districts Engage Remote Learning Option (RLO) will be provided again this year for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, with important changes made to the online learning experience to enhance the engagement and classroom productivity of virtual learners. This year, fully remote learners will be members of a unique cohort, taught by HCPS teachers hired specifically to teach in the virtual classroom only. Families of K-8 students should register for Engage RLO through the HCPS Enrollment Portal at enroll.HCPSNC.org by Monday, August 9, at 5 p.m. 9th-12th Grade: Students in grades 9-12 who have previously demonstrated success in fully remote learning may access online courses through the online platforms currently offered to high schoolers in the district: N.C. Virtual Public School, Edmentum, and the Henderson County Virtual Public School (HCVPS). Students interested in a fully virtual learning option should register for virtual learning through the HCPS Enrollment Portal at enroll.HCPSNC.org by Monday, August 9, at 5 .pm. Students will then be contacted by their school counselor to discuss their options for the 2021-2022 school year based on their credit needs. Flex and Early College Calendars: Since Bruce Drysdale Elementary and Hendersonville Elementary students are already in school on the Flex Calendar, and Early College students begin the school year on August 16, district administrators are prioritizing efforts to staff teachers for the virtual classrooms to serve these families who would now prefer the virtual-only options. During its August 9 board meeting, district staff will update the school board on Engage RLO enrollment numbers for Flex Calendar students, and Early College students interest in virtual learning to determine if an earlier virtual learning start date is feasible for these student groups. Health & Safety Reporting Protocols COVID-19 District Dashboard: Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3, HCPS will resume updating the COVID-19 District Dashboard with school-affected cases reported during the 2021-2022 school year. The Dashboard reflecting this new stage of in-person learning will report cumulative positive cases since July 8, 2021, when the new school year began for year-round schools. Family Notifications: HCPS and public health officials are currently operating under the same notification protocols used during the 2020-2021 school year. The Henderson County Department of Public Health is responsible for contact tracing and quarantine protocols in our community, and is the agency that will contact individuals considered to be close contacts to school-affected positive cases. And since Henderson County Public Schools remains committed to keeping its families informed, principals will contact all families of their individual schools when a positive test is confirmed by health officials in their school. Families can refer to our What to Expect When There is a COVID-19 Case in a School document at www.HCPSNC.org/r2l-communications for additional details on notification procedures. Instructional Return to Learn plans and school system operations will be evaluated and refined based on local health data as district administrators continuously monitor community health trends. As they were this afternoon, any additional changes will be communicated to HCPS families via SwiftK12 emails and phone calls. Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one. It will be a few more weeks before a trial date may be announced in the case of a former Wolfe City Police Department officer who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in connection with the shooting death of a resident of the city almost 10 months ago. Anderson, IN (46016) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Anderson, IN (46016) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Provo, UT (84601) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Expect widespread areas of smoke and haze, reducing visibility at times. High 84F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Expect widespread areas of smoke and haze, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UpstartWorks, an advanced e-commerce commercialization platform for industrial brands, today announced Amazon veteran, Konok Biswas, will be joining the company as Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. Biswas appointment is part of a broader focus of global business development for UpstartWorks as the company continues to expand its footprint and presence in the industrial e-commerce and B2B spaces. Biswas, who brings five years of B2B & global sales experience from Amazon, will be leveraging his knowledge, experience, and networks to help UpstartWorks' customers grow their e-commerce marketplace footprint while driving new initiatives. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. The Thunder will re-sign free agent big man Mike Muscala to a two-year, $7MM contract, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (via Twitter). Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter link) that Muscala had Earl Bird rights with the Thunder, so Oklahoma City wont need to use a portion of its mid-level exception to complete the signing. He was drafted out of Bucknell with the No. 44 pick in 2013, and logged time with the Hawks, Sixers, and Lakers. Muscala, 30, then joined the Thunder for the first time as a free agent in the summer of 2019. A 610 power forward/center with long-range abilities, he enjoyed his best statistical season during 2020/21 while playing for the rebuilding Thunder. Last year, Muscala averaged a career-best 9.7 PPG in 18.4 MPG, to go along with 3.8 RPG. He posted a solid shooting line of .446/.370/.917. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Now Open 3 August 2021 The cool barometer of Johannesburg's already vibrant Rosebank district has hit RED hot with the opening of Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank. The first Radisson RED hotel in South Africa's Gauteng province and only the second to hit African soil after the successful opening of its Capetonian counterpart in 2017, this new-build hotel, situated at Oxford Parks, is a vibrant mixed-use area comprising apartments, retailers, restaurants and offices. Located in South Africa's cosmopolitan financial hub, Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank is nestled in one of its trendiest business nodes, the leafy Rosebank, and is just a few minutes' walk from the Gautrain station and the high-end retail and shopping precinct, which includes Rosebank Mall. With a recent surge in developments, Rosebank is now home to various corporate offices, renowned art galleries and some of the city's finest restaurants and bars, providing the ideal base for leisure and business travel. Visitors can expect a vibrant hotel concept created for the next generation of travelers with a modern and creative mindset. Featuring 222 standard rooms and suites, Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank is a bold and trendy addition to Rosebank, inspired by local art, music, fashion and people. The hotel brings to life Radisson RED's bold brand ethos with its eclectic art and the colorful accents of its interior design, including custom African-print wallpaper for each floor, street-style art displays which will rotate every six months, and high-tech additions like an interactive digi-wall and Chromecast televisions in each room. Following in the footsteps of its sister hotel in Cape Town, which was voted best rooftop bar in the city, Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank also boasts a trendy Rooftop Bar & Terrace where guests can take a dip in the rooftop swimming pool and enjoy exclusive DJ sets, cocktails and delicious food - all with an unmatched, panoramic view of the city. Guests can also indulge in the hotel's vibrant culinary offerings such as the all-day dining OUI Bar + KTCHN, which is easily accessible from Rosebank's main road and where Lead Kitchen Executive Chef Genghis San brings Johannesburg's melting pot of cultures to life with menus that combine mealtime favorites and unexpected delights. Whether it is to host a professional conference, fashion show or strategy brainstorm, Radisson RED Rosebank Johannesburg's flexible spaces promise to inspire. Kitted with modern technology, experienced event planners, and multiple wholesome food options fresh from the kitchen, the hotel features six meeting studios ranging from 20 to 120 in capacity as well as a reading room workspace for remote workers. All meeting studios have an abundance of natural light and street views. Appointment 3 August 2021 Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, the five-star hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills, and its iconic four-star sister property, The Beverly Hilton, announced the newest addition to the executive team with the recent appointment of Dana Cooper as complex director of sales and marketing. Cooper will be responsible for overseeing all sales and marketing initiatives at both properties, along with achieving sales growth, and leading and motivating both on-property teams. With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Cooper is well-versed in selling top-tier offerings to global travel and event advisors, boosting community engagement, developing bespoke experiences, and driving an organization's overall sales strategy. Most recently, Cooper served as the area director of sales and marketing for Auberge Resorts Collection where she oversaw Hotel Jerome, Madeline Hotel and Residences, and Sleeping Indian Ranch in Colorado. Prior, she held positions at Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood properties around the country. Outside of work, Cooper can be found exploring the local community, with a particular affinity for retail therapy and yoga classes. Appointment 3 August 2021 Giovanni Spataro has been appointed the new Chef de Cuisine of Culina Ristorante + Caffe at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Born and raised in Palermo, Sicily, Chef Giovanni Spataro's passion for food started at a young age. Growing up in a country and family where food was celebrated as one of life's most important pleasures, Spataro was naturally drawn to the culinary arts. After graduating from Convitto Nazionale di Palermo, Spataro began working in fine dining restaurants in Sicily including Cortile Pepe in Cefalu. To continue improving and crafting his culinary expertise, Spataro moved to London to work as head chef at Boma Restaurant and later to Miami, Florida as executive chef at the Cadillac Hotel by Marriott. California called next, and after relocating with his family to Los Angeles, Spataro became executive restaurant chef at The Beverly Hilton and enjoyed collaborating on high profile events including the Golden Globes. Chef Giovanni Spataro is now settling into his new role as Chef de Cuisine of Culina Ristorante + Caffe, introducing a new menu featuring his signature "skinni" pizzas including the "San Daniele" with 24-month aged Prosciutto San Daniele, Scamorza cheese, arugula, heirloom cherry tomato confit, and Villa Manodori balsamic vinegar; and the "Tartufo" with spring fresh truffle cream and burrata, and the "Salmone" with smoked Scottish salmon, caviar, creme fraiche, and lemon. Additional new items include artisanal pastas such as the "Gnocchetti Burro e Bottarga" with house-made ricotta gnocchi, tuna bottarga, butter, and lemon zest; and fresh crudo dishes such as the "Gamberoni Marinati" with live local spot prawns, heirloom tomato gazpacho, avocado, prawn aioli, and pistachio. Press Release 3 August 2021 Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (CAAS), rated one of the worlds finest culinary schools, held its second annual Cook N Battle virtual competition, live-streaming the global finals on July 24. Advertisements Ms. Yihan Ying from Dubai was awarded a $22,000 (CHF 20,000) scholarship toward a five-star culinary education at Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland. Ying titled her winning creation the Winter Blossom inspired by the plum flower, which flourishes in the winter in her native China. She made three wagashi, a traditional and colorful Japanese sweet, garnished with a sprinkling of powdered camel milk as snow, which Ying explained is a sustainable, local ingredient in Dubai. It looks amazing and Im sure it tastes amazing too, said Michele Muller, Executive Chef at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg in Switzerland. Muller was a member of the competitions jury and represented Kempinski Hotels, global sponsor of the Cook NBattle and the oldest luxury hotel group in Europe. Each finalist was assigned a mentor drawn from CAAS faculty as well as professional chefs with Kempinski Hotels. Guilherme Razente of Brazil was 1st runner-up and Cho Zin from Myanmar the 2nd runner-up both receiving scholarships to CAAS. The three other finalists selected to compete included Orianna Lopez from Colombia, Seo Huyn Lee from South Korea, and Mukuna Macharia from Kenya who all were awarded a two-night stay for two at one of the 78 Kempinski Hotels worldwide. Their original video submissions can be viewed on the Cook N Battle YouTube channel. Legendary Swiss Chef Anton Mosimann, OBE, stated when announcing the winners I wish you all the best for a successful, happy future in the hospitality industry. We need you. We need good chefs. Chef Mosimann, recipient of the 2021 Swiss Culinary Merit and chef to four generations of the British royal family, is a long-time partner and supporter of the CAAS and Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland, which specializes in entrepreneurship, business, and hospitality management. The contest was open to students 16 and older from around the world who entered via a short video showcasing their culinary creation. In 2021 CAAS ranked 8th in Hospitality Leisure Management according to QS World Rankings, the superb quality of its program offerings, faculty, and facilities. More information at www.cooknbattle.com. About Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland At the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, students nurture their talents and feed their curiosities alongside celebrity chefs in state-of-the-art facilities. With campuses in the Swiss towns of Lucerne, Le Bouveret, and Brig, CAAS is ranked one of the finest culinary schools in the world and offers bachelor and master degree programs and specializations in culinary arts, vegetarian cuisine, and the fine arts of pastry and chocolate. Their unique programs blend culinary mastery with business and management skills. Sharing the campuses of Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland offers students a unique exchange with hospitality management students. Thanks to numerous partnerships with the likes of Ritz Paris and the Ritz Escoffier School, students benefit from very rich expertise and exceptional internship opportunities in some of the most renowned institutions in the world. Additionally, CAAS is fortunate to count top chefs, including Chef Anton Mosimann (OBE) and the first Swiss female chef to be awarded a Michelin star, Irma Dutsch, as partners of CAAS. Learn more at www.culinaryartsswitzerland.com. Press Release 3 August 2021 IBTM World, part of RX (Reed Exhibitions), has won Best International Trade Show in the Exhibition News Awards for its 2019 event. Advertisements More than 600 leading industry players gathered at Evolution London for an evening of celebration to mark the achievements of the industrys brightest stars. The awards, hosted by comedian Tom Allen, recognised those who had made an impact over the pandemic as well as those making a difference in how the industry operates. IBTM World 2019 took place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from 19-21 November. The event welcomed 2,600 exhibitors from 150 countries as well as over 2,700 Hosted Buyers and more than 14,000 visitors for three days of bespoke one-to-one business meetings, exciting networking opportunities and specially curated educational content. Almost 74,000 pre-scheduled business meetings took place over the three days. The judges commented that IBTM World 2019 displayed an impressive growth in tangible revenue while facing challenging external market conditions. The organisers have embarked on a transformational approach to this event that has delivered. David Thompson, Event Director, said: Winning Best International Trade Show at the Exhibition News Awards is a huge accolade and its a reflection of the talent and commitment of the whole team that we were able to win in what was an incredibly competitive category. David continues: After creating our successful virtual show for the 2020 edition of IBTM World, we are looking forward to bringing the events industry together in Barcelona this year for our first in-person IBTM World since 2019, providing the industry with the tools it needs to thrive in the next chapter in meetings and events. The award-winning IBTM World will take place this year at Fira, Barcelona from 30 November to 2 December. The show will be followed by IBTM World Virtual, from 7 - 9 December 2021. www.ibtmworld.com About IBTM IBTM is a world-leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of events and products offering business solutions across five continents. The portfolio includes IBTM World, IBTM Africa, IBTM Americas, IBTM Asia Pacific, IBTM Wired and IBTM Connect. www.ibtmevents.com IBTM World , the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, is the must-attend three-day event for the worldwide meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers and international trade media visit Fira Barcelona every December for IBTMs flagship show, with over 74,000 business meetings taking place. Next event: Tuesday 30 November to Thursday 2 December 2021 at Fira Barcelona followed by IBTM World Virtual, from Tuesday 7 Thursday 9 December 2021. https://www.ibtmworld.com/ About RELX RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalisation is approximately 36.6bn, 42.4bn, $51.5bn.* *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors Texans are on the hook for $3.6 billion in natural gas costs incurred by utilities during one freezing week in February a burden consumers will bear for a decade or longer. During that same winter week, several natural gas pipeline companies and traders made billions of dollars as they transported and sold natural gas at sky-high prices when supplies were short. Pipeline companies Energy Transfer of Dallas and Kinder Morgan of Houston made $2.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, while British oil major BP made more than $1 billion from its natural-gas trading business during the deadly, historic storm, according to company filings and analyst estimates. Houston pipeline company Enterprise Products Partners said it made $250 million for transporting and selling natural gas at high prices to utilities, industrial customers and power generators during the storm. Now Playing: Drone video shows snow from a historic arctic blast blanketing Houston's Westbury neighborhood on Feb. 15, 2021. Video: Mark Mulligan Houston Chronicle Ultimately, Texans will fund these companies profits, said Jim Krane, an energy fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy. Its pretty clear this is a wealth transfer from the public to investors and traders who could capitalize on the high prices, Krane said. The frustrating thing is, even though people were shivering in their homes, their (natural gas) bills are going up anyway. Theyre still going to have to pay for this. Its really a slap in the face. More than 1.8 million CenterPoint Energy customers in the Houston area are responsible for the $1.14 billion natural gas bill incurred by the Houston utility when it had to quickly buy natural gas at sky-high prices after demand soared and supplies plunged during the storm. Natural gas wells and pipelines, many of which werent weatherized to handle prolonged freezing temperatures, froze and lost pressure during the storm. Weather-related problems and power outages at distant oil wells, caused natural gas production to plunge by almost half just as Texans were trying to stay warm during days of below-freezing temperatures. FAILURES OF POWER: Regulators knew of freeze risk to Texas' natural gas system. It still crippled power generation. As a result, so-called natural gas spot prices at the Houston Ship Channel hit $385 per million British thermal units, up from less than $3 per million British thermal units a couple of weeks before the storm. In other markets, the prices soared above $1,000 per million British thermal units, shattering records. Utilities such as CenterPoint pass along the cost of natural gas to customers without any markup and instead make money on its natural gas business through state-regulated distribution fees. CenterPoint on Friday filed a request with regulators to finance the billions of dollars in excess gas costs. The paperwork submitted to the Railroad Commission outlined how much the financing would cost Houstonians in the coming years, reflected in their monthly bill. The average natural gas bill in the Houston area about $30 could go up by $2 to $5 a month starting next year if CenterPoint is allowed to use state-issued bonds to finance what it owes for that high-priced gas. That means Houstonians could pay as much as $60 more a year for their natural gas over the next decade. If CenterPoints request is rejected, it would levy a fee of $15 to $40 a month over the next year, pushing the average gas bill to almost $80 during summer and to more than $100 in winter. That means Houstonians could pay as much as $480 more for their natural gas over the next year. WINTER STORM: Winners, losers emerge from Texas' historic winter storm The cost would hit everyone in CenterPoints territory, even if they couldnt turn on their natural-gas heating systems because of rolling blackouts, Krane said. You either buy your local bill collector a six-pack or a gym membership, Krane said. Its not insubstantial. For some people, its going to be pretty tough news if youre just hanging on. Although there are consumer protections prohibiting price gouging of essentials such as bottled water and gasoline during hurricanes and other emergencies, there are no such protections for natural gas customers. Thats by design, Krane said. The higher prices on the spot market encourage natural gas companies in Texas to produce more fuel when demand is high and supply is low. In this case, its state-sanctioned price gouging, Krane said. The pricing structure is set up this way. The pipeline companies that made billions during the storm have said they were doing their jobs: providing critical fuel at a price set by the market as designed. Kinder Morgan and Energy Transfer invested in projects to keep their pipelines flowing during the harsh weather and profited handsomely as a result. GAS PROBLEMS: UT report: Failure of natural gas system 'exacerbated' winter storm blackouts There are no penalties for natural gas providers and pipeline companies that fail to perform during emergencies only gigantic profits for those that can, Krane said. Unfortunately, the states unwillingness to consider common sense proposals from previous grid failures has predictably set us up for another one of these public bailouts of utilities, Krane said. The public is shelling out to pay for the states unwillingness to regulate properly. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi ConocoPhillips reported its best quarterly profit in three years as coronavirus vaccines lifted economic activity and crude demand, bolstering the oil giants bottom line. The Houston independent producer on Tuesday said it made $2.1 billion in the three months ended June 30, more than doubling its earnings of $1 billion in the first quarter and $300 million a year ago. Revenue nearly doubled to $4 billion from $2.1 billion in the first quarter, and is up from $1.6 billion a year ago. CEO Ryan Lance said ConocoPhillips is poised to take advantage of oils recovery, especially after its $9.7 billion acquisition of Concho Resources in January that gave the independent highly-sought assets in the Permian Basin of West Texas. We have a stronger, more flexible asset base and greater underlying efficiency resulting from the Concho acquisition and the restructuring work weve performed throughout our company, Lance said in a statement Tuesday. RECOVERY: Big Oil is back with larger profits, less swagger ConocoPhillips strong earnings are another sign of the industrys recovery from the worst oil bust in decades caused by the global pandemic, which forced oil giants to slash spending and lay off thousands of employees. Yet even as oil prices have rebounded near $70 a barrel -- above pre-pandemic levels -- Big Oil and large independents like ConocoPhillips remain restrained. Instead of boosting production, ConocoPhillips reduced its capital spending plans for this year and said it would increase its share repurchases by $1 billion, returning $6 billion of capital to shareholders this year. ConocoPhillips in July also signed agreements to sell some non-core assets for $200 million, part of the companys plan to generate $2 billion to $3 billion over the next year and a half. The third quarter will be impacted by some planned maintenance on key fields in its global portfolio, said Peter McNally, an energy leader at New York investment firm Third Bridge Group. However, execution for ConocoPhillips has been strong and our experts point to a number of future opportunities for the company to continue to exploit." A group of Houston parents is asking Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency to support reversing a mask ban and allow school districts to require them as the delta variant surges and medical officials warn of the danger posed to children who cannot receive the vaccine. Abbott's mask ban, which was issued in May, bars counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities and government officials from requiring masks or face a $1,000 fine. Despite troubling COVID case trends and hospitalizations - Texas has now passed New York in COVID-19 deaths, and local children's hospitals are reaching capacity with COVID-related cases - Abbott has remained steadfast in his decision to enforce the mask ban, citing "personal responsibility," not government mandates, as the state's key weapon of defense. On HoustonChronicle.com: Dr. Peter Hotez: Delta variant 'like nothing we've seen before,' expect rise in hospitalizations As of Tuesday morning, over 2,000 Texas parents have signed a July 31 petition calling on Abbott and the TEA to reverse the ban and give K-12 public schools autonomy to enforce their own mandates ahead of the upcoming school year. Organizers have set a goal for 1,000 signatures per day before they submit the petition to Abbott and TEA Commissioner Mike Morath on Monday, August 9. "No child in Texas should needlessly suffer from contracting this deadly virus," organizers state in the petition. "Sending children back to school without sound mitigation measures in place could well lead to an even higher positivity rate, long-COVID cases, elevated hospitalization rates, and more deaths." Kelley Boston, an epidemiologist and infection preventionist who works with local hospitals and other organizations on disease control, is one of seven Houston Independent School District parents who created the petition. Boston argued masking is the only line of defense elementary-aged students have against the virus due to the ineligibility of children to receive the vaccine and the difficulty of maintaining social distancing between young children. "We want to send our kids back to school," Boston said. "[But] we have limited options for protection in school settings...we can mask, vaccinate, we can socially distance, but only one of those is an option in our elementary schools right now. " COVID HELP DESK: What you need to know about the delta variant Nearly 2,000 Fort Bend parents have signed a similar petition asking the district to offer virtual learning options for students in K-6 grade. With the mask ban still in place and the failure of a bill that would have funded the continuing of virtual education, Texas school districts essentially have their hands tied, leaving some parents, including Boston, worried about what the upcoming school year could bring. "Abbott has made statements on relying on personal responsibility, but when you are looking at that age group, they are limited in how much they can advocate for their own safety," Boston said. "It's hard for a second grader to ask an adult to put on a mask." Boston added allowing districts to impose their own mask recommendations would protect not only students but also members of the community, especially immunocompromised family members. "This is a way to protect not only our children but those they come into contact with [as] many of those kids can spread COVID to others," Boston said. "We need to make our voices heard and really advocate for our smallest Texans." rebecca.hennes@chron.com NEW YORK (AP) New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement, which will be phased in over several weeks in August and September, is the most aggressive step the city has taken yet to curb a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant. People will have to show proof that they have had at least one dose of a vaccine. The first thing to note about the Harris County Public Library is that its different from Houston Public Library theyre two separate entities. And the second tidbit of note? The former is celebrating a big milestone this year. The library has been here for 100 years, says Susan Greer, president of Harris County Friends of the Library. Weve just grown so much and were doing so much. People need to know were here. I want to celebrate! The library has come a long way since its humble origins in 1920, when Harris County attorney Arthur E. Dawes and Houston Public Librarian Julia Ideson circulated a petition to create a county library. Their request was approved the following year along with an initial $6,500 budget. Determined to make do, Dawes and Idesons first hire was Lucy Fuller, a native Texan who left a job in Manhattan to lay the foundation for a new library system in her home state. Those inaugural library stations were far from fancy. Sometimes it was a just a bookshelf or two set up in schools, businesses and private homes by Fuller and her staff of mostly women. They lugged books between stations in cars across dusty, bumpy roads and recorded more than 1,000 miles of driving that first year. By the end of 1921, Fullers team had established 26 library stations with a collection of 3,455 books. Their operating budget jumped to $12,000 in 1922, says Edward Melton, director of Harris County Public Library. Thats what the yearlong, centennial celebration is all about. The goal is to bring the whole community together as we look back at the history, he says. We created a digital archive site, and it really shows us how the system started at a grassroots level, formed out of the demand of people wanting library services. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: UH College of Medicine hosts first White Coat Ceremony In addition to the online archive, the library programmed a number of virtual events, too. The festivities kicked off in January with a 1920s-themed performance filmed live from the La Porte branch featuring Da Camera of Houston and hot jazz by the Boomtown Brass Band. The following month, the librarys Centennial Jubilee was presented in partnership with the Apollo Chamber Players; renowned composers Damien Sneed and Paul Cornish traveled to Houston to premiere two new works for the occasion, accompanied by the Houston Ebony Opera. Other concerts, designed to highlight a decade from the librarys history, included a 1950s rock show by Allen Oldies Band. Staff members created Take and Make craft kits, too; as part of its 1980s salute, Do-It-Yourself Rubiks Cubes, Magic 8 Balls and a Totally 80s Painting were part of the package. Weve been getting a great response from people engaging online, Melton says. Though there have been requests from the public to resume in-person events. According to Greer, the goals of this years centennial programming is to raise both awareness and funding. For several years, weve given $500 scholarships to staffers who were going to library school, but we couldnt do it last year, she says. In October, theres a National Friends of the Library Week. We give all of the libraries in the branch $100 that they can do whatever they want with. There are now 26 branch locations servicing the Greater Houston area, including in Katy, Spring, Tomball, Humble, Crosby, La Porte and Seabrook. One of their top requests is money to buy e-books. Greer thinks the shift toward digital content is a natural progression. Any platform that keeps Houstonians reading is OK in her book. Technology has its place. I say we need to come where (people) are and expose them to other forms of information. The have books, will travel sensibility is a longstanding tradition. During World War II, the library built a station at Ellington Field Hospital for wounded soldiers. Then-county librarian Reba Anderson sourced books from the community to ship overseas for troops. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Enchanted explores visual history of the Andes in Menil Collection exhibit In the early 2000s, the library prioritized a need for audiobooks and did away with the bookmobile program. Melton revived the service in 2017 in addition to establishing technology labs at community centers. Like Greer says, theres room for both. People think, I dont need a reference librarian because I can get everything I need off the internet, she explains. But the librarian knows what is good information versus what is trash. They can send you to a database beyond just Wikipedia. They can show you exactly where you need to go and make sure its reliable. A reference librarian is a human database. Greer, a retired librarian, fell in love with books as a fifth-grader, when a teacher tapped students to volunteer as library aids for other classes. And thats how it started, she says. I love libraries, its just me. One of her first projects as a new Harris County Friends of the Library member back in 2002 was helping to open the Barbara Bush Branch Library in northwest Houston. Greer recalls how exciting it was to meet the former first lady at the ribbon cutting shes been a dedicated volunteer ever since. This county is so big and so diverse, its a challenge to serve everybody, Greer says. We really look at the constituencies and where the needs of the communities are. Were making progress and weve done a lot. Were working on it. amber.elliott@chron.com With hospitals growing full again and COVID-19 cases climbing, officials on Tuesday announced that Fort Bend Countys threat level has grown from moderate to significant. Judge KP George, a Democrat, stood alongside other county officials, community leaders and health experts urging residents to get vaccinated and wear masks amid a renewed nationwide pandemic surge though a recent order from Gov. Greg Abbotts prohibits local government from enforcing such measures. Participate in your own rescue, please, George said. We want you to get vaccinated. The executive order issued last week, which bars local authorities from implementing mask or vaccine mandates, is tying our hands to do the right thing, George said. The county attorney is evaluating the legal authority of the statewide order. The countys average number of new cases each day has more than doubled since last week and more than quadrupled since last month, said Dr. Jacquelyn Minter, director of health and human services. The test positivity rate is nearing 20%, Minter said. Nearly 85% of cases are the highly infectious Delta variant. The seven-day average percent of ICU patients with COVID-19 has topped 18%, an increase of nearly 10% in the past month. Our hospitals in general and our ERs are growing full again and health care staff are once again being stretched to their limits, Minter said. Vaccines are effective at reducing severe illness and death, Minter said. Roughly 90% of people hospitalized with the virus and 96% of those who have died were unvaccinated, she said. Nearly 67% of the countys population older than 12 is fully vaccinated, state data shows, making it among the most-vaccinated counties in Texas. Still, roughly 200,000 more people in the county need to be vaccinated as quickly as possible, said Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine researcher with Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and a dean at Baylor College of Medicine. To really stop this virus, we need well over 80% of this county vaccinated, he said. The upcoming school year could act as an accelerant for the infectious disease, Hotez said. Its critical for teachers, staff and adolescent students to get their shots. Roughly 16% of the countys cases are among children under 11, Minter said. As students head back to the classroom, 41% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 in Fort Bend have been vaccinated. If were serious about protecting our kids, it means getting everybody vaccinated, everybody masked, Hotez said. Its just simple science. Its not ideology, its just the God-honest truth. In two weeks, Anshumi Jhaveri will set foot on campus at Dulles High School in Sugar Land for the first time since schools shuttered in March 2020. Instead of looking forward to her senior year, Jhaveri said she is anxious that students sitting next to her in the classroom may not be vaccinated or wearing masks. Fear and anxiety have come back as the Delta variant spreads through the community, she said. As young students, we may think that we have immunity to his virus given that we are so young, but this is not the case, Jhaveri said. As a student, I still have to be mindful about spreading the virus back to my parents, the elderly, my teachers and all others around me. In the next week, the county will reinstate physical distancing measures and health screenings for employees and visitors at the entrance of all county buildings, George said. More than a year into the pandemic, District Attorney Brian Middleton was looking forward to a return to normalcy and thought getting a vaccine earlier this year was the beginning of the end. But, with the advance of the Delta variant, he said he realized the situation has changed. Were in the middle of a war aginst the virus, Middleton said. For some its not popular or comfortable to wear a mask, but this is our weapon. This is the arm that we need to bear to fight this virus. Vaccines are available at pharmacies, healthcare providers and grocery stores throughout the county, in addition to the county health departments free vaccination sites and mobile health unit. Visit FBCHealth.org or call (281) 633-7795 for more information. anna.bauman@chron.com WASHINGTON (AP) The senators who spent months stitching together a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package are now trying to sell it to the American people before a key vote expected this week that would push a long recognized national priority much closer to the finish line, after years of talk. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday that the $65 billion for broadband means that some people in her state would get access to the internet for the first time. The pandemic that we have endured for more than a year laid bare the disparities in access to high-speed internet, Collins said. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, spoke of how the bill would lead to more rural and Native Alaskans having access to a sink to wash their hands in. The bill dedicates about $55 billion in new funding for water and wastewater systems. "We have to do right by our Native people," she said. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., noted there is about $16 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would help fund projects designed to curb coastal erosion. My state has lost as much land as is in the entire state of Delaware. But other states are losing land, too," he said. And Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., talked about how $110 billion in new funding for roads and bridges would mean access to markets for farms in Montana such as his own. It is critically important we keep our aging bridges and roads and airports up to snuff," Tester said. The lawmakers, part of a group that they like to call the G-10, for gang of 10 five Republican, five Democratic senators are appealing to the wishes of many voters for not only better airports, roads and internet service, but also for some bipartisanship in Washington, without being directly asked to pay for those improvements through higher income taxes or user fees. While it's looking like the Senate will approve the bill during the coming week, supporters of the legislation will face an array of obstacles advancing the package, a major priority in President Joe Biden's agenda. Interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum are taking aim at provisions they don't like, potentially unraveling the agreement. Some conservatives don't like that the agreement moves the country further away from relying on user fees, such as the federal gas tax, to pay for highway and transit improvements. Others are wary that the bill sets a course for much more federal spending after the government already provided for nearly $5 trillion dedicated to COVID relief. This week, the Treasury Department warned Congress it was hitting the nation's debt limit. Every single time we add an enormous sum to our national debt, there is bipartisanship behind it," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said. Environmental groups worry that the bill doesn't do enough to address climate change. It is clear that the deal does not meet the moment on climate or justice, said Tiernan Sittenfeld, a senior vice president of the League of Conservation Voters. The pressure from the left underpins House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's statement that there won't be a House vote on the bipartisan infrastructure plan until the Senate also passes the $3.5 trillion Democratic bill that boosts spending on health, environment and social programs. The Senate is plowing through efforts to amend the narrower infrastructure bill, which will require 60 votes to advance for passage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is intent on passing the legislation as soon as possible so that the Senate can turn its attention to a budget blueprint that will set the stage for crafting and passing the larger $3.5 trillion package in the fall. Formally called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the proposal has clocked in at some 2,700 pages. The Senate's Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has sided with those voting to allow debate to proceed, but he has not said how he will ultimately vote. He said Tuesday the bill has a chance to be a bipartisan success story for the country," but he is warning Democrats against trying to speed up the amendment process. Like a lot of us, I'm interested in what it looks like in the end," McConnell said. He noted that "the past two administrations tried to do it, were unable to. The American people need it. I think it's one of those areas where there seems to be broad, bipartisan agreement." By evening, the Senate had overwhelmingly approved three noncontroversial amendments, while rejecting three others. As the amendment process continued, senators were weighing how much to try to change the package and how hard to try, knowing it would be difficult to reach the 60-vote threshold to approve any substantial changes. In addition to the $110 billion in new spending for roads and bridges and $55 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure, the bipartisan package is expected to provide, $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for rail. Theres also to be billions for airports, ports, broadband internet and electric vehicle charging stations. Paying for the package has been a challenge after senators rejected ideas to raise revenue from a new gas tax or other streams. Instead, it is being financed from funding sources that might not pass muster with deficit hawks, including repurposing some $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid, as well as unemployment assistance that was turned back by some states, and relying on projected future economic growth. The bipartisan bill still faces a rough road in the House, where progressive lawmakers want a more robust package but may have to settle for this one to keep Bidens infrastructure plans on track. The outcome with the bipartisan effort will set the stage for the next debate over Bidens much more ambitious $3.5 trillion package, a strictly partisan pursuit of far-reaching programs and services including child care and health care that touch almost every corner of American life. Republicans strongly oppose that bill, which would require a simple majority for passage. Final votes on that measure are not expected until fall. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's legal adviser within state government for several years has returned to a private law practice. The law firm of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Greenville, South Carolina, announced on Monday that William McKinney is back with the business. McKinney was general counsel in the governor's office since Cooper took his gubernatorial oath in January 2017. And McKinney was special counsel to Cooper for roughly two years during Cooper's last term as attorney general. His government career with Cooper goes back to the 2000s. As general counsel, McKinney led attorneys who offered legal strategies as Cooper issued executive orders and states of emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and when Cooper challenged in court legislative actions that lessened his gubernatorial powers. He also helped negotiate tribal gambling compacts. McKinney went to law school at the University of South Carolina, and began his legal career as an associate at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd. He'll work in both South Carolina and in Raleigh. Cooper's office has not yet named McKinney's successor. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a lawsuit by a Maine church that sought to take a preemptive strike against future restrictions associated with a variant of the virus thats spreading across the country. Calvary Chapel in Orrington asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop Democratic Gov. Janet Mills from enforcing or reinstating any pandemic-related restrictions due to the delta variant of the coronavirus. NEW YORK (AP) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced mounting pressure Tuesday to resign, including from President Joe Biden and other onetime Democratic allies, after an investigation found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers. I think he should resign, Biden told reporters Tuesday, echoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York's U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, all Democrats. The leader of the state Assembly, which has the power to bring impeachment charges, said it was clear Cuomo could no longer remain in office. Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, said he would move to complete an impeachment inquiry "as quickly as possible. Cuomo remained defiant, saying in a taped response to the findings that the facts are much different than what has been portrayed" and that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. In a telephone conversation with Heastie, Cuomo insisted he wouldnt leave office and told the speaker he needed to work fellow Democrats and garner enough votes to stop an impeachment, according to a person familiar with the conversation. Now Playing: An investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in and out of state government and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers, New York's attorney general announced Tuesday. (Aug. 3) Video: Associated Press But Heastie said he couldnt do that, said the person, who could not publicly discuss details of the private conversation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The nearly five-month, non-criminal investigation, overseen by New York's attorney general and led by two outside lawyers, concluded that 11 women from within and outside state government were telling the truth when they said Cuomo had touched them inappropriately, commented on their appearance or made suggestive comments about their sex lives. Those accusers included an aide who said Cuomo groped her breast at the governors mansion, and a state trooper on his security detail who said he ran his hand or fingers across her stomach and her back. Anne Clark, who led the probe with former U.S. Attorney Joon Kim, said the allegations had varying degrees of corroboration, including other witnesses and contemporaneous text messages. Investigators interviewed 179 people, including the governor himself. These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of federal and state laws, New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference on Tuesday. Many of the women said they feared retaliation if they reported Cuomo's behavior, investigators said, describing his administration as a hostile workplace rife with fear and intimidation. On one occasion, the probe found, Cuomos staff took action intended to discredit and disparage an accuser Lindsey Boylan, the first former employee to publicly accuse him of wrongdoing including leaking confidential personnel files and drafting a letter attacking her credibility. The investigation's findings, detailed in a 165-page public report, turn up the pressure on the 63-year-old governor, who just a year ago was widely hailed for his steady leadership during the darkest days of the COVID-19 crisis, even writing a book about it. Since then, he's seen his standing crumble with a drumbeat of harassment allegations, questions in a separate, ongoing inquiry into whether state resources went into writing the book, and the discovery that his administration concealed the true number of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Schumer and Gillibrand said Tuesday's report only reinforces the calls they and other New York Democrats made for Cuomo to resign after the bulk of the allegations were made public last winter. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign, they said in a joint statement. While James concluded the investigation without referring the case to prosecutors for possible criminal charges, local authorities could use its evidence and findings to mount cases. Albany District Attorney David Soares said he would request materials from James' office and welcomed victims to contact him. Heastie said the investigation's findings are crucial to expediting the ongoing state Assembly inquiry into whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo, whos been raising money for a potential fourth term. The Assembly hired its own legal team to investigate myriad allegations regarding harassment, his book, nursing homes and special access to COVID-19 testing. In his taped response, Cuomo apologized to two accusers: Charlotte Bennett, who said the governor asked if she was open to sex with an older man after she confided she had been a sexual assault victim, and a woman he kissed at a wedding. Cuomo said he was hiring an expert to reform sexual harassment training for state employees, including the governor. But he denied other allegations as fabricated and lashed out at the investigative process, saying it was fueled by politics and bias. He explained that hes physically embraced people his whole life, that his mother and father former Gov. Mario Cuomo had done the same and that the gesture was meant to convey warmth. Cuomo's lawyer issued a written rebuttal to the investigations findings, arguing in most cases that serious allegations, like the alleged groping, didn't happen, or that his actions were misconstrued. For those who are using this moment to score political points or seek publicity or personal gain. I say they actually discredit the legitimate sexual harassment victims that the law was designed to protect, Cuomo said. Bennett called the governors apology meaningless. If he were sorry, he would step down. Thats how accountability works, she told the AP. I don't believe he will resign. I think it's the speakers job now to begin impeachment proceedings. The report detailed, for the first time, the allegations involving the state trooper. It said that in addition to touching her, Cuomo kissed her on the cheek, asked for her help in finding a girlfriend and asked why she didnt wear a dress. The report also included an allegation from a woman working for an energy company who said Cuomo touched her chest at an event, running his fingers across the lettering on her shirt and reading the name of her company aloud. According to the report, he then leaned in and told her, Im going to say I see a spider on your shoulder" before brushing his hand between her shoulder and breasts. These brave women stepped forward to speak truth to power and, in doing so, they expressed faith in the belief that although the governor may be powerful, the truth is even more so," Kim told reporters. Cuomo faced multiple allegations, starting with Boylan, who said Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a meeting in his office and would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs. After Boylan went public, Cuomo's staff released personnel memos to the media revealing that she left the administration after being confronted about complaints she belittled and yelled at her staff. Boylan has said the leak was "an effort to smear me. In an 11-hour interview with investigators last month, Cuomo admitted to certain behaviors while denying other allegations, investigators said. For example, Clark said, he conceded asking Bennett whether she had been involved with older men and said he may have kissed the state trooper at an event but denied touching her. Asked about an allegation that he grabbed a womans breast at the executive mansion, according to the report, Cuomo responded: I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing to a woman he hardly knew, with multiple staff members around. Cuomo always denied inappropriate touching, but he initially said he was sorry if his behavior with women was misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation. He got more combative in recent months, saying he did nothing wrong and questioning the neutrality of the lawyers leading the probe. Kim was involved in previous investigations of corruption by people in Cuomos administration. New York state regulations define sexual harassment to include unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature from unwanted flirtation to sexual jokes that creates an offensive work environment, regardless of a perpetrators intent. Cuomo championed a landmark 2019 state law that made it easier for sexual harassment victims to prove their case in court. Alleged victims no longer have to meet the high bar of proving sexual harassment is severe and pervasive. ___ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Jocelyn Noveck contributed to this report. ___ On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Marina Villeneuve at twitter.com/reportermarina and send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/ Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule on Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season. By early evening, Spirit had canceled more than 400 flights, or nearly 60% of its schedule, according to the FlightAware tracking service. Nearly 100 other flights were late. The blame appeared to lie at least partly with a technology outage affecting crew scheduling. American Airlines had already canceled nearly 350 flights. It is much larger than Spirit, so those flights amounted to 11% of its schedule still an unusually high rate. About three-fourths of the American cancellations appeared to be due at least partly to a lack of pilots, according to a company log. The disruptions at Spirit and American are just the latest examples of airlines scrambling to deal with an increase in travel this summer. Airlines have thousands fewer employees than they did before the pandemic, but U.S. air travel has recovered to about 80% of 2019 levels. A Spirit spokesman said the low-cost carrier was proactively canceling some flights dropping them before most passengers drive to the airport to reset the operation. Were working around the clock to mitigate the travel disruptions caused by overlapping operational challenges including weather, system outages and staffing shortages in some areas of the operation, spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said. Were working to provide refunds for cancellations and, when possible, to re-accommodate our guests on other flights. A person familiar with the situation said Spirit experienced an outage Tuesday morning affecting crew scheduling, preventing airline officials from rescheduling crews to cover gaps. The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said crews were stranded in many places around the country and unable to get to assigned flights. On Monday, Florida-based Spirit scrapped more than 330 flights, or 42% of its schedule, more than double the rate of American Airlines, the next poorest performer among major U.S. carriers. Spirit canceled about 20% of its flights on Sunday. American's difficulties Tuesday came after the airline canceled about 560 flights, or 18% of its schedule, on Monday and nearly 300 on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Most were at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where thunderstorms disrupted flights for several hours Sunday. The union representing American's pilots accused the airline's management of poor planning and not having enough employees. Its pretty simple. They dont have enough pilots, and they dont have modern scheduling practices to do more with what they have, said union spokesman Dennis Tajer. He said that bad weather hits every airline, but American is the last to recover. This has to change. American denied that it has a pilot shortage. Spokeswoman Whitney Zastrow said in a statement that Tuesday's cancellations were largely related to Sunday's storm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She said employees were working around the clock to take care of customers. Southwest canceled about 2% of its flights Tuesday, and other large U.S. airlines had even lower cancellation rates, according to FlightAware. The numbers don't count flights on smaller planes that are branded as American Eagle, United Express or Delta Connection. Customers who called Spirit and American also complained about being put on hold for hours. Airlines received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep people employed through the pandemic but reduced staff anyway. Now they are adding call center workers and filling other jobs. David Donovan, a retired lawyer in Washington whose future flight to Des Moines, Iowa, was changed, said American promised in a recorded message to call him back within four hours on Monday, then called at midnight, when he was trying to sleep. He elected to try again Tuesday but couldn't get through. With all the bailout money we gave them, they ought to have enough people to answer the dang phone, Donovan said. ___ David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter Fueled by the delta variant, a surge in Houston COVID-19 hospitalizations is growing as fast as at any time during the pandemic so far, and is projected to pass previous records by mid-August even though roughly half of all eligible Houstonians are fully vaccinated. Were heading into dark times, said Texas Medical Center CEO Bill McKeon. Already, he said, our ICUs are filled with unvaccinated people. On Tuesday, Texas Medical Center hospitals listed 1,372 people in intensive care more than the number of regular ICU beds. The hospitals are now in Phase II of the medical centers surge plan, opening unused wards to accommodate the gravely ill patients expected to need them. Ken Ellis The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 7,305 people were hospitalized statewide for COVID-19 as of Tuesday more than four times as many as on July 1, and a 38 percent increase over last Tuesdays figure. Estimates by the UT-Austin COVID-19 Modeling Consortium suggest that all regions across Texas will face surges larger than anything seen so far. In the Houston area, the previous record for COVID hospitalizations was 2,927 people on Jan. 8. The consortiums latest model predicts that record will be broken Aug. 8. The previous record for ICU patients 947, set July 18, 2020 is predicted to be broken Aug. 15. Even more alarmingly, the surge isnt predicted to level off there, but to keep climbing sharply. By the end of August, the consortium forecasts that roughly 2,000 people will be in Houston ICUs double the previous high. On HoustonChronicle.com: Fort Bend leaders raise COVID-19 threat level, urge masks and vaccines Its really scary, said Spencer Fox, associate director of the modeling project. Im worried about the next few weeks. Its so clear in the data: Were in the midst of a very severe surge. Houston Methodist CEO Marc Boom described a perfect storm: the combination of Texas large number of unvaccinated people, the rampaging delta variant, and the recent relaxation of preventive measures such as masking and social distancing. Because the delta variant creates a far higher number of virus particles in each person it infects, its much more contagious than any previous variant. Also, unlike other variants, vaccinated people can carry it, infecting other people. A rise in pediatric hospitalizations could make this surge worse as well. In previous surges, Texas Childrens Hospital has taken pressure off other Houston-area hospitals by accepting non-COVID adults. But thats not possible now. Texas Childrens interim pediatrician-in-chief Jim Versalovic says that the hospital is now faces two challenges in just serving children: an unusual summer wave of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which can be life-threatening for babies and young children; and a steady increase of COVID-19 in children of all ages. More than 25 children are currently hospitalized there with COVID, he said more than seen in previous waves. I worry about delta, said Heather Haq, an attending doctor at Texas Childrens. As kids go back to school, the number of COVID cases is going to increase and increase. She noted that she and other hospital staff are already working longer hours than usual, and that the RSV wave doesnt seem to be going away soon. The Houston fire department last week saw its largest percentage increase in COVID-related calls since the surge of summer 2020. Its real, said Houston fire chief Sam Pena. And its going to start getting bad. Pena notes that unlike last summer, when Houstonians largely stayed home and traffic accidents radically decreased, non-COVID emergency calls are back to their old levels. So for this surge, he expects emergency crews to be stretched even thinner. Local officials, unable to override the Texas governors rules and require masks or closures, were reduced to urging citizens to take personal responsibility. Three weeks ago there were about 500 people in local hospitals with COVID, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted Tuesday. Today that number is over 1500 most of whom elected not to be vaccinated. The irony is this situation is avoidable. Get the SHOT and MASKUP. On Monday, Fort Bend County Judge KP George wrote an open letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, asking for local control in COVID-prevention matters, particularly in relation to schools, which are set to reopen this month. It is wrong for our leaders to play politics with our childrens lives, George wrote. COVID Q&A: Houston pediatrician warns parents to take COVID 'very seriously' with children's hospitals full The Houston areas surge in infections, said COVID analyst Judith Oppenheimer, is coming here from the east, from the border with Louisiana, where the infection rates and number of unvaccinated people are so high. Oppenheim tracked Texas data for the Atlantics now-discontinued COVID-19 Tracking Project, and now writes the blog The Texas COVID-19 Data Trail. The highest rates of both unvaccinated people and COVID-19 hospitalizations stretch from the border with Louisiana down the Texas Gulf Coast. In late July, the Texas Division of Emergency Management sent a mobile unit to Beaumonts Baptist Hospital to handle hospital overflow. We did that before in January, said Mary Poole, director of public affairs for Beaumonts Baptist Hospital. Now, she said, the areas surge is higher than before. Of the COVID patients admitted, she said, 93 percent are unvaccinated. Sandra Mejia, whose entire family contracted COVID after Februarys winter storm, urged people to take COVID-19 seriously. Mejia, 37, had no underlying conditions, but had to be hospitalized, and still requires an inhaler. All three of Mejias children ages 10, 8 and 2 also caught COVID. They all seemed to recover fine but roughly a month later, Mejia noticed symptoms of MIS-C, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, in 2-year-old Thiago. I caught it in time before there was massive damage to his organs, she said. His enlarged left ventricle is now back to normal size, but his heart murmur persists. On HoustonChronicle.com: How to talk to your loved ones about getting the COVID-19 vaccine The worst case of all, though, was her husbands. Rogelio Avila, 42, and previously in good health, was treated at Methodist. He required life support and a double lung transplant. After being hospitalized since February, Avila finally returned home Monday night. If everyone has the opportunity to get vaccinated, I urge them to do it, Mejia said. I dont want anyone to go through what our family has. McKeon, of the Texas Medical Center, strongly seconded the call to be vaccinated. Im amazed when people tell me that only now theyre thinking about getting vaccinated, he said. Theyre playing with their lives. lisa.gray@chron.com, LisaGray_HouTX Mayor Sylvester Turner told city employees Monday that they again must wear masks when they are at work and unable to socially distance, bucking a prohibition on such mandates in Gov. Greg Abbotts latest executive order. Turners memo mentioned the recent uptick in cases because of the delta variant of the coronavirus and the importance of remaining vigilant against the spread of the virus. Therefore, effective Wednesday, August 4, 2021, all city employees able to medically tolerate a face covering shall wear a face covering that fully covers the individuals nose and mouth upon entering the city premises and while on city premises in an area where social distance measures are difficult to maintain, Turner wrote. That includes bathrooms, elevators, meeting rooms and offices where people cannot sit at least 6 feet apart, Turner said. The governors order, signed last week, appeared to bar such mandates. Abbotts office did not respond to requests for comment Monday evening or Tuesday. No governmental entity, including a county, city, school district and public health authority, and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering, the order stated. Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel on Tuesday argued the governor had exceeded his authority by forbidding such requirements. In particular, the Governor has no authority to suspend the disaster authority of local governments that the Legislature has expressly given them, Michel said in a statement. The city also interprets the Governors order to limit the citys ability to regulate the general public during a declared disaster, not to encompass or limit the citys rights as an employer to establish reasonable and necessary workplace safety rules for its employees. Mary Benton, the mayors communications director, said the city was within its rights to take the action, despite the governors order. The mayor has a right and responsibility to ask city employees to wear face coverings indoors to help stop the virus from spreading, Benton said. With the rise in the delta variant cases and high numbers of unvaccinated individuals, Mayor Turner is doing what is necessary to keep (city) employees healthy, so they can provide for their families and the city can ensure that government services are provided to the public without interruption. Dallas County on Monday said it would start requiring people to wear masks when they enter courthouses there. The delta variant has led to rising cases and hospitalizations in the region for the first time since vaccinations helped curb the spread of the virus. As of Monday, the positivity rate for tests at the Texas Medical Center was 12.1 percent, up from 3.1 percent last month. It admitted 239 new COVID-positive patients Sunday, up from 51 hospitalizations per day last month. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that, while rare, vaccinated people who contract the variant may spread it to others. The agency now recommends that fully vaccinated people again wear masks indoors. Until enough of the population is fully vaccinated to offer broader protection, we must wear face coverings in public indoor settings to slow the spread of this aggressive variant, said Stephen Williams, director of the citys health department. dylan.mcguinness@chron.com Boeings uncrewed spacecraft did not launch Tuesday because engineers detected "unexpected valve position indications in the propulsion system," the company said. Engineering teams ruled out a number of potential causes, including software, but needed additional time to complete the assessment. Boeing did not say when its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft would launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Were going to let the data lead our work, John Vollmer, vice president and program manager for Boeings Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement. Our team has worked diligently to ensure the safety and success of this mission, and we will not launch until our vehicle is performing nominally and our teams are confident it is ready to fly. MORE: Boeing plans to launch Starliner to Space Station Tuesday The OFT-2 mission was previously scheduled to launch Friday but got pushed to Tuesday when a new Russian module encountered issues after docking with the International Space Station on Thursday. The module's thrusters began firing inadvertently and caused the space station to lose attitude control (attitude is the orientation of the spacecraft relative to Earth). The station made roughly 1.5 rotations at a speed slow enough to go unnoticed by crew members. Ground teams later regained attitude control and stabilized the motion of the space station. NASA said the astronauts were never in danger, and the glitch did not appear to affect other space station systems or structures. Boeing is developing the Starliner spacecraft as part of NASAs Commercial Crew program, where companies (not NASA) own and operate the capsules trusted to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. NASA provided funding and expertise, and it buys seats as a customer, but the companies ultimately designed the spacecraft. SpaceX is also part of this program and launched its crewed test flight on May 30, 2020. It received NASA certification and then launched its first non-test flight with four people on Nov. 15, 2020. When Boeing does launch its OFT-2 mission, it will be the company's second uncrewed test flight to attempt docking with the International Space Station. The first flight in December 2019 had a software error that prevented Starliner from reaching the space station. Boeing chose to fly another uncrewed mission before conducting its first crewed flight. Trying to figure out whether employees want to work at home, in-person or with a hybrid schedule? Consider emailing them a link for a web-based questionnaire. Are your friends trying to decide on the best locale for a Sunday picnic? An emailed survey could help. And what about deciding the fate of a $9 billion plan to rebuild I-45? Thats a different matter. At least, it should be. And yet, The Texas Department of Transportation is relying on a SurveyMonkey poll to guide the agency in its decision-making about the massive construction project expanding the north-south spine through Americas fourth-largest city. In the survey, TxDOT asks a single question about the stalled I-45 project to determine whether it should remain in the agencys 10-year unified transportation program, and then provides two answers to choose from: support maintaining project and funding as proposed or support removing project and funding. This digital salvo is the latest twist in years of legal battles and political maneuvering with Houston, Harris County and the federal government now pitted against Texas. As the editorial board has said time and again, this is no way to run a railroad or a highway construction project. This region deserves nothing less than leaders at every level of government who work out the legitimate concerns of the constituents they represent in smart, transparent and mature ways. Over the past 15 years, TxDOT has held countless meetings in person and virtually to review options, and theyve made scores if not hundreds of changes, eventually winning over some community advocates. Belinda Everette, housing chair for the Houston chapter of the NAACP, told the editorial board in April that TxDOT has been a great partner in finding ways to offset the impact of an expanded road on residents within the city of Houston who will lose their homes. The SurveyMonkey poll, with its take-it-or-leave-it question, is part of a 30-day comment period that included a virtual public hearing Monday. In an email to the editorial board, a TxDOT representative clarified that the online survey is only one tool and the agency is using many different tools to receive as much input as possible, from as many residents, organizations, and elected officials as possible. Amy Dinn, an attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid, speaking on behalf of Independence Heights, said during the Monday hearing that the I-45 plan will have a revolutionary impact on the neighborhood by replacing the culvert under the I-45 and Loop 610 interchange that has long flooded residents upstream. The neighborhood has also been promised affordable housing for displaced residents within their communities and funding for a pocket park and cultural preservation. Though TxDOT has secured support from some Black and brown communities, the Federal Highway Administration has demanded a halt to the project while it investigates whether the plans violate civil rights laws and Harris County has sued TxDOT after the agency rejected repeated suggestions on how to adjust the project design in a way that minimizes displacement of residents and businesses. This pause is an opportunity for negotiation. The in-depth engagement by the city and county with communities yielded a number of proposed changes worth consideration, including dedicated transit lanes, safer crossings for pedestrians and ideas for keeping the highway in its current footprint. TxDOT Executive Director James Bass has explained that the agency can refine the project with input from the city and county but not re-define it without going back to square one in a years-long process by establishing new goals. Reduced right of way, according to TxDOT, could eliminate capacity, reduce safety or limit stormwater management and thereby redefine the project. The up-or-down funding question in the online poll which can read as a threat to remove billions in funding to the Houston region puts this distinction in the starkest terms. A simple no to rebuilding I-45 only leaves a multitude of problems in place from flooding to air pollution to unpredictable travel times, not to mention deadly crashes, which are on the rise even as more Houstonians stayed home during the pandemic. A study released last month by Budget Direct, an insurance company, found I-45 to be the most dangerous road in America with 56.5 fatal crashes for every 100 miles of roadway. The alternatives suggested by the mayor, according to LINK Houstons Jonathan Brooks, would create safer corridors. I want to reject a yes-no vote on something that is this important, this expensive, that is this monumental for generations to come, Molly Cook, an organizer with Stop TxDOT I-45, commented during the Monday hearing. Many speakers agreed with this sentiment, including those who urged TxDOT to move forward. If redefining the project is a roadblock, we urge decision makers at the FHWA, TxDOT, county and city to meet face-to-face albeit with masks on and work through a dramatic and thorough refinement. They could gather at any one of several picnic spots with views of I-45 the Leonel Castillo Community Center, Raven Tower, Aldine Ninth Grade School. We will be happy to send them a SurveyMonkey with possible meeting places and times. Regarding They went to hell and back for us on Jan. 6. The least we can do is listen. (July 27): A long, long time ago, Chico Marx asked a question which was intended to be funny in a perverse sort of way. I believe his question has been effectively resurrected in the present, but it is not funny: Who do you gonna believe, me or your own eyes? Instead of a Marx brother, the one asking this question today is Donald Trump. Norman Bunch, Houston Mask and vaccine mandates Regarding Walmart mandates vaccines for workers at headquarters, but not at stores, (July 31): Hats off to Walmart for requiring that all workers at its headquarters as well as its managers who travel within the U.S. be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Such a move from the nations largest retailer and private employer is monumentally important and necessary at this point in our fight against the virus. In addition, they are making more serious masking decisions for protecting employees and customers. Walmart is even paying $150 to all its employees who receive the vaccine. A most significant point is that they are tacitly saying what the CDC has been telling us for some time, that the more people get vaccinated the less chance the virus has to be transmitted. Less transmission means less chances for the virus to mutate into a more dangerous one. Walmarts voice is very powerful, and we really appreciate it. Toy Halsey, Houston Regarding We cant endanger the lives of the many to humor the misconceptions of the few, (Aug. 1): Leonard Pitts has gone where our political leaders fear to tread in his article: At this point, public interest supersedes personal choice. Personal choice has been the mantra for the anti-vaxxers, who happen to be overwhelmingly in the red states. Yet, despite another round of COVID infections which will incapacitate our institutions and economy, the Texas governor is more concerned with preventing his subjects from requiring masks in their businesses. Isnt this the individual choice of the business owner? The idea that the United States was founded on unfettered personal choice is a fallacy. The Founding Fathers, particularly James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, based their democratic belief system on the writings and philosophy of John Locke and Immanuel Kant. They teach that when an individuals plans and actions negatively affect another, then constraint or mandate may be required. The time is now to set a mandate on vaccines you have unfettered freedom with them and restrictions if not vaccinated. Michael Lamson, Houston Regarding Does Gov. Abbott have a plan for the Delta variant other than tying local officials hands? (July 28): The shortsightedness of Gov. Abbott and the GOPs regressive policies will cost Texas billions of dollars in the coming years. Because of their lack of leadership during the pandemic, the power grid, voting suppression laws and no safety nets for the health and safety of Texans, businesses will go elsewhere to attract the best and brightest workers. If my elected officials cannot see that life, health and inclusivity will impact our economy, they need to resign. At the rate that Texas is going with COVID and the delta variant, they wont have any Republicans left to vote for then. Its time for our state government to do the morally right thing and start acting on the behalf of all Texans. It is the only way to keep Texas strong and moving forward. Sarah Holmes , Kingwood Seems some folks are all up in arms over the governors new dont-make-me-wear-a-mask mandate. Now, our governor is pretty wily so I figure theres a good reason for him doing this. He knows that if a Texan is bound and determined to do or not do something, telling them to do otherwise is just going to get you crosswise with him or her and not going to change a thing. He also knows that the sooner we all get to herd immunity the faster this whole COVID mess will go away and he can just focus on reelection. I think he figures with this delta spreading like wildfire, the sooner folks get it, the sooner they recover and have antibodies. This is good because they stop spreading it. Now some may end up really sick or dead but bless their little hearts, they will know that no one made them get vaxxed or masked when they didnt want to. And they will stop spreading COVID too. And maybe, just maybe, some folks might even get vaxxed because they were going to do it, just wanted to do it when they were darn good and ready not when someone told them to. And now seems like a darn good time. God bless Texas. A. C. Fant, Houston New York versus Texas Regarding Texas just passed New York in COVID-19 deaths, despite once trailing by 29,000. Heres how. (July 30): It should be noted that we have almost 10 million more people in Texas than in New York so this should be looked at per capita. So unfair to compare with overall numbers when Texas is larger and more populated. I know you are trying to say our Texas government hasnt handled things the way you think it should, but be fair with your reporting. Loree Brazil, Katy WASHINGTON Texas and Florida accounted for a third of the new COVID cases reported in the U.S. over the last week, the White House said on Monday as it continues to urge Americans to get vaccinated. We remain concerned about the continued rise in cases driven by the delta variant, White House COVID coordinator Jeff Zients said. These cases are concentrated in communities with lower vaccination rates. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas reported an average of 8,851 cases per day over the last week. Florida reported an average of 12,168. The national average was 66,606 new cases per day. The two states account for about a sixth of the nations population. RELATED: Over 65% of Texans support vaccine mandates, poll says Just more than 55 percent of Texans 18 and older are fully vaccinated, according to to CDC data published Monday. That was 38th in the nation. Roughly 59 percent of Florida residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated, 31st in the nation. Zients said that 3 million Americans got vaccine shots over the last week, the highest weekly total since July 4, which he touted as a significant milestone and a sign that more Americans are getting vaccinated as the delta variant spreads. Still, he said, the White House is looking for ways to encourage more people to get vaccinated. President Joe Biden has urged states to offer $100 to residents who get vaccinated and last week he announced that federal workers will have to sign forms attesting theyve been vaccinated or else be required to wear masks, take weekly tests and more. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, issued an executive order last week barring local governments from limiting the capacity of restaurants and other businesses or requiring facial coverings, even if they are located in a hospital region with a high level of COVID-19 patients. ben.wermund@chron.com As he defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone was beaten and tased, he testified before a House select committee. Fanone, 40, described being dragged into the crowd, stripped of his badge, and threatened with chants to "kill him with his own gun." He said he fell unconscious, suffered a heart attack, and was later diagnosed with a concussion, a brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Now, some social media users are falsely claiming that Fanone played a much different role during the insurrection not as an officer guarding the Capitol, but as a rioter who stormed it. Their posts on various platforms were flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) The posts shared July 28 on Facebook and Instagram place two photographs side by side, with text overlaid above them suggesting that theyre the same person. "Its the same b----," the text over the photographs says. "Yo Michael, we see you." PolitiFact The captions published alongside the posts make similarly false claims, or suggest that one person is a "crisis actor" who was pretending to be the other as part of a "deep state" scheme. But the two men in the photographs are not the same person, and one wasnt pretending to be the other. One photograph in the posts shows Fanone, the D.C. police officer, during his July 27 testimony before Congress. The other shows Kevin Seefried of Delaware, who was indicted on five charges after entering the Capitol with his son, Hunter Seefried, who was also indicted. "That is not Officer Fanone," said Sean Hickman, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., when asked about the second photograph showing Seefried. Further proof that they are not the same includes their actions and outfits on Jan. 6. Fanone was dragged into the crowd by rioters on the Capitol grounds that afternoon, the video footage from his body camera shows. The House select committee investigating the insurrection played the footage during his testimony, as Fanone talked about it. Fanone described to lawmakers his whereabouts throughout the day. He said he arrived at the Capitol around 3 p.m. But around the same time on Jan. 6, Seefried was inside the Capitol. According to court filings, Seefried confirmed in a voluntary interview with the FBI that he had entered the Senate building through a broken window at approximately 2:13 p.m., and that he had brought a Confederate flag to Washington from his home in Delaware, where he usually displays it outside. And while the photograph of Seefried in the social media posts shows him wearing a sweatshirt and a coat, Fanone was in "full uniform" at the Capitol, he testified. Court documents in the case against another man who allegedly assaulted Fanone confirm that he was dressed that way. We rate the posts Pants on Fire! Chicago, IL (60637) Today Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 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Hudson, NY (12534) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet in New Iberia for t BHS Limits Visitations as COVID Cases Rise PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Health Systems is changing it visitation guidelines beginning Wednesday to one visitor per patient and requiring medical-grade masking within its facilities. Berkshire County has seen a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases, suspected to be the Delta variant, and an increase in hospitalizations. Some 60 new cases were reported over the weekend, and more than 100 since July 22 as well as two deaths. More than half the new cases in the past week are from North Adams Commons, where 30 residents and five staff members were found to be infected. Much higher numbers are being seen in the eastern part of the state. "COVID-19 is resurging across the nation, but, for now, Berkshire County remains among the areas of low to moderate positivity," said Dr. James Lederer, BHS' chief medical and quality officer. "Our health-care facilities are safe, and our community should have no hesitation in seeking out the services they count on from our health-care providers. "Those who are vaccinated run a far lower risk of being infected, and if there are breakthrough infections, research has shown that the vast majority come with less severe symptoms or no symptoms at all." As of Monday evening, Berkshire Medical Center had eight patients (of whom four are from the nursing home) and 11 pending tests. The statewide hospitalization numbers have doubled from 100 to more than 200 in the past two weeks with the average age being 35. Public health officials say the Delta variant is more easily transmissible even among vaccinated but is less likely to cause serious consequences in protected individuals. The Berkshires vaccination rate for eligible individuals (12 and older) stands at about 68 percent. This still leaves a significant portion of the population, including children, unprotected. According to an internal BHS email, about 800 of its employees are still not vaccinated. Residents are strongly urged to get vaccinated. Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital will limit visitation to one "healthy" visitor per patient in both adult medical/surgical units and pediatrics, compared to two visitors allowed previously. Visitation hours remain unchanged and are available from noon to 8 daily in the adult medical surgical units and 2 to 8 p.m. in the Critical Care and Progressive Care units. Visitation guidance has not changed for maternity, the hospitals' Emergency Departments, outpatient services and physician practices where one visitor has been allowed per patient for some time. All patients and visitors must wear a new medical-grade mask upon each entry to the facility and must use that mask during their visitation or appointment. The free masks will be given to anyone entering a BHS facility and provide enhanced protection for patients and visitors compared to re-used masks that likely have degraded in quality over time. This policy will be implemented in accordance with new Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines on masking. COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be offered across Berkshire County, with vaccines being administered in Pittsfield and North Adams at the BHS COVID-19 testing facilities and in Great Barrington at Fairview Hospital. Walk-ins are welcome. Testing and vaccine appointments can also be made by calling the BHS COVID Hotline, 855-262-5465, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The hotline is also available for any questions involving COVID-19, vaccination and testing. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. While the first half of 2020 saw all sorts of hardships brought upon Filipinos, the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a rare career-changing opportunity to a young security guard at a radio station just outside Metro Manila. Al-Nasser Nash Joaquino, 23, from Zamboanga City, had been working as a night guard at Bictor Arnas Dy Broadcasting Center in Barangay Silaway, Mandalupa City for nearly 2 years. When Mike Reyes, the host of the stations daily news program, Flash Patrol informed the station that he would not be able to continue his hosting duties until the pandemic is over, the owners searched for a replacement with little luck. Facing no other options, they turned to Kuya Nash (also known around the station as Kuya Guard) who was known for his easy sense of humor. After some quick training, Nash was made host of the news show and Flash Patrol was relaunched with an emphasis on humorous and blunt commentary. Kuya Nash reading the headlines on Flash Patrol In the months since, the show has been slowly gaining a dedicated audience that appreciates Nashs down-to-earth commentary and folksy humor. The cleverness of "Flash Patrol" is how it embraces Kuya Nashs ignorance about most current events. This not only provides plenty of fodder for comedy but also allows the audience to approach familiar topics from a fresh perspective untainted by prejudgments. We caught up with Kuya Nash to chat about his transition from guard to radio host and his experiences in his new role so far. How did you feel when you were offered the job to host a news show? I didnt expect this job, 100%. I alway believed that in my future I would have a tire-patching job. Or some other simple, dirty job. Or maybe as a helper or driver, like that. How was the experience when you first started hosting the show? I was excited but I also had a fear. My brain knew I could do it, but my body thought I cannot. Its like the devil and angel sitting on my shoulders talking to me. The Devil was saying, You cannot do this, youre just a security guard. Why would people listen to you? Youre not famous. And then the Angel would say, You can do this, just stick it out. Dont quit. And then I realized that the work is not so difficult after all, because if I like something, its easier for me to do. Now, I know that anyone can be a news show host. You don't need any special skills or talent to be a host. I'm the proof of that. Can you talk more about the differences between your new job and your old job of being a guard? Flash Patrol is my second job, but for me its my first real one. When youre a guard, you feel like you can get fired at any time, or your posting will change to another location. There are no breaks or days off. Mostly you're just waiting around for nothing. Its like the army but for lazy people. You dont really care about the work when you're a guard. It's like you're just drifting down a river. But for my new job as a host, I feel like its serious and I have to step up. It can lead to a better future. And also I can choose my own break time. What other things do you like about your new life as a host? Since now I am living inside the station, there is an AC in my room which is like a dream come true. An AC is like having an open window but without the mosquitos. I cannot afford to pay for it though, so I never use it. But its fine, I can still take selfies with it. Also, when I was still the guard I was living outside in the station's parking area. I had to pay money to use the public CR in the barangay. It was 5 pesos to pee and 10 pesos for BM (bowel movement). So I learned to hold it a long time to save money. Sometimes I would need to wait until payday to use the CR. Now I can go any time I want, so I really feel like a king. What happens when you must talk about a news story that you are not familiar with? Some news is okay, I know a little about it already. But many times I dont have any knowledge so I have to google it and study first or ask my boss about it to understand better. But mostly when I give comments on my show, I try to capture the thoughts and feelings of the audience so they can relate. I want to talk about things everyone can relate to, things that are true. Are you worried at all about being influenced by fake news or misinformation online? I dont write the news stories, I just react to them. My boss tries to make sure the headlines only come from (reputable sources) that are not fake, so we can avoid fake news as much as possible. How have your friends or family reacted to your new career? First they dont believe me. Most of my friends think Im still a security guard or a grab driver and Im just hiding it from them. It sucks because sometimes friends arent really your friends, they dont want to see you succeed. So I stopped posting about my life because people were judging me and calling me fake. Now I just play along and laugh when I see them doubting me. I'm too tired to deal with that. Are you worried what will happen if Tito Mike wants to host a news show again? Honestly, it makes me nervous. I pray for his good health and for his soul. But for him to return to work, no way! Mostly I try not to think about it, but other times I feel like doing a magic ritual to keep him from coming back. I think those rituals require a sacrifice, like a chicken or something, but I cant afford it so I will use ketchup instead, and maybe a candle. Like a payless ritual. I dont have Tito Mike's photo, but maybe I can write his name with charcoal and also draw a (pentagram). I think in movies they pray in Latin during these rituals, but I dont know Latin so I hope it works in Tagalog. Maybe that will help. Kuya Nash posing in front of the his radio station in mid 2020 You can listen to Flash Patrol Monday-Thursdays mornings on Magik FM stations in Vigan, Laoag, Tacloban, Dipolog, Mandalupa, Lucena and Tuguegarao and or as a podcast for free on Spotify and other podcast apps. ASUS Business has teamed up with Globe at Home and Shopee to make online learning more affordable for students with its E-Skwela Essentials promotion. Every purchase from the ASUS Expert Series store at Shopee comes with a Php500 voucher from Globe at Home that can be used for homeschooling essentials, namely the Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi, Globe Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid WiFi, and Globe at Home LTE-Advanced Prepaid WiFi. Alternatively, one can enjoy a Php1,500 voucher from ASUS that can be used to buy any product from the ASUS Expert Series Shopee store when buyers purchase any Globe at Home Prepaid Wi-Fi device. The Best K-12 Laptop For students who are still looking for a laptop this upcoming school year, then the ASUS BR1100F is the perfect device. The ASUS BR1100F is the best K-12 laptop for online learning thanks to its features such as AI Noise cancelling microphone, 3D Noise reduction web camera and a touch enabled display to name a few. A precision stylus is also included to get every detail just right when drawing, note-taking, or marking up documents. This can also help students let their creativity flow as well as assist them on their traditional writing skills. The promotional event started last July 20, 2021 and will last until August 18, 2021. While the vouchers on the other hand are valid until July 19, 2022. Visit the official ASUS Expert Series Shopee store for the full list of offerings. This year's edition of National Small Business Week, now open for registration, includes a broad slate of online resources, events, and networking opportunities aimed at helping business owners. The free virtual summit will take place from September 13 through 15, offering access to representatives from Fortune 500 companies, opportunities to network with other business owners, and time to hear from experts in various industries. Attendees also can take advantage of business counseling sessions and attend educational panels to learn new skills. And entrepreneurs will be able to use resources from Score, a Herndon, Virginia-based nonprofit that provides free and low-cost business mentorship partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In its announcement on Monday, the SBA said the three-day event will "honor the nation's 30 million small businesses for their perseverance, ingenuity, triumphs, and creativity." Resilience and renewal are major themes of the week, according to the SBA's website. "The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that connection is key to resilience," SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said in a video message linked in the announcement. "We know now more than ever, our networks make us stronger." You can register here for the National Small Business Week Summit. The list of speakers for the week will be announced later, the agency said. Sarah Ferguson probably knows a thing or two about snobs. The Duchess of York married into the royal family in 1986 and remains one of its most unconventional members quite the feat. Her latest venture is a novel for Mills & Boon, famous for their raunch-filled romance books that often invite a snobbery of their own from literary critics. But Her Heart for a Compass is by no means a poor effort; it manages to meet most expectations for a Mills & Boon book while quietly subverting some of their worst traits. There are scant details about Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott Lady M who inspired the book, something Ferguson and her co-writer, Mills & Book veteran Marguerite Kaye, take full advantage of. Readers will recognise much of Ferguson herself in the books flame-haired heroine. Lady M flees an arranged marriage to a man she hates, first to Ireland, where she writes childrens books. Then its off to New York where she becomes scandal a journalist and philanthropist. At 500 pages, the book predictably becomes a bit of a slog at times, but Fergusons character is likeable enough to make you want to stick with her. Theres an impressive amount of historical detail, although it frequently comes across as an afterthought or is crowbarred in. Victorian photographer Jabez Hughes gets a fleeting mention, as does Florence Nightingale. Some passages, such as one about the dry goods store AT Stewarts, read like Wikipedia entries: Known as the Iron Palace, each of the floors and galleries of this magnificent dry goods store were filled with light from the huge windows and the glass dome which soared above the central atrium. The writers are more occupied by setting up new obstacles for Lady M. Mills & Boon fans may be disappointed by the absence of any improper relations. There is a kiss with a priest, then a long stretch before some tongue-tangling in front of a roaring waterfall. Theres a little of Little Womens Jo March in Lady M and her determination to find herself before agreeing to marry, as well as in her questioning of social conventions. She doesnt swoon so easily as other Mills & Boon heroines or express any desire to be dominated by a brooding older man, as per genre standards. There are some inconsistencies in the writing style, which is most likely due to there being two authors than any lack of experience on Fergusons part. What is sustained is Lady Ms development her impulsive nature is gradually replaced by a more mature way of dealing with her problems than simply running away from them. Her Heart for a Compass wont set pulses racing, but it does a good job of warming the cockles. Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson is out now, published by Mills & Boon and HarperCollins, 14.99 Filmmaker James Gunn has explained how he decided which characters to kill off in the newly released comic adaptation The Suicide Squad. The film is a loose sequel to and reboot of 2016s critically panned Suicide Squad, and follows a team of supervillains including Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), and Peacemaker (John Cena). Many members of the Suicide Squad dont make it out of the film alive, with writer-director Gunn willing to sacrifice characters in violent and gory ways in service to the story. There were some characters that I chose and I knew that when I chose those characters, they were gonna die, he explained in a recent interview with Jake Hamilton on YouTube. And some of them were gonna die earlier and some of them were gonna die later, but then sometimes, when youre crafting a story, part of it is just following instinct. Sometimes people would get killed that I dont wanna see killed, he added. Gunn, who is best known for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy films for Marvel, said that two of the deaths hit him particularly hard. Theres two characters, in particular, that every time I watch the movie, I get teary-eyed because I dont want to see those characters die, he said. But I think it served the greater story of the film so thats why it happens. Since The Suicide Squad was released, some fans have complained about the film receiving a 15 age rating from the BBFC, questioning whether the films extreme violence should have warranted a harsher restriction. The ratings organisation then responded, offering an explanation as to the films rating. The Suicide Squad is out in UK cinemas now. When people ask Poorna Jagannathan what kind of roles shed like to play, she can never come up with an answer. She says its hard for her, as a brown woman jostling for space in art, to centre herself. Its so hard to imagine yourself as the centre of the story, the star of Never Have I Ever says over a night-time Zoom call from Maine, sitting in a shuttered room aglow with the light from a table lamp. The 48-year-old actor was born in Tunisia to an Indian diplomat father and grew up all over the world in Pakistan, Ireland, India, Brazil and Argentina. Youre always bitching about the fact that no one else is imagining you as the centre of the story, but the truth is that youre so marginalised and so on the fringes, that its hard for you to think of yourself that way. And shes not entirely off the mark. Hollywood doesnt have a stellar reputation for portraying authentic stories about brown people without lampooning or stereotyping their immigrant experience. But Mindy Kalings Never Have I Ever changed things for the actor whose play Nirbhaya was The New York Times Critics Pick. Never Have I Ever, a coming-of-age high school comedy series created by Kaling and Lang Fisher, dropped its second season on Netflix on 15 July to solid reviews. It follows the life of bright-but-headstrong teen Devi, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. Jagannathan is her overbearing mother, Tamil-American dermatologist Dr Nalini Vishwakumar, who finds herself struggling to connect with her daughter after the death of her husband. Shes the very image of the disciplinarian immigrant mother keeping an eagle eye on her daughters grades and romantic life (or lack thereof) and a tight grip on her own longings for love, lust and roots. Like most truly diverse stories being told in Hollywood right now, Never Have I Ever is an inside job, says the actor, who had a starring role in the 2016 HBO crime drama The Night Of, as well as breakthrough performances in TheBlacklist, Better Call Saul and Big Little Lies. On set: back left, Mindy Kaling, front left, Poorna Jagannathan as Nalini, centre, Richa Moorjani as Kamala and right, Ramakrishnan as Devi (Lara Solanski/Netflix) Who has agency is changing slowly in Hollywood, she continues. Who is writing these stories is changing. And its very recent. So when you see Never Have I Ever, Master of None, Crazy Rich Asians, theyre not written by white people. Theyre written by us, right? True to her Indian culinary roots, Jagannathan has a food reference handy. The diversity on screen feels like the pulp of a mango ... the characters are messy, and theyre fleshy, and its hard to get a grip on them. Its because, she says, right from the writers room to production and costume, from the different shades of brown feminism down to even the authenticity of the food served on screen, the diversity on the show runs deep. Theres diversity at every point, she says. Its not diversity that comes at the end where the cast is diverse the writers room is bursting with diversity ... We have amazing trans actors on the show and you know, theres no reference to their sexuality. Theyre just transacting ownership. Im a single mom, but Im living with four generations of women in a traditional family. Theres just so many types of diversity and so many types of sexuality that are portrayed. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up A lot on the show is relatable for Jagannathan, especially the kind of weird strictness with which all Indian children grow up. Jagannathans fine arts degree, a stint in advertising and her world view all combine to position her in a unique place in cinema right now and it reflects in the roles she plays. The actor and producer collaborated with South African playwright Yael Farber to create a powerful play called Nirbhaya (The Fearless One), a pseudonym used by the media for the victim of a brutal sexual assault and murder in Delhi in December 2012 a crime that led to India changing its rape laws (the definition of rape was amended to include other forms of penetration). The aftermath of the gruesome crime was an early flag-bearer of the countrys first #MeToo movement, because it brought young people onto the streets to demand greater accountability. Poorna Jagannathan in a still from the Netflix hit (Netflix/YouTube/Screengrab) The Nirbhaya play won an Amnesty International award. Jagannathan, who was sexually assaulted at the age of nine something shes spoken about in the past was feted for a performance that evoked a visceral reaction from her audience. It united them in a common sisterhood of grief and rage a theme she explores in her new show as well. The show is a fantastic anatomy of grief, says Jagannathan. I think the second season deals with how it looks when youve lost someone, and you are moving forward without necessarily moving on. It creates a unique bond between Nalini and her mother-in-law, the women separated by a generational gap and yet united by their loneliness. And Jagannathan hopes the feminism of the two women, rooted so much in empathy, will translate to something outside of the show for women. I looked at myself, I looked at my mothers life, and its so intensely crazy. And I cannot imagine a life where I couldnt bring that on screen. It feels so unfulfilling to portray a sliver of what the immigrant experience feels like. And suddenly theres a show where I feel like the immigrant experiences are fleshed out. Its complicated. Its messy. Jagannathan burst onto the movie scene in India with a small role as an irreverent journalist in the 2011 comedy Delhi Belly. With her anglicised accent, angular face, a mop of corkscrew hair and dark skin, she immediately broke the popular mould of what leading women were expected to look like in Bollywood. Jagannathan is keenly aware of the added responsibility women artists, especially those of colour, bear in shaping opinions about politics in South Asia where violence against women is high and the burden often lies on their shoulders to speak up. As a survivor, she knew that every woman would have a story when she sought to break the cycle of silence about sexual violence through Nirbhaya. When Nirbhaya opened in Mumbai, people in the 1,000-seat theatre stood in line and came to the microphone one by one to tell their own story of sexual violence. And it was the power of shifting shame from survivor on to the perpetrator where it rightly belongs, says Jagannathan. I feel the Indian #MeToo movement was the eruption of anger from a country where there is no justice for stuff like sexual violence. I mean it just seems like we are left to be eaten by the wolves all the time. You know, when we speak up, its such a shift. And I love the ferocity of the #MeToo movement in India. Dissent, a cornerstone of democracy, is a muscle that you have to cultivate. And we are not taught to Poorna Jagannathan As artistic freedoms get curtailed by authoritarian governments in this part of the world, with politically vocal artists bearing the brunt of conservatism and online harassment, Jagannathan says dissent, a cornerstone of democracy, is a muscle that you have to cultivate. And we are not taught to, she adds. We are taught to obey authority. Its ungodly to voice a contrarian opinion. Were just not used to people speaking up, and were not used to women speaking up. How much evidence do you need to understand the nature of sexual violence? She was furious when Bill Cosby walked free. I often think its so interesting that as a society we have agreement that violence towards women is normal, she says. And part of taking the power back is also finding the artistic freedom to tell ones own stories. Freedom is an opportunity to create as an actor, she says. The streaming platforms have opened up different places to tell your stories and therefore, different stories are being told. Its about time. The new animated sitcom The Prince sets out to be a satirical portrait of Britains royal family, and it already has the usual suspects up in arms. The Telegraph called the show a Hollywood insult, while The Daily Mail was moved to come to Prince Georges defence and ask: Should children be off limits in comedy? I take issue with this question because its far too generous to class The Prince as comedy. The eight-year-old prince around whom the show revolves may be portrayed as shallow, self-absorbed and vapid, but much more offensive is just how unfunny theyve made him and his predictably dysfunctional family. If George had personally rounded up a group of his primary school mates, theyd surely have been able to crayon together a funnier script than this royal mess. Each episode of The Prince which was released in the US on HBO Max and is currently without a home in the UK opens with a Royal Decree on parchment. It reads: You are ordered to enjoy the following programme. But please note, all persons and events in this show are entirely fictional. Like, this isnt really the royal family. Its like, a parody, or whatever. And certain recent events will not be reflected in this programme because, again, not real. So, chill. Thats an order. This is, of course, a necessary measure, just in case any viewers switched on to see scheming children and eyeless hordes of monstrous subterranean tart-makers and assumed theyd accidentally put on The Crown. The certain recent events line is a reference to the death of Prince Philip in April, which caused the shows release to be delayed by several months. In the show Philip is still alive, if barely. Hes presented as a babbling almost-corpse who has to be recharged nightly, although if the servants forget they can always get away with propping him up Weekend at Bernies-style. At least one good thing that came out of the real Philip dying is that he got to leave this world without ever having to sit through an episode of The Prince. By midway through the 12-episode series I had already started to envy the dead. Speaking of recent events ignored by the show, its worth noting that Georges (not so) great-uncle Prince Andrew goes entirely unmentioned. A more fearless show could have displayed its teeth by, you know, actually satirising the royal family as it is. Instead we get guest appearances from Americas equivalent of royalty, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Any potential for real bite is lost in this landslide of American pop-culture references, some of which may baffle British viewers. In the first episode, Prince George think Stewie from Family Guy minus the murderous impulses and the wit is distraught because hes just learned Kelly Ripa doesnt follow him on Instagram. I mean, why wouldnt a British child be obsessed with an American daytime TV host? The show is full of these sorts of anachronisms. At one point George refers to watching cable that can probably be best explained by assuming nobody on the shows writing staff has ever spent any time in Britain. George is voiced by Gary Janetti, who also created the show. Formerly a writer and producer for Family Guy, Janetti has for several years been posting pictures of young Prince George on his Instagram account, along with imagined catty remarks and sarcastic dialogue. The posts have earned Janetti a sizeable following and, evidently, created the impetus to make this show. Though this is perhaps a valuable lesson that what makes for a popular Instagram caption doesnt necessarily translate to scripted comedy. The Prince trailer The voice cast is filled out by an array of A-listers, although even proven comedy talents like Lucy Punch (as Kate Middleton), Alan Cumming (as Georges butler Owen) and Frances de la Tour (as a capricious and foul-mouthed Queen) struggle to elevate the leaden material. Both Dan Stevenss Prince William and Orlando Blooms Prince Harry are portrayed as relentlessly dull and dim, and precious little comedy is squeezed out of Harrys attempts to make it in his new life in LA as either a masseuse or a barista. If this palace has any positives, it can at least be said that the 13-minute episodes are mercifully short (even if they often feel longer). The royal family are ripe for satire and rich with comic potential, but when it comes to The Prince, in the immortal words of Georges great-great-great-great-great-grandmother: We are not amused. Brian Austin Green has defended Kim Kardashians daughter, North West, following claims that she had faked a painting. Back in February, Kardashian was forced to defend North from critics after they suggested an artwork she had painted was done by someone else. At the time, Kardashian posted the picture with the caption My little artist North. My daughter and her best friend have been taking a serious oil painting class where their talents and creativity are being encouraged and nurtured, she wrote on her Instagram Stories at the time. North worked incredibly hard on her painting, which took several weeks to complete. As a proud mom, I wanted to share her work with everyone. Over on Instagram today (Tuesday 3 August), Green revealed a painting that his eight-year-old son Noah had created in the same art class as North. He went on to defend the children, saying the work is unbelievable but true. Someone told me that Kim K was given a hard time for posting a pic of a painting North had done, he wrote across the image his son had painted. Noah is now working on the same thing in the same art class. Its unbelievable but true. The kids are painting these, and Norths is beautiful. Back in February, Kardashian addressed the backlash directly saying: Im seeing op-ed pieces in the media and social media from grown adults breaking down whether or not my child actually painted this! How dare you see children doing awesome things and then try to accuse them of NOT being awesome! Please stop embarrassing yourselves with the negativity and allow every child to be GREAT! North West painted that she concluded. John Oliver doesnt have much hope for the upcoming Sex and the City reboot. The TV anchor said in a recent segment that the new show, titled And Just Like that... is never gonna work in the absence of Kim Cattralls Samantha Jones. Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis are all returning respectively as Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York, but Cattrall has declined to return to the franchise. What are you thinking? Its never gonna work without Kim Cattrall! Oliver whose show Last Week Tonight airs on HBO, Sex and the Citys original network said of the reboot. Its not that any of you are bad. Its that you only work together. I cant appreciate my puritan Charlotte if I dont have my naughty Samantha, he added. And I live for Miranda Hobbes, but if shes not serving side-eye while Samantha uses penne pasta to describe her new Italian lovers d***, what is the point? Cattrall has long distanced herself from the role of Samantha, declaring in 2017 that she had moved on from the character. She also said that Parker could have been nicer about her refusal to take part in a third Sex and the City movie. Cattrall went further in February 2018, following the death of her brother Chris. After Parker wrote a comment of condolence on Cattralls Instagram, Cattrall called Parker cruel and posted a photo of a message that read: I dont need your love or support at this tragic time @sarahjessicaparker. And Just Like That... has begun production in New York City. It will be comprised of 10 half-hour episodes and will follow Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their thirties to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their fifties. Joy Behar has vocally criticised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over his stance against mask mandates. Behar discussed the topic on Tuesdays episode of The View, days after DeSantis passed an executive order preventing the states schools from requiring children to wear masks. The order states that schools imposing mask mandates will risk losing their funding. DeSantis stuck to his position on Tuesday even as Florida broke its own record for Covid-19 hospitalisations. What am I missing here, Joy? The View co-host Whoopi Golberg asked Behar. Nothing, Behar replied. Youre just short of calling him a negligent, homicidal sociopath, because thats what he is. She added: What is he doing? Hes risking the lives of children, childrens parents, their grandparents, anyone they may come into contact with, so he can appeal to his white supremacist base, so he can continue in his career and get reelected. Lawyer and co-host Sunny Hostin chimed in: I think its really difficult to hold public officials accountable for things like that, because a lot of times you have qualified immunity in many instances. But I do have to agree that Governor DeSantis is somewhat of a menace when it comes to public health. The Independent has contacted DeSantiss office for comment. Health officials in the US have recommended that children wear masks when heading back to school this autumn. Children under 12 currently cannot get vaccinated against Covid-19 in the US, and the Pfizer shot is the only one authorised for children 12 years and up. Hospitals in Florida report putting emergency room patients in beds in hallways and are documenting a noticeable drop in the age of Covid patients, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday. Some hospitals are again banning visitors or postponing elective surgeries. DeSantis is running for re-election next year while eyeing a 2024 presidential bid. A central tenant of his national image among conservatives is his refusal to impose mask mandates at schools and in public or to impose restrictions on businesses. Additional reporting by The Associated Press A new Netflix documentary series will follow an all-civilian mission to space in near real-time. Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission To Space, announced by Netflix on Tuesday, will follow SpaceXs Dragon mission, also known as Inspiration4. SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, revealed the names of all four passengers who will take part in the journey in April this year. Dr Sian Proctor, Chris Sembroski, Jared Isaacman, and Hayley Arceneaux are all featured in promotional pictures newly unveiled by Netflix. The documentary is expected to air in September and will consist of five episodes. It will take viewers behind the scenes with the four crew members from their unconventional selection and intensive months-long commercial astronaut training, through the intimate and emotional moments leading up to lift-off, Netflix has announced. The final episode, which premieres just days after the mission is completed, will feature unprecedented access inside the spacecraft capturing the launch and the crew's journey to space, as well as their return home to Earth, the statement added. Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Dr Sian Proctor, and Chris Sembroski in Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space' (JOHN KRAUS/COURTESY OF NETFLIX) Netflix have billed the mission as the most ambitious step to date in the rapidly-developing age of civilian space exploration, making history as the first all-civilian mission to orbit. The news comes less than a month after billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos completed their respective trips to space. Queer Eye star Tan France has welcomed his first son by surrogate. In a post shared on Instagram on Monday (2 August), the reality TV star wrote that he and his husband Rob had just brought their son Ismail home from hospital for the first time after he was born prematurely. Give our son a warm welcome, France captioned the photo. Ismail France, born July 10th. He came 7 weeks early, so hes been in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) for the past 3 weeks. But, today, we finally got to bring him home. We love him so, so much. Like, fully obsessed. The fashion designer continued: Our Surrogate is doing so great, post labour, and we couldnt be more grateful for the greatest gift in our lives. In a post on his Bulletin page, France also revealed that both he and Rob missed their sons birth, as he had been back in the UK after their babymoon. I cried so hard, at the thought of not being there for our sons first moments, he wrote. I cried because I knew Rob was alone and that he needed my emotional support. I cried because I was so jealous that he was there with Ismail, and I wasnt. The Instagram post prompted an outpouring of support from Frances friends, with actor Gemma Chan commenting: Ohhhhhh congrats!! Congratulations to you all, Little Mixs Jade Thirlwall wrote France has appeared on the Netflix makeover series since 2018, working alongside Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk and Jonathan Van Ness as a member of the Fab Five. A Chinese actor has faced severe backlash on social media after footage of him shooting a video dancing on the Great Wall went viral on the countrys social media platforms. Yin Xiaotian, a 43-year-old actor who has worked in numerous television shows, apologised for his misguided behaviour soon after. Mr Yin had gone to the Great Wall of China to shoot a music video with a team of four people, including a cameraman. The actor, however, entered the site as a tourist and did not say he planned to shoot a music video, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP), quoting a manager of a section of the Great Wall. Some footage captured by other tourists of Mr Yin dancing on the site went viral on Chinese social media platforms, triggering outrage against him for disrespecting the world heritage site. The footage showed him dancing with four men standing on a section of the Wall in Hebei provinces Chengde city on Friday, reported (SCMP), quoting 163.com. Several users on social media platform Weibo attacked Mr Yin and demanded an apology. Its a melancholy area, the Great Wall, one Weibo user wrote, Its not appropriate to dance to hip hop since its not appropriate for the ambience (sic). He does not show any respect for the Great Wall. Even a small kid knows we should protect ancient heritage, but Yin Xiaotian went further by standing on the top of its verge, said another user. After the outrage, Mr Yin took to social media to apologise to his 6.7 million followers on Weibo, saying his actions set a wrong example to the public. Please dont copy my misguided behaviour. We should all obey management rules and pay attention to safety, he wrote. The world heritage site is one of the most popular tourist areas in the world, with millions visiting it every year. There are strict rules in place to not damage the site in any way, including scribbling on the wall, driving vehicles and pulling out bricks or soil. Olympian Krystsina Tsimanouskaya has said officials from Belarus "made it clear" she would face punishment if she returned home, after accusing team officials of trying to force her to leave the Tokyo Games early. They made it clear that upon return home I would definitely face some form of punishment, the 24-year-old told the Associated Press in a videocall interview. There were also thinly disguised hints that more would await me. She added that she believed she would be kicked off of the national team. The stand-off began after Tsimanouskayas criticism of how officials were managing her team set off a massive backlash in state-run media back home. The runner said on her Instagram account that she was put in the 4x400 metres relay even though she has never raced in the event. Her public criticism of the officials resulted in them taking to her to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, on August 2, for a short notice flight back to Belarus via Istanbulbut she refused to board the plane. Instead, she sought protection from local police, and a stand-off ensued between Belarusian officials, police and the athlete. Later that day, after offers of refuge from a number of countries, Tsimanouskaya was seen entering the Polish embassy in Tokyo, where she subsequently received a humanitarian visa. Belarus has come under increased global scrutiny lately for its crackdown on human rights, including freedom of expression, especially since a disputed presidential election in 2020. Just last month, Human Rights Watch documented widespread abusesincluding harassment and detentionsby Belarusian authorities against journalists, activists and critics. And now, it appears, vocal athletes. Tsimanouskayas case for refuge received a boost on Monday. In a voice recording shared online by advocacy group Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Belarusian officials are heard making veiled threats against the athlete. She, meanwhile, is heard sniffling, as if she had been crying. In the translated transcript of her comments, shes heard saying, I think this wont end with anything good for me. Responding to Tsimanouskayas case, a United Nations spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said: What is important is that everyone who asks for protection, for refugee status, is afforded that opportunity... The Japanese authorities have done what they can to protect her, and I think that is the most important part. No one should be forced to go home under threat or under force. Despite her Games being appended, Tsimanouskaya, in an interview reported in the AP, sounded optimistic: For now, I just want to safely arrive in Europe . . . meet with people who have been helping me and make a decision what to do next, the AP reported her as saying. I would very much like to continue my sporting career because Im just 24 and I had plans for two more Olympics, at least, the AP reported her saying. (But) for now, the only thing that concerns me is my safety. However, her Instagram page, the same platform that she used to voice her original criticism of Belarusian officials, appears to have been wiped clean of any images, posts or comments. A car bombing was followed by a prolonged firefight in Kabul with insurgents attacking the home of a parliamentarian in a supposedly secure area in the Afghan capital. A prominent politician was due to be present in the house when the assault took place in the early evening, according to security sources, who claimed the complex operation was an assassination attempt. A group of men attempted to burst into the building, reported to be the home of MP Azeem Baghlani, when guards and then security forces opened fire. Six people are said to have been injured in the shooting in the Sherpur district which has a number of government residences as well as the offices of aid agencies. The politician who was the alleged target of the attack, the son of a late prominent Afghan commander, is organising resistance groups against the Taliban offensive which has seen the Islamists seize swathes of the countryside and then launch assaults on key cities. Afghan armed forces have launched series of counterattacks in the battles and the US has stepped up airstrikes from other countries, having withdrawn from bases in Afghanistan, which have included the use of B-52 bombers from Diego Garcia. The Taliban, according to security and diplomatic officials, have threatened to bring the war to Kabul in response to the airstrikes and actions by the security forces in other parts of the country. Major attacks inside the city recently have been primarily sectarian, with the Hazara Shia community the main victims. An attack on a girls school four months ago killed 85 people, mostly students, and injured 150 others. Gunmen in police uniform had attacked the same area previously, storming a maternity hospital. Twenty-four people died, 16 of them women, expectant mothers and nurses. Two newborn babies were also among the dead. The attack in Kabul bookended another day of violence in Afghanistan. Fierce battles took place between the Taliban militant group and government forces in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southwestern province of Helmand, forcing the army to tell local residents to evacuate. On Tuesday, the UN said at least 40 civilians had been killed and more than 100 wounded in the previous 24 hours of fighting between Afghan government forces and insurgents. A beach on Lake Tahoe has been closed after local chipmunks tested positive for the plague, according to reports. El Dorado County officials said the Taylor Creek Visitor Center on Lake Tahoes Kiva Beach would be closed temporarily following chipmunks were found to have the plague. Carla Hass, a spokesperson for local authorities, said the animals had not come into contact with any humans, according to the Tahoe Daily Tribune. They hope their efforts to rid the area of the disease will be carried out by 5 August, and that the area will be open again by the weekend. Some areas will stay open, such as the Tallac Site and the Kiva picnic parking lot. The plague is a bacterial infection that is spread by feral rodents, such as chipmunks and rats, via their fleas. Humans can be infected through close contact with these animals. Symptoms show after two weeks. These range from fever, headache, chills, and weakness and swollen lymph nodes. There are three kinds of plague; septicemic, pneumonic and bubonic, which makes up 80 per cent of the US cases. To prevent contracting it, officials recommend using repellant and vaccinating your pets. Previously, public health officials have advised avoiding rodents. Its important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking or camping in areas where wild rodents are present, Dr Nancy Williams, the local public health officer, said in a statement in 2020 following a man being diagnosed with the disease. Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious. The resident of Lake Tahoe was the first person to be found to have the disease in five years in the state. Between 2016 to 2019, 20 local animals were found to be in contact with the disease, according to the AP. Before this, the last recorded diagnosis of the plague in California were two people believed to have contracted it after being bitten by a flea in Yosemite National Park. Last month, a 10-year-old girl died after contracting the disease in Colorado, but experts were unsure where and how she contracted it. Medical and health professionals are trying to track down where she contracted the disease, A local public health official from La Plata County told theThe Durango Herald. At this time, that is still unknown. According to the CDC, most of the cases of the plague happen in rural areas in the western region of the US, in states such as Oregon, Colorado and California and on average, there are seven cases a year. The last epidemic was in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1925. A sweltering heatwave in Greece, the countrys worst in 30 years, has forced residents to flee homes close to Athens. The temperatures were so high that officials were forced to close the Acropolis in the afternoon to tourists. It is usually open between 8am and 8pm, but will close between midday and 5pm during the heatwave. More than 300 firefighters with 35 vehicles and 10 aircraft battled a blaze in a densely vegetated area in the foothills of Parnitha mountain in the suburb of Varympompi, some 20 kilometres north of the capital. About 80 children had to leave the summer camp and villagers were ordered out of their homes. Dozens of homes are being burnt, Michalis Vrettos, deputy mayor of Acharnes region told Open TV as thick plumes of smoke rose over the houses behind him. Four people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties. In Athens, power grid operator IPTO said the fire had damaged parts of the grid, posing a major risk to the electricity supply in areas of the wider metropolitan region. The fire has also disrupted train routes and forced authorities to seal off part of a national motorway. Temperatures in parts of Athens have reached 42C. On Sunday, Greek authorities warned the public against unnecessary work and travel as temperatures his 40C. More than 1,000 people died in 1987 in Greeces deadliest heatwave, with scorching temperatures for over a week. It is the latest extreme weather event to hit Europe in recent weeks. The current heatwave has ravaged parts of the eastern Mediterranean, with wildfires affecting Greece, Italy and Turkey. As the Greek firefighters fought the blazes near Athens, Turkey was facing a seventh consecutive day of wildfires that have torn through some of its most popular tourist areas. It comes just weeks after floods ravaged parts of northern Europe, killing more than 150 people in German, Belgium, Netherlands and France. Additional reporting by agencies A polar bear has been deemed problematic and may be shot after causing injuries to humans, according to reports. The bear has been seen on a Danish military base in Greenland and earlier this week, popped its head through a window and bit the hand of a man from a visiting documentary crew. While the crew fired warning shots from pistols to scare away the bear, it returned and broke a window. The injured crew member was taken to a nearby military base for treatment. The Danish military said that the polar bear has been involved in five previous incidents and the situation had forced them to take action. "The local authorities have from now on categorised the bear as problematic, which allows for it to be shot dead, if it returns," the Danish military unit stated, according to a report. Greenland, which is partly located inside the Arctic Circle, has recently been experiencing sweltering heatwaves, reaching temperatures of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. As the ice melts, polar bears must move further to find food, bringing them in closer proximity to human populations. Reluctance is rife in Tanzania as the country embarks on its mass vaccination programme on Tuesday. Last week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was the first to take a jab at the statehouse grounds in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam, as she kicked off the campaign on a live nationwide broadcast event. Hassan moved to appeal to Tanzanians to consider taking the vaccines while assuring them of its efficacy and safety. I am a mother of four children who depend on me. I am grandmother to several grandchildren who loves me so much and I love them very much. I am also a wife. And on top of all of that I am a president and commander-in-chief in this country. There is no way I could have sacrificed myself and take myself to death knowing that I have all these responsibilities, said Hassan. An incident at the International Space Station was more dramatic and dangerous than previously explained, and a spacecraft emergency was declared, according to a new report. Last week, a Russian module Nauka arrived at the International Space Station after years of delay. But soon after it had docked, it caused major problems for the floating labs: its thrusters continued to fire, pushing the whole station out of its usual course and causing it to spin. Nasa said initially that the incident had taken it 45 degrees out of attitude, and that the crew was never in any danger. But Zebulon Scoville, the Nasa flight director who was leading mission control during the incident, said that it had moved far more severely off course. It had in fact spun one-and-a-half revolutions about 540 degrees before coming to a stop upside down, he told the New York Times. It then did a forward flip to get itself back into its original orientation, he said. Mr Scoville also said that he had been forced to declare his first ever spacecraft emergency during the incident. He told the paper that the incident had been a little incorrectly reported in the hours after it happened, during which Nasa made a number of public comments that suggested both the spinning and the danger it caused was relatively limited. Nasa did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. But the space agency confirmed to Space that the details of the report were true. Those numbers representing the change in attitude are correct, a representative said. Wed reiterate that the maximum rate at which the change occurred was slow enough to go unnoticed by the crew members on board and all other station systems operated nominally during the entire event. Another representative said that the 45-degree number was initially thought to be correct but that the more extreme roll had been realised in analysis after the fact, Space reported. Russia has blamed the issues on a software failure. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex should know better than to air information about their private lives, because it is distasteful claims ex Top Gear presenter James May. In an interview with the Radio Times, May said that Meghan and Harry story sounded a little distasteful and that he preferred the royal family to keep matters behind closed doors. In 2020, the couple and their son, Archie, relocated to California and stepped back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. The duke and duchess then began speaking more publicly about life inside the royal circle. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said her mental health had deteriorated so much while living in London that she had suicidal thoughts. Prince Harry has also said that he will be publishing a memoir of his life in 2022 covering everything from his military service to his marriage. But May told the magazine he did not agree with the behaviour. "The Meghan and Harry story sounded a little bit distasteful. People talking about their personal lives in public. "Everyones got issues like that, and I dont think the rest of us should know or care about it. He did also say that he generally doesnt take much interest in the British royal family. "I thought the whole point of a royal family is that they were supposed to be an exemplar. "Theyre aristocrats, arent they? Theyre supposed to know better - just keep it in, he added. Last month Prince Harry announced he would be publishing a book with Penguin Random House and it would be an accurate and wholly truthful account of his life that offers a definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him. The book will chart Prince Harrys journey from childhood to the present day, saying not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. Ive worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story - the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned - I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think, he said. Read the full interview with James May in Radio Times, out now. A university students elegant design has been selected as part of a competition to find the official emblem of the Queens Platinum Jubilee, which will take place in June 2022. The emblem, created by 19-year-old graphic design student Edward Roberts, features a stylised crown that incorporates the number 70 on a round background similar to a royal seal. The contest was launched by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in conjunction with Buckingham Palace in June, and was open to young people aged between 13 and 25. Roberts, a student at the University of Leeds, said he is over the moon that his design will appear on the Platinum Jubilees official merchandise and social media. Its just an amazing feeling to win it, I couldnt believe Id won it really. I thought I had achieved something by getting to the top 100 so to even win it - I was over the moon, he said. The panel of judges, which included graphic designers, artists, experts from the V&A and the Royal College of Art, and a representative from the royal household, described Roberts emblem as ingenious and with a human touch. Explaining his thought process behind the design, Roberts said he had a eureka moment when thinking of ways to symbolise the Queens historic reign. Having surpassed Queen Victoria to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history in 2015, the Queen will become the first to celebrate 70 years on the throne in 2022. I was thinking of ways I could re-create the continuity of the Queens reign in the design and I had a eureka moment. I thought if I could create a continuous line that incorporates the key features of St Edwards crown that would be a really good way of representing the continuing reign of the Queen, he said. He added: I wanted the design to also symbolise a royal seal and put it within a circle to give the impression of a royal wax seal and I think thats come across really effectively in the design. Paul Thompson, the vice-chancellor of the Royal College of Art, said the emblem design beautifully captures the Queens reign. This clean graphic design takes us on a simple line journey to create the crown and the number 70, beautifully capturing the continuous thread of Her Majesty The Queens 70-year reign. Drawn on a computer, the ingenious emblem works across all scales and the flow of the line gives us a sense of a human touch behind the digital design process, he said. As the winner of the competition, Roberts will be invited to attend the Jubilee celebrations, which will take place over a four-day public holiday, from 2 June to 5 June. The festivities will include a Platinum Pageant which will parade through the streets of London and a live concert at Buckingham Palace. Sarah Ferguson has defended her son-in-law Jack Brooksbank after pictures of him on a yacht in Capri with three women were published in the tabloid press. In an appearance on BBC Ones The One Show on Monday, August 2, Ferguson said the pictures portrayed a completely fabricated story, and that Brooksbank was in Capri as part of his job as an ambassador for Casamigos tequila. Brooksbank has been married to Fergusons youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie since 2018. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named August, in February 2021. On Sunday, 1 August, Mail Online published pictures of Brooksbank aboard a yacht in Capri with three women. According to the report, the women were Rachel Zalis, Casamigos global director, and models Maria Buccellati and Erica Pelosini. Speaking to The One Shows hosts, Alex Jones and Matt Baker, Ferguson said she felt it was really important to clarify what was seen in the pictures for Jacks sake. Jack, who was on the front page, is a man of such integrity, she said. Hes just one of my most favourite people, I call him James Bond actually. Hes just a superhero in my book, and hes a great father, a fabulous husband. Hes never at the front of house, he always likes to be at the back. So, for them to make this story is in fact, of course, completely fabricated. He works as an ambassador for Casamigos, and he was on doing his job, and so I think its really important that we clarify that for Jacks sake, she continued. Brooksbank was in Capri to attend Unicefs Summer Gala on 30 July. The event was reportedly sponsored by Casamigos, a tequila brand co-founded by American actor George Clooney. Speaking about becoming a grandmother for the first time, Ferguson said she would be more than happy for August to play with Barbies if he wishes. Ive had sisters with daughters, and now its Barbies put to one side, Ive got to get into cars and trucks and engines. Although it has to be said, lovely August, if he wants Barbies well bring the Barbies back out! I think in life we never judge anybody or anything, we just go for the heart, she said. She also revealed that her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, is due to give birth to her first child imminently. Beatrice is about to have her first - and shes already got Wolfie, who shes really good with, and hes five, so he likes watching Storytime with Fergie, she said, referring to Beatrices step-son Christopher. The chancellor has said it was really beneficial being in an office at the start of his career, having previously highlighted the benefits of young people being in the workplace. In an interview with LinkedIn news, Rishi Sunak spoke of the helpful relationships he made working in offices at the start of his career. Ahead of the easing of coronavirus restrictions last month, Mr Sunak told The Daily Telegraph it was really important for young people to be in a workplace and said he was looking forward to slowly getting back to that. Since 19 July, the government is no longer instructing people to work from home in England, and guidance published online says it expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer. Asked about a return to offices, Mr Sunak told LinkedIn News: I have spoken previously about young people in particular benefiting from being in offices. It was really beneficial to me when I was starting out in my career. He said that on a visit to Scotland last week, he met young people starting careers in financial services, an industry Mr Sunak has also worked in. I was telling them the mentors that I found when I first started my job, I still talk to and they have been helpful to me all through my career even after we have gone in different ways. I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom. And thats why I think for young people in particular being able to physically be in an office is valuable. But the chancellor also said the government has left the decision up to businesses. He said: Weve kind of stopped saying that people should actively work from home and have now left it up to businesses to work with their teams to figure out the right approach. In terms of a return to work, which we have said we would expect that and recommend that to be gradual from when the restrictions eased, in keeping with everything else that we are doing, its been gradual, its cautious, its careful, so there will be a gradual return back to the offices and I think that is what broadly will happen. Mr Sunak was speaking on a visit to Aston Business School in Birmingham, where he marked the launch of the government-funded Help To Grow: Management scheme, calling on small and medium business leaders to sign up. The programme offers a 12-week executive training course to small business leaders, with 30,000 places available over three years. It is being delivered by business schools across the UK and is 90 per cent subsidised by the government. Mr Sunak said: Small businesses are key to our innovation and economy and will therefore be an essential part to our recovery from the pandemic, which is why we are levelling up their skills through the Help To Grow schemes. Press Association With New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo set to be questioned Saturday, investigators appear close to finishing an investigation into the sexual harassment and misconduct allegations that have shadowed him for months. As Cuomo faces potential impeachment over his behavior, lawmakers who have been reserving judgment on his political future are awaiting a report on the investigations findings. The probe overseen by state Attorney General Letitia James a fellow Democrat, is not a criminal inquiry but it could have significant influence on an impeachment inquiry in the state legislature that could result in the third-term Democrat's removal from office. Any findings from the investigation that corroborate the allegations could sway impeachment proceedings or add to already sizable pressure for Cuomo to leave voluntarily. Cuomo, in office since 2011, has rebuffed those calls and is moving forward with plans to run for a fourth term next year. Rivals, though, see a Cuomo weakened by scandal as politically vulnerable. Still, Cuomo has a $18 million campaign war chest, according to campaign finance filings released late Thursday. He raised $2.3 million from January through June down from $4 million in the second half of 2020. The timing of Cuomos interview with investigators was confirmed Thursday to The Associated Press by two people familiar with the investigation. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the case and did so on condition of anonymity. Cuomo will be questioned in Albany the states capital, near the end of a four-month process that has included interviews with many of the governors accusers and the turning over of documents. James who is independently elected and does not report to the governor, hired former Acting U.S Attorney Joon Kim and employment discrimination attorney Anne Clark in March to lead the inquiry. Their findings will go in a public report. Several women have accused Cuomo of unwanted kisses, touches and groping and inappropriate sexual remarks. Former aide Lindsey Boylan said Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker aboard his state-owned jet. Another former aide, Charlotte Bennett, said Cuomo made sexual advances by making unwelcome comments, including asking if she ever had sex with older men. Cuomo initially apologized and said he learned an important lesson about his behavior around women and would fully cooperate" with the investigation. Since then, he's denied that he did anything wrong and questioned the motivations of accusers and fellow Democrats who have called for his resignation. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, on Thursday claimed without evidence that leaks about Cuomo's interview were more evidence of the transparent political motivation of the attorney generals review. Debra Katz, Bennett's attorney, said the governor is deflecting from his own conduct by trying to attack the attorney general and the investigation. It suggests hes trying to give himself an out if he doesnt like what they come up with, Katz said. There is no deadline for completing the investigation. A 2010 probe Cuomo oversaw as attorney general into his predecessor, Gov. David Paterson, lasted about five months. The state Assemblys Judiciary Committee which is conducting the impeachment inquiry, also has the power to subpoena documents and witness testimony. It could rely on work done by the attorney generals team of investigators, or gather its own evidence. The scope of its inquiry goes beyond Cuomos conduct with women. The governor is also under fire for his handling of the COVID-19 crisis in the states nursing homes. The committees work could result in the drafting of articles of impeachment against Cuomo, though that outcome is far from certain. New York has only impeached a governor once, in 1913, when Gov. William Sulzer was bounced after 289 days in office in what he claimed was retribution for turning his back on New York City's powerful Tammany Hall Democratic machine. Cuomos campaign has paid $285,000 in legal fees to a firm representing him as he faces the sexual misconduct allegations. Taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $760,000 in legal fees to a law firm representing the governors executive chamber as federal prosecutors probe how the Cuomo administration reported coronavirus deaths of nursing home residents, according to the campaign finance filings. ___ Sisak reported from Port St. Lucie, Florida. Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo contributed from Washington, D.C. A 19-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a teenage girl at a holiday park in north Wales. Matthew Selby, from Greater Manchester, was charged with murder on Monday afternoon. It comes after the 15-year-old girl was found dead on Saturday in a static caravan at the Ty Mawr Holiday Park near Abergele. North Wales Police said that Selby has been remanded in custody and will appear before a magistrates court on Tuesday. The police statement added: We would ask the public not to speculate about this incident on social media as this is an active investigation. On Saturday, officers were called to the holiday park to attend the report of a domestic disturbance at the static caravan. Selby was arrested and was held in custody at St Asaph. A spokesman for the holiday park had said: We are shocked and saddened by this tragic incident. Ty Mawr is a 100 acre family park which welcomes tens of thousands of happy holidaymakers every year. This was an isolated and unprecedented incident which took place inside a caravan which is now a crime scene. Our team are assisting police with their enquiries and as it is a police matter we cant comment further at the moment. A young asylum seeker who is stranded in a Greek refugee camp after being blocked from joining his brothers in the UK is at high risk of suicide, a medical report shows. The Independent revealed in May that Samir, who fled to Europe after fleeing detention and torture in his home country in 2019, was living alone and in fear on the fringes of a refugee camp on the island of Samos. The youngster, who was assessed by the Greek authorities last year as being 20 years old but maintained that he was 17 - and is appealing the decision - was refused under the Home Offices family reunion process to join his two brothers, who are both refugees in the UK, in February 2021. The Home Office rejected his application on the basis that he had been registered as an adult in Greece and that there was insufficient evidence of a close relationship. UK lawyers are currently challenging the decision. Speaking to The Independent from his tent on the fringes of a refugee camp three months ago, Samir, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said he felt constantly afraid, and that he was being bullied and abused by those around him, including facing sexual harassment from older men. His lawyers say he has since disclosed that he has attempted to hang himself on two occasions, and has been unable to receive any help for his disturbed mental state. During a judicial review hearing on Tuesday, the court was presented with evidence in the form of a medical report warning that Samirs risk of suicide was high and that he would continue to deteriorate in current circumstances, with the possibility of [] suicide. Professor David Bell, one of the UKs leading psychiatric experts in asylum and immigration, who assessed Samir over video link and wrote the medical report, diagnosed him as being in a complex chronic traumatised state and suffering from a severe depressive disorder. The report, seen by The Independent and dated 29 July 2021, states that it is clear that Samir will not recover from his disorder as long as he remains in this environment, regardless of any treatment he can receive. Dr Bell adds that Samir is in the top 5 per cent of most traumatised cases of around 400 refugees he has assessed during his career. He warns that it is absolutely essential that Samir is removed from this environment from a mental point of view as soon as possible and transferred to the UK to be with his brothers. Rebecca Chapman, Samirs barrister, argued on Tuesday that the Home Office had unlawfully refused his request for family reunion by failing to adequately consider the facts of his case notably his vulnerabilities - and by denying him his right to family life. Representing the Home Office, Simon Murray disputed the claims, arguing that the decision to refuse Samir the right to reunite with his brothers in the UK was lawfully taken. Judge Jackson said she would make a decision on the case in the coming weeks. The case has raised questions about the efficacy of the safe asylum routes offered by the Home Office, particularly in light of the Priti Patels plans to criminalise asylum seekers who arrive in the UK via unauthorised routes. Samirs UK-based solicitor, Rachel Harger of Bindmans Solicitors, said: Samir is living out the reality of what it means to rely on so called legal safe pathways before entering the UK: inordinate delays and relentlessly hostile litigation conduct from the Home Office. Not withstanding the very real risk of physical harm Samir continues to face, there is likely to be a long term impact to his mental health as a consequence of living in a chronically traumatised state whilst in perpetual fear for over a year and a half. This cannot be considered a safe route for Samir. A Home Office spokesperson said it could not comment on ongoing legal cases, but added: Protecting vulnerable children is an absolute priority for the government and in 2019, the UK received more asylum claims from unaccompanied children than any other European country, including Greece. As part of our New Plan for Immigration to fix the UKs broken asylum system, we will continue to welcome people through safe and legal routes and prioritise those most in need. I am talking to you because an adult raped a child, Daisy tells The Independent. That is the reason I am alive. Daisy, now 45, was conceived after her father raped her 13-year-old mother back in the mid-1970s. Almost half a century on from the incident, Daisys 74-year-old father, Carvel Bennett, has now been sentenced to 11 years in prison, as well being condemned to a lifetime on the Sex Offenders Register, on Tuesday. Daisy, who did not want her surname used, says her fathers conviction, which was handed down at Birmingham Crown Court, is the first case of its kind. She says it follows on from a decade of her seeking to obtain justice yet being relentlessly ignored and dismissed by the police and other public agencies. It was horrendous, she adds. As a black transracially adopted rape conceived woman, Im very much marginalised and easily ignored. How many people think about whether they would keep a child if they are raped? Daisy, who was born in Birmingham, was taken into care days after her mother gave birth. At seven-months-old, she was adopted into a white family. Reading a statement in court this week, she said: To know Im, for some, the embodiment of one of the worst things to happen, to be pregnant by your perpetrator to find out what happened to my mother was horrific. She added: I am more than evidence, more than a witness, more than a product of rape. I am not your shame. In an extensive interview with The Independent, Daisy notes that she thought something was amiss when she first learnt the age difference between her mother and father when was 12 or 13. But it was not until years later when she was 18 and read her social services records that she was told she was conceived through rape. I thought my birth mother wouldnt want to see me, Daisy says. I thought I might be rejected by her. I was on and off searching for her for 18 months. I met her after two years. While Daisys birth mother was just 13-years-old when she was born, her birth father was 15 years older and was 28. The files from 1975 declare: The matter was investigated by police but never brought to court. Kate Ellis, a solicitor at Centre for Womens Justice, a leading charity which supported Daisys case, said: We are pleased to see Daisy formally commended today, both by the prosecution and by a Crown Court Judge, for her tireless determination to see justice done, even in the most personally difficult of circumstances. To achieve this outcome both Daisy and her birth mother have overcome extraordinary odds and a series of shocking historic failures by all of the authorities that were supposed to protect them. In a rare twist, Prosecuting Counsel Mr Glenser asked the judge to issue a formal commendation to Daisy, saying this prosecution would not have taken place without the grit and dogged determination Daisy had displayed while pursuing justice. She has met many closed doors, Judge Martin Hurst chimed in. The pursuit of justice must be commended and I do commend Daisy for taking those steps. Daisy is now fiercely campaigning for women and men who are conceived as a result of rape to be formally recognised as victims of crime so they can receive proper victim support. I also want specialist support services for all people impacted by rape conception, whether that is a sibling or a grand-parent, adopted parent or a foster parent, she says. Im absolutely overjoyed that finally after 46 years there has been justice against a child rapist. Daisy said she is massively proud of her birth mother for showing courage and bravery as she urged the police and social services to apologise for their failings towards her and her mother. She said being conceived through rape has had repercussions on all elements of her mental health - adding that she does not want other people in her position to endure what she has experienced. I dont want anyone else who was rape conceived to go through what I did in seeking justice for themselves and their mothers, Daisy adds. I hope my case has illustrated that justice can be achieved. It is a milestone case. Rape conception is one of the last taboos within violence against women and girls. Nobody wants to know. There is little or no attention to the child conceived and the potential lifelong support needed. Daisy tracked down her father - with DNA tests on both herself and her parents then revealing Bennett was her birth father. Directly addressing her birth father in court, Daisy said: Carvel Bennett you have caused total carnage. Your act of violence decimated any potential relationship between my birth mother and me, because you chose to rape a child. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said the Victims Code stipulates people are able to access support if they are impacted by a crime including those conceived through rape. Supporting victims of sexual violence remains a priority for this government, the representative added. The entire criminal justice systems response to rape is being transformed through our Rape Action Plan and an extra 51m is being invested in specialist support services. An Isis supporter who launched a knife rampage in London 10 days after being released from prison had associated with high-profile terrorists inside jail, an inquest has heard. Sudesh Amman, 20, stabbed two people who survived on the London districts high street before being shot dead by police on 2 February 2020. The inquest into his death heard that he had been held in HMP Belmarsh since May 2018, after being arrested and jailed for previous terror offences. Intelligence reports from the high-security prison showed that he was associating with high-profile prisoners, including the Manchester Arena bombers brother, Hashem Abedi. While inside jail, Amman told his mother that HMP Belmarsh was a blessing. This place is a blessing, he added. I used to ask Allah to give me good brothers and companions...he answered my prayers and put me here. Amman had originally been arrested for planning a terror attack in May 2018, but was charged with the lesser offences of possessing and disseminating terrorist publications. The inquest heard that while inside HMP Belmarsh, he vocally expressed his jihadist beliefs and told fellow inmates he wanted to commit a terror attack or join Isis. A month before his release, a handwritten pledge of allegiance to the leader of Isis was found in his cell, and official assessments found that Amman was a high risk to the public and may encourage others to commit terror attacks. The inquest heard that a senior Metropolitan Police officer expressed concerns about Ammans release to prison officials and asked if his sentence could be extended for a disciplinary matter, but was told it could not. A copy of the letter, which was shown to the inquest, cited intelligence that Amman had been heard shouting in Arabic that everyone will come under the black flag [of Isis]. Sadiq Khan warns Streatham attack was 'preventable' It said he had openly expressed a strong loathing towards non-Muslims and his own desires to commit terror attacks, go to the afterlife, kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber and join Isis. Amman also spoke approvingly of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby. The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about his association with high profile terrorists, who also included the Buckingham Palace sword attacker Mohiussunath Chowdhury. Chowdhury planned a second attack after being released from HMP Belmarsh in December 2018, and spoke to undercover police of a young, trusted brother he met in prison and dreamed about committing a terror attack in London alongside, the jury was told. Jenny Louis, the governor of Belmarsh, said she did not know whether police had informed the prison of Chowdhurys claims or if there had been any investigation into if the brother was Amman. We did a lot of disruption movements [between different parts of the prison], Ms Louis told the inquest.Because of comments he made, engagements with others, this was somebody who was trying to engage with others in a really unacceptable way in custody. Prison intelligence also showed that Amman had been attempting to convert other prisoners to Islam and was made to sign a compact pledging to stop the behaviour. The agreement said he would also stop publicly discussing Isis, but he violated the requirements. Mohiussunnath Chowdhury was among the terrorist prisoners Sudesh Amman associated with (PA) A psychological report conducted during Ammans imprisonment concluded that he may have the intent and capability of launching a terrorist knife attack when freed. He was released automatically on 23 January 2020, placed in a probation service hostel in Streatham and subjected to a curfew, electronic tag and several licence conditions. Amman immediately became the subject of a priority investigation by MI5 and the Metropolitan Police, the inquest heard. He was also being managed by the probation service, an overt police unit and had meetings with ideological and practical mentors. Officials had planned for his release for months as part of multi-agency public protection processes, which were also used for the Fishmongers Hall attacker Usman Khan. Amman was being followed by four undercover armed police officers on foot when he launched the attack, while others were in vehicles on surrounding roads. The inquest heard how he stole a knife from a shop, which he visited two days before without buying anything, and ran outside while being chased by armed police. Within seconds, Amman stabbed a woman in the back outside a pub and shortly afterwards, struck a man in his torso. Both victims survived. Amman ran on until stopping outside a Boots chemist and turning to officers while holding the knife, at which point he was shot twice by police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, following an attack that lasted 62 seconds in total. Like other terror attacks that happened previously at HMP Whitemoor and Fishmongers Hall, he was wearing a homemade fake suicide belt. The inquest continues. Police and MI5 considered arresting a former jailed terrorist two days before he went on a knife rampage in Streatham, an inquest has heard. Sudesh Amman, 20, stabbed two people who survived on the London districts high street before being shot dead by police on 2 February 2020. An inquest into his death heard that he was being monitored by police and MI5 because of his known aspirations to carry out a terror attack. At a joint meeting on 31 January 2020, officers considered arresting Amman after surveillance revealed that he purchased items that could be used to make a fake suicide vest. Detective Inspector Luke Williams, of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said it was decided not to arrest Amman because no offences were identified. Instead, police and MI5 drew up a series of tipping points that would spark different kinds of intervention. They included breaching a curfew, entering areas of central London that he was excluded from and purchasing a knife. The plan said police would also swoop if they received intelligence that Amman was planning an attack or making a fake suicide vest. However, the inquest heard that police did not search Ammans room before the attack or ask staff at the probation hostel to inspect it. During the attack, Amman was wearing a fake suicide vest constructed from materials purchased at Poundland on 31 January. He had been under surveillance since his release from prison on 23 January 10 days before the attack. Amman had originally been arrested for planning a terror attack in May 2018, but was charged with the lesser offences of possessing and disseminating terrorist material. Part of the fake IED made by Amman and worn during the attack (Metropolitan Police) The inquest heard that while inside the high-security HMP Belmarsh prison, he vocally expressed his jihadist beliefs and told fellow inmates he wanted to commit a terror attack or join Isis. Amman radicalised prisoners and associated with high-profile terrorists including Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena bombers brother, and a plotter who attacked police with a sword outside Buckingham Palace. While inside jail, Amman told his mother that HMP Belmarsh was a blessing, adding: I used to ask Allah to give me good brothers and companions ... he answered my prayers and put me here. A month before his release, a handwritten pledge to the leader of Isis was found in his cell, and official assessments found that Amman was a high risk to the public and may encourage others to commit terror attacks. The inquest heard that a senior Metropolitan Police officer expressed concerns about Ammans release to prison officials and asked if his sentence could be extended, but was told it could not. A copy of the letter, which was shown to the inquest, cited intelligence that Amman had been heard shouting in Arabic that everyone will come under the black flag [of Isis]. It said he had openly expressed a strong loathing towards non-Muslims and his own desires to commit terror attacks, go to the afterlife, kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber and join Isis. Amman also said he approved of the killing of Lee Rigby. Sadiq Khan warns Streatham attack was 'preventable' Jenny Louis, the governor of Belmarsh, said Amman was closely monitored and subjected to disruption movements to different parts of the prison. Because of comments he made, engagements with others, this was somebody who was trying to engage with others in a really unacceptable way in custody, she added. A psychological report conducted during Ammans imprisonment concluded that he may have the intent and capability of launching a terrorist knife attack when freed. He was released automatically on 23 January 2020, placed in a probation service hostel in Streatham and subjected to a curfew, electronic tag and several licence conditions. He immediately became the subject of a priority investigation by MI5 and the Metropolitan Police, the inquest heard. He was also being managed by the probation service, an overt police unit and had meetings with ideological and practical mentors. Officials had planned for his release for months as part of multi-agency public protection processes, which were also used for the Fishmongers Hall attacker Usman Khan. A knife, centre, of the kind stolen by Amman (Metropolitan Police) Amman was initially under daytime surveillance by undercover officers because of concerns he might commit another offence, and on 29 January the officers were authorised to carry guns. On that day, Amman is believed to have carried out hostile reconnaissance on Streatham High Road by going into a series of shops without making any purchases. On 31 January, Amman was seen looking at knives in a shop and purchasing items that could be used to make a hoax explosive belt, and the operation was upgraded to 24-hour armed surveillance. Amman was being followed by four undercover armed police officers on foot when he launched the attack, while others were in vehicles on surrounding roads. The inquest heard how he stole a knife from a shop, which he visited two days before without buying anything, and ran outside while being chased by armed police. Within seconds, Amman stabbed a woman in the back outside a pub and shortly afterwards, struck a man in his torso. Both victims survived. Amman ran on until stopping outside a Boots chemist and turning to officers while holding the knife, at which point he was shot twice by police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, following an attack that lasted 62 seconds in total. The inquest continues. The first transgender couple to have become parents in the UK said a nurse did not let them see their newborn daughter because they were not the legal parents. Jake and Hannah Graf, from south London, said that they were both nearly in tears in the hospital car park after the nurse said that they would not be allowed to meet the baby girl. Millie was born just an hour prior to Mr and Ms Graf arriving at the hospital in Belfast in April 2020, in the early months of the Covid pandemic. A surrogate is the legal parent in the UK unless she signs a parental order transferring her rights, or the baby is legally adopted, as a surrogacy agreement is not enforceable by law. It is also illegal to pay a woman to carry and birth a baby, except for medical expenses. The birth mother is allowed to keep the child, until the parental order is signed within six months of the babys birth, even if she is not genetically-related to the baby. At least one of the intended parents has to be genetically-related to the baby for a parental order to be enforced. Speaking on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast released on Tuesday, Mr Graf, 42, said a very busy nurse told them she could not give them any information on baby Millies whereabouts in the hospital, and that she was unimpressed when the couple told her they were the parents. The director, actor, and transgender activist continued: There was yellow tape everywhere, it was absolutely deserted, the car park was mostly cordoned off, there was no one in any of the receptions. We went in looking for anyone who could help. The couple were able to see Millie after surrogate mother Lauras birthing partner said they would let them into the maternity ward. Sandhurst-trained Ms Graf, 33, who has also acted in films under former surname Winterbourne, was the highest-ranking transgender officer in the British Army before leaving the military to begin a career in finance. Ms Graf said that Laura will very much remain part of Millies life. In a Channel 4 clip posted on Mr Grafs YouTube channel, the couple reveal that Laura has offered to carry another baby for them and that in a perfect world it would be a boy. It is no secret that women make up a substantial proportion of those working in key worker roles. Some three-quarters of NHS workers and teachers are women, while over eight in ten in the adult social care workforce are female. As they work all hours of day and night to keep the country running during the pandemic, many women working in frontline roles have experienced sexual harassment, misogynistic abuse, and discrimination during the Covid crisis. Eliza Hatch, a photojournalist who started a project which shines a light on street sexual harassment called Cheer Up Luv, has launched a new portraiture series titled Frontline Harassment which explores the intimidation and harassment female key workers are routinely forced to endure. Over the past year, with all the focus being on essential workers during the pandemic, I wanted to hear some of the stories from the frontline that rarely take centre stage, Ms Hatch, who has shared the project exclusively with The Independent, says. The personal testimonies of a postwoman, nurse, doctor, midwife, and supermarket worker - just some of those featured in Ms Hatchs photo series - are featured below. While all of their stories are unique, they are united by the fact they have all suffered harassment while simply going about their jobs. It has mostly been women who have been on the frontline during the pandemic, working in essential roles such as nurses, carers, and supermarket workers who have been delivering us through the pandemic, Deeba Syed, senior legal officer at Rights of Women, which provides free legal advice for women who have suffered sexual harassment at work, adds. Unfortunately, many have also had to work whilst experiencing worsening harassment and discrimination. Callers tell us that perpetrators, who usually hold a position of authority and power over the victim, have used the pandemic to their advantage to abuse women. For example refusing to furlough them when they have furloughed others, subjecting them to ever-increasing harassment due to less witnesses being around, and now as employers announce redundancies women who have reported sexual harassment find themselves being unfairly selected for redundancies as a means of punishment for speaking out. She warned employers desperately need to get a grip to enable women working in frontlines roles to carry out their jobs without being harassed. Sascha Byrne - Postwoman Sascha Byrne (Eliza Hatch) Ms Byrne, a postwoman, says she reached the point at the start of this year where she was having to fend off panic attacks whenever she was delivering post to houses where work was being done. Id feel my gut twist as work vans past me, anticipating the shouts, leers and invasive comments about my body, the 25-year-old says. As a postwoman and I get catcalled and shouted at by workmen most days of my working week. Some weeks its every single day. She says she routinely feels scared and in danger while doing her job yet is forced to smile and carry on walking despite the fact politely smiling at men leering at her is the last thing she feels like doing. If I dont respond I get shouted at more, or laughed at, so smiling is just the easiest option, Sascha adds. Im tired of being treated like this - just for being a woman. Like my male colleagues, Im literally just trying to work, trying to pay my bills. Rachelle Cox - Supermarket worker Rachelle Cox (Eliza Hatch) Ms Cox, who works in a supermarket, was minding her own business drinking water at the end of her till during the pandemic when she was suddenly groped by an elderly man. I felt overwhelmed with rage and frustration, the 23-year-old adds. A situation so many of us know too well. I shouted at him, telling him that he cannot touch me without consent. He laughed. I immediately reported it to my managers, but some of them didnt believe me and thought it was an accident, or didnt think it was as serious because hes just an old man. After feeling defeated and hopeless, I started speaking to other colleagues about the situation. It came to my attention that three other female staff members had been also been assaulted by the same man. Ms Cox says she asked her managers to see if the man could be banned from the store but nothing happened for three months. Every single day, for months, I had to come face to face with this elderly predator, she adds. Andleeb Ahmed - GP Andleeb Ahmed (Eliza Hatch) Dr Ahmed, a GP who works in North West London, says she was harassed for being brown while in medical school and working in the NHS. I have throughout my journey in medicine been pestered about, my commitment: Your type just gets married and have babies my ability, Are you sure you dont want a male colleague to do this, the 51-year-old adds. And my knowledge base, Wow you know a lot, you know considering and worse, refused treatment by a patient, I aint being treated by no P*ki. More recently, as I started wearing a hijab, the level of intimidation increased from the overt terrorist to microaggressions such as gosh, arent you hot with that thing on your head. Dr Ahmed said during the pandemic she has been taking 111 calls remotely due to the fact she has been shielding - adding that she has been subjected to a great deal of verbal abuse while doing so. When you have been working in the NHS for 25 years, you become quite numb to abuse, she adds. You become desensitised to swear words. She notes she has suffered abuse while doing work in the community to counter misinformation being spread about the Covid crisis - adding that this has predominantly come from men. They felt quite threatened as Im a woman and Im telling what I do, Dr Ahmed adds. It is a South East Asian cultural thing of women should be seen and not heard. Clapping for the NHS was just all gesture from the government. A lot of spin. And it has now been well forgotten. A distant memory. Lynn - Nurse Lynn (Eliza Hatch) Lynn, who did not want her family name used, says she was sexually assaulted while working as a student nurse at a placement in a hospital. I was leaning over the desk and a patient walked past and groped my bum, the 27-year-old nurse adds. It was so bullish and aggressive that I immediately thought, did this actually happen? I was absolutely stunned and instantly felt tearful. She said the same patient who had assaulted her strolled past afterwards like nothing had happened despite the fact she was in tears. Lynn adds: My mentors disbelief and the patients nonchalant attitude, were the perfect gas-lighting tools to silence a naive student. Word soon spread about what had happened, and after that, It was clear there were people who didnt want to get involved. Its not an argument, its not a fight, its sexual harassment. We should take sides, the right side! This is not the first or the last experience, but this was the first time I realised that zero tolerance is but a token, and most people dont want to get involved. Dani Bowen - Midwife Dani Bowen (Eliza Hatch) Ms Bowen, who works as a midwife at a hospital in South West London, says she had an unnerving encounter with a colleague who was training her. The 26-years-old adds: I was alone with the guy doing the training, in a tiny room with the door closed, which I found intimidating enough. He kept mentioning how he had a friend who would happily marry me and give me kids if I wanted. He started saying how I was one of those independent types and said I must be a born again virgin. I couldnt believe he was saying these things to me, and I just laughed awkwardly not really sure how to reply. He then put his hand on my thigh and said Its okay, youre just a girl who doesnt need good dick. I honestly thought I had misheard him. It wasnt until I told my colleague what had happened that it dawned on me how inappropriate it had been. I think I was even more shocked because it happened in work, and he was a colleague. Kiran Rahim - Doctor Kiran Rahim (Eliza Hatch) Ms Rahim, a doctor, states racism within the NHS is a longstanding issue - adding that she has multiple stories she could recount. But one senior matron really stands out, the 35-year-old adds. I was a junior doctor and she routinely harassed me over my choice of foods, What brown shit are you eating today, - All your food stinks, - God how do you eat that. She said she would be eating dishes like Daal and Thai green curries in the staff room when her senior colleague would make these remarks. Ms Rahim adds: I was one of the few brown Muslim staff members, and so junior I didnt have the courage to speak up. Eventually, I stopped eating in the staff room and went across the hospital to the Doctors Mess. The harassment then escalated to things she could critique in my performance as a doctor. She would tell my seniors I refused to answer the bleep, or that I missed stuff or even I left early. Eventually, another white male doctor stepped in and said hed be reporting her if she didnt stop. It stopped the obvious abuse, but then she found ways to sneer at me for this. Close Boris Johnson urges 16- and 17-year-olds to get Covid vaccine Keir Starmer has branded Boris Johnson and his government climate delayers, as he warned that the biggest threat to international efforts to stem global warming is no longer outright denial but failure to act with the necessary urgency. Speaking to The Independent, the Labour leader said the prime minister was letting the country down with his inaction on climate change, less than 100 days before he is due to host the United Nations Cop26 global warming summit in Glasgow. Both the PM and Mr Starmer are on day trips to Scotland. Johnson is in the northeast and visits a renewables project, while the Labour leader is heading to a wind farm near Glasgow, with his Scottish counterpart Anas Sarwar. Elsewhere, Dominic Cummings has claimed he was offered seat in the House of Lords by the PM. Mr Cummings also said the prime minister wanted to give his wife Carrie on a government job with lots of foreign travel, according to an interview in The Spectator. Boris Johnson is today facing pressure from Tory MPs and the travel industry to ditch the Governments traffic light system. On Monday plans for an amber watchlist were abandoned and the prime minister pledged to keep travel rules as simple as possible amid a review into the system on Thursday. Ministers had been considering new category for nations at risk of being moved into the red group, but faced a backlash from livid Tory MPs and travel bosses who feared that top holiday destinations such as Spain could be moved onto the list. Despite the plans now being shelved, travel bosses have now moved swiftly to demand that the governments traffic light system is scrapped altogether, as reported by the Daily Mail. More than 300 travel firms have written to Mr Johnson to say that there should only be a red category, and not green and amber sections. The red category would be for countries who have very high levels of Covid infections or new variants. The letter states: We urge ministers to simplify travel urgently so that at least the key travel month of August can be salvaged. The traffic light system should be either abandoned or made much easier, along the lines of the American system. There would continue to be some red countries which would be out of bounds but the majority of destinations would be accessible to the fully jabbed. This easy-to-understand policy would help the UK travel sector recover, build confidence quickly among consumers and still protect our countrys health needs with pre-departure testing. We call on the Prime Minister to act swiftly so as to save tens of thousands of jobs and provide clarity for consumers hoping to travel to see loved ones. The letter, coordinated by the Save Our Summer group, argues for a more simplified travel system where people who are double-jabbed can travel to any countries that will allow them to enter. Tory MP Henry Smith, whose Crawley constituency includes Gatwick Airport, backed to calls for an easier system of travel. He told the Daily Mail: Im in favour of anything that is simplified and more easy to understand. The traffic light system could have provided that but shortly after it was announced there were all sorts of caveats. New rules allowing fully-vaccinated passengers from the US and amber-list European countries to avoid self-isolation on arrival in the UK came into force on Monday. The relaxation of rules allows passengers who have been double-jabbed with a vaccine approved by regulators in the US, the EU or Switzerland to avoid 10 days in self-isolation. The UK has been forced to reopen its trade deal with Ukraine, one of its most sensitive post-Brexit agreements, after errors were found in the original text, The Independent can reveal. The pact was signed by prime minister Boris Johnson in October last year, and lauded as a key example of Britains post-Brexit trade and foreign policies. The agreement not only covers the commercial relationship between Britain and the eastern European country but also defence cooperation to support Kievs sovereignty. It followed the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, an area still internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. It also came amid a deterioration in relations between Moscow and London in the aftermath of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018. UK-Ukraine ties were again thrust into the spotlight last month when Russia claimed it had fired warning shots at a British vessel that passed close to the Crimean peninsula. Underscoring the political importance of the agreement in October, Johnson said the UK was Ukraines most fervent supporter. He added: Whether its our defence support, stabilisation efforts, humanitarian assistance or close cooperation on political issues, our message is clear: we are utterly committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, two officials told The Independent that the pact was already having to be reworked after mistakes were noted in the drafting of trade chapters. Some of the errors are a result of copying and pasting sections that bind the UK to EU rules, the same officials said. Problems emerged when the trade department sought to create guidance on how the deal should be used by businesses in February and March after it came into force in January. However, the fact that the deal needed fresh negotiation and drafting was not made public by the Department for International Trade (DIT). One of the same government officials said this was a deal that no one wanted to get wrong particularly as it was subject to especially close scrutiny by the European Union, they added. Separately, an EU official told The Independent they had noted that the agreement bound the UK to rules in some areas they had not expected it to. A spokesperson for the DIT said: It is standard practice for small sections of agreements to be amended and updated over time to reflect developments, or to add greater clarity that is helpful to businesses. However, one of the officials, who is familiar with the agreements development, said the changes that needed to be made were not minor, and could have a significant impact on businesses. They added that they amounted to errors rather than an update. One business with operations in Ukraine, which the official did not name due to commercial sensitivities, had also flagged additional issues with the text, they said. The issues touched on trade in both services and goods, the official confirmed. Emily Thornberry, Labours shadow international trade secretary, said: This is not the only time the government has made basic errors when rolling over our EU treaties, but it is by far the most serious. Of all the 67 non-EU countries with whom the UK signed rollover agreements in 2019 and 2020, the Ukraine deal was the only one considered of sufficient strategic importance to be signed by the prime minister himself, making it all the more astonishing that it is now having to be rewritten, Ms Thornberry added. This act of gross incompetence needs to be not just immediately rectified, but urgently explained. The sensitivity of UK-Ukraine relations was underlined in the governments recent integrated review of its defence and foreign policy strategy. One section on Russia notes that Britain will increase support for countries in eastern Europe including Ukraine, where we will continue to build the capacity of its armed forces. Sam Lowe, senior fellow at the Centre for European Reform, said that mistakes in trade deals are unfortunate but not entirely uncommon. He added that it was unsurprising that it had happened with a rollover agreement because these have tended to include more copying and pasting of text than fresh deals. Its a deeper agreement than others and includes commitments to follow EU rules in some areas. And if theres one thing weve learnt its that the UK government doesnt like to be bound by EU rules, Mr Lowe said. A former senior Australian trade negotiator told The Independent that it is correct that agreements sometimes need to be amended, but that substantial changes arent often made so soon after the text of an agreement is finalised. The ex-negotiator said this might be indicative of the trade departments rush to secure agreements in order to ensure continuity after Brexit. Small, incorrect changes or a failure to make the right change in treaties can cause big headaches, they said. Given the rush to roll over agreements, the public should expect other trade deals to be revisited in the coming months, they said, adding: Copy and paste can be dangerous. The coronavirus pandemic has so ravaged Louisiana that health workers in the state are canceling elective and non-critical surgeries to keep themselves from drowning in Covid patients. NOLA.com reported on Monday that Louisiana's Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the press concerning the growing number of infections in his state. "Looking ahead to tomorrow, we've reported more hospitalizations than at any other point in the pandemic," Mr Edwards said. "We're the worst in the country in terms of this COVID surge, and that is because of the Delta variant, which is a game-changer." He said that unless "something miraculous happens," Tuesday would bring the "largest number of hospitalized Covid patients throughout Louisiana than at any prior point." Louisiana is currently leading the nation in cases per capita, with 89 infections per 100,000 person. The national average is 24 per 100,00. The state also has one of the nation's lowest vaccination rates, with only 37.1 per cent of adults fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. Nationally, just about half of American adults have been vaccinated. Healthcare workers in state have warned that the current patient load in hospitals is unsustainable. Federal workers have even been recruited to help ease the burden on the hospitals, but the extra help has not been enough to ensure that every patient receives appropriate attention and care. Dr Catherine O'Neal, the chief medical officer at Lake Region Medical Centre in Baton Rouge and a professor at LSU Health New Orleans, told NOLA.com that "we are no longer giving adequate care to these patients." "I have seen people in four-wheeler accidents and motorcycle accidents and farming accidents in the last two weeks, who sat in their ERs in their small towns," the doctor said. "Those are my people. Those are your family members. And when they get maimed, they are not coming to a trauma center, because there are no more beds." At North Oaks Hospital, 62 staff members have contracted Covid, leaving the remaining workers over burdened and exhausted. Some surgeries - like those for brain aneurysms - have been shelved until more staff - and space - is available for the operations. The hospital's CEO Michelle Sutton said that North Oaks had to discontinue elective surgeries because recovery rooms have been turned into makeshift intensive care units to house coronavirus patients. Children's hospitals are also feeling the squeeze brought on by the virus. Dr Mark Line, the physician-in-chief of Children's Hospital New Orleans told NOLA.com that the hospital has admitted as many as 20 patients on some days, dwarfing previous pandemic highs of seven patients. He noted that the children coming in are not all immunocompromised, stating that half are "perfectly healthy" beyond their infection. "I am as worried about our children today as I have ever been," Dr Kline said. "This virus, the Delta variant of COVID, is every infectious disease specialist's and epidemiologist's worst nightmare." Respondents from a new poll blame the unvaccinated for the spread of coronavirus. Of the 999 adults surveyed in the recent Axios-Ipsos poll, 80 per cent said the rise in Covid cases was down to those who had refused to get a Covid-19 jab. Only 10 per cent of unvaccinated respondents thought those without vaccines could be to blame for rising levels of infections. Highlighting the political polarisation in the US, 36 per cent of vaccinated people in the survey cited Donald Trump as a reason for coronavirus spreading, while 30 per cent cited foreign travel and 33 per cent said conservative media could be a reason for increases in the disease. Among the unvaccinated, 27 per cent of people blamed foreign travellers, 27 per cent blamed the mainstream media and 23 per cent blamed Americans going abroad for Delta spreading. Only 11 per cent of this group blamed Donald Trump and 7.5 per cent conservative media. Twenty-one per cent of unvaccinated people blamed President Joe Biden for the spread. The more worrying survey results were down to misinformation, claimed Ipsos. Were dealing with a serious misinformation wall at this point thats clouding facts, said spokesperson Cliff Young. The only way to get to them if youre going to get to them is hard policies, hard mandates. Only one in three of those surveyed said they would take the vaccine if their employer said it would be a requirement to show up for work. Cases of the Delta variant have surged across the US this week, with high hospitalisation numbers in a number of states, including Florida and Louisiana. Around 10,000 patients were admitted to hospital in Florida due to the highly contagious variant on Sunday. The CDC has reintroduced its indoor mask-wearing recommendation in areas with high Covid-19 infection rates. Masks can protect against the Delta variant states the American Lung Association. Masks help protect against infection by decreasing the ability to inhale the droplets. Covid-19 vaccinations reduce the chances of getting a severe version of the illness and being hospitalised or dying from the disease. All of the vaccines available in this country have been shown to be highly effective against all current variants, said the American Lung Association. According to Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the president, there are 100 million people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated who are not getting vaccinated. Around 58 per cent of Americans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved emergency use of a preventive monoclonal antibody treatment to protect those who are vulnerable to coronavirus. The agency said in a press release last week that it had authorised the emergency use of REGEN-COV in adults and pediatric individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe Covid-19. The antibody is only permitted to be used only after exposure to the virus and is said to be the first time an injectable antibody treatment has been approved for the prevention of Covid-19 post-exposure. It should also only be used on those who are not fully vaccinated or may not have an adequate immune response to shots or those who are at high risk of exposure due to their settings, such as those in a nursing home or prison. The FDA stipulated that the treatment is not a substitute for vaccination against Covid-19 and continued to urge people to get vaccinated if they are eligible. NBC News reports that an estimated three per cent of Americans are immunocompromised, including those who have autoimmune diseases, cancer or are affected by HIV. Dr Myron Cohen, a leading coronavirus antibody researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explained to NBC News that the treatment works by attacking the infection before it bypasses the nose and throat. Its a race between your ability to make an antibody to protect your lungs and the rest of your body and the virus, he told the broadcaster. He added: And if youre likely to lose the race, youre the person for whom these antibody drugs are appropriate. Dr Ghady Haidar, a transplant infectious diseases physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center told the outlet that its good to know that treatments are available for those who dont respond well to vaccines. We can now help protect them against getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 by giving them antibodies following exposure, she said. A university in Florida has become the latest to forgive student debt for the academic year 2020 to 2021. Florida A&M University, a historically Black college in Tallahassee, used the the graduation ceremony to share the news that they were covering everyones yearly fees, totalling an estimated cost of $16 million. "This is an indication of our commitment to student success and our hope that your time on the Hill has been transformative as you take on the challenges of the day, go out and make a difference," Larry Robinson, the president of the university said in a statement. The money for the fees came from the federal CARES Act, which was passed in March 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The universitys Vice President for Student Affairs William E Hudson Jr said it had been a tough year for the school. Clearing student account balances from the previous school year was a way of practicing our motto of Excellence with Caring by supporting students and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. It keeps them from having to get loans to pay off their unpaid balance. Its been a tough year for our students and their families. This is not the first historically Black university to apply federally allocated funds from the CARES Act to forgive tuition costs. Clark Atlanta University in Georgia said they planned on doing the same for the period between spring 2020 to summer 2021. They shared a letter from the universitys president George T French on Twitter on 25 July. Through unprecedented federal funding via the CARES Act & the Higher Education Relief Fund, Clark Atlanta University clears student account balances for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, & Summer 2021 academic terms, the tweet read. They also used the money to repay housing and meal payments, supply 4,000 laptops to students and buy wifi hotspots for students struggling to connect to the internet while they studied remotely. Ohios Wilberforce University outlined plans to cancel student debt for those graduating in 2020 and 2021. They used a combination of the federal money and other funding. The schools president Elfred Anthony Pinkard said in a statement: As these graduates begin their lives as responsible adults, we are honoured to be able to give them a fresh start by relieving their student debt to the university. A nurse from Louisiana has shared an emotional appeal for people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 after witnessing so many deaths in hospital wards. Felicia Croft, a nurse at Willis-Knight Medical Center in the town of Shreveport, posted a video on social media about the emotional turmoil prompted by watching people die day after day due to coronavirus. I can say today was probably one of the most emotionally hard days since the pandemic started, the Delta wave that were seeing now, Ms Croft said. Ms Croft spoke about how she had worked in covid wards since the start of the pandemic, saying it was getting increasingly more difficult to cope. She attributed a significant aspect of this being down to ICU patients being much younger than before. The Delta wave that were seeing now, people are younger and sicker, and were intubating and losing people that are my age and younger, people with kids that are my kids age that are never going to see their kids graduate, she said. Last month, CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky shared preliminary data that found 99.5 per cent of those dying from coronavirus were unvaccinated. No timeframe was given for this figure but she went on to warn about the threat of the Delta variant. Later in the month, Dr Walensky said, This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated while appearing at a White House press briefing. Louisiana has some of the lowest vaccine turn out in the US as only 42 per cent of people are fully vaccinated against Covid, according to numbers from the Louisiana Department of Health. According to CDC data from last week, 60 per cent of US residents above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated. Additionally, Louisiana has the highest amount of hospitalisations as currently 1,400 people have been admitted for treatment with the virus. It has a case rate of 89 per 100,000 people. Ms Crofts daughter Macy, 14, has also been affected recently, as the nurse explained in the video on 31 July. She came to me, said Mom, we need to pray for my friends parents and her friends parents are in my ICU and one of them may not go home, Ms Croft said. She explained the agony of potentially not being able to save the friends parents, saying: I cannot even explain how that feels, as a nurse and as a mom. So many of the people that we are getting havent been vaccinated. And just to know that theres something that could help and people arent taking advantage of it. Ms Croft acknowledged that they had been getting patients who had been vaccinated, but said that their sickness was much less severe and that they were less likely to die from coronavirus. They usually go home to raise their kids and to hug their husband or their wife. she said. Ms Croft said that she felt defeat after watching people die knowing they could have been vaccinated against Covid. I cant explain the feeling of defeat when you pour everything, you do everything into a patient and its not enough, and then to know that they could have got vaccinated and it could have made a difference, she said. On 2 August, Governor John Bel Edwards made the state the first to reintroduce the indoor mask mandate, who while in the announcement urged people to get vaccinated against covid. I am pleading with unvaccinated Louisianans to get their shot as soon as they can to protect themselves. We can end this nightmare, but it is going to take all of us working together to do it, he said. Currently, nearly 80 per cent of the country is facing CDC advice to wear mask indoors, as in counties marked substantial or high, it is recommended to wear a face covering while inside. According to data from the The New York Times, 613,436 people have died in the US from coronavirus. The governor of Missouri has pardoned a couple who were famously recorded pointing guns from the front of their luxury home at a group of passing Black Lives Matter protestors last summer. On Tuesday, governor Mike Parson, a Republican, announced the pardon of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who pled guilty, respectively, to misdemeanor assault and harassment in June. The couple brandished an assault rifle and a semi-automatic pistol as a group of racial justice protestors walked by their home on their way to a protest last summer. Mark McCloskey has publicly stated that if he were involved in the same situation, he would have the exact same conduct, Joel Schwartz, the couples attorney, said on Tuesday. He believes that the pardon vindicates that conduct. The couple, wealthy lawyers who live in a palazzo-style mansion on a private street in St Louis, said they both felt threatened by the demonstrators, who were on their way to the mayors house nearby. There was no evidence that any of them had a weapon and no one I interviewed realised they had ventured onto a private enclave, special prosecutor Richard Callahan said of the protestors earlier this year. No shots were fired and no one was hurt, but the incident did catapult the McCloskeys to social media infamy, viewed by some as the caricature of a white, wealthy reactionaries, while their gun-toting antics won them a level of celebrity in right-wing circles. In May, Mark McCloskey announced he was running as a Republican for the US Senate. Hes remained unrepentant about the incident. Id do it again, he said from the courthouse steps following his and his wifes guilty pleas. Any time the mob approaches me, Ill do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because thats what kept them from destroying my house and my family. In one of his campaign ads, he promised he would do the same thing again and again and again. The outspoken personal injury lawyer is running for the seat that will be left vacant by the GOPs Roy Blunt, who is retiring from the Senate next year. Three people have been shot in a workplace attack in Nashville, Tennessee. The shooting took place at Smile Direct Club shortly before 6am on Tuesday morning, when a male employee went into the building during a shift change and opened fire. Following the attack, a man carrying a weapon and believed to be the shooter was spotted by police close to where the incident took place. The suspect left the building as officers responded to the attack, but he was spotted at a nearby intersection. After telling the man to drop his weapon, police fired at the suspect. Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said the man pointed his weapon towards the officers instead of dropping it. He added that the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Antonio King, was pronounced dead after being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The suspected gunman was armed with a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, Mr Aaron said. Two officers discharged their weapons towards Mr King. Police think the suspect was acting alone and have yet to release a possible motive behind the attack. Authorities said the three people with gunshot wounds were all taken to hospital alive, but one of them was in critical condition. The injured employees have not been identified. One was shot in the leg, one in the abdomen, and a third was shot in the chest. One employee injured an ankle as they were running. Two of those shot were security guards employed by Allied Universal Security and the third was an employee of SmileDirectClub, WKRN reported. Police said that Mr King had only been working at the company since June, but had been employed there previously, between late 2019 and early 2020, according to the Nashville Tennessean. Fire department spokesman Joseph Pleasant said five people were taken by EMTs to hospitals in the area. Mr Aaron said neither of the officers who fired at the suspect were injured by gunfire themselves, but an investigation is ongoing following reports that Mr King may have fired his weapon at the officers. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will take over the investigation as it is a police-involved shooting. Special agents and forensic scientists were at the scene of the shooting at 8.30am. People were asked to avoid the area, which includes a number of single-story homes, as the investigation was continuing. Smile Direct Club produces teeth-straightening products and has had its headquarters in Nashville since 2016. SmileDirectClub is saddened at the incident that took place at its manufacturing facilities this morning, the company said in a statement. The incident was contained quickly by security personnel on-site. The safety of our team members is a top priority for our company and we maintain strict security protocols. We are working with the local police as they investigate this matter. A LaGuardia airport retailer had to check its pricing after being called out by a traveller, who posted a picture of a sky-high $28 beer on social media. Lol at all of this, including the additional 10 per cent Covid Recovery Fee that doesnt go to workers, tweeted Cooper Lund on 7 July, while visiting the Biergarten outlet in New York before his flight. Lund posted a picture of a menu with a glass of Sam Adams Summer Ale listed at the exorbitant price of $27.85 (20.04). Following the post, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has requested that OTG Management the company that operates the outlets in New York airports Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia audit its prices. We know this market is expensive enough already, so were committed to everything we can do to ensure reasonable pricing for our customers. At our request, OTG is conducting a full audit of their pricing, and we will be working with all of our terminal operators and concession partners to review pricing across restaurants and airports to ensure customers are being treated fairly, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement to The Independent. This is a situation where someone simply input the wrong prices, OTG responded in a statement to The Independent. Once we learned of it, we immediately took action to correct and began proactively auditing our entire system to ensure there were no other mistakes. OTG took this initiative on its own. OTG also tweeted a response to Lund: Yikes. GOOD CATCH! That Sam Summer **price is incorrect** and has been updated. + note all other listed prices are for 23oz pours. The company then offered the disgruntled traveller a free beer when he next visits the airport. We very much appreciate you spotting. DM us next time youre passing through on us. Despite the kind gesture, social media users noticed the retailer was overcharging on a number of items. What should the price actually be? It looks to me like *all* of these prices are hugely inflated, not just the Sam Summer, tweeted aviation commentator Jason Rabinowitz. The beer has been relisted at $18.15 (13.06). Prices for food and drink jumped up after a New York City Covid initiative allowed restaurants and bar owners to add a 10 per cent Covid-19 recovery charge to bills, to compensate for fewer patrons while capacity was capped. Councilman Joseph C. Borelli introduced the concept to help those in the hospitality industry recoup some of the costs they had suffered during the pandemic. Restaurants are now allowed to operate at full capacity. Some passengers no longer have the option of eating on board their flight, as certain airlines are temporarily limiting their onboard food and drink services. American Airlines, for example, is currently not serving full meals or alcohol in economy seats on shorter flights. Youre welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks to enjoy during your flight, states the airline. An American girl whose mother fled the US to join Isis has been rescued and is awaiting approval to return to the country after her parents were killed living under the terror group, a report has said. According to BuzzFeed, the eight-year-old girl, who grew up under ISIS control, was born on 8 December 2012, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her mother, Ariel Bradley, was reported to have been a US citizen who grew up as an evangelical Christian before converting to Islam and marrying the girls father, Yasin Mohamad, in 2011. According to the outlet, when Bradley became pregnant, she returned to the US to give birth in her hometown before returning to Sweden where she had been living with Mohamad. Buzzfeed previously ran a profile on Bradley in 2015 in which friends revealed that she often changed her personality to fit in with her relationships. The thing about Ariel that was just so weird was that she had such a clearly segmented life, an anonymous former friend told the outlet. They added: It was like, when I first met her she was a Christian, and then she was a socialist, and then she was an atheist, and then a Muslim. It seemed like whatever guy she was with, she would just crawl into his skin and kind of become him. Around 2014 the family appeared to have traveled to the Middle East and joined the terrorist organisation Isis. Buzzfeed reports that the mothers social media posts between January and July in 2015 revealed an insight into the life of her young family as part of a terrorist organisation. Turn around & my daughter is covered in white. Never leave baby powder at eye level of a 2-year-old, she purportedly wrote in a tweet. Information provided by a Canadian source to Buzzfeed suggested that Bradley and a second child she gave birth to while living in al-Bab, died in a coalition airstrike on 29 November 2018. On 17 July, the eight-year-old girl was rescued from a detention camp and is waiting at a rehabilitation center in northeast Syria for the US government to certify her citizenship. The Kurdish-led detention camps are said to hold tens of thousands of people including women and children, who are linked to Isis. The Canadian source told Buzzfeed that the young girl was made to wear a head-to-toe veil only exposing her eyes as a disguise to hide the American girl from the Kurdish guards. They knew the camp authorities were always searching for orphans, the Canadian woman, who joined the terrorist group in 2014 but has since renounced the organisation, told Buzzfeed. Children in the camps have the worst start to life, the Canadian woman, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear for her safety, told the outlet. They are already traumatised by losing one or more parents and growing up around violence, poverty, and misery. They deal with constant danger, lack of food, lack of education, and their lives are simply going to waste. To be able to return to the US, where her maternal grandparents reside, the child will have to undergo DNA testing, to determine her citizenship status among other formal procedures. The State Department told BuzzFeed News: The United States has repatriated 12 adult US citizens and 16 US citizen minors from Syria and Iraq. Of the adults, the Department of Justice has charged ten with federal criminal charges. We have no comment on specific numbers of US citizens remaining in facilities in Northeast Syria. The Biden administration will announce plans to limit evictions after a moratorium lapsed last weekend, CNN reports. An official told CNN that it would not be another nationwide moratorium like the one that ended on 31 July put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year. Lawyers for the administration were reportedly unable to identify any administrative authority to continue the moratorium after the Supreme Court made a ruling late in June. The plan comes as progressive members of the House have demonstrated on the steps of the House of Representatives. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the White Houses position on Tuesday. Another police officer who fought with Trump supporters during the Capitol riot has died by suicide. DC Metropolitan Police Officer Gunther Hashida killed himself on 29 July, according to an announcement from his family. DC Metropolitan Police Officer Gunther Hashida, who took his own life after battling with Trump supporters during the Capitol riot. (Mountcastle Turch Funeral Homes & Crematory ) Details on how he ended his life were not made clear in the announcement. Mr Hashida leaves behind a wife and three children. A Capitol police officer, Howard Liebengood, also died by suicide three days after the Capitol riot. Another DC Metropolitan Police Officer, Jeffrey Smith shot himself while commuting to work on 15 January. In his work as an officer with the DC Metropolitan Police Department, he worked to serve and protect the public. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, a statement on a GoFundMe page for his family stated. According to police reports, Mr Hashida was found dead in his home. We are grieving as a Department as our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashidas family and friends, a spokesman for the department told DailyMail.com on Monday. The suicide comes a week after Capitol and DC Metropolitan Police officers testified before the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot. During the hearing, officers recounted being beaten, crushed, shocked, sprayed with chemicals and pelted with death threats and racial slurs by the Trump supporters who attacked them during the riot. The families of the officers who took their own lives said they noted a change in their loved ones in the wake of the riot. I do believe if he did not go to work that day, he would be here and we would not be having this conversation, Mr Smiths wife Erin told The New York Times. DC Metropolitan Police Office Michael Fanone told the House select committee that he has suffered from post traumatic stress after his experiences during the Capitol riot. A California man has been arrested for participating in the Capitol riot after he was turned in to the FBI by his church prayer group. Glen Allen Brook was arrested on Thursday by the FBI after his church group tipped off the agency. Mr Brooks "boasted of his active participation" in the insurrection and "sent photos of his attendance" to a text chat group full of members from his church group, according to a criminal complaint. The text reportedly included a photo of himself inside the Capitol. Several weeks later he was turned in by a member of the group. He has been charged with "entering and remaining and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds," as well as "disorderly conduct and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building." Mr Allen's arrest came just before it was announced two more officers who fought Trump supporters during the insurrection had died by suicide, and in the wake of a House select committee hearing in which officers recounted the various injuries they incurred during the attack. Officers testified to being beaten, crushed, sprayed with chemicals, dragged down stairs, shocked by stun guns and having death threats and racial slurs thrown at them. Thus far, the FBI has arrested nearly 600 people for participating in the attack. The continually growing case has been described by the Department of Justice as potentially the most complex it has ever handled. Far-right Republican lawmakers have attempted to offer a counter-narrative concerning the riots. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene attempted to hold a press conference to complain that Capitol rioters were being imprisoned unjustly immediately after the House select committee drew to a close, but the pair were shouted down and run off by protesters. Other lawmakers have tried to paint the event as a "peaceful protest" despite five people dying during or shortly after the attack and four officers dying by suicide in its aftermath. Attorneys prosecuting the case are also building conspiracy charges for members of The Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, who have been accused of planning and coordinating the attacks on 6 January. With attention focused on the Capitol Police, lawmakers passed a $2.1bn spending measure last week to pay for overtime, training, mental health services and equipment for the law enforcement organisation. The funding was viewed as a necessary measure, as the Capitol Police's coffers were nearly depleted due to the insurrection. The Senate passed the measure 98-0. The packaged passed in the House 416-11, and will now head to Joe Biden's desk to be signed. The Pentagon, headquarters of Americas armed forces, went into lockdown after a shooting was reported at a nearby Metro station. Multiple gunshots were heard by the station, which is served by the citys Yellow and Blue lines, The Associated Press reported. The shooting reportedly occurred outside the station at a bus platform. The Pentagon currently is on lock down due to an incident at the Pentagon Transit Center. We are asking the public to please avoid the area. More information will be forthcoming, read a statement released on Twitter by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA). Separately, a spokesperson for PFPA told Politico that a gunman had been shot by police by the bus platform, while one officer was injured by gunfire in the process. CNN reported on Tuesday afternoon that the officer had died from his injuries. The lockdown was lifted later Tuesday after the scene was contained by law enforcement. The Pentagon is located across the Potomac from downtown Washington DC, in Arlington, Virginia. In statements, Arlington Fire & Metro indicated that the scene was still active and that multiple victims were found by EMS personnel, although their conditions were not clear. A PFPA tweet stated that the area was an active crime scene but secure around noon local time. Scene is still active, ACFD did encounter multiple patients. [No further info] on patient status will be provided, tweeted Arlington Fire and EMS. The scene of the incident is secure. It is still an active crime scene. We request that everyone stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area. Transportation at the Pentagon is diverted to Pentagon City, added PFPA. The former US commander for Afghanistan, David Petraeus, has told The Times that the United States has abandoned its duty to protect the country and that it will leave the nation to a bloody, brutal civil war. Mr Petraeus, an architect of the counterinsurgency programmes in both Iraq and Afghanistan, warned that the nation is in danger of a takeover by the Taliban. The US is set to leave Afghanistan by the end of this month. The rest of the world will see that we are not supporting democracy or maintaining the values that we promote around the world human rights, particularly womens rights, the right to education and freedom of speech and press all very imperfect in Afghanistan, to be sure, but vastly better than if the Taliban reinstates a medieval Islamist regime, he said. The worst-case scenario is we could see a bloody, brutal civil war similar to that of the 1990s when the Taliban prevailed, Mr Petraeus added. He warned that it could make Afghanistan a sanctuary for al-Qaeda once again. I am a little bit unclear why we didnt think we could maintain 3,500 troops to stop the Taliban from bringing back an ultraconservative Islamist theocracy which is not in anyones interest, he said. The general is just the latest official to criticise the Biden administrations exit from Afghanistan. Former president George W Bush said the consequences of leaving the nation will be unbelievably bad. Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton echoed those statements. Mr Petraeus previously served as CIA Director under the Obama administration but resigned after disclosing an affair and amid revelations had had shared classified information with the woman. He was forced to pay a $100,000 fine and serve a probation period. Donald Trump moved more than $200,000 donated to his Make America Great Again PAC into his own private business accounts, according to an analysis of his federal filings. The money was moved in February, a month after Mr Trump left office. Money donated to PACs is meant to be spent solely on campaign efforts. Forbes reports that the former president also set up a leadership PAC, which is generally used to support other candidates. Mr Trump took $30m from his Make America Great Again PAC and moved it to the new PAC, called Save America. That PAC eventually grew to $90m, and Mr Trump took an additional $79,000 out of that PAC for his own uses. Mr Trump's business, the Trump Organization, regularly interacted with his campaign PACs. In one instance, the Trump Organization charged his campaign PAC $38,000 in rent via the Trump Tower Commercial LLC, in which Mr Trump has 100 per cent interest. During 2016, Mr Trump ran his campaign out of the skyscraper, but his 2020 campaign was partially run from Washington DC. Despite this, the Trump Organisation continued to collect rent for Trump Tower. To find out what others are saying and join the conversation scroll down for the comments section or click here for our most commented on articles In total, the Trump Organization collected $188,000 in rent between January and June, all paid for through Trump's campaign donations. Trump Restaurants LLC also collected rent from the PAC even after the former president left office and during a time when tourists visiting Trump Tower were few due to the coronavirus pandemic totalling $15,000, according to federal filings. Save America, the leadership PAC, paid the Trump Hotel Collection $79,000 in total after Mr Trump left office, according to the White House. Those expenses were largely for lodging and meals. The Trump Organization did not comment on the self-dealing payments, but the former president did issue a statement boasting that his affiliated committees have approximately $100m of cash ready for use. These fundraising numbers, coupled with tremendous support in so many other ways, show that President Trumps supporters want him to continue the fight, the statement said. Mr Trump has not yet committed to running another presidential campaign in 2024, though insiders have claimed he has told his dinner guests that he will once again compete for the Oval Office. In the meantime, the Trump Organization is at the centre of an investigation by the Manhattan DA's office into alleged financial crimes. A former US army official, Alexander Vindman, has revealed how then US president Donald Trump spoke to Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky seeking investigations into Hunter Bidens activities. Theres a lot of talk about Bidens son. That Biden stopped the prosecution, said Mr Trump, according to Mr Vindmans new book Here, Right Matters: An American Story , an excerpt of which was published by The Atlantic on Tuesday. The book by Mr Vindman, a retired army lieutenant colonel and the former director for European affairs for the National Security Council, gives details of Mr Trumps call with Ukraines president on 25 July 2019, which later led to his first impeachment. During his call with Ukraines president, Mr Trump reportedly said: A lot of people want to find out about that So whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution, so if you can look into it I could hardly believe what I was hearing, wrote Mr Vindman. He said he knew that the presidents personal attorney Rudy Giuliani had been publicly pushing the false Biden story and he had been disturbed to hear that the US ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, had suggested to Ukrainian officials that if Ukraine pursued certain investigations, Mr Zelensky would get a White House visit. Still, for all my long-running concerns about Trumps approach to Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, and for all of my immediate concerns about how this call with Mr Zelensky might go, I had refused to imagine that I would ever hear a president of the United States ask a foreign head of state - a state dependent on vital US security aid that Congress had earmarked for it, thus binding the executive branch to deliver that aid - to, in essence, manufacture compromising material on an American citizen in exchange for that support, wrote the former US army official. Mr Vindman said that the president was brazenly involving not only himself but also Attorney General Barr, as well as his personal attorney Giuliani, in a wholly improper effort to subvert US foreign policy in order to game an election. Mr Trump was ultimately impeached by the US House of Representatives, controlled by the Democrats, for pushing Ukraine to investigate the Biden family. The Republican-controlled Senate later voted in Mr Trumps favour in an impeachment trial. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Mr Trump and his allies repeatedly brought up what they alleged were the wrongdoings of Hunter Biden, son of Mr Trumps rival Joe Biden, during his service on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. In his book, Mr Vindman said Mr Zelensky was talking about how much hed like to visit the White House and assured Mr Trump that he would pursue a transparent inquiry into Hunter Biden. According to the book, this assurance was enough for Mr Trump, who was detached up to that point, to became very friendly. Whenever you would like to come to the White House feel free to call. Give us a date, and well work that out. I look forward to seeing you, said Mr Trump to Mr Zelensky, according to the excerpt. Spirit Airlines has cancelled or delayed almost 300 flights citing operational challenges, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, and San Juan in Puerto Rico. American Airlines, meanwhile, cancelled more than 500 flights and another 782 were delayed due to weekend storms and operational challenges, according to CBS News. A Spirit Ailines spokesperson said the airline was working to find solutions for affected customers, which were on 227 cancelled flights and another 58 delayed, per data from the tracking website FlightAware.com. It came after 165 flights were cancelled on Sunday. Were working around the clock to get back on track in the wake of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to a series of weather and operational challenges, spokesperson Field Sutton in a statement to The Miami Herald. We needed to make proactive cancellations to some flights across the network, but the majority of flights are still scheduled as planned. Spirit Airlines is directing affected customers to check their email before leaving for the airport to confirm whether their flight has been cancelled or delayed. The fastest way to receive direct assistance from the airline is through their webchat platform, they said. Orlando Airport had 56 Spirit cancellations on Monday after 36 cancellations on Sunday, spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell told The Orlando Sun-Sentinel. I think the question of why its happening is a combination of weather with afternoon storms and lightning; airline staffs are reduced by Covid not just here but across the nation and youve got a huge spike in travel, she said Its all of that, a perfect storm. Videos and images online showed lines of people stranded or waiting in extended lines after their flights were cancelled or delayed. When #spiritairlines leaves you stranded in Puerto Rico with no employees in sight and holds your luggage and money hostage, tweeted one passenger. We were stuck overnight with no clothes or essentials for our 3 or 1 year olds and are still without answers and searching for flights. In Los Angeles, the terminals were packed and lines spilled out onto the sidewalk, said another. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A St Louis doctor has shared X-ray images showing the importance of getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Dr Ghassan Kamel is the ICU director at the Saint Louis University Hospital in Missouri, and most of his patients have yet to get the shots needed to be protected. His patients are younger now than the ones he treated last December, but now he can also see the benefits reaped for those who have been vaccinated. We are seeing very sick patients, Dr Kamel told KSDK. Two X-ray images provided by SSM Health both of infected patients, but one from a vaccinated person and one from a person who hasnt been inoculated shows the different impacts the virus has on the lungs between people with different vaccination status. Dr Kamel told the St Louis TV station that the white you see in the unvaccinated persons lungs is the damage done by the virus. It could be bacteria, mucus, or secretions, KSDK reported. To protect patient information, specific conditions seen in the X-rays were not revealed. But the doctor said the unvaccinated patient seen in the X-ray image most likely needs significant care. Dr Ghassan Kamel said the unvaccinated patient seen in the x-ray most likely needs significant care. (KSDK) They definitely at least would require oxygen and sometimes they would require more than just oxygen. They might require the ventilator or get intubated on mechanical ventilation, sedated, and basically on life support, Dr Kamel told KSDK and added that healthy lungs filled with air have more black areas on X-ray images. The X-ray image of the vaccinated individual infected with Covid-19 is a rare breakthrough case less than one per cent of vaccinated people have been infected, and those who do most often have such mild cases that they may not need to go to the hospital. Some dont experience any symptoms or may feel like theyve got a regular cold. The x-ray image of the vaccinated individual infected with Covid-19 is a rare breakthrough case less than one per cent of vaccinated people have been infected. (KSDK) Dr Kamel said most of those who are vaccinated and end up going to the hospital dont require to be transferred to the intensive care unit or to be put on life support. But exceptions include those who have pre-existing conditions or who are immunocompromised. The CDC released new data on Friday that shows that those who are vaccinated can spread the disease as easily as the unvaccinated, despite overwhelmingly being safe from the risk of serious disease. The vaccine protects you from getting really really sick, Washington University Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Rachel Presti told KSDK, but it doesnt protect you from passing it on to, you know, your neighbours or loved ones. This comes as the CDC recently issued new mask guidance asking vaccinated people to once again wear a mask in public indoor areas in places with high transmission of the virus. This includes large areas of the country as the Delta variant spreads across the US. If you dont like the mask, you definitely wont like the ventilator, Dr Kamel said, urging people to get vaccinated. Missouri has recently seen a surge of Covid-19 cases with the 7-day average increasing from under 1.000 cases in early July to more than 2.500 cases in early August, according to data compiled by The New York Times. French President Emmanuel Macron has taken to popular social media apps in a new push to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19, combat false information and reach out to younger people. Filming himself from his summer residency at Fort de Bregancon on the French Riviera wearing a casual T-shirt, Macron, 43, offered to answer peoples questions in a video posted on Instagram and Tiktok. As France faces a new surge in confirmed daily COVID-19 cases, Macron said the vaccine is the only weapon we have to face it. I know that many of you are still wondering, are afraid. Many are hearing false information, false rumors, sometimes complete rubbish ... Go ahead, ask me and I will try to be as direct and clear as possible, he said. Since then, Macron has posted a string of short videos addressing issues including : Im young and healthy, I have no reason to get the vaccine, the vaccine is not safe and not 100% efficient and its too soon, the vaccine has been developed too quickly. Macrons move comes after three successive weekends of protests against Frances special virus pass drew thousands of people in Paris and other French cities. Macron intends to continue answering people's questions all week on the social media, his office said. This is not the first time that Macron, who is widely expected to seek a second presidential term next year, has used social media in a bid to speak to younger people. In May, he filmed a video in the French presidential palace with two of Frances most popular YouTube stars, Mcfly and Carlito, after they met a challenge to reach more than 10 million views with a song about social distancing. Over 35 million people in France about 53% of the population are fully vaccinated. At least 6 million of them have gotten their first vaccine shot since Macron announced on July 12 that a COVID-19 health pass will be required to enter all restaurants and to travel domestically. The measure, if approved by the Constitutional Council, is expected to begin Aug. 9. To get the pass, people must have proof they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative or recently recovered from the virus. France also requires all health care workers to start getting vaccinated by Sept. 15 or risk suspension. Almost 112,000 people with the virus have died in France, which is now registering over 20,000 new infections a day, up from less than 2,000 new cases a day on July 1. ___ Follow all AP stories on the global pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. A giant panda has given birth to twin cubs in an exceptional birth at a zoo in France. Huan Huan gave birth at around 1am on Monday morning at ZooParc de Beauval. The female cubs which the zoo described in a statement as very lively, pink, and plump weighed just 135g and 127g respectively. The labour was overseen by two vets from China who travelled to Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, for the occasion. These births are always exceptional, Delphine Delord, the zoos associate director, said. Vets are helping Huan Huan in caring for her cubs, as they said it is very common when twin pandas are born for the mother to take care of only the strongest and leave the other little one according to a translation of their post on Facebook. When one of the cubs is with Huan Huan, the other one is wrapped in a blanket and placed in a incubator to be checked over and fed a bottle of Huan Huans milk. One of the vets, who travelled from Chengdu in China, uses a spoon of honey to distract Huan Huan so that the other baby panda can be taken to the incubator. Huan Huan is then able to tighten the mother/child bond with the other cub the post adds. The vets also cut the umbilical cords of the cubs while they were each in the incubator, pictures show. The breeding of pandas is notoriously difficult, but the zookeepers were excited to find that Huan Huan and partner Yuan Zi made contact eight times in a weekend last March, according to the AFP news agency. Veterinarians also carried out an artificial insemination just to be sure of a conception. The window for conception is small since female pandas are in heat only once a year for about 24-48 hours. The gestation period lasts between three to five months. Huan Huans newborns will not be named for 100 days. Peng Liyuan wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping is to choose the names, the zoo said. Huan Huan sleeping inside her enclosure one day before giving birth (AFP via Getty Images) Huan Huan, who has been on loan from China since 2012, is already a parent to Yuan Meng, who in 2017 was the first panda to have been born in France. Yuan Meng is to be sent this year to China, where there are about 1,800 giant pandas living in the wild and another 500 in captivity. Last month, China said giant pandas were no longer deemed to be endangered due to conservation efforts but are still vulnerable. China considers pandas a national treasure, but have also loaned them to other countries in an attempt to build diplomacy. Three people have been hospitalised and a further three arrested after a shooting in Sweden, with police reportedly uncertain whether there could be more casualties or perpetrators. A large police operation was quickly established in the southern city of Kristianstad after multiple gunshots were heard at around 3:40pm on Tuesday. A man in his 20s, one in his 30s and a woman in her 60s were treated for serious injuries, authorities said. Police were initially placed on guard at hospital for the victims protection. But it remained unclear on Tuesday evening whether they were the intended targets of the attack, or had any shared relationship with each other or with the suspected perpetrators. Three men were later arrested on Tuesday evening on suspicion of attempted murder, Swedens national broadcaster SVT reported, quoting a police spokesperson as saying that there could be more perpetrators involved. Police initially said that several people had been found with suspected gunshot wounds in various locations in the district of Nasby, with one crime scene close to a shopping centre. Officers reportedly feared there could be more casualties as some people had left the scene in private vehicles one of them among the three now in hospital. Now time has passed, we assume that it is about three people, at least for the moment, spokesperson Richard Lundqvist was quoted as saying. Their injuries are reported to be serious, but not life-threatening. Police monitor the area at the scene of a shooting in Kristianstad (EPA) There were also reports about gunshots in the same area on Monday evening. Police were quoted as saying they had discovered bullet holes in a road sign, with no indication of any injuries. It comes amid a rise in gun violence in the Scandinavian nation, with a report this year from Swedens national council for crime prevention stating that it is the only European country where fatal shootings have significantly risen since 2000. The group blamed the rise in gun violence primarily on organised crime. Additional reporting by AP Britains maritime trade agency reported a potential hijack was under way off the coast of the United Arab Emirates Fujairah region, without giving details on the vessel or vessels involved. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation had warned ships earlier on Tuesday that an incident was taking place. It had also advised vessels in the area of Fujairah to exercise caution, based on a third-party source. The UK foreign office said it was urgently investigating the incident. Earlier on Tuesday afternoon at least five ships in the sea between the UAE and Iran updated their AIS tracking status to Not Under Command, according to Refinitiv ship tracking data. Such a status generally indicates a ship is unable to manoeuvre due to exceptional circumstances. It was not clear whether this had any connection to the reported incident. The area in the Arabian Sea leads to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the worlds seaborne oil exports flow. This comes after a drone attack last week on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman left a British citizen dead. Britain, the US and Israel have blamed Tehran for the attack. The UKs Foreign Office has said that it believes the strike on the oil tanker was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran. The UKs minister for digital infrastructure, Matt Warman, said on Monday that all the evidence that we see points to the fact that it was Iranian action. The Iranian government has denied responsibility, but the British government warned Tehran that it was working with allies on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack. Additional reporting by Reuters Close Laura Muir emotional after taking silver medal in 1500m final Day 14 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games saw Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald take gold for Great Britain as they won the first ever Olympic womens madison in dominant fashion. It is a fifth career Olympic title for Kenny, who surpassed Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel to become the most successful female cyclist in Olympic history as she took gold at a third consecutive Games. Jack Carlin then added more silverware for the GB cycling team with a bronze in the mens sprint. Kate French put together a brilliant series of performances to become Britains second Olympic champion in modern pentathlon keeping her cool superbly in the final run-and-shoot. Laura Muir won a brilliant silver in the 1500m as Faith Kipyegon retained her title with Allyson Felix becoming the most decorated female track and field athlete in history with bronze in a 400m won by defending champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo. Dina Asher-Smith returned to the track to gain some measure of redemption after her agony in the 100m and 200m with relay bronze alongside Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Daryll Neita before the male quartet were denied a famous gold at the line by a fast-finishing Italy. Elsewhere, Tom Daley eased into the individual 10m platform diving semi-finals as he looks to add to his synchronised gold won last week while Britain beat India in a thrilling hockey bronze match and USAs women won beach volleyball gold. Thailand, Georgia and Iran are likely candidates to be moved to the UK governments red list of high risk countries at the upcoming review of international travel rules, according to experts. The next announcement is expected to take place on 5 August as part of the Department for Transports tri-weekly update of the travel traffic light lists. Independent data expert Tim White flagged the three destinations as potential red list additions due to soaring Covid-19 infections, with Thailand and Iran both surpassing their previous records for total new daily cases. There are already 60 countries on the red list, with government guidance stating that people should not travel to red list countries or territories. Only British or Irish nationals, or people with residence rights in the UK, are allowed to enter the UK from a red list country. Doing so triggers a mandatory 10-day (11-night) hotel quarantine at a cost of 1,750 per person for those travelling alone, including room, board and testing. Incoming travellers over the age of 10 from these countries must also complete a Covid-19 test up to three days before departure. Almost 40 million international tourists travelled to Thailand in 2019, contributing around 20 per cent to the Southeast Asian nations GDP. The market has been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic, however, with most travellers to Thailand, including Brits, currently having to complete two weeks state quarantine. The exceptions to this rule are vaccinated visitors from a number of countries, who are now able to spend up to 45 days visa-free on the islands of Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. These resort islands reopened last month in an attempt to jump start the Thai tourist sector and repair the damage caused by Covid-19 to the economy. British travellers are among those eligible to travel without quarantine to the islands. Thailand will reopen fully to international travellers on 14 October, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha announced last month. The United States is now advising against travel to destinations including Greece, Ireland, Iran and Malta. These destinations can now be found on the State Department and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Level 4 lists, prompted by increasing case numbers of Covid-19. The CDCs advice in relation to destinations on this now 70-strong list states: Avoid travel to these destinations. If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel. A ban on travel from the UK to the US was first introduced on 16 March last year. The UK has been at level 4 since 19 July, when it was moved up from level 3. While level 4 carries a do not travel warning, level threes advisory is for US travellers to reconsider travel. This is guidance, rather than a legal requirement. On 26 July, the Biden administration announced it would maintain restrictions on a range of countries and territories, including the EU and China, for the foreseeable future. Both the US and the UK have a high number of Covid-positive cases caused by the Delta variant, although new infections in the UK appear to be decreasing. Given where we are today ... with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told a press conference. Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely continue to increase in the weeks ahead. Since 2 August, when the UKs rules around travel from the US changed, fully vaccinated travellers from the US have been able to avoid quarantine in the UK, in line with arrivals from other amber list countries. Double-vaccinated inbound US travellers now follow green list rules, needing to present a negative Covid test before departure and a negative PCR test within two days of arrival. Unvaccinated US travellers still need to self-isolate for 10 days and take two PCR tests on days two and eight. Visitors from the States are crucial to the UKs tourism market, accounting for 4.5 million visits to the UK in 2019, according to data from Visit Britain - nearly 10 per cent of the global total. I remember the day I received my first shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination. It was April 1, and I went with my mother, who was also receiving her first dose. At the time, we had to drive forty-five minutes one way to reach the closest vaccination site at an old regional airport in Jasper, Alabama. Queued up in my car to get the shot, I was panicking because I was certain that I was going to be denied: I didnt have health insurance and I still had an out-of-state drivers license. But none of that seemed to matter that cool spring morning. I was shocked at how easy it was to pull up in my car, fill out a few forms and then get the vaccine, free of charge. After we received our shots, one of the volunteers even told us, Congratulations. My mom and I talked about it on the ride home; it truly felt like we were turning a corner; that we as a nation were past the worst of the storm. Of course, the irony that it was April Fools Day did not escape us. Skip ahead four months (and a second Pfizer shot) and late one evening I noticed I was feeling unusually achy and congested. I figured it was just fatigue, but when I awoke the next morning my condition had worsened and I knew I was sick. Whatever I had, my immediate family my brother, mother and cousin had contracted in the weeks before me, and, suspecting that it was Covid, they suggested I take a test. I live in Alabama, the epicenter for the outbreak of the US delta varianta state where only about a third of the population has been fully vaccinated (ranking it dead last), and where our governor Kay Ivey still refuses to implement a mask mandate. Nevertheless, I was honestly skeptical that what I had was Covid. Id heard of breakthrough cases fully vaccinated folks contracting the disease but everything Id read about those infections implied that they were very rare. Still, it helped to be sure. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that free Covid testing was no longer available in my area. I called a number of local pharmacies and a CVS, which still offers free testing in some areas of the country (just not mine), finally told me that I could get an at-home test for $20 at Walmart. My next best option was a $50 test from a local drugstore or a walk-in visit at a doctors office, which, being uninsured, wouldve likely cost me several hundred dollars. How different this was from just a few months ago when free Covid testing was available at nearly every franchise pharmacy and corner store. What had happened? I bought the Walmart at-home kit, which included two tests but no way to report the results other than contacting a doctor or healthcare providerunhelpful advice for those of us who are uninsured. To my great surprise, the test revealed that my sample was indeed positive for Covid. This meant that I had the virus after my brother, mother and cousin all vaccinated had contracted it as well. Thankfully, all of our symptoms have been mild so far, but if my entire family caught Covid, then that seems to imply that breakthrough cases of the delta variant are more common than previously assumed. The federal government tracks breakthroughs if they result in hospitalization or death. But the percentage of breakthrough cases like me who are not severe but still contagious? Thats actually difficult to say because the CDC doesnt track that information; instead, its been using modeling to estimate viral spread. In fact, the CDC stopped keeping track of mild breakthrough cases back in May. This all begs the question: Why? Yes, the vaccine is readily available now, but there are still plenty of vulnerable people out there. Were not just talking about Trump supporters who refuse to get inoculated; this also impacts the immunocompromised, who are not as safe even with these vaccines. So why would the federal government stop tracking those who can spread the virus? Why would testing not still be readily available and free, especially since many of us did our societal duty, got vaccinated and continued to mask up? Instead of recognizing the hard truth that the delta variant is more than a minor speedbump on the United States recovery from Covid it feels like our leaders are hoping against hope that millions of vaccine-hesitant Americans will get their shots in the next couple of weeks and that the horror of lockdowns and mask mandates can be over. This is true for both parties: from New York governor Andrew Cuomo, often accused of overreach during his handling of the pandemic, who decided this weekend not to implement a statewide mask mandate, to my own governor Kay Ivey, who has for years refused a Medicaid expansion in our state, refused to criticize Trumps handling of the pandemic, and blamed the recent surge in her state solely on unvaccinated folks. Even the famously reliable Dr Fauci seems to be ignoring the science because, as we all know by now, its unpopular to ask for more Covid restrictions. But for people like me living through this current tsunami of Covid delta, thats exactly whats needed. Just this Sunday on ABCs This Week, Dr Fauci recognized that things are going to get worse and that some pain and suffering lie ahead. Incredibly, in that interview, Fauci also said that even though there werent enough vaccinated people to crush the outbreak, he didnt think we would see more lockdowns. Fauci has also previously stated that more lockdowns are not needed. But as someone with a breakthrough case of Covid, I could not disagree more. My whole immediate family contracted the disease and we did exactly as we were supposed to do. The vaccine has certainly mitigated the symptoms, but it did not stop the spread. Faucis lax attitude seems such a far cry from how he acted under the previous administration, even though the science is perfectly clear: infection rates among the unvaccinated are rising in many states as rapidly as they did during this years deadly winter surge. Florida just reported its highest number of new Covid cases in a single day. At this point, it feels like Fauci and the Biden administration are ignoring the science for political reasons. Even if 100 million Americans got vaccinated today, which is not possible, it would still take weeks for the inoculations to take full effect, meaning that, for now, the delta variant is going to be spreading and likely surging regardless. All this spells out one thing: We need to go into lockdown again. We need to mask up again. We need stricter vaccination requirements for school, travel and work. Hoping that millions of reluctant Americans will suddenly get vaccinated to make the delta variant go away sounds remarkably similar to Bidens predecessor when he said about this time last year that Covid would one day soon just disappear. That wasnt an acceptable attitude then, and its certainly not now. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. Special | Event Coverage Netflix's Monika Shergill talks about crafting stories for every mood on OTT The OTT platforms have taken the world by storm. If there is one key trend that has completely revolutionised the way content is now being created across mediums, it is definitely these new-age platforms. And leading the way is OTT giant Netflix which currently boasts of over 209 million subscribers worldwide. Read More... Television | TV Channels COLORS' Balika Vadhu returns with Season 2 COLORS is all set to bring back one of its longest-running shows Balika Vadhu after a long hiatus of five years. However, the new season will have new cast members who will reignite the conversation around child marriages with a fresh story. Read More... Television | TV Channels Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra settles 91% debt to 43 lenders Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra has issued a second Open Letter sharing details of the debt resolution process and the steps taken to pay off the lenders. The Zee founder revealed that over 91 per cent of the debt has been settled to 43 lenders, and the remaining dues are in the process of being paid. Read More... Television | TV Channels SPSN signs nine sponsors for India Tour of England Wurl has partnered with celebrity news channel Hollywire to distribute and provide monetisation services for the digital channel globally. Most recently, Wurl has secured distribution for the service on Samsung TV Plus India, adding to previous launches facilitated by Wurl on Samsung TV Plus platforms in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. Read More... iWorld | Telecom Net mobile subscribers decline in May: TRAI India's telecom market saw a 6.2 million net decline in mobile subscribers at the end of May, according to the latest monthly subscription data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Read More... Amid the growing concerns about the daily COVID-19 cases showing a marginal increase in India, the Union Health Ministry has warned that eight states have shown a rise in R-value, adding that it was a "significant problem". "Delta variant is a dominant problem. The pandemic is still raging and the second wave is persisting in our own country," VK Paul, the head of the government's Covid task force said on Tuesday adding that "Please remember that R number should be 0.6 or below. If it has gone over 1, it shows it is a significant problem and the virus wants to spread." AFP R-value more than one in 8 states States where R-value is more than one are Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Karnataka, Puducherry and Kerala. While Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra show a declining trend in states like Bengal, Nagaland, Haryana, Goa, Delhi and Jharkhand the R-value is at 1. The R-value is a way of rating Covid-19 or any disease's ability to spread. Growth rate and active cases are also assessed using the R-value. BCCL It is the average number of new infections generated by one infected individual during the entire infectious period, the Union Health Ministry official has said. Whenever R number is above one, it means that the case trajectory is increasing and it needs to be controlled. The R-value hit 1 on July 24 for the first time since May when daily infections were near a peak of 400,000. BCCL Among the metro cities, the R-values of Pune and Delhi are inching towards one, suggests an analysis by researchers at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, warned that the second wave of COVID-19 is not over yet. Whenever R number is above one, it means that the case trajectory is increasing & it needs to be controlled: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry (2/3) ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021 "A high number of Covid-19 cases are being reported across the world and the pandemic is far from over. As far as India is concerned, the second wave is still not over" Agarwal said. At least 7 people have died and nearly 2.5 lakh have been displaced from their homes as monsoon battered the state of West Bengal. On Monday, the Army and the Air Force undertook rescue and relief operations in the Hooghly district, most of which is submerged due to excess rainfall. Indian Navy Lakhs shifted to shelter homes Lakhs of people have been rescued and shifted to shelter homes as several houses were damaged in six worst-hit districts of south Bengal. The districts that have been affected include Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah and South 24 Parganas. As per the media reports, water released from the Damodar Valley Corporation dams (DVC) and heavy rain late last week have caused waterlogging and made the situation worse for the residents. Navy West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed her cabinet ministers to keep a tab on the rescue operations, a senior state government official said, adding that the CM has directed ministers to be present at their respective districts and oversee the relief and rescue operations. Rescue operation underway Over one lakh tarpaulin, 1,000 MT of rice, thousands of drinking water pouches and clean clothes have been sent to the rescue shelters for those affected, the official stated. "We have not yet estimated the loss incurred due to the flood. As of now, our sole priority is to rescue the affected," he said. PTI A Defence spokesperson said that helicopters and boats were used in relief and rescue operations in Hooghly district, following a request from the state government. Choppers dropped emergency food supplies in the affected areas. "Helicopters of Indian Air Force rescued 31 people from rooftops and brought them to safety to Arambagh," he said. #HADROps #WestBengal IAF helicopters rescued 31 people from rooftops in the flood affected areas of Dhanyaghari, Khanakul 2 block, today. pic.twitter.com/qv9uEe5enB Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 2, 2021 Monsoon wreaks havoc in other states According to the reports by PTI, the extensive rainfall has pushed Rajasthan from the deficit rainfall category to that of normal rainfall within a week. Around 14 out of its 33 districts received normal downpours and 10 witnessed excess showers of rain. Ten districts that recorded excess rainfall are Alwar, Baran, Bharatpur, Churu, Dholpur, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Karauli, Kota and Pratapgarh, reported PTI. Rajasthan: Rainwater entered Chhipabarod Police Station in Baran district following heavy rainfall yesterday pic.twitter.com/esTYHrYZuo ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2021 Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, moderate to heavy rains accompanied by thundershowers occurred at many places, the meteorological department revealed on Monday. As per the report by PTI, Tehrauli (Jhansi) recorded 17 cm of rainfall, while 11 cm of rainfall was observed at Mahroni (Lalitpur). 9 cm each at Kulpahar (Mahoba) and Chilaghat (Jhansi), Beberu (Banda), Dhaurahara (Kheri) and 7 cm each at Talbehat (Lalitpur), Mauranipur (Jhansi), Mahoba, Banda and Nautanwa (Maharajganj), reported PTI. Shivraj Daware's second birthday will be a special one as he reportedly became the first-ever child in India to receive a free life-saving injection worth Rs 16 crore from a US firm after winning a lucky draw. Daware suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He was born on August 8, 2019, in Nashik, Maharashtra. He is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder. Lokmat According to doctors, the most effective treatment for patients suffering from this disorder is an injection (Zolgensma - gene replacement therapy). However, due to the obscenely high price of the drug, Shivraj's middle-class parents, Vishal and Kiran couldn't afford it. But they did not lose hope. Vishal told PTI that Shivraj was referred to Mumbai-based Hinduja Hospital for treatment where neurologist Dr Brajesh Udani suggested a Zolgensma injection could save his sons life. Learning about the family's financial state, Dr Udani suggested they enter a lottery to be held by the US-based firm in order to conduct clinical trials. If it works out, the family will get the injection free of cost. iStock During a lucky draw conducted by the company on December 25, 2020, Shivraj was selected by the company to receive the injection. He got the injection at Hinduja Hospital on January 19, 2021. BBC SMA 1 is a genetic disorder. One out of 10,000 children gets affected by the disorder. It slows down the movement of the child and muscles stop working. Later, it leads to the death of the child," said Dr Ramant Patil, the doctor who treated Shivraj in the past. It does not matter where you start, it matters where you finish. Entrepreneur Jyothi Reddy never gave up and wrote her own story, and became an example for the rest of us. A woman who once earned Rs 5 every day in Warangal, Telangana, is today the owner of a company worth $15 million. This journey was not so easy for Jyothi. Struggling for food everyday and achieving this position by defeating extreme poverty speaks volumes of her courage and spirit. In such a situation, it will be very interesting to know Jyothi's inspirational story: Spent childhood in orphanage Jyothi Reddy CEO of Key Software Solution Inc. in Phoenix, US. | Facebook/Jyothi Reddy Born in a very poor family of Warangal in 1970, Jyothi Reddy is the second child out of five siblings. At the age of 9, Jyothi's father Venkata Reddy left her and her younger sister in the semi orphanage. Venkata was compelled to do so. He thought at least his his daughters would get good food. While her younger sister fell ill and soon went back home, Jyothi was left behind. The life of the orphanage was very difficult for her. In an interview, she had said that, "There was no tap and no proper bathroom. I would stand for hours waiting to get just one bucket of water from the well. I used to miss Amma a lot. To live there, I had to pretend that I didn't have a mother." Used to earn Rs 5 per day Jyothi learnt vocational skills including tailoring. Also, Jyothi used to do household work with the superintendent of her orphanage. During her time at the orphanage she saw the meaning of living a good life and understood the importance of a good job. She completed 10th grade in first division but extreme poverty forced her to discontinue her studies. Jyothi Reddy got married at age 16 and had to work at paddy fields to feed her family | Photo: Facebook/Jyothi Reddy At the age of just 16, Jyothi was married to Sami Reddy, a farmer, who was 10 years older than her. Sammi had only half an acre of land, so Jyothi had to work in the field. She used to get Rs 5 for 10 hours of wages. Having two children and living in poverty with a joint family she worked all day and then came home to do household chores. Completed her studies and became a teacher Jyothi volunteered at the Central Government's scheme Nehru Yuva Kendra. Jyothi started teaching here after becoming a volunteer. However, the money she was earning from teaching was not enough to survive, so she used to do sewing work at night to earn more money. After this Jyothi thought of studying further and did BA from Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University. After this, in 1994, she worked as a special teacher in a school with a salary of Rs 398 a month. The interesting thing was that she used to travel 2 hours per day to arrive at work. Using this time, she started selling sarees to her co-travellers on the way and got a profit of Rs 20 from each saree. This also made her understand the value of time. Finally, in 1995, she got a regular job and started getting a salary of Rs 2,750 per month and worked as mandal girl child development officer and would inspect the schools. During this period, she also got a postgraduate degree in 1997. Her journey to America Everything was fine, but Jyothi used to think about her lifestyle after seeing her cousin, who had come down from the US to Warangal in 1998. Her cousin told her that women like her can easily manage there. From then Jyothi started saving to go to the United States. For this, she started a fund along with other teachers. Through this she managed to earn up to 25,000. During this, she started going to Hyderabad daily to learn computer software from VCL Computers. Her husband forbid her, but Jyothi was determined. Despite my husbands disapproval, I moved out of the village, Mailaran, with my children and went to Hanamkonda town. I joined a typing institute, did a craft course and earned Rs 20-25 daily by stitching petticoats at Re 1 per piece. I also got a job as the librarian at Janasikshana Nilayam and joined an open school where I would go every Sunday to continue my studies, said Reddy. In US Jyothi Reddy was working a different kind of small job such as salesman, babysitting. | Photo: Faecbook/Jyothi Reddy In 1992, I got an 18-month job as a special teacher at Ameenpet, 70 km from Warangal. The journey would cost me more than my salary. I used to sell sarees on the train every day to earn extra money. Finally I got a regular job in 1994 at a monthly salary of Rs 2,750. I worked as a mandal girl child development officer and would inspect the schools, she said. She took leave from the office and got her passport and visa in 2001 and went to the US where she lived with her husband's cousin and then she did a 12-hour job, which used to get a salary of $ 60. During this time she was a paying guest with a Gujarati family. She also did many small jobs as a babysitter, gas operator and sales girl so that she could afford to live in America. After this she got her first office job in a company named CS America. She got another job offer from a different company, but it didn't last long and she had to return to those small jobs once again. Started her own company After struggling for almost a 1.5 year, she came back to India in 2001 to meet her daughters. During that time, Jyothi met a priest while going to a temple, who told her that she would run a business. This thing settled in her mind and soon she started a consulting company, which would take care of requirements such as paper work visas for the US. Jyothi Reddy started a consultancy company in US to help others who dont know how to get a visa. | Photo: Facebook/Jyothi Reddy After this, In 2001 she established Key Software Solution Inc. in Phoenix from her savings which she earned in the USA (Around $40,000). Her company also developed recruitment and software solutions. Soon she made her cousin her partner. After the profits, his daughters also came to America. A success story She made a profit of $1,68,000 in the first year, which soon turned into million dollars. Presently the turnover of her company is over $15 million. More than 100 employees work in her company. She has four houses in America and one bungalow in Hyderabad. I want to do much more. Women can also become better businessmen than men by sheer hard work and intelligence, she said. I want to tell women to be economically independent and take their own decisions instead of depending on their fathers, husbands and sons at various stages in life. They keep educational degrees as mere certificates and stop working after marriage unlike in the US. Be the master of your fate and remember, taking care of children is part of life, but not a life, she said. Jyothi's story is special in every sense. Her story teaches one not to be afraid of dreaming, keeping courage, to be willing to take risks. We all have had arguments with our family and sometimes we have threatened to run away if they didnt listen to us. It's what kids usually do when they don't get their way. But one Pakistani teenager seems to have walked the talk. A 15-year-old Pakistani boy was detained by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel after crossing the international border at Khavda in Gujarats Kutch district. Representational Image/Reuters The boy was detained around 11 am on Sunday after he crossed the fencing near the border pillar number 1099, India Today reported. As per News18, the boy hails from Tharparkar district in Pakistan's Sindh province. On preliminary interrogation, the boy mentioned that he ran away from his home after a quarrel with his family members. As per a preliminary inquiry by the BSF, the boy mentioned that he had quarrelled with his family members and ran away from his home," the officials told PTI. Representational Image/PTI After completing the preliminary questioning and getting a medical test done at the community health centre in Khavda village, BSF personnel handed over the boy to Khavda police station. Khavda is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. In an unrelated incident that took place earlier this month, a 12-year-old Bangladeshi boy was apprehended by the South Bengal Frontier of Border Security Force (BSF) when he was returning through International Boundary after meeting his grandfather residing in West Bengals Murshidabad, News18 reported. After a routine interrogation, the BSF team handed over the minor to Border Guard Bangladesh as a goodwill gesture. Representational Image/Reuters This took place on July 22 when BSF troops apprehended the minor boy from the area of Border Out Post Pirojpur when he was trying to cross the international boundary to return to Bangladesh. At around 1100 hours, based on the information of BSF Intelligence Branch, a minor Bangladeshi boy was apprehended near International Boundary of Border Out Post Pirojpur. During the interrogation, he revealed that he had come today (22 July) at 0800 hrs in Indian village Bajitput to meet his grandfather, whose name is Iramul Sheikh, a resident of Indian village Bajitpur, Post Dayarampur, Police Station-Raghunathganj, District Murshidabad. He revealed that today when he was going back to Bangladesh the BSF troops apprehended him," the BSF said in a statement. In April, another incident had taken place which had seen an 8-year-old Pakistani boy accidentally enter Indian territory at the Barmer border in Rajasthan. He was later safely handed over to Pakistan Rangers by the BSF. The federal ban on evictions officially expired Saturday, and landlords across the country can now evict tenants for nonpayment of rent. Until this past weekend, renters in Northern Virginia and across the country were protected by a ban on evictions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the economy is starting to ramp up again and many are returning to work, housing advocates worry eviction rates in the region may increase significantly if tenants are still unable to pay rent and landlords are no longer required to apply for rental assistance before filing for eviction. In June, the CDC extended the eviction moratorium through July 31, which gave low-income residents more time to find employment or file for rental assistance. But a 5-4 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court effectively blocked the CDC from extending the eviction moratorium past the end of July. The court ruled that the CDC does not have the authority to keep the ban in place, and Congress would need to pass legislation for it to continue. It is unclear whether Congress has the votes to extend the eviction moratorium. But over the past year it has appropriated $46 billion toward emergency rental assistance, which helped thousands of low-income renters in Fairfax County and elsewhere in the region pay their rent on time. Since the pandemic began, the county has disbursed $31.5 million from the CARES Act, Community Development Block Grant and a variety of other community-based organizations to help renters and homeowners pay their rent, mortgages and utilities. As of June, the county is still reviewing $35.1 million in emergency rental assistance from the American Rescue Plan, which would also go to helping residents pay rent and utilities. But even though there is plenty of assistance left, the county has been slow to get that money to landlords who sometimes have to wait months before they receive any emergency rental assistance. The eviction moratorium and Virginia's coronavirus state of emergency, which have now both expired, laid out certain requirements preventing landlords from evicting tenants without first applying for rental assistance, among other things. But now that those requirements have expired, housing advocates fear that landlords may decide its not worth it to wait months to receive overdue rent and may evict their tenants anyway. Dipti Pidikiti-Smith, deputy director of advocacy at Legal Services of Northern Virginia, told InsideNoVa that without formal legislation landlords are free to evict whoever they want for nonpayment of rent. If landlords are not required to apply for rent assistance prior to filing eviction cases, there will be an increase in eviction filings, she said. According to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey in July, about 3.6 million people in the country said it is somewhat likely or very likely they will be evicted and lose their housing in the next two months. Between July 2020 and the end of June 2021, 668 writs of eviction and 1,562 unlawful detainers had been issued to Fairfax residents, according to the countys Eviction Data Dashboard put together by the countys health and human services department staff using real-time data obtained from the Fairfax County Sheriffs Office and General District Court. The number of eviction filings for July has not been updated on the dashboard, but Pidikiti-Smith said she has seen data from the Fairfax County Sheriffs Office and noted the number of eviction filings for nonpayment increased in Fairfax this past month although its difficult to say whether this is an indication that evictions will continue to increase. The countys Eviction Prevention Task Force, made up of local nonprofits and county agencies, is continuing outreach efforts to provide information to tenants and landlords about what assistance the county has available. But according to several housing advocates in Fairfax County, including Pidikiti-Smith, many residents and landlords still dont know about the countys rental assistance program. We definitely see there is an information gap between what's available, and whether or not people actually know what's available, Pidikiti-Smith said. Fairfax residents (and their landlords) who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for rent relief must call Coordinated Services Planning separate from the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development Rental Relief Program where they will receive an eligibility assessment. Those who apply must provide documentation to support their eligibility, such as their lease agreement and documentation of their income. To meet the eligibility criteria, residents must have experienced a reduction in household, income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship during or due, directly, or indirectly, to COVID-19. They also must demonstrate risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and have a gross household income at or below 80% of the areas median income. Multilingual staff are also available to assist callers in Amharic, Dari, Creole (English and French), Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Kannada, Korean, Pashto, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Tigrinya, and Urdu. Services are available in other languages using an interpreter. Residents who apply may get up to 15 months of rental assistance. However, the second round of emergency rental assistance makes tenants eligible to receive up to 18 months of rental assistance. The Virginia General Assembly is meeting this week to allocate $4.3 billion in federal stimulus funding, and lawmakers may also consider reinstating requirements that landlords assist with applying for rental assistance before filing for evictions. Without the requirement that landlords apply for rent assistance prior to filing eviction actions for non-payment of rent, there will be an increase in filings and unnecessary evictions when millions of dollars are available for rent relief, Pidikiti-Smith said. Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. The architects say they had designed safety partitions to deter suicides. The Community Board repeatedly urged Hudson Yards to install them. But when a 14-year-old boy leapt to his death from The Vessel this week, the developer, Stephen M. Ross of Related Companies, said he thought they had done all they could to prevent this latest tragedy. The suicide was the fourth since the opening of The Vessel, a dramatic centerpiece of Hudson Yards, the new neighborhood built atop the MTA rail yards on the far West Side of New York City. The tourist attraction is a lattice work of staircases that weave their way up 150 feet, or about 15 stories, above the plaza of Hudson Yards. It has been described variously as resembling a honeycomb and a transparent pineapple. Even before its opening, in March of 2019, there had been warnings that the structures design was a lure to those with self-destructive feelings. As one climbs up Vessel, the railings stay just above waist height all the way up to the structures top, but when you build high, folks will jump, an architectural critic wrote of the design. This chilling warning, written by Audrey Wachs in 2016, was quoted in a letter that Community Planning Board 4 wrote to officials of Related Companies and Hudson Yards Development Corporation in March 2020, after a young man did just what Wachs had warned about. He walked up the Vessel and leapt to his death. Because the Vessels chest-high barrier is all that separates the platform from the edge, the likelihood of a similar, terribly sad loss of life cannot be ignored, The chair of the planning board, Lowell D. Kern wrote in that March 2020 letter to the officials. He added that he was heartened that Related will enhance suicide prevention training of its security staff and has reached out to suicide-prevention experts. But he urged further action. While it is true that ultimately nothing can stop a person determined to find a way to harm themselves, it is also true that installing adequate physical barriers on high places can prevent or substantially reduce suicides, especially impulsive ones. No Higher Barriers Installed Related did not install such barriers. In January of 2021, there were two more suicides within a month. The Vessel was shut for three months. When it was reopened, Related announced a set of suicide prevention methods, including charging for admission (presumably to reduce impulsive acts) and requiring visitors to walk up in groups. But again no higher barriers were installed. Again, Kern and the planning board wrote the the Hudson Yards officials saying they were taking a needless risk. Putting up this barrier is the only mechanism to truly prevent someone who is determined to jump, Kern told Straus News Friday after the 14-year-olds death. Thats what works. We told Related that. They just acted as if, We know better.' Related again closed the Vessel and said it was investigating. Stephen M. Ross, the founder of related, told the Daily Beast said he wanted to consider every safety possibility, including closing the Vessel for good. I mean, we thought we had covered everything, The Daily Beast quoted Ross as saying. Kern said that was bunk. He said he had spoken repeatedly to high ranking officials at Related about the need for the prevention barriers, although not to Ross personally. They were told what needed to be done and they didnt do it, Kern said. Barriers would need to be about eight feet high, double the current barriers. There is no record of what this would cost, so it is not clear whether Relateds decision was about cost or a concern about disrupting the aesthetics of the structure. The 14-year-old was reported to have leapt to his death in front of his family. Ross was quoted as saying that a family of five does not fit any profile of potential suicide that security officers were trained to deter. After this most recent death, the London based architect, Heatherwick Studios, leaked a statement to the New York Times which, according to the newspaper, expressed frustration with the developers resistance to higher barriers, suggesting aesthetics was not the issue. We designed safety barriers for the Vessel a while back, an employee of Heatherwick was quoted as saying. Its now time to install these. The Heatherwick employee was not further identified. Heatherwick, which is also the architect of the brand new Little Island off 14th Street in the Hudson River, did not respond to request for further comment. Neither did Related or Hudson Yards. From the community boards position, Related could have prevented this and they should have prevented this, Kerns said. This young mans death is on them. I understand they do feel great remorse that this has happened. They have a bigger responsibility than to feel bad about it. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The New Hampshire State Police discovered 189 commercial vehicle violations following a day-long focus on safety. Police said 42 of the violations discovered were so severe that they created a condition where the vehicle or its driver was placed out of service. Police said in a news release that 18 vehicles were placed out of service for critical safety violations, such as inoperative brakes and worn steering components. They said four drivers were placed out of service for violations such as not possessing a valid medical certificate; not maintaining records of driving hours; operating while under suspension; and not holding the proper class of drivers license. Troopers inspected a total of 101 commercial motor vehicles and issued 19 citations. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Commercial Lines Law Enforcement Amazon.com Inc has been hit with a record $886.6 million (746 million euros) European Union fine for processing personal data in violation of the blocs GDPR rules, as privacy regulators take a more aggressive position on enforcement. The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) imposed the fine on Amazon in a July 16 decision, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday. Amazon will appeal the fine, according to a company spokesperson. The e-commerce giant said in the filing it believed CNPDs decision was without merit. CNPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. EUs General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, requires companies to seek peoples consent before using their personal data or face steep fines. Globally, regulatory scrutiny of tech giants has been increasing following a string of scandals over privacy and misinformation, as well as complaints from some businesses that they abuse their market power. Alphabets Google, Facebook Inc., Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have drawn heightened scrutiny in Europe. In December, Frances data privacy watchdog handed out its biggest ever fine of 100 million euros ($118.82 million) to Google for breaching the nations rules on online advertising trackers. ($1 = 0.8416 euros) (Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru and Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; editing by Aditya Soni, Shailesh Kuber and Shounak Dasgupta) Topics Europe Amazon Privacy This edition of International People Moves covers London-based appointments at three managing general agents: Ensurance, Occam and Aqueous Underwriting. A summary of these new hires follows here. MGA Ensurance Hires DAliesio as Senior Casualty Underwriter Ensurance, the specialty lines managing general agent (MGA) has announced the appointment of lead casualty underwriter Martino DAliesio. The hire expands the MGAs presence in casualty underwriting, building on its core lines in construction, engineering and terrorism. DAliesio has 30 years casualty market experience, which include a range of underwriting roles at Geo Underwriting, Dual, Liberty Mutual and Brit. He brings with him a proven track record of developing and managing Casualty business in both the Lloyds, London & UK regional markets. Ensurance has launched three new underwriting lines: SME casualty, mid-market casualty and risk managed casualty. All three products cover construction and non-construction risks, backed by a panel of Lloyds and company market A-rated insurers. An independent MGA, Ensurance delivers specialist insurance solutions for the construction and terrorism sectors, dealing directly with brokers and insurers in the UK, the U.S. and Australia. Building on decades of experience within its UK-based leadership team, Ensurance launched in 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian-based industry disruptor, Ensurance Ltd. *** MGA Occam Names Litterick as Head of Low Carbon Energy Occam Underwriting, the London-based specialist managing general agent, has hired Oliver Litterick as director and head of Low Carbon Energy to lead and build a new low carbon energy re/insurance business. The unit aims to seize on opportunities arising from the continuing development of energy through renewable sources to help address global environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns. Litterick has close to 15 years experience in the renewables market and he joins Occam from Chaucer, where he was an underwriter. He started his career as a broker with Windsor (before it became part of Howden); RKH Specialty; and China Re Syndicate 2088, where he started and grew its renewables portfolio, before it became part of Chaucer Syndicates in 2019. We are thrilled that Oliver is joining Occam as we begin to build out a team to take advantage of the many growth opportunities that are rapidly emerging in the low carbon energy economy as ESG concerns move to the top of companies agendas all around the world, said Occam Chief Executive Officer Mark Fisher. We intend to create a market-leading clean energy re/insurance practice that is built on deep industry expertise and underwriting excellence. Oliver was our number one candidate to lead this new line of business and it is a real demonstration of our intent to attract someone of his caliber and experience to lead and grow his own team at Occam. *** MGA Aqueous Names Stephenson as Senior Underwriter Aqueous Underwriting, London-based specialist managing general agent, has appointed Alex Stephenson as senior underwriter. He joins Aqueous having spent 10 years at Manchester Underwriting. Stephenson has previously worked at RSA and at broker Millers. Aqueous currently writes professional indemnity (PI) for a wide range of trades and professions. Stephensons appointment bolsters Aqueous PI team as it looks to grow its book and footprint within the UK market. Being able to bring someone of Alexs market knowledge and experience into the Aqueous underwriting team is a sign of our commitment to realizing the growth ambitions we have in the professional indemnity sector, commented Aqueous Chief Underwriting Officer Mark Ford. His expertise in writing PI across a broad range of professions really adds to the strength in depth we are developing. Aqueous Underwriting is a trading name of Aqueous Management Ltd., an appointed representative of Davies MGA Services Ltd. Aqueous Underwriting provides PI cover to a wide range of professionals and SME package insurance to the food, hospitality, leisure and hotel industries. Topics Casualty A roofing contractor in Ohio faces proposes penalties of more than $137,000 after being cited by federal workplace safety officials for exposing workers to deadly fall hazards. OSHA said JMH Roofing LLC in Millersburg has a history of not cooperating with federal safety inspectors. The company and its owner, Jonas Hershberger, have been cited for exposing workers to deadly fall hazards for the sixth time in three years while fall protection equipment remained unused at a Medina residential work site. On April 28, 2021, OSHA inspectors observed roofers employed by JMH Roofing LLC working up to 24 feet off the ground. The agency issued citations for two willful, two repeat and two serious violations, and proposed penalties $136,453. OSHA requires the use of fall protection at heights greater than 6 feet. OSHA inspectors also found the five-person crew working without required eye, face or head protection. Inspectors determined JMH Roofing lacked an effective safety and health program and failed to audit work sites for safety hazards and ensure compliance. OSHA cited JMH Roofing LLC for similar hazards in February 2021, June 2020 and May 2018. The agency cited RAM Roofing LLC, also owned by Hershberger, in April and September 2019, which resulted in penalties of $137,441. Hershberger has refused to respond to the citations, provide abatement or pay penalties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in 2019 that 1,061 construction workers died on the job, 401 of them in falls from elevation. In Fiscal Year 2020, fall protection in construction was the standard most frequently cited by OSHA inspectors. Topics Workers' Compensation Ohio Contractors The South Dakota Supreme Court is allowing a lawsuit to go forward alleging police officers used excessive force when arresting a Sioux Falls woman in 2016. Nichole Boggs sued in Second Circuit Court for injuries she suffered when two police officers took her into custody while investigating a call for help at her apartment. When officers arrived they found an injured man, Boggs son, outside the apartment complex and determined he had been hurt in his mothers apartment. Boggs refused to let the officers into her apartment. Eventually another son came out of the apartment with injuries, so police entered the unit without a warrant or consent. In its recently released opinion, Supreme Court justices agree that circumstances at the time created an exception to the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches. But the Supreme Court did not agree that the police officers accused of excessive force are entitled to qualified immunity, which generally protects them from personal liability, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported. The Supreme Court has upheld the circuit courts refusal to summarily dismiss the claim of excessive force. But the high court says the lower court should have found the warrantless search to be legal. In its opinion, justices agree with the circuit courts finding that given the circumstances, a jury might find that the officers used excessive force. The Supreme Court has returned the case to the Second Circuit, where the lawsuit will continue to settlement or trial. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement South Dakota Hartford Names Burns as Head of Marketing and Comms, Succeeding Bromage The Hartford has appointed Claire Burns chief marketing and communications officer, effective Sept. 1. Burns will report directly to Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift. She succeeds Kathleen Bromage, who is currently chief marketing and communications officer and head of the companys Hartford Next transformation initiative. Bromage will remain in an advisory role and continue to oversee Hartford Next through the end of the year. Most recently, Burns served as chief marketing officer for Prudential International, overseeing brand, marketing, digital transformation, product management and business strategy, with a focus on accelerating the companys growth in Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. Prior to that, she spent more than seven years at MetLife as chief customer officer and held leadership roles at ALICO (a former subsidiary of AIG), Lincoln Financial and Aetna. Since joining The Hartford in 2004, Bromage has held several senior leadership roles in marketing, strategy and digital. She has served as chief marketing and strategy officer for Small Commercial, chief marketing and strategy officer for Personal Lines and senior vice president of e-business. Shes been a tireless advocate for talent development, diversity, equity and inclusion as both a founding member of the Professional Womens Network Employee Resource Group and an ongoing sponsor of the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group. *** Beazley Promotes Beerli to Lead New Specialty Risks & US Programs Team Specialist insurer Beazley has promoted Florian Beerli to lead its newly formed Specialty Risks & US Programs team. In addition to his new responsibilities, Beerli will remain global lead for Product Recall. Prior to joining the insurer in April 2020, Beerli was senior vice president, product recall, for Chubb (formerly ACE Group), where he worked for seven years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Previously, he was vice president, Crisis Management, at Crum & Forster. He also had a crisis management role at Catlin where his LinkedIn profile said he worked from February 2007 to May 2009. Prior to that, he held various roles at AIG for nearly six years. Beazley said its Specialty Risks & US Programs team provides a suite of products that are niche by nature, and that require wide underwriting and claims expertise in order to navigate the nuances of the industries these policies cover. The product offerings include: Product Recall claims-made coverage for consumable products, consumer goods, and component parts manufacturers globally. claims-made coverage for consumable products, consumer goods, and component parts manufacturers globally. Media Liability a tailored solution for media-related businesses globally ranging from publishers to broadcasters, bloggers, vloggers, social influencers and authors. a tailored solution for media-related businesses globally ranging from publishers to broadcasters, bloggers, vloggers, social influencers and authors. Miscellaneous Medical & Life Sciences (small business) professional and general liability insurance for a wide array of US-based healthcare providers. professional and general liability insurance for a wide array of US-based healthcare providers. US Specialty Programs bespoke programs designed for a variety of specialty risk categories for professional and general liability risks in the US. *** AIG Promotes Purtill to Chief Risk Officer American International Group Inc. announced that Sabra Purtill has been named executive vice president, chief risk officer. Based in New York, Purtill will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Zaffino, and will join the AIG Executive Leadership Team. Purtill has been serving as interim chief risk officer for AIG since February 2021. As CRO, Purtill will oversee AIGs corporate risk management strategy on an enterprise-wide basis as AIG continues to strengthen its culture of underwriting excellence with an appropriate risk appetite while adjusting to a dynamically changing environment, including emerging climate, cyber and other fast-evolving risks. Prior to accepting this role, Purtill served as AIGs deputy chief financial officer overseeing treasury, rating agency relations, investor relations and corporate development. Over Purtills 30-year career, principally focused on the insurance industry, she has held a wide range of executive roles at several companies. Prior to joining AIG in 2019, she was with The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., where she served as senior vice president, Investor Relations & Treasurer. She was also managing director, Investor Relations & Communications, at Assured Guaranty Ltd. and prior to that was a corporate finance officer at ACE Ltd., now known as Chubb Ltd. Purtill holds a Master of Arts degree from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors from The University of Virginia. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has held a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) since 1995. In addition, she is a member of the board of trustees of Middlesex Health Systems where she serves on the audit and investment committees, and she is vice chairman of the advisory board to the Center for Politics at The University of Virginia. Topics USA Excess Surplus AIG AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) to SUNZ Insurance Co. of Bradenton, Florida. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. AM Best said the ratings reflect SUNZs balance sheet strength, which the ratings organization assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. SUNZ was formed in 2005 and primarily writes high deductible workers compensation coverage through its proprietary technology-driven platform focused on collateral management for its medium and small business clients. AM Best said SUNZs balance sheet assessment is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) in current periods, projected future scores, and under stress scenarios. The SUNZ balance sheet assessment also considers the capital contributions in support of recent premium growth, improved reserving patterns exhibited during the recent five-year period, its comprehensive reinsurance program diversified among highly rated participants, and a conservative investment portfolio that matches assets with liabilities. AM Best analysts assess SUNZs operating performance is as adequate as evidenced by average pre-tax return on revenue measures that trail AM Bests workers compensation industry composite over the recent five- and 10-year timeframe. They note that SUNZs business profile assessment is limited as 49.9% of premiums are written in two states, California and Florida, when considering both direct and assumed premiums. Operating as a single line workers compensation insurer, SUNZs limited business profile exposes the company to the potential legislative, regulatory or judicial changes occurring within these states, according to AM Best. SUNZ recently expanded its footprint to include Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In late 2020, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities acquired what SUNZ termed a significant stake in the company. Terms of that transaction were not disclosed. SUNZ Holdings is the parent company of SUNZ Insurance. There are several affiliate companies within the SUNZ Holdings including Next Level Administrators, WatchPoint, Avalon Subrogation Partners, and Ascential Care Partners. Topics Trends Workers' Compensation AM Best When the giant cargo ship began to tip over off the Georgia coast, harbor pilot Jonathan Tennant found himself on his side, screaming orders in the darkness while flying debris that felt like gravel pelted him. After much of the Golden Ray slipped into the sea, crew members feared they would perish if they stayed on the ship _ but they also could die if they attempted perilous climbs and dangerous leaps to reach the ocean. Their accounts are contained in interviews included among more than 1,700 pages of documents made public Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Golden Ray, carrying more than 1,400 vehicles, overturned after leaving the Port of Brunswick along the Georgia coast on Sept. 8, 2019. Tennant and about two dozen crew members on board were rescued and survived. The shipwreck was like nothing I have ever experienced in 21 years here before with a car ship, Tennant told investigators two days after the accident, according to the transcript of his interview. The trouble began during a turn near St. Simons Island, when the ship began to list to one side. It happened so rapidly that I was absolutely in disbelief, Tennant said. And the ship _ at some point in that turn, I realized that I didnt have a ship anymore, he added. You know, I instinctively am giving commands that a pilot would give, under crazy circumstances, he said. But at the exact moment I was doing that, Im not sure that I had the context that the rudder and propeller are already out of the water. Because its like that. And all areas theres darkness, and alarms. The only thing that worked on that ship after the capsizing were alarms. U.S. Coast Guard members told investigators they were simultaneously rescuing crew members covered in blood and oil while also trying to learn how to save the others. As they tried to stop the bleeding on their rescue boats, they said, they asked the wounded seamen where the remaining crewmembers were on the Golden Ray so they could mount more rescues for them. The documents released this week are not the final report into the cause of the wreck, which is still under investigation. But at public hearings last year, experts testified that the way its cargo was being carried was a key factor. A U.S. Coast Guard analysis found that unstable loading had left its center of gravity too high, making the vessel susceptible to rolling over, an expert told officials during the hearings last year. Investigators from the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board will use evidence from the hearings to publish a report of their findings, with recommendations aimed at improving safety. About one-third of the hulking ship still remains in the ocean after many months of hauling chunks of it onto barges and then carrying them to shore, but its full removal is finally nearing completion. This month, crews began cutting through steel to remove another large chunk of the vessel. In the interview transcripts released Thursday, Tennant gives one of the most complete accounts of the wreck but also of the massive effort to rescue crew members, some of whom were trapped inside the wreckage for several hours. Tennant, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, was praised by the Georgia Legislature and others for getting help to the ship and coordinating rescue efforts while still onboard. At one point, the capsized Golden Ray was in danger of sliding from near the shore into the deep shipping channel _ raising the specter that the entire crew could drown. But Tennants distress calls reached a tugboat that raced over and pushed the hull back into sand to keep it out of the deep water. Eventually, Tennant was able to escape the wheelhouse of the overturned ship by sliding down a fire hose. He was then rescued by a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, describing it in his interview: Some big dude just picked me up like a toy and set me on the deck. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Georgia Trucking Nashville-based NDI Office Furniture, LLC, the largest office furniture distributor in the Southeastern and Midwest United States, has agreed to pay $150,000 and furnish other significant relief to settle a federal lawsuit charging sex discrimination and retaliation filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. According to the EEOCs lawsuit, in September 2015, a female applicant attempted to apply for an open position at NDIs Birmingham warehouse. She was advised by NDIs management that NDI did not hire women for warehouse positions. In response, she complained directly to NDIs president that such policy was discriminatory. Within weeks of her complaint, NDI fired her son, who was an employee, and failed to offer her a position. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for employers to fail to hire an individual because of sex. Title VII also prohibits an employer from terminating an employee because of a close relatives discrimination complaint. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. NDI Office Furniture, L.L.C., Case No. 2:18-cv-1592-JHE) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama after an investigation was completed by the EEOCs Birmingham District Office and after the agency first attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The agency sought back pay as well as compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief on behalf of the mother and son, who were the original complainants, and a class of women discrimination victims. In addition to $150,000 in monetary relief, the three-year consent decree settling the lawsuit requires NDI Office Furniture, LLC to provide training to its employees, supervisors and managers on its obligations under the law and modify its anti-discrimination policy as necessary to comply with the Title VII. The decree also prohibits NDI Office Furniture, LLC from engaging in any discrimination or retaliation because of sex and requires the company to post notices on its bulletin boards informing employees of their right to contact the EEOC if they feel they have been discriminated or retaliated against. Sex-based barriers to employment persist today, particularly in historically male-dominated fields, said Bradley Anderson, district director of the EEOCs Birmingham District Office. Employers should make employment decisions based on an applicants ability instead of outdated gender stereotypes. Title VII protects men, as well as women, from being denied employment opportunities based on their sex. EEOC Regional Attorney Marsha Rucker added, The EEOC remains vigilant in challenging systemic hiring discrimination. When necessary, we remain at the ready to file suit against employers who have antiquated policies prohibiting the hiring of women for certain jobs. Further, this case serves as reminder of Title VIIs prohibition against third-party retaliation. Title VII protections against retaliation extend to third-party friends or family members of a party who files a workplace discrimination complaint. According to company information, NDI Office Furniture, LLC is a Tennessee corporation which covers most of 15 states in the Southeast and has three distribution centers in Ocala, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., and Dallas, Texas, as well as a corporate office and Southeastern customer service center in Nashville, Tenn. Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission A recent High Court ruling dismissed judicial reviews against South Kerry Greenway planned by Kerry County Council mainly on the route of the former Southern and Western railway line between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen. One of the challenges from the landowners whose lands would be compulsory purchased by the Council were issues about the process surrounding the confirmation of compulsory purchase orders (CPO). On the CPO the Judge rejected arguments that the Roads Act by the Council had been incorrectly used in acquiring the lands for the project or that the processes of CPOs and the development consent was improperly combined. The Judge also rejected the argument that the CPO was disproportionate and found that the interference with the landowners property rights was taken in a lawful manner in the public interest. This decision will have far-reaching consequences for other greenways that are being proposed in Ireland by various local authorities. Social and economic factors The High Court affirmed the confirmation of the CPO and confirmed that the Council was entitled to use the social and economic factors such as population decline in the area in making the case for the CPO. Generally, it is better to acquire lands by agreement with landowners but that is not always possible and can cause significant delays and that is why CPOs are necessary for certain public infrastructure projects. The CPO procedure was brought into place for the common good. If your lands are the subject of a CPO you will be served with a notice. Newspapers notices will also be published. You can lodge an objection on planning and or legal grounds. The Minister can then confirm, vary or turn down the CPO order. If the Minister confirms the CPO order there are limited grounds to appeal to the High Court. You can only challenge the decision on a point of law. The property is generally valued at the date of the Notice to Treat. The Notice to Treat will require you to submit details of your claim within a specified period. If you own property that is about to be compulsory acquired by a state body or authority then it is important that you react quickly. Compensation You can claim compensation under various headings namely the land acquired, the diminution in value of retained lands if any, costs resulting from the acquisition, disturbance, loss of profit or goodwill, loss or depreciation of stock, professional fees necessary for the acquisition for example surveyors fees or legal fees. The landowner is entitled to the market value of his land as at the date of the Notice to Treat. If compensation cannot be agreed The Acquisition of the Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act 1919 provides for such difficulties to be resolved through arbitration. Both parties, the landowner and the acquiring authority are bound by the arbitrators decision. The arbitrator is completely independent of the acquiring authority and he or she will listen to both sides of the dispute and make his or her award accordingly. In general, arbitration should be a last resort. The costs of dealing with a claim up to the arbitration are for the acquiring authority to pay. However, the costs of the arbitration are at the discretion of the arbitrator and may be awarded against either party. It is important that you have comprehensive legal advice on the options open to you both in relation to any objections which you may wish to make and also in relation to the procedures to be followed in progressing those objections. Even if you do not wish to object to the proposed CPO it is important that you have a full understanding of the process and the implications for you of the exercise of the powers of purchase by the relevant body. When British student Meredith Kercher was murdered in Perugia, Italy, in 2007, it shook the world. Her roommate, American Amanda Knox, and Knoxs then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, were initially found guilty of the crime; they were eventually acquitted after a series of court decisions. It is Knoxs story that director Tom McCarthy has said served as the initial inspiration for his new crime thriller Stillwater, which sees Matt Damon play an Oklahoma oil rig worker called Bill, who flies to France to help his estranged daughter, Allison (Abigail Breslin). We meet Allison serving time in a French prison, after being arrested and falsely accused of murdering her girlfriend while studying in Marseille, and the project has led to huge criticism from Knox. While she is never named on-screen, Knox has recently spoken out, in tweets and an essay on the site Medium, about her name being used to promote Stillwater, writing that McCarthys fictionalised version of me is just the tabloid conspiracy guiltier version of me. How mindful was Damon, 50, of the sensitivity surrounding the Knox case, and making sure the film didnt feel exploitative? I actually didnt think about it at all, because it was just a jumping-off point for our story, says the Massachusetts-born star, famous for roles in Good Will Hunting, The Martian, and the Bourne trilogy. What we were more concerned or interested in, was what happens after all the attention goes away. What happens to that family? Ours is a fictitious family. I have no idea what Amanda Knoxs father looks like or does for a living. I dont know, because I didnt pay attention to that. But this guy [Bill] is an oil worker called a roughneck thats what we call them in America. Its a very specific job that requires a very specific type of person to do it. Its a job almost nobody can do. Its dangerous. Its physically very draining. Youve got to be very strong. The physicality of Bill came from Damon spending time with real roughnecks: From the fire-retardant jeans to the goatee and the wraparound shades and the hat, its almost like they have a uniform. Theyre very, very tough, he elaborates. [They are] very proud, because their job is so hard, and theyre proud that they do it well. And so what happens when that guy is the father of a girl whos in prison? What does that do to the dynamic? What does that do to take this very American person, whose culture is very different from where I grew up I mean, I hadnt met a roughneck before and what happens when you transplant him into a city like Marseille? Abigail Breslin and Matt Damon in Stillwater. Damon reveals he had been trying to work with McCarthy for a few years and thought the Stillwater script was incredible. In particular, he was drawn to the touching relationships it portrays; obviously, theres the one between Bill and Allison, but the character also becomes close to a Frenchwoman, Virginie (Camille Cottin), and her daughter Maya (Lilou Siauvaud), while living in Marseille. He ends up having this relationship with this eight-year-old girl that he couldnt have for his own daughter, notes Damon, who has four daughters with Luciana Barroso. This guy carries a lot of pain and shame around the ways in which he failed his own daughter, and hes trying to repair that, but he doesnt really have the tools or the skills. I found the whole thing just beautiful and heart-breaking, but joyful and hopeful, and all the things that a complex movie can be. Talking to McCarthy, 55, about the film, which he wrote with Thomas Bidegain and Noe Debre, we touch on the similarities between it and the Amanda Knox case. Thoughtfully, he reflects: I followed that case as an American very closely, and its exactly why I didnt want to write about it, because I feel like it was sensationalised to the point where people lost track of the real tragedy there, which obviously was the death of Meredith Kercher. So, I wanted to move beyond that and distance myself, but I really liked the setup of this woman being in prison for a crime that she did or did not commit, and then the relationship with her father. At the heart of it, for me, was this father-daughter relationship that in this particular case was very strained, and thats different. The New Jersey-born director, known for Oscar-winning film Spotlight, adds he set Stillwater in France, because he wanted to get away from the initial inspiration of Knox as much as possible and not exploit that case making something that was really a work of fiction. If there are other similarities in it, they are not by design. I dont think there are, as I was pretty familiar with that case. We had other themes and things that we wanted to talk about, outside and around the case. When McCarthy was writing Stillwater, it was against the backdrop of Donald Trumps administration. And while audiences learn that Bill was not allowed to vote because hed been arrested, Damon says we can 100% assume that he would have been a Trump voter. Oklahoma is the reddest state in America, and these guys work in the oil fields. They vote Republican down the ticket, every time, no questions asked. Damon also reveals he had political discussions with some of the roughnecks he met while visiting the area as part of his preparation. The guys I talked to view it is as kind of a binary proposition, right? suggests the affable actor. Its like, I get to do my job, which not a lot of people can do, its really hard. It serves a purpose, Im helping to power the country, and I take care of my kids with that. So, Im either voting for or against my children based on how I punch the ticket. And in that context, their decision makes a lot of sense. Stillwater is released in cinemas on Friday, August 6. The giant walrus which has been on a tour of the coasts of Ireland, Wales, and France has returned to Munster. 'Wally' delighted nature lovers when he appeared on rocks at Valentia Island back in March. It was thought that he drifted across the Atlantic from the North Pole after falling asleep on an iceberg At the time, the director of Dingle Oceanworld, Kevin Flannery, said that this was the first confirmed sighting of a walrus here. He is estimated to be of a similar size to a dairy cow or a bull. Then he left and turned up in Tenby, Wales later that month. Welsh Marine Life Rescue reported a sighting of him on the South Pembrokeshire Coast. At that stage, volunteers and other organisations including the RSCPA and UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme monitored the walrus and said it looked underweight but otherwise uninjured. However, his travels took a bit of a negative turn then as he seems to have been hit by a boat near France in May. There were sightings of Wally at Les Sables d'Olonne in western France. The town's Facebook page said he was being cared for by experts after he was "slightly injured and stressed after colliding with a boat". Alouette.fr noted that he was "stresse apres un choc avec un bateau" stressed after a 'shock' with a boat. Wally the walrus visits France. Picture: Ville des Sables d'Olonne This wasn't the bull walrus' only encounter with boats but the boats typically came off the worst after he boarded them. Boat owners at the Scilly Isles discovered in June that Wally had boarded a number of vessels and had damaged or sank them. However, keen to make him feel somewhat welcome, a team of people from British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and the St Mary's Harbour Team constructed a special pontoon for Wally on the islands 28 miles (45km) off Cornwall. They said it provides "something that he returns to, allowing him to rest, gain strength and ultimately leave Scilly to continue his journey home". Wally had also visited Spain as part of his 'grand tour': He was spotted 'in good health' close to the mouth of the River Nervion in Bilbao, Spain in early June. Now, he's headed back northwards from there and is off the coast of Waterford. Holidaymakers spotted him there today and he's looking great altogether. The giant walrus relaxing on a boat by the Munster coast today. Picture: Carlow Weather It is believed that he may be making his way 'home' to the Arctic. Seal Rescue Ireland has asked that people don't approach the walrus "he is a protected species. Observe quietly from a minimum of 300m and keep dogs on a lead". They also ask: "Do not publicly disclose the location of the sighting to avoid attracting crowds to him." The registered charity notes: "Remember that this is a very sensitive species, and he's a very long way from his Arctic home." Report sightings to SRI's 24/7 Rescue Hotline on 0871955393. "As sea ice melts due to climate change, Arctic species, such as walruses, are losing habitat and may be forced to explore new areas." Note: we have not used pictures identifying the exact location of the walrus for this reason. Farmers have been unfairly singled out and blamed for climate change and consumers will have to take greater responsibility for emissions, the Agriculture Minister has said. Charlie McConalogue said the debate around our agricultural sector, which accounts for one-third of carbon emissions, has been "one-sided" and "misinformed". It comes as Mr McConalogue is due to bring legislation forward to establish a food ombudsman, which would look at the margins farmers get for their produce compared to those further up the chain, including distributors and supermarkets. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue during his visit to Cahir Mart. Picture: Denis Minihane Farming organisations have criticised the Government's "deafening silence" when it comes to admitting climate change measures will mean a return to food price inflation. We keep waiting for anyone in a senior position in the Irish Government to inform the Irish public that an absolutely certain consequence of the transition to low emissions farming and primary food production is an increase in price to the consumers," said Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president, Pat McCormack. Asked about this, Mr McConalogue said consumers must recognise the "real cost" of producing food and farmers must have a sustainable income, but he stopped short of saying the price of milk, meat and other products would rise significantly. "The consumer has a massive role to play in this and is very much leading the change here too. "But there's also the reality that we're a food exporting nation and we export 90% of what we produce. We're exporting into international markets, over 100 countries right around the world, so you don't get to control the prices that are available in those markets." Ireland has committed to cut emissions by 51% by 2030, which has placed a focus on the carbon produced by the dairy and beef sector, with some calling for a reduction in the national herd. Unfair narrative However, Mr McConalogue strongly hit out at the unfair narrative being pushed by some that farmers are major polluters who must pay. "In relation to farmers, and the point about feeling under pressure and feeling that they're very much singled out, I think we do see that. I think it is unfair and I think it's doesn't reflect the approach that farmers have taken, the very significant work that they do on behalf of the environment," he said. Charlie McConalogue speaks to an IFA delegation during his visit to Cahir Mart, Co Tipperary. Picture: Denis Minihane In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Donegal TD said: "I think we will see a rebalancing of the public narrative I certainly hope in relation to this. I think a lot of the debate around so far has been one-sided and misinformed." Mr McConalogue said more transparency was needed around the pricing structure in the agri-food sector and this is why he is committed to setting up a Food Ombudsman. It will be about assessing what's happening in the market, looking at the value chain, looking at where the margins are going within that. "I'm trying to bring clear transparency as to how the prices that we're getting for food primarily in international markets, which is where 90% of the prices are set, how that translates back to what farmers are getting on the ground." The minister hopes the work of the ombudsman will put pressure on the industry to maximise the return for farmers. "My target is to have the legislation in at the end of this year to bring it through the Oireachtas, and then to get the office up and running next year and to have it operational next year." It comes as a major new decade-long strategy for Irelands food and drinks sector is launched. Food Vision 2030 aims to increase agri-food exports from 14bn to 21bn before the end of the decade, while further enhancing Irelands reputation as a sustainable producer. Launching the policy, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "We accept the challenge put to Government, to work with the sector in ensuring its future sustainability, economic, environmental and social, and in realising the inherent opportunities that presents." The association which represents 1,100 of the country's military officers has written to two senior government ministers complaining that for the second time in two years its members have been left without access to third-party adjudication. The RACO (Representative Association for Commissioned Officers) has written to Minister for Defence Simon Coveney and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath because the post of head of the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme is vacant yet again. Both ministers are 'signatories' of the Defence Forces C&A scheme. RACO general secretary Commandant Conor King said that in May 2020, the Department of Defence allowed the tenure of the adjudicator for the C&A scheme to lapse, thereby rendering the scheme effectively defunct. In his letter to both ministers, he pointed out that on that occasion, it took more than six months for a new adjudicator, Daniel Murphy, to be appointed. At that stage the Department of Defence agreed to the appointment of Mr Murphy for a period of at least 12 months starting from January of this year. Comdt King pointed out that on July 1 this year, RACO was informed by Mr Murphy that his contract had once again lapsed on June 30, after only six months, and with no replacement. This is entirely at odds with the commitments made by all parties to the Public Service Agreements, Comdt King said. Attempts to seek accountability, fair process and a resolution through internal channels have proven fruitless, and RACO has now been forced to raise it directly with the ministers as signatories to the scheme In his letter to the ministers, Comdt King stated that the recent conduct of (national) pay negotiations, where RACO was denied the opportunity to negotiate Defence sector specific measures (unlike other groups), had severely damaged the confidence of our members in our industrial relations processes, and the removal of the adjudication facility further damages that confidence and trust. Comdt King said there are a number of ongoing claims which cannot now be progressed through C&A given the practice of the official side to push issues into third party adjudication. He said RACO has sought the immediate reinstatement of Mr Murphy for the remainder of the period agreed between RACO and the official side, and that his tenure is not allowed to expire until a replacement is sourced, agreed and installed, in keeping with best practice and fair procedures. The association has become increasingly frustrated with the approach of the Department of Defence on a number of issues. RACO is taking 10 test cases of Working Time Directive breaches to the High Court having failed to secure engagement on the issue from the Department of Defence or senior military management. Van Morrison has dropped a legal challenge to a ban on live music being played in Northern Ireland. The ban was part of a suite of measures introduced by the Stormont Executive to stem the spread of coronavirus, but ministers agreed to allow the resumption of live music in July. In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesman for Mr Morrison said he has discontinued his judicial review proceedings at the High Court in Belfast. However, while the singer welcomed the relaxation of coronavirus regulations, he remains concerned by the failure of the NI Executive to share with him at any time the medical evidence that could ever have supported the need to maintain a blanket ban of live music. Mr Morrison cancelled concerts at the Ulster Hall which had been due to commence on July 23 amid uncertainty over whether rule changes would be approved. He asked why a ban on live music remained in Northern Ireland longer than the rest of the UK. Mr Morrisons solicitor Joe Rice said his client had sought to engage constructively with government over how to bring back live music. I know that Mr Morrison was disappointed by the failure on the part of the NI Executive to engage with him and that he was ultimately compelled to bring legal proceedings in order to achieve the lifting of the ban on live music for the benefit of fellow musicians, performers, the live music sector as a whole, he said. He also believes that had the NI Executive engaged meaningfully with both Mr Morrison and the industry from the outset, more pre-planned events, such as his Europa Hotel and Ulster Hall concerts, could have proceeded as planned. Mr Morrison hit the headlines during the pandemic after writing lockdown protest songs. He also clashed with Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann, criticising him at a dinner event at the Europa Hotel in June, in response to an interview Mr Swann gave to Rolling Stone magazine criticising Mr Morrisons anti-lockdown songs as dangerous. Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers programme helps early-stage entrepreneurs to take the leap, offering a supportive yet challenging environment to help develop business ideas. Networking begins from day one. individuals selected to participate in the programme get the opportunity to meet with other entrepreneurs, experienced mentors and facilitators. These people often have networks and connections in a particular sector so networking is an invaluable part of the programme. People build strong, long-lasting relationships during their time on New Frontiers. said Paula Carroll, New Frontiers National Programme Manager. The programme is delivered on behalf of Enterprise Ireland by the Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities across 18 locations nationwide. Turn your business idea into reality with Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme. The programme is open nationwide and to all types of businesses ideas once it is innovative and with the potential to scale. New Frontiers is designed for individuals who: Are early-stage entrepreneurs Have an innovative business idea with export and employment potential Have the drive and ambition required to commit fully to building a successful start-up Having an idea is a start but executing it can be difficult without the right support or guidance. For hospitality expert and CEO of Great Visitor Experiences, Ivan Tuohy, turning his business idea into reality meant he had to believe in himself and take the daunting step of quitting his job. It was a case of, I might have a good idea but how am I actually going to commercialise it and bring this to reality? I might take a chance on myself, but can I really do it? he asked himself. It was 2018 and new innovations in technology were transforming user experiences across various sectors, but tourism operators were still relying on traditional tools like audio guides, maps, leaflets, in-person tour guides and stand-alone signage to engage their visitors; even in the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Ivan Tuohy, Founder & CEO of Great Visitor Experiences. Ivan was working as a General Manager for the largest visitor attraction operator in Ireland. He was responsible for managing the business but also improving the customer experience. He had an interest in technology in particular from the point of view of making the operation more efficient and freeing up staff up to focus on the customer and to add value to that experience. A key problem was how fragmented and individual each system was. "We had paper maps, audio guides, touch screens, and signage with some key information but we couldnt put all our content into one place for every visitor to view. Many of them were really missing out on the unique stories and folklore that we had to offer because we simply couldnt integrate other content. Everything was a stand-alone offering and I felt that attractions were really missing out in connecting with the visitor while on-site and helping them with their visit, not to mention upselling products and services to them," he said. The other issue Ivan experienced was that every attraction and museum worked in isolation of each other, "no one really saw the value in the shared visitor economy. When I started searching for a product, I couldnt find anything that was in my head and thats is how it started." The tentative steps towards founding Great Visitor Experiences and developing an interactive app that enables operators to engage with visitors, source data, tell their stories in a new and imaginative way and sell more, were underway. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Ivan felt that he had the relevant skills to make it as an entrepreneur. Ivan sought support and applied to Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers programme. Once accepted, it all became very real for him, "The New Frontiers programme gives you that comfort blanket the help and support is there. They can steer you but it's really down to how hard you want to work," said Ivan. The programme put him on the path towards backing himself and his dream. The New Frontiers programme was a fantastic first step. It really allowed me the time to focus on the idea, and to build some structure around it. It also brought out his competitive spirit. Youre in the room with up to 15 people, all with very good ideas and all addressing problems from different angles. That support, that peer-to-peer network is so important, Ivan says. And youre dealing with 15 people who want to succeed. Its fairly competitive. It was a case of, wanting to help others but also maximising the opportunity for my business. As for the mentors, they really challenge you, they challenge you in a way you wouldnt challenge yourself. Since launching in 2018, Great Visitor Experiences has scooped major innovation awards, "We're trying to transform a sector that hadn't previously been transformed, its a niche area we're trying to give this sector a shared platform with the independence. It's a holistic business approach." National Programme Manager, Paula Carroll believes that a lot of people have an idea for starting a business but dont know how to transform their idea into reality. New Frontiers is a structured programme where participants are given the skills to develop their business. It also offers them practical knowledge and demystifies the route to entrepreneurship. They have a support structure of experienced facilitators and mentors around them a benefit that they might not get trying to do it on their own, said Paula. They also get the opportunity to meet with the investment community as well as practise their funding pitches to an investor panel. There are many benefits to this programme including: A support package valued at 30,000 including 15,000 tax-free stipend in Phase 2 No equity is taken in your business Personalised one-to-one mentoring offered by seasoned business mentors from the Enterprise Ireland Mentor network. Free co-working space (during Phase 2 and 3). Access to facilities and specialist expertise from within the Institutes of Technology/Technological Universities, including access to interns and graduates. Practitioner-led workshops in all areas of building a business. Regular milestone review meetings to monitor your progress. For anyone thinking of taking the leap and following their dream, Ivan has some advice; Dont be afraid. He adds, No one is going to back you until you back yourself. So if you can back yourself, and be open to listening to people, go for it. To register your interest in the New Frontiers programme for developing entrepreneurs visit www.newfrontiers.ie Burma Junta Massacres 40 People in Myanmar Resistance Stronghold During July Bodies discovered on July 30 near Taung Pauk village. / CJ The bodies of around 40 people killed by junta soldiers were found in the resistance stronghold of Kani Township in Sagaing Region in July, according to residents. Junta troops raided our villages. We fled and found corpses when we came back to the villages. Nearly 40 bodies were found in July. Most recently we found 12 charred bodies in Taung Pauk, a Kani resident told The Irrawaddy. Kani on the Chindwin River is around 50km from Monywa, the regional capital. The township has seen several massacres as the junta scaled up military operations against the resistance. The onslaught forced more than 7,000 residents from at least four villages to flee their homes. In the juntas latest massacre, 12 bodies, including that of a 14-year-old boy, were found in Taung Pauk village on July 30. The other victims included three brothers and people from Thayet Taw and Kho Twin. The bodies were seriously disfigured, said another resident. Only some bodies have been retrieved for burial because the military is still active in the area, he added. The bodies were found four days after junta troops entered Taung Pauk and Thayet Taw villages and detained male villagers suspected of helping the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) resistance. All the 12 victims were reportedly detained by the junta on July 26. Some bodies were burned and some were rotting but they were all badly bruised and exhibited signs of torture, said residents. This is the third time in less than a month that numerous bodies were found near villages in Kani. The bodies of 16 civilians were found scattered in the jungle surrounding Yin village tract on July 11 and 12 after villagers fled junta raids on July 8. Witnesses said some were shot dead by junta soldiers chasing them. Seven bodies were discovered on July 28 and five more were found on farms near Zee Pin Twin village on July 29. One of them was a disabled man and another was in his 60s. Some had apparently been hanged. Residents said some bodies might be PDF fighters because they were not residents. The military has not yet responded to questions about the killings in Kani. The military regime might say they were armed rebels but they were not shot in shootouts. They all bore signs of torture and the bodies were intentionally hidden. It is a war crime, said a lawyer. Kani overwhelmingly voted for the National League for Democracy in the 2020 general election. All the NLD candidates won in Kani with each securing more than 83 percent of the vote. It was one of the first towns to take to the streets after the coup in February. Residents soon started using rudimentary hunting rifles and homemade guns and blowing up junta vehicles. The junta responded with raids and detentions in Kanis villages. The resistance formed the Kani Township PDF on May 10 attacking junta troops, including on the Chindwin River. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Releases Detained Doctors and Civil Servants US Dismisses Myanmar Juntas Election Plan Fears of Another Long Dictatorship as Myanmar Coup Maker Appoints Himself PM Burma Myanmar Coup Chief Amends Counterterrorism Law A three-finger salute during a protest against the military regime in Mandalay. / Stars Myanmars coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing signed an amendment to the Counterterrorism Law on Monday, introducing harsher penalties for supporting anti-regime activities. Under the amendment, the jail term is increased from three to seven years for acts of exhortation, persuasion, propaganda and recruitment of any person to participate in any terrorist group or activities of terrorism. Legal analysts said the amendment is a threat to media reports in support of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) because it allows the military junta to prosecute outlets under the false pretext of propaganda. They also said the different nature of the Counterterrorism Law makes it harder for the accused to prove innocence. In other criminal cases, the prosecution is responsible to prove the defendant guilty. But under the Counterterrorism Law, the accused has to prove their innocence. In May, the military regime branded the NUG, its parliamentary committee and their offshoot civilian defense forces as terrorist groups for alleged acts of incitement against the junta. The NUG designated the military and its affiliated organizations as terrorist groups on June 7 for perpetrating acts of terrorism towards innocent civilians, creating public fear for political motives to control the country. A total of 945 people, including children, were killed between February and August 2 by the regime with 5,474 people under detention and arrest warrants issued for 1,964 people, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Juntas Caretaker Government Follows in Footsteps of Former Dictator Ne Win Explained: The Tussle Over ASEANs Special Envoy to Myanmar Junta Massacres 40 People in Myanmar Resistance Stronghold During July Burma Myanmar Junta Releases Detained Doctors and Civil Servants Pathein Hospital medical superintendent Dr. Than Min Htut. The military regime released a number of detained civil servants on Monday, including a few doctors who were arrested for their participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). However, hundreds of government employees and medics remain detained in prisons. One of the well-known names freed was Dr. Than Min Htut, the medical superintendent of Pathein Hospital in Ayeyarwady Region. He was released around 6am on Monday and is in good health, a friend of Dr. Than Min Htut told The Irrawaddy. Dr. Than Min Htut, a prominent figure in Ayeyarwady Region medical circles, spent more than four months behind bars in Patheins jail. He was summoned to the office of the juntas regional administration council on March 12 for a meeting and was then arrested by special branch officers, after he refused the regimes order to reopen Pathein Hospital, whose doctors and nurses were on strike. A total of 27 doctors, administrators and civil servants were reportedly released in Ayeyarwady Region on Monday. The medical superintendent of a local cottage hospital in Ingapu Township, Dr. Pyae Phyo Naing, was released from Hinthada Prison on Monday, his wife told The Irrawaddy. Dr. Pyae Phyo Naing was arrested by junta police at his house on February 11 and charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law after he led anti-regime protests. In Yangon, around 20 doctors and government employees were reportedly released from Insein Prison, including U Aung Aung Naing Myint, the rector of the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon), who had been detained since May 3. The military regime did not specify how many detainees were released nationwide on Monday. The junta has opened cases against and issued arrest warrants for hundreds of doctors who are refusing to work under military rule. Some 400 doctors and 180 nurses are the subject of arrest warrants for their participation in the CDM, according to the US-based Physicians for Human Rights. Between the Feb. 1 coup and July 6, at least 157 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and medical students, were arrested, while 12 were killed and 32 wounded in anti-regime protests, the group said. Many more health workers are still taking part in the CDM. Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been urging striking healthcare staff to return to work since a few weeks after his coup, citing surging COVID-19 cases across the country. But the junta has not dropped charges against healthcare workers and has arrested doctors who are treating coronavirus patients independently of the regimes efforts. In July, five volunteer doctors were arrested while working for a community-based COVID-19 prevention and charity group in Yangons North Dagon Township, after they were lured to a house by a fake COVID-19 emergency. National immunization director Dr. Htar Htar Lin and another 26 doctors were arrested in early June and charged under article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act and with incitement under article 505(a) of the Penal Code for allegedly assisting the shadow National Unity Government. As of Monday, a total of 5,474 people, including 70 healthcare workers, remain in detention and 1,964 are in hiding evading arrest warrants, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. You may also like these stories: US Dismisses Myanmar Juntas Election Plan Fears of Another Long Dictatorship as Myanmar Coup Maker Appoints Himself PM Myanmars Military Regime Lacks Legitimacy and Capacity to Govern Burma Official Myanmar COVID-19 Deaths Exceed 10,000 Bodies await cremation at a cemetery in Yangon in mid-July. / The Irrawaddy Myanmars total COVID-19 death toll has exceeded more than 10,000, while the total confirmed cases is more than 310,000 with the highest monthly reported deaths and infections in July. Myanmar reported 10,373 deaths on Tuesday while testing reported 311,067 COVID-19 positive cases since the first COVID-19 cases were found in Myanmar in March last year, according to the junta-controlled health ministry. On Tuesday, Myanmars junta reported 4,713 new COVID-19 cases and 312 deaths. Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing says he will reduce the infection rate by half during August, saying infections have been falling since mid-July and are under control. The junta imposed a nationwide lockdown on July 17 until at least August 8 to curb the spread of the virus. The self-appointed prime minister of the regime addressed the national COVID-19 committee on Monday. He said: Five million vaccines will be administered monthly to meet the plan to inoculate half of the population by the end of the year. In July alone, 6,000 deaths and 141,908 cases were reported by the regime, constituting 58 percent of Myanmars official coronavirus deaths and 46 percent of infections. The actual numbers are expected to be far higher as many die at home with suspected coronavirus, according to funeral charities. Despite the official figures, in Yangon, many families since early July have reported at least three deaths from suspected COVID-19, according to charities. A charity member said his group had to turn its ambulances into hearses as they transport more bodies to cemeteries than patients to hospital. Yangon has more than 7 million residents with reports of between 1,500 and 2,000 bodies arriving at its cemeteries per day in mid-July, despite the health ministrys estimate of under 100 COVID-19 daily deaths in Yangon. According to Hteinbin Cemetery, one of Yangons largest, around 200 bodies have been cremated daily in the past weeks, compared to around 30 per day before the current outbreak in late May. A chairman of a charity that transports bodies to Kyi Su cemetery told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the cemetery now has to cremate up to 500 bodies per day, compared to 30 to 40 in normal conditions. Most of the deaths are because of COVID-19, according to families, he added. Most people have been treated at home as government and private hospitals in Yangon are largely unable to accept patients. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Coup Chief Amends Counterterrorism Law Myanmar Juntas Caretaker Government Follows in Footsteps of Former Dictator Ne Win Explained: The Tussle Over ASEANs Special Envoy to Myanmar Burma US Dismisses Myanmar Juntas Election Plan People stage protests outside the US Embassy in Yangon in February, calling on the international community to take action against the junta. / The Irrawaddy US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has dismissed the Myanmar juntas election plan outlined on Sunday. The US said the junta was playing for time with its two-year election timeframe and Blinken encouraged ASEAN to appoint an envoy to broker a dialogue in Myanmar. The regimes announcement is a call for ASEAN to have to step up its effort because its clear that the Burmese junta is just stalling for time and wants to keep prolonging the calendar to its own advantage, said a senior US official, using Myanmars former name of Burma. Indonesia urged the junta on Monday to approve the appointment of an ASEAN special envoy and said little progress had been made on a plan to promote talks between the regime and opposition forces in Myanmar. The choice of envoy has been a contentious issue. Talking to media by videoconference, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the regional bloc had made no significant progress on implementing a five-point plan announced in April to stop the turmoil in Myanmar. The delay does ASEAN no good and, if the inaction continues, the issue should be returned to regional leaders to provide direction, she said, according to Reuters. Retno did not specify who had been selected for the post of envoy, but diplomats told Reuters that Bruneis second minister for foreign affairs, Erywan Yusof, was strongly favored to take the position. On the weekend, Myanmar military ruler Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the regime wanted Thailands former deputy foreign minister Virasakdi Futrakul as envoy, but new proposals were released and we could not keep moving onwards. Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including dialogue with the ASEAN special envoy in Myanmar, the general said. Myanmar has shown little willingness to adopt ASEANs five-point plan, instead referring to its own plans for the countrys future. In a speech on Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing pledged to hold elections by 2023. Retno said ASEAN must provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, as well as explore a mechanism for sharing COVID-19 vaccines. We must not be silent and allow the suffering of the Myanmar people to continue, she said. Without revealing the name of the envoy proposed, Retno stressed that the envoy should be able to start work immediately, and be guaranteed access to the relevant parties within Myanmar. It is still unknown whether the envoy will have access to detained ousted leaders including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. Retno also said that if the envoys meetings failed to result in any concrete steps to take the consensus forward, Indonesia would propose that the matter be put before ASEAN leaders again for further action. ASEANs five-point consensus calls for the immediate cessation of violence; for constructive dialogue among all concerned; for the appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar; for the special envoy to visit Myanmar to meet all stakeholders; and for the regional bloc to provide humanitarian assistance. You may also like these stories: Fears of Another Long Dictatorship as Myanmar Coup Maker Appoints Himself PM Myanmars Military Regime Lacks Legitimacy and Capacity to Govern COVID-19 Unmasks Myanmar Regimes Callousness and Incompetence Analysis Explained: The Tussle Over ASEANs Special Envoy to Myanmar Myanmar coup leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing (right) and junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin (center) attend the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24. / Senior General Min Aung Hlaing ASEAN is expected to name its special envoy to Myanmar at the regional groupings ongoing foreign ministerial meeting this week. Originally scheduled for Monday, the announcement has been delayed after a last-minute objection from Myanmar torpedoed the groups consensus choice. The Irrawaddy has interviewed various sources across ASEAN to find out what has been going on behind the scenes. ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi and Bruneian Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof visited Naypyitaw on June 5-6 to discuss the appointment of an ASEAN special envoy and a group of advisers. (Brunei currently holds ASEANs rotating chair position.) A list of candidates drafted by the ASEAN members was presented for consideration. Of the candidates, two emerged as favorites for consideration: former Indonesian foreign minister Hasan Wirayuda and former Thai vice foreign minister Virasak Futrakul. While the ASEAN chair remained tight-lipped, news reports surfaced in Singapore following the Naypyitaw trip that Myanmar preferred Virasak as the special envoy, given his experience and expertise. He served as Thai ambassador to Yangon in the mid-1990s. The news raised eyebrows in Jakarta, which was backing Hasan. When the ASEAN foreign ministers discussed the Myanmar situation on the sidelines of the ASEAN-China special meeting in Chongqing, China on June 8, the juntas foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, said Naypyitaw still backed Virasak as the envoy. However, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi continued to push for Hasans leadership. According to various ASEAN sources, Malaysia further muddied the waters by suddenly throwing the name of veteran Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismaila former special envoy to Myanmarinto the ring. Also on the sidelines of the meeting, the earlier Thai idea that the ASEAN special envoy should not be a single individual but rather a group of diplomats working on different tasks was first officially put to Myanmar and formally discussed. Wunna Maung Lwin told the meeting that as a new proposal, it would need to be vetted by the military junta before a decision could be made. This further delayed the decision on the special envoy, as the ASEAN chair had to ponder once again who would be the most suitable candidate. In the end, there was no consensus on how to proceed. The Chongqing meeting set the stage for a prolonged tussleboth between ASEAN and Naypyitaw and among ASEAN membersover the choice of envoy. Throughout the envoy saga, the ASEAN chair has been reluctant to preempt any ASEAN members judgement on the issue, despite its prerogative to do so, which is one of the reasons the selection process has dragged on. Further complicating the process was the fact that in late June and early July, the ASEAN chair had to attend a few G7 and G20-related meetings, while also observing end-of-Ramadan rites. On July 13, the ASEAN foreign ministers met again, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-US special ministerial meeting. The choice of ASEAN special envoy was once again discussed, this time without the participation of Myanmar. They now agreed that Erywan would take up the position as the ASEAN special envoy. According to a highly placed source, Thailand decided at this meeting to withdraw Virasaks name to make it easier for the ASEAN chair to act. With the consensus now solidifying around Erywan, Retno finally yielded and the Bruneian was suddenly put forward as a candidate to head an envoy team, with Hasan, Virasak and Razali serving as advisers. The three readily agreed to the proposal. Additionally, a senior diplomat from Cambodia, the upcoming ASEAN chair, would be included. Two days before the ASEAN meeting this week, however, Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing asserted his preference for Virasak, adding that ASEANs new proposal made it impossible to move ahead. This is an interesting development, to say the least, as Myanmar had known for some time that Erywan would be the head of ASEAN team. Myanmar now insists it will have to consider the proposal to make Erywan the head of the team. At the meeting on Monday, Myanmar adopted a hardline attitude towards ASEAN, especially over the draft Joint Communique that was scheduled to be released on the day, only to be delayed. Some ASEAN members want a commitment from Myanmar to release all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as foreigners detained since the coup. In addition, there has been a strong appeal to include a sentence in the statement calling for swift and full implementation of ASEANs five-point consensus, reached in April, on solving the crisis in Myanmar. After six months of engagement with the Myanmar junta, it is clear that the ASEAN chair wants to earn the trust of all stakeholders, and, accordingly, is proceeding with the appropriate caution needed to reach a decision. The sources expressed disappointment with Naypyitaws response to ASEANs effort to end the current stalemate. At one point, they said, the chair even threatened to add a paragraph disowning Naypyitaw. The ASEAN foreign ministers expected Myanmar to quickly approve Erywans leadership and move forward with the implementation of its five-point consensus, especially the immediate deployment of an ASEAN team on the ground to help with the humanitarian crisis in the country, which is being worsened by the collapse of the health system amid a raging COVID-19 outbreak. You may also like these stories: Junta Massacres 40 People in Myanmar Resistance Stronghold During July Myanmar Junta Releases Detained Doctors and Civil Servants US Dismisses Myanmar Juntas Election Plan Analysis Myanmar Juntas Caretaker Government Follows in Footsteps of Former Dictator Ne Win General Ne Win (left) and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right) In 1958, Myanmars then military chief General Ne Win ousted the elected government led by Prime Minister U Nu and formed a caretaker government. Books on the history of Myanmars military claim U Nu voluntarily handed over power to Gen. Ne Win for the sake of national stability, after the ruling Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League (AFPFL) split into two due to internal factions. However, U Nu said in his autobiography that he was forced to do so. U Nu told Ne Win that the coup would tarnish not only the image of Myanmars military but also the reputation of the country itself, suggesting that he would convene Parliament to hand over power to the military if Ne Win promised a free and fair election. So it was highly questionable whether Ne Wins election at the Lower House and his swearing-in before President Mahn Win Maung was in line with democratic norms. Ne Win was the only military member of the 14-member caretaker government in 1958, with the rest made up of non-politician civilians including law experts and those from administrative and education circles. When Ne Win reshuffled his caretaker government in 1959, it had 16 members with three military figures: Ne Win, Brigadier General Tin Pe and military procurement director U Thi Han. There were some 140 military officials in various ministries. After 17 months, the caretaker government held a general election as it had promised. But the Myanmar people, who had become familiar with democracy since the countrys independence in 1948, were upset by the regimes tough stances, such as arresting politicians and sending them to the Coco Islands, escalating the civil war and suppressing the popular Kyemon Daily newspaper as part of a campaign to muzzle the media. U Nus faction of the AFPFL won the 1960 election and, as he had promised, Ne Win handed power back to them. Having tasted power, Ne Win staged a coup in 1962 and overthrew U Nus government, less than two years after he had returned power to it. This time, the eight-member Revolutionary Council led by Ne Win was different from the caretaker government he had led in 1958. All the members were military officers, except for foreign and labor affairs minister U Thi Han. Myanmar would remain under the iron grip of Ne Win for the next 26 years. He imposed repressive rule under a succession of different names as the chairman of the Revolutionary Council, then the Burma Socialist Programme Party and finally as President. Myanmars economy failed under Ne Wins rule and the country was reduced to one of the least developed countries in the world, leading to a popular uprising against his regime in 1988. Only then did the 77-year-old dictator hand power over to General Saw Maung, who once said that Ne Win was like a father to him. Myanmars current military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing followed in Ne Wins steps by seizing power in a Feb.1 coup this year, claiming that Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy landslide win in the 2020 general election was marred by fraud. The same day, he formed the State Administration Council and appointed himself the council chairman. Six months later, he formed a caretaker government like Ne Win did and appointed himself as the prime minister of the caretaker government, which consists of generals, military-linked politicians and civilians. Snr. Gen Min Aung Hlaing has promised to hold a multi-party general election in the future. But even if that happens, many doubt it will be a free and fair election. Myanmar has been in political turmoil since the coup. At the orders of the coup leader, junta forces have killed more than 900 people in the past six months. Thousands more people have died unnecessarily, as the military regime has failed to address the devastating third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. And millions are facing hardship in all aspects of life. So it is fair to say, Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is worse than Ne Win. It remains to be seen what tricks the coup leader will play to stay in power once the term of his caretaker government ends. You may also like these stories: Explained: The Tussle Over ASEANs Special Envoy to Myanmar Junta Massacres 40 People in Myanmar Resistance Stronghold During July Myanmar Junta Releases Detained Doctors and Civil Servants One cannot deny that tourism has a big impact on the environment, causing the depletion of local natural resources as well as pollution and waste problems. But tourism is also a significant driver for development and growth in many countries, generating income, employment, investment and exports. It can also fund important areas such as the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, improvements to infrastructure and local community facilities. The positive or negative effects depend on the planning and management of the activity. The UNWTO has called for a sustainable recovery of the tourism sector to create a balance between the needs of people and the planet for the well-being of all. The shock of this pandemic has also promoted awareness and responsibility. Experts foresee growing demand for open-air and nature-based tourist activities. From an environmental point of view, it is true that the planet has benefited from this temporary standstill in the tourism sector, as well as from the reduction in industrial activity. But on the flip side, some health and safety measures required the use of individual packaging, using more energy and creating more waste. I truly think that both the tourism offer and demand are more committed to sustainability than ever. This crisis has become a golden opportunity to increase tourisms contribution to the 17 Global Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Standardization in tourism is a reflection of the needs of the tourism sector. We now have International Standards for sustainable accommodation, sustainable diving, sustainable adventure travel, for example, to help facilitate this movement. But it is also an opportunity to foster worldwide cooperation and coordination to confront the pandemic and its economic outfall. The percentage of Texas Covid-19 tests coming back positive is now at levels considered red flags by Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump administration during the height of the pandemic. State officials and virologists say the highly contagious delta variant is fueling the rise in new cases and hospitalizations, especially among the unvaccinated. The delta variant also is capable of infecting the vaccinated, considered breakthrough infections, although the vaccinated experience only mild cases. Should the public return to pandemic safety measures such as mask wearing in public places? You voted: Set to launch in the Australian spring, Google's Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will feature a chip custom-designed by Google with AI and ML smarts called "Tensor", but whether it will make Apple, Qualcomm, Intel or anyone else tense is yet to be seen. Although Google officially announced its Pixel 5a would launch in the US and Japan only, the world has heard from Google about its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones. The announcement comes from Google's Senior VP of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh, at the official Google blog. Osterloh started by noting the first Pixel phone, which was far from Google's first own-branded Android, launched in 2016, and that the company had used the Pixel line to introduce features like HDR+ and Night Sight, as well as AI smarts, Google Assistant and more. However, Osterloh also says that "computing limitations" have been run into, which forced Google to create "a technology platform built for mobile that enabled us to bring our most innovative AI and machine learning (ML) to our Pixel users,", which has meant Google's own SoC or System on a Chip, and that it is finally "almost here." Dubbed Tensor, it is Google's "first custom-built SoC specifically for Pixel phones, and it will power the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this fall." We'll have to wait until the launch for all of the full details, features, specs, pricing and availability, but the blog post gives a sneak peek. We're told "these new phones redefine what it means to be a Pixel," from new design and finishes to the upgraded Android 12 operating system, with a new rear camera system that appears to show at least two traditional lenses, and what might be a squarish periscope lens per Huawei's phones, although that squarish blur might be something else, like a ToF sensor or LIDAR, but we don't yet know. Osterloh said: "Tensor was built for how people use their phones today and how people will use them in the future. As more and more features are powered by AI and ML its not simply about adding more computing resources, its about using that ML to unlock specific experiences for our Pixel users. "The team that designed our silicon wanted to make Pixel even more capable. For example, with Tensor we thought about every piece of the chip and customized it to run Google's computational photography models. For users, this means entirely new features, plus improvements to existing ones. "Tensor enables us to make the Google phones weve always envisioned phones that keep getting better, while tapping the most powerful parts of Google, all in a highly personalized experience. And with Tensors new security core and Titan M2, Pixel 6 will have the most layers of hardware security in any phone**. "Youll see this in everything from the completely revamped camera system to speech recognition and much more. So whether you're trying to capture that family photo when your kids wont stand still, or communicate with a relative in another language, Pixel will be there and it will be more helpful than ever. We look forward to sharing more about Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this year." Gizmodo's Sam Rutherford interviewed Rick Osterloh, who provided more detail, which you can read here. My take? Well, Apple has succeeded incredibly well with its own A-series and now M-series processors, so it only makes sense for Google to want to take better control over its own destiny with its own custom processors, too. We don't yet know whether TSMC or someone else will be making the Tensor processor, but they are the most likely candidate. Pixel phones are usually soundly outsold by Android competitors and iPhones, but clearly Google hopes the new Pixel 6 range will really resonate with consumers, so we'll just have to wait and see how well they do. If the chip truly is as powerful as Google suggests, who knows where else the Tensor chip will emerge? Might Google make a tablet again? Could the tensor chip power a smartwatch? A future ChromeCast with Google TV? Google-branded Chromebooks? All will be revealed in a couple of months, most likely, and the world - and Google's competitors - will be watching. Google's Tensor and Pixel 6/6 Pro blog post is here. 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. Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. Testimony to JAC: In-state meat industry growing but has more to do Teton County Reporter Billy Arnold has covered government and policy since January 2020, sitting through hours of Teton County meetings so readers don't have to. He moonlights as a ski reporter, helps with pandemic coverage and sneaks away to climb when he can. Contact Analeise S. Mayor at 732-7076 or amayor@jhnewsandguide.com. This story is supported by a grant through Wyoming EPSCoR and the National Science Foundation. Jonesboro, AR (72401) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Joplin, MO (64801) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Gary Franklin Ball, Sr., age 78 of Diamond, MO, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, after a long, courageous battle. He lived his life to the fullest and fought hard to the end. Gary was born February 18, 1943, in Hornersville, MO, to James Ball and Lucille Shirfield. He attended Joplin Afghan forces battled the Taliban for control of a key provincial capital Tuesday, as the United Nations warned indiscriminate gunfire and air strikes were hurting civilians the most. Officials said insurgents had seized more than a dozen local radio and TV stations in Lashkar Gah capital of Helmand province and the scene of days of fierce fighting leaving only one pro-Taliban channel broadcasting Islamic programming. In Herat, another city under siege, hundreds of residents chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest) from their rooftops after government forces repulsed the latest Taliban assault. The hardline Islamist group has seized control of much of rural Afghanistan since foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal in early May, but are meeting resistance as they try to take provincial capitals. That urban fighting, however, is taking its toll on civilians. Taliban ground offensive & ANA air strikes causing most harm, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted Tuesday, referring to the Afghan national army. Deep concerns about indiscriminate shooting & damage to/occupation of health facilities & civilian homes. UNAMA said at least 10 civilians were killed and 85 wounded in Lashkar Gah in the past three days. Fighting was intense this morning, said Sefatullah, director of Sukon radio in the city. The US B52 and Afghan air force both pounded the Taliban positions, he said, adding that fighting was ongoing near the citys prison and a building housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies. On Monday, the Ministry of Defence said that US air force had carried out air strikes in Lashkar Gah. In recent days the US military has intensified air strikes across the country in a bid to stem Taliban advances. Sefatullah said his radio station had stopped broadcasting two days ago because the Taliban captured the building of our station. Afghan officials said that 10 other radio and four television stations in Helmand had been seized by the Taliban, most in the provincial capital. Terrorists do not want the media to publish the facts and expose their injustices, the Ministry of Information and Culture said. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. In Herat, Afghan officials said government forces had managed to push back the insurgents from several areas of the city including near the airport, which is vital for resupplies. Afghan security forces plus resistance forces launched a big operation in west of the city, Jailani Farhad, spokesman for Herats governor, told AFP. Another official said the US had carried out air strikes in Herat last night. War crimes Washington and London lashed out at the Taliban, accusing them of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan. Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the insurgents had indulged in revenge killings there, leaving at least 40 people dead. The Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict, the group said. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken also slammed the militant leaders. An Afghanistan without a democratic, inclusive government would be a pariah state, he said, adding that the international recognition the group wants will not be possible if seeks to take the country by force and commits the kind of atrocities that have been reported. Fighting across the country, meanwhile, has displaced around 80,000 children from the start of June, humanitarian organisation Save the Children said Tuesday, adding that many schools and health facilities had also been damaged. Residents of a besieged Afghan city were urged to evacuate Tuesday as the army prepared a major offensive against Taliban insurgents after three days of heavy fighting. The Taliban have seized control of much of rural Afghanistan since foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal in early May, but are now focused on capturing provincial capitals, where they are meeting stiffer resistance. Fighting is raging for Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, with the United Nations saying at least 40 civilians had been killed in the last 24 hours. General Sami Sadat, commander of the 215 Maiwand Afghan Army Corps, told residents to get out as soon as they could. Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation, he said in a message to the city of 200,000 delivered via the media. I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses it is hard for us too but if you are displaced for a few days please forgive us, he added. We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them and we will not leave a single Taliban alive. Officials said earlier that insurgents had seized more than a dozen local radio and TV stations in the city, leaving only one pro-Taliban channel broadcasting Islamic programming. Deepening concern for Afghan civilians as fighting worsens, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted. UN urges immediate end to fighting in urban areas. Rooftop chants Fighting was intense this morning, said Sefatullah, director of Sukon radio in the city. He said US and Afghan air force planes had pounded Taliban positions, adding fighting was ongoing near the citys prison and a building housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies. In recent days, the US military has intensified air strikes across the country in a bid to stem Taliban advances. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. In Herat, another city under siege, hundreds of residents chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest) from their rooftops after government forces repulsed the latest Taliban assault. Afghan officials said government forces had managed to push back the insurgents from several areas of that city including near the airport, which is vital for resupplies. Another official said US warplanes had carried out air strikes, but that could not be confirmed. War crimes Washington and London lashed out at the Taliban, accusing them of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan. Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the insurgents had indulged in revenge killings there, leaving at least 40 people dead. The Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict, the group said. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken also slammed the militant leaders. An Afghanistan without a democratic, inclusive government would be a pariah state, he said, adding that the international recognition the group wants will not be possible if it seeks to take the country by force and commits the kind of atrocities that have been reported. Fighting across the country, meanwhile, has displaced around 80,000 children from the start of June, humanitarian organisation Save the Children said Tuesday, adding that many schools and health facilities had also been damaged. Residents were urged Tuesday to evacuate a besieged Afghan city as the army prepared a major offensive against Taliban insurgents after three days of heavy fighting. The Taliban have seized control of much of rural Afghanistan since foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal in May, but are now focused on capturing provincial capitals, where they are meeting stiffer resistance. Fighting is raging for Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, with the United Nations saying at least 40 civilians were killed in the last 24 hours. General Sami Sadat, commander of the 215 Maiwand Afghan Army Corps, told residents to get out as soon as they could. Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation, he said in a message to the city of 200,000 delivered via the media. I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses it is hard for us too but if you are displaced for a few days, please forgive us. We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them we will not leave a single Taliban alive, he said. Officials said earlier that insurgents had seized more than a dozen local radio and TV stations in Lashkar Gah, leaving only one pro-Taliban channel broadcasting Islamic programming. Deepening concern for Afghan civilians as fighting worsens, the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted. UN urges immediate end to fighting in urban areas. Taliban are everywhere Fighting was intense this morning, said Sefatullah, director of Sukon radio in the city. He said US and Afghan air force planes had pounded Taliban positions, and that fighting was ongoing near the citys prison and a building housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies. In recent days, the US military has intensified air strikes across the country in a bid to stem Taliban advances. The Taliban are everywhere in the city, you can see them on motorcycles in the streets. They are arresting or shooting people who have smartphones, a resident of Lashkar Gah told AFP on condition of anonymity. The Taliban are in the peoples houses and the government is bombing them. About 20 houses in my neighbourhood have been bombed, they are fighting street-to-street battles, he said. The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. In the western city of Herat, also under siege, hundreds of residents chanted Allah-u Akbar (God is greatest) from their rooftops Monday night after government forces countered the latest Taliban assault. Officials said government forces had managed to push back the insurgents from several parts of Herat including near the airport, which is vital for resupplies. War crimes Washington and London meanwhile accused the Taliban of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan. Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the insurgents had indulged in revenge killings there of at least 40 people. The Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict, the group said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the international recognition the Taliban want will not be possible if they seek to take the country by force and commits the kind of atrocities that have been reported. Fighting across the country has displaced around 80,000 children from the start of June, humanitarian organisation Save the Children said Tuesday, adding that many schools and health facilities had also been damaged. A car bomb explosion followed by several blasts and rapid gunfire rocked the Afghan capital on Tuesday, not far from the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses several embassies, including the US mission. The wave of blasts came as the Afghan army urged residents to evacuate a besieged southern city ahead of a planned offensive against Taliban insurgents after three days of heavy fighting. The car bomb blew up in central Kabul late on Tuesday, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky, AFP correspondents reported. A security official said the explosion happened near Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadis residence, not far from the Green Zone. Do not worry, everything is fine, Mohammadi tweeted after the blast. Less than two hours after the car bomb detonated, another loud blast followed by smaller explosions and rapid gunfire again shook Kabul, in what appeared to be the same area of the city. Another security source said several attackers had stormed a lawmakers house after setting off the car bomb and were also shooting at the residence of the defence minister from there. Several lawmakers were meeting at the house of this MP to make a plan to counter the Taliban offensive, the source told AFP. A third Afghan security official said there were fatalities in the incident, but could not offer more details. Even as the blasts and gunfire rocked the city, crowds of people marched down Kabuls streets and took to rooftops chanting Allahu Akbar and Death to the Taliban in support of Afghan forces battling the Taliban in three regional capitals, witnesses said. The insurgents assaults on the cities of Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat since last week came after they seized control of much of rural Afghanistan, as foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal from the country in May. Taliban are everywhere Fighting is raging for control of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, with the United Nations saying at least 40 civilians were killed in the last 24 hours. General Sami Sadat, commander of the 215 Maiwand Afghan Army Corps, urged residents to leave the city. Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation, he said in a message to the city of 200,000 delivered via the media. I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses it is hard for us too but if you are displaced for a few days, please forgive us. We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them we will not leave a single Taliban alive, he said. Officials said earlier that insurgents had seized more than a dozen local radio and TV stations in Lashkar Gah, leaving only one pro-Taliban channel broadcasting Islamic programming. The UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted its deepening concern for Afghan civilians as fighting worsens. UN urges immediate end to fighting in urban areas. Sefatullah, director of Sukon radio in Lashkar Gah said: Fighting was intense this morning. He said US and Afghan air force planes had pounded Taliban positions, and that fighting was ongoing near the citys prison and a compound housing the headquarters of police and intelligence agencies. In recent days, the US military has intensified air strikes across the country in a bid to stem Taliban advances. The Taliban are everywhere in the city, you can see them on motorcycles in the streets. They are arresting or shooting people who have smartphones, a resident of Lashkar Gah told AFP, on condition of anonymity. The Taliban are in the peoples houses and the government is bombing them. About 20 houses in my neighbourhood have been bombed, they are fighting street-to-street battles, he said. War crimes The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which has pledged to defend cities at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. In the western city of Herat that is also under siege, officials said government forces had managed to push back the insurgents from several areas including near the airport, which is vital for supplies. But on Tuesday afternoon, four rockets struck the airport. The facility was not damaged, airport chief Shaheer Salehi told AFP, but two flights were cancelled. Washington and London, meanwhile, accused the Taliban of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan. Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the insurgents had carried out revenge killings there of at least 40 people. The Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict, the group said. Sign up for myFT Daily Digest and be the first to learn about international tax news. As the global corporate tax competition is about to end, countries are competing to attract high-income remote workers, and new threats to government taxation are emerging. Governments recently agreed on a trade Introduce a minimum tax rate for the largest company in the world, but as an official Finalize the details, The pandemic turned many high-paid people into temporary nomads. Many professionals have combined work with vacationsjoining Zoom phones because they are isolated in foreign villas before taking vacations with their families. Others are expats who work remotely from home to extend the time they can spend there. Petros Kremonas campaigned for several weeks for a Brussels-based NGO at his home in Corfu, Greece. He said that the pandemic caused him and many others in his social circle to re-evaluate where time is spent and the priorities in life. In principle, he hopes to work with his parents for two to three months each year. The main obstacle for him and others is not the nature of his work, but Potential tax impact. Employers are cautious about allowing employees to work in different jurisdictions for up to a few weeks to prevent them from assuming tax or social security responsibilities in another country. Even an employee working remotely may, in principle, lead to radical authorities deciding that a company has established a taxable presence there, and its profits are taxed by the company. A tax lawyer said that anyone who requires long-term cross-border work may face the employers strong inertia and fear of tax risks, adding that his own company recently rejected the initial job requirements of potential new employees. Their homeland. But tax practitioners also say that companies that compete for talent are under increasing pressure to get employees to work in places they like. This has become so common, said one practitioner. His multinational clients started from a very conservative stance but found that they had to compromise because companies need to be able to hire where they want in the current environment . At the same time, countries with brain drain are racing to attract their citizens and citizens of other countries to return permanently. Greece passed a law in December that allows some new immigrants to cut their income tax by half within a few years. Portugal is advertising huge tax breaks for new residents with certain skills, and Italy increased incentives for workers to relocate in March last year. Other European countries have followed suit Caribbean countries Provide special visas for digital nomads. Rita de la Feria, a tax law professor at the University of Leeds, said that many governments have not yet realized how much threat this poses to the stability of their tax system. In most countries, the share of personal income tax in government revenue is greater than corporate income tax. This is also a disproportionate tax paid by highly skilled workers who are easiest to work remotely. With the increase in liquidity, the tax base has also undergone more significant changes-just as in [corporate income tax] In the past 40 years, De la Feria wrote in an article. Paper Co-authored with Giorgia Maffini, a tax policy consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a researcher at the Oxford University Business Taxation Center. The report was published last month. They say that countries like the United Kingdom that rely heavily on a relatively small number of well-paid professionals to pay taxes are particularly vulnerable. De la Feria and Maffini estimated that if one-third of high-tax taxpayers and 10% to 50% of taxpayers can work remotely, the UKs 6.5 billion to 32.5 billion pounds of income from personal income tax and social security contributions may face The risk group chose to leave. Even at the low end, this will offset more than half of the expected gains from the imminent increase in corporate tax. All reform efforts are focused on corporate income tax. This will have broader consequences, De La Ferria said. She warned that the exodus of highly skilled workers would also affect productivity and reduce consumption tax revenue. There are very wide social and economic impacts. No one even noticed A bigger crisis may be brewing. Earlier on Tuesday, a Belarusian activist exiled in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kiev. Ukrainian police said they had initiated a murder. Vitaly Shishov leads a Kiev-based organization that helps Belarusians escape persecution. On Monday, his partner reported that he was missing after failing to return home after running. The police said they have filed criminal proceedings for the suspected murder, including investigating whether the murderer tried to disguise the crime as suicide. His colleague said in a statement that Shishov has felt under surveillance since leaving Belarus after participating in anti-government protests last year. He has been warned of possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. The police statement said: Vitaly Shishov, a Belarusian citizen who disappeared in Kiev yesterday, was found hanged in a park in Kiev, not far from his residence. After the controversial elections last year, President Alexander Lukashenko cracked down, and Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have become safe havens for Belarusians. According to its website, Shishov leads the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU) team, which helps Belarusians find accommodation, work and legal advice. BDU said in a statement: Local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus have also repeatedly warned us about various provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation. The organization said on Monday that Shisov could not be reached. It said Shisov left his residence at 9 am local time and should be back in an hour. The Belarusian authorities characterized the anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries supported by the West, and described the actions of their law enforcement agencies as appropriate and necessary. The BDU is scheduled to organize a march in Kiev on August 8 to commemorate the beginning of a year of large-scale protests against Lukashenko. According to reports, two police officers committed suicide in July, and two others died a few days after the riots on January 6. The U.S. District of Columbia Police announced that two more police officers responded to the incident. Riot on January 6 Suicide in the U.S. Capitol brought the number of suicides known to the police officers on duty in the building to four. Police Department spokesperson Hugh Carew said in a statement that Metropolitan Police Officer Gunther Hashida was found dead at home on Thursday. Hashita joined the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in May 2003. The news report quoted a police spokesperson as saying: We feel sad as a department, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Hashita. Carew said that another MPD officer Kyle DeFreytag who responded to the Capitol on January 6 was found dead on July 10. Carew said that DeFreytags cause of death was also suicide. He has been working in the force since November 2016. MPD officer Jeffrey Smith and Capitol Police Howard Libengood also responded to the congressional riots. In a closed-door meeting with congressional leaders in January, Acting Police Chief Robert Conte III told lawmakers that Smith had ended his life after that battle. At the same time, just three days after Donald Trump supporters rushed into the Capitol to try to prevent Congress from proving the defeat of Democratic President Joe Bidens election victory, Libengood committed suicide. Four people died in the unprecedented violence in the United States. A congressional police officer who was attacked by protesters died the next day. More than 100 police officers were injured. Bring more trouble to Trump This chaos led to Trumps second impeachment trial. More than 500 people have been arrested for their roles in the violence. In emotional testimony last week, four police officers told the House Special Committee that they had been Be beaten, threatened, racially insulted, And thought they might die while they struggled to defend the Capitol against the mob. The fatal attack on January 6 prompted Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell to file a civil lawsuit against Trump and Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, accusing them of inciting the people. Four people died on the day of the violence in the U.S. capital, and a policeman died the next day [File: John Minchillo/AP] Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice refused to defend Brooks request for immunity and provided him with protection under the Western Wilderness Act, which protects federal employees from being prosecuted for their words and actions in the work process. Experts said the move appeared to send a message to Trump that it ruled out immunity when it warned that inciting attacks on Congress is not within the scope of the representative or any federal employees employment. Donald Ayer, a senior justice official in the Republican government of President Ronald Reagan and President George HW Bush, said: Documents submitted by the government Sending a clear messageNo leader in our government has acted within his scope of work when taking subversive actions. A free and fair election can be achieved by getting people to stand up and engage in riots and interference. He added: The leaders who committed these scandals are responsible for their actions. A Brooks spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. Trump is the defendant in two other similar lawsuits, One submitted by Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, and the other on behalf of two U.S. Congressional policemen. So far, Trump has not publicly asked the Justice Department to provide protection in this case, and his lawyer Jesse Binnal has not stated whether he intends to ask the Justice Department to take a stand. Binnar said in a statement: The Supreme Court has made it clear that the president cannot be prosecuted for conduct related to his public office. It is a typical duty of the president to speak to Americans on congressional actions. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, These organizations Maybe it can help. A former mayor who died in a Brands Hatch crash lost his unforgettable wife after battling breast cancer before Christmas. On Saturday afternoon, 67-year-old Robert Foote has been volunteering as a referee on the track near Dartford in Kent. 3 Robert Foote and his late wife Rosemary died after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer last year Credit: Cover image Sadly, the retired engineer was killed when a car slid off the track at a bend in the track and hit the marshals post. Has paid tribute to the former mayors of Epson and Ewell, Including the British F1 driver and six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton wrote in an Instagram post: These volunteer marshals make racing possible. They are heroes. My heart is with his family. The neighbor said yesterday that Robert had been living alone since his wife Rosemary passed away before Christmas last year. She fought cancer twice and died in December 2020. These volunteer marshals make racing possible. They are heroes. My heart is with his family. Lewis Hamilton He wrote in the parish magazine that the couple had been married for 29 years and met at the beginning of the online dating revolution. In the obituary printed on The Cuddingtonian, Robert pays tribute to his late wife. He said: Rosemary-for the past thirty years, you have been an amazing wife and friend, a good sister of Christine, the kindness of Matt, Alex and Katie, Lovely and beloved aunt. You are loved and admired by everyone you left behind, many friends, many memories, and many lives that you moved. You will not be forgotten. Speaking of their relationship and their nearly three years of marriage, he said: Most of you will now know that my 29-year-old wife Rosemary Foote passed away on December 9, 2020. I would like to take some time now. Pay tribute to her. Our relationship started at the beginning of the computer dating revolution. We both signed up with a computer dating agency that organized single weekends. Rosemary and I both chose to participate, even though I live in Bristol and she lives in Newmore Board. We met at the tea party; Rosemary initiated the conversation. I then learned that she was trying to avoid unpopular suitors. When we started talking, we quickly realized that if we rely on our initial personal data, we would not actually meet-our expectations did not match reality As they said, the rest is history. You are loved and admired by everyone you have left behind, many friends, many memories, and many lives that you have moved. You will not be forgotten. Robert Foot Robert and Rosemary tied the knot in 1991, lived in New Malden, southwest London, and moved to Worcester Park in Sutton, South London four years later. He added: My job is very challenging because I work as an engineer at British Airways and have been working on night shifts. Obviously this will not change. Finally, in September 2001. I decided to leave BA and plan to try other things-but you will remember September 11, 2001, the day when the aviation world changed forever, and the new jobs that followed disappeared. . After the couple moved, they began to participate in local residents association meetings. Upon request of members, Robert decided to participate in the 2003 election and was elected as a councillor of Cuddington Ward. He said: To say the least, I am surprised that Rosemary has been employed by ITN and worked for their election coverage for many years, and then became a very efficient and respected PA in organizations including Tearfund and CWR. In addition to her full-time job, she has now become my diligent and irreplaceable assistant. In the first few years, she took on many other roles and helped me embark on a rather unfamiliar path-she certainly knew How to make people look better. In 2014, Robert became the mayor of Epson and Ewell, and his wife served as mayor with him. He said: There is always a lot of preparation to do, research the organizations we visit, take notes, identify key people, write speeches and conversations, decide what to wear, etc. Rosemary always gave me 100% support and encouragement, and she was very actively involved in caring for my mother in her 90s at the time. Breast cancer shock Three years later, Rosemary was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a year of treatment, the doctor said she recovered. However, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer last year, and subsequent further treatments were not as successful as the first time. Robert said: 2020 will be a bad year for everyone-Rosemary was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in April. Further treatments were followed, but now it is very different from the first time. same. Covid means that I cannot attend her hospital treatment and provide support to her, which is different from when I traveled with her for the first time. Every time she received treatment, she was usually very sick, often leading to Epsom A&E, Sometimes he was admitted to treatment. August-shortly after Rosemarys 70th birthday-her mother passed away at the age of 103. As one of her main caregivers, Rosemary has been deeply affected by this incident for many years. After trying different types of cancer treatments, the Royal Marsden never gave up, but Rosemary thought she had had enough. She told her sister on the evening of December 8. She passed away peacefully the next morning. . 3 Robert and his wife Rosemary have been married for 29 years Credit: Cover image China is the worlds largest government lender. This is not just because of its huge reserves of U.S. Treasuries. For most of the past decade, Beijing has been trying to fill the huge infrastructure funding gaps on many continents through the Belt and Road initiative. In addition to increasing global influence, its primary goal is to upgrade the transportation links on the old Silk Road, making trade between the Far East and its western regions possible.Although Beijing recently Control expensesBetween 2008 and 2019, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China lent US$462 billion. In terms of background, according to data from Boston University, this is not much different from the US$467 billion loan provided by the World Bank in the same period of time. However, the terms of these loans to sovereign borrowers have been kept confidential. Until now. Owned by the Peterson Institute for International Finance, a Washington-based think tank Charming paper This week, the report compiled the findings of 100 contracts with sovereign creditors mainly in Africa and South America. The lenders are the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, as well as a few commercial banks and the Chinese government itself.The research was conducted with other think tanks and the AidData team at the College of William and Mary, which owns a data set here For those who want to study in depth. Although the researchers pointed out that this 100 sample size only accounts for 5% of the contracts signed by Chinese lenders and foreign governments since the early 2000s, it is still sufficient in terms of standardization to draw some findings and conclusions about the nature of lending behavior , China is a strong and business-minded lender. We recommend that you read this paper in its entirety. For those who dont have time, here are some highlights. First, these contracts do not appear to be very different from those offered by other sovereign creditors. Especially when these creditors (which often happens here) lend to low-income countries. However, these contracts are unique in that they reflect that China did not participate in collective restructuring agreements such as the Paris Club because of the deterioration of its sovereign debt. This is at odds with what you might expect to be listed in contracts with import/export or development banks located elsewhere. For example, researchers consider these contracts to be a strange mixture of private and public sector lending standards. If things get worse, this may give more power to the Chinese authorities. For example, the inclusion of clauses that imply that the sovereign state changes policies and laws can be counted as a reason for cancellation and immediate loan repayment. The document pointed out that although such clauses have nothing special in commercial debt contracts formulated by private sector participants, they may have different meanings and new effects in government-to-government loan arrangements. In the case of countries that owe large amounts of cash, it does seem to give Beijing a lot of influence in domestic decision-making. The extent to which Beijing will deviate from international agreements in providing debt relief is very important to usespecially when the current epidemic has left many countries. Developing economies China is seen as a troubled borrower country. There is also the issue of implementation. The contracts (except for most of the written contracts with China Development Bank, which adopt English law) follow Chinese law. They also insist that dispute resolution takes place in China. Although researchers are unwilling to make judgments about the substance of Chinese laws or Chinas commercial dispute resolution mechanism, we do not want to have the opportunity to argue our case under such a legal framework. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warned that the effects of indiscriminate artillery and air strikes would be disastrous. The United Nations called on the warring parties in Afghanistan to take more measures to protect civilians and warned that the effects of indiscriminate artillery and air strikes would be catastrophic. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) pointed out in a series of tweets on Tuesday that the Talibans ground attack and the Afghan armys air strikes caused the most damage. The Talibans ground offensive and ANAs air strikes caused the most damage, UNAMA posted in a post, referring to the Afghan National Army. Deeply concerned about the indiscriminate shooting and damage/occupation of medical facilities and private houses. Since the beginning of the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have intensified their attacks and made significant territorial gains, especially in rural areas of Afghanistan Thousands of people have been displaced, while the U.S. and U.K. Accuse the Taliban Committing war crimes and slaughter of civilians. Several provincial capitals have been surrounded by the Taliban, and fierce fighting has been going on for several days in the capitals of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in the south and Herat, the capital of the provinces of the same name in the west. On May 5, 2021, during the fighting between the Afghan army and the Taliban in Busharan on the outskirts of Rashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, the Afghan army approached an armored vehicle [Sifatullah Zahidi/AFP] Al Jazeeras James Beth reported from Kabul that Rashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, is witnessing the fiercest fighting in recent days, with Taliban fighters in the city center. Currently, the battle for Lashkar Gah is ongoing, he said. Fighting took place around the governors compound, around the police headquarters, around the prison, and around the main buildings in the city center. We were told that as the violent fighting continued, gunfire was almost uninterrupted. Beth quoted the Ministry of Health of Afghanistan as saying that at least 38 people have died in the past three days and another 156 were injured in Lashkar Gah. Officials said that the Taliban had seized nearly a dozen local radio and television stations in the city, leaving only one channel that supported the Taliban to broadcast Islamic programs. The fighting was very fierce this morning, said Sefatula, the director of Laskar Gazukon Radio. We stopped broadcasting two days ago because the Taliban occupied our radio building. The loss of Lashkar Gah will be a major strategic and psychological blow for the government. After most of the rural areas were occupied by the Taliban this summer, the government promised to defend the city at all costs. A policeman holding a rocket grenade launcher on a highway in Herat [Hoshang Hashimi/AFP] In Herat, also under siege, hundreds of residents chanted Allah is supreme (Allah is the greatest) on the roof after government forces repelled the Talibans recent attack. Afghan officials in Herat stated that government forces have successfully repelled Taliban militants from several areas of the city, including near the airport, which is crucial for supplies. Jailani Farhad, a spokesperson for the governor of Herat, said: Afghan security forces and resistance have launched a large-scale operation in the western part of the city. A source in the Herat hospital told DPA News Agency that it had received 24 bodies and nearly 200 wounded in the past six days. Among the victims were members of the security forces. Another source from the Kandahar Ministry of Health said that the province had recorded 28 deaths and 191 injuries in the past 10 days. Manavgat, Turkey Turkeys southern coastline is burning. On the wooded hills in the Manavgat area of ??Antalya, plumes of thick smoke appeared one after another in the sky. Every time a forest fire was brought under control, another forest fire seemed to be ignited. The blood-red sun passed through the gray-yellow haze, and as the visibility increased, the charred bones of forests and villages were revealed. Many people believe that this is just the latest sign that the world has entered an era of climate crisis, and Turkey is not prepared for it. According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, in the past six days, 132 devastating fires have swept southern Turkey and other areas, killing 8 people and burning at least 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) of land. Despite the controversy, many people in Turkey believe that the fires are the result of destructionmany politicians encourage this theoryand they coincide with months of severe drought and extreme temperatures. Antalya is a tourist hotspot. The average temperature at this time of the year is close to 30 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and the highest temperature this week exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. On July 20, the temperature in southeastern Turkey reached 49.1 (120.38 degrees Fahrenheit), the hottest in history. Many fires raged in the forests near beach destinations loved by local and European tourists, such as Bodrum and Marmaris, with people fleeing by cars, boats and in some cases luxury yachts. Soaring temperatures have also caused wildfires in most parts of southern Europe, including Greece, Spain and Italy. Manavgat is one of the places most severely affected by fires in Turkey. Although seasonal fires are normal and even healthy for the local ecosystem, environmental protection organizations have stated that they have never seen a fire of this magnitude. Due to the dry landscape and strong windsespecially from the northeast, known as poyraz in Turkeythe authorities are trying to act fast enough to control things. The main income of the small village of Sirtkoy comes from growing aromatic bay leaves for cooking, but a fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning. Within an hour, the local school was destroyed and many houses were razed to the ground. The resident Mustafa, who declined to give his surname, pointed to a pile of blackened and still smoking stones in his friends house and said, Everything was fine in this area yesterday. There was a fire at 5 oclock this morning. , The fire was destroyed. At 6 oclock in the morning, the fire was out, but at 9 oclock in the morning, the wind came again and the fire followed. When Al Jazeera visited Sirtkoy on Sunday afternoon, planes, firefighters and forestry workers worked tirelessly to control the flames, like candles, constantly relighting. The pungent smoke makes the whites of their eyes red, and many men have little to protect their lungs except for disposable surgical masks. The villagers poured bottled water on the exterior walls and property, desperately trying to put out the fire, while some asked why the authorities had not prepared for the disaster that many people had foreseen and failed to take responsibility. No one is responsible for these fires, and we have nothing after today, said the resident Hatice Cinar, the sound of burning trees falling from the forest below. Cinar said that this village is not suitable for growing vegetables or raising animals, so the only way of life they know is to grow bay leaves-she has 500 trees. She hopes this will give her 18-year-old son a future, but they have all been destroyed. . With the forest, we lost everything, she said. Villagers gathered in Sirtkoy to watch the fire in Sirtkoy village [Liz Cookman/Al Jazeera] Erdogan Tourist Area Over the weekend, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other government ministers visited the communities destroyed by the fire to check the damage and express their condolences. Erdogan said: We will continue to take all necessary measures to heal the wounds of our country, make up for its losses and improve its opportunities, he promised that the government will provide financial support to those affected. The announced measures include covering rent and deferred taxes, social security and credit payments, and providing zero-interest credit to small businesses. Erdogan said: There is nothing we can do except to pray for the mercy of God for our lost lives, but we can replace everything that has been burned. Some criticized the Turkish governments handling of the disaster, especially due to the countrys lack of firefighting aircraft. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have mobilized water bombers to help, and the European Union said on Sunday that it would send three more. Due to the lack of resources in the affected area, municipal firefighters from all over the country were sent to rescue. A team of volunteers gathered to provide support to the displaced, including members of the Antalya Communist Party, who have been visiting affected locations since Thursday, donating clothing, food and cold water. Volunteer Cem Taylan said: People are having a hard time, but the government should use our taxes to do this, not us. This is predictable. This is not destiny. You can control the damage caused by these fires. . In Kalemler village, 63-year-old Mitad Akca and his 61-year-old wife Hatice Akca are packing up a car in front of the ruins of their home, containing vegetables and other food donations from the Disaster and Emergency Management Department (Afad). They said that the entire village was destroyed in 45 minutes three days ago, and the only thing that survived was their jewelry. It is 35 kilometers (22 miles) away and I am very nervous and dont know what to do. I didnt take anything I just left, Akca said. My tractor and everything else was burned down-50 years of work disappeared in a few minutes. But Erdogan came today and told us that the government will give us new tractors next week and a years House. 63-year-old Mithad Akca in front of his house and barn destroyed by fire [Liz Cookman/Al Jazeera] With climate change, fires will increase Hediye Gundiz, head of the environmental organization A Platform, said that after the last unusual fire in Manavgat 15 years ago, the government had warned that global warming could lead to more fires, but did not take any action. She said that in addition to the need for seaplanes to quickly extinguish fires, the government should also hold seminars to train residents in high-risk areas on how to prevent fires. It takes 30 to 40 years for a tree to grow. It may take 50 years to restore the water we have, but we dont have the water we need as we used to, she said. However, this is not the only recent sign that Turkey is struggling to combat climate change-in May, a lake in the Van province in eastern Turkey completely dried up. This year, large numbers of flamingo waiting birds were found dead because their waterholes disappeared. Drought created sinkholes in central Anatolia. Last week, six people were killed in flash floods in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Since December last year, thick and unsightly sea nose caused by rising sea temperature and pollution have occupied the Marmara Sea, stifling tourism and depriving local fishermen of their livelihoods. Fire ecologist Ismail Becker said that the key to recovering from the fire is not to replant as it seems, but to let the forest do its own thing. He said: These Mediterranean ecosystems and fires have been like this for hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, albeit on a small scale, he added, adding that Turkeys strong forest protection laws actually make such disasters more likely. . Although in some countries, such as the United States, controlled burning is used to remove dry leaves and other garbage from forests, Turkey does not allow them to be used as fuel for fires, leading to larger natural fires that are difficult to control. We need to include forests in urban planning because this disaster shows that forest fires have now reached a scale that can threaten urban areas, he said. As the climate changes, it will get hotter and the fire will get bigger and bigger. Baton Rouge, LA- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University and Our Lady of Lourdes is requiring faculty staff and students who will be on campus to be vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will be required For students by August 13, 2021. All team members, employed providers, residents, students in clinical rotations, contract staff, and volunteers will also be required to be vaccinated. Implementation of the requirement will occur over several months concluding December, 2021. All students, faculty and staff will be expected to continue to follow established campus health and safety protocols such as required COVID-19 testing, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and daily self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. Students, faculty and staff may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for reasons consistent with Louisiana state vaccine laws. In a letter to FranU students, faculty and staff, University President Dr. Tina Holland noted, All FranU policy decisions, including those related to COVID-19 mitigation, are rooted in our mission as a Catholic and Franciscan University. Our faith-based approach provides a solid foundation for decision-making. As a Franciscan community, we respect one anothers individual beliefs, but we must also act in the community's best interest. Prairieville, La. (Update) : On August 3rd, 2021, shortly before 7:00am Mitchell was taken into custody. Previous: Troop A Troopers in coordination with the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit are currently searching for 26-year-old Levi James Mitchell of Prairieville. Mitchell is wanted for multiple felony warrants including: LRS 14:69 B(2)- Illegal Possession of Stolen Things $5k to $25k (Felony), LRS 14:108.1 - Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony), LRS 14:99 - Reckless Operation of a Vehicle (Felony), LRS 14:96 - Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce (Felony), LRS 14:68.4 - Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (Felony), LRS 14:56 B(2) - Simple Criminal Damage to Property $1k to $50k (Felony), and LRS - 14:32.1 Vehicular Homicide. Mitchell was last seen on August 2, 2021, shortly before 11:30 am when he fled the scene of a fatal crash on LA Hwy 938 ( Coon Trap Road) north of LA Hwy 74. If you see Mitchell please contact Louisiana State Police Troop A at 225-754-8500. KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. Farmers in the Klamath Basin will have another opportunity to seek aid funding to offset their losses from the current water shortage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it would invest $15 million into a program that will assist growers in the drought-stricken region. USDA referenced the closure of the Klamath Project's "A" Canal, which means that no water from Upper Klamath Lake will go toward irrigation this year. The new block grant allows for payments to producers who agree to reduce their irrigation demand. That water then can be used for other means. As ongoing drought conditions in the West continue to worsen, we need to find ways to do things differently in order to provide help and assistance to producers, Tribes, and communities, said Gloria Montano Greene, USDAs Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. We recognize that current USDA programs and services are not enough to meet this historic challenge, and this pilot will help us find more tools to add to our toolbox. RELATED: Historic drought leaves Klamath Basin domestic wells high and dry The block grant will go to the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency for distribution to producers. According to KPDRA president Marc Staunton, the organization is still working out the details of how the funds will be deployed. It may be distributed out to producers on all eligible land within the Klamath Project on a per-acre basis, though some land does not qualify. Unfortunately, the same as for our non-irrigation program, land will not be eligible in districts that the Bureau of Reclamation believes is not in compliance with the 2021 Project operations plan, said Mr. Staunton. The Klamath Water Users Association, which represents the interests of Klamath Project growers, said that this new grant replaces a $10 million program announced in April. There is also a $15 million Bureau of Reclamation program in effect, but KWUA says that together the two programs are "still not nearly enough." Our most important priority is to have water for irrigation so producers can produce, said KWUA executive director Paul Simmons. But we have to play the cards we were dealt this year and do the best we can for producers who are under duress. Governor Kate Brown also released a statement on Monday applauding the program: "The Klamath Basin is facing historic challenges from drought conditions that are creating hardships for the people, farms, ranches, communities, and ecosystems of the region. Todays announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a great step to help agricultural producers in the region. I appreciate the partnership of Secretary Vilsack and the Biden-Harris administration in helping to relieve hardship in the region, both through this new pilot and ongoing programs. What is clear is that, because of the ongoing impacts of climate change on the region, the Klamath Basin will continue to face too many demands for a limited and decreasing supply of water. We must continue to work towards a long-term drought solution for the region, and todays relief efforts are a down payment toward that goal. MEDFORD, Ore. As fire crews continue to work on containing a constellation of lightning-caused fires across southern Oregon, forestry officials say that they identified several more overnight throughout the region. The Oregon Department of Forestry used a fixed-wing aircraft overnight to fly over Jackson and Josephine counties. With a combination of infrared technology and night vision goggles, the crew looked for heat sources in the region. The ODF flight found two new fires overnight, and confirmed a third that firefighters had already been dispatched out to. The Skyline Fire was confirmed in the northwestern part of Jackson County, estimated at a quarter-acre. The Horse Mountain Fire was found in the same area, with a similar size. The third fire, the Jack Creek Fire, is on U.S. Forest Service land in the Applegate area. Of the fires detected over the weekend, the largest and most challenging are the Buck Rock Fire north of Trail, the Round Top Fire northwest of Shady Cove, and the North Fork Anderson Creek Fire on Anderson Butte near Talent. Firefighters held lines on all three fires overnight, with slight increases in containment. "All three are burning on steep slopes in high elevations, creating challenges for crews to dig line," ODF said in a statement. "There are currently no homes threatened across the district." Officials at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest confirmed the discovery of a new fire in the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, discovered via infrared flight, on top of the 16 fires found throughout the forest since the recent thunderstorms began. Resources are heading out to the area. The largest RRSNF fires are the Bear Camp Fire and Maple Dell Fire, 5 acres and 10 acres respectively. In both cases, firefighters have lined the fires and are working on containment efforts. "Holdover lightning fires are expected to appear as the upcoming cold front brings a drier air mass with low humidity over the region," RRSNF said. "A Haines Index of 6 is forecasted which indicates a high potential for fire growth and erratic fire behavior." Forest Service officials say they are still calling in more firefighting resources because of the dangerous fire weather in the forecast, with the goal of deploying an aggressive initial attack when fires pop up. Already, the Bear Divide Hotshots from the Angeles National Forest are in southern Oregon, and more engines are on the way. GRANTS PASS, Ore. The pandemic has forced businesses across the country to adapt and make change after change and its no different for two businesses local Southern Oregon. It was so unexpected and then having to just shut down with less than 48 hours notice, it was St. Patricks Day. I remember that clearly because we had a lot of corned beef, Jill Dini said. Dini has been the owner of Bohemian Bar and Bistro in Grants Pass since the restaurant opened, and she brought on a business partner in 2016. You should expect amazing fresh food craft cocktails and happy people, Dini said. More than a year into the pandemic, Dini is faced with some additional challenges. Though business was good for the Bohemian even during the height of public health precautions, they're now navigating an environment where mandates have been replaced with recommendations. I follow the policy that I see around town in other businesses, Dini said. Last week the CDC updated its mask guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with "substantial" and "high" transmission of Covid-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties. Its just a notice on the door saying that if you are not fully vaccinated, we would appreciate you wearing a mask, Dini said. I am not going to police it, however that is not what I should have to do in a business to my customers so I'm going to let them make the right choice." Some of the same challenges apply to the Triple Tree Restaurant in Sams Valley, but different ones as well. Co-owner Monte Martin has had to close his Sams Valley staple on Mondays and Tuesdays due to a staffing shortage. "We are looking for the right people, we will get the right people in there and then we will open back up, Martin said. Martin and the Triple Tree are also dealing with the ongoing food supply shortage. Martin says that a lot of the major items his restaurant needs like beef and chicken are lagging in delivery at times. We try to stay with a certain amount of food here and keep it going and we seem to run out of our major items that they serve daily, Martin said. YES: It shows we want to be better. MAYBE: If you can find the perfect replacement. NO: We can't reject history. Vote View Results News Jury trial against Short Bethel Street murder suspect underway Shakkory Willis The jury trial against the suspect accused in the January, 2019 Short Bethel Street murder began Monday afternoon as the commonwealth and the defense gave their opening statements. Shakkory Willis, 28, is accused in the murder of Coryvan Thomas, 20, on Short Bethel Street during a robbery that occurred on Jan. 24, 2019. Christian County Commonwealths Attorney Rick Boling began his opening statements by describing what occurred the night of the murder as Willis and five others planned to rob Thomas and Dylan Stewart, who was allegedly living with Thomas at the time of the incident. Boling stated that Willis, along with Lane Carter, 23, James Yates, 24, Tia Ochs, 19, Madison Wilson, 20, and Korey Zivotin, planned to rob Thomas of either $30,000 in cash or $30,000 worth of marijuana, that they were told was inside the home. Ochs, Wilson and Zivotin were all juveniles at the time of the alleged crime. Boling continued to state that they all had planned to have Ochs and Wilson go to Thomas home, buy marijuana and spend time with him, all the while looking around the home for the supposed cash or marijuana and text the others about what they saw. Boling shared that although Ochs and Wilson did not see the amount of money or drugs the others were told about, Willis, Yates and Zivotin still forced their way into the home and proceeded to rob Thomas and Stewart. Yates and Zivotin allegedly take Stewart from the back bedroom that he, Thomas, Wilson and Ochs were in and assault him while Willis goes into the bedroom with Thomas alone. At that time, Ochs and Wilson were told to leave the home. Ochs and Wilson leave the home and get into a vehicle driven by Carter. At that time, Willis begins to assault Thomas, according to Boling. He starts to assault Coryvan Thomas yelling Giving it up! Where is it? Give it up, Boling said. Thomas doesnt tell him where the drugs are or where the money is. Shakkory Willis shoots Coryvan Thomas, kills him and hes shooting Coryvan, Korey Zivotin freaks out and fires his gun, hitting Dylan Stewart in the leg. Following the shooting, Willis, Yates and Zivotin leave the home and flee the area in the vehicle Carter was driving, Boling said. Boling continued to state the crime may not have been solved it had not been for the two girls who were with Stewart and Thomas prior to Willis and the others entering the home. When the police come, they start talking, asking Who was here, what was going on, and, of course, Dylan (Stewart) is alive and can tell them, there were two girls here, Boling said. Thats where this investigation starts. Boling continued to state that eventually police were able to identify everyone that was allegedly involved in the robbery and all five, excluding Willis, admitted to officers that they were there at the robbery and played their parts, but only Willis had shot and killed Thomas. Youre going to hear testimony from these other participants and theyre going to tell you what they did, what they saw, what they heard and when this is all over and done, we believe that you will find beyond a reasonable doubt that Shakkory Willis (is guilty on all of his charges), Willis said. Willis defense attorney Eric Bearden then gave his opening statements asserting that Willis is the outsider in the group that participated in the robbery and that the other five were all close friends, who eventually conspired to pin the murder on Willis. So, all these kids and young adults at home that hung around together are in that thought process, Were in trouble, a young mans shot, what are we going to do, Bearden said. Were not going to say that we did it, were not going to say that each other did it, were going to say the outsider did it. Lets blame him. And, here we are. Bearden continued to state that the defense will not dispute that Willis was not completely honest with law enforcement when he was first arrested and interviewed, but what he did state to police that he was not the shooter. I will point out that nobody was honest with the police when they talked to them, no one was honest, Bearden said. But, what Shakkory (Willis) did tell the police was that he did not shoot, or kill anyone, but he did, in fact, talk about hitting a lick (doing a robbery). Bearden ended his opening statements by saying that there is no tangible evidence to show that Willis was the shooter in this case and that the only evidence the commonwealth will produce for the jury is the testimony of the others involved in the robbery. Theyre not going to say that they saw him do it, theyre going to say that they think he did it, Bearden said. He added that he believes the outcome of the case will come from someplace other than tangible evidence. Again, theres not going to be any kind of forensic evidence to show that Shakkory did this crime, Bearden said. I think your decision is going to come down to whether or not you believe the witnesses the commonwealth is getting ready to put on are credible or believable to the point that you believe that is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Boling then called several witnesses to the stand to start presenting his case to the jury, including Ochs, Wilson, Carter and Yates. Ochs testified to what she remembered the night of the robbery from her perspective. Ochs testimony of what happened correlated to Bolings explanation of the crime during the opening statements and added that she believed she saw Willis with a gun before she and Wilson left the home. Ochs also testified that when she first met with police she was not truthful, but later admitted to being a part of the robbery and told them that she believed Willis had been the shooter. During her cross exam, Ochs also admitted that the home was dark when the incident occurred. Wilsons testimony also corroborated Bolings explanation as well as Ochs testimony, however, she could not recall a lot of detail due to memory loss after drug use, following the events of that night. Wilson admitted that the event had traumatized her and she medicated herself with drugs. Carter then testified and admitted that he was simply the driver in the robbery and had driven everyone to the home and had picked them up after the incident occurred. Yates also testified that he had been a part of the robbery and was at the home, but could not remember who else was involved and could only state that he knew he was a part of the robbery. He also testified that he entered the home and beat up Stewart during the robbery. Yates shared Monday that he did not have a gun when he entered the home and could not remember if anyone else in the home had a gun. Yates testimony concluded the trial Monday. The trial will resume today at 8:30 a.m. Willis is charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. According to New Era archives, and police reports, officers found Stewart shot in the leg and Thomas unresponsive with a gunshot wound on Jan. 24, 2019. Stewart was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Thomas later died from injuries he sustained. Willis along with Zivotin, Yates, Carter, Ochs and Wilson, who were all juveniles at the time excluding Willis, all took part in a robbery in which Stewart and Thomas were shot. The reports state Carter drove the vehicle that took the suspects to the Bethel Street home while Yates entered the home during the robbery. Carter and Yates also entered guilty pleas Feb. 17, 2020. Yates pleaded guilty to the charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, carrying a total recommended sentence of 10 years in prison. The deal requires Yates to serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The deal also required Yates to testify in court in Willis trial. Carter pleaded guilty to amended charges of facilitation to first-degree burglary and facilitation to first-degree robbery, carrying a recommended sentence of 10 years. Carter was originally charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery, however those charges were amended down. Carter also originally had an additional charge of second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, but was dismissed as part of his plea deal. Carter will only have to serve two years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Carter also had to testify as part of his plea. Willis allegedly shot and killed Thomas and was the only suspect charged with murder. The other two juveniles involved in the case, Ochs and Wilson pleaded guilty in 2019 to facilitation to robbery for their involvement in the case. They were both sentenced to five years. We had a bit of a reprieve, but now its over. The chorus of pots and pans that applauded our efforts during the height of the pandemic have long since faded into silence. The brassware has been put back in the cupboard, and the chest-thumping of the American malpractice gorilla has come back into focus, even louder than ever. Just flip on the television. Personal injury solicitations have re-emerged, especially in states like New York, that havent yet placed caps on non-economic (pain and suffering) damages in malpractice cases. And its not just television. The advertisements are pervasive: on subway entrances, buses and billboards, and the radio. According to Outfront Media a company that handles advertising for the MTA citywide distribution of ads can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars each month. Unfortunately, the ubiquity of malpractice solicitations is just a return to the status quo. But perhaps the time is ripe for a rethinking of our values. Is this the marker of an ethical society? Are we really willing to retarget the individuals who risked their lives as soon as the all clear has been sounded? We wouldnt dare try and sue a fire department for a firefighter taking the wrong staircase. Or would we? The reality is that malpractice liability reform is not a new fight, but progress has been slow in coming. If anything is going to change, physicians need to be the ones leading the charge. We need to bring our case to the public, make it easier to understand and more interesting. For example, the courts are backlogged because of COVID. In many instances, public health concerns have precluded jury trials. Some people have suffered from medical errors who deserve to be compensated. They shouldnt have to wait for the courts to clear up the log-jam created by COVID. The wait was too long, even before the pandemic. The American Medical Association has proposed an initiative called the EDC early disclosure and compensation to help expedite compensation for claims that have merit. But this needs to become part of the common vernacular, rather than part of an esoteric policy report by the AMA. It needs to hit the airwaves. It needs to work its way into our collective consciousness, just like the catchy jingles the personal injury firms use to get us to remember their phone numbers. The establishment of health courts is another initiative that deserves a hard look. These would consist of expert panels that would determine if a potential claim had enough merit if there was proof of neglect or deviation from the standard of care to proceed to a trial, or fair settlement. If so, these cases could be fast-tracked for adjudication, while the frivolous ones would be ferreted out and dismissed. Garnering attention to these and other medical liability reforms will require time and money. Right now, there is no counterpoint to the massive spending by personal injury attorneys. Its a lopsided game. Although doctors are not often thought of as a cohort of people that need financial assistance on this issue, we do. We need to recruit the support of the media, celebrities, and non-profit organizations. Its time to think outside the box: maybe even sponsor kick-starter campaigns. Why couldnt companies that incorporate charitable giving into their business models lend us support? Consumers love their doctors; they would be eager to show appreciation. Paradigm shifts occur when there is moral outrage. And perhaps more importantly, when moral outrage is made visible. Then people who arent directly affected by an issue can begin to empathize with it, and help rally their support. When support reaches a critical mass, those who wield power actually have a stake in listening, and initiatives have a chance to make their way onto ballot boxes. And there is moral outrage. Health care workers stepped up throughout the pandemic despite difficult conditions, often without proper PPP and being asked to work outside of their specialty. Some of us were even furloughed and reprimanded for speaking out to the media. Therefore, in the wake of our contribution to the health care crisis, the time may be ripe for us to ask for help in our ongoing struggle for medical liability reform. Eric Dessner is an ophthalmologist. Image credit: Shutterstock.com DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has upgraded evacuation notices due to the Wildcat Fire. The fire is moving toward some residential areas near Upper Cow Creek Road, which is why some are asked to evacuate now. Below are the current evacuation notices: LEVEL 3 GO All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses from 20039 to 20700. Level 3 Go means leave immediately as danger is imminent. LEVEL 2 BE SET All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses from 18300 to 20000. Level 2 Be Set means residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice as there is significant danger in the area. Residents can choose to find a place to stay or gather necessary belongings in case the evacuation notice is upgraded. Residents can opt-in to receive emergency alerts based on their address by registering HERE An interactive evacuation map can be found HERE Information regarding the Wildcat Fire will be released by the U.S. Forest Service. EUGENE, Ore. -- It's been two days since the nationwide eviction moratorium officially expired, and right now, some Oregon renters are packing up and getting out. Since March 2020, this eviction moratorium has prevented landlords from kicking out residents who dont pay their rent. But as of Aug. 1, its expired and eviction notices are being served to millions across America. Some people are saying this is a good thing. Mother and daughter Jean Kimble and Jen Kimble-Bohannon said they will finally be able to sleep again because their neighbors woke up to that sign on their door. They said about 11 people were illegally living in the duplex next to them, and it was nothing but chaos for over a year and a half: trash everywhere, dead rats laying around, doors slamming and dogs constantly barking. They said things even turned violent a couple of times. Kimble said that originally, they were evicted in October 2019, but the pandemic hit and land management said that because of the eviction moratorium in place, there was nothing they could do about it. Their animals were coming over and attacking the screens and our animals and cats, Kimble said. It got to the point that we had police here every single night in our back, we had to finally put cameras up." Kimble-Bohannon said that they have been living in a nightmare and are glad their neighbors, who have taken advantage of the system, will finally be out. But on the other hand, there are those who have just been trying to get by in rough times who have been forced out. The Korn family said theyve paid every single payment during the span of the eviction moratorium and are still being kicked to the curb. Theyre now living in a 26-foot trailer after being evicted from their home. Jennifer Korn said that their lease was up July 1, but on July 7 she received an eviction notice saying they must be out Aug. 4. Korn said they had signed and paid a month-to-month lease in full. But now, with the housing crisis in Lane County, there are no rentals available. The family told KEZI they begged the management company to work with them and give them one month, but management said no and upped the prices even higher on their current rent, making it impossible to pay. Eugene attorney Lance Quaranto, who represents both landlords and tenants, said this definitely has more of an effect on small "Ma and Pa" landlords. The idea that the moratorium is ending is also a bit of a misnomer. There's been evictions going on throughout the pandemic, just for other reasons than failure to pay rent, Quaranto said. And so, how is this going to effect people? It's going to be awful for tenants who are not able to pay their because of COVID. It's going to be good for landlords who rely on rent. Quaranto said there's been a lot of flux in landlord-tenant law recently but he expects it to continue as we all try to get back to a pre-pandemic world. SALEM, Ore.-- The Oregon Department of Education released its guidelines for the indoor mask requirement at K-12 schools. According to the department, the mask requirement goes into effect immediately and enforcement will start on Aug 12. Officials said masks will be required for the rest of summer school and the first part of the 2021-22 academic year. If a district doesn't follow the guidance, they could face a $500 fine per day until they comply. The Oregon Health Authority can also take additional action but it's unclear what that would be. Individually licensed educators, like teachers, could also face their own penalties. Masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors in all buildings during school hours. They will also be required during field trips or off-campus activities. Mask will not be required if an individual is actively eating or drinking, sleeping, playing a musical instrument that requires a mouthpiece, engaged in a sport during physical education class such as swimming, gymnastics, or wrestling, alone in a private office enclosed by walls on all sides with the door closed, and those under the age of two. When it comes to after-school sports, masks will not be required but are highly recommended. The Department of Education is leaving that decision up to local school districts. The department also said this mask rule will not be for the whole school year. Officials will look at cases monthly and the goal is to return mask decisions back to local control. If a student or a family refuses to wear masks, the school may move them back to remote learning. EUGENE, Ore. Starting at the end of the month, all PeaceHealth caregivers will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a qualifying medical exemption, company officials say. Those who are unvaccinated will have to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, follow additional masking protocols, and be prepared for the possibility of being reassigned to non-patient care settings. Though nearly 80% of PeaceHealth caregivers have already been vaccinated, the rise in hospitalizations in our communities is a stark reminder that we are facing a public health emergency and we must do more, said Dr. Doug Koekkoek, PeaceHealths Chief Physician Executive. Oregon law prevents hospitals from requiring vaccinations as a condition of employment. However, Kaiser Permanente and Oregon Health & Science University have also announced plans to require COVID-19 vaccinations in the state, according to a report from KGW. PeaceHealth officials say they are committed to ensuring patients receive safe care. SUTHERLIN, Ore. -- The Sutherlin School District is standing in opposition to Gov. Kate Browns recent mask mandate for K-12 schools. Oregons new rules fall in line with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which comes after a surge in cases due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. RELATED: K-12 students respond to to mask mandate for fall In a statement on Facebook, Superintendent Terry Prestianni said the district was shocked to learn about the new mandate. He also said that since late June, the district has had almost 200 students attending summer school without masks and they have not had any COVID-19 cases. Prestianni told KEZI 9 News he wants to fight for more local control of mask mandates. "This is the symptom of a bigger problem, in my mind and my board's mind, the lack of local control," said Prestianni. Earlier in the pandemic, officials indicated that COVID-19 rules would be made on a local basis. In a statement announcing the new mandate, Gov. Kate Brown's office said: "The purpose of the rule is to ensure all students can return to classrooms for full-time, in-person instruction in the coming school year with minimal disruptions." Prestianni is set to meet with Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education officials to discuss what Sutherlin will be able to do moving forward. But what do Sutherlin parents think? Mom of two, Brianna Price, said last year was a struggle for her first-grader. She said while she will comply with mandates, she wants what is best for her son. RELATED: Parents split on K-12 mask mandate for fall "You know, I don't want to force it on him, but if he has the opportunity in school to not have to wear it, I'm not going to make him wear it," said Price. Price also said in an ideal world, more control would be given to parents in the district. "There's going to be parents that want their kids to wear the masks, and then there's going to be parents who don't them to wear them, so I think it'd be good to have it up to the parents you know if they want want their kids to wear it, then if they want them to wear them then they can and if they don't want them to, they don't have to," said Price. While Prestianni and his school board will continue to follow mandates, he said they will still push for what they believe is right for their district. We will continue to fight for local control! Prestianni wrote on Facebook. NORTH BEND, Ore. A doctor was murdered in North Bend early Monday morning, and his wife says she was a witness. Coos County District Attorney Paul Fraiser said North Bend Police received a call for a medical emergency at 3721 Stanton Avenue at about 3:30 a.m. Upon arriving, police found Craig Jackson, 45, dead. Jackson was a doctor at Bay Clinic in Coos Bay. Jacksons wife told authorities two unknown men came into the home and fought with Jackson, causing his death. They reportedly fled the scene. Authorities have not identified any suspects at this time and have no descriptions. Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the case. If you have any information, contact the North Bend Police Department. By Ritah Kemigisa Part of the over 586,000 doses of covid-19 vaccines Uganda received over the weekend are due to expire. The consignment consisted of 286,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 300,000 doses of Sinovac from China but the former (AstraZeneca) will expire in September. This means that the government has just this month to ensure the doses due to expire are distributed. The ministry of health spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyona says they are to resume vaccination later this week after the National medical stores have completed distributing the vaccines to various districts. Ainebyona meanwhile says the target group will be people who are due to receive their second jabs of AstraZeneca. He adds that the ministry is yet to decide on who will take the Sinovac jabs. About 232,000 Ugandans are fully vaccinated while over 900,000 have received their first jab. This is still below the government target of vaccinating 22 million. By Prossy Kisakye The opposition Democratic Party has appealed to the government to speed up the process of acquiring covid-19 vaccines to enable schools to reopen. In his last address, President Museveni said the government was waiting for vaccines expected early this month and next month to allow the vaccination of students and teachers of high institutions and children between 12-18 years so as schools reopen. Speaking to the media at the partys head offices in Kampala, DP spokesperson Okoler Opio said the government has delayed procurement of the much needed vaccines and if it does not speed up the process, schools may fail to reopen. He advised that schools be left to operate countrywide under strict observance of the Standard Operating Procedures because even the expected vaccines may still not be adequate. BY DAMALI MUKHAYE The Minister of Education, Janet Museveni has called for an emergency meeting tomorrow at State House to discuss the reopening of medical schools. President Museveni on Friday directed the Ministry of Education, National Council for Higher Education and Ministry of Health to meet and plan for the possibility of reopening for medical students only. Ismail Mulindwa, the Director of Basic and Secondary Education yesterday confirmed the meeting, saying the Minister will notify the public about the outcomes from the meeting. The Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Prof Mary Okwakol, said that the meeting will decide when and how the government will reopen medical schools. Just like last year, government first reopened Universities and Tertiary Institutions teaching health course in September after the first closure of schools in March 2020. This was done to enable medical students complete their studies to avoid the future human resource gaps in the health sector. By Ruth Anderah The eight people accused of attempting to kill Works Minister Gen Katumba Wamala and murdering his daughter and driver have further been remanded to Kitalya government prison. The eight have appeared before Nakawa Court grade one magistrate Posiano Odwori who further remanded them until August 17th 2021 when they will re-appear to know the stage of investigations into the case. This was after prosecutions Barbra Kyomugisha informed court that investigations are complete and asked court to give her another date to enable police finalize its investigations. These are charged with two counts of murder and three for attempted murder and terrorism. Prosecution states that on June 1st at Kisasi, in Nakawa Division, the suspects attempted to murder Gen.Wamala, Mucinguzi Boniface and Sergeant Khalid Kuboit and murdered Brenda Nantongo and Sergeant Haruna Kayondo who was his driver. Prosecution further states that the suspects and others still at large between the months of March 2015 and June 2021, in various places in Uganda with intent to intimidate the public and for Political, economic Social and religious aim indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or their property, directly involved themselves in the murder and attempted murder of police personnel, UPDF personnel, civilians and attacks By Benjamin Jumbe President Yoweri Museveni has today received the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi who paid him a courtesy call at State Lodge in Nakasero. The visit comes days after the Kabakas 28th coronation anniversary where he said the Kingdom will not relent in its push for a federal system of governance and demand for property still being held by the central government. According to the kingdoms Premier, during the meeting, President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi discussed development matters of mutual interest between the Kingdom and the government. The two leaders later briefly exchanged pleasantries, before going in for a closed door meeting. The Kabaka of Baganda has been accompanied by a four-man delegation including Prince David Wasajja and the Kingdoms premier. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. No, you didn't it read that wrong. This year it's all about noses, not roses, as the nations most adored pets aim to take the 'Nose of Tralee' crown. 8 years into the competition Pet Sitters Ireland saw nearly 1600 people enter their pets - all hoping they would become this years Nose of Tralee. Kilkenny is represented by Bowie this year, who would love to be crowned the 2021 'Nose of Tralee'. Bowie is described as a special little guy, friendly and affectionate, smiling at everybody during his walks. He is a real life teddy bear - lovable, cuddly, and loyal. He loves a bit of mischief too from time to time and can often be seen running off with socks or the bath mat. Fun fact: He was named after David Bowie because of the white stripe on his face. You can find and vote for Bowie by clicking here to visit the competition website! The winner will be announced live on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday, August 24, and will receive prizes from Pet Sitters Ireland, Tesco Ireland and David McCauley Photography. THE Minister for Health has confirmed he has signed an agreement to purchase almost 700,000 additional doses of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The doses, which have been secured through an agreement with Romania and the EU, will be used to support the continued acceleration of the vaccination programme to younger people across the country. The Department of Health says the additional doses, which are being secured directly from Pfizer, are a redistribution of supplies which had originally been ordered by Romania. Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly expressed his thanks to Romania and said the deal underlined the benefits of the European approach to vaccine procurement. On behalf of the Government, I wish to sincerely thank our colleagues in Romania, including His Excellency President Iohannis and his officials. The agreement underlines the benefits of European solidarity with regards to vaccine procurement. The increased availability of vaccine supply has enabled Ireland to accelerate its vaccination programme over recent months and this week is expected to see the six millionth dose administered in Ireland since the vaccination programme began. Following the signing of the agreement, Pfizer will now confirm the precise dates for the delivery of the additional supplies, which are expected to arrive in Ireland this month. Are we turning on our webcams today? Is it unprofessional to send an emoji to your boss? May I wear yoga pants to work? As video conferences replaced conference rooms and direct messages replaced water cooler talk, workers in a wide array of industries started asking questions they have never asked before and changed how they view their job. For some, working from home means more productivity. Others are craving the socialization that comes with running into a coworker in the hallway. Many companies are bringing workers back into the office. However, barring a Delta variant surge, many employers are maintaining at least a partially remote element to the job. The struggles of communicating with coworkers at a distance aren't going anywhere, but there are ways to combat them. Turning on the video Lori Smith worked as a regional office manager at Truist Bank in Atlanta during the peak of the pandemic. She told CNN that people at her company were originally encouraged by the break that came with working from home at the start of the pandemic. But that turned to drudgery, and she had to think about how to motivate people again. She said making the switch to virtual meetings was a big help, for those brave enough to turn their video on. "You have to be highly flexible and adapt," she said. "If something doesn't work you've got to switch techniques, switch strategies, try something new. If that doesn't work go to the next thing." Sarah Chapman, who over the past year worked as a social media manager in Dayton, Ohio, said turning on video was a big part of staying engaged and how her company was, in part, able to maintain a strong culture. "When you turn on your video, other people will," she said. "You've got to get really good with the tools." These meetings allow an opportunity for conversation about topics not related to work, too, which can help satisfy the need for socialization in extroverts who miss the small talk of the office, said Tatiana Matthews, a licensed professional counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor at Atlanta Specialized Care, who does workplace consultations. This kind of interaction requires more planning in a remote setting, John Daly, a professor of communication and management at the University of Texas at Austin, told CNN. Daly recommends setting extra time before or after meetings to have that casual conversation. "You've got to be more intentional with your communication when you're at a distance," Daly said. "You've got to plan things that typically would have been spontaneous otherwise." Video calls also help prevent miscommunication, as you're able to hear the inflection of someone's voice and see their facial expressions and body language. Intentional messaging Matthews said she has seen less workplace conflict in the era of remote work. Smith agreed, suggesting there was less opportunity for deescalation with remote work at her company with those who had conflicts face-to-face. But the ambiguity of text messages, emails and direct messages can lead to miscommunication. That means it's not only important to be intentional with the method of communication, but also be intentional with the content of the message. To avoid miscommunication, Matthews suggested sticking to the facts with words that are objective and nonjudgmental. That means avoiding terms like good, bad, right and wrong, she said, and opting for effective, ineffective, helpful or "harmful"-- which are less judgmental. Also be conscientious about how you use punctuation or emojis. "When we're having verbal dialogue we don't have to think about the fact that maybe an exclamation point could come across as judgmental. Or if we're texting, that an emoji is maybe meant to say one thing and it comes across as another." And it's not just about avoiding certain words, punctuation or emojis. You need to be extra clear about what you are trying to communicate when in a virtual setting, Daly said. "What you want to do is be more redundant, because we think we're communicating something clear at a distance but we don't get the same kind of feedback," he said. One way to do this is by giving people a couple of different examples when trying to explain something. On the other end of the conversation, ask for clarification if you're unsure about the intent of someone's message. "We're less likely to see folks struggle with communication when they are reminding themselves that there's a possibility that they may not fully be understanding what is being communicated," Matthews said. You can take out some of these factors of uncertainty by picking up the phone, or even better, getting on a video call. One team While there is less connection for those who are used to working in an office, employees who were working remotely before the pandemic are noticing a welcomed level of increased inclusion. Elizabeth Mockley worked from home as a senior business systems analyst at Central New Mexico Community College for years. She told CNN it was difficult to get included in meetings when she was off campus, but that was no longer an issue once technological challenges were addressed as more employees were sent to work from home. Before the pandemic, "I'd be scheduled in a room that didn't have the equipment or I'd have to rely on someone like a project manager to be there to actually start the equipment up," she said. Chapman said she feels her company is also offering a more equitable experience for virtual workers now that remote work is more common, noting that a recent quarterly all-staff meeting that would normally welcome around 3,000 employees in person was held online. "It's still a strong company culture, but now instead of thinking in-person first, we might think digital first," she said. "But it's still about how do we build relationships, how do we build engagement, how do we take care of people." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. MASON CITY, Iowa A man accused of shooting at an occupied vehicle has been sentenced. Parker Duea Holland-Dunn, 20 of Mason City, pleaded guilty to assault with and displaying a dangerous weapon. The Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office says on January 24 in the 17000 block of 310th Street, Holland-Dunn shot two tires and the front fender of a vehicle, then smashed a windshield and a side mirror. He received a deferred judgment Monday and must spend two years on supervised probation and pay $855 in restitution. If Holland-Dunn satisfies all the terms of his sentence, this conviction will be removed from his record. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) An Iowa panel has voted to settle a lawsuit and pay five protesters who supported the Black Lives Matter movement and alleged constitutional rights violations when they were banned from the Iowa Capitol grounds. The State Appeal Board on Monday approved a recommendation by state lawyers to pay Jalesha Johnson, Louise Bequeaith, Haley Jo Dikkers, Brad Penna and Brandi Ramus $5,000 each and their attorney $45,000. The five were arrested July 1, 2020, when a scuffle broke out with police officers at the Capitol. After the arrests, the Iowa State Patrol told the five protesters that legislative leaders ordered them banned from the grounds. The judge must approve the settlement to finalize it. ALBERT LEA, Minn. A woman convicted for a December 2018 attack is now pleading guilty to drug possession. Athena Alizabeth Berg, 28 of Albert Lea, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to third-degree possession of drugs. Her sentencing is set for October 22. Berg was arrested on January 14, 2020, after authorities say she caused a disturbance at the Freeborn County law enforcement center. Officers say Berg was apparently intoxicated and when she tried to drive away, she was stopped and methamphetamine and other drug items were found in her vehicle. In October, 2020, Berg pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary for entering someone elses home and attacking another woman. She was sentenced to 63 days in jail and five years of supervised probation for that. ROCHESTER, Minn. The Olmsted County Board of Commissioner has approved a plan to spend $19,960,000 in federal COVID relief money. This amount from the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden in March will fund: - Olmsted Countys portion of the Rochester Area Foundations request for a five-year investment in affordable housing to create and preserve more than 1,100 affordable housing units in Olmsted County and leverage an investment of more than $200 million. - A $5 million investment to create affordable homeownership opportunities through a new program that will incentivize the addition to the affordable housing stock in the county. - $1 million to purchase the building at 105 Broadway Avenue N. in Rochester to continue providing transitional housing to homeless individuals - Repairs to the Rochester Community Warming Center totaling $100,000. Affordable and diverse housing opportunities have long been an important priority for Olmsted County and our residents, says Olmsted County Board Chair Stephanie Podulke. We have heard from the community that we need to focus on this area. These funds, and our prioritization of them, are essential steps in the right direction. In addition to housing, the plan approved Tuesday will fund various other Olmsted County priorities, including: - A proposal from Workforce Development, Inc. to support developing pathways to careers in local government. - A trained social worker liaison from the county to work with all the school districts in Olmsted County for truancy prevention. - Funding to complete the new nature center at Oxbow Park. - Money for key upgrades and improvements in Chester Heights Sewer District. - Technology projects within Health, Housing, and Human Services at the county that will support interoperability, automation, conversion of paper to electronic processes, and access to data and ease of use for clients. - Additional hours for school nurses to prepare for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year after being deployed to the pandemic for 18 months. - Provisional staffing for the County Attorneys Office to assist with the backlog of court cases in the system. These federal funds are being used effectively to meet immediate recovery needs and long-term priorities that will help us better serve residents of Olmsted County. I am proud of the thoughtful consideration, prioritization, and timely action by our board to allocate these funds, says Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welsch. The Board of Commissioners says the remaining portion of Olmsted Countys American Rescue Plan Act funding, totaling almost $11 million, will be reviewed and allocated in the spring of 2022. EYOTA TOWNSHIP, Minn. A one-vehicle crash sent the driver to the hospital Monday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol says Jami Pilar Arrabal, 29 of Rochester, was westbound on Highway 14 when he went off the road and rolled into the ditch near County Road 102. This happened around 6:18 pm. Arrabal suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester for treatment. The State Patrol says Arrabal was wearing his seat belt. The Olmsted County Sheriffs Office and Eyota Fire and Ambulance assisted at the scene. ROCHESTER, Minn. A man is charged with assault after a five-hour standoff in Rochester Monday. It happened at the Extended Stay America hotel on Wood Lake Drive SE. The Rochester Police Department says it got a call just before 3 pm about a female in a hotel room that might be in danger. Police say the hotel manager reported hearing a female screaming stop, get off me, and dont point the gun at my face. Officers went to the hotel and after evacuating a portion of it, tried to communicate with a man inside a room through the phone and talking through the door but they say the man locked the door and would not respond. At about 8 pm, members of the Emergency Response Unit forced open the door and arrested Nathan Titus, 39, without incident. Police say the 35-year-old female in the room did have injuries from being attacked. Titus is facing a charge of second-degree assault and authorities say he is the ex-boyfriend of his victim. ALEXANDRIA, Minn. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (GGMC) has honored State Senator Carla Nelson. The Rochester Republican received the group's Legislator of Distinction Award at its recent summer conference. We are fortunate to have a strong champion for Greater Minnesota as chair of the Senate Taxes Committee, says Greg Zylka, mayor of Little Falls and president of the CGMC. Senator Nelson always kept Minnesotas families and communities in mind as she developed tax policies and priorities this session. The final tax bill signed into law this summer reflects her hard work and dedication. GGMC credits Nelson with being instrumental in crafting and negotiating the passage of a tax bill that features a number of key priorities for Greater Minnesota cities, including a housing tax credit, child care property tax credit, and local option sales taxes to help several cities pay for specific projects. The group says Nelson was also the key proponent of a provision in the tax bill that prevents any city from experiencing a reduction in Local Government Aid in 2022, even if the current formula would have otherwise called for a loss of aid. MASON CITY, Iowa A plea deal over two burglaries is ending a North Iowa man to prison. Johnathan Cole Hamilton, 26 of Mason City, has been sentenced to up to five years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of third-degree burglary and one count of lottery ticket theft. Authorities said Hamilton broke into the YesWay on 12th Street in Mason City on March 29 and stole several items, then illegally entered a home in the 700 block of 9th Street NE in Mason City and stole more items. Hamilton received a five-year prison sentence for each charge but they will be served at the same time. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations, but says "the government doesn't have a place to play in mandates" whether it be masks or vaccines. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. Kokomo, IN (46901) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. As of Wednesday, the county had 935 active cases, the highest since early January. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Pocatello, ID (83201) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 54F. SW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 54F. SW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry speaks at a press conference on March 18, 2020, in Baton Rouge. (Photo by Hilary Scheinuk, The Advocate) Students arrive with masks on at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville, La. (Photo by Leslie Westbrook, The Advocate) Vaccine Tracker Vaccination locations expand in the ArkLaTex as COVID cases surge As always, stay connected with KTBS 3/KPXJ CW 21 for important updates as we navigate the road to recovery. HELENA, Mont. - The Montana National Guard is adding 25 personnel to state active duty to provide logistics and security support to the Lolo Complex Fire burning southwest of Missoula. Beginning Tuesday, a 20 person hand crew will aid in the Alder Creek Fire located southwest of Butte. On Wednesday, the CH-47 crew located in Helena and the UH-60 crew located in Billings will rotate in new personal to continue helicopter water bucket operations to aid the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The Montana National Guard will have activated 102 personnel for fire support this season by Wednesday, according to a release. The CH-47 crew has dropped approximately 400,000 gallons of water between the Harris Mountain Fire east of Cascade and the Woods Creek Fire near Boulder lake. The UH-60 crew has dropped approximately 126,000 gallons on the Poverty Flats fire north of Hardin. Since being activated on July 24, Montana National Guard Aviation assets have flown 67 flight hours. The Montana National Guard continues planning and preparation for future state active duty missions to support the citizens of Montana. MISSOULA, Mont. - The ex-boyfriend of missing woman Jermain Charlo was arraigned in federal court Monday on a firearms charge. A warrant was issued for Michael Blake Defrance, 28, last week. He was booked in the Missoula County jail on Friday. Defrance was arraigned in federal court Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition charge. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, "The indictment alleges that on about June 27, 2018 and Oct. 2, 2018 in Missoula, Defrance, knowing he had been convicted on May 6, 2013 of a misdemeanor crime of violence under the laws of the State of Montana, possessed firearms and ammunition in violation of federal law." Defrance was released from custody Monday afternoon, "pending further proceedings," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The conditions of his release include the following: Defendant must not commit any offense in violation of federal, state, local or tribal law while on release in this case. Defendant must cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample if it is authorized by 42 U.S.C 14135a. Defendant must advise the court or the pretrial services officer in writing before making any change of residence or telephone number. Defendant must appear in court as required and, if convicted, must surrender as directed to serve a sentence that the court may impose. Defendant must not possess a firearm, destructive device, or other weapon. Friends and family of Jermain Charlo have been critical of law enforcement for not naming Defrance as a suspect in her case. They maintain he was the last known person to have contact with Charlo when she went missing in June 2018. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 3, 2021-- Bidgely will be demonstrating the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and personalization for utilities again this year at the industrys premier educational and customer service event CS Week 2021. Through informative sessions alongside customers like NV Energy and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), audiences will learn how to craft personalized, digital customer journeys; engage low-medium income (LMI) populations; and empower CSR teams through AI techniques that are proven to elevate customer satisfaction and engagement. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005498/en/ Bidgely, alongside customers like NV Energy and Southern California Gas, will demonstrate how to empower CSR teams through AI techniques that are proven to elevate customer satisfaction and engagement at CS Week 2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) Despite the many challenges facing the industry, progressive utilities are leaning into their digital transformation journeys. As a recognized leader in worldwide digital customer engagement, we are bringing the top stories from turning customer service into customer value to CS Week this year alongside our customers and partners - in-person and virtually, said Gautam Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Bidgely. NV Energy & Bidgely at CS Week 2021, August 16-19 in Tampa, Fla. Bidgely CEO Abhay Gupta will join Adam Grant, manager of demand side management program delivery at NV Energy, for the CS Week presentation AI in Utilities: A Customer-Centric Approach to Energy Management. The presentation will outline how NV Energy successfully implemented a wide-range of AI-informed solutions to better connect with customers, deliver programs more successfully and realize gains across operations areas, including personalized customer care co-browsing. At the event, visit Bidgely in Meeting Room #446 or Bidgely can also be found in the Salesforce theater. To book a meeting with the team at CS Week, visit go.bidgely.com/csweek2021. SoCalGas & Bidgely at CS Week Virtual Touch, September 13-17 As part of CS Week Virtual Touch, Dr. Maria Liza Legaspi, energy management supervisor at SoCalGas, and Bidgely Strategy and Growth Manager Pauline Marcou will broadcast their discussion Achieving Behavioral EE with Medium Consumption Customers. The session will look at how SoCalGas used artificial intelligence and a digital-first platform to expand its behavioral energy efficiency approach to medium consumption customers. By delivering more inclusive and intelligent communications, SoCalGas provided greater numbers of more diverse customers with a superior level of service, insight and personalized support - resulting in over 360,000 therms saved as well as a 50 percent open rate and 81 percent Like rating on digital communications. Bidgely Engage Virtual 2021: FutureReady In Bidgelys commitment to furthering industry dialogue around how utilities can leverage customer-centric AI to better achieve their goals, Bidgely is once again hosting its premier energy AI event Engage Virtual. This years conference focuses on how leading utilities are taking an analytics-driven approach to balancing immediate business outcomes (CX, DSM, etc.) alongside larger goals, such as net-zero targets, customer relationships and modernization. Join us virtually on October 5-8, 2021 for three short days of high impact sessions, followed by a day of hands-on demos illustrating AI in action. Hear from utility executives and industry leaders from Duke Energy, Portland General Electric, Pepco, APS, ConEdison, PSEG-LI, SECC, Guidehouse Insights and more. Register at: bidgely.com/engage. About Bidgely Bidgely is an AI-powered SaaS Company accelerating a clean energy future by enabling energy companies and consumers to make data-driven energy-related decisions. Powered by our unique patented technology, Bidgely's UtilityAI Platform transforms multiple dimensions of customer data - such as energy consumption, demographic, and interactions - into deeply accurate and actionable consumer energy insights. We leverage these insights to empower each customer with personalized recommendations, tailored to their individual personality and lifestyle, usage attributes, behavioral patterns, purchase propensity, and beyond. From a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Grid Edge perspective, whether it is smart thermostats to EV chargers, solar PVs to TOU rate designs and tariffs; UtilityAI energy analytics provides deep visibility into generation, consumption for better peak load shaping and grid planning, and delivers targeted recommendations for new value-added products and services. With roots in Silicon Valley, Bidgely has over 17 energy patents, $50M+ in funding, retains 30+ data scientists, and brings a passion for AI to utilities serving residential and commercial customers around the world. For more information, please visit www.bidgely.com or the Bidgely blog at bidgely.com/blog. View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005498/en/ CONTACT: Christine Bennett Bidgely press@bidgely.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY UTILITIES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY SOFTWARE SOURCE: Bidgely Copyright Business Wire 2021. PUB: 08/03/2021 07:00 AM/DISC: 08/03/2021 07:02 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005498/en NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 3, 2021-- utiliVisor, a leader in utility submetering and plant optimization, announces that their collaboration with The New Valley Hospital has helped the hospital save more than $1.025 million. utiliVisor was initially brought in to help evaluate bids from service contractors during construction. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005197/en/ Joseph Lorino, PE, LEED AP | Vice President, Facilities Management, Valley Health System, in collaboration with utiliVisor, a leader in utility submetering and plant optimization, saved The New Valley Hospital more than $1.025 million. (Photo: Business Wire) "Because of utiliVisor's knowledge and great negotiating skill, we received - and awarded - a bid that was below what we had budgeted for. And we received more from that bid than we originally had asked for. It's been a very successful process and saved over $1.025 million. And we couldn't have done it without utiliVisor's involvement." - Joseph Lorino, PE, LEED AP | Vice President, Facilities Management, Valley Health System utiliVisor continues to collaborate with The New Valley Hospital team in establishing sustainable energy practices. Even after the hospital opens, utiliVisor will provide ongoing monitoring and metering to maintain long-term solutions that save energy and costs. utiliVisor's continued involvement will help us in making decisions, whether it's their own expertise or bringing us experts. They make sure were consistently achieving peak efficiency. Their involvement is critical to our success because we need to operate and maintain this system to give our patients a great healing environment. That's why we value utiliVisor and what they do, said Lorino. The New Valley Hospital is a community hospital currently being built in Paramus, New Jersey, and plans to have its first patient by the end of 2023. For more information on the collaborative approach that The New Valley Hospital is taking, read utiliVisors case study here. ABOUT UTILIVISOR Your tenant submetering and energy plant optimization services are an essential part of your operation. You deserve personalized energy insights from a team that knows buildings from the inside out, applies IoT technology and is energized by providing you with accurate data and energy optimization insights. When you need experience, expertise, and service, you need utiliVisor on your side. Experts that deliver consistent energy and cost-saving strategies for you. What more can our 40 years of experience and historical data do for you? Call utiliVisor at 212-260-4800 or visit https://www.utilivisor.com/. View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005197/en/ CONTACT: Kathy Fealy utiliVisor Marketing Director kathleen.fealy@utilivisor.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK NEW JERSEY INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSULTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH BUILDING SYSTEMS UTILITIES HOSPITALS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY SOURCE: utiliVisor Copyright Business Wire 2021. PUB: 08/03/2021 10:03 AM/DISC: 08/03/2021 10:03 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005197/en CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire Saturday, after the Biden administration extended the original date by a month. The moratorium, put in place by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. Many of them lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and had fallen months behind on their rent. Landlords successfully challenged the order in court, arguing they also had bills to pay. They pointed out that tenants could access nearly $47 billion in federal money set aside to help pay rents and related expenses. Advocates for tenants said the distribution of the money had been slow and that more time was needed to distribute it and repay landlords. Without an extension, they feared a spike in evictions and lawsuits seeking to boot out tenants who were behind on their rents. Even with the delay, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. as of July 5 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey. The survey measures the social and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic every two weeks through online responses from a representative sample of U.S. households. Heres the situation in Wyoming: WHATS THE STATUS OF EVICTION MORATORIUMS IN WYOMING? Wyoming hasn't put a moratorium on evictions. But landlords who participate in the state Emergency Rental Assistance Program agree not to pursue eviction proceedings amid applications for assistance, said the program's contract spokeswoman, Rachel Girt. The federally funded program run by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, with assistance from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, helps people affected by the coronavirus pandemic to cover their rent and pay utilities. The program also helps landlords cover expenses. WHATS BEING DONE TO HELP PEOPLE FACING EVICTION? As of January, Wyoming had an estimated 23,515 households eligible for help with rental arrears totaling around $40 million. The federal government has given Wyoming $200 million, the amount allocated to the least-populated states, for such assistance. Of that, $180 million is available for direct rent, utility and internet assistance, and services to help prevent people from becoming homeless. The remaining $20 million may cover administrative costs and helping people apply for aid. As of Wednesday, the state Emergency Rental Assistance Program had approved 721 applications, or 37% of those submitted, paying out $2.3 million in assistance. Of that amount, $1.7 million went to landlords, $355,000 to renters and $170,000 to utilities., Girt said. HOW ARE COURTS HANDLING EVICTION HEARINGS? The Wyoming Department of Family Services has been providing information about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to Wyoming courts. The department also has provided $1 million to Equal Justice Wyoming for legal services to eligible households facing eviction or other housing instability, Girt said. While many evictions aren't going ahead while landlords get help covering costs, that could change once the eviction moratorium ends. HOW AFFORDABLE IS HOUSING IN WYOMING'S MAJOR RENTAL MARKETS? Outside pricey Jackson Hole, rental housing in Wyoming is relatively affordable: About $700 a month for a two-bedroom unit as of the second quarter of 2020. That's a fraction of typical rents in major U.S. metro areas. Prices range from about $500 in Big Horn County to over $900 in Laramie County, where prices surged 9% from 2019 to 2020. As with home prices, rental rates in Teton County are the Wyoming outlier at almost $2,300 a month. The average Wyoming rent was up about 3% from 2019 to 2020, with the steepest increase (26%) in the Afton area and biggest decrease (13%) just across the Wyoming Range in Sublette County, according to the state Economic Analysis Division. ARE EVICTIONS EXPECTED TO CREATE A SURGE IN HOMELESSNESS? This remains to be seen. Wyoming has about 600 homeless people, one the smallest homeless populations of any state, and with 560,000 people is the least populated state. Almost 1 in 4 renters in the state surveyed by the U.S. Census Bureau reported they expect eviction in the next two months. Many of the state's homeless come from elsewhere. The COMEA homeless shelter in Cheyenne served over 500 people in 2020. Especially in summertime, homeless people arrive in Cheyenne from elsewhere by highway and rail. The shelter gets busy but should remain able to help any influx of people, COMEA assistant director Camron Karajanis said. HELENA, Mont. -- Law enforcement in Helena is holding a National Night Out event as part of an effort to help promote police-community partnerships. Events like these are taking place across the country on Tuesday, as law enforcement agencies are looking at new ways to introduce them to the community in a more friendly and laidback setting. The event will be taking place Tuesday night in Helena over at Ryan Park by the Fairgrounds from 6-9 p.m. The goal is to have people stop by and learn about the various roles law enforcement plays, which includes things the Sheriff's Office, Helena Police Department, and Montana Highway Patrol oversee, including search and rescue operations, water emergencies, and the helicopter unit. Lewis and Clark County Sr. Deputy Chris Norris says more than anything -- they just want to show the community they're here to help out. "It allows us to you know, interact with the community in a non-law enforcement capacity, just have a good time, and really take that general law enforcement context out of the equation," Norris said. This is the first time the sheriff's office is hosting an event like this, but the national organizing efforts for this event have existed since the mid-1980's. With an added emphasis on police and community relations over the past 15 months, events like these can help bridge the gap. There are seven other police departments across the state participating in this year's event, including Billings, Butte, Deer Lodge, Great Falls, Havre, Missoula, and Shelby To find out more specifically about the Helena event tonight, you can click here. HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte launched a new dashboard on Monday to keep Montanans informed on active fires burning in the state. Across Montana, our heroic firefighters are confronting more than eighty fires that threaten our communities, infrastructure, first responders and way of life. Ensuring Montanans receive accurate and timely information regarding these fires is more important than ever, Gov. Gianforte said. Im urging all Montanans to do their part to reduce wildfire risk by following local fire restrictions, preparing their homes and communities for wildfire and recreating and working safely while outdoors. According to a release from the governor's office, the dashboard gives information on all active wildfires, as well as more detailed information on fires greater than 100 acres, including size, percent contained and cause of the fire. Information on the total number of fires and acres burned in Montana this calendar year is also included on the dashboard. As of Monday afternoon, there are currently 88 active fires in the state, with 13 starts in the last 24 hours. There have been 1,794 fires this year, with more than 468,158 acres burned to date this year. In the past week alone, the number of acres burned has doubled across Montana. Gov. Gianforte says dashboard data will be updated routinely throughout the day as soon as incident information is updated. Here at the DNRC, we continue to be intently focused on the 2021 fire season, and we hope that this new resource provides the public with the necessary information to keep them safe and informed, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster said. The governor declared a statewide wildfire emergency on July 14 in response to the extremely dry and dangerous wildfire conditions and the national shortage of firefighting resources. He has since mobilized the Montana National Guard and secured wildfire support from Utah and California through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). You can access the dashboard at mtfireinfo.org. SWEETGRASS, Mont. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations Area Port of Sweetgrass seized 69.5 pounds of cocaine from a commercial vehicle on Thursday. While conducting outbound operations, CBP officers assigned to the Sweetgrass Port of Entry came across a commercial truck driven containing a commercial load of watermelons and peppers destined for Canada. Officers then referred the truck for further inspection, according to a release. During an in-depth inspection of the truck and trailer, CBP officers discovered bags concealed within the cargo containing cocaine. Utilizing high-tech tools, our frontline CBP Officers used a combination of their training and experience to detect and seize 69.5 pounds of cocaine in the cargo environment, Area Port Director Jason Greene, of the Sweetgrass Port of Entry, said. The ability to facilitate lawful trade and travel while sustaining a focus on enforcement is critical to our border security mission. CBP officers turned the case over to the United States Attorneys Office for prosecution. Is there any food or other item that your favorite restaurant or store has been out of recently? A 31-year-old from Elgin, Illinois, was pulled from Geneva Lake on Monday, Aug. 2, after he went under water Sunday evening, trying to help a child who drifted away from the boat. The victim later identified as Antonio F. Delasancha Jr. He had been out on the lake driving a boat, pulling his two pre-teen daughters in a tube, according to Commander of Geneva Lake Police Tom Hausner. Big Foot Beach drowning report The search for the missing man continued into the night on Sunday, Aug. 1. He was located late that night and then recovered in the morning, Aug. 2. One of the girls fell off the tube and he spun back around to pick her up. At that point, Delasanchas 11-year-old son jumped into the lake to swim with a life jacket and started to drift away from the boat and struggle. Delasancha, who was able to swim, jumped into the lake without a life jacket and began to swim toward the child. But he was unable to get to the child, went under the water and drowned as a result in approximately 45 feet of water. 911 dispatch received the emergency call at 7:02 p.m. and crews from throughout the region responded. Initial rescue efforts were stopped after approximately 40 minutes. A recovery operation began utilizing sonar technology. At approximately 11:45 p.m., Delasancha was located, and his location was marked. Recovery was not attempted due to safety concerns at that time. Big Foot Beach drowning report Emergency crews responded on Sunday evening to the area of Big Foot Beach for a drowning report. On Monday, the 31-year-old from Illinois, was Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} From leisure travelers looking to reconnect with friends and family to business travelers attending meetings and conventions, these dollars are crucial to helping our industry bounce back stronger, Sayers said. Officials with Madisons Overture Center for the Arts said they could not comment on the specific grant program announced Tuesday until more details are known, but applauded the states commitment to businesses in tourism and entertainment. These are wonderful programs, and we appreciate the investment the state is making in organizations like Overture to help us reopen, which will allow us to be part of the revitalization of communities across the state, Chris Vogel, Overtures chief financial and operations officer, said in an email. Officials with Madisons Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center also said it was too early to say for certain if they might apply for the grant funding. While there is currently no vaccination for African swine fever, the disease has been found to be slow-moving and likely to be kept at bay by good biosecurity and awareness on and off your farm. With high feed costs taking a bite out of profits, now may be a good time for dairy farms to rethink their feeding strategiesincluding producing high-quality forage Angela Tramonte, a woman from Massachusetts, was found dead after hiking in Arizona with a man she met on Instagram. Tramonte, 31, reportedly traveled from Saugus, Massachusetts to Phoenix, Arizona last week to meet the man for the first time. The circumstances surrounding her death raised a lot of questions from her friends. One of Tramonte's friends said the man is a police officer who her friend met on Instagram about two months ago, Crime Online reported. The two had reportedly hiked at Camelback Mountain last Friday, July 30. The mountain is outside of Phoenix. Angela Tramonte allegedly told the man that she was suffering in the heat and turned back while the man continued on the trail. The man had called 911 later that day when he could not find Tramonte in the parking lot. He said he had agreed to meet her at the parking lot after completing his hike. Tramonte's personal items were in the car. However, she was nowhere to be found. READ NEXT: Arizona Carnival Owner Arrested for Taking Mexican Workers' Passports to Prevent Them From Leaving Angela Tramonte Ignored by Man She Met on Instagram Angela Tramonte's body was found in a nearby home at the base of the mountain four hours later. Authorities noted that she probably collapsed while seeking help for heat exhaustion and dehydration, CBS Local reported. Captain Rob McDade of the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department said it was another reminder of just how unrelenting and unforgiving the elements of the Sonoran Desert can be. Phoenix authorities do not believe foul play was involved. But Tramonte's closest friends told WBZ-TV that she still has questions about her death, saying it was suspicious. Melissa Buttaro noted that those who knew Angela Tramonte knows that she would not go anywhere without a gallon of water in her hand. Buttaro added that she heard her friend was found without any water. Tramonte's best friend, Stacey Gerardi, said, "not even 24 hours and she's dead," and questioned why the man her friend met on Instagram, being a cop, continued to walk up and left her friend despite being in distress and not feeling well. Gerardi noted that they want justice and answers, adding that they will keep pushing to find the truth. Phoenix, Arizona Police Department: 'No Foul Play' Mercedes Fortune, a spokeswoman for the Phoenix Police Department, maintained that foul play was not expected in Tramonte's death. Fortune told The Daily Beast that no "traumatic injuries" were seen on Angela Tramonte when she was found. She added that there is no evidence at this time to indicate foul play is suspected. Investigators said Tramonte was possibly trying to get help as temperatures in Phoenix reached 104 degrees that day. McDade said Tramonte might have been in the early stages of heat exhaustion and heatstroke at that point in time. Meanwhile, the man that Tramonte met on Instagram told authorities that he was experienced on the mountain. He said that he already hiked previously at Camelback Mountain "from the top to the bottom," even during the summer months, New York Post reported. McDade said Camelback is "very unforgiving." He noted that the mountain does not care who you are or how great a hiker or an experienced hiker you are. He said the mountain, in most situations, usually wins. The cause of Tramonte's death is listed as "pending" by the local coroner. No one has been charged with any crime in connection with her death. READ MORE: Water Shortage in Hoover Dam Seen To Fall Below the Federal Threshold This Summer This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Mass. Woman Dies During Arizona Hike - From WCVB Channel 5 Boston Netflix's series, "Selena: The Series" and "Mr. Iglesias," were listed among the nominees of the 2021 Imagen Awards in different categories. Deadline reported that the nominees for the 36th Imagen Awards were released on Monday, revealing "Selena: The Series" to be among the top nominees overall. "Selena: The Series" will be competing with shows "Queen of the South," "Mayans M.C.," "Who Killed Sara," "This Is Us," and "Pose" for the Best Primetime Program - Drama category of the Awards, Variety reported. READ NEXT: Gabriel Iglesias on His Netflix Show 'Mr. Iglesias' and His Plan B Amid the Pandemic Apart from the said category, the cast and production of "Selena: The Series" was also nominated in different categories. The Hollywood Reporter that the show's lead actress, Christian Serratos, was nominated for the Best Actress - Television for Drama. Ricardo Chavira, who plays Abraham Quintanilla in the series, was nominated for the Best Actor for television category. "Selena: The Series" also successfully bagged a nomination from other categories such as Best Music Supervision for Film or Television, Best Young Actor, and two nominations from Best Supporting Actress. Netflix was also able to bag nominations in the field of comedy, as "Mr. Iglesias" landed a nomination for the Best Primetime Program - Comedy. Acclaimed comedian and entrepreneur Gabriel Iglesias also bagged a nomination for the Best Actor- Television for Comedy. Oscar Nunez, who also played a role in "Mr. Iglesias," nabbed a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other Netflix Shows, Actors Nominated on the Imagen Awards 2021 Apart from the "Selena: The Series" and "Mr. Iglesias," other Netflix content was able to land nominations on this year's Imagen Awards. In the film category, the streaming behemoth bagged two nominations for "Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado" and "I'm No Longer Here." The two Netflix films would compete with other titles such as "La Llorona," "REEFA," and "Words on Bathroom Walls." Netflix also received another nomination for television drama, as "Who Killed Sara" will compete with "Selena: The Series" for the category. Manolo Cardona, who acted on the "Who Killed Sara" series, landed a nomination for Best Actor. Gines Garcia also landed a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the same Netflix series. Meanwhile, Xolo Mariduena will compete with Cardona in the same category for his role in Netflix's "Cobra Kai." Imagen Awards Variety noted that the Imagen Awards, where several Latin Netflix titles were nominated, would be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and KCET.org on October 10, at 5 p.m. PT. Founded by producer Norman Lear, the Imagen Awards was often referred to as the Latino Golden Globes by the Hollywood Community. Previous attendees and honorees of the awards were Lin-Manuel Miranda, Salma Hayek, Guillermo Del Toro, Rita Moreno, and Jenni Rivera. "The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms," said Imagen Foundation President Helen Hernandez. Hernandez further noted that the nominees of the awards show that there is a "wealth of talent" among the Latinx communities. READ NEXT: NALIP, Disney, MPA, Amblin Partners, STARZ Team Up to Develop Next Generation of Producers This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Christian Serratos on Singing and Being Selena for "Selena: The Series" - From Manny The Movie Guy Florida and Texas have emerged as the new virus hot spots after accounting for a full third of all new COVID cases nationwide last week, according to White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients. States with low vaccination rates are now seeing a jump in new COVID cases amid the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, Yahoo News reported. Zients said that they knew that the virus is unpredictable from the start, with the Delta variant exacerbating. Last month, President Joe Biden declared victory over the COVID pandemic during his July 4 speech, saying that it no longer paralyzes the United States. The president's premature announcement of triumph had allegedly given people a false sense of security. READ NEXT: Third Dose of Pfizer COVID Vaccine Ready for FDA Authorization Florida COVID Cases Florida had broken a previous record for current hospitalizations that was set more than a year ago before vaccines were made available in the state. The state had recorded a total of 10,207 hospitalizations with confirmed COVID cases based on data reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to an Associated Press report. Florida's earlier record of hospitalizations had been 10,170 before vaccinations became widespread. Florida is now leading for hospitalizations due to the pandemic. The state's hospitals are reporting having to put emergency room visitors in beds in hallways. Meanwhile, others had noted a drop in the age of patients. Jason Salemi, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida, said that Florida averages 1,525 adult hospitalizations and 35 pediatric admissions per day. Salemi noted that both are the highest per capita rates in the state. He added that the recent rise is both striking. However, it was not at all surprising. Residents have returned to pre-pandemic activities despite the spread of the delta variant. Texas COVID Cases Meanwhile, North Texas officials are reconsidering safety protocols as COVID cases are surging across the state, Dallas News reported. Across the state, 6,853 people are hospitalized with the virus, according to the Department of State Health Services. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning vaccine requirements and mask mandates despite the recent increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. However, Administrative District Judge Marciela Moore had passed a ruling that masks must be worn in common areas of Dallas County courthouses. In addition, the Texas Supreme Court also issued an order that encourages local administrative district judges to follow minimum standard health protocols for court participants. The said order is also applicable to the public attending court procedures that will be done inside the courtroom. Republican governors Ron DeSantis and Abbott had fought for COVID restriction mandates. Public experts have said that masks could help reduce the increased transmissibility of the delta variant. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky said that this remains to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated. She added that a huge majority of the spread in the country is among those who are not yet vaccinated. READ MORE: Moderna Scientists Warn Against New COVID Variants That Could Drive a New Wave of Transmission This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Florida Governor Not Implementing COVID Restrictions Despite Surge in Cases - From CBS Evening News The White House has defended former President Barack Obama's plan to hold a birthday party with at least 500 visitors amid the rapid spread of the COVID delta variant across the country. A Fox News reporter claimed that Obama's gathering could be a super spreader event considering the rise in delta variant cases as well as breakthrough cases among vaccinated Americans, The Daily Mail reported. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Shifts Burden to States to Help Renters With COVID Funds as White House Scrambles to Extend Eviction Moratorium White House press secretary Jen Psaki dodged the question, saying the former president has been a huge advocate of individuals getting vaccinated. Barack Obama was placed under fire after his plans of holding a birthday party at his Martha's vineyard mansion were made public. Jen Psaki noted that the upcoming birthday party is entirely outside, and the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are for indoor settings at high or substantial "high zones" of COVID cases. All guests would reportedly have to be COVID tested and vaccinated, and the said gathering would be held outdoors on Obama's 30-acre waterfront property. The Fox reporter then asked the White House official if the said party of Barack Obama could signal that Americans can also host their own parties like the former president. "We certainly advise everyone to follow public health guidelines which, I know, the former president would certainly advocate for himself as well," Jen Psaki answered. The White House press secretary added that she would refer the reporter to people who have knowledge about the terms and protocols that would be implemented at the birthday party of Barack Obama. White House Says Pres. Joe Biden Will Not Attend Barack Obama's Party Despite the massive guestlist of Barack Obama's birthday party this weekend, a White House official said that President Joe Biden - Obama's vice president during his tenure - would not be attending the gathering. The White House official did not disclose the reason for Biden's absence from the party. However, the official noted that Joe Biden "looks forward to catching up with former President Obama." The birthday party that Joe Biden would not attend was known to raise eyebrows among experts. National Institutes of Health (NIH) director, Francis Collins, noted that big parties should be avoided. "If there were 100 people [in the party], how are you really going to be sure about people's vaccination status?" Collins told CNN's "State of the Union." Pearl Jam is Not Performing on Barack Obama's Birthday Party Apart from Joe Biden, Pearl Jam will also not be present at the party despite earlier reports that the rock band would be present, Fox News reported. "Pearl Jam is not performing at Obama's 60th birthday party this weekend," a spokesperson for the rock band said on Monday. The Daily Mail reported that at least 475 individuals were confirmed to be Barack Obama's guests, including George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, and Steven Spielberg. More than 200 staff members would also be present at the party, as well as a COVID coordinator, to make sure that all protocols are being followed. READ MORE: CDC Extends Trump-Era Policy That Allows Migrants to Be Expelled at U.S. Border Over COVID Concerns This article is owned by Latin Post Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Jen Psaki Defends Former President Barack Obama's 'Superspreader' Birthday Part - From The Independent Two families claimed that the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) botched detonation of fireworks at a neighborhood in South Los Angeles on June 30 contributed to the deaths of their loved ones. A month after the explosion, residents of the South LA neighborhood were now mourning the deaths of their two neighbors. The individuals who allegedly died because of the botched detonation of LAPD each had pre-existing medical conditions, and families said the blast triggered the death of their loved ones. According to ABC7, the families of the two individuals noted that the powerful blast that followed the detonation and rocked the neighborhood contributed to their relatives' deaths. The families of the two men who died in the weeks following the South LA explosion also shared that they were considering legal action. Ron Gochez of the group Union del Barrio noted that the families of the alleged casualties believed that the stress caused by the explosion led to the death of their family members. Gochez said even though that they did not die on the same day of the explosion, and the families felt that it was the explosion that caused their eventual death. READ NEXT: Firework Explodes in Boy's Hand; Surgeon Warns San Diego Community About Using Illegal Firework LAPD Detonation of Fireworks Blamed for the Death of 2 Persons The first man who died has been identified as 72-year-old Auzie Houchins, who had diabetes. The explosion badly damaged Houchins' home. Lorna Hairston, the wife of Houchins, said his husband was an LAUSD teacher and lived in South L.A. his whole life. Hairston noted that she was also in their home when the blast happened. Hairston said Houchins did not take any change and being usurped like that from home for three weeks. Hairston added that her husband just sat there in the room with nothing to do, and she felt pretty bad for her husband. Hairston's daughter, Marie Staples, said: "He was born in that house, so then you uproot him and you had to take everything... How do you take from where you were born and then move?" Meanwhile, neighbors noted that the other elderly man who died was Ramon Reyes. The roof of Reyes' home collapsed on him following the blast. Gochez noted that both individuals were using oxygen. He added that when they were moved from their home during their relocation, their oxygen machines or their tanks were not taken with them. Gochez said the hospital bed, a specialized hospital bed, was also not taken with them. Gochez added that Houchins struggled following the blast because the city moved his family to a hotel without a kitchen. According to the L.A. County coroner, one of the causes of Houchins' death was sudden cardiac dysfunction or a heart attack. Reports said more than two dozen families were impacted by the LAPD blast that still not allowed home. At least 17 people were reportedly hurt, including nine LAPD officers and a federal agent, in the blast. Reports noted that the explosion also reflipped and damaged cars and smashed windows in homes. The blast was heard blocks away. Traces of destruction reportedly remained after the explosion triggered by a bomb squad detonating homemade fireworks occurred in the South LA neighborhood. READ MORE: 16 Injured in Explosion After LA Police Confiscates Thousands of Pounds of Illegal Fireworks This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Family Believes South Los Angeles Blast Contributed to 2 Deaths - From FOX 11 Los Angeles The legal position has been summarized in thus: 10. The position is thus clear. Any Judicial Magistrate, before taking cognizance of the of... THE Minister for Health has confirmed he has signed an agreement to purchase almost 700,000 additional doses of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The doses, which have been secured through an agreement with Romania and the EU, will be used to support the continued acceleration of the vaccination programme to younger people across the country. The Department of Health says the additional doses, which are being secured directly from Pfizer, are a redistribution of supplies which had originally been ordered by Romania. Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly expressed his thanks to Romania and said the deal underlined the benefits of the European approach to vaccine procurement. On behalf of the Government, I wish to sincerely thank our colleagues in Romania, including His Excellency President Iohannis and his officials. The agreement underlines the benefits of European solidarity with regards to vaccine procurement. The increased availability of vaccine supply has enabled Ireland to accelerate its vaccination programme over recent months and this week is expected to see the six millionth dose administered in Ireland since the vaccination programme began. Following the signing of the agreement, Pfizer will now confirm the precise dates for the delivery of the additional supplies of the two shot vaccine, which are expected to arrive in Ireland this month. Suspected organised money laundering and the recruitment of so-called money mules has led to the latest round of arrests in the midlands by Gardai who are investigating a multi-million euro operation which has seen nearly 80 people arrested to date. Garda HQ issued a statement on what's going on and the latest development on August 3 after the latest round of raids and arrests in efforts to crack the criminal activity involved. They say Gardai from Longford, supported by detectives from the Gardai's National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), carried out five searches on Tuesday morning at various locations across the county under the auspices of Operation SKEIN. The statment said the four men and one woman, aged in their late teens and 20s are currently being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations. Those arrested are detained on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules, as well as laundering money in bank accounts for a criminal organisation. All five suspects can be held for up to seven days. Gardai say Operation SKEIN is a GNECB investigation into a criminal organisation involved in worldwide invoice redirect frauds and the subsequent laundering of the proceeds of these crimes through bank accounts in Ireland. To date, it is estimated that this criminal organisation have stolen over 15.5 million and laundered near 14 million in Ireland. In a statement, a garda spokesperson said outlined inroads made to date in breaking up the gang. "Approximately 78 people have now been arrested who are connected to this criminal organisation. "A number of convictions have been recorded, numerous are before the courts charged with offences and files are being prepared for the DPP and GYDO in respect of the rest. More arrests are anticipated. "GNECB continues to work with local districts and with international Police Forces through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol as they target this criminal organisation," it said. A top social media influencer has teamed up with Emma Fogarty, from Laois, to launch the inaugural StepTember Challenge set to be a vital fundraiser for Debra Ireland Trisha Lewis, whose Instagram account has more than 200,000 followers, is urging the public to join her for a 10,000-steps-a-day challenge next month for the charity which Emma from Abbeyleix is a patient ambassador Participants are asked to sign up to complete 10,000 steps a day for the month of September and to share a link on their social media to encourage others to sign up. Emma, 37, was born with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin - a genetic disease that causes the skin, both inside and out, to blister at the slightest touch. Around 80% of her body is covered in open wounds and must be bandaged every single day, which could last 2-5 hours. Following a recent health setback, she now uses a wheelchair. Debra Ireland provides patient support services and drives research into treatments and cures for those with the condition. 10,000 steps a day is a challenge but we hope it will be manageable for most people and we would like as many as possible to sign up - wherever they want to do it - in September for 20, said Debra ambassador Trisha. The 33-year-olds Instagram account, Trishas Transformation, has become a major hit, offering advice on weight loss, healthy eating and lifestyle. If you complete the 10,000 steps a day for the month, it translates as 300,000 steps over the month. Thats 1,000 steps for each of the 300 patients living with EB in Ireland. Walking 10,000 steps roughly translates into a distance of eight kilometres, so over the course of the month, participants will cover 240kms, the distance from Dublin to Ennis! Emma paid tribute to the volunteers set to take on StepTember. It honestly means the world to see people signing up to take on this challenge and fundraise for DEBRA Ireland and I want to thank them more sincerely, she said. Debra Ireland is an amazing charity. I am so lucky to have them, because without them, and our amazing supporters, we wouldn't be able to get nurses or research funding and they deserve all the help they can get, she said. The pain I endure, all the time, whether Im sitting in a chair or lying in bed, is almost unbearable and I am on a huge amount of medication, which really only takes the edge off the pain. So any funding we can raise will go to making sure that every patient and family gets the support they need through our medical grants, respite support and our amazing frontline team of Patient Support Workers, so they dont feel so alone. Each day of the challenge, participants will receive an e-mail giving them access to Debras interactive virtual map, to see how they are making a difference. You can sign up today for 20 at debraireland.org to get your specially designed StepTember t-shirt. Individuals and teams welcome. Mountmellick Credit Union's members like others around Ireland got busy saving and took out less new loans during the pandemic. It means that no interest rebate or dividend will be paid to members for this year. The business which is managed by Colm Heslin, experienced a drop of 1.4 million in loans granted in the year October 2019 to 2020, compared to the previous year. Deposits and investments by members rose in the same time by 7.76 million to 32.69m. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the services offered by Mountmellick Credit Union Limited. In particular, lending to members has dropped significantly during the period March to May 2020, members were told last week. The loan book has recovered somewhat since this period. Mountmellick Credit Union has attempted to manage these exceptional circumstances using a proactive approach, with member safety a key consideration, say Directors Elizabeth Moore and Rita Kelly in their annual report. Both the level of business and the year-end financial position were satisfactory. The directors expect to develop and expand the Credit Union's current activities and they are confident of its ability to operate successfully in the future, they wrote. Mountmellick Credit Union Ltd has just announced the imminent takeover of Rathangan Credit Union in Kildare. Read below. Trocaire has thanked the people of County Laois for their essential support, which helped the charity assist 2.7 million people in 25 of the poorest countries across the world last year. The figures were released in Trocaires annual report, which showed that the aid agency raised 73 million in 2020/21 during one of the toughest years in living memory due to the global outbreak of Covid-19. The money came from both the public and from institutional donors including Irish Aid. The report details an increase of 15% on funds raised from the previous year, with the total being the highest income raised in three years. Of the 2.7 million people the organisation supported last year, 2.1 million people received humanitarian support, while over 600,000 people were supported through Trocaires long-term development work. This work includes agricultural support, womens empowerment projects and support for human rights defenders. In 2020, Irish Aid contributed 22 million to Trocaires work. As a result of this funding, Trocaire was able to reach 426,383 individuals with support to mitigate the risks of Covid-19, including secondary impacts such as food insecurity and violence against women. Among the charity's key advocacy priorities in 2020/21 were investment in Irelands overseas aid budget and the advancement of the campaign for Ireland to support a binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights. The solidarity shown to the worlds poorest by people in Ireland during the pandemic was humbling, according to Trocaires CEO, Caoimhe de Barra. I am immensely grateful for and humbled by the response of our staff, partners, supporters, governing body members and donors. All of these individuals and organisations worked extremely hard to help Trocaire respond in support of those most affected by this global pandemic. "In 2020/21, despite all of the challenges presented by the pandemic, we supported 2.7million people in 25 countries. This level of impact would not be possible without the commitment of our teams, partners and supporters. People here at home should be very proud of the positive and lasting change they have created. A young boy battling a serious illness who turned six years old was presented with a miniature Garda car in Athy. A delighted Tyson Nolan was a guest of the Little Blue Heroes Foundation - a not-for-profit charity run by volunteers including Garda members/staff, retired Garda members, their families and friends. Little Blue Heroes Foundation aims to help families in need from local communities in Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness. Local community Garda Sean O'Mahony in Athy arranged a parade of the Regional Support Unit, Dog Unit, Mounted Unit, Fire Brigade, Order of Malta and Civil Defence - at Athy Rugby Club. It was a very special day out for Tyson and his family. Kildare Gardai said: "Tyson assisted local Gardai in Athy on their patrols! Happy 6th birthday Tyson. "Little Blue Hero Garda Tyson Nolan presented by local community garda Sean OMahony with a smart new Garda uniform and a miniature electric Garda car complete with a personalised number plate! "Tyson, who recently turned six, was also treated to a parade (and a tour) of emergency service vehicles including the Garda Dog Unit and a fire truck who arrived at the club with sirens blaring and lights flashing. The delight on his face was unmistakable!" Community education providers in Kildare are being given the opportunity to apply for funding for eligible projects under the 10 million Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund 2021. The fund opened for applications on Friday, 30th July 2021. The Fund was announced, by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and is administered by SOLAS, the further education and training authority and the sixteen local Education and Training Boards. The aim of the Fund is to support community education for adult learners in Kildare and across Ireland, who have the highest level of need, with a strong focus on building the digital infrastructure of community education providers to increase the capacity to deliver online learning. The latest phase of the Fund is seeking to support projects under three main categories: Digital Technologies, where the supply of devices is considered a barrier to learning; Learner Assistance, to help, for example, with the cost of books and materials, childcare and essential travel; and Reach-out and/or Mentoring, for awareness-raising and promoting re-engagement. In 2020, over 500 community education projects were funded through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Around the country, the projects helped to support online learning, connect communities and provide social supports to the most vulnerable groups. Commenting on the announcement, Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, said: As we move towards a wider return to on-site learning from September, it is critically important that we re-engage with learners and encourage others to take up further education and training opportunities. We are calling on community education providers in Kildare to apply for funding through a new phase of the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund. Through the Fund, we are supporting those in society who are furthest removed from education through social disadvantage. We are also supporting community education providers to continue delivering their much-needed services, and to ensure that all sectors of society are remaining connected and supported to continue their learning journeys. Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) welcomed the announcement of the 2021 Fund, commenting: Education and Training Boards deliver whole of life education and training for all, including to our most disadvantaged learners. This fund will enable ETBs and our community education partners to provide disadvantaged learners with the technology, financial supports and mentoring they need to engage or re-engage in further education and training. I would encourage all ETBs and Community Education providers to get the application process underway. Funding applications from community education providers can be made by completing a funding application which is available from the adult education officers in your local Education and Training Board. For further information, including the September closing date for your local ETB, contact your Education & Training Board. Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has launched a new five-year strategic plan which will see the charity deliver 1,200 new social housing units before the end of 2025. The charity, which operates a number of homeless services and provides social housing across Kildare, said the county will be one of the primary target areas for delivery under the new plan. The strategic plan was launched by An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin TD, at Peter McVerry Trusts new southern regional office in Cork City. The charity has its Mid East office at Kerdiffstown House, just outside Naas. Read more Kildare news Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said We were delighted to launch our strategic plan for 2021-2025 with An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin. This plan sets ambitious targets to significantly grow our delivery of new homes and also ensures that the organisation remains well-governed, innovative and continues to deliver each and every day for those on the margins of Irish society. This plan will see Peter McVerry Trust deliver homes on a nationwide basis. Kildare is one of a handful of priority areas that we are looking to quickly ramp up our social housing delivery in. Our focus is very much on small-scale, scattered-site social housing across areas of particular need in Kildare, such as Naas, Newbridge, Kildare town, and the northern end of the county. The challenge is to secure opportunities which are value for money and can be delivered quickly. Mr Doyle said he hoped the plan would allow for the continued growth of Housing First in Kildare, a programme designed to tackle rough-sleeping and long-term homelessness. In particular, the plan sees Peter McVerry Trust set the largest target yet by an an approved housing body for homes through the Housing First model in Ireland, as we set out to deliver 600 additional Housing First units by the end of 2025. Working in partnership with Kildare County Council, we are growing the Housing First numbers in the county all the time, meaning more rough sleepers are getting housed and supported to maintain their housing. We are also growing the number of units we can deliver for care leavers and other complex need families. Our goal here is to ensure we offer as many sustainable housing pathways for people out of homelessness as we can. If we are successful in delivering our target we will become a leading voluntary provider of one-bedroom social housing units in the State over the next fived years. This is very important for the people we work with and the wider homeless population, as the vast majority of homes needed to tackle homelessness are one-bedroom homes. Mr Doyle said that growing the charitys housing provision will continue to go hand-in-hand with delivery of its traditional services and supports. The strategic plan is about ensuring that, as an organisation, we remain agile, innovative and most importantly, deliver on our ethos and on the needs of the people with whom we work. We will continue to respond as best we can by delivering a range of services and supports in the areas of homelessness, addiction, Under 18s residential care and education and employment. We are working closely with key stakeholders in all those areas to identify new initiatives that can respond to current or future needs. Mr Doyle said the strategic plan would only be successfully delivered through a partnership approach. While Peter McVerry Trust may secure some of the headlines for our work, all that we do is enabled and supported by the State, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other Government Departments and various State Agencies, as well as Peter McVerry Trusts own donors and supporters. At the outset of this new plan I want to acknowledge all those bodies and individuals who work with us to achieve our joint objectives and, in particular, thank Kildare County Council for its support. Construction has commenced on the development of a National Equine Innovation Centre at the Irish National Stud in Kildare town. The project is a partnership between Kildare County Council, Kildare Local Enterprise Office and the Irish National Stud. The first of its kind for the equine sector in Ireland, the innovation centre will facilitate and promote enterprise, innovation, applied research, commercialisation and learning. The transformation of the existing museum at the National Stud into a 14-desk workspace complete with a dedicated meeting room has been funded with the support of County Kildare LEADER Partnership and Kildare County Council. Following a competitive tender process, GPD Building Contractors will carry out the refurbishment works and the project is being managed by Vivian Cummins Architects from Athy. Read more Kildare news Head of Enterprise for Kildare, Jacqui McNabb sees the project as another exciting opportunity for sectoral development in the county. Kildare Local Enterprise Office and Kildare County Council are delighted to partner with the Irish National Stud on an innovation centre for the equine sector in Kildare. We are currently developing a tech hub in Naas (MERITS) and a food, drinks and skills hub in Athy and given the prominent and important role that the sector plays in the economic success of the county, we identified the critical need for a dedicated site for equine technical and entrepreneurial innovation. The centre provides not only a specialist place of work but also offers the benefit of wrap around services from Kildare Local Enterprise Office and our partners that will drive growth through experienced mentor programmes as well as securing smart capital to exploit commercialisation opportunities CEO of the Irish National Stud, Cathal Beale, believes that the equine innovation centre can play a central role in the further development of the sector for Kildare. I am thrilled to see renovations commence on the old museum. The interest shown already from local and national equine companies to locate at such a historic location confirms our belief that in time there will be significant demand for the equine innovation centre to expand. By locating cutting edge equine innovation entrepreneurs and businesses within the hub we are fostering an environment of innovation and stimulating job creation for the county Following a 16 week construction programme, it is anticipated that companies will being to locate at the equine innovation centre in September. Intel Ireland recently sponsored a photography competition for the Celbridge Camera Club inviting its members to capture images that would challenge people to think differently. We each see the world in a unique way through our own personal lens. Capturing our different perspectives, through the beauty of photography, gives us an opportunity to celebrate diversity and reflect upon the many different ways to see the world around us. The Think Differently photography competition invited members of the camera club to submit still photographs under the themes of Technology, The Natural World, People and Architecture. Read more Kildare news The competition had 3 categories novice, intermediate and advanced with a prize being awarded to a winner of each. The winning photographer in each category received a camera equipment bundle that included a variety of items such a digital printer, tripod, filter kit and backpack. The photos were judged by a panel which included representatives from Intel and the Kildare Gallery as well as a professional photographer. In adjudicating the entries, the judges took into consideration originality, vision, lighting & colour balance and the composition of the image. There was a wonderful response to the competition with a wide selection of diverse and interesting photos submitted. After much deliberation, the following winning photos were selected; A photo taken by Giedrius Rasimavicius won the prize in the Novice section. The photo, which represented the natural world theme, captures a shot of bugs gathered on a stump in the woods on a warm summer morning. Tony Waldrons photo Alone in a crowded room won in the Intermediate category. In the shot, dominoes represent people with the lone domino depicting a shy person who, as yet, knows nobody there. The lone domino is intentionally the only domino shown in sharp focus. The idea came to Tony when he saw new members of the camera club, including himself, hoping for someone to approach and include them. He says however that Celbridge Camera Club is a friendly place, so domino wasnt alone for long!. Tom Ormonds photo was named as the winning shot in the advanced category. Tom explains that experimenting with the slow shutter speed on his camera resulted in this water spray pattern as a Kingfisher shook himself dry after taking a dive in the water. Intels Communications Manager Sarah Sexton said; We were delighted to come together with the Celbridge Camera club on this project. The world around us is filled with beauty and diversity and we were excited to see how this would be captured through the medium of photography. We were blown away with the entries received and with the originality, thought and skill that has gone into bringing them to life. Its always such a pleasure for us to work with and support clubs in our local area. Celbridge Camera Club was formed in the early 1980s and now has close to a hundred members who live in Kildare and the west Dublin area. A member of the Irish Photographic Federation, it meets on Monday nights during the winter and autumn and runs photographic trips on Monday nights during the summer. Its photography includes visual and audio visual elements and members have won prizes in top national and international competitions and salons. It is particularly welcoming of new members who are completely new to photography. For the last two years the club brought out a calendar with 50% of the net proceeds going to the National Council of the Blind of Ireland. The calendar was sponsored by local businesses and sold in shops in Celbridge and surrounding towns. The club currently involved in a project being supported by the Intel Pride of Place project, to photograph Celbridge and areas around it for both print and digital formats. The aim is to provide a record of the area for future generations. The club undertook a similar project in 1990 when then chairperson, Dallas Camier, presented a Photo Album to the National Library. The photographs were taken by club members at that time and the presentation was covered on RTE news. AN average of more than 400 people a day were in attendance at the walk-in Limerick vaccination clinic over the Bank Holiday weekend. The University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG) has revealed that 1,273 people attended the Racecourse to receive a first dose Covid-19 inoculation across Saturday, Sunday and yesterday. Across the three regional vaccination centres in the region, a total of 2,649 people were in attendance. This also included 822 in the West County Hotel, Ennis; and 554 at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh. The facilities were open to anyone over the age of 16 who had yet to receive their first vaccine, with the Pfizer shot on offer to walk-ins. These doses, and all activity at the vaccination centres last week, from July 26 to close of business on Bank Holiday Monday, bring to 288,921 the total vaccinations administered under the Mid-West Covid-19 Vaccination programme. It does not include the vaccination work undertaken by HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service, General Practitioners and pharmacists. Including the walk-in clinics, last weeks vaccination total for the three centres was 12,128 doses. This was composed of 6,290 doses of Covid-19 vaccine in the Limerick centre; 3,428 in Ennis; and 2,410 in Nenagh. The UL Hospitals Group Covid-19 vaccination teams continue working to ensure that everyone in the Mid-West will receive a vaccine, in line with national guidance on Covid-19 vaccination. 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. Trocaire has thanked the people of County Limerick for their essential support, which helped the charity assist 2.7 million people in 25 of the poorest countries across the world last year. The figures were released in Trocaires annual report, which showed that the aid agency raised 73 million in 2020/21 during one of the toughest years in living memory due to the global outbreak of Covid-19. The money came from both the public and from institutional donors including Irish Aid. The report details an increase of 15% on funds raised from the previous year, with the total being the highest income raised in three years. Of the 2.7 million people the organisation supported last year, 2.1 million people received humanitarian support, while over 600,000 people were supported through Trocaires long-term development work. This work includes agricultural support, womens empowerment projects and support for human rights defenders. In 2020, Irish Aid contributed 22 million to Trocaires work. As a result of this funding, Trocaire was able to reach 426,383 individuals with support to mitigate the risks of Covid-19, including secondary impacts such as food insecurity and violence against women. Among the charity's key advocacy priorities in 2020/21 were investment in Irelands overseas aid budget and the advancement of the campaign for Ireland to support a binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights. The solidarity shown to the worlds poorest by people in Ireland during the pandemic was humbling, according to Trocaires CEO, Caoimhe de Barra. I am immensely grateful for and humbled by the response of our staff, partners, supporters, governing body members and donors. All of these individuals and organisations worked extremely hard to help Trocaire respond in support of those most affected by this global pandemic. "In 2020/21, despite all of the challenges presented by the pandemic, we supported 2.7million people in 25 countries. This level of impact would not be possible without the commitment of our teams, partners and supporters. People here at home should be very proud of the positive and lasting change they have created. The Mayor of Limerick City and County, Daniel Butler is calling on everyone to show their support for the Limerick senior hurlers and 'go green' ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final this Saturday in Croke Park. (5pm) As part of the Greening of Limerick, Limerick City and County Council has placed Limerick flags on along the main entry points to the city of Thomond Bridge and Shannon Bridge, while Council Headquarters at Merchants Quay, along with Dooradoyle and our district offices are being greened to help boost the atmosphere ahead of the match. A further rolling out of greening the city and county is now taking place with hundreds of flags and several kilometres of green and white bunting being hung. As well as flags on Limerick city bridges, OConnell Street and other key city streets and the boardwalk along with other locations in our city and key towns will also be dressed in green. Mayor Daniel Butler said: The All-Ireland series is always such a huge occasion and one that is looked forward to with hopeful anticipation and longing every year. This year is no different and we know our senior hurlers will show pride in the jersey and fight till the final whistle on Saturday to ensure another final appearance. It is fantastic that more and more people will be able to travel to the match as part of the governments re-opening process, but so many will still miss out, so we want to create a wonderful atmosphere here in Limerick. I am asking all Limerick supporters who can to show their support by dressing their homes and businesses in green. I have instructed the Council to ensure the floodlighting of the Councils Corporate HQ is green every evening and I am urging all other businesses in Limerick, whose premises are floodlit to go green and show their support for the Limerick hurlers. The Limerick hurlers have been such an important beacon of hope and a source or immense pride, over the past year or so and especially since that wonderful win in 2018. Their hard work, drive, edge and unquenchable spirit is something we admire and look to emulate. Luimneach Abu! NEW DELHI : Simple Energy plans million e-scooters capacity plant in Tamil Nadu, to invest 350 cr in next 2 years Electric two-wheeler maker, Simple Energy on Tuesday said it plans to invest over 350 crore in the next two years to increase its footprint in India, including setting up of a manufacturing unit. The Bengaluru-based firm said it is setting up a plant at Hosur in Tamil Nadu which will have an annual production capacity of 10 lakh units in the initial phase. "While the factory set up has begun, the company aims at starting the production operations from later this year. Looking at the fast-paced EV industry's growth, the company plans to invest over 350 crore in the next two years to increase its footprint in India," Simple Energy said in a statement. The first phase of the factory is spread across 2 lakh sq ft and the company will also be providing at least 1,000 jobs, to begin with, it added. The company said it will be launching its first flagship electric scooter on August 15. Simple Energy founder and chief executive officer Suhas Rajkumar said the company aims to lead electric mobility in the country and will now be able to cater to a larger audience. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. In what could be a blow for Tesla, the US-based electric vehicle manufacturer, the government has said that it has no plans to cut import duties on electric vehicles. This comes days after Tesla CEO Elon Musk had expressed hopes that the Indian govt will slash tax on imported electric cars. Krishan Pal Gurjar, who was recently inducted in the cabinet as the MoS in the Ministry of Power and Heavy Industries said that the Centre has no proposal to ease Tesla's entry into India. On Monday, he said, No such proposal is under consideration in Ministry of Heavy Industries," He added that the government is however taking steps to promote the use of electric cars by lowering domestic taxes and adding charging stations. Earlier, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he is hoping for 'temporary tariff relief for electric vehicles. Musk had said that Tesla wants to launch its cars soon in India, but Indian 'import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country!' Tesla last month wrote to the transport and industry ministries requesting them to cut import duty on electric cars to 40% from the current range of 60%-100%, Bloomberg News had reported. Replying to YouTuber Madan Gowri who requested Musk to launch Tesla cars in India, Musk said, "We want to do so, but import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country! Moreover, clean energy vehicles are treated the same as diesel or petrol, which does not seem entirely consistent with the climate goals of India." In a separate tweet, Elon also mentioned that Tesla will be willing to open a factory in India. However, there is a major caveat. The factory is only possible if the imported cars receive a good response in India. If Tesla is able to succeed with imported vehicles, then a factory in India is quite likely. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2021 Tesla is planning its entry in India and earlier this year, the company even registered its brand in the country and has been hiring talent as well. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics The Union government will disburse the next instalment of PM-KISAN, its cash transfer scheme for farmers, on 9 August, totalling 19,000 crore to about 90 million farmers, an official with knowledge of the matter said. Under the scheme, launched on 24 February 2019, the government provides annual income support of 6,000 to every land-owning farmer with a valid enrolment. The money is paid in three equal cash transfers of 2,000, once every four months. The government had disbursed little more than 19,000 crore to 90 million farm households in the last instalment paid in May. So far, the Union government has paid nearly 1.15 trillion under the scheme. Nearly 4.2 million people who were not eligible for payouts under the scheme were given 2,900 crore since the schemes roll out, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in reply to a parliamentary question last week. States where ineligible people received money have been asked to recover the amount, according to guidelines in force, Tomar said. Any farmer can enrol for PM-KISAN by applying at local revenue offices or with a states nodal officer for the scheme, who is nominated by the state government. Farmers can also self-register through the PM-KISAN portal and common service centres, a network of public-services offices spread across the country. The identification of beneficiaries is the responsibility of state governments," the official mentioned above said. States have to upload data to a centralized public finance management system, a platform that auto verifies bank accounts and checks biometric Aadhaar details of beneficiaries sent by states. These are then sent back to states for physical signatures. Meanwhile, in a virtual interaction with Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) beneficiaries in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the scheme helped lakhs of poor people across the country during the covid-19 pandemic. Darshan Desai in Gujarat contributed to this story. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually preside over an open debate on maritime security at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on August 9. Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said it will be the first time an Indian Prime Minister will chair an open debate at the UN Security Council. India is holding the presidency of the UNSC for August. "PM @narendramodi will Chair Open Debate on 'Maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August," Bagchi said on Twitter. "This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate. #PMChairsUNSC #IndiainUNSC," he said. PM @narendramodi will Chair Open Debate on "Maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August. This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate.#PMChairsUNSC #IndiainUNSC Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 2, 2021 Following its election to the global body, India said that it will promote responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security and would pitch for a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system. India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on January 1. It is India's seventh term on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. India has previously been a member of the UN Security Council in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, and 1991-92. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics The body of government doctors in Kerala has urged the state government to strictly implement the Covid-19 containment measures, including a 17-day quarantine for infected persons and meticulous contact tracing. In addition to this, the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) also submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that restrictions should be imposed in specific micro-containment zones to control the spread of the virus. "Time tested strategy of contact tracing and isolation which ensured an effective control during the first phase must be followed. Contact tracing must be entrusted to local RRT with the help of the workforce from other non-essential services. All positive cases must be quarantined for 17 days," said KGMOA, the only service organization representing all categories of doctors in health services in Kerala. "Those with Covid like symptoms must also be quarantined even if tested negative on Antigen testing and RT-PCR repeated if symptoms persist," it added. It said restrictions should be imposed in specific micro containment zones like wards, rather than the whole panchayat/municipality/corporation. "Present strategy of categorising areas based on TPR alone should be replaced by indicators like daily positive cases per 10,000, active cases per 10,000 along with TPR", KGMOA said. It said setting targets and criteria for testing to reduce TPR should be avoided. "Purpose of testing should be to identify cases rather than creating a false sense of security. So targeted testing of all symptomatic and their contacts must be the rule. More effective surveillance and testing must be done in thickly populated areas like colonies, coastal areas etc," it said. It added proper reporting of fever and ARI cases from private hospitals, clinics, medical stores, laboratories etc must be ensured. However, the doctors stated that the present lockdown strategy should be lifted on account of socio-economic factors. They said that Covid-19 is currently in a plateau phase and almost 55% of the state's population has acquired immunity against it. "Covid curve is now in a plateau phase with the number of new cases and cured one's almost evened-out. Almost 55% of our population might have acquired some degree of immunity also either through vaccination or as a result of clinical/subclinical infection," said KGMOA. "Considering these and taking socio-economic factors also into account we feel it not advisable to continue with the present lockdown strategy," it added. The doctors' body noted that the lockdown served its purpose when the second wave of Covid-19 was peaking helped in lowering the total caseload and ensured that it's within the capacity of the state's system. But, it said, that a hassle-free and effective vaccination drive is the best tool to contain the coronavirus now. It said marketplaces can be opened strictly ensuring physical distancing and other Covid appropriate behaviour. "Ten persons per 100 sq ft at a particular point of time only must be allowed. Congestion has to be eased out by extending their time of functioning. We would suggest shops selling essential items to be open on all days from 7 am to 11 pm. Other establishments like textile shops, spare parts shops, workshops etc may be allowed to function on all days from 9 am to 7 pm," KGMOA said. The suggestions came as the new cases being reported in the southern state account for more than half of India's fresh infections. Covid situation in state Last week, Kerala had recorded more than 20,000 Covid-19 cases successively for six days, accounting for more than half of the country's new cases. On Monday, the state recorded 13,984 fresh infections and 118 deaths. According to the state health bulletin, Kerala has 1,65,322 active cases. The state reported 32,42,684 recoveries and the death toll has mounted to 16,955. The total positivity rate of the state is 10.64%. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The survival of Vodafone Idea (VI) as a business has been in doubt ever since it was lumped in late 2019 by a judicial order with a hefty charge that its management had arguednot unjustifiablyit did not owe the government. Its recent request for a years forbearance on nearly 8,300 crore due as spectrum fee next April to the Centre gave VIs caving-in a ring of inevitability. That it would struggle to pay its court-upheld duesnow estimated at over 50,000 croreeven in instalments over 10 years was obvious. That millions of its customers and employees could be left in the lurch is now clear from an extraordinary proposal made by VIs Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla. In a letter that made news on Monday and was written this June to cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba, Birla offered to transfer the groups entire stake of 27% in the debt-laden telecom firm to the government (or an entity of its choice). I am more than willing to hand over my stake in the company," he wrote, to keep VI going. Without the Centres addressal of three issuesclarity on its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liability, a spectrum-payment moratorium and a floor price regime above service costVI would head for an irretrievable point of collapse", he said. New Delhi has not signalled a rethink on any of the three so far. VI is short of options. Efforts to attract investors have made little headway. London-based Vodafone, which owns a 44% stake in it, has opted to invest no further in its Indian venture with Birlas Idea. It was formed by a 2018 merger seen as a defence pact against the price aggression of Reliance Jio. While Airtel was able to just about withstand the pressure of Jios 2016 entry that crushed market tariffs, VIs finances got so badly stretched that an apex-court ruling in favour of counting even non-telecom revenues as eligible for sharing with the Centre was simply too hard a blow. If VI shuts down, Indias market for telecom services will effectively turn into a Jio-Airtel duopoly, as the state-run operators BSNL and MTNL are also-rans. A crash in competitive intensity would be bad news at this juncture of our economic emergence, just as we need more rivalry to assure us a bright digital future. But saving VI is no easy task either. A government takeover of VI could face some criticism for liabilities taken on, unless a revival plan is worked out. It could conceivably be rolled into BSNL and MTNL for a new three-way combine to be given operational freedom and then privatized after it achieves viability. But such a path would be full of trip-wires. Our two state-owned operators are also loss-ridden and their own merger has stumbled. Duopoly aversion would require an unwieldy patchwork of operations to shape up and act as a real competitor in a Jio-led market. The odds of this offering us a realistic way out of our telecom predicament look dismal. Not that VI going the insolvency way under our bankruptcy code holds out better prospects of securing adequate rivalry. If a formal default turns VI over to its lenders, they may possibly get to reclaim a sliver of their loans, but the Centre would probably get nothing at all, even as this very AGR baggage deters bidders for the company as a going concern. In the eventuality that it must be liquidated, and if its assets end up under an auction hammer, they may not find much buyer interest beyond existing operators. That would take us back to square one. Its a quandary of a truly rare sort. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Childbirth can trigger a number of odd body changes, but for a woman in Portugal, post- pregnancy symptoms were particularly curious: She started to lactate from her armpit, according to a new report. The 26-year-old woman told doctors that she developed pain in her right armpit two days after giving birth, according to the report, published July 29 in The New England Journal of Medicine . When doctors examined the area, they found a round mass in her armpit. Surprisingly, the mass "released a white discharge when pressed," the authors, from Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon, Portugal, wrote in the report. A woman in Portugal started to lactate from her armpit after giving birth. Above, images showing the mass in the woman's right armpit (left), and white discharge leaking from the mass (right.) (Image credit: The New England Journal of Medicine 2021) She was diagnosed with polymastia, or the presence of extra breast tissue in the body. Up to 6% of women are born with such "accessory" breast tissue, according to a 1999 paper published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings . In some cases, this extra breast tissue includes a nipple or areola (the pigmented area surrounding the nipple), but in other cases, the breast tissue alone is present, without nipples or areola, Live Science previously reported . Related: Having a baby: Stages of pregnancy by trimester The condition happens during fetal development, when the precursor cells to the mammary glands form along the "mammary ridge" or "milk line" that runs from the armpit to the groin on either side of the body, according to a 2014 paper in the American Journal of Roentgenology . Usually, these ridges disappear everywhere except for the breast. But when this doesn't happen, the body is left with residual breast tissue. The most common location for accessory breast tissue is the armpit (also called the "axilla"), according to the 2014 paper. If the accessory breast tissue does not have a nipple or areola, people might not realize they have extra breast tissue until they become pregnant or start breast-feeding, according to the 1999 paper. At this point, milk "comes in" to the accessory breast tissue just as it does in typical breast tissue, and women may experience swelling or pain in the area. Some women can even pump breast milk from the accessory breast tissue. In the 1999 paper, the authors describe the case of an 18-year-old woman with accessory breast tissue in the armpit who was able to successfully pump axillary breast tissue for eight weeks to relieve discomfort and continue breast-feeding. In the Portugal woman's case, she was reassured that the condition is benign. Doctors also told her that when undergoing routine breast cancer screening, the extra breast tissue would need to be examined for cancer just like typical breast tissue. It's unclear if the woman was able to breast-feed or pump milk from the accessory tissue. Originally published on Live Science. Accurate radiocarbon dates of the bones of skeletons found at Machu Picchu in 1912 show the Inca citadel was inhabited by 1420 several decades earlier than expected. (Image credit: Courtesy Yale University) The mountaintop Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in southern Peru was built and inhabited decades earlier than previously believed, according to new radiocarbon dates of human remains found at the archaeological site. The discovery that Machu Picchu was inhabited by 1420 and possibly much earlier has implications for how early the Inca Empire rose to power. "Machu Picchu is among the most famous archaeological sites in the world, but until now estimates of its antiquity and the length of its occupation were based on contradictory historical accounts written by Spaniards in the period following the Spanish conquest," study lead author Richard Burger, an archaeologist and anthropologist at Yale University in Connecticut, said in a statement. Related: Image gallery: Inca child mummies Those historical accounts suggested Machu Picchu was built between 1440 and 1450. But in the new research, Burger and his co-authors found that human remains unearthed at the site show Machu Picchu was inhabited more than 20 years earlier than expected. Archaeologists now think Machu Picchu was built for the emperor Pachacuti after about 1420; Pachacuti is credited with greatly expanding the Inca state by conquering neighboring regions. (Image credit: traumlichtfabrik via Getty Images) 'Lost city' Machu Picchu is located high in the Andes, at a height of almost 8,000 feet (2,430 meters) on a mountain ridge in Peru's Eastern Cordillera mountain range. It was abandoned in the 1530s after the Spanish invasion and later became popularly known in the west as the "Lost City of the Incas," although its location was never unknown by local people. Yale University's Hiram Bingham led expeditions to the site in 1911 and 1912, and it became world-famous in the decades that followed as an icon of the Inca civilization. Archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the emperor Pachacuti, a hereditary ruler born in Cuzco, the Inca capital in what is now southeastern Peru. According to a chronology based on Spanish documents written after the conquest, the iconic citadel was built about 1438, after Pachacuti ascended to power and began expanding the empire into the nearby regions. . To determine just when Machu Picchu was built, Burger and his colleagues examined the remains of 26 people believed to be servants that Bingham's expeditions found at three cemeteries in Machu Picchu. The new analysis measured the ratio of certain versions, or isotopes, of carbon in the bones, using a sensitive technique known as accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Because the radioactive isotope carbon-14 decays at a certain rate and stops accumulating after living things die, the amount of this isotope can reveal how old organic materials are. Burger explained that AMS is especially useful for dating the bones of skeletons where only small amounts of organic material remain. The results show that Machu Picchu was occupied from at least 1420 until 1530 decades earlier than previously thought. That in turn suggests that Pachacuti rose to power and began to conquer neighboring regions before that, the researchers wrote. The mountaintop Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was explored by American expeditions led by Yale University's Hiram Bingham in 1911 and 1912. (Image credit: Burger et al / Antiquity) Inca chronology Previous estimates of the age of Machu Picchu were derived from historical records compiled after the Spanish conquest in the 16th century by the Spanish rulers of the region, and the new discoveries challenge the reliability of using the historical records of colonial forces, the researchers wrote. "Modern radiocarbon methods provide a better foundation for understanding Inca chronology than the contradictory historical records," Burger told Antiquity. Dennis Ogburn, an anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who was not involved in the research, said the discrepancy of several decades in the rise to power of Pachacuti would have implications for the understanding of Inca history. Inca chronology "shows us not only how fast their empire expanded, but also how long they had to consolidate their control over the provinces they conquered," Ogburn told Live Science in an email. "As we are able to revise and improve the chronology based on radiocarbon dates, we are coming to see that the Inca created and began expanding the Empire perhaps three or four decades earlier than the [historical] chronology indicated," he said. Before improvements in radiocarbon dating like AMS, "we had little hope of refining the chronology of the Inca Empire because it was such a short-lived phenomenon in archaeological terms," he said. "Radiocarbon dates from earlier research did not have the resolution that allows us to fine tune things like we can now." The findings were published Tuesday (Aug. 3) in the journal Antiquity . Originally published on Live Science. An articulated skeleton of Decennatherium rex, an ancestor of giraffes, found at the Batallones-10 site in Spain. (Image credit: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Nine million years ago, a watering hole in what is now Spain became first a refuge, then a last resting place, for droves of desperate giraffes, rhinos , horses and sabertooth cats. Dozens of animals died of starvation, dehydration and miring in the dwindling watering hole over three separate periods of drought in the late Miocene, according to new research published in the September issue of the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology and available online July 15. The animals' remains were rapidly buried in sediment when the rains began again, leaving them mostly undisturbed by scavengers or weathering. "Although they are over 9 million years old, they are exceptionally preserved," said study leader David Martin-Perea, a paleontologist at the National Natural Sciences Museum in Madrid. At the site, Martin-Perea and his colleagues discovered a variety of fragile remains from frogs, rodents and birds and even two fetal horses. Related: 15 incredible places that are frozen in time Image 1 of 3 An articulated skeleton of Decennatherium rex, an ancestor of giraffes, found at the Batallones-10 site in Spain. (Image credit: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Image 2 of 3 A fossilized mandible from a hippo ancestor discovered at the dried-up watering hole in Spain. (Image credit: David Martin-Perea) Image 3 of 3 An articulated skeleton of Decennatherium rex, an ancestor of giraffes, found at the Batallones-10 site in Spain. (Image credit: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology A Miocene gathering place During the late Miocene, the region south of what is now Madrid was a mix of woodland and grassland, dotted with watering holes sunk into cavities in the underlying limestone and mudstone. In 2007, miners discovered a trove of bones in what turned out to be one of these ancient watering holes. Since then, paleontologists have discovered thousands of bones buried across nine sites 19 miles (30 kilometers) outside of Madrid. The new research focused on one of those sites, Batallones-10. The site was a watering hole and hosts three distinct layers of fossilized bones. Nearly 9,000 fossils from dozens of species have been found. In the mix were the remains of 15 large mammals, such as extinct horses, mastodons, rhinoceroses, musk deer and cattle. Five of those large mammals were carnivorous: two species of sabertooth cats, a relative of hyenas, a mustelid (a relative of modern-day weasels, badgers and otters) and an ailurid (an extinct relative of modern-day red pandas). The site also hosts a never-before-seen species, Decennatherium rex, an okapi-like giraffe. Paleontologists excavated the Batallones-10 site south of Madrid, Spain. (Image credit: David Martin-Perea) Drought and death The presence of amphibians and tortoises at the site indicates that it was a wet oasis in the surrounding grassland. The bones showed few signs of predation, scavenging or trampling, suggesting they were buried quite quickly after the animals died. Putting these clues together, along with the fact that the animals died in three discrete intervals, Martin-Perea and his colleagues concluded that the cause of death was drought. The site is a "textbook example" of a drought-caused assemblage of fossils, Martin-Perea told Live Science. First, the site is in an area that would have experienced periods of seasonal dryness, based on analyses of animals' teeth that reveal details of what they were eating and drinking over time, the researchers reported. Second, lots of animals died in a short period of time near a water source, and the fossils indicate that lots of species that wouldn't normally be found together were gathering in one spot -- a sign that they were all looking for moisture. Other geological indicators, like mineral deposits characteristic of semi-arid environments, indicate that this was a drought-prone spot. The animals also skewed young, which makes sense in the context of drought: Young animals have fewer reserves to draw on when times get tough, the researchers wrote, and they are the first to die in modern observations of drought. Many of these young victims probably died not of dehydration, but starvation. As other sources of water dried up, more and more animals likely gathered at the Batallones oasis. Unwilling to travel far from this water source, they would have eaten down the vegetation nearby until there was little forage left. Some, weakened by hunger and thirst, would have ventured farther into the shrinking watering hole, only to get mired in the mud. Too exhausted to escape, they would have died in shallow water. These kinds of miring deaths are often seen at watering holes during modern-day droughts, the researchers wrote. These die-offs probably occurred over a period of weeks or several months, the researchers wrote. As the rains returned, run-off from the surrounding land -- stripped of vegetation -- would have filled the bottom of the watering hole, burying the mired animals in a layer of sediment and protecting their remains. Bones from animals that died along the shores would have been washed down into the bottom of the watering hole, too. This rapid burial helped preserve extremely delicate fossils like the two fetal horses that died along with their mothers. The next step, Martin-Perea said, is to dig deeper. Nearby, similar sites have deeper layers of fossils that are dominated by predators, and Ballatones-10 may still hold more sabertooth cats and other carnivores. Originally published on Live Science. Editor's note: This article was updated to indicate that the remains of giraffes, not hippos, were found at the site. The stone marking the sacred limits of the ancient city was found near the historic center of Rome in June 2021. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) An immense stone that defined the sacred city limits of ancient Rome almost 2,000 years ago has been unearthed by construction workers in the historic center of the city. The so-called pomerial stone or "cippus," is more than 6 feet (nearly 2 meters) tall and made of fine limestone called travertine. Workers discovered it in June while installing new sewers in the plaza around the recently-restored Mausoleum of Augustus, which opened as a museum earlier this year. It was one of dozens of similar stones that marked Rome's "pomerium" a sacred strip of land just inside and outside the city walls where it was forbidden to build or farm, and within which weapons were forbidden. According to ancient Roman law, anything inside the pomerium was part of the city of Rome (called "urbs") and everything beyond it was merely territory (called "ager"). "The founding act of the city of Rome starts from the realization of this pomerium," Claudio Parisi Presicce, the director of the Archaeological Museums of Rome, said at a news conference announcing the discovery in July. According to Peter Wiseman, a professor emeritus of classics at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, the pomerium was first established by Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, who outlined the city's walls in about the eighth century B.C. with a furrow he'd made with a plowshare drawn by a sacred ox. Related: Tomb of Rome's mythical founder Romulus unearthed The legend goes on to say that Romulus became angry and killed his twin brother Remus when Remus jumped over the furrow in mockery. "The furrow itself thus marked the ancient boundary of the city, called the pomerium as if it were post moerium 'behind the wall,'" Wiseman told Live Science in an email. Until the redevelopment is completed, the stone will be on display in the Ara Pacis Museum, built around a nearby monument commissioned by the Roman Senate the governing assembly of ancient Rome to honor the Emperor Augustus in 13 B.C. Image 1 of 5 About 10 of the stones marking the formal limits of the pomerium have been discovered, but the last was found more than 100 years ago. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) Image 2 of 5 The stone was one of several that marked the pomerium the sacred limits of the ancient city of Rome. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) Image 3 of 5 The pomerium marked by the stones was the formal civic and religious extent of the ancient city and limited the jurisdiction of many Roman laws. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) Image 4 of 5 A Latin inscription on the stone shows it was placed in about A.D. 49, during the expansion of the city limits by the Emperor Claudius. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) Image 5 of 5 The stone marking the sacred limits of the ancient city was found near the historic center of Rome in June 2021. (Image credit: Archaeological Museums of Rome) Ancient city Although 10 other pomerial stones have been found before, this is the first one found in more than 100 years. A Latin inscription on the stone shows it was placed along the sacred strip in about A.D. 49 during the expansion of the city by the Emperor Claudius, who ruled from A.D. 41 to A.D. 54; it matches another pomerial stone from the time that is now on display in the Vatican Museums . The city's pomerium had great civic and symbolic meaning, and it was extended several times throughout the history of ancient Rome. Tradition held that the pomerium could be extended only by a magistrate an official of the Republic who had expanded Roman territory, and so Claudius seems to have cited his conquest of Britain in A.D. 43 as his justification for doing so, Wiseman said. Related: 30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing The expansion of the city by Claudius included the Campus Martius the "Field of Mars" which at the time of the Roman Republic was outside the pomerium. The Mausoleum of Augustus is at the northern end of this area. By the time of Claudius' rule, "the Campus Martius area outside the walls had been developed with very grand public buildings porticos, temples and theaters, etcetera so obviously the pomerium had to be extended to include it," he wrote in an email. Sacred city The concept of a sacred boundary around the ancient city of Rome may have originated with the Etruscans, an early people who lived in the region and who influenced the Romans who came after them, said Filippo Carla-Uhink, a professor of ancient history at the University of Potsdam in Germany. "When Romulus draws [the pomerium], he basically separates the world of civilization and history the city from the wilderness and prehistory of what remains outside," Carla-Uhink told Live Science in an email. Many laws in ancient Rome were concerned with the limits marked by the pomerial stones: For example, the magistrates known as "tribunes of the plebs" had powers to intervene in political affairs during the Republic only within the city boundary; and delegations of allies could cross the pomerium, but delegations of enemies could not unless they were explicitly authorized by the governing Senate, he said. It was forbidden to carry weapons within the pomerium, and so Roman armies had to be dismissed outside it although they were given exemptions for military processions through the city, known as triumphs, that were granted by the Senate to victorious generals, he said. The pomerium was considered sacred: Magistrates were expected to consult the "city auspices" the outlook for good or bad luck, conducted by a priest known as an "augur" whenever they crossed that strip of land, and their failure to consult these forecasts was seen as potentially fatal. For instance, the Roman author and politician Cicero related that the consul Tiberius Gracchus in 163 B.C. forgot to take the city auspices a second time after he was recalled to the city for a meeting of the Senate and that his failure resulted in the sudden death of an election official called a "rogator," he said. "This was immediately perceived as a sign that the gods had been angered, and when it was clear why, the Senate decided that the two consuls-elect must resign and the elections were held a second time," Carla-Uhink said. Originally published on Live Science. FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) The British navy warned of a potential hijack of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, though the circumstances remained unclear. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself caught in the crosshairs. Most recently, the U.S., the U.K. and Israel have blamed Iran for a drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people. Iran has denied involvement. The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships Tuesday that an incident is currently underway" off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, the authorities said the incident was a potential hijack," but provided no further details. Shipping authority Lloyds List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global both identified the vessel involved in the incident as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess. The vessel's owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday. Satellite-tracking data for the vessel showed it slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The U.S. militarys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not immediately return calls for comment. The Emirati government did not immediately acknowledge the incident. Earlier, six oil tankers announced around the same time via their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were not under command, according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. At the same time, if they are in the same vicinity and in the same place, then very rarely that happens, said Ranjith Raja, an oil and shipping expert with data firm Refintiv. Not all the vessels would lose their engines or their capability to steer at the same time." One of the vessels later began moving. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, flew in circles for hours over the waters, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. Apparently responding to the incident, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh called the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf completely suspicious. He denied that Iran was involved. "Irans naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region, Khatibzadeh said. From Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters it was too early for us to offer a judgement just yet about the events unfolding in the Gulf of Oman. But citing the recent assault on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire that killed two crew members in nearby waters, Price said, We have seen a very disturbing pattern of belligerence from Iran, including belligerence in the maritime domain. The West has blamed Iran for launching the drone strike last week on the oil tanker off the coast of Oman, which marked the first known attack to have killed civilians in the yearslong shadow war targeting commercial vessels in the region. Iran denied playing any role, though Tehran and its allied militias have used similar suicide drones in past attacks. Israel, the United States and United Kingdom have vowed an unspecified collective response to the attack. The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. Fujairah, on the UAEs eastern coast, is a main port in the region for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew. For the past two years, the waters off Fujairah have seen a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers. In July 2019, Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz as it was headed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Dubai. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, seized an Iranian supertanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Both vessels were later released. Last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast in July, following months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The vessel and its crew ended up in Iran, though Tehran never acknowledged the incident. And in January, armed Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops stormed a South Korean tanker and forced the ship to change course and travel to Iran. While Iran insisted it stopped the ship for polluting, it came as Tehran sought to increase its leverage over Seoul ahead of negotiations over billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks. ___ DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/isabeldebre and www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A Belarusian activist who ran a group in Ukraine helping Belarusians fleeing persecution was found dead in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, local police said Tuesday. Vitaly Shishov, leader of the Kyiv-based Belarusian House in Ukraine, was found hanged in one of the city's parks not far from his home, police said in a statement. A probe has been launched, with police investigating whether it was a suicide or a murder made to look like suicide, head of Ukraine's National Police Igor Klymenko told reporters on Tuesday. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is keeping a close eye on the case, according to his spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov, while Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba promised on Twitter that Ukraine will do everything possible to fully investigate the case." It is of utmost importance for us to reveal the truth about his tragic death, Kuleba said. Shishov's Belarusian girlfriend, Bazhena Zholudz, told The Associated Press that she doesn't believe that he could have killed himself. I don't believe in suicide, nothing in Vitaly's conduct signaled his intention to kill himself, she said. He didn't leave any note or message. We were together that morning and he just went out for a jog. Zholudz added that Shishov had recently noted that he was being shadowed. He recently noted vehicles and people who were following him, she said. The Belarusian House in Ukraine, which helps Belarusians fleeing persecution with their legal status in Ukraine, accommodation and employment, also said that Shisov was recently being followed by strangers. It noted that both local sources and our people in Belarus have alerted the group to the possibility of various provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation. There is no doubt that this was a planned operation by security operatives to liquidate a Belarusian, dangerous for the regime. We will continue to fight for the truth about Vitalys death, the group said. About 300 people rallied Tuesday outside the Belarusian Embassy in Kyiv, many holding his portrait. Belarus was rocked by months of protests, which were triggered by President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West saw as rigged. He responded to demonstrations with a massive crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police Lukashenko has vowed to continue what he called a mopping-up operation against civil society activists whom he has denounced as bandits and foreign agents," and authorities conducted hundreds of raids in recent weeks to target the independent media and non-government organizations. Belarus authoritarian government has at times gone to extremes in its crackdown on dissent, including recently diverting a plane to the capital of Minsk and arresting a dissident aboard. Yury Shchuchko from the Belarusian House in Ukraine told The Associated Press that Shishov was found with marks of beating on his face. Nothing was stolen, he was in regular clothes people put on to work out, and he only had his phone with him, Shchuchko said. He also said that Shishov has previously noticed surveillance during his runs and that strangers would approach him and try to start a conversation. We have been warned to be more careful, because a network of Belarus KGB agents is operating here and everything is possible, Shchuchko said. Vitaly asked me to take care of his loved ones, he had a weird feeling." Klymenko of the Ukrainian national police told reporters on Tuesday that there were indeed injuries discovered on Shishov's body scratched skin on his nose, a cut on his lip and an injury on his left knee. He wouldn't say, however, whether these resulted from violence. Klymenko added that police haven't received any complaints about surveillance from Shishov. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate in the August 2020 election who left for Lithuania under pressure from the authorities, expressed condolences to Shishov's family on Tuesday. Belarusians can't be safe even abroad, as long as there are those who are trying to inflict revenge on them, Tsikhnaouskaya said in an online statement. Vitaly Shishov was helping Belarusians and was found hanged ... It happened on another country's soil. Just like the hostage-taking took place on another country's plane. Just like the attempt to forcefully bring a disloyal athlete back to Belarus from another country's territory, she said. Earlier this week, Belarus Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya accused the country's officials of hustling her to the airport and trying to put her on a plane back to Belarus after she publicly criticized the management of her team at the Tokyo Games. Tsimanouskaya refused to board the plane and instead will seek refuge in Europe. In an interview Tuesday, she told the AP she feared she wouldn't be safe in Belarus. International officials on Tuesday urged Ukraine to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of the activist. We are deeply shocked by the news of the death of the Belarusian activist Vitaly Shishov," Austrias Foreign Ministry said on Twitter. "Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Austria calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to his death. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: Were, obviously, glad to see that this is being investigated. I think his death needs to be investigated fully to elaborate all of these circumstances. And we, of course, send our condolences to his family and friends. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said on Twitter that Shishov's death "takes place amid an unacceptable Belarusian crack down on civil society, and we look forward to a complete and thorough investigation by Ukrainian authorities to establish its causes and circumstances." ATHENS, Ala. (AP) A longtime Alabama sheriff has been removed from office, the attorney general's office said, after jurors on Monday found him guilty of charges of theft and using his office for personal gain. News outlets report that jurors convicted Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakley of two counts but found him not guilty of eight others. After nearly 40 years in office, Blakely was escorted out of the courtroom by one of his own deputies and taken to the same jail that he oversaw as sheriff. He was not placed in handcuffs as he left the courtroom, news outlets reported. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clay Crenshaw said Blakely will be immediately removed from office on Monday because of the felony convictions. The two convictions relate to accusations that Blakely borrowed money from a jail safe used to hold inmates money and that he deposited $4,000 in campaign funds into his personal account. The attorney general's office is committed to ensuring the violators of the public trust be held accountable under the law," Crenshaw said, reading a statement from the Alabama attorney generals office. Today Sheriff Blakely has been held to account for felony violations of the Alabama ethics law as well as a theft charge. An attorney on Blakely's defense team told reporters that they will "keep fighting." We will certainly appeal this decision today and look forward to having another day in court on this matter," Mark McDaniel, an attorney on Blakeys defense team, after hearing the verdict. Blakely, 70, took the stand during the trial to deny any wrongdoing. Initially elected in 1982, Blakely told jurors he sometimes put campaign funds into his personal account because his campaign treasurer lived hours away and encouraged him to deposit the money as reimbursement for campaign expenses. While testimony showed Blakely sometimes left IOUs and took money from a jail safe used to hold inmates money, he said that wasnt a crime. Blakely didnt deny gambling at casinos during trips to the Gulf Coast and Nevada for law enforcement conferences, but he said the outings didnt cost taxpayers extra and denied accusations that an employee sent him money because he was broke from losses. Blakely was indicted in 2019, but the case was delayed several times because of reasons including the pandemic. Public officials must set the highest example of accountability, and no matter how long someone holds office they are not above the law, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement. Sheriff Blakely repeatedly swore an oath to enforce and obey the law during his 40 years in office, and he now knows the consequences of violating that oath." Blakely faces a possible prison sentence of between two and 20 years for each count. Sentencing will occur at a later date. Four men and a woman are being held at garda stations across Co Longford this afternoon as part of a major anti-crime offensive against suspected money laundering offences. Gardai from Longford, supported by detectives from the Gardai's National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), carried out five searches this morning at various locations across the county under the auspices of Operation SKEIN. The four men and one woman, aged in their late teens and 20s are currently being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations. Those arrested are detained on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules, as well as laundering money in bank accounts for a Criminal Organisation. All five suspects can be held for up to seven days. Operation SKEIN is a GNECB investigation into a Criminal Organisation involved in worldwide invoice redirect frauds and the subsequent laundering of the proceeds of these crimes through bank accounts in Ireland. To date, it is estimated that this Criminal Organisation have stolen over 15.5 million and laundered near 14 million in Ireland. In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: "Approximately 78 people have now been arrested who are connected to this Criminal Organisation. "A number of convictions have been recorded, numerous are before the courts charged with offences and files are being prepared for the DPP and GYDO in respect of the rest. More arrests are anticipated. GNECB continues to work with local districts and with international Police Forces through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol as they target this Criminal Organisation. Community, Charity & Cause By Chris Boyle Published: August 03 2021 It is always a pleasure to honor our firefighters and first responders at the annual inspection and installation dinner, said Legislator Anker. Recently, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker attended the Middle Island Fire Departments 73rd Annual Fire District Inspection and Installation Dinner at the newly constructed Middle Island Firehouse. Legislator Anker joined other elected officials in honoring the newly installed incoming officers as well as others for their achievements, including Michael Golden, EMT of the Year and High Point Award recipient; Erik Kahl, Fire Fighter of the Year; David Pfister, Firefighter Probie of the Year; Harjinder Singh, EMS Member of the Year and High Point Award recipient; Vicki Volpe, High Point Award recipient, Walter Olszewski, High Point Award recipient: and Jaime Dickinson, in grateful appreciation of his service as the Fire District Mechanic. In addition, this years Anthony Catania Award was presented to Marcel Rosenfeld, who also was a High Point Award recipient. It is always a pleasure to honor our firefighters and first responders at the annual inspection and installation dinner, said Legislator Anker. This year, in addition to their usual selfless service, Firefighters, EMT and EMS members were asked to also work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank every member of the department for their continued and courageous service to our community that kept our residents safe from emergency situations throughout an unprecedented year. I would like to personally thank each and every member of the Middle Island Fire Department for selflessly serving our community throughout one of the most difficult times, said Chief of Department Matthew Gropper. The volunteer emergency services here in Suffolk County were stretched to its limits during this pandemic and everyone involved should be proud of what we accomplished. The Middle Island Fire Department headquarters is located at 31 Arnold Drive in Middle Island. For more information, please call the department at their main phone number, (631) 924-3116. Health & Wellness By Chris Boyle Published: August 03 2021 County continues to over-perform State and National vaccination rates For adults, seniors, youth, Black and Latino residents Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has announced that 82.0% of adult residents (18+) in Nassau County have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, the highest percentage among all large Counties* in New York State according to the State Department of Health. Among Counties in the United States with a population greater than 1,000,000 according to Census data, Nassau County ranks 4th in adult vaccination rate behind King County - WA, Middlesex County - MA, and Alameda County CA. The County continues to over-perform State and National vaccination rates among Seniors (65+), as well as among Black and Latino residents.** I'm proud that Nassau County has one of the highest vaccination rates in the United States, and we are committed to protecting our progress and building on it. The vaccine is saving lives everyday. This virus hasnt disappeared, and as more infectious variants like Delta continue to spread, getting vaccinated is more important than ever. said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. Nassau County has become a national model for COVID-19 vaccination, early on kicking off the We Can Do It, Nassau campaign to build public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. The County ran four successful vaccine distribution centers at Nassau Coliseum, Nassau Community College, LIU Post and the Yes We Can Community Center. The County has worked to distribute vaccines to hospitals and other community providers, partnering with Northwell Health and other medical providers to hold pop-up distribution events targeting hard to reach populations. Nassau also has collaborated with various community organizations like churches and synagogues for pop-up sites to get vaccines to residents in every community. The County established a designated way for veterans, seniors, and homebound residents to receive appointments. Veterans were able to make appointments through the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency by calling 516-572-6565. A hotline for seniors and the homebound was also created to get shots in the arms of the vulnerable. The Senior/Homebound population can make an appointment by calling 516-227-9590. For young residents, Nassau County pioneered a first-of-its-kind Student Vaccination Initiative, which continues to vaccinate thousands of eligible students. The initiative engaged and trained youth ambassadors to support and encourage peers to roll up their sleeves. The County drew national attention with this program and has been contacted by other Health Departments seeking guidance and detail on the Countys model. Health equity has been a cornerstone of Nassaus vaccine campaign, and the County has utilized multimedia, multilingual communication to promote public confidence in the vaccine by emphasizing its importance for returning to normal. The County has reaches tens of thousands of residents through its SMS text system, which provides information about vaccination appointment availabilities in 6 languages. The Department of Healths Office of Health Equity has held multiple webinars with the Countys minority outreach agencies to provide information about the vaccine, including in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and other languages. In addition, County Executive Curran formed the Nassau County Healthcare Equity Group to combat hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine and increase vaccine access for communities of color. The Team is led by Deputy County Executive for Health and Human Services Kyle Rose-Louder, and includes members from the Department of Health, Office of Minority Affairs, Office of Hispanic Affairs, Office of Asian American Affairs, and the Office of Human Services. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 03 2021 Defendant Robert Anderson of West Islip , 61, gave tickets to friends to use or submit for refunds. Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny have announced the guilty plea of a former Long Island Railroad (LIRR) conductor for allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraud the MTA out of ticket revenue. Robert Anderson, 61, of West Islip, pleaded guilty today to Official Misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced by Acting Suffolk County Court Judge Richard Dunne to a $1,000 fine. Anderson was employed by the LIRR from 2014 until shortly after his arrest in April 2021. We hold government employees to a high standard, and when they abuse their positions as custodians of public funds, they need to be held accountable, District Attorney Sini said. We will continue to do just that in collaboration with agencies like the MTA Inspector Generals Office to ensure residents hard-earned money is not being mishandled. I thank Inspector General Pokorny and the investigators and prosecutors who handled this case for their work in uncovering this scheme. Justice is on time and on track -- riders and taxpayers expect that when they pay a train fare it is going to support the railroad, not into an LIRR conductors pockets, said MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny. Once again, I am grateful to staff at the Long Island Railroad for bringing this matter to our attention and to our law enforcement partners at the Suffolk County District Attorney for working with my office to stop this unacceptable, criminal behavior. Between April 2019 and September 2020, Anderson engaged in a scheme in which he would collect train tickets but not punch them as required by his official duties. He would then provide the un-punched tickets to his acquaintances to either use or submit for refunds. In furtherance of the scheme, Anderson would submit collection revenue reports falsely claiming that he had remitted all of the tickets that he collected during his shift. All LIRR conductors are required to submit revenue reports for each shift, which include all tickets and revenue collected. Further investigation by the MTA OIG and the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office revealed evidence that Anderson failed to include train tickets submitted by investigators in his signed revenue reports on eight separate occasions in 2019 and 2020. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Carey Ng, of the Public Integrity Bureau. Sam Liang, above, co-founded Otter.ai with Yun Fu. The company recently moved from Los Altos to Mountain View. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) Europa Oil & Gas Holdings PLC - UK, Ireland and Morocco focused oil and gas company - Formally launches farmout initiative for the Inezgane offshore permit in Morocco in the Agadir basin, which was first awarded in 2019. Europa's most recent evaluation has identified a significant volume of resources in the licence, in excess of 2 million barrels of oil equivalent. "We are delighted to announce the launch of the Farmout initiative of the Inezgane Licence which represents not only a high-impact exploration opportunity for Europa but also sits comfortably within the company's strategy of creating a balanced portfolio of complementary assets. Morocco is a welcoming jurisdiction in which to operate and has excellent ESG credentials in the fields of wind, solar and hydroelectric with ambitions to source 50% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2030 as well as becoming a net exporter to Europe," said Chief Executive Officer Simon Oddie. Current stock price: 1.30 pence Year-to-date change: up 18% By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Sharecast News) - London stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday, helped along by well-received earnings from the likes of BP and Standard Chartered. At 0855 BST, the FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 7,109.04. BP was the standout performer on the FTSE 100 after the oil giant said it expected to buy back about $1bn of shares each quarter and increase its dividend over the next five years as it swung to a second-quarter profit. Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "BP isn't quite throwing caution to the wind, but the company's steady as she goes approach has been infused with optimism as higher oil prices make immediate prospects look brighter. "With profits for the quarter coming in at $3.1 billion, the company is splashing surplus cash piled up through an annual increase in the dividend by 4% through to 2025 and $1.4 billion in share buy backs." Standard Chartered was also on the rise after it reported an increase in first-half profits and said it was resuming dividends against an improving economic backdrop. Precious metals miner Fresnillo shone as it announced a jump in its interim dividend and reported earnings up 59% in the first half, supported by higher prices. Insurer Hiscox advanced after saying it swung to an interim profit as gross premiums written rose across its divisions. Domino's Pizza rallied as it posted a 28% jump in first-half underlying pre-tax profit and expanded its share buyback. Direct Line was also in the black as it reported higher interim earnings on the back of lower motor claims as the pandemic kept drivers off roads during lockdowns. On the downside, Smiths Group was the worst performer on the top-flight index after announcing late on Monday that it had agreed to sell its medical unit to TA Associates for $2.3bn. Rotork slumped after it announced plans for chief executive Kevin Hostetler to leave the company as the industrial instruments maker posted a 2.4% profit increase for the first half. TP ICAP declined after it said revenues dipped in the first half amid quieter markets. Travis Perkins fell even as the builders' merchant lifted full-year guidance and said it would pay a special dividend as it returned to profit after a recovery in its repairs, maintenance and improvement markets. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,109.04 0.39% FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,268.99 0.26% techMARK (TASX) 4,623.70 0.27% FTSE 100 - Risers BP (BP.) 296.80p 2.43% NATWEST GROUP PLC ORD 100P (NWG) 208.70p 2.05% Standard Chartered (STAN) 445.50p 2.02% Fresnillo (FRES) 838.60p 1.92% Rightmove (RMV) 729.80p 1.50% Anglo American (AAL) 3,345.50p 1.38% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,539.50p 1.25% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 288.70p 1.23% Croda International (CRDA) 8,588.00p 1.11% BT Group (BT.A) 176.55p 1.06% FTSE 100 - Fallers Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,479.50p -5.88% Weir Group (WEIR) 1,707.00p -1.44% Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 2,170.00p -1.09% Avast (AVST) 582.60p -0.95% JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 916.60p -0.69% Next (NXT) 7,918.00p -0.68% Kingfisher (KGF) 367.90p -0.67% Sage Group (SGE) 709.20p -0.62% Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,336.00p -0.60% Melrose Industries (MRO) 167.40p -0.59% FTSE 250 - Risers Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 440.20p 4.36% Indivior (INDV) 171.20p 3.76% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 894.20p 3.30% Babcock International Group (BAB) 270.70p 2.81% Morgan Sindall Group (MGNS) 2,465.00p 2.49% Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) 306.80p 2.44% XP Power Ltd. (DI) (XPP) 5,150.00p 2.18% Drax Group (DRX) 407.00p 1.90% CLS Holdings (CLI) 252.50p 1.81% Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 226.00p 1.80% FTSE 250 - Fallers Rotork (ROR) 339.20p -6.50% TP Icap Group (TCAP) 192.00p -4.00% Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,681.50p -2.30% Templeton Emerging Markets Inv Trust (TEM) 183.10p -1.40% Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ltd Ptg NPV (GSS) 872.00p -1.36% Fidelity China Special Situations (FCSS) 359.00p -1.10% Vietnam Enterprise Investments (DI) (VEIL) 670.00p -1.03% Dr. Martens (DOCS) 428.00p -0.93% Premier Foods (PFD) 108.00p -0.92% Primary Health Properties (PHP) 164.00p -0.91% (Alliance News) - Seeing Machines Ltd on Tuesday reported a substantial rise in expected annual revenue following the commencement of automotive royalty revenue in the year. Shares rose 6.5% to 9.16 pence each in London following the announcement. The stock is up 33% so far this year. The driver monitoring technology company said revenue for the year that ended June 30 is expected to be AUD47.3 million, up 18% from the previous year and in line with market consensus. Automotive royalty revenue began being generated in the year, with over 100,000 new vehicles hitting the roads with Seeing Machines' Driver Monitoring System technology embedded. Royalty revenue is expected to "increase sharply over the next 2 to 3 years", as the production of vehicles carrying the company's DMS technology increases. Chief Executive Paul McGlone commented: "Our progress over the past financial year has been really pleasing, and the signs are there for increased opportunity as financial year 2022 gets underway." Canberra, Australia-based Seeing Machines' Aftermarket business has experienced "significant growth", noting record Guardian hardware sales achieved in the final quarter providing momentum going into the new financial year. "The automotive request for quotes from Europe, North America and Japan currently represents total revenue potential of over AUD900 million, signalling a step change in the value of our automotive pipeline," McGlone added. The increase in request for quotes was described as "extremely encouraging" by Seeing Machines, with the number likely to increase at a similar rate over financial year 2022. "In summary I can safely say we have never been busier, nor been faced with such a raft of opportunities for significant growth," said McGlone. By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. * Shares set for best day in nine months * Records first half impairment charge of just 1 mln euros * Dividends under consideration at FY (Adds share price, comments on shareholder distributions) By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Bank of Ireland on Tuesday said first-half profit bounced back to 2019 levels as it put COVID-19 disruption firmly behind it with higher revenues, further cost cuts and barely any fresh bad loans. Shares in Ireland's largest bank by assets were set for their best day since November, up 7.5% at 4.8 euros by 1320 GMT and 9% ahead of the price they were trading at before the government announced in June that it planned to sell down part of its 13.9% shareholding by the end of the year. The lender said it had recorded a 465 million euro ($551.86 million) profit in the first six months of 2021. That compared to a loss of 669 million euros before tax in the same period a year ago, although the 2020 full year loss was eventually around half that as lending and income recovered in the second half. While its main Irish market was in its third and longest lockdown for much of the first half of this year, the bank set aside just 1 million euros to cover possible loan defaults compared to 937 million euros in the first half of 2020. On a pre-impairment basis, underlying operating profit was 7% higher than 2019 levels, before the pandemic struck. "Our results today, and our outlook for the future, are radically different to 12 months ago," Chief Executive Francesca McDonagh said in a statement. Reflecting the "increasingly positive" outlook, total income in the second half is expected to be 5% higher than the first, the bank said, with annual costs set to fall below 1.65 billion euros this year from 1.72 billion in 2020 and to 1.5 billion by 2023. McDonagh said the board would discuss resuming shareholder distributions at its full year results. Chief Financial Officer Myles O'Grady told Reuters there was also scope to write back some provisions on pandemic-related bad loans. Analysts at Davy Stockbrokers, which Bank of Ireland is set to acquire in 2022, said it would likely materially upgrade its full year forecasts for the bank as a result of the better than expected results and improved outlook. ($1 = 0.8426 euros) (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Mike Harrison) We had the legend that is Mike King (AKA Alex's dad) on the show to clear the air about the government not funding his Gumboot Friday organisation, dispelling some of the misinformation being spouted by the media and politicians. Exton, PA (19341) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Exton, PA (19341) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Jefferson, GA (30549) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Mankato, MN (56001) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Mankato, MN (56001) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Dorothy Larson, 91, passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at the Bear Manor Nursing Home in Hartshorne, OK. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 7, 2021 Graveside Service at the Gowen Cemetery in Gowen, OK. Services under the direction of the Waldrop Funeral Home of Wilburton. Submit A Press Release $25.00 / for 7 days Ensure your press release runs prominently on our website and in our E-mail Newsletter. Gauranteed placement on these platforms is $25. Note: All submissions will go through our editorial approval process before being posted. Offer a personal message of sympathy... You'll find individual Guest Books on the page with each obituary notice. By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. . From a Guest Book, you may log in with your user account to leave a message. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that. Otherwise, it's simple to create a new one by clicking on the Create "Sign up" button and following the simple steps on the Sign Up page. Page Content Completed $25 million pipeline secures year-round water supply for Denmark Climate change causing reduced rainfall and long-term decline in Quickup Dam levels $6.2 million spent in the Great Southern using 186 local workers Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced the official completion of the Albany to Denmark pipeline, securing Denmark's long-term water supply in the face of climate change. The new $25 million, 43-kilometre pipeline was constructed in response to years of declining rainfall in the region due to climate change, and connects Denmark to the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme (LGSTWSS), ensuring the town is no longer solely reliant on Quickup Dam. Although it has had above average winter rains this year, the region is one of the most climate-impacted areas of the world. Since 2014, Denmark has experienced four of its driest winters since records began in 1911. The pipeline will allow Denmark's drinking water supply to alternate between the LGSTWSS and Quickup Dam, with the pipeline not expected to be required until next year due to the dam levels. Denmark is expected to be supplied via the pipeline during winter and spring, and from Quickup Dam in summer and autumn when demand is higher. The Denmark community will be notified in advance of the pipeline commencing operation. Completed within its revised $25 million budget, the project saw more than $6.2 million - exceeding the initial $4.8 million target - invested in the Great Southern region through the hiring of local workers and the use of local materials and services. The majority (94 per cent) of the 198 workforce were from the Great Southern, including 13 Aboriginal workers via Impact Services, which is a local Aboriginal-employment services supplier. Environmental targets were also exceeded throughout construction, with a 42 per cent reduction in vegetation clearance to just 144m2, and all black cockatoo habitat trees retained. The project was a collaborative effort between Water Corporation, Shire of Denmark, City of Albany, Main Roads, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and WA-based head contractor Georgiou and its sub-contractors. To cater for population growth and the ever-increasing impacts of climate change in the Great Southern, Water Corporation will also be investigating new long-term water supply options including new groundwater sources, groundwater replenishment and seawater desalination for the LGSTWSS. Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly: "The McGowan Government, through Water Corporation, has successfully delivered this vital pipeline for the Denmark community that will secure the town's long-term water supply for the next 50 years. "Due to climate change, we can't rely on rainfall to sustain the supply from Quickup Dam. "The fact is that this winter's heavy rainfall is an anomaly - the last time Quickup was full at this time of year was 2005. "In the face of significant long-term reductions in rainfall and run-off into dams, connecting towns like Denmark to larger, more secure water schemes provides an alternative water supply during the drier years." Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie: "I welcome the completion of the new Albany to Denmark pipeline. Since 2014, Denmark has experienced four of the driest winters in the region on record. "So, despite the recent rains, this means that Quickup Dam alone is no longer a reliable long-term water source for the community. "This project is a great example of how we were able to engage local contractors and use local suppliers, minimise the environmental impact through a 42 per cent reduction in vegetation clearance and save taxpayer dollars through careful routeing of the pipeline." Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens: "This project has been delivered by a local workforce in the Great Southern, many in the Albany area, delivering a welcome $6.2 million boost to local suppliers - nearly 30 per cent above target. "In addition, I commend Water Corporation for engaging Albany-based Impact Services to co-ordinate employment opportunities on the project for Aboriginal people, creating 13 jobs." Minister's office - 6552 6100 Albany to Denmark pipeline fact file: The trailer of Akshay Kumar's next big project Bell Bottom has finally been rolled out. The movie's team including Akshay, Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta, and producers Jackky Bhagnani and Deepshikha Deshmukh launched the trailer in Delhi at PVR Priya. It was one of a kind event as with this movie, they have also embarked on the return of theatres. The movie also stars Adil Hussain and Huma Qureshi in pivotal roles. Everymedia PR Handout Everymedia PR Handout Bell Bottom is an espionage thriller and will be set in the 1980s. The film is about one of Indias forgotten heroes. The trailer instills the feeling of patriotism in you and it starts with Adil Hussains narration that adds weightage to it. The dialogue at the beginning of the trailer sets the tone of the entire movie: Hindustan Ek Mulk Nahi, Ek Soch Hai Aur Iss Soch Ko Harane Ke Liye Dushman Har Paitra Istemal Karna Chahta Hai. In the trailer, you are given the plot of the movie wherein a plane has been hijacked and Akshay Kumars character whose code name is Bell Bottom is introduced as he is the only one who can crack this entire case. The trailer is packed with many action sequences, a foot-tapping background score, and lots of drama. People who have watched it are loving the trailer and have called it a masterpiece. They went on to say that Akshay has nailed the character. Here are the reactions: Twitterr Twitterr Twitterr Twitterr Twitterr Akshay is among the first actors to resume shooting amid the pandemic and cannot live in fear. He said in one of his recent interviews on whether he was afraid: Of course, I was, but for how long can you live in fear? Initially, when the pandemic started, very little was known about the virus the way it affects a person. So, there was a lot of fear. With time, we know more and that its possible to beat it if we have a good immune system. Hence, I decided to get back to work taking all the precautions, not just for me but the entire unit. The movie is slated to release on August 19 in 2D and 3D format. Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty has once again been trolled by people. This time she was spotted helping a man in a wheelchair which was captured by the paparazzi. In the video, Rhea was seen getting out of her car to help a disabled man in a wheelchair. She was seen giving money to the man and also having a brief conversation with him. She was then also asked by the paparazzi to get clicked and she complied. Check out the video here- Rhea was seen wearing a pink bell sleeves crop top with jeans and a face mask. She was entering a salon and removed her mask to pose for the cameras. Photographer Viral Bhayani shared the video on Instagram account saying, #rheachakraborty snapped outside a salon." However, people on social media started commenting on the video saying that she was helping the man to look good in front of the camera. One user wrote, somebody rightly said, every controversy is a good publicity. She indeed is a living example! Another one wrote, Her favorite song is paisa phenk tamasha dekh. Heres what people have to say about the video- Viral Bhayani IG Viral Bhayani IG Viral Bhayani IG A few days ago, Rhea was trolled after a rumour surfaced on the internet and stated that the actress has been approached by three top talent agencies and she might make her Hollywood debut soon. It also said that Rhea is yet to take a final decision out of the three offers. After this news went viral on social media, Rhea was heavily trolled and mocked. Rhea became part of the controversy last year after Sushant Singh Rajputs sad demise. The late actors father had filed a complaint against her and accused her of abetment to suicide. She was also arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau and released on bail in a drug case related to Sushants death. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below! Manoj Bajpayee is the man of the moment. Its been a long time coming to be honest. Hes been consistent and determined to his craft, as evidenced by the love and appreciation for his role as Srikant Tiwari has brought him. The Family Man series has finally brought him the much deserved widespread recognition I feel he has deserved, since I saw him in Satya. At some point, a lot of what we consider mainstream success boils down to your ability to turn up, day after day. Despite our personal difficulties. Find a way to keep moving forward. In The Club, a clubhouse room hosted by Aniruddha Guha and Janice Sequeira, had Manoj Bajpayee share his journey as an actor. As a veteran of the craft he knows a thing or two about determination, and true grit. More so, hes designed his life to do what he wants to do. As far as healthy lifestyles, who better to learn from than Manoj Bajpayee whos gone through some seriously rough times in his long journey as an actor. He can be someone who inspires us to strive to be better, a realistic reference point. Here are 6 healthy lifestyle habits you can adopt from The Family Man star Manoj Bajpayee: 1. Quick to Bed, Quick To Rise Manoj likes to hit the snooze by 10 pm latest. An early night to bed can be life changing in the long run as it allows you more time to yourself the next day. He doesnt like sleeping in either, he starts his day early. It helps him gain more time to the day without stressing about his commitments during the day. 2. Meditation And Workout I like to do some yoga as soon as I start the day because it allows me to center myself. Collect my thoughts. An excellent practice as youre getting your mind onboard for the rest of the day. The talented actor also acknowledges the virtue of staying fit, he ensures hes getting a workout in the first half of the day so that he can reap the benefits through the rest. Prime Video 3. Look Fresh Always Manoj stressed on this point, Even if I dont have to go anywhere for a meeting, I ensure that Im always dressed properly, fresh clothes are necessary for me. I like to groom myself with perfume and all. Dressing well everyday definitely helps feel better and fresh throughout the day. The clothes you wear, and the way you groom yourself can do wonders for your mental health! UTV Motion Pictures 4. Practice Your Discipline This is the bit where Manoj Bajpayee reads poetry, rehearsing lines, recording himself and learning from it. This commitment to the craft is what separates Manoj from the rest. Many talented artists ignore the importance of practice, nothing makes you better at your craft than dedicated practice. So it could be your job, or a side hustle youre figuring out. You have to turn up everyday. Is this the kind of lifestyle you expected? Do let us know in the comments below. Not just conspiracy theorists, but many sound financial experts and reputed journalists believe that some of the richest people in the world today, whose wealth actually is much more than that of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, live in the oil-rich countries of the middle-east. Reuters Then, there are people who believe that there is a certain European family, that is actually the richest family of all time. They of course are referring to the Rothschilds, a Jewish banking family from the 1700s who, at one point in history, owned about 50 per cent of all the wealth in the world. Think of them as the Jagat Seth family, but operating on an international level. Wiki Commons For conspiracy theorists, the Rothschild Family is a goldmine of stories. But even if one ignores those theories, some of the existing descendants of the Rothschild Family are the richest people in Europe. And yet, very little is known about these people. Apparently, the family is worth $500 Trillion today. Wiki Commons Here are some of the incredible stories about this family that has made rounds for decades and centuries now, which sound very fascinating when we delve deeper into them. 1. The Inventors Of Economy & Capitalism Wiki Commons People who have studied economics will know about the basic concepts of money creation and the roles of banks in the process. Well, it is believed that the Rothschild Family started that. They were the first people to invest certain portions of the deposits from their banks into international government projects in the colonies. This allowed them to get heavy and substantial returns. This is the model that banks all over the world use today. This is basically how the banking system, and therefore, the economy works, in its most fundamental form. 2. Invented The Concept Of International Banking Wiki Commons The Rothschilds were the first bankers to establish their banks in the European colonies, with most of their banks being established in Africa & East Asia. They had a very robust and sophisticated intra-bank communication system. This allowed them to form the first truly international bank. They basically funded the colonisation of Africa in the 1800s. At one point in time, they controlled the largest bank in the United States Of America, while sitting in Europe. 3. They Started The First World War To Make Money Wiki Commons There is a theory that they created situations that led to the first World War. Remember. They made a massive fortune by supplying ammunition, weapons and medical supplies to both the Allies & the Axis powers. Remember Professor Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows? It is said that his character was based on the Rothschild Family. 4. They Funded Both The Allies & The Axis Powers In World War II Wiki Commons Although they did not start World War II, it can be argued that it was their actions before World War I that led to the fall of Germanys economy, and subsequently, the starting of World War II. As far fetched as it may be, one thing that is clear is they made an even bigger fortune in World War II by funding both the Allied & the Axis powers. Some even say that they actually funded and helped Japan in attacking the United States of America at Pearl Harbour, forcing the US to join the War. 5. They Own About 30 Per Cent Stake In All Major Banks Today AFP The Rothschild family today is pretty much underground. Only a handful of the descendants are out in the public eye, but again, in a very reversed capacity. These descendants are mainly known to be some of the richest people in Europe and the owners of some of the biggest investment brokerage firms in Europe. However, several reputed financial journalists have claimed that the entire family functions as a shadow organisation today, and has a major stake in almost every international bank. They believe that they own about a 30 per cent stake in all major banks combined. Google will release the Pixel 6 later this year and the company revealed how the smartphone will look prior to the launch of the device. The search engine giant showed off the design of the new smartphone that kind of looks inspired by Daft Punk, a new chipset developed in-house and more. The smartphone has a slim black camera bar running through the width of the smartphone, similar to the visor on the Daft Punk helmets. Google The company will be launching two models of the smartphone called the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro and have ended the XL nomenclature to avoid confusion. Both models will be available in three colours each. The biggest change on the Pixel 6 series is the fact the smartphone will be powered by Googles own Tensor chipset. The new chip has been rumoured for a whole that will be capable of running AI and ML models directly on the phone according to Google. Google also says that the new chip will help to improve the smartphones camera capabilities, speech recognition, and many other features. The Pixel 6 Pro will come with a triple camera setup at the rear while the Pixel 6 will come with a dual rear camera setup that will not have a telephoto sensor. Google also talked about the improved user experience on the Pixel 5 series thanks to the chipset. Google As with previous Pixel devices, the 6 Series will also come with Googles latest Android OS. It will come with Android 12 out of the box and have Material You UI design language. The colours, the camera, the form, and whats on the screen all work together in a single, fluid experience," Google said. Google also mentioned that thanks to the new Tensor chipset, the phone will have improved speech recognition and that the company has taken big leaps" in voice command, translation, captioning, and dictation. So far thats all we know about the Pixel 6 series by Google. While Google did announce the phone officially, the company did not share any further details. Pixel smartphones are known for their photography capabilities however the company did not share any image samples from the Pixel 6 as of now. Google Google will be launching the Pixel 6 series later this year in the fall however we dont know whether the smartphone will make its way to India at the moment. Google has been apprehensive at bringing flagship smartphones to the country however we have seen budget-friendly variants released in the past. In summer 2020, The New York Times coordinated a nationwide project to document the lives of Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved collaborating with 11 other local newsrooms around the U.S. The Messenger-Inquirer was the only newspaper from Kentucky in the collaboration. The resulting collection of stories was published Oct. 23, 2020, in the New York Times print edition and at nytimes.com/outofwork. The following list is the Messenger-Inquirer's local unemployment coverage from that time period; read more by clicking the "New York Times Project" header. Click on "Out Of Work In America" to go to the full AG Nessel, Coalition Call on Congress to Urgently Pass Legislation to Safeguard Democracy AG Nessel, Coalition Call on Congress to Urgently Pass Legislation to Safeguard Democracy LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 21 other attorneys general, today sent a letter to Congress urging immediate action to safeguard democracy. In the letter, the attorneys general ask Congress to pass legislation protecting against both voter suppression and election subversion. The coalition - led by Attorney General Nessel, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein - share their concerns about what may come in future elections if action is not taken quickly. "We have seen attempts across the country to create barriers to voting and even make it easier to overturn election results," Nessel said. "For the benefit of our democracy and to protect the will of the voters, I am urging Congress to act now." In the letter, the attorneys general describe how their offices worked to ensure that the 2020 general election was conducted freely, fairly, and with integrity. The letter notes that several factors contributed to the failure of former President Trump and his allies to overturn a democratic outcome: "The legal arguments made by those seeking to overturn election results were generally so extraordinarily weak that they did not have even the veneer of legitimacy. Certain election officials-both Republican and Democratic-refused to buckle under pressure at critical points, placing election integrity and our democracy ahead of partisanship. And the attack on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, while dangerous, was inept." Without new federal legislation strengthening protections for voting rights and preventing election subversion, attorneys general are concerned that the nation cannot confidently rely on the incompetence of subverters to protect the will of the voters in future elections. Several states have passed laws that create new barriers to voting or make it easier to overturn election results. In a statement issued on June 1 of this year, more than 100 democracy scholars explain, "[W]e have watched with deep concern as Republican-led state legislatures across the country have in recent months proposed or implemented what we consider radical changes to core electoral procedures in response to unproven and intentionally destructive allegations of a stolen election." They observe that "[s]tatutory changes in large key electoral battleground states are dangerously politicizing the process of electoral administration" and "seeking to restrict access to the ballot." And they warn, "[T]hese laws politicizing the administration and certification of elections could enable some state legislators or partisan election officials to do what they failed to do in 2020: reverse the outcome of a free and fair election." The attorneys general state, "The truths upon which this nation was founded are self-evident. They are not self-executing, however. The profound challenges confronting our democracy demand that Congress act to prevent voter suppression and election subversion. Irrespective of one's views on the value of the filibuster in general, it must not be allowed to stop Congress from addressing these issues so fundamental to our Constitution and democracy. " Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin ### Lynsey Mukomel 517-335-7666 Attorney General Attorney General Nessel Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Stronger Policies for Protecting Students Attorney General Nessel Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Stronger Policies for Protecting Students Attorney General Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746 Public inquiries: 517-335-7622 August 3, 2021 LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today joined a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general in a letter to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) urging it to institute stronger consumer protection policies for the more than 3 million students enrolled in distance education courses offered by its 2,276 participating institutions. NC-SARA provides leadership over reciprocity agreements joined by 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and it controls the minimum standards and policies to which participating institutions must adhere. Currently, Michigan's membership in NC-SARA allows participating institutions of higher education physically located in other states the ability to enroll students living in Michigan in online programs without having to comply with Michigan's licensure and approval process. While this provides Michigan students with educational opportunities , it is important that Michigan is able to enforce consumer protection laws to protect its residents. The attorneys general, citing examples of misconduct by schools participating in NC-SARA, express concerns that NC-SARA's current policies do not adequately protect students against the unique risks that arise from distance learning, including unfair and deceptive admissions and financial aid practices. The attorneys general recommend NC-SARA improve its policies to provide critical student protections, including: Removing language in its Policy Manual that prohibits states from enforcing their higher education consumer protection laws and instituting meaningful consumer protection standards that participating schools must follow; Improving its procedures to protect current and prospective students at institutions with issues related to consumer protection or financial stability; and Reconstituting its board of directors so that at least a majority of its membership is reserved for member states and territories and additional individuals with consumer protection expertise, such as state attorneys general. "My colleagues and I call on NC-SARA to make several changes that will benefit the students in its member states-including Michigan. The proposed changes will allow us to more effectively protect those enrolled in distanced learning at one of NC-SARA's participating institutions. While we want our students to have options, we must ensure there are adequate safeguards in place to protect students from unscrupulous practices," Nessel said. Joining Attorney General Nessel in today's letter are the attorneys general of Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers located two paddlers Monday morning who had been the subjects of an overnight search, after their canoe overturned on the Tahquamenon River. Ezequiel Gianfranco, 19, of Homestead, Florida and Nathalie Hoste-Skrzypek, 20, of Chicago, Illinois were reported missing by friends Sunday night to staffers at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Chippewa County. At about 6:40 p.m. Sunday, Luce County Central Dispatch contacted conservation officer Cole VanOosten, telling him the two paddlers had rented a canoe from a park concessionaire at the Lower Falls, had paddled downstream and failed to return. "They had traveled to the falls with some friends from the Chicago area for a day trip to visit the falls," VanOosten said. "The friends split into two groups after renting canoes. They left separately, at approximately 1:30 p.m., with a plan of canoeing downstream for a couple of hours and then returning to the falls." At 6:30 p.m., when Gianfranco and Hoste-Skrzypek were overdue by almost three hours, their friends reported the circumstances to park staffers, who in turn, contacted Luce County dispatchers. VanOosten was patrolling nearby and responded to the Lower falls to assist in the search. He arrived and questioned the other members of the group. "It became readily apparent that the missing friends were ill-prepared for the trip as they had no food or water and they were unfamiliar with the area," VanOosten said. "They were also inexperienced in operating a canoe." VanOosten and park ranger Jen Smaltz used a small motored boat to start searching downstream from the falls for the missing paddlers. Meanwhile, the overdue canoeists were able to make a short phone call to their friends. They told them they had capsized the canoe, made it back to shore and were walking an off-road vehicle trail, attempting to get back to the Lower Falls. The friends told Gianfranco and Hoste-Skrzypek to stay put, help was on the way. A short time later, the paddlers lost the ability to make any additional contact, after the battery died in the cell phone they used to contact their friends. At 8:45 p.m., VanOosten and Smaltz found the canoe of the missing paddlers pulled up onshore at a remote campsite, situated about 5.5 miles downstream from the Lower Falls. Turkish immigrant feels belonging serving with AmeriCorps in Detroit Turkish immigrant feels belonging serving with AmeriCorps in Detroit As an immigrant, AmeriCorps member Ozlem Okutkan said helping others gives her a sense of community. "If you want to feel belonging, the only way is to serve," said Okutkan. Okutkan was born in Turkey and has lived in the United States for the past ten years. She received her bachelor's degree in international politics and has worked at several global logistics companies as an export-import specialist. However, it is serving with AmeriCorps that Okutkan believes helps her to feel at home. When the pandemic hit Detroit-Okutkan's hometown community-she immediately saw the impact it was having on the city. "The city was like a ghost town," Okutkan said. "That's why I started to search for volunteer activities to support the Detroit community." This is how Okutkan discovered the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program in Detroit where she is a part of the Water Filtration Project in Highland Park. There are concerns about water filtration in the area, which can become dangerous if residents are exposed to high amounts of lead. To combat this, Okutkan goes door-to-door to bring information on how to access proper water filtration to the neighborhood. Okutkan has loved the opportunity to grow closer to her community. "While you serve, you realize the real problems of the society and these little steps bring you feelings of responsibility, and you become involved in the community," Okutkan said. It is a passion shared among many, including Kendall Casey. Casey explained that her time serving with AmeriCorps was "one of the most memorable experiences she has ever had," and jumped on the chance to rejoin the program as a staff member earlier this year. Casey served with AmeriCorps Urban Safety (AMUS) from 2011-2012 and returned this year as a staff member. She is leading the AMUS project on water filtration in Highland Park. While this project is still at its beginning stages, Kendall and her team are excited to hit the ground running within the next few weeks. AmeriCorps members will distribute filters to reduce lead in water at households that exceed safe levels. The households at the top of the list are those who have pregnant women or children residing, as they are the most at risk to high lead content in water. AMUS is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), which has already delivered 17,000 filters statewide. A large issue within Highland Park is the lack of access to water filters, which is why AMUS plans to go door to door and bring the sign-up sheets to them. Kendall explained that there is often not enough information available to Highland Park residents on the true effects of water with a high lead content, driving AmeriCorps to want to bring the information to their doorstep. They will also survey residents on their usage of water filtration options available to them to learn about the percentage of people who are actively using water filtration systems. The people behind this service all share a deep passion for service and improving their local community. AmeriCorps member Dephanie Beal also wanted to improve her community and understand the problems people are facing. She hopes through her work, "people will see that there are people out there who want to help them and care about their safety." After her AmeriCorps service term, Dephanie plans to finish school and receive her degree in early childhood development. If you would like to learn more about AMUS's water filtration project: To learn more about the service AmeriCorps programs in Michigan and the positive impact they make, visit Michigan's AmeriCorps website. Governor Whitmer declares August as Breastfeeding Month FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2021 Contact: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112 Native Breastfeeding Week is Aug. 8-14 and Black Breastfeeding Week is Aug. 25-31 LANSING, Mich. - Michigan is committed to encouraging a strong foundation for life in all infants by supporting breastfeeding mothers for the first year of their child's life and beyond. As part of this commitment, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is declaring August 2021 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. "During Breastfeeding Awareness month this August, which includes Native Breastfeeding Week and Black Breastfeeding Week, we recommit ourselves to pursue equity for breastfeeding moms, including additional support and resources for Black and Native breastfeeding mothers," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "We are dedicated to broadening public understanding of the critical impact breastfeeding has on improving the health of infants and mothers and reducing infant mortality rates within minority communities." Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to the nursing infant including easy digestion, production of antibodies and reduced risk of infections and childhood obesity. It also offers faster recovery from birth and reduced risk for postpartum hemorrhage and uterine cancer to the breastfeeding mother. Disparities in breastfeeding rates and other maternal and infant health outcomes are more evident for Black and Indigenous families than for other Michigan families. Increased efforts highlighting increased support for breastfeeding are part of Governor Whitmer's Healthy Moms Healthy Babies initiative. Ways to support breastfeeding include advocating for paid maternity leave and adequate pumping time while at work and school, and by bolstering Baby Friendly hospitals. National Breastfeeding Month is also a time to highlight under-resourced communities where families do not have equal access to support, care and education. Although 86.9% of Michigan families initiate breastfeeding, only 58% are still breastfeeding at three months. Barriers, such as lack of access to supportive healthcare and childcare providers and lack of paid work leave, often lead to early weaning. Additionally, there are fewer lactation professionals from communities of color. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black infants are 20% less likely to have ever received breast milk than any other race. In Michigan, seven of every 1,000 babies born die by age one, and among Black babies, the number is more than double. Between 80 and 90 maternal deaths occur each year with Black women dying 2.4% more often. "Proper nutrition for infants is critical for their growth and development, and it is important for hospitals, business, communities and coalitions to work together to provide consistent support for breastfeeding mothers in Michigan," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief deputy for health. "Supporting breastfeeding is about the health of our entire community, so it is important that businesses and communities implement policies and provide an environment that supports a family's breastfeeding goals." Michigan is committed to improving outcomes for breastfeeding mothers and supporting community health workers such as community-based doulas and the WIC Peer Counseling support program help diversify lactation support and increase breastfeeding rates in local communities across the state. The State of Michigan WIC program is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month with the theme, "Why WIC for Breastfeeding?" WIC supports breastfeeding in the following ways: Free, unlimited access to lactation consultants and breastfeeding peer counselors. Training to all WIC staff to support prenatal and breastfeeding families. Breastfeeding clients get more WIC foods than non-breastfeeding clients, including canned fish, and are able to stay on the program longer. At 6 months, breastfed babies receive infant meats and more fruits and vegetables. Many WIC clinics offer telehealth appointments. WIC offers a breastfeeding warmline available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 833-MIWICBF (833-649-4233). For additional information, visit the Michigan Breastfeeding Network. ### Settling for a silver medal, thanks to dog manure Settling for a silver medal, thanks to dog manure Today's MI Environment story is by Hugh McDiarmid, Jr., EGLE's communications manager. I fell short of Gold Status, and dog poop was part of my downfall. I should explain. Leaving pet waste near the shoreline of a lake or stream allows nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to wash directly into the waterways, polluting it with E. Coli bacteria and potentially contributing to harmful algal blooms. On my family's Northern Michigan lakefront property, I've been tossing the leavings from Milo and Wren (dogs, not kids) into the underbrush, rather than bagging it and putting it in the trash. That cost me points in the Shoreland Stewards survey - designed to assess how well waterfront property owners protect the water from negative impacts. The web-based questionnaire queries riparian owners on management practices including how much vegetation they keep as a shoreline buffer against pollutants and runoff, whether they use fertilizers and pesticides, and, yes, whether they pick up pet waste when the critters deposit it near the water's edge. The Shoreland Stewards program is packed full of information including videos on good management practices to help protect riparian property owners' little pieces of the Great Lakes water ecosystem, which holds 20 percent of the planet's fresh surface water. More than 30 lake associations are partners in the program, which has attracted more than 1,200 Michiganders who've taken the shoreline assessment. The program is offered through the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, which provides training, education and research in shoreline protection. The survey gives out a participation medal (Starter Status) for taking it, and Bronze, Silver and Gold status if you employ good management practices in part or full. Despite the fecal failing, our family scored high enough to earn Silver Status through good practices including: Not using fertilizer or pesticides anywhere on the property, and particularly near the shore. Maintaining a buffer strip of vegetation along the shoreline to trap and absorb nutrients and pollutants before the flow into the water during rainstorms. Minimizing impervious services in favor of "soft" surfaces that absorb rainwater like a sponge and release it gradually to the waterway. Properly maintaining and regularly pumping/inspecting the septic system. Not excessively grooming the shoreline to create large stretches of sandy beach - good for wading, not so good for erosion control or water quality. Next year, I expect to retake the survey with my eye on Gold Status. I'm told picking up the pet waste alone won't get me there (I need more upland vegetation), but it'll get me closer. I've spoken with Wren and Milo about doing their business upland, rather than near the lakeshore. They told me to pound sand (I think they were trying to be clever). So, it'll be bagging and tossing from now on. Or trading the dogs in for cats. To learn more about the Shoreland Stewards program, check out EGLE's video series. Photo caption: Shoreland Stewards sign in front of lake property Like this content? Follow us on Twitter at @MichiganEGLE or on Youtube.com/MichiganEGLE Take a short survey and let us know what you think about MI Environment. $2.9M in EGLE brownfield funding to help redevelop contaminated sites in Mid-, Southeast Michigan $2.9M in EGLE brownfield funding to help redevelop contaminated sites in Mid-, Southeast Michigan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 3, 2021 Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, GreenbergJ@Michigan.gov, 517-897-4965 The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded $2.9 million in brownfield grants and loans to five projects for redevelopment of contaminated properties in Mid- and Southeast Michigan. Overall, this summer EGLE will provide $15.6 million in brownfield funding to 21 projects statewide. Plans include development of a community hub in Bad Axe, a community center in Pontiac, expansion of a beverage manufacturing facility in Ann Arbor, a residential development in Milford and a mixed-use complex in Ann Arbor. "My roots are in the Thumb, and I'm glad to see Bad Axe plans to invest brownfield funding into developing a community-based hub," EGLE Director Liesl Clark said. "This community initiative will immensely benefit the region, and truly illustrates the spirit of brownfield funding by directly supporting a vibrant economy while protecting the environment." More than half of EGLE's budget each year flows into Michigan communities through grants, loans and other spending that supports local projects, protects public health and the environment, ultimately creating economic growth and jobs for Michigan workers. When brownfields - vacant or abandoned properties with known or suspected contamination - are redeveloped, property values increase both on the revitalized site awards and on other nearby properties. EGLE's Remediation and Redevelopment Division provides financial and technical assistance including grants, loans, tax increment financing and free site assessments to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfield properties. Huron County Community Foundation Huron County Community Foundation plans to use a $600,000 EGLE grant to assist in its efforts to create a new commercial and residential development at 101 W. Huron Ave. in Bad Axe, Michigan. Located downtown, this redevelopment will create a community hub that will provide office space, conference rooms, high-speed internet and coworking space on the first floor. The second floor will include three residential apartments. The property, vacant since 2014, previously operated as a gasoline filling station from the 1920s to the 1970s. Soil and groundwater contamination associated with the former use of the property will need to be addressed to enable the safe reuse of the site. The EGLE grant will pay for additional environmental assessment; building demolition activities necessary to assess and dispose of contaminated soil; design and installation of a system to prevent subsurface vapors from migrating into the remaining structure; and removal of suspected underground storage tanks on site. EGLE awarded the funds to the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, which will manage the environmental activities. The project will bring a capital investment of $1.2 million and create one job. Additional partners in the Huron County Community Foundation project include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Huron County Economic Development Corporation, the Bad Axe Downtown Development Authority, and private sponsors and donors. "It's great to see so many state and local partners come together to show how we are stronger by working together to make our community a little bit safer, a lot more beautiful and more economically viable," Bad Axe City Manager Robert Stiverson said. (EGLE site contact: Heath Bobick, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, BobickH@Michigan.gov, 517-281-6457) Webster Community Center A vacant and blighted school building in the city of Pontiac is set for redevelopment with assistance from a $425,000 EGLE brownfield redevelopment grant. Following completion of activities to address the environmental risks, both on the property and in the school building, Micah 6 Community will repurpose the school building and property as a community center. The Webster Community Center will provide social services and recreational opportunities for Pontiac residents. The project will bring a capital investment of $17 million and create 29 jobs. Contamination on the nearly 5-acre site was caused by release of petroleum products from a heating oil storage tank previously used at the property. The site was used for an elementary school from 1921 until 2006, and remained vacant since that time. The EGLE grant will pay for environmental costs, underground storage tank removal, industrial cleaning and demolition at the property. "Oakland County is thrilled to be receiving this $425,000 EGLE grant to help clean up the Webster School in order to make a community center for the residents of the city of Pontiac," said Ingrid Tighe, director of Oakland County Economic Development. "We look forward to working with EGLE and Micah 6 Community on the cleanup and redevelopment of this important project for the city of Pontiac." (EGLE Contact information: Michelle Bakun, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, BakunM@Michigan.gov, 586-233-3408) Troobado, Smooj production expansion 78 Jackson LLC will renovate a vacant and contaminated former light industrial and manufacturing facility, located at 78 Jackson Plaza in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Renovations will support the expansion of Troobado and their production of Smooj, a hard-seltzer smoothie beverage. The redevelopment includes the installation of a new canning line plus other brewing and packaging equipment, creating 30-35 full-time jobs. EGLE awarded Scio Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) a $370,000 grant to address contamination associated with the former industrial uses and help facilitate redevelopment of the property. The grant primarily will be used to install barriers and ventilation systems to prevent exposure to subsurface contamination. (EGLE site contact: Holden Branch, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, BranchH1@Michigan.gov, 517-331-0993) 841 Broadway Street in Ann Arbor Lower Town Partners LLC will invest $100 million to build a mixed-use complex consisting of 104 residential units, a nine-story hotel, a destination restaurant and six-acres of public green space at the former MichCon/DTE property located at 841 Broadway Street in Ann Arbor. This development will create an estimated 100 new full-time jobs. From 1900 to the 1950s a manufactured gas plant operated on the 13-acre property. This former use has left the site contaminated with coal tar and other chemical releases, complicating the reuse of the property. To help facilitate the redevelopment of the property, EGLE awarded Washtenaw County a $499,000 brownfield grant. The grant will be used for investigation, and the removal and proper disposal of contaminated soil within the proposed public greenspace. In addition, Washtenaw County and EGLE have approved the use of up to $7 million of brownfield tax increment financing to help pay for additional environmental costs necessary for safe reuse of the property. "The redevelopment of this site has languished for decades, negatively impacting surrounding properties and the Huron River," said Sue Shink, chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and board representative on the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. "The proposed project includes a significant public recreation area that will provide access to the river and expand other recreational amenities enjoyed by the public. The grant provided by EGLE is key in ensuring this project can move forward successfully." (EGLE site contact: Holden Branch, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, BranchH1@Michigan.gov, 517-331-0993) Summit View of Milford EGLE awarded $2 million in brownfield funding to the Village of Milford Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to help remediate and redevelop a contaminated former industrial property. Following completion of activities to address the environmental contamination on the property, South Summit Inc. and North Summit Inc. plan to construct Summit View of Milford, a residential development that will include 16 townhouses and 44 single family homes. The property is located in downtown Milford, at Summit Street and North Milford Road. To assist with the environmental activities and facilitate the redevelopment of the property, EGLE's funding - a $1 million grant and a $1 million loan - will be used to demolish existing buildings, and remove underground storage tanks, asbestos and contaminated soil. The grant also will fund installation of a vapor mitigation system to prevent exposure to harmful vapors. Contamination on the nearly 8-acre site is believed to result from the property's use as various industrial and light manufacturing operations beginning in 1939. The property has been underutilized for the past 35 years and has sat vacant since 2013. In addition to EGLE brownfield grant and loan funding, the Village of Milford has approved a brownfield plan to help pay for additional environmental and site improvement costs. (EGLE Contact information: Michelle Bakun, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, BakunM@Michigan.gov, 586-233-3408) # # # BIG RAPIDS Artworks of Big Rapids is now taking applications for the Hometown Heroes Banner program. This is the second year in a row that locations along Michigan Avenue and Maple Street in downtown Big Rapids and the Baldwin Street Bridge will display and honor over 100 local veterans who served our military. Retired U.S. Air Force veteran and commander of American Legion Post 98, Mark Brejcha, applauded the success of last years displays. What an impact these banners had on our community," Brejcha said. "So many familiar faces, so many Great Americans in our midst who went from our quaint town and served honorably and with distinction in the armed forces. We are so proud of them all. The inaugural banner program was a success, and Artworks made it happen with class. Lets do it again in 2021. The cost for each individual banner remains at $100. For each banner sold, a portion of the proceeds will go toward supporting local veteran programming and services. Banners will be displayed between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Once the banners come down, family members will be able to keep them. Brejcha said the organization is still seeking donations for banners and is looking to fill more slots before the deadline of Aug. 13. We have to have all the information and digital photos to Artworks by the middle of August, Brejcha said. There are so many ways to honor a loved one or neighbor through this program honor a family member from the past, buy a banner for an employee, purchase one for the shut-in neighbor on a fixed income, surprise an active duty member home on leave at Christmas, etc. You name it. We want to once again Deck The Halls with Hometown Heroes in time for the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11, 2021. Individuals interested in purchasing a banner can stop into the Painted Turtle Gift Shop at Artworks, visit the Artworks Facebook page for a downloadable application, or contact Artworks at 231-796-2420 or email stacie@artworksinbigrapids.org. WEXFORD COUNTY On Thursday, just after midnight, troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Cadillac Post stopped a vehicle for having no insurance on 45 Road near 12 Road in Wexford County's Liberty Township. The driver, Alanah Lee Larson, 29, of Frankfort, had an open container of alcohol in the driver side cup holder. A motion was filed late Tuesday afternoon requesting an emergency court hearing for the jailed owner of the old Holiday Inn that has sat abandoned for years on Midland's north side. The motion claims Jeff Kern, the owner of the condemned structure on Wackerly Street, needs to be released because of health and the need to help with the demolition process. This comes as the building is beginning the tear-down process and fines are piling up for the owner. According to the motion, it was not mentioned to the court that Kern is elderly, has difficulties with the English language, and has severe health conditions. The motions read that Kern is in need of his medication for kidney disease, gout, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The motion seeks to have Kern released from jail so he can help with the demolition of the building and start making payments for outstanding fees. However, Midland City Attorney Jim Branson said Kern has a contractor and the demolition has already begun, so Kern's involvement in the demolition process now is minimal. The motion requested the hearing to be set for Wednesday morning, Aug 4. However, as of the close of business hours at the Midland County Courthouse Tuesday, there was no hearing set. Kern was escorted in handcuffs from a Midland County courtroom late Monday afternoon. Judge Michael Carpenter, of the 75th District Court, sent Kern to jail for failing to comply with demolition orders and not paying any of his accumulating fines at the end of a review hearing. The judge will make further decisions on jail time at Kerns next court hearing at 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 9, Branson said. At a previous hearing on June 30, Carpenter said that if Kern did not have two-thirds of the building torn down by the Aug. 2 hearing, he would be sitting in a jail cell and not flying back to California. The demolition started Monday night. Fines also played into Kerns jail sentence, which have been piling up for months with $1,000 added for every day Kern does not have the building torn down. Kern, as of Monday, has a total of $235,900 in fines, costs and citations owed, none of which has been paid yet, Branson said. Kerns lawyer, Richard Wolney, previously said the California resident would have the building demolished by the end July. However, his defense claimed asbestos removal has been a setback for the demolition. The previous estimate of asbestos from a former consultant of Kern was only a tenth of what was in the building, said contractor Pat Battaglia, who is working on the sites demolition. Mr. Kern was completely blindsided by the amount in the scope of the asbestos that is in this building, Battaglia said. It is impossible to anticipate funding something like this when the previous consultant he had missed the asbestos contamination by a factor of 10. However, Branson said the center of the building was the asbestos hotspot, so he could have begun tearing down other parts of the building last week, before the court's demolition deadline. The 142,500-square-foot property has sat abandoned and condemned since 2018. The city had filed a lawsuit against Kern in October after a long period of little action from Kern to tear down the condemned structure located at 1500 W. Wackerly St. The city won its lawsuit in May and the court began overseeing the demolition process. The judge noted the property is not only an eyesore, but a safety hazard. This is not just an aesthetics issue, it's not just the look, it's a safety issue, Carpenter said. It is a fire hazard in an area that's highly populated, with businesses, (and is) near one of the busiest intersections in our community. During the hearing, Battaglia said plans to redevelop the property have been with Director of Planning & Community Development Grant Murschel. The Daily News reached out to Murschel on the details for the site plans but he said he could not discuss it now due to the ongoing legal proceedings. He indicated he will be able to comment once the building is completely torn down. A tentative step was taken regarding building codes at the last meeting of the Tuscola County commissioners. Concerns have once again been raised concerns by residents, municipal leaders and construction companies on the county's building code issues, so some commissioners have had to field questions. I think we need to go on record as a board that we have every intent that we are going to try our darndest to have a county building code, and we need to let the townships do what they want to do," said Commissioner Kim Vaughan. "Thats what my townships want. Vaughan represents District 3 in the townships of Dayton, Fremont, Indianfields, Koylton and Wells. Commissioners have been grappling with several complaints about building codes for several years. They decided enough was enough in April and started to look at options. Commissioners approved ending their contract with South Central Michigan Construction Code Inspections on Sept. 30, and they also sent out a request for a proposal for another company to possibly provide building code and inspection services. Commissioner Tom Young agreed with Vaughan. The townships I represent are concerned," said Young, who represents District 1 in the townships of Akron, Columbia, Elkland, Elmwood, Fairgrove, Gilford and Wisner. "They are saying that by the time we decide in August, they wont have a meeting until September. Time is running out." Vaughan went on to recommend a motion for the commissioners to go on record saying they have every intent to have a county-wide professional building code and inspection services for all local jurisdictions to make them aware of our intention. Young supported him. Commissioners Dan Grimshaw and Doug DuRussel voted no, while Vaughan, Young, and Chairman Thom Bardwell voted yes to pass the motion. Grimshaw represents District 5, which includes the townships of Denmark, Juniata, Vassar and the city of Vassar, and DuRussel represents the townships of Arbela, Millington, Tuscola, and Watertown. The municipalities in those two commissioners districts either have their own building codes or are in the process of developing their own building code program. Grimshaw took exception with the townships that had not taken the initiative to start researching and creating their own codes department. Those who have not taken action does not create a crisis for me," he said. "They were all notified months ago. They chose to do nothing. Its on them. Their failure to do investigations on their own does not prod us." That statement didnt sit well with Bardwell. Mr. Grimshaw, I think that is a very hard line to take in terms of chastising townships that may have or may not have relied on us to say they are at fault, countered Bardwell. You represent a particular district. We all do, but collectively we need to look at this together for what is best for all. Bardwell noted some recent actions by the board may have caused some confusion. To end the loggerhead between SCMCCI and a medical complex that is in the process of being built, commissioners stepped in and approved allowing SafeBuilt to take over inspection and code issues on that project. Also, SafeBuilt along with TSSF Architects, and McKenna responded to the countys request for proposal for building codes. We acted quickly on the medical building with hardly any discussion," Bardwell said. "With that said, it seems like we are arguing over issues that dont seem to represent the whole county. "I think that is dangerous for us. We need to look at the benefit of the whole." Bardwell pointed out the commissioners going on record as trying to find a company to take over building code and inspection duties doesnt mean the county will choose any particular one. The plan is to schedule a meeting with the three companies for them to do a presentation on what they have to offer. DETROIT (AP) Wayne State University will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from students, faculty and staff that wish to return to campus in the fall, the Detroit school announced Tuesday. Hundreds of colleges nationwide have told students in recent months they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before classes begin, including the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Like many university presidents, WSU President M. Roy Wilson cited the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 as a contributing factor to the mandate. Proof of vaccination will have to be submitted by Aug. 30. Members of the campus community who knowingly come to campus unvaccinated will face unspecified consequences, Wilson said in his letter. Those interested in a waiver for the vaccine requirement can apply through the school. Until the university can get a feel for how much of the campus is vaccinated, there will also be an indoor mask mandate through Sept. 15 when the school can assess if there is still need for masks. Central Michigan University is encouraging but not requiring vaccinations. Students and staff must wear masks in classrooms at least through September. ___ This story has been corrected to say CMU is requiring masks but not vaccinations. ___ Anna Nichols is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Before scoring a Broadway success in Amazing Grace six years ago, Laiona Michelles manager challenged her to write her own musical to showcase her talent. So she wrote Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical, in honor of the iconic singer-writer-activist Nina Simone. The show is running Aug. 4 - 29 under the tent alongside the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam. I took my time, said Michelle, a Springfield, Mass., native, who started working on the bio-musical over a decade ago. Nina Simone just kept coming to me. The universe kept bringing her to me. It was like Nina chose me, she said. Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical, focuses on its subject in two concerts during 1968 (Act I) and 1978. In between the shows 17 songs including Feeling Good and Ooh Child, Michelles Simone banters with her trio comprised of bassist Saadi Zain, percussionist Kenneth Salters and music supervisor/arranger Mark Fifer on keyboards. While the musical covers the ebb and flow of Simone career, Michelle and director Devanand Janki, who also wrote additional material for the show, wanted to quiet all the voices around her that tagged her as 'the angry Black woman' by exploring Simones mental illness that fueled her volatility. I want to answer that, said Michelle, adding that Simones bipolar diagnosis is very essential to the story. I mean, its such a low-ball move to be like 'angry Black woman' all the time, said Michelle. I want to show the blows she took and she took them. I hope people coming to the show have a clearer understanding [and] see that were all human beings, were all flawed and were all vulnerable. Michelle immersed herself deep into Simone's life, studying her subjects biography, writings and, of course, her music. Most of what Michelle absorbed came through pouring over photos of Simone. I find so much energy looking at her pictures, she said. As an actor, when you pick up a script theres so much of you that has to go into the research of understanding, bringing yourself to it, trying to step into the shoes," she said. "With Nina, it was lik, the shoes already fit my feet. And it was me coming close to her." Michelle, plays piano in the show, breezily concedes that her musicianship pales in comparison to Simones classical mastery. I wouldnt say (writing the show) was easy for me, but after reading all her books, and going through documentary after documentary, I really felt like I just understood her cadences, her rhythms, her baggage I understood it," she said. As we all know, Nina was a genius classical pianist. I am not. Michelle, who is presently writing a musical bio on Nelson Mandela, said that she hopes theatergoers will walk away with a celebratory spirit despite all of Simones anguish. Its been an exciting ride, she said. Im glad she chose me. Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical performances will be Wednesday through Saturdays at 7p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. This show will include an intermission. The show will be performed rain or shine under the big top as part of the Goodspeed by the River summer series. Tickets per event will be $45. Tickets are on sale now and only available through the Box Office at (860) 873-8668. For more information, visit goodspeed.org. SAN DIEGO (AP) The number of children traveling alone who were picked up at the Mexican border by U.S. immigration authorities likely hit an all-time high in July, and the number of people who came in families likely reached its second-highest total on record, a U.S. official said Monday, citing preliminary government figures. The sharp increases from June were striking because crossings usually slow during stifling and sometimes fatal summer heat. U.S. authorities likely picked up more than 19,000 unaccompanied children in July, exceeding the previous high of 18,877 in March, according to David Shahoulian, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security. The June total was 15,253. The number of people encountered in families during July is expected at about 80,000, Shahoulian said. That's shy of the all-time high of 88,857 in May 2019 but up from 55,805 in June. Overall, U.S. authorities stopped migrants about 210,000 times at the border in July, up from 188,829 in June and the highest in more than 20 years. But the numbers aren't directly comparable because many cross repeatedly under a pandemic-related ban that expels people from the country immediately without giving them a chance to seek asylum but carries no legal consequences. The activity was overwhelmingly concentrated in the Border Patrol's Del Rio and Rio Grande Valley sectors in south Texas, accounting for more than seven of 10 people who came in families. In the Rio Grande Valley sector, the epicenter of the current surge, agents stopped migrants about 78,000 times in July, Shahoulian said, up from 59,380 in June and 51,149 in May. The government disclosures came in a court filing hours after immigrant advocacy groups resumed a legal battle to end the government's authority to expel families at the border on grounds it prevents the spread of the coronavirus. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention renewed those emergency powers, known as Title 42 and named for a 1944 public health law. The Homeland Security Department said it would continue to enforce the ban on asylum for single adults and families despite growing pressure from pro-immigration groups that it isn't justified on public health grounds. Unaccompanied children are exempt. Title 42 is not an immigration authority, but a public health authority, and its continued use is dictated by CDC and governed by the CDCs analysis of public health factors, the department said in a statement. The final count for July border arrests isn't expected for several days, but preliminary numbers are usually pretty close. Over the first 29 days of July, authorities encountered a daily average of 6,779 people, including 616 unaccompanied children and 2,583 who came in families, Shahoulian said. The number of people stopped in families is expected to hit an all-time during for the 2021 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, Shaoulian said, adding it will likely be higher if courts order that the pandemic-related powers be lifted. The rising numbers have strained holding facilities, Shahoulian said. The Border Patrol had 17,778 people in custody on Sunday, despite a COVID-19 adjusted capacity of 4,706. The Rio Grande Valley sector was holding 10,002 of them. The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups said Monday that they were ending settlement talks with the Biden administration over their demand to lift the pandemic-related ban on families seeking asylum. The impasse resumes a legal battle before U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan in Washington. We are deeply disappointed that the Biden administration has abandoned its promise of fair and humane treatment for families seeking safety, leaving us no choice but to resume litigation," said Neela Chakravartula, managing attorney for the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies. Since late March, the ACLU has been working with advocates to choose particularly vulnerable migrants stuck in Mexico for the U.S. government to allow in to seek asylum. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said the exemptions will continue for another week. Seven months of waiting for the Biden administration to end Title 42 is more than enough, Gelernt said. The breakdown reflects growing tensions between advocates and the administration over use of expulsions and the government's decision last week to resume fast-track deportation flights for families to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Last week, the International Rescue Committee and HIAS also said they were ending efforts to help the administration choose asylum-seekers to exempt from the pandemic-related ban. The asylum advocacy groups had been working on a parallel track with the ACLU to identify particularly vulnerable migrants stuck in Mexico. The CDC said Monday that the ban would remain until its director determines that the danger of further introduction of COVID-19 into the United States from covered noncitizens has ceased to be a serious danger to the public health. Connecticuts two U.S. senators anticipate massive investment funding will come to Connecticut for rail, highways, bridges, coastal resiliency and Veterans Affairs programming, in the pending trillion-dollar infrastructure compromise bill they expect to vote on by the end of the week. Final dollar figures are not yet available but Connecticut could get far more than its proportionate share, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy said during a morning online news conference from Washington. They said that once President Bidens infrastructure legislation is passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, Democrats in Congress will pursue an even larger follow-up under so-called budgetary reconciliation rules. This bill will be transformative for Connecticut, Blumenthal said of the trillion-dollar package. It will mean billions of dollars that make our roads, bridges and rail so much better. While funding numbers are subject to change this week during the Senates amendment process, the legislation released Sunday night would give the region about $30 billion over five years for repairs to rail lines in the Northeast corridor, and a $106 million increase for New York and Connecticuts Long Island Sound water quality programs, including cleaning rivers and coastal restoration projects to prepare for climate change. Our goal is to finish this bipartisan proposal by the end of the week and then very, very crucially move to a second package, Blumenthal said, describing the follow-up legislation as much bigger and broader. He noted that transit infrastructure has been deteriorating for decades, stressing that the first round of funding does not include the $117 billion proposed for a 15-year plan to upgrade the Northeast Corridor for high-speed rail. The best way to view this bipartisan proposal is that it is a very profoundly significant down payment, Blumenthal said. Its a start. A good start, but only a first step. More funding for day care, continuing the child tax credit and funding free community college will be the focus of the follow-up legislation. We have a once in a generation opportunity, Blumenthal said. We are under a moral and historic imperative to move forward with these two tracks. Republicans opposed including day care and education funding in the infrastructure bill; the compromise left that spending out even as Democrats vowed to pursue it. We have the chance to do something historic this week, Murphy said, adding that he would spend most of Monday reviewing the trillion-dollar compromise agreed upon by five top Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. This bipartisan bill represents the biggest one-time investment in infrastructure in this countrys history, and we should get it done. This infrastructure bill has a potential to be an economic game-changer for Connecticut. He and Blumenthal agreed that the $30 billion rail investment, including $24 billion for the joint federal and state partnership on train tracks in Connecticut, plus $6 billion for Amtrak, is nowhere near the commitment needed for high-speed regional rail service. Murphy recalled that not that long ago, Connecticut would get about $4 million a year for Long Island Sound projects. In recent years it has increased to $30 million. The additional $106 million over five years would improve water quality while funding storm-surge, coastal-restoration, sewage treatment and storm water runoff projects on both the New York and Connecticut sides of the Sound. The U.S. Coast Guard would get about $50 million in new investments, including $6 million to improve the home of the historic cutter Eagle at the City Pier in New London. Murphy and Blumenthal said they expect proposed amendments to take most of the week, unlike the period where the former Republican majority, led by Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, offered little chance for changes to legislation. This is a bill that has been under negotiations for over a month, Murphy said in response to a question. The broad outlines of the bill are widely known. I dont see any reason why it wont be a big bipartisan vote at the end. Blumenthal said that the legislation stands a better chance for passage because states around the country would similarly benefit. Obviously we cant disregard the fact that Mitch McConnell has said he is 100 percent focused on making Biden fail, Blumenthal said. Thats a reality of our lives here. There are areas where we can come together. This one is perhaps the best example, because every state, red or blue, has roads, bridges, rail, ports that need upgrading and modernizing, and there is a core of Republicans who want to get that job done. During an unrelated, ceremonial bill signing at the U.S. Navys Submarine Base in Groton on Monday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont pointed to the nearby Gold Star Bridge in the distance, carrying Interstate-95 traffic over the Thames River, and called it a big priority. I know how important that is to Electric Boat, Lamont said. I know trucks can only go over it in one direction when theyre fully loaded. I know we want to get the railways speeded-up in any way we can. I want to fix those bridges that are not in a state of really good repair and at least make sure they are safe. Those are some of the real priorities we have. Staff writer Julia Bergman contributed to this report. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana on Monday reinstated a mask mandate in all indoor locations, including schools and colleges, as the state experiences the highest per capita COVID-19 growth in the nation, driven by the delta variant and one of the country's lowest vaccination rates. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards said the mandate will go into effect on Wednesday and will apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents. Less than three months ago, Edwards lifted a previous face covering requirement amid hopes that the virus was abating. But the state's fourth coronavirus surge since the pandemic began 17 months ago shows no sign of flattening, Edwards said. This is bad. And it's not this bad anywhere else in the country today," the governor said at a news conference flanked by hospital leaders backing his mandate. This is having an adverse impact on peoples lives today. And the least we can do is put a mask on. It is not an onerous burden. Hospital leaders described grim conditions around Louisiana: facilities filled with COVID-19 patients, including children, and hospital hallways lined with stretchers because there aren't enough beds. Weve all been dreading the opening of schools because we just feel that that will be a catalyst for more and more cases, more and more suffering and, potentially, more deaths, said Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans. Louisianas education leaders had declined to enact any masking orders across all districts, leaving it to individual school systems to determine their plans. The governors executive order will end the district-by-district negotiations. Kline called the mask mandate a lifeline to help children and their parents stay safe as they begin returning to some K-12 schools this week. The requirement will apply to anyone age 5 and older and will cover any kindergartners if they are under the age of 5. The governor's announcement came as Louisianas largest standalone hospital Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge brought in a disaster medical assistance team of nearly three dozen health care workers Monday to help the facility cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients. Chief medical officer Dr. Catherine ONeal said the hospital is caring for 155 COVID-19 patients, occupying one-quarter of the facility, while people with chest pains and other medical conditions are forced to sit in the emergency room waiting for an ICU bed. These are the darkest days of this pandemic. We are no longer giving adequate care to patients, she said. Edwards warned things would only get worse, at least in the short term, saying he expects the state on Tuesday to report the largest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at any point in the pandemic. His mask order will last until Sept. 1, but could be extended beyond that. Louisiana reported 11,109 new cases since Friday, with 27 more deaths. The number of hospitalized climbed to 1,984 seven times the number of COVID-19 patients a month ago. The state has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, although the number of people who had received at least one dose rose by more than 46,000 between Thursday and Monday, to nearly 43%. More than 1.72 million, or just under 37%, are fully vaccinated. If youre not going to trust the science and get the vaccine, respect the virus and wear a mask, said Dr. Phyllis Mason, chief medical officer at Natchitoches Regional Medal Center. Business organizations including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Louisiana Restaurant Association urged people to comply with the mask mandate before the state risks further economic damage. Edwards whose office announced earlier Monday that a third vaccinated staff member had contracted COVID-19 expressed frustration with those who have refused to get vaccinated or wear masks. Do you give a damn? I hope you do. I do, he said. Ive heard it said often: Louisianas the most pro-life state in the nation. I want to believe that. It ought to mean something." ___ Associated Press reporters Stacey Plaisance in Baton Rouge and Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. New York City, Microsoft, Tyson Foods and the U.S. auto industry joined a cascading number of state and local governments and major employers Tuesday that are taking a hard line against both the surging delta variant and the holdouts who have yet to get vaccinated. The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If were going to stop the delta variant, the time is now. And that means getting vaccinated right now, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in announcing that New York will demand people show proof of COVID-19 vaccination at indoor restaurants, shows and gyms. The hard-line measure the first such step taken by a big U.S. city goes into effect in mid-August. Vaccination cards or state and city apps will be accepted as proof of inoculation. Meanwhile, meat and poultry giant Tyson Foods said it will require all of its approximately 120,000 U.S. employees to get the shot over the next three months. Microsoft will demand that its roughly 100,000 U.S. employees as well as visitors and others show proof of vaccination starting in September. And an estimated 150,000 unionized workers at the big three U.S. automakers will have to go back to wearing masks starting Wednesday, while nonunion Toyota, with a U.S. workforce of about 36,000, said it will do likewise at most of its sites across the country. In a surge driven by the highly contagious mutant version of the virus, COVID-19 cases across the U.S. have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of more than 85,000 per day, a level not seen since mid-February. Deaths have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 254 per day to 386. Florida has more people now in the hospital with COVID-19 than at any other time during the outbreak over 11,500. Louisiana reported an all-time high of more than 2,100 hospital patients with the virus, most of them unvaccinated. Both states vaccination rates are below the national average. Youre talking and laughing with the patient and then you may walk out of the room, and then maybe an hour or two later youre walking into that room with a crash cart because their condition is deteriorating that fast," said Penny Ceasar, who handles admissions at Westside Regional Medical Center near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Amid the growing alarm over the way the virus is storming back, vaccinations across the country have begun to tick up slightly in recent weeks, reaching more than a half-million per day on average, but are still far below the peak of 3.4 million per day in April. Seventy percent of the nation's adults have received at least one shot, and nearly 61% are fully vaccinated well short of where President Joe Biden wanted the U.S. to be by this point. Experts say the vaccine is still highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from the delta variant. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is running for reelection next year while eyeing a 2024 presidential bid, doubled down Tuesday as the state again broke its record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, insisting that the spike will ease soon and that he will not impose any business restrictions or mask mandates. He encouraged people to get vaccinated. We are not shutting down, DeSantis said. We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridians job in this state. We are protecting peoples small businesses." President Joe Biden endorsed New York Citys move while criticizing policies in states like Florida and Texas both led by Republicans that block mask or vaccine requirements. If youre not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing, Biden said. The auto industrys decision to mask up again was made by representatives from General Motors, Ford, the parent company of Chrysler, and the United Auto Workers union, and it applies even to employees who have been vaccinated. The move comes just under a month after vaccinated autoworkers were allowed to shed their masks. As for Tyson, Donnie King, CEO of the Springdale, Arkansas, company, said in a memo to employees that the vaccine requirement is needed to overcome persistent hesitancy to get the shots. We did not take this decision lightly. We have spent months encouraging our team members to get vaccinated today, under half of our team members are, King wrote. In New York, Sean Ogs, manager of the Woodside Cafe in Queens, said he was floored when he heard the news about mandatory vaccinations for customers. Weve already been in a struggle. I dont know how Im going to deal with it, Ogs said. Its going to be extra work. Itll make things impossible. Debbie McCarthy, a regular at the Woodside Cafe who is unvaccinated, said she was turned away over the weekend from several establishments that had already begun requiring proof. Im a little shocked they would do that, said McCarthy, who said she recovered from COVID-19 months ago and believes her antibodies will protect her from another infection. Why are they so afraid of people who havent been vaccinated? I think we should have a choice. ____ Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan in New York; Alexandra Olson in Arlington, Virginia; Tom Krisher in Detroit; and Freida Frisaro and Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. GROTON, Conn. (AP) Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday that his administration is discussing with state employee union leaders the possibility of required mask wearing, COVID-19 vaccinations or testing requirements for certain workers, calling the talks very positive so far. I would just tell you that were all on the same page. We want to keep people safe. We want to keep state employees safe. We want to keep those that theyre in contact with (safe) and there is broad agreement on that," said the Democrat during an event in Groton about legislative affecting military spouses. And I think the conversations were very positive. Lamont said the different variables are going to be be figured over over the next week or two. The discussions come as Connecticut continues to see more cases of the highly contagious Delta variant and some groups of state employees in forward-facing positions who deal with patients with special needs and inmates have relatively low vaccination rates of about 40%, he said. State data released Monday show there have been 1,245 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut reported since Friday. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 227.4, an increase of 225.5%, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations increased by 32 patients, for a total of 148. Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting Department of Public Health commissioner, said there are still several hundred thousands people in Connecticut who still need to be vaccinated. She said the rate of vaccination, however, has begun to pick up over the past several weeks, which she called a really good sign." In other coronavirus-related news: ___ EVICTION MORATORIUM Connecticut court officials said Monday they were not expecting a surge in eviction filings. Thats because Lamont signed an executive order on June 30, the same day the states eviction moratorium expired, requiring landlords to apply to the states UniteCT rental assistance program prior to issuing an eviction notice to tenants for nonpayment of rent. Among other things, Lamonts order also requires a stay in eviction proceedings of up to 30 days if either the landlord or the tenant applies to the UniteCT program for relief. Although Congress didnt act to extend the federal moratorium, because of the additional pre-filing requirements in the governors Executive Order 12D, we wouldnt expect to see a surge at this time as previously indicated. This would be true for cases filed with the court on paper as well as electronically, said Melissa Farley, executive director of external affairs for the Connecticut Judicial Branch in an email. She said Mondays filings were pretty much the same as usual. ___ MASK REQUIREMENTS Lamont said Monday he doesn't foresee mandating that people wear masks. On Sunday, the Department of Public Health issued a recommendation that people, both unvaccinated and vaccinated, wear a face masks when they're in an indoor public setting because of the growing number of cases. I think strongly recommend is probably working, Lamont said. I think were going to keep going with that process a little bit longer unless the world changes under our feet. Meanwhile, a decision has not yet been made on whether schoolchildren will be required to wear masks when they head back to the classroom. Lamont said he hopes to give parents a couple of weeks notice. ___ TELEWORK RULES Lamont's administration and state employee union leaders on Monday announced they have reached a new agreement through the rest of 2021 on teleworking and transitioning state employees back into the workplace. The deal comes nearly a month after the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition sought a court injunction to stop Lamont from ordering workers to return to the office, accusing him of violating prior telework agreements reached with the unions and ignoring the benefits of having people work from home. Under this new agreement, which runs through Dec. 31, there will be a 60-day reset period. During that time, employees who were teleworking prior to Lamont's email informing workers they had to return on July 1, will have a choice of returning to their pre-July 1 schedule or continue with whatever is currently in place. The 60-day period runs from Aug. 3 to Oct. 2. Among other provisions, the choice to return to the pre-July 1 schedule does not apply to hazardous duty employees. WASHINGTON (AP) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until Oct. 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic. The ban announced Tuesday could help keep millions in their homes as the coronavirus delta variant has spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid. It would temporarily halt evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmissions and would cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives. The announcement was a reversal for the Biden administration, which allowed an earlier moratorium to lapse over the weekend after saying a Supreme Court ruling prevented an extension. That ripped open a dramatic split between the White House and progressive Democrats who insisted the administration do more to prevent some 3.6 million Americans from losing their homes during the COVID-19 crisis. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Biden said he pushed the CDC to again consider its options. But he still seemed hesitant as to whether the new moratorium could withstand lawsuits about its constitutionality, saying he has sought the opinions of experts as to whether the Supreme Court would approve the measure. The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that its not likely to pass constitutional muster, Biden said. But there are several key scholars who think that it may and its worth the effort. The president added that the moratorium even if it gets challenged in court will probably give some additional time for states and city to release billions of dollars in federal relief to renters. Politically, the extension could help heal a rift with liberal Democratic lawmakers who were calling on the president to take executive action to keep renters in their homes. The administration had spent the past several days scrambling to reassure Democrats and the country that it could find a way to limit the damage from potential evictions through the use of federal aid. But pressure mounted as key lawmakers said it was not enough. Top Democratic leaders joined Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., who has been camped outside the U.S. Capitol for several days. Overnight Monday Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., and others gave her a brief reprieve so she could rest indoors. The freshman congresswoman once lived in her car as a young mother and pointed to that experience to urge the White House to prevent widespread evictions. As she wiped her eyes before a crowd at the Capitol after the CDC's announcement, Bush said she was shedding joyful tears. My God, I dont believe we did this, she said. "We just did the work, just by loving folks to keep millions in their homes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was a day of "extraordinary relief. The imminent fear of eviction and being put out on the street has been lifted for countless families across America. Help is Here! Pelosi said in a statement. Administration officials had previously said a Supreme Court ruling stopped them from setting up a new moratorium without congressional backing. When the court allowed the eviction ban to remain in place through the end of July by a 5-4 vote, one justice in the majority, Brett Kavanaugh, wrote that Congress would have to act to extend it further. But on Tuesday, the CDC cited the slow pace of state and local governments disbursing housing aid as justification for the new moratorium. Aside from the moratorium, Biden has insisted that federal money is available some $47 billion previously approved during the pandemic that needs to get out the door to help renters and landlords. The money is there, Biden said. The White House has said state and local governments have been slow to push out that federal money and is pressing them to do so swiftly. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen briefed House Democrats Tuesday about the work underway to ensure the federal housing aid makes it to renters and landlords. She provided data so that lawmakers could see how their districts and states are performing with distributing the relief, according to a person on the call. The treasury secretary tried to encourage Democrats to work together, even as lawmakers said Biden should act on his own to extend the eviction moratorium, according to someone on the private call who insisted on anonymity to discuss its contents. Yellen said on the call, according to this person, that she agrees "we need to bring every resource to bear and that she appreciated the Democrats' efforts and wants "to leave no stone unturned. The CDC put the initial eviction ban in place as part of the COVID-19 response when jobs shifted and many workers lost income. The ban was intended to hold back the spread of the virus among people put out on the streets and into shelters, but it also penalized landlords who lost income as a result. National Apartment Association president and CEO Bob Pinnegar said the organization has always held the same position -- the eviction moratorium is an unfunded government mandate that forces housing providers to deliver a costly service without compensation and saddles renters with insurmountable debt. Democratic lawmakers said they were caught by surprise by Bidens initial decision to end the moratorium even though the CDC indicated in late June that it probably wouldn't extend the eviction ban beyond the end of July. Rep. Maxine Waters, the powerful chair of the Financial Services Committee, has been talking privately for days with Yellen and urged the treasury secretary to use her influence to prod states to push the money out the door. But Waters also called on the CDC to act on its own. After the CDC's announcement Tuesday, Waters released a statement thanking Biden for listening and for encouraging the CDC to act! This extension of the moratorium is the lifeline that millions of families have been waiting for." ___ Associated Press writers Michael Casey and Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the last name of the California Democratic congressman is Jimmy Gomez, not Gonzalez. CLINTON The developer behind a mixed-use, retail and hotel project across from Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets said Monday that he hopes to complete the first phase of the development around the end of the year. Ken Navarro, a partner at Greylock Property Group, said construction of the firms Indian River Shops at Clinton project has continued during the pandemic, despite the disruption it caused to the retail market. The projects anchor, a Big Y World Class Market, is currently finishing interior work and could open before New Years Day, Navarro said. The projects only other named tenant , a Starbucks, could open in early 2022, Navarro said. Crews are laying the foundation for a third building that is part of the first phase of the project, which will be home to several shops. While the first phase of the project contains about 75,000 square feet of retail space, Navarro said that planned later phases of the development could push the total size to around 200,000 square feet, including six additional buildings housing shops, restaurants and a hotel. Still, Navarro said the development is expected to be complementary to the existing outlets at Clinton Crossing, which draw millions of shoppers each year to its dozens of stores. From a size and development standpoint, theyre very much the anchor, not us, Navarro said. John Allen, the chairman of the Clinton Economic Development Commission, said Monday that town officials viewed the Indian River project as an opportunity to keep out-of-town shoppers in Clinton longer, allowing them to spend money at restaurants or even on a hotel room. It really does make that area north of [Interstate 95s] Exit 63 a destination, Allen said. The property, which is formerly the site of Clintons Morgan High School, was sold to Greylock last year after an earlier planned development of the former school grounds fell through, the news site Zip06 reported. Navarro said the developers had reached a handshake deal with a potential hotel operator around March of last year, before the pandemic prompted the unnamed group to back out of the project. More recently, Navarro said there has been some renewed interest in the hotel portion of the site, which Greylock hopes to sell to a mid-priced national hotel chain that would build and operate the hotel. Greylock is engaged in conversations with other potential tenants interested in signing leases for the first phase of the project, Navarro said. That phase will also include site upgrades and landscaping work throughout the former school property. With COVID and all that, retail development has been an adventure to say the least, Navarro said. Weve had a fair amount of interest. As part of the project, Greylock agreed to build a park and nature trail along the Indian River that the company will then donate to the town, Navarro said. Navarro said the group is still engaged in discussions with town officials over the replacement of traffic lights at the entrances to the development site along Route 81, as well as road enhancements and re-striping at both entrances. Greylock is also seeking permits from the state Department of Transportation for that work, Navarro said. In a press release from Big Y announcing its intent to anchor the project last year, the Springfield, Mass.-based company said it planned to employ 150 full and part time workers at the store. CT State Police Troop E / Contributed WATERFORD Connecticut State Police are asking for help to identify the driver of a motorcycle that allegedly rear-ended another driver last week and fled. Troopers responded to a reported multi-vehicle crash near Exit 82 of Route 85 around 4:50 p.m. July 30 and found that a motorcycle had rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped in traffic for an unrelated accident, state police from the Troop E barracks said. Venice, FL (34285) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Richard Drew/AP NEW YORK (AP) Investigators conducting an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo questioned him for eleven hours when he met with them last month, The New York Times reported Monday. The Times spoke to five people who had been briefed on the meeting, and who recounted some details on the condition of anonymity. HOUSTON (AP) Houston city workers are being told they must resume wearing masks while on the job, a requirement that could go against Gov. Greg Abbotts most recent executive order banning such mandates. Mayor Sylvester Turner issued the mask mandate on Monday due to a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in our community and in our workplace linked to the new delta variant. It is so very important that we remain vigilant in doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Turner wrote in memo to all city employees. The new order was first reported on by the Houston Chronicle. The new order requires all employees to wear a mask while on city premises and when they cant be socially distant from others. Officials in Dallas and Williamson counties this week put in place new orders requiring people to wear masks inside county courthouses. They cited a Texas Supreme Court order they say lets the judiciary take reasonable actions to protect people from COVID-19. During Tuesdays meeting of Dallas County Commissioners Court, County Judge Clay Jenkins required all in attendance to wear masks. Jenkins said that because the countys highest executive body is a court in name, he had authority to require masks, the Dallas Morning News reported. Jenkins is not a judicial judge but is the countys top elected official. Commissioner J.J. Koch, a Republican, refused to wear a mask during the meeting. Jenkins, a Democrat, had a bailiff remove Koch to another room, where he joined the meeting virtually. Last month, Abbott repeated his executive order banning mask mandates by any state, county or local government entity. Abbott has previously said that local governments attempting to impose mask mandates could be fined up to $1,000. Similar local mask mandates that appeared to be in conflict with state orders have faced legal action by the Texas Attorney Generals Office. A spokeswoman for Abbotts office and a spokesperson for the attorney generals office didnt immediately reply to emails seeking comment Tuesday. In a statement Tuesday, Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel said Abbotts order does not limit the citys rights as an employer to establish reasonable and necessary workplace safety rules for its employees. The mask mandate in Houston comes as hospitalizations across the state continue to rise due in part to the highly contagious delta variant. On Tuesday, there were 7,305 people in Texas hospitals with COVID-19, which was the most since Feb. 19, when hospitalizations had subsided following a winter surge. Since July 1, hospitalizations in Texas have increased by 359%. State health officials reported 51 deaths on Tuesday, the most since April 18. The resurgence of COVID-19 in Texas has put some cities health systems in dire circumstances, as intensive care unit beds fill up, officials say. In South Texas, Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales this week said hospitals in Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville and Beeville were limited in their ability to handle the latest COVID-19 surge of patients due to a shortage of nurses. San Antonio is also facing a similar nursing shortage amid a spike in patients. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said during a news conference Tuesday he worried the return this month of Texas children to classrooms could make the situation worse in the state. Hotez asked officials to help students get through the school year safely with the help of social distancing, masks and vaccines. If we dont do that, its really hard to imagine how things go well, he said. Youve got delta accelerating, low vaccination rates among adolescents, young adults, no ability to enforce mask mandates. What makes people think this is going to go well? ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 MILFORD Even though marijuana has been legalized, that doesnt mean people can smoke it on Milfords beaches. The Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance to prohibit smoking in public areas at its Aug. 2 meeting. Three other potential ordinances were tabled. Read more about marijuana legalization here. In my estimation, we didnt have the necessary time to do the very deep exploration on some of these subjects in terms of adjoining communities, in terms of reconciliation with federal law that hold cannabis to be illegal and what I feel, a number of procedural things that I dont think could be adequately answered given the scope and gravity of these items tonight, said Ordinance Committee Chairman Frank Smith . The approved ordinance would prohibit the consumption, use or smoke of any cannabis-type substances and establishes a $50 fine for each offense. This was proposed specifically to delineate authority with regard to the new cannabis laws and prescribing against its use in various city parks and recreational areas, said Smith. The other ordinances dealing with cannabis that the aldermen plan to take up again in September include licensing and regulating of cannabis establishments. Michelle Parente, D-1, said she supported the public smoking ban, and was thankful for the extra month to study the new law. I familiarized myself somewhat with the new legislation. Its dense, its long, its complicated, she said. I think we have to take a prudent approach. We have to really understand, all of us, what we can do and what we cant do. Raymond Vitali, R-5, said he wanted to make sure the Police Department would enforce the public smoking ordinance. I sit on the Oyster Festival Committee, and its going to be insane down there if we cant do something about it, he said. Vitali also questioned the state laws relationship with federal law. Its hypocritical in the way that laws are legislated in direct opposition with federal law, he said. Its done with vigor and no remorse, and the fact is its almost putting the cart before the horse. The law that legalized recreational use of cannabis contains a provision that will require some Connecticut cities to create outdoor spaces specifically intended for using marijuana. The law mandates that cities with a population greater than 50,000 must designate a location in the municipality where public consumption is allowed, according to an Office of Legislative Research analysis of the bill. Anthony Giannattasio, R-1, said it was important for the aldermen to have the final say on the designated area. People will say theyre not going to go there anyway, (or) theyre going to do it at their home, he said. Theres advertisements. Theres marijuana festivals, and theyre going to be looking for open areas where they can congregate. We need to be prepared. This the new reality. Police Chief Keith Mello said prohibiting activities in public recreation areas gives the department authority to assist the board. The question really is, are you comfortable with people smoking in parks and beaches? Mello said. This ordinance allows us to have the authority to tell people you cant do that here. Hopefully, people will be responsible enough to not smoke marijuana in the presence of families and children and be disruptive to them. James Tranquilli, R-1, objected to the idea that the state could force municipalities to designate an area to smoke. I think we have to be cautious on what we do. Im glad that were going to bring up it at the next meeting and discuss it, but I think there should be a lot more discussion, said Tranquilli. I support the enforcement part of it, but I think we need to be real cautious as to where we designate an area, because it is law, and we dont have a choice. Parente asked if Mello had talked to other police chiefs from the different municipalities of Milfords size about designated areas or what they would like to see. Mello said the law was still too new for chiefs to have shared their reactions. We are still trying to dissect this and figure it out ourselves, he said. There is a lot of pieces to this, and it gets complicated. He added that he has a call with other chiefs on Aug. 5 and will bring that question up. Health Director Deepa Joseph said from a public health perspective, the concern is the impact that secondhand marijuana smoke can have on people. In addressing even COVID, many of the things that weve done over the past year are really looking at the public health impact, she said. So not necessarily your personal health but what those choices do to those around you and particularly the vulnerable. She said public recreation spaces are where community members go to enjoy family time or spend time with friends. So from a public health perspective, we see this ordinance as a tool to maintain the health and safety to maintain our community, she said. Lawmakers got their first look on Monday at Afghans moved to Fort Lee, Virginia, the first wave of immigrants who had helped U.S. forces and are fleeing the country as the Taliban continues to conquer large swathes of territory. In an interview with Military.com on Tuesday, Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., described the conditions for the Afghans, who have been waiting for visas to be processed under a special program designed to help protect those who had worked with coalition forces and were facing threats from those opposing the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. Members of the media have not been allowed to visit the Fort Lee facility to date, and the collection of four lawmakers that included Waltz was the first group of outside observers to interact with the refugees. Two hundred Afghans arrived at the base on July 30, and the base has been told to prepare for upward of 3,500 people to be housed. The Afghans are staying in a building run by Holiday Inn Express on base, according to Waltz, and not in barracks. Read Next: Navy's New Triton Drone Getting Close to Taking Over for Older Patrol Aircraft "It looks like what you would see in an average dorm room," Waltz said. "For the families, a bit larger [rooms] with a mini-living room, kitchenette and bedroom. They have a tent outside serving three meals a day, and some recreational facilities they've set up, especially for the kids." Waltz was joined by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. "Most of the families are four to seven [people]; it's a lot of little kids," Waltz said. "To see these little girls wear their best dresses, all of them with little American flags, so excited, asking about American schools, couldn't wait to start this fall ... big smiles on their faces, it was really heartwarming." Many of the Afghans served as interpreters for the U.S. during its 20-year war in Afghanistan. Since the Biden administration started its withdrawal from the country, it has been a mad dash to get as many allies out of the country as possible. As the Taliban rapidly take ground, those loyal to the Taliban have repeatedly threatened Afghans who assisted coalition forces. The withdrawal is nearly complete, with U.S. Central Command saying on Tuesday that the pullout is more than 95% done as the Aug. 31 deadline, set by President Joe Biden, to be out of Afghanistan approaches. The effort to house thousands of Afghans at Fort Lee has largely been wrapped in secrecy, with the Biden administration only offering scarce details. The media will not be granted access to any of the Afghans, a State Department spokesperson told Military.com. It's unclear how many Afghans are currently on the base and the spokesperson declined to share any data, citing security concerns. The Pentagon expects the Afghan's stay at Fort Lee to be brief before heading to their final destinations in the U.S. In the meantime, the Defense Department will be responsible for their "food, water, proper sustenance" and medical care, according to Kirby. There's already evidence that the Special Immigration Visas process, the program under which the Afghans are being admitted to the United States, is moving quickly despite a history of extensive delays. "Some have already moved on to their destination in the U.S.," Waltz told Military.com. "That was surprising and refreshing to hear." Read Next: Bases Bring Back Mask Mandates as Coronavirus Variant Sweeps Through Unvaccinated Parts of America In the meantime, Waltz said the process still needs to be streamlined and mechanisms need to be put in place for nonprofits and other organizations to provide assistance, such as donating money and goods to Afghan families. "Some work that still needs to be done is better integrating donations and other organizations that want to help," he said "There's a pent-up demand to be helpful." Yet some Afghans are not eligible for the special immigration visa because they didn't meet the minimum duration of service, or worked a job backed by the U.S. government, but didn't work for the government itself. The State Department on Monday announced it is offering potential refugee status to some Afghans who were unqualified for visas. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted to reporters that Afghans seeking refugee status need to apply for asylum from a different country such as Turkey or Iran. He said those countries should open their borders to Afghan refugees. Yet the Taliban has a network of checkpoints throughout Afghanistan, making fleeing the country a daunting task. "I don't want to deny the challenge and the difficulty," Blinken said. "It is indeed a hard thing." -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Dreaming of America, Fearing Taliban Takeover: As US Withdraws, Afghan Interpreter Waits for Visa The Biden administration encouraged lawmakers on Tuesday to finally repeal an authorization for military action in Iraq crafted when Saddam Hussein was still alive, rejecting Republican arguments it would further signal to Iran that the U.S. is retreating from the Middle East. Debate in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on ending Congress's 2002 resolution for military force against Iraq comes as part of a larger discussion by some lawmakers on axing or replacing decades-old congressional authorizations for military force. Tuesday's debate also is part of a growing tug-of-war between the Biden administration and lawmakers who say Joe Biden is only the latest U.S. president to flout congressional authority with military strikes and deployments in Somalia, Syria, Iraq, and other hotspots. Appearing before the panel, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke up for one apparent area of agreement between the White House and Democratic lawmakers in the debate: ending Congress's standing 2002 authorization for U.S. troops to strike in Iraq. U.S. forces acting on later disproven U.S. claims that Saddam was sitting on weapons of mass destruction invaded Iraq in 2003. They captured the Iraqi leader months later and turned him over to a new Iraqi government, which hanged him in 2006. The committee is due to vote Wednesday on repealing the 2002 resolution and a 1991 measure authorizing the U.S.-led Gulf War to roll back Saddam in an invasion of Kuwait. Biden voted for the resolution in 2002, later calling it a mistake, and against going to war in 1991 in his long career as a senator from Delaware. Iraq today is a partner of the United States, not an enemy, Sherman told lawmakers. She argued that repealing the 2002 resolution would demonstrate the changed relationship and be a setback to rival Iran, which wants neighboring Iraq firmly in its sphere of influence. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had pushed the Biden administration when he visited Washington last month to remove some of the last vestiges of the U.S. invasion, which effectively ended in 2011. Several committee Republicans argued repealing the decades-old authorizations would send the wrong message to Iran. That's especially so as the Biden administration ends the U.S. military role in Afghanistan, and at the request of the Iraqi government formally rebrands any remaining combat mission in Iraq to one focused on training, advising and intelligence-sharing. Why take the chance that ... this is misinterpreted in the Middle East? Utah Sen. Mitt Romney asked Sherman on repealing the 2002 military authorization. This has extraordinary ability to be misconstrued as Americas pulling away," Romney added. The risk is much greater than the benefit." The Biden administration has cited other legal authority, including Biden's constitutional war powers as commander in chief, in airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, and Pentagon strikes on the al Shabab Islamic insurgent group in Somalia, without seeking congressional approval for each strike. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have efforts under way that would repeal and replace some standing authorizations of military force, including a 2001 authorization regarding Afghanistan, al-Qaida and the Taliban still cited in other U.S. counter-terror strikes. Other legislation introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, and Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, would shift substantially more power on foreign policy and national security to Congress from the executive branch. As someone who voted for the 2001 action on Afghanistan after the 9/11 strikes, I can safely say we never could have imagined it being used as a justification for airstrikes in Somalia ... or against groups that did not even exist at the time, said Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat and chairman of the committee. He said it was time for an honest conversation on the current balance of presidential and congressional authority for deciding on military action. Biden also voted for the Afghanistan resolution, which passed with no opposition in the Senate. According to the chief of naval personnel, removing photos from promotion boards has hurt the Navy's diversity goal. "I think we should consider reinstating photos in selection boards," Vice Adm. John Nowell Jr. said Tuesday at a panel discussion on diversity at the annual Sea Air Space conference at a convention center outside of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Nowell explained that promotion board data over the last five years was clear -- "we can show you where, as you look at diversity, it went down with photos removed." The Navy has not released the data Nowell referenced. Read Next: Navy's New Triton Drone Getting Close to Taking Over for Older Patrol Aircraft Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper barred the use of photos in promotion boards in July 2020 as part of a series of steps aimed at eliminating "discrimination, prejudice and bias in all ranks" to promote equal opportunity, morale and the readiness of the force. At the time of the announcement, the Navy was already looking at making that change. The Army had removed photos a month earlier. "We're very clear with our language to boards that we want them to consider diversity across all areas," Nowell said today. "I think having a clear picture just makes it easier." Brig. Gen. A.T. Williamson, director of the Manpower Plans and Policy Division for the Marine Corps, said the Marines are "really looking at reinstating the photos" as well. Williamson acknowledged that the Marines are still waiting for data from their boards to come in. In the meantime, the branch is completing a survey investigating bias in the service, Williamson said. "If we find out that there's been disparities within the way we do business within the service, we need to be intellectually curious enough to ask why," Williamson said. The Navy previously eliminated photos from the promotion board process in 2016 before bringing them back two years later after board members said they found them helpful. Diversity data from the DoD shows that both the Navy and Marine Corps officer pools are struggling with diversity along gender and racial lines. Women make up 7.4% of Marine officers and 18.2% of Navy officers but those numbers have been increasing. The problem is not unique to the maritime services. A Defense Department report on diversity in December 2020 noted that, across all branches, officers were less diverse than the eligible civilian population -- with Blacks, Hispanics and Asians all being underrepresented. "Notably, the officer corps is significantly less racially and ethnically diverse than the enlisted population," the report said. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austing wrote in a March 4 memo to all DOD employees that "the Department will lead with our values, building diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of our work and in everything we do." -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Top Leaders Again Reject Claims that Military Is Becoming Too 'Woke' After a gunman and police officer exchanged gunfire, Pentagon officials won't say whether any law enforcement officials were killed or if any suspects are dead or in custody. Just before 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, the Pentagon was put on a temporary lockdown after a Pentagon police officer was attacked at the public Metro bus entrance mere steps from the Pentagon's security checkpoints, Woodrow Kusse, chief of the Pentagon police force, told reporters at a press conference about four hours after the incident. "Most importantly, there's no continuing threat, the Pentagon is safe and secure," Kusse said. The FBI is leading the investigation and the Defense Department has returned to normal operations; however, details on the attack are scarce. Read Next: Navy's New Triton Drone Getting Close to Taking Over for Older Patrol Aircraft "At this time, it would be premature to speculate on motive, and in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we cannot provide additional details at this time," the FBI said in a statement on Twitter. "There is no ongoing threat to the public." The Associated Press reported earlier a Pentagon police officer was stabbed and died, but Kusse declined to confirm or deny that report, only saying there were "several injuries." Related Video: It's unclear if bystanders were injured or if the attacker intended to get into the Pentagon. A local news station reported that a suspect had fled the scene, although that report was not confirmed by officials. The lockdown was announced over loudspeakers inside the Pentagon, and those inside were instructed not to leave the building. Kusse also did not answer questions from reporters on the motivations for the attack, the timeline of events or how many attackers were involved. It is unclear why the Defense Department will not say whether an officer was killed in the exchange. Normally, law enforcement immediately will report fatalities of one of their own, withholding an officer's name until the next of kin is notified. "It is an active, ongoing investigation. I do not want to compromise the integrity of that at this time," Kusse said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House at the time of the attack for a scheduled meeting with the president, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., tweeted out condolences for a Pentagon police killed in the line of duty Tuesday even though officials hadn't confirmed the fatality. "I'm incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of a Pentagon police officer, who was killed earlier this morning in a senseless act of violence outside the Pentagon," Warner said in a tweet published right as the press conference started. "My heart goes out to the officer's family and friends, as well as the entire Pentagon Police force." In 2010, two Pentagon officers were wounded when a gunman attacked them at the Pentagon station Metro rail stop. The officers returned fire and the gunman died from his injuries the next day. Editors Note: After this story was published on Tuesday night, the Pentagon confirmed one officer was killed in the attack. Defense officials have not yet identified the officer, which is common practice until the next of kin is notified. It is still unclear how many people were injured in the attack or whether any suspects were killed or taken into custody. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Pentagon on Lockdown After Shooting near Metro Station Freda Josephine McDonald was born in 1906 to parents who were entertainers in the St. Louis, Missouri area. The United States at the time was still very much a segregated country, and her parents had trouble making ends meet. She helped them out by doing odd jobs, but her father eventually left the family, leaving his daughter to scrounge for food and cash. Young Freda began performing dances in the street for money, likely unaware that her dancing would lead to worldwide acclaim -- and a career passing secret messages to the French Resistance during World War II. At age 13, Freda began performing with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers, a traveling comedic act. By age 15, she already was married to a second husband, Willie Baker, whose surname she used as her stage name. Her traveling vaudeville troupe was wildly successful by the 1920s, and when it booked a gig in New York City, she stayed and divorced Baker. Her move to New York came at the beginning of what would be known as the Harlem Renaissance. Now performing as Josephine Baker, she danced and performed comedy in New York nightclubs and on Broadway. Baker was so popular that she had the opportunity to perform in Paris, a trip that changed her life. In 1925, she opened La Revue Negre, and it wasnt long before her dancing and comedic abilities garnered worldwide attention. She toured Europe and was soon the most popular entertainer on the continent. Baker was the first Black woman to appear in a motion picture, 1927s Siren of the Tropics. Her acts featured an all-banana skirt, a live cheetah that terrified the house orchestra and an outfit made only of pink flamingo feathers. She hung out with author Ernest Hemingway, was painted by Pablo Picasso and welcomed at palaces across Europe. Josephine Baker in Banana Skirt from the Folies Bergere production "Un Vent de Folie." (Lucien Walery) But Bakers European popularity never caught on at home. Her shows featured her dancing provocatively with white men. One of her films portrayed a romance between her and a white man. The film was banned in the United States, but she returned to Broadway anyway, bringing her show, Ziegfeld Follies, there in 1936. After the trip back to New York was met with harsh criticism, she returned to France for good. In spite of her New York reviews, Bakers worldwide star hadnt faded a bit, which was good for everyone -- especially the World War II Allies. At the outset of World War II, Baker was recruited by French intelligence. She was so popular in World War II Europe that even the Nazis wouldnt harm her as she moved to perform and perform her secret trade -- spycraft. She used her star power to gain access to high-level events, gather information at Axis embassies and take secret photos of Nazi bases. As she traveled, she also carried secret messages written in invisible ink on her sheet music. She hid information on Axis troop concentrations and movements in her underwear. She also used her stardom to avoid being searched and to move freely around occupied Europe. It was the perfect cover for any spy. The information she gained allowed her to out those working for the Nazis in occupied France, or any infiltrators in the French Resistance. Its said that she hid Jewish people from persecution and execution in her chateau in the south of France, then controlled by the Vichy puppet government. Baker also used her very real health problems to leave Axis-controlled Europe to entertain Free French and other Allied troops in North Africa. For her wartime contribution, she was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Rosette de la Resistance and was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor by Gen. Charles de Gaulle himself. After the war, Baker continued performing worldwide and was largely welcome wherever she went. The only place she had trouble was in her native country, the United States. Her performances became a referendum on desegregation, forcing nightclubs who hired her to allow Black patrons. This led to some animosity from American audiences and media -- some of which accused her of being a communist. Baker was a vocal supporter of the civil rights movement in the United States. She wrote articles supporting the end of Jim Crow, refused to play for segregated audiences and even traveled the South, giving speeches as well as performing. She was at the 1963 March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was the only woman to give an official speech. She wore her World War II-era Free French uniform, complete with the Legion d'Honneur. Josephine Baker in the uniform of the Free French Air Force in 1948. (Ministry of Culture/French Republic) When King was assassinated in 1968, his wife, Coretta Scott King, asked her to take his place as the leader of the movement in the U.S., but Baker declined. She believed her children were too young to lose their mother. Her last performance came in 1975, a 50-year anniversary revue of her lifes work. It was held by Prince Rainier of Monaco and his wife, Princess Grace, and attended by celebrities from all over the world. The revue was supposed to have multiple performances by its star, but Baker died four days later on April 12, 1975. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Last Fridays trade deadline brought about a slew of DFAs as teams made room for newly acquired big leaguers. With the trades of players whod been on Major League contracts no longer allowed post-deadline, most of these players will hit outright waivers and be made available to all 29 other clubs. (Others may simply be released.) Thats going to lead to a series of outright assignments for those who ultimately go unclaimed on waivers. As a reminder, players with at least three but fewer than five years of service time can reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency. However, doing so requires forfeiture of any remaining guaranteed salary. Players with five or more years of MLB service time can reject an outright assignment and retain any guaranteed salary on their deals. Players with fewer than three years of service can also reject outright assignments if theyve been previously outrighted at any point in their career. Well run through the latest crop of outright assignments in this post The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India (SC), with respect to the media reports on surveillance and hacking of phones of several journalists using the Pegasus software, created and developed by the Israeli company NSO. This is the fifth PIL filed in the apex court on the Pegasus issue. The SC is scheduled to hear on 5th August a bunch of petitions filed earlier. In the petition, the EGI is seeking to set up an independent special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the facts regarding the extent and intent of the snooping. The petition also requests the apex court to issue directions to the Indian government for furnishing information on the interception, monitoring and decryption of information by using spyware, hacking and/or electronic surveillance in India between 2017 to the present day in 2021, including details of contracts, list of agencies, details of spyware used, payments made for licenses and purchases. Further, the Editors Guild requests the SC to issue guidelines for safeguarding journalists from surveillance, and to declare as unconstitutional the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, as well as those of the IT Act, 2000 that allow such surveillance. Senior journalist Mrinal Pande, is a co-petitioner in this PIL. The apex court bench of chief justice NV Ramana and justice and Surya Kant will take up these PILs on Thursday. Last week, senior counsel Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before the bench stating that citizens, politicians belonging to opposition parties, journalists, and court staff have been put under surveillance, threatening their civil liberties. He insisted that it is an issue which is making waves in India and the world over and requires an urgent hearing. After Mr Sibal's submissions, the bench said it may hear the matter next week. The plea filed by veteran journalists N Ram and Sashi Kumar says mass surveillance using a military-grade spyware abridges several fundamental rights and appears to represent an attempt to infiltrate, attack and destabilise independent institutions, which are critical pillars of the country's democratic set-up. Advocate ML Sharma and CPI-M Rajya Sabha member John Brittas have also moved the apex court seeking probe into the spying allegations. Further, contending that the unauthorised use of surveillance by government agencies has violated their fundamental rights and that they are directly affected by the use of the Pegasus spyware, five journalists have also moved the Supreme Court. The petitioners -- Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, SNM Abdi, Prem Shankar Jha, Rupesh Kumar Singh, and Ipsa Shatakshi - urged the top court to issue directions to the Union government to produce and disclose all materials and documents, with respect to all investigation, authorisation, and orders pertaining to the use of Pegasus on them. The petitioners alleged they were subjected to deeply intrusive surveillance and hacking by government or some other third party. The petitioners insisted that action should be taken against all government officials responsible for such breaches. The journalists claimed the forensic examination of their mobile phones done by Amnesty International has revealed they were targeted using the Pegasus software. "The petitioner apprehends that the Pegasus attack on him and other journalists in India will stop confidential informants and whistle-blowers from coming forward and bringing to light wrongdoing at various levels of government and as such, have a detrimental effect on transparency in governance all across India," says the plea filed by Mr Thakurta. All these PILs have asked for an independent probe into the Pegasus scandal, preferably by a SIT under the supervision of a judge retired from the SC. Pegasus is a malware that infects iPhones and Android devices. It allows its users to pull messages, photos and emails, record calls and activate microphones. The Washington Post reports that 189 journalists, more than 600 politicians and government officials and more than 60 business executives were targeted by clients of the NSO Group, a hacker-for-hire headquartered in Israel. "This is nasty software 'like eloquently nasty," Timothy Summers, a former cybersecurity engineer at a U.S. intelligence agency and now director of IT at Arizona State University, told The Washington Post. "With it "one could spy on almost the entire world population... There's not anything wrong with building technologies that allows you to collect data; it's necessary sometimes. But humanity is not in a place where we can have that much power just accessible to anybody," Summers told The Washington Post. To safeguard the interest of its customers, the State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new security feature -- SIM Binding in YONO and YONO Lite. The new version of these platforms will protect customers from various digital frauds. With the SIM Binding feature, YONO and YONO Lite will work only on those devices which have SIM of mobile numbers registered with the bank. To access the new version of YONO and YONO Lite with enhanced security features, users will have to update their mobile app and complete the one-time registration process on these apps. The registration process verifies the SIM of the registered mobile number with the bank in order to complete the registration. Customers will have to ensure that they register themselves with the device which has the SIM of the registered contact number. YONO and YONO Lite will work with the basic rule of one mobile device - one user - one registered mobile number. However, the customer can use both YONO and YONO Lite in the same mobile device using the SIM of the registered mobile number with the bank. In case the customer is using a mobile number that is not registered with the bank, he/she will be unable to complete the registration process on YONO and YONO Lite. The new SIM binding feature will also allow two different users to access YONO and YONO Lite separately in a dual SIM handset, provided that the SIMs of the registered mobile number of both the users are inserted in the device. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred Green Money Solution (GMS) and its proprietor Arvind Patidar from the securities market for involving in investment advisory activities without being registered with the capital market regulator. In an interim ex-parte order, SEBI said that in October last year, it had a complaint that GMS allegedly had taken a total amount of Rs 64,048 plus GST in the name of providing investment advisory services in the securities market with Rs 4,500 profit per week, and for assistance in opening demat account. The SEBI conducted an examination in relation to the affairs of M/s Green Money Solution and its proprietor. As per the registered intermediary database on SEBI website, it is observed that neither GMS nor its proprietor Arvind Patidar is registered with SEBI in any capacity. The regulator's preliminary examination found that the noticee has hosted a full-fledged website and is holding itself out and acting as an investment advisor for providing investment tips, advice and trading calls in the securities market without obtaining a registration under SEBI. As per the bank account details of Green Money Solution, it has witnessed a credit amounting to a total of Rs 46.52 lakh in a span of six months. The SEBI noted that prima facie, it is inferred that the funds credited to the Bandhan Bank account of GMS, were for the purpose of availing the product services indicated on the website of GMS and it is acting as an investment advisor in securities market since July 15, 2020 (opening of the bank account and registration of website) to till date. The SEBI has directed Bandhan Bank not to permit any debits or withdrawals and credits, to and from concerned bank account, without the permission of the regulator. Observing that the amount of money collected in just 6 months indicates the magnitude of the prospective threat to the investors, Madhabi Puri Buch, Whole Time Director with SEBI said in the order copy: "I find that there is no other alternative but to take recourse through an interim ex-parte order against Noticees for preventing them from collecting funds by indulging in unauthorized investment advisory services without obtaining the mandatory registrations from SEBI in accordance with the law." "Noticees may, within 21 days from the date of receipt of this Order, file their reply/objections, if any, to this Order and may also indicate whether they desire to avail an opportunity of personal hearing on a date and time to be fixed on a specific request to be made in that regard." Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. A difficult decision awaits Vodafone Idea after one promoter, Kumar Mangalam Birla offered to give up his stake. The Modi government, where the matter now rests, will have to take a tough call on a possible merger with BSNL which is already in financial problems or do a fire sale a la Satyam as Mr Birla has already offered his equity but that is a long drawn out process. The issue which is not clear is the Vodafone stance on Mr Birla offering his equity as the other big stakeholder is Vodafone. Until the final decision emerges, there will be considerable uncertainty around Vodafone Idea and the ball is now in the government's court. Kumar Manglam Birla, the chairman of Aditya Birla group, has written to the Cabinet Secretary saying that he is ready to hand over his stake in Vodafone-Idea to any government entity. In a letter to Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba, on 7th June Mr Birla said that, with a "sense of duty" towards 27 crore Indians connected with Vodafone-Idea, Mr Birla is willing to hand over his stake to public Sector Unit (PSU), a government entity or any domestic financial entity, or any other entity that the government may consider worthy of keeping the company as a going concern. Mr Birla said that VIL has been trying to raise Rs25,000 crore to sustain VIL operations and pay regulatory and governmental dues. He said that foreign investors wanted to see a clear government intent to have a three-player telecom market. In the letter, Birla sought clarity on adjusted gross revenue (AGR), adequate moratorium on spectrum dues and floor pricing adding that without immediate and active government support VIl's operations will be at an 'irretrievable point of collapse'. He also said that investors had also sought clarity on these issues. Mr Birla said that he and his team would be more than happy to work with the government to urgently explore all possible options to save the company and without any consideration of our private interest, Mr Birla said. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Weather Alert THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. MISSOULA POLICE DEPT IS REQUESTING A MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISORY FOR KAYLEE JANE BARBER SHE IS A 14 YEAR OLD FEMALE, WHO IS 5 FEET, 7 INCHES TALL, WEIGHS 140 POUNDS AND HAS GREEN EYES AND RED HAIR. SHE WAS LAST SEEN YESTERDAY AT HELLGATE HIGH SCHOOL IN MISSOULA, MONTANA. KAYLEE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING BLACK TANK TOP AND BLACK RIPPED JEANS. SHE IS MISSING HER MEDICINE AND IS SUICIDAL. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON KAYLEE BARBER PLEASE CONTACT MISSOULA POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 406-552-6300 OR 911. Lansdale, PA (19446) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Lansdale, PA (19446) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. August 03, 2021 How AKP Cronyism Let Turkey's Forest Fires Get Out Of Control Some 100 large fires are causing heavy economic damage at Turkey's southern coast: bigger Firefighters have been forced to work in impossible conditions, combating fires in mountainous areas that only airplanes or helicopters can reach. At least two have died. At the same time, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government, which has preached a mantra of Turkish self-sufficiency, has faced intensifying anger after conceding it did not have any of its own firefighting aircraft to deploy, leading to complaints that it was unprepared for the crisis and its response was delayed. Whole towns have burned down, thousands of animals have been killed, tourists had to be evacuated. Inhabitants flee from the fire (vid). Tourist havens areas near Bodrum and Antalya get robbed of their scenery (vid). Until two years ago Turkey had a decent fleet of some 9 Canadair CL-215 firefighting airplanes. These can skim up to 5 tons of water from the sea, a lake or a river and drop them onto the fire without having to land in between. With such planes Cycle times of five to ten minutes are achievable for fires near a coast. bigger That Erdogan now has to admit that Turkey has no firefighting planes to deploy is a consequence of Islamist cronyism in his government that let to the systematic looting of the organization which for decades had fought such fires. Each year the Turkish Ministry of Forestry offers a contract for aerial firefighting during the next season. The foremost bidder has always been the Turkish Aeronautical Association (Turk Hava Kurumu or THK), a non-profit non-government organization founded under the directive of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in February 1925. The THK has the mission to further participation in aviation related activities in Turkey. It offers flying lessons, parachuting, balloon driving and even has its own Aeronautic University. At times it even build its own gliders and airplanes. The organization is well known in Turkey. It had traditionally received the hides of sacrificial animals which are slaughtered during various religious holidays. Those donations were quite valuable and the Islamist have always been in envy of THK for those. Another source of income were the fire fighting contracts with the Ministry of Forestry. Up to 2019 the THK had for decades won all those contracts. Other government contracts to the THK were for air ambulance services. In late 2018 the Minister of Forestry suddenly claimed that the THK was near to the opposition party CHP. That was not true. But it was the signal to Erdogan's AKP party that a raid on the THK was now permisseble. As Sibel Hurtas reports for Medyaport.net (machine translation): All the events started when Minister of Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli pointed THK as a target, saying "it is working with the CHP". Immediately after these words, Ahmet Bertan Nogaylaroglu was shown to the Turkish Aeronautical Association's congress held in October 2018 by Air Forces Commander Hasan Kucukakyuz. Nogaylaroglu was appointed as the President of THK at the congress. Ahmet Bertan Nogaylaroglu is a retried airforce general. After being put into his new position by the Erdogan's Air Force Commander he immediately started to fire people at the Aeronautic University and to replace them with former airforce officers with much higher salaries. The Diyanet, Turkey's government controlled religious affairs institution, then robbed the THK of its main donation income (machine translation): According to the claims of the resigned directors of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, THK made a verbal agreement with the Diyanet for the collection of sacrificial skin, which is one of the most important sources of income. Allegedly, THK would no longer collect victim skins, and Diyanet would give THK 20 million TL in return. THK did not collect sacrificial skins, but Diyanet did not give this money either. The AKP raid on the THK, now directed from THK's highest position, continued: Individuals close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) were appointed to vacated posts in the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK). After a number of officials from the THK from the provinces of Eskisehir and Mugla resigned from their posts, they were replaced with people close to or members of the AKP government, according to a report in the daily Sozcu. According to the report, an official from the THK's branch in Eskisehir resigned after pressure from the administration, and was replaced by the 26-year-old son of Harun Karacan, an AKP parliamentarian from Eskisehir who was also the former AKP vice chairman. One appointee to a vacated post in the province of Mugla was Okan Yaktn, the deputy mayor of the AKP-governed district of Koycegiz. Another appointee was Mehmet Nadi Pirci, a former AKP district municipal council member. The appointments by the central organizations were unlawful but the local THK branches were unable to reverse them. The THK had to take up debt to pay for the high salaries of Nogaylaroglu newly hired cronies. Meanwhile regular maintenance for its firefighting fleet was cut. In 2019 the THK made no bit for the first firefighting tender from the Ministry of Forestry. When the tender was repeated the THK made an offer that was 40% higher than the year before. It clearly had an order to not win the contract. The contract eventually went to a company which had no firefighting planes but only helicopters and an iffy record. Helicopters can carry much less water than the THK's firefighting planes. The downwash of the helicopter can disperse fires and thereby make the fire bigger. The helicopters therefore tend to fly too high (vid) to really hit the fire with the water they release. The situation within the THK escalated as the professionals protested against the AKP raid and the looting of their organization. Many people resigned: (machine translation): 9 of the 12 full members of the Board of Directors and 11 of the 11 substitute members, 5 of the 5 permanent members of the Disciplinary Board, 4 of the 5 substitute members, Three of the three substitute members of the Supervisory Board resigned. Due to the resignations, THK had to go to the extraordinary congress immediately according to the Law on Associations. THK executives, who resigned in June, first issued a notice of extraordinary congress from the Notary and then filed a lawsuit at the Ankara 19th Civil Court of First Instance. The court found the case admissible. THK President Nogaylaroglu applied to the Ankara 15th Civil Court of First Instance and asked for an injunction, and the Court took an injunction decision on the same day. Thus, the Extraordinary Congress process was stopped. Nogaylaroglu did not accept the resignation of the members of the Board of Directors who resigned on 28 June and announced that he had dismissed them on 1 July. On July 4, he wrote a letter to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, asking for a trustee to be appointed to replace the members of the board of directors that he had "dismissed". The request to appoint a trustee was accepted, and THK was first emptied and then under the management of a trustee. In October 2020 the THK decided to sell its firefighting planes. They are currently still at the airport of its Aeronautic University. Dozens of other valuable THK assets were also offered for sale. The 95 years old venerable organization will soon be an empty hull. Meanwhile the forest fires in 2020 and especially this year became a problem for the government. Last year the Ministry for Forestry, under pressure from the public, leased two Russian BE-200 amphibious firefighting aircraft with pilots and full service for some $10 million. This year three will be leased from the same company for some $24 million. The the price difference remains unexplained. The leases came only after Turkey had rejected offers from Greece and elsewhere to send their firefighting planes: As the hashtag #helpTurkey trended on Twitter in recent days, government officials bristled at the notion that Turkey did not have the resources to help itself. Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing tall, Fahrettin Altun, Erdogans spokesman wrote Monday on Twitter, even as an army of firefighters and volunteers struggled to hold the line across a vast area of southern Turkey. But now the situation became so bad that the Turkish government had to relent and to beg for foreign aid: On Monday, the EU dispatched three Canadair firefighting aircraft, two from Spain and one from Croatia. The aid came after Ankara activated a disaster response facility extended by European countries. Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Iran and Azerbaijan have already sent firefighting equipment to aid in the containment effort. Now, as it is pretty much too late, three foreign Canadair planes, three leased BE-200 and a number of mostly useless helicopters are fighting the fires in Turkey. Meanwhile nine perfectly good Turkish Canadair planes have been rotting away near Ankara. As they have lacked maintenance for several years they will likely be sold for scrap. The THK is only one of many venerable Turkish organizations that have been raided and looted by AKP Islamists. They have hollowed out the state. But the damage only becomes apparent, at least internationally, when catastrophes occur. But that is no reason to despair. Not everything is bad though in Turkey. After three years of construction and some $80 million spent Erodgan's new 'summer palace' is now finally finished and a nice palace it indeed is (photo spread): bigger Reported to have 300 rooms, the residence is home to a private beach, constructed with padding materials that extended the natural shoreline. --- With a hat tip to Has Avrat Posted by b on August 3, 2021 at 18:23 UTC | Permalink Comments Moultrie, GA (31768) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Moultrie, GA (31768) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. John Raoux/AP SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Twitter has signed a deal with The Associated Press and Reuters to help elevate accurate information on its platform. Twitter said Monday that the program will expand its existing work to help explain why certain subjects are trending on the site, to show information and news from trusted resources and to debunk misinformation. Twitter said the news agencies will help ensure that credible information is available in real time around key conversations as they come up. That will be especially important where "facts are in dispute or when the company's own curation team doesnt have the necessary expertise or access to enough reputable reporting on the subject, Twitter said. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Indiana University can proceed with its plan to require students and employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19, in what is the highest court decision regarding college immunization mandates. The Chicago-based appeals court upheld an Indiana district court judge's ruling that found that the university was acting reasonably in pursuing public health and safety for its campus communities. Both courts rejected a request by eight IU students who sought to block the requirement while they challenge its legality, claiming that it would violate their constitutional rights by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university, and students who don't want to get vaccinated can also seek ample educational opportunities elsewhere, according to the appeals court ruling. Still, the vaccination policy allows exemptions on religious and medical grounds, which the court said provides constitutional accommodations for those who qualify. Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester, the university said in a statement Monday. James Bopp, a lawyer for the plaintiffs who takes on conservative political causes, said he would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the rulings, which legal experts say are the first from federal courts regarding college immunization mandates. Similar lawsuits against student vaccine requirements at the University of Connecticut and the California State University system are awaiting action. College officials across the country have struggled with whether they have the authority to require student vaccinations, which some see as key to returning campus to in-person classes and other normal activities. Bopp argues that such vaccine requirements violate their rights to bodily autonomy and that the COVID-19 vaccines differ from other immunizations frequently required for college students, such as for measles and meningitis, because of their newness and the lower risks that younger adults have of suffering from severe bouts of COVID-19. The lawsuit was filed after IU officials announced in May that the school would require its roughly 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on its seven campuses to receive COVID-19 vaccinations for the fall semester. Students who dont comply will have their registration canceled and workers who dont will lose their jobs. IU initially was going to require students and employees to provide immunization documentation. That sparked a backlash from Republican state lawmakers and the state attorney general, leading university officials to make providing proof of vaccination optional and allow students and employees to simply attest to their vaccination in an online form. The university is allowing religious and medical exemptions, but school spokesman Chuck Carney said more than 80% of students have reported receiving at least one dose. ___ This story was corrected to fix the spelling of James Bopp's name. It had been misspelled Bobb." ___ Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ROME (AP) Premier Mario Draghi's government easily won two confidence votes early Tuesday, securing approval from lawmakers in Parliament's lower chamber for a key justice system overhaul that Italy needs as part of reforms to help secure generous pandemic recovery funds from the European Union. Following debate, in back-to-back confidence votes, the Chamber of Deputies by a wide margin approved two key articles of the bill. The first article passed by a vote of 462 to 55, while the second was approved 458 to 46 with one lawmaker abstaining. The Chamber of Deputies planned one final vote on the entire package later Tuesday, but that wasn't being tied to a confidence vote. The Senate is expected to start work on the bill in September to complete passage. Working to help assure the bill would safely move through the lower chamber was Giuseppe Conte, the former premier who is aiming for formal investiture as leader of the populist 5-Star Movement. He told reporters Monday that deputies from the movement, Parliament's largest party, would overcome differing views among their ranks on the reforms to vote in favor. Draghi had opted to risk the government's survival by putting the bill to a confidence vote. The tactic was aimed at ending squabbling over the proposed reforms by parties in his nearly six-month-old government. Had the government lost the confidence votes, Draghi would be required to resign. But the risk was a calculated one since all of Parliaments major parties save one belong to Draghis coalition. The justice system overhaul is a key element in a packet of reforms that Draghi has pledged Italy would enact as a condition of receiving generous European Union pandemic recovery funds. In an indication of how fractious Italian political parties are, lawmakers have been bickering over the bill's provisions even though their parties' ministers in Draghi's coalition government already approved the justice overhaul during Cabinet meetings. In a bid to win over some reluctant lawmakers, Draghi's justice minister revised some of the provisions, but some 5-Star lawmakers had still been voicing dissatisfaction. About a dozen of the 5-Stars lawmakers didn't show up for the confidence votes. For decades, Italy's slow-moving justice system, with its two levels of appeals, has been chastised by the EU and has alienated potential investors, who fear any business dispute that winds up in court would leave them mired in legal battles for years. Many cases drag on for so long that statutes of limitations frequently expire. The bill's latest version includes special provisions for the next few years on major crimes, to ensure that if a trial at any level lasts past its newly prescribed time, the case could continue to its end. Those crimes include terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and sexual violence. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Ding! Ding! San Francisco's iconic cable cars were chiming their bells and rolling again on the city's hills Monday after being sidelined for 16 months by the pandemic. At Powell and Market, one of the cable car's stops, a line of people snaked around a cable car turntable waiting to ride a car to Ghirardelli Square or Fisherman's Wharf. Our cable cars are part of what makes San Francisco a world-class destination, and their return is just the latest sign that our city is bouncing back," said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Breed said it will be free to ride the cable cars in August and asked people to be patient because the service won't follow a regular schedule until September when the historic trolleys will resume full service in all three lines and start charging a riding fee. Frank Miller, of San Antonio, said he and six members of his family arrived in San Francisco last week and have already visited some of the city's top landmarks. They rode a ferry to Angel Island and visited Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf but Miller said riding the cable cars was a highlight for him. I grew up watching Full House so, everybody knows the cable cars. We definitely want to ride the trolley cars through the city, said Miller, 40, who was waiting with his family to ride from Powell Street and Market to Fishermans Wharf. Before the pandemic, 25 million tourists visited San Francisco annually, with many of them riding the cable cars that are as synonymous with the city as Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. About 17,000 riders packed onto the cable cars daily before they were parked in March 2020 as the city locked down and sheltered in place. It was the longest shutdown since the 1980s, when the system was fully reconstructed, according to the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency. Infrastructure and education dominated the August meeting of the Midland Development Corp. board of directors. Nontraditional infrastructure in the form of a high-speed aerospace corridor between Midland International Airport and Spaceport America in New Mexico was a main topic. Board members unanimously approved a consulting services agreement with Kinley-Horn and Associates Inc. for the airspace modeling services related to the integration of a round-trip, point-to-point flight of a reusable launch vehicle between the two facilities. The contract is not to exceed $99,000 and will be for simulation model development and validation, high-level feasibility analysis and stakeholder coordination. MDC reports 13 aerospace companies are in talks with the MDC about locating to Midland if the corridor is approved. Those prospects combined are looking for 64 acres of space, and 651,000 square feet of facility space for 465 employees. Total expenditures would be $281 million. A second, related agreement passed by board members is for a $57,500 contract with Higher Orbits to work with Midland Independent School District on a Go For Launch! curriculum. The program will be for MISD students in grades 8-12 with student selection, timing and other details left to MISDs discretion. MDC staff will be headed to Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, on Aug. 12, one month to the day after Billionaire Richard Branson blasted off to the edge of space from the facility in his Virgin Galactic rocket. Traditional infrastructure was also discussed as James Beauchamp, president of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, gave a report on the long-standing relationship between the two associations. Beauchamp detailed how MOTRAN was able to leverage funding for major road projects into a much larger footprint. He said the Permian Basin was originally programmed to get $173 million in funding between 2017 and 2026, but with a total of $20.7 million committed by both the MDC and Odessa Development Corp., We saw that number go up to $1.135 billion. The MDC and MOTRAN agreed to extend an economic development agreement whereby MOTRAN will advocate for infrastructure projects to benefit the region. Attracting Interstate 14 and Interstate 27 expansion to provide north-south and west-east routes to the nations ports will be a top priority, he told board members. Beauchamp cited as an example the disconnect between how Permian Basin businesses book flights with short notice and how airlines look at those bookings to determine flight frequencies. Its telling our story, how we work, how the energy industry works, he said. In addition to the agreement with Higher Orbits, MDC board members also signed an agreement with the University of Texas Permian Basin to provide $500,000 for UTPBs Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge to be awarded to not only winning entrepreneurs but to help those competing in the challenge. MDC also agreed to provide up to $77,677 to provide services related to the challenge. Courtney Melton, 35, of Fort Gibson, OK passed away Monday, August 2, 2021 in Broken Arrow, OK. She was born in Tahlequah, OK on January 31, 1986 the daughter of Leon Melton and Wendy Melton (Ballard). A public viewing will be on Sunday, August 8 at Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home in Fort Gibso Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Lynne Candler always dreamed of opening her own gift shop. That dream has become Southern Splendor in the Wachesaw Oaks plaza. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Charles W. Abernathy, 37, of 1300 Lincoln Ave. was arrested at 4:08 p.m. Sunday on a retail theft charge after being accused of removing items from Walmart at 1941 W. Morton Ave. He was also charged with resisting or obstructing a peace officer after police said he refused to comply during the investigation. Steven L. Thomas, 67, of 6 Villa Drive, Virginia, was arrested at 8:53 a.m. Sunday on a theft charge after being accused of taking a wallet that did not belong to him. THEFTS, BURGLARIES Items were removed from a truck in the 1300 block of Tendick Street between 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. A movie was stolen from a residence in the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue last week, according to a report filed at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. A West Beecher Avenue resident told police her husband stole her teeth at 4:48 p.m. Sunday. The couple agreed to stay away from each other for the evening. OTHER REPORTS A woman told police she was grabbed by the neck and had her head pushed into an air-conditioning unit at 8:50 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of North East Street. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer Diplomats: ASEAN waiting on Myanmar approval of envoy View Photo MANILA, Philippines (AP) Southeast Asias top diplomats have tentatively chosen a special envoy to help deal with the violent political crisis gripping Myanmar but must wait on approval from the military-ruled nations leaders before announcing it, two diplomats said Tuesday. The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations want to designate Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as special envoy to Myanmar, a decision reached in their annual meeting Monday, the two Southeast Asian diplomats said. The diplomats spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. Myanmar did not immediately react to the choice, preventing the ministers from issuing a post-conference joint communique that would have reflected the key development, the diplomats said. The 10-nation bloc has been under increasing international pressure to act on the troubles unfolding in Myanmar, an ASEAN member where the military in February toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The regional group, however, is hamstrung by its bedrock policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member nations and in its decision-making by consensus, meaning just one member state can shoot down any proposal. The appointment of the special envoy cant be made without Myanmars approval and it was not immediately clear why Myanmar did not respond to the proposed choice. One of the diplomats said the ASEAN ministers were pressuring Myanmar so that the work of the special envoy could commence as soon as possible. One of the Southeast Asian diplomats said Myanmar preferred the special envoy be the candidate from Thailand, former Thai ambassador to Myanmar Virasakdi Futrakul. Even if Myanmar were to get its preferred choice, it remains uncertain if and when the nations military leaders would allow access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained with other political leaders and put on trial for a slew of charges, said the diplomats. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join ASEANs online ministerial meetings this week, and two senior state department officials said he will urge member nations to hold Myanmars military leaders accountable and appoint an envoy who will push the military to end the violence, release those detained and restore democratic governance. The officials said the military takeover had impacted all of ASEAN and threatened stability in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak on the record. Indonesian Foreign Secretary Retno Marsudi said after Mondays meeting that if Myanmar would not respond to ASEANs calls, her country will continue to voice its concerns. We will not remain silent about the suffering of the Myanmar people, she told reporters by video. More than 900 people have been killed by Myanmar authorities since the February takeover, many in anti-government protests, according to a tally kept by the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Casualties are also rising among the military and police as armed resistance grows in both urban and rural areas. ASEAN leaders held an emergency meeting in Indonesia in April and called for an end to the violence and the start of a dialogue among contending parties to be mediated by an ASEAN envoy. The high-level meeting was attended by Myanmars military leader Min Aung Hlaing. On Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing repeated his pledge to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution. He said without elaborating that Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including the dialogue with the ASEAN special envoy in Myanmar. Myanmars troubles have deepened with its worst coronavirus surge, which has overwhelmed its crippled health care system. The ministers ordered the ASEANs disaster-response center to urgently arrange the delivery of humanitarian aid, which Myanmar has requested. Myanmar officials were discussing the possible delivery of aid with ASEANs secretary-general although no date has been set, one diplomat said. Aside from Myanmar, ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ministerial meetings this week include the ASEAN Regional Forum, a security conference where North Korea attends along with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. ___ Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Associated Press journalists Matthew Lee in Washington, Kiko Rosario in Manila, Philippines, and Niniek Karmini and Fadlan Syam in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. By JIM GOMEZ and EILEEN NG Associated Press Seoul: North Korea releases army rice reserves amid shortage View Photo SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said Tuesday, with a heat wave and drought reducing the countrys supply. North Koreas reported food problems come as its moribund economy continues to be battered by the protracted COVID-19 pandemic. While mass starvation and social chaos have not been reported, observers expect a further deterioration of North Koreas food situation until the autumn harvest. Seouls National Intelligence Service told a closed-door parliamentary committee meeting that North Korea is supplying rice reserved for wartime use to citizens with little food, other laborers and rural state agencies, according to Ha Tae-keung, one of the lawmakers who attended the session. Ha cited the NIS as saying an ongoing heat wave and drought have wiped out rice, corn and other crops and killed livestock in North Korea. The NIS said North Koreas leadership views fighting the drought as a matter of national existence and is focusing on increasing public awareness of its campaign, Ha said. Another lawmaker, Kim Byung-kee, quoted the NIS as saying that North Korea normally needs about 5.5 million tons of food to feed its 26 million people but is currently short 1 million tons. He said the NIS told the lawmakers that North Korea is running out of its grain stockpiles. The price of rice, the most important crop in North Korea, once doubled from early this year. The price briefly stabilized in July before soaring again, Kim cited the NIS as saying. Ha said North Korea is trying to control the price of grains to which its public is most sensitive. Kwon Tae-jin, an expert at the private GS&J Institute in South Korea, said North Korea is likely releasing the military reserves to sell at a cheaper price than at markets to stabilize prices. He said rice prices are considerably unstable in North Korea because the government has a limit in how much rice it can supply. It isnt the first time that North Korea has released state rice reserves, but the assessment that it doesnt have much left in its grain stockpiles is worrisome, Kwon said. North Korea had similar food shortages in past years before the pandemic, according to Kwon, but its needs were met by the smuggling of rice and other grains via its porous border with China. But North Koreas ongoing pandemic-caused border closure makes it extremely difficult for such smuggling to happen, worsening this years food shortage, Kwon said. The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the worlds most secretive countries. But its current assessments come after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted his country faces the worst-ever crisis due to the pandemic and other difficulties and even a possible dire food shortage. During a key ruling party meeting in June, Kim urged officials to find ways to boost agricultural production, saying the countrys food situation is now getting tense. Earlier, he even compared the ongoing pandemic-related difficulties to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Chinese data show North Koreas trade with China, its last major ally and biggest trading partner, nosedived by about 80% last year a result of the Norths strict border closure. South Koreas central bank said last week that North Koreas economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5% last year, the biggest contraction since 1997. Kwon said North Koreas current food problem will continue until it harvests corn, rice and other grains in autumn. But he said North Korea isnt likely to suffer a humanitarian disaster like the 1990s famine, during which he said there was little grain remaining at most markets. Currently, North Korean citizens can still buy grain at expensive prices if they have money, he said. Other experts say China isnt likely to allow a massive famine to occur in North Korea. They say China worries about North Korean refugees flooding over the border into China or the establishment of a pro-U.S., unified Korea on its doorstep. According to the NIS, North Korea wants the United States to relax some of the newer U.N. sanctions imposed over its high-profile weapons tests as a precondition for returning to talks on its nuclear program. They are bans on exporting mineral resources and importing refined oil and high-end liquors and suits. Kim Jong Un, in particular, needs those liquors and suits to distribute to elites in North Korea, Ha cited the NIS as saying. The two lawmakers said the NIS also believes there is no indication that Kim Jong Un has a health issue, following recent photos that appeared to show a bandage on the back of his head. The NIS said Kim has been actively making public appearances and his movements have appeared normal. By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press Harris to focus on security, economic ties on SE Asia trip View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Southeast Asia later this month aiming to bolster U.S. engagement in the region in an effort to counter Chinas growing influence globally. In an early preview of the goals for her trip to Singapore and Vietnam, Harris deputy national security adviser Phil Gordon said the vice president will emphasize the Biden administrations commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on reinforcing regional security in the area. The vice president will meet with government officials, leaders, people in the private sector and civil society, and shell focus on strengthening U.S. leadership, expanding security cooperation, deepening economic partnerships, defending the international rules-based order, in particular in the South China Sea, and standing up for our values as we do with all of our friends and partners, he said. The full details of Harris trip are still being worked out, but for her second foreign trip and first trip as vice president overseas, she is planning a weeklong engagement in the region from Aug. 20 to 26 a significantly longer trip than her two-day tour through Guatemala and Mexico in June. Then, she met with the leaders of both countries to discuss ways to address the root causes of migration to the U.S. from the region, a central focus of her portfolio as vice president. Harris has had less public engagement in Southeast Asia, but Asia has been a central focus for the Biden administration from the beginning of Joe Bidens presidency, as hes sought to counter Chinas diplomatic and military incursions in the region. Relations between the U.S. and China deteriorated sharply under Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, and the two sides remain at odds over a host of issues including technology, cybersecurity and human rights. Last week, during a speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Biden warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping is deadly earnest about becoming the most powerful military force in the world, as well as the largest and most prominent economy in the world by the mid-40s, the 2040s. The president has sent some of his top Cabinet officials to Asia to show support for U.S. allies in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made their first overseas trip to Japan and South Korea. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month where he vowed U.S. support against Beijings intrusions in the South China Sea. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman traveled to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia in May and early June. Last month she visited Japan, South Korea and Mongolia before heading to China for high-level talks that ultimately did little to resolve many of the deep divisions between the two countries. Harris will be the first U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam, and her trip is meant to show the depth of the U.S. commitment to the region. The National Security Council was very supportive of the notion that the vice president would be well placed to complement those other meetings and visits with travel to Singapore and Vietnam, Gordon said. Its really part of an overall unified administration engagement strategy that shows our comprehensive engagement in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia as well. By ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press Florida may drop Ben & Jerrys parent over Israel boycott View Photo ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Florida wont put any state money into the parent company of Ben & Jerrys unless it reverses a decision to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday. The Republican governor said the State Board of Administration added London-based Unilever to its list of scrutinized companies that boycott Israel. This means that if Ben & Jerrys position on Israel is not reversed in 90 days, Florida will not invest in or contract with Unilever or its subsidiaries. As a matter of law and principle, the state of Florida will not tolerate discrimination against the state of Israel or the Israeli people, the Republican governor said in a news release. I will not stand idly by as woke corporate ideologues seek to boycott and divest from our ally, Israel. The decision, similar to those in other states, comes after Vermont-based Ben & Jerrys announced last month that it will stop selling its products in territories sought by the Palestinians. The companys founders, Bennett Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, said in a recent New York Times opinion piece that they no longer control the company but approve of the action in Israel as reflecting their progressive values. The company has a long history of advocating for social justice. We are also proud Jews. Its part of who we are and how weve identified ourselves for our whole lives. As our company began to expand internationally, Israel was one of our first overseas markets. We were then, and remain today, supporters of the State of Israel, the founders said. But its possible to support Israel and oppose some of its policies, just as weve opposed policies of the U.S. government. Unilevers 400 brands include a wide variety of familiar consumer goods such as Dove personal care products, Lipton tea, Hellmanns mayonnaise, Sunlight soap and, of course, Ben & Jerrys ice cream. Unilever CEO Alan Jope said last week that Unilever is fully committed to doing business with Israel despite Ben & Jerrys decision on the West Bank and east Jerusalem. In an email Tuesday, Unilever said it employs more than 2,000 people in Israel and the company rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Anti-Semitism has no place in any society, the company said, adding that Ben & Jerrys will continue selling ice cream in parts of Israel through a different business arrangement. Florida officials say the company told them in a call Wednesday that there are no plans to change Ben & Jerrys stance on Israel. It wasnt immediately clear what kinds investments or contracts Florida currently has with Unilever or its subsidiaries. Well continue working with the SBA to ensure Florida law is upheld for those who target our friends in Israel, said Jimmy Patronis, Floridas chief financial officer. Israel does not differentiate between the West Bank settlements and the rest of its territory. When home-rental company Airbnb announced in 2018 that it would no longer list properties in the West Bank, Israel harshly condemned the move and eventually pressured the company into canceling the decision. Israels ambassador to the United States and United Nations, Gilad Erdan, recently sent a letter to the governors of 35 U.S. states urging them to punish Unilever under anti-boycott laws such as that in Florida. By CURT ANDERSON Associated Press TATOI, Greece (AP) More than 500 firefighters struggled through the night to contain a large forest blaze on the outskirts of Athens, which raced into residential areas Tuesday, forcing thousands to flee. It was the worst of 81 wildfires that broke out in Greece over the past 24 hours, amid one of the country's most intense heatwaves in decades. Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias said the fire north of Athens was very dangerous, and had been exacerbated by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions due to the heat that reached 45 Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the area. No severe injuries were reported, and authorities said several buildings had been damaged but no detailed breakdown was available. The cause of the blaze was unclear. We continue to fight hour by hour, with our top priority being to save human lives, Hardalias said. We will do so all night." These are crucial hours, Hardalias said. "Our country is undergoing one of the worst heatwaves of the past 40 years. The wind dropped later Tuesday, and the regional governor for greater Athens, Giorgos Patoulis, said this could allow the fire to be tamed after water-dropping aircraft resume operations at first light Wednesday. If the winds don't grow it can be brought under control by the early morning so the planes can provide the final solution, he told state ERT TV. The blaze sent a huge cloud of smoke over Athens, prompting multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles) to the north and forcing the partial closure of Greece's main north-south highway. Residents left their homes in cars and on motorcycles, often clutching pets, heading toward the capital amid a blanket of smoke. One group stopped to help staff from a riding school push their horses into trucks to escape the flames. Fire crews went house to house to ensure that evacuation orders were carried out, and 315 people were escorted to safety after calling for help. Authorities said nobody was listed as missing, and Greek media said six people required treatment for light breathing complaints. As the heat wave scorching the eastern Mediterranean intensified, temperatures reached 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) in parts of the Greek capital. The extreme weather has fueled deadly wildfires in Turkey and blazes in Italy, Greece, Albania and across the region. Wildfires also raged in other parts of Greece, prompting evacuations of villages in Mani and Vassilitsa in the southern Peloponnese region, as well as on the islands of Evia and Kos, authorities said. A total 40 blazes were raging late Tuesday. The fires prompted Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo to cancel celebrations planned in Athens for the NBA championship he won recently with the Milwaukee Bucks. We hope there are no victims from these fires, and of course we will postpones today's celebration, Antetokounmpo wrote in a tweet. Earlier, authorities closed the Acropolis and other ancient sites during afternoon hours. The site, which is normally open in the summer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., will have reduced hours through Friday, closing between midday and 5 p.m. The extreme heat, described by authorities as the worst in Greece since 1987, has strained the national power supply and fueled the wildfires. The national grid operator said the power supply to part of the capital was endangered after part of the transmission system, damaged and threatened by the fires, was shut down. Seven water-dropping planes and nine helicopters were involved in the firefighting effort near Athens, including a Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft leased from Russia. They ceased operations after dark for safety reasons. The blaze damaged electricity pylons, adding further strain on the electricity network already under pressure due to the widespread use of air conditioning. The Greek Fire Service maintained an alert for most of the country for Tuesday and Wednesday, while public and some private services shifted operating hours to allow for afternoon closures. Hardalias appealed to the public for high vigilance. Because the heatwave will continue in coming days, please avoid any activity that could spark a fire, he said. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate. ___ Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed. BOISE, Idaho (AP) A Idaho legislative ethics committee decided Tuesday that a lawmaker who publicized the name of a Statehouse intern who reported that she was raped by another lawmaker should be stripped of one of her committee assignments for acting in an a manner unbecoming to the state's House of Representatives. The bipartisan committee voted unanimously to censure Republican Rep. Priscilla Giddings saying she violated basic standards of conduct by targeting the young intern. They also said she was evasive and disrespectful to her House colleagues during her ethics committee testimony and accused her of lying to the public in an attempt to paint herself as a victim of the ethics investigation. But panel members stopped short of recommending more severe penalties, including expelling Giddings from the Statehouse or stripping her of her roles on other legislative committees. Idaho's full House still must vote on the recommendation and Giddings, in a statement, claimed the committee was corrupt and called its decision a mockery of Idahos ethical standards. The interns attorney, Annie Hightower with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, criticized the disciplinary recommendation as incredibly disappointing." She said she and her client had hoped Giddings would face a stiffer rebuke for what Hightower called the lawmaker's abhorrent behavior. Giddings was targeted with two ethics complaints this year after sharing links to a far-right blog that included the name, photo and personal details about the 19-year-old intern who reported being raped by the lawmaker, Republican Aaron von Ehlinger. Giddings posted the link on social media and in a newsletter to constituents. Von Ehlinger resigned earlier this year after the ethics committee recommended his removal from the Statehouse. He has denied wrongdoing and police are investigating the rape allegation. The intern said making her personal information public led to overwhelming harassment while she was already struggling. The Associated Press does not typically identify sexual assault victims without their permission. The timing of when Idaho's full House will vote on the panel's recommendation is uncertain, but it must happen before the Legislature's next regular session begins in January. Giddings during the hearing's testimony phase on Monday was greeted with shouts of support and applause from militia members, participants in anti-government activist Ammon Bundy's far-right People's Rights group and anti-vaccination protest organizers. Giddings testified that she felt an obligation to share the article from the blog when the ethics committee was investigating von Ehlinger because she said the committee did not disseminate a written response he had made about the rape allegation. In her newsletter, Giddings called the rape allegations nothing more than a Liberal smear job. Giddings also testifed she did nothing wrong and claimed the intern wasnt a crime victim. She repeatedly refused to answer questions that she said she considered irrelevant. Five lawmakers who signed one of the complaints testified Monday that they were concerned that Giddings apparently told half-truths while under oath in von Ehlinger's ethics hearing about her social media post and that exposing the identity of the intern for reporting a crime often referred to as doxing amounted to victimizing her a second time. Republican Rep. Julie Yamamoto said that if Giddings had admitted her errors and apologized, Yamamoto would have removed her name from the complaint. "We have a loving God who is willing to forgive, Yamamoto said. But we have to own it. Democratic Rep. John Gannon compared the intern to a whistleblower who deserved protection from exposure, adding that Giddings may have put the state at risk of legal liability. Republican Rep. Wendy Horman said Giddings repeatedly used the ethics complaints to fundraise ostensibly for her own defense. But Giddings apparently didn't use the money to hire an attorney or to serve potential defense witnesses with subpoenas. Horman also took issue with Giddings' claim that she takes a backseat to no one in protecting victims' rights. Rep. Brent Crane, a Republican, accused Giddings of repeatedly making patently false statements in media interviews and to the committee, including her claim that she was being targeted because she was running for lieutenant governor and that the committee worked with one of her political opponents. Giddings didn't declare her intent to run until after both complaints were filed. You can go ahead and report that narrative, but it is a baldfaced lie, Crane said. Giddings in her statement suggested that Idaho Speaker of the House Scott Bedke, also a Republican, trumped up these charges against her because he is also running for lieutenant governor. Bedke was one of the two dozen lawmakers who backed the ethics complaint. Other lawmakers testified that he was one of the last lawmakers they asked to sign the already written complaint. Bedke has denied political motivations, saying after the complaint was made public in mid-July: I believe all elected officials should be held to a higher ethical standard." If a House majority votes in favor of the ethics committee recommendation, Giddings will lose her seat on the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee. But she would keep her seats on the powerful Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and the Agricultural Affairs Committee. Victims' rights experts have said that publicly identifying people who report sex crimes against their will can make others more reluctant to come forward. The intern's attorney, Hightower, echoed those concerns after the committee reached its decision. The recommendation does not demonstrate the level of accountability we expected for absolutely abhorrent behavior of pushing out private information about someone who reported a rape, Hightower said. It certainly won't undo the chilling effects on future reporting of sexual assault that was created by the postings at the center of the complaints. After the hearing, some Giddings supporters expressed dismay on social media about the recommendation to strip her from the committee assignment. On Facebook, Republican Rep. Heather Scott called her close ally Giddings the Latest victim of the Ethics Kangaroo Court. Last May, the K-pop superstar group BTS entered into a partnership with McDonalds to release a limited-edition promo meal that consisted of a medium Coke, medium fries, sweet chili and cajun dipping sauces, and a 10-piece order of chicken McNuggets. The meal almost immediately sold out, and enterprising individuals on social media decided to take advantage of the groups enormous popularity by selling certain items from the meal online. One item in particular, a chicken nugget shaped like a crewmate from the multiplayer online game Among Us, was auctioned off on eBay for nearly $100,000, a story that was quickly aggregated by multiple news sources, largely by citing it as an example of the absurdity of the meme economy. One person who clearly did not see that story, however, was a TikToker known for posting QAnon and QAnon-adjacent conspiracy theories. Last month, she posted a video accusing various eBay sellers peddling the BTS chicken nuggets of nefarious intent. I think theres a little bit of human trafficking going on here, the poster says before showing screengrabs of listings for various chicken nuggets. This needs to go viral and something needs to happen here, because something is a little bit off, she concludes. Literally, a rare nugget, $14,000? This is fishy. The idea that a chicken nugget eBay listing would serve as a front for child trafficking was clearly ridiculous on its face. Yet many of the commenters appeared to believe it held credence. A lot of people seem to believe that the concern is valid. They seem to believe because the pricing is so high that, it must be a child that being bought, despite the evidence that there have been cases of people buying odd looking food for insane prices, says writer and activist Maya Morena, who also posted a tweet about the video (indeed, as recently as last week, a 13-year-old girl received $15,000 in reward money from Doritos after posting a TikTok about finding a rare puffy Dorito in her bag.) The chicken nugget trafficking video was later duetted by sex trafficking hoax debunker Jessica Dean, aka @bloodbathbey0nd, which racked up more than 169,000 views and 26,800 likes. Dean says she and a few other TikTokers reported the video for spreading misinformation, to no avail, saying such videos rarely get removed by the platform if they surpass a certain view count threshold: if a video passes 10,000 likes, Ill try to get it taken down but Ive given up hope, she says. (TikTok did remove the video after Rolling Stone reached out, saying it violated their community guidelines.) Many of the eBay listings of the chicken nuggets were also removed, including the one in the original TikTok. One eBay poster selling an Among Us chicken nugget (the current top bid is $1,000), @topnotchlabels, tells Rolling Stone he has received a few messages regarding the sex trafficking claim, including someone who informed them they would be contacting eBay with their suspicions and concerns. Such an interesting hoax for sure, @topnotchlabels tells Rolling Stone. I would suggest to people, dont believe everything you hear. Especially from TikTok. Another TikTok creator known for spreading far-right conspiracy theories, with an even larger 25,000 follower count, posted another video promoting the theory. When people become aware of child sex trafficking, it is no longer hidden in plain sight, she declares at the end of the video. Though that clip was taken down from TikTok, there is another on her page making similar claims about other eBay postings, such as a $20,000 potato chip shaped like a pizza slice and a Cheeto shaped like a urinating dog that is selling for $18,000 on the website. There are more slaves today than in any time in history, she confidently claims. Are you angry yet? More troublingly, since the chicken nugget TikTok was posted, the claim that a viral chicken nugget somehow serves as a front for sex trafficking has made the rounds on other platforms, particularly on YouTube, where its been posted on a number of far-right conspiracy-flavored news channels. Why are people selling Chicken Nuggets for THOUSANDS of Dollars. Looks like child trafficking to me, one poster on eBay wrote. SHAME ON YOU EBAY, FOR ALLOWING THIS. At first glance, the rumors surrounding the eBay chicken nugget listing bear a striking resemblance to the Wayfair furniture conspiracy theory, which also took root on TikTok last summer (albeit at a much larger scale). Essentially, the conspiracy theory purported without any evidence that the home goods and furniture website Wayfair was a front for child sex trafficking, due to some users spotting what they viewed as exorbitant prices on industrial furniture on the website. Proponents of the theory believed such furniture was so highly priced because they covertly transported children. The Wayfair conspiracy theory did an unbelievable amount of damage, due in large part to how quickly it spread on other platforms, says Dean, who specifically tracks the spread of sex trafficking conspiracy theories on TikTok. In the aftermath of the Wayfair conspiracy, there have been so many new conspiracies. People got so hyped about thinking theyve tackled some break in the code and now people will look for these types of pricing inconsistencies everywhere. Following the spread of the Wayfair conspiracy theory, numerous other hoaxes surrounding child sex trafficking have popped up on TikTok, including a debunked Polish documentary about a secret pedophile ring run by Muslims and a claim that Target has become a sex trafficking hub. Dean also cites a recurring conspiracy theory on TikTok regarding Amazon and childrens party hats being sold in bulk for thousands of dollars as an example of how e-commerce sites become the target of such theories, as they tend to result from someone finding an overpriced item and they dont do the research as to why it would be that price. As Rolling Stone previously reported, part of the reason why such outlandish sex trafficking hoaxes tend to take root on TikTok is because the format of the platform allows attention-grabbing yet inaccurate content to circulate at an astoundingly rapid rate. Panicky videos are very engaging, disinformation researcher Abbie Richards previously told Rolling Stone. If you are just watching someone say, Oh my God, this happened to me, thatll go viral. Scary content goes quite viral. TikToks For You page also delivers content that is algorithmically engineered to meet the users interests, providing little opportunity for content debunking such viral misinformation to surface. Because TikTok tends to be more of an activism-oriented platform, anti-trafficking content also tends to generate lots of engagement. A lot of teenagers genuinely see TikTok as a platform for social change. They try to rally up on TikTok and get these movements through, says Dean, who works full-time at an actuarial consulting firm, but uses her previous experience working with trafficking survivors at domestic violence shelters to combat misinformation on her channel. People know that sex trafficking is a problem, and whether children understand how much theyre fueling [misinformation] is up for debate, but they want to be heroes like any other child wants to be. Unfortunately, misinformation surrounding the reality of sex trafficking tends to do much more harm than good on social media. Because the vast majority of trafficking victims are marginalized young people, such as LGBTQ or homeless teens, who know and trust their traffickers, narratives about shadowy strangers using giant e-commerce platforms (and fast food meats) as a front for trafficking helps basically no one. Such claims make it harder for trafficking survivors to see themselves in this narrative and feel that law enforcement and service providers will recognize their experience as an experience of abuse and exploitation, Jean Bruggeman, executive director of the anti-child trafficking organization Freedom USA, previously told Rolling Stone. By virtue of its design, TikTok in particular appears to be a bastion of such content. The more viral a video is, the harder it is to take it down, says Dean. TikTok is finding a San Antonio-area sheep, alpaca and llama-shearer to be a cut above the rest. Katie McRose, known as @rightchoiceshearing on TikTok, has amassed close to 2 million followers on the video app and another 43,000 on Instagram in just a few months. She and her wife, Darian, went full time with the business four years ago. They now offer their shearing services to nine states, covering nearly 600 farms, working with more than 6,000 animals, cutting pounds and pounds of fleece and fur. McRose, a Seguin resident, says her experience in shearing started at 14, when she had a show goat. She responded to a Craigslist ad asking for someone to shear sheep. She gave it a go and ended up spending four hours to get seven animals sheered. "It looked horrible, like somebody had chewed on a mattress," she jokes. Now McRose can shear a sheep in 2 to 3 minutes and an alpaca or llama in about 5 minutes. After completing her animal science degree debt-free thanks to shearing through college, McRose says she decided to go all in. The 26-year-old says she's been giving animals haircuts for 12 years now. Courtesy, Katie McRose McRose says unlike most businesses, her niche trade was not affected by the pandemic. She explains that its rare to find shearers who offer services for all three animals, so demand for Right Choice Shearing is high. She actually had to close books, so the TikTok fame isn't a gimmick or boost for her company. "Everything we do on TikTok and YouTube and Instagram is really just for fun and education at this point, it's not looking to help the business at all," she explains. She says her TikTok took off thanks to the sometimes stubborn animals who always seem so "done" with her. The audience has some favorites, like a dramatic alpaca named "Marvin," a llama named "Nubs" for his lack of ears, another named "Henry" who McRose lovingly calls an "Apaloosa a--hole," and "Potato" who has racked up more than 68 million views. Courtesy, Katie McRose Followers have "fallen in love" with the haircuts she gives the animals, McRose says. "I've gotten really good at being able to tell what's the best haircut for an alpaca and a llama, which is totally ridiculous, right," she says with a laugh. "But now I can look at them and be like, 'Yeah, that one would look really good with a mullet.'' While sheep might call her their bah-bah-barber, McRose says she's not interested in working with humans. "No, hard no," she says of the idea. "These people have too many opinions. If I leave some ridges on a sheep, they don't care." It's not just the animals, though. McRose, who could moonlight as comedian, is part of the appeal. Take her most-recent video, for example. The video shows her daily grind of shearing 32-animals, including a blind llama, in a 14-hour day, with her nursery rhyme-like narration. @rightchoiceshearing Yes I had a modelo before 10AM. No thats not why the day went array Mischievous - Scott Kuehn Farm funnies and llama drama aren't the only thing McRose hopes her audience takes away from the videos. She says she's proud of the compliments she gets on her handling of the animals. "It's such a hard job, it's so physically demanding that if you're not passionate about it, there's no way you're going to cut it," McRose adds. "There's a lot of levels to it. It's physically demanding. It's emotionally demanding. It's mentally demanding. That's what people don't understand and what I'm hoping that my social media can show people." McRose had a month-long break before she and Darian are back to traveling the country again in their silver Chevy. Next week, she'll participate in a sheep-shearing contest at the Iowa State Fair. Whether or not TikTok gets to see the results depends on how well she does in the competition. "Two years ago I got fourth place out of four people," she jokes. Back-to-school season is back in session and local businesses are pampering teachers with deals on everything from massages to car washes. Read below for a list of deals local educators can cash in on before school starts. Students also have a list of perks to round up, see that list here. Free and half-off tickets to the San Antonio Zoo The zoo is honoring teachers with free tickets and half-off admission for up to four guests throughout Teacher Appreciation Month sponsored by H-E-B. To qualify, a teacher will need to bring a valid driver's license and on of the following items to the ticket window: a district ID badge, a copy of their teacher's certificate or a district pay stub. 15 percent off school, household and office supplies at H-E-B H-E-B is giving teachers a "Texas-sized thank you" with this offer valid until August 27. The registration form is available here. Free car washes at The Wash Tub The Wash Tub is offering free car washes for teachers, faculty and staff until August 8. All you need to show is a valid employee ID for a free premier shine. TD Nail and Spa's 15 percent off deal for teachers The Leon Springs spa has a special offer for teachers on Wednesdays. $10 week passes for physical training The PIT is giving teachers a chance to try out their "intense" physical training with discounted week passes. Half-off monthly dance classes La Rumba Dance Studio is extending their teacher deal through August to give them discounted access for the month. Discounted massages Mother Nature's Massage Therapy is offering 30 percent off massages for all educators and administrators through August. Discounted waxes, facials and lash extensions The Beauty Vault's August promotion is helping teachers get school ready with a list of discounted services such as $50 facials. NECOCLI, Colombia (AP) A small city on Colombia's Caribbean shore is being crowded with migrants from Haiti, Africa and Cuba making what they hope will be a journey toward the United States. Local official estimate more than 10,000 migrants have massed recently in Necocli, a city of some 20,000 people better known for its beaches, coconuts and burbling mud volcanos. It has become a bottleneck on the global migrant trail that winds through South and Central America, and on to Mexico and then the U.S. southern border. Necocli residents say they have never seen so many migrants and city authorities have declared a public calamity because of water shortages caused by the additional demand from the migrants. Colombian ombudsman Carlos Camargo on Thursday visited the city's docks where boats depart to verify the humanitarian situation of the thousands of migrants. I make a call to my counterparts in other countries to carry out joint actions to confront this problem, he told The Associated Press. For many migrants, the journey runs from the Ecuadorian border through Colombia to Necocli, where ferries carry people across the Gulf of Uraba to the even smaller border town of Capurgana and then into a dangerous, roadless expanse of Panama known as the Darien Gap. But the ferries can carry only about 750 people a day half of the 1,500 a day that have been arriving of late. The ferries also sometimes shut down on weekends or due to bad weather. So the migrants wait, some renting rooms in cheap tourist accommodations, others sleeping on the beach. When day comes, they line up sometimes with children in arms in hopes of buying the $50 ferry ticket. I am here in search of a better life, a better job, said Rijkaard Samedy, a 27-year-old Haitian who, along with his spouse and son, spent five years among the burgeoning Haitian population in Chile. He said they decided to head north because they felt discriminated against in the South American nation. Colombia's government Defense of the People agency says at least 33,000 migrants so far this year have passed into Panama, most of them originally from Haiti, Cuba, Senegal and Ghana. Others from Somalia, Guinea, Congo and Burkina Faso have passed through as well. That's a sharp rebound from last year, when pandemic restrictions reduced mobility for locals and migrants alike. Many head first to South America, where some countries sheltered Haitians after a 2010 earthquake devastated that country. Some, like Samedy, eventually look north especially after the pandemic squeezed regional economies. The trek is dangerous and Colombian authorities have identified human trafficking networks operating in the region. Migrants are both aided and preyed upon as they make their way from the Darien through Central America and then Mexico. Rapes and robberies are often reported. Monsignor Hugo Torres said a family with seven children arrived in Necocli this week. Some migrants are pregnant. They have no idea what danger awaits them in the Darien, he said. The number of Haitians reaching Mexico, the last stop before the U.S. border, appears to have increased significantly this year. Those requesting asylum in Mexico one measure of their presence mounted to 9,327 through June, compared to annual totals of less than 6,000 the past two years. Large numbers of Haitians wait in lines each day in the southern Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border as they try to regularize their status before continuing north. Their numbers have swelled in northern Mexico as well, especially in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. While many entered Colombia illegally, officials have made little effort to deport them. Immigration officials have said it would be too costly to fly so many home. With a bag on his shoulder and sweating under the hot sun, 58-year-old Cuban Esteban Martinez waits to get on a small boat in Necocli to take him on the next step toward Panama and ultimately the United States. Martinez began his journey in February 2019 when he left Cuba in search of the American dream. He crossed Guyana and Suriname, where he worked in a gold mine for longer than he had planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A couple of months ago he resumed his journey, arriving in Colombia from Ecuador. The focus of all of us is to climb that hill and get to Panama and then up to the United States," said Martinez, who is traveling with his wife and 11 other Cubans. "I think its time; there is no other way. Dominika Arseniuk, director in Colombia for the Norwegian Council for Refugees, said it's urgent that authorities in Colombia and Panama to work together on dealing with the crisis. Samedy, the Haitian said he hopes U.S. President Joe Biden will set policies that help migrants, saying he sees no way of returning to Haiti, which is embroiled in political, economic and health crises. What is happening in my country is very complicated. The president wasn't safe, he said, alluding to the recent assassination of Jovenel Moise. ___ Suarez reported from Bucaramanga, Colombia. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A major Pennsylvania heavy equipment contractor entered no contest pleas to four theft counts on Tuesday and agreed to pay restitution of more than $20 million over allegations it illegally diverted pension money and other benefits from its workers. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. has agreed to have a court-appointed corporate monitor perform oversight, including of the process of returning the money to 1,267 victims. When we talk about big fights, this is what we mean, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a Harrisburg news conference, a few hours after the plea hearing in Centre County. Helping everyday Pennsylvanians take on the powerful and the well connected when theyve been screwed. The company released a statement saying it was pleased to bring this process to a conclusion and avoid costly court proceedings, but it maintains it followed all fringe benefits rules. In pleading no contest, the company accepts the convictions but does not expressly admit it committed the crimes. The fringe benefit practices challenged by the Office of the Attorney General were based upon advice provided by the companys former attorneys, the statement read. Hawbaker has always intended to properly pay all of its employees. A video played by Shapiro at the press conference featured retirees and other victims saying things at the company didn't seem right and they had difficulty getting straight answers. These workers, theyre going to get their money back. This company is being held accountable," Shapiro said. Hawbaker, based in State College, is an excavation, highway construction and quarry business that booked $1.7 billion in state transportation construction contracts between 2003 and 2018. Ive heard directly from contractors across Pennsylvania that follow the law, that follow the rules, and they believe that this enforcement helps their honest businesses, Shapiro said. The 70-year-old company was charged after a three-year state investigation in April with four counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. Shapiro alleged when charges were filed that the family-run company engaged in a massive, unprecedented fraud and that its workers had their retirements stolen from them to enrich company executives. Shapiro's office charged Hawbaker with stealing more than $20 million from workers fringe benefits such as retirement and health insurance and using that money to pad its profits, undercut competitors and pay for internal projects and company bonuses. An affidavit of probable cause claimed that over 2015-18, Hawbaker diverted more than $15 million in retirement contributions meant for workers subject to the prevailing wage laws for government projects to fund pension contributions for all of its employees. That left individual workers retirement accounts tens of thousands of dollars short, the attorney general's office said. Hawbaker also falsely inflated the cost of health benefits to make it seem as if the company had met minimum per-hour payments under the state and federal prevailing wage laws, Shapiro said. The restitution to be paid by the company covers 2015-18, which Shapiro said was the period of time under which charges could be filed without violating the criminal statute of limitations. Payments to current and former employees are expected to be made within four months. An alert employee approaching retirement noticed discrepancies in his account and first reported Hawbaker. The companys practices changed after a 2018 search at its corporate headquarters. Pension money is now deposited directly into workers individual retirement accounts, according to the affidavit. Hawbaker, founded in 1952, has 1,200 workers and facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. On Thursday, July 29, a Texas police department released body camera footage of an arrest they made for a suspect "swimming naked." Fulshear Police Department, a Houston-area agency, stated in its post it received a call in regard to criminal trespass in a nearby community. The "suspect" entered the homeowner's backyard and decided to go for a swim in their hot tub. "Officers Chavez and Landry quickly made the scene and observed the suspect swimming naked without regard to the owner's wishes," the department joked. "The suspect resisted at first but was soon arrested and later released without further incident." A video of the cute guy is below: The post received lots of laughs and love, as it has more than 17,000 views and around 90 shares as of Monday. After rescuing the gator, a responding officer decided to name it "Emma" because it is "so pretty." Luckily, there weren't any injuries during the incident human or gator. LEXINGTON When the water finally arrived, San Antonios leadership could relax. The roughly 150-mile long water pipeline to the northeast guaranteed the citys economic future and freed residents from the stress of droughts. We have water security for decades to come, said Robert Puente, president and CEO of the San Antonio Water System. Puente called the project, which came online in April 2020, the "biggest achievement in our lifetimes" to secure water for the city. The pipeline helped conserve the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, upon which San Antonio has historically depended for water. But less than a year after the pipeline began to suck water from a different aquifer in Central Texas for delivery to 1.8 million people, some residents in that rural area turned on their taps only to be greeted by air. All so that the people in the city of San Antonio can water their lawns, said Bob Scouras, 72, a landowner in Lee County. Out on County Road 411, Scouras and his wife, Leslie, 63, raised and later sold their horses, raised kids and sent them to college, built dozens of houses for birds, and are almost done building one for their family. They commuted to Austin until retirement, as did many of their neighbors. The community is mostly retirees who bought the lush farmland decades ago for cheap. They live near the wells that pump water to San Antonio, and their own well started sputtering less than a year after the Vista Ridge project went online. The Scourases live in a small farmhouse on their 20 acres of property. It was supposed to be temporary while they built their permanent home, but that took a little longer than expected (more than a decade). The house is almost done, and they plan to move in within a few weeks. But now, theyre not sure if theyll have enough water to live on the land much longer. They didnt care that I would be out of drinking water they would have green lawns, he said. The situation underscores how important groundwater has become to Texas water future as climate change brings more frequent droughts along with longer and hotter summers, at the same time as the states population approaches 35 million. During the states most recent severe drought in 2011, groundwater supplied almost two-thirds of the increase in water consumption. The growth that weve had [in Texas], water ultimately underpins at a very fundamental level, said Gabriel Collins, a Baker Botts fellow in energy and environmental regulatory affairs at Rice University. A severe drought in the Western U.S. this year has forced some areas to halt development due to water constraints, while other regions are battling widespread wildfires. A 2019 study authored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists found that droughts are part of the spiral of climate change: High temperatures from global warming combined with low soil moisture to produce stronger heat waves. But some rural landowners see the water export project in Central Texas not as a prudent response to climate change but as the perfect example of how unchecked urban expansion is encroaching on their lives. Pitting cities against rural dwellers and economic growth against environmental conservation, the Vista Ridge project, some experts said, is a preview of the water wars that will grow worse across Texas in coming decades. The fastest-growing use of water in Texas is no longer agriculture, but municipal, according to the states water plan, and municipal needs are projected to outstrip irrigation by 2060. The burgeoning development of groundwater is also happening in a state with a patchwork of water laws that essentially allows anyone who owns or leases enough land and the water below to pump water, regardless of whether it affects neighboring properties for miles around. And because political boundaries dont follow the natural underground water flows and formations, local regulations on pumping dont necessarily protect everyone whose water wells are affected. The Carrizo Aquifer Since April 2020, when the project came online, groundwater levels in the area near Vista Ridge wells have plummeted, according to well data from the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District. Texas is the third-largest groundwater pumper in the nation, according to U.S. Geological Survey data. The Vista Ridge project is permitted to pump nearly 56,000 acre-feet of water per year from the Carrizo and Simsboro formations. As the groundwater level retreats in their wells, residents have been forced to extend their pumps farther underground and upgrade to stronger equipment that can bring the water up from new depths. The work can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and theres no guarantee they wont have to drill deeper in the future. Bob and Leslie Scouras spent about $5,000 on such work. Many of their older neighbors in the rural area were forced to do the same. Its all about the money, and its all about the growth, Bob Scouras said. Its not about anyone being thirsty. Leaders in San Antonio disagree. The economic generators of the U.S. are cities, said Richard Perez, CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Rural areas are still important, he said, but cities are what is driving the state and the country. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer Water levels sink Private water marketers worked over the course of a decade to put together thousands of water leases from rural landowners in the rolling and lush cattle ranch land of Burleson and Milam counties, about 50 miles east of Austin, to make the Vista Ridge project possible. The 18 water wells tap the Carrizo and Simsboro formations of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, which underlies a long, narrow swath of the state from its southwest border to East Texas. Now operated by EPCOR, a Canadian utility company, the wells connect to the pipeline that runs southwest to a water station in Bexar County. In the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, which includes Milam and Burleson counties, more than a third of its water pumped from the Carrizo and almost three fourths of its pumped water from the Simsboro is flowing to San Antonio, according to data from the district. There, the imported water now fills about 20% of the citys daily water needs. Beginning last fall, dozens of landowners in Lee, Burleson and Milam counties including some beyond the boundaries of the local groundwater district began to notice problems with their wells as water dropped below the level their pumps could reach. George Rice, a groundwater hydrologist in San Antonio who represented landowners opposed to the project, said he wasnt surprised that residents now need to lower their pumps. The model that Rice created for his analysis in 2015 and 2016 predicted that, in one year of pumping, the Carrizo formations water level would drop by 54 feet within 5 miles of the Vista Ridge pumping, and 19 feet within a 10-mile radius in what is called the confined zone of the aquifer pressurized sections of the aquifer that are sandwiched between impermeable rock or sand above and below. Such drops can put water levels out of reach of local residents pumps. If theyre lucky, theyll just have to lower their pump, or if theyre unlucky, theyll have to deepen their wells, which is more expensive, Rice said. Dan Martin, a retired cattle rancher who lives near the Vista Ridge wells in Burleson County, said his water stopped flowing while he was in the shower, all soaped up. He spent about $10,000 to fix the problem with his well, which he uses both for his home and 35 cattle he had to pay for a new pump and piping to take the well 380 feet deeper. Data from the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, where the Vista Ridge wells are located, confirms anecdotal reports from residents. The district regulates use of groundwater in Milam and Burleson counties, but its decisions can also affect the aquifers conditions beyond the political borders. The districts data shows water levels in several wells nearby have dropped dramatically. At a water well on County Road 324, about five miles from a cluster of Vista Ridge wells, water levels have sunk almost 100 feet since April 2020. Thats more than the wells water had dropped in the 30 years since the districts records began. Water levels have plunged The change also cannot be explained by a drier year than normal. During the 2011 drought, which was much more severe than the conditions in 2020, the well near Caldwell lost only about 8 feet of water. But the dropping water levels are allowed even expected under the permits that Vista Ridge received from the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, as long as the project doesnt exceed its permitted pumping limit. How we developed the wellfield ensured that there was sufficient spacing and pumpage rates so that any potential decline over time would be well within the limits [set by the groundwater district], said Mark Janay, operating partner at Ridgewood Infrastructure, a New York infrastructure company that is the majority owner of the Vista Ridge project. When asked how the company has mitigated impacts to local landowners wells, Janay said the company draws primarily from the deeper Simsboro formation, which landowners dont rely on, and that the pumping from the Carrizo is limited by the local groundwater district. Hydrologists for Ridgewood and the groundwater district said the impacts to the water levels should taper off after a big initial drop. Thats what the groundwater districts are now monitoring for. In Lee County, Nancy and Ronnie McKee spent $720 to lower their well pump in November. Well levels had plunged by 43 feet in seven months, more than in the previous 30 years. Nancy McKee said she attended public meetings in the years before the project began operating and was told she had nothing to worry about. They said, Its not going to affect you, she said. The proof is in the pudding. McKee said she and her neighbors feel forgotten by local officials and ignored in the process of endless urbanization. Were just regular people, she said. For this to come up and be such an expense for us is so disheartening. San Antonio thirsts for security San Antonio began to seriously consider diversifying its water supply in the 1990s when environmentalists won a lawsuit to protect the Edwards Aquifer, which the city had relied upon for decades. Overuse was causing damage to endangered species, and as a result, the citys allowed extractions from the aquifer were cut by 44% during severe droughts. San Antonio began to look elsewhere for water a politically arduous task because importing water would be extremely expensive and potentially damaging to the environment. But in 2011, the political climate shifted: One of the worst droughts in Texas history convinced San Antonios City Council to approve a water rate hike for water development. Suddenly, local politicians were in favor of building a desalination plant, practicing more aggressive water conservation and building the $3 billion Vista Ridge pipeline. The business community went on a quest to diversify water sources because fears of water shortages were hurting economic development, said Perez, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce CEO. The 2011 drought was happening right during the time that we were starting to develop [Vista Ridge], said Puente, of the San Antonio Water System. The publics perception of the urgency and need for the project was heightened. Most major cities in Texas rely on surface water, like reservoirs, for municipal needs. But those sources are particularly vulnerable to drought because the water evaporates. The 2011 drought caused billions in economic damages to the agricultural industry, strained the states electric grid and forced nearly 1,000 public water systems to restrict water usage; 23 water systems were within 180 days of completely running out of water. In San Antonio, the city relied on water it had previously pumped from the Edwards Aquifer and stored underground. Because of such possibilities in the future, San Antonios strategy to diversify its water supply with a desalination plant, conservation and the Vista Ridge groundwater pipeline could be considered a model for other cities. The alternative building a new reservoir requires buying the land and relocating people, farms or businesses on it, then damming a river or creek and flooding the land. Janay, of Ridgewood Infrastructure, thinks more groundwater projects will likely be necessary across Texas. Its a matter of managing the impacts, which he thinks the Vista Ridge project has done by adhering to the groundwater districts limits. Were going to have to be more thoughtful in developing future supplies, and we may have to go further and transport water further, Janay said. Continued groundwater development can occur, he said, in a thoughtful manner that is supported by science. We need to find that balance, he said. Texas patchwork of groundwater regulation Despite the growing importance of groundwater, Texas is the only state in the West where water is particularly scarce that still uses the rule of capture, which essentially allows landowners to pump as much groundwater from their property as they want without facing liability from surrounding landowners. But Collins, of Rice University, said a patchwork of local rules from the 98 groundwater conservation districts in the state means the rule is applied in many ways, including where different districts have different rules for the same large aquifer. More than 20 districts regulate water use for the massive Carrizo-Wilcox, which spans from East to Southwest Texas. The Vista Ridge Project took advantage of those differences. San Antonio water officials said the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District, where the project is now located, allowed landowners to lease their water for several decades at a time, while many other districts limit leases to a few years. [The district] has a philosophy that a lot of other groundwater districts do not, and that is that this is a private water resource: If you want to sell it, sell it, said Puente of the San Antonio Water System. They regulate it, but they still allow for those transactions to happen. So this was the best water for us for two reasons: Geographically, the aquifer is very prolific, and politically, just as important, those rules in that county allowed for the exportation of water all the way to San Antonio. Groundwater districts are charged by the Legislature to create a goal for how much water should be conserved in the coming decades, a target called desired future conditions. The districts use that goal to set limits on pumping. But those limits vary widely from district to district, and as long as a company pumps less than the permitted amount, the groundwater district isnt obligated to intervene when a neighbors supply is affected. The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District responded to dwindling groundwater levels with a well mitigation program that compensates landowners for the cost to lower their pumps or even drill a new well. Groundwater officials said the limits theyve set in the district are sufficient to conserve water in the region, and the landowners who agreed to lease water for the project have a right to do what they want with the water below their land. Weve been diligent about being conservation-minded, but also respectful of property rights, said Gary Westbrook, general manager of the groundwater district. People have the right to sell their water if thats what they want to do. Outside that district, though, landowners who didnt lease their water or even know that their neighbors had done so have seen water levels drop. The Scouras and McKee families both live in Lee County, in the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. The Lost Pines district didnt grant any permit to Vista Ridge, nor did it collect any fees from the project, but it will soon have to pay to fix wells. In response to complaints from landowners, James Totten, general manager of the Lost Pines district, said the district recently created a program to reimburse landowners for the cost to lower or upgrade their pumps, and it is considering a moratorium on pumping water in areas where the water levels have dramatically dropped in the last year. We may not have the ability to control Vista Ridge, but we can say we wont allow any project that would make the situation in that area worse on our side of the border, Totten said. But those efforts wont stop the longer-term impact of exporting water south to San Antonio, residents say. Bob Scouras is worried that if the water levels dont stabilize, his neighborhood will soon have to ask the nearest water utility to build lines out to the property. The big question is: Where the hell are we going to get our water in five years? he said. San Antonio is not real worried about us out here. Were just a bunch of hayseeds [to them]. Disclosure: Rice University, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Water System have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Think back to when you were a first-time homebuyer. Were you excited but overwhelmed? Its not unusual to feel that way as a first-time seller either, and its just as involved of a processif not more so. But knowing what you can expect can make the selling process go smoothly. Here are five ways you can be a smart first-time seller. Is it time to DIY? While it may sound appealing to try to sell your home on your own, keep in mind the challenges you could face if youre not a real estate expert. Hiring a REALTOR can save you time, reduce hassles and will help you avoid the legal risks that come with selling property. Pricing your home is easier when you have a San Antonio area REALTOR who can provide you with information on comparable property prices and current market conditions. Asking too little for your home is a costly mistake, but pricing it too high can cause your property to languish and ultimately sell for less than it might have had it been priced right. Timing is everything Selling a home often involves buying one, too. As a first-time seller, understand that timing your sale and your new purchase can be tricky. Your REALTOR can walk you through your options and help you make a decision on timing that is in your best interest. He can also help you keep track of progress made on the sale of your home and the purchase of a new one. ALSO READ: Can you buy a home if you have bad credit? Does your purchase depend on your sale? If you find a new home you want to buy, you might include a contingency clause in your offer. This means your purchase of the new home depends on the sale of your current home. But using a contingency clause can also put you in a weaker position as a buyer, since another buyer without a contingency may be more attractive to a seller. Again, your REALTOR has the experience to guide you through difficult decisions such as this. Help is where you need it If your selling agent doesnt serve the new location youre moving to, she may be able to give you a referral for a REALTOR who can help you locate your next property to purchase. That referral can save you time while matching you up with another professional ready to help you achieve your goals. Selling is a new experience Remember when you bought your first home and had a lot to learn? Selling also has a learning curve, since your to-dos during the home-selling process wont be exactly the same as when you bought your home. But even though there is much to learn on the selling side, your buying experience can still be valuable. Putting yourself in a buyers shoes can help you position your home as an attractive property to purchase and help you make that first-time sale. For more information on buying, selling, or leasing your home in the San Antonio or surrounding areas, visit SABOR.com and use a REALTOR. Editor's Note: This content is made possible by San Antonio area REALTORS. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the San Antonio Express-News. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com. Its only been a few weeks since the family behind Terry Blacks BBQ in Austin and Dallas bought property along Broadway, and theyre already getting offers. The mostly vacant 1.4-acre site nearly an entire city block is a few blocks north of the Pearl and the bevy of high-rise offices and apartments going up around it. Residents, office workers and tourists are a short walk away. Its a prime piece of real estate, said Mark Black, who bought it with his brother Michael, sister Christina and parents Terry and Patti. Its been a good investment so far. Some of the offers theyve received have been as much as 50 percent more than what they paid, he said. He wouldnt disclose what the family paid, but deed records show they took out a $5 million loan for the purchase and the Bexar Appraisal District valued it at about $2 million this year. But the Blacks have no plans to sell. We want to do our own project, Mark Black said. We want to do something cool there. Something fun, something that kind of fits in the architectural style of the area, history of San Antonio and the Pearl. We want to do our own thing. We dont really want to flip it. They envision a mixed-use development that could include offices, apartments, condominiums or a hotel. There will also be a restaurant but it may or may not be a Terry Blacks location, he said. Right now, they are still figuring out what would work best. Im excited for all the growth over there, Black said. The transformation of the former Pearl brewery into a glossy mix of high-end offices, apartments, restaurants and shops along the San Antonio River set off the wave of development around it and a rush to snatch up available property. Credit Humans new headquarters and an adjacent office building occupied by Bank of America and CBRE were completed within the past year, and Jefferson Banks corporate office is under construction. Several apartment projects are in the works nearby, and Pearl developer Silver Ventures is eyeing more apartments across the river. GrayStreet Partners planned to turn more than 20 acres it had amassed across Broadway from the Pearl into a massive mixed-use development dubbed Broadway East. But the local firm put most of the land up for sale last winter after a deal with a pension fund fell through, an executive said. Other developers swooped in. Denver-based McWhinney Real Estate Services Inc. sued GrayStreet this summer to stop the firm from selling the land to San Antonio-based Fulcrum Development. McWhinney alleged it had right of first refusal to buy the property and that GrayStreet breached an agreement by seeking to sell it to Fulcrum. Midway, a Houston developer that GrayStreet had planned to partner with on Broadway East, also filed a lawsuit claiming that the firm breached a contract that gave Midway the right of first refusal to develop Broadway East on the site. Both lawsuits have since been dropped. At the Pig Stand, near GrayStreets properties, Mary Ann Hill gets queries in the mail about buying her business. Many are from California, though theyve slowed lately. She leases the diners space, but said those making offers dont care that she doesnt own the property. They offer for the business because they know that if they buy the business, when the property comes up for sale they will have first rights, Hill said. I even had one from California tell me that he didnt care, I could stay here until the property was going to be sold. Several brokers also stop by every few months. But Hill has no plans to sell the Pig Stand, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, and she said her landlords dont have plans to sell the building either. Theyre not ready to sell and they make it very clear to people, she said. Theyre wonderful. I would never trade them for anybody. Bill Lyons, who owns storied downtown restaurants Casa Rio and Schilos, owns property at Broadway and North Alamo streets and on the other side of the Pearl. He, too, said calls from eager buyers have declined, possibly because those looking for a bargain are too late. It kind of leveled out and people realized that ... youre not going to steal it, Lyons said. They think theyre going to get ahead of the market and get it before the high hits and then when the high is evident, theyre going somewhere else. But there are buyers hunting for property to develop themselves. Theres going to be some of those out there I think all the time, around the catalyst that the Pearl has been, Lyons said. Black and his family are eyeing more property in San Antonio as well as in other big cities in Texas and across the U.S., he said. When we found that property on Broadway we immediately jumped on it and couldnt be happier about it, he said. Its a really cool area. Im excited for all the growth over there. madison.iszler@express-news.net What a difference a month makes. In early June, we were gaining momentum on the path toward something resembling life before COVID. There was optimism, hope and a sliver of light on the horizon. In a June 16 column I wrote, With the pandemic receding, the San Antonio and Texas tech scene is continuing to reboot. The statement was true at the time, and then the COVID delta variant took hold, and the dark clouds of pandemic life started rolling back in. Its too early to discern the full impact of the delta variant surge, but its clear theres little appetite for the mass closures and restrictions we experienced throughout 2020. Despite the rise of the delta variant, San Antonios techies continue to make strides. So, as our community doubles down on vaccinations and COVID precautions, it makes sense to clear the workbench of spare parts from the San Antonio and Texas tech scene. On ExpressNews.com: Judson ISDs ransomware nightmare wont be cheap Starbase surge If you thought Jeff Bezos and Richard Bransons summer space flights were impressive, just wait until SpaceX sends its nearly 400-foot-tall Starship and Superheavy booster combo aloft from its Starbase facility outside Brownsville. With 29 engines and the ability to carry 100 tons into orbit, itll be the one of the most powerful rockets in history. On July 19, SpaceX performed a three-engine static fire of the booster. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elon Musk wants to send the craft on its first orbital flight sometime this summer, but theres still much work to do finish building the launch tower and the spacecraft, test the engines, get Federal Aviation Adminstration licenses and more. The challenges dont worry Musk, whos called in reinforcements. Apparently, SpaceX has sent hundreds of employees to Starbase to boost construction of the orbital Starship and booster. The flurry of activity has sent space Twitter aflutter with chatter that SpaceX aims to have the craft ready for preflight testing by Aug. 5. SBIR madness Four San Antonio-based companies recently earned Small Business Innovation Research contracts from the federal government. New Dominion Enterprises received $750,000 for its work on batteries for tactical communications equipment. Elevate Systems got a SBIR contract for its 3D printing and support for the E-3 Sentry aircraft. SecureLogix received nearly $1 million from the Department of Homeland Security to research computer security for next-generation 911 technology. Computerized Screenings Inc. earned a SBIR contract for its mobile telemedicine equipment. Its a fairly difficult process to actually get awarded, said Brad Bowen, CEO of Computerized Screenings. So were pretty pumped on our side. On ExpressNews.com: NASAs Lucy spacecraft has San Antonio ties and rock n roll friends The sound of silence No updates from Judson Independent School District regarding the ransomware attack thats hobbled the districts communication and computer systems. On July 20, the district reported its phones and email systems are working but declined to elaborate on the status of the districts computer systems. CivTechSA selectee CivTechSA, a partnership between Geekdom and San Antonios Department of Innovation, selected tech-focused Tempugo for this years residency that started July 28. Tempugo will help businesses communicate construction closures to customers to help alleviate lost business. Unfortunately, Tempugo is not a San Antonio startup. The company is based in Berkeley, Calif. On ExpressNews.com: Tech leaders look to make Houston Street carless Houston Street bond chatter As tech industry leaders on the near West Side around Geekdom start a low-key dialogue about making portions of Houston Street car-free, VelocityTX the bioscience innovation hub on the near East Side is looking to spruce up its area. I dont know if were necessarily proposing closing Houston Street, said Rene Dominguez, president and chief operating officer of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation, VelocityTXs parent organization. But we are kind of big fans of connecting the development thats going on over here on the East Side to the opportunities happening at Geekdom and at UTSA. He said VelocityTX is looking at programming that could close the street temporarily at night or for festivals that would encourage connectivity, economic activity and innovation. As part of the bond process, weve been talking about better connectivity in terms of street connectivity, bike lanes, underpass improvements, he said. Ways to physically connect the East Side development with the growth happening downtown. Get vaccinated Finally, if you havent gotten your COVID vaccination yet, please do. Lets trust the science so we can put this pandemic in the rearview mirror. Brandon Lingle writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. brandon.lingle@express-news.net Regional Militants kill 2 BSF jawans in Tripura, loot arms Agartala, Aug 3 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/3/2021 12:16:07 PM IST Outlawed extremists gunned down two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel including a sub-inspector rank official and looted their sophisticated arms in Tripura on Tuesday, police said. A police official in Agartala said that during patrolling, the suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants attacked the BSF troopers at Manikpur tribal village leading to a fierce encounter in which two para-military personnel were killed on the spot. The martyred BSF men include sub-inspector Bhuru Singh and constable Raj Kumar. The tribal guerrillas have taken away two sophisticated arms of the slain BSF jawans before they fled from the area, which is close to India-Bangladesh border under Dhalai district in northern Tripura. BSF official said that as per the blood strains available at the spot, militants have reportedly sustained some injuries. Both our martyrs have fought valiantly before succumbing to their injuries. Massive search operation has been launched in the area to nab the militants, the BSF official said. Senior BSF and police officials have rushed to the spot, 150 km north of Agartala. Further details of the incidents are awaited. Yves here. Be sure to check out and circulate our post on Pfizers consent form for a clinical trial for its Covid-19 vaccine booster shot. Needless to say, its revealing, and not in a good way. Spanish cave art was made by Neanderthals, study confirms Guardian (Kevin W) How Does the West African Talking Drum Accurately Mimic Human Speech? Smithsonian (resilc) Louisiana researcher says she was fired for blowing whistle on project that killed hundreds of dolphins The Hill (David L) Slowdown in Earths Rotation Could Have Affected the Oxygen Content of the Atmosphere SciTechDaily (Kevin W) Heatwave causes massive melt of Greenland ice sheet PhysOrg (Chuck L) Carbon offsets going up in smoke as company-linked forests burn Financial Times. Carbon offsets were alway a scam And while we are on fires: A video response to Representative Tom McClintocks description of wildland firefighters as unskilled labor Wildfire Today (Chuck L) In the US, Life Cycle Emissions For EVs Are Already 60-68% Lower Than Gasoline, Study Finds ars technica Nearly 5 mn fewer girls to be born worldwide over next 10 years: study Malaysia News #COVID-19 Pair of endangered snow leopards that caught COVID-19 at San Diego zoo last month are showing signs of improvement Daily Mail (John B) Covid-19 Cases Surge in Africas Biggest City as Doctors Strike Bloomberg China? 5 ways the EUs democracy crisis could end Politico New Cold War Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Trump The Big Money Behind the Big Lie New Yorker (furzy) Biden George W Bush should shut up and go away Al Jazeera (resilc) Sarah Palin Apparently Wants to Return to the Senate and Our Lives New Republic (resilc) His Conviction Was Overturned Amid Evidence of Innocence. The Supreme Court Could Throw It All Out. Intercept (Chuck L) Our Famously Free Press Woke Watch Revealed: the true extent of Americas food monopolies, and who pays the price Guardian (resilc) EXCLUSIVE Citi, HSBC, Prudential hatch plan for Asian coal-fired closures -sources Reuters Theranos Patients: The Emerging Wild Card in the Trial of Elizabeth Holmes Wall Street Journal Tesla big battery fire in Victoria under control after burning more than three days Guardian (resilc) Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Tracie H: A pair of happy Painted Turtles at the Irvine Regional Park in Irvine, California. And a bonus (Chuck L): Wow my cousin Emily had an exciting jog yesterday, thanks to @NatickBobCat pic.twitter.com/mdVJXp09zp Squidocto (@Squidocto) July 31, 2021 And I cant embed this Instagram video, but you have an idea from the still below, and you can view it here (Peter D) See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. Its nice to see a discussion of a concrete measure (pun not intended) to slow climate change. We need way more approaches that can be executed at a local level. By Emma Foehringer Merchant. Originally published at Undark On September 9, 2020, California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild opened a scheduled meeting with a somber observation. That morning, Bay Area residents woke to darkness, as wildfire smoke blotted out the sun and an eerie orange glow enveloped the region. It is 10 oclock in the morning and it looks like midnight, Hochschild said, looking outside. The commission was set to discuss reach codes building efficiency standards that exceed state requirements for two Bay Area jurisdictions. The timing was apt: Evidence of the need for climate-friendly buildings was just outside, according to people who attended the virtual commission meeting and connected the air quality to increasingly treacherous wildfires fueled by climate change. One public commenter called the scene outside his San Francisco window a literal hellscape. All urged the commission to adopt the more efficient codes, and to go further to rule out the use of natural gas in new buildings statewide. We have the lights on in our house because theres no sunlight, said Sasan Saadat, a policy analyst at Earthjustice, who dialed into the meeting from Berkeley. This is not the outlier. It is the trend. You all have this opportunity on your lap to set a new precedent for the end of fossil fuels in our built environment, Saadat told the commissioners. To date, more than 40 California jurisdictions have established policies that either entirely ban natural gas in new construction or encourage electrification. And in the months since San Franciscos sky glowed orange, the California Energy Commission has proposed state building standards that require electric ready equipment and encourage electric heating rather than the use of natural gas. Last year, California became the first state to enact standards that encourage the installation of rooftop solar on most new homes. If regulators approve the electric ready code, it will be another first-in-the-nation state standard, and California will have accomplished both policies through an often-overlooked mechanism: codes that govern the design and construction of new buildings. Though California is often seen as a trailblazer in climate policy, similar efforts are increasingly cropping up around the country. Advocates and progressive code officials are trying to push forward building codes that help drive decarbonization. Energy consumed in buildings produced more than 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, making them a key part of the climate challenge. And the window to decarbonize them is narrowing: Analysts at organizations such as the International Energy Agency have said that new construction worldwide will need to start switching to all-electric around 2025, if nations are to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) in this century. The place that we are working right now is to get a better code on paper, said Kim Cheslak, director of codes at the New Buildings Institute, a nonprofit that works with utilities and governments on energy efficient codes. The place we need to work after that is to make sure that cities, states, and building departments have the resources to enforce full compliance. The United States does not have a national building code. Instead, states follow model codes: the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for homes and Standard 90.1, a building energy standard of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), for commercial buildings. Certain states amend those standards to make them weaker or more stringent, or allow local governments to adopt codes. Other states, like California, set codes outside of the IECC process. This decentralized approach leads to wide variation in code adoption. Nine states rely on IECC codes more than a decade old, according to tracking from the Department of Energy. Twelve states use standards set in 2015. For efficiency advocates, that creates diffuse policy battles. You could be involved every three years in 52 fights over the code, because youve got 50 states plus the District of Columbia and the national model codes, said Cheslak, a former D.C. codes official. This year, those conflicts floated to the highest levels of national code development. The IECC development process which takes place every three years was embroiled in controversy when a significant number of local government officials turned out to vote on code changes, enacting efficiency improvements that could trickle down to jurisdictions across the country. In response, and reportedly under pressure from industry, the code councils board of directors voted to change the process to one where local officials have less sway. Now a growing group of clean energy and efficiency advocates, including Cheslak, are focusing on instituting local code amendments that improve on the model code. The New Buildings Institute is also already preparing language to submit in the IECCs next code cycle, which will set standards for 2024, just one year before experts say building electrification needs to take hold. California generally establishes more efficient energy standards than other states, as part of its efforts to reduce emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by mid-century. The states 2019 codes, which all but required solar on most new homes starting in 2020, represented a quantum leap forward, said Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister in May. In August, the commission is expected to go further, finalizing codes that provide incentives for home builders to move away from natural gas heating and towards more-efficient heat pumps. While many environmentalists hoped for an all-out gas ban, the standards could result in electrification of more than half of the homes built after Jan. 1, 2023, according to Pierre Delforge, a senior scientist focused on building decarbonization at the Natural Resources Defense Council. That would have the capacity to significantly impact the states emissions, he said, because as Californias electric grid gets cleaner, gas is becoming responsible for a larger portion of building emissions. Building stock overall accounts for about a quarter of Californias annual greenhouse gas emissions. The current draft building code also delicately sidesteps a controversy surrounding the groundswell of California jurisdictions that have made efforts to eliminate natural gas in new construction. Those initiatives have faced opposition from the building, gas, and restaurant industries. The state code would give builders incentives to pick heat pump water and space heaters, rather than gas-fueled models. Success relies on a carrot and stick approach, according to Delforge. If builders do choose to install gas heating, they will have to enact more extreme efficiency measures in other parts of the home. The format is similar to the one regulators used to encourage solar installation on most new homes. As in 2019, the flexibility built into the 2022 draft code eventually helped make builders more comfortable, said Chris Ochoa, senior counsel at the California Building Industry Association. We appreciate the no-mandate on total electrification, said Ochoa. Builders have raised concerns that such requirements would increase the cost of constructing new homes. Weve got a climate crisis, we get it. But we also have a serious housing crisis, said Ochoa. Weve got to balance all these things out. Bloomberg Law complained recently that the consent forms for Covid 19 vaccine clinical trials are larded with unimportant information and difficult to understand. Based on our reading of a Pfizer consent form for a trial of a third shot of its Covid-19 vaccine, those arent the biggest causes for pause. Weve embedded a Pfizer consent form for a Covid-19 booster vaccine clinical trial below, which as of posting time was available at careidresearch.com. We strongly encourage you to read it in full. Well discuss first how the form does not appear to have been reviewed by the oversight body tasked by the FDA to do so, and then will discuss why key parts are troubling. The biggest issue, flagged in our headline, is that the consent form allows for participants who need emergency care and go straight to their doctor or hospital to be ejected from the study. But its not the only one. Pfizer Consent Form Too Obviously Not Reviewed, Let Alone Negotiated, by FDA-Designated Overseer, the Institutional Review Board The FDA has tasked Institutional Review Boards, aka IRBs, to provide independent oversight of biomedical research projects to protect study participants, as you can see on the agencys website. Historically, academic medical centers and large local hospitals operated most IRBs. IM Doc, who was on an IRB for nearly two decades and its chairman for several years, explains how major drug companies have successfully shifted many over to private sector players to gut oversight: In our IRB we oversaw usually between 250-400 active trials at any one time. There was a staff of 6 RNs dealing with all the documents, the patient contacts, and any other work needing to be done. The Board itself consisted of a committee of LOCAL individuals. There were 15 people on ours. 3 were doctors, 3 were nurses, 3 were clergy, 3 were professional people from the community (lawyers, accountants, business owners) and 3 were blue collar workers. You notice the majority was ALWAYS NON-MEDICAL. We were tasked with going over any new research studies in our center, and coming up with a document called an Informed Consent. The researcher always had a template for this from either the NIH or other agency or Big Pharma. But the committee went over it with a fine tooth comb. To make certain that the patient was being informed exactly what the study was and how it was being conducted, what the risks and benefits were, what to look out for, and who to call if there were problems. A complete chain of command for problems was essential. It was also vetted to make certain that every person on the committee could easily understand the language. There were usually on average of multiple dozens of revisions made. The entire document was retyped and reformatted by our staff and then sent to the investigators for their approval. This process almost always took 2-4 weeks. Over time, Big Pharma has obtained more control over IRBs by moving Phase III and Phase IV clinical trials over to more cooperative private sector operators. A big motivating factor is that if an IRB (and historically there would be multiple local/regional IRBs supervising a clinical trial) suspended a study, every other IRB involved would have to be informed of the suspension and the reason why. Needless to say, that would have the potential to generate other suspensions or calls for revisions of study procedures midstream.which would be tantamount to having to go back to the drawing board. 1 One of the side effects was to weaken, and as appears to be the case here, effectively end IRB review and negotiation of consent forms. Have a look at this image, which is at the top of every page of the Pfizer consent form: The document is on the website of a research company that has engaged a doctor as the investigator and is working with Pharma companies to recruit patients. What is striking is that there is no attempt to pretend that the consent form is anything other than a Pfizer document. IM Doc stresses that every IRB he was ever involved with would at a minimum rework the drug company templates and create their own documents. Confirming IM Docs view that this document was simply rubber stamped: The Pfizer ICD date is July 2, a Friday. The IRB approval date is July 7, the following Wednesday, after the Federal July Fourth holiday on Monday July 5. There is no way a request for changes in language could have been developed, sent to Pfizer, reviewed, and approved (or a letter explaining the rejection generated) in such short period. Red Flags in the Consent Form While one has to assume that this Pfizer form is pretty typical, its alarming as a statement of the disdain Big Pharma and its hired hands have for clinical trial participants. As IM Doc described, what has happened over time is that the major drug companies have turned the IRB watchdogs into lapdogs. The evisceration of independent oversight has the effect of elevating the importance of the consent form as a vehicle of informing and protecting study participants. But the consent form retains its apparent original form of being a user-friendly document describing the clinical trial process and risks. The teeth were intended to be at the IRBs, not in the consent forms. Nevertheless, the consent form is clearly meant to have legal significance, as in most importantly to shield Pfizer from liability. Yet it is slipshod and incomplete. For instance, it fails to define terms and is inconsistent in the way it refers to concepts, does not specify governing law, and has no dispute resolution process. The latter issue matters because Pfizer says the study doctor will provide or arrange for medical treatment for what is refers to as a study-related or research injury (it at least does define research injury on p. 17, if not all that crisply). But what if a study participant thinks he has suffered a research injury and the study doctor disagrees? Or the participant believes the level of care Pfizer provided is inadequate? Its not hard to wonder if the sloppiness of this document is deliberate, that its the Big Pharma answer to Nigerian scam letter. As professor of information and spam expert Finn Brunton put it: By making them really obviously fraudulent, youre weeding out the skeptics. Youre only getting truly gullible responses. This consent letter looks designed to put off the legally savvywho could be effective trouble-makers if anything went seriously wrong. Below are some eyebrow-raising provisions. Note that these shortcomings have the potential of impairing the health of participants and their close contacts, by not giving them the most complete information about whether the participant has Covid, as well as the completeness and integrity of this Covid booster study. 1. Unlike the Moderna clinical trials, where participants were checked for Covid weekly, Pfizer participants are tested for Covid-19 only if they report symptoms to a study doctor and then the doctor deems they warrant testing. That assures asymptomatic cases will not be tracked. Given that the CDC has raised its alert on the Delta variant to DefCon 1, based on evidence that asymptomatic patients carry Covid in their noses at the same level as symptomatic victims, the study data-gathering does not reflect current public health concerns. 2. Study participants, and importantly, their doctors, do not have access to any of their test information or samples from the trial, including if they report Covid symptoms and the study doctors run a test. Pfizer makes no commitment to tell them if they have a positive test result. They are instructed to get their own test from their MD if they think they have Covid.2/sup> But participants agree to let Pfizer obtain information from their doctor and any medical provide about care the participant receives.3 3. Pfizer can remove participants who seek emergency room care on their own. The document instructs participants repeatedly to contact the study doctor immediately if they suffer any of the listed Covid-19 symptoms. Note that the immediately means Pfizer first. That means if you contact your own medical professional first about one of the long list of Covid symptoms, you have violated Pfizers directives and can be removed from the study (p. 16): The study doctor or BioNTech/Pfizer may also decide to take you off the study vaccine and/or remove you from the study (even if you do not agree) in the following situations: You are unable or unwilling to follow the instructions of the study; While we are harping on sloppiness, did you catch The study doctor or BioNTech/Pfizer may also decide to take you off the study vaccine? Huh? This is a one-shot trial. Take you off the study vaccine instead appears to contemplate withholding a shot from non-complaint participants. In other words, this looks like language from the consent forms from the clinical trial for the original two-shot regime that wasnt cleaned up for this study. And if this isnt what Pfizer means, that language is still defective. Take you off the study vaccine is meant to be punitive. Trial subjects shouldnt have to guess what that means. Now back to the issue of trial participants making emergency room visits after getting the third Pfizer injection. This is not a theoretical concern. We know of one participant who received a shot and in less than 24 hours had a high temperature plus debilitating digestive and neurological distress and went to the emergency room in haste. I am told this subject was escorted to the ER. That makes it unlikely the participant was alert enough to say Oh, have Pfizer sort out my ER visit even if that level of delay didnt appear to be health-jeopardizing.4/sup> Thus thiis participant did not follow the instructions of the study if as I infer the individual didnt have Pfizer arrange for care. To put this more directly: the odds are not trivial that participants who had severe side effects would go to the ER and worry about Pfizer later. Any who behaved this way could be excluded from the study. In other words, Pfizer has the opportunity, and clearly already has the motive, to avoid reporting so-called Stage 4 (potentially life threatening) reactions by invoking this provision of their consent form.5 4. The study is designed to minimize reporting of side effects. Remember that the study doctor is to be contacted only in the event of Covid-19 symptoms, and not other symptoms that have been attributed to the vaccines, like worsening of autoimmune symptoms or early and very heavy menstrual periods. From p. 8: COVID Illness e-diary At your first visit, you will either be given an e-diary (similar to a mobile phone), or you will download an e-diary application (app) to your smart phone if you have one. You will also be given a thermometer. The study team will provide training on how to use the e-diary and thermometer. The e-diary has questions related to any potential COVID-19 symptoms that you have. You will need to complete the COVID-19 illness e-diary once a week for the whole time you are in the study, or until your study doctor tells you that you no longer need to complete it, to report if you have any COVID-19 symptoms or not. You will also need to complete the COVID-19 illness e-diary if you have COVID-19 symptoms outside of the weekly question. You may receive alerts to the device or your own smartphone to remind you to complete the e-diary. The e-diary is secure, and your confidentiality will be maintained. In other words, the consent form does not describe any mechanism for reporting side effects. And even if participants try using the Covid Illness e-diary for this purpose, weekly the weekly format will favor under-reporting of symptoms during first 1-3 days6 Other Issues with the Consent Form These concerns are not as dramatic but are still worth logging: 1. This clinical trial is not double blind. Is Pfizer too broke to do the extra work to execute a study at the highest research standard? This is an observer-blind study, which means that you and the study doctor will not know whether you are receiving the study COVID-19 Vaccine or placebo injection, but the person who gives you the injection will know because the COVID-19 Vaccine and placebo do not look the same. The person that gives you the injection will not be able to talk about it with you. In case of urgent need, the study doctor can learn quickly whether you have received COVID-19 Vaccine or placebo. Clever Hans the horse could read unintended non-verbal cues plenty well. 2. Not only are pregnant and at-risk-of-becoming pregnant women excluded, so to are men who might impregnate a woman. Tubal ligation, anyone? P. 14, emphasis original: If you are able to have children and you are sexually active, you must use birth control consistently and correctly for at least 28 days after you receive your last vaccination. This applies to men and women who take part in this research study. The study doctor will discuss with you the methods of birth control that you should use while you are in this research study and will help you select the method(s) that is appropriate for you. The study doctor will also check that you understand how to use the birth control method and may review this with you at each of your research study visits. Birth control methods, even when used properly are not perfect. If you or your partner becomes pregnant during the research study, or you want to stop your required birth control during the research study, you should tell the study doctor immediately . You may be withdrawn from the research study if you stop using birth control or you become pregnant. If you are a male, you will not be allowed to donate sperm for at least 28 days after your last vaccination. These restrictions seem at odds with a June 2021 of this New England Journal of Medicine article.. It starts by explaining that pregnant women are elevated risk for bad outcomes if they contract Covid compared to women who arent pregnant: Therefore, clinicians relied on developmental and reproductive animal data from Moderna that showed no safety concerns, and there was no biologically plausible reason that the mRNA technology would be harmful in pregnancy Among 827 [V-safe] registry participants who reported a completed pregnancy, the pregnancy resulted in a spontaneous abortion in 104 (12.6%) and in stillbirth in 1 (0.1%); these percentages are well within the range expected as an outcome for this age group of persons whose other underlying medical conditions are unknown. A total of 712 pregnancies (86.1%) resulted in a live birth, mostly among participants who received their first vaccination dose in the third trimester. Among live-born infants, the incidences of preterm birth (9.4%), small size for gestational age (3.2%), and congenital anomalies (2.2%) were also consistent with those expected on the basis of published literature. There were no neonatal deaths. These are reassuring data based on reports from pregnant women mostly vaccinated in the third trimester. and with a March article in Nature that summarized other research. If Pfizer wants to calm concerns about possible reproductive risk from taking its Covid vaccine, this is not the way to go about it. Before you attempt to defend Pfizer, recall that it has a record before of playing fast and loose, including paying one of the largest criminal fines ever imposed on a drug company for the arthritis drug Bextra. It would not be hard for Pfizer to develop a legally sound and clearer consent form, or test all participants weekly for Covid, or inform participants if they test positive for Covid. But God forbid anyone interfere with Pfizers lock on the information flow, even if the result puts patients at risk. And more generally, this consent form speaks volumes about the care in which Pfizer has placed peoples lives when evaluating these vaccines. Its not hard to conclude this also represents the care Pfizer is taking to assure the vaccines are safe for you. Hire a bunch of local physicians at thousands of dollars a pop, and have an IRB rubber stamp the protective documents like an expense receipt. And set up the study so that if any participant sees a doctor they chose rather than Pfizer about Covid or a possible bad reaction, they can be excluded. _____ 1 More background from IM Doc: Big Pharma has hated this system since the beginning. They tried to sabotage it in any way they could. At the same time, an entirely different approach began to be more common. For Phase III and Phase IV trials, Big Pharma began to pull away from big academic centers and big hospitals, and employ local physicians to do all the patient recruitment and research work often right out of their offices. Initially, the same IRBs were used however, the rapid turnover pace that Pharma wanted was just not happening, so large centralized IRBs came into existence. Big Pharma had also become very tired of what they felt was pesky interference in their trials. These were national IRBs for profit corporations often approving hundreds of trials a week. I will leave it to the reader to ascertain for themselves how thoroughly these trials were evaluated for problems. The two biggest ones were known as Western IRB and Copernicus. At the same time this was going on, the uptake of research grew into a big business for community physicians. Many often made hundreds of thousands a year on this type of work. Each patient recruited in a trial would be rewarded by Big Pharma of often 5-10 thousand dollars. The patients of course got nothing. They were enticed with the promise of being put on an awesome new study drug but as I found out so often no one likely discussed with them the concept of a placebo either the physician or the IRB. A practice would have hundreds of patients enrolled in trials, and often, the only employees doing any kind of follow up or paperwork on these patients were the same ones harried with all kinds of regular work in a physicians office. And unlike before in the academic IRB model, there was absolutely no follow up or concern given to the subjects by these national IRBs. NONE AT ALL. Eventually, many physicians doing this kind of work gave up clinical medicine and began to do this full time. It is highly lucrative and very little time is involved for them. On multiple occasions, when I was the chairman of the IRB, our hospital IRB got dragged into a fiasco because a patient had a bad outcome in one of these trials approved by a national IRB. And the hospital made it mandatory that for the community physician to retain privileges he had to hand his disaster over to the local IRB. What was invariably found was sloppy work, virtually no records, and certainly no meaningful follow up with the patients. Indeed, an example of the sloppy work can even be found on this document presented by Yves. What kind of business would have a confidential document laying around on the Internet for all to see? You can read all about this process here or in many other places across the Internet. The complete domination of these outside IRBs has now been assured. 2 P. 9: The result from this nose swab will be provided to the study doctor once it is available, but this will take some time, and cannot be used to diagnose if you have COVID-19. This is why it is important that you contact your usual provider if you have COVID-19 symptoms and think you need medical care. 3 This qualifier on p. 27 is ambiguous and not satisfactory: What are your rights to your personal information? You may have the right to access your personal information that is held by the study site. However, by signing this authorization, you agree that your right to access certain of your information held by the study site will be suspended until after the study is over. After the study is finished, your right to access such information will be reinstated. This section discusses personal information and certain of your information. Other parts of the consent form discuss health information. None of these terms are defined. This section can mean whatever Pfizer wants it to mean. Oh, and there isnt a clear duration of the study either. P. 5, emphasis original: People taking part will be in this study who are given COVID-19 Vaccine (BNT162b2) will be in the study for about 1 year. 4 P. 17: If you are injured or get sick because of being in this research, call the study doctor immediately. If you experience a research injury, your study doctor will provide or arrange for medical treatment. BioNTech/Pfizer will cover the costs of this treatment. A research injury is any physical injury or illness caused by your participation in the study. 5 As the post discusses shortly, Pfizer also requires sexually active men to use birth control methods approved by the study, review with the doctor that they know how to use them properly, continue to use them for 28 days after their shot, and may review the birth control practices at regular sessions with the study doctor. How many men do you think will be as compliant as the consent form requires? While the main point of these provisions is to make sure no way, no how can any pregnancy bad outcomes be pinned on Pfizer, non-compliance with the birth control requirements, even if they didnt result in a pregnancy, could also serve as a basis for removal from the study. 6 This is a well-documented effect of the empathy gap, when individuals in hot agitated states cant relate to what it is like to be in a cold detached state, and vice versa. One manifestation is people who are not currently in pain or discomfort typically do not fully recall how bad it was when they were miserable. From Wikipedia: Yves here. In about five years, climate change has gone from still having loud denialists to being accepted by all but total cranks, yet policy responses have barely budged. I suspect the near-term human costs wont be heatstroke in the Mediterranean, but rising levels of water scarcity and starvation due to skimpy harvests. By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies Global warming of 3C is almost guaranteed before the end of this century under policies in place. Whats happening on the ground is less than half of whats in store for the youngest of those alive today. Even The Economist has noticed that the ravages of climate change are coming to this generation, not the next one: Three degrees of global warming is quite plausible and truly disastrous BY THE STANDARDS of the 21st century as a whole, 2021 will almost certainly go down as a comparatively cool year. By the standards of the rest of human history its weather looks disconcertingly like hell. On July 20th, as Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland were still coming to terms with the fact that a stationary system of storms had turned entire towns into rivers and shredded the surrounding countryside, hundreds of thousands of people in the Chinese province of Henan were evacuated in the face of floods of their own; the city of Zhengzhou saw a years worth of rain in three days. Also on July 20th Cizre, in Turkey, saw a temperature of 49.1C (120F), the highest ever recorded in the country. There has been barely any respite from searingly hot conditions along the northern Pacific coast of North America since the region was hit by an unprecedented heatwave two weeks ago, and already the region is bracing for another. Other places at high latitudes have been seeing similarif less destructiveanomalies. In the first half of the month Finland experienced its longest heatwave for at least 60 years, with temperatures rising to the low 30Cs in Lapland. On July 14th the country tossed and turned through its hottest night ever: two weather stations recorded temperatures no lower than 24.2C. On July 11th, a National Weather Service thermometer at Furnace Creek in Death Valley recorded a temperature of 54C [thats 129F]. If confirmed by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), that would tie a reading taken at the same location last year for the hottest formally recognised daytime temperature ever. On July 19th more than 40% of the Greenland ice cap had meltwater on it. The amount of sea-ice cover in the Arctic was as low as it was at the same point in 2012, which saw the lowest summer sea ice ever recorded. This is what Earth looks like when, according to the latest data from the WMO, it is 1.1-1.3C warmer than it was before the steam engine was invented. [emphasis added] Its fair to say that what weve seen this year will happen almost every year going forward plus it will get worse. Note that Death Valley reached its all-time record 54C or 129F in both of the last two years. Almost everyone alive today will see summers with no Arctic ice. That day is not far off. Almost everyone born today will see winters with no Arctic ice. Destruction of the white expanse of Arctic ice, which reflects solar energy back into space before its converted to heat consider the difference between a white surface and a black surface on a bright day is one of many accelerants our species is pouring with abandon onto the fire of our own demise. Its clear the editors of The Economists (this was an unsigned, editor-written piece) fully understand that the planet will soon be largely uninhabitable by our species, and in this century. They understand, for example, that while tropical nights where temperatures remain above 20C from dusk till dawn are mostly the preserve of the Mediterranean shoreline today, in a 3C-warming world they became a regular occurrence in the Baltics, adding that its the lack of enough cooling at night which, by and large, drives deaths during heatwaves. Deaths from heatwaves in the Baltic Sea region. Consider what that means. If Estonians start dying from the heat, how many global others will already have died? In tropic and semi-tropic regions, high humidity will make working outdoors a form of execution. Where will those billions of souls, many of them in south Asia, go to escape? Do you think they will be welcome as they flee north? Do you think well be welcome in Canada when we flee north? The Story Isnt the Climate, But the Reaction to It But the real story of this excellent and informative piece isnt about the climate and what it will do to us. Its about what the reaction to the climate will do to us. Heres its conclusion, its literal last words: [T]he longer it takes to cut emissions, the more avoiding 3C becomes something only achievable through the application of untested and in some cases troubling technologies designed either to suck carbon from the atmosphere in vast amounts or to throw some of the suns warming rays back into space. Humanity would find itself wedged between a geoengineered rock and a very hot place. That leaves us exactly nowhere. Were nowhere near to cutting emissions by design. The greatest cuts to emissions in this century are due to (heavily lamented) limits to economic growth cause by accidental crises acts of God, if you will, like the Great Banking Bust of 2008 and the coronavirus pandemic of the last two years, both of which most readers would gladly have foregone. Yet this is the Economist, a bastion of rightthink for bankers and Western global leaders, the kind of people who go to Davos each year to design our future for us and for themselves. Where is the editors admonition to do something before the Economists own readers take the planet where no man or woman, living or unborn, can ever follow? Wheres the moral rejection, the shaming and the shunning, of the greed of its richest readers, a lust for money that will truncate the natural lives of most living souls, save only the geriatric few like Charles Koch? (Though I fervently wish him the opposite, Koch will probably die long before his sins can be visited on him. Live long, Charles Koch. I dont trust the afterlife to serve you the treat you deserve.) Its as if the Economist has decided to point out the soon-to-come wreck of the ship its sailing on, while neither getting off nor working its best to change course. And thats the reason were stuck where we are today. No one with real power wants to stop the wreck that even they know is coming. Theyre content just to talk about it. As to why this is true, thats the subject of another piece several in fact. Stay tuned for more. (Natural News) Government agencies and municipalities throughout the state of Texas are now prohibited from mandating face masks or vaccines for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), thanks to an executive order signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott signed the order two days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new guidance telling vaccinated people that they should once again wear a face mask indoors because they can still contract and spread the Fauci Flu. To further ensure that no governmental entity can mandate masks, the following requirement shall continue to apply: No governmental entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face-covering or to mandate that another person wear a covering, the order states. In a statement, Abbott further explained that the order provides clarity and uniformity throughout the Lone Star State, which he says is committed to championing personal responsibility over government mandates. CDC head Rochelle Walensky, conversely, would prefer to see a more fascist approach taken because she says she is really scared of the new delta variant that the mainstream media claims is spreading all around the world. While Walensky claims that around 83 percent of all new Chinese Virus infections are of the delta variety, former Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir says the CDCs data is weak. Dr. Walensky said in rare circumstances, a vaccinated person may transmit. Well, if its 1 percent, 0.1 percent, 0.01 percent, theres no reason for the mask recommendations, but we dont know because they wont tell us, Giroir told Fox News in a recent interview. Walensky: Your children need to get jabbed and stay muzzled at all times The government still refuses to explain how or when it developed a new testing protocol capable of detecting the delta strain of Chinese Germs. And yet we are all just supposed to believe that it is spreading due to the unvaccinated, when the reality is that the vast majority of people getting sick are those who took the jab. The data shows this, but Walensky wants you to ignore it and just trust her because she apparently knows best because shes an expert. In a statement, Walensky urged a fresh round of mask mandates to help flatten the curve of delta, which we are told is sending lots of vaccinated people to the hospital. Walensky also wants your children masked at all times because the little brats are making her feel scared about the Wuhan Flu. In order for them to return to the classroom this fall, Walensky wants your children jabbed and muzzled. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki agrees with Walensky, having stated during a recent appearance that based on evolving information about the plandemic, it only makes sense to ratchet up the tyranny to full blast. The reality is, were dealing with a much different strain of this virus than we were even earlier in the spring back in May when the masking guidance was done, Psaki is quoted as saying. This order means that there is no law enforcement agency in Texas that can become involved in enforcing mask or vaccine mandates by business owners, wrote one commenter at Fox News about Abbotts executive order. Law enforcement can still arrest individuals for trespass if they refuse to comply with mandates by business owners, responded another. It is completely up to each individual business to decide which policies it wishes to impose on its guests and employees. The latest news about Chinese Virus injection deception can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) With the CDC announcing a mask mandate reversal and the endless doom mongering over the dreaded Delta variant, Americans have a lot of questions, yet the answer to all of them seems to simply be do as youre told because we say so. (Article by Steve Watson republished from InfoWars.com) This was in evidence again on Friday when after the announcement that even vaccinated people can still get and transmit the Delta variant, Newsmax reporter Emerald Robinson asked the White House Principal Deputy Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre what exactly the CDC is doing to test for this. Jean-Pierre had no idea and didnt even bother to suggest she would try to find out. The Biden Administration is unable to provide any proof that Delta variant is real and White House Deputy Press Secretary @KJP46 just admitted in a press briefing that she has no idea if there's even a test for it! Emerald Robinson (@EmeraldRobinson) July 30, 2021 She claimed she didnt even know why anyone would ask how the CDC tests for the Delta variant or why they would bother to explain the process. Robinson pointed out that the only answers Americans are being given is because they say so, to which the Deputy Press Secretary answered because they are the experts. .@EmeraldRobinson asked @KJP46 how the CDC is testing for the Delta variant and she completely falls apart and says its because the experts say so. pic.twitter.com/C9HKrsJGpj Amy Tarkanian (@MrsT106) July 30, 2021 As we noted last week, Press Secretary Jen Psakis answer to the question If vaccines work, then why do people who have the vaccine now need to wear masks? was essentially because we say so. After admitting that he is seeking to determine whether he can mandate vaccines for all Americans, Joe Biden lost it with reporter Peter Doocy, who again dared to ask for an explanation on the flip-flop on masks. Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, are literally repeating the stock phrase its science over and over without explaining any of the method behind it, because they literally have no idea what it is. Read more at: InfoWars.com and WhiteHouse.news (Natural News) Researchers from Germany have conducted the worlds first-ever postmortem study on a corpse that prior to death had been vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). They found that every single organ of the now-deceased persons body had become infested with spike proteins due to the jab. About one month prior to his death, the 86-year-old man had received his first dose of a Fauci Flu shot. He later became infected with Chinese Germs and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. It was already too late, though. The mans body was overtaken by Trump Vaccine spike proteins that ate up his vital organs and left him for dead. According to reports, the man had received a lipid nanoparticle-formulated, nucleoside-modified RNA vaccine BNT162b2 in a 30 ?g dose. On that day and in the following 2 weeks, he presented with no clinical symptoms, reads a paper about the case that was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. On day 18, he was admitted to hospital for worsening diarrhea. Since he did not present with any clinical signs of COVID-19, isolation in a specific setting did not occur. Laboratory testing revealed hypochromic anemia and increased creatinine serum levels. Antigen test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 were negative. By day 25, the man finally tested positive for Chinese Germs It took all the way until day 25 for the man to finally test positive for the Fauci Flu. Just one day later, he died in the hospital of kidney and respiratory failure caused by the vaccine. Researchers later found that the patients entire body had become overrun with high viral RNA loads, also known as vaccine-induced spike proteins. The man was clearly killed by the jab. In summary, the results of our autopsy case study in a patient with mRNA vaccine confirm the view that by first dose of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity can already be induced, while sterile immunity is not adequately developed, the study concluded. While it was discovered that the lethal injection did trigger an immune response inside the mans body, it did absolutely nothing to stop the spread of the virus or the spike proteins that caused his organs to fail. What this all shows, of course, is that the Trump Vaccines are doing more harm than good if they are doing any good at all. They also appear to be accelerating the spread of the Chinese Virus and its associated illnesses. This is why we are urging our readers to just say no to experimental drug injections from the government. There is simply no need for anyone to take these shots unless they have some kind of death wish, in which case there are suicide help lines available to talk them out of taking their own lives with Faucis lethal injections. Sadly, after a few months, the truth will be revealed, and then those who took the jabs will become the pariahs of society! wrote one commenter at Infowars. Remember, this whole fake vaccine affair violates every single article of the Nuremberg Code, which the U.S. adopted decades ago. Whats incredible about this whole thing, is that the drug inventors, nor the manufacturers are liable for any adverse consequences related to their Covid-19 vaccines, because they were created under an emergency declaration and considered immune to any irregularities, because their intention was to save humanity, noted another, suggesting that this format of pushing deadly, liability-free drugs on the masses is part of the new normal. Sound familiar? Get used to it because intention covers a multitude of sins. The latest news and information about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) deception can be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showing that three out of every four people infected during the recent Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) delta variant outbreak in Massachusetts had already been fully vaccinated with a Fauci Flu vaccine. Of the 469 cases of the Chinese Virus that were identified in Barnstable County, 346, or 74 percent, occurred in fully vaccinated persons who had completed a 2-dose course of mRNA vaccine [Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna] or had received a single dose of Janssen [Johnson & Johnson] vaccine [at least] 14 days before exposure. According to the CDC genomic sequencing of specimens collected from 133 patients revealed the presence of B.1.617.2, which the government is calling delta even though it refuses to explain how and when the testing protocol for delta was developed. Overall, 274 (79%) vaccinated patients with breakthrough infection were symptomatic, the CDC says about the outbreak. Among five COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, four were fully vaccinated; no deaths were reported. CDC admits it used fraudulent PCR testing to identify delta cases The CDC did reveal that it used fraudulent real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) values to come up with its positive diagnoses for the delta patients it identified. Not only are PCR tests fraudulent, generating false positives especially when cranked up high as they were all throughout 2020, but they were also designed and calibrated to identify common influenza, not the Chinese Virus. What many people are testing positive for, in all reality, is just the ordinary seasonal flu. This is why there was no flu season in 2020, of course, as everyone was testing positive for Chinese Germs. Even so, the government continues to fearmonger about the delta variant, blaming the unvaccinated for its continued spread among the vaccinated. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible; vaccination is the most important strategy to prevent severe illness and death, the CDC contends. CDC: The only way to survive delta is to stop living Vaccines are not enough, though, according to the government. Vaccinated people must also wear a mask indoors at all times if they hope to flatten the curve. Masking indoors regardless of vaccination status is the latest recommendation from Fauci and friends. The CDC is also trying to scare Americans into avoiding other human beings this summer by skipping out on barbecues and staying away from large events. Living is contributing to the spread of the Wuhan Flu, the CDC maintains, so people need to stop living in order to stay safe. If Americans refuse to do this on their own, then the CDC recommends that local jurisdictions impose new lockdowns to keep everyone as miserable as possible. Doing this will help to flatten the curve, says the CDC. Keep in mind the CDC has also admitted that the PCR test is unable to identify the presence of infectious virus or any causative agent for clinical symptoms. It can be adjusted to produce just about any result the government wants, including new variants for which it can fearmonger the public into getting jabbed and wearing masks. The performance of this test has not been established for screening of blood or blood products for the presence of 2019-nCoV, reads page 38 of an FDA document about the PCR test. This test cannot rule out diseases caused by other bacterial or viral pathogens. And all the lockdowns, masks, mandates, vaccines etc. was based on the numbers of PCR fake positive cases, one of our commenters wrote. There basically was no pandemic. The latest news about the governments Chinese Virus lies can be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new guidelines recommending that all Americans, regardless of vaccination status, should wear masks indoors in areas with high transmission. The agencys new set of recommendations has spurred backlash, as the country desperately wants to move on from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Virtually all of the resistance to the recommendation for a return of mask mandates came from the Republican Party. Many have expressed hostility and defiance to the updated masking guidance. (Related: The number of cities and school districts enforcing mask mandates is rapidly growing as CDC authorities admit vaccines are failing.) In the House of Representatives, many Republicans rose up in anger after the Attending Physician of the United States Congress Dr. Brian Monahan sent a memo informing members that masks have to be worn inside the House at all times. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said: The threat of bringing masks back is not a decision based on science, but a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state. This statement prompted a response from Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, who called McCarthy a moron. Other representatives had heated altercations over the issue. Rep. Maxine Waters of California verbally assaulted Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah because the latter chose to exercise his freedom to not wear a mask. On the day Monahan released his memo, House Republicans forced a vote to adjourn the chamber in protest to the mask mandate. This motion was defeated along mostly party lines. We have a crisis at our border, and were playing footsie with mask mandates in the peoples House, said Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, the sponsor of the motion to adjourn. The American people are fed up. They want to go back to life. They want to go back to business. They want to go back to school without their children being forced to wear masks. Republican governors fighting back against CDC guidelines Outside of Congress, Republican governors have been leading the fight to prevent mask mandates. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said that the CDCs guidance flies in the face of the public health goals that the agency should be pushing towards. The State of Nebraska will not be adopting their mask guidance, he declared in a statement. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey pointed out that, if the CDC really wants people to get vaccinated, pushing for fully vaccinated people to keep wearing masks will not help in that regard. Furthermore, it creates more challenges for public health officials. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called the CDCs guidance disappointing and concerning. Like Ducey, he argued trying to reimpose mask mandates will only further diminish confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. This decision only promotes fear and further division among our citizens, argued Parson. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the CDCs guidance is not based on either common sense or reality. Im concerned that this guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools across the country, something I do not support, she said. The office of Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas made it clear that his government will no longer be mandating masks. Now is the time for personal responsibility, his office said in a statement. Every Texan has the right to choose whether they will wear a mask, or have their children wear masks. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem criticized the CDC for being cowed into recommending masks again due to the post-vaccine delta variant of COVID-19. She also went further than her colleagues by criticizing fellow Republican governors for keeping their mask mandate. The CDC shifts their position AGAIN, wrote Noem on her Twitter account. South Dakotas cases remain low. If youre worried about the virus, youre free to get vaccinated, wear a mask or stay home. But we wont be mandating anything. And the CDCs inconsistency doesnt help the American people. In a speech, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took particular aim at the CDCs call for kids to be forced to wear masks in classrooms. Its not healthy for these students to be sitting there all day, six-year-old kids in kindergarten covered in masks, he said. Even former President Donald Trump has weighed in on the mask mandate. We wont go back, said Trump. We wont mask our children. Why do Democrats distrust the science? Learn more about the CDC and the Democrats attempts to reinstitute local, state and federal mask mandates by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheHill.com 1 APNews.com TheHill.com 2 (Natural News) China has rejected a plan by the World Health Organization (WHO) to conduct a second investigation into the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Last week, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented member states with a second plan to trace the origins of COVID-19. It includes conducting an audit of the laboratories and markets in Wuhan, the ground zero of the coronavirus pandemic. Tedros wants every single laboratory and research institution operating in Wuhan in Dec. 2019 the suspected date when the coronavirus cases first appeared to be audited. He also proposed a geographic study of Wuhan and neighboring areas where similar viruses like SARS have been detected in animals. Finally, he proposed an investigation of all animal markets in and around Wuhan, as well as a thorough examination of the exotic wildlife sold at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. This market sold live animals, including exotic and endangered wildlife, prior to its closure on January 2020. The director-general also called for greater transparency from Beijing and asked Chinese authorities to be more cooperative by providing the WHO access to raw data. Calls for a more thorough, independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19 came as more evidence supporting the lab leak theory surfaced in recent months. (Related: Liberal media suddenly LOVES the lab leak theory which NaturalNews has been reporting from the very start.) Tedros himself only recently admitted that there was a premature push in the WHO to rule out the lab leak theory in favor of the natural origin theory. The latter suggests that the COVID-19 virus naturally passed onto humans from animals. China refuses to open up labs for investigation Beijing reacted negatively to the WHOs proposal. Zeng Yixin, vice minister of Chinas National Health Commission, said that the communist nation cannot accept this kind of plan for origin-tracing. To be honest, I was quite surprised when I first saw the WHOs phase two origin-tracing plan, said Zeng during a press conference. Because it includes as one of its research priorities the hypothesis that China had violated laboratory procedures, leading to virus leakage. From this point, I feel it has a disrespect for common sense and reveals an arrogance toward science, he added. Zeng also said that the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) does not have viruses that can directly infect humans. Proponents of the lab leak theory believe that the COVID-19 virus was engineered in a lab in the WIV. The Chinese vice minister reminded the public that a WHO-coordinated team of international experts visited the WIV earlier this year and concluded that a lab leak was highly unlikely. However, Zeng failed to mention that this investigation has now been discredited due to undisclosed conflicts of interest between some of the teams most prominent members. During his speech, Zeng not only made it clear that China is rejecting the WHOs plan, but he also strongly denied the lab leak theory. He said reports that staff and graduate students at the WIV had become sick with COVID-19 long before China confirmed the existence of the virus were all untrue. According to Zeng, China has always been supportive of origin tracing efforts. However, we are opposed to politicizing the tracing work. China proposes WHO investigate other countries instead Beijing has submitted a counter-proposal to the WHOs plan to investigate COVID-19s origin for the second time. According to the communist countrys proposal, the WHO should move its investigation out of China. Zeng said scientists should look for evidence of animal-to-human transmission of viruses in other countries that also had early COVID-19 cases. If the WHO were to accept this proposal, it would effectively block off any possible investigations centered around China. Zeng also insisted that the WHO should investigate the U.S. military laboratory at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Fort Detrick is home to Americas biological defense program, as well as other military medical research facilities. China claims that Fort Detrick is a more plausible origin of the COVID-19 virus than the WIV. One spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said a probe into the workings of Fort Detrick is long overdue and called for the U.S. to provide answers to the international community. The White House has said there are no credible reasons for a probe to be conducted in Fort Detrick. The entire scientific community has declined to support Chinas counter-theory. Learn more about Chinas attempts to prevent investigators from learning the truth about COVID-19s origins at Pandemic.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk WSJ.com Newsweek.com CBSNews.com (Natural News) CNN and their nightly propagandist, Anderson Cooper, spent tremendous amounts of time and energy attacking the science on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and demeaning doctors who cured every single one of their patients using HCQ in their treatment protocols. Instead of being labeled anti-science or anti-immunity, CNN continued to mock HCQ and slander doctors who helped their patients recover and achieve natural immunity. Instead of being called out as vile and unempathetic, Andersen Cooper was patted on the back for suppressing treatments, putting patients at risk and mocking doctors who saved lives. Now CNN is getting hit with one of the most important defamation suits of our time. Texas doctor sues CNN and Andersen Cooper for $100 million Dr. Stella Immanuel was one of many honest, hard-working doctors who sought safe and effective treatments for her patients. Dr. Immanuel is from the Rehoboth Medical Center in Houston, Texas. In the early days of treating patients, she successfully treated all 350 of her patients using a simple, antiviral protocol that included HCQ. When she went public with this treatment success and said theres no need for lockdowns and mask mandates, CNN defamed her and shamelessly tried to destroy her credibility as a doctor. Big Tech also conspired against Dr. Immanuel and Americas Frontline Doctors, censoring her public testimony across all social media platforms. In order to obtain emergency authorization for experimental coronavirus vaccines, the felonious vaccine makers, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson NEED there to be zero known treatments for SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Immanuel was one of the doctors who got in Big Pharmas way and provided a pathway for medical ethics and proper treatment of patients. In their folly, these pharmaceutical companies and their media acolytes unleashed a vicious defamation and censorship campaign against HCQ and any medical professional who dared speak the truth. When President Trump tweeted a video of Dr. Immanuel, CNN attacked HCQ viciously, using defamation, censorship and politically-motivated ridicule. Now Dr. Immanuel is fighting back against CNN and suing them for $100 million. The suit reaffirms that hydroxychloroquine is entirely effective for treating covid. The suit states: (Anderson) Cooper and CNN published a series of statements of fact about Dr. Immanuel that injured her reputation and exposed her to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, and financial injury. The suit also reveals how CNN and Cooper juxtaposed a series of facts relating to Dr. Immanuels professional medical experience and opinions and her personal religious beliefs so as to imply a connection and create the impression that she was unfit to perform the duties of a licensed medical doctor. CNN is anti-science misinformation, weaponized against humanity Dr. Immanuels most important allegation against CNN, claims the network effectively caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands whose lives would have been spared if they had been treated early with HCQ. Due to their acts of deceit and defamation, CNN has promoted and encouraged the DEATHS of patients across the United States and around the world. By mocking the treatments that work, CNN is an anti-science and anti-immunity misinformation source that is weaponized against humanity. Moreover, CNN continues to use death statistics to push for further lockdowns, mandates and forced vaccination. One of their anchors, Don Lemon, even declared that people should be starved out of society and not allowed to go to the supermarket until they submit to the vaccines. These are vaccines that have never undergone a double-blind study, were never tested on animals or against a true saline placebo. These are vaccines that were approved using diagnostic fraud to artificially inflate their efficacy. These are vaccines that cause debilitating injury and death in some people. The treatments that Dr. Immanuel and other doctors use are inexpensive and have been used against other illnesses (like malaria) for several decades, their safety and efficacy proven. CNN is run by vile, soulless individuals who do not care if people are segregated, isolated and left to die, treatments forbade. Now we will find out if their puppet masters have the power to protect them: Is CNN above the law or will they be held accountable? Sources include: WeLoveTrump.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Currently, the worlds population is approaching eight billion, but that number can easily be brought down to about 15 percent of that, or 500 million, if about 2 billion more doses of Covid vaccines are injected into the populace. So far, over 4 billion blood-clotting jabs have been stuck into the arms of humans, with about 40 million more injections happening every new day, mostly in the developed world. Several billionaires around the world support the global reset and have funded their weapon of mass destruction the Covid vaccines that were made to supposedly combat the lab-manipulated animal viruses theyve had scientists concoct, that garner gain of function ability to attack humans and spread among them. This evil Nazi-style hope of reducing the worlds population by 85 percent has also become popular among people who worship the devil, money, power and control. Now its even carved into massive slabs of polished granite, called the Georgia Guidestones, where inscribed in the igneous rock are directions for rebuilding civilization after the vaccine-induced apocalypse that Bill Gates brags about at TED conferences. Did someone foresee or plan the vaccine-induced Holocaust? Genocide-worshipping Stonehenge erected in Georgia in 1980 Anonymously erected in Georgia in 1980, five huge slabs of granite weighing in total about 100 tons stand tall and represent some sick hope that 85 percent of the world will die soon, thus saving the planet from sure destruction. The top commandment reads: Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature. The second commandment reads: Guide reproduction wisely improving fitness and diversity. That fits right in line with Adolf Hitlers creed of creating a master race (of only White people with blonde hair, no birth defects, and lots of muscles) while eliminating everyone else who was a burden on society, (meaning they cost the economy extra money to take care of) including Blacks, Jews, anyone with a handicap, and mentally challenged people, including children. This was all for the greater good then, just like they say Covid vaccines are now. Nazi propaganda posters: Poster shows the ideal man and woman as desired by the state. Poster shows a handicapped man with no legs who costs extra money to care for. Poster shows an autistic man whos a burden on family finances. Poster shows a deformed or autistic child whos a burden on the states economy. Another of the 10 commandments carved into the polished Georgia Guidestones tells the world to: Avoid petty laws and useless officials, which sounds a lot like the creed of Black Lives Matter and Antifa as they ignore laws about assaulting police, rioting, breaking and entering, theft, arson and the list goes on. Take a look for yourself in this short video of the Genocide Stonehenge. Prophesy of depopulation is being carried out right now using dirty, deadly Covid vaccines If the message isnt clear enough coming from the genocidal billionaires (its guessed that Ted Turner funded the 8th wonder of Georgia) theres even more population reductionism commandments on the stone structure: Be not a cancer on the earth, leave room for nature. So if the buffalo and deer dont have enough room to roam, then kill off billions of humans until you get back down to 500 million, is the message there. The far-less-than-astronomical monument stands about 20 feet high, with 5 standing pieces, each weighing about 15 tons. The commandments are inscribed in several languages, including Hebrew (probably to resemble the Ten Commandments). This psycho-babble inscribed into rock wasnt brought down by Moses from the top of the mountain, and its no mystery how it was made, or how it got to its location, since it was carved and erected in 1980 by rich depopulation freaks with technology resources and plenty of money to waste on their secret society wishes, or maybe its just some morons with extra cash and too much time on their hands, horsing around with some apocalyptic Lego-rocks. Be sure not to miss the secret ceremonies happening now all over the world, where they sacrifice millions of children at the Covid-19-Luciferianism alter with toxic Covid vaccines that cause trillions of blood clots, all in the name of conservation. Check out Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity and the upcoming Delta and Covid booster-vaccine Holocaust. Also, if you know someone who already got pricked with the blood-clotting Covid inoculations, and theyre suffering from lethargy, pain, clouded thinking or an inflamed heart, thats called CoVax Syndrome, so tell them to report it to VAERS. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news NaturalNews.com TruthWiki.org OurWorldinData.org (Natural News) Big Tech has begun illegally mandating the experimental and side effect-riddled Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. Google and Facebook have announced that they will require workers to be fully vaccinated before they can return to their offices. Both companies announced their vaccine mandates on Wednesday. Google and Facebook require vaccines for anyone entering their offices Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the vaccine mandate would be introduced to United States-based employees in the coming weeks. He said the company will then expand this vaccine mandate to its employees based in other countries in the coming months. Pichai believed the vaccine mandate will give Googles workforce of more than 144,000 employees in the U.S. and at least 50 countries greater peace of mind as offices open. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to keep ourselves and our communities healthy in the months ahead, he claimed. Pichai is ignoring the fact that researchers believe the COVID-19 vaccines are responsible for spreading the virus. Pichai said the implementation of the vaccine mandate in the U.S. and abroad will vary according to local conditions and regulations. They will also not be applied until vaccines are widely available in the said regions. The Google CEO added that accommodations will be made for people who are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccines for medical, religious or other reasons protected by federal law. But those with political reasons to refuse the coronavirus vaccines will be effectively segregated from the rest of Google. These employees will be asked to continue working from home and to speak with the companys human resources department regarding their future with the company. Pichai also said that Google is extending its work from home arrangement for all of its offices around the world until Oct. 18. The company previously planned to reopen its offices for all of its employees in mid-September. The Google CEO noted that the Oct. 18 date is not final, and may be pushed further back. If it does, it will give employees at least 30 days notice. Facebook released its own statement regarding vaccinations several hours after Google. The company said it would require the experimental COVID-19 vaccines for all of its 58,000 employees coming to work at its offices in the U.S. How we implement this policy will depend on local conditions and regulations, said Facebook Vice President of Human Resources Lori Goler, in a statement. We will have a process for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical or other reasons and will be evaluating our approach in other regions as the situation evolves. Facebook has not set a deadline for when employees should get vaccinated. Google and Facebook might influence other companies to mandate vaccines Workplace vaccine mandates have so far been rare outside of the healthcare industry. (Related: Vaccine mandates in healthcare industry are growing, and they are expected to accelerate once FDA grants full approval.) But with their recent announcements, Google and Facebook have become the largest private corporations in the U.S. to coerce their employees to get vaccinated with the threat of unemployment. This comes on the heels of similar mandates being introduced in recent days by federal and local governments. Local, state and federal governments are working with private corporations to implement vaccine mandates to boost vaccination rates. The U.S.s vaccination rate has stalled in recent days, with around 49 percent of the country fully vaccinated, and another eight percent having received the first dose. Many private entities are hesitant to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations because such requirements can prompt costly employee lawsuits and trigger difficult confrontations with non-compliant staff. But Google and Facebook are big tech companies worth hundreds of billions of dollars each. Larger companies like these are less likely to be deterred by the possibility of being sued in court. Other tech giants are already mandating vaccinations. Twitter said earlier this week that its workers that come into work in its New York and San Francisco offices need to be fully vaccinated and present proof using vaccine passports. Learn more about the vaccine mandates by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news. Sources include: FT.com WSJ.com NBCNews.com NYTimes.com (Natural News) Drought conditions in the Golden State are worsening to the point that the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is considering shutting down a pre-1914 water rights provision that allows farmers to divert water within the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region. According to reports, the board is planning to convene in an Aug. 3-4 meeting to decide whether to impose emergency drought measures that would make it even harder for food growers to get the water they need even as the state dumps precious freshwater stores into the ocean to supposedly protect the endangered delta smelt. If approved, the measure will require that notices be sent throughout the expansive inland river delta and estuary in Northern California see below starving much of Americas salad bowl of the water resources it needs to grow almonds, fruit, vegetables, salad lettuce, citrus and more. There are currently around 5,000 users in the Delta area, along with a few exemptions in place for human health and safety of non-consumptive uses. The vast majority of farmers within the Delta area hold those pre-1914 water rights, which is what they have been using for the past century to bring their crops to harvest. If Californias megadrought causes them to lose these precious water resources, then we can all say goodbye to the California breadbasket, or at least large portions of it. As it stands right now, everything seems to be okay, stated Ashley Lorenzo of Great Valley Poultry in Manteca back in late June about the situation. We try to conserve as much as we can. A famine is on the horizon Things have changed since that time, however. The board is now considering even more restrictions on water usage, including the issuance of stop-diversion notices to the roughly 4,300 junior rights holders in the Delta region that would then have seven days to confirm in writing that they have ceased drawing water. As for senior water rights holders, their access to water in the Delta region will also be impacted, damaging what is largely considered to be Americas most productive farming region. The Delta is also considered the nexus of Californias water system, reports Zero Hedge. Besides surrounding farmland, the water is also exported to supply 23 million people in Southern California. As you can see in the following image from the U.S. Drought Monitor, dated July 22, most of California is currently in either extreme or exceptional drought conditions. Its only a matter of time before California and other Western US states prepare for additional water shortage measures, Zero Hedge further warns. Theres also the possibility the first-ever federally declared water shortage could be issued. As all of this is taking place, the Biden regime continues to allow an unimpeded flood of illegal aliens across Americas southern border, which is putting additional strain on already depleted and rapidly dwindling natural resources. These same illegals are also carrying with them the latest strains of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), which the government is using as an excuse to push vaccines, face masks and other forms of medical fascism on the public. The state squandered an opportunity back in the 60s to construct a series of locks alongside the Antioch bridge which wouldve done wonders for controlling the salinity, tidal erosion, water quality, and storage and flood issues while preserving our inland sea ports, wrote one commenter at Zero Hedge about Californias mismanagement of its water resources. Itd take far more than an act of Congress to have such common sense applied to our situation at this point. To keep up with the latest news about the collapse of America, visit Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A megadrought has hit the Great Salt Lake and water levels are at an all-time low, dropping about an inch of its previous record in 1963. Levels could still drop further as the low levels came months earlier than its typical lowest daily water levels. The receding water levels have already affected many of the species dependent on the lake, such as pelicans. Sailboats have also been hoisted out of the water so that they dont get stuck in the mud that has become of many areas of the lake. The dry lakebed is getting exposed as well. Because of the shallowness of the lake, less water means receding shorelines, and potential problems for residents near the area, as they had been diverting water from the rivers that flow into the lake to water their crops and supply their homes. The dry lakebed that is laced with naturally occurring arsenic could send toxic dust into the air, which is breathed by millions of people in the area. (Related: MEGADROUGHT: Is a new dust bowl on the way?) The Great Salt Lake used to gain up to two feet of spring runoff; however, this year, it only came up to six inches. Lyn de Freitas, executive director of Friends of the Great Salt Lake, said that many people have been talking about the lake flatlining. Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox begged the people to cut back on lawn watering. Megadrought affects lake, other species, and human population near area The current megadrought is affecting not only the Great Salt Lake but others across the western United States as well, worsening the wildfires affecting California and Oregon. Kevin Perry, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Utah said in April this year that he had never seen the water level so low. Perry also warned that the Great Salt Lake could be a repeat of Californias Owens Lake, which was pumped dry to accommodate the needs of Los Angeles. It then created a dust bowl that cost the government millions of dollars to tamp down. While the bed of the lake makes it tougher to blow the dust away, Perry is looking into how long the protective crust will last and how dangerous the arsenic could be. The exposed lakebed also means that people venture onto the crust, including off-road vehicles that could damage the area further. Great Salt Lake coordinator Laura Vernon said: The more continued drought we have, the more of the salt crust will be weathered and more dust will become airborne because theres less of that protective crust layer. Jaimi Butler, coordinator for Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College in Salt Lake City said that it is critical to care for the lake. He studies the American white pelican, one of the largest birds in North America, which typically flock on a remote outpost in the lake. With up to 20 percent of bird species nesting on the island, the falling lake levels exposed a land bridge, allowing foxes and coyotes to come across for rodents and other food, frightening the birds into fleeing their nests, leaving their nests and hatchlings to be eaten by seagulls. Pelicans are not the only birds dependent on the lake, either. It is a stopover for many species that journey to the south in the winter. To maintain lake levels, the state would have to decrease the amount of water it diverts from the lake by 30 percent. With Utah being the nations fastest-growing population, however, there needs to be a shift in perception to address the problem. Theres a lot of people who believe that every drop that goes into the Great Salt Lake is wasted, Perry said. Thats the perspective Im trying to change. The lake has needs, too. And theyre not being met. Read more about the weather and climate at ClimateScienceNews.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk News.Yahoo.com (Natural News) Prices of natural gas in different parts of the world rose to their highest levels recently. The price spikes threatened to increase costs for households and businesses. The high prices also raised concerns that the fuel shortage will only worsen as time passes. The price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the U.K. soared to more than 1 British pound (US$1.39) per therm, the highest level since 2005. According to the Financial Times, a therm measured the amount of energy present in natural gas. Meanwhile, prices of LNG in Europe hit 40 euros (US$47) for the first time. A prolonged winter drained LNG storage levels across Europe, increasing prices as a result. Asia also saw spikes in prices as the region attempted to attract LNG cargoes to meet strong energy demand. Energy consultancy firm ICIS said spot prices of LNG cargoes reached past US$15 per million British thermal units (MMBTU). Prices in Europe and the U.K. amounted to almost US$14 per MMBTU when converted. Russia, the largest supplier of LNG, sent less gas to the continent than before the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It did not send top-up LNG volumes to Ukraine in recent months despite rising prices and demand in mainland Europe. Critics put forward the possibility that Moscow is trying to pressure the European Union to approve the launch of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline in late 2021. ICIS natural gas analyst Tom Marzec-Manser said: If anything, its surprising there hasnt been more concern. In terms of additional supply, there arent many options on the table globally. Russia is really the only discretionary source of supplies out there, but we dont know when additional deliveries might start. So traders around the world, from Japan to Brazil, are starting to watch European prices too. However, Russia had not been the only factor in rising LNG prices. Natural gas supplies around the world have tightened as big economies rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, Brazils imports of LNG climbed to the highest on record as droughts negatively affected its hydropower plants. Price spikes threaten LNGs use for heating in the winter European domestic LNG production from the North Sea and the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands also experienced sharp declines. The Groningen field was forced to restrict LNG production due to a series of minor earthquakes. A report by S&P Global said the full closure of the onshore Groningen gas field could take place as early as 2023. Dutch gas grid operator Gasunie Transport Services (GTS) said in a June 2021 statement: GTS has indicated to the [Dutch economic affairs] minister that it is possible to have the final closure of the Groningen field take place as early as 2023. Under current plans, the majority of Groningens LNG production will end in mid-2022. However, parts of the field will be kept open as a back-up gas source. The plan added that full closure for Groningen will likely happen between the middle of 2025 and the middle of 2028. GTSs statement opened the possibility that the field could be shut down permanently ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, analysts noted that northern European LNG production has declined by at least 10 percent since the first half of 2019. (Related: Stable energy for America: Natural gas supply in the eastern U.S is growing faster than demand.) Meanwhile, the U.S.s natural gas output had also been lower than forecast before the pandemic. When American oil production dropped in 2020 alongside plunging prices, it also had an indirect effect on gas output. Natural gas was often produced as a by-product of crude oil. (Related: Carbon dioxide may be the key to unlocking vast natural gas resources, research says.) LNG prices in the U.S. rose to above US$4 per MMBTU, but they still remained far lower than in Europe. This was partly driven by insufficient LNG export capacity, which did not allow traders to effectively arbitrage the difference between the two regions. The tight global market for LNG has created anxiety over the coming winter. Demand for natural gas in Europe typically increased in winter as people heat homes and offices. Fuel switching by electricity generators from natural gas to coal has lowered demand in previous periods of high prices. Rising prices of thermal coal made this practice less viable, however. NewEnergyReport.com has more articles about LNG as an energy source. Sources include: FT.com SPGlobal.com (Natural News) Former New York Times science reporter Alex Berenson as suspended from Twitter after he posted the results of a clinical trial from Pfizer showing that the companys vaccine for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) does not protect against the Fauci Flu. Berenson linked to the study and called for a pause on all further federal jab mandates, citing results from it that prove the Trump Vaccine to be both unsafe and ineffective at protecting against infection and spread. Pfizers study basically concluded that there is no noticeable difference in mortality between people who take the vaccine and people who leave their DNA in its natural state. For pointing out this and other truths about Chinese Virus injections, Berenson is mostly confined to Substack these days. That is where most independent journalists live thanks to Big Techs ongoing crusade against free speech and the First Amendment. We understand that during times of crisis and instability, it is difficult to know what to do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, reads the suspension notice that Twitter sent to Berenson. Under this policy, we require the removal of content that may pose a risk to peoples health, including content that goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information. There is never any constitutional justification for any kind of mandate (or censorship), period The White House, meanwhile, is blasting The Washington Post for reporting the truth about the recent delta variant outbreak in Provincetown, Mass., which occurred among mostly vaccinated people. The Post tweeted the headline: Vaccinated people made up three-quarters of those infected in a massive Massachusetts covid-19 outbreak, pivotal CDC study finds, which Pedo Joe yes man Ben Wakana called completely irresponsible. Even though the CDC study in question did, in fact, determine that almost everyone who tested positive and got sick during the outbreak had followed the governments recommendations and gotten a Trump Vaccine injection, the Post is now being accused by Beijing Biden of lying to the public and putting people at risk of infection. The CDC and most mainstream media outlets had previously claimed, without evidence, that most infected people are unvaccinated. This claim was later proven false after actual scientific data found that at least 75 percent of all new hospitalizations and deaths associated with covid are occurring in vaccinated people. None of this is a surprise, of course, seeing as how the Trump Injections are spreading covid variants like wildfire among those who receive them and possibly even to those who are not through viral shedding. The Biden regime claims that the delta variant is as contagious as the chickenpox, though it refuses to explain how and when a test was developed to identify it as opposed to other strains of the Chinese Virus. VACCINATED PEOPLE DO NOT TRANSMIT THE VIRUS AT THE SAME RATE AS UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND IF YOU FAIL TO INCLUDE THAT CONTEXT YOURE DOING IT WRONG, Wakana falsely wrote in a tweet, for which he was not suspended for spreading misinformation. So, Wakanas lies remain on Twitter while the truth from Berenson has been removed for public safety. This makes Twitter the new Ministry of Truth for the American government, which is committed to getting as many Americans vaccinated under false pretenses as possible. The rise of corporate censors has combined with a heavily pro-Biden media to create the fear of a de facto state media that controls information due to a shared ideology rather than state coercion, warns Jonathan Turley. That concern has been magnified by demands from Democratic leaders for increased censorship, including censoring political speech, and now word that the Biden Administration has routinely been flagging material to be censored by Facebook. You can keep up with the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) medical fascism at Tyranny.news. Sources for this article include: JonathanTurley.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A federal lawsuit claimed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is undercounting the actual numbers of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine fatalities. The motion was filed July 19 by Americas Frontline Doctors (AFLDS) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. It claimed that the number of vaccine fatalities is actually higher than what is reported in the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and subsequently revealed to the public. The AFLDS affixed a sworn statement by a whistleblower a computer programmer who developed more than 100 distinct healthcare fraud algorithms to their motion. According to the whistleblower, deaths occurring within 72 hours of vaccination are underreported by a conservative factor of at least five. Reported deaths in VAERS as of July 9 totaled 10,991, 4,593 of which occurred within 72 hours of vaccination. In her statement, the whistleblower said: On July 9, 2021, there were 9,048 deaths reported in VAERS. I verified these numbers by collating all of the data from VAERS myself, not relying on a third party to report them. In tandem, I queried data from [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems] medical claims with regard to vaccines and patients deaths. Based on her analysis of the data she gathered, the whistleblower said that the true number of vaccine-related deaths as of July 9 is close to 45,000. This total is considerably higher than what was reported in VAERS. Put in perspective, the swine flu vaccine was taken off the market which only resulted in 53 deaths, she noted. AFLDS described the whistleblowers findings as shocking and added that informed consent is impossible with inaccurate safety data. The group also conducted a separate analysis of VAERS and found an increased risk of death from COVID-19 vaccines. VAERS data showed that vaccine deaths increased by 13 percent in the first quarter of 2021. The AFLDS motion also pointed out that from 2009 to 2019, VAERS recorded a total of 1,529 vaccine-related deaths. But the first quarter of 2021 showed more than 4,000 reported deaths in the system. COVID-19 vaccines were linked to 99 percent of the fatalities, while other vaccines accounted for the remaining one percent. (Related: Americas Frontline Doctors attorney files lawsuit against U.S. government for 45,000 covid vaccine deaths.) AFLDS also called for an immediate stop to COVID-19 vaccination In their July 19 motion, AFLDS sought injunctive relief to stop the use of experimental COVID-19 vaccines, which were only approved for emergency use. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2020, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was authorized for use in February 2021. According to the group, the three vaccines should not have been given the green light in the first place since there was no emergency, which is a prerequisite for issuing an EUA. AFLDS also said that the known and potential risks of the vaccines far outweigh their known and potential benefits. The group added that there are adequate, approved and available alternatives to COVID-19 vaccines. In a press release, AFLDS specifically asked that COVID-19 vaccinations be halted for three groups of Americans. Young Americans aged 18 and below comprise the first group which, according to AFLDS, are at zero risk of dying from COVID-19. AFLDS Communications Director Dr. Teryn Clarke said: Children are one-third of our population and all of our future. Children are never the experiment. The second group consists of all Americans who have recovered from COVID-19. AFLDS said that these people have acquired natural immunity, which grants far superior protection against the COVID-19 virus compared to manufactured immunity from vaccines. AFLDS also warned that the vaccines can trigger a dangerous and deadly hyper-immune response in people with immunity. The third group that should not be vaccinated, according to AFLDS, includes every other American who has not yet received informed consent as defined by federal law. In their statement, AFLDS said that: It is unlawful and unconstitutional to administer experimental agents to individuals who cannot make an informed decision as to the true benefits and risks of vaccines. AFLDS also pointed out that Americans must be of an age or capacity to make informed decisions and be provided with all of the risk/benefit information necessary to help them decide. (Related: Coercion is not consent: Doctors, attorney slam coronavirus vaccine blitz.) VaccineInjuryNews.com has more articles about VAERSs concealment of the true number of deaths following COVID-19 vaccination. Sources include: WakingTimes.com RENZ-Law.com AmericasFrontlineDoctors.org A massive tsunami hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures not too long after a disastrous magnitude 9.0 earthquake, this quake took the lives of tens of thousands in their wake. Then, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Okuma went through a series of explosions as a devastating conclusion, discharging toxic radioactive waste into the surrounding environment. Sunflowers The aftermath of what is locally known as "3.11" is still being felt till today, as Japan struggles to figure out a solution to the million tonnes of radioactive wastewater and half that of solid waste. But among all the disagreement and high-tech solutions, the one cleanup program you might have left out is sunflowers. A few months following the disaster, a chief monk at the closeby Buddhist Joenji temple, Koyu Abe, told Reuters: "We plant sunflowers, field mustard, amaranthus and cockscomb, which are all believed to absorb radiation. So far we have grown at least 200,000 flowers ... and distributed many more seeds. At least 8 million sunflowers blooming in Fukushima originated from here." But this is not close to some Japanese folk wisdom: it has a hard science backing it up. It happens that sunflowers are fantastic at taking out radioactive waste from the environment - for this reason, they were cultivated in their droves after and because of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Also Read: Sunflower Fields in the Time of Coronavirus Phytoremediation In a 2011 interview, soil scientist Michael Blaylock explained, "Sunflowers are really good at taking up certain radioactive isotopes. And that's really the connection between the sunflowers and the nuclear power plants that we've discovered ... some of the fallout from the Chernobyl accident we were able to address through planting sunflowers in the affected areas." So why sunflowers? These plants weren't selected because of their appearances - although that's definitely a bonus. Sunflowers possess a whole host of practical features, making them ideal for doing the job of nuclear cleanup: they grow very fast, easily, and almost anywhere. Fortunately, they preserve most of their biomass in the stems and leaves, so the radioactive material taken in by the plants can be gotten rid of without digging up roots. The use of plants to get rid of toxins from the environment is referred to as phytoremediation, which was a big success at Chernobyl, where the nuclear disaster abandoned close by soil and water heavy with cesium and strontium (radioactive elements). Radioactive Isotopes Isotopes "mimic" nutrients naturally absorbed by the sunflower and this is why the process works - cesium mimics potassium, which plants require for photosynthesis, and strontium passes for calcium, which gives structural support. Sadly, in spite of the success in Chernobyl, phytoremediation efforts in Fukushima were deemed a failure at some point. Not a lot of literature exists on the experiment, but researchers carried out few analyses which failed to discover any plant that could decrease the levels of radioactive isotopes in the soil effectively. Related Article: Plant Biologists: Sunflowers Use Their Clock To Follow Sun During Day For more news, updates about nuclear diasters and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! The weather pattern across the Northwest is set to alter a lot of times during the first week of August, thereby bringing potential rain, but also threatening more unfortunate news for the region's wildfires. Drought July was specifically a dry month for people across the Northwest. Places like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle clocked in with little rainfall, compared to around a half of an inch that normally occurs for the month. Luckily for portions of the interior Northwest, a little bit of rainfall was witnessed last week, as moisture from the North American Monsoon extends northward into the area. This included places like Boise, Idaho, Bend, Oregon; and Jackson, Wyoming, all gathering a couple of tenths of an inch of rainfall prior to the end of last month. While this rain isn't sufficient to make any detectable dent in the conditions of drought across the area, for some places, like Bend, Oregon, it was the only rain these regions saw all through the month. As the new week sets in, the expectation of more rain is likely to decrease. Also Read: Billowing Smoke From Wildfires Trigger Dangerous Air Quality Levels in Canada Monsoonal Moisture Rob Richards, an AccuWeather Meteorologist said: "An area of high pressure is forecast to shift westward this week, bringing in drier air, and ushering out the monsoonal moisture for locations from Las Vegas to Boise." Regions moistened by the rainfall will have enough time to get dry again, boosting the existing dry vegetation. Regions from New Mexico and up through the Rocky Mountains will possibly still witness a few thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon and evening time through Tuesday. The monsoonal moisture will be subdued southward to just New Mexico and Arizona by the middle of the week. But, this does not imply that the remaining part of the interior West will be bone dry. Late Wednesday and through Thursday a storm is predicted to propel into the area at the same time the monsoon moisture is pressed south. Richards warned: "While it isn't likely that there will be a lot of moisture with this storm, there will still be some potentially dangerous conditions for the region." Wildfire Any showers that evolve with this storm will likely not last, once again not giving many opportunities for drought relief. Additionally, insufficient moisture will bring a high possibility of dry thunderstorms that would prompt lightning strikes that could cause fresh wildfires. Richards said the windier conditions that accompany this new storm could boost the challenge for firefighters in the region. The introduction of more powerful, and changeable, winds could make fires grow quickly and more strange than in a more quiet weather pattern. The wet weather coupled with this late-week storm may eventually make rain fall in cities like Portland and Seattle, which have gone over 45 consecutive days without witnessing any measurable rain, as of Sunday. Related Article: Ravaging California Wildfire Produces its Own Lightning as it Doubles in Size For more news, updates about wildfires and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! Recent satellite images of Alaska's Yukon Delta show that the Arctic is getting greener and lusher, which is really bad news for the arctic area and beyond. The photos, taken on May 29 by the US Geological Survey's (USGS) Landsat 8 satellite, showed significant vegetation in prior arctic conditions, providing further proof of global warming. According to Dr. Uma Bhatt, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the bursts of plants and shrubs across what is normally a frozen tundra environment, are connected to sea ice decrease as the world is getting warmer. Alaska's Yukon Delta In Southern Alaska, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is one of the world's largest deltas in the world. The delta is of great scientific importance since It is a vast transitional area between land and water, freshwater rivers and salty sea, tundra, woodland, and marsh. It is also subject to significant seasonal fluctuations, from winter snow and ice to spring flooding and an enormous amount of sediment transported into the Bering Sea, followed by fast plant growth in summer. According to Lawrence Vulis, a PhD student at the University of California, Irvine; the delta would have seemed considerably more flooded just after the melting of snow and ice a few weeks before. In the stream gauges and satellite photos, the majority of the water has since subsided. Nonetheless, the flooding was recent enough that there was still a lot of ponding on May 29. As the summer progresses, the floodwaters will continue to recede and the marshes will green up with flora. The delta was not always this way. The current Yukon Delta is just a few thousand years old. Because of its young age, the delta might very well appear different in the future. "The Yukon and other Arctic deltas are thought to be particularly vulnerable to climate change," Vulis explained, "Due to the roles of permafrost and ice in shaping these deltas." Permafrost is defined as any ground that has been totally frozen 32F (0C) or colder for at least two years. These permanently frozen fields are particularly frequent in mountainous areas and at higher latitudes around the North and South Poles and when a permafrost melts, additional greenhouse gases are emitted. This will then cause a snowball effect. The worst thing, at least in terms of our civilization, is the continued loss of ice and the resulting rise in sea levels and the near extinction of other arctic species. Also read: 'Climate Tipping Points' May Help Us Predict Earth's Future, New Research Says What you can see in the satellite image Color satellite images, unlike photos, are data-crunched representations of many wavelengths of light, including those not visible to the naked eye. Instruments aboard satellites passing overhead take data of different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum for landscape photos like those of the Yukon Delta. While the image might be regarded a piece of art, there are certain advantages to seeing the land in this manner. For example, regions of living vegetation (green) may be clearly distinguished from land that is barren or includes dead vegetation (light brown) from the network of sediment-rich rivers and ponded flood water (dark brown). In the detailed view above, they are notably visible on each side of the river channels. The light-brown regions are largely wet sedge meadows; they seem brown because much of the vegetation is dead from previous year's growth. The vegetation is shrub-tussock tundra away from the delta. Also read: 'Firenado' and More: Unfamiliar Words Expected to Learn as Climate Change Worsens Since the beginning of the Pacific northwest's devastating heatwave late June, several disastrous impacts had penetrated the ocean, a home to billions of marine lives, making it unlivable to most sea animals. Marine biologist Christopher Harley from the Department of Zoology at University of British Columbia had seen alarming signs of more disastrous impacts this extreme heat wave could bring to more than a billion of sea creatures across the Pacific north-west, including the 'smell of decay' from 'baked' barnacles, seaweed, and small fishes along the shores. "It was this putrid smell of decay," Harley said. It seems like these creatures have been 'cooked alive' due to severe heat; starfishes struggling to find a shade, mussels laying agape along the rocks, tissues crisped between their shells. In hopes to measure the body temperatures of the mussels, Harley brought his team along the coasts with their special equipment, but the mussels had long died by the third day of the record-breaking heatwave. Scientists estimated over a billion deaths of sea creatures in the Pacific north-west's shallow waters in just a week, and could spiral on the entire ecosystem. Just a taste of what's to come As human-caused climate change continues to grow, the rising temperatures and unprecedented heat events could just be the beginning of the more disastrous effects that can happen on people, plants and animals. Climate scientists warn that the 'compounding catastrophes' continue to wreak havoc on ecosystems, infrastructure, and agriculture, and could persist in the future. "It is going to continue to get hotter," said Andrew Hoell, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's physical sciences laboratory. "That means it is going to take much moisture supply in terms of precipitation to stave off drought," he explained. "That is going to be a game changer in terms of how we live." Hoell notes that the spike in temperature will always be linked to human activities, and can become more frequent, more intense, and long-lasting. Also read: Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe and Protected During Heatwave A stark warning and a call for change "The way I look at it is it is a very stark warning," said Bradfield Lyon, a professor at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, resembling the current climate situation to fire drills taught in schools during emergencies. "The teacher would say, 'Now don't panic, but head as quickly as possible for the exits'," he said. "In this case, the exit is burning of fossil fuels. We don't need to panic, but we certainly need to head as quickly as possible in that direction." Extreme heat and drought have individually devastated almost half of the contiguous US in just a month, NOAA scientists said. This historical record "basically means it is going to be that hot all the time", which also means stressed plants, struggling animals, and shallow waterways making habitats inhospitable; truly a devastating event in which the severity calls for advances and global attention. Also read: 'Firenado' and More: Unfamiliar Words Expected to Learn as Climate Change Worsens A lifeform that has lived for around 3.5 billion years resides in the Mexican lagoon's seven brilliant shades of blue in Lake Bacalar Bacalar. Claudio Del Valle, a local tour guide, says that the lake is more than just a 'sparkling thalassic hues' with a limestone bottom, which you can visibly observe when you paddle along its clear water. It is also a home to the oldest life on the planet, in the form of an ancient stromatolites or 'layered rock' in Greek. a living fossil that predates humans, dinosaurs and even plants. These microbial reefs are layered sedimentary formations formed by photosynthetic cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, building up gradually, layer by layer, over time. Stromatolites resemble a cauliflower but looks like rocks at the same time, but they are actually living things. Del Valle said that the ancient population of stromatolites in the 'Lake of Seven Colors' is under a grave threat of destruction. The 'Lake of Seven Colors' towards an ecological disaster "It was paradise," said Del Valle when first stepped foot on the Bacalar's lagoon for the first time, after experiencing post-traumatic stress. "You couldn't believe the sunrise and the sunset; everyone was so unique. But now I can see what is happening... it breaks my heart, it is wrong." For the past decade, Lake Bacalar has been moving towards an ecological disaster, according to Dr Luisa Falcon, a microbial ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Merida. This includes the time in November 2015 when Mexico's federal environmental protection agency issued a pollution alert for the lake. On June 2020, the problem in the lake arises when its rich thalassic hues turned to dull brown, which still has not fully recovered until now. According to Falcon, the damage is more than just the aesthetic beauty of the brilliantly hued water. "Bacalar's microbialites have an age range between decades to more than 9,000 years old," she said. But it's the microbialite's living fossil counterpart, the stromatolites, that date back to "approximately 3.5 billion years old," making Bacalar's population the oldest underwater lifeform on Earth. Also read: Megadrought Dries Up America's 'Dead Sea' Releasing Arsenic Off Lakes A history frozen in time The cauliflower-like stromatolites can only be found in very few locations such as Lake Bacalar, and are considered as 'history frozen in time'. Their fossils can reveal historical information such as temperature or geochemical composition of the water millions of years ago, because they are capable of preserving physicochemical conditions of the water in their 'incredibly slow sedimentation process'. It was said that stromatolites also help recycle elements. According to Falcon, despite the lake being fed by an underground river with carbonate rock that apparently makes them grow larger than normal, karstic environments also leave them vulnerable to upstream change, especially that deforestation of the rainforest upstream and unsustainable agricultural practices had 'exponentially' increased. Falcon added that local tourism industry lacks necessary urban planning, including sufficient sewage treatment and sanitary facilities. Falcon hopes that Lake Bacalar continues to recover and restore its reputation as the 'Lake of Seven Colors' with more sustainable tourism. Also read: "Dead Fishes Everywhere": Red Tide Turned Florida Coast Toxic, Threatening Marine Ecosystem According to press sources, chipmunks in the South Lake Tahoe area tested positive for plague, leading officials to shut many locations in the area. The Tahoe Daily Tribune reported that officials stated this week that Kiva Beach and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe will be closed through Friday (Aug. 6) due to positive plague testing. According to the Daily Tribune, the afflicted chipmunks have no known human interaction. Plague Bacteria in the US According to the California Department of Health, the bacteria that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, is naturally prevalent in several regions of California, including El Dorado County, where South Lake Tahoe is located. A resident of South Lake Tahoe tested positive for plague last year, marking the first occurrence in the state in five years. Plague is most famous for triggering Europe's Black Death in the 1300s. Infections continue to exist in current times. However, human instances are uncommon and typically curable with simple antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around seven cases of plague occur in the United States each year on average. Related Article: First Ever Human Death Due to Highly Fatal Monkey B Virus Reported in China Reported Cases The CDC reported that most plague cases are found in northern New Mexico, north of Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon, and western Nevada. The majority of human plague cases have occurred in Africa during the 1990s, according to the WHO. According to the CDC, the disease is carried by rodents such as squirrels, rats, chipmunks, and their fleas. In addition, according to the CDC, humans can contract the plague via flea bites or contact with the tissues or body fluids of an infected animal. Officials advise people living in or visiting plague-endemic areas to avoid contact with wild animals. Dr. Bob Hartmann, the interim county public health officer for El Dorado County, issued a statement saying, "Do not feed mice in picnic or camping areas, and never handle ill or dead rats." According to the statement, to avoid flea exposure, people should keep dogs away from rat burrows and wear long trousers and insect repellent. The Plague Plague is an infectious illness caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, most commonly seen in small animals and their fleas. The condition is passed from animal to animal by fleas, and because it is a zoonotic bacteria, it may also be passed from animal to human. Humans can become infected by being bitten by infected fleas, coming into direct touch with infected objects, or inhaling contaminated air. If left untreated, the plague may be a severe disease in people, especially in its septicemic and pneumonic stages, with a case-fatality ratio of 30 percent to 100 percent. Even though the plague has been responsible for several pandemics throughout history, including the so-called Black Death, which killed over 50 million people in Europe during the fourteenth century, it is now treatable with medicines and regular prevention measures. Also Read: Scientists Double Effort to Find Possible Next Pandemic, Caused by Other Zoonotic Diseases For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) After years of attacking Brazil's voting system as susceptible to fraud, President Jair Bolsonaro ignored a Monday deadline from the nation's electoral court to present proof of his claims. And the election authority, in turn, adopted its strongest measures yet aimed at preventing Bolsonaro from chipping away at faith in the nation's upcoming election. According to two of Bolsonaro's ministers, his administration considered turning over a compilation of videos and documents, most of which the far-right president already exhibited publicly on July 29 and the court that oversees and administers elections has debunked. His administration's order for the Federal Police to find evidence of election fraud from the past 25 years didn't identify any such examples, said the ministers, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to concern of retaliation from the president. One of the ministers and the electoral court's press office confirmed that no evidence was sent. Bolsonaro has alleged that Brazil's electronic voting system isn't reliable and makes it impossible to audit results. As such, he has backed a constitutional amendment that would make a printed receipt of each vote visible to the voter before being deposited in a sealed container for subsequent review, if necessary. Analysts have expressed concern that Bolsonaro, trailing in opinion polls ahead of his 2022 reelection bid, will follow the example of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who goaded supporters to dispute his loss. The electoral court has rebuffed his claims as baseless, saying the system is trustworthy and there are several means of checking results. The court's president, Luis Roberto Barroso, previously told AP that the proposed reform would be a risky solution to a nonexistent problem, creating opportunities for vote buying and fraud claims. Late Monday, the court unanimously approved sending a request to the Supreme Court for Bolsonaro to be targeted as part of its probe into the dissemination of allegedly fake news. It also approved opening its own investigation of Bolsonaro for his claims, which the court wrote in its decision could characterize a variety of violations, including abuse of economic and political power; improper use of social media; corruption; fraud; or premature campaigning. Bolsonaro last week promised he would present the proof of fraud that he has long claimed to possess. Once live on state television and his social media channels, he showed internet videos that have been available for years and spreadsheets tracking the tabulation of the 2014 presidential vote, while the party that lost that election says it was fair. Eventually, Bolsonaro conceded he lacked concrete evidence. There is no way to prove the elections were or weren't defrauded. There are indications. Crime is revealed with several indications, he told his audience during the nearly three-hour presentation on July 29. He used the opportunity to lambast his likely opponent in next year's election, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who several polls have shown leading Bolsonaro by double-digits in a runoff. The electoral court fact-checked Bolsonaro live on its social media channels that evening and, on Monday it published a letter signed by 15 former presidents, plus the current president and its incoming chief, who denied any fraud since the electronic systems implementation started in 1996. The two ministers who spoke on condition of anonymity said that while there is no proof of election fraud, the presidents insistence has served to galvanize his base, as seen with street protests in at least 15 state capitals Sunday. In Rio de Janeiro, thousands gathered beside Copacabana beach chanting and holding signs like AUDITABLE VOTE NOW! A plane flew low overhead with the same demand on a trailing banner. Our vote is checked by some judges, some members of the electoral court, in a secret room. We want it to be counted in every electoral section of Brazil, said teacher Marquele de Souza. The tallying is done automatically by each electronic ballot box, which transmits the results through an encrypted network. Ricardo Penteado, a lawyer who focuses on electoral and political rights, said Brazils institutions took too long to react to Bolsonaros hard-charging stance, so are partly responsible for letting him commandeer the national conversation. It doesnt matter how or what the arguments are. This is a fight of someone who isnt right and that isnt about perfecting the democratic system, said Penteado, a member of the Sao Paulo state bars electoral rights commission. Rather, it is to destabilize that system and discredit the justice system. On Monday, the leaders of the army, navy and air force clubs published a joint statement in support of printed vote receipts and criticizing the current systems lack of transparency. The recreational clubs are formally independent of the armed forces, but are widely seen as voices for former service members. To be sure, Christopher Garman, managing director for the Americas at the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said he doesn't see any danger of Brazil's top generals backing Bolsonaro in challenging results, even if a leftist like da Silva triumphs. Centrist parties in congress will certainly bandwagon to whoever wins the election to gain access to government positions, and any effort to undermine the election result by Bolsonaro will only act to unite the rest of the political class to defend whoever is elected," Garman wrote in a research note Monday. "The latter is particularly true if there are acts of violence in the election process. On Monday, the Supreme Court's first session after weeks of recess opened with the chief justice delivering a fiery speech in defense of Barroso, who presides over the electoral court and has been a frequent target for Bolsonaros animus, and of democracy itself. Constantly vigilant of a countrys democracy and institutions, judges need to glimpse the right moment to raise their voices in the face of possible threats, Chief Justice Luiz Fux said. ___ Associated Press videojournalist Lucas Dumphreys in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Irans supreme leader officially endorsed his hard-line protege as the nations next president on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi at a sensitive time for Iran and the wider Middle East. The country is reeling from crushing U.S. sanctions that have devastated the economy, led to the crash of the Iranian riyal and hit ordinary Iranians hard. Exacerbating Iran's despair, the coronavirus has spiraled out of control, with authorities reporting a record of 39,000 new cases on Tuesday almost 2,000 more than the previous day. In his speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised Raisi, a former judiciary chief, to empower the countrys poor people and improve the national currency. Doubts about an imminent return to Tehrans tattered 2015 nuclear deal, which granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, have become a dark cloud dangling over the incoming hard-line administration. The collapse of the nuclear agreement after former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord three years ago doomed the relatively moderate administration of outgoing President Hassan Rouhani, who has seen his popularity plummet. Rouhani sat stone-faced throughout the endorsement ceremony. Last week, Khamenei delivered a harsh rebuke of the West, blaming the delay of the deal's revival on America's stubborn negotiating stance. While repeating his usual anti-West rhetoric on Tuesday about Irans enemies seeking to sway public opinion, Khamenei struck a milder tone during the endorsement ceremony. He focused on Irans mounting domestic issues, praising Raisis anti-corruption campaign and asking him to encourage local production. The nation needs competent, effective and brave management, Khamenei said. Iran, now struggling to stem the spread of the highly contagious delta variant, has recorded a total of more than 3.9 million virus cases and 91,785 fatalities the highest death toll in the region. Without commenting specifically on the stalled nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Raisi stressed in his speech he would pursue the removal of oppressive sanctions in order to salvage the crippled economy. We will not (tie) the peoples dining tables and the economy to the will of the foreigners, he said. Raisi won a landslide victory in the June election, which saw the lowest in the Islamic Republics history. He will take the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony Thursday before parliament. President Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the landmark nuclear accord and lift sanctions if Iran moves back into compliance with the agreement. But escalating tensions in the Middle East now risk complicating the diplomatic choreography. The West has blamed Iran for a drone attack last week that struck an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members. Iran has denied involvement in the incident, which marks the first-known fatal assault after a yearslong shadow war targeting commercial shipping in the region. NEW YORK (AP) JetBlue is not departing New York. The low-cost airline announced Tuesday that it will keep its headquarters in Queens and expand its flagship terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. JetBlue had considered moving its headquarters to Florida when its lease at a building in Long Island City ends in 2023. The airline already operates a training center in Orlando and has a subsidiary based in Fort Lauderdale. Instead, the airline said that after going through a competitive bidding process it intends to stay in New York where it began in 1998. The airline will negotiate a new lease for its headquarters building. CEO Robin Hayes said New York is still a great place to live, work and visit, and JetBlue wants to help the city recover from the pandemic. The announcement was praised immediately by leaders in New York. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said JetBlues growth at JFK Airport will create thousands of new jobs. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the airline has promoted travel to the entire state. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city's recovery means keeping iconic companies like JetBlue. GREENWICH The winner of the Aug. 17 special election to represent the 36th Senate District will be grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic as the highly contagious delta variant causes an increase in cases. The issues of wearing masks, mandating vaccines, reopening schools and following executive orders from Gov. Ned Lamont are returning to the forefront in the race to replace Alex Kasser , who unexpectedly resigned in June. The candidates in the three-way race June, are Republican Ryan Fazio, Democrat Alexis Gevanter and petition candidate John Blankley in a district that covers all of Greenwich as well as portions of Stamford and New Canaan. There has been growing pushback from Republicans and some Democrats on Lamonts use of emergency powers during the pandemic. While many of the executive orders have expired, the legislature has extended 11 of the Democratic governors orders through September. When the emergency declarations of March 2020 were extended in July, all of the Republicans in the state legislature voted against the measure as did nine Democrats in the House and four in the Senate. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was outspoken about the need to take measures, including having limitations on indoor gatherings and the importance of allocating resources to the most vulnerable, said Fazio, who unsuccessfully challenged Kassers bid for reelection last November. I was out delivering masks to nursing homes and hospitals. Ive been a very big cheerleader for development and dissemination of the vaccine. I think we need balanced and targeted policies to protect public health. But there is no need for what he called heavy-handed policies at this point in the pandemic, Fazio said. Most of the policies on businesses and gatherings have been lifted, but Fazio criticized Lamont, saying that the extended emergency powers are unreasonable. The fact that the legislature continues to meet and have special sessions and operate in regular order shows we should resume the traditional balance of powers and constitutional structure of our government, he said. The General Assembly needs to be making laws in concert with the governor, not the governor exerting emergency powers over major public policy areas. But the other candidates in the race disagree with Fazio. Calling herself a Lamont Democrat, Gevanter said the governor has done an incredible job leading us through this pandemic by following the science and listening to experts to keep us safe. If elected, she said she would be a partner to him on such matters, including COVID and said he has not gone too far with his emergency executive powers. I think of course there will be a time when it will be unnecessary to do so, she said. This is not something that should extend forever. But right now, it not only makes sense from a science and health perspective but also its allowed us to reap the benefit of federal funding, which is good for Connecticut. Blankley, who had been a Democrat until breaking with the party when it backed Gevanters candidacy for the Senate, also positioned himself as a strong ally for Lamont, a Greenwich resident, saying that the governor has done a remarkable job during COVID. I absolutely agree that he should have emergency powers, Blankley said. It will enable the state to move faster on things that need to be done to tackle something really serious like a potential surge in the pandemic. And I know Ned Ned is no dictator. He is a sensible man. He is not going to abuse his power. The legislature, when it gives that executive power to the governor, is giving its own power away, he said. But if there is a real need, and I perceive that there is, then Im very comfortable giving it to Ned Lamont. Parents are also asking about mask requirements in classrooms this fall. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said all students and staff should wear masks inside schools, regardless of vaccination status. Were going to have to follow the science, said Gevanter. The science changes every day. We need to be nimble and open-minded. Im a mom of two young boys, and I fully, fully understand how much none of us want to be masking our kids. Its really difficult to watch, but at the same time, we need to keep them safe and we need to keep the vulnerable people in our communities safe. Gevanter said she believes residents are united in wanting to move past the pandemic, but she said it must be done in a way thats safe. With the delta variant, she said the state needs to do what it can to get ahead of it. As weve seen, the science has evolved as weve gone through this pandemic. Sometimes that means opening up and other times that means increasing safety precautions, she said. As we move through this summer, of course what we need to do is try to continue to increase our vaccination rates. We want to promote and encourage that. We want to continue to educate people about that. Fazio said he wants a statewide standard for schools to open in the fall, and credits Lamont for pushing for a reopening. And with a vaccine available to all adults and highly effective in helping people, he said families and local boards of education should have the power to make decisions, not follow mandates from the governor. I like the idea of localities and families making more decisions for themselves than the state government making for them, he said. I think the facts on the ground are something you have to roll with as they change. And different parts of the state are going to have different circumstances related to public health at different points in time. So one-size-fits-alerted by the governor I dont think is the right answer. Blankley said it i important to listen to the public health experts,even if what they are saying is not popular. I will support policies and initiatives that follow CDC guidelines, Blankley said. If that means masks in schools then so be it. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. Edward R. Papa, 81, of West Pittsburg passed away the morning of Aug. 4, 2021, at UPMC Jameson. Born on Feb. 6, 1940, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Lewis and Theresa Tonsetic Papa. Ed was a member of Holy Spirit Parish. Ed enjoyed the outdoors going hunting and fishing. A loving Salem State University history professor Emerson Baker walks through an areaJan. 15, 2016, that he and a team of researchers said is the exact site where 19 innocent people were hanged during the 1692 witch trials in Salem, Mass. Opinion column Truths about atheism that only Christians know Regular columnist James Knight explains the paradox that atheists cannot really understand the very thing they dont believe in. Christians and atheists are different in many ways - but perhaps the most important of which is in the experiential barrier that divides them, where the debate cannot be on equal grounds, because Christians are in possession of the one thing that will tell us that Jesus is Lord (the Holy Spirit), and atheists are not, so cannot possibly know that Jesus is Lord. Consequently, because the atheist's position entails that he doesn't accept Jesus is Lord, he is missing the only thing that can change his mind - which means that he can't yet have a proper conception of God. Consequently, this presents the atheist with a problem; if he doesn't have a proper conception of God, then how can he ever confidently trust his atheism? If you've only ever tried non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and you were convinced it was champagne, then you are in no position to judge the quality of Dom Perignon. This is the truly extraordinary thing about atheism - that there are profound truths about atheism that atheists cant know but only Christians can know. And that's because in order to know God, you have to know Christ as Lord. Atheists cant know Christ, otherwise they wouldnt be atheists. Yet atheists have a set of beliefs about the god (small g) they believe doesnt exist. The god they reject is not the same God that Christians know therefore the god they reject is a sub-standard caricature of the God who does exist. Atheists are effectively rejecting their own creation, because the god they dont believe is a god that we Christians dont believe in either. To illustrate with a more extreme case, imagine that for his next project Richard Dawkins decides to write a book called The Flying Spaghetti Monster Delusion in which he explains in about 200 pages why there is no such god as The Flying Spaghetti Monster. The book would have no utility, because nobody sane believes in existence of The Flying Spaghetti Monster. A book that claimed millions of people believe in the FSM, and tried to argue for its non-existence, would be a book full of misrepresentations of what people actually believe. Yet the absurd truth is, Richard Dawkins did more or less the same thing with his book The God Delusion he wrote a book replete with misrepresentations of Christianity. I know this because I once read it, and I know Christianity, and I know that no Christian really believes in the things Dawkins spends 200 odd pages trying to refute. At best, he may have counter-argued against a few ideas held by the most extremist religious fanatics, who are both unlearned and unworldly, but in doing so he has written a diatribe against a set of ideas that most people dont believe in and never have. I juxtaposed The Flying Spaghetti Monster Delusion and The God Delusion because this truth that there are profound truths about atheism that atheists cant know and only Christians can can create one of the first flickers of light towards enlightenment. An atheist who rejects the Christian God has to be rejecting a god that Christians also dont believe in, otherwise they wouldnt be an atheist, theyd be a Christian. To that end, the Christian agrees with the atheist, in that we also dont believe in the gods that atheists dont believe in. Yet, as soon as the atheist understands the God that Christians believe in, he will be more like a Christian than he will an atheist, because to recognise Jesus is Lord is to know God, and at the same time reject all the made-up gods in our head. The above image of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is part of a picture by Niklas Jansson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. James Knight is a local government officer based in Norwich, and is a regular columnist for Christian community websites Network Norfolk and Network Ipswich. He also blogs regularly as The Philosophical Muser, and contributes articles to UK think tanks The Adam Smith Institute and The Institute of Economic Affairs, as well as the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). The views carried here are those of the author, not necessarily those of Network Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users. j.knight423@btinternet.com A startup called Pliops has emerged from stealth mode with a new way to do data processing. Rather than load data into main memory as is traditionally done, the Pliops technology offloads data and the application to a PCI Express card, and data is processed where it is stored, thus freeing up the CPU for other tasks. It's called computational storage. The concept has been around for a while, but like so many technological ideas, it was ahead of its time. The technology needed to catch up to the concept. It could never be done with mechanical hard drives, and SSDs, too, needed to make gains. Recently, Samsung and Xilinx partnered to deliver a compute-on-storage SSD device that uses a Xilinx FPGA to offload the processing work. Pliops has been around since 2017. It finally launched its flagship product, the Pliops XDP, which stands for eXtreme Data Processor. "Just as GPUs overcome processing inefficiencies to accelerate AI and analytics performance, the breakthrough Pliops Extreme Data Processor (XDP) overcomes storage inefficiencies to massively accelerate performance and dramatically lower infrastructure costs for todays applications," reads the Pliops website. Whereas the Samsung/Xilinx product is a SSD with some compute and DRAM on it for processing in place, the Pliops card is essentially a modern RAID controller for all-flash storage. The XDP is a specially designed, low-profile accelerator that sits between NVMe SSDs and data-requesting applications. The card actually takes the applications running on the system and moves them directly to storage, where processing is done. This reduces or eliminates the load on the CPU. Pliops claims up to 80% reduction in stress on the CPU, freeing up performance for other tasks. The company's website states: "XDPs ultra-fast hardware-based storage engine leverages breakthrough data structures and algorithms to deliver the performance equivalent of hundreds of Intel Xeon Gold cores of common data processing and storage management functions. This eliminates bottlenecks, reduces latency, and greatly increases workload scaling of your existing infrastructure footprint." Pliops claims says the XDP card can provide overall 10x performance gains for databases, analytics, and AI/ML work. Because it requires fewer servers to do more application work, Pliops estimates the XDP can provide an up to 5x cost savings on data center infrastructure, meaning less hardware is needed to do the same task as without the XDP. Big claims, right? We've heard them before. But consider this: Intel and Nvidia were behind a $65 million round of funding for the company last February. If those two support Pliops, there must be something to it. As the global pandemic gradually winds down, carbon emissions are again on the increase and sustainability is moving back to the forefront as a global concern. While data centers have played a pivotal role providing the digital infrastructure for the emerging global economy, digital transformation continues to increase the power required for todays modern data center. A Valuates Report projects the global data center market for power increasing from $15 billion in 2020 to $21.5 billion by 2026. For their part, data centers are becoming more responsible corporate citizens by increasing use of renewable energy. There is evidence: The market for green data centers is projected to grow from $49 billion in 2020 to $140 billion by 2026. The most astute data center providers now recognize how the altruistic nature of corporate sustainability can create value for investors and benefit society at the same time. As a result, innovation and creative sustainability programs are emerging in the US and abroad. Innovation in the Netherlands WarmteStad is the sustainable utility company for the municipality of Groningen in The Netherlands. WarmteStad is partnering with QTS data center to supply residual heat for a large-scale sustainable district heating project. WarmteStads heat plant captures residual heat generated from cooling towers in data centers. Heat pumps powered by renewable energy deliver the hot water through an existing underground heating network that supplies residual heat to 10,000 households, buildings and knowledge institutions. This project serves as a model for re-purposing data center heat for sustainable living. An added benefit of the water solution: Buildings can be heated without a gas connection, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and supporting Groningens environmental goal to be completely CO2 neutral by 2035. In addition to the use of residual heat from data centers, WarmteStad is investigating other sources, such as innovative seasonal heat storage underground that could be used as a supplement or an alternative. Another creative Dutch sustainability initiative addressing energy and water conservation is the North Water initiative. Until recently, data centers in certain parts of The Netherlands were cooled using valuable clean public drinking water. QTS Eemshaven data center and Google are now using North Waters sustainable industry water to provide energy-efficient cooling for data center servers, while freeing up millions of gallons of clean drinking water for the community. Pairing Renewable Energy with Technology for Water-Free Cooling Solutions In the US, data centers are increasing their use of renewable energy to offset carbon emissions generated from the increasing power required for cooling. Conventional data centers typically choose from two approaches to cooling: An energy-efficient cooling system that requires a substantial amount of on-site water usage, or a refrigerant-based system that uses no on-site water but requires more electricity. Both of these approaches typically require the purchase of power from generation plants that burn fossil fuels and depend on significant volumes of water for their own cooling needs. It is estimated that these water-dependent thermal power plants today generate more than 80% of the worlds electricity and use approximately 174 billion gallons of water per year. As highlighted by the United Nations report on water conservation, water scarcity is rapidly becoming a global issue, and a call has been heard for data centers to reduce water use. Similar to how carbon emissions are classified as Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 enabling organizations to measure impact, set reduction targets and track performance leading data centers are approaching water usage and conservation in the same context. QTS is working with innovative equipment suppliers to develop highly efficient pumped refrigerant-based cooling systems that use no water, and they pair this advanced technology with offsite solar or wind energy to create a true zero-water solution. This approach enables a 100% Scope 1 and Scope 2 water-free solution. It is the industrys first true zero-water cooling solution powered by 100% renewable energy, making those data centers the most water-efficient data centers in the world. Corporate Sustainability Extends to Philanthropic Activity Sustainability has also become the focus for corporate philanthropic activities and the data center industry. American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. QTS partners with American Forests to support tree-planting at strategic sites to encourage improvement of rural, suburban, and urban ecosystems. It helps by planting and caring for trees that provide important environmental and economic benefits, including pure water, clean air, and wildlife habitat. The Grow with QTS program is a commitment to the future and to prosperity with our customers and American Forests. QTS has committed to donate more than 20,000 trees per year for planting, with one tree being donated for every 100 kW contracted each month per customer. In 2020, the Grow with QTS program donated nearly 25,000 trees along the Sierra Nevada ranges to help with fire restoration, as well as along the border of Virginia and West Virginia to restore stripped mine land. In 2020, QTS established a partnership with World Vision, a humanitarian organization, to make clean water accessible to thousands of families globally. Within the new initiative, QTS and World Vision will provide people in developing countries with clean water on behalf of QTS customers for the life of each customers contract. For large, multi-megawatt customer deployments, QTS will build a sustained clean water source, such as a well or water point, in a developing country of the customers choice, providing long-term, sustainable clean water to an entire community. On an annual basis, the World Vision partnership with QTS is expected to provide access to clean drinking water to nearly 7,000 people, including the sponsorship of select deep-well projects around the globe. These are just a few examples of sustainable innovation that could change the world and pave the way for a more sustainable way of living. QTS is proud to have achieved a leadership position in the data center industry for its sustainability initiatives. It is on track to achieve key sustainability milestones, led by a commitment to procure 100% of our power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2025. For more information, check out QTS Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. Courtesy photoAnn Marie Casey, executive director of the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, right, welcomes Keiko Orrall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism at the Maria Miles Visitor Center open house. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. UniteCT, the states administrator of federal emergency rental assistance, paid $6.4 million last week, the third consecutive week of increases in applications approved and dollars paid a sign that a maligned federal COVID-19 relief program may be finding its footing in Connecticut. The $22.6 million disbursed in July nearly equaled the combined tally for April, May and June, bringing to $45.8 million the total paid as UniteCT races to resolve as many cases of unpaid rent as possible before evictions resume in full. A little more than one-fifth of the 26,773 applicants to UniteCT now have received aid. A federal moratorium on evictions ended over the weekend. Connecticuts moratorium expired a month ago, but further restrictions imposed by Gov. Ned Lamont will slow evictions for non-payment at least through Sept. 30. Quickly organized to distribute Connecticuts $235.8 million share of the rental relief appropriated by Congress in January, UniteCT started with five payments totaling $42,509 in the week ending April 2 and progressed slowly. The emergency rental assistance has been slow to launch nationally. In Connecticut, the program did not reach $1 million in weekly payments for the first time until May 7, uniting advocates for landlords and tenants in complaints of cumbersome rules and slow processing. Really, the program got working in May, June, July, said Dawn Parker, the director of UniteCT, which is based at the state Department of Housing. We were staffing up, training, getting all that kind of stuff in March and April. Connecticuts performance largely has mirrored that of many state and county governments, which were left the task of standing up a bureaucracy to distribute the federal aid, following guidance set by the U.S. Treasury. It has outperformed others, most notably New York a state that didnt make its first payments until last week, disbursing $1.2 million. Others have done far better. Working with two community organizations, Harris County in Texas has distributed $137 million to more than 36,000 eligible renters in the Houston metro area. The program is open to tenants whose income is no more than 80% of the annual median for their community. In most of Connecticut, that means $54,950 for a household of one, with a sliding scale that tops at $107,600 for a household of eight. Connecticut landlords complain that the pace of approvals remains slow, even if improved. Nearly half the 26,773 applications made to UniteCT have yet to be reviewed for completeness, leaving applicants unsure if they are sufficient to be reviewed. Landlords and tenants must each apply. I still have some that are three or four months old, said John Souza, who owns and manages 200 apartments in the Hartford area with his brother. And if the tenant needs to do more or whatever, thats fine. But they need to let me know so that I can get on their case and help them if they need it. Of the 13,899 applications deemed complete as of the end of the day on Friday, 5,800 were approved for payments, 5,208 were undergoing audit review, 2,481 were in prescreening, 335 had been withdrawn and 75 had been denied. Acting on revised Treasury guidance, UniteCT has simplified income verification, reducing the necessary documentation and automatically qualifying tenants from census tracts where the income is only 60% of the average median. We still have to intercept the fraud and abuse, but wheres our tolerance to kind of give a little bit and say thats a reasonable risk? Parker said. And thats where we decided its reasonable. Erin Kemple, the executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, said the change has sped up processing, but advocates were unsure if Connecticut has matched other states in using eligibility for other programs, such as Temporary Aid for Needy Families, to qualify for rental assistance. One consistent complaint shared by advocates for tenants and landlords is Connecticuts reliance on online applications, while other states are more flexible. You can walk into a social service agency and have them do it for you, Kemple said. In Connecticut, you really have to either go online yourself, or you have to make an appointment. Theres not really any walk-in times with a social service provider, and theres only a few social service providers. With an additional congressional appropriation of $8.6 billion in May, Connecticut was allocated another $186.6 million, bringing the total available resources to $421 million. Less clear is the extent of the need or how many people are facing eviction. A Census Household Pulse Survey from June found 1.2 million American households expecting to face evictions in coming months, but Parker said she was uncertain how much rent was owed in Connecticut or how many tenants face eviction. There isnt anything that we refer to that gives us the same number twice, Parker said. Theres not a good answer for that. Souza said he was seeking aid for tenants in 19 apartments, nearly 10% of his 200 apartments. Some were definitely behind, and its a godsend to them, I would say most of my tenants absolutely deserve it theyre hardworking people, and theyve had a tough time, said Souza, who also leads an association of small-to-midsized landlords. But he said the eviction moratorium has been abused by some tenants who ceased paying anything toward rent, even if they still were employed or received the enhanced unemployment benefits available during the pandemic. Landlords, he said, are likely to pursue evictions of those tenants. Of the 5,800 cases resolved with payment by UniteCT, the average arrearage was just over four months rent, indications that most applicants continued to pay some rent during the moratorium. The average approved award was $7,485 in rent and $406 in utility bills. Awards are capped at $15,000. You know, tens of thousands of people did not just say, Whatever, Im just not going to pay you. It is the exception. I do feel bad for landlords who are dealing with that tenant who is the exception, Parker said. There are landlords who saw their tenants doing OK with money and not paying them. The average arrearage number could be skewed, however, by landlords declining to file with UniteCT in instances where they decided against working with a tenant who had refused to pay anything during the moratorium. A month ago, landlords refusing to file outnumbered tenants, 4,611 to 1,969. Kemple, the tenant advocate, said the number of eviction filings actually have dropped since the states moratorium expired, from 167 in the last week of June to 64 in the last week of July. Her assessment is that the executive order issued by Lamont when the state evictions moratorium expired has been effective. It requires landlords to complete a UniteCT application before sending a notice to quit the premises to a tenant for non-payment. And if they havent served the tenant with information about how to apply for UniteCT, then the case is going to be dismissed by the court, Kemple said. So, we think thats a very good step in the right direction. Lamonts order also extended an appeal period for tenants from three to 30 days. In a typical year, about 20,000 eviction cases are filed, a step towards removal or, in many cases, the start of a mediation process that can keep a tenant in place with a repayment plan. Information about UniteCT is available online at https://portal.ct.gov/DOH/DOH/Programs/UniteCT or by visiting one of these agencies. As the COVID-19 numbers continued to tick upward, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday he is contemplating a vaccine mandate for state employees, the latest sign the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant might force a return to some pandemic-related restrictions. Lamont favors voluntary measures as some governors order new restrictions. He has not ordered any new mask requirements for state residents but he said Monday the vaccination rule in state agencies is a very real possibility. There are no plans for that as yet, but we are looking into it, Lamont said after a news conference in Groton where he was asked whether state workers would be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The governors comments came hours before the state reported 148 total patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 an increase of 32 people over Friday and the largest number since mid-May. It was also the largest change in hospitalizations over a weekend period since late March. The state also reported that 2.86 percent of all tests have come back positive over the last seven days the highest level in more than three months. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is now strongly recommending residents wear masks indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status. The new guidance follows updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that masks should be worn indoors in places of substantial or high community transmission including most of Connecticut. In recent weeks, reporters have repeatedly asked Lamont whether the state will change course amid rising cases and hospitalizations and a waning vaccine campaign. While the governor has expressed concern over the delta variant, he has not yet called for new measures to limit the spread but has indicated thats a possibility. The governor reiterated Monday that he would consider a broad mask mandate for residents, as he has said almost every day he was in the state over the last two weeks. But he continues to say restaurants and other businesses are free to impose any distancing and mask requirements that they choose. I think were going to keep going with that process a little longer unless the world changes under our feet, the governor said. No union talks yet Connecticut and the other New England states are generally the lowest in the nation in the rate of positive tests. The nation is at about 8 percent and rising, with some states spiking much higher. What youre seeing around the state of Connecticut is people generally using really good common sense, doing the right thing, Lamont said. The governor said in informal discussions with state employee union leaders about a statewide vaccine policy, theres been broad agreement between the two sides about the need to keep workers and the people they come into contact with safe. Certain groups of state employees still have low vaccination rates, including some who are very forward facing such as those who care for people with special needs and correction department staff, the governor said. That could lead to masking or vaccine requirements or routine testing for state workers, though Lamont did not say directly whether the unions seemed amenable to any specific rules. There are different variables that were going to figure out in the next week or two, Lamont said. Asked whether the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition, which represents about 46,000 state employees, would support a mask mandate for state workers, Lamont said I think theyd certainly be open to the discussion. In a written statement Monday, SEBAC said, while not in direct discussions with the Lamont administration, we look forward to carefully considering any proposal that is designed to enhance the safety of both state workers and the public they serve while ensuring a fair and effective system. Later Monday, Lamont announced his administration had reached an agreement with SEBAC on a revised telework policy. Last spring, during the height of the pandemic, the governor ordered all state employees whose job enabled them to work from home to do so. On May 13, he emailed state workers to say most had to return to work in-person. The revised policy enables state employees who were working from home prior to Lamonts May 13 email to continue to do so until Oct. 2. After that, they can request to work from home for part or all of their scheduled hours. Hazardous duty employees, or those whose consistent presence at the work site or in the field is now required because of the reopening of in-person operations do not have the option of working from home, per the agreement. Masks in schools? The governor is also soon expected to put out guidance for public schools on the upcoming school year, including whether students will be required to wear masks. Lamont pointed to strong guidance from the CDC and the state DPH that everybody in those schools are better off wearing a mask. From there, how that is enforced, well figure that out over a period of time, the governor said, adding he hopes to provide a couple of weeks notice. As for travel restrictions, Lamont reiterated that residents should use common sense. Its better if people stay closer to home, the governor said. Skip Florida for now. Lamont continues to push higher vaccination rates, particularly among younger demographics, as the best way to defeat the delta variant. Public health officials say the majority of those currently getting sick, going to the hospital and dying have not been vaccinated. This still remains, in terms of severity, a pandemic of the unvaccinated, Dr. Ulysses Wu, system director of infectious disease at Hartford HealthCare, said Monday during a virtual press briefing. The vaccine is doing its job. We all thought that the purpose of the vaccine was to completely stamp out and prevent disease but its main goal was to take a deadly disease and turn it into the common cold, and it seems to be doing a good job for those who are vaccinated. While Lamont continues to mull whether mandates are necessary here, officials in other places are moving forward with masking, testing and vaccine requirements for government workers and others. On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced all public transit and airport employees will be required to get immunized or submit to weekly testing. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio previously announced that requirement for city workers, which is expected to go into effect in mid-September. Some Connecticut municipalities have also instituted their own precautions. New London and Norwalk, for example, have reinstated mask mandates at city owned properties. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker is reportedly exploring the idea of requiring city workers to be inoculated. The Joint Committee on Legislative Management announced in an email Monday that anyone entering the Capitol must wear masks or other appropriate face coverings when in common areas, including fully vaccinated individuals. The new mask protocol is based on the increased Covid positivity rates, the email said. julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com GROTON, Conn. (AP) With military spouses facing a double-digit unemployment rate even before the pandemic, the state of Connecticut is attempting to make it easier for them and other people relocating from out-of-state to obtain state occupational licenses for professions ranging from nurses to architects. Both state and military officials said Monday, during a ceremonial signing of the bill at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, that lengthy delays in Connecticut to recognize an out-of-state license or certification can create hardships for the spouses which are 90% women and their families. This was a huge problem for military spouses, who, while they were waiting for months, even years to get their certification, to get their licensure in this state, they were much more likely to be unemployed or employed in lower-paying jobs, said Democratic Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who chairs the Governor's Council on Women and Girls, which pushed for the legislation this year. The secretaries of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force recently issued a memo highlighting a growing national problem associated with the spouses of military members who often face barriers to employment when they relocate to different bases. While Connecticut currently has legislation in place to accommodate military spouses, the process of recognizing their out-of-state licensing has been too lengthy, given their relatively short stays in the state, military advocates said. That's why it's such a win for our military families to finally make this happen, said Bysiewicz, adding how toughly 35% of military spouses in the U.S. work in licensed professions and are 10 times more likely to have moved across state lines their civilian counterparts. Under the new law, which takes effect Oct. 1, the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Consumer Protection will issue the appropriate license or credential to a state resident or the spouse of an active duty service member stationed in Connecticut if he or she practiced safely under another states license for at least four years. They must also have met certain examination requirements and completed the necessary background checks. The agencies will have the discretion to deny requests if they determine it's in the state's best interest. The new law also requires the Department of Public Health to convene a working group to review whether Connecticut should join any interstate licensure compacts in order to make the process easier. According to Gov. Ned Lamont's office, Connecticut is one of eight states that has not joined any interstate licensure compact. The group's recommendations are due by Jan. 15, 2022. There are roughly 9,000 Navy personnel assigned to the submarine base in Groton. About 60% to 70% have spouses. That figure doesn't include the military spouses associated with the Coast Guard and National Guard and Reserve branches, said Bob Ross, executive director of the state's Office of Military Affairs. Military families usually expect a transfer about every two or three years. Sometimes it works out and they can actually stay in the same location, a different job at the same location. But more often than not, they have to move to a different location and then they have to make those family choices about spousal employment and education and do you really want to move those kids in your family, Ross said. "And what we want to do is make sure that Connecticut is always really attractive to either stay here or come here." Christopher Arnold, the Northeast regional liaison at the Department of Defense, said a 2015 survey of active duty spouses conducted by the DOD found most who do not work would like to provide a second income for their families but 23% remain unemployed due to licensure and other issues. He said other research has shown that figure could be as high as 28%. Meanwhile, state officials hope that having such a law on the books will make Connecticut more attractive to the Department of Defense, which has made family-related issues, including spousal employment, health care, housing, and K-12 education opportunities, a priority. Ross noted it will become especially important the next time the Base Realignment and Closure Commission looks at which facilities around the country to possibly close. WASHINGTON (AP) The White House moved Monday to pressure state and local governments to swiftly adopt policies to protect renters after an eviction moratorium expired over the weekend, potentially pushing millions of Americans out of their homes. In a statement on Monday, the White House emphasized that the federal government has provided $46.5 billion to keep renters in their homes. But it accused states and cities of being too slow to act, preventing that aid from making its way to tenants whose livelihoods have been upended by the pandemic. The focus on states comes as President Joe Biden faces stinging criticism, including from some in his own party, that he was was slow to address the end of the moratorium. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the prospect of widespread evictions unfathomable. The Congressional Black Caucus intensified pressure on the White House to issue an immediate extension. And one Democrat, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, who has been camped out in protest had a brief conversation at the U.S. Capitol with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday. Some people were at risk of losing their homes as soon as Monday. But the White House insists there is only so much it can do on its own and that state and local leaders need to step up and get the aid out. The president is clear: If some states and localities can get this out efficiently and effectively theres no reason every state and locality cant, Gene Sperling, who oversees the administration's coronavirus relief plans, told reporters. There is simply no excuse, no place to hide for any state or locality that is failing to accelerate their emergency rental assistance. Late last week, Biden announced he was allowing the ban to expire. The White House said he would have supported an extension of the moratorium but pointed to the Supreme Court, which signaled in a 5-4 vote in late June that it wouldnt back further extensions. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that Congress would have to act to extend the moratorium. The White House noted that state-level efforts to stop evictions would spare a third of the country from evictions over the next month. While the administration is still investigating legal options to forestall evictions, officials said their options were limited. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the CDC, which issued the eviction ban, was unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium. Mass evictions could potentially worsen the recent spread of the COVID-19 delta variant as roughly 1.4 million households told the Census Bureau they could very likely be evicted from their rentals in the next two months. Another 2.2 million say theyre somewhat likely to be evicted. Sperling said the administration will keep looking for additional legal avenues to keep people in their homes. Yet he stressed the complexity of the problem by also noting that the Trump administration developed guidelines for providing aid to renters and landlords that were unworkable. Those guidelines which required extensive documentation were changed once Biden was in office. This is not an easy task, Sperling said. We as a country have never had a national infrastructure or national policy for preventing avoidable evictions. Pelosi, for her part, said that she welcomed the administrations urging of states and cities to impose their own moratoriums. And she said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen would hold a virtual briefing Tuesday with lawmakers as they push to more quickly ensure the states distribute the federal aid. Rep. Maxine Waters, the powerful chair of the Financial Services Committee, has been talking privately for days with Yellen. She said in a statement that she urged Yellen to use her influence to urge states to push the money out the door and the treasury secretary has personally committed to doing so. The CDC put the eviction ban in place as part of the COVID-19 response when jobs shifted and many workers lost income. The ban was intended to hold back the spread of the virus among people put out on the streets and into shelters. Democratic lawmakers said they were caught by surprise by Biden's decision allowing the ban to expire, creating frustration and anger and exposing a rare rift with the administration. Congress was unable to pass legislation swiftly to extend the ban, which expired at midnight Saturday, and the House Democratic leaders have said it was now up to Bidens administration to act. Bush, a St. Louis-area congresswoman, has been leading a protest at the Capitol since the eve of the expiration. She has been joined at times by other top progressive Democrats urging action, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders were among those stopping by to visit with Bush outside the Capitol. But she also talked briefly with Vice President Kamala Harris. I needed her to look me in my eyes and I wanted to look in hers when I asked for help to prevent our people from being evicted, Bush said on Twitter. Madam Vice President, lets work together to get this done. ___ Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. School districts in Iowa were more likely to adopt COVID-19 mask mandates if they had a strong teachers union, according to a study in the August issue of the journal Health Affairs. The new study suggests teachers unions may play a crucial role in ensuring that COVID-19 recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are implemented at the local level. Safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing the nation this fall. Our study suggests teachers unions could play an important role in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19." Adam Dean, lead author and assistant professor of political science, George Washington University Dean and his colleagues knew that teachers unions supported mask mandates, but no one had studied the issue to see if union demands lead to the adoption of this important safety measure. To find out, the research team examined proprietary data on school district unionization and mask mandates from the Iowa State Education Association, the teachers union in the state. The researchers found that the probability of schools adopting a mask mandate increased along with the teachers' unionization rate. They also found that the political partisanship of union members made a big difference; school districts with Democratic leaning union members were more likely than districts with Republican union members to adopt mask requirements. Last fall, the CDC strongly encouraged schools to require mask wearing as part of a strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, there was no national requirement for school districts to go along with the recommendation. In Iowa and many other states, policies regarding mask wearing were left up to local school districts. Although the study was conducted in Iowa, Dean and his colleagues think the results may hold true for schools in other states as well. "Our study is the first to look at the role that labor unions play in helping to make schools safer during the pandemic, not just for teachers, but for students and parents as well." Public health experts say that mask mandates in schools can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including the Delta variant. Epilepsy affects some 50 million people worldwide and pharmaceutical treatment of the disease is a tightrope walk, as the dose must be tailored precisely to the individual patient: "Slightly too little and it isn't effective. Slightly too much and it becomes toxic," explains Professor Pablo Sinues. Sinues is Botnar Research Professor of Pediatric Environmental Medicine at the University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB). He is also a member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel. Together with colleagues from University Hospital Zurich (UHZ), he spent two and a half years looking for a way to tailor the dosage of drugs administered to epilepsy patients as precisely as possible. They ultimately achieved this goal with the help of a breath test. The advantage is that monitoring does not require a blood sample, which can always be a stress factor for children. And as the sample doesn't need to be sent to the laboratory first, the results are available immediately. Searching for the tiniest concentrations "You can think of it as being like the alcohol test that police use when they stop drivers," Sinues explains. The difference is that this breath measurement device is actually a big machine. Because alcohol is present at high concentrations in breath, one only need a small device. But we're searching for a droplet in 20 swimming pools." Pablo Sinues, Botnar Research Professor of Pediatric Environmental Medicine, University of Basel The researchers want to use the results to determine whether the active substances are present at the right concentrations in the body and whether they have the desired effect on the disease. Their efforts have not been in vain: both among the young patients at UKBB and the adult reference group at the University Hospital Zurich, the breath tests produced the same results as conventional blood tests, as reported by the research group in their study published in Communications Medicine. This means that in addition to blood tests, there is a second way of monitoring epilepsy treatment - and the method also provides further information on the patient's metabolism that doctors can use in the therapy. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a recipe for success The special thing about this research project is the unique dovetailing of science and medical practice at the University of Basel, says Sinues: "Thanks to this favorable initial situation, we are able to build machines that are precisely tailored to the needs of doctors." At UKBB, the rapid availability of test results is a particular advantage of the new method: young patients require constant adjustments of their medication because their metabolism changes as they grow. The new technology provides doctors with a non-invasive test that gives them immediate clues as to how well the course of therapy is going. This enables them to respond quickly if the dose has to be adjusted. It took four years to reach this breakthrough and the technique is not yet suitable for widespread use - but that is the goal that Sinues has set himself. Indeed, the start-up "Deep Breath Intelligence" was founded specifically for that purpose and now aims to obtain a license for the measurement technique. Regenerative medicine is a cross-disciplinary field that aims to repair or replace abnormal organs by growing tissues in the laboratory or cells for therapy. The field includes convergent technologies such as cell biology, nanotechnology, AI (Artificial Intelligence), nanotechnology, engineering, and cyberbiosecurity. With the recent announcement of the RegeneratOR Test Bed to support regenerative medicine start up companies, the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and the RegenMed Development Organization (RemDO) are embarking on the next step to help create the future workforce. Led by WFIRM, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $441,028 to a group of local partners, to help develop a regional regenerative medicine educational network and create the skilled technical workforce for a field driven by science and engineering. Workforce development is part of RemDO and WFIRM's overall plan to develop a robust regenerative medicine business landscape to drive innovation in the Regenerative Medicine Hub, a growing intersection of biotechnology and business in North Carolina. The NSF grant brings together WFIRM, Forsyth Technical Community College and Simon G. Atkins High School of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, as well as supporting partners from Winston-Salem State University, NC A&T, and NC Central University. With this support, the partnering group will address the workforce needs of the regenerative medicine field that is rapidly evolving from R&D, through clinical translation, to biomanufacturing and the scale-up of production. This evolution of the field requires more skilled technicians and next-generation technicians to create an upskilled workforce armed with new knowledge and education. The support we have locally for this project is amazing and reflects the willingness of our local educational entities to help lead the way. Bringing this new science and technology to high school, community college, and university faculty will strengthen curricula, student learning, and thus the skilled technical workforce." Gary Green, EdD, Chief Workforce Development Officer, WFIRM WFIRM, Forsyth Tech, and Atkins are uniquely positioned to lead the project, Green added. WFIRM operates a dedicated Manufacturing Development Center (FDA Compliant Good Tissue Practice/ Good Manufacturing Practice) with diverse teams of experts enabling development and production of replacement cells and organs and the expansion of cells for therapy. Forsyth Tech is home to the National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce and a leading associate degree program in biotechnology, providing technicians for WFIRM and regional regenerative medicine companies. Atkins High School offers students a biotechnology major coursework that prepares them for entry-level employment or higher education (community college or university). The project will develop a regional model for skilled technician workforce development in regenerative medicine biomanufacturing focused on: K-12, community college, and university (with articulated programs) faculty development in regenerative medicine; Dissemination of new discovery and innovation and research-based knowledge, skills and abilities for the regenerative medicine field to community colleges and their partners; The design and implementation of multiple career entry options for community college-prepared technicians and career pathways for incumbent employees with a focus on underrepresented minorities. The NSF's Advanced Technological Education Program, which awarded the grant, focuses on supporting integrated approaches to technician education that will define and disseminate the critical knowledge and skills needed for the regenerative medicine field and other advanced technology fields that drive the nation's economy. A project advisory council, made up by regenerative medicine business and education/workforce development leaders, will help the partner groups undertake the grant initiatives: faculty development, disseminate new knowledge, discovery and innovation in regenerative medicine, and develop an educational ecosystem that focuses on developing the skilled technical workforce needed for the regenerative medicine field. "The regenerative medicine field is advancing so rapidly that it is imperative we have a workforce with the needed skills to support our research and the development of regenerative medicine biomanufacturing," said WFIRM Director Anthony Atala, MD. Atala said that regional employers in regenerative medicine are already expressing a significant need for highly skilled technicians, and "this need has been confirmed on a national level by a recently published survey by the RegenMed Development Organization which defined the skills needed and the extent of the skills gap." The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased older adults' risk of falling and injuring themselves, due to changes in physical activity, conditioning and mobility, a new national poll suggests. More than a third of people between the ages of 50 and 80 report their physical activity declined in the pandemic's first 10 months, and more than a quarter say they're in worse physical condition now than before the pandemic, according to the new findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Many of these adults also reported an increased fear of falling. Fall research suggests that both reduced physical conditioning and fear of falling can increase future fall risk and reduce independence. As the pandemic eases in the United States, the poll leaders note that better awareness of this connection could help motivate adults of any age to safely increase or maintain their physical activity -; especially if they have been less active or mobile due to the pandemic. The poll finds 25% of older adults experienced a fall between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and January 2021, when the poll was conducted. Forty percent of those who experienced a fall had more than one fall during this period. The poll also points to specific groups of older adults -; women, Blacks, older adults experiencing loneliness and adults over age 65 -; who may need additional help to improve physical conditioning and reduce fall risk. That help could come from health and fitness providers, and family and friends. The poll is based at the University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and receives support from AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center. The new report is based on answers from a national sample of more than 2,000 adults aged 50 to 80 to a poll taken in January 2021. "Many older adults fall each year, and the pandemic was no exception. Many falls result in at least a minor injury in this age group, and a third require medical attention," said Geoffrey Hoffman, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the U-M School of Nursing and falls researcher who worked with the poll team. "Physical conditioning can make a major difference for maintaining independence, including avoiding a fall, but also how well someone reacts to and recovers from one. Focusing on prevention now, including physical health and activity but also home safety and social factors that can increase risk, is crucial." Less activity, more fear More than a third of older adults (37%) reported being less physically active since the pandemic began. Nearly the same percentage said they spent less time on their feet, walking or standing, after March 2020. This reduced activity translated into 27% saying their physical conditioning -; flexibility, muscle strength and endurance -; had worsened. Mobility -; the ability to move around including with a cane, walker or vehicle -; declined in 25%, according to poll responses. The poll also asked about fear of falling, which was experienced by 36% of respondents overall, and by nearly half of all poll respondents over age 65 (46%) and of women age 50 to 80 (44%). Among all older adults who said they fear falling, 23% said that fear had increased during the pandemic. But the percentage that reported increased fear of falling was much higher among those who reported less physical activity (32%), worsened physical conditioning (42%) or worsened mobility (45%). Falls lead to the deaths of more than 32,000 older adults each year, and the number has risen steadily in recent years and is expected to continue to increase with the aging of the US population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Links with loneliness and delayed care The poll also reveals clues about how the loneliness and lack of companionship that increased among older adults during the pandemic might play into changes in activity levels, mobility and fall risk, says poll director Preeti Malani, M.D., a Michigan Medicine infectious disease physician also trained in geriatrics. The percentage of older adults reporting falls was higher 32% -- among those who said they lack companionship. This group was also more likely than others to report less physical activity and worsened mobility and physical conditioning. The NPHA has issued two previous reports on the health aspects of loneliness in older adults, both before and during the pandemic. "As life gets closer to normal, especially for the large percentage of older adults who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, health care providers and loved ones should encourage more interactions that involve safe physical activity," she said. "We need to make up for lost time and get older adults on track, or back on track, with the kinds of movement and strengthening that can safeguard their independence by reducing their risk of falls or of major fall-related injuries. Even better if this happens in conjunction with social interaction." Hoffman and Malani also note another of the poll's findings: During the pandemic, 28% of the older adults injured by a fall either delayed or did not receive medical care they felt they needed. Forty percent of this group said the pandemic was directly related to this lack of care. People who have lingering effects from a fall experienced during the height of the pandemic joint pain or reduced mobility and strength, for instance should seek rehabilitation and other care to avoid or reduce the risk of any further issues, they add. Falls are a significant health and safety concern for older adults. Thankfully, there are many ways you can reduce your risk of falling, including simple home modifications like using brighter lightbulbs, removing throw rugs and making sure electrical cords are tucked out of the way." Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for AARP AARP offers a free checklist for things older adults and their caregivers can do to prevent falls at home. The CDC offers a toolkit for older adults and their caregivers, and for health providers, to assist with fall prevention. The National Poll on Healthy Aging results are based on responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,074 adults aged 50 to 80 who answered a wide range of questions online in January 2021. Questions were written, and data interpreted and compiled, by the IHPI team. Laptops and Internet access were provided to poll respondents who did not already have them. A full report of the findings and methodology is available at www.healthyagingpoll.org, along with past National Poll on Healthy Aging reports. Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Zuverink is a past president of the Southern Indiana Genealogical Society. Queries are free and must include both a date to establish a time period and a location where the people lived. Please include your email or postal address so you can be contacted by someone interested in your family. Submit queries to: Vicky Zuverink at vzuverink@gmail.com In today's newscast hear from a Floyd County parent who is upset over the recent mask mandate in the schools and we have a look at the events happening around Southern Indiana this weekend. Goldsboro, NC (27530) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. (The Center Square) Days after the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed a procedural vote in the Senate, the full text of the bill has been released as the bill heads to debate. The bill, formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, includes $1.2 trillion dollars of spending for more traditional forms of infrastructure, including $550 billion in new spending. Sunday evening Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., released the text of the infrastructure bill during a weekend session of the Senate. Schumer has indicated he would like to pass the infrastructure bill before the Senates August recess beginning at the end of the day Friday. Inside the bill text are details on ways in which the bill will be funded. A significant portion of the funds would come from changes to the Internal Revenue Service code and remaining funds from the various COVID-19 relief bills, including the CARES act from March 2020. Money from the paycheck protection program and other pandemic business loan programs would be rescinded and designated toward this infrastructure bill. Schumer announced the release during a speech on the Senate floor Sunday. Given how bipartisan the bill is, and how much work has already been put in to get the details right, I believe the Senate can quickly process relevant amendments and pass this bill in a matter of days, Schumer said. Then, I will move the Senate along the second track of our infrastructure effort and take up the budget resolution. A bipartisan infrastructure bill is definitely necessary but to many of us it is not sufficient. The 2702 page bill is drawing criticism from some Republican Senators due to the bill's complexity and the accelerated timeline for a vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., cautioned Democrats hopes to move quickly in remarks on the Senate floor Monday. Our full consideration of this bill must not be choked off by any artificial timetable that our Democratic colleagues may have penciled out for political purposes, McConnell said. Our bipartisan negotiators have already been taking this task very seriously. The American people need the Senate to continue taking it seriously. One of the lead Republicans behind the bipartisan initiative praised the text of the bill. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., spoke about the benefits of the bill and the success of bipartisanship on the Senate floor Monday. This is a product the American people can be proud of and one that will benefit them and the next generation, Capito said. The American people elected us to do this tough work. Tough compromises are necessary to develop and pass bipartisan bills, and I believe this legislation is a major positive step. As debate begins and amendments are proposed, the race against the clock begins for Senators to vote on the bill before the Senate adjourns for a month-long recess. Hope that we can use our time in the Senate efficiently," Schumer said. "Lets start voting on amendments. The longer it takes to finish the bill, the longer well be here." What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. (Newser) Opponents of a vaccine mandate at Indiana University have lost an appeal in federal court. The Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the university's requirement for all students and staff to be vaccinated by the Aug. 15 start of the fall semester can stand, the Indianapolis Star reports. "People who do not want to be vaccinated may go elsewhere," wrote Judge Frank Easterbrook. The court rejected an argument from eight students that the mandate was unconstitutional, noting that religious and medical exemptions are being allowed. Unvaccinated students will be required to wear masks, follow social distancing guidelines, and be tested twice a week. A federal judge upheld the mandate last month. story continues below "Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester," said IU spokesman Chuck Carney. The rulings are believed to be the nation's first in a case involving university vaccine mandates, and James Bopp, a lawyer for the student plaintiffs, says he plans to ask the Supreme Court to review them, the AP reports. The mandate affects around 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on seven campuses. The university initially planned to require proof of vaccination, but it made providing proof optional after a backlash from Republican state lawmakers. (Read more vaccine mandate stories.) (Newser) Three people were killed and one other person was hurt in a shooting Monday in rural South Carolina, and deputies released the name and picture of a man they want to interview. The shooting happened around 3pm at a Greenwood County home just off US Highway 25 about 8 miles south of Greenwood, the county sheriff's office said in a news release. Sheriffs Office Maj. Cody Bishop didn't give a motive for the shooting. Deputies named Jeffrey David Powell, 36, as a person of interest and released two photos of him, the AP reports. Deputies say Powell, who weighs around 260 pounds and has a large tattoo on the front of his neck, should be considered armed and dangerous, reports Fox Carolina. (Read more South Carolina stories.) (Newser) A judge on Monday rejected a convicted man's request for a new trial in the 2018 killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, whose body was found in a cornfield weeks after she disappeared while out for a run near her small hometown. Judge Joel Yates' ruling cleared the way for sentencing to proceed Aug. 30 in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who was convicted in May of first-degree murder in Tibbetts' death. The former farmhand, who came to the US illegally as a teenager, faces a sentence of life in prison, the AP reports. Yates rejected efforts by Bahena Rivera's attorneys to implicate others, saying much of the evidence they presented after he was convicted was known to them before the verdict was handed down. To grant a new trial, any additional evidence would have to be new and revealed after the verdict, he wrote. story continues below The judge said many of the new allegations conflicted with testimony and evidence from Bahena Rivera's own witnesses. "In reviewing the evidence and testimony provided at trial, the court finds the verdict was not contrary to the weight of the evidence," Yates wrote. During questioning by police, Bahena Rivera acknowledged that he encountered Tibbetts as she was running near her eastern Iowa hometown of Brooklyn, and he led investigators to the field where her body lay hidden under cornstalks. But during his trial, he claimed publicly for the first time that two masked men kidnapped him at gunpoint from his trailer, forced him to drive to where Tibbetts was running on a rural road, killed her, put her body in his trunk, and made him dispose of it. He said he didn't tell investigators about the two men earlier because they had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and young daughter. Prosecutors praised the decision Monday. Defense lawyers did not immediately comment. (Read more Mollie Tibbetts stories.) (Newser) Employees at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama, who voted in April against joining a union, might get to vote again. A National Labor Relations Board official said the company exerted improper pressure on employees to vote no, NPR reports. The officer recommended that another election be held at the Bessemer site. The mail-in vote was almost 2-1 against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, per the Washington Post. "Throughout the NLRB hearing, we heard compelling evidence how Amazon tried to illegally interfere with and intimidate workers as they sought to exercise their right to form a union," said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the union, in a statement. A spokesman for Amazon, which denied the accusations, said a solid majority of employees opposed unionizing. "Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens," he said. story continues below A regional NLRB director will take up the officer's recommendation within weeks and decide whether to throw out the results of the first election and call a second one. Such recommendations are nearly always followed, per the Hill. In a hearing in May, several Amazon employees said the company gave the appearance of monitoring the vote. "Amazon is surveilled everywhere," one said. "You assume that everything can be seen." The union argued that that practice tainted the vote. Workers also testified managers told them that the warehouse could be closed if the union measure passed and that union officials would spend their dues on fancy cars and vacations. The loss was a defeat for labor in general. No Amazon warehouse employees in the US belong to a union. (Read more Amazon stories.) (Newser) Last year was the year of the murder hornets and flying ants. This year, it's plague chipmunks. The AP reports that certain sections on the south shores of California's Lake Tahoe have been temporarily closed after some of the striped rodents tested positive for the infectious disease. Due to that discovery, as well as vector control treatments by the US Forest Service set up for this week, Kiva Beach and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center have been shuttered through Friday, reports the Tahoe Daily Tribune. The sites are expected to be reopened by the weekend. An El Dorado County spokesperson says the chipmunks aren't believed to have had human contact. According to the California Department of Public Health, the bacterium that causes the plague, Yersinia pestis, is naturally occurring in parts of California, including in El Dorado County, per Live Science. story continues below The plague, which caused the Black Death in Europe in the 1300s that killed tens of millions of people, is an infectious bacterial illness that's typically spread by rodents like chipmunks, squirrels, and rats, as well as their fleas. Humans can contract the plague by getting bitten by an infected flea, handling tissue or bodily fluids of an infected animal, or breathing in cough droplets from an infected person, though that hasn't been documented in the US since 1924, per the CDC. Human caseswhose symptoms include fever, weakness, nausea, and swollen lymph nodesare very rare, however, and can usually be treated with antibiotics if caught early. Public health officials advise locals to keep away from wild rodents, which includes not feeding them at campgrounds or picnic sites. Pets should also be kept at home instead of being brought to areas with higher risk of plague. (Read more plague stories.) (Newser) Gabe Imondi, a 74-year-old landlord from Rhode Island, had come to court hoping to get his apartment back. He was tired of waiting for federal rental assistance and wondered aloud what theyre doing with that money?" Hours later, Luis Vertentes, in a different case, was told by a judge he had three weeks to clear out of his one-bedroom apartment in nearby East Providence. The 43-year-old landscaper said he was four months behind on rent after being hospitalized for a time. Im going to be homeless, all because of this pandemic, Vertentes said. I feel helpless, like I cant do anything even though I work and I got a full-time job. Scenes like this played out from North Carolina to Virginia to Ohio and beyond Monday as the eviction system, which saw a dramatic drop in cases before a federal moratorium expired over the weekend, rumbled back into action. Activists fear millions will be tossed onto the streets as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges, the AP reports. story continues below The Biden administration allowed the federal moratorium to expire over the weekend and Congress was unable to extend it. Historic amounts of rental assistance allocated by Congress had been expected to avert a crisis. But the distribution has been painfully slow: Only about $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed through June by states and localities. A second amount of $21.5 billion will go to the states. For some tenants, getting assistance has proven impossible. After her landlord refused federal assistance to cover $5,000 in back rent, Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, expects an eviction order within two to three weeks. She is sending her five children to live with her mother in another county. The White House is calling on state and local governments to disburse the federal aid money and implement eviction moratoriums covering the rest of the summer, NPR reports. (Read more eviction stories.) (Newser) This time, Rod Blagojevich is taking Illinois to court. The former governor, who served eight years in prison on corruption convictions before his sentence was commuted by former President Trump, filed a federal lawsuit Monday to regain the right to run for elective office, the Washington Post reports. That required returning to the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago, where Blagojevich was convicted in 2011. "I don't like this place," Blagojevich told reporters, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "I only have unhappy memories associated with this building." He was given a 14-year sentence for trying to trade an appointment to the remainder of former Sen. Barack Obama's term for campaign money. Trump set him free from federal prison last year when he had four years left to do. Blagojevich, who's become a fan, thanked Trump again on Monday. story continues below Blagojevich's filing says he has no plans to run for office again, per WGN. "The very thought of doing all that again makes me groan," said Blagojevich, who was elected as a Democrat. The state Legislature impeached the governor and removed him from office after his arrest in 2008, and the state Senate barred him from seeking future office. Blagojevich wants a federal jury to decree that his rights were violated and that he's free to seek local or state office. Also, he'd like his law license back. For now, he said he's giving paid speeches and writing a book. Blagojevich suggested concern for his legacy is a motivator. "If I were to fall dead right here, my obituary in tomorrow's papers wouldn't be that good," he said, per the Post. "Hopefully I'll live a lot longer, and I can do things in my life ... where that obituary might be corrected." (Read more Rod Blagojevich stories.) (Newser) When Whitney Houston sangand, in a way, reinventedDolly Partons I Will Always Love You, Parton made a lot of money. And that money got reinvested in the Black community. Houston recorded her cover for The Bodyguard in 1992, and it was a bigger hit for her than for Parton. But Parton made millions from the royalties, which she invested in a building in a historically Black neighborhood in Nashville, the Washington Post reports. Parton revealed the move this week during an interview with Bravo's Andy Cohen. David Ewing, a historian in Nashville, told the Post that Parton put the neighborhood on the map. Were just hearing now, because of the Black Lives Matter movement, how down for the cause Dolly has always been, he said. story continues below Parton loved Houstons version of I Will Always Love You. She told Oprah Winfrey in 2020 that she first heard the song while driving. I was shot so full of adrenaline and energy, I had to pull off, because I was afraid that I would wreck, so I pulled over quick as I could to listen to that whole song, she said. Parton felt that investing in the Sevier Park neighborhood of Nashville honored Houston, NPR reports. "It was mostly just Black families and people that lived around there," Parton told Cohen. "It was a whole strip mall. And I thought, 'This is the perfect place for me to be, considering it was Whitney.'" She added: This is the house that Whitney built." (Parton also helped fund coronavirus vaccine research.) (Newser) In June, 89% of Americans polled saw the COVID-19 outbreak as improving, with just 3% saying it was worsening. That was before the delta variant of the coronavirus made itself felt. In July, the Gallup Poll reports, more adults expressed pessimism than optimism about the pandemic45% to 40%. It's the first time since January that pessimism was the majority view. The web survey, released Monday, was conducted July 19-26 against a backdrop of surging cases. By a 6-point margin, the majority supported state guidelines calling for wearing face masks in public and social distancing; that was before the CDC changed its recommendations last week. As of mid-July, at least, increased concern about the disease hadn't driven more people to stay away from those outside their household, avoid public places, or cut back travel. story continues below A Monmouth University poll released Monday found similar worries, with 65% of Americans concerned about the new surge, up from 57% in June. Overall, 48% are concerned about coming down with a newer coronavirus variant, but among those who say they won't get vaccinated, only 16% are. Nearly half of the Monmouth respondents attribute the increase in infections to people who have declined vaccinations, per CNN. Political party is an indicator: Of Democrat respondents, 85% back requiring masks to be worn, while 73% of Republicans are opposed, per Politico. The poll found that a narrow majority say President Biden and the governor of their state are handling the pandemic well, but most think the American public isn't. (The US reached its July 4 vaccination goal in August.) (Newser) Jo Ann Hinckleymother of John Hinckley Jr., the would-be assassin of President Reaganhas died. The 95-year-old had been her sons constant and primary companion as he transitioned in 2016 from living at a Washington psychiatric hospital to being allowed to live with her full-time in a gated community in Williamsburg. By that time, his mental illness had been in full and sustained remission for decades, experts said. Barry Levine, John Hinckleys longtime attorney, said that Jo Ann Hinckley and her husband, John "Jack" Hinckley Sr., had moved to Williamsburg to be closer to their son after a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity. Her husband, a retired oil executive, died in 2008. "She provided a caring home, support and most of allloveto help John heal," Levine said in a statement, per the AP. story continues below John Hinckley, the youngest of Jo Ann and Jack Hinckleys three children, was 25 when he shot Reagan outside a Washington hotel in 1981. The shooting also paralyzed press secretary James Brady and injured two others. At the time, Hinckley was suffering from acute psychosis and was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster. Jurors said he needed treatment, not a lifetime in confinement. In the years following the shooting, his parents began to raise money for mental health research and education and founded the American Mental Health Fund in 1984. Levine said Tuesday that Hinckley, 66, had already moved out of his mothers home before her death. Hinckley is in the process of asking a federal judge in Washington to grant him release from various conditions that hes been living under. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27. (Read more John Hinckley stories.) (Newser) A Belarusian activist who fled the country for Ukraine after taking part in antigovernment rallies has been found hanged in a parkand police have opened a murder investigation. Police say they are investigating whether Vitaly Shishov was killed and his death framed as a suicide, the BBC reports. The 26-year-old's body was found in a Kyiv park Tuesday, the day after he failed to return from a morning jog and his partner reported him missing. Shishov was head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine group, which helps exiles find jobs and accommodations. "Vitaly was under surveillance," the group said in a statement, per CNN. "Also we were repeatedly warned by local sources and by our own people in Belarus about all kinds of provocations up to kidnapping and liquidation." story continues below Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines national police chief, told reporters that Shishov had been found with light injuries to his nose, knee, and chest, and "experts said this is all characteristic of a one-time fall," the New York Times reports. Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who lives in exile in Lithuania, said she would wait for the results of the investigation before describing the death as a crime, but she is "devastated" by Shishov's death and worries that "those who flee Belarus still can't be safe." His body was found the day after Belarusian Olympian Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was granted a visa by Poland because she was afraid to return to her homeland. (She says she doesn't think she can ever go back.) For some entrepreneurs, selling a business is a long way off, following decades of hard work. For others, that dream is only around the corner. Whether in one year or ten, preparing to sell early can set you up in good stead for the sales process. The process takes an average of 9 months in itself - you wouldn't want the timeline extended due to lack of preparation! In this blog, we've rounded up four things you need to prepare before selling your business. 1. Clearly define your objectives There are several reasons entrepreneurs may want to sell their business. Although you may have these in your head, it can be useful to clearly jot them down on paper, or even combine them as part of a progression plan. Reasons could include: Monetary gain Many entrepreneurs buy business, or start them, with the sole purpose of selling for profit in mind. If this is the case for you, you'll need to continue to add value to your business during your time as the owner by carrying out actions such as: - Keeping detailed records - future buyers will look at these in-depth - Consistently striving to improve your service or products in order to bring new customers and clients in - Maintain your staff - the longer they work for the business, the higher the value - Diversify your customer base - Reducing your staff's dependency on you as the business owner This way, you can sell on for a large profit and enjoy the reward for your years of hard work. Retirement Maybe you are at retirement age, or want to retire early, and are simply ready to pass the business on. Or, perhaps selling the business will give you the funds you need in order to retire comfortably. In this case, it's important to define a ballpark figure that will allow for this, and aim to reach as close to this amount as possible during the selling process. Looking for another venture Some entrepreneurs simply get tired of working in their industry and want to seek opportunities in other areas, or expand into emerging markets. In this instance, it's important to consider whether you will have the money after selling to either buy a new business or start anew. 2. Get your accounts in order ahead of time As mentioned earlier, keeping detailed records and accounts is absolutely crucial to ensure a smooth transition. Buyers will most definitely want to see them as part of due diligence and may put them under the watchful eye of an external accountant or even a solicitor, so make sure you are being as transparent as possible and ready for any questions that might be thrown your way. Buyers typically request three years' worth of trading accounts, so if you are not planning on selling for a few years, it's worth making your accountants aware now so that they can start setting them out the way a buyer would want to see them. This avoids rushed last-minute work. Buyers will be looking to see the potential for growth - after all, they want the business to be successful just like you did. They will also be looking for a consistent and diverse client base. If you are too reliant on one or two clients for a large sum of your income, this could potentially put them off. If you lost one of them, how would you be able to keep the business afloat after the big hit to cash flow? 3. File paperwork accordingly Again, buyers will ask to see these, so organise these early on - whether that's in a folder in a shared drive or physical documents (it's a good idea to have both in case physical documents become misplaced). The file should contain the following: - Any licences you hold, e.g. licence to sell alcohol - Details of insurance, especially in high-risk industries such as chemical engineering - VAT returns - A full asset sheet, including non-physical items such as computer software - Tax returns - Lease details - Supplier details with information about the best person to contact - An anonymised list of staff with details such as age, salary and how long they have worked for the business - If you own a limited company, double check that all details at Companies House are correct 4. Thoroughly review your processes Documenting your processes clearly can help with the handover process and avoid further questions once the sale has been completed. This could be in the format of flow charts, e.g. 'How the team signs off content', presentations, or simply a Word document. The aim is to get to a point where business operations are not so heavily reliant on you to be present. Some of your systems and procedures may even be outdated - if you've documented processes regarding software or programmes previously, software updates may have completely changed since the document was last updated. These processes need to be easily accessible. The last thing you want is to accidentally save them into your drive specific to your work email address and have everything disappear once you are removed as a user! If a password is required for these files, make the password easy to find for those who need it, and don't just leave it down to one person. You should include information such as who is involved in each step, what their contact details are (if external), the resources needed in the process (e.g. specific software) and screenshots of anything that is difficult to explain without a visual aid. You may also want to include hyperlinks to documents that explain certain steps in more detail, especially if you are working with small squares in a flow chart that don't allow for a full explanation. This should be done well in advance of selling to allow time for relevant team members to review the process and even write some themselves, especially for departments where you do not have so much involvement. It may even be worth testing this process between teams to see if it can be carried out without the experts' help. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Occasional light rain. High near 70F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low near 55F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. From The Alaska Post: The maps are color-coded to show open areas as well as those that are off-limits in the Donnelly, Tanana Flats and Yukon Training Areas and the main cantonment, also known as the garrison or the area inside the fence. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrainis are keen on strengthening opportunities for wider joint cooperation with Thailand. This came as the second semi-annual meeting to discuss the outcomes of the Joint Committee of Bilateral Cooperation between the two countries was held yesterday. The session was chaired by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Political Affairs Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Thai Foreign Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Dusit Manapan. Dr Shaikh Abdulla stressed Bahrains keenness to enhance strategic partnership with friendly countries, hailing close historical relations steadily-growing ties binding both countries. He praised the distinguished level of relations between the two countries. Thai Foreign Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary affirmed his countrys aspiration to enhance friendly relations and cooperation with Bahrain, wishing the Kingdom further progress and prosperity. The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common interest during the meeting. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh and Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal praised Al Hidd Secondary School for Girls student Ritaj Ibrahim Al Abbasi for winning the Speakership of the Arab Child Parliament in its second session. This came as the Kingdoms legislative leaders received Ritaj yesterday in their respective offices. Chairman Al Saleh congratulated the student for this honourable achievement that is added to the Kingdoms international achievements at the educational level, where she obtained 52% of the votes, outperforming candidates from 12 Arab countries. He highlighted the role of the Arab Child Parliament in consolidating the concepts and principles of constructive dialogue among children, educating them to exercise their rights and performing their duties. Al Saleh affirmed that the capabilities that the youth of Bahrain obtains to achieve leading positions on national and international levels, which reflects the successful strategies embarked from the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in caring for the youth and harnessing the youth and their talents. Ritaj expressed her thanks and appreciation to Shura Council Chairman for his continuous support for children and motivating them to give and exert efforts in order to enhance the status of Bahrain, praising the efforts made by the Shura Council to develop and modernise legislation related to children. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Embassy of the Philippines in the Kingdom of Bahrain successfully assisted in the inoculation of 367 undocumented overseas Filipinos in Bahrain. They were part of the second batch of beneficiaries for its Libreng Bakuna Para kay Juan at Juana programme recipients. They received their second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine on 31 July at Sitra Mall, bringing the total number of fully vaccinated recipients of the programme to 518. Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A. Ver, together with other Embassy officials and staff, as well as some Filipino community volunteers, provided assistance during the event by guiding the recipients of the programme and helping them register with the BeAware app of the Kingdom. The 367 undocumented OFs are among the 360 individuals who received their first dose on 3 July, while there were also seven individuals from the 1st batch of recipients who missed their second dose on 16 July but were fully vaccinated last Saturday. These OFs are now able to register in the comprehensive BeAware health app and avail of all features of the app including an electronic vaccination certificate (green shield) which is required for entry into office buildings, government institutions, malls, restaurants, schools, etc. Besides having the protection against COVID-19, the Bakuna para Kay Juan at Juana programme also aims to provide undocumented Filipinos with a fighting chance in their quest to find employment in the Kingdom. The green shield or proof of having received the complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now one of the primary requirements of prospective employers in hiring a worker. The Embassy advises those who were vaccinated during the first and second batch of the vaccination program but were not able to get their second dose last Saturday, to proceed to Al Hoora Health Centre in Manama to complete their required vaccine dosage. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The High Appeals Court upheld the jail sentence issued against a young Bahraini man for stealing two mobile phones worth BD800. The defendant was arrested following thorough investigations. According to court files, the defendant contacted a phone shop and placed an order for purchasing two phones. He told the shops employees that he would pay through Benefit Pay. I delivered the order to him and he said that he would pay shortly. I left, expecting that he would pay using the agreed method, the delivery man who gave the defendant the phones told prosecutors. The young Bahraini man reportedly switched his phone off as soon as he received the phones, while the shop made various attempts to reach him. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com ila Bank, Bahrains digital, mobile-only bank, announced releasing five new seamless app features to enhance the overall banking experience. The newly launched features reflect customer feedback received through the banks various digital touchpoints and ilas AI and data analytics. Digital Onboarding ila said it launched a simplified digital onboarding process, which now empowers customers to open an account within minutes using only one ID and a selfie. This was made possible by leveraging the national eKYC platform operated by BENEFIT in collaboration with the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), under the supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain. Commenting, Mohamed Al Maraj, Chief Executive Officer, ila Bank, said: ila now offers an unparalleled onboarding process, reflecting our commitment to creating a banking experience that is accessible and inclusive of all in our fast-paced, contactless environment. ilas new release also includes a long-press feature enabling customers to access key features by touching and holding on the app icon right from the home screen; enables transfers between Hassalas, an innovative digital saving pot, further easing the saving process; and permits two shares for each user in a Jamiyah, a collaborative digital savings tool inspired by a longstanding regional tradition. Nada Tarada, Head of Business & Customer at ila bank, added: ilas latest app release is driven by customer needs and feedback. It reflects our ongoing mission to design banking around their lives and enable their day-to-day and long-term experiences through effortless, frictionless and seamless banking solutions. Thank you for trusting us for your local news coverage. You have reached the maximum number of free articles per month. Subscribe today for unlimited access to News-Press NOW. It's a fast and easy way to support local journalism. Governor to speak at school administrators conference as many districts return this month Sundae Funday Shelton Every day is Sundae at Shelton's new stop for unique ice cream. The Sundae Funday bus, an ice cream mobile, opened in June, serving up custom soft-serve blends with a variety of decadent toppings and sauces. The menu features chocolate and vanilla ice cream from Big Dipper in Prospect, which is blended to order with customers' choice of mix-ins and toppings. Customers can choose their own adventure, or pick predesigned blends like "Fred Flintstone" with vanilla ice cream, Fruity Pebbles cereal and marshmallow and the "Puff Daddy," with chocolate ice cream, Reese's Puffs cereal and peanut butter sauce. The truck is parked at 484 Bridgeport Avenue Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m, and Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m., weather permitting. On Sunday afternoons, theyre at Bad Sons Beer Co. in Derby. sundaefundayicecream.wordpress.com and @SundaeFundayBus on Facebook and Instagram. BETHEL A Danbury area Catholic parish looking to establish its own church is hoping to call Vail Road its home. Bethels Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing Aug. 10 on an application that, if approved, would allow Our Lady of Aparecida to use an existing building at 42 Vail Road currently occupied by the Michaels at the Grove as a church and community center. Our Lady of Aparecida would not be Bethels only Catholic church theres Saint Mary Parish on Dodgingtown Road but it would be the only one in town where mass is performed in Portuguese. Theres a large Brazilian community in the greater Danbury area thats very devout and continues to grow, said Brian Wallace, communications director for the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese. In recognition of that growing community, the Bridgeport Diocese formally established Our Lady of Aparecida as a quasi-parish of Danburys Saint Peter parish last year. The Our Lady of Aparecida parish which currently holds worship services at the Saint Peter Church building on Main Street and has a community center space on Liberty Street has been searching for a home of their own, Wallace said. I know they looked at a couple of options, (including) a building right behind Saint Peter, but I think it wasnt large enough for their needs, he said. The Bridgeport Dioceses chief legal and real estate officer, Anne McCrory, said the building at 42 Vail Road is ideal because it would allow the parish to have both worship and community spaces under one roof. They really want to find a place where they can not only have their community center, but also establish their church, she said. Vail Road would be a place where they could have both of those things. McCrory said Brazilian community members of the Saint Peter parish have been looking to take on the obligations of running their own space and building and for quite some time. In the church, we dont have many instances where we have robust enough communities to open up their own independent worship space and can afford to do that but the Brazilian community is tremendously committed, she said. The fact that no major changes would need to be made to the existing building is a large part of the propertys appeal. One of the things they really like about the building is that in its current iteration, its really close to what they need, McCrory said. They could use the banquet space as their community center area, and I believe theres an open area that they could relatively easily retrofit into a worship space. Although no construction is being proposed, Bethels zoning regulations require a special permit for religious institutions located on and served by a collector or arterial road as identified in the Plan of Conservation and Development. McCrory said the plan is for Our Lady of Aparecida to be the buildings sole occupant. The owner of Michaels at the Grove could not be reached for comment. The Planning and Zoning Commissions Aug. 10 public hearing on Our Lady of Aparecidas application will take place via Zoom beginning at 7 p.m. NEW FAIRFIELD With no Republican candidate endorsed to challenge her, incumbent Democrat Pat Del Monaco is looking at an unopposed race for first selectman this November. Del Monaco declared her intentions to run for a third term in June with fellow Democrat Khris Hall as her running mate. Economic development, school building projects and recreational opportunities are among her top priorities. New Fairfields Democratic and Republican town committees recently filed certified lists of party-endorsed candidates for the 2021 election. The list of Republican-endorsed candidates did not include a candidate for the towns highest office. The Republican Town Committees chair Cynthia Ross-Zweig who has been endorsed to run for re-election to the Planning Commission could not be reached for comment on why the party did not endorse a first selectman candidate. Del Monaco has been New Fairfields first selectman since unseating two-term Republican incumbent Susan Chapman in November 2017. She was sworn in for a second term after defeating Republican John Hodge, a former first selectman, in the 2019 election. While Hall has been endorsed by the Democrats to run for re-election to the Board of Selectmen, the Republicans have endorsed Lori Ann Beninson to succeed Kim Hanson, who was first elected to the board in November 2013. The Democratic and Republican town committees cross-endorsed three candidates for the upcoming municipal election: Republican incumbent Kerrie Hess Greening for tax collector, Republican Holly Smith for town clerk and Terry Friedman an unaffiliated voter for treasurer. Other than Friedman and incumbent library director candidate Ellen Waltimyer, all the other GOP-endorsed candidates are registered Republicans. Waltimyer is unaffiliated. The Democrats, on the other hand, have endorsed four unaffiliated voters: Mark Werner, Patrick OGara, Kevin Van Vlack and Christopher Wegrzyn. Werner is running as an incumbent Board of Finance alternate; OGara is seeking a seat on the Planning Commission; Van Vlack is an incumbent Zoning Commission candidate; and Wegrzyn is running in the Zoning Board of Appeals race. The names of two Republican and three Democratic candidates will be found under more than one race on the November ballot: Republican Claudia Willard will run for a two-year term on the Board of Finance, as well as in the library directors race. Republican Ernest Lehman, who is seeking re-election as one of the towns library directors, has also been endorsed to run for a seat on the Planning Commission. Democratic Town Committee chair Josh-Beckett Flores will run for a six-year term on the Board of Finance, as well as a seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition to running for another six-year term on the Board of Finance, Democrat Tom Garben will seek a two-year term on the finance board to fill a vacancy and run as a Planning Commission alternate candidate. Democrat Keith Landa has not only been endorsed to run for re-election to the Planning Commission, but will be the only Board of Assessment Appeals candidate on the ballot. The terms of the two Republicans currently serving on the Board of Assessment Appeals dont expire until 2023. REDDING Police have released the identity of a construction worker killed in an accident last week while working at a home off Putnam Park Road. Sourasinh Bouttavong was killed after he was struck by a falling pipe Thursday, according to police. The 35-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Redding Police Chief Mark ODonnell said Bouttavongs most recent address was in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its unclear when he moved to the area. The death has been ruled an accident, according to the states Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The cause of death was blunt impact injury of head, the office said. The Bridgeport office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor said Monday the office was notified of the fatal incident on Thursday. The office has opened an inspection of the workers employer, Dandelion Geothermal, said Ted Fitzgerald, the agencys spokesman. The company, which has headquarters in Mount Kisco, New York and Meriden, Conn., installs geothermal heating and cooling systems in homes in both states, according to its website. Dandelion Geothermal provided a statement through a spokesperson Tuesday which said they are working with OSHA and local authorities to investigate what happened. We are deeply saddened for this employee and his family and are focused on providing support to them, as well as our Dandelion teams, at this time, the statement said. Bouttavong was a full-time employee on the companys operations team, according to Shannon Smith, the company spokeswoman, who did not release his identity. Fitzgerald, the Department of Labor spokesman, said OSHAs inspection will examine the workplace safety standards that apply and whether the company complied with them. If the inspection identifies violations of workplace safety standards, OSHA could issue citations to and propose fines for the employer, he said in an email. Redding police said first responders were called to a home on Putnam Park Road around 5 p.m. Thursday for a report of a construction worker with a head injury. When they arrived, Bouttavong was found unresponsive on the ground and bleeding from his head. Police said the injury was caused by a falling steel pipe. Bouttavong was taken by ambulance to Danbury Hospital where he died from his injuries, according to police. Work-related deaths in construction are relatively uncommon in Connecticut. Department of Labor statistics show there were six fatalities among private construction workers in 2019, the most recent figures available. There were 26 fatal injuries statewide that year, the data show. peter.yankowski@newstimes.com Staff Writer Kendra Baker contributed reporting. SOUTHBURY Local Jewish leaders are expressing support for the way Southbury is addressing the appearance of a swastika on a political banner on Route 67. At a special meeting last week, Southburys selectmen unanimously voted to issue a statement condemning the swastika depicted on Playhouse Corner on July 24. The banner, which has since been removed, showed donkeys with swastikas alongside the phrase the new logo for the Democratic party, according to photos. Modern day Nazi party was written below the donkeys. We are saddened and disturbed to learn that this has occurred in our town. Southbury has a rich history of opposition to the Nazi symbol and what it stands for, the letter, read aloud by First Selectman Jeffrey Manville, said. The letter stated hate symbols have no place in Southbury, and that the display of a swastika in the town of Southbury is contrary to everything we believe in as a community. While the selectmen support peaceful protest and freedom of speech, they also condemn in the strongest possible terms, the use of any symbols of hate to do so. Gary Jones, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, said he appreciated the statement from the board of selectmen, and was very grateful the banner was condemned. This is a terrible thing that happened, Jones said. Hopefully, its not going to happen again, but our political leaders stood up and did the right thing. At Thursdays meeting, Selectman Mike Rosen said the display wasnt hate speech, but a hate crime since it intentionally desecrated a public property. Rosen expressed his grave concern about the rise of ideologies associated with white supremacy and white nationalism. I think most towns in America are dealing with this and we must stand together and say that hate such as that will never, ever have a home here in Southbury, Rosen said. Selectman Justin Bette said people have told him the event scared them. In an interview Monday, Manville said he is continuing to look into the matter, and will be meeting with the police department to talk about next steps. The town may pursue legal action depending on the circumstances, he said. It is still unclear who was responsible for the banner, and whether the perpetrators were Southbury residents or from out of town. The police department said Monday that they do not have any updates on the case or any suspect leads. The first selectman is also planning to meet with the leadership at the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut. Selectmen Emily Harrison and George Bertram, who were unable to attend the meeting, sent letters of support that Manville read into the record. Both expressed frustration that the meeting was scheduled when they were unable to attend. We felt we needed to address this for the community as soon as possible, Manville said. Manville also said he didnt expect anyone to oppose the statement. The Jewish community responds Anti-semitic crimes have been on the rise in the U.S. The Connecticut chapter of the Anti-Defamation League states on its website that in 2020, anti-semitic incidents remained at a historically high level across the country. The organization recorded 2,024 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism last year, making it the third-highest year recorded since 1979. The year before was even worse, ranking first in highest number of incidents. Connecticut has not been spared. In April of 2021, a UConn student was charged with a hate crime after painting a swastika near the Jewish campus center around Passover. That same month, the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center was alerted to a yellow swastika painted on a rock on one of the centers trails. While Penny Kessler, cantor for the United Jewish Center of Danbury, said she knew very little about the swastikas appearance, she called the incident very, very sad, adding that it was very infuriating that this is still going on. Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach of Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest CT in Litchfield said town leaders responses have been great. I think we just have to get to the bottom of who produced this thing, but thats not really the focus of our day-to-day life. We have to move along, he said. While Eisenbach and his family have experienced anti-semitism while living in Connecticut, he said the people perpetrating those actions dont really represent the United States. While he worries about his family, the rabbi also believes that America is the greatest and most free country in the world. His organization is more focused on spreading acts of goodness and kindness, he added. With faith, we will get through everything. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's defense minister said Monday that Iran's alleged attack on a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea last week was "a stepping-up of the escalation of hostilities by Iran, and called for international action. Benny Gantz addressed Israel's parliament, the Knesset, and said the drone strike on the Mercer Street that left two crew members dead one from the United Kingdom and one from Romania was in violation of international law and human morality. He charged that Iran was behind at least five attacks on international shipping in the last year. The United States, Britain and Israel have blamed Iran for the fatal attack on the Israeli-linked oil tanker. Iran denies involvement. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran and its militia allies have used so-called suicide drones in attacks previously. The region has seen a rise in attacks on commercial vessels in the aftermath of the disintegration of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. This is exactly the reason why we must act now against Iran, which is not only striving toward nuclear arms, but is also bringing about a dangerous arms race and intends to destabilize the Middle East with terrorist militias who are armed with hundreds of drones in Iran, Yemen, Iraq and other countries in the region, he said. Gantz said that any future agreement between world powers and Iran to rein in its nuclear program must also address Iranian's aggression in the region and harming both innocent people and to the global economy. This is not a future threat, rather a tangible and immediate danger, he said. In Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was confident that Iran carried out this attack. It follows a pattern of similar attacks by Iran, including past incidents with explosive drones, he told reporters at the State Department. There is no justification for this attack on a peaceful vessel on a commercial mission, international waters rise action is a direct threat to freedom of navigation and commerce, took the lives of innocent sailors. Blinken said the U.S. was in close contact with the U.K., Israel and Romania and "there will be a collective response. He did not elaborate on what that response might be. WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sought to speed up consideration of a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package Monday, promising that Democrats would work with Republicans to put together amendments for consideration this week. GOP senators cautioned that they need time to digest the massive bill. Formally called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the proposal clocked in at some 2,700 pages after a hurry-up-and-wait rare weekend session. The final product, unveiled late Sunday, was intended to follow the broad outline a bipartisan group of senators had negotiated for weeks with the White House. Schumer has said a final vote could be held in a matter of days. Let's start voting on amendments," Schumer said as the Senate opened work on Monday. The longer it takes to finish the bill, the longer we will be here." A key part of President Joe Bidens agenda, the bipartisan bill is the first phase of the president's infrastructure plan. It calls for $550 billion in new spending over five years above projected federal levels one of the most substantial expenditures on the nations roads, bridges, waterworks, broadband and the electric grid in years. The Senate's Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has sided with those voting to allow debate to proceed, but he has not signaled how he will ultimately vote. He described the bill Monday as a good and important jumping off point" for a robust, bipartisan amendment process. He warned Democrats against setting any artificial timetable." Infrastructure is exactly the kind of subject that Congress should be able to address across the aisle," McConnell said. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the first two amendments to the bill late Monday. Each was noncontroversial and received far more than the 60 votes necessary to be added to the legislation. Other amendment votes, particular on the issue of how to pay for the new spending, are expected to be more spirited affairs. Senators and staff labored behind the scenes for days to write the massive bill. It was supposed to be ready Friday, but by Sunday, more glitches were caught and changes made. Late Sunday, most of the 10 senators involved in the bipartisan effort rose on the Senate floor to mark the unveiling of the text. We know that this has been a long and sometimes difficult process, but we are proud this evening to announce this legislation, said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., a lead negotiator. The bill showed we can put aside our own political differences for the good of the country, she said. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, a Republican negotiator, framed the legislation as something that would help the U.S. better compete with China and would make the economy more efficient, more productive" after years of struggle getting a public works bill off the ground. People have talked about infrastructure in this city forever," Portman said. As the amendment process gets underway, senators are weighing how much to try to change the package and how hard to try, knowing it will be difficult to reach the 60-vote threshold to approve any substantial changes. Time is not limitless. Schumer has repeatedly warned that he was prepared to keep lawmakers in Washington for as long as it took to complete votes on both the bipartisan infrastructure plan and a budget blueprint that would allow the Senate to begin work later this year on a massive, $3.5 trillion social, health and environmental bill. Republicans counter that they just had a chance to begin fully reviewing the bill late Sunday. We shouldnt sacrifice adequate time on this bill merely because the Democratic leader would like to spend next week jamming a 100% partisan piece of legislation through the United States Senate," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. Among the major new investments, the bipartisan package is expected to provide $110 billion for roads and bridges, $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for rail. Theres also to be $55 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure as well as billions for airports, ports, broadband internet and electric vehicle charging stations. Paying for the package has been a challenge after senators rejected ideas to raise revenue from a new gas tax or other streams. Instead, it is being financed from funding sources that might not pass muster with deficit hawks, including repurposing some $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid, as well as unemployment assistance that was turned back by some states and relying on projected future economic growth. Some Republicans are wary of another large spending bill after a series of COVID relief measures have boosted the national debt. "Ive got real concerns with this bill, said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Bipartisan support from Republican and Democratic senators pushed the process along, and Schumer wanted the voting to be wrapped up before senators left for their August recess. Last week, 17 GOP senators joined all Democrats in voting to start work on the bill. That support largely held, with McConnell voting yes in another procedural vote to nudge the process along in the 50-50 Senate, where 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster and advance legislation. Whether the number of Republican senators willing to pass the bill grows or shrinks in the days ahead will determine if the presidents signature issue can make it across the finish line. The bipartisan bill still faces a rough road in the House, where progressive lawmakers want a more robust package but may have to settle for this one to keep Bidens infrastructure plans on track. The outcome with the bipartisan effort will set the stage for the next debate over Bidens much more ambitious $3.5 trillion package, a strictly partisan pursuit of far-reaching programs and services including child care, tax breaks and health care that touch almost every corner of American life. Republicans strongly oppose that bill, which would require a simple majority for passage. Final votes on that measure are not expected until fall. WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday he would welcome a special legislative session to decide how to respond to the latest wave of the pandemic in Connecticut. Lamont's latest set of executive orders, including one dictating masks in public schools, expire on Sept. 30. Speaking during a visit to the Juniper Design Group in Southington on Tuesday, Lamont said he's been talking to legislative leaders informally about what should happen next. I think the legislature's going to want to come in and I'd like to work with them in terms of what we do after Sept. 30 and get their point of view on masks, schools, vaccinations for state employees, Lamont said. I don't have to make all these decisions by myself. I'll take some help. Lamont said he also plans to meet soon with state union officials to discuss protocols. The governor said he believes most Connecticut residents have been making good decisions when it comes to wearing masks and getting vaccinated and he's inclined to leave the decision on mandating vaccines up to businesses, including restaurants and local authorities. We're certainly going to have minimum requirements that we think are important," he said. ___ SCHOOL MASKS Waterbury has mandated mask-wearing in public schools for the 2021-22 year to guard against the coronavirus as state officials consider extending a statewide school mask requirement past September. City officials recently announced the mask requirement and said all students and staff will return for in-person learning on Aug. 30. We have some protocols in place, safety measures in place that were going to continue to honor," said Superintendent of Schools Verna Ruffin. Connecticut currently has a mask requirement for schools that runs through the end of September. Gov. Ned Lamont and education officials have not announced any plans to extend the school mask mandate. The Democratic governor said Monday that he hopes to give parents a couple weeks' notice on whether masks will be required. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued new guidance recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. The agency cited the risk of spread of the highly contagious delta variant, even among vaccinated people. On Sunday, the state Department of Public Health issued a recommendation that people, both unvaccinated and vaccinated, wear face masks when theyre in an indoor public setting because of the growing number of cases. Coronavirus infections have been increasing in Connecticut and elsewhere as the delta variant has become the dominant strain. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in the state has risen over the past two weeks from about 149 new cases per day on July 18 to 422 new cases per day on Aug. 1, according to Johns Hopkins University. In other coronavirus-related news: ___ CITY HALL OUTBREAK Municipal offices in the central Connecticut city of Middletown will be closed to the public this week because of a small outbreak of COVID-19, the mayor announced. Due to a small outbreak of COVID-19 cases among city employees, several staff members are currently quarantining, Mayor Ben Florsheim said in a news release Monday. Middletown's City Hall closed as of Tuesday and will tentatively reopen to the public on Aug. 9, Florsheim said. The mayor said that because a larger COVID-19 outbreak would have been possible without quick action to halt the spread of the disease, we came to the decision that the best option for the safety of our staff and the public is to work fully remotely for the next few days. Health officials do not believe there is risk to members of the public who visited City Hall in recent days, Florsheim said. RENO, Nev. (AP) The slender, bushy-tailed Sierra Nevada red fox will be listed as an endangered species, federal wildlife officials announced Monday, saying its population has dipped to just 40 animals in area of California stretching from Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided against listing a distinct population of the foxes in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon and near Lassen Peak in Northern California. But it said in a listing rule to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday that the Sierra Nevada segment south of Tahoe is in danger of extinction throughout all of its range. While the exact number remains unknown and is also subject to change with new births and deaths, it is well below population levels that would provide resiliency, redundancy and representation to the population. It provided no estimate of the number of red foxes remaining in the Cascade Range. One of the rarest mammals in North America, the red foxes in the Sierra already are vulnerable due to threats of wildfire, drought, competition in coyotes, reductions in prey and inbreeding with non-native foxes. Additional future threats include climate change, as scientists project continuing loss of snowpack and of the general subalpine habitat to which the Sierra Nevada population segment has adapted, the agency said. This will likely lead to increased numbers of coyotes in high-elevation areas and to increased competition between coyotes and Sierra Nevada foxes for prey, the service said. Some biologists believed 20 years ago the Sierra Nevada population already had gone extinct before a small remnant population was confirmed in 2010. California banned red fox trapping in 1974. The Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned for federal protection in 2011 and filed lawsuits in 2013 and 2019 before the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the species for addition to the endangered list in 2020. The Sierra Nevada red fox has declined dramatically because of poisoning and trapping, habitat destruction from logging and livestock grazing and disturbance from off-road vehicles and snowmobiles, said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate for the center. He said the animals face the same threats in the Cascade Mountains to Mount Hood, Oregon. This is an important step, but the Fish and Wildlife Service should also protect these imperiled animals in the Cascades, he said Monday. The Sierra Nevada red fox is one of 10 North American subspecies of the red fox. The small, doglike carnivores stretch about 3.5 feet (1.1 meter) long and have elongated snouts, pointed ears and large tails. With deep winter coats and small toe pads, they are specially equipped to adapt to cold, snowy areas. They feed on small mammals. The Fish and Wildlife Service noted it is not proposing designation of critical habitat for the species at this time because habitat does not appear to be a limiting factor for the species. The agency estimates the 18 to 39 animals remaining in the Sierra extend south of California State Highway 88 from just south of Lake Tahoe into the easternmost portion of Yosemite Park in Tuolumne and Madera counties, as well as portions of Alpine, Mono, Fresno and Inyo counties. Most of the foxes between 10 and 31 are known to occupy an area north of Yosemite. About five have been spotted just east of Yosemite, and three have been identified south of Yosemite, in the general area of Mono Creek. All sightings have been on federal land. VANCOUVER and TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today announced its plan to create a new, single self-regulatory organization (SRO) that will provide enhanced regulation of the investment industry. The new SRO, as described in today's publication of CSA Position Paper 25-404 New Self-Regulatory Organization Framework, will consolidate the functions of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA). The CSA will also combine two existing investor protection funds the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation into an integrated fund independent of the new SRO. "The new self-regulatory framework is the result of extensive research, consultation and analysis that informed the creation of a framework designed to protect Canadian investors and enhance public confidence, accommodate innovation, ensure fair and efficient market operations and navigate continually evolving industry conditions," said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorite des marches financiers. To reinforce the new SRO's commitment to the public interest, the CSA will, among other things, direct the implementation of governance enhancements. This will include ensuring that the majority of the new SRO's board members and its chair are independent, as well as overseeing approval of all board members. The new SRO will also be required to solicit CSA comment and input on its annual priorities, business plan and budget, and to seek approval for significant publications. In addition, the new SRO will create an investor advisory panel. The new SRO will facilitate easier and more cost-effective access to a broader range of investment products and services for the public, and is generally expected to result in cost savings for dealers. The new SRO will also harmonize, where appropriate, IIROC and MFDA rules, and will streamline their complaint processes. To begin implementation, the CSA is creating an Integrated Working Committee. This CSA-led committee will determine the appropriate corporate structure of the new SRO. It will also oversee incorporating a new governance structure and integrating the current functions of the existing SROs and separately, the two existing investor protection funds. "The CSA recognizes the high level of skill, dedication and experience that staff from IIROC, MFDA and the existing investor protection funds have consistently brought to their work," Morisset said. "The combined forces of these teams will be critical during the creation of the new self-regulatory organization and investor protection fund, and will be crucial to their future success." The CSA also anticipates that, following additional consultations, it will consider the possibility of incorporating additional registration categories presently directly regulated by the CSA into the new SRO. In December 2019, the CSA announced a comprehensive review of the existing SRO framework and struck a dedicated working group. By early 2020, the working group completed informal consultations on the existing framework with a wide array of stakeholders. After requesting feedback on a consultation paper in June 2020, the working group received 67 comment letters in response. The CSA considered the information and views provided by commenters and met with specific stakeholders to clarify issues raised and information provided. It also requested and received additional data from key stakeholders and took into account other data and analysis, including but not limited to, dozens of academic publications. More details about the CSA's plans for a new SRO and the analysis underlying those plans can be found in CSA Position Paper 25-404 New Self-Regulatory Organization Framework, available on CSA members' websites. The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. For Investor inquiries, please refer to your respective securities regulator. You can contact them here. SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Pascale Bijoux, Canadian Securities Administrators, [email protected]; Brian Kladko, British Columbia Securities Commission, [email protected]; Crystal Jongeward, Ontario Securities Commission, [email protected] This undertaking is a progressive effort between Viking and PAL Aerospace to build additional capabilities for the already versatile DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 and 400 aircraft. The Aerial Firefighting System will allow the Twin Otter to transition effortlessly between global firefighting missions and its more traditional mission profiles, including transporting passengers and cargo. The airtanker-configured Twin Otter aircraft will help mitigate and fight wildfires with the ability to drop up to 700 US gallons of water or retardant in challenging environments. Phillip Garbutt, PAL Aerospace Senior Vice President of Global Support said, "PAL Aerospace is proud to partner with Viking on this exciting project that supports innovation, economic growth, and supply chains in Canada. As an established DHC-6 Twin Otter Operator, we know firsthand the capability and versatility of the aircraft and consider it a privilege to bring our comprehensive design, engineering and modification capabilities to bear in developing this new capability." "We are happy to work with PAL Aerospace to provide our operators the ability to utilize our DHC-6 Twin Otter for specialized aerial firefighting missions," said Benjamin Carson, Director of Customer Support Operations, Viking. "As the OEM, we work to continuously enhance the aircraft we support, providing our customers with ongoing fleet sustainment activities and upgrades." About PAL Aerospace: A member of the Exchange Income Corporation family of companies, PAL Aerospace is a Canadian-owned and operated international aerospace and defence company. With a focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, in-service support solutions and aircraft engineering and modification, PAL Aerospace is recognized by governments and militaries for on time/on budget delivery and high reliability rates. PAL's record of accomplishment now extends to operations in Canada, the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. PAL Aerospace offers a single point of accountability for its programs and takes pride in being the trusted choice for clients worldwide. For more information, visit www.palaerospace.com About Viking Air Limited: Celebrating over 50 years in the Canadian Aerospace industry, Viking is the manufacturer of the world-renowned Twin Otter Series 400 and Guardian 400 Twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Viking is the Type Certificate holder for all out-of-production De Havilland Canada aircraft (DHC-1 through the DHC-7) and all Canadair amphibious aircraft, including CL-215, CL-215T and CL-415 aerial firefighter aircraft, and the Shorts Skyvan, 360, 330 and Sherpa family of aircraft. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for these iconic Canadian aircraft designs, Viking fully supports a diverse global operator base with exclusive factory spare parts manufacturing, in-service engineering & technical support, technical publications, warranty administration, and field service support. For more information, visit www.vikingair.com SOURCE PAL Aerospace Ltd. For further information: Media Contact: Joseph Galimberti, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Phone: +1 709-753-3521, Email: [email protected]; Media Contact: Brogan Hepworth, Marketing Coordinator, Phone: +1.587.430.0572, Email: [email protected] Related Links https://www.palaerospace.com/ TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Olympian Artem Dolgopyat arrived home to Israel on Tuesday to a hero's welcome after winning Israel's first-ever gold medal in artistic gymnastics. On the ground at Ben Gurion International Airport, he soaked up cheers from the crowd, raising his medal and putting his other arm around his longtime partner, Maria Masha Sakovichas. The image captured the duality of Dolgopyat's life in Israel, between his history-making achievement for the country and its religious norms that prevent him from marrying Sakovichas because he is not Jewish under Orthodox law. Dolgopyat made no mention of the marital issue, which his mother had lamented earlier this week. This is really the warmest welcome I ever got in my life, he said. I want to cry from all the excitement, even more than the medal. Im just kidding, but really its also a very fun moment. The Ukrainian-born Israeli gymnast was hailed as a national hero for winning Israels second-ever gold medal and its first in artistic gymnastics. But the celebrations were briefly tempered after his mother said in the interview that the countrys authorities will not allow him to wed because he is not considered Jewish according to Orthodox law. The state doesnt allow him to marry, Dolgopyats mother, Angela, told 103FM in an interview Sunday. Her comments chafed some in Israel, which has perpetually grappled with the balance of religion and state since it was founded as a refuge for Jews 73 years ago. Under its Law of Return, anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent is eligible for Israeli citizenship. But while Dolgopyats father is Jewish, his mother is not. Under halacha, or Jewish religious law, one must have a Jewish mother to be considered Jewish. This discrepancy has resulted in tens of thousands of Israelis, many of them from the former Soviet Union, who live in the country, serve in its army, and in Dolgopyat's case represent it in the Olympics, but are blocked from Jewish rituals such as weddings and funerals. Israel does not have a system of civil marriage and Israeli law mandates that Jewish marriages must be conducted by a rabbi authorized by the Chief Rabbinate. Christian and Muslim couples must also get married within their faith. Those who do not meet the Orthodox standards set by the rabbinate including same-sex couples, interfaith couples, and Israelis not considered Jewish by halacha cannot get married in Israel. Instead, they must travel abroad to marry. Attempts to legalize civil marriage have repeatedly foundered due to opposition by politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties. Dolgopyats mother told the radio station that her son and his girlfriend have lived together for three years, but they cant marry. They need to go abroad, but they dont let him go abroad because he always needs to do sports. The Olympic champion, for his part, tried to downplay the controversy. These are things I have in my heart, its not right to talk about this now, he told reporters in Tokyo. Yair Lapid, Israels foreign minister, said Monday that he will fight in every way possible so that there will be civil marriage in order for Dolgopyat and others to marry in Israel. He said it was intolerable that someone can win a gold medal for the country and not be able to wed. Its insufferable in my eyes that someone can stand on the podium, hear Hatikva, and get a gold medal in the name of Israel, and then not be able to wed here, he said, referring to the countrys national anthem. Its a situation that cannot continue, and we will fight for change. HAMDEN Not much more than a year ago, she was a Hamden High School senior serving as the student representative to the Board of Education. Now, 19-year-old Mariam Khan hopes to be elected as a full-fledged board member. Shes the youngest candidate out of everyone confirmed to be running, but not by much. Abdul Osmanu, also 19, is seeking the 3rd District Legislative Council seat. Vera Morrison, who has served as town clerk for 26 years, said that, as far as she can remember, the last person close to that age to run for municipal office was Mayor Curt Balzano Leng. Leng first ran for the Legislative Council in 1995, when he was 20, he said. The Democratic Town Committee endorsed Khan and Osmanu last week. Both are in undergraduate political science programs Khan at Yale University and Osmanu at Southern Connecticut State University. Khan also said she studies biology, and Osmanu said he studies sociology. Its a really fun, exciting time within the party, within Hamden politics as a whole, said Osmanu, who also serves as corresponding secretary for the DTC. You have really young candidates, energized candidates (thats) going to change how we think about municipal politics. When DTC member Megan Goslin nominated Khan for the party endorsement last week, she called the young candidate the future of our party, someone who has the experience and skills needed to make our school district a more equitable one. (Goslin shared a written copy of her comments with the New Haven Register.) I think theres so much opportunity here to be a force that is hopeful, Khan said of her decision to run. This is a community that has quite literally raised me. It would be an honor to represent that community, she said. As a student representative, Khan campaigned to make Eid al-Fitr a holiday on which students would get the day off, she said, adding that about 50 or 60 Muslim students voiced support of the idea. It hasnt happened yet. Khan thinks the district missed an opportunity. We could have really uplifted and empowered the students doing that work, she said. Thats one change that makes our school more inviting. As a board member, Khan would revisit the district calendar, she said. She also would seek to increase student and family engagement with board matters, prioritize issues related to racism and hold office hours where constituents could speak with her, she said. For Khan, family and faith are two important forces in her life. Her parents are Pakistani immigrants who taught me to work hard, to put people that you love first and to never give up, she said, calling those lessons her guiding principles. A practicing Muslim, she also said that a lot of what compels me to do this work is my faith, and the importance of justice, and of kindness. Khan mentioned her teachers, too though they may not all live in town, she hopes to represent their interests as a board member. Ive had so many loving teachers throughout my 13 years at Hamden Public Schools, she said. So many of them go all the way for their students. Osmanu also found inspiration at Hamden High School. Though he always had some interest in politics, it was an AP Goverment class that sparked his involvement, he said. Legislative Councilman Brad Macdowall was a guest speaker at the class, according to Osmanu, who said he volunteered on Macdowalls campaign the following summer. Then, during his senior year, Osmanu served as president of the Black and Hispanic Student Union, he said. He credited the groups adviser, Lamond Battle, with mentoring him. I think thats kind of where I started to find my own way, you know, as a leader, Osmanu said. Incumbent Councilwoman Athena Gary, D-3, who will not seek reelection, nominated Osmanu to take her place. So far, unlike many other endorsed candidates, no one has indicated they will challenge Osmanu to a Democratic primary, nor did the GOP nominate anyone to run in the 3rd District. But Osmanu is campaigning nonetheless. He feels its important to make connections with community members, he said, because he will need their support to get things done as a councilman. I dont think its really possible without them, he said. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com PHOENIX (AP) A Phoenix science teacher is asking a judge to put a halt to a districtwide mask mandate, which goes against a new state law, district officials said Tuesday. Richard Franco, a spokesman for Phoenix Union High School District, confirmed Douglas Hester's filing for a temporary restraining order on the mandate. The superintendent and governing board members are named as defendants in the motion. We stand behind our decision to require masks at this time and remain steadfast in our commitment to do all we can to protect our staff, students, families, and broader community, Franco said in a statement. Attorneys for the school district have been ordered to make their case at a hearing Wednesday in Maricopa County Superior Court. The court proceedings could be a test case for Arizona school districts determined to defy Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. Phoenix Union, which resumed classes Monday, has about 28,000 students and 4,000 employees. Its governing board made the decision to enforce indoor mask-wearing last week. Hester is listed on the district website as a biology, environmental science and math teacher at Metro Tech High School. No school district is above the law, Alexander Kolodin, Hesters attorney, told The Arizona Republic. We are pleased to take action on behalf of this brave teacher to ensure government bodies follow state law. A second school, Phoenix Elementary, approved a mandatory mask rule Monday regardless of the vaccination status of students, staff and visitors. The only exceptions will be for special medical reasons. We know that our children learn best in person and we will implement mitigation strategies that help to minimize the spread of illnesses, reduce the need for quarantining, and avoid classroom and school closures," a district statement said. Phoenix Elementary has 14 schools primarily located in central Phoenix. The districts more than 5,000 students start classes on Thursday. The state's prohibition against mask mandates by school districts was included in budget legislation enacted in late June. The legislation doesn't take effect until Sept. 29, though it included a provision saying the prohibition is retroactive. Its not clear whether the states prohibition is now in force. A legislator who supports the prohibition has asked government lawyers to say when it takes effect. In other developments: Virus-related hospitalizations in Arizona have more than doubled over the past month, according to data reported Tuesday by state health officials. There were 1,207 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds as of Monday, up from 520 a month earlier on July 2. The state reported 1,974 additional COVID-19 cases and 30 more deaths, increasing the pandemic totals to 933,361 cases and 18,282 deaths. The chief clinical officer at Banner Health, the state's largest hospital system, implored the public Tuesday to get vaccinated. Dr. Marjorie Bessel warned that case surges like those seen in July 2020 and in January are a strong possibility. "The slope of what we're starting to experience is starting to look very, very close to the exponential growth we experienced during those two very, large surges," Bessel said during a virtual press conference. Banner Health also announced it would tighten visitor restrictions due to increased virus spread. The restrictions include only allowing one or two visitors per patient per day, depending on location. Also, visitors must be at least age 12 and can't have or be suspected of having COVID-19. Yavapai County announced Monday it will again close its public buildings to the public, starting Thursday, due to rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations and the county's low vaccination rate, The Daily Courier reported. As during previous closures during the pandemic, county offices and services will continue to operate though public access will be restricted, Board of Supervisors Chairman Craig Brown said. NEW HAVEN Where Christopher Columbus once held the globe in his hand for 128 years in Wooster Square, the city soon may see a boy, his older sister and their parents, newly-arrived in America from Italy and cast in bronze, baggage in hand, pointing toward their future in a new land. The decidedly forward-looking image currently a one-sixth scale bronze model by Branford sculptor Marc-Anthony Massaro is the top choice of the Wooster Square Monument Committee. It now goes to the Board of Alders and three other city agencies. The committee chose Massaro no stranger to Wooster Square and his design, titled Indicando la via al futuro, from what had been six and then three finalists. His work will fill the void that has existed since the city, with the blessing of two Italian-American cultural organizations, took down Columbus last year in the midst of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Peter Hvizdak / Associated Press That move prompted repeated protests on both sides. The monument committee has tried to make the selection process one of healing while sticking to its cultural goal to honor the Italian immigrants who became a large part of the areas fabric over the decades. We are very comfortable with how the process went about, said William Iovanne, co-chairman of the Wooster Square Monument Committee. We have been very public about it. He also was thrilled with Massaros design. I think the committee felt that his proposal exemplified the story that we are telling that is, the story of Italian immigration, Iovanne said His sculpture is incredible. The Historic District Commission, Cultural Affairs Commission, Parks Commission and ultimately the Board of Alders need to approve the choice before the project can go forward although Massaro said hes already beginning work on a full-size version, first to be sculpted in epoxy before being cast in bronze. Members of the Board of Alders, Cultural Affairs and the Parks Commission were on the committee, Iovanne said. Were looking at about 18 months of fabricating and designing, and also designing the landscaping, Iovanne said, adding that that falls pretty close to our original timeline. We may be looking for a reduction in the height of the existing base because the proposed new statue of four people would be bigger than the Columbus statue, Iovanne said. Plus, we would like to remove the fence. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Massaro is going to collaborate with a landscape designer and all of the necessary people that it will take to make the project a reality, Iovanne said. The cost is expected to be somewhere around $300,000-$350,000, with the money to be raised privately, he said. Massaro, a New Haven native, grew up in the house next to Archie Moores on Willow Street in the Goatville section of East Rock and remembers seeing Archie Moore, himself, as a child, he said Monday. He runs the Branford Art Studio. Massaros grandfather, Italian immigrant Frank Consiglio, arrived in 1918, lived in Wooster Square and was the uncle of Sallys Apizza founder Salvatore Consiglio, he said. (And yes, he and his family could walk right into Sallys, location of many a family gathering, without waiting in line, he said.) Asked if this project is any different for him than the many other projects hes been involved in, Massaro said, It is dramatically different from past projects. ... As a professional artist, Ive spent most of my career and were talking at this point nearly 40 years mostly as a portrait painter, he said. Ive painted so many people, and in so many contexts. I do it, and when its presented, the people are happy and its always an emotional experience. As an artist, those are very moving experiences. But as an artist, thats nothing compared to what Im involved in now. Marc-Anthony Massaro / Contributed photo Thats because when he thinks about this project, he thinks, My grandfather comes here 100 years ago, and now his grandson is making this monument to the experiences of his grandfather, the brothers he came here with and many other people, and it is a deeply, deeply emotional experience. When I look at the sculpture, having created it, I see my own family, Massaro said. He told the committee that he sees the father as a symbol of strength; the mother as the nurturer; the daughter, who carries a book, representing education; and the son possibly pointing to the future. During his interview with the committee, he called his period-clothed immigrant family a celebration of the human spirit. ... It is an image of joy and anticipation of a new life ... the endless opportunities that are available in America. Massaro also thinks the monument isnt just about the Italian experience, and that it also reflects the experiences of many other ethnic groups. Yeah, its a monument to the Italian-American immigrant experience, but it goes much deeper, he said. ... Its exposing a commonality that is much more far-reaching. He previously told the committee that when he first saw what the committee was looking for, his response was peace and healing needed to prevail here, given the split in the community on the statue. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Asked about that commonality, Iovanne said, We hope people feel that way. We saw this as an opportunity to tell our story, but our story is not all that different from other cultures. Speaking about Wooster Square, he said, This has always been a diverse neighborhood never more diverse than it is now. Massaro also said he cant help but be moved, knowing that the Columbus statue stood in Wooster Square for 128 years, that whatever goes there now is going to sit there for a very long time. Thats a very humbling thing for me. Every single one of us, with the exception of the native people who were on the continent, trace their lineage back to somewhere else, he said. How everybody got here reflects hardships on so many levels. But the bottom line is, were all here, trying to get through life, trying to live in harmony. The current design does not include references to the experience of Native Americans or most African Americans, whose families do not share the same consensual and/or immigrant experience. In addition to the sculpture itself, Massaro is working on the four, four-foot-by-six-foot metal panels that the committee requested, with information pertaining to Italian-Americans on every level. The stories and photographs will be etched on the plates, two-sided, which might be set in granite or marble, he said. Ive got an overwhelming amount of work ahead of me, Massaro said. The approval of the project certainly is a step forward, but there are many more steps to come. Just over a year ago on June 24, 2020, New Haven like many cities around the country took down its Christopher Columbus statue in Wooster Square amid a sea-change of Black Lives Matter-fueled protests punctuated by some last-minute name-calling, lots of bruised feelings and calls for healing on all sides. Earlier this year, an 11-member subcommittee put out a request for qualifications from local artists to work with suggestions from the committee on the privately-funded project. The goal has been to transform the initial ideas into something that will have meaning both for Italian Americans who trace their family history to the area including those who felt slighted by the way in which Columbus came down and for the people who called for the original statues removal. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Among the artists the subcommittee and committee considered in addition to Massaro were Atelier Cue, a partnership between Ioana Barac and Marissa Dionne Mead; David Gesualdi; Tony Falcone; Jonathan and Joshua Kuhr; and Richard Ramadei. Atelier Cue and the Kuhrs were the other finalists. The selection subcommittee, in its solicitation for artists, specified that the piece be centered around the Italian-American immigrant experience but left it to the artists to interpret how best to accomplish that goal. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com MANILA, Philippines (AP) Southeast Asias top diplomats have tentatively chosen a special envoy to help deal with the violent political crisis gripping Myanmar but must wait on approval from the military-ruled nations leaders before announcing it, two diplomats said Tuesday. The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations want to designate Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as special envoy to Myanmar, a decision reached in their annual meeting Monday, the two Southeast Asian diplomats said. The diplomats spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. Myanmar did not immediately react to the choice, preventing the ministers from issuing a post-conference joint communique that would have reflected the key development, the diplomats said. The 10-nation bloc has been under increasing international pressure to act on the troubles unfolding in Myanmar, an ASEAN member where the military in February toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The regional group, however, is hamstrung by its bedrock policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member nations and in its decision-making by consensus, meaning just one member state can shoot down any proposal. The appointment of the special envoy can't be made without Myanmar's approval and it was not immediately clear why Myanmar did not respond to the proposed choice. One of the diplomats said the ASEAN ministers were pressuring Myanmar so that the work of the special envoy could commence as soon as possible. One of the Southeast Asian diplomats said Myanmar preferred the special envoy be the candidate from Thailand, former Thai ambassador to Myanmar Virasakdi Futrakul. Even if Myanmar were to get its preferred choice, it remains uncertain if and when the nation's military leaders would allow access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained with other political leaders and put on trial for a slew of charges, said the diplomats. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join ASEAN's online ministerial meetings this week, and two senior state department officials said he will urge member nations to hold Myanmar's military leaders accountable and appoint an envoy who will push the military to end the violence, release those detained and restore democratic governance. The officials said the military takeover had impacted all of ASEAN and threatened stability in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak on the record. Indonesian Foreign Secretary Retno Marsudi said after Mondays meeting that if Myanmar would not respond to ASEANs calls, her country will continue to voice its concerns. We will not remain silent about the suffering of the Myanmar people, she told reporters by video. More than 900 people have been killed by Myanmar authorities since the February takeover, many in anti-government protests, according to a tally kept by the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Casualties are also rising among the military and police as armed resistance grows in both urban and rural areas. ASEAN leaders held an emergency meeting in Indonesia in April and called for an end to the violence and the start of a dialogue among contending parties to be mediated by an ASEAN envoy. The high-level meeting was attended by Myanmars military leader Min Aung Hlaing. On Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing repeated his pledge to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution. He said without elaborating that Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework, including the dialogue with the ASEAN special envoy in Myanmar. Myanmars troubles have deepened with its worst coronavirus surge, which has overwhelmed its crippled health care system. The ministers ordered the ASEANs disaster-response center to urgently arrange the delivery of humanitarian aid, which Myanmar has requested. Myanmar officials were discussing the possible delivery of aid with ASEANs secretary-general although no date has been set, one diplomat said. Aside from Myanmar, ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ministerial meetings this week include the ASEAN Regional Forum, a security conference where North Korea attends along with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. ___ Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Associated Press journalists Matthew Lee in Washington, Kiko Rosario in Manila, Philippines, and Niniek Karmini and Fadlan Syam in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) The National Science Foundation has awarded more than $982,000 for two research projects at West Virginia State University, the state's two U.S. senators announced. The National Science Foundation continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia universities and colleges through their support for critical research and efforts to foster educational opportunities for students across the Mountain State," Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said in a news release. NEW HAVEN Albertus Magnus College has again begun requiring students, staff, faculty and visitors to wear face masks indoors, according to an announcement from the institution. The requirement went into effect Aug. 1, officials said, and applies regardless of vaccination status. Yale and the University of New Haven also recently announced the re-imposition of mask requirements, as the delta variant becomes more common in the area. This policy change is in direct response to guidance from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker regarding increases in local area COVID-19 infection rates, in line with the CDCs recently revised guidelines, Albertus officials said in the announcement. While this policy applies only to indoor areas on campus, please be vigilant when outdoors, avoid gathering in large groups, and maintain appropriate social distancing, the college said. The COVID-19 Workgroup will continue to monitor the situation locally and will revisit policies as conditions change. Students and staffers are required to be vaccinated to study or work on campus, officials said. The institution is offering on-campus clinics in partnership with Griffin Health. Albertus Magnus President Marc M. Camille previously reminded the community that the the best protection against the COVID-19 virus is to be vaccinated, particularly with the increase of the (delta) variant in this region, officials noted. On Sunday, a CDC map displaying community transmission levels showed seven out of eight Connecticut counties included as areas that have substantial transmission. The outlier is Litchfield County, which is shaded yellow to show it has moderate transmission. In the counties with substantial spread, more than 50 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period were reported, according to the CDC. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson pressed forward Tuesday with efforts to allow schools to mandate face masks as the states coronavirus cases continued to spiral, but faced heavy opposition from fellow Republicans over the move. Hutchinson called the majority-GOP Legislature back into session to take up the change to a state law he signed in April prohibiting mask mandates by schools and other governmental bodies. The agenda for session, which will begin Wednesday, also includes a proposal to prevent the state from having to resume making supplemental unemployment benefits to thousands of residents. Hutchinson has faced growing calls to revisit the ban as the state's cases and hospitalizations surge. Arkansas on Monday reported its biggest one-day jump in hospitalizations since the pandemic began. Local school districts should make the call and they should have more options to make sure that their school is a safe environment during a very challenging time for education, Hutchinson said. Hutchinson is focusing on schools with students under the age of 12, since they're not currently eligible for vaccinations. Arkansas has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, with only about 36% of the state's population fully vaccinated against the virus. Arkansas has seen a 517% increase in the number of virus cases among people under the age of 18 between April and July, the state's top health official said. Nineteen percent of the state's virus cases are among that age group. We have a group of individuals who are extremely susceptible to infection because they do not have eligibility for the vaccine, Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero. The Marion School District, in east Arkansas, has more than 500 students and staff quarantined because of an outbreak, its superintendent said in a letter to lawmakers. The 4,000-student school district, which began classes last week, said more than two dozen students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent Glen Fenter urged lawmakers to allow school districts to enact their own mask bans, saying communities should be afforded the right to choose their own course. Amending the mask law has stiff GOP opposition in the Legislature and getting the two-thirds support in the House and Senate to change the law before school starts statewide this month faces an uphill battle. The Republican leader of the state Senate told reporters the proposal doesn't even have a simple majority in his chamber. As of right now, I dont see us getting it this week, Senate President Jimmy Hickey told reporters earlier Tuesday. Republican House Speaker Matthew Shepherd also he also didn't believe there were enough votes in his chamber at this point to pass any changes to the mask mandate ban. House Public Health Committee Chairman Jack Ladyman said he's hearing overwhelmingly from constituents in his district opposed to rolling back the law. I believe it's going to have tough sledding wherever it goes," Ladyman, a Republican, said. Opponents of the ban are moving forward with legal challenges. Two Arkansas parents filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the mask mandate ban as unconstitutional and asked a state judge to block its enforcement. The Little Rock School Board was expected to vote Wednesday on whether to file a separate lawsuit challenging the measure. Hutchinson expressed some regret about signing the ban, but said he approved at a time when the state's cases were much lower and a month after he lifted the state's mask mandate. He also said the Legislature could have easily overridden him if he vetoed the bill, since it only takes a simple majority in Arkansas to do so. Everything has changed now," he said. And, yes, in hindsight, I wish that it had not become law." Arkansas' virus cases reported 2,343 new coronavirus cases and 16 more COVID-19 deaths. The state's hospitalizations grew by 30 to 1,250, approaching the high it set in January of 1,371. The state, however, also reported 30,756 vaccine doses were administered. The other measure on the session's agenda is aimed at addressing a judge's ruling last week ordering Arkansas to resume supplemental unemployment insurance payments to 69,000 people. Hutchinson in May ordered the state's Division of Workforce Services to end the states participation in the program after June 26. The federally funded additional benefits were scheduled to run through early September. A judge on Thursday said state law indicated ending the payments was a decision for the Legislature to make, not Hutchinson. The state has asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to stay the judge's decision. Arkansas was among more than two dozen Republican-led states that decided to end the program amid complaints from employers that they were having a hard time persuading people to come to work. Proponents of the assistance said employers should offer better wages and benefits. Kevin De Liban with Arkansas Legal Aid, which sued on behalf of five Arkansas residents whose payments were cutoff, said the move felt cruel as Arkansas' cases rise and coming days after a federal moratorium on evictions expired. The governor did something illegal and now hes trying to rewrite the rules the justify it," De Liban said. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said Tuesday, with a heat wave and drought reducing the countrys supply. North Koreas reported food problems come as its moribund economy continues to be battered by the protracted COVID-19 pandemic. While mass starvation and social chaos have not been reported, observers expect a further deterioration of North Koreas food situation until the autumn harvest. Seouls National Intelligence Service told a closed-door parliamentary committee meeting that North Korea is supplying rice reserved for wartime use to citizens with little food, other laborers and rural state agencies, according to Ha Tae-keung, one of the lawmakers who attended the session. Ha cited the NIS as saying an ongoing heat wave and drought have wiped out rice, corn and other crops and killed livestock in North Korea. The NIS said North Koreas leadership views fighting the drought as a matter of national existence and is focusing on increasing public awareness of its campaign, Ha said. Another lawmaker, Kim Byung-kee, quoted the NIS as saying that North Korea normally needs about 5.5 million tons of food to feed its 26 million people but is currently short 1 million tons. He said the NIS told the lawmakers that North Korea is running out of its grain stockpiles. The price of rice, the most important crop in North Korea, once doubled from early this year. The price briefly stabilized in July before soaring again, Kim cited the NIS as saying. Ha said North Korea is trying to control the price of grains to which its public is most sensitive. Kwon Tae-jin, an expert at the private GS&J Institute in South Korea, said North Korea is likely releasing the military reserves to sell at a cheaper price than at markets to stabilize prices. He said rice prices are considerably unstable in North Korea because the government has a limit in how much rice it can supply. It isn't the first time that North Korea has released state rice reserves, but the assessment that it doesnt have much left in its grain stockpiles is worrisome, Kwon said. North Korea had similar food shortages in past years before the pandemic, according to Kwon, but its needs were met by the smuggling of rice and other grains via its porous border with China. But North Koreas ongoing pandemic-caused border closure makes it extremely difficult for such smuggling to happen, worsening this years food shortage, Kwon said. The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the worlds most secretive countries. But its current assessments come after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted his country faces the worst-ever crisis due to the pandemic and other difficulties and even a possible dire food shortage. During a key ruling party meeting in June, Kim urged officials to find ways to boost agricultural production, saying the countrys food situation is now getting tense. Earlier, he even compared the ongoing pandemic-related difficulties to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Chinese data show North Koreas trade with China, its last major ally and biggest trading partner, nosedived by about 80% last year a result of the Norths strict border closure. South Koreas central bank said last week that North Koreas economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5% last year, the biggest contraction since 1997. Kwon said North Koreas current food problem will continue until it harvests corn, rice and other grains in autumn. But he said North Korea isn't likely to suffer a humanitarian disaster like the 1990s famine, during which he said there was little grain remaining at most markets. Currently, North Korean citizens can still buy grain at expensive prices if they have money, he said. Other experts say China isn't likely to allow a massive famine to occur in North Korea. They say China worries about North Korean refugees flooding over the border into China or the establishment of a pro-U.S., unified Korea on its doorstep. According to the NIS, North Korea wants the United States to relax some of the newer U.N. sanctions imposed over its high-profile weapons tests as a precondition for returning to talks on its nuclear program. They are bans on exporting mineral resources and importing refined oil and high-end liquors and suits. Kim Jong Un, in particular, needs those liquors and suits to distribute to elites in North Korea, Ha cited the NIS as saying. The two lawmakers said the NIS also believes there is no indication that Kim Jong Un has a health issue, following recent photos that appeared to show a bandage on the back of his head. The NIS said Kim has been actively making public appearances and his movements have appeared normal. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico's largest public university will require students, faculty and other workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 30, while its second-largest university will implement the mandate only for staff. The University of New Mexico mandate announced Monday is subject to limited exemptions and will be in effect at the main campus in Albuquerque, the Academic Health Sciences Campus in Albuquerque and at satellite locations around the state covering more than 20,000 students. HADDAM A 14-year-old girl who died following a hit-and-run crash last week was described by school officials as a beautiful person who touched the hearts of many. State police confirmed on Tuesday that the teen, Gianna Vincelett, died following the crash. An autopsy revealed that she died from blunt trauma to the head and neck, and the manner of the death was an accident, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Vincelett, 14, was hit by a driver who fled on Route 81 Killingworth Road around 10:30 p.m. Thursday while riding a bicycle. Troopers from the Westbrook state police barracks found the teen with critical injuries on the side of Killingworth Road and she was rushed to the hospital. The investigation is ongoing. State police didnt specify when Vincelett died, only saying she had succumbed to her injuries. A GoFundMe page was created Saturday to collect funds to cover the expense of the teens funeral. The beneficiary of the fundraiser, created by Carlos Suarez, is Megan Vincelett, the teens mother. She did not return a request for comment this week. Gianna Vincelett known as Gia was a student at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, according to the schools principal, Dolores Bates. She was a beautiful person who touched the hearts of many, having friends not only in her class, but across grade levels, Bates said. She said the girl loved soccer and making others laugh. She said the teen will be greatly missed. Counseling has been made available at the middle school to any student struggling with the death throughout the rest of the week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, Bates said. In the description of the fundraising page, Suarez said Gianna Vincelett was riding her bike with friends when she was hit. This unexpected tragedy is also an unexpected financial burden, Suarez said. Any help would go a long way to make sure this family (has) zero financial stressors during this dark and deeply painful time in their lives. As of Tuesday morning, more than $30,000 of the $50,000 goal had been raised. State police said on Saturday a vehicle had been recovered and a person of interested had been identified in the hit-and-run. Detectives from the Central District Major Crime Squad are continuing to follow up on leads pertaining to this incident and the investigation remains ongoing, state police said Tuesday, reiterating that a vehicle had been recovered and person of interest identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Derek Mauriello at 860-399-2100 or Derek.Mauriello@ct.gov. Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was not committed to delivering transparent electi... Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was not committed to delivering transparent elections to Nigerians in 2023. Wike also said the rejection of electronic transmission of election results by All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the National Assembly, was tantamount to a coup against Nigerians, who are desirous of free, fair, and credible polls. According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike spoke during the official presentation of a letter of nomination to him as the 2020 Governor of the Year Award by the management of the Leadership Media Group at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Tuesday. Wike said that the current National Assembly capitalized on the seeming political indifference of Nigerians to deliberately vote against the inclusion of electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act, describing those NASS members who voted against transmission of election results electronically as enemies of the country. He said: Those who voted against e-transmission of results should be ashamed of themselves. They never mean well for this country. If you are a member of the National Assembly and you voted against electronic transmission of results, your children should call you and say daddy, are you well? I cant believe anybody who went to school in this digital period, will vote against electronic transmission of results. What kind of country is this? What kind of National Assembly members do we have? Wike declared that the rejection of electronic transmission of election results by APC lawmakers, even when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had affirmed that it has the capacity to electronically transmit results, is tantamount to a coup against the citizens of the country. The governor said he had expected President Buhari, who had openly declared that he respects former President Goodluck Jonathan, for not compromising the 2015 general elections, to build on the electoral legacy of his predecessor. He noted that President Muhammad Buharis failure to prevail on APC members in the National Assembly to support the inclusion of electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Acts, proves he does not intend to leave a legacy of a transparent electoral process. He said: If Jonathan did not believe in the transparency of the election, he would not have allowed card reader to be used. So, he introduced the card reader as a sitting President, knowing fully well that that could be an albatross to him. But he said no, I want us to move to the next level. Mr. President cannot tell us that sincerely he wants to conduct a free, fair, credible election. Let nobody deceive you. It is very clear that there is no sure intention at all. The governor, also stated that he has never and would never influence any media organization to nominate him for an award, advised media groups against bestowing awards on non-performing political officeholders. Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspaper, Muazu Elazeh, said they were in Port Harcourt to formally present Governor Wike the letter of his nomination as the Leadership Governor of the year and then to invite him to attend the Leadership conference slated for September. When the board of editors of Leadership met for this nomination because it is something we do every year, when your name was mentioned, I think it is the only name that received unanimous endorsement because of your practical approach to leadership and governance; because of your focus in infrastructural development which is resetting the business and economy of Rivers State, Elazeh Roma are looking to offload a staggering 23 players this summer, according to the UK Mirror. The Serie A club want the players off their wag... Roma are looking to offload a staggering 23 players this summer, according to the UK Mirror. The Serie A club want the players off their wage books, as they try to recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Very few players are not available for the right price, with former captain Alessandro Florenzi proving the most difficult star to move out, as the club tries to recoup around 35m from the sales. It is a tough task for Romas sporting director, Tiago Pinto, who will also need to arm manager Jose Mourinho with new recruits ahead of the 2021/2022 campaign. In terms of outgoings, the 23 players linked with an exit from the club are mostly made up of fringe-talent rarely used, starved of first team minutes. For Pinto, the difficulty stems from trying to find buyers for players that in some cases do not even train with the first-team, others with one year left on their deal who many suitors may be willing to wait another year for thus preventing Roma from receiving any cash for them. Of the players that Roma could receive a fee for, the clubs hierarchy have identified nine. Javier Pastore, Steven Nzonzi, Florenzi, Federico Fazio, Pedro Rodriguez, Davide Santon, Robin Olsen, Ante Coric and William Bianda are all deemed up for sale to the highest bidder with just weeks of the window left. The nine mentioned cost the club a combined total of 36.7m per season. The remaining 14 players are barely used talent, most of which are yet to make an appearance for the club. Two suspected kidnappers have been gunned down while collecting ransom in Sabongida town in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. It... Two suspected kidnappers have been gunned down while collecting ransom in Sabongida town in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. It was gathered that the suspects were shot dead by a local vigilante who accompanied a family member of the victim, identified as Alhaji Gambo, to where the ransom was to be paid. It was learned that the suspects, prior to the incident had instructed the family not to involve security agencies. However, unknown to the kidnappers who were well-armed, the vigilantes swooped on them, gunning them down and rescuing the victim, who, according to reports, is an elderly man. The states Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Abdullahi Usman, could not be reached as at press time. He did take his calls, neither did he respond to text messages forwarded to him. The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has confirmed the passing of Tosin Osatuyi, a Civil Engineering (HND 2) student. Tosin died in a f... The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has confirmed the passing of Tosin Osatuyi, a Civil Engineering (HND 2) student. Tosin died in a fight after his final examinations on Wednesday July 28. Joe Ejiofor, Deputy Registrar told NAN the incident was tragic and unfortunate. A fight, which broke out among Osatuyi and his peers, occurred outside the college premises. Ejiofor sympathised with the family of the deceased over the death. He said for someone who toiled to earn a certificate to die in such circumstance was tragic. There was no way we could allow any issue to degenerate to that level, if they were still in the college vicinity jubilating. The official added that the management had not been officially informed about the actual circumstances that led to Osatuyis death. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Some clouds. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Disneys new live-action Jungle Cruise movie, an action adventure inspired by the theme park attraction of the same name, is the type of film that raises a few questions. Most of them center on elements of its supernatural-tinged plot, which, in the spirit of fun, is probably best not to examine too closely. There is one other question, though, and its a good one: Why the heck didnt Disney do this sooner? A humor-laced, richly produced adventure benefiting greatly from the charisma and rapport of its lead actors, it's built in the mold of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which was also based on a theme park attraction. Like that first Pirates film, its exactly the sort of rip-roaring adventure movie that fans of the ride would want. Its got everything: Sweeping scenes of virgin jungle. Majestic vistas of jaw-dropping beauty. An angry German antagonist. Jaguar barf. A supernatural being made entirely of snakes. Another made of bees. Like I said: Everything. Also along for the ride: Lots of puns most of them plucked directly from the theme park script delivered with a wink by the enormously charming Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Between his muscle-bound magnetism, which elevates every movie in which he appears, and his chemistry with Emily Blunt, who more than holds her own despite being half his size, this Jungle Cruise is a pure summertime crowd-pleaser. JUNGLE CRUISE 3 stars, out of 4 SNAPSHOT: Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt star in a humor-laced period adventure inspired by the Disney theme park attraction of the same name. CAST: Johnson, Blunt, Jack Whitehall, Edgar Ramirez, Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti. DIRECTOR: Jaume Collet-Serra. RATED: PG-13, for sequences of adventure violence. TIME: 2 hours 7 minutes. WHEN AND WHERE: Now playing in wide theatrical release. Also available for purchase through the Disney+ streaming platform. Credit there, of course, is due to director Jaume Collet-Serra. To this point in his career, hes pretty much specialized in Liam Neeson thrillers, most of them largely undistinguishable from the others (Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night, The Commuter). Here, though, he shows hes capable of handling a Neesonless big-budget, major-studio film, infusing Jungle Cruise with a wealth of visual razzle-dazzle. It benefits also from a script by Glenn Ficara and John Requa, the directing team behind such films as Crazy, Stupid, Love and the New Orleans-shot Focus, who manage to pay homage to the theme park attraction early on in the film without being overly beholden to it. To put it another way, there are enough Easter eggs here to tickle Disney World fans but not so many that they get in the way of the story as it unfolds. That story, for the record, does, indeed, focus on a 1930s-era jungle cruise, but it all plays more like 1999s The Mummy than it does 1951s The African Queen. It all centers around Johnsons character, Skipper Frank Wolff, a showman-charlatan who makes his living shuttling wide-eyed tourists up and down a winding jungle river that hes enhanced through trickery, ingenuity and the participation of a few game confederates for the sake of his passengers. Enter Blunt. She plays a refreshingly capable botanist who, with her foppish brother along for the ride (Jack Whitehall), is in search of the legendary Tree of Life, said to hold rare curative powers. Naturally, she hires Johnsons skipper character Skippy, she calls him, mostly because she knows he doesnt like it to be her guide. Also naturally, the two verbally spar almost constantly, although by the time its all over, they will have both earned a certain respect for the other. They will also have to endure a supernatural threat that, in the interest of remaining spoiler-free, probably shouldnt be described any further here. That being said, parents of young or particularly sensitive children should take the PG-13 rating seriously. Although theres magic involved, this aint the Magic Kingdom. There are scenes of violence in this Jungle Cruise, including one in which a main character is impaled by a sword. (That scene, for the record, also gives us one of the films funnier exchanges, stocked with innuendo and double entendre that will make parents laugh while flying over the heads of kids.) Theres also that aforementioned snake dude and bee dude, which are the stuff childhood nightmares are made of. It also gets a mostly forgettable score from nine-time Oscar nominee James Newton Howard. Admittedly, its kind of cool that he works strains of Metallicas Nothing Else Matters into the mix, but the orchestral score here feels otherwise more serviceable than inspired. Thats a mere quibble, though and it doesnt take away from the fact that this Jungle Cruise is every bit as fun, every bit as exciting and every bit as memorable as the iconic ride that inspired it. And, perhaps the best part: You wont have to stand in line in the Florida heat to see it. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration will announce a new 60-day eviction moratorium that would protect areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives, according to three people familiar with the plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss the forthcoming announcement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a legal authority for a new and different moratorium that would be for areas with high and substantial increases in COVID-19 infections. New Orleans landlords take advantage of eviction moratorium's end, file to eject dozens Dozens of landlords streamed into 1st City Court in New Orleans on Monday to file eviction paperwork against tenants shielded for 11 months by The extension helps to heal a rift with liberal Democratic lawmakers who were calling on executive action to keep renters in their homes as the delta variant of the coronavirus spread and a prior moratorium lapsed at the end of July. Administration officials had previously said a Supreme Court ruling stopped them from setting up a new moratorium without congressional backing, saying that states and cities must be more aggressive in releasing nearly $47 billion in relief for renters on the verge of eviction. The new policy came amid a scramble of actions by the Biden team to reassure Democrats and the country that it could find a way to halt potential evictions. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen briefed House Democrats Tuesday on the administration's efforts to prevent widespread housing evictions after a moratorium lapsed, but lawmakers protesting outside the U.S. Capitol said more needs to be done, intensifying pressure on President Joe Biden to act. Yellen told Democrats on a private call about the work underway to ensure some $47 billion in federal housing aid approved during the COVID-19 crisis makes it to renters and landlords. She provided data so that lawmakers could see how their districts and states are performing with distributing the relief, according to a person on the call. The White House has said state and local governments have been slow to push out that federal money and is pressing them to do so swiftly after the eviction moratorium expired over the weekend. The treasury secretary tried to encourage Democrats to work together, even as lawmakers have said Biden should act on his own to extend the eviction moratorium, according to someone on the private call who insisted on anonymity to discuss its contents. Yellen said on the call, according to this person, that she agrees "we need to bring every resource to bear" and that she appreciated the Democrats' efforts and wants "to leave no stone unturned." But progressive lawmakers, who have been camped for days outside the Capitol with dozens of supporters, are trying to pressure the administration to put the moratorium back in place. "What we need is for the White House to actually do, to do the thing and they need to actually extend the moratorium," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said at the Capitol. The administration had repeatedly resisted another extension because the Supreme Court appears likely to block it. When the court allowed the eviction ban to remain in place through the end of July by a 5-4 vote, one justice in the majority, Brett Kavanaugh, wrote that Congress would have to act to extend it further. +4 With eviction moratorium ending and rental aid delays, some fear a 'homelessness disaster' A federal moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent is set to expire over the weekend, as COVID cases surge and tens of thousands of deb As the eviction crisis mounts, the White House has frequently said that Biden is doing all he can under legal constraints to keep renters in their homes and landlords paid what they are owed. While as many as 3.6 million Americans are at risk of eviction, the administration has emphasized that money has already been approved and many Americans will be able to stay housed with the efforts underway. The focus on states comes as Biden faces stinging criticism, including from some in his own party, that he was was slow to address the end of the moratorium. Some people were at immediate risk of losing their homes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had called the prospect of widespread evictions "unfathomable." The Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other progressive lawmakers intensified pressure on the White House to issue an immediate extension. One Democrat, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, has been camped outside the U.S. Capitol in protest since the weekend. She was joined overnight Monday by Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jimmy Gonzalez, D-Calif., and others who gave her a brief reprieve so she could rest indoors. Bush also had a brief conversation Monday at the Capitol with Vice President Kamala Harris. "People could be helped right now," said Bush, a first-term, St. Louis-area lawmaker who has shared her own story of living temporarily in her car as a young mother years ago. "We need that moratorium." Late last week, Biden announced he was allowing the ban to expire, pushing Congress to act, but lawmakers were unable to swiftly rally the votes as even Democrats questioned prolonging the eviction ban for a few more months. The CDC put the eviction ban in place as part of the COVID-19 response when jobs shifted and many workers lost income. The ban was intended to hold back the spread of the virus among people put out on the streets and into shelters. The White House noted that state-level efforts to stop evictions would spare a third of the country from evictions over the next month. While the administration is still investigating legal options to forestall evictions, officials said their options were limited. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the CDC, which issued the eviction ban, was "unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium." Mass evictions could potentially worsen the recent spread of the COVID-19 delta variant as roughly 1.4 million households told the Census Bureau they could "very likely" be evicted from their rentals in the next two months. Another 2.2 million say they're "somewhat likely" to be evicted. Gene Sperling, who oversees the administration's coronavirus relief plans, said the administration will continue looking for additional legal avenues to keep people in their homes. Yet he stressed the complexity of the problem by also noting that the Trump administration developed guidelines for providing aid to renters and landlords that were unworkable. Those guidelines which required extensive documentation were changed once Biden was in office. "This is not an easy task," Sperling said. "We as a country have never had a national infrastructure or national policy for preventing avoidable evictions." Democratic lawmakers said they were caught by surprise by Biden's decision to end the moratorium, creating frustration and anger and exposing a rare rift with the administration. The CDC indicated in late June that it probably wouldn't extend the eviction ban beyond the end of July. Protesters demand eviction court closures as City Hall's rental assistance lags Immigrants facing housing insecurity and their advocates gathered at City Hall Thursday night to protest the end of the federal eviction moratorium. Rep. Maxine Waters, the powerful chair of the Financial Services Committee, has been talking privately for days with Yellen and urged the treasury secretary to use her influence to prod states to push the money out the door. But Waters also called on the CDC to act on its own. "I don't buy that the CDC can't extend the eviction moratorium - something it has already done in the past! Who is going to stop them?" Waters said in a tweet. "C'mon CDC - have a heart! Just do it!" ___ Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report. David Ledet, the captain of the Seacor Power, had just returned to the wheelhouse about 3 p.m. on April 13 when a squall struck the lift boat from behind, first mate Bryan Mires testified Tuesday at a U.S. Coast Guard hearing in Houma. Shortly after that rain squall, we had a whiteout, said Mires, one of six men who survived after the vessel capsized with 19 aboard. They'd left Port Fourchon a few hours earlier, headed to service a Talos Energy drilling site 40 miles east of Venice. But winds were suddenly clocking 79 mph, Mires said. So I suggested, with all the platforms in the area, that we soft tag the boat. The idea was to drop the boats three massive legs to the seafloor, then seek clearance to jack up the hull above the stormy seas. Mires said he noticed the 175-foot-long Seacor Power listing to the starboard side, but that he didnt think much of it as he began to lower the legs and turn into a fierce wind. A call came from the galley. The watertight door wasnt sealing, and the Gulf was coming in. After the call, Mires looked up and saw that the boat was listing more severely. I told Dave, I think were going over, Mires said. Dave got at the helm and tried to steer into it. We continued jacking," he added. "I realized we were not going to be able to correct it, so I hit the tilt alarm, which sends an alarm through the vessel. This all happened in a minute or two. The boat rolled, and Mires said he grabbed for the wheelhouse door. Thats when I watched Dave fall, he said of the 30-year veteran captain. Never seen him again. Mires' description of his final moments aboard the Seacor Power marked the first public account by a surviving crewman from the deadliest maritime disaster off the Louisiana coast in decades. The 38-year-old Breaux Bridge man floated for hours in a violent Gulf until his rescue. His testimony came on the second day of a two-week hearing before a Marine Board of Investigation that is looking at the circumstances behind the fatal capsizing. Eight crew members and five contractors perished after the Seacor Power flipped about seven miles offshore. The remains of six, including Ledet, were recovered. The hearing has brought out new details about the weather forecast under which Ledet and the Seacor Power crew were operating before they left the Bollinger Shipyard in early afternoon. The report, emailed to Seacor boats at 7 a.m., called for breezy winds with moderate choppy seas. Later, just before he returned to the wheelhouse, Ledet sent out an email reporting 3- to 4-feet seas and winds at 15 to 20 mph. "It didn't take long," said Mires of a storm he described as unlike any he'd experienced in 19 years at sea. Meteorologists say the Seacor Power ran into a rare wake low, a compact, circular low-pressure system packing hurricane-force winds. 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 A central question over Mires four hours of testimony surrounded the forecasts: Just when he and Ledet received them, which ones, and how the Seacor Power's crew normally kept up with major weather changes. Mires described it as sunny, a little bit of clouds, as they got underway that morning. He said he spoke to Ledet before leaving port, and the report they reviewed was normal. Mires said the VHF radio would pick up any distress calls from vessels that had encountered the bad weather. They might also get emergency transmissions on their Navtex, a receiver that picks up transmissions under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. But Mires said he or Ledet would have had to notice there was a new message and print it out, and he acknowledged that they didn't check it that often while underway. He said the company might also call the boat directly with severe weather updates but didnt do so that day. Shortly after noon, just before the Seacor Power left port, the National Weather Service had begun issuing a series of marine warnings for locations in southeast Louisiana, including Port Fourchon. Each message warned of tropical storm force winds - 39 mph or greater - accompanied by "suddenly higher waves." Mires said he hadnt seen them. He described the Seacor Power as a reliable lift boat and testified that everything seemed normal on the vessel as he began jacking it up and maneuvering it in the storm. But Ledet was soon on the loudspeaker, ordering the crew and passengers to get their life jackets on as he tried to stabilize the boat. After Ledet disappeared into the sea, Mires grabbed a life jacket, climbed up to the port-side door and sat on the wheelhouse, he said. He got washed off the boat three times before he finally grabbed a life ring and floated away. A rope tangled in his legs, and Mires cut it loose with a pocket knife. The rain was coming sideways. Mires said he tried to wave down several boats until an offshore supply vessel, the M/V Cape Cod, rescued him. The Coast Guard review also is looking at the search-and-rescue efforts after the wreck. Mires fielded questions about the vessel's Search and Rescue Radar Transponders, or SART, which are supposed to emit signals detectable by radar within 8 nautical miles, so a distressed vessel or rescue boat can be detected. Mires had grabbed the ship's SART before leaving the vessel, holding it as he floated away. He recalled at least four ships passing him by. The Cape Cod hadn't picked up his SART on its radar either, Mires said. Just why it may have failed remains uncertain. Mires is among more than a dozen survivors or family members of the dead who have filed lawsuits against Seacor Marine and other defendants over the fatal capsizing. Coast Guard Capt. Tracy Phillips, the presiding officer for the investigation, said the inquiry may produce recommendations on how to prevent similar accidents and could determine if anyone committed misconduct or failed to perform their duties. Criminal referrals also are possible. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is conducting a parallel inquiry and will later issue findings on the causes of the tragedy, also is participating in the hearing. More than two dozen witnesses are scheduled to testify. Nearly every St. Tammany Parish School Board meeting this summer has been packed with well-wishers ready to greet the newly announced principals and assistant principals with flowers and applause after they give their acceptance speeches. When the new school year begins Friday, 17 of St. Tammany's 55 public schools nearly a third will have a new principal. There are also 21 new assistant principals and seven new parishwide assistant principals. The administrative turnover, among the highest in recent memory, was caused in part by Superintendent Frank Jabbias restructuring of the central office, the first reorganization of the district's administrative hierarchy in 18 years. That added several positions and shuffled around others. Basically we have 50 new administrators in the school system, from site-based on up, Jabbia said, noting that the applicant pool included candidates from other parishes and states. We were able to be intentional. Brant Osborn, president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers, said the turnover was also the result of a tough pandemic year that pushed many educators into retirement. I see it as concerning but also exciting, Osborn said. Just like any new position, there's going to be a learning curve and it's going to be another challenging school year. The new principals have entered their positions as the education world continues to regroup after a year and a half of changes and learning losses stemming from the pandemic. And more could be on the way as the opening of the 2021-2022 school year coincides with a fourth coronavirus wave swallowing the parish and state. The last two years have been difficult, said Trece Jordan-Larsen, the new principal of Pearl River High School. It's almost like a fresh slate for everybody. Jordan-Larsen, a Slidell High graduate, began her career teaching English at her alma mater and assisting with the Freshman Academy, a program that supports students in their transition into high school. She has started a Freshman Academy program at Pearl River and has encouraged teachers to assess their students more frequently to see where catching up needs to happen. The school also has built time into the day for students who have missed class or need extra help, she said. 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 I can't be more positive about the opportunity we have to just get everybody back on track, she said. That's kind of the general feel wanting a normal year and being excited about being able to do different things that encourage our kids to be better. Brandon Frederick, the newly-appointed principal at Pitcher Junior High in Covington, said he hopes to continue to increase community involvement after it was limited by the pandemic. But paramount, he said, is student safety. Before the pandemic, that meant fire, lockdown and weather drills, and ensuring students werent running or roughhousing in the hallways. But last school year, and again on the cusp of another, there has been the newer, more obvious day-to-day threat of the virus, Frederick said. We try to take care of (student safety on) an administrative level so that our teachers can focus on classroom instruction and student success, he said. Jamie Breaux, the new principal at Magnolia Trace Elementary in Mandeville, has been teaching in St. Tammany Parish for 12 years. The first thing she did as principal was send a survey to the staff asking what they thought should be addressed in the coming school year. Many said they wanted to become more of a family, she said, so she organized a retreat to build unity among temporary workers, paraprofessionals, teachers, custodians and cafeteria staff. Breaux said she hopes to implement more consistent measurements of student growth at Magnolia Trace to ensure there is both enrichment for those who are ahead and help for those who are behind. "We're there to support them, she said. Andrew Canulette contributed to this report. Louisiana reported 128 new coronavirus hospitalizations Tuesday, hurtling the state into record-breaking territory with 2,112 total patients in hospitals across the state. The previous record was set Jan. 7 when there were 2,069 people hospitalized with coronavirus statewide and vaccines were extremely limited. There are 43 more coronavirus patients hospitalized today than there were during the previous record. Gov. John Bel Edwards hinted at the coming hospitalizations at a Monday press conference where health care workers shared startling information about the lack of staff to care for coronavirus patients and patients seeking care for other medical issues. "We are no longer giving adequate care to these patients," said Dr. Catherine O'Neal, Our Lady of The Lake's chief medical officer and a professor at LSU Health New Orleans, calling the fourth surge the pandemic's "darkest days." The Louisiana Department of Health reported 3,783 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 53 more confirmed deaths in its noon update Tuesday, the highest single-day report of deaths since Jan. 27. Another 942 probable cases and 6 probable deaths were reported, for a total of 4,725 cases and 59 deaths. The number of patients in need of ventilators increased by 9, for a total of 222 coronavirus patients on ventilators in Louisiana. Note: The Advocate and The Times-Picayune staff calculates daily case count and confirmed death increases based on the difference between today's total and yesterday's total of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The Louisiana Department of Health releases a daily case count on its dashboard that includes probable cases as indicated by a positive antigen test. That case count can be different than the one listed here. Here are some of the parishes with the highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases, based on the Tuesday report: Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Jefferson: 343 cases, 5 deaths East Baton Rouge: 193 cases, 4 deaths Orleans: 299 cases, 1 death Lafayette: 299 cases, 5 deaths Caddo: 195 cases, 3 deaths Rapides: 77 cases, 7 deaths Can't see chart below? Click here. Can't see chart below? Click here. This is a developing story. More details and analysis to come. Children's Hospital New Orleans hasn't had an open intensive care bed in weeks, an official said Monday as he encouraged people to get vaccinated amid the latest COVID-19 surge. Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital New Orleans, called the delta variant an infectious disease specialist's worst nightmare and said that every pediatric facility in the state is absolutely full. Children's has had as many as 20 patients hospitalized on a single day with COVID, he said. Prior to this surge, seven was the highest number at Children's for the pandemic. Half of the children in his hospital were perfectly healthy before contracting COVID-19, Kline added. "I am as worried about our children today as I have ever been," said Kline, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, during the governor's press conference Monday. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Watch his comments at Monday's press conference: "[T]here was a myth that circulated during the first year of the epidemic that children were somehow were immune," he said. "We know that those were fallacies all along but particularly now that the delta variant has emerged, it has become very clear that children are being heavily impacted by this organism and by this pandemic at this point - perhaps more than ever before." Children's does drive-through testing for COVID, in addition to tests in the hospital and in clinics. The current positivity rate is 15% to 20% on a daily basis, he said. "We know that the children that we're seeing in the hospital are just the tip of the iceberg," he said. Kline said that the moral thing for adults to do is get vaccinated, if only to protect Louisianas children. Would-be jurors arrived at New Orleans criminal courthouse for the first time in 15 months on Tuesday, but they went home without being sworn in after a murder case was partially resolved in a plea deal. The outcome meant that Orleans Parish Criminal District Court missed a post-pandemic milestone, but it left defense attorneys pleased. Kendrick Smothers, 33, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and to being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of Dwayne Hitchens Jr. in Mid-City. Under the terms of his agreement with prosecutors, a judge handed him a 19-year total sentence. With credit for his nearly four years awaiting trial in jail and other factors, Smothers could leave prison in under a year, said defense attorney Michael Kennedy, who was joined by lawyer Tanzanika Ruffin. Kennedy said he was confident that he could have won the case at trial, but Smothers didnt want to take the chance. If convicted as charged, he would have received mandatory life without parole. Smothers had been charged in a complicated indictment involving five defendants and two separate killings separated by years. According to prosecutors, four other men killed Hitchens brother, Deron, and another man outside of Mardi Gras World on Fat Tuesday 2014. Three years later, according to police, Smothers took part in the killing of Dwayne Hitchens, hours after a fight between Hitchens and the perpetrators outside the House of Blues in the French Quarter. Prosecutors said one of the defendants in Deron's killing, Brandon Alexander, joined in the killing of Dwayne Hitchens Jr. Smothers had survived a gang-related assassination attempt in 2011. Police said his cellphone records put him near the scene of Hitchens' killing, despite his claim that he was elsewhere. By agreeing to a plea deal, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams office averted the potential first jury trial under his watch. Smothers had filed a speedy trial motion seeking to force his day in court. In response, Williams chief of trials last month cited the complexity of the case, witness issues and office turnover as reasons for seeking a continuance. +3 New Orleans prosecutors delay potential first 2021 murder trial, citing turnover and witness issues A top prosecutor in Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams office this week cited employee turnover as one reason to delay what coul Criminal District Court Judge Angel Harris agreed to push the case back to Tuesday but no further. With the trial a must-go, prosecutors agreed to a deal. In court, Chief of Trials Ned McGowan said that Dwayne Hitchens killing had been committed to obstruct the investigation into his brothers earlier death. The dual killings left the family shattered, father Dwane Hitchens Sr. said in court. He said he misses his sons phone calls, hugs and laughs. He struggles to explain to Dwayne Hitchens Jr.'s two children what happened to their father, who was 31. 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 Hitchens said that Smothers can go to jail and be happy, with the situation that arrived right now, the time that hes going to get, he can be happy with that. But today, Im not happy. My life is ruined, because you ruined my life." In a statement late Tuesday, Williams' first assistant noted that the guilty plea resulted in two felony convictions. "This negotiated resolution obtained significant convictions against a serious offender, and imposes a lengthy sentence of incarceration," said Bob White. "Any discussion of early release is premature, and is ultimately determined by a state agency distinct from the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office." Separately, prosecutors and defense attorneys for Alexander agreed to continue his trial to Aug. 25. Defense lawyer John Fuller said that amid ongoing discussions with the District Attorney's Office, he was concerned about the court's ability to seat an appropriate jury in light of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disparate effect on racial and ethnic minorities, especially young Black people in Louisiana. Defense attorneys have raised concerns that will prompt Black New Orleanians to stay home rather than appear for jury service, skewing jury pools against Black defendants like Alexander. 5 charged with murder in shooting deaths of 2 brothers and their associate Five men were charged with murder Thursday (Oct. 4) in two deadly shootings, including a 2014 double homicide at Mardi Gras World and a 2017 s With cases tied to the delta variant surging, the Orleans Public Defenders have called on the court to go back to all-virtual hearings. While Tuesday was the first time prospective jurors entered the criminal courthouse for a trial since the pandemic began, it turned out to be a false alarm. With Alexander's case pushed back, jurors were sent home. Deputy Chief Judge Robin Pittman, who welcomed the first post-pandemic batch of prospective jurors to the building on Tuesday morning, said they represented a broad cross-section of New Orleans. Jurors said they were pleased with precautions in place like masking and social-distancing, according to Pittman. The vast majority of those that were summoned and called to appear for this trial today did appear. Everybody appeared to be in good spirits, Pittman said. I congratulated them on being the first jurors back into the building since March 2020, and one juror joked, man, aren't we lucky. The search for a man accused of participating in a shootout that wounded five people on Bourbon Street ended with his arrest on Tuesday, New Orleans police said. Markez Jefferson, 22, was booked with five counts of attempted second-degree murder a day after investigators published a surveillance camera photo showing him near the scene of the quintuple shooting and asked for the publics help to identify him. Jefferson was allegedly arguing with another man when the two men began shooting at each other at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans Avenue about 2:05 a.m. Sunday. Five men were struck by bullets and taken to the hospital, including the man with whom Jefferson was fighting, police said. Jefferson was not struck and allegedly fled the scene. None of the wounded people had life-threatening injuries, police said. A city crime camera at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans recorded the entire gun battle, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said at a press briefing Monday. From that footage, investigators circulated images of a man who appears to be Jefferson and asked the public to provide his name as well as turn him in. Jefferson was in jail at noon Tuesday. His bail wasnt immediately set. 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 Police havent said whether they have obtained a warrant to arrest the man with whom Jefferson allegedly exchanged gunfire. His name hasnt been released. Officers on Tuesday also booked Nathan Saavedra, 20, on a count of obstruction of justice in connection with the gunfight. They continued looking for 29-year-old Kareem Moore as a third suspect in the case, with police saying he is wanted on counts of illegally carrying a weapon and obstruction of justice. +3 Teen turned in by relative in deadly quadruple shooting in CBD; update on Bourbon St. violence A 15-year-old boy suspected of shooting four people -- one fatally -- on the edge of New Orleans Central Business District on Sunday before t Each count of attempted murder that Jefferson faces could carry up to 50 years in prison. The Bourbon Street gunfight was separate from a deadly quadruple shooting that occurred less than three hours later on the edge of the Central Business District. In that shooting, police said a 15-year-old boy killed another 15-year-old boy and wounded three other people. Officers arrested the teen suspect after a relative called police and turned him over, according to Ferguson. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office provided additional information about a pair of shootings on the West Bank over the weekend that left five people injured, one critically. The first, a quadruple shooting, was reported Friday night near Westwego, according to Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. Details remained scarce, but authorities say three men and one woman were wounded about 9 p.m. at the intersection of Britt Street and Emile Avenue near Westwego (map). None of the injuries were life-threatening. A 22-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to his arm, Rivarde said. The other victims, a 25-year-old woman and two men, ages 26 and 22, were shot in the leg. +2 Marrero man booked with murder after stabbing girlfriend in neck with knife during argument: JPSO An argument turned deadly Sunday evening when a Marrero man allegedly plunged a knife into the neck of his girlfriend, the Jefferson Parish Sh Investigators recovered "multiple firearms and casings from the scene," Rivarde said. It's not clear whether any of the victims knew each other or what occurred in the moments before gunfire erupted, according to authorities. Asked whether any of the victims may have participated in the shootings, Rivarde said, "We're still investigating." 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 No one has been arrested in the case. On Saturday, a 28-year-old man was shot several times while driving in Marrero, according to the Sheriff's Office. 18-year-old wounded in Marrero triple shooting has died, authorities say Four days after he was wounded in a triple shooting at a Marrero apartment complex, an 18-year-old man died of his injuries, the Jefferson Par The victim, who is from Avondale, was in a vehicle near the intersection of Ames and Bayou Estates boulevards about 11:05 a.m. when he was shot, Rivarde said. The man's vehicle then crashed. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The man had improved to stable condition as of Monday, Rivarde said. Investigators had no information about a suspect or a motive for the shooting. Anyone with information about the either shooting is asked to call the Sheriff's Office investigations bureau at 504-364-5300. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an indictment. A Texas man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he brought a 13-year-old girl to the New Orleans area, put her up in a Terrytown motel and forced her to have sex with people for money, Jefferson Parish court records show. The Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office charged Randi Lewis, 33, of Missouri, Texas, and his alleged accomplice, Chelsea Gee, 18, of Houston, with trafficking a child for sexual purposes. Lewis was also charged with possession of MDMA and marijuana, records said. He also pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Though Lewis was arraigned Thursday in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court, Gee has not yet entered a plea in the case. Her arraignment was rescheduled to Aug. 12 because of unspecified "medical reasons," court records said. Lewis and Gee are accused of exploiting the 13-year-old victim after Gee recruited her in Houston. The girl told Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives that Lewis bought bus tickets for the three to travel to New Orleans on June 21, according to authorities. Once they arrived, one of the adults obtained a room at motel in Terrytown. Lewis then had Gee and the 13-year-old take photographs of themselves. He posted the images on a website known to advertise for prostitution dates, the Sheriff's Office said. 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 +2 N.C. couple wanted in Kenner beating of wifes alleged lover booked into Jefferson Parish jail A North Carolina married couple accused of surprising the wifes alleged lover during a pre-arranged meet-up in Kenner and viciously beating h The girl was coerced into performing between 10 and 20 prostitution dates while Lewis and Gee stood outside the room, authorities said. Lewis then allegedly took any money given to the girl. The 13-year-old told investigators she was afraid of retaliation if she didn't follow Lewis' orders, authorities said. Vice detectives with the Sheriff's Office rescued the girl on June 24 when they went to the motel to investigate a tip about a possible kidnapping. It's not clear whether the tip was about the girl. But detectives found the 13-year-old after noticing the smell of marijuana coming from Lewis and Gee's open room, authorities said. Lewis and Gee were being held Tuesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. Bond for Lewis was set at 165,500. Gee's bond was set at $100,500. A North Carolina married couple accused of surprising the wifes alleged lover during a pre-arranged meet-up in Kenner and viciously beating him while he was bound to a chair returned to Jefferson Parish Sunday to face criminal charges, according to authorities. Malcom Reed, 41, and Mishanda Reed, 43, have been booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna, said Lt. Michael Cunningham, a Kenner Police Department spokesperson. Malcom Reed faces charges that include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, armed robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm. Mishanda Reed was booked as a principal to the same charges, Cunningham said The couple live in Durham, N.C. They were arrested as fugitives from Kenner on July 14. Instead of being transported by law enforcement, a judge in North Carolina allowed the Reeds to post bond and travel to Kenner under the agreement that they surrender to authorities by Aug. 1, according to Cunningham. North Carolina husband brutally beat wife's alleged lover during Kenner rendezvous, police say The victim drove to Kenner from Houston to meet with a woman, but was attacked by her husband, police said. The victim in the case is a 45-year-old Houston man who attended college in New Orleans with Mishanda Reed. The two had recently begun communicating through social media, and police suspect they may have been involved in an affair, according to authorities. 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 Mishanda Reed told the man she was going to be in the New Orleans area for a work conference in June. The two made plans to meet at an Airbnb that she rented in Kenner, Cunningham said. But when the victim arrived at the rented residence on Lloyd Price Avenue on the night of June 27, he was greeted by an armed Malcom Reed, according to authorities. Malcom Reed is accused of using zip ties to bind the man to a chair before beating him with an aluminum bat and a hammer, Cunningham said. He also allegedly questioned the victim about text messages exchanged with Mishanda Reed. +2 Marrero man booked with murder after stabbing girlfriend in neck with knife during argument: JPSO An argument turned deadly Sunday evening when a Marrero man allegedly plunged a knife into the neck of his girlfriend, the Jefferson Parish Sh The victim suffered severe injuries, including a broken leg and a possibly broken arm, Cunningham said. After the beating, the couple is accused of dumping him near the intersection of Third and Alliance streets in Kenner. A passerby later found the man and called police. A search of the couple's rental turned up blood splatter and other forensic evidence supporting the victims story, police said. Malcom Reed was being held Tuesday at the Gretna jail on a $230,000 bond. Mishanda Reeds bond was set at $150,000. Louisianas network of natural ridges serves as the backbone of coastal marshes, helping them resist wind and waves from storms. But the ridges, built by river silt and sand during floods and often topped with oaks and other trees, have been disappearing as the states coast rapidly sinks and erodes. Now Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will receive almost $500,000 to study the role that low, wooded ridges play in helping to hold together the fragile coast. The grant, funded with penalties from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, was awarded by the state Coastal Protection Authority and The Water Institute of the Gulf. It will help Nicholls researchers to delve into the ecological attributes of ridges and figure out the best ways to incorporate them into the authoritys coastal restoration projects. Ridges often begin to unravel when saltwater seeps in, killing the tree roots that hold them together. With ridges out of the way, marshes erode more quickly and hurricanes strike deeper inland. Our understanding of how ridges function and the ecological and sociological communities they support is limited, Nicholls biologist Jonathan Willis said. By resolving targeted data gaps and providing conceptual models of ridge function, we can facilitate planning for coastal ridge restoration projects. 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 A few ridges have been restored near Port Fourchon and other spots along the coast. Nicholls researchers will study ridges and similar human-made structures in the estuaries of Barataria and Terrebonne bays. Faculty and students from several departments, including biology, history and geography, will contribute to the research, which will include field surveys, drone imaging, laboratory work and community interviews. The grant is worth $495,368. The research will start this fall and continue through 2023. +10 Ground zero for nutria feeding frenzy: Terrebonne Parish's vast marsh SHELL POINT - This watery wilderness of purple-flowered marsh is so vast, so inaccessible that few human beings see how much of it is dying. B Theres a new fraternity in Louisiana. You probably havent heard about them. The group is small and elite. They span the various regions of the state. They have diverse interests, but they have a singular focus: They are determined to be successful Black men. Too often we look at young Black men and think that they are something they are not. Certainly, there are too many Black men in prison, but that doesnt define all of who we are. In Louisiana, Black people are about 33% of the population but 52% of those in jail and 67% of those in prison. Those aren't good numbers. But how many of us know that that population fell in recent years? According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report, based on imprisoned people sentenced to a year or more in state or federal prisons, the number of Black adults fell between 2006 and 2018. Many of the Black men who are in prison dropped out of school. We can continue to reduce the Black male prison population by keeping more of my brethren in high school and seeing that they get into good jobs and get into and out of college. But there are lots of Black men in college, lots of Black men who are college-educated and lots of Black men without college degrees who are supporting themselves and their families. They just dont make the news as often. Carl Whitlock is a part of this special fraternity started by the University of Louisiana System. The nine-institution higher education system launched the R.F. Lewis Scholars program earlier this summer with an inaugural Black Male Summit. Their opening retreat will be held in Baton Rouge this month. Whitlock is a 2020 graduate of West Monroe High School. A sophomore at the University of Louisiana Monroe, he was a Broaden Horizon mentor in West Monroe this summer and he was an intern at The Well, a church in south Monroe. A native of Winnsboro, Whitlock isnt a jock. Hes a risk management and insurance major focused on being a risk management consultant and helping people as a government servant. Whitlock and 17 other young Black men are part of something special. The investment about $15,000 per scholar per year supports meetings this fall, Bayou Classic leadership development opportunities and a study abroad experience when they are juniors. One of Whitlocks scholar colleagues is Caleb Franklin, a Baton Rouge native who lives in Zachary. This summer, Franklin, a sophomore, juggled three summer courses at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette while doing an internship at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center. A pre-med biology major, he plans to be an anesthesiologist. Hes worked toward his goal by helping with a study examining the impact of a testosterone shot with heavy exercise and another looking at the effect of regular cardio exercise as a part of reducing Type 2 diabetes symptoms. Ebenezer Aggrey, Eb for short, lives in East Baton Rouge Parish and attends Northwestern State University, where he majors in business administration. Hes determined to be a successful businessman, and Im sure this program will help him. Whitlock is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Another scholar, sophomore Derrick Varnado, is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Northwestern State University, where the Gonzales resident studies communications with the goal of becoming an attorney. Their separate fraternities will help them grow as they focus on the respective organizations' founding principles and values. The Lewis fraternity will help them in other ways as they get to know each other, as they are exposed to people they might not otherwise meet, and as they learn about opportunities. I dont want to see them in the prison fraternity. I dont want to see them in the fraternity of those who didnt complete college. The UL System has started something good with this academic program, and I hope theyll raise the $1.5 million theyre seeking to support future cohorts. A few years ago, the Vera Institute estimated that it cost us $16,251 per person to house people in Louisiana prisons per year. If that is close to true now, that means it'll cost less to support one of these scholars. I far prefer to see an investment leading to seeing that these Black men become attorneys, doctors and public servants. Joan (Swart) Rowe died August 2, 2021. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan March 19, 1932. She married Wayne Rowe and had three children: David, and his wife Hilde, of Wiesbaden, Germany; Stephen, and his wife Debbie, of Olympia, Washington; and Anna Rowe Love, of Norman and Fife Lake, Mi Editor's Note Aug. 3, 3:15 p.m. -- This story has been updated to reflect a statement made by Glenn O. Hawbaker in response to the attorney general's announcement. Bellefonte, Pa. -- "The contributions didn't add up," said one previous Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. employee. "I thought I was working for a family business, but it's their family, nobody else's," said another. From pipe layers, construction workers, to truck drivers, more than 1,200 workers who were employed between 2015 and 2018 for Glenn O. Hawbaker in State College will be reimbursed for the money Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Glenn O. Hawbaker stole from them. Related reading: Centre County company accused of largest prevailing wage criminal case in U.S. history After a pleading no contest in court today in front of Centre County President Judge Pamela Ruest at the Centre County Courthouse, the company is ordered to pay $20,696,453 in restitution. Each employee named in the settlement will get exactly what was stolen from them, said Shapiro. The thefts were in contributions to healthcare, retirement, and fringe benefits for employees working under prevailing wage. "What the prevailing wage requirement means," said Shapiro, "is that workers are ensured to make a fair wage." The amount is set by state and federal agencies, and contractors must agree to those prevailing wages in order to win a state contract. In the case of Glenn O. Hawbaker, the prevailing wage was $39 an hour. "That doesn't mean that's what employees saw on their paycheck," said Shapiro. Most would see $22 an hour in wages, and the rest is spread between health care costs, retirement benefits, and the fringe benefits. "It was a sophisticated scheme, carefully carried out," said Shapiro. The company was spreading the money around to all Hawbaker workers in the company, so while the prevailing wage employees were laboring in the field, the executives and owners were also collecting on the wages, he explained. More Coverage The AG's office has established a separate number Glenn O. Hawbaker employees who have difficulty receiving payments. Call: (814) 746-3518. Hawbaker has 120 days to make restitution payments. The easiest way to report wage theft is to email Attorney General Josh Shapiro's office at wagetheft@attorneygeneral.gov. The underfunded retirement accounts was "a theft that grew each and every year," according to Shapiro, as the accruals were not based on the entire amount owed to each employee. Hawbaker is one of the largest contractors to complete projects on behalf of the Commonwealth, receiving an estimated $1.7 billion in contracts between 2003 and 2018. Hawbaker said they have always intended to properly pay all of its employees. According to a statement issued after Shapiro's announcement, "Hawbaker is pleased to bring this process to a conclusion and focus on the future. Our companys decision to plead no contest avoids protracted litigation, which could have jeopardized the livelihoods of our dedicated employees," the statement read. "We continue to believe that we followed all requirements regarding fringe benefits. The fringe benefit practices challenged by the Office of Attorney General were based upon advice provided by the companys former attorneys. "Through the years, both state and federal regulators extensively reviewed our Prevailing Wage Act and Davis Bacon Act practices on jobs and did not find any wrongdoing. This led us to believe we were properly following all laws, and we did not plead guilty." Hawbaker claimed to fully cooperate in this process. "We proactively addressed concerns raised by the attorney generals office. As stated by the attorney general, we are making past and present employees whole. This process will be conducted under the direction of an independent monitor. "We now look forward to continuing to deliver outstanding service to our customers and providing opportunities for our dedicated team members," the statement said. It will be up to the state to decide whether they will award contracts to Hawbaker going forward, according to the AG's office, which did not opt for specific criminal liability for individuals of the company, but rather to send a message that the state will hold companies who break the law in this way accountable. During his press conference on Tuesday, Shapiro guessed that the shceme may have been going on prior to 2015; however, presumed illegal activity prior to that time falls outside of the statute of limitations. Whether a recovery fund will be set up for employees who claim thefts against their retirement will be a decision left to the legislature, Shapiro said. Jersey Shore, Pa. Montoursville State Police said when a juvenile felt unsafe around an older man at her home, she recorded his alleged attempts to touch her inappropriately. Brandon Michael Hoffman, 21, of Jersey Shore was charged with multiple felonies after authorities said he, on two separate occasions, touched a juvenile underneath her pants over the dates of May 14 - 24 of this year. The first incident occurred when Hoffman approached the accuser as she sat on a bed, she told authorities. Hoffman allegedly unbuttoned the accusers pants and placed his hand on her genital area, arresting officer Matthew L. Miller wrote in the sworn affidavit. According to the report, a second incident allegedly occurred when Hoffman approached the accuser as she sat on a couch by herself. The accuser told officers she was concerned about being assaulted and recorded Hoffman as he allegedly put his hand down her pants. Officers said the accuser told Hoffman, Let me go before she kicked him off her. Hoffman allegedly told the accuser something would happen to her if she told anybody about the incidents. Hoffman was charged with several felonies of varying degrees including first-degree aggravated assault without consent, second-degree forcible compulsion, and aggravated assault complainant less than 13 years old, and two counts of third-degree indecent assault and corruption of minors. Court records show Hoffman is being held at the Lycoming Count Prison in lieu of $95,000 monetary bail as he awaits a formal arraignment with Judge Marc Lovecchio. Docket sheet Correction The article was corrected to clearly reflect the charged individual's name. Matthew L. Miller was the arresting officer in the case. Lock Haven, Pa. Matthew Joseph Cole, 35, formerly of Renovo, was charged with escape, flight to avoid apprehension, and criminal mischief following an incident on July 26 at the Clinton County Courthouse. On Monday morning, Cole appeared before and was sentenced to one to five years in a Pa. state prison by the Honorable Judge Michael F. Salisbury on prior theft charges. As a Sheriff's Deputy transported to the Courthouse holding cell, Cole attempted his escape, according to a news release from the Clinton County DA's office. After Cole's sentence had been imposed by the Court, the Judge allowed him to speak on his own behalf. According to release, Cole grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, at which time Salisbury informed Cole that he was going to have to end his conversation and go with the deputies. Police said Cole began to walk toward the exit door, still talking, and then took off running. Deputies gave chase down the Courthouse stairs to the floor below, where Cole was apprehended. Cole refused to obey verbal commands repeated by deputies and had to be physically restrained by several deputies, according to the release. Deputies were required to deploy several Taser charges before Cole was eventually subdued. Cole is now facing the following charges: Escape, a Felony of the 3rd degree, Flight to Avoid Apprehension, a Misdemeanor of the 2nd degree and Criminal Mischief, a Misdemeanor of the 2nd degree. He faces a maximum of an additional 11 years in state prison if convicted. Harrisburg, Pa. - The reasons behind a "forensic investigation" of Pa.'s part in the 2020 presidential election, backed by supporters of former president Donald Trump, have been dealt another blow in their quest to prove what has thus far been unable to be proven. All three Republican commissioners in Tioga County said they were not going to approve third-party access to their voting machines, out of their concerns those machines could be decertified by the state weeks before they must begin preparations for the November election process. The commissioners, in a letter to Republican State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Fulton), who has been leading the unfounded charges of voter fraud across Pa., said they were declining Mastriano's request "at this time." Mastriano, a possible candidate for the Republican nod for governor, has been causing some discord among members of his own party. What message will people take from someone trying to pry open voting machines and rummage through already counted ballots while employing statistical tricks to argue that the 2020 election was a fraud?" State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) said recently in an editorial. Under threat of subpoena, Mastriano sent letters to Tioga, York, and Philadelphia counties requesting access to their equipment, documents, and other information. In response, the state's top election official informed counties they would decertifiy any ballot counting machine which became subjected to third-party access; therefore, rendering the equipment useless, which would add a further financial burden on each county. Even York County's commissioners, two Republicans and one Democrat, have questioned the legality behind Mastriano's ploy to instill lack of confidence in Pa.'s voting mechanisms, and the costs associated with Mastriano's political posturing, despite numerous losses in court. Trump won Tioga County by three-to-one over President Joe Biden, although Biden won the state by over 80,000 votes, which was about 1 percentage point. That prompted Trump to pressure Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania and other states where he lost narrowly, to conduct an audit, as is happening in a widely discredited exercise in Arizona. In York County, officials called police after reports of people pretending to be from an election integrity committee," who have been going to residents questioning their vote in the 2020 presidential election, according to a report in the York Dispatch. Julie Wheeler, York County's president commissioner, told the Dispatch that she received numerous calls and messages about the activity and referred the matter to the Southern York Regional Police Department. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing. Rome, GA (30161) Today Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Rome, GA (30161) Today Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Here are some of the big-name Democrats Gov. Newsom will lean on to help save his job Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The hope is to rush relief to more than 6.5 million "smallest of small businesses." This initiative will allow PPP borrowers to put their concerns of achieving full forgiveness behind them and focus on operating and growing their businesses again, said Patrick Kelley, associate administrator for SBAs Office of Capital Access. We are pleased to be able to assist financial institutions across the U.S. in processing forgiveness applications for small business owners. So far this year, the SBA has approved more than 6.5 million PPP loans totaling more than $275 billion. The average loan size was $42,000 with 96% of loans going to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and nearly a third going to low-to-moderate-income communities. More than 600 banks have opted in for direct forgiveness, allowing more than 2.17 million PPP borrowers to go online and apply themselves through the portal rather than submit the paperwork through the bank. INDIANAPOLIS A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Indiana University can proceed with its plan to require students and employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19, in what is the highest court decision regarding college immunization mandates. The Chicago-based appeals court upheld an Indiana district court judge's ruling that found that the university was acting reasonably "in pursuing public health and safety for its campus communities." Both courts rejected a request by eight IU students who sought to block the requirement while they challenge its legality, claiming that it would violate their constitutional rights by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university, and students who don't want to get vaccinated can also seek "ample educational opportunities" elsewhere, according to the appeals court ruling. Still, the vaccination policy allows exemptions on religious and medical grounds, which the court said provides constitutional accommodations for those who qualify. "Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester," the university said in a statement Monday. LYNWOOD A 29-year-old Chicago man was killed and two others injured in a shooting early Sunday at The New Corner Bar & Grill at 20600 Torrence Ave., police said. The deceased, who was pronounced dead at Franciscan Health Dyer hospital, was identified Sunday by the Lake County coroner's office as Cornelius L. Washington Jr. Police said they were called out to scene and the first gunshot victim was treated and sent to the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to a news release. A second victim was transported by friends to the Lynwood police department, treated by fire personnel and then taken to the same medical center as the first victim, police said. Washington was taken from the scene by friends and transported to Franciscan Health Dyer hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police. The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force was activated and is handing the investigation, police said. Anyone with information about the shootings is encouraged to contact the Lynwood police detective division at 708-758-4744. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The children said their mother later woke them up in the middle of the night and asked them for help dragging Randy Allen's body out of the room and into her vehicle, court documents state. They attempted to help, but the man's body was too heavy, court records state. They saw Thessalonica Allen come home the following day with cleaning supplies and an ax, police said. She asked for help dragging the body back into the bedroom, and they were awoken again that second night to help put Randy Allen's body into a tote, court records allege. It was then the children noticed the man's legs removed, and other failed attempts were made to load the body into a vehicle, police said. "The children stated that mom had plans to take the vehicle and body to South Bend and set it on fire," according to police. The children reportedly told police they did not see any physical altercation on the day in question and said Randy Allen had mentioned he planned to leave. Police said they recovered an ax and what appeared to be a blood-stained knife. They also found handwritten notes under the daughter's pillow with checklists that appear related to obtaining drugs, violence against someone and the disposal of a body. A federal match program that provides early-stage funding to startup companies in Indiana has been expanded. Elevate Ventures plans to grow its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer matching program to give Indiana companies more access to startup capital. The SBIR/STTR program is one of the largest sources of funding for innovation-driven companies at their earliest stage of development, said Ting Gootee, chief investment officer at Elevate Ventures. This additional support provides another edge for Indiana companies to compete nationally. The program provides funding through 11 federal agencies to back research and development and drive technological innovation. Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures, a venture capital firm that's invested more than $116 million in more than 400 companies, manages the program in Indiana in conjunction with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. It already provided Phase 1 funding to determine the commercial feasibility of R&D efforts. Elevate now will provide further funding through Phase II, matching up to $75,000 per award and $150,000 per company via standard convertible note. In his Lake County Fair program statement, board president Thomas Lump welcomes all guests to the fair's 169th year. "Whether you are a returning fairgoer, or are coming for the first time, we know you will enjoy all that the fair has to offer. Our goal is to make the fair enjoyable for the entire family. So whether you are here to see the many exhibits, shows, judgings or just to sample some of the great food, we know you will leave the Lake County Fair with some great memories," Lump said. There's a number of carnival ride deals this year, including cost-saving purchases that can be made prior to opening day on the fair's website. Mega passes, which are available at the Mega Pass Booth in front of the Family Arts and Crafts Building, are big this year, Marcinek said. The Mega pass costs $75, once the fair starts, and allows for unlimited rides. For those who enjoy fair food, there's a wide variety of vendors this year, Marcinek said. Fair food lovers on Friday can take part in $2 Frugal Food Friday, which allows $2 tastings from most vendors. The Times Media Co. Day is Saturday, and included on that day is an All Star Monster Truck Show at 7 p.m. in the grandstand. MERRILLVILLE A truck equipment distributor and installer has plans to grow. Cives Corp. has purchased property at 4000 E. 89th Ave. so it can store trucks until equipment is installed on them at the companys main facility across the street at 2168 E. 88th Drive. Attorney Richard Anderson said plows, toolboxes, warning lights and cameras are among the equipment installed at the Cives location, which was formerly Lindco Equipment Sales. Any kind of accessories that are put on the big trucks for municipalities and even private companies, he said. The Board of Zoning Appeals last week approved a variance allowing the vehicle storage on a non-paved surface without a principal structure on-site. The variance also permits Cives to install a privacy chain link fence for security. Gary Lindesmith, branch operations and sales manager at Cives, said the 89th Avenue property is needed because of the amount of work taking place at Cives. We currently have, between now and the end of the year, 107 brand new vehicles coming in to be outfitted for government agencies from Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Ohio, and we have no place to put them, he said. The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps Community Center has named new leaders. Capts. Jessica Martinez and Gloria Pelayo came from similar roles in Minnesota to Northwest Indiana, where they will oversee The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps. They will lead the nonprofit at a time when demand for food emergency assistance and help with rent remained high because of the coronavirus pandemic. We want the community to know were here to help, Pelayo said. "And if its something we cant help with, we can refer them to the place to the right place. They will be in charge of administrative, duties, programs and services that include a food pantry, a low-cost day camp for kids, free online music classes, and the Pathway of Hope program to help families break the generational cycle of poverty and free weekday lunch program that serves about 100 people a day. Martinez said demand for social services will continue to grow. The Salvation Army helps people, and we do it because we love the Lord, Martinez said. I know that because my mother and I came to The Salvation Army ourselves, and we were helped. We will always try to do our best. Originally, the inaugural Lakefest was planned last year but was canceled because of the pandemic. Dermody said the idea came from discussions he had with his wife about an event to showcase the lakes and parks in the city. It was exactly what we thought it would be and were just excited, he said. A lot of children also turned out to play in the massive amount of bubbles churned out by a foam machine at Unity Park beside Pine Lake. Hundreds of spectators Saturday and Sunday were also at Stone Lake Beach for the Jet Ski racing. The racers are from the AquaX series, which signed a contract with the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau to compete at Stone Lake this year. The sanctioning body out of Florida also has races in Europe and Asia. LCCVB Executive Director Jack Arnett said talks are already underway to bring AquaX racing back to Lakefest for at least several more years. We think this will grow, he said. LaPorte area resident Maddie Mack said the racing was exciting enough for her to want to give the sport a try. Blagojevich, 64, is seeking a permanent injunction from a federal judge declaring the resolution unconstitutional. Blagojevich repeatedly insisted to reporters that he had no specific plans to run for office should the suit succeed but he wouldnt rule it out, either. The long-shot suit, for which Blagojevich plans to act as his own attorney, offered the famously garrulous Chicago Democrat a chance to rehash his well-worn talking points for the cameras, from his familiar play all the tapes refrain to the railroading he said he received from House Speaker Michael Madigan and others after his arrest in December 2008. He talked about how proud he still was to have appointed Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate and told an anecdote about a debate he had with a fellow prisoner over how many gold records Elvis produced. To settle the debate, Blagojevich said, he looked it up in an almanac in the prison library, where he happened to see a photo of himself with a description of his corruption case. I was in that almanac for this, Blagojevich said, jerking his thumb toward the courthouse behind him. It sucks. His appearance certainly brought a little bit of the Blago circus back to a federal courthouse that has been largely devoid of media presence during the COVID-19 pandemic. SPACs and fraud: A bug or a feature? Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola, is one of the most high-profile figures at the center of the boom in SPAC deals. Yesterday he was hit with criminal and civil charges by the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan and the S.E.C. The prosecutors accuse Milton of misleading investors about the technology for the companys battery- and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Nikola went public in June last year by merging with a blank-check firm, VectorIQ, founded by a former G.M. executive. In carrying out his fraudulent scheme, Milton exploited features of the SPAC structure, said Audrey Strauss, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Does that put SPACs on trial too? The charges arent all about SPACs. In one example detailed in the S.E.C.s suit, Milton promoted a video on social media of the companys Nikola One truck while omitting the fact that the truck was rolling down an incline due to gravity rather than under its own power. That seems more like a Milton thing than a SPAC thing. SPACs are clearly problematic, in that they fail to disclose their economics very well, said the Stanford professor Michael Klausner, but theres not been a lot of old-fashioned fraud. Miltons case is pretty extraordinary, he added. Milton pleaded not guilty and his legal team said he had been wrongfully accused. He was released on a $100 million bond. The challenge by the union, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, accused Amazon of engaging in unfair labor practices to keep workers from unionizing. Throughout the N.L.R.B. hearing, we heard compelling evidence how Amazon tried to illegally interfere with and intimidate workers as they sought to exercise their right to form a union, said Stuart Appelbaum, the unions president, in a statement. We support the hearing officers recommendation that the N.L.R.B. set aside the election results and direct a new election. The union first filed paperwork for the election in November, and the voting took place by mail between early February and late March. The union complained frequently during the campaign that the company was intimidating and threatening workers. Amazon disputed the accusations and continues to do so. Our employees had a chance to be heard during a noisy time when all types of voices were weighing into the national debate, and at the end of the day, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of a direct connection with their managers, an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement on Monday. Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens. With the coronavirus spreading across the country and hospitalizations rising again, and public health officials warning that the Delta variant carries new risks even for vaccinated people, big businesses are rethinking their plans. Some are delaying their plans to bring workers back to the office, and others are restoring mask requirements for customers. In the last week, several have also imposed vaccine mandates, after having held off on such a step for months. The decision to require vaccines was endorsed on Sunday by the director of the National Institutes of Health. Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Dr. Francis Collins said that asking employees for proof of vaccination or regular testing were steps in the right direction. Heres how some big businesses changed their plans in late July: Delayed return to office: Lyft pushed back its return-to-office date to February from September, Google extended its work-from-home policy to mid-October, and Apple said employees would not be expected to return to the office until at least Oct. 1, a month later than before. Uber said that it would not require employees to return until Oct. 25, instead of its initial September date, and that a further delay was possible if cases kept rising. Twitter shut its San Francisco and New York offices, putting a halt to reopening plans without a timeline in place. The New York Times Company also indefinitely postponed its planned return to the office, telling employees that they would be given four weeks notice before being expected to return. The company, which employs about 4,700 people, had planned for workers to start to return for at least three days a week in September. Its offices will remain open for those who want to go in voluntarily, with proof of vaccination. Endeavor, the parent company of the William Morris Endeavor talent agency, closed its recently reopened offices after Los Angeles County reimposed its indoor mask mandate. An Endeavor spokesman said the company had decided that enforcement would be too difficult and would hinder group meetings. Vaccine requirements: Equinox, the luxury fitness company that includes SoulCycle, said on Monday that its members and employees must show one-time proof of vaccination a physical immunization card, a photo of an immunization card or a digital vaccine card to enter Equinox clubs, SoulCycle studios or corporate offices, starting in New York in September. Walmart, the nations largest private employer, with nearly 1.6 million workers, said vaccines would be mandatory for employees in its headquarters and for managers who traveled in the United States. The mandate does not apply to much of its work force employees in stores, clubs, and distribution and fulfillment centers. The Walt Disney Company said salaried and nonunion hourly U.S. employees at its sites must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated workers who are already on site will have 60 days to get the immunization, and new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before starting work. Masks requirements: With the Delta variant of the coronavirus surging, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York on Monday stopped short of reinstating an indoor mask mandate even as more cities and at least one state did so. City officials have been deliberating what measures might be needed to head off a more serious resurgence in New York, the nations largest city and once the epicenter of the pandemic. Los Angeles County and Washington, D.C., have recently reintroduced mask requirements indoors; Louisiana did so on Monday, as did San Francisco and several surrounding Northern California counties. But Mr. de Blasio made a different calculation, saying he wanted to focus on increasing vaccination rates, and was concerned that requiring everyone to wear masks would remove an incentive for those who are considering getting vaccinated now. For months, Dr. Jay Varma, the mayors senior adviser for public health, has been telling the mayor that the winning strategy is to focus on vaccinations, and that everything else is secondary. Despite departing from office and being barred from the leading social media platforms, former President Donald J. Trump was the Republican Partys most dominant fund-raiser in the first half of 2021 and ended June with a war chest of more than $100 million, according to new federal campaign filings made this weekend. Mr. Trump raised far more money than any other Republican via WinRed, the partys main processing site for online donations, records show, and more than each of the three main fund-raising arms of the Republican Party itself. His nearly $102 million in cash on hand was also more than each of the party committees. The next strongest online fund-raiser among Republican politicians was Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who delivered the G.O.P. response to President Bidens first address to Congress in the spring. Mr. Scott raised $7.8 million online. Mr. Trumps advisers inaccurately announced on Saturday that his affiliated political committees raised nearly $82 million in the first six months of 2021. A fast-moving brush fire that has burned more than 40,000 acres on the Big Island of Hawaii prompted mandatory evacuations over the weekend, the authorities said. Although residents were allowed to return home on Sunday, they could be required to evacuate again if weather conditions worsen. The fire, which started on Friday, destroyed at least two homes in the northern part of the island by Sunday evening, fire officials said. It is the largest brush fire on record for Hawaii County. Mitchell Roth, the mayor of Hawaii County, issued an emergency proclamation and mandatory evacuation order on Saturday, requiring residents in the communities of Puu Kapu Hawaiian Homestead and Waikii Ranch to evacuate. A third community, Waikoloa, was also evacuated. All evacuation orders were lifted on Sunday evening. There were over 150 personnel battling the blaze, Kazuo Todd, the fire chief for the Hawaii Fire Department, said in a news conference on Sunday. The National Guard was also requested to assist. Some Democrats rejected that argument, saying the White House could have acted and then fought the issue out in court again. I wish that the president, the C.D.C. would have gone forward and extended the moratorium, Representative Maxine Waters, a California Democrat who is chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, said in an interview on Monday. They have the power to do that. I think he should have gone in and he should have done it, and let the chips fall where they may. Over the weekend, Mr. Biden called on Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the C.D.C. director and the official with the authority to extend the freeze, to explore the possibility of limiting an extension to areas hit especially hard by the Delta variant, but was told that was not possible. Mr. Sperling said in an interview that West Wing officials wanted to extend the moratorium. But what was clear from the legal analysis was that we had already litigated this issue all the way to the Supreme Court, he said. The White House also called on local courts to help slow the pace of evictions and, in at least one case, they obliged: On Sunday, a state judge in Georgia signed an emergency judicial order imposing a moratorium on evictions for 60 days in DeKalb County, in the Atlanta area. Over the past two days, administration officials have worked the phones, appealing to the states to find ways to slow landlords from evicting renters. But around the country, the shifting of the power balance from tenant to landlord has upended a volatile affordable housing market that is increasingly shutting out working-class renters and the poor. Mr. Biden campaigned on returning compassion to the countrys immigration system and undoing the policies of former President Donald J. Trump that significantly limited the number of asylum-seekers the country would consider. That goal has proved difficult to achieve, leaving the White House under fire from the left for not moving aggressively enough to undo Mr. Trumps legacy even as Republicans accuse Mr. Biden of creating a crisis on the border by suggesting that he will make it easier for many people to get a shot at entering the U.S. Mr. Biden has laid out a proposal for immigration law changes that includes a path to citizenship for some migrants already in the United States. But there is little hope of passing sweeping changes to the laws through bipartisan negotiation, so Democrats instead hope to use a budget-related legislative process to bypass Republican opposition. Over the weekend, the administration stepped up enforcement at the southern border, sending more officers to help border officials with the lengthy processing necessary to bring migrants into the country and start making a case that they need asylum, the administration said in its court filing. To help relieve the backup, immigration officers are bringing more families to family detention centers, using the facilities as temporary shelters. The agency entered into a new contract to add more than 1,200 beds to its family housing capacity. The number of migrants crossing the southern border between the United States and Mexico exceeded the traditional seasonal spring surge in migration earlier this year, and the pace did not slow with the arrival of the oppressive heat of the summer months. The number of times border officials caught migrants crossing illegally in June was the highest monthly figure since April 2000. And the administration said preliminary figures for July indicate another new high. Just a few weeks ago, the administration was considering a plan to lift the public health rule for migrant families as early as the end of July and later for single adults, who make up the bulk of the migrants who have been turned away since the beginning of the pandemic. Delaying those plans, possibly through the end of the year, is sure to be welcomed by Republicans who have proposed legislation to maintain the rule for as long as necessary. But doing so also fuels Republican arguments that the southern border is in a state of crisis. Despite the public health rule, many migrant families have been allowed to enter the United States this year. The administration has been able to enforce the rule in some areas of the border but not others, such as South Texas, in part because of a lack of shelter capacity in Mexico. And some migrant families have also been allowed to enter the country because of special exemptions, including migrants identified as vulnerable by advocacy groups and international organizations. But Dr. del Rio said the C.D.C. made a misstep in May when it told vaccinated Americans they did not need to wear masks not because the science behind the recommendation was wrong, but because the move led everyone to doff their masks and prompted states, localities and retail businesses to abandon their mask requirements, which enabled the Delta variant to flourish. That was scientifically correct from a virology standpoint, Dr. del Rio said of the earlier recommendation. It was wrong from a behavioral science standpoint. The new recommendation that even vaccinated people wear masks in areas of the country where the virus is spreading rapidly is far more nuanced, leaving state and local leaders to navigate their own paths and making it difficult for residents to know how to behave. Republican opponents of the administration, meanwhile, have lampooned the shifting advice. In the House, Republican lawmakers revolted against a mask requirement even as Sean Hannity of Fox News urged his viewers to get vaccinated. Yet former President Barack Obama plans to go ahead with a star-studded party on Marthas Vineyard to celebrate his 60th birthday with hundreds of people. A spokeswoman for Mr. Obama said that the party was being held outside and not in an area of high transmission, and that the former president would abide by all C.D.C. guidelines. Across the country, the questions are piling up again: Can I eat inside at a restaurant or bar? What about a sporting event? Should children be wearing masks when they go to school in September? Will a vaccine for children be available by then and will it be required? What exactly are people supposed to be scared of? And what should they do about it? There is no single answer. The risk is different for different people, depending on whether they are vaccinated and the level of virus in their community. At the same time, the pandemic is fast-moving and ever-changing, which is part of the C.D.C.s challenge. They are in a bit of a no-win situation this is very challenging to message on, said Jen Kates, a senior vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation. Whats happening is this is real-time public health messaging in a pandemic around data that is just emerging. That is just the reality, and that doesnt necessarily provide comfort or always the kind of answers that people understand. WASHINGTON Amtrak would see its biggest infusion of money since its inception a half-century ago. Climate resilience programs would receive their largest burst of government spending ever. The nations power grid would be upgraded to the tune of $73 billion. The sprawling, $1 trillion bill that the Senate took up on Monday a 2,702-page bipartisan deal that is the product of months of negotiating and years of pent-up ambitions to repair the nations crumbling infrastructure would amount to the most substantial government expenditure on the aging public works system since 2009. It is also stuffed with pet projects and priorities that touch on nearly every facet of American life, including the most obscure, like a provision to allow blood transport vehicles to use highway car pool lanes to bypass traffic when fresh vials are on board and another to fully fund a federal grant program to promote pollinator-friendly practices near roads and highways. (Price tag for the latter: $2 million per year.) The measure represents a crucial piece of President Bidens economic agenda, and the agreement that gave rise to it was a major breakthrough in his quest for a bipartisan compromise. But it was also notable for the concessions Mr. Biden was forced to make to strike the deal, including less funding for clean energy projects, lead pipe replacement, transit and measures targeted to historically underserved communities. Mr. Kennedy cast Virginians for Safe Communities as something of an antidote to a political committee funded by the billionaire investor George Soros, a leading donor to Democratic causes. His group, Justice and Public Safety PAC, has spent millions of dollars in recent years backing candidates in local district attorney elections who supported decriminalizing marijuana, loosening bail rules and other changes favored by progressives. The spending upended many of the races, which had previously attracted relatively little funding and attention from major national interests. Mr. Soross representatives did not respond to a request for comment. His PAC spent hundreds of thousands of dollars each supporting the campaigns of Ms. Dehghani-Tafti, Mr. Descano and Ms. Biberaj in 2019, when they swept into office promising a new approach to criminal justice. Their victories came at a time when politicians from both parties were re-examining tough-on-crime policies that enacted harsh sentences for drug crimes and laid the groundwork for the mass incarceration that disproportionately affected Black communities. In late 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the most consequential reduction of sentencing laws in a generation. The next month, Joseph R. Biden Jr., then preparing to run against Mr. Trump, apologized for portions of the anti-crime legislation he championed as a senator in the 1990s. The skepticism of law enforcement and the criminal justice system was further catalyzed by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, after which calls to defund law enforcement echoed from racial justice marches to the halls of Congress. Many Democrats, including President Biden, have rejected the defund the police movement. But, a year and a half after Mr. Floyds death, American cities are facing a surge in gun violence and homicides that began during the throes of the pandemic and has continued into this year. Republicans have sought to pin the blame on Democrats and their allies, and have tried to reclaim the law-and-order mantle that politicians of both parties had embraced in the 1980s and 1990s, but later downplayed amid concern about police misconduct and disparities in the criminal justice system. Former President Donald J. Trump plans to fight the release of his tax returns to Congress, a lawyer for Mr. Trump said on Monday. The comments from the lawyer, Ronald P. Fischetti, came days after a legal opinion was issued by the Justice Department that said that the Treasury Department must turn over six years of the former presidents tax returns to congressional investigators. Mr. Fischetti on Monday called the opinion absolutely ridiculous and said that he expected the legal battle over the release of the returns to go on for months. Were going to fight this tooth and nail, he said. The opinion, which the Treasury said that it would comply with, opened the possibility that the returns, which Mr. Trump has fought for years to keep secret, could be released to Congress. But even if the returns are handed over to Congress, Mr. Trumps tax information may not become public immediately or at all. As the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus rips through the unvaccinated population in the United States, Florida is heading toward its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic. The state is still about one month away from its peak, according to an epidemiologist who has been tracking the viruss reach there. Short term and long term, the cases are going to explode, Edwin Michael, a professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, said in an interview on Monday. We are predicting that the cases will be peaking the first week of September. Dr. Michael models predictions of the coronavirus statewide and in each Florida county, and his teams work is used by officials and hospitals to support plans and responses to the pandemic. It seems simple; if you need help, seek it out. But Qu and Tran fear that reaching out will make things worse, surrendering to systems they instinctively distrust. When Tran breaks down and confesses her blindness to the school, her counselor reports a case of child neglect to the Administration for Childrens Services without Trans permission. A.C.S. officials arrive at Trans door, and that night her fathers war-strewn nightmares return. Tran blames herself for his mental upheaval and bursts through her counselors door. You didnt even try to understand, Tran says. He spent almost a decade in prison. He isnt right in the head. He was never trying to hurt me. He just doesnt know any better. Most striking is these young girls precocious awareness that Western authority figures lack the capacity to view their immigrant parents as complex individuals with difficult pasts, reducing cultural differences and trauma responses to bad parenting. Qu also confides in her school guidance counselor, Mrs. V., who then makes an anonymous call on her behalf to child services. Mrs. V. had a Queens accent and little to no understanding of what it meant to be Chinese and grow up Chinese American, Qu writes. She was ignorant to what my parents had to overcome and the kind of pressure I felt. She listened, but many things remained impossible. The immigrant child longs to be understood and unload her truths, while simultaneously being tasked with preserving her parents humanity. The child is the only one who wears a small headlamp, attempting to tunnel into her parents pasts and excavate the stories that will locate the source of their erratic behavior, buried fear and sporadic violence, providing a more forgiving lens. Trans father beat us when we didnt understand our math homework. Hed give us equations to solve before we went to bed at night and test us on them in the morning. An outsider might call this tiger parenting, but Tran learns that her fathers math skills which landed him a job plotting coordinates for bombs in the Vietnam War saved him from going out onto the battleground and getting shot. So, she realizes, it wasnt just a question of understanding numbers. He was trying to save our lives. Qus mother is a daunting figure, domineering, capricious, dismissive, bent on souring the energy at home. No one cares about you, she tells Qu. Do you think you would be here if it wasnt for me? Do you know how lucky you are? But later Qu gives us a scene in which her mother, arriving in the United States, sits alone on the floor eating a peanut butter sandwich. She shows us the way her mother pronounces cel-bry-tion. Qu must reckon with this ongoing dissonance, when the villain suddenly softens and shrinks, disarmed and disoriented in a society that often infantilizes her, mistaking fragmented English for lack of intelligence. Similarly, in the nail salon where they work, Tran watches my mother, now in her 50s, hunching over the pedicure bowl, hands trembling, unable to understand, unable to communicate, and it was almost more than I could bear. This is the parent the child feels a duty to protect. The struggle for both authors seems to be holding all of these conflicting emotions at once. To shield the parent while escaping her. To forgive abuse without excusing it. To be grateful for their sacrifice and still say, I needed more than you gave me. Qu and Tran each honor these complexities, tell us we were not meant to swallow our pain and survive in this world without support systems. You are allowed to want, to give shape to your sadness, to seek lives that stretch past the walls you grew up in. They speak of their parents flaws, not to incriminate, but to prevent these patterns from repeating. Love, although never overt, is not absent. It lives in the scent of garlic, lemongrass, star anise, paprika and chili oil, and in the sound of Trans mother saying, Ill make you a bowl. Thats about a third of the way through. The remaining two-thirds feature Billy tracking down, first, the mobster who has indeed been trying to double-cross him and, next, the Mr. Big (or Mr. Even Bigger), a jowly right-wing media mogul based on you-know-who, who got the mobster to hire him in the first place. For these missions, and for company at the cabin where Billy holes up for a spell, King supplies his middle-aged hero with a 21-year-old love interest, Alice, arranging for her to be dumped (literally) on his doorstep from a van by three men who have just raped her. Here, it has to be said, the book stumbles. Aside from the creaky coincidence, theres something at once prudish and prurient about the ensuing relationship thats hard to take. Post #MeToo, the conventional sexual dynamics of the pairing obviously wouldnt work, and King tries hard to square them with those of our own moment, keeping things chaste while also keeping sex very much to the fore. The result is a weird sort of latter-day Hays Code effect, all separate bedrooms and nobly resisted temptation, offset by graphic anatomy shots and regular moments of accidental intimacy: Her butt is socked into his basket. Alice herself seems a throwback to an old idea of womanhood. Shes happy to let Billy avenge her rape rather than do it herself (the passage, featuring Billy in a Melania mask with a hand mixer, might have made for a vintage King scene in another era but feels dated now), and she adapts herself to Billys plans with a gratingly chipper obligingness Roger that, Alice replies, smart as you please uncomfortably reminiscent of the cool girl male fantasy skewered by Gillian Flynn in Gone Girl. That these significant flaws dont totally derail the book is a testament to its authors undimmed energy and confidence. His eye for detail, especially at the dreckier end of roadside culture, is sharp enough to keep the long car rides that crisscross the novel lively and vivid, and he remains in possession of a seemingly effortless verbal flow that surges on over bumps and banalities in the story line (must the bad guy always turn out to be a pedophile?) without letting up. But next to classics of the One Last Job novel and its close variants including my own favorite, George V. Higginss The Friends of Eddie Coyle it seems driven more by formula, in the end, than the real reckoning with fate and mortality that the genre, at its best, affords. THE DEBT TRAP How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe By Josh Mitchell The day in 1957 when the Russians launched Sputnik, Lyndon Johnson, then the Senate majority leader, was hosting a dinner at his ranch outside of Austin. As the evening set in and stars appeared, Johnson and his guests gathered outside to look toward the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the first satellite in orbit. Sputnik had caught the world by surprise and for Johnson it was a wake-up call, a shocking realization that another nation could possibly dominate the United States technologically. Congress would need to do something, fast. The solution, Johnson thought, was simple: America needed to become a more educated country. Johnson grew up poor, went to college on loans and knew firsthand that a degree could lift people out of poverty. Opening up access to college would fight two wars at once, the Cold War and, when he became president, his War on Poverty. What he couldnt know was that this drive to increase attendance would grossly enrich banks and universities while tossing students into life-altering debt, creating what Josh Mitchell, in his history of the student-loan crisis, The Debt Trap, calls a monster. Mitchells monster is the student-lending industry, including the banks, private corporations and government agencies that arrange the financing, along with the colleges that take the money. Today, we see the trail of destruction this monster has left. A million borrowers owe more than $200,000 each in student loans, and the total amount of student debt held by the federal government, $1.6 trillion, is about equal to the gross domestic product of Canada. While university endowments swell to billions, thousands default every day. How did this happen? Johnson pushed Congress to make college more accessible. Initially, some proposed a loan and scholarship hybrid system, in which the first two years of college would essentially be free for students. But federally backed scholarships would increase the deficit, which was untenable during the years of the Vietnam War. Also, many politicians argued, the idea smacked of socialism. Loans were a more individual, more American solution. The burden of paying for college, Mitchell tells us, fell mostly on the students, not society. California Republicans began the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom before the pandemic upended everything. But without a doubt, the pandemic enabled the recall: The courts gave organizers more time to collect the necessary signatures, and Newsoms handling of the pandemic, including his visit to a swanky restaurant in wine country amid his own lockdown orders, eroded his support. When the state lifted restrictions earlier this summer, Newsom all but declared the pandemic over, celebrating with Minions and robots at Universal Studios in Hollywood. His political future looked rosy, too. Democratic leaders in the state lined up behind him, and many agreed that the sooner they could get the recall election done, the better the results would be for Newsom. Now, with the vote just weeks away, the biggest threats to Newsom seem clear and they are not the Republican candidates. The governor is being forced to grapple with multiple crises all at once, including a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, one of the worst droughts in state history and out-of-control wildfires. By definition, a recall is a referendum on the incumbent; in effect, Newsom is running against himself. It is hardly surprising that he and other Democrats have portrayed the recall effort as an extension of Trumpism, painting opponents as right-wing outliers in a deeply blue state. And the numbers in the state clearly favor Democrats, who have a firm hold on state government and far outnumber Republicans in voter registration. The anti-recall campaign has raised more money than all of the Republican candidates combined. Indeed, Republicans have not won a statewide office since 2006 (the year Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected governor, after winning in a 2003 recall). The company is seeing pent-up demand from small and midsize groups, as well as social groups that have put off having events for the year, but bookings from large citywide events are still lagging. Though domestic leisure travel is recovering, that rebound is threatened by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. The Biden administration will continue to restrict the entry of Europeans and others into the United States, citing concerns that infected travelers may contribute to further spread of the contagious variant across the country. While we are keeping a close eye on the Delta and other variant strains, we are optimistic that the upward trajectory of the global recovery will continue, Mr. Capuano said in the statement. Timelines are hard to predict and will continue to vary by region, but I believe that we are on our way to a full global recovery. The company said business bookings had also stepped up, although other measures of business travel show it has been slower to recover. Just 9 percent of companies say they have resumed their pre-pandemic travel levels, according to a recent survey by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. But travelers are combining their business and leisure travel, the company said. This blending of trip purposes continues to be a real and measurable phenomenon and we think its good for our business, Mr. Capuano said Tuesday on an earnings call with analysts. We think it will continue well beyond the end of the pandemic. New details emerged on Tuesday about the involvement of the star CNN anchor Chris Cuomo had in shaping the strategic response to allegations against his brother, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, of workplace sexual harassment. Chris Cuomo was identified in a report by the New York State attorney general, Letitia James, as an ongoing participant in strategy calls with Governor Cuomos inner circle. That group was described to investigators by Richard Azzopardi, the governors senior adviser, as people who have been with us for a long time who we could trust. One document included in the report shows Chris Cuomo participating in an email chain on Feb. 28 in which the group drafted a formal public statement for Governor Cuomo; the statement was issued by the governors office later that day. Chris Cuomo appeared to weigh in on the wording of the statement, although it was unclear if he wrote it. Chris Cuomo was also interviewed by investigators from Ms. Jamess office as part of their preparation of the report. Spirit Airlines and American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights on Tuesday after several days of disruptions, frustrating passengers across the country. By midafternoon, Spirit had scrapped more than half its scheduled flights for the day, according to FlightAware, an aviation data firm. The airline canceled more than 40 percent of its flights on Monday and 19 percent on Sunday. Spirit attributed those disruptions to a series of weather and operational challenges. American had canceled about 300 flights by the middle of the afternoon on Tuesday, about a tenth of Tuesdays scheduled trips. The airline canceled about 18 percent of its flights on Monday and 9 percent the day before. American pinned the blame on a weekend storm that hit Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, its large hub airport. A prolonged severe weather event in Dallas Fort Worth on Sunday night into Monday morning brought sustained heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, microbursts and hail to our largest hub, Curtis Blessing, a spokesman, said in a statement on Tuesday. The nine-hour weather event resulted in flight delays, cancellations and nearly 100 diversions. Our team members are working around the clock to care for our customers. Some of the nations largest employers, for months reluctant to wade into the fraught issue of whether Covid-19 vaccinations should be mandatory for workers, have in recent days been compelled to act as infections have surged again. On Tuesday, Tyson Foods told its 120,000 workers in offices, slaughterhouses and poultry plants across the country that they would need to be vaccinated by Nov. 1 as a condition of employment. And Microsoft, which employs roughly 100,000 people in the United States, said it would require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors and guests to gain access to its offices. Last week, Google said it would require employees who returned to the companys offices to be vaccinated, while Disney announced a mandate for all salaried and nonunion hourly workers who work on site. Other companies, including Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, and Lyft and Uber, have taken a less forceful approach, mandating vaccines for white-collar workers but not for millions of frontline workers. Those moves essentially set up a divide between the employees who work in offices and employees who deal directly with the public and, collectively, have been more reluctant to get the shots. As long as the restaurant business is examining its assumptions about the way it operates, maybe it is time to ask whether experience in famous kitchens is overrated. The thought has been on my mind since I started eating at Cadence, a vegan restaurant in the East Village. The chef is Shenarri Freeman, and Cadence is the first professional kitchen she has run. Her longest stretch as a cook was the four years she spent working at a nightclub in Washington that is better known for the musicians it books. In 2019, Ms. Freeman, a vegan, enrolled in a new program for plant-based, nutrition-minded cooking at the Institute of Culinary Education. This spring, shortly before she graduated, she opened Cadence, one of 10 eating and drinking places owned by Ravi DeRossis Overthrow Hospitality group. Like the others, Cadence keeps a vegan kitchen. Ideas are laced throughout the menu, including ideas about whether soul food dishes that traditionally wallow in animal fats by the bucketful can be made without them, and whether lasagna can be called Southern. But theres nothing cerebral about the experience of eating at Cadence. When I am there, I tend to sit and wonder what would happen if I requested recipes for everything on the menu. Headliner Bar Blondeau Occasionally, the pandemic has had salutary results, and this new bar on the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg is one example. When they opened Le Crocodile, the French brasserie on the hotels ground floor, the partners, Jon Neidich and the chefs Aidan ONeal and Jake Leiber, had their eye on a sixth-floor space for a wine bar. So in May 2019, they opened it as Lemons, with a breezy Coastal Italian approach. It was meant to be temporary, a pop-up, Mr. Neidich said. It did not have a full kitchen, and we planned to renovate it. Closing for Covid gave the partners more than a year to install the kitchen and redo the space, which offered views of the Empire State Building. The partners were inspired by Parisian neo-bistros and wine bars. Their quality is at a high level, but theyre more informal than restaurants, Mr. Neidich said. The menu features small plates, many of them with seafood like lobster salad, oysters and salmon rillettes. A few more substantial items include halibut and chips, and paella rice with duck and snails. Among the desserts is chocolate babka with salted caramel ice cream. The wine list, assembled by the beverage director Rafa Garcia Febles, is global and lengthy, with many choices by the glass and several nonalcoholic drinks, for which Mr. Neidich said he sees increasing demand. Warm oak walls, banquettes, green velvet and golden lighting define the space, which seats 70 in several areas, including an outdoor terrace. Sixth Floor, Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Avenue (North 11th Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-460-8006, barblondeau.com. Opening One White Street Dustin Wilson, a former wine director at Eleven Madison Park, met his partner in this TriBeCa townhouse restaurant, Austin Johnson, while dining at Gregory Marchands Frenchie in Paris, where Mr. Johnson was executive chef. Mr. Wilson was impressed, and Mr. Johnson signed on to be the chef and his partner at One White Street. The townhouse, now on a stretch of West Broadway thats dense with restaurants, has been fitted with an a la carte wine bar accommodating 23 inside, with 25 seats outside. The next two floors, accented with blue upholstery, will offer six-course tasting menus, $148, delivered from open kitchens and largely based on whats harvested at the restaurants Hudson Valley farm, Rigor Hill. Some dishes on the opening menu include roasted tomato focaccia, summer vegetables with sorrel hummus and ricotta, grilled monkfish in a bonito leek broth, and glazed gnocchi with corn, chanterelles and Mimolette. A dessert listed as coffee, yuzu and banana recalls the banoffee of the Frenchie in London. Audrey Frick from Bobby Stuckeys Tavernetta in Denver is in charge of the wines. (Opens Thursday) One White Street (West Broadway), onewhitestreetnyc.com. Harts The pandemic turned this restaurants dining room into a retail space, selling groceries, takeout and wine. Now it is back to serving dinner with a new chef, Gillian Graham, who was the sous-chef at Cervos, Harts sibling. Her menu includes some of the restaurants favorites, like clam toast, lamb burger and olive oil cake. 506 Franklin Avenue (Fulton Street), Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, 718-636-6228, hartsbrooklyn.com. Philomenas The brothers Kyle and Sean OBrien of Den Hospitality are opening this cocktail lounge with drinks created by Kyle Dailey, who specializes in carved and infused ice cubes. Mediterranean plates will be provided by the nearby restaurant Pomp & Circumstance. (Wednesday) 790 Grand Street (Humboldt Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, philomenasbar.com. The Pekins importance to this community was evident on July 20, when about 100 people gathered in the alley behind the restaurant to honor Mr. Wong. The memorial, long delayed because of Covid, began with a ceremony renaming the alley Danny Wong Way. J.P. Gallagher, the chief executive of Butte and Silver Bow County (at right in top photo), said in his dedication that he couldnt recall the first time he ate at the Pekin. My dad brought me up here when I was still being carried by my mom, he said. But I remember the very first time I stuck my hand into the hot mustard. Many of the well-wishers who attended the ceremony and after-party were back at the Pekin when it reopened the following night. A line formed in the hallway for one of the coveted orange-walled booths a regular occurrence since the restaurant fully resumed indoor dining in June, said Shannon Parr (below), a veteran server. Ever since Dannys passing, its been crazy busy, she said. CHANHASSEN, Minn. Before we start, I want to get one thing straight: You havent lived until youve seen a grown man gasp over a giant wall of high heels. Not just any heels. Stiletto heels, custom-made for a size 7 foot. Fabric-covered ankle boots, mainly, but also knee boots, over-the-knee boots and platforms, in colors bright as Oz. Male, female, Black, white, young, old everyone visiting The Beautiful Collection: Princes Custom Shoes at Paisley Park on a recent Saturday afternoon tour went gaga over Prince Rogers Nelsons heels. More than 300 pairs, soles cleaned, fabrics vacuumed, shapes stuffed and lit up from behind, delivering us from gender norms and pandemic loungewear. Hark! Here were the hand-painted cloud boots from the Raspberry Beret music video; the platform roller skates documented by Questlove and discovered, posthumously, in a custom-made briefcase; and ankle boots with metallic stickers proclaiming Get Wild on the toe and Free Music on the heel. (Prince wore that pair in 1995 in protest against Warner Brothers, whose recording contracts he found so exploitative he temporarily changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol.) Private patrolling, of course, increases such disparities, but the objective is to reduce them by bringing down victimization rates in worse affected areas, not by raising them elsewhere. So what can you do about the larger issues of racial inequity in policing? On your own, not very much. You chose to buy a house in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, which is, in effect, a hyperlocal government. You have a voice in it a voice that can be amplified by suasion but so do your neighbors. You cant simply withdraw from it or renegotiate its terms by yourself. And if off-duty police officers are going to mistreat Black people passing through your neighborhood, they will do so when theyre on duty as well. But you dont have to address these issues on your own. Heres a suggestion: Get involved with local groups focused on police reform and improved relations between communities and cops. What we should aim for is not more policing or less policing but better policing that meets equally the needs of every citizen. My elderly mother is in an independent-living facility where all the residents have been vaccinated against Covid-19 (as have I). Protocols are very strict, and no resident has gotten sick. The problem is that a relative who lives nearby, someone who has been amazingly helpful in being there for my mom, is not vaccinated. This facility will soon mandate that all visitors be vaccinated, but my relative plans to dissemble in order to evade the requirement. I think my relative is misinformed about the risks of vaccination, and that is an unpleasant argument we will continue to have. I also worry about transmission to residents in general and my mother in particular. My ethical question is: Should I narc and tell the facility that my relative is not vaccinated? Name Withheld You have, first, a filial duty to tell your mother. Although vaccination greatly reduces the chance of infection and of illness, spending time with the unvaccinated is an avoidable risk for someone at a vulnerable age. So you should make sure your mother knows the truth. If, before the new policy takes effect, she decides she wants to see your relative, she should make sure theyre both wearing masks. What about notifying the facility? You plainly feel a tension between your obligations to keep quiet about matters you learned of within the sphere of familial confidence, on the one hand, and your reasonable concern that your relative might carry the virus into the facility, on the other. A further complication: If you reveal whats going on, your mother will not only be spared the risks of your relatives company but also denied its benefits. But, as you appreciate, the safety of everyone there must be considered. Youve probably seen coverage of recent outbreaks of Covid in senior facilities. If your relative plans to go to the facility without getting vaccinated, you should say you are going to have a choice to make in light of the risks involved. In making it, you should think seriously about how you would feel if there were an outbreak of Covid in the facility and you had to wonder whether your relative was the culprit. You mention strict protocols but dont make it clear whether the facility would be permitting unmasked visitors. If your relative is going to visit without a face covering, your decision should be clear and immediate. Then your relative will have a decision to make, too between an admirable devotion to your mother and a lamentable hostility to vaccination. Facing a backlash after he was quoted saying he had recently decided to retire a homophobic slur, the actor Matt Damon said in a statement on Monday that I do not use slurs of any kind. The statement followed an interview published this week by The Sunday Times in which Mr. Damon recounted a conversation with his daughter during which he made a joke that moved her to write him an essay on the historical harm of what she calls the f-slur for a homosexual. She went to her room and wrote a very long, beautiful treatise on how that word is dangerous, Mr. Damon said, according to The Sunday Times, a British newspaper. I said, I retire the f-slur! I understood. In the statement, which was obtained by Variety, Mr. Damon said that he had never called anyone the word in his personal life and that he understood why his framing in the interview led many to assume the worst. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is under criminal investigation, the Albany County district attorney said Tuesday, as a report by the New York State attorney general found that the governor had violated state and federal law by sexually harassing his employees. The report, released by the attorney general, Letitia James, and the announcement from the Albany County prosecutor, David Soares, endangered Mr. Cuomos political future while also placing him in legal jeopardy. Governor Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of both federal and state laws, Ms. James said, adding that the governors administration had fostered a toxic workplace in which staffers suppressed complaints because of a climate of fear. This investigation has revealed conduct that corrodes the very fabric and character of our state government, Ms. James said. In an email cited in the report, the senior member of the detail who spoke with Mr. Cuomo told the woman, Ha ha they changed the minimum from 3 years to 2. Just for you. After the woman was moved to Mr. Cuomos protective detail in January 2018, the governor sexually harassed her on a number of occasions, the report said. The woman told investigators that the governors behavior was flirtatious and creepy and that he did not act in a similar way toward men. The woman told investigators about several offensive comments by Mr. Cuomo that made her uncomfortable, including multiple times when he criticized her for not wearing a dress, which she said she interpreted as a suggestion that she wear tighter clothes. She also said she felt particularly uncomfortable when Mr. Cuomo once asked her why she wanted to get married, saying that it always ends in divorce, and you lose money, and your sex drive goes down, according to the report. The trooper also described multiple instances in which the governor made unwanted physical contact. In an elevator in Mr. Cuomos Manhattan office, she said, he once stood behind her and ran his finger from the top of her neck down her spine to the middle of her back, saying Hey, you, she told investigators. The state attorney generals finding that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in violation of federal and state law ignited searing criticism of the governor on Tuesday and sparked calls for his resignation from the leaders of both houses of Congress and every single Democratic member of Congress from New York State. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign, said Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives. Ms. Pelosi issued her comment after Senator Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate, reiterated his demand that Mr. Cuomo resign. By Tuesday evening, even Mr. Cuomos fellow Democratic governors in nearby northeastern states were joining the chorus. In a joint statement, the governors of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New Jersey said they were appalled at the investigations findings and Mr. Cuomo should step down. Some who are hesitant to get vaccinated point to the fact that the vaccines remain under emergency-use authorization rather than full approval. Its vital for Democratic and Republican leaders to explain clearly and repeatedly that the F.D.A. held these vaccines to such high standards that the only real difference is that full approval requires steps like analyzing longer-term safety and efficacy data, and inspecting manufacturing facilities. Hundreds of millions of doses of these vaccines have now been given to Americans over the past year, providing us with some of the most robust real-world evidence of their safety and efficacy that weve ever had for new vaccines. A vast majority of adverse events with the vaccines occur in the first 42 days or so. The current and former leadership of the F.D.A. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of both parties are unanimous in encouraging all eligible Americans to take the vaccines. Political, public health and thought leaders must educate about the benefits of the vaccine, not hector or preach. This information must come from respected and trusted figures in the various hesitant communities. We did not reach our stretch goal of producing 300 million doses by January, but we hedged our bets by investing in a portfolio of vaccines and had tens of millions of doses of vaccine in production by the end of January. Many governors were able to begin general vaccination programs by March, and we had a surplus of vaccine by the end of the second quarter. As I reflect, we could have done a better job in reminding the media and the public of all that could go wrong with vaccine development and manufacturing. We also should have explained more clearly the operational complexities that would accompany a large scaling up of distribution. We could have done more to address vaccine hesitancy. We focused a great deal of our efforts at the start on the groups that we thought might be most hesitant. We demanded all clinical trials included a diverse, representative sample of participants, and the Department of Health and Human Services provided funding for an effort by the Morehouse School of Medicine to coordinate a network of national, state, territorial, tribal and local organizations to deliver trusted information to racial and ethnic minority communities. But we did not predict the politicization of vaccines that has led so many Republicans to hold back. As of mid-July, 43 percent of Republicans said that they have not been vaccinated and definitely or probably wouldnt be, versus 10 percent of Democrats, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Im glad former President Donald Trump got vaccinated, but it would have been even better for him to have done so on national television so that his supporters could see how much trust and confidence he has in what is arguably one of his greatest accomplishments. The vaccines could be a victory lap for the Republican Party, and I call upon all party leaders and conservatives to double down on encouraging vaccination. Party leaders like Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida are making clear that vaccines save lives. Sean Hannity of Fox News is now telling viewers to please take Covid seriously. Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana shared a photo of himself recently getting vaccinated. I urge more of this from trusted voices on the right. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, was given a chance to appoint Republican representatives to the select committee. He chose members known for their total devotion to Trump, like Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Jim Banks of Indiana, who both refused to certify the election results in January and signed a brief to the Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn the presidential results. Pelosi removed Jordan and Banks from the commission, bringing on another round of outrage and partisan blowback. In short, Republican leaders have refused to commit to an actual investigation of the storming of the Capitol. The reason is simple: Trump has made cooperation grounds for expulsion from the party. The virtual pariah status of Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger the two Republican members Pelosi named to the commission is proof enough. But events in Washington are not the only evidence of how Trumps obsessions have become the obsessions of much of the Republican Party. Republican voters themselves are all-in on the former presidents message. Fifty-three percent of Republicans view Trump as the true president, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in May, and about half of Republicans believe the Capitol attack was the work of left-wing activists trying to make Trump look bad, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll in March. At the state level, Republican lawmakers and conservative activists are fighting to engineer a pretext for stop the steal ahead of the 2022 and 2024 elections. In Arizona, this has taken the form of an audit of the 2020 vote organized by the state Republican Party. It would be easy to dismiss the Arizona audit as a joke, a parade of clownish incompetence not unlike the efforts of Trump in the aftermath of the election. According to The Associated Press, the company hired to conduct the audit had no prior experience with elections, broke rules for handling ballots and took nearly twice the allotted time to complete the process. Whats more, its owner has supported the former presidents efforts to spread false conspiracy theories about the election. Trump, for his part, has endorsed the audit, praising its organizers in a speech in Arizona last week. Were gathered here in Phoenix to show our support for election integrity and for the brave and unyielding conservative warriors in the Arizona State Senate, he said. The audit has encouraged other Republicans in other 2020 battleground states to attempt similar shenanigans, part of a national strategy to delegitimize last years election results. As Jane Mayer recently described in great detail in The New Yorker, there is a network of conservative groups spending millions to promote election integrity and bolster Republican efforts to change state election laws. This article is part of the Debatable newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday, New York City became the first American city to follow the lead of several European countries in announcing a vaccine mandate for the general public: Starting in mid-September, people will have to show proof of vaccination before entering indoor venues, including restaurants, gyms and performance spaces. If you want to participate in society fully, youve got to get vaccinated, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Its time. Whether the rest of the United States will follow suit remains an open question. In much of the country, employment-based vaccine mandates are only just gaining momentum, and some states have enacted prohibitions on government-issued ones. SALEM, Ore. If you are on the East Coast, the sunrises you saw last week were probably tinged with a bit of red. That haze was the smoke from the fires scorching the West, including the 400,000-acre-plus Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, the largest in the country at the moment and the latest in a string of climate-related natural disasters to befall my state. We are no strangers to forest fires in the West. About half of Oregon, some 30 million acres, is forestland. But in the past decade, as our summers have grown longer, hotter and drier, our lush forests have turned into tinderboxes. I have declared drought emergencies in 22 of our 36 counties already this year, as rivers and reservoirs run low because of insufficient snowpack and the lack of rainfall. Last summer, Oregon experienced its most devastating fire season in many years, when more than 2,000 fires burned 1.2 million acres. We lost at least nine lives and more than 5,000 homes and commercial structures. Fires burned in Clackamas County outside the Portland metro area, causing the area to have some of the worlds worst air quality for several days, and through Santiam Canyon, on the outskirts of Salem, our state capital. This summer, we are already on pace to eclipse last years totals, and its only the first few days of August. In June, Portland set a 116-degree high-temperature record, while Salem reached 117 degrees, also a record. About 200 people lost their lives in Oregon and Washington. In February, Oregon was hit by unseasonably harsh ice and wind storms that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of households. Before that, counties were hit by flooding. A recent climate assessment of the state by the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at Oregon State University warned that the number and intensity of heavy precipitation events, particularly in winter, is projected to increase throughout the 21st century. Where it all began Twice a year, on the first Saturdays of April and October, the U.S. Army opens the gate to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, allowing in civilians to tour a patch of sand known as the Trinity Site, where the very first atomic explosion was set off and the history of nuclear dread began. It was so named by J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the Manhattan Project to build the bomb, inspired by lines like these in the poems of John Donne. Batter my heart, three-persond God, for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, oerthrow me, and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. According to the Trinity website, the Stallion Gate would open promptly at 8 a.m.; when we arrived not long after the crack of dawn, a four-mile-long caravan of cars was ahead of us. The idea to visit came from Michael Turner, an old friend and cosmologist recently retired from the University of Chicago and now with the Kavli Foundation in Los Angeles. Dr. Turner had grown up under the Promethean promise of that mushroom cloud and 20th-century science. Everybody who was anybody in physics had worked on the Manhattan Project. As a young physicist in the 1960s and 70s, Dr. Turner was part of a young band of physicists who invaded astronomy and turned cosmology into particle physics or perhaps vice versa. He had never visited the Trinity Site he hadnt known you could go there until recently, he said. And being open only two days a year presented a logistical challenge. He brought along an old pal from his undergraduate days at the California Institute of Technology, Robert J. Miller, who had helped invent the computer touch pad. Because visiting day coincided with the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta the hotels were full, and the three of us had to share a single room. I dont remember who paid for the room; I paid for the rental car. Nobody snored. Once inside the gate, we drove for a half-hour, past desert hills dotted with radar and telescope domes, to a dusty parking lot manned by fresh-faced young men in Army camo fatigues. A line of port-a-potties occupied one corner of the lot, arrayed as if for an outdoor rock concert. Tchotchkes can be a kind of design gateway drug. There is no limit to how many tchotchke things you can own, said Annie Auchincloss, the home buyer for the MoMA Design Store. Its just really endless, what can become an objet. A beautiful postmodern design teakettle can be totally impractical to use, but can be displayed on a mantel. But I do wonder what people are seeing when they see a brown-and-yellow, 1970s diner dinnerware set, and it sells moments after it posted, Ms. Auchincloss added. Is it how its photographed? Is this exactly what theyre looking for? Instagram purveyors are a version of a mom-and-pop store, she said. Im not sure if it was spurred by the pandemic or just Instagram individualism, but now our homes are representative of who we are and our own style. Our most basic items like drinking tumblers, serving plates, even our flatware we dont want to buy the CB2 or restaurant supply version, we want something that speaks to the personality that Im infusing the rest of my home with, that singular story Im creating. The many nods to cartoons (Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger glasses, $18 at Starlight Vintage Emporium); to so-called granny-chic or grandmillennial style (hand-carved duck figurine with red bow, at opalessence antiques); or to bygone items (so many plastic phones) all suggest a market for childhood nostalgia. Its optimistic and cheerful, Ms. Auchincloss said. But then I also have this theory: Its these economic, arrested-development millennials who have been hit by a recession and a pandemic and are in this perpetual state of childhood, returning to parents being like, Can you help me? Selling on Instagram is a kind of entrepreneurship championed by young women whose lives have changed during the pandemic: moving or losing employment. Ive been going to estate sales for 20 years, said Amanny Ahmad, 32, an artist and chef in Denver, and the proprietor of Puppy Pillow. Typically Im the youngest and often the only woman. Now theres a line out the door, and a lot are younger women buying things to sell for their Instagram stores. The center has scheduled a concert, Holy Ground: Land of Two Towers, by the jazz ensemble Onyx Collective on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. It felt like an appropriate way to think about the long-term impacts of historical moments like the ones were in now, Rosa-Salas said. A week later, the center will open a free outdoor photography exhibition, Community Matriarchs of NYCHA (for the New York City Housing Authority), celebrating five women who have transformed their neighborhood on the Lower East Side, where they organized food distribution, especially during the pandemic, to other residents of public housing. The exhibition, presented as part of the Photoville Festival 2021 in partnership with the digital storytelling platform My Projects Runway, will include portraits by Courtney Garvin and video interviews by Christopher Currence and remain on view through Dec. 1. Im really excited to uplift women activists in our community and reflect on the role of public housing in our neighborhood and city, Rosa-Salas said. From there its on to Frankenstein, Bigfoot and Sasquatch as Abrons presents a streaming video adaptation of Sibyl Kempsons The Securely Conferred, Vouchsafed Keepsakes of Maery S., beginning Oct. 29. First performed as an experimental, four-part radio play in January, the production, presented by the 7 Daughters of Eve Thtr. & Perf. Co., is described as a visual journey through the layered universe of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. The new virtual video work will feature hand-cut collages, digital and analog animation and illustration and collaborations with more than a dozen artists. An in-person screening is also set for Halloween at the new Chocolate Factory Theater. And yet in a 2015 interview, you said: I feel that, professionally, if Im lucky, I have, like, 10 years. There is not a history of old women running theaters. Did you defiantly plan to stay on for another decade at the time? I said that exactly out of those feelings, but I dont feel it anymore. I feel like that if I had wanted to stay at the Wilma, I could have. I have the energy, I have the interest. I didnt lose the love for theater, for sure. But I need to go a different way. And there is also the danger of becoming your own prison for anybody who works in an institution for a long time. What were your earliest memories of American theater, having grown up behind the Iron Curtain? I never studied at university. I was working as a cleaning woman in the library during the day and doing underground theater in the evening. We used to go to Poland for a weekend to just see shows and I was able to see the Living Theater and Bread and Puppet Theater, the experimental-happening scene, Joseph Chaikin those are my heroes. But that period was over by the time I got here. What were your early years in Philadelphia like? We were taking it step by step. We spoke very bad English I could not ask for a cup of coffee, basically. For us it was about how do we survive? How do we support ourselves and our child? How do we learn English? I met people and I offered to teach them what I knew from Grotowski. When you are young, youre audacious about teaching and you know nothing [laughs]. Stoppard has played a big role at the Wilma, but what are other artists who have been meaningful to you? Athol Fugard was very important for me in the early days. In 1988, I produced Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act, which is about a white librarian and a Black schoolteacher falling in love. And the play is done in the nude, 90 percent of it. That was very daring at the time. Hi, Im Soumya. Im so excited to meet you. Starting today, I will be taking over the California Today newsletter, which will continue to provide dispatches from the state in your inbox every weekday. I hope that youll come to think of me as your tour guide/correspondent/resident-know-it-all for keeping up with news, culture and everything else happening in this great state. My family moved to Los Angeles from Michigan when I was 4, so my earliest memories as a child are of trying to make sense of my new, sunny surroundings. I remember my parents pointing out landmarks from the recently concluded O.J. Simpson trial and, more compelling to me at the time, an outdoor escalator near our apartment that seemed to defy the laws of nature. L.A. was the promised land in our family lore, the first place my father lived after immigrating from India and before moving to the Midwest. Not only did it never rain in L.A. (that seemed like a good thing at the time), but also the people were friendlier, the population more diverse and a big sell for us since we didnt eat meat restaurants offered more vegetarian food. The state quickly became home. Will civilization as we know it end in the next 100 years? Will there be any functioning places left? These questions might sound like the stuff of dystopian fiction. But if recent headlines about extreme weather, climate change, the ongoing pandemic and faltering global supply chains have you asking them, youre not alone. Now two British academics, Aled Jones, director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England, and his co-author, Nick King, think they have some answers. Their analysis, published in July in the journal Sustainability, aims to identify places that are best positioned to carry on when or if others fall apart. They call these lucky places nodes of persisting complexity. The winner, tech billionaires who already own bunkers there will be pleased to know, is New Zealand. The runners-up are Tasmania, Ireland, Iceland, Britain, the United States and Canada. The findings were greeted with skepticism by other academics who study topics like climate change and the collapse of civilization. Some flat-out disagreed with the list, saying it placed too much emphasis on the advantages of islands and failed to properly account for variables like military power. I laid down on the blanket, dozed off, and the boat rolled, Mr. Lewis said. When I felt it roll, I jumped up, and I grabbed my life jacket. As Mr. Lewis put his life jacket on, the television and the shelves in his room fell at him off the wall, he said. I looked out the window, and I could see the deck, which I shouldnt have been able to see the deck, Mr. Lewis said. But I saw the deck it was sideways. As he tried to escape, Mr. Lewis said, he recalled his safety orientation, where he had learned that in an emergency, a window would be the way out. I pushed on that window as hard as I could, Mr. Lewis said, and it would never budge. Mr. Lewis said he then used a steel-toed boot to try to break open the window, and nothing happened. He was finally able to break the window by using a fire extinguisher. If you want to do business with the federal government, he said, get your workers vaccinated. He added that the private sector, including companies like Wal-Mart, Google and Tyson Foods, were taking similar steps. Even Fox has vaccination requirements, he quipped. Mr. Biden had said earlier this year that he wanted to see 70 percent of eligible Americans at least partly vaccinated by July 4. The country hit that goal on Monday, about a month late and only after the Delta variant began disrupting the progress touted by the president and public health officials. There was no celebration of reaching the delayed milestone. Instead, the Biden administration has been in a race to encourage vaccine-reluctant and vaccine-refusing Americans to receive shots as caseloads rise in states with high unvaccinated populations. The vaccines are doing exactly what they are supposed to do when it comes to keeping you out of the hospital, out of serious disease, and certainly, preventing your death, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top disease expert, told reporters. The White House has also struggled to put into context the threat of the Delta variant to those who are vaccinated. Experts say that infections in vaccinated people so called breakthrough infections are still relatively uncommon, and that even in those cases, the vaccines appear to protect against severe illness and death. Nationally, new cases have reached an average of about 86,000 a day as of Monday, a dramatic jump from about 13,000 daily cases a month ago but still far fewer than in January. Hospitalizations have risen as well, but hospitalizations and deaths remain a fraction of their devastating winter peaks. Mr. Bidens pledge to donate 500 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses is by far the largest yet by a single country, but it would fully inoculate only about 3 percent of the worlds population. The United States will pay $3.5 billion for the Pfizer-BioNTech shots, about $7 apiece, which Pfizer described as a not for profit price much less than the $20 it has paid for domestic use. Dozens of voting rights groups and left-leaning get-out-the-vote organizations said on Tuesday that they were sending a letter to the Biden administration demanding more aggressive action to pass federal voting legislation. The letter also criticizes what the groups perceive as a misguided White House strategy that puts too much emphasis on organizing the grass-roots work of registering, educating and turning out voters to combat dozens of new voting restrictions passed by Republicans across the country this year. Some may think we can overcome these unwarranted barriers to the ballot box by just increasing our organizing efforts, the letter says. We write to tell you unequivocally that that is simply not true. The letter is the latest evidence of growing frustration between voting rights groups and the White House. The organizations and their allies have called for more public urgency from Mr. Biden, while administration officials have been preaching patience, noting that Democrats face long odds in the Senate of passing any federal voting legislation without overhauling the filibuster. While the administration remains committed to finding a way to pass a federal voting law, it has simultaneously been pushing voter registration, education and get-out-the-vote programs. It announced a $25 million investment in organizing efforts last month. WASHINGTON Congress moved on Tuesday to honor police officers who responded to the Capitol attack, clearing a bill to give them the Congressional Gold Medal just days after word emerged that two more officers who were there on Jan. 6 had taken their own lives. The unanimous vote of the Senate, which cleared the bill for President Biden, came after back-to-back announcements from District of Columbia police officials this week about the suicides of two of the forces officers who were at the Capitol on the day of the riot, bringing to four the known number of officers who have killed themselves in its aftermath. Robert J. Contee III, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said on Tuesday that he could not say whether the riot was the cause of the suicides. Certainly were not able to prevent everything that happens, but I believe that we have a responsibility for our officers who sacrifice so much of themselves and their families to go out to protect the citizens of the District of Columbia, Chief Contee said in an interview with Fox 5. The least we can do is make sure that the mental health and well-being is cared for. The legislation, which was shepherded by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota, and Senator Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, now heads to the desk of President Biden, who is expected to sign it. The Senate voted in February to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Officer Eugene Goodman, who led rioters away from the Senate chamber, and directed Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, away from the mob. The House in June expanded the measure to apply to all members of the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police forces who were involved in the Jan. 6 response, and passed that legislation overwhelmingly, though 21 far-right Republicans voted against the bill. When Ms. Klobuchar brought that version up on Tuesday, nobody objected, allowing it to pass without a recorded vote, a rarity in the polarized Congress. I am still stunned by what happened in the House, where 21 members of the Republican caucus voted against this legislation, Mr. Schumer said. The Senate is different. Staff members at the Democratic National Committee are set to be represented by a union, the first time a national party organization will have a unionized work force, committee officials said on Tuesday. Roughly 150 employees at the committee will join the Service Employees International Union Local 500, a group that represents public-sector workers in the District of Columbia and across Maryland. They agreed to unionize through what is known as a card-check system: A majority of eligible staff members at the D.N.C. signed cards opting to form a union. That kind of method for unionizing is supported in the partys platform, which calls to recognize unions that form through such systems. The D.N.C. has the ability to be a really powerful agent of positive change for working Americans, and we think this is an opportunity for us to really live those values, said Christen Sparago, who manages monthly donors for the committee and helped lead the unionization effort. The push for unionization was supported by the D.N.C.s executive director, Sam Cornale, and Mary Beth Cahill, a senior adviser and former chief executive of the committee. Mr. Biden conceded on Tuesday that the new approach might be struck down by the courts as executive overreach. But he suggested the move could help buy the administration time as it tried to get states to disburse billions of dollars of aid to help renters meet their obligations to landlords. Congress previously allocated $46.5 billion in rental assistance in two coronavirus relief packages, but only about $3 billion had been delivered to eligible households through June, according to Treasury Department data. Whether that option will pass constitutional measure with this administration, I cant tell you. I dont know, Mr. Biden said of a new moratorium. There are a few scholars who say it will and others who say its not likely to. But at a minimum, by the time it gets litigated, well probably give some additional time while were getting that $45 billion out to people who are in fact behind in rent and dont have the money. For days, some of Mr. Bidens closest allies on Capitol Hill, including some of the most progressive Democrats in Congress, have been publicly and privately assailing his lack of action to help renters, accusing the president and his aides of failing to find a replacement for the eviction moratorium until it was too late. Just days before Saturdays expiration of the ban, Mr. Biden called on Congress to pass legislation to extend it. But with the House about to leave town for a seven-week vacation and Republicans solidly opposed to an extension, progressive Democrats described the White House call as a cynical attempt to shift blame to lawmakers. The administration, for its part, feared that any unilateral move would open the White House to legal challenges that could ultimately erode Mr. Bidens presidential powers. The expiration presented the president with a thorny choice: Side with the C.D.C. and his own lawyers, who saw an extension as a dangerous step that could limit executive authority during health crises, or heed the demands of his partys progressive wing to take immediate action to halt what they saw as a preventable housing crisis. Under intense pressure from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats, Mr. Bidens team opted for an approach that would give them a chance to satisfy both camps, creating a new moratorium, based on a recent rise in infections from the Delta variant, that cited the risks associated with the movement of displaced tenants in areas where the virus is raging. Joe Manchin may be Washingtons favorite cranky centrist, but quietly, Kyrsten Sinema has become the darling of the Pennsylvania Avenue establishment and the Democrat progressives love to hate. The White House and the party leadership love Sinema, Arizonas senior senator, because she helped deliver a deal with Republicans on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, keeping the negotiators on track with wine when they got distracted. Republicans love her because she works closely with them, even ducking into their cloakroom for a friendly chat when the Senate is in session. And moderates from both parties love the way she manages to stick by her centrist convictions and still deliver results. The left, on the other hand, cant stand her. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacked her over her handling of the infrastructure bill. Good luck tanking your own partys investment on childcare, climate action, and infrastructure while presuming youll survive a 3 vote House margin, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, especially after choosing to exclude members of color from negotiations and calling that a bipartisan accomplishment. Just Democracy, a coalition of progressive groups representing people of color, recently announced a six-figure ad campaign against Sinema in Arizona, on top of a $1.5 million ad buy in June. Last week 39 activists, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, were arrested outside her office in Phoenix while protesting her refusal to ditch the filibuster. And several liberal groups have already suggested they would back a primary challenge against her even though she isnt up for re-election until 2024. But who wins, and her margin of victory, could tell us a little about what Democratic voters are thinking as the party tries to capitalize on its narrow control of Washington and prepares for a tough 2022 midterms challenge. If Ms. Turner wins, especially if she does so with ease, it would be a sign that the upstart progressive energy that propelled Mr. Sanderss two presidential campaigns is not fading, as the movement seeks new national leaders to gradually succeed the 79-year-old Mr. Sanders. And it would most likely send to Congress another high-profile advocate for the lefts biggest priorities, like universal health care and far-reaching climate action. If Ms. Brown wins, particularly if she does so by a large margin, it would signal that Democratic voters prefer a candidate more in line with the partys standard-bearers in Washington, and are wary about electing someone with a history of criticizing those leaders. Or, as Sean McElwee, the executive director of the polling firm Data for Progress, put it, it would suggest that Democratic voters are interested in voting for the person whos going to go to work and theyre not going to have to think about ever again. In the other race, which Republican will win? In the Republican race near Columbus, a crowded field of Republicans is vying to upset Mike Carey, an energy lobbyist who was endorsed by Mr. Trump. He was largely unknown until the former president threw his support behind Mr. Carey in early June and all but ensured that he would be the front-runner. But the race is fluid, with more than 10 candidates running for the Republican nomination. Some of Mr. Careys rivals also have more established reputations in the district, the 15th Congressional, as well as the backing of prominent allies of Mr. Trump. These rivals include Bob Peterson, a state senator who also operates a 2,700-acre grain farm and has the support of Ohio Right to Life, the states leading anti-abortion group. There is also Ruth Edmonds, who has a following among Christian conservatives and the endorsements of Ken Blackwell, a prominent conservative activist and Trump ally, and Debbie Meadows, an activist and the wife of Mark Meadows, Mr. Trumps last White House chief of staff. WASHINGTON The White House authorization of one more bombing campaign in Afghanistan, just weeks before the U.S. military mission is set to end, has a modest stated goal to buy time for Afghan security forces to marshal some kind of defense around the major cities that are under siege by a surging Taliban. But the dozens of airstrikes, which began two weeks ago as the Taliban pushed their front lines deep into urban areas, also laid bare the big question now facing President Biden and the Pentagon as the United States seeks to wind down its longest war. Will the American air campaign continue after Aug. 31, the date the president has said would be the end of combat involvement in Afghanistan? The White House and the Pentagon insist these are truly the final days of American combat support, after the withdrawal of most troops this summer after 20 years of war. Beginning next month, the president has said, the United States will engage militarily in Afghanistan only for counterterrorism reasons, to prevent the country from becoming a launchpad for attacks against the West. That would give Afghan security forces mere weeks to fix years of poor leadership and institutional failures, and rally their forces to defend what territory they still control. Pentagon and White House officials say the current air campaign can blunt the Talibans momentum by destroying some of their artillery and other equipment, and lift the sagging morale of Afghan security forces. AL-FASHAGA, Sudan The bodies floated over the border in ones and twos, bloated and bearing knife or gunshot wounds, carried on waters that flow from the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. At least 40 bodies have washed up on a riverbank in eastern Sudan in the past week, in some cases just a few hundred yards from the border with Ethiopia, according to international aid workers and doctors who helped retrieve the corpses. The grisly finds at the river are apparent evidence of the latest atrocities in a brutal, nine-month civil war between Ethiopian federal forces and their allies, and fighters in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia a conflict accompanied by reports of massacres, ethnic cleansing and widespread sexual assault. Few of the bodies have been identified, but several contained tattoos that suggested they were ethnic Tigrayans, and many bore signs of a violent death or had their hands bound behind their backs, witnesses said. FRESNILLO, Mexico The violence was already terrifying, she said, when grenades exploded outside her church in broad daylight some five years ago. Then children in town were kidnapped, disappearing without a trace. Then the bodies of the executed were dumped in city streets. And then came the day last month when armed men burst into her home, dragged her 15-year-old son and two of his friends outside and shot them to death, leaving Guadalupe who didnt want her full name published out of fear of the men too terrified to leave the house. I do not want the night to come, she said, through tears. Living with fear is no life at all. For most of the population of Fresnillo, a mining city in central Mexico, a fearful existence is the only one they know; 96 percent of residents say they feel unsafe, the highest percentage of any city in Mexico, according to a recent survey from Mexicos national statistics agency. Australias largest airline, Qantas, said it would temporarily lay off 2,500 employees as travel plunges in response to the ballooning coronavirus outbreak in Sydney. A city of five million people, Sydney has been under strict lockdown orders for weeks as cases of the more virulent Delta strain of the coronavirus surged. On Tuesday, the authorities reported 199 new cases. Some infectious disease experts have predicted the outbreak will last months. Alan Joyce, the chief executive of the Qantas Group, said in a statement released on Tuesday that the decision to lay off workers was indicative of looming challenges for businesses across the state of New South Wales, whose capital is Sydney. The company said the laid-off workers would be paid until mid-August, and that the job losses were not expected to be permanent. ATHENS Greece was grappling with one of its hottest weeks on record on Tuesday as an intense heat wave swept through much of Southern Europe and fueled major forest fires. The National Observatory of Athens weather service on Monday registered the highest temperature ever officially recorded in the country 46.3 degrees Celsius, or 115.3 degrees Fahrenheit in the central Greek region of Phthiotis. Temperatures were forecast to climb to 113 degrees Fahrenheit in Athens on Tuesday and top 115 degrees in parts of central Greece, according to the countrys National Meteorological Service. Wuhan, the city in central China where the pandemic first emerged, is planning to test all of its 11 million residents for the coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday, as they announced the first local transmission there since last spring. The city, the first to show the world the damage the virus could wreak, had not recorded any local cases since May of last year, after a harsh two-and-a-half month lockdown helped eradicate the virus there. But city officials said they had detected three symptomatic local cases in the previous 24 hours, as well as five asymptomatic ones. Wuhan had some of Chinas strictest measures to stop the spread of the virus, and many residents continued to wear masks even as people elsewhere relaxed as the country brought the outbreak under control. But China is battling several new flare-ups as the Delta variant makes inroads, including in the cities of Nanjing and Zhangjiajie, and several more in the countrys south. The authorities in Zhangjiajie also barred residents and tourists from leaving the city, imposing a de facto lockdown. Wuhan had previously tested all its residents in two weeks last spring, mobilizing the Chinese Communist Partys vast network of local officials in a feat unprecedented at the time. Since then, the country has carried out several mass testing campaigns. State governments and the Biden administration have also issued vaccine mandates in their capacity as employers, but not in a way that affects the general public. As many as seven million federal workers are now required to show proof of vaccination, under new guidelines announced by President Biden in late July. If they do not, theyll have to follow strict rules on mandatory masking, weekly testing and social distancing. The military said it would follow suit with its employees. States like North Carolina, New York and California are also requiring their state employees do the same. And mandatory vaccination orders are also popping up for workers in state hospital systems across the country. This includes most hospitals in Massachusetts, some in South Carolina and others in North Carolina. And these requirements arent a HIPAA violation, either while the act protects a patients confidential health information, including what ones health care provider can share with others, it doesnt cover what employers can ask for. What about your college or university? Yes. And they may have already done so if you attend one of the more than 500 colleges and universities including the university system in states like California, Illinois, Colorado and New York that are making the vaccine an enrollment requirement if students want to take classes in-person this coming semester. While some campuses are asking students to provide a proof of vaccination, others are incentivizing students with exemptions from mask mandates. But that doesnt mean everyone is happy. A federal judge upheld Indiana Universitys vaccine requirement last month after a group of students filed a lawsuit. The mandate is also a challenge for international students who may not have access to one of the eight W.H.O.-approved vaccines. A Chinese man had to undergo a complicated gastroscopic operation to have a 15-cm toothbrush removed from his stomach, after accidentally swallowing it during his morning routine. The unnamed man from Taizhou, in Chinas Jiangsu Province told doctors that he got up one morning, about 10 days ago and decided to follow his usual routine, which included brushing his teeth before breakfast. Only he was sleepier than usual and while brushing the teeth at the back of his mouth, he accidentally dropped the 15-cm plastic brush and it slipped into his throat. Realizing his mistake, he tried reaching after it, but the slippery plastic handle proved difficult to grab, and he only managed to push it further. Realizing that he had swallowed his plastic toothbrush, and already experiencing discomfort, the man immediately drove to the local hospital where doctors performed an X-ray scan and prepped him for emergency gastroscopic operation. Because the smooth plastic handle of the toothbrush proved to slippery to get a hold of even with the gastroscope, doctors at the the Department of Gastroenterology had to first get the foreign object into position, and then used a snare to catch the top of the brush and pull it out. Wang Jianrong, the head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Taizhou Fourth Peoples Hospital, told reporters that the patient did the right thing by seeking medical attention, adding that turning to traditional treatments, like swallowing rice or vinegar can have serious health consequences, like damaging the esophagus. Personally, Ive heard of people so dazed in the morning that they mistook toothpaste for liquid soap and vice versa, but this is the first time I read about someone sleepy enough to swallow their toothbrush. A few months ago we also featured the bizarre story who swallowed his Apple Air Pods in his sleep. Welwitschia is a fascinating plant that can not only survive for several thousands of years, but it can do so in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, the Namib Desert. Named after Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, who discovered it in Angola in 1859, Welwitschia is actually called tweeblaarkanniedood in Afrikaans, which translates to two leaves that cannot die. Thats a surprisingly accurate name for a plant that grows only two leaves and can survive thousands of years in the worlds oldest desert. Some parts of the Namib Desert receive less than two inches of precipitation a year, but thats apparently all Welwitschia needs to survive, thanks to its extremely efficient, low-cost genome. Photo: Muriel Gottrob/Wikimedia Commons It may not be the most attractive plant in the world its just two fibrous leaves that become shredded and curled over time but the capacity of Welwitschia to endure has always fascinated scientists. Some of the oldest specimens in the world date back 3,000 years, to the beginning of the Iron Age, and most plants routinely live for over 1,000 years. A recent study that analyzed the genome of the Welwitschia plant in order to shed some light on how it manages to thrive in the Namib Desert found that the plant adapted to these harsh conditions over millions of years, as its genome suffered important changes. About 86 million years ago, during a time of increased aridity and prolonged drought, a cell division error caused the entire Welwitschia genome to double. And although duplicated genes are usually deprived of their functions and available to take up new ones, a bigger genome also means more intensive energy consumption. Thats not ideal in an environment where energy sources are so scarce. Scientists also found that a large part of Welwitschias genome is junk self-replicating DNA sequences called retrotransposons. However, about two million years ago, a genetic change caused all these junk DNA sequences to be silenced through a process called DNA methylation. It was this and other small genetic tweaks that turned the plant into the low-cost organism it is today. When we see that the plant is able to live in this environment for so long and preserve its DNA and its proteins, I really feel like we can find hints for how to maybe improve agriculture, plant biologist, Dr. James H. Leebens-Mack told the New York Times. Welwitschia is essentially a 100-million-year plant fossil that managed to adapt and thrive in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. It may not be much to look at, but its resilience and the secret it holds are definitely things to be admire. Jean-Luc Renault Infinite Global hires Jean-Luc Renault as an associate VP, based in Los Angeles. Renault comes to the agency from LA law firm Jenner & Block, where he was communications manager, overseeing media relations around high-stakes litigation, sophisticated transactions and law firm business matters. He has also served as a staff writer at the Los Angeles Daily Journal. In his new post, Renault will work with clients to develop public relations initiatives including media relations, social media and content campaigns. Jean-Luc has seen the nexus of media, communications and the legal industry from every angle, said Infinite Global president Zach Olsen. I firmly believe his holistic perspective of the California and national legal markets will help our clients achieve their strategic media and communications goals. Timo Pelz Reddit hires Instagram head of business marketing Timo Pelz as its first VP of business marketing. At Instagram, Pelz led the companys global business brand and product marketing across all channels. He was previously industry lead, financial services for Facebook across Austria, Germany and Switzerland. At Reddit, Pelz is tasked with setting go-to-market strategy for the companys advertising products and will oversee all aspects of business marketing for managed and self-serve ad clients. Timo will be instrumental in elevating and driving Reddits unique value proposition for new and existing advertisers, said Reddit CMO Roxy Young. Stephen Gold SparkCognition, an infrastructure-focused artificial intelligence company, appoints Stephen Gold, who served as CMO for IBMs Watson, to chief marketing officer. Gold most recently served as CMO at electronics manufacturing company HZO. "Stephen is a seasoned, strategic marketer and business leader with demonstrated success guiding top-notch organizations through market transitions and growth. I am looking forward to him playing an integral role in our future success," said SparkCognition founder and CEO Amir Husain. The Biden administration is a breath of fresh air for the media, which were branded as the enemy of the people by the previous occupant of the White House. The State Dept. forcefully took China to task last month for the harassment of the foreign media covering the deadly floods in Henan that killed scores of people and dealt a serious blow to Beijings propaganda machine. The United States is deeply concerned with the increasingly harsh surveillance, harassment, and intimidation of U.S. and other foreign journalists in the Peoples Republic of China, including foreign journalists covering the devastation and loss of life caused by recent floods in Henan, Ned Price, State Dept. spokesperson said on July 29. Price went on to say that while Chinas government claims to welcome foreign media, its harsh rhetoric toward any news it perceives to be critical of its policies has provoked negative public sentiment leading to tense, in-person confrontations and harassment, including online verbal abuse and death threats to journalists simply doing their jobs. Chinas anti-press policies may have severe consequences. We call on the PRC to act as a responsible nation hoping to welcome foreign media and the world for the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Price warned. A US downgrade of representation at the Chinese Olympics would be a massive blow to president Xi Jinpings effort to burnish the PR image of China. He/she is back Bartleby, The Economist columnist who skewered PR in the July 3 issue, took a whack at business jargon in the July 31 number. As they climb the corporate ladder, executives lose the ability to speak or write clearly. Rather than sticking to relevant information in a memo/statement (e.g, profits are up or down), they prefer to roll out grand statements about team spirit or the corporate ethos that have nothing to do with the subject at hand, according to Bartleby. Jargon establishes their credentials or membership in the club. Since there are no exams or physical training required for management, executives use lingo to appear qualified to rule the roost. In a sense, managers are acting rather like medieval priests, who conducted services in Latin rather than in the local language, adding to the mystical nature of the process. To Bartleby, the use of obscure language signals that the speaker is not thinking clearly, which is bad for business. People who are in real command of details are able to explain things in a way that is easily understood. And if a managers colleagues understand the message, they are more likely to get the right things done. Jargon gets in the way. Bartleby is not the management type. Context The importance of investing in skills development is growing for Latvia. Globalisation and the digital and green transitions are transforming jobs, how societies function and how people interact. The pandemic has accelerated the digital transition, showing the urgent need for resilient labour markets based on an increased adaptability of individuals to gain new skills. At the same time, skills imbalances (especially shortages of digital skills) hold back the capacity of Latvian firms to innovate, adopt advanced technologies and promote productivity. The challenge Notwithstanding these trends, the level of participation in adult learning in Latvia remains relatively low. Only 6.6% of adults reported participating in education and training over a four-week period in 2020, compared to the EU average of 9.2%. Employees participation in training is highly dependent on the will of their employers, but enterprises in Latvia lag behind their European counterparts in providing re-/up-skilling opportunities for their employees. Enterprise investment in continuous vocational training as a percentage of total labour cost in Latvia (0.8%) is the lowest in the EU, well below the EU average (1.7%). Only 35% of employees participate in education activities during paid working hours. Moreover, micro and small-sized enterprises, which employ approximately 57% of the Latvian labour force, have less capacity to provide employee training than large firms. Project relevance Against this backdrop, this project links directly to the national priorities of Latvia to develop a sustainable support system for adult learning. The Latvian Law on Education foresees support measures for employers to promote education and training for employees, and the regulatory framework for this support needs to be developed. This project will contribute to the development of a policy package and a regulatory framework to support employers to invest in skills development, which will form the basis for a socially responsible and sustainable use of resources for adult learning. Furthermore, Latvias Development Plan and Education Development Guidelines also prioritise increased adult learning participation, including for workers. The project is also in line with the EU priorities on a green and digital Europe, key principles of the European Skills Agenda, the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Project outputs and activities The project will involve extensive consultations with Latvian stakeholders, in-depth data and policy analysis, and peer-learning from best practices in countries facing similar challenges. These analyses, consultations and peer learning will result in: a comprehensive assessment of the key barriers and enabling conditions for Latvian employers to invest in the skills of their employees (Q2 2022), the identification of international best practices to encourage employers to invest in the skills of their employees (Q3 2022), practical guidelines to enable Latvian authorities to develop a regulatory framework to support employers investment in up-/re-skilling their employees (Q2 2023), a methodology and monitoring indicators to evaluate the implementation of the introduced support measures (Q3 2023), and a roadmap to help implement and complement the policy recommendations (Q3 2023). The project is expected to conclude in August 2023. An Offaly brewery is firmly on the map as it was announced as taking part in a nationwide initiative to promote Irish craft breweries with the launch of a new online Irish beer map. The resource was created to highlight the abundance of quality, independent craft breweries that are located throughout the country and to generate public interest in beer provenance, by linking craft breweries to specific destinations. The map, which currently has more than 60 breweries listed is available to view at irishbeer.ie Similar to wine terroirs in other countries, the Irish Beer Map has the potential to build provenance of Irish beers and to directly link breweries to distinct regions for residents and holidaymakers. From Offaly, Slieve Bloom Brew ery is taking part in the initiative. Slieve Bloom Brewery from Kinnitty in Co. Offaly was founded in 2018. Founded by Kieran Clements, he combined his passion for brewing beer with the need to meet the demand for a locally crafted beer to establish Slieve Bloom which commemorates the legendary Kinnitty Pikemen from the area. The brand highlights the local history of the area with its branding and refreshing craft beer. The story behind this rich history involves three local Kinnitty men, Johnny Daly, Jimmy Scully and Tom Curley who fought in the 1798 rising. With an interesting story involving local rebels and landmarks such as Kinnitty Castle, it is easy to get a taste of Offaly history and food culture. To elevate this further, Kierans, top tip is to pair their craft beer with a Moss field cheese platter from Clareen, Co. Offaly. Slieve Bloom Brewerys core product range represents local historical figures and include: Rising Moon IPA Pikeman Red Ale Pikemaker Stout The Irish Beer map aims to raise awareness of the vibrant Irish microbrewing industry and to encourage consumers to seek out local beers wherever they are. The Irish Beer map is created in conjunction with the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI) and is supported by Bord Bia. Craft breweries who are not yet listed on the map are asked to register interest using the website contact form. Visit irishbeer.ie to discover independent breweries nationwide Ireland has secured almost 700,000 additional doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine following agreement with Romania and the EU. The Minister for Health announced that Ireland has today signed an agreement to purchase almost 700,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The doses secured through the agreement will be used to support the continued acceleration of the vaccination programme to younger people. The additional doses, which are being secured directly from Pfizer, are a redistribution of supplies which had originally been ordered by Romania. Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD expressed his thanks to Romania and said the deal underlined the benefits of the European approach to vaccine procurement. On behalf of the Government, I wish to sincerely thank our colleagues in Romania, including His Excellency President Iohannis and his officials. The agreement underlines the benefits of European solidarity with regards to vaccine procurement. More than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been distributed across the European Union. The increased availability of vaccine supply has enabled Ireland to accelerate its vaccination programme over recent months and this week is expected to see the six millionth dose administered in Ireland since the vaccination programme began. Vaccine manufacturer Pfizer is now to confirm the precise dates for the delivery of this additional supply, which is expected to arrive in Ireland this month. "I pay tribute to today's generations and young people of African descent, who have last year peacefully demonstrated to demand racial justice and on social media, called on their peers to stand up against racism," said Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights during a virtual event to mark the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2025). The Decade advocates for justice, recognition and development to ensure people of African descent can fully enjoy their human rights, she added. "The implementation of the Decade encourages us to take intentional measures to end racism, marginalization and the systemic discrimination of people of African descent once and for all all in the spirit of recognition, justice and development," said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). "And that spirit is unwavering." The virtual celebration, Voices from the Decade: See us, Hear us, Count us in, was a lively mix of musical performances, a mini documentary called Little Africa, and engaging conversations with experts and voices from young people of African descent worldwide. Co-organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications, UNFPA and UN Human Rights, the program empowers young people of African descent and highlights their contributions to the Decade's goals through personal stories, dance, poetry and music. The artists included Mwende "FreeQuency" Katwiwa, a storyteller, speaker, workshop leader and performance artist from Kenya and the United States, who presented their poem, "I Am From," and Azuei, a band of Haitian and Dominican musicians who performed Alekba, a song that mixed traditional Caribbean music with contemporary notes of jazz and rap. The program also featured engaging discussions from experts including Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of West Indies, and a native Barbadian, on the progress made now that we are at the midpoint of the Decade. "As we entered the 21st century, it was recognized that the legacy of the crimes committed against people of African descent was still impacting every aspect of everyday life," he said. "So, here at the midpoint of the Decade, reflecting on the activities that have taken place across the world within this framework, we now have raised global consciousness. The world has been exposed to the legacies of these crimes committed against the African people and people of African descent." The role of young people in the racial justice movement is essential to spark change, said Michaela Moua, the first European Union Anti-Racism Coordinator from Finland. She is also one of the five Afro-Finns that founded Finland's only annual event devoted to afro-hair called the Good Hair Day. "Young people are hungry to talk about these issues and to create the type of world they want to live in," she said. "This is where the power lies. This was obvious last year with the global movement of Black Lives Matter." The event included eight youth participants from all over the world. One of them, Eveline Murmann, an Afro-Descendent from the Dominican Republic said that people of African Descent have been victims of prejudice and exclusion in multiple ways. "We have heard so many times, 'Straight hair is more formal', 'Clear skin is prettier'; 'She is pretty to be a black woman'," she said. "Being Afro descendant is embracing our heritage, loving our culture, and becoming a part of our history. It means to be proud of that beautiful skin and that hair. It is to recognize our value and highlight our contributions to the development of societies." Eliana Martins, from Portugal was another youth participant. She said she is optimistic that discrimination will fade in her lifetime. "There has been a wakeup call to our societies that black lives matter," she said. "Black history is more than just slavery. Racism will not be tolerated. We demand that our politicians, business leaders and society at large hear us, see us, and count us in." Bachelet said that the world needs to recognize these voices. "We need to stop denying racism and start dismantling it," she said. "We need to end impunity, confront past legacies, and deliver redress. We need to listen to the voices of people of African descent and be worthy of their trust." Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations said the Decade's success will be a tolerant and inclusive world. "Only by constantly advocating, educating ourselves, and sharing the values of equity, openness, and fairness among ourselves, and with our future generations, can we ensure that the Decade of People of African Descent has not been in vain," she said. Reflecting on the Decade's midpoint, Kanem urged people not to lose momentum in the fight against racism. "A year after the death of Mr. George Floyd galvanized concerted action against racism around the world, and following Mandela Day on July 18, it is timely to declare that each and every one of us can, and must, bring to fruition the quest for a future of equality, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for all people," she said. 3 August 2021 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. FreeHit Fantasy, which is amongst Indias fastest growing fantasy apps has raised its second round of funding from GoAhead Ventures, a venture capitalist based out of Silicon Valley, California. It is to be noted that Freehit Fantasy recently launched Indias first fantasy racing game. Formula 1 races are available on the app and other racing franchisees will soon be available. The company plans to launch the application in the United At a young age Lawrence Schmetterer remembered hearing about the first human heart transplant that was successfully completed in Cape town, South Africa by Dr. Christian Barnard. This medical achievement stayed with him and inspired him to become a doctor himself. Now, Dr. Schmetterer has his own practice in Youngstown, Ohio and performs advanced surgeries across many hospitals in Ohio as well. Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer, M.D., F.A.C.S. is one of the Ottumwa, IA (52501) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. Two of our customers at Espresso Milano had an interesting meet cute as they say in the movies. And, as a barista, I was fortunate enough to hear about it. And as I love a good story it also seems that I love to share a story so here it is. Maggi Dahl was born and raised in Midland, graduating from Midland High School in 2015. She went on to study business chemistry at Saginaw Valley State University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in December 2020. After college, she did what everyone else does even though she, like everyone else, was experiencing the effects of a pandemic. I waited it out and hoped for the best, she said. I applied everywhere. In June, she got a job at Carhartt, which is based out of Detroit. Her role is that of an acquisition coordinator who works remotely, for now. Dahl began visiting Espresso Milano when she was fairly young. She was just 5 years old when her grandmother, Betty Dahl, would bring her and her sister, Hayley Dahl, into the shop. She would get both of us mudslides, and then pass us off to our mother, Maggi said with a grin. Though Dahl went to the same high school, and visited the same coffee shop as Cody Miller, the two of them would not meet until much later. We were one friend away from knowing each other, Dahl said. Miller graduated from Midland High in 2012. He also went to SVSU, where he graduated in May of 2018 with a bachelor's of science degree in engineering technology. He worked at Nexteer for a while, doing mechanical design; then he started a job at XALT Energy as a design engineer. Miller started frequenting Milano in 2010 while he was still in high school. He would study and hang out there the same as Dahl but they had yet to cross paths. Eventually they met on the campus of SVSU, most likely in one of the science halls that they had spent a lot of time in. Not long after, they had their first date at Espresso Milano. It was in December 2017; Dec. 6 to be exact. He has the date written on his tool box at home, Dahl said. On their first date, they sat in the tall corner seats in front of the window at Milano. As she waited for Miller that day, Dahl recalled noticing an interesting car drive by. I saw an 81 Mustang, she said. And that was him. Miller described that car as a metallic brown, Notchback Foxbody, including a mustard-tan interior with wood grain accents. When he arrived, they chatted for a while. We both brought schoolwork, but we didnt end up doing it, Miller said. They talked for so long it was closing time before they knew it. So he asked Dahl if she would like to take a drive. They ended up in Zilwaukee. I remember getting gummy worms and apple juice, she said. A few weeks later, Miller presented Dahl with some Oreos. He said, Now that weve shared Oreos together, will you be my girlfriend, Dahl recalled. And, she said yes. About two months into their relationship, Dahl asked Miller if he would like to drive to Austin, Texas, with her. They would visit her aunt and uncle, Ed and Molly Warren-Haycock, who also used to live in Midland. Miller obliged. It was around 1,500 miles to Austin, and though they were surprised that they were up for such an adventure so early into their relationship they both said they had a great time. Eventually, visiting Milano together became part of their routine for several reasons. Every Saturday or Sunday, around noon, we come to Milano, Miller said. They shared that their routine to Espresso during the weekend mornings stemmed from Espresso Milano always giving customers the sense of normalcy throughout the pandemic and what not, Miller said. Dahl shared another memory. She found a bolt that Miller had fabricated before they met. He had removed the inner grooves and it fit just like a ring. He gave it to Dahl, who lost it in a snowball fight, but then he made her another one out of a higher quality bolt. She still wears it. As Maggi Dahl said, their time together seems like it comes out of a movie, and this barista believes that to be true. I mean, their first date written on his toolbox and then Oreos classic. Niky House, a barista at Espresso Milano in Midland, and local freelance writer, pens this Coffee Shop Talk column series for the Midland Daily News. The John Alden Chapter, NSDAR (National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution), is currently sponsoring two American history essay contests. The deadline is Oct. 3. Students in grades 5-12 in Midland and Gladwin counties are all eligible. Students attending a public, private or parochial school, and those who are home schooled all qualify. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, gender or national origin. Students in grades 5-8 are to base their essay on the following Nov. 11, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the Nov. 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation? Delta College will celebrate the addition of a new outdoor sculpture to the Downtown Saginaw Center during a formal dedication event on Thursday. The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at 319 East Genesee St., with remarks beginning at 4:30 p.m. Comments will be made by retiring President Dr. Jean Goodnow, incoming President Dr. Michael Gavin, the artist, Ken Newman, and others. The event is RSVP only; members from the media are invited to attend. In order to better protect their employees against COVID-19, some employers have started asking workers to provide proof of vaccination. But what if an employee loses their vaccination record card? It is not the end of the world. It can be replaced rather easily, said Fred Yanoski, Midland County health officer. No matter where an individual received their COVID-19 doses, the providers are asked to enter it into the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, the statewide immunization database. If a person misplaces their COVID-19 vaccination card, they can visit the Midland County Department of Public Health at 220 W. Ellsworth St. and pick up a new copy once they can provide a form of personal identification. Whether we give (the vaccination) or someone else gives it, we can look it up and provide a new card, Yanoski said. Yanoski explained the COVID-19 vaccination record card is considered a medical record and should be stored in a safe place like a lock box. While he applauds employers efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus in various ways, he explained the requirement for employees to provide proof of vaccination is up to individual companies discretion. We still feel very strongly that the best tool we have is a safe and effective vaccine, Yanoski stated. Midland, Bay, Gladwin and Isabella counties remain in a moderate level of community transmission 10-49 cases per 100,000 in a 7-day period of the COVID-19 virus as of Sunday, according to the CDCs COVID data tracker. Saginaw County has a substantial level of community transmission with 50-99 cases per 100,000 in a 7-day period. Even though Midland County is at a moderate level of transmission at this time, the Midland County Department of Public Health recommends that residents behave as if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission, since this is the direction we are heading. This includes following the CDC masking recommendations to wear properly fitting masks in public indoor places, regardless of vaccination status. Other measures that reduce viral transmission include staying home when ill with symptoms that could be from COVID-19, getting tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms, quarantine of close contacts who have not been vaccinated or diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 90 days, physical distancing and hand washing. Weekly COVID-19 numbers Midland County: 40 cases and one death were added; pandemic total is 6,959 cases, 720 probable, 93 deaths and three probable deaths. Bay County: 37 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 10,679 cases, 677 probable, 341 deaths and 14 probable deaths. Gladwin County: six cases were added; pandemic total stands at 1,935 cases, 387 probable, 57 deaths and four probable deaths. Isabella County: 25 cases and one death were added; pandemic total stands at 5,446 cases, 955 probable, 96 deaths and five probable deaths. Saginaw County: 153 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 20,355 cases, 1,400 probable, 612 deaths and 21 probable deaths. The state added 4,855 cases and 45 deaths since last Tuesday. Overall, Michigan is at 906,538 cases and 19,947 deaths. Recovered According to the Midland County Health Department website, which was updated Monday, Aug. 2, 6,887 Midland County individuals have recovered from COVID-19. Gladwin County reported on Friday, July 30 that it has a total of 1,782 recovered cases. The state reported that as of Aug. 3, a total of 872,992 persons have recovered. Testing Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate on Aug. 1 was listed at 5.3% and Gladwin County's was listed at 4%. Our 12-county region is listed at 7.6% and Michigan is at 5.8%. MidMichigan Health statistics As of Tuesday, Aug. 3, MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland was listed as having a 78% bed occupancy with three COVID patients and one in the ICU. MidMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin was listed as having a 19% bed occupancy with one COVID patient and none in the ICU. Regarding PPE supplies, as of Tuesday, Aug. 3, the Midland hospital reported 15-30 days for N95 masks; 15-30 days for surgical masks; 30-plus days for surgical gowns; 15-30 days for exam gloves and 30-plus days for eye protection. The Gladwin hospital reported 30-plus days for all of the above supplies. Midland County vaccinations In Midland County, 40,635 people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Aug. 1. That means about 48.75% of Midland County's population has been fully vaccinated. Currently, the vaccines are not authorized to be given to those under age 12. Future COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Midland County are listed at www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx. Those with questions may call 989-832-6380 or email MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Gabe Imondi, a 74-year-old landlord from Rhode Island, had come to court hoping to get his apartment back. He was tired of waiting for federal rental assistance and wondered aloud what theyre doing with that money? Hours later, Luis Vertentes, in a different case, was told by a judge he had three weeks to clear out of his one-bedroom apartment in nearby East Providence. The 43-year-old landscaper said he was four months behind on rent after being hospitalized for a time. Im going to be homeless, all because of this pandemic, Vertentes said. I feel helpless, like I cant do anything even though I work and I got a full-time job. Scenes like this played out from North Carolina to Virginia to Ohio and beyond Monday as the eviction system, which saw a dramatic drop in cases before a federal moratorium expired over the weekend, rumbled back into action. Activists fear millions will be tossed onto the streets as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges. The Biden administration allowed the federal moratorium to expire over the weekend and Congress was unable to extend it. But on Tuesday the administration appeared to offer a reprieve for many. The government planned to put in place a new eviction moratorium that would protect areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives, according to three people familiar with the plans, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the forthcoming announcement. The move followed protests from Democratic lawmakers over the swift end to the moratorium as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges. Historic amounts of rental assistance allocated by Congress had been expected to avert a crisis. But the distribution has been painfully slow: Only about $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed through June by states and localities. A second amount of $21.5 billion will go to the states. More than 15 million people live in households that owe as much as $20 billion to their landlords, according to the Aspen Institute. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera showed up Monday at a Franklin County court after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom, shes behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one- bedroom apartment she rents for herself and three young sons. The 27-year-old said she started to struggle after her hours were cut in May at the Walmart warehouse where she worked. Shes applied to numerous agencies for help but theyre either out of money, have a waiting list, or not able to help until clients end up in court with an eviction notice. Rivera said shes preparing herself mentally to move into a shelter with her children. We just need help, she said, fighting back tears. Its just been really hard with everyday issues on top of worrying about where youre going to live. But there was more optimism in Virginia, where Tiara Burton, 23, learned she would be getting federal help and wouldnt be evicted. She initially feared the worst when the moratorium lifted. That was definitely a worry yesterday, said Burton, who lives in Virginia Beach. If theyre going to start doing evictions again, then Im going to be faced with having to figure out where me and my family are going to go. And thats not something that anyone should have to worry about these days at all. She was relieved to learn she was approved for assistance through the Virginia Rent Relief Program. Her court hearing was postponed 30 days, during which time she and her landlord can presumably work things out. Im grateful for that, she said. Thats another weight lifted off of my shoulders. For some tenants, getting assistance has proven impossible. After her landlord refused federal assistance to cover $5,000 in back rent, Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, expects an eviction order within two to three weeks. She is sending her five children to live with her mother in another county. My main concern is that now that I have an eviction, how will I find another place? Some places will accept you and some will not, said Eleby, whose entire family got COVID-19 earlier this year. Around the country, courts, legal advocates and law enforcement agencies had been gearing up for evictions to return to pre-pandemic levels, a time when 3.7 million people were displaced from their homes every year, or seven every minute, according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. Some cities with the most cases, according to the Eviction Lab, are Phoenix with more than 42,000 eviction filings, Houston with more than 37,000, Las Vegas with nearly 27,000 and Tampa more than 15,000. Indiana and Missouri also have more than 80,000 filings. While the moratorium was enforced in much of the country, there were states like Idaho where judges ignored it, said Ali Rabe, executive director of Jesse Tree, a non-profit that works to prevent evictions in the Boise metropolitan area. Eviction courts ran as usual, she said. That was much the way things played out in parts of North Carolina, where on Monday Sgt. David Ruppe knocked on a weathered mobile home door in Cleveland County, a rural community an hour west of Charlotte. We havent seen much of a difference at all, he said. He waited a few minutes on the porch scattered with folding chairs and toys. Then a woman opened the door. How are you? he asked quietly, then explained her landlord had started the eviction process. The woman told Ruppe shed paid, and he said shed need to bring proof to her upcoming Aug. 9 court date. Ruppe, who has two young sons, said seeing families struggle day-after-day is tough. Theres only so much you can do, he said. So, if you can offer them a glimmer of hope, words of encouragement, especially if theres kids involved. Being a father, I can relate to that. __ Casey reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Ben Finley in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Ohio; Sarah Morgan in Cleveland County, North Carolina, and Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg, Florida, contributed to this report. City of Midland Wastewater staff will present information on a proposed footing drain disconnection program to Midland City Council for further discussion at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9 in City Hall Council Chambers, 333 W. Ellsworth St. This will be a follow-up discussion to the workshop council held June 21. This program is tentatively proposed for approximately 330 properties located in the Moorland and Whitewood pumping districts. A map of these properties can be found at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/floodresponse. Residents at these addresses were sent a letter in the mail on July 26 containing information about attending or viewing this meeting. City staff and consultants will provide a detailed overview of the potential program and answer questions regarding implementation, cost, homeowner responsibility, and more. City Council direction will be requested at the conclusion of the discussion. Attendees are reminded that while the meeting begins at 7 p.m., the proposed footing drain disconnection program may not be the first item on the council's agenda and it is uncertain at exactly what time review of this item will begin. Residents who cannot attend the meeting in person on Aug. 9 can watch it live on cable television via MGTV-188 (Charter) or 99 (AT&T U-verse), on the MCTV Network app on Roku or Apple TV, or online at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/livestream. Questions may be submitted ahead of the meeting via email at footingdrains@midland-mi.org or by phone at 989-837-3500. Correspondence must be received by 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, to be considered during the meeting. To read the findings of the 2017 and 2020 sewer studies and view a list of all flood-related action items completed to date, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/floodresponse. City staff have also compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the proposed footing drain disconnection program that can be found at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/footingdrainFAQ. As legislators return home from Washington, D.C. during summer recesses, the Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Advisory Committee on Infrastructure recognized this as an important time to make contact with federal and state officials. Representatives of the committee have been reaching out to legislators to share background information, the vision and scope of flood mitigation and resiliency building in the mid-Michigan area. Formed in early 2021, the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure has a broad mandate to examine any infrastructure issue that impacts the quality of life and economic vitality of the Midland area. Legacy flooding challenges and related sanitary sewer issues are the first areas of focus. The committee is charged with finding the best ways to work with local, state and federal partners to address the longstanding flood issues that impact the citizens, business community and economic development in the Great Lakes Bay Region. One part of the committees effort is advocacy, said Bill Schuette, a community volunteer who is the former Michigan Attorney General. We need to be in regular contact with lawmakers because they will, in turn, advocate for us in Washington and in Lansing. Flood mitigation in mid-Michigan is likely to be a complex and lengthy project. If it were easy, it would have been done long ago. We will need the support of funding and expertise from federal and state resources. Lee Ann Keller, co-chair of the committee, reports the group has been working with several firms to further the committee's work. First, Squire Patton Boggs is a law firm with public policy expertise," Keller said. "Members of the firm have started advocating for our flood mitigation goals in Washington and Lansing with agencies and legislators. Second, we are working with AMPM, Inc., a Midland-based communication firm, that has been helping us communicate regularly with the public, stakeholders and legislators. Third, as we work to paint a picture of what flood mitigation might look like in mid-Michigan, we asked AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, to help us predict the scope of potential mitigation and resilience projects. We asked AECOM for initial concepts, examples of best practices in nature-based flood mitigation, as well as a broad ballpark estimate of the budget, said J.W. Fisher, co-chair of the committee. Understanding that we are still pre-hydrologic/hydraulic study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we wanted to be able to give legislators an idea of what were trying to do and the scope. This isnt a few million dollars. Were predicting that its more like $350 to 500 million. Fisher also pointed out that AECOM was asked to help with this early conceptual work but has not been contracted for future engineering work. Any future work would include a normal bid process. The types of future engineering solutions could include large-scale detention, local drainage improvements, river engineering and the potential for levees in some areas. Large-scale detention could involve expanding and rehabilitating wetlands and swamplands. Waters at flood stage could be routed to these areas to reduce the volume of downstream flow. These detention areas could also double as recreation areas and additional wildlife habitat. For local drainage, improvements can be made with storm drains, channels and ponds to reduce urban stormwater runoff across impermeable surfaces. With river engineering, the original, natural functions of rivers and streams are assessed to identify soft engineering solutions versus hard features like concrete-lined channels. This can enhance the look of water features and recreational use. Where space is limited, levees can block flow from entering low-lying areas. There are many examples of successful floodplain mitigation programs, including ones that focus on eco-sensitive solutions, Schuette stated. We are excited to share our vision with local, state, and federal leaders. We know that the research, engineering and funding will be a long-term effort, but we plan to get it done to improve the quality of life, safety, clean water, jobs and economic growth in mid-Michigan. On July 23, the Corps of Engineers presented the County of Midland with a draft proposal to begin the hydrologic/hydraulic study of the Tittabawassee River Watershed. County officials will review the proposal and determine how to proceed. Through the donations of local businesses and foundations, the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure has pledged to fund the 50% cost share by hiring engineering services to aid the Corps of Engineers in completing the study and/or by direct contribution. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Tittabawassee River Assessment, the watershed covers 2,471 square miles, including all or part of the following counties: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon and Saginaw. The main stem of the Tittabawassee River is more than 90 miles long, with more than 600 miles of contributing tributaries, including the Tobacco River, Pine River and Chippewa River. Located in the center part of Michigans Lower Peninsula, this watershed is the fifth largest in the state. Formed in 2021 by the Midland Business Alliance Board of Directors, the advisory committees structure is made up of MBA board members, members of the community at large, an MBA staff representative, and ex officio representatives from the Four Lakes Task Force, Midland County and City of Midland. In addition to communicating with stakeholders and collaborators, the committee also reports back regularly to the MBA President and CEO, who will keep the full MBA Board of Directors updated at regular intervals. For more information, visit www.MBAmi.org/floodstudy. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The suspect in the killing of three people in rural South Carolina hopped on a plane after the shootings and was arrested hours later at a Florida hotel, authorities said. A man, woman and 10-year-old girl were killed in the shootings Monday around 3 p.m. inside a Greenwood County home just off U.S. Highway 25, Sheriff Dennis Kelly said. On Tuesday, the Greenwood County Coroners Office identified the victims as Randy Grant Perkins, 56, Megan Lee Gale Dinkins, 30, and Shey Nicole Dinkins, according to local news outlets. All were listed as residents of the same Greenwood home. Another child was also hurt in the shooting, but managed to get out of the home and go to a neighbor who called 911, Kelly told The Index-Journal of Greenwood. Jeffery David Powell, 36, was arrested at a hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, deputies said in a statement early Tuesday morning. Kelly told the newspaper that Powell flew to Florida on a commercial flight but didn't give details about how he got to the airport or what led to his arrest. Deputies were still trying to determine what led to the shooting, Kelly said at a news conference Monday evening. Theres a relationship there, but were still trying to get some of those details on how they know each other," the sheriff said. Powell has a charge of breach of trust of between $2,000 and $10,000 pending in Greenwood County and was convicted of domestic violence in both 2013 and 2014, according to court records. Deputies did not say if Powell had a lawyer and they did not detail what charges he is facing in the shootings. The shootings happened in a rural area about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of Greenwood and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Greenville. ___ Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. Director of Content and Operations Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Parliament on Tuesday resumed its session in the eastern city of Tobruk discussing the draft law on the election of the president of Libya, which started on Monday after the presentation of the criteria to be met by any candidate to the position of the country's top office BLOOMINGTON To hear various people in McLean County tell it, the hope that COVID-19 would be a lessened concern in the summer of 2021 remains just that a hope. Cases are on the rise, and this time it's a more contagious kind that has health care leaders worried. Reditus Laboratories in Pekin on Monday said it had identified an additional 347 cases of the delta variant during a sequencing run on July 29. CEO Dr. Aaron Rossi in a statement said the delta variant has "clearly become the dominant strain in our samples." Thirty of those cases were tied to Bloomington-Normal. The McLean County Health Department agreed with Rossi's conclusion: On Tuesday, Administrator Jessica McKnight said that cases "continue to be on the rise in McLean County and across the state as the delta variant becomes the predominant strain." "Anyone who is unvaccinated and not practicing preventive strategies such as masking is at an increased risk for infection by the new variant," she said. County Board of Health President Carla Pohl said she knows people are tired of COVID-19 tired of the messaging, the virus itself, the continued calls for masking. But public health leaders can't stop repeating themselves, she said, or at least not when the statistics are trending upward so quickly. McLean County COVID-19 cases soared to nearly 400 confirmed in July after just 121 cases were confirmed in June. Those figures surpass last summer's, in which just 252 cases were confirmed in July 2020. "We're just really worried about how we're going to deal with increasing numbers (and) our hospitalizations going up," she said. "Those are lagging indicators, so we all know that deaths are next to go up. We're just really hoping that people will pay attention to what's going on." 'Lack of vaccination in the community' The difference now isn't just the entrance of the more-contagious delta variant, but also that there is a vaccine against COVID-19 now widely available at retail pharmacies, the health department, doctor's offices and, this week, the McLean County Fair. The vaccine's prevalence and the percentage of people who reman unvaccinated is part of health leader's frustration. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "I'm concerned that the health care system could indeed be overwhelmed by this variant because of the lack of vaccination in the community," OSF St. Joseph chief medical officer Dr. Paul Pedersen said. "We're not beyond the capability of being overwhelmed by this virus again." Just under 50% of McLean County's overall population is considered fully vaccinated meaning a person who has had one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or both of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. "I think, unfortunately, our message about the COVID vaccine ended up having some political taint to it," said Carle BroMenn and Carle Eureka Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Nevin. "I think that has hampered us in our journey of vaccination. 99% of the people who are dying today of COVID are not vaccinated. I don't know how much clearer that message can be given and it just blows my mind." Both Pedersen and Nevin emphasized that, locally, the health care system isn't overwhelmed yet. But the trend has them worried. "At this point, it's not so much the ventilators and the (personal protective equipment) and the medications and the (intravenous) fluids," Pedersen said. "It's the people. The toll this has taken on staff is significant and they're tired." 'Businesses must stay open' Most Illinois COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June as infection numbers fell and vaccination rates rose. That began to change in recent days with the current surge of the delta variant, which the CDC said can be more easily spread by people who are vaccinated, even if it doesnt tend to make them seriously ill. In 2020, when infection rates surged, the state shut down non-essential businesses. A year later, McLean County Chamber of Commerce CEO Charlie Moore said: "Businesses must stay open. Over the last several months, I think that we've become accustomed to being open, and I think it has been thoroughly enjoyed by all the opportunity to have some of the life as we once knew it, if you will." Pohl said the path to fewer COVID cases and fewer mitigations is clear: To help curb the spread, people need to continue to wear masks, since a virus can spread from person to person regardless of vaccination status, and get the vaccine. "Everybody is tired of the virus. Everybody is tired of wearing a mask. I understand all of us understand," she said. "I think from a public health perspective, we're all pretty frustrated because we can't figure out what messages will work with folks. We just need to really pull together and do what we can do what we can do to get to overcome this virus." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BLOOMINGTON Amari McNabb was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Bloomington man Juan Nash in April 2019 in Bloomington. A McLean County jury also found the 22-year-old McNabb guilty of mob action. Jurors found him not guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm. He faces up 20 to 60 years in prison for murder and one to three years for mob action. McNabb, of south Chicago suburb Country Club Hills, showed no emotion as Judge Casey Costigan read the jury's verdict. He was the third man to be found guilty of murder in Nashs death. Scotty Allen, 21, and Exodus Hebert, 20, were sentenced to 50 years and 20 years in prison, respectively, for their involvement in the April 2, 2019 shooting in the 1200 block of Orchard Road. Defense attorneys Edward Johnson and John Miraglia argued throughout the trial that states attorneys could not prove McNabb had or fired a gun. They said the incident was a quick confrontation that led McNabb to act in self-defense. They also argued that nobody could prove who fired a gun first. But McLean County Assistant States Attorneys Aaron Fredrick and Ashley Scarborough said McNabb, Allen and Hebert were on a mission, and planned and coordinated the shooting. Fredrick said during the trial that each man had a role before, during and after the shooting. Prosecutors argued that the three mens motive to kill Nash, 25, was because his younger brother allegedly had a role in the shooting death of Trevonte Kirkwood about five months earlier. Prosecutors said the three men came to an outdoor block party on Orchard Road for a short time and left for a nearby bowling alley. Surveillance video shown during the trial showed McNabb, Hebert, Allen and another friend arrive to Pheasant Lanes bowling alley where they spent about 15 minutes walking around, talking to each other and on the phone. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Prosecutors said they left to return to the party and that shortly after they arrived, gunfire erupted, at about 9:45 p.m., Fredrick said. Police recovered 20 shell casings from the scene 14 9mm handgun casings, two .25 caliber casings and four .380 caliber casings. Prosecutors and a witness said Nash fired 14 gunshots. A witness said he was in his parked car in a driveway facing the shooting in the street. He was looking at his phone when he heard several gunshots and looked up to see Nash on the ground. He said he saw Nash then fire back about 14 times but that most people had run away. He also said he thought Nashs gunfire sounded different from the first gunshots he heard. Nash then got in a vehicle and drove down Orchard Road and around a corner where he crashed into a house. He was found unresponsive with several gunshot wounds inside the crashed SUV. Allen and Nathanial Caldwell Jr. also were wounded in the shooting. Other surveillance video showed McNabb, Hebert and Allen arrive to a nearby hospital to drop off Allen. The video showed McNabb and Hebert leave the hospital within about 30 seconds of arriving. McNabb is due back in court Oct. 25 for post-trial motions or a sentencing hearing. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON All 12 jurors were selected Monday for the trial for Amari McNabb, who is accused of committing murder two years ago in Bloomington. The 22-year-old from Country Club Hills, a south suburb of Chicago, is accused of fatally shooting Bloomington man Juan Nash, 25, during an outdoor party in April 2019 in the 1200 block of Orchard Road in Bloomington. Twenty-eight potential jurors were questioned in about a four-and-a-half hour process. Ten women and two men, who are all white, form the jury. Two white women were chosen as alternates for the trial. Prosecutors seek five criminal charges against McNabb: three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and mob action. Two other Bloomington men involved in the 2019 shooting have been issued prison sentences. Scotty A. Allen, 21, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 50 years, and Exodus R. Hebert, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Opening arguments for McNabbs trial begin Tuesday morning. McLean County Assistant States Attorneys Ashley Scarborough and Aaron Fredrick presented a list of 57 potential witnesses to be called, including Hebert. Defense attorney Edward Johnson, of Chicago, expects to call two expert witnesses to testify. Johnson is joined by co-counselor John Miraglia, of Chicago. Johnson asked potential jurors if they ever had to defend themselves in a situation and how they felt about self-defense. He also asked jurors if they are OK with the proposition that one person can kill another person if justified, but Judge Casey Costigan accepted prosecutors objection to the question. If convicted, McNabb faces 20 to 60 years in prison for each murder charge; four to 15 years for aggravated discharge of a firearm; and one to three years for mob action. If states attorneys can prove McNabb fired a gun in two of the murder charges, he would be eligible for up to 25 more years. Lawyers expect the trial to last through the week, possibly ending next week. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As the first honoree in Pekin's honorary street designation program, Carol A. Shields exemplified a commitment to making her community a better place to live. "Carol Shields could not be a better first choice for this honorary street name," stated Pekin Mayor Mark Luft. "I'm not sure there's anything in this community that she did not participate in, that she did not help with, and that she did not help move forward and grow. We would love to have a lot more community members just like her." Shields, who passed away in January, served as executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2001. Volunteerism was an extremely important part of her life, and she served the city of Pekin in capacities ranging from membership on the city's Human Rights Advisory Board and Economic Development Advisory Committee to serving as master of ceremonies for Puttin' on Pekin breakfasts and as a grand marshal for the Pekin Marigold Festival. Shields also served as chairperson of the Pekin Hospital Board of Directors, was a past president of both the Illinois Association of Realtors and the Pekin Area Association of Realtors, and was on the board of directors for the National Association of Realtors. "She was a very special lady who loved the city of Pekin," said Shields' husband, Harland. "She worked from early in the morning until late at night, and sometimes I didn't see a whole lot of her." As a founding member of the Pekin Transportation Committee, Shields was a major driving force behind the Veterans Drive Project a campaign to complete a ring road to divert traffic from Illinois Route 9 and improve access to Pekin from surrounding communities. "She had a huge influence on getting (Veterans Drive) done," said Harland Shields. "She did it not only by speaking with people she knew in Springfield, but also with people in Washington, D.C., such as our congressman and our representatives. She wasn't the only person involved, but she had a tremendous amount to do with it." The Pekin City Council unanimously voted to approve the honorary street designation earlier this month. The section of Veterans Drive between Griffin Drive and Allentown Road will temporarily bear the name Carol A. Shields Way. The signs will remain in place for one year from the date of installation. Luft noted that Harland Shields had submitted an application to have Veterans Drive from Court Street to Broadway Street designated to honor Shields. However, the designation is limited by city ordinance to one block in length and to city-owned or controlled streets. The intersections of Veterans and Court and at Veterans and Broadway are owned or controlled in part by the state of Illinois or Tazewell County. Luft, who is currently serving as a state representative for Illinois' 91st District, plans to introduce a resolution at the Illinois General Assembly's October session to have a state-owned section of Veterans Drive designated in Shields' honor. "It will not be a permanent resolution, but it will allow us to follow through on what we wanted to do as a city on Veterans Drive," he added. In spite of Shields' considerable contributions to her community, Harland Shields contends that she would have been humbled and perhaps overwhelmed by the posthumous fanfare she has received. "I'm sure she's looking down saying 'I can't believe all this is happening,' he said. "That's just the type of person my wife was." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 100 years ago Aug. 3, 1921: Todays front page brought stories that will be remembered for generations. Six Chicago White Sox players were acquitted of charges they threw the 1919 World Series in a gambling scheme. And, world famous tenor Enrico Caruso, 48, has died of natural causes. 75 years ago Aug. 3, 1946: The Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the citys oldest congregations, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend. The church was organized Sept. 10, 1846 with only 12 members. Its still in the same location, 808 N. Center St. 50 years ago Aug. 3, 1971: Normal City Council approved the sale of 50 acres of Maxwell Park to Unit 5 for two future schools: an elementary and a junior high school. The price is $150,000 with another $30,000 added for sewer tap-ins. The sale will leave 75 acres in Maxwell Park. 25 years ago Aug. 3, 1996: In the local radio world, WJBC-AM has been on top for a long time. But the latest ratings show WJBC falling behind WBWN-FM (B-104), the country music station. The margin is slight, and owner Twin Cities Broadcasting runs both stations from the same building. Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com. Photo: (Photo : Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) A landmark case involving a fertility doctor who inseminated his sperm on his IVF patients has progressed into a $10.7 million payout after a judge in an Ontario court certified the lawsuit. Couple Dan and Davina Dixon filed the case against their fertility doctor, Norman Barwin, in 2016, after years of searching for justice. The Dixon couple learned that the baby girl they conceived in 1990, through Barwin's help, was the fertility doctor's biological child. In an interview with CBC Radio, Davina said plenty of clues about their daughter, Rebecca's, real paternity. For one thing, she had brown eyes when both of her parents had blue eyes. Rebecca also developed celiac disease, a hereditary condition that none of her parents had. After the Dixons filed the case, at least 200 victims joined forces to launch a class-action lawsuit against Barwin as well. Now 82 years old, the fertility doctor's lawyers said he's not guilty of any wrongdoing despite agreeing to the multi-million payout. Comparing DNAs Dan and Davina had suspicions about Rebecca's paternity early on because of information they read online about parents with blue eyes who cannot have a baby with brown eyes. They also saw the glaring differences in Rebecca's physical features. Read Also: Jason Momoa Congratulates Amber Heard for New Baby via Surrogacy Davina said that she grew concerned and decided to get a DNA test for Dan and Rebecca. The test results showed that the father and daughter's DNA had a zero percent match. When Rebecca developed celiac disease, the Dixons asked Barwin to take a DNA test. The fertility doctor refused to comply, so Davina turned to one of the patients, who just learned at 25 years old that her biological father was Barwin. The 25-year-old and Rebecca's DNA matched, which left Davina in shock. According to reports, the biological siblings also found another girl, Kat Palmer, whose parents sought Barwin's help for IVF. The Palmers asked for an anonymous donor with traits and characteristics that were important to them, but Barwin used his sperm on Kat's mother, Janet. Another victim said that she thought all along that the fertility doctor used her husband's sperm when they had IVF. She eventually found out that all of their children have no biological link to their dad. Some 226 IVF victims joined the class action, where 17 have been determined as Barwin's children through DNA testing. Disgraced and Stripped of License In 2013, Barwin admitted that he made the mistake of inseminating the wrong sperm to four women. He did not inform his patients, so they made the discoveries on their own several years later. The following year, Barwin gave up his medical license, but the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario said he was an incompetent fertility doctor whose mistakes will impact generations of family. The college fined Barwin nearly $9,000 and asked him to set up a DNA database for families who may need to identify paternity. Meanwhile, the judge has yet to sign the $10.7 million settlement. If it's approved, every victim in this lawsuit may receive around $39,000 in damages. Related Article: Wealthy 23-Year-Old Mom Vows to Have 105 Children With Her 56-Year-Old Husband 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 The Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, says government is committed to ensuring that every 10-year-old Ghanaian child can read and write. To this end, he says government will put in place the necessary facilities and interventions to create the needed conducive environment for teaching and learning in Ghanaian schools. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin South, made the remarks when he presented some items to the Assin Asamankese D/A basic school. The items included exercise books, sets of crayons, pencil packs, veronica buckets, handwashing soap and a digital piano. Rev. Ntim Fordjour, for instance, cited the National Standardised Test (NST), spearheaded by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, as one of the interventions being instituted to put the countrys basic education side on sound footings. He said the NST is not only aimed at seeking to improve learning outcomes but also at reducing learning poverty across the country. He noted that all primary four pupils in Ghana will be the first batch to sit for the NST test, adding that it will also give government the opportunity to assess the challenges inherent and undertake the remedial actions when they were in class five. Rev. Ntim Fordjour has, therefore, appealed to chiefs, parents, guardians, and the public to support governments policies to help move the country forward. Children are the future of the country, and nothing should hinder them from achieving their dreams. There are, among them, those with exceptional talents and skills, gifted and talented kids and they need to be guided and mentored appropriately, the Deputy Minister said. On behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Seth Adjei thanked the Deputy Minister for the items and promised to put them to good use. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has begun an indefinite nationwide strike from today, Monday, August 2, 2021. The association has directed its members to withdraw all teaching and related activities on campuses beginning Monday. A statement issued by the NEC, and jointly signed by Professor Charles Marfo, the UTAG National President, and Dr. Eric K. K. Abavare, the National Secretary said members on the various campuses ought to comply with the directive. UTAG members on all campuses are charged to withdraw activities like the conduct of examinations, invigilation, marking of examination scripts and the processing of examination results. The decision to embark on an industrial strike, according to the NEC, was borne out of the governments refusal to heed to calls by the Association to improve the worsening conditions of service of university teachers. It said the Association was not happy at the way the authorities had been dragging their feet on negotiations concerning the welfare of the teachers. In a related development, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has appealed to the UTAG and Senior Staff Association Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) to call off their industrial action and continue negotiations with government. According to NUGS the strike will affect students, especially within the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the earlier obstruction of academic work by the global shutdown. The union added that UTAG and SSA-UoG must as an act of good faith towards students and the government avoid an entrenched position in all dialogues to address their concerns. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly has commenced the construction of 3,000 Market stores valued at GHS 50.3 million. The assembly led by the MCE, Albert Boakye Okyere, and Best Point Savings, and Loans, Akyemfour and Sons have partnered to construct the market stores for traders in Ashaiman Kufour Market. The Project valued at Fifty Million, three Hundred and Ninety-Six, Eight Hundred and Eleven Twenty Seven Pesewas (GHS 50,396,811.27) has a Six Month constructional duration will have large, medium, and small shops tailored to suit all traders. The Project will also have a permanent police station, Fire Service and Banks. It will have storerooms, a rest arena, washrooms, changing halls for traders, and others. This Project is a kind in the history of the Municipality and the traders praise the MCE, Albert Boakye Okyere for this massive vision. The project is expected to be completed in a six-month scheduled and the contractors have promised it will be done within the stipulated time. In a short ceremony to start the project the exciting market women were there and graced by the traditional authorities. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged the chiefs and people of Atibie and the entire Kwahu range and its environs to patronize the five-day free medical outreach being embarked upon by the Ghana Medical Relief (GMR) in partnership with the Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN)in the area. The former President gave the advice when the GMR medical team paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Accra at the weekend. The GMR is a non-profit organization based in the United States of America and would be providing general health screening, pediatrics, dental, urological, obstetrics and health education to more than 5,000 people in the Atibie and other areas of the Eastern Region from August 2 to Friday, August 6, 2021. Former President Kufuor said; "Doctor Owusu and this powerful team have come from United States to render humanitarian medical service...I know that they've targeted the Atibie hospital as the major hospital to go and render service to the people on the Kwahu Mountains. I want to use this occasion to appeal to all the people around to go for this free service." He pledged his support for the group for their commitment to such activities to deprived communities in Ghana. Dr Samuel Kwapong Owusu, the President of GMR expressed gratitude to the former President for hosting the team and looked forward to the Ghana Medical Relief partnering with the John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation to improve the health of the citizens especially in deprived communities. The medical team, which is under the leadership of Dr Owusu and Dr William Rockson has in previous years visited Anomabo in the Central and Asiakwa in the Eastern Region and provided similar services to over 3,000 indigenes of those areas. The organization made up of medical practitioners and volunteers work in collaboration with hospitals, churches, and agencies in the United States for supplies and medical equipment that are then donated to hospitals and clinics, while also providing free medical services to deprived communities in Ghana annually. To date, the organization has donated hospital beds, ultrasound machines, examination tables, cardiac defibrillators, operating room equipment, and numerous medical supplies/medications to several hospitals and clinics in Ghana. In a related development, Davis Ansah Opoku, the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso in the Eastern Region has applauded the GMR for their commitment to provide health services to deprived communities. He made the commendation when the executives of the Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN), partners of this years medical outreach welcomed the medical team to the country at a brief ceremony. Mr Opoku assured the team of the communities readiness, saying that there have been massive awareness creation in the media at Kwahu to ensure that residents in and around Atibie benefit from the gesture. 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 Kumasi High Court has quashed its own ruling which slapped the government with a $15.3 million judgement debt for the unlawful seizure of properties belonging to a mining firm, Heritage Imperial Company. In its latest ruling, the court, presided over by Justice Samuel Diawuo, held that it had inherent jurisdiction to set aside its own judgement, as it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the legal action that led to the initial ruling. This follows an application by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, which sought an order to set aside the courts earlier ruling as null and void. Legal action On February 2019, Heritage Imperial Company initiated a legal action against the government for what it claimed was the unlawful invasion and seizure of its properties by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining, a task force set up by the government to tackle the menace of illegal mining. As part of its reliefs, the company prayed the court to declare as unlawful the invasion of the mining site and the seizure of its excavators and equipment. It also wanted an order directed at the state to release its machinery, equipment and money seized by the task force from its concession or, in the alternative, the cost of the machinery and equipment to be assessed and the value paid to it. Again, it also prayed for general damages, as well as cost of proceedings, including counsels fees on a full indemnity basis. Initial ruling challenged In May this year, Justice Diawuo awarded $15.3 million judgment debt against the government and ordered it to pay Heritage Imperial GH600,000. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the A-G challenged the ruling at the same court, seeking an order to set the ruling aside. It was the case of the A-G that the commencement of the action by the company, without regard to the mandatory statutory stipulations of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), was unlawful. Again, he argued that the order for the payment of $15.3 million to the mining company was unlawful and without basis. He further averred that the company failed to give a concise statement of the nature of the claim it was seeking in its legal action. The A-G contended that Heritage Imperial, in its writ, did not claim the $15.3 million against the state. The relief of $15,304,714.20 granted by the court was a material and specific one, clear notice of which had to be given on the writ of summons and statement of claim, Mr Dame argued. The court, he said, did not have jurisdiction to grant the relief of $15.3 million against the state. The A-G also contended that the failure of company to claim the relief of $15.3 million on its writ of summons was intended to deceive the court and deprive the state of appropriate revenue, as appropriate filing fees were paid on the reliefs awarded to Heritage Imperial Company. New ruling Justice Diawuo, in his latest ruling, held that the court had inherent jurisdiction to set aside its own judgment when same was plainly entered without jurisdiction or is offensive to any provision of the laws of Ghana. The judge upheld that the failure of Heritage Imperial Company to state the specific relief on its writ of summons was a fundamental defect. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Executive Director of the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation, Ms Otiko Afisah Djaba, has encouraged Ghanaians to patronise products locally made by persons living with disability (PWDs). Patronising products made by people living with disability is a sure way of taking them off the streets, she said. She said this at the maiden Ability Fair organised by the foundation in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Accra last Friday. The Ability Fair is aimed at showcasing the hidden talents of PWDs and portraying to the public that disability is not inability. Fair Ms Djaba also urged the participants in the fair to keep up the work they were doing and not to allow their disability to hinder them in anyway. Seeing all the beautiful craft work showcased by the participants who are all persons with disability is a great sign that when we push and give them the needed resources, they will do well in their fields of craft and that is what this fair aims to achieve, the former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection said. The fair brought together PWDs in Accra, Akropong in the Eastern Region and other places to showcase their talent through their craft works such as bead products, cosmetics, catering services, hand-woven kente, slippers for both gender and theatrical performances including dancing and singing. Support The Brand Ambassadors for the fair, Okyeame Kwame, Obour, Nana Ama McBrown among other celebrities, also called for support for PWDs, urging that their services should be patronised more to equip them to also teach their friends in order to eradicate streetism. One of the exhibitors at the fair, Mr Joseph Yanney, who deals in locally made fabric products such as purse, market bags among others also called for support for the industry. Most people are scared to patronise our products due to our disability. This fair would also give us the chance to prove that disability is not contagious and that patronising our products is a way of helping us not to go back onto the street, he said. Health The Programme Analyst of the UNFPA, Ms Dela Bright, who read a speech on behalf of the Country Representative, Mr Niyi Ojuolape, stated that equal opportunities in health care should be given to PWDs. Promoting equal opportunity in all aspects and inclusion of people living with disability in all decisions is central to social and economic development growth of any society or nation, she said. She added that the fair should be able to create a safe environment and provide marketing and self-employment opportunities for PWDs as the COVID-19 pandemic had ravaged the world, giving bitter experiences to businesses. The participants and visitors in the fair were also screened for hepatitis B, eye and ear and were offered some counselling. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Majority in Parliament has said the decision by the Minority to contest the Cape Coast High Court ruling that annulled the election of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Assin North is tantamount to scandalising the independence of the Judiciary. It said the Minority would not have undermined only the independence of the Judiciary but also the trust Ghanaians had in the Judiciary, a posture that could potentially escalate tension in the country. According to the Majority, the Minority, like all groups of Ghanaians, had a solemn duty to protect the peace of the country and must, therefore, be mindful of its stance to dispute the Cape Coast High Court ruling against Mr James Gyakye Quayson. When we do these things to escalate tension and mislead people into believing that our institutions are not working, all that we are calling for is chaos and lawlessness. We believe that the Minority and its leadership in Parliament should not have come to scandalise the court, it said. Addressing the press in Parliament last Friday, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said: The least the Minority could do is respect the courts decision and not scandalise the Judiciary. He was reacting to a press conference the Minority held last Thursday to express their readiness to contest the Cape Coast High Court ruling that ordered Mr Quayson not to hold himself as the MP for Assin Central. Wake up to reality Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Majority were disappointed at the disrespect their counterparts in the Minority had shown to the Cape Coast High Court ruling that annulled the election of Mr Quayson. He said the Majority rather expected the Minority, no matter how desperate they were for power, to wake up to the reality of the rule of law, which was part of the governance of the country. He cited Article 125 (1 to 3) of the 1992 Constitution, which states: Justice emanates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary, which shall be independent and subject to only this Constitution. The judicial power of Ghana shall be vested in the Judiciary. Accordingly, neither the President nor Parliament nor any organ or agency of the President or Parliament shall have or be given the final judicial power. He accused the NDC Minority of gaining notoriety of always coming out to scandalise the Judiciary if a courts ruling or judgment did not go in their favour. Precedent Citing a precedent similar to the High Court ruling against Mr Quayson, Mr Afenyo-Markin recalled the case of the late former NPP MP for Bawku Central, Mr Adamu Sakande. He said during the trial of the MP, a High Court had asked whether or not at the time of filing his nomination to be an MP Mr Sakande owed allegiance to any country. His answer was that he had initiated the process of giving up his British citizenship. This matter travelled all the way to the Supreme Court and the courts position was that at the time he filled the form, he had still not given up his British citizenship and, accordingly, he was not qualified to be a candidate, let alone occupy the chamber of Parliament. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sammy Gyamfi, National Communication Officer, NDC, has indicated that the ruling of the High Court in Cape Coast which has ousted the Assin North legislator from Parliament was full of plagiarized contents from Wikipedia. A High Court in Cape Coast on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void. According to the trial judge Justice Boakye, the National Democratic Congress 2020 parliamentary candidate for the constituency, James Gyakye Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution concerning dual citizenship. He, then, ordered for a fresh election to be conducted in the constituency. But speaking on Joy FM, Monday, August 2, Sammy Gyamfi stated that the trial judge determined the case in accordance with Canadian law. And if you look at section 1 subsection 2 of the Evidence Act of Ghana, issues of foreign law are questions of facts which the Supreme Court has said can only be determined at the trial stage through the abduction of evidence; in this case, there was no evidence before the court. He [the trial judge] resorted or if you like plagiarized some writings from Wikipedia and sort to determine issues of foreign law on his own as a judge with when he has no such powers under the Evidence Act in this country; he didnt even allow the matter to go for trial, abduction of evidence or expert witness to be called so clearly, he did not determine that issue with accordance with the law, Gyamfi explained. He further indicated that the decision of the judge to annul the election on grounds that the NDC legislator was not qualified at the time of nomination violates section 20(1)(d) of PNDC Law 284 which says that a High Court can only annul a parliamentary election if the candidate was not qualified as of the time of election no nomination, so, the judge got that wrong. Meanwhile, the NDC has filed an appeal to overturn the decision of the High Court in Cape Coast. According to the lawyers of the ousted MP, the decision of the court was not based on settled laws and was in clear violation of the 1992 constitution. Background After he was declared winner in the constituencys election, James Gyakye Quayson was dragged to court by Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region. Akomah-Ninfa filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency for owing allegiance to Canada. In November last year, a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Assin North petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Gyakye Quayson, arguing that he owes allegiance to Canada. According to Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana, A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he or she (a) owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), had insisted that their MP is a full citizen of Ghana who owes no allegiance whatsoever to any other country. He is a Ghanaian in law and, in fact, qualifies to be a Member of Parliament according to the laws of Ghana. Source: ghanaweb.con Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Awal, says illegal activities along the borders of countries in the sub-region are hampering efforts to develop tourism. At a durbar of chiefs and people, including Africans in the diaspora, to mark the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) in Cape Coast last Friday, Dr Awal called on the public to collaborate with security agencies to protect the nation's borders. He said security along the coast and borders of the sub-region in recent times had left much to be desired, stressing that the situation did not bode well for tourism development. The relatively smaller but colourful durbar was restricted to the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast with adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols instead of the usually huge durbar held for the event at the Victoria Park. At the peak of the celebrations, the "Effirim" ceremony the smearing of white clay was held to welcome Africans in the Diaspora back home. Dr Awal appealed to the chiefs to support the security agencies to halt activities that could discourage tourists from visiting the country. "We cannot achieve development without peace. These days, especially in the sub-region, there are a lot of illegal activities; from Burkina Faso to Nigeria, it's not good, he said. He said there was the need for Africans on the continent to collaborate to ensure economic renaissance. He said Ghana was the home of pan Africanism and homeland of African people, and urged people of African descent to actualise their dreams through the opportunities that Ghana offered as a peaceful business and tourist destination. He said culture was the very existence of the African, and that PANAFEST must be solidified to promote and grow the identity of African people everywhere. Seek the truth The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, urged society to seek the truth of their identities as people of African descent, and to build on their strengths. She advised the people to keep a focus on building on their capacities through formal education and cultural education while protecting the good attributes of their culture. The Paramount Chief of Cape Coast, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, said culture was the backbone of all people, and expressed the hope that the festival would continue to reunite all Africans. The Chairperson of the International Board of Trustees for the PANAFEST Foundation, Professor Esi Sutherland, said it was essential that important aspects of the African culture such as language, food and fashion were kept for the next generation. The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Boadu, said PANAFEST was worth celebrating because it remained a conduit for Africans to rediscover themselves, to believe in their heritage and to create a conducive and enabling business environment to attract interested investors. Dr Reggie Calhoun of the RPA College in Arlington, USA, and a member of the Africans in the Diaspora, expressed the hope that the festival would be a platform for resourceful engagements between Africans in the Diaspora and the continent. Source: Graphic Showbiz Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sports a smile at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John's, N.L. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The federal ethics watchdog has concluded Justin Trudeau was not involved in a decision that saw Liberal MPs using their taxpayer-funded budgets to hire the services of a company run by one of the prime minister's lifelong friends. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Logansport, IN (46947) Today Showers and thunderstorms likely - heavy rainfall is possible, especially this evening. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely - heavy rainfall is possible, especially this evening. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. Michael Coard, Esq. can be followed on Twitter, Instagram and his YouTube channel as well as at AvengingTheAncestors.com. His Radio Courtroom show can be heard on WURD 96.1 FM or 900 AM. And his TV Courtroom show can be seen on PhillyCAM/Verizon Fios/Comcast. The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Philadelphia Tribune. When a composite product manufacturer builds their first frame and strives for nothing but perfection, what else would you expect? Look at this thing; stealthy, raw carbon, matte paint, and sharp lines. Dustin Adams, We Are One's founder, doesn't cut any corners when it comes to production and demands performance with his history in World Cup DH racing. "Arrival" doesn't stem from any alien landing reference, but symbolizes We Are One's entry to the enduro bike market. We Are One has begun production only two years since the idea became a plan. Of course, they take the proud responsibility of constructing the full carbon frame in house, learning from their polished experience in building carbon rims and handlebars. The molds for those products are cut with a CNC machine, so they took the opportunity to produce everything else on the frame, like fasteners and links. The titanium hardware, protective rubber pieces, and Cerakote paint, are inclusive to their 500 mile supplier source circle with an emphasis on reusing packaging. With 152mm of rear wheel travel mated to a 160mm fork, this 29 wheeled rig has already been quietly proving itself on the Enduro World Series under Kamloops young gun, Johnathan Helly, who currently sits in 15th overall in U21. Arrival Details Carbon fiber frame manufactured in B.C. Wheel Size: 29" 152mm rear travel / 160mm fork Titanium hardware with alloy links 2 Cerakote ceramic paint color choices 3 frame sizes 2 chainstay lengths Coil shock compatible 14.53kg/ 32.04lb, as tested Frames and bikes assembled in B.C. Complete bikes from $8,889, $10,999 USD Frame only pricing TBD weareonecomposites.com Carbon fiber frame manufactured in B.C. Wheel Size: 29" 152mm rear travel / 160mm fork Titanium hardware with alloy links 2 Cerakote ceramic paint color choices 3 frame sizes 2 chainstay lengths Coil shock compatible 14.53kg/ 32.04lb, as tested Frames and bikes assembled in B.C. Complete bikes from $8,889, $10,999 USD Frame only pricing TBD Frame Details The dual links rotate in the same direction and ride on double row premium stainless Enduro bearings, which are pressed into the links, not the carbon. Both colorways feature a Cerakote ceramic paint finish that fades to raw carbon on the rear triangle. Geometry Arrival XO1 Cable, $8,899 USD Frame: Carbon triangles, alloy links, titanium hardware Fork: Fox 36 Factory, Grip 2, 160mm, 44mm OS Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory, Trunnion 185mm x 55mm Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12 Spd Wheels: We Are One Union/ I9 1/1 hubs, SB+ rear Tires: Vittoria Mazza 29 x 2.6 F, 2.4 R Seatpost SDG Tellis, 170mm Saddle: SGD Belair Gel Cranks: SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon DUB, 170mm, B148, 32t Handlebar: We Are One Da Bar 25mm rise, 800mm width Stem: We Are One Da Stem 45mm Grips: SDG Thrice Headset: Chris King Inset II Brakes: Magura MT5, 200mm F, 180mm R Arrival XO1 AXS, $10,999 USD Frame: Carbon triangles, alloy links, titanium hardware Fork: Fox 36 Factory, Grip 2, 160mm, 44mm OS Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory, Trunnion 185mm x 55mm Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle AXS 12 Spd Wheels: We Are One Union/ I9 Hydra hubs, SB+ rear Tires: Vittoria Mazza 29 x 2.6 F, 2.4 R Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS, 170mm Saddle: SGD Belair Gel Cranks: SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon DUB, 170mm, B148, 32t Handlebar: We Are One Da Bar 25mm rise, 800mm width Stem: We Are One Da Stem 45mm Grips: SDG Thrice Headset: Chris King Inset II Brakes: Magura MT7, 200mm F, 180mm R Ride Impressions There will be two kits available; XO1 mechanical priced at $8,899 USD and XO1 AXS wireless for $10,999. Both trim levels are supplied with a Fox Factory 36 and a Float X2, We Are Ones own Da Package bar and stem combo, plus their Union rims laced to Industry 9 hubs. A Chris King headset, Magura brakes, and Vittorria tires round out the common build components. The prices are on the upper end of the spectrum, because this is a seriously high-end, non-mass produced, specialty product.You may recognize the suspension layout from Vladimir Yordanov and his Sequence downhill bike , that we featured back in 2018. Vlad has tuned this shorter travel, dual link layout to meet the requirements of We Are One. The design team tested numerous suspension platforms, including high pivots, but found a few characteristics that they felt could be improved.The frame is made from 3 different fibres; 3K, 12K, and UD carbon. The first priority was not to be stiff or light, but our M/L bike in our Summer Field Test, with control tires, did weigh in at a svelte 14.53kg / 32.04lb. According to We Are One, the lateral and vertical compliance of the frame was tuned to give different levels flex. The rear triangle is created in two halves and then bonded together through another process in order to optimize strength and weight.When asked about the internal hose management, Dustin explained that using a guided tube in tube method doesn't yield the best carbon compaction. The inner tube that the housing would run through compromises how the layers are compacted and from testing other frames, they saw failures due to this. So, they opted for the foam tube insulation around the brake hose and shift housing with maximum attention to detail in the construction on the frame.The Arrival uses of Super Boost 157mm rear hub spacing, which is paired with a narrower Q-factor, usually reserved for Boost 148mm rear hubs. What this does is provide a straighter chainline for the taller gears on the cassette that see more action, higher torques, and quicker wear, than those found at the bottom of the cassette. The bottom bracket is threaded for less mistakes while removing an old BB or installing a new one, and the rear hub sits on aluminum sleeves at the dropout. We Are One expects to see these bikes live a long and happy life for years to come.The rear shock also stands out with its short 185mm x 55mm trunnion mount. The leverage curve works well with coil shocks also and Push 11/6 options will be available shortly. There are no flip chips or travel adjustments and those bolts and axles that are threaded, have keyed female nuts, so again, nothing will jeopardize the integrity of the carbon.Similarly to the current crop of enduro bikes, the length of the rear triangles differs between three sizes. The SZ1 and SZ2 get 437mm chainstays while the SZ3 grows to 441mm. The reach starts at 450mm and grows in 25mm increments per size. The head angle sits at 64 with a nice steep effective seat tube angle of 77 and the seat tube length is 437.2mm on the size 2.Before even setting off on the Arrival, you can't ignore the low weight of the bike. Then, after you jump on and throw in a few cranks, it's immediately apparent how the bike wants to move forward. And that's the name of the game across the board here. The Arrival is just so efficient; in terms of climbing prowess, how the suspension goes through the motions, weight distribution through the rough stuff, which all boils down to carrying momentum. It just wants to go!The small bump is superb and propels you forward while the mid-stroke is supportive, but forgiving when charging through consecutive stepped bumps. Even the progression ramped smoothly on big sends to flat landings. The rear wheel traction hooked up when reefing on the stoppers and stayed active through tons of braking bumps. The front to rear weight shift was minimal because there were no sudden changes in the dynamic geometry.The handlebar height was definitely low in that forward attack position, like a runner in the starting blocks, but the ride was still forgiving out back. The progression in the fork definitely helped counteract large body movements late in the travel, but was tiring as you dropped elevation rapidly. After changing to my preferred 765mm width and 35mm rise handlebar paired with a 35mm length stem, I could relaxed a little more while still keeping the front wheel weighted.At 178cm / 5'10", the 437mm chainstays may be a touch shorter than some other brands, but I prefer this length to help the 29" rear wheel change direction faster. Trusting the tires through corners was easy with the low center of gravity and predictable through the front and rear centers. The low weight also helps the Arrival flick through corners and dance through technical bits without getting bounced around or off line.This bike was part of our Summer Field Test, and we'll be going further in-depth in the near future, but initial impressions are that We Are One has built a very impressive bike with fine attention to detail. partypoker Grand Prix KO Main Event Champion Crowned as Festival Comes to a Close August 03, 2021 Matthew Pitt The partypoker Grand Prix KO Series concluded on August 2 with the completion of the $109 buy-in Main Event. A field of 5,407 descended on partypoker over multiple starting flights, ensuring the $500,000 guarantee was well beaten. Sasa Lukovic was the main beneficiary of the juicy prize pool because he finished at the top of the payouts, and banked $50,159 with bounties included. Grand Prix Main Event Final Table Results Place Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 Sasa Lukovic Germany $20,040 $30,119 $50,159 2 Bruno Dell Brazil $8,540 $30,061 $38,601 3 Rodrigo Ruas Brazil $3,002 $18,705 $21,707 4 Phillip Ocvirk Austria $3,284 $12,494 $15,778 5 Matthew Stumpf Canada $636 $8,531 $9,167 6 Thomas De Rooij Netherlands $4,094 $6,055 $10,149 7 Bruno Oliveira Brazil $518 $4,202 $4,720 partypoker Extends Magic Cards Promo; Doubles Top Prize to $2K The seven-handed final table exploded into life when the first of three Brazilians crashed out. Lukovic opened for a shade over a min-raise before calling the 22 big blind three-bet all-in from Bruno Oliviera. It was jacks for Lukovic, eights for Oliviera, and an ace-high board that reduced the player count by one. Oliveiras seat had not grown cold when Thomas Rooij joined him on the rail. De Rooij and Bruno Dell both turned a straight, and all the chips went into the middle on the river. Unfortunately for De Rooij, he held the low end of the straight, so was resigned to a sixth-place finish in this event. The final five became four when a short-stacked Matthew Stumpf bowed out. Stumpf was down to a single big blind when he pushed all-in with king-five. He ultimately lost to the pocket kings of Rodrigo Raus; it just was not Stumpfs day. With bounties included, none of the remaining four players could win less than a five-figure score. Phillip Ocvirk of Austria busted in fourth at the hands of Lukovic. Lukovic open-shoved from the small blind with ace-five, and Ocvirk called off his last 15 big blinds with the dominated ace-deuce. A five on the turn left the Austrian drawing dead. Lukovic found pocket jacks again, and they sent Ruas to the sidelines in third. Lukovic min-raised before quickly calling the 13 big blind shove from Ruas, which he made with a pair of fives in the hole. The board did not even hint at rescuing Ruas because Lukovic flopped a set and turned a boat. That hand gave Lukovic a substantial chip lead over Dell, and it took less than 10 minutes for Lukovic to secure the title. The final hand saw the players go to a king-high two-flushed flop. Dell check-raised Lukovics continuation-bet with nothing but a gutshot straight draw. Lukovic, however, had flopped top pair and was going nowhere. Dell continued his story with a sizeable bet on the potential flush-completing turn, before jamming on the river with nothing but seven-high. Lukovic called with his top pair, and became the Grand Prix KO Series Main Event champion. partypoker Tournament Dollars, Satellites With a Twist Mini Main Event and High Roller Crown Their Champions The $11 buy-in Mini Main Event crowned its champion on August 2 after a three-way deal. Gary Biggar of Canada finished in third place for a combined score worth $5,869 with Marcos Paulo Padilha Moreira collected $5,783 in total. Vyacheslav Litvinenko was crowned the tournaments champion, an accolade that came with $9,900 exactly. David Lopez got his hands on an impressive $82,624 after he came out on top of a 1,129-strong field in the $530 High Roller event. Some 166 players made it through to the final days action, all of them in the money. The likes of Jack Hardcastle, Jans Arends, and Team partypokers Day Kotoviezy, Jeff Gross, and Joao Simao all cashed but failed to reach the final table. It was Lope who shone at the final table, defeating the likes of Simon Lofberg, Arsenii Karmatckii, and Peter Traply on his way to victory. Brazils Warley Bruno Borges Galvao was the tournaments runner-up, his total haul weighed in at $42,594. On July 19, 2021, Oregons Governor, Kate Brown, signed into law Senate Bill 763 that requires pharmaceutical representatives to obtain a license prior to marketing or promoting pharmaceutical products to health care providers. The law also grants the Director of the states Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) the authority to require licensees submit sample and spend disclosures and additional information related to their interactions with health care providers. DCBS may adopt rules or take any other action prior to the laws operative date of January 1, 2022. Purpose of SB 763 When passed by Oregons Senate on June 21 on a vote of 19-9, Senator Deb Patterson, a chief sponsor of the bill, stated in a press release issued by the Oregon Senate Democrats that Senate Bill 763 is a commonsense way to rein in a problematic tactic that keeps prescription drug costs high, making closed door meetings transparent to Oregon consumers and ensuring ethical practices. According to Senator Patterson, the problematic tactic she refers to is the marketing of high-cost brand medications by sales representatives. She also added that [t]his marketing practice contributes to writing more prescriptions for well-marketed medications rather than more affordable versions of similar pharmaceuticals, contributing to financial strain faced by those who depend on them. In the press release, the Senate Democrats cited findings from a 2019 JAMA article that found that [f]rom 1997 through 2016, spending on medical marketing of drugs, disease awareness campaigns, health services, and laboratory testing increased from $17.7 to $29.9 billion and that marketing to medical professionals accounted for the highest proportion of spending, increasing from $15.6 billion in 1997 to $20.3 billion in 2016. That study did not investigate whether the licensure of sales representatives could lead to a decrease in prescription drug prices. Key Definitions Pharmaceutical representative means a person that markets or promotes pharmaceutical products to health care providers. Pharmaceutical product means a medication that may be legally dispensed only with a valid prescription from a health care provider Health care provider means a person that is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized under the laws of this state to prescribe, provide or dispense pharmaceutical products to patients for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment or care of disease, injury or congenital conditions including, but not limited to, a person who is: (A) A physician or physicians assistant; (B) A nurse practitioner; (C) A psychiatrist; (D) A pharmacist; or (E) A hospital, clinic or pharmacy. Licensure Requirements Prior to engaging the marketing or promotion of pharmaceutical products to health care providers, pharmaceutical representatives must obtain a license from Oregons Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). This requirement does not apply to pharmaceutical representatives engaging in this activity for fewer than 15 days during each calendar year. The conditions of initial licensure will include completion of a professional education course that the Director of DCBS specifies by rule and the payment of a $750 license fee. Annual renewal conditions include completion of least five hours of continuing education that the Director of DCBS specifies by rule and an applicant or a licensee may not receive professional education from the applicants or licensees employer, as well as paying the $750 license fee. Disclosure of Interactions The Director of DCBS has the authority to request or at intervals [] specifie[d] by rule that a licensee provide the following documentation: Documentation that shows that the licensee has completed education required under this section; A list of health care providers within the state that the licensee contacted since the directors last request or during the previous calendar year, as appropriate; The number of times the licensee contacted each health care provider; The location and duration of the licensees contact with each health care provider; Which pharmaceutical products the licensee promoted; Whether the licensee provided the health care provider with any product samples, materials or gifts and, if so, the monetary value of the samples, materials or gifts; and Whether and how the licensee otherwise compensated the health care provider for contact with the licensee. It remains unclear how this part of the law will be implemented. Since the law is aimed at licensee and not at pharmaceutical manufacturers, the disclosure of this information is not preempted by federal reporting under the federal Open Payments Program or FDAs requirement that manufacturers report drug sample information under Section 6004 of the Affordable Care Act. Penalties Licensees that violate any of the laws provisions can have their license suspended or revoked. Additionally, licensees can be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $3,000 for each violation. Each day during which a violation continues constitutes a separate violation. Takeaway Oregon now joins Nevada, the City of Chicago, and the District of Columbia that impose similar requirements on pharmaceutical representatives. Although pharmaceutical manufacturers are not included within the scope of Oregons law, the burden to ensure compliance will fall upon compliance departments. We will continue to monitor the implementation of Oregons law and recommend that companies take part in the rulemaking process. , Cookies . cookies. ALEXANDRIA, Va. National Nuclear Security Administration boss Jill Hruby in the near term plans to prioritize plutonium pit production projects in both South Carolina and New Mexico, according to a readout of a summit she recently held with members of the agencys workforce. Pit production, the crafting of nuclear weapon cores or triggers, is one of five time-sensitive initiatives Hruby has her eyes on, the meeting summary, published by the Department of Energy, shows. Others include cybersecurity, a return-to-work plan and the Biden administrations review of U.S. nuclear capabilities and prospects, formally known as a Nuclear Posture Review. Each of our partners depend on NNSA to listen and understand, be transparent and efficient in our interfaces, and deliver on our commitments, Hruby said at the July 28 virtual meeting, which was attended by some 1,200 workers. Federal law mandates the production of 80 plutonium pits per year by 2030 a deadline that appears impossible to meet, federal budget documents and congressional testimony show. The NNSA plans to produce 30 of the warhead components per year in New Mexico, at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and 50 per year south of Aiken at the Savannah River Site; the tandem approach offers the most effective way for us to implement and to achieve the 80-pits-per-year requirement, according to Dr. Charles Verdon, who led the NNSA as the Biden administration took the reins. Hruby has previously endorsed the two-site method. But the prospective SRS pit hub, the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, is expected to come online as late as 2035. And it could cost $11 billion to realize. Thats both later than expected and more expensive than previously teased. The most satisfying part of my job has always been to empower people and teams and watch them deliver, Hruby said at last months meeting. I look forward to working with each of you as we advance NNSAs ability to innovate and deliver our mission on behalf of the American people. Hruby was sworn in as the Energy Departments under secretary for nuclear security and administrator of the NNSA late last month. COLUMBIA The University of South Carolina dropped its new indoor mask mandate after S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson told the state's largest college it was violating the state Legislature's intentions. The mandate, adopted July 30, was removed after fours days on Aug. 3, except in university health care facilities and on campus buses. "I deeply respect all persons rights to make their own choices, and I respect our federal and state governments roles in guiding our university," USC Interim President Harris Pastides wrote in a statement. "I remain committed to encouraging all Gamecocks to wear face coverings and to get vaccinated for the benefit of themselves and others." In his letter to Pastides, Wilson admitted a recently passed budget amendment overseeing what state colleges could do about mask requirements was "inartfully worded" and "ambiguous." USC had interpreted the amendment to mean state universities could not impose mask mandates only on unvaccinated students and staff. The school imposed the rule to everyone going inside campus buildings starting July 30. But Wilson said USC, his alma mater, should not have taken the language of the amendment so literally and faced losing state funding for imposing a mask rule. "It is our understanding that the (amendment), while inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks, as reflected in its use of the language 'without being required to wear a face mask,' " Wilson wrote to Pastides. "It is important that the university, not only abide by the (amendment), but that it protect the constitutional liberty of students, faculty and staff." Pastides acknowledged that Wilson's opinion that the General Assembly intended to stop public colleges from requiring masks led to USC's reversal. "We continue to strongly encourage the use of face coverings indoors, except in private offices or residence hall rooms or while eating in campus dining facilities," Pastides wrote Aug. 3. Before USC's latest decision, S.C. lawmakers had said they could close the college mask loophole when they meet in September to debate legislative redistricting and what to with federal COVID aid. Legislators did ban mask requirements from K-12 schools across South Carolina and halted vaccine requirements at K-12 schools and colleges. USC was the only major state public college requiring masks as COVID cases have risen sharply statewide in recent weeks. Mask-wearing was voluntary at other schools. Richland County, where USC's main 35,000-student campus is based, has suffered among the biggest per capita new case rates in South Carolina. The new mask requirement did not apply to USC's other seven campuses outside of Columbia. In July, Wilson challenged the College of Charleston's plans for regular testing of unvaccinated students. A project to repurpose a former textile mill in Warrenville and turn it into an apartment complex has received a tax break from Aiken County. Following an executive session during its July meeting, County Council unanimously approved a resolution to provide an extended special assessment period to Warren Mill Invesco LLC and Warren Mill Lofts LLC. According to the resolution, Warren Mill Invesco will be acquiring the Warren Mill and its 7.33-acre tract at 1124 Augusta Road, and Warren Mill Lofts will be the successor property owner. The resolution states that during the first 10 years of the special assessment period, the taxable value of the property will be frozen at the purchase price of $1.6 million and during years 11-20 of the special assessment period, the taxable value will double to $3.2 million. The county and Aiken County Public School District millage rates used to calculate the taxes due will be set at the 2021 rates and will remain there throughout the special assessment period, according to the resolution. That period will begin the day after the deal for Warren Mill Invesco to purchase the property is finalized. Based on Aiken County land records, that hasnt happened yet. Warren Mill is a 190,677-square-foot brick structure. It was built in the late 1800s, and there were later additions. Closed since 1982, Warren Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. This will enable the preservation and rehabilitation of Warren Mill, said County Council Chairman Gary Bunker of the resolution. The developer would like to put in some loft apartments there. The registered agent for both Warren Mill Invesco and Warren Mill Lofts is Capitol Corporate Services Inc., which has a Columbia address, according to the website for South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond. County Administrator Clay Killian confirmed that the action by County Council was in response to a presentation made to it in March about Warren Mill. Developer John Gumpert of Camden Management Partners in Atlanta told County Council then that Warren Mill was under contract to be purchased. He said the apartment complex planned for the site would have somewhere between 180 and 200 units that would rent for probably $1,250 a month. There also would be a swimming pool and an event center, according to the presentation. Some new buildings also would be constructed. Ken Betsch of BetschAssociates, also spoke during the presentation. BetschAssociates is a full-service planning and architectural design firm in Greenville. In June, County Council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance that increased the length of a special assessment period from 10 years to up to 20 years to encourage the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties. For a project to qualify, it must be extensive in scale and scope, according to the ordinance. County Council also must find that it will foster the economic viability of the surrounding community and be in the best interest of the county. MARION A park that brings people together on common ground is a fitting tribute to the late Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who sought to unite South Carolinians of all races and ages, his family said at its official opening. The dedication of Amazing Grace Park on July 30 which would have been Pinckney's 48th birthday came six years after a white supremacist gunned down the pastor and eight Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston following a Bible study session. The park, also named The Clementa Pinckney Memorial, seeks to ensure he's not forgotten in a way that promotes fellowship, love, laughter and healthy living, while inviting people to visit the rural Pee Dee county he called home, family members said. "This park is a physical representation of the legacy he left behind," his oldest daughter, 17-year-old Eliana, told a crowd of several hundred people. "But, to me, the most important part is the impact it will have on every single person who comes in and out of this park," she added. "I'm hoping every person can leave changed for the better because they were able to see a glimpse of what my father stood for." The 3.1-acre park includes a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen intended for weddings, family reunions and other events and a three-quarter-mile meandering walking and biking trail made from recycled rubber. Wi-Fi internet access throughout enables students to do their homework in the park and teachers to bring their classroom outdoors. Children are invited to climb a 13-foot-tall fox made of rot-resistant black locust wood a nod to the town's namesake, Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, known as the Swamp Fox and play any of the six musical instruments fixed along the trail. "I love this park so much. You can come here with a family. You can have a great time," said 12-year-old Malana Pinckney, noting that beyond being a "man of God" and a family man, her father was also a "man of music." His instrument was a saxophone. "So go around. Bang the drums. Hit the xylophones," she told the crowd. "It's going to be amazing." She went on to tell The Post and Courier that "the park embodies not just family but taking the time to get away from your screens and really look outside. Enjoy the life you have while you have it." A fountain with nine spouts at the park honors all nine victims of the June 17, 2015, slaying. Behind a bust of Pinckney are copper and steel angel wings in various stages of flight, meant to depict their heavenly ascension, said his cousin, state Sen. Kent Williams, D-Marion, who led the park effort over the last four years. The idea, he said, was to create a place of beauty, reflecting Pinckney's character while transforming what was a vacant, overgrown lot in the heart of Marion, a town of 6,500 people. Pinckney lived in Jasper County, represented a rural Senate district that included parts of five other counties in South Carolina's southern corner and was senior pastor at the Charleston church known as Mother Emanuel. But his family was from the rural Pee Dee county of Marion, where he spent his childhood summers. Pinckney is buried at St. James Cemetery about 10 miles from the park, next to his mother, who died in 2005. His grandmother Gracie, who died in June, lived in nearby Mullins. "This is home," said his widow, Jennifer Pinckney. "You have to have that home spot where everyone could come together, and this was it for him." The total project included about $500,000 to renovate the Marion County Museum, which sits on 2 acres next to the park and features an exhibit on Pinckney. The park itself cost $2.5 million, half of which came from earmarks Williams requested in the state budget over three years. Dozens of other donors include the Medical University of South Carolina, Carolina Panthers, the State Ports Authority and various utilities. Pinckney's family said they preferred honoring him with a park people can enjoy, rather than a stodgy building with his name on it. "Clem's life was about building bridges and tearing down walls. There are no walls on the outside of the park," and the only fence is for dogs, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, who sat beside Pinckney in the Senate and is the family's attorney. "You'll have children who will come here and get more from this with the interaction of people than you would a building," he said. The world has changed since Pinckney "left his earthly home," Malloy said, noting his legacy includes the removal of the Confederate battle flag from Statehouse grounds. Within weeks of the tragedy, the controversial symbol that had flown for decades at the Capitol was forever taken down by act of the Legislature. As "people from all walks of life" come to the park to learn and play, it can continue the work of healing the divisions of society, he said. "For us to be here today, a serious price was paid. Do not allow it to be in vain," political commentator Armstrong Williams, the older brother of Sen. Williams, told the crowd. "Freedom comes from God, not from man. Make this man's legacy mean something." The park's name, Amazing Grace, recalls the eulogy President Barack Obama delivered at Pinckney's funeral in Charleston, when he sang the first stanza of the beloved hymn penned in 1772 by an English slave-ship captain who later worked to end slavery. Following the singing of "Amazing Grace" at the dedication, Bishop Michael Blue noted in his concluding prayer that Clementa means merciful. "Thank you for a park named Grace because of a man named mercy," said Blue, of the Door of Hope Christian Church in Marion. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Rain showers this evening with numerous thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 75F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with numerous thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 75F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. WASHINGTON The Biden administration on Monday expanded its efforts to help at-risk Afghan citizens flee Taliban violence as fighting intensifies ahead of the U.S. military pullout at the end of the month. The State Department said it is widening the scope of Afghans eligible for refugee status in United States to include current and former employees of U.S.-based news organizations, U.S.-based aid and development agencies and other relief groups that receive U.S. funding. Current and former employees of the U.S. government and the NATO military operation who don't meet the criteria for a dedicated program for such workers are also covered. However, the move comes with a major caveat that may severely limit the number of people who can benefit: Applicants must leave Afghanistan to begin the adjudication process that may take 12-14 months in a third country, and the U.S. does not intend to support their departures or stays there. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the difficulties that applicants would face but said the U.S. remains committed to seeking a peaceful and secure Afghanistan. "This is incredibly hard," he told reporters. "It is hard on so many levels, it's hard to pick up and leave everything you know (and) it's hard to get yourself to a place where you can take advantage of what opportunities exist to see to apply for refugee status. And we recognize that this is. Alas, this is the case for millions of people around the world who find themselves in very difficult situations and particularly in Afghanistan now." Relief agencies said Monday's gesture was insufficient, pointing out significant, and in some cases insurmountable, hurdles that successful applicants would face. InterAction, an umbrella organization for scores of international relief and development groups, was highly critical. "InterAction feels that this is unacceptable, as several critical border crossing checkpoints are now under Taliban control and Afghanistan's neighbors may not necessarily welcome these individuals and their families," it said. "Requiring at-risk Afghans to first become internationally displaced before applying for visas further endangers the Afghan people who have partnered with the United States." Nevertheless, the State Department said the move means that "many thousands" of Afghans and their immediate families will now have the opportunity to be permanently resettled in the U.S. as refugees that they did not previous have. The department could not offer a more specific number of how many might be eligible. "The U.S. objective remains a peaceful, secure Afghanistan," the department said in a statement. "However, in light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the U.S. government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the United States." The creation of a "Priority 2" category for Afghans within the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is intended for Afghans and their immediate families who "may be at risk due to their U.S. affiliation" but aren't able to get a Special Immigrant Visa because they did not work directly for the U.S. government or didn't hold their government jobs long enough. To qualify for the Priority 2 category, Afghans must be nominated by a U.S. government agency or by the most senior civilian U.S. citizen employee of a U.S-based media outlet or nongovernmental organization. The first group of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants most of whom served as translators or did other work for U.S. troops or diplomats who have cleared security vetting arrived in the U.S. on Friday. That group of 221 people are among 2,500 who will be brought to the U.S. in the coming days. Another 4,000 SIV applicants, plus their families, who have not yet cleared the security screening are expected to be relocated to third countries ahead of the completion of the U.S. withdrawal. Roughly 20,000 Afghans have expressed interest in the program. Back-to-school retail sales are expected to top $108 billion this year across the U.S., setting a record as South Carolina and 15 other states once again offer shoppers a chance to save a few dollars on clothes, computers and composition books. The Palmetto State's tax-free weekend runs Aug. 6-8 during much the same timeframe as nine other states, and retailers are expecting shoppers to focus on gadgets and apparel as many schools return to in-person learning after COVID-19 kept them at home for virtual class time last year. Spending by parents on children in grades kindergarten through high school is expected to jump 9.5 percent to $37.1 billion while the cash outlay for college-aged children will rise 4.9 percent to $71 billion, according to the National Retail Federation, the nation's largest trade group. Families with children in elementary through 12th grade plan to spend an average of $850 each on school items. That's up almost $60 from last year. Those with students in college will shell out much more, about $1,200 per student, $141 more than last year. Last year's stay-at-home learning and this year's return to in-person classes are leading factors in the projected jump in sales. Spending on back-to-school items is expected to increase in every category, but electronics and clothing will see the biggest jumps, said Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategy for Proper Insights & Analytics, which conducted the consumer survey for the retail trade group. Shoppers say they each will spend an average of $21 more on electronics and $19 more on clothes than they did last year. While click-and-order purchases remains popular, families are more comfortable shopping in store this year than last year during the peak of the pandemic, the retail survey found. Nearly half of all shoppers will go online for school supplies, but the majority still plan to step inside a brick-and-mortar shop to buy what they need. Ashley Earl of West Ashley is likely to be among those out and about on tax-free weekend, but even if she is not, she plans to spend about $800 getting her four children ages 4 through 12 ready for a new school year. Shopping with her son Andrew, 4, and daughter Evalee, 5, at Target at Citadel Mall in late July, she picked out markers, binders and storage bags while scanning a list of back-to-school items her children will need. "It's not cheap," she said. "You do save money though," referring to the upcoming tax holiday. Annlly Mori of North Charleston said she will spend close to the projected family average of $850 on school supplies this year. Sign up for our business newsletter. Our twice-weekly newsletter features all the business stories shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! She normally takes part in the annual tax-free weekend to save a few bucks, but she decided not to this time around. "I came early this time because they sometimes sell out of the things we need," Mori said while shopping at Walmart in North Charleston ahead of tax-free weekend with her daughter, Angelina, who is going into the eighth grade. Donna Lee Williams also won't be out and about to save a few bucks during the sales tax holiday. "I don't see that much of a difference," the Summerville resident said. Still, she might make a big purchase during the back-to-school shopping season that runs through the next few weeks. "I do need a computer," Williams said. "l'll buy one if I can get a good deal." Jennifer Rosenkranz of Johns Island usually shops for deals when items are tax-free, but she won't be able to this year. Her daughter, Sophia, will be attending Clemson University, and the freshman has to leave soon, so they aren't waiting until the last minute to buy what she needs. The two were filling a cart in late July at Target in West Ashley, and Rosenkranz is likely to boost the average spending in the college-age bracket. While the retail group projects families will spend about $1,200 on back-to-college items, Rosenkranz said, "We will be well north of that." Altogether, she believes the final tally for supplies, electronics, furniture, furnishings and other items will probably come out to between $2,500 and $3,000. The S.C. Department of Revenue encourages people to take advantage of the 72-hour sales tax holiday that starts at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 6 and runs until midnight Aug. 8. "Tax-Free Weekend is a great way for South Carolina shoppers to save money, and it's also a great way to demonstrate our support of S.C. businesses who have struggled this past year," state revenue director Hartley Powell said. Revenue officials estimate shoppers in past years have saved between $2 million and $3 million during the holiday that started 21 years ago. Shoppers do not have to pay the state's 6 percent sales tax or any applicable local taxes on eligible items. COLUMBIA Two new businesses are coming to prominent spots in the Village at Sandhill, including a longtime Midlands retailer. Traditions Fine Jewelers, the successor to Satterfield's Jewelry Warehouse, is opening a location on Town Center Place, the roundabout at the heart of the village. Traditions also will open its two sports-related boutiques, Gamecock Traditions and Tiger Traditions, at the same location in September. This is the the second location for Traditions, which has operated only its store on 5134 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington since it bought out Jewelry Warehouse in 2019. Jewelry Warehouse had been a longtime Midlands retailer with several locations until it ran into tax issues and had its license pulled by the S.C. Department of Revenue. It was famous for handout out free Gamecock stickers on game days, a tradition that continues under the new owners. Scott Satterfield, the longtime owner of Jewelry Warehouse, continues to act as a consultant to the new company. A new restaurant also is ready to open near the main entrance to the Village. Esther's Soul Food + Kitchen is planning a soft opening on Aug. 12 and a full opening Aug. 16, according to its Facebook page. Esther's is renovating what had been a Panera Bread location. It will focus on such soul food favorites as fried chicken and mac and cheese. It also will host musical acts, with jazz saxophonist Dante Lewis scheduled to perform from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Aug. 19. Haunted Woodhill It might not feel like it outside, but it's not long before Halloween or at least the spooky retail season. The former Pier One Imports location at the Target-anchored Shoppes at Woodhill is being prepared as a Spirit Halloween "megastore," according to the company's website. The retailer for costumes, decorations and everything Halloween opens numerous pop-up shops around the country every fall. Sign up for our Columbia business and real estate newsletter. Get all the latest industry happenings from the Midlands, plus exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email Sign Up! Other Spirit Halloween locations in the Columbia market this year will be on Bower Parkway at Columbiana Station and on North Lake Drive in Lexington, according to the company's website. Did you know that Spirit Halloween stores don't just appear out of the dark on their own? It's a division of the venerable mall retailer Spencer Gifts. The pop-up retailer will have more than 1,400 temporary locations nationwide, with almost all expected to be open by Labor Day, according to the trade magazine Chain Store Age. Driving through In the new world of the restaurant business amid a continuing pandemic, serving customers with a drive-through seems more important than ever. Two very different businesses are seeking permission from the Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals for drive-through changes. The always-busy Chick-fil-A at 7424 Garners Ferry Road is looking to expand its drive-through with a second lane. The company's plans also include an expanded sun canopy over longer drive-through lanes. Another business, Palmetto Pig barbecue at 530 Devine St. near the University of South Carolina campus, is looking to install a new drive-through. Adding a pickup window to the restaurant's Pulaski Street side would help with parking, the restaurant said in it s application to the city. A drive-through also would help the restaurant with overcrowding, according to the application. All changes to city businesses that involve a drive-through require approval from the board, which holds its next meeting Aug. 5. Coming soon Need some classic Jordans? Harlem's Closet, a store featuring sought-after used sneakers and retro apparel, is coming to 514 Gervais St. near Harden Street, with a grand opening planned for Aug. 14, according to the store's Instagram. ... Club Champions Golf, a shop that custom-fits clubs for customers, is working on its first Columbia location, according to a city building permit. Store, which will include fitting spaces and a putting green, is headed for the Jackson Square retail strip across from the Walmart shopping center on Forest Drive. Make sure to get our weekly Columbia Business newsletter. Sign up here. Have any Midlands business news to share in the column? Reach Mike Fitts at mfitts@postandcourier.com. COLUMBIA Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said he will consider another state of emergency to require mask wearing if COVID numbers in the region continue to spike. "I have grave concerns about the rise of the delta variant. Laws passed by our General Assembly that actually prohibit us from protecting our children in public schools. We should be doing a lot more," Benjamin said in an Aug. 3 City Council meeting. Particularly, Benjamin called into question a state budget amendment that bans requiring masks at public schools. "We can debate the legality, although I believe state law does not stop us from mandating masking, I believe that we should seriously look at mandating masking in public schools in the city of Columbia," Benjamin said. A clause in the state budget prohibits districts from requiring students or employees to wear a mask on school property. As part of the budget, the one-year law took effect July 1. But Benjamin said city lawmakers have authority to step in where school districts cannot. "If you think that the (amendment) in the budget doesn't pre-empt our authority, should we not challenge that (amendment) now?" Councilman Howard Duvall asked. "I do believe that we should," Benjamin replied. "I'm not sure how any well-meaning policymaker would take away a parent's ability to protect their child. We have jurisdiction over the city and I think we should be legally prepared to defend that jurisdiction." The Democratic lawmaker quickly found political support on social media. State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, and state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-North Charleston, said they backed Benjamin, with Kimpson encouraging Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg to follow Benjamin's lead. Benjamin has the power to declare a state of emergency, which could last up to 60 days with City Council approval. The action was used several times throughout 2020 as the pandemic spread. Gov. Henry McMaster lifted a statewide emergency declaration in June. Four of South Carolinas 10 rising coronavirus hotspots are counties across the Midlands region, where cases per 100,000 people are up to 50 percent higher than the state average, according to a Post and Courier analysis of state public health data. Richland County alone has logged 1,358 new cases over the past 14 days, compared with 288 for the two weeks ending July 20. The state's capital county is seeing 97 new cases daily, compared with 20 last month, emergency management director Harry Tinsley told City Council. "We're moving in the wrong direction," he said. Benjamin did not give a timeline to make such a decision, and it wasn't immediately known whether a mandate would pertain to outdoor venues and gathering spots. Short of that, the city could also renew its strategy of testing sewage for traces of COVID to figure out local hotspots where resources can be diverted. Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy said that process ended about five months ago once a grant dried up. "I would like to keep making sure we're pushing out as much information as possible, and I think to at least know where the spread is, we can at least double down in those communities to help with preventative measures," Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine said Aug. 3. Benjamin's remarks came soon after the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced more than 2,000 reported single-day COVID cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to more 512,000, and shortly after the University of South Carolina said it was dropping a mask requirement following an opinion by state Attorney General Alan Wilson that doing so violated the law. Earlier this year, McMaster banned local governments from issuing COVID restrictions using his state of emergency order as a reason. Most mask mandates used this declaration, including Columbia, and were dropped. South Carolina's 15-month state of emergency ended in June. Early in the pandemic last year, Wilson issued a statement that said cities and counties could pass their own mask ordinances. ANDREWS South Carolina leaders announced plans on Aug. 3 to double the states protected lands by 2050 in an effort to maintain the well-being of the economy and environment. About 3 million acres of land are already protected in the state. But Sen. Chip Campsen said rapid land development in South Carolina has led to the loss of forests, farms, wildlife and recreational habitats. So he has worked closely with business and conservation leaders to draft a bill that will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session outlining measures for land protection. The Conservation and Antiquities Act not only sets a goal to double the total acreage of protected land by 2050, but it calls for a contribution of 25 cents for each $1.30 collected through the state deed recording fee to go to the South Carolina Conservation Bank Trust Fund. A portion of sales tax revenue collected on the sale of outdoor recreational equipment would also be used to support deferred maintenance and management needs on public lands managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the S.C. Forestry Commission and S.C. State Parks. Campsen said local people and governments will be the ones to decide which resources need to be protected. "We give them the tools to provide a funding mechanism to do the protection of the areas that they love and they want to preserve," Campsen said at the announcement ceremony at Cypress Preserve. The solutions intended by the act would safeguard drinking water, protect rural communities and economies and provide opportunities for state residents and visitors to access open spaces and waterways. Without intentional action, we cannot guarantee these benefits for future generations, Campsen said. The South Carolina Floodwater Commission has begun to act on recommendations to address the severe weather and flooding the state continues to experience each year. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! Just last year, a state Office of Resilience was established, and the first chief resilience officer was appointed and confirmed. Additionally, the Floodwater Commission organized S.C. Power Plant, which planted 3.4 million trees in one day in April. But the commission's chair, Tom Mullikin, said more must be done. He said the frequent flooding along the coast, rivers and low-lying areas of the state highlight the need for a statewide plan to accommodate and mitigate flooding impacts. Mullikin said the additional lands protected through Campsen's proposal will provide a "firewall of natural support" from flooding and protect some of the most fragile and beautiful areas for generations. Campsen's proposal has gained support from Gov. Henry McMaster, government leaders in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties and conservation organizations in the state. McMaster, who attended the Aug. 3 event with Campsen and Mullikin, said part of South Carolina's culture is based on nature, and now is the time to preserve it and teach about it. Since the start of the pandemic, more people have turned to outdoor activities. And because of this, McMaster said he thinks there is a greater appreciation now for parks, forests, rivers, mountains and beaches. "We need to do all we can to see that it is preserved and that the people have access," McMaster said. Campsen said there is a lot of support in the state Senate for conservation and his proposal. More than 2,000 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were reported by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control in one day on Aug. 3. According to hospitalization data updated on Aug. 2, more than 8 percent of all inpatients across the state have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 1,651 confirmed, 414 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 512,440 confirmed, 113,598 probable. Percent positive: 19.7 percent. New deaths reported: 2 confirmed, 0 probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 8,741 confirmed, 1,176 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled: 71.58 percent. S.C. residents vaccinated DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 51.5 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 44.7 percent have completed vaccination. Sign up for our new health newsletter The best of health, hospital and science coverage in South Carolina, delivered to your inbox weekly. Email Sign Up! Hardest-hit areas In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Richland County (186), Horry County (171) and Greenville County (147) saw the highest totals. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 116 new cases on Aug. 3, while Berkeley County had 92 and Dorchester County had 70. Hospitalizations Of the 729 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Aug. 3, 196 were in the ICU and 87 were using ventilators. What do experts say? Hospital officials across the Lowcountry report that the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients is rising. "There has definitely been an uptick in recent weeks of patients in their 30s to 50s in and out of the ICU," said Heather Woolwine, a spokeswoman for the Medical University of South Carolina. "Almost all of the patients in the last three weeks, with the exception of a handful of breakthrough cases, are unvaccinated individuals." It's not too late to get a vaccine. They're free and easy to come by. Visit vaxlocation.dhec.sc.gov for more information. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathan Mikeska with his wife Katherine and daughter Alianna arrive at the site of their new home in the Summers Corner Community in Summerville on July 28. Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that provides homes to military veterans, law enforcement and widows of the fallen, collaborated with Lennar Homes to provide a mortgage-free house to the Mikeska family. Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James Livingston, whose bravery as a young Marine in Vietnam made him a war hero, and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19. The 81-year-old Marine is the second prominent South Carolinian to confirm contracting coronavirus after being vaccinated. On Aug. 2, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham announced he tested positive for COVID-19 months after getting the shot. In a phone interview with The Post and Courier on Aug. 3, Livingston said he and his wife Sara were in good spirits. Despite being upset that he had to cancel travel plans, the Vietnam War veteran said he is feeling well and experiencing only minor fatigue and a "bug in the throat." Livingston said the couple are likely suffering only mild symptoms because they received the vaccine. He encouraged others to get inoculated if they can. "The shots work," Livingston said. "Our cases are very mild. Everyone ought to get the vaccine." Vaccinated people who later test positive for COVID have been termed "breakthrough" cases. Livingston's heroism was displayed in the village of Dai Do during three days of battle from April 30 to May 2, 1968. He faced grenades, mortars, small arms fire and trench warfare. Severely wounded three times and unable to walk, the Georgia native but longtime Mount Pleasant resident would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the near-continuous battle that unfolded over some 72 hours. Sign up for our SC Military Digest newsletter Get exclusive military reporting, updates from Palmetto State bases, headlines from around the globe and more delivered to your inbox each Tuesday. Email Sign up! Since being awarded the Medal of Honor, Livingston has been active in Charleston and South Carolina politics. He frequently travels to speak about his military service and to talk about American values. He was scheduled to meet with some older veterans in Arlington, Va., next week and decided to get tested for COVID-19 on Aug. 1 before traveling. Livinston said he was grateful he took the precaution before meeting other elderly veterans. Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie tweeted on Aug. 3 that Livingston had tested positive for COVID-19 and that he had been around the Marine on July 30. Haynie said "town protocols require me to quarantine awaiting test results." Livingston said he will be in isolation until Aug. 8. Livingston's diagnosis comes as generations of Medal of Honor recipients begin to dwindle. Since 1863, more than 3,500 veterans have received the award. Today, only 67 honorees are living. Of all the Medal of Honor recipients who served in World War II, only one man Hershel Woodrow Williams is still alive after surviving the Marine landing at Iwo Jima. Only four men who fought in Korea and received the award are living today. Livingston said he isn't worried about COVID-19. The veteran has survived worse and said he's handling the coronavirus so well because "of the physical shape I'm in as a Marine." 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 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. Myrtle Beach, SC (29577) Today Rain showers in the evening with thunderstorms developing overnight. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Rain showers in the evening with thunderstorms developing overnight. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. CONWAY As COVID-19 cases rise again, Horry County has become one of South Carolina's top hotspots for the virus. Statewide, Horry County has posted the most new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks and the second-highest rate per capita, according to a Post and Courier analysis of state public health data. Horry County's 2,054 cases in the two weeks through July 31, the latest state data available, was ahead of counties with bigger populations Richland County (1,865), Greenville County (1,492) and Charleston County (1,458). Only Kershaw County surpassed Horry County in new cases per capita over the past two weeks. Horry County's new infection rate is 50 percent higher than the South Carolina average. Horry County health care officials are warning case numbers are headed back to where the county was a year ago, in part because of low vaccination rates and a boost in tourism across the Grand Strand. But local governments are not planning any new restrictions. Most of the new cases are the Delta variant, a more transmissible strain of the virus, said Gerald Harmon, vice president of Medical Affairs for Tidelands Health. And 90 percent of the cases the Tidelands Health is seeing are also not vaccinated, Harmon said. While Horry County is one of the higher vaccinated counties, at 51 percent, only falling behind Charleston, Georgetown and McCormick counties, it is still not enough, Harmon said. Numbers need to reach 70 percent through 90 percent to reach herd immunity, he said. About 45 percent of South Carolinians are fully vaccinated. In the past month, Tidelands has seen a massive increase in COVID-19 cases going from three or four people being admitted to due to COVID-19 in early July to 34 people currently admitted in the hospital Aug. 2. Of those 34 cases, three of them are fully vaccinated, Harmon said. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! When youve been fully vaccinated, you have a very low percentage of becoming sick if you do become sick you can become infected, Harmon said. But if you do become infected you don't get very sick, you don't get sick enough to need oxygen and go to the hospital or be admitted. And you don't get sick enough to wind up on the ventilator or the ICU. And more importantly, you don't get sick enough to die, Harmon added. Conway Medical Center is seeing a similar rise in cases. As of Aug. 2, 30 people were admitted because of COVID-19, with only seven of them being fully vaccinated, spokeswoman Allyson Floyd said. Vaccinated patients at Conway Medical are over the age of 70 who have pre-existing conditions, and even then, they are not nearly as sick as those who havent been vaccinated, Floyd said. I hope folks, especially people who are on the fence, will listen to really what's going on frontline and not so much what I call the social media hype," said Paul Richardson, Conway Medical's vice president of medical affairs. "And make the decision to get vaccinated because truly that is our best defense without a doubt. While the city of Myrtle Beach does not have plans at this time to bring back some early pandemic restrictions such a mask mandate, taking precautions is not out of the question, city spokesman Mark Kruea said. You can't discount the fact that we've lost nearly (613,000 nationwide) over the last 18 months, Kruea said. That's an outrageous number. Horry County is monitoring the spike in COVID case, but does not have any plans for a mask mandate at this time, county spokeswoman Kelly Moore said. Andy Shain contributed from Columbia. NORTH CHARLESTON A new private school aims to prepare students for college while giving them ample time at home. Hope Scholars Academy, hosted in Cooper River Baptist Church in the Park Circle neighborhood, will open on Aug. 16. Its the first high school in the area that is part of the University Model School network, an education system that has students attend in-person class three days a week and learn from home the rest of the time. A group of parents approached Head of School Anna Smith about opening Hope Scholars, as they wanted a high school option that supports the homeschool lifestyle. Smith has a 25-year background in education as a history and English teacher and university administrator With the pandemic, parents started to realize we need to spend more time with our kids, said Smith, who also will work as the schools English literature and history teacher. We wanted to support that. The school is starting small, with a class of about 15 students, offering courses to high schoolers in grades nine through 12 and some honors course for eighth graders. The school is funded through donations and tuition, which costs around $6,000 per student per year with scholarship opportunities available, Smith said. The students' schedules will be modeled after university courses, with classes lasting 75 minutes in person. When the students are at home, theyll be given detailed coursework from their teachers and have the option to meet one-on-one via Zoom for office hours and tutoring. The goal is to have students graduate from high school with an established idea of what college will look like. In math and science classes, lectures will be in response to labs and hands on activities so that students are learning through doing. Were starting each unit with an experience and then learning throughout the unit what happened, said Harrison Brown, the schools math and science teacher. Rather than doing a bunch of boring material and ending in something fun, I want to start with something fun. So theyre actually interested in what were talking about. In addition to the typical core subjects, students will have Bible and worldview, Spanish and fine-arts classes. While the Bible and worldview classes will be dedicated to teaching students about religion and current topics, Smith said the Christian faith will play a role in all parts of the school. The school is offered nondenominational, so the courses can apply to anyone in the Christian faith. We believe right now, especially for young people they need hope, Smith said. We believe the Christian faith is the best way to find hope in the world. Students will have the chance to take Discover U classes as well, providing the opportunity for them to learn about themselves through personality quizzes like Strengths Finder and Myers-Briggs. Theyll find out how to apply those personality traits to school and the real world, Smith said. For many students who are used to the homeschool lifestyle, Hope Scholars is an opportunity to connect with others while remaining in an educational model that is familiar to them. Kristin Seaver, whose daughter Sarah Evelyn Seaver will attend the school as sophomore in the fall, was one of the parents to approach Smith about starting the school. Seaver's three youngest children attend Lowcountry Christian Community School, which offers a similar blended in-person and homeschool model as Hope Scholars. She was frustrated with the lack of options for that type of school for high schoolers. We just fell in love with the three days in class and two days at home, Seaver said. It gives the best of both worlds. Sarah Evelyn, who, unlike her three younger sisters, has only ever attended full-time home school, is excited for the opportunity to connect with her peers. Im an extrovert and I want to be around people, she said. Im really looking forward to having that three day a week curriculum. The school will also have bonding activities for parents and families, Smith said. Students will be able to compete with each other after being put into different houses, like in Harry Potter. The school will also be restricting students' use of technology, taking phones at the door. The idea is to create a sense of community outside of the school setting, Smith said. Those who are interested in Hope Scholars can attend an information session at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Cooper River Baptist Church or visit hopescholarsacademy.org. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is far from the only high-profile Republican who has praised the COVID-19 vaccine, as he did Monday and has many times before. Hes far from the only fully vaccinated person to contract COVID, as he announced Monday has happened. And heres the most important point: Assuming his infection follows the course he outlined on Monday (mild flu-like symptoms that feel like a sinus infection), hell be even further from the only person with a breakthrough case who didnt end up in the hospital, or the morgue. But because his high-profile illness comes at this moment when COVID infections and hospitalizations are again soaring in the United States and the CDC has upended what vaccinated people had come to expect and all this crazy talk about the vaccines not being worthwhile is ticking up, it presents a good opportunity to step back and talk about what we know about the disease and whats actually happening with it. First, the danger of COVID has never been that its terribly deadly. The danger of COVID is that its so easy to spread and so easy for people who dont even know they have it to spread it. And the delta variant spreads even easier than the original strain. Its simple math based on the sheer number of people who get infected that makes it so deadly. Second, COVID vaccines are not 100% effective; no vaccine is. But theyre amazingly effective at preventing serious illness and death. They even seem to be effective at stopping people from becoming infected, although less so. Of the 613,000 Americans who have died from COVID, 1,400 have been vaccinated. Since half the U.S. population is vaccinated, that means 437 unvaccinated people have died for every one vaccinated person. Read that again: Youre 437 times as likely to die from COVID if youre not vaccinated as if you are. Heres another pair of numbers: There have been 35 million positive COVID tests in the United States; the CDC only tracks vaccinated vs. unvaccinated hospitalizations and deaths, but NBC News used other sources last week to put the number of infections among vaccinated people at 125,000. That means 280 unvaccinated people have tested positive for every one vaccinated person. Sign up for our 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! Third and this is the part many of us forgot, amazingly quickly public health officials made it clear from the moment vaccines were available that vaccinated people could still infect other people if they become infected. Thats why the CDC made so many people so angry when it kept advising us to wear our masks and social distance even after we were vaccinated. The first unexpected thing came on May 13, when the CDC suddenly said that vaccinated people could go back to their old lives: no masks, no social distancing, no worries. The agency did a lousy job of preparing us for this dramatic change or explaining it, but this bolt-of-lightening bit of normalcy came thanks to studies that showed that vaccinated people had practically no chance of infecting others. The next unexpected thing came on July 27, when the CDC issued its slightly less sudden and slightly less badly explained recommendation that vaccinated people go back to wearing masks. The reason for this was evidence that vaccinated people who were infected with the delta variant might be as likely as unvaccinated people to spread COVID. That is, the delta variant was acting more like public health officials had thought the original strain would act, so the CDC is back to advising us to do what most of us expected at the time we got our vaccinations: keep wearing the masks until enough people are either vaccinated or infected to reach herd immunity. Now, to be clear, the fact that a vaccinated person whos infected is just as likely as an unvaccinated person to spread the infection doesnt mean that vaccinated people are spreading the disease as much as unvaccinated people. They aren't, because there arent nearly as many vaccinated people getting COVID. Sen. Graham cant know for sure what would have happened if he hadnt been vaccinated. But he had overwhelming odds on his side when he tweeted that without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse. We wish him a speedy recovery. COLUMBIA Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on South Carolina Republicans to "be fearless" in touting their conservative values and working to elect people who share their pride in America, saying the 2022 and 2024 elections will be critical for the GOP. "Get out there and make known to everyone around you the values you have, the reason you believe in them and why it is so important for South Carolina and America to continue to work tirelessly to deliver those values to the generations behind us," Pompeo told more than 900 Republicans at the state GOP's 54th annual Silver Elephant fundraising dinner. "In spite of all our challenges, America remains the greatest, most exceptional nation in the history of civilization," he said, contending the upcoming elections will determine whether "our grandkids will live in that same country." The potential 2024 presidential contender addressed a sold-out GOP event July 30 at the Columbia Convention Center, hours after officially endorsing Gov. Henry McMaster's re-election bid at the state Republican Party headquarters. Prior keynote speakers for the gala, which cost donors up to $1,000 for a private pre-dinner reception, have included several former presidents, including Richard Nixon and George W. Bush. Then-Gov. Ronald Reagan was the first Silver Elephant speaker in 1967. Last year's speaker was Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House press secretary under President Donald Trump who is now running for governor of Arkansas. But Pompeo dismissed questions about his own future political aspirations, saying his only reason for campaigning in early-voting South Carolina and across the country is to get "good commonsense conservatives" elected in state and federal races next year. "That needs to be everyone's focus," he said. "If we get that wrong, the hole that will be done in the next four years will be staggering." Pompeo, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, was a U.S. House member from Kansas before joining the Trump administration as CIA director. He was confirmed as secretary of state in April 2018. In a state that elected Trump last November by nearly 12 percentage points over President Joe Biden, Pompeo made clear to the party faithful he remains loyal to his former boss. "Its been 189 days now since we left office. Its been as hard for me as it's been for you to watch the absolute change," he said. He joked about Trump calling him in January after "some left-wing thing" labeled him Trump's most loyal Cabinet member, noting he had to tell the former president it wasn't meant as a compliment. But "I was loyal," he said. "I regret only that we didn't get 48 more months to continue to take swings and protecting and security American freedoms." Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! People ask him if he's glad to be out of the spotlight, he said, but "I wish I was back there. I think America is worse off because President Trump and I are no longer there." Still, he insisted his only goal for the trip was to shore up support for McMaster. "There are lots of questions about 2024," he said. "I dont escape them, but I am solely focused on 2022." At the dinner, Pompeo praised McMaster as "getting it right" in his response to COVID-19, particularly for never ordering churches to shut down as his native California did. Pompeo said he will raise money for McMaster through his political action committee, formally launched last month. McMaster said he fully expects to see Pompeo in South Carolina frequently, calling him "our kind of man our kind of leader." "Pompeo has walked on the world stage and his influence on American policy during the Trump administration has been enormous and positive," he said. "We're glad you're in the arena, still going around the country making a difference, and we look forward to seeing you again and again." The Republican governor is seeking a second full term in 2022. McMaster, an early backer for Donald Trump in South Carolina's 2016 presidential primary, ascended to the governor's office a year later, when Trump picked then-Gov. Nikki Haley to be his ambassador to the United Nations. Haley is also considered a potential 2024 contender. McMaster's announced Democratic challengers are former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham from Charleston and state Sen. Mia McLeod from Columbia. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one. @montcocourtnews on Twitter Carl Hessler Jr. is a multi-media reporter who writes about crime and justice from the Montgomery County Courthouse for 21st Century Media Newspapers Greater Philadelphia area publications. Follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews Blue Marsh Lake algae blooms concerning, but unlikely to be the sole cause of Philadelphia-area water complaints There doesnt seem to be much local media interest in the murder of America Thayer on the streets of Shakopee, Minnesota last week. Last week Thayer was beheaded in broad daylight by her boyfriend, Alexis Saborit. Media interest outside Minnesota continues. Most recently, the New York Post reported Beheaded Minnesota woman begged court to lift no-contact order for her alleged killer (New York Post, July 31) and Alex Saborit dangerous & controlling & wouldnt let America Thayer use toilet alone before beheading, says pals [sic] (U.S. Sun, August 1, based on local media reports). I want to stay on the case as long as we can learn something from it. At the time he murdered America, Saborit was on his way to court for a hearing in a 2020 felony arson case. Yesterday I went to court to review the court file in the arson case on a public access terminal. Saborit had set his apartment on fire with gasoline and put up an enraged standoff with police in November 2020. In the course of the standoff he wielded the machete that (I assume) he used to behead America last week. Anyone who reviews the file will see he was a maniacal nutjob who represented a serious threat to the life and property of others. His attorney put Saborits competence to stand trial in issue. Saborit was released on an order that required a bond and set several conditions including no return to his apartment and no use of alcohol or drugs. In February Saborits attorney put the prosecutor on notice of a defense of mental illness in addition to a general defense. On March 30 this year the conditional release order was revoked and an arrest warrant issued because Saborit had violated the no alcohol provision of the release order. The revocation order specifically found that Saborit was a danger to the life and property of others. The arrest warrant was executed the following day. On April 1, however, Saborit was released on another conditional release order, this one by Senior Judge Richard Perkins. The April 1 conditional release replicated the original order with an increased bond. On May 10 Saborit was evaluated by a court-appointed psychologist. A remote hearing was held on May 11 before Judge Martin Fallon. The report is not accessible in the court file I reviewed and there are no related judicial findings I could find. I remain mystified why Judge Perkins set Saborit free after his arrest for violating the terms of his conditional release. Nothing I could see in the court file explains it. In retrospect, the $50,000 increase in Saborits bond to address the violation of the terms of his release looks like a bad joke. Some explanation is called for and yet I would guess that none will be forthcoming. UPDATE: On the issue of bail and pretrial detention, please see the adjacent post. The Delta variant of the novel Coronavirus has delivered a tremendous opportunity for Democratic officeholders and public health authorities to feed their will to power. The Democratic officeholders have also seized the moment to replay the freestyle stupidity that carried us through the epidemic. Here are four columns that shed light on dark corners. Jacob Sullom, Reason: The Biden Administration Continues to Exaggerate the Risk Posed by COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections While Slamming the Press for Doing the Same Thing. Is the Biden crew evil or stupid? Im going with stupid. Martin Kulldorf & Jay Bhattacharya, Spiked: The smear campaign against the Great Barrington Declaration. Two of the three authors of The Great Barrington Declaration reflect on what happened after they argued for a focused protection pandemic strategy. We called for better protection of older and other high-risk people, while arguing that children should be allowed to go to school and young adults should be free to live more normal lives. Quotable quote: We Great Barrington Declaration authors failed to sway any politicians, except Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Kevin Roche, Star Tribune: Learn the right lessons from the COVID response. Writing in mid-July, Kevin addressed the Delta variant as it has played out in Great Britain: The Public Health England, where delta has been the dominant strain for a number of weeks, publishes a regular technical bulletin on all variants of concern. The most recent of those shows that delta has a lower hospitalization and death rate than did the prior predominant strain, alpha or B117, and that its transmissibility is roughly the same as alpha. Kevin Roche, Healthy Skeptic: Cumulative Look at the Epidemic, July 30. Kevin presents nine graphs of Minnesota data that belie what the knucklehead experts tell you is happening. He asks: How could anyone not see that this epidemic is only a big problem for the very old[?] Amazingly bifurcated. Proportion of events that each age group accounts for, just what you would expect given the earlier slides. Given the vaccination rate among the old according to the data compiled by the Mayo Clinic, about 90 percent of those over 65 have received at least one dose the problem for the old has been mitigated. We have to resume our normal lives and learn to live with the virus. I think these pieces provide an antidote to stupidity. Overcoming the will to power remains the ineradicable problem. Joe Biden has declined to extend a directive that blocks the eviction of people who dont pay their rent. Biden had appealed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to consider extending the order, but the agency concluded that it lacked the legal authority to do so. It does lack such authority, and so does Biden. Only Congress can extend the moratorium. In June, the Supreme Court, per Justice Kavanaugh, nonetheless ruled that the moratorium on evictions could be extended for one month without congressional action. Kavanaugh made it clear, however, that if Congress didnt act within that time, the moratorium would have to end. In the face of that ruling, Biden would have acted lawlessly, and plainly so, had he extended the moratorium by executive order. But that is what the left wanted him to do. It is quite upset that he didnt. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, accused the White House of not think[ing] about this eviction moratorium in a serious way. Jayapal and other congressional lefties also accuse Biden of taking them for granted. But the White House counters that it is pushing through a remarkable number of left-liberal priorities, given that the Senate is split 50-50 and Democrats hold a very narrow majority in the House. The White House is right. Considering the razor thin Democratic majorities in both chambers and given that Biden ran for president as something of a moderate, the White House has been very aggressive in doing the lefts bidding. If anything, Biden is taking the rest of America for granted. Congressional leftists seem to understand this at some level. According to the Washington Post, many of them believe that this could be their only chance for years to enact major change, because Democrats could lose control of Congress next year, a fear that helps explain some of the current passion. But the fear cuts both ways, or should. Concern about the next two elections might counsel in favor of not pushing the envelope too hard and maybe even in favor of declining to issue a patently illegal executive order that courts would bounce without hesitation. Not as far as the left is concerned, however. And I guess you cant really blame it for going for broke. The big question is whether its alliance with the White House will crumble. The Post suggests that the alliance is fraying. It might be. But, my view, for what its worth, is that it wont unravel. The congressional left has influence only insofar as it works with the White House. And the White House, which at root is highly sympathetic, will likely to continue to allow it to exert more influence than is good for Biden, not to mention the nation. ADVERTISEMENT Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has officially confirmed Ebrahim Raisi as the Islamic Republics incoming President. The confirmation was made on Tuesday at a ceremony in Tehran, attended by outgoing President Hassan Rowhani. The supreme leader noted that Mr Raisi would take the oath of office during his inauguration scheduled for Thursday. 60-year-old Mr Raisi won the presidential election in June, with almost 62 per cent of the vote. He was also expected to present his cabinet soon. Mr Khamenei was head of state, the militarys commander-in-chief and the countrys highest spiritual authority. Mr Raisi was said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and execution of political dissidents while in his former position as a public prosecutor. Politically, he was a largely unknown entity. However, in recent years, he sharply criticised Rowhanis moderate course on several occasions, including the countrys 2015 nuclear agreement with other countries. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Less than 24 hours after the Nigerian government officially declared the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, the disease has claimed 11 more lives with 444 new infections. In an update on its Facebook page Monday night, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the 11 fatalities took the death toll in the country to 2,160. Health experts have, however, attributed the increase in deaths to public health fatigue and an upscale in infections with the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the virus. According to the NCDC update, the 444 new infections recorded on Monday have also raised the total confirmed cases in the country to 174,759. With rising daily infections and deaths, the COVID-19 situation in Nigeria may get worse as resident doctors across the country on Monday downed tools over unpaid allowances among, several other demands. The doctors decision, health experts say, would further complicate the countrys response to the pandemic as well as other infectious diseases such as cholera which are also on the rise. Breakdown A breakdown of the NCDC data revealed that 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) contributed to the 444 new cases on Monday. Lagos, Nigerias commercial centre and coronavirus epicentre, for the umpteenth time recorded the highest figure on Monday with 275 out of the 444 cases. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said on Monday that the state has recorded an average of six deaths daily in the past week, from the virus. On Monday, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states in Nigerias South-south region followed with 63 and 62 confirmed cases respectively. Gombe State reported 22 while Ogun State came fifth on the log with eight infections. The FCT and Edo State recorded four cases each while Imo recorded three. Kano, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Jigawa and Ebonyi States reported only one infection each. Meanwhile, according to the NCDC data, of the over 174, 000 new cases, 165,037 people have recovered and have been discharged from hospital across the country. With the recent increase in daily cases, active cases in Nigeria have jumped to 7,151. Nigeria has tested over 2.4 million samples out of its estimated 200 million population. About four million doses of the Moderna vaccine donated to Nigeria by the U.S. arrived in the West African nation on Sunday. The government said its agency in charge of food and drug safety, National Good and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is currently assessing the vaccines to ascertain if they are safe for use in the country. By Monday afternoon, Azeez Olaoluwa, whose unnamed sister was scheduled for skin grafting surgery at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, was unsure of the fate that could befall his family. Mr Olaoluwa, who is in his 30s, was, on Monday morning, disappointed that the planned nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had commenced. He said his family had struggled to get a date for her sisters planned surgery after a series of medical tests and failed appointments with medical officials. Mr Olaoluwa added that his sister had since been placed on admission at the facility for pre-surgery observation by the medical team. So we were glad when she was finally given a date this week. But this morning we suddenly realised that many patients in the various wards were unusually being discharged by a few medical officials that came on ward rounds, Mr Olaoluwa said. He said the doctors told them that should the strike linger for more than 48 hours, his sister would be discharged and would be rescheduled for the surgery after the industrial action. So we can only pray that the strike does not linger, he added. The situation is similar to what Eric Inanaco experienced at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, where he had taken his wife for medical attention. He said there was only one doctor attending to more than 300 patients that had visited the hospitals general out-patients clinic on Monday. My wife is among those currently being attended to. We were more than 300 this morning, my wife was number 45 on the list and this is 3 p.m. already. Many have left because the service has been too slow, Mr Inanaco said. He said the only female doctor on duty had addressed the crowd in the morning, seeking patience and cooperation. The doctor said out of four doctors that were meant to be on duty, she was the only one because the three others were members of the NARD and that they were on strike, he said, adding that; She said those who could wait should. He said his wife had been coughing for about three weeks and that further tests revealed she was suffering from high blood pressure. Mr Inanaco, however, said he was unsure if his wife would require admission, saying he learnt the hospital was not taking new patients for admission. At the National Hospital in Abuja, Lucky Oche, whose father was receiving treatment at the hospital, said patients were apprehensive that they could be asked to vacate the hospital any moment soon if the strike was not called off on time. The situation was the same at both the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where many patients and their relatives wore apprehensive looks over fear of possible ejection from the facilities. Kemi Unamma, a pregnant woman, told this newspaper that she was at LASUTH to keep her antenatal appointment but that she was asked to come back next week because of the industrial action. I could only do a scan, and I am not sure if the strike would have been called off by next week, she said. ADVERTISEMENT The experiences narrated above represent what played out across major tertiary hospitals in Nigeria on Monday when the indefinite industrial action declared by NARD officially kicked off. Most of the hospitals visited by our reporters only operated at half capacities and the situation could begin to degenerate further as from Tuesday when the sensitisation embarked upon by the striking doctors could have increased the awareness among more members. But this is happening at a time the government officially declared the presence of the third wave of coronavirus in the country. Nigerias health minister and the Lagos State Governor, Osagie Ehanire and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively, confirmed the ugly news at different events yesterday, saying All data indicate that we are now no doubt in the third wave of resurgence of the SARS-COV-2 infection. Mr Sanwo-Olu confirmed that daily, Lagos now records an average of six deaths from the disease, adding that in July alone, a total of 4,300 cases were recorded in the densely populated Nigerias commercial centre. Why strike? The doctors grievances are contained in a Memorandum of Action (MOA) endorsed in April by both the striking doctors and the government representatives including the labour and employment minister, Chris Ngige. But the doctors association expressed regret that the agreement, which had led to the suspension of a week-long strike earlier in April, has been ignored by the government. They accused Mr Ngige, a former governor and also a medical doctor by profession, of poor attention to the doctors welfare. The doctors had demanded amongst other things, the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance to some of its members in federal and state tertiary institutions. They also demanded the review of hazard allowance for health workers due to the risk associated with their profession. The association also decried the undue hardship its members on GIFMIS platform are facing due to the delays in payment of their salaries ranging from three to seven months. A communique issued at the end of its national executive council meeting which held in Abia State, South-East Nigeria, reads in parts; The NEC noted that despite Government promise to migrate her members from the GIFMIS to the IPPIS platform, they are still stuck on the GIFMIS platform which is laced with payment irregularities. The NEC noted with grievous concerns the circular from the Head of Service of the Federation removing House Officers from the scheme of service and the consequent implementation by the Lagos State Government. The body also claims that some house officers, who are fresh graduates from medical schools, are still owed between one to two months salaries, and that the NEC noted that bench fee for outside postings by resident doctors has been abolished, however some Chief Medical Directors have renamed the bench fee as training fee causing hardship for our members. NARD branch leaders speak Speaking with our reporters on Monday, the president of NARD at the orthopedic hospital in Igbobi, Egbekun Ethel, said the chapter had fully joined the nationwide strike and that both the patients and the hospital management were duly notified. We have to discharge all patients that we cannot manage, she said. Also, Hassan Jimoh, president of LASUTH chapter of NARD, listed what he described as gross manpower shortage as a major challenge facing the hospitals in Lagos. He said his associations members are undergoing stress and this is beginning to have serious effects on us. He said relatives of dead members have been denied their death in service insurance, adding that those alive also do not have access to their medical training funds and are owed many months salaries. As I speak to you, most places in the hospital are deserted. Any resident doctor found working will be sanctioned, he said. Ugochukwu Okeke, the president of the resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, however, said certain services were still ongoing because members of the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria were still working. So you are not expected to see an empty hospital, he said. Mr Buharis medical trip With his house literally burning, President Muhammadu Buhari has been away from the country for more than one week to keep his medical check-up appointment in the United Kingdom. A statement issued on July 26 and signed by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that Mr Buhari would be in the UK for two weeks to attend a global education summit and also spend time in London for a medical check-up. Mr Buharis critics have described the education summit as a smokescreen, insisting that his primary responsibility in the UK was to attend to his health. This development they condemned, saying his frequent junkets, especially for medical care, is an indictment of his administrations alleged failure to halt medical tourism abroad by the Nigerian elites. Speaking with our reporter, a senior resident doctor at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Bello Olalekan, said though his hospital did join the strike, it is clear that there is no end in sight to the crisis rocking Nigerias health sector until foreign medical trips by government officials are abolished. Similarly, Mr Lekan Oladapo of Lygel Youths and Leadership Initiatives (LYLI), a non-governmental organisation, described the Presidents trip abroad as insensitive to the plight of many Nigerians, who he noted are even struggling to afford high cost of healthcare in Nigeria. Ministers promise The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, however, pledged the administrations commitment to resolving the lingering conflicts between the government and the healthcare workers, and particularly the striking doctors. He said he was optimistic that an ongoing talk with the doctors would yield positive results. The federal ministry of health is engaging resident doctors who have embarked on industrial action with a view to quickly resolving the issues. While this is ongoing, medical directors at federal and state hospitals are directed to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted in their centres, Mr Ehanire said. Seven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have resigned from their positions. The officials resigned in separate letters to the National Secretary of the party, Umar Tsauri, on Monday. Those who resigned are the Deputy National Financial Secretary, Gerald Irona; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hassan Yakubu; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Ahmed Liman, and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi. Others are the Deputy National Woman Leader, Hadizat Umoru; Deputy National Auditor, Divine Arong, and another official who could not be identified at the time of this report. The partys National Organising Secretary, Austin Akobundu, a retired colonel, confirmed the resignation of the officials to journalists on Tuesday. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, on phone last night to ascertain the reason for the resignation of the seven officials, he said he would call this reporter back. He has yet to do so at the time of this report. The National Youth Leader of the PDP, Udo Okoye, confirmed the resignation of the officials while speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday night. Mr Okoye claimed the deputies were fed up with the leadership style of the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus. He said the officials were being marginalised and sidelined by the leadership of the opposition party. The reason is anchored on the management of the party, he said. Our chairman is not managing the party that will lead us to victory in 2023. He is just looking for personal gains. So many governors of our party, so many members of our party in the National Assembly have left the party. Secondus is not doing what he is supposed to do. He did not make any attempt to do something. I dont think he (Secondus) will lead us to victory in 2023. Mr Okoye had earlier issued a statement, on Tuesday, asking the national chairman to resign. Seondus reacts The national chairman asked Mr Okoye to leave him alone and dance to the music of his sponsors. Okoye should leave Secondus alone. The National Youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Udo Okoye has been advised to leave the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus alone and dance to the music of his sponsors, Mr Secondus media aide, Ike Abonyi, said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT The media office of the National Chairman has described as unfortunate the statement from the Partys National Youth leader calling on the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus to resign from his position. The media office wonders why it took the National Youth leader three and half years before realizing that the National Chairman is incompetent or that he is enriching himself. The agenda of Hon. Udo okoye and his sponsors are to take this party back to Egypt but they have failed because the party is focused and unwilling to look back as they match towards regaining power. The party structure is intact and anybody who allows him or herself to fall to the inducement for an interim administration in the party will be disappointed because the stakeholders are not ready to go backwards any longer. The media office advised media houses to look out for anti-democratic operatives who think they can use money to destroy this party and play into the hand of the inept ruling party, the APC. What PDP constitution says The current NWC members led by Mr Secondus were elected for a four-year tenure in 2017 and they would leave office in December this year. The PDP is Nigerias main opposition. It was in power for 16 years at the federal level from 1999 to 2015 when it was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Section 29 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended) lists the 12 members of the NWC who attend meetings. Chapters V section 35 to 45 spell out the functions of the substantive NWC members and their deputies. The body is responsible for the day to day administration of the party. It meets not less than once every fortnight at the instance of the chairman or at the instance of two-third of the members. However, only the substantive members of the NWC attend its meeting. The deputies attend the meeting in the absence of the substantive officials and most of them do not have offices. Since the formation of the party, the deputy officials have been asking to be allowed to attend the NWC meetings. ADVERTISEMENT The U.S. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has announced that two more police officers who responded to the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol have died by suicide, bringing to four the number of known suicides by officers on duty at the building that day. One of the officers, 43-year-old Gunther Hashida, was found dead at his home last Thursday, department spokesman Hugh Carew told CNN in a statement. We are grieving as a department and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashidas family and friends, the police spokesman was quoted as saying. Another MPD officer who responded to the Capitol on January 6, Kyle DeFreytag, was found dead on July 10. Mr DeFreytags cause of death was also suicide, the CNN reported, saying, He had been with the force since November 2016. MPD Officer Jeffrey Smith and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood also responded to the Capitol riot and later died by suicide, the American news network reported. Hundreds of then-President Donald Trump supporters stormed the building that day in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Congress from certifying Democratic President Joe Bidens election win. Four people died on the day of the violence. A Capitol Police officer who had been attacked by protesters died the following day. READ ALSO: Trump denounces Capitol violence as calls for his removal grow The mayhem led to Mr Trumps second impeachment trial. More than 500 people have been arrested for their roles in the violence. About 140 officers from both the Capitol Police and the D.C. department were injured in the melee. During an emotional testimony last week, four police officers told a House of Representatives special committee that they were beaten, threatened, taunted with racial insults, and thought they might die as they struggled to defend the Capitol against the mob. Two former soldiers of the Nigerian Army, Ifeanyi Chilaka and Victor Aduba, on Tuesday, denied being accomplices to the crimes of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Messrs Chilaka and Aduba made the denials during the resumption of their trial at an Ikeja High Court over two counts of kidnapping and conspiracy. The ex-soldiers, who had earlier been dismissed by the Nigerian Army, are facing trial alongside Evans, Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, and Ogechi Uchechukwu for the alleged kidnap of Donatus Dunu, the chief executive officer of Maydon Pharmaceuticals. Mr Chilaka, led in evidence by defence counsel, A.A Uzoukwu, said he was acquainted with Mr Aduba and had worked with him as a soldier. He said one day, he was requested by another acquaintance, Ikenna Chukwuma, to help him drive a car from a mechanics workshop at Ijesha, Lagos to Surulere, Lagos. He told the court that when they got to the mechanics workshop, the car had not been repaired and Mr Chukwuma had called a friend to pick them up from the workshop. When I entered the vehicle with Chukwuma, I saw Mr Victor Aduba (sixth defendant) in the vehicle and there was a weapon inside the vehicle. When I asked what the weapon was doing there, the driver told me to keep quiet and mind my business. I was asked if I know what is AP and I said no, then I was told to keep quiet and mind my business. My Lord, they did not carry anybody in that vehicle and they did not kidnap anybody. Reaching Cele Bus stop, I told them I was uncomfortable and asked to alight. I was dropped off at Cele Bus stop and they warned that if they heard anything from me, they would kill me and I went back home,Mr Ifeanyi said. Responding to questions from Evans defence counsel, Victor Okpara, Mr Chilaka said he did not know Evans, and met him for the first time in police custody. I have never taken part in any kidnap activities in my life. I have never attempted to kidnap anyone before or conspired with Evans to kidnap the victim (Dunu), he said. Under cross-examination by the lead prosecutor, Adebayo Haroun, Mr Chilaka said it was a locally made weapon he saw in the vehicle and he did not know the reason he was warned not to reveal what transpired. Tortured into submission The second ex-soldier, Mr Aduba, denied partaking in kidnapping with Evans and the other co-defendants. He alleged that he was tortured into admitting to the crimes by members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force. Led in evidence by his counsel, Emmanuel Ochai, Mr Aduba said he was invited by an acquaintance, Chukwuma Nwosu, to a bar in Ago, Lagos, but unknown to him, Mr Nwosu was wanted by the police. As I reached the bar, he (Nwosu) was acting unusual and I kept asking what was wrong with him, and then I noticed five policemen who approached me and said I was under arrest. ADVERTISEMENT I resisted and they overpowered me and when I got to the police station, one Mr Philip, their boss, said I should cooperate with them and do whatever they say I should do. I told them they should allow me to go to my office where I worked as a soldier but they refused, he said. Mr Aduba said he was ordered by a member of the IRT, Idowu Haruna, to sign a written statement admitting to the crime but he refused. He alleged he was ordered to be taken to a theatre by Mr Phillip where he was beaten and was cut with a machete by Mr Haruna, an inspector. Mr Aduba showed his alleged machete injury to the court during his testimony. He alleged that in the days he was in custody, three men; Felix Chinemeren, Paul Samyan, and Chukwuma Nwosu, who were initially paraded to the media as kidnappers, were extra-judicially killed by the IRT team. I was still being told to sign some papers but I refused and I said if I refuse I will travel (slang for killed). At that point Idowu Haruna brought out his phone for me to look at some pictures. When I looked at it, I discovered it was the dead bodies of the three men with whom I was in custody. That was how I was forced to sign the papers, he said. To corroborate his claims, Mr Ochai, Adubas counsel, tendered to the court, a record of court proceedings of a kidnap trial held on November 5, 2018, before Oluwatoyin Taiwo. In the records of proceedings, Mr Haruna had, in his testimony, admitted that the three deceased had died in police custody. Mr Aduba in his evidence vehemently denied working with Evans. On February 14, 2017 (the day of Dunus kidnap), I was on a 24-hour duty at Abati Barracks gate. I even told Mr Haruna to check out my alibi but he said it was none of his business. I have never conspired with anybody neither have I gone with anybody to kidnap anyone, he said. While being cross-examined by Haroun, Mr Aduba said he was enlisted by the Nigerian Army on August 15, 2009, and had known Mr Chilaka since 2010. He described Mr Chilakas evidence that he conveyed him in a vehicle with a locally made weapon as a fabricated story. Mr Aduba denied Mr Harouns allegations that he was one of the soldiers who Evans had in a recorded confession, admitting to be members of his gang. Mr Haroun also noted that in the records of proceedings of Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, Haruna in his evidence never said he traveled (killed) anyone in his custody. The prosecutor noted that Mr Haruna had in his evidence said the three men had died in the custody of the police at Ikorodu General Hospital. Responding to questions from the prosecution, Mr Aduba said he was never dismissed by the Nigerian Army over allegations of kidnapping. The charge against me by the military was that I was AWOL. I was never given the chance to challenge my dismissal by the army, he said. The judge, Hakeem Oshodi, adjourned the case until November 5 for the adoption of final written addresses. Four days after completing its training programme of 22 Liberian journalists in Monrovia, DUBAWA, the West African fact-checking platform initiated by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) Monday, August 2, inaugurated its Gambian operations, and commenced a three-day fact-checking training at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Serrekunda, for 16 Gambian journalists drawn from the countrys print, broadcast and online press ahead of the countrys December 2021 general elections. Our current engagement in The Gambia is logical, as part of efforts at defining a common solution to a common problem within the ECOWAS sub-region, said Dapo Olorunyomi, team leader for the training experts, who said many of the West African journalism community owe their origins to a common late 19th century anti-colonial heritage of independence movements whose current problems with sustainability, audience growth, market expansion, and economic success have similar causes in the after-effects of keenly appreciating and managing the implications of the digital transition in our business environment. Part of these outcomes, according to Mr Olorunyomi, are the disruptive and debilitating internal impact on the business model of our industry that had traditionally depended, in most part, on advertising, on hard copy circulation in the print sector, and on events, adding that the other common problem, that which brought us here specifically, is the information crisis that has triggered the wave of misinformation and disinformation that many of our political leaders love to call fake news. At the opening of the Liberian training, at the Murex Plaza in Monrovia, the countrys Deputy Minister for Information, Boakai Fofana, speaking on the theme Stemming the Spread of Misinformation in Liberia to Advance Good Governance and Democracy, thanked the PTCIJ and its Liberian partner, The Stage Media, for organising this very important training that is geared towards giving journalists the skills needed to do their work in order to contribute positively to the national discourse, which he said poses new challenges to the journalism profession. Mr Fofana said even in the midst of this national discourse, his government has set itself apart for creating a blossoming media environment which continues to flourish. And this received a boost under the leadership of President George Weah when his administration, without any urging, decided to decriminalise speech offenses in the first year of his presidency, adding that this is testament to the resolve of the government to ensuring that journalists work in an environment that is free of harassment and intimidation. The minister thanked PTCIJ and The Stage Media for initiating the training on providing journalists the skillset needed for fact-checking and combating fake news contrasting this to the growth of an information crisis in Liberia which, in previous years, had seen an upsurge in fake news propel primarily on social media platforms. And in many instancesspewed by politicians looking to gain political capital over a rival. Journalists should not allow themselves to be used as puns in what Mr Fofana called political chess games, counseling Liberian journalists to go beyond the periphery and dig deeper because, in his opinion, Fake news can have dire consequences, from creating mistrust in the media to undermining the democratic process. He assured DUBAWA, the West African fact-checking platform initiated by the PTCIJ, of the fullest support of the government of Liberia as we strive to reshape the image of our country. Euriah Togar, head of the journalism programme at the University of Liberia; Malcom Joseph, Chief Executive of the Liberian Centre for Media and Society and Peacebuilding and Siatta Scott, head of the Female Journalists of Liberia, shared Mr Fofanas view that the fact-checking training was timely, welcome and bound to help stem the menace of misinformation and disinformation in Liberia, with all of them pledging support and partnership with Dubawa and the Stage Media. Continuing on her theme, at the Liberian training, of engaging sub-regional peers in executing this training on the global information crisis of misinformation and disinformation, and the challenges they pose to democracy, electoral integrity, public health and sound public policy in the country, Oluwatosin Alagbe, the Programme Director of PTCIJ restated in The Gambia, Monday, that Dubawa, a signatory to International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Codes and Principles which guides its practice, and also a member of the Facebook third-party fact-checking programme had come to the Gambia in the same spirit of contributing to help build a sub region defined by accountability and integrity which a substantive fact-checking journalism can help engender. So far, and for the same mission, Ms. Alagbe said, we have trained over three hundred and twenty (320) journalists and have held previous training sessions in Nigerian and Ghanaian universities with journalism programmes. From its modest beginnings in 1871, Ms. Alagbe noted that the Gambian press has earned a noble place in the country as a nation builder, consensus mechanism and foremost institution of modernity and promotion of the liberty and freedom of the Gambian citizens. We cannot be prouder to be here among brothers and sisters who, like us back home in Ghana and Nigeria, and as we had seen in Sierra Leone and in Liberia, have been strong armies in the war for truth, accountability and integrity in government, she said. Ms. Alagbe challenged Gambian journalists to take fact-checking seriously as a definition of their professionalism and as into its journalism earlier this year, helping to fight misinformation and promoting media literacy in the country. She said the training conducted in collaboration with the Gambia Press Union will cover accountability journalism, theory and history of fact-checking, as well as the structure and ethics of the practice. As we did in Liberia and in Sierra Leone, we expect trainees from the programme to also learn how to use data and geolocation tools, the Freedom of Information Law to strengthen their fact-checking practices, and new business methods to help the Gambia media tunnel through the current smoggy landscape of sustainability and growth. Media leaders led by Lamin Jabateh and civil society captains including Mardi Jobarteh of the WestMinster Foundation, Saidina Alie Jarjou of the Action Aid, and John Charles Njie of the Transitional Justice Growth Group welcomed Dubawa as an important institution for the promotion of electoral integrity, sound public policy and a redoubtable public health intervention in the environment of an infodemic. At a time when the Gambian society is so polarised as we have it here today, what we expect is a press that is courageous to tell the truth and be accurate in its reporting and our excitement is that Dubawa will be a very helpful addition to the conversation of pushing our democracy forward, said John Charles Njie in his contribution, echoed by both Saidina Alie Jarjou of Action AID and MArdi Jobarteh of Westminster Foundation all who unanimously offered PTCIJ a welcoming hand to the Gambia and proposed a partnership relationship with DUBAWA in its mission. Experts and facilitators that will conduct the training are: Dapo Olorunyomi, the Executive Director, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, Adedeji Adekunle, Director DUBAWA and Caroline Anipah, Programmes Manager, DUBAWA Ghana. The training is being coordinated by the DUBAWA team with the support of Lamin Jahateh of the Gambia Press Union. ADVERTISEMENT About PTCIJ and DUBAWA: The Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) is a media and innovation organisation founded in 2014 to promote a genuinely independent media landscape in West Africa through investigative journalism, fact-checking, open data and civic technology. Over the years, PTCIJ has instituted various projects and programmes to achieve its vision of an independent media landscape. PTCIJ is an off-shoot of the Premium Times online newspaper, a leading and well-known provider of news in Nigeria today. DUBAWA is Nigerias independent, transparent and non-partisan verification and fact-checking platform, initiated by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) in 2018. Dubawa aims at instituting a culture of truth and verification in public discourse and journalism through strategic partnerships between the media, government, civil society organisations, technology giants and the public. Since 2019, Dubawa has been holding successful annual fellowships for journalists, fact checkers and researchers in The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone to equip fellows with skills in fact-checking and verification in combating the wide spread regime of misinformation in the West African sub-region and to also contribute to knowledge around information disorder in the subregion. For more information or enquiries about the Training, contact us: contact@dubawa.org Twitter @DubawaNG @DubawaGH @DubawaSL Facebook Dubawa Instagram dubawa_official ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian anti-graft agency, EFCC, on Monday, dissociated itself from claims by Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, wherein he claimed they advised him to maintain a low profile in the wake of the indictment of his friend, Abbas Ramon alias Hushpuppi in a $1.1m international fraud conspiracy by US Law enforcement. Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesperson, debunked Momphas claims in a statement on Monday night. PREMIUM TIMES on Monday reported Mompha as saying that the anti-graft agency contacted him after Hushpuppi was apprehended abroad. He claimed that the EFCC asked him to delete his social media pages and maintain a low profile after the incident. Mompha made the remarks during an Instagram live show with a controversial broadcaster, Daddy Freeze, on Saturday. Mr Uwujaren said: The (Momphas) claim, which did not mention the official of the Commission who supposedly gave the advice, is spurious and should be discountenanced. The Commission is not in the business of advising suspected internet fraudsters and it is far-fetched that it would counsel one against whom it has a pending criminal charge in court. Offence He also added that Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, are facing prosecution by the EFCC on a 22-count charge alleging various offences such as retention of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit; fraud, failure to report the transaction to the Commission as required by the provision of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended). His other offences according to the EFCC include negotiating foreign exchange without license, contrary to Section 5 and 29 of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, 2004; engaging in foreign exchange transaction other than through the official foreign exchange market, contrary to the provision of Section 11(1) (a) of the National Economic Intelligence Establishment Act to the tune of N32billion. Mr Uwujaren said Mompha, who currently lives in Dubai, is still standing trial before A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. He said: The Commission had called 10 witnesses and closed its case. But rather than enter his defense, Mompha filed a no-case submission which was overruled by the Court and called upon to open his defense. The Dubai-based BDC operator, who also said the EFCC targeted him for no reason, also expressed displeasure at the manner in which some Nigerians on social media rejoiced over his arrest. This newspaper has published the news of Momphas arrest including how a Federal High Court in Lagos, ordered the EFCC to release all items it seized from him. The items include five luxury wristwatches, an Apple iPod, an iPhone 8 device, and a pair of sunglasses, which were among other items found on him when he was arrested on October 19, 2019, in Abuja. During his interview session with Daddy Freeze, Mompha claimed EFCC unjustly punished him. ADVERTISEMENT A clash was reported on Monday as residents of Dorayi Babba area of Kano stopped members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) from holding their Ghadeer, a religious meeting, in the area. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that members of the Islamic sect were trying to hold the meeting on a plot of land belonging to one of them in the area. Local sources said some elders in the area had met the owner of the plot and asked him to sell it because they do not like Shiites gathering in their area. Some of the elders felt unsafe with the Shiites gathering in the area. But the man said he would only sell the land at N50,000,000 while they said they could only give him N12,000,000, a resident of the area, Bilyaminu Abubakar, told Premium Times. He said when some of the followers of Ibrahim El Zakzaky arrived for the Ghadeer meeting on Monday, some youth in the area challenged them. And before you know it, the discussion turned violent. Another source, Aminu Miko, said: A car belonging to one Saleh Haruna was burnt to ashes by some of the residents. He also said some of the sects followers were wounded during the disturbance. The police spokesperson in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said four people have been arrested in connection with the incident but did not provide more details. Recall that the leader of the IMN, Mr Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenatu, were released on July 28 after five years in detention. This followed their acquittal by the Kaduna State High Court of charges brought against them by the Kaduna State Government over a clash between the Shiites and Nigerian soldiers in Zaria in December. ADVERTISEMENT The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied suggestions that the bank may consider converting the foreign exchange in domiciliary accounts of customers into naira. The bank said it has no intention of tampering with the foreign exchange deposits in the accounts of customers. Following its decision to stop the sales of forex to Bureau De Change operators, there has been speculation that the apex bank may start converting forex in domiciliary accounts to naira in order to check the shortage of availability of the United States dollars. Refuting this Monday, the banks acting director in charge of corporate communications, Osita Nwanisobi, said those making such allegations were criminal speculators whose intention was to create panic in the foreign exchange market. According to him, at no time did the CBN ever suggest or imply that it would tamper with the foreign exchange deposits of customers. He urged operators of domiciliary accounts and other members of the banking public to go about their legitimate foreign exchange transactions and disregard fictitious stories aimed at pitching them against the Bank and triggering chaos in the system. The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced last week that the bank will now only sell forex to commercial banks. It has since then directed the banks to set up a desk dedicated to selling forex to foreign exchange to customers, for invisibles such as basic travel allowance, PTA, medical and tuition etc. With concerns being raised about the efficiency of this move, the CBN has assured that it will monitor the commercial banks to ensure they meet the legitimate FX demands of customers. Mr. Nwanisobi disclosed that the CBN had put in place a monitoring mechanism to guarantee the seamless sale of foreign exchange to customers who supported their requests with relevant documentation. He said the CBN had also extracted the commitment of the banks, through their Chief Executive Officers, that customers with legitimate requests will not be turned back. Nigerias Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has inaugurated the first governing council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015. The last governing council, which is the highest decision-making body of the commission, was chaired by Chidi Odinkalu. While Mr Odinkalu chaired the body between 2011 and 2016, Bem Angwe, another professor of law, was the Executive Secretary of the commission at the time. The commission has had a chequered history of government interference in its mandate of promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. We do recall the removal from office of Dr Bukhari Bello in 2006 and Mrs K.F. Ajoni in 2008 in circumstances adjudged to constitute interference with the mandate of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, NHRCs Executive Secretary, said on Monday in his welcome remarks at the event. Funding still a challenge He pointed out that the aspect of government funding and operationalisation of the Human Rights Fund still remains a challenge. Financial constraints have been a major challenge to the realisation of a better remuneration and allowances for staff, Mr Ojukwu said, urging the newly inaugurated council to prioritise the mandate and welfare of staff. Mr Malami said he was directed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, to swear in the council members on behalf of Mr Buhari, who is on a medical trip in London. The minister urged the council to work assiduously with the entire staff of the commission in order to realise its mandate. On her part, the chairperson of the newly inaugurated governing council, Salamatu Suleiman, said in her address that nations are judged by their human rights record. Ms Suleiman advocated an improved staff welfare, adding that it was unacceptable for the staff of the NHRC to be poached by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who have better remuneration for workers. She pledged to work for the protection and enforcement of the rights of Nigerians. Background The Nigerian Senate had in May 2021 confirmed the nominations of 12 persons for appointment as Chairman and members of the Governing Council the NHRC. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Opeyemi Bamidele, observed that during the screening of the nominees, the committee was guided by the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the extant law, which established the NHRC. Mr Bamidele said Section 14 (3) of the constitution required that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies, should reflect the Federal Character Principles. However, it is noteworthy to state that the composition of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, as presented to the 9th Senate, does not comply with the provisions of the constitution as it relates to the Federal Character Principles. That it is imperative to state that absolute compliance with the provisions of the constitution is not a choice, but a fundamental obligation imposed on individuals, Government and all its functionaries, as encapsulated in Section 13 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, he said. ADVERTISEMENT READ ALSO: Senate confirms appointment of NHRC Governing Council members He urged the Senate to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the lop-sidedness in the composition of the Governing Council of NHRC which was an infraction against the constitution of Nigeria. The members of the governing council include: Salamatu Suleiman (Chairman), while Joseph Mmamel, Ahmad Fingilla, Kemi Asiwaju-Okenyodo, Abubakar Muhammed; and Femi Okeowo were confirmed as members. Others are Sunday Etim Daniel, Agabaidu Jideani, Nella Andem-Rabana, Azubuike Nwakwenta; Jamila Isah; and Idayat Hassana. Ms Suleiman was the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in the administration of late President Umaru YarAdua. She also served as commissioner in charge of political affairs, peace and security at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission from 2012 to 2016. ADVERTISEMENT The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered an Italian Company, Valvitalia Group SPA, to pay its agent in Nigeria, Energy Equipment and Services Limited, $1.5million as commission for providing technical support to its customers and promoting its products in Nigeria. A three-man panel of the appellate court affirmed the verdict of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which held that Energy Equipment and Services Limited, having performed its part of the bargain in Nigeria as contained in their agreement, Valvitalia Group, ought to fulfil its part of the bargain by paying the Nigerian firm the $1.5million commission. Peter Olabisi Ige, a member of the three-man panel, read the lead judgment, while the two others Moore Adumein and Muhammad Mustapha consented. PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the judgment delivered on June 11, 2021, on Tuesday. Suit Energy Equipment and Services limited, a Nigerian oil and gas services support and mechanical engineering company dedicated to providing comprehensive range of services to all oil and gas including non-oil and gas industries, had approached the Abuja High Court seeking an order that Valvitalia, a major group operating at the global level in the field of the design, production and supply of equipment and components for energy, marine and civil industries, should pay it $5million or its equivalent in European euros as compensation for a contract breach. The court presided by V.S. Gaba granted the prayers of the claimant on grounds that Energy Equipment and Services Limited is entitled to a commission from Valvitalia Group with respect to all sales carried out by the foreign company in Nigeria from September 2014 to April 19, 2015 and as it also relates to TOTAL EGINA EPSO Project. Mr Gaba also ordered that Valvitalia Group should furnish Energy Equipment and Services limited with details of all sales and transactions carried out in respect of TOTAL EGINA EPSO Project from September 2014 till date. Appeal Dissatisfied with the judgement of the High Court, the defendants in the suit, Valvitalia Group, Umberto Quadrino and Salvatore Ruggeri, approached the court of Appeal in Abuja praying the court to nullify the judgement of the lower court on grounds that the judgement was against the weight of evidence brought before the court. But in their ruling on the matter, the appellate court upheld the verdict of the lower court on the ground that there was an agreement between Energy Equipment and Services and Valvitalia Group which was formally signed on April 20, 2015. Counsel for Valvitalia Group, Ogunmuyiwa Balogun, argued that the said transactions with Energy Equipment and Services were done before the formal agreement was signed. READ ALSO: Italian contractor accuses Sani Dangote of N30 million fraud in alleged breach of contract But the appellate court agreed with Mr Gaba of the lower court that even before the agreement was made, Valvitalia Group acted in accordance with the agreement by using Energy Equipment and Services name as its representative in Nigeria, an act which it said attracts a commission by virtue of the agreement. Appeal Court judgment Delivering the lead judgement, Mr Ige said the appellate court cannot fault the compensation or damages awarded by the lower court in favour of Energy Equipment and Services. The judge agreed with the lower court that Energy Equipment and Services performed its duty under the agency relationship by working diligently for Valvitalia Group as its sole agent/partner in Nigeria and some of its agents in Italy. He said: The award of compensation/damages to the tune of USD1,500,000.00 (one million five hundred thousand dollars) made in favour of the respondent (Energy Equipment and Services) is justified. In the result, the Appellants (Valvitalia Group) appeal lacks merit and the 1st Appellants appeal is hereby dismissed, issues 2, 3 and 4 having been resolved against the 1st Appellant only. The findings of the lower court against the 2nd and 3rd Appellants (only) are set aside having resolved issue 1 in 2nd and 3rd Appellants favour. Consequently, the judgement of the lower court (Coram Hon Justice V.S. Gaba) delivered on 15th January 2020 is hereby affirmed against the 1st Appellant Valvitalia Group SPA. The 1st appellant shall pay a cost of N150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand naira) to the respondent. The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, issued an order unfreezing the bank account of the Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi. Daar Communications is the parent company of African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power Radio. The judge, John Tsoho, gave the order in a ruling on Mr Dokpesis application for the unfreezing of the account. Mr Tsoho, who is also the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, ordered that the account domiciled at First Bank be immediately unfrozen since the criminal charges which precipitated the restriction on the account had been dismissed and Mr Dokpesi discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal. Mr Tsoho said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) had no basis to put a post-no-debit order on the account in view of the subsisting and valid judgment of the Court of Appeal. He held that there was no application by the EFCC for stay of execution of the appellate courts judgment which quashed the criminal charges against Mr Dokpesi. Mr Tsoho said in the absence of a stay of execution, the court was bound by law to recognise the judgment of the appellate court. He ordered that the freezing order and post-no-debit on the account be immediately removed in compliance with the appellate courts judgment. On the claim by the EFCC that it had appealed the appellate courts decision at the Supreme Court, the judge held that the notice of appeal filed at the apex court could not in law stay the execution of the subsisting judgment. He added that the anti-graft agency ought to have obtained a stay of execution of the judgment. He further ordered that all documents seized from Mr Dokpesi should be immediately returned to him. Arguments The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Dokpesis lawyer, Kanu Agabi, earlier in his argument on Tuesday, asked the court to issue an order unfreezing his clients bank account frozen on the strength of the alleged N2.1 billion fraud charge against him. The senior lawyer had submitted that the criminal charges in respect of N2.1 billion had since been dismissed by the Court of Appeal Abuja division but the EFCC wanted to continue to hold his client in bondage. Mr Agabi had further argued that the charge which led to freezing of the account no longer existed following the decision of the appellate court on the matter. He tendered two judgements of the Court of Appeal to establish his claim that the criminal charges against Mr Dokpesi had been quashed. He said until the judgments were set aside, the EFCC could not continue to freeze his clients account. However, EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, had opposed the application on the grounds that the anti-graft agency had already filled a notice of appeal against the appellate courts judgment at the apex court. Mr Atolagbe had urged the court not to unfreeze the account yet until the final decision of the Supreme Court in the matter adding that the N2.1 billion logged in the frozen account formed the basis of the charge. ADVERTISEMENT He also opposed the request for the release of Mr Dokpesis document in possession of EFCC on the grounds that no specific document was mentioned in the request. How Dokpesi was set free by Appeal Court The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 1, a three-member panel of the appeal court in a unanimous judgment freed Mr Dokpesi from the charges after it held that the prosecution failed to establish the ingredients of the charge. The EFCC had in 2015 sued Mr Dokpesi, accusing him and his company of illegally receiving funds considered as proceeds of crimes from a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuk, a retired colonel. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and went further to file a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case in November 2018 after calling 14 witnesses. However, the trial judge, Mr Tsoho, rejected the no-case submission and ordered Mr Dokpesi and his firm to enter their defence. Not satisfied, the defendants then approached the Court of Appeal, with a request to nullify the decision and free him from the charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them. In the unanimous judgment delivered by Elfreda Williams-Dawodu, the appellate court agreed with the appellants that the case of the respondents lacked merit having failed woefully to establish a prima facie case against the appellant. According to the judgment, for any case to be established against the defendants, it is necessary to first prove the ingredients of offence in the predicate offences in counts 1 to 4 of the seven-count charge which bordered on criminal breach of trust, division of funds, money laundering and corruption. The court further held that EFCC failed to prove that the N2.1 billion allegedly received by the appellant was a proceed of breach of trust and accordingly set aside the decision of the lower court which held that the appellants had a case to answer. No case was made against the appellant in counts 1, 2, 3 and 4 to warrant his being called upon to open his defence. There is no possibility that the appellant can be convicted because the evidence are manifestly unreliable. I am of the view that irrespective of the ingredients stated earlier, and those by the appellant and first respondent respectively, prior proof or establishment of the predicate offences in count 1,2,3 and 4 of the amended charge is sine qua non to the proof of the offences of money laundering specified in the said counts. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Whether Kyari is eventually extradited to face trial in a U.S. District Court or not, the white garment of honour that he once wore has been tainted, soiled, splattered all over with palm oil. Even if he is cleared of all wrong doings, the perception that he was fingered by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in a matter of conspiracy to commit electronic fraud and abet criminal behaviour is bad enough. The story of Abba Kyari, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and erstwhile head of the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team speaks to the fate of all men who are overtaken by hubris, that flaw of character from which tragedies have been written from Sophocles to Shakespeare. Every tragic hero or anti-hero soon begins to create illusions of his or her own importance and then soon faces unexpected nemesis. Oedipus, in ancient Greek mythology, solved the riddle of the Sphinx, but fate caught up with him and he ended up killing his father and marrying his own mother. Medea, a woman of extreme jealousy and pride, killed her own children in order to prove a point one of the earliest feminist figures in classical literature. Agamemnon was King of Argos and also commander of the Greek army, but he was immature, unwise and emotional. This was his undoing. He was a great warrior, who was also impetuous. Coriolanus, the Roman General could not become Consul in Ancient Rome. He waged war out of vengeance after he had been banished. Consumed by passion and vengeance, he led an assault against Rome. He eventually lost his life. Julius Caesar was one of the most decorated leaders in ancient Rome, but he became a dictator, evoking the envy and conspiracy of his own associates. I have taken these examples from classical literature and mythology and from Shakespearean tropes detailing an important aspect of human experience and cultural identity: How glory does not guarantee a happy ending, how man experiences the mystery of suffering in order to learn, how what is called happiness is culturally relative. Modern fictive and interpretive representations have also shown that tragedy is not only for great and well-placed persons, but that all men are flawed, and many have fallen due to hubris, not necessarily fate, but error of judgement, pride, or wrong choices. Managing ones temptations could be the best protection but then what is life if not the rising and ebbing of the tides of time? Life ends as a comedy for many, but for others, it is a tragedy. DCP Abba Kyari is facing a tragic moment in his career as a policeman. Like all tragic tales, he would attract the pity of friends, fear among colleagues who may well imagine that they too could suffer the same fate, as well as the empathy of a few. But the majority should draw lessons from his experience. He was arguably the most honoured police officer of his time. They called him the Super Cop. He led the Police Intelligence Unit and was acclaimed for his prowess. He was a celebrity cop too. On one occasion, he was specially recognised by Nigerias House of Representatives. Not many police officers in Nigeria have enjoyed such privilege. Given the trajectory of his career, no one would have been surprised if the super cop ended up as Nigerias Inspector General of Police. But now all that is ended. Whether Kyari is eventually extradited to face trial in a U.S. District Court or not, the white garment of honour that he once wore has been tainted, soiled, splattered all over with palm oil. Even if he is cleared of all wrong doings, the perception that he was fingered by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in a matter of conspiracy to commit electronic fraud and abet criminal behaviour is bad enough. This same officer who used to be the subject of saccharine panegyrics, is now the butt of internet memes. Those who wear immaculate white attires should stay away from retailers of palm oil. The case against Kyari is that he failed to do this. His nemesis is a certain Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, aka, Ray Hushpuppi, who is now facing a likely jail term of 20 years for engaging in high tech organised crime. Arrested by the FBI in June 2020, Hushpuppi has been singing like a canary and yelping like a puppy. He identified Abba Kyari as one of his allies, an influential police officer in Nigeria who helped him, Hushpuppi, to arrest one of his gang members with whom he had a dispute over a deal. The FBI, in the deposition that was unsealed in court on July 26, provided copious and embarrassing details of conversations between Hushpuppi and the senior police officer. It is alleged that Kyari sent a bank account number into which money was transferred to take care of the team for services rendered. What service? One Kelly Vincent Chibuzor was arrested and detained for more than a month by Abba Kyaris team. Even when it was discovered that the allegation by Hushpuppi against Chibuzor was incorrect, there was no evidence to indicate that the Super Cop took any step to get Hushpuppi sanctioned for misleading the police and for wasting the time and resources of the Nigerian state. The FBI document further indicates that Super Cop Kyari even visited Hushpuppi in Dubai as a special guest. Since these details became public, Kyaris strongest defence has been that he is completely innocent and that the only connection between him and Hushpuppi was that he helped him to sew some native wears. How on earth did a cop in charge of Nigerias Police Intelligence Response Unit become a tailor and fashion consultant to a man of international security interest, who, by the way, flaunted obscene wealth on social media pages? Certain associations are not good for a persons brand. The association with Hushpuppi in any form whatsoever was bad for the senior cop. Hushpuppi knows clearly that he is down. The same way he used the Nigerian Police to discipline one of his gang members, he has also shown no scruples in dragging policeman Aba Kyari along with him. Yesterday, matters went further South when the FBI released more information to confirm that Kyari collected N8 million in that hire-a-senior-cop case. Dr Garus Galolos garrulousness on a subject he knows nothing about is absurd. He should shut up. Ethnicity is not the important issue in the Kyari case. The FBI does not care about whether he is from the North or the South. Apparently, the leaders of the NEF are more discerning and that is why they have been silent and watching. Dr Galolo may well be accused of trying to incite cattle breeders against the U.S. and the NEF. Whatever anyone may say, this is not good either for the countrys image. Ordinarily, Nigeria has been labelled a prolific source of potential or actual fraudsters, even when this same country has produced some of the brightest and most accomplished persons in all fields of human endeavour. Few foreigners give us the benefit of the doubt. What has happened to DCP Kyari is also not good for the image of the Nigerian Police. Even before the October 2020, #EndSARS protests, the average Nigerian policeman was routinely criticised for bribe collection, brutality and abuse of human rights. It is for this reason that Kyari may not have too many people out there who are ready to sympathise with him. Since the FBI incident, there have been remarks not just about Kyari but the Nigerian Police Force: How, it is said, Nigerian policemen work with criminals; how they extort money; and how anyone can hire a police man to violate other peoples rights. Those who have an axe to grind with DCP Kyari have also been all over the social media further rubbing salt into his wounds. When a man is down in this life, there are many who would kick him where it hurts most. Kyari must be wondering what is happening to him. Every tragic hero eventually experiences anagnorisis and catharsis. But it is not always that a tragedy ends as a comedy. The U.S. District Court of Central California has issued a warrant of arrest for DCP Kyari. But it is not as easy as that. Nigeria is a sovereign state. A court in the United States cannot simply order the arrest of a Nigerian living inside Nigeria, and expect that Nigeria, as a sovereign state, would simply hand the person over. The relationship between sovereigns is governed by rules and due process. Given the weight of the allegations, and the attention that the case has generated, the Inspector General of Police has ordered a probe by a four-man committee. The Police Service Commission which is responsible for appointments, promotion and discipline within the Police has sent Abba Kyari on suspension. Fair enough. The investigation must be thorough and transparent. Nigeria has every reason to take up this matter with all the seriousness that it deserves. Kyari committed the alleged offence in his privileged position as a Deputy Commissioner of police, and Head of Police Intelligence Response Team. Did he abuse his office as alleged? Did he conspire to commit wire fraud as an officer of the law? The Team referred to in the FBI document, who are its members? Whose bank account received the N8 million paid by Hushpuppi? Did Kyari and his team violate the Police Code of Conduct, especially with regard to Principles Six and Seven dealing with integrity and conflict of interest? What lessons can the Police itself learn from this in terms of its internal oversight processes and how police officers conduct themselves in society? Those questions would be useful for a reform of the Nigerian Police. There should be no cover up. If DCP Kyari is found guilty, he should be sanctioned accordingly and handed over to the Americans, in line with extradition processes. DCP Kyari should have his lawyers on standby. Everything that he represents is at stake. I find it completely odious, however, that there has been a useless attempt to read ethnic and political meanings into Kyaris travails. The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) was reported in the newspapers yesterday as saying the FBIs plan to arrest Kyari is totally unacceptable, and that nothing must happen to him. The AYCF further said all Nigerians who are truly patriotic should stand behind a man who has made an unrivalled mark on the sands of time by diligently serving his fatherland because the FBIs proposed arrest is an attempted intimidation of a police officer right inside his independent fatherland. The statement is credited to Alhaji Yerima Shettima, described as AYCF President. Such drivel coming from anyone at all is shocking! If that doesnt shock you enough, then consider the more laughable intervention of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). MACBAN is accusing the U.S. FBI of colluding with some leaders in Southern Nigeria to indict police officer Abba Kyari and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) of folding its hands and failing to defend sons of the North who have distinguished themselves in different fields (and) are constantly being persecuted and maligned at the height of their careers. One Dr Garus Gololo, speaking on behalf of MACBAN, added that, The United States is the most dishonest country in the world. What they are doing to Kyari, they did it to Al Gore. Let him stand firmly and defend himself because he is Nigerias future Inspector General of Police, and he mustnt allow himself to be rattled. Dr Garus Galolos garrulousness on a subject he knows nothing about is absurd. He should shut up. Ethnicity is not the important issue in the Kyari case. The FBI does not care about whether he is from the North or the South. Apparently, the leaders of the NEF are more discerning and that is why they have been silent and watching. Dr Galolo may well be accused of trying to incite cattle breeders against the U.S. and the NEF. The security agencies have a duty to investigate his claims. What has Kyaris travails got to do with cattle rearing? The AYCF should also be reminded that the FBI is not interested in the dangerous little games we play here in Nigeria with ethnicity. Kyari does not represent the North. He is a police officer being accused of roguish conduct. And that point about some Southern leaders colluding with the FBI: How?] The Nigerian Police can learn a lot from the diligence and professionalism of the U.S.s FBI. The depositions were first taken to court in February, again in April, but the contents were only unsealed in July. Nothing leaked. The document did not suddenly vanish from where it was kept. There was no reported case of arson that would have led to the destruction of valuable evidence. If this would be of any comfort: there was actually a semblance of federal character and diversity in the names mentioned in the Hushpuppi/Kyari case. The affidavit sworn to by Andrew John Innocenti, special agent with the FBI, mentions the following names: Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (Nigerian/Yoruba), Abdulrahman Imran Juma (Kenyan), Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Nigerian/probably Igbo), Abba Alhaji Kyari (Nigerian/ Kanuri), Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Nigerian/Yoruba), and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka (Nigerian/Yoruba), all accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to engage in money laundering. At paragraphs 23 -30, the investigator identifies Abba Kyari and establishes his connection with Hushpuppi, with copious references to phone numbers, conversations, newspaper articles and account numbers. So, where is the collusion with the FBI to ridicule a Northern star? But that is Nigeria. We play politics with everything. Instead of focussing on key issues, we reduce everything to ethnic identity. We need to know that when persons conspire to do wrong things, they dont operate on the basis of their ethnic origins. They are united by a common purpose that is beyond ethnicity or religion. In this matter, a Ramon is caught in the same web with a Vincent and a Rukayat and Tawakalitu. They are united by a different purpose. This cautionary point is also meant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The partys spokesperson has launched an attack on the Buhari administration over the Kyari matter. Must we play politics with everything? No. It is enough to insist that nothing should be swept under the carpet and that due process must be strictly followed. This is not a Buhari matter. Kyari must answer his fathers name. There are more lessons. The Nigerian Police can learn a lot from the diligence and professionalism of the U.S.s FBI. The depositions were first taken to court in February, again in April, but the contents were only unsealed in July. Nothing leaked. The document did not suddenly vanish from where it was kept. There was no reported case of arson that would have led to the destruction of valuable evidence. The FBI monitored conversations across long distances and gathered evidence. Young Nigerians for whom the indecent display of wealth is a major attraction should remember the stories of Hushpuppi, Invictus and all such characters and have a glimpse of their own future undoing. Hushpuppi was so popular on Instagram, many young Nigerians wanted to be like him. He wore Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace and displayed exotic cars. Today, he is in a lonely place. He is so lonely. He is singing and sinking. Let the law take its full course then. We hear DCP Kyari has been promptly replaced by DCP Tunji Disu as Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team. Thats life. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos. ADVERTISEMENT Abba the Hushcoppi had better invest in good lawyers. What we know is what has been unsealed. What was unsealed may yet be the tip of the iceberg. We have no idea what remains sealed by the Grand Jury. In the United States, District Attorneys (prosecutors) only give the grand jury key facts that are sufficient to show the probability that an accused committed a crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)s indictment papers on Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari, is familiar. It reads like the biography of a crime kingpin. Even as a lay man, with rudimentary knowledge of law, it comes across as the story of fraud, money laundering, abuse of power, greed, police corruption and misconduct. Throughout the detailed, racy pages of the indictment paper, the apparent contravention of Nigerian laws, and the violation of the constitutional rights of individuals for personal gain is evident. It is shameful that DCP Abba Kyari, a seasoned law enforcement officer, broke his political contract with those he swore to protect and abused his power as a crime fighter for personal gain. The indictment of Abba Kyari beams international searchlight on habitual abuse of power, unhindered corruption and misconduct in Nigerias law enforcement. In Nigeria, money rules, no matter the source! Nigerians have no faith in the criminal justice system because they know that might is right and that justice does not depend on playing by the rules. Justice is for those who can pay and the connected, while punishment is for the poor and besieged. That is why Ramon Abbas (alias Hushpuppi), a common criminal, for a fee, ordered a decorated cop of Abba Kyaris standing, to arrest a rival criminal and he did his bidding. Without investigation, justification or a warrant, Abba Kyari arrested Vincent Chibuzor on Hushpuppis instruction. By way of the phone call, a criminal in Dubai reached out to a high ranking police officer to arrest a fellow criminal over a deal gone bad, and the arrest was effected, with the punishment executed as spelt out by the aggressor, without regard for legitimate enforcement of the law through appropriate means. How sad! Looks like the Police hierarchy were well aware of Kyaris excesses but rank impunity and institutional coverup, for which they are well known, sustained his myth as a sleuth-hound. Petitions had been written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing Kyari of procedural, criminal, and civil violations on the cases he handled. The Nigerian Police and the Police Commission have done what is expected of them. Kyari has been suspended, with investigation ongoing on his conduct. His dalliance with Hushpuppi was not a one-off thing. Looks like the Police hierarchy were well aware of Kyaris excesses but rank impunity and institutional coverup, for which they are well known, sustained his myth as a sleuth-hound. Petitions had been written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing Kyari of procedural, criminal, and civil violations on the cases he handled. There had been allegations of discriminatory arrests, physical harassment, selective enforcement of the law and even murder. None of these were taken seriously enough to merit an investigation. Various complaints and accusations described a pattern of misconduct and abuse by Kyari and his Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that were repeated with the acquiescence of superiors without a care for correction. There were cases of extortion and asset conversion swept under the carpet. Seized items and money were alleged to have been diverted, without recourse to civil asset and funds forfeiture laws. What our system refused to do, America acted upon. Our recalcitrant son will now be taught from outside to our shame. That is if we have any. Before his coup de grace, DCP Kyari was a showboat. He was all over cavorting with shady characters. He loved being seen and regarded as a super cop. He reminded me of the 1983 film, Scarface. In the movie, Elvira Hancocks advice to Tony Montana on selling drugs, turned out to be a memorable quote often cited ever since: Dont get high on your own supply. An advice Tony Montana famously ignored to his peril, and paid the price for. Like Tony Montana, Kyari got high on public adulation, showboating and rank impunity. Like a moth, he got attracted to the lantern in a macabre dance of death. He became addicted and forgot what was expected of him. To maintain the acceptance he sought, he got sucked into shady deals and transactions. He started rolling with the big boys and he needed to measure up. Could his poor salary afford him that? No! He knew that no one asks questions about unexplained wealth in Nigeria. He became the toast of parties. The indictment of Kyari is a direct warning to the criminal elements behind kidnapping, herdsmen, terror sponsors and all those working to destabilise Nigeria overtly and covertly that they better beware. When your cup is full and you are linked to the fleecing or killing of an American, you will be picked like snail. Abba the Hushcoppi had better invest in good lawyers. What we know is what has been unsealed. What was unsealed may yet be the tip of the iceberg. We have no idea what remains sealed by the Grand Jury. In the United States, District Attorneys (prosecutors) only give the grand jury key facts that are sufficient to show the probability that an accused committed a crime. When it is all done, the crime and conflict entrepreneurs must know that the net can ensnare them. Abba Kyari knows the crime scene that Nigeria is. He knows the major league fraudsters, money launderers, terror sponsors, kidnappers and racketeers. Kyari knows where the skeletons are. Let those who think they are smarter by half know that the FBI has the technology to access location-tracking data, monitor information flow through Intercepts and the manpower to analyse data and metadata. Sometime ago, the director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, said; terrorism today moves at the speed of social media. He knew what he was saying. The indictment of Kyari is a direct warning to the criminal elements behind kidnapping, herdsmen, terror sponsors and all those working to destabilise Nigeria overtly and covertly that they better beware. When your cup is full and you are linked to the fleecing or killing of an American, you will be picked like snail. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju a farmer, youth advocate and political analyst writes this weekly column, Bamidele Upfront for PREMIUM TIMES. Follow me on Twitter @olufunmilayo The Osemawe opened his large box of data: When Prince Airo came of age, he considered the acquisition of political knowledge very important and unavoidably necessary Therefore, it was decided that Prince Airo should consider expanding his knowledge of politics in Benin. This became another foundation of a different narrative that would undeservedly undermine the Ile-Ife ancestral sources of Ondo, which was substituted by a revisionist one that favoured Benin. Although questions around Yoruba ancestry usually come up in historical discourses, they have always been raised with various intentions, one of which is to affirm or refute the assumption that the Yoruba genuinely have a common beginning. For the records, the Yoruba people are domiciled in the Western region of Nigeria. They are, however, spread across different countries, as their civilisation had earlier expanded in values and descents. The history that Ile-Ife is the source of most of the created dynasties, of which Ondo is one, has permanently been coloured by sentiments, revisionist agenda, and political insinuations. During the recent Toyin Falola Interviews, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, the ruling king of the Ondo kingdom, honoured us with his presence as the special guest on the programme. As the interview session commenced, Professor Tayo Oloruntoba-Oju asked His Royal Highness about the place of the Ondo dynasty in the history of Ile-Ife; that is if the Ondo people regard Ile-Ife as their ancestral source. The questions intent was not to fact-find their origin but to know the fundamental truth that lies in the web of connections that join the people together. Interestingly, the king responded that Ile-Ife, then headed by Oduduwa, the historical king who introduced a modernised political system to the civilisation, was the only proper foundation of the Ondo people. And there is more. Legends fascinate. Let us follow the narratives by the eminent king. All through the period in question, several practices were culturally accepted but socially questionable, one of which was the peoples adverse reaction to the birth of twins. In other words, raising twins was considered abominable and could, in some cases, attract sanctions. But nature has a way of triggering evolutionary processes in human engagement, and one way it did so in the Ondo kingdom was when Oduduwas wife gave birth to twins. This generated many controversies because the king was certain that the innocent children would likely be killed. To avert such imminent predicament, Oduduwa, the king, having pronounced his disappointment and shock on seeing that his wife delivered a set of twins, prepared the extradition of his wife and her twins to protect them. However, saying, e se omo re loosely translated as these are abominable children this was to become another threshold of history on which the future Ondo kingdom would build. In the Osemawe title identified with the Ondo people today, we would see the linguistic contraction of the historical statement credited to the Yoruba progenitor, Oduduwa, which he pronounced out of a disturbed mind. Since there were no particular means of identification at the time, the expedition of the kings wifes extradition was laden with something historical that would serve as the means of identifying them potentially in the future. Oduduwa gave his wife and children a beaded crown to symbolise their royalty and keen connection with royal ancestry. In addition to this, he gave each of the children a pair of facial marks on both cheeks to have a visible sign of their royal connection in the future. The legacy continues until modern times among the Ondo people as they have developed a culture out of the historical experience. The fact that the king wielded extraordinary powers and was recognised dutifully by the people helped enhance a hitch-free migration process for the outlaws. Oduduwa used his powers to influence a smooth journey for his wife and the twins, so that they would not fall prey to the dangerous and predatory environment. To ensure this, he appointed six slaves to follow them on the journey, with some indigenous diviners and medical professionals responsible for their wellness in the process. Aside the slaves and adornments given to these potential sojourners, chiefs were also assigned to them on the journey. This foregrounds the place of the Ondo dynasty in the history of Ile-Ife, as we would find out that the expedition of the extradition was not mainly meant to send the outlaws away from their ancestry but to establish an outpost that would potentially serve as the branch of the Ile-Ife progeny. The reason for this conclusion is that given the various chiefs, slaves, and entourage accorded to the outlaws, one cannot but see through Oduduwas intention to establish a new beginning that would be his own too. However, at least geographically, expansion demanded some levels of experience to make the process a memorable one. From the Arabs to the Europeans, who sought the expansion of their political coast about five centuries ago, different experiences dotted the process of their expedition, which was the same thing that happened when Oduduwas family was deported from Ile-Ife. In the course of their migration, they settled in a place called Ijama, spent a couple of years there, and eventually continued on their journey because the place was unsafe for them. They settled next in Epe, where they also spent several years before moving on when they realised that something was amiss. Afterwards, they consulted Ifa about where they could settle, and the Ifa diviner gave them a mystical yamstchik, which became the symbol of authority that would decide where their final destination would be. Culturally called Edo, the yamstchik was mystical and magical. The instruction was that they would settle down where the yamstchik refused to pierce the surface of the earth. When they got to the present Ondo Kingdom, the Edo did not penetrate the earths surface, and this generated the saying Edo du do. This expression became the derivative of Ode Ondo, which now exists as a geographical identity in contemporary times. Again, this is where the beauty of the Yoruba cultural identity is spotted. Contrary to what was suggested, the woman who was abdicated from the throne was not treated with disdain. She became the economic minister of the state by taking the position of LObun (the market lord), and she controlled the affairs of the economy. Beyond this, she was traditionally assigned the role of kingmaker in the Ondo kingdom. Kabiyesi continued the narration: However, the beauty of migration lies in the fact that almost everywhere there is a settlement, it has been occupied by people who could lay claim to the ownership of that environment. The entourage of the extradition team and outlaws realised that some people were already in that sociopolitical space doing their businesses differently and organising their political activities as it pleased them. Essentially, because the act of becoming the legal occupants of a settlement was validated by military strength and competence, the migrants brought the early arrivals under their control and became dominant in the kingdom. From the set of twins, only the female twin survived the journey, and she was made the first monarch of the Ondo dynasty. But because she was distracted from political engagements, she was replaced by her son. Again, this is where the beauty of the Yoruba cultural identity is spotted. Contrary to what was suggested, the woman who was abdicated from the throne was not treated with disdain. She became the economic minister of the state by taking the position of LObun (the market lord), and she controlled the affairs of the economy. Beyond this, she was traditionally assigned the role of kingmaker in the Ondo kingdom. It became a tradition that no king would ascend the kings throne in Ondo without being subjected to the process of power transfer by the LObun of the community because that would revalidate the ceding of the political seat of power to the king. Systematically, it has been crowned by the system that the power structure should be gender-inclusive, which reiterates the conclusion that the Yoruba power economy is not exclusively synonymous with patriarchy. Distribution of power, which was the epistemic foundation of the Ile-Ife politics, extends to the environs where their political tentacles spread. For that reason, the sustenance of a good social structure and political system has been the corresponding result of such a foundation. If there is any controversy about the intricate connection between Ile-Ife and the Ondo kingdom, the Kabiyesi carefully unknotted the issue during the Toyin Falola Interviews. The debate about the oneness of identity among the Ondo, concerning their ancestral source was particularly strengthened by the symbolic representation of power transfer from the LObun to the ascendant of the throne. Although the LObun handed over the political power to the king, she did not lose her political honour. The retention of her power is symbolised by the linguistic expression that is an ascription of her political relevance to the throne, which identified the king as Abaiye (father and mother) when addressing the king. This means that despite the transfer of power to him, he now represented a dual identity of the two sexes the male and the female. In political and social engagements, the philosophical importance of women cannot be undermined. That the king took power from the palace did not override the symbolic importance of the woman who lived on the outskirts of the palace. The roles foregrounded the womans importance in the administration of political authority to the king and in determining the economic system of the Ondo people. Meanwhile, the administrative system of a people would not experience any consistent boost without the good conditions of their economy, which invariably means that despite the importance of the kings position, that of the LObun was no less holy. Beyond Ile-Ifes role in creating the present Ondo, the Ondo kingdom is embedded in yet a narrative that arose from the debates about the close similarities between the Ondo political and administrative systems and Benins. The controversy has always been that Ondo is a prototypical replica of Benin, mainly because there are similarities in their systems of political administration. This line of historical rendition supports the claim that Oduduwa was originally from Benin and was on an expedition to Ile-Ife before his perceived valour was courted and engaged. Such historical background finds solidarity in the assumption that Benins rise to political stardom and military strength would not have evolved from Ile-Ife, which, in recent history, is comparatively weaker in matters of expansion and proxy government. But history is history, not because it could, in itself, resist attempts at revisionist historians but because even when it is manipulated, it has a body of archaeological evidence that would rescue it. The narrative is developed by individuals who perhaps intend to achieve some intentions. Without corresponding and solid counter-evidence, it would be challenging to disclaim the assumption of this line of history that has almost become the contemporary song among many indigenous people of Benin. The mighty Osemawe of the Ondo kingdom would shed light on this. The Osemawe opened his large box of data: When Prince Airo came of age, he considered the acquisition of political knowledge very important and unavoidably necessary. Allegations around his mothers political weakness continuously gave him ruptured thoughts. He needed to coordinate the Ondo affairs so that their sovereignty would not be brought under premeditated woes. He needed to step up to the shoes by providing state-of-the-art leadership characteristics. Meanwhile, he had limited options. First, going back to Ile-Ife was diplomatically inadvisable, perhaps because of the underlying feud around their migration. Second, the fact that he and Oduduwa had spent years apart severed their ties and would always restrain them from properly bonding together, even though their paternalistic connection was acknowledged. In essence, the seeming available option and a more diplomatic one was to go to Benin to study their politics and administrative systems. Therefore, it was decided that Prince Airo should consider expanding his knowledge of politics in Benin. This became another foundation of a different narrative that would undeservedly undermine the Ile-Ife ancestral sources of Ondo, which was substituted by a revisionist one that favoured Benin. Although the response of the Osemawe of the Ondo kingdom emphasised the fact that the female of the twin extradited from Ile-Ife was the surviving one who birthed the said kingdom, some other historical accounts say that the male twin was the one who formed a settlement in Ago Iwoye, where the title of the king is Ebumawe. Although the king, Kabiyesi Airo, visited diverse places and communities to get additional information about the palace administration, the historical significance of Benin was underscored by the outstanding leadership quality of the culture that he returned with. He adopted several systematic methods and brought with him a particular chief of noble birth with whom he shared mutual affection and communal objectives. So, when we notice that there are intercultural similarities between the Ondo and Benin people, it was not borne of the history that Oduduwa came from Benin, as the revisionist history has struggled to establish but because there were exchanges of ideas and philosophies that happened as a result of King Airos expedition to learn administrative systems. The diasporisation of knowledge and the migration of politics happen so significantly that the appropriated similarities would be mistaken for a direct descendant of the other, whereas that would be an insincere representation of what actually happened. Besides this, the cultural osmosis between them could be ascribed to proximity, as people take ideas from those who are geographically close to them. As a result of the mutual understanding and tranquillity between them, one of Benins high chiefs, Ojomu, followed King Airo to Ondo as a sign of solid camaraderie and respect. To traditionally mark this historical experience, a hereditary chieftaincy title was conferred on the people from that lineage. It is one of the very few political positions that are not contested, as every Jomu from that historical period is said to be genetically traceable to the primordial one. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the transmission of revisionist history by individuals with self-serving agendas. The fact that this happened should not be conflated with the arrangement that Ondo people are descents of Benin. That would be too simplistic and misleading for the unassuming people. Irrespective of the controversial issues raised by the belligerent revisionists, the reality remains untainted that the people of Ondo are a direct descendant of the Oduduwa dynasty from Ile-Ife. Although attempts will be made to reposition a historical experience, facts, however, would always counteract the falsified narrative to bring out genuine information and experiences in the course of human evolution. Dr Kiladejo is clear on this. Meanwhile, linguistic and philosophical proximity found among many Yoruba people or subgroups would always generate nuanced presuppositions and generalisations that would demand logical unpacking. Although the response of the Osemawe of the Ondo kingdom emphasised the fact that the female of the twin extradited from Ile-Ife was the surviving one who birthed the said kingdom, some other historical accounts say that the male twin was the one who formed a settlement in Ago Iwoye, where the title of the king is Ebumawe. For whatever reason, there could be some unnoticed relationship between the two kingdoms that would require the intelligence and historical knowledge of the concerned parties to shed more light on this. In the occasion that this is accurate historical data, that would decisively mean that there is a deep connection between the Ondo and Ijebu. The Osemawe is diplomatic when attending to questions like this because it can steer inter-group rivalries and create avoidable hostilities. The Osemawe of Ondo ceded the responsibility of establishing this connection to the indigenous people of Ebumawe, who were tasked with tracing their origin. ADVERTISEMENT Ondo has a long history that spans oral traditions and written records. The fact that oral traditions predominantly offer the aspect of migration usually eclipses the literature of governance structures and systems that the Yoruba state has recorded over the last 500 years. To get to the root of this history-provoking question, one needs to understand that although the recordable history of the people falls around the past five centuries, as indicated already, Ondo has, in these periods, witnessed two centuries of slave raids and trade, half a century of colonialism, several decades of military interventions in postcolonial time, a series of democratic culture too, dotted with different unforgettable experiences. His Royal Highness, Oba Adesimbo Kiladejo, reiterated that irrespective of these transformations and experiences, the Ondo kingdom has been sustained and united by the form of governance structures that have been in place for a long time. The structure is such that the Osemawe occupies the apex of the administrative stool of power, where he has maintained an autonomous power to decide on political affairs. The institution of governance which was right under this structure has maintained unalloyed peace and stability, courtesy of the said king. There is a saying that the people of the Ondo kingdom would never be victims of war expeditions. The foundation of this saying is to understand that the people of Ondo had a supreme military organisation and well-organised political structures, which helped them secure peace, tranquility, and progress, even when others are experiencing massive hostilities. However, it should be emphasised that despite the Osemawes supremacy, he maintains that the council of chiefs are active in deciding the fate of the state and are actively involved in the political system of the people. The council of chiefs of the Ondo kingdom, including the king as the head, comprises the Odunwo, Lisa, Sasere, Adaja, Odofin, and the Ijomu, in no hierarchical order. All these chiefs have helped to sustain the system and activities of the people and made impressive contributions to the advancement of the Ondo kingdom from the start till the present moment. Toyin Falola, a professor of History and University Distinguished Teaching Professor, is Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin. Evidently, social media is a critical element driving the advancement of the flourishing e-commerce sector. As a high yielding tool for marketing, promotion and sales, it helps e-commerce businesses identify customers, engage with them, build trust, gain sales opportunities, and deliver quick support. Social media is a powerful tool for communication. It has the ability to connect and share information with anyone on earth or with many people across geographical divides simultaneously. It is very useful for conducting transactions, directing shoppers toward a new product or an attractive deal, engaging with them and creating a sense of community or togetherness. Social media refers to websites and applications that are designed to allow people share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time. They are computer-based interactive technologies that facilitate the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is Internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content. Such content includes personal information, documents, videos, and photos. Users engage with social media through devices such as computers, tablets, or smartphones, through web-based software or applications. Forums, blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, social curation, social bookmarking, social networking sites, photo-sharing sites, instant messaging, video-sharing sites, podcasts, and widgets are among the many types of social media. There are over 103 social media networks that are available to help subscribers build valuable connections in diverse areas of interest. Some examples of popular social media sites/platforms include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Wikipedia, Tik Tok, and Clubhouse, among others. According to DataReportal, there were 4.48 billion social media users around the world in July, representing almost 57 per cent of the total global population. These figures suggest that more than 9 in 10 internet users now use social media each month. As at January, there were 33 million social media users in Nigeria. This was equivalent to 15 per cent of the total population within the same period. It showed that the number of social media users in Nigeria increased by 6 million between 2020 and July 2021. Basically, billions of people around the world use social media to share information and make connections among different communities. Social media allows people to communicate with friends and family, learn new things, develop their interests, and be entertained. E-commerce businesses are leading drivers of growth and diversification of Nigerias economy. The sector is boosting the economy by increasing productivity, encouraging innovation, bettering knowledge management, educating customer and driving finer shopping experiences. Also, other individuals use social media to broaden knowledge in a particular field and build professional networks by connecting with other professionals in a specific industry. Now, due to the COVID-19 crisis and the increase in digital innovations, the retail sector has undergone unimaginable changes. As a result, retailers are embracing social media as a communication method to reach out to customers and remain relevant in the cyber market landscape. Globally, the galloping pandemic has continued to fuel a massive upsurge in the number of e-commerce websites and platforms catering to the various interests and tastes of buyers. E-commerce is crucial to the promotion of physical distancing and avoidance of crowded shopping environments, thereby helping to reduce transmission of the virus. E-commerce (electronic commerce) refers to the buying and selling of goods and services, or the transmitting of funds or data, over an electronic network, primarily the internet. It covers every form of business transaction conducted online. Online shopping is the most popular example of e-commerce. However, e-commerce can also involve other types of activities that include online auctions, payment gateways, online ticketing, and internet banking. Evidently, social media is a critical element driving the advancement of the flourishing e-commerce sector. As a high yielding tool for marketing, promotion and sales, it helps e-commerce businesses identify customers, engage with them, build trust, gain sales opportunities, and deliver quick support. In terms of customer feedback, social media makes it easy for customers to tell a company and everyone else whether their experiences with that company are good or bad. Using social media, businesses are able to respond very quickly to feedback, attend to customer problems and maintain, regain or rebuild customer confidence. E-commerce-based businesses are leading drivers of growth and diversification of Nigerias economy. The sector is boosting the economy by increasing productivity, encouraging innovation, bettering knowledge management, educating customer and driving finer shopping experiences. ADVERTISEMENT The current e-commerce spending in Nigeria is estimated at $12 billion, and is projected to reach an impressive $75 billion in revenues per annum by 2025, according to the International Trade Administration. To sustain its contribution to the digital economy, e-commerce companies must channel efforts toward building trust to inspire the confidence of customers, provide more delivery options (logistics), adopt more payment solutions, and invest in marketing and technology. Jumia, Konga, Payporte, Jiji.ng, Ajebomarket, VConnect Nigeria, Printivo, Obiwezy, OLX, Kara.com.ng, Kusnap, and Supermart.ng are among the e-commerce platforms in the country. These e-commerce websites have not only made a steady contribution to the national GDP in the last three years, but they have also created over a million direct and indirect jobs and reduced youth unemployment. So, the e-commerce sector is a significant contributor to Nigerias economic prosperity. Surveys conducted by Statista in 2020 show that fashion and beauty, food and personal care, and consumer electronics were the most common items purchased online by Nigerians. This confirms that Nigerians have a very positive attitude towards online shopping. Social media analytics, social media marketing, social customer relationship marketing are important business tools for communication, marketing and networking that help to boost website views and increase conversion or actual patronage by customers. Social networking allows e-commerce companies to connect internal and external individuals who share similar business interests or activities. Social tools enable employees access information and resources they need to work together effectively and solve business problems. Again, public social media platforms help an organisation stay close to their customers and make it easier to conduct research that they can use to improve business processes and operations, such as alternative modes for the delivery of items. Despite logistic issues, government policies, multiple taxes, poor Infrastructure, and security issues, more Nigerians are, however, demonstrating a new fondness for online shopping. Considering the increasing level of patronage by Nigerians, it is important for e-commerce businesses to focus attention on building brand awareness, effective customer service and social listening to enhance their online presence. To sustain its contribution to the digital economy, e-commerce companies must channel efforts toward building trust to inspire the confidence of customers, provide more delivery options (logistics), adopt more payment solutions, and invest in marketing and technology. Inyene Ibanga writes from Wuye District, Abuja. Students of the Federal University of Technology Akure ( FUTA) on Tuesday protested the death of one of their colleagues, Adeyinka Daniel, who lost his life in an auto accident on Monday night in Akure. The students, who blocked all the entrances to their institution and caused traffic gridlock on Akure/Ilesha Road, also declared Tuesday a lecture free day. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three other students, who also sustained injuries in the accident, are currently receiving treatments in an undisclosed hospital. The students accused the school management of not promptly and adequately attending to the late Mr Daniel, a 200 level student of Software Engineering. They claimed that the death could have been avoided if security guards at FUTA gate had not delayed them with unnecessary protocols when the accident victims were rushed into the school health centre. Speaking to journalists, Ayoade Kikiowo, President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), who is also a FUTA student, said the victim died due to negligence of FUTA management. Reacting to the incident, Adegbenro Adebanjo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of FUTA, said the incident happened about 10 pm on Monday while the victim and his colleagues were heading to a destination. The school management expresses deep sadness at the demise of one of its students, Adeyinka Daniel, in the early hours of August 3, following an automobile incident on Oyemekun Road, Akure. We commiserate and identify with family , friends and fellow students of the deceased on this very painful loss of a promising student. The university is particularly saddened by the circumstances leading to his death. From available information, the deceased student, along with others, was involved in an accident outside the campus about 10 p.m. on August 2. They were first taken to a private hospital where doctors battled to save their lives. Three of the students were stabilised but Daniels condition remained critical. When his condition deteriorated, the doctor at the private hospital referred him to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for intervention. At that time the parents of the student and some relations had joined him at the private hospital and it was decided, because of time, to bring him to the university health centre. The deceased student was brought to the FUTA Health Centre at 3: 20 a.m. and the doctor on duty promptly attended to him in the car of the parents, Mr Adebanjo said. The university spokesman added that all efforts to resuscitate Mr Daniel were unsuccessful; as there was no cardiac activity and response to any stimuli. According to Mr Adebanjo, after a thorough examination, the doctor declared at 3:40 a.m. that the victim was brought in clinically dead. He said the doctor offered to take the boy to the morgue with the university ambulance but the parents declined, electing to take him home, ostensibly, for burial. ADVERTISEMENT The medical report from the private hospital which was brought along with him indicates that the student was clinically non responsive by 1.30 AM, well before they got to the university health centre at 3:20 AM. The death is unfortunate and regrettable, he said The PRO said the university had ordered an immediate review of the incident in order to ascertain the circumstances leading to it . He noted that the universitys thoughts and prayers were with the family of the deceased student, adding that the institution was also monitoring the state of treatment of the other students who were also involved. Mr Adebanjo prayed that God grants the family and friends of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A traditional ruler in Epe Division of Lagos State, Ganiu Lanotu, says he has just completed a two-day traditional rituals for peace and progress of his community and the nation at large. Mr Lanotu, who is the Ogegbo of Ibonwon land, disclosed this while receiving some postgraduate research students of University of Ibadan (UI) at his Ibonwon palace, Eredo, Epe, on Tuesday. I will use the power in my tongue to pray for you students, the lecturers, indigenes present at the palace today and for Nigerians at large. That, henceforth, whatever you all lay your hands on shall prosper. Ibonwon community, Lagos State and Nigeria shall know peace. The nation will progress, so also Ibonwon community and its people shall advance in their daily endeavours. I pray by the power of Eledumare, Oduduwa, that the insecurity challenges in this country shall be put to rest, may God guide and guard our leaders aright, the traditional ruler said. Mr Lanotu said the two- day rituals became necessary at this critical time so that the country could know peace and citizens could sleep with their two eyes closed. He told the visitors that he just ascended the throne of his forefathers as the traditional ruler (Ogegbo Ni Ibonwon) a week ago. But with this little time I have spent on the throne, the community has known my impact and they will continue to know my impact for good. During my reign, the indigenes shall progress in their businesses, places of work and in all good things they are doing, he said. Mr Lanotu appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to upgrade his palace and title to that of a first class traditional ruler. In this town Ibonwon, we dont have Oba, we refer to our Oba as Ogegbo; therefore, the Lagos State governor should recognise the title and upgrade it to Oba status. All rights accorded to traditional rulers in Lagos State should be extended to my palace as well. Ibonwon is the only Alegemo (Ogegbo) town in Lagos State, others are in Ogun state, he said. The traditional ruler expressed appreciation to the visiting students for recognizing his palace as a custodian of history, culture and traditions. Earlier, Head of the delegation from Centre for Sustainable Development, UI, Olawale Olayide, said the Field Trip was undertaken to learn about the history and tradition of the people of Epe Division. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Lagos State Government has announced plans to divert traffic on the National Theatre and Marina axis for the next seven months for works on the Blue Line rail project. The Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, who made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, said that the road diversion would start from August 9 for a duration of 221 days. Mr Oladeinde said the diversion was part of the current administrations mandate to ensure safety of motorists and construction personnel during the course of the construction of Blue Line rail project slated within seven months and a week. He said that the Traffic Management Plan (T.M.P) would address the impact of the construction work on traffic and subsequently eliminate traffic related issues. Mr Oladeinde explained that the construction would commence on the right hand side of the road for a duration of 116 days while the left hand side will take 182 days. He further stated that some of the works would be done simultaneously as some aspect of the construction would require such attention. Motorists would be diverted to the descending ramp of Ebute-Ero to link Marina ring road through a diversion point. Alternately, traffic will also be diverted to Chapel Street along Apongbon to access Broad Street. Traffic signs and temporary barriers will be mounted along the affected axis to guide motorists on movement during the course of the construction. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be on ground to ensure safety of motorists and efficient access to their destinations, Mr Oladeinde said. The state government commended Lagos residents for their endurance and cooperation during the execution of these numerous projects. Mr Oladeinde, however, assured that the end result of these sacrifices would be a Lagos that is conducive for seamless commercial activities and existence of relevant transport infrastructure to meet the needs of the teeming population. (NAN). Financing for the project, Indonesia's first floating solar power plant, was arranged through Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Societe Generale, and Standard Chartered Bank. The 145-megawatt (ac) plant is being developed by PT. Pembangkitan Jawa Bali Masdar Solar Energi (PMSE), a joint venture between Masdar and PT PJBI, and is expected to begin commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2022. "The Ministry of Investment fully supports the investment realization of the Cirata Floating Solar Project by PT. PJBI and Masdar. This is a flagship project of the UAE's investment in Indonesia, and most importantly, it is in line with the Indonesian Government target in renewable energy mix of 23 percent by 2025," said His Excellency Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment for the Republic of Indonesia and Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board. "This project represents the UAE's first investment in Indonesia's renewable energy sector, and we look forward to further collaboration between our countries, as we leverage our natural resources to build a more sustainable future." "Reaching this historic milestone demonstrates the strength of the relationship between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates," said His Excellency Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia and the ASEAN region. "The UAE is committed to promoting and investing in clean energy projects around the world, and to taking positive action on climate change. We stand together with Indonesia on driving sustainable development and we will continue to support the nation's clean energy transition." The plant, set to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of the largest in the world, is being built on the Cirata reservoir in the West Java Province. Once completed, it will provide enough electricity to power 50,000 homes, and will offset 214,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and contribute to the creation of up to 800 jobs. Throughout the development of the project, Masdar has conducted a series of social initiatives, raising awareness on sustainability issues and strengthening local community engagement. "This achievement would not have been possible without the constant support of the Government of Indonesia, our lenders, and our strategic partnership with PJBI and PT PLN, who have been with us on every step of our journey," said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. "The designation of this project as a National Strategic Project (PSN) has been invaluable in enabling us to make such significant progress and demonstrates that the Government recognizes the economic and social benefits the Cirata project will bring to the local community and to all of Indonesia." "This floating power project is a first for Indonesia, and is also a significant step in PJBI's renewable energy journey," said Amir Faisal, President Director of PJBI. "We see tremendous potential for similar projects in Indonesia and we look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with Masdar to work on more renewable energy projects and help our nation achieve its clean energy objectives." Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation, is targeting 23 percent of its energy mix coming from renewables by 2025 under its Electricity Infrastructure Acceleration Program. The government also recently announced that it aims to increase the proportion of renewable power in its 2021-2030 national electricity plan to at least 48 percent, from 30 percent in its previous plan. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1586314/Masdar.jpg Related Links https://masdar.ae SOURCE Masdar City MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A global team of researchers have launched a first-of-its-kind research institute that will develop psychedelic medicines to treat mental health disorders and other medical conditions. The network is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and is supported with a planned investment of at least A$40 million dollars over five years. The newly launched Psychae Institute is the world's first collaborative global network for psychedelics research and will involve leading researchers from organisations including King's College London, University of Toronto, University of Zurich, and Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil. Psychae's Australian-based collaborating researchers are from institutions including: Swinburne University, University of Melbourne, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and NICM Health Research Institute (Sydney); as well as Agriculture Victoria Research. The not-for-profit Institute will advance pre-clinical and clinical studies of psychedelics including products inspired by ayahuasca (a South American psychoactive plant medicine combination). In addition, the institute will explore a range of emerging treatments for mental health disorders including those that leverage psilocybin (from 'magic mushrooms'), MDMA and other psychoactive substances. While today's pharmaceutical and psychological treatments for such disorders have shown some success, the need for more advanced therapies with fewer side effects remains unmet. Mental illness was estimated to cost the world economy approximately US$2.5 trillion per-year in 2020, and recent studies have shown early signs that mental health will decline further due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychae Institute's research aims to develop novel pharmaceutical grade psychedelic medicines and accompanying psychotherapeutic treatment models as registered medical treatments that can become an additional treatment option within mainstream health services. It will also investigate the innovative use of cutting-edge technology to enhance therapeutic effects. Psychae Institute Co-Director Associate Professor Daniel Perkins said, "It's an exciting time for research into psychedelics, with a growing body of rigorous scientific evidence indicating that these substances may provide a potent new class of treatments for mental health disorders and possibly other medical conditions. "Today, many people with mental health conditions are becoming aware of this research and in desperation are accessing black market psilocybin, or flying to countries like Peru to use ayahuasca in non-clinical settings. "The significant opportunity for us at Psychae Institute is to meaningfully increase the scientific and clinical evidence supporting the safe use of these compounds as therapies to eventually achieve drug registration with global regulators including the US Food and Drug Administration." Psychae Institute will lead the research program and oversee clinical studies with its partners at multiple sites in Australia, the UK, Canada, Europe, and Brazil; allocating funding to support clinical studies. Psychedelic medicine development is scheduled to commence this year with local pharmaceutical manufacturers, and clinical studies are expected to begin in early 2022. The research program will be supported by a planned investment of at least A$40 million over the next five years from a North American biotechnology company. Future sources of funding are expected to include government, grants, philanthropic donations, and private investment. Psychae Institute Co-Director Professor Jerome Sarris said, "The launch of Psychae Institute is truly a world-first milestone for research into psychedelics, with potential to transform lives. Never before has a collaboration of this scale been established among some of the world's leading psychedelics researchers. "There is such a high prevalence of mental health disorders globally, with 800 million globally suffering with a mental illness. The research we undertake will give new hope and more options to these people." For more information, visit https://www.psychae.org/ SOURCE Psychae Institute NOVATO, Calif., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Eczema Association (NEA) and the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) announce that the second annual Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant has been awarded to Jennifer Schoch, MD of the University of Florida for her grant proposal titled "Neonatal Cutaneous Microbiome Predictors of Infantile Eczema." The grant of $50,000 commenced August 1, 2021. Nearly 10 million U.S. children under the age of 18 are affected by eczema, with one-third affected by moderate-to-severe disease. Despite recent therapeutic advances, the burdens on these patients and their families can be significant, and many important research questions remain unanswered. In 2020, NEA and PeDRA together created the Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant to accelerate research that improves the health and quality of life of pediatric eczema patients and their families. Dr. Schoch's investigation builds on animal models that suggest that immune tolerance to cutaneous microbes is acquired early in life and can prevent inflammation upon later re-exposure. Dr. Schoch and her team hypothesize that a parallel exists in humans, specifically that exposure to microbes such as Staphylococcus species early in life confers tolerance and reduces inflammation upon re-exposure. And because Staphylococcus aureus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis/eczema, this early tolerance could be critical in prevention of eczema. In preliminary data from a pilot study, the team found a decrease in microbial diversity in week 2 of life. For this grant, Dr. Schoch and her team will correlate differences in the neonatal skin microbiome with the subsequent development of infantile eczema by age one. Specifically, they will compare relative abundance of Staphylococcus aureus from the neonatal period in infants who developed eczema by one year of life, compared to infants who do not develop eczema by one year, toward the goal of understanding how the early establishment of the skin microbiome contributes to healthy and disease states. "Looking at the first two years of the Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant, I am thrilled to see one project aimed at addressing disparities and another at understanding the earliest triggers of eczema," said Michael Siegel, PhD, executive director of PeDRA. "We are so excited to see the momentum build with our partnership with NEA around research questions that matter to patients and their families." "Dr. Schoch's work with the microbiome has important implications for our youngest eczema patients, with the potential to lead to preventative approaches that can avert a lifetime with eczema," said Julie Block, president and CEO of NEA. "This is exactly why we joined with PeDRA to create a grant specifically supporting childhood eczema research." In addition to providing meaningful research funding to those awarded, the Challenge Grant furthers the missions and strategic priorities of both NEA and PeDRA. For more information on the 2020 Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant, visit https://pedraresearch.org/grants-awards or https://nationaleczema.org/research/research-we-fund/for-researchers/. About the National Eczema Association (NEA) Founded in 1988, NEA is the largest, 501(c)(3) non-profit, US patient advocacy organization serving people affected by eczema. NEA is the driving force for an eczema community fueled by knowledge, strengthened through collective action and propelled by the promise for a better future. For more on NEA, visit https://nationalecezma.org About the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) Formed in 2012, the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) is a nonprofit research organization that includes more than 500 members and supports vibrant research and educational programs. PeDRA's mission is to create, inspire, and sustain research to prevent, treat, and cure childhood skin disease. For more on PeDRA, visit https://pedraresearch.org. SOURCE National Eczema Association Related Links http://nationaleczema.org ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NFC Chips Market: Growth Summary Communications technology has observed considerable advancements over the years. Various inventions such as Near Field Communication (NFC) chips have changed how some industries operated years ago. Used as a standard application on numerous smartphones and devices, NFC has emerged as a powerful tool that enhances and complements the performance and value of consumer electronics devices. These chips enhance User Experience (UX), thus increasingtheir demand exponentially. The NFC technology refers to the contactless communication technology based on a radio frequency field. This technology is specifically designed for seamless data exchange between two devices through a simple touch. NFC chips are generally used in various end-use industriessuch as medical, consumer electronics, aviation, retail, automotive, etc. They have a storage capacity ranging from 64 bytes to 540 bytes. The expanding usage of NFC chips in numerous applications will serve as a key revenue generator for the market. Transparency Market Research (TMR) has analyzed different growth aspects associated with the NFC chips market. According to the analysts at TMR, the NFC chips market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.49% during the forecast period. The market insights on NFC chips estimate it to be valued at US$ 2.88 Bn by 2030. The rising disposable income of many individuals around the globe has led to an increase in the demand for consumer electronics such as cameras, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, etc. As these electronics use NFC chips on a large scale, the global market is expected to observe positive growth trend. In addition, the growing popularity of smartphones will also drive the NFC chips market. According to Information Handling Services (IHS) Markit data, two billion NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones are in use today. These statistics help in understanding the growing use of NFC chips. Download PDF brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15908 Key Findings of the Report Cosmetics and Personal Care Products to Propel Global Market Personal care and cosmetics sector are utilizing NFC tags on a massive scale. The use of these tags will shape the growth of the NFC chips market in the near future. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the sales of personal care products and cosmetics massively as many people are focusing on home skincare due to the strict stay-at-home orders. Manufacturers in the personal care industry are adding cryptography-enabled, highly secure NFC tags for providing quick information about the products to the customers. This assures better brand transparency and accountability, thus contributing to the growth of the NFC chips market. Buy our Premium Research Report on NFC Chips Market @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=15908, <800> and <795>. NetCE is an industry-leading, continuing-education platform, specializing in continuing education across multiple professions including nurses, physicians, and mental health practitioners. These additions give TRC Healthcare one of the industry's largest catalog of continuing education and advisory services, with thousands of courses trusted by healthcare professionals to provide accredited training that meets continuing education and licensing requirements. SOURCE TRC Healthcare Related Links http://trchealthcare.com KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tennessee Valley Authority reported $7.4 billion in total operating revenues on 113.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2021. Sales of electricity were 5% higher for the nine months ended June 30, 2021, than the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower energy sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Total operating revenues increased 1% over the same period of the prior year as a result of higher energy sales, offset by lower effective base rates mainly due to the Pandemic Relief Credit that began in 2021, and totaled $156 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2021. "TVA continues to serve our communities as they recover from the pandemic and as businesses and industries ramp production back up," said Jeff Lyash, TVA president and CEO. "Through systematic planning and investment in our system, we are meeting strong summer power demand with 99.999 percent reliability and delivering some of the nation's cleanest, most economical energy." TVA's year-to-date net income was $257 million higher due mainly to lower depreciation and amortization expense, which was $286 million lower for the nine months ended June 30, 2021, than the same period in the prior year, due to accelerated retirements of coal-fired facilities. TVA's tax equivalents expense was $17 million lower for the nine months ended June 30, 2021, mainly due to a decrease in TVA's revenue from sales of electricity in 2020, which is TVA's basis for calculating tax equivalents. Interest expense was $824 million for the nine months of fiscal year 2021, which is a 4% decrease from the same period of the prior year, driven by lower average debt balances. "TVA's effective wholesale power rate to customers remains lower than a decade ago," said John Thomas, TVA's chief financial officer. "Our investments in cleaner and more efficient energy resources, cost reductions and lower debt are helping TVA support the region's recovery now, and contributing to TVA's sustainability for the future." Additional highlights from TVA's third quarter fiscal year 2021 include: As of Aug. 2, 2021 , 143 local power companies have long-term partnerships with TVA, including the recent addition of Cullman Electric Cooperative. Bill credits to partners totaled $133 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 . , 143 local power companies have long-term partnerships with TVA, including the recent addition of Cullman Electric Cooperative. Bill credits to partners totaled for the nine months ended . TVA continues to offer the Back-to-Business credit program that provides relief to certain larger customers when returning to operations and the Community Care Fund that partners TVA and LPCs to support local initiatives that address hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. TVA remains committed to supporting communities and customers across the Tennessee Valley during the region's ongoing recovery. TVA continued to maintain 99.999 percent reliability in delivering energy to its customers through June 30, 2021 . TVA has maintained 99.999 percent reliability for more than 20 consecutive years, providing industry-leading reliability. . TVA has maintained 99.999 percent reliability for more than 20 consecutive years, providing industry-leading reliability. Rainfall and runoff in the Tennessee Valley through the third quarter of 2021 were 110% and 113% of normal, respectively. TVA's economic development efforts, combined with our reliability and low costs, continue to attract and encourage the expansion of business and industries in the Tennessee Valley, with over $7.8 billion in investments and more than 65,300 jobs created or retained through the third quarter of 2021. Selected Financial Data Nine Months Ended June 30 Sales, Revenues & Expenses 2021 2020 Sales (millions of kWh) 113,606 108,396 Operating Revenues ($ millions) $ 7,403 $ 7,350 Fuel & Purchased Power Expense 1,892 1,844 Operating & Maintenance Expense 2,106 2,014 Interest Expense 824 859 Net Income $ 909 $ 652 Net Cash Provided by / (Used in) ($ millions) Operating Activities $ 2,227 $ 2,496 Investing Activities (1,698) (1,467) Financing Activities (531) (528) TVA executive management will host a conference call to discuss third quarter fiscal year 2021 results at 9:30 a.m. ET, on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The event will be conducted as a webcast and as a dial-in teleconference. Participants will be able to hear the discussion and see slides via webcast, but will need telephone access to ask questions. Pre-registration for the conference call is required. Please click here to pre-register. Once pre-registered, the dial-in number will be provided via an email. If you are unable to pre-register, you may access the conference call by dialing toll free 844-308-6432 in the United States, or 412-717-9611 outside the United States. A replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference call until 9:30 a.m. ET, Sept. 3, by calling toll free 877-344-7529 in the United States or 412-317-0088 outside the United States and using the conference number 10156723. A webcast replay and transcript will also be available for one year on TVA's website at http://www.tva.com/investors. TVA's quarterly report on Form 10-Q provides additional financial, operational, and descriptive information, including unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. TVA's quarterly report and other SEC reports are available without charge on TVA's website at http://www.tva.com/investors, on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, or by calling TVA toll free at 888-882-4975. This release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future events and future performance. Although TVA believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to TVA's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Media Contact: Jim Hopson, Knoxville, 865-632-8860 TVA Media Relations, Knoxville, 865-632-6000 www.tva.com/news Follow TVA news on Facebook and Twitter Investor Relations: Tammy Wilson, Knoxville, 865-632-3366 or 888-882-4975 Josh Carlon, Knoxville, 865-632-4133 or 888-882-4975 http://www.tva.com/investors SOURCE Tennessee Valley Authority BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US LBM, a leading distributor of specialty building materials in the United States, has acquired three businesses, North Georgia Building Supply and Junior's Building Materials in Georgia and Massey Builders Supply in Virginia. In Georgia, North Georgia Building Supply and Junior's Building Materials provide professional builders, remodelers and contractors with lumber and a broad mix of specialty materials. From its location in Buford, North Georgia supplies customers in the communities northeast of Atlanta with lumber, windows, doors, roofing, decking and drywall. Junior's Building Materials serves customers in Chattanooga, Tenn. and northern Georgia from two locations in Rossville and Ringgold, Ga. In addition to lumber and engineered wood products, Junior's product mix includes windows, doors, roofing, siding and millwork. Massey Builders Supply operates two locations in central Virginia in Richmond and Saluda. Founded in 1921, Massey supplies lumber and a wide range of specialty building products, including roofing, siding, doors, windows, decking, rail and millwork to professional builders and remodelers in the greater Richmond region. US LBM's existing operations in Georgia include Maner Builders Supply, BSA and Brand Vaughan Lumber Company, which US LBM acquired in July, and serves professional builders and contractors in several markets in the state, including the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. In Virginia, US LBM's Parker's Building Supply serves customers in the southwestern part of the state from its location in Galax, Va. and five locations in western North Carolina near the Virginia border. "North Georgia, Junior's and Massey all have exemplary reputations in their home markets, and we're pleased to welcome their teams to US LBM," said US LBM President and CEO L.T. Gibson. "All three of our new acquisitions have strong customer relationships and are market leading, full-line suppliers offering a robust mix of specialty building products, and their addition to our portfolio expands and strengthens our reach in multiple rapidly growing housing markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast." US LBM is the largest privately owned full-line distributor of specialty building materials in the United States. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialty products, including windows, doors, millwork, wallboard, roofing, siding, engineered components and cabinetry, US LBM combines the scale and operational advantages of a national platform with a local go-to-market strategy through its national network of locations across the country. For more information, please visit uslbm.com or follow US LBM on LinkedIn. Contact: Timothy Wirth US LBM Communications 484-886-5705 [email protected] SOURCE US LBM PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VironAire (https://VironAire.com) announced its donation of 200 medical-grade HEPA air purifiers to the Oregon region to assist with toxic smoke from the 400,000-acre Bootleg Fire and an alarming rise in Covid-19 Delta Variant cases. Oregon, and many states east stretching to Maine and New York, have felt devastating effects of extremely poor air quality. Unhealthy respiratory alerts have been issued across the nation due to wildfires. Abysmal air quality has exacerbated an already serious increase in the coronavirus epidemic where the Delta Variant is also airborne. Far Reaching Noxious Smoke For example, The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued air quality advisories for much of the state last week, as smoke from Pacific Coast wildfires made air unhealthy to breathe for some individuals. Many locations in the state now have air pollution levels classified as unhealthy by the MassDEP. Importantly and equally concerning is indoor air quality can also drop into negative conditions. Covid Delta Variant Scientists studying Covid-19 affirmed Delta's increased contagiousness which requires a rethinking of exposure risks. Because those infected with Delta carry higher viral loads than earlier strains, the old rules of thumb no longer apply, including the conventional wisdom that it took 15 minutes of close contact with someone to get infected which now seems to be much less with Delta. In addition, those who are fully vaccinated can still contract Delta andunlike earlier variantscan transmit this aggressive virus to others. Much Welcomed Relief Scott Crystal, VironAire CRO, said, "We are experiencing an unprecedented confluence of airborne threats. VironAire is morally obligated to provide welcomed relief to affected areas of the country to the extent we can help." About VironAire VironAire is a medical equipment manufacturer based in Palm Springs, CA. The company has developed the only medical-grade, portable HEPA (H13), UV, and Charged-Ion air purifier that also incorporates photocatalysis, molecular sieve and other cutting-edge technologies. The company's Next-Gen purifiers are affordable, simple to install and easy to use. VironAire's systems are used in a vast array of applications, from homes, schools, and businesses, and is the number one preferred choice of knowledgeable consumers. SOURCE VironAire Related Links https://vironaire.com SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volta Industries, Inc. ("Volta Charging"), an industry leader in commerce-centric electric vehicle ("EV") charging networks, which has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: SNPR), announced today that it intends to expand operations into the European Union with the opening of an office in Germany. Founded on the premise that the electrification of mobility is likely to be a transformational shift, Volta Charging builds and operates a nationwide EV charging network that is among the best utilization per station in the EV charging industry for the United States. Centered around capturing new spending habits expected to result from the shift to electric vehicles, Volta Charging seeks to transform the fueling industry by building open-network charging stations in locations where drivers already spend their time and money, including grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail locations. Volta Charging's unique charging stations which feature large, eye-catching digital displays provide an optimal content viewing experience for both the drivers who plug their vehicles into the stations and the customers who shop at nearby retailers. Volta Charging's media-enabled charging stations offer brands a dynamic content experience platform, including activation and engagement opportunities. Brands running campaigns on Volta Charging's stations report experiencing positive results in brand awareness and increased purchase intent. "Our goal is to offer the same convenient, reliable and open infrastructure for European drivers as we do here in the United States," said Scott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Volta Charging. "We think the time is right to introduce our model in the EU - enabling us to develop a forward-thinking charging network across Europe that is uniquely commerce aligned. American business partners who have already chosen to install Volta Charging stations on site report increases in spend, dwell time and engagement on site." About Volta Charging Volta Charging is an industry leader in commerce-centric EV charging networks. Volta Charging's vision is to build EV charging networks that capitalize on and catalyze the shift from combustion-powered miles to electric miles by placing stations where consumers live, work, shop and play. By leveraging a data-driven understanding of driver behavior to deliver EV charging solutions that fit seamlessly into drivers' daily routines, Volta Charging's goal is to benefit consumers, brands and real-estate locations while helping to build the infrastructure of the future. As part of Volta Charging's unique EV charging offering, its stations allow it to enhance its site hosts' and strategic partners' core commercial interests, creating a new means for them to benefit from the transformative shift to electric mobility. To learn more, visit www.voltacharging.com . In February 2021, Volta Charging and Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: SNPR) ("TortoiseCorp II"), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company with a strategic focus on energy sustainability and decarbonizing transportation, announced they entered into a business combination agreement. TortoiseCorp II has announced an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to approve the business combination which will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM Eastern time. The extraordinary general meeting will be held in person at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., located at 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036 and virtually via live webcast. Holders of TortoiseCorp II's Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares at the close of business on the record date of July 15, 2021 are entitled to notice of the extraordinary general meeting and to vote at the extraordinary general meeting. Upon the closing of the transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions, the combined entity will be named Volta Inc. and remain on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "VLTA". Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding TortoiseCorp II's proposed acquisition of Volta Charging and TortoiseCorp II's ability to consummate the transaction are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "could," "should," "will," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, TortoiseCorp II disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. TortoiseCorp II cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of TortoiseCorp II. In addition, TortoiseCorp II cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to the following factors: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the business combination or give rise to the termination of the agreements related thereto; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TortoiseCorp II or Volta Charging; (iii) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of TortoiseCorp II, or other conditions to closing in the transaction agreement; (iv) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts TortoiseCorp II's or Volta Charging's current plans and operations; (v) Volta Charging's ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Volta Charging to grow and manage growth profitably following the business combination; (vi) costs related to the business combination; (vii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and (viii) the possibility that Volta Charging may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could different materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and financial results of TortoiseCorp II and Volta Charging can be found in TortoiseCorp II's periodic filings with the SEC, including TortoiseCorp II's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2021 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on May 19, 2021, as well as TortoiseCorp II's definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on August 2, 2021. TortoiseCorp II's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. No Offer or Solicitation This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval. Important Information for Investors and Shareholders In connection with the pending business combination, TortoiseCorp II filed the registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which includes the proxy statement/prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus is being mailed to TortoiseCorp II's shareholders. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus is also available on the Investor Information section of TortoiseCorp II's website at www.tortoisespac.com, as well as www.sec.gov. TortoiseCorp II shareholders are encouraged to read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, including, among other things, the reasons for TortoiseCorp II's Board of Directors' unanimous recommendation that shareholders vote "FOR" the business combination and the other shareholder proposals set forth therein as well as the background of the process that led to the pending business combination with Volta Charging. Participants in the Solicitation TortoiseCorp II and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of TortoiseCorp II's shareholders in connection with the pending business combination. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of TortoiseCorp II's executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading TortoiseCorp II's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as amended, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the pending business combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of TortoiseCorp II's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of their shareholders generally, are set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. SOURCE Volta Inc. The second edition of the BFR Whitepaper is backed by the latest data from Zelman & Associates, the leading housing research firm in the country. In this report, we provide a wide-ranging analysis of the increasingly popular sub-asset class of single-family rental (SFR), explain the nuances of this type of development, and address some common myths. The report includes: Case studies providing real-world examples of how these transactions are getting done, including a $200 million programmatic joint venture and a $51 million capital stack for a BFR acquisition programmatic joint venture and a capital stack for a BFR acquisition Up-to-date data on collections, occupancy, and rent growth Insights on construction dynamics within the BFR space A discussion of financing options available for this asset class, including terms we're seeing from the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, banks, debt funds, bridge lending programs, and more To learn more about BFR, the asset class that is on pace to grow faster than office, retail, self-storage, and hospitality, download the full report here: https://explore.walkerdunlop.com/financing-your-build-for-rent-vision-pr Our BFR & SFR Practice Group comprises 12 experts strategically positioned across the business to finance and sell these specialty communities. Our national team provides expert guidance on property sales, debt origination, and the structuring of equity to generate optimal returns and strategic relationships for our clients. The team is active with over fifty groups in the space, which range from institutional clients, homebuilders, multifamily developers, and individual investors. With an active pipeline of over $1.9 billion on transaction volume, the team has extensive experience executing on lending, capital brokerage, or investment sales opportunities. For more information on our Build-for-Rent practice group or to connect with an expert, visit our website. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is the largest provider of capital to the multifamily industry in the United States and the fourth largest lender on all commercial real estate including industrial, office, retail, and hospitality. Walker & Dunlop enables real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities where Americans live, work, shop and play to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology make us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With over 1,100 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities. SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. Related Links http://www.walkerdunlop.com NASSAU, Bahamas, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With back-to-school season around the corner, it's time to clock in that vacation time and what better place to enjoy it than in The Bahamas? Embrace island time and sand between your toes with all-new resorts, low fare flight options and plenty of hot deals. NEWS Dave Stewart is Bringing Love Back to The Bahamas Grammy Award-winning musician Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics released a new song, "Love's Coming Back," featuring warm vocals from Bahamian artist Dayonna. The arrangement will help raise funds in support of youth and environmental projects, managed by the Briland Aid organization and the Bahamas National Trust respectively. Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau Welcomes Vacationers Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts made a splash with a successful downtown ribbon-cutting ceremony for the all-new 300-room Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, complete with 11 distinct dining options and an on-site waterpark. Frontier Airlines Adds Even More Non-Stop Flights to Nassau Frontier Airlines announced new weekly routes to Nassau from Orlando International Airport beginning November 2, 2021. Reservations are now available with fares as low as $69. Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity Offers Third Round-Trip Option Crystal Cruises now offers Luxury Bahamas Escapes voyages, with three ports of embarkation: Nassau on Saturdays, Bimini on Sundays and Miami on Mondays. Palm Star Travel Announces Non-Stop Trips for East Coast Travellers Palm Star Travel is scheduled to launch new non-stop services from major U.S. cities including Jacksonville, Nashville and Raleigh beginning November 2021. Booking will be available later this summer. PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Gives Back to Essential Workers After more than a year on the front lines, essential workers have earned a tropical escape and now is the time! Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line launched a "Hometown Heroes" initiative, giving essential workers free two-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island departing now through September 30, 2021. Two Fly or Cruise Free from Nassau U.S. and Canadian travellers are encouraged to use those PTO days. Book a participating seven-night getaway now through April 2022 to the unspoiled Out Islands and get two free roundtrip air or ferry tickets from Nassau. Booking window: now August 31, 2021. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] Weber Shandwick Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Related Links http://www.bahamas.com WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WhyHotel, a hospitality platform and operator, today announced WhyHotel Washington DC Union Market, a new pop-up hotel within Press House. Owned by Foulger-Pratt, the building is located at 331 N St NE, and includes 120 units for WhyHotel guests. Beginning August 5th, WhyHotel Washington DC Union Market will be open for bookings. Guests will be able to relish in the curated features that pop-up visitors have come to love and enjoy, including forward-thinking floorplans, designer finishes, and modern furnishings, as well as the benefit of innovative and considerate approaches for today's traveler. Across the street from Union Market, one of DC's most popular spots for locals and tourists alike, WhyHotel Washington DC Union Market is only steps away from a bevy of local restaurants, cocktail bars, as well as various other shops. The property is in walking distance to Union Station and H Street, which boasts as a popular spot for restaurants, bars, and concerts, and is also close to Gallaudet University. Additionally, travelers looking to take advantage of WhyHotel's full kitchens have the added luxury of being within a short distance of two major grocers. "We are proud to be working with the Foulger-Pratt team to offer travelers to Union Market a unique view of DC, one that marries top-notch accommodations with a thriving culinary and shopping scene," said Jason Fudin, CEO and Co-Founder of WhyHotel. "Our Union Market location is a short distance from WhyHotel HQ, marking an exciting opportunity to watch our continued growth take place, both in front of our eyes, and within our beloved home market." Inspired by a love of art and design, Press House is firmly rooted within the Union Market District, an ever-evolving playground of culinary delights, retail rapture, and creative renaissance. WhyHotel guests can escape the concrete jungle by visiting the tranquil courtyard or sweat it out in the multi-level fitness center. "This partnership really excites us because we get to work with a fast-growing company that was started right here in DC. With its headquarters just around the corner from the project, WhyHotel understands the Union Market neighborhood and experience in a way that truly gives guests a feel for the core of our city and mirrors the resident experience that we provide," said Josh Etter, Vice President of Development at Foulger-Pratt. "Whether here for work or pleasure, our Press House project provides everything the city has to offer at your fingertips. And when guests are ready to unwind at the end of the day, Press House provides all the conveniences of home. Together with WhyHotel, we're looking forward to welcoming guests to the property and showing them the very best of what Press House and the city has to offer." With COVID-19 remaining a top concern, WhyHotel has adopted contactless technology solutions to assist with standard hotel procedures like check-in and other on-site needs, transforming the experience for guests. Additionally, WhyHotel staff will continue to provide guests with on-site support while maintaining a safe distance as a commitment to providing a contactless experience with a personal touch. For more information, please visit: https://whyhotel.com/ ABOUT WHYHOTEL WhyHotel is a hospitality platform and operator with a focus on multifamily buildings. The company's two primary business arms, pop-up hotels and hospitality living buildings, create curated spaces in hand-picked neighborhoods that can be booked like a hotel for one night or for a year or longer, allowing guests the chance to truly settle in and spread out. The signature pop-up hotel experience operates out of the vacancy of newly built luxury apartments during the initial lease-up process. While the hospitality living experience operates owned and flagged developments, commingling furnished and unfurnished units with every length of stay and lease. For more information, visit www.whyhotel.com. About Foulger-Pratt Established in 1963, Foulger-Pratt is a real estate investment and development firm distinguished by its long-term focus and extensive experience executing successful mixed-use, transit-oriented projects. The firm's disciplined culture and vertically integrated platform have enabled it to develop more than 15 million square feet of commercial office, multi-family residential and retail projects. by its long-term focus and extensive experience executing successful mixed-use, transit-oriented projects. Foulger-Pratt is privately owned, led, and staffed by many of the industry's most talented professionals. The firm's culture has been carefully cultivated for the last half-century through deliberate effort to operate consistently in accordance with specific core values. The result is a reputation of unmatched integrity, accountability and vision. For more information, visit www.foulgerpratt.com. Media Contact: N6A for WhyHotel [email protected] SOURCE WhyHotel Related Links http://www.whyhotel.com NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The burgeoning requirement for wireless charging in consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones, and medical instruments, and the expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) industry are some of the major factors fueling the sales of wireless chargers. Additionally, the rapid technological advancements being made in wireless charging devices for increasing the power transfer efficiency are predicted to fuel the growth of the global wireless charging market during 20212030, from a value of $4.1 billion in 2020, according to P&S Intelligence. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the progress of the wireless charging market because of the temporary closing of retail stores and manufacturing facilities. Other factors, such as the imposition of social distancing protocols, absence of buyers, and disruptions in the supply chain, also affected the market growth considerably. However, the easing of the restrictions, opening of transportation systems and electronics industry, and the surging deployment of EVs are predicted to fuel a resurgence in the market in the coming years. Get the sample copy of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/wireless-charging-market/report-sample The wireless charging market is categorized into radio frequency, magnetic resonance, and inductive, based on technology. Out of these, the inductive category dominated the market in 2020. This is ascribed to the fact that inductive coupling has the ability to transmit 3060% of the power. Inductive coupling is extensively used in handheld devices, such as tablets, smartphones, ear pods, smartwatches, and laptops. Furthermore, the receiver category contributed the higher revenue to the market in 2020, and it is predicted to register faster growth in the market during the forecast period, under segmentation by component. This is credited to the larger number of receiver components in use in comparison to transmitter components on account of the large-scale integration of wireless charging features in consumer electronic devices, such as drones, smartwatches, ear pods, and smartphones. In addition, the mushrooming deployment of EVs is predicted to fuel the expansion of the category in the market in the forthcoming years. Browse detailed report with COVID-19 impact analysis on Wireless Charging Market Research Report: By Technology (Magnetic Resonance, Inductive, Radio Frequency), Component (Transmitters, Receivers), Application (Consumers Electronics, Healthcare, Automotive) - Global Industry Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2030 @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/wireless-charging-market Globally, North America dominated the wireless charging market in 2020, and it is predicted to exhibit huge expansion in the forthcoming years. This is credited to the existence of several market players in the region, such as Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Plugless Power Inc. Furthermore, the expansion of the medical equipment sector, especially in the U.S., is creating lucrative growth opportunities for wireless charger manufacturers. Moreover, the soaring popularity of the wireless EV charging technology is contributing to the boom of the market in the region. The players operating in the wireless charging market are partnering with each other for enhancing their presence. For example, Connected Kerb Limited announced in November 2019 that it has entered into a partnership with Munich-Magment GmbH, which is a German induction technology company, for providing induction/wireless charging systems at various public sites, such as car parks and taxi stations and on-street residential areas, in the U.K. This will propel the deployment of EVs in the country. Likewise, WiTricity Corporation and Yura Corporation, which is a supplier of electronic distribution and automotive electrical components based in South Korea, signed an agreement in February 2019. As per the agreement, Yura will gain access to WiTricity's wireless charging technology, intellectual property (IP), and support, for utilizing the technology for the systems used in EVs. WiTricity Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Powermat Technologies Ltd., Qualcomm Technologies Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Texas Instruments Inc., Convenient Power HK Limited, Integrated Device Technology Inc., and TDK Corporation are some of the major wireless charging market players across the world. Browse More Reports Battery Management System Market - The global battery management systems market is projected to reach $22,279.6 million in 2030, advancing with a CAGR of 15.0% during the forecast period (20212030). Lithium-Ion Battery Market - Asia-Pacific is projected to dominate the Li-ion battery market in the forthcoming years. This can be primarily owed to the presence of leading manufacturers and soaring demand for portable electronic devices and EVs in the region. Automotive Lithium-Ion Battery Market - Geographically, Europe is expected to register the fastest growth in the usage of automotive lithium-ion batteries during the forecast period, on account of the increasing sales of electric vehicles and the presence of various associations in the region such as Association of European Automotive Industrial Battery Manufacturers, that are encouraging the usage of lithium-ion batteries in automobiles. About P&S Intelligence P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. Contact: Prajneesh Kumar P&S Intelligence Phone: +1-347-960-6455 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com SOURCE P&S Intelligence CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the job market exploding across the U.S.nearly 14 million active jobs posted in the last 30 days, and jobs sitting unfilled for a month on averagebusinesses are struggling to find candidates and fill jobs. PeopleScout, a global talent solutions leader, says the need for innovative and agile talent solutions is more important now than ever before. To further optimize business operations and drive ongoing transformation, PeopleScout is proud to announce that Adrian Shulman has joined its executive leadership team as senior vice president of business operations. Shulman joins PeopleScout as the company continues to transform the talent solutions space with the agile approach needed in today's climate. PeopleScout utilizes innovative, technology-led workforce solutions powered by its award-winning talent technology, Affinix, to help companies find the talent they need to move business forward. "We are thrilled to have Adrian leading our operations function as we shape the future of talent acquisition with solutions that make it easier than ever for our clients to connect with the talent they need," said PeopleScout President Brannon Lacey. "Adrian's background in guiding large technology companies through unprecedented growth and transformation and her commitment to operational excellence and organizational readiness perfectly positions her to help future-proof PeopleScout's delivery capabilities." "I am excited to join PeopleScout at such a pivotal time in talent acquisition," said Shulman. "With job openings at record highs, employers eager to ramp back up their staffing and the increased priority for technology-led workforce solutions, I am looking forward to driving our organizational transformation to keep pace with the fast-changing world of work." Before joining PeopleScout, Shulman served as VP, Chief Operations Officer, Transformation and Operations at Citrix Systems, a cloud computing company that enables mobile work styles. Throughout her tenure at Citrix, she held a variety of roles focused on transformation strategy and key business operations initiatives and led more than 30 growth acquisitions. Prior to Citrix, Shulman, who received her J.D. from Boston College, was a partner at Bingham McCutchen with a focus on M&A for high-tech clients. About PeopleScout PeopleScout, a TrueBlue company, is a leading RPO provider managing talent solutions that span the global economy, with end-to-end MSP and talent advisory capabilities supporting total workforce needs. PeopleScout boasts 97% client retention managing the most complex programs in the industry. The company's thousands of forward-looking talent professionals provide clients with the edge in the people business by consistently delivering now while anticipating what's next. Affinix, PeopleScout's proprietary talent acquisition platform, empowers faster engagement with the best talent through an AI-driven, consumer-like candidate experience with one-point ATS and VMS integration and single sign-on. Leveraging the power of data gleaned from engaging millions of candidates and contingent associates every year, PeopleScout enhances talent intelligence for clients across more than 70 countries with headquarters in Chicago, Sydney and London and global delivery centers in Toronto, Montreal, Bristol, Krakow, Gurgaon and Bangalore. For more information, please visit www.peoplescout.com. Press Contact: Sarah Katz Candelario Senior Director of Marketing & Communications [email protected] 312-915-5544 SOURCE PeopleScout Related Links http://www.peoplescout.com Funds will be used to fuel WorkJam's strong growth amid accelerating adoption of its Digital Workplace platform MONTREAL, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkJam, the leading Digital Workplace for organizations with frontline employees, today announced $35 million in growth financing from Silver Lake Waterman. The investment is intended to support the company's continued growth and strengthen WorkJam's position across the over 2 billion frontline worker market a market that has been underserved and underpenetrated with collaborative tools to orchestrate the workforce. WorkJam's Frontline Digital Workplace enables operational efficiencies, fosters collaboration, and drives engagement and higher retention by equipping frontline workers and headquarters staff with a state-of-the-art solution to manage scheduling, training, task workflows, and real-time communications all through a single platform. WorkJam has seen strong adoption with its user base growing 250% annually as companies across all industries look to optimize and digitize their frontline operations in order to be more competitive and successfully navigate changing labor market dynamics. In addition, WorkJam's accelerating growth is supported by a broadening feature set, including the recent launch of WorkJam Everywhere, which allows WorkJam modules to be embedded into other enterprise collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams. "We believe that using technology to manage and optimize the frontline workforce is a critical investment priority for employers WorkJam orchestrates this strategic initiative through its broad feature set including self-service shift scheduling capabilities, task management, modern communication, and training tools and open API integrations to provide a complete and modular frontline digital workplace," said Steven Kramer, WorkJam President and CEO. "This financing will let WorkJam build upon its momentum and drive rapid global expansion." WorkJam works with some of the largest global companies including Shell, Kroger, Ulta Beauty, DaVita, Avis Budget Group, Alimentation Couche-Tard and others. The company plans to expand its go-to-market initiatives as it broadens its footprint with additional global customers across all industries. Founded by a team of seasoned start-up veterans, WorkJam has recently expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Daniel Crepeau as Chief Operating Officer and Rich Halbert, from Microsoft, as Chief Strategy Officer. "WorkJam's platform provides a strong value proposition for managing human capital and the demands on frontline workers," said Shawn O'Neill, Managing Director and Group Head of Silver Lake Waterman. "We are excited to partner with Steven Kramer and WorkJam's leadership team to drive further adoption." Learn more about WorkJam: www.workjam.com About WorkJam WorkJam is the Digital Workplace solution industry leaders choose to orchestrate their frontline workforces either as your frontline productivity platform or within your frontline employee solution. Deployed in over 38 languages and countries, WorkJam delivers total Workforce Orchestration through market-leading task management, shift management, survey, and micro learning tools. WorkJam is also loved by employees as they gain knowledge, flexibility and a digital relationship created through the platform. Companies running on WorkJam achieve breakthrough cost-savings, productivity increases, and optimal labor utilization while motivating and engaging their non-desk workforce with an average ROI of 409%. Learn more at https://www.workjam.com/. About Silver Lake Waterman Silver Lake Waterman is part of Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing with approximately $83 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital and a team of professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia. Silver Lake Waterman focuses on providing flexible growth capital to later-stage growth companies in the technology and technology-enabled industries. For more information about Silver Lake Waterman and Silver Lake, please visit www.silverlake.com Media Contact Hannah Cohen PR Manager Walker [email protected] SOURCE WorkJam Related Links https://www.workjam.com/ LARAMIE, Wyo., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WyoTech, a diesel and automotive trade school for those seeking diesel, automotive and collision refinishing careers, received a $500,000 donation to its foundation from The Todd Family. "The Todd Family has always valued education including vocational education," said Mick Todd. "We see this donation as furthering the development of technicians who will keep our economy moving." From left to right: WyoTech's President Jim Mathis, donor Mick Todd, President of WTI Foundation Dale Eslinger, WTI Foundation Board Member Doug Min, WTI Foundation Board Member Keith Geis, WTI Foundation Board Member & Treasurer Fred Ockers The Todd family has a long-standing history of community involvement and philanthropy, having made several charitable donations in both Colorado and Wyoming in the name of education. A first-time donor to the WTI Foundation, Todd is continuing the family legacy of community service through this generous donation. "These trades are essential to our economy," Todd said. "They are also high-paying jobs. Many kids have a natural aptitude for these skills and they should be encouraged to follow their dreams and seek out careers where their strengths are best put to use." WyoTech was founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. The goal of the school has always been to provide a high-quality education and training programs for students. WyoTech prepares them for success in the diesel and automotive industry, where the demand for qualified technicians is growing steadily. WyoTech provides one of the best hands-on training experiences in the nation, providing nine-month training programs for diesel and automotive repairs. The WyoTech mechanic program offers seven industry certifications, including ASE certification, to advance students' knowledge and careers as diesel and automotive service technicians. "Traditional higher education is not for everyone and vocational education offers a viable solution for employment and career improvement for many young people in this country. It should be a focus of education strategy. Providing funding for a vocational education, especially private funding, is essential," said Todd. To learn more about WyoTech and its specialized programs, please visit https://www.wyotech.edu. To donate or learn more about the WyoTech | WTI Foundation visit https://www.wyotech.edu/l/foundation About WyoTech WyoTech is a family-owned technical school founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. WyoTech provides training programs that prepare students for careers as technicians in the automotive and diesel industry with nine-month training programs that focus on hands-on experience. Related Images mick-todds-donation-to-wyotech.jpg Mick Todd's Donation to WyoTech From left to right: WyoTech's President Jim Mathis, donor Mick Todd, President of WTI Foundation Dale Eslinger, WTI Foundation Board Member Doug Min, WTI Foundation Board Member Keith Geis, WTI Foundation Board Member & Treasurer Fred Ockers SOURCE WyoTech YIWU, China, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, which is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world, was listed under the key comprehensive e-commerce platforms category during 2021-2022 by the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province at the end of July. Tmall, Netease Yanxuan, vip.com, among the 20 platforms, were selected at the same time. Yiwugo.com has always been committed to the transformation and upgrading of the physical market by adding e-commerce to brick-and-mortar businesses. It has nurtured an array of successful online suppliers. Having received e-commerce training from Yiwugo.com, Chen Xianjie moved Xian Jie Commodities Firm, which began as an offline foreign trade operation, onto Yiwugo.com. Chen studied closely the promotion rules and participated in all the sales events; as a result, many items have made it to the most-searched list. This initial success inspired Chen to regularly make new listings. The shop has offered thousands of different items by far. "A general store," as Chen put it, "sells a wide range of goods, making sure that customers navigate around the store and find what they need". Chen's Firm is now a top-tier brand of small articles, engaging with both online and offline touchpoints. It ranks first among all the Yiwugo.com merchants by daily customer counts, scoring some 100,000 single-item clicks on monthly average. Li Xinglin opened an online storefront of Wangjin Bag Firm on Yiwugo.com in 2014; not long after that, she procured a big export order of one million drawstring bags. During the pandemic, Yiwugo.com directed, over the Internet, a stream of customers, including Pepsi, Feihe and other well-known companies, to Li's door. Now, Li bases her online business on Yiwugo.com and will continue to do word-of-mouth marketing for the platform. Zheng Yuxue, head of Hebei Zhengda Bicycle Co., Ltd., received a 500,000-yuan worth of order from a new South American customer who he had contacted on Yiwugo.com only half a year after he joined the platform. As contracted, the customer paid a 30% deposit. Zheng is quite pleased with Yiwugo.com, as it brings in high-quality customers and secures payment to the sellers. Yiwugo.com has taken an Internet-based approach, creating an efficient trade platform for sellers and buyers while expanding itself by leaps and bounds. Yiwugo.com is home to 50,000 businesses which receive 800,000 customer visits and 15 million page views on daily average. It also boasts 8 million registered buyers. SOURCE Yiwugo.com "A successful farm-out would validate Europas excitement for this highly prospective acreage, stockbroker finnCap said in a note. Stockbroker finnCap has lifted its target price for Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC following news the explorer is seeking potential partners for a venture offshore Morocco. The target moves from 5.1p to 6.7p, suggesting substantial upside to the current market price of 1.37p. Significantly, finnCap analyst Jonathan Wright highlighted that the target price includes only one of fourteen exploration prospects seen in Morocco. Moreover, the analyst notes that finnCaps valuation for Europa is heavily risked (assuming a 20% geological and 10% commercial chance of success). While any drilling activity is some way off, a successful farm-out would validate Europas excitement for this highly prospective acreage. Wright said in a note, adding: as this exploration opportunity matures, there should be scope for further upgrades. Europa this morning launched a formal process for the farm-out of a stake in the Inezgane Offshore Permit, an 11,228 square kilometre area, thats described as a high-impact exploration opportunity. The company noted that Inezgane is in an underexplored area but it is on the same geological trend with major oil and gas discoveries along the west coast of Africa. Europa has to date identified more than 2bn barrels of exploration potential across its top 5 ranked prospects in Inezgane. It also said that Morocco offers excellent fiscal terms with a low tax take. Chief executive Simon Oddie, in a statement, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the Farmout initiative of the Inezgane Licence which represents not only a high-impact exploration opportunity for Europa but also sits comfortably within the company's strategy of creating a balanced portfolio of complementary assets. The work completed thus far has focused on the top five ranked prospects which each have mean resources in excess of 200 mmboe at the Albian level, with total mean resources in excess of two billion barrels. These are extremely positive numbers for the company and we hope to capitalise on the prospectivity demonstrated along this prolific geological trend. I look forward to providing further information in due course." Dubai, Aug 3 : Rohit Ghai, one of the hottest Indian chefs on the planet, is all set to tickle the palate of millions at the Expo 2020 Dubai later this year when he brings his signature creations like Truffle Mushroom Khichudi, Masala Malabar Prawns and a whole lot more from 'Kutir', his acclaimed restaurant in Chelsea, London. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Gwalior, Ghai became one of the fastest Indian chefs to win a Michelin star - awarded in 2016 within 10 months of the opening of Leela Groups's Jamavar in London. He will be part of more than 20 award-winning chefs representing Michelin star restaurants, who have been invited to Dubai's much-anticipated six-month extravaganza, to be held from October 1 to March 31, 2022. In less than three years of its opening, Ghai's 'Kutir' has become a standout in the crowded London food scene, lauded for its bursting flavours, creativity and presentation. The authentic, yet experimental, menu of the restaurant is inspired by the royal tradition of hunting expeditions in the forests and jungles of the Indian countryside. After stints at the Taj and Oberoi properties, Ghai moved to London in 2008 and was the sous chef at Atul Kochhar's 'Benares'. He is now on the verge of opening his new restaurant in London called 'Manthan' in Mayfair area. In an interview to the Great Btirish Chef, Ghai revealed the inspiration behind Kutir. "The restaurant is based on the hunting lodges of India. I've done a few projects in London before, but I always look to bring something new and refreshing to the city as people are so open to trying foods they haven't had before," said Ghai. "When I was part of the team at Oberoi Hotels in India I helped to launch a luxury lodge in the heart of the forest, and that's what inspired me to do something similar in London. It was perfect - we didn't want to open a big restaurant so we could really focus on the food and have staff talk customers through some of the more unknown dishes." Foodism magazine said Ghai's "Kutir proves he's still very much at the forefront of contemporary Indian dining in London". Among other chefs and restaurants who have been invited are African-Japanese fusion specialist Mory Sacko, whose Mosuke restaurant was awarded a Michelin star after only two months, and 'Gypsy Chef' David Myers, who will combine classic American fast food with an international influence at Adrift Burger Bar. Armenian-American chef, Geoffrey Zakarian brings The National Bar & Dining Rooms - his vision of a grand cafe, while Matthew Kenney will present his renditions of American, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours as he brings three plant-based restaurant concepts from the US. Apart from the many well-known Dubai restaurants, visitors can experience internationally-acclaimed restaurants, including Italian Scarpetta, which will launch its first-ever Burrata Bar at the Expo, and David Thompson's renowned Thai street food chain Long Chim, which means 'come and taste' in Thai. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Visitor Experience Officer, Expo 2020, said: "It's universally agreed that one of the best ways to discover a country is by sampling its cuisine, and at Expo 2020, visitors are able to eat their way around the world without leaving the United Ara Emirates. "Expo 2020 will be a dining destination in its own right, featuring some of the world's most celebrated chefs, as well as up-and-coming homegrown concepts seeking to make their mark on the international food scene." The Expo 2020 Dubai will feature more than 200 food and beverage outlets. New Delhi, Aug 3 : Demonstrating its commitment to institutional excellence, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) brings yet another eminent personality to its academic community. Ambassador Venu Rajamony will be joining Jindal Global Law School as Professor of Diplomatic Practice. A career diplomat with 34 years of experience, scholar and former journalist, Venu Rajamony is a well-known public speaker, author and patron of arts and culture. Rajamony was Ambassador of India to The Netherlands from 2017 to 2020. He was also the Permanent Representative of India to the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague, and responsible for India's relations with the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Rajamony appeared on behalf of India before the International Court of Justice in the matter of "Advisory Opinion concerning the Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius." He was Member of the Indian delegation before the ICJ in the Jadhav case (India vs. Pakistan) and Co-Agent of India in Enrica Lexie case (Italy vs. India) before the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Rajamony authored two books during this tenure in the Netherlands -- What We Can Learn from The Dutch -- Rebuilding Kerala post 2018 Floods and India and the Netherlands -- Past, Present and Future. The latter was released by the Dutch King Hiss Royal Highness Willem-Alexander in September 2019 and has won praise as an encyclopaedia of the cross-cultural encounter between India and the Netherlands. The book 'What Can We Learn from The Dutch -- Rebuilding Kerala Post 2018 Floods' was released in January 2019. It describes the Dutch response to floods over history, their innovations in water management, and the lessons the state of Kerala in India could learn from them. A Malayalam translation of the book titled -- 'Pralayam, Prathirodham, Punarnirmanam -Padikkaam Dutch Paadangal' was released by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in January 2021 in the presence of the Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Ambassador Rajamony held the office of Press Secretary to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee from 2012 to 2017. He was part of President Mukherjee's team during interaction with visiting leaders such as Emperor Akihito of Japan, President Xi Jinping of China, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Barack Obama of the US. He was member of President Mukherjee's delegation during State visits to 20 countries, including China, Russia, Israel, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. He also accompanied the President on more than 100 official tours within India. Rajamony served as Joint Secretary and head of Multilateral Institutions Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India from 2010-2012. He was responsible for formulating India's policies towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. In this capacity, he supervised external assistance to India of around $34 billion (spread over 140 projects). He was India's Deputy to the International Development Association and member of India's delegations to the Spring and Autumn Meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the IMF and the Development Committee of the World Bank Group as well as the Annual General Meetings of the ADB. Rajamony's tenure as Consul General of India in Dubai from 2007 to 2010 marked a high point in relations between India and the United Arab Emirates. He capped his stint in Dubai with the publication of a coffee table book titled India and the UAE: In Celebration of a Legendary Friendship. A Malayalam version of the book was released in Kerala in 2013 and the Arabic version was published in the UAE in 2014. Rajamony also served in the Indian missions in Hong Kong, Beijing, Geneva, and Washington, D.C. He worked as Chef de Cabinet to External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha from 2003 to 2005 and was Asia Foundation Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC between 2001 and 2002. He authored a monograph -- 'The India-China-US Triangle: A Soft Balance of Power in the Making' during his fellowship at the CSIS. Fluent in Chinese, which he studied at the University of Hong Kong, Rajamony is proficient in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and French. Welcoming Ambassador Rajamony the Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, said, "We are very excited to have Ambassador Rajamony at JGU as his vast experience will enrich the quality and diversity of teaching and learning at the University. He brings with him outstanding experience in law, international relations, diplomacy and multilateralism. His diverse career trajectories will enable him to make his contribution to institution building and academic excellence. This is going to be an extraordinary opportunity for the students of JGU to learn from his rich experience and knowledge." Ambassador Venu Rajamony said, "I am delighted to join JGU, which has been declared as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India and ranked India's best private University. I believe JGU is in the forefront of reimagining the role of universities and fully subscribe to its core values of interdisciplinarity, innovative pedagogy, pluralism, rigorous scholarship, globalism and international engagement. JGU has a major role to play in nurturing talent that can take India into the ranks of leading nations of the world, and I intend to contribute my utmost to this effort." Mumbai, Aug 3 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred Green Money Solution (GMS) and its proprietor Arvind Patidar from the securities market for involving in investment advisory activities without being registered with the capital market regulator. In an interim ex-parte order, SEBI said that in October last year, it had a complaint that GMS allegedly had taken a total amount of Rs 64,048 plus GST in the name of providing investment advisory services in the securities market with Rs 4,500 profit per week, and for assistance in opening demat account. The SEBI conducted an examination in relation to the affairs of M/s Green Money Solution and its proprietor. As per the registered intermediary database on SEBI website, it is observed that neither GMS nor its proprietor Arvind Patidar is registered with SEBI in any capacity. The regulator's preliminary examination found that the noticee has hosted a full-fledged website and is holding itself out and acting as an investment advisor for providing investment tips, advice and trading calls in the securities market without obtaining a registration under SEBI. As per the bank account details of Green Money Solution, it has witnessed a credit amounting to a total of Rs 46.52 lakh in a span of six months. The SEBI noted that prima facie, it is inferred that the funds credited to the Bandhan Bank account of GMS, were for the purpose of availing the product services indicated on the website of GMS and it is acting as an investment advisor in securities market since July 15, 2020 (opening of the bank account and registration of website) to till date. The SEBI has directed Bandhan Bank not to permit any debits or withdrawals and credits, to and from concerned bank account, without the permission of the regulator. Observing that the amount of money collected in just 6 months indicates the magnitude of the prospective threat to the investors, Madhabi Puri Buch, Whole Time Director with SEBI said in the order copy: "I find that there is no other alternative but to take recourse through an interim ex-parte order against Noticees for preventing them from collecting funds by indulging in unauthorized investment advisory services without obtaining the mandatory registrations from SEBI in accordance with the law." "Noticees may, within 21 days from the date of receipt of this Order, file their reply/objections, if any, to this Order and may also indicate whether they desire to avail an opportunity of personal hearing on a date and time to be fixed on a specific request to be made in that regard." New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 3 : Abdullah Gul, son of former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Hamid Gul, has said that he will destroy the government of Afghanistan with the help of the Taliban, according to media reports. Abdullah Gul told a gathering in Makin, South Waziristan, that his father expelled the Russians from Afghanistan, and with the help of the Mujahideen, they overthrew the government of Mohammad Najibullah. He added that now he is going to destroy the current republican state of Afghanistan and turn the country into ruins so it cannot compete with Pakistan. Abdullah Gul further said that as a young man, he became a member of the Haqqani Network as guided by his father, and has hence participated in several fights against the Afghan National Arm, as per the media reports. He claimed that the Taliban completely obey him and that he has tasked them to destroy Afghanistan's economic infrastructure, government facilities, and the republic. The Taliban and the government of Afghanistan are yet to comment on the matter. Chennai, Aug 3 : The Madurai district collector has banned the retail sale of flowers, vegetables and fruits taking into account the possibility of a Covid-19 spread due to the festival season. Madurai district administration has already banned entry to temples including the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple till August 8 to prevent crowding and a possible spread of the virus. The Collector has also warned the closure of vegetable and fruit markets and flower market in Mattuthavani and the wholesale vegetable market if the traders don't follow the standard Covid protocols. Madurai District Collector, Dr S. Aneesh Shekhar has also warned the textile shops, commercial establishments and supermarkets that they would not be allowed to function if Covid protocols are not maintained properly. The decision of the Collector has come in the wake of an expected huge crowd in the busy commercial streets and fruit, vegetable, and flower markets of Madurai as festival days are coming in the "Aadi" month. The Tamil Nadu HR&CE department has already banned entry of devotees to 22 temples in Madurai district from Monday to August 8 including Madurai Meenakshi Temple which attracts huge crowds from all parts of south India during the "Aadi" month. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Taliban, in violation of international humanitarian law, committed retaliatory killings of civilians and looted properties, including that of former and current government officials, in Kandahar province's Spin Boldak district. Following the fall of the district to the Taliban and the publication of reports of the killing of civilians by the group, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) despite serious challenges in the area investigated and documented the incidents and, in order to obtain reliable and accurate information, while referring to reliable local sources, it also interviewed a number of victims' families and witnesses. The findings by the Commission show that the Taliban has retaliated against the past and present government officials and residents who welcomed security forces during the recapture of Spin Boldak district. They also looted properties belonging to a number of locals, including the homes of former and current government officials. However, the Commission has not yet obtained credible information confirming a purely ethnic motive in the killings. The Taliban took over Spin Boldak on July 14. A few days later, security and defence forces started a military operation to retake the district, which was welcomed by some of the local residents. A number of Spin Boldak district residents ran out of their homes to welcome the security forces, although they did not actively participate in the recapturing operation. The security forces were however, unable to recapture the Spin Boldak district after fighting the Taliban. The Taliban then began sweeping many villages adjacent to the district market, looking for former and current civil servants and identifying government supporters. The Taliban expelled them from their homes and killed them; as some of those bodies have been identified so far. Furthermore, personal motives and earlier confrontations seem to have been involved in the Taliban's killing of local civilians. According to reliable local sources, an influential ethnic leader was killed during General Abdul Raziq's tenure as Kandahar provincial police chief, along with a few other people whose families eventually moved to Pakistan and joined the Taliban. After the fall of Spin Boldak district, the brother of this influential ethnic leader introduced people to the Taliban whom he considered the supporters of General Raziq and the government in order to seek revenge. Meanwhile, according to the findings of the Commission after the Taliban took over the Spin Boldak district, they plundered the property of several people in the area. International humanitarian law provides important protection to people who are not directly involved in the conflict, in that their lives, moral and physical integrity are safeguarded, and they should be treated humanely under all circumstances and without discrimination. Additionally, according to these principles, all individuals have the right to judicial guarantees, and no one should be held liable for an act he did not commit. According to AIHRC findings, after taking over Spin Boldak district, the Taliban chased and identified past and present government officials and killed these people who had no combat role in the conflict. Since July 16, the Commission has identified 40 people killed in the district by the Taliban. There were allegations of higher numbers of civilians killed and injured by the Taliban in this manner in Spin Boldak that we have not been able to fully verify yet. The killing of these individuals by the Taliban in the district is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and can amount to war crimes. While the Taliban leadership has officially stated that its affiliated militants will not harm civilians or civilian facilities; but this and other similar incidents show that contrary to what they proclaim, the group has no practical commitment to the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) Washington, Aug 3 : US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 even after being fully vaccinated. Graham is the first US Senator known to test positive for the coronavirus in months, and the first known "breakthrough" case among vaccinated senators, Xinhua news agency quoted a report by The Hill media outlet. The Senator said he started having flu-like symptoms on the night of July 31 and went to the House physician on Monday morning. Hours later he was informed that he tested positive for the virus. "I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms," he tweeted on Monday night. "I will be quarantining for 10 days. I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse," he added. Local media said Graham showed up at the Capitol on Monday and briefly spoke to reporters. Less than 1 pe rcent of fully vaccinated people experience a breakthrough Covid-19 infection in the country, said a CNN report on Monday, citing a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official state data. The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that less than 0.004 per cent of people who have been fully vaccinated experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization, and less than 0.001 per cent have died from the disease. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) San Francisco, Aug 3 : Tech giant Apple must face a patent infringement lawsuit alleging that it cribbed heart rate sensor technology for the Apple Watch, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled. The original lawsuit, lodged against Apple in 2018, alleged that the Apple Watch's heart rate measurement technology infringed on multiple patents owned by Omni MedSci Inc. Apple moved to dismiss the lawsuit, only to be denied by a US District Court. Apple appealed that decision, which brought the case to the Federal Circuit. On Monday, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the lower court's decision, ruling that Apple must face the patent infringement lawsuit, reports AppleInsider. The patents list University of Michigan professor Mohammed Islam, as their inventor. Islam later assigned the patent rights to Omni MedSci. Apple's argument was that the patents actually belonged to the university, since Islam's employment agreement stipulated that any patents would belong to the university if they were obtained through activity it supported. The federal circuit disagreed, stating that the employment agreement didn't automatically transfer rights to intellectual property to the university. Instead, the court decided that the agreement is, at most, "a statement of a future intention to assign the patents at issue." "It did not effectuate a present automatic assignment to title to UM and thus did not negate Dr. Islam's assignment of the inventions to Omni," the court's decision reads. "Accordingly, the district court's denial of Apple's motion to dismiss for lack of standing is affirmed," it added. According to the original 2018 lawsuit, Islam met with Apple executives to discuss the medical patent applications ahead of Apple Watch's launch. The complaint alleged that Apple took ideas from those meetings and incorporated them into the heart rate sensor of the Apple Watch. In the lawsuit, Islam seeks damages for infringement and an injunction against products that infringed on the patents-in-suit. Mumbai, Aug 3 : There was a youngster in a college in Delhi with a dream to become an actor, who took part in a street play and that play was directed by a then aspiring actor. 30 years later, that youngster became a prominent actress - known for her work on television and OTT platforms - and now shares screen space with that aspiring actor who is now multiple National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee. She is Sakshi Tanwar and in conversation with IANS, she opens up on how the film 'Dial 100' was a moment of nostalgia. Sakshi told IANS: "It was so special and emotional for me to work with Manoj sir. I was in Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi where we were doing a street play and Manoj sir directed that play. This was like 30 years ago, I was a student. Soon after that he came to Mumbai and when 'Satya' was released, for me I was like - 'I know him, he is my first director, I will meet him when I will become an actress'. "It was weird that from the time I started working as an actress in Mumbai, I never met him properly and of course, never worked together. But it was on my wishlist to work with Manoj sir or at least meet him as an actress because I was just a student back then with a dream to become an actress. I wanted to meet him once and say 'sir, you remember, I was that student you directed for a street play!'" Now that Sakshi is one of the prominent names in the acting business, she only counts her blessings and feels fortunate to work with Manoj in an important film like 'Dial 100'. "Really feel fortunate on this, yes it took me 30 years but I am sharing screen space with an iconic actor like Manoj sir and meeting him in capacity of an actress," added Sakshi, known for several TV series including 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii', 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain' among others. In the film she is playing the wife of Nikhil Sood, played by Manoj. Neena Gupta also plays one of the principal characters in the film named Seema Pallav. Sakshi said, "I have maximum number of scenes and all of them are very crucial, with Neenaji. In the film, there are a lot of tense moments between these two characters. Off-camera, it was just the opposite! Once the director says 'cut', we will just relax. I tend to talk a lot and Neena was quite welcoming to that idea, so whenever we got time, we had so much to talk! We would laugh, giggle and the more I watched Neena ji closely, the more I admired her. This was also the first film I shot post lockdown that actually gave me a sense of normalcy that otherwise I was feeling stuck in one confined space. I would say doing the film made me fulfill so many of my wishes! I am so happy!" Directed by Rensil D'Silva, produced by Sony Pictures Films India, 'Dial 100' releases on ZEE5 on August 6. (Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in) Washington, Aug 3 : Anatoly Antonov, Moscow's Ambassador to the US, said that Washington had asked 24 Russian diplomats to leave the country by September 3 due to visa expiration. "We received a list of twenty-four diplomats who are expected to leave the country before September 3, 2021," Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday citing Antonov as saying to a media outlet. "Almost all of them will leave without replacements because Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures." Antonov said that "last December the State Department unilaterally established a three-year limit on the assignment period for Russian personnel in the US that, as far as we know, is not applied to any other country". State Department spokesperson Ned Price responded on Monday that Antonov's "characterisation of the situation is not accurate. It's incorrect". "The three-year limit on visa validity for Russians, it's nothing new. When visas expire these individuals are expected to leave the country or apply for an extension. That is what is at play here," he told reporters during a daily briefing. The Russian Ambassador's comment came two days after the State Department said it had laid off 182 local employees and dozens of contractors at American diplomatic facilities in Russia as requested by Moscow. Price on Monday denied that the US is using Russian diplomats' visas to retaliate while saying "we reserve the right to take appropriate response measures to Russia's actions". The Russian Foreign Ministry in April announced a complete ban on US diplomatic missions from hiring citizens of Russia or third countries to administrative and technical posts in response to American sanctions and expulsion of Russian diplomats. Chennai, Aug 3 : The Joint Forum of Trade Unions in the four public sector general insurance companies have decided to strike work on Wednesday protesting against the Central government's move to privatise one of the insurers. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021. The four PSU non-life insurers are: National Insurance Company Ltd, The New India Assurance Company Ltd (already listed), The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd and United India Insurance Company Ltd. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier said one of the unlisted non-life insurers will be privatised. According to the Joint Forum the amendment is not only contrary to the spirit of nationalisation of general insurance industry but also against the assurances made by the present government about strengthening of PSU general insurers, job security/benefit protection to their workforce. The unions said the amendment paves the way for selling out one of the insurers and the writing is on the wall for others as well. The unions have decided to go on a one day strike on Wednesday across the country. As to the objects of the amendment the government had said: (i) to omit the provision to section 10B of the Act so as to remove the requirement that the Central government holds not less than 51 per cent. of the equity capital in a specified insurer; (ii) to insert a new section 24B providing for cessation of application of the Act to such specified insurer on and from the date on which the Central government ceases to have control over it; and (iii) to insert a new section 31A providing for liability of a director of specified insurer, who is not a whole-time director, in respect of such acts of omission or commission of the specified insurer which has been committed with his knowledge and with his consent. On Friday, Sitharaman said the private general insurers have greater penetration and raised more money from the market and therefore give a better premium for public and innovative covers. On the other hand, the government insurers are not able to perform as they are short of resources. Los Angeles, Aug 3 : Actress Ellen Pompeo, who is known for her work in the show 'Grey's Anatomy', hasn't ruled out returning to acting one day, but she isn't "super excited" about continuing her acting career. "I'm not saying I'll never act again, I very well may, but I'm not super excited about continuing my acting career. I'm more entrepreneurial at this stage," Pompeo said, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The actress is excited about investing in businesses and starting businesses. She said: "That's an area of growth that I'm excited about, using my brain in a different way. The acting I feel like, even though I haven't done a million different roles, I feel like I've done it. Sitting around in trailers, travelling around, shooting this in Atlanta, shooting that in Vancouver. "I have no desire to go sit in trailers at 11 o'clock at night and wait to shoot scenes and have ADs knock on my door and tell me when I can eat lunch. You know, it's for the young at heart. It's for the youth!" Pompeo added. The 51-year-old actress worried she would never work again when she was on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Speaking on the Ladies First podcast, she said: "When I was in my 30s, I absolutely saw myself as in a box. That's why I stayed on the show, because I said, 'Holy s***. By the time I can negotiate my contract again and get out of this I'm going to be almost 40 years old."The actress added: "I am super typecast in this role. I am 40, so I'm never going to work again.' Even 15 years ago, the thought of being 40 was, like, you're over as an actress. Now that I'm 50, I don't see myself that way at all. I think of myself that I can do whatever I want, or I can do nothing at all, quite honestly." Lucknow, Aug 3 : In an unexpected turn of events, Om Prakash Rajbhar, former minister and president of the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), met UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh at the latter's residence on Tuesday morning, triggering fresh speculations of his return to the saffron fold. The SBSP was a BJP ally till 2019 when UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed Rajbhar from his council of ministers. Swatantra Dev Singh, after an hour-long meeting, said it was 'just a courtesy call' with no political agenda. "We simply met cordially and chatted," he said. Rajbhar has been trying to muster support from other parties and has formed the Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha to cobble up support from various groups in the OBC category. His alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, however, is proving to be major stumbling block in his alliance with Samajwadi Party. Meanwhile, sources in the BJP said that the meeting between the UP BJP chief and Rajbhar was arranged by BJP state vice-president Daya Shankar Singh. Sources said that Daya Shankar called up Rajbhar on Monday late evening asking him to meet Swatantra Dev Singh. Rajbhar confirmed that he and Swatantra Dev Singh discussed the activities of their respective political parties. Asked whether he was planning to ally with the BJP again, Rajbhar said, "In politics anything can happen." Political experts, on the other hand, said that Rajbhar was probably testing waters to increase his bargaining position among non-BJP parties. Aizawl, Aug 3 : The Mizoram Health Minister has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Health Ministers to intervene as the state has been facing severe crisis of medicines including life saving and Covid-19 related drugs due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306. Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Minister Minister on Tuesday said in Aizawl that the hilly state has been facing acute crisis of vital medicines and urged the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene at the earliest to prevent any health crisis that may soon engulf Mizoram and which would be beyond the control of anybody. Lalthangliana wrote separate letters to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Health Minister detailing the medicine crisis due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306, which connects the hilly state with the rest of the country via Assam. Lalthangliana said that following the border dispute and clash on July 26, the Assam government on July 29 summoned all the transporters (in Guwahati) who have been operating between the two states to stop transporting any goods into Mizoram due to "security concerns". "This resulted in to a complete halt of any type of goods coming to the state including basic medicines, life saving medicines and Covid-19 medicines as well. Even oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant materials, and Covid-19 test kits have been blocked." The Minister said that never before in the history of this country has anyone resorted to such a draconian and inhumane act to his fellow citizens. "The basic fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Indian constitution which includes the right to basic health care and medicines have been denied by the belligerent activities of the Assam government," Lalthangliana said. He said that despite having endured this problem for almost a week, there has been no response from the central government on this front. "As true citizens of the country, we are entitled to amicable and positive response and intervention from the Central government at this critical time. "Every citizen of this country has the right to medical care and medicines and denial of this right is contrary to the basic laws of this country. No citizen of Mizoram should lose his or her life because of the non-availability of medicines which are man-made as is being done by the Assam government," the Minister added. Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo said that the state government had taken up the issue of "economic blockade" with the Union Home Ministry. "We have understood that the MHA would be able to convince the Assam government to lift the blockade in southern Assam. "Mizoram's 95 per cent supplies come through the National Highway-306, which is the lifeline for our state," he told the media. In a letter to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secretary Pi Lalbiaksangi also requested that the Centre may intervene and instruct the Assam government to take necessary action for the immediate removal of the blockade. The ever most violent clashes along the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26 left six Assam Police personnel dead and around 100 civilians and security personnel of the two neighbouring states injured, including an Inspector General of Police in Assam and Cachar Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chandrakant Nimbalkar, who was shifted to Mumbai. Hyderabad, Aug 3 : Actor Allu Arjun's much-awaited film 'Pushpa: The Rise' has been locked for a Christmas release this year. Confirming the news, producers Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers said in a joint statement: "'Pushpa' is an action-packed story that has moments that tug at the heart and filming it has been a joyride." They added: "The film has already created a lot of buzz among the audiences and we are thrilled to announce that the first part will get a Christmas release this year. We can't wait for the fans to watch it and shower their never ending love to the entire team of 'Pushpa'. We have decided to release the second part of the movie in the year 2022." The film was trending on social media on Monday, after the teaser of its first track 'Jaago Jango bakre' was released. The song will be releasing in five different languages. The film starring, Arjun, Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna, will release in two parts. While the first part is set to release on Christmas this year, the next part is scheduled to release in 2022. -- Syndicated from IANS Varanasi, Aug 3 : With the Ganga River rising alarmingly in Varanasi, the district administration has banned all boat operations in the river from Tuesday. The ban order will remain in force till the first week of September. Varanasi District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said, "Officials are keeping a close watch on the water level of the Ganga since it is increasing continuously since the past one week. As the trend has become alarming now and the current is also increasing, restrictions are being imposed in the interest of public safety. All police stations of the respective areas have been directed to ensure compliance of the order." Though the trend of rise in water level of Ganga began in mid-July, it adopted an alarming proportion from July 28 when most of the Ghat steps were inundated and the interconnectivity of Ghats was also snapped. The rising trend of the Ganga continued upstream at Mirzapur and downstream at Ghazipur and Ballia. However, the river was still flowing below the danger mark at all these places. As per the Central Water Commission's middle Ganga division, water level in the Ganga had reached 66.52-mt mark, although the danger mark is still over 6-mt away at 71.26-mt. From Sunday morning till Monday 8 a.m., the water level of the Ganga had increased by 2.16-metres. Besides, the river is also on the rise in neighbouring districts. In Mirzapur, the river's water level rose up to 72.51-metres and the Ganga was flowing 5.21-metres below the danger mark. Ghazipur, too, recorded a continuous rise in the water level of the Ganga. Ballia started facing a grave flood threat with water level approaching the danger mark. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The government on Tuesday raised the issue of comments made by opposition MP as Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till 12 noon and then till 2 p.m. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs and Deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha raised point of order under Rule 238 and said that comments are baseless. Later he said, "After hijacking proceedings of the House with uproar over baseless, fabricated issues, the TMC MP has now insulted Parliament and its members by comparing Parliamentary proceedings with making 'papri chaat'". The Trinamool MP in a tweet had said, "In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 Bills at an average time of under seven minutes per Bill, passing legislation or making papri chaat!" The TMC MP was referring to the passage of bills in the parliament without debate and discussion. The impasse between the government and the opposition continued even on Tuesday as the monsoon session entered third week since the commencement. The flashpoint is the Pegasus project snooping controversy on which the opposition demands discussion but the government says that after IT Minister's statement only clarification can be sought. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has termed it a "non issue". Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actor Deepak Wadhwa will be seen playing a police officer in an episode of 'Manohar Kahaniyan'. He is glad to be a part of an edge-of-the-seat suspense thriller and shared that stories of murder mysteries and the dark world get him excited. "I play a no-nonsense police inspector. I am glad to be a part of this edge-of-the-seat suspense thriller episode. Stories of murder mysteries, the dark world get me more excited. Therefore, I decided to be part of this show," Deepak said. He added: "These episodes are inspired by a true story from the popular magazines, which my grandparents used to tell me in my younger days." Adapted from the popular magazine 'Manohar Kahaniyan', the series includes stories around theft, murder, superstition, and other crimes. The new episode, 'Honey Trap', is centered around the trio Samar, Aarti, and Sonia. Samar, a rich and handsome businessman, is married to his childhood sweetheart Aarti and still manages to bring a change in the plot with an extramarital twist. 'Manohar Kahaniyan' is on Tata Sky Adbhut Kahaniyan. Toronto, Aug 3 : Canadian researchers have found no increase in preterm births or stillbirths during the first year of the pandemic, alleviating concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on pregnancy. During the pandemic the UK, Italy, India and others reported increases in stillbirths and some variability in preterm birth rates. However, most studies were small. A team led by researchers in the University of Toronto, conducted a large study of more than 2.4 million births in Ontario over an 18-year period and compared trends in the pre pandemic period (2002-2019) with the pandemic period (January to December 2020). "We found no unusual changes in rates of preterm birth or stillbirth during the pandemic, which is reassuring," said Dr. Prakesh Shah, a pediatrician-in-chief at Sinai Health and professor at University of Toronto. The results are published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Pandemic-related measures and compliance with them could affect preterm birth rates in different settings. Thus, the researchers looked at birth outcomes in the public health units where positivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 were higher (Toronto, Peel Region, York Region and Ottawa) as well as comparing urban and rural births and those in neighbourhoods with different average income levels. "In some areas and in certain people, the restrictions could be beneficial, and in other settings or individuals, restrictions could have the opposite effect," Shah said. International studies are now underway to help understand the impact of Covid-19 on pregnancy and childbirth around the globe. Infection, inflammation, stress, medical or pregnancy-induced disorders, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors can contribute to stillbirth and preterm birth, although in many instances the cause remains unknown. New Delhi, Aug 3: Confronted with an armed insurgency for 32 years, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has finally closed its doors for the people indulging in subversive activities, including violent demonstrations and stone pelting, but seeking government employment and the Indian passports. Senior Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch Kashmir, issued an unprecedented circular on Saturday, 31 July 2021. "All the field units of CID SB-Kashmir are hereby directed to ensure that during verification related to passports, service and any other verification related to Government services/schemes, the subject's involvement in law & order, stone pelting cases and other crime prejudicial to the security of the State be specifically looked into and same must be corroborated from local Police station records," said the Circular. The Circular directed the field officers to straightaway deny security clearance to anybody against whom Police, security forces or agencies had digital evidence like CCTV footage, photographs, videos and audio clips or drone images. Even as most of the mainstream politicians, who have a track record of playing pseudoseparatist politics on such issues, are still silent, the first reaction has come from the National Conference (NC) leader and the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "An 'adverse police report' cannot be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law. A year and a half ago J&K police were able to create an 'adverse police report' to justify my detention under the Public Safety Act that would never have stood up to legal challenge", Omar has tweeted. "They did the same with scores of others, many of whom had these police reports tossed out by the courts. An executive order cannot replace a court of law. Guilt or innocence must be proven in court & not based on vague unproven police reports." A senior bureaucratic source in the Union Territory government's Law Department, who is not authorised to speak to the media, contended on the condition of anonymity that Omar's averment was "patently fallacious". "He has served as Chief Minister and must be well aware that an adverse CID report is fundamentally different from the court conviction. Every government in the world, he knows, is lawfully empowered to deny passports and travel documents to the people posing a threat to a country's security. Every government has a right to choose its employees as per the laws, rules and qualifications it deems fit. No anti-national elements get a government job in Europe, America or any other country. In many countries, they are discharged on short notice without enquiry or appeal," explained the senior officer. The officer asserted that anybody aggrieved was free to approach a court of law. "It's not a conviction by any interpretation", he said. "Anti-national elements involved in terrorist and subversive activities have infiltrated into the government systems and institutions in Jammu and Kashmir due to flawed rules, procedures and policies from day one of the terrorism in 1989. Some of them have been terminated but many are still calling the shots and failing the government's delivery and programmes. The process of cleaning the system has become possible only after annulment of J&K's special status and other Central interventions in 2019", said the officer. According to highly placed bureaucratic sources, the decisions of denying government jobs, passports and licences to 'anti-national elements', besides terminating the services of such incumbents without enquiry and judicial interruptions, were based on "very strong reasons". It has been repeatedly pointed out that the erstwhile State government's employees association, as well as an association of the lawyers protecting their employments, were among the constituents of the separatist Hurriyat Conference from 1993 to 2003 and for years thereafter. It was mainly because of the deficient rules and procedures and the separatist-friendly laws and policies that almost all those fired by successive governments returned to the government services on court orders. In 1990-2019, most of the court orders came against the government and in favour of the petitioners whenever a CID/security clearance was denied or delayed to an applicant. There have been radical changes in the system after July 2020. After several amendments for about nine months, 20 government employees have been discharged for being "threat to the security of the State". The government has lately decided to review performance and conduct of all the employees crossing 48 years of age or completing 22 years of service. It has been made clear that an adverse report would mean termination of an employee's service without notice and enquiry. Various quarters have been repeatedly flagging that family members of most of the separatist leaders and militant commanders had grabbed prestigious government jobs and contracts due to nepotism and favouritism through backdoors in the last over 30 years. On the other hand, jobs have been denied to many of the meritorious candidates who had no access to the ecosystem of separatists, militants and their patrons in the government and certain mainstream political parties. In the last two years, it has been observed that many of the militant recruits had crossed over to Pakistan for guerrilla training on Indian passports under the garb of 'visiting relatives' or admission in professional colleges. Simultaneously, a number of the known anti-India activists have travelled to the Gulf, Europe, America and other countries on the Indian passports and settled there for anti-India campaigns. Shakir Altaf Bhat's killing in an encounter with security forces in Bandipora on 24 July has exposed the militants' game plan. Bhat was reportedly among more than 40 Kashmiri students who had travelled to Pakistan on the Indian passports from 2015 to 2019 and got themselves recruited in different terror outfits. According to senior officers, 28 of such youths have returned to Kashmir as trained militants and over a hundred are untraced. Most of them were reportedly residents of Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts of southern Kashmir. The security agencies fear that they could be possible sleeper cells of terror groups operating from across the border. Those denied passports on adverse CID reports include Mehbooba Mufti. She failed to secure any relief from the judiciary as the courts declined to interfere with the Police procedure. With the fresh CID Circular, thousands of the Kashmiri youths who participated in the violent demonstrations of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2016, have landed in trouble. According to the official figures, 11290 persons were detained in 3,773 cases of violent demonstrations and stone pelting in 2016-17. Around 9,000 were arrested over similar charges from 2008 to 2016. Both the Chief Ministers, Omar and Mehbooba, granted amnesty to over 95 percent of them. Many of them got passports and government jobs as CID did not report anything adverse. Those arrested and later released included 56 government employees. Lastly, around 3,000 persons were arrested over similar charges and precautions in August 2019 and thereafter. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Washington, Aug 3 : Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has reinstated a statewide indoor mask mandate amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations. According to the mandate, which will come into effect on Wednesday and remain until at least September 1, all people aged five and older mush wear a face mask at indoors places, reports Xinhua news agencu. The mandate also applies to K-12 schools, universities, and other higher education institutions, which return to on-campus learning in the coming weeks. In accordance with new guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all people on campuses should be masked indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. "It has never been more clear that we are in an unchecked Covid surge that, in addition to threatening the health and wellbeing of many Louisianans, also threatens the capacity of our hospitals and medical facilities to deliver care to their patients," Edwards said. Driven largely by Louisiana's insufficient vaccination rate and the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, Covid-19 cases in the state have grown exponentially. Louisiana remains the state with the largest number of new infections per capita. The Governor hoped the new mask mandate will help slow the spread of Covid-19 and limit suffering and death in Louisiana. "This decision is not one I take lightly, but as the fourth surge of Covid-19 is upon us, we know that mask wearing when you are in public is one way to greatly lower your risk of spreading or catching Covid," he added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 3 : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has blamed the speedy withdrawal of US-led troops for the worsening violence in his country, as government forces are strugglingto prevent provincial cities from falling to the Taliban amid a major escalation in fighting, a media report said. Taliban fighters assaulted at least three provincial capitals overnight, Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat, after a weekend of heavy fighting that resulted in thousands of civilians fleeing the advancing militants, the Guardian report said. On Monday, Ghani told Parliament that "an imported, hasty" peace process "not only failed to bring peace but created doubt and ambiguity" among Afghans. In an apparent recognition of the scale of the Taliban advance, Ghani said that his administration would now focus on protecting provincial capitals and major urban areas in the face of a rapid Taliban advance. "The Taliban do not believe in lasting or just peace," he said. Fighting raged in Lashkar Gah, Helmand's provincial capital, where the Taliban launched coordinated attacks on the city centre and its prison after the government announced the deployment of hundreds of commandos to the area, the report said. Hours after the President's remarks, Taliban fighters seized control of the provincial government's radio and TV building, replacing normal broadcasts with religious songs. The building sits just 400 metres to the north of the provincial governor's office, which was still under the control of the government, along with a few other government installations. The vast poppy fields in the provinces provide the lion's share of the opium for the international heroin trade, making it a lucrative source of tax and cash for the Taliban's war chest, the report added. The loss of Helmand's capital would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government, which pledged to defend provincial capitals at all costs after losing much of the rural countryside to the Taliban over the summer. The Kandahar airport came under attack overnight on Sunday, with the Taliban firing rockets that damaged the runway, leading to the suspension of flights for several hours. The facility is vital to maintaining the logistics and air support needed to keep the Taliban from over-running the city, while also providing aerial cover for large tracts of southern Afghanistan including nearby Lashkar Gah. In the west, hundreds of commandos were also defending Herat after days of fierce fighting. "The threat is high in these three provinces, but we are determined to repel their attacks," the Afghan security forces spokesperson Ajmal Omar Shinwari told reporters on Sunday, adding it was an "emergency situation". Lima, Aug 3 : The new peruvian government's foreign policy will promote Latin American integration based on the principle of mutual respect and reciprocal benefit, Foreign Affairs Minister Hector Bejar said. "We will strengthen Latin American integration and cooperation, without ideological distinctions. We will revalue the Andean Community in its special economic, trade, social, cultural and physical integration aspects," Bejar said. In his first meeting with the press at the Foreign Ministry, Bejar highlighted Peru's participation in the Pacific Alliance trade bloc with members such as Colombia, Chile and Mexico, reports Xinhua news agency. "We export to the Andean Community an amount equivalent to the Pacific Alliance, another vital area of regional integration, but it is the main regional market for our export manufacturing companies," he noted. Bejar, a sociologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, was appointed Foreign Minister by President Pedro Castillo, who took office on July 28. Bejar stressed that Castillo's foreign policy will also seek to strengthen the Union of South American Nations. "We will promote its reconstitution and modernisation, as the cooperation and consultation body that affirms the entity of South America in world politics," he said. "We will vigorously reinsert the Peruvian presence" in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and "we will work to strengthen it and boost its capacity for action"the Minister added. Panaji, Aug 3 : The Congress in Goa, on Tuesday upped its protest against the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021, a legislation which aims to regularise illegally constructed small dwellings, stating that the law, if enacted, would meet the same fate of similar legislations proposed by governments in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are being heard by the Supreme Court. The Congress has also announced a massive rally in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's Assembly constituency of Sanquelim in protest against the law, which is currently awaiting the Governor's consent. "In December 2020, the Supreme Court issued notices to all states with regards to a specific challenge in the apex court against the regularisation of illegal constructions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh (and Telangana). "The SC had directed the petitioner to implead all states and issued notice to all states, which means Goa has already been issued notice in that regard," former state Attorney General and Congress spokesperson Carlos Fereira told a press conference in Panaji. Passed in the recently concluded Monsoon Session of the state Assembly amid an opposition walkout, the legislation which comes ahead of the state Assembly polls, promises to 'legalise' illegal constructions carried out by those who have lived in Goa for more than 30 years. Fereira said that the government should scrap the Bill or face a legal challenge to it. "At the moment the Bill is not yet assented to by the Governor. Until the Bill becomes a law, you cannot challenge it in court. Until then we will urge the government to scrap it or the Governor can at least send it back to the Assembly. If the government insists on going through with it, we will challenge it in Court," Fereira said. "The Bhumiputra Bill is a legislation which will hurt the very fundamentals of Goa and its residents at large. Those who have constructed houses illegally will be rewarded, while honest people in the state who have followed legal processes will be shunned," he also said. Fereira also said that according to the new Bill was a pre-poll 'jumla'. "This law is unheard of anywhere in the world. This is a jumla which is being done by the BJP government aimed at the 2022 elections," he also said. Elections to the state Assembly are scheduled to be held in early 2022. "There is a rule of law prevailing. This Bill is nothing but a systematic attempt to defeat rule of law. People should wake up and realise they are being fooled. This is fraud on the Constitution and the people," Fereira also said. Patna, Aug 3 : After Nitish Kumar, former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has also backed the demand of the opposition parties for investigation in Pegasus snooping controversy. Manjhi is the second leader in the NDA government in Bihar after Nitish Kumar to demand a probe. "If leaders of opposition parties are demanding a probe in the Pegasus phone tapping case and disrupting the monsoon session of parliament, then it means it is a serious issue and the Narendra Modi government should initiate inquiry into the matter," Manjhi said. "The investigation will reveal who was involved in espionage. People of the country have the right to know who is involved in mischief," Manjhi said. Kumar on Monday had said that the Centre should initiate investigation and action should be taken against persons involved in it. "If any one is tapping the phone of others and using it for their advantage, the act is extremely wrong and punishable," Nitish Kumar said. When Nitish Kumar was informed by reporters that the Centre is denying it, he said he knows how such information has come in the public domain on the issue. There must be something in it and needs to be probed soon. According to reports published by 17 media organizations, the phones of prominent leaders, bureaucrats, judges, journalists, were tapped between 2017 and 2019. The leaders of opposition parties are demanding a probe of a dedicated committee of the parliament or under the monitoring of the supreme court. Seoul, Aug 3 : A US-based group of companies including Epic Games and Spotify, that voiced opposition to commissions major app stores collect from developers, expressed support on Tuesday for legislative movement in South Korea to pass a bill that seeks to curb the so-called app store taxes. The bill seeks to ban app market operators from forcing certain payment systems on developers by unfairly using their position. The bill, which would be the first of its kind globally if voted into law, currently awaits further review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee before being handed off for a wider vote by the National Assembly. Mark Buse, Match Group's senior vice president and a founding member of the Coalition for App Fairness, met ruling Democratic Party lawmakers at the National Assembly in support for the bill, reports Yonhap news agency. The US-based group consists of major tech companies, including hit video game "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, music streaming giant Spotify Technology and dating app Tinder owner Match Group. Buse expressed support for the bill, adding that it could spur more action from U.S. lawmakers. Similar movement has so far been made at a state level in the United States in around 15 states, according to Buse. The legislative movement in South Korea comes after Google's decision last September to enforce its billing system on all Play store apps from October this year -- a move that restricts other payment systems and will collect up to 30 percent in commission from developers for user purchases of digital goods, similar to what Apple already does on its App Store. App developers, who have circumvented Google's commission by using its own payment systems, have expressed concerns over what they see as excessive fees and a monopolistic move by Google, prompting local tech groups to press for legislative action to counter the tech giant. Amid outcry from local developers, Google has pushed back enforcing its new billing policy to the end of March next year for developers that request a delay. Google has voiced concerns in response to the legislative movement. The US tech giant's Senior Director of Public Policy Wilson White said in a recent interview with a local newspaper that users who do not use its payment system could be exposed to security issues, calling for more discussions to address them. Apple has expressed similar concerns, saying that the proposed amendments could put users at risk of fraud and other privacy concerns in a statement after the bill's approval at the ICT committee last month. The legislative movement has added to the pressure the tech giants face at home. Last month, 36 US states filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging anti-competitive behavior in its Play store operations to collect and maintain its commission. Apple and Google are both locked in legal disputes with Epic Games over app market operations. Chennai, Aug 3 : War of words erupted between the opposition AIADMK and the ruling DMK after the former boycotted the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The centenary celebrations were inaugurated on Monday by the President Ram Nath Kovind. Former Minister and leader of AIADMK, D. Jayakumar told IANS, "How can AIADMK participate in a function in which the portrait of M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of TN and DMK leader was unveiled. DMK had boycotted the portrait unveiling function of former Chief Minister and AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa in February 2018 and had even approached the Madras high court against the move." The senior leader adds, "How can we attend the programme in such circumstances? More than that there is no rationale behind the celebrations, as the constitution of the first Assembly in 1952 should only be taken into consideration. It was only then the country had become a Republic and in 1921 when the legislature of Madras Legislative Assembly was established the country was still under the British rule." However, former Assembly Speaker and DMK leader, R. Avudaiappan refuted the theory of Jayakumar and said, "The days' events marked the completion of 100 years of a system wherein the directly elected representatives were the dominant constituents of the House. The Justice Party which launched the Dravidian movement in the state obtained a majority in the legislative council and bagged 63 seats out of the 98 members directly elected by the people." The former Speaker also countered the claims of AIADMK and said, "After capturing power, The Justice party took several measures in the area of social justice, including providing reservation in employment to backward sections of the society." The DMK leaders said that they had invited the AIADMK legislators but the latter intentionally boycotted the function which was inaugurated by the President of the country. Senior leader of the DMK and state Water Resources Minister, S. Duraimurugan told IANS, "I have personally invited Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the instruction of our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to participate in the function and to offer a few words of felicitation on our leader and former Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, but he informed the Assembly secretariat of his non participation." The senior leader also said that the Chief Minister had instructed to keep a chair for K. Palaniswami at the dais along with the President and the Governor. When asked about the DMK boycotting the function of unveiling the portrait of AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa in February 2018, Duraimuruguan said, "They did not extend any personal invitation to us, instead just sent an invitation letter. The then AIADMK government did not give due respect to our leader and hence we did not participate. Here I have personally invited the opposition leader and he did not inform me of his non-participation, but instead informed the secretariat." The war of words between the AIADMK and DMK is a clear indication of the end of the bonhomie between the ruling front and the opposition which was on display immediately after the new government assumed office. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin even included former Health Minister Vijyabhaskar in the 13-member committee to counter Covid-19 pandemic. Political observers had then predicted that a new history is being scripted in Tamil Nadu politics but the recent Vigilance raids on the premises of former transport minister and AIADMK leader M.R. Vijayabaskar had led to a fissure in the relationship. With AIADMK boycotting the portrait unveiling function of M. Karunanidhi, the rift between the two seems to be wide open. Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 : The Odisha police has arrested state head of the Rose Valley Group, Bikramjit Bhowmik from West Bengal in a multi crore fraud case, official said. "Economic Offences Wing (EOW) arrested the regional manager of Rose Valley company in a multi crore fraud case from Midnapore, West Bengal. This refers to EOW case no 15/2013. Further investigation is on," the EOW of Odisha police said in a tweet, Tuesday. Bhowmik was arrested from Midnapur in West Bengal on Monday and was produced before the OM, Tamluk and being brought on transit remand for his production before the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (OPID) court at Balasore in Odisha, the police said. Bhowmik was the regional manager of the Rose Valley Group of companies of Odisha region and he was absconding since registration of the case. It has been ascertained that the chit fund firm has collected multi crores of rupees from the depositors of all over Odisha. The company cheated the investors by duping an amount of Rs 2.82 crore involving numerous investors in Soro branch. Earlier, the chit fund firm chairman Gouatam Kundu and MD Sibamoy Dutta have been remanded in this case. Further, another accused Soro branch manager Badal Chandra Kar has been arrested and forwarded to court. Bank balance over Rs 83 crore and properties worth more than Rs 11 crore in the name of Rose Valley Group of Companies have been attached. Four charge-sheets have also been filed by EOW, Bhubaneswar, which is sub-judice in the Balasore OPID court, they said. New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 3 : As the conflict between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in Herat entered its sixth day, the residents of the city chanted 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the greatest) to express their support to Afghan government forces and oppose the militant group, according to media reports. The chanting by men, women, and minors was unprecedented in 20 years and was welcomed by ordinary Afghan people and officials. After the Taliban toppled all but one district including the provincial capital in western Herat province bordering Iran, the fighters stormed the city and launched an offensive against the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). July 30 was the worst in terms of the severity of the conflict. The Taliban toppled two Police Districts in the city and had besieged the airport. The ANDSF backed by US army airstrikes drove the Taliban from the city and recaptured the Guzara district of the province. The Ministry of Defence said that 41 Taliban fighters were killed and 32 more wounded as a result of land and air operations in Herat province Monday night. Herat along with Lashkar Gah city of Helmand province, Taloqan of Takhar province, and Kandahar city are among the provincial capitals which have been witnessing heavy conflicts between the ANDSF and the Taliban in the past two weeks. New Delhi, Aug 3 : A difficult decision awaits Vodafone Idea after one promoter, Kumar Mangalam Birla offered to give up his stake. The Modi government where the matter now rests will have to now take a tough call on a possible merger with BSNL which is already in financial problems or do a fire sale a la Satyam as Birla has already offered his equity but that is a long drawn out process. The issue which is not clear is the Vodafone stance on Birla offering his equity as the other big stakeholder is Vodafone. Till the final decision emerges there will be considerable uncertainty around Vodafone Idea and the ball is now in the government's court. Kumar Manglam Birla, the chairman of Aditya Birla Group, has written to the Cabinet Secretary saying that he is ready to hand over his stake in Vodafone-Idea to any government entity. In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on June 7, Birla said that, with a "sense of duty" towards 27 crore Indians connected with Vodafone Idea, Birla is willing to hand over his stake to public Sector Unit (PSU), a government entity or any domestic financial entity, or any other entity that the government may consider worthy of keeping the company as a going concern. Birla said that VIL has been trying to raise Rs 25,000 crore to sustain VIL operations and pay regulatory and governmental dues. He said that foreign investors wanted to see a clear government intent to have a three-player telecom market. In the letter, Birla sought clarity on adjusted gross revenue (AGR), adequate moratorium on spectrum dues and floor pricing adding that without immediate and active government support VIl's operations will be at an "irretrievable point of collapse". He also said that investors had also sought clarity on these issues. Birla said that he and his team would be more than happy to work with the government to urgently explore all possible options to save the company and without any consideration of our private interest, Birla said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actors Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor were spotted at the international airport here on Tuesday, as they left for Delhi to launch the trailer of their upcoming film 'Bell Bottom'. This will be the first big film promotion taking place in New Delhi from the time the Covid-19 pandemic started. Producers Deepshikha Deshmukh and Jackky Bhagnani were also spotted leaving for the capital. Akshay was also accompanied by wife Twinkle Khanna, son Aarav and daughter Nitara. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Aug 3 : For the first time in Tamil Nadu, a captured wild elephant was freed into the forests, an official statement said. The wild elephant, called Rivaldo by the locals, was caught by the Forest Department personnel on May 5, 2021 as it was roaming in Masinagudi in Nilgiri district for a long period. The locals were afraid of the 30-40 year old wild elephant roaming around freely in their area and hence the Forest Department captured it and put it in a 'kraal' - a enclosure made of wooden logs for keeping captured elephants. An official group studied in detail the issues involved in letting the elephant back into the forests and brought Rivaldo to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. According to the government, the area is rich in green cover and would provide sufficient food for Rivaldo. In order to monitor its movement, a German-made radio collar has been put on Rivaldo. As per the signals received, the elephant is moving around freely in the forest. Lucknow, Aug 3 : In order to regain its lost ground in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Tuesday observed a 'Dalit Swabhiman Diwas' to woo the community and highlight the atrocities on the weaker sections in the non-Congress governments. While it is wooing Dalits and OBCs, the Brahmins are being ignored by the Congress, say state party insiders. State head of the Congress Dalit cell, Alok Prasad, said that the significance of August 3 was that the proposal to appoint Dr B.R. Ambedkar as the Union Law Minister in the Nehru cabinet was passed on this day. "We are taking out Dalit Swabhiman Yatras on this day to create awareness among Dalits and pay tributes to Ambedkar," he said. The Congress also plans to hold a Dalit panchayat. The state Congress has already held caste conferences for Nishad, Maurya-Shakya, Kushwaha and Pal-Gaderia-Dhanger caste groups. The move by the state unit to focus on castes has irked the senior party leaders who feel that the Congress is simply following in the footsteps of the regional parties. "We slam other parties for playing the caste and communal card but this is exactly what we are doing. Instead of focussing on issues, we are following the caste path which is detrimental to party interests," said a former UPCC president. Interestingly, the Congress state leadership has started criticizing other non-BJP parties instead of focusing its attention on the ruling BJP. Uttar Pradesh Congress minority cell chairman Shahnawaz Alam has been attacking the Samajwadi Party for ignoring the victimisation of its leader Mohd Azam Khan and not opposing it. Alam said that if anything untoward happens to Azam Khan, Akhilesh would be equally responsible for it. A senior party leader said, "What exactly is the state leadership trying to do? We should be attacking the BJP but we are shooting down regional parties with whom we could have a post-poll alliance." While SP and BSP are trying to woo Brahmins who are disgruntled with the BJP, the Congress has chosen to ignore Brahmins completely-even those within the party. A senior political analyst said, "The problem with Congress is that it is completely directionless. They have no strategy and policy for the elections and each one is pulling in a different direction." New Delhi, Aug 3 : BJP MPs from West Bengal on Tuesday met union ministers, Mansukh Mandaviya and Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss health and education issues concerning the state. After the meeting, West Bengal BJP chief and Lok Sabha member Dilip Ghosh told IANS that party MPs raised concern about irregularities in on-going vaccination drives and teaching in tribal areas of the state. "We brought to the notice of the union health minister about the irregularities in on-going vaccination drives in West Bengal and the problem faced by the people to get vaccinated. We told the union health minister that it is impossible to get the vaccination without the recommendation of ruling TMC party leaders despite the availability of free vaccines provided by the union government," Ghosh said. The BJP MPs from West Bengal requested the union health minister to start vaccination for common man at central government health facilities in the state. "We requested the union health minister to start vaccination at central government health facilities like railway and ESIC hospitals to avoid any hassle created by the ruling party," Ghosh said. The BJP MPs from West Bengal informed the education minister Pradhan that teaching in tribal language has been stopped in the tribal areas of West Bengal and requested it to start immediately. Ghosh said that both the ministers assured to provide necessary assistance to address the issues raised by BJP MPs so that people did not suffer due to failure of the state government. Almost all the BJP MPs including union minister from West Bengal attended the meeting except two -- S.S. Ahluwalia and Babul Supriyo. Sources said that Ahluwalia was unwell and Supriyo did not attend the meeting. Supriyo, a former union minister had on Saturday announced quitting politics but said on Monday that he will continue to work as an MP after a meeting with BJP chief J.P. Nadda. New Delhi, Aug 3 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched 'Delhi@2047', an initiative that seeks partnership with corporate houses and philanthropic bodies to help realise Delhi governments long-term goals across sectors. While launching the vision card for Delhi for the next 25 years, Kejriwal said the initiative is to prepare a roadmap for the development of the city in all sectors, including health and education. He asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government has presented a small portion of vision for Delhi till 2047 during the last annual budget, setting a target to increase Delhi's per capita income at par with Singapore by 2047. "Through this initiative, we will prepare a roadmap for development in all the sectors to make Delhi a world-class city. In the last five years, so many developments have come especially in the health and education sectors but there are still many sectors where the city needs development on an urgent basis," the Delhi Chief Minister said. He asserted that among the long list of vision for Delhi, many things are achievable in next one or two years and these need to be done on an urgent basis, such as cleaning of Yamuna, ensuring water availability, and tackling air pollution, among others. There are many other things which will take long time to have impact on the ground, he said. "During the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, we have found that collaborative efforts of the government and private agencies have strengthened our power in fighting against the virus. With this learning, I can say that Delhi can be made a world-class city by involving the private sector," Kejriwal said. During the virtual address, Kejriwal informed that the Delhi government has decided to set up nearly 1,000 lakes across the city. "As of today, nearly 100 public services are being provided at the doorsteps of the people. Also, the e-vehicle policy has been introduced with a long-term vision to shift Delhi's 100 per cent fuel-run vehicles into e-vehicles," he added. Speaking about the civic system in the national capital, the Delhi Chief Minister said the failure in waste management has always given a bad name to the country and now it has to be changed. "Delhi represents the whole India and hence its civic infrastructure should have a world-class system. I believe that the civic system of Delhi can be improved by involving private sector. It's not rocket science, but it is achievable," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal said that for sustainable development of the city, the Delhi government needs suggestions from the corporate sector. "It is the beginning of preparing a roadmap for 2047 and with more ideas and suggestions the list of vision will increase," he added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved salary hike of the members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) after getting approval from the Centre. With the approval from the cabinet, Delhi MLAs will now get a salary of Rs 30,000 per month. As per a provision of the Bill cleared by the Delhi Assembly in 2015, the basic salary of legislators will increase from the current Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000. However, the AAP government said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has scuttled the proposal and restricted it and capped the salary of the MLAs to only Rs 30,000. They will be getting a total of Rs 90,000 per month including Rs 30,000 basic salary and other allowances. The restriction imposed by the Centre has forced Delhi's MLAs to be amongst the lowest paid among all states in the country. "The salary of Delhi's MLAs hasn't increased since 2011 and the Delhi Government had requested the MHA that it should be at par with MLAs of other states, however the MHA refused to do so," said Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in a statement. The Delhi Government had proposed a salary of Rs 54,000 for the MLAs. "Now the salary plus allowances of the MLAs of Delhi has been restricted by the MHA to Rs 90,000," it said. Proposal for an increase in salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs was pending with the MHA for the last 5 years. The cabinet has also approved salaries and other allowances of Ministers of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and MLAs under the Legislative Assembly of Delhi (Amendment) Bills, 2021. "After Cabinet approval, the proposal and draft bills will be sent for MHA's approval before being placed in the Delhi Assembly," CMO said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 3 : Hiring in India is around 42 per cent above pre-Covid levels, according to latest Labour Market by LinkedIn. There was a deep hiring dip in April 2021, corresponding to a second wave of Covid-19 cases in India. Since then, it has been recovering steadily -- compared to the pre-Covid levels in 2019, it was 35 per cent higher at the end of May 2021, and 42 per cent higher at the end of June 2021. This is possibly due to a release of pent-up hiring (which accumulated in 2020 as companies took a more cautious stance towards hiring), the update showed. While competition for jobs is lower compared to 12 months ago, applicants are applying more aggressively. In 2020, the applications per job doubled during the height of global lockdowns. On the contrary, the average applications per job is 0.6 times compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the applications per applicant has been slowly increasing and has reached 1.2 times compared to last year. This suggests that the supply of jobs has increased in the market, and also that workers are more actively seeking jobs. In this environment, professionals who upskill will likely have a wider spectrum of jobs available to them, revealed the update. The data also showed that between January 2018 to June 2021, the share of Gen Zs entering the workforce has increased by over 4.2 times. Compared to people who only have basic or applied digital skills, Gen Z, who have either software/hardware skills or disruptive digital skills, are between 1.3 to 1.5 times more likely to be hired. Further, the update also looked at how job seekers in different industries are adapting to changes and adjusting their jobs search strategy. The hardware and networking sector is at the top of the list this month, but the rate has fallen from 2.9 times last month to 2.5 times this month. Over 75 per cent of those workers who transitioned out of the hardware and networking industry, moved to the software and IT sector in June 2021. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Aug 3 : The United Nations (UN) must step into this vacuum in Afghanistan and the Secretary General must immediately convene the Security Council meet and seek a clear mandate to empower the UN, both in the country and at the negotiating table, said Kai Eide and Tadamichi Yamamoto, UN former envoys to Afghanistan. That would mean the United States, Russia, China and other members of the council coming together to authorize a special representative to act as a mediator. With the pivotal support of member states, this would put pressure on both sides to halt the fighting and reach a settlement, said the authors in an opinion piece for New York Times. The authors served as United Nations envoys to Afghanistan, Eide from 2008 to 2010 and Yamamoto from 2016 to 2020. The UN must now step up and guide Afghanistan away from catastrophe. The alternative, as all-out civil war beckons, is too grim to contemplate, the authors said. They said the organization needs to do more. Though two UN envoys are currently assigned to Afghanistan, neither is sufficiently empowered to make a difference. The UN's humanitarian appeal to support the basic needs of Afghans - nearly half of whom urgently need material assistance - remains woefully underfunded. At the diplomatic level, the Security Council has looked on blankly as peace talks, held in Doha, Qatar, have failed to make any serious headway. "Yet no single country involved in Afghanistan is well placed to help. For its part in the conflict, the United States is now viewed with suspicion. Russia and China, which have different allies among Afghanistan's neighbors, aren't seen as neutral, either. Pakistan, regarded with hostility by the Afghan government for its ties with the Taliban, doesn't want the involvement of India, which has opened its own channels of communication with the Taliban. Turkey, Iran and the Central Asian states are all important but cannot act alone", they added. There has not been a unified effort to hold the peace process together. The Taliban, resisting talks with the government, have focused instead on taking as much territory as possible, spreading violence across the country. Faced with a fight for its survival, the Afghan government has encouraged local warlords and leaders to take up arms. In the absence of international mediation, the two sides are raging against each other on the battlefield rather than engaging at the negotiating table. It's a situation that revives dark memories of the 1990s, when the country descended into civil war, they added. The past few months in Afghanistan, even by the standards set by two decades of war, have been especially calamitous. Since April, when President Biden announced the withdrawal of US forces from the country, violence has escalated at a terrifying rate. Emboldened, the Taliban have advanced across the country and now surround major cities, including Kandahar, the second largest. The toll has been terrible: Vital infrastructure has been destroyed, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and the number of people killed or injured has reached record levels. As the United States and its allies complete their withdrawal, Afghanistan, so long devastated by conflict, could be on the brink of something much worse, they added. Srinagar, Aug 3 : Pakistani LeT terrorist Babar Ali, who had escaped from Shokbaba encounter on July 24, was on Tuesday killed in a gunfight with security forces who had tracked him down to a forested area of Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora, police said. "On July 23/24, three terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT, including Sharik Altaf (who had ex-filtrated in 2018), were killed in the Shokbaba encounter. However, terrorist Babar Ali had managed to escape from the said encounter site and was being continuously tracked rigorously thereafter. In furtherance of the tracking and after pinpointing his presence in Chandajji forest area today, a joint operation was launched by police, 26 Assam Rifles & CRPF in the said area," police said. Police said during the search operation, the hiding terrorist fired upon the search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight, Babar Ali, a resident of Punjab's Pakistan province, was killed and his body was retrieved from the site. Arms and ammunition including an AK rifle, two AK magazines, 40 AK rounds, one pouch, one wireless set and one medicine bag were recovered from the site of encounter. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint team of the security forces for successfully tracking down the terrorist and conducting operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage. Ranchi, Aug 3 : The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday directed the CBI to start the probe into the death of the Judge at the earliest, so that no evidence is destroyed. The court directed the state government to provide all logistics support and documents to the CBI. The CBI lawyer admitted that the letter of recommendation for a CBI probe has been received and it will be notified by Wednesday. The court also directed the Jharkhand DGP to ensure security to the judicial officers in the state. The court asked the DGP to ensure deployment of security guards at their houses. The court also wanted to know, if the incident took place at 5.08 a.m., why the FIR was lodged at 12.45 p.m. The Jharkhand government had formed an SIT to probe the matter. But, later it recommended the CBI probe into the death of the Judge. The special investigation team probing the killing of Additional Districts and Sessions Judge Uttam Anand has so far not made any headway despite arresting a total of 17 people in the case including autorickshaw driver Lakhan Verma and his associate Rahul Verma. The police has so far questioned more than 240 people in connection with the case, but is yet to arrive at a conclusion. It is now contemplating the idea of getting the Narco test done of the two main culprits and owner of the autorickshaw. Police sources said that both the main culprits are not very cooperative and are claiming that they were under the influence of liquor. This theory is not being accepted by the police team. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has already recommended a CBI probe into the incident while the High Court itself is monitoring the probe. Judge Uttam Anand was killed after an autorickshaw hit him on July 28 while he was on a morning walk. Mumbai, Aug 3 : Crisis-ridden IL&FS has recovered around Rs 33.28 crore by selling assets, including vehicles, furniture, and electrical installations among others. IL&FS Group had identified a total of 38 luxury vehicles within the group, which had a purchase price value of Rs 25 lakh and above. Out of the identified vehicles, 34 vehicles were sold and 2 others were surrendered to the leasing company. The sale was conducted via public auction and an amount of Rs 7.33 crore was realized, said a company spokesperson. However, two luxury vehicles remain within the group due to loan created on both the vehicles, and cannot be sold. Further, 20 other vehicles including cars, two-wheeler, and project vehicles were also identified and sold for Rs 65.33 lakh with the amount duly realised. Also, the movable assets of various group companies which included furniture and fixtures, electrical installations, lease improvements, old printers, UPS among others, located at offices, branches, and project sites that were closed or surrendered were auctioned, to recover an amount of around Rs 25.30 crore. The group had an outstanding debt of Rs 99,355 crore as October 2018. The resolution process of the group and its group companies is underway. Under the new board, a total of Rs 43,600 crore was the recovery addressed till May 31, 2021, which amounted to 44 per cent of the total debt. Around Rs 50,000 crore of estimated recovery is likely to be addressed by September 2021 and 95 per cent of the estimated recovery - Rs 58,000 crore - is expected to be addressed by March 2021, the group had said last month. The overall resolution of the IL&FS group companies is likely to stretch beyond the current fiscal as the group has said that around 95 entities will be addressed after FY22 which would result in a debt recovery of around Rs 3,000 crore. The Board of IL&FS expects to address overall debt recovery of Rs 61,000 crore. Most people would claim reading and traveling are two of their hobbies, but reading a travelogue is not exactly a cup of tea for most people. And expectedly, most readers were skeptical to read the book when recommended. 'I started the book expecting only to get through the first few pages, at best. However, I finished the book in two days! It was unputdownable! For the armchair traveller as well as the enthusiast for epic tales, this is a wonderful book with which to revisit the world of the Ramayana. 'In the footsteps of Rama, Travels with the Ramayana' is no ordinary travelogue. It is co-authored by Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni and published by HarperCollins (Price: Rs 599). Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni's quest to retrace the trail of Rama's fabled travels during his years in exile began with their trying to locate Chitrakoot on the map and realizing that they had little idea where it might be. Curious about the places mentioned in the Ramayana, they set off on a journey of their own, following Rama's route from Ayodhya to the Dandakaranya forest and Panchavati (near Nashik) and on to Kishkindhya (close to Hampi), Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. 'In the Footsteps of Rama' will take you on a wonderful journey of history, myth, culture and architecture. You also learn about the many wonderful human beings who are keeping the faith alive by giving up worldly pleasure and are more than happy to serve in devotion and pass the knowledge onto curious tourists. The book will instill a new faith and leave you with a desire to see the places for yourself and experience what the authors and many pilgrims would have. Along the way they would discover how closely the narrative of the Ramayana is linked to local folklore, and how the stories of the Ramayana and the moral framework that binds them together still speaks to the people who live in the land across which Rama, Sita and Lakshman made their journey. For the book research, the authors retraced the path Rama took during his 14-year exile. They covered Ayodhya, Allahabad, Chitrakoot, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Tuljapur, Nashik (Panchavati), Kishkindha (Hampi), Bangalore, Rameshwaram, and many places in Sri Lanka. They explore the places of significance, visit different temples, meet various people, and try to extract different stories and theories about Ram and his Vanvasa. The book is an interesting travelogue featuring mythology amidst the present-day milieu. Let me share with you the reasons why I recommend this book: 1. The book is full of local tales and fables which are entwined with the Ramayana. Many of the stories are new. Many of us have heard of Ramayana only from seeing the television serial made by Ramanand Sagar. Some of us have read parts of Ramcharitmanas but we don't know most of the stories. So, when one reads different stories and gets new perspectives and insights, it really makes the reading very interesting and adds a new dimension to the story that we have always known. 2. The authors have used a language which is lucid and free flowing. The descriptions are so vivid that you feel that you are travelling with the authors. Also, streaks of humor in the narrative puts a smile on your face often. The authors have travelled and experienced themselves. This is what makes the book charming and the anecdotes interesting. The stories are told with a lot of research and are authentic as the authors have compared them with other Ramayans. 3. The writing style is uniform, which I find very interesting because not one but two authors have written this book. I was expecting to see two different styles and that would have made reading a bit tiresome for the readers. However, the authors have managed to keep a uniform style throughout the book and I must compliment them for this. This is a unique book with two authors collaborating to write a single narrative. But the tone and tenor does not jar and it looks like it was written by one person only. 4. Reading this book, I felt very proud to belong to this country where we have such rich heritage. It made me proud of my Hindu roots too. 5. I never really gave much thought to the two epics. Never pondered, whether they really happened many years ago or not. However, after reading this book, it strengthened my belief that the epics are not a figment of someone's imagination but they did really happen and perhaps a large extent of it is true. 6. It is an excellent read for everyone who loves to read or loves to travel. Also, for people interested in mythology, this book is a gem! 7.The hardbound beautifully designed cover makes it a collector's item. The pictures tell a story themselves and are placed along the route of the journey. 8. There are many interesting aspects of Ramayana which I did not know of. For example, the whole concept of Lakshman Rekha I came to know is not there in Valmiki or Tulsi Ramayana. Also we had all believed the Shabari ate the berries to taste them before offering them to Rama. This too is a new fable and not part of the original Ramayanas. I believed Rama and Sita left for Vanvaas immediately after their marriage but the authors say that they left after spending 12 years in Ayodhya. There are many such things I learnt. 9. I liked the part where the authors travel to Sri Lanka as it is very descriptive and picturesque. The caves and the tunnel system in Sri Lanka which the Ravana army used is fascinating. 10.The book swings back and forth, from the epic era dialogues to authors' narratives, but the authors seamlessly stitch each piece together to keep the story line firmly on track. And one is constantly hooked on to the book with a curious sense of anticipation as to what is coming next! The exploratory and experiential way of writing is refreshing and makes the reader travel with them. It's amazing to see how our country is endowed with places which actually speak of the tales we have been brought up with. 'In the Footsteps of Rama' traces the journey of Rama and Sita, immersing the readers in mysticism. I hope the authors do a similar book on other Indian epics. It will bring us closer to our rich heritage! In the end I would strongly recommend everyone to read this book. It is available on all online bookstores. (Ashutosh Kumar Thakur is Bengaluru-based Management Consultant, Literary Critic and Advisor with Kalinga Literary Festival. He can be reached out at ashutoshbthakur@gmail.com) New Delhi, Aug 3 : The upper house of the parliament was adjourned for the day on Tuesday after passing Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill. The House saw brief discussion even as the opposition boycotted the proceedngs. The Finance Minister said that she wanted a debate as it is a very important bill. Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the opposition for blocking BJD's Amar Patnaik during the debate. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till 12 noon and then till 2 p.m. The opposition MPs had given suspension notice which was not allowed by the chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu. Congress MP from Assam, Ripun Bora had given suspension notice under rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the discord between Assam and Mizoram. Another Congress MP Shakti Singh Gohil had given notice in the alleged rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in Delhi. CPI MP Binoy Vishwam had also given notice to push for discussion on the Pegasus project which is the cause of stalemate in the upper house apart from rise in fuel price and farm laws. Earlier, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs and Deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha, raising point of order under Rule 238, said that comments made by Trinamool MP about 'papri chaat' are baseless. Later he said, "After hijacking proceedings of the House with uproar over baseless, fabricated issues, the TMC MP has now insulted Parliament and its members by comparing Parliamentary proceedings with making 'papri chaat'". The Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien in a tweet had said, "In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 Bills at an average time of under seven minutes per Bill, passing legislation or making papri chaat!" The TMC MP was referring to the passage of bills in the parliament without debate and discussion. The impasse between the government and the opposition continued even on Tuesday as the monsoon session entered third week since the commencement. The flashpoint is the Pegasus project snooping controversy on which the opposition demands discussion but the government says that after IT Minister's statement only clarification can be sought. The opposition also wants discussion on farm laws and fuel hike. New York, Aug 3 : Indian origin girls -- New Jersy-based Natasha Peri (11) and Dubai-based Priyamvada Deshmukh (12) -- have been named in the worlds "brightest" students list based on results of above-grade-level testing of 19,000 students across 84 countries, according to Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY), a part of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. "Peri, a student at Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School, was honoured for exceptional performance on the SAT, ACT, or similar assessment taken as part of the CTY Talent Search," said a statement from the CTY. Deshmukh, a student of GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai, has been honoured for her exceptional performance on the SCAT assessment taken as part of the CTY Talent Search, a university statement said. She was one of nearly 19,000 students from 84 countries who joined CTY in the 2019-21 Talent Search years. CTY uses above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their true academic abilities. Peri took the Johns Hopkins Talent Search test in Spring 2021, when she was in Grade 5. Her results in the verbal and quantitative sections levelled with the 90th percentile of advanced Grade 8 performance. "This motivates me to do more," she said, adding that doodling and reading J.R.R Tolkien's novels may have worked for her. Deshmukh took the Johns Hopkins Talent Search test in Spring 2020, when she was still in Grade 6. Her results in the verbal sections levelled with the advanced Grade 10 performance. She made the cut for Johns Hopkins CTY 'High Honors Awards'. Due to the Covid19 induced delay in Global logistics support, she finally received her much awaited "High Honors" pin this week, which she lovingly kept in front of her Grandparents photograph as tribute to her roots. The delay in officially getting the certificates did not stop her from attending the summer programme at John Hopkins University's CTY in English literature where she studied the confluence of Art and Science in literary writing and completed the course scoring 'A' Grade. She followed up with top scoring the second level of Asset Talent Examination which also qualified her for summer program at NorthWestern University this year, where she is learning about world building in fiction writing this year. Her elder brother was among the first UAE students to have cleared the Duke University TIP (Talent Identification Programme) when he was in Class 8. Her parents joke that its nothing but routine sibling rivalry that she wanted to achieve the same, just a year ahead of her brother. Even though she loves Physics and Computer Science as subjects, unlike her elder brother (who is Chancellor's Scholarship holder student of Astro Physics at University of Massachusetts), Deshmukh wants to pursue humanities and literature when she goes to college five years down the lane. As part of Johns Hopkins policy, granular information is not broken down by age or race. Likewise, it is left to the guardian to disclose the prodigy's name. Within the US, awardees come from all 50 US states. "We are thrilled to celebrate these students," said Virginia Roach, CTY's executive director. "In a year that was anything but ordinary, their love of learning shined through, and we are excited to help cultivate their growth as scholars and citizens throughout high school, college, and beyond," Roach added. The quantitative section of the Johns Hopkins CTY test measures the ability to see relationships between quantities expressed in mathematical terms, the verbal section measures understanding of the meaning of words and the relationships between them. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 : After a gap of three months, the Odisha government has asked all its offices to function with full strength. "All departments of the state government and sub-ordinate offices in the state shall function with full strength of employees until further orders," the general administration & public grievance department said in an order issued on Tuesday. As most of the employees are now fully vaccinated, the state government has asked all of them to mandatorily attend the office regularly. The employees who are unable to get vaccinated for medical or some other compelling reason, may seek exemption from attending office from the head of office, which would be considered on a case-to-case basis, it said. Employees who are neither vaccinated nor exempted would not be permitted to attend office and their absence will be treated as willful, warned the government. However, all the government offices will remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. In view of the second wave of Covid-19, the offices remained closed on all Saturdays. All the offices have been asked to follow issued instructions and guidelines to prevent spread of Covid infection and detection of any Covid case. On Tuesday, the state has reported 1,129 fresh Covid cases and confirmed 69 deaths, taking the death toll to 6,102. The State now has 14,325 active cases. Meanwhile, temples have been allowed to reopen for devotees in some districts including Puri, Sambalpur and Cuttack. However, the Sri Jagannath temple, Puri has not been reopened so far. New Delhi, Aug 3 : NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday met Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, sparking off speculations. Pawar himself sought to clear the air, terming it an official meet. "Had a brief meeting with Union Co-operation Minister Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi today along with Shri Jaiprakash Dandegaonkar, President of NFCSF (National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd) & Prakash Naiknavre to discuss issues faced by the sugar co-operative sector," he said. The meeting gained significance as it came on the same day as Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule attended the breakfast meeting of opposition leaders hosted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The Congress and the Shiv Sena, who are the Nationalist Congress Party's allies in the Maharashtra, however, dismissed any political significance of the meeting. The meeting came a day after Shiv Sainiks went on a rampage, tearing down a brand new hoarding erected by the Adani Airport Holding Ltd (AAHL) outside Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to protest against what they alleged was AAHL's unilateral move to abruptly 'change' the name of CSMIA and replace it with the Adani Group brand name. Pawar has been meeting the ruling party leaders and ahead of monsoon session on July 17, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and talked for about 50 minutes, the Prime Minister's Office said. The meeting took pace amid reports over fissures in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government in Maharashtra. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hong Kong, Aug 3 : Significant curbs on time spent outdoors and sharp rise in screen time during the coronavirus pandemic have led to the rise in childhood short-sightedness, also known as myopia, suggests a study. The condition changes the shape of the eye, causing light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of, instead of on the surface of, the retina. Short-sightedness in children matters because it puts them at risk of developing complications that increase the risk of irreversible impaired eyesight/blindness later in life, said researchers from the The Chinese University of Hong Kong. To find out if enforced behavioural and lifestyle changes during the pandemic might have affected children's vision, the team studied the eyes of 1,793 children. Around 1 in 5 (19.5 per cent) of the children in the Covid-19 group developed short-sightedness between January and August 2020, compared with around 1 in 3 (37 per cent) of those in the pre-Covid-19 group over a period of three years. The numbers of new cases of short-sightedness were higher among children in the Covid-19 group. The estimated 1-year incidence of short-sightedness was 28 per cent, 27 per cent, and 26 per cent, respectively, for 6, 7 and 8 year olds in the Covid-19 group, compared with 17 per cent, 16 per cent, and 15 per cent, respectively, for 6, 7, and 8 year olds in the pre-Covid-19 group. These changes coincided with a reduction in the time the children spent outdoors, from around an hour and 15 minutes to around 24 minutes/day and an increase in screen time from around 2.5 hours/day to around 7 hours/day. This is an observational study, and as such, can't establish cause, added to which the research included questionnaire data, which rely on recall. And the findings might not reflect the impact of Covid-19 in other parts of the world, where social distancing, quarantine, and school closure policies may be different, cautioned the researchers. Nevertheless, "despite all these insurmountable study limitations, our initial results still show an alarming myopia progression that warrants appropriate remedial action," said Dr Jason C.S. Yam, from the varsity's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. "(They) serve to warn eye care professionals, and also policy makers, educators and parents, that collective efforts are needed to prevent childhood myopia, a potential public health crisis as a result of Covid-19," he added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Aug 3 : The case trajectory of Covid-19 in India has registered substantial decline, from over four lakhs per day at the peak of the second wave to 30,549 on August 3, said Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry, Luv Agrawal, at a press conference here on Tuesday. Stating that fresh Covid cases are being reported from limited areas, Agrawal said that last week Kerala reported 40.95 per cent of total caseloads in India, followed by Maharashtra (19.43 per cent) and Karnataka (5.94 per cent). Analysing the district-wise Covid data, Agrawal said that in total, 279 districts reported over 100 cases in the first week of June. However, after one month, such districts' numbers were confined to 107 and currently only 57 districts are reporting over 100 cases. A total of 18 districts across the nation have showed the increasing tendency on Covid trajectory from last four weeks, he added. It includes 10 districts from Kerala, 3 from Maharashtra, 2 from Manipur and one each from Arunachal, Meghalay and Mizoram. Agrawal said that only these 18 districts contribute 47.5 per cent of daily Covid cases. The 10 districts of Kerala have reported around 40.6 per cent of Covid cases. India's active caseload has significantly declined and stands at 4 lakh currently. Kerala has over 1.65 lakh of active cases. In total nine states have over 10,000 active covid cases as of now. A total of 60 per cent Covid cases are being reported from Kerala and Maharashtra only, he said. India continues to keep positive trends of recovery rate at 97.3 per cent. "Overall declining trend observed across India in weekly positivity since week ending May 10. Weekly positivity less than 2 per cent for the first time in past three months have been noticed," said Agrawal. However, he said that 44 districts have over 10 per cent of positivity rate. In total, 5 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the last five days, he added. Talking about Kerala, Aggarwal said that the team sent to Kerala has submitted its report. Covid cases are growing at a rate of 17 per cent in Mallapuram district. The team has recommended strengthening testing and contact tracing in 10 districts of the state. The team has also recommended expanding the number of ICU beds in the state. Instead of 1:5 tracing, it should be 1:20, the team has recommended. Talking about R values (reproduction values), Agrawal said, "We have observed increasing reproductive values in limited trajectory." He said that in total, eight states have shown reproductive rates of over 1. He expressed concern over rising R values in Himachal Pradesh, adding that the second wave of Covid is far from over now. Niti Ayog Member (Health) VK Paul said that trials on children's vaccines are going on. An attempt has been made to show the national perspective in the Sero-survey. In 80 per cent of the cases, there are no symptoms of Covid, and it should not be linked to the death rate. He said, "We have observed increasing tendency in eight states. Only contact tracing can stop the Covid-19 infection". Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Aug 3 : 'Balika Vadhu', that addressed the subject of child marriage and became one of the most popular serials, is going to come up with its second season - 'Balika Vadhu 2'. It will capture the journey of new the 'Anandi' played by Shreya Patel and will address the same issue from a whole new perspective. The story revolves around Anandi and her fight for justice. Set in the rustic locales of the town of Devgarh, Gujarat, 'Balika Vadhu 2' traces the story of two friends, 'Premji' played by Sunny Pancholi and 'Khimji' depicted by Anshul Trivedi. Khimji's wife gives birth to a girl, 'Anandi', while a little boy 'Jigar' (played by Vansh Sayani) is born to 'Premji'. Later Anandi and Jigar are married to each other in a 'Baal Vivah'. The show will start from August 9 on Colors. It will address the custom of child marriage albeit from a whole new perspective. The show will introduce the audience to a new Anandi and the challenges that she faces as a child bride. It is produced by Sunjoy Wadhwa and Comall Wadhwa. Speaking about the show, producer Sunjoy Wadhwa, says: "We have always believed in the power of stories and the change that they can bring. The entire nation is a witness to how Balika Vadhu changed the perception of millions across the country and the face of Indian television. We still believe in the power of its concept as a section of our society affirms the custom of child marriage even today." Producer Comall Wadhwa adds: "This time through Balika Vadhu, we will take viewers to the nooks and corners of Gujarat to tell the story of 'Nayi Anandi'. A lot of girls are still fighting this battle of being in a child marriage every day and our story and characters will be an inspiration to them." Actress Shreya Patel who is playing the role of Anandi shares how special this character is for the audience and she can relate with her onscreen image very well. Shreya says: "My family always told me about the special place the character of Anandi holds in the hearts of many Indians. I am extremely excited as well as a little nervous to play a character that left such an impact on everyone. My character of Anandi in many ways is like who I am, she is brave, happy and loves doing 'garba'. I eagerly look forward to the new journey." New Delhi/Panaji : , Aug 3 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested one of the key accused in the murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, the uncle of Andhra Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, sources said on Tuesday. "The agency has arrested Sunil Yadav from Goa," a CBI source related to development told IANS. He said that Yadav, whose role emerged after several rounds of questioning earlier by the agency, was arrested after CBI sleuths carried out searches for him, as he had shifted to Goa with his family. The arrest comes almost two years after the gruesome murder of Vivekananda Reddy, the the brother of late (undivided) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in his house on March 15, 2019. The case was transferred to the CBI following an appeal by his wife and daughter to the High Court. Jagan Mohan Reddy had then alleged that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) played a role in the murder and demanded a CBI probe. After he took over as Chief Minister in 2019, he faced embarrassment when his cousin and Vivekananda Reddy's daughter went to the high court last year. The CBI had recorded the statement of several persons in connection with the case. The source said that the agency has also found that amount in crores was given as blood money for the murder of Vivekananda Reddy by the accused. Kolkata, Aug 3 : A major fire broke out at the Haldia Petrochemicals plant in Haldia in East Midnapore district of West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon. The chemical factory's internal fire system has been pressed to action, but even nearly two hours after the detection of the fire, it is still to be brought under control. The plant authorities, however, assured that there no one is trapped inside and there is very minimum possibility of any casualty. According to officials of Haldia Petrochemicals, there some repair work was going on in the pipeline attached to the Naphtha plant when the fire broke out. "Naptha is highly combustible and a little spark might cause fire. Generally, we clear the entire tank before any kind of repair work, but there is a possibility that some residual chemical was lying in the pipeline which caused the fire," a senior official of HPL said. Though the plant's internal firefighting system has been pressed into action and help has been sought from the other factories in the nearby locality, senior officials of the plant are of the opinion that the fire will not douse until the Naptha inside the pipeline is completely burned. "We are at present trying to arrest the fire so that it doesn't spread to the other portions of the plant," the official added. In a similar incident, in September 2019 a major fire broke out at the Naphtha cracker unit of the the plant, injuring 15 people. Established in the '90s, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., often referred to as HPL, is one of the largest petrochemical companies in India, with a total capacity equivalent to 10,00,000 TPA of ethylene. It was formed out of a joint venture between the Government of West Bengal, The Chatterjee Group, TATA Group and Indian Oil Corporation in 1994. Commercial production started in 2001. The factory complex is located 125 km from Kolkata. HPL is a Naphtha-based petrochemical complex with the capacity to process more than 3,50,000 TPA of polymer. Its main products are Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Benzene, Butadiene, Cyclopentane, C4 Hydrogenated (LPG), Pyrolysis Gasoline (Py Gas), Carbon Black Feedstock (CBFS) and Motor-Spirit, MTBE and Butene-1. Mumbai, Aug 3 : In an unprecedented development in the country's political history, Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Tuesday expressed strong "displeasure" over what it termed attempts by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "create two power centres" and "interfere in the state administration". The 79-year-old Governor's actions "led to outrage" at the Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and ministers of all three allies - Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress - present. Minority Affairs Minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik informed media persons that the Cabinet has directed Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte to personally visit Raj Bhavan on Tuesday itself and convey the MVA government's "intense sentiments" on the issue to the Governor's aides. Kunte been asked to meet Koshyari's Secretaries and brief them on the rights and duties of the Governor as per the Constitution, he added. The fast-paced political development came even as NCP President Sharad Pawar shared moments of bonhomie with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. "The Governor seems to have forgotten that he is no longer the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, but the Governor of Maharashtra," Malik said without mincing words. The provocation for the fresh war between the MVA government and the Raj Bhavan was the Governor's plan for a 3-day visit to Nanded, Hingoli, and Parbhani districts later this week. Among his engagements are inaugurating two hostels - one each for boys and girls - funded and constructed by the state government, which are completed, but not yet handed over to the local university. "It is the prerogative of the state government to inaugurate it and hand over to the university. Hence, it was not appropriate on the part of the Governor to conduct the programme directly without asking the Minorities Department or the state administration. This is an infringement on the government's rights as per the Constitution," Malik said. Besides, the Governor plans to hold review meetings at the Collectorates with the District Collectors of Nanded, and Hingoli on August 6 and Parbhani on August 7, which has irked the MVA government. "We have no objections to any programmes of the Governor at the universities as planned since he is the Chancellor of all state varsities... But why the other meetings. Is the Governor trying to create 'two power centres' in state?" Malik asked. The Minister pointed out that Koshyari frequently speaks of "how he climbed hills, did this or that" when he was the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (2001-2002), but he must realise that he no longer holds the post, but is the Governor of Maharashtra. He expressed the hope that after the Chief Secretary's briefing, the Raj Bhavan will suitably modify the Governor's programmes, especially those pertaining to the hostels' inauguration and the series of review meetings with three District Collectors. This is not the first time that the Governor has resorted to breaching the rights of the state government and had earlier started taking Covid-19 review meetings, which finally ended after the MVA government complained to the Centre, Malik added. He said that the Governor has not taken a decision yet on the list of nominations of 12 MLCs from the Governor's quota to the Legislative Council though the state cabinet has already cleared it in November 2020, as also the list of MPSC Members. "We are very hopeful that the Governor will do the needful in these pending matters soon," Malik said, optimistic of an end to the latest bout of friction. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, Aug 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually chair an open debate on maritime security at the United Nations Security Council on August 9, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. It will be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister will preside over an open debate at the world body. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet, "PM @narendramodi will Chair Open Debate on 'Maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security' in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August. This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate." On August 1, India took over the rotating presidency for the month at the 15-nation UN Security Council, and on January 1, India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. It is India's seventh term. India has planned high-level engagements with the world community on key focus issues like maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism during the month of August. India has been in the forefront in helping friendly countries in pursuit of the country's 'Act East' policy and to enhance military cooperation with the friendly countries. The Indian Navy undertakes regular deployments to friendly foreign countries and in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions in furtherance of the Prime Minister's initiative of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR). Such engagements build 'Bridges of Friendship' and strengthen international cooperation. These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards 'Freedom of Navigation' at sea. Besides regular port calls, Indian Navy operates in conjunction with the friendly navies to build military relations and develop interoperability in the conduct of maritime operations. Shimla, Aug 3 : The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed HP University Vice Chancellor Sikander Kumar and Registrar Suneel Sharma to appear before the court on August 9 in a petition relating to lack of infrastructure in the Jawaharlal Nehru College of Fine Arts here. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed the orders on a petition taken up suo moto as public interest litigation on a letter by college students. It says the state government started the college in May 2015 in five rooms of Government Degree College in Chaura Maidan and about 143 students are currently enrolled. However, the college does not have experienced teachers and proper infrastructure, including labs and workshops. They had complained about the non-compatibility of the syllabus with that of other universities and non-declaration of the results. They said a piece of land has been allotted to the college near Shimla but "it seems the college authority is not interested to shift to the proposed area". The court in its earlier orders observed the maintenance of standard of education "is a solemn responsibility of the university, but as far as this college is concerned, the university has miserably failed to do so". "Therefore, it becomes necessary in the interest of the students that the quality of education that is being imparted be considered by the court." During the hearing, the standing counsel appearing for the university said in spite of making repeated requests, no proper instructions are being given by the university on the issue. In view of this, the court asked the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar to appear personally before it. New Delhi, Aug 3 : While on the face of it, Ayyub Thakur was 'lobbying for the Kashmir cause, he allegedly also provided significant support to terror activities against India, channelling ISI funds to Kashmir through various of his fronts and affiliates. DisinfoLab reported that Thakur was alleged to have funnelled funds to militant organisations in J&K via his charity "Mercy Universal". In June 2002, J&K police arrested a businessman, Imtiaz Ahmed Bazaz, on charges of funnelling funds sent by Ayyub Thakur from the UK to Kashmiri separatists, including Asiya Andrabi and her organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat. During his interrogation, Bazaz confessed to contacting Ayyub Thakur for channelling funds sent by Pakistan's ISI. In response, Ayyub Thakur claimed that he had sent the money for purchasing sewing machines for the women of Kashmir. However, while Ayyub Thakur might have denied his role, his son Muzzammil seems to have a different opinion. During an interview with a J&K based media channel, 'Only Kashmir' (in 2015), he admitted that his father "funded terrorism in Kashmir" and that he also believed it was justified as "Jihad". Registered in 2000 by Ayyub Thakur, its current board members include Javed Iqbal Aziz, A Hussain, Atif Hussain and Nazir Ahmed. Mercy International was also alleged to be the front used by Ayyub Thakur for funding militants and separatists. The Justice Foundation was set up in 2003 by Ayyub Thakur, but within a year he passed away. After his death on March 10, 2004, Ghulam Nabi Fai took over the leadership of Justice Foundation alongside his close acquaintance Nazir Ahmad Shawl as Director. During 2011, when FBI issued an affidavit against Fai, Nazir Ahmad Shawl (Executive Director) was active in the UK circuit and was attending events with Pak leaders and Kashmiri separatists. Interestingly, Harsh Mander, former IAS officer and Director of Centre for Equity Studies, was also one of the advisors of The Justice Foundation (details now removed from website). It is worth noting that Mander's name had also appeared in the earlier story on USCIRF (Un-ending War-II) in the context of fabricated database of minority atrocities in India was being peddled through DOTO and Quill Foundation. Mander was in the Advisory Board of Quill Foundation. DOTO is also partners with Justice For All, DisinfoLab reported. Ayyub Thakur was dismissed from service at the Kashmir University in August 1980 because of political activism while working in government service, and was imprisoned for five months. Immediately after his release, at the invitation of Gulam Nabi Fai, his friend-cum-associate at Kashmir University, Ayyub Thakur moved to Jeddah in 1981 where with Fai's help he became the Faculty of Engineering in the Department of Nuclear Physics. Subsequently, he shifted to the UK in 1986, on a Fellowship arranged by his friend Fai. Fai and Thakur had started their Kashmir activism during their association with Jamaat-e-Islami. It is not clear whether Fai was already engaged by the ISI during that time, or was he doing it of his own will. The duo envisaged and strategised to 'internationalise' the Kashmir issue. They decided to target 50 to 60 foreign students who enrolled at the Kashmir University, Regional Engineering College, and Government Medical College. The plan was to convince the foreign students to become 'unpaid ambassadors' of the 'Kashmir cause'. During this time, Ghulam Nabi Fai managed to get the Imam of the holy mosque at Makkah to attend the Seerat Conference in Kashmir. This was also evidence of the level of liaison and influence which Fai had managed to cultivate with the Saudi authorities. An influence he would use to get his friend Ayyub Thakur to Saudi in 1980s, and get him a job. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said that it has arrested two CGST officials, including a Superintendent, from Patna for demanding and taking bribes. A CBI spokesperson here said that the agency has arrested Superintendent, CGST, Umesh Prasad, and Inspector, CGST, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, and carried out searches at their premises in Patna. The official said that the agency had registered a case against the accused, posted in the office of Directorate General of GST, Intelligence, Zonal Unit, Patna on a complaint alleging demand of a Rs 50,000 bribe for favouring the complainant's firm in the enquiry of bank transactions. "The CBI team laid a trap and caught the accused while accepting bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant," he said, adding that both the arrested accused will be produced before the competent court in Patna. Srinagar, Aug 3 : A policeman and a civilian were injured in a militant attack in Srinagar city on Tuesday, police said. Police sources said that militants fired at a car in which a policeman and a civilian were travelling in Khanyar area of Srinagar. "Both of them sustained bullet injuries. They have been shifted to hospital. The area has been cordoned off for searches," a police source said. Mumbai, Aug 3 : The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced the much-anticipated relief package of Rs 11,500 crore for emergency relief, repairs and long-term rehabilitation measures for the victims of the recent devastating floods which hit 9 districts last month. The decision was taken at a crucial cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and ministers of all three allies -- Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, said Relief & Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar. As an immediate measure, the government will provide Rs 10,000 to all affected families for loss of clothes, household utensils, furniture, etc, he said. Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that around 4 lakh hectares of agricultural lands have been completely ravaged in the flood havoc and 20 per cent of the balance work of recording 'panchnamas' is still underway. However, all the affected people will be provided sufficient aid to help them rebuild their lives and he urged the Centre to come forward and help the state grappling with the huge crisis, he added. Among the highlights, of the total fund, Rs 1,500 crore is for assistance, Rs 3,000 crore for reconstruction activities of the ravaged regions, and Rs 7,000 crore for flood mitigation measures in these areas, said Thackeray. The government will extend relief of Rs 150,000 per house pucca/kutchha house, which was destroyed completely, Rs 50,000 for homes which suffered 50 per cent destruction, and Rs 25,000 for homes with 25 percent damage, and Rs 15,000 for lesser havoc, and Rs 15,000 for each hutment destroyed. In urban centres, the payment would be as per eligibility for slums under the rehabilitation for a declared slum belt and in rural areas, those eligible for regularisation but not yet regularised shall be entitled for the aid. Authorised shopkeepers, who are are local residents, shall be given up to a maximum of Rs 50,000 or upto 75 per cent of the actual losses as per the panchnamas, and local stall-owners will get maximum aid of Rs 10,000 or upto 75 per cent of their loss. For the loss of dairy animals, the payout would be Rs 40,000 per animal - pulling animals between Rs 20,000/Rs 30,000 per animal, sheep, goats, pigs at Rs 3,000 per creature with limitation of 30 small milch animals per family, Rs 50 per poultry bird with a maximum of 100 birds per family, and Rs 5,000 for lost poultry sheds. Fisherfolk, who suffered substantially, shall be entitled to Rs 25,000 for total loss of boats, Rs 10,000 for partial damage, and upto Rs 5,000 for loss of fishing nets. Local artisans/craftspersons shall be given upto 75 per cent of their actual losses or maximum of Rs 50,000, with 12 categories included for the aid. Meanwhile, Minister of State Aditi Tatkare demanded that the Centre should immediately sanction Rs 1,000 crore towards flood aid in the state, while Congress' former MP Hussain Dalwai said that the package had not given sufficient aid to the worst-hit Konkan region. A record downpour aggravated by other circumstances resulted in massive floods in nine districts of the coastal Konkan and western Maharashtra in the fourth week of July, besides tragedies of landslips, hillslides, house-crashes, waterlogging for several days, etc. Always with an ear to the ground, Indian photo-journalist Danish Siddiqui, prior to his brutal murder in the Spring Boldak area on the Afghan-Pakistan border, exposed the nefarious link between the Taliban and its real masters-the Pakistan military. In a short but pithy video interview with a 50-year Taliban " foot soldier," Siddiqui exposed how Pakistani military was mobilizing the Taliban cannon fodder drawn from the Afghan refugee camps near Peshawar before pushing them into battle in Afghanistan. In the interview , the militant , seated with what appear to be fellow fighters, affirms that he belongs to Zakhir camp near Peshawar. "My home is Zakhir camp, Peshawar. My upbringing is from there." It is apparent that the insurgent landed up in northwest Pakistan in the backdrop of the Soviet intervention in the seventies. More than 5 million Afghans became refugees during what is popularly called the anti-Soviet Jihad. After four decades of the infamous event, nearly 1.5 million Afghans still reside on Pakistani soil. Taking full advantage of their vulnerable status, the Pakistani inter-services Intelligence (ISI) saw that they had a vast reservoir of vulnerable people which could be pushed into a proxy-war with the leadership in Kabul, to achieve Islamabad's larger geopolitical goals. The insurgent interviewed by Siddiqui acknowledges that Pakistani military officers had approached him at Zakhir camp resulting in his return to Afghanistan under the Taliban's flag. Asked specifically when he had met anyone from the Pakistani army and told what to do, the militant said: "Yes, of course. Else why would we have come here." He acknowledged that he had not become an insurgent because of any ideological reasons, but because of the fog of war. "...nothing was clear due to violence," he replied when asked by Siddiqui as to why he had picked the gun. The Taliban foot soldier said that the Pakistani army had given him money and arms. Besides, he had been trained to fire a variety of weapons ranging from Kalashnikov rifles, rocket launchers and even shoulder fired missiles. As reported by India Narrative earlier Siddiqui was brutally murdered, and his body abused on orders of Pakistan's notorious Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) after he was injured. In an investigative report that appeared in the American publication Washington Examiner the paper said that it's wrong to say that the Indian photojournalist was killed while covering fighting in Afghanistan. "He was not simply killed in a crossfire, nor was he simply collateral damage; rather, he was brutally murdered by the Taliban." Citing the various sources and Afghanistan's local authorities, the report paints a clear picture of the mystery surrounding Siddiqui's death. The photo-journalist was "embedded" with the Afghan National Army team to cover fighting between the Afghan forces and the Taliban at Spin Boldak near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. While the Afghan army was near the custom check post, it came under heavy fire from the Taliban. Siddiqui was injured in the cross-fire after the Afghan unit split into two. Three Afghan soldiers then carried the injured Siddiqui, who was very much alive, to a nearby mosque to administer first aid. It was while he was being treated in the mosque that word spread and seeped into Taliban nodes that an injured media person was being in the mosque. It was then that a Taliban unit swooped over and captured the mosque. The situation became really ugly when the captors came to know that Siddiqui was an Indian national. Consequently, he was killed after body was riddled with bullets fired at close range. The brutalisation took place after that. The photojournalist's head was battered and his body disfigured. "The photos that have appeared in the media do not reveal the actual situation. Siddiqui's head and face have been brutalised beyond recognition," an insider told India Narrative. The insider pointed out that the Taliban took the extreme step on the orders of the ISI. "It was done with a clear message to India. Do not mess around in Afghanistan. If you do the consequences would be horrific." (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative New Delhi, Aug 3: Both invocations and protests rise from the roofs of Herat after dark. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar ", God is great, repeat the voices of the residents- children and adults, men and women of Herat as they call for divine help and protection. Herat- the ancient city - which has historically been the citadel of civilization and culture - has come under attack once again. The Taliban - the instrument of power and destruction of foreign governments, have reached the outskirt of the third largest city of Afghanistan. It is here that Ismail Khan - the man in the centre of the arena, steps in and vows to defend the city. Citizens of Herat have rallied behind their Ameer Saheb as Ismail Khan popularly known in Afghanistan, to throw out the Taliban from the city and its districts. One resident recounts the dramatic development that his city is undergoing. "Tonight was a special night, I wept all alone on the roof of my building hearing people shouting God is Great. It was a very short moment of true inner feeling, but I think it was once-in-a-life experience, shaking my body in finding hope, sense of belonging and community with the rest of the people in the city. This event showed we are all together in this bad phase of history. It is only through these events that we can stay alive, having hope for a better future, one which is void of terror and darkness, and is full of humanity and love. It is times like these and cities like #Herat and leaders like #IsmailKhan that leave legends for our grandchildren to proudly recall," wrote Ahmadullah Azadani, a citizen of Herat. Ismail Khan - some call him a "warlord," others respect him as an "Amir''. A former Mujahid in his 70s has picked up his Kalashnikov, against the Taliban. It was him & his "army" who have prevented the fall of Herat so far. It's incredible to think of Ismail Khan's journey from the 1979 Herat rebellion to fighting the Taliban again in 2021. He's likely to be immortalised in Afghanistan if he succeeds in holding ground. Mohammad Ismail Khan is one of the most powerful ex- mujahideen and warlords alive, fought first against Soviets, and then against the Taliban. A Tajik from Herat, Ismail Khan is a former Afghan army officer who in 1979, at the beginning of the occupation of Afghanistan, started a revolt against the Soviet military that led him to become the most important mujahideen commander of the Herat. In 1992, he became the governor of the province. Engaged in the subsequent civil war, he fought against the Taliban until he was captured in 1997. But Khan the survivor and protector managed to escape, to subsequently become one of the key elements of the anti-Taliban military coalition ( Northern Alliance / United Front). The Northern Alliance became key to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom that majorly helped the US forces to liberate Afghanistan from the Taliban in 2001. Khan became a minister in the Karzai government but subsequently parted ways. India has a very good relationship with the 'Lion of Herat". The veteran Amir played a key role in the building of Salma dam by the Indian government. In April Ismail Khan was in India to meet the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Last month Afghan president Ashraf Ghani went to Herat to meet Ismail Khan and assured him of all the support of Afghan army. "We will soon go [for the Taliban to the frontlines] in the city and all western zone with the help of God to change the situation," Ismail Khan said while exhorting his supporters while taking a round the city. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Afghan defence ministry Fawad Aman has said that the Taliban suffered heavy casualties in the outskirts of Herat city on Monday. 41 terrorists were killed and 32 others were wounded by the Afghan army and Public Uprising Forces. Also, 14 terrorists including 2 Pakistani were arrested. US B-52 bomber continued to pound Taliban positions in Siawoshan area of Herat Province. The big military operation to push the Taliban back from all districts of Herat provinces is in full swing. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Kolkata, Aug 3 : Incessant rains last week coupled with huge volumes of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have led to flood-like situation in seven districts of West Bengal, leaving at least 8 dead and displacing over 3 lakh people from their homes in the last four days. Though the NDRF and the Indian Air Force have been pressed into action, the situation is still grim in the state. According to senior state government officials, incessant rains for four days last week have led to flood-like situation in the lower catchment area of Damodar valley, forcing the DVC to release water which led to the rise of water-level in different rivers like Rupnarayan, Gandheshwari, Darakeshwar and Keleghai, flooding several villages in the districts of East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, West Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah and South and North 24 Parganas. The situation is such that the state government had to seek the help of Indian Air Force, and from Monday onwards, two IAF helicopters were pressed into action. The Army and the Air Force on Monday undertook rescue and relief operations in Hooghly district, where many areas have been submerged due to excess rainfall and overflowing of rivers. Several areas in East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, West Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts are reeling under flood, with people struggling to wade through waist-deep water. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed the ministers to keep a tab on the rescue operations and see that relief materials reach all the affected people. Over one lakh tarpaulin, 1,000 MT of rice, thousands of drinking water pouches and clean clothes have been sent to the rescue shelters for those affected, an official stated. "We have not yet estimated the loss incurred due to the floods. As of now, our sole priority is to rescue the affected people," a senior state government official said. Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee, who visited the flood-hit areas in Ghatal in West Medinipur district on Monday, said that he would apprise the Chief Minister of the situation, and steps would be taken accordingly to tackle the situation. "I have witnessed several floods in the past, but the situation is terrible this time. The CM had asked me to look into the matter. After conducting the survey, I will report to her," Mukherjee said. "At least one lakh people have been moved to safety in Hooghly district alone after their houses were damaged. There are several others who are still stranded on the roofs of their homes or on elevated structures," he said, adding that the NDRF personnel are working to rescue them. Choppers have dropped emergency food supplies in the affected areas. "Helicopters of the Indian Air Force rescued 31 people from rooftops and brought them to Arambagh," he added. One flood-relief column of the Army was deployed at Dhanyaghari in Hooghly, the official said. Meanwhile, a DVC official said that water was last discharged from its dams on July 31. Hyderabad, Aug 3 : With an overwhelming majority of Hyderabad's IT/ITeS employee base still working from home and concern about third wave of Covid hampering efforts to get employees back to office, 70 per cent of the companies feel that hybrid will be the future work model. According to a survey conducted by Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), the apex body of IT/ITeS companies in Hyderabad, the hybrid model based on rotation and hybrid model with partial Work From Home (WFH) and partial Work From Office (WFO) will be the preferred future work models of the organisations. According to the survey findings, 37 per cent companies prefer hybrid model (WFH+WFO) based on rotation while 33 per cent are for hybrid model with partial week WFH and partial week WFO. As many as 22 per cent of companies stated they are not yet sure. Six per cent prefer return to pre-Covid normal while only two per cent want to have only essential employees WFO. Nearly 25 per cent of HYSEA members responded to the survey. They represent nearly 25 per cent of the IT/ITeS population in Hyderabad. Medium/large/very large (MLVL) companies form a substantial 36 per cent of the total respondents, giving the survey results credibility. Nearly 45 per cent of the respondents are GCCs (global companies with their technology operations in Hyderabad) According to the survey, small companies seem to have moved first in getting employees back to office. Nearly 20 per cent of the responding companies said they already have more than 20 per cent of staff WFO. Across sizes, nearly 76 per cent of all companies have less than 9 per cent WFO. Among the MLVL (> 500 employees) companies, this WFO percentage is less than 5. As many as 91 per cent of the companies have more than 25 per cent of their workforce operating from outside Hyderabad. A significant 53 per cent have more than 40 per cent of their workforce operating from outside Hyderabad. This is more prevalent among the MLVL companies with the average being over 40 per cent. Assuming an overall workforce of 6 lakh plus, this translates to nearly 2 lakh being outside Hyderabad. This factor is eventually turning out to be a big constraint in getting employees return to office. A majority of the MLVL companies want to get their employees back to office in 2021. A total of 33 per cent of all companies want to get employees back to office in 2021. Another 41 per cent want to do so in 2022. The survey reveals that 25 per cent are not sure of their plans and prefer to wait and see how things evolve. A total 73 per cent of companies are looking to get minimum 10 per cent and maximum 50 per cent of employees back in office by December 2021. The remaining 27 per cent of the companies will be operating with less than 10 per cent employees working from office by December 2021. Among the MLVL companies, nearly 60 per cent are looking at getting more than 20 per cent and in some cases, more than 50 per cent of the employees back to office by end of 2021. By end of March 2022, 79 per cent of companies (including MLVL) will have anywhere from 30 per cent to 90 per cent employees WFO. It translates to minimum 2 lakh and maximum 5 lakh employees back in offices by March 2022. An overwhelming majority (more than 84 per cent) companies said they expect employees to have taken at least one vaccination dose before they can return to office. This percentage holds good for MLVL companies too. Teamwork & collaboration, mentorship, training & development, organisation culture, identity and loyalty and to increase employee morale are the top reasons companies want employees to get back to office. Client imperative also appeared as a key driver among the IT services companies. A substantial 40 per cent of the companies also said they keep the factor of dependent sectors in mind while making the decision. The top constraint across the board for getting employees back to office turned out to be many employees are outside Hyderabad. This is followed closely by concern about third wave, PG Hostel and other safe accommodation for returning employees, many employees still not vaccinated, and schools not reopened. Approximately 36 per cent of companies have at least 50-75 per cent employees vaccinated. As many as 63 per cent companies see no challenges in getting employees fully vaccinated while 25 per cent feel vaccine availability is a challenge. About 12 per cent see vaccine hesitancy among employees as a challenge. The companies expect HYSEA and the government to continue to position Hyderabad as a place of investment and growth, ensure widespread availability of vaccines across the state, safety and availability of accommodation at PG hostels and other places, highlight the benefits of working from office, and help spread awareness about social distancing and vaccination. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Kashmir narrative is controlled by a set of US/UK-based 'Kashmiris who make a living off Kashmir conflict, DisInfoLab reported. Since about 2015-16, the 'family business is being passed to the next generation with the help of Pakistani establishment, and vested interests. The Kashmir conflict has become the family business of The Fais, the Thakurs, the Kanjwals, the Ashais, the Fazilis and the Safis, with the show being run by the Pakistani establishment, with help from 'concerned' Whites. Only the Kashmiris are missing from the Kashmir narrative, DisinfoLab reported. The next-gen 'activists' controlling the Kashmir narrative are progenies of yester-generation 'activists', groomed in best US institutes, but with no worthwhile experience of Kashmir. Their parents had moved to the developed world and set up shops facilitated by ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai, Disinfo Lab reported. Aejaz Dar, son of Md Akram Dar, a registrant of 'Stand with Kashmir' also founded 'Americans for Kashmir'. 'Free Kashmir' is a project of 'Justice for All', a Jamaat-e-Islami front, having linkages with terror groups and run by Abdul Malik Mujahid. 'Friends of Kashmir' is another activism shop set up by Ghazala H. Khan who is associated with the Kashmir Khalistan Referendum Front (KKRF), alongside Gurpatwant Pannun from 'Sikhs for Justice', a Pakistani product. FoK also has links with IHF, run by Sajjad Burki, President, PTI USA, the report said. That SWK was merely a 'facelift' was also evident from its Facebook page, which was borrowed from Justice for Kashmir, whose first follower and promoter on Twitter was Muzzammil Thakur -- the new darling activist of the Pakistani establishment. SWK comes to symbolise the face of Kashmiri resistance with Hafsa, Fazili, Huma Dar, etc. (Experts) and Sehla Ashai (Treasurer). It was set up in 2019 as a 'fresh organisation' with new faces. However, as is shown, the front is connected with the same ISI-run nexus. These 'activists' set up organisations - Stand with Kashmir, Justice for Kashmir, Friends of Kashmir, Free Kashmir, Americans for Kashmir and so on. They host webinars, carry out social media campaigns. They are then amplified by an organised syndicate, the report said. Muzzammil is not alone. Many other 'Kashmiri activists' have come of age: Hafsa Kanjwal, Sameera Fazili, Ather Zia and Sehla Ashai -- all living in the US/UK. Muzzamil was born in Saudi Arabia and lives in London. His love for Kashmir was rekindled by two events -- his marriage to Shaista Safi (d/o Ghulam Safi, APHC convener who was removed by Geelani for corruption); and a patronage of the Pakistan House (run by ex-ISI chief). Shaista is a lobbyist at YFK. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday reiterated that all illegal structures, including farmhouses, on Aravalli forest land would have to go while hearing a plea by Haryana's Faridabad Municipal Corporation in connection with demolition of residential constructions, which had come up in the forest area near Lakkarpur-Khori village. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, representing the village residents, submitted before the top court that the land on which the civic body carried out demolition of residential house falls under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) and there are large number of farmhouses, should be treated as deemed forest under the act, and therefore, they should also be removed. He added that process to remove them must also start. At this, the bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar said: "Yes, yes, all those should also go. Our order very clear, all unauthorised illegal structures will have to go." Haryana government counsel informed the court that a new rehabilitation policy has been drafted and sought 2-3 weeks' time to finalise the policy. The bench also comprising Justice Dinesh Maheshwari observed that those who are eligible under the policy are likely to be rehabilitated. As Parikh submitted that policy has laid down certain conditions which are difficult to comply, the bench said the authorities will take the final decision and that decision can be challenged. "The justness of the policy can be tested," it added. Parikh added: "The state is completely washing of its hands. At present the people are facing difficulties with the temporary shelter." He pressed for directions to appoint an independent person to look into the condition of the people living there. A lawyer in the matter said people, whose houses have been demolished, have made representation to the commissioner and they have been asked to go to either Radha Soami Satsang premises or Red Cross. "Something should be done by the state. There are lactating mothers and children there. Temporary arrangement should be made," submitted the lawyer representing the petitioners. The municipal corporation counsel submitted that arrangements like beds, toilets and food have already been made available. "Almost 50 per cent population there was staying on rent, and they have gone from there. Most of them have migrated," counsel added. The top court said to address the grievance of the locals, the Commissioner may consider setting up extended office in the Radha Swamy complex where these persons have been provided full shelter & accommodation. It added that the status report about the steps taken to be submitted to it. The top court, after hearing the arguments, posted the matter for further hearing on August 25. On July 23, the top court had granted four more weeks to the municipal corporation to remove encroachments on forest land. The municipal corporation had submitted that unauthorised structures on nearly half of the total 150-acre area has been cleared. The top court on June 7 had directed state of Haryana and Faridabad Municipal Corporation to remove "all encroachments", consisting around 10,000 residential constructions, on Aravali forest area. Jaipur, Aug 3 : A day after Congress' Haryana unit chief Kumari Selja made a surprise visit to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and had a long discussion with him, triggering speculations of a cabinet reshuffle in the state, party's Karnataka unit chief D.K. Shivakumar met him on Tuesday, creating curiosity among the ruling party cadre. Shivakumar reached here at around 1.30 p.m. in a chartered plane and went to Gehlot's residence. He had a discussion with him for half an hour and went to Delhi thereafter. Addressing the media, Shivakumar said: "I am on a personal tour and have not come here with any message for anyone nor have come with any special agenda. There is nothing special to be discussed on Karnataka, Rajasthan and the centre but personal work." However, Gehlot's subsequent meetings with veteran leaders close to Gandhi family has raised many eyebrows in the state as there has been an air around regarding the change in organisational and cabinet structure. Sources said that Gehlot is keen on cabinet expansion while the high command wants a cabinet reshuffle as many MLAs, during one-on-one interaction with party state in charge Ajay Maken complained about poor working of ministers. Friction between two Congress groups in Rajasthan, led by Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, continues making the news while senior leaders including General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Maken, and Selja have been meeting the CM to resolve the impasse. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : Even as fresh decisions with regards to lockdown norms are expected, Kerala on Tuesday saw Covid cases soar high again, with 23,676 turning positive after 1,99,456 samples were sent for testing in the past 24 hours. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement, said that the test positivity rate (TPR) rose to 11.87 per cent, from 10.93 per cent on Monday. The state has 1,73,221 active cases as on Tuesday, which also saw 15,626 turning negative. Another 148 deaths were reported, taking the death toll to 17,103. Malappuram district accounted for 4,276 cases, on Tuesday followed by Thrissur with 2,908. With Onam, the traditional harvest festival, round the corner, traders have been threatening that they will be open their shops from August 9. However, according to sources, the ongoing Saturday and Sunday lockdown might be lifted. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) has called on the India government to disassociate itself from Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi's provocative "victim shaming" remarks on Kashmiri Pandit genocide and their return and rehabilitation. In a public programme on August 1, Lekhi made a series of statements which betrayed her complete abdication in the duty of care that the state owes its citizens generally and Kashmiri Pandits specifically, it said. In seeking to project "normalcy" and equating their ethnic cleansing to a migration and putting the burden of the return of Kashmiri Pandits on individual members of the community, she has condoned genocide, it said. Her statements have invited a near unanimous condemnation within the Kashmiri Pandit community. A GKPD statement said as a lawyer, Lekhi is well aware that under international law, the Indian government is liable for non-refoulment when the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits happens in their homeland. As the Minister of Culture, Lekhi should be taking ownership of her responsibility as to how to resurrect the 5000-year-old Kashmiri Hindu civilization which is being systematically eradicated. "As the Minister of State for External Affairs Ms. Lekhi should not be giving a clean chit to Pakistan and its proxies by her rhetoric of 'where is the problem?' when terrorist activities targeted the Kashmiri Pandits, killed over 1,600 innocent community members and these killings continue to this day. Insensitive statements such as 'Government is doing its bit...' when even after 31 years the Government still has not met the representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community to address their core concerns of Justice, Restitution and Return will only be seen as political eye wash," it said. The GKPD calls upon "Minister Lekhi to withdraw her ill-advised comments, and the Government of India to partner with the Kashmiri Pandit community to come up with a long term, equitable solution to Kashmiri Pandit genocide," it said. New Delhi, Aug 3 : Afghanistan as the "heart of Asia" that connects the South and Central Asian regions is undergoing a humanitarian crisis that can have severe ramifications in international politics. US President Joe Biden's declaration to pull out all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, has led to the difficult search for viable solutions which can possibly be achieved only through compromise evolving around common security challenges and an effective resolution of the ongoing Afghan war. While there is a political peace process in motion, there seems to be regional tug-of-war between various nations in the neighbourhood. Different countries in the region have their personal interests that impact their engagement in Afghanistan and their roles in the past, present and possibly in the imminent future are likely to determine the realpolitik at play between these regional powers. Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran and India are among the stakeholders that aim to gain and protect their interests in Afghanistan's peace process. These states have been directly and indirectly involved in Afghan politics through diplomatic relationships and with the backing of several political groups. While Russia, Iran and Pakistan are aggressively courting the imminent authority of the Taliban in this renewed peace process since 2018, China's relations with these countries are believed to be further defining the new geopolitical and geostrategic game of Afghanistan after the US military withdrawal. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have been swiftly advancing across the nation, while the US troops have already begun the withdrawal process after being stuck in this quagmire for almost two decades. The Taliban leadership claims of military control over Afghan territory has been increasingly growing and so has the anxiety of the regional powers that now have the responsibility of overseeing the vacuum generated by the departure of US and its NATO allies' troops. No doubt, the concept of a regional resolution to Afghanistan has continuously generated considerable political charm. However contradictory regional planned standpoints curb the possibilities for a balanced compromise on the current crisis in Afghanistan. After the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989, the Najibullah Communist regime lasted for about three years, but it failed in 1992 when the Mujahideen captured Kabul. The Mujahideen subsequently created the Islamic State of Afghanistan, but disagreements surfaced between several factions. Each faction was founded around warlords that dominated and inhabited specific areas of the country. The warlords reigned without giving due regard to the law and discriminatory and dictatorial politics were the standard in every province. In this framework, the Taliban was established among the Pashtuns, who had taken shelter in Pakistan, and by 1996 had dominated about 90 per cent of the nation, including major towns. The Taliban's rule was founded on a firm interpretation of Islamic law and while it re-established order in a turbulent society, it also ran a base for the global terrorist organisation, Al- Qaeda and overruled international standards on rights for women, children and basic human rights resulting in worldwide condemnation and UN sanctions. As such, the Pashtuns are the nation's largest ethnic community but other groups, like the Hazaras, who are Shia, and the Tajiks and Uzbeks, who are Sunni also comprise a significant portion of Afghanistan's population. Afghanistan's people demand political stability and economic vivacity, but the Islamism of the Taliban, which imposes the norms of the Pashtuns, denies others the right to practice and endorse their respective cultures & traditions leading to constant chaos. The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States by the Al Qaeda that was flourishing in the sanctuary given by Taliban-ruled Afghanistan led to the launch of the Great War on Terror in Afghanistan, currently at the churn of international politics. Though Russia and China did not resist the 2001 US intrusion in Afghanistan, they were profoundly apprehensive about the implications of a protracted American military existence in the country. Today both Moscow and Beijing can be seen smirking at the American situation in Afghanistan. Russia has not forgotten that the US had backed a jihadi insurrection against the Soviet regime of Afghanistan in the 1980s, which concluded in erstwhile USSR's embarrassing military departure. It is also an instance of geopolitical vindication for Iran that has been in contestation with the US, and for Pakistan, as stated by its Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has persistently been a vocal critic of US policies and more so for the Pakistani deep state within its military that has harboured and nurtured the Taliban & continues to do so till date. In the background of this great-power politics, exercising its influence in Central Asia has been a priority for Russia and it has been engaging stakeholders through the Troika-plus grouping of the United States, Russia, China, and Pakistan. Undoubtedly, Russia faces serious threats from religious extremism, drug production, and trafficking originating from an unstable Afghanistan in the neighbourhood of Central Asia along with concern regarding its security along sovereign borders. Russia is desperately finding ways to engage with the Taliban, to assert its geopolitical significance as the regional hegemon, and thus, cooperating with China. Even with the resurgence of the Taliban, neither of them wants to perceive the Taliban as an entity that would flatter and support international terror again. While, China worries about probable Taliban backing to the Xinjiang secessionist groups, Iran cannot overlook the Sunni radicalism of the Taliban and its tyrannical record with the Shi'a community and Persian-speaking minorities. Pakistan too has qualms about the fallout of possible skirmishes with the Afghans within its own boundaries, particularly with antagonistic clusters like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pashtun nationalists gaining increasing support in Afghanistan.4 For long, Beijing has had the aspiration of extending the Belt and Road Initiative and its showcase project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan with an eye on extracting Afghanistan's enormous precious mineral resources such Cobalt, Copper, Gold, Iron, and Lithium. The fractured political landscape in Afghanistan has also been an arena of tussle, earlier for the US and Russia and now growingly amongst a regional combination of forces that are attempting to gain a geopolitical foothold much to the chagrin of the Afghan people themselves. China and Pakistan are also aligned to expand their political outreach romancing the idea of unchallenged authority post-US exit. In fact, China has recently signed a deal with Iran, offering $400 billion in Chinese investment.7 It is already in collaboration with Russia as part of a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership. In the long term, these equations can impact Afghan power dynamics, especially considering the fact that the Iran-China agreement comprises expanding military cooperation through intelligence-sharing. The US withdrawal thus underpins the strongly held assumption that China could be acting as the possible substitute. With the US is packing its bags in Afghanistan, the Financial Times reported that China now is proposing a promise to invest in Afghanistan & to develop infrastructure in exchange for peace.9 The report also disclosed that China has 'proposed to construct a road network for the Taliban' if they can guarantee peace. Earlier, China had commenced a trilateral foreign ministerial association with Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2017, to promote negotiations with the two countries and expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to integrate Afghanistan. Islamabad and Kabul have had an edgy rapport, tainted in recent years by Afghan indictments that Pakistan is reinforcing Taliban insurgents. Pakistan always tries to refute it and claims that it aspires to see a nonviolent, peaceful and secure Afghanistan but fails to hide the reality of its covert actions and alliances with terror outfits, every now and then. On the other hand, China has acknowledged retaining connections with the Taliban and even welcomed their delegation to Beijing recently for negotiations. Beijing is safeguarding its security concerns by acting to ensure stability in Afghanistan, given the country's geographical proximity to its autonomous region in the northwest inhabited by Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province. China perceives the province as a breeding ground for extremism, separatism, and religious radicalism. In recent times, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has indiscriminately imprisoned between one and three million Uighurs alleged of such accusations in so-called "re-education centres" triggering international criticism over the horrific violations of human rights and proliferation of inhuman cruelties. China has through mass surveillance, effectively turned Xinjiang into a high-technocratic police state. Meanwhile, the association between Pakistan and China does have some weightage with Pakistan's profound influences on the Taliban merging with China's enormous economic resources that the reconstruction of Afghanistan requires. The picture however is not so simple, with many paradoxes complicating the situation. It is quite possible that Taliban 2.0, if at all that happens, plays spoilsport as the most unpredictable variable along the looming crisis of civil war in Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, given the fact that the families of most Taliban leaders live in Pakistan, the latter does exercise considerable influence on the outfit and has the competence to destabilize Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan does not have the intent to construct a steady and genuine inclusive order in Afghanistan. True, that the extension of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan can be very instrumental in fulfilling Pakistan's authority shortfall. However, there is an inherent enduring contradiction between the interests of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Afghans despise becoming Pakistan's protectorate as they value freedom and take pride in being masters of their own fate. For its part, China has been equally involved in Afghanistan, like Pakistan, Russia, and Iran, in ensuring that the Taliban strengthens its resolve against the Government of the Afghan Republic that has been established by the western powers in the country. Beijing will tread cautiously and not immediately enter the crossfire in the absence of a stable political structure as this will needlessly draw the ire of the fighting sections in Afghanistan. Rather it is expected to prepare well and be ready to swoop in on an opportune moment with aid and investment on favourable political conditions. Signs of this have already emerged as the Taliban has welcomed Chinese investments and promised not to host any inimical actors in Afghanistan against China. Thus, China continues to function and enhance its reach within Afghanistan, largely through Pakistan, which has been the major investor in the Taliban's journey. The Afghan militants remain Rawalpindi's principal asset notwithstanding their drama of nervous anxiety with violence and a call for an "Afghan- Led, Afghan-Owned" inclusive peace process. The main significant concern post-US withdrawal for China is a Taliban-led Afghanistan hosting a safe haven for Uyghur secessionists and the separatists of the East Turkestan Movement (ETIM). These organizations pose a serious challenge for China's territorial sovereign integrity in Xinjiang. Taliban earlier is known to have been a "spiritual agitator and material supplier" to the ETIM, trained their fighters, supplied military material, gear in addition to providing sanctuary and fundraising. For the most influential regional actors, on the one hand, Afghanistan is an opportunity to expand one's economic influence, trade, connectivity, accessibility in Gulf and Central Asian markets. On the other hand, there is the looming fear of resurgence of an Islamic State Khorasan Province kind of scenario and transnational threats like radicalism, extremism, militancy, drug trafficking, refugee crisis, and insurgency gaining ground. Despite their common views about the US withdrawal, it is obvious that no regional actor wants the other to have a superior hegemonic influence over Afghanistan. Sadly, the Afghans are now on their own and will have to settle issues either between themselves or with the assistance of regional actors. The regional powers may not want to be in a hurry to take the responsibility of the Afghanistan political puddle but would prefer taking a long-term approach that would facilitate their outreach within the war ridden country. But there are moments in history when one has to act and act fast with presence of mind. Due to the geographical imperatives of being in the vicinity, most regional states in comparison to the US have more to gain or miss from the situation. The Central Asian security conundrum and the Middle Eastern woes all seem to be intertwined with the Afghan Crisis at this juncture. While the world powers compete with each other to generate hegemonic influence in the region, it would be fruitful to remind themselves that the intention of intervention matters in Afghanistan. After all, there is a reason why this country is often referred to as the graveyard of empires. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 3 : As the employment scenario in the country is yet to see a recovery, a Parliamentary panel has suggested the government should ascertain the actual data of job losses caused amid the pandemic in order to provide support to those impacted. The 25th report of the Standing Committee on Labour on 'Impact of Covid-19 on Rising Unemployment and Loss of Jobs/Livelihood in Organised and Unorganised Sectors' was tabled in the Lok Sabha. The panel, chaired by BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, has impressed upon the government to be more pro-active and capture the actual data so as to give requisite support to those workers who have been out of employment. "The Committee have desired the Ministry to again intervene in the matter to reassess the causes of failure of the reconciliation process and motivate the workers to pursue their cases so that the poor workers get reinstated at this difficult time," it said. It also advised that the ministry should suo-moto make efforts to find out similar cases of termination or retrenchment at the Central sphere, and in other cities and states and take corrective action based on the findings. Further, the committee has recommended that measures for economic reactivation should follow a job-rich approach, backed by stronger employment policies and better resourced and a comprehensive social protection system. International coordination on stimulus packages and debt relief measures, especially for MSMEs, will prove to be very critical to the multi-pronged approach towards effective and sustainable recovery, it said. The committee has observed that formalising the unorganised sector, increasing the productivity, strengthening and upgrading the existing livelihoods and creating new opportunities should remain the major thrust areas to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on unemployment and joblessness. It has also recommended that social security measures need to be strengthened and made attractive. Further, the government should explore ways and means to put in money in the bank accounts of the informal workers during adverse conditions like Covid-19. It felt that in the short term, it is imperative for the government to expand the social assistance and public welfare programmes, both in the urban and rural areas, to provide relief and protection to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged strata of the society. Offering another round of income support to the poor to compensate for loss of jobs or employment incurred due to the two lockdowns imposed would go a long way in mitigating their woes, it urged. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Centre on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that so far, no arrest has been made in the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus violence case that occurred on January 5, 2020 wherein some masked miscreants stormed the university hostels and left around 39 students injured. In a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lower House, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said that three cases have been registered by the Delhi Police in connection with the violent attacks on students and some teachers on the JNU campus last year. The Delhi Police registered an FIR in the violence case, but no arrests have been made even after 19 months of the incident. The minister also said in his reply that Delhi Police's investigation team has examined several witnesses and also collected and done the detailed analysis of footage to identify the culprits, but no conclusive evidence has been found to identify the miscreants so far. On January 5, 2020, more than 50 masked people armed with rods and sticks attacked the JNU campus in Delhi, in which more than 39 students and teachers were seriously injured. The teachers who tried to intervene and protect the students, as well as ambulances carrying injured individuals, were also attacked by the miscreants who left the campus unchallenged after almost three hours of vandalism. The then president of JNU Students' Union, Aishe Ghosh, was among those who suffered injuries. The police had admitted that they were facing difficulty in identifying those responsible for the attack as they were masked and also cited the lack of security footage, authenticated video recordings and witnesses. Following the incident, JNU students launched a major protest both inside and outside the campus, which triggered protests by students in various parts of the country, including Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Odisha, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said if a prisoner has undergone more than 14 years of imprisonment in cases of conviction for offences prescribing death penalty as the maximum sentence, the state government is competent to order premature release. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and A.S. Bopanna said: "If a prisoner has undergone more than 14 years of actual imprisonment, the state government, as an appropriate government, is competent to pass an order of premature release." However, it added that if the prisoner has not undergone 14 years or more of actual imprisonment, the Governor has a power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of any person de hors the restrictions imposed under Section 433-A of the Constitution. The top court order came as it upheld the Haryana government policy of August 13, 2008 on power to release prisoners, saying it was issued in exercise of powers conferred under the CrPC and in supersession of earlier orders. Under the 2008 policy, the case of premature release is considered by the state and the individual cases are not required to be put up before the Governor as envisaged under the earlier policy, it said. "The said policy cannot and has not tried to take over the discretion vested in the Governor to grant pardons, remissions or commute sentence in exercise of powers conferred under Article 161 of the Constitution, but it is the policy issued under a Statute and therefore, such policy has a statutory force," the top court said in its 24-page judgment. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Haryana government to consider drafting a fresh policy on premature release of prisoners, particularly in respect of exercise of powers conferred under Article 161. Setting aside the May 12, 2020 verdict of a single judge bench of the high court, as the directions issued were not sustainable, the top court emphasised that the power to release a prisoner after serving 14 years of actual imprisonment is vested with the state government and added the Governor is not bound by any such restrictions, but he or she will have to act on the aid and advice of the state. Citing Haryana's several policies, issued in 1988, 1991, 2000, 2002, and 2008, on the release of prisoners, the top court agreed with the submissions of the government that they have been issued from time to time and the later policy has superseded the earlier one. Hyderabad, Aug 3 : Telangana Police on Tuesday arrested a fake godman for allegedly cheating his followers. The Nalgonda police arrested Vishwa Chaitanya Swamy following a raid on his ashram after a complaint that he was sexually exploiting women followers. Police raided Sri Sai Maansi Charitable Trust at Ajmapur in PA Palli mandal of Nalgonda and arrested Swamy and his three disciples. It also seized Rs 26 lakh cash, 500 grams gold, and fixed deposit bonds during the raid. Nalgonda Superintendent of Police A.V. Ranganath told reporters that documents relating to 17 acres land, seven laptops, four mobile phones, a car, herbs, and puja material was also seized. The Swamy claimed to have followers in 40 countries. Police said he used to trap women, and allegedly had relations with 11 women. He used to convince them that they will develop miraculous powers by having sexual relations with him. The police learnt that the Swamy had made a fixed deposit of Rs 1.30 crore in the name of his second wife. Chennai, Aug 3 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will on Thursday launch an initiative of the state government named 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, which is aimed at taking healthcare to the doorsteps of the people. The Chief Minister will inaugurate the programme at Smanapalli in Krishnagiri district on Thursday, state Health Minister, Ma Subramanian, said while speaking to reporters at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) during the World Breastfeeding week celebrations. The minister said that for the first time, medical services will reach the doorsteps of the people through this scheme. "It is to be noted that for the first time we are not only providing the required medications at the doorsteps of people, but also taking medical services to their homes," Subramanian said. The minister also said that during the launch of the programme, the Chief Minister would take a detailed look at the distribution of medications at the residences of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetics and those requiring physiotherapy. A breastfeeding room was opened at the RGGGH as part of the World Breastfeeding Week celebrations and the minister said that this is for the first time that a breastfeeding room has been opened at a general hospital other than a maternity hospital. The minister also said that breastfeeding rooms will be opened at all government medical college hospitals and district hospitals. The Tamil Nadu Health Minister said that breast milk banks are already functioning in 24 places in the state, including 17 government medical college hospitals and 7 district hospitals. "This year, 12 more breastfeeding milk banks will be opened in the state in 7 government medical college hospitals and 5 district hospitals," Subramanian told IANS. The minister also said that the Union government will contribute in the funding for setting up breastfeeding milk banks, which require Rs 12 lakh per milk bank. New Delhi, Aug 3 : The production of pulses has been increasing during the last three years (2018-19 to 2020-21) and the target for 2021-2022 has been set at 23 LMT (lakh million tonnes) from the 19.5 LMT for 2020-2021, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. The NFSM-Pulses programme is being implemented in 644 districts of 28 states and Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to increase the production of pulses, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. Data from the government showed that all India production of pulses during 2016-17 to 2020-21 -- all numbers in '000 tonnes -- was 23,130.94 for 2016-17, 25,415.92 for 2017-18, 22,075.96 for 2018-19, 23,025.25 for 2019-20, and for 2020-21, it is projected at 25,575.69, as per the 3rd advance estimates. Various initiatives taken under NFSM include, among others, the Special Action Plan for increasing pulses productivity implemented during 2019-20, new 'intercropping of pulses with sugarcane' scheme implemented in 12 states - Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand during 2018-19 and 2019-20, 150 Seed Hubs created at ICAR institutes, state Agriculture Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras for increasing certified seeds production of pulses and distribution of seed mini-kits of pulses free of cost to the farmers of the varieties notified within 10 years. The government also launched the Targeting Rice Fallow Area programme under NFSM in 11 states, the Minister said. Aizawl, Aug 3 : With supplies blocked for the past nine days due to an "economic blockade" on National Highway 306, its lifeline, the Mizoram government on Tuesday appealed to its people to curtail domestic consumption. State Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department Director Ramdinliani said that in view of the deadlock in the supply of all essentials, food grains and other items, the state's people were urged not to hoard essential items and curtail domestic consumption. "Mizoram's 95 per cent supplies come through the NH-306, which is the lifeline for our state and the 'economic blockade' has been continuing in the (southern) Assam's Cachar district since July 26 after the border troubles," she told the media. Ramdinliani said that while the government has been trying to bring petrol and diesel from Tripura and Manipur, the department has also taken steps to bring essential commodities from these two neighbouring states. A SpiceJet flight dispatched 3,711 kg of cargo, mostly e-commerce items, to Aizawl from southern Assam's Silchar. Meanwhile, the Mizoram Bar Association filed a public interest litigation before the Aizawl Bench of Gauhati High Court on Tuesday about the blockade of NH-306. MBA President Anil Rinliana Malhotra and General Secretary R. Lalhmingmawia, in a joint statement, said that the association had earlier submitted representations before the Central, Assam and Mizoram governments regarding the blockade. "As no response has been received yet from the three governments, considering the hardship faced by the people of Mizoram, the MBA has filed the PIL," its statement said. An Indian Oil Corporation official in Agartala said that 8 to 10 fuel tankers carrying petrol and diesel are being regularly going to Mizoram from Tripura since Saturday. Meanwhile, Mizoram Health Minister R. Lalthangliana has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene as the state has been facing a severe crisis of medicines, including life-saving and Covid-19 related drugs, and prevent a health crisis that may soon engulf Mizoram and which would be beyond the control of anybody. Lalthangliana wrote separate letters to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Health Minister detailing the medicine crisis due to the "economic blockade". Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo also said that the state government had taken up the issue of "economic blockade" with the Union Home Ministry. The worst-ever violence along the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26 left six Assam Police personnel dead and around 100 civilians and security personnel of the two neighbouring states injured, including an Inspector General of Police in Assam and Cachar Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chandrakant Nimbalkar. New Delhi, Aug 4 : The BJP, which is all set contest Punjab Assembly polls on its own for the first time after its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked away from the alliance, will be reaching out to leaders in the opposition camp, intellectuals, prominent personalities or influencers with a request to join the saffron camp. The BJP leadership feels that inducting people from different walks of life will help the party in next year's Assembly polls. A BJP functionary said that joining of political leaders from other parties, prominent persons and influencers will help in building favourable perception for the party. "These people will help the party in building a positive perception among the masses which will help immensely during the elections. Some intellectuals joined the BJP in June, and they will help the BJP counter the perception that people in Punjab are unhappy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP," he said. To build the perception in its favour, the BJP is looking for prominent faces, including academicians, professionals like doctors and advocates and retired bureaucrats and defence personnel. Highlighting the importance of prominent citizens, a party leader said that all of them will not ask for tickets to contest the polls but help immensely in building a favourable atmosphere in the whole electoral process. "Apart from these, the party is also in touch with the disgruntled leaders of other parties," sources said. On Monday, a former national general secretary of Akali Dal's women wing, Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia, and SAD leaders Gurpreet Singh Shahpur, Chand Singh Chatha, Baljinder Singh Dakoha and Pritam Singh had joined the BJP. A former TV anchor, Chetan Mohan Joshi, also joined the saffron party on Monday. In June, six prominent personalities -- Harinder Singh Kahlon, Jagmohan Singh Saini, Nirmal Singh, Kuldeep Singh Kahlon, Jaswinder Singh Dhillon and Jaibans Singh -- had joined the BJP at its national headquarters in Delhi. BJP national spokesperson, R.P. Singh, said that the process of people joining the party is on and more people will join the BJP from different walks of life in future, including leaders from other parties. Chennai, Aug 4 : South Indian megastar and Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan on Tuesday said that the Tamil Nadu BJP's opposing the construction of Mekedatu dam over the Cauvery by Karnataka is "a double act". Interacting with reporters in Coimbatore, he said: "As an actor who has played double roles in more than 25 films, I can easily spot someone who is playing a double action role and this is one such act." He alleged that the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka units of the BJP are puppets in the hands of the party's Central leaders. Likening the BJP to East India Company, he said that the suggestion for Kongu Nadu has not come from the people of the area but from the "North Indian Company" (BJP) which wants to privatise its resources. He said that the demand for Kongu Nadu is not a political slogan. He also hit out at the Central government on the Pegasus snooping issue and said that the huge protests taking place in the Parliament during the monsoon session is a reflection of the people's ire on the issue. Kamal said that the government has no business in snooping into people's lives and said that there should not be any surveillance in the country. He said that it would be better not to demolish the memorial of the architect of Mullaperiyar dam, John Pennycuick, for the Kalaignar Karunanidhi memorial library coming up in Madurai. The MNM President said that the DMK government was doing its best in handling Covid-19 cases but it was not enough and said that the MNM was in the state to remind it of this. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 4 : Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement six times between March and June this year after the Director General of Military Operation-level talks between the two countries, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said on Tuesday. Giving a written reply to a question, Rai informed the Lok Sabha that there has been a sharp decline in ceasefire violation cases this year after the ceasefire agreement was re-signed between India and Pakistan on February 25 this year, whereas in 2020, Pakistan had violated ceasefire 5,133 times, 3,479 times in 2019 and 2,140 times in 2018. The minister, however, said that Pakistan at the beginning of the year violated ceasefire 380 times in January and 278 times in February. After the agreement on ceasefire, Pakistan violated the ceasefire once in March, once in April, thrice in May and twice in June. Till June this year, a total of 664 ceasefire violations were done by Pakistan. In the last four-and-a-half years, the year 2020 has seen the highest ceasefire violations, Rai added. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs data, while there were 2,140 ceasefire violations in 2018, in 2020 it almost doubled to 5,133. In 2019, the numbers stood at 3,479. After the signing of the pact, a joint statement was issued on February 25 following the hotline talks between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan wherein the both the countries agreed to strictly adhere to all the agreements of ceasefire along the Line of Control from the midnight of February 25. The minister also informed the Lower House that various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir had welcomed the joint statement while several countries also issued statements welcoming the development as an important and positive step. Amaravati, Aug 4 : Andhra Pradesh's YSRCP government adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Tuesday wondered why Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu is not questioning the Central government over skyrocketing fuel prices. His query came as the TDP said it has decided to undertake protests on Saturday against rising diesel and petrol prices in the state. Reddy also alleged that TDP leaders just organise some Zoom conferences, protests at home and take a few photographs of those activities to amplify them in their favoured media houses. "Chandrababu Naidu and his party leaders do not have the right to question the state government on petrol and diesel prices issue. You do not have the stature to talk about (Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy) Jagan's regime, even as he is managing a crisis situation without putting blame on anyone," he said. He cited the price hikes on fuel and road transport corporation fares during the Naidu regime between 2014-2019. Meanwhile, he said that a lot of bad campaigns are going on against the government with respect to Amaraja battery company, adding that it is emitting dangerous pollutants and even the High Court had warned it. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 4 : Delhi to Nepal bus service -- Maitri Bus Sewa -- which was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March last year, may resume if the Coronavirus situation remains under control. An official in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) told IANS that the bus services will resume though no date has been fixed for it yet. The official said that DTC has planned to send recommendations for this purpose to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and if approved, the services will restart soon. "DTC is doing its part to restart bus services but as they were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so to restart the services, DTC would need to have the final consent from the MEA. Once the approval comes, there would be no delay from DTC's side. "We are planning to resume bus services but the final decision would be taken only after the MEA's consent is received," R.S. Minhas, Deputy Chief General Manager (Traffic & Public Relations) in DTC, told IANS. He further said that the Volvo buses which operate between Delhi and Kathmandu are private buses, which the DTC hires from the same bus service which operates between New Delhi and Lahore. The Delhi-Kathmandu bus is a trans-boundary bus service connecting the capital cities of both the nations. Launched in 2014, the service is operated by DTC. While DTC runs the bus service from the Indian side, the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) operates the service in Nepal under the supervision of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. This AC Volvo bus service has 2x2 seating arrangements. The service starts from the Ambedkar Stadium bus terminal in Delhi and ends at the bus stand in Kathmandu located near the Pashupatinath Temple. It travels via Agra (by Yamuna Expressway), Firozabad, Kanpur, Lucknow and Gorakhpur in India. This is a direct bus service without any stop and it crosses the Sunauli border where Customs checks are carried out. Similarly, in Nepal's jurisdiction, the bus follows a route via Tilottama, Rupandehi, Kawasoti, Narayangadh and finally to Kathmandu. The 1,250 km long journey is covered in 30 hours. The first ever bus service from India to Nepal was flagged off on November 25, 2014. The Maitri Bus Sewa was initiated as a symbol of desired friendship between the two nations and since its beginning, the buses have frequently carried pilgrims, tourists, foreign delegates and the general public from both the nations. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Aug 4 : India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) in the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was 80, 97, 100, 103, 102 and 94, respectively, and its score improved from 38.9 to 27.2 in 2020, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. "Thus, the country has shown consistent improvement over the years in terms of the GHI brought out by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe," Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. The Centre accords high priority to the issue of hunger and has been providing food grains at highly subsidised prices to the targeted population through state governments/Union Territory administrations under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS), she said. NFSA provides for coverage of up to 75 per cent of the rural population and up to 50 per cent of the urban population for receiving food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at Rs 1/2/3 per kg for coarse grains/wheat/rice, respectively. Identification of beneficiaries under the Act is under two categories- households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). Priority Households are entitled to receive 5 kg per person per month and AAY households are entitled to receive 35 kg of food grains per household per month. At present, the Act is being implemented in all the states/UTs covering about 79.51 crore persons to get highly subsidised food grains. "The coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit," the minister said. During 2020-21, the government allocated a quantity of 948.37 lakh MT of food grains to the states/UTs under NFSA, and OWS, allocations due to natural calamities and festivals, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyaan Anna Yojana, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. During the current year i.e. 2021-22, the government has so far allocated 860.63 lakh MT of food grains under NFSA, OWS and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyaan Anna Yojana and other additional allocations. The scheme of End-to-End Computerisation of the PDS has ensured rightful targeting of the beneficiaries all over the country, she added. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 4 : Entering its 15th year, the Kerala Education Department's KITE-Victers television channel is getting ready to launch its second channel soon, a state government official said. Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) CEO K. Anvar Sadath said Victers began alongside the EDUSAT group in 2005 when then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated EDUSAT and it was on August 3, 2006, the Victers channel was launched and since then it has been providing yeomen service to the students studying under the state syllabus. "The biggest hope came when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the students continue to remain confined at their homes for the second successive year, KITE-Victers channel bridged the digital divide when it provided online classes to five million students," said Sadath, who has been at the helm of KITE for a decade now. "Work to launch the second channel is currently on and we expect to go live shortly. It would be complimenting our existing services," he added. Initially the channel was relaying programmes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. but from 2009, it was extended till 11 p.m. From January 2010, Victers began live streaming using the internet. From 2019, it became a round the clock channel and in 2020 it was made available in the DTH segment too. In July 2021, KITE started providing the offline version of its First Bell 2.0 Digital Classes for students in the Lakshadweep region who study according to the Kerala school syllabus. And since the Covid-19 pandemic struck hard, the channel has now scheduled substantial time for programmes on Covid-preventive measures, which include telecast of awareness videos related to Covid-19 prevention and a live phone-in programme titled 'Athijeevanam' (which means survival) in association with the Kerala Health Department. The callers in this programme would be able to interact with experts and doctors in respective areas on queries related to Covid-19 testing, quarantine, home isolation and treatment guidelines. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 4 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said that it has filed a supplementary charge sheet against seven members of the banned CPI-Maoist in connection with its probe into the 2019 killing of five policemen in Jharkhand's Saraikela Kharsawan district. An NIA spokesperson said that the agency has filed the third supplementary charge sheet in the NIA Special Court in Ranchi against seven accused persons from Jharkhand and West Bengal, naming Soma Sardar, Atul Mahto aka Prakash Mahto, Ram Prasad Mardi, Prabhat Munda aka Mukhiya, Gulshan Singh Munda aka Gadi Munda, Ravi aka Sagar Singh Sardar aka Biren Singh and Doctor aka Pradeep Mondal under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The official said that Soma Sardar had played an important role in hatching the conspiracy that led to the attack, besides being involved in providing logistical support and raising funds for the CPI-Maoist. The other six charge sheeted accused are underground commanders of the banned terrorist organisation and had conspired the execution of the attack on the police personnel, the official said. The case pertains to an attack on the police party by the cadres of CPI-Maoist on June 14, 2019 at Kukru Haat in Seraikela Kherswan district in which five police personnel were killed and their arms and ammunition were looted. A case was registered by the Jharkhand Police on June 15, 2019, and it had arrested a total of 11 accused and filed two charge sheets against all of them. The NIA had taken over the probe on December 9, 2020, and filed a charge sheet on April 15, 2021 against 18 accused persons including senior commanders of the CPI-Maoist. Lonestar Life Science Fund $100 Million LoneStar Life Sciences OZ Fund LLC launches seeking Accredited Investors for Indoor Growing of Hops in Rural Texas Agricultural Opportunity Zones $100 Million LoneStar Life Sciences OZ Fund LLC (the Fund) launches seeking Accredited investors for an investment in indoor growing facilities for hops and other crops along with sales of related products from rural agricultural opportunity zones near Lockhart and San Marcos Texas. The Fund will invest substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering in an affiliated operating company, LoneStar AgriTech, LLC (LoneStar AgriTech), who is on a mission to build and manage one million square feet of the most advanced indoor controlled environment greenhouse facilities in Texas. The initial focus will be on growing and harvesting high margin fresh hops for sale to breweries and the extraction of Xanthohumol for medicinal/nutraceutical purposes. The indoor facilities will provide highly automated and computer-controlled environments to maximize plant growth and yield while setting a new standard for responsible low-power, carbon-negative companies. Using the hops as the profitability foundation, future expansion into additional crops are expected to include cannabis, commercial hemp, and other certain food crops that would benefit from the high-yield potential of the indoor growing facilities. Using advanced Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to control atmosphere, humidity, temperature, and nutrition, and establishing climate change related sustainability standards such as water conservation (recapture, recycle, reuse) and renewable energy, LoneStar AgriTech is in position to create an incommensurate market advantage in year-round production of hops and eventually other food stock or medicinal-use species. We are excited to be working with industry leading international companies like BW-Global and Cultivatd to design and manage one of the most advanced 1,000,000 sq. ft. greenhouse facilities in the world which includes both energy-efficient and water-saving technologies, said Matt Atwood, principal of the Fund and President of LoneStar Life Sciences, Inc. (LoneStar Life Sciences), an affiliated entity focused on various life sciences projects and parent company of LoneStar AgriTech. As a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund (QOZF), the Fund looks to solve the severe shortage and seasonal growing dilemmas of hops and other opportunistic crops while spurring economic development in opportunity zones while providing tax benefits and attractive investment returns to investors. Investors can defer tax on any eligible gains invested in a QOZF until the earlier of the date on which the investment in a QOZF is sold or exchanged. Taxpayers may defer paying tax on capital gains, if such capital gains are invested in a QOZF, within 180 days from realizing the gain. The deferral period ends the earlier of when the taxpayer sells its interest in the QOZF or December 20, 2026. Investments held for 5 years prior to December 31, 2026, will also qualify for a 10% increase in the tax-payers tax basis of the amount of the deferred gain. Any taxpayer that holds its investment for a minimum of 10 years, can achieve no capital gain tax on the appreciation of its investment. LoneStar AgriTech is expected to work in two phases with the proceeds of the offering: LoneStar AgriTech Hops Production Phase 1 will include land acquisition, infrastructure, sustainable low carbon utilities, and the build out of one million square feet of 5th generation greenhouses with advanced water saving hydroponics and full-spectrum power saving LED technologies. Hops for Beer: Texas produces the 3rd most barrels of beer in the US behind California and Pennsylvania. Texas farmers provide locally grown wheat, barley, and malt, but cannot grow hops, the flavor component in beer making. Currently, all hops sold in Texas must be purchased from the pacific northwest (Washington, Idaho and Oregon) as dried and pressed hops pellets. Hops cannot grow outdoors in Texas due to the high temperature climate and low water conditions - until now. LoneStar AgriTech is about to completely disrupt the commercial hops industry by becoming the first large capacity commercial grower of hops in the state of Texas. Using the latest technologies in controlled indoor cultivation, LoneStar AgriTech is also expected to be the first commercial hops grower in the world to produce large capacity fresh hops every month as a controlled rotational harvest - not once a year like outdoor hops. Watch LoneStar AgriTech hops video here: https://vimeo.com/313555492 According to Atwood, Inconsistent weather patterns can create the ultimate nightmare domino effect when it comes to growing plants. Due to climate change, the Pacific Northwest has suffered record breaking heat waves and drought this year (2021). Brutal weather patterns force plants into survival mode which triggers low yields and low-quality hops. This issue creates even a bigger problem for beer makers relying on consistent flavor profiles for their craft beer. If beer makers lose beer flavor due to low quality hops, they lose loyal customers. Atwood offers a fix. With our advanced electronically controlled environment systems, we completely remove the unpredictable temperament of mother nature from the equation making our hops climate change proof. With our greenhouses, we can produce the same amount of hops year-round in 20 acres that a full production hops yard can do in 800 acres outdoors. Not only that, we can maintain a higher consistency in yield and quality but use only 10-20% of the water requirements an outdoor crop would use because our hydroponic system recaptures and recycles the nutrient rich water. This makes our agricultural solution much more efficient and sustainable, even in an environment hops wouldnt normally have a chance to grow in - like Texas. Nobody in the world has done what we are about to do, especially on a scale that can literally flip an entire industry on its ear. Hops for Healthcare: Hops is a cousin plant to cannabis (in the same family), but without the psychoactive effects. The phytocompound Xanthohumol (XN), a polyphenol-flavonoid found only in the hops flower, has been scientifically proven through peer reviewed research to kill over 60 different cancers and also treat neurological disorders, chronic pain, auto-immune dis-orders, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, asthma and obesity without the risk of addiction or toxic side effects. Currently, there are no manufacturers of medical grade XN in North America, and a German supplier being used currently sells XN for $26,000US per liter. LoneStar AgriTech is expected to add a full capacity hops processing facility and pharmaceutical grade extraction laboratory to manufacture phytobiotic compounds (such as XN) and other phytochemicals in Phase 2. Watch the Xanthohumol video here: https://vimeo.com/313567811 What sets LoneStar Life Sciences, Inc. apart are its collaborations with experienced and well-respected international companies combined with the educational and research aspect of local universities including Texas A&M, University Texas at Austin, and Texas State University at San Marcos. These university relationships are expected to be leveraged by offering programs for school credit or internship opportunities for greenhouse cultivation, engineering, green-power software development, controlled environment training, certifications, and leadership development for LoneStars Farmers of the Future programs. The indoor hops project will seek to provide a collaborative platform for American and International companies to develop Earth saving, sustainable, renewable power & water technologies, carbon credit strategies. In addition, LoneStar will provide high-paying jobs, career training and leadership qualities for eligible low income rural communities in the designated central Texas Opportunity Zone area. Atwood closes with, This hops project is just the beginning. Once we get our hops production up and running, our goal is to take what we learn here and expand our technology into other opportunities like vertical year-round food production, cannabis, and other agricultural projects like algae and plant-based proteins. In my opinion, this farmer of the future model is the only way we can create sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture. We are extremely excited to launch this Opportunity Zone Fund. This OZ program allows us to expand our projects much faster than we ever could have with traditional investor models. CONTACT LoneStar Life Sciences OZ Fund LLC Matt Atwood CEO https://www.LoneStarOZ.com EMAIL: matt.a@lonestaroz.com CALL: 832-852-3489 This Fund is 3rd Party Administered by OZ Invested Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We caution you that such statements are simply predictions and actual events, or results may differ materially. These statements reflect our current expectations, and we do not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any pro-jected results expressed or implied in this, or other statements will not be realized. Further, these statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. This is not an offer to sell Units in the Fund. Any sale of Units will be made solely in connection with the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum of the Fund and related documents. The Confidential Private Placement Memorandum includes important risks, uncertainties, and certain conflicts of interest, many of which are beyond our control, that could impact an investment in the Fund. Guests at Seattles well-respected Monsoon Vietnamese restaurant experienced a treat thanks to a multi-course luncheon featuring a dozen small bites from Chef Eric Bahn paired with a complex assortment of off-dry white wines from Bordeaux and some classic wines from Italys central region of Abruzzo. The lunch was the brainchild of wine writer and consultant Liza the Wine Chick, who worked with Chef Bahn to create a complex menu of modern Vietnamese dishes based on traditional ingredients. Some of the adventurous pairings included a Bordeaux from the Cadillac sub-appellation side by side with spicy greens beans with five spice beef tongue. Other pairings went on to match the classic Vietnamese breakfast soup Pho with Cerasuolo dAbruzzo D.O.C. This elegant wines almond-tinged fruit profile allows it to step up to the umami flavors in the Pho. The three other appellations to be featured include Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C., Trebbiano dAbruzzo D.O.C. and Pecorino Abruzzo D.O.C. This foursome of wines represent some of the areas top varietals that have been indegious to the region for hundreds of years. The Pecorino Abruzzo D.O.C. is paired with salt and pepper chicken wings as its minerality and citric notes highlight the chickens spice profile. Trebbiano dAbruzzo is matched with sweet corn, shrimp jerky, green onion, garlic and ghee as its dry, floral notes highlight the sweet and rich flavors of this dish. The Montepulciano dAbruzzo is served with savory grilled beef on la lot leaves as its spicy and meaty flavors integrate beautifully with this dish. Vietnamese cuisine was a natural choice for these pairings as not only the dry wines of Abruzzo work well with Asian flavors, but so do the elegant off-dry white wines of Bordeaux. These complex wines have an innate ability to pair with spicy, sweet and savory foods in all possible combinations. The fruit-forward flavors in these classic wines from Bordeaux works beautifully with salty dishes as well as a variety of seafood choices. Meats also are a surprising, yet great, pairing with these wines as protein-based dishes often have umami notes of truffle or sesame oil. In a nod to the European wines presented instead of serving all the small plates at onceas is typical in Vietnamthe dishes were coursed out as a traditional Western-style meal. Salads were followed by Asian vegetable preparations, after which proteins led the way capped with dessert. Chef Bahn has been a pioneer in proving to U.S. consumers and the trade how beautifully the foods of his native Saigon pair with a variety of European wines. Vietnamese food is more delicate than some other Asian cuisines thanks to its Chinese influence. It is not spicy like Thai food. So, wines like these are a match made in heaven for Southeast Asian food. Another historical legacy of why Vietnamese food pairs so well with European wines is that much French influence has been left on the countrys culinary footprint. We still have a few bastard children left over such as baguette and pate, jokes chef Bahn. To learn more about The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign, visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu, where it highlights the characteristics of the selected European products. Pages dedicated to The Charming Taste of Europe can be found on all main social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The Consortia invites everyone to join the social media campaign using the hashtag #charmeu. About the Charming Taste of Europe: Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europes charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria (Agios Loukas) and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Website: https://www.charmingtasteofeurope.eu Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU Instagram: @charmeu_usa YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu Advancements with Ted Danson will focus on recent developments in wireless sensor technology on an upcoming episode, scheduled to broadcast 4Q/2021. In this episode, Advancements will educate about Sensateks patented RF sensors for harsh environments. Viewers will learn how the sensors generate data to optimize strategic power generation assets for power system fleet owners. Made of polymer-derived ceramics, Sensateks patented wireless RF sensors are built to withstand the high temperatures and harsh environment of turbine engines. Spectators will see how the groundbreaking RF sensors gain advanced temperature control in the harshest of environments. Were truly honored to share how our technology will benefit society, especially as it related to improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the machines that ultimately power our lives said Reamonn Soto, CEO of Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc. In addition, the show will highlight the sensors compatibility, which enables them to be placed in hard-to-reach areas providing the ability to measure even small temperature changes with no external power source or batteries needed. Damage from undetected hot-spots in turbine engines is a common industry problem that can lead to substantial costs in repairs, maintenance, and unplanned downtime. We look forward to exploring how the technology is improving heat measurement accuracy and repeatability, said John Galvin, producer for the Advancements series. About Sensatek: Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc. is a Venture Capital backed Delaware C-Corporation headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Founded in 2015, Sensatek develops and manufactures passive RF sensors for combustion temperatures and blade tip measurements of gas turbine engines for clients in a variety of industries including energy, aviation and aerospace. The company is funded by the National Science Foundation and its on-blade sensors are currently being demonstrated by leading OEMs. To learn more visit http://www.sensatek.com. About Advancements and DMG Productions: The Advancements series is an information-based educational show targeting recent advances across a number of industries and economies. Featuring state-of-the-art solutions and important issues facing todays consumers and business professionals, Advancements focuses on cutting-edge developments, and brings this information to the public with the vision to enlighten about how technology and innovation continue to transform our world. Backed by experts in various fields, DMG Productions is dedicated to education and advancement, and to consistently producing commercial-free, educational programming on which both viewers and networks depend. For more information, please visit http://www.AdvancementsTV.com or call 866-496-4065 Our new partnership with Bluefin to provide their PCI-validated P2PE solution confirms our commitment to adhere to the highest security standards in the industry, said Brian Evans, Vice President of Technology at HealthPay24. Bluefin, the leading provider of payment security technologies including PCI-validated Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) and tokenization solutions for healthcare, higher education, government and petroleum, has announced a new partnership with HealthPay24 that will provide their users integrated payment processing capabilities backed by PCI-validated P2PE. HealthPay24 offers the only all-in-one patient payment platform that is custom-designed to help providers consolidate vendors, reconcile collections, and create trust through consumer engagement. HealthPay24 enables health provider organizations and physician groups to manage revenue cycle challenges at point-of-service through post-service with their holistic solution. The organization is unique in offering a platform that manages any consumer transaction from payment acceptance, reporting, reconciliation, and posting to a patients billing or general ledger. Bluefin specializes in PCI-validated P2PE solutions that secure credit and debit card transactions by encrypting all data within a PCI-approved point-of-entry device, preventing clear-text cardholder data from being available in the device or the merchants system where it could be exposed to malware. Data decryption is only done offsite in a Bluefin hardware security module (HSM). Organizations can learn more about Bluefins P2PE benefits through several case studies on the Bluefin media page. One of our top priorities has been guaranteeing the security and protection of our customers data, said Brian Evans, Vice President of Technology at HealthPay24. Our new partnership with Bluefin to provide their PCI-validated P2PE solution confirms our commitment to adhere to the highest security standards in the industry. Through the partnership, HealthPay24 clients can get PCI-validated P2PE and integrated payment processing with EMV through Bluefins PayConex payment platform or a P2PE gateway-only solution without payment processing. PayConex is integrated directly with HealthPay24s platform and will provide debit and credit card acceptance. With various studies showing that healthcare has had the largest number of security breaches in the past 12 months, secure payment solutions are absolutely mandatory, said Greg Cornwell, Chief Revenue Officer, Bluefin. Healthcare data is very valuable on the black market, and PCI-validated P2PE is a key tool in the fight to protect all patient and payment related data. We are very excited to partner with HealthPay24 and bring the security of our P2PE solution to their clients. About Bluefin Bluefin is the recognized leader in encryption and tokenization technologies for payment and data security. Our security suite includes PCI-validated point-to-point encryption (P2PE) for contactless face-to-face, call center, mobile and unattended payments, and our ShieldConex data security platform for the protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Personal Health Information (PHI), and payment data entered online. The companys partner network currently includes over 200 processors, payment gateways and ISVs operating in 43 countries, which provide Bluefins P2PE solutions direct to merchants, enterprises, healthcare organizations and more. Bluefin is a Participating Organization (PO) of the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) and is headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Waterford, Ireland. For more information, please visit http://www.bluefin.com. About HealthPay24 HealthPay24 is a twenty-year veteran in the healthcare industry and the leader in patient payments and engagement across North America. Over 2,000 healthcare provider organizations trust HealthPay24 to deliver seamless integration with their existing technologies and effortless consumer payment experiences through text, IVR, online, or applications like Venmo and PayPal. For more information, please visit https://www.healthpay24.com. We are pleased to welcome Ms. Bostrom and know she will be a valuable addition to our sales team, said John Li, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing. With Alyssias extensive technical knowledge and experience, she will provide great service to customers in her territory. BriskHeat, a leading provider of surface and immersion heating products, controllers, and insulators, has named Alyssia Bostrom to lead its East Coast sales program. As the Eastern Zone Sales Manager, Bostrom will be responsible for the territories sales strategy, including developing new business opportunities, managing existing accounts, and creating customized solutions to customer applications. Bostrom brings with her more than 20 years experience in sales and account management. She has worked with both government agencies and private industry. Bostrom holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama, Huntsville. In her roles prior to joining BriskHeat, Bostrom consistently grew territory sales in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, composites, defense, energy, and infrastructure. We are pleased to welcome Ms. Bostrom and know she will be a valuable addition to our sales team, said John Li, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing. With Alyssias extensive technical knowledge and experience, she will provide great service to customers in her territory. For more information, please contact us at bhtsales1@briskheat.com or visit the BriskHeat website at http://www.BriskHeat.com. About BriskHeat Since 1949, BriskHeat has provided a full range of surface and immersion heating solutions used for freeze protection, condensation prevention, flow/viscosity control, vacuum bake-out, composite curing, and temperature process control. BriskHeats primary manufacturing facilities and headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. BriskHeat has a worldwide sales network including sales offices in Taiwan, China, and Germany, as well as a manufacturing facility in Vietnam. In 2017, BriskHeat was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. In 2018, BriskHeat became part of NIBE Industrier AB, a global group of manufacturing companies with over 15,000 employees worldwide. Follow BriskHeat on Twitter (@BriskHeat), on Facebook or on LinkedIn. Chairish The future of the design industry is global, and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Chairish. By combining the market leader in the US with the market leader in Europe, we are realizing our vision to bring the very best home furnishings from around the world to design lovers. Chairish, the beloved online destination for chic and unique home furnishings, today announces the acquisition of Pamono, the leading European online marketplace for vintage and antique furniture and art. This combination will allow Chairish and Pamono buyers to shop the worlds finest offering of high-end furnishings, decor, and art, while enabling the companies sellers to reach a global audience. The online home furnishings category has grown dramatically in both the US and in Europe over the past several years, with COVID and 2020s shelter in place orders accelerating consumer adoption of ecommerce. As they spent increasing time at home, shoppers found their spaces more important than ever and upgraded them to suit new functions like work from home and entertaining. By 2024, the global online furniture market is projected to grow to $84.2 billion. Founded in 2013, Chairish is the leading online destination for the high-end home, offering an expertly curated assortment of vintage and antique pieces alongside best-in-class items from coveted designer brands, original artists and exclusive makers. Through its comprehensive marketplace, each month Chairish connects 4.5 million affluent shoppers to over 10,000 sellers offering over 580,000 items. Repeatedly achieving a world class 80+ NPS score, Chairishs full service, easy-to-shop site has earned a dedicated following of fans, particularly amongst interior designers. The acquisition of Pamono further bolsters Chairishs position as the leading online shopping destination for luxury home furnishings. Together, the two brands portfolio will account for: A shared vision to bring the very best of design online in a way that fosters the health and growth of the design industry and the small businesses that drive it Over 830,000 exceptional vintage, antique, contemporary and made-to-order products, offered by the leading 12,000 sellers worldwide A rapidly growing monthly international audience of 6.5 million+ affluent and sophisticated design aficionados accessed through regionalized sites and currencies A community of 30,000+ verified design professionals, the furnishings industrys most valuable buyers A shipping network capable of seamlessly delivering irreplaceable items at the most competitive rates worldwide A combined leadership team comprised of veteran technology, home, fashion and editorial industry leaders in the US and Europe The future of the design industry is global, and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Chairish. By combining the market leader in the US with the market leader in Europe, we are realizing our vision to bring the very best home furnishings from around the world to design lovers everywhere. With this unification, Chairish will be even better positioned to support the global design community, said Gregg Brockway, CEO and Co-Founder of Chairish. Were thrilled to become part of Chairish, a move that will bring our platform powerful technology advancements, a complementary and accomplished leadership team, an expanded audience of buyers and sellers, marketing power and operational scale. We have a shared belief in the importance of curation and a mutual passion for bringing the best of the design market online, connecting vintage and antique dealers, artisans and high-end makers with sophisticated design enthusiasts and professionals, said Letizia Luperini, Pamono, Founder and Managing Director. Pamono will continue to operate as a standalone site and grow the team based in Europe. Chairish will share more information on deeper integration between the businesses and new solutions for the design industry in the coming months. Final closure of the acquisition is subject to customary German tax and regulatory approval. About Chairish Founded in 2013, Chairish is the leading emporium where designers and tastemakers shop for exceptional home furnishings and art. Named the #1 cant live without decorating app that will change the way you shop for furniture online by Architectural Digest, Chairish delights millions of shoppers with its expert curation of exclusive and diverse inventory, refreshing shopping experience and award-winning customer care. As a marketplace, Chairish is committed to building a more sustainable home industry thats kinder to the planet and supports the circular economy through the buying and reselling of vintage and antique pieces. Entrepreneur lists Chairish as one of the best entrepreneurial companies in America'' and USA Today readers named Chairish the "best place to shop online for furniture and home decor." Chairish has raised funding from investors such as Tritium Partners, Altos Ventures Ltd, Azure Capital and OReilly AlphaTech Ventures. Chairish Inc. is the San Francisco-based parent company of Chairish.com and Pamono.com. About Pamono Pamono is the leading European marketplace specializing in one-of-a-kind design objects and the stories behind them. Driven by the belief that a life well lived means surrounding yourself with beauty and soul, Pamono offers design connoisseurs over 250,000 extraordinary items sourced from 2,000 high profile galleries, shops, editors, artisans and designers. Now offering 4,000 new arrivals weekly, Pamono was founded in 2013 by Christian Ahrendt, Letizia Luperini, Oliver Weyergraf. Customer insights are a cornerstone for Camparis journey towards data-driven marketing. Cloud4Wis solution enables us to collect profiles with opt-ins data from bartender- and consumer-focused events. said Chad Niemuth, Vice President Global IT Marketing and Sales at Campari Group. Cloud4Wi, industry leader in location-based marketing solutions, today announced the availability of Cloud4Wi in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. Cloud4Wi clients can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment and management. Cloud4Wi helps companies fill the offline gap of the digital customer journey with location marketing capabilities. With Cloud4Wi, companies can collect customer profiles and shed light on their offline behaviors. This way companies can gain a 360-degree customer view and perfectly connect with customers at the right moment (the right time and place) via the right channel, yielding high conversion rates and optimizing marketing spend. Customer insights are a cornerstone for Camparis journey towards data-driven marketing said Chad Niemuth, Vice President Global IT Marketing and Sales at Campari Group. Cloud4Wis solution enables us to collect profiles with opt-ins data from bartender- and consumer-focused events. We are thrilled to be part of Microsoft Azure Marketplace said Andrea Calcagno, CEO and Co-Founder at Cloud4Wi. With Cloud4Wi, companies can connect with customers in a new way and drive results in todays new normal by gaining access to untapped customer offline data. Jake Zborowski, General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. said, Were pleased to welcome Cloud4Wi to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, which gives our partners great exposure to cloud customers around the globe. Azure Marketplace offers world-class quality experiences from global trusted partners with solutions tested to work seamlessly with Azure. The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud-based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use. About Cloud4Wi Cloud4Wi is changing the way companies connect with customers. Our comprehensive location-based marketing platform is the ultimate tool for filling the offline gap of the digital customer journey, allowing companies to drive loyalty and revenue. Using customer offline data, our proprietary platform sends perfectly targeted messages to the right customers at the right moment - at the right time and place. Leading innovative companies including Burger King, Campari Group, Carmila (Carrefour Group), Guess, The Cordish Companies, Valentino, and many others, rely on Cloud4Wi to drive performance, seeing strong results as +30% click-through rates and +30x ROI. Cloud4Wi is headquartered in New York with offices in San Francisco, Pisa and Milan. Comprehensive coverage will save you a lot of money when your car is damaged by weather, animals, rioters or stolen, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains why drivers should purchase comprehensive car insurance. This policy covers multiple scenarios in which the car is damaged by events not related to a car crash. For more info, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/how-to-save-money-with-comprehensive-insurance/ The policyholder will be reimbursed in the following scenarios: The car is stolen. If the driver cannot support the costs for replacing his car, if it is stolen, he should consider acquiring comprehensive insurance. The comprehensive coverage will compensate the cost to replace a stolen vehicle if it's missing for more than 30 days. The comprehensive insurance will pay the actual cash value of your car at the moment it got stolen minus the deductible. Weather damage. Severe weather events such as hailstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and others, can seriously damage a vehicle, and in some cases, the car will be considered totaled. An animal collision. If the car hits a large animal like a horse, moose, or even a deer, expect some damage to be done to the vehicle. Damage like a cracked windshield, dented hood and/or rooftop, are common when hitting an animal. It covers against fire damage. Damaged done by a roadside fire or by a fire engine can be serious, and in some cases, the car will be declared as a total loss. This insurance coverage also protects the vehicle in case the owners garage burned down. It pays in cases of vandalism and riots. In dangerous areas, vandals will damage the vehicle by smashing the windshield, deflating the tires with their knives, or by filling it with graffiti. A car can also be vandalized when protests degenerate and turn into riots. In many cases, cars that were stuck in the middle of riots suffered extensive damage. It covers against falling objects. Falling objects such as trees, rocks, lamp poles, and others can seriously damage a vehicle. Comprehensive coverage will pay for the broken windshield, dented hood or rooftop, broken mirrors, and other damage. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. The past year marked a pivotal moment in our companys history, signifying a change in the way we show up for our clients by helping them put the customer experience at the center of their business strategy, said Kevin Bauer, CEO of Envoy. Envoy Group, an end-to-end digital consultancy that creates connected customer experiences, today announced they are uniting all agency brands (Envoy, Bulldog Drummond, and Leviathan) under one name - Envoy. The rebrand follows a year of record growth, with its employee headcount now over 110 employees across offices located in Irvine, Chicago, and San Diego. The company's growth was partially driven by changing consumer demands and expectations during the pandemic that led to major digital disruption and the rapid growth of eCommerce. The past year marked a pivotal moment in our companys history, signifying a change in the way we show up for our clients by helping them put the customer experience at the center of their business strategy, said Kevin Bauer, CEO of Envoy. We recognized how the speed and complexity of decision making accelerated dramatically for our clients in 2020 and saw it as an opportunity to improve our own connected customer experience, committing further to our own brand innovation, digital transformation, and growth acceleration. While we have effectively been operating as one team over the past two years, today makes it official as we move forward, unified under one brand name. In the last year, e-commerce experienced a decades worth of growth, with online sales growing a record 44% year-over-year. In this new era of hyper-digital connectivity, companies faced a new level of consumer demand. Organizations were forced to pivot all facets of their business and accelerate digital. Envoys digital design and development capabilities have grown tremendously since the 2018 acquisitions of Leviathan (a leading experiential and digital environments agency) and Bulldog Drummond (a renowned brand and innovation consultancy). The creative consultancy has been providing end-to-end data-driven solutions for clients since the addition to deliver connected customer experiences. The unification of these three agencies provides clients with a seamlessly integrated team across the US with resources on both coasts. The rebrand reflects the companys evolution and renewed focus to offer a full-service customer experience consultancy across six core practice areas: brand and strategy, B2B and B2C websites, commerce platforms, digital products, digital environments, and marketing and media. The Leviathan and Bulldog Drummond brands have a rich history, and together weve been able to build a powerhouse agency that takes our capabilities to the next level, said Ryan Rommelfanger, co-founder and executive creative director of Envoy. We are excited to unite these teams under the Envoy brand to bring a more cohesive connected customer experience for our clients. There are no silos or regional constraints, just best-in-class, digitally-led experiences for customers, driven by data and insights and grounded in a strong business and brand strategy. Envoys leadership remains unchanged and will continue to drive the organization moving forward across all three offices. Envoys most recent portfolio includes innovative work for iconic brands including McDonalds, Acorns, Vizio, Arlo, TaylorMade, Verizon, Nike, HyperX, and Diageo. Envoy holds strategic partnerships with Shopify Plus, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe, BigCommerce, Yotpo, Klaviyo, and ReCharge. The news follows on the heels of Envoy launching its new investment arm, Envoy Ventures, which aims to help brands take full advantage of the opportunities todays accelerated digital economy offers. With an initial $10 million fund, Envoy Ventures has already invested in several companies including, Kapsul connected air conditioners, Kopari Beauty, and Violux UV-C light cleaning. By combining highly accomplished brand-building and digital experience consultants with early-stage investment and operating principles, Envoy Ventures helps businesses go further, faster. To learn more about Envoy and how the company is enabling customers to be successful, accelerate and scale through customer experiences, visit https://www.weareenvoy.com/. About Envoy Envoy is an end-to-end digital consultancy that helps organizations accelerate growth through connected customer experiences. Trusted by iconic brands and tomorrows category leaders, Envoys multidisciplinary team of strategists, designers, and technologists deliver unprecedented levels of impact through brand building, ecommerce, and digital products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, with offices in San Diego and Chicago, Envoy transforms experiences for clients such as T-Mobile, VIZIO, Arlo, Nike, and Diageo. To learn more, visit Envoys website and follow the team on LinkedIn. Our awards highlight those suppliers with the most complete solutions in their technology area, as rated by their end users. We congratulate Dimensional Insight on receiving top marks from its customers once again. Dimensional Insight, the maker of Diver Platform, a solution that provides data analytics, integration, and KPIs, has once again been named an overall leader in business intelligence by Dresner Advisory Services in its annual Industry Excellence awards. This recognition signifies that Dimensional Insight received high ratings in the Customer Experience Model and the Vendor Credibility Model in the Wisdom of Crowds Business Intelligence (BI) Market Study. Receiving an Industry Excellence Award signifies that a vendor has achieved leadership status in the two industry-rating models included in the Wisdom of Crowds research report. As an Overall Leader, Dimensional Insight is a leader in two categories: Experience Leader in the Customer Experience Model. This considers the real-world experience of customers as they work with BI products on a daily basis, plotting the various customer touch points against sentiment surrounding product and technology. Credibility Leader in the Vendor Credibility Model. This considers the vendors relationship with customers, plotting perceived value for price paid against a calculated confidence score. Additionally, Dimensional insight was recognized as best in class in: most sales measures, product completeness of functionality, reliability of technology, integration of components within its product, ease of administration, customization and extensibility, and support time to resolve problems. Dimensional Insight has had a strong showing in our annual Wisdom of Crowds BI report once again, demonstrating strong leadership in business intelligence, said Howard Dresner, founder and chief research officer at Dresner Advisory Services. Our awards highlight those suppliers with the most complete solutions in their technology area, as rated by their end users. We congratulate Dimensional Insight on receiving top marks from its customers once again. Dimensional Insights co-founder and CEO, Fred Powers, says, Dimensional Insight is committed to continually improving our user experience, and recognitions such as this show we are succeeding in that commitment. Our vision is to inspire innovation and improvement by connecting organizations to trusted, actionable data through enterprise analytics and to enable data literacy so everyone in an organization can easily explore data to make better business decisions. The results of this years study, along with first-hand user feedback, can be found by visiting: https://www.dimins.com/awards/dresner-report-2021/. About Dimensional Insight Dimensional Insight is a leading provider of analytics, data management, and performance management solutions, offering a complete portfolio of capabilities ranging from data integration and modeling to sophisticated reporting, analytics, and dashboards. Founded in 1989, Dimensional Insight has thousands of customer organizations worldwide. Dimensional Insight consistently ranks as a top performing analytics organization by customers and industry analysts in its core market segments including healthcare, manufacturing, and beverage alcohol. For more information, please visit http://www.dimins.com. Even though this is our third time making the Fast 50 list, it never gets less exciting, Our continued growth throughout the years shows the power of our team and our mission. Were happy to celebrate our success and look forward to more milestones in the future. Elite Insurance Partners ranks at #33 out of 50 companies on the Tampa Bay Business Journal Fast 50 list with a 65.63% revenue growth between 2018 and 2020. This is the companys third consecutive year placing on the list. The list includes the fastest-growing privately held companies with headquarters in Tampa Bay. The eligible counties for a companys placement on the list are Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. To qualify, companies needed a 2018 revenue of at least $1 million or a 2020 revenue of at least $5 million. Accounting firm RSM US LLP verified the information supplied by every company. Even though this is our third time making the Fast 50 list, it never gets less exciting, says CEO of Elite Insurance Partners, Jagger Esch. Our continued growth throughout the years shows the power of our team and our mission. Were happy to celebrate our success and look forward to more milestones in the future. Elite Insurance Partners was also included on this years Tampa Bay Business Journal Best Places to Work list. For a full list of the Tampa Bay Business Journal Fast 50 rankings for 2021, click here. About Elite Insurance Partners: Founded in 2014, Elite Insurance Partners ranks in the top five Medicare brokerages in the nation. Representing over 30 carriers throughout the United States, their primary market is Medicare, but they also help with: dental, vision, cancer, heart attack, stroke, life, long-term care, and disability insurance. Assisting clients nationwide, their mission has always been simple: provide thorough education on all insurance options and help to find the best plan(s) for the needs and budget of each individual. If you would like more information, please contact Lindsay Malzone at LMalzone@TeamEIP.com. FDA granting Neuralert Breakthrough Device designation is a major milestone in our efforts to bring this valuable and revolutionary technology to market. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the Neuralert Monitor designation as a Breakthrough Device. The Neuralert Technologies device is indicated for use to detect the onset of asymmetric movement in hospitalized patients with medical conditions or procedures that are established risks for stroke and who have no baseline asymmetric upper extremity weakness." Neuralert is a spin-out from the University of Pennsylvania, founded by Steven Messe, MD (Department of Neurology) and James Weimer, PhD (Department of Computer and Information Science). The companys novel invention addresses the problem of late or undetected stroke in hospitalized patients. The system uses non-invasive, wearable devices which continuously monitor at-risk hospitalized patients for stroke symptoms and automatically alerts clinical staff resulting in more rapid assessment and treatment of the patient. Neuralerts automated detection process may be up to ten times faster when compared to the current standard of care which relies on manual detection processes. Reduction in stroke detection time will save patient lives, improve outcomes, and reduce hospital cost and liability. Currently, hospital stroke detection requires consistent, timely, and effective manual assessment. Unfortunately, the majority of in-hospital strokes are not detected in a timely manner resulting in treatment delays which adversely impact patient outcomes and hospital cost, said Eric Corkhill, CEO of Neuralert. Neuralert is an automated stroke symptom detection system which constantly monitors the patient for stroke-based asymmetry, a revolutionary change in managing stroke. FDA granting Neuralert Breakthrough Device designation is a major milestone in our efforts to bring this valuable and revolutionary technology to market. About Neuralert Technologies: Founded in 2019, as a spinout from the University of Pennsylvania, Neuralerts mission is to transform the method of monitoring for stroke symptoms in hospitalized patients. By combining lightweight, non-invasive wearable devices with a patented algorithm, the Neuralert system constantly monitors patients for stroke symptoms and automatically alerts hospital staff when detected, speeding treatment which saves lives and improves outcomes. Neuralert Technologies is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit http://www.neuralerttechnologies.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuralert-technologies. Fountain Sanitation District joins the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System The Fountain Sanitation District invites all potential vendors to register online. The Fountain Sanitation District has officially joined the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, one of bidnet directs regional e-procurement solutions, providing vendors throughout Colorado and Wyoming easy online access its upcoming solicitations. The Fountain Sanitation District invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado. The regional purchasing group connects local governments with vendors looking to do business with public agencies. On the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, vendors seeking business with nearly 320 participating agencies can register online to gain access to a single point of entry for opportunities throughout Colorado. By posting upcoming bids and RFPs on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, the Fountain Sanitation District ensures an entire community of vendors can view their solicitation, download documents, and receive notification of addenda. The vendors self-register and ensure their contact information is up to date. Because we arent the only agency posting and distributing bids, the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System provides the Fountain Sanitation District more vendor competition, which we hope will help cut costs, said Jonathan Moore, District Manager of the Fountain Sanitation District when asked why the district decided to join the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System. We also like that it can help our current vendors expand their business opportunities. The Fountain Sanitation District invites all local vendors to visit http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado and register to receive access to its upcoming solicitations as well as the upcoming bids and RFPs from 318 other public agencies participating on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System. Registered vendors have the option to upgrade their service to receive customized bid alerts, notification of term contract expiration, and notification of a real-time addendum. About the Fountain Sanitation District: The District was created in 1955 and is governed under Title 32 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. The District provides wastewater collection and treatment services utilizing more than a 100-miles of sanitary mains and two wastewater treatment facilities. The District serves 24,000+ customers across its six square mile service area with more than 7,400 accounts. Most of the Districts service area is within the City of Fountain. The District is committed to protecting the environment while meeting the current and future needs of the community through responsible and manageable growth. About bidnet direct: bidnet direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. bidnet direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers The full-service digital agency recently launched the seventh edition of its website, which features custom web design and animations as well as a refreshed brand look and color palette. Mostly Serious, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in custom web design, digital marketing, SEO, and content, has launched the newest version of its website, which is the agencys seventh in 11 years of operation. Mostly Serious, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in custom web design, digital marketing, SEO, and content, has launched the newest version of its website, which is the agencys seventh in 11 years of operation. Bold, Hyper-Intentional, Streamlined Design The custom web design of Mostly Seriouss new website highlights significant visual and navigational departures from the agencys previous iteration. The color palette is bolder and brighter and all pages feature custom-illustrated abstract images and animations. Following the latest in design trends, the navigation has been pared down to direct visitors to the agencys work, services, and team. The website has shifted away from traditional sections of content in favor of pages that flow seamlessly from one section to the next. Evolution is one of our guiding principles and that became the main inspiration for our new website, which gave us cause to reevaluate our existing brand elements by upgrading our color palette and adding new custom illustrations, said Art Director Jessica Gottstein. She continued,We also pushed ourselves to reevaluate our content and have moved to be more design-focused overall; our new website has less but more intentional copy and big stretches of visual content that give us the opportunity to let our work shine. The new website also highlights careers at Mostly Serious. The websites new careers page lays out the agencys benefits and departments, as well as a diversity and inclusion statement. Weve grown so much since we launched our last site. Weve added wonderful team members, refined our purpose and vision, and established new relationships, and each of these elements has helped us evolve as an organization; this new site reflects both who we are and the kind of work we want to do, said Spencer Harris, Mostly Seriouss president. He continued, Given the operational milestones weve encountered over the last year, including our 10-year anniversary and designation as one of the Top 250 Fastest Growing Companies in the Midwest by Inc. Magazine, this new site has been such a great opportunity to put a visual stamp on the state of Mostly Serious. The New Website Follows A Recent Projects Webby Nomination Mostly Seriouss new website launch comes on the heels of the agencys first-ever Webby nomination for Project Shift, a recruitment initiative that seeks to fill a massive industry gap and attract generations of new auto tech talent. Project Shifts website design features an abstract, ultra-stylized look and feel, seamless motion and interaction, and an unconventional layout that serves as an ideal browsing experience for the sites target audiences. Mostly Seriouss work was nominated alongside global-reaching brands like Spotify. About Mostly Serious Founded in 2010, Springfield, Mo.-based full-service Craft CMS agency Mostly Serious offers the latest in custom web design and development, digital marketing and advertising, and more. Mostly Serious has crafted award-winning websites and digital advertising campaigns for Burrell Behavioral Health, CoxHealth, Safe and Sober, and other well-known entities in the southwest Mo. region. For more information about Mostly Serious, visit http://www.mostlyserious.io or email info@mostlyserious.io. Learn more about Project Shifts recruitment initiative at goprojectshift.com. More and more fans of minimalism are interested in Japandian amazing mixture of elements from Minimalism, Japanese and Scandinavian design Home Design Institute (homedesigninstitute.com), an educational institution specializing in interior design and landscape design courses, has introduced the first-ever online interior design course in the Japandi style. An interesting mix of traditional Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian modernism, Japandi is characterized by a flair for simplicity, symmetry, elegance, functionality and the use of natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly materials, brought together to create a feeling of comfort. Its origin dates back to Japans Heian period where nobles and aristocrats were known for their lavish lifestyles. More and more fans of minimalism are interested in Japandian amazing mixture of elements from Minimalism, Japanese and Scandinavian design. Focused on the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials, the style itself incorporates many minimalistic ideas. Its design features elegance and functionality. Most often, Japandi uses soft, pastel colours that are in harmony with nature, which people are looking for, said architect Ana Georgieva, an instructor at HDI. Japandi incorporates the modern trend for clean outlines with neutral colours, muted shades, and minimal furnishing. The most preferred colours in this style are white, cream, champagne, pastel pink, soft green, and forest green, which evoke a sense of calmness, tranquillity, and inner peace. Clients are passionately searching for new design trends to furnish their homes. Furniture brands across the globe have to adapt to the ever-growing market and rapidly increasing demand for a particular style of interior design. Environmentalists and those who pay attention to preserving nature, the ecosystem, water, and natural resources find Japandi especially attractive. Students expressed enormous interest after we announced the start date of our interior design course in Japandi. Nearly 30% of all inquiries about our upcoming courses were related to it in the first week of announcement. This figure shows there is a lot of interest in this style, said Iliyan Petrov, founder of HDI. According to HDIs survey, the interest in minimalism is growing, and in combination with the Japanese style of interior design, this trend is attracting even more people. For more information, visit https://homedesigninstitute.com/course/188/ About Home Design Institute (HDI) Established in 2020, Home Design Institute (HDI) is an educational institution specializing in interior design and landscape design courses. Established industry professionals (architects or interior designers) conduct effective and practical online training that covers industry requirements within one academic year. HDI has helped more than 10,000 students follow the profession of their dreams in the last seven years. A new amenity has come to the Camas Bike & Sport parking lot in Downtown Camas, thanks to Ed Fischer of GPS NW Realty Solutions and SemaConnect: electric vehicle charging stations. The two new SemaConnect charging stations are the latest update to the renovated 1930s building and are open to all EV drivers visiting downtown Camas. The Adeline building was first built in 1938 and is now in its third life of service. Built by Dr. A.E. Bird to house his medical practice, the building was named for Dr. Birds wife Adeline and was later sold to American Savings and Loans in the mid-1970s. A renovation and three banking institutions later, Ed and Katina Fischer purchased the property in 2013 for conversion into a bike shop. After selling Camas Bike & Sport in 2019, property owner Ed Fischer decided to look for new ways to further repurpose and upgrade the property. Electric vehicle charging stations were an obvious choice. The two new Level 2 charging stations from SemaConnect are installed on a dual pedestal between two of the banks drive-through banking lanes. Before it was a bike shop, the Adeline was a bank, said Ed Fischer. The drive-up ATM is still active, and we still had the electrical infrastructure and covered parking for the pneumatic tubes. EV charging stations were an easy way to repurpose our site and support local business in downtown Camas. The charging stations are now co-located with the ATM, putting all three of the prior bank drive-up stalls back into use. Mr. Fischer continued, Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in Camas, and drivers need reliable public charging stations. Our new SemaConnect charging stations were easy to install, and they include the network features that EV drivers in the Camas-Washougal region need. Im excited to offer this new service for our city, and I invite other local business owners to join me in electrifying Camas. The two SemaConnect Series 6 charging stations are compatible with all plug-in electric vehicles in North America including Chevy, Tesla, Ford, and Nissan. Interactive LED lights show station status at a glance, and a no assembly required design allows simple installation at commercial properties like the Adeline Building. Most importantly for Fischer Investments and Camass EV drivers, the smart stations include the SemaConnect Network. Drivers will receive 24/7 customer service and SemaConnects Five Ways to Charge: SemaConnect Network Pass, SemaConnect App, mobile browser, automated phone system, or the PlugShare and ChargeHub applications. Fischer Investments will receive remote monitoring, custom access and pricing controls, and reports on usage and sustainability. Were pleased to help Camas bring electric car charging back to Camas, said Tony Sargent, senior vice president at SemaConnect. Installing charging stations at a storied building such as the Adeline is evidence that with creativity and ingenuity, most buildings can be retrofitted to accommodate EV charging stations. What Ed did in repurposing existing electrical infrastructure sets a great example for other property owners looking to add charging stations as amenities to their properties. The two SemaConnect stations at Camas Bike and Sport are ready to charge all plug-in electric cars visiting Camas. Visit the SemaConnect app for live station status, pricing, and directions. About GPS NW Realty Solutions: Ed Fischer has found success in his career by turning passions into service. For many years he has been a private real estate investor owning multiple residential income properties in four different states, and in 2013 purchased commercial property for his business operation, which he still manages today. Ed is best known in Clark County as the founder of Camas Bike and Sport, which he operated for 10+ years until July 2019 when he sold the business operation. Ed is now a Commercial Real Estate Broker and Investor. He also serves as an EV Charging Station Sales Specialist, helping identify locations for additional income streams for property owners and value add for tenants/customers/employees, with the supplemental mission of building up EV Charging infrastructure. For more information, contact Ed at ed.fischer@expcommercial.com or 360-281-1394. About SemaConnect: SemaConnect is a leading provider and pioneer of electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions to the North American commercial, residential and fleet market. A complete EV support partner, SemaConnect is making transportation electrification possible in this decade through innovative, elegantly designed charging stations, a robust and open network platform, and an unparalleled charging experience for drivers and station owners. Since our founding in 2008, SemaConnect has installed thousands of smart charging stations at top companies like CBRE, JLL, Hines, Greystar, Nike, Electrify America, and Standard Parking. SemaConnect remains the preferred charging solutions partner to municipal, parking, multifamily, hotel, office, retail and commercial fleet customers across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.semaconnect.com. With a triple-whammy of unemployment, remote work, and the rise in professionals contemplating career changes, recruiters and job seekers need guidance now more than ever. Our annual State of Online Recruiting Report is here to help. - Steve Flook, President & CEO, iHire iHire today published its 2021 State of Online Recruiting Report, an inside look at the most prevalent challenges, opportunities, and trends in the talent acquisition space. The third annual report, which showcases the results of iHires survey of 6,370 U.S. employers and job seekers from 57 industries, illustrates job market recovery and an ongoing talent shortage. To download the full report, visit https://go.ihire.com/cbgjn. Key themes found in iHires 2021 State of Online Recruiting report include the following: Hiring is back in action. After a tumultuous 2020, companies are hiring fast and furiously 86.2% of employers surveyed indicated that they are currently hiring, a 13.4% uptick from last years report. In addition, 66.6% of employers said they increased hiring within the past year, and just 20.6% expressed concern with limited hiring budgets in the next 12 months. Employers are (still) experiencing a talent shortage. Despite the 5.9% U.S. unemployment rate and potentially deep talent pools, 73.9% of employers cited too few qualified candidates among their most significant online recruiting challenges. Similarly, 77.0% anticipate a shortage of qualified applicants throughout the coming year. For perspective, 2021 marks the third straight year that survey respondents struggled with candidate quality above any other hiring challenge. Job board usage is up. 58.9% of employers said they increased their reliance on job boards and online recruiting platforms in the past year. Further, 49.6% said they do most of their recruiting through job boards, and 23.4% said they do all their recruiting through job boards. However, employers are also leveraging referrals (used by 70.6% of respondents), social media (57.0%), and their websites (50.2%) to source talent. Applicant-employer communication is lagging. 46.8% of employers said that unresponsive candidates (not hearing back from applicants after reaching out) is a top online recruiting pain point. On the other hand, 48.8% of job seekers said the same about employers they are frustrated with applying for jobs and receiving no response. Moving forward, both parties will need to commit to communicating with one another and say no to ghosting if they want to find the right hires and the right opportunities. Employers and job seekers digress on the future of remote work. Despite remote work taking center stage since March of 2020, just a quarter (25.5%) of employers said they expect to see continued candidate interest in remote work in the coming year. However, job seeker responses suggest no shortage of work-from-home interest and opportunities: Only 16.5% of job seekers said they struggle to find remote work when searching for jobs online, and a mere 19.2% foresee difficulty finding remote work in the next 12 months. "Economic recovery is underway as businesses rebuild from COVID-19, but our research suggests that companies are still experiencing a shortage of qualified talent although 9.5 million Americans are unemployed, said Steve Flook, iHires President and CEO. At the same time, were undergoing one of the greatest periods of disruption in how and where work gets done. With a triple-whammy of unemployment, remote work, and the rise in professionals contemplating career changes, recruiters and job seekers need guidance now more than ever. Our annual State of Online Recruiting Report is here to help. To access iHires 2021 State of Online Recruiting Report, visit https://go.ihire.com/cbgjn. Survey Methodology A total of 6,370 U.S. job seekers (5,614) and employers (756) responded to iHires State of Online Recruiting Survey in June and July of 2021. Respondents came from iHires database of job seekers and employers of various sizes across 57 industries. All decimal points are rounded to the nearest tenth. For many questions, multiple answers could be selected so percentages add up to a sum greater than 100%. In some instances, survey questions were skipped by an individual respondent. About iHire iHire is a leading career-oriented platform that powers a family of 57 industry-focused talent networks, including WorkInSports, iHireVeterinary, iHireDental, iHireConstruction, and iHireChefs. For more than 20 years, iHire has combined advanced job matching technology with our expertise in the talent acquisition space to connect job seekers with employers in their desired sector. With an industry-specific, candidate-centric, and data-driven approach to recruitment, iHire helps candidates find meaningful work, and employers find unique, high-quality talent faster, easier, and more effectively than a general job board. Visit http://www.iHire.com for more information. iVvy adds Finance, Operations and Sales management to drive growth and support its international client base ahead of listing on the Australian Stock Exchange Amid a year of transformational growth, iVvy a modern, cloud-based event and venue management platform has added finance, sales and operations depth, adding nearly 30 new employees including several senior appointments across various departments within the organization. As iVvy rapidly accelerates growth into new markets across the globe, it announced the following appointments have been made: David Macauslane joined as CFO and brings experiences from both listed and unlisted environments. David brings invaluable knowledge from investment banking, financial services, property development, corporate advisory and government, and joins iVvy as they move towards IPO/listing on the ASX in early 2022. Jane Monkhouse joins as Global Head of People and Culture to nurture and grow the entrepreneurial spirit and drive at the core of iVvys vision. Jane brings 15 years experience as an international HR leader from multiple industry sectors and jurisdictions, including Asia, Middle East, Caribbean and Australia. Katie Devoe joins in the U.S. as VP Sales - West Coast. Through a long-standing career with leading hospitality providers including IHG & Hilton, Katie brings insights and understanding of the opportunities for the future in hospitality technology. Diane Walker joins as VP of Implementation & Projects, bringing many years of knowledge and expertise in hospitality and revenue management solutions. Her focus is on ensuring successful onboarding of iVvys U.S. customers. Maria Macree has joined the iVvy family as Head Of Sales for the UK. Maria brings more than a decade of international hospitality tech experience to iVvy and is an expert in her field, identifying industry challenges and finding solutions for hospitality businesses with innovative world leading technology. Leon Hughes joins as Training and Implementation Manager in the U.K. With a hospitality career in large meeting and event venues, Leon's in-depth operational knowledge brings exceptional capabilities for the future onboarding of customers in the region. A total of nearly 30 team members joined across the customer experience, implementation, product and development teams, with many more appointments coming in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Team expansion at iVvy comes on the heels of a $7-million investment (US$5.4 million) as part of a pre-IPO round aimed at furthering the growth and global adoption of the companys innovative sales and catering software. iVvy plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2022. The hotel, restaurant and meetings markets are rebounding faster than anyone could have expected from the global COVID pandemic. As these venues build books of business for the Fall events season, iVvy is perfectly situated to help them drive increased revenue while operating more efficiently, said iVvy CEO Lauren Hall. Growing our team with these key appointments will allow us to scale globally, bringing disruptive and agile sales and catering solutions to new markets like Europe and the U.S. For more about iVvy, its plans for accelerated global growth and its newly enhanced executive team, please visit http://www.ivvy.com. ABOUT IVVY iVvys modern, cloud-based Sales and Catering software is revolutionizing the way meeting planners connect with hotels, allowing hotels to display rates and inventory for their meeting space online and facilitate real-time bookings. With enhanced reporting and analytics, hotels are provided with greater visibility over their business so they can yield their group rooms, meetings and event spaces to maximize revenue. To date, iVvy supports more than 25,000 users in 16 countries, with continued expansion under way. For more information, please visit http://www.ivvy.com. This partnership between PCF, Chivaroli, and James & Gable marks a momentous milestone for the PCF Network Peter Foy, chairman, CEO, and founder of PCF Insurance Services PCF Insurance Services (PCF) announced today, a strategic partnership with James & Gable Insurance Brokers (James & Gable) and Chivaroli & Associates (Chivaroli). Both agencies are based in California and specialize in property and casualty insurance for healthcare organizations. This partnership unites James & Gable and Chivaroli and establishes one of the largest and most premier full-service healthcare brokers in the U.S. The integration of these agencies creates a brokerage with unparalleled healthcare experience, expansive resources, unique access to healthcare-specific insurance carriers, and a devotion to exceptional customer service. Chivaroli and James & Gable will join under one combined name: Chivaroli, James & Gable. This partnership between PCF, Chivaroli, and James & Gable marks a momentous milestone for the PCF Network, said Peter Foy, chairman, CEO, and founder, PCF Insurance Services. Through this alliance PCF takes part in a meaningful share and investment in the healthcare industry. We are fortunate to welcome the experienced and outstanding management teams at Chivaroli and James & Gable and look forward to growing together. The combined client base of Chivaroli, James & Gable consists of health systems, hospitals, universities, municipal agencies, medical groups, senior living & long-term care facilities, clinics, managed care organizations, and ancillary healthcare providers located across the United States. With this alliance, we have doubled our platform of clients and now have stronger market access, said Jan Gable, president, James & Gable. This partnership integrates our agencies in a way that will provide unparalleled value to our clients and prospect. PCF will bring added infrastructure and operational support to Chivaroli, James & Gable through its Shared Services team. The elite team of experts offer tailored support in the areas of finance and accounting, human resources, information systems, carrier relations, communication and marketing, and growth operations. Together, with James & Gable, we are thrilled to be members of the PCF family and establish PCF in the healthcare vertical, said Christian Chivaroli, president and CEO, Chivaroli. This partnership brings additional value and an arsenal of exclusive tools, technology, and relationships within the healthcare vertical that will fuel this exciting integration with James & Gable. With 36 acquisitions in 2020 and over 70 agencies dotted across the United States, PCF is establishing its place on the national stage among the industrys most active acquirers. With this growth, PCF continues to develop its Shared Services Center base in Salt Lake City, Utah with satellite offices in Birmingham, AL, Charlotte, NC, Orlando, FL, Scottsdale, AZ, and Woodland Hills, CA. About PCF Insurance Services Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, PCF is a full-service insurance brokerage firm which provides complete risk management solutions with a broad array of property & casualty, life and health, employee benefits and workers' compensation insurance products. Due to its scale and growth, PCF is a top 50 broker in the United States by revenue. Additional information can be found at https://pcfinsuranceservices.com/. About James & Gable Insurance Brokers James & Gable Insurance Brokers was founded in 1993 with offices in Walnut Creek and Manhattan Beach, California. James & Gable is led by John James, Jan Gable, and James Sprague. https://www.james-gable.com/ About Chivaroli & Associates Chivaroli & Associates was founded in 1993 and is based in Thousand Oaks, California with satellite offices in Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. Chivaroli is led by Christian Chivaroli, Collin Wedel, Mary Winterburn, and Barry Kramer. https://chivaroli.com/ I have a true passion for leading my team and creating new programs that provide opportunities for students and entry-level talent. -Kelly Barrena, director of global talent brand and outreach, KnowBe4 KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced that its director of global talent brand and outreach Kelly Barrena was recognized as the runner-up for the 2021 Campus Choice Recruiting Awards in the Exceptional Leader Award category for Tech/SMB companies. RippleMatch narrowed down the top names in campus recruiting and talent acquisition and highlighted the rising stars, innovators and exceptional leaders across 15 categories. After more than 15,000 votes cast by the public, winners and runners-up were announced. It is such an honor to be selected as the runner-up for the 2021 Campus Choice Recruiting Awards in the Exceptional Leader Award category, said Barrena. I have a true passion for leading my team and creating new programs that provide opportunities for students and entry-level talent. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for the incredible work they do in talent recruitment. Barrena is a distinguished leader with over 10 years of experience in talent brand and acquisition. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing a team that manages KnowBe4s global employer branding and recruitment marketing, as well as the internships, scholarships, recruitment programs, recruiting events and talent pipelines for each of KnowBe4s 11 offices worldwide. Prior to joining KnowBe4, Barrena built and sold two small businesses while living in Madrid, Spain. She is most known for her innovative mindset and is passionate about creating new experiences and programs to enable early-career talent to enter the professional workforce in high potential positions. For more information on KnowBe4 careers, visit https://www.knowbe4.com/careers. About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 39,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist, Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud, and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as their last line of defense. eMazzanti Technologies, a specialist in legal cybersecurity, is featured in two upcoming Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) webcasts. The live online sessions will present simple steps to protect client information and to restore business and client trust after an attack. Both sessions will feature Carl Mazzanti, President and Co-founder of eMazzanti Technologies, along with a guest law firm. The presentations are sponsored by the HSBA as an opportunity for its members to earn one CLE credit for a nominal fee, but others may attend. HSBA Law Student Members may also attend the live webcast for free. Legal Cyber Attack Prevention Webcast The first Live Webcast entitled, Cyber Attack Prevention: Simple Steps to Safeguard Client Information, is scheduled Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. HAST. Registration for the Live Webcast is open. Register for August 4 Live Legal Cyber Attack Prevention Webcast. Speakers for this session are Carl Mazzanti, Owner, eMazzanti Technologies and Kerry Brian Flowers, Esq., Attorney, Flowers and OBrien Law Firm of Hoboken, New Jersey. This one-hour session will educate participants as to how a bad actor gains access, and some simple ways to mitigate those risks. As technology progresses, law firms have a responsibility to protect client information. According to webcast materials, the natural action is to focus on how law firms avoid problems with wire fraud and Phishing scams. But the real dynamic in 2021 and beyond is the responsibility to protect client information. Legal Cyber Attack Recovery Webcast The second Live Webcast entitled, Cyber Attack Recovery: Simple Steps to Restore Your Business and Client Trust, is scheduled Friday, August 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. HAST. Speakers for this session include Carl Mazzanti, Owner, eMazzanti Technologies, and Michael Borrelli, Esq., Attorney, Borrelli & Associates Law Firm, New York. This session is heavily focused on recovery and damage control efforts once the bad actor is already present and damaging the firm. The guest law firm for this session represents an organization that survived an incident and thrives. When client information protection controls fail, it's time to recover and pivot. This one-hour session will educate participants on how to recover the firms systems and tarnished customer reputation after a bad actor gains access or does some real damage. The informative sessions will include discussions of ethical obligations, why law firms are targets, how to close off attack vectors, recovery tools, insurance, and best practices. Register for HSBA Legal Security Webcasts(s) Partner with Legal Cybersecurity Experts For 20 years, eMazzanti Technologies has helped law firms navigate the cybersecurity landscape to protect client information and business assets. With a new paradigm in business IT, eMazzanti encourages firms to update their cybersecurity strategies to be prepared. Have you read? Where Legal Cyber Security Falls Short Flowers and OBrien Excels with Legal Technology and Strategy from eMazzanti About Carl Mazzanti Carl Mazzanti is the Co-founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft's 4X Partner of the Year, 9X Inc. 5000 list honoree and the #1 ranked NYC Area MSP. His company specializes in legal IT security, cloud solutions, outsourced network management, remote monitoring, and support. A frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest, Carl has often contributed at Microsoft-focused events. About eMazzanti Technologies eMazzantis team of trained, certified IT experts rapidly deliver increased revenue growth, data security and productivity for clients ranging from law firms to high-end global retailers, providing advanced digital marketing services, cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site implementations, 247 outsourced network management, remote monitoring, and support. eMazzanti has made the Inc. 5000 list 9X, is a 4X Microsoft Partner of the Year, the #1 ranked NYC area MSP and NJ Business of the Year! Contact: 1-866-362-9926, info@emazzanti.net or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies. LemonadeLXP, the learning experience and digital adoption platform for financial institutions, has been named one of Training Industrys Top 20 Learning Experience Platforms of 2021. LemonadeLXP is tooled to deliver engaging learning experiences to meet the demands of the modern workforce. The platform combines a highly engaging learning experience, rapid authoring tools, social learning, skills, certifications, and deep analytics to upskill remote and on-site employees faster. This years Top 20 Learning Experience Platform (LXP) companies continue to push the boundaries of engagement with the learner, said Ken Taylor, CEO of Training Industry, Inc. The companies selected demonstrated how a learning system can truly impact the quality and efficacy of the learner experience. Leveraging AI, collaboration strategies, and multi-modal learning, the top 20 LXP companies are focused on improving employee performance. Training Industry, the leading research and information resource for corporate learning leaders, prepares the Training Industry Top 20 report on critical sectors of the corporate training marketplace to better inform professionals about the best and most innovative providers of training services and technologies. Selection to the 2021 Training Industry Top LXP Companies List was based on the following criteria: quality of features and capabilities, industry visibility, innovation and impact, strength of clients and geographic reach, and company size and growth potential. "Our mission at LemonadeLXP is to build the greatest learning experiences possible, and the continuous recognition from Training Industry is a testament to how we have been meeting and exceeding that goal, said John Findlay, Founder and CEO of LemonadeLXP. Our team worked hard to develop a platform that transforms training into addictive learning experiences, and motivates employees to learn faster and retain more. So this award is something to celebrate. This is LemonadeLXPs second consecutive annual win in the LXP category. The complete list of winners can be viewed here: https://trainingindustry.com/top-training-companies/learning-technologies/2021-top-learning-experience-platform-lxp-companies/ About LemonadeLXP LemonadeLXP is an award-winning learning experience and digital adoption platform. The learning experience platform transforms corporate training into addictive game-based microlearning. Unlike gamification platforms that slap game tactics onto existing training content, LemonadeLXP morphs the entire learning experience into games, so employees learn through play. Using a unique combination of game-based learning, technology walkthroughs, role-play scenarios, and powerful analytics, LemonadeLXP offers a refreshing approach to corporate training that upskills remote and on-site employees faster. The digital adoption platform helps staff and customers learn to use any new tech your company is rolling out. Digital Academy allows you to quickly author a branded, searchable, WCAG AA-compliant online hub with technology walkthroughs, app simulations, and videos no developers needed. For more information, contact hello@lemonadelxp.com. About Training Industry Inc. We make connections. Our Company has a passion for making connections. We cultivate high-value conversations for select solution providers and with our highly engaged community of corporate learning and development leaders and decision-makers. These conversations benefit the entire training industry by surfacing challenges, sharing innovations and communicating rapidly evolving best practices.Training Industry (https://trainingindustry.com) is the most trusted source of information on the business of learning. Our authority is built on deep ties with more than 450 expert contributors who share insights and actionable information with their peers. Training Industrys courses, live events, articles, magazine, webinars, podcast, research and reports generate more than 10 million industry interactions each year, while the Top 20 Training Companies Lists help business leaders find the right training partners. For a complimentary referral, visit https://trainingindustry.com/rfp Garrett H Brookes, CFA Slingshot Financial My focus was to provide an easy-to-understand, easy to implement framework for blending passive and active with improved risk-adjusted returns. The National Association of Active Investment Managers (NAAIM) has named Garrett H Brookes, CFA and founder of Slingshot Financial, as winner of its annual white paper competition, the NAAIM Founders Award. Brookes received $5,000 for ACTIVE/PASSIVE BLENDING BASED ON THE LIQUIDITY PREMIUM: A Practical Study, and will present his paper at the associations OUTLOOK conference in Chicago, October 11-12, 2021. Too often active and passive investment approaches are an either-or choice, explains Brookes. I believe they belong together in a portfolio. There are times when passive will outperform and times when the markets risk level merits an active approach. My focus was to provide an easy-to-understand, easy-to-implement framework for blending passive and active with improved risk-adjusted returns. ACTIVE/PASSIVE BLENDING is designed for asset accumulation portfolios, where investors are making regular contributions. The passive position invests in an equally weighted S&P 500 exchange traded fund (ETF). The active position uses a capitalization-weighted S&P 500 ETF and a money market fund. To identify risk on, risk off periods of the market, Brookes uses the liquidity premium created by the spread between the U.S. Treasury 10-year and the 3-month securities. Flatter yield curves tend to occur later in the business cycle as greed takes over investor sentiment. A steeper yield curve typically occurs when there is fear in the market. Among Warren Buffetts oft-quoted investment advice is Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful. Using the liquidity premium provides a means of quantifying where the market might be on the scale from fear to greed. When the liquidity premium is low, risk is highest and new contributions are allocated to the Active portfolio. When the liquidity premium is high, indicating investors are fearful, new monies are allocated to the Passive portfolio. To test the effectiveness of the liquidity premium, simulations were run using a 50-50% contributions distribution, randomized contributions, reverse contributions and a randomized 2/3 passive and 1/3 active portfolio contribution distributions. The second element of the Passive/Active Blend was determining how the active portfolio should be allocated between the cap-weighted S&P 500 ETF and a cash position. Again, seeking an easy-to-implement tool based on information readily available to the public, Brookes used the NAAIM Exposure Index as an equity/cash allocation strategy. This indicator represents the average level of exposure to the U.S. equity markets reported by the NAAIM membership on a weekly basis. NAAIM has published the Exposure Index for 14 years and while we have seen models that used the index before, Brookes use was unique and well documented as to its effectiveness, explained a member of the judging committee, David Daughtrey, CFA, CPA of Copperwynd Financial LLC. In the model developed for the white paper, there is no rebalancing between the passive and active portfolios. While the Liquidity Premium Blend strategy internal rate of return lags the Passive portfolio internal rate of return by 1.3%, it outperforms alternative contribution distributions, while drawdown and risk statistics show significant improvement over the passive portfolio. The biggest challenge advisors face is meeting investor expectations, Brookes explains. The average investor wants to be up when the market is up but avoid losing money when the market falls. While there isnt a strategy out there that can achieve that with 100% accuracy, a blended approach heads you in the right direction. To read the full white paper, visit: Active / Passive Blending Based on The Liquidity Premium: A practical study About Garrett H Brookes: Garrett Brookes has worked in the financial industry for more than 20 years, serving in a marketing and sales capacity to registered investment advisors, independent financial advisors, and money management firms throughout the U.S. on the behalf of major investment companies and small boutique investment providers. January 2021, he formed Slingshot Financial to partner with the hidden gems of money managers focused on quantitative strategies, alternatives, strategic income and innovative fintech, offering strategic guidance on wholesale product development and marketing, as well as tactical execution through Slingshot Financials turnkey wholesaler program https://slingshotfin.com. About the NAAIM FOUNDERS AWARD: Launched in 2009, the NAAIM Founders Award is designed to expand awareness of active investment management techniques and the results of active strategies through the solicitation and publication of research on active management. $5,000 is presented annually for the best paper submitted to the competition. The National Association of Active Investment Managers (NAAIM) is a non-profit trade group of nearly 125 registered investment advisor firms that collectively manage more than $32 billion in assets. NAAIM member firms provide active money management services to their clients to produce favorable risk-adjusted returns as an alternative to passive, buy-and-hold investment strategies. NAAIM publishes the weekly NAAIM Exposure Index and sponsors the annual Uncommon Knowledge and Outlook Conferences along with webinars and workshops on topics of interest to its membership. For more information, visit http://www.naaim.org NeuroFlow, a leader in technology and services for behavioral health integration, has been contracted by the U.S. Naval Academy to support Midshipmen wellness during their 47-month journey to commission as naval officers. The new offering gives Midshipmen access to a secure mobile application designed to enhance resiliency and, when necessary, support a pathway to care. NeuroFlows platform confidentially captures health data to enable the system to provide tailored educational resources, health surveys, and activities. The technology was first introduced to Midshipmen in April 2021 and will be available to the incoming fall class. As we prepare to welcome a new class to Annapolis, its our goal to create an environment that recognizes the impact mental health has on overall health, said Commander Randy G. Reese, MSC, USN, director of the Midshipman Development Center at USNA. We're always exploring new ways to support the overall wellness of students and proactively offer resources to those in need. USNA recognized considerable demand for wellness and resiliency resources among its student body before deploying NeuroFlow. A coordinated integration of NeuroFlow with existing services combined with targeted communication efforts led to high engagement, with registered users completing an average of 18 activities during their first month. Graduating from one of the Academies myself, I know how difficult it can be to report a symptom of deteriorating mental health and the challenges of being away from family and friends for long periods of time, said NeuroFlow Chief Executive Officer Chris Molaro, a West Point graduate. What were able to do with the Naval Academy is develop an early-stage foundation of wellness, resiliency, and self-investment in personal health. We also want the USNAs clinical staff to have the insights they need to support the overall health of the Midshipmen. In recent years, USNA has found innovative solutions to support student health and wellness, expanding operations at its Midshipman Development Center and creating a system of peer advisors to assist with individuals who have underlying symptoms of anxiety or depression. Studies show three in four students throughout the country admit the pandemic has created stress, anxiety, and depression in their lives, making mental health a top priority in higher education. The NeuroFlow platform encrypts individual health data to ensure it is not shared or integrated into official records. The program is voluntary for Midshipmen and allows for complete privacy when journaling, submitting mood scores or other personal information. If youre a student at the United States Naval Academy interested in learning more about NeuroFlow, please reach out to The Midshipmen Development Center (MDC) for more information. About NeuroFlow NeuroFlow provides best-in-class technology and care services for the effective integration of behavioral health at scale. Our platform enables innovative health plans, leading health systems, and government or military organizations to capture behavioral health insights and take action to proactively manage individuals and populations holistically. Learn more at https://www.neuroflow.com/. Antique automobiles, 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, fall traditions and so much more, happen only at The Henry Ford. The fun continues this fall with the return of Old Car Festival, powered by Hagerty, Halloween in Greenfield Village presented by Meijer, and the opening of a brand-new temporary exhibition inside Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. After a years absence, Americas longest-running antique car show, Old Car Festival powered by Hagerty, returns to Greenfield Village, September 11-12. This years event celebrates Women at the Wheel, showcasing how early automobiles supported women in making inroads in American life. Tickets for nonmembers are available for purchase now. Beginning October 7th and taking place during select evenings in October, Halloween in Greenfield Village continues its 2020 format, allowing guests to stroll the event at their own pace. New this year, programming will transition from a family-friendly harvest-themed atmosphere complete with Fall Flavor Weekend elements during daylight hours, to the traditional Halloween atmosphere at night. The popular Halloween Express, also introduced last year, is back for more thrills and chills in 2021. Member tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 1st with public tickets on sale the week after on Wednesday, September 8th. To best support fall programming, Greenfield Village will close to the public on Sunday, October 3. Beginning October 7th, it reopens for Members-Only Strolling Days. Every Thursday-Sunday in October from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., members have access to the historic destination with limited programs and amenities available. Public operating hours start again Friday-Sunday in November, beginning November 5. Following the success of The Jim Henson Exhibit: Imagination Unlimited, closing on Sept. 6, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation will welcome a temporary exhibition centered around its recent acquisitions in mobility. The new exhibit runs Oct. 22, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022. More details on the new exhibition to come. For updates on hours, tickets and more, visit thf.org or follow The Henry Ford on social media @thehenryford. About The Henry Ford Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford, a globally recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Together with its online presence at thf.org, its national television series The Henry Fords Innovation Nation and Invention Convention Worldwide, the growing affiliation of organizations fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship in K-12 students, The Henry Ford inspires individuals to unlock their potential and help shape a better future. Sikara Medspa is honored to celebrate their one-year anniversary by offering an exciting range of specials all summer long. The practice is designed to provide the ultimate patient experience. Sikara Medspa in downtown Summerlin Las Vegas is celebrating their one-year anniversary by offering a variety of specials all summer long on top-quality treatments and services including facials, Morpheus8 RF microneedling, injectables, skin care products and more. Sikara Medspas celebratory specials are: Perfect Skin: 10% off one product, 15% off two products, 20% off three products Treatment Tuesday: 15% off any facial, 10% off Morpheus8 RF microneedling, 10% off Morpheus8 RF microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Wrinkle-Free Wednesday: 15% off Botox, Dysport and Xeomin Thread Lift Thursday: 15% off thread lift packages Filler Friday: $100 off 1 mL Self-Care Saturday: $25 off IV infusions Anyone interested is encouraged to call (702) 778-6886 or request a consultation online to learn more about each special and experience the highest quality self-care and rejuvenation. Sikara Medspa was created out of a passion for helping people realize their personal best. The practice is designed to provide the ultimate patient experience. Their thoughtfully curated menu of services features clinically proven treatments to ensure they provide the highest level of aesthetic care and results. Learn more about Sikara Medspa or book an experience today by calling 702.778.6886 or completing a consultation request form. About Sikara Medspa Sikara Medspa is the carefully executed master plan of a team of visionaries. Boasting an on-site medical director, Sikara Medspa is truly designed with the highest level of patient care in mind, to help clients reach their aesthetic goals. Through a wide variety of state-of-the-art methods, Sikara Medspa has been diligently designed to become the one-stop shop for all aesthetic needs. Our multifaceted ITAD solutions deliver tailored support to Smiths customers in the datacenter sector and beyond. Smith, a global distributor of electronic components and provider of custom supply chain services, including secure datacenter decommissioning, today announces its upcoming exhibition at Data Center World 2021, in Orlando, Florida. This global conference for datacenter and IT infrastructure professionals will allow Smith to showcase its fully customizable datacenter services portfolio. Smiths representatives will be available at booth 327 to meet with customers looking to upgrade or refresh their technology and maximize their value recovery. Smith offers certified SSD and HDD wiping and remarketing services, and their team of onsite experts will be there to answer questions about Smiths comprehensive Intelligent ITAD model and how it can flexibly support the companys datacenter partners. Smiths IT asset disposition services are backed by industry-leading certifications, like R2 and WEEELABEX. Our multifaceted ITAD solutions deliver tailored support to Smiths customers in the datacenter sector and beyond, said Shawn Cunnie, Director of ITAD at Smith. We are looking forward to meeting with Data Center World attendees and sharing our industry expertise and broad service offerings. To attend Data Center World 2021, please register here. Attendees are encouraged to schedule at-show meetings by emailing ITAD@nfsmith.com or visiting http://www.smithweb.com/ITAD. What: Data Center World 2021 When: Monday, August 16, 2021 Thursday, August 19, 2021 Where: Booth 327 Orange County Convention Center, South Concourse 9899 International Drive, Orlando, FL, US 32819 About Smith Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and directional drilling systems. In 16 cities around the world, Smiths legion of employees communicates in 50 languages and dialects and buys and sells components 24 hours per day, generating global annual sales in excess of $1.39 billion. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. The support of Smiths flexible Intelligent DistributionTM model optimizes customers supply chains from beginning to end, including offering customized options for IT asset disposition that deliver maximum ROI, sustainability, and security. Smiths testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam cover critical areas like quality management, counterfeit prevention, and environmental safety. Smiths operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the companys global IT infrastructure, offering real-time, global inventory and logistics visibility. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number nine among all global distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com or reach out to a Smith representative any time of day at +1 713.430.3000. Woolpert is a global mapping leader who delivers the same access to Google products as Google, while streamlining services and providing top-level technical support. Woolpert has been contracted by SpotCrime to provide Google Maps Platform services and technical team support for its independent, public facing crime alert service. SpotCrime, which is based in Baltimore, tracks incidents of crime across the U.S. and in select countries and recently implemented a nationwide missing persons database. Founded in 2008, SpotCrime aims to increase transparency in police data. The service enables users to dial down to street-level reports and statistics to improve safety and foster goodwill and positive engagement with police. Its effectiveness hinges on precise and reliable mapping capabilities. With knowledge comes power, and we want to equip the public with the knowledge necessary to navigate their neighborhoods safely, said Colin Drane, SpotCrime founder. We run a lean and efficient operation, funneling our capital into continually expanding and improving our services. Woolpert is a global mapping leader who delivers the same access to Google products as Google, while streamlining services and providing top-level technical support. Woolpert Google Senior Account Executive Jeremy Quam said there are multiple opportunities for SpotCrime to realize efficiencies not only in pricing and support but in how the public interacts with its maps. He said Woolpert has more than 50 years of geospatial experience and has been a Google Premier Partner since 2016, making the firm an ideal option. SpotCrime is providing an immense public service for free, which makes it more imperative that they minimize their costs, Quam said. We can assess their mapping platforms and employ proven best practices for optimal output at minimal costs. I can confidently come in and say, for example, Heres how you can save $1,500 on your bill. Were excited to be able to provide this needed service to support this great resource. About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,300 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of supplemental and enrichment education for students in grade K-12 with more than 750 points of presence worldwide, has hit record-high mid-year growth with 32 new franchise partners, seven new locations and eight existing owner expansions. As teachers increasingly leave traditional classrooms behind in order to partner with the innovative personal education brand, that momentum is expected to continue throughout 2021, said Sylvan Learning CEO John McAuliffe. Were honored that so many teachers are choosing Sylvan as their next career path, McAuliffe said. Sylvans personalized teaching model allows them to continue their mission to change the lives of students in their communities as they bring them the gift of education. For many former public school educators, Sylvan Learning also offers a solution to quality-of-life issues that COVID-19 only exacerbated. Low pay, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate school funding and personal health concerns amid the pandemic prompted nearly a third of teachers to say they were thinking about quitting or retiring, according to a recent report conducted by Horace Mann Educators Corporation and published by CNBC. But for Jason Blanshine, a former special education teacher in Delaware who became a Sylvan Learning franchisee in 2020, Sylvans effective learning model is what ultimately convinced him to partner with the brand. The core of the teaching made me most excited, Blanshine said. It brings the fun back to teaching, without all the extra things youre asked of in a public school setting. It allows you to focus more on the student and provides me with a career, rather than just a tutoring side job. The results of Sylvans proprietary Sylvan Method developed through academic research, years of teaching experience and technology speak for themselves. Based on independent research, Sylvan students see up to three times more academic growth than other students. Sylvans Personalized Tutoring programs guarantee progress. The brands proprietary software, SylvanSync, allows Sylvan teachers to engage and motivate with adaptive lessons and a personal learning plan for each child. With students across the country falling an estimated four to 12 months behind due to COVID-related learning loss, Sylvans individualized learning method is playing a key role in filling that void. Michigan-based Sylvan franchisee Jessica Rollins, a former teacher who now owns four Sylvan Learning locations, is currently playing a hands-on, in-person role at local schools, where shes working with small groups of up to eight students. While public school teachers are required to teach the curriculum designed for their specific grade, were able to take grade level completely out of the equation, Rollins said. Sylvans model allows us to meet students exactly where theyre at. As families, schools and teachers increasingly turn to Sylvan Learning as a solution, the brands extraordinary mid-year growth is expected to reach a new milestone by the end of the year as the brand continues to expand. There has never been a better time to partner with Sylvan Learning, McAuliffe said. At a time when demand for our services is unprecedented, Sylvan Learnings system is stronger, more nimble and more united than ever. We are excited to find new partners who want to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of their students. Learn more at http://www.sylvanfranchise.com. ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING With more than 40 years of experience and more than 750 points of presence throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvans proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync technology on the iPad for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. For more information, visit http://www.SylvanLearning.com or SylvanLearning.com/blog. A cloud platform for businesses doing business with government. Given the markets demand, the timing was right to secure a funding relationship with K1, who believes in our vision of helping customers work smarter and drive growth through industry-specific platforms." TechnoMile, a leading provider of innovative cloud solutions that empower companies to pursue, win and retain more business with the government from capture through contract, today announced that it secured a $20 million commitment from K1 Investment Management (K1), a leading investment firm focused on high-growth enterprise software companies. With the funding, TechnoMile plans to accelerate hiring across all areas of its business and continue to enhance its best-in-class cloud platform supporting the complex and evolving buying, selling and compliance needs of government contractors. TechnoMile provides a cloud software platform that improves efficiency, delivers actionable insights, and mitigates risk throughout the entire capture-to-contract process. TechnoMiles platform unites internal and external data sources and applies artificial intelligence to produce unique outcomes that help clients win more federal, state and local contracts on average, boosting win rates by 11%. Post award, the platform delivers automation and machine learning to streamline contract administration, while easing the burden of maintaining compliance and audit-readiness throughout the contract lifecycle. Too often, we see government contractors trying to make do with mainstream CRM and contract management solutions that dont contemplate the specialized requirements of doing business with the government. TechnoMile is on a mission to change this by providing technology thats purpose-built to supporting our industrys complex needs, leveraging data mining, AI and machine learning to give a competitive edge, said Ashish Khot, Founder and CEO of TechnoMile. Given the markets demand, the timing was right to secure a funding relationship with K1, who believes in our vision of helping customers work smarter and drive growth through industry-specific platforms. Additionally, K1 has an impressive track record of helping growth-stage companies scale through maturation of their operational discipline. We were looking for a partner that would help us digitize and automate our business processes and further drive the adoption of scalable, repeatable processes across our business development team, all of which we view as critical to achieving our future growth vision for our company, said Scott Bisciotti, President and CEO of Command Post Technologies. TechnoMile was able to support these objectives, plus deliver value beyond a traditional CRM, given that their solution is specifically designed to support the unique processes and lifecycle of government sales. Were now more efficient and effective in our qualification and pursuit of contract opportunities and have exceptional visibility into our pipeline and the financial impact of any changes. Our adoption of TechnoMiles solution has been vital to accelerating CPTs growth trajectory. 2020 was a record-breaking year in TechnoMiles history in terms of new client acquisition and revenue growth, with demand continuing through the first half of 2021. The companys solutions are now relied on by 10 of the top 15 defense contractors and more than 50 percent of the top 200 government contractors. The government contracting industry has endured underinvestment in technology for years, said Christian Grant, Vice President at K1. We are thrilled to partner with Ashish and the TechnoMile team to execute upon their vision of providing a world-class, integrated solution for contractors doing business with all levels of government, driving operational excellence. About TechnoMile TechnoMile is a leading provider of innovative cloud solutions that empower companies to pursue, win and retain more business with the government from capture through contract. With TechnoMiles best-in-class cloud platform, companies gain unique competitive insights, source contact intelligence, automate and de-risk the contract lifecycle, foster stronger relationships with partners/suppliers, and, ultimately, gain a competitive advantage that results in more contract wins and serves as a catalyst for continued growth. TechnoMile serves more than 150 clients, including 10 of the top 15 defense contractors and more than 50% of the top 200 government contractors. For more information about TechnoMile, visit technomile.com or follow us at linkedin.com/company/technomile. About K1 K1 builds category-leading enterprise software companies. As a global investment firm, K1 assists high-growth businesses to achieve successful outcomes, and invests alongside strong management teams that continue to guide their organizations on a day-to-day basis. With over 120 professionals, K1 and its operating affiliate, K1 Operations LLC, change industry landscapes by assisting with operationally-focused growth strategies designed to assist portfolio companies scale efficiently. Since inception of the firm, K1 has partnered with over 160 enterprise software companies including industry leaders such as Apttus, Buildium, Checkmarx, Clarizen, ControlUp, Emburse, FMG Suite, Granicus, IronScales, Litera Microsystems, Onit, Rave Mobile Safety, RFPIO, Smarsh, WorkForce Software and Zapproved. For more information about K1, please visit k1capital.com or follow us at linkedin.com/company/k1im. Entering the crypto era, the world has witnessed unique model architectures that have completely changed the market since they appeared. If the idea of Bitcoin is to build an incentive mechanism to reward BTC coins for miners community who contribute computer resources to operate the blockchain network; then Ethereum offers Smart Contract solution as the first financial applications running on the blockchain; while Binance Smart Chain (BSC) chooses to create a bridge with Ethereum to attract huge number of DeFi projects and user communities migrating from Ethereum to BSC. These breakthrough innovations have helped bring billions of dollars to the global crypto market capitalization. At the moment, when the market is showing signs of saturation and the world is once again yearning for new things that can waken the market, a new crypto model appears with the new strange architecture just as the sound of its name:BitcoinDeFi. A Breakthrough Crypto Model BitcoinDeFi (BTCDF) is a cryptocurrency developed in the Dubai Silicon Oasis technology park and has appeared only 5 months on the market. https://bitcoindefi.eu BitcoinDeFi brings the solution of a unique model by embedding the three elements together: Bitcoin's blockchain & P2P Mutual Financial Contribution & Ecosystem of DeFi Services. Specifically, this model develops a peer-to-peer mutual financial activity on Bitcoin's blockchain to form its active community, then distribute the source code to DeFi-compatible chains to build the newest DeFi services. This brand new innovative idea helps BitcoinDeFi bypass the disadvantage of slow transaction speed on Bitcoin's blockchain since the specificity of the financial reciprocity is not too demanding in terms of speed, while it still inherits all advantages from the source code of this powerful blockchain. After forming an active community by the mutual financial activities, this Bitcoin-core model keeps on linking with other DeFi systems that own tens of billions dollars of Total Value Locked operating on leading DeFi-enabled blockchains such as BSC, Ethereum, Polkadot, Polygon, Solana, etc, by distributing its source code to those chains. We all know Bitcoins blockchain owns the worlds largest number of wallets and communities, but what will happen when this enormous community is connected with DeFi communities on other chains? The common intention has led to Taproot - an important upgrade of Bitcoins blockchain infrastructure which makes this yet powerful chain more compatible with complex Smart Contracts, and to the digital payments company Squares plan on developing DeFi services to Bitcoins blockchain. https://www.ft.com/content/1e297176-8bf0-4649-8c35-b763cfd3b5be Strangely, BitcoinDeFi has started their DeFi project on Bitcoins blockchain 5 months ago and has already been ready for Taproot and Square's call since then. It is the bold intention of this young new project to develop a mutual financial community on Bitcoins blockchain and to connect the two of world's largest crypto communities together. Mixed Reactions of The Early Stage The experimental and verification process of the installed mechanisms in BitcoinDeFi has worked amazingly well for the past 5 months over the globe. In one of its major markets - a Southeast Asian country, Vietnam has attracted thousands of users to participate in mutual financial activities to create and operate Nodes; in order to own rewards of BTCDF, an utility token of BitcoinDeFi. On the other hand, there has been a scandal violently erupting to BitcoinDeFi from a part of the Vietnamese crypto community. An amount of crypto influencers and technology KOLs have simultaneously posted on newspapers and social networks to accuse BitcoinDeFi of being a Ponzi scheme. Here is the definition of Ponzi. A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors. Source: Wikipedia As the definition, taking the money collected from the latter to pay as profit or interest to the former is Ponzi. Simply because the Total Revenue will atrophy and gradually become smaller than the Total Cost, making the projects ending point inevitable. But BitcoinDeFi is different. By letting the community enjoys 80% of the cash flow through the project and only deducting 20% to create platform budgets, this BitcoinDeFi system does not operate the business on the community's cash flow but only has the mission to coordinate the reciprocal cash flow from the community to that community itself by passing through the Nodes. Clearly, BitcoinDeFi is not a Ponzi since it does not keep the communitys assets, but always allocates benefits back to the Node owners community, only to optimize the motivation for Node owners to actively develop the scale of new Nodes and keep on forming the community. Perhaps the rush to judge the direct distribution of cash flows from mutualists to beneficiaries in the community is mistaken for a Ponzi scheme. The community hastened to allege based on a confusion and lack of insight into the nature of the mutual contribution activity in BitcoinDeFi, which has indirectly hindered a new crypto model with useful innovations that can bring great beneficial values for that own community. BitcoinDeFis 05 Solutions to Attract Investors and Traders It has yielded real results that BitcoinDeFi's mutual community is growing so fast, making some confusion will probably only stimulate the community's curiosity and lead to the insight of a new breakthrough cryptographic model design that has the power to bring spillover value. BitcoinDeFi's strategic depth engages the community of investors and traders with 5 solutions designed from the ground up in this unique model. (1) Become a bridge between the Bitcoin Blockchain community and the DeFi communities on other leading DeFi-enabled blockchains. (2) Build an active community participating in mutual financial activities similar to the ROSCA model (Rotating Savings and Credit Association) by blockchain technology and the attractive incentive mechanism. (3) The strict principle of coin issuance helps control the supply and create scarcity for BTCDF coins, making users wanting to own for the potential to increase asset value. (4) Node operation mechanisms commonly found in DeFi models are applied immediately after BTCDF minting to keep on regulating the supply. (5) The DeFi services ecosystem brings the absolute control of assets and diverse financial services to create financial leverage, stimulating demand for BTCDF coins. These mechanisms seem familiar and simple but extremely effective when compound in one model. Therefore, it only needs simple unfussy communication methods to be able to spread among the general users community. It is the simplicity and accessibility in BitcoinDeFi's crypto model architecture that will be the strength that helps it continue to reach far on the world crypto map, where new paradigm innovations will not be mistaken but are always supported and utilized to the fullest. KORE Power CEO Lindsay Gorrill and Tony Mangat of The Mangat Group (Courtesy of the City of Buckeye) The Mangat Group, a Glendale-based land development group, has agreed to sell a desirable 214-acre property located in the city of Buckeye to KORE Power, the leading U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology for the energy storage and electric transportation industries. KORE Power intends to use the property as the location for its new KOREplex facility, the first lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility wholly owned by a U.S. company. Tony Mangat, founder of The Mangat Group, first purchased the Buckeye property off Highway 85 in December 2020 with the hopes of finding a buyer who would use it to better the community. He partnered with Arizona Land Consulting to sell the site, which had assisted him in previous land deals throughout the West Valley. Anita Verma-Lallian, CEO of Arizona Land Consulting, later introduced Mangat to Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn with the hopes of entering Mangat into the KOREplex race and initially acting as the consultant on the deal to bring all the parties together. The Mangat Group is honored to be involved in a project that will maintain American energy independence, says Tony Mangat, founder of The Mangat Group. Im eager to see the Buckeye community grow over the next few years and watch Arizona advance in our renewable energy efforts. Having worked on multiple land deals for clients over the past few years in Buckeye, Verma-Lallian shared insight with Mangat on the long-term opportunities that exist by bringing a sustainable company into the fastest growing city in Arizona, which will create multiple job opportunities for the residents of Buckeye. The city is experiencing a residential boom, and having a large employer move into the city means residents wont have to commute. Despite receiving multiple significantly higher offers from other buyers - to the tune of $41 million and $39 million - it wasnt hard for Tony to make the decision to choose a deal that was the greatest good for the community, not the best deal for his profits. KORE Powers investment in Buckeye to produce clean, renewable energy aligns with the City Councils sustainability goals, and our goal for significant employment opportunities for our residents, said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. This project is not just a win for Buckeye, but for the West Valley, the State of Arizona and the clean energy industry. Construction of KOREplex is expected to take about 18 months, which will employ up to 3,400 workers during peak construction. The company also plans to employ at least 3,000 direct full-time employees, on top of generating an additional 10,000 indirect jobs for the community. KORE Power had been searching for a location for the new facility for the last three years and considered nearly 300 sites during a search and evaluation of the energy storage, manufacturing and electric transportation opportunities across the country. We needed a location for our factory that had a track record of supporting energy storage, a growing clean transportation sector, and a workforce that could deliver American-made battery technology that the supply chain so desperately needs, said Lindsay Gorrill, KORE Power CEO. Arizona hit a home run. Were fully committed to being a cornerstone of the states clean economy and were proud to bring advanced cell manufacturing home to the U.S. For more information about The Mangat Group, please visit http://www.mangatgroupinvestment.com. For more information about Arizona Land Consulting, please visit https://arizonalandconsulting.com/. ABOUT THE MANGAT GROUP The Mangat Group is a Glendale-based trucking company founded by Tony Mangat. With zero real estate experience, Mangat first began developing storage centers and truck stops in Arizona, as he himself is a truck driver. He was very successful and quickly began to grow his portfolio, now owning roughly 1,000 acres in the Phoenix metro area. He is a philanthropist and is passionate about giving back to his community. ABOUT ARIZONA LAND CONSULTING Arizona Land Consulting is a Phoenix-based land investment and consulting company that specializes in commercial real estate, founded by Anita Verma-Lallian. You can view more information at https://arizonalandconsulting.com/. The Portrait Masters Shootout event will take place on October 6-7 at Warehouse 215, a renovated event space located in the charming Warehouse District in Downtown Phoenix. After more than a year of remote learning, photographers will be able to hone their skills in person under the guidance of industry leaders and instructors at The Portrait Masters Shootout event scheduled for October 6-7 in Phoenix, Arizona. The two-day event was added after the original Shootout, set for October 4-5, sold out in just 48 hours, an indication that the photographic community is anxious and excited to once again be a part of or attend in-person experiential events with friends and colleagues. Limited to only 150 participants, photographers will have access to 25 shooting bays where they can photograph models and work with the newest photo gear from participating manufacturers including Canon, Fuji, Sony, and Graphistudio, to name a few. The two-day event will be styled entirely by Sue Bryce and her Portrait Masters team, and is hosted by parent company, Emerald. The Portrait Masters Shootout will be staged at Warehouse 215, a renovated event space located in the charming Warehouse District in Downtown Phoenix. The 12,000-square-foot facility offers ample room for photographers to freely move about between shooting bays, including comfortable spaces to network with friends and colleagues in this historic location. We are so excited to finally be back in person to present a hands-on learning experience that offers all the excitement, creativity, and camaraderie that only a live, in-person event can offer, explained George Varanakis, co-founder of The Portrait Masters and Sue Bryce Education. We added a second, two-day session after our initial Shootout sold out in 48 hours. Each session is limited to only 150 people to create a more impactful and intimate learning experience for attendees. People are ready to get back to their normal routines and network with friends and colleagues in person. The overwhelming response we received about The Shootout is proof of that. Photographers attending The Portrait Masters Shootout will have access to highly stylized studio sets and fantastic, professional models, to create beautiful new images for their portfolios and generate fresh social content they can use to promote their business. Top industry instructors will be on hand to offer assistance and provide guidance and instruction throughout the event. Attendees can also expect to receive hands-on experience and instruction using the very latest camera and lighting gear, and accessories. Networking with peers is the cornerstone of The Portrait Masters community, and the Shootout will offer several opportunities during and after each days session for participants to mingle with friends, share ideas, and catch up on life after a year-and-a-half hiatus from in-person activities. To learn more about The Portrait Masters Shootout and register to attend, visit ThePortraitMasters.com. About The Portrait Masters Co-founded by Sue Bryce, renowned portrait photographer and educator, The Portrait Masters offers the most comprehensive selection of online classes, presented by some of the worlds most successful photographers and teachers, including Lara Jade, Felix Kunze, Michele Celentano, Pratik Naik and Kara Marie. In addition to its online programming, The Portrait Masters offers a variety of in-person events and activities including its annual conference, and Shootout, which provides the photographic community with an opportunity to network with photography industry leaders and peers in a fun, supportive environment. About Emerald Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit http//http://www.emeraldx.com/ "...Together we now offer comprehensive and innovative solutions to exceed the increasingly demanding requirements of medical product manufacturing.~Traci Evling, Thermex-Thermatron Systems Director of Business Development and former Managing Partner of JTE Machines Annually, the worlds leading engineers and executives meet at MD&M West, sharing the newest innovations, technology, and medical devices shaping the med tech arena. From August 10 through August 12, 2021, Thermex-Thermatron Systems (Thermex) will showcase its critical acquisition of Florida-based JTE Machines a premier engineering, design, and automation firm for RF in addition to other forms of material sealing. Debuting a partnership that magnifies Thermexs potential to serve engineering and manufacturing industries, the company will soon join cutting-edge disruptors at the Anaheim Convention Center. As a respected and long-time manufacturer of high-power industrial RF and MW systems for heating dielectric materials, medical professionals have turned to Thermexs equipment to leverage essential products. During a time when hospitals facing COVID urgently are called on for more IV bags, infusion cuffs, and mattresses for wound care, Thermexs valuable technology supports communities internationally. Thermex-Thermatrons acquisition of JTE opens opportunities to go deeper into the RF space, merging resources to empower medical customers and transform the lives of patients. Specializing in automation design, JTEs capabilities translate well to Thermex-Thermatron equipment. Together, they can expand the substantial impacts they offer to the med tech community. For example, enhancing a range of Radio Frequency Systems and Industrial Presses, Thermexs Material Handling Systems offer beneficial options like manual and fully automatic shuttles, turntables, indexing systems, along with unwind stands. Likewise, JTE assists medical and packaging industries through quality equipment that optimizes ultrasonic, automation, and RF technology. In joining forces with JTE, Thermex has also become the North American distributor for European-based Oteman Advanced Cutting Technology, giving customers the ability to use precise laser cutting systems and slitting machines. Because Thermex designs and engineers custom RF welder and sealer systems, the company is able to meet whatever precise specifications or strict compliance requirements the medical industry entails. With an over 80-year background in developing and manufacturing, Thermex puts its varied experience into powerful effect, delivering systems that ensure precision, accuracy, and speed. Forming a promising alliance with JTE, Thermex prepares to present in Anaheim, California all that the companies anticipate achieving together. Traci Evling, Director of Business Development and former Managing Partner of JTE Machines, says, We are delighted to become part of the industrys most reputable and reliable RF machine companies, and together we now offer comprehensive and innovative solutions to exceed the increasingly demanding requirements of medical product manufacturing. About Thermex-Thermatron For over 80 years, Thermex-Thermatron Systems remains a trusted developer and manufacturer of Industrial RF, Industrial Microwave, and Industrial Presses, and a distributor for Traveling Welders, and Advanced Cutting Systems. The company also provides extensive services to help manufacturers throughout the world get the most from microwave, radio frequency, and thermal technology. Please visit our website for more information at Thermex-Thermatron.com. Insuring multiple cars under a single contract will help drivers save money, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains how insuring multiple cars by the same company will help drivers save car insurance money. For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-benefits-of-using-one-insurer-for-multiple-car-insurance/ 2 or more vehicles belonging to the same household is something quite common across the United States. Families with multiple cars should opt to insure all of them under the same contract. This provides the following benefits: Fewer documents and bills to deal with. All vehicles are insured on the same policy and this will save time by meeting with just one insurer, completing one policy. It is recommended to contact the insurer and be advised regarding an appropriate level of liability coverage. Companies recommend to have a contract that totally covers the value of the most expensive car mentioned in the contract. Cheaper premiums and access to deductibles. When compare with premiums for each individual policy, a multi-car policy, that premium can be significantly lower. Also, almost all car insurers require to pay deductibles when filing a claim. With only one policy, all claims will have the same deductibles. Depending on the insurer, in the event of filing a claim for two vehicles at once, it is possible to pay only one deductible. Reduced risk of lapses. In the case of a multi-car policy, the policyholder will have to make one monthly payment at the same, same place. He doesnt have to remember all the places where to pay the policies and the due dates for each one if he insured the cars individually Lower rates for high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers, like teens, or DUI drivers have to pay high insurance rates. By adding a high-risk driver on a multi-car policy, the insurance rates will increase, but the overall policy increase would be significantly lower than having the high-risk driver insured on a separate policy. Just make sure the high-risk driver is not listed as the main insured party. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall describes newest partner surgeons as experienced and dedicated. Were excited to announce our first partnership in California and are honored that its with the Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, one of the oldest and most respected oral and maxillofacial surgery practices in the state. U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM) a specialty management services company that exclusively serves premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Center for Oral & Facial Surgery. Established in 1927, the oral and maxillofacial surgery practice is the oldest and largest practice in San Diego County, with four board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons providing quality care for over 94 years. The Center for Oral & Facial Surgery has two offices treating patients in San Diego and in El Cajon, California. This is USOSMs first partner practice in California. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM now has partner practices spanning 15 states: Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona and California. Were excited to announce our first partnership in California and are honored that its with the Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, one of the oldest and most respected oral and maxillofacial surgery practices in the state. Theyre experienced, dedicated surgeons, whove built a reputation for the highest standards of clinical excellence, and we look forward to helping them continue building on that legacy, said Richard Hall, USOSM president and CEO. Throughout San Diego County, the Center for Oral & Facial Surgery is a trusted name that stands for excellence and quality care. The practice has four board-certified surgeons: Dr. James R. Eckstein, Dr. Brian K. Oleksy, Dr. Derek J. Havas and Dr. Justin R. Messina. Working alongside them is a capable and compassionate team that is fully trained in assisting with IV sedation and outpatient general anesthesia. The practice offers a full scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures including dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, bone grafting, tooth extractions and more. The practice also founded the San Diego Mini Residency Implant Study Club, which has successfully educated local dental clinicians for the past 27 years in obtaining the skills necessary to diagnose, treatment plan, and familiarize themselves with various dental implant systems. To serve our patients and our dental community with integrity and deliver the highest quality of professional care in a soothing and comfortable environment is more than our mission statement; it is the philosophy behind everything we do, said the doctors. Working with USOSM will help us continue doing that on an even deeper level, and thats something were all excited about. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM is a shared services organization that collaborates with premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons to offer a partnership solution for continued and accelerated practice success. USOSM provides operational, marketing and administrative support services, reinvests resources, and applies best practices to improve clinical and financial performance and produce steadier, more profitable growth for all. For more information, visit https://www.usosm.com/. VIA USA Agile edition July, 2021 - Group photo This was an incredibly challenging edition, with lots of moving parts, but thanks to the support of local teams working with our team in Verona and the positive attitude of participants we managed to deliver the course and connect people from 3 different time zones. On July 28th 17.00 EST / 23.00 CET Vinitaly International Academy welcomed 8 new certified Italian Wine Ambassadors into its community live during the pinning ceremony that marked the end of its 19th edition. The July VIA USA Agile edition had in fact begun months before with students registering to follow the theory portion of the course online, and then able to participate in 2 days of guided tasting thanks to the support of tasting centres in New York and San Francisco, led by Faculty member and Italian Wine Expert, Henry Davar. With the continually evolving COVID situation the teams in both locations had to remain truly agile during the planning and execution of the course, adapting to restrictions, and the challenges of not having a full team on site in loco. However, this flexible approach is nothing new to VIA, an institution that prides itself on constantly evolving in order to bring participants the most up-to-date course that offers a unique experience for each edition: whether through new genetic studies direct from Chief Scientist Prof. Attilio Scienza, new masterclasses led by supporters, or Agile editions connected by Zoom to facilitate concurrent tastings for students on both the east and west coasts of the United States. As Managing Director Stevie Kim commented, "this was an incredibly challenging edition, with lots of moving parts, but thanks to the support of local teams working with our team in Verona and the positive attitude of participants we managed to deliver the course and connect people from 3 different time zones." She went on to thank the Italian Trade Agency for their unwavering support throughout which was fundamental for the successful execution of sessions in diverse cites. Due to the Agile nature of the course, although it was nominally titled the USA July edition, students also joined from China and the UK, taking advantage of the recap of knowledge that the tasting sessions provide, and the online format of the theory exam. Indeed, one of those joining, Marc Millon from the UK, was fortunate to be pinned as an Ambassador, and accepted his new title VIA Zoom, where he was able to hear the cheer of his classmates in New York and San Francisco. He was joined by seven other successful candidates including: Kevin Di Lucente, Staci Daniels, Julianne Farricker, Greg Martellotto, Angelo Secolo, Gemma Richardson, and Chris Keel. This edition also introduced a new level of qualification, rounding out the sequence of Ambassador to Expert with an Ambassador with Honours designation that highlights candidates who score between 80-89%. Ciro Pirone, IWA was the first member of the community to have been presented with the new classification, as the highest scoring candidate. As the higher pass rate of this edition demonstrates, flexibility and constant evolution have aided VIA in its mission to continue to bring high quality Italian wine education to a global market. Not even having to source the same wines and vintages in different locations, or connecting multiple teams via Zoom, or creating adaptive online exams will halt Vinitaly International Academy indeed the next Agile Edition is already set for September with tasting centers this time in Boston, Seattle and Houston. --- About: Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) aims to be the gold standard of Italian wine education. It offers a complete educational path with standardized courses that will teach professionals and educators to master the diversity of Italian wine in a rigorous, organized manner. VIAs main objective is to foster a global network of highly qualified professionals such as Italian Wine Ambassadors and Italian Wine Experts: in turn, they will support and promote Italian wine throughout the world. VIA was founded by Stevie Kim, Managing Director of Vinitaly International. The new VIA ecosystem avails of the guidance of Italian trade associations Federdoc, Federvini, Vignaioli Indipendenti FIVI, and Unione Italiana Vini as members of the Institutional Advisory Board. Italian vine genetics scholar, Prof. Attilio Scienza, oversees VIAs scientific and educational direction as the Chief Scientist. VIA Faculty Sarah Heller MW and Henry Davar teach the flagship Italian Wine Ambassador course. To date there are 259 Certified Italian Wine Ambassadors and 15 Italian Wine Experts. Ahead of the new dramas premiere on Channel 7 in Australia, Banijay Rights has struck multiple global sales with a raft of broadcasters for RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service. Produced by Endemol Shine Banks for the Seven Network, RFDS portrays the modern-day heroes of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, capturing what is said to be the beauty and brutality of Australias vast centre where doctors and nurses, pilots and support staff negotiate the unique challenges of emergency rescue across some of the most inhospitable places in the country. The drama, co-created by Imogen Banks, Mark Fennessy and Ian Meadows, is produced by Imogen Banks and Sara Richardson for Endemol Shine Banks while executive producers are Mark and Carl Fennessy for Endemol Shine Australia and Julie McGauran for Seven. It stars TV Week Logie Award-winning actor Stephen Peacocke (Home and Away, Wanted), TV Week Logie Award winning star Rob Collins (Mystery Road S2, Total Control, Glitch) and acclaimed actors Emma Hamilton (Mr Selfridge, The Tudors), Justine Clarke (Tangle, Hungry Ghosts, The Time Of Our Lives) and Ash Ricardo (Offspring, Bite Club). Banijay Rights is the exclusive distributor across all platforms and the eight-hour drama will make its premiere on Channel 7 and 7plus in Australia on 11 August. Banijay Rights has also secured acquisition deals with RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service has been acquired by Channel 4 for More 4 in the UK, PBS in the US, TV4 in Sweden, SBS in Belgium, Talpa in the Netherlands and TVNZ in New Zealand. Based on extraordinary real-life stories, RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service is a powerful drama series that not only perfectly chronicles the edge-of-your-seat emergencies our heroes attend, but also the sense of community that brings these lives together, commented Claire Jago, EVP sales and acquisitions EMEA, Banijay Rights. Were extremely pleased with the widespread interest for this show, which we are sure will delight viewers worldwide. The programme received major production investment from SevenNetwork in association with Screen Australia and was financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund and the Regional Filming Fund. If you would like a confidential review of your situation and some assistance developing a business plan you can schedule a meeting with a local mentor at https://www.score.org/# or you may call SCORE at 610-376-3497 in Reading, 610-327-2673 in Pottstown, or 717-397-3092 in Lancaster to speak with a volunteer. Visa warned about possible cyberattacks on gas stations weeks before Wawa announced that it has been hacked. In just 23 days, the intelligence community is scheduled to deliver a report to President Joe Biden that will bring us closer to a definitive conclusion about the true origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report issued Monday by the House Foreign Affairs Committee minority staff sets a high Just seven weeks into his presidency, Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. Among the largest spending bills in history, it was passed without the vote of a single Republican. The plan sent direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans, extended a $300 per week unemployment insurance boost until Sept. 6 and expanded the child tax credit for a year. It also put $350 billion into state, local and tribal relief. This weekend, a bipartisan group of senators crafted a $1 trillion measure to repair and expand the nation's roads, bridges, ports, airports and broadband. Last week, this trillion-dollar infrastructure plan got a green light from 17 Republican senators, including Sen. Mitch McConnell. Boasted Biden: "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is the largest infrastructure bill in a century. It will grow the economy, create good-paying jobs, and set America on a path to win the future." Up next is a $3.5 trillion measure to remake America, which is also to be enacted without GOP support via a process called "reconciliation," which enables the Senate to pass measures with a simple majority. This $3.5 trillion measure would expand social and environmental programs, extend the reach of education and health care, tax the rich and take on the challenge of the century -- climate change. Among programs funded are universal prekindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds, two years of free community college, clean energy mandates for utilities and lower prescription drug prices. Medicare benefits would be expanded and amnesty extended to millions of illegal migrants. All that is needed for its enactment into law is a Democrat majority in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's House, the votes of the 50 Democratic senators and the signature of Biden. After effecting passage of his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, if Biden gets the $1 trillion infrastructure proposal and the $3.5 trillion package, he will have enlarged federal spending by $6 trillion. This would constitute the greatest leap forward toward socialism of any American president, with Biden's only rivals being previous record-holders Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 1930s' New Deal and Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society in the 1960s. If Biden succeeds in getting it all, this would not only be a quantum leap toward European-style socialism. It would cross a divide for America, from which history teaches us there is no return. "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money," said Sen. Everett Dirksen in the 1960s, when he was leading a badly outmanned Republican minority in the Senate after the Barry Goldwater defeat. Today, we talk not about billions but about trillions, and that $6 trillion in spending Biden is reaching for translates into more than six thousand billion dollars. As of today, however, neither the infrastructure bill nor the $3.5 trillion omnibus bill is a done deal, with the former looking more probable than the latter. But if both are passed, they would create new records and new realities for the U.S. government. The federal debt would exceed the U.S. economy for the first time since World War II. The deficits for this year and last, roughly $3 trillion in each year, already exceed any past deficits since World War II Passage of the $3.5 trillion omnibus bill would constitute a quantum leap in the number of Americans dependent on the federal government for the necessities of life. It would increase America's ratio of tax consumers to taxpayers. It would be tantamount to an admission of belief that the real engine of economic growth in America, the truly indispensable provider upon whom an ever-expanding share of the population of the nation depend for food, rent, health care, education and cash income, is the government of the United States, not the American free market system. As for the Republican Party, the conservative party of lower taxes, balanced budgets and free market solutions to social problems, the fiscal debate will be over in a way it has never been before. Passage of that $3.5 trillion omnibus bill would represent the triumph of Great Society liberalism over Reaganite conservatism. In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan declared that government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem. In his State of the Union address in 1996, President Bill Clinton seemed to concede the triumph of Reaganism over liberalism and socialism: "We know big government does not have all the answers. We know there's not a program for every problem. We have worked to give the American people a smaller, less bureaucratic government in Washington. And we have to give the American people one that lives within its means. "The era of big government is over." In 2021, Biden and his party are saying: Clinton was wrong to concede Reaganism its victory. When there is a big crisis in the country, FDR was right: Big government is the solution. If the terrain looks unfamiliar, that is because we are crossing a new continental divide. We are entering Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez country. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM Good morning, its Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Ninety-eight years ago today, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office upon the death of Warren G. Harding. It was a most unusual presidential swearing-in, and certainly the most private. On the night of August 2, 1923, I was awakened by my father coming up the stairs, calling my name, Coolidge wrote in his autobiography, recalling that fateful visit to his family home in the Vermont town of Plymouth. I noticed that his voice trembled. As the only times I had ever observed that before were when death had visited our family, I knew that something of the gravest nature had occurred. Col. John Coolidge handed his son written confirmation that President Harding had passed away. My wife and I at once dressed, Calvin Coolidge recalled. Before leaving the room I knelt down and, with the same prayer with which I have since approached the altar of the church, asked God to bless the American people and give me power to serve them. Although this was nearly a century ago, Coolidges language is striking -- at least to me -- in how much it reminds me of how Joe Biden speaks. And if you thought Bidens inaugural ceremony was muted (thanks to a pandemic), Calvin Coolidges was infinitely more so: Once downstairs, Col. Coolidge, who was a notary public, administered the oath of office to his son by lamplight. Ive written about Coolidges ascension to the presidency before, as recently as last year. But his is a story worth telling, and one lost in the mists of memory and warped through partisan prisms. Ill explain in a moment. First, Id point you to our front page, which aggregates, as it does each day, columns and stories spanning the political spectrum. Todays lineup includes John McWhorter on black fragility (Substack); Harold Meyerson on the California recall vote (Los Angeles Times); and Diana Mutz on Americans attitude about free trade (Foreign Affairs). We also offer a complement of original material from RCP reporters and contributors, including the following: * * * Senate GOP Breaks With MAGA World on Vaccines, Jan. 6. A.B. Stoddard is heartened by the messages emanating from Mitch McConnell and company. Ranked-Choice Voting Increased Chances of Minority Candidates. Steven John Mulroy asserts that the New York City Democratic primary laid to rest concerns that RCV would hurt minority voter empowerment. Gaming the Electoral College After the Election. Robert Alexander warns of efforts to give state legislatures the right to choose presidential electors irrespective of the general election results in those states. Pennsylvania Is a Microcosm of Our Housing Crisis. At RealClearPolicy, Addison Del Mastro lays out the issues of limited supply and spiking prices that have many otherwise qualified buyers unable to compete in bidding wars. American Freeways Should Cause Even Keynesians to Blush. RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny argues that waste and inefficiencies that would lead to failure for a private business continue unabated when government is doling out the funds. The Dangers of Virtue Signaling. At RealClearEnergy, Olivia Eriksen writes: When good deeds are mostly about self-promotion, are they really good deeds? The CRT Straw Man Argument. At RealClearEducation, Adam Brandon takes exception to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs characterization of opposition to critical race theory. Trump or COVID-19: Which Garners More Attention From TV News? Kalev Leetaru mines the data in this video. * * * When Vice President Calvin Coolidge was informed that President Warren G. Harding had died on a trip to San Francisco, Coolidge had the brief pledge that Harding had sworn typed out on a piece of paper and given to his father. The oath was taken in what we always called the sitting room, by the light of the kerosene lamp, which was the most modern form of lighting that had then reached the neighborhood, Coolidge wrote later. The Bible which had belonged to my mother lay on the table at my hand. It was not officially used, as it is not the practice in Vermont or Massachusetts to use a Bible in connection with the administration of an oath. Coolidge's first thoughts as president were ones of sympathy for his predecessor's family -- and anxiety that Americans would wonder what kind of changes in policy the man who had been elevated from the vice presidency had in mind. He addressed the first concern with a telegram of consolation to Florence Harding. He then issued a statement assuring Americans that he would propose no sweeping personnel or policy changes in the administration. Without criticizing Harding, Coolidge had in mind a significant change in tone, however. The new White House would be known for much greater probity in the president's personal conduct and much less cronyism on the part of administration officials. In other words, the Coolidge White House would feature neither racy love letters to mistresses nor the corrupt cronyism that resulted in the Harding administrations Teapot Dome scandal. Today, Coolidge's scrupulousness is rarely remarked upon. We prefer humorous (and often apocryphal) tales of how Silent Cal lived up to his nickname. Or perhaps we reprise the man's most famous quote: After all, the chief business of the American people is business. But as Ive written before, that is a partial quote, taken out of context. Actually, what Coolidge said about this country was pretty much the opposite. The business of the American people, he proclaimed, is idealism. Hopefully that will be true again someday. Carl M. Cannon Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics @CarlCannon (Twitter) ccannon@realclearpolitics.com As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell makes a renewed push for vaccinations, his Republican colleagues are following his lead. More subtly, he has also directed a message to them on the Jan. 6 attacks: Dont deny what people saw on television. A subdued effort in the Senate may not succeed as the noisiest of their House GOP colleagues make slain rioter Ashli Babbitt a martyr, decry the treatment of Jan. 6 prisoners, and spread misinformation about vaccines all amplified simultaneously by conservative media. But if you listen for it, and read the tweet-leaves, its clear McConnell thinks that the swing voters the party needs to win back the majority next year will reject irresponsible anti-vaccine rhetoric and a whitewashing of the deadly insurrection. So as anti-vaccine messaging swarms Facebook and Fox News Channel (Sean Hannity excepted), McConnell is defying the party line, funding pro-vaccine advertisements with his own campaign funds to convince more Americans to join the fight against COVID-19. There is bad advice out there, you know. Apparently you see that all over the place: people practicing medicine without a license, giving bad advice. And that bad advice should be ignored," McConnell told Reuters last week. McConnell is not only referring to television and radio hosts weighing in against vaccines, but members of his party. For example, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has a large online following and whose small-dollar fundraising is the envy of her colleagues, was suspended from Twitter for circulating misinformation about coronavirus vaccines. Rep. Mo Brooks called the vaccines experimental. And former President Trump is now fueling vaccine hesitancy, despite wanting credit for its rapid development and production and having been vaccinated himself. Recently he released one of his tweedles press statements that stand in for his now banned Twitter feed stating, People are refusing to take the Vaccine because they dont trust [Bidens] Administration, they dont trust the election results, and they certainly dont trust the Fake News. McConnell joins just Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice in directly criticizing disinformation and encouraging vaccination. But while Sen. Ron Johnson continues to criticize the campaign to vaccinate Americans, more Senate Republicans have joined McConnell to encourage inoculations. Key senators, including John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley and Marco Rubio, have sent out tweets on the importance of vaccinations and on Sunday the Senate Republican Conference tweeted out video of conference Chairman and physician John Barrasso amplifying that message on Fox News Channel. Sen. Roy Blunt read accounts to reporters last week from his Missouri constituents who had a change of heart about getting COVID-19 shots after loved ones fell ill or died from the virus. Simultaneously, Senate Republicans are seeking distance from insurrection denialism as many in MAGA world embrace a new narrative in which the rioters were largely peaceful (Trump likes the term love fest) patriots who have been unfairly vilified and targeted by the FBI. McConnell has quietly made clear there will be no counter-narrative to the House Select Committees hearings and findings on Jan. 6. On Twitter, Steven Law, Janet Mullins Grissom and other players on Team Mitch openly criticized attempts by House Republican leaders to blame Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the deadly riots or belittle the testimony of the four police officers who recounted to the committee last week that they feared for their lives during the horrific attacks. The day of the hearings, Scott Jennings, a former McConnell staffer who is now a CNN commentator, assailed GOP attempts to deny the reality of that day. If we watched it, if you have seen the videos, if you listen to the testimony, I don't know really how you go out with a straight face and say what we all saw, it didn't really happen the way you saw it, Jennings said, adding that every Republican, whether they're in the House or whether they're sitting at home right now, needs to understand that efforts to get you to believe that this mob was something other than it was are wrong. They're wrong. Then Cornyn, a McConnell lieutenant, gave the New York Times a similar response. I don't think anybody's going to be successful erasing what happened," he said. "Everybody saw it with their own eyes and the nation saw it on television." In addition to suggestions by members like Brooks that rioters were antifa instead of Trump supporters, and by Rep. Matt Gaetz that the FBI may have played a part in organizing and participating in the riots, 21 House Republicans voted against a resolution to bestow the Congressional Medal of Honor to U.S. Capitol Police officers for their heroism on Jan. 6. Rep. Paul Gosar recently tweeted out a picture of himself wearing a red plastic @ForAshli bracelet, and Trump has referred to her as an innocent, wonderful, incredible woman. But you wont be hearing anything like that from Senate Republicans. Last week, when asked on a radio show Who shot Ashli Babbitt? Sen. Kevin Cramer referred to her as a criminal. McConnell is trying to create distance from the distortion of that day, but doesnt want to directly criticize those distorting reality himself because he and Trump are in a war he would prefer has more cold days than hot. When asked last Tuesday whether he had watched the days Jan. 6 hearings, McConnell said he had been working and had not, and though he would not comment on the testimony of the four officers, he referred back to his comments from January when he said Trump was morally and practically responsible for inciting the insurrection. I dont see how I could have expressed myself more forthrightly than I did on that occasion, and I stand by everything I said, McConnell said last week. When Sen. John Thune, minority whip, was asked the same question, he criticized Pelosis handling of the committee but called the officers heroes, saying, I have great respect for what they went through, what they did, what they do, and I think what they say needs to be taken very seriously. Many House Republicans, on the other hand, did not take the opportunity to commend the officers for their sacrifice during the siege after the powerful hearing. Indeed, Rep. Jim Banks, whom Pelosi had rejected as a select committee member, went out of his way to be dismissive of the officers in an appearance on Fox News. Banks accused them of reading talking points written by the Democrats. McConnell is fighting two powerful conspiracies in his own party polls show GOP voters still refuse to take the COVID vaccine in large numbers because they question its safety, and that they now view Jan. 6 as an event where patriotic citizens were defending freedom. He has intentionally drawn these two red lines. The question is whether voters will see them next fall. HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pennsylvania -- If you were the president of a railroad 100 years ago, you were kind of a big deal. Yet when Alan Maples became president of the Everett Railroad Company in 1983, a purchase that made him the youngest person in the history of the industry to hold that title, the Alabama native knew full well he would not wield the prominence, power and influence the title once held. Maples shrugs, smiles and admits that a few people, including his parents, thought he was a bit daft when he said his career goal was to run a railroad -- at the very time the industry was on its knees. In fairness, lots of children want to run railroads when they first catch sight of a train chugging along the highway and hear the long-long-short-long rhythm of the whistle in the distance. "I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland," Maples said. "There was a railroad track a few blocks from our house, and I had a model train as a kid. Now, my brother grew up in the same house, and he could care less about trains, so I don't know what the magic is, but it's something I've loved all my life." At 21, with some help from his parents and the college fund they had saved for him that he never used, he bought the Everett Railroad, which is not something that someone who isn't a robber baron traditionally does. "Well, it was during a recession," he explained. "The owners of the railroad wanted to get rid of it; it wasn't worth a lot at the time. I did not go to college, and my parents had set some money aside for my college education. "They also said, 'If you go broke, don't come back; there is no more money,'" explained Maples, who splits his time between here and Scottsboro, Alabama. To everyone's surprise, from the town to his parents to the manufacturing industries he serves in the area to the families and rail fans who discovered his steam-engine-powered excursion railroad line, Maples has been more than relatively successful. "We are a working railroad serving industries around the area; we also run these excursion trains during the summer and then in the fall and the Christmas time as well," he said, pointing to the meticulously and carefully restored passenger trains in the rail yard behind his office. The company was originally incorporated in 1954 in its namesake town of Everett, 33 miles south of here. By 1982, it had been essentially abandoned and then sold and moved here to Blair County. Yet by 1984, Maples was able to make the first run under his ownership, delivering a load of bauxite ore. Since then, it has been a carrier-freight railroad in the Interstate 99 corridor of Blair County, which includes the communities of Altoona, Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Claysburg and Hollidaysburg. "We have our ups and downs," he said. "We really miss the days when newspaper was printed on newsprint, because that was a good business for the railroad, hauling newsprint." Newsprint isn't made much anymore, which means it's not there to haul anymore. Maples said he just lost a big customer this winter when the Appvion Paper Mill, which had been at its nearby Roaring Spring operation since 1866, closed, costing 300 people their jobs. The closure hit Maples hard: "That was our biggest freight customer. So, that's put a world of hurt on us right now." But there's good news: "We didn't run the passenger train last year because of the pandemic, and now, we're able to restart the passenger train. So, that's helping pick up some of the slack from the loss of the paper mill." Maples says that type of freight delivery is the kind of business he relies on. It also demonstrates why railroads were the lifeblood of small towns for generations. The fates of towns, he said, were pretty much determined by whether a railroad placed a station nearby. "Pass a town by, and it's just another dot on a map; place a station there, and the opportunities were boundless." His restorations of those passenger lines are a perfect immersion into a glamorous way to travel that's long gone, one that once upon a time could take a person from one small town to another, to the big city or even across the entire country. Railroads originally began as a way of transporting commodities such as farm goods, coal and timber to market; almost immediately, they facilitated the region's agriculture- and manufacturing-based economy. They were reliable; they could function in any type of climate. And because of them, industries of all types, and towns and cities of all sizes, grew up around them. When the railroad industry began in Pennsylvania in 1860, there were initially 2,000 miles of track, but by 1920, there were more than 11,500 miles. Railroads were also America's first big business. At the industry's peak in the 1920s, railroad companies owned large amounts of real estate and equipment and employed more than 1.7 million people nationwide. Then, along came the new cars and trucks and airplanes, as well as barges and pipelines, all of which took away a lot of the transportation of goods from the railroad companies. And all of those small towns or industries that had benefited from the new markets and availability of new resources had to scramble to figure out how to access the people and products the trains had opened to them. Maples' facility is one of the oldest railroad properties in Pennsylvania. "When they were opening up the routes to the West, before railroad technology was fully developed, they had canals," he explained. "And the canal was built from the Susquehanna River to Hollidaysburg, and then from Johnstown over to Pittsburgh." In between, you had the mountains. "So, they had a horse-drawn, very primitive railroad that came right through here to take cargo from the two sides of the canal and go up over the inclines on the mountains," he said. That was 1834, meaning for nearly 200 years, this spot has been in continuous use for transportation purposes. The magic of the visit, though, is in the restored rail cars and engines that Maples uses for the excursion rides. For anyone who has wondered what it feels like to ride a train the way your grandparents or great-grandparents did, this is a shrine to that era. Take the 27-mile round trip between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg on No. 11. Traveling through the breathtaking Morrison's Cove, including a stop for ice cream at the Roaring Spring depot, will leave you with a sense that all is right with the world, at least for a few hours. There are several other excursions available as well, all the way up to Christmas. "There is really nothing like seeing a child or a grandparent's face light up when they see the steam of the engine as it pulls up to the train station; whether it is the child's first time or the grandparent remembers a time from their own childhood, they know magic will happen when they stop on that train," Maples explained. "You can't capture the joy and wonder of anticipation in a bottle, but we sure come close to it here at the railroad." COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM The members of Duran Duran say the once turned down a song with late pop star Michael Jackson. ADVERTISEMENT Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor appeared on Monday's episode of Watch What Happens Live, where Rhodes recalled how the band once turned down a collaboration with Jackson, who died at age 50 in 2009. Rhodes said the band had just returned from a tour in 1983 when Jackson called him at home. "I get home and the phone rings, and my mum says, 'Oh, there's somebody on the phone for you. He says his name's Michael Jackson,'" Rhodes said. "I thought it was one of our crew winding me up, because they said, 'Oh, Michael wants to do a song with you,'" he added. "Anyway, I start talking to the person on the phone and saying, 'So, Michael. How you doing?' 'Oh hi, I'm fine.'" Rhodes said he eventually realized it really was Jackson on the phone. He approached his bandmates the next day but no one was interested in making a song. "He was keen to make a record, and I go to everyone the next day ... and say, 'Hey, Michael Jackson called last night. Do you fancy maybe doing a song?' They all went, 'Nah,'" Rhodes said. On WWHL, the members of Duran Duran also shared the best advice they received from a fellow musician. 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! "Stick together," Rhodes said. "Well, it was from Mick Jagger , so I had no choice." Rhodes said Jagger gave them the advice after Duran Duran had "already lasted longer than the Sex Pistols and almost as long as the Beatles." Duran Duran was formed in 1978. The band will release its 15th studio album, Future Past, in October. South Korean girl group Red Velvet is gearing up to release its new EP. ADVERTISEMENT The K-pop stars shared a mood sampler for the mini album, titled Queendom, on Tuesday. The teaser shows the members of Red Velvet tower over a tiny town named Queendom. Red Velvet announced its comeback Sunday and shared a schedule for Queendom the next day. Red Velvet will release new teasers for the mini album Aug. 5-13. The group will also share a music video teaser Aug. 13. The group will release the "Queendom" music video Aug. 16 before releasing the full mini album Aug. 17. Queendom will be Red Velvet's first release since The ReVe Festival: Finale, a compilation of The ReVe: Festival: Day 1 and Day 2, in December 2019. Red Velvet consists of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy and Yeri. The group made its debut in 2014. Tan France is a new dad. ADVERTISEMENT The 38-year-old television personality and his husband, Rob France, welcomed their first child, son Ismail, via surrogate in July. France shared the news Monday on Instagram alongside photos of himself and Rob France with their baby boy. "Give our son a warm welcome. Ismail France, born July 10th," France captioned the post. "He came 7 weeks early, so he's been in the NICU for the past 3 weeks. But today, we finally got to bring him home. We love him so, so much. Like, fully obsessed." "Our Surrogate is doing great, post labor, and we couldn't be more grateful for the greatest gift in our lives," he added. France's Queer Eye co-stars Antoni Porowski and Bobby Berk and This is Us actress Mandy Moore were among those to congratulate France in the comments. "overjoyed for you tannay," Porowski wrote. "So so happy for you love. He is simply perfect and your growing little family gives me so much happiness and joy. Love you all so much and can't wait to meet little Ismail," Berk added. 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! "Congrats to you and your family!! Welcome to the best club!!! Xoxoxo," Moore said. France and Rob France announced in April that they were expecting their first child via surrogate. France, who is Muslim Pakistani and was born and raised in the United Kingdom, said in an interview on A Little Late with Lilly Singh in June that he had picked a South Asian name for his son and plans to teach his son to embrace South Asian culture. "First off, our food. Like, the first food, other than milk, that my son will taste will be Indian food. That's my food," France said. "And then Bollywood. So I want to teach my kid Hindi," he added. "There will only be Bollywood stuff in the house. There will be no, as we call it, 'white TV.' I want him to fully embrace, like '70s to 2003 Bollywood." France stars on Queer Eye, which returned for a fifth season on Netflix in June 2020. The series co-stars Berk, Porowski, Karamo Brown and Jonathan Van Ness. Traverse City, MI (49684) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Traverse City, MI (49684) Today Isolated thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Greenville, NC (27833) Today Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Greenville, NC (27833) Today An isolated thunderstorm possible this evening, then occasional showers overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight An isolated thunderstorm possible this evening, then occasional showers overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Brattleboro swimmers compete in their first home meet, an inter-squad competition, at Living Memorial Park, in Brattleboro, Vt., on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. The other meets have been canceled because of weather and then the other two teams pulled out because of growing COVID-19 numbers. General Assignment Reporter Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Mainly clear. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Mr. James White III, 63, of Oak Hill, WV died Friday, July 30, 2021. As per his request, he has been cremated, there will be no service. Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com. For more information visit ritchieandjohnson.com FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice celebrates his reelection at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. A federal judge on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, blocked West Virginia from enforcing a new ban on transgender athletes. The law, signed by Justice in April, would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female sports in middle and high schools and colleges. Click here to read the full article. As the world now knows, one of the more surprising names to have popped up around Jeffrey Epstein is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Its been widely reported that Gates had flown on Epsteins plane at least once, and visited his home multiple times but the depth of their relationship is not fully known, and more details are emerging. The media is rife with speculation that one cause of Gates recent divorce from his wife Melinda was his relationship with Epstein. When asked about how they met, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation told me that many people encouraged Gates to meet with Epstein, suggesting that Epstein would help bring funds into the software entrepreneurs famed philanthropic organization. In 2019, Gates was quoted as saying, at the New York Times DealBook conference, I made a mistake in judgment in that I thought those discussions would lead literally to billions of dollars going to global health. Turned out that was a bad judgment, that was a mirage. He also admitted, I gave him some benefit by the association. So, heres what I know from my reporting that takes this story further. In Bill Gates case, one conduit to him was a protege of Epsteins: Her name is Melanie S. Walker. Walker is a neuroscientist and neurosurgeon who became a top adviser to Gates at his Foundation and after that, became a senior adviser at the World Bank. The Gates Foundation placed her at the international financial institution in a somewhat-common arrangement called a secondment. What that means is the Foundation paid her salary even though she was working for the World Bank. She found herself in such echelons in an intriguing way: Walker came from a working class family in Texas; as she reached adulthood, she was beautiful and bright. Having finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, she was on a sightseeing trip to New York in 1992. She was having tea in the main dining room of the Plaza Hotel when Jeffrey Epstein approached, because, says a source with knowledge, he thought she was attractive. With him was Donald Trump, who was busy shaking hands with people in the room. (Trump was then the Plazas owner.) Trump also introduced himself to Walker. Epstein then became a mentor to Walker. Walker told the Times that Epstein offered her a modeling opportunity but the person familiar says Epstein told her not to go into modeling, and he encouraged her to finish medical school, which she did. From 1992 to 2000, the time period when she went to medical school in Texas, records show that she listed an address in a New York apartment building that Epstein owned. This was a place she could use for occasional meetings in New York, according to the person familiar with her. But, this person says, she didnt live there. According to a source with knowledge, in 1998, while she was pursuing a post-doctoral study at Cal Tech, Epstein hired her as his Science Advisor. She would later tell people who then spoke to me, that she felt a deep gratitude toward Epstein, both for his advice and for the job. A source who was friendly with Epstein then recalls her role as providing Epstein with introductions to interesting faculty members at Cal Tech and elsewhere people whose work he might be interested in funding. This person recalls meeting her at a dinner at Epsteins house in New York. Her relationship with Epstein seemed only professional to this observer. Around the same time, she and Prince Andrew became close friends. But not through Epstein, at least according to a source with knowledge. The story goes, according to that source, that Walker received a spare ticket to a Broadway show from a different friend and sat next to Prince Andrew. In the early 2000s, she found herself in Seattle, and for the first time, the orbit of Bill Gates this was after she moved in with an executive at Microsoft. His name is Steven Sinofsky. According to an eyewitness, Sinofsky brought Walker to Microsoft events, and at a company barbecue, she met the Microsoft founder. In 2006, she was hired by the Gates Foundation, partly so she would stay in Seattle along with Sinofsky, says a person familiar. A separate source says during this time Walker talked highly about Epstein. Meanwhile, two other people close to Gates and to Walker the physician Boris Nikolic and the scientist Nathan Myhrvold had also met Epstein and also talked up Epsein to Gates, says this source. In 2010 Gates announced the Giving Pledge: a commitment by the worlds richest individuals and families to give away the majority of their wealth and he wanted to connect with as many of these types of people as possible. At this time some of the people at the Gates Foundation had gotten the impression from Epstein that he was a billionaire and therefore a potential contributor to the Giving Pledge and that his time in prison in 2009 was mostly undeserved. Epstein had told them that he simply caught a bad rap for an experience with women who had lied about their age. Sources say Nikolic was impressed with Epsteins ideas for fundraising, as was Gates, who met Epstein in early 2011 at a dinner, according to the New York Times. Sources say Gates wasnt aware that Epstein did not have the sort of money he claimed to have, until much later. Gates and Epstein worked together on a global health fund. Everything went well until, according to the New York Times description of a pitch document, Epstein asked a cut of any donations that he had helped facilitate from high-net-worth individuals. Gates and the people around him never finalized the plans because, according to someone with knowledge, once the lawyers looked at it, all sorts of warning bells went off. This may have been a factor in Gates ultimately dropping Epstein. But, Epstein apparently wasnt so easy to shake off. Sources describe him like a mollusk at elite global philanthropic gatherings to which he wasnt invited. Nikolic would subsequently run into Epstein a few times a year either at Davos World Economic Forum, which Epstein wouldnt attend but rented a chalet nearby; or at Ted conferences, where he was also wouldnt enter, but where Epstein, regardless, set up camp; or at Harvard, where Nikolic worked. The encounters, according to the source, were brief and pleasant. Nothing materialized from his outreach to Gates; sources say Epstein made a final fuck you to Gates two days before he died. At this moment, he appointed Nikolic as a substitute executor of his will. Nikolic says he had had no meaningful contact with Epstein for years so, the move could have been designed to shine a light on the Gates/Epstein relationship, with the full knowledge that it could be extraordinarily damaging to Gates reputation. I reached out to Nikolic who told me in an email exchange he had fainted at his mothers wake when heard of his appointment and that it was absolutely a retaliatory move. He added: Over the past few years, we have all learned that Epstein was a master deceiver. I now see that his philanthropic proposals were designed to ingratiate himself with my colleagues and me in an attempt to further his own social and financial ambitions. When he failed to achieve his goals, he started to retaliate. Nikolic sought legal advice and declined his executor duties. Walker, meanwhile, has got on with her work as a neurosurgeon, and Gates, as we know, has gotten divorced. But the story serves as a warning perhaps that one should assume that the world of philanthropy is every bit as susceptible to high-flying power-plays as the for-profit world and that a determined crook like Jeffrey Epstein can get a lot of undeserved credibility by associating with distinguished people on the inside. Vicky Ward is the host of audible.com/ghislaine Chasing Ghislaine, an Audible Original podcast, executive-produced by James Patterson, released on July 15th. Sign up for Rolling Stone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The Carnival Mardi Gras docked Tuesday in Puerto Rico the first time a cruise ship has visited the U.S. territory since the pandemic began. Some cautiously celebrated the arrival. It comes as Puerto Rico has reported an increase in COVID-19 cases blamed on the Delta variant but also as it seeks to restart its crucial tourism sector, which depended largely on record numbers of cruise ship passengers in recent years. Carlos Mercado, executive director of Puerto Ricos Tourism Company, told The Associated Press that the government took several precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including allowing only those who are fully vaccinated to disembark. He said the ship was traveling at 70% capacity, with some 4,500 people aboard, and that he estimates a total of 3,500 will disembark. Mercado noted that 95% of the ships passengers are vaccinated, with children younger than 12 making up the majority of those who have not been inoculated. The visit was expected to generate some $360,000 during the nine hours that the ship is docked in the historic part of Puerto Ricos capital known as Old San Juan. This is incredibly important for us, Mercado said, noting that Puerto Ricos hotel and aviation sector has boomed in recent months. This is what we were missing. Passengers began to trickle out of the ship to the sounds of Puerto Rico's traditional bomba and plena music filling a nearby plaza while artisans prepared their wares and government officials distributed maps of the historic cobblestone district. Passenger Tom Seuberling, of Oak Hill, Florida, said he was impressed by the health protocols aboard the ship. You had to have proof of vaccination. They got sanitation throughout the ship. They make sure that you dont contaminate food bars. They have been very cautious about cleaning the rooms, he said. It has been a remarkable job. Mercado said the ship will dock twice more this month, generating an estimated total of $1.2 million for August. He added that starting next month, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will start using San Juan as its base port, and that by next year, he expects the cruise schedule to go back to normal. Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said that visits of the Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration in the next two years alone will deliver an estimated 300,000 passengers and generate some $28 million for the island's tourism sector, which represents nearly 7% of its economy. Some 1.9 million cruise passengers visited Puerto Rico in 2019, a record for the island, according to tourism spokeswoman Astrid Rolon. The Carnival Mardi Gras departed Port Canaveral, Florida, and Puerto Rico was its first stop. The island of 3.3 million people has reported more than 127,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 2,500 deaths. Some 1.9 million people are fully vaccinated. ___ AP photographer Carlos Rivera contributed to this report. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) A divided federal appeals court panel has struck down several campaign contribution caps in Alaska, including a $500-a-year limit on what an individual can give a candidate. The decision, released Friday, also struck down a $500-a-year limit on individual contributions to non-party groups and the $3,000-a-year cap on total nonresident donations a candidate for office like state House can raise. It upheld as constitutional a $5,000 limit on what political parties can contribute to municipal candidates. A statement from the Alaska Department of Law says it has two weeks to decide whether to seek review by a larger panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If the state does not file a petition, the ruling would take effect seven days after the filing deadline. The department is evaluating its options, according to the statement. Erin Chlopak, director of campaign finance strategy with the Campaign Legal Center, which supported the states position, said the higher nonresident caps in place for races like state Senate or governor were not challenged in the case and are unaffected. Robin Brena, an attorney who represented plaintiffs David Thompson, Aaron Downing and Jim Crawford, hailed Friday's ruling as a win for free speech. He also said it put "balance back in the political process. He noted the ruling in the context of a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that paved the way for corporations, unions and interest groups to make unlimited independent expenditures. Friday's ruling is good for political dialogue, for the candidates to be able to raise the money they need to have their political voices heard," Brena said. The Alaska case dates to 2015, and the plaintiffs said they would have contributed more if allowed to their preferred candidates in state and local races at the time, who were Republican-aligned. Crawford also said he would have given more if allowed to the Alaska Miners Association Political Action Committee. Thompson, from Wisconsin, said he wanted to contribute to his brother-in-law, then-Rep. Wes Keller, but couldn't because Keller had reached his out-of-state donor cap, according to the original complaint. A federal judge in 2016 sided with the state, and an appeals court panel agreed with the findings, except on the nonresident piece. The U.S. Supreme Court later sent the matter back to the appeals court to re-evaluate the $500 caps in light of a prior ruling in a Vermont case. In Friday's ruling, Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas dissented from the majority position on the three provisions that were struck down. The majority held that Alaska's use of annual limits favored incumbents. But Thomas wrote there was ample record support showing challengers can and have raised funds needed to run competitive campaigns under the rules. Thomas also said he would find that Alaska's important anti-corruption interest justifies a limit on nonresident speech. The majority opinion, however, found that Alaska had failed to demonstrate that the risk of quid pro quo corruption turns on a donors particular geography. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of late 2019, 11 states did not impose contribution limits on individual donors. Rep. Andy Josephson, an Anchorage Democrat, said he believed some kind of cap is needed for individual contributions to candidates. If the decision by the appeals court panel stands, he said the Legislature should do something about it. He said he did not see any appetite by lawmakers to possibly consider the issue until the next regular session, which begins in January. Next year is an election year, with legislative seats and the race for governor on the ballot. O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Tuesday that he made good on his promise to pardon a couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at social justice demonstrators as they marched past the couple's home in a luxury St. Louis enclave last year. Parson, a Republican, on Friday pardoned Mark McCloskey, who pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and was fined $750, and Patricia McCloskey, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was fined $2,000. Mark McCloskey has publicly stated that if he were involved in the same situation, he would have the exact same conduct, the McCloskeys' lawyer Joel Schwartz said Tuesday. He believes that the pardon vindicates that conduct. The McCloskeys, both lawyers in their 60s, said they felt threatened by the protesters, who were passing their home in June 2020 on their way to demonstrate in front of the mayor's house nearby in one of hundreds of similar demonstrations around the country after George Floyd's death. The couple also said the group was trespassing on a private street. Mark McCloskey emerged from his home with an AR-15-style rifle, and Patricia McCloskey waved a semiautomatic pistol, according to the indictment. Photos and cellphone video captured the confrontation, which drew widespread attention and made the couple heroes to some and villains to others. No shots were fired, and no one was hurt. Special prosecutor Richard Callahan said his investigation determined that the protesters were peaceful. "There was no evidence that any of them had a weapon and no one I interviewed realized they had ventured onto a private enclave, Callahan said in a news release after the McCloskeys pleaded guilty. Several Republican leaders including then-President Donald Trump spoke out in defense of the McCloskeys actions. The couple spoke on video at last year's Republican National Convention. Mark McCloskey, who announced in May that he was running for a U.S. Senate seat in Missouri, was unapologetic after the plea hearing. Id do it again, he said from the courthouse steps in downtown St. Louis. Any time the mob approaches me, Ill do what I can to put them in imminent threat of physical injury because thats what kept them from destroying my house and my family." He echoed those comments in a statement issued Tuesday by his campaign and added: "Today we are incredibly thankful that Governor Mike Parson righted this wrong and granted us pardons. Because the charges were misdemeanors, the McCloskeys did not face the possibility of losing their law licenses or their rights to own firearms. The McCloskeys were indicted by a grand jury in October on felony charges of the unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering. Callahan later amended the charges to give jurors the alternative of convictions of misdemeanor harassment instead of the weapons charge. Parsons legal team has been working through a backlog of clemency requests for months. He hasn't yet taken action on longtime inmate Kevin Strickland, who several prosecutors now say is innocent of a 1978 Kansas City triple homicide. Parson could pardon Strickland, but he has said hes not convinced he is innocent. Missouri's Democratic leader contrasted Parson's treatment of Strickland's case with the McCloskeys in bitter denunciations of the governor's action. It is beyond disgusting that Mark and Patricia McCloskey admitted they broke the law and within weeks are rewarded with pardons, yet men like Kevin Strickland, who has spent more than 40 years in prison for crimes even prosecutors now say he didnt commit, remain behind bars with no hope of clemency, Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade said in a statement. Democratic state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley said, The governors stunt ominously underscores that under his watch, justice belongs only to the privileged elite in this state. _____ Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this story from Columbia, Missouri. BOZALAN, Turkey (AP) As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the country's southern coast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkeys Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters on Tuesday were still tackling 11 fires in six provinces, including the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. More than 150 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned toward the government, which admitted that it did not have a usable firefighting aircraft fleet. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure firefighting planes and instead spending money for construction projects that they say are harmful the environment. In the village of Bozalan, in Mugla province, where homes and olive trees were incinerated, residents complained that the government's response was inadequate. Our fire-extinguishing helicopters were insufficient, said 58-year-old Mahmut Sanli. If there was a firefighting crew in our neighborhood, this wouldnt have happened. Nevzat Yildirim, 30, said he had called authorities in Mugla pleading for help but nothing came. We tried to protect our own homes through our own means, by filling up buckets. We organized ourselves with neighbors, youths and saved our homes, he said. In the nearby village of Cokertme, Gulseli Karaduman was seen using a fire extinguisher to save her olive trees. There has been no air support, nothing. For three days we've been living with this helplessness," she said. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkeys main opposition party, accused Erdogan of lacking a master plan against forest fires and of ignoring warnings concerning global warming. We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately. Our country is in the midst of a climate and water crisis, he said. Erdogans government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by allegedly refusing help from Western nations during the early stages of the fires. But official said the government had only refused offers for small water-dumping planes. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that Turkey accepted all offers meeting its needs. France and Greece also offered to send fire-dumping planes but were later forced to retract them due to fires there, he said. In times of disaster, we would of course accept assistance from other countries in the same way that we provide assistance to other countries," he said. The Israeli Embassy, however, said Tuesday that Israel had offered to help but Turkish officials had refused the offer, saying the situation is under control. It said the offer still stands. Mayors posted videos pleading for aerial firefighting responses to local wildfires while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes. The campaign drew an angry response from a top Erdogan aide, Fahrettin Altun, who said Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong. Erdogan himself was accused of insensitivity after he threw bags of tea at residents from a bus during a weekend visit to the fire-hit Antalya region. Planes sent from Spain and Croatia joined aircraft from Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires. Four helicopters would be arriving from Ukraine on Wednesday, Cavusoglu said. On Tuesday, officials evacuated residents from dozens of holiday homes as blazes advanced toward the Turkevleri region, near the town of Milas, in Mugla province. Milas' mayor, Muhammet Tokat told Halk TV that the blaze was approaching a thermal power plant but also said that authorities there had taken precautions. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants. A 16-year-old was detained on Tuesday in connection to a blaze that started in Antalya's Manavgat region on Wednesday, pro-government Sabah newspaper reported. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as the culprit, along with accidents caused by people. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. Temperatures in Marmaris, in Mugla, reached an all-time high of 45.5 C (114 F) on Tuesday, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said. The Turkish meteorology authority warned that temperatures would rise between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms around the country's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. In Greece, thousands of people fled their homes north of Athens in cars and on motorcycles as a wildfire broke out of the forest and reached residential areas. The blaze sent a huge cloud of smoke over Athens and prompted multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles) to the north. In Italy, firefighters fought seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. The mayor of Altamura, near the southern Italian city of Bari, advised residents to keep windows closed after a fire broke out in a plastics factory warehouse. A helicopter was dispatched near the city of Pescara in Abruzzo to prevent a wildfire from reaching a gasoline depot, while industrial production sites were under threat in the region's foothills. Italian firefighters have battled more than 37,000 fires since June 15, an 76% increase over last year, when 62,623 hectares (nearly 155,000 acres) were destroyed, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper. ___ Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Ayse Wieting in Istanbul and Colleen Barry in Rome contributed. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate. Muzaffarnagar (UP), Aug 3 (PTI) A 28-year-old man was killed after being run over by a train in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, police said. The man, identified as Vinit Kumar, was killed on Monday and his body has been sent for post-mortem. According to the police, three other people died in separate incidents in the district on Monday. A 32-year-old farmer was electrocuted when he came in contact with high-tension wire. Another man, identified as Nepal Singh, was crushed to death by a speeding truck. A four-year-old girl fell in a pond and drowned when she was playing near it. PTI CORR SMN SMN (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) India has witnessed the "highest ever monthly figure" of $35.17 billion after the merchandise exports grew by 34% from the month of July last year. The healthy growth has been seen on the account of items like petroleum, engineering, and gems and jewellery segments. However, according to the provisional data released, the trade deficit widened to $11.23 billion, as the merchandise imports also shot up to $46.4 billion, the second-highest in history. Country-wise data of exports and imports The top increase of exports by value was to the United Arab Emirates, US, and Belgium. However, the exports from India to Malaysia, Iran and Tanzania declined the most. The imports from UAE, Iraq and Switzerland increased, and from France, Germany and Kazakhstan declined. "India is thus a net importer in July 2021 with a trade deficit of USD 11.23 billion, widened by 110.56% over the trade deficit of USD 5.33 billion in July 2020," the statement read. The data revealed that the exports of petroleum, engineering, and gems and jewellery in July increased to USD 3.82 billion, USD 2.82 billion and USD 1.95 billion, respectively. Furthermore, imports of petroleum, crude, and products soared by 97% to $6.35 billion followed by growth in imports of gold which rose to 135.5% taking it to $2.42 billion. Similarly, imports of pearls, precious and semi-precious stones in inbound shipment stood at $1.68 billion. However, a trade deficit was also witnessed due to negative growth in the exports of oilseeds, rice and meat, and dairy and poultry products in this month. Also, imports of transport equipment, project goods, and silver posted negative growth. Covering 32.64% of its annual target of $400 billion, India now looks forward to $269.44 billion or $33.68 billion per month. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal took to Twitter for sharing the numbers. Check his tweet: Make in India, Make for the World: Indias merchandise exports in July 2021 was $35.17 bn, an increase of 34% over July 2019. PM @NarendraModi jis vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat has given a boost to exports. Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 2, 2021 Exports and Imports in the previous months An increase in exports and imports was also witnessed in the previous few months as per the data states. The data reveals exports during April to July 2021-22 grew by 73.86% year-on-year to $130.56 billion as against $75.10 billion in the same period last year. Similarly, imports during the first four months of the fiscal increased by 90.90% to $172.53 billion. (Image Credits: PTI/Unsplash) The Union Health Ministry announced on Tuesday, August 3, that over 49 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been distributed to states and UTs, with 2.75 crore doses remaining unutilized. The total number of vaccine doses distributed to States and UTs has reached 49.85 crores (49,85,51,660), and another 20,94,890 doses are on the way. The total consumption, including waste, is 47,52,49,554 doses out of this total number (as per data available at 8 AM today). Approximately 2.75 crores (2,75,88,573) doses of residual and unutilized COVID vaccine are available to the states, UTs, and private hospitals for administration. State and UTs have been provided free COVID vaccines by the Central Government as part of the nationwide vaccination campaign. To achieve the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the government will procure and provide (free of charge) 75% of the vaccines produced by national vaccine manufacturers to state and territorial governments. The new phase of the vaccination drive began universally on 21st June 2021. Vaccination throughout July In July, 132.6 million doses were administered, with a daily average of 4.3 million doses being administered per day. As a result, the total for the month is 463.1 million, far exceeding the monthly target of 120 million. During this month, India vaccinated a New Zealand every day, a Venezuela every seven days, and a Japan every ten days. The vaccine has been administered to at least 361 million Indians and 102 million are fully immunized. In December 2020, India was expected to administer 300 million doses by the end of August, according to official estimates. If we are to inoculate every adult in India by year's end, we will need to vaccinate more than 10 million people a day. As of the end of July, 41% of the presently eligible population (adults over the age of 18) had received one dose, and 14% of those eligible had received all three doses of vaccine (11% of the total population). In India, 99.9% of the vaccines administered are produced. A total of half a million doses of Sputnik have been administered since its arrival from Russia in May. This means that Covishield (87.9%) will continue to dominate sales this year. Covaxin, a product of Bharat Biotech, has contributed 12% of the total amount collected. Chennai, Aug 3 (PTI) Tamil Nadu saw fluctuation of fresh COVID-19 cases with 1,908 people testing positive for the deadly virus on Tuesday, pushing the total caseload to 25.65 lakh. As many as 29 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours aggregating to 34,159 so far, a medical bulletin said. The state had been witnessing a slight increase in the number of new infections since July 29. On Sunday, the state added 1,990 new cases to its overall tally while on Monday it dropped to 1,957. Meanwhile, recoveries outnumbered new infections on Tuesday with 2,047 people getting recovered in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 25,11,076 leaving 20,217 active infections. Among districts Chennai recorded 203 new cases, Coimbatore 208, Chengalpet 122, Erode 181 and Thanjavur 118. Ramanathapuram reported the least with six new infections. A total of 1,45,585 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 3.78 crore till date, the bulletin said. As many as 33 districts reported new cases in double digits, while no fresh deaths were reported in 22 districts. Among the 29 fatalities, seven of the deceased were without comorbidity or pre-existing illness which include a 31 year old man from Salem who died in May. The victim had tested positive on May 21 and died on May 25 at the government hospital due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Three individuals who returned from Malaysia were among those who tested positive in the last 24 hours, the bulletin added. PTI VIJ ROH ROH (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday said that the countrys efforts to control illegal cattle smuggling and other security threats along the India Bangladesh border was going strong. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that about 76 per cent of the border had been covered by fences. The ministry further said that the balance length of the international border will soon be covered by physical fencing and technological solutions in the form of the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), which will in turn add security in the region. India Bangladesh border safe with fences, MoS Nityanand Rai, while replying to a query in the lower house said that the physical fencing is currently being done along the India-Bangladesh border. The minister informed that the riverine border which is not feasible for fencing will be soon covered through technological solutions, adding a pilot project in Assam's Dhubri along 61 km riverine border has been implemented. The ministry also informed that the government is keeping a regular watch on the progress of work. Emphasising the need for fences at the border, the minister said that a total of 77,410 cattle in 2019 and 46,809 cattle in 2020 were seized along the border. The ministry also informed that a total of 703 smugglers were arrested along the borders in 2019 compared to 460 caught last year. Rai further said that the cattle smuggling in the region is under harsh surveillance. "Indian government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to check illegal trade of cattle along Indi-Bangladesh border which inter-alia includes round the clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders and establishment of observation post; increase in the number of BSF personnel; construction of border fencing and floodlighting; use of watercraft or boats and floating Border Out Posts (BOP) for domination of riverine area; deployment of advance technological equipments like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night vision Device (NVD), Twin Telescope, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); upgradation of intelligence setup and enhanced coordination with the state governments or concerned intelligence agencies," said the minister. The minister, citing the governments inputs, said that around 3,140 kilometres of the total 4,096.7 long border are currently covered by fencing. In this, West Bengal leads the area fenced with 1,638 km out of the total 2,216.70 km of the border fence. The state is followed by 210 km of 263 km in Assam, 326 km of 443 km in Meghalaya, and 155 km of 318 km in Mizoram. However, Tripura has the most border share fenced with 812 km out of a total 856 km covered. BSF keeping strict surveillance on borders, claims MoS Rai further added that the security in the region is on alert for any illegal matters. "Noting that Border Security Force (BSF) conducts regular patrolling, lay nakas, establish observation posts and carry out an anti-tunnelling exercise to stop illegal migrants. Some illegal migrants are still able to enter in a clandestine and surreptitious manner, mainly due to difficult riverine terrain in parts of the International Border with Bangladesh which is not amenable to physical fencing," the minister said. The minister went on to add that around 1,109 foreigners were apprehended along the border in 2019 and 955 last year. Following such arrests resulting from attempts to infiltrate India, the BSF carries out an investigation and takes necessary actions. Meanwhile, Rai also said that since 2019, 28 BSF personnel have faced disciplinary actions for lacking in duty. IMAGE: AP/ PTI United Nations, Aug 2 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India and if there needs to be a change in status it is the vacation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN and President of UN Security Council for the month of August T S Tirumurti said on Monday. India, currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 tenure, assumed the rotating Presidency of the powerful UN organ for the month of August. Briefing reporters at the UN Headquarters on the Councils Programme of Work on Monday, Ambassador Tirumurti said India will host signature events on the key themes of maritime security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping. In response to a question on Jammu and Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370, Tirumurti said, Right at the outset, I do want to make something very clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India. I think it's important to recognise that. And the issues relating to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are internal affairs of India. In fact, even the members of the Security Council, when this was brought up, almost all of them agreed that this issue was not for the Council to discuss. In response to another question on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres statement of August 8, 2019, on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Tirumurti said, As I told you, Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India. If there needs to be a change in status, it is the vacation of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Secretary Generals 2019 statement had recalled the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan - the Simla Agreement - which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. Referring to the Simla Agreement, Tirumurti noted that the 1972 agreement in fact has been mentioned by the Secretary-General himself. Tirumurti underlined that the 1972 Simla agreement provides that the resolution of differences between the parties should be resolved by peaceful means and by bilateral negotiations. So I think since Pakistan has signed off on this," it is hoped "that they will follow through on this and implement the provisions of the Simla agreement. Tirumurti added that the Constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir relate to the Temporary Provisions on Jammu and Kashmir, including in Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. These changes have been brought through established parliamentary procedures and it is well within the framework of the Constitution of India to effect these changes. So any change or modification to Article 370, like any other provision of the Constitution, is the sole prerogative of the Parliament of the Republic of India, he said. The Indian envoy reiterated that it is absolutely legitimate on our Parliament to pass laws and rules and regulations relating to Jammu and Kashmir." PTI YAS AMS ZH AMS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Following four drones sightings in Samba's Bali Brahmana police station region, three suspects wearing army uniforms were spotted at Mangal Market in the Samba district on Monday, August 2. Locals reported the unusual appearance of the suspects in army uniforms with bags, heading to the forest area, to the Samba police. The Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), J&K Police along special operation troops are carrying out the search operation that is still underway. Speaking on the frequent drone attacks, Dilbag Singh, J&K DGP, said, "Drones are the new weapon used by Pakistan to launch attacks. But, this will be uprooted soon". "Weaponry, narcotics, cash, and explosive materials are been transported from Pakistan. Be it state or non-state actors, whoever is involved in this are mostly identified as the investigation is still underway", he said. J&K DGP informed that Lashkar and Jaish terror groups, sponsored by Pakistan are suspected to be using drones for the attacks. Four drones spotted in the Samba district On August 1, four drones were spotted in Samba's Bali Brahmana police station region. With this incident, total drone attacks since June 27 twin blasts sum up to 32. The endless drone attacks have raised tensions among the security forces. Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, and the anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, drone terror attacks are suspected. Rajesh Sharma, SSP Samba, said, "Following the observance of four flying objects reported in Samba area, vulnerable areas at which an attack would have been targeted are being searched". He further informed that the security forces are on high alert ahead of August 15. Border Police, village defence committee members, police manpower are working together to check on any unusual activities reported in the region. Security forces on high alert Earlier on July 25, a high-level joint security forces meeting was held to review and discuss security preparation in Jammu. The Indian Army, Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF), Intelligence bureau, and J&K police were part of the meeting. The meeting was aimed at discussing operational preparedness, coordination, and convergence on issues of mutual interest among the internal security forces. According to Security force sources, ahead of August 15, drone attacks are planned in the region. Also, some terrorists might use internal links to seek into Indian territory and carry out attacks in the Kashmir valley. (Image credit: PTI) A day after the 12th round of Corps Commander level talks was held between India and China, a hotline was established between the Indian Army in North Sikkim's Kongra La, and the Chinese PLA at Khamba Dzong in Tibetan Autonomous Region, to further the spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders. The event coincided with PLA Day on August 1. "The Armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at ground commanders level. These hotlines in various sectors go a long way in enhancing the same and maintaining peace and tranquility at the borders," the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The inauguration was attended by ground commanders of the respective Armies and a message of friendship and harmony was exchanged through the Hotline, it added. Amid a thaw between the two countries over the year-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control, the 12th round of Corps Commander level talks were held in Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC on Saturday. The nine-hour-long discussions pertained to the disengagement of troops from friction points including the Gogra Heights and Hot Springs area. The two countries have been in a standoff since April-May 2020 when China attempted to unilaterally status quo at the LAC. 'PLA & Indian Army Have Disengaged In Galwan Valley' Recently, China asserted that both PLA and the Indian Army have disengaged in the Galwan Valley region. Speaking at a seminar on Wednesday, Ambassador Sun Weidong called for a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution" to the border dispute. China-India relations are significant to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world at large, he added. On July 14, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting. Recalling their earlier meeting in September 2020, the EAM stressed the need to follow through on the agreement reached then and finish the disengagement at the earliest. Maintaining that prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side, he admitted that it has had a negative impact on the bilateral relationship. As per the MEA, Jaishankar clearly told Wang that unilateral change in the status quo is not acceptable. The Five-point consensus The two countries have reached a five-point consensus on continuing dialogue and quickly disengage while honouring all existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs. Over 11 rounds of military talks, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has retreated from the Finger 4 area and Patrol point 14 along the LAC, while India pre-empted PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake capturing positions of 'strategic importance' in the Fingers area. The disengagement is yet to be completed in friction points such as Hot Springs, Gogra, and Depsang. Twenty jawans were martyred on June 5-6 amid a violent face-off between Indo-China troops at LAC's Galwan Valley. An octogenarian woman has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court to introduce a helpline number for registering the COVID-19 vaccine. She has also requested door to door COVID-19 vaccination for super senior and bedridden citizens in Delhi. What does the petition say? Dhira Aggarwal, an octogenarian woman, through the petition stated that the super senior and bedridden citizens who are unable to go to the vaccination centres physically be provided with some assistance. The petitioner, through Advocate Manan Aggarwal claims that if she goes to the vaccine centre, she is likely to be exposed to the COVID-19, which will be life-threatening at this age. The plea says, "The petitioner also has Arthritis and is mostly bedridden for her to get up and go to the vaccine centre and to wait for her turn to get a vaccine is not possible, and due to her condition, she could not get any shot of the Covid-19 vaccine till date." "Many countries like Singapore, Australia already have systems in place to vaccinate old age and bedridden citizens at their homes by sending a team comprising a doctor and a nurse at home to administer the vaccine shot. The respondents must introduce a helpline number for registration of covid-19 vaccine and a policy on an urgent basis for door-to-door covid-19 vaccination for super senior and bedridden citizens in Delhi," the plea reads. The plea is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday before the bench of Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh. Made in India Sputnik vaccine to be available from Sep/Oct Dr Reddy's Laboratories has said that "Made in India" Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine doses are likely to be available from September-October this year. Dr Reddy's Laboratories and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has signed an agreement to distribute the Sputnik V vaccine in India. Image Credit: Twitter In its two full years as the Union Territory of the country, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed not only a downturn in recruitment to terror ranks; but the number of law-and-order incidents too have dropped significantly. According to police data accessed by Republic TV, since August 2017 to date, the number of law-and-order incidents in Kashmir has decreased significantly. From August 2017 to July 2019, 1,394 law and order incidents have been registered whereas from August 2019 to July 2021, only 382 such incidents were registered. The data further suggests that no civilian and police/SFs were killed in law and order incidents after the abrogation of Article 370 in the Valley. Meanwhile, terror-related incidents declined to 350 from 688 during this period, as per the data. Data showing statistics of the killings of civilians and police/security personnel indicates that there were more killings during pre-scrapping of Article 370 days as compared to the post-scrapping. As per the data accessed, from August 2017 to July 2019, 135 civilians lost their lives during different terror-related incidents whereas from August 2019 to July 2021, only 72 such killings were reported. Kashmir Police Chief Vijay Kumar told Republic TV that post the abrogation of Article 370, the Kashmir Valley marked a significant improvement in the situation on counts of terrorism, law and order, and security. Compare the figures; one can see the change in the situation--the situation is better on all parameters post the abrogation. A lot of improvement has been made on law and order and security as well as terrorist violence. Several top commanders (Pakistani terrorists and locals) were killed this year too and civilian and police casualties too were brought down, he said. The number of youths who joined terror ranks fell to 73 between January 1 and July 27 this year, compared to 167 a year ago, informed the Kashmir Zone Police Chief. So far, around 90 terrorists have been killed this year and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT terror outfit) has suffered the highest blow, as 51 terrorists killed belonged to the Pakistan-based terror outfit. This year, top commanders of different terror outfits too were killed in encounters with Police and Security forces. During the anti-terror operations, police along with the Indian Army not only neutralised those terrorists who were involved in the killing of civilians, police and security forces but the police department was also able to recover snatched weapons (snatched by terrorists from police personnel) during search operations at the encounter spot. To bring down incidents of terrorism, many measures were taken by the police department. Apart from keeping a close watch on persons who attempted to provide support to terrorists, Jammu and Kashmir Police not only arrested hundreds of Over Ground Workers (OGW network acts as oxygen support to terror networks) but initiated other steps that include increasing interaction between police and the public at various levels, sharing of intelligence inputs on real-time basis amongst the police and Army while also helping in maintaining peace on the ground. In 2020, DDC Polls, the first democratic exercise in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre abrogated the special status of the erstwhile state was held. This was the first time that DDC polls were not only incident-free but were also held in a peaceful atmosphere. IGP Kumar said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police is fully prepared to deal with any situation in view of the second anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. Our teams have intensified area domination in volatile belts and patrolling is also being carried out round the clock. People have been cooperating. The situation will remain calm and peaceful in the days to come, Kumar said. IMAGE CREDIT: PTI Commemorating 50 years of Indian Armed Forces triumph over Pakistan in the 1972 Indo-Pak war, the Swarnim Vijay Victory Flame reached the frozen frontiers of Siachen Glacier on Tuesday, August 3. The Vijay Mashaal was received by troops stationed there, said Defence PRO Srinagar. "The victory flame was received with full military honours at Bana Post, located at a height of 22000 ft on the Siachen Glacier. Bana Post was captured by the Indian Army in 1987 in an unparalleled daring operation. Honorary Capt Bana Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military award for gallantry for this operation," the Defence PTO Srinagar said. Swarnim Vijay Victory Flame, commemorating 50 Years of Indian Armed Forces' victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, reached the frozen frontiers of Siachen Glacier today: PRO (Defence) Srinagar#JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/SOApqcD31U ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021 From Bana Post, the Swarnim Vijay Victory Flame was taken to Indira Col, where the stationed Indian Army troops received it with enthusiasm and reiterated their commitment towards the defence of the country, the statement said. 1971 War: The Story Of India's Victory The Indo-Pakistan war began on December 3, 1971, and lasted for 13 days, after which Pakistan kneeled down to surrender to India and Bangladesh. The war was triggered by Pakistan after it launched airstrikes on 11 Indian airbases. In response, Indian forces fought in unison and retaliated by capturing 15,010 kilometres of Pakistan's territory. The war ended after Pakistan Army General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi and its 93,000 troops surrendered to the Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini. On December 16, 1971, General Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender in Dhaka, paving way for the formation of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). Swarnim Vijay Varsh To remember India's victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started Swarnim Vijay Varsh by lighting the Vijay Mashaal on December 16, last year. Since then, the victory flame is travelling the length and breadth of India. "The Victory Flame was lit from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial, signifying the bravery of the soldiers of the war. Since then, the Victory Flame is travelling across the length and breadth of India and a large number of commemorative events are being conducted during its journey," the Defence Ministry said. (Image Credit: ANI) Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju will be attending the eighth meeting of Ministers of Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Friday, August 6. He will be joined by Minister of State for Law & Justice, Prof SP Singh Baghel. In the eighth SCO Meeting of Law & Justice Ministers, member nations will further deliberate on areas of cooperation; the role of COVID-19 laws in the pandemic; providing free legal aid to citizens in accordance with national legislation; the role of the said ministries in countering corruption and other allied areas of cooperation and assistance in legal services. A Joint Statement will be released after the SCO meeting concludes. The Ministers of (Law and) Justice and senior officials/experts from the India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will be participating in the Meeting. SCO Experts Working Group meeting Friday's meet will be preceded by the second meeting of the Experts Working Group on August 4 and 5, which will be attended by Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Law & Justice. The first Expert Group Preparatory Committee Meeting of the eighth round of SCO Law Ministers' meet was hosted by Tajikistan on June 10-11 this year. The Experts Working Group will discuss and share their experiences, practices, and the role in countering corruption; providing free legal aid and other related activities of the Ministries of Justice including firming up of Agenda and Joint Statement of the Justice Ministers Meeting. Both the meetings, hosted by Tajikistan, will be conducted virtually via Video Conferencing and the SCO Secretariat will be providing necessary assistance during the three days deliberations. (Image Credit: PTI) New Delhi, Aug 2 (PTI) A petition has been moved before the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Centre and Delhi government to introduce a policy on urgent door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination for bed-ridden senior citizens here. The public interest litigation, which also seeks a helpline for registration, will be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel on Tuesday. The petitioner before the court is 84-year-old Dhiraj Aggarwal who suffers from arthritis and is yet to be vaccinated as she cannot visit the vaccination centre on account of her health. The petition also highlights that many fellow super senior and bed-ridden citizens, who are vulnerable to COVID-19, do not have private transport to reach the vaccination centre or even a family member who would help them with the registration process. Visiting a vaccination centre also exposes senior citizens to COVID19 virus, it added. The petition argues that it is the obligation of the authorities to introduce helpline and door-to-door vaccination and not doing so is against the right to life. It is the obligatory duty of the respondent no. 1 and 2 (Centre and Delhi government) to take care of super senior and bed ridden citizens so denying the vaccine by not introducing a helpline number for registration of COVID-19 vaccine and a policy on urgent basis for door to door COVID-19 vaccination for super senior and bed ridden citizens in Delhi is against the fundamental right to life of a citizen, the petition said. The petition said that certain States like Jharkhand have already begun door-to-door campaign for vaccination. PTI ADS RKS RKS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Terrorists on Tuesday attacked Jammu & Kashmir Police party in Khanyar at the Shiraaz Chowk area. According to the J&K Police, one police personnel and a civilian has been injured in the terror attack. Informing that both the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital and are currently undergoing treatment, the Jammu & Kashmir police said that they have cordoned off the areas and the search operation for the terrorists is underway. Terror attack on Jammu Police This terror attack on Jammu Police by the terrorists comes ahead of Article 370 abrogation anniversary and Independence Day. Earlier on August 1, the security officials in Jammu & Kashmir had generated an alert and beefed up security in the valley region after specific inputs regarding the terrorist movement in Kishtwar were received. The on-ground visuals accessed by the Republic Media Network show high security with posters of three main terrorists including longest survivor terrorist Jehangir Saroori aka Mohammad Amin Bhat, Riyaz Ahmed Hazai, and Mudassir Hussain whose movements have been noticed by the intelligence. To further ensure their arrest, a bounty of Rs 30 lakh was also announced on these terrorists. Currently, the security forces of J&K are keeping a check on every vehicle passing by the sensitive areas and noting down details including mobile numbers. Moreover, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) special branch of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered to deny security clearance to any individual involved in any security violation such as stone-pelting activities. The specific direction includes checking the complete History of individuals applying for Government related documents like passports. 2nd anniversary of Article 370 abrogation A Presidential notification combined with requisite legislation passed by both the House of Parliament in August 2019 led to Article 370 becoming virtually redundant. This implied that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was scrapped. Furthermore, the region was bifurcated into the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. Thereafter, restrictions on the movement of people and communication were imposed in the state, which was gradually lifted over the months. This year, India will be celebrating the second anniversary of the Historic decision. Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was a 'temporary provision' that granted autonomous, special status to the state. Under part XXI of the Constitution, it cited, 'Temporary, Transitional and Special provisions,' the state was accorded with the special status under Article 370. All the provisions of the Constitution applicable to other states were not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. (Image: PTI) Latching on to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's contrasting stance on the Pegasus 'snooping' row, Shiv Sena claimed that the former JD(U) president's "soul" is with the opposition. This is being perceived as a jibe at BJP which has vehemently refused to order an inquiry into the issue. Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut described him as an "ideal leader". Expressing gratitude towards Kumar for echoing the opposition's demand for a probe, Raut called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to at least take cognizance now. A day earlier, the Bihar CM told the media, "A probe should be done, indeed. We have been hearing about telephone tapping for so many days, the matter should be discussed. People have been reiterating for so many days, it should be done". "In today's time, people can misuse technology. There should be a probe so that this can't be misused to exploit anybody. If the opposition is demanding discussion for many days, then there should be a discussion on the matter," he added. I'm grateful to Nitish Kumar. He has always been an ideal leader. Today he's with the govt but his soul is with us, I know. If he's saying that 'Pegasus' issue must be probed, then he has spoken what Opposition is saying. Modi ji should listen at least now: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena pic.twitter.com/K0Sd5WnlZc ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021 The Pegasus snooping row The controversy came to the fore when French non-profit Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International accessed a leaked database of 50,000 phone numbers that were allegedly targeted by Pegasus. As per media reports, the Pegasus spyware targeted over 300 Indian mobile numbers including that of 40 journalists, businesspersons, one constitutional authority, three opposition leaders and two sitting Ministers in the Union government. The database also allegedly contained the numbers of activists who are accused and incarcerated in the Bhima Koregaon case. Notably, the NSO Group categorically rubbished these allegations and cast doubts on the reliability of the sources. Indian Ambassador Abhay Kumar met Madagascar Defence Minister General Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirina on Tuesday to discuss several diplomatic issues. Several topics were discussed in the meeting, including pertinent issues like measures taken by both nations to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. The Indian embassy in Madagascar shared a tweet on Monday on Twitter and wrote, "Indian Ambassador Abhay Kumar met Major General Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirina, Defence Minister of Madagascar today. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Ambassador Abhay Kumar met H.E. Major General Leon Jean Richard Rakotonirina, Honble Defence Minister of Madagascar today. They discussed issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/zbBsQLgiIN India in Madagascar & Comoros (@IndembTana) August 2, 2021 India has been constantly working to enhance the bilateral ties between both nations, including defence ties. The relationship shared by both countries has been deepening since the visit of President Ramnath Kovind to Madagascar in 2018. On the other hand, Madagascar Defence Minister Rakotonirina visited India in 2020 to participate in Def Expo and in Feb 2021 to participate in the IOR defence ministers meet. In the past, a number of MoUs in various sectors including health, education, media, culture have been proposed by both parties and are under consideration. In March this year, when Madagascar suffered a huge drought, India had deployed its warship Jalashwa to rush 1000 tonnes of aid to the drought-affected South Madagascar. This happened after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar overlooked the matter and had a telephonic conversation with Madagascar's Foreign Minister T. Djacoba A.S. Oliva. Madagascar has a strong Indian diaspora from the state of Gujarat and the Indian embassy in the country, which keeps coming up with interesting events, to cater to the Indian population. Similarly, on the occasion of Indias 74th Independence Day, the Indian embassy has planned several events including flag hoisting. Embassy of India Antananarivo invites you all to attend the Flag Hoisting Ceremony on the 74th Anniversary of the Independence Day of India on 15 August, 2021 at 830am (local time). The event will be live streamed on @IndembTana and Fb page of the Embassy.#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/kotVHSKv94 India in Madagascar & Comoros (@IndembTana) August 3, 2021 Indian Embassy In Madagascar Organizes Illustrative Talk On 'Ancient Murals Of India' Under the Modi government's initiative to celebrate the 75 years of Independence, the Embassy of India, Antananarivo (Madagascar) organised an online seminar on Ancient Murals of India on Wednesday, July 7. The seminar was conducted by renowned filmmaker and art historian Benoy K Behl. He is also known for his extraordinary photography skills. The seminar engaged the participants with Behl in an illustrative talk on the subject. Several localities from Madagascar and Comoros attended the seminar, the event was broadcasted live on the Facebook page of the Indian Embassy in Antananarivo, after the details of the event were released by the embassy in a press release. Image: ANI Amidst a shifting balance of power in the East, Germany has sent its warship to the region with the aim to mark its presence in the disputed South China Sea and express its alignments to the west. According to German tabloid DW, the Bayern will set sail for its six months deployment from a naval base in Wilhelmshaven, northwestern Germany, with more than 200 soldiers on board. Additionally, the frigate will dock on the way at the ports of its allied partners including in Djibouti, Karachi, Guam, Perth, Tokyo, and Shanghai. 'Freedom of navigaton' In a statement, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said that the move is meant to uphold freedom of navigation' in international waters, a call repeatedly made by the US. In addendum, she said that the deployment, the first in over 20 years, also aims at protecting open societies and expresses support for regional partners which share Germanys values. The #IndoPacific is where the international order of the future will be decided. We want to help shape it and to take on responsibility for upholding the rulesbased international order. @HeikoMaas. Today the frigate Bayern departs towards Asia. More: https://t.co/BYEjf8cioB GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 2, 2021 The Indo-Pacific is where the international order of the future will be decided. We want to help shape it and to take on responsibility for upholding the rulesbased international order. Its mission is to support us in upholding international law and improving security in the Indo-Pacific together with our partners, the German Defence Ministry said in a statement. The ministry further said that Bayern would not only support European Unions Operation Atalanta, which aims to curb sea piracy, but also monitor the United Nations sanctions against North Korea and conduct joint operations in the Indo-Pacific. The South China Sea has been a bone of contestation between at least eight countries, including China, Brunei, Taiwan amongst others. In recent months, Beijing has ramped up its assertiveness in the 3.5 million square kilometres of the South China Sea. Last week, UK Defence Journal reported that the British aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and its Carrier Strike Group have entered the South China Sea. Tensions have been building in the region, with many countries accusing Beijing of using the resource-rich waterway to intimidate them. Chinese air and sea patrols have been warning ships away from the area, which Beijing believes to be part of its own territorial seas. However, five other governments claim all or part of the sea, through which approximately $5 trillion in goods are shipped every year. Image: AP Four Palestinian families facing eviction in Jerusalem have rejected a proposal from Israels Supreme Court that the families live as 'protected tenants' on the land which according to them, belongs to Jewish settlers. In the widely anticipated ruling, the apex court floated a plan to settle the Sheikh Jarrah dispute and said that the Palestinians could continue to live in the contested neighbourhood, given they become "protected tenants" and accept Israel's ownership. However, the families involved in the legal dispute and scores of others affected by the ruling have blatantly refused Israeli ownership of their land. What is happening in the case? The kerfuffle that has led to some of the regions worst violence, began during the Arab-Israel war when Jordan granted the now disputed area to Palestinians. However, the zionists refused to agree to the narrative and demanded rent for the houses or eviction of Palestinians. The matter was taken to the district court in Jerusalem last October where the judge ruled in favour of the Israelis, upholding the evictions. This prompted an immediate appeal from the aggrieved Palestinians. Israel's Supreme Court had been scheduled to issue a ruling in May, but it delayed its decision after the attorney general requested more time to consider the cases. Although, in place for centuries, the Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated in recent years. Last year, the Benjamin Netanyahu led administration had floated plans to expand occupation in the West Bank. The silver of land, much like the Gaza Strip, is home to millions of Palestinians. The West Bank also includes the area of East Jerusalem, which is one of the key areas of contention owing to its religious importance. In past, Palestinians have repeatedly highlighted that with a rising number of settlements in the West Bank, which have reached nearly 5000 by now. Why is Jerusalem a frequent flashpoint? The city of Jerusalem has been the bone of contestation between the Arabs and the Jews for a century now. The old city of Jerusalem houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Islam. Unfortunately, the same land is also revered as the holiest in Judaism as Temple Mount. Frequent flashpoints at the site have triggered not only a war of nerves, but also ammunitions between Palestinians and Israelis. Image: AP Turkish firefighters have been battling the wildfires for the sixth consecutive day to bring the blazes under control flared by the strong winds and the scorching temperatures. As many as eight people have died since the fires first started on Wednesday. As many as 10,000 people in the areas of impact have been evacuated so far. In the footage that emerged, the residents and tourists were seen fleeing the vacation resorts and were rescued in boats and flotillas. Many escaped on the cars and trucks as large scathes of forests charred. Many animals on Turkey's southern coast have been caught in the deadly fire, several villagers have lost their homes, farms, and cattle animals as they choked in the thick plumes of smoke. At least seven people were killed in the fires in Manavgat, Antalya Province, including a Turkish-German couple, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency. Two firefighters have lost lives in the response mission. Speaking at a state press conference, Turkeys Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated in Mugla province. Several homes in Bozalan were destroyed in the flames. Property is an important part of life but life itself comes first, Turkeys Interior Minister stated. [Credit: AP] A fire crew has been tackling a total of seven fires in the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla, which are popular tourist areas, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli separately told a conference. There are several active fires in Isparta, 380 kilometres (236 miles) northeast, and in Denizli province in southwest Turkey, he added. Blazes in Tunceli in southeast Turkey were contained on Monday. A total of 129 fires across the 30 provinces broke out and have been extinguished. We are going through days when the heat is above 40 C (104 degrees Fahrenheit), where the winds are strong and humidity is extremely low, Pakdemirli said. We are struggling under such difficult conditions. In Turkeys Bozalan, resident Esra Sanli witnessing raging fire in her village told AP reporters that there are no planes, no helicopters, as there are no roads in the village to lead the response mission effectively. How is this going to be extinguished? How?" She said. Villagers herded the cows and sheep away from dangerous areas as firetrucks, with their sirens on made their way on the rugged terrain. People were forced to evacuate the village of Cokertme where the fires spread sporadically. Orders to evacuate the town of Turunc, near the seaside resort of Marmaris in Mugla province, were also issued. EU dispatches firefighting planes EU meanwhile announced on Monday that it mobilized the firefighting planes from Croatia and Spain to help Turkey extinguish the deadly blazes. The crew from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran has also been leading efforts in the burning regions. At least two water-dumping aircraft, one transport plane as well as 27 soldiers were dispatched by Spain to assist Turkey. Ankaras President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government announced that a total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters, and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires. [Credit: AP] [Credit: AP] In a huge embarrassment for Imran Khan, the Pakistan Prime Minister's official residence has now been put up for rent. The Pakistan Federal Cabinet has now decided to allow people to hold cultural, fashion, educational and other events at PM Imran Khan's official residence. Pakistan Prime Minister's official house put on rent After it was decided to put up the Pakistan Prime Minister's house on rent, two committees have been formed for this purpose. The Pakistani media further informed that these two committees will be responsible for ensuring the discipline and decorum of the Prime Minister's residence is not violated during the events. In 2018, the ruling Tehreek-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had announced that the Pakistan PM will vacate the lavish PMs residence in Islamabad and the house will be turned into a campus of a postgraduate institute. In an attempt to cut down on heavy costs and use the money for welfare schemes, the PTI government had announced that Imran Khan will not live in the PM House and governors will not stay in Governor Houses. Following this announcement, Prime Minister Imran Khan had decided to move out of the Prime Minister's residence. Currently, Imran Khan is living at his Bani Gala residence and only uses the PM office. On Aug 19, 2018, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said, I think we should convert it (the 1100 canals building) into a high standard university, which will conduct research and invite the worlds greatest scholars here. However, now the PTI government has taken a U-turn from Imran Khans announcement and decided to rent out the PMs House to make it a source of permanent income. The Pakistani government had earlier raised money in the exchequer by selling valuable vehicles and buffaloes raised at the Prime Ministers House. Pakistan mired in debt, forced to put its terrorists under sham arrests to convince FATF Pakistan's external debt is likely to increase in the future as it is currently under the compulsion to borrow more every year to replay its outstanding external loans, finance its current account, and build its forex reserve. As per Dawn, in the last 15 years, Pakistan's external debt and liabilities have grown and no efforts have been made by its government in containing the exponential increase in the burden. This is evident from the over 150 per cent growth in foreign debt and liabilities to USD 116.3 billion from USD 45.4 billion at the end of Financial Year 2008. Moreover, Pakistan purchased nearly 63 per cent more debt or USD 12.13 billion in the first 11 months of the outgoing fiscal year compared to USD 7.4 billion the government had borrowed during the same period last year. As such, Imran Khan has been running pillar to post, to the Saudis, to world bodies like the IMF and others in an effort to waive debt or restructure it. It has also ceded a large part of its country to China in the name of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has been touted as Pakistan's economic saviour to such an extent that it's become somewhat of a running joke. (Image: AP, Twitter-@minhaskh) Amid a raging battle in Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), security forces claimed to have killed at least 25 Pakistani fighters. This development comes amid Afghanistan's repeated claims of Pakistani involvement in the fight against the Taliban. Afghanistan government has maintained that Pakistan is aiding the Taliban and other insurgent groups in the country. 25 Pakistani fighters killed by Afghan forces According to reports, 25 Pakistani terrorists have been killed by the Afghan forces so far in Nijrab, which is situated 100 kilometres away from Kabul. Among these, five are said to be Pakistan Army commandos who were dressed like the Taliban terrorists. The major revelation comes as evidence with regards to Afghanistan's claims of Pakistani involvement in its soil. Reports further stated that one of the commandos who was fighting alongside the Taliban was ambushed by the Afghan forces. After the assault, the Afghan forces sent back the bodies of Pakistani commandos through Red Cross. Speaking to Republic TV, General GD Bakshi hit out at Pakistan and stated that it also helped the Taliban last time when it took over Kabul. General Bakshi revealed that Pakistan had aided the Taliban by sending its soldiers along with tanks and artillery support in order to ensure superiority over other warlords like the Tajiks and the Uzbeks. He further stated that Pakistan has sent terrorists and also soldiers from its army to assist the Taliban against the Afghan forces. Imran Khan calls Taliban 'normal civilians' Earlier, in a shocking statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had remarked that the Taliban is not some military outfit, but 'normal civilians'. In an interview, Khan questioned how Pakistan was supposed to hunt down the Taliban as it hosts three million Afghan refugees, the majority of whom are Pashtuns, the same ethnic group as the Taliban fighters. Khan has also denied claims regarding alleged Taliban safe havens on Pakistan's soil and has repeatedly shifted his argument towards the three million refugees in the country. "Now, there are camps of 500,000 people; there are camps of 100,000 people. And Taliban are not some military outfits, they are normal civilians. And if there are some civilians in these camps, how is Pakistan supposed to hunt these people down? How can you call them sanctuaries?" Khan had argued. "Where are these safe-havens? There are three million refugees in Pakistan who are the same ethnic group as the Taliban..." Afghanistan hits out at Pakistan for aiding Taliban Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh has repeatedly stepped up ante against Pakistan and blamed it for assisting the Taliban. In his recent statement on Twitter, Amrullah Saleh had stated that Afghanistan was under a full-scale invasion by the Taliban terrorists who have an organized backing and sponsorship in Pakistan. He added that the Taliban have no intention to engage in meaningful negotiations. Ismail Haniyeh has been reappointed as the chief of the Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas. He reinstated his chair with an unopposed majority after thousands of people voted for him in the internal poll, Hamas said in a statement. Haniyeh secured the top position in Hamas' Gaza politburo for the second time in a row after being in exile for about two years. No prominent Opposition According to Palestinian authorities, there was no prominent opposition to hinder Haniyeh's re-election after the fall of Fatah, the second most prominent group in the Gaza Strip. The "Supreme Leader" of the Palestinian Islamist Group has been appointed to rule for the upcoming 4 year's term, AP reported. Haniyeh's victory has finalised the ruling of the Shura Council. The poll process began last March with the re-election of Hamas' local chief Yahya Shinwar. Meanwhile, further voting was postponed due to the 11days conflict between Israel and Palestine. Haniyeh, the group's leader since 2006 Ismail had served as the Palestinian Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in 2006-2007. During his tenure, Haniyeh controlled Hamas' political and military activities against Israel. Haniyeh, once the right-hand man to Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in Gaza, took over in 2006 after the wheelchair-bound cleric was assassinated in an airstrike in 2004. Haniyeh also served as the leader of the de facto government in the Gaza Strip (200714) before he was taken over by Khaled Mehsal. Haniyeh left Gaza in 2019 without ensuring his return. As per reports, he lived in exile for the past two years, yet had been instrumental in splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar. The 58-year-old leader was also aimed at fortifying the Cairo-brokered ceasefire that ended the bloodbath between Israel and Hamas. The conflict in May killed about 13 Israelis and 260 Palestinians. Meanwhile, Haniyeh was last seen in Beirut on June 29, with Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to talk about the 11-day conflict between Gaza and Israel that took place in May. He also met several top officials, including President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the AP reported. The leaders spoke about uplifting the standstill economy in the Gaza Strip, which remained on his knees since the ceasefire. The meeting is said to be one of the two scheduled since September. (Input: AP) With Japans Defence Minister Yasuhide Nakayama urging to protect Taiwan as a Democratic country in a news conference in June, Tokyo is marking a shift in its stance on one of the most contentious issues in Asia- Chinas claim over Taiwan. China and Taiwan split during the civil war in 1949 and since then, Beijing has vowed to unify with the self-ruled democratic island by force if necessary. The US President Joe Biden administration is counting on help from its allies including Japan to deter a move of such magnitude. For several decades, Japan has reportedly considered the Taiwan issue too politically contested to speak about it publicly with the Japanese military only focussing on the security of its own territory. However, in recent weeks, top Japanese officials have voiced their willingness to combine forces with the United States if China attacks the island. Nakayama said, We have to protect Taiwan, as a democratic country. Japans shift in its policy came as China continues to ramp up its pressure on the self-ruled democratic island. Tokyos trust in China is eroding: Ex-Commander As per the NPR report, Yoji Koda, a former commander of Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force fleet has said that he believes Tokyos trust in Beijing is fading away. He reportedly indicated to Chinas rapid strengthening of its military along with its clampdown on Hong Kong and its flouting of an international court ruling that rejected Chinas claims over the disputed islands of the South China Sea. China-Japan tensions have also mounted in recent months over the disputed territory called Senkaku Islands in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China. According to Koda, as neighbours, we need to say what we think." Reportedly, the Japanese constitution has rejected the use of force to resolve international disputes but following the reforms in 2015, the countrys law allows the use of military force when an attack on the foreign country threatens Japans survival. The law would also allow Japan to deploy its forces to provide logistical support to militaries of other nations ensuring the security of Japan. In early July, Japans Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso reiterated that any crisis over Taiwan should be resolved with a diplomatic dialogue. IMAGE: AP The Japanese government said on Monday that in the coming days, the country will have strengthened border controls for visitors from a number of countries, including the United States and Finland. This decision is taken in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the nation. As per the Kyodo News, travelers from the countries like the US, Georgia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Luxembourg, and five Russian autonomous regions, including Astrakhan, will have to go through the same procedure once they arrive in Japan. Travelers from these areas would be required to stay in government-designated facilities for three days after arriving, with further virus testing required on the third day. According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government has kept certain rules. It states that they would reduce the 10-day quarantine period for visitors from Afghanistan to six days in approved facilities, and expose them to additional coronavirus testing on the third and sixth days after arrival. On the other hand, Japan announced a National emergency in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa Provinces on Saturday, and implemented priority measures until August 31 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Fukuoka regions. The Japanese Prime Minister's Office also tweeted from their official Twitter handle by saying, that they have advised people not to go out or travel for non-essential, non-urgent reasons. They asked to be as cautious and restricted as possible while returning to their hometowns over the summer and other trips. Further, the tweet continued to say that the country is doing whatever it is in their power to establish measures to avoid illnesses and provide vaccinations." Companies have been pushed to establish remote working practices with the objective of reducing commuters by 70%. According to NHK World, office workers should end their job by 8 p.m. and go home immediately. COVID-19 cases in Tokyo Olympics While talking about the COVID-19 cases in Japan, the coronavirus cases have risen dramatically. On Saturday, Tokyo has a high of 4,058 and on Tuesday, the cases of new infections are 3,709. Japan is hosting Olympics in Tokyo amid the surge of COVID-19. On Sunday, the Tokyo Olympics organising committee announced 18 additional Coronavirus infections. According to ANI, citing Kyodo News, 11 of the 18 instances involve contractors, five involve Olympic officials, and one involves a volunteer. Image Credit: ANI A massive blast rocked the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul on Tuesday. The blast, as per the security forces, took place in an area crowded with diplomatic quarters, near the house of the Defence Minister of the country Bismillah Mohammadi. Reports had claimed that after the blast, some gunmen had entered the house of Mohammadi, and a gunfight had ensued. However, without referring to the reports, the Defense Minister on his official Twitter handle asserted that 'Everything was fine'. This comes at a time when the Afghanistan-Taliban issue is at its peak. ! General Bismillah Mohammadi (@Muham_madi1) August 3, 2021 Afghan deploys hundreds of commandos to fight Taliban The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces battled the Taliban on Monday to prevent a major city from falling into the hands of the insurgents. In a major offensive over the weekend, the Islamist Fundamentalist group assaulted at least three major provincial capitals. Afghan forces, however, successfully repelled the attack using both on-ground troops and aerial forces. The attack came soon after the Afghan Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that it would be deploying hundreds of commandos. In the joint operation of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Afghan Air Force (AAF), 400 terrorists were eliminated alone on Monday. The battle which started with the insurgent group Taliban seeking to re-establish Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan has now escalated to bone-rattling strikes and counter strikes, and in this, the Afghan forces have the support of the US. The US has time and again affirmed that it is committed to helping the Afghan security forces and the Afghan government going forward to counter the threat. Besides, recently it has also decided to provide an opportunity to the American government loyalist Afghans to settle in America. The State Department said that this benefit will be provided to "many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members who may be at risk due to their US affiliation. Image Credit: Muham_madi1/Twitter/Unsplash The U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution Monday establishing a Permanent Forum of People of African Descent to provide expert advice on addressing the challenges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. The resolution adopted by consensus by the 193-member world body also calls for the forum to serve as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent and their full inclusion in the societies where they live. The forums establishment comes during the International Decade for People of African Descent, established by the General Assembly, which began on Jan. 1, 2015, and ends on Dec. 31, 2024. It is focusing on the themes of recognition, justice and development. The new body's creation comes ahead of the 20th anniversary of the controversial September 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, which was dominated by clashes over the Middle East and the legacy of slavery. The U.S. and Israel walked out during the meeting over a draft resolution that singled out Israel for criticism and likened Zionism to racism. That language was dropped in the final documents, which condemned and called for the eradication of the scourges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. The documents also expressed deep regret at the human suffering caused by slavery, and acknowledged that slavery and the slave trade are crimes against humanity and should always have been so. The resolution approved Monday by the General Assembly says that despite efforts to combat racism, instances and various forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance remain widespread and should be condemned. The assembly said that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races, it said. The assembly called the global fight against racism a matter of priority for the international community. The Permanent Forum of People of African Descent was given a series of mandates. They include helping to ensure the full political, economic and social inclusion of people of African descent, and providing expert advice and recommendations on addressing racism to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, the General Assemblys main committees and U.N. agencies. The resolution said the forum will consist of 10 members five elected by the General Assembly from all regions and five appointed by the Human Rights Council following consultations with regional groups and organizations of people of African descent. It calls for the forums first session to take place in 2022. It also calls for annual reports to the assembly and the council on the forums activities, and an evaluation of its operation by the General Assembly after four sessions, based on an evaluation by the Human Rights Council. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Chinas interest in crisis budding in Afghanistan could be an alignment of interest with regards to what the US and China seek in the war-stricken country, said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on August 2 (local time). When asked about what is Americas assessment of meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Taliban delegation led by groups chief negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar, Price told ANI that in at least some areas, China has an alignment of interest as compared to the rest of the international community. "There's an alignment of interest in at least some areas when it comes to what we seek, what China seeks and what the broader international community seeks in Afghanistan," US State Department spokesperson Price said. The US officials remarks came after Chinas nine officials met with members of the insurgent group that also coincided with the time US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on his official visit to India. Reportedly, it was the Chinese government that invited the Taliban leaders to the coastal city of Tianjin and the optics of the coincidence, as per ANI, showed that Wang welcomed Baradar. The co-founder of the Taliban and the head of its political commission, Baradar was welcomed by Chinas delegation with open arms before sitting down for talks. Furthermore, the display between China and the extremist group came in stark contrast to the reception that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang offered to the top US official to visit China, Wendy R. Sherman in Tianjin. The US Deputy Secretary of State Sherman also visited the Asian country amid US-Chian tensions and held candid exchanges with Chinese officials to advance US interests and values and to responsibly manage the relationship. Price on Shermans China visit and meeting While talking about Shermans meeting with the Chinese delegation, the US State Department spokesperson said that the US-China relationship in one word is complex and in three terms it is oriented around competition. Speaking at a briefing, Price said, She (Sherman) had an opportunity to explore all three of those areas in a conversation that was candid and expansive, one of those areas where there is at least the potential for some level of cooperation was Afghanistan. IMAGE: AP (With ANI inputs) Strengthening his attack against Iran, US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Monday stressed that there will be a collective response that will be given against the attack on an Israeli operated tanker in Oman. Addressing the press on Monday, the State secretary said this will be dealt with sternly, with collective inputs. US vows to file a collective response against Irans attack on Israeli Oil Tanker This comes after, Washington has pinned the blame on Tehran for the attack on Sunday. In the presser, Blinken stressed that this is not the first time, such an attack took place, he said that it follows a pattern and similar attacks had been perpetrated by Iran, including past incidents with explosive drones. He also added that, following a thorough review, Washington was confident Tehran is to blame in this case. However, he did not present any new evidence pointing to Iran. He also accused Blinken of acting irresponsibly, when it comes to threats to navigation and commerce. The US informed that it is coordinating with other partners including UK, Israel and Romania to prepare and file a response. US, UK confident that Iran conducted Attack on Israeli oil tanker The United States on August 1, blamed Iran for the fatal attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire and leaving two crew members off Oman in the Arabian Sea. Marking the first fatalities after several years of assaults targeting shipping in the region, authorities said on July 30 that Liberian-flagged tanker Mercer Street was struck with US officials claiming that it was a drone-style attack. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that, Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack adding that the attack was carried out using a drone. Antony Blinken said, We join our partners and allies in our strong condemnation of the attack against the Mercer Street, a commercial ship that was peacefully transiting through the north Arabian Sea in international waters. Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing throughout the region. There is no justification for this attack, which follows a pattern of attacks and other belligerent behaviour. These actions threaten freedom of navigation through this crucial waterway, international shipping and commerce, and the lives of those on the vessels involved, he added. Earlier, UK also said on August 1 that it believes Iran had deliberately orchestrated the attack in a clear violation of international law. However, Iran has denied any kind of involvement in the attack on the ship. As per reports, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh called on Israel must stop such baseless accusations. He further said in a news conference that, Iran will not hesitate for a moment to defend its... interests and national security. Image: AP The US State Department on Monday announced that it was expanding the eligibility for Afghan refugee resettlement program for those fleeing Afghanistan as violence and political turmoil continue to escalate in the conflict-ridden country. The US is expanding opportunities for Afghans and their families at-risk to the Taliban terror for resettlement in the United States, the US State Department announced in a statement on August 2. This is targeted at those who have worked for the US government-funded program, or are still working, it said. Im proud today to announce a new Priority 2 designation granting U.S. Refugee Admissions Program access for these Afghan nationals and their eligible family members. Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 2, 2021 Even as we remain committed to a peaceful, secure Afghanistan, we're working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked on behalf of the American people, the opportunity for refugee resettlement. Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 2, 2021 This would include the current and ex-employees of US-based media organizations as well as those working for the US government or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). This, according to the US broadcasters, implies that those Afghans who were previously ineligible to apply for the Special Immigrant Visa, such as the interpreters or translators who helped the US military during their deployment, contractors, local staff that worked for the US government in Afghanistan will now be eligible to enter the United States. "The US objective remains a peaceful, secure Afghanistan," the State Department said on Monday. "However, in light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the US government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the United States, it added. [Josh Habib, far left, a 53-year-old translator for the US Marines, speaking with Afghan villagers and two Marines in the Nawa district of Afghanistan's Helmand province. Credit: AP] The US will provide the opportunity to the American government loyalist Afghans to settle in America. The State Department said that this benefit will be provided to "many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members who may be at risk due to their US affiliation.However, sources told broadcasters that the Afghan applicants have to be referred by their employers, and the process for relocation will begin. But the US will not assist with relocation and the security process can take anywhere up to 12 to 14 months. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the difficulties that the Afghan applicants may face during the application of the visas but he told a news conference that the US remains "committed to seeking a peaceful and secure Afghanistan." This is incredibly hard, Blinken told a press conference. It is hard on so many levels, its hard to pick up and leave everything you know (and) its hard to get yourself to a place where you can take advantage of what opportunities exist to see to apply for refugee status. And we recognize that this is. Alas, this is the case for millions of people around the world who find themselves in very difficult situations and particularly in Afghanistan now. Last week, a group of roughly 200 Afghan Special Visa applicants arrived in the US from Afghanistan under US President Joe Bidens "Operation Allies Refuge mission to help the Afghans now facing the threats from the Taliban for helping the US after the US-led coalition troops pulled out. Relocation flights for individuals and their families who helped the US during 20 years of war were started. US President Biden told a presser that about 2,500 applicants have received the Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and nearly 1,000 Afghans already arrived in the US. Pak mulls Afghan refugee spillover Earlier, addressing a press conference in Washington, DC Pakistan's National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yusuf said that Pak can no longer bear the burden of taking more Afghan refugees as it has reached its maximum limits. The former made remarks during his visit to the United States to hold talks about Afghanistan border security and refugee issue. The Islamic Republic had earlier scrambled to deploy its army troops on the front line position citing the threat of violence, uncontrollable refugee influx, and worsening volatile border situation. The army troops replaced the paramilitary, Frontier Constabulary, (FC), Levies Force, Rangers, and other forces along the Pak-Afghan border. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email please call (208) 542-6777 for help. We get it. You don't want to see the ads. We'd just ask you to understand that those ads help us pay the bills and our reporters. Please, consider white-listing the Standard Journal in your ad-blocker or, even better, purchase a subscription so that you can help support quality local journalism. The nine had pressed Paris Peace Agreement signatories to recognize Hun Sens violations of the 1991 pact. Police officials stand guard in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court during a mass trial against more than 100 political opposition members and activists charged with conspiracy to commit treason, in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, Jan. 14, 2021. A Cambodian court on Monday sentenced nine activists, including a lawmaker from the outlawed main opposition party, to prison terms ranging from 12 to 20 months on incitement charges for issuing pro-democracy petitions last year, the daughter of one of the defendants said. Police arrested the seven opposition activists in October and December 2020 on incitement charges for staging a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in the capital Phnom Penh last Oct. 23, the 29th anniversary of the singing of the Paris Peace Agreement, marking the official end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. During the demonstration, they tried to submit petitions to the embassies of China, France, and the United States, saying that Cambodia had violated the democratic principles set forth in the Paris Peace Agreement. Shortly after the arrests, Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly accused lawmaker Ho Van, an opposition official now living in California, of instigating the protests. Shortly before the verdict was announced at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, one of the detained activists, Lim San, complained about the violation of detainees rights, lack of treatment for ill prisoners, and verbal abuse by guards in Prey Sar Prison where she is serving pre-trial detention, said her daughter Phan Sat. The judge ignored her comments and read the verdicts for former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) lawmaker Ho Vann and activist San Seihak, who is now living exile in Thailand, to 20 months in prison for instigating incitement to cause serious social unrest, Phan Sat said. Four activists Hong An, Lim San, Yoy Sreymom, and Ton Nimol were each sentenced to 18 months in jail for incitement to commit serious social unrest, she said. The three other activists Pai Ren, Sann Srey Neat, and Sat Pha, were sentenced to 12 months in prison on the same charges. The judge told the seven activists, who were fined two million riel (U.S. $483) each, that they could file appeals if they were dissatisfied with the verdict. Phan Sat, who attended the trial, said that the judges ruling was unfair. She maintains that her mother was acting legally during the protest and demanded that the court drop the charges and release all the activists. I want [her] to appeal because I do not agree with the verdict, she said. My mother is innocent. She had done nothing wrong. RFA could not reach defense lawyer Sam Sokong for comment. He previously said that his clients protests are a guaranteed form of freedom of expression under Cambodias constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The multinational treaty states that everyone has the rights to hold opinions without interference and to freedom of expression. Civil society groups say that those who participated in the peaceful protest in front of the Chinese embassy were expressing their opinion. Heng Kimhong, head of the research and advocacy program of the Cambodian Youth Network (CYN), urged the court to reconsider the convictions and sentences and said that unjust detentions would seriously affect human rights. Perhaps because they [the defendants] understood that since China was an important signatory to the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement that upheld human rights, democracy, and freedom of expression, they had gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy to demand that [China recognize Hun Sen's violations of the pact], he said. Their protests and demands are not a crime. Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017, two months after the arrest of its leader Kem Sokha for his role in an alleged scheme to topple Hun Sens government. The ban, along with a wider crackdown on NGOs and the independent media, paved the way for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party to win the countrys 2018 general elections. Former CNRP lawmakers, political opposition activists, their relatives, and their supporters still face backlashes. Since early 2020, more than 80 political, environmental, and social activists, including a popular rapper, have been imprisoned on incitement charges as Hun Sens government seeks to silence its critics. Written by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sum Sok Ry. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Kak Sovanchhay's continued detention is unnecessary and violates the 'spirit of the law,' a Cambodian rights group says. Cambodian activist Prum Chantha (L) and her son Kak Sovanchhay sit at a Buddhist temple near Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh, Oct. 6, 2020. A court in Cambodias capital has rejected a request for bail for the autistic teenage son of a jailed opposition activist, with the boys mother not allowed inside the courtroom on Tuesday to attend the hearing, sources say. Kak Sovanchhay, the 16-year-old son of detained former senior opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) member Kak Komphear, was arrested at his home in Phnom Penh on June 24 by police who accused of him of insulting government leaders on social media. A day later, he was remanded to Prey Sar Prison, the largest of Cambodias two dozen jails run by the Ministry of Interior. His father has been serving time in the same prison for more than a year. Speaking to RFA after the courts decision, defense attorney Sam Sokong said he had argued strongly for Kak Sovanchhays release, citing the young mans autism and need to continue his studies in school. Presiding judge Duch Sok Sarin had rejected the appeal, though, saying that Kak Sovanchhay would likely commit other crimes if he was freed. Sovanchhays mother feels this was an unjust verdict and has asked for her sons lawyers to prepare an appeal, Sam Sokong said. Prum Chantha, Kak Sovanchhays mother, was barred from the Phnom Penh Court of Appeals on Tuesday and had to wait outside the court building to hear the results of the hearing, she said, adding that authorities had also refused to allow her son to be transported from prison to appear in court, citing COVID-19 concerns. This hearing was unfair to my son and our family, and was inconsistent with the [judicial systems own] code of ethics. The judges have studied the law, but they violate the law themselves, she added. 'Against the spirit of the law' Also speaking to RFA, Ny Sokhapresident of Cambodias Adhoc Human Rights Associationsaid it was unlikely that Kak Sovanchhay would commit any crimes if freed on bail, adding that judges at all levels of authority should consider his release. Under the Penal Code, the detention of suspects is allowed only when absolutely necessary, and even then it should only be temporary, he said. But in reality we see that when it comes to social activists, human rights activists, environmental activists, and political activists, the courts choose detention in most of those cases. This decision goes against the spirit of the law, he said. Prum Chantha has said in earlier reports she believes that authorities arrested her son in an attempt to demoralize her because she is a member of the Friday Wives group of women who hold weekly protests demanding the release of husbands jailed on incitement charges for expressing views critical of Prime Minister Hun Sens leadership. More than 80 political, social, and environmental activists have been arrested and imprisoned since the end of 2019, most of them on charges of incitement and conspiracy. National and international organizations and many democratic countries have repeatedly condemned the detentions as politically motivated and have demanded the detainees immediate release. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Richard Finney. Initium Media's executive editor tells readers that the road to freedom in the city has gotten harder and harder in recent years. Chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association Ronson Chan (L) and Chris Yeung, editor for the report, release an HKJA report on Hong Kong press freedoms, "Freedom in Tatters," July 15, 2021. An independent news website has announced it will relocate from Hong Kong to Singapore in the wake of a crackdown on political opposition and press freedom under a national security law imposed on the city by Beijing. Initium Media announced the move in an open letter to readers posted to its website. "In the past six years, the road to freedom has become a harder and harder one ... and Hong Kong's press freedom index has fallen to the 80th place in the world," Initium's executive editor Susie Wu said in an open letter to readers posted to the Initium website. "We will move our headquarters to Singapore and produce content through online and decentralized methods," Wu wrote. "We hope to send you this signal: not to be depressed about [Hong Kong's] predicament ... The road to freedom is long," she wrote. "Thinking and questioning are things everyone can do to safeguard their independence of thought." Asked by Taiwan media whether the move was linked to a draconian national security law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020, Wu made no direct reply. Public speech or actions that are critical of the Hong Kong or Chinese authorities have been criminalized under the law. On July 29, a court in Hong Kong sentenced the first person under the law. Meanwhile Steve Vines, a Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) columnist and former show host for government broadcaster RTHK, said he had left Hong Kong for the U.K. "The white terror sweeping through Hong Kong is far from over and the near-term prospects of things getting better are simply non-existent, Vines said in an email to friends and colleagues quoted by the HKFP. "Hong Kong is now in a very dark place as the Chinese dictatorship has slashed and burned its way through the tattered remains of the One Country, Two Systems concept," Vines wrote, in a reference to promises by the CCP that Hong Kong would keep its political system, traditional freedoms, and judicial independence for at least 50 years. 'Leaving is not easy' Political artist Kacey Wong said he had already left Hong Kong for Taiwan because he needed total freedom of expression. "I have already left. Leaving is not easy, staying is also difficult," Wong said in a farewell letter posted to social media. "We have known each other for 51 years, I will not forget you." "Lets treasure each other, goodbye Hong Kong, he wrote on his Facebook page, alongside music and quotes from Vera Lynns World War II hit "Well Meet Again." Wong's political performance art has included works referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre and pro-democracy movement, Chinese censorship, and the national anthem law banning any disrespect to the Chinese national anthem in Hong Kong. "For me, the critical moment for the decision to leave was the 47, he said, in a reference to the arrests of 47 former opposition lawmakers and democracy activists for "subversion" under the national security law after they took part in a democratic primary ahead of elections to the city's legislature. Wong said he had also been denounced by the CCP-run Ta Kung Pao newspaper. Denunciations in state media are increasingly a precursor to arrest under the national security law or illiberal, colonial-era laws relating to sedition and public assembly. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Analysts say the ruling Chinese Communist Party doesn't reward officials who prevent disaster, only those who oversee relief efforts. Soldiers clean up a street following floods caused by heavy rains in Zhengzhou, in central China's Henan province, July 24, 2021. Forty-five years after a massive earthquake devastated the northern city of Tangshan, survivors say the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s disaster response still scores poorly compared with the praise heaped on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in state-run media. Wang Lihua was just four years old when the Great Tangshan Earthquake rocked Tangshan in the northern province of Hebei with an intensity measuring XI (Extreme) on the Mercali scale just before 4.00 a.m. on July 28, 1976. At least 242,000 people died, according to official reports at the time, although some estimates have put the death toll far higher. Wang remembers being left behind frightened as his mother scrambled to try to rescue neighbors out from under the rubble of collapsed buildings. "People helped each other back then, I have to be honest about that," Wang told RFA in a recent interview. "The troops came in later to clear away the rubble, but before that there was no help, and it was really hard." Wang said the worst part about the Tangshan quake was the lack of foreshocks or prior warning from the authorities, a pattern that was repeated recently when the central city of Zhengzhou was hit without warning by a massive deluge that swept pedestrians and cars from the streets, and left people drowned or scrambling for their lives as the waters entered subway tunnels, trains, and stations. "The was no early warning, and the rescue operation was slow to get started," Wang said. "There was huge hardship from the earthquake right up until the PLA arrived, especially for the injured." "There was no water -- they were pretty much left there to die." The earthquake anniversary received muted coverage by state media, with state news agency Xinhua posting photos of people gathering in front of an earthquake memorial wall in Tangshan. As with the Zhengzhou floods and previous disasters, state media coverage has generally focused on the heroic actions of PLA soldiers and miraculous rescues, regardless of complaints by victims on the ground. Another belated response Forty-five years after Tangshan, people are asking on social media about another apparently belated response and lack of warning during the Zhengzhou floods. Why didn't the Zhengzhou authorities warn people in time? the posts wanted to know. Why didn't the government act to protect people in the Jingguang road tunnel and in the tunnels and trains of Metro line No. 5? The section of the north-south highway that runs through Henan's provincial capital Zhengzhou is nearly two kilometers long and six meters off the ground. The volume of the tunnel is about 300,000 cubic meters. In less than three hours, more than 200 cars in the tunnel were damaged and six people were killed, according to official figures, which some fear are a gross understatement of the true toll of casualties. According to U.S-based political commentator Heng He, said the CCP's system of political reward does little to reward officials who prevent major disasters. "No matter how effectively you prevented something, this won't be marked [as an achievement on your record]," Heng said. "That's why officials prefer to launch disaster relief operations, rather than preventing disasters." He said that the build-up and release of upstream waters following heavy rains on July 19 had unleashed a "man-made disaster" on the city of Zhengzhou. Orders from higher up According to Heng, the similarities in the government response in Tangshan and Zhengzhou appeared to be linked to a lack of standard emergency protocols for local governments, meaning delays in waiting for orders from higher up. "Emergency protocols are there to tell you what to do and what not to do," Heng said. "If those aren't available, all they can do in China's totalitarian system is wait [for orders]." He said that for the CCP's taste, standardized emergency protocols would concentrate too much decision-making power in the hands of local governments. "They can't allow local officials and departments to wield too much power," Heng said, adding that the net result is that rescue operations just can't be mobilized in time to save people if officials can't act independently at a local level. According to CCP mouthpiece the People's Daily, the Zhengzhou branch of the People's Armed Police sent out only around 150 officers with around 5,800 kayaks and other equipment to aid the relief effort, to serve a city with a population of more than 10 million. "The ultimate power to command the army back then was in Mao Zedong's hands, and no one else could give it orders," Heng said. "It is still the same today." "The CCP's Central Military Commission has taken back command of the People's Armed Police, so local detachments can't issue their own orders," he said, referring to a reform that took place under CCP leader Xi Jinping in 2018. The armed police's disaster relief duties were then outsourced to a company, China Aneng, which sent in the first group of around 50 people from Hebei, Anhui, Jiangsu, and elsewhere a day after the flood hit Zhengzhou on July 20. Germany-based water conservation expert Wang Weiluo said that if there has been any improvement in China's disaster relief capabilities since Tangshan, it hasn't been organizational. "It is mainly on the technical level: pumps, excavators, and so on," Wang said. "They definitely have much more technical capability than before." "The thing that hasn't changed is the absolute and centralized command structure for disaster relief operations," he said. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Bangri Rinpoche, manager and teacher at an orphanage in Lhasa, had served over 20 years in prison on a charge of 'separatism.' Bangri Rinpoche is shown (L) before his arrest, and (R) in a screen grab from a propaganda video about Drapchi prison in the early 2000s. A Tibetan school teacher jailed for over 20 years on a charge of separatism was due to be freed from prison last week after completing his sentence, but nothing has been heard of his release, prompting concerns for his safety and health, a Tibetan rights group said on Sunday. Bangri Rinpoche, a Tibetan religious teacher also known as Jigme Tenzin Nyima, was handed a life sentence in a trial held on Sept. 26, 2000 that was commuted to a 19-year term on July 31, 2003, the Dharamsala, India-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said on August 1. His term was due to end on July 31, but nothing has been heard of his release, Tenzin Dawaa TCHRD researchertold RFA on Monday. We all know that Bangri Rinpoche has spent 22 years of his life in prison, and even though he has completed his prison term we dont know whether he has been released or not, or anything about his current health conditions, Dawa said. Since we havent heard anything about his release, we are very concerned right now Dawa said, adding, It is a well-known fact that Tibetan prisoners are treated inhumanely inside Chinese prisons. The Chinese government should immediately clarify [Bangri Rinpoches] status, whereabouts, and well-being, he said. Manager of an orphanage and school in Tibets capital Lhasa that gave instruction in the Tibetan language, Chinese language, English language, and mathematics, Bangri Rinpoche was arrested with his wife Nyima Choedron in August 1999 in connection with an alleged plot by a worker at the school to raise the banned Tibetan national flag in the citys main square and then blow himself up with explosives. Choedrons ten-year sentence was later commuted, and she was released in February 2006, TCHRD said. The orphanage was closed almost immediately following their arrest. Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force 70 years ago. Language rights have become a particular focus for Tibetan efforts to assert national identity in recent years, with informally organized language courses in the monasteries and towns typically deemed illegal associations and teachers subject to detention and arrest, sources say. Reported by Lobsang Gelek for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. The Southeast Asian nations are struggling to contain the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. The coronavirus pandemic in Vietnam is now out of control in many parts of the country due to a fourth wave of infections from the Delta variant, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said Monday as the government moved to raise the lowest vaccination rate in Southeast Asia. Nguyen, a medical doctor and one of the chief strategists of Vietnams response to the COVID-19 pandemic, told a videoconference in Hanoi that authorities in many places did not prepare well for the pandemic, making the situation worse than anticipated. On Monday, Vietnam recorded 157,507 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 3,201 new ones, and 1,306 total deaths since the pandemic began, according to figures from the Health Ministry. Ho Chi Minh City, the latest hotspot for the virus, has had the most confirmed infections with almost 100,000 cases and nearly 1,200 related deaths since the fourth surge began on April 27, with lockdown measures affecting garment manufacturers that rely on exports. The Delta variant of the novel coronavirus, an extremely infectious strain of COVID-19 that is spreading more quickly than previous strains, was first detected in Vietnam in late April, triggering the fourth wave. Over the weekend, the Vietnamese government extend the lockdown period in 19 southern provinces, including Ho Chi Minh City, by two weeks until mid-August. Vietnam has received about 18.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and has administered about 6.5 million of them to its population of about 99 million, according to the Health Ministry. About 659,000 people have been fully vaccinated the lowest vaccination rate in all of Southeast Asia. The government wants to vaccinate more than 70 percent of the population by the end of the year. The U.S. government delivered two million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam on July 9 under the World Health Organizations COVAX vaccine-sharing program, and another 3 million doses on July 25 to boost Vietnams vaccination efforts amid the fourth wave of infections. The U.S.-based Viet Tan opposition party, banned in Vietnam, urged the government to better address the health crisis and economic hardship caused by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and social-distancing measures by obtaining enough COVID-19 vaccines and undertaking an equitable vaccination campaign based on science, reducing electricity and gas prices, and distributing financial support packages to the poor. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam growing increasingly serious, the Vietnamese government continues to ignore the mistakes they have made without making appropriate adjustments, the group said a statement issued Aug. 1. The government does not have significant support for people and businesses affected by the pandemic, it said. Lao SEZ locked down Neighboring Laos reported a total 6,765 confirmed virus cases as of Monday, including 199 new ones, and seven total related deaths since the pandemic began, according to Heath Ministry figures. We tested 2,298 samples and found that 199 of them were infected with COVID-19 and 193 of them were imported, Dr. Sisavath Southanilaxay, deputy director general of the Department of Communicable Disease Control under the Health Ministry, told news conference in Vientiane on Monday. Lao migrant workers returning from Thailand, which also is experiencing a surge in virus cases, are bringing back COVID-19 with them as the number of infected returnees has been on the rise over the past three days. About 100,000 workers have returned from Thailand so far this year, while about 150,000 returned in 2020 amid the pandemic, according to government figures. Of the 380 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Laos on July 31 the highest daily number of new cases since the pandemic began up to 376 cases were confirmed among laborers returning from Thailand, while only four cases were local transmissions, along with one death, according to the daily report issued by the Lao National Health Information Center. On Aug. 1, Laos registered 267 new COVID-19 cases, including 262 from nationals returning from abroad and five locally transmitted cases. Rising case numbers have prompted officials to lock down the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, located along the Mekong River in the Ton Pheung district of Bokeo province close to the area where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand converge. The area is popular among the Chinese who come for its gambling and tourism offerings. Because a couple of workers in the special economic zone became infected, and because the virus infection is still spreading fast on the Thai and Myanmar sides, we decided to lock down the SEZ for 15 days starting on Aug. 1, said an SEZ official on Monday. Health officials confirmed the countrys first three cases of the Delta variant of the virus among migrant workers returning from Thailand in June in southwestern Laos Champassak province. So far, about 1.2 million people of the countrys population of 7.4 million have been partially vaccinated, while about 997,000 have been fully vaccinated, according to government health figures. The U.S. sent Laos more than one million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in July via the COVAX scheme. Starting today, were vaccinating people with Johnson & Johnson vaccines in an organized way, said a health care worker in Champassak province. For example, Pakse city has 10 villages, so we are allowing residents of each village to come to get the vaccine on different days. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese and Lao Services. Translated by Max Avary and Hanh Seide. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has said that she understands she "can disappear at any moment" as a result of her resistance to strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but that the movement against his rule will "continue without me." Tsikhanouskaya, who considers herself the real winner of the disputed August 2020 presidential vote that gave Lukashenka a sixth-straight term, made the comments on August 3 after meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London. When asked about the death of Belarusian activist Vital Shyshou in Kyiv, which has led to allegations that the Belarusian authorities might be responsible, Tsikhanouskaya said she was withholding judgment until she sees the results of the official murder investigation being conducted by Ukraine. But alluding to the brutal crackdown on dissent by Lukashenka following the August vote, she said, "It is our pain when our Belarusian people are being kidnapped or being killed by the regime's cronies." The 38-year-old opposition leader, who left Belarus out of fears for her safety amid a brutal state-orchestrated crackdown on dissent amid mass protests over the election, also said she knows she could be next. "I understand that I can disappear at any moment," she said. "But I should do what I am doing. I can't stop, because I feel responsibility for the future of my country. The same as all those Belarusians who are fighting at the moment feel it's their responsibility. But I know that even if I disappear one day, this movement will continue without me." In separate comments, Tsikhanouskaya said that after nearly a year of protests against the outcome of the landslide presidential vote, widely considered to be fraudulent, she still believes that a peaceful transition from Lukashenka can end Belarusians' "hell." "I absolutely believe in a nonviolent transition of power," she told Reuters after meeting with members of the Belarusian diaspora in England. "What is going on in Belarus is our pain. We want this hell finished as soon as possible in our country." Tsikhanouskaya told the news agency that "when you put enough pressure on the regime, there will be no other way out but to start dialogue with civil society." Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have been detained in Belarus in the past year, while many opposition figures have been locked up or forced to flee. Media and civil society groups have been targeted through raids and arrests. Johnson told Tsikhanouskaya during their meeting that Britain was "very much in support of what you are doing" and condemned Lukashenka's "severe human rights violations and persecution of pro-democracy figures." After the talks, Tsikhanouskaya described the British prime minister as "a person who really shares common values with Belarusians," saying Johnson "let me understand that [Britain] will be with us." With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, AP, and Reuters The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a formal investigation into Belarusian officials' alleged attempt to force sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya home from the Tokyo Games, sparking her appeal to the international community for protection. Tsimanouskaya has meanwhile urged punishment by the IOC of the specific national team managers involved but stressed that measures should not hinder Belarusian athletes' ability to compete in the Olympics. The IOC must establish all the facts and hear all those involved before taking further action, spokesman Mark Adams said as he announced the move on August 3. He did not say when the investigation would be completed. The IOC has already demanded an explanation from the Belarusian National Olympic Committee (NOC), which is led by Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's eldest son, Viktar. The 24-year-old Tsimanouskaya took refuge in the Polish Embassy in Tokyo on August 2 after refusing to allow team officials to force her onto a flight at Haneda Airport a day earlier. The runner was granted a humanitarian visa by Poland following what she described as an attempted kidnapping to forcibly repatriate her after she criticized Belarusian sports officials. She said she fears for her safety if she returns to Belarus, Adams said Tsimanouskaya had assured the IOC in several conversations that she felt safe and protected, and she is now in a safe place. In a video interview with the Associated Press, Tsimanouskaya called for an investigation and "possibly taking sanctions against the head coach who approached me and who deprived me of the right to compete in the Olympic Games, or to investigate the situation, who gave the order, who actually took the decision that I cant compete any more." But she added that "the athletes arent guilty of anything and they should keep competing, and I dont think there should be any sanctions against the athletes." Tsimanouskaya is expected to travel to Poland this week. "We have made sure that Krystina Tsimanouskaya is safe in the Polish Embassy in Tokyo and we will, if necessary, offer her the possibility of continuing her career," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Facebook, describing her as "persecuted." Tsimanouskaya's husband, Arsen Zdanevich, told several news outlets that he had fled Belarus and was hoping to join his wife "in the near future." Zhdanevich had already entered Ukraine, an Interior Ministry source there told Reuters. The Olympian's plight has been widely criticized as another attempt by Lukashenka's regime to stifle dissent amid a widespread crackdown against opposition activists and the independent media following his claim of victory in an August 2020 presidential election that has not been recognized by the opposition or the West. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Lukashenkas government has committed "another act of transnational repression" by attempting to force Tsimanouskaya to leave "simply for exercising free speech." Such actions "violate the Olympic spirit, are an affront to basic rights, and cannot be tolerated." Blinken said on Twitter. Nabila Massrali, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the incident is another example of how Lukashenka's regime "hits all categories of Belarusian society, including athletes, and does not respect any Olympic truce." Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a news conference on August 3 that the Belarusian athlete is "in a safe situation." Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition, told CNN that her organization will ask for international protection for Tsimanouskaya. No doubt, [she] is our hero; she found the courage to speak out and faced repressions for her bravery. We should express solidarity and stand with her, Tsikhanouskaya said, according to CNN reporter Jim Sciutto on Twitter. Tsimanouskaya has expressed fears she could face arrest in her homeland over criticism she aired on social media of her coaches' decision to enter her in a race she had not prepared to run. She criticized their decision and sought a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn it. In a statement on August 3, the CAS outlined the legal steps Tsimanouskaya took in the hours after she sought protection. The statement said the court denied Tsimanouskayas request because she "was not able to prove her case to get an interim relief" without giving details. With reporting by Reuters and AP The man who found the body of Belarusian activist Vital Shyshou in a park near his home in Kyiv is blaming the Belarusian government for his death. Yury Shchuchko told Current Time that he was briefed by Ukrainian intelligence officials that hit squads had been sent to Ukraine to "liquidate" them. Shchuchko was a close associate of Shyshou at the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU), which helps Belarusians fleeing persecution by the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka. He said Shyshou's face showed signs he'd been beaten up before his death. Shyshou was found hanged in the wooded area of a park. Ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi was credentialed by Iran's supreme leader on August 3 in a two-step inauguration process that will fully usher in the controversial former prosecutor's hard-line administration over the next two days. Raisi takes over from the relative moderate Hassan Rohani vowing to take measures to rid the Islamic republic of "tyrannical" U.S. sanctions. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei inaugurated the 60-year-old Raisi in a ceremony broadcast live on state television. "Following the people's choice, I task the wise, indefatigable, experienced and popular Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Raisi as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Khamenei wrote in a decree read out by his chief of staff. Raisi is due to be sworn in before parliament on August 5 and will then submit his proposed cabinet. Among the items high on his agenda will be talks aimed at reviving the nuclear deal from which the United States withdrew unilaterally in 2018. Rohani's landmark achievement was the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers that is the focus of international negotiations to revive it. U.S. sanctions were reimposed after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, further hurting Irans economy. Tackling the countrys economic woes is expected to be Raisi's top challenge. In his address after the inauguration, Raisi said his government will take steps to lift the "tyrannical" sanctions imposed by the United States. Raisi said after his election victory that he backs talks to revive the deal, which lifted most sanctions on Tehran in exchange for commitments to limit and monitor its nuclear program. Raisi also faces an immediate crisis as the United States, Israel, and Britain have blamed Tehran for a deadly attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off the coast of Oman last week. Tehran denies responsibility. Raisi's presidency will consolidate power in the hands of conservatives following their 2020 legislative election victory, which followed the disqualification of thousands of reformist or moderate candidates. Critics say the June 18 presidential election was also skewed in Raisi's favor as strong rivals were disqualified. With reporting by AFP and Reuters NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakh activist Erbol Eskhozhin has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison over alleged links to the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement, as authorities continue to round up the group's supporters. The DVK is led from abroad by fugitive former banker Mukhtar Ablyazov. The Saryarqa district court in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, pronounced the sentence against Eskhozhin on August 3. Eskhozhin proclaimed his innocence in his final statement at the trial, which was held online due to coronavirus restrictions. "I do not regret any of my deeds. If I showed my compatriots that they can use their constitutional rights and express their thoughts freely, then I consider myself the winner of this case," Eskhozhin said. The 44-year-old Eskhozhin went on trial in April. He was arrested in December and charged with taking part in activities of the DVK, which was labeled extremist and banned by Kazakh officials in 2018. In December, the charge was changed to organizing activities for the DVK, which is an offense punishable by up to six years in prison. Eskhozhin has rejected the charge as politically motivated. In recent years, a number of Kazakh activists have been convicted for their involvement in the activities of the DVK and its associated Koshe (Street) Party. Ablyazov, the former head of BTA Bank, has been living in Europe since 2009 and is sought for alleged financial crimes by Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia. He has denied any wrongdoing. In December, a Russian court sentenced him to 15 years in prison in absentia on embezzlement charges. Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Temir Sariev has been arrested as part of a widening investigation into alleged corruption during the development of the Kumtor gold-mine project. The State Committee for National Security (UKMK) says Sariev was detained for 48 hours on August 3 on corruption charges ahead of a court decision on pretrial custody. Sariev served as economy minister in the post-Soviet Central Asian republic in 2011-15 and he was prime minister in 2015-16. Kumtor has been a target of financial and environmental disagreements for years, and is currently the subject of an ongoing battle for control between the Kyrgyz state and the mine's operator, Canadian Centerra Gold. On August 2, former Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev arrived in Bishkek for the first time since he was ousted by demonstrations in 2005 to be questioned about the Kumtor case. The Kyrgyz government has temporarily taken over control of the mine in what President Sadyr Japarov has called a necessary move to address environmental and safety violations. Centerra has called Kyrgyzstan's actions "wrongful and illegal." In May, the Canadian firm said it had "initiated binding arbitration to enforce its rights under long-standing investment agreements with the government." Several former top officials have been arrested in connection with the case in recent months, including former Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov, Deputy Prime Minister Taiyrbek Sarpashev, and former and current lawmakers. Babanov was released last week and allowed to travel abroad to receive medical treatment for an unspecified illness. Border guards in EU-member Lithuania have begun turning back illegal migrants attempting to enter the country from neighboring Belarus, as Brussels expressed concerns about Minsk using migrants as a political instrument. Some 180 migrants, most of them Iraqi citizens, were directed back to Belarus on August 3 on orders from the Lithuanian Interior Ministry, which authorized border guards to use force if necessary. "Anyone who tries to enter Lithuanian territory illegally will be refused entry and directed to the nearest operational international border control point," Border Guard Service head Rustamas Liubajevas told reporters. Migrants will be able to apply for asylum legally at the border stations or at diplomatic missions. Liubajevas said that no force was used in sending the migrants back to Belarus on August 3. The development comes amid a surge in illegal crossings from Belarus that Lithuanian and European officials say are being orchestrated by strongman leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka in retaliation for EU sanctions over his government's crackdown on the political opposition following Belarus's presidential election nearly a year ago, widely considered to be fraudulent. "The whole situation at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border is of concern to the EU," Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission's spokesman for migration, home affairs, and citizenship, said in Brussels on August 3. "We have repeatedly rejected the instrumentalization of migrants by the Belarusian regime," he said. Jahnz said that the European Commission is working with the Iraqi authorities regarding increased flights from Iraq to Belarus that are believed to be carrying many of the Iraqi citizens crossing into the European Union. Jahnz also said the commission sees the implementation of proposed restrictions on Iraq and other countries regarding the readmission of migrants as key to resolving the situation on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. In announcing Lithuania's decision to authorize the use of force on August 3, Deputy Interior Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius told reporters that the measure "depends on the circumstances," including the possibility that border guards "will face aggression" from migrants. The announcement came one day after a record 287 migrants crossed from Belarus as EU Commissioner of Home Affairs Yiva Johansson visited Lithuania to help tackle the crisis. This is a provocation of the Lukashenka regime," Johansson said in Lithuania, where the European Union pledged millions of euros in assistance to help Vilnius address the problem. "We must show that there is no free access to EU territory." More than 4,000 migrants have been detained by Lithuanian authorities so far this year, officials say, compared to a total of 81 in 2020. The 679-kilometer Lithuanian-Belarusian border is mostly without physical barriers. More than two-thirds of them are Iraqi nationals who appear to have arrived in Minsk from increased direct flights from Baghdad. Belarus is said to be preparing more direct flights from Al-Basra and two other Iraqi cities. With reporting by AP and AFP NATO and the European Union have added to Western criticism of Iran over a purported drone attack on a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea that killed two crewmen last week, urging Tehran to respect its international obligations. The July 29 strike on the Mercer Street tanker killed two crewmembers, one Briton and one Romanian, making it the first known lethal attack on commercial shipping amid tensions in the region since the breakdown three years ago of a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran. NATO spokesman Dylan White said the 30-nation military alliance joins members the United States, Britain, and Romania "in strongly condemning the recent fatal attack on the MV Mercer Street off the coast of Oman, and express our condolences to Romania and the United Kingdom for the losses they have suffered." Israel has also blamed Iran for the incident, whose damaged target is operated by a company controlled by a wealthy Israeli. "Freedom of navigation is vital for all NATO allies, and must be upheld in accordance with international law," White said. "Allies remain concerned by Irans destabilizing actions in the region, and call on Tehran to respect its international obligations." The EU deplored the attack, voicing its condolences for the victims and calling for a thorough independent investigation. "Such acts contrary to the security and freedom of navigation in the region are unacceptable," European Commission spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said. "All parties concerned must avoid all actions that could undermine peace and regional stability." Tehran has denied any involvement in the attack and warned on August 2 that it would respond swiftly to any threat to its security. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on August 2 that there was "no justification" for the attack." He called it an indication that Iran "continues to act with tremendous irresponsibility when it comes to, in this instance, threats to navigation, to commerce, to innocent sailors who are simply engaged in commercial transit in international waters." Blinken echoed a British statement that there would be "a collective response." Britain summoned the Iranian ambassador over the attack, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Iran should "face up to the consequences of...[an] unacceptable and outrageous attack." Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Tehran of a "cowardly" denial of responsibility, while Foreign Minister Yair Lapid suggested the attack merited a harsh response. Qatar also condemned the incident, with the Qatari Foreign Ministry calling for resorting to international law to ensure that such attacks would not be repeated. With reporting by Reuters and AFP CHEBOKSARY, Russia -- A court in the Republic of Chuvashia in Russia's Volga region has fined an RFE/RL correspondent in a case in which she was previously acquitted. A court in the republic's capital, Cheboksary, fined Darya Komarova 10,000 rubles ($137) on August 2 after finding her guilty of taking part in an unsanctioned public gathering organized a year ago by an ally of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. RFE/RL President Jamie Fly called the latest punishment part of a "systemic harassment" of journalists by Russian authorities. "Darya Komarova was only doing her job as a journalist when she reported on a candidates meeting with potential voters 11 months ago. We support Darya as she endures this legal harassment," Fly said. "This systemic harassment of brave journalists like Daria across Russia only serves to deprive the Russian people of independent information about their country and political options." Navalny's team leader in the city, Semyon Kochkin, met with potential voters in Cheboksary in August 2020 to promote himself as a candidate for the city council. Komarova, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, has insisted she was covering the event as part of her journalistic work, not taking part. Komarova was also charged earlier this year with participating in two other unsanctioned rallies in Cheboksary in January, when demonstrators protested the arrest of Navalny in Moscow after his return from medical treatment abroad for a poisoning. The Lenin district court initially ruled that Komarova was working, not participating in the events in question. The case regarding the August rally eventually reached Chuvashia's Supreme Court following an appeal of all three cases against Komarova by the republic's Interior Ministry. On June 22, the Supreme Court cited the absence of the date and registration number on her assignment papers to reverse the acquittal. Forty percent of Russians consider the country's controversial "foreign agents" law a tool for authorities to pressure nongovernmental organizations, according to new research by the Levada Center, a Moscow-based pollster. The figure represents a 10 percent rise on last year's public skepticism of the legislation. More than half (57 percent) of respondents said they had never heard of the law, and just 11 percent of respondents said they generally understood it. Launched after the adoption of legislation in 2012, the "foreign agents" law has been modified and toughened repeatedly and used increasingly against independent groups ahead of elections later this year, including the Levada Center and dozens of NGOs and media outlets. It requires nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign assistance and that the government deems to be engaged in political activity to be registered and to identify themselves as "foreign agents," as well as to submit to audits. The Levada Center poll, conducted on July 22-28 and released on August 2, says the the most critical views of the legislation are among people between 25 and 39 years of age who don't support President Vladimir Putin and prefer to get information from online news sources and social networks. Fifty-eight percent said their attitude to a targeted NGO is unchanged by its registration as a foreign agent, while four percent said their attitude to such an NGO improves. In general, 62 percent said they remain loyal to NGOs labeled as foreign agents. The number of people who think the law helps oppose "negative influences of the West" fell from 48 percent in 2020 to 37 percent this year, most of them 55 years of age and older. Such respondents prefer radio and television for information and many support President Putin and his policies, the researchers said. The Levada Center polled 1,619 men and women across the country by phone. Currently, 77 organizations are listed as "foreign agents," including 16 media organizations and 18 journalists. Modifications of the law have targeted foreign-funded media, including RFE/RL's Russian Service, six other RFE/RL Russian-language news services, and Current Time. Russian state media monitor Roskomnadzor last year adopted rules requiring listed media to mark all written materials with a lengthy notice in large text, all radio materials with an audio statement, and all video materials with a 15-second text declaration. The agency has prepared hundreds of complaints against RFE/RLs services. RFE/RL has called the fines "a state-sponsored campaign of coercion and intimidation," while the U.S. State Department has described them as "intolerable." Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described the foreign agent legislation as "restrictive" and intended "to demonize independent groups." Russia's September elections are widely seen as an important part of Putin's efforts to cement his rule before a possible 2024 presidential bid, which would be his sixth. Russian opposition politician Lev Shlosberg of the Yabloko party and his colleague Nikolai Kuzmin have been barred from running in upcoming elections for the Pskov regional parliament. Some politicians in the western Russian region say the decision was made due to Shlosberg and Kuzmin's support for jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, whose network of organizations has been deemed by the authorities as "extremist" Yabloko said on its Telegram channel on August 3 that the party will provide Shlosberg and Kuzmin with all necessary support. Also on August 3, a territorial election commission in Moscow registered Shlosberg as a candidate for the parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma. Shlosberg told the Open Media news outlet that he would appeal the Pskov election commission's decision. "I do not know if their decision to link me with [Navalny's] Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) can affect my State Duma campaign, where I have been registered at this point. All other facts will be appealed in court," Shlosberg said. Shlosberg is one of the best-known figures in the liberal Yabloko party and a regional lawmaker who has openly criticized the Russian government for years. On September 19, Russia will vote to choose members of the State Duma, 39 regional parliaments, and nine regional governors. In the run-up to the elections, the Kremlin has cracked down on opposition political figures and independent media. In June, a Moscow court ruled Navalnys political network should be labeled extremist in what the opposition politicians team has called a sign of a truly new level of lawlessness in the country. Also in June, Putin endorsed a law that bars leaders and founders of organizations declared extremist or terrorist by Russian courts from running for elective posts for a period of five years. Other members or employees of such organizations face a three-year ban. The two factors together prevent people associated with Navalny's FBK and his network of regional political offices across Russia from seeking public office. It also carries lengthy prison terms for activists who have worked with the organizations. With reporting by Dozhd A close associate of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny was sentenced to 18 months of parole-like limits on her freedom after a court in Moscow on August 3 found her guilty of publicly calling for the violation of sanitary and epidemiological safety precautions. Lyubov Sobol was charged for allegedly calling on people to take part in unsanctioned rallies to support Navalny in January. Sobol's lawyer, Vladimir Voronin, condemned the ruling by the Preobrazhensky district court, calling it "written by investigators and affirmed by prosecutors." He said Sobol would appeal, but such efforts to challenge politically charged cases are rarely successful in Russia. Bailiffs removed Sobol from the courtroom while the judge was pronouncing the ruling after she started filming the process on her mobile phone. According to the ruling, Sobol is barred from leaving her home between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m., attending public events, or leaving Moscow. Sobol was also ordered to report to a parole officer three times a month. The case against Sobol was launched after she and several other Navalny associates and supporters were detained on the eve of unsanctioned mass rallies against Navalny's latest arrest, in late January. Sobol's fellow detainees were: Aleksei's brother, Oleg Navalny; municipal lawyers Dmitry Baranovsky, Konstantin Yankauskas, and Lyusya Shtein; the chief of the Physicians' Alliance NGO, Anastasia Vasilyeva; a leading member of the Pussy Riot protest group, Maria Alyokhina; a coordinator of Navalny's team in Moscow, Oleg Stepanov; Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh; and activist Nikolai Lyaskin. Most of them were placed under house arrest. Charges against Yankauskas were later dropped. Separately, in April, another Moscow court sentenced Sobol to a one-year suspended sentence of correctional labor after finding her guilty of trespassing in what she described as a decision designed to silence her. The court said she illegally forced her way into the apartment of Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Konstantin Kudryavtsev in December, hours after Navalny had published a recording of what he said was a phone conversation with Kudryavtsev incriminating the FSB in his poisoning. During the 49-minute phone call, in which Navalny posed as an FSB official conducting an internal review, Kudryavtsev described the details of a state operation to poison the Kremlin critic with a nerve agent in August 2020. Investigators claim Sobol pushed Kudryavtsev's mother-in-law, who opened the door, and forcibly entered the apartment. Sobol rejected the charge, saying she had not pushed Kudryavtsev's mother-in-law but went to the apartment to meet Kudryavtsev to ask him about his conversation with Navalny. Her team has described the case as political "revenge" for a lawyer who was unafraid of asking questions of an alleged assassin. Navalny, 45, was arrested on January 17 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he was treated for a poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent that he says was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has denied any role in the incident, which was the latest of a number of attacks on Navalny. More than 10,000 people were rounded up by police during nationwide rallies protesting Navalny's arrest in more than 100 Russian towns and cities on January 23 and January 31. On February 2, Navalny was found guilty of violating the terms of his suspended sentence relating to an embezzlement case that he has called politically motivated. The court converted the sentence to 3 1/2 years in prison. Given credit for time already spent in detention, the court said the Kremlin critic would have to serve two years and eight months behind bars. The court's ruling caused new mass protests across the country that were also violently dispersed by police. More than 1,400 people were detained by police in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities on that day. With reporting by TASS and Meduza Christian Schmidt, the UN's newly appointed high representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, met with Zeljko Komsic, the Croatian representative for the presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its current chairman, and Sefik Dzaferovic, the presidency's Bosniak representative. The representative from the Serb entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, was absent from the August 3 meeting as he is opposed to the ongoing international oversight in the Balkan state. Uzbek authorities have arrested two police officers in the southern Surxondaryo region for allegedly beating a detainee to death. The Prosecutor-General's Office said on July 29 that the officers were charged with abuse of office and premeditated infliction of serious bodily harm, which led to the death in custody of Hasan Hushmatov. Police brutality in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic has been an issue for decades. President Shavkat Mirziyoev has sought to portray himself as a reformer since taking over Central Asia's most populous nation of 32 million people after his predecessor Islam Karimov's death in 2016. Those efforts have included public statements and muted changes targeting Uzbekistan's woeful human rights record. Mirziyoev signed a decree in June on "additional efforts to reveal and prevent torture cases" and ordered the creation of a commission led by the country's ombudsman to supervise its implementation. Last week, the Prosecutor-General's Office in the country's Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakistan said it had launched a probe into the death in police custody of a local man in May. On July 25, another man died in police hands. Nursoat Muhammadiev's relatives told RFE/RL that police insist he died while being treated at a facility for drug addicts. But they say his body showed signs of having been beaten. The chairman of the Tashkent-based rights group Ezgulik (Compassion), Abdurahmon Tashanov, told RFE/RL that police brutality has deep roots in Uzbekistan and it will take a long time for efforts to eradicate torture to bring tangible results. "Just an initiative by the president is not enough," Tashanov said. "If police methods, in general, do not dramatically change, torture in custody will continue." Seven-year-old Hudson Domack stands with South Kingstown Police Officers in the hopes of encouraging others to donate blood. Domack hopes to inspire 96 donations by mid-August, the same number of transfusions he had as an infant in life-saving treatment. MOUNT VERNON -- The man who allegedly pointed a gun at a Fredericktown police officer in June has been indicted on two additional felony charges related to the incident. A Knox County grand jury indicted Darren Price, 38, of Howard, on charges of felonious assault and a related firearm specification last Monday. Grand jury meetings are held in private. Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville declined to discuss the specific evidence presented during the July 26 session, but noted it was new since July 6, when a grand jury indicted Price on four other charges related to the June 17 incident. There were a couple interviews that were done after the arrest that gave us some information about things that Price had said and done at the time of the incident," McConville said. The legal threshold for felonious assault is "(causing) or (attempting) to cause serious physical harm to another ... by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance," according to the Ohio Revised Code. Even if deadly harm is not the result of an incident, the charge still applies. If youre using a deadly weapon, theres an inferred intent that youre going to cause physical harm," McConville said. "So even if you attempt to do so and miss, or attempt and something goes wrong, your intent because youre using a deadly weapon was to cause serious physical harm." Felonious assault is traditionally classified as a second-degree felony, McConville said. But the charge is elevated to a first-degree felony if the victim in the case is a peace officer. The grand jury on July 26 also indicted Price on the firearm specification in this case, as it is alleged he pointed a .25 caliber pistol at Fredericktown Patrolman Josh Jones during the incident. Price pleaded not guilty to the new charges on July 28, according to court records. He has also pleaded not guilty to the four other charges stemming from this incident: having weapons under disability (a third-degree felony), failure to obey the order or signal of a police officer (a third-degree felony), improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle (a fourth-degree felony), and tampering with evidence (a third-degree felony). Price is scheduled to have an oral hearing on this case Aug. 18 in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas. There is a jury trial slated for Sept. 14. If found guilty, Price would face 3 to 11 years on the felonious assault charge, McConville said. The firearm specification would add "an additional, mandatory three years to whatever the sentence is," he said. Price would face up to three years in prison on the third-degree felony charges, McConville said previously, and up to 18 months on the fourth-degree charge. "By law, the fleeing-and-eluding must be run consecutive to any other sentence," he said. The Knox County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate this case, McConville said. New evidence could mean additional charges down the road. The June incident, which marked Knox County's first police shooting since 2014, began with a mid-day traffic stop. Jones pulled Price over on Upper Fredericktown-Amity Road for an apparent registration violation. As Jones approached Price's vehicle, Price appeared to pull a gun on Jones, who immediately retreated and fired several shots. Price then sped off, and Jones followed. The pursuit reached 100 miles per hour at one point, as Jones followed Price through Knox County's northern backroads. The suspect eventually lost the officer near the Richland County line and the pursuit was terminated. Less than two hours later, Price's vehicle was found abandoned in Richland County. Price remained at-large for a week. Local and state authorities worked to locate and apprehend him in a North Liberty residence on June 24. He has since been held at the Knox County Jail. A grand jury met in special session July 6 to consider evidence gathered by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Fredericktown Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The jury found Jones' use of deadly force was justified as self-defense, which cleared him of any wrongdoing. Jones returned to work on July 9 following an internal investigation by the FPD's use-of-force review board. Pop-up, linear park will link Imagination, Carrousel districts in Mansfield: Angela Jean Fliger Transcript: You're listening to Source Daily: A new daily news podcast for Richland County. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. Well be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. Today - A temporary, pop-up "linear park" that will use parking areas along Third Street, is set to open in late September. So what would it look like? What would a pedestrian-friendly park that links the city's new Imagination District and its established Carrousel District look like? Well, that's the goal of a temporary, pop-up "linear park". Itll use parking areas along Third Street and is set to open on September 20th and remain open until October 1st. The effort is funded primarily through a national AARP Challenge Grant. The AARP awarded more than $3.2 million among 244 grantees. Applicants were encouraged to develop projects that did things like create vibrant public places, or deliver a range of transportation options The project is being led by the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and its Richland Community Development Group. Jodie Perry, chamber president and CEO explained that the overall goal of a linear park was one of the ideas in Mansfield Rising. Specifically, they wanted to create a sense of synergy between the Carrousel District and the Imagination District so that people would want to walk between those two organizations. She also said that it will be a few years before anything permanent is put in place, but they wanted to give people something to consider first. The idea is to show how pedestrians, bikes and cars can all interact and still feel safe. So what exactly is a linear park? Some of the best examples are found in The High Line in New York City, The 606 in Chicago, The Beltline in Atlanta and The Greenway in Boston. Longer than they are wide, linear parks take people on a journey through the city. They can be as short as a few blocks or as long as several miles. They often serve as a link in a citys plans to boost alternative transportation. And while traveling from one block or neighborhood to the next, people get to see the city through a different lens when they use a linear park. There are several local groups participating in the effort, including the chamber, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, The Renaissance Theatre, Little Buckeye Children's Museum, FiELD9: architecture, Entrepreneurs' Kitchen, Richland County Regional Planning Commission, the City of Mansfield and Mankind Murals. Before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors at Black Belt Pro Fitness... Its back to school season! Did you know that regular practice in the martial arts has been shown to improve focus, goal-setting and academic performance? The team at Black Belt Pro Fitness, Mansfields premier martial arts studio, is all about helping kids and teens become healthier and more confident in all areas of life. They teach self-control and self-respect above any physical technique... and of course, they make it fun too! Right now they have classes for kids ages 4 and up. They also have membership options for the whole family. Visit them blackbeltprofitness.com to learn more. Now, some local history Roeliff Brinkerhoff You may not know much about him, but youve seen his name around town: like the school, like the street. Colonel Brinkerhoff was a young attorney in Mansfield when the Civil War began and he enlisted as a quartermaster. After the war ended, he was stationed in Washington DC and happened to be in Fords Theater when President Lincoln was shot. He wrote about the experience in his memoirs saying that... for a moment there was a stillness of death. The audience seemed paralyzed. No sound whatsoever came from the box. It is said in the various accounts that Mrs. Lincoln shrieked - I heard no shriek. Major Rathbun testified that he shouted stop that man. I heard nothing of that kind, and I believe I could have heard a whisper. Next, were answering a question from our readers and listeners like you... Todays question? What is happening with the unfinished church on Park Avenue West? The unfinshed church has drawn the communitys attention for many years. Its owned by Grace Brethren Church in Mansfield, and it turns out the church has no intention to finish the project. Instead, theyve actually been trying to sell the property for years. It all began when the Grace Brethren Church bought the land in 1992. They hired contractor Henry Gassaway, who started building construction in 2002. 6 years later Gassaway sued the church for owing him payments for construction expenses. However, the Magistrate determined that the congregation never approved the proposed cost through a vote. Gassaway passed away in 2014. Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson said the city receives calls and complaints about the property every year. And like many residents in the community, he said it would be nice to see something get done with the property. Is there something youve always wondered about Richland County that youd like us to investigate? Check out richlandsource.com and click Talk to Us. Here, you can ask us anything and well go out and find the answers. Black Fork Commons Mercantile in Shelby Now, wed like to take a moment to highlight Tony and Bev Hall. The Halls see the Black Fork Commons Mercantile and The Well Coffee Shop as more than a business. Its their promise to the city. They planned to open the business last year until the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project. But it also gave them more time to make the place homier. The business opened its door on July 8. When entering the mercantile, customers will find everything from childrens and womens clothing to jewelry and toys. And In addition to coffee, The Well Coffee Shop offers soft drinks and baked goods. The Halls told us they want to bring Shelby back and let more people know about the citys history. Thats why Black Fork Commons Mercantile is now doing trivia questions about Shelby on its Facebook page! The first person who answers it correctly will get a free cup of coffee. Next, from Knox Pages Nearly $100,000 worth of livestock was sold at this year's Knox County Junior Fair "Sale of Champions" doubling the amount raised in 2020. And John McCann, of Mount Vernon, received this year's Hall of Fame Award, which is sponsored by the Junior Fair Sales Committee. The award recognizes an individual or business who has played a key role in the livestock sale over the years. Finally, wed like to take a moment to remember the life of Angela Jean Fliger of Mansfield. Angela was born in Mount Vernon and was employed at Air Solutions. Angela was a doting grandmother who loved and adored her grandchildren. She was an advocate and voice for our United States Veterans, and was a member of VFW Auxiliary Post #3494. Halloween was Angela's favorite time of year and she celebrated it all month. She won many awards for the Scariest Costume at the VFW. Her hobbies included cheering on the Cleveland Browns, relaxing rides on the motorcycle, mushroom hunting, and spending quality time at her camper. Angela is survived by her mother, her children, her soulmate, Ed; his daughter, her cherished grandchildren, her brothers and sister, nieces and nephews; and her special little dog, Champagne. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Angelas life. Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow! Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! MANSFIELD What would a pedestrian-friendly park look like that links the city's new, developing Imagination District and its established Carrousel District? That's the goal of a temporary, pop-up "linear park" that will use parking areas primarily along Third Street, set to open Sept. 20 and remain open until Oct. 1. This temporary park will run along Third Street from Weldon Avenue to the new Little Buckeye parking lot. The effort, funded primarily through a national $25,000 AARP Challenge Grant, is being led by the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and its Richland Community Development Group. "The overall goal of a linear park was one of the ideas in Mansfield Rising," said Jodie Perry, chamber president and CEO. "Specifically, we wanted to create a sense of synergy between the Carrousel District and the Imagination District so that people would want to walk between those two organizations. "It will be a few years before we get anything permanent, but we wanted to give people something to consider," Perry said. "The pop-up park will not connect to the Carrousel at this time. That is our long-term vision with a linear park," she said. "We want to show how pedestrians, bikes and cars can all interact and still feel safe," she said. "What would it look like if it wasn't all pavement?" A linear park is a park in an urban or suburban setting that is substantially longer than it is wide. Some of the best examples are found in The High Line in New York City, The 606 in Chicago, The Beltline in Atlanta and The Greenway in Boston. According to a 2018 story in Curbed.com: "Longer than they are wide, linear parks take people on a journey through the city. They can be as short as a few blockseven the expanse of a single bridgeor as long as several miles, but linear parks differ from traditional green spaces thanks to their proportions. They often serve as a link in a citys plans to boost alternative transportation, a thoroughfare carrying pedestrians, rollerbladers, bikers and more. "In traveling from one block or neighborhood to the next, people see the city through a different lens when they use a linear park. This is especially true because many linear parks are repurposed from elevated historic rail lines or highways, transforming infrastructure into a space for recreation." It's reminiscent of a temporary pop-up project on West Fourth Street in 2019 that created a sidewalk extension that replaced the street parking along the street and added a temporary mid-block crossing leading from the Mansfield Citys municipal parking lot and curb bump-outs. The mid-block crossing later became permanent. Perry said the linear park, just under a quarter of a mile, would utilize parking areas on the south side of third street, running between the Richland Carrousel Park and the parking lot for the new Little Buckeye Children's Museum. "No roads will be closed at all," Perry said, adding the actual look of the park is still being developed. "We are still figuring that out to some degree," Perry said. "There will be some trees and greenery, add some seating areas. We will do what we can to provide some shade. "There will be a bike path painted that will wind through the park and some public art elements." Perry said there are tentatively three "plazas" planned in the park that will be used for various types of programming. She said there are several local groups participating in the effort, including the chamber, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, The Rennassiance Theatre, Little Buckeye Children's Museum, FiELD9: architecture, Entrepreneurs' Kitchen, Richland County Regional Planning Commission, the City of Mansfield and Mankind Murals, Inc. "We are still looking to get others involved," Perry said. "There will be local funds put into the effort, as well as in-kind matching donations." The AARP awarded more than $3.2 million among 244 grantees across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This year's grants encouraged applicants to develop projects that: -- create vibrant public places by improving spaces and parks and activating main streets. -- deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding and access a wider range of transportation choices. -- increase civic engagement by bringing together residents and local leaders to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. -- ensure a focus on diversity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community, -- support local recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by emphasizing economic development, improvements to public spaces and transportation services. All projects awarded grants must be completed by Nov. 10. COLUMBUS Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is leading a coalition of 16 states in support of Georgias motion to dismiss a baseless federal lawsuit that is seeking to overturn the states new election laws. "Georgia actually expanded the time period in which all citizens may cast early ballots," Attorney General Yost said. "The Biden Administration complaint has nothing to do with the law and everything to do with politics. "This brief is a history lesson on what actual voter suppression looked like and why Georgia's new law is nothing of the sort." The brief, filed today with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, supports Georgias motion to dismiss the case. As the Ohio brief explains, Georgias law increases voting opportunities by adding early in-person voting days and by guaranteeing the availability of dropboxes for absentee ballots. The Department of Justice insists that the parts of Georgias law designed to prevent fraud must be motivated by race discrimination because the courts and election administrators have not identified fraud widespread enough to have changed the results of the 2020 General Election and the 2021 runoff. But, as the Supreme Court recently recognized, states need not wait for fraud to infect an election before taking steps to prevent it, the brief explained. This is not 1890 or 1965. Georgias law is a reasonable updating of the rules of the road in a greatly expanded voting environment, and successfully balances the tensions between two virtues: free and fair elections. The Court should dismiss the Departments complaint. Yost said the federal government is using this lawsuit in an attempt to seize control of the details of states' election laws. "This brief defends our right to govern ourselves," Yost said. Signing onto Yosts brief were the attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. MANSFIELD -- Ron Bigelow described the recent demolition of his childhood home as a happy-sad moment. Many memories were made inside the little three-bedroom house on Tracy Street. Bigelows parents, Dallas and Shirley, bought the home after moving to the area from northern Kentucky. Just about everybody in his family has lived there at some point -- his parents, his sisters, his nieces and nephews and even his own children. But the house needed to go. After Bigelows widowed mother got sick, the house fell into disrepair. By the time the family realized it, it was beyond the point of rescue. When I moved in, the house was already starting to decay, Bigelow said. Bigelow will soon have a new house on the family homestead, thanks to community donations and Love Our Heros, a Bellville-based non-profit dedicated to helping area veterans. Founder Tami Oyster first connected with Bigelow two years ago when a family member referred him for food assistance. During phone conversations with Bigelow, she noticed nearly all the foods he asked for were ones that could be prepared in a crockpot or on the grill. She thought perhaps what he truly needed was a stove. After convincing Bigelow to let her visit, Oyster discovered a much greater need. He finally let me in about 45 minutes later and it was caving in -- the foundation was caving in, the roof was caving in, Oyster said. Ever the optimist, Oyster told Bigelow she was going to fix things -- though she didnt quite know how at the time. After determining the home was past the point of renovations, Love Our Heros purchased a trailer in Bellvilles mobile home park for Bigelow to move into. Then Oyster and board member Gina Stillion set out to raise funds and in-kind donations to build him a new home. We dont have a ton of money set aside for this so every single piece of this project has been donated by either a supporter or a business, Oyster said. We are doing this donation by donation. Stillion, the project manager, said she hopes to have Bigelow home for the holidays. "I'm shooting for Thanksgiving, but I'll settle for Christmas," she said. The family homestead Bigelow's childhood home was situated on a unique piece of property -- multiple acres nestled in the North End. He and his three sisters had free reign of the property growing up -- the hidden paradise had woods and a pond perfect for summertime. Its like living in the country in the city," Bigelow said. My dad was a country-type person, coming from Kentucky. Like his father, Bigelow grew up to love the outdoors. After graduating from Mansfield Senior High School at 17, he spent a year hunting, fishing and working at Parkers TV, where he repaired and resold discarded televisions. He enlisted in the Army shortly after his 18th birthday and completed basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Then he was stationed in Fort McClellan, Alabama. From there, he shipped out to Giessen, Germany. The Army trained him as a 54 Echo -- a nuclear biological chemical specialist. My job was to train the guys that actually went out and did the fighting, he said. We taught them how to identify and survive in a nuclear, biological or chemical environment." He was based in Germany for 18 months, but completed missions in Spain, England and France. He was also deployed during the U.S. Invasion of Grenada. The best one that I ever got was three weeks in Thailand, he said. I didnt want to come back. After six years, Bigelow decided not to re-enlist. Looking back, he wonders if it wasnt divine intervention. It could have been other forces at work getting me to get out, he said. Bigelow returned to Mansfield. A few years later, he found out his mother was battling a terminal illness. Shed been hiding it from him and his siblings. To this day, they arent quite sure why. Bigelow was the most financially stable and flexible of the siblings, so he moved in with his mother to help care for her during her final few months. One day he went to the mailbox and found a notice inside. They was getting ready to take the house on property back taxes not paid, he said. Bigelow began making payments on the back and current taxes -- chipping away at the debt to rescue his family property. It took nearly a decade. Meanwhile, he was doing everything he could to rescue the house. Racoons had climbed up a nearby tree and burrowed into the roof, ripping holes that let rain water seep into the house. Bigelow cut down the tree and replaced the leaky roof, but it was too late. When the house started drying out, the plaster separated from the lattice. And then it just started cracking and crumbling and then it was just falling everywhere, he said. Bigelow started remodeling with new drywall, insulation, wiring, plumbing and even a new bathroom. But the racoons were relentless. They werent your normal coons, they were monster coons, Bigelow said. Those things was coming in the house and they just looked at you like, Hey, how you doing? Welcome home.' -- Eating a dog's food. Every dog we had was scared of these things. The condition of the house continued to worsen after Bigelow's mother died. It got to a point where it was too overwhelming for him," Oyster said. "He couldnt do it by himself." A family cornerstone The new home will be just over 1,000 square feet with two bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths -- on the same property as his old home. We are trying to put him into a new home with new furnishings, Stillion said. We're going to make him comfortable. It's not the Taj Mahal, but it's what he needs to get back on his feet." Bigelow said he's honored and humbled by the community's outpouring of support. "I just want to make everybody proud, take care of the place and keep it nice for as long as I'm here," he said. "I want to do that to show my appreciation. There's so many different companies and individuals that have donated their time, their labor, their money. Bigelow refuses to look at the plans for the new home -- he wants to be surprised. He hopes the new home will be a fresh start for his family -- restoring the homestead to the cornerstone it once was. "It's going to mean so much to my children, my nieces, my nephews, my cousins. Because that property and that house can stay in the family for a long time," he said. "That was my main goal. I'm glad that within my lifetime, we are going to achieve that goal. "It's an opportunity to make new memories. More Information Love Our Hero's is still looking for an area business to donate a foundation, plumbing services and supplies and HVAC services and supplies. The organization is also accepting monetary donations. To support Love Our Hero's, shop the Bellville thrift store, visit paypal.me/loveourheros or mail a check to P.O. Box 547 in Bellville. Policy Update 096 Cabinet Resignation Triggered by a System Glitch The Cabinet of Prime Minister Rutte in the Netherlands resigned en massed in January 2021, just as it was tackling the COVID-19 crisis, in order to take responsibility for a scandal triggered by a malfunction of a fraud detection system that forced more than 10,000 households to give back childcare benefits (Note 1). Underlying the intense controversy touched off by the scandal are technical problems, such as the development of an overly rigid system that allows no room for flexibility in the case of paperwork errors, and operational problems, such as discriminatory targeting of people of particular races or of multi-nationality (Note 2). This incident has made clear that decision-making process is already being automated in administrative processes and that in some cases failure to appropriately control the process could put many people in a difficult situation. Ahead of the planned establishment of a digital agency in September 2021, digitalization of administrative processes is expected to make progress in Japan as well. This column aims to find policy implications by discussing a draft AI regulation announced by the European Commission (EC) while looking at up-to-date trends related to digital technologies, mainly in terms of AI ethics. After I joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 2011, I was involved in policy planning and development related to digitalization and AI while engaging in administrative activities related to the use of big data and open data, and robotics demonstration projects (please note that the opinions expressed in this article are my personal views, not the opinions of the organization to which I belong). Since 2017, I have lived in the United States as a foreign student and studied such matters as statistics and methodologies for developing AI systems. In recent years, more lively discussions have been held on matters concerning what capabilities society thinks AI should have and how AI should be used (AI ethics) (Note 3). including responsible use of AI, removal of bias, and explainability, than at any other time over the entire period of my career. This trend has also become pronounced internationally, as international agreements related to AI ethics continue to be concluded, including the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI (April) (Note 4) announced by the EC in 2019, the OECD AI Principles (May) (Note 5), the G20 AI Principles (June) (Note 6). This trend is evidence that AI has passed the demonstration test phase and is coming into use in various domains of our everyday lives. What is AI? AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, refers to a field of study that seeks to enable machines to perform activities as if possessing human intelligence. AI can be divided into two major categories"strong AI," which seeks to reproduce human intelligence itself, and "weak AI," which aims to substitute machine labor for what was previously human-intelligence based work (Note 7). The scope of weak AI capabilities includes such functions as natural language processing, image recognition and robotics, which are based on statistical machine learning technology (Note 8). Basically, all those functions are comprised of the processes of analyzing inputs, making decisions, and feeding back outputs. Meanwhile, big data, cloud computing and sensor technologies serve as a kind of foundation for the development and operation of AI systems. AI is penetrating many industrial sectors in various ways. As Andrew Ng, a noted AI advocate, puts it, AI is about to transform every industry, just as electricity did a century ago (Note 9). There is no doubt that AI will continue to be a key to the development of the Japanese society. Obstacles to AI development At present, AI is already being used in our everyday lives in various ways, and its use is expected to become more and more widespread. On the other hand, there are some challenges specific to AI, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore those challenges as the use of AI increases. The challenges that I discuss below are only a few of numerous challenges related to AI. The recent increased interest in and discussion on AI ethics is probably because of a desire to promote more responsible development of AI by appropriately addressing those challenges. AI decisions do not guarantee perfect accuracy and correctness as they are based on a probabilistic approach, and one major challenge is the risk that an erroneous judgment made by an AI system could have huge consequences. As a result, it is necessary to consider who should be responsible for compensating for losses and damage that may be caused by erroneous AI decisions. For reference, in 2018, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced its position on how to deal with losses and damage caused by autonomous driving systems (Note 10). AI systems learn from datasets, which could be incomplete or discriminatory. The second challenge for AI is the risk that if learning datasets are incomplete or discriminatory, AI systems could repeatedly make discriminatory decisions. For example, if an AI model for hiring is developed based on hiring data obtained from employers with a positive bias toward job applicants with certain attributes (e.g., gender and alma mater) it could erroneously continue to recommend the hiring of people with those attributes (Note 11). In some cases, it is extremely difficult to explain the reasons for and the underlying factors of AI decisions. The third challenge for AI is that the presence of such cases could create doubt about the credibility of AI decisions and hinder the development potential of AI. For example, if the decision making process for an AI that a company uses for business purposes is completely unintelligible, the company will be unable to provide adequate explanations for erroneous decisions, or to make appropriate changes to improve its performance. AI Regulation by the EU Various organizations are exploring AI ethics by considering appropriate ways of using AI in accordance with their respective circumstances. To my knowledge, there has been no legally binding international regulation concerning the use of AI. However, on April 21, 2021, the EC announced a proposal for a regulation on a European approach for AI as a draft comprehensive regulation concerning the use of AI (Note 12). This is a regulation intended to ensure "excellence" and "trust"particularly the latterwhich are major elements of a regulatory framework upheld in the debate so far within the EU on the appropriate use of AI (Note 13). It is expected to take several years before the draft regulation takes effect, as it needs to undergo debate by the European Parliament, among other processes. From among AI systems, the proposal selects and lists those which should be subject to regulation and presents four possibilities for regulatory intervention that are applicable in accordance with the risk level and criticality. Japanese companies providing AI services within the EU area, regardless of whether their services are paid or unpaid, could be subject to the regulation (Articles 2 and 3) (Note 14). Risk category AI-system examples that may be subject to regulation Remarks Category 1 Unacceptable risks (Article 5) AI systems that deploy subliminal techniques in order to control human behavior, causing them physical or psychological harm. AI systems that exploit the vulnerabilities of children and persons with physical or mental disabilities in order to control their behavior, causing them physical or psychological harm. AI systems used by public organizations, etc. in order to evaluate or classify the trustworthiness of persons based on their behavior and personality characteristics. Prohibited. (Article 5) AI systems for real-time remote biometric identification that are used in public spaces for the purpose of law enforcement. Prohibited in principle. (Permissible if certain requirements are met.) (Article 5) Category 2 High risks (Article 6) AI products that are required to undergo a third-party conformity assessment (such as medical equipment) and AI systems intended to be used as a safety component of a product. AI systems for real-time or post remote biometric identification AI systems intended to be used as a safety component in the management and operation of critical infrastructure. AI systems used to assign persons to educational and vocational training institutions or to evaluate applicants' eligibility to receive training. AI systems used for hiring, task allocation and performance evaluation. AI systems used for determining access to essential services (e.g., administrative services, loans, and emergency first response). AI systems related to law enforcement (e.g., evaluation of recidivism rates, and detection of the emotional state of persons through polygraphs and other tools). AI systems used for immigration, asylum and border control AI systems intended to assist judicial authorities in researching and interpreting facts. Usage is permissible only when the prescribed requirements are met. (Articles 8 to 15) Category 3 Limited risk (Article 52) AI systems intended to interact with natural persons AI systems that recognize emotions and categorize persons based on biometric information Obligation for notification of AI use (Article 52) AI systems that generate or manipulate content (images, audio and video) through "deep fake" technology Obligation for notification of generation or manipulation of content by AI. (Article 52) Category 4 Minimum risk (Article 69) AI systems that do not belong to any of the above categories (e.g., AI systems that are used in games or that sort out spam mail) Use is not subject to regulation. However, the development of voluntary codes of conduct is recommended. (Article 69) *AI systems intended exclusively for military purposes are not subject to the regulation. (Article 2) AI systems prohibited under the draft regulation are those that involve excessive risks, such as the ability to cause harm through the use of subliminal techniques to manipulate human behavior. Although the draft regulation does not cite any specific example, AI systems that encourage voters who support particular political parties to cast ballots (micro-targeting) may be prohibited (Note 15) (Note 16). Meanwhile, regarding high-risk AI systems that may be conditionally prohibited, there are several matters of concern. For example, although Article 10 stipulates that high-risk AI systems must be developed based on datasets that are free of errors, it may be difficult or impossible in some cases to completely exclude data errors. Moreover, while datasets used for the development of AI systems are required to be "representative," companies located outside the EU area may find it difficult to obtain such datasets. Providers of high-risk AI systems are also obligated to submit information that proves their systems' compliance with the prescribed requirements (which may include confidential information concerning the detailed specifications of the AI systems, for example) when required by national competent authorities in EU member countries (Article 16). Therefore, it is necessary to keep a close watch on future developments with respect to points of debate such as securing the confidentiality of submitted information, a scheme of compensation for damage caused by information leakage, and the fairness of the procedures for requiring the submission of information. Future Policy Direction in Japan Written By Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism. | Weather Alert The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... East central Fond du Lac County in east central Wisconsin... Northwestern Sheboygan County in east central Wisconsin... * Until 445 PM CDT. * At 404 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest of Elkhart Lake, or 8 miles west of Plymouth, moving northeast at 15 mph. HAZARD...Quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Plymouth, Elkhart Lake, Greenbush, St. Cloud, Glenbeulah and Town of Forest. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN; WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Fond du Lac County in east central Wisconsin... Northeastern Dodge County in southeastern Wisconsin... * Until 500 PM CDT. * At 409 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Oakfield, or near Fond Du Lac, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...Quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Fond Du Lac, Lomira, Oakfield, Lamartine, Byron, Eden, Brownsville, Dundee, Waucousta and Town of Forest. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN; WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED; MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH Rocky Mount, NC (27804) Today Rain this evening with thunderstorms by morning. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain this evening with thunderstorms by morning. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. PAUL BILODEAU/Staff photoDominick Donovan looks to one of his attorney's during Donovan's Trial in Salem Superior Court in 2018. An Appeals Court upheld the conviction of the New York man on animal cruelty charges, finding that the judge who tried the case without a jury back had a reasonable basis to conclude his guilt. Close In a new report from the United Nations, 23 'hunger hotspots' are expected to experience extreme food insecurity in the next four months. According to ScienceAlert, the Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO and World Food Program or WFP, both UN bodies, published the advice a week ago, warning these hotspots will experience "crippling food shortages" from now up to November in the middle of dire obstructions to food assistance measures WFP Executive Director David Beasley said families that depend on humanitarian support in order to survive "are hanging by a thread." He added, they cannot reach these families and that the thread is cut. There has been an increase in food insecurity worldwide in recent years, according to a separate report from the UN that was published earlier this year. It showed that more than 150 million people were encountering crisis-level food shortages last year, an increase of 20 million from the other year. Falling into Famine or Famine-Like Situations The new forecast - which warns over 41 million people worldwide are now at risk of falling into famine or famine-like conditions - lists 23 hunger hotspots, with Ethiopia and Madagascar representing the new highest-alert cases. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General said, most of those on the brink are farmers. So far, he added support to agriculture as vital means of avoiding widespread famine stays generally overlooked by donors. Minus such support to agriculture, Dongyu elaborated, humanitarian needs will continue to skyrocket. ALSO READ: Decades of Research Reveal Effectiveness of Intermittent Fasting Hunger Hotspots In Ethiopia, the situation is worsened by armed battles in the Tigray region that started in 2020, while Madagascar is presently encountering the worst drought in four decades, threatening tens of thousands of people with severe food shortages this year. Meanwhile, Yemen, Nigeria, and South Sudan are considered particularly high-level alerts. Other hunger hotspots included in the 23 countries on the UN's list are Angola, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sierra Leone along with Somalia, and Libreria, among others. While the nature of the food crisis in every nation is different, researchers from the UN said the most common drivers of severe hunger problems include conflict, natural hazard risks, and economic shocks including those that stem from the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the ongoing nature of such issues, nations that are vulnerable to food insecurity are receiving a variety of food assistance programs, but according to the UN, this life-saving support often risks being cut off because of armed battles, blockades, and bureaucratic hindrances. This report, posted on the WFP website, also specified that it is imperative that aimed humanitarian action is countering the threat of these essential services being taken away, or conditions that involve thousands and thousands of families can spiral from crises to emergencies, to absolute starvations. Commenting on this latest UN report, Beasley said, humanitarian access "is not some abstract concept." Meaning, authorities that approve paperwork in time so that food can be quickly moved. It also means checkpoints that give permission to trucks to pass and reach their destinations. Lastly, it means that humanitarian respondents are not targeted and therefore, they are able to continue with their life, their livelihood, not to mention, saving work. A similar report is about extreme food insecurity is shown on Wahjoc Food's YouTube video below: RELATED ARTICLE: Research Reveals Increasing Rates of Food Insecurity in Older Adults Check out more news and information on Nutrition on Science Times. Close Lung X-ray films of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 have recently been compared, showing that someone who has not yet been vaccinated will likely require intensive care for his infection's treatment. According to a Mail Online report, Dr. Ghassan Kamel, the Medical ICU Director at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in Missouri, had been treating thousands of infected people with the virus since the onset of the pandemic in March last year. The unvaccinated patient's lung X-rays are nearly completely white, showing they are filled with the virus, have strong scarring, not to mention there is a lack of air that enters the organs. However, the lung X-ray of the vaccinated person shows an abundance of air flowing through and is nearly virus-free. ALSO READ: Excess Egg Consumption Increases Risk of Diabetes, Study Shows COVID-19 Impacting the Lungs Frequently, COVID-19 results in complications like pneumonia, which takes place when the lungs become filled with fluid and turn inflamed. As the airbags get filled with fluid, they become incapable of taking in as much oxygen, which results in symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing, to name a couple. Studies have found damage to the epithelial cells lining respiratory passages from the COVID-19 patients' noses to their lungs. Recently, Missouri has been hit with a wave of COVID-19 cases, with average contagion increasing by 36 percent from a little more than 2,100 each day to nearly 3,000 every day in the past couple of weeks. Statewide, data from the Department of Health showed hospital admissions have increased in the last 14 days, to more than 1,900 or 41 percent, from more than 1,300. Vaccinated Vs. Unvaccinated In a KDSK report, Dr. Kamel said, the patients reporting to him are younger than they were "during the winter surge of 2020 to 2021, not to mention, were mostly unvaccinated. The doctor elaborated, they are now seeing very ill patients. To demonstrate the difference vaccine can make, Kamel shared two lung X-rays. One shows that of a vaccinated patient with COVID-19, and the other, that of the unvaccinated. As a result, the vaccinated patient's X-ray shows a large amount of black space. Meaning, the person can inhale a great amount of air. To compare, the unvaccinated COVID-19 patient's lung X-ray shows, the organ is nearly totally white. Such whiteness of the lungs is also called "opacities." Lung Opacities According to Kaggle, lung opacities are not the same as pneumonia. This site describes them as vague, fuzzy clouds of white in the lungs' darkness, usually indicating the lungs are full of things like bacteria, immune system cells, or fluid. It also means that a patient cannot intake as much oxygen as he usually would if he has a healthy lung. Dr. Kamel explained, the unvaccinated patient's X-ray shows clearly that he requires medical attention. By looking at an unvaccinated lung X-ray, the doctor said, a patient most possibly needs assistance. The doctor elaborated that this patient, he continued, would need oxygen, and sometimes, he would need more than that. He might require the ventilator or even get intubated on mechanical ventilation, sedated, and basically be on life support. To compare, if a vaccinated individual does not get admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19, he possibly wouldn't require intensive care. He said he's hoping the scans would help convince people who have not yet been vaccinated to get inoculated. Commenting on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines available, Dr. Kamel said, those who don't like wearing a mask definitely wouldn't like the ventilator. Related information about COVID-19 infections rising among the unvaccinated is shown on CBS Evening News's YouTube video below: RELATED ARTICLE: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Can Now Be Stored at Higher Temperatures Check out more news and information on COVID-19 and Vaccines in Science Times. HONOLULU (AP) William Edward Mann enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school in rural Washington state. A guitar player, he picked up the ukulele while stationed in Hawaii. He's been presumed dead since Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor and set off a massive explosion that sank his battleship, the USS Arizona, launching the U.S. into World War II. Now, his niece is among some families of crew members who are demanding the U.S. military take advantage of advances in DNA technology to identify 85 sailors and Marines from the Arizona who were buried as unknowns. They say the military has disinterred and identified remains from other Pearl Harbor battleships and should do the same for their loved ones. These men matter and they served. They gave their lives for our country. And they deserve the same honor and respect as any other service member past, present and future, Teri Mann Whyatt said. The Arizona suffered more loss of life than any other ship at Pearl Harbor, with 1,177 dead. More than 900 went down with the ship and have remained entombed there ever since. As with remains on other sunken ships, the Navy considers those aboard the Arizona to be in their final resting place. The families are not advocating for them to be removed and identified. The issue is what to do with the 85 Arizona unknowns buried in a Hawaii cemetery. It emerged in February when the director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is tasked with finding and identifying the remains of U.S. service members from past conflicts, was asked during a Facebook Live meeting when the agency would disinter them. Kelly McKeague said his agency had spoken to the Navy about exhuming the Arizona unknowns and moving them to the ship without identifying them first. McKeague said it didn't make pragmatic sense to identify them. That outraged some families who feared the 85 remains would be placed on the sunken battleship without ever being identified. The agency has since said it doesnt plan to move the cemetery remains onto the ship. Rear Adm. Darius Banaji, the agencys deputy director, said that was just a possibility discussed informally a few years ago. Banaji also said the agency doesn't plan to disinter the remains and try to identify them because it lacks sufficient documentation. The military has files on just half of those missing from the Arizona, he said. Of those, it has medical records listing age, height and other information for just half. It has dental records for only 130 men. Some documents are believed to have been destroyed with the battleship. Others may have been lost in a 1973 fire at a military personnel records office. And the military only has DNA samples from relatives of just 1% of the missing Arizona crew members. McKeague told The Associated Press that what he said about identifications not being pragmatic referred to the lack of documentation, not the cost. We must apply our limited resources in a manner that is equitable to all families and to do so as efficiently and effectively as possible, he said in a statement. The agency, which aims to find more than 80,000 service members missing from World War II and on, has successfully identified unknowns from the USS Oklahoma, another battleship that capsized during the Pearl Harbor bombing. In 2015, the agency dug up the remains of 388 Oklahoma sailors and Marines from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the same graveyard where the Arizona unknowns are buried. It acted after the military drafted a new policy allowing the disinterment of groups of unknown servicemen if it expected to identify at least 60% of the group. The agency had dental records, age and height information for the vast majority of the Oklahoma unknowns. The military also had family DNA samples for more than 80%. The agency predicted it would identify 80% of the Oklahoma remains, which were buried comingled in 61 caskets. As of this month, it has identified 344, or 88%, and anticipates naming more. A group of families led by Randy Stratton, whose father, Donald Stratton, suffered severe burns as a sailor on the Arizona but lived to be 97, has drafted a petition demanding that the agency identify the 85 Arizona unknowns. He's vowed to help families submit DNA samples. Hes also been pushing for the agency to use genetic genealogy techniques like those used by law enforcement to solve cold cases. Stratton said about 30 to 40 families of Arizona unknowns have joined him. From a scientific perspective, there isn't much stopping the military from identifying the Arizona remains, said Michael Coble, associate director of the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas. Its definitely going to be a huge undertaking. But I think the technology has evolved that this kind of work could be done, said Coble, who was chief of research at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory from 2006 to 2010. The lab, which dates to 1991, has long used DNA to identify remains for the military. One newer method uses so-called SNPs, which are unique to an individual except for identical twins and provide a kind of fingerprint. The lab hasn't been able to make much use of this technique because it's been unable to obtain adequate SNP profiles from degraded remains. Last month, however, it completed a project to get those samples. This technique would help the lab distinguish between individuals even when it's only able to extract tiny fragments of DNA. SNPs are the same type of DNA sample that services like Ancestry.com and 23andMe use to help match people with long-lost relatives or learn their propensity for certain diseases. DNA profiles from this technique could theoretically be used for the kind of investigative genetic genealogy work that Stratton advocates. Tim McMahon, head of DNA operations for the Defense Department, said researchers could take samples that failed to find matches in the lab's in-house database and upload those to publicly available, private-sector DNA databases to look for potential cousins or other relatives. Genealogists could then study marriage licenses, birth records and other documents to make closer potential matches, which would then have to be confirmed with additional DNA tests. Using such databases raises privacy concerns because relatives of the missing may not want their family's genetic information shared. The military would need to develop policies to protect privacy for example, by potentially allowing researchers to upload an anonymous DNA profile of an unidentified serviceman. But first, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency would have to decide that it wants to identify the Arizona unknowns. For Stratton, it would be worth it. Why wouldnt you want to find out who these guys are? Stratton said. Microsoft announced Tuesday that it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, joining the growing list of Seattle-area companies to implement a vaccine requirement. Amid the current surge of cases in Washington and nationwide, the Redmond-based company also pushed back its reopening date for offices to Oct. 4. The company had originally planned for a full reopening on Sept. 7, although it announced last year that it would move to a hybrid workplace model and allow some workers to telecommute from home permanently. "As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we continue to closely track new developments and adapt our plans as this situation evolves, keeping employee health and safety top of mind," said a Microsoft spokesperson. "We continue to review the situation on a local basis in each region/country/state where we work and will adjust dates and policies as needed." Other tech companies in the region have also required employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to the office. Both Facebook and Google have issued similar policies. Both companies also extended their work-from-home policies until October. However, Amazon has so far held off on such requirement, for both corporate and warehouse employees. In May, the e-commerce giant dropped its mask mandate for fully vaccinated warehouse employees. Health care leaders have also mulled such requirements for employees, stressing the those in the health care sector need to "lead by example" by getting inoculated against the virus. Kaiser Permanente announced Monday that it will require the vaccine for all employees and physicians. In its latest COVID-19 situation report, the Washington State Department of Health estimated that as many as 92% of new infections in Washington could be attributed to the Delta variant. The department said its seeing increased infections among people ages 20 to 39 and said hospital admission rates are up among all adult age groups. While airlines are seeing continued interest in leisure travel and rolling out deals, some Seattle passengers are experiencing delays at the airport. To avoid disappointment at the gate, travelers are advised to review their flight status well ahead of departure time and nearing their departure date. The upside: there are incredible deals on offer for air travel this week. Alaska is offering one-way fares as low as $49, and Delta, Southwest and Spirit have low fares on offer to a number of popular destinations. Keep reading to discover the latest airline news for the Pacific Northwest and beyond. courtesy of Alaska Airlines Alaska fares as low as $49 Alaska Airlines is encouraging travelers to book all the trips you missed before August 5, 2021, to take advantage of new low fares starting at $49 each way. Referring to themselves as the official airline of rescheduled events, Alaska is currently offering one-way fares from Seattle (SEA) to Boise (BOI) or Spokane (GEG) for $49, while one-way flights to Burbank (BUR) and Denver (DEN) are $59. These fares are valid on tickets purchased by August 5, 2021. Seattle (SEA) to Boise (BOI) Flights Alaska Air priceline.com $49.00 Shop Now Seattle (SEA) to Spokane (GEG) Flights priceline.com $48.00 Shop Now Seattle (SEA) to Burbank (BUR) Flights Alaska Air priceline.com $98.00 Shop Now Seattle (SEA) to Denver (DEN) Flights Alaska Air priceline.com $54.00 Shop Now Delta extends mileage earning accelerators In a recent email to frequent flyers, Deltas CEO Ed Bastian announced another extension of Medallion benefits and the continued ability to earn qualification miles at an accelerated rate. As we all take back to the skies, we want to say thank you for flying with us during our toughest year yet, and despite it all, continuing forward to achieve Medallion Status, Bastian said. Those currently holding Delta Medallion status will continue to enjoy elite benefits through January 31, 2023. Passengers traveling and in pursuit of status will earn miles at an accelerated rate, including the ability to earn qualification miles on Award Travel through December 31, 2022. Current airfare deals with Delta include roundtrip travel Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans for $217, roundtrip Seattle to Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) for $251, and roundtrip Seattle to Savannah, Georgia (SAV) for $313. Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY) Delta priceline.com $196.00 Shop Now Seattle (SEA) to Savannah (SAV) Delta priceline.com $242.00 Shop Now Seattle (SEA) to Savannah (SAV) Delta priceline.com $242.00 Shop Now Southwest fall fare sale Southwest has numerous new low fares on offer for Seattle passengers for tickets booked by August 12, 2021. The offer is valid in select markets and a 21-day advance purchase is required. Sample one-way fares include Seattle (SEA) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $74, Seattle to Las Vegas (LAS) for $79, and Seattle to Maui (OGG) for $198. Spirit delays and a fare sale Spirit Airlines has seen numerous cancellations and delays this week due to inclement weather and operational issues, which likely point to crew shortages. We are experiencing operational challenges in some areas of our network. Before going to the airport, check your email and current flight status, the airline said in an announcement on Twitter Monday. With the current surge in leisure travel, Spirit Airlines may be experiencing delays, but they also have some excellent fares on offer right now for those with flexibility. Seattle passengers will find several deals for one-way fares less than $50, including Seattle (SEA) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $27, Seattle to Orange County (SNA) for $32, and Seattle to San Diego (SAN) for $47. courtesy of United Airlines United becomes first US airline to offer economy option to preorder snacks, beverages United Airlines has unveiled a new preorder food and drink option for economy passengers, building upon their contactless experiences. Guests may preorder meals, snacks and beverages up to five days before they are scheduled to travel. Our new pre-order option reflects the customer experience transformation taking place at United customers in our economy cabins will have an easy, convenient way to choose their snack or drink, and our flight attendants can move through the cabin faster, delivering more personalized service, said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Police have detained more than 40 suspects in the killing of President Jovenel Moise, but many people fear Haitis crumbling judicial system could result in the assassination going unpunished. Interrogations are continuing, while dozens of suspects, including an ex-Haitian senator and former justice official, are still at large. But the judicial process has already hit significant snags, among them death threats and allegations of evidence tampering. Experts and even Haitis Office of Citizen Protection, an ombudsman-like government agency, warn that the country faces many challenges to properly handle such a complicated case. The judicial system is held hostage by certain sectors and weakened by a disciplinary body ... that protects dishonest and corrupt judges but persecutes, through bogus human rights NGOs, those who are honest, the agency said in a Sunday statement. Brian Concannon, an adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said he worries about so much intentional misdirection as the Moise investigation moves forward. The big issue is are you going to have a structure that can deliver the truth? he said. Its possible there are good people that are getting at the truth, but there is enough misdirection, intimidation (and) people apparently manipulating evidence. ... Im not confident that were getting closer to the truth with the current process. Haitis Office of Citizen Protection noted that 32 high-profile killings dating from 1991 have never been resolved, including those of former government officials, lawyers, academics and journalists. It also accused corrupt judges of freeing suspects arrested by police, noting that in the past two decades there has been no significant criminal process in well-known murder cases. The agency urged judicial officials, especially Haitis chief prosecutor, not to be intimidated by the pressure or the unfair maneuvers of individuals of all stripes who want at all costs to sabotage the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in order to reinforce the phenomenon of impunity in Haiti. Bedford Claude, the Port-au-Prince prosecutor overseeing the case, did not return messages for comment. A recent report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned what it called chronic impunity in Haiti and the lack of an independent justice sector. The judiciary remains in a state of chronic dysfunction, the report said, blaming increased political interference, threats against judicial officials and lack of resources among other things. Corruption is rampant and there are clear indications of the judiciary acting to vindicate political and other ends, rather than those of justice. The report said Haitis judicial system remains marred by lengthy pretrial detentions and paralyzed by the governments failure to pay the salaries of clerks and other workers. It also accused authorities of failing to adequately protect judicial officials. Among those investigating Moises killing who have received death threats is Carl Henry Destin, a justice of the peace who told the AP that he has gone into hiding. He declined to provide other details, including how the threats might be hampering the investigation into the July 7 attack at Moises private home in which his wife, Martine Moise, was seriously wounded. Another targeted official is court clerk Marcelin Valentin, who filed a complaint July 20 with the chief prosecutor saying he received serious death threats by phone. He said that in one two days after the assassination, a caller threatened to kill him if he didnt modify names and statements in his report. One of the messages he received in Creole translates roughly to: Clerk, youve got a bullet to the head waiting for you." Valentin said the threats forced him to remain in hiding and stay away from his office. My family is obligated to take a forced vacation out of fear that something bad will happen to them, he said in the report. Deaths threats issued during the investigation of high-profile slayings in Haiti is nothing new. In one recent case, a judge overseeing the 2020 killing of Monferrier Dorval, head of the bar association in Port-au-Prince, went into hiding out of fear for his life. The case has since been at a standstill. Among the significant challenges in Dorvals case are the theft of evidence from the crime scene and from the courthouse, and there are worries that could be repeated in the Moise investigation. Haitian authorities have not disclosed what kind of evidence they have collected in the presidents slaying with the help of the FBI, and they have released only limited details at news conferences during which they have largely refused to take questions. Among those arrested are 18 former Colombian soldiers. The government of Colombia has said the majority of them were duped and did not know about the real operation that was brainstormed in Florida and Haiti. A growing concern is where the soldiers and other suspects arrested in the case are being held. A June 2021 report issued by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti said that more than 80% of detainees in the country's extremely overcrowded prisons have not been tried and that most live in cells without proper ventilation or clean water and get one daily ration of food and have limited or no access to health care. The conditions of detention ... represent a situation of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," the report said. On Tuesday, Colombia's government said the detained soldiers needed urgent medical care. It said an official mission to Haiti found they were constantly in handcuffs and some were tired and had lost weight: One of them was limping and the other couldn't stand up by himself and had to be helped by his colleague. Another concern are the upcoming Haitian presidential and legislative elections, which newly installed Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pledged to hold as soon as possible as he promised to bring to justice all those responsible for Moise's murder. The first round of voting had been scheduled for late September before Moise was killed, and it is unclear if the date will change. Concannon, adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said the outcome of the Moise investigation could depend largely on whether the candidate elected is somebody who has the mandate and ambition to really get to the truth of this. ___ Associated Press reporters Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Astrid Suarez in Bucaramanga, Colombia contributed to this report. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana's COVID-19 hospitalizations surged Tuesday to record levels, with 2,112 largely unvaccinated people in hospital beds struggling and hospital leaders describing facilities overrun with patients. The Louisiana Department of Health reported that 89% of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 weren't vaccinated. The state's previous peak of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 2,069 patients in early January, after holiday gatherings spurred a spike in cases and before vaccines became widely available. But the highly contagious delta variant of the virus is propelling record-breaking numbers of hospitalizations at a faster pace. Health officials say the influx of COVID-19 patients is damaging hospitals' ability to care for people with heart attacks, injuries from car accidents and other health conditions. Were asking for ambulances not to come to us, to divert to another facility. Theres not another facility for them to go to, said Michele Sutton, president and CEO of North Oaks Health System in Hammond. So, when Im making rounds, its not uncommon to see five, six stretchers lining up in our emergency room hallway with the EMS drivers standing by waiting to offload, but I dont have a room to put them in. Louisiana has the highest per capita COVID-19 case growth in the nation, according to Gov. John Bel Edwards. The state which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country is confirming thousands of new cases of the disease each day, and seeing the death toll continue to grow larger. Another 59 new COVID-19 deaths were reported Tuesday by the health department. Hospital leaders across Louisiana describe staff shortages, emergency rooms packed beyond capacity and non-emergency surgeries for cancer patients, knee injuries and other problems sidelined until the pressure eases. Sutton said 50% of her hospital's patients have COVID-19, and the facility discontinued all elective surgeries to turn its recovery room into a third intensive care unit for coronavirus patients. She said more than 60 of the health system's employees were unable to work because they had contracted the illness. The hospital can't use all 330 of the beds it has available because it has too few health care workers. Hoping to flatten Louisiana's fourth COVID-19 spike, Edwards announced Monday he was reenacting a statewide mask mandate for anyone 5 and older, regardless of vaccine status, when they are inside a school, church, business, government building or other public indoor locations. But even as the Democratic governor's face covering requirement takes effect Wednesday, Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry was offering guidance on how to avoid it. Landry sent an email Monday to his employees with two sample request letters for parents to seek a philosophical or religious exemption from the governor's mask mandate at schools or from a vaccine mandate if one was enacted. I support your religious liberties and your right to conscientiously object, the attorney general wrote to his staff, in an email provided by Landry's office. Still, hospital leaders praised Edwards' requirement, as their facilities are packed with COVID-19 patients. Shreveport-based Willis-Knighton Health System said it is experiencing capacity at all four acute care hospitals and emergency departments backed up with dozens of patients awaiting beds that are not available." "Unvaccinated COVID patients who are younger and healthier, including pregnant women and children, are the greatest cause of this latest surge, health system spokesperson Terrie Roberts said in a statement. In Baton Rouge, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center reached a new all-time high in COVID-19 patients Tuesday, after admitting 28 more overnight. Louisiana's largest hospital had 163 COVID-19 patients by Tuesday morning and announced it will require coronavirus immunization for all of its workers, though that requirement will be phased in over months. The hospital brought in nearly three dozen health care workers from other states to help it handle the patient load. Southeast Louisiana-based Ochsner Health said it has more than 600 people hospitalized with the illness across its Louisiana hospitals, with hospitalizations of children continuing to edge up. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. The Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge is home to the Altar of the Nation, dedicated to those who lost their lives in times of war, and the Womens Memorial Bell Tower, seen above, dedicated to all women who have served the U.S. in times of conflict. John Wall of Marlborough leads a yoga class at the Keene Senior Center Monday. Throughout the summer, Walls classes have been held in various locations, including in peoples yards, but they returned to the senior center with the Court Street facilitys reopening Monday morning. This article is being shared by a partner in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org. Thank you for reading! You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below. We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here. At BARTs West Oakland Station on Monday morning, riders had little time to scroll through their phones or check the systems schedule because there was virtually no wait to catch a train to San Francisco. After one of the systems new trains arrived, passengers entered a half-full train car and effortlessly found open seats as the train took them to the depths of the Transbay Tube. In some ways, it looked like pre-pandemic BART on the first day the service returned to near-normal, a milestone of sorts for the Bay Areas struggling public transit system that lags the nation in its recovery. But a BART commute Monday morning also showed signs of the systems uncertain road back as it works to restore service to near pre-pandemic levels. Riders whove spent nearly the past year and a half meticulously calculating when to leave work or home to catch a BART train running only every half-hour likely wont have to plan ahead as much now that theyre running every 15 minutes. Stations with the most lines now have as many as 17 trains arriving, one-way, in a one-hour span. BART is now staying open until midnight on weekdays and Saturdays after closing at 9 p.m. throughout the pandemic. And it added a second line the red line from Richmond to Millbrae offering direct service to San Francisco International Airport. But the massive crowds that packed trains en route to downtown San Francisco were still missing even as trains ran at the same frequencies before a pandemic that destabilized public transit. Some of the trains that arrived at Embarcadero Station during Monday morning commute hours were packed with passengers almost reminiscent of the sights of standing room-only crowds that packed BART trains on pre-pandemic weekday mornings. Most, though, arrived at half capacity or less. An overwhelming majority of riders wore masks, which is required on public transit by federal mandate until at least Sept. 13. Before the pandemic, the bulk of BARTs riders used the system to get to and from downtown San Franciscos four stations. Many downtown employers have either signaled a continuation of some remote work, or have pushed back return-to-office dates, and its unclear whether BART will see the same volume of crowds traveling to downtown after the pandemic. Still, BART has experienced a steady increase in ridership in the past few months as more people became vaccinated and has nearly doubled its weekday ridership since the start of the year. Last Thursday, 92,101 people or about 22% of pre-pandemic ridership rode BART, the most since March 2020. Bob Powers, BARTs general manager, said the ridership increases are encouraging and expects the numbers will see a steady climb up as service is restored. Even with thinner crowds, downtown San Franciscos four stations remain the most visited on weekdays, according to BART. Other stations, such as Fruitvale, gained popularity during the pandemic. While much of the systems white-collar ridership stopped riding BART as frequently or altogether, essential workers continued to depend on the service, and now a greater proportion of the systems riders are likely to be lower-income people of color, according to BART. Ridership is also returning faster on the weekends than it is weekdays a trend that mirrors the return of the regions notorious traffic congestion. Saturdays and Sundays are seeing nearly 40% of pre-pandemic ridership. I think (BARTs) going to emerge as something different. I think the pandemic has mandated that we all kind of revisit things, Powers told The Chronicle. Were still going to be there for the peak hour, theres no question about that, and as the urban centers reopen, were going to be delivering people to and from their jobs. But also, on the weekends, in the evenings, I think theres an opportunity there to provide more service. BART says its homing in on improving cleanliness and safety two key issues many riders said they wanted to see significant improvements on before the pandemic. The system hired more workers this summer to clean trains and stations. There are 23 new trains on the weekday rotation, accounting for about 40% of the active fleet. And BART is doubling down on progressive policing efforts it had begun shortly before the pandemic rocked public transit. As a result, Angela Averiett, BARTs deputy chief of police, said riders should expect to see a more visible presence of police officers and unarmed ambassadors trained in social work on trains and stations. Just having more of a presence in our system really makes people feel safe to ride BART, and they should feel safe riding BART, Averiett said. At Embarcadero Station, BART trains emerged from the subways dark tunnels every couple of minutes. As the morning hours waned, a steady stream of riders shuffled out of trains and rode escalators to the surface as workers cleaned the platform. Four minutes later, the intercom announced the next incoming train, and out came yet another wave of commuters. BART will need more riders, though, to recover. How that will happen is uncertain. On the same day that the system celebrated its return to near normal, San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced they were, once again, implementing mask mandates to combat the contagious delta variant. Its a signal that a return to the office, and BART, for many workers wont come any time soon. Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente healthcare system will mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all employees and physicians, the nonprofit said Monday. The move came as the highly-contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spike infections locally and across the state and country. Under existing state guidance all health workers and state employees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or get tested weekly, but Kaiser appears to be going beyond those requirements and extending the mandate to all of its employees. The Kaiser Permanente organization counts more than 216,000 employees, along with more than 23,000 Permanente Medical Group physicians, according a statement from the company. In Northern California about 78% of employees and 95% of physicians are already vaccinated, SVP Hospital and Health Plan Operations Michelle Gaskill-Hames said during a press call Monday. Our goal is that by September 30 we will have a full vaccinated workforce, Gaskill Hames said. She said beginning Aug. 23, Kaiser will require unvaccinated workers to undergo twice a week COVID-19 testing. We really are in a race between the vaccines and the variants, Gaskill Hames said. As the countrys largest integrated care delivery system, we feel it is our responsibility to do everything we can to help bring an end to the pandemic, especially in light of the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the highly infectious Delta variant said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan, Inc., in a statement. Adams said unvaccinated people are fueling the uptick in case counts, adding that 97-99% of COVID-19 hospital admissions are unvaccinated patients. Separately on Monday seven of the nine Bay Area counties along with the city of Berkeley, which has its own health department, said masking will be required for everyone indoors regardless of vaccination status to tamp down the spread of the virus. The new requirement comes as many companies in the Bay Area have begun requiring proof of vaccination to show up in person, while others are bringing back mask mandates regardless of vaccination status. Still others have pushed out planned office reopening dates in the face of the new variant. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice High school students in California who ended up with bad grades last year now have the chance to change them to pass/fail, ensuring pandemic circumstances beyond their control dont ding their grade point average or their chances of getting into college. An emergency statute passed this summer requires all school districts to allow for the change, given the impact of distance learning on students. Many high school students spent the entire school year online, some without adequate technology or support at home, including English learners, homeless students, foster youth and other vulnerable young people. Shifting a letter grade to pass/fail means what would have been a D or F, for example, wont be included in the calculation of a grade point average a critical part of a college application. There are no restrictions on how many course grades or which courses can be changed. When an F is converted to a No Pass, the zero credits are no longer factored into the GPA, according to Dublin Unified officials in a letter to families about the option. Similarly, changing a D or even a C letter grade to a Pass will likely increase a students GPA, depending on the GPA the student had prior to the grade change. Families can request the change for any course, even those required by the University of California, California State University system and many private colleges, which have agreed to accept the pass/fail grades. San Francisco officials notified families of the change this week, with an Aug. 14 deadline to request the change. The measure, authored by San Diego Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez, aims to get children back on track in school after a long and difficult year. As a mom of three boys who were in Zoom school during the pandemic, I saw how much our kids struggled to adapt to distance learning, she said in a statement. Knowing that hundreds of thousands of students across California werent able to log on at all during the past school year, it was clear we needed special interventions to help students overcome these unexpected setbacks. Families can apply for the grade change through their district offices. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker San Francisco Mayor London Breed has agreed to pay a $22,792 city fine to settle allegations that she committed a series of ethics violations while in office, including asking former Gov. Jerry Brown to release her brother from prison and allowing Mohammed Nuru, the disgraced former head of Public Works, to pay for repairs to a car she owned. While its not unusual for city supervisors and candidates to be hit with fines from the Ethics Commission, Breed, who is also accused of failing to properly report a 2015 campaign contribution, appears to be the first sitting mayor in San Francisco to settle such a case, according to records. It is also one of the commissions biggest fines in recent history. The proposed fine, first obtained by The Chronicle on Tuesday, is part of an agreement stating that Breeds violations were significant, involving the misuse of her title as mayor for personal gain. She also violated city laws that limit officials from accepting gifts from subordinates and regulate campaign contributions. The fine puts a spotlight on the mayors personal and political dealings, as she tries to steer the city through a particularly challenging and uncertain time in the pandemic. It also comes as City Hall tries to recover from a series of scandals that spotlighted the cozy and allegedly corrupt relationships in local government. Breed has tried to distance herself from the fallout, and has instead tried to focus on the citys recovery. Breed signed the agreement Monday and said the terms were fair. If approved by the Ethics Commission at its next meeting on Aug. 13, the mayor will personally pay the fine. While nothing stipulated here had any effect on my decision-making as mayor, it is important that as mayor that I lead by example and take responsibility for my actions, Breed said in a Tuesday statement. Ive learned a lot over the last two years since the most recent of these events took place, and Ive learned from this process. The settlement comes nearly three years after Breed and a number of family members sent a letter to former Gov. Jerry Brown, asking him to consider leniency and release her brother, Napoleon Brown, from prison. Brown has served about two decades of a 44-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter and armed robbery. In the Oct. 23, 2018 letter, Breed said her brothers punishment had been excessive and he turned his life around in prison. A number of family members sent similar letters of support as part of the application to have his sentence commuted. Multiple attorneys and government ethics experts previously told The Chronicle that Breed did not appear to violate any state or city laws. But the fact that the letter contained Mayor London Breed in block letters at the top and also referenced her status as the citys mayor in the body of the letter raised questions about whether she was trying to influence the governors decision. The former governor ultimately did not pardon Breeds brother, who remains in prison. Still, the Ethics Commission said the mayors letter was a misuse of her city title. By referencing her official position as mayor in making an appeal on a matter of personal interest, Breed violated a city law prohibiting the use of city titles for non-city purposes, the stipulation said. She will be fined $2,500 for the letter. Marc Zilversmit, Browns attorney, said he disagreed with the ethics fine and that he perfectly understands why Breed would advocate for her brother. Zilversmit said he is considering how to use some recent sentencing reforms in California to try to obtain a reduced sentence for Brown. It was perfectly appropriate for a sister to write a letter in favor of her brother, and identify who she is and where she works, he said. That happens all the time. Breed also agreed to pay $8,292 for accepting a gift from Nuru, the former Public Works director who was charged by the FBI in 2019 for fraud. A few weeks after Nuru was charged by the FBI, Breed acknowledged in an online statement that Nuru paid for expenses involving repairs to her car in 2019. At the time, she said that she didnt need to immediately disclose the gift because the two had dated and been friends for decades. She referenced a city law that said gifts provided by an individual with whom the official has a long term, close personal friendship unrelated to the officials position are not required to be reported under the Fair Political Practices Commissions rules. But the Ethics Commission said that exception did not apply, and violated the citys laws that prohibit accepting gifts from subordinates. Nuru is at the center of a widespread federal corruption case that has linked city officials, contractors, nonprofit groups and others in a tangled web of alleged bribery and fraud. Jim Ross, a longtime political consultant, said the Nuru violation in particular is one of those things that is going to stay with her the rest of her career. Being tied to Nuru who has become the face of public corruption in San Francisco is not a good look for a mayor who likely has a long political career ahead of her, Ross said. While Breed has not publicly indicated any interest in higher office, her name is often floated by political insiders when positions in Sacramento or D.C. open up. It probably will not have a huge impact on her ability to govern as mayor or get re-elected, Ross said. But if she runs for higher office, and runs in a real contested environment, this is something she is going to have to answer for. In the wake of the federal charges filed against Nuru, the mayor has instituted several executive directives to strengthen the transparency and accountability around fundraising and gifts. The third violation found by the Ethics Commission involves another person implicated in the city corruption scandal: restaurateur Nick Bovis. In 2015, when Breed was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors running for re-election, she wanted to have a float created to ride in during the annual San Francisco Pride Parade. According to the stipulation, Breed asked Bovis and John Konstin, the owner of Johns Grill, to both individually pay $1,250 directly to the float manufacturer. Bovis pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud charges last year. According to the agreement, the contributions by Bovis and Konstin were not properly recorded in campaign finance disclosures and also exceeded the $500 per person contribution limit for city candidates. By soliciting and accepting excess contributions, and by failing to disclose the contributions received on her committees campaign disclosure statements, Breed violated candidate contribution limit and campaign disclosure requirements of city law, the agreement said. The mayor will be fined $7,500 for failing to disclose the contributions and $4,500 for accepting contributions over the legal limit. Its not unusual for politicians to be hit with ethics violations, particularly when it comes to improperly accepting gifts or failing to disclose campaign contributions: In 2016, Supervisor Mark Farrell agreed to pay the city $25,000 to settle accusations of campaign finance violations during his 2010 race for supervisor. In 2017, former Supervisor Eric Mar was fined more than $26,000 for ethics violations associated with concert tickets that he accepted from a concert promoter months after sponsoring a board resolution to extend the companys permit for its Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park. Breeds attorney, Tom Willis, said this agreement will resolve all outstanding issues with the Ethics Commission. Although there are reasonable explanations for all three matters covered by the stipulation, the mayor has taken responsibility for her mistakes and is ready to move on, Willis said. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani A smaller wildfire that became part of the huge Dixie Fire now burning in the Sierra Nevada may have started when a tree fell on a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power line. PG&E said late Monday that it filed a report to state regulators about its possible link to the Fly Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres before merging with the much larger Dixie Fire. Earlier Monday, PG&E helped the U.S. Forest Service move and examine a tree that was on one of the companys power lines off Highway 70 in Plumas County, according to the companys report filed with the California Public Utilities Commission. Thats the same general area, a few miles north of the town of Quincy, where officials say the Fly Fire started on July 22. A few days later, the fire was overtaken by the Dixie Fire, which has destroyed 45 major structures and 22 minor structures and burned about 253,000 acres since it began July 14. It was 35% contained as of Tuesday morning. PG&E previously told regulators that the Dixie Fire may have been ignited when a tree fell on another one of its power lines near the Cresta Dam, west of where the Fly Fire started later. Both fires have burned northeast from where the horrific 2018 Camp Fire nearly leveled the Butte County town of Paradise, becoming the deadliest and most destructive wildfire the state has ever recorded. That fire started after a hook broke on a century-old PG&E transmission tower. According to PG&Es most recent regulatory report, fire-watching cameras first spotted smoke near Butterfly Valley Twain Road and Highway 70 at about 5:01 p.m. on July 22. The company said its own records show that equipment on a PG&E power line reported alarms and other activity between about 4:50 p.m. and 6:10 p.m., when that part of the line was turned off. It wasnt immediately clear when PG&E learned that a tree had hit that power line. The company did not describe the condition of the tree nor state how far away it was from the wires before it fell. PG&E said in the report that it was cooperating with the Forest Services investigation. The data currently available to PG&E do not establish the cause of the Fly Fire, the companys report said, noting that the information it provided was still preliminary. PG&Es previously established potential role in the Dixie Fire prompted the company to declare that it would bury 10,000 miles of power lines to help reduce the threat of them causing even more catastrophic wildfires. In a company statement late Monday, PG&E Corp. CEO Patti Poppe reiterated that promise. She said PG&E would be tenacious in our efforts to stop ignitions from our equipment. The undergrounding program will significantly reduce the risk we face in the years to come, she said. The PG&E statement also outlined a range of additional fire-prevention measures the company says it is taking because of the severe drought thats gripping the state, worsening wildfire conditions and demonstrating the impacts of climate change in California. PG&E said that, for the remainder of the fire season, it will respond within 60 minutes or less to any fault or outage on a power line in high fire-threat areas. In the same areas, the company said it is also increasing the sensitivity of devices that detect faults and making them operate faster. Finally, PG&E said it is identifying which of its power lines run through areas most affected by the drought and performing extra safety patrols. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to consider reinstating a nationwide price-fixing suit against three major tuna companies, two of which have already admitted rigging prices for canned tuna. The lawsuit against StarKist, Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea by commercial and retail customers had been derailed in April by a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The panel ruled 2-1 that a federal judge who had allowed the case to proceed as a class action in 2019 must re-examine the case and dismiss it unless she determined that an overwhelming majority of the customers had been overcharged. But the full appeals court said Tuesday that a majority of its judges had voted to set the panels ruling aside and hold a new hearing before an 11-judge panel, consisting of Chief Judge Sidney Thomas and 10 randomly selected court members. StarKist and Bumble Bee have pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to fix tuna prices, with fines of $100 million for StarKist and $25 million for Bumble Bee. Bumble Bees former president and CEO, Chris Lischewski, was convicted of criminal price-fixing charges by a federal jury in San Francisco in December 2019 and sentenced to 40 months in prison in June 2020. Other executives from Bumble Bee and StarKist testified against Lischewski after entering their own guilty pleas. Chicken of the Sea was not charged after cooperating with the government in its investigation, but the company and its corporate parent, Thai Union Group, settled claims with some of its customers for $13 million, according to a March 31 court filing. Most of the customers remain in the lawsuit. StarKist agreed in January 2019 to pay $20.5 million in a settlement with Walmart, the nations largest tuna retailer. The 11-judge appeals court panel will reconsider the price-fixing case and decide whether to allow it to go to trial. The lawsuit accused the three companies, which account for more than 80% of all packaged tuna sold in the United States, of conspiring to artificially inflate their prices between November 2010 and December 2016. In its ruling in April, the appeals court panel said there was little dispute over the existence of a price-fixing scheme but concluded the case had been wrongly certified by U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino of San Diego as a class action on behalf of all purchasers. The majority opinion by Judge Patrick Bumatay said a class action can proceed only if it is clear that a minimal percentage of prospective customers were unaffected by the wrongful actions. He noted that an economist had testified for the companies that 28% of all purchasers, including food distributors and retailers, had not been affected by the price-fixing agreement. The plaintiffs economists said the percentage was much lower. Nick Ut/Associated Press Bumatay, joined by Judge Andrew Kleinfeld, said Sammartino must reconsider the case and allow it to proceed only if she determines that virtually all customers were impacted, a standard that would set new limits on future class actions. Judge Andrew Hurwitz dissented. In seeking review from the full court, plaintiffs lawyers said federal law allows trial judges like Sammartino to decide whether members of a proposed class were adequately alleging that they had suffered similar harms, and allows jurors to determine the extent of that harm. They said the panels ruling contradicted both legal standards. Lawyers for the opposing sides were not immediately available for comment. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The Plumas County Sheriff's Office issued a second round of mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday for areas on the northeast side of Indian Valley and the community of Chester as the Dixie Fire spread. Evacuation orders were put in place for the East Shore of Lake Almanor earlier on Tuesday as firefighters battled the growing Dixie Fire burning across 254,466 acres of Plumas and Butte counties. The fire was 35% contained as of Tuesday night and had destroyed 45 structures as well as 22 minor structures, according to Cal Fire. More than 12,000 properties remained threatened. The sheriffs office said Chester residents should evacuate east to a shelter in Susanville at the Lassen Community College at 478-200 CA-139. Those in the che community of the northeast side of Indian Valley should evacuate south, toward Quincy to the shelter at 59 Bell Lane. Anyone in need of transportation was directed to call 530-283-6414. A map of areas under evacuation orders and advisories can be found here. On Monday the community of Greenville in Plumas County also came under a mandatory evacuation order as the fire continued to burn south of Lake Almanor, to the northeast of the Chico area. The fire continued to move towards Greenville last night, according CalFire, which said firefighters worked overnight to protect structures in the area of the town after explosive fire growth Monday afternoon on the eastern section of the blaze. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California CalFire had expected fire behavior on the western side to increase Tuesday due to drying conditions and gusting winds. No civilian or firefighter injuries or fatalities have occurred as a result of the fire, which started July 13. The blaze is currently the 11th largest in Californias history. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice Filipa Ioannou/The Chronicle San Francisco police arrested a man who turned himself him for allegedly stabbing a 76-year-old man in the citys South of Market District over the weekend. Ryan Souva of San Francisco walked into the Richmond police station on Saturday at about 11:42 a.m. and asked officers to arrest him because he stabbed a person at his residence in South of Market, police said. When Cafe Mei held a test opening in Fremont late last month, people came from as far as Santa Cruz to wait well over an hour for the restaurants prized Taiwanese breakfast sandwiches. Taiwan News covered the keenly anticipated opening in a story headlined, Californians welcome genuine Taiwan breakfasts. Though not impossible to find, Taiwanese food remains a a relative scarcity in the Bay Area compared to other Asian cuisines. Theres enormous local demand for the cuisine, and in particular for Taiwanese breakfast. (People waited as long as four hours for a breakfast pop-up at Taiwan Bento in Oakland earlier this year.) But happily, Taiwanese food is on the rise in the Bay Area with the opening of four new businesses: Cafe Mei; Xiaoman, which specializes in fan tuan, or sticky rice rolls, another Taiwanese breakfast favorite; Chiang Beef Noodle, a pop-up devoted to the iconic soup; and a new outpost of South Bay favorite Taiwan Porridge Kingdom. Several of the owners were motivated by culinary nostalgia and a desire to put Taiwanese food on the map in the Bay Area. Read on for more on each business. Cafe Mei, Fremont Courtesy Cafe Mei Cafe Mei has been teasing its breakfast sandwiches for months, taking orders in Mandarin from those in the know on Facebook since last year and popping up at Daly City boba shop Truedan in February. The Fremont restaurant is finally gearing up to fully open on Aug. 12. The restaurant serves sandwiches, burgers and dan bing, crepes layered with egg, cheese and scallions and served with a garlic dipping sauce. But the sandwiches are the restaurants calling card: crustless slices of pillowy white bread layered with ham, a seasoned pork patty, egg, thin slices of cucumber and housemade mayonnaise. Other filling options include taro and pork, fish or veggie floss. Its a simple but supremely satisfying sandwich that fueled owner Kandy Wang on many mornings in Taiwan, she said. Before Wang came to the United States more than 30 years ago, she worked at Mei Er Mei, a popular Taiwanese breakfast chain. The restaurants food and energetic environment where the act of recalling a regulars order seemed to instantly boost their mood left a lasting impression on her. She remembered that when she first moved to the United States. (There are) a lot of challenges when you start up here, especially with language. Every day I just need a boost to get me up, she said. I told myself, one day, if I have the capabilities I would love to open a shop like that. Cafe Mei is independent from Mei Er Mei, but Wang managed to convince the owner of the Taiwan chain to share their recipes with her. She spent about six months perfecting the dishes. Because shes using local rather than Taiwanese ingredients, she said they taste 90% like what youd get at the Taiwan original. Wang was so upset by the long wait at Cafe Meis trial opening that she shut down ordering until she can hire and train sufficient staff. But she was heartened by how many people came to eat the food. It has this taste of Taiwan that comforts a lot of immigrants and students that are here. They miss home, she said. Takeout only. Opening Aug. 12. 43761 Boscell Road #5125, Fremont. cafemeiusa.com/ Xiaoman, San Jose, Santa Clara Elena Kadvany / The Chronicle/ Xiaoman serves just one dish: fan tuan. The beloved Taiwanese breakfast dish, sticky rice rolled around fillings, is made here with either white or purple rice. Tucked inside the thin layer of warm rice, theres pork floss, a soy sauce-marinated egg, sauerkraut and pickled radish imported from Taiwan and a deep-fried cruller so crispy it audibly shatters when you bite into it. An even more crunchy version comes with fried onions and crispy seaweed mixed with fried okara (a tofu byproduct). A compact menu, the only other offerings are soy milk and soy milk black tea. In Taiwan, owner Mina Chen ate fan tuan for breakfast nearly every day. Ever since moving to the Bay Area, shes been on the hunt, mostly unsuccessfully, for a comparable version. So she started making them at home and shared them with friends, which eventually gathered enough steam that she decided to open her own business. I miss this flavor and want to share it with people, no matter if they are Taiwanese people or not, Chen said. Xiaoman is located inside ghost kitchens in San Jose and Santa Clara so is only open for takeout. San Jose is open 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Chen is planning to open Wednesday-Friday in Santa Clara starting this week. Also, look out for announcements of periodic pop-ups in other Bay Area cities on Facebook. Takeout, pickup and delivery. 1614 Pomeroy Avenue, Santa Clara; 328 Commercial St., San Jose. riceburrito.com/ Chiang Beef Noodle, Cupertino Annie Chang Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Justin Chiang started selling Taiwanese beef noodle soup, or niu rou mian, on Instagram in June after spending half a year tinkering with his recipe. The whole process takes 24 hours from start to finish. The rich broth cooks for eight hours. Beef bones, tender beef shank and beef tendon mingle with 30 spices and aromatics. Chiang filters the fat out using methods he learned working at ramen hot spots Taishoken in San Mateo and Orenchi in Santa Clara and Redwood City. He sources a chewy, springy noodle and offers toppings like lettuce and pickled mustard greens. He stirfries the greens with spices to make a Japanese rendition, piri-kara takana, with extra dimension and kick, he said. Chiang isnt Taiwanese hes from Florida and grew up in Hong Kong, but has spent time in Taiwan and said he feels connected to the countrys food culture. Like Chens search for fan tuan, he was surprised at how hard its been to find quality Taiwanese beef noodle soup in the Bay Area. He wants to grow his beef noodle soup operation, whether that be moving into a ghost kitchen to expand production or opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. For now, Chiang is selling about 100 to 150 beef noodle soup kits once a week from his home in Cupertino. To order, go to instagram.com/chiangbeefnoodle. Taiwan Porridge Kindgom, Fremont The third location of Taiwan Porridge opened in Fremont in July, joining the other two restaurants in Cupertino and Milpitas. Comforting congee, served plain or with hunks of sweet potato, is the main event, accompanied by a parade of side dishes like bitter melon with anchovy and braised pork. If youre dining in, the congee is all you can eat for $1 per person. And at lunch, you can get porridge with three dishes for just $12. The owner of Taiwan Porridge Kingdom could not be immediately reached for comment. Indoor dining, takeout and delivery. 34137 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. taiwanporridge.com Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany The Bay Area has been averaging more than 1,400 coronavirus cases a day over the past several days, surpassing the peak of last years summer surge in mid-August. Regional hospitalizations have not yet reached last summers peak, but despite high vaccination rates in much of the Bay Area they are not far off: 815 people were in the hospital with COVID-19 on July 28 last year, compared with 713 on Sunday. Last year, vaccines had not yet been approved but the Bay Area was still under multiple public health restrictions, including a regional mask mandate, bans on large gatherings, and reduced capacity in most indoor settings. This year vaccines are widespread, with shots easy to obtain, but almost all other public health measures have been lifted. Bay Area deaths peaked at about 20 a day at the tail end of last summers surge in mid-September. So far, the region is far below that, at about five deaths a day now. New cases per day across the United States have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. The new cases are being driven by the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The national statistics are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. In the Bay Area, cases and hospitalizations are only about a third of their winter peaks. Nearly all deaths and serious illnesses nationwide are in unvaccinated people. If you get sick with the delta variant, we estimate that you could infect about five other unvaccinated people more than twice as many as the original strain, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a Monday briefing. Last week, the CDC urged that people wear masks indoors in areas with high or substantial transmission of the virus, based on a report that found the delta variant was as contagious as chickenpox. Those areas include the entire Bay Area. The surge has led states and cities across the U.S. to beat a retreat, just weeks after it looked as if the country was going to see a close-to-normal summer. Five states account for nearly half of new coronavirus cases reported over the past week, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University with California, the nations most populous state, ranking near the top with nearly 9% of all cases in the country. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a requirement that everyone vaccinated or not wear masks in public indoor spaces. We must act now to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community. If you are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine and have not yet done so, please do not wait any longer, said Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County. During July the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in our county increased 400%. Four out of five of the COVID patients we see are not vaccinated, even though only one out of five Contra Costa adults are not vaccinated. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that a nationwide vaccination requirement is not on the table, but she noted that employers have the right to take such a step. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Erin Allday and Aidin Vaziri are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ellday@sfchronicle.com and avaziri@sfchronicle.com For the past year and a half, Mercedes Morgan was dealing with the pandemic as best she could. The 36-year-old Marin City resident was careful, always wearing a mask when leaving the house and visiting only close family and friends. But when the COVID-19 vaccines became available, Morgan was not in a rush. I never had intentions to get the shot, she said. It was all so confusing. Get this one, dont get this one ... I would see a lot of stuff on TV about people getting strokes. In the past few weeks, however, things changed in her community of just over 3,000 people in Marin County. Coronavirus cases started rising and quickly reached their highest point ever. For a long time, she said, she didnt personally know anyone who got infected. Now I know a lot. As the delta variant spreads rapidly across the country, its impact is being felt unequally with Marin City a striking example. Marin Citys history goes back to World War II, when many African American shipbuilding workers moved there from the South. Black residents including Morgan still make up nearly one-quarter of the communitys population, compared to just 3% countywide. While Marin Countys vaccination rates are among the highest in the nation, with 86.5% of eligible residents fully vaccinated, the rate is far lower in Marin City, at 59.5%, according to county data. County officials and health experts, now racing against the rampant delta variant, are working to change that backing grassroots efforts to counter hesitancy and widespread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Alvin A.H. Jornada / Special to The Chronicle The current spike in coronavirus cases is predominantly occurring among unvaccinated people in the communitys Black population particularly men, according to Dr. Lisa Santora, deputy public health officer for Marin County. In June, Marin County recorded six cases among the population who identify as Black and African American countywide. During the first two weeks of July, the number of new cases in that group more than tripled to 21, many from Marin City. At its peak on July 25, the unincorporated area recorded 29 new cases in the previous two weeks out of a total of 162 since the pandemic began in March 2020. Marin Health and Human Services When Marin County officials examined 32 cases recorded July 12-22, they found 30 were in unvaccinated people, and 27 identified as Black or African American, Santora said. They ranged from age 7 to 78. While several of the infected people live outside Marin City, they have ties to the area, seen by many in the Black community as a social and spiritual hub, Santora said. 2 1 of 2 Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less Currently, 22% of Marin Citys population is Black and African American; 33% is white; 25% is Hispanic/Latino; 7% is Asian; and 13% is two or more races, according to the American Community Survey. In Marin County as a whole, 3% of the population is Black and African American, 71% is white; 16% is Hispanic; 7% is Asian; and 4% is two or more races, according to the U.S. census. The rate of new infections among the countys African American population reached nearly 70 per 100,000 people earlier this month. In Marin County, the rates were in single digits for all other racial and ethnic groups. Marin County Health and Human Services Countywide, 70% of the eligible Black and African American population are fully vaccinated. Those numbers are 86% for the Hispanic population, 85% for the Asian population and 81% for the white population. Officials say improving those vaccination numbers is the key to countering the surge in Marin City. Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle Local experts and leaders say there is no one reason why some in the Black and African American community are hesitant to get the vaccine. One of the most widely discussed reasons is a distrust in the U.S. government and health care systems. News coverage has cited the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study as a historic event that has fueled COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy but experts said thats just one of many factors, with ongoing inequities such as barriers to health care access, segregation and racism playing major roles. Felecia Gaston, executive director of Performing Stars of Marin, who leads one of the countys four community public health response teams, said shes heard several concerns about COVID vaccinations from Marin Citys Black community. Some say the rollout is moving too fast; others are uncertain about vaccine ingredients, or fear needles. Marin County resident Dr. Joy Lewis of the A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, speculated that myths and misinformation are fueling vaccine hesitancy generally in the U.S. A large group has absorbed all of this disinformation, and its made them worried, Lewis said. Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle Santora said the county has responded rapidly to the Marin City outbreak and is working to engage the community on how to increase vaccination rates. That response caught Morgans attention recently when she noticed fliers all over her neighborhood for a virtual forum called Your Body ... Your Choice. Be Informed. Intrigued, Morgan and some of her friends joined the meeting last week. I didnt understand what the shot was for, Morgan said. This was my first time getting educated on it. The forum was organized by Gaston, who brought in speakers including a nurse, a primary care doctor, a pediatric nephrologist and a public health expert most of whom are African Americans and trusted voices in the community to share their stories and encourage vaccination. You need to talk to me like ... a teacher in science class, Gaston said. You need to make things a lot more plain to people. Whats in the vaccine, what are the side effects, how long will it last. Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle Mill Valley primary care physician Dr. Curtis Robinson, who identifies as African American and white, had a short but urgent message to the forums online viewers. So far, he said, he has signed six death certificates of longtime patients who died of COVID-19. It seems like the desire not to get the vaccine ... its a selfish statement because youre only thinking of yourself, he said. He reassured the public that there are very few conditions that would warrant us not to give you that vaccine and invited anyone listening to come to his office and let him personally administer the shot. Alena Maunder, a third-generation Marin City resident who is African American, works as a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital. During the forum she said she was very skeptical about getting the vaccine. Then she caught the coronavirus at the end of December and spent a month fighting COVID-19. There were nights where I couldnt sleep, I was in so much pain, she said. After recovering, she booked her vaccine appointment as soon as she could and is now fully vaccinated. Maunder said she tries to reach as many people as possible, particularly in the Black community, to encourage them to get vaccinated. Vaccination efforts depend on ready access, and Santora said Marin County health officials have used a racial equity lens to ensure early and consistent distribution in Marin City. She said she believes access there has been equal if not more than in other parts of the county. According to county spokesperson Laine Hendricks, the first mobile vaccine clinic began in Marin City on March 11. Five larger clinics were held in Marin City within a week after residents 16 and older became eligible. CVS also provides vaccines at its two Marin City locations. Community efforts remain critically important so residents can hear from trusted voices, people of the same age and color, Santora said. Robinson said family doctors across the U.S. are key to vaccination efforts but have had to wait far too long, with his own office receiving its first vaccines just two weeks ago. It is our special relationship with the patients through delivering primary health care services that makes us best equipped to work with those most hesitant to get the vaccine, he said. Alvin A.H. Jornada / Special to The Chronicle On Wednesday, Morgan visited Robinsons clinic, where she received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine. I never felt the shot, she said. It was really smooth. We sat there and talked for a while. The doctor made me feel really comfortable. Morgan scheduled her second dose appointment, and has started encouraging family members and friends to get vaccinated by sharing her experience. I come from a big family, and Im the type of person that Ill be the first one to (do something), she said. I got to start somewhere, and set an example. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Gabe Imondi, a 74-year-old landlord from Rhode Island, had come to court hoping to get his apartment back. He was tired of waiting for federal rental assistance and wondered aloud what theyre doing with that money? Hours later, Luis Vertentes, in a different case, was told by a judge he had three weeks to clear out of his one-bedroom apartment in nearby East Providence. The 43-year-old landscaper said he was four months behind on rent after being hospitalized for a time. Im going to be homeless, all because of this pandemic, Vertentes said. I feel helpless, like I cant do anything even though I work and I got a full-time job. Scenes like this played out from North Carolina to Virginia to Ohio and beyond Monday as the eviction system, which saw a dramatic drop in cases before a federal moratorium expired over the weekend, rumbled back into action. Activists fear millions will be tossed onto the streets as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges. The Biden administration allowed the federal moratorium to expire over the weekend and Congress was unable to extend it. Now Playing: Landscaper Louis Vertentes is devastated and desperate after a court in the Rhode Island capital of Providence on Monday ordered his eviction following the end of the federal moratorium over the weekend. (Aug. 2) Video: Associated Press But on Tuesday the administration appeared to offer a reprieve for many. The government planned to put in place a new eviction moratorium that would protect areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives, according to three people familiar with the plans, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the forthcoming announcement. The move followed protests from Democratic lawmakers over the swift end to the moratorium as the delta variant of the coronavirus surges. Now Playing: Legal Aid of North Carolina, which helps low-income renters facing the threat of eviction, is inundated with calls and struggling to keep up with demand as pandemic-induced job loss and a lack of awareness of assistance programs is causing concern. (Aug. 2) Video: Associated Press Historic amounts of rental assistance allocated by Congress had been expected to avert a crisis. But the distribution has been painfully slow: Only about $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed through June by states and localities. A second amount of $21.5 billion will go to the states. More than 15 million people live in households that owe as much as $20 billion to their landlords, according to the Aspen Institute. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera showed up Monday at a Franklin County court after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom, shes behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one- bedroom apartment she rents for herself and three young sons. The 27-year-old said she started to struggle after her hours were cut in May at the Walmart warehouse where she worked. Shes applied to numerous agencies for help but theyre either out of money, have a waiting list, or not able to help until clients end up in court with an eviction notice. Rivera said shes preparing herself mentally to move into a shelter with her children. We just need help, she said, fighting back tears. Its just been really hard with everyday issues on top of worrying about where youre going to live. But there was more optimism in Virginia, where Tiara Burton, 23, learned she would be getting federal help and wouldnt be evicted. She initially feared the worst when the moratorium lifted. That was definitely a worry yesterday, said Burton, who lives in Virginia Beach. If theyre going to start doing evictions again, then Im going to be faced with having to figure out where me and my family are going to go. And thats not something that anyone should have to worry about these days at all. She was relieved to learn she was approved for assistance through the Virginia Rent Relief Program. Her court hearing was postponed 30 days, during which time she and her landlord can presumably work things out. Im grateful for that, she said. Thats another weight lifted off of my shoulders. For some tenants, getting assistance has proven impossible. After her landlord refused federal assistance to cover $5,000 in back rent, Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, expects an eviction order within two to three weeks. She is sending her five children to live with her mother in another county. My main concern is that now that I have an eviction, how will I find another place? Some places will accept you and some will not, said Eleby, whose entire family got COVID-19 earlier this year. Around the country, courts, legal advocates and law enforcement agencies had been gearing up for evictions to return to pre-pandemic levels, a time when 3.7 million people were displaced from their homes every year, or seven every minute, according to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University. Some cities with the most cases, according to the Eviction Lab, are Phoenix with more than 42,000 eviction filings, Houston with more than 37,000, Las Vegas with nearly 27,000 and Tampa more than 15,000. Indiana and Missouri also have more than 80,000 filings. While the moratorium was enforced in much of the country, there were states like Idaho where judges ignored it, said Ali Rabe, executive director of Jesse Tree, a non-profit that works to prevent evictions in the Boise metropolitan area. Eviction courts ran as usual, she said. That was much the way things played out in parts of North Carolina, where on Monday Sgt. David Ruppe knocked on a weathered mobile home door in Cleveland County, a rural community an hour west of Charlotte. We havent seen much of a difference at all, he said. He waited a few minutes on the porch scattered with folding chairs and toys. Then a woman opened the door. How are you? he asked quietly, then explained her landlord had started the eviction process. The woman told Ruppe shed paid, and he said shed need to bring proof to her upcoming Aug. 9 court date. Ruppe, who has two young sons, said seeing families struggle day-after-day is tough. Theres only so much you can do, he said. So, if you can offer them a glimmer of hope, words of encouragement, especially if theres kids involved. Being a father, I can relate to that. __ Casey reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Ben Finley in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Ohio; Sarah Morgan in Cleveland County, North Carolina, and Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg, Florida, contributed to this report. Its apparently not enough that Californias goofy recall rules could allow Republicans to avoid a primary election, win with a potentially small plurality and catapult themselves from the political wilderness to the highest office of a lopsidedly Democratic state. Now they want a judge to help them pretend theyre not Republicans. In a lawsuit expected to be heard in Sacramento on Wednesday, the recall ringleaders are asking a court to bowdlerize Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposed argument against the effort before its printed in the official voter guide. Specifically, they object to his describing the recall as an attempt by national Republicans and Trump supporters to ... grab power in California never mind that it is, well, an attempt by Republicans and Trump supporters to grab power in California. Granted, the phrase Republicans and Trump supporters is close to redundant at this point, and it certainly isnt helpful to any Republican in a state that the former president lost by 29 points. But it does have the virtue of being substantially accurate. The recall backers note in their lawsuit that more than half the candidates running to replace Newsom are not Republicans. It seems they hope a judge will not notice the difference between such political extras as Los Angeles billboard model Angelyne and the candidates who are leading the polls and fund-raising Republicans all. Most of them have either supported Trump or carefully avoided criticizing him, and one, Caitlyn Jenner, has leaned heavily on alumni of his campaign. This latest plea for advantage comes from a campaign that has already enjoyed an improbable series of legal and lucky breaks. On top of the most permissive recall law in the country, the anti-Newsom drive enjoyed a generous court-ordered extension of the signature-gathering deadline. Then the governors lawyers missed a quirk in the rules that required them to file his party preference more than a year ago, a small disaster for a campaign that has relied less on Newsoms uneven record than on appealing to his fellow Democrats partisan loyalties. The argument that the Republican-ness of the would-be recallers should now be excised from election materials is of a piece with the entire effort, which comes down to a tortured means of reviving the GOPs viability in California. Whatever one thinks of Newsom, there should be no mistaking the alternative presented by the recall for anything other than the party that earned its exile from power. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. It was the latter half of 2020 when my husband and I found out I was carrying our first child. There were happy tears, of course, and congratulations from family and friends. But my future and my babys future felt uncertain. Just like everyone else, I couldnt take my mind off of COVID-19. My thought process was simple, yet dark: I didnt want to get sick or die. I knew I wanted to be around for my child and her father. Like other expectant mothers, I had a million questions about being pregnant for the first time and becoming a new mom. But in addition to the normal concerns of pregnancy, I was afraid of how COVID-19 would complicate every step of the process. In the early stages of my pregnancy, vaccines were not yet available, and I didnt have many options or experts to turn to for advice. I followed the same guidelines as everyone else stay at home as much as possible, physically distance, and wear a mask. When the vaccines arrived in December, I felt a glimmer of hope. Myself, my husband, and our unborn daughter might have a future after all. But there were initial nerves, too. Pregnant women were not included in COVID-19 vaccine trials. I immediately set about doing my research and found thanks to years of scientific and technological advancements, there was extensive data demonstrating that those who are pregnant or looking to conceive should be confident in vaccine safety. (Since my early pregnancy, newer studies have further shown that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant women and effective at protecting us against this deadly disease.) As soon as the first COVID vaccine was authorized for use, I spoke with my doctor at length and on multiple occasions about whether or not it was an option. I wanted to know if the vaccine was going to be safe for me, of course. But I mainly wanted to be absolutely sure that the vaccine would also be safe for the development of my unborn child. He took the time to discuss the latest recommendations from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which advised that pregnant individuals should be given access to COVID-19 vaccines. Further instilling my confidence in getting vaccinated was when I learned that COVID-19 immunity could be passed down from mother to baby. One of the authors in a March study from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology noted the evidence is clear these vaccines induce immunity and will protect infants. The idea that I could pass down immunity to protect my daughter in the most vulnerable time of her life was the final piece of information I needed to solidify my decision. It was about more than just me; it was about getting a vaccine that could shape a safer future for her as she entered this world. Of course I yearned to give birth to her in a world without this pandemic. But I had to deal with the situation as it was. So as soon as the state opened eligibility to high-risk individuals, which included pregnant women, I signed up and received both doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. As of mid-July, more than 136,000 pregnant women in the United States have been vaccinated against COVID-19, just like me. Im happy to report that my daughter, Elise, was born happy and healthy last month. Like so many mothers before me, I held her during her first cry. I counted her fingers and toes, and studied her face to see if she looked more like me or my husband. On top of all of that, I keep holding my sweet girl closely, feeling relief wash over me, knowing my decision to get vaccinated may very well have passed along immunity to her. To other expectant mothers who are nervous about the COVID-19 vaccine, I hear you. From one mom to another, you are right to have questions and you should seek out the answers you deserve. Talk to your doctor. Use the resources available to you to get accurate information. You can sign up for your appointment or find a walk-in clinic today at www.myturn.ca.gov. I know youll come to the same decision I did: to get vaccinated. California now has administered more than 43 million vaccine doses the most of any state. But we need to stay vigilant against COVID-19 and all of its variants, especially the delta. As much as we want it to be, this pandemic is not over yet. That means getting vaccinated, encouraging our friends and families to get vaccinated, and helping our youngest family members get vaccinated as early as it is safe to do so. Sonya Logman Harris is the Senior Advisor to California's Vaccinate ALL 58 campaign, and oversees the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Forces statewide outreach and education efforts. She previously served as chief of staff for the 2020 Census in California. San Francisco startup Fast is expanding its bayside presence, but not in our Bay Area. The one-click online checkout tech company announced Tuesday that its opening a second office in Tampa, Fla., an expansion driven by the pandemic and the rise in remote work that it plans to keep for good. Theres a good chance this might not be happening now were it not for the pandemic, said Jason Alderman, the companys chief communications officer. It changed our mindset as a company around remote work and not all being together in one office. He added, Eventually we would have opened other offices as the company grew, but the timing and location were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Chronicle has been spending time with Fast as some employees return to the office and others stay remote or rove the country, looking at how the pandemic has changed working life and culture. CEO Domm Holland had started touring cities to scout for a second office in May and settled on Tampa relatively quickly, Alderman said. I have met many government officials throughout my career, and none understand the needs of the business community and job creators the way Mayor (Jane) Castor does, Holland said during a news conference announcing the move Tuesday in Tampa. I walked out of my first meeting with her realizing Tampa was my choice." Despite the companys remote working model its office in San Francisco is open to vaccinated employees for now but is nowhere near full an office has to be an option to create flexibility for employees, of which the company has an increasing number on the East Coast. Even in this era of remote work and working from home, we believe theres a significant portion of top talent who at least want to have the option of an office to go to, Alderman said. The company also gives employees access to WeWork co-working spaces. Holland will also move to the Tampa location with his family, but his duties as executive would not change and San Francisco will stay the companys headquarters, Alderman said, adding that Holland will still spend much of his time in San Francisco. The San Francisco Bay Area is still a great place to meet potential investors and potential employees when hes back, Alderman said. Last month in an interview Holland spoke about his bullishness when it came to physical office spaces, despite the companys embrace of remote first work that doesnt require employees to be in a particular physical location. Holland at the time also spoke of the seismic shift from being a company that required almost every employee to come into the San Francisco office daily to one with employees spread out across the state, country and in Europe and Oceania. Before the pandemic, if you didnt live in the Bay Area and couldnt come into the office, you werent right for us; we werent right for you, Alderman said, an approach that also limited whom the company could hire despite the depth of tech talent in Silicon Valley. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes That changed after Holland spent much of last year as the only person coming into the companys 10,000-square-foot office in San Franciscos SoMa district because of coronavirus prevention closures. He was alone for the better part of the year, Alderman said of Holland. He saw that he could be the leader without the company being in front of him. Alderman said the company wasnt receiving any incentives to move to the Florida city and that 40% of the companys 228 employees were still located in the San Francisco Bay Area. He said it wasnt clear exactly how many people would be based in the office, but the company planned to use it as an East Coast hub, especially to recruit more employees, particularly software engineers. Alderman said Holland had met with the local economic development council and Tampa Mayor Castor and was impressed by everything from her commitment to growing the tech scene to diversity and supporting minority-owned businesses. Of course a smart tech entrepreneur would choose Tampa. Our city is not just a great place to grow your business, but a great place to raise a family, Castor said in an email sent by a spokesperson. Some tech companies and workers have left the Bay Area during the pandemic to set up shop in other growing hubs including Austin, Texas and Miami. Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice Mayor London Breed has been fined $22,792 by the San Francisco Ethics Commission for a series of ethics violations while in office, according to documents released by the commission. The agreement was signed on Monday. Cited offenses include asking former California Gov. Jerry Brown to release her brother from prison, allowing former Public Works executive Mohammad Nuru to pay for a car repair bill and the improper reporting of a 2015 political campaign donation. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the news Tuesday (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of each other). If the fine is approved by the Ethics Commission during its next Aug. 13 meeting, Breed will be personally required to pay it. In a statement, the mayor said she believes that the resolution "is fair." "While nothing stipulated here had any effect on my decision-making as Mayor, it is important that as Mayor that I lead by example and take responsibility for my actions," she said in a statement. She said she's "learned a lot over the last two years since the most recent of these events took place, and I've learned from this process." "No one should be afraid of taking accountability when we make mistakes," she concluded. The violations date as far back as 2015, when Breed served on the Board of Supervisors. She is being fined $4,500 for soliciting and accepting $1,250 payments each to a float manufacturer from restaurant owners Nick Bovis and John Konstin in order to ride a float in the city's Pride Parade, the documents state. The limit on contributions for city candidates is $500. She is being fined an additional $7,500 for failure to disclose the aforementioned contributions, according to the agreement document. For using her title for "non-City purposes" in a 2018 letter asking Brown to release her brother from prison, Breed will be fined $2,500, the documents say. Per the documents, Breed wrote the letter on paper with a letterhead that referenced her mayoral status. In addition, Breed is being fined $8,292 for failing to disclose a gift from a city employee, Nuru, whom Breed has characterized as a long-term friend, after he paid for car repairs, the documents say. Alexandru Cuznetov/TNS A Northern California mayor was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance, jail booking records show. Arcata Mayor Brett Watson was arrested late Sunday night by the California Highway Patrol. He was booked at Humboldt County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was not disclosed what kind of controlled substance he allegedly possessed, though a CHP press release claims he was in possession of a "small amount of illegal narcotics." SEATTLE - Amazon improperly pressured Alabama warehouse workers to vote against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and should hold a new union election, according to recommendations from a National Labor Relations Board hearing officer. The NLRB had not released the filing , but the union and Amazon put out statements confirming the recommendation. The NLRB will likely make the hearing officer's report public Tuesday, after redacting some details it believes should remain private. The recommendation stems from the fiercely contested election at a warehouse that ended in April with a resounding defeat for the union. Workers rejected unionization by a more than 2-1 margin, a loss for the RWDSU and labor groups broadly. During the nearly two-month mail-in balloting, the union drew support from leaders at the AFL-CIO as well as liberal politicians nationally, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) The recommendation will now move to the NLRB's regional director in Atlanta, which oversaw the election, to issue a ruling. That decision could take several weeks, the agency has said. If the regional director upholds the recommendations, the earlier election results would be set aside and a new election would be called. "Throughout the NLRB hearing, we heard compelling evidence how Amazon tried to illegally interfere with and intimidate workers as they sought to exercise their right to form a union," union president Stuart Appelbaum said in a statement. "We support the hearing officer's recommendation that the NLRB set aside the election results and direct a new election." Amazon countered that the workers "overwhelmingly" opposed unionization, spokesman Ty Rogers said in a statement. "Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens," Rogers said. The NLRB declined to comment on ruling. Amazon, the nation's second-largest private employer behind Walmart, has fiercely opposed efforts by its American warehouse workers to organize. But Amazon's size as well as its role as the nation's dominant e-commerce operator have made it a high-profile target for labor organizers. A new election would probably spark more high-profile efforts to sway the warehouse staff. At the center of claims about the vote is a U.S. Postal Service mailbox that popped up in front of the warehouse just after voting started. The union alleged the mailbox could have led workers to think Amazon had a role in collecting and counting ballots, potentially influencing their votes. In its case, the union cited emails that show Amazon pressing the Postal Service to install a mailbox urgently just as the seven-week mail-in balloting began. An Amazon executive testified that the company pressed the Postal Service to install the mailbox as a way to make it easy for workers to cast ballots and denied any attempt to influence voting with its location. Ten days after the votes were counted, the RWDSU filed objections to the agency, alleging that Amazon's tactics "constitute conduct which prevented a free and uncoerced exercise of choice by the employees." It argued those actions "constitute grounds to set the election aside." That filing led to a nearly three-week hearing in May at the agency's Atlanta regional office, which oversaw the election. Several workers appeared via video on the union's behalf, testifying that Amazon's tactics created an atmosphere of election surveillance. The union argued that perception tainted the election. Appelbaum called Amazon's tactic's "despicable" in his statement Monday, adding that "Amazon cheated, they got caught, and they are being held accountable." The unionization defeat in April was lopsided, with 1,798 of the more than 3,000 total votes cast opposing unionization. Only 738 workers voted for the union. The margin of was larger than the 505 challenged ballots that would have been counted if they could have affected the outcome. The labor board voided 76 ballots for a variety of reasons. That loss was a stinging defeat for labor activists, who have complained for years about worker treatment at Amazon warehouses. Amazon had previously beat back a union drive in 2014, when a small group of equipment maintenance and repair technicians at its warehouse in Middletown, Del., ultimately voted against forming a union, following a drive led by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Despite years of trying, none of Amazon's warehouse workers in the United States are union members, even though many of their co-workers in Europe, where unions are often seen as part of the cultural fabric of the region, are. MILAN (AP) Stellantis said operations are meshing faster than expected since the company's creation with France's Peugeot PSA;s takeover of the Italian-American car maker Fiat Chrysler, yet snarled global supply chains clipped production by 700,000 vehicles. In the first half of the year, Stellantis booked profits of 5.9 billion euros ($7 billion), compared with a loss 813 million euros the same period last year when COVID-19 shut down vast swaths of the manufacturing sector. Shipments rose 44% to 3.2 million units. Revenues rose 46% to 75 billion euros. We are very pleased with the speed with which the new team has begun to execute as one company, as Stellantis, Chief Financial Officer Richard Palmer told reporters. Semiconductor shortages accounted for 200,000 units of production losses in the first quarter and 500,000 in the second quarter as supply chains again kicked into action as infections slowed in Europe and the U.S. Semiconductors are used more than ever before in new vehicles with electronic features such as Bluetooth connectivity and driver assist, navigation and hybrid electric systems. Stellantis achieved 1.3 billion euros in cost savings in the first half, mostly by sharing investments in new technologies and platforms, which Palmer said was a faster rate than initially forecast. It aims to achieve 80% of the targeted 5 billion in cost savings by 2024. These synergies allow us to continue to invest in the electrification strategy, which we talk about every day, Palmer said. Stellantis, which lags competitors in rolling out electric vehicles, plans to launch 21 fully electric or plug-in gas electric hybrid vehicles over the next two years. "We are now racing, we are now executing our plans,'' CEO Carlos Tavares told analysts. He said that there would be 22 pure electric vehicles on sale in two years, including 11 already on the market. North American posted record profitability on global sales of Ram trucks and the strong launch of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which was the best-selling plug-in gas electric vehicle in the United States in the second quarter. Stellantis was the market leader in South America and second in Europe. Stellantis also raised its forecast for operating profit margins to around 10% for the year, after achieving 11.4% in the first half, a record against performance of both previous standalone companies. Tavares said the industry is facing negative risks in the second half, in the form of uncertain semiconductor supply, rising raw material prices and the threat of future lockdowns due to coronavirus variants. "The only thing I can do is put as many tailwinds as I can in motion to be sure that we overcome the headwinds,'' Tavares said Visibility on semiconductor supply is still quite poor, Tavares said, but the hope is that it will be better than the first half. Within Stellantis, semiconductors could be distributed among its operating regions in order to protect the best parts of our business, if need be,'' the CEO said. One lesson of the pandemic has been an increased value on individual mobility, Tavares said. The financial results were presented on a pro-forma basis, taking into account the performance of each of the carmakers as separate entities during 2020. On Monday, an email went out to the estimated 1,000,000 legacy passholders who used to own Disneyland annual passes before the company canceled them last year. Introducing the Magic Key program! the email said. We are thrilled about this coming announcement and we encourage you to stay tuned because all the details will be revealed tomorrow no earlier than 1 p.m. PST! Since then, the internet has been abuzz (to put it mildly) with speculation about what the replacement will be. Now, we know and fans are pleasantly surprised. In a year when Disney has had limited offerings but is still charging top tier prices, the new Magic Key program which puts annual pass prices at about what they were before the pandemic is a welcome development. The new #MagicKey program is nowhere near as bad as feared or rumored, Disney blogger Leslie Harvey tweeted. And the prices are not as high as predicted either. If the Flex Pass worked for you (it did for me), this new program will too. The Magic Key program what Disneyland is now calling their annual pass program starts Aug. 25. Like previous iterations of annual passes, there will be four tiers, ranging from $1,399 for the most expensive Dream Key, which offers the biggest discounts and the fewest blackout days, to the least expensive Imagine Key, open only to Southern California residents mostly on weekdays, for $399 annually. All tiers will still need to make park reservations in advance to guarantee their day at the park. (To see the full rundown of prices and available dates for each tier, check the Disney Parks Blog.) Not only are those prices comparable to what annual passes cost before the pandemic, but they can also be paid for in installments, an option many feared would not come back. Monthly payment plans are available to all California residents on all tiers. I am utterly shocked (in a good way) by the price structure of the new @disneyland #magickey program, Carly Caramanna tweeted after the announcement. THRILLED, Twitter user M. Dickson responded. Was expecting way different. Disneyland ended its annual pass program in January 2021, ahead of its April 2021 reopening, partially to mitigate demand for reservations in the early days of the park resuming operation, when it was only allowing limited guest capacity per state guidelines. Due to the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and limitations around the reopening of our California theme parks, we will be issuing appropriate refunds for eligible Disneyland Resort Annual Passports and sunsetting the current program, Disneyland President Ken Potrock said in a statement shared with SFGATE. We are currently developing new membership offerings that will utilize consumer insights to deliver choice, flexibility and value for our biggest fans. But the choice to sunset the program, Disney CEO Bob Chapek revealed in an earnings call in February, was also designed to allow the company to rethink the annual pass program including rethinking how expensive those passes should be. We are now able to essentially reset many pieces of our business, both on the cost and revenue side of the business, in order to say, If we had a blank piece of paper, how would we set up our parks business and be a little bit more aggressive than we typically might be able to be without the impetus of, unfortunately, a year-long closure, Chapek said. Weve had a lot of time to think, particularly at Disneyland, about what could be. Since then, the more aggressive approach has involved charging top-tier prices for tickets and parking, but with amenities substantially reduced from what they were before the pandemic. A day at Disneyland can cost more than $200 for a single-day, two-park ticket for an adult, the same as it was before the 2020 closure, but shows and parades havent returned, nor have some rides and restaurants. Parking still costs $25 at the Mickey and Friends garage, but now involves a three-quarter mile walk rather than a tram ride to the park. Recently, Disneyland has been offering a three-day California resident pass that equates to $83 for a single-day, one-park ticket or $100 per day for a two-park ticket. But it has also been introducing unprecedented add-ons to the park experience, like a $60 toy that allows you to get a higher score on the new Spider Man ride in Avengers Campus, the new land that opened in Disney California Adventure in June. Those changes arent exclusive to Disneyland in California. Disneyland Paris is currently experimenting with charging a per-ride Fast Pass fee for access to a shorter line. The charge equates to somewhere between $9 and $18, depending on the ride. Despite the welcome change of the Magic Key offerings, some fans are unhappy they just spent money on those resident tickets when a new passholder program which costs about half of one of those resident tickets but is valid for an entire year will start at the end of the month. Loving the Magic Key options! Twitter user Food at Disneyland wrote. Only complaint - I just spent 100s of dollars on non-refundable/upgrade eligible SoCal 3 day tickets. Another major concern is how limiting the blocked-out dates will be. Gut reaction to new Disneyland Magic Key annual passes is that I am hesitant to turn over $1399 (or $949 or $649) without knowing how challenging it might actually be to book those theme park reservations, theme park podcaster Carlye Wisel tweeted. THESE MAGIC KEY RUMORS BETTER BE ACCURATE. SUCH A FREAKING W PRICE-WISE, EVEN IF THE BLOCKOUT DATES ARE EXTENSIVE, Twitter user Shaun Ranks the MAGIC KEYS said. Mostly I'm just pumped to see the negativity of #DisTwitter finally get shut up. Joel C Ryan/Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP LONDON (AP) Rapper Dizzee Rascal has been charged with assault after an incident in London that left a woman with minor injuries. The Metropolitan Police said late Monday that the 36-year-old, whose real name is Dylan Kwabena Mills, was charged after the incident at a residential address in Streatham, southeast London, on June 8. Restaurateur Michael Mina has closed his namesake restaurant at 252 California St., but the closure also marks the beginning of a new project slated to open this fall. Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant focused on Greek seafood, will take over the former space of Michael Mina and has an anticipated opening date in September. As Estiatorio Ornos moves away from the former restaurants Middle Eastern menu, Mina hopes it will evoke the days of AQUA, the restaurant he ran before Michael Mina. I started my career introducing people to new seafood dishes at AQUA, and Estiatorio Ornos is an evolution of this... Mina said in a statement. This new iteration of the restaurant will not only continue to offer a tasting menu, but also an a la carte experience that feels more social and uses its roots to pay homage to the Mediterranean seafood experience. The restaurant plans for 76 seats with wrap-around booths, a bar with a revamped cocktail menu, and a menu focused on childhood dishes inspired by Mina and Estiatorio Ornos partners chef Girair Jerry Goumroian and chef Nikolaos Georgousis. Among some of the menu offerings are a phyllo-crusted Dover sole and Mediterranean sea bass. The restaurant also plans to hire a fish sommelier who will suggest some of the best ways customers can enjoy their meals. David Varley In a statement, Mina shared the pandemic impacted his decision to close the Michelin-lauded restaurant, which won its first star in 2011. During San Francisco's COVID lockdowns, Michael Mina remained closed while his pop-up Mac 'N Cue, in partnership with Ayesha Curry, operated within the restaurant space. The pop-up has since moved to other locations within San Francisco and continues to be delivery only. While I am so proud of what we were able to do at Michael Mina, the evolution of our Middle Eastern tasting menu seemed like a natural fit given the history of Greek influence in ancient Egypt, Mina said in a statement. Last year was a collective reflection period and I sat back to really think about what I wanted the next chapter of this space to be and what is best for our city in transition. "San Francisco is always going to be one of the best food cities in the world and I am 100% committed to continually evolving our concepts to support its growth and really honor a place I would be nowhere without. Emerson College and Nexstar Media's "Inside California Politics" released another poll of the Gavin Newsom recall election and found that support for removing Newsom has increased in just two weeks' time. The previous Emerson/Nexstar poll from July 20 found support for the recall at 43% and opposition at 48%, and a new poll from the same group released Tuesday now shows support at 46% and opposition at 48%. The poll was conducted among 1,000 Californians from July 30 to Aug. 1. What happened in two weeks' time that sent Newsom from an uncomfortable, but somewhat stable five percentage point advantage to a much more precarious two percentage point advantage? There's a good chance it's just noise (the poll's margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points), but if you're looking for a real-life event that could have shifted public opinion, such an event does exist. The end-of-July news cycle was dominated by coverage of the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, and 50% of California's population is now under an indoor mask mandate. In the Bay Area and Sacramento, some vaccinated residents have spoken out against the new mandates, and it's definitely possible (if not very likely) there's even more opposition to the measures that individuals would rather keep to themselves so as not to get labeled anti-mask. Newsom himself did not issue any mask mandates, as the California Department of Public Health recommends, but does not require, indoor masks. That change in statewide guidance was accompanied by the governor stating that he supports counties that choose to implement mandates, so the governor can technically be linked to the new mask mandates, albeit indirectly. The simpler explanation is that even if Newsom is not the one ordering the mandates, he's the one most commonly associated with new restrictions and mandates as the face of the state's pandemic response. The discourse around school closures largely reflects this phenomenon, as even though most reopening and closure decisions are handled by local officials, Newsom still takes heat over prolonged closures. The new poll also found that conservative radio host Larry Elder is widening his lead among Newsom replacement candidates at the bottom of the ballot. Elder's support increased from 16% in July to 23% support now. He is trailed by John Cox and Caitlyn Jenner at 7% support apiece, but 40% of voters are undecided on the ballot's second question of which candidate should replace Newsom. If you're just now tuning into the recall and want to know how the ballot works, you can read this explainer from last week. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's anti-recall committee has raised nearly $40 million, comically dwarfing the $5 million raised by the various pro-recall candidates and committees. Most of Newsom's funding is coming from tech executives and large unions across the state, as well as from the California Democratic Party. However, a look through a list of the governor's largest contributors reveals a handful of surprising allies. Below is a list of individuals donating big money to Newsom's anti-recall committee that might not have been expected to come to the governor's defense. Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO Hastings is included on this list not only because of the size of his contribution ($3 million, the next closest was a $2 million contribution from a service employees union) but also because of his past political stances. In the 2018 gubernatorial race, Hastings was a backer of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa a Democratic rival to Newsom and donated $7 million to a pro-Villaraigosa committee run by charter school advocates. Hastings is firmly pro-charter school and pro-school choice, which is a position Newsom does not share. The governor has been sued by charter schools for not providing a level of funding to their liking, and the governor maintains a complicated relationship with school choice advocates. If school choice was previously Hastings' animating issue, it seems the pandemic (and his company's bottom line) supplanted it. A December report from The Intercept highlighted how Hollywood spent millions of dollars on lobbying in order to receive exemptions from pandemic restrictions so that studios could continue filming. Netflix increased spending on Axiom Advisors, a lobbying firm founded by Jason Kinney. If that name sounds familiar, Kinney was the individual who had his 50th birthday party that fateful night at the French Laundry. Jed York, San Francisco 49ers owner York donated $100,000 to Newsom's anti-recall campaign despite feuding with the governor when he was the mayor of San Francisco. Newsom and York traded public barbs during the 49ers' move from San Francisco to Santa Clara, in a tiff that was laughably petty. When the 49ers refused to build a stadium at Candlestick Point or Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, Newsom threatened to sue the team if it brought the name "San Francisco" to Santa Clara. "I can sue them," Newsom said. "I can browbeat them." In 2010, Jed York took a swipe at Newsom during a technology conference. "I don't have the best relationship with the mayor of San Francisco," he said. "But he's not going to be the mayor very much longer." Newsom left office in January 2011, and once Levi's Stadium was built, Newsom said he refused to look at it when driving by. "I can't [look at] it," he said. "I won't. I literally drive by all the time. I swear to you I have not turned left as I'm driving by [heading south], or right when I'm driving north. I have not. I won't open up a website when I see the stadium displayed. I won't do it. Can't do it. Now, I should be above all this. But I'm not." California Correctional Peace Officers Association While the state's prison guard union has given to many Democrats over the years, it has typically not been friendly to Democrats perceived as soft on crime. In 2020, the group came under fire for a video posted to Facebook encouraging union members to vote that targeted Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a Los Angeles Democrat who is the former chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. A voiceover stated that one goal was to ensure "that perpetrators are held accountable to the highest degree," and showed the lawmaker's face with a bull's-eye over it. "Why would they pick out a person of color like myself to single out?" Jones-Sawyer said of the ad. "Thats whats disturbing." Newsom, who is often the subject of conservative attack ads relating to crime in the state, was supportive of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, and when some turned destructive and violent, said, "Black people are not responsible for what's happening in this country. We are. Our institutions. Let's call that out." In 2021, the governor has tried to address rising retail theft, signing legislation that re-establishes the crime of organized retail theft. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association gave Newsom's anti-recall committee $1.75 million. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife killed two wolf pups from a helicopter Sunday following "chronic" cattle depredation in eastern Oregon. "We want to see the pack persist and endure in this area, but we have a responsibility to address this chronic depredation," Oregon Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Michelle Dennehy told SFGATE. Dennehy said the Lookout Mountain wolf pack killed four cows and injured one calf in a 14-day period in July, which qualifies as chronic depredation. On July 29, Fish and Wildlife approved a kill permit that enabled the livestock producer to kill up to four un-collared wolves within a designated area. Under Oregon's Wolf Plan rules, a kill permit can only be issued if the livestock producer first uses and documents non-lethal methods "appropriate to the situation," the press release said. In addition, there cannot be "identified circumstances," including bone piles and carcasses, which attract wolves, on the property. Dennehy said efforts were made to find the wolves on Friday, but only collared wolves were seen. On Sunday, Fish and Wildlife went up in a helicopter and spotted uncollared pups, two of which were killed. Fish and Wildlife estimates the pups were about three-and-a-half months old. The pups were singled out in an effort to "reduce the food needs of the pack," Dennehy said. The fewer the pups to feed, the fewer cattle killed, the logic goes. The killing is also an effort to change pack behavior. "We're trying to get them to see that this is not something they want to be doing," Dennehy said. "We totally get that it's upsetting that pups are getting killed," Dennehy added. "But I hope the public understands that we set this up in this way to allow the pack to endure and persist." In April, Oregon announced it had at least 173 wolves in the state, a 9.5% increase over the last year. A total of 22 packs (of four or more wolves) were documented in the count, 17 of which reproduced and had at least two adults and two pups that survived through December 2020. Seven groups of two to three wolves were also documented. In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially removed gray wolves in the lower 48 states from the Endangered Species List, turning management over to state fish and wildlife agencies. Wolves re-established themselves in Oregon in the 2000s. Currently Reading Alert: Missouri governor pardons lawyer couple who pointed guns at social justice demonstrators who marched past their home NEW YORK (AP) PepsiCo to sell Tropicana, other juice brands, in exchange for $3.3 billion in pretax proceeds. HELSINKI (AP) At least three people have been wounded in a shooting in the southern Swedish city of Kristianstad, police said. No suspects have been detained yet, Swedish media reported. Swedish police received an alert Tuesday afternoon that several loud bangs were heard in one of the districts of the city. Police soon arrived at the scene with several patrols. According to preliminary information, at least three people were taken to hospital with suspected gunshot wounds, Swedish police say. A man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s have serious injuries, according to police, who added there's a possibility the number of wounded will still rise. The police investigation is focused on finding where precisely the shooting took place, as there were reports of shots being fired around the city and its surrounding areas. The Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that one or more perpetrators left the main scene of the shooting by motorcycle. Police wouldn't confirm that information. There was no immediate information on the cause of the shooting, but it comes amid a rise in gun violence in the Scandinavian nation. A report by the Swedish national council for crime prevention said earlier this year that Sweden is the only European country where fatal shootings have risen significantly since 2000, primarily because of the violent activities of organized criminal gangs. We are currently working to get an overview of how many are injured. An ambulance has been called to the scene, police spokesman Richard Lundqvist was quoted as telling local newspaper Sydsvenskan. On Monday evening, there were also reports of shootings in the same area in Kristianstad, the Swedish news agency TT reported. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Officials in West Virginia's capital city have approved a proposal to ban the discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children. Charleston became the first city in West Virginia to enact such an ordinance Monday night. The ban had been introduced by Councilwoman Caitlin Cook, a council liaison to the citys LGBTQ Working Group. VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) Hundreds of law enforcement and first responder vehicles lined up at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington on Tuesday for a procession to honor Clark County Sheriffs Detective Jeremy Brown, who was shot to death while doing surveillance work. Brown, 46, who was promoted to honorary sergeant by Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins after his death, was shot July 23 while conducting surveillance on several people at an east Vancouver apartment complex. The three were suspected of stealing a stash of firearms from a storage shed in early June. Police SUVs, personal vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and other vehicles from agencies throughout Washington and Oregon drove in the 11 a.m. procession north on Interstate 5, The Columbian reported. The public memorial service started at 1 p.m. at ilani casino near La Center, Washington. People lined streets and waited on overpasses along I-5, waving flags and holding balloons. I have friends who are officers and theyre down right now, said Jackie Purvis of Vancouver. I want to show them support. During his service with the sheriffs office, Brown had worked as a corrections deputy and patrol deputy. He worked at the Washington State Department of Corrections and as a reserve officer with the Missoula County Sheriffs Office in Montana. He had also been a military police officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Jill, and five adult children, according to sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Brent Waddell. His life was taken tragically, and the deep loss felt by so many defies words. We hope the caring and compassion in our hearts provides some comfort to those closest to him, and that the apprehension of all suspects over the weekend gives us some confidence in justice, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in a statement last week. Guillermo Raya Leon appeared Thursday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of aggravated first-degree murder and possession of a stolen firearm in connection with Browns death. Attempts to reach his lawyer were not successful. OKLEE, Minn. (AP) Criminal charges against a northwestern Minnesota man allege he fatally stabbed his wife following numerous fights during a deteriorating relationship. Eric Reinbold, wanted on two counts of second-degree murder, remains on the run. The 44-year-old Oklee man is accused of stabbing his wife, Lissette Reinbold multiple times in the neck, torso and upper extremities. She was found by her children lying in the driveway of her home on July 9. A medical examiner's report said the victim died of a loss of blood. According to the criminal complaint, one of the children told investigators he thought Eric Reinbold was upset because he believed Lissette was seeing another man. Investigators reviewing messages on the defendant's phone said there were exchanges between the couple that revealed tension in their relationship going back to March and that they fought over perceived infidelity, their sexual relationship and finances. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Reinbold, who has a criminal record that includes charges for making bombs. Pennington County Sheriff Ray Kuznia has warned Reinbold could be armed and dangerous. BRENTWOOD, Calif. (AP) Two neighboring San Francisco Bay Area school districts on Monday reported 23 coronavirus infections among students and staff, just days after in-person classes resumed. Students returned to classrooms at Brentwood Union School District's 11 schools last Wednesday. As of this week, the district has already recorded 13 coronavirus cases in elementary schools and another 10 in high schools, the Mercury News reported. Superintendent Dana Eaton said contact tracing has determined none of the elementary school students with COVID-19 contracted it at school. Still, 55 students and two staff members are now in quarantine, Eaton said. Liberty Union High School District Superintendent Eric Volta said contact tracing was still underway for the high school students. Eaton said the Contra Costa County Health Department has warned that we should expect positive cases in our schools, and that the positivity rate at schools is likely to mirror that of their communities. Currently there have been 205 positive cases in Brentwood over the last 14 days, so it is to be expected that the schools will have cases, Eaton said. The surge in cases because of the highly contagious delta variant already threatens to interrupt a third year of in-person instruction. Parents are divided over what precautions should be imposed, including whether to require masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance the first week of July to say that vaccinated teachers and students dont need to wear masks inside, and 3-foot (0.9-meter) distancing of desks is not necessary for the fully vaccinated. But the agency switched courses last week on general guidance, urging everyone to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. In California, health rules require students and teachers to wear masks without social distancing. School officials in Contra Costa said they are following the guidelines to prevent transmission and have no plans to return any students to distance learning. At this point here, we have no intention of going back to hybrid or anything like that, but obviously well be watching the numbers and that decision will be made, said Scott Dudek, Brentwood Union school board president. DETROIT (AP) Mayor Mike Duggan and former Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams will face off in Detroits Nov. 2 general election for the citys top elected seat. Duggan received 50,853 votes and Adams was next with 7,014 votes to finish as the top two vote-getters in Tuesdays nonpartisan primary, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. DETROIT (AP) Voters in Detroit on Tuesday rejected a ballot proposal that called for the creation of some new city departments, restructuring the police and fire departments, and linking water rates and public transportation fares to income. Proposal P called for changes to the city charter and received 22,696 votes for passage, while 46,707 people voted against it during the city's primary, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. The proposal had been opposed by some who said it could have increased spending by the city, which still has to carefully monitor its finances that for several years had been under state oversight following Detroits historic 2013 bankruptcy. Supporters said the proposal addressed concerns raised by Detroit residents about social justice and other issues in the majority Black city. They took the measure to the courts to keep it on the ballot after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declined to support it. Last week, the Michigans Supreme Court overturned decisions by lower courts that would have kept Proposal P off the ballot. It already was on absentee ballots distributed ahead of the primary. The changes were drafted and approved by the Detroit Charter Revision Commission. The proposal would have created new city departments covering disability rights, environmental justice, veterans affairs and economic justice. It also would have created a task force to consider paying reparations to Black people. Voters on Tuesday also chose Mayor Mike Duggan and former Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams to face off in Detroits Nov. 2 general election for the citys top elected seat. HULL, Mass. (AP) The former superintendent of Hull public schools alleges in a lawsuit that he was discriminated against because he is gay and his firing has made it impossible for him to land a new job in education. Michael Devine alleges breach of contract, defamation, a civil rights violation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other wrongs in the $5 million federal lawsuit against the school system, the town and five school committee members. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) A FedEx driver has been shot and wounded in an apparent case of road rage on an interstate in downtown Birmingham, authorities said. The gunfire happened Monday on Interstate 59/20. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service said the FedEx driver was shot in the leg and taken to UAB Hospital, Al.com reported. PARIS (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron has taken to popular social media apps in a new push to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19, combat false information and reach out to younger people. Filming himself from his summer residency at Fort de Bregancon on the French Riviera wearing a casual T-shirt, Macron, 43, offered to answer peoples questions in a video posted on Instagram and Tiktok. As France faces a new surge in confirmed daily COVID-19 cases, Macron said the vaccine is the only weapon we have to face it. I know that many of you are still wondering, are afraid. Many are hearing false information, false rumors, sometimes complete rubbish ... Go ahead, ask me and I will try to be as direct and clear as possible, he said. Since then, Macron has posted a string of short videos addressing issues including : Im young and healthy, I have no reason to get the vaccine, the vaccine is not safe and not 100% efficient and its too soon, the vaccine has been developed too quickly. Macrons move comes after three successive weekends of protests against Frances special virus pass drew thousands of people in Paris and other French cities. Macron intends to continue answering people's questions all week on the social media, his office said. This is not the first time that Macron, who is widely expected to seek a second presidential term next year, has used social media in a bid to speak to younger people. In May, he filmed a video in the French presidential palace with two of Frances most popular YouTube stars, Mcfly and Carlito, after they met a challenge to reach more than 10 million views with a song about social distancing. Over 35 million people in France about 53% of the population are fully vaccinated. At least 6 million of them have gotten their first vaccine shot since Macron announced on July 12 that a COVID-19 health pass will be required to enter all restaurants and to travel domestically. The measure, if approved by the Constitutional Council, is expected to begin Aug. 9. To get the pass, people must have proof they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative or recently recovered from the virus. France also requires all health care workers to start getting vaccinated by Sept. 15 or risk suspension. Almost 112,000 people with the virus have died in France, which is now registering over 20,000 new infections a day, up from less than 2,000 new cases a day on July 1. ___ Follow all AP stories on the global pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. MACON, Ga. (AP) A former Georgia sheriff's deputy, who was arrested during an investigation into a violent extremist group, has been sentenced to serve more than three years in federal prison for possessing unregistered guns, prosecutors said. Cody Richard Griggers, 28, was sentenced Tuesday to serve three years and eight months in prison followed by a year of supervised release. He had pleaded guilty in April. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A Republican state senator who wants to have the committee he leads force three counties to turn over election machines, ballots and related material said Tuesday he thinks subpoenas will be issued in the next two weeks. Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County told the conservative friendly outlet Newsmax that he's working on a broad subpoena to York, Tioga and Philadelphia counties. Obviously I cant operate on my own, so I have a committee, so the committee will have a vote, hopefully in the next week or two that will authorize the committee, and me as their chair, to send the subpoenas to three counties, he said. The deadline for voluntary compliance that Mastriano gave the counties expired in recent days officials in Tioga and Philadelphia have said no, and York has raised concerns but has not directly turned him down. It's going to be a big package, actually, Mastriano said. Were going to look at the hard copy ballots. Thank God in Pennsylvania we do require a hard copy of ballots. Well look at the ballots and anything associated with the hard copy ballots, and then well also be asking for the equipment, any voting equipment that was used, or routers, will be also part of that subpoena. Senate Republican leadership hasn't said if they are behind Mastriano's plans to have the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee issue subpoenas for the information and equipment. Mastriano said Tuesday that subpoenas would give the counties legal coverage" but added they might end up in court. He said he expects to win if the question is whether he and the committee have that authority. If the challenge becomes something else, obviously that will drag out in court. So a judge in the end will have to decide any debates that we have between the counties and myself, Mastriano said. Mastriano has been a leading proponent in Pennsylvania of former President Donald Trump's attempt to reverse his election loss. Mastriano was outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, when Trump encouraged a mob that subsequently forced their way past police into the seat of federal legislative power. He said Tuesday the subpoenas would help the committee look into the November election as well as the May 2021 primary in Pennsylvania. We're really interested in the outcome, whether our elections are free and fair, he said. Among the counties' concerns is that the Department of State decertified voting machines in tiny Fulton County after officials there agreed to Mastriano's request to let an outside group audit their election records and equipment. Mastriano has not responded to numerous messages seeking comment about his plans for an election audit, or forensic examination as he calls it, including at his Capitol office on Tuesday. BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill Tuesday creating a state hate crimes task force. The task force is charged with advising state leaders on issues relating to hate crime, including its prevalence, ways to prevent it, and how to best support victims. The task force is also charged with promoting full and effective cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies and communities affected by hate crimes" to help improve prevention, investigation and prosecution and to develop best practices related to technical assistance for school districts that may seek to incorporate hate crime education into their curricula. Among the task force's other responsibilities is recommending policies to ensure state and local governments provide enhanced support for victims of hate crimes and their communities; aiding law enforcement agencies in reporting hate crimes including assistance in gathering, analyzing and publishing hate crime data; and recommending appropriate legislation, regulations, policies or procedures to help better combat it. Under the new law, the task force must include representatives of victim assistance agencies, advocates for communities affected by hate crimes, individuals with expertise and representatives from state, local or university police departments. GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) California's largest wildfire exploded again after burning for nearly three weeks in remote mountains and officials warned Tuesday that hot, dry weather would increase the risk of new fires across much of the state. Firefighters saved homes Monday in the small northern California community of Greenville near the Plumas National Forest as strong winds stoked the Dixie Fire, which grew to over 395 square miles (1,024 square kilometers) across Plumas and Butte counties. Engines, crews and heavy equipment shifted from other areas to increase structure protection and direct line construction as the fire moved toward Greenville, the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, said Tuesday morning. Evacuations were ordered for the community of about 1,000 people as well as for the east shore of nearby Lake Almanor, a popular resort area. About 3,000 homes were threatened by the blaze that has destroyed 67 houses and other buildings since breaking out July 14. It was 35% contained. Crews contended with dry, hot and windy conditions "and the forecast calls for the return of active fire behavior, Cal Fire said. Similar weather was expected across Southern California, where heat advisories and warnings were issued for interior valleys, mountains and deserts for much of the week. Heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West. Scientists say climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. More than 20,000 firefighters and support personnel were battling 97 large, active wildfires covering 2,919 square miles (7,560 square kilometers) in 13 U.S. states on Tuesday, the National Interagency Fire Center said. Dry conditions and powerful winds made for dangerous fire conditions again on Tuesday in Hawaii. Firefighters gained control over the 62-square-mile (160-square-kilometer) Mana Road Fire that forced thousands of people to evacuate over the weekend and destroyed at least two homes on the Big Island. About 150 miles (240 km) west of California's Dixie Fire, the lightning-sparked McFarland Fire threatened remote homes along the Trinity River in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The nearly 25-square-mile (65-square-mile) fire was 5% contained Tuesday. In southern Oregon, lightning struck parched forests hundreds of times in a 24 hour-period, igniting 50 new wildfires as the nations largest blaze burned less than 100 miles (161 kilometers) away, officials said Monday. Firefighters and aircraft attacked the new fires before they could spread out of control. No homes were immediately threatened. Oregon's Bootleg Fire, the nations largest at 647 square miles (1,676 square kilometers), was 84% contained and is not expected to be fully under control until Oct. 1. ___ This story was first published on Aug. 3, 2021. It was updated on Aug. 4, 2021, to correct the name of the fire in Hawaii. It is the Mana Road Fire, not the Nation Fire. Ludovic Marin/AP WASHINGTON (AP) The governing body of the International Monetary Fund has approved a $650 billion expansion in the agency's resources to support economically vulnerable countries battling the coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has caused. The 190-nation lending institution said Monday that its board of governors approved the expansion of its reserves known as Special Drawing Rights, the largest increase in the institution's history. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an emergency request by state Attorney General Todd Rokita to stall Republican Gov. Eric Holcombs lawsuit challenging the increased power state legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies following conservative objections to his COVID-19 actions. Rokita petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court last month after a Marion County judge ruled against arguments from his office that he alone has the legal authority to represent the state in court and can decide whether the new law is allowed under the state constitution. HELENA, Mont. (AP) State corrections officials are investigating an alleged assault on three staff members by inmates at a private prison in northern Montana. The staff members were assaulted by two prisoners at the 600-bed Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby on Friday, according to prison operator CoreCivic. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A Des Moines man accused of killing a 15-month-old boy left in his care has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case. A court document filed Monday in a Polk County court showed Brandon Greenup, 28, entered a plea of not guilty in the June death of Tremir Matthews, television station WOI reported. A teenager who was critically injured in an Iowa amusement ride accident that killed his younger brother last month was expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday, the family's attorney said. David Jaramillo, 16, planned to leave Blank Childrens Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, attorney Ryan Best said. Jaramillo was placed on life-support after the July 3 accident on the Raging River raft ride at Adventureland Park in Altoona, a suburb or Des Moines. His 11-year-old brother, Michael Jaramillo, died the day after the accident. Best said David Jaramillo has been talking, texting, making phone calls and even running at the hospital. But he still faces rehabilitation to address balance issues and to improve his fine motor skills, among other concerns, Best said. I think that the family would refer to it as a miracle," he said. When I first went down there after the accident, I didn't know if he was going to make it. His prognosis is certainly remarkable. The Jaramillo family, of Marion, Iowa, went to Adventureland to celebrate Davids birthday. David, Michael, 14-year-old brother Gus; 18-year-old cousin Nyla Pettie; and David's parents Sabrina and David Jaramillo boarded a boat for the ride that has been a staple of the park since 1983. The ride uses a conveyor belt to push circular rafts through rapids. The familys boat flipped upside down within seconds of the ride beginning, causing all six to hit their heads on the surface below and trapping them in their seatbelts underneath the water. The parents, Gus and Pettie managed to unbuckle or escape their seatbelts, but David and Michael were trapped underwater for around 10 minutes, according to the family. At least one other family who rode on one of the boats within minutes of the Jaramillo family reported problems with their raft. Amber Estrada, 31, told The Associated Press last month that the boat carrying her family at times struck and dragged along the bottom of the manmade river, and that her family felt unsafe. An attorney for Adventureland, Guy Cook, said Tuesday that the investigation into the accident is continuing and that Estrada's claims have not been verified. Cook said the boats cycle through the ride every four minutes, and that no one else has lodged complaints about problems with the boats on the day of the accident. The park is committed to getting to the bottom of this, Cook said. The Raging River ride was shut down after the accident and remains closed, Cook said. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) One person was critically injured in a Kansas City double shooting Monday. Police called to the south Kansas City Hickman Mills neighborhood found two people shot, The Kansas City Star reported. PHOENIX (AP) A top Arizona lawmaker asked state Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Tuesday to investigate whether Maricopa County is breaking the law by refusing to comply with subpoenas for records related to the 2020 election. Majority Whip Sonny Borrelli of Lake Havasu City, the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, filed his complaint under Senate Bill 1487. The 5-year-old law allows any lawmaker to demand an investigation of any ordinance, regulation, order or other official action taken by a local government that may conflict with state law. Brnovich has 30 days to review the complaint. If he finds a violation, the county could face a loss of funding if the problem is not rectified. The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has been at increasingly tense odds with Senate GOP leaders over the 2020 election. As former President Donald Trump looked for reasons to overturn the election results late last year, top senators issued subpoenas for all 2020 ballots, the machines that counted them and other data in the state's most populated county. The materials were given to contractors with little to no election experience for what Senate President Karen Fann calls a forensic audit." Election experts say the 2020 election was secure and well-run, and the contractors are using bizarre and unreliable procedures. Maricopa County has refused further participation. The Board has real work to do and little time to entertain this adventure in never-never land, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, a Republican, wrote to Fann on Monday. Fann and Judiciary Committee Chairman Warren Petersen issued a new subpoena last month demanding mail-in ballot envelopes or images of them, administrator-level access to vote-counting machines, network logs and routers. The level of disrespect and contempt from the supervisors toward Senate leadership and Arizona voters is appalling," Borrelli said in a statement. County officials say they have already provided the envelope images. They say giving up the routers would compromise the security of the county's entire network and that only the voting machines' manufacturer, Dominion Voting Systems, can provide administrator-level access. A spokeswoman for Brnovich, Catherine Mejia, confirmed he received the complaint and declined to comment further. Meanwhile, a Maricopa County judge on Tuesday ordered the state Senate to release public records requested by American Oversight, a political watchdog group. Judge Michael Kemp rejected the Senate's arguments that records maintained by the contractors are not subject to public records law and that legislative immunity prohibits the court from weighing in. BALTIMORE (AP) Demolition work has been completed at a shuttered Baltimore jail complex with a long history of corruption and disorder, officials announced Tuesday. The Baltimore City Detention Center was closed by the state in 2015 and the public works board in 2019 approved a nearly $28 million contract to demolish 39 structures at the jail complex. Plans call for a new therapeutic treatment center at the site. BALTIMORE (AP) A Maryland man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fatal shooting during a carjacking attempt, federal authorities said. Collin Davis, 34, of Pasadena, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a charge of carjacking resulting in death, acting U.S. Attorney for Maryland Jonathan Lenzner said in a news release. In addition to the sentence handed down by a judge on Monday, Davis was given five years of supervised release. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and metro prosecutors announced the launch of a new unit on Tuesday that would review potentially wrongful convictions through a partnership with the Innocence Project of Minnesota. The partnership, known as the Great North Innocence Project, is funded by a two-year, $300,000 grant from the Justice Department and will be the first of its kind in the state to review the cases of people imprisoned for crimes they may not have committed. The new unit will also attempt to determine frequent causes of wrongful convictions to prevent such cases and potentially identify who actually committed the crime in some cases. It's important to understand when we do not hit the mark of justice and to correct those occasions when that happens, Ellison said at a news conference Tuesday. When you are in the justice business and in a position to take someone's liberty away, you should never stop pursuing justice and the truth. Minnesota becomes the 86th jurisdiction to announce the creation of a conviction review unit but just the seventh to implement a statewide review unit. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, more than 2,800 people nationwide have been exonerated since 1989 and more than 500 had wrongful convictions overturned through the work of review units. The advisory board consists of 16 leading experts that include Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi prosecutors for the states two largest counties as well as former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson and former Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond. The board also includes St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler, who served as the chairman of a group of experts who recommended the commutation of the life sentence of Myon Burrell after examining his conviction and sentence. Burrell was convicted in the killing of a girl hit by a stray bullet in 2002 and served 18 years before he was released. This is a step toward re-establishing respect for law enforcement because we respect things that have integrity, and part of integrity is the willingness to acknowledge we've made a mistake," Osler said. There's going to be, from here forward, a new way to gain that integrity. Carrie Sperling, the unit's executive director, said applications are available in libraries at prison facilities across the state in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali. The board will examine applications in an initial review where they deem a case to have plausible lines of investigation before doing a more through investigation. Ellison said it will take time to ramp up the unit, with the need to recruit pro bono help from lawyers and law students. But he said they would try to get going as fast as they can, and would be raising money to expand the work to include reviewing potentially excessive sentences as well as convictions. If I went to the community and I said until we get a mountain of money we can't do anything, they'd say wait a minute let's try to do something. Let's do the best we can with what we've got, he said. ___ Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) Authorities say a Minnesota man stole a squad car that was left parked with the engine running outside a courthouse in Virginia and led police on a chase before he was caught. The 21-year-old Hibbing man took off in the car about 10:30 p.m. outside the St. Louis County Courthouse. The sheriff's office was able to locate the stolen vehicle using GPS technology and tracked it through the city of Virginia, authorities said. FOLEY, Minn. (AP) The top prosecutor in a Minnesota county is facing three felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting a child under 16. Benton County Attorney Philip Miller, of Rice, was charged last week with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 16 and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15, court documents show. HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii officials wrongly arrested a homeless man for a crime committed by someone else, locked him up in a state hospital for more than two years, forced him to take psychiatric drugs and then tried to cover up the mistake by quietly setting him free with just 50 cents to his name, the Hawaii Innocence Project said in a court document asking a judge to set the record straight. A petition filed in court Monday night asks a judge to vacate the arrest and correct Joshua Spriestersbach's records. The filing lays out his bizarre plight that started with him falling asleep on a sidewalk. He was houseless and hungry while waiting in a long line for food outside a Honolulu shelter on a hot day in 2017. When a police officer roused him awake, he thought he was being arrested for the city's ban on sitting or laying down on public sidewalks. But what he didn't realize was that the officer mistook him for a man named Thomas Castleberry, who had a warrant out for his arrest for violating probation in a 2006 drug case. It's unclear how this happened as Spriestersbach and Castleberry had never met. Spriestersbach somehow ended up with Castleberry as his alias, even though Spriestersbach never claimed to be Castleberry, according to the Hawaii Innocence Project. Spriestersbach's attorneys argue it all could have been cleared up if police simply compared the two men's photographs and fingerprints. Instead, against Spriestersbach's protests that he wasn't Castleberry, he was eventually committed to the Hawaii State Hospital. Yet, the more Mr. Spriestersbach vocalized his innocence by asserting that he is not Mr. Castleberry, the more he was declared delusional and psychotic by the H.S.H. staff and doctors and heavily medicated," the petition said. It was understandable that Mr. Spriestersbach was in an agitated state when he was being wrongfully incarcerated for Mr. Castleberrys crime and despite his continual denial of being Mr. Castleberry and providing all of his relevant identification and places where he was located during Mr. Castleberrys court appearances, no one would believe him or take any meaningful steps to verify his identity and determine that what Mr. Spriestersbach was telling the truth he was not Mr. Castleberry." No one believed him not even his various public defenders until a hospital psychiatrist finally listened. All it took were simple Google searches and a few phone calls to verify that Spriestersbach was on another island when Castleberry was initially arrested, according to the court document. The psychiatrist asked a detective to come to the hospital, who verified fingerprints and photographs to determine the wrong man had been arrested and Spriestersbach spent two years and eight months institutionalized, the petition said, noting that it wasn't hard to determine the the real Castleberry has been incarcerated in an Alaska prison since 2016. According to records, a 49-year-old man named Thomas R. Castleberry is in the Spring Creek Correctional Facility in Seward, Alaska. His relatives couldn't be reached for comment. The Alaska public defender listed for him declined to comment Tuesday. The Hawaii Innocence Project document also claims Spriestersbach had ineffective counsel: the Hawaii public defender's office. Police, the state public defender's office, the state attorney general and the hospital share in the blame for this gross miscarriage of justice, the petition said. Hawaii Public Defender James Tabe, Gary Yamashiroya, special assistant to the attorney general and Matt Dvonch, a spokesman for the Honolulu prosecuting attorney's office, declined to comment Tuesday. Once the fingerprints and photographs were verified, officials moved quickly, but secretly, to release Spriestersbach in January 2020, the petition said. A secret meeting was held with all of the parties, except Mr. Spriestersbach, present. There is no court record of this meeting or no public court record of this meeting. No entry or order reflects this miscarriage of justice that occurred or a finding that Mr. Spriestersbach is not Thomas Castleberry," the court document said. His lawyers said officials didn't think anyone would believe Spriestersbach or no one would care about the homeless man who fell asleep waiting for food, only to wake up to a living nightmare. Spriestersbach, 50, who lives with his sister in Vermont, declined to comment for this story. His sister, Vedanta Griffith, spent nearly 16 years looking for him. He moved to Hawaii with Griffith when her husband was stationed on Oahu with the Army in 2003. He moved to the Big Island and then disappeared, while suffering mental health issues, she said. Part of what they used against him was his own argument: Im not Thomas Castleberry. I didnt commit these crimes. ... This isnt me," she told The Associated Press. "So they used that as saying he was delusional, as justification for keeping him. After his release, he ended up at a homeless shelter, which contacted his family. And then when light is shown on it, what do they do? They dont even put it on the record. They dont make it part of the case, Griffith said. And then they dont come to him and say, We are so sorry or, how about even Gee, this wasnt you. You were right all along. Spriestersbach now refuses to leave his sisters 10-acre property. Hes so afraid that theyre going to take him again, Griffith said. ___ AP journalist Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report. HELENA, Mont. (AP) Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said Tuesday that he would increase the number of National Guard troops helping respond to wildfires. There are 84 soldiers deployed to help firefighting efforts as the state faces record drought and heat that have made it easier for fires to start and tougher to put them out. Gianforte ordered six additional crews to help as fire activity increased, bringing the total number of soldiers to 200 by this weekend. Casey Toth/AP RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) More North Carolinians came in for a COVID-19 vaccine last week than on any given week over the past two months, according to data state health officials released Tuesday. More than 74,000 people were vaccinated for the first time, an encouraging sign that residents are increasingly taking seriously threats posed by the more contagious delta variant and understanding the benefits of the vaccines, which are free, safe, highly effective and widely available. A push to get young adults vaccinated before the upcoming school year and an increase in the number of employers who are requiring their workers to get the shot are likely also fueling the rise in doses administered. WASHINGTON (AP) Jo Ann Hinckley, a constant companion to her son John Hinckley Jr. as the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan was gradually allowed to live outside a psychiatric hospital in Washington, has died. Jo Ann Hinckley, 95, had been her sons primary companion as he transitioned in recent years from living at a Washington psychiatric hospital to being allowed to live with her full-time in a gated community in Williamsburg, Virginia. Barry Levine, John Hinckleys longtime attorney, confirmed Jo Ann Hinckley's death to The Associated Press on Tuesday. Levine said Jo Ann Hinckley died in her sleep last week. He did not provide a cause of death. Levine said Jo Ann Hinckley devoted her life to looking after her son following Reagans shooting. She and her husband, John Jack Hinckley Sr., had moved to Williamsburg to be closer to their son after a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity and he was ordered to live at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington. She devoted her life to John and the rest of their family, Levine said in an emailed statement. She provided a caring home, support and most of all love to help John heal. She stood by him without reservation. At the same time, she continued to live her life with utmost dignity and grace. John Hinckley was the youngest of Jo Ann and Jack Hinckleys three children. He was 25 when he shot the 40th U.S. president outside a Washington hotel in 1981. The shooting also paralyzed press secretary James Brady, who died in 2014, and injured two others. According to a book the couple wrote about their son and the assassination attempt, Breaking Points, she was ironing and watching television when a reporter for The Washington Post called and said that her son had been identified as the man who fired shots at the president. Is this your idea of a joke?" she responded before slamming down the phone. At the time of the shooting, Hinckley was suffering from acute psychosis and was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster. Jurors said he needed treatment, not a lifetime in confinement. In the years after the shooting, his parents began to raise money for mental health research and education. They founded the American Mental Health Fund in 1984. In 1986, Jo Ann Hinckley said she and her husband had no idea at the time that their son was sick. She said they knew nothing about mental illness and hoped the fund could help make something good come out of our tragedy. In 2006, Hinckley eventually began making visits from the hospital to his parents home in Williamsburg. Those visits expanded in length over the years. Jo Ann Hinckley was intimately involved in monitoring her sons activities during visits, serving as his chauffeur before he got a drivers license and staying in contact with mental health professionals at St. Elizabeths. Her husband, a retired oil executive, died in 2008. A July 2016 court order granted Hinckley permission to begin living with his mom full-time, and he moved permanently in September 2016. By that time, his mental illness had been in full and sustained remission for decades, experts said. The judge overseeing his case wrote that, with appropriate conditions, Hinckley was not a danger to himself or others. Since he moved in with his mother, Hinckley was grateful to have been able to reciprocate in some measure by providing fulltime care for her, said Levine, his attorney. John Hinckleys brother Scott had moved to Williamsburg in 2017 and expressed interest in living with John after their mothers death, according to a risk assessment of Hinckley that was filed in court last year. Scott and Johns relationship has grown much closer over time and they routinely spend time together both running errands and attending community events, the assessment said. Levine said Tuesday that Hinckley, 66, had already moved out of his mothers home before her death. Hinckley is in the process of asking a federal judge in Washington to grant him release from various conditions that hes been living under. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27. His life is probably one of the most scrutinized lives of anyone on the planet, Levine said. He has adhered to every requirement of law, every requirement of the release. 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. The exact details of what unconditional release would mean for Hinckley were not discussed during a court hearing in June. But the U.S. government opposes unconditional release, according to a brief filed with the court in early May. The government is also having its own expert examine Hinckley to determine whether or not he would pose a danger to himself or others. ___ Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Hospitals across New Hampshire will require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday. The New Hampshire Hospital Association said it supports the move by its 30 member hospitals to optimize the safety of care for patients and to protect the lives of health care workers. Steve Ahnen, the association's president, said the pandemic has had a devastating impact not just on patients but hospital staff. Before vaccines were available, staff who were exposed or infected were unable to work, harming the ability of hospitals to staff and care for all patients. Many regional and national organizations representing medical professionals have recently stated their support for mandated COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers to control the spread of this deadly disease, especially within healthcare facilities, he said in a statement. This is absolutely something we support in an effort to protect both our patients and our employees from COVID-19. At the state's largest health care system, the decision means all 13,000 employees at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health must show proof of vaccination or documentation about exemptions by Sept. 30. The health system includes Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, smaller hospitals in New Hampshire and Vermont, visiting nurse and hospice agencies and 24 clinics in both states. While the great majority of our employees have been vaccinated, some of our colleagues remain unvaccinated. We take very seriously our obligation to protect the health and well-being of our patients and their families, our community and one another, Dr. Joanne Conroy, the health system's CEO, said at a recent town hall meeting for employees. As New Hampshires largest provider of health care and the states largest private employer, we must lead by example in the arena of public health. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) An ethanol producer wants to figure out if the geology is right in eastern North Dakota to store carbon emissions underground, as is planned in the western part of the state. Midwest AgEnergy is hoping to build a system to capture the carbon dioxide emitted from its Dakota Spirit ethanol plant east of Jamestown, about 100 miles east of the North Dakota-Minnesota border, and bury it in rocks a few thousand feet below the earths surface. That process, known as carbon storage or sequestration, has gained huge interest among the states ethanol and coal industries, mostly in central and western North Dakota, the Bismarck Tribune reported. That section of the state has rock layers that are deep and thick enough to potentially store a plume of carbon dioxide. The rock formations become shallower as they extend east toward Jamestown and the Red River Valley. There appears to be at least a chance carbon sequestration on some scale could work there (by Dakota Spirit), said Adam Dunlop, director of regulatory and technical services for Midwest AgEnergy, adding that the company is looking to collect more data on the project. Dakota Spirit is about 10 miles east of Jamestown. Farther east, experts believe the rock layers are too shallow to make carbon storage feasible. The North Dakota Industrial Commission recently approved a $325,000 matching grant to fund a seismic study of the geology near Dakota Spirit. The money comes from the state Renewable Energy Fund, which includes revenue from oil taxes and interest on the repayment of water project loans. The study will begin later this summer using trucks and plates that shake the earth. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who chairs the Industrial Commission, said the study is important given its potential to benefit a variety of industries. Ethanol plants are pursuing carbon storage projects in part to make their fuel more marketable to places such as California, where state policy values fuels with a low carbon intensity. The projects seek to use a federal tax credit that would make them more financially feasible. LAS VEGAS (AP) Four law enforcement officers fired 26 shots at a carjacking suspect in a disabled car with a fatally injured a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper still lodged inside after he was struck and smashed through the windshield during a Las Vegas freeway chase last week, a police official said Monday. The suspect, Douglas Claiborne, died in the shooting about noon on July 27 on busy Interstate 15 near the Las Vegas Strip. The trooper, Micah May, died two days later at a local hospital. May was crumpled inside the car and wasnt hit by any of the shots fired by one trooper and three Nevada state parole and probation officers, Clark County Undersheriff Chris Darcy told reporters in a briefing. It was not immediately clear how many shots hit Claiborne, who lived in Hawaii. Officers reported Claiborne was reaching for Mays gun, Darcy said, and investigators found a foot-long kitchen knife that Claiborne reportedly displayed when the owner of the 2020 Hyundai sedan tried to stop him from taking his vehicle with the keys inside from a construction site. The car ran over the owners foot, Darcy said, and troopers later spotted and tried to stop the Hyundai on the I-15 freeway. A chase lasted more than 40 minutes on freeways and surface streets before May was struck while trying to deploy a tire-flattening device across freeway lanes. A Las Vegas police helicopter was watching from above, and Darcy said the Hyundai veered around the spike strip and appeared to drive directly toward the trooper, whose boots were sent flying as he fell mortally injured through the windshield. Funeral services were scheduled Friday in Henderson for May, 46, a 13-year trooper who received awards for apprehending impaired drivers and a departmental Medal of Valor in 2014. He is survived by his wife and two children. Claiborne, 60, originally from Iowa and once arrested while traveling through an airport in Texas, lived on plentiful trust fund money in and around Honolulu and was sometimes homeless, said Victor Bakke, his longtime criminal defense lawyer in Hawaii. Claiborne had a severe methamphetamine addiction that became worse in recent years, Bakke told The Associated Press on Friday. The attorney said he was surprised by reports from authorities that Claiborne was involved in an armed carjacking. Bakke acknowledged Claiborne was a convicted felon with arrests for robbery, assault and felony drug charges. The attorney represented Claiborne in April 2015 when he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Hawaii to conspiracy to commit bribery in a prison smuggling case. Bakke said Claiborne served more than two years in federal prison and he became erratic following his release from custody in October 2019. Bakke said he had not heard from Claiborne for several months. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana education leaders said Tuesday state standardized test results show that public school students who attended in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic outperformed those who relied on distance learning. The Advocate reports the disparities surfaced on LEAP 2025, standardized tests that measure what students in grades 3 through 12 know about math, English, science and social studies. Students took the tests in April and May. The state Department of Education will unveil the results Wednesday, but released information Tuesday about the different results between students who attended class in person versus online. Louisiana's goal is for students to achieve mastery or better the fourth-highest of five achievement levels. The education department said in grades 3 through 8, the rate of students who scored mastery or higher on the English and math portions of the test was 15% higher for students who spent the 2020-21 school year in the classroom compared to those who relied on online instruction. Students who used distance learning had an 11% greater rate of scoring unsatisfactory on the exams the lowest achievement level. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a statement the test results show it's absolutely critical that we keep our students in the classroom for this upcoming year while mitigating the spread of COVID-19. About 75% of students were back in the classroom by the end of the most recent academic year. Brumley made his comments a day after Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a statewide mask mandate that will require students from kindergarten through college to wear a face covering in the classroom. The Democratic governor reenacted the mask mandate amid record-setting hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients across the state and a fourth surge of the coronavirus illness. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A gunman shot and wounded three people at a Tennessee business Tuesday and was later tracked down and fatally shot by police after he refused to drop his weapon, authorities said. The shooting happened at a Smile Direct Club manufacturing facility in Nashville. The suspect had left before officers arrived, but they spotted him at a nearby intersection carrying a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron told news outlets. The suspect was fatally shot after refusing orders to drop his weapon and then directing it at officers, Aaron said. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The president of California's utility regulator warned a top power company Monday that power outages to prevent equipment from sparking wildfires should only be used as a last resort. We need specifics on where you have improved, where you are lagging and where you are focusing your resources, California Public Utilities Commission President Marybel Batjer told representatives of San Diego Gas & Electric. Utilities will be judged by outcome, not by plans. SDG&E was the first of the state's three major utilities to testify during the planned three-day hearing; Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric, the states largest utility, are scheduled to brief PUC commissioners on Tuesday. All three companies were criticized for their chaotic and unprepared handling of shutoffs in October 2019. Regulators have blasted PG&E for a botched shutoff that left nearly 2 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California without power. People couldn't get information as websites and call centers crashed and local officials didn't know what to tell panicked customers. Shutoffs have generally gone more smoothly since then, but Batjer on Monday impressed upon utility officials that planned outages were to be used as an absolute last resort given the potentially deadly consequences for medically vulnerable people who rely on power to live. During a public safety power shutoff, a utility de-energizes its grid in order to prevent its equipment from failing and sparking a wildfire, often amid hot, dry and windy weather. Power lines have been blamed for about half of the most destructive wildfires in state history, according to the PUC, including 2018s Camp Fire in Butte County that killed 85. The risk of wildfire is expected to worsen as climate change has made California much drier and more flammable. PG&E has reported to regulators that its equipment may have sparked the state's largest wildfire to date this year. On Monday, the Dixie Fire in Northern California was burning near the town of Paradise, which was largely destroyed when failing PG&E equipment sparked the Camp Fire. The utility pleaded guilty last year to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter with prosecutors unable to pin the remaining death on the utility. San Diego Gas & Electric officials said Monday that they have fine-tuned weather forecasting, cleared flammable vegetation and created microgrids that can power town centers even with the electricity turned off. They've provided backup power to eligible customers and are better at targeting customers who will be affected, they said. The utility powered down five times last year, with the largest planned outage affecting 74,000 customer accounts, said John Jenkins, vice president of electric system operations. He said the utility notified around 96,000 customers but missed alerting 2,000 customers who had their power turned off. Limestone County Sheriff's Office/AP ATHENS, Ala. (AP) A longtime Alabama sheriff convicted of felony charges and removed from office should have to remain in jail until he is sentenced, prosecutors told a judge Tuesday. Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely hasn't shown any reason he should be treated differently than other convicted felons in his home county, where the standard practice is for defendants to remain jailed until sentencing, the state argued in court papers a day after jurors convicted Blakely on theft and ethics charges. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Monday agreed to pay nearly $23,000 in a fine to the city for a series of ethics violations while in office, including asking a former governor to release her brother from prison and allowing a former head of public works embroiled in a corruption scandal to pay her car repair bill. The proposed agreement from the citys Ethics Commission also fines Breed for failing to properly report a 2015 campaign contribution while running for reelection to the Board of Supervisors. If approved by the Ethics Commission at its next meeting on Aug. 13, the mayor will personally pay the fine, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday. The commission found Breeds violations are significant and involve the misuse of her title as mayor for personal gain and violated the citys laws on accepting gifts from subordinates and campaign contributions. Breed said in a statement Tuesday that the fines are fair and she took responsibility for her actions. Ive learned a lot over the last two years since the most recent of these events took place, and Ive learned from this process, she said. Breed agreed to pay $8,292 for accepting a gift in 2019 from Mohammed Nuru, the former Public Works director whom federal officials charged with fraud. A few weeks after Nuru was charged by the FBI, Breed acknowledged in a statement that Nuru paid for expenses involving repairs to her car in 2019. In 2018, Breed joined other members of her family in a letter to outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown requesting an early release from prison for an older brother who has served nearly two decades of a 44-year sentence on a manslaughter conviction. The governor ultimately did not pardon Breeds brother, who remains in prison. She will be fined $2,500 for the letter. In 2015, when Breed was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors running for reelection, she wanted to have a float created to ride in during the annual San Francisco Pride Parade. According to the stipulation, Breed asked two restaurateurs to each pay $1,250 directly to the float manufacturer. According to the stipulation, the contributions were not properly recorded in campaign finance disclosures and also exceeded the $500 per person contribution limit established for city candidates. The mayor will be fined $7,500 for failing to disclose the contributions and $4,500 for accepting contributions over the legal limit. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) Saudi Arabia announced the execution Tuesday of a man it said had been found guilty of armed rebellion and protesting against the state in the Shiite populated eastern region of Qatif. The Interior Ministry said the execution of Ahmed bin Saeed bin Ali al-Janabi was carried out in the Eastern Province's administrative capital of Dammam. The brief statement said al-Janabi had participated in the attempted killing of police by opening fire at various security points and patrols throughout Qatif. It said he also assisted in weapons smuggling and took part in marches and riots, which Saudi law deems as undermining the social fabric and cohesion of society. The statement characterized these as terrorist acts. The statement said interrogations resulted in related charges and that a death sentence was administered as punishment for these acts. The statement did not further identify the man or specify when the alleged crimes had taken place, though past executions of men in the Eastern Province's administrative capital of Dammam on similar charges have all been minority Shiites. Activists contacted by The Associated Press confirmed that al-Janabi was Shiite, but said little else was known about his case and that he has a brother currently imprisoned for protesting the government. Violent protests in Qatif erupted around the time of Arab Spring protests in other countries, with Saudi Shiite residents of the area demanding fairer treatment and greater rights. They complain that their cities and towns, which sit near the kingdom's vast oil reserves, are left underdeveloped. They say segments of Saudi text books and years of societal influence by ultraconservative Sunnis encouraged further discrimination against them. The kingdom has executed more than 30 people so far this year, including at least one other young Shiite man accused of similar charges. Most executions in Saudi Arabia are carried out by beheading. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Age-eligible South Carolina children would be required to show proof of coronavirus vaccination in order to attend public schools in the state, under a proposal introduced by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mia McLeod. The effort was rolled out Tuesday as part of the state senator's plan to boost South Carolina's lagging coronavirus vaccination rate, if she's elected to its top office in 2022. Also among McLeod's proposals are the implementation of a statewide mask mandate until at least 70% of South Carolina residents have gotten their shots, as well as requirements that state employees get vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus testing. As of Saturday, just under 45% of eligible South Carolina residents had been fully vaccinated, according to state health officials. McLeod blamed the low number on a lack of leadership under incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is seeking his second full term. As the Delta variant rips through our communities, cases across SC are skyrocketing with more senseless, preventable deaths piling up at the Governors feet, McLeod wrote in a statement. Doing nothing as this deadly variant sickens and kills our citizens is utterly unconscionable. New COVID-19 cases have recently been on the rise, with the average number in South Carolina doubling in the past two weeks to about 400 cases a day amid no signs of slowing down, according to state health officials. The debate over whether South Carolina students and staff should wear masks this fall has been roiling since the spring, when McMaster called it the height of ridiculosity for a school district to require a mask over any parents wishes that their child go without one. State lawmakers subsequently passed a budget proviso prohibiting the states public colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. During a continuing debate over whether students and school staff should wear masks this fall, McMaster tweeted last month that, while The Delta Variant poses a real threat to South Carolinians, he felt that "shutting our state down, closing schools and mandating masks is not the answer. Personal responsibility is. Even during the peak of the pandemic last year, McMaster did not issue a comprehensive mask mandate, opting instead for smaller-scale mandates such as requiring face coverings in state government buildings and restaurants. The governor consistently stressed, however, that residents take personal responsibility for their actions. McMaster, who posted photos of himself getting vaccinated earlier this year, has said that, while getting the COVID-19 vaccine was the right decision for him, others who are reluctant need to talk to friends, pastors and doctors and should make their own choices. McMaster has not discouraged anyone from getting the vaccine, although the incumbent governor did come out firmly against having teams go door-to-door offering doses. As part of her plan, McLeod also said that she would work with public health experts to develop best practices on vaccinations and safety protocols and request and distribute all available federal pandemic funding for South Carolina." Several Democrats are competing for their party's nomination to become South Carolina's next governor, a post no Democrat has held in nearly two decades. Last month, another Democrat in the race, former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, released a three-point plan to boost coronavirus vaccines, including a Vaccine Ambassador Program, using federal pandemic relief funds to create public service announcements, as well as a primetime Oval Office-style address to the state to press the need to get vaccinated. This is the first official policy plan for McLeod, who represents areas near the state capital of Columbia. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. Scientists have long been worried about what many call "the methane bomb" - the potentially catastrophic release of methane from thawing wetlands in Siberia's permafrost. But now a study by three geologists says that a heat wave in 2020 has revealed a surge in methane emissions "potentially in much higher amounts" from a different source: thawing rock formations in the Arctic permafrost. The difference is that thawing wetlands releases "microbial" methane from the decay of soil and organic matter, while thawing limestone - or carbonate rock - releases hydrocarbons and gas hydrates from reservoirs both below and within the permafrost, making it "much more dangerous" than past studies have suggested. Nikolaus Froitzheim, who teaches at the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Bonn, said that he and two colleagues used satellite maps that measured intense methane concentrations over two "conspicuous elongated areas" of limestone - stripes that were several miles wide and up to 375 miles long - in the Taymyr Peninsula and the area around northern Siberia. The study was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Surface temperatures during the heat wave in 2020 soared to 10.8 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1979-2000 norms. In the long stripes, there is hardly any soil, and vegetation is scarce, the study says. So the limestone crops out of the surface. As the rock formations warm up, cracks and pockets opened up, releasing methane that had been trapped inside. Further tests showed the continued concentration of methane through the spring of 2021 despite the return of low temperatures and snow in the region. "We would have expected elevated methane in areas with wetlands," Froitzheim said. "But these were not over wetlands but on limestone outcrops. There is very little soil in these. It was really a surprising signal from hard rock, not wetlands." The carbonates in the outcroppings date back 541 million years to the Paleozoic era, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. "It's intriguing. It's not good news if it's right," said Robert Max Holmes, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center. "Nobody wants to see more potentially nasty feedbacks and this is potentially one." "What we do know with quite a lot of confidence is how much carbon is locked up in the permafrost. It's a big number and as the Earth warms and permafrost thaws, that ancient organic matter is available to microbes for microbial processes and that releases CO2 and methane," Holmes said. "If something in the Arctic is going to keep me up at night that's still what it is." But he said the paper warranted further study. The geologists who wrote the report usually study things such as tectonic plate boundaries and the way those geologic plates fold over one another. But they have worked in the Arctic and that has piqued their interest. The biggest sources of methane in the world are agricultural, such as rice growing, and leaks from hydraulic fracturing in the U.S. Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. But Froitzheim said that in the permafrost "the question is: how much will come, and we don't really know." Normally the frozen permafrost acts as a cap, sealing methane below. It also can lock up gas hydrates, which are crystalline solids of frozen water that contain huge amounts of methane. Unstable at normal sea-level pressure and temperatures, gas hydrates can be dangerously explosive as temperatures rise. The study said that gas hydrates in the Earth's permafrost are estimated to contain 20 gigaton of carbon, approximately four times the amount present in atmospheric methane. The Arctic has also delivered other sobering news. Polar Portal, a website where Danish Arctic research institutions present updated information about ice, said last week that a "massive melting event" had been big enough to cover Florida with two inches of water. SEATTLE (AP) An orca is presumed dead after being found in distress last week in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a body of water that separates Washington state from Canada, officials said. The cause of death for the Southern Resident orca pods oldest male, known as Cappuccino or K21, is still undetermined, but could include starvation, a chronic disease such as cancer, or both, according to Paul Cottrell of Canadas Department of Fisheries and Oceans Marine Mammal Unit. The Orca Behavior Institute reported that the whale was seen swimming far behind the rest of the pod with no signs of physical injuries, ruling out the likelihood of a ship strike. At 35 years old, it is more likely that he died of illness. The average lifespan of male killer whales is 30, SeattlePI.com reported. As a few more photos and videos emerged, it became clear that he was in very emaciated shape, almost certainly passed the point of no return, Institute Director Monika Wieland Shields told KOMO-TV. Born in 1986, K21 was one of the most identifiable residents with check-mark-shaped saddle patches and a notch in his tall dorsal fin. He had been living without any immediate family members after his sister's 2012 death and was adopted by K16, a female whale known as Opus, who was born the year before him. Shields suggested K21 might have chosen to be alone in his final moments, explaining why he fell behind the rest of the pod. In recent years, all three Southern Resident pods have gathered several times in the Salish Sea alongside a birth or death in the population, Shields wrote in a Facebook post. With K21 presumed dead, the number of southern resident orca whales drops to 74. One whale calf has been born this year, a female orca known as L12 in February. Last year, the J pod welcomed two new calves. The K pod the smallest of the three resident pods has not had any viable offspring since 2011. The whales have in recent years been at their lowest numbers since the 1970s. Last week, the endangered killer whales received new habitat protections from the U.S. government. The National Marine Fisheries Service on Friday finalized rules to expand the southern resident orcas critical habitat from the Canadian border down to Point Sur, California, adding 15,910 square miles (41,207 square kilometers) of foraging areas, river mouths and migratory pathways. While environmentalists praised the action, many also called for habitat protections for salmon to aid in the orcas recovery. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban pressed ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said. Afghan government forces launched airstrikes, backed by the U.S., in a desperate effort to defend the city of Lashkar Gah. The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in the offensive the Taliban have waged over the past months as U.S. and NATO forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country. It would also be the first provincial capital captured by the Taliban in years. Residents of the city, speaking to The Associated Press over the telephone, said the fighting has them trapped, hunkered down inside their homes and unable to step out for basic supplies. They said Taliban fighters were out openly in the streets, and that all but one Lashkar Gah district was under Taliban control. Elite commando units were dispatched from Kabul to aid Afghan forces as the government held on to key government buildings, including the local police and army headquarters. Majid Akhund, deputy chairman of the Helmand provincial council, confirmed that the Taliban control nine Lashkar Gah districts and also the city's TV and radio station, which had both gone off the air. The Afghan forces commander for Helmand, Gen. Sami Sadat, in an audio message shared with journalists Tuesday urged residents in neighborhoods captured by the Taliban to evacuate immediately, though he did not clarify how they could do that amid the ongoing clashes. The message was an indication more airstrikes were planned. Please evacuate your families from your homes and their surroundings," Sadat said. We will not leave the Taliban alive. ... I know it's hard ... we do it for your future. Forgive us if you get displaced for few days, please evacuate as soon as possible." Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they stepped up their onslaught against government forces. In recent months the Taliban swept through dozens of districts across the country, many in remote and rural, sparsely populated areas. Afghan troops in those battles often surrendered or pulled out with barely a fight, frequently lacking re-supplies and reinforcements. Over the past weeks, the Taliban have also captured several lucrative border crossings with Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan. In the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday scores of people waving the Afghan flag and shouting God is great came out to the streets in support of Afghanistans National Security and Defense Forces. They came out even as a powerful explosion rattled the city. No one took immediate responsibility. A similar procession took place in the western city of Herat on Monday after Afghan soldiers pushed the Taliban back from the entrance to the city. The Taliban have most recently turned their guns on provincial capitals as the withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces is now more than 95% complete. The final U.S. and NATO soldier are expected to be out of Afghanistan by Aug. 31. The two other provincial capitals under siege are in the neighboring province of Kandahar, also in the south, and in western Herat province. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday blamed the hasty withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops for the deteriorating security situation, while analysts say deep corruption and poor training has left Afghan forces overwhelmed, leaving the elite commando units as the only bulwark against the advancing Taliban. Afghanistan's air force has been seriously hurt by the American and NATO withdrawal, which included contractors who had maintained the fleet of fighter aircraft. Washington's watchdog overseeing U.S. taxpayers dollars spent in Afghanistan said the Afghan aircraft are flying 25% longer than they should before being maintained. In Herat, the capital of the province by the same name, Afghan forces appeared on Tuesday to be able to push the Taliban back, with the insurgents on the edge of the city. Also, Herat city's civilian airport re-opened. The United Nations has repeatedly decried the rise in civilian casualties inflicted by both sides in the increasingly brutal conflict. The U.N. mission in a tweet Tuesday appealed for a quick end to the fighting in heavily populated urban areas. In the last three days, the U.N. said 10 civilians have been killed in Lashkar Gah and 85 were wounded. In southern Kandahar, at least five civilians wee killed and 42 were wounded. Thousands more have been displaced, sad the U.N. Lashkar Gah residents said airstrikes inside the city were also driving people from their homes. With any bomb that hits the city, my 13- year-old son jumps and yells, said Mohammad Khan, a resident of Lashkar Gah. He had moved half of his family out of the city and was trying to evacuate the other half out before the fighting pinned him down. Another Lashkar Gah resident, Nizamuddin, who like many Afghans uses only one name, said he was hiding with his family in their home and was too afraid to step out. The U.S. and other world leaders have warned the Taliban against a military takeover of Afghanistan, saying they would become an international pariah again if they tried to take power by force. When they last ruled Afghanistan, the Taliban were recognized by only three countries Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Also Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul tweeted: The Talibans disregard for the dignity of each Afghan citizen and for human life more broadly has shocked the world. This is not how legitimate powers or governments behave. ____ Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The first Tennessee state-level data showing student academic achievement since the COVID-19 pandemic began shows declines in proficiency through all subjects and grades, Gov. Bill Lee's office said. These results show that COVID-19 has disrupted learning in every school district in Tennessee, Lee said in a news release. Were grateful for the dedication of our educators and districts who worked to mitigate this loss over the past year, and were committed to implementing long-term strategies and investments to get our students back on track. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The University of South Carolina can't lawfully require students and staff to wear face coverings on campus this fall, despite increasing cases of coronavirus, thanks to recent legislative action, according to the state's top prosecutor. Last week, university officials announced that they would require face coverings to be worn at all times inside all campus buildings, unless you are in your own residence hall room, private office or you are eating inside campus dining facilities. That decision, interim President Harris Pastides wrote, was in accordance with current recommendations from public health officials. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance recommending indoor mask use in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges, as well as at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status. Gamecocks, Im disappointed that these measures are necessary, Pastides wrote, also urging, but not requiring, students to get vaccinated before returning to campus. In a letter sent Monday to Pastides and obtained by The Associated Press, state Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote that the university's mask mandate is likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. Pastides said Tuesday that the university will change course because of Wilson's opinion and will not require anyone to wear face coverings in our buildings, except when in university health care facilities and when utilizing campus public transportation, though wearing masks indoors is still encouraged. The debate over what to do with masks in schools across South Carolina has been simmering since the end of the past academic year, as officials debated whether schools should drop face covering mandates before the summer break, citing declining virus rates amid the rollout of several vaccines. A budget proviso that went into effect July 1 prohibits the state's pubic colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. The measure was backed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who earlier this year called it the height of ridiculosity for a school district to require a mask over any parents wishes that their child go without one. The proviso, wrote Wilson, a fellow Republican, while inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks. Last week, state K-12 education officials said they couldn't follow the updated CDC guidance on masks because of the proviso. Earlier this month, the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommended that all students and staff should wear face coverings during the coming school year. Vaccination rates in South Carolina have been among the lowest in the country, with just under 45% of eligible residents fully dosed, according to data updated Saturday by state health officials. New COVID-19 cases have been on the rise, with the average number doubling in the past two weeks to about 400 cases a day amid no signs of slowing down, according to state health officials. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Tuesday with the Belarusian opposition leader at his office in London, saying the U.K. is on her side" and committed to supporting human rights in her country. Johnson told Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya that Britain is very much in support of what you are doing during their meeting at Downing Street, and condemned Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko's severe human rights violations and persecution of pro-democracy figures, his office said. The talks came as international attention focused on Belarus after Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya refused her team's orders to fly home and took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo. In addition, a Belarusian activist who ran a group in Ukraine helping Belarusians flee persecution was found dead in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, local police said Tuesday. An investigation was launched after Vitaly Shishov was found hanged in a city park not far from his home. "It is very important to understand that one of the most powerful countries in the world is supporting Belarus," Tsikhanouskaya said after meeting with Johnson. Tsikhanouskaya also met U.S. President Joe Biden last week as part of a tour to move Belarus up the agenda for Western countries. She challenged Lukashenko in the country's presidential election last year but fled Belarus after the long-time leader was awarded a sixth term in office due to a vote that opposition leaders and the West called rigged. Ahead of her visit to Downing Street, Belarusians living in the U.K. and human rights activists demonstrated in London to highlight criticism of Lukashenko's rule. Were trying to show the British government that more needs to be done. We cannot leave Lukashenko to do what he is doing to the country," said Ken McBain, a U.K. representative of the human rights group Libereco. Tsikhanouskaya told reporters it was too early to comment on the death of Belarusian activist Shishov. But she added: I understand, you know, I can disappear at any moment. I understand this, but I should do what I am doing." ___ Follow all AP stories on developments in Belarus at https://apnews.com/hub/Belarus. The union that tried and failed to organize Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama may get a do-over. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union on Monday said that a hearing officer for the National Labor Relations Board has recommended that the vote by workers in April to overwhelmingly reject the union be set aside and that another vote be held in its place. The hearing officer determined that Amazon violated labor law, according to the union. Amazon countered in a statement that "our employees had a chance to be heard during a noisy time when all types of voices were weighing into the national debate, and at the end of the day, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of a direct connection with their managers and the company. Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens. The NLRB, which could not be reached for comment, has not yet issued a final decision, which would typically come two or three weeks after the initial recommendation. The RWDSU said Monday it supports the initial recommendation by the hearing officer. Workers endured an intensive anti-union campaign designed by Amazon to intimidate and interfere with their choice on whether or not to form a union," it said in a statement. The union said in a filing in April that Amazon threatened workers with layoffs and even the closing of the warehouse if they unionized. It also said Amazon fired a pro-union employee, but declined to name the person. Many of the other allegations by the union revolve around a mailbox that Amazon installed in the parking lot of the Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse. It said the mailbox created the false appearance that Amazon was conducting the election, intimidating workers into voting against the union. Security cameras in the parking lot could have recorded workers going to the mailbox, giving the impression that workers were being watched by the company and that their votes werent private, according to the retail union. Workers overwhelmingly voted against forming a union, with 1,798 rejecting it and 738 voting in favor of it. A total of 3,117 votes were cast, about 53% of the nearly 6,000 workers at the warehouse. The union push was the biggest in Amazons history and only the second time that an organizing effort from within the company had come to a vote. But Bessemer was always viewed as a long shot since it pitted the countrys second-largest employer against warehouse workers in a state with laws that dont favor unions. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday it is moving ahead with a new environmental review of oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after the Interior secretary said she found multiple legal deficiencies in a prior review that provided a basis for the first lease sale on the refuge's coastal plain earlier this year. The federal land agency said there will be a public process to determine the scope of the review and identify major issues related to a leasing program. Information gathered during that process will influence development of the review, according to an agency notice. President Joe Biden, in a January executive order, called on the Interior secretary to temporarily halt activities related to the leasing program, review the program and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, conduct a new, comprehensive analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the oil and gas program. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in June said her review identified deficiencies in the record underpinning the leases, including an environmental review that failed to adequately analyze a reasonable range of alternatives. She announced plans at that time for the new review and halted activities related to the leasing program while the analysis was pending. Richard Packer, a spokesperson for the federal land agency, did not answer questions from The Associated Press or provide additional details on the agency's plans, referring instead to an agency press release. Conservationists welcomed a new review but also called on Congress to repeal the provisions of law calling for lease sales. A law passed in 2017 called for at least two lease sales within the coastal plain, with the first before Dec. 22, 2021, and the second before Dec. 22, 2024, the land agency has said. The first lease sale was held in January, in the waning days of the Trump administration. Alaska political leaders, including the current Republican congressional delegation, have long pushed to open the coastal plain to development. Drilling supporters view development as a way to boost oil production, generate revenue and create or sustain jobs. Critics have said the area off the Beaufort Sea provides habitat for wildlife including caribou, polar bears and birds and should be off limits to drilling. The Indigenous Gwichin consider the coastal plain sacred and have expressed concern about impacts to a caribou herd they rely on for subsistence. Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in a statement said Tuesday's announcement was a political stall tactic and called on Haaland to accept the science in the existing environmental review. By initiating a new review, the Biden administration is ignoring the will of Congress, the will of Alaskans and the best interests of the Alaska Native communities on the North Slope," Sullivan said. Attorneys for the North Slope Borough, Native Village of Kaktovik and Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation argued against efforts in court to block the January lease sale. The notice released Tuesday said the purpose of the supplemental review planned by the Bureau of Land Management was bound by law and remained the same as the earlier review: to implement provisions of the 2017 law. The notice said potential alternatives to be considered included those that would designate certain areas as open or closed to leasing, limit surface development, prohibit surface infrastructure in sensitive areas and otherwise avoid or mitigate oil and gas activity impacts. Tim Woody, a spokesperson for The Wilderness Society, noted in an email that the law calls for another lease sale by late 2024. As it stands now, the only way to prevent that lease sale would be for Congress to take action to amend or repeal the drilling provision in that 2017 legislation, he said. Critics said the first lease sale was rushed and labeled it a bust after major oil companies stayed on the sidelines. A main bidder was the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation. The authority holds seven, 10-year leases, said Alan Weitzner, the corporations executive director. Weitzner said the corporation received a letter from an Interior Department official notifying it of a suspension of operations on those leases. The letter, dated June 1, stated that the Bureau of Land Management would undertake the additional environmental review to determine whether the leases should be reaffirmed, voided or subject to additional mitigation measures. The corporation asked the Interior Department the basis for making that determination but has not received a response, Weitzner said. From our side, we have very valid, enforceable leases and we are looking to assert our full rights under those leases, he said. AP WASHINGTON (AP) The associate warden at the federal jail in New York City has been charged with killing her husband after she shot him in the face in their New Jersey home. Antonia Ashford is the associate warden at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which houses British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein who is facing sex trafficking charges. SEATTLE (AP) The latest COVID-19 surge in cases brought on by the highly-contagious delta variant and causing serious illness in unvaccinated people is straining Washington state's health care system, officials said. Washington State Hospital Association officials held a briefing Monday led by CEO Cassie Sauer, who was joined by Dr. John Lynch of UW Medicine and Florence Chang, executive vice president and COO of MultiCare Health System, KING-5 reported. Sauer said the current surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations is scary, physically draining and emotionally draining for health care workers, who have been dealing with the pandemic for more than a year and a half. Because of the surge, the hospital associations board of directors is urging hospitals and health care providers to require their employees get the vaccine, with very few exceptions, Sauer said. This is a big deal, Sauer said. We understand vaccine requirements are controversial but we think it is the right thing to do. Washington State Medical Association President Dr. Nathan Schlicher also said he supported providers who require employees to get vaccinated, saying that patients should be confident about going to the hospital without leaving sicker. Health officials continue to call on those who are not vaccinated to get the shots, as the unvaccinated continue to make up nearly all of the new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. FRESNILLO, Mexico The violence was already terrifying, she said, when grenades exploded outside her church in broad daylight some five years ago. Then children in town were kidnapped, disappearing without a trace. Then the bodies of the executed were dumped in city streets. And then came the day last month when armed men burst into her home, dragged her 15-year-old son and two of his friends outside and shot them to death, leaving Guadalupe who didnt want her full name published out of fear of the men too terrified to leave the house. I do not want the night to come, she said, through tears. Living with fear is no life at all. For most of the population of Fresnillo, a mining city in central Mexico, a fearful existence is the only one they know; 96% of residents say they feel unsafe, the highest percentage of any city in Mexico, according to a recent survey from Mexicos national statistics agency. The economy can boom and bust, presidents and parties and their promises can come and go, but for the citys 140,000 people, as for many in Mexico, there is a growing sense that no matter what changes, the violence endures. Ever since Mexicos government began its war on the drug cartels nearly 15 years ago, murder statistics have climbed inexorably. In 2018, during his run for president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador offered a grand vision to remake Mexico and a radically new way of tackling the violence. He would break with the failed tactics of his predecessors, he said. Instead of arresting and killing traffickers as previous leaders had done, he would focus on the causes of violence: hugs not bullets, he called it. He was swept to victory. But three years after his landslide win, and with his Morena party in control of Congress, the drumbeat of death continues, suggesting that Lopez Obradors approach has failed, fueling in many a paralyzing helplessness. ALEJANDRO CEGARRA/NYT Were living in hell, said Victor Pina, who ran for mayor of Fresnillo in the June elections and watched an aide gunned down beside him during a pre-campaign event. Zacatecas, the state Fresnillo is in, has the countrys highest murder rate, with 122 deaths in June, according to the Mexican government. Lately, it has become a national horror show, with cadavers found dangling from bridges, stuffed into plastic bags or even tied to a cross. Across Mexico, murders have dropped less than 1% since Lopez Obrador took office, according to the countrys statistics agency. That was enough for the president to claim, in a speech last month, that there had been an improvement on a problem his administration inherited. There is peace and calm, he said in June. Many in Fresnillo disagree. Hugs not bullets doesnt work, said Javier Torres Rodriguez, whose brother was shot and killed in 2018. Were losing the ability to be shocked. Among other strategies, Lopez Obrador has focused on tackling what he sees as the root causes of violence, funding social programs to improve education and employment for young people. His government has also gone after the financing behind organized crime. In October, the authorities said they had frozen 1,352 bank accounts linked to 14 criminal groups, including powerful drug cartels. But the collection of programs and law-enforcement actions never coalesced into a clear public policy, critics said. ALEJANDRO CEGARRA/NYT There is an unstoppable situation of violence and a tragic deterioration of public security in Mexico, said Angelica Duran-Martinez, an associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Theres not a clear security policy. Lopez Obrador has also doubled down on his support for the armed forces, embracing the militarization that also marked previous administrations. One central pillar of his approach to fighting crime has been the creation of the National Guard, a 100,000-strong federal security force deployed across some 180 regional barracks nationwide. Last week, Lopez Obrador announced that the guard would receive an additional $2.5 billion dollars in funding. But security experts say the guard, which the president plans to incorporate into the armed forces, has proved ineffective. Without a clear mandate, it has focused more on tackling low-level crime than cartel violence. And as a security force made up of members of the federal police, the military and other security professionals, it has not found cohesion. Its a force that comes out of trying to mix oil and water, said Eduardo Guerrero, a Mexico City security analyst. There are a lot of internal struggles, and that has detracted from the performance of the Guard. In Fresnillo, the National Guard hasnt done enough, according to the citys mayor, Saul Monreal, a member of the presidents Morena party. Theyre here, theyre present, they do patrols, but what we really need right now is to be fighting organized crime, Monreal said. Marco Ugarte/AP Monreal was reelected during national midterms in June. This was one of Mexicos most violent elections on record, with at least 102 people killed during the campaign, yet another sign of the countrys unraveling security. His family is politically powerful. His brother, David, is governor-elect of Zacatecas. Another brother, Ricardo, leads the Morena party in the Senate and has said he intends to run for president in 2024. But not even the familys political prominence has managed to rescue the city or the state. Bordering eight other states, Zacatecas has long been central to the drug trade, a crossroads between the Pacific, where narcotics and drugmaking products are shipped in, and northern states along the United States border. Fresnillo, which sits in the center of important roads and highways, is strategically vital. But for much of its recent history, residents say they were largely left alone. That began changing around 2007 and 2008 as the governments assault on the cartels led them to splinter, evolve and spread. In the past few years, the region has become embroiled in a battle between two of the countrys most powerful organized crime groups: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Caught in the middle of the fighting are residents like Guadalupe. She can remember sitting on the stoop with neighbors until midnight as a young girl. Now, the city lies desolate after dark. Guadalupe does not let her children play outside unsupervised, but even that couldnt stop the violence from tearing her family apart. On the night her son was killed, in mid-July, four armed men stormed into her home, dragging out her son, Henry, and two friends who were sleeping over. There was a burst of gunfire, and then the assailants were gone. It was Guadalupe who found the teenagers bodies. Now she and her family live in terror. Too scared to stay in the same house, they moved in with Guadalupes parents in a different part of town. But the fear remained. Her 10-year-old daughter can barely sleep, she said, and Guadalupe keeps dreaming of her sons killing. The motive, and the identity of the killers, remain unknown. Guadalupe has thought about leaving town or even taking her own life. But for now, she sits in her parents small, cinder-block house, the curtains drawn, the shadows broken by the candles of a little altar to Henry and his fallen friends. Theres nothing here, she said. The fear has overwhelmed us. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. LANSING. Mich. (AP) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for three suburban Detroit cities after they requested state aide for damage caused by severe thunderstorms and high winds July 7. Whitmer issued the declaration Monday for the cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield. BOSTON (AP) A Massachusetts woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain more than $250,000 in COVID-19-related unemployment benefits, federal prosecutors said. Lilly Nguyen, 24, of Stoneham, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office. Health officials in seven Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley issued a new indoor mask mandate Monday, as the region faces a wave of new COVID-19 cases due to the more infectious delta variant and the region's remaining swath of unvaccinated residents. The mandate will take effect Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties as well as Berkeley and require residents to wear a mask indoors in public settings like retail stores and gyms, regardless of whether they're vaccinated. Vallejo police arrested two people with several outstanding warrants who allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase Saturday night, police said Monday. At about 9:20 p.m., officers in the 100 block of Robles Way tried to stop a car they suspected was being driving by a man with outstanding felony warrants. The driver, 28-year-old Scot Troy Babot Jr. of Vallejo, instead allegedly sped off, was able to avoid a spike strip and at times "dangerously drove the vehicle on the wrong side of the road, leading officers to cancel the pursuit in certain areas," according to police. During the pursuit, Babot and 30-year-old Cirelle Valencia Adams of Vallejo both allegedly tried to carjack two other vehicles, according to police. Both were arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses, including evading by driving on the wrong side of the road, disregard for public safety, driving without a license and attempted carjacking, police said. One person is dead due to a house fire Monday afternoon in the unincorporated Alameda County community of Castro Valley, county fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched at 3:46 p.m. to the 16700 block of Kildare Road where heavy smoke was coming from a single-family home. Two people were rescued and taken to a hospital with minor injuries, but a third person died, according to fire officials. Crews kept the fire from spreading below the street level. The fire is under investigation, fire officials said. Police closed Palo Alto Avenue at the Caltrain crossing near El Camino Real late Monday, after Caltrain officials said a train struck a pedestrian trespassing on the tracks. A 10:57 p.m. tweet from the Palo Alto Police department advised motorists to avoid the area and to take alternate routes. Train delays are expected. No other details were immediately available from Caltrain officials or Palo Alto police. Alerts on this incident may be available at https://twitter.com/CaltrainAlerts. Starting on Wednesday, Caltrans will close a major San Francisco intersection for five consecutive days as crews replace damaged pavement, Caltrans officials said. The work will result in the closure of South Van Ness Avenue at Mission Street, starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. on Monday. The intersection's full closure will allow Caltrans crews to finish the pavement project within the five-day time frame. Without the intersection's closure, the project would take up to two months to finish under typical work windows, Caltrans officials said. Kaiser Permanente officials announced Monday that the health care provider will mandate all of its employees nationwide get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. Roughly 78 percent of Kaiser employees and more than 95 percent of Kaiser physicians are already fully vaccinated as of July 31, according to Kaiser officials. The health care provider set a deadline of Sept. 30 for all of its employees to get fully vaccinated. Michelle Gaskill-Hames, Kaiser's senior vice president for hospital and health plan operations in Northern California, said Kaiser has worked with the labor unions representing its employees to craft the vaccine requirement and both sides did so with an emphasis on maintaining employee safety. A woman is in critical condition Monday night at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and hospital officials are asking for help identifying her. She was admitted to the hospital Saturday via ambulance from 35 Dorman Ave. in San Francisco. She is white, about 30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 240 pounds with short brown hair. She has a tattoo of two skulls with bones on her right arm, according to hospital officials. Anyone who knows her name is asked to call the sheriff's department at the hospital at (628) 206-8063. Eastbound state Highway 4 is closed at Lone Tree Way/A Street Monday night because of police activity, California Highway Patrol officials said. The eastbound side was closed at 7:41 p.m. and traffic is being diverted off at L Street. The on-ramp at L Street is also closed, CHP officials said. The officials have no estimate for when the east side of Highway 4 will reopen. Police arrested a 21-year-old Union City man Thursday night in connection with a shooting the day before on Locke Court in Fremont. According to a news release issued Monday afternoon by the Fremont Police Department, detectives identified the suspect as Reliezon Maham shortly after the shooting and located him in the passenger seat of a vehicle at about 7 p.m. Thursday. When officers attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, it sped away with officers in pursuit. Police were able to stop the vehicle in the area of the southbound Interstate 880 offramp and Jackson Street, taking Maham and the driver, Vimal Swamy, 20, of Union City, into custody. Tuesday's forecast for the San Francisco Bay Area from the National Weather Service calls for sunny skies, with highs ranging from the 60s along the coast to the 70s and 80s around the Bay, with inland valleys reaching the low to mid 90s. Overnight lows will be the mid 50s. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police in San Francisco arrested a 30-year-old man on Saturday after he allegedly confessed to a fatal stabbing earlier in the day inside an apartment in the city's South of Market neighborhood, police said. Officers initially learned about the stabbing after the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Ryan Souva, walked into a police station and told officers he wished to be arrested for stabbing someone, police said. Officers determined the stabbing happened earlier that morning inside an apartment in the 1500 block of Folsom Street. At the scene, officers found the 57-year-old male victim suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds, police said. The victim died at the scene and the city's Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify him. Souva has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody and is being held without bail, according to jail records. Police are asking anyone with information about the murder to contact the Police Department's tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to text a tip to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message. 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. On Monday, the U.S. Department of State added a handful of countries to its "Do Not Travel" advisory list due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The countries the State Department advised against traveling to because of COVID-19 include Andorra, Lesotho, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Kazakhstan, Curacao, French West Indies, Iran, Libya, the Marshall Islands, Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The State Department issues a travel advisory for each country around the world. Countries are given a ranking in four categories, including "exercise normal precautions," "exercise increased caution," "reconsider travel" and "do not travel." The latter category is determined by a "greater likelihood of life-threatening risks," the State Department said on its website. "During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance," the website reads. "The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also issues travel advisories. There are currently 70 countries about 35% of the world it recommends avoiding traveling to because of COVID-19. If you must travel to any of the listed countries, the CDC recommends you get vaccinated first. The CDC said it reviews data reported to the World Health Organization on a daily basis to determine a country's COVID-19 Travel Health Notice. The four-level system ranks countries on the level of COVID at the destination, from low to very high. A country is considered to have a very high level of COVID if there are more than 500 new cases over the past 28 days per 100,000 residents. Sharon, PA (16146) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Southeast Asia later this month aiming to bolster U.S. engagement in the region in an effort to counter Chinas growing influence globally. In an early preview of the goals for her trip to Singapore and Vietnam, Harris deputy national security adviser Phil Gordon said the vice president will emphasize the Biden administrations commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on reinforcing regional security in the area. The vice president will meet with government officials, leaders, people in the private sector and civil society, and shell focus on strengthening U.S. leadership, expanding security cooperation, deepening economic partnerships, defending the international rules-based order, in particular in the South China Sea, and standing up for our values as we do with all of our friends and partners, he said. The full details of Harris trip are still being worked out, but for her second foreign trip and first trip as vice president overseas, she is planning a weeklong engagement in the region from Aug. 20 to 26 a significantly longer trip than her two-day tour through Guatemala and Mexico in June. Then, she met with the leaders of both countries to discuss ways to address the root causes of migration to the U.S. from the region, a central focus of her portfolio as vice president. Harris has had less public engagement in Southeast Asia, but Asia has been a central focus for the Biden administration from the beginning of Joe Bidens presidency, as hes sought to counter Chinas diplomatic and military incursions in the region. Relations between the U.S. and China deteriorated sharply under Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, and the two sides remain at odds over a host of issues including technology, cybersecurity and human rights. Last week, during a speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Biden warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping is deadly earnest about becoming the most powerful military force in the world, as well as the largest and most prominent economy in the world by the mid-'40s, the 2040s. The president has sent some of his top Cabinet officials to Asia to show support for U.S. allies in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made their first overseas trip to Japan and South Korea. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month where he vowed U.S. support against Beijing's intrusions in the South China Sea. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman traveled to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia in May and early June. Last month she visited Japan, South Korea and Mongolia before heading to China for high-level talks that ultimately did little to resolve many of the deep divisions between the two countries. Harris will be the first U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam, and her trip is meant to show the depth of the U.S. commitment to the region. "The National Security Council was very supportive of the notion that the vice president would be well placed to complement those other meetings and visits with travel to Singapore and Vietnam, Gordon said. Its really part of an overall unified administration engagement strategy that shows our comprehensive engagement in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia as well. HART Troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post are investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred around 11:41 p.m., Monday, on U.S. 31 south of Townline Road in Victory Township. According to a press release from the state police, the preliminary investigation showed that a 2012 Nissan Murano crossed the centerline and struck a 2001 Buick Park Avenue head-on. The Nissan Murano was northbound U.S. 31 and was driven by a 31-year-old Manistee woman. The driver of the Nissan Murano was accompanied by her 2 1/2-year-old daughter who was riding in a car seat. The Buick Park Avenue was southbound U.S. 31 and was driven by Daisy Mazeika, a 51-year-old Manistee woman. Mazeika was killed as a result of the crash, according to the release. The driver of the Nissan Murano was initially treated at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital before being transported to Mercy Health Mercy Campus in Muskegon, where she currently remains in serious condition, according to the release. The 2 1/2-year-old passenger was treated at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the release. Speed is currently being investigated as a possible contributing factor in the traffic crash, according to the release. Portions of U.S. 31 were closed for approximately 4 hours while troopers investigated the crash. Troopers at the scene were assisted by the Mason County Sheriffs Offices road patrol and traffic crash reconstruction team, Manistee County Sheriffs Office, Michigan State Police Gaylord Regional Communications Center, Mason-Oceana 911, Michigan Department of Transportation, Mason County Road Commission and emergency first responders from Fountain, Grant Township and Free Soil-Meade fire departments and ambulances from Life EMS and Mobile Medical Response. The crash remains under investigation. Any witnesses to the crash that did not speak to police at the scene are requested to please contact the Michigan State Police Hart Post at (231) 873-2171. Pere Marquette Charter Township Supervisor Gerald Bleau announced plans for an Aug. 13 community celebration event for the new Pere Marquette Conservation Park in cooperation with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and Dow. The nearly 300-acre property, acquired by the township through a Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund grant, is now available for the public to explore and enjoy, according to a press release. The land conservancy partnered with the township on the 2017 Trust Fund grant application and former property owner Dow donated 50 percent of the property value to the township to support the grant proposal. The celebration event will be held at the conservation park at the former Dow Activities Club Park beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, August 13. The driveway into the property is located directly across from 1477 Lakeshore Drive, and signs will direct traffic from the entry to the parking areas. Light refreshments will be provided. Those who are planning to attend are asked to register by calling (616) 451-9476 or online at www.naturenearby.org/events/pmcp so organizers can ensure there are sufficient supplies on hand. A great deal of time and effort on the part of many individuals has been put forth to make this park a reality for the citizens of Pere Marquette Township, the surrounding communities and the many people who visit the area, Bleau stated in the release. The collaboration with our project partners at LCWM, the community-minded generosity of Dow and strong local support all came together to enable the township to benefit from Michigans outstanding Natural Resource Trust Fund program. This event provides us an opportunity to say thank you for all of the hard work thats gone into the project and to introduce the public to the park property and our future development plans, he said. The townships acquisition of Pere Marquette Conservation Park protects vital natural land on the shores of the scenic Pere Marquette River so that it can be restored and enjoyed by Ludingtons residents and visitors. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is proud to have worked alongside the township and Dow over the last eight years to see this project through, stated LCWM Executive Director Kim Karn in the release. The conservancy provided advice and assistance on the trust fund acquisition process and has played the lead role in fundraising efforts for a Park Operations Endowment Fund and for development projects. The park includes Lake Michigan frontage, approximately one mile of Pere Marquette Lake shoreline and one-half miles of frontage along the mouth of the Pere Marquette River, one of the most popular fishing locations in the area. Dow has a 60-year history of operations in this area, and this is a fitting recognition of our long and successful relationship with the community, stated Mary Draves, Dow chief sustainability officer and vice president of environment, health and safety, in the release. Collaboration is a key component of our sustainability journey as a company, and this project is a wonderful example of how liked-minded individuals, companies and organizations can come together to create a stronger, more sustainable future. Were grateful for this partnership and all those who worked these many years to make this conservation area a reality. In addition to a brief program and light refreshments featuring the Lakeside Wiener Wagon, displays of the park development plans and information provided by a core group that is establishing a Friends of Pere Marquette Conservation Park organization will be available. Local County board starts weigh funding requests PERE MARQUETTE TWP. County department heads presented proposals for funding for various items during a special meeting Monday evening of the Mason County Board of Commissioners at the conference room of the Mason County Airport. The purpose of the meeting was a budget work session, and no items were added to the agenda for action. The board did, though, have a closed session to discuss union negotiations, and that portion lasted approximately 56 minutes. After the closed session, Mason County Administrator Fabian Knizacky said the 20 items before the county board were some that have been considered by it for many years. Its time for the board to make some hard decisions on what you want to do on these requests because theyve been hanging out there for a while, and if the board thinks theyre important in priorities, then we need to talk about how we fund those, Knizacky said. Mason County Board Chair Janet Andersen concurred as she was wrapping up the meeting. Obviously, there is five things we have to fund off the top, Andersen said. And in looking at the others, we have to look at capitol costs or annual costs and how we need to arrive, like Fabian said, to give him some direction that the board chooses to take. Its time to say were going to do this or were not going to do this, she said later. I think the discussion was good, and needed. The proposals ranged from capital improvement projects to those that have year-to-year costs for ranging from personnel to longterm investments in projects. The five items Andersen referred to that need to be completed included the union negotiations, changing the inmate medical provider for the Mason County Jail, the retirement of the Friend of the Court referee, an increase in pension contributions and a request to shift funding from grant sources to county sources to fund a position within the Emergency Management Department. That left 15 other items for the county to prioritize, some that included the addition of staff, raises to some employees or expansion of job duties with pay increases. Sheriff Kim Cole had several of the 15 items, and he prioritized courthouse security as the top of his list. Youve got decide what you want, Cole said after describing several different options for providing security at the building, saying the current proposal calls for three full-time deputies. I dont work at the courthouse. I dont see the dangers at the courthouse. But if you look at the paper and see whats going on across the country or you turn on the TV and you see whats going on across the nation, what is the first thing somebody always says? I thought it would never happen here. Cole also had requests for replacement of weapons, additional overtime hours for his deputies and a storage facility for items such as the marine patrol. Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly described just how overwhelmed her office has become in the past handful of years because of various changes in laws, and she requested an additional full-time employee to assist with concealed pistol licenses and elections. Kelly said the office, with a new employee, would allow for tasks to be redistributed. Without the employee, service to the public could be lessened. Under the current conditions, it is not possible for the staff to complete the tasks that are required of this office in a timely manner with the staffing at the current levels, Kelly said. The courts had a handful of requests. One was from 51st Circuit Court Judge Susan Sniegowski, who was seeking to have the person serving as a court administrator to be paid similar to other court administrators at nearby counties. The position in question is being funded primarily as a clerk, she said. For years and years, our court administrator has been doing a job with increasing and increasing amounts of responsibility without the corresponding increase in pay or hours in the office, Sniegowski said. This really is a full-time job (and) 35 hours a week, you just cant get the job done in that. She proposed making the position salaried with a pay increase. The administrators position, Sniegowski described, was one where all three judges as well as the Friend of the Court referee and the magistrate, works to coordinate schedules and courtroom time. Right now, were piecemealing this. Looking at a more broader perspective would make sense to me, but the way that were set up, it leaves us coming and asking Im coming and asking and someone is coming and asking for the same thing, Sniegowski said. Commissioner Nick Krieger said maybe a broader look is something that could happen with all of the courts. I dont think we want to be duplicating (work), he said. Probate Judge Jeffrey Nellis had a pair of requests. One was also an increase in pay for his clerical staff as they were working seven hours per day. The other was to hire a full-time Friend of Court referee because Jack Bulger is retiring. Nellis said the position was part-time, and Bulger also worked as an official in Oceana County. Where Oceana County has combined its juvenile court and Friend of Court referee from two separate part-time positions to one full-time position, Mason County does not have that situation. I have posted the job as a half-time position. I started out about seven days ago, and I think we go until the 13th of August, Nellis said. We havent gotten any takers, yet, and Im getting a little concerned about whether or not were going to get anyone to apply for that position as a part-time position. Nellis said an attorney with five years worth of family court experience is needed for the position, and typically an attorney would need to give up their private practice to become the part-time referee. However, if the position were full-time, Nellis said the caseload would keep the person busy. We could use that position to do juvenile court referee work There are things that an attorney referee could do such as review hearings, some trials, some termination hearings and things like that, Nellis said. Weve thrown around some ideas of having that person fulfill some responsibilities in the Friend of the Court office as well. Nellis said the goal is to find someone to do the job part-time, then maybe three-quarters time and then full-time, if necessary. The board was asked to make a list of their 15 priorities and forward those on to Andersen by Aug. 16. Actress Priyanka Nair will be seen in a yet-to-be-titled single character movie, directed by Abhilash Purushothaman. Priyanka has shared her excitement about being part of such a movie in an interview with Times Of India. Director Abhilash Purushothaman says that the movie is a realistic emotional drama. Nitya Menen had done a single-character movie, titled Praana, directed by V K Prakash. The shooting of the movie is currently underway. Priyanka Nair has won the Kerala state film award for the best actress for her performance in Vilapangalkkappuram, in 2008. Images: Priyanka Nair on Instagram Text: Moviebuzz Menfi made his remarks during a meeting with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio here on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. Tripoli, Aug 3 (IANS) Libya's head of the Presidency Council Mohamed Menfi stressed the importance of the partnership with Italy, and the enhancement the bilateral relations in the fields of investment, trade and economic exchange. According to the Council, the two discussed a number of issues, including the holding of the elections in Libya later this year. Menfi noted the importance of the partnership, called for enhancing the bilateral relations between Libya and Italy, especially in the fields of investment, trade and economic exchange. For his part, Di Maio welcomed the recent reopening of the coastal road that links eastern and western Libya after nearly two years of closure, stressing his country's readiness to cooperate and work with Libya in economic, commercial and other fields, especially in Southern Libya. He added that Italy's commitment towards Libya is "constant". "Now let's focus on the December 24 elections, which will have to represent another stage in the Libyan political process carried out on the impulse of the international community, which sees us at the forefront." The Presidency Council and the Government of National Unity were appointed recently in order to end years of political division in the country and prepare for the general elections to be held on December 24. --IANS ksk/ "We will strengthen Latin American integration and cooperation, without ideological distinctions. We will revalue the Andean Community in its special economic, trade, social, cultural and physical integration aspects," Bejar said. Lima, Aug 3 (IANS) The new peruvian government's foreign policy will promote Latin American integration based on the principle of mutual respect and reciprocal benefit, Foreign Affairs Minister Hector Bejar said. In his first meeting with the press at the Foreign Ministry, Bejar highlighted Peru's participation in the Pacific Alliance trade bloc with members such as Colombia, Chile and Mexico, reports Xinhua news agency. "We export to the Andean Community an amount equivalent to the Pacific Alliance, another vital area of regional integration, but it is the main regional market for our export manufacturing companies," he noted. Bejar, a sociologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, was appointed Foreign Minister by President Pedro Castillo, who took office on July 28. Bejar stressed that Castillo's foreign policy will also seek to strengthen the Union of South American Nations. "We will promote its reconstitution and modernisation, as the cooperation and consultation body that affirms the entity of South America in world politics," he said. "We will vigorously reinsert the Peruvian presence" in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and "we will work to strengthen it and boost its capacity for action"the Minister added. --IANS ksk/ KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Sin Chew Daily) -- Chinese groups, Chinese business associations and Chinese education groups are urging politicians on both sides of the divide to focus on fighting COVID-19 and prioritize the people's interest instead of indulging in power struggle. Chinese community leaders are of the view that political instability will have negative impact on the economy, aggravating the outflow of foreign funds where Malaysia will lose its competitive edge. People are the ones suffering from all these negative setbacks, they said. Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan, president of Federation of Chinese Associations, Malaysia (Huazong), said politicians on both sides of the political divide should not be making use of COVID-19 to gain political mileage. The battle against COVID-19 pandemic should be carried in a professional and effective manner. Goh told Sin Chew Daily Malaysians wished to see that the focus and resources are placed on fighting the pandemic instead of power struggle. Huazong urged the people and politicians on both sides of the divide to prioritize battling the pandemic and work as one team so that normalcy could be restored as soon as possible. Datuk Tan Tian Meng, Secretary-General of the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM), said the government should be focusing on fighting the pandemic without further delay. The economy, families and individuals had been badly affected by the lockdown measures during the past two months, he said. "During this critical period, the government should be focusing on efforts to flatten the infection curve, speed up vaccination, enhance mass screening measures, trace those who have tested positive and apply stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the virus," he added. Tan said herd immunity should be achieved earlier by having government and private hospitals work together to carry out vaccination throughout the country by purchasing more vaccines. Tan said ACCCIM had received complaints from the association's members as well as business community to request the government to reopen business and work resumption by allowing 50% of staff to return to work. The Federation of Malaysia Lim Associations president Tan Sri Datuk Lim Soon Peng said the political instability had impacted the pace of economic revival. Political chaos would further aggravate the repatriation of foreign funds to other regions, he said. Lim said he was relieved that many Chinese organizations had come forward to offer help and provide jobs to the unemployed. Datuk Michael Kang, president of SME Association of Malaysia, said the government should set up a professional team comprising medical personnel, pandemic experts and others to find a way to curb the pandemic instead of focusing on political fights. "If the government is unable to handle the pandemic, then leave it to the experts. Vaccination should not be politicized," he asserted. Tan Tai Kim, chairman of the United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), urged political parties to put aside politics and work together to combat the virus. He said measures to fight the pandemic were not carried out well due to political instability. Datuk Seri Tang Ying Lik, president of Asean-China Investment Association said the battle against COVID-19 pandemic should be the priority of all. Malaysia was not successful in curbing the COVID-19 outbreak for the past 500 days as there was no sign of improvement up till now, he said. By Tengku Zafrul Aziz 1. Oft-times, in the face of adversity and crisis, the most Malaysian thing to do is put our differences aside and work together to overcome them. This is most apparent during natural disasters, or monsoon floods. Other examples include past financial crises, as well as the SARS and Japanese Encephalitis health crises, to name a few. 2. Our beloved country is still in a health and economic crisis. Many countries, including Malaysia, who had successfully contained the virus before are currently seeing a spike in cases due to the Delta and Lambda variants, which are more lethal and infectious than earlier versions. Yes, there may be much reason for many of us to be angry and play the blame game. But, the omnipresent threat of the virus ill affords us such luxury. 3. It is exactly this threat that underscores the urgency of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) which is based on six core principles, including reopening our economy; being guided by science and data; taking a whole-of-nation approach; and ensuring the plan is dynamic and adaptable. 4. At the heart of this core, however, is a sincere and serious effort cutting across party and ideological lines to embrace a diverse set of opinions from opposition parties, non-governmental organisations, the businesses community as well as economic, health and social welfare experts towards a common goal. 5. Ultimately, however, it is all about the rakyat's lives, which must be protected by ensuring our healthcare system particularly its capacity to respond can cope, and by ramping up our National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. 6. It is important for everyone to remain united and focused on the task at hand by looking at the bigger picture. It is like we are on a flight, and the plane suffers some technical problems that need to be fixed in mid-air to avoid a crash. Instead of focusing on ensuring everyone's safe landing, the crew bicker about changing the pilot instead. Imagine us the Rakyat as passengers on that flight -- how do we feel? 7. Lives are at stake in our country, and the Rakyat needs to know that we have got our act together to try and help this country exit safely from the pandemic. So, why waste a valuable opportunity to pool our viewpoints, knowledge, ideas and resources systematically via the NRP? I believe the NRP is our best hope yet and currently our most viable multi-voice solution in exiting this pandemic. 8. This is why we have also invited members of opposing political parties like Pakatan Harapan, Warisan and of course, Pejuang, who has unfortunately officially refused the invitation. In gathering viewpoints from as many quarters as possible, a good idea is a good idea, it should not matter who proposes it. In fact, this is exactly what the MOF did during Budget 2021, when we incorporated various proposals even from the Opposition parties in the budget. 9. Pejuang's rejection aside, this will not stop us from continuing to reach out and engage all sides to consider everyone's views in implementing the NRP. As I have repeatedly said, the plan needs to be dynamic because the virus mutates aggressively, and we need to be agile in adapting the plan to current situations. 10. Closing ranks does not mean we have to agree with all the policies presented by the government of the day. In fact, many within the council have been the government's fiercest and harshest critics. But when lives are clearly at stake and our healthcare is tottering, we must rise above our differences and work together so we can truly bring the country out of the doldrums of this wretched pandemic. 11. The NRP is meant to 'cover' us until December 2021, and until COVID-19 can be managed as endemic. Beyond December, 2021, the nation's recovery will be supported by Budget 2022, to address short-term economic revitalization efforts, and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, representing medium-term strategies to structurally reform the economy. 12. Domestic political cooperation on managing COVID-19 is not something new. In Canada, policies on economic relief and health safety measures were developed with broad consensus from both sides of the aisle. New Zealand which has been exemplary in the fight against COVID-19 established a bipartisan committee to oversee the nation's pandemic response. Most recently in South Korea, both the government and opposition came together in a rare bipartisan agreement on additional budgetary allocations. 13. Our people deserve the same, if not better. Why can't we show the same political will and cooperation to save our Rakyat? Our esteemed Parliamentarians did this for the COVID-19 Bill in August 2020, for which I am sure the people are deeply thankful as it enabled aid and assistance to be channelled to the Rakyat. 14. I am confident we will be able to do it again through the NRP. I trust that all stakeholders are rich in their desire to see our beloved country free from the clutches of a devastating global pandemic. We must seize this opportunity to work together, cooperate and ensure that Malaysia gets back on its growth trajectory. 15. I pray for sense over political satire; and for peace over posturing. Do not let our differences douse the Malaysian spirit to nurse our nation back on its feet again. Let us, for once, put those differences aside, and draw upon that sense of solidarity from deep within each of us, to unite and ensure victory in our war against COVID-19, so we can one day declare that we have Menang Bersama! (Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz is the Minister of Finance, Malaysia.) 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! When Vince Iyoriobhe joined Bank of Americas investment banking division as a rookie analyst in 2017, he planned to stick around just long enough to get the experience needed to pursue his dream career in another corner of finance entirely private equity. I knew banking was going to be tough, Iyoriobhe, 26, said. But his attitude was: Im going to do it for two years and then go on to something else. Vince Iyoriobhe, who weathered a two-year analyst program at Bank of America to land a job in private equity, says his lifestyle in the new job is much better. Credit:An Rong Xu/ The New York Times The lure of investment banking is fading for the youngest members of the workforce. For decades, investment banking the job of advising big companies on their most pressing needs was one of Wall Streets most prestigious careers, glorified in 1980s bestsellers by writers like Tom Wolfe and Michael Lewis. Thousands of young hopefuls applied every year for a chance to start careers at Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Solomon Brothers and other banks as analysts entry-level positions that taught aspiring financiers how to build financial models and evaluate businesses. Chinas broadest Covid-19 outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic in late 2019 is hampering tourism and spending during the peak summer holiday, adding another risk to the economy just as consumption was picking up. Authorities rushed to close tourist sites, call off cultural events and cancel flights, as the outbreak linked to the highly-infectious Delta variant spread to nearly half of Chinas 32 provinces within just two weeks. At least 46 cities have advised residents to refrain from travelling unless its absolutely necessary, according to Chinese media reports. Shoppers in Beijing. There is optimism that a rebound in retail sales at the end of the quarter, in September, shows consumer confidence in high. Credit:AP There will be some downside risks to third-quarter gross domestic product growth, and the actual impact will depend on the length of the outbreak as well as the degree of social distancing policies, said Liu Peiqian, an economist at Natwest Group. Even though China has faced sporadic virus flare-ups over the past year, they have been much smaller in scope and were contained quickly. The current outbreak has shut all tourists sites in Zhangjiajie, a renowned scenic destination in central China. Other cities in Hunan, Jiangsu and Shanxi provinces have also closed tourist locations. Much has been said about the failures of Scott Morrison, Daniel Andrews and Gladys Berejiklian in our never-ending struggle to keep on top of the coronavirus. But just this once, lets shift the spotlight from our fallible leaders to the performance of those they lead. I think we ourselves could be doing a better job of it. Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen There is, after all, much truth in the saying that we get the politicians we deserve. When we think were entitled to have good government served up to us on a plate, weve lost sight of the truth that well-functioning democracies require diligent citizens, not just honest and smart politicians. Perhaps our biggest complaint has been that our leaders and experts keep changing their tune. Why cant we be told simply and clearly whats required of us? Why cant the pollies decide what they want and stick to it? Its as though theyre making it up as they go along, chopping and changing when they realise theyve taken another wrong turn. Hopeless. Thomasin McKenzie is somewhere in Auckland, sitting out a fortnight of quarantine for the third time in her young life. This is where she will turn 21, which is hardly every young Kiwis dream, but part of the deal for an internationally feted actor; McKenzies face is familiar as the young Jewish hideaway in Taika Waititis Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit. Not that McKenzie is the complaining kind. It depends on the day, where you are at mentally, how well you deal with it, she says. But most of the time Im trying to take advantage of it: to get my affairs in order, you could say, and just figure out where I am in life. Essie Davis and Thomasin McKenzie star in The Justice of Bunny King. Credit: Also, she says brightly, her father has volunteered to isolate with her; he is in the room next door. Having your dad next door round the clock might not be every young persons dream either but she says she just feels lucky. Both her parents are notable New Zealand actors; her mother is Miranda Harcourt and her father Stuart McKenzie, who writes and directs, and is her professional mentor. Its great for me to have him here. Probably not so great for him. Thats how dedicated he is! Theyre planning a fun 21st, no matter what. Were Zooming, of course. Her camera is turned off. She has recently been working on an animated series, she says; one of its chief attractions for her was that she didnt have to worry about how she looked. I really think that that is part of it. Its a real luxury not to have to go through hours of make-up or costume. You can turn up looking completely like a mess. As I usually do in quarantine. Ill have to take her word on that. Top of our agenda is The Justice of Bunny King, the first feature by New Zealand filmmaker Gaysorn Thavat, who came to directing by way of cinematography. Essie Davis stars as the eponymous Bunny, as a woman down on her luck but irrepressibly spirited; we first see her spongeing car windows on an Auckland intersection, working with a cheerful gang of Maori lads half her age. Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on the workplace, career and leadership in her advice column Got a minute? This week, four-day work weeks, unclear policies around work arrangements post-pandemic, and dealing with aggressive emails from a CEO when there is no HR team in place. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: I have been reading about other countries trialling a four-day work week without a cut in pay and think it is a fantastic idea. Do you think we will ever see a four-day work week in Australia? I love the idea of a four-day week too and it is certainly time for a discussion about whether it might work in Australia. Iceland trialled a four-day working week between 2015 and 2019 and it has been lauded as overwhelming success. Employees from all kinds of professions including teachers, frontline health teams and office workers, moved from a 40-hour working week to a 35-36 hour working week over four days but on the same pay. The outcome of the trial discovered the shorter working week led to increased productivity and an increase in worker wellbeing including reduced stress and burnout, and improved health and work-life balance. As a result of the trials, 86 per cent of Icelands working population has moved to working shorter hours or have the right to shorten their hours. Spain is launching a trial this year of a four-day work week of 32 hours and in 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern suggested employers consider a four-day week to boost tourism and help employees address work-life balance issues. In the UK there is a four-day week campaign that is using the pandemic as a prompt to radically rethink how we work. So lets hope that as momentum builds around the world, we soon start to see the conversation being raised in Australia. Netflixs Byron Baes docuseries made a monumental list of enemies in no time in Byron Bay during a weeks-long shoot which wrapped up last month. But the controversial production can now chalk up another name on the list: NSW Police. Byron Bay and Tweed Police officers have confirmed they are investigating reports of an alleged breach of public health orders over a party held at a Byron Bay home believed to be occupied by cast member Nathan Favro on July 24. Neighbours and community members in the area made a number of reports to Crime Stoppers on the evening after hearing noise and apparently seeing more than five people enter the home despite statewide COVID-19 restrictions in place which cap visitors to a household at just five people. Netflixs plans hit opposition from locals wishing to protect Byrons social fabric, and from its traditional owners. Followers on social media also became aware of the event when cast mate and influencer Elle Watson - a self-described socially and environmentally conscious woman in business - documented the events of the evening on her personal social media account. She captioned images and videos of the event as dinner party for my faves at mi casa with shots including 11 people standing around an island bench and a dining table groaning with pizzas and salad. Other snaps included a backyard and swimming pool lit up with blue party lights. Helpfully, Watson tagged 15 people in the posts including robot coral farmer Stephen Rodan, Miss Universe Australia finalist Summah-Taylor Galea and model Neve Fogg. The scientists I spoke to arent sure where the seven or eight years rule comes from. Most phase-three vaccine trials thats the big one you do before you apply to roll it out follow up volunteers for just 12 months, Jim Buttery, head of signal investigation at Victorias immunisation safety service, tells me. Alejandra Gerardo, nine, gets the first of two Pfizer vaccinations during a clinical trial for children in North Carolina, United States. Credit:Duke Health This testing schedule has produced many safe vaccines. Of 57 vaccines approved by the US since 1996, the median safety follow-up was 1 months. Yet only one had to be withdrawn from the market for safety reasons; at the same time, these vaccines cut the incidence of common viruses such as polio and measles by more than 90 per cent. It is quite amazing how safe and effective these medicines are. And the trials often have to run longer than COVID-19 ones because they have to capture enough infections in the placebo group to be sure a vaccine is working. It might take a long time to capture enough shingles infections; that is not a problem when testing a COVID-19 vaccine in the middle of a pandemic. Why are the COVID vaccine trials so short? To get the answer, we need to look not at vaccines but at the thing they are acting on: our immune system. Remember, a vaccine by itself does not do anything. Its the immune system that needs to spot it, respond, and develop immunity. If something is going to go wrong, it will probably go wrong there. But the thing about the immune system is, it is designed for speed. The immune responses act very quickly. If they dont, we wouldnt be able to fight infections. They need to get on top of the pathogens before they replicate and kill us, says Stephen Turner, head of microbiology at Monash Universitys biomedical institute. This explains why scientists are so confident the vast majority of side effects will be spotted within the first few months of vaccination. Theres more good news: we are no longer in a situation where we have five months of data on 30,000 people. We now have more than a year of data for some people, and an extraordinary 4.18 billion doses of vaccine administered worldwide (at the time of writing) in which we can look for safety signals. A phase-three is typically tens of thousands. We already have real-world experience in tens of millions. We have massive experience using the best surveillance system weve ever had, says Robert Booy, senior professorial fellow at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. OK, but what about long-term safety? Am I going to wake up one day as a lizard person? It would be nice if I could simply say, There is a 0 per cent chance of long-term consequences. Due to our continued failure to invent a time-travel machine, we cannot do that. Logically and scientifically, you cant talk to the long-term protection or safety for more than a year. Thats an impossibility, says Professor Booy. This problem, of course, applies to all new vaccines. So what gives scientists and medical regulators the confidence to recommend vaccinations? First, experience with past vaccines. As we have seen, if something is going to go wrong with the immune system, its going to happen fast, probably within the first six weeks after being given a vaccine, says Professor Buttery. We see this with other vaccines. The only vaccine to be removed from the US market for safety reasons since 1996 was the Rotashield, which was intended to prevent rotavirus gastro in children. Its extremely rare side effect occurred within two to three weeks of vaccination, and was swiftly picked up by post-market surveillance. Without 10-year safety data, you have to always think from the best analogy, says Professor Booy. The best analogy is, we have a dozen or more routine vaccinations, for which we know the long-term safety profile is excellent, and adverse events that are important happen within six minutes or six weeks of getting the vaccine. But doctors would never recommend a treatment that came with a risk, even a small one, if that risk outweighed the benefit. Over time, your chances of being exposed to COVID-19 rise to close to 100 per cent. Australia is not going to remain closed forever. Therefore, the correct risk-benefit balance is the long-term risk of vaccines versus the long-term risk of COVID-19. Loading As the NSW government grapples with record COVID-19 cases one of the few weapons left in its arsenal is a curfew, a controversial measure producing mixed results overseas. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has already made her feelings clear: I am not the type of Premier that is going to be asking citizens to do things we do not think are going to have any effect. Experts are divided over whether a curfew could help drive down the COVID case numbers in Sydney. Credit:Wolter Peeters Her decision has sparked a war between states, copping fire from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews who has demanded a ring of steel around Sydney and argues a curfew is worth trying. Both measures featured in his states lockdown last year which drove cases from over 700 to zero. Medical researchers and scientists have been lobbying the Morrison government for almost a year about the need to develop an mRNA vaccine manufacturing capacity in Australia, but action was delayed until a few months ago. Some researchers began advocating last August for work on messenger RNA technology, which is behind the success of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and whose usefulness became clear as the global pandemic intensified last year. Australian scientists and industry groups want to develop onshore capacity to make vaccines like the Pfizer mRNA shot. Credit:Getty However, it was not until May this year that the government issued a so-called approach to market, inviting interested parties to provide a fully-costed proposal to manufacture the vaccines in Australia within one to three years. A dozen proposals to make the vaccines locally are now being considered. Department officials have estimated that it could take up to four years to establish mRNA manufacturing production in Australia, depending on whether a facility was adapted from an existing site or built from scratch. A nephew of drug kingpin Michael Ibrahim has been charged for his handling of $1.37 million in an alleged fraud and money laundering scheme led by construction boss George Alex. The Australian Federal Police allege Abraham Sayour, 24, allegedly used two bank accounts to receive and distribute funds from a scheme using labour hire and payroll companies to siphon money that should have gone to the Australian Taxation Office. Michael Ibrahim, pictured, allegedly instructed his nephew to distribute fraud proceeds to family and associates. Credit:Edwina Pickles Mr Sayour facilitated the transactions on behalf of his uncle for the benefit of Mr Ibrahims wife Caitlin Hall and close associates, according to police. Mr Alex is accused of being a principal of the alleged fraud operation that also involved the imprisoned Mr Ibrahim described by authorities as someone of long-term interest to organised crime investigators. Queenslands Chief Health Officer says now is the time for people younger than 60 to speak to their GP about getting the AstraZeneca vaccine if they cant get a dose of Pfizer. Jeannette Young has come under fire from interstate and federal authorities over her stance on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which she has said should not be used by anyone under 40 and only by those under 60 after speaking to their GP. She reiterated that stance on Monday, despite growing case numbers in south-east Queensland thanks to an outbreak involving several school communities with the highly transmissible Delta variant. If [people under 60] think they have a particular risk, immediately go and talk to their own doctor, Dr Young said on Monday. I know not, sir, James M. Barrie once wrote when speculation was rife that the Bard of Avon could not possibly have written all the works he was credited with, whether Sir Francis Bacon wrote the works of Shakespeare, but if he did not, it seems to me that he missed the opportunity of his life. I feel the same about the quote that went viral on social media last month credited to French President Emmanuel Macron, on the subject of vaccination passports: I no longer have any intention of sacrificing my life, my time, my freedom and the adolescence of my daughters, as well as their right to study properly, for those who refuse to be vaccinated. This time you stay at home, not us. Passport to freedom, anyone? Credit:The Age In fact, like Bacon, Macron missed a colossal opportunity by not writing such a brilliant summation of the growing need for vaccine passports, as those words had in fact been written a week earlier by Italian journalist Selvaggia Lucarelli. They took off like a rocket when attributed to Macron. No matter. The reason it went viral is because it would scarcely be possible to come up with a pithier pillar on which to rest the next step in the global fight against COVID, including here in Australia. Because despite the fact we are winning this war by virtue of masks, lockdowns and vaccinations, the enemy is not just COVID itself, it is that motley collection of anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and bag of assorted nutters who seek to oppose all of the above at every opportunity, both on the streets and on social media. Anthony Albaneses cash-for-jabs proposal has galvanised talk-back radio and put the government on the defensive about inadequately robust vaccination rates, as it was intended to do. Whether gifting every Australian $300 if they are fully vaccinated by December 1 has merit as an idea is not the point here. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese gestures the V for vaccine sign after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen All the same, I dislike the implicit message, which I reckon subtly reinforces vaccine fears rather than challenges them. This is the rightful turf of behavioural psychologists, but I automatically think of uni students offering themselves for medical experimentation in exchange for beer money. The soft nudge, such as offering the inoculated frequent flyer points, doesnt carry the same connotation of the desired act being inherently risky. One of the three police officers who assaulted a disability pensioner outside his home also struck a teenage boy with his baton in another on-duty assault less than four months later, it can now reported. Florian Hilgart and two colleagues were found guilty last year of unlawful assault over an excessive and unnecessary use of force on the disability pensioner, John, on his front lawn on September 19, 2017. John, 36 at the time, was pinned down by six officers who attended his Preston home for a welfare check and was punched and hit with a baton, and sprayed with capsicum spray and a high-powered hose. Hilgart on Tuesday admitted striking a 15-year-old boy with a baton on January 1, 2018, after a high-speed pursuit. The teenager was a passenger in a car driven by his uncle and did not resist arrest or try to run away when he got out, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard. When Luis Montero was 16 he was so desperate for somewhere to stay he slept in a tent in Yarra Bend Park. It was terrifying, it was cold as well and there were a lot of loud noises. There is just a flimsy piece of material that keeps you away from the world, he says. Formerly homeless youth Luis Montero with his son Andre. Credit:Chris Hopkins When Mr Montero went to get food he returned to find the tent slashed and its contents stolen. Mr Montero, who was working as a cook at the time, found crisis accommodation at a refuge for a night or two but when he tried to find something longer term there was always a problem. A health crisis is looming in Western Australias north as residents overwhelmingly continue to snub the COVID-19 vaccine, with some in Indigenous communities believing its a white mans disease that wont impact them. Statistics released by the federal government on Monday revealed WAs Pilbara and Kimberley regions had the lowest uptake of the jab, with just 8.6 per cent of people aged 15 and over fully vaccinated less than half the national average. The reluctance for WA residents in the north to get the vaccine could mean the state is the last in Australia to reach its 70 and 80 per cent freedom targets. The poor response is despite about 60 per cent of the areas population older than 16 being eligible to receive the vaccine since at least June, and could delay WA already lagging behind the rest of the states in reaching its 70 and 80 per cent vaccination targets to begin reopening. Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt held a meeting with North West shire leaders on Tuesday to address the shortfall which could have dire impacts for the regions Aboriginal residents, who make up one-quarter of the population but declined to comment publicly on the situation. Australians will use a QR-code vaccine certificate for international travel under a multimillion-dollar federal government plan to reopen the borders, but the Coalition is in disagreement over whether to extend the requirement to domestic travel. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age can reveal the governments expenditure review committee of cabinet last week backed a proposal for vaccination certificates, which would lead to quarantine-free international travel. It would involve linking peoples vaccination status on their MyGov accounts a secure online portal that stores Australians personal information with new digital vaccination certificates and border declarations. Australians will have a vaccine certificate for international travel, but the Coalition is split on whether to use it for domestic travel too. Credit:Shutterstock Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pushing for the use of the certificates domestically on the basis it will encourage more Australians to get vaccinated faster under national cabinets planned four-phase reopening of the country. Mr Morrison on Tuesday released new Doherty Institute modelling that supported an end to lockdowns once national vaccine rates hit 80 per cent of the eligible population. But the issue remains contentious within the Coalition party room, with several MPs from within its conservative ranks voicing their opposition against any mandatory system. Several more MPs are prepared to support the system for both international and domestic travel but want it ruled out for supermarkets and other essential activities. Sydneysiders are abandoning the city in favour of cheaper housing and lockdown-free life in the states regions as the coronavirus pandemic up-ends migration around the country. A record net 11,800 people left the nations capital cities in the three months to the end of March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Tuesday, with Sydney and Melbourne hit hardest by the pandemic-fuelled drain. Since the start of the pandemic, a net 24,500 people have left Sydney for other parts of NSW. In total, almost 40,000 have moved out of Sydney since the pandemic started, with more than 10 per cent making the move to Brisbane. But there are signs of change. In the first three months of this year, NSW gained a net 880 people from Victoria the first time since the middle of 2017. But it lost people to every other state or territory. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has just overseen Christian Porters assuming of the role of acting leader of the House of Representatives. Amid a burgeoning, pre-eminent mass awakening to the endemic issue of sexual abuse, this decision marks a proverbial slap in the face of our entire nation. Less than two years ago, the twice-convicted paedophile who abused me and others before me was awarded a doctorate by the University of Tasmania, despite breaking the student code of conduct and being charged and jailed a second time for producing child exploitation material during his PhD tenure. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has overseen Christian Porters elevation to Acting leader of the House of Representatives. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In light of my own experience, its hard to process how an accused rapist albeit one who will never face prosecution could be offered one of the highest positions of power in the country by none other than our nations leader himself. Christian Porter has been accused of raping a woman in 1988. Last year, his alleged victim died by suicide. He has denied the accusation. Professor Barnett said it was difficult to estimate the right amount of money to change behaviour but the economic gains were likely to offset the spending because of the cost of shutdowns, border closures and social restrictions. His study, published by Medrxiv last week, asked 1,628 people to show their interest in being vaccinated after being told of three incentives: the health benefits, a lottery with a financial prize and a cash voucher. While 14 per cent asked for more information on the vaccine after being told of the lottery, 16 per cent responded to the health benefits and the largest group, 22 per cent, responded to the cash voucher. The response was similar across age, gender and race. The study, which was done in the United States because of the time required to do a similar study in other countries, was based on the offer of a $US100 voucher. We know the dose of the vaccine that works. We dont know the dose of cash that would work, Professor Barnett said. You could up the dose of the cash and you might find that you get a higher figure, but that depends on the number the government is willing to tolerate. Loading The thing to bear in mind is that it would very likely pay for itself. Anything in the region were talking about, from $100 to $300, if we got a big chunk of people to get vaccinated and get life back to normal that would very likely pay for itself very quickly. Professor Barnett said real-world programs showed the impact of financial incentives such as payments in some countries for people who give up smoking, but he said negative incentives could also be effective. Given the state were in at the moment and given the massive costs of the lockdowns and life not being back to normal, I suspect the government will end up trying both in order to get the rate up to that herd immunity percentage that we need, he said. Professor Barnett has a doctorate in mathematics, is the president of the Statistical Society of Australia and worked at pharmaceutical company SmithKline Beecham earlier in his career. The Labor policy would pay the $300 to all those who have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by December 1, including those already vaccinated, and would cost $6 billion if it covered all adult Australians. Finance Minister Simon Birmingham rejected the Labor idea on Tuesday morning on the grounds it was insulting to people who had already been vaccinated and was unnecessary to reach the target. The government is relying on advice from the Behavioural Economics Team of the federal government, part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, that the primary consideration should be incentives that enhance the benefits of the vaccine or increase the costs of not being inoculated. Evidence from overseas has shown larger financial incentives and lotteries have generated a lot of publicity but have had little to no impact on longer term vaccination rates. This approach is unlikely to drive vaccine uptake in Australia, it said. But the government has refused to release the full report from the economic team and has instead released selected quotes from its findings. French President Emmanuel Macron has passed laws to require a digital pass showing people have had two doses of a vaccine if they want to go to a concert, restaurant or public event. United States President Joe Biden has taken a different approach by proposing a $US100 payment to people who get vaccinated. Professor Anthony Scott, head of the economics research program at the Melbourne Institute at the University of Melbourne, said many studies worldwide showed cash incentives generally worked. The evidence suggests that cash payments are good for short, one-off behavioural change such as a visit to get vaccinated, he said. The evidence on lotteries is not as strong. Asked about Labors $300 payment, he said, That sounds expensive if its going to go to everybody who gets vaccinated, but I think the advantage with that is that it is pretty clear and is one single message. Professor Scott said the incentives generally worked for people who were undecided but were unlikely to sway people with strong views, such as those opposed to vaccination. The $300 sounds like a fair bit of money for most people and would have an impact, but only on those groups who are unsure - it would get people vaccinated more quickly, he said. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has stalled the release of her governments promised road map for life after lockdown, insisting the path to freedom is still too dependent on case numbers and vaccination rates. Ms Berejiklian on Tuesday said there were too many unknowns to release the long-awaited plan, despite first saying early last month that the road map was only days away. The Premier said she wanted to communicate definite information about life after August 28 - when the lockdown is scheduled to end - but conceded she did not know if Sydney was through the worst of the outbreak. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Dr Kerry Chant at Tuesdays COVID-19 briefing. Credit:Nick Moir I have to be honest about this, she said. Theres clearly been a plateau in the last week, but we dont know if were going to see [the numbers] worsen before they get better, she said. Tokyo: Almost two decades after Australian hockeys curse was first broken, the Kookaburras are within 60 minutes of another gold medal. The Australians outran, out-passed and out-lobbed Germany in a fierce contest at Oi Stadium to defeat the Europeans 3-1. The Kookaburras faced Germany in their semi-final. Credit:Getty With James Tomkins, the Australian rower and a three-time Olympic gold medallist in the stands along with Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, the Kookaburras resisted waves of German attacks in one of the liveliest stadiums of this pandemic Games. Weve got something to celebrate tonight, said Coates. It was very good. They wanted to win. Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) he was launching a strategic dialogue between the United States and Indonesia at talks in Washington with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Blinken told reporters while meeting Marsudi at the State Department that the dialogue was agreed upon between the two countries some years ago but was now actually being initiated at their meeting in Washington. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, accompanied by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, walks to meet the press after a bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington. Credit:AP Indonesia is a strong democratic partner to the United States; we are working together on so many different fronts, Blinken said. Marsudi said a strong partnership with Indonesia, the largest country and economy in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will be a key aspect for the US increasing engagement in the region. Kiev: A Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kiev early on Tuesday, and Ukrainian police said they had launched a murder case. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kiev-based organisation that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after failing to return home from a run. Vitaly Shishov, leader of the Kiev-based Belarusian House in Ukraine. Credit:AP Police said they had launched a criminal case for suspected murder, including investigating whether killers tried to disguise the crime as suicide. Shishov had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said in a statement. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. London: The defection of an Olympic sprinter in Japan and the mysterious hanging of a prominent exile in Ukraine have prompted warnings that there is no safe place for a Belarusian dissident. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania and claimed she won last years elections against Soviet-era President Alexander Lukashenko, said the shocking discovery of Vitaly Shishovs body, which was found hanging from a tree in a park near his home in Kiev, was devastating. From left: Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, Vitaly Shishov and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Credit:Getty Imahes, Bloomberg Authorities are now investigating his death, including the scenario that it was a murder disguised as suicide. Belarusians cannot be safe, even abroad, Tsikhanouskaya said on her Telegram channel, hours before raising his death with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during talks at Number 10. Washington: One of US President Joe Bidens former top advisers says employer mandates rather than financial incentives are the key tool that will help countries like Australia achieve vaccination rates high enough to move past COVID-19 lockdowns and return to something resembling pre-pandemic normality. Andy Slavitt, who served as Bidens senior pandemic adviser until June, said the highly contagious Delta variant has made it imperative for governments and businesses to set more ambitious vaccination targets and implement more aggressive policies to encourage vaccinations than they would have just months ago. Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to the White House COVID-19 Response Team until June this year, has written Preventable, a book about Americas response to the pandemic. Credit:The White House Delta has moved the needle on what we need to get done, we need to get many more people vaccinated, Slavitt told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in an interview. If you needed 70 to 80 per cent of the population vaccinated before, you need 80 to 90 per cent vaccinated now in order to keep the prevalence of the disease at a low level in the community. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), would like to inform the public that its offices at the Vineyard Office Complex are the only location that will be open for the administering of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. During the month of August, CPS opening hours for the administering of the Pfizer vaccine are 8:30 AM to 12 noon, and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Persons need to keep in mind that the aforementioned hours could change, and this will be timely communicated to the community. Persons can call 914 for any additional information. PHILIPSBURG:--- Parliament invites the public to send in nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award. The application can be found on the Parliaments website. Persons have until August 13, 2021, to submit their nominations. The website address is: www.sxmparliament.org and can be found under the public section of the site. Select the President of Parliament Award and you will be able to fill in the application form. The purpose of the President of Parliament award is to honor and award young persons of Sint Maarten who have contributed to the community and the country positively whether it be academically, voluntary or sporting achievements. Any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that an individual meets the criteria can send the nomination to the Parliament of Sint Maarten. The eligibility criteria are: the candidate must have Dutch nationality and/or has been legally residing in Sint Maarten for 10-years or more consecutively and has been registered in the Civil Registry for that period of time must be between the ages of 15-24 years has made a worthwhile contribution to the development of the community and the country these contributions/achievements must have taken place within the last three years contributions/achievements must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official and must have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and ability to motivate An award committee consisting of three Members of Parliament reviews the nomination prior to the selection meeting and selects three nominees. During the selection meeting, the President of Parliament selects the recipient of the award based on the recommendations of the award committee. The award is presented yearly to the recipient during the reception ceremony at the Opening of the Parliamentary Year. Nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award may be submitted by any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that the individual that he or she is nominating meets the criteria abovementioned. Nominations can be sent to via hardcopy to: The Parliament of Sint Maarten Attn: Annual President of Parliament Award Committee Wilhelminastraart 1 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten or via e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. William "Bill" Hamilton, age 64, of Somerset, KY, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at the Jewish Hospital in Louisville. Services are pending at this time and will be announced later. You are welcome to view the obituary and send condolences to the family at our website: www.LakeCumber How body worn cameras and AI can curb the issue of abusive behaviour Amongst the many negative consequences of the pandemic is a rise in violent and abusive behaviour across society. Health workers have experienced it on a regular basis. So too have police officers and public transport workers. Unfortunately, violence and abuse towards shop workers is also endemic in British society. To address this problem which, in truth, has been on the rise since long before the emergence of COVID-19, we need better deterrents. The ability to prosecute these offences is one such deterrent, but just as important is the ability to deescalate situations before they spill over into unacceptable or unlawful behaviour. Major retail customers In both instances, organisations of all sizes are now recognising that the answer could involve greater use of rapidly advancing body worn camera technology. Andy Marsh, the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, is one of the police officers responsible for introducing body worn cameras to the UK police force, where they are now in widespread use. Andy Marsh is one of the police officers responsible for introducing body worn cameras to the UK police force He explains that The reason the majority of people dont speed or drink-drive is that rational human beings weigh up the risk and consequences of breaking the law and getting caught. Body worn cameras help provide appropriate desistance, especially where there are forward-facing screens so the person interacting with the wearer can see themselves and their behaviour. Evidence shows that if a forward-facing camera is switched on before the intervention becomes hostile, it will generally lead to a de-escalation as often as 90% of the time, according to one of our major retail customers. Digital evidence investigations Only a tiny handful of abusive incidents ever translate into arrests and prosecutions. A key issue is a lack of clear evidence how to get past the usual impasse of one persons word against the other. Body worn cameras break the deadlock and allow organisations to report incidents to the police with confidence, knowing that they will lead to action. Marsh suggests that We usually see an earlier admission, an earlier guilty plea and a more appropriate sentence, where body worn camera footage is in play. The technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. For example, its now possible to record high-definition footage on a lightweight device thats barely the size of a palm. And its not just about the evidence organisations gather themselves. Many police forces are looking at ways to make it easier for businesses and the public to collaborate on digital evidence investigations. Body worn cameras This is good for the victims of crime because it means we get the evidence more quickly" Weve created an online crime portal in Avon and Somerset which people can use to pass digital evidence and material to us without an officer having to attend their premises. This is good for the victims of crime because it means we get the evidence more quickly and can take action more swiftly to resolve that issue, adds Marsh. Our body worn cameras can now even support facial recognition thanks to new, smart AI on the devices themselves, which can scan and process faces within a three-metre distance against a pre-defined database of people (which we call a watchlist). Any matches trigger alerts or additional camera activity such as recording and streaming, while the facial recognition data of people not on the watchlist itself is not recorded or saved to assuage privacy concerns. Similar criminal behaviour Where could this technology come in handy? Well, staff at gambling venues or in-store retail workers could undoubtedly benefit from the ability to quickly spot known fraudsters or addicts who have requested that venues refuse their custom. Stewards at mass sporting events could play a key role in helping to identify people who have been banned from attending. The primary reason for using body worn cameras is to increase the safety of frontline workers The primary reason for using body worn cameras is to increase the safety of frontline workers, deescalating confrontations and limiting the use of force. AI-powered facial recognition can also serve this purpose by helping them make better-informed choices about how to handle specific situations. For example, it is a massive advantage to police officers on the beat to understand that the person they are dealing with may have a history of similar criminal behaviour. Facial recognition technology But its also an advantage within retail, where aggressive incidents are on the rise and staff need all the help they can get to determine what an appropriate response should be to a particular customer incident. In fact, extensive consultation with our retail, police, transport and gambling customers indicates that introducing facial recognition technology to body worn cameras could be instrumental, not just in helping to prevent crime, but in tracking down vulnerable and missing people too. Of course, facial recognition technology has to be balanced against the need to protect the privacy of ordinary citizens. Video recording using body worn cameras has to be done proportionately the same is true for the use of facial recognition technology. The technology also has to be compliant with GDPR, Data Protection, the Information Commissioners recommendations and so on. Positive working environment Violent and abusive incidents affect everyone in the immediate vicinity and create a culture of fear Importantly, it should be for a specific, proportionate and justifiable reason which, of course, means it should never be used for indiscriminate mass surveillance. Every organisation using this technology must remember that a facial recognition system match is not proof of someones identity, but rather, an indication of likelihood to help inform the user rather than dictate the course of action. Violent and abusive incidents affect everyone in the immediate vicinity and create a culture of fear and apprehension. This is why its so important to get on top of the problem both on a societal and at an organisational level. Body worn cameras have a vital role to play, as an evidence-gathering tool and as a deterrent that empowers the wearer and creates a more positive working environment. Deterring unlawful behaviour One of the critical roles these cameras play is in staff training, providing real-world video evidence that can be used to educate and upskill workers across a variety of industries. Societys problem with abusive and violent behaviour cannot be solved by technology alone. But with exceptional quality camera footage now a reality, and the possibility of AI technology at the device level in real-time, body worn cameras will only get better at deterring unlawful behaviour and helping to protect hardworking frontline staff. Alasdair Field is CEO of video technology provider Reveal, which works with UK police forces and major brands such as Matalan, JD Sports and Boots to help them improve staff safety, deescalate confrontations and reduce violent and abusive incidents. Enterprise, AL (36331) Today Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute According to press release, more than 1,000 passengers boarded flights out of Mason City in the month of July. Billionaires Bill Gates and Melinda French are officially divorced after 27 years of marriage. According to CNBC , the divorce determination was given by the Superior Court of King County, in Seattle, United States. It is unknown how the Microsoft co-founder and his ex-wife divided one of the world's largest fortunes. In the documents cited by CNBC it can be seen that neither of the spouses asked to change their name, but does not detail information on the division of the properties. Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates announced their divorce in early May and since then, reports of inappropriate labor relations on the part of the entrepreneur have continued to be published. "After much thought and hard work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," the two said in a joint statement. "Over the past 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works around the world to enable all people to lead healthy and productive lives. We continue to share faith in that mission and will continue our work together in the foundation, but we no longer believe that we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life. " The couple first met in 1987 at a work event in New York. They were married seven years later, on New Year's Day in Hawaii. They have three children together: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe. The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft's board had opened an investigation in 2019 after a former employee claimed she had an affair with Gates. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Connecticut restaurant owners are once again watching the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state as the highly-contagious delta variant has led to an increase in infections in Connecticut. Some said Monday they may be considering a return to indoor masking policies. Meanwhile, across the state border, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday morning that New York City will require proof of vaccination for people participating in indoor activities, including at restaurants, gyms and performances. On Wednesday, Gov. Ned Lamont said the state would not be following suit and that proof of vaccination will not be required for indoor dining. Lamont has not yet issued any new restrictions, though the state Department of Health now strongly recommends that all Connecticut residents, regardless of whether they are vaccinated, wear masks indoors in all eight counties. Lamont reiterated Monday that he would consider a broad mask mandate for residents and businesses, as he has said almost every day he was in the state over the last two weeks. He appears to be committed to a voluntary approach, as he said restaurants and other businesses are free to impose any distancing and mask requirements that they choose. Some restaurateurs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle were already requiring guests to provide proof of vaccination. The most high-profile restaurateur to implement this policy is Danny Meyer, whose New York-based Union Square Hospitality Group will now require staff and customers to be vaccinated. But Meyer's move may not translate in Connecticut. Mark Turocy, owner of Black Rock Social House in Bridgeport, said a vaccine mandate would "absolutely kill us." He fears it would drive away customers and potential staff alike at a time when he says he can't afford to lose either. "People were going to go to his restaurant regardless, because he's Danny Meyer. I don't have that luxury. So why am I going to turn guests away in an already tumultuous industry?" he said. "I, personally, totally believe in vaccinations, I totally believe in mask wearing, I absolutely agree with it. But as a business owner, that's putting on a different hat." Restaurateurs say they're considering many options as the delta variant continues to impact the state, and that they would be asking for input from their staff members. Bill Taibe, who owns The Whelk, Kawa Ni and Don Memo restaurants in Westport and operates a new cafe at The Art Space in Norwalk, said he is meeting with his team this week to discuss. "We will work closely with the [Connecticut Restaurant Association] to do what's best for our staff and customers," he said Monday. Grano Arso in Chester has already gone back to a masking requirement, telling guests in a Facebook post that masks would be required for indoor dining when they're not seated at a table. Guests seated outdoors will not have to wear masks. Jason Sobocinski, whose establishments include Ordinary and Haven Hot Chicken in New Haven and Black Hog Brewing in Oxford, said he and his team were weighing mask requirements, but they weren't yet at a consensus. And Phil Barnett, co-owner of Hartford Restaurant Group, which owns and operates 10 restaurants across the state (including Wood-n-Tap locations in Hamden and Wallingford), said he would be calling a meeting with all of his managers this week. He hopes to find out how staff members are feeling about masking again, and how they feel guests might react to any policy change. "There's a lot of information that we're watching right now," he said. "The safety and well being of our staff and our guests are the priority." In Cheshire, Viron Rondo, owner of Viron Rondo Osteria, said he's not currently requiring masks for guests unless it's required by the state. He also has no plans to ask guests for proof of vaccination, but said he will comply with any changing regulations. "I'll do whatever the governor and the health department are going to require," he said. "I don't think we have a choice. This is too big to disagree with, or to not follow the guidelines. We have to protect the public, and we have to protect our staff." Barnett acknowledged it can be a tough balance between safety and hospitality, and that it would be easier to follow a mandate or requirement from the state health department or the CDC. "If that's what the state says, that's what we do. But if not, it becomes very challenging," he said. "That's why our industry is so interesting to watch; you're trying to make all your guests happy, but you have some people with completely polarizing feelings toward this. It's a very challenging situation to be in from a business side." Barnett said Hartford Restaurant Group employees are required to wear masks unless they show proof of vaccination, but said his group would not be looking to ask that of customers. "If that's a requirement later on, then of course we'd oblige," he said. "Otherwise I think right now; it's not something that we want to get involved in." Rondo said he'd hoped Connecticut was done with pandemic-related restrictions, but just in case, he's saved and stored all the Plexiglas and dividers he removed from the restaurant earlier this spring. And Turocy added that the emergence of the delta variant is a "dangerous thing" for the industry that still has yet to emerge from pandemic-related losses. He thought he was seeing "the light at the end of the tunnel," looking past the slower summer months to a busier holiday season, but the variant is causing more uncertainty. "I don't know how many more times this industry can take a beating," he said. This story includes prior reporting by Julia Bergman. In this ongoing series, we are sharing advice, tips and insights from real entrepreneurs who are out there doing business battle on a daily basis. (Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.) Who are you and whats your business? Im Randall Kaplan, a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, beach lover, philanthropist, photographer, and podcaster. I co-founded Akamai Technologies which today has 8,000 employees around the world, had more than $3 billion in revenues last year, and serves a quarter of the worlds web traffic. Im the founder of JUMP Investors we invest in early-to-late stage start-ups as well as a few other asset classes. I co-founded and am the Co-CEO of Thrive Properties we buy and manage apartments throughout the US. I co-founded and am the CEO of River City Restoration were restoring, building, and selling vintage Ford Broncos. Im the CEO of CollarCard, a promotional products company that sells patented mens collar stays. Im also a photographer my photography coffee table book BLISS featuring my beach drone photos from around the world went on sale a few months ago and since then its been the number one new release in four different categories on Amazon. My main 70-hour a week job is Im the founder and CEO of Sandee weve created a Yelp for beaches for the $5 trillion a year beach tourism industry and the billion people a year who visit the beach. Related: How These Teen Sisters Make $20 Million a Year in the Beauty Biz Finally, later this month, Im launching my podcast In Search of Excellence which is about our desire to live up to our highest potential, to overcome the obstacles we all face on our way there, and to inspire us to achieve greatness. My first guests are Sam Zell, Sharon Stone, Tim Draper, and Brad Keywell. What inspired you to create Sandee? In 2014 I went to Greece with my girlfriend for a romantic beach vacation. We were staying at a very nice hotel with a very good concierge, and I asked her where the closest black sand beach was. The concierge reached behind the counter and took out a paper map the kind you used to get from AAA unfolded it into 16 parts, took out a black Sharpie, and circled a point on the map that didnt have a street name and looked like it was in the middle of nowhere. Then she said, I think theres a small road around here youll see an old abandoned barn and a roundabout, and thats where I think the turn-off is. So we headed out in our Fiat convertible for what she said would be a two-hour drive. It was 90 degrees, and when we got to the general vicinity, there were no stores, nowhere to eat or buy water, and no cell service. And we didnt find one old abandoned barn there were five of them in the area. None had what I would call a road but after circling around for 20 minutes, we saw what looked like a dirt road. It had tall weeds growing on it but looked like people had driven through it before. At that point I didnt want to go as we drove towards it, we could see that in some cases the weeds were taller than our Fiat. And all I kept thinking about was the movie Taken and the fact nobody knew where we were or would find us if something went wrong. But my girlfriend said lets try it, and so thats exactly what we did. The dirt path was filled with a lot of potholes, which meant we were going five miles an hour. It was around a mile long, and it took us 20 minutes to get through, and as it ended, we found a small dirt parking lot which was empty. The beach was in front of us it was gorgeous, with beautiful black sand that was surrounded by tall, sloping shale formations. Related: Being an Entrepreneur Is All About Punching Today in the Face, Says This Co-Founder We climbed up on the shale, and as we were sitting on our towels in the blazing heat without water and looking at the beach and the incredible azure blue water I thought about two things. First, that Im going to marry this woman which I did a year later. And second, there had to be a better and easier way to find information about beaches, and that I was going to try to solve that problem. Two days after we got back to the states, I started Sandee. Seven years later, weve spent more than 100,000 hours cataloging 94 categories of information for every beach in the world more than 50,000 beaches in 212 countries. Our goal is to allow the billion people a year who visit the beach to know everything about a beach before they visit and find their perfect beach. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking for funding? The very first step when youre raising money is to create a clear, easy-to-understand PPT that takes somebody through what youre doing. We use the Grandma Standard - which means that my 102-year-old grandmother who has never used a computer and who has never read a PPT could read it from beginning to end and have a perfect understanding of what youre doing regardless of its sophistication the problem you are solving, how you are going to solve it, how your product differs from others and is the best solution, and how you are going to make money and build a successful company. This is harder than it sounds and often takes a while to get it right we often go through 30-40 drafts for our own companies. Once you have that, the first place to look for capital is always your network which can be friends and family, or people you have done business with who know you well and want to back you and invest in you. Many also reach out to venture capital firms at the same time or as part of their first funding round. This is a more difficult process venture capital firms look at many more factors, including your experience, track record, team, revenue model, and the stage of your company, just to list a few. If you dont have a track record, many venture capital firms wont invest without a minimally viable product or revenues that show people are buying what youre selling. How should entrepreneurs prepare for a pitch? Randall Kaplan: Im a huge believer in not only being extremely well prepared for meetings but to be 10x over-prepared and to study for a pitch meeting like it was a final exam. You created this awesome PPT that took you a week, and you finally get a meeting, and then you have to explain it to somebody. You have five seconds to make a good first impression. And then you have a very short amount of time to show your audience that youre the expert on what youre doing and you know it better than anybody. And finally, you need to think about every possible question youre going to need to answer, starting with the obvious ones where people will try to poke holes in what youre doing. And after doing all of that, I always tell entrepreneurs to rehearse their pitches in the mirror, and then do rest runs with others. That means finding friends and family and people with business experience, preferably with experts in whatever youre doing, or a venture capitalist if youre lucky enough to know one. Related: Never Underestimate the Value of What You Have to Offer, Says This Entrepreneur What does the word entrepreneur mean to you? An entrepreneur is somebody who thinks she can do things differently to solve a problem, who has a high degree of self-confidence and the ability and drive to absorb and overcome rejection, and who bets on themselves to pursue a new idea to start a new business. Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation? My motto is and has always been Anything Is Possible. If we set our mind to something, and work incredibly hard, and have the determination and ability to overcome obstacles and failures and make a plan to make sacrifices and achieve our goals, you can do anything. As an entrepreneur, Ive been told hundreds of times throughout my life that you cant do that, or nobodys going to want that, or nobodys going to respond to you or my favorite one, thats impossible. Its almost never impossible nearly every single time that people have told me these things theyve been wrong. My goal isnt to be right its to follow my own path, believe in my ideas, and then do whatevers necessary to make them happen. Thats the inspiration for and also the main lesson of my podcast In Search of Excellence. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The police unions in both Greenwich and Stamford are throwing their support behind Republican Ryan Fazio in the special election for the 36th Senate District. The Silver Shield Association of Greenwich sent out its endorsement Tuesday for Fazio in the three-way race to finish the term of Alex Kasser, who resigned in late June. The union cited his opposition to the police accountability act signed into law last summer in Connecticut after nationwide protests over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Kasser voted for the bill, which was heavily criticized by police unions across the state. Fazio has also been endorsed by the Stamford Police Association due to his opposition to the police accountability law, which Fazio has said he would look to overturn or significantly modify. The Silver Shield Association also backed Fazio last year in his unsuccessful run against the incumbent Kasser. Even after his campaign ended last year, he remained an outspoken advocate for public safety as crime, from car thefts to shootings to homicides, rose significantly around Connecticut. We are confident that Ryan is the right person to represent our values and livelihood in Hartford, the union said in a statement. Fazio is running against Democrat Alexis Gevanter and petition candidate John Blankley in the Aug. 17 special election for the Senate seat representing Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan. Anytime there is an opportunity to support pro-police and pro-public safety candidates, it is vital that we stand with them, SPA President Kris Engstrand said in a statement in support of Fazio. The candidate has pledged his support for a pro-public safety agenda and to advocate for better means to fight increasing regional crime and illegal guns on our street that is leading to an increase in shootings across many communities, the SPA said in the statement. The Silver Shield Association of Greenwich broke its own precedent last year in endorsing Fazio and Kimberly Fiorello, who was elected in the 149th House District. It making its first political endorsements, the union cited the two Republicans opposition to the police accountability bill and their support for police. In the statement Tuesday, the union said when it stood shoulder to shoulder with Fazio last year, it was not the easy or popular thing for either of us to do. We did it because we wanted to stress to the community the danger that anti-policing rhetoric and a sweeping police reform bill would pose to the safety of our state, the union said in the statement, which was signed by President Louis Pannone, who is a lieutenant in the Greenwich Police Department. A year later, it is evident that those dangers and our concerns proved true, with crime surging in our state. Connecticut needs better leadership to protect public safety, reduce crime, and support local police in our state, the statement said. In the statement, Pannone criticized the bill as rushed through and said the concerns of well-meaning police officers and officials have fallen on deaf ears of many legislators. Fazio, he said, knows the police are the good guys and sees through the out-of-control nationwide anti-police movement that wants an educated public to believe otherwise. In an interview Tuesday morning, Pannone said he did not want the endorsement to be seen as a partisan matter. But he said police need to have a voice at the legislative level to advocate for us and not have knee-jerk reactions to things. If we didnt have a voice up in Hartford, whether it be Kimberly (Fiorello), Ryan Fazio or other people, how else would we get our thoughts and concerns to the decision-makers? Pannone said. Its impossible. We cant strike. We cant do slow downs. What do you do? Even with all these pressures that are on police departments, we still give exceptional service. When is a better time go out on a limb and do something exceptionally uncomfortable by getting into the political arena? Were not partisan. Fazio said he was very proud to have the support of police in Greenwich and Stamford. They understand the importance of the special election for state Senate to reduce crime, take illegal guns off the street and stop rising car thefts and homicides in Connecticut, Fazio said. The endorsement was made last year to warn the public about the dangers of the sweeping police law in Connecticut, he said. Now we need a state senator who is committed to repealing the law and keeping our most vulnerable citizens safe. His opponent Blankley said he supports police and pointed to his past work on the town Board of Estimate and Taxation, which approves police budgets. No matter the position of the Silver Shield, my support for the GPD is steadfast and strong, Blankley said. I am the only candidate who has actually provided direct support for the police in my role on the BET, and I will continue to do so when elected to the state Senate. In an interview last week, Gevanter praised the police, saying that public safety was an important part of her platform and that we need to fully fund our police. Before running for office, Gevanter was Connecticut chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and said she had worked closely with police on gun safety issues. If she had been in the legislature during the debate over the police accountability bill, Gevanter said she would have worked in the legislature and spoken with the police and tried to get the best bill out of it. In a statement on Tuesday, Gevanter said, Community safety is incredibly important to me, which is why she was so involved with Moms Demand Action. I am the only candidate in this race who has a record of success working to make our communities, schools and families safe, and I will continue to do so when elected, she said. Pannone said he does not know Gevanter or where she stands on the issues. He said the union did not reach out to anyone before making the endorsement. Pannone said Fazio reached out to them last year and approached them again when he declared his candidacy for the special election. Gevanter said she was disappointed the Silver Shield didnt take the time to speak to me during their endorsement process despite what she said were repeated attempts to reach them. Gevanter has received endorsements from Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who are all Democrats and Greenwich residents, as well as from Everytown for Gun Safetys Action Fund and Connecticut Against Gun Violence. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com STAMFORD Judy Veliz was struggling to schedule an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine by searching online for openings nearby, so she called the Americares Free Clinic of Stamford. The clinic is one of the partners that has been working with Stamford Health as part of a program called No Barriers. Donna Porstner, a spokesperson for Americares, said that staff at the Stamford clinic has scheduled vaccination appointments for about 300 patients through the program. I try to tell other people who (dont) have the vaccine yet to do it, said Veliz, a 46-year-old Stamford resident who is originally from Guatemala. I just tell them that this is the only way that we can be safe. Overall, more than 3,000 people have been vaccinated through the No Barriers program, which was launched in January. Kathleen Silard, the president and CEO of Stamford Health, said she believes the health system may be able to use No Barriers as a model for future initiatives. If we can be successful with this, maybe we can have an impact on heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, some of the other things that we see in our community, she said. The program, which also counts the city government as a partner, has aimed to clear the way for members of minority communities to get the COVID-19 vaccine whether it be logistical hurdles standing in their way or fears about the safety of the vaccine making them hesitant. The idea for the program germinated way back in the beginning of the pandemic, Silard said. When we began to see how some of our underserved groups in the community were so disparately impacted by COVID-19, not unlike other communities across the nation and indeed the world, we knew we had to do something to try to have an impact on that, she said. Silard recalled meeting with the hospitals intensive-care physicians as the number of COVID-19 patients began to rise in spring 2020. The physicians were noticing that members of the Black and Latino communities were being much more impacted and were sicker, she said. Stamford Health then established a task force focused on outreach to high-risk communities. It turned to organizations like Building One Community, the Stamford NAACP and local churches to spread the word about social distancing, mask wearing and testing. The idea was that those groups have earned the trust of those in our community that might not otherwise trust hospitals or health care organizations, Silard said. As COVID-19 vaccines became available, Stamford Health shifted its focus to vaccine access, launching the No Barriers program soon after the start of 2021. The program quickly received praise from Gov. Ned Lamont. Basically we said, We will eliminate all the barriers to getting the vaccine. All you have to do is show up at one of our vaccination sites and we had two that were in operation and we would vaccinate you, Silard said. No complicated registration process. IDs didnt matter. Immigration status didnt matter. All that mattered was getting the vaccine. Again, the health system leaned on groups like the NAACP and Building One Community, a nonprofit that offers support to immigrant families. Imagine arriving in a new country, being confronted with a terrifying pandemic and finding out that you cannot get vaccinated because you are uninsured, dont have a computer or dont have a drivers license, said Don Strait, the deputy director of Building One Community, in a statement. Thats the situation many immigrants in Stamford were faced with. In addition, many of the people who receive help through Building One Community work or live in places where their risk of exposure to COVID-19 is high, Strait said. At first, the focus of No Barriers was on reserving blocks of time for members of socially vulnerable groups, such as immigrants, to get the vaccine with translators on site to ensure clear communication between anyone who spoke limited English and staff. Later, the program transitioned to a door-to-door strategy. A few months after No Barriers kicked off, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation gave Stamford Health a grant to expand the program. The city received a grant from the state around the same time to boost outreach to pockets of the city considered socially vulnerable where vaccination rates were lagging behind more privileged neighborhoods. What we decided was we would put those funds together and hire as many community health workers as we could to ... get the word out about the vaccine in person, door to door, Silard said. About 9,700 doors have been knocked on, she said, and more than 3,000 conversations have taken place at those doors. Seventy percent of the people visited said they had already been vaccinated. About 6 percent said they planned to do so, and about 12 percent hadnt decided yet. Another 12 percent said they wouldnt get vaccinated. Stamford Health has administered more than 147,000 vaccine doses overall, spokesperson Andie Jodko said. About 31 percent of the vaccines administered by the health system have gone to people in census tracts with high social vulnerability index rankings. Stamford Health has shut down its major vaccination sites as demand has fallen, but Silard said the health system recently received approval to vaccinate people at some of its medical group locations. The door-to-door canvassing is expected to continue for a few more weeks, she said. While mass vaccination sites run by Stamford Health and Community Health Center have closed, walk-up clinics are still being held in the city. Includes prior reporting by staff writer Veronica Del Valle. DANBURY The City Council will return to in-person meetings on Tuesday following 16 months on Zoom and a renovation to its meeting chambers. The return, however, will come as city officials strengthen their COVID-19 restrictions in the public building. Council members, city employees and the public will be required to wear masks a step back to tougher restrictions in City Hall as the highly contagious delta variant drives up cases in the state and country. Nearly all counties, including Fairfield County, are considered to have substantial COVID spread, per the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This led the state health department to urge vaccinated individuals to wear masks again in Fairfield County and most of Connecticut. The city notified its employees on Sunday that new mask mandates would be implemented beginning Monday, Mayor Joe Cavo said. City Hall previously allowed vaccinated employees to be unmasked in the building, although the public has been required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. The state has followed the CDCs guidance, and theyre recommending we mask up indoors here in Fairfield County, Cavo said. We are doing that right now. With places like restaurants, bars, theaters and grocery stores open, Cavo said its time for City Council to meet in-person again. Between the hacking issues and the security issues on public meetings, I just feel as the presiding officer that its time to get back into the chambers and do the work of the people in-person, he said. Ive had a lot of people request that we do that. City Councils meeting last month was interrupted by a cheeseburger-ordering hacker, forcing officials to temporarily shut down the meeting and move to a different stream. Employees and council members are not required to inform the city of their vaccination status, but Cavo said the majority of municipal staffers have their shots. Many council members shared their vaccine cards with the city at Cavos suggestion, he said. The city renovated the council chambers to give members more space on the dais. Members used to sit shoulder-to-shoulder. City officials had talked about renovating the chambers for years, but COVID gave them the time and made it more critical for social distancing purposes. Im so impressed with how it came out, Cavo said. Crews still need to put finishing touches on the audio-visual area. The lagging supply chain has delayed the arrival of some cables, but other cables will be used to make audio and visual system work on Tuesday, Cavo said. A livestream of the meeting will be available. For the public, every other seat will be blocked off. Visitors must sign in with the security guard for contact tracing. Vaccination effort Cavo said hes not as concerned about the virus as he was before vaccinations were widely available. However, he worries a vaccinated person could unknowingly get the virus, have mild symptoms and pass it to an unvaccinated person. Thats the real concern I have, he said. Danburys infection rate was below the states last week. The city had a 0.7 percent positivity rate and a 14-day running average of 2.1 new daily cases per 100,000 people, according to the health departments July 26 report to City Council. Comparatively, the states positivity rate was 2.27 percent on July 26 and 3.18 percent on Monday. In Danbury, 57.18 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, while 64.09 percent have their first dose, according to state data. The health department has been working with community partners to distribute vaccines to populations that otherwise may have faced challenges accessing them. Theyre identifying neighborhoods and areas of the city where they notice vaccines seems to be lower, Cavo said. Theyre making it as easy as possible, as they can, for people to get vaccinated. Over the last month, nearly 2,300 people were vaccinated through 60 mobile clinics hosted by various partners, in addition to 23 people getting their shots at home, according to the health department report. The team made about 2,000 calls, canvassed 300 houses and assisted 2,000 residents to get them to a clinic or find a vaccine site. We are eager to continue these efforts throughout the remainder of the summer and get even more Danbury residents vaccinated, wrote Kara Prunty, acting health director, in the report. It is so important for individuals to receive their COVID-19 vaccine so we can keep infections low throughout the city and keep our community safe and healthy. This work is especially important as the delta variant spreads, she said. STAMFORD The Board of Representatives has approved a change to Stamfords ordinances to ban people from leaving a dog tied up outside for more than 30 minutes unless a person is also outside and has the animal in view. The citys code of ordinances currently prohibits people from tethering dogs for an unreasonable amount of time and refers to a section of state law that uses similar language. But Stamford Animal Control Officer Tilford Cobb has told city representatives that the law is difficult to enforce because it doesnt define unreasonable. Rep. Jonathan Jacobson, D-12, has pushed to update the citys rules on tethering. During a board meeting this week, he described his proposal as common-sense animal welfare legislation. As with the original ordinance, a person in violation would pay a $100 fine for a first offense and $100 for each offense after that. This amendment does not ban the practice of tethering altogether, Jacobson said. Rather, it's designed to protect our dogs from being chronically tethered outside without anyone with them, subject to isolation and the elements for hours on end. The new legislation does not affect people who have their dog running free within a fenced or electronic fence enclosure. The boards Legislative and Rules Committee has discussed tethering a dog longterm at meetings going back to December. Among the groups that weighed in as the committee was crafting the legislative language was the Humane Society of the United States, which noted in a letter to the board that an otherwise friendly dog, if rarely taken off a chain, can become anxious and aggressive. Mayor David Martin intends to sign the measure, his spokesperson, Rachel LaBella, said. The board approved the new ordinance with 30 members voting yes, Reps. J.R. McMullen, R-18, and Jeff Curtis, D-14, voting no and Rep. Bradley Michelson, R-1, abstaining. McMullen said he opposed the measure because it was a one-size-fits-all law. It's completely different if you're taking a Chihuahua and putting it out on a tether for hours outside where it's subject to certain risks (than if its) a full-size, 80-pound German Shepherd, he said. McMullen added that when he was growing up, it was considered cruel and unusual to leave a dog locked up in a house for eight to 10 hours while the owner was away at work. And in some cases, he said, tethering can be good for one, it may prevent a dog from running out of a yard. We should continue to allow residents to take care of their own animals at their discretion, McMullen said. Rep. John Zelinsky, D-11, offered up several amendments that he said one of his constituents had suggested. In an email to the board, the constituent said she has two Siberian Huskies that she often tethers in front of her house. While some people have complained about her dogs being outside in the winter, she contended that, as Huskies, they are OK in the cold weather. The constituent argued that requiring her to be outside with her dogs in the cold would be unreasonable. She also noted that she isnt allowed to fence in the front of her property, and that her dogs ran through an invisible fence she tried. She proposed that the board create exceptions for dogs that are suited for certain weather and dogs that have been tethered without supervision in the past. Zelinskys motions to make those amendments failed. We can enforce that A different version of the new ordinance came before the Board of Representatives last month. That version similarly required someone to be outside with the dog and to have the dog in view. It also included an exception intended to allow a person to step away and complete a temporary task while a dog was tied up. But Jacobson asked his colleagues to kick the proposed ordinance back to committee, and the board did so. When the committee took it up, Jacobson said that members of the board and the public had raised concerns about the enforceability of the language. In particular, there was a question about the definition of temporary, he said. Jacobson then proposed the language with the 30-minute window, saying he had done an analysis of other municipalities legislation and spoken with Cobb, the Animal Control officer. I think 30 minutes is reasonable, Cobb told the committee. We can enforce that. We will be able to send an officer out, document the time the call came in, document the time the officer sat out there and viewed this dog outside, and we will be able to issue an infraction. Cobb clarified that the 30-minute clock would start when an officer arrives at a home. We have to see what we're issuing the infraction for, he said. So we actually have to witness that dog being out for that period of time. Alternatively, if multiple neighbors are willing to provide written statements, Animal Control can issue an infraction based on those, Cobb said. He said his department receives one or two calls about tethered dogs a month. The goal is not to go after the responsible dog owner who is putting the dog out for a short period of time, Cobb said. This is to protect those dogs that are being left out unattended for extreme amounts of time. In terms of dogs like Huskies, Cobb noted that such dogs are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia a point the Humane Society also made to the committee. Before the final vote Monday, the board adopted an amendment by Rep. Benjamin Lee, D-15, the chairman of the Legislative and Rules Committee. The point of the amendment, Lee said, was to make clear that the citys tethering rules dont apply to someone who lets their dog outside to move around freely in a yard that the person owns and that has a physical or electronic fence. Rep. Terry Adams, D-3, suggested that the rules also shouldnt apply to a dog put on a dog runner system in a persons yard. The board approved the amendment with that addition. brianna.gurciullo@hearstmediact.com STAMFORD Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Saturday will hold its second small business fair of the season to try to create momentum for companies whose sales have been hampered by the pandemic. "It's really an opportunity for them to showcase their products and allows this person in the neighborhood really in the community to come and support small businesses," the Rev. Robert Jackson Jr. told The Stamford Advocate. The expo will feature goods for sale and kiosks spotlighting local services: AT&T, which has a storefront at Stamford Town Center, posted up at the church's first event in June. A life insurance company and the Stamford Public Education Foundation also claimed spots alongside the smaller shops. Bethel A.M.E. first tested out the idea for a business bazaar in February 2020 when it launched an expo at UConn's Stamford campus. And while vendors signed on fast, Jackson said the early affair "didn't have the foot traffic" to make it successful. Even before the pandemic forced everyone outdoors, the pastor said going outside was the most logical way to increase visibility. But now, the climbing delta variant COVID-19 cases in the state have made being outside almost an imperative, especially for entrepreneurs, he said. "With COVID, people probably have not been able to, you know, sell the products that they normally would," Jackson added. The church initially planned to hold three expos throughout the summer, though July's event was canceled because of inclement weather. The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Small Business Expo will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 in the parking lot of the church, 150 Fairfield Ave. Masks are required to attend. Vendors interested in signing up for the event can contact bethelstamford@optimum.net or can register via Eventbrite. veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com BEIRUT (AP) After the massive explosion at Beiruts port a year ago, only a small part of Ibrahim Hoteits younger brother was identified: his scalp. His brother was a large man, a firefighter, a martial arts champion, but Hoteit buried him in a container the size of a shoe box. Since then, Hoteit has sold his business and sleeps only a few hours a night. One thing drives him now: winning justice for the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020, explosion that killed more than 214 people and punishing Lebanons political elite, blamed for causing the disaster through their corruption and mismanagement. I dont see a minister or president or parliament speaker. I am seeing the person who killed my brother and others with him, Hoteit said. Hoteit and his wife, Hanan, have built an association of more than 100 families of those killed. They are waging a campaign of protests trying to force politicians to allow the truth to come out. A year later, critics say the political leadership has succeeded in stonewalling the judicial investigation that was launched to uncover what happened in the explosion and who was responsible. Aiming to get around the barriers, another group of families is calling for an international fact-finding mission by the U.N. Human Rights Council. President Michel Aoun said no one will have political cover if they are found negligent or guilty but has not addressed accusations that officials are obstructing the investigation. Hoteit and other families say they are up against not just a government but the entire political system that has ruled Lebanon for more than 30 years. Its a system that protects itself so intensely it seems invulnerable, even as many Lebanese say it has led the country into ruin pointing to both the explosion and a financial meltdown that is one of the worlds worst in the past 150 years. The blast was preceded by a fire that broke out at the port, and hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar along with other highly combustible materials exploded. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Along with the dead, thousands were injured. Some 300,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Painted on a wall opposite the still mangled port, a large slogan declares, My government did this. It soon emerged from documents that the ammonium nitrate had been stored improperly at the port since 2014 and that multiple high-level officials over the years knew of its presence and did nothing. Since the end of the civil war in 1990, the former warlords in that conflict have run Lebanon, heading sectarian-rooted factions. They have divvied government offices up among themselves, and their patronage system has fomented widespread corruption. Though rivals, the factions close ranks to prevent accountability. Hoteits brother Tharwat was among the group of firefighters who rushed to battle the initial blaze. All were killed. Hoteit and Hanan spent the next 12 days searching through hospitals for his brother. They turned over bodies to see their faces. Along the way, they met other families on the same grisly search. They continued to communicate, first through a WhatsApp group, trading stories of their loved ones. Then they organized to fight. At first, the group held vigils outside the port on the 4th of every month to remind the public of the demands of justice. But as the investigation stalled, the group changed tactics, turning to protests. Their first angry protest, burning tires and blocking roads, came after the political leadership succeeded in removing the first chief of the investigation into the explosion, Fadi Sawwan. Politicians gained a court order for his removal after he named three former senior ministers and the caretaker prime minister to be charged with negligence leading to death. The caretaker prime minister has dismissed the allegations as diabolical. A new chief investigator was swiftly named: Tarek Bitar, a younger judge with no clear political affiliations. Bitar cast a wider net, pursuing even senior military, intelligence and security officers. In February, he asked the government and parliament to lift immunity from the heads of two main security agencies and two lawmakers so he could question them. The families were elated. But the political elite again closed ranks. Lawmakers and government officials refused to lift immunity. The interior minister said his legal department advised against it, reportedly because the security agency in question was not responsible for the shipment. So the families began protests targeting parliament members and officials they accuse of burying the truth. In TV ads and social media posts, they branded those who opposed lifting immunity as the ammonium nitrate lawmakers. On Monday, the families gave officials until Tuesday afternoon for immunity to be lifted or else they would give a bone-crushing response, though they did not elaborate. With his black T-shirt, jeans and hair slicked back, Hoteit has become synonymous with calls for justice. The 51-year-old-father of three coordinates with local groups to document and archive every piece of information on the blast and has met with several of the politicians he has led protests against. A domestic reckoning may be the only way to bring down the wall of impunity and break Lebanons ruling system, Hoteit says. If this doesnt bring about change, nothing will. BEIRUT (AP) After the massive explosion at Beiruts port a year ago, only a small part of Ibrahim Hoteits younger brother was identified: his scalp. Hoteit buried his brother a large man, a firefighter, a martial arts champion in a container the size of a shoebox. Since then, Hoteit has sold his business, a perfume and accessories shop. He sleeps only a few hours a night. Black circles ring his eyes. One thing drives him now: winning justice for the victims of the Aug. 4, 2020, explosion that killed more than 214 people and punishing Lebanons political elite, blamed for causing the disaster through their corruption and mismanagement. I dont see a minister or president or parliament speaker. I am seeing the person who killed my brother and others with him, said Hoteit, who says he gets anonymous threats. This is what gives me strength. I see that I have nothing to lose. Hoteit and his wife, Hanan, have built an association of more than 100 families of those killed. They are waging a campaign of protests and rallies trying to shame, pressure and force politicians to allow the truth to come out. A year later, critics say the political leadership has succeeded in stonewalling the judicial investigation into the explosion. President Michel Aoun has said no one will have political cover if they are found negligent or guilty, but has not addressed accusations that officials are obstructing the investigation. Hoteit and other families say they are up against not just a government but the political system that has ruled Lebanon for more than 30 years. Its a system that protects itself so intensely it seems invulnerable, even as many Lebanese say it has led the country into ruin pointing to both the explosion and a financial meltdown that is one of the worlds worst in the past 150 years. Even the current caretaker premier, Hassan Diab, has acknowledged this, saying weeks after the explosion that corruption in Lebanon is bigger than the state. ___ Black and white portraits of each of the blasts victims, commissioned by Hoteits group, hang from the walls of a central square near the port. Painted on a wall opposite the still mangled port, a large slogan declares, My government did this. The blast was preceded by a fire that broke out at the port, and hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar along with other highly combustible materials exploded. It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. Along with the dead, thousands were injured. Some 300,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. It soon emerged in documents that the ammonium nitrate had been stored improperly at the port since 2014 and that multiple high-level officials over the years knew of its presence and did nothing. But a year after the government launched a judicial investigation, nearly everything else remains unknown from who ordered the shipment to why officials ignored repeated internal warnings of the danger. Multiple government agencies have a role at the port, but all of them have said the ammonium nitrate was not their responsibility. Hoteits brother Tharwat was among the group of firefighters who rushed to battle the initial blaze. All were killed. Hoteit and his wife spent the next 12 days searching through hospitals for his brother. It was harrowing. They turned over bodies to see their faces. Doctors notified them when they identified Tharwats remains. Along the way, they met other families on the same grisly search. Hoteit and Hanan saw one man carrying his dead sons hand in a plastic sack. The families continued to communicate, first through a WhatsApp group, trading stories of their loved ones. Then they organized to fight. ___ With his black T-shirt, jeans and hair slicked back, Hoteit has become synonymous with calls for justice. The 51-year-old-father of three is unforgiving, determined and a clear-eyed strategist. He coordinates with local groups to document and archive every piece of information on the blast. He has met with several of the politicians he has led protests against, as well as repeatedly with investigators. At first, the group held vigils outside the port on the 4th of every month. But as the investigation stalled, the group changed tactics, targeting specific officials with protests. At a protest last month, hundreds carried empty coffins outside the acting interior ministers home. At first, Hoteit tried to keep the group orderly, while Hanan and others shouted angrily at the minister inside. The protest got tense as numbers swelled and the minister never came out to talk to them. Protesters tried to make their way through the gates. Police fired tear gas and pushed them back. ___ The biggest challenge has been trying to ensure the investigation moves forward. The first lead investigator was Fadi Sawwan, a former military judge. When the families felt he was dragging his feet, citing coronavirus restrictions, they protested outside his home. When he did act, they couldnt protect him. Sawwan named three former government ministers and Diab, the caretaker prime minister, to be charged with negligence leading to death. Diab has dismissed the allegations as diabolical. The political class united and won Sawwans removal by court order in February. Thats when the families staged their first angry rally, burning tires, blocking roads and warning they may storm the Justice Ministry. A replacement for Sawwan was swiftly named: Tarek Bitar, a younger judge with no clear political affiliations. Bitar cast a wider net, pursuing even senior military, intelligence and security officers. In February, he asked the government and parliament to lift immunity from the heads of two main security agencies and two lawmakers so he could question them. The families were elated. But the political elite again closed ranks. Lawmakers and government officials refused to lift immunity. The interior minister said his legal department advised against it, reportedly because the security agency in question was not responsible for the shipment. So the families took aim at parliament members and officials they accuse of burying the truth. In TV ads and social media posts, they branded those who opposed lifting immunity as the ammonium nitrate lawmakers. ___ The same group of politicians have run Lebanon since its long civil war ended in 1990. They head the same sectarian-rooted factions that fought the conflict. They have divvied government offices up among themselves, and their patronage system has fomented widespread corruption. Dozens of political assassinations have never been properly investigated. Corruption has gone unpunished despite widespread documentation. Impunity is entrenched in the system. Though rivals, the factions close ranks to prevent accountability. That impunity translated into stunning callousness by politicians in the wake of the explosion. No one deployed security around a city thrown into chaos. No authority took charge of the crime scene or search and rescue. No politician visited damaged areas. No state agency offered aid or shelter to those left homeless, and none cleaned up the rubble all was left to volunteers. The state never offered an apology or condolences to families. Even declaring Aug. 4 a National Day of Mourning took months of pressure. The state didnt care for anything at all. If we didnt follow up on everything big and small, nothing would happen, Hoteit said, speaking at his home in the mainly Shiite southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. Like many Lebanese, Hoteit had long been resigned to the system. It was dictated by fate and geopolitics, he felt. He can abide it no more. If the judiciary doesnt give us our right, I will take vengeance for my brother with my own hands. ___ The families' lives have been consumed by the fight for accountability. Salam Iskander, a mother of four whose younger brother Hamzeh was killed, comes from her home in northern Lebanon to Beirut to participate in every activity organized by the group. Her father was furious, saying she was endangering her family by taking on the politicians. The memory of her brother drives her. Hamzeh, a soldier, supported her and her children, since her husband has a disability that prevents him from working. Her mother died a few months after Hamzeh killed by grief, Iskander believes. Hamzeh is not coming back. Nothing will cool my heart, she said. But I want to be able to say I did something for him. .... Maybe I can do something as simple as punish those who did it. Tracy and Paul Naggear lost their only child, 3-year-old daughter Alexandra. Lexou, as they call her, was one of the youngest killed in the blast. They cant bring themselves to return to live in their home near the port. Tracy has grown thin with stress. After Lexous funeral, they thought about leaving Lebanon Tracy has Canadian citizenship but then they started working with others campaigning for justice. Now they regularly participate in Hoteits protests. This government killed my daughter, and its my right and my duty to seek justice, and I will, Tracy said. They can try and block the truth as much as they want ... They will get exhausted before we do. The Naggears are also part of another network of families asking the U.N. Human Rights Council to establish a fact-finding mission into the blast. Proponents hope that could circumvent politicians obstructions. A third group, made up of families of killed firefighters, has focused on lobbying Lebanese security agencies. Families have had to fight over and over for even the smallest help for the victims. Parliament stalled when they asked that the victims be considered military martyrs, which would secure them and their families a pension and assistance. So Hoteit called a strike outside the home of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Eventually they won the declaration. But Hoteit said the speakers allies in the government social insurance agency, feeling slighted by the protest against Berri, retaliated by slowing delaying payments to the injured. So Hoteit held a news conference naming and shaming those responsible. The payments resumed. ___ On Monday, Hoteit and the families gave officials 30 hours to lift immunity on the officials the lead investigator wants to question or else face a bone-crushing response. They didn't elaborate. Breaking the wall of impunity means more than achieving justice, Hoteit says. A domestic reckoning may be the only way to break the system. If this doesnt bring about change, nothing will. BAGHDAD (AP) Over 17,000 looted ancient artifacts recovered from the United States and other countries were handed over to Iraq's Culture Ministry on Tuesday, a restitution described by the government as the largest in the country's history. The majority of the artifacts date back 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and were recovered from the U.S. in a recent trip by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Other pieces were also returned from Japan, Netherlands and Italy, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in a joint press conference with Culture Minister Hasan Nadhim. Nadhim said the recovery was the largest in the history of Iraq" and the product of months of effort between the government and Iraq's Embassy in Washington. Theres still a lot of work ahead in this matter. There are still thousands of Iraqi artifacts smuggled outside the country," he said. The United Nations resolutions are supporting us in the international community and the laws of other countries in which these artifacts are smuggled to are on our side." "The smugglers are being trapped day after day by these laws and forced to hand over these artifacts, he added. The artifacts were handed over to the Culture Ministry in large wooden crates. A few were displayed but the ministry said the most significant pieces will be examined and later displayed to the public in Iraq's National Museum. Iraqs antiquities have been looted throughout decades of war and instability since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Iraq's government has been slowly recovering the plundered antiquities since. However, archaeological sites across the country continue to be neglected owing to lack of funds. At least five shipments of antiquities and documents have been returned to Iraq's museum since 2016, according to the Foreign Ministry. DARIEN Democrat candidates set up shop at the towns sidewalk sales this past weekend to talk about their plans for the towns future, now that longtime Republican First Selectman Jayme Stevenson is not seeking reelection. Democrat first selectman hopeful Tara Ochman known most recently for her time as Board of Education chair set up camp in front of the former Brooks Brothers talking to passersby about her plans if elected this November. She said she found the sidewalk sales a perfect location since part of her campaign focuses on downtown development and its burgeoning retail offerings. "Darien's shops and restaurants are a huge part of what makes this town attractive and desirable, Ochman said. I want to make sure that our town government is investing strategically and providing businesses with a modern and safe downtown." Evonne Klein, former first selectman and founding member of The Action Network of Darien Democrats, called Ochman the leader Darien needs. She brings a wealth of experience as the former chair of the Board of Education, and she understands that listening to Darien residents is key to addressing our challenges and crafting a vision for our towns future, Kleinb said. Having served as first selectman, I know what's required to get things done. Tara has the skills and the savvy to excel at the job." Selectman David Martin, who is not seeking reelection to the selectmen but instead running for Board of Finance this November, spent time meeting people, as did Board of Education candidate Julie Best. The sidewalk sales presented an excellent opportunity for first selectman candidate Tara Ochman, as well as our other candidates, to meet with Darien residents and discuss the issues that are important to our community, Democratic Town Committee Chair David Bayne said. The weekend went very well, he added, and Dariens voters can expect much more community outreach and engagement in the coming months from Tara and our other candidates for the boards of Selectmen and Education. brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com Professionals ranging from accountants to veterinarians who move to Connecticut will have an easier time gaining state licenses under a new state law designed to make the state more welcoming, particularly for military families. The law allows new residents, including military spouses, to receive the licenses and certifications necessary to practice in Connecticut, provided they are licensed in another state and have safely practiced for at least four years. They also must meet state examination requirements and complete any required background checks. The law also directs the state Departemnt of Consumer Protection to convene a working group to assess whether Connecticut should join any interstate compacts to further expedite licenses. At a press conference Monday at the Submarine Force Library & Museum in Groton, where a large concentration of the states military personnel work and live, Gov. Ned Lamont billed the legislation as a way to address the unemployment rate for military spouses, which stood at 16 percent before the pandemic. The governor said frequent relocations make it difficult for military spouses to find work. It is cumbersome as heck. You know youve got 50 different states, 50 different licensing mechanisms, he said. Top Pentagon leaders from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, requesting action, said earlier this year that the issue was affecting retention as many service members decide to get out due to their spouses not being able to find gainful employment. They urged governors across the country to remove barriers associated with military relocations a benefit all the more cricial as future defense department decisions on where to grow or close bases are likely to be based in part on how well a state promotes and expands economic opportunities for military spouses. Lamont proposed a broader version to include all people in licensed professions moving to Connectiut and the General Assembly adopted the measure. Capt. Todd Moore, commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, said the effort in Connecticut will enhance our nations defense by improving quality of life for service members and their families. Bob Ross, the states executive director of the Office of Military Affairs, said the legislation alleviates stress for military families, brings new talent into the workforce, and benefits the states economy because military families will have more discretionary money to spend. I like the fact that we take an approach where we can solve a problem for a military family but then make that solution available to the larger population so were not doing something in total isolation for a special group, Ross said. Were using that special group to get us to a solution that helps everybody. julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com NEW CANAAN If trends hold, New Canaan Public Schools will not require masks to be worn this upcoming school year, unless high transmition of COVID-19 re-emerges locally or there is an executive order, according to a note from the superintendent online. If positive trends stabilize or further improve over the summer, we do not anticipate the need to require universal mask wearing in our school buildings in 2021-22, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi wrote in a statement. The district said it will closely monitor the spread of the virus as the summer progresses and follow orders if Gov. Ned Lamont imposes executive orders once more. The original mask-wearing order expired July 20. The district has boasted in-person learning for roughly 97 percent of the student body in the 2020-21 school year. The three elementary schools were fully in-person for 87 percent of the year, Saxe Middle School was fully in-person for approximately 83 percent of the year and the New Canaan High School was fully in-person for approximately 45 percent of the year. The schools will continue to take precaution and plan to strategically utilize available space to provide for maximum physical distancing in classrooms and beyond, per the district website. New Canaan High School will continue with block scheduling, with only four classes a day to reduce the number of times students pass in the halls. The Board of Education meets next on Aug. 9 to discuss the matter further. Regardless of whether or not a mask mandate is in effect, all students and staff have the option to wear a mask if they so wish, Luizzi wrote. Even though totals have been low or nonexistent in recent weeks, there had been 12 reported positive cases of coronavirus in town as of last Thursday, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan noted in his town address released last week. There have been eight breakthrough cases in town people who have tested positive for the virus after being vaccinated out of 13,762 fully vaccinated resdients, Moynihan said. So it is clear that cases of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated individuals in Connecticut and in New Canaan are rare but possible, Moynihan said. We therefore continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. The positive COVID-19 cases span all age brackets, but predominantly in the unvaccinated, Moynihan said. In New Canaan, 75.4 percent of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 68 percent are totally vaccinated, the first selectman cited. The town has 99.61 percent of seniors over 65 with at least one dose of the vaccine, 85.9 percent of those aged 45 to 64 with at least one dose, 98.6 percent of those aged 16 to 44 with at least one dose and 76.4 percent of those aged 12 to 15 with at least one dose. School workers are currently vacinnated at a 92 percent rate for certified staff and over 86 percent of employees overall. Moynihan said the town owes its low transmission rates to highly successful vaccination campaigns led by New Canaans Health Department, the excellent adherence to school recommendations for quarantine, travel restrictions and testing options. The district will continue to adhere to executive orders and other mandates, as required by law, from the governors office, state Department of Education, Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control, Luizzi affirmed in his note. With several countries now offering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines to their citizens, state officials said conversations were underway to prepare if federal regulators approve another dose. But it still remains unclear what those regulators will decide as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase locally and across the country. Obviously, I think, they are moving closer to boosters starting with folks who are immunocompromised, or have some greater risk, or had their vaccines a while ago. And I will be waiting for their lead, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday morning. Pfizer, the maker of the first vaccine authorized, has already said it intends to seek approval for a booster shot. The company cited data out of Israel suggesting the protection offered by its normal two-dose regimen of shots may decline six months after full-vaccination. The company said it believes a third dose will also make its vaccine more effective against the highly infectious delta variant, which is now believed to be the dominant strain in Connecticut and the rest of the United States. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said people who are fully vaccinated should begin wearing masks indoors again in areas where the virus is spreading. Heres what we know so far about vaccine booster shots. Will boosters be available in the U.S.? Some think its likely. I think its more likely than not, said Keith Grant, senior system director of infection prevention at Hartford HealthCare. But based on the data currently available, he said he didnt think pursuing booster shots should be the top priority, when a relatively small amount of COVID-19 cases involve break through infections. Breaking down that data even further, its a very small percentage of individuals that have been vaccinated that fall into the breakthrough category that end up needing critical care, he said. He argued that resources should be focused on vaccinating people who are still unvaccinated. Who will get boosters? Biden administration officials have indicated older Americans and those with underlying health conditions could start receving booster shots as early as September, the New York Times reported last month. Other countries already offering booster shots are following a similar plan. Israel began offering a third dose to those aged 60 and above last week. Officials in Germany announced the country will begin offering boosters to older people and those with underlying medical conditions beginning in September. France is also administering booster shots, while Belgium and Italy both say they are preparing to offer them this fall but are still gathering data. Can I get a booster shot now? Officially, no booster shots have been authorized for any of the makers of the three vaccines authorized for use in the United States. But some people who have already been fully vaccinated against the disease have reported getting an extra shot amid concerns about the delta variant. Some are even mixing-and-matching different vaccines in doing so. One Georgetown University virologist told CNBC she received a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine about two months after she was given a dose of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. One woman told the New York Times she received two shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the U.K., and then got a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Florida. She told the newspaper she had read a study that suggested mixing the two vaccines could boost immunity. Grant said that sort of mixing and matching makes sense theoretically, but we dont have any data to support it. Pfizer has said a third dose of its vaccine has been shown to boost the bodys immune response in studies. Grant that sort of booster shot seems harmless based on the data thats already known. He noted that heath care providers giving the shot could look up someones vaccine status on the states immunization database. Will it be hard to get an appointment for a booster shot? Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford of the Connecticut Department of Public Health said Monday she doesnt think supply will be an issue in the event boosters are recommended. As the state slowly opened up its supply of vaccines by age bracket this past winter and spring, appointments were snapped up almost as soon as they became available. The limited supply of doses mixed with high demand led some to turn to Facebook groups and other unorthodox sources to try to secure an appointment. But since demand for shots peaked in early April, weekly administrations of vaccines have fallen drastically, down from over 315,000 in a week to hovering in the 30,000 range. But Gifford said the state doesnt anticipate vaccine shortages like late last year. It won't be like last December when we started the vaccine program, she said Monday. There's ample supply. As the governor indicated, it is likely it will just be for a subset of those of us who are vaccinated. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Tuesday, 03 August 2021 23:00:47 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo The Peruvian minister of mines and energy, Ivan Merino Aguirre, met with executives of several Chinese companies that operate in the country, including Shougang Hierro Peru. The meeting aimed to strengthen the global image of Peru in the mining sector, while also stimulating new investments. Yao Shun, president of Shougang Hierro Perus board, was one of several other executives to attend the meeting. Other companies represented in the meeting included Chinalco, MMG Las Bambas and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Shougang Hierro Peru is Perus key and largest iron ore producer. During the meeting, the minister also explained Perus line of work to generate a bigger growth and development for the mining companies. According to the Peruvian ministry of mines and energy, all companies, including Shougang Hierro Peru, stressed the importance of an understanding between the government, and the communities and the companies to advance investment projects. In the first six months of 2021 police opened almost 6,000 criminal cases for about 1,000 timber criminals, as part of a clampdown on illegal transport, storage, processing and sale of timber. "As many as 19,000 forestry checks have been carried out in the first 6 months of 2021, which resulted in police opening 5,952 criminal files in which more than 1,000 people are being investigated. Also, police seized more than 20,200 cubic meters of wood," the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) informs on Tuesday. During the reporting period, police officers conducted over 19,000 checks into the national forest stock and in timber storage/sale sites, reports Agerpres. As many as 4,327 sanctions in amount of 6,820,220 lei (approximately 1,390,000 million euros) have been handed down (as per Law No. 171/2010 on the establishment of forestry crime sanctions). "Also, the police seized over 20,200 cubic meters of undocumented wood, 129 mechanical saws, 82 axes, 37 horse-drawn carriages and 26 vehicles," the IGPR states. The amount of illegally logged wood was 51,854 cubic meters, down 64 percent from the same period last year Over 17,500 new vehicles were registered in Romania in July this year, up 20.3pct compared to the same period in 2020, informs the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA), citing the data released by the Directorate for Driving Licenses and Vehicle Registration (DRPCIV). Of these, 15,493 were new cars, eyeing an increase compared to July 2020 (when 12,950 units were registered) of 19.6pct. In this context, for the first 7 months as a whole, new cars registered an overall increase of 1.0pct, agerpres reports.On the other hand, the used cars, with the 235,188 units registered in the period January - July 2021, saw an increase of 11.0pct compared to the similar period in 2020.Regarding the registrations of new commercial vehicles (LCVs, HCVs, minibuses and bus, as well as special vehicles), after a volume of 2,078 units, registered in July 2021 (+ 25.3pct compared to July 2020), it results a general growth for the whole year 2021 of 27.5pct.In July, new motorcycles (mopeds, mopeds, ATVs) registered an increase of 44.7pct on a volume of 796 units and one of 48.3pct on the first seven months of 2021. The postage stamp issue "Neagoe Basarab, 500 years from death" will be put into circulation by Romfilatelia on Thursday. The issue consists of a stamp and a lace package. The stamp with a face value of 9 lei reproduces the portrait of Neagoe Basarab, as it appears in the votive painting at the Curtea de Arges Monastery, executed in the 16th century by Dobromir, Agerpres informs. On the stamp of the lace package, with a face value of 31.50 lei, is illustrated an icon representing the Holy Voivode Neagoe Basarab, canonized in 2009, and in the graphic composition of the show's package is the reproduction of the votive painting from the church of the Arges Court Monastery, in which, together with the ruler, appear Mrs. Despina Milita and their six children (the third from the left is his son Teodosie). The postage stamp issue will be available in Romfilatelia stores in Bucharest, Bacau, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Timisoara, as well as online: http://romfilatelia.ro/store/. The executives left the tropical island after a couple of days with the agreement that they needed to be combined, the sources said, adding that it took just 11 weeks from that point to finalize the transaction terms. There were good reasons for the speed banks and new entrants are aiming for a bigger slice of the buy now, pay later services that have boomed in the past year, as homebound consumers used them to borrow and spend online during the coronavirus pandemic. The Australian firms share price slumped 10% on July 14 on media reports that Apple Inc. was working on a buy now, pay later feature in coordination with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Such volatility put an emphasis on brevity. Shares in both companies reacted positively to the deal. On Monday, Afterpay closed in Sydney up 18.76%, while Square climbed 10.15% in New York, despite the prospect of shareholders being diluted by the new shares to pay for the profitless Australian company. Afterpay rose a further 11.3% on Tuesday. Spokespersons at Square and Afterpay declined to comment on the deal background. The sources declined to be named as they were not authorized to talk to the media. Project pocket With COVID-19 infections on the rise, restaurants, bars and other venues in the St. Louis area increasingly are requiring that patrons present proof of vaccination. Though some states offer portals to download fully authenticated vaccination information, Missouri and Illinois do not yet. But you may have access to digital records from Walmart, CVS and Walgreens or the hospital where you received your vaccine. Also consider storing your vaccine card information in a free health wallet app. The Washington Post recently recommended CommonPass, Excelsior Pass and Clear Health Pass. Some experts do not recommend taking a photo and storing it in the cloud for security reasons. In his whistleblower complaint, for instance, Fayette, who was a lieutenant colonel, said he suffered a campaign of reprisal, retaliation, intimidation and harassment. Sexton, whom I wrote about in 2019, complained about a sexual assault perpetrated on her by another officer. The investigation validated her allegations, but said it couldnt determine the alleged perpetrators intent, so reached a conclusion that the complaint was unsubstantiated. This sort of sleight of hand in the military is why Congress is still debating whether it is appropriate to take sexual assault investigations out of the chain of command. Its why there are still concerns about racism in some Guard units the same complaint brought by Tate, and validated by multiple investigations, more than two decades ago. Sandknops complaints werent as serious as those brought forward by many of the other Guard employees I have written about. He was, according to Lt. Col. Larry Crowder one of the supervisors who testified that Sandknop shouldnt have been fired a pain in the ass. He was a contractor who was supposed to produce a television show, a vanity project of former Adjutant General Stephen Danner. I disagree with what was in the governors veto letter, Koenig said. Its not a reason to veto the bill. Parson, a Republican, vetoed 16 bills sent to him by the GOP-controlled Legislature this year. Some of them are budget-related maneuvers that are unlikely to be challenged by lawmakers. The pandemic property tax relief provision, however, faced stiff opposition from some local governments. The bills property tax refund provisions have the effect of being a legislative tool to retroactively punish communities choosing the difficult task of following scientific guidance to preserve public health during a pandemic, Springfield Mayor Ken McClure wrote in a letter to Parson on June 23. The largest portion of most property taxes go to public school districts, which were exempted in the proposed law. But for cities and counties that used health orders to slow the virus spread, those refunds could add up if the owners of thousands of properties housing restaurants and other affected businesses request refunds. Springfield, for instance, estimates it could be on the hook for about $2 million in refunds. Corizon said it would offer its services for $159 million per year. Two other companies also bid on the work. Writing in a 16-page decision, Karen Boeger, who oversees contracts and purchasing for the Office of Administration, said Corizon had no basis for that accusation. After extensive research, neither the division nor (the Department of Corrections) have identified any inappropriate communications that has transpired relative to the procurement process from time of requirement drafting through contract award, Boeger wrote. Corizon also alleged that Centurion misrepresented its experience in providing prison health care because it had fired one of its top managers amid a scandal in Tennessee. But Boeger also struck that down, saying the change in status came after Centurion had submitted its initial bid. Despite Corizons protest contentions to the contrary, the evaluation of Centurions proposal as a responsive proposal appears to be appropriate, Boeger wrote. Boeger also rejected Corizons claim it was a Missouri-based company, saying the signature page of its proposal to the state, as well as its registration with the Secretary of States office, show it is a Tennessee-based business. Were still very hopeful that were going to get the money raised, and I think theres a possibility that the state and Ameren will extend that end-of-year deadline, Riddick said. Mike Sutherland, director of Missouri State Parks, said even if the boosters didnt raise the $9.8 million by the end of the year, he didnt think it would kill the project. We want the project to be successful, Sutherland told the Post-Dispatch in a recent interview. To me (its) completely reasonable to look at extending that date if we need to. A 2019 news release said the total project cost was estimated to be between $65 million and $85 million. The Department of Natural Resources, which oversees Missouri State Parks, said at the time that if the foundation raises adequate funds, the trail would be built in sections, each of which will present its own construction challenges. The court notes that although some will take this court's ruling as a victory there is no victory while the COVID-19 virus remains a significant threat to public health and there is no question it remains a significant threat to public health, Ribaduo wrote. There can be no victory until the residents of St. Louis County and the State of Missouri are no longer risking their health, well being and lives at the hands of COVID-19 virus. Schmitt said in a statement that the ruling was a huge win for the people of St. Louis County. This is an important, hard-fought victory, but our fight against unreasonable and unconstitutional government overreach continues, Schmitt said. Page said in a tweet that health officials are disappointed in the judges decision as more mask mandates are being enforced across the county in the face of increasing COVID-19 cases. "The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends wearing masks in public places and we ask everyone to follow that guidance as we continue our vaccine efforts, Page said. County Councilman Tim Fitch, an outspoken critic of Page's mandate, said the council felt all along that it was on solid legal ground. I disagree with this rationale. The coronavirus vaccine provides more protection from serious illness than the measles vaccine. No new regulations have been invented to protect students from measles. Why? Because the vaccine works. Implying otherwise discourages vaccinations. Washington University has an obligation to do the opposite: Incentivize vaccinations as much as possible, via requirements where it is legal, and cash incentives otherwise. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a Washington University alum, has called the recent surge a pandemic of the unvaccinated. [However, a new CDC report says vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus without necessarily showing symptoms.] The best way to protect the unvaccinated, who mostly made the informed choice to endanger themselves and who mostly oppose restrictions, is to convince them to get the shot. For ambivalent college students, escaping onerous restrictions like masking, distancing and quarantine presented a strong incentive to get vaccinated. Removing that incentive promises to slow vaccination rates, presenting a much more serious threat to many more people. Jones knew well before she emptied the workhouse that she would be sending those inmates into worse conditions and pandemic dangers at the downtown jail. She did it anyway, stubbornly insisting she was doing what was best for them. Her decision also has led to additional expenses for taxpayers. It was never accurate for close the workhouse activists to claim that the facility was closed just because inmates had been transferred. The jail remained open, with all the expenses that entailed. One of the factors that previously helped offset those expenses was an $8 million payment from the federal government in exchange for housing local inmates awaiting trial for federal crimes. But Jones decreed that the city would no longer house federal prisoners, so now taxpayers must absorb the expenses of operating the workhouse and housing the newly transferred inmates without receiving any federal offset. St. Louis employers are begging and pleading for help filling job vacancies provided applicants have adequate skills and training for those positions. There is particularly high demand for nurses and technicians in the areas growing medical sector. The geospatial and computer-coding sectors also face explosive growth. Many college-age students are finding university tuition and expenses to be so far out of reach that its not worth the years of debt that would follow. They need an alternative, and St. Louis Community College must be prepared to meet their demands for a quality, marketable education. The last thing St. Louis needs is for local employers to fill their talent requirements with outside hires. Other businesses considering a move to St. Louis are deterred when they realize they cant meet their employment needs locally. The regions future hinges on the ability to reverse the current population decline and, equally important, stabilize the tax base. A better-educated workforce earns higher pay, which translates into more tax revenues along with greater disposable incomes to spend in stores and restaurants. That serves as a bigger enticement for business expansion, which further grows the economy. Graduates of St. Louis Community College are estimated to earn $10,000 a year more than their counterparts who only have high school degrees. Thats more money pumped into the local economy. The property-tax increase 8 cents per $100 valuation would not add a noticeable burden to the average homeowners bill, with this investment paying big potential benefits in future years. While the Dutch smoke a lot of tobacco, they smoke less marijuana than the European average. Hard drugs are illegal, but a joint causes about as much excitement here as a bottle of beer. Following an ethic of pragmatic harm reduction rather than legislating morality and pushing incarceration, the government allows the retail sale of pot. Throughout Amsterdam, youll see coffeeshops pubs selling marijuana with menus that look like the inventory of a drug bust. Most of downtown Amsterdams coffeeshops feel grungy and foreboding to American travelers who arent part of the youth-hostel crowd. But the places in local neighborhoods and small towns around the countryside feel much more inviting to people without piercings and tattoos. Paradox is the most gezellig (cozy) coffeeshop Ive found in Amsterdam a mellow, graceful place. The managers, Ludo and Wiljan, and their staff are patient with descriptions. With each visit, they happily walk me through their menu. The juice is fresh, the music is easy, and the neighborhood is charming. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Iran recently put another mine warfare ship into service and prominently displayed on the rear deck was a UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) similar to the Italian Pluto UUV mine hunter. The Iranian UUV prominently displayed Made In Iran on it in large English letters. Pluto was one of the first UUVs developed and put into service. An Italian firm developed Pluto, has regularly upgraded it, and the current version is known as Pluto Plus. Nearly 200 of all Pluto models were manufactured and many are currently used in Italy, Norway, Egypt, Vietnam and Spain. The Italian developer granted an American firm a manufacturing license in 2009 to build Pluto Plus for export to American allies. That is where the three Egyptian Pluto Plus UUVs came from. Where the Iranian UUV design came from is still a mystery. Iran usually obtains foreign weapons or equipment before reverse-engineering them and building their own. The early Pluto was not high-tech but subsequent models, especially the Pluto Plus and similar UUVs designed by Israel and other European nations are. Pluto Plus is a 320 kg (704 pound) 2.3 meter (seven foot) long vehicle with a payload of 100 kg (220 pounds). It has a top speed of 10 kilometers an hour and is battery powered. Endurance is from two to six hours depending on payload and speed. Max depth is 400 meters (1,200 feet). One of the accessories is a wireless link so that it can receive instructions while on the surface and transmit back what it has detected. Sensors usually include sonar for detecting mines on the seafloor. Pluto can also carry explosive packets that can be deposited next to mines and detonate via a timer to give Pluto the ability to move away and avoid damage. The Iranian UUV was described as developed in Iran and its resemblance to Pluto indicates that Iranian may have gotten access to one of them and reverse-engineered it for one that can be built in Iran. Israel believes this is the UUV Hamas was detected using recently. Israel has not destroyed or captured any of these Iranian UUVs yet but the resemblance to Pluto provides a general idea of what they are dealing with. The Iranian UUV could be used by Hamas for espionage or as a weapon against Israeli ships or offshore natural gas facilities off the Israeli coast near the Gaza border. Israel also develops and markets several UUV systems for mine hunting and destruction and knows how dangerous these systems can be. FILE PHOTO: Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S., March 24, 2016. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo By Jessica Resnick-Ault NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil settled lower on Tuesday, as concern about rising cases of the Delta coronavirus variant outweighed expectations for another weekly draw in U.S. inventories that had boosted prices early. Brent crude oil futures settled down 48 cents, or 0.66% at $72.41 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled down 70 cents, or 0.98% at $70.56 a barrel. Prices held lower in post-settlement trade after market sources said preliminary data suggested crude stocks drew in the United States. [API/S] Concerns over the spread of Delta variant in the United States and China, the top oil consumers, weighed on prices, with both benchmarks falling more than 3% at one point. In China, the spread of the variant from the coast to inland cities has prompted authorities to impose strict measures to bring the outbreak under control. "The news flow out of China has been bearish since the weekend," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management in New York. "There continues to be angst about the COVID-19 situation, which weighs on the petroleum complex the most." Earlier, Brent and U.S. crude had risen more than 60 cents. Brent has risen more than 40% this year, helping earnings of oil firms. "We're trying to price in how big the slowdown is going to be with the Delta variant," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. BP, ConocoPhillips , Diamondback Energy Inc and Continental Resources Inc all reported strong second-quarter earnings this week. Expectations of a return of Iranian crude to the markets also pressured prices. Iran and six powers have been in talks since April to revive a nuclear pact that could release its oil exports. But officials have said significant gaps remain. Iran's new president, Ebrahim Raisi, said on Tuesday his government would take steps to lift "tyrannical" sanctions imposed by the United States on its energy and banking sectors. The sixth round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington adjourned on June 20, two days after Raisi was elected president. Parties involved in the negotiations have yet to announce when the talks will resume. A Reuters poll showed U.S. crude and product inventories likely declined last week, with both distillates and gasoline stockpiles predicted to have fallen for a third straight week. The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, suggested U.S. crude stocks fell by 879,000 barrels in the week ended July 30, market sources said. The data showed that U.S. distillate inventories, including diesel, fell by 717,000 barrels for the week ended July 30, and U.S. gasoline stockpiles dropped by 5.8 million barrels.[API/S] (Reporting by Jessica Resnick-Ault Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Jason Neely and David Gregorio) Initial Focus on MEAI Clinical Trial Protocol Toronto, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearmind Medicine Inc. (CSE: CMND) (Clearmind or the "Company"), a psychedelic medicine biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and undertreated health problems, announces that Mark Haden has joined the Companys Scientific Advisory Board (the SAB). The SABs initial focus will be providing guidance on the Companys request for an Investigational New Drug review from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MEAI, for treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A recognized leader in the field, Mr. Haden has spent his career working to advance the use of psychedelics in medicine. He currently serves as director of clinical research at Psygen Industries, a manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic drug products for clinical research and therapeutic applications and is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health. Mr. Haden has substantial research experience, including a leadership role in the PRIME study (Psilocybin Research Investigating Medical Efficacy), which explores psilocybin as an adjunct in the treatment of substance use disorders, and he has spent 10 years as the chairman and executive director of MAPS Canada (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), an organization he founded. He has also dedicated over 25 years to working directly with patients through the Vancouver Coastal Health Addiction Services at the Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre. He is a frequent keynote speaker on the topic of psychedelics and has been published in a number of journals, including the Canadian Journal of Public Health, International Journal of Drug Policy, Encyclopedia of Public Health, Harm Reduction Journal, Open Medicine, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, and the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. He was also instrumental in helping the Health Officers Council of British Columbia develop their position papers, lectures and presentations on issues regarding the regulation of illegal drugs. Mark is an important addition to our SAB. He is one of the worlds leading advocates for the legalization of psychedelics and a strong proponent of their medicinal value. His research into psychedelics and their potential to treat addiction parallels the work we are doing to develop therapies to manage AUD, and I am confident that his contribution to our efforts to secure FDA approval for MEAI will be invaluable, commented Adi Zuloff-Shani, Ph.D., CEO of Clearmind. Mr. Haden noted, Clearminds innovative approach to harnessing the properties of psychedelics to create therapeutics for mental health issues has the potential to change millions of lives around the world. I have spent my career on a similar quest, and I am delighted to facilitate this effort in any way I can. I very much look forward to working with the talented team at Clearmind as well as the other distinguished members of the advisory board. About Clearmind Medicine Inc. Clearmind is a psychedelic pharmaceutical biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. Its primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based compounds and attempt to commercialize them as regulated medicines, foods or supplements. The Companys intellectual portfolio currently consists of two patent families. The first, "Binge Behavior Regulators", has been granted in the U.S., Europe, China and India, with pending divisional applications in Europe and the U.S. The second, Alcohol Beverage Substitute, has been approved for a European patent, with pending applications in the U.S., China and India. The Company intends to seek additional patents for its compounds whenever warranted and will remain opportunistic regarding the acquisition of additional intellectual property to build its portfolio. Shares of Clearmind are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CMND." For further information, please contact: Investor Relations, Email: invest@clearmindmedicine.com Telephone: (778) 400-5347 General Inquiries, Info@Clearmindmedicine.com www.Clearmindmedicine.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Investing into early-stage companies inherently carries a high degree of risk, and investment into securities of the Company shall be considered highly speculative. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Buy Photo Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., right, and Army Lt. Gen. Ted Martin, the commander of the Armys Combined Arms Center reveal a historical marker in remembrance of Pvt. Felix Hall at Fort Benning, Ga. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. In 1941, the 19-year-old Hall, a member of the Armys Black-only 24th Infantry Regiment, was lynched on the Army post. He is the only known victim of a lynching on a U.S. military installation. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes) FORT BENNING, Ga. It was more than 80 years ago that Pvt. Felix Hall, an outgoing teenage soldier training to serve his country in war, disappeared as he made the short walk from his workplace on Fort Benning toward the Blacks-only section of the segregated Georgia Army post. Halls body, bound at the hands and feet and already beginning to decompose, would not be located for six weeks, hanged from a small tree in a shallow ravine in a wooded section of Fort Bennings training grounds less than a mile from where he was last seen. The 19-year-old had been the victim of a lynching the only one known to have ever occurred on U.S. military grounds, and likely at the hands of his fellow soldiers. For the first time, the Army is telling Halls story by erecting a historical marker Tuesday at the location where on Feb. 12, 1941, he was last seen alive. The spot today sits just off the jump training grounds of the Armys airborne school at the busy intersection of Merchant Avenue and Edwards Street, and within a short walk of the posts massive headquarters building, home of its Maneuver Center of Excellence. Army officials said they plan to add the markers location and the nearby site where Halls remains were discovered to Fort Bennings official historical tours. I wish today felt like we were righting a wrong, said Army Lt. Gen. Ted Martin, the commander of the services Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He traveled to Fort Benning, where he had served previously, to attend Tuesdays event. But I know that what we are really doing is just acknowledging one. For Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., the long-serving congressman and Army veteran whose district includes Fort Benning, the acknowledgement is a strong start at properly memorializing Hall. He hopes by sharing Halls story that Americans can learn the dangers of racism and hate. I think the Department of Defense is setting a very, very positive example [by] recognizing the indignities suffered by Pvt. Hall, even at this point 80 years later, Bishop, who helped organize Tuesdays event, said recently. It was a horrendous situation. And it's a reminder, really of the lessons that we have to learn in the context of how far we have come, but how much yet we have to do in order to get to a point of equity and justice, and to really realize the kind of country that we all would like to have, as has been said, so often of a more perfect union. The ceremony honoring Hall and the Armys official recognition of the lynching comes as the United States has faced a renewed racial reckoning in the 14 months since George Floyds murder at the hands of a then-Minneapolis police officer. As new movements seeking racial justice among the largest since the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s swept across all 50 states in the summer of 2020, the Pentagon renewed its own efforts to ensure racial equality within its ranks. Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper ordered studies aimed at ensuring Black and other minority service members had the same opportunities to advance in rank as their white peers, after past studies showed few Blacks, especially officers, reached the highest ranks of the military. Since President Joe Bidens inauguration, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has added new efforts aimed at rooting out white supremacy and other extremist activities in the ranks. Austin, a retired Army four-star general and the first Black defense secretary, also has endorsed efforts to rename Army installations across the southeast named for Confederate Civil War generals including Fort Benning, which was named in 1918 for little-known Confederate Brig. Gen. Henry Benning, who was best known as an ardent defender of slavery and secession. Fort Benning, and the nine other Army bases named for Confederates, will be renamed within the next three years, Congress ordered in legislation passed last year. Buy Photo A historical marker in remembrance of Pvt. Felix Hall at Fort Benning, Ga. was revealed for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. In 1941, the 19-year-old Hall, a member of the Armys Black-only 24th Infantry Regiment, was lynched on the Army post. He is the only known victim of a lynching on a U.S. military installation. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes) Who was Pvt. Hall? Inspired by his cousins who had joined the Army a few years earlier, Felix Hall was 18 years old when he traveled the 11 miles from his native Millbrook, Ala., to a recruiting station in Montgomery, Bishop said Tuesday, citing federal records. There, he enlisted in the service and was shortly on his way to Fort Benning, some 100 miles east of his hometown, where the Army was training an all-Black unit, the 24th Infantry Regiment, which would eventually be sent to the Pacific Theatre to fight in World War II. The Army was seen by many as one of the few ways out of small-town Alabama, where picking cotton and hard labor were the only job opportunities, Bishop said. After arriving at Fort Benning, Hall was assigned to work at the posts sawmill when not training for combat. He was known as outgoing, friendly and well-liked by his peers, investigations of his death by the FBI and War Department as the Defense Department was known then revealed. Some of his fellow soldiers labeled him flirtatious with women, including at least three back home in Alabama with whom he regularly communicated. He appeared to be a good soldier, said Bishop, citing the heavily redacted 130-page FBI report into Halls death. His office has requested the full, unredacted report, but the FBI has denied its release arguing it would constitute an unnecessary invasion of privacy. Halls life was cut short just some six months after arriving at Fort Benning. On Feb. 12, 1941, just 43 days after his 19th birthday, the soldier went missing as he walked from his job at the sawmill through a white neighborhood directly between his job site and the colored section of the post where he lived. The Army considered him absent without leave for the six weeks that Hall was missing, until a unit training in a wooded area on post discovered his body. Despite the fact his hands and feet were found bound and there were signs Hall attempted to escape, service officials initially ruled his death a suicide. A medical examiner and the FBI later determined he was murdered, likely by multiple individuals, according to the investigations. Buy Photo A temporary marker at Fort Benning, Ga. shows the approximate location Army Pvt. Felix Halls body was found lynched about six weeks after he disappeared Feb. 12, 1941. Army officials plan to place a permanent, cement marker at the cite in the near future. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., speaks Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at a ceremony honoring Pvt. Felix Hall at the location on Fort Benning, Ga., where the 19-year-old soldier was last seen on Feb. 12, 1941. Halls body was found in a wooded area of the southwest Georgia Army post about six weeks later. He is believed to be the only victim of a lynching on a U.S. military base. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes) 'Never again' Halls killing remains unsolved. But his case might have made an impact decades ago on the military. According to the Army, it was one of a several cases that convinced President Harry Truman to desegregate the military in 1948. In the decades that followed, his killing was largely unremembered until 2016 when The Washington Post published a story on Halls murder, citing the work of Northeastern University Law Schools Civil Rights and Restorative Justice project, which memorialized some 1,100 killings in the Jim Crow south motivated by race, including Halls. Army officials acknowledged at the time that its top leaders did not know of Halls story. Even Bishop, who has represented Fort Bennings district since 1993, was unaware of the killing or that any lynching had ever occurred at the base. He was made aware of Halls story only when a constituent, a former soldier, reached out to ask what was being done to remember Hall in the years after reading The Washington Post story. The answer at that time was simple nothing. Now, Bishop hopes soldiers and others who spend time at Fort Benning will visit the marker noting Halls tragic death. Fort Benning has erected a temporary marker in the wooded area where Halls body was discovered and plans to place a permanent, granite marker at the location in the coming months. It's important, particularly with the challenges racially that our country is experiencing now, for us to really realistically and honestly look at our past, look at our history, look at the things that have happened, look at the warts on our country, and recognize them for what they are and what they were, Bishop said. Thats the only way we can be sure that we try to never repeat them. While Halls case including the identities of the culprits and their motivation remains a mystery, Bishop said Tuesday that he hoped that by highlighting his tragedy, federal investigators would take a fresh look at the case, even as the congressman recognizes theres little, if any, chance any of the killers are alive. At some point, I believe that that investigation will be pursued, and I think that the truth will come to come to light, Bishop said. I think that it's important that the truth be known, and, yes, I think that the investigation should be pursued. Martin, the Army general, noted the progress that the Army has made on racial issues since Halls lynching, but he said the Armys past failure to acknowledge Hall had done a disservice to soldiers. Since then, as a nation, weve made incredible progress, but we cant be satisfied until we have a generation that fully represents all elements of our population serving this country in uniform, Martin said. Then they can look at this marker we [unveiled] today and say to themselves, Never again in my country. Never again in my Army. Corey Dickstein Buy Photo Landfill work for the construction of a Marine Corps runway at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, is seen in January 2020. (Stars and Stripes) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Okinawa prefecture pulled a permit to relocate 40,000 colonies of endangered coral just two days after it was issued, halting work at the contentious site of a new Marine Corps airfield. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, saying the central government had violated conditions set by the prefecture, withdrew his approval Friday, one day after the central government started work at the site, he told reporters that day at the prefectural offices in Naha. The endangered coral is in Oura Bay, just offshore of Camp Schwab, where a runway is being built into the rural bay to relocate Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from crowded Ginowan city. Plans call for the coral to be moved to the opposite side of the bay, to the north, according to a copy of the plan on the Okinawa Defense Bureaus website. The prefecture had stipulated that the work proceed slowly, and not take place during the typhoon or breeding season or during periods of high sea temperatures. Work at the site has stopped, an Okinawa Defense Bureau spokesman told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is expected to study the issue and decide whether the project can proceed. The transplanted coral will die out, but they do not think about stopping what they are doing, a spokesman from Okinawa prefectures Henoko Base Construction Countermeasures Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday. Revoking the approval was a necessary measure Okinawa prefecture had to take in order to protect the marine environment. The defense bureau, an arm of the Japan Ministry of Defense overseeing the airfield project, was following the advice of experts when it began relocating the coral, the bureau spokesman said. The prefecture gave the bureau only two months to work on one section of the construction site, so it was forced to start right away, the spokesman said. The two-month window coincides with typhoon season. The procedure was appropriate, and therefore, there should be no reason for revoking the approval to transplant the coral, the spokesman said. The defense bureau on Monday asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to suspend the prefectures decision and review its legality, the spokesman said. A decision by the ministry could come in 10 days to two weeks, the prefectural spokesman added. Government officials in Japan customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity. Work began at Camp Schwab in 2017. The prefecture allowed the Japanese government to relocate coral in July and August of 2018 but five of the nine transplanted colonies of endangered Porites okinawensis Veron died. More than 16 families of coral have been found in the construction zone. Porites okinawensis faces extinction and is on Japans Red List of Threatened Species, according to the Ministry of Environment. When Tokyo in 2019 asked to move 40,000 colonies, the prefecture said no and filed a lawsuit. On July 6, Japans Supreme Court dismissed the prefectures suit and, last week, Tamaki reluctantly approved the transplantation. But, he also threatened to shut it down if certain conditions werent met. The fight over coral is the latest in the decades-long saga over relocating the air station from an urban area in the central part of the island to the rural northern coast at Schwab. Work finally began on the runway in April 2017. But cost overruns and delays have pushed the completion date past 2014 to 2030 and the cost from $2.2 billion to at least $8.7 billion. The Japanese government supports the plan, but Tamaki is a staunch opponent of the Marines relocation within the prefecture. He has vowed to block changes to the site plan, which could cause further delays. higa.mari@stripes.com Twitter: @MariHiga21 The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transits the Pacific Ocean, July 11, 2021. (Isaiah Williams/U.S. Navy) The USS Carl Vinson and its strike group steamed from San Diego on Monday, marking the first time that a carrier strike group is deploying with F-35C Lightning II fighter jets and Navy CMV-22B Osprey aboard, the Navy said. The carrier completed a 17-month upgrade late last summer so it could support F-35s, the newest generation of fighter jet, as well as Ospreys, the tiltrotor aircraft that can land vertically like a helicopter and fly like a fixed-wing plane. The fifth-generation F-35C is the carrier version of the stealth fighter that costs $94.4 million each, according to the Navy. Air superiority is its role. The CMV-22B Osprey is the replacement for the fixed wing C-2A Greyhound, a logistics workhouse that delivers people, mail and cargo from shore to ship. The strike group trained near the Hawaiian Islands for two weeks in June at the same time the Russian navy held a massive exercise in nearby waters that included targeting a mock carrier strike group with missiles. The ships and aircraft deployed as Carrier Strike Group 1 include the Carl Vinson; nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 2; the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain; and six guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 1. Those destroyers are USS Higgins, USS OKane, USS Chafee, USS Dewey, USS Stockdale and USS Michael Murphy. The deployment of the strike group, which is manned by more than 7,000 sailors, is in support of global maritime security operations, the Navy said in a news release Sunday. The service does not disclose future locations or operations of its ships, but the Indo-Pacific seems a likely place to deploy because there is no U.S. carrier in the region. The carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which is homeported at Yokosuka Naval Base, south of Tokyo, is deployed to the Middle East. The USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Washington last month to undergo its own lengthy retrofit for F-35 fighters, along with other needed upgrades. Great Britain deployed the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and a strike group to the Pacific this summer, and late last week it was patrolling the contested South China Sea. The Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron 211 is operating F-35s from the carrier. The Navy guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans is also part of that strike group. Wyatt Olson Buy Photo COVID-19 vaccine vials are placed inside a time capsule at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) BRUSSELS European nations have been among the most successful in the world at getting their residents vaccinated against the coronavirus. Now, some will be among the first to dole out booster shots. The small but growing group that is planning additional jabs for the fully inoculated includes some of the continents richest and most populous countries, potentially setting a precedent and marking a new phase of the vaccination campaign. But as COVID-19 continues to infect and kill at alarming rates across the Global South, where vaccination levels remain catastrophically low, the decision by wealthy countries to give booster shots to their own people rather than donating those doses to poorer nations is deeply controversial. Advocates and experts, including at the World Health Organization, have called the move immoral, and the European Unions foreign policy chief criticized the bloc for its insufficient vaccine shipments to countries in Africa and Latin America. It fits into the pattern of decisions weve seen from wealthy countries since the beginning of the pandemic, said Andrea Taylor, who is leading research into global vaccine distribution at Duke University. The wealthy countries are going to allow their citizens to go through the buffet and get seconds while half the world is still starving. Those concerns have not stopped a handful of countries from moving ahead, and more may soon follow. On Monday, Germany announced it would begin offering booster shots in September to the elderly, immunocompromised and anyone who received a full regimen of the AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson shots, which may not be as highly protective as mRNA vaccines. We want to protect particularly at-risk groups as best as possible in fall and winter, Germanys health minister, Jens Spahn, said in a statement. The risk of declining vaccination protection is greatest for those people. Infectious-disease specialists have cautioned against seeking out booster shots until more data becomes available, and scientists continue to disagree about whether and when the additional jabs will be necessary. The latest guidance from Europes health authorities says it is too soon to make a call on boosters. Yet the highly transmissible delta variant has changed the calculus for some countries. With new virus cases on the rise across Europe, leaders hope that booster shots can help stave off another cold weather COVID-19 wave. In France, those who were the first to receive the vaccine residents of nursing homes, those over the age of 75 and people with severe health conditions will be eligible for boosters in September, President Emmanuel Macron said last month. In Britain, officials at the Department of Health and Social Care said they are preparing to offer booster jabs in September, but are awaiting guidance and confirmation from the countrys expert advisory panel. The booster program would ensure millions of people maintain protection ahead of the winter and against new variants, a spokesperson said. Hungary which has authorized a wider range of coronavirus vaccines than its neighbors, including formulations from Russia and China is offering booster shots to everyone, regardless of age or health status, recommending people wait at least four months after their second dose. And top officials in Spain and Italy have said residents will very likely need a booster, but concrete plans have not emerged. Booster campaigns have also been underway in Russia and in Israel, where adults over 60 years old are now eligible. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett compared it to the flu vaccine, which needs to be re-administered from time to time. A booster campaign could be coming in the United States, as well. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it is exploring ways to get additional vaccine doses to immunocompromised individuals. So far, U.S. regulators have approved only a two-dose regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson. But the countrys top infectious-disease doctor, Anthony Fauci, said a recommendation for booster shots in certain populations is likely. But the global supply of vaccines is still limited, and every dose used as a booster is one that cannot be sent to countries desperate for shots. The Biden administration celebrated on Tuesday that the United States had shipped more than 110 million doses of the coronavirus vaccines to more than 60 countries. Yet distributions to needy countries are nowhere near the 11 billion doses that the WHO says are essential to truly end the pandemic. And while the European Union has made ambitious promises about vaccine donations, the bloc and its countries continue to lag the United States, according to officials, reports and publicly available data. Josep Borrell, the European Commission vice president, said the EU is falling far short of the 200 million doses it promised would be shared by the end of the year. Yes, but when? Borrell told a university class in Spain on Friday, according to Politico Europe. The problem isnt just the commitment but the effectiveness. According to EU figures from Monday, the bloc has donated 7.1 million doses to other countries, including nearly 1.59 million through Covax, a WHO-backed effort to equitably distribute vaccines. A spokesperson said the EUs institutions and member states have also provided about $3.5 billion to Covax and have raised nearly $50 billion in pandemic recovery aid to other countries, with more than a quarter of that earmarked for countries in Africa and Latin America. The EU has played and is playing an important role, the spokesperson told The Washington Post. But we need to do more. We have made the commitments and created the channels to deliver to our partners, now its time to deliver. European leaders have also pointed to their exports of tens of millions of vaccine doses (most of those sold to wealthy countries) and to their support of local vaccine manufacturing across Africa. Taylor, the Duke researcher, said its unclear if EU countries will have the capacity to both administer booster shots to residents and fulfill their philanthropic pledges, which could have global implications if vaccination rates worldwide remain low. Last week, the EUs vaccination campaign surpassed that of the United States. Roughly 60% of people in the bloc have received at least one dose. In African countries, however, just 3.6% of people have been partially vaccinated and less than 2% are fully inoculated. This lack of protection is already leading to unchecked spread, allowing the virus more chances to mutate, as happened in India, where the delta variant was first detected. It would be wise for us to learn that lesson quite quickly and not make those same mistakes again, Taylor said. We are sitting on a time bomb. We are just sitting, waiting for disaster to happen. The science on booster shots is also far from settled. Elena Petelos, of the umbrella European Public Health Association, said additional shots either targeting current or new variants will eventually be needed for certain groups, such as those with compromised immune systems. But she said more studies must be done on the dosage and types of booster vaccines. She added that boosters at this stage of the crisis will not have as significant an impact as vaccines in countries with low coverage. What weve been seeing is local thinking for a global problem, which is not going to work, she said. In statements to The Post, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency reiterated their July guidance, saying theyare awaiting more data on the length of vaccine protection before recommending a booster. It is currently too early to confirm if and when a booster dose for COVID-19 vaccines will be needed, EMA spokesperson Rebecca Harding said. Studies have shown that two doses of the mRNA-based Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offer significant protection, even against the delta variant. But Pfizer has said booster shots will still be needed. The European Commission has already purchased the rights to more than two billion additional doses in preparation for the possibility of booster shots or new variants. Germanys vaccine advisory commission, known as Stiko, has not officially recommended booster shots. The commissions head, Thomas Mertens, did not criticize governments for beginning to administer boosters, but on Friday he said the necessary scientific evidence was not yet available to endorse the approach. Some have suggested that with German national elections next month, the decision to prioritize booster shots is more political than evidence-based. Clemens Schwanhold, at the German chapter of the ONE Campaign, a nonprofit that fights poverty and disease, said the countrys leaders should limit booster shots to only the most vulnerable and pledge to donate all leftover doses. This shouldnt be a political decision to win more votes, he said. It should be a decision backed by science. Hak (left) and Ung Shin spend time in a tunnel at the Merry Widow Health Mine in Basin, Montana, on June 30, 2021 piecing together a puzzle. For more than a decade, the California couple have made the trip to expose themselves to radioactive radon, which they say keeps them healthy. (Katheryn Houghton, KHN/TNS) Twice a year, Brian Tichenor makes the 1,200-mile drive each way from his home in Kansas to a defunct uranium mine in Montana, where he takes an elevator 85 feet below the surface to sit amid radioactive radon gas to ease the pain from his chronic eye condition. I found it like I think a lot of people do, said Tichenor, 67. Its a point of desperation with conventional treatment. While radon is commonly known as a hazardous gas removed from basements, people in pain travel to Montana and pay to breathe, drink and bathe in its radioactive particles. The travelers view the radon exposure as low-dose radiation therapy for a long list of health issues. But the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization, among others, blame the gas as the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Although cancer doctors use radiation as a front-line treatment to destroy dangerous cells, its role in the U.S. in low doses for other ailments is disputed. The pandemic has recharged that debate as clinical trials across the world test whether low doses of radiation can help treat COVID-19 patients. But radon gas isnt the same radiation U.S. doctors use, radiation experts caution. Radon is just one of the radioactive chemical elements and, because its a gas, it can be inhaled, making it particularly dangerous. Sitting in a radon-filled room and targeted radiation treatment in a medical facility are as different as chalk and cheese, said Brian Marples, a professor of radiation oncology at the University of Rochester. In clinical therapy, we know exactly what the dose is; we know exactly where its going, he said. Marples said much of the argument for radons therapeutic use relies on historical reports, unlike evidence-based research on clinical radiation. Still, some radiation experts are split on what level of radon should be deemed dangerous and whether it could have positive health effects. Another concern: The radon treatment in the mines is largely unregulated. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services doesnt have the authority to permit or license the mines, though department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said the adverse health risk from exposure is well known. The EPA also doesnt have the power to mandate limits on radon. Nonetheless, each year travelers head to western Montana, where four inactive mines flush with radon are within 11 miles of one another near the rural communities of Basin and Boulder. Day passes range from $7 to $15. The gas naturally forms when radioactive elements in the mountains bedrock decay. Outside the Merry Widow Health Mine, a billboard-like banner announces Fountain of Youth. FEEL YOUNG AGAIN! Inside its tunnels, water seeps from the rock walls. Those who want full immersion can slip into a clawfoot tub filled with radon-tainted water. People soak their feet and hands in water or simply sit and work on a puzzle. On a bench sits a printout of a Forbes article on clinical trials that show low-dose radiation could be a treatment for COVID-19. To owner Chang Kim, 69, his business is a mission, especially for those with chronic medical conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. Those who swear by radon therapy say that, in low doses, a little stress on the body triggers the immune system to readapt and reduces inflammation. The people coming to the mines, theyre not stupid, Kim said. Peoples lives are made better by them. He learned about the mines 14 years ago when he and his wife, Veronica Kim, lived in Seattle and a connective tissue disease crumpled Veronicas hands and feet. Traditional medicine wasnt working. After two sessions a year in the mines ever since, Veronica smiles when she shows her hands. Theyre not deformed anymore, she said, adding shes been able to cut down on her use of meloxicam, a medication to reduce pain and swelling. Tichenor said going to a mine with radon over six years has been one of the few things to calm his scleritis, a disorder that causes pain he describes as ice picks stabbing his eyes. As for its potential danger, he said radon treatment is just like any medication: Too much can cause harm. He and other radon users point to European countries such as Germany, where the therapy may be controversial but doctors still can prescribe radon treatments for various conditions that insurance may even cover. In the U.S., the EPA maintains that no level of radon exposure is risk-free even though everyone encounters the element in their lives. The agency notes radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. It recommends that homeowners with radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter or more should add a radon-reduction system. By contrast, the owners of Montanas oldest radon therapy mine, Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine, said their mine averages around 1,700. Monique Mandali said the federal guidelines are a bunch of baloney. Mandali lives in Helena, about 40 minutes from the mines, and tries to fit in three sessions at Free Enterprise a year 25 hours of exposure spread out over 10 days for arthritis in her back. People say, Well, you know, but you could get lung cancer. And I respond, Im 74. Who cares at this point? she said. Id rather take my chances with radon in terms of living with arthritis than with other Western medication. Antone Brooks, formerly a U.S. Department of Energy scientist who studied low-dose radiation, is among those who believe the federal governments no-level-of-radon-exposure stance goes too far. He pointed to research that indicates low doses of radiation potentially turn on pathways within bodies that could be protective. Though whats considered a low dose depends on whos talking. If you want to go into a radon mine twice a year, Id say, OK, thats not too much, he said. If you want to live down there, Id say thats too much. In the early 1900s, before antibiotics were popularized, small doses of radiation were used to treat pneumonia with reports it relieved respiratory symptoms. Since then, fear has largely kept the therapeutic potential of low-dose radiation untapped, said Dr. Mohammad Khan, an associate professor with the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. But amid the pandemic, health care providers struggling to find treatments as hospital patients lie dying have been giving clinical radiation another look. So far, the trials Khan has led show that patients who received targeted low-dose radiation to their lungs got off oxygen and out of the hospital sooner than those without the treatment. Khan said more research is necessary, but it could eventually expand clinical radiations role for other illnesses. Some people think all radiation is the same thing, that all radiation is like the Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombs, but thats clearly not the case, Khan said. If you put radiation in the hands of the experts and the right people we use it wisely, we use it carefully that balances risk and benefits. The logo for Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine is a miner skipping with crutches in the air. Roughly 70 years ago, a woman said her bursitis disappeared after visiting the mine several times. Thousands of others followed suit. We believe in it, said Leah Lewis, who co-owns the mine with her husband, Ryan Lewis, and has relied on it to help treat her Crohns disease. The couple live on-site and grew up in Boulder, going into the tunnels just as their 5-year-old daughter does now. Her husbands great-grandfather owned the mine, and the business has been in the family ever since. Not one person has come back and said theyve gotten lung cancer here, Ryan Lewis said. If they did, they would shut us down so fast. Aside from a billboard outside Helena, the family doesnt really advertise the business. Clients tend to find them. Like many companies, Ryan Lewis said, Free Enterprise took a hit last year as people canceled plans because of the pandemic. Before that, he said, the business broke about even, adding that radon can be a hard sell. But he said the family of cattle ranchers plans to keep it running as long as it doesnt cost them money. The land is an investment, and we want to keep it in the family, he said. And there are a lot of people who use this, and theres some responsibility there. Irans new president takes office Thursday amid a cacophony of demands from his countrymen: some for water, others for better salaries and all for COVID-19 vaccines. But even if Ebrahim Raisi hears these pleas, he will not heed them. Throughout his long climb up the ranks of the Islamic Republic, Raisi has only ever listened to one voice that of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This wont change with his elevation to the presidency, the latest of a long string of promotions the hard-line cleric has received by the courtesy of his master. Raisi only won the presidency, in his second attempt, because Khamenei fixed the contest in his favor. First, the Guardian Council the powerful constitutional body directly appointed by the Supreme Leader and charged with vetting elections disqualified much more popular aspirants. Then, other hard-liners who did qualify pulled out of the race, very likely at Khameneis bidding. Even by Iranian standards, this was a transparent manipulation of the election process, and voters demonstrated their dissatisfaction by boycotting the charade. For the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic, the turnout dipped below 50%. Among those who did vote, a record number 12% of the total voided their ballots in a clear sign of protest. This leaves Raisi with little political legitimacy of his own, and therefore even more beholden to Khamenei. That has ever been the nature of the relationship between the two cleric-politicians, and the leitmotif of Raisis career over four decades. It was during Khameneis own presidential turn that Raisi was plucked out of obscurity as a young cleric and appointed a prosecutor. In 1988, he was part of a four-man death panel that ordered the execution of tens of thousands of political prisoners. The following year, Khamenei was elevated to Supreme Leader. He continued to give occasional religious lectures and Raisi became one of his students. By the start of the 2000s, Raisi was one of Khameneis proteges, and his career hit the fast track. He was made deputy chief justice and was elected to the Assembly of Experts, the countrys most powerful body of Islamic jurists. In 2014, Khamenei would name him attorney general in 2014, and two years later, custodian of the countrys richest religious foundation, a high-profile political platform. When Raisis first run at the presidency in 2017 failed, Khamenei gave him a consolation prize as head of the judiciary. It is widely assumed in Iran that Raisi is Khameneis heir-apparent, and that the presidency is merely a springboard to supreme leadership. There is no doubt that the two men share a political worldview. Like Khamenei, Raisi is an arch-conservative, set foursquare against any meaningful reform in the Islamic Republic. They are both paranoid about the intentions of the wider world, and especially of the U.S. The new presidents hostility toward the West will likely be amplified as his ascension will bring more scrutiny of his role in the executions of the late 80s. Raisi also subscribes to Khameneis notion of a resistance economy, believing self-sufficiency in all things is the best protection against the predatory West. Like Khamenei, then, Raisi wants the U.S. to ease economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the Trump administration mainly because this would give his government access to frozen assets and to foreign markets for Iranian oil and gas. But, unlike the outgoing President Hassan Rouhani, he has no enthusiasm for foreign investment, much less for multinational corporations setting up shop in Iran. As well as sharing Khameneis knee-jerk suspicion of foreigners, Raisi has no tolerance for Iranians who want more for their country and from their government. In the 32 years he has been supreme leader, Khamenei has never once bowed to the demands of his subjects, whether for political freedom or economic opportunity. When he has felt pressured, he has responded by unleashing the security forces to kill or jail dissenters or demonstrators. In his new job, Raisi will be required to execute the repression that, in his previous roles, he endorsed and enabled. Khamenei knows he can rely on the new president to hang on to his every word. Iranians, on the other hand, should expect a deaf ear. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Bobby Ghosh writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa. A police officer abandons his vehicle during a demonstration that turned violent, in which protesters demanded justice for the assassinated President Jovenel Moise, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Matias Delacroix/AP) Police have detained more than 40 suspects in the killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, but many people fear Haiti's crumbling judicial system could result in the assassination going unpunished. Interrogations are continuing, while dozens of suspects, including an ex-Haitian senator and former justice official, are still at large. But the judicial process has already hit significant snags, among them death threats and allegations of evidence tampering. Experts and even Haiti's Office of Citizen Protection, an ombudsman-like government agency, warn that the country faces many challenges to properly handle such a complicated case. "The judicial system is held hostage by certain sectors and weakened by a disciplinary body ... that protects dishonest and corrupt judges but persecutes, through bogus human rights NGOs, those who are honest," the agency said in a Sunday statement. Brian Concannon, an adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said he worries about "so much intentional misdirection" as the Moise investigation moves forward. "The big issue is are you going to have a structure that can deliver the truth?" he said. "It's possible there are good people that are getting at the truth, but there is enough misdirection, intimidation (and) people apparently manipulating evidence. ... I'm not confident that we're getting closer to the truth with the current process." Haiti's Office of Citizen Protection noted that 32 high-profile killings dating from 1991 have never been resolved, including those of former government officials, lawyers, academics and journalists. It also accused corrupt judges of freeing suspects arrested by police, noting that in the past two decades there has been no significant criminal process in well-known murder cases. The agency urged judicial officials, especially Haiti's chief prosecutor, "not to be intimidated by the pressure or the unfair maneuvers of individuals of all stripes who want at all costs to sabotage the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in order to reinforce the phenomenon of impunity in Haiti." Bedford Claude, the Port-au-Prince prosecutor overseeing the case, did not return messages for comment. A recent report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council that has not been made public but was shared with The Associated Press condemned what it called chronic impunity in Haiti and the lack of an independent justice sector. "The judiciary remains in a state of chronic dysfunction," the report said, blaming increased political interference, threats against judicial officials and lack of resources among other things. "Corruption is rampant and there are clear indications of the judiciary acting to vindicate political and other ends, rather than those of justice." The report said Haiti's judicial system remains marred by lengthy pretrial detentions and paralyzed by the government's failure to pay the salaries of clerks and other workers. It also accused authorities of failing to adequately protect judicial officials. Among those investigating Moise's killing who have received death threats is Carl Henry Destin, a justice of the peace who told the AP that he has gone into hiding. He declined to provide other details, including how the threats might be hampering the investigation into the July 7 attack at Moise's private home in which his wife, Martine Moise, was seriously wounded. Another targeted official is court clerk Marcelin Valentin, who filed a complaint July 29 with the chief prosecutor saying he received serious death threats by phone. He said that in one or two days after the assassination, a caller threatened to kill him if he didn't modify names and statements in his report. One of the messages he received in Creole translates roughly to: "Clerk, you've got a bullet to the head waiting for you." Valentin said the threats forced him to remain in hiding and stay away from his office. "My family is obligated to take a forced vacation out of fear that something bad will happen to them," he said in the report. Deaths threats issued during the investigation of high-profile slayings in Haiti are nothing new. In one recent case, a judge overseeing the 2020 killing of Monferrier Dorval, head of the bar association in Port-au-Prince, went into hiding out of fear for his life. The case has since been at a standstill. Among the significant challenges in Dorval's case are the theft of evidence from the crime scene and from the courthouse, and there are worries that could be repeated in the Moise investigation. Haitian authorities have not disclosed what kind of evidence they have collected in the president's slaying with the help of the FBI, and they have released only limited details at news conferences during which they have largely refused to take questions. Among those arrested are 18 former Colombian soldiers. The government of Colombia has said the majority of them were duped and did not know about the real operation that was brainstormed in Florida and Haiti. A growing concern is where the soldiers and other suspects arrested in the case are being held. A June 2021 report issued by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti said that more than 80% of detainees in the country's extremely overcrowded prisons have not been tried and that most live in cells without proper ventilation or clean water and get one daily ration of food and have limited or no access to health care. "The conditions of detention ... represent a situation of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," the report said. On Tuesday, Colombia's government said the detained soldiers needed urgent medical care. It said an official mission to Haiti found they were constantly in handcuffs and some were tired and had lost weight: "One of them was limping and the other couldn't stand up by himself and had to be helped by his colleague." Another concern are the upcoming Haitian presidential and legislative elections, which newly installed Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pledged to hold as soon as possible. The first round of voting had been scheduled for late September before Moise was killed, and it is unclear if the date will change. Concannon, adviser for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, said the outcome of the Moise investigation could depend largely on whether the candidate elected is "somebody who has the mandate and ambition to really get to the truth of this." Associated Press reporters Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Astrid Suarez in Bucaramanga, Colombia contributed to this report. Sign Up for Daily Headlines Sign-up to receive a daily email of todays top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world. Mirinae begins its charge northeast, forecast to pass just southeast of Kanto Plain; Lupit forecast to hit Kyushu Tuesday morning, pass northwest of Kanto Plain. (Joint Typhoon Warning Center) Midnight Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: Little change regarding Tropical Storms Mirinae and Lupit. The former remains on target to pass more than 100 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base at mid-day Sunday, while the latter is forecast to edge a tad closer to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, then high-tail it northeast, passing southeast of Sasebo Naval Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Monday. -- Mirinae: At 9 p.m., it was 589 miles south-southwest of Yokosuka, moving quickly east-northeast at 16 mph packing 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts at center. If it stays on present heading, Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects Mirinae to pass 117 miles southeast of Yokosuka at about 8 a.m. Sunday, possibly bringing a soggy end to the 32nd Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Fleet Activities Yokosuka remains in Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 5; CFAYs official Facebook page indicates no plans at this point to accelerate to TCCOR 4, though that could change. Yokosukas weather forecast remains the same: Rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. On Sunday, expect easterly-northeasterly winds peaking at 29- to 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-day, shifting westerly, decreasing as night falls as Mirinae moves rapidly out of the area. -- Lupit: At 9 p.m., it was 831 miles southwest of Sasebo and 118 miles west of Taipei, Taiwans capital, moving east-northeast at 8 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts. Lupit has emerged back over water in the Formosa Strait and is forecast to clip the northern coast of Taiwan, then arc northeast over the next few days. If it stays on present heading, JTWC forecasts Lupit to pass 113 miles west-northwest of Kadena at 11 a.m. Sunday, packing 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4. Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight forecasts 1 to 2 inches of rain associated with Lupit, and sustained 40-mph winds with 52-mph gusts for Kadena and 58-mph gusts elsewhere on island between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Lupit is then forecast to burn rubber northeast, passing 121 miles south-southeast of Sasebo at 9 a.m. Monday and 52 miles south-southeast of Iwakuni six hours later. Fleet Activities Sasebo remains in TCCOR Storm Watch. Slightly better news for the Kanto Plain; JTWC projects Lupit to pass further northwest than previously reported, 120 miles northwest of Yokota Air Base at 8 a.m. Tuesday, skirting the west coast of Honshu, then passing 124 miles south-southeast of Misawa Air Base at 6 p.m. Tuesday. *** UPDATE 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo has set Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Storm Watch in advance of Tropical Storm Lupit. *** 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: With every passing update from Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the news gets slightly better for Kyushu regarding Tropical Storm Lupit and the Kanto Plain regarding Tropical Storm Mirinae. Yes, theyre both forecast to keep moving northeast, Mirinae affecting weather in the Tokyo area and the winddown of the 32nd Summer Olympic Games; and Lupit impacting southern Kyushu and and Shikoku Islands Monday afternoon and the Kanto area Tuesday afternoon. But JTWC forecasts Lupit to maintain just 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts as it makes landfall about mid-day Monday and 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts as it passes northwest of the Tokyo area at mid-afternoon Tuesday. Meanwhile, Mirinae continues moving generally east, and its latest forecast track takes it more than 100 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base early Sunday afternoon, packing 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts. But thats at storms center, which is forecast to remain off shore. At 3 p.m., Mirinae was 661 miles southwest of Yokosuka and 343 miles east of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and has put the pedal to the metal, moving east-northeast at 18 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. If Mirinae remains on present heading, JTWC projects it to turn northeast, peaking at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts, and passing 105 miles southeast of Yokosuka at 8 a.m. Sunday. Yokosukas weather forecast continues to call for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. On Sunday, expect easterly-northeasterly winds peaking at 29- to 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-day, shifting westerly, decreasing as night falls as Mirinae moves rapidly out of the area. At 3 p.m., Lupit was 874 miles southwest of Sasebo Naval Base and 166 miles west of Taipei, Taiwans capital, moving east-northeast at 9 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. JTWC projects Lupit to waver between 40- and 46-mph sustained winds as it gradually arcs northeast of Taiwan, passing 130 miles west-northwest of Kadena at 6 p.m. Sunday, then flooring it northeast in the direction of Kyushu and Shikoku. Lupit is forecast to maintain 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts as it makes landfall just south of Kumamoto in Kyushu, passing 117 miles south-southeast of Sasebo at 2 p.m. Monday, then 81 miles south-southeast of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni six hours later. From there, Lupit should weaken slightly, to 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts as it skedaddles rapidly northwest of the Kanto Plain, 41 miles northwest of Yokota Air Base at noon Tuesday. There have been some changes and there may be more as Lupit and Mirinae approach. Stay tuned. *** 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: Slightly better news for the Kanto Plain regarding Tropical Storm Mirinae: It keeps tracking east for the moment, and long term, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects Mirinae to pass further southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base than previously reported. The news for southwestern Japan is also somewhat better regarding Tropical Storm Lupit. JTWC continues to forecast Lupit to track south of Sasebo Naval Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni as a tropical storm, yes, but with winds not quite as strong as previously reported. At 9 a.m., Mirinae was 757 miles southwest of Yokosuka, traveling east at 11 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. JTWC projects Mirinae to peak at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts as it passes 120 miles southeast of Yokosuka at 10 a.m. Sunday. Fleet Activities Yokosuka remains in Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 5. Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are not forecast for Yokosuka for the moment. Yokosukas weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. On Sunday, expect easterly-northeasterly winds peaking at 29- to 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-day, shifting westerly, decreasing as night falls as Mirinae moves rapidly out of the area. At 9 a.m., Lupit was 918 miles southwest of Sasebo Naval Base, moving northeast at 7 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. JTWC projects Lupit to keep skimming Chinas southeast coast before moving over the Formosa Strait overnight Friday into Saturday. Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are not forecast at the moment for Sasebo or Iwakuni. JTWC forecasts Lupit to peak at 52-mph sustained winds and 63-mph gusts as it passes 189 miles west-northwest of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, at 6 a.m. Monday, weakening slightly as it hurtles northeast, passing 94 miles southeast of Sasebo at 5 a.m. Tuesday and 59 miles southeast of Iwakuni eight hours later. Even the Tokyo area might get a bit of a dusting from Lupit; JTWC projects Lupit to pass 62 miles northwest of Yokota Air Base at mid-morning Wednesday, with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. *** 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: Tropical Storm Mirinae is beginning its charge away from Okinawa northeast toward the Tokyo area, forecast to pass southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base at mid-morning Sunday. Further southwest, Tropical Storm Lupit continues to edge along Chinas southeast coast, forecast to make landfall over southwest Japan early Tuesday. At 3 a.m., Mirinae was 802 miles southwest of Yokosuka, moving east at 12 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts. Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects Mirinae to move generally northeast over the next four days, peak at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts as it passes 108 miles southeast of Yokosuka at 10 a.m. Sunday. Yokosukas weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. On Sunday, expect easterly-northeasterly winds peaking at 29- to 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-day, shifting westerly and gradually decreasing as night falls. Mirinae should move rapidly out of the area with partly- to mostly-cloudy skies resuming Monday. At 3 a.m., Lupit was 978 miles southwest of Sasebo Naval Base, moving north-northeast at 4 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts at center. JTWC forecasts Lupit to weaken as it moves over the coast, then head back over water in the East China Sea, pass 198 miles west-northwest of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, at 11 a.m. Monday, then head for Kyushu. JTWC projects Lupit to peak at 52-mph sustained winds and 63-mph gusts as it comes ashore 91 miles south-southeast of Sasebo at 9 a.m. Tuesday, weakening slightly as it hurtles through the Seti Inland Sea, passing 45 miles southeast of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni at 4 p.m. Tuesday. *** 12:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, Japan time: Mirinae has been upgraded to a tropical storm by Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Its closest point of approach to Okinawa has come and gone, and Mirinae is now headed northeast toward passage southeast of the Tokyo area as the 32nd Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to draw to a close. It does appear as if Japans main islands and possibly Okinawa might be in for a double dose, depending on how closely Tropical Storm Lupit tracks to the island. JTWCs latest forecast track does show Lupit making landfall over southwestern Kyushu early Tuesday morning and passing just south of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni at mid-day Tuesday. At 9 p.m., Mirinae was 70 miles east-northeast of Kadena Air Base, headed east-northeast at 11 mph and had strengthened to 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 and sea condition remains east-west danger. Kadenas Weather Flight forecasts 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts throughout the island overnight into Friday morning. About 1 to 2 inches associated with Mirinae are also forecast. JTWC projects Mirinae to peak at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts as it hurtles northeast, passing 70 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base about 1 p.m. Sunday. Yokosukas weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. On Sunday, expect easterly-northeasterly winds peaking at 29- to 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-day, shifting westerly and gradually decreasing as night falls. Mirinae should move rapidly out of the area with partly- to mostly-cloudy skies resuming Monday. Lupit, meanwhile, continues skimming the southeast coast of China. At 8 p.m. local time, Lupit was 288 miles west-southwest of Taipei, crawling northeast at 5 p.m. with 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts at center. For the moment, Okinawa appears to be out of harms way regarding Lupit, which JTWC forecasts to pass 189 miles northwest of Kadena at noon Monday. The same cannot be said for Kyushu and southwestern Honshu, with showers and gusty winds possible for Sasebo Naval Base and Iwakuni. JTWC forecasts Lupit to pass 97 miles south-southeast of Sasebo at 9 a.m. Tuesday and 51 miles south-southeast of Iwakuni eight hours later, peaking at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts as it navigates its way through the Seto Inland Sea separating Honshu and Shikoku Islands. Much can change, though. Lupit had been forecast to die inland over eastern China. More as the weekend approaches. *** 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, Japan time: Tropical Depression Mirinae has edged closer to Okinawa and has intensified slightly, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Mirinae is forecast to pass just 23 miles northwest of Kadena Air Base at about midnight Thursday, according to Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight. Mirinae remains on track to pass just southeast of Tokyo-Kanto Plain at mid-afternoon Sunday, packing tropical storm-force winds. And three other tropical cyclones remain active in the northwest Pacific, Tropical Storm Lupit, Tropical Storm Nida and Tropical Depression 12W. At 3 p.m., Mirinae (Korean for Milky Way as in galaxy) was 28 miles west of Kadena, moving northeast at 8 mph and had strengthened a bit, to 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remained in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 throughout the day. Kadenas Weather Flight forecasts 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts throughout the island through Thursday evening into Friday morning. About 1 to 2 inches associated with Mirinae are also forecast. If Mirinae stays on current heading, JTWC projects it to start picking up forward speed northeast, peaking at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts as it puts the pedal to the metal and passes 59 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base and exits the Kanto Plain area quickly. Still looks like the 32nd Summer Olympic Games closing ceremony should be a rainy one, perhaps somewhat gusty, too. Yokosukas weather forecast remains the same: Rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of Mirinae. Expect southeasterly winds shifting westerly as the weekend wears on, peaking at 27- to 32-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-afternoon Sunday. 14W should move rapidly out of the area with partly- to mostly-cloudy skies resuming in the Tokyo area Monday. Checking the tropical cyclone scoreboard on the other three: -- JTWC forecasts 12W to remain a tropical depression and it wig-wags northwest, south of Japans main Honshu and Shikoku Islands, then southwest, skirting the south coast of Kyushu over the next couple of days, passing 143 miles southeast of Sasebo Naval Base at 10 a.m. Saturday. -- Lupit (13W), once forecast to die out over Chinas east coast, now appears forecast to enjoy a second life much as Nida has. Lupit made landfall earlier Thursday over southeastern China, is forecast to weaken to a tropical depression inland, but make its way back over water in the East China Sea late Saturday, peak at 52-mph sustained winds and 63-mph gusts as it passes 212 miles northwest of Kadena at mid-afternoon Monday. -- As for Nida (15W), it should hardly be a bother to any land masses, forecast to pass about 450 miles east of Narita International Airport on the east coast of Japan in Chiba Prefecture at about 2 a.m. Friday. *** 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, Japan time: Talk about heavy traffic out there on Typhoon Highway in the northwest Pacific. Not only has Tropical Depression 14W slowed near Okinawa and is now forecast to pass the island early Friday morning we also have Tropical Storm Lupit, Tropical Storm 15W and now, we again Tropical Depression 12W, somehow risen from the dead, forecast to pass south of Honshu and brush the south coast of Kyushu at mid-morning Saturday. At 9 a.m., 14W was 93 miles west of Kadena Air Base, moving northwest at 7 mph and had weakened slightly, to 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 and sea conditions are east-west danger. If 14W stays on present course, Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects it to lurch northeast, pass 23 miles west of Kadena at 2 a.m. Friday, pick up forward speed, upgrade to a tropical storm at mid-morning Friday, then hurtle headlong toward the Tokyo area, peaking at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts at center at mid-morning Saturday. Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight forecasts peak 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts for Kadena and 40-mph sustained and 52-mph gusts for elsewhere on Okinawa at 2 a.m. Friday, with 4 to 6 inches of rain associated with 14W. JTWC forecasts 14W to pass a bit further south of Yokosuka Naval Base than previously reported, 48 miles southeast at 7 p.m. Sunday. Could make for a bit of a wet, gusty Olympics closing ceremonies, scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Sunday at Tokyos National Stadium. Yokosukas weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of 14W. Expect southeasterly winds shifting westerly as the weekend wears on, peaking at 27- to 32-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-afternoon Sunday. 14W should move rapidly out of the area with partly- to mostly-cloudy skies resuming in the Tokyo area Monday. As for the other tropical cyclones in the area: -- 12W has regenerated into a tropical depression. At 9 a.m., it was 618 miles east-southeast of Sasebo Naval Base in southwestern Japan, moving west-southwest at 15 mph with 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts. JTWC forecasts 12W to peak as a tropical storm, 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts, at mid-morning Friday, then weaken as it moves west and pass 150 miles south of Sasebo before dying out at mid-morning Friday. -- Lupit was 181 miles east-northeast of Hong Kong at 8 a.m. local time, moving north at 8 mph, packing 52-mph sustained winds and 63-mph gusts. JTWC forecasts Lupit to make landfall Thursday afternoon over southeastern China and weaken over land, emerging over water as a tropical depression at mid-morning Sunday. -- And 15W remains well off any land masses and is forecast to stay that way. At 9 a.m., 15W was 512 miles east-southeast of Yokosuka, moving north at 16 mph and had strengthened to 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts. JTWC forecasts 15W to pass 443 miles east of Yokosuka at midnight Sunday. *** 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, Japan time: Tropical Depression 14W continues to linger in the Okinawa area, forecast to pass west of the island Thursday afternoon. Its winds died down a bit overnight, but theyre forecast to pick up again around mid-morning, along with rain, heavy at times, lashing the island starting later in the morning and continuing through afternoon. Long-term, Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects 14W to hurtle rapidly northeast over the next few days, skimming the southern coast of Honshu and passing just south of the Kanto Plain Sunday evening, just before the closing ceremonies of the 32nd Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. At 3 a.m., 14W was 78 miles southwest of Kadena Air Base, crawling northeast at 5 mph with 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts at center. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4. Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight forecasts between 4 and 6 inches of rain associated with 14W. Expect easterly winds shifting to southerly by afternoon, peaking at 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts for Kadena and 52-mph gusts elsewhere on island. If 18W remains on its present heading, JTWC projects it to intensity rather quickly after moving on from Okinawa, peaking at 58-mph sustained winds and 75-mph gusts early Saturday morning. It should begin weakening as it approaches the Tokyo area, forecast to pass 21 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base at about 6 p.m. Sunday, with 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts at center. Yokosukas weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms picking up Saturday in advance of 14W. Expect southeasterly winds shifting westerly as the weekend wears on, peaking at 27- to 32-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts at mid-afternoon Sunday. 14W should move rapidly out of the area with partly- to mostly-cloudy skies resuming in the Tokyo area Monday. Tropical Storm Lupit is still lingering far from Okinawa, 351 miles west-southwest of Taipei and tracking north-northeast at 8 mph with 46-mph sustained winds and 58-mph gusts at center. JTWC forecasts Lupit to make landfall over southeastern China Thursday evening, weakening as it moves inland. *** 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, Japan time: Well, its happening, gang. Tropical Depression 14W has strengthened over the last several hours, according to Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Okinawa is bracing for what is expected to be a significant rain event on Thursday. And Tokyo could well be next on 14Ws itinerary; the current forecast track indicates 14W may well impact the last day of the 32nd Summer Olympic Games. The closing ceremonies are scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday, following the mens water polo final at 4:30 p.m. Already, gusty winds and showers, some heavy at times, are pelting Okinawa, with closest point of approach now forecast for 7 a.m. Thursday. Not typhoon conditions, but blustery and yucky, with more rain and wind on the way throughout Thursday and beyond. At 9 p.m., 14W was 61 miles south-southwest of Kadena Air Base, moving northeast at 8 mph and had intensified to 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts, just below tropical-storm strength. U.S. bases on Okinawa remained in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 through Wednesday evening. If 14W stays on present heading, JTWC projects it to pass 16 miles west-northwest of Kadena at 7 a.m. Thursday, possibly as a tropical storm, with most of Okinawa well inside JTWCs forecast 34-knot (39-mph) wind bands. From there, 14W is forecast to trek quickly northeast, making a beeline for the Kanto Plain, peaking at 63-mph sustained winds and 81-mph gusts as it passes 23 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base at about 5 p.m. Sunday. U.S. bases in the Kanto Plain remain in seasonal TCCORs for the moment; expect upgrades as the week wears on. As for Tropical Storm Lupit well to the southwest, JTWC forecasts it to die out over China's east coast late Sunday. A new tropical depression, 15W, has formed 670 miles southeast of Yokosuka, but it's forecast to remain well away from land masses and die out over the northern Pacific late Sunday as well. *** 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, Japan time: Tropical Depression 14W has spawned Wednesday afternoon south-southeast of Okinawa. Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects 14W to pass just northeast of Kadena Air Base at mid-morning Thursday, intensify, skim the coast of Japans main islands and pass about 90 miles south of Yokosuka Naval Base as a severe tropical storm. At 3 p.m., 14W was 108 miles south-southeast of Kadena, moving northeast at 21 mph with 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts. U.S. bases on Okinawa remained in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 as of early Wednesday evening. If 14W stays on present heading, JTWC forecasts it to pass 21 miles northeast of Kadena at 8 a.m. Thursday, still as a tropical depression, 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts. Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight forecast calls for peak winds of 35-mph sustained and 46-mph gusts for Kadena and 52-mph gusts elsewhere on Okinawa at 8 a.m. Thursday. 14W should be more of a rain event; 60- to 70-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday into Friday, heavy at times, especially Thursday as 14W passes closest. Weather Flight forecasts between 5 to 7 inches of rain associated with 14W. From there, 14W is forecast to peak at 63-mph sustained winds and 81-mph gusts, just as it passes 91 miles south-southeast of Yokosuka at 5 p.m. Sunday. The Yokosuka area can expect an 80-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and gusts up to 52 mph as 14W passes, according to Japanese forecasts. Tropical Storm Lupit remains 825 miles southwest of Kadena and is forecast by JTWC to pass 283 miles west-northwest of Kadena just past midnight Sunday. It, too, could give Okinawa something of a dusting and plenty of rain through the weekend, but again, not a major wind event. *** 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, Japan time: A tropical cyclone formation alert has been issued for tropical disturbance 97W Invest by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At 9 a.m., it was 161 miles south-southwest of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, according to JTWC. Current model track guidance and forecast ensembles indicate that it could affect the Tokyo area by the weekend and perhaps impact Saturdays and Sundays events at the 32nd Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Yokosuka Naval Bases long-range forecast calls rain and thunderstorms into the weekend with southeasterly 29- to 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts early Sunday morning, shifting southeasterly later Sunday morning and diminishing as the day wears on. More immediately, local forecasts for Okinawa call for high winds picking up Wednesday afternoon and continuing into Thursday. Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight continues to call for rain, showers, scattered thunderstorms and easterly winds, shifting to southerly as high as 23-mph sustained and 34-mph gusts into Thursday, increasing as the weekend approaches and with Tropical Storm Lupit in the area. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4 for the moment. More to come, particularly if 97W develops into a tropical cyclone and we get an official forecast track from JTWC. *** 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, Japan time: Checking out the tropical scoreboard, 13W has been upgraded to a tropical storm, 97W Invest remains just southwest of Okinawa, and Kadena Air Bases 18th Wing Weather Flight and Japanese weather forecasts continue to call for blustery conditions and rain, heavy at times, over the next few days. At 3 a.m., 13W was 98 miles south-southeast of Hong Kong, moving east at 6 mph with 40-mph sustained winds and 52-mph gusts, according to Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Hong Kong Observatory issued Standby Signal 1 at 4:20 a.m. Hong Kong Time, with 13W moving out of the area. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4. The weather flights extended forecast continues to call for a 50- to 70-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms through the rest of the week, with southerly winds peaking at 31-mph sustained and 44- to 47-mph gusts on Saturday, shifting southwesterly into Sunday and diminishing. Japanese weather forecast calls for high winds, gale-force at times, picking up out of the southeast and shifting southwest through Wednesday into Thursday, with rain, heavy at times. Japan Meteorological Agency has posted a thunderstorm and high-wave advisory; check here for the latest as the day wears on. If 13W remains on present heading, it faces an uphill struggle, as the forecast track shows it skimming Chinas southeast coast, heading inland for a bit, then resuming its march over water as a tropical depression, passing 244 miles west-northwest of Kadena at 11 p.m. Sunday. Long-term, whether 13W or 97W or both have an impact on Japans main islands remains to be seen. More to come this evening. *** 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, Japan time: Tropical Depression 13W remains far from Okinawa, 1,081 miles west-southwest as of 3 p.m., moving east-northeast at 5 mph, with 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts at center. Strong Wind Signal 3 has been raised by the Hong Kong Observatory, and should remain in effect until morning. Extended forecast from Kadena Air Bases 18th Wing Weather Flight remains the same as earlier, peak 35-mph sustained winds and 48-mph gusts forecast for Wednesday, with 40- to 60-percent chance of rain and thunderstorms continuing through the week. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal TCCOR 4. If 13W stays on forecast track, it's due to skim China's southeast coast and pass 340 miles west-northwest of Kadena at 9 a.m. Sunday as a tropical depression. 97W Invest does remain west-northwest of Okinawa and could impact the weather as well. Joint Typhoon Warning Center has issued its final warning on Tropical Depression 12W, which remains well away from any major land mass. *** 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, Japan time: Not just one, but two tropical depressions are out there now, 12W and 13W. Joint Typhoon Warning Centers forecast tracks indicate neither to be an imminent threat to any U.S. facilities in Japan, though Okinawa can expect some blustery, rainy weather as this week wears on. At 3 a.m., JTWC 12W was 1,064 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base, moving north-northwest at 21 mph with 35-mph sustained winds and 46-mph gusts. 13W was 113 miles southwest of Hong Kong, moving east at 14 mph with 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts; Standby Signal 1 is in effect for Hong Kong. 12W remains forecast to die out early Friday morning about 330 miles north-northeast of Iwo Jima. 13W is forecast to peak at 52-mph sustained winds and 63-mph gusts as it skims Chinas southeast coast, splits the difference between China and Taiwan and passes 371 miles west of Kadena Air Base early Sunday morning. But with 12W and 97W Invest in the vicinity, the weather picture for Okinawa is fairly rough, according to Kadenas 18th Wing Weather Flight. U.S. bases on Okinawa remain in seasonal Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 4. Kadenas extended weather forecast calls for a 40- to 60-percent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms the rest of the week, with southerly 32-mph sustained winds and gusts between 45 and 48 mph on Wednesday afternoon, continuing as the week wears on. A weather picture that bears considerable watching. Storm Tracker has the watch. *** 11:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, Japan time: Not only is Tropical Depression 12W out there well southeast of Japan, but several other disturbances are lurking, two of which, 97W Invest and 90W Invest, could impact southwestern Japan in the coming days. Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a tropical cyclone formation alert on 90W, which has crossed the Leizhou Peninsula in southeastern China and is heading east-northeast through the South China Sea. 97W is labeled a medium area for development in the next 24 hours by JTWC; it sits about 170 miles west-northwest of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and is sitting quasi-stationary as it develops. At lot to keep eyes on. More just after sunrise. *** 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, Japan time: Tropical Depression 12W spawned Monday afternoon well southeast of Japan. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centers initial forecast track, it appears as though it should remain a tropical depression and die out within a couple of days well away from land. At 3 p.m., 12W was 1,219 miles southeast of Yokosuka Naval Base, tracking north-northwest at 18 mph with 29-mph sustained winds and 40-mph gusts. If it remains on present heading, JTWC projects it to curve northwest, then west, weakening the whole while before dissipating about 420 miles northeast of Iwo Jima at mid-afternoon Wednesday. An 84-year-old German man accused of possession of a tank, waits in the courtroom for the start of the trial in Kiel, Germany, May 28, 2021. A German court has convicted the man for illegal weapons possession of a Panther tank, a flak canon and multiple other World War II-era military weapons to a suspended prison sentence of one year and two months. (Axel Heimken/dpa via AP) BERLIN A German court on Tuesday convicted an 84-year-old man of illegal weapons possession for having a personal arsenal that included a tank, a flak cannon and multiple other items of World War II-era military equipment. The state district in the northern city of Kiel handed the man a suspended prison sentence of 14 months and ordered him to pay a fine of 250,000 euros ($300,000), the German news agency dpa reported. It also ordered the defendant, whose name was not given in line with German privacy laws, to sell or donate the 45-ton tank and the anti-aircraft cannon to a museum or a collector within the next two years. Authorities discovered the illegal military arsenal during a 2015 raid of the collector's storage facility in northern Germany in an investigation into black market Nazi-era art that turned up two bronze horse statues which once stood in front of Adolf Hitler's chancellery. Those items were in another man's possession. During the raid of the defendant's property, authorities also seized machine guns, automatic pistols and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Local media reported at the time that the man made no secret of his weapons collection and even brought the tank out during a bad winter to use as a snow plow. Before the court's verdict was announced, the defendant's lawyer read out a confession on his client's behalf, dpa reported. A woman uses a fire extinguisher to save a burning tree in Cokertme village, near Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Emre Tazegul/AP) BOZALAN, Turkey As Turkish fire crews pressed ahead Tuesday with their weeklong battle against blazes tearing through forests and villages on the countrys southern coast, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government faced increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee homes or vacation resorts in boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Charred and blackened trees have replaced some of the pine-coated hills in Turkeys Turquoise Coast while many villagers lost homes and livestock. Firefighters on Tuesday were still tackling 11 fires in six provinces, including the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist destinations. More than 150 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been put out, officials said. A senior Turkish forestry official described the wildfires as the worst in Turkey in living memory, though he could not say how many acres of forest land the fires had devoured. He also could not estimate how long it would take the crews to put the fires out, saying strong winds were reigniting flames that had previously been brought under control. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations. As residents lost homes and livestock, anger turned toward the government, which admitted that it did not have a usable firefighting aircraft fleet. Opposition parties accused the government of failing to procure firefighting planes and instead spending money for construction projects that they say are harmful to the environment. In the village of Bozalan, in Mugla province, where homes and olive trees were incinerated, residents complained that the governments response was inadequate. Our fire-extinguishing helicopters were insufficient, said 58-year-old Mahmut Sanli. If there was a firefighting crew in our neighborhood, this wouldnt have happened. Nevzat Yildirim, 30, said he had called authorities in Mugla pleading for help but nothing came. We tried to protect our own homes through our own means, by filling up buckets. We organized ourselves with neighbors, youths and saved our homes, he said. In the nearby village of Cokertme, Gulseli Karaduman was seen using a fire extinguisher to save her olive trees. There has been no air support, nothing. For three days weve been living with this helplessness, she said. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkeys main opposition party, accused Erdogan of lacking a master plan to prevent and tackle forest fires and of ignoring warnings concerning global warming. We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately. Our country is in the midst of a climate and water crisis, he said. Erdogans government has also been accused of compromising firefighting efforts by allegedly refusing help from Western nations during the early stages of the fires. But officials said the government had only refused offers for small water-dumping planes. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that Turkey accepted all offers meeting its needs. France and Greece also offered to send fire-dumping planes but were later forced to retract them due to fires there, he said. In times of disaster, we would of course accept assistance from other countries in the same way that we provide assistance to other countries, he said. The Israeli Embassy, however, said Tuesday that Israel had offered to help but Turkish officials had refused the offer, saying the situation is under control. It said the offer still stands. Mayors posted videos pleading for aerial firefighting responses to local wildfires while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes. The campaign drew an angry response from a top Erdogan aide, Fahrettin Altun, who said Our Turkey is strong. Our state is standing strong. Erdogan himself was accused of insensitivity after he threw bags of tea at residents from a bus during a weekend visit to the fire-hit Antalya region. Planes sent from Spain and Croatia joined aircraft from Russia, Iran, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires. On Tuesday, officials evacuated residents from dozens of holiday homes as blazes advanced toward the Turkevleri region, near the town of Milas, in Mugla province. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fires, including possible sabotage by Kurdish militants. A 16-year-old was detained on Tuesday in connection to a blaze that started in Antalyas Manavgat region on Wednesday, pro-government Sabah newspaper reported. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as the culprit, along with accidents caused by people. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece. The Turkish meteorology authority warned that temperatures would rise between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms around the countrys Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. In Greece, thousands of people fled their homes north of Athens in cars and on motorcycles as a wildfire broke out of the forest and reached residential areas. The blaze sent a huge cloud of smoke over Athens and prompted multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles) to the north. In Italy, firefighters fought seven major blazes in Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia, employing aircraft near Matera, in Basilicata and around three fires in Calabria. The mayor of Altamura, near the southern Italian city of Bari, advised residents to keep windows closed after a fire broke out in a plastics factory warehouse. A helicopter was dispatched near the city of Pescara in Abruzzo to prevent a wildfire from reaching a gasoline depot, while industrial production sites were under threat in the regions foothills. Italian firefighters have battled more than 37,000 fires since June 15, an 76% increase over last year, when 62,623 hectares (nearly 155,000 acres) were destroyed, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper. Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Ayse Wieting in Istanbul and Colleen Barry in Rome contributed. The Afghan government is too weak to win a negotiated settlement without a new military strategy, the U.S. envoy to the war-ravaged country said Tuesday. The situation is very concerning, and our expectation is that both the government and the Talibs would focus on a political settlement, Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, said at the Aspen Security Forum. With the Taliban surging, its now necessary for the government to find its military bearings, he said. Khalilzad spoke as the Taliban makes military advances across the country and the U.S. prepares to complete its withdrawal from the country before the end of the month. The U.S. has spent at least $837 billion on warfighting and reconstruction in the country over two decades. Also speaking at the annual foreign policy forum, retired General David Petraeus, who oversaw U.S. forces in Afghanistan until 2011 and later headed the Central Intelligence Agency, warned of an increasingly dire security situation inside Afghanistan. He called the outlook very, very grim indeed. Reversing that situation to prevent a Taliban takeover would require the U.S. going back into Afghanistan to provide close air-support and reconnaissance, an unlikely move by the Biden administration at this point, Petraeus said. On Tuesday, the congressionally mandated Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction warned that the U.S. was leaving behind a country which remains poor, aid-dependent and conflict-affected, with any potential economic growth in the short term further limited by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Khalilzad said that any political settlement in Afghanistan would need to be broad-based, respect womens rights, and respect international law. But military realities stand in the way of reaching such a settlement, he said. The Taliban has been emboldened by its recent military advances and is in a maximalist frame of mind when it comes to a negotiated settlement, Khalilzad said. They are demanding that they take the lions share of power in the next government given the military situation, he said. The center of Kabul, the Afghan capital, was shaken Tuesday by a powerful blast, Reuters reported. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a tweet Tuesday that he spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to reiterate the strong and enduring U.S. commitment to Afghanistan. We discussed the need to accelerate peace negotiations toward an inclusive political settlement that respects the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls. But the administration has underscored that its future support would be limited to economic aid and limited airstrikes from bases outside of Afghanistan to prevent a resurgence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Pakistan and Afghan troops stand guard at Torkham border crossing in Khyber district, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Anjum Naveed/AP) TORKHAM, Pakistan Pakistan's military said Tuesday it has completed 90% of a fence being constructed along the border with Afghanistan, vowing to complete the project this summer. Pakistan says it is constructing the fence to prevent cross-border militant attacks. The announcement by the Pakistan army comes amid increasing violence in neighboring Afghanistan, where the Taliban have stepped up attacks ahead of a complete withdrawal of American troops from the war-torn country. Pakistan started the fence along the 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) border with Afghanistan known as the Durand Line in 2017 when militants repeatedly launched cross-border attacks on Pakistani posts. On Tuesday, a Pakistani military official, Col. Rizwan Nazir, told a group of foreign journalists at the key Torkham border crossing that the remaining 10% of the fence at the western border will be complete this year. The border barrier between the two countries consists of two sets of chain-link fences separated by a 2-meter (6.5-foot) space that has been filled with concertina wire coils. The double fence is about 4 meters (13 feet) high. The military has installed surveillance cameras to check any movement along the border. Afghanistan has never recognized the porous border that runs through the Pashtun heartland, diluting the power of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group on both sides. Pakistan and Afghanistan often accuse each other of turning a blind eye to Islamic militants operating along the frontier. On Tuesday, Pakistani soldiers were seen patrolling one of the most dangerous regions in the county, where Pakistani Taliban and other local and foreign militants have a presence. Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on Sept. 5, 2019. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg) So far the Kremlin has kept the shift mostly rhetorical, unwilling to risk a military confrontation with Israel. But after years of tolerating Israeli strikes in Syria under former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Moscow is eager to do more to bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with a new government in Jerusalem. Russian President Vladimir Putin isnt bound by any previous understandings with Netanyahu, said Elena Suponina, a Moscow-based Middle East expert. Russia wants Israel to restrict its Syria strikes and to coordinate the efforts against terror groups, she said. A more abrasive relationship could force Israel to change its strategy to prevent Iran from increasing its regional clout, or shift to alternative strike methods. It also risks inflaming political tensions between Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who succeeded Netanyahu in June. Russias assertiveness underscores its confidence in the Middle East since the 2015 military intervention in support of Assad against U.S.-backed rebels. While Israel routinely gives Moscow short notice of strikes to avoid harming Russian personnel in Syria, it doesnt seek permission for military actions. Russia may intensify training for Syrian air defense crews to limit Israeli airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias, said a person close to the Defense Ministry in Moscow, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential. The aim is to extract pledges from Bennett to coordinate Israeli actions with Russias military, said another person in Moscow familiar with the matter. The two countries have clashed over Syria before. In 2018, despite acknowledging Syrian air defenses shot down a Russian aircraft killing 15 servicemen, Putin blamed Israel for the incident because its planes were attacking targets in Syria at the time. Russia moved advanced antiaircraft systems to Syria in response. Theres no sign Israeli missions are being impeded now. While the Defense Ministry in Moscow claimed Syrias Russia-supplied air-defense systems thwarted three Israeli attacks in the past two weeks, Israel and others said thats untrue. We will continue to hit Iranian targets in Syria, said Giora Eiland, former head of Israels National Security Council. This has been one of Israels achievements against Iran in recent years and we arent going to give it back. The Russian claims prompted attacks from Bennetts opponents over the operation of an informal accord with Russia that lets the Jewish state strike militias in Syria while avoiding conflict with Assads forces. Spokespeople for Israels prime minister and Defense Ministry declined to comment. The change of government wont have any impact on our relations, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi said in an email. It will be a challenge to reach agreements until the new Israeli premier builds personal ties with Putin, said Pinchas Goldschmidt, the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, whos also president of the Conference of European Rabbis with contacts in both countries. Bennett and Putin first spoke three weeks after he became premier and they have yet to schedule a meeting. Netanyahu had 13 phone calls and met three times with Putin in his last two years in office alone, according to the Kremlins website. His opposition Likud party seized on the controversy, saying if reports of Russian efforts to curtail Israels actions in Syria are correct, then the failed government lost another strategic asset that Israel enjoyed during the Netanyahu government. This is about imitating pressure on Israel rather than any real steps though we could move in this direction, said Alexander Shumilin, a former Russian diplomat who heads the state-financed Europe-Middle East center in Moscow. Still, there is no prospect of any serious confrontation with the Israelis. Russia will have to tell Israel if it wants to end the informal accord and the bottom line is that nothing has changed, said Zvi Magen, a former Israeli ambassador to Russia whos now a senior researcher at The Institute for National Security Studies. Russia knows that if it makes the change by force, Israel will react with force. This Jan. 2, 2016 photo shows the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Mercer Street off Cape Town, South Africa. (Johan Victor/AP) FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates The British navy warned of a "potential hijack" of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, though the circumstances remained unclear. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself caught in the crosshairs. Most recently, the U.S., the U.K. and Israel have blamed Iran for a drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people. Iran has denied involvement. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships Tuesday that "an incident is currently underway" off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, the authorities said the incident was a "potential hijack," but provided no further details. Shipping authority Lloyd's List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global both identified the vessel involved in the incident as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess. The vessel's owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday. Satellite-tracking data for the vessel showed it slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The U.S. military's Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not immediately return calls for comment. The Emirati government did not immediately acknowledge the incident. Earlier, six oil tankers announced around the same time via their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were "not under command," according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. "At the same time, if they are in the same vicinity and in the same place, then very rarely that happens," said Ranjith Raja, an oil and shipping expert with data firm Refintiv. "Not all the vessels would lose their engines or their capability to steer at the same time." One of the vessels later began moving. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, flew in circles for hours over the waters, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. Apparently responding to the incident, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh called the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf "completely suspicious." He denied that Iran was involved. "Iran's naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region," Khatibzadeh said. From Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters it was "too early for us to offer a judgement just yet" about the events unfolding in the Gulf of Oman. But citing the recent assault on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire that killed two crew members in nearby waters, Price said, "We have seen a very disturbing pattern of belligerence from Iran, including belligerence in the maritime domain." The West has blamed Iran for launching the drone strike last week on the oil tanker off the coast of Oman, which marked the first known attack to have killed civilians in the yearslong shadow war targeting commercial vessels in the region. Iran denied playing any role, though Tehran and its allied militias have used similar "suicide" drones in past attacks. Israel, the United States and United Kingdom have vowed an unspecified "collective response" to the attack. The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. Fujairah, on the UAE's eastern coast, is a main port in the region for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew. For the past two years, the waters off Fujairah have seen a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers. In July 2019, Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz as it was headed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Dubai. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, seized an Iranian supertanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Both vessels were later released. Last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast in July, following months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The vessel and its crew ended up in Iran, though Tehran never acknowledged the incident. And in January, armed Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops stormed a South Korean tanker and forced the ship to change course and travel to Iran. While Iran insisted it stopped the ship for polluting, it came as Tehran sought to increase its leverage over Seoul ahead of negotiations over billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks. DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces latest exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission to the moon included a replica of the first of three lunar rovers astronauts drove on the moons surface. (Facebook) (Tribune News Service) The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission to the moon with one of that mission's defining moments: a replica of the first of three lunar rovers astronauts drove on the moon's surface. The replica of the rover, built by Ohio Northern University engineering students, is a 10-foot-long, one-to-one scale electric, drive-by-wire, four-wheel-steering car, said Greg Brown, experience coordinator for the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, who was at the museum Monday. "That was the first mission that actually used a lunar rover," Brown said, referring to Apollo 15. The rover replica capable of a top speed of some 5 mph was at the museum on Monday only, but the museum's overall exhibit celebrating the Apollo 15 mission, will be in place through Saturday, August 7, and is well worth exploring, museum officials said. "Our rover, just like the vehicles that went to the moon, is a four-wheel steering vehicle," Brown said. "Not just four-wheel drive ... so we can use all four (wheels) to turn around. It's pretty maneuverable." He added: "It's actually pretty fun to drive." The three actual rovers remain on the surface of the moon, Brown noted. Apollo 15 was the first "J" mission to the moon, missions meant to be extended scientific endeavors, he said. "They're going to take the rover for the first time, they're going to drive on the moon, and they're going to cover a much larger area," he said. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces latest exhibit includes the Apollo 15 command module Endeavor, complete with atmospheric re-entry burn-streak marks. The module is on loan from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. (Facebook) The overall exhibit includes the Apollo 15 command module Endeavor, complete with atmospheric re-entry burn-streak marks. The module is on loan from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. David Thomas, a special events coordinator for the Air Force Museum, said the overall space celebration includes more than the stationary exhibits, which can be found in the museum's building four. On Saturday, the museum will host a "rocket day," in which visitors can build rockets and launch them outside on the museum's front lawn. "We have 750 rockets for visitors to build and launch," he said. While masks and face coverings are once again required while inside the museum, they are not required while outside. (Thomas said the new masking requirement has not affected attendance at the museum.) Visitors will also be able to inspect the cockpit of the rocket-powered, hypersonic X-15 research plane, similar to the one flown by former Apollo astronaut (and Ohio native) Neil Armstrong when he was a test pilot. Visitors can also enter the C-119 "satellite catcher" aircraft, Thomas said, and volunteers will be on hand to discuss other planes and missiles. At 6 p.m. Thursday, the museum will also host the "Solar System 5-K run" on historic Wright Field, featuring a proportional representation of the solar system. For more information about the space celebration, visit the museum website at https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Space-Celebration/ ___ (c)2021 the Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio) Visit the Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio) at www.journal-news.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Blue Angels pilots observe the Veterans wall while touring the Dearborn Truck plant assembly line on Aug. 3, 2021. (Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press/TNS) DEARBORN, Mich. (Tribune News Service) More than two dozen Blue Angels walked the assembly line at Dearborn Truck Plant on Tuesday, meeting hourly factory workers building the companys bestselling Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The words of country musician Luke Combs singing, Then you rolled in with your hair in the wind from his hit song Hurricane spilled from the sound system. Cmdr. Brian C. Kesselring, a native of Fargo, N.D., led a team of about 30 Blue Angels team members, including eight aviators. Wrapping up a three-week tour of the U.S., they flew into Detroit late Monday from Alaska, Ford confirmed. They arrived in Blue Angels planes, the F/A-18 Super Hornets, and the C130J logistics support aircraft jet, the Fat Albert, and parked them at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, the site of an air show this weekend. The Blue Angels, which are part of the U.S. Navy known for their spectacular aerobatic demonstrations, travel the country showcasing their skill and teamwork. They were formed after World War II to keep the public interested in naval aviation. Ford has long touted its commitment to military veterans. This visit was about intelligence gathering and knowledge sharing, Ford said. Some in the group called it a nerd convention as a compliment to all involved. Rather than have CEO Jim Farley or Executive Chair Bill Ford lead the group or appear in the quiet tour with limited press access, the honor was given to John Savona, a U.S. Army veteran and son of a U.S. Navy veteran. Savona is Ford vice president of manufacturing and labor affairs. He has long credited the military with his focus, his work ethic and his discipline. Blue Angels pilots tour the Ford Motor Co. Dearborn Truck plant assembly line on Aug. 3, 2021. (Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press/TNS) Blue Angels pilots tour the Dearborn Truck plant assembly line on Aug. 3, 2021. (Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press/TNS) Brandon Franciscy, 25, checks out the wiring in the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor engine while touring the Dearborn Truck plant with the Blue Angels on Aug. 3, 2021. (Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press/TNS) Blue Angels pilots tour the Ford Motor Co. Dearborn Truck plant assembly line on Aug. 3, 2021. (Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press/TNS) The military gave me an appreciation for how important is it is to work hard and work within a team, Savona told the Free Press in November. If any member of the team doesnt do their job in the military, somebody dies. If we dont build a vehicle right, and theres a defect, it puts families at risk. Savona was joined on Tuesday by Christopher Skaggs, Ford battery electric vehicle planning and implementation manager, and Shaun Whitehead, Ford director of manufacturing vehicle operations. The group stopped at the military veterans wall on site and walked the assembly line. Workers swapped stories with pilots. Members of the flight demonstration squadron wore their uniforms beneath the high-visibility vests required for safety in factories. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are role models of professionalism and teamwork, Ford spokesman Dan Barbossa told the Free Press. Were proud to welcome the Blue Angels to Dearborn as we meet to exchange engineering best practices between our team and theirs. This visit focused on engineering discussions of goals and challenges in manufacturing. An afternoon visit that included a visit to the Ford test track so that Blue Angels could drive the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, all-electric F-150 Lightning and other vehicles was not open to the media. They planned to meet with Linda Zhang, chief engineer of the Lightning, and discuss future technology, Barbossa said. A visit had been planned for May 2020 to spotlight the companys ventilator production at Rawsonville after a flyover and was postponed. Hosting the Blue Angels at the Dearborn Truck Plant today was truly an honor, Savona said. They are an exceptional group and our team had a great time showing them the ins and outs of F-150 production. Ford and the UAW have a strong community of veterans. Over 6,000 veteran employees work in our manufacturing facilities. These are some of the same employees that pivoted at the height of the pandemic to build ventilators and respirators. Blue Angels air show this weekend The Blue Angels will fly during the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti on Saturday and Sunday. Organizers of the event, which is not affiliated with Ford, say the weekend will feature the worlds largest gathering of Mitchell B-25 Bombers along with fighter jets not seen previously. It will include Thunderbird aviators from the U.S. Air Force and others. Gates will open on Saturday at 7 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m. show start. Afternoon gates open at noon with a 1:30 p.m. start. Single show and all-day passes are available. phoward@freepress.com 2021 The Detroit Free Press. Visit freep.com. D.C. Police stand in front of the Capitol. Posted on Facebook Jan. 10. (Washington Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook) A D.C. police officer was found dead of an apparent suicide last week in his Virginia home, a spokeswoman said Monday. Police confirmed that the officer, Gunther Hashida, had responded to the Capitol insurrection Jan. 6. Authorities drew no connection between the riot and his death. An official familiar with the investigation said Hashida had struggles beyond Jan. 6 that could have played a role. Hashida joined the D.C. police force in May 2003. He most recently had been assigned to the departments tactical unit, called the Emergency Response Team. He was in his early 40s, according to public records. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement calling Hashida a hero who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congressional community and our very Democracy. All Americans are indebted to him for his great valor and patriotism on January 6 and throughout his selfless service. Two other police officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 also took their own lives in the days that followed the attack. D.C. Officer Jeffrey Smith died Jan. 15 and Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood died Jan. 9. Families of both officers have linked the deaths to the riot and are pushing their respective departments to recognize them as having died in the line of duty. A relative of Hashida declined to comment when reached Monday. Other family members, through their church, also did not want to talk publicly. Five other people died in the assault, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who authorities said suffered two strokes a day after he confronted rioters, and a woman fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer inside the building. D.C. Officer Michael Fanone, who was injured while confronting rioters and has been among the most outspoken about his traumatic experiences, said he knew Hashida for years and worked with him in the 1st District. He was the most dedicated police officer I had the privilege to work with, Fanone said. He loved his job and his passion was unmatched. D.C. police issued a brief statement: We are grieving as a Department and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashidas family and friends. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at New York's Yankee Stadium, Monday, July 26, 2021. Investigators conducting an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo questioned him for eleven hours when he met with them last month, The New York Times reported Monday, Aug. 2. (Richard Drew/AP) NEW YORK New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced mounting pressure Tuesday to resign, including from President Joe Biden and other onetime Democratic allies, after an investigation found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers. I think he should resign, Biden told reporters Tuesday, echoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New Yorks U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, all Democrats. The leader of the state Assembly, which has the power to bring impeachment charges, said it was clear Cuomo could no longer remain in office. Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, said he would move to complete an impeachment inquiry as quickly as possible. Cuomo remained defiant, saying in a taped response to the findings that the facts are much different than what has been portrayed and that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. In a telephone conversation with Heastie, Cuomo insisted he wouldnt leave office and told the speaker he needed to work fellow Democrats and garner enough votes to stop an impeachment, according to a person familiar with the conversation. But Heastie said he couldnt do that, said the person, who could not publicly discuss details of the private conversation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The nearly five-month, non-criminal investigation, overseen by New Yorks attorney general and led by two outside lawyers, concluded that 11 women from within and outside state government were telling the truth when they said Cuomo had touched them inappropriately, commented on their appearance or made suggestive comments about their sex lives. Those accusers included an aide who said Cuomo groped her breast at the governors mansion, and a state trooper on his security detail who said he ran his hand or fingers across her stomach and her back. Anne Clark, who led the probe with former U.S. Attorney Joon Kim, said the allegations had varying degrees of corroboration, including other witnesses and contemporaneous text messages. Investigators interviewed 179 people, including the governor himself. These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of federal and state laws, New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference on Tuesday. Many of the women said they feared retaliation if they reported Cuomos behavior, investigators said, describing his administration as a hostile workplace rife with fear and intimidation. On one occasion, the probe found, Cuomos staff took action intended to discredit and disparage an accuser Lindsey Boylan, the first former employee to publicly accuse him of wrongdoing including leaking confidential personnel files and drafting a letter attacking her credibility. The investigations findings, detailed in a 165-page public report, turn up the pressure on the 63-year-old governor, who just a year ago was widely hailed for his steady leadership during the darkest days of the COVID-19 crisis, even writing a book about it. Since then, hes seen his standing crumble with a drumbeat of harassment allegations, questions in a separate, ongoing inquiry into whether state resources went into writing the book, and the discovery that his administration concealed the true number of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Schumer and Gillibrand said Tuesdays report only reinforces the calls they and other New York Democrats made for Cuomo to resign after the bulk of the allegations were made public last winter. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign, they said in a joint statement. While James concluded the investigation without referring the case to prosecutors for possible criminal charges, local authorities could use its evidence and findings to mount cases. Albany District Attorney David Soares said he would request materials from James office and welcomed victims to contact him. Heastie said the investigations findings are crucial to expediting the ongoing state Assembly inquiry into whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo, whos been raising money for a potential fourth term. The Assembly hired its own legal team to investigate myriad allegations regarding harassment, his book, nursing homes and special access to COVID-19 testing. In his taped response, Cuomo apologized to two accusers: Charlotte Bennett, who said the governor asked if she was open to sex with an older man after she confided she had been a sexual assault victim, and a woman he kissed at a wedding. Cuomo said he was hiring an expert to reform sexual harassment training for state employees, including the governor. But he denied other allegations as fabricated and lashed out at the investigative process, saying it was fueled by politics and bias. He explained that hes physically embraced people his whole life, that his mother and father former Gov. Mario Cuomo had done the same and that the gesture was meant to convey warmth. Cuomos lawyer issued a written rebuttal to the investigations findings, arguing in most cases that serious allegations, like the alleged groping, didnt happen, or that his actions were misconstrued. For those who are using this moment to score political points or seek publicity or personal gain. I say they actually discredit the legitimate sexual harassment victims that the law was designed to protect, Cuomo said. Bennett called the governors apology meaningless. If he were sorry, he would step down. Thats how accountability works, she told the AP. I dont believe he will resign. I think its the speakers job now to begin impeachment proceedings. The report detailed, for the first time, the allegations involving the state trooper. It said that in addition to touching her, Cuomo kissed her on the cheek, asked for her help in finding a girlfriend and asked why she didnt wear a dress. The report also included an allegation from a woman working for an energy company who said Cuomo touched her chest at an event, running his fingers across the lettering on her shirt and reading the name of her company aloud. According to the report, he then leaned in and told her, Im going to say I see a spider on your shoulder before brushing his hand between her shoulder and breasts. These brave women stepped forward to speak truth to power and, in doing so, they expressed faith in the belief that although the governor may be powerful, the truth is even more so, Kim told reporters. Cuomo faced multiple allegations, starting with Boylan, who said Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a meeting in his office and would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs. After Boylan went public, Cuomos staff released personnel memos to the media revealing that she left the administration after being confronted about complaints she belittled and yelled at her staff. Boylan has said the leak was an effort to smear me. In an 11-hour interview with investigators last month, Cuomo admitted to certain behaviors while denying other allegations, investigators said. For example, Clark said, he conceded asking Bennett whether she had been involved with older men and said he may have kissed the state trooper at an event but denied touching her. Asked about an allegation that he grabbed a womans breast at the executive mansion, according to the report, Cuomo responded: I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing to a woman he hardly knew, with multiple staff members around. Cuomo always denied inappropriate touching, but he initially said he was sorry if his behavior with women was misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation. He got more combative in recent months, saying he did nothing wrong and questioning the neutrality of the lawyers leading the probe. Kim was involved in previous investigations of corruption by people in Cuomos administration. New York state regulations define sexual harassment to include unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature from unwanted flirtation to sexual jokes that creates an offensive work environment, regardless of a perpetrators intent. Cuomo championed a landmark 2019 state law that made it easier for sexual harassment victims to prove their case in court. Alleged victims no longer have to meet the high bar of proving sexual harassment is severe and pervasive. ___ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Jocelyn Noveck contributed to this report. The European robin has a protein in its retinas that is sensitive to Earths magnetic field, which helps guide its migration, Army-funded research has found. Researchers say the findings could one day help soldiers navigate without GPS. (U.S. ARMY) U.S. military-funded research on how birds migrate in the winter could one day allow troops to navigate using the Earths magnetic fields. The findings, announced last week, could result in a future device for use in battle, when GPS and other navigation tools are incapacitated. Researchers analyzed the eyes of the European robin, a species that flies south from the U.K. and Russia to countries like Spain during the winter, an Army statement last week said. They re-created the protein cryptochrome 4, which is present in the eyes of the robins. Scientists wanted to know whether the protein allows the birds to sense the Earths magnetic fields for navigation. The research shows that the magnetic field modifies the cryptochrome protein in a measurable way, Stephanie McElhinny, of the Army Research Laboratory, told Stars and Stripes in an email. Scientists use equipment to measure whether a protein found in the European robin's eyes is sensitive to the Earth's magnetic field, in this undated photo. Army-funded researchers say the findings could one day help soldiers navigate without GPS. (Stuart Mackenzie/University of Oxford) Its likely that other proteins are also involved in helping birds navigate, and those still need to be discovered, McElhinny said. The magnetic fields used in the labs were also much stronger than normal. Scientists at Oxford University and the University of Oldenburg in Germany conducted the research, which was published this summer in the journal Nature. The research is in an early stage, but future troops may benefit as the military looks to find ways to navigate where GPS may not be an option. Simulated war games conducted by the U.S. military, which is heavily reliant on networked communications and information from GPS satellites, have shown instances where its forces could be jammed and blinded early in a battle. McElhinny envisions a future navigation device that uses cryptochrome proteins or a re-creation of them to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. Troops could check this information against existing magnetic field maps. This research provides an interesting possible alternative technology for navigation that would only rely on the magnetic field of Earth, McElhinny said. Navigation based on magnetic fields would be more difficult to jam or spoof compared with the use of GPS satellite signals, she added. Funding for the project came from U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, the Army Research Laboratory, the Office of Naval Research Global and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Robert Ahring, 92, died August 5, 2021. A visitation with family receiving friends will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Strode Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Perkins, Oklahoma, with Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view. Yes, we have to spend money to prepare for our future No, council needs to upgrade these services without expecting ratepayers to fork out for it Tauranga City Council is marking four-weeks of the new rubbish, recycling and food scraps kerbside service. About 53 per cent of household waste collected from kerbsides through the new service is being recycled or composted, thats about 1034 tonnes being diverted from landfill, says a statement from Tauranga City Council. From July 1 28, Tauranga City Council has collected 280 tonnes of food scraps, 459 tonnes of recycling, 295 tonnes of glass and 907 tonnes of rubbish. This equates to 1034 tonnes of waste recycled or composted compared to 907 tonnes of rubbish sent to landfill. Sustainability and waste manager Sam Fellows says this is a great start to the new service. Tauranga residents should be really proud of what theyve achieved already. We know this is a huge change for our community, so its been fantastic to see so many households get behind the new service. Sending less to landfill is better for our people and our environment. It will take time for some of our residents to get familiar with the new service and to change their habits. Council's advice is for residents who are finding they dont have enough space in their rubbish bins every fortnight, to look at what they are throwing away. More often than not, many items can be recycled or composted which frees up space in the rubbish bin. The new food scraps bins are the biggest change for the community; and this is where residents can make the most impact, with 33 per cent of households waste sent to landfill being food scraps in 2020. Its great to see so many food scraps bins lined up each week ready for collection. It means we can give food scraps a new life as nutrient rich compost instead of sitting in a landfill, says Sam. Almost 10,000 households across Tauranga have signed up for the new optional garden waste service, with about 140 tonnes of garden waste being collected this month. In 2020, kerbside household waste audits showed 16 per cent of household waste sent to landfill was garden waste. Residents can continue to sign up to this service via our website. Tauranga City Council aims to halve what households send to landfill by 2028. Before the new kerbside service began, Tauranga sent 200kgs per capita to landfill per annum - thats one of the worst rates in the country. Data from the first four weeks of the service shows that were on track to significantly reduce this amount, explains Sam. Tips for using your food scraps bin Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist. 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. PARK HILL [mdash] JOHN BERRY PRESLEY entered this life on April 28th, 1937, in Welling, Oklahoma and passed to his heavenly home July 29th, 2021 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. John was a long-time employee at Wal-Mart, a dedicated father and husband. He was preceded in death by his mother Geneva Wr Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. What just happened? Microsoft has announced general availability and pricing information of Windows 365 Cloud PC, the subscription service revealed at Microsoft Inspire 2021. Windows 365 takes Microsoft's OS to the cloud and allows customers to stream it on any internet-connected device, with a starting price of $20 per month per user. The service is launching in two flavors: Business and Enterprise, with the latter version aimed at larger companies having 300+ users. In addition to Windows 10, Microsoft will also bring Windows 11 to the Cloud PC service when the OS launches later this year. Windows 365 Cloud PC is Microsoft's subscription-based service for the modern hybrid workspace, aimed at delivering the benefits and security of the cloud to small and big businesses. Microsoft recently announced general availability of Windows 365, alongside pricing information for its Business and Enterprise tiers, which differ in terms of features and user environment. Capped at 300 users, the Business version is meant for smaller companies and starts at $24 per month per user. This comes with a single virtual core, 2GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and 12GB of outbound data. Microsoft will reduce this tier's price to $20/mo/user for companies with Windows Hybrid Benefit, which allows them to apply existing/new licenses towards the cost of this cloud service. Alongside a few other plans, the top-end config in the Business flavor costs $162/mo/user ($158 with Windows Hybrid Benefit) and comes with eight virtual cores, 32GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and 70GB of outbound data. Windows 365 hardware support varies depending on user device/endpoint The Enterprise version of Windows 365 drops the 300 user limit, allowing large organizations to scale as needed. Enterprise offers the same configs as the Business variant, albeit with the latter's discounted prices as standard. Companies will need a Microsoft 365 subscription to access Windows 365 Business, notes ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, while the service's Enterprise version will require that they meet the following criteria: With Windows Pro endpoints: Windows 10 E3 + EMS E3 or Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5/BP With non-Windows Pro endpoints: Windows VDA E3 + EMS E3 or Microsoft 365 F3/E3/F5/BP Azure subscription Additionally, Microsoft says the Windows 365 service will allow users to remotely log into any of their apps, including demanding programs like video editing and graphic design software. It has also recommended VM configs and apps based on user role. Facepalm: If you're a gigantic international corporation and plan on giving away a customized DualSense controller as part of a promotion, it's best to get permission from Sony. That's the lesson learned by McDonald's, which, after last week announcing such a giveaway, first said it was being canceled because Sony never authorized it, then claimed it never intended to advertise the controller at allthe whole thing was just an "error." This dumpster fire of a situation started last week when McDonald's Australia said it would give away a limited number of special edition PS5 controllers to celebrate its 50th birthday in the country. A must-have for collectors, fans of the fast-food giant, and people with no taste, they feature the iconic red and yellow colors, Golden Arches logo, and a burger and fries. But it seems Sony wasn't too pleased to be associated with McDonald's. A spokesperson for the restaurant chain wrote: "Sony PlayStation has not authorised the use of its controller in promotional materials related to the proposed Stream Week event and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. McDonald's stream week has been postponed and Sony PlayStation controllers will not be included in the giveaway." McDonalds Has Created A Limited Edition #PS5 Controller That Aussies Can Win https://t.co/cZ2KJfOBfi pic.twitter.com/sfRu11X76z PressStartAustralia (@PressStartAU) July 30, 2021 That sounds like it could be the end of the story, but no. McDonald's Australia said in another statement that the image of the controller was just an internal concept that never left the planning stage, and it certainly wasn't supposed to be made public. "The image was provided to media in error and there is no commercial relationship between McDonald's Australia and Sony PlayStation," said the company. Sony isn't slow to go after anyone it feels is using its IPs without permission. Last November, faceplate maker CustomizeMyPlates was forced to remove its products from sale and cancel all pre-orders following a legal threat from the Japanese company. This came after Sony had already demanded the firm change its name from PlateStation5. Don't expect Sony to release a McDonald's-themed PlayStation 5 anytime soon. Why it matters: While Samsung is the biggest phone vendor in the world, it is no longer the top seller in Europe. One might expect the title to have passed to Apple, but thats not the caseChinese giant Xiaomi now holds the honor of being number one on the continent. According to Strategy Analytics, Xiaomi shipped a record 12.7 million smartphone units in Europe during the second quarter, giving it a market share of 25.3%. Second-place Samsung, meanwhile, managed 12 million shipments for a 24% share. Xiaomi saw its YoY growth in Europe hit an impressive 67.1% compared to the same period a year earlier, while Samsungs fell -7%. The other two Chinese firms also saw a huge uptick in shipments: fourth place Oppo was up 180% YoY, and Realme saw a stunning 1800% increase, though both only managed to grab small percentages of the market share5.6% and 3.8%, respectively. Boris Metodiev, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics, said that Xiaomi has seen great success in Russia, Ukraine, Spain and Italy among others and found customers eager for its Mi and Redmi series of feature rich, value smartphones. Its likely that Xiaomis growth was helped by the demise of Huawei in Europe and LGs exit from the phone market. A recent report showed that the latters decision to stop making phones had left a void in the US market thats being filled by OnePlus, Motorola, and Nokia HMD. The post-Covid recovery has seen overall smartphone shipments hit 50.1 million in Europe, up 14.4% YoY. However, Quarter-to-Quarter growth decline by -15% from 59.1 million shipments in Q1 2021. Its been a fantastic few weeks for Xiaomi; not only is it now Europes biggest phone vendor, but it also knocked Apple off its number two spot in the global rankings last month. (Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Can Be the Same as Traditional CBT The effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, for depression can oftentimes be seen as just as effective when compared to traditional CBT. This is clear coming from an international study which involved scientists at the University of Gothenburg. There were, however, some online treatment components that were found to be potentially harmful. Internet CBT on Depression Patients Internet CBT has started to become popular as a method of delivering treatment. According to ScienceDaily, it has still remained unclear to date which particular parts of the treatment are very effective, less effective, and also potentially detrimental to depression patients. Previous studies, however, have found a relation to smartphone use and depression. An international study from the University of Gothenburg had the researchers participate in the systematic literature review as well as meta-analysis. The study was based on 76 randomized controlled trials or RCTs in Sweden as well as elsewhere. In total, there were 17,521 RCTs and 71% of them were women. Cecilia Bjorkelund Gives Statement The study is under the aegis of Kyoto University over in Japan and is now officially published in The Lancet Psychiatry. One particular coauthor is known as Cecilia Bjorkelund who is the Senior Professor of Family Medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg. According to Cecilia, in either the mild or moderate depression, iCBT effects is reportedly as good as when it comes to conventional CBT. For a number of people, it is a "superb way" for them to get access to therapy even without having to go directly to a therapist. It was also noted that it was good for the elderly which was a finding which they did not entirely expect initially. Traditional CBT Like traditional CBT, it was noted that its online counterpart also involves modifying the patient's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that are pointed out to be the obstacles in their lives and even reportedly impair their mood. During this treatment, which can often last even up to ten weeks, they are given tasks and exercises to perform all on their own. The factor that has reportedly proved to be most significant when it came to the prognosis was actually the depth of depression during the start of the treatment. It was noted that in milder depression, they were able to obtain better results. Read Also: Telemedicine Consultations: Challenges and Benefits Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic iCBT in Health Care It was noted that therapists support as well as text-message reminders were able to increase the proportion of patients that have been able to complete the therapy. Social media has also previously been linked to depression. Cecilia noted that for those using the iCBT in health care, the programs have to become regulated just like how drugs are, but that is still not the case as of today. It was noted that with the study, they are taking a step forward. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has reportedly been around for a while as seen in a study on NCBI. Related Article: Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment: Here's How You Can Secure a Spot This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Screenshot From Commons.Wikipedia.org) Telstra Aims to Make Public Pay Phones 'Payless' Under New Initiative | Free Phone Calls Telstra now aims to help make public payphones "payless" under a new initiative. Australians will now be able to make free phone calls through public pay phones stretched all across the country! Telstra on Free Pay Phone Usage According to News.com.au, Telstra announced that standard national calls as well as SMS from the company's wide network of over 15,000 pay phones stretched across Australia will be made free! This announcement also mentions that the pay phones will also transition to coinless beginning October 1, 2021. Consumers, however, will still have to pay for overseas calls. According to Andrew Penn, Telstra's chief executive, pay phones were really vital, particularly for the people that are homeless or possibly trying to escape a potentially unsafe situation. Telstra is rolling out of high-speed 5G to particular suburbs and has therefore been busy. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn Statements There were about 11 million calls made all across Australia pay phones through the course of the past year. This includes over 230,000 to certain critical services as well as triple-0s and Lifeline. Telstra CEO Penn even noted that "it's not a big deal for Telstra," as reported on ABC.News.AU. Penn noted that they have been moved by seeing first-hand queues of people that are lining up to use a pay phone in order to tell their family or friends they are safe after a cyclone, bushfire, or some other type of natural disaster. Penn noted that they can only imagine the relief that the caller's parents and friends all feel when they find out that their loved ones are safe during those types of situations. Penn on Domestic and Family Violence Penn also noted that free calls on pay phones could help in certain situations of domestic and family violence. Penn cited a rise in the behavior during COVID-19 lockdowns. He noted that it is not always easy for people that are in these types of situations to use their home phone or their own mobile phone in order to get help. The Telstra CEO notes that they hope that by making pay phone calls free, the company might play a small part in providing assistance to those that need help. The new initiative reportedly builds on Telstra's five-year program to be able to provide free national calls using its pay phones throughout the New Year and Christmas period. Read Also: Effects of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Can Be the Same as Traditional CBT Free Pay Phones as 'Game Changer' This also makes it easier for homeless people to contact their loved ones. Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle even labelled the decision a type of "game changer" that could potentially lift vulnerable Australians out of social poverty or even isolation. Telstra has also sealed a deal along with Motorola to help build five government radio networks. It was noted that the reality is that this particular piece of infrastructure is absolutely critical due to a lot of Australians either not having their own mobile phone, losing it, or simply running out of juice or credit. It was noted that connections are absolutely vital for everyone and much more for those that are vulnerable. Related Article: 1Password Raises Up to $100 Million Funding from $2 Billion Valuation for Enterprise Expansion This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA has recently accomplished its Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MAGIXS) mission by launching an X-ray solar imager that would tell more about the sun's corona. It was launched on July 30, at 2:20 PM EDT, in New Mexico from the White Sands Missile Range. What is MAGIXs Mission According to NASA's release on Monday, Aug. 2, the mission not only involved the X-ray spectrometer. It also brought a telescope and a specialized camera for high-quality image processing. It aims to study more about the Sun's corona in very close detail. MAGIXS mission's lead investigator, Amy Winebarger, said that what they knew so far about the heating mechanisms of the solar corona has some limitations. So far, we knew that the surface temperature of the Sun could exceed 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Surprisingly, its corona is even hotter at over 1.8 million degrees Fahrenheit. Two Potential Reasons Behind Solar Corona's Unusual Heating According to Winebarger, there could be some explanations as to how such a process takes place. For scientists, it could be related to nanoflares that trigger the magnetic lines coming from the Sun's surface. The scene could be compared to a spaghetti soaked in hot water representing the corona's hot regions. Another possibility why such a corona-linked event happens is because of wave heating. There is a process called internal solar agitation, which expels energy to give more heat to the solar corona. In line with the MAGIXS mission, NASA's heliophysicist said that the said activity will make use of the same method during the regular X-ray procedure that doctors usually do. In NASA's previous missions involving the X-ray spectrometer, the researchers only discovered a few things about the solar corona. For this part, MAGIXs will be designated to calculate the temperatures in the Sun's various regions. This would explain why and how the corona retains its unusual hotness over time. Read Also: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures 'Clashing' Galaxies--Galactic Siblings Fight Too What Could MAGIXS Mission Contribute to Researchers NASA said that this X-ray spectrometer mission can contribute some necessary information to the researchers who want to know more about the Sun's corona. Possibly, this probe might help them to impose predictions about the coming of events, such as coronal mass ejections and solar flares that could disrupt mobile signals. In the upcoming months, the international space agency will release its findings regarding the data and information that the NASA team will gather. Last year, the European Space Agency (ESA)'s solar orbiter successfully crossed the sun. It aims to discover some details about the sun's behavior. Last month, another X-ray mission was carried out by NASA's Chandra spacecraft. The mission yielded a conclusion that the black hole's mass is equivalent to nearly two billion solar masses, Phys.org reported. Related Article: NASA Space Telescope Snaps 100 Millionth Photo of the Sun This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ransomware hackers attacked the COVID-19 vaccination registration system of Italy, preventing residents from booking any vaccinations appointments in the Lazio region, which includes Rome. Ransomware Attacks COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System Meanwhile, the regional health councilor of Lazio, Alessio D'Amato, announced on the official Facebook page of the region that there was no stolen data from the attack, noting that the technicians are also working to reactivate the registration system. In a separate press conference, D'Amato dubbed the recent incident "as the most serious cyber-attack ever carried out on an Italian public administration," according to CNN. It is to note that no ransomware gang has taken claim to the significant attack. Although local authorities claimed that they had already obtained a generic ransom request, the hackers did not reveal their affiliation. Vaccination Appointment Booking System Ransomware Attack: What Happened? The president of the Italian region, Nicola Zigaretti, revealed on Facebook, which was seen by CNBC, that almost all of the files in the system data center of the COVID-19 vaccination registration system have been inaccessible. As such, the people behind the booking platform decided to completely shut down its servers to control the extent of the attack. The criminal minds used a "crypto locker" to encrypt the files and block its users from accessing them. Investigators of the vaccination system hack assured that the health data of the registrants, which includes President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi, remained untouched by the ransomware attackers. Such a narrative is the same story that previous ransomware victims have been sharing. For instance, Colonial Pipeline, the largest pipe system in the United States, experienced the same narrative, leading the company to pay the ransomware attacks a whopping $5 million worth of Bitcoin. On top of that, the JBS ransomware attack, which crippled the meat supply, also faced the same fate, which forced the company to pay the criminal minds $11 million. Read Also: Ransomware Attacks: US President Joe Biden to Take 'Any Necessary Action' Against Russian Leader Vladimir Putin Amid Tension COVID-19 Appointment Booking Blocked Zigaretti further announced that residents do not have any other choice but to wait for several days before booking any new vaccination appointments. Meanwhile, D'Amato clarified that 500,000 residents, who already booked a COVID-19 vaccination until August 13, could still proceed to get their shots. So, the vaccination continues smoothly until the said date. It is worth pointing out that Lazio is home to most of the Italian population as it is also where the capital of the country, Rome, is located. The residents will only be able to book their inoculation appointment once recovery of the encrypted files takes place, the investigators say. Related Article: CovaxSF Twitter Bot: COVID-19 Appointment Tool Created by Two Teens to Help People This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U.S. authorities have arrested Riccardo Spagni who is also known as Fluffypony. He was reportedly escaped, avoiding facing raps for non-crypto charges in his hometown. According to the officials, he could face up to 20 years of jail time if he would be proven guilty in the case. Ex-Monero Maintainer Tells About His Arrest According to a report by CoinDesk, the South African cryptocurrency developer was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 20. From New York, he was en route to Mexico when the authorities arrested him in the United States. While Fluffypony is known for being a former Monero lead maintainer, the charges filed against him now are not related to cryptocurrency. In Spagni's post from his Twitter account, the reason behind his sudden arrest is only a "misunderstanding" that originates from the court dates' settings. 1/2 Thank you everyone for your kind messages and in this matter. A message from @fluffypony: Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding with regards to the setting of court dates in an old matter, which I have continuously been trying to resolve since 2011, Saskia Spagni (@Spatzipantz) August 2, 2021 Based on the documents that the U.S. court released, Fluffypony has been involved in the alleged falsifying of invoices to obtain money from Cape Cookies illegally. He was the I.T. manager of the group at that time. The incident happened sometime between 2009 and 2011. The following year, the case was reopened. Spagni said that he was not guilty in the pressed charges against him, but during the court meeting, he did not go. Fluffypony's No-Show Led to His Arrest News24 reported that when Spagni failed to appear in court, the authorities issued an arrest warrant in the latter part of April. As stated in the document, the authorities from South Africa have tried to track Fluffypony's whereabouts. Moreover, they also asked his close friends, family, and peers if they knew where he could possibly go. As the investigation went on, the authorities learned that Spagni was not in the country anymore. Later, he was found in the U.S. The South African instructed the American officials to arrest him before proceeding to the hearing immediately. Read Also: China Cryptocurrency Crackdown: Experts Say that Crypto Mining Would Be 'Lucrative' After Decrease In the Number of Miners Crypto-related Scammers Last Month While the case of Spagni was non-crypto in nature, the reports last July told more about the crypto scammers. In Aichi Prefecture in Japan, the policemen have tracked down the four suspects behind the "Oz Project" cryptocurrency investment scheme. Those who have no idea about the said scheme involve a false promise from the suspects. The culprits said that the investors' money will have a 2.5 times gain in just four months. As per the police's investigation, nearly 20,000 individuals have been engaging in suspicious activity. In the U.S. in the same month, the authorities have arrested Joseph O'Connor, a U.K. citizen in Spain. Back in 2020, he was involved in malicious hacking on Twitter. Besides the widespread social media hack, he was also linked to a crypto scam. Related Article: Crypto Scammer Roger Nils-Jonas Karlsson Sentenced to 15 Years in Jail This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Digital ID: Whats the current state-of-play in the UK? Catch-up with all of the discussion and insights from techUK's recent event 'Digital ID: What's the current state of play in the UK' from the #DigitalID2021 event series. On 22 July, as part of the #DigitalID2021 event series, techUK hosted an insightful discussion exploring the current state-of-play for digital identity in the UK and how to build public trust in digital identity technologies. The panel also examined how the UKs progress on digital ID compares with international counterparts and set out their top priorities to support the digital identity market and facilitate wider adoption. The panel included: You can watch the full webinar here or read our summary of the key insights below: The UKs progress on digital identity Opening the session, the panel discussed progress around digital identity since the start of the pandemic. Julie Dawson raised a number of developments that indicate steps in the right direction. Before the pandemic over 3.5m EU citizens proved their settled status via the EU Settlement Scheme, whilst the JMLSG and Land Registry have both since explicitly recognised digital identity, with digital right to work checks and a Home Office sandbox on age verification technologies in alcohol sales also introduced since March last year. She also lauded the creation of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum as a great example of joining up across government departments, such as on the topic of age assurance. Lord Tim Clement-Jones on the other hand noted that the pace of change has remained slow. He said that the UK government needs to take concrete action and should focus on opening up government data to third party providers. He also made the point that the u-turn on the Digital Economy Act Part 3 has not as yet been rectified and so the manifesto pledge to protect children online has still to be fulfilled. Julie pointed out that legislative change in terms of the Mandatory Licensing Conditions are still needed, to enable a person to prove their age to purchase alcohol without solely requiring a physical document with a physical hologram. Collaboration across industry around digital identities was also highlighted by Julie, drawing upon the example of the Good Health Pass Collaborative which has emerged since the start of the pandemic. The Collaborative has brought together a variety of stakeholders and over 130 companies to work on an interoperable digital identity solution to facilitate international travel post-COVID to operate at scale once more. Examining the Government alpha Trust Framework and latest consultation Moving on to look at the governments alpha Trust Framework for digital identity, as well as the newly published consultation on digital identity and attributes, the panel explored what these documents do well and what gaps ultimately remain. Julie Dawson and Laura Barrowcliff both saw a lot of good in the new proposals, with Laura highlighting how the priorities in the governments approach around governance, inclusion and interoperability broadly hit on the right points. Julie also highlighted the role for vouching in the governments framework as a positive step and emphasised the governments recognition of the importance of parity for digital identity verification as one of the most central developments for wider adoption of the technology. Providing a more cautious view, Lord Tim Clement-Jones said the UK risked creating a byzantine pyramid of governance on digital identity. He pointed to the huge number of bodies envisaged to have roles in the UK system and raised concerns that the UK will end up with a certification scheme that differs from anyone elses internationally by not using existing standards or accreditation systems. Looking forward, Julie highlighted that providers are looking for clarity on how to operate and deliver over the next 18 months before any of these documents become legislation. She also expressed the sincere hope that the progress made in terms of offering digital Right to Work checks, alongside physical ones, will continue rather than end in September 2021. She identified two separate tracks for public and private sector use of digital identity and raised the need for a conversation on when and how to join these up with the consumer at the heart. When considering data sources, for example, the ability of digital identity providers to access data across the Passport Office, the DVLA and other government agencies and departments is critical to support the development of digital identity solutions. The panel was pleased to see the creation of a new government Digital Identity Strategy Board which they hoped would drive progress but raised the need for further transparency about ongoing work in this space, including a list of members, TOR and meeting minutes from these sessions. Public trust in digital identity One of the core topics of conversation centred upon trust in digital identity technologies and what steps can be taken to drive wider public trust in this space. Lord Tim Clement-Jones said that there is a key role for government on standards to ensure digital identity providers are suitable and trustworthy, as well as in providing a workable and feasible proposal that inspires public confidence. Julie highlighted how, alongside the Post Office, Yoti welcomed the soon to be published research undertaken by OIX into documents and inclusion. Laura Barrowcliff emphasised the importance of context for public trust, putting the consumer experience at the heart of considerations. Opening up digital identity and consumer choice is one such way of improving the experience for users. Whilst much of the discussion on trust ties in with concerns around fraud, Laura highlighted how digital identity can actually help from a security and privacy perspective by embodying principles such as data minimisation and transparency. She also highlighted how data minimisation and proportionate use of digital identity data could be key for user buy-in. Lessons from around the world Looking to international counterparts, the panel drew attention to countries around the world which have made good progress on digital identity and key learnings from these global exemplars. The progress on digital identity made in Singapore and Canada was mentioned by Julie Dawson, who emphasised the openness around digital identity proposals which span the public and private sector and the work being done to keep citizens informed and involve them in the process. Julie also raised the example of the EU, which is accelerating its work on digital identity with an approach that also spans the public and private sector and is looking at key issues such as data sources whilst focusing on the consumer. Lord Tim Clement-Jones emphasised the importance of monitoring Europes progress in this area and the need for the UK government to consider how its own approach will be interoperable internationally. Panellists discussed the role digital identities have played in Estonia where 99% of citizens hold digital ID and public trust in digital identities is the norm. However, they recognised key differences between the UK and Estonia. In the UK, digital identity solutions are developing in the context of widespread use of physical identification documents, whereas digital identities were the starting point in Estonia. Beyond the EU, Laura said that GBG has a digital identity solution in Australia where the market for reusable identities is accelerating rapidly. She highlighted that working with private sector companies who have the necessary infrastructure and capabilities in place is critical to drive adoption. Priorities for digital identity Drawing the discussion to a close, each of the panellists were asked for their top priority to support public trust and the growth of the digital identity market in the UK. Transparency was identified as Julie Dawsons top priority, particularly around what discussions are happening within and across government departments and on the work of the Strategy Board. Lord Tim-Clement Jones highlighted data and trustworthy data-sharing as key. He said he hopes to see the formation of data foundations and trusts of publicly held information that is properly curated to be used or shared on the basis of set standards and rules, which should spill over into the digital identity arena. Laura Barrowcliff said simplicity is most important, keeping things simple for those working in the ecosystem as well as for consumers, with those consumers at the heart of all decision-making processes. Katherine Holden Katherine joined techUK in May 2018 and currently leads the Data Analytics, AI and Digital ID programme. Prior to techUK, Katherine worked as a Policy Advisor at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government. Whilst working at the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) Katherine led AMRCs policy work on patient data, consent and opt-out. Katherine has a BSc degree in Biology from the University of Nottingham. Email: [email protected] Phone: 020 7331 2019 Read lessmore PLANO [ndash] John James Fleet II, passed away on Aug. 2, 2021, age 81, in Plano, Texas. He showed great courage and faced his final days in the loving company of his family. John was born in Houston, Texas, raised in Dallas, lived in Ada, Oklahoma, and Plano, Texas. John married Geraldine C Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, the parent organization of Baton Rouge's Our Lady of the Lake hospitals, announced Tuesday morning that it will require all staff, contract employees and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Baton Rouge General also issued a vaccine mandate Tuesday, but gave those who don't want to receive it an option to instead attend mandatory training aimed at dispelling misinformation about the vaccine. While the hospital systems are taking two different approaches, the moves represent the strongest steps by any Louisiana healthcare systems to push for increased vaccination rates among employees. Vaccine mandates have become a growing trend across the country in recent weeks as much of the nation experiences a surge in cases of COVID-19 driven by the super-infectious delta variant. "Our health system is not alone in its decision to require a vaccine and joins many other healthcare organizations and expect others to follow," said Richard Vath, president of the Franciscan Missionaries system. "As a healthcare leader we believe we must take this step now for everyones safety and long-term community well-being." Implementation of The Lake's blanket mandate will occur over several months, concluding in December, Vath said. "Vaccines are the best means of accomplishing this and are more important than ever as the lasting step to end this pandemic. We should not wait any longer," Vath said. The mandate will affect Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, Louisiana's largest private hospital, as well as St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of Lourdes in Acadiana, Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. 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 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, the university arm of the broader health system, also announced Tuesday that all students, faculty and staff who will be on campus this fall are required to receive the vaccine. Proof of vaccination must be submitted by Aug. 13, according to the release. BRG's mandate will take effect in September. All employees will have until the end of that month to submit documentation of their vaccination or complete the first module of a mandatory online training, BRG CEO Edgardo Tenreiro wrote in a Monday announcement to staff that was shared publicly by the system on Tuesday. The training was developed by the Mayo Clinic, BRG physicians and other infectious disease experts with the aim of dispelling "myths and misinformation that leads many unvaccinated people to overestimate the risks of the vaccine and underestimate the risks of COVID," Tenreiro wrote. Unvaccinated employees will be required to complete the training on a quarterly basis and continue wearing masks once the state's mask mandate is lifted, Tenreiro wrote. "More than 50%" of the hospital's staff is vaccinated, according to the announcement. Both hospitals have reported a sharp uptick in the number of people admitted with COVID-19 in recent weeks. Dr. Catherine ONeal, The Lake's chief medical officer and an infectious disease expert, reported Monday that her hospital is understaffed and is out of beds for patients. "These are the darkest days of this pandemic," O'Neal said. "We are no longer giving adequate care to these patients." Calvin Desdunes, right, shakes hands with Gregory Curtis, the Director of Human Resources for the Windsor Court Hotel, at a service industry job fair put on by New Orleans & Company at the Morial Convention Center during a in New Orleans, La. Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Over 75 employers set up booths looking to expand their workforce as coronavirus restrictions start to be eased. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) As Louisiana faces its worst surge of the coronavirus since the pandemics beginning, leaders from the sprawling Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady health system on Tuesday announced the most drastic action yet taken by any private hospital system in the state: a requirement that all employees get vaccinated within the next few months. The vaccine mandate will affect thousands of workers across the state, from Baton Rouge to Bogalusa, as a devastating fourth wave of the virus sweeps across the state. Among the facilities where staff, students, contractors and volunteers will be required to be vaccinated: the states largest stand-alone hospital, Baton Rouges Our Lady of the Lake; Our Lady of Lourdes in Acadiana; Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa; St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe; and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. We must act now to protect each other from spreading the delta variant and protect vulnerable patients from exposure, said Dr. Richard Vath, president and CEO of the health system. Vaccines are the best means of accomplishing this and more important than ever as the lasting step to end this pandemic. We should not wait any longer. Other hospital systems in the state have not yet followed suit, with some of their leaders saying they simply cannot afford to lose any more staff by mandating the vaccine. But Baton Rouge General officials said Tuesday that employees who are not vaccinated will have to start completing quarterly training on the risks of COVID by the end of September. And Dr. John Heaton, president of LCMC Health in New Orleans, said he is considering a possible mandate in the future. Representatives with Ochsner Health System, the largest hospital group in the state, reiterated Tuesday that they plan to mandate the shots once they receive full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They currently only have emergency use authorization, but Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas said Tuesday that 1,144 Ochsner employees have started their vaccine series just in the last week as the delta variant slams their hospitals. Representatives with HCA Healthcare, the majority owner of Tulane Medical Center, did not answer questions Tuesday. And employees of the Southeastern Louisiana Veterans Health Care System will be required to be vaccinated as part of a broader mandate for all health workers of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. How soon those now required to receive the vaccine at clinics and hospitals run by the Franciscan Missionaries must get inoculated depends on which position they hold. About 61% of Our Lady of the Lakes staff has already been vaccinated. Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General issue COVID vaccine mandates for employees Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, the parent organization of Baton Rouge's Our Lady of the Lake hospitals, announced Tuesday The clock starts Aug. 15 for managers, doctors, residents and advanced practice providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. If those workers are not vaccinated by Oct. 31, then they will go on unpaid leave. By Nov. 30, theyll lose their jobs. The clock starts Sept. 15 for the rest of the Franciscan Missionaries health care staff. Those still unvaccinated will go on unpaid suspension as of Nov. 30, and theyll lose their jobs by Dec. 31. Students, faculty and staff at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will have to show proof of vaccination by Aug. 13, while all new hires to the health system will be required to show proof of vaccination by Sept. 15. Shortly after Franciscan Missionaries announcement Tuesday morning, Baton Rouge General officials outlined a new approach, albeit a less drastic one. Unvaccinated employees there will be required to go through quarterly trainings, starting at the end of September, designed to dispel the myths and misinformation that leads many unvaccinated people to overestimate the risks of the vaccine and underestimate the risks of COVID. They will also be required to keep masking, regardless of whether mask mandates are lifted. Our Lady of Lourdes, hospital system to mandate COVID-19 vaccine for all staff by December Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, the parent organization of Our Lady of Lourdes hospitals, announced Tuesday that it will re CEO Edgardo Tenreiro said that he is not considering a vaccination requirement at this point, though he hopes the new measure will boost the hospital staffs vaccination rate from 50% to 70%. The renowned Mayo Clinic, a partner of Baton Rouge General, has taken a similar approach. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Charting this middle-of-the-road course might get us there more effectively, Tenreiro said Tuesday. Coming across as too heavy-handed might be counter productive. The question of whether to mandate vaccines has been front and center over the past few weeks, as an increasing number of private companies, universities and governmental agencies have announced vaccine requirements for employees. On Tuesday, for instance, the meat conglomerate Tyson Foods announced all employees will be required to be vaccinated by Nov. 1, and New York Citys mayor announced vaccine requirements for eating inside restaurants and going into gyms. Bill Corbett, a labor and employment law expert at LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center, said Tuesday that chances seem slim that private employers will be sued successfully for mandating the coronavirus vaccine. Courts have largely upheld mandates so far, including a Texas hospitals vaccine mandate for employees. +7 Heres how Louisiana physicians are debunking myths about the COVID vaccine and pregnancy A group of Louisiana female physicians said Friday that misinformation is incorrectly linking coronavirus vaccines with infertility and bad pr Based on what Ive seen so far, I would not expect employers to lose many of these lawsuits, Corbett said. Im not aware of any state law that would prohibit private employers from requiring it. Employers, however, are required to make reasonable accommodations for employees who cannot receive the vaccines due to disability, or who object on religious grounds. You have to make accommodations, but thats a different matter than if you can mandate it, Corbett said. An Our Lady of the Lake spokesperson said Tuesday that employees can go through a process with the hospitals human resources department if they claim medical or religious exemptions to the vaccine. A spokesperson for Franciscan University also said students, faculty and staff may request an exemption for reasons consistent with Louisiana state vaccine laws. It remains to be seen whether any of the vaccine mandates in Louisiana will be put to the legal test. The states attorney general, Jeff Landry, has threatened to sue multiple institutions over such mandates, including a private medical school in Monroe. Landry has also pressed LSU officials to assure him that they will not mandate the vaccine. The legal thresholds for mandating the vaccine are different for public and private institutions , though federal courts have already upheld a vaccine mandate for Indiana University, which is public. Though Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady is a private entity, it receives contracts from the state to provide certain types of care, including to the poor and underinsured. Dr. Catherine ONeal, The Lake's chief medical officer and an infectious disease expert, said Monday that her hospital is understaffed and is out of beds for patients. Louisiana medical school has no interest in political battle, but defends vaccine rules After Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry last week threatened legal action against a north Louisiana medical school over rules compelling "These are the darkest days of this pandemic," O'Neal said. "We are no longer giving adequate care to these patients." 'These are the darkest days of the pandemic,' said Our Lady of the Lake Chief Medical Officer Dr. Catherine O'Neal, right, as Gov. John Bel Edwards, left, listens during a press conference addressing Louisiana's COVID-19 response, at the Emergency Operations Center of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Monday, August 2, 2021. As confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in Louisiana, Edwards reinstituted an indoor mask mandate on Monday requiring residents to wear face coverings in schools, churches, businesses and any other public spaces. Attorney General Jeff Landry sent a departmentwide email blast to his employees Monday suggesting strategies for getting students out of the mask mandate that will be imposed in K-12 schools as well as any school vaccine requirements that could be imposed in the future. Landrys recommendations went out to people at the Louisiana Department of Justice about two hours before Gov. John Bel Edwards reinstated the statewide indoor mask mandate. Edwards put the mandate in place again in part because of an alarming increase in the number of children hospitalized with COVID-19. Landry, a Republican, told his employees they could use state laws to claim either a religious or philosophical objection to the mask mandate for students and a vaccine requirement if one is required. Louisiana law offers broad and robust protections for students and parents religious and philosophical objections to certain state public health policies. I support your religious liberties and right to conscientiously object, Landry wrote. A copy of Landrys email was provided by a Louisiana Department of Justice employee. Millard Mule, a spokesman for Landry, confirmed that the attorney general sent the email. The email was sent Monday, the same day that Louisiana crossed the threshold of 11,000 COVID-19 deaths. The state is in the middle of its fourth COVID-19 surge which the governor described as the most dangerous one yet. Louisiana has the highest growth in COVID cases of any state in the country, and on Tuesday, the state is expected to hit an all-time high of coronavirus hospitalizations. The state is facing these challenges, state officials say, because such a large percentage of Louisiana residents refuse to get vaccinated. The overwhelming majority of people hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 in Louisiana are not vaccinated, according to hospital officials. Children are also more vulnerable to the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus than they were to previous strains of the virus, said Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital New Orleans. Kline said he believes all childrens hospitals in Louisiana are absolutely full. I am as worried about our children today as I have ever been, Kline said. There was a myth that circulated during the first year of the epidemic that children, somehow, were immune. Kline said about half the children being treated in hospital for COVID-19 were healthy and had no health vulnerabilities before getting sick with this illness. Children are being heavily impacted by this organism and by this pandemic at this point, he said. Vaccination is clearly the answer to the question of how we ultimately get out of this. Yet for weeks, Landry has been jumping to the defense of Louisiana citizens who dont want to be vaccinated. The attorney general has advised LSU against issuing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and is threatening to sue a medical school in Northeast Louisiana over its vaccine policy. Landry also wont say whether he has been vaccinated personally. In the Monday email to his employees, Landry offered two form letters one for people who want to claim a religious exemption and one for people who want to claim a philosophical exemption to mask and vaccine requirements for K-12 students. . He cited three Louisiana laws across the two letters as precedent for a vaccine and mask exemption. But he also said the letters shouldnt be interpreted as his legal opinion. Please know this is not legal advice; rather, it is providing you with information you may choose to use, Landry wrote employees. All schools are expected to implement a mask mandate by at least Wednesday, though no K-12 school is known to have mandated a COVID-19 vaccine requirement yet. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Landrys religious exemption form letter comes from a Christian perspective. It cites several passages from the New Testament of the Bible which is not significant for Jews, Muslims or people in most other faith traditions. I believe that Christians are called to communicate Gods words and message of love to the world. See Luke 9:2, reads one portion of the form letter. I do not consent to forcing a face covering on my child, who is created in the image of God, reads the form letter Landry suggests his employees use. Masks lead to anti-social behaviors, interfere with religious commands to share Gods love with others, and interfere with relationships in contravention with the Bible. In the letter, Landry said parents and grandparents should also object to children being forced to take a COVID-19 vaccine on the grounds that the nations vaccine program is a medical experiment. The letter also states people should object to vaccine mandates because the vaccines available in the United States were developed using fetal stem cell lines derived from abortions decades ago. Pope Francis said Catholics have a moral obligation to get the vaccine because of its lifesaving powers, in spite of the connection to abortion. The cells used to develop the vaccines are far enough removed from the abortions that it doesnt pose a moral problem, according to the Vatican. In the philosophical exemption form letter, Landry takes a different approach. He argues that federal disability laws allow parents or guardians to object to a schools mask or vaccine mandate though its not clear how. The letter doesnt explain why a child whose family doesnt want him or her vaccinated would be entitled to the same treatment as a child with a disability. The philosophical exemption letter goes on to say that families could object to school mask mandates on the grounds that face coverings impose risks on my childs mental and emotional health by hindering verbal and nonverbal communication. Landry also suggests in this form letter that cloth masks do not help cut down on transmission of the virus. The statement goes against what months of research has suggested about the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control is recommending people wear cloth masks in public spaces. The attorney general argues that children should be granted mask mandate exemptions because they face minimal risk of hospitalization or death from COVID, even though, as Kline and other doctors have been saying, hospitals have seen a staggering increase in the number of children being admitted with serious COVID-19 illness. Our Lady of the Lake the states largest hospital said it has had 58 children test positive for COVID-19 in its emergency room over the last two weeks. Only 18 children in the emergency room had tested positive during the entire month of June, according to Ryan Cross, spokesman for the hospital system. Landrys religious and philosophical exemption arguments both rely on the same law that allows parents and guardians to opt their students out of vaccines with a written dissent. But the law also allows schools to keep students who havent been vaccinated out of their buildings in the event of a disease outbreak. Louisiana medical school has no interest in political battle, but defends vaccine rules After Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry last week threatened legal action against a north Louisiana medical school over rules compelling Theres also not a lot of clarity about how much leeway religious exemptions provide in the face of vaccine mandates. Courts have largely been siding with the elected officials and institutions enacting a vaccine requirement in other states, but more legal challenges are expected. Regardless, Edwards is frustrated with elected officials like Landry who are still casting doubt on the vaccines effectiveness. If youre a citizen out there or youre a parish president or youre sitting on a school board or whatever, and youre thinking, Man I just dont want to do this. What public health expert are you consulting? What epidemiologist are you talking to? What data are you looking at? Edwards asked. Did you hear a word that was said up here about whats happening in Louisiana? Do you give a damn? Edwards said at Mondays news conference. Ive heard it said often: Louisiana is the most pro-life state in the nation. I want to believe that. It ought to mean something. In this context, it ought to mean something. The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization based in Baton Rouge. FBI Special Agent David Harris was tasked with investigating crimes against children, including child pornography. But off the clock, he was repeatedly exposing himself to teen girls, documenting his predatory behavior in text messages and committing other sex acts that ultimately landed him in jail, according to newly filed court records. During a 2019 text message exchange about possible sexual partners, Harris said: "I mean they have to be in their teens. I'm not a weirdo. Unless I move to Kentucky where 16 is the age of consent," the documents say. Harris, 51, now faces a string of criminal charges including indecency with a child, crimes against nature and sexual battery after a sprawling investigation spanning three states: Louisiana, Texas and Florida. He was arrested earlier this summer in Ascension Parish, where a judge declared him a "threat to the public at large" and ordered him held without bond. His arrest warrant out of Tyler, Texas, which was filed into the court record and released to the media Tuesday, reveals new details about the alleged crimes, which date back several years. The document also sheds light on how the investigation started and how it finally landed Harris behind bars, bringing his law enforcement and military careers to a screeching halt. The warrant calls for his arrest on indecency with a child. The document was obtained by KETK-TV, a local television station that provided a copy to The Advocate. In addition to his assignment with the FBI, Harris was a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, a position he earned after decades of military service starting with his 1992 graduation from West Point. 'Threat to the public:' Sex crimes case against FBI agent spans three parishes, three states After a sprawling criminal investigation that started with a complaint about his behavior in Florida, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and F The initial complaint against him, which prompted the criminal investigation, came from a man whose wife had been sleeping with Harris, documents say. He filed his complaint with Army investigators after finding a letter describing the affair and sexual relationship, the warrant says. Law enforcement officials in Texas conducted interviews and ultimately found evidence that Harris had exposed himself to teen girls ages 13 and 14 on multiple occasions in 2018 and 2019, including skinny dipping in front of them. After one swimming pool incident, the complainant said he "confronted Mr. Harris, who apologized and blamed it on being drunk," according to the warrant. The complainant said his daughter was one of the victims. The daughter who later described Harris as a family friend during an interview with investigators once "called him a pedophile" and said she would rather not discuss the issue further, the warrant says. She told law enforcement that the two families took vacations together and often visited each other in Texas and Louisiana. She also described a time when Harris removed his shorts and underwear and got into bed with her, according to the warrant. The girl then yelled for his wife, who was in the kitchen, which prompted Harris to get up and redress himself, the warrant says. Harris was "drunk most of the time," the victim told investigators. She was 13 when that happened. Her mother was having an affair with Harris around the same time, according to the warrant. During a text message exchange in 2018, the two were discussing his "desire to be nude in front of people, in public places," according to the warrant, and Harris told the woman: "Again, nudity to me is like nothing and my wife is totally used to it." 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 On one occasion, following a mutual trip to Florida, she scolded Harris for being "a little inappropriate with staring at the teen girls in bikinis," the warrant says. The following day, the woman texted Harris about planning a sexual encounter with her former nanny, according to the warrant. "Please don't be creepy with teenagers," she said, adding that the nanny was "legal & more age appropriate for our fun." When she asked him if he even had a designated age range or "just anything goes," he responded that "they have to be in their teens," the warrant says. "You just be you and find some young chick then. Maybe she'll be more open to things," the woman texted back. A few days later, the two were discussing "employment opportunities and disadvantages" for African Americans, the warrant says. "That's so unfortunate they are not just the help they grow the best watermelons and really improve everyone's dancing," Harris texted. "Should I go back to being inappropriate with teen girls?" The warrant was signed June 30 by a judge in Smith County, Texas, who set bail at $1 million. It remains unclear whether Harris will eventually be extradited to Texas at some point. That likely would happen after his three Louisiana cases are resolved. BRPD officer fired amid corruption probe, becoming 3rd narcotics detective to quit or be terminated A BRPD detective has been fired amid widening fallout from a corruption probe focused on the department's narcotics division. Details about those cases which will be prosecuted in Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes remain scarce because the warrants have been filed under seal. An attorney representing Harris declined to comment on the allegations from the Texas warrant, saying he represents Harris in the Louisiana cases but hasn't been retained in this one. Until his recent arrest, Harris lived with his wife and daughter in Prairieville and was assigned to the FBI New Orleans Field Office. When the investigation against him was launched in February, he was completing an 18-month assignment to the FBI Internet Crimes Against Children unit based in Baltimore. He had no disciplinary record with the FBI and no known criminal history at the time. A spokesman with the U.S. Army Reserve said in a recent statement that the agency "takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and continues to monitor the situation." Harris could face discipline in the future once ongoing investigations have concluded. FBI officials have declined to answer questions about his employment status, saying only that the agency is "fully cooperating in this matter." On the eve of the release of key test results, state officials said Tuesday students who attended in-person classes during the coronavirus pandemic outperformed those who relied on distance learning. The disparities surfaced on LEAP 2025, which measures what students in third through 12th grade know about math, English, science and social studies. First school test results amid COVID are coming soon: 'Hard to imagine we didn't fall' State officials are about to unveil the first snapshot of student achievement during the coronavirus pandemic amid forecasts that key test sco Students took the tests in April and May. The state Department of Education is set to unveil the results Wednesday amid predictions that scores will show a deep drop amid the pandemic. The state's goal is for students to achieve mastery or better the fourth highest of five achievement levels. In third through eighth grade, the rate of students who scored mastery or higher on the English and math portions of LEAP 2025 was 15% higher for students who spent the 2020-21 school year in the classroom compared to those who relied on virtual instruction. Also, students who used distance learning had an 11% greater rate of scoring unsatisfactory on the exams the lowest achievement level. "The data is clear that in-person instruction is far more beneficial than virtual learning options for the majority of students," state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a statement. 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 "This information should guide decisions for educators and parents moving into the new school year," Brumley said. "It is absolutely critical that we keep our students in the classroom for this upcoming year while mitigating the spread of COVID-19." Brumley made his comments one day after Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the resumption of his mandatory indoor face mask order, which includes school students. Edwards made the decision in a bid to curb skyrocketing cases of the coronavirus in Louisiana, which also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation. Brumley has long touted the need for students to be in the classroom, and often notes that the state had one of the highest rates of in-person instruction nationally during the 2020-21 school year. About 75% of students were back in the classroom by the end of the most recent academic year. Some students and school districts relied on virtual instruction, especially in the early months of the 2020-21 school year, as a way to avoid the coronavirus. Some teachers were also reluctant to lead classrooms amid rising case counts. The sharp divisions between in-person and virtual learning are expected to be highlighted when the LEAP results are announced Wednesday. Scores are expected to drop sharply amid the interruptions that have plagued classrooms, and other states have seen declines in their own standardized test results. Stephen Pruitt, president of the Southern Regional Education Board, said Tuesday the split between how in-person students fared compared to distance learners dovetails with what he has heard anecdotally. "Everything I have seen is students in school performed better, significantly," Pruitt said. The day after Governor John Bel Edwards implemented new guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons to wear masks or face-coverings in certain situations, a tour group of prospective students and their relatives explore LSU's campus with a mixed-bag of participation in the new guidance, seen July 24. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission The widespread and enduring failings in Credit Suisse Group AGs risk management exposed by the Archegos scandal were laid out in all their gory detail. The Swiss bank has started addressing each weakness one by one. Whats needed is for these measures to coalesce into a total cultural overhaul. The implosion of Archegos Capital Management came fast in March. Credit Suisses reckless support of the family offices leveraged stock positions has cost it over $US5.5 billion ($7.5 billion) directly after it was forced to liquidate its exposure. Yet the risks of such a blow-up had been mounting for years, according to an independent report into the crisis. Credit Suisse staff were aware but just let it happen. Credit Suisse has lurched from one crisis to the next. Credit:Bloomberg Despite past controversies, Credit Suisse decided against imposing a heightened compliance framework on Archegos. And Archegos repeatedly got the better of the firm. This favoured client persuaded the banks prime services business, which looks after hedge funds, to assess the riskiness of its portfolio differently. That meant it faced less onerous demands to post margin backing its levered positions. The risk managers in the prime business would impose some conditions for this special treatment, but still let Archegos operate outside this more lax framework. This pattern would repeat itself for years before Archegos eventually imploded. In 2020, as the exposure was swelling, the prime unit merely wanted the family office to be stress-tested for a bad week rather than a complete market meltdown. And so it went on. It also called in a group of powerful Wall Street investors last week to try to reassure them that the reforms of private education were an isolated situation and that otherwise it was business as usual. Those reassurances are likely to be taken with a large dose of salt given that within in the complex politics of Chinese bureaucracy, where regulators compete for Xi Jinpings attention and favour, it is never clear which agency is calling the shots and from which direction the next grenade for investors might be launched. Given the SECs intention to enforce its policy of requiring US-listed foreign companies to allow US regulators to inspect their audits under threat of de-listing a policy at odds with Chinas directive, on national security grounds, that any foreign regulator wanting to inspect the accounts of a Chinese company has to obtain the approval of its own authorities the potential for a severing of Chinese companies access to the US markers is increasing. SEC chairman, Gary Gensler said the Chinese governments actions were relevant to US investors and that his staff had been directed to require additional disclosures from Chinese companies before approving their prospectuses. Credit:AP For the companies the conflict over audits of the auditors, in particular, is a major threat. According to Bloomberg Chinese companies have raised nearly $US16 billion of equity in the US so far this year, with another 70 planned IPOs in the pipeline. The total value of Chinese companies listed in the US is more than $US2 trillion. The broader picture of the Chinese authorities radically changing the landscapes for Chinese companies and their investors almost overnight with little, if any, regard for the foreign investors would be of concern for any securities regulator with Chinese companies on their boards. The crackdown on private education isnt an isolated situation. Starting with Jack Mas planned Ant Group float and the flowing through Chinas big tech company sector, the authorities have been taking decisions, on various grounds competition policy, financial stability, national security that have decimated the value of their shares and the bank accounts of foreign investors. Loading The impact of these decrees, the lack of any explicit framework to assess the likelihood of regulatory change and the absence of any avenues for appeals is why some institutional investors have declared China uninvestable. While the wipe-out of private education was motivated by a number of factors social equity, the impact on birthrates and the states desire to absolutely control the curriculum as with the broader assault on technology companies (and the resistance to allowing the US to audit its auditors) there was also a desire to prevent the data being captured by these companies from being accessible outside China. The targeting of ride-sharing giant Didi on national security grounds by the Cyberspace Administration of China last month just after its $US68 billion listing in the US was driven by concern that its vast hoard of data on its customers could be accessed by US authorities, even though Didi servers are in China. There are elements of this new Chinese approach to capitalism and the way it is being implemented, however, that are fundamedntally at odds with the way Wall Street and other developed economy financial markets work. Crackdowns on other big tech companies also reflect Chinas conviction that access to Big Data is a both a threat to national security and a source of competitive advantage. The sudden focus on data regulation by Beijing, and the absence of any definition of what constitutes data that has national security significance, has created a new source of power and visibility for a range of agencies that now appear to be scrambling to get a piece of the action.\ While the broad tightening of the regulatory net around the big tech companies is being interpreted by China analysts as evidence that advocates for business and a (relatively) open economy in China have lost out to those who want all Chinese businesses, including those privately owned, to operate within Beijings stringent views of the national interest. The authorities are tightening control of Chinas private sector while putting the billionaire entrepreneurs, like Jack Ma, whose wealth and outspokenness might have been seen as potentially destabilising within such an authoritarian regime, firmly in their places. Loading The reaction in markets to the wave of recent actions against the tech companies, and the SECs response, appears to have taken China somewhat by surprise, hence the effort to talk down their significance. China is trying to (slightly) liberalise its financial markets and attract foreign capital and expertise to quite immature markets so it probably doesnt want to cut off the flow of external capital. NSW has reported 199 new local coronavirus cases on Tuesday, as the state government says it is exploring opportunities to encourage vaccine uptake to reach its 6 million target by August 28. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was concern about vaccination rates in the eight local government areas under tighter restrictions in Sydneys west and south-west. Its really critical to have our communities in those eight local government areas take up the opportunity for vaccination, she said. There have been 3.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in NSW. The state governments 50 per cent vaccination goal to ease restrictions in Greater Sydney on August 29 means it will need to hit 6 million shots by the end of the month. An alert has been issued for contact tracing locations in far north Queensland after health authorities confirmed they were investigating a new case of COVID-19 in Cairns. Late on Tuesday, authorities confirmed the case was active, not historic. A public health alert was issued for contact tracing locations in Cairns, Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob. The case is the first in the region after the Queensland lockdown was announced on Saturday, and the furthest the coronavirus has spread in the state. For people of faith, public prayer that is not of their religion may cause discomfort, or even offence. For non-believers, public prayer is more likely to cause irritation than the humility and reflective responsibility that he wishes were encouraged by prayer. Representatives who feel their deliberations would be enhanced by prayer should pray silently at the beginning of their day, or whenever they feel the need, and not impose their prayers on others. Marianne Robinson, Churchill No harm in maintaining spiritual traditions Dr Kevin Donnelly is correct when he describes the importance and legacy of the prayer before Parliament. The vast majority of Australians are of European origin, our political system is British and Christianity is the majority religion. What possible harm can there be in taking a few moments to reflect on responsibilities and get a perspective on who we are, before starting work? And if the prayer is to go, so too must the Welcome to Country, a spiritual tradition of an important, although tiny, group of Australians. Theres no real reason to get rid of either. Lets keep both. Caroline Miley, Heidelberg THE FORUM Yarra Trams on song We live near a tram terminus and want to compliment the management and staff of Yarra Trams for their efficiency and careful protection of passengers. The trams generally keep to a rigorous timetable and the drivers are sensitive to the safety of those alighting, even though some car drivers do not observe the warning signs. During the COVID crisis, trams frequently carry cleaning staff who take pains to disinfect the areas that could be touched by passengers. We Melbourne residents are fortunate to have a well-run public transport service. Ken and Christine Barnes, Glen Iris Jab bonus applauded A $300 vaccination bonus will have a multiplier impact on the economy as well as our health. Anthony Albanese must be congratulated for coming up with a great idea. Yes, everyone who gets vaccinated by December 1 should get a $300 payment from the federal government, as should those already fully vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the Australian economy and the nations health. Many businesses are still in a recession with demand being reduced by lockdowns and border closures. A $300 federal government cheque to every Australian will have a multiplier effect on the economy and help restore confidence in public policy. John Glazebrook, Terang Payment irresponsible Anthony Albaneses proposal of a $300 payment when each Australian is vaccinated lacks maturity. We arent a nation of infants who need a choccy or an ice-cream to do something sensible. Labor has never led explanations of how risk factors can occur in a range of illnesses, injuries or medical procedures in everyday lives to put the AstraZeneca vaccine in a context of being a measured risk. This vaccine bribe is just an irresponsible step. Des Files, Brunswick Prioritise the young Before we talk about $300 incentives to get the COVID vaccine how about opening up eligibility to our mobile young people aged 16-plus. Many have customer-facing part-time jobs delivering essential services and are essential workers. Why are they second-class citizens when it comes to vaccines? Kelly Reed, Kew Approve rapid testing How is it that a widely used method of COVID-19 detection, which is Australian made, can be sold to numerous countries and yet is not able to be used here? It can enable a fast and accurate diagnosis and thus lessen the burden on overworked contact tracers. The US, south-east Asia, the UK and other countries are utilising the test to navigate a recovery, both medically and economically. When will our legislators show some leadership and give our country some hope for recovery. Approve and use rapid antigen testing now. Daniel Keogh, Middle Park Travel exemption query I read Patsy Sanaghans letter (Letters, 3/8) with interest and just have to hope that such carefree abandonment of restrictions is backed up by high vaccination rates and does not lead to disastrous consequences there. But my real question is, on what basis was Patsy able to obtain her travel exemption? With family in the UK, I would really like to know, and so would many others, I imagine. Jo Featherston, Malvern East Teachers at risk Teachers seem to be regarded by governments as invulnerable beings during this COVID crisis. Throughout Australia they are swapped in and out of remote learning at the drop of a hat, becoming more and more tired each time this happens, and watching as the Delta variant appears to be infecting children more frequently. But nowhere has it been even hinted at that teachers and other staff in schools should be vaccinated as a matter of urgency. Its pointless vaccinating year 11 and 12 students if their teachers are out of action. Once Delta gets going among school students, teachers will be working in a viral sea and are bound to fall ill quickly. Teachers in the 25-40 age group are sitting ducks for COVID, having been warned off AZ and unable to access Pfizer. Before any student gets vaccinated, their teachers should be. Delta is out manoeuvring us while teachers sit and wait to be infected. Jill Dumsday, Ashburton Albo deserves a chance In a cafe before the last election two 60 somethings were complaining that Labors retirement tax would cost them their next trips overseas. Its a shame Labors inter-generational fairness policies have been discarded just as younger Australians will have to pay the bulk of COVID-related bills. That said, the focus needs to be on the governments woeful record on women, the vaccine stroll out, rorts and branch stacking. The next election is a struggle between authenticity and duplicity. Do we want a real, consensus-driven leader or one who relies on daily briefings from a remarkably interventionist God and/or taxpayer-funded focus groups? Given the chance, Albo will elevate the office of PM. Back in office, Scomo will further erode public trust in politicians. John Carmichael, Hawthorn Unfair restrictions What I find unacceptable is that the government is going to allow crowds at the footy, but I am unable to see my recently born only grandchild despite my having had two vaccinations against COVID-19. There must be many other people in a similar situation. David Orr, Croydon Stop senseless killing Who calls the shots on duck hunting? (Comment, 2/8) is right on the money. How is it the Andrews government continues to support duck shooting when the majority of Victorians dont want it? It is unconscionable that this government is using taxpayers money to fund this hideous pastime. The question has to be asked who in government is benefiting? This government has a record of putting the interests of a few over the wishes of Victorians and the welfare of wildlife. What will it take for the senseless killing to stop? Ian Slattery, Maldon Right the wrong I commend Kerrie Allen for the in-depth article on duck hunting. That so much money can be spent on a sport participated in by less than 1 per cent of Victorians while little is invested in mitigating climate change or protecting our forests, is abhorrent. I call on our Premier, whom I admire for his other initiatives and his leadership during the pandemic, to right this serious wrong. Jan Dwyer, Rosebud Wheres the vision? So, once COVID restrictions settle, the federal governments plan is to bring more than 200,000 immigrants a year into Australia. Now, Im no mathematician, but if we have a large housing shortage now (not to mention unaffordable to average folk) how is bringing more into the country going to fix this problem and lets not even get started on the environmental degradation added numbers will cause to our already shrinking arable land, water resources etc. Where are the politicians with a vision for a sustainable future rather than an eye on winning the next election at any cost? Chris Hargreaves, Forest Hill Health is our responsibility First, the vaccine rollout is bungled, then politicised and now there are calls for it to be incentivised. Both COVID testing and vaccinations are already on the public purse. There is enough evidence that vaccines work. Besides, ones health is ones responsibility in this case to oneself and the wider community. Simple. Helena Kilingerova, Vermont Gittins right and wrong Ross Gittins is right in arguing that the bare transfer of public monopolies to private ownership via government privatisation too often permits new private monopolies to raise prices, forgoing the efficiencies which would otherwise flow from competition (Why government reforms are not always for the best, The Age, 2/8). But he is completely wrong in suggesting that the Keating government stuffed up the privatisation of capital-city airports, particularly Sydneys. The Keating government did no such thing. Indeed, it did not privatise Sydney Airport or any other airports to private investors. Sydney Airport was privatised and sold by the Howard government to Macquarie Bank on a 99-year lease in 2002. For the first time in the federation, as Prime Minister, I established a national competition policy the policy Gittins correctly lauds. Indeed, in 1995 I established the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the body now headed by Rod Sims. As Prime Minister I privatised a number of government institutions; the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, CSL and Qantas. All are competitive institutions. The Commonwealth Bank and CSL went on to become world-class companies. Qantas was saved a death at the hands of the capital-adequate Middle Eastern carriers by me rolling Australian Airlines into Qantas, giving it the domestic carriage Qantas never had, thereby preserving it as Australias sole international carrier. Paul Keating, Potts Point, NSW AZ debate an indulgence Apropos AstraZeneca and possible side effects; we take a risk to our health if we engage in long-haul flights, over-imbibing on a regular basis, ditto for saturated fats, anaesthetics, smoking, indulging in illicit substances, climbing mountains, swimming in open waters and casual sexual experiences. So, if you havent engaged in any of the above, then you have a point. Otherwise, its free and has given the UK a chance to get moving and hope to millions around the world. Ongoing debate about AZ is a First World indulgence. Glenn Marchant, Pascoe Vale AND ANOTHER THING ... Credit: Coronavirus Were already getting a generous bonus with our free vaccination: not dying. Tim Durbridge, Brunswick Keeping one state open may yet shut down the nation. Gary Sayer, Warrnambool Britain and Israel race to offer booster jabs Australia left at the first hurdle. Joe Wilder, Caulfield North Im fully vaxxed, and channelling old Pooh-Bah from Gilbert & Sullivans The Mikado: please Albo and Simon Birmingham insult me with $300. Ill swallow my pride. William Puls, Mentone Co-operate; Be a mate; Vaccinate. Jim Dickson, Mount Eliza Tokyo Olympics With the well-deserved praise for our successful Tokyo Olympic athletes, lets see some recognition for Andrew Hoy, our equestrian champion now in his eighth Olympic Games. A true champion. Judith Troeth, Armadale Feel for the exhausted runners in Tokyo having to climb all those stairs after their races. Tim Nolan, Brighton We hope that Alex Porters bike which fell apart as he rode it in the mens team pursuit event at Tokyo was not made in Australia. Hugh McCaig, Blackburn Politics Playing political games is just nasty when Scomo, Albo and Gladys are aware of the outcome. Sharyn Bhalla, Ferntree Gully Cant they just come in, sit down and start working? Ralph M. Bohmer, St Kilda West Like Baldrick (in Black Adder) Scott Morrison now says I have a plan. David Lyall, Mount Eliza Victorias Health Minister has asked the healthcare watchdog to investigate concerns about the operations of a complementary medicine provider that has been processing blood tests in an unaccredited laboratory and employed a disgraced former doctor as a technician. The probe comes as leading scientists call for the urgent closure of a loophole in Australias research regulations that allowed human trials to be conducted without regulatory oversight. The Age can reveal that Hawthorn-based non-profit the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, which conducts complementary medicine treatment and research, has been processing blood samples for a cancer test trial at a laboratory that is not accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities. The National Institute of Integrative Medicine building in Hawthorn. Credit:Penny Stephens On Saturday The Age reported that the institute employed a former doctor as a technician in its hypothermia department six years after his registration was cancelled following the deaths of two patients. The family of a man who sought treatment from the organisation also complained to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in 2016. Country principal Jo Amott freely admits she is in charge of a school that is caught in a downward spiral. Enrolments at Balmoral K-12 Community College have fallen sharply in the past six years, from 162 students in 2015 to just 97 this year, in a pattern of decline that has begun to feed off itself. Balmoral K-12 Community College principal Jo Amott with year 2 students Charli Simons, Billy Ferguson and Quinn Weaver. Credit:Erin Jonasson Although the schools results have remained steady, the declining number of students has made it harder to offer some specialist subjects, or put on team sports and graduation ceremonies. This has led some students to leave, defecting to other schools in bigger towns. Others have moved on simply because their friends have left. Australias proposed path out of harsh restrictions depends on optimal quarantine systems, contact tracing and social distancing and lockdowns will probably still be needed. Modelling commissioned by the Doherty Institute for the federal government found the country could move to phase B of the national road map out of the pandemic once 70 per cent of the eligible population was fully immunised. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he remained confident the 70 per cent target could be reached by the end of the year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It also shows opening up the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to all eligible adults rather than continuing to focus on vulnerable Australians will boost the level of community protection. At 70 per cent, were at a position where the light, low public health and social measures ... [and] an effective and well-preserved public health response could help to turn what might otherwise be a bushfire into more of a controlled backburn, and keep case numbers low, the Doherty Institutes Professor Jodie McVernon told reporters on Tuesday. The highest rates of fully vaccinated residents are in the areas of North Sydney and Hornsby (26.9 per cent), in Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury (25.5 per cent), the eastern suburbs (23.9 per cent), Ryde (23.3 per cent), the inner west (22.8 per cent) and Sutherland (22.5 per cent). Residents of the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven have the highest rate of first doses (50.5 per cent) in NSW, compared to only one third (34.4 per cent) having received a first jab in the Far West and Orana which includes local government areas of Walgett, Bourke and Broken Hill. Communities that face disadvantage, poverty, social exclusion and speak languages other than English will find it harder to connect to mainstream health services. And lower coverage is more common for those born overseas and arrived within the past 10 years, said Professor Leask. Financial incentives may nudge a few people to get vaccinated but convenience is critical now. More than one third of residents in the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven are aged over 60 compared to 15 per cent in Blacktown. The median age of residents in Blacktown and Parramatta is 33, compared to 46 in the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven and 41 in the Central Coast. On Tuesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that until recently, the health advice precluded a lot of young people from coming forward for vaccination. Now the advice has changed, given the outbreak, we have a concerted effort, from mobile clinics, vaccine hubs and pharmacy, we are ramping up access, Ms Berejiklian said. Health authorities have battled Sydneys Delta-variant outbreak for the past seven weeks with Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta the worst hit areas. The state reported 199 new local coronavirus cases on Tuesday. In the past four weeks, about 3000 cases COVID-19 cases have been detected across those eight LGAs. Its really critical to have our communities in those eight local government areas take up the opportunity for vaccination, the Premier said. There are currently 53 people in intensive care units in NSW, including 43 who have not received a single dose of vaccine. The cases include five people in their 20s, six in their 30s, three in their 40s, 18 in their 50s, 11 in their 60s and 10 in their 70s. Loading Rural Doctors Association of Australia President John Hall said low rates of vaccination in some of the states regions shows how constrained supply has slowed vaccine uptake. There is not enough Pfizer and the mixed messaging about AstraZeneca means some older people are still waiting for Pfizer, said Dr Hall. Some of the frontline health and aged care workers in the regions are not fully vaccinated and the major barrier has been lack of supply. There are some healthcare workers who have had to drive up to four hours to get Pfizer shots. And many rural areas have only a handful of doctors in an area and its not practical to leave their job for a day to get vaccinated. Only seven areas of Australia have more than a quarter of their population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And just seven areas nationally have managed to get at least one dose to more than half of their residents aged over 15. Berlin: A German court has set a trial date for a 100-year-old man who is charged with 3518 counts of accessory to murder on allegations he served as a Nazi SS guard at a concentration camp on the outskirts of Berlin during World War II. A spokeswoman for the Neuruppin state court said Monday that the trial is set to begin in early October. The centenarians name wasnt released in line with German privacy laws. The suspect is alleged to have worked at the Sachsenhausen camp between 1942 and 1945 as an enlisted member of the Nazi Partys paramilitary wing. The gates of the Sachsenhausen Nazi death camp, where the 100-year-old former guard worked between 1942 and 1945. Credit:AP Authorities say that despite his advanced age, the suspect is considered fit enough to stand trial, though the number of hours per day the court is in session may have to be limited. Bedlam, the company known for its bold stagings of classic plays and novels, will return to New York this September with a new adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion, written by Sarah Rose Kearns and directed by Eric Tucker, the company's artistic director. Previews begin Saturday, September 11 at The Connelly Theater, with an official opening Tuesday, September 21, followed by a limited 7-week engagement. Kearns will play the lead role of Anne Elliot, the daughter of a distinguished family who becomes secretly engaged to Frederick Wentworth (Bedlam regular Rajesh Bose), a relatively undistinguished naval officer. Anne's family encourages her to break off the engagement, which becomes a major source of regret in her life as the years surrounding the Napoleonic Wars play out. But can she win him back? In addition to Kearns and Bose, the cast will feature performances by Caroline Grogan, Nandita Shenoy, Jamie Smithson, Randolph Curtis Rand, Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy, Claire Hsu, Annabel Capper, and Yonatan Gebeyehu. The production will be choreographed by Susannah Millonzi, with set design by John McDermott, light design by Les Dickert, costume design by Charlotte Palmer Lane, and sound design by Jane Shaw. Complimentary seats will be available to underserved communities at every performance of Persuasion. 561 tickets have been set aside in the first row of the theater to accommodate those who want to see live theatre but have been prevented from attending due to the cost of a ticket. Click here for full details. In cooperation with Actors' Equity Association, Bedlam will be producing Persuasion in compliance with a strict Fully Vaccinated Company agreement, which ensures that the entire team of artists and staff are fully vaccinated. In accordance with this agreement, the company asks that all audience members provide proof of vaccination or negative test and remain masked while within the venue, unless eating or drinking. These policies are subject to change with evolving guidance from New York State and the CDC. Here is a question I would like to invite you to ponder with me for a few minutes today. How many people does it take to make a crew? The word crew is usually associated with men, but not always, and regardless the number is always more than one. Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. As of next year, Californians may have no pork Rebecca Hong, right, a registered nurse who is the assistant nurse manager in the mom/baby unit at Rose Medical Center, administers the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna to hospital worker Kudusan Tekle in the first round of staff vaccinations at Rose with the Moderna product Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Denver. New Hampshire lawmakers stand for a moment of silence in honor of former House Speaker Richard Hinch during a New Hampshire House of Representatives session held Feb. 24, 2021, at NH Sportsplex in Bedford, N.H. Hinch, a Republican from Merrimack, died of COVID-19 in December 2020, a week after being sworn in. Graduates of Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School shown are seen June 17, 2010, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tries out equipment used to disinfect subway cars during a visit May 2, 2020, to a Metropolitan Transportation Authority facility in the Queens borough of New York City. Staff Reporter Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times. This March 20, 2021, photo provided by the Office of Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, shows detainees in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) temporary overflow facility in Donna, Texas. President Joe Biden's administration faces mounting criticism for refusing to allow outside observers into facilities where it is detaining thousands of immigrant children. Staff Reporter Tim Gruver is a politics and public policy reporter. He is a University of Washington alum and the recipient of the 2017 Pioneer News Award for Reporting. His work has appeared in Politico, the Kitsap Daily News, and the Northwest Asian Weekly. LARAMIE, Wyo., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WyoTech, a diesel and automotive trade school for those seeking diesel, automotive and collision refinishing careers, received a $500,000 donation to its foundation from The Todd Family. "The Todd Family has always valued education including vocational education," said Mick Todd. "We see this donation as furthering the development of technicians who will keep our economy moving." The Todd family has a long-standing history of community involvement and philanthropy, having made several charitable donations in both Colorado and Wyoming in the name of education. A first-time donor to the WTI Foundation, Todd is continuing the family legacy of community service through this generous donation. "These trades are essential to our economy," Todd said. "They are also high-paying jobs. Many kids have a natural aptitude for these skills and they should be encouraged to follow their dreams and seek out careers where their strengths are best put to use." WyoTech was founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. The goal of the school has always been to provide a high-quality education and training programs for students. WyoTech prepares them for success in the diesel and automotive industry, where the demand for qualified technicians is growing steadily. WyoTech provides one of the best hands-on training experiences in the nation, providing nine-month training programs for diesel and automotive repairs. The WyoTech mechanic program offers seven industry certifications, including ASE certification, to advance students' knowledge and careers as diesel and automotive service technicians. "Traditional higher education is not for everyone and vocational education offers a viable solution for employment and career improvement for many young people in this country. It should be a focus of education strategy. Providing funding for a vocational education, especially private funding, is essential," said Todd. To learn more about WyoTech and its specialized programs, please visit https://www.wyotech.edu. To donate or learn more about the WyoTech | WTI Foundation visit https://www.wyotech.edu/l/foundation About WyoTech WyoTech is a family-owned technical school founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. WyoTech provides training programs that prepare students for careers as technicians in the automotive and diesel industry with nine-month training programs that focus on hands-on experience. Related Images mick-todds-donation-to-wyotech.jpg Mick Todd's Donation to WyoTech From left to right: WyoTech's President Jim Mathis, donor Mick Todd, President of WTI Foundation Dale Eslinger, WTI Foundation Board Member Doug Min, WTI Foundation Board Member Keith Geis, WTI Foundation Board Member & Treasurer Fred Ockers View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wyoming-automotive-and-diesel-trade-school-receives-500k-donation-to-fund-scholarships-301346018.html SOURCE WyoTech Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com. The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) News Ex-Bald Knob police chief charged with stalking, other related crimes Balentine Wright Sexton Escobedo Hammons Reed The former Bald Knob police chief who was federally indicted in 2015 is facing several new criminal charges, including stalking. A warrant was issued recently for Erek Lynn Balentine, 36, on the first-degree class C felony charge along with possession of depressant and stimulant drugs without a prescription, an unclassified felony, and two misdemeanors (violation of an order of protection and harassing communications). A pretrial hearing has been set for Sept. 8 in White County Circuit Court for Balentine, who was not in the White County jail Monday. According to the affidavit written by White County Sheriffs Office Detective Cpl. Heather Meadows, the alleged victim reported that Balentine had called her March 15 from a blocked number and said he was going to shoot himself over the phone so she could hear the gunshot. Then, on May 8, he reportedly showed up at her residence on Velvet Ridge Road, threatened her male guests, made suicidal threats and then took a handful of what appeared to be prescription pills out a medicine bottle and left. He did that despite an order of protection against him, Meadows wrote, and drove off in an unsafe manner. On the phone with the alleged victim, he reportedly was gagging and indicating it was getting dark and told her he was dying. Videos he sent her reportedly showed him driving at speeds up to 110 mph. When Balentine was found, he reportedly said that he had taken a mouthful of white Altoid mints out of a prescription bottle in front of the alleged victim, and had gone to the alleged victims workplace a couple of weeks earlier to make her talk to him. The alleged victim reportedly said that at her place of business May 10, Balentine was pushing and shoving her in the parking lot and trying to force her to give him a hug. She reportedly fled into the building, but Balentine pushed his way in the door and refused to leave unless she returned to talk to him. She reportedly had received hundreds of calls and messages from Balentine since Feb. 8, which included digital pictures of cemeteries, a photo of her mothers camper with an indirect threat to burn it down, suicidal messages and video recordings, and admissions of at-risk behavior that had repeatedly caused the victim anxiety, fear and loss of sleep. Balentine was promoted to police chief from assistant chief in Bald Knob on Jan. 1, 2015, and resigned that September after his personal vehicle was burned in his driveway. After being investigated for arson, he pleaded guilty in a negotiated deal to a stolen firearm charge in Little Rock federal court concerning a shotgun that was donated to be auctioned and was sentenced in 2016 to six months of house arrest and three years of probation. Balentines truck had been set on fire Sept. 14 and 2 Amendment spray-painted on both sides, in reference to some issues the city was having with open-carry advocates. Balentine was ordered to pay restitution in federal court after receiving a total of $12,986.71 from insurance claims related to the fire. The stolen firearm charge arose during the investigation by the Arkansas State Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the burning of Balentines vehicle. Balentine is not allowed to serve in law enforcement or possess a firearm. A warrant also was issued for a 46-year-old from Judsonia on a charge of first-degree terroristic threatening. Jeremy Robbin Wright was set to appear in court for plea and arraignment this morning, but was not in the White County jail Monday. Wright reportedly sent a number of concerning text messages to his estranged wife, including some threatening to kill her. The alleged victim reported the threats April 15 and requested an order of protection, Meadows wrote in the affidavit. The alleged victim reportedly said that Wright, who also had sent a photo with what appeared to be the barrel of a rifle in his mouth, was verbally abusive and she had endured similar coercive control tactics and emotional manipulation from him many times in the past. More messages and a video clip were submitted by the alleged victim April 20, with Wright saying I see u I kill u dead and also placing a shotgun on the table pointed at himself, Meadows wrote. He was arrested April 21 and served a no-contact order. A 52-year-old from Searcy officially has been charged with first-degree battery-aggravated circumstances, a class B felony, and third-degree battery, a class A misdemeanor. Charles Delmar Sexton was not in the White County Detention Center on Monday, but was scheduled to appear in White County Circuit Court this morning for plea and arraignment. Sexton reportedly threw a Lysol can at his ex-wife during an altercation June 19, cutting open her thumb and then hit his sons girlfriend in the face several times, knocking out two teeth. Deputies were called to the residence on Mt. Pisgah Road in Letona and saw Sexton attempting to kick in the door, Detective Misty Goss wrote in the affidavit. He complied with commands from the deputies and was arrested. After the alleged victims reportedly said that Sexton became physically violent with them both, deputies observed that one had a cut thumb and the other had blood and scratches to the neck and blood from the mouth. Witnesses provided similar accounts, Goss wrote. Sextons criminal history showed a history of domestic violence incidents, some of which involve these same victims. A 27-year-old Kensett man also has been charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, a class D felony, and harassing communications. Jonathan Escobedo was charged as a habitual offender. No court date has been set, and Escobedo was not in custody in the White County jail Monday. The alleged victim reportedly told Meadows on April 5 that she was being harassed and threatened by an ex-boyfriend, who reportedly had taken her to a Little Rock hotel March 20 and beaten her. Meadows wrote in the affidavit that the alleged victim was covered in bruises on her face and neck, which the alleged victim said was residual injuries caused on that date. Since then, she reportedly had been receiving threatening messages from Escobedo. Meadows wrote that some of the messages, which started March 31 and continued through this date, contained both direct and indirect threats, while others appeared to be admissions of guilt or remorse. When the alleged victim didnt respond to the harassing messages, Escobedo would send messages more threatening in nature. A 58-year-old from Searcy also was set to appear in court this morning after being charged with second-degree domestic battery, a class C felony. Rickey Lynn Hammons was not in custody in White County on Monday. According to the affidavit written by Searcy Police Department Detective Kara Osborne, officers went to a residence on North Clinic Street on June 22. The alleged victim, a pre-teenager, reportedly said that she had been held down and struck in the face twice with an open hand by her mothers significant other. The alleged victim reportedly had injuries consistent with her statement. Hammons also reportedly said the altercation was the result of a verbal argument that escalated. An 86-year-old Judsonia man is facing 14 counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, a class D felony, with enhanced penalties for offenses committed in the presence of a child. Jim Junior Reed was set to appear in court today, but was not in custody at the county jail Monday. According to the affidavit written by Detective Chris L. Ellis of the sheriffs office, Reed is accused of threatening to shoot several children at a residence on Denny Street on June 12 during a birthday party. One of the alleged victims reportedly said that Reed began going crazy during the party, taking out a gun and threatening to kill the kids if they did not leave his property. The alleged victim also reportedly said that Reed pointed the gun in her face and pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire. It was determined that the gun used by Reed was a BB gun that was not loaded, but the victims had no way of knowing this at the time of the incident. Reed reportedly said that he did make the threats because they would not leave. Searcy, AR (72143) Today Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. Towanda, PA (18848) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. ONEONTA - Ronald Sargent, 82, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. He was born in Gilbertsville, on Sept. 20, 1938, to William and Geraldine Sargent. Ron worked for many years as a farm hand in Morris. He was predeceased by his sisters, Jackie Fake and Olive Loubier. Ronald is survived by Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom. Follow Melanie Tucker 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and author of The Next Pandemic, available at Amazon.com . Contact her at betsy@betsymccaughey.com or on Twitter @Betsy_McCaughey. Forest City, NC (28043) Today Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Forest City, NC (28043) Today Mostly cloudy with some showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with some showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. 101-Year-Old Maine Woman Has Lobstered Since She Was 8Claims She Will Retire When I Die Those who know Rockland, Maines Lobster Lady claim their 101-year-old local legend may be the oldest person in the world still lobsteringand she shows no signs of quitting. Virginia Ginny Oliver has lived on the same street since the day she was born on June 6, 1920. Her late husband, whom she lobstered with for decades, was a resident on that street when they tied the knot. Virginia started lobstering with her older brother when she was 8 years old, Wayne Gray of Rockland Historical Society told The Epoch Times. Shes been lobstering on and off for 93 years. The Lobster Lady, Virginia Oliver. (Courtesy of Wayne Gray) One of three siblings, Virginia spent childhood summers on an island with her family. Her father ran a lobster pound and would send 8-year-old Virginia to pilot a lobster boat and fetch the part-time help from nearby islands. Virginia also helped her father tend his store, selling supplies and gasoline to local lobster fishermen. Today, Virginia has a daughter and three sons who lobster, yet at 101, she has no plans to pass the baton. She and her 78-year-old son, Max, have been lobstering June through September since Virginias husband died 15 years ago. Virginia has 200 traps in the water of her own; Max has a few more than that, said Gray. Lobster fishermen dont like to tell how many lobsters they catch in a season. Rising before 5 a.m., Virginia drives her pickup to Owls Head with Max three times a week to board her late husbands boat, named Virginia, after her. At the wheel, stirred by a fresh sea breeze off Andrews Island, Virginia is in her element. The mother-son duo are an efficient team; Max hauls pots while Virginia bands the lobsters. Despite over nine decades at sea, Virginia never gets seasick and has only had one accident of note: a crab once nipped her finger, requiring a trip to the emergency room and several stitches. Gray shared: Virginia joked about it, saying, That crab would of bitten my finger right off if there hadnt been a bone in it! Virginia told News Center Maine that she quit her job at a printing shop in Rockland when she knew that lobstering was her passion. She surprised her husband with the news one day. I had a yard full of clothes hanging out, she recalled. He said, How come you got your wash? I thought you went to work. I said, I did, but I just quit! Im gonna go with you. Virginia maintains that she will retire when she dies. Max praised his mothers resolve, saying, Shes healthy enough shes good all over. Virginias longevous career in lobstering has even inspired a documentary, Conversations with The Lobster Lady, filmed by Wayne Gray and Dale Schierholt of Rockland Historical Society. Reflecting on her story, Virginia concedes that in a changing world, her life is altogether different from most people. Beside lobstering, Virginia cooks homemade meals for her four children every Saturday night and is revered for her delicious home-baked donuts and pastries. Her secret, she says, is to keep busy. Virginia is billed to serve as parade marshal in Maines 2022 Lobster Festival Parade. Shell be 102 years old. When asked when she plans on retiring, the 101-year-old answered, When I die. (Courtesy of Wayne Gray) 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 2 Universities Requiring COVID Vaccines for Workers as Concerns Grow in South Florida By Michelle Marchante From Miami Herald MIAMINova Southeastern University has joined the University of Miami in requiring faculty and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine. NSU, whose main campus is in Davie, is requiring all employeesfull and part-time faculty and staff, adjunct faculty and temporary employeesto complete their vaccination by Sept. 20. Faculty, staff and postdoctoral fellows at UM were told they should receive the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of Pfizer or Modernas vaccine by Aug 1. The deadline, which was announced in June, was to ensure employees would be fully vaccinated by the time classes begin on Aug. 23. Vaccinations are optional for health care workers at the University of Miami Health System. The vaccine mandate at both private universities does not apply to employees who qualify for a medical or religious exemption. NSU Requiring Employees to Get COVID Vaccine NSUs mandate was announced by the schools president in a message to the university community. The fall semester begins Aug. 23. Planning for the start of the 2021 fall semester/term, we are facing the renewed challenge of the rise of the Delta variant, which has dramatically increased the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, particularly in South Florida, NSU President George Hanbury wrote. In response, I must consider what more we could be doing to maintain the safety of our employees and students across our various locations, workspaces and teaching/learning environments. Workers will have to report their status into the NSU Vax Max portal by or before Sept. 20. Employees who do not complete their vaccination, or get their exemption approved, by the deadline will be offered unpaid leave for up to 45 days to either get vaccinated or request an exemption, according to the university. NSU in April attempted to mandate vaccines for employees and students ahead of the fall semester but reversed course after the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis banned vaccine passports. The law prohibits businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination. Schools also cannot require students or residents to show proof of vaccination. If they do, they can be fined up to $5,000 per incident. As for employees, the federal government says businesses can mandate workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, even while the shots are under the Food and Drug Administrations emergency use authorization. DeSantis staff also clarified to the Miami Herald in July that he supports a business right to impose a vaccine requirement for workers. Miami Herald staff writer Daniel Chang contributed to this report. 2021 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) 4th Police Officer Who Was at Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Dies by Suicide A fourth police officer who was present at the grounds of the Capitol building when it was breached on Jan. 6 has died by suicide, according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD). Metropolitan Police Officer Kyle DeFreytag, 26, was found dead on July 10 from suicide, an MPD spokeswoman told The Epoch Times via email. DeFreytag was assigned to the Fifth District and had been with the police department since November 2016. MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III had sent a message to the police force last month to notify them of DeFreytags death. I am writing to share tragic news that Officer Kyle DeFreytag of the 5th District was found deceased last evening, Contee told the department in July, according to WUSA. This is incredibly hard news for us all, and for those that knew him best. DeFreytag lived in Alexandria, Virginia, and was originally from Pennsylvania, according to an obituary posted by the Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home. A memorial service was held in his memory on July 31. He liked hiking, camping, riding his motorcycle, he liked traveling and playing the drums, he enjoyed trying different ethnic foods and always knew the best places to eat. Kyle was kind, he had a quick wit and a great sense of humor and kept us laughing for 26 years, according to the obituary. DeFreytag is survived by his parents, his brother, and his sister. The confirmation from the MPD of DeFreytags suicide came just hours after 43-year-old Gunther Hashida was confirmed to have died by suicide. Washington Police Officer Gunther Hashida is seen in an undated photograph. (Gunther Hashida Memorial & Family Support Fund/GoFundMe) According to a GoFundMe fundraising page, Hashida is survived by his wife and three children. The page didnt specify the cause of his death or what may have driven him to end his life. DeFreytags death brings the number of police officers who were present at the Capitol on Jan. 6 who reportedly died by suicide to four. The other two cases said to be due to suicide are that of MPD Officer Jeffrey Smith and Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood. Read More Timeline of Events in DC on Jan. 6 Lawmakers gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 for a joint session of Congress to count and certify electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. Proceedings in the chambers were temporarily interrupted when a sizable group of protesters entered the Capitol building. Thousands of protesters, mostly peaceful, remained outside. It remains unclear who or what groups may have instigated the breach of the Capitol building. A total of five deaths were recorded in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6 incident. Of the deaths, Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt was determined to have died from homicide on Jan. 6, having been shot and killed by an unnamed officer. Another three people died on Jan. 6 outside the Capitol building but on Capitol grounds. Two of the deaths were found to be from natural causesboth were men in their 50s who died of hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The remaining death, involving a woman in her 30s, was ruled as an accident from a drug overdose. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick was determined to have died of natural causes on Jan. 7. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick in an undated file photo. (United States Capitol Police via AP) More than 100 police officers were reportedly injured in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 incident. The events of the day culminated in a second impeachment trial for then-President Donald Trump, who was ultimately acquitted of an insurrection incitement charge in February. More than 500 people have been arrested and charged in cases related to the events on Jan. 6 at the Capitol. Among them, more than 50 are being held pretrial in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, in conditions that are unconstitutional and violate every single basic human right, lawyers representing several of the defendants told EpochTV last month. Four police officers on July 27 recounted to a House of Representatives special committee that they were beaten and threatened amid clashes with the protesters on Jan. 6. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. A banner encouraging workers to vote in labor balloting is shown at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., on March 30, 2021. (Jay Reeves/AP Photo) Amazon Unionization Election Should be Done Over, Labor Officer Recommends The failed effort to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama may be revived after a federal officer recommended this week that a new vote take place. In a report obtained by The Epoch Times, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) officer said that evidence backs up claims by the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union that Amazon interfered with the election. After conducting the hearing and carefully reviewing the evidence and the arguments made by the parties, I recommend that Petitioners objections be sustained in part because the evidence demonstrates that the Employers conduct interfered with the laboratory conditions necessary to conduct a fair election, Kerstin Meyers, the officer, wrote in the 61-page report. Weeks of hearings after the election indicated that Amazon distributed vote no paraphernalia in the presence of supervisors and managers and worked with the U.S. Postal Service to install a mailbox within 50 feet of the main entrance of the warehouse in Bessemer. Workers dropped off ballots at the mailbox, which was said to be opened at one point by Amazon security guards. Amazons installation of the drop box usurped the labor relations boards exclusive role in administering Union elections, Meyers said. Notwithstanding the Unions substantial margin of defeat, the Employers unilateral decision to create, for all intents and purposes, an onsite collection box for NLRB ballots destroyed the laboratory conditions and justifies a second election, she added. An aerial view of the Amazon facility where workers will vote on whether to unionize is seen in Bessemer, Ala., on March 5, 2021. (Dustin Chambers/Reuters) Workers in April resoundingly rejected the unionization effort by a more than 2-to-1 margin, the latest defeat for unions attempting to organize Amazon employees in the United States. Experts said the Bessemer organizers were trying to unionize in the wrong place, noting that people in the area had few prospects for employment before Amazon opened a warehouse there in 2020. But the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union alleged Amazon engaged in illegal practices, including installing the drop box. That led to weeks of hearings, during which both sides presented evidence. Meyers heard the evidence before finishing her report. The NLRB declined to comment. Throughout the NLRB hearing, we heard compelling evidence how Amazon tried to illegally interfere with and intimidate workers as they sought to exercise their right to form a union. We support the hearing officers recommendation that the NLRB set aside the election results and direct a new election, Stuart Appelbaum, president of the union, said in a statement on Monday. Amazons behavior throughout the election process was despicable. Amazon cheated, they got caught, and they are being held accountable, he added. Amazon told news outlets in response that its employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of a direct connection with their managers and the company. Their voice should be heard above all else, and we plan to appeal to ensure that happens, the company said. Andrew Napolitano, senior judicial analyst for the Fox News Channel, testifies during a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 6, 2018. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Andrew Napolitano Out at Fox News After Sexual Harassment Claim Fox News legal analyst Andrew Napolitano is no longer employed by the network, following a sexual harassment claim that emerged on Monday. John Fawcett, an employee for Fox Business Networks Kudlow, filed a lawsuit (pdf) alleging Napolitano sexually harassed numerous young male employees during his tenure at Fox, including him. Fawcett further alleged that the misconduct was reported to Foxs human resources department, but no action was taken. Upon first learning of John Fawcetts allegations against Judge Andrew Napolitano, Fox News Media immediately investigated the claims and addressed the matter with both parties. The network and Judge Napolitano have since parted ways. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously, are committed to providing a safe, transparent, and collaborative workplace environment for all our employees, and took immediate, appropriate action, Fox said in a statement to news outlets. Furthermore, the additional allegations laid out in this claim are completely baseless and nothing more than a desperate attempt at a payday by trying the case in the court of public opinion as the complaint does not meet the standards of the law. We will defend the matter vigorously in court. Tom Clare, an attorney representing Napolitano did not immediately return a request for comment. Fawcett in the suit also said Larry Kudlow, the host of the show for which he works, has uttered slurs and sexually inappropriate comments, and axed a planned appearance of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) because the congressman is black. Fawcett brought the claims under the New York State Human Rights Law, alleging he was discriminated against because of his gender, and is seeking damages and other relief. Napolitano has been sued before over alleged sexual misconduct. Those cases have not been resolved. Clare told news outlets last year that the accusations detailed in one of the complaints were completely false. A sign asks people to get the COVID-19 vaccine in a Brooklyn neighborhood which is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases in New York City, on July 13, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Appeals Court Upholds Indiana Universitys COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate A federal appeals court on Monday upheld Indiana Universitys (IU) COVID-19 vaccine requirement, after a group of students sued the school arguing that the mandate is unconstitutional. The Chicago-based appeals court upheld an Indiana district court judges ruling that found that the university was acting reasonably in pursuing public health and safety for its campus communities. Both courts rejected a request by eight IU students, who sued the school in June, claiming the inoculation requirement would violate their constitutional rights by forcing them to receive unwanted medical treatment. The policy makes vaccination a condition of attending the university, and students who dont want to get vaccinated can also seek ample educational opportunities elsewhere, according to the appeals court ruling. The university on May 21 informed all students and employees of the vaccine mandate beginning in the fall. IU said failure to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the fall semester will result in students class registrations being canceled and their university-issued IDs terminated, and they will be prohibited from any on-campus activity. Its website states that approved exemptions will be extremely limited to a very narrow set of criteria, including religious medical exemptions with documentation or medical deferrals, and an online program exemption. The eight IU students lawsuit claims that the schools vaccine mandate violates the liberty protected by the 14th Amendment, including rights of personal autonomy and bodily integrity and the right to reject medical treatment. James Bopp, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the rulings, which legal experts say are the first from federal courts regarding college immunization mandates. Similar lawsuits against student vaccine requirements at the University of Connecticut and the California State University system are awaiting action. College officials across the country have struggled with whether they have the authority to require student vaccinations, which some see as key to returning campus to in-person classes and other normal activities. More than 80 percent of IU students have reported receiving at least one dose of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccine, according to IU spokesman Chuck Carney. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Archeologists Uncover New Sections of 2,000-Year-Old Tunnels in Western Wall in Jerusalem The remains of Jerusalems Western Wallsome 2,000 years oldyielded some incredible architectural discoveries in the 19th century. Recently, impressive new sections of the Wall Tunnels have been revealed, for display to the public, in an archeological excavation by the Jerusalems Western Wall Foundation and Israel Antiquities Authority. Built around A.D. 2030, the tunnels consist of two large elaborate chambers, connected by a central passage and fountain, which, its speculated, once served to welcome guests to the cityperhaps even important dignitariesduring the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This is without doubt one of the most magnificent public building from the Second Temple period that has ever been uncovered outside the Temple Mount walls in Jerusalem, said Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolach, excavation director with the Israel Antiquities Authority. Visitors to the site can now envisage the opulence of the place: the two side chambers served as ornate reception rooms and between them was a magnificent fountain with water gushing out from lead pipes incorporated in the midst of the Corinthian capitals protruding from the wall. The excavation uncovered the original walls massive stone slabs, and those which paved the ancient building. The researchers believe that these guest chambers once would have contained wooden reclining sofas, which were not preserved, and the rooms were also used for dining. Reclining dining rooms were common in the Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman worlds from the fifth century [B.C.] to the thirdfourth centuries [A.D.], said Dr. Weksler-Bdolach. They are known in the archaeological record from private homes, palaces, temples, synagogue complexes and civilian compounds. The two elaborate chambers are identical and feature arched ceilings and a pillar. The fountain is adorned with pilasters (flat pillar-like structures adjoining a wall) crowned with Corinthian capitals. The site also contains a stepped ritual bathwhich was installed during the late Second Temple period, along with other extensive changes, prior to the temples destruction. The decorative style of the building is typical of opulent Second Temple-period architecture, the Israel Antiquities Authority stated in a press release on July 8. The tunnels were discovered and documented in the 19th century by Charles Warren, who was followed by various archaeologists in the 20th century. The newly installed visitors route runs through the building, leading to the spacious compound at the base of Wilsons Arch (a bridge leading to the Temple Mount), providing guests a better understanding of the complex and important site known as the Western Wall Tunnels, while emphasizing the extent of this magnificent building, stated Shachar Puni, an architect with the Israel Antiquities Authoritys Conservation Department. He adds, By making the route accessible and opening it to the public, visitors are introduced to one of the most fascinating and impressive sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. 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 The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Va,, on. Oct. 9, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) US Military Braces for Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines As Delta Spreads WASHINGTONWith the growth in the Delta variant, the Pentagon appears poised to mandate vaccinations against COVID-19. Officials told Reuters a decision on the next steps could come within days. The U.S. military says around half the U.S. armed forces are already fully vaccinated, a number that climbs significantly when counting only active-duty troops and excluding National Guard and reserve members. Vaccination rates are highest in the Navy, which suffered from an outbreak last year aboard an aircraft carrier. About 73 percent of sailors are fully vaccinated. That compares with the U.S. national average of about 60 percent of adults ages 18 and over who have been fully vaccinated. Because U.S. troops are generally younger and fitter, relatively few U.S. servicemembers have died as a result of COVID-19just 28 in total, according to Pentagon data. For the general U.S. population, however, the pandemic has led to the biggest decline in life expectancy in the first half of 2020 since World War 2. According to data provided by Johns Hopkins University, more than 614,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States as of Aug. 3, 2021. Last week, President Joe Biden asked the Pentagon to look into how and when they will add COVID-19 to its list of mandatory vaccinations. Our troops serve in places throughout the world, many where vaccination rates are low and disease is prevalent, he said. It is unclear if the Pentagons initial announcements will go beyond ordering planning for mandatory vaccinations while the Food and Drug Administration is still weighing formal approval for vaccines, which are now authorized only for emergency use. Pentagon officials are voicing concern for the safety of troops. A number of U.S. companies like Walmart, Walt Disney, Google, and Facebook have mandated vaccination for U.S. or onsite employees. Soldiers Mindset Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on July 21, 2021. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters) Officials acknowledge a significant percentage of the military populationand their familieshave shunned the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations have become a political issue in the United Statesas have discussions about making them mandatory for the armed forces. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced legislation to prohibit a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for troops. However, its prospects look dim in the Democrat-controlled House. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a top adviser to Biden, said on Friday he hopes regulators could start granting full approval for the vaccines as soon as this month. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a retired Army general, last week in the Philippines said, Quite frankly, Im inclined to move towards making sure that everybody is properly protected. Reuters contributed to this report. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden walks between Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), right, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, Sept. 11, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo) Biden Calls on Cuomo to Resign After AGs Sexual Harassment Report President Joe Biden said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, should resign from office following a state attorney general report that alleged he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and intimidation that violated state and federal laws. I think he should resign, Biden said on Tuesday afternoon during a news conference, adding that the state legislature may decide to impeach him. A number of other New York Democrats, including the states congressional delegation, called on Cuomo to step down. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters before Bidens comments that she would leave discussing the allegations against Cuomo up to him. I dont know that anyone could have watched this morning and not found the allegations to be abhorrent. I know I certainly did, Psaki said. All women who have lived through this type of experience, whether it is harassment or abuse or, in the worst case, assault, deserve to have their voices heard, deserve to be treated with respect and with dignity. But in response to the attorney generals report, Cuomo released a video denying the allegations and remained defiant against calls for his ouster. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, said Cuomo in a pre-recorded video that included photos of him kissing or hugging people in public as evidence that its just in his nature to be friendly. It came after New York Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, said in a lengthy report that he engaged in sexual harassment and his chamber mishandled allegations against him. Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women, her report said, adding that Cuomos office was filled with fear and intimidation. James said that the investigation is completed and wont be pursuing any criminal charges or civil legal action against Cuomo. Albanys district attorneys office, meanwhile, is criminally investigating the governor, according to a statement on Tuesday. District Attorney David Soares said his office would welcome any additional alleged victim to come forward with a statement about Cuomo. Along with the public, today we have been made aware of the final independent report from AG Letitia James office regarding Governor Cuomos conduct as they relate to violations of civil harassment statutes, Soares said in a statement, adding: As this matter is developing we are reviewing the document from the Attorney General today, we will refrain from any additional public comment at this time regarding the status of the ongoing criminal investigation by our office. Biden was also criticized in April 2019 after a former Nevada state lawmaker accused him of inappropriate behavior that made her feel uncomfortable. And Tara Reade, a former staffer for Biden when he was a Delaware U.S. senator, alleged he assaulted her back in the early 1990s. Biden denied the allegations. The Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing's CST-100 Starliner capsule is seen after the launch to the International Space Station was delayed for a do-over test flight in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 30, 2021. (Joe Skipper/Reuters) Boeing Postpones Key Test Flight to Space Due to Glitch Boeing on Tuesday postponed the planned launch of its CST-100 Starliner capsule from Floridas Cape Canaveral bound for the International Space Station due to a glitch in what was to have been a crucial do-over test flight following a near-catastrophic failure during its 2019 debut. During pre-launch preparations, Boeing engineers detected unexpected valve position indications in its propulsion system, Boeing said in a statement. The problem was detected during checks after electrical storms in the region, Boeing added. Were disappointed with todays outcome and the need to reschedule our Starliner launch, said John Vollmer, the programs manager. Human spaceflight is a complex, precise, and unforgiving endeavor, and Boeing and NASA teams will take the time they need to ensure the safety and integrity of the spacecraft and the achievement of our mission objectives. The Starliner capsule loaded with supplies had been scheduled to have blasted off atop an Atlas V rocket flown by the United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, at 1:20 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch had been planned for last Friday but was postponed by NASA after the space station was briefly thrown out of control with seven crew members aboard, a mishap caused by the inadvertent reignition of jet thrusters on a newly docked Russian service module. Russias space agency blamed a software glitch. Tuesdays planned uncrewed mission was intended as a precursor to a closely watched crewed flight potentially to be conducted before the end of the year. It was to be a key trial for the U.S. aerospace giant after back-to-back crisespandemic-related lockdowns that crushed demand for new planes and a safety scandal caused by two fatal 737 MAX crashesthat have damaged Boeings finances and engineering reputation. Atlas Vs dual Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines were poised to send Starliner on a 113-mile (98 nautical miles/181 km) suborbital trajectory before the capsule separates and flies under its own power to the space station in a roughly 24-hour overall journey. The Starliner capsule headlined Boeings efforts against billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musks SpaceX to be the first to return NASA astronauts to the space station from U.S. soil in nearly a decade. But a series of software glitches during the December 2019 debut launch resulted in its failure to dock at the orbital laboratory outpost. SpaceXs Crew Dragon has gone on to launch three crewed space station missions since 2020, with a fourth slated as early as Oct. 31, according to NASA. Boeing has spent a year and a half correcting issues flagged during NASA reviews, part of the U.S. space agencys strategy to ensure access to the sprawling international research satellite some 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. NASA in 2014 awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to build their own capsules that could fly American astronauts to the space station in an effort to wean the United States off its dependence on Russias Soyuz vehicles for rides to space following the end of NASAs space shuttle program in 2011. If all goes well, Boeing will bring the capsule home on Aug. 9, and then attempt the follow-on crewed mission that the company has said will take place no earlier than December. By Eric M. Johnson California Faces Potential Bacon Shortage California restaurants are preparing for potential bacon shortages beginning January 2022, when a new law to improve farm animal conditions that could cause a decline in pork supply goes into effect. One of the first international pancake houses in Orange County, Pancakes R Us, foresees a costly impact on its menu prices. Abdullah Akbar, who runs the Costa Mesa restaurant, told The Epoch Times the eatery uses around 600 pounds of bacon per month. The restaurant is known for classic breakfast combos offering diners a few strips of bacon for nearly every meal. The prices will have [an] effect on us, and we have no choice but to increase our prices, Akbar said. In 2018, state residents voted to change farm animal confinement laws by passing Proposition 12. More than half of state voters ruled in favor of prohibiting the retainment of calves, pigs, veal, and hens in small areas, along with the sale of veal, uncooked pork, and shelled and liquid hen eggs. Prop 12 addresses some of the cruelest abuses ever inflicted on farm animals, Josh Balk, vice president of Farm Animal Protection at the Humane Society of the United States, told The Epoch Times. The pork industry confines mother pigs in tiny cages so small they can never turn around. Shifting to more humane and cage-free conditions vastly improves the lives of these animals for egg-laying hens. As of now, the hens stand wing-to-wing with other birds in cages the size of microwaves, where theyre forced to sleep, eat, and lay eggs in the same spot, Balk said. In the pork industry, allowing these pigs to at least turn around is a big step, and that goes to show how poor these animals are treated, he said. Mother pigs in a cage where they cant turn around; theyre forced to live in what is their own coffin for their whole life. Theyre forced to look straight ahead, and thats it, and they go psychologically insane. With nearly 63 percent of Californians voting in favor of Prop. 12, the initiative received a lawsuit from the North American Meat Institute to halt the motion. In June 2021, the Supreme Court rejected the legal challenge. The Supreme Courts outright rejection of the meat industrys challenge to Proposition 12 is significant, and consistent with prior court rulings affirming that states have the right to pass laws protecting animals, public health and safety, the Humane Society of the United States senior staff attorney, Rebecca Cary said in a June 28 statement. The meat industry should have focused on eliminating its cruel caging of animals rather than filing hopeless lawsuits trying to overturn extraordinarily popular, voter-passed animal cruelty laws. According to a study conducted by the Hatamiya Group, a decline in pork supply in the state by 50 percent would increase bacon prices by 60 percent in the Los Angeles market. Additionally, the report found that an increase in pork prices will decrease the overall demand if prices were to spike. While animal cruelty organizations call for an end to the mistreatment of farm animals, restaurant associations statewide fear that potential price increases will hinder the industry amid the devastating economic impacts of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. The Food Equity Alliance, a statewide coalition of state grocery stores, restaurants, businesses, and pork producers, wrote a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom in May 2021, urging him to delay the effects of Prop. 12 by using his executive powers. Californians have been hit hard by the economic impacts of COVID-19 with consequences serious and far-reaching on restaurants, grocers, businesses, and hard-working families, the letter reads. Another threat on the horizon is the implementation of Proposition 12. The Food Equity Alliance is asking that you exercise your executive authority to delay the implementation of Proposition 12. Its the only solution to protect the most vulnerable Californians, grocery markets, and restaurants from facing a pork shortage and skyrocketing price increases at a time when they are already struggling with the devastating impacts of COVID-19. As the implementation date of Prop. 12 is nearly half a year away, a Rabobank report estimates that California will fall 50 percent short of its pork needs. A man places flowers with other bouquets in front of a subway station in memory of flood victims in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province on July 27, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Flooding Death Toll Raised to 302, Investigations Limited The revised death toll from last months flood in northern Chinas Henan province has climbed to 302, with 50 people still missing, according to an official statement. Despite the number tripling from last week, locals remain doubtful of the figure. The new toll, released on Aug. 2 by the Henan press office, includes 292 dead and 47 missing from the worst-hit provincial capital of Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou, with a population of 12 million, has been one of the worst-hit areas since heavy rains began to fall in the region on July 17. Over the next four days, the city received 617.1 millimeters (24.3 inches) of rainfall, which is almost equivalent to the annual average of 640.8 millimeters (25.2 inches). Troubling images and videos of people being swept away or drowning in the floodwaters have emerged online, some related to a tragedy on July 20 when Chinese officials claimed that at least 12 people died inside an inundated metro line in Zhengzhou. Authorities said they evacuated more than 500 trapped commuters. Xue Mingkai, a rights activist, told The Epoch Times on Aug. 2 that many residents believe the actual death toll to be higher since the regime failed to respond to their request for full disclosure and have shown limited efforts to conduct internal investigations. In an interview on Aug. 2, Chinese rights activist Chen Jianxiong told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that he made an on-site investigation at the citys Jingguang tunnel. So far, local authorities have not publicized how many vehicles were stuck in the tunnel before floodwater submerged it. Chen pointed out that major intersections are equipped with multiple traffic cameras. Chen said plainclothes police guarded both the entrances and would not allow anyone in. He added that none of the nearby small business owners he spoke to believed the regimes claims. Chinese authorities can say whatever they like, Chen commented. The average person has no freedom of expression at all. My WeChat account was banned just the following day after I posted footage about the site that evening on social media. However, Chen said that was not the end of his mistreatment. On the same day he returned home, a group of security-maintaining personnel reached out to him and forced him to take a nucleic acid test and a COVID-19 vaccine. Even the National Health Commission said vaccination is voluntary. Why do you force it on me? Chen told The Epoch Times. Chen is currently at home under a forced 14-day quarantine, they are taking a tit-for-tat action against me, he said. A local volunteer who only gave the surname Li also spoke to the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on Aug. 2, he said he attended rescue activities and helped distribute necessities to flood victims, and said he doubted the regimes new death toll numbers. The Epoch Times asked the Zhengzhou Funeral Home about the number of bodies received, but the operator declined to comment. Frank Fang contributed to this report. Students walking with their parents after attending a private after-school education in Haidan district of Beijing on July 28, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Regime Bans Foreign Education Programs to Maintain Ideological Control: Experts A new crackdown on Chinas out-of-school tutoring industry by the communist regime includes a ban on using foreign teaching materials. China experts say its another way for the regime to tighten its ideological control over how Chinese students think, including all areas of education. Chinas Ministry of Education officially released a document that outlined the new rules for extra-curricular tutoring institutions on July 24. The document stipulates that training institutions are strictly prohibited from providing educational programs devised overseas. Most training institutions use self-published teaching materials, while some English training institutions use foreign teaching materials. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is particularly wary of the off-campus training industry, where students have a desire for knowledge and a sense of justice, China expert Xue Chi told The Epoch Times Chinese language edition. Xue said that the CCPs fundamental motivation for doing so is its rejection of Western values, especially those of the United States and its Constitution. The CCP reforming after-school training institutions is about bolstering its ideological fortress, Xue said. Parents and guardians waiting outside a childrens computer coding training center in Beijing. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images) This isnt the first time the communist authorities have banned textbooks from overseas. In June 2019, Chinas Ministry of Education issued a notice stating that four AP exam subjects, including U.S. history, world history, European history, and humanities history, would be suspended from 2020 at open examination sites in China. Earlier in September 2018, the Ministry of Education requested that local education departments conduct a survey of primary and secondary school textbooks, and ban independent curriculums by individual schools and overseas textbooks. Beijing also imposed other strict rules, such as tutoring institutions being prohibited from raising capital through the stock market, listed companies being prohibited from investing in tutoring, and foreign investors being prohibited from investing in tutoring businesses through mergers, acquisitions, and setting up franchises. As a result, China Concepts stock in the education sector plunged on July 23 in both Hong Kong and U.S. stock markets. Some training providers suspended their IPO plans, including the Yuanfudao (Yuantiku) tutoring institution, an online exercise database valued at $15.5 billion, and Zuoyebang, an online tutoring platform backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which is valued at at least $500 million. A July 23 report in the 21st Century Business Herald cited a Chinese commentator saying that the new rules basically blocked the way for companies such as Yuantiku, Zuoyebang, and VIPKID. VIPKID is a one-on-one online English tutoring service involving North American instructors. The regulatory governance on the education and training industry is unprecedentedly stringent, commented China International Capital Corporation (CICC), the first Chinese-foreign joint venture investment bank in mainland China. The Chinese authorities overhauling of training institutions is probably aimed at achieving complete and full control over students minds, Xue said. The CCP regards ideology and education as strategic fronts, and now, it is getting more and more extreme, with brainwashing starting with children. Parents waiting for their children attending a private after-school education in Haidan district of Beijing on July 28, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas Education Policy Reverses Chinas education policy has been polarized for two decades. In contrast to Xi Jinpings order that out-of-school institutions must register as non-profits, education policies under the former CCP leader Jiang Zemin were to promote the industrialization of education, in which the products of education had to be commercialized, marketed, and made for profit. After Chen Zhili became Chinas education minister in March 1998, school fees rose steadily. In 2003, primary and secondary education became the second most profitable industry in China, chasing real estate. An article published in July 2004 in China News Weekly revealed that the Chinese authorities promoted the industrialization of education in order to divert pressure on the CCP to invest in education. This saw the proliferation of get rich quick schemes in education products and services that can characterize the learning environment on campuses and wider society. From the promotion of profit-making in the education industry to the prohibition of profit-making by off-campus institutions, the CCPs education policy has undergone subversive changes in the last two decades. But in terms of controlling free thought, the CCPs ideas have remained unchanged. Xis regime wants to bring in line off-campus training institutions and ban students from using foreign teaching materials to prevent the entry of Western ideas. Jiang, in his era, used the regimes direct control over the content of student textbooks to spread the Party line when he needed to secure national support for his policy to eradicate the peaceful Falun Gong spiritual practice, which was practiced by around one in 13 Chinese at the time. Demonstrators clash with police officers outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) Congress to Award Congressional Gold Medals to Officers Who Helped Protect US Capitol Congress will award Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who helped protect the Capitol on Jan. 6, after a Senate vote on Tuesday. The Senate passed the bill awarding the medals via unanimous consent, meaning the votes werent recorded but any single senator could have blocked its passage. The House of Representatives passed the bill overwhelmingly earlier this year, 40621. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the document, which outlines the awarding of four medals. One will go to the U.S. Capitol Police, one will go to the Metropolitan Police Department, one will go to the Smithsonian Institution for display, and the fourth will be given to the Architect of the Capitol, for display in the Capitol building. Jan. 6 unleashed many horrors, but it also revealed many heroes, a day that many of us remember for its violence, anger, and destruction was not without its share of bravery, sacrifice, and selflessness. I am of course talking about the capitol police and the metropolitan police, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor in Washington on Tuesday. I hope by passing this congressional gold medal bill by unanimous consent, we send a clear message to law enforcement officers that we are united in our appreciation of all they do to keep us safe, added Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). Over 150 law enforcement officers suffered injuries from the clashes on Jan. 6, when protesters and rioters breached the Capitol building while Congress was in a joint session to count the electoral votes. Four officers have committed suicide, while another, U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, died from natural causes. The bill, H.R. 3325, was introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Most lawmakers in the lower chamber joined in the passage of the bill, but 21 Republicans voted against it. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said he voted against the bill because Democrats had combined recognition of USCP with editorial comments about January 6th. The brave men and women of the USCP deserve better, which is why I cosponsored a clean recognition of their heroism with Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), he wrote on Twitter in March. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at New York's Yankee Stadium on July 26, 2021. (Richard Drew/AP Photo) Cuomo Defies Calls to Resign After Probe Finds He Harassed Women New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defied calls to step down on Tuesday after an investigation found he sexually harassed multiple women and retaliated against a former employee. Cuomo, a Democrat in his third term in office, in a video message accused the investigators of being politically motivated and urged New Yorkers to read a competing report he had produced about the incidents with the women. Please take the time to read the facts and decide for yourself, he said. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, he added. Eleven women this year accused Cuomo of sexually harassing them, and the governor agreed to an investigation into the claims. New York Attorney General Letitia James, another Democrat, handed over the probe to a team led by Joon Kim, a former acting U.S. attorney, and Anne Clark, an employment law expert. The teams report published Monday said Cuomo did engage in sexual harassment and that his chamber mishandled sexual harassment allegations. Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women, the team wrote. Our investigation revealed that the Governors sexually harassing behavior was not limited to members of his own staff, but extended to other State employees, including a State Trooper on his protective detail and members of the public. We also conclude that the Executive Chambers cultureone filled with fear and intimidation, while at the same time normalizing the Governors frequent flirtations and gender-based commentscontributed to the conditions that allowed the sexual harassment to occur and persist. That culture also influenced the improper and inadequate ways in which the Executive Chamber has responded to allegations of harassment. Many Democrats called on Cuomo to resign earlier this year, but he declined to do so, pointing to how the investigation was underway. Hes now again refusing to step down, despite the probes findings. Democrats issued fresh calls for Cuomo to leave office after the reports release. Lindsey Boylan attends an event in New York City on June 17, 2019. She was one of 11 women to accuse New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual misconduct. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Womens Forum of New York) This report highlights unacceptable behavior by Governor Cuomo and his administration. As I said, when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the Governor must resign for the good of the state, New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, said in a statement. Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been substantiated, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as Governor. New York Sen. Todd Kaminsky, another Democrat, said the governor must step aside or be removed. Governor Cuomo should have resigned in March. He should resign now. If he does not, he should be impeached. If he is not, he should be defeated at the polls, New York City Councilman Brad Lander wrote on Twitter. Similar sentiments were offered by a slew of others, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). New Yorks Constitution allows impeachment of public officers for misconduct of malversation while in office. The state Assembly would start the process by introducing and voting on an impeachment resolution. A simple majority would be required for the resolution to pass. The New York Senate would, if the resolution was approved, hold an impeachment trial. Conviction, or removal from office, would take two-thirds of the states upper chamber and the seven judges on the states Court of Appeals. Cuomo got personal in his first reaction to the report, saying he had concerns as to the independence of the reviewers that James appointed, and singling out Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who has said Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life. Bennett and her lawyer read into comments that I made and draw inferences that I never meant, Cuomo said. They ascribe motives that I never had. And simply put, they heard things that I just didnt say. Bennetts lawyer, Debra Katz, said the findings released Tuesday demonstrate that Cuomo sexually harassed her client. He subjected Charlotte to sexual harassment, individually, and created a sexually hostile and toxic work environment for all women, Katz said. Both Katz and Bennett said Cuomo should resign. While broadly denying wrongdoing, Cuomo said he is bringing in an expert to update the states sexual harassment training program, so the government can be a model of office behavior. I accept responsibility, and we are making changes, he said. As far as possible prosecution of the governor, the legal team stopped short of recommending it. While concluding that the Governor engaged in unlawful sexual harassment, we do not reach in this report a conclusion as to whether the conduct amounts to or should be the subject of criminal prosecution, they said in a footnote. The team said certain criminal authorities, including the Albany Police Department, have been alerted to some of the allegations. Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women, Retaliated Against Employee: NY Attorney General New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed several women and retaliated against a former employee, said New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing the Democrat governor of violating laws. Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so violated federal and state law, James said in a news conference on Tuesday, adding that Cuomo fostered a hostile and unsafe work environment. The governor engaged in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, as well as making inappropriate remarks, she said. James office concurrently released a 165-page report (pdf) following an investigation, which started in March when several women publicly accused the governor of misconduct. The report, which doesnt have any criminal consequences, included interviews of 179 witnesses and a review of thousands of documents. Cuomo, a Democrat, harassed his own staff members, members of the public, and even a state trooper, the report claimed. The attorney generals report punctuates the governors stunning fall-from-grace after he was largely lauded by the national mediaincluding awards and a book dealfor how he dealt with the COVID-19 epidemic. Cuomo is also accused of misconduct in how his office handled nursing homes amid the pandemic, which may have led to thousands of excess deaths from the virus. When women began making accusations against the governor, a number of New York Democrat officials urged him to resign. Cuomo has denied the allegations and has refused to step down. Even President Joe Biden said the governor should step down if the allegations against him are confirmed in James investigation. The governor, also according to James report, denied the most serious allegations and made blanket statements or had a lack of recollection into certain details when asked. New York Attorney General Letitia James addresses a news conference at her office, in New York on Friday, May 21, 2021. (Richard Drew, File/AP Photo) I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone, Cuomo said in March. Im not going to resign. He apologized for making some women feel uncomfortable, however. Cuomo at the time said that he never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain and feels terrible that these people felt uncomfortable, felt hurt, felt pain from the interactions, and Im embarrassed by it, and I feel bad from it. Former U.S. Attorney Joon Kim and Anne Clark were selected by James to head the investigation. Cuomo, in statements to the press, accused the two officials of being biased against him. But investigators found that Cuomos recollections during interviews stood in stark contrast to the strength, specificity, and corroboration of the complainants recollections, as well as the reports of many other individuals who offered observations and experiences of the governors conduct, the report stated. This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, broke the law, James, also a Democrat, added in a statement. I am grateful to all the women who came forward to tell their stories in painstaking detail, enabling investigators to get to the truth. No manno matter how powerfulcan be allowed to harass women or violate our human rights laws, period. The Epoch Times has contacted the governors office for comment. The Chinese military's new DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, that can reportedly reach the United States, are seen at a parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Communist Party's takeover of China, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Did America Just Miss the Chinese Sputnik Moment? Commentary On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union (USSR) launched the worlds first satellite, Sputnik, into space. The moment was characterized as the Sputnik Moment because the United States recognized that it had grossly underestimated the capabilities and intentions of the USSR. Now, twice in the past month, the world has witnessed the Chinese communist regime building hundreds of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos in the deserts of central China. The rapid buildup of these silos represents a dramatic shift in Chinas nuclear posture and is an existential threat to the security of America and the rest of the world. At the end of June, 120 silosidentical to other existing Peoples Liberation Army Strategic Rocket Force nuclear ICBM launch facilitieswere identified by commercial satellite imagery near the city of Yumen in Gansu Province. Then, at the end of July, another 110 of the exact same type of ICBM silos were identified 240 miles northwest of the Yumen field, near the city of Hami in the eastern Xinjiang region. If there ever has been a Chinese version of the Sputnik Moment, the identification of these 230 new nuclear ICBM silos is that moment. So, what is Washington doing about this? Apparently, nothing. Why hasnt President Joe Biden said anything? What about his national security adviser? What about the secretary of defense who was recently in the region, where a public statement regarding these revelations could have been addressed to reassure our allies that America is aware of the Chinese regimes actives and wont be sitting by and doing nothing? Is a tweet from U.S. Strategic Command enough to awaken the American public and to generate the kinds of actions that are necessary to defend this nation? And why hasnt one member of the U.S. Congress been on the floor of either chamber to warn the American public about this startling and dangerous information? Or why hasnt the national press covered this story and the lethal threat these nuclear silos represent? Is it possible that Americans are so numb from five years of constant shrieking from hyperpartisan politics and biased media that, as a nation, we are unable to recognize or understand what this Chinese Sputnik Moment means for our national security? Since Beijing tested its first atomic weapon in 1964, Mao Zedong and successive paramount leaders of the Chinese regime have proclaimed a No First Use policy with respect to the use of nuclear weapons. For another 50 years, the U.S. defense and foreign policy establishment largely accepted the regimes claims because it was understood (through intelligence sources and methods) that the PLA didnt possess an arsenal that would allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to shift from a minimal deterrent posture to a First Use posture. Then, in late 2011, Phil Karber, a national security expert in the Reagan administration and Georgetown University professor, released a study titled the Underground Great Wall that revealed, through open-source analysis, that the CCP had some 3,000 miles of underground tunnels and that the PLAs nuclear arsenal was much bigger than officially estimated by the Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community. An undated photo shows a nuclear-powered submarine of the Peoples Liberation Army Navys North Sea Fleet preparing to dive into the sea. The Chinese regime has begun deploying submarines armed with intercontinental ballistic missiles. (AFP/Getty Images) That report was largely dismissed by the experts within the U.S. defense and intelligence communities, and for another 1o years, the United States and its allies paid little attention to the CCPs nuclear arsenal. Yes, the very people who were charged with defending America from such a threat essentially did nothing, as their belief in unconstrained engagement with the Chinese regime blinded them to information that didnt fit their worldview. Then during the Trump administration, Americans were told over and over by a hyperpartisan media and political opposition (the Democratic Party) that Russia was the single greatest threat to America. After Russia, North Korea was the next biggest threat, Americans were told. Former President Barack Obama admitted to telling President Donald Trump that the small Asian country was his No. 1 concern during their transition meeting in the White House in 2017. Never once did the Obama administration give a clear and unambiguous warning about the CCPs nuclear arsenal. Even while the Trump administration was responsible for the biggest turnaround in U.S. policy toward China, many in the U.S. government still refused to see the threat from the CCP. For instance, the Pentagons 2020 report to Congress on the PLA still assessed that China had just over 200 warheads and conservatively projected that that number could double in the next five years. In other words, the experts in Washington still believe America has plenty of time. Guess what? America, and the world, doesnt have the luxury of time. The CCP is working on a timeline to complete its leader Xi Jinpings Great Rejuvenation, which includes the territorial restoration of what the Party believes is their land, with Taiwan being the most important target. As such, Americans can expect these new nuclear silos will be filled with nuclear-tipped ICBMs (such the DF-41) and will be used as a First Use nuclear blackmail against the United States and allies in any operation to take Taiwan. Once that task is accomplished, expect Beijing to use the same strategy against India over territorial disputes along the SinoIndian border. Instead of being warned about this very real threat, Americans are being subjugated to an information campaign about the virus, mandatory mask-wearing, lockdowns, and vaccine passports, all of which have come from the CCP. Like a frog in the pot, its time for Americans to realize they are in boiling water. Lets just hope the next time we hear about these Chinese ICBM silos isnt when the PLA launches them. Wake up, America: This is not a drill. Jim Fanell, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is currently a government fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland, and a former director of intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. His nearly 30-year career as a naval intelligence officer spanned an unprecedented series of afloat and ashore assignments across the Indo-Pacific, specializing in Chinas navy and its operations. A recognized international public speaker and accomplished writer, Fanell is the creator and manager of the Indo-Pacific Security forum Red Star Rising/Risen. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Durbin Rejects 2nd Hearing on Bidens ATF Nominee, Calls Racist Remark Allegations Baseless Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has rejected Republican calls for a second hearing on President Joe Bidens nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), calling the GOP request a ruse to tarnish the candidate and unfairly derail his nomination. Durbins announcement came in an Aug. 2 letter to a group of Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee, who demanded a second hearing for ATF nominee David Chipman on grounds of what they described as now-corroborated reports of racist comments directed at other ATF employees. The Committee will not hold a second hearing on Mr. Chipmans nomination based on baseless allegations by anonymous sources published in venues with an obvious agenda, Durbin wrote, referring to a report in The Reload, which anonymously cited current and former ATF agents who confirmed the existence of a complaint accusing Chipman of making racist remarks. It is my fervent hope that Committee Republicans will quit embracing anonymously-sourced efforts to smear Mr. Chipman, Durbin wrote, adding that he believes Bidens nominee is the right man for the job. Chipmans confirmation would make him the first Senate-confirmed director of the agency since 2015. Former special agent at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) David Chipman testifies at a hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, on Sept. 25, 2019. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) The Republican senators, led by ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), last week wrote to Durbin demanding another hearing on the nomination, citing revelations in The Reload report that Chipman allegedly made racially insensitive comments while serving in the Detroit field office of the ATF. One current ATF agent said, [Chipman] made some comments that he was surprised by the number of African Americans who have made it onto a specific promotional list So, his insinuation was that they had to have cheated. Which is kind of despicable,' the Republican senators wrote in their letter, which called on Durbin to uphold the committees responsibility to closely scrutinize nominees like Chipman. In rejecting the Republican request, Durbin called it just the latest in a string of efforts meant to unfairly derail Mr. Chipmans nomination and tarnish his record and reputation, while calling Chipman a decent, honest, and conscientious public servant. Durbin also made reference to a response given by Chipman in writing to a question submitted by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), in which the nominee said he had received two Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints during his 15 years as a manager with the ATF. Chipman said the complaints were resolved without any finding of discrimination. After spending 25 years at the ATF, Chipman served as a senior policy advisor at Giffords, an organization that advocates for firearms restrictions, where he pushed for tighter gun laws. That put him in the crosshairs of Republicans and gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, which said in a recent statement that Chipmans extreme anti-gun activism should be enough to rule him out to lead the ATF. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in a statement called Chipman a former anti-gun lobbyist who is unfit to lead the ATF and urged President Joe Biden to live up to his commitment to work across party lines and put forward a nominee that has bipartisan backing. Biden, who has advocated for tougher gun laws, nominated Chipman in April, with his confirmation facing an uphill battle in the evenly split Senate. Los Angeles City Council member Kevin de Leon speaks during an event in Redondo Beach, California on May 22, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Eagle Rock Resident Who Launched Recall Campaign Against Councilman Says Were Tired When Eagle Rock resident Pauline Adkins, 68, looks back on the years shes lived in the eclectic neighborhood just north of downtown Los Angeles, she says she has no bad childhood memories. But now, she looks at her neighborhood and sings a different tune. She says a growing number of homeless encampments, increased crime, and an expanding number of dissatisfied residents are dividing the community. Like other residents across the state, many blame their locally-elected officials. Motivated by the thought of children growing up in a deteriorating neighborhood, she spearheaded the effort to launch a recall campaign on July 19 against Los Angeles Councilmember Kevin de Leon, who oversees the 14th Council District. The district also includes Skid Row, which is home to Los Angeless largest population of people living on the streets. I have not in my life seen so many Democrats turn against somebody as they are against him. I really believe its bipartisan. I believe that when youre talking about a community as tight knit as Eagle Rock, Highland Parkthis communitywere tired, Adkins told The Epoch Times. On documents filed with the citys elections office, she said the main reason for the recall attempt was that de Leon had failed to control the growth of homeless encampments in the city. Four other Eagle Rock residents signed the document as well. I believe that the homeless are running the streets of Eagle Rock, Adkins said. Pointing to a construction project near a small homeless tent on the sidewalk of Highland Avenue, Adkins added: This is a clear and almost dangerous example of it right here, where this young man would not move. A construction project proceeds next to homeless tents in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 29, 2021. (Jamie Joseph/The Epoch Times) And they were doing major construction, God forbid, a rock hit that boy in the head, theyd sue the city of Los Angeles, she said. Another major point of contention is the countys investment in tiny home villages operated by the nonprofit Hope of the Valley. De Leon plans to place one of the cabin communities in Highland Park, which Adkins said is too close to a family park and a day care center. The new village, called the Arroyo Seco Tiny Home Village, will be the largest in the state and is expected to take three months to build. A number of other similar communities with wraparound services and job training have popped up across the county as an interim solution while permanent supportive housing units remain stuck in development pipelines. A big point of this recall is to attempt to get an emergency injunction to stop it, at least until we can get more data, Adkins said of the village. One of her main concerns is that while no drugs and weapons are permitted on the tiny home grounds, residents can still do drugs off site. How are you going to keep the residents of this tiny home from selling drugs to our children or to our young adults? There was no answer, Adkins said. While many homeless people will accept housing opportunities, some say they have chosen to live outside. De Leons office could not be reached for comment by press deadline, but during a press conference at the July opening of the Tarzana Tiny Home Village, de Leon showed his support for other tiny home projects, alongside Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. A tiny home village in Tarzana, Calif., on June 28, 2021. (Jamie Joseph/The Epoch Times) I want to sort of break that stereotype that that myth that exists that the majority of unhoused individuals are housing resistance. Thats been my experience, that the vast majority of unhoused individuals, if you offer them housing, theyll take it in a heartbeat, de Leon told The Epoch Times during the press conference. For those individuals who continue to say [they] dont want housing, we will continue to work with them. Well have to be patient with them, he said. Adkins said she never imagined she would be involved in local politics. She holds a masters degree in human behavior and a bachelors in psychology, later pursuing a path of entrepreneurship. But after contacting de Leons office numerous times without any response from the councilman, she felt she had to take action. We have drug addicts, and we have drug dealers, and its real clear, Adkins said. The poor, innocent homeless people deserve and need what they need, and that should be accessible. De Leon is the third councilmember in Los Angeles targeted for a recall alongside Councilmembers Mike Bonin and Nithya Raman over their handling of the homelessness crisis. All three recall petitions were approved in July. Bonin has been in hot water over his handling of the homeless encampments and fires in Venice Beach, making the beach the center of a political dispute while Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva deployed a team of officers to clean up the beach and connect individuals to housing. In response to the recall efforts, de Leon told reporters: From day one, I promised my constituents that I would partner with them to tackle our districts challenges with urgency, compassion, and common senseand that is exactly what we are doing. Nothing will derail our focus on saving lives as we fulfill our commitment to lift unhoused Angelenos off the streets and into housing as quickly as possible. To trigger a recall election, organizers have 120 days to collect roughly 20,500 signatures, or 15 percent of the districts registered voters. Adkins said she has volunteers in neighborhoods across the county ready to begin petitioning. Im getting Im getting Facebook support, Im getting messenger support, Im getting phone calls, she said. We just got rid of Jose Huizar, and we really appear to have went from the proverbial frying pan into the fire, weve gone from worse to worse. It is time to stop. Its time to let us have our community back. Engineer Who Intercepted Chinese TV Broadcast Arrested Again After 13 Years in Prison In 2018, Lu Kaili was released from a 13-year prison sentence a changed man. An accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, while years of torture at the hands of prison guards had weakened his entire body. All this because in 2005, the former construction engineer helped hijack a Chinese cable television broadcast to play a documentary exposing the communist regimes history of murder and deceit. Lus condition has meant that hes had to rely on family in northeastern Chinas Liaoning Province for many of his everyday activities. About a month ago, Lus wife Sun Yan came home in the evening to find that Lu, 57, had vanished. Sun asked around for an entire day before learning that police had raided their home while she was away and took her husband to a detention center. When Lus family went to the center, they saw a police car rushing out from the side, carrying Lu away. This incident was reported on Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website tracking the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Like the seven other people involved in the 2005 television interception, Lu is an adherent of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline consisting of slow meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings. In 1999, the group found itself in the crosshairs of an expansive elimination campaign launched by the CCP. Since then, an estimated 100 million adherents in China have become targets of detention, imprisonment, torture, and organ harvesting. Lus family friend Yang Chunhua, also a Falun Gong adherent, was shocked to find out about Lus recent detention. Yang, who currently resides in New York, learned about the news from reading Minghui.org. Yangs sister was also jailed for taking part in the television interception. She died at home not long after being released from a seven-year prison sentence. Years before that, Yang also lost her mother to persecution. Lus wife, Sun, a former kindergarten teacher, is also a Falun Gong adherent. She was also jailed multiple times for protesting and spreading information about the persecution. From the start of the persecution to Lus release in 2018, the husband and wife have spent less than one month together, Yang said. Sun was also sexually abused in prison, according to Yang. Sun once stayed at Yangs apartment for a few days after she was released from prison to avoid stalking and harassment from police. Yang recalled her landlord telling her, Dont take in Falun Gong people here. Sun overheard them and then moved out without telling Yang. According to multiple reports on Minghui.org, Lu went through severe torture at three prisons he was held at over the 13-year sentence. Guards shocked him with high voltage electric batons until Lus body was covered in large burn scars. He was locked in a cell by himself and fed pig food for days on end. The muscles on his legs shriveled from being chained up long term. As part of the prison slave labor system, Lu worked on cornfields, quarries, and construction sites for long hours each day. In one incident, Lu fell from a rooftop while working at a construction site in the early morning in August 2010. A day earlier, he had been shocked with electric batons for four hours straight. After this, prison officials blocked reporters and Lus family from visiting him for 14 months. When his family was finally able to see him, another prisoner carried Lu out on his back. Lu could no longer stand up. He wasnt able to talk to his family for more than ten minutes as he was so weak. Sun wept at the scene before he was taken back again. Yang currently has no contact with either Lu or Sun. She worries deeply about the two of them and all other Falun Gong adherents still in China. I dont want them to lose their life like my sister, Yang said. According to Minghui.org, Lu was transferred to the Dalian Yaojia detention center on June 25, where he is still being held. Police officers investigate a crime scene following a shooting leaving three people dead and two injured in a residential neighbourhood of Montreal on Aug. 3, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson) Enough Is Enough: Montreal Police Promise Action After Shooting Leaves Three Dead MONTREALResidents of a northeastern Montreal borough where a brazen triple homicide occurred during daylight hours on Monday say they fear for their safety, despite police promises to bring down the full strength of the force on those responsible. Montreal police told reporters Tuesday they are receiving special resources from provincial police to investigate what they called an unprecedented shooting at an apartment building that left three dead and two injured. Insp. David Shane said a few dozen shots targeted five men known to police, some of whom were inside an apartment and some of whom were outside the building. Two of the victims were 29 years and old and the third was 63, Shane said, adding that one of the deceased was carrying a firearm. Shane said police did not fear for the lives of the two remaining victims. The gunshots came from outside the building, he added. Shane said the major crimes unit is investigating with help from the provincial police. No arrests have been made. Criminal investigations have become more complex over the years, and we need specialized units for certain techniques, and these techniques take time, he said. The investigation, Shane added, will draw on specialized skills from Quebecs provincial police that will reinforce Montreal units. But the latest shooting in the Riviere-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough has residents scared for their lives, Lisa Christensen, the local city councillor, said in an interview Tuesday. Some people living near the building thought the shooting was fireworks, she said. It was a shock to everybodys system. Josee Delisle, who has lived her entire life in the neighbourhood, said the violence is becoming too much for her. She said she doesnt go out at night anymore. Id like to get out of here, she said from her home a few buildings over. Its my neighbourhood, but I dont feel safe in my neighbourhood. Its pretty rough going and Id like to move. Shane said it was too early for police to offer a motive for the shooting, adding that the majority of violent crimes with guns are attributable to conflicts between criminal groups. The building targeted Monday was also hit by bullets on June 5, Shane said, adding that no one was injured during that incident. Shane called Mondays shooting, which took place at around 7 p.m., unprecedented in Montreal, and its unacceptable. Christensen said the shooting has strengthened her resolve to fight back. I live in that area and Im not putting my house for sale tomorrow morning, she said. Im lucky enough to live in a beautiful end of town and Im not going to get pushed out by crime where I live; Im going to push back. She recognized that some people might be afraid to contact police, but she said offering a small bit of informationeven anonymouslycan be key. People wont speak out because they are afraid of reprisal, but people around them, tell someone else, pass the message around, she said. Shane said, there is no information that is too small to be shared. Every information counts, every weapon that is seized is a potential victim that is saved. Montrealers have witnessed a rise in shootings in the city over the past couple of years. A 15-year-old girl was killed in February in a drive-by shooting in the borough of St-Leonard, next to the district where Mondays shooting occurred. Later that month, city police created a unit designed to take guns off the street. Borough Mayor Caroline Bourgeois, a member of Montreals executive committee who is responsible for public security, said 350 firearms had been seized in the city since January. Enough is enough, Shane said, addressing those responsible for Mondays attack. Starting today you have all the force of the Montreal police on your back. By Sidhartha Banerjee File photo showing an Equinox fitness club in New York City, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for Equinox) Equinox and SoulCycle to Require COVID Vaccinations at New York City Locations Fitness firm Equinox said Monday it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at its gyms, SoulCycle studios, and corporate offices in New York City. Equinox said in a release that, starting in September, members, riders, and employees, must provide a one-time proof of vaccination in the form of a physical immunization card, a photo of the card, or a digital vaccine pass. An overwhelming majority of members expressed support for requiring vaccines in order to access Equinox clubs, the company said in the release, which noted that a recent survey found that 96 percent of Equinox Fitness Clubs members and 89 percent of employees said they have been vaccinated. Equinox said it would work to accommodate requests for exemptions on medical or religious grounds by members and employees. We have a responsibility to take bold action and respond to changing circumstances with urgency. We encourage other leading brands to join us in this effort to best protect our communities, said Harvey Spevak, Equinox Group executive chairman and managing partner. Equinox operates more than 100 fitness clubs around the world, with 40 of them located in New York. File photo showing an Equinox fitness club in New York City, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for Equinox) Concern about the Delta strain of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virusthe pathogen that causes COVID-19has sparked renewed fears of another viral surge and a bevy of moves in response by businesses, as well as state and local governments. BlackRock, Facebook, Disney, and Google recently stated they would require employees to be vaccinated before returning to in-person work. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said state workers will have to get inoculated or subject themselves to weekly testing, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said state employees will be required to get the shot. Cuomo on Monday also urged private businesses to impose vaccine-only admission to incentivize getting the vaccine. According to Fortune, around a third of the companies listed on the Fortune 500 list of Americas largest companies are mulling vaccine requirements for employees, though only around 10 percent have imposed mandates. The comments from Cuomo mark the latest attempt by government leaders to spur reluctant Americans to get vaccinated amid the spread of the Delta strain, listed as a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which considers it to be more transmissible and potentially more resistant to vaccines. Vaccine passport-like systems have been flagged by civil liberties groups including the ACLU and Republican officials as being draconian, and critics argue it would create a two-tiered society of vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. A sign is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) FDA Authorizes Antibody Cocktail as COVID-19 Prevention Treatment The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a monoclonal antibody cocktail as a measure to prevent infection in some groups of people who were exposed to the CCP virus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19. The FDA on Friday announced that it had revised its emergency use authorization (EUA) for REGEN-COV, a treatment consisting of jointly administered casirivimab and imdevimab, expanding its use beyond just the treatment of patients who test positive for the virus. While the product remains authorized for treating confirmed COVID-19 patients over age 12 who are at high risk of severe illness, the agency said the drug combo can now be given to high-risk groups as a measure after exposure to prevent progression of the disease. The antibody treatment is only authorized for use in people who have been exposed to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, not as a pre-exposure preventive measure, the FDA said. The agency added that REGEN-COV should only be used as a post-exposure prophylaxis by people who are not fully vaccinated or whose immune systems are unlikely to mount an adequate response to the virus, like those who take immunosuppressive medications or who are otherwise immunocompromised. Prophylaxis with REGEN-COV is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19, the FDA noted, while urging people to get the shot. The FDA said the primary data driving the expansion of the emergency use authorization for REGEN-COV were based on a Phase 3 clinical trial that was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. The trial found an 81 percent reduction in confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases in people testing negative at the start of the study and who had household contact with people who were infected with the virus. Dr. Myron Cohen, a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and one of the investigators behind the study of COVID-19 antibodies, told NBC that the REGEN-COV drug cocktail works by overwhelming the infection while it is still in its early stages. Its a race between your ability to make an antibody to protect your lungs and the rest of your body and the virus, Cohen told the outlet. And if youre likely to lose the race, youre the person for whom these antibody drugs are appropriate. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes part in a roundtable discussion about the uprising in Cuba at the American Museum of the Cuba Diaspora in Miami, Fla., on July 13, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Florida Districts Reverse Mask Rules After DeSantis Order to Cut Funding School districts in Florida have altered their mask mandates for students after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) issued an executive order that the state will deny funding to any districts enforcing such rules. The Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) said in a statement on Monday it will reverse the mask requirement and intends to comply with the governors latest order, but they will keep encouraging everyone in schools to wear masks and get vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. At this time, children aged 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. The school board, following a vote last week, mandated facial coverings when in-person learning resumes this month. DeSantis said he wants parents to decide whether their children should wear a mask to school. The District will advocate for all eligible students and staff to receive vaccines and strongly encourage masks to be worn by everyone in schools, BCPS said. The District will also work to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including frequent cleaning and disinfecting of our schools, physical distancing, hand washing, and staying home when sick. The school district in Gadsden County on Monday also reversed its mask requirement for students after classrooms will reopen in the fall, Fox 13 News reported. A spokeswoman for the district said the decision came after the order, noting that the board will continue to follow CDC guidelines as the governor will allow. In yet another reversal, the CDC said last week that fully vaccinated individuals in areas with substantial and high transmission of COVID-19 should wear masks indoors in some areas, including schools, citing new research into outbreaks from several states and other countries. A masked student at an elementary school in Chula Vista, Calif.. on July 21, 2021. (Denis Poroy/AP Photo) A law DeSantis signed in May gives him the authority to invalidate local emergency public health measures, including mask mandates and limitations on business operations. It also bans any business or government entity from requiring proof of vaccination documentation. The Republican governor has credited his response to the pandemic, which has focused on vaccinating seniors and nursing home residents, for the fact that fewer Floridians are dying now than last August. A year ago, Florida was averaging about 180 COVID-19 deaths per day during an early August spike, but last week averaged about 55 per day. Even among a lot of positive tests, you are seeing much less mortality than you did year-over-year, he said while speaking at a Miami-area press conference. Would I rather have 5,000 cases among 20-year-olds or 500 cases among seniors? I would rather have the younger. DeSantis added that media hysteria on the record hospitalizations will cause people who might be suffering from a heart attack or stroke to avoid going to an emergency room for fear of being infected, as statistics show happened last year. People were having heart attacks at home because either they thought there was not enough room at the hospital or get COVID and die, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News This aerial photo taken on July 23, 2021 shows submerged cars following heavy rains in Xinxiang, in China's central Henan province. (AFP via Getty Images) Frustrated Rescue Volunteers Blame Henan Local Authorities for Inaction, Corruption As people throughout in Chinas Henan provinces begin to clean up after the disastrous floods, civilian rescue teams are being turned away from offering help. Coordinators and members of the teams say that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials are impeding rescue efforts and endangering civilian lives. The CCP municipal Secretary of Weihui City, Nie Changming, said in a July 26 broadcast on provincial television that efforts for clearing the flooded city were underway. He said the floodwater level would go down significantly in the afternoon. The City Flood and Drought Control Command released a comment on the same day saying that donations have also been streaming in to Weihui. But volunteers who have been forced to coordinate their own rescue efforts tell a different story. A man surnamed Sun (pseudonym) told The Epoch Times on July 29 that he was part of a 40 man team that had been assembled from neighboring provinces. We volunteered to help. The local [Weihui] government told us to leave the first day we arrived, but we have stayed to help people, he said. Rescue workers evacuating residents following heavy rains in Xinxiang, in Chinas central Henan province, on July 23, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images) Sun added that the water level has been rising the whole time he was there. He recounted using inflatable boats to ferry stranded residents to safety. He and other rescuers help move people through flooded intersections, and past functioning traffic lights and other electrical risks. [Officials] dont take the lives of volunteers seriously, he protested. People delivering donated supplies have also complained about the handling of flood recovery efforts by party officials. A truck driver, surnamed Chen (pseudonym), said he spent three days buying food and water to deliver to Weihui. There is no one doing inventory, Chen told The Epoch Times on July 29. He said most of the food is just off-loaded into temporary shelters. Each truckload of supplies is worthy of tens of thousands of dollars. Chen then accused officials of dirty tricks. Sun said that supplies like milk and meat are not distributed, and that officials resell them for personal profit. Another truck driver surnamed Wang (pseudonym) told The Epoch Times on July 29 that his team took action into their own hands. They chose to deliver supplies directly to students who were stranded in dormitories at Henan Normal University. He similarly criticized the officials coordination efforts, saying there were enough supplies, but flood victims were not getting access to them. Gu Xiaohua, Gu Qinger, and Sophia Lam contributed to the report. A man gets his vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the district vaccination center in Ludwigsburg, southern Germany, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Thomas Kienzle/AFP via Getty Images) Germany, UK to Offer COVID-19 Booster Shots to Certain Groups From September Germany and the UK have both announced plans to offer a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as next month. The booster shot in Germany will be prioritized for those deemed to be more at risk, such as people who dont have strong immune systems or the immunocompromised, from next month, while in the UK, some 32 million booster shots are set to be made available tentatively on Sept. 6. Meanwhile in Israel, a third booster shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was offered to citizens aged 60 and above last week, with the rollout fully kicking off on Sunday. The drive comes as governments around the world attempt to mitigate the spread of the so-called Delta variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Last month, Israels health ministry twice reported a drop in vaccine efficacyas well as a slight decrease in protection against severe disease. In Germany, vaccinations will be done using mRNA-vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, regardless of what was used previously, health ministers said after talks with Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. Spahn said after a meeting with the health ministers that we keep our promise: everybody who wants can get vaccinated in the summerwe have enough vaccines for all age groups. Therefore, children and teenagers can decide to get vaccinated after a medical consultation and thus protect themselves and others, Spahn added. The health ministers also agreed to make vaccination available to all children aged 12 to 17, as schools begin to open again. About 10 percent of the 4.5 million children in this age group have been fully vaccinated. In Britain, booster shots will initially be given to the immunocompromised, National Health Service workers and care home staff, The Daily Telegraph reported. It comes after the countrys health department announced in June that it planned to make booster shots available to citizens aged 70 and above and those who are believed to be more at risk, following recommendations by the countrys Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization. No such plans have been announced in the United States, however Biden administration officials last month signaled that certain groups will need COVID-19 booster shots. The CDCs Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda Cohn told an advisory panel that government officials are actively looking into ways to let the immunocompromised gain access to boosters. Passengers in the international arrivals hall at Terminal 2 of London Heathrow Airport, in London, UK, on July 29, 2021. (Steve Parsons/PA) Government Abandons Amber Watchlist Plans for Travellers Ministers have abandoned plans for an amber watchlist as Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to keep travel rules as simple as possible. The government had been considering the new category for nations at risk of being moved into the red group under the traffic light system. But following a backlash by Tory MPs, ministerial concerns, and complaints from the travel industry, government sources confirmed there would be no amber watchlist. New rules allowing fully-vaccinated passengers from the United States and amber-list European countries to avoid self-isolation on arrival in the UK came into force at 4:00 a.m. on Monday. The amber watchlist would have applied to countries at risk of being moved into the red categorywhich requires hotel quarantine for 10 days at a cost of 1,750 ($2,435) for an adult. Reports suggested there was a fallout among Cabinet ministers over proposals to introduce the amber watchlist, designed to warn travellers of the possibility that countries with concerning coronavirus datawhich could potentially include Italy and Spaincould be put onto the red list at short notice. Asked if he personally backed such a move earlier today, Johnson said: I understand how much people plan, prepare, for the summer holidays. But we have also got to remember this is still a dangerous virus and we must try and stop variants coming in, must stop importing variants from abroad, so we have to have a balanced approach. What I want to see is something that is as simple and as user-friendly for people as possible. The prime minister said the success of the vaccination campaign meant the British economy was just about the most open in Europe but there was a balance to be struck on travel because of the risk of importing new coronavirus variants. We also have to recognize that people want, badly, to go on their summer holidays, we need to get the travel industry moving again, we need to get our city centres open again and so we want an approach that is as simple as we can possibly make it. There was criticism earlier of the planned amber watchlist from Labour, backbench Conservative MPs, and the air travel industry. Travel expert Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency consultancy firm, told ITVs Good Morning Britain programme the watchlist would be a disaster on top of the existing amber list, the green list, and the red list. There is also an amber plus listwhich only contains France at the moment, and means passengers are required to self-isolate despite the relaxation of rules for journeys from elsewhere in Europe. Huw Merriman, Tory chairman of the Commons Transport Committee, told the BBC: An amber watchlist will be viewed as a massive red flag which is likely to cause bookings to those countries on that watchlist to collapse. Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds warned against creating additional confusion and chaos through an amber watchlist. The problem is, right now holidaymakers just dont know who to believe, she told Times Radio, adding that we seem to have the Chancellor briefing against the prime minister in the Sunday papers. Thats not building confidence, ultimately, in the system. Ministers are due to meet on Thursday to review the traffic light system and decide the travel rules that will be in place for most of August. The Daily Telegraph had reported that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has been pushing for the amber watchlist idea to be shelved while Chancellor Rishi Sunak reportedly told the prime minister that the UKs entry and exit rules are out of step with our international competitors and are hurting the economy. The relaxation of rules on Monday allowed passengers who have been double-jabbed with a vaccine approved by regulators in the United States, the EU, or Switzerland to avoid 10 days in self-isolation. They will be required to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before the second day after they arrive in England. The latest official figures show as of 9 a.m. on Monday, there had been a further 21,952 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UK. And a further 24 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19. By David Hughes and David Lynch A view of the site where Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organization that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, was found dead in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) Head of Belarusian Exile Group Found Hanged in Ukraine, Police Open Murder Case KYIV, UkraineA Belarusian activist living in exile in Ukraine was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv early on Tuesday, and Ukrainian police said they had launched a murder case. Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organization that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, had been reported missing by his partner on Monday after failing to return home from a run. Police said they had launched a criminal case for suspected murder, including investigating whether attackers had tried to disguise the killing as suicide. Shishov, 26, had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. A view of the site where Vitaly Shishov, who led a Kyiv-based organization that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution, was found dead in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Tens of thousands of people have been detained and leading opposition figures are either in jail or living abroad. It is worrying that those who flee Belarus still cant be safe, exiled opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter. Shishovs death was reported by the Belarus official news agency Belta, but the Minsk authorities did not otherwise comment. Lukashenkos spokesperson could not be reached. Yuri Shchuchko, a friend of Shishov, who helped police identify the body, said Shishovs nose had been broken. A police spokesperson declined comment when asked about this. In May a dissident journalist, Roman Protasevich, was detained by Belarusian security forces after his flight was forced to land in Minsk. This week, a Belarusian athlete took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo after refusing her teams orders to fly home from the Olympics. Sounding the Alarm Shishov led the Belarusian House in Ukraine (BDU) group, which helps Belarusians find accommodation, jobs, and legal advice. We were also repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation, BDU said in a statement. Vitaly treated these warnings stoically and with humor. Ihor, 24, a fellow Belarusian exile who has known Shishov since last October, told Reuters that Shishov knew he was under surveillance, recounting instances of his car being followed or his girlfriend being approached by strangers while they were staging protests in Kyiv. Lukashenkos regime is at war, and he is at war. He is at war with anyone who can offer any resistance, said Ihor, who gave only his first name. Shishov did not suffer from any psychological disorder, he was always very sober-minded. Thats why when he disappeared, we sounded the alarm because we knew he is not a person who could simply disappear, get drunk, or party somewhere, Ihor added. The organization had said on Monday it was not able to contact Shishov. It said Shishov had left his residence at 9 a.m. and was supposed to have returned an hour later. The Belarusian authorities have characterized anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries backed by the West, and described the actions of their own law enforcement agencies as appropriate and necessary. It adds another level to our concerns about what is happening in Belarus, said Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, when asked about Shishovs death, though she said she did not know whether it was connected to politics. By Natalia Zinets and Margaryta Chornokondratenko Illinois Governor Signs Bill Criminalizing Private Gun Sales Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation on Aug. 2 that criminalizes the private selling of a gun without having the buyer go through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) prior to the sale. Prior to this change, people with dangerous histories who shouldnt possess a weaponand the Illinois State Police denies firearm licenses to thousands of these individuals a yearcould avoid detection through a private sale. Thats a deadly loophole, and in Illinois, we are closing that down for good, said Pritzker, who is a Democrat. The legislation takes effect in 2024. However, it isnt clear if the law will reduce gun-related crimes, homicides, and shootingswhich have surged in major metropolitan areas. Conservative lawmakers have said that gun control wont decrease the number of murders or shootings, while they have pointed to a sharp rise in anti-police animus that erupted last summer following George Floyds death. Chicago, a city thats suffered an epidemic of shootings and homicides for years, employs even stricter gun laws than the state of Illinois, including laws that ban the possession of certain semi-automatic firearms that the city defines as assault weapons and certain firearms accessories. A 2015 University of Chicago Crime Lab report suggested that inmates locked up for gun crimes avoid getting their firearms from sources that require any background checksfederal or otherwise. Crime Lab Co-Director Harold Pollack told news outlets that some of the pathways [regarding guns] people are concerned about dont seem so dominant. In the study, inmates who were surveyed in Chicagos jail system said they were able to get a gun within six months of getting locked up, and many said they had obtained firearms via personal connections because they feared being caught by law enforcement or being robbed. The inmates, however, said they were less concerned about being caught by law enforcement than not having a gun to defend themselves. Many gave some version of the phrase, Id rather be judged by 12 than be carried by six, Pollack said. We have to figure out swift and certain, but not overly severe, consequences for getting caught with a gun that are meaningful to the perpetrators that might consider carrying them. California has a similar universal background check mandate, although, in some locations, shootings have surged in recent months. South Los Angeles saw a 742 percent increase during the first 16 days of this year. In March, the FBI reported that nearly 4.7 million gun background checks were conductedthe most of any month the bureau started keeping track in decades. Thats a 77 percent increase over March 2019s background checks. And in July, FBI background checks totaled 2.8 million, which is down from the previous July, according to the agency. However, retailers have said that ammunition shortages are still common, with demand outpacing supply. Demand [for guns] has slowed down compared to the chaos of last year, said Brandon Wexler, owner of Wex Gunworks in Delray Beach, Florida, Forbes magazine reported. The ammo shortage is still an issue, though. All calibers are still challenging to get for sure. Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun organization, didnt respond to a request for comment about Illinoiss new law by press time. Artifacts seized by the U.S. government and returned to Iraq are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Saba Kareem/Reuters) Iraq Says US to Return 17,000 Ancient Artifacts Looted After Invasion BAGHDADThe United States is returning more than 17,000 ancient artifacts looted and smuggled out of Iraq after the U.S. invasion in 2003, including a 3,500-year-old clay tablet bearing part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Iraq said on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of antiquities disappeared from Iraq after the 2003 invasion that toppled leader Saddam Hussein. Many more were smuggled or destroyed by the iconoclastic ISIS terrorist group, which held a third of Iraq between 2014 and 2017 before it was defeated by Iraqi and international forces. U.S. authorities working to recover the artifacts recently reached an agreement with Baghdad to return items seized from dealers and museums in the United States, the Iraqi culture and foreign ministries said. The U.S. government seized some of the artifacts and sent them to the [Iraqi] embassy. The Gilgamesh tablet, the important one, will be returned to Iraq in the next month after legal procedures are finalized, Culture Minister Hassan Nadhim told Reuters. Officials look at artifacts seized by the U.S. government and returned to Iraq, which are on display at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Saba Kareem/Reuters) U.S. authorities seized the Gilgamesh tablet in 2019 after it was smuggled, auctioned, and sold to an arts dealer in Oklahoma and displayed at a museum in Washington, D.C., the Department of Justice said. A court ordered its forfeiture last month, it said. It said that a U.S. antiquities dealer had bought the tablet from a London-based dealer in 2003. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a 3,500-year-old Sumerian tale considered one of the worlds first pieces of literature. Nadhim said other artifacts being returned included other tablets inscribed in cuneiform script. Iraqs ancient heritage has been decimated by conflict, destruction, and looting especially since 2003. Thousands of artifacts are still missing. After 2014 ISIS, which preached an intolerant and extremist interpretation of Islam, raided and wrecked historical sites on what UNESCO called an industrial scale, using loot to fund its operations through a smuggling network extending through the Middle East and beyond. With the help of international agencies, Iraqi authorities have been trying to track down, return, and preserve its archaeological relics. By Baghdad newsroom and John Davison Irvine Employees Must Get Vaccinated or Tested for COVID-19 IRVINE, Calif.Effective immediately, Irvine is requiring all city employees to be fully vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. Its also mandating all individualsregardless of vaccination statusto wear masks in government buildings. City employees since Aug. 1 have been required to show proof of vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 test to enter municipal buildings. The cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles recently announced the same requirement for employees. Its unclear whether other Orange County cities will implement similar guidelines. I am grateful to our city staff for their ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19, and I want to thank the 75 percent of employees who have already been vaccinated, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan said in a statement. The additional measures we are implementing, based on recent data, will further protect the health and well-being of our employees and everyone in our community. The announcement comes days after the state issued newer mask guidance for fully vaccinated people indoors. The states new guidance is stricter than the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) guidance and requires all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in most public spaces, such as public transit, indoors in K12 schools and child care centers, emergency shelters, health care settings, and other state and local buildings. It also permits businesses and venue operators to mandate masks and implement their own vaccine verification process for patrons. Orange County recently reported a sharp increase in CCP virus cases, as the average daily case rate per 100,000 residents jumped from 6.5 to 8.6 between July 21 and July 27. City officials said Irvine experienced an increase in cases since lifting most COVID-19 restrictions from four new cases per day to about 30. Santa Ana spokesperson Paul Eakins told The Epoch Times that a decision hasnt been made at this time as to whether the city will implement similar guidelines. Anaheim spokesperson Mike Lyster told The Epoch Times, The state of California approached us about it, and we are evaluating options. But we have not made any determination at this time. Pedestrians cross Elgin Street in view of Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a file photo. Theres a strong likelihood Canadians will be heading to the polls in a federal election this fall. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Issues, Battlegrounds, and Strategies Come Into Focus as Federal Election Call Looms Canada is likely heading into a federal election this fall, but few ridings and few large issues are in contention, leaving election results to depend on many local battles fought on issues that may be more regional. University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman told The Epoch Times he expects the Conservatives to attack the Liberals on high spending and scandals while treading carefully on the issue of climate change. Like other parties, the Conservatives have adopted a price on carbon emissions. Wiseman says although that may please some, a large part of the Conservative constituency isnt committed to paying higher prices for fuels. So that makes it tough for them to walk that line. Political strategist Jacqueline Biollo said economic growth will be a key issue, including relaunching local business, and by possibly outlining a plan to reform the fiscal stabilization program and give back to provinces that have contributed more during some of the hardest years. Biollo, a principal with Aurora Strategy Group, said in an interview that a winning strategy includes bold actions to create good new jobs, invest in the middle class and the most vulnerable, and ensure that everyone has a real and fair chance at success. In addition, get-out-the-vote initiatives for seniors and youth will be vital. Daniel Bernier of Earnscliffe Strategy Group said big government spending to respond to the pandemic will turn Canadians attention toward rebooting the economy and handling the rising cost of living. Its how you balance the economic [interests]natural resources also being one of the main products, or economic engines, in this countryhow do you balance that with the environment, the basic prices? So this in the West, I think, will play hard, Bernier said in an interview. Regional Battles Battlegrounds will be in key ridings in Quebec, Ontario, and B.C., according to Wiseman. In the latter provinces, most attention will be on Toronto and Vancouver and their surrounding areas. It doesnt matter what Trudeau does, theyre not going to pick up seats in places like Alberta and Saskatchewan, or in rural Ontario, or rural Manitoba, he said of the Liberals chances in areas with strong Conservative support. In Quebec, Wiseman thinks the NDP may play spoiler for the Liberals, stealing Liberal votes to give the Bloc seats. The NDP will have its line: Youve got to vote for us because were the only ones that are really standing for equity and social programs. And even if we cant win, we can hold the Liberals feet to the fire. But a poor NDP showing could give the Liberals a majority. The Liberals are going into the election thinking they can get a majority by pulling some more seats in Quebec, he said. Bernier has a similar view of the Quebec political landscape. Looking further east, he believes the issue of indigenous rights displacing non-indigenous fishers from their livelihoods in the Maritimes may also displace Liberal MPs from their seats. It will be couple of seats down for the Liberals, a couple of gains for the Conservatives, because especially I think that the reconciliation issue in many rural areas, which are more coastal area in Atlantic Canada, has a reaction to it. People feel threatened. Their livelihood that theyve had for generationsthey feel threatened. British Columbia should be interesting, Bernier says, as the southwest coast and Vancouver Island are up for grabs. Trudeau and Horgan are the best buddies. Of course, [Horgan] is just pouring billions of dollars in B.C. with the SkyTrain, with the child-care program, he said. He doesnt expect the Green Party to gain seats in B.C. or elsewhere. I dont see anything happening to the Greens this time around. And I dont think, to be totally blunt, that Annamie Paul is doing any favour to the Greens. OTooles Image Wiseman said voters are very familiar with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but not Conservative Leader Erin OToole. He said increased visibility for OToole over the campaign could be important to sway voters who are weaker in their party loyalties or are less familiar with policy issues. A large part of the public doesnt know what he looks like but when the election campaign is on, hes going to be on the front section of every newspaper and every broadcast every single day, especially the last 30 days, Wiseman said. Theres more upside for him, I would say, but it depends on how he performs and how hes perceived and how successful the other parties are and how they paint him. Japanese Host Nation Support for US Forces: End It Commentary The United States and Japan will soon restart negotiations over host nation support. Thats the money Japan pays to cover part of the costs of basing U.S. forces in Japan. If a recent Kyodo News article is correct, the Biden administration plans to ask the Japanese to increase that support from the $1.84 billion that Tokyo currently pays. Come again? Increase? Former President Donald Trump was absolutely savaged for asking the Japanese to pay more host nation support. He did demand a quadrupling of the paymentwhich is what one expected for a New York real estate mans opening offer. The Japanese were irked, not just because of the huge amount, but because they reckon that theyve already paid too much. And Trumps domestic antagonists damned him (for the umpteenth time) as an unspeakable transactionalistapparently having the nerve to insist that the United States partners give something in return for U.S. assistance. Now, Team Biden is apparently planning to hit up the Japanese for more money. This writer is old enough to remember when the word hypocrite had a bad meaningeven in Washington (although admittedly to a lesser degree). But that was a long time ago. One neednt worry about the upcoming negotiations becoming a huge point of contention in the JapanU.S. relationship. The Japanese will dig in their heels and refuse to pay a cent more than they already are. In fact, they may even ask to pay lessowing to Japans severe fiscal condition (a time-honored excuse for the last 25 yearsdespite having found $20 billion or $30 billion under the sofa cushions to pay for the ongoing Tokyo Olympic Games). Team Biden isnt going to press them. They arent those kinds of people. If the Germans could get away with telling the Biden administration to take a hike on the Nord Stream pipeline that benefits Vladimir Putin and sets most of Europe up for Russian blackmail, Bidens people arent going to raise a fuss with the Japanese over host nation support. How much Japanese money is appropriate is debatable. Compelling cases can be made that the current $1.84 billion is too much, just right, or not nearly enough. This writer thinks its not nearly enoughif one is putting a price on the services of what might still be the worlds most powerful military. But theres something about Japan paying host nation support that isnt right. If a relationship is important enough to both sides, they each do whatever they can and dont complain. And that includes each side making a good-faith effort to pay whats necessary. Haggling over moneyand a relatively tiny amount at thatcan only cause trouble. Thats sort of like a married guy asking the missus to kick in an extra $50 per month to better cover his contributions. That always goes over well. Both the United States and Japan say that the U.S.Japan relationship is the most important bilateral relationshipbar none to quote former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Mike Mansfield. And its hard to argue otherwise these days, with communist China on the warpath and undertaking the largest, fastest military buildup in historydespite facing no enemies. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (L) is escorted by Japans Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeo Mori (R) prior to their meeting at the Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo on July 20, 2021. (Eugene Hoshiko/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The host nation support arrangement might have once had its daywhen the Japanese were flush with cash and the United States was in financial trouble. Indeed, it was originally called the sympathy budgetas the Japanese were writing a check out of sympathy to help their American friends. Those days are over, however, and host nation support is more of an irritant than anything else. So why even haggle at all? Maybe the United States should cancel the negotiations and tell the Japanese that host nation support payments are no longer needed. Instead, the United States could suggest that Japan keep the money and spend it on improving its own defense capabilities. And spending it on Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) personnel might be a good start. The JSDF misses recruitment targets by about 25 percent each year, and that owes far more to serf-like terms of service than it does to Japans aging and shrinking population. This is all about Japan doing whats needed to improve its warfighting capabilitieswhich are currently inadequate. Turn the JSDF into a force thats able and prepared to fightwith joint capabilities (i.e., the three services can operate together), properly equipped, trained, organized, and psychologically ready for combat. And maybe use part of the $1.84 billion that isnt going to the United States to build a joint JapanU.S. operational headquarters in Japan? Do all of this and itll be far more useful to the alliance than the periodic host nation support negotiations that amount to squeezing blood out of a turnip and that satisfy nobody. And rather than expecting Japan to figure out how to improve its defense, the United States needs to offer detailed advice for oncewhile U.S. diplomats quietly notify Japan that this needs to happen. Plenty of Japanese would likely welcome the United States speaking more directlyand in effect offering them some cover. So, if the Biden administration wants to boost the U.S.Japan relationship, it can cancel Japans host nation support payments. Of course, the South Koreans will seek similar treatment. But thats okay. The U.S.South Korea relationship is no less important, even if the dynamics differ in certain respects. These shouldnt be hard decisions for Team Biden. The United States needs capabilities from its partnersnot cash. And if nothing else, forcing Japan to pay host nation supportof any amountseems awfully transactional. But maybe some things are bad when Trump does them, but good when Biden does them. Theres a word for that. Grant Newsham is a retired U.S. Marine officer, a former U.S. diplomat, and a business executive who lived and worked for many years in the Asia/Pacific region. He served as a reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific and was the U.S. Marine attache, U.S. Embassy Tokyo on two occasions. Hes a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens to court proceedings during his trial, in the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa, on May 25, 2021. (Kelsey Kremer/Pool/The Des Moines Register via AP) Judge Denies New Trial Request in Mollie Tibbetts Case DES MOINES, IowaA judge on Monday rejected a convicted illegal immigrants request for a new trial in the 2018 killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, whose body was found in a cornfield weeks after she disappeared while out for a run near her small hometown. Judge Joel Yates ruling cleared the way for sentencing to proceed Aug. 30 in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who was convicted in May of first-degree murder in Tibbetts death. The former farmhand, who came to the United States illegally as a teenager, faces a sentence of life in prison. Yates rejected efforts by Bahena Riveras attorneys to implicate others, saying much of the evidence they presented after he was convicted was known to them before the verdict was handed down. To grant a new trial, any additional evidence would have to be new and revealed after the verdict, he wrote. The judge also said many of the new allegations conflicted with trial testimony and evidence presented by Bahena Riveras own witnesses. In reviewing the evidence and testimony provided at trial, the court finds the verdict was not contrary to the weight of the evidence, Yates wrote. During questioning by police, Bahena Rivera acknowledged that he encountered Tibbetts as she was running near her small eastern Iowa hometown of Brooklyn and he led investigators to the field where her body lay hidden under cornstalks. Mollie Tibbetts poses for a picture during homecoming festivities at BGM High School in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, in September 2016. (Kim Calderwood via AP) But during his trial, he claimed publicly for the first time that two masked men kidnapped him at gunpoint from his trailer, forced him to drive to where Tibbetts was running on a rural road, killed her, put her body in his trunk and made him dispose of it. He said he didnt tell investigators about the two men earlier because they had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and young daughter. Bahena Rivera was to be sentenced last month. But toward the end of the testimony portion of his trial, two new witnesses came forward independently of one another and told police that a local 21-year-old man told them he had killed Tibbetts. Defense lawyers requested a new trial based on that and other newly discovered information, and Yates agreed to postpone sentencing while he considered their request. At a hearing last week, Bahena Riveras lawyers sought to link Tibbetts death to another young womans report of having been kidnapped and sexually assaulted at an area home used for sex trafficking in the summer of 2018, and the recent disappearance of an 11-year-old boy from the same county. A 50-year-old suspected methamphetamine dealer has been investigated in both cases but hasnt been charged in either, and prosecutors say he has no ties to Tibbetts. Prosecutors have said they were confident that Bahena Rivera killed Tibbetts and they pointed out that his own account of what happened didnt align with what the two new witnesses told police. We are pleased that the judge upheld the jurys verdict and we look forward to moving to sentencing, said Lynn Hicks, a spokesman for the state attorney general. Attorneys for Bahena Rivera did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment. By David Pitt A member of the Lithuania State Border Guard Service looks through binoculars as he patrols on the border with Belarus, near the village of Purvenai, Lithuania, on July 9, 2021. (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Photo) Lithuania to Turn Migrants Crossing in From Belarus Away VILNIUS, LithuaniaLithuania has ordered its border guards to turn away, by force if needed, migrants attempting to enter the Baltic country as the rapidly growing number of immigrants illegally crossing from neighboring Belarus has emerged as a major foreign policy issue to the small European Union nation. The Interior Ministry distributed a video footage shot from a helicopter as proof that large groups of immigrants were being escorted to the European Union border by vehicles belonging to Belarus border guard authority. Lithuania says the migrant influx in the past months is an act of retaliation by Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to increased sanctions by the EU toward his country over an air piracy incident. Lithuanias Interior Ministry said Tuesday that at least three large migrant groups were stopped in thick woods in the border area between the two countries, and Lithuanian border guards commanded them to return back to Belarus. First of all, [Lithuanian border] officers tell them [migrants] that they are lost; that they have arrived in the beautiful country of Belarus and got the wrong way while enjoying its nature but now they must continue the tourist track back into that country, Vice Interior Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius told reporters. Members of the Lithuania State Border Guard Service patrol on the border with Belarus, near the village of Purvenai, Lithuania, on July 9, 2021. (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Photo) If that method proved unsuccessful, he said Lithuania has reserved the right to use force to keep migrants away but use of force depends on circumstances. It can not be ruled out that [border guard] officers will face aggression from migrants, Abramavicius said, adding the measures were necessary as crossing state border in such a way is an illegal act. Lithuania can not accept this influx that grows day by day. Some 4,026 migrants, most of them from Iraq, crossed from Belarus into Lithuania, an EU and NATO nation of slightly less than 3 million, this year. Lithuania officials estimate that more than 10,000 more migrants might try to arrive this year as the number of direct flights from Iraq to Minsk tripled in August and the country has no physical barriers for its almost 679-kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus. On Monday, EU officials pledged millions of euros to help Lithuania tackle its migrant crisis. A person wears a protective face mask while working out at Planet Granite climbing gym in San Francisco, on March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Mask Mandate Reinstated in San Francisco Bay Area Amid COVID Surge SAN FRANCISCOSan Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday that they are reinstating a mask mandate for all indoor public settings as COVID-19 infections surge because of the highly contagious Delta variant. The new mandate applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, and takes effect on Tuesday in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, as well as the city of Berkeley. In a news conference announcing the new orders, Bay Areafor health officers also recommended that people gather outdoors if they have that option. It is unfortunate we have to do this at this point in the pandemic. None of us wanted to be here, said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. But the virus has changed. The Delta variant accounts for 95 percent of new coronavirus cases in the region, said Sundari Mase, the interim health officer for Sonoma County, which is north of San Francisco. We are facing a much more aggressive and contagious opponent right now, she said. The vast majority of new cases and hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people, but the Bay Area mandate affects all people because there has been an increase in the number of vaccinated people testing positive and evidence that vaccinated people can transmit the virus. Mase and the other health officials said the relatively low number of vaccinated people who are hospitalized now are primarily elderly or those with significant underlying health conditions. In line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California last week recommended that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, but officials stopped short of requiring it. Indoor mask mandates are already in effect in Los Angeles, Yolo and Sacramento counties. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana, with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, also reinstated a mask mandate Monday, going a step further to include schools and colleges. The San Francisco Bay Areas health officers were the first in the nation to announce a shutdown at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The region collectively leads the state in vaccination rates, with over 60 percent of residents fully vaccinated. Marin County, north of San Francisco, has the highest rate, with about 73 percent of its residents vaccinated. California has experienced a steady rise in virus cases since the state fully reopened its economy on June 15 and did away with indoor and outdoor capacity limits and social distancing. Signs advising facial covering requirements are shown as travelers stand in line at a Delta Air Lines desk at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, on Dec. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Bay Area health officers said they took action Monday because of troubling numbers of hospitalizations and that they will consider easing the new restrictions when those rates go down. We are alarmed at the rate at which COVID patients are filling our community hospital beds, said Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County, where the number of hospitalized patients has doubled in the past 10 days and increased by more than 400 percent in July. He urged unvaccinated people to get the shots and said indoor gatherings presents the highest virus spread risk. If you are unvaccinated I would strongly advise against higher-risk indoor activitieslike eating in an indoor restaurant, going to exercise in a gym, going to a movie theater, Farnitano said. Indoor restaurant dining will still be allowed, although people will have to keep masks on when they are not eating or drinking. In other public settings like gyms and movie theaters, face coverings must be worn, though enforcement will vary depending on location. In Santa Clara County, businesses will be required to enforce the mask mandate and residents can submit complaints on the health departments website, Han said. In the city of Berkeley, which is in Alameda County but has its own public health department, businesses will be required under the new order to have signs indicating that masks are required indoors, said Lisa Hernandez, the citys health officer. San Francisco does not plan to enforce its new order but will rely on the tendency of residents to follow the science and the data, said Naveena Bobba, the citys deputy director of health. The Kaiser Permanente health care business joined other U.S. employers and public health departments Monday in making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for an estimated 239,000 employees and physicians. The Oakland-based health care and health plan provider said nearly 78 percent of its employees and more than 95% of physicians are fully vaccinated. A sign is posted about how to protect against COVID-19 at a migrant shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, on July 21, 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Migrants Who Test Positive for COVID-19 Arent Being Deported: Report Migrant families were unable to board their deportation flights to Central America after testing positive for COVID-19 or being exposed to someone with the virus, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials. The Biden administration scheduled the first expedited removal flight taking migrants who enter the U.S. illegally back to their home countries Friday, though several people werent allowed on the flight because of COVID-19 concerns, anonymous DHS officials told the Washington Post. The flights were reinstated after an increasing number of illegal migrants were encountered in Texas Rio Grande Valley, leading to calls for the administration to escalate enforcement actions in the region. The expedited removal process is a lawful means to securely manage our border, and it is a step toward our broader aim to realize safe and orderly immigration processing, the DHS said in a statement Friday. By placing into expedited removal families who cannot be expelled under Title 42, we are making clear that those who do not qualify to remain in the United States will be promptly removed. The Trump-era public health order known as Title 42 was instated in March 2020 and allows border officials to rapidly expel most migrants who illegally enter the U.S., according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Around 500,000 migrants have been subject to expulsion under the order in the fiscal year 2021. Nearly 150 migrant families were scheduled to take two flights organized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials from Brownsville, Texas, according to the Post. Only around 75 people boarded the flights bound for Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and the open seats went to single adults who tested negative for COVID-19. U.S. officials used Electronic Nationality Verification for the so-called no-doc flights to verify the migrants home countries since most of them illegally entered the U.S. without identification, the Post reported. More than 20,000 migrants were apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley the week of July 25, Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent Brian Hastings said. U.S. detention facilities and humanitarian organizations struggled to accommodate the migrants, including an increasing number of those who test positive for COVID-19, according to the Post. Only migrants being transferred into ICE custody are tested for COVID-19, whereas those in CBP facilities typically arent, the Post reported. Migrants have to test negative for the virus before theyre able to board deportation flights. Those who test positive have to quarantine before they can return to their home country. By Kaylee Greenlee From The Daily Caller News Foundation Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. Minister Admits Just 25 Percent of Departments Civil Servants Are Back in Office Only about 25 percent of staff in one government department are currently in the office on any one day, a minister has said, despite the Chancellor advocating the benefits of young people returning to the workplace. Gillian Keegan, minister for apprenticeships and skills, gave the estimate for the Department for Education when asked on Times Radio on Tuesday morning how many civil servants have returned to the office. The Cabinet Office declined to release a figure or estimate for the proportion of the Civil Service currently working back in the office across all departments, and said each area has flexibility to make its own arrangements. The government is no longer instructing people to work from home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is instead saying that it will leave the decision over workplace returns to businesses. But government advice also says it expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer. Gillian Keegan in an undated UK Parliament official portrait. (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Chancellor Rishi Sunak told LinkedIn News on Monday that it had been really beneficial working in an office environment early in his career. He said he made strong relationships at the office and still talks to his early mentors, and doubted if he would have been able to do so if they had met while working remotely. Thats why I think, for young people in particular, being able to physically be in an office is valuable, he said. Keegan told Times Radio on Tuesday: I have been in the office four days a week since June last year, as have many of us you know, because obviously we have had to navigate these very difficult decisions during the pandemic. And many of the civil servants are also back now, more and more are coming back, and quite frankly they are all excited to come back. She added: We have been there all the time, as have many civil servants who support us. Of course, the governments advice was to work from home and we have only recently changed that advice to say it is safe to go back to the office. She said the government has advised firms to use the summer to sort of reintroduce people coming back. Asked how many civil servants are back in the office already, Keegan said: In the DfE, I would say probably 20 to 25 percent at the moment on any one day, obviously different people are coming in different days. She added: I think we have led by example and I think more and more people will, but we have said use the summer to get people coming back, get people comfortable with coming back, and you know not everybody will be back all the time, flexible working will be part of our future and we are not telling businesses what to do. A government spokesperson said: The Civil Service continues to follow government guidance, as we gradually and cautiously increase the number of staff working in the office. Our approach, which builds on our learning during the pandemic, takes advantage of the benefits of both office and home-based working across the UK. Departments have flexibility to make working arrangements which meet their requirements. By Ben Hatton Mississippi Man Gets Life for Killing Ex-girlfriend in Walmart STARKVILLE, Miss.A Mississippi man was sentenced to life without parole for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend inside the Walmart where she worked as an optometrist. William Thomas Tommy Chisholm was found guilty of capital murder in the killing of Dr. Shauna Witt after just 26 minutes of deliberation on Friday, The Commercial Dispatch reported. Witt ran the eye clinic at Walmart Vision Center in Starkville, and was seeing a patient who brought along her 4-year-old daughter when Chisolm entered the store in January 2018. Employee Kaylace Beatty Dorman testified that she tried to open a door to enable Witt to escape, but she didnt make it, the newspaper reported. I remember hearing shots, Dorman told the court. I remember looking at her, looking at Dr. Witt, and I was thinking, Shes going to get away, and then I saw her getting hit. Defense attorney Mark Cliett had asked the jury to consider finding the 44-year-old Kosciusko man not guilty by reason of insanity, but the witness he called to speak about Chisholms mental capacity, Dr. Jennifer Carroll, was ruled unqualified to testify because shes a licensed professional counselor, not a psychologist. I think the theme of my argument is sometimes things dont work out, Cliett said. I mean in general, in life, in relationships, in this trial, sometimes things dont work out. The optometrists family asked prosecutors not to pursue the death penalty, to obtain justice as soon as possible, according to District Attorney Scott Colom. Shaunas motto for her life was Choose joy, a family spokesperson, Bo Oswalt, said after the verdict. If you know anything about joy, its a long-term thing. We have chosen to choose joy over these last three and a half years. New Jersey Army National Guard combat medics enter the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus, N.J., April 9, 2020. (New Jersey National Guard/Mark C. Olsen) New Jersey Mandates COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing for Workers in Health Care and High-Risk Settings New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday that all workers in certain state-owned and private health care facilities, or high-risk congregate settings would be required to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Those workers who arent fully vaccinated can continue to work with regular COVID-19 testing. When justifying the mandate, Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement that some of our most vulnerable populations remain at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 primarily due to exposure to unvaccinated individuals. We are taking this step today because it has been proven time and time again that vaccines save lives and are our way out of this pandemic. Individuals in health care facilities should have confidence in their caretakers, Murphy added. Vaccination is the best tool we have to end this pandemic, said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. Murphy said he hopes the mandate will encourage more workers to take up the vaccine, and that the New Jersey government is prepared to consider additional measures if an increase in vaccination uptake in those facilities is not satisfactory. All workers in the health care facilities and other settings covered by the mandate will have until Sept. 7 to get vaccinated or be required to be tested for COVID-19 at a minimum of one to two times per week, the governor stated. Employers will be responsible for implementing the testing programs. This measure says employers can choose to retain or implement stricter policies to mandate vaccination as a condition of employment without the option for regular testing. Settings at higher risk of severe illness from the CCP virus, such as Veterans Homes overseen by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, are encouraged by the state government to implement a more aggressive testing schedule of unvaccinated workers, even three times a week, the statement said. Private facilities are strongly encouraged to consider instituting requirements above and beyond the baseline that will be required by the state. Among the state facilities impacted by the mandate are psychiatric hospitals, veterans homes, developmental centers, and correction facilities. Private facilities include long-term care and assisted-living facilities, jails, acute-care and specialty hospitals, in-patient rehabilitation centers, behavioral facilities, and home health agencies. As of July 30, more than 57 percent of over nine million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated. The number of new COVID-19 daily cases in the state during the last week ranged from 594 to 1,017, and the number of daily lab-confirmed deaths varied between two and nine, according to state health data. New York Police Department (NYPD) officers walk past a dumpster fire in front of the Hampton Inn in New York City on May 31, 2020. (Justin Heiman/Getty Images) New York County Passes Bill Allowing Police to File Lawsuits Against Protesters The New York City suburb of Nassau County passed a bill Monday that allows first responders and police officers to file lawsuits against people who harass, attack, or injure them because of their job. The bill (pdf) was passed in a 12-6 vote by the countys legislature. It still needs to be signed by County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat, into law. Curran told news outlets that she will look into the measure and told local news outlets she sent it to the countys attorney generals office for review. Its not clear if shell sign it. Im proud of the dedicated first responders whove made Nassau the safest County in America, and I will continue to stand against defunding the police. My administration is committed to protecting the brave men and women of law enforcement who keep us safe. There were many speakers today who questioned this legislation. Now that it has been passed by the Legislature, I will be making an inquiry to the Attorney Generals Office to review and provide some advice, Curran said, reported News12. The Epoch Times has contacted her office for comment. Some Black Lives Matter affiliated groups said the bill is retaliation against the left-wing movement, and local media reported that about 200 protesters gathered at the legislature building to demonstrate against its passage. This bill is a clear act of retaliation against Black Lives Matter, civil rights attorney Frederick Brewington told CBS New York. This is trying to shut down and dampen and chill the voices of those who would dissent and raise their voices against abuse by police, Brewington said. Others said that the measure would create a police state in Nassau County. We are not anti-police. But what we are is anti-police state. That is not hyperbole. That is what this bill does, said Emily Kaufman of Long Island Police Reform, according to Newsday. The penalty for discriminating against an officer or first responder could be up to $25,000 per violation or $50,000 if the incident occurs when a defendant is participating in a riot, according to local media. But police union officials have argued that members were being targeted because of their profession. And other supporters of the legislation said it would provide enhanced protection for officers amid anti-police riots and lawlessness following the death of George Floyd last year. James McDermott, the head of the Nassau Police Benevolent Association, said he and other officers applaud the Nassau County legislature who continue to stand up for law and order and support our police during this unprecedented time, reported Newsday. Nomination for Director of Bureau of Land Management Inspires Tree Spiking Mitigation Act Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill last week to stop the eco-terrorist tactic of tree spiking, after the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning as director of the Bureau of Land Management. The extent of Stone-Mannings involvement in tree spiking, a form of eco-terrorism that involves driving spikes into trees to deter, injure, or kill loggers, remains a contentious topic. In written testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) in June, Stone-Manning stated that she had no involvement in the spiking of trees during an incident back in 1989. She was a graduate student in environmental studies at the University of Montana at that time. She said that she had merely retyped and sent a written warning to the U.S. Forest Service from fellow activist John Blount about an act of tree spiking, after which she worked with her attorney to gain immunity for testifying in the trial of Blount and others. At the time, I believed that I was notifying the authorities by sending the letter, Stone-Manning wrote. Others dispute her account. In a letter to ENR committee Chairman Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.V.) and ranking member Barrasso, Michael W. Merkley, a retired forest service agent who was assigned to investigate the 1989 tree spiking case, wrote: Contrary to many of the stories in the news, Ms. Stone-Manning was not an innocent bystander, nor was she a victim in this case. And, she most certainly was not a hero. According to Merkleys letter, Blounts one-time girlfriend, Guenevere Lilburn, told Merkley that Stone-Manning had helped plan the tree spiking, even deliberating whether to use metal or ceramic spikes. Merkley further stated that Ms. Stone-Manning only came forward only after her attorney struck the immunity deal, and not before she was caught. [Italics in original.] E&E News reports that Blount has offered a third distinct account, stating that Stone-Manning was aware of the tree spiking scheme several months before it was executed, but denying that she was heavily involved in devising the plan. Ms. Stone Manning was never charged with spiking trees; she was never tried for spiking trees; and none of the men who did spike trees ever suggested that she did, Manchin wrote in a statement to the committee. I have been unable to find any credible evidence in the exhaustive trial record of the tree spiking case that shows that Ms. Stone Manning was an eco-terrorist, that she spiked any trees, that she conspired with eco-terrorists to spike trees, or that she lied to the Committee. As of press time, neither Manchin nor Sen. Jon Tester (R-Mont.) had responded to requests for comment on the new bill. Efforts to reach Stone-Manning were unsuccessful. Tracy Stone-Mannings defenders have tried to spin her testimony as helping to put away the bad guys, Barrasso said during a business meeting before the ENR committee on July 22. The reality is she helped plan the tree spiking, covered up the terrorist activity for years. She did not cooperate with the authorities, she did not cooperate with investigators, and only testified after she was caught and received immunity. Risch also voiced his opposition to Stone-Mannings nomination during the July 22 meeting. Ive only been on this committee 13 years, but Ive got to tell you, this is probably the most significant act of an insult to a really good agency and the people in that agency that Ive ever seen perpetrated by this committee, he said. The American Loggers Council voted unanimously in opposition to Stone-Mannings nomination. On July 27, the full Senate voted 5049 to discharge Stone-Mannings nomination from the ENR committee, ensuring her nomination would move forward. Risch strenuously objected to the move, calling Stone-Manning a perjurer, an eco-terrorist, a person who has participated in a conspiracy to murder innocent people working in the forest. On July 30, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced that she would co-sponsor Barrasso and Rischs $10 million bill, the Tree Spiking Mitigation Act of 2021, which would require the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to detect, identify, and mitigate tree spiking devices on federal land. The term mitigate gives the agencies freedom to assess the situation and respond appropriately, a spokesperson for Republicans on the ENR committee told The Epoch Times. That could mean carefully removing spiked trees. It could mean removing the spikes, although this is very difficult. It could also mean mapping and posting warnings on each identified spiked tree. The spokesperson noted that it wasnt clear when the Senate would consider the bill. A spokesperson for Risch confirmed to The Epoch Times that the bill was inspired by Stone-Mannings nomination. The lingering effects of the 1989 tree-spiking plot in the Clearwater National Forest were brought to light by Ms. Stone-Mannings nomination, the spokesperson wrote. It is our understanding that there are still spiked trees standing in the forest in Idaho today; however, there is no clear record of where these spiked trees are located, let alone any active program to remediate this safety hazard. Senator Risch asked the Chief of the Forest Service about this issue months ago and has yet to hear back. Any markings that may have once identified the spiked trees are long gone. As such, these trees continue to pose a threat to firefighters or smoke jumpers should they need to remove one during emergency operations. Moreover, it also presents a danger to loggers and sawmill workers should the area be harvested again someday. Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 1864, Hazardous or injurious devices on federal lands, specifies that individuals who plant tree spiking devices on federal land in order to interfere with timber production shall be subject to fines or imprisonment, including life imprisonment if a device causes an individuals death. Conspiring [with] eco-terrorists & threatening [Forest Service] employees, loggers & mill workers are heinous acts that dont fade with time, Risch wrote on Twitter on Aug. 2. Tracy Stone-Manning is unfit to lead [Bureau of Land Management]. My colleagues & I will continue to fight this nomination. The nomination hasnt yet been scheduled for a vote. Cold Springs Pond in Idahos Clearwater National Forest on Aug. 14, 2003. (Forest Service Northern Region) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to the media at a news conference in Manhattan in New York City on May 5, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) NY Prosecutor Criminally Investigating Cuomo, Will Request Evidence From Sexual Harassment Probe A prosecutor in New York is in the middle of a criminal investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo, he said on Tuesday. Albany County District Attorney David Soares said in a statement that his office was made aware of a report made public earlier in the day by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who tapped a team of legal experts to investigate sexual harassment allegations against fellow Democrat Cuomo. The report substantiated some of the allegations, finding Cuomo harassed multiple women. The independent investigation has concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law, James told a press conference. Soares, a Democrat, said his office will be formally requesting investigative materials obtained by James office, while encouraging any victim to contact his office directly with additional information. As this matter is developing and we are reviewing the document released by the Attorney General today, we will refrain from any additional public comment at this time regarding the status of the ongoing criminal investigation by our office, Soares added. Investigators tapped by James stopped short of recommending prosecution. While concluding that the Governor engaged in unlawful sexual harassment, we do not reach in this report a conclusion as to whether the conduct amounts to or should be the subject of criminal prosecution, they said in a footnote in their report. The team said certain criminal authorities, including the Albany Police Department, have been alerted to some of the allegations. I will state that its our understanding that for the young woman whose breast was groped, that Albany Police Department already has a report about that. As for anything else, as the Attorney General stated, all the information is fully documented in the report and any prosecutors or police departments can look at the evidence and determine if they want to take further action, Anne Clark, one of the investigators, told reporters. Cuomo said in a video message that he will not be resigning and pushed back on the findings. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, he said in the video, which was released by his office shortly after the report was made public. Democrats on the state and federal level called on Cuomo to step down in light of the substantiated allegations. James said later Tuesday that her office has provided the New York Assembly Judiciary Committee with the report, and will hand over all relevant evidence. We will cooperate with their investigation as needed, she added. A medical worker prepares a COVID-19 vaccination at the University of CaliforniaIrvine Medical Center, in Orange, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Orange County COVID Cases on the Rise The Delta variant continues to spike the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County, California. According to data released by the Orange County Health Care Agency, there were 1,996 new positive cases received Aug. 2, which includes cases from during the weekend, bringing the total number of positive cases to 266,167. Two additional COVID-19-related deaths were reported, bringing the cumulative death count in the county to 5,143. There were 322 people hospitalized with the virus on Aug. 2, up from 252 on July 30. There were 68 people being treated in intensive care units, a jump from 59 on July 30. There havent been this many people hospitalized with COVID-19 since March 5. Andrew Noymer, a University of CaliforniaIrvine professor of population health and disease prevention, said the increase in hospitalizations is worrisome. Were seeing daily increases in cases and hospitalizations, and thats concerning, Noymer told City News Service. Last summers peak was in the 600s, but were rocketing up now. Last summer was more of a slow build-up and now it looks like were really shooting up. I am worried about that. If were over 400 hospitalizations by the end of the week, thats concerning to me. Positive cases have increased dramatically just in the month of July, which is happening both in Orange County and nationwide due to the Delta variant. The variant, which originated in India, has the ability to infect vaccinated and unvaccinated people due to its mutation. A recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) study showed that during a July 3 COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts, approximately 75 percent of the 469 positive cases were from people who were vaccinated. This is evident in Orange County as well, as data from July 23 showed 562 new positive cases. One week earlier, July 16, the county reported just 302 daily cases. There were 183 cases on July 9, and 117 cases on July 2. There are 1,897,664 fully vaccinated people in Orange County; another 218,585 people have received a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, which each require two doses to be considered fully inoculated. Out of a 3.2 million population, it means 66 percent of people are at least partially vaccinated. Its certainly above the national average, Noymer said of Orange Countys level of vaccination. Its not bad. Obviously, Id like to see it higher. Lets just hope it keeps going higher. The case rate per 100,000 increased to 12.2, with testing positivity increasing to 6.9 percent overall, with 6.6 percent in the health equity quartile, which measure how much COVID impacts disadvantaged communities. Orange County chief executive Frank Kim told City News Service that the difference in positivity rate is due to a surge in COVID cases among the coastal cities. A lot of the new infections are happening in communities that are not historically part of the lower health equity communities, Kim said. Masked students wait in a socially distanced single file line before heading to the cafeteria at an elementary school in Louisville, Ky., on March 17, 2021. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Pennsylvania Lawmakers Mull Banning Mask Mandates in Schools The COVID-19 delta variant is stimulating discussions across the United States over revisiting pandemic mitigation measures like lockdowns and mask mandates, but in Pennsylvania, some lawmakers aim to keep masks off school children no matter what new mandates may be imposed. If a kid wants to wear a mask, let them. If not, they shouldnt have to, State Rep. Barry Jozwiak told The Epoch Times. It should be a parents choice or a students choice. Children are not at high risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, he reasoned. Jozwiak has the support of 22 cosponsors for his anti-masking legislation, HB 1746, which is now in the House Education Committee. He envisions it overriding any future mask mandate. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the bill says, students and staff of a school entity and nonpublic school shall not be subject to the masking order and may not be required to wear a mask or universal face covering at school. Gov. Tom Wolf said last week he is not considering reinstating a state-level mandate for mask-wearing in students K-12 schools. Wolf is more focused on getting the population vaccinated. However, the administration is recommending Pennsylvanians and schools follow federal guidance from the Center for Disease Control. Current CDC guidance directs all people age 2 and older who are not fully vaccinated to wear masks at school. The vaccine is available for children starting at age 12 up. Jozwiak says it is unnecessary to continue extended masking of children, which he says leads to headaches, fatigue, and mental health problems. Numerous studies show children are significantly less likely to be infected with the COVID-19 virus than adults. Additionally, there is little evidence to suggest children are super-spreaders of the virus, a memo for the legislation said. In April 2020, then-Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine started requiring masks. Pennsylvania ended its mask mandate on June 28. Levine has since been appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Jozwiak says it is time to get back to normal. As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, and the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be readily available, it is critical for our children to return to school this fall without any undue burden, Jozwiak said in the bills memo. After disruptions in two consecutive school years, our students must focus on recovering from the adverse impacts of the pandemic, such as addressing learning loss, reengaging in extra-curricular activities, and addressing their mental health concerns. Our students need to advance their education and development, and not worry about masking. Photographer Spots Little Black Bird Trying to Surf on Osprey Just Trying to Eat His Lunch in Peace Florida can dish out some turbulent, unpredictable weatherbut also offer some intriguing avian behavior. For photographer Ken Rohling, what seemed like a torrential downpour ruining his day at the lake one Saturday afternoon turned into sunny skiesand a rare shot of a red-winged blackbird surfing on an osprey. Dont believe it? Hes got the photos to prove it. The avid landscape and wildlife photographer has been shooting since age 6, when his dad gave him an ancient fold-up Kodak and often took him to the zoo to snap animals. During this particular recent trip to the lake, Rohling spotted an osprey, which had deftly snatched a fish from the water and was making a desperate bid to find a perch to eat the fishbefore losing it to some opportunistic eagle or rival osprey. (Easy pickings.) I knew he was going to land, and likely on the power pole just ahead of me, Rohling told The Epoch Times. So, I pulled the car up past him and quickly bailed from the car. I grabbed the camera and tripod, and got it set up just after he landed with his fish. He got shots of the osprey starting to tuck into his lunch, but then noticed the raptor was not alone. (Courtesy of Ken Rohling) A few highly territorial red-winged blackbirds, which had a nest nearby, were determined to drive off the larger winged intruder. They began a relentless dive-bombing campaign against him that lasted for 10 or 15 minutes, said Rohling. They would fly high above him, and then dive down and either strike him in the head, or grab small feathers and pluck them out. The scuff did afford Rohling a rare opportunity to capture the birds as they collided, including shots of a red-winged blackbird appearing to piggyback the osprey! Except for a few attempts to snap at the blackbirds, or flap them off of his wings, the osprey just tried to ignore them and continued eating, the photographer said. He never got to eat all of his fish, but he ate enough of it to make his tummy comfortable enough to where he was no longer willing to tolerate the abuse. At last, the smaller birds drove off the larger one. The encounter ended well for all: the osprey got away with his fish; the blackbirds nest was left undisturbed; meanwhile, Rohling got a few memorable photos of some remarkable avian activity. 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 Australian Federal Police (AFP) Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Donoghoe speaks to the media at the AFP Headquarters in Brisbane, Monday, August 2, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) Alleged Plot to Overthrow Australian Govt and Police Thwarted Australian law enforcement has charged one man from Western Australia for impersonating a law enforcement officer as part of a plot to overthrow the Australian government, members of Parliament and replace the Australian federal police force. On July 31, Australian Federal Police (AFP) executed six search warrants across three states to disrupt the groups activities and collect evidence as part of a joint investigation with the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) into a group of individuals who were allegedly impersonating government officials and holding anti-government sentiment. Over 470 fake AFP badges were recovered and arrest warrants for several high-profile MPs and public servants. Raids were carried out around the country in the Queensland cities of Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Peterborough in South Australia, and two locations in Perth, Western Australia. AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Scott Lee in a media statement on Aug. 2 said, We have found no evidence this group has the abilityor has actually attemptedto carry out specific violent acts in support of statements made by members of this group. The Queensland JCTT acted early in this instance to stop any potentially disturbing activities at the earliest possible stage, and we will not hesitate to lay further charges if more criminal offences are identified, he said. The general public needs to know that a video purporting to be of the AFP Commissioner calling for people to join in a plan to create a new government is complete and utter nonsenseit is not from the Commissioner, it is not from the AFP and has absolutely no credibility. We continue to investigate those we believe are responsible for creating it, Lee said. AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Donoghoe also downplayed the groups threats saying: We have no evidence that this group has the ability or capability to commit violent acts to overthrow the government. The behaviour of these people is extremely concerning, and we are continuing our investigation to identify any criminal offences as a result, he told reporters. The 49-year-old man from Tuart Hill in Perth Western Australia is due to appear at the Perth Magistrates Court on Aug. 16. Police allege he claimed to be an AFP official during an unsuccessful attempt to buy stamps and ID badges with the official agencys logo. The police further alleged that group members were responsible for a video circulating on social mediafalsely claiming to be a recording of AFP Commissioner Reece Kershawdetailing anti-government sentiment while encouraging other individuals to join. The man who made the recording was identified and was found to be meeting online with like-minded individuals across the country to discuss a takeover of the government. Last week, three boxes of replica AFP badges were sent to a house in Cairns where one group member lived. These boxes were later dumped but were recovered. The Perth man faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail if convicted. More charges are expected in the coming days. National flags of Russia and the United States fly at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, on April 11, 2017. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters) Russia Says US Asked 24 of Its Diplomats to Leave by Sept. 3 MOSCOWRussias ambassador to the United States said Washington had asked 24 Russian diplomats to leave the country by Sept. 3 after their visas expire, heightening tensions between the two countries. In an interview with the National Interest magazine published on Sunday, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov did not say whether the U.S. action was prompted by a particular dispute. He said nearly all would be leaving without replacements because Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price, responding to the comments, said on Monday that Washington was not using Russian diplomats visas to retaliate against Moscow. He said the ambassadors characterization was not accurate. Price did not dispute the fact the Russian diplomats would have to leave the United States and said it was nothing new that Russians have to apply for an extension to their visas after three years. Those applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, he said. Moscow and Washington have long differed over a range of issues, and ties slumped further after U.S. President Joe Biden said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was a killer. Tensions somewhat eased after Biden met Putin for talks on June 16, which even led to the return of some foreign investors money into Russian government bonds. But Russia from this month banned the U.S. embassy in Moscow from retaining, hiring or contracting Russian or third-country staff, except for guards, forcing the mission to let go 182 employees and dozens of contractors, the State Department said on Friday. We reserve the right to take appropriate response measures to Russias actions, Price said during a regular briefing on Monday. Washington imposed sanctions on Russia in March and April for interfering in last years U.S. election, cyber hacking, bullying Ukraine, and other alleged malign actions, but Price said those moves were a response rather than an escalation. In the interview Antonov said: We hope that common sense will prevail and we will be able to normalize the life of Russian and American diplomats in the United States and Russia on the principle of reciprocity. Fiame Naomi Mata'afa (center-in white) sits with members of parliament and the judiciary as she is sworn in as Samoa's first female prime minister in Apia, on May 24, 2021. (Malietau Malietoa/AFP via Getty Images) Samoa Is Right to Cancel Chinese Port Commentary Samoa has canceled a $100 million port that China planned to build by loaning the cash-strapped nation. This is an about-turn for Samoa, which is rightly asserting independence and financial discipline when it comes to Chinas opaque development loans. On July 30, Reuters published an exclusive interview with Samoas new prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, who confirmed the cancellation of the China-backed port construction. Mataafa implied that the port project lacked any fundamental benefits for Samoa, and said that Chinas interest in the Pacific region grew as the United States moved out of the area. In the interview, which took place on July 28, she said, There seems to be a renewed interest in the Pacific [by China], which may be a good thing, but not necessarily. Mataafa had in May, before the election, told Reuters she would cancel the project due to excessive costs for a small nation that already carried heavy debts from China. China is Samoas largest creditor, having already loaned it $160 million, or 40 percent of its external debt. So, an additional $100 million would have significantly added to the countrys debt burden, and brought the Chinese percentage to 52 percent. The Prime Minister has rightly followed through on her electoral mandate from Samoas citizenry to distance the country from Beijing, and just in time. The proposed wharf was for Vaiusu Bay, and was a contested point in Aprils elections, which Mataafa won. The former prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, had planned to go ahead with the Chinese project, despite an advisory from the Asian Development Bank that ruled a similar project as economically unviable. Mataafa told Reuters that the reason China takes the lead in development projects is because it provides the funding. China just takes the forefront because of the nature of its being funded through China so theres, you know, theres a lot of infrastructure which other donors dont do. There seems to be a big drive now you know in terms of ports, you know airports and seaports. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road) has focused on building ports globally, stirring national security concerns among U.S. allies in Asia and Europe. A July report by defense analyst Ian Easton regarding Taiwan alleges that China is using its economic involvement in ports to gather military intelligence. BRI ports around the world have been used by China for military purposes, and do provide Chinas navy with potential naval fueling and maintenance stations. Mataafa explained the port cancellation, saying I think as a new administration coming in we will do that [a reassessment] for China and any other partner that we have. Mataafa is making the right choices. According to Alex Gray, National Security Council Chief of Staff in the prior administration, Prime Minister Mata[]afa is part of a new generation of Pacific Islands leaders who understand what Chinas growing involvement in the Pacific has meant in reality: unsustainable debt burdens, political interference, and threats to sovereignty and political free expression. The Prime Minister is showing the region that a viable path exists away from Beijings malign influence and coercion and toward a free and open Indo-Pacific. China is not like any other country. It is a growing regional hegemon in Asia that could absorb Samoas sovereignty if the country is not careful. Samoa and other Pacific Islands countries are recognizing that China is a threat like none other, and should over time commit to only engaging with democratic countries that respect the rule of law, human rights, freedom, and the self-determination of not just states, but the people within those states. The success of democracies globally is the only way to ensure the defense of Samoas democracy locally. Anders Corr has a bachelors/masters in political science from Yale University (2001) and a doctorate in government from Harvard University (2008). Hes a principal at Corr Analytics Inc., publisher of the Journal of Political Risk, and has conducted extensive research in North America, Europe, and Asia. He authored The Concentration of Power (forthcoming in 2021) and No Trespassing, and edited Great Powers, Grand Strategies. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The cleared lot where the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building once stood is seen in Surfside, Flo. on July 31, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/TNS) Sea Rise Under Scrutiny in Condo Collapse: Corrosion Likely, but No Sign of Sinkhole By Alex Harris From Miami Herald SURFSIDE, Fla.Scraped clean of tons of rubble late last month, the bare garage floor of Champlain Towers South appears to rule out at least one early suspect in its catastrophic collapse. There were no telltale signs of a sinkhole. The garage floor, the buildings lowest level, remains in one piece with no craters or potholes suggesting unseen geological forces were at work. The sinkhole a doomed resident saw opening from her balcony in a final phone conversation was likely not erosion beneath the building but the implosion of the concrete pool deck above the garage floorthe seeming trigger event of a massive and still unresolved structural failure. The slab appears to be intact and there is no obvious sink hole, said Jennifer Huergo, a spokesperson for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the federal agency investigating the cause of the collapse. That said our experts will be looking at every aspect, above and below ground, for potential triggers. Those aspects will include the effects of rising seas on the 40-year-old building, which remain on the long list of contributing factors for structural engineers and other experts trying to piece together the causes of the unprecedented disaster. If increasing tidal flooding didnt undermine the building, it may have pushed corrosive brine into the parking garage. Even now, time-lapses of the empty garage floor show flooding that rises and falls with the tide throughout the day. And a former maintenance manager described to Herald news partner CBS4 regular pumping of salt water from the garageconditions experts say would likely exacerbate the effects of rust on reinforcing steel in concrete slabs and columns. Were chasing like 50 different things and trying to understand them one at a time, said Allyn Kilsheimer, the independent structural engineer that the town of Surfside hired to investigate the collapse. Kilsheimer himself isnt ready to rule anything out, including sea-rise impacts and possible undetected voids or sinkholes under the building. Among the many things he wants to assess are the effects of tides and full moons on the underground water table. He will drill a hole near the north building (a few blocks from the south building) and insert a device called a piezometer, which measures groundwater levels. That, he said, is a challenge in an underground garage on a barrier islandone that also underlines the looming threat of sea rise to South Florida. We cant drill through the basement of the garage because it could create a geyser at high tide, he said. A Rising Threat What, if any, role rising seas played in the collapse, there is no escaping the rising risks to Surfside and other coastal communities up and down the Florida coast. Low-lying garages in South Florida have flooded for years, some famously so. Recall the 2016 photo of an octopus finding its way up a drainpipe into a Miami Beach condos garage. The 2 feet of sea level rise expected by 2060 will swamp septic tanks, homes, parks and roads. And as waters keep rising, it will eventually render some places permanently uninhabitable. In a meeting just last year, the town heard from consultants that it faces structural threats from sea rise. The most pressing risk is not along the higher elevations of the beach where Champlain Towers was but on the low-lying side adjacent to north Biscayne Bay. Streets in the single-family home part of town nearer to the Intracostal Waterway flood so deeply after heavy rains that the water has been reported ruining cars and soaking into houses, garages and crawl spaces. Residents even floated the idea of installing No Wake signs to protect their homes. The meeting was the public debut of a flood model the city commissioned from Atkins Engineering through a partnership with the American Flood Coalition. Caroline Resor, a strategy associate with the flood coalition at the time, told residents that sea-rise-driven flooding could occur as often as 100 days per year by 2030. She said the more extreme of those floods could cause $400,000 to $2 million in damage to homes. That is obviously a risk that is increasing, she said. Other parts of town are far less at risk from tidal flooding. The tiny town hasnt ignored the threat and actually has a brief history of pioneering climate change policy. In 2019, Surfside created a fund developers paid into designed to help buy out future residents when their homes became unlivable. But it was immediately overturned by the new mayor, Charles Burkett, and slate of commissioners. At a meeting in November, Burkett gave a presentation on his preferred solution to avoiding the floodselevating single-family homes with federal grant money. There was no discussion on what to do with seaside condominiums. Sea Rise a First Suspect Nevertheless, the effects of sea rise almost instantly emerged as a suspect in the immediate aftermath of the collapse fueled by both the sinkhole report and national news coverage of a 2020 Florida International University survey of the coast that showed that the condo had slowly been sinking. Though the FIU professor himself downplayed the connection, noting it was a small shift at one point in time, the specter of sea rise taking down entire buildings made headlines for weeks. The sinkhole theory was serious enough that a trade publication, New Civil Engineer, produced an inconclusive report about it in early July. Investigators have since dismissed most of those theories. Was the building built on an old inlet that was slowly reclaiming the land? No, that seemed like a misread of an old and poorly written map. Was it built on wetland that was slowly settling? No, old development maps show that Champlain Tower South went up on an original section of the island, and wasnt filled in with mowed-over mangroves and dirt like the western side. But the corrosive effect of routine flooding at the buildings base remains an unanswered questionand very much part of the forensic analysis. Water, especially saltwater, can worm its way into concrete, creating pockets of air that eat away at the adhesive between the components of cement, eventually reaching (and destroying) the reinforcing steel rebar embedded within. Corrosion from salt spray, storm surge and tidal flooding is an old foe in coastal areas, often the biggest and most expensive repair faced by aging buildings. Buildings constructed in the 1980sbefore tougher codes and improved construction techniquesare particularly vulnerable. One pool maintenance worker told the Miami Herald the garage had standing water in it 36 hours before the building collapsed, and he was told that the underground pool maintenance room ran through a new water pump every two years to keep the room dry. Still, many experts, including Dawn Lehman, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington retained by the Herald as a consultant, stress that corrosion alone is unlikely the reason the building failed. Buildings, she said, are designed to have structural redundancies. We know corrosion is an issue for many buildings on the coast and it must be addressed, but we do not expect it to lead to full building collapse without other serious structural deficiencies, she said But flooding episodes also have become more common as sea levels have risen, including in the Champlain Tower underground garage, which sits about 10 feet below ground in a part of the barrier island where the water table is only about two feet below the surface. In the 40 years since the towers were constructed, sea levels have risen about eight inches at Virginia Key, the nearest official tidal gauge. Water From Below That tidal rise can have significant impacts in a place like South Florida, which is built on porous limestone that allows water to flow freely below the surface. Its why sea walls are ineffective at holding rising tides at bay. The top layer of that water is a small lens of freshwater that floats on top of the denser saltwater pushing in from below. In the case of Miami Beach, the lens gets shallower near the edges, which means saltwater is closer to the surface. But just how close is hard to know. And that could be important in the Champlain Towers probe because of potential impacts on pilesthe concrete columns shoved deep underground that help hold up buildings. It remains unclear how deep the piles under Champlain Tower were. Its not recorded in the original plans the city of Surfside released to the public, and the towns consulting engineer Kilsheimer said it would require sonic testing at the site to know for sure. That testing, of the concrete caps on the piles and the dirt around them, can determine what condition the piles are in, as well as if there are any voids or sinkholes underneath the building. Underground issues certainly arent unheard of in South Florida and the underlying limestone geology is pocked with holes. There are anecdotal stories of individual buildings in Miami with secret underground canals undermining their foundations, or old Miami Beach hotels that look perfect on the surface but had crumbling foundations underground. But sinkholes capable of swallowing cars, homes and buildings are far more common in Central Florida, and can even occur in mainland Miami, but theyre rare on barrier islands, according to Floridas sinkhole report database. John Pistorino, a long-time Miami-Dade structural engineer hired by attorney Stuart Grossman for a lawsuit representing the survivors and victims of the collapse, said in his 50-year career investigating building failures in South Florida he couldnt recall a time where sinkholes were a major issue. In my experience with the soil conditions along the coast where all these high rises are, sinkholes are not a concern. The bigger concern would be storm surge, scour which would undermine shallow foundations but not deep foundations like these buildings have, he said. But theres a first for everything. Hunting For Corrosion With corrosion the more likely contributing factor, investigators are looking for clues in the now exposed garage, where regular flooding occurred, and the remains of the pool deck and ground floor above it. At least six engineering experts told the Herald it appeared as if the initial failure that triggered the building collapse happened in that concrete slab that supported both the outdoor pool deck and the first floor of the building itself. Why it failed remains the big questiondid the slab simply crack at a weak spot or did the failure occur in the connection to the garage floor columns supporting it from below? Previous engineering reports revealed the slab had serious deterioration of the concrete and reinforcing steel and was in line for multi-million dollar repairs. Video obtained by the Miami Herald from minutes before the collapse also showed what appeared to be concrete rubble assumed to have fallen from the pool deck slab to the floor of the underground garage below. Herald consultant Lehman, after examining dozens of photos, videos, documents and all available design plans for the building, considers the slab itself a leading suspect. Thats where regular garage flooding comes in. Lehman said its possible that could have kept the garage humid and salty, a bad environment for most metals. She said her examination of reports on concrete cores and other repairs indicates that the amount of concrete cover over the reinforcing steel may have been insufficient for that type of exposure to the elements. She noted that photographs and prior repairs show the reinforcement in the pool deck had corroded and was not replaced. The cause of that corrosion is probably in the garage, she said. Because they designed that bottom cover as if it were an interior slab, but the exposure of the garage to regular flooding is deteriorating the ceiling of the garage, the bottom of the pool deck. Lawrence Kahn, a professor emeritus of structural engineering at Georgia Tech, said the rainwater collecting on the pool deck, which a consulting engineer noted had a design flaw that retained water, could be a more likely culprit. If there hadnt been seawater inundation that reached the bottom of the slab then its more likely that it came from the top, he said. The humidity carries a lot of salt with it, but generally, itd be much slower to absorb from the bottom. But he said it is also possible that rust could have spread from the garage floor up through steel in the columns into the pool deck above. Planned materials testing may help piece together the puzzle and how tidal flooding and rust fit in. Kahn said investigators can tap columns with a geologist pick and listen to the results. A clear ringing is a sign the column is structurally sound, while a dull thud hints that its cracked or deteriorated. Thats the first sign that somethings wrong, he said. For a more thorough examination, investigators are likely to drill holes every inch or so and test the dust for chloride levels, an indicator of salt, said Paul Danforth, principal engineer and vice president of Universal Engineering Sciences. The map they form with their findings helps engineers see where saltwater and air may have infiltrated, exposing the steel in the core of the concrete. For now, any onsite testing underway is by NIST. Surfsides investigator, Kilsheimer, is also eager to begin his tests to determine what exactly caused this catastrophic collapse. Im not ruling out anything, because what you can see with your eyeballs means nothing, he said. What you have to do is get in there and do the sampling and the testing at the site. 2021 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Motor vehicle traffic moves along the Interstate 76 highway in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 31, 2021. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo) Senate Infrastructure Bill Gives Feds Go-Ahead to Test Taxing Every Mile Americans Drive Buried in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the U.S. Senate is approval for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to test a new federal tax on every mile driven by individual Americans. The bill directs Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to establish a pilot program to demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee designed to restore and maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. The objectives of the pilot program include: To test the design, acceptance, implementation, and financial sustainability of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee. To address the need for additional revenue for surface transportation infrastructure and a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee. To provide recommendations relating to the adoption and implementation of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee. Although the new tax is described as a pilot program and would initially rely upon volunteers representing all 50 states, the infrastructure measure would also require the Treasury Department to establish a mechanism to collect motor vehicle per-mile user fees from the participants. The legislation would create a new Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board to advise Buttigieg on establishing and operating the program. The legislative language in the bill doesnt specifically call for an end to the advisory board. The advisory body would be required to include as members at a minimum representatives from state departments of transportation, the trucking industry, data security experts with expertise in personal privacy, academic experts on surface transportation, consumer advocates, operators of toll systems, owners of motor vehicle fleets, and tribal representatives. The advisory body would also include advocacy groups focused on equity, as well as any other representatives or entities, as determined appropriate by [Buttigieg]. The proposal doesnt elaborate on why a transportation tax advisory board should have members representing nonprofit advocacy groups dedicated to equity, which is a term often used by advocates of the divisive political and social perspective known as critical race theory. The infrastructure text also fails to specify how the advisory board, which appears likely to include a sizable number of members, would create and approve its recommendations to the transportation secretary. Buttigieg would also be authorized under the proposal to carry out a public awareness campaign to increase public awareness regarding a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee. Funding for the program is established at $10 million each year through 2026. The presence of the pilot program to tax drivers directly for every mile driven reflects the growing problem presented to federal officials by the success of environmental measures theyve implemented since the 1990s to encourage more fuel-efficient driving. But greater fuel efficiency means less gas consumed, which in turn means declining revenue from the federal tax on every gallon purchased. The gas tax revenue goes into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which is used to pay for road and bridge construction and maintenance, as well as for large-city public light rail and bus systems. As a result, Congress has had to appropriate nearly $150 billion from general revenue in the past eight years to supplement the HTFs declining gas tax revenues. Eighty percent of the gas-tax revenue goes to highways, with the remaining 20 percent is devoted to mass transit. It isnt clear what would happen to the present federal gas tax if a future Congress were to expand the proposed per-mile user fee pilot program into a mandatory national revenue generator. The pilot program proposal quickly drew criticism outside of Congress once word about it spread on Aug. 3. Making it impossibly expensive to use infrastructure is a perfect addition to a fake infrastructure bill, Less Government President Seton Motley told The Epoch Times. But Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, told The Epoch Times that he supports replacing the present federal gas tax with a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) levy. There is broad support behind a national VMT pilot program from members of Congress and stakeholders. Fixing the Highway Trust Fund is the thoughtful and responsible thing to do, and the time to act on it is now. Otherwise, well continue having the same debate on how to adequately pay for infrastructure, Graves said. I want to make it clear that my support for moving to a VMT user fee system is contingent on resolving any issues such as privacy and equity for rural and urban drivers, but I have absolutely no doubt that these issues will be addressed. Buttigieg, whose only previous government experience was serving eight years as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, a city of about 100,000 residents, appears to be a big winner in the more than $550 billion in new spending included in the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. An estimated $274 billion of the $550 billion in new spending goes to DOT, with $105 billion of that being in the form of competitive grants over which Buttigieg has the final say. Another big winner in the infrastructure bills DOT spending is Amtrak, which in a typical yearprior to the pandemic caused by the CCP virus thats also known as the novel coronavirusreceives about $2 billion in federal subsidies. Under the infrastructure bill, Amtrak would reportedly receive $58 billion. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) offered an amendment to the infrastructure bill in the nature of a substitute that would, among other things, transfer $119 billion in unused federal money originally meant to help combat the coronavirus to the HTF. The Lee alternative included reducing the federal gas tax by 11 cents per gallon, simplifying and speeding up National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements on infrastructure projects, and abolishing federal Davis-Bacon wage regulations that require federal contractors to pay prevailing union wages on government projects. The Lee amendment was defeated on a 7028 vote. Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at: mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc. Follow him on Twitter at @mtapscott and on Parler at @Mtapscott. Vivian and Leslie Bithell watch their son Stuart Bithell and his helm Dylan Fletcher win a gold medal in the 49er medal race at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Peter Byrne/PA) Team GB Rules the Waves With Double Gold Medal Wins Tearful family members watched on as Team GB ruled the waves in Tokyo with sailors scooping double Olympic gold medal glory on Tuesday. Giles Scott won gold in the mens Finn class, Britains sixth successive title in the event, shortly after fellow sailors Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell narrowly claimed first in the mens 49er. There were tears and jubilant scenes at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, as Bithells parents Vivian and Leslie watched the pair take the final turn in second but then edge over the finish line in front. The pair went into the final medal race, where double points are awarded, in second, four points behind New Zealands Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, but victory for Fletcher and Bithell and third for New Zealand saw them claim the title. Giles Scott of Britain celebrates after competing mens Finn medal race at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Fletchers mother Jane spoke of the agonising wait to see her son in action, after the race was postponed 24 hours due to low wind. She told Good Morning Britain: We were in the shaking position yesterday morning and then we had to stop shaking and then start shaking again this morning. I havent stopped! Ive been blubbing all over the place, its amazing. Meanwhile, Scott finished fourth in his medal race to end the event on 45 points overall, just three points ahead of second place in a nail-biting finish. The 34-year-old retained the title he won at Rio 2016, finishing ahead of Hungarys Zsombor Berecz and Spains Joan Cardona Mendez. Scott, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, said: I made it by the skin of my teeth, it was properly to the wire, it was really tight. I tried to stay relaxed but Ive never been involved in a boat race as close as that. Scotts father John described his pride as he and his wife Ros watched on at the National Sailing Academy in Weymouth, Dorset. Great Britains Anna Burnet and John Gimson compete during the mixed Nacra 17 medal race at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Bernat Armangue/AP Photo) Im afraid I was up at 2:30 a.m., I couldnt sleepbut fortunately there was plenty on the telly, so I was watching all the sport, getting ready for this ride, the 69-year-old told the PA news agency. Im proud for him as much Im proud of him hes shown his mettle by coming back into this boat, and after a really rocky first day, showing why he was defending Olympic champion. The couple spoke to their son via video call after his victory, when Scott said his son told him, Im relieved to see I didnt give you a heart attack. The wins at Japans Enoshima Yacht Harbour took Britains gold medal haul to 13. There was also a silver for Olympic debutants John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the mixed Nacra 17 class, who finished in fifth in the medal race to stay in second place behind Italians Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti. Burnets mother Louise Burnet, from Shandon, Gare Loch, in Argyll, and Bute, Scotland, said she was completely over the moon after the awesome result. Burnet told PA: We would never ever have dreamed of this happening. Im a very proud mum. And there was another medal in the pool as Harrogates Jack Laugher, 26, bagged the third Olympic medal of his diving career with bronze in the mens 3 metre springboard final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. By Chay Quinn Telstra Payphones Now Free to Use Australians will no longer need to carry around coins to use a public payphone after Telstra announced that they will now be available to use free-of-charge on Tuesday. People can now make standard national calls and SMS from Telstras 15,000 public payphones for free, but users will still be required to pay for international calls. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn said payphones were an iconic part of Australian history and have played a vital role in the last 18 months during emergency situations. Since mobiles became nearly universal, a lot of Australians might not give them much thought until theres a natural disaster. Until youre in vulnerable circumstances, homeless, or fleeing domestic violence, Penn said in a statement. Thats why I decided its time to make payphones free. Australians made 11 million calls through the payphones last year, and over 230,000 were to emergency services such as 000. Telstra expects to lose $5 million in revenue from this decision, but Penn said it wasnt a big deal. I know payphones are also a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Australiansthe homeless, the isolated, those escaping domestic violenceand often provide their only link to critical support services and those that care about them, he said. Salvation Armys Major Brendan Nottle called the decision a game-changer that could help Australians walk out of poverty and isolation. The reality is this piece of infrastructure is absolutely critical because a lot of Australians either dont have a mobile phone, lose it or the phones charger, or simply run out of credit, he said. A man uses a payphone in the aboriginal community of Peppimenarti, south-west of Darwin, Australia, on July 4, 2014. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) Telstra has previously introduced programs to allow free payphone usage, such as 600 fee-free payphones in remote indigenous communities and communities affected by bushfire disasters. Last year during the bushfires, I think we had something like three-and-a-half million calls across a two-month period from all of the payphones we made free in Queensland and New South Wales, Penn told ABC radio. Telstra maintains payphones for Australians under a 20-year contract with the Commonwealth government, which pays the telco giant $40 million a year for the service. Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher said Telstra has committed to not seeking any increase in funding, and they would closely monitor the impact of the decision. If this decision further improves accessibility to communications, it will be a positive step, Fletcher said. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington on April 30, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Tennessee Schools Violating Anti-CRT Law May Lose Millions in Funding Under New Rule Public school districts in Tennessee could lose millions of dollars of state funds and teachers could have their licenses suspended for teaching prohibited concepts related to critical race theory (CRT), according to a new rule proposed by Tennessee Department of Education. The proposed rule is meant to help schools navigate the upcoming 202122 academic year, in the wake of a new state law that bans certain concepts from K-12 education programs. A draft of the rule is posted on the education departments website for a 10-day public comment period, from Aug. 2 through Aug. 11. Under the new law signed by Gov. Bill Lee, teachers in Tennessee are prohibited from telling students that an individual is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive by virtue of their race or sex, or that anyone should feel discomfort or guilt because of their race or sex. The law also prohibits teaching denials to the nations founding ideals, such as all Americans are not created equal, or the rule of law does not exist. Although the law does not specifically mention critical race theory, it was designed to target key elements of the Marxism-rooted ideology. Proponents of the CRT interpret society through the lens of a perceived racial struggle between white and non-white people, and argue that white supremacy has been deeply embedded in laws and institutions of the United States from the beginning. If the new rule is approved, current Tennessee students, parents, and school employees will be able to file complaints within 30 days of the prohibited concepts being included or promoted in the classroom of their public school district or charter schools. Schools found guilty of knowingly violating the anti-CRT law, according to the new rule, would be stripped of 2 percent of its annual state funds or $1 million, whichever is less, on the first offense. The penalty will grow to 10 percent of state funding or $5 million by the fifth violation. Teachers who violate the law could have their teaching licenses suspended or revoked. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Lee emphasized that concepts of CRT are divisive and inappropriate to be taught in his state. Critical race theory is un-American, the Republican governor said. It fundamentally puts groups of people above the sanctity of the individual which is a founding principle of this nation. Its appropriate that we would not teach critical race theory in this state. Lee added that while its important to hear from the public regarding the new rule, the decision to ban CRT in schools is not going to change. We need to know what the public thinks about those guidelines but we need to be very clear: our legislature, the people spoke, and we will not be teaching critical race theory in Tennessee, Lee said. The Emotional Journey to a Good Death Facing the inevitable with the insight of those who have gone before can ease our way As I shut the door behind me, the noises of a full ward faded, giving way to the gentle sounds of a humidifier and an elderly woman who was struggling to breathe. Her eyes were closed, and an oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth. I glanced at the windowsill, where multiple cards were displayeda childs drawing peeking out of one. Flowers were on the bedside table, and a family photo was displayed nearby. This was a well-loved woman. I had witnessed her decline with each hospital visit, and it was obvious that the end was approaching. She knew it, too, and had requested to speak with me that day. When I sat gently on the bed, her eyes opened. Recognizing me, she gave a faint smile from underneath her mask. I reached for her hand and leaned forward so that we might hear each other. Her hand was frail in mine, and yet her grip was tight as I began to share with her the painful truth: She was dying and it was time to make some critical decisions. I answered her questions as clearly, honestly, and gently as possible. However, something about this particular momentperhaps her quiet strength in the face of death, or maybe the fact that she would be missed terribly by her family, as well as by memoved me unexpectedly. When I finally said, Im so sorry to have to tell you these things, I began to weep. To my surprise, my patient grabbed my other hand and squeezed even tighter. Its OK, she said as she comforted me. I am going to have a good death. Please prepare my family. I am ready. As I left her room, the statement, I am going to have a good death, became lodged in my mind. In the days and weeks that followed, I couldnt shake it. Sinking into my subconscious, the phrase sometimes woke me in the night, prompting me to wonder: What does it mean to have a good death? In my 30 years of medical practicein state-of-the-art hospitals in the United States and in more nascent clinics in RwandaI have had countless journeys of walking with the dying and those who love them. My life hasnt been spared from more personal journeys of grieving. I thought about how so many people struggle mightily against our inevitable destiny, seeing nothing good in it. Others face death willingly, almost eagerly, as though theyre arriving at a long-sought destination or getting a chance at last to become the self they knew they were meant to be. Heres something I know as a doctor: Persistent pain is always a signal that deeper investigation is warranted. Maybe a question that wont go away is meant to serve the same purpose. Perhaps, if I could search more deeply, I could become a better journeyer for myself, my family, my friends, and my patients. I discovered many ingredients that make the emotional journey to a good death seem possible. However, I want to clarify that good is a relative term. Dying and death are never easy, and a good death may only be felt as better when compared to those who are entirely unprepared. However, isnt better preferable to worse? Through this time of reflection and study, I began to formulate three important questions one must ask themselves on their journey to a good death. Am I truly living my moments? Am I truly breathing my purpose? Am I confident of my destination? Begin living with the end in mind and youll start your journey to your good death. Since my bedside encounter with my patient who declared her good death and then lived it, Ive focused on learning from the dying, learning from their grieving companions, and learning from those who write on dying. This was the beginning of my emotional journey to a good death. My children were convinced that Id been given a terminal diagnosis and just wasnt telling them. It led to opportunities for deep conversations about those three important questions. As I shared with my children, I now share with you. Please read this carefully and thoughtfully: Whether young or old, in good health or ill, youre dying! From the moment we take our first wobbly toddler steps and sadly, even before, we all have a death date on our calendars. We dont know this date; we dont think about itits not even in our reminders. Therefore, the first step on an emotional journey to a good death begins with this awareness. As death became a companion of sorts, I had never felt more alive. Mark Twain said it best: The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. Begin your emotional journey today if you havent already started. If youve already entered the emotional journey of dying, you may not be able to imagine an ending thats goodor even better than terrible. However, I can offer you hope. The road that youre on has been well-traveled and fortunately, well studied, by experts in every field of compassionate care. You dont walk alone, though you may have felt alone even when surrounded by loved ones. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross wrote her landmark work, On Death and Dying, in 1969. Through an experiential study of dying patients, she described five stages that may occur during the dying process: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance were variably expressed as mechanisms to process losses associated with dying. Other models exist, describing the grieving process that may occur on the journey of dying. Psychologist William Worden describes four tasks of mourning. He describes tasks that the dying must complete in order to finish their journey of bereavement. They are: accepting the reality of loss; experiencing the pain of grief; adjusting to the environment (re-engaging with normal life activities in the new normal of dying); and re-directing emotional energy. Those tasks are shared by the dying and those who love them. Living and dying are uniquely singular in experience. Once one has received a terminal diagnosis, the emotional stages of dying arent linear, but more often fragmented, cyclical, and as unique to the dying process as the DNA of the one dying. Understanding this will help you and those who love you provide the guiltless freedom of not accepting today what you had previously accepted or allowing what you hadnt previously allowed. It gives you the courage to speak your fears and transit through them with quiet strength. The end of the journey toward a good death should be spent loving, forgiving, laughing, weeping, remembering, and delighting. Sometimes you must tend to the mundane, but spend less time on practical matters. Its difficult to be dying hour after hour. Fears can and should be openly expressed, and tears will flow from time to time. Its important that the dying know that their physical needs will be met to limit suffering. Entering the world of hospice isnt a failure of care, its caring fully without fail. Doulas are most often known for their presence with families as a child is born. However, death doulas or death mid-wives have been a powerful addition to meet the needs of the dying and their families. Finally, those dying need to feel that theyre loved; that though there will be sadness, their loved ones will be OK one day; and that their life had meaning and therefore theyll be remembered. Live your moments. Breathe your purpose. Know your destination. Journey well, my fellow traveler. Dr. Pamela Prince Pyle has practiced hospital-based medicine in the U.S. since 1992 and on mission since 2009 with Africa New Life Ministries in Rwanda. Shes the author of A Good Death: Learning to Live Like You Were Dying. The Everett Railroad Brings Back the Magic of the Steam Engine Commentary HOLLIDAYSBURG, PennsylvaniaIf you were the president of a railroad 100 years ago, you were kind of a big deal. Yet when Alan Maples became president of the Everett Railroad Company in 1983, a purchase that made him the youngest person in the history of the industry to hold that title, the Alabama native knew full well he would not wield the prominence, power, and influence the title once held. Maples shrugs, smiles, and admits that a few people, including his parents, thought he was a bit daft when he said his career goal was to run a railroadat the very time the industry was on its knees. In fairness, lots of children want to run railroads when they first catch sight of a train chugging along the highway and hear the long-long-short-long rhythm of the whistle in the distance. I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, Maples said. There was a railroad track a few blocks from our house, and I had a model train as a kid. Now, my brother grew up in the same house, and he could care less about trains, so I dont know what the magic is, but its something Ive loved all my life. At 21, with some help from his parents and the college fund they had saved for him that he never used, he bought the Everett Railroad, which is not something that someone who isnt a robber baron traditionally does. Well, it was during a recession, he explained. The owners of the railroad wanted to get rid of it; it wasnt worth a lot at the time. I did not go to college, and my parents had set some money aside for my college education. They also said, If you go broke, dont come back; there is no more money, explained Maples, who splits his time between here and Scottsboro, Alabama. To everyones surprise, from the town to his parents to the manufacturing industries he serves in the area to the families and rail fans who discovered his steam-engine-powered excursion railroad line, Maples has been more than relatively successful. We are a working railroad serving industries around the area; we also run these excursion trains during the summer and then in the fall and the Christmas time as well, he said, pointing to the meticulously and carefully restored passenger trains in the rail yard behind his office. The company was originally incorporated in 1954 in its namesake town of Everett, 33 miles south of here. By 1982, it had been essentially abandoned and then sold and moved here to Blair County. Yet by 1984, Maples was able to make the first run under his ownership, delivering a load of bauxite ore. Since then, it has been a carrier-freight railroad in the Interstate 99 corridor of Blair County, which includes the communities of Altoona, Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Claysburg, and Hollidaysburg. We have our ups and downs, he said. We really miss the days when newspaper was printed on newsprint, because that was a good business for the railroad, hauling newsprint. Newsprint isnt made much anymore, which means its not there to haul anymore. Maples said he just lost a big customer this winter when the Appvion Paper Mill, which had been at its nearby Roaring Spring operation since 1866, closed, costing 300 people their jobs. The closure hit Maples hard: That was our biggest freight customer. So, thats put a world of hurt on us right now. But theres good news: We didnt run the passenger train last year because of the pandemic, and now, were able to restart the passenger train. So, thats helping pick up some of the slack from the loss of the paper mill. Maples says that type of freight delivery is the kind of business he relies on. It also demonstrates why railroads were the lifeblood of small towns for generations. The fates of towns, he said, were pretty much determined by whether a railroad placed a station nearby. Pass a town by, and its just another dot on a map; place a station there, and the opportunities were boundless. His restorations of those passenger lines are a perfect immersion into a glamorous way to travel thats long gone, one that once upon a time could take a person from one small town to another, to the big city or even across the entire country. Railroads originally began as a way of transporting commodities such as farm goods, coal, and timber to market; almost immediately, they facilitated the regions agriculture- and manufacturing-based economy. They were reliable; they could function in any type of climate. And because of them, industries of all types, and towns and cities of all sizes, grew up around them. When the railroad industry began in Pennsylvania in 1860, there were initially 2,000 miles of track, but by 1920, there were more than 11,500 miles. Railroads were also Americas first big business. At the industrys peak in the 1920s, railroad companies owned large amounts of real estate and equipment and employed more than 1.7 million people nationwide. Then, along came the new cars and trucks and airplanes, as well as barges and pipelines, all of which took away a lot of the transportation of goods from the railroad companies. And all of those small towns or industries that had benefited from the new markets and availability of new resources had to scramble to figure out how to access the people and products the trains had opened to them. Maples facility is one of the oldest railroad properties in Pennsylvania. Everett Railroad president Alan Maples. (Shannon Venditti) When they were opening up the routes to the West, before railroad technology was fully developed, they had canals, he explained. And the canal was built from the Susquehanna River to Hollidaysburg, and then from Johnstown over to Pittsburgh. In between, you had the mountains. So, they had a horse-drawn, very primitive railroad that came right through here to take cargo from the two sides of the canal and go up over the inclines on the mountains, he said. That was 1834, meaning for nearly 200 years, this spot has been in continuous use for transportation purposes. The magic of the visit, though, is in the restored rail cars and engines that Maples uses for the excursion rides. For anyone who has wondered what it feels like to ride a train the way your grandparents or great-grandparents did, this is a shrine to that era. Take the 27-mile round trip between Hollidaysburg and Martinsburg on No. 11. Traveling through the breathtaking Morrisons Cove, including a stop for ice cream at the Roaring Spring depot, will leave you with a sense that all is right with the world, at least for a few hours. There are several other excursions available as well, all the way up to Christmas. There is really nothing like seeing a child or a grandparents face light up when they see the steam of the engine as it pulls up to the train station; whether it is the childs first time or the grandparent remembers a time from their own childhood, they know magic will happen when they stop on that train, Maples explained. You cant capture the joy and wonder of anticipation in a bottle, but we sure come close to it here at the railroad. Salena Zito has held a long, successful career as a national political reporter. Since 1992, she has interviewed every U.S. president and vice president, as well as top leaders in Washington, D.C., including secretaries of state, speakers of the House and U.S. Central Command generals. Her passion, though, is interviewing thousands of people across the country. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through the lost art of shoe-leather journalism, having traveled along the back roads of 49 states. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Moment in 1986 When Critical Race Theory Ousted the Civil Rights Movement Critical race theory isnt so much a thing as a way of looking at a thing, Kimberle Crenshaw assured MSNBC host Joy Reid last month. Crenshaw is a law professor at UCLA who, as a law student at Harvard, was one of the founders of critical race theory in the 1980s. The cable news segmentheadlined The GOPs Fact-Free Freakout Over Critical Race Theoryportrayed CRT as unobjectionable: Its a way of looking at race, Crenshaw said, smiling. Its a way of looking at why, after so many decadescenturies, actuallysince the emancipation, we have patterns of inequality that are enduring. Crenshaws benign description has been adopted by many news outlets. They portray critical race theory as a rarefied tool used almost exclusively by law school professors, a scholarly framework that describes how race, class, gender, and sexuality organize American life. The claim that CRT is rarely taught outside the upper reaches of the academy is belied by numerous examples of its influence, including Californias Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, a nearly 900-page teaching guide for K-12 educators adopted in March, which refers to CRT throughout. It says teachers and administrators should familiarize themselves with current scholarly research around ethnic studies instruction, notably critical race theory. Critical race theory also informs The New York Times 1619 Project, which aims to reframe the countrys history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the United States national narrative. It is now taught in thousands of public school classrooms across the country. The modesty of Crenshaws claims also fails to square with the combative account of the origins of CRT presented in the 1995 book Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement, a textbook edited by Crenshaw and fellow radical academics Neil Gotanda, Gary Peller, and Kendall Thomas. In a foreword, the scholar and activist Cornel West declares that CRT is not just an academic approach but a politically committed movement. The radical intent of this activist ideology is apparent in its rejection of traditional civil rights discourse, promoting race-consciousness over yesteryears ideals of integration, assimilation and color-blindness. Given the chance, the key proponents of critical race theory turned on their baffled white allies, publicly accusing their fellow progressives of racist recidivism. That confrontation, at an obscure academic conference over 30 years ago, did much to shape todays angry racial politics. The 1995 book explains that CRT grew out of Critical Legal Studies, the organizing hub for a huge burst of left legal scholarly production in the late 70s. At first the critical race theory advocates were part of the crits, as the CLS crowd was known. The race-crits (as the CRT advocates of color labeled themselves) participated in Critical Legal Studies conferences, where they traded countercultural strategies. Both groups shared the view that law schools were an influential site for indoctrination. The race crits in particular saw them as ideal for building and promoting a theoretical vocabulary for the practice of progressive racial politics in contemporary America, according to Crenshaw and her fellow editors of the Critical Race Theory reader. What did she mean by progressive racial politics? For starters, it meant rejecting the liberal legalist tradition that viewed law as an apolitical mediator of racial conflict. They believed that the traditional civil rights vision was exhausted. The race-crits shared with the crits the view that the law is just power politics draped in robes. But the factions split over whether society was constructed on class or on race. The original crits thought of race as an expression of class, not as a distinct category. Such claims were a fundamental attack on the very possibility of our project, Crenshaw and her co-authors wrote. The critical race theory project was to make color-consciousness, as opposed to color-blindness, central to any discussion of race and the law. The crits would soon learn that the critical race theorists took seriously their call for race-consciousness, and not just with regard to the Supreme Court. The race-crits viewed their erstwhile allies as just another group to be judged by the color of their skinwhich, for most radical left-wing intellectuals at prestigious law schools, happened to be white. At its inception in the late 70s, Critical Legal Studies was basically a white and largely male academic organization, according to Crenshaw. She described the crits as a predominantly white left. The race-crits insistence on seeing the world in black and white would soon lead the radicals to splinter. The break came at a conference crits held in 1986 at Pine Manor College in Massachusetts. The white leftists invited scholars of color to organize some sessions applying radical analysis to the topic of race. The workshop proved to be less collegial than the crits had expected. They didnt realize that the race-crits saw them as a white institution. The crits were surprisedand not pleasantlyto find that the workshop had been designed to show that the Critical Legal Studies advocates were themselves racists. The race-crits began the seminar by confronting the crits with this question: What is it about the whiteness of CLS that discourages participation by people of color? Crenshaw, writing without irony, noted that the race-crits assault on CLS as a white institution drew a surprisingly defensive response. Was it really so surprising? The crits sputtered that they were allies rather than adversaries and that their collective energies were best saved for the common cause of tearing down traditional institutions. Crenshaw remarked bitingly that she revealed that the hip, cutting edge irreverence of CLS was a fragile facade. The race-crits demonstrated that the countercultural bravado of the crits could easily disintegrate into handwringing hysteria. One of the white intellectuals at that workshop was Gary Peller, who puts a positive face on the intervention. He tells RCI that it did highlight that white leftists had not thought in sophisticated ways about race. But hes not sure it was worth the anguish and handwringing. Peller says, Its not effective to confront and blame people. In the bitter aftermath, a few, including Peller, kept a foot in each camp. But as might have been expected, the crits and the race-crits had something of a falling out. Once they were largely freed of the stodgy views of the white radicals, the academics who practiced critical race theory developed an ideology that rejected the old-fashioned liberal goal of integration. They argued that integration meant the loss of African American identity and culture and likened assimilation to genocide. They embraced color-consciousness and black nationalism; they dismissed the old ideal of color-blindness as a sort of false-flag operation, calling it an ideological strategy by which the current [Supreme] Court obscures its active role in sustaining hierarchies of racial power. Kimberle Crenshaw is notable not only for her role in critical race theory, but also in developing the concept of intersectionality. She brought those trendy academic concepts together two years ago in a book titled Seeing Race Again: Countering Colorblindness Across the Disciplines. In it, she denounces the effort to see individuals as people with rights regardless of color, saying it just distracts from the inequalities, and injustices of existing social relations. In the world of CRT, colorblindness is neither appealing nor morally just. Instead, it is a conceit, a tool crafted to protect white preferences and privileges. Critical race theory is nothing if not ambitious. It questions the very foundations of the liberal order, according to CRT pioneer Richard Delgado. He writes that critical race theorists reject core tenets of classical liberalism including Enlightenment, rationalism, and neutral principles of constitutional law. Conservativesand, increasingly, a growing cadre of traditional liberalsrecoil from CRT, offended by the claim that racism is not only systemic but ineradicable. But the race-crits claim is more than just a reproach. It is a way of dismissing the traditional civil rights emphasis on eliminating bias and prejudice. That project was rooted in a belief that discrimination was something individuals did to other individuals. But the traditional civil rights emphasis on non-discrimination left an opening for whites to challenge affirmative action. The logic of the old definition of racism made it possible for disappointed white applicants for jobs or education to complain of reverse-racism. Among the key events that motivated critical race theory was the Supreme Courts Bakke decision in 1978, putting restrictions on affirmative action, and a fight with Harvard Law School over whether to reserve a number of teaching slots for black professors. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, recently defended schools and schoolboards against activist parents who she claimed were trying to stop teachers from teaching students accurate history. But critical race theory isnt about teaching history. It is an ideological movement, one that discourages integration, rejects color-blindness, and scoffs at the rule of law. For example, in a 2015 journal article, critical-race scholars and practitioners Maria Ledesma and Dolores Calderon celebrate CRT as a revolutionary project and encourage elementary schools to disparage color-blindness as dog whistle racism. Critical race theory came into its own by accusing friends and colleagues of racism. If thats how allies are treated, should it be any surprise that parents and lawmakers opposed to what they see as the radical indoctrination of children should find themselves accused of racism too? This article was written by Eric Felten for RealClearInvestigations. RealClearInvestigations Twitter Partners With AP, Reuters to Combat Misinformation Twitter announced Monday it will partner with The Associated Press and Reuters news agencies to combat alleged misinformation, although its not clear how it will be deployed. The San Francisco-based company, in a blog post, said the partnership with Reuters and AP will expand its efforts to identify and elevate credible information on Twitter. That will affect the social media websites trends section, explore tab, its search function, labels, and more, according to the company. Twitters blog post also said it will contextualize emerging conversations and try to anticipate conversations before they even begin. With the move, Twitter stated that one of its goals is proactively providing context on topics garnering widespread interest including those that could potentially generate misleading information. Rather than waiting until something goes viral, Twitter will contextualize developing discourse at pace with or in anticipation of the public conversation. Twitters move to target so-called misinformation is sure to draw criticism from some of its users. Conservatives have said that Big Tech and social media firms have unfairly targeted prominent users for posting content that is deemed politically sensitive or highlights a certain candidate or politician in a negative light. Toward the end of the 2020 election cycle, a bombshell report from the New York Post Hunter Bidens overseas business dealings and the content of his laptop was blocked by the social media company, although CEO Jack Dorsey later wrote that it was handled incorrectly. The NY Post, meanwhile, was locked out of its account for several days, leading to calls for censorship. And reports that included speculation about whether an initial COVID-19 outbreak originated from a top-security laboratory in Wuhan, China, were also suppressed by Facebook and Twitterwith Facebook even blocking and deleting such posts. Conservatives and Chinese human rights activists then accused social media companies of covering up for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has categorically denied that the virus leaked from the Wuhan facility. Later, though, some U.S. officials including President Joe Biden acknowledged that the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis is credible. Biden earlier this year announced that the 17-agency U.S. Intelligence Community would deliver a report on the viruss origins within several months. Former President Donald Trump last month announced a class-action lawsuit against Twitter, Facebook, and Google-owned YouTube, accusing the companies of denying his rights to free speech. Twitter, Facebook, and Google announced in January that they had suspended Trump over his claims that the Nov. 3 election was stolen and also alleged that he contributed to the Jan. 6 violence. Tyson Foods to Require COVID-19 Vaccines for All American Workers Meat processing giant Tyson Foods said it would require COVID-19 vaccines for all its 120,000 U.S. workers, aiming for total vaccination by Nov. 1. Tyson Chief Executive Donnie King said that the effort is the best way to protect the health of the companys workforce amid new strains of COVID-19. We did not take this decision lightly, he said in a memo obtained by The Epoch Times. We have spent months encouraging our team members to get vaccinatedtoday, under half of our team members are. The company had to take this step because nothing is more important than our team members health and safety, and we thank them for the work they do, every day, to help us feed this country, and our world, King added. The Arkansas-based firm said it would also offer $200 to fully vaccinated team members who work on the frontline. With the announcement, Tyson is perhaps the largest U.S. food company to mandate COVID-19 shots for its workers. Employees who are seeking religious or medical accommodation wont have to get vaccinated, the company said in a news release. The move comes as some of the largest companies have tightened mask and vaccination policies as COVID-19 case numbers rise around the country, according to federal health data. Google, Facebook, and Walmarts corporate offices have mandated vaccinations. Throughout the early stages of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, some meatpacking firms were hard-hit as thousands of workers contracted the virus. Around 130 workers who belonged to the United Food and Commercial Workers union died after contracting the virus as of July 30, the union said. Tyson Foods at one point was forced to shut down some of its meat plants early in the pandemic due to COVID-19 outbreaks. The outbreaks at Tysons plants and other meat processing companies plants placed a strain on the U.S. meat supply early on in the pandemic. As of July 30, at least 132 meatpacking workers who belonged to the United Food and Commercial Workers have died after contracting COVID-19, according to the union. In recent days, some elected officials and mainstream media pundits have increasingly called on businesses to mandate vaccine passport-type systems for customersnot just employees. On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, during a morning press conference, said that private businesses, bars, restaurants: go to a vaccine-only admission. I believe its in your business interest to run a vaccine-only establishment. The Epoch Times has contacted the United Food and Commercial Workers union for comment. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. A message to self-isolate, with one day of required isolation remaining, is displayed on the NHS contact tracing app on a mobile phone, in London on July 15, 2021. (Yui Mok/PA) UK Dials Down COVID-19 App to Ease Self-Isolation Chaos Under pressure from businesses and unions, the UK government has dialled down its COVID-19 app in order to ease the labour shortage that has resulted from large numbers of workers having to self-isolate. As a result of a government review, the app will now instruct fewer people to self-isolate following contact with a person who has tested positive for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. While the app would previously instruct close contacts five days prior to a positive test to self-isolate, it will now look back at contacts only two days prior to a positive test. In a statement, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: We want to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause for people and businesses, while ensuring were protecting those most at risk from this virus. This update to the app will help ensure that we are striking the right balance. He stressed that it is still important for people to isolate when asked to do so in order to curb the spread of the virus. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the update does not impact the sensitivity of the app, or change the risk threshold, and will result in the same number of high-risk contacts being advised to self-isolate. It insisted that the app continues to play a crucial role in breaking chains of transmission, preventing hospitalisations, and saving lives. The government cited new analysis from leading scientists as showing that, in the first three weeks of July, the app averted up to 2,000 cases per day and prevented 1,600 hospitalisations, assuming 60 percent compliance with instructions to self-isolate. Though most lockdown restrictions have been lifted, the self-quarantine rules will remain in place until Aug. 16. During the week to July 21, the app sent out almost 700,000 alerts in England and Wales, a record since it was launched. Businesses have been under strain as a large number of their workers are pinged by the NHS app and have to self-isolate. Downing Street said last month there were no plans to tweak the app, but it has now been forced to shift its position to bring the pingdemic under control. Labours shadow health minister Liz Kendall slammed the governments U-turn. This is yet another COVID U-turn from ministers at a time when the public need clarity and certaintynot chaos and mixed messages. Its shambolic and they must get a grip, she said. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the change. It said up to 1,000 pubs have been forced to close temporarily due to large numbers of staff being pinged. Trade union Unite said the change does not go far enough, and repeated its call for the automotive and steel sectors to be exempt from self-isolation rules. Steve Turner, the unions assistant general secretary for manufacturing, said, The costs are horrific to workers and industry alike and there are real concerns that work will move overseas or even that steel furnaces could be damaged, which would be devastating for this industry. PA contributed to this report. UKs Johnson Meets With Belarusian Opposition Leader British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday met with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Downing Street, promising support to the exiled leader. Tsikhanouskaya fled Belarus for Lithuania last year after losing a presidential election which Western governments say was rigged. We are very much on your side, very much in support of what you are doing, Johnson told Tsikhanouskaya. We are committed to supporting human rights and civil society in Belarus. Johnson said the UK strongly supports Tsikhanouskaya and the Belarusian people, being one of the first countries to impose sanctions after the regime detained opposition journalist Roman Protasevich. Tsikhanouskaya said it was very important to understand that one of the most powerful countries in the world are [sic] supporting Belarus. When asked if she expects concrete support from the UK, Tsikhanouskaya told reporters outside Downing Street: I am sure. Ahead of Tsikhanouskayas visit to Downing Street, Belarusians living in the UK and human rights campaigners demonstrated outside the Foreign Office in Westminster to support the opposition leader. Ken McBain, a UK representative of the human rights organization Libereco, said the demonstration was about highlighting whats happening in Belarus in the last two days. Theres been a lot going on with the Olympics and then with a Belarusian activist in Kyivmurdered it looks [like], he said. Were trying to show the British government that more needs to be done. We cannot leave Lukashenko to do what he is doing to the country. Western countries have slapped several rounds of sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, other officials, and industries after the election and after Lukashenko intercepted the flight on which Protasevich was on board. Seemingly emboldened by support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian authorities have ramped up the crackdown on journalists and oppositions and flew in migrants to overwhelm its border with neighboring Lithuania. The focus on Belarus has heightened again this week after its Olympic team allegedly tried to forcibly remove sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya from Japan on Sunday, and after exiled activist Vitaly Shishov was found hanged near his home in Ukraine on Tuesday. PA contributed to this report. Students walk on campus at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 3, 2020. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) University of South Carolina Drops Mask Mandate After AG Says It Violates State Order University of South Carolina (USC) has canceled its plan to enforce face coverings on campus for the upcoming fall semester, after the states attorney general warned that it would go against the intent of state legislation. The USC, whose campus in Columbia serves more than 35,000 students, on July 30 announced that everyone must wear masks at all times inside all campus buildings, regardless of their vaccination status, except in private offices, residence hall rooms, or while eating in campus dining halls. In a statement released Tuesday, USC Interim President Harris Pastides walked back from the previous plan, saying that masks will only be required in the universitys health care buildings and on campus buses. I deeply respect all persons rights to make their own choices, and I respect our federal and state governments roles in guiding our university, Pastides wrote, adding that the school continues to strongly encourage wearing masks indoors. The reversal of policy comes after South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sent a letter to the USC administrators, in which he pointed to a recently passed budget amendment and said that the university could risk losing state funding for imposing a mask mandate. A public institution of higher learning, including a technical college, may not use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students have received the COVID-19 vaccination in order to be present at the institutions facilities without being required to wear a facemask, the amendment reads. Wilson said although the proviso is not well-worded, it was clear the legislators intent was to stop the required wearing of masks. It is our understanding that the [amendment], while inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks, as reflected in its use of the language without being required to wear a face mask,' Wilson wrote in the letter. It is important that the university, not only abide by the [amendment], but that it protect the constitutional liberty of students, faculty and staff. South Carolina legislators are expected to fix the wording when they meet next month. They have also passed a budget amendment that prohibits any public school district from imposing a mask requirement in any school building. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said kids cant learn while wearing face masks in the classroom. Were going to let the parents decide, but there is no confusion among the parents, the Republican governor said. We have seen what happens when these children are subjected to requiring masks so they cant perform, they cant learn. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Belle Isle in Detroit, Mich., on June 22, 2021. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP) US Michigan Reps.: Why Did DOJ Halt Probe of Whitmer, Nursing Home Deaths? Three Michigan U.S. Representatives asked the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Monday to open an inquiry into why the department dropped the investigation of CCP virus-related nursing home deaths in the state. The DOJ started an investigation in 2020, looking into whether nursing home deaths in Michigan resulted from Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmers policies, but on July 22, 2021, the department said it would end the probe. Families all across the state are demanding answers for why their loved ones were locked in facilities with COVID carrying individuals, read the letter (pdf) signed by Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.). For that reason, we are requesting that you open a formal inquiry into why the Department of Justice will not conduct an investigation into Governor Whitmers decision to place COVID-19 infected patients in long-term care facilities. The Reps. letter cited that 5,681 people died in the states long-term care facilities of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus as of July 21, 2021. Whitmer in a June 2020 interview said the nursing homes that took COVID positive patients were well prepared. So there hasnt been one nursing home that has taken a COVID-19 patient that they didnt think that they were prepared to care for, Whitmer told Michigans 7 Action News. Throughout the pandemic, our administration took swift action, following the best data and science from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Michiganders, including vulnerable residents in long-term care facilities, Whitmers spokesman, Bobby Leddy said in July 2021. I want to be clear: at no point were nursing homes ever forced to take COVID-positive patients. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich., on March 5, 2020. (David Eggert/AP Photo) Meanwhile, the GOP Michigan Congress members say their constituents want answers from Whitmer about the nursing home deaths. Last year, it seemed that the Department of Justice was going to finally get answers, from Governor Whitmer for the people of Michigan. On July 22nd, 2021, that hope faded with the Departments decision, they wrote. The Michigan Congressional delegation wants the Inspector General to answer a list of questions including who within the DOJ made the call to end the probe, what data did Whitmer provide that exonerated her, and whether the White House was involved in the probe. Michigans Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a March letter that her office also would not conduct an investigation, because evidence shows no laws were violated. As an initial matter, I see no evidence in your letter or elsewhere to suggest that Governor Whitmers efforts to contain COVID-19 in Michigans nursing homes resulted in increased deaths, Nessel, a Democrat, wrote to GOP state Sen. Jim Runestad, who had asked for an investigation along with seven other Republican senators. I am aware that Gov. Whitmers office complied with the [Department of Justice] information request and have no reason to doubt the accuracy of that responsemuch less suspect intentional misrepresentations within that response. To be sure, I will not hesitate to investigate state officialsincluding the Governorwhen justified, Nessel added. After the DOJs decision to end the probe into Whitmer, Eric Ventimiglia, executive director for Michigan Rising Action criticized the decision. Governor Whitmer will not be able to escape accountability for her deadly nursing home scandal, and this partisan move by the DOJ is only prolonging the inevitable, said Ventimiglia. Whitmers office did not immediately respond to the request for comment. Mike Carey speaks at a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump after receiving his endorsement in Wellington, Ohio on June 26, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Voters Head to the Polls for Special US House Elections in Ohio Voters on Tuesday will cast ballots for two special House of Representatives elections in Ohio. One seat was left open by the resignation of former Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio). The other became vacant after the resignation of former Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio). Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Mike Carey in the race to replace Stivers. Carey is among the candidates vying to fill the seat representing Ohios 15th Congressional District, which was held by Stivers before he stepped down in May to become the president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Trump said in a video on Monday that Carey is going to do a fantastic job on Second Amendment, on the military, on our vetson every single element of what were doing, and really a big focus on crime. Carey, an Army National Guard veteran and former coal executive, is one of a dozen Republicans running for the seat, which is expected to stay in the GOP. Carey says hell focus on America first policies championed by Trump, such as lowering taxes, working on fair trade deals, and investing in the military, if hes elected. The race will test the power of Trumps endorsement. Ohio Rep. Jeff LaRe received the backing of Stivers. A Trump-backed candidate lost in a special election in Texas last month. However, a Trump-backed candidate won a special election for Louisianas 5th Congressional District earlier this year. LaRe says hell work on bolstering Americas borders, balancing its budget, and defending the Second Amendment if elected. The winner of Tuesdays primary will move onto the general election, which is slated for Nov. 2. Nina Turner, a candidate running in a special Democratic primary election for Ohios 11th Congressional District speaks with supporters near the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections before casting her vote in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 7, 2021. (Phil Long/AP Photo) The other special election primaries are for the seat representing Ohios 11th Congressional District. Fudge held the seat before stepping down to become President Joe Bidens secretary of housing and urban development in March. The seat is expected to remain controlled by Democrats, but 13 candidates are hoping to win the primary. They include former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner, who has received endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Shontel Brown, chairwoman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, who has garnered endorsements from former Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). The House is controlled at present by Democrats. They hold a 220-212 majority. The only other vacancy is in Floridas 20th Congressional District, where Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) died in April. Primaries for that seat will take place on Nov. 2. The general election is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2022. Yellen Details Extraordinary Measures to Raise Cash as Debt Ceiling Hits Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday announced a series of so-called extraordinary measures the department is taking to give the federal government more room to spend under a reimposed debt cap. Yellen detailed the emergency maneuverschiefly pausing investments in certain government employee pension fundsin an Aug. 2 letter to congressional leaders that came as a two-year suspension of the federal debt ceiling expired. The reimposed borrowing limit caps the federal debt at the current level of around $28.5 trillion, restricting the governments ability to raise additional funds by selling government securities. The reinstated ceiling has forced Yellen, like her predecessors in prior administrations, to resort to emergency measures to allow the Treasury to keep meeting federal debt obligations. Yellen said in the letter she was suspending investments in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund that are not immediately required to pay beneficiaries. She also said the extraordinary measures would involve suspending daily reinvestments in the federal retirement G-Fund, with all the emergency measures going into effect Monday. Federal retirees and employees will not be impacted by the moves and, once the debt ceiling is increased or suspended, all the affected funds will be made whole, Yellen said. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the emergency measures could claw back more than $340 billion in borrowing capacity under the newly reimposed debt cap, with the bulknearly $300 billionfrom suspending G-Fund reinvestment. CBO said these actions, combined with the Treasurys current cash balance of about $450 billion, would allow the government to avoid a payment default into October or November as a partisan fight unfolds over a new suspension or increase in the debt cap. Renewing her calls for lawmakers to expand the governments ability to borrow more money, Yellen said in her letter, I respectfully urge Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible. Yellen in June pleaded with congressional representatives at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing to raise the legal cap on how much the government can owe, warning that if they dont agree, there could be absolutely catastrophic economic consequences. Raising the debt ceiling would require buy-in from at least 10 Senate Republicans to overcome the filibuster. Some GOP senators have said its unlikely their caucus will back boosting the cap unless some spending reform measures are adopted. Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to the Biden administrations big-ticket spending proposals, with President Joe Bidens full budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 totaling around $6 trillion. A standoff on raising the debt ceiling in 2011 resulted in the first downgrade on a portion of the federal governments AAA-bond rating by rating company Standard & Poors. Gov. Ned Lamont joined three other Northeast governors in calling for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign Tuesday evening, hours after he told reporters he wanted a day to react to a report that found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. The scathing report by New York Attorney General Letitia James affirmed a pattern of sexual harassment allegations, which triggered an impeachment process in New York. Lamont, Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania released a 21-word statement shortly before 8 p.m.: We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office. That statement from the governors, all Democrats, as is Cuomo, followed a call from President Joe Biden for Cuomo to resign. Lamont had balked early Tuesday afternoon when asked by news reporters to react, shortly after James issued her report. Lamont and Cuomo first bonded as fishing buddies in a 2019 trip to Lake Ontario, then as close regional collaborators in the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking after a news conference welcoming a former Brooklyn, N.Y. manufacturer to Connecticut, Lamont said he had just heard about the James report found that Cuomo allegedly harassed at least eleven women in and out of government. I didnt know about that, Lamont told reporters, stressing that his office had just informed him of James report a few minutes earlier. During the worst of COVID he was a partner for the state of Connecticut as we worked through this. In terms of the other allegations and what they found, Ill let justice make its call, Lamont said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both of New York, have also called for Cuomo to resign, the Associated Press reported. All are Democrats. Earlier this year, Lamont said he would wait until the investigation into Cuomo was completed before he would offer an opinion on whether Cuomo should stay in office. If you could give me 24 hours just to see exactly what they found out. But I did say that. I think people deserve an investigation. Now there has been an investigation. There has been an investigation and I will report back to you, he said in those first remarks. Lamonts hesitancy led to sharp criticism from the Republican Governors Association, anticipating Lamonts re-election campaign in 2022. Ned Lamont's inability to stand up to serial abuser Andrew Cuomo despite damming [sic] evidence is a stark reminder that Lamont is unfit to lead the State of Connecticut, said RGA Spokesperson Chris Gustafson. Another 24 hours will not help the damage that Ned Lamont's silence has created, and voters will not forget who he stood with come next fall. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexicos court system is taking steps to ease financial upheaval as the state braces for a wave of foreclosures on delinquent mortgage loans and the state phases out a moratorium on commercial debt collection orders often tied to credit cards or health care. The Administrative Office of the Courts on Monday announced staggered deadlines for a return to debt collection orders that can be used to garnish wages or seize property to pay off commercial debts. Common forms of overdue credit are linked to credit card spending and medical expenses. Lindsay Cutler, an attorney on economic equity issues for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, said Tuesday that thousands of debt collection cases are likely on hold under the state moratorium protecting crucial federal pandemic relief efforts aimed at shoring household income and spending. Cutler said that money from standard and supplemental unemployment benefit payments will remain exempt from commercial debt collections though it's up to unemployment recipients to identify those funds as exempt. At the same time, the state judiciary said mortgage lenders won't be allowed to foreclose on properties without first providing homeowners with information about various ways to avoid foreclosure including forbearance agreements that reduce or suspend loan payments temporarily. Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil acknowledged that an increase is expected in foreclosure and consumer debt cases as pandemic protections begin to expire but he noted that the situation is unlikely to be overwhelming. We have reached a point in the COVID-19 pandemic where courts can normally process consumer debt cases and foreclosures in a fair and orderly manner, Vigil said in a statement. A statewide moratorium remains in effect on evictions indefinitely for people unable to pay their rent and a new nationwide moratorium on most evictions was issued on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is scheduled to last until Oct. 3. Over the weekend, the U.S. government lifted an order that prevented banks across the country from foreclosing on homes, potentially putting thousands of families at risk. An estimated 1.75 million homeowners about 3.5% of all homes have some sort of forbearance plan with their banks, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. It is unclear how many New Mexico homeowners are in forbearance. The scale of the potential problem is much less than it was during the Great Recession, when about 10 million homeowners lost their homes to foreclosure after the housing bubble burst in 2008. A limited number of U.S. single-family property owners still fall under a moratorium on evictions that has been extended through Sept. 30 by the Federal Housing Administration. Federal agencies will continue requiring mortgage servicers to give borrowers who can resume payments the option of moving missed payments to the end of their mortgages at no additional cost. For delinquent consumer debts, commercial lenders can begin filing in New Mexico's courts for collection orders gradually, starting on Sept. 1 for judgements that date back to 2016 or earlier. The moratorium fully expires on Feb. 1, 2022. Cutler said people with looming consumer debts should open court documents when they arrive in the mail to check for inaccurate claims to guard against predatory debt collections. Well, here we are, again. First in the world with COVID-19 infections. As of this writing, the U.S. has reported the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the world over the last seven days, according to the World Health Organization. The U.S. saw 500,332 new cases (a 131% increase) the week ending July 25 compared with the previous week, the WHO said, as reported in the New York Daily News. Currently, more than 612,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. I was hoping not to write about this again, after I did so in March 2020, but viruses dont much care what I want. The reason I am writing about it again now is that things are quite different. All precautions need to continue to be taken but this time we have an added responsibility. My background includes certification on H1N1 and coronavirus -2 by the World Health Organization, having attended training and completed online training modules. I learned about several viruses and how they are spread and how they can mutate. What is different today from last year is we have a vaccine to fight this scourge. Back then it was all about masks, hand sanitizers, and keeping social distance. We still need to do all that. We have an added responsibility with the Delta mutation of the virus because it is more contagious than the previous version. President Biden called this the pandemic of the unvaccinated and we have the responsibility to actively get our family and friends fully vaccinated. No brainer, right? It would seem so, however, the vaccine and masks became politicized during the fall 2020 election. Trump supporters said that wearing masks infringed on their freedom. Freedom to do what, I am not sure. When the vaccine initially became available, it was labeled a liberal conspiracy to inject microchips into everyone so they could be monitored. Want to know how youre already being monitored? Look at your hand and youll find either an Apple iPhone or an Android. So much for microchips following you around. In addition, although they wont admit it, some of those big, tough, MAGA guys are afraid of needles. Ive also heard the argument that people dont know whats in the vaccine. Ever eat a hot dog? Finally, people complain that the FDA has not fully certified the vaccine. Well, it was certified as an emergency prophylaxis while it is awaiting formal approval. According to Harvard Magazine, Dr. Janet Woodcock, the F.D.A.s acting commissioner, has said that the F.D.A. conducted a rigorous and thorough review of the vaccines before allowing them to be given to people and that the Pfizer vaccine meets F.D.A.s high standards for safety and effectiveness. She also said, Getting more of our population vaccinated is critical to moving forward and past this pandemic. Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight wrote: If you want to get mad at the public health agencies, get mad at them for not fully authorizing the vaccine yet, according to The New York Times reporting. The fact is that when the FDA formally approves the vaccines, local funding for the local response could be affected negatively, according to Amy Yeager, director of community health public information officer for the Madison County Health Department. What we have here are not just excuses, we have misinformation and disinformation. Disinformation is spreading misinformation maliciously. This new spike we are experiencing with the Delta variant is dangerous, not just because of the serious health risks to the non-vaccinated, but also because it can continue to spread and create yet another variant. In fact, it already exists. The Lambda variant is spreading in South American nations, and may already be in Miami, according to the Washington Post. Delta also is 55% more contagious than the previous version of the virus. Where do we go from here? Regarding the outlook for the future, Yeager said, Its up to the governors office to decide whether we are facing another stay-at-home order. Last years order was a rarity. But its always a tool thats there. I dont know what will happen. So, prepare for another possible lockdown and more mandated masks in public. Maintain your distance from one another. And, this time, dont hoard toilet paper. James M. Grandone is a long-time resident of Edwardsville. He holds a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois and is a former Coro Fellow. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs. He lives in the Leclaire neighborhood with his wife, Mary. EDWARDSVILLE Many hospitals and healthcare systems across the nation have announced mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees, but at this point, its difficult to estimate how many of those employees are already vaccinated. No federal or state agency currently collects information on the vaccination rate for healthcare workers, said Danny Chun, a spokesperson for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) office in Springfield. We talk to hospitals all the time and most of them are in the 60 to 80 percent range for their employees. It just depends on which hospital you talk to, and in which area of the state. Some hospitals have done very well and for some, its still a challenge. Chun noted that the IHA doesnt have definitive numbers on healthcare worker vaccination rates. What it does have is information from individual hospitals that choose to make their numbers public. The ones that are more public about it are the ones that are now mandating vaccinations, Chun said. That includes BJC HealthCare and SSM Health in the St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. In the Chicago area and other parts of Illinois, you have Loyola, the University of Chicago, OSF HealthCare, University of Illinois Health and Rush University Medical Center. More hospitals and healthcare systems are considering a vaccine mandate. It wont be long, though, before COVID vaccination rates for healthcare and hospital workers will be more readily available. On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final rules for several categories of healthcare providers and facilities requiring them to report on COVID-19 vaccination of their healthcare workers starting Oct. 1, 2021. It includes skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and inpatient psychiatric facilities. CMS is starting to implement this requirement for all the healthcare providers it regulates. The hospital final rule has not been issued yet, but Chun said CMS will probably have the same requirement for hospitals. He added that the data would probably not be publicly posted until early next year. Healthcare workers are human beings first, Chun said. They have the same concerns and questions as everybody else, and some of them have the same hesitancy (about taking the vaccine). Many people are still waiting for the FDA to give final full approval for the vaccines because right now its still emergency use authorization. More than 300 million doses have been given under emergency use authorization with very few side effects, he noted. Its been proven safe and effective and official studies have shown the vaccine is also effective against the Delta variant. Thats why the CDC, the IDPH and the IHA continue to strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated. Melaney Arnold, a public information officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), said the agency does its best to monitor vaccination rates among healthcare and hospital workers. Vaccination status is not required to be reported to IDPH by healthcare facilities or hospitals, so we do not have data, Arnold said. We are hearing about lower vaccination rates among healthcare workers at some long-term care facilities and in other congregate settings. We have strongly encouraged all healthcare workers to be vaccinated, as they often care for vulnerable patients who are at greater risk of severe illnesses, hospitalization or death due to COVID-19. We need our frontline healthcare workers to be vaccinated so they can help those who are not, and so our healthcare system is not overwhelmed. SSM Health, which has 11,000 providers and nearly 39,000 employees in four states, including Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, is among the organizations instituting mandatory COVID vaccination for its employees. Weve announced that were going to do it, but it hasnt gone into effect just yet, said Patrick Kampert, system manager for external communications for SSM Health in St. Louis. All of our leaders need to have their first dose by the end of July and all healthcare workers need to have their first dose by September 1. We work closely with the St. Louis Regional Pandemic Task Force, which has four hospital systems, including SSM Health, BJC, St. Lukes and Mercy. All of us have agreed to require our staff to be vaccinated. For SSM Health, the reasoning behind the decision to have mandatory COVID vaccination for employees is simple. It comes down to public health and safety, Kampert said. We want our staff to be safe, we want our patients to be safe and this is a way for us to take steps along that route. We expect full FDA approval of the vaccines in the near future, perhaps as early as August or September, he noted. Thats around the time when our requirement would come into place for our employees. BJC HealthCare, which is based out of St. Louis, has three hospitals in the Metro East Alton Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital Belleville and Memorial Hospital Shiloh. BJC employees will be required to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 15 in advance of the annual influenza and respiratory illness season, unless granted a medical or religious exception. As a healthcare provider, a major employer and a community leader, BJC wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our patients, our valued workforce and our communities safe, BJC President and CEO Rich Liekweg said in a statement. The available vaccines are among the most effective and safest ever developed. We are pleased that across our organization, we have reached a nearly 75 percent employee vaccination rate. We are now focused on ensuring the 25 percent of our employees who have not yet been vaccinated have access to factual information and can easily obtain the vaccine in advance of the fall respiratory illness season. Not all local hospitals or healthcare systems, though, are following the same route. Anderson Healthcares two hospitals, Anderson Hospital in Maryville and Community Hospital of Staunton, are not requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at this time, but vaccinations are strongly encouraged and easily available. We can confirm a majority of our staff has been vaccinated and we continue to encourage vaccination for those who may still be considering it, Natalie Head, marketing and public relations director for Anderson Hospital, said in a statement. We continue to closely monitor the situation, including all updates and guidance from the CDC, IDPH and the FDA. Head noted that Anderson Healthcare continues to offer a safe environment to both patients and staff through several levels of COVID mitigation including: Screening entrances (which include temperature checks and COVID screening questions). Mask requirements for staff and visitors. Visitor restrictions (available online at https://www.andersonhospital.org/). Universal precautions (Hospitals treat patients with a variety of infectious diseases on a daily basis. These patients are isolated and treated in appropriate spaces by trained staff using specialized equipment). Health officials stress that it will take a concerted effort by everyone, not just healthcare or hospital workers, to stem the current rise of COVID cases and to finally end the pandemic. Were urging people to follow CDC guidance on masking, Chun said. In indoor areas, even if you are vaccinated, you should still wear a mask. The Delta variant is very serious, and we need to take every action we can to stop its spread. Salida, CO (81201) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Elizabethtown, KY (42701) Today Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com. The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Man arrested for stealing food PHUKET: A 37-year-old man has been arrested for stealing food and other essential household items from the baskets on motorbikes parked in front of convenience stores as he had no money to buy anything. crimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 3 August 2021, 12:18PM The man, named by police only as Mr Woraphat, was arrested at a house in Saphan Hin, on the outskirts of Phuket Town, yesterday (Aug 2), confirmed Maj Chatchai Chunoo of the Wichit Police. The arrest came after a victim filed a complaint to police on July 27 about items being stolen, Maj Chatchai said. Police checked CCTV footage available and saw the thief using a white Honda MSX without license plate to flee the scene. Officers tracked the motorbike to a house in Soi 5 Saphan Hin, in Moo 1, Wichit, where they arrested Mr Woraphat, Maj Chatchai explained. Mr Woraphat confessed that he had conducted similar thefts some four times previously, saying he did not have any money for living and to support his family. If I stole fresh items like meats or vegetables for cooking, I would cook them for my family, he said. I normally collect abandoned and discarded items and sell them to make a living, he added. Mr Woraphat was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with committing theft by using a vehicle to flee, Maj Chatchai confirmed. Maj Chatchai noted that Mr Woraphat had been previously arrested for involvement with drugs in 2019 and was released last year. On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Rain showers this evening with numerous thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with numerous thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Roanoke, AL (36274) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. @rachelravina on Twitter Rachel Ravina is a journalist covering news and lifestyle features in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Blue Bell and graduated from Penn State. She's also a news enthusiast who is passionate about covering topics people want to read. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Salem, MO (65560) Today Isolated thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Salem, MO (65560) Today Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Partly cloudy skies. High 89F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 89F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. The emerald ash borer (EAB) has spread to parts of five provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba) and has killed millions of ash trees across North America. Sometimes hearts rather than policies need to be changed. A good case in point is how we as a society address homelessness. Mark Kessler, an owner of Recycled Records in Springfield, has said he and his brother, Gary, are selling their business in part because panhandlers are driving potential customers away from their store. Lets say you are a 60-year-old woman, if a panhandler comes up to your car, you may be too frightened to get out and shop, he said. Kessler said he would like to see the Springfield police roust panhandlers out from the area near his shop. Why do people panhandle? Because they are too lazy to work, he said. You cant convince me, that with as many job openings that there are now that these people cant find a job if they want one. During the decades Ive been a journalist, Ive spent a lot of time talking to homeless folks. At one point in 1988, I went and lived on the streets with them just so I could share with readers the challenges they face. My observation: Many end up panhandling to feed an addiction. Also, because of addiction or mental illnesses, some have become unemployable and use panhandling to survive. Now, please note the homeless folks Im talking about arent the ones sleeping on the sofas of friends or residing in a temporary shelter because of a missed rent check. Im talking about those sleeping on sidewalks. Its important to remember that not all homeless people panhandle. And not all panhandlers are homeless. But there is a pretty big overlap between the two. Interestingly enough there is a business a little over a block from Kesslers record store that is taking a radically different approach. Cafe Moxo is showing the downtrodden hospitality. I believe in the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated, said Brandon Hughes, who manages the Springfield restaurant. On many mornings, the cafe is full of business people, politicians, lobbyists and community power brokers eating breakfast, sipping coffee and opining on the problems of the world. And often sitting among them is an older woman talking to herself. She always has a hot cup of coffee and warm meal in front of her. She pays us when she can. When she cant, we make sure she has something to eat, Hughes said. This approach of radical hospitality reflects the philosophy of the restaurants owner, Mark Forinash. During the pandemic, the restaurant partnered with Springfield businesses and gave away thousands of sack lunches to those in need. At the end of the day, we are all people and we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, Hughes said. And there is the rub. In the American caste system, the homeless have become our untouchables. They are the ones many folks want out of sight and out of mind. Ive fallen into that trap myself. Last winter, I was in the Springfield public library researching used car prices. (Im too cheap to buy a Kelly Blue Book.) A man wearing a bathrobe kept coming over to the reference desk and asking questions while I stood there. The reference librarian was patient and humane. But I became a bit annoyed and thought: Why is he getting more attention from this librarian than me? As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I knew I needed to check my middle-class privilege at the door. After all, I dont have any more right to use a public amenity whether its a public library, a sidewalk or a street than the fellow wandering about the bookshelves in his bathrobe. And, hey, Ive devoted my life to free speech and free expression. Every week I get letters from those who like what I write and those who dont. If all speech were popular, it wouldnt need to be protected. So, if someone wants to use a public sidewalk to ask for money, who am I to say they cant? Or for that matter what standing does a local government have to prohibit such a thing? After all, panhandlers have the same First Amendment rights as anyone else in society. We shouldnt punish someone for being homeless. That said, the New York Times reported Monday that the nations most populous city has undertaken an aggressive campaign to push homeless people off the streets of Manhattan so tourists will feel more welcome. In other cities, including Springfield, city officials have pondered doing something similar. But here is a better approach: kindness. Ive noticed that Cafe Moxo is changing customers attitudes. Its not uncommon for a business person or other professional to buy a meal for a needy person they see on the street. When approached by a panhandler, Ill say, I wont give you money. But I will buy you a meal. Is that response always embraced? No. But kindness never hurts. And when I do buy someone a meal, where do I go? I go to Cafe Moxo. After all, why not help a business that is helping others? Scott Reeder is a veteran journalist who can be contacted at Scottreeder1965@gmail.com. EDWARDSVILLE A Caseyville man faces multiple felony charges after an accident resulting in an injury and weapons violations in Pontoon Beach. Brendan L. Day, 23, of Caseyville, was charged Monday, Aug. 2, with failure to report an accident involving a personal injury or death, a Class 2 felony; unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony; and reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. According to court documents, on July 25 Day allegedly was involved in a motor vehicle accident near Doits Village Inn, 4015 Pontoon Road, in which another person was injured, and he failed to report the accident in a timely manner. He also was allegedly found to be in possession of a handgun and fired a weapon in the parking lot of the restaurant when multiple people were present. Day has a 2016 Madison County conviction for mob action, making him ineligible to possess weapons. Bail was set at $250,000. Other felony charges filed Aug. 2 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Corey A. Powell, 37, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On July 31 Powell allegedly strangled a household or family member. Bail was set at $20,000. Jeremy R. Bailie, 46, of Cottage Hills, was charged with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On Aug. 1 Bailie allegedly punched and slapped a family or household member. Bailie has a 2019 Madison County conviction for unlawful restraint. Bail was set at $15,000. Alonna M. Haynes, 25, of Granite City, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On July 31 Haynes allegedly struck a Granite City police officer, fracturing one of the officers fingers; and kicked a second officer. Bail was set at $50,000. Henry L. Miller, 31, of Centerville, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony; unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony; and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On July 30 Miller allegedly grabbed a household or family member by the hair and arms and drug her to his vehicle, and detained her by forcing her into his vehicle and preventing her from leaving. Bail was set at $75,000. Michael H. Cervenka, 41, of Fenton, Missouri, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On July 31 Cervenka allegedly shoved a nurse at Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, causing her head to hit a wall. Bail was set at $15,000. Kevin M. Hoover, 29, of Granite City, was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Aug. 1 Hoover allegedly made a fist with his hand and pulled his arm back attempting to strike a Granite City police officer. Bail was set at $15,000. EDWARDSVILLE A Collinsville man convicted of murder in 2011 faces weapons and drug charges after a July 30 incident. Jevon E. Wilbourn, 26, of Collinsville, was charged with armed violence, a Class X felony; unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, an enhanced Class 2 felony; and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. According to court documents, on July 30 Wilbourn allegedly was found to be in possession of a Glock 19 handgun; and more than 30 grams of cannabis with intent to deliver. He has a 2011 St. Clair County conviction for second degree murder. The armed violence charge stems from the proximity of the weapon during a drug crime. Bail was set at $250,000. Other drug-related felony charges filed Aug. 2 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Sydney A.M. Parker, 25, of Caseyville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On Aug. 1 Parker allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $20,000. Paulina M. Suess-Wahala, 44, of Madison, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On July 30 Suess-Wahala allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. BERLIN (AP) With less than two months before Germany holds an election, the environmentalist Green party announced a 10-point plan Tuesday that puts the Paris climate accord's goal at the heart of its election program. Among the measures proposed is the creation of a dedicated Climate Ministry that would have the power to veto government decisions which don't comply with the 2015 Paris Agreement's target of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit). We need to set a course that would make 1.5 degrees possible, said Annalena Baerbock, the party's candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor in the Sept. 26 vote. Scientists say the goal will be hard to achieve without a wholesale change to the entire world economy, and even the less-ambitious target of limiting global warming to 2 degrees (3.6F) by the end of the century compared with pre-industrial times will be a challenge. Co-leader Robert Habeck acknowledged that the Green partys plan would be expensive. Somebody is going to have to pay for it, he said, adding that the Greens want the additional money needed to be raised through greater government borrowing that he said would spur economic growth. Other measures the party is proposing include a sharp expansion of renewable energy with a requirement that all new public buildings have solar roofs and a faster phase-out of fossil fuels, which would see Germany end the burning of coal and the sale of combustion engine vehicles by 2030. Among the most contentious issues for car-loving Germans is the introduction of a 130 kilometers per hour (80mph) speed limit on all highways, which experts estimate would save almost 2 million tons of carbon dioxide a year. Environmental organizations said the party's proposals were a step in the right direction. But Greenpeace said more drastic measures will be needed to really achieve the Paris goals. The Greens are trailing the center-right Union bloc in opinion polls, but last month's deadly floods have pushed climate change back up the political agenda. The party stands a strong chance of being part of the next governing coalition, even if it doesn't win the election. Merkel is not running for a fifth term. Her party has chosen Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, as its candidate to become the next chancellor. The country's current finance minister, Olaf Scholz, has the strongest personal approval ratings of the three main candidates in recent surveys. But his center-left Social Democrats are third-placed in the polls. ___ Follow AP's climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/Climate YouTube Even though summer is starting to come to a close, there are still some great things to do and see in Illinois. The Hearst Illinois digital team found these four videos that could give you some ideas on places to visit this month. MOSCOW (AP) A court in Moscow on Tuesday sentenced a close ally of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 1 1/2 years of parole-like restrictions in a controversial criminal case the government launched against opposition supporters after mass protests shook Russia this year. The court found Lyubov Sobol guilty of inciting people to violate coronavirus restrictions and for the next 18 months barred her from leaving her home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., attend mass events or travel outside Moscow and its outlying region. She was also ordered to check in with police three times a month, her lawyer Vladimir Voronin said. He added that because Sobol had already spent nearly six months under house arrest and other restrictions, the sentence will only remain in place for about a year. The case against Sobol and several other Navalny allies was launched shortly after nationwide protests over his arrest and jailing rocked Russia all across its 11 time zones on Jan. 23. Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putins most ardent political foe, was arrested a week before that upon returning from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin an accusation rejected by Russian officials. In February, Navalny was ordered to serve 2 years in prison for violating the terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that he dismissed as politically motivated. His arrest and jailing sparked a wave of mass protests that appeared to be a major challenge to the Kremlin. The authorities responded with mass arrests of demonstrators and the criminal prosecutions of Navalnys closest associates. Sobol and others were accused of inciting people to break coronavirus regulations by urging them to join the protests. The crackdown on Navalny's team didn't stop there. In June, the politicians Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which he launched 10 years ago and has published dozens of colorful and widely watched videos exposing the alleged corruption of senior government officials, was labeled an extremist group, along with the network of regional offices that Navalny had relied on to organize protests. The ruling not only barred the foundation and the offices from operating, but also prevents people associated with the groups from seeking public office and exposes them to lengthy prison terms. Last month, the authorities blocked some 50 websites run by Navalny's team or his supporters for allegedly disseminating propaganda of extremist groups and asked Twitter to take down Sobol's account. Sobol blasted the move as the Kremlin's hysteria ahead of the parliamentary election on Sept. 19 that is widely seen as an important part of Putins efforts to cement his rule before the 2024 presidential election. The 68-year-old Russian leader, who has been in power for more than two decades, pushed through constitutional changes last year that would potentially allow him to hold onto power until 2036. As the vote looms, opposition supporters, independent journalists and human rights activists in Russia face increased government pressure. Russian authorities have declared several independent media outlets and reporters foreign agents a label that implies additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations that could discredit the recipients and targeted prominent investigative journalists with raids. GLEN CARBON Scooters Coffee is now open on Illinois 159 in Glen Carbon. A client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the drive-thru coffeehouse is open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. The franchise was first established in Bellevue, Nebraska, is now available locally thanks to the good taste of Robert Bob Semptimphelter and his wife. They relocated to the Edwardsville area after 13 years in Omaha, and Semptimphelter and his business partner decided it was the right time to open a business. It was important for us to align ourselves with a company that shared our values, Stemptimphelter said. He ob immediately thought about a coffee shop his wife always had visited in Nebraska: Scooters Coffee. In 2020, Semptimphelter began working on the Scooters Coffee business plan and connected with the SBDC and Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May. Financing was secured and the process advanced quickly. Di Maggio May also assisted with finding employees to staff the coffee shop. After receiving a job description, the word was out. Later, not long after finding the perfect location, building began for the coffeehouse. Di Maggio May then reconnected with Semptimphelter to offer additional assistance from the SBDC. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a few delays in business development, it did not impact Semptimphelters dream of starting the franchise. This being my first business venture, the SBDC helped point me in the right direction, he said. We received guidance on our business plan as well as our financial projections. When it was time for us to start hiring, Jo Ann gave us recommendations on hiring procedures, and helped us get our job postings out locally. Semptimphelter said he was glad to know the resources and support available to him to help guide them during the business startup process. I can remember asking a specific question regarding SBA financing, and Jo Ann was extremely helpful in getting our question answered, he said. Di Maggio May said Semptimphelter was eager to listen to advice and use the resources offered. His goal of opening his own coffee shop is coming true and I couldnt be prouder, she said. I am happy to have been able to help and look forward to assisting along the way as Scooters Coffee grows. Semptimphelter thanked Walter D. Williams, EDFP, MBA, for helping connect him with Di Maggio May at the SBDC. Our goal is to own and operate as many Scooters units as we can handle, said Semptimphelter. We hope to provide a path for our employees to grow within our business, and create jobs for the communities in which we operate. We are excited to serve the communities that we will operate in and stick to our brand promise of Amazing People serving Amazing Drinks, Amazingly Fast. The Scooters Coffee website at scooterscoffee.com also has an app that allows guests to earn rewards. The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures and existing businesses headquartered in the Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph counties. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses. To learn about the SBDC, call 618- 650-2929. ALTON Conductor David Drillinger will return to the podium for the final week of the 131st season closing his 34th year with the Alton Municipal Band performing summer Concerts in the Park. Week 9 is themed So Long, Farewell with performances at Riverview Park Thursday at 8 p.m. and in Haskell Park Sunday at 7 p.m. Featured vocalist is Robyn Brandon, now in her 18th season performing with the Alton Municipal Band. She will perform Cole Porters Anything Goes, Jerome Kerns Cant Help Lovin Dat Man from the 1927 stage production of Show Boat arranged by David Drillinger, and Get Happy, a song composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Ted Koehler, arranged by Billy May and recorded by Ella Fitzgerald. Other music on the program are Americans We, Light Cavalry, Clarinet Candy, Our Director March, ENCORE!, Sweet Horn Rag, On the Mall, A Night in Tunisia, Gee, Officer Krupke, and Mambo Perro Loco (Crazy Dog Mambo). The band will pause to honor and remember those members who have passed with the traditional playing of the Old Scottish Melody (Auld Lang Syne) setting by Charles A. Wiley. Brandon studied music at Lewis and Clark Community College and while attending performed with the vocal ensemble Limited Edition and the Concert Choir, and as a vocalist in several musical variety shows. Brandon has performed with the Alton Little Theater, playing the role of Jenny in the theatres 1998 production of Shenandoah, and as a soloist in the 2004 musical theatre review Showcase: A Salute to Musicals. She has performed with the chorus on the stage of New York Citys Carnegie Hall in John Adams The Gospel According to the Other Mary. She currently sings with the Seasons of Life womens choir and is in her 9th year as an alto with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Brandon also has played the violin and been featured as a vocal soloist with the Alton Symphony Orchestra. The mother to four leads training and motivational fitness and Zumba classes; she is currently a general manager with Planet Fitness. The Dairy Bar Ice Cream Truck is returning to Haskell Park for the Sunday, Aug. 8 concert, featuring hand dipped premium quality ice cream available in a cup or waffle cone. The ice cream truck will arrive early on Sunday for families who want to bring children to the park to play before the concert. It will remain onsite for a while after the concert. Credit and debit cards are accepted. The Alton Youth Symphony will be on hand this week to help coordinate and lead the childrens parade around the park. Kids participating in the parade will get a coupon from McDonalds. AYS volunteers also will be looking for an emerging young leader with the courage to step up to the podium and take the baton to conduct the kiddie march. Selected youth conductors will get a coupon to the Dairy Bar and an official Alton Municipal Band ball cap. Concert dedications have been a tradition of the Alton Municipal Band and this Sunday, Aug. 8, the band will be dedicating its concert to Lt. Col. Melissa Vick Heyen for her 20 years of service in the Air Force. Sponsor and father-in-law David Heyen, chairman of the board of Lewis and Clark Community Colleges, wishes also to congratulate Heyen on her new Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. As we look back on the past months, we are weary of the ever-changing messaging about the pandemic and grateful to have pushed through and completed another concert season, said Julie McPike with the band. This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of all musician members most of whom are educators heading back to the classrooms soon. Our board members are to be commended for working tirelessly to ensure great performances and make decisions that keep everyone safe during these mask-wearing days, she said. We thank all our supporters, volunteers and patrons for supporting and attending concerts. We especially want to thank both conductors David Drillinger and Jennifer Shenberger for putting together another terrific concert season. McPike said Mayor David Goins attendance, leading a childrens march and stepping up to the podium was a wonderful show of support from the city. The band thanks Alton Park and Recreation Director Michael Haynes and his staff, as well as all of the organizations who stepped up to help coordinate the childrens parade. A special thank you is extended to Lewis and Clark Community College for providing rehearsal space and safekeeping the bands music library. The outdoor concerts date back to 1891 in Alton. People wishing to donate to the band may send a check to city hall payable to the Alton Municipal Band Special Fund or online at www.cityofaltonil.com. The Friends of Alton Municipal Band group on Facebook offers updates on the group and its performances. Scranton, PA (18503) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Shirley P. McNeil, age 85, of Corbin, KY, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at St. Joseph Health in Lexington, KY. Born in Corbin, she was the daughter of the late Raleigh and Nancy Mitchell. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Zelda Patterson; and three In 2018, my 80-year-old neighbour asked me to look at her utilities and telephone bills. I discovered BT was charging her 30 per month for broadband. She has never owned a computer, tablet or iPhone. I contacted BT and eventually it stopped this charge. Then, in March 2020, it started charging for broadband again. BT insists she ordered broadband that month. It says it's a fixed contract and she must continue paying until March 2022. D. H., Letchworth, Herts. One reader discovered their neighbour was being charged by BT for broadband even though she had never owned a computer, tablet or iPhone Tony Hazell replies: BT assures me she has been using broadband, likely without realising it. I suspect others are in a similar situation. She uses an old BT TV box to watch free channels, and views programmes that have already been shown via catch-up services. She may not even know she is watching catch-up TV, as some TVs allow you to scroll backwards through the guide and click on the programme you want to watch. Catch-up viewing can only be done via broadband. You were both surprised, as she tells you that when she clicks on certain channels she gets a message about upgrading her subscription. But this is another issue. These channels will be part of BT's subscription packages. It is possible to hide them to avoid this irritation. BT has agreed to put her on to a special deal. She will pay just 20.99 per month until March 2022, rather than 30.12. Missing parcels with sentimental goods My daughter split up with her long-term partner who, unknown to me, had been mentally abusive. She escaped to a friend's house with a few belongings. When she returned with friends to get more items, her ex was obstructive, so she just grabbed what she could. She later moved to a flat and arranged to have her favourite dresses, plus a quilt I'd made for her birthday four years previously, sent there via Parcelforce. But Parcelforce delivered the parcels to someone else. It says that it checked the other address but did not get any reply. The firm won't release the name and address of the recipient due to confidentiality issues, so we can't investigate ourselves. We are heartbroken. Name and address supplied. Parcelforce lost one reader's treasured items and offered 500 compensation in return Tony Hazell replies: Parcelforce says it has done all it can to locate the items but they have not been returned. The firm told you they had been 'disposed of', which sounds to me as if the recipient chose to sell them. I asked Parcelforce why it had not involved the police when the recipient could or would not return the items. The firm refused to answer this and other questions. You have been paid 500 compensation, but that is poor recompense for the loss of these items of sentimental value. A spokesman said: 'We've apologised for any upset this has caused. We realise we cannot compensate for the sentimental value of these items, but we are giving a payment as a gesture of goodwill, as well as some flowers, in an effort to make amends.' It feels as though Parcelforce decided it was simpler to write a cheque than to put extra effort into finding your lost treasures. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT My Vodafone 'Pay as you go 1' tariff should provide unlimited minutes, texts and up to 50MB of data for 24 hours for 1 a day. But, after leaving my phone switched off for weeks, I was charged 12 for three days of light use. S. L., Atherstone, Warwicks. Tony Hazell replies: A Vodafone spokesman tried to reach you but hasn't heard back. Their best guess is that when you turned your phone back on, a large number of apps refreshed, taking you over the 50MB limit and resulting in extra charges. I paid 427 for tickets to Ladies Day at Aintree Race Course in April 2020. When it was cancelled due to Covid, I transferred tickets to the 2021 event but it was axed again. Racing Breaks won't refund me until it has collected funds owed by suppliers. K. C., Liverpool. Tony Hazell replies: A Racing Breaks spokesman says your refund was delayed as your bank card had expired. The person dealing with your enquiry then left the firm before passing on your request. Someone has now been in touch to arrange a refund. We love hearing from our loyal readers, so ask that during this challenging time you write to us by email where possible, as we will not pick up letters sent to our postal address as regularly as usual. You can write to: asktony@dailymail.co.uk or, if you prefer, Ask Tony, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT please include your daytime phone number, postal address and a separate note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Tony Hazell. We regret we cannot reply to individual letters. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given. As the Tokyo Olympic Games enters its final days, China leads the medals table - with Team GB in sixth place. But what would the table look like if countries were assessed on their stockmarket performance? Some 70 countries have mature stock exchanges, with 16 having a market cap of more than $1trillion. Markets often vary depending on whats happening in their host country. Last month, for example, saw Chinese shares drop after Beijing signalled a tougher approach to tech and education firms. Investment bank MSCI (formerly Morgan Stanley) produces comparative data on stock-market performance, and if judged on the past five years, Taiwan - famed for its high-tech economy comes out on top with a 270 per cent return. Yet the countrys stock-market is seen as an emerging market - a riskier bet. Investment bank MSCI gives comparative data on stock-market performance. If judged on the past five years, Taiwan comes out on top with a 270% return The silver medal goes to the Netherlands, whose MSCI index shows an impressive 239 per cent return since 2016. The Dutch stock exchange is deemed a developed market - meaning its considered more suitable for retail investors. The Gulf state of Kuwait - another emerging market - takes bronze with a return of 228 per cent. Hot on its heels is the U.S. with a 220 per cent return since 2016. Saudi Arabia is next with a 209 per cent return. Its a disappointing finish for Team GB: 25th place amongst developed and emerging markets. But it isnt all bad: the UK market delivered a 128 per cent return. Olympics medal table-leader China finishes 12th, with a 179 per cent return. But what does it mean for investors? First off, a stock-market doesnt always reflect a countrys wider performance, its a measure of the companies listed there. The UKs FTSE, for example, has been skewed by multinationals such as Shell. These companies produce billions, but their shares arent dynamic. Smaller markets can also be distorted by a few super-performers. Its telling that both Taiwan and the Netherlands host companies making semiconductors. These materials power smartphones and have seen a surge in demand. The stock-market Olympics isnt perfect, but it reminds us why we need a diverse portfolio Shares in the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) are up 235 per cent since 2016, while Dutch producer ASML is up 607 per cent. TSMC was a top ten holding for the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust until Baillie Gifford reduced its stake in January. The firm makes up 40 per cent of Taiwans MSCI Index. The stock-market Olympics isnt perfect, but it reminds us why we need a diverse portfolio. Buying foreign shares directly can be complicated. Instead, most investors use funds to get their exposure to foreign markets. As these funds are UK-registered, they are easier to buy and can be put in a stocks and shares Isa. Active funds are run by professional stock-pickers who aim to pick companies that can beat the relevant MSCI benchmark. For larger markets, there are It's cheaper to BUY a holiday car than hire one! With rental fees rocketing as high as 2,868 for a fortnight, no wonder families are cancelling their sunshine breaks When Mike Padgham bought a Scarborough cafe bar in June 2019, it was his first foray into the hospitality sector. He and son Jordan, 26, the manager, were full of excitement as they recruited staff and refurbished The Hideout. But nine months later, the Padghams were forced to shut as the first national lockdown took hold. Within weeks they had furloughed all their employees and taken out a 50,000 bounce back loan. When restrictions on indoor dining were lifted in May, they hoped to be able to get back on track. But the curse of the NHS Covid-19 app has since cost them 13,500. Mike, 65, tells Fiona Parker how the pingdemic wreaked havoc on his business. Fearing the next ping: Mike Padgham the owner of The Hideout cafe in Scarborough who had to close for after four staff were pinged Sunday, June 27: Our first employee is pinged at around 5.30pm. He is a waiter who had been walking home from his shift. We have about 20 employees who work from either 8am to 4pm or 4pm to 10pm, with 11pm closing times on Friday and Saturday. He rings Jordan and my son tells the other staff. Some carry on working as normal but others are anxious that they might have caught the virus. I oversee the financial side of the business while Jordan spends more time in the restaurant. We are in no doubt that our waiter has to self-isolate. He will receive statutory sick pay on top of holiday pay he accrued while on furlough. His absence will have little effect on service but I have a sinking feeling about what is to come... The Hideout survived the pandemic but will it survive the pingdemic? Monday, June 28, AM: My fears are confirmed when two more front-of-house staff are pinged. Given that ten employees are usually on shift at any one time, our team is reduced by a fifth. Finding new recruits isnt easy. The pandemic has drained the economy of hospitality workers, who got fed up waiting for restaurants and bars to reopen. One of our chefs left to work as a delivery driver. A team leader got a supermarket job. We have been looking for new staff since April but there are no quick fixes that can resolve todays crisis. Monday, June 28, PM: Jordan and I discuss what to do. We dont have enough employees to cover every shift for the next six days. It is heartbreaking to think we might have to close again. We decide to cut our opening hours instead. Around 60pc of our takings are made during the evening shift, so breakfast and lunch is sacrificed for dinner. We agree that for the next six days The Hideout will open from 4pm, with normal service resuming on Monday, July 5. A message to self-isolate displayed on the NHS coronavirus contact tracing app Tuesday, June 29: The Hideouts Facebook account is used to let customers know of our change in opening hours. A note is also pinned on the cafes front door. But as not everyone has seen the Facebook post, several people only find out we are closed when they turn up. We also have dozens of bookings that can no longer go ahead, so we call each customer to tell them what has happened. Everyone seems supportive but Im worried what customers will think. Sunday, July 4: We have lost about 8,000 in takings from being on reduced hours but Im really grateful for all the support our staff have shown us. Three have come in on their days off to help cover shifts. This afternoon we return to Facebook to let customers know we will open at 8am tomorrow. It should be a happy moment but I go to sleep wondering whether another employee will have been pinged by the time I wake up. Thursday, July 15: We were free of the pings for almost two weeks but I knew our luck wouldnt last. Jordan receives two more calls from staff. One of them is a chef and we need at least two in the kitchen at any one time. We frantically rearrange the rota but this time we cant get away with reduced hours alone and will have to close for two full days. As Monday and Tuesday are our least profitable days, they are the obvious choice. But we still ended up losing 5,500 as a result. We have dozens of bookings that can no longer go ahead, so we call each customer to tell them what has happened. Everyone seems supportive but Im worried what customers will think Tuesday, August 3: FIingers crossed, we havent been hit by any further pings. We have also managed to recruit three more employees. But I am living in fear that the pingdemic could force us to close again at any moment. On Friday we had our first positive case a waitress who had been on leave for a week beforehand. As she she had been off for several days by the time she developed mild symptoms, no other Hideout employees have had to self-isolate. None of our four pinged staff members ended up testing positive for the virus. I welcome the decision to reduce the five-day window in which contacts are traced to two its a start. However, if this will only cut the number of people being pinged by tens of thousands, then more needs to be done. Ministers have said that from August 16, anyone pinged by the app will no longer have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated. But why wait so long? My staff are all young and many are still waiting for their second jab. But even if they are pinged, surely if someone can prove they dont have the virus through daily testing, they shouldnt have to stay at home? One person in every five in the industry was self-isolating last week thats the impact this is having on our sector. Im very grateful for the help we have had, especially from Scarborough Borough Council, which was so quick to pay out our 10,000 small business grant at the beginning of the pandemic. And I know how lucky we are not to have been seriously ill with the virus, when so many others have been in hospital and died. But even though our turnover was 350,000 last year, we are yet to break even. And while the pingdemic rages, we dont stand a chance of making up our losses. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. [mdash] Virginia A. "Ginny" Moffitt, 93, of Williamsport, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 20, 1928, in Baltimore, to the late Henry S. and Agnes (Gude) Mohr. A tributes of life memorial service will be h Barre, VT (05641) Today A few passing clouds. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! 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. Jerry Monroe Branch, 76, passed away on 8/1/21, in Tallahassee, FL. He was born in Capps, FL on 9/2/44 to Willie J. and Ruby (Inez) Cook Branch. A graveside service will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on August 6, 2021 at 446 WJ Hatchett Rd., Lamont, FL. Following high sc EVENTS Playcrafters presents 'Wonder of the World' GHENT About three hundred homes and businesses in eastern Columbia County could get broadband Internet access under federal spending bills proposed for next year, U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado said. The towns of Ghent, Austerlitz, Canaan and New Lebanon have struggled to get broadband access to residents, many of whom live in remote areas. Internet service providers would lose money running cables down roads with only one or two customers, so the government has had to step in to providing funding. The nearly $830,000 will be granted to the towns if the bills pass the Senate and are signed into law as part of next year's budget. Delgado appeared Monday with Democratic and Republican state and local officials to announce the funding. He noted the importance of broadband in the modern era, calling it "not a luxury for a few, but a necessity." Broadband was even more vital during the pandemic, where insufficient Internet could "compound" problems, the Rhinebeck Democrat added. "There is a sense of urgency here," he said of the funding. Assemblywoman Didi Barrett said it was well known the county struggled with broadband service, but "the COVID pandemic laid bare the huge gaps in broadband access in our region." Other speakers mentioned specific problems residents experienced due to insufficient Internet during the pandemic. New Lebanon Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling said some students without broadband were forced to search out internet connections in the parking lots of libraries to complete their coursework during remote learning. "Some students didn't have a fair shot," she said. In Canaan, 49 percent of residents are over the age of 65, according to Supervisor Brenda Adams, and the planned internet access would allow them to take advantage of telehealth services. The funding comes after the Ghent Broadband Committee spent untold hours mapping the gaps in service coverage throughout the town. The funding would "close the gaps" in the towns, according to Ghent Broadband Committee member Patti Matheney. The funding would go directly to the four towns, according to Matheney, after which they would put out a request for proposals (RFP) for the build-out. The towns will find out by the end of September whether the funding gets in the final budget bill, which must be passed by Oct. 1. They are the only female city court judges in Orange County. They are part of the first majority-female bench in Newburgh City Court. One is the first woman of color to be a judge there. Judges Anika Mohammed, 35, and Joanne Matthews Forbes, 54, say it makes sense. "We reflect the people we serve," Matthews Forbes said. Newburgh's population is 51% female, according to 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly 60% of residents identify as a race other than white. And 21% surveyed from 2015 to 2019 said they were foreign born. They join Senior Judge Paul Trachte. Newburgh's court consists of three judges; one is a 10-year appointment by city government and the other two are elected positions. Matthews Forbes and Mohammed are both first-generation Americans with strong ties to the Newburgh community. "This really is a mosaic of people here," Matthews Forbes said. "We are an all-inclusive community and I'd like to think we all work together toward a common good. " Her father came to the U.S. in the late-1950s and her mother arrived in the1960s, both from Greece. Though Matthews Forbes was born and raised in Newburgh, her first language is Greek. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1985. "I consider myself a daughter of Newburgh," Matthews Forbes said. "I was made by this city." Mohammed, born in the Bronx, came to Orange County with her family and settled in Woodbury. Mohammed moved to Newburgh last month and has been volunteering in the community for 11 years, she said. Mohammed's father was a Newburgh businessman originally from Trinidad. He ran a liquor store on Lake Street. "I think that anyone who appears in front of a judge, at some point, it will cross their mind, 'Hey, what would it be like to be that person?' or, 'How would I have made a different decision?' or whatever thoughts you have sometimes as an attorney," Mohammed said. Mohammed was appointed by Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey to fill Judge Peter Kulkin's seat when he retired earlier this year. She was appointed on July 12. Mohammed was an attorney with her own local law offices in Orange County. She had to close her practice when she was appointed to the full-time judge position. Matthews Forbes was appointed by the City Council to her 10-year term in February following Judge E. Loren Williams winning an election to the state Supreme Court last year. "I always had dreams, even when I was in law school, of becoming a judge someday," Matthews Forbes said. "That was my ultimate goal of my career." Before becoming a judge, she spent 15 years as an attorney at a private practice and 15 years working for the court system. She has worked as a law clerk on the Supreme Court level, and worked for the court system in the appellate division and surrogate court. When Williams' position became open, Matthews Forbes saw it as a "calling," she said. "Right about the time that I was hoping this might be a good position for me, someone sent me this picture," Matthews Forbes said. She held up framed black and white photo of two men standing on the steps to what was the Broadway School and is now the city's courthouse. One of the men was Matthews Forbes' father. "When I saw this picture ... it was kind of like my dad saying, 'Yo, go apply for that job,'" Matthews Forbes said. ___ (c)2021 The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. Visit The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. at www.recordonline.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (AP) A Missouri grand jury indicted a man and woman on a first-degree murder charge alleging they strangled a woman and dismembered her body, the Jackson County prosecutor announced Monday. Kansas City-area residents Michael Hendricks, 40, and Maggie Ybarra, 30, are charged with killing 32-year-old Kensie Renee Aubry. The grand jury also indicted them on harassment, first-degree sexual misconduct and child molestation charges, among others. Aubry went missing in October. A teenage girl who said Hendricks sexually assaulted her helped police find Aubry's body. Police in July found Aubry's body in garbage bags buried in Hendricks' Grain Valley, Missouri, property. Our community owes greatly a child victim in this case who came forward and alerted police of the gruesome criminal activity detailed in these charges, Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a statement. Without her bravery, we might not know today Kensie Aubrys fate. Hendricks' lawyer in an email said he remains steadfast in our determination to represent Mr. Hendricks with a robust defense. Ybarra's public defender didn't immediately return an Associated Press request for comment Monday. The teenage girl, who was in foster care, told police that Hendricks confessed to choking the woman and putting her body in a freezer. The girl said Hendricks showed her photos of a naked and bound woman and the chainsaw he allegedly used to chop up her body. Ybarra was arrested in late April and jailed on sexual abuse charges related to the teenage girl, The Kansas City Star reported. Police alleged that Ybarra called Hendricks from jail and asked him to throw away evidence at her house. Ybarra is also charged with multiple crimes related to tampering with a victim. According to charging documents, Ybarra attempted to get other people to buy gifts for the teenage girl and pressure her to take back what she told police. Police said Ybarra met Hendricks after he paid her for sex sometime last year. Ybarra has described Hendricks as both her boss and her boyfriend to police. Hendricks' wife filed for divorce within days of his June arrest. BOSTON (AP) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated mask guidance now applies to nine Massachusetts counties, according to data released Monday. That is up from five counties last week. The guidance issued last week recommends that everyone in a place with a substantial" or high coronavirus transmission rate wear a face covering in indoor, public places regardless of vaccination status. According to CDC data collected during the week that ended Saturday, Barnstable and Nantucket counties are in the high" transmission rate category. Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties are in the substantial" zone. Provincetown, which had a cluster of about 900 confirmed cases stemming from July Fourth celebrations, is in Barnstable County. Town Manager Alex Morse posted on social media Monday that the number of active cases and daily percent positive rates continue to decline and we are well on our way to containment." Of those cases, only seven hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported. The percent positive rate peaked at 15% on July 15 and was down to 3.3% Saturday and 4% Sunday, he said. The cluster was blamed on the highly-contagious delta variant. ___ NORTHEASTERN FACULTY VACCINES Northeastern University announced Sunday that faculty and staff will be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus in time for the fall semester. Now, as cases of COVID-19 tick upward across the country and a more contagious strain of SARS-CoV-2 the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 gains traction, university officials are requiring faculty and staff to submit verification of vaccination by Sept. 8, 2021," the Boston-based university posted on its website. The mandate applies to U.S.-based faculty and requests for vaccine exemptions for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered. Northeastern announced in April that students would require a vaccination for the fall semester, one of the first major colleges in the nation to do so. ___ VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 increased by more than 2,000 over the weekend while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by two. The new numbers from Friday through Sunday pushed the states confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 17,716 since the start of the pandemic, while its confirmed caseload rose to more than 674,500. The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick. There were about 215 people reported hospitalized Monday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, with about 50 in intensive care units. The average age of those who have died from COVID-19 in Massachusetts was 70. ___ IMMUNIZATIONS More than 8.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts as of Monday. That includes more than 4.5 million first doses and more than 4 million second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There have been more than 289,000 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered. More than 4.3 million people have been fully immunized in the state. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Hans J.G. Hassell, Florida State University; Andrew Ballard, American University, and Michael Heseltine, American University School of Public Affairs (THE CONVERSATION) Former President Donald Trump may see himself as a winner, but the candidates he endorses dont always win. In fact, his endorsement often helps the opponents of his candidates. That was true in the 2018 midterm elections, and a similar effect could happen in the upcoming 2022 midterms. One early indication: In late July, Republican and Trump endorsee Susan Wright lost to fellow Republican Jake Ellzey in the special election runoff in Texas 6th Congressional District. The failure of Trumps endorsement to propel Wright to victory has raised questions among political observers about the sway the former president has in GOP politics. The loss led to Trumps inner circle casting about for whom to blame. While some Trump allies were quick to point fingers at internal party divisions and Republican infighting, Trump himself blamed Democratic voters for Susan Wrights loss. Trumps endorsement may have mobilized Democrats and independents, who ultimately voted for Wrights GOP opponent, Jason Ellzey. Our work, and the work of other political scientists, suggests that endorsement backlash frequently occurs in contemporary politics. As political scientists, we observed the prolific tweeting of President Trump and wanted to know whether his endorsements of congressional candidates affected their campaigns and the campaigns of their opponents. We found that during the 2018 midterm elections, President Trumps endorsements helped Republicans he endorsed raise money, but also helped their Democratic opponents raise money. Ultimately Trumps endorsement was more detrimental than helpful. It led to an increased vote share going to the Democratic opponent of the candidate Trump endorsed. The backlash effect Trump endorsed 80 different congressional candidates in the 2018 midterm elections. He tweeted 134 endorsements to 45 congressional candidates and endorsed another 35 congressional candidates at 47 in-person campaign events. Our research looked at campaign fundraising, turnout and vote share for candidates whom Trump endorsed in the 2018 midterm elections as well as their opponents. While presidents often campaign for and support candidates for the House and Senate in midterm elections, most of that previous activity occurred in person and at the local level rather than on Twitter or some other national platform. Previous presidents also havent been nearly as generous in their endorsements as Trump. President Barack Obama, for instance, endorsed 16 congressional candidates in 2010 and eight candidates in 2014. All those endorsements were given at local events rather than on social media. While Trump has already endorsed 22 candidates leading up to the 2022 election, President Joe Biden has endorsed only two. Trump endorsements did affect the races: Our research found that Trump-endorsed candidates raised more money from more donors immediately following the presidents endorsement. But an endorsement from President Trump also benefited the endorsed candidates Democratic opponent. Democrats took advantage of Trumps unpopularity among Democrats and independents and made sure that those voters also knew about the endorsement. And while endorsed candidates raised more money, their opponents also raised more money from more donors immediately following the presidents endorsement. Opponents of Trump-endorsed candidates also benefited from increased mobilization at the polls. Races with a presidential endorsement had higher turnout than comparable races without an endorsement but that didnt help the endorsed candidate. Instead, Trumps 2018 endorsements decreased the endorsed candidates vote share by almost 2.5 percentage points compared with candidates in similar districts who did not receive Trumps endorsement. Without Trumps endorsement, Republicans likely would have won control of Minnesotas 7th Congressional District in 2018 rather than having to wait until 2020 for Republican Michelle Fischbach to defeat incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson. Likewise, without Trumps endorsement of New Jersey Rep. Tom MacArthur in 2018, our estimates suggest he would have won reelection by about 1.2 percentage points rather than losing by 1.3 percentage points. Ultimately, we found that Trumps endorsements cost Republicans 16 seats exactly 20% of the 80 candidates he endorsed. That represented 12 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate. Not just Trump Other research has also shown that the engagement of national political figures at the local level appears to mobilize supporters and opponents alike. Visits from presidential and vice presidential candidates in 2016 increased local donations both to the candidates who were visited and their opponents. Notably, Trump campaign rallies in 2016 increased donations from the local area to Hillary Clintons campaign more than to his own. These findings suggest that high-profile interventions from divisive political figures ultimately may be unhelpful or, worse, damaging in the general election to the endorsed candidates. While such an endorsement does provide some benefits to the endorsed candidate, it also generates a backlash effect that can ultimately benefit an opponent. Early indications in Trump endorsements for 2022 suggest they may be even more detrimental than in 2018. In addition to the failure of Trumps endorsement to carry his preferred candidate to office in Texass 6th Congressional District recently, opponents have outspent Trump-endorsed candidates this cycle . Given both parties anticipation of a hotly contested election in 2022, with control of both the House and Senate likely to be up for grabs, party leaders and candidates may want to carefully evaluate whether they need or want the help of both President Biden and former President Trump on the campaign trail. These endorsements may ultimately prompt more backlash than support. [Understand whats going on in Washington. Sign up for The Conversations Politics Weekly.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/does-a-trump-endorsement-make-a-difference-yes-but-not-the-way-a-candidate-hopes-it-will-165416. SCHENECTADY Abortions will not be performed under a planned merger between Ellis Medicine with St. Peters Health Partners, Ellis Medicine President and CEO Paul Milton said at a City Council committee meeting Monday night in what appears to be the first time anyone from Ellis' health system publicly acknowledged the change. You need to comply with the ethical and religious directives of a Catholic organization, Milton told the Times Union outside the meeting. The Schenectady-based Ellis Medicine and St. Peters Health Partners, an Albany-based company that is now owned by nationwide corporation Trinity Health, signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge operations last October. The loss of some reproductive health services under a Catholic hospital system is among the chief concerns raised by nonprofit, healthcare, clergy and social justice organizations. Milton made no mention of the loss of other reproductive services, including tubal ligation, a surgical procedure that prevents future pregnancies. Also, a dilation and curettage, a procedure often used for surgical abortion, can be used as treatment when a woman's fetus has died and has failed to miscarry on its own, or a woman has had a partial miscarriage. Milton did not distinguish for council members if there will be exceptions in cases such as those. Following the briefing to council members, Milton walked to the Schenectady County Legislature meeting several blocks away, where he said he would be making a similar presentation. Ellis Medicine performs approximately 50 abortions per year, Milton said, and the procedure will be steered to outside healthcare providers if the merger were to be approved. We do have an agreement that all other services could be provided under this type of model, Milton told council members. National advocacy groups have said access to care can be jeopardized when an organizations religious doctrine or moral beliefs interfere with medical decision-making. Hospitals may ban certain treatments that conflict with those beliefs, said MergerWatch, including abortion, contraception and sterilization, as well as fertility services to certain individuals because of their gender or sexual identity. Milton reiterated that Ellis Medicine has forecasted they will not be able to remain financially sustainable if they were to remain independent, and the decision to merge was the result of a careful and methodological internal review to probe future sustainability. St. Peters is the only option we have, Milton said. Being independent is not an option. This will give us the services we need in healthcare in the long run. The two healthcare organizations are among the regions largest hospital systems. Though they have operated independently for years, they began a collaboration in 2014 to coordinate care between physicians, health systems and other health care providers with the goal of improving population health and lowering costs. Milton repeatedly underscored to lawmakers that Ellis will work to balance the merger with retaining services, including meeting their charity care responsibilities. If we werent to merge with [St. Peters], services would decline, and jobs would probably be lost along the way, Milton said. End-of-life care will also not change, he said, citing St. Peters palliative care programming. The proposed merger was the subject of a rally late last month in Schenectady in which roughly 100 attendees expressed concerns over transparency and the result of services. Both hospitals have pledged to be open and transparent during the process, and retain services. The hospitals estimated last October it would take roughly four months to vet plans and reach a final agreement. After that, they pegged the government approval process at an additional six to seven months. Ellis and St. Peters have not yet confirmed where exactly merger talks stand or when a deal might be finalized, saying only that discussions are ongoing and will involve many steps and government approvals. Milton told lawmakers on Monday he understood and respected community concerns, but chafed when being accused of being opaque. The Ellis CEO attended the smaller City Council committee meeting, which is typically attended by only a few members of the public. I do get a little defensive when people say Im not transparent, Milton said. I have 3,000 employees and I have an obligation to be transparent and let them know whats going on. Briefing city and county lawmakers is part of Ellis planned outreach, Milton said after the meeting. Ellis also aims to meet with neighborhood groups and faith-based organizations, in addition to the [Schenectady Coalition for Healthcare Access] and making sure we listen to them as well," referring to the community group that formed to draw awareness to the merger. St. Peters last month echoed Miltons sentiments. In the end, we are confident the community will see both improved care and expanded access to care as a result of this partnership, St. Peters spokesman Robert Webster said. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi's department of health reported Monday that the state saw almost 5,000 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the weekend as the virus surges statewide. That's an increase of more than six times the number of new cases 796 reported three weeks ago on July 12. Delta surge accelerating quickly please be safe and protect your family, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tweeted. The state of around 3 million people has seen almost 350,000 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. The increase in new cases, predominately the highly contagious delta variant, comes as schools across the state prepare to return to the classroom for the start of classes. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves says he won't require students or teachers in K-12 schools to wear masks. Many schools have chosen to do so anyway. Around a week after the board of trustees for the Oxford School District decided to make masks optional for vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff, Oxford School District superintendent Bradley Roberson announced in a letter sent out to families Saturday that masks will now be required in school. The Oxford Eagle reports that masks for all students and staff will be required at least between Aug. 2 and Aug. 20. The district will continue to assess the situation as the school year progresses. Teachers returned to their classrooms on Monday. Students start school on Friday. As education leaders, we have all seen the negative impact last school year has had on student learning which is why an overwhelming majority of districts across our state have been determined to open schools with as much normal school operations as possible, Roberson wrote in his letter. Unfortunately, in recent days we have learned from some of our district friends from around the state who have already started school that a normal return may not provide us with the best opportunity to keep kids in school. Districts like Gulfport School District and Jackson Public School District are requiring masks. The issue is more contentious in other districts, however. A Lowndes County School District board meeting last week was attended by protestors holding signs that read, Mask Choice, Masks Optional or Our Bodies, Our Choice. The board voted 4-1 during that meeting to make masks optional. Superintendent Sam Allison said the district will require mask-wearing on buses and will strongly encourage and have masks available for unvaccinated students and staff in school buildings. We can debate mask wearing, but I dont want to do that, said Allison, according to the Commercial Dispatch. "Were going to start the year with no requirement. Hopefully, well continue to be safe and healthy. At the meeting, board members dictated a requirement of a 10-day quarantine at home if unvaccinated members of the school community are exposed to the virus. They also have the option of remaining at school, but they must take a negative rapid test every two days for 10 days. Vaccinated students who come in close contact with someone who tests positive do not have to quarantine, unless they have symptoms. The rule angered some parents in the crowd, who said unvaccinated and vaccinated children shouldn't be treated differently. Some also expressed concerns about finding child care if their children was forced to quarantine. Valerie Riley, who held the Our Bodies, Our Choice sign, said her children would not be vaccinated or tested for the virus. I refuse to get something stuck up my childs nose just so they can come back and be educated, Riley said, according to the Dispatch. My kids should not pay the price for not being vaccinated. Meanwhile, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. released a statement Monday that he would be quarantining for the next five days while sick with the virus. After being administered two COVID-19 tests, the first of which was negative, my physician has confirmed that the second test was positive, he said. Flaggs said he is looking forward to a quick recovery and that he plans to return to work in a week. Vicksburg is a city of around 22,000. POESTENKILL State and local experts will be testing approximately a dozen residential water wells here after PFOA contamination above the new state limit was detected earlier this year in one of the local public schools. Administrators at the Averill Park school district turned off the fountains and water taps at Algonquin Middle School in January after tests there revealed PFOA levels of 12 parts per trillion, which is above the new state standard of 10 ppt, said Superintendent Jim Franchini. We immediately shut down the drinking fountains and stopped using it for food preparation and went to bottled water, Franchini said after they detected the PFOA. The district found it when school workers tested the water, as required by a 2020 state law that mandated more widespread testing for the chemical in both municipalities and schools. Franchini said they were one of the first districts to begin the tests. Since then, the state Health Department, Department of Environmental Conservation and Rensselaer County, as well as the town, have started plans to work together to test nearby residential water wells. The New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation are supporting Rensselaer County's efforts to sample approximately 12 private wells near the Algonquin Middle School in Averill Park, following low-level exceedances of the MCL for PFOS detected in nearby wells that serve Algonquin Middle School, the agencies said in a response to a reporter's questions on Monday. I would expect the testing will take place probably within the next month and a half, said Bob Brunet, Poestenkills water manager. About 415 homes in the towns core are on a municipal system, which gets its water from Troys Tomhannock Reservoir. An estimated 2,000 residents are on residential wells. The testing will be in an area within approximately a quarter-mile radius of the middle school. So far, nine of the dozen homes in that area have agreed to be tested, said Brunet. Algonquin Middle School gets its water from a pair of wells, although some other schools in the district are hooked up to municipal water sources. PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid and is a variant of PFAS or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The synthetic compounds are known as forever chemicals for their strength and persistence, and can remain in the human bloodstream for years. They are associated with illnesses such as thyroid disorders and cancers. Brunet said state health officials have told him the water is not necessarily unsafe, even though the actions are being taken. At 12 ppt, the school sample was barely above the state standard of 10 ppt. Your water continues to be acceptable for all uses, Brunet said on the town website. The EPA has a suggested standard of 70 ppt. But when New York enacted new PFOA regulations in 2020, they took a more stringent approach and set a level of 10 ppt. Because MCLs are set at levels with a large margin of protection, an exceedance of an MCL does not mean that water is unsafe for use while the public water system takes actions to reduce the levels reads part of the state Department of Healths August 2020 notice about the new regulations. MCL is maximum contaminant level. Franchini said they are looking at installing a filtration system as the first step to fix the middle school water. Additionally, Brunet said they could potentially hook into the municipal system. Its not yet clear where the PFOS may be coming from. There is a closed landfill within a few miles of the school and a nearby trash transfer station. Poestenkill is about 23 miles southwest of Hoosick Falls, in the eastern portion of Rensselaer County. That community in 2014 became ground zero for worries about PFOA when the Hoosick Falls village system was found to be contaminated with the chemical. Many residents were found to have abnormally high levels of the substance in their blood and the state has set about overhauling the water system. And in August, a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a proposed $65 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the contamination. The 2016 class action federal lawsuit was filed naming Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International, 3M and DuPont Co. as defendants. Much of the contamination came from a factory where nonstick chemicals, which use PFOA, were manufactured. PFAS-type compounds have gone into a number of products, including firefighting foam, Teflon and other coatings. The area around Hoosick Falls was once known as Teflon Valley for the production of PFAS-chemicals that took place there. Judy Enck, a former EPA regional administrator and local activist, said news of PFOA in Poestenkill, was reminiscent of what happened in Hoosick Falls. Its deja vu all over again, she said. And she questioned the state Department of Healths contention that levels slightly above 10 ppt posed little immediate threat. Those are exceedances, she said. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU BOZALAN, Turkey (AP) Selcuk Sanli set his two cows loose, put his familys most treasured belongings in a car and fled his home as a wildfire approached his village near Turkey's beach resort of Bodrum, one of thousands fleeing flames that have coated the skies with a thick yellow haze. For the sixth straight day, Turkish firefighters battled Monday to control the blazes that are tearing through forests near Turkeys beach destinations. Fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday have left eight people dead. Residents and tourists have fled vacation resorts in flotillas of small boats or convoys of cars and trucks. Many villagers have lost their homes and farm animals and have had trouble breathing amid the heavy smoke. Overall, some 10,000 people have been evacuated in Mugla province alone, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Monday. Sanli returned to check on his house Monday in Bozalan only to find that the fire had flared. Property is an important part of life but life itself comes first, he said as he prepared to leave once again. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said on Twitter that crews were still tackling nine fires in the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist areas. Other active fires were in the provinces of Isparta, Denizli, Izmir and Adana. Another fire in Tunceli, in southeast Turkey, was contained on Monday, the minister said earlier. In all, 137 fires that broke out in over 30 provinces since Wednesday have been extinguished. We are going through days when the heat is above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), where the winds are strong and humidity is extremely low, Pakdemirli said. We are struggling under such difficult conditions. In Bozalan, Esra Sanli sobbed as she pointed at a fire raging near the village. Theres no plane, theres no helicopter, theres no roads. How is this going to be extinguished? How?" she said. Firetrucks, with their sirens on, drove toward Bozalan, while villagers were seen herding cows away from the area. On Sunday, residents were forced to evacuate the nearby village of Cokertme as flames neared. Some got on small boats and others left by cars as the fire got closer and closer scenes that Ahmet Aras, the mayor of the nearby resort of Bodrum, described as hell. Precautions were taken to protect two nearby thermal power plants. An evacuation order was also issued for the town of Turunc, near the seaside resort of Marmaris in Mugla province. People carrying suitcases fled on small boats. Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Monday that some tourists were able to return to their hotels after the threat dissipated. The EU said it helped mobilize firefighting planes from Croatia and Spain to help Turkey. Planes from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have also been fighting the blazes. Spain said it was sending two water-dumping aircraft and one transport plane as well as 27 soldiers to help. The EU announcement followed allegations that the Turkish government was compromising firefighting efforts by refusing help from Western nations. Pakdemirli refuted that, saying that the government had only refused offers for planes whose water-dumping capacities were less than five tons. A total of 16 planes, 51 helicopters and more than 5,000 personnel were tackling the fires, he said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has also been widely criticized for failing to purchase state-of-the-art firefighting planes. In Marmaris, Mayor Mehmet Oktay said fires were still burning in two locations and estimated that 11,000 hectares (28,000 acres) of forest had been incinerated. On Monday, a fire reached the edge of the village of Hisaronu, burning a number of homes and descending down a mountainside toward a road as police evacuated ambulance crews and journalists. Our lungs have been burning for the past five days, Oktay told Haberturk television. The health minister, Fahrettin Koca, said at least 27 people affected by the fires were still being treated in hospitals while hundreds of others had been treated and released. Soylu, the interior minister, said authorities were investigating the cause of the fires, including human carelessness and possible sabotage by outlawed Kurdish militants. He said one person was detained over allegations that he may have been paid by the group to start a fire. Experts, however, mostly point to climate change as being behind the fires, along with accidents caused by people. Erdogan has said one of the fires was started by children. A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy and Greece, where people had to be evacuated by sea to escape the flames. __ Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Ayse Wieting in Istanbul and Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate. Ted S. Warren Jessica Ottney Mahars commentary Legislature left much environmental work unfinished, July 20, gently chides the Legislature for its lack of progress on environmental issues. While admiring her restraint, I wish Mahar had had an anger translator like the one Key & Peele created for President Barack Obama, to express more strongly how deeply disappointing lets say cowardly the Legislatures lack of accomplishment was. Consider the three key environmental bills that our lawmakers failed to pass. These would have conserved natural resources, protected wetlands and cut down on auto emissions by making the purchase of electric vehicles easier. Worse yet, they failed to legislate a halt to the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure. ALBANY State Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday announced that her office's five-month investigation "has concluded that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so violated federal and state law." The investigation found that Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York state employees "by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching ... that created a hostile work environment for women," James said during a news conference in Manhattan. The attorney general said the investigation, which casts Cuomo as a serial sexual harasser and members of his administration as his enablers, independently corroborated and substantiated the women's allegations through interviews with 179 individuals, including 11 women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. They include a female state trooper the governor had pressed to have on his protective detail in 2017 after seeing her at a public ceremony in New York City. James said the investigators also reviewed more than 74,000 pieces of evidence that included emails, photos and documents. Many of those records, including text messages, buttressed the allegations, including in instances where women documented their disturbing interactions with the governor contemporaneously with the incidents. The attorney general called it a "deeply disturbing" pattern of behavior by Cuomo of sexually harassing women, including young women. She said top aides in his administration helped foster a "toxic workplace" where staff members were afraid to come forward. She referred to the victims who came forward as "heroic ... brave women." "I believe them and I thank them for their bravery," she said. "Gov. Cuomo's actions and those of the Executive Chamber violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber's own written policies." The attorney general's findings were followed by intensifying calls for Cuomo to resign, including from his fellow Democrats. President Joe Biden, during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, also called for the governor to step down a position the president had said in March that he would take if the attorney general's office substantiated the allegations. The extraordinary investigation of the governor began on March 1 when Cuomo's counsel and senior advisor, Beth Garvey, wrote a letter to the attorney general authorizing her office under Executive Law "to select an independent law firm to conduct an inquiry into allegations of and circumstances surrounding sexual harassment claims made against the governor." There were limitations to that directive, however, which empowered the attorney general to conduct a civil investigation but stopped short of authorizing her office to convene a grand jury and to pursue any criminal charges. If there is criminal fallout, including for the allegation that Cuomo groped a female aide's breast at the Executive Mansion, those matters could be referred to a local district attorney. For the investigation, James enlisted Joon H. Kim, a former acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who has been involved with prior criminal investigations of Cuomo's administration, and Anne L. Clark, an attorney with extensive experience in sexual harassment cases. "Our investigation revealed that these were not isolated incidents, they were part of a pattern ... (that) extended to other state employees, including a state trooper who served on his protective detail," Kim said at the news conference. AP Cuomo responded in his own news conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday a recorded statement without press present denying the allegations and reasserting that women had misunderstood his intentions. He again denied groping one of his aides or engaging in sexual harassment, and attributed his habits of kissing and hugging people to his upbringing. "I now understand that there are generational or culture perspectives that, frankly, I hadnt fully appreciated and I have learned from this," he said. "I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. That is just not who I am." He gave no indication that he will resign. Kim said of the 11 women who leveled sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, nine were or are employed by the state or associated government entities. "Some of them met with him regularly as an executive assistant or as members of his staff, or as a trooper on his protective detail. ... Some of them only met him once. ... Some suffered through unwanted touching or grabbing of their most intimate body parts," Kim said. "None of them welcomed it and all of them found it disturbing (and) humiliating." Clark said Cuomo's harassment of the female trooper assigned to protect him included touching her and, on one occasion, kissing her. Some of the incidents were witnessed by other troopers. Another time, he asked the trooper her age; when she responded that she was in her late 20s (she is now 30), he allegedly responded that she was "too old for him." That trooper had been appointed to Cuomo's Protective Services Unit in January 2018 at his request, after he met her briefly at a bridge ceremony in New York City. She had not been a trooper long enough to qualify for the position but the rules were changed so that should could be transferred to the unit that protects the governor's office, according to the attorney general's report. Clark said many women described how Cuomo would "seek them out" and engage in behavior that made them uncomfortable, including gazing at their breasts or backsides. They said his behavior violated the standards of a 2019 measure that he signed into law eliminating the need for the misconduct to be "severe or pervasive." The governor's conduct "clearly meets and far exceeds this standard," Clark said. Cuomo's top aides both covered up the women's allegations by failing to follow laws and policies governing their handling of the incidents. The governor's office also unlawfully retaliated against Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment. Boylan, Clark said, was subjected to a secret effort by Cuomo's top aides to discredit her. Kim said one witness "described a culture that overlooked and normalized everyday flirtations. One senior staffer testified that at a work event she sat on the governor's lap. Another staffer recalled kissing the governor on the lips. The governor testified that those things may have happened." "One complainant described her interactions by saying they were strange and uncomfortable ... but the typical rules do not apply," Kim continued. "The coexistence and the Executive Chamber's culture of fear and intimidation and intimacy and abuse ... created a work environment ripe for harassment." "Our work is concluded and the document is now public," James said. "The matter is civil in nature and does not have any criminal consequences." However, Clark added that "any prosecutors or police departments can look at the evidence and determine if they want to take further action." Albany County District Attorney David Soares issued a statement later Tuesday indicating his office will examine the attorney general's report before deciding whether to pursue a criminal investigation. "We will be formally requesting investigative materials obtained by the AGs office, and we welcome any victim to contact our office with additional information," Soares said. "As this matter is developing and we are reviewing the document released by the attorney general today, we will refrain from any additional public comment at this time regarding the status of the ongoing criminal investigation by our office." In recent weeks, as the investigation has intensified and included interviews with Cuomo and some of his top aides, the governor and his advisors have sought to undermine the credibility of the investigation by suggesting publicly that Kim is biased and the attorney general is seeking to damage him in order to run for governor next year. One of the women, an aide who still works for the governor's office and is roughly half the age of the 63-year-old governor, accused him of groping her breast under her blouse in November after he had directed that she be dispatched to the Executive Mansion to assist him with his mobile phone. She became the sixth woman to accuse Cuomo of inappropriate behavior. Her allegation, which could also be pursued as a criminal charge, had been the most severe leveled against Cuomo. She has declined to file a complaint with police but has retained an attorney, Brian D. Premo of Albany. Last week, Premo told the Times Union that his client had told her when they first met in March that she would take a polygraph lie-detector test "without hesitation." Cuomo declined, through his attorney, to say he would submit to a polygraph about the incident. In 2018, Cuomo issued a public statement demanding that President Donald J. Trump require then-U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to take a polygraph as he faced similar allegations of sexual misconduct. The account of the woman who accused Cuomo of groping her was revealed when the Times Union learned the details of the incident after they were reported to the governor's counsel's office. That disclosure took place several days after she became emotional in the Executive Chamber while watching a March 3 news conference in which Cuomo denied ever touching any women "inappropriately." It was the first news conference by the governor that week after Boylan, a former aide, published an online essay detailing her own allegations against Cuomo. Hearing those remarks, the female aide watching the news conference in the Executive Chamber became emotional. At least one female supervisor came to her assistance and asked why she was upset. The female aide subsequently told the supervisor about what she said had been inappropriate encounters with Cuomo, including the incident last November when he allegedly groped her breast in this second-floor office at the governor's mansion. Will Waldron/Times Union Cuomo, in response to the Times Union's story about the matter, issued a statement asserting he had "never done anything like this. The details of this report are gut-wrenching. I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the attorney generals report." The attorney general's investigation is among several Cuomo has faced. There is also parallel impeachment investigation ongoing by the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee and a criminal investigation is being conducted by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn. The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Cuomo's administration manipulated data on nursing home deaths to elevate the governor's public persona at a time when he was preparing to publish a book about his handling of the pandemic. He was paid more than $5 million for the book deal. The Assembly also is investigating what the governor knew about the state's handling of an alleged cover-up involving potential structural problems during the construction of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The Assembly's investigators also are examining why high-level members of the state Department of Health were directed last year by Cuomo and Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to conduct prioritized coronavirus testing on the governor's relatives as well as influential people with ties to the administration. Cuomo has denied knowledge of the preferential testing for his relatives, including his brother Chris, an anchor for CNN. blyons@timesunion.com ALBANY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration, including the State Police, allegedly misled the Times Union in December about the governor's request to have a young female trooper that he found attractive appointed to his protective detail in 2018 a job for which she did not meet the minimum standards at the time that she was given the position. The Times Union had asked both Cuomo's office and the State Police about the female trooper's appointment to the coveted job on the governor's Protective Services Unit an appointment that was made after the governor met the now-30-year-old trooper during a ceremony at the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City in November 2017. The governor, according to a report issued Tuesday by the state attorney general's office, directed that the trooper be offered the job and subsequently sexually harassed her after she was reassigned to his protective detail two months later. The attorney general's investigation said the female trooper, after joining the governor's detail, endured unwanted touching and advances from Cuomo, "including running his hand across her stomach, from her belly button to her right hip, while she held a door open for him at an event ... running his finger down her back, from the top of her neck down her spine to the middle of her back, saying 'hey, you,' while she was standing in front of him in an elevator ... kissing her ... in front of another trooper and asking to kiss her on another occasion, which she deflected; and ... making sexually suggestive and gender-based comments, including asking her to help him find a girlfriend and describing his criteria for a girlfriend as someone who '(c)an handle pain,.'" State Police sources told the Times Union last year that the minimum qualifications for appointment to the protective detail were reduced by one year so that the reassignment of the trooper, who joined the State Police in 2015, could be made. Cuomo personally ordered the move, a source had told the paper, because he "liked the way she looked." The state attorney general's report outlines details of how the administration worked with the State Police to mislead the Times Union about the circumstances of the trooper's reassignment, including falsely stating that she met the minimum qualification of three years on the job to be appointed to the governor's Protective Services Unit. The report includes email exchanges between the senior investigator who facilitated her reassignment on behalf of the governor including an email with the subject line, "What did you say to him???" In that same email the senior investigator informed the trooper they were interested in drafting her and said, "If you don't want to go I can get you out of it. But definitely worth considering." In their response to the Times Union, the State Police asserted that the female trooper's reassignment was not connected to her looks or the governor's fondness of her after seeing her at the bridge ceremony. "Any suggestion that (the trooper's) assignment to the PSU and subsequent promotion was based on anything other than her hard work and abilities is false," Beau Duffy, a spokesman for the State Police, said in an emailed statement to the Times Union last year. "Such a suggestion (is) an insult to (the trooper) and the New York State Police." The Times Union is withholding the name of the trooper, who was promoted to investigator in 2019, because she is an alleged victim of sexual harassment. The attorney general's report, based on interviews and emails obtained through subpoenas, found the governor's office had collaborated with the State Police to mislead the newspaper. Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa had called a Times Union editor in December and accused the newspaper of being "sexist," she said, because "you guys are trying to reduce her hiring to being about looks. Thats what men do," according to the attorney general's report. The attorney general's investigation, including an interview with the senior investigator who had a role in executing the female trooper's transfer, found that "despite Ms. DeRosas accusations of sexism, the governors call to (Times Union Editor Casey) Seiler, and the State Polices official response, the truth was, as (the female trooper) informed us and as the documents and other witnesses confirmed, (she) in fact had been allowed to transfer to the PSU (after meeting briefly with the governor and at the governors urging) even though she did not meet the three-year service requirement for the PSU. And then the governor proceeded to engage in a pattern of sexually harassing conduct toward her." In their official responses, the State Police and governor's office had insisted that Cuomo had no role in the female trooper's reassignment. The governor, meanwhile, told the attorney general's investigators that he had instructed the senior investigator to offer jobs on the Protective Services Unit to two female troopers who were at the bridge ceremony but the investigator told the attorney general's office that was inaccurate and the governor had only asked him about the trooper he would allegedly sexually harass more than a year later. The State Police, in its response to the Times Union last year, insisted the female trooper's reassignment "was based on initial recommendation from a supervisor after she assisted the PSU at an event in November of 2017. A Senior Investigator on the detail was impressed by her work and attitude, and recommended her as a possibility to fill an opening on the unit. ... She was subsequently appointed." On Tuesday, Duffy said the State Police's response "reflected the facts that were known at the time of the inquiry last December." The governor's office did not respond. ALBANY When sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo began to accumulate in March, Cuomo, under pressure, invoked Executive Law to direct an investigation be conducted by state Attorney General Letitia James' office. On Tuesday, the bombshell results came back: The report concludes that Cuomo engaged in multiple instances of unwanted touching of women, including groping, that he committed verbal sexual harassment, and that his administration fostered an environment where the behavior was tolerated and the governor protected. At a press conference on Tuesday, James said her office would not take any further action beyond releasing the information, and that other authorities would decide independently on further action, including any criminal investigation. The report will no doubt play a key role in the Assembly's impeachment investigation of Cuomo. Here are some highlights of the 168-page report. General conclusion The report states that Cuomo engaged in conduct "constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York state law." "Specifically, we find that the governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York state employees by ... engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women," the report states. "We also conclude that the Executive Chambers cultureone filled with fear and intimidation, while at the same time normalizing the governors frequent flirtations and gender-based commentscontributed to the conditions that allowed the sexual harassment to occur and persist." Groping allegation Since late 2019, according to the report, Cuomo engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct with an unnamed female executive assistant, culminating in an incident at the Executive Mansion in November 2020 when Cuomo during a close hug reached "under her blouse and grabbed her breast." The assistant kept the groping incident to herself and planned to take it to the grave, the report states, but found herself becoming emotional (in a way visible to her colleagues in the Executive Chamber) while watching Cuomo say, at a press conference on March 3, that he had never "touched anyone inappropriately." The woman then confided with colleagues who came to her aid, and they in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the Executive Chamber, the report states. The Times Union first reported on the woman's allegation on March 10, prompting many prominent New York Democrats to call for Cuomo's resignation. James said the Executive Chamber had reported the incident to the Albany Police Department. It's unclear if Cuomo could face any criminal allegation. "Trooper #1" The report states that in November 2017, Cuomo briefly met a state trooper at an event. Cuomo then spoke with a senior member of his protective detail about having "Trooper #1" join the Protective Services Unit of the State Police, which is in charge of protecting the governor and works close to him. Trooper #1 was then hired into the PSU, despite not meeting the requirement to have at least three years of State Police service to join, a fact borne out by an email exchange. Cuomo subsequently sexually harassed Trooper #1 on a number of occasions, according to the report, including by running his hand across her stomach, from her belly button to her right hip, while she held a door open for him at an event. Charlotte Bennett In a series of conversations in 2020 with a young aide, Charlotte Bennett, Cuomo allegedly made inappropriate comments, including stating he would be willing to date someone who was as young as 22 years old (while knowing Bennett was 25 at the time). Cuomo allegedly asked her whether she had been with older men. Cuomo allegedly stated he was lonely and wanted to be touched and asked whether she had any piercing other than in her ears. Numerous text exchanges Bennett had at the time with others backed up her account, which was first reported by The New York Times. Bennett reported the interactions to his chief of staff and was moved to a different position, where she would not need to interact with Cuomo. But the Executive Chamber did not report the allegations at the time to the Governors Office of Employee Relations, the agency tasked with conducting harassment investigations for state agencies, and did not otherwise conduct any formal investigation, the report states. "Instead, the Executive Chambers senior staff sought to implement a practice whereby individual staff members who were women were not to be left alone with the governor," the report states. But according to the New York State Employee Handbook, "An employee with supervisory responsibility has a duty to report any discrimination that they observe or otherwise know about" to GOER, even "if the individual who complained requests that it not be reported." Lindsey Boylan While Lindsey Boylan was working under Cuomo as an economic development aide, Cuomo allegedly commented on her appearance and attractiveness, including comparing her to a former girlfriend. The report states that Cuomo physically touched her on her waist, legs, and back, and suggested they play strip poker. Boylan also alleged that on one occasion, Cuomo kissed her on the lips. "Our investigation identified corroboration for Ms. Boylans allegations, including ones the governor and the Executive Chamber denied," the report states. Retaliation against Boylan In response to Boylans allegation of sexual harassment, the Executive Chamber engaged in a series of actions that were intended to discredit and disparage her, the report states. Senior staff along with a group of outside advisors disseminated to the media confidential and privileged files, which related to complaints that had been made against Boylan prior to her departure from the Executive Chamber. Cuomo's office prepared a proposed op-ed, originally drafted by Cuomo, that contained "personal and professional attacks" on Boylan. It was shared with a number of current and former Executive Chamber employees. The proposed Cuomo op-ed was never published because some in Cuomo's office thought it was be seen as "victim shaming that they found inadvisable." Cuomo's testimony In his testimony to investigators in mid-July, Cuomo denied inappropriately touching the executive assistant, the state trooper and another female state employee, who had accused Cuomo of grabbing her butt while posing for pictures after an event in New York City. Cuomo stated that he often hugs and kisses people, mostly on the cheek and sometimes on the forehead. While Cuomo admitted that he may have kissed certain staff members on the lips, without remembering who, Cuomo testified that he had not kissed the executive assistant or Boylan. Cuomo did say he regularly hugged the executive assistant, but said she was the initiator of the hugs, while he was more in the reciprocal business" and he did not want to make anyone feel awkward about anything. Answering questions about Charlotte Bennett, Cuomo denied saying he would be willing to date anyone over 22,or that he was lonely and wanted to be touched," or that he ever discussed a potential tattoo on her butt. Cuomo asserted in his testimony that Bennett, because of her experience as a sexual assault survivor, processed what she heard through her own filter, and that it was often not what was said and not what was meant. Cuomo suggested that the complainants were motivated by politics and animosity, the report states. "He also expressed his view that this investigation itself and the investigators conducting the investigationwere politically motivated, an assertion that we saw in the documentary evidence and other witnesses testimony was part of the planned response to the investigation almost as soon as it commenced," the report states. "We found his denials to lack credibility and to be inconsistent with the weight of the evidence obtained during our investigation." "The governors blanket denials and lack of recollection as to specific incidents stood in stark contrast to the strength, specificity, and corroboration of the complainants recollections." Scope of the inquiry The investigation, led by former federal prosecutor Joon Kim and employment lawyer Anne Clark, included the issuance of 70 subpoenas resulting in 74,000 documents. The investigators interviewed 179 individuals and took testimony under oath from 41 of them. While the federal eviction moratorium expired over the weekend, New Yorkers still have one more month of reprieve before courts start processing evictions once again and federal relief dollars are now flowing to tenants who owe back rent. The state moratorium expires Aug. 31. Another extension would require a vote by the Legislature, which is not expected to convene a session until next month. Sen. Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, who introduced a bill in June to make it easier for landlords to recoup unpaid rent through the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, said rather than extending the moratorium, the state should be distributing aid money. The state has $2.7 billion available to help tenants pay back rent through ERAP. After a slow start as the staff at the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance prioritized more than 160,000 applications, OTDA issued nearly $9 million in payments - $6.9 million in the past week and $2 million on Sunday, according to agency spokesperson Anthony Farmer. Initially, renters whose income was at or below 50% of an area's median income, unemployed renters and vulnerable populations were given priority. Aid is now distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The application in itself is eviction protection because the landlord cannot evict a tenant whose application is being processed. If a landlord doesn't complete his or her portion of the application or refuses to accept the money, the tenant will get a letter to use in court. "As an agency, we remain very confident that all the federal funding allocated to New York will be used in its entirety to help those most impacted during the public health crisis," Farmer said. Deb Pusatere, a landlord who has properties in Albany, Cohoes, Bolton Landing, Green Island, Watervliet and Green Island, said none of her tenants have received aid yet. The program links landlords and tenants so when the tenant receives money, it goes directly to the landlord to pay off back rent. New York has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. Property owners must notify tenants by certified mail that their rent is late after five days. The landlord may file a notice of eviction if the rent is not paid within 14 days. How evictions are handled varies by municipality, but Pusatere said she is ready with her paperwork the day the Albany and Cohoes eviction courts reopen. The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York is holding several sessions in Albany to help renters apply for ERAP. A legal advocate will be at the South End branch of the Albany Public Library from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 10; the Arbor Hill branch from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 11; and the Pine Hills branch from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 12. Albany County renters can get assistance if they have fallen behind on rent since March 13, 2020, and they are at risk of becoming homeless or housing insecure. The household must include a member who received unemployment benefits or experienced a loss of income caused directly or indirectly by the pandemic. The total household income cannot be more than 80% of the area median income for Albany. Utility assistance is also available. Tenants may receive enough money to cover up to 12 months of back rent. Tenants may also qualify for three months of future rent if their rent is more than 30% of their monthly income. ALBANY President Joe Biden said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo should resign from office, a stance he had previously avoided taking until an investigation into sexual harassment of the governor was completed. He avoided weighing in on an impeachment inquiry because he said he was not aware of the details of the findings. Biden's stance was one echoed across political lines in Albany and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as elected leaders and others called for Cuomo to resign or face articles of impeachment to be drafted by the state Legislature. The statements followed a report by Attorney General Letitia James, which found the governor sexually harassed multiple women, violating state and federal law. "Yes," Biden said, when asked by a reporter if Cuomo should resign. "I understand that the state Legislature may decide to impeach; I don't know that for a fact. ... I am sure that some embraces were totally innocent, but apparently the attorney general decided there were things that weren't." Cuomo gave no indication of a willingness to resign, but Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that the Democratic majority has lost confidence in the governor and that he could "no longer remain in office." "We will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible," Heastie said in a statement delivered late Tuesday afternoon, hours after the Democrats went into a conference meeting to discuss the report. He said they are awaiting the remaining documents and evidence from James' office. The Assembly's Judiciary Committee is conducting its own far-reaching investigation into Cuomo, a probe Heastie has previously said would likely need to be completed before any articles of impeachment were drafted. Earlier in the day, almost immediately after James' report came out, Heastie said Cuomo was "not fit for office" based on the conduct described in the report. He called its findings "disturbing," adding the "details provided by the victims are gut-wrenching." The speaker's statement stopped short of calling for Cuomo's resignation, something Heastie has been hesitant to do as accusations against the governor have piled up. By later in the day, the Speaker seemed more open to the idea of impeachment, a process that must begin in the Assembly. Democratic governors Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, in a joint statement, said they were appalled at the investigation's findings and said Cuomo should resign. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, also issued a statement condemning Cuomo's actions but she stopped short of calling for him to resign. If the Assembly passes articles of impeachment, Hochul would take office as acting governor until Cuomo could be tried in the Senate. "No one is above the law," Hochul said in a statement. Hochul also did not go as far as to call for an impeachment. After saying that Cuomo's actions, according to James' report, are "repulsive and unlawful behavior," Hochul said she did not feel it was appropriate to comment further "because lieutenant governors stand next in the line of succession." In a recorded statement released two hours after James' news conference began, Cuomo said the "facts are much different than what has been portrayed." He called for the courts to be the arbiter of facts. He spoke to the public from the Executive Mansion in Albany, where the most serious allegation against him the charge that he forcibly groped a female staffer allegedly took place. An attorney for Cuomo, Rita M. Glavin, released an 85-page position statement on the governor's public website; Glavin's firm was paid $285,000 by Cuomo's reelection campaign in the first half of the year, according to campaign finance filings. James' findings are "unfair and inaccurate," Glavin said, reflecting an "utterly biased investigation" that "willfully ignored evidence inconsistent with the narrative they have sought to weave from the outset." Heastie recently said the James report itself may not be enough to prompt the Assembly to reconvene. The state Legislature is currently on break, and is not scheduled to regularly return to Albany until January. Heastie was lambasted by some for his position, which he spoke to reporters about during an unrelated event. The comments were deemed a "cover-up in progress" by attorney Debra S. Katz, who represents Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who accused the governor of sexual harassment, including trying to groom her for sex. The report's findings could be enough to proceed with an article of impeachment and could take the place of at least some of the work of the Judiciary Committee's concurrent investigation, said Assemblyman Phil Steck, who represents parts of the Capital Region and is on the committee. "If our attorneys have been finding the same thing," Steck told the Times Union, "it would seem to be a waste of resources to repeat it, would it not?" Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay called the governor's behavior "abhorrent and absolutely unacceptable." State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins who initially called for the governor to resign in March also called for his resignation based on the "unacceptable behavior by Gov. Cuomo and his administration." "As I said, when these disturbing allegations first came to light, the governor must resign for the good of the state," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. "Now that the investigation is complete and the allegations have been substantiated, it should be clear to everyone that he can no longer serve as governor." Stewart-Cousins, like other Democrats, have been criticized for standing alongside the governor after calling for his resignation. Democrats have often rebuked those questions, pointing to the need to do what they could that was best for their constituents, which sometimes meant having to work alongside the current governor. Stewart-Cousins, in an interview with Spectrum News, said she doesn't "know who would be striking the deal with" if Cuomo attempted to barter an arrangement in which he would not run for reelection in exchange for avoiding an impeachment inquiry or forced resignation. Republican Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt called it a "sad and sobering day" for New Yorkers. Ortt, speaking to the press later in the day, said that the Assembly should not wait for its investigations into every element of accusations against Cuomo, like nursing homes and a $5.1 million book deal, to be complete before bringing articles of impeachment. He said, if necessary, they can amend the articles, if need be. "You don't say, 'Let's let this person continue in the public or in the community until we know all of the things they've done.' That just seems kind of a ridiculous statement," Ortt said. "It's maybe more of an excuse to not move forward and to not take action." The bipartisan calls for Cuomo's exit came from Congress, as well. "The New York Attorney Generals report today confirms my worst fears," U.S. Rep. Paul D. Tonko, D-Amsterdam, said in a statement. "The governors victims deserve justice, the people of our state deserve better and the governor needs to resign." Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking Republican in Congress, said "no one is above the law and today justice must be served." Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Suffolk County Republican who is the presumptive GOP nominee for governor, said Cuomo "institutionalized widespread abuse within his administration and tried to silence his many victims, which enabled him to continue openly preying on those around him." U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement that affirmed their calls in March for Cuomo to resign. "No elected official is above the law," the New York senators said in their joint statement. "The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the governor should resign. State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said the "report documents unacceptable workplace behavior in the Executive Chamber at the highest level of state leadership. The women who came forward are courageous, and they have been heard. As I stated months ago, the Governor should step down." New York State United Teachers also called for Cuomo's resignation, despite the typical lockstep the governor has with the state's unions. "The attorney general has detailed conduct that is repugnant and indefensible in any workplace and especially in the states highest elected office," New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta said in a statement. "Equally troubling was the governors response to the report. Sadly, both show he is unfit to serve in office." The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association spoke to one of the allegations in the report, that a state trooper was among the women harassed. "I'm outraged and disgusted that one of my members, who was tasked with guarding the governor and ensuring his safety, could not enjoy the same sense of security in her work environment that he was provided," NYS Troopers PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer said. The information about the trooper who was harassed by the governor was news to the New York State Police Investigators Association. "Today we learned that while they were protecting the governor, someone should have been protecting them from him," the association said in a statement. "NYPSIA will fight to protect our members and work to make sure and that nothing like this ever happens again." Nearly all statements released acknowledged the stories of the women who came forward to tell their stories to the attorney general's office and thanked them for their bravery. Read all of the documents: With the Venango and Warren county fairs fast approaching, what draws you to the fair? You voted: The quickly approaching fall semester has Americas colleges under pressure to decide how far they should go to guard their campuses against the coronavirus while navigating legal and political questions and rising infection rates For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, WCCO-TV. [August 03, 2021] AEye Continues Global Growth - Opens Japan Office to Meet Growing Demand for Its Adaptive LiDAR AEye Inc. ("AEye"), the global leader in adaptive, high-performance LiDAR solutions, today announced the opening of its Tokyo office to support and grow AEye's existing base of automotive, mobility and industrial partners suppliers, customers and system integrators in Japan. The new office will be led by country manager Eisuke Miura, a 35-year automotive product executive, who has served in general manager and business development (BD) director roles in automotive and IoT at Socionext and Fujitsu (News - Alert) . He will be joined by an accomplished BD, sales and field application engineering team with automotive experience at companies such as Continental and Denso. Miura will report to Bernd Reichert, AEye's recently appointed Senior Vice-president of ADAS. Reichert joined AEye from Valeo, where he managed the LiDAR and Global Driver Assistance business. "We are at an inflection point in the market, and are seeing tremendous interest in our unique adaptive LiDAR, as well as strong traction in both automotive and non-automotive markets," said Jordan Greene, Co-founder, GM of ADAS and VP of Corporate Development at AEye. "As we build a global technology business, it's essential that we are tightly integrated with our partners and customers, in Japan and elsewhere. We look forward to very close collaboration with our Japanese partners, as we scale our business to meet the growing demand for our adaptive LiDAR." Driving Efficiencies and Adoption Worldwide AEye uses a single product platform and single supply chain across markets to drive efficiencies and accelerate adoption in automotive, mobility and industrial markets. The company recently announced it is engaged with an ecosystem of more than 75 partners globally across industries. In each case, AEye's adaptive, low cost, high performance LIDAR can be configured by software to meet he needs of specific applications per market. AEye Japan will provide the company's innovative, adaptive LiDAR products and support services to Japanese customers, who are world leaders both in the automotive, commercial, and industrial markets. AEye's uniquely intelligent LiDAR (iDAR) leverages deterministic AI to focus on what matters most in a vehicle's surroundings, resulting in greater reliability, safety, and performance at longer range and lower cost. Its strategic investment and go-to-market partners include Continental AG, GM Ventures, Subaru-SBI, Hella Ventures, LG Electronics (News - Alert) , Pegasus Ventures (Aisin), and Airbus Ventures. This announcement comes at a time of rapid growth, technological advancement and business expansion for AEye, as it transitions to productization and mass production. AEye's iDAR has achieved groundbreaking, independently verified performance metrics that top the LiDAR industry. The company is also working alongside manufacturing and automotive go-to-market partner, Continental AG to jointly develop an ultra-long range, high performance LiDAR for automotive and commercial vehicle applications. For industrial, aerospace, and other non-automotive markets, AEye is working with global integrated manufacturing solutions leader, Sanmina, to begin production of AEye's 4Sight M in September. To see what a software-configurable sensor can do, and to experience iDAR's record-breaking performance in real-time, visit aeye.ai/demo-the-4sight-m. About AEye AEye is the premier provider of high-performance, adaptive LiDAR systems for vehicle autonomy, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and robotic vision applications. AEye's AI-enabled and software-definable iDAR (Intelligent Detection and Ranging) platform combines solid-state adaptive LiDAR, an optionally fused low-light HD camera, and integrated deterministic artificial intelligence to capture more intelligent information with less data, enabling faster, more accurate, and more reliable perception. The company is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and backed by world-renowned financial investors including Kleiner Perkins and Taiwania Capital, as well as GM Ventures, Continental AG, Hella Ventures, LG Electronics, Subaru-SBI, Pegasus Ventures (Aisin), Intel (News - Alert) Capital, SK Hynix and Airbus Ventures. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005355/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Aktify Appoints Sales Powerhouse Craig Daly as Chief Revenue Officer LEHI, Utah, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aktify, a conversational collective intelligence (CI) platform for enterprise businesses, today announced that tech-giant veteran Craig Daly has joined the team as Aktify's first Chief Revenue Officer to lead the company through its next stage of growth. Daly joins during a period of rapid hiring and growth for the company. He leads the revenue team, which includes sales, marketing, operations, and customer success. He joins an impressive existing leadership team, which has delivered an extremely high rate of growth. "It's an honor and the perfect stage to add Craig Daly to our A-Team. We spent years researching and developing a powerful product-market-fit for a massive play. By the end of 2020, we knew we were ready to scale with proven leadership," said Kreg Peeler, CEO and founder of Aktify. "Daly's an incredible leader, and everyone wants an opportunity to work with him. He sets goals, he mentors, he optimizes, and he helps everyone achieve. We're just getting warmed up, and e have some very audacious goals. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to work with Daly as we lead this revolution and transform the way sales organizations interact with prospects and customers." Daly has an extensive history in sales leadership roles, including his most recent position where he oversaw massive growth at Podium, a reputation management and business messaging company. As VP of Enterprise, he enabled the scaling of its interaction management platform and was responsible for establishing several critical partnerships. Prior to Podium, he served in sales leadership roles at Qualtrics, the authority in experience management. "Once I saw the value Aktify was already creating for its customers, I knew I had to be a part of it," said Daly. "We are at the height of customers' expectations, and Aktify's conversational AI is already quenching a massive market thirst for better-personalized conversations at massive scale." About Aktify Aktify is a conversational intelligence company. It uses robust data science and machine learning to delight customers with thoughtful conversations and well-curated gestures. Aktify's solutions are invisible, integrating with CRMs and marketing automation platforms. It creates millions of weekly conversations through SMS and phone calls, delivering a 10x ROI to clients. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California and Lehi, Utah. Aktify is privately funded by its executive team. To learn more, visit aktify.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aktify-appoints-sales-powerhouse-craig-daly-as-chief-revenue-officer-301347236.html SOURCE Aktify [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] As Cities Get Smarter, They Become More Vulnerable to Cyberattacks MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart cities are the future of urban living - leveraging data, digital technology, and design to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of city services, improving the quality of life for residents. In response to recent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, businesses and first responders, global cybersecurity leader Onclave Networks, Inc. warns that the convergence of digital and physical infrastructures common in smart city ecosystems has expanded the security risks and that state and local governments need to prioritize adoption of Zero Trust Architecture in cybersecurity. Smart cities use integrated information and communications technology (ICT) to engage citizens, reduce crime, streamline traffic, save water and improve city-wide operations. However, the same internet-connected systems and devices that provide these benefits create vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. Today, network breaches that include malware and ransomware can endanger citizens by shutting down critical infrastructure and city services, such as access to first responders, utilities such as electric and water, traffic control systems, security and hospital networks. Such attacks on city services can clearly disrupt daily life and work for entire cities and possibly endanger lives. "City and state leaders must adopt a 'network of everything' security mindset," said Onclave's CEO, Don Stroberg. "Systems and devices are all interconnected, which means we cannot focus on just any one part in an enterprise network. We need to protect all endpoints and continuously reassess trust to ensure the network is most secured." In addition to having contingency and proactive disaster plans in place, Onclave Networks recommends that cyber-resilience and safety become a core component of an organization's overall cybersecurity solution, including a trusted, secure network solution based on Zero Trust guidelines. With three recent prominent awards and partnerships, Onclave Networks has established its leadership in working with governments to provide a smarter, more secure network solution for their communities based on Zero Trust. "As cities connect a multitude of devices and systems and transmit their data across standard IT networks, they expand their attack surface and vulnerability to cyberattacks," said Stroberg. "Smart city developers should prioritize cybersecurity and start with a secure foundaion to build and protect their overall infrastructure." With three recent prominent awards and partnerships, global cybersecurity firm Onclave Networks, Inc. has established its leadership in working with governments to provide a smarter, more secure network solution and foundation based on Zero Trust. On July 13, Onclave was awarded a grant from the state of Virginia's Commonwealth Commercialization Fund. The grant, titled "Zero Trust Remote Access for Smart Communities," supports Onclave's work in the Virginia Smart Community Testbed, a project of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology. An official partner of the Testbed, Onclave was recognized at their May 21 ribbon cutting. "We have repeatedly seen how important it is to secure not just our devices and networks but the data as well," said David Ihrie, chief technology officer of the Center for Innovative Technology. "As the Internet of Things continues to rapidly expand, cybersecurity solutions like Onclave's Zero Trust platform are essential foundational elements of our new digital infrastructure." The Virginia Smart Community Testbed is a public-private partnership intended to accelerate smart technology growth in the state. It focuses on relevant and practical use cases - Public Safety, Data Security & Training, Economic Development & Tourism and 5G Technology & Broadband Expansion - to produce innovative solutions using emerging and smart technologies. It is the first Smart City Testbed involving an IoT platform, fully integrated with 5G and other new and emerging technologies for Smart Cities around the country. Previously, Onclave Networks won the Actuator Award in Fairfax County, VA's first Smart City Challenge, in March 2021. In the award announcement, Smart City Works co-founder David Heyman said Onclave is a company that is "making a secure digital society possible." The Onclave TrustedPlatform leverages techniques currently used by the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. The TrustedPlatform cryptographically separates OT/IoT from the IT network - eliminating attack surfaces, creating secure enclaves, and protecting enterprise data communications and operations. The single, integrated communications platform provides detection, isolation and containment capabilities through continuous monitoring of all endpoint activities and requires no changes to an organization's existing infrastructure. Combined, this solution reduces the costs from cyberattacks and compliance risks. Contact Onclave or Download our Zero Trust whitepaper to learn more about how to protect your critical infrastructure and systems from the increasing threat of cyberattacks. About Onclave Networks, Inc. Based in the Washington, D.C., area, Onclave Networks, Inc. is a global cybersecurity leader that specializes in securing operational technology (OT/IoT) through private networks. Onclave provides the first true, secure communications platform based on the Zero Trust framework. Our solution protects both legacy and new operational technologies from cyberattacks and other unauthorized access. Onclave makes trusted secure communications a standard for all by providing the fastest path to a more secure, simplified, and cost-effective alternative to today's solutions. For more information, contact sales@onclavenetworks.com or visit onclavenetworks.com. Media Contact Alexis Quintal alexis@newswire.com Related Images onclave-networks-inc.jpg Onclave Networks Inc. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-cities-get-smarter-they-become-more-vulnerable-to-cyberattacks-301346167.html SOURCE Onclave Networks, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Compass Expands To Wisconsin NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass, Inc. (NYSE: COMP), a leading real estate technology company, today announced its expansion to Wisconsin with 16 top agents in Milwaukee representing more than $110 million in 2020 sales volume. Principal agents joining Compass in Milwaukee include: Karine Sewart of The Sewart Group and Charlie Hutchinson of Houseworks Collective. "One of our core principles as a business is to obsess about opportunity and that's exactly what we are announcing today an amazing opportunity between Compass and some of the most experienced real estate professionals in Wisconsin," said Rachael Rohn, Compass Regional President. "Our continued growth into the North Central market is a natural step in Compass' national expansion and I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Wisconsin into our region." The Sewart Group joins Compass as a market leader in Milwaukee with $350 million in combined career sales. Led by Karine Sewart, a Milwaukee native and University of Wisconsin alumna, the team specializes in the luxury residential markets of Milwaukee and prides themselves on delivering a first-class real estate experience for their clients. With over $41 million in 2020 sales volume, the team has been repeatedly recognized as the top producing sales team at their previous brokerage. "Our goal at The Sewart Group is to consistently deliver an exceptional client experience. As trusted real estate advisors for over 18 years, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our business and serve our clients at the highest level," said Karine Sewart, Compass Agent in Milwaukee. "Compass impressed us with its cuttin-edge technology, incredible marketing tools, dynamic leadership, and forward-thinking approach. The partnership between Sewart Group and Compass seemed natural. We believe that technology is driving the future of real estate and that Compass is the market leader. With pride and gratitude, The Sewart Group is excited to be aligned with Compass and honored to be a Founding Agent Team in the Wisconsin market." Compass helps agents grow their businesses, serve more clients, save time, and stand out as valued, trusted and professional advisors in their markets. During the first quarter of 2021, Compass had revenue of $1.1 billion, an 80% increase from Q1 2020. While the U.S. residential real estate market grew transactions by 14% in Q1, Compass grew total transactions by 67%. Charlie Hutchinson released the following statement: "From the supportive staff, to the creative marketing team, and the innovative technology and platforms, Compass has everything in place to help agents build their brand and their business. To top it all off, Compass' brand recognition, national network, and renowned professionalism aligns with everything we have always strived for at Houseworks Collective. Joining Compass as Founding Agents in Milwaukee will not only build our business, but elevate the business of those around us." Charlie Hutchinson , Compass Agent, Milwaukee Compass is home to nearly 22,000 agents operating in over 50 markets in the U.S. In 2020, Compass agents assisted home sellers and buyers to transact approximately $152 billion in residential real estate making Compass the largest independent real estate brokerage in the United States. About Compass Founded in 2012, Compass is a leading real estate technology company, providing an end-to-end platform that empowers its residential real estate agents to deliver exceptional service to seller and buyer clients. The platform includes an integrated suite of cloud-based software for customer relationship management, marketing, client service, brokerage services and other critical functionality, all custom-built for the real estate industry. Compass agents utilize the platform to grow their business, save time and manage their business more effectively. For more information on how Compass empowers real estate agents, one of the largest groups of small business owners in the country, please visit www.Compass.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Compass' current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Statements containing words such as "could," "believe," "expect," "intend," "will," or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from Compass' current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Compass' business, including, but not limited to, expansion into new markets, prevailing market conditions, the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally, and risks related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative, but is not exhaustive. For information about other potential factors that could affect Compass' business and financial results, please review the "Risk Factors" described in Compass' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 13, 2021, and Compass' other filings with the SEC. Except as may be required by law, Compass undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compass-expands-to-wisconsin-301346985.html SOURCE Compass [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Dr. Andrea Backman Named President of Strayer University Following a national search, the Strayer University Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Andrea Backman president of Strayer University. As president, Andrea will develop and oversee programs and innovations to help students succeed and receive a return on their educational investment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005203/en/ Dr. Andrea Backman, president of Strayer University (Photo: Business Wire) Founded in 1892, Strayer has a long history of providing innovative, relevant programs for working adults seeking to advance in their jobs and careers, regardless of their life circumstances. Dr. Backman has served as the university's acting president since November 2020. Additionally, Andrea previously served as the chief employability officer for Strayer's parent company, Strategic Education, Inc. In that role she worked to ensure a return on educational investment for students at both Strayer and Capella Universities. Andrea has also served in senior leadership positions at Jack Welch Management Institute, University of Virginia and DePaul University. "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Andrea Backman as the president of Strayer University. Through her leadership in higher education, as well as her own background as a single mother and one of the first in her family to attend college, she has a deep understanding of the barriers students can face when seeking higher eucation," said Dr. Charlotte Beason, chair of the Strayer University Board of Trustees. Strayer is dedicated to supporting busy, working adult students. The average age of a Strayer student is 34 and most are female (72%). Many are juggling work, child care and other responsibilities. "I'm thrilled that Dr. Backman has been named president of Strayer University by the board of trustees. Andrea has a legacy of understanding the unique needs of Strayer students to upskill or reskill quickly to get a return on their educational investment," said Strategic Education, Inc. CEO Karl McDonnell. "In her new role she will continue her work to make education more accessible to all and support the economic mobility of Strayer students." "I am proud to serve as the president of a university that is accessible to anyone who wants to advance their education and their career, and I will continue to find innovative ways to support our students in their pursuit of economic mobility," said Dr. Backman. "I also recognize the importance of this role in a post-pandemic world in which many working adults who left the workforce are pursuing education to change or advance their careers. It is imperative that Strayer support their educational and career success." In her previous role as chief employability officer, Andrea established protocols and programs to help Strayer and Capella students receive a return on their educational investment. These included: career readiness initiatives; opportunities for reduced cost and time to complete a degree; a new general education curriculum that teaches essential employability skills, such as communication, self and social awareness, initiative and problem solving; and an advisory council made up of thought leaders focused on the future of work and learning. In addition to her role as president, Andrea will chair the employability and student return on investment work at Strategic Education, Inc. About Strayer University: Founded in 1892, Strayer University is an institution of higher learning for working adult students. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health services administration, public administration, and criminal justice. Strayer University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), www.msche.org. Strayer University's accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. MSCHE most recently reaffirmed Strayer University's accreditation status in June 2017, with the next self-study evaluation scheduled for the 2025-2026 academic year. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information, visit http://www.strayer.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005203/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Eco Depot Inc is pleased to announce the Official Launch of Bronya Climate Shield at the North America National Hardware Show TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eco Depot Inc. (OTC Pink: ECDP), a Nevada company, is pleased to announce its wholly-owned subsidiary Bronya Canada Group will officially launch its Bronya Climate Shield product line at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas Nevada on October 21st through to the 23 rd. Bronya Canada Group has officially confirmed the North American launch will take place on October 21st, 2021, at the National Hardware Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the New West Hall. The Company's Bronya Climate Shield Product line will be on Exhibit at stand number W729 situated next to PPG Industries stand at W723. Bronya Canada Group will be among the 2,800 Exhibitors with over 20,000 Participants that will be attending this year's show that was cancelled this spring on May 6th and last year due to the Covid -19 Pandemic. Bronya Climate Shield will also be featured at the new innovative products exhibit featured under the "Habitat New" at the National Hardware Show. Bronya Canada Group invites all possible distributors to come visit our stand at the National Hardware Show! This is an opportunity for our team to reconnect with colleagues and peers from all over the world at the one event that unites the industry. The entire Home Improvement industry will be attending from Home centers, independent retailers, online retailers, wholesalers, builders, and international distributors under one roof to discover the newest products, innovations, and trends shaping the future of the home improvement and DIY industry. Bronya Canada group is excited to attend and generate sales leads, build relationships, and gain the global exposure that will power the growth of our brand and business. Bronya Climate Shield is thrilled to present its thermal protective paint coating designed to reduce 20-40% of energy consumption in businesses and homes. NTS Sci-Lab, a globally recognized ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory used by Government Agencies and Fortune 500 Companies, has confirmed the energy reduction in the first quarter of 2021. Due to its potential for reducing energy consumption, Bronya Canada Group seeks to make Bronya Cimate Shield the most affordable, cost-effective thermal paint coating in the battle against Climate Change through energy conservation. Bronya Canada Group is currently considering multiple potential sites in several other states and provinces to accommodate its consumer demand, and the National Hardware Show will open new doors in our international rollout. ABOUT ECO DEPOT Eco Depot, Inc. acquires, manages, and develops eco-friendly real estate assets and consumer brand products. Their focus is to provide investments, funding, and support for acquisitions, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and green companies dedicated to protecting the environment. Eco Depot is a development stage distributor of eco-friendly consumer brand products and is publicly traded Over the Counter at OTCMKTS: ECDP. ABOUT BRONYA CANADA GROUP Bronya Coatings Group, Inc. ("the Company") is based in Montreal and intends to commercialize a Multi-Purpose liquid thermal insulation paint Bronya Climate Shield product line in North America. The Company's mission is to establish third-party production facilities globally to reduce the costs associated with the business' supply chain. The Company also has established relationships with major home improvement stores on a worldwide basis. ABOUT BRONYA CLIMATE SHIELD Bronya Climate Shield increases energy efficiency, energy savings and reduces carbon emissions through energy conservation. Product website: www.bronyaclimateshield.com CONTACT: Eco-Depot Inc 2300 West Sahara Avenue Suite 800 Las Vegas, NV 89102 Website: ecdp.co Tel: 1 (800) 323-7006 Info@ecdp.co WEBSITE: www.ecdp.co info@ecdp.co PRODUCT INQUIRIES: +1-(844)-427-6692 info@bronyaclimateshield.com Safe Harbor Statement This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "potential" and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition, or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release, including such forward-looking statements. CONTACT: Eco-Depot Inc 2300 West Sahara Avenue Suite 800 Las Vegas, NV 89102 Website: ecdp.co Tel: 1 (800) 323-7006 Info@ecdp.co WEBSITE: www.ecdp.co info@ecdp.co PRODUCT INQUIRIES: +1-(844)-427-6692 info@bronyaclimateshield.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eco-depot-inc-is-pleased-to-announce-the-official-launch-of-bronya-climate-shield-at-the-north-america-national-hardware-show-301346732.html SOURCE Eco Depot Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Enlight signs agreement to acquire a portfolio of solar energy projects currently under development in Spain Zafrir Yoeli, SVP Business Development: "This is another expansion of our portfolio of projects in Spain, which already includes the largest wind farm in Spain which is in advanced stages of construction (Gecama), as well as another 800MWdc in development. The new portfolio, which already secured grid connection rights to the national electricity grid, will add significant solar power in high-radiation areas and will diversify our production sources in the Iberian region" TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enlight Renewable Energy (TASE: ENLT) announced that it signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of photovoltaic solar energy projects, in several stages, that are currently under development in Spain, with potential aggregate capacity of approximately 490 MWdc. The portfolio is made up of ten projects in two regions, Andalucia and Valencia, which have some of the best radiation in Spain, and supplements the location of the projects the company is building and developing in Spain, currently in the Castilla La Mancha region. The projects are held through special purpose companies, which at this stage hold most of the rights to the land for construction of the projects and the approvals to connect to the electricity grid. The seller is an affiliate of the private investment fund, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., with the development of the projects being done by one of Spain's leading solar development companies, Renovalia Energy Group SLU, as part of the existing development agreement with it. The consideration will be paid according to milestones based on the development of the projects, with most of the consideration being paid upon comletion of the development and after all the permits for construction of the projects have been obtained. The first milestone is for an amount that is not material for the company, and it includes a guarantee for most of the rights to the land and rights to connect to the grid. The average consideration upon completion of the development is expected to reach EUR 85,000-100,000 per MWdc, depending on materialization of the various parameters of the different projects. According to the agreements between the parties, the seller will continue to bear the development costs and guarantees for connection to the grid upon completion of development, and then the company will provide the guarantees for connection to the grid and will reimburse the seller for specific expenses only, such as land costs and connection costs, and only for the projects for which development is successfully completed. Additionally, should the development of a specific project not be completed, the consideration paid for it will be offset against the consideration to be paid for the other projects. Note that the Spanish government recently increased renewable energy production targets to approximately 74% of total energy consumption by 2030, with most expected to come from solar energy, with an estimated additional capacity of 37,000 MW of solar energy. The company estimates that the portfolio projects that materialize will do so gradually, in whole or in part, over a two-year period. Enlight Renewable Energy, established in 2008, is traded on the Tel Aviv 125 Index is 98% publicly held. It is one of the Israeli leaders in initiation, development, financing, construction and operation of ventures for generation of green energy from renewable energy sources. The company operates in Israel and Europe, with a diversified portfolio of income-producing projects, projects under construction and pre-construction, with production capacity of 2,000 MW and additional 2,800 MW in various stages of development. The company enjoys a steadily growing revenue backlog from long-term agreements for the sale of power and is also working to expand its footprint in additional clean energy markets and segments. Cerberus, Founded in 1992, is a global leader in alternative investing with over $55 billion in assets across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. Cerberus invest across the capital structure where their integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. the tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns. For additional information: Orli Kasuto Madmon Scherf Communications View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enlight-signs-agreement-to-acquire-a-portfolio-of-solar-energy-projects-currently-under-development-in-spain-301346731.html SOURCE Enlight Renewable Energy [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Entrata Appoints Heather Gagon as New Chief People Officer LEHI, Utah, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrata , the multifamily industry's most comprehensive technology platform, today announced the promotion of Heather Gagon to Chief People Officer. Continuing its rapid growth, the company looks to fill hundreds of job openings across the business, including engineering, customer success, project management, marketing and more. "Entrata is known for its unique and inclusive company culture that permeates every aspect of the business. Heather's been a key part of that for nearly a decade and has helped to turn Entrata into what it is today," said Entrata CEO, Adam Edmunds. "Heather's fingerprints can be found on nearly every aspect of the business as she's helped to shape HR practices and Entrata's people-first approach for both its employees and customers." Gagon has worked on Entrata's people team for more than nine yearsmost recently as Vice President of Human Resources. During this time, she helped to create the foundatin of Entrata's well-known culture and values, such as communicating to empower, showing respect to customers, team members, partners and more. She has also been key in implementing many initiatives including remote work options, extended parental leave and a new flex paid time off program to be rolled out in 2022. "I'm excited about Entrata's future and taking our incredible workforce to the next level of growth and professional development," said Gagon. "Building Entrata's people team and company culture over the past decade has been very rewarding, as I've been able to help not only the company grow, but also individual employees as they've built skills and grown through the ranks of the company." Entrata provides access to several programs and resources intentionally designed to make life better for its employees. These consist of a comprehensive benefits program that provides an effective security net for both employees and their families, an inclusive company culture, and a host of wellness options. Other benefits include: Onsite gym, ping pong, foosball, pool tables and karaoke bar Fully-stocked snack hubs and Coca-Cola freestyle machines Leadership development program 401k with matching with matching Health, dental, vision and life insurance, flexible spending account Short-term and long-term disability Open positions can be found at entrata.com/careers . ABOUT ENTRATA Founded in 2003, Entrata is the only comprehensive property management software provider with a single-login, open-access platform. Offering a wide variety of online tools including websites, mobile apps, payments, lease signing, accounting, and resident management, the Entrata platform currently serves more than 20,000 apartment communities nationwide. Entrata's open API and superior selection of third-party integrations offer management companies the freedom to choose the technology and software that best fit their needs. For more information, go to www.entrata.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entrata-appoints-heather-gagon-as-new-chief-people-officer-301347062.html SOURCE Entrata [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] First Bank Improved Compliance While Delivering a Better Customer Experience With FINBOA Regulation E Dispute Tracking First Bank continues to benefit from the successful implementation of Regulation E (Reg E) Dispute Tracking with FINBOA, a leading innovator in digital process automation, regulatory compliance and enhanced customer experiences. With 12 branches in Indiana and Illinois, First Bank required a system to ensure that Reg E timelines were being tracked accurately for debit card disputes and reduce the risk of fines. The bank also wanted to add e-signatures to improve its client experience. After partnering with FINBOA, First Bank achieved both goals with a single solution. FINBOA's Regulation E Dispute Tracking improves operational efficiency, customer experience and regulatory compliance for financial institutions. The Reg E solution eliminates manual rekeying of data to increase accuracy, decrease regulatory oversight and reduce cost. "From our customers' perspective, we have made it easier for them to file and complete a dispute should they have fraudulent debit card activity. FINBOA has been very well received by our account holders with 64% taking advantage of the electronic signature option," said Chris Bailey, First Bank's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. "The FINBOA team has been geat. They are responsive, listen and understand our challenges, and they have implemented software changes to solve them. Since launching Regulation E Dispute Tracking in November 2018, we have had no Reg E timeline violations." "We developed FINBOA to transform dispute tracking for bank customers and the back-office staff," said Raj Singal, CEO of FINBOA. "Using process automation, we are eliminating the need for manual systems that are tedious for financial institution staff and leave customers frustrated. First Bank is a prime example of how digital transformation and process automation can improve the customer experience and reduce the risk for financial institutions. We are excited by the results First Bank has seen and look forward to its continued success in the future. Most exciting for me is when I hear that bank staff is freed up to do more meaningful work." About First Bank Founded in 1893, First Bank has $615 million in assets, 12 branches and specializes in delivering tailored and unexpected solutions to businesses, farmers and families. Its holding company, Southern Illinois Bancorp, Inc., in Carmi, Illinois, has three other entities including First Insurance Agency, First Financial Services and Southern Illinois Title - together employing 130 associates. Learn more at MyFirst.Bank. About FINBOA FINBOA is a leading innovator in back-office automation for financial institutions. Leveraging more than 30 years of experience, FINBOA has created solutions to reduce compliance cost and reputational risk by bringing together digital transformation, regulatory compliance, robotic process automation and customer experience. Headquartered in Houston, FINBOA partners with financial institutions nationwide to achieve targeted business outcomes and peace of mind. To access the First Bank Customer Success Story and learn more about FINBOA, please visit www.finboa.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005219/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] FulcrumAir Announces Opening of Colorado Office, Expansion of Calgary Facility, and New Appointments FulcrumAir is excited to announce that it has opened its first office in the United States, located in Wellington, Colorado, and has expanded its Canadian offices in Calgary, Alberta. The Wellington facility is the head office of our US operations and will be used to service our growing customer base in the power transmission and distribution industry. The expansion at the Canadian office allows us to invest further resources into robotic development through the hiring of additional engineers and technicians increasing our production capacity, putting more machines in action faster. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005048/en/ Mr. Robert Rotzetter will be transferring to the USA from Canda to run our US operations as the General Manager. Robert has been with Fulcrum (News - Alert) since 2019 and has been instrumental in overseeing our Canadian operations and securing our industry-leading position with Transport Canada. He is also spearheading our efforts with the FAA to receive Type Certification for our E7500 Heavy Lift UAS. Mr. Will Shlah has joined Fulcrum in Calgary as the Canadian General Manager. In addition to overseeing Canadian operations, Will brings his previous industry experience in health and safety, regulatory compliance, and training to ensure FulcrumAir maintains its position as an industry leader in safety excellence and innovative regulatory trendsetting. Patrick Arnell, CEO, states: "FulcrumAir is very proud to welcome both Robert Rotzetter and Will Shlah into their new positions. These appointments, plus our expanded facilities in both the USA and Canada, will greatly assist us to accelerate our efforts in offering unique robotic solutions to the power transmission and distribution industries. Our mission, as always, is to significantly increase safety for the industry by taking linemen out of harm's way and to improve efficiency and reduce cost for our customers." FulcrumAir is an industry leader in the development of UASs and robots for the powerline industry. Our promise - to be Always Above. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005048/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Gebruder Weiss to Sponsor Swiss Hyperloop Team at Not-a-Boring Competition LAS VEGAS, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As an official logistics partner, Gebruder Weiss supports the "Swissloop Tunneling" research team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. The ETH team is involved in the further technical development of the Hyperloop high-speed transport system. With a sponsored land and sea transport from Dubendorf in Switzerland to Las Vegas, Gebruder Weiss is ensuring that the research team can participate in September at Not-A-Boring Competition, "Can you beat the snail," with its high-tech drilling robot. The Hyperloop competition will involve drilling a tunnel as quickly and accurately as possible. The idea behind the Hyperloop project, based on a concept developed by Elon Musk, is to transport people and goods over shorter distances through tunnels under or above the earth's surface to their destination at high speed. To make tunneling financially viable, the drilling robots required must be as fast, compact, and automated as possible. The conditions set by Elon Musk for the high-tech scientific race in Las Vegas are challenging. As a reference, for drift velocity, he has specified the speed of a snail, which should be surpassed if possible. "As a provider of future-oriented logistics solutions, we have to start thinking today about how we can ensure the freight mobility of tomorrow under economically feasible conditions. The Hyperloop project may still seem somewhat exotic to us today, but it promises feaible solutions for the mobility requirements of the future," says Lothar Thoma, Managing Director Air & Sea at Gebruder Weiss. Stefan Kaspar, founder and co-president of Swissloop Tunneling, said, "Questioning existing transport systems for people and goods and looking for feasible alternatives - our vision is nothing less than to revolutionize tunneling and help a technology achieve its breakthrough. With the logistical support of Gebruder Weiss, our vision is one step closer to becoming reality." For more information, see: www.swisslooptunneling.ch and www.boringcompany.com/competition About Gebruder Weiss Gebruder Weiss, a global freight forwarder with a core business of overland transport, air, and sea freight and logistics, is the world's oldest transport company with a history that dates back more than 500 years. The family-owned company employs more than 7,400 people worldwide and boasts 170 company-owned locations. The business has expanded its North American locations to include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Developing and changing with its customers' needs, Gebruder Weiss is also a pioneer in sustainable business practices having implemented myriad ecological, economic, and social initiatives. The company's voyage into North America, along with its continuous growth, illustrates the need for highly experienced providers of global solutions through an international network of supply chain experts. Customized solutions with a single point of contact provide customers with an exceptional service experience focused on reliable and economical solutions. Visit GW-World.com for more information. Gebruder Weiss Media Contact Karolyn Raphael Karolyn@wingermarketing.com Related Images gebr-der-weiss-sponsors-swissloop.jpg Gebruder Weiss Sponsors Swissloop Tunneling at Not A Boring Competition in Las Vegas in September. Gebruder Weiss is the main sponsor of Swissloop Tunneling at ETH Zurich. Here: In front of the Gebruder Weiss sea freight container in Dubendorf / Switzerland: Stefan Kaspar (left), founder and co-president of Swissloop Tunneling, with his team. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gebruder-weiss-to-sponsor-swiss-hyperloop-team-at-not-a-boring-competition-301347489.html SOURCE Gebruder Weiss [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Golden Star Enterprises Ltd. Welcomes Advisory Board Member Tim Cadeau Claymont, Delaware, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Golden Star Enterprises, Ltd. (OTC Pink: GSPT) announces the appointment of Mr. Tim Cadeau as the first member of our newly established Advisory Board. Mr. Cadeau has spent the last 23 years in various leadership positions with the Teamsters, Service Employees International and the National Organized Workers Union. In his various roles, he has served as the chief negotiator for 100s of collective bargaining agreements, arbitrations, labour management meetings, mediations, and Ontario Labour Relations Board tribunals, spanning across healthcare and numerous other industry sectors. Mr. Cadeaus experience and connections make him an excellent choice as the initial member of the Companys Advisory Board. I look forward to serving on the Golden Star Advisory board with the intent of facilitating introductions the Company and its subsidiaries will need to expand existing business and move to identify additional acquisition targets, said Mr. Cadeau. Mr. Shefsky, President of Golden Star, commented, Weve established the Advisory Board to provide the Company access to experienced professionals across a variety of industry sectors, further enhancing managements ability to locate revenue-generating projects as we expand our operational base. We also expct Advisory Board members to assist the Company in opening doors to growth opportunities for these businesses and assist in securing financing to allow our operating segments to achieve development goals. We are excited to have Mr. Cadeau as the first member of this newly established Advisory Board. We look forward to capitalizing on the value Tim can bring to our first operating asset, Enigmai. Tim will initially focus on adding value through introductions of Enigmais workforce management software to key industry groups in Canada. About Enigmai Enigmai was founded in Israel in 2009. As an Israeli tech company, Enigmai developed a unique and advanced solution to address the challenges large contact centers face with workforce management. Our solution supports the entire workflow cycle, from managing shifts and employee breaks to forecasting every days HR needs. Our system offers numerous advantages like integration with other organization systems in use, real-time information update, easy access reports, and a web-based solution. Leading financial and insurance companies in Israel currently use our system, supporting the operation of hundreds of employees daily. Email: info@enigmai.com www.enigmai.com About Golden Star Enterprises Ltd. Golden Star Enterprises Ltd. (GSPT) is a publicly-traded holding and acquisition company interested in taking technology start-ups and growing them to the next level. We actively search for exceptional investment opportunities in the technology vertical. We leverage managements extensive experience in the marketplace and tech industry connections to create opportunities for companies in our portfolio. Email: info@goldenstarenterprisesltd.com www.goldenstarenterprisesltd.com This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "will," "will be," "anticipate," "predict," expect "continue," "future," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause views and expectations to change. The Company assumes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Haivision Adds Director with Extensive Defense and Government Experience to its Board of Directors MONTREAL, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Haivision Systems Inc. ("Haivision") (TSX: HAI), a leading global provider of mission critical, real-time IP video solutions, is pleased to announce that Major General Lee K. Levy II, USAF (Ret) was appointed as a director of Haivision. During his final assignment with the US Air Force, General Levy was Commanding General of the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He served as CEO of the Air Force's organization responsible for worldwide logistics, supply chain, sustainment, and maintenance, modification, repair, and overhaul (MMRO) of Air Force, other US military, and allied aircraft, space, and cyber systems. General Levy also directed and had global responsibility for the Air Force's supply chains, and Agile software development and sustainment responsibility for air, space, and cyber weapons systems as well as sustainment responsibility for much of the US Nuclear Deterrent Forces. A New Orleans, Louisiana native, General Levy's military career began in 1985 when he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He also ha earned a graduate certificate in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Science degree in International Relations from Troy State University. Additionally, he also earned a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. His varied education also includes completing Harvard's John F Kennedy School of Government's Senior Executive Fellows Program and Senior Executives in National and International Security programs. General Levy is also a member at large of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), appointed by the NASA Administrator. The NAC is the senior external advisory body to the NASA administrator on program and policy matters related to the US space program. "We are thrilled to welcome Major General Levy to Haivision's Board of Directors," said Mirko Wicha, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Haivision. General Levy brings extensive defense, military, and government experience to advance Haivision's growth and expansion within this important vertical. "The General's expertise and unique set of skills will bring considerable support in the execution of our growth strategy, as we continue to expand our government business globally" added Mr. Wicha. "I am honored to join the board and excited to work with the Haivision team as it continues to expand the best-in-class video streaming and networking solutions in government and national security markets" said General Levy. He fills the vacancy on the Board of Directors created by Glenn E. Duval's retirement earlier this year. The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Duval for his contribution to Haivision for more than a decade. The Board is comprised of seven directors. About Haivision Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video streaming and networking solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable global organizations to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision making. We provide high quality, low latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision open sourced its award-winning SRT low latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded an Emmy for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Learn more at haivision.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/haivision-adds-director-with-extensive-defense-and-government-experience-to-its-board-of-directors-301346663.html SOURCE Haivision Systems Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Higher Education Institutions Turn to Jenzabar for Technology and Strategic Leadership Amid Market Transformation Jenzabar, Inc., a leading technology innovator in higher education serving the new student, today announced that 19 higher education institutions selected Jenzabar's solutions in the second quarter of 2021 to further drive critical digital transformation and open creative opportunities for success in a post-pandemic environment. Another six institutions went live with Jenzabar solutions in the second quarter, further solidifying Jenzabar's ability to implement technology on time and on budget. This continued momentum through the first half of the year highlights Jenzabar's ability to be a strategic partner for colleges and universities that are looking for innovative technologies and support that will help them deliver next-generation student experiences. In the second quarter, American University of Health Sciences in California selected Jenzabar SONIS, Jenzabar's student information system designed for specialized institutions. Meanwhile, institutions like Ambrose University, Claflin University, Converse College, Crown College, East Texas Baptist University, LIFT Academy, Mount Aloysius College, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Olivet College, Pfeiffer University, Ponce Health Sciences University, Roxbury Community College, Southern Virginia University, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Tougaloo College, Truett McConnell University, The University of Saint Mary, and Western Dakota Tech selected Jenzabar One to improve student engagement, experiences, and success in today's modern learning environment. "As the digital campus becomes a reality innovative technology will lay the groundwork that will enable institutions to evolve and transform alongside student expectations," said Ling Chai Maginn, President, CEO, and Founder of Jenzabar. "We are excited to announce our continued momentum, which indicates that colleges and universities around the world are investing in the future of their institution and their students." Jenzabar Enables Institutions to Build a Foundation for Tomorrow As 2021 progresses, institutions are recovering from the challenges in 2020 and are making changes to adjust to a new higher education landscape that incorporates hybrid environments and more modern technologies. Jenzabar's innovative technologies empower institutions to lay the groundwork and implement new tools and methodologies to drive success in the classroom and across campus. Jenzabar continues to improve its market-leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) and student information systems (SIS) to give institutons the flexibility and technologies they need to succeed. Recently, Jenzabar unveiled Jenzabar Communications, an innovative suite of collaboration tools designed to breaks down silos, unify interactions across campus, and maximize engagement with constituents. Additionally, Jenzabar has delivered enhancements to Jenzabar SONIS, Jenzabar Financial Aid, as well as a range of other solutions, including Jenzabar Chatbot, which won the Gold Stevie Award in the Post-Secondary Enterprise Solution category in the 19th Annual American Business Awards. Resources To learn how Jenzabar One can help modernize your institution and embrace the digital campus of tomorrow, please visit https://jenzabar.com/jenzabar-one. To learn how Jenzabar SONIS can introduce new opportunities to maximize student engagement and outcomes, please visit https://jenzabar.com/product/jenzabar-sonis. To learn how Jenzabar Communications can help you eliminate silos and unify communication across campus, please visit https://jenzabar.com/product/communications. To learn more about how Jenzabar Chatbot can help your institution provide a faster, more convenient way to deliver information to students, please visit https://jenzabar.com/product/jenzabar-chatbot. To find out how Jenzabar Financial Aid can help your university automate the financial aid process and gain a competitive advantage in enrolling new students, please visit https://jenzabar.com/product/financial-aid. About Jenzabar Created out of a passion for education and a vision for technology, Jenzabar offers disruptive, innovative software solutions and services that empower students' success and help higher education institutions meet the demands of the modern student. Over 1,350 higher educational campuses harness Jenzabar solutions for improved performance across campus and a more personalized and connected experience for the student. For further information, please visit www.jenzabar.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @Jenzabar or on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005808/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] HollyFrontier Corporation and Holly Energy Partners Announce Combination with Sinclair Oil and Formation of HF Sinclair Corporation HollyFrontier Corporation (NYSE: HFC) ("HollyFrontier") and Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: HEP) ("HEP"), today announced they have entered into definitive agreements under which HollyFrontier and HEP will acquire Sinclair Oil Corporation and Sinclair Transportation Company from The Sinclair Companies ("Sinclair"). HollyFrontier Transaction Under the terms of HollyFrontier's definitive agreement, HollyFrontier will acquire Sinclair's: Branded marketing business and all commercial activities, which build on an iconic brand with exceptional customer loyalty; and all commercial activities, which build on an iconic brand with exceptional customer loyalty; Renewable diesel business , which made Sinclair a first-mover in the space; and , which made Sinclair a first-mover in the space; and Two premier Rocky Mountain-based refineries. As part of the transaction, HollyFrontier will form a new parent company, named "HF Sinclair Corporation" ("HF Sinclair"), which will replace HollyFrontier as the public company trading on the NYSE. At the closing, existing shares of HollyFrontier will automatically convert on a one-for-one basis into shares of common stock of HF Sinclair, and HF Sinclair will issue approximately 60.2 million shares of common stock to Sinclair, representing 26.75% of the pro forma equity of HF Sinclair with a transaction value of approximately $1.8 billion based on HollyFrontier's fully diluted shares of common stock outstanding and closing stock price on July 30, 2021. HollyFrontier expects to seek the approval of its stockholders under applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange for the issuance of the HF Sinclair shares to Sinclair. The transaction will transform HollyFrontier by accelerating its growth while increasing scale and diversification; it also allows HollyFrontier to integrate downstream into branded wholesale distribution. HF Sinclair will drive incremental free cash flow growth through its expanded refining business, integrated distribution network, leading renewable diesel position and growing lubricants and specialties business. The transaction is expected to be accretive to HF Sinclair's earnings, cash flow and free cash flow within the first full year, and to enable the combined company to increase its commitment to return cash to stockholders. Upon closing of the transaction, HollyFrontier's existing senior management team will operate the combined company. Under the definitive agreements, Sinclair will be granted the right to nominate two directors to the HF Sinclair Board of Directors at the closing. The Sinclair stockholders have also agreed to certain customary lock up, voting and standstill restrictions, as well as customary registration rights, for the HF Sinclair shares to be issued to the stockholders of Sinclair. The new company will be headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with combined business offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. HEP Transaction Under the terms of the HEP transaction, HEP will acquire Sinclair's integrated crude and refined products pipelines and terminal assets, including approximately 1,200 miles of pipelines, eight product terminals and two crude terminals with approximately 4.5 MMbbl of operated storage. In addition, HEP will acquire Sinclair's interests in three pipeline joint ventures including: Powder Flats Pipeline (32.5% non-operated interest), Pioneer Pipeline (49.9% non-operated interest) and UNEV Pipeline (25% non-operated interest; HEP operates the pipeline and owns the remaining 75% interest). The purchase price for the HEP transaction will consist of an equity issuance of 21 million HEP common units and the payment of $325 million of cash, subject to customary closing adjustments, representing a transaction value of approximately $758 million based on the closing price of HEP units on July 30, 2021. Upon closing of the HEP transaction, HEP's existing senior management team will continue to operate HEP. Under the definitive agreements, Sinclair will be granted the right to nominate one director to the HEP Board of Directors at the closing. The Sinclair stockholders have also agreed to certain customary lock up restrictions and registration rights for the HEP common units to be issued to the stockholders of Sinclair. HEP will continue to operate under the name Holly Energy Partners, L.P. The transactions have been unanimously approved by both HollyFrontier's and HEP's Board of Directors and are expected to close in mid-2022, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearance, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. In addition, the HFC transaction and the HEP transaction are cross-conditioned on each other. "HollyFrontier was formed through a transformational merger that facilitated a decade of significant stockholder returns along with growth and diversification into lubricants and renewables. We believe these transactions with Sinclair represent a similar inflection point, marking the beginning of our next chapter as HF Sinclair," said Mike Jennings, Chief Executive Officer of HollyFrontier and HEP. "With this accretive transaction, we are adding an integrated marketing business with an iconic brand while building on the strength of our expanded refining network, increasing our scale and accelerating the growth of our renewables business. Together, with Sinclair and the dedicated employees who make it successful, we will be positioned to further build this business, capture synergies, and generate cash that will facilitate both capital return to stockholders and further investment in the business." Mr. Jennings continued, "At the same time, this transaction will significantly extend the reach of HEP. Strengthened by an integrated network of Sinclair pipelines and storage facilities, HEP will have the scale and incremental earnings power to capture new organic growth opportunities and increase cash returns to unitholders." Ross Matthews, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair commented, "As the oil and gas industry has evolved in recent years, we have carefully considered how best to position Sinclair's refinery and logistics assets and their related operations for the future. We're confident these businesses-and the dedicated employees who operate them-will continue to thrive under this new ownership structure. We expect these businesses will benefit significantly from HollyFrontier's and HEP's operational expertise, their network of refineries and midstream assets in the Western U.S., and the flexibilities that come with being part of a larger organization. Sinclair's employees bring a wealth of talent and capability, including in the production of renewable diesel, which will be an important and growing line of business for HF Sinclair. Sinclair also adds to HF Sinclair an outstanding and extremely successful brand marketing team. The transaction will help accelerate the ongoing rapid expansion of our Sinclair branded retail sites and the iconic DINO brand." "We also believe that HollyFrontier and HEP are an excellent cultural fit, with a shared commitment to integrity and respect for our employees, our communities and the environment," Mr. Matthews explained. "We anticipate a seamless transition for our employees, distributors and other stakeholders following the closing of the transactions." Strategic and Financial Benefits HollyFrontier's acquisition of Sinclair's branded marketing business, refineries and its renewable diesel business is expected to: Diversify HollyFrontier's Business with the Addition of Sinclair's Iconic Brand and Integrated Distribution Network. By adding a branded wholesale business, the combined company will have the opportunity to grow an iconic brand across a range of HollyFrontier products and geographies. HollyFrontier will add a footprint of over 300 distributors and 1,500 branded locations across 30 states, with over 2 billion gallons of annual branded fuel sales. Increase the Size and Scale of HollyFrontier's Renewables Business. Sinclair's renewable diesel unit ("RDU"), co-located at its Sinclair, Wyoming refinery, processes soybean oil and tallow into renewable diesel that is sold into California. The RDU has recently been expanded to produce 10,000 barrels per day and Sinclair is currently in the process of constructing a pre-treatment unit, alowing for further feedstock advantage and flexibility. Once the transaction is complete, the combined renewables business is expected to produce approximately 380 million gallons of renewable diesel per year and will be a leading renewable diesel producer in the U.S. with the size and scale to support logistical, procurement, feedstock and operational synergies. Add Complementary Rocky Mountain Refineries to HollyFrontier's Network. The Sinclair and Casper Refineries are complementary to HollyFrontier's existing refinery network and will expand the combined company's footprint in the Rocky Mountain region. Like HollyFrontier's existing refineries, the Sinclair refineries are feedstock advantaged, given their Northern Tier access to Canadian and Rocky Mountain crudes. The combined refining network will feature seven complex refineries in the Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, Southwest and Pacific Northwest regions and will have a combined crude oil processing capacity of 678,000 barrels per stream day. Each refinery has the complexity to convert crude oils into a high percentage of gasoline, diesel and other high-value refined products. Deliver Financial Benefits Through Accretion and Cost Savings. The transaction is expected to be accretive to HF Sinclair's earnings, cash flow and free cash flow within the first full year. The transaction is expected to generate $100 million in run-rate synergies, as well as another $100-200 million in one-time savings during the first two years post close through working capital optimization. Enable the Combined Company to Generate Significant Free Cash Flow, Maintain Strong Balance Sheet and Facilitate the Return of Capital to Stockholders. HollyFrontier's credit profile is expected to be enhanced through reduced leverage, increased scale and diversification of businesses. We expect the combined company to maintain a strong balance sheet and investment grade credit rating. Fueled by significant free cash flow generation, the combined company expects to return capital to stockholders through both dividends and share repurchases. Deepen HollyFrontier's and Sinclair's Commitment to ESG and Sustainability. HollyFrontier and Sinclair share a common philosophy on commitments to environmental stewardship, sustainability and strong corporate governance. The combined business will build on each company's ongoing ESG efforts with increased renewables scale, a shared commitment to health and safety practices that best serve employees and communities, and a focus on risk management. HEP's acquisition of Sinclair's integrated crude and refined product pipeline and terminal assets, including interests in three midstream joint ventures, is expected to: Expand HEP's Scale and Earnings. HEP's acquisition of Sinclair's expansive network of crude and product assets provides an integrated system with connectivity to key crude hubs in the Rockies, including Casper, Guernsey and Cheyenne. The acquired assets are expected to produce stable revenues supported by long-term minimum volume commitments from HF Sinclair. Extend HEP's Access to Growing Geographies through Finished Product Pipelines and Storage through Additional Joint Ventures. The assets in the acquired joint ventures serve multiple regions and are strategically located to meet increasing demand for finished product pipelines and storage. Financial Targets and New Plan to Return Capital HF Sinclair will focus on maintaining its investment grade balance sheet and delivering significant free cash flow while utilizing a balanced approach to capital investment and cash return to stockholders. As part of its commitment to cash return, HF Sinclair intends to focus on the following strategy: Near-term: Reinstate the regular dividend of $0.35/share no later than the second quarter of 2022. Mid-term (next 18 months): Return $1 billion of cash to stockholders through regular dividends and share repurchases by the first quarter of 2023. Long-term (2023 and beyond): Implement a target payout ratio of 50% of adjusted net income in the form of regular dividends and share repurchases. HEP's acquisition of Sinclair's logistics assets is expected to provide enhanced earnings power, allowing for further deleveraging and incremental cash return to unitholders. For its commitment to cash return, HEP intends to incorporate the following strategy: Near-term: Continue to reduce leverage while paying a quarterly distribution of $0.35/unit. Mid-term (next 18 months): Reduce leverage ratio to 3.5 times EBITDA while targeting a distribution coverage ratio of 1.5 times. HEP also expects to increase its quarterly distribution with the option of repurchasing units with excess free cash flow. Long-term (2023 and beyond): Maintain leverage ratio below 3.0 times EBITDA while targeting a distribution coverage ratio of 1.3 times. HEP expects to continue increasing the quarterly distribution with the option of repurchasing units with excess free cash flow. Advisors Citi is serving as financial advisor to HollyFrontier, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is serving as HollyFrontier's legal counsel. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is serving as financial advisor to the HEP Conflicts Committee, Bracewell is serving as HEP's legal counsel and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP is serving as the HEP Conflicts Committee's legal counsel. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel to both HollyFrontier and HEP. Conference Call and Webcast HollyFrontier and HEP will host a conference call today at 7:30 AM CT / 8:30 AM ET to discuss the acquisition, along with their second quarter 2021 financial results. A live internet broadcast of the call will be available through the following link: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3347467/55757B35D3CCD93D54C9366AD04CA5C5 About HollyFrontier Corporation: HollyFrontier Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent petroleum refiner and marketer that produces high value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other specialty products. HollyFrontier owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains extending into the Pacific Northwest and in other neighboring Plains states. In addition, HollyFrontier produces base oils and other specialized lubricants in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, and exports products to more than 80 countries. HollyFrontier also owns a 57% limited partner interest and a non-economic general partner interest in Holly Energy Partners, L.P., a master limited partnership that provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage and throughput services to the petroleum industry, including HollyFrontier Corporation subsidiaries. About Holly Energy Partners, L.P.: Holly Energy Partners, L.P., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage and throughput services to the petroleum industry, including HollyFrontier Corporation subsidiaries. HEP, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, owns and/or operates petroleum product and crude gathering pipelines, tankage and terminals in Texas, New Mexico, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Kansas as well as refinery processing units in Kansas and Utah. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "project," "expect," "plan," "goal," "forecast," "strategy", "intend," "should," "would," "could," "believe," "may," and similar expressions and statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the acquisition by HollyFrontier and HEP of Sinclair Oil Corporation and Sinclair Transportation Company (collectively, "Sinclair", and such transactions, the "Sinclair Transactions"), pro forma descriptions of the combined companies and their operations, integration and transition plans, synergies, opportunities and anticipated future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and necessarily involve risks that may affect the business prospects and performance of HollyFrontier and/or HEP, and they are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions using currently available information and expectations as of the date thereof that HollyFrontier and HEP management believe are reasonable, but that involve certain risks and uncertainties and may prove inaccurate. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in these statements. Any differences could be caused by a number of factors including, but not limited to (i) the failure of HollyFrontier and HEP to successfully close the Sinclair Transactions or, once closed, integrate the operations of Sinclair with their existing operations and fully realize the expected synergies of the Sinclair Transactions or on the expected timeline; (ii) the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent to the proposed Sinclair Transactions, including, without limitation, the receipt of the HollyFrontier stockholder approval for the issuance of HF Sinclair common stock at closing and regulatory approvals (including clearance by antitrust authorities necessary to complete the Sinclair Transactions) on the terms and timeline desired, (iii) risks relating to the value of the shares of HF Sinclair's common stock and the value of HEP's common units to be issued at the closing of the Sinclair Transactions from sales in anticipation of closing and from sales by the Sinclair holders following the closing, (iv) legal proceedings that may be instituted against HollyFrontier or HEP following the announcement of the proposed Sinclair Transactions, (v) HollyFrontier's failure to successfully close its recently announced Puget Sound Refinery transaction or, once closed, integrate the operations of the Puget Sound Refinery with its existing operations and fully realize the expected synergies of the Puget Sound Refinery Transaction or on the expected timeline; (vi) disruption the Sinclair Transaction may cause to customers, vendors, business partners and HollyFrontier's and HEP's ongoing business, (vii) the extraordinary market environment and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a significant decline in demand for refined petroleum products in the markets we serve, risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum or lubricant and specialty products in HollyFrontier's and HEP's markets, the spread between market prices for refined products and market prices for crude oil, the possibility of constraints on the transportation of refined products or lubricant and specialty products, the possibility of inefficiencies, curtailments or shutdowns in refinery operations or pipelines, whether due to infection in the work force or in response to reductions in demand, effects of current and future governmental and environmental regulations and policies, including the effects of current and future restrictions on various commercial and economic activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (viii) other factors, including those listed in the most recent annual, quarterly and periodic reports of HollyFrontier and HEP filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "), whether or not related to either proposed transaction. All forward-looking statements included in this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, HollyFrontier and HEP undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional Information and Where to Find It The issuance of shares of HF Sinclair common stock to Sinclair in the proposed transactions (the "Sinclair Stock Consideration") will be submitted to HollyFrontier's stockholders for their consideration. In connection with the issuance of the Sinclair Stock Consideration, HollyFrontier will (i) prepare a proxy statement for HollyFrontier's stockholders to be filed with the SEC, (ii) mail the proxy statement to its stockholders, and (iii) file other documents regarding the issuance of the Sinclair Stock Consideration and the proposed transactions with the SEC. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for such filings or for any other document that HollyFrontier may file with the SEC in connection with the issuance of the Sinclair Stock Consideration or the proposed transactions. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT, CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available) and any other documents filed or furnished by HollyFrontier with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement from HollyFrontier by going to its investor relations page on its corporate web site at www.hollyfrontier.com. Participants in Solicitation HollyFrontier and its directors and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the issuance of the Sinclair Stock Consideration. Information about HollyFrontier's directors and executive officers is set forth in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 25, 2021. The proxy statement is available free of charge from the sources indicated above and from HollyFrontier by going to its investor relations page on its corporate web site at www.hollyfrontier.com. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the issuance of the Sinclair Stock Consideration will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant materials HollyFrontier files with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005322/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Huawei vows to enable digital ecosystem-based finance in APAC SINGAPORE, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei on July 29, 2021 held its first virtual Asia-Pacific Intelligent Finance Summit 2021, with the theme "Accelerate Digital Transformation in Banking, New Value Together". As economies across the Asia-Pacific region continue to recover and rebound, leading banks and financial institutions are accelerating digital transformation, seizing new digitalization opportunities to reinvent themselves for what the future holds. This event attracted more than 1,300 financial industry customers, partners, industry experts and media across Asia-Pacific regions. Huawei is honored to invite financial industry core customers and partners like BDO Unibank, KASIKORN Business - Technology Group (KBTG), PwC and IDC to participate in the panel discussion and share their experiences on how they utilize technology to upgrade the industry and range of services on offer by constructing an ecosystem that is agile and intelligent, and ultimately transform themselves into digital-capable eco-enterprises. During the panel discussion, most of the customers mentioned that they prioritized their investment budget in technology in 2020 and 2021 and it proved that the technologies capabilities brought good business return from the investment. From the investment, customers make sure the cloud technology would bring growth in post pandemic banking through digital and ecosystem banking. In addition, in this discussion, Mr. Jarung Kiatsuphapong, CIO of KASIKORN Business - Technology Group (KBTG), said that KBTG will prioritize technology investment budgets over the next two years. Technology has proven to bring good business returns on investment. In Nicholas Ma's, the President of Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business Group opening speech, he thanked all customers and partners for their continuous support in these 10 years and future. He also mentioned that across the APAC region, Huawei has worked with over 300 leading digital ecosystem partners, to provide ICT services to over 100 financial customers. "With Huawei 6 scenario-specific solutions, including Financial Cloud, smart branch, Financial Ecosystem, Digital Core Banking, Smart Data Center, and smart Data Storage, we can help our customers make smart banking a reality and bring intelligence to finance," added in icholas Ma's speech. "Huawei has been working with the global financial industry for 10 years and has become an important partner in digital transformation for the industry. Huawei will continue to work with this industry to drive cloud-native computing to ensure financial institutions benefit from a modern and dynamic digital ecosystem that can be continually updated and developed, making use of the latest innovations. Huawei's ethos is to help financial institutions grow into better digital ecosystem-based enterprises and develop fully connected, intelligent, and ecosystem-based finance together," Jason Cao, President of the Global Finance Business Unit of Huawei Enterprise Business Group, said in his speech. In Eric Lin's, CTO, Huawei Enterprise Asia Pacific Finance Account Department, presentation, he summarized that there are six important aspects for banks to focus on while designing a strategic plan of the digital transformation journey. Banks should focus on customers and partners, by enabling the digital core and data analytics capability to achieve Business Agility and Productivity. To respond to that, Eric introduced the six solutions Huawei has developed to facilitate the digital transformation from different perspectives, which are Smart Branch Solution for creating stunning customer experience for traditional customers who prefer interpersonal connection for banking service; Financial Ecosystem to create new business values for the banking customers especially for the underbanked or unbanked segment; Digital Core Banking System is the essential capability for banks to transform in two speeds, maintain the stability of the existing system, as well as publish the new banking services at FinTech speed; Financial Cloud Service, which offers banking customers a secure, fast and scalable cloud environment to try out the new solution with very minimum upfront investment; Smart Data Center including both SDN and DCI solution as well as modular Data Center, which allows customers to build the data center anywhere with lower cost; and intelligent Data Storage Solution with AI-enabled Data Management Service that is capable of managing the entire life cycle of data management to assure the banking critical services are running on the highly available and reliable platform. For more information about Huawei Intelligent Finance Summit 2021, please visit: https://bit.ly/3BuKKSz About Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have more than 197,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; bring cloud and artificial intelligence to all four corners of the earth to provide superior computing power where you need it, when you need it; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they're at home, in the office, or on the go. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei https://twitter.com/HuaweiEntAPAC https://www.facebook.com/HuaweiEnterpriseAPAC http://www.youtube.com/Huawei SOURCE Huawei [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Impervious Launches World's First Truly Decentralized Domain Names Without Renewal Fees PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Impervious Inc. today announced the public launch of .forever domains -- the world's first truly decentralized domain names that individuals can own forever without fear of seizure or censorship. For the first time in the history of the internet, you can now pay a one-time fee and actually own a domain name that will never be taken away from you. "Existing domain names have a number of problems," explained Mike Carson, CEO of Impervious. "First and foremost, domain name registrants don't actually own their names -- they're renting them from registrars, and if they don't pay renewal fees, the names will be taken away from them." The Dallas Cowboys lost control of their domain name in 2010 because they failed to pay the renewal fee. The same thing happened to Regions Bank in 2013 and Marketo in 2017. Unfortunately, the same thing happens to countless other companies and individuals on a daily basis. Mike Carson continued, "Since registrants don't own their domain names, they are subject to seizure and censorship by other governing bodies. If you don't own your name, you will always be at the mercy of the people that do." Recently, 81,000 UK-owned .eu domains were suspended as a result of the regulatory changes caused by Brexit. A similar situaton unfolded in 2017 when the Spanish government seized the .cat registry and deleted domains promoting a referendum for Catalina to declare itself independent from Spain. All of those domain registrants had no recourse because they didn't actually own their domains. Impervious created .forever domains to solve all of these problems. When you register a .forever domain, you are the only person that can control it, and the domain never expires. You never have to worry about renewal fees, and you never have to worry about anyone seizing or censoring your domain. The .forever top level domain (TLD) is stored in the Handshake root zone, and the TLD cannot be modified by anyone. All second level domains (SLDs) are stored on the Ethereum blockchain, and the SLDs are managed by an ENS smart contract that also cannot be modified by anyone. So you truly own your .forever domain, completely and forever. You can register .forever domains right now at foreverdomains.io, EnCirca, and Gateway.io. Here is a step-by-step guide. About Impervious: Impervious is a team of developers creating open source core software for Handshake and Bitcoin. The company's mission is to build technology that helps bring freedom to the internet. Impervious Contact Information: Steve Webb Impervious Inc. 315550@email4pr.com +1 224-377-9322 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/impervious-launches-worlds-first-truly-decentralized-domain-names-without-renewal-fees-301346034.html SOURCE Impervious Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] ISW Holdings Files to Change Name to BlockQuarry Corp. LAS VEGAS, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire ISW Holdings, Inc. (OTC: ISWH) (ISW Holdings or the Company), a Nevada-based portfolio company with primary commercial-stage operations in Cryptocurrency Mining, is pleased to announce that it has officially filed for a corporate name change to BlockQuarry Corp. The Companys President and Chairman, Alonzo Pierce, explained, We have reached significant milestones in acquiring and commercializing Blockchain and Cryptocurrency data mining equipment and platforms over the past year. As a result, we are rebranding to ensure our image better aligns with our ongoing operations and long-term strategic goals. Over the past year, the Company has cultivated a business model concentrated in the digital mining sector and implemented additional investments in land and power expansions in Georgia following the launch of its Pennsylvania POD5 mining field. The name change reflects a corporate rebranding effort necessitated by this demonstrable commitment to blockchain infrastructure, cryptocurrency mining, and collaborative hosting. We gravitated toward BlockQuarry because it is clearly and unambiguously tethered to the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency marketplace theme, and it carries an interesting dual meaning, added Pierce. As a noun, it refers to a place where blocks are extracted from the blockchain by the processing of encrypted algorithms. As a verb, it refers to the act of mining and extracting blockchain algorithms to produce a return in the form of coins. The rebranding effort will also include a new interactive website (BlockQuarry.io), which is expected to launch in coming weeks. Pierce concluded, Our deliberate investments and partnerships in the cryptocurrency space demonstrate our dedication to this new asset class as well as our well-defined path to becoming one of the most robust hosting and mining operators in North America. For all of these reasons, BlockQuarry best represents the mission and strategy we are implementing as e strive to maximize our return on shareholder capital. About ISW/BlockQuarry ISW/BlockQuarry Corp is quickly becoming one of the largest Mining and Hosting providers in the digital currency space in North America, as we seek to transform the financial markets of the future. Our complement of cutting-edge technologies has enhanced the Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency ecosystem, enabling our customers to take advantage of real-time cost savings. At the same time, our customers can feel confident that their digital transactions and assets are entirely secure. Our company utilizes a scalable blockchain infrastructure to convert unique identifiable assets (UIAs) into interchangeable digital assets such as Bitcoin and other fungible digital assets. We offer immediate liquidity in the form of fast, confidential transactions, as well as the issuance of assets in the traditional capital markets. Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements so as to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed from time to time with OTC Markets ( www.otcmarkets.com ). Company Contact: info@ISWHoldings.com Public Relations EDM Media, LLC https://edm.media Corporate Communications: InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN) Los Angeles, California www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com 310.299.1717 Office Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Jasper Colin Research Hires Dan Reeves as Associate Director of Sales SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jasper Colin Research, a rapidly growing provider of automated market intelligence services and data solutions, today announced the hiring of Dan Reeves as the company's Associate Director of Sales. In his new role, Dan will manage the company's strategic accounts and take the reins of strengthening and expanding its footprint across the US. Jasper Colin Research Hires Dan Reeves as Associate Director of Sales. "Dan has a winning attitude and is courageous enough to take on challenging accounts as perceived during his previous stints. His ability to understand the pain points and propose targeted solutions makes him unique in terms of his expertise and passion to drive sales. We have no doubt that he would be a key asset to our team and will complement and enhance our ability to serve customers across the industry by delivering high quality and innovatve solutions," said Amit Choudhary, CEO, and founder of Jasper Colin. An MBA from the Florida International University, Dan brings over 15 years of high-level experience in sales and operations. His vast industry expertise in managing end- to-end engagements for clients and maintaining lasting relationships makes him an excellent addition to the Jasper Colin team. Prior to joining this organization, he has had a long and meaningful stint at Dynata, mastering the subtlety of the research industry from sales and well as operations point-of-view. "I am delighted to be joining Jasper Colin Research during this pivotal time of growth in the North America region. The team we are assembling will continue to usher in a modernistic approach to provide customers with the confidence they need to make informed decisions through innovative AI solutions. I look forward to working with the team as we begin this new chapter and continue integrating into the market research community", said Dan Reeves. For more information, please visit https://www.jaspercolin.com About Jasper Colin Research: Jasper Colin Research provides automated market intelligence services and data solutions to market research firms, media and advertising agencies, consulting and investment firms and corporate customers across the globe. With expertise in collecting data from niche audiences to visualizing it in a smart output format, they specialize in creating stories out of raw data. Founded in 2007, the company has regional offices in US, London, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. CONTACT: contact@jaspercolin.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jasper-colin-research-hires-dan-reeves-as-associate-director-of-sales-301346908.html SOURCE Jasper Colin Research [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Lifesight Boosts Mobile Data Interoperability and Targeting Via Eyeota Translate NEW YORK, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Customer intelligence platform Lifesight today announced that it has now expanded the usage of its customer identification data into eight new global markets, all thanks to its partnership with Eyeota, the leading data partner to global enterprises, and its new identity-agnostic solution for global data interoperability, Eyeota Translate. Lifesight, which is best-known for its mobile location and mobility data-related products, combines consented opt-in online and offline behavioral data to build audience profiles and people-based ID data solutions. Via Eyeota Translate, Lifesight has now expanded the reach of its cross-device mobile targeting into several key markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico and others. At Eyeota, we have always operated under the premise of data interoperability that enables customers to activate upon data, regardless of the origin or format, said Marc Fanelli, Chief Operating Officer of Eyeota. As a leader in mobile customer intelligence and given industry changes around IDFA and mobile identifiers, Lifesight knows better than most the need for sustainable methods of audience acquisition and targeting. Leveraging Lifesights existing data, Eyeota Translate connects all areas of data input that collect audience identifiers, such as mobile IDs, hashed email, contextual data, first-party data, and more, and probabilistically and deterministically matches IDs using Eyeotas proprietary cross-device graph. As a result, Lifesight users are able to identify and activate the right mobile users through privay-compliant and consumer-friendly targeting solutions, without being reliant on the use of third-party identifiers. As a globally trusted marketplace for audience data, we have long valued Eyeotas transparent and innovative approach to servicing todays marketers with the quality data solutions that our ecosystem desperately needs, said Tobin Thomas, CEO of Lifesight. Eyeotas Translate solution enables us to simultaneously expand and improve our mobile identification data and cross-device targeting in both new and existing markets. To learn more about Eyeota Translate and the companys audience data transformation capabilities for future-proofing audience solutions, please visit: https://www.eyeota.com. About Lifesight Lifesight is a leading customer intelligence platform that helps brands and enterprises leverage identity resolution and data enrichment to power their customer data strategies like never before. Their industry leading solution enables the transformation of customer data into actionable insights that helps drive business decisions, optimize marketing spend and improve customer experiences. Their platform is powered by their LifeID customer graph technology, which leverages privacy compliant 2nd & 3rd party data sets to build billions of consumer profiles globally using AI, so brands and enterprises can easily identify, engage and measure new and existing customers. To learn more, visit https://www.lifesight.io/ About Eyeota Eyeota is a data transformation company serving the global enterprise. Leading brands, publishers and data companies leverage Eyeota to onboard, enrich, and activate their data assets across global markets and digital geographies. As the worlds largest data onboarding and audience intelligence firm, Eyeota brings a depth of experience in adapting data strategies to be consumer-friendly, addressable and scalable in omnichannel environments. Empowering enterprises with future-proof data capabilities, Eyeotas suite of solutions are privacy-by-design, flexible and interoperable across all major platforms, channels and identifiers. Founded in 2010, Eyeota operates in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas powering data solutions in 188 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.eyeota.com. Media Contact: Neil Davies Broadsheet Communications for Eyeota neil@broadsheetcomms.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Lionbridge Announces Hiring of Marcus Casal as Chief Technology Officer Today, Lionbridge, a global leader in translation and localization solutions, announced that industry veteran and localization technology leader Marcus Casal has rejoined the company as Chief Technology Officer. Casal will drive technology strategy and be responsible for delivering cutting-edge solutions for Lionbridge customers and community. "We are absolutely thrilled that Marcus is coming back to lead our technology organization," said Lionbridge Chief Executive Officer John Fennelly. "We have large ambitions and there is no one more capable than Marcus to drive our technology agenda and deliver innovative solutions to our customers." Casal joined Lionbridge in 2001 as a localization engineer and served in a number of key leadership roles, most recently as Vice President of Product Management and Technology Strategy. Casal joined Amplexor in 2019 as SVP, Global Content Solutions Technology, where he developed the stategic roadmap for their Language Technology and Content Service platforms before returning to Lionbridge. "I'm excited to be back at Lionbridge to continue our technology evolution, bringing our team closer to the market and customers," said Casal. "We have an ambitious roadmap of development plans and technology transformation that will continue to solidify Lionbridge as a global leader in localization solutions." About Lionbridge Lionbridge partners with brands to break barriers and build bridges all over the world. For 25 years, we have helped companies connect with their global customers and employees by delivering translation and localization solutions in 350+ languages. Through our world-class platform, we orchestrate a network of passionate experts across the globe who partner with brands to create culturally rich experiences. Relentless in our love of linguistics, we use the best of human and machine intelligence to forge understanding that resonates with our customers' customers. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Lionbridge maintains solution centers in 23 countries. Learn more at www.lionbridge.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005221/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Music-Tech Startup Moises Raises Oversubscribed Seed Round of $1.6 Million Today, music-tech startup Moises announced it has raised an oversubscribed seed financing round of $1.6 million, led by investments by Utah-based fund Kickstart Fund, with participation from Valutia, Verve Capital, and others. While already profitable and financially self-sustaining after less than two years, the company sought additional funding to focus on growth and marketing to support its goal of leading the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry. Since its launch in 2019, the company has grown from 50,000 registered users to 4 million users today, including +1.5 million monthly active users across 210 countries. It recently ranked #2 in the U.S. Apple App Store for Music and #1 in Japan - the two largest markets for the music industry. Moises is a music-tech platform that democratizes access to cutting-edge AI audio technologies and empowers music creators to achieve their full creative potential. "I started Moises to solve a decades-old problem: give music creators the ability to split vocals from instruments and other musical elements in a simple and fast way, so they can create, practice, produce, teach, and perform music anywhere," said Geraldo Ramos, co-founder and CEO. "As an amateur drummer and tech entrepreneur, I'm honored to see that our product is resonating with funders and music lovers alike. We can't wait to show the world what's next as we push the boundaries of artificial intelligence in the music industry." "We're thrilled to be a key investment partner in Moises as it leads the way in AI, music and tech," said Sydnie Keddington, Kickstart Associate. "It's exciting to support a home grown company with tremendous global reach, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Geraldo and his team to help the company expand further." Moises is the second U.S. company created by Ramos, who previously founded the online technology mentoring platform HackHands, which was later acquired by Pluralsight after less than two years. He also founded several companies in his home country of Brazil. The company is based in Salt Lake City with staff in the Brazilian cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Foz do Iguacu, and Joao Pessoa. About Moises Moises is a music-tech platform offering musicians and producers a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as audio source separation, pitch/beats/chord detection, metronome, tempo changer, and mastering. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Geraldo Ramos, Eddie Hsu and Jardson Almeida, the mission of Moises is to empower artists to achieve their full creative potential by democratizing access to cutting-edge audio technologies. Since its launch in 2019, the company has grown from 50,000 registered users to more than +4 million users today, including +1.5 million active users across 210 countries. The mobile app, which is available in 21 languages, has reached the top 10 charts (Apple App Store & Google (News - Alert) Play) in over 40 countries (including the U.S.) for both iOS and Android (News - Alert) and was recently featured in the Google Play "Apps we love" editorial. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005291/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] MyWorkChoice Offers a New Flexible Way to Work in Tennessee JACKSON, Tenn., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MyWorkChoice, the leading flexible staffing and workforce management company, today announced a new partnership with Ryder. The new partnership will provide workers with dependable full-time and part-time jobs while also giving employees true flexibility to choose their work schedules from the convenience of a mobile app. "When you offer hourly workers flexibility and choice, given today's demands and unpredictable childcare and school schedules, you've just created the workforce of the future," says Tana Greene, co-founder and CEO of MyWorkChoice, the first-to-market solution that delivers a community of dedicated W-2 workers to businesses in the community. Currently, MyWorkChoice has sucessfully filled the labor needs of partner companies and continues to expand to other locations across the United States with clients such as GE Appliances, Hot Topic, DeWalt, and other Fortune 500 Companies. As enhanced unemployment ends in Tennessee and employers ramp up hiring needs for the fall, MyWorkChoice offers workers reliable income with the choice and control over their working schedule on a weekly basis, including health benefits starting at only $19 a week. This unique offering also gives workers the ability to drop shifts and take time off without the fear of being fired. Brooke C. a mom working at American Eagle in Ottawa, Kansas said, "As a single mom, I needed a second job to supplement my work in real estate. The flexible hours made this the perfect option for me. I work in the warehouse picking and packing orders. When hours are available, I am able to work part-time in a flexible way to earn a consistent income around my other career, and children's schedules. MyWorkChoice is flexible, innovative, and most importantly, EASY." Those interested in applying for full-time flexible work in Jackson are encouraged to apply here. MyWorkChoice MyWorkChoice is focused on helping forward-thinking companies build the workforce of the future. Through a flexible scheduling platform and proprietary app and community of W-2 employee, we bridge the gap between hourly workers who seek flexibility and employers who demand a dependable workforce. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/myworkchoice-offers-a-new-flexible-way-to-work-in-tennessee-301347705.html SOURCE MyWorkChoice [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] OvareVentures Invests in Brooklyn-Based Fort Hamilton Distillery OvareVentures today announced a multifaceted investment in Fort Hamilton, producer of super-premium rye whiskeys, bourbons, and soon, gin. Fort Hamilton was founded in 2016 by entrepreneur and distiller Alex Clark, who was formerly instrumental in the launch and growth of Brooklyn's Widow Jane distillery. Fort Hamilton whiskeys are distilled from local rye grain, corn and malted barley in a traditional New York style. They are then barreled at a low proof and always non-chill filtered to achieve optimal flavor and color. The company also oerates a Distillery and Tasting Room in Industry City in Brooklyn, New York and plans to release its first "New World" style gin later in 2021. Fort Hamilton's products are currently distributed in New York, New Jersey, California, Kentucky, Connecticut, Indiana and Pennsylvania and are shipped nationwide. OvareVentures will provide capital investment and several OvareGroup companies will provide creative and marketing services, including strategy, media buying and creative development to propel and scale Fort Hamilton's quickly growing business. Fort Hamilton's owner, Alex Clark, said, "We have faithfully recreated a traditional New York Rye style that existed when classic cocktails (like Manhattans) were being invented. Although our products have received widespread acclaim, breaking into the spirits business is challenging and we're confident that the support provided by OvareVentures and its team of agencies will help us gain national distribution and sales." "We are always looking for growing companies run by great founders," noted John Paulson, President and CRO of OvareGroup. "We have extensive experience throughout our network working with brands in the adult beverage category. Fort Hamilton's leadership and portfolio of premium spirits made it a natural fit for us." About OvareVentures OvareVentures is a dedicated growth initiative of OvareGroup. OvareVentures builds, acquires and invests in businesses that can benefit from the working synergy of the OvareGroup suite of services. OvareVentures aligns with companies through direct investment or work equity positions to realize business opportunities and increase ROI. Learn more at ovareventures.com. About Fort Hamilton Founded in 2016, Fort Hamilton produces super-premium rye whiskeys, bourbons, and soon, gin. The company specializes in America's original and finest whiskey style - New York Rye, honoring the authentic tradition by using no corn and avoiding artificial colorings and flavorings. Learn more at https://www.forthamilton.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005595/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Paperless Parts Integrates with MIE Trak Pro to Enhance Its Functionality and Help Manufacturers Quote Faster Paperless Parts, the leading estimating and quoting software for job shops and contract manufacturers, today announced their live integration with MIE Trak Pro, a flexible and modern ERP solution for manufacturing, assembly, and distribution. The integration enables Paperless Parts and MIE Trak Pro customers to benefit from seamless communication between the two systems. Manufacturers can now save time in the quoting process and avoid manual data entry into more than one system. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005104/en/ MIE Trak Pro + Paperless Parts integration (Graphic: Business Wire) Custom part manufacturers know there is no shortage of ERP systems available to support their business. However, many solutions take a one-size-fits-all approach that requires the manufacturer to adjust their business to the structure of the ERP, rather than the other way around. This is where MIE Solutions sets itself apart in the market. Their ERP software is highly customizable and flexible after installation, making it a user-friendly system designed for the needs of each unique manufacturer. MIE Trak Pro focuses on the complete manufacturing process and, with the utilization of a seamless integration with Paperless Parts, its functionality is extended. Paperless Parts offers MIE Trak Pro users the automation they need for th conversion of 3D-rendered models into costing steps. Paperless Parts improves MIE Trak Pro's valuable underlying components, making the system even more user-friendly for manufacturing sales teams. "MIE Solutions, like Paperless Parts, is a company built by manufacturers, for manufacturers," said Jason Ray, Co-Founder and CEO of Paperless Parts. "Not all ERP companies understand the requirement for their software to be highly customizable and flexible to meet the varying needs of their customers. MIE Trak Pro offers flexibility to its users, which allows them to become successful faster. Integrating Paperless Parts with MIE Trak Pro builds on the flexibility and value of the system by allowing customers to quote faster and more consistently without risk of mistakes in double data entry." "It is our honor to welcome the talented team at Paperless Parts as a partner in manufacturing. Our customers deserve the best that we can offer and we feel that Paperless Parts, and the integration that they offer with MIE Trak Pro, will be a great asset to our customers," said Dave Ferguson, CEO of MIE Solutions. The integration between Paperless Parts and MIE Trak Pro provides manufacturers with the flexibility to customize the quoting process to their specific business processes. MetalTronics, a Momentum (News - Alert) Group Company, who has been using MIE Solutions ERP products for over ten years, is leading the way by becoming the first manufacturer to deploy this integration. "Our team has never been more excited to receive an RFQ and return the quote to our customer," said David Doherty, Vice President of Engineering at MetalTronics. "We all feel more informed being able to see the 3D model, interact with it, and intuitively put together a quote much faster and with more confidence than we could in the past. With MIE Trak Pro and Paperless Parts integrated, the world is our oyster." For more information, request a demo: https://www.paperlessparts.com/request-a-paperless-parts-demo-mie-trak-pro/ About Paperless Parts Paperless Parts is on a mission to help job shops, contract manufacturers and finishing companies improve business and grow by providing them with the most advanced, secure, cloud-based sales and quoting system available. The software streamlines manufacturers' existing workflows by combining modern business process automation tools with a configurable geometric pricing engine that drives speed and consistency in the quoting process. The platform integrates with CRM and ERP systems to supercharge front office operations and sales teams, and enables more efficient responses to RFQs for a variety of manufacturing processes. Manufacturers across the U.S. have uploaded over 1 million job files using the platform and are processing over $1 million worth of orders a day. About MIE Solutions MIE Solutions is a worldwide leading supplier of advanced technology for manufacturing enterprises with installations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Mexico, and South Africa. We offer a variety of innovative software solutions for integrating business data. This allows organizations to make informed decisions for streamlining their business processes, resulting in maximum efficiency and significant ROI. Companies of all sizes have used our ERP software solutions to bring their business to the next level, improving their manufacturing productivity and quality. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005104/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] ProStar Enters The Municipal Market Sector With The Signing Of New Hampton, Iowa GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ProStar Holdings Inc. ("ProStar" or the "the Company") (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, is pleased to announce the signing of the City of New Hampton, Iowa. New Hampton becomes the first municipality to adopt ProStar's PointMan cloud and mobile solution as its primary system of record (SOR) to manage its critical infrastructure. "ProStar's solution was chosen for many key reasons, including the fact it is very affordable, easy to use, and provides exactly what we need to help manage our critical infrastructure," stated Casey Mai, Public Works Director, City of New Hampton. "We have been looking for a system to replace our current asset management solution for some time as it was becoming cumbersome and difficult to maintain, and PointMan Pro met all of ours requirements." According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are approximately 35,000 municipalities with a population of less than 10,000. This represents a tremendous opportunity for ProStar, as a large number of these municipalities do not have a comprehensive SOR for capturing, recording, and managing their critical infrastructure. ProStar's solution is designed to enhance the workflow processes and business practices of stakeholders that own, construct, manage, or maintain critical infrastructure, including municipalities. Page Tucker, President and CEO of ProStar, stated today: "Signing our first municipality is a huge milestone for us as we are not only moving into another major market sector with tremendous growth potential, we are also demonstrating that we have developed a best in class and affordable solution for managing critical infrastructure for stakeholders at every level including, construction companies, engineering & surveying firms, government agencies, and now municipalities." About the City of New Hampton: New Hampton was founded in 1855, is the county seat for Chickasaw, Iowa and is a proud member of the Main Street Iowa Community program. Main Street communities capitalize on the unique identity, assets, and character of their historic commercial districts. New Hampton is known for its quality of life, beautiful parks, and active economic development. As of the 2010 Census, the City of New Hampton had a population of just over 3,500. About ProStar: ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions and is creating a digital world by leveraging the most modern GPS, cloud, and mobile technologies. ProStar is a oftware development company specializing in developing patented cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions focused on the critical infrastructure industry. ProStar's flagship product, PointMan, is designed to significantly improve the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure assets both above and below the Earth's surface. ProStar's PointMan is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) and seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities. Some of the largest entities in North America have adopted ProStar's solutions, including Fortune 500 construction firms, Subsurface Utilities Engineering (SUE) firms, utility owners, and government agencies. ProStar has strategic business partnerships are with the world's leading geospatial technology providers, data collection equipment manufacturers, and their dealer networks, including Trimble Juniper Systems, Bad Elf, Vivax-Metrotech, Radiodetection, and Subsite Electronics. The Company has made a significant investment in creating a vast intellectual property portfolio that includes 20 issued patents in the United States and Canada. The patents protect the methods and systems required to digitally capture, record, organize, manage, distribute, and display the precise location of critical infrastructure, including buried utilities and pipelines. ProStar's Executive management team has extensive experience in the management of both early stage and Fortune 500 technology companies in the private and public sectors. The leadership team includes Vasa Dasan, former CTO of Sun Microsystems, Carl Lashua, previous Chief Information Officer of HSBC Canada and Europe, and Matthew Breman, prior Executive for Disney. For more information about ProStar, please visit: www.prostarcorp.com. Contact: Alex Moore, Investor Relations 970-822-4792 Investorrelations@prostarcorp.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms and conditions of the Company's future plans. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; the state of the technology sector; recent market volatility; the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to the Company's recent Information Circular filed on SEDAR on November 20, 2020 for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company's issuer page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prostar-enters-the-municipal-market-sector-with-the-signing-of-new-hampton-iowa-301345322.html SOURCE ProStar Corp [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Rainbow PUSH Coalition And Rev. Jesse Jackson To Hold 55th Annual Convention To Focus On Leveling The Playing Field In The Era Of COVID-19 CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC), headed by founder and president Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., is a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change. RPC today announces upcoming sessions in this year's convention, Beyond Freedom to Equality: Leveling the Playing Field in the Era of COVID. Across the country, minorities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic whether in urban, suburban or rural areas and across all age groups. This year's conference addresses critical issues such as voter suppression, education equality, access to healthcare, inclusion in corporate America, employment and housing. There are 14 virtual sessions hosted by global dignitaries, educators, government officials, Fortune 100 executives and other notable speakers. General admission is free. Register HERE and see the full agenda: bit.ly/55THCONVENTION. Conference Agenda Highlights Health Equity / Access to Healthcare / Our People and the Pandemic featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci, M.D., NIAID Director and "Zeke" Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania A discussion on the pandemic and its extraordinary and ongoing impact on people everywhere, but especially how it is hitting the black and brown communities. Watch Here: @RainbowPUSHCoalition Tuesday, August 3 International Townhall Addressing Racism Across the Globe In many parts of the world, racism and race relations is going in the wrong directionthe global reaction to George Floyd's murder turned into a flashpoint for this topic. This session will feature panelistsfrom around the world who will share their thoughts and recommendations to address racism. Tuesday, August 3 , 8:00 a.m. 9:30 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event International Women's Roundtable and Luncheon - "We Wear Many Hats" opening remarks from Rep. Stacey Abrams This session will frame key public policy issues women are fighting for in America and critical issues women face across the globe. It will include leaders organizations such as, the National Council of Negro Women, National Organization for Women, League of Women Voters of the Illinois and the Consul General for the Republic of South Africa Consulate. WHEN: Tuesday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Business Diversity Roundtable - "Achieving Diversity & Inclusion in Corporate America" This panel is designed to review the impact of corporate diversity in c-suites, board of directors and management on the viability of the corporation and the corporate presence in the community. WHEN: Tuesday, August 3, 3:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Wednesday, August 4 Present Day Wall Street "How Do We Achieve A Level Playing Field? Moderated by John Rogers, Co-CEO and CIO, Ariel Investments This session will address issues of racial and gender inequity on Wall Street and what can be done to drive solutions within the financial industry. WHEN: Wednesday, August 4, 3:30 4:30 pm CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Criminal Justice & Police Reform Townhall featuring Ben Crump and other prominent attorneys. Also featuring Darnella Frazier, who recorded the murder of George Floyd. This session will address issues of police-initiated misconduct in cities around the U.S., and what can be done to drive police reform at a local level. WHEN: Wednesday August 4, 6:00 7:00 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Thursday, August 5 Labor Session - The State of Labor and Challenges They Are Facing in the 21st Century and Beyond featuring Richard Trumka, President AFL-CIO This session will focus on how labor is fairing in the era of COVID, and where labor is headed. WHEN: Thursday, August 5, 3:30 4:30 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Friday, August 6 French Legion of Honor Award to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. who is receiving the highest French order of Merit from the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. WHEN: Friday, August 6, Noon 1:00 p.m. CT WHERE: Virtual Event Registration Keep up with Rev. Jackson and the work of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at www.rainbowpush.org. Follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter. Media Contacts Chinta Strausberg cstrausberg@rainbowpush.org 312.371.7730 Alanna Ford aford@rainbowpush.org 773.575.1945 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rainbow-push-coalition-and-rev-jesse-jackson-to-hold-55th-annual-convention-to-focus-on-leveling-the-playing-field-in-the-era-of-covid-19-301346872.html SOURCE Rainbow PUSH Coalition [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Roanoke, Virginia FinTech Start-up, KlariVis, Stacks the Tech-Talent Deck with Highly Sought-After Senior Engineers KlariVis, a unique and proprietary data analytics software platform developed by bankers for bankers has been quietly stacking its engineering team with top tech-talent from the region during this past year. Matt Thomason, Greg Stinson, Rob Higginbotham, Richard Hammer, and Michael Bulla have all joined the KlariVis team in various Senior Engineer positions. KlariVis empowers community financial institutions by integrating transformative data from various core and ancillary systems, turning it into interactive data visualizations, allowing the entire organization to quickly interpret and act upon the high-value data that is important to serve its customers. Art Lucia, Chief Technology Officer at KlariVis said, "This team of engineers brings the expertise and leadership needed to ensure we continue to innovate in a manner that helps clients overcome complex challenges, while safeguarding critical data at the same time." Lucia continued, "The growing needs of our customers continue to drive our product roadmap. Our talented team will ensure it is developed with scalability and maintainability in mind." Matt Thomason and Greg Stinson both joined KlariVis as Senior DevOps Engineers. With a combined tenure of over 30 years in the technology field, both bring a breadth of experience having worked for Qualtrax, PowerSchool, and GE Digital, respectively. Kim Snyder, KlariVis CEO and Founder stated, "Matt and Greg each have made a tremendous impact since joining the company last year. Their extensive experience in solving similar challenges has been paramount to us achieving our growth objectives during this most unusual year." Richard Hammer joined KlariVis as Senior Dat Engineer with more than 30-years of experience in big data, business intelligence, predicative analytics, and enterprise architecture having served as an enterprise architect with NASA, AOL (News - Alert) , Discovery Channel, and Freddie Mac. "I was invited to help solve a set of complex problems with a solid team and build a future in FinTech," states Hammer. "The team Kim and Art have put together has the depth, breadth, and experience to do it." Rob Higginbotham is a proven SaaS (News - Alert) engineering leader with more than 20-years' experience. Rob's career has been focused exclusively on SaaS platform architecture and delivery having worked for companies such as TWI and PowerSchool. When asked what he is most excited about in the coming months, Rob stated, "I am excited to be part of setting software architecture to exceed the scale we need for the growth we're experiencing as well as help continue to foster this amazing culture. We have some of the best people who believe in doing outstanding work and doing it together." Michael Bulla is the most recent addition to KlariVis, having joined the team as Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, with two decades of experience at GE Digital. "I explored the opportunity with KlariVis because I wanted a new challenge. KlariVis is a young and growing company with a reputable culture," said Bulla. "Working for a start-up means having the opportunity to make a lot of impact quickly." "With this team's experience, passion, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to lead it is no wonder they all have the stellar reputations they do in the technology community," said Snyder. "We are lucky to have each of them on our team and are excited to see the contributions they will make not only for KlariVis, but within the FinTech industry as a whole." About KlariVis Created by veteran community bank executives, KlariVis was developed to enable institutions of all sizes to access their transformative data in an efficient way, interpret it, and act decisively on it. The KlariVis team has more than 125 years of community banking experience and aims to provide financial institutions with a data analytics platform designed to solve the data conundrum that is prevalent in the industry today. For more information visit www.KlariVis.com. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005359/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] SeQure Dx Announces $17.5M Series A Funding SeQure Dx, a gene-editing diagnostics company, announced today a $17.5 million Series A funding led by RiverVest Venture Partners and Mass General Brigham Ventures along with Digitalis Ventures, Casdin Capital, KdT Ventures, Bold Capital Partners and Alexandria Venture Investments. Funds will be used for initial company development leading to establishment of a full-service laboratory providing off-target gene-editing analysis for use in drug development, clinical trials and ultimately patient evaluation prior to therapy. SeQure Dx was founded on exclusive licensure of GUIDE-seq, ONE-seq and related assay technologies for detection of off-target gene-editing events. These assays were developed by J. Keith Joung, MD, PhD, the Robert B. Colvin, MD, Endowed Chair in Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and his colleagues from the MGH Department of Pathology. Dr. Joung is a scientific founder of SeQure Dx and chair of the company's Scientific Advisory Board. SeQure plans to expand its offerings via internal development, partnership, and further licensure. "Methods for defining potential off-target effects of gene-editing technologies play an important role in advancing these modalities for the benefit of patients," said Dr. Joung, who is also a professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. "I am excited abou the possibilities presented by making off-target assay capabilities accessible to those who seek to develop gene-editing therapeutics." Ellen Sheets, MD, MBA, CEO of SeQure Dx, called it an "honor" to be supported by such a strong base of investors who share a goal of further developing the company. "Our Scientific Advisory Board, led by Dr. Joung, as well as our internal expertise will guide us on the development of our assay portfolio," Dr. Sheets said. "The SeQure Dx technologies, which are already being used by several gene-editing therapy companies, coupled with sequencing patients' individual genomes, will offer comprehensive risk assessment of the impact of genomic variation on off-target effects." Nancy Hong, PhD, managing director at RiverVest Venture Partners said: "RiverVest is thrilled to participate in this transformative technology arena. SeQure Dx is uniquely positioned to aid gene-editing innovators in providing safe patient access to novel treatments, and we are pleased to support SeQure Dx through this accelerated growth period." Carl Berke, PhD, a partner at Mass General Brigham Ventures, said, "Mass General Brigham Ventures has the privilege of supporting the development of this important contribution to the future of cell and gene therapy through the dedicated efforts of SeQure Dx." About RiverVest Venture Partners RiverVest is a leading venture capital firm building life science companies to address significant unmet needs of patients and deliver consistently strong results to investors. For more information, please visit www.rivervest.com. About Mass General Brigham Ventures Mass General Brigham Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on investing in new life science technologies that emerge from the hospitals within the Mass General Brigham research community. Founded in 2008, the firm has over $450 million in capital under management with a mission to bring bench-to-bedside innovations to market to solve unmet medical needs for the benefit of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.massgeneralbrighamventures.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005038/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Signature Bank of Arkansas Chooses CSI's NuPoint Core to Fuel Growth with Innovative, Integrated Bank Technology Computer Services, Inc. ( CSI (News - Alert) ) (OTCQX: CSVI), a provider of end-to-end fintech and regtech solutions, announced that Fayetteville, Arkansas-based Signature Bank of Arkansas ($753 million in assets) has selected its NuPoint core platform to consolidate all of their banking technology into a single platform that will fuel the bank's growth over the next decade. Signature Bank of Arkansas has experienced strong organic growth over the past few years, but to reach their goals for the next decade, bank leaders needed to address the inefficiencies and lack of integration in their current technology platform. According to Brant Ward, COO at Signature, CSI provides the strong integration between core, digital banking and EFT systems the bank needs to better serve their customers. "We specialize in providing a personalized approach to banking, taking special consideration to make life easier for small- and medium-sied businesses in our community. We were searching for an integrated bank technology platform that our employees can leverage to serve our customers more efficiently and effectively," he said. "CSI's core platform is designed to provide seamless integration between different systems, giving us a clear view of our customers across all departments while providing the advanced technology needed to meet our customers' increasing expectations." Ward added that Signature also selected CSI because they needed a partner that would guide and educate staff on getting the most out of the system: "We view CSI as a true partner that will ensure we are taking full advantage of our technology and guide us to constantly improve our efficiency and capabilities.". Through CSI's cloud-based NuPoint core platform, Signature Bank of Arkansas plans to increase efficiency and reduce overall operational expenses, which will help fuel the bank's growth goals. In addition to its core platform, the bank is deploying additional digital capabilities, as well as CSI's CRM for banks and document distribution and regulatory compliance solutions. "Signature Bank of Arkansas has an excellent team who are committed to increasing the customer experience while remaining compliant and secure," said Giovanni Mastronardi, group president, CSI Enterprise Banking. "With their focus on integrating disparate systems and providing innovative technology to their customers, Signature and CSI have formed an outstanding partnership." About Computer Services, Inc. Computer Services, Inc. (CSI) delivers core processing, digital banking, managed cybersecurity, cybersecurity compliance, payments processing, print and electronic document distribution, and regulatory compliance solutions to financial institutions and corporate customers, both foreign and domestic. Management believes exceptional service, dynamic solutions and superior results are the foundation of CSI's reputation and have resulted in the Company's inclusion in such top industry-wide rankings as IDC (News - Alert) Financial Insights FinTech 100, Talkin' Cloud 100 and MSPmentor Top 501 Global Managed Service Providers lists. CSI has also been recognized by Aite Group, a leading industry research firm, as providing the "best user experience" in its 2019 AIM Evaluation: The Leading Providers of U.S. Core Banking Systems. In addition, CSI's record of increasing its dividend each year for 49 years has earned it a designation of one of the financial media's "Dividend Aristocrats." CSI's stock is traded on OTCQX under the symbol CSVI. For more information, visit csiweb.com. About Signature Bank of Arkansas Founded in 2005, Signature Bank of Arkansas provides a full line of financial services to small businesses, families and farms. The Bank has locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Brinkley, and Rogers, Arkansas with headquarters located in Fayetteville. Signature is well known for its personalized approach to customer service and dedication to the traditions of community banking. For more information, please visit www.signature.bank. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005022/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] TA Associates Announces New Hires in Boston and Menlo Park TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, today announced five recent new hires in its Boston and Menlo Park offices. Kevin Schuler and John Triebsch have rejoined the firm as Vice Presidents in Boston and Menlo Park, respectively. Ritika Chandra and Gregory Majno have joined TA as Vice Presidents in Boston, and Eric Zagorski has joined as a Vice President in Menlo Park. "We are excited to expand our professional and investment teams with the addition of Ritika, Greg and Eric, and the return of Kevin and John to TA," said Ajit Nedungadi, Chief Executive Officer of TA. "These individuals bring a depth of knowledge within a number of TA's focus industries and growth initiatives, and we believe that they will be great additions to TA's strong, global network of talented professionals. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to seek new growth investment opportunities and partner with our portfolio company management teams to advance their strategic goals and create further value." Ritika Chandra, who joins TA as a member of the firm's Strategic Resource Group, focuses on value creation across TA's portfolio, where she partners with management teams to scale profitable growth. Ms. Chandra is also responsible for deepening ESG integration across TA's investment process and portfolio support. Prior to joining the firm, she was an Associate Partner at Bain & Company, and previously was an Investment Banking Associate at Credit Suisse. Ms. Chandra received a BA in Economics, First Class Honours, from the University of Cambridge (Sidney Sussex College) and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Gregory Majno, who joins TA as a member of the firm's investment staff, focuses on investments in healthcare companies across North America. Prior to attending graduate school, he was an Associate at Advent International, and previously was an Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan. Mr. Majno received a BA in Economics from Amherst College and an MBA, as a Palmer Scholar, from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Kevin Schuler, who rejoins TA as a member of the firm's investment staff, focuses on investments in technology companies across North America. Prior to attending graduate school, he was an Associate in TA's Menlo Park office, and prior to TA was an Investment Banking Analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Mr. Schuler received a BA in Economics, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. John Triebsch, who rejoins TA as a member of the firm's investment staff, focuses on investments in technology companies across North America. Prior to attending graduate school, he was an Associate in TA's Boston office, and prior to TA was an Analyst at Barclays Capital. Mr. Triebsch received a BS in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Eric Zagorski, who joins TA as a member of the firm's investment staff, focuses on investments in healthcare companies across North America. Prior to attending graduate school, he was a Senior Associate at Housatonic Partners, and previously was an Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Zagorski received a BA in Economics, magna cum laude, from Middlebury College and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. About TA Associates TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries - technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services - the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 535 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $3 billion per year. The firm's more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005258/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Velas Launches $5 Million USD Funding Program Zug, Switzerland, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Velas are announcing the launch of a major funding program for projects to build upon the Velas Blockchain, driving innovation to the fastest blockchain on the planet to the tune of $5 million total. Velas are inviting projects and developers to join their ecosystem of user-friendly, transparent and privacy-respecting products built on top of the Velas blockchain. Just port code from Ethereum, or develop on their native chain, to deploy applications within minutes. For full technical details on the Velas Funding Program, click HERE. Investments - What Can Participants Submit? Investment sizes can be up to $100,000 per project. The general Grant Program is designed to fund projects covering a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to: DeFi-related and DEX-related products NFT-related solutions Games and gaming - Including Educational, AI/VR/AR, Crypto Gamification, Strategies, Collectibles, Card Games, etc dApps that unite the Velas blockchain with traditional sectors Banking, Healthcare, etc. Adoption of dApps that aid the adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. Velas will also actively encourage developers to create solutions that increase decentralization and transparency within the Velas Ecosystem. All projects will be tracked on GitHub - Teams can apply for grants more than once, but they need to successfully complete their previously allocated project before receiving additional funds. Investment Criteria Interested in applying for the grant? Check out the investment criteria below: Goal(s) and scope of the project, plus outline of how the fund will be used Business plan/whitepaper Technical feature and value proposition An executive summary and pitch deck Background and experience of the team Go to market strategy and user acquisition plan The project, timelines, targeted deliverables at each milestone, and estimated efforts to deliver on the plans provided How the project benefits the Velas ecosystem Amount of funding requested and payment method Project or product/ service must be built on the Velas blockchain All code must be open-source, and must not rely on closed-source software for full functionality. Benefits Recruiting - Velas assists startups to hire Top Tier talent. Networking - Velas assists startups with connections to investors, funds and accelerators. Marketing - Velas assists startups in engaging with key exchanges, finding opinion leaders, and building viral marketing campaigns. Grants - Velas provides grants for the creation of new tools and projects. Technical - Velas experienced developers will assist with the technical side of startup projects. Research - Velas assists startups with all necessary research before going to market to explore new opportunities. Applying for the Velas Grant To apply for the Velas Grant Program, fill out an application form. Team applications should be submitted by one representative for the project, containing up-to-date contact information, experience, and the portfolio of all team members who would be involved in working on the task. Application forms will be reviewed within 14 working days and selection results will be sent to the email provided during the application. If a proposal is successful, further communication will be required to determine specific details around timelines and payment schedules. Feedback will occur throughout the grant process. For further information and FAQs, please check out the official Velas docs page here. Velas are proud to welcome innovative and exciting new projects, products and services to the Velas family, and welcome a massive expansion in the usecase of the Velas Blockchain, taking advantage of the best-in-class TPS, throughput, and developer support. The Velas Funding Program helps push the Velas Blockchain to be the most attractive, powerful chain in the entire crypto sector. For full technical details on the Velas Funding Program, click HERE. Media Contact Details Contact Name: Shirly Valge Contact Email: info@velas.com The post Velas Launches $5 Million Funding Program appeared first on Zex PR Wire. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] Abra Partners with Leonie Hill Capital to Increase Access to Crypto Lending and High Yield Markets Abra (https://www.abra.com/), a leading wealth management platform with functionality for buying, selling, trading and earning interest on cryptocurrencies, announced today a new partnership with Leonie Hill Capital, an independently run investment firm dedicated to taking dynamic approaches in intensely competitive markets. The partnership will expand the presence of Abra's fast-growing wealth management app to users in the Asian crypto market - particularly institutional investors, high-net-worth investors, and family offices - who will receive secure custody, crypto lending, buying, trading, borrowing and the ability to earn up to 8% percent interest on fiat deposits. "Leonie Hill Capital (LHC) holds a strong track record in fund management and specializes in disruptive business investments, especially in regulated environments," said Bill Barhydt (News - Alert) , Founder and CEO of Abra. "We believe their expertise and network in Asia make them a key strategic partner for Abra to reach this market with our servics." LHC's access to the Asian market as well as its regulatory expertise will help expose Abra to Asia-based institutions and family offices, enabling them to leverage crypto as a mainstream asset class through Abra's wealth management technology. LHC and Abra will also work together to build institutional-grade financial and technology products for Asian corporations looking to gain exposure to cryptocurrency through treasury reserves. "Abra's wealth management tools make it extremely easy to manage and quickly access crypto and fiat assets without friction or hidden fees," said Wee-Meng Thoo, Head of Investments at Leonie Hill Capital. "These benefits are particularly valuable to the Asian crypto market, which has struggled with services that allow for cash liquidity. We're hopeful that our collaboration with Abra will help solve these issues for Asian investors." Abra now includes a wide range of wealth management services such as Abra Borrow, an in-app feature for using crypto as collateral to borrow fiat against digital asset holdings with an unprecedented 0% interest option on loans against Bitcoin and Ethereum. Abra Trade offers users access to crypto exchanges and a seamless experience with no required trading experience and an easy on-ramp. Abra Earn consistently offers the highest returns of any crypto service provider with U.S. dollar stablecoin rates currently at 8% per annum. For more information on Abra and to download the app, please visit: https://abra.com/. ABOUT ABRA Abra is a financial services and technology company that operates an all-in-one, hosted custodial cryptocurrency wallet and access to exchange services. Abra is the world's first global investment app that makes cryptocurrency investing simple. Abra's easy-to-use app provides users with unprecedented access to hundreds of cryptocurrencies, offering the freedom to buy, sell, trade, earn and borrow anywhere, anytime. Founded in 2014 with global headquarters in the San Francisco Bay area, Abra is available in more than 150 countries. Investors include American Express (News - Alert) Ventures, First Round Capital, Foxconn Technology Group, Arbor Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, RRE Ventures, DCG and many others. For more information, visit https://www.abra.com/. About Leonie Hill Capital Leonie Hill Capital is a Registered Fund Management Company overseen by a management team with more than 60 years of experience across global markets with headquarters in Singapore and representative offices in Switzerland, Japan and the United States, with more than USD$2B under management. LHC's businesses include global Hedge Fund and Private Equity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005771/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] National University Part Of Prestigious Team Selected For $20M National Science Foundation Grant To Study AI And Optimization LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an initiative to establish a series of artificial intelligence research institutes nationwide, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $20 million grant to a partnership of prestigious universities led by University of California, San Diego, and including National University, Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Texas at Austin. Working together, the universities will form The Institute for Learning-enabled Optimization at Scale (TILOS). The five-year research partnership will focus on the optimization of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. They will work closely with industry leaders to develop optimization tools that will enable real-world improvements in key industries, including chip design, robotics, and communications networks. National University faculty will work with TILOS partners in workforce development and education to update and create career-relevant courses and modules in AI aimed at the growing population of adult learners served by the San Diego-based nonprofit institution, including career professionals, members of the military community, and underserved students in STEM). "We are thrilled to be collaborating with such incredible institutions on an initiative that directly serves our greater mission as an organization to prepare students today for the jobs of tomorrow," said National University System Chancellor and Interim President of National Universiy Dr. Michael R. Cunningham. National University, San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, that boasts a 50-year history of serving working adult learners, educators, and veterans, will receive $100,000 a year for five years to support faculty members working on the project, students, and equipment/software. NU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities "This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with some of the most prestigious universities in the world to create state-of-the-art curriculum and bring AI and optimization to National University's students," said NU Associate Dean for the College of Professional Studies, Dr. Jodi Reeves. She will serve as the Associate Director for Education and Workforce for TILOS. With the rapid advance of technology, the existing workforce must update skills more and more frequently. Veterans, people seeking career changes, and underserved populations need opportunities to learn these new skills. National University, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, as well as the rest of the TILOS partnership intend to build an openly accessible program of continuing education with long-term, lifelong learning and skills renewal as its central tenet. New courses will focus on computing, AI optimization, robotics, networking and chip design. The program also will feature a community outreach element to raise awareness and encourage interest in AI-related careers among non-traditional and underserved learners. "Being chosen to be part of an institute sponsored by the NSF is a lifetime goal. As professors we are honored and humbled," said Dr. Esmaeil Atashpaz-Gargari, one of two Principal Investigators from the Department of Engineering and Computing at NU. In an announcement on July 29, the NSF awarded a total of $220 million to 11 different partnerships as part of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes Program. Each institute will receive approximately $20 million to pursue research around the practical application of AI and machine intelligence in a wide range of fields and industries, including engineering, education, agriculture and cyber security. TILOS also will be partially supported by Intel Corporation. "Our mission at National University is to serve the public good. To take this initiative nationwide with such esteemed partners is an incredible opportunity" said Dr. Shatha Jawad, the second Principal Investigator at NU. About National University National University (NU), a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 75 online and on-site programs and flexible four-week courses designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to over 25,000 students and alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-university-part-of-prestigious-team-selected-for-20m-national-science-foundation-grant-to-study-ai-and-optimization-301346373.html SOURCE National University [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] Construction Scaffolding Rental Market in Construction & Engineering Industry to grow by USD 2.30 billion|Technavio NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- APAC contributes to the highest incremental growth of 50% of the construction scaffolding rental market during the forecast period, as per Technavio. Altrad Group, Apollo Scaffold Services Ltd., ASA Scaffolding Services Ltd. are the three major market participants for the construction scaffolding rental market. "The use of advanced technologies and rise in construction activities in developing countries will further boost market growth during the forecast period", says a senior analyst at Technavio. Technavio reports offer customer landscape matrix and vendor landscape analysis that assists global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Download FREE Sample Report Impact of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, however, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. COVID-19 will have At Par impact on the construction scaffolding rental market. The construction scaffolding rental market in the Construction & Engineering industry is expected to grow by USD 2.30 billion, progressing at a CAGR of almost 5% during 2020-2024, as per the new report from Technavio. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Construction Scaffolding Rental Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist construction scaffolding rental market growth during the next five years Estimation of the construction scaffolding rental market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the construction scaffolding rental market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of construction scaffolding rental market vendors Construction Scaffolding Rental Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis and Scope To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the construction scaffolding rental market. Altrad Group, Apollo caffold Services Ltd., ASA Scaffolding Services Ltd., Ashtead Group Plc, Brand Industrial Services Inc., Condor Spa, MONDRAGON Corp., Pee Kay Scaffolding and shuttering Ltd., The Brock Group, and United Rentals Inc. are some of the major market participants. Construction Scaffolding Rental Market Size Construction Scaffolding Rental Market Trends Construction Scaffolding Rental Market Industry Analysis This study identifies the rise in construction activities in developing countries as one of the prime reasons driving the Construction Scaffolding Rental Market growth during the next few years. To gain access to detailed market landscape, vendor analysis, and future trends impacting the growth of the market, download a sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40894 Reasons to Buy the Report: Leverage latest data mapping the technological advancements Find deeper market insights and forecast information about current market developments. Explore insights on key market accelerating factors. Identify potential threats to market growth. Understand the impact of trends likely to influence market growth positively or negatively. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Product Market Segmentation by End-user Market Segmentation by Geography Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Vendor Landscape Vendor Analysis Appendix Explore Some of Our Top Selling Reports Global Construction Glass Market- The construction glass market is segmented by end-user (new buildings and retrofit buildings) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, MEA, and South America). Download FREE Sample Report Global Ready Mix Concrete Batching Plant Market- The ready mix concrete batching plant market is segmented by type (dry batch concrete plant and wet batch concrete plant), geography (APAC, MEA, Europe, South America, and North America). Download FREE Sample Report About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Report link: https://www.technavio.com/report/construction-scaffolding-rental-market-industry-analysis Newsroom: https://newsroom.technavio.com/news/top-drivers-for-construction-scaffolding-rentalmarket View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/construction-scaffolding-rental-market-in-construction--engineering-industry-to-grow-by-usd-2-30-billiontechnavio-301345662.html SOURCE Technavio [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] JetRails Announces Magento Hosting Rescue Service DES PLAINES, Ill., Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- JetRails, a premier provider of fully-managed and highly-optimized Magento hosting for high-stakes websites, today announced that they have formally launched their Magento Hosting Rescue Service. "As the trusted hosting partner of many of the best Magento developers and agencies, we recognized that Magento experts were turning to us more and more frequently to resolve technical problems they were struggling to resolve with other web hosts," said Robert Rand, JetRails Director of Partnerships & Alliances. "Since we take a personalized approach to web hosting, we wanted to showcase our ability to architect individualized solutions for problems that growing eCommerce merchants often face." For example, Zanders was faced with a slow Magento 2 B2B store, with load times averaging 5-8 seconds. By bringing in Coreshop Solutions, a development agency with expertise in Magento, along with JetRails for optimized Magento hosting services, their total loading time accelerated to just over 2 seconds. Since migrating to a Magento optimized autoscaling AWS hosting account at JetRails, this merchant has seen a 3x increase in eCommerce revenue! Image3D experienced scalability issues, as well as difficulties making their custom business processes work within the prefabricated hosting environment provided by their former web hot. JetRails, in collaboration with CollinsHarper, their web development agency, deployed a custom-architected Magento hosting solution. This included tailored support for their terabytes of photos that their eCommerce shoppers have uploaded to this customized Magento store. It also involved a cost-conscience solution for meeting Image3D's scalability needs, as well redundant failover systems. Collin Street Bakery had similar challenges and was not able to get the mission-critical hosting support that they needed until they found JetRails, resolving long-term web hosting challenges. What they found in JetRails was a detail-oriented partner that would provide the experts needed for a successful migration. Their new hosting environment included the right mix of CDN, WAF, IDS, SSL, and other tools, alongside critical solutions from malware scanning to website load testing and DNS management. Paired with JetRails 24/7 network operations center (NOC) services, and additional services like off-server backups, JetRails has architected a complete hosting solution that goes beyond raw infrastructure and focuses on the actual objectives of the Collin Street Bakery team. This includes working closely with their eCommerce consultants, Peak Beyond, who orchestrate their Magento strategy. Together they keep propelling this eCommerce website forward with upgrades to Magento as well as MySQL, Elasticsearch, Redis, and other underlying software. JetRails welcomes such clients, providing a detailed migration service, custom-architected, and individually-optimized hosting environments, 24/7 monitoring, tools from industry-leading tech companies like Cloudflare, Sansec, Sucuri, and New Relic, dedicated account managers, and a support team that knows that anything impacting eCommerce revenue is mission-critical and needs to be addressed immediately. Customized Magento website owners shouldn't feel like they're stuck with inflexible web hosting solutions, or have to go it alone on raw infrastructure.Whether users are on Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce, JetRails is here to go above and beyond to ensure eCommerce merchants aren't held back by web hosting issues. About JetRails JetRails.com provides fully-managed mission-critical website hosting. The JetRails service delivers a personalized hosting experience built for organizations with unique needs and demanding requirements. JetRails utilizes highly-optimized dedicated servers and clusters, as well as hosting environments built and managed on AWS and Digital Ocean, in order to deliver elastic hosting environments. Recognizing that each website has unique hosting needs, JetRails is able to ensure stability and reliability with an advanced technology stack and monitoring services, while also addressing loading speed optimization and scalability. For online store owners that need a reliable hosting partner, JetRails is there, answering support calls within 10 seconds, responding to support tickets within 15 minutes, and guaranteeing 100% uptime, with robust monitoring and industry-leading support. Press Contact: Robert Rand 8889972457 https://jetrails.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jetrails-announces-magento-hosting-rescue-service-301346474.html SOURCE JetRails [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Announces Investigation of Concho Resources Inc. (CXO) on Behalf of Investors The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces an investigation of Concho Resources Inc. ("Concho" or the "Company") (NYSE: CXO) on behalf of investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. In 2018, Concho planned and constructed the Dominator Project ("Dominator") located in the Permian Basin. It consisted of 23 wells. On July 31, 2019, Cncho revealed the wells at Dominator were spaced "too tight," leading the Company to reduce its active rig count to 18 (down from 33 in the first quarter of 2019) to avoid overshooting budgets. On this news, Concho's stock price fell 22% per share on August 1, 2019, thereby injuring investors. Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert) : twitter.com/FRC_LAW. If you purchased Concho securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005797/en/ [August 02, 2021] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of Allianz SE (ALIZY) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Allianz SE ("Allianz" or the "Company") (OTC: ALIZY) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your Allianz investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at https://www.glancylaw.com/cases/allianz-se/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On August 1, 2021, Allianz disclosed that "the U.S. Department of Justice ('DOJ') has begun an investigation concerning the Structured Alpha Funds," and that "there is a relevant risk that the matters relating to the StructuredAlpha Funds could materially impact future financial results of Allianz Group." On this news, the Company's share price fell as much as 7% during intraday trading on August 2, 2021. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding Allianz should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email shareholders@glancylaw.com. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters (News - Alert), the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005766/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] Houlihan Lokey to Commence a Tender Offer to Acquire GCA Corporation Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, and GCA Corporation ("GCA") (TSE:2174), today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, dated as of August 3, 2021 (local time in Tokyo), under which Houlihan Lokey will commence a tender offer to acquire GCA for a total cash purchase price of approximately 65 billion, or approximately $591 million, based on an assumed exchange rate of 110 per $1. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Houlihan Lokey Board of Directors and the GCA Board of Directors, Houlihan Lokey will commence a tender offer in Tokyo on August 4, 2021 to acquire all outstanding shares of GCA for 1,380 ($12.55) per share in cash, in addition to all stock options of GCA (priced to net out applicable exercise prices). The purchase price represents a 31.3% premium to the closing stock price on August 2, 2021 of 1,051 per share and a 40.3% premium to the three-month simple average price. "The acquisition of GCA will create one of the largest technology advisors in the world, one that more closely matches the size and importance of this sector in today's global economy. In addition, this combination would significantly expand our presence in Europe and Asia and establish Houlihan Lokey as one of the most geographically diversified investment banking firms among our peer group," said Scott Beiser, CEO of Houlihan Lokey. "GCA's corporate culture, business philosophy, and client focus, all closely resemble Houlihan Lokey's, and we believe our combined organizations will enable us to more effectively serve our clients and position our firm for the future as we continue to grow our suite of products and services around the world." "The opportunity to become part of Houlihan Lokey is a hugely exciting step for GCA and a major milestone on our strong growth journey. The two firms combined will form one of the largest independent global M&A advisory firms, and the scale of our global platform will create fantastic opportunities both for our clients and our teams. We feel that GCA and Houlihan Lokey complement each other perfectly in terms of our culture/philosophy of 'For Clients' Best Interest' and our sector and geographic coverage," said Aki Watanabe, founder and Representative Director of GCA Corporation. The closing of the tender offer is subject to receiving certain regulatory approvals, and the tender to Houlihan Lokey of shares representing at least two-thirds of GCA's fully diluted outstanding common stock. The tender offer is expected to close on October 4, 2021. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, it is expected that Houlihan Lokey will acquire all shares not tendered through a second-step at the same price. The transaction is expected to be financed with cash on Houlihan Lokey's balance sheet. Upon he completion of the transaction including the second-step, GCA will become a privately held company and shares of TSE:2174 common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. A brief summary of GCA, the transaction and transaction rationale is included in a presentation on the Houlihan Lokey Investor Relations Website and can be accessed through this link here. Houlihan Lokey retained Daiwa Securities Co., Ltd. as its financial advisor and tender offer agent for the transaction and Latham & Watkins LLP as its legal advisor. GCA retained Mitsubishi (News - Alert) UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities and Plutus Consulting as its financial advisors for the transaction and Morrison & Foerster as its legal advisor. Investor Conference Call and Webcast Houlihan Lokey will host its previously scheduled conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, to discuss its first quarter fiscal 2022 results. During the call, the Company will also be providing comments related to the GCA transaction. The number to call is 1-855-327-6837 (domestic) or 1-631-891-4304 (international). A live webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A replay of the conference call will be available from August 3, 2021 through August 10, 2021, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 10015775#. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available on the Company's website. About Houlihan Lokey Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm's commitment to client success across its advisory services. Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past six consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past seven consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 20 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by Refinitiv. About GCA Corporation GCA Corporation (TSE:2174) is a global investment bank that provides strategic M&A and capital markets advisory services to growth companies and market leaders. The firm offers worldwide coverage with over 500 professionals in 24 offices across America, Japan/Asia, and Europe. Built by the people that run the business, GCA is a firm of experts who focus on deals that require commitment, original perspective, skill, and exceptional networks. Important Information The tender offer for the outstanding shares of GCA common stock and outstanding stock options has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of GCA common stock or stock options. The solicitation and offer to buy shares of GCA common stock and stock options will only be made pursuant to the tender offer materials that Houlihan Lokey intends to file in accordance with applicable Japanese law. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of the words "assumes," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "guidance," "intends," "plans," "projects," and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors (including the significant effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business and is expected to continue to have on our business), which are, in some cases, beyond Houlihan Lokey's control and could materially affect actual results, performance, or achievements. For a further description of such factors, you should read Houlihan Lokey's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Houlihan Lokey does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005821/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] ROSEN, GLOBALLY RESPECTED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages RLX Technology Inc. Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action - RLX WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the American Depository Shares of RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) pursuant and/or traceable to the offering documents issued in connection with RLX's initial public offering ("IPO") on or about January 22, 2021, of the important August 9, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased RLX 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 RLX class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2108.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 August 9, 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 derivatve litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the offering documents misstated and/or omitted facts concerning RLX's then-existing exposure to China's ongoing campaign to establish a national standard for e-cigarettes, which would bring them in line with traditional tobacco offerings such as ordinary cigarette regulations, and that RLX's reported financials were not nearly as robust as the offering documents projected nor were they indicative of future results. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the RLX class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2108.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 investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter (News - Alert) : https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005827/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 02, 2021] DHL Bolsters Applied Analytics Capabilities in Malaysia The logistics giant is establishing an Applied Analytics Hub to develop data-driven supply chains for DHL customers in Asia Pacific DHL will deepen its collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to develop talent in data science and big data analytics ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL, the world's leading logistics company, announced the launch of its Applied Analytics Hub (AAH) in Medini City, a strategic growth zone located within the Iskandar Development Region in Johor, Malaysia. The hub will see data scientists and machine learning experts develop robust analytics-driven logistics solutions for DHL's customers across Asia Pacific. Prerit Mishra, Head of Applied Analytics, DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation, Asia Pacific, said, "There is a growing demand for best-in-class supply chain analytics solutions as companies in Malaysia and the region accelerate their digital transformation. Companies are eager to use digital solutions to enhance supply chain management and optimize their data. The AAH will also allow us to work more closely with businesses in Malaysia by pairing our extensive global supply chain expertise with advanced data science to unlock new value." The new hub is an extension of the DHL Applied Analytics team based in Singapore, that has been working in close partnerships with customers in conceptualizing and implementing advanced data analytics solutions to maximize supply chain efficiencies. The hub in Medini will deepen DHL's collaboration with the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) including the hosting of faculty members from UTM, providing internships and mentoring budding data scientists who will get to wok on solving complex supply chain problems for customers. The hub will equally spearhead networking sessions and conduct workshops where companies and industry experts come together to share best practices and brainstorm innovative ideas. The strategic collaboration between both parties allows DHL to tap on a steady stream of high-quality talent whilst benefitting UTM with real-world industry experience that helps to shape its college curriculum. "The partnership with DHL allows our faculty to test solutions and see the practical applications of data science outside the academic environment. Since we began our collaboration in 2019, we have extracted valuable insights to develop the curriculum for our Masters in Data Science program," commented Professor Ts. Dr. Ruzairi Bin Abdul Rahim, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Over two years, UTM's students and faculty members have been working on analytics projects alongside data scientists, engineers and logistics experts at DHL. With current COVID-19 regulations preventing the full use of the facilities at the new hub, the collaboration continues online. The hub was officially inaugurated with a virtual ceremony attended by representatives from DHL, UTM, Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Center (MaGIC) and the Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB). - End - Further Information: The DHL Applied Analytics team is part of DHL's cross-divisional Customer Solutions and Innovation and supports DPDHL customers around the world with state-of-the-art analytics solutions. It is headquartered in DHL's Asia Pacific Innovation Center located in Singapore. DHL has been instrumental in developing the strategy behind Iskandar Investment Berhad's catalytic initiatives around Industry 4.0 since 2018 via the DHL Global Center of Excellence. In 2020, DHL supported the establishment of Southeast Asia's first Drone and Robotics Zone in Medini with its experience in the application of drone and robotics technologies in its own operations. With Medini's vision to become a future smart city, DHL has widened its global innovation footprint through the presence of GCOE and the new Applied Analytics Hub in Medini to engage customers in exploring new digital solutions. Read more about the development of Iskandar Malaysia and the DHL Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) on DHL's Logistics of Things. On the Internet: dpdhl.de/press Follow us at: twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL DHL The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050. SOURCE DHL [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Eaton helps businesses avert the threat of costly outages in distributed IT environments and Edge deployments with its Intelligent Power Manager 2.0 software and 5PX Gen 2 series SINGAPORE, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global power management company Eaton has unveiled its latest release of the Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) disaster recovery software and an enhanced version of the 5PX UPS. Designed for organisations operating distributed IT infrastructure in virtualized or hyperconverged environments, these two products deliver enhanced power protection that help prevent lasting and costly downtime for critical equipment. "Businesses operating distributed IT environments cannot afford to ignore the threat of outages that can severely compromise operations. A holistic approach that leverages modern hardware and software technologies is needed to protect the critical infrastructure that keeps organisations running," said Jimmy Yam, Vice President, Electrical Sector, Eaton East Asia. "The launch of the IPM 2.0 and enhanced 5PX UPS aims to meet this growing need, and ultimately enable organisations to ensure business continuity and come out ahead in the ongoing digital transformation journey." Safeguard data at the edge and ensure business continuity with greater control over critical power infrastructure Eaton's IPM 2.0 software gives IT managers greater control over their distributed power infrastructure by enabling them to remotely monitor and manage equipment, and mitigate power events before they cause damaging outages. A part of Eaton's Brightlayer data centre software suite, the disaster recovery software provides remote monitoring and automated disaster avoidance capabilities. IPM 2.0 comes in 3 editions Monitor, Manage and Optimize to offer organisations more flexibility in choosing the right level of power management functions according to their size and needs. The second-generation software also features a redesigned user interface, more automation options for critical processes, and enhanced visualisation options to enable quicker understanding of equipment status. In addition to remote infrastructure management, IPM 2.0 can support organisations looking to deploy hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI). The software features integration with leading IT platforms from Eaton's PowerAdvantage partners such as VMware, NetApp, Dell EMC, enabling users to have better control of their IT infrastructure with power management products. Users can enable automatic and transparent live migration of virtual machines to keep critical workloads up and running in the event of an extended outage. This bolsters business continuity by allowing IT teams to move critical applications to available servers either within an organization, or to a co-located facility or public cloud. More information on IPM 2.0 can be found at Eaton.sg/IPM. For a more detailed look at how IPM 2.0 can help businesses looking to future-proof their distributed power infrastructure with seamless remote management, the IPM 2.0 webinar is open for sign-ups here. Maximise efficiency, earnings and protection across IT environments with the cybersecurity-certified 5PX Gen 2 UPS Together with the IPM 2.0 software, Eaton is introducing a new generation of its 5PX UPS series which offers enhanced efficiency, manageability and energy metering capabilities. Similar to the IPM 2.0, Eaton's second generation 5PX UPS provides deep integration within virtual environments and comes with automation features for disaster recovery during power outages. Other key enhancements and features include: Unity power factor (W=VA) capability, which allows it to protect more servers Remote UPS settings and remote firmware upgrade for easy deployment and reduced maintenance cost with the Eaton Gigabit network management card [1] Enhanced commissioning and configuration capabilities with an improved graphical LCD display which brings all operating information at first sight Energy Star 2.0 certified, it also helps IT managers reduce energy consumption and cooling costs and improve overall power efficiency. [1] The Eaton Gigabit network management card are delivered with the 5PX Gen 2 Netpack models. It features dual cybersecurity certifications (UL 2900-1 & IEC 62443-4-2) and enables connection to Eaton Cyber Secured Monitoring solutions. About Eaton Electrical Sector Eaton's electrical business is a global leader with deep regional application expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; power quality, backup power and energy storage; control and automation; life safety and security; structural solutions; and harsh and hazardous environment solutions. Through end-to-end services, channel and an integrated digital platform and insights Eaton is powering what matters across industries and around the world, helping customers solve their most critical electrical power management challenges. Eaton's mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. We provide sustainable solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power more safely, more efficiently, and more reliably. Eaton's 2020 revenues were $17.9 billion, and we sell products to customers in more than 175 countries. We have approximately 96,000 employees. For more information, visit Eaton.com. SOURCE Eaton [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Nokia achieves first 5G carrier aggregation call in standalone architecture with Taiwan Mobile Press Release Nokia achieves first 5G carrier aggregation call in standalone architecture with Taiwan Mobile Successful trial aggregates spectrum in the 700MHz (n28) and 3500MHz (n78) for the first time to deliver enhanced connectivity and increased coverage Trial supports Taiwan Mobiles vision to deliver market-leading 5G services to customers 3 August 2021 Espoo, Finland Nokia and Taiwan Mobile (TWM) today announced that it has achieved the worlds first New Radio Carrier Aggregation (NR CA) by combining spectrum in the 700MHz (n28) and 3500MHz (n78) bands. The trial, which took place in a 5G standalone (SA) network environment, paves the way for TWM to deliver market-leading 5G experiences to its customers with enhanced connectivity and capacity. Carrier Aggregation combines frequency bands for higher rates and increased coverage, delivering superior network capacity and maximizing the spectral efficiency of 5G networks. The successful trial was performed with Nokias AirScale 5G SA architecture in TWMs commercial 5G network and combined two spectrum bands, frequency division duplex (FDD) in 700MHz (n28) and time divsion duplex (TDD) in 3500MHz (n78), which are widely adopted in 5G networks worldwide. FDD is a lower frequency band that provides wide coverage area improving cell edge performance; TDD has a higher bandwidth and capacity. The combination of these spectrum bands offers enhanced capacity and coverage supporting a range of 5G deployment scenarios, including indoor and enhanced outdoor coverage. MediaTek Inc. supported the trial by providing equipment to verify network performance. Nokia is TWMs sole 5G equipment supplier covering 5G RAN, 5G Core and 5G IMS including its latest AirScale Radio Access products. Nokia is a long-standing partner of TWM and is supporting the company in its efforts to execute its Super 5G strategy which is focused on sustainability and digital transformation. Tom Koh, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Technology Group, Taiwan Mobile, commented: This trial is an important milestone as we execute our 5G strategy and deliver best-in-class 5G services to our subscribers. Combining SA with NR CA, our 5G user experience is raised to the next level while the utilization of our spectrum assets and 5G networks are maximized. We are pleased with our partnership with Nokia as we continue to advance deployment and build a thriving 5G ecosystem. Mark Atkinson, SVP, Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia, said: We are delighted to have completed this successful trial with our trusted partner, Taiwan Mobile. Aggregating spectrum is an efficient way to enable enhanced coverage and capacity. This successful trial highlights how mobile operators with similar spectrum allocation can achieve similar results. JS Pan, General Manager of Wireless System Design and Partnership at MediaTek, said: MediaTek continues to collaborate with ecosystem partners to accelerate the development of global 5G markets. Our joint effort with Nokia and Taiwan Mobile has led to this breakthrough in commercial 5G Standalone network capabilities that will facilitate better services. About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world. Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] SES Networks Expands Partnership With Orange to Enhance Maritime Services Orange (News - Alert) maritime customers will now be able to accelerate their digital transformation with higher-capacity satellite connectivity services provided jointly by SES (News - Alert) Networks and Orange. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005841/en/ SES Networks Expands Partnership With Orange to Enhance Maritime Services (Photo: Business Wire) With this innovative agreement, Orange will integrate its own global infrastructure with the global network coverage powered by SES Networks' Skala Global Platform. Together it will enable Orange maritime customers to cost-effectively scale up their bandwidth with seamless, ubiquitous and global services. This will ensure they can implement new technologies onboard that take advantage of IoT and AI, as well as edge and cloud applications. The combination of the Orange secured and digital network infrastructure and SES Networks' Skala Global Platform -- a next-generation technology platform which provides worldwide coverage via multiple geostationary satellites and gateways interconnected by a global terrestrial network -- will deliver reliable, high-performance broadband services everywhere, from developed markets to the hardest-to-reach places on Earth. This confirms the Orange ambition to become a key player offering solutions for the maritime sector. The maritime industry is on the threshold of rapid technological change, challenging shipping companies to incorporate a wide range of digital solutions to remain competitive. Shipping fleet operators need to implement automation and digitalisation of onboard processes to ensure optimum performance, efficiency and reliability. This latest agreement further strengthens the partnership that the Orange Group and SES Networks have established in the last few years. Orange has leveraged SES' innovative O3b satellite constellation operating in medium earth orbit (MEO) as well as SES' geostationary satellites to deliver global fibre-like, low-latency services to their mining customers. Orange has also been using SES's MEO and GEO services to provide international connectivity where needed and to deploy cellular services across remote areas of Africa. Orange is also the first announced network operator to adopt O3b mPOWER, SES's next-generation MEO system, which is planned for commercial service availability in the second half of 2022. "At Orange, we continue to believe that satellite is a future-oriented technology and that the many recent innovations in this industry will give it a growing place in the telco area, whether in Africa, in more developed areas such Europe or North America, or in specific industries such as maritime. This is why we are glad to reinforce our partnership with SES, as it will add a new component to our overall mission at Orange, that of building intelligent, open and innovative networks in order to support the digital transformation of our business customers and provide access to digital usage to the largest number of people," said Jean-Luc Vuillemin, Executive Vice President, Orange International Networks Infrastructures and Services. "With the commercial maritime sector seeking global and high-quality connectivity as it enters the next stage of digitalisation to implement more AI and other automated technologies, expanding our partnership with SES is fitting as we will be opening the door to more exciting innovations for our maritime customers." "We have been working closely together with the Orange Group the last couple of years to provide high-performance connectivity services worldwide to their customers in many different industries. As our partner, they were the first major telco player to embrace our upcoming O3b mPOWER and now collaborating together on our Skala Global Platform, SES will deliver new levels of connectivity, creating seamless, reliable global coverage for those in the maritime industry. Our flexible bandwidth solution removes any barriers that might be holding shipowners back from realising the full value when it comes to their digital investments," said John-Paul Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks. Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram Read our Blogs > Visit the Media Gallery > About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,400 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42.3 billion euros in 2020 and 139,000 employees worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 80,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 263 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 218 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business Services (News - Alert) . In December 2019, the Group presented its new "Engage 2025" strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @orangegrouppr. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210802005841/en/ [August 03, 2021] MSI launches complete line-up of laptops powered by 11th Gen Intel Core H series with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 graphics processors in India - Introduces GP, GL and GF series available across MSI brand stores and authorized sellers NEW DELHI, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MSI, a leading gaming brand launches complete line-up of laptops equipped with 11th Gen Intel H series processors up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 graphics. With a 30% performance upgrade over previous models, the high-speed combo of PCIe Gen4, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6E heighten increased enhancements. MSI also offers exclusive features like 'Discrete Graphics Mode' that improves graphics performance, while MSI Center allows users to overclock the GPU with ease. The new line-up includes GP, GL & GF series starting from INR 95,990/- and going up to INR 201,990/-, available across MSI brand stores and authorized sellers. Last month, MSI announced the availability of GE and GS series, which makes it the first brand with 11th Gen Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics. Model CPU + GPU Price GP76 Leopard 11UG Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3070, GDDR6 8GB) INR 201,990.00 GP66 Leopard 11UG Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3070, GDDR6 8GB) INR 195,990.00 Pulse GL76 11UEK Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3060, GDDR6 6GB) INR 145,990.00 Pulse GL66 11UEK Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3060, GDDR6 6GB) INR 139,990.00 Katana GF76 11UD Gen Core i7 (RTX3050 Ti, GDDR6 4GB) INR 123,990.00 Katana GF76 11UC Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3050, GDDR6 4GB INR 111,990.00 Katana GF66 11UE Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3060, GDDR6 6GB INR 128,990.00 Katana GF66 11UD Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3050 Ti, GDDR6 4GB INR 117,990.00 Katana GF66 11UC Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3050, GDDR6 4GB) INR 106,990.00 Katana GF66 11UC Intel 11th Gen Core i5 (RTX3050, GDDR6 4GB) INR 95,990.00 Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Green Lin, Regional Marketing Manager, MSI, said, "Our GF Series have been created to elevate the overall gameplay experience, and with a wide range of features like RTX 30 graphics that offer a completely seamless and uninterrupted experience. We believe in crafting performance-oriented products that cater to the needs of our diverse audience, and the GF Series are another addition to our power-packed lineup. MSI will continue its trend of producing top-tier, powerful machines with aesthetic touches that enhance user experience and unleash the inner gamer spirits." Born for performance - GP76/66 Leopard For those who need powerful performance for work and play, or even engineering, the GP Leopard series is also receiving NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics and the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7 Processors. The Powerhouse pulsating power - Pulse GL76/66 With new image designed by Maarten Verhoeven, 2018 ZBrush World Competition Champion, MSI unveiled its new GL66 and GL76 Pulse laptops. Verhoeven specifically designed the titanium power-armor inspired by Pulse energy for the Dragon Army to enhance agility and flexibility. The laptops use NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics along with a redesigned heat pipe and integrated MSI thermal grease that generates more airflow for lower temperatures. An independent number pad rounds out the user experience. Sharpen Your Game - Katana GF76/66 Inspired by the swift power of the Sword and Katana, the image of the brand-new Katana GF series is designed by famed Japanese illustrator Tsuyoshi Nagano, noted for his work in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' video game series. The MSI Katana GF76 and GF66 are set to inspire users. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics and featuring independent number pads, even on the smaller 15-inch variant, the Sword and Katana GF laptops are more than just entry-level gaming configurations; they are the first partner for long-lasting battles in the virtual world. GP76 Leopard GP66 Leopard Processor Up to latest 11th Gen. IntelCore i7 Processors Graphics NVIDIAGeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 Display 17.3" Full HD (1920x1080), 240 Hz Refresh Rate, close to 100%sRGB 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080), 240 Hz Refresh Rate, close to 100%sRGB Memory DDR4-3200, 2 slots, up to 64GB Storage Slot 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen4 x4 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 x4 Webcam HD type (30fps@720p) Communication Gigabit Ethernet (up to 2.5GbE) Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, Bluetooth v5.2 USB Ports 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Keyboard Per-Key RGB gaming keyboard by SteelSeries Audio 2 x Stereo Speakers Nahimic 3 Audio Enhance High-Resolution Audio ready Battery 4-Cell, Li-Polymer Video Output 1 x HDMI (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz), 1 x Mini DisplayPort Dimension 397 (W) x 284 (D) x 25.9 (H) mm 358 (W) x 267 (D) x 23.4 (H) mm Weight 2.9 Kg 2.38 Kg Pulse GL76 Pulse GL66 Processor Up to latest 11th Gen. IntelCore i7 Processors Graphics NVIDIAGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 6GB GDDR6 Display 17.3" Full HD (1920x1080), 144 Hz Refresh Rate, close to 100%sRGB 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080), 144 Hz Refresh Rate, close to 100%sRGB Memory DDR4-3200, 2 slots, up to 64GB Storage Slot Up to 2 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 x4 Webcam HD type (30fps@720p) USB Ports 1 x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-C 2 x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1 x USB2.0 Type-A Keyboard RGB Backlight Gaming Keyboard Battery 3-Cell, Li-Polymer Video Output 1x HDMI (4K@60Hz) Dimension 398 (W) x 273 (D) x 24.2 (H) mm 359 (W) x 259 (D) x 23.95 (H) mm Weight 2.3 Kg 2.1 Kg Katana GF76 Katana GF66 Processor Up to latest 11th Gen. IntelCore i7 Processors Graphics NVIDIAGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 6GB GDDR6 NVIDIAGeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6 NVIDIAGeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6 Display 17.3" Full HD (1920x1080),144 Hz Refresh Rate, IPS-Level panel 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080),144 Hz Refresh Rate, IPS-Level panel Memory Up to DDR4-3200, 2 slots, up to 64GB Storage Slot Up to 2 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 x4 Webcam HD type (30fps@720p) USB Ports 1 x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-C 2 x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1 x USB2.0 Type-A Keyboard Red Backlit Gaming Keyboard(Katana GF76/66) Blue Backlit Gaming Keyboard (Sword 17/15) Video Output 1 x HDMI (4K@ 60Hz) Dimension 398 (W) x 273 (D) x 25.2 (H) mm 359 (W) x 259 (D) x 24.9 (H) mm Weight 2.3 Kg 2.1 Kg For high-res images, please visit: https://msi.gm/2PLcVd0 MSI GAMING: https://in.msi.com/ https://in.msi.com/ MSI Non-Gaming: https://www.instagram.com/msi_india/ https://www.instagram.com/msi_india/ MSI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSIIndia https://www.facebook.com/MSIIndia MSI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msigaming_india/ https://www.instagram.com/msigaming_india/ MSI YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MSIIndiaNB About MSI MSI is a world leader in gaming, content creation and AIoT solutions. Bolstered by its cutting-edge R&D capabilities and customer-driven innovation, MSI has a wide-ranging global presence spanning over 120 countries. Its comprehensive lineup of laptops, graphics cards, monitors, motherboards, desktops, peripherals, servers, IPCs, robotic appliances, and vehicle infotainment and telematics systems are globally acclaimed. Committed to advancing user experiences through the finest product quality, intuitive user interface and design aesthetics, MSI is a leading brand that shapes the future of technology. For more product information, please go to https://www.msi.com. All rights of the technical, pictures, text and other content published in this press release are reserved. Contents are subject to changes without prior notice. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] ShowHeroes Group appoints Sarah Lewis to strengthen its global CTV leadership LONDON, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ShowHeroes Group, Europe's leading independent provider of video solutions for digital publishers and advertisers, is investing heavily into its CTV branch. With the latest expansion of the management team, the company welcomes yet another high-profile leader: Sarah Lewis. As Global Director CTV, Lewis will manage all processes relating to Connected TV across all markets from August 2021. She previously held senior positions at SpotX, the globally operating SSP that is known for its pioneering work in CTV and was recently acquired by Magnite. With her many years of experience in digital media and marketing, Lewis not only strengthens the management team, but also significantly enhances the company's CTV marketing expertise. After several key positions at BBC Worldwide, AOL and Fairfax Digital, Sarah Lewis joined SpotX in May 2017. As Senior Director and Head of Agency EMEA, she was an integral part of SpotX's CTV marketing and sales leadership team in Europe. Lewis maintains an excellent network across all relevant European media hub and markets, as well as a deep-rooted understanding of the CTV space from both the demand and the supply side. "Connected TV is the most important trend in video. Already standard in the U.S. market, CTV solutions are now maturing in Europe. Germany and the UK are pioneers here. As a first mover, we already offer publishers and advertisers ad solutions based on our top-notch semantic matching technology. Thanks to Sarah's extensive industry experience and detailed know-how, she is one of the key figures in the EMEA CTV ecosystem at the moment. Her start at ShowHeroes Group underlines our claim to market leadership, and we are very happy to welcome her to the team", says Ilhan Zengin, founder and CEO of ShowHeroes Group. "The growing European CTV market still suffers from a few teething troubles, with current challenges being a highly fragmented ecosystem and serious transparency issues when it comes to measurement and fraud prevention. Therefore, it is time to work in solidarity with our partners and drive the development of robust standards forward. I also look forward to building a strong contextual solution for targeting ads on the big screen in a privacy-compliant way and to sustainably strengthen the Group's market position in the CTV sector," adds Sarah Lewis, Global Director CTV at ShowHeroes Group. About ShowHeroes Group ShowHeroes Group was founded in 2020 as a result of the ongoing expansion and growth of its premium digital video brand ShowHeroes. It operates from 15 international locations: Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Hildesheim, Riga, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, Vienna, Paris, London, Milan, Florence, Madrid and Tel Aviv. The team of 200 employees is led by the Founding Heroes llhan Zengin, Mario Tiedemann and Dennis Kirschner. To find out more, go to: https://showheroes.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] VisualCamp's Eye Tracking SDK, SeeSo, Wins GLOMO Award 2021 VisualCamp, an eye tracking software company, has won the 'Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Living' at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards at MWC Barcelona 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005453/en/ VisualCamp, an eye tracking software company, won the Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Living at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards at MWC Barcelona 2021. GSMA (News - Alert) judges recognized that SeeSo unlocks new possibilities in accessibility and usability across mobile platforms with eye tracking software. The SeeSo is an AI based eye tracking SDK which runs through virtually any device's front-facing camera or webcam. The SDK could be downloaded anywhere in the world from its SaaS (News - Alert) web platform (seeso.io) to innovate the mobile web and app industry. (Graphic: Business Wire) GSMA judges recognized that SeeSo unlocks new possibilities in accessibility and usability across mobile platforms with eye tracking software. SeeSo is an AI based eye tracking SDK which runs through virtually any device's front-facing camera or webcam. The SDK could be downloaded anywhere in the world from its SaaS web platform (seeso.io) to innovate the mobile web and app industry. Since the initial launch in April 2020, SeeSo has been updating SDK to strengthen the accuracy, robustness, and development of platforms. Recently, it added User Status APIs to help developers to track attention levels, drowsiness, and blinking more easily. With the ease of integration, SeeSo has provided top Korean education companies with the ability to monitor students' progressions effectively in a remote learning environment and has innovated the mobile e-book platform Millie with gaze page turning interfaces. VisualCamp CEO Yunchan Suk said, "We are trying to bring eye tracking software into our daily lives. SeeSo, in an accessible way, is addressing problems we have heard from many customers across different fields. We are glad GSMA judges recognize our efforts and the value of SeeSo. It is just the beginning. SeeSo will bring changes to many industries, and we are looking forward to the future." The GLOMO Awards celebrate efforts made by the companies and individuals to drive innovation in the rapidly evolving mobile industry. They were set up 26 years ago by the GSMA. The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005453/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Hootsuite Acquires Conversational AI Leader Heyday for CA$60 Million Vancouver, BC, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hootsuite today announced its acquisition of Heyday, a Montreal-based conversational AI platform that enables brands to deliver personalized customer experiences through 1:1 messaging conversations. Commerce is rapidly moving onto social and messaging platforms. Hootsuite, a pioneer in the social media management category, has the largest customer base in the industry and with this acquisition will now allow brands to fully leverage conversational AI to create a better customer experience. Heyday offers an enterprise-grade customer messaging platform that integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms, and works with leading brands such as Lacoste, Decathlon, Cirque du Soleil, Danone, Rudsak, and Jack & Jones (Bestseller) to deliver more personalized and rewarding customer experiences via chat and video. Social is the new interface of commerce and customer care, said Tom Keiser, CEO, Hootsuite. Modern day brands have to manage a multitude of daily interactions and conversations at scalewhich is impossible to do without AI automation. With the acquisition of Heyday, Hootsuite will now give AI capabilities to marketing, sales and support teams globally so they can deliver exceptional experiences at scale. The adoption and use of social media has increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic. Hootsuites Digital 2021 Report found that over 4.2 billion active social media users are spending on average two hours and twenty five minutes a day on social and messaging platforms. A study by Edison Research found that 39% of social media users expect a reply from companies within sixty minutes, yet the average response time is five hours. Through Hootsuites combination of automation and AI, brands can now, for the first time, respond intelligently, with personalized responses at scale in real-time. Hootsuites acquisition earlier this year of Sparkcentral, and now Heyday, provides brands the tools to foster more meaningful customer relationships through all stages of the buying journey. Hootsuite believes in the power of personalized marketing and frictionless customer experiences that build trust and relevance, said Keiser. The new generation of shoppers want to engage with brands by making purchases and receiving real-time customer service on social. The relationship starts and ends on social, so we're excited to offer brands a better way to deliver successful customer experiences at scale. Hootsuites expanded ability to enable brands and organizations to meet customers on social media and 1:1 messaging apps will create an opportunity for deeper relationships. We created Heydays conversational platform to make buying from a brand as easy as messaging a friend, said Steve Desjarlais, Co-Founder, Heyday. Together with Hootsuite, we will bridge the gap between physical and digital brand experiences by leveraging social and messaging channels as the anchor and golden thread of the customer journey. About Heyday Heyday is an AI-powered customer messaging platform that enables brands to deliver personalized customer experiences through 1:1 conversations on social and messaging apps. Heyday integrates seamlessly with branded websites and apps, e-commerce platforms, product feeds and order tracking management systems to meet customers with always-on virtual support and personalized recommendations that boost engagement and conversion. Heydays conversational platform is powering brands globally, across four continents in multiple languages, trusted by iconic brands like Lacoste, Decathlon, Cirque du Soleil, Danone, Rudsak, Jack & Jones (Bestseller), and many more. Learn more about Heyday at https://www.heyday.ai/. Stifel GMP served as the exclusive financial advisor to Heyday on the transaction. About Hootsuite Hootsuite is the global leader in social media management with over two-hundred thousand paid accounts and millions of users, spanning brands and organizations of all sizes from the smallest SMBs to the largest Enterprise, in every corner of the world. Hootsuites unparalleled expertise in social selling, social customer care and social media management empowers organizations to strategically grow their brand, businesses, and customer relationships with social. Hootsuite Academy, the industry-leading online learning platform, empowers growth through social media certifications and has delivered over one million courses to over half a million people worldwide. To learn more, visit www.hootsuite.com. Hootsuite Corporate Communications Melanie Gaboriault media@hootsuite.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] DHL Express shapes future for sustainable aviation with the order of first-ever all-electric cargo planes from Eviation BONN, Germany and ARLINGTON, Wash., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL Express (Symbol: DPW), the world's leading express service provider, and Eviation, the Seattle-area based global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, today write aviation history in announcing that DHL is the first to order 12 fully electric Alice eCargo planes from Eviation. With this engagement DHL aims to set up an unparalleled electric Express network and make a pioneering step into a sustainable aviation future. Eviation's Alice is the world's leading fully electric aircraft, which enables airlines both cargo and passenger to operate a zero-emission fleet. Eviation expects to deliver the Alice electric aircraft to DHL Express in 2024. "We firmly believe in a future with zero-emission logistics," says John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. "Therefore, our investments always follow the objective of improving our carbon footprint. On our way to clean logistics operations, the electrification of every transport mode plays a crucial role and will significantly contribute to our overall sustainability goal of zero emissions. Founded in 1969, DHL Express has been known as a pioneer in the aviation industry for decades. We have found the perfect partner with Eviation as they share our purpose, and together we will take off into a new era of sustainable aviation." Alice can be flown by a single pilot and will carry 2,600 lbs (1,250 kilograms). It will require 30 minutes or less to charge per flight hour and have a maximum range of up to 440 nautical miles (815 kilometers). Alice will operate in all environments currently serviced by piston and turbine aircraft. Alice's advanced electric motors have fewer moving parts to increase reliability and reduce maintenance costs. Its operating software constantly monitors flight performance to ensure optimal efficiency. "From day one, we set an audacious goal to transform the aviation industry and create a new era with electric aircraft," said Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay. "Partnering with companies like DHL who are the leaders in sustainable e-cargo transportation is a testament that the electric era is upon us. This announcement is a significant milestone on our quest to transform the future of flight across the globe." The aircraft is ideal for feeder routes and requires less investment in station infrastructure. The Alice can be charged while loading and unloading operations occur, ensuring quick turnaround times that maintain DHL Express' tight schedules. The logistics company plans to build several zero emission Alice feeder networks in the U.S., most likely starting in California. "My compliments to Eviation on te innovative development of the fully electric Alice aircraft," says Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations and Aviation for DHL Express. "With Alice's range and capacity, this is a fantastic sustainable solution for our global network and will be targeted for operations in the southeast and west coast of the United States. Our aspiration is to make a substantial contribution in reducing our carbon footprint, and these advancements in fleet and technology will go a long way in achieving further carbon reductions. For us and our customers, this is a very important step in our decarbonization journey and a step forward for the aviation industry as a whole." With innovation, performance and sustainability serving as its North Star, Eviation is creating a new era in aviation with the all-electric Alice aircraft. Alice has been specifically designed so that it can be configured for cargo or passengers. Eviation's Alice all-electric aircraft is on track for its first flight later this year. "The next time you order an on-demand package, check if it was delivered with a zero-emission aircraft like DHL will be doing," said Eviation Executive Chairman Roei Ganzarski. "With on-demand shopping and deliveries on a constant rise, Alice is enabling DHL to establish a clean, quiet and low-cost operation that will open up greater opportunities for more communities starting right here in the United States." The decarbonization of its operations is one of the main pillars of DPDHL Group's new Sustainability roadmap announced in Q1 2021. The Group is investing a total of 7 billion euros (Opex and Capex) by 2030 in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions. The funds will go in particular towards electrification of last-mile delivery fleet, sustainable aviation fuels and climate-neutral buildings. On the way to the zero emissions target by 2050, which has already been in place for four years, the company is committing to new, ambitious interim targets. For example, as part of the renowned Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Deutsche Post DHL Group is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. About: DHL The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400.000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050. Eviation Based in Washington State, Eviation is developing and manufacturing efficient electric aircraft to make aviation a competitive and sustainable solution for the regional mobility of people and goods. Its electric propulsion units, high-energy-density batteries, fly-by-wire flight deck, and innovative airframe are designed from the ground up for electric flight. Please visit us at www.eviation.co . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dhl-express-shapes-future-for-sustainable-aviation-with-the-order-of-first-ever-all-electric-cargo-planes-from-eviation-301346727.html SOURCE Eviation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Haptik AI now supports India's Universal Language - Hinglish MUMBAI, India, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jio Haptik Technologies Ltd, one of the world's largest Conversational AI companies and a subsidiary of Reliance Jio platforms, has now introduced Hinglish (a mixture of Hindi and English) chatbots to help brands engage with Indian customers in their preferred language. Haptik launches multilingual chatbots in India's fastest-growing language: Hinglish While Hindi & English are popular languages, Hinglish is emerging rapidly with 350 million+ speakers versus only 125 million+ English speakers. This shift in language is primarily because users find texting and having conversations in Hinglish more convenient. Since a vast majority of India also lives in semi-urban and rural regions and might not be fluent in English, it becomes even more critical for brands to adapt to the customer's preferred language instead of a one-size-fits-all approach with English or Hindi. For instance, if users want to track their order, they can frame the query as "Mera order kahan hai" in Hinglish. Hinglish chatbots by Haptik can automatically identify when a user initiates a conversation in Hinglish or Hindi & continue theconversation accordingly. It further transliterates Hinglish to Hindi to understand the user query in their natural language instead of transferring it to an agent. Haptik's proprietary NLU engine ensures the most accurate response, configurable either in Hindi or Hinglish as preferred by the brand. Thus, Haptik chatbots can answer the above-asked Hinglish query as: Bot: Hi, I am your Virtual Assistant. How can I help you today? User: Mera order kahan hai? Bot: Zaroor, mujhe aapka order track karne dein. Kya aap mujhe apna order ID bata sakte hain? OR Bot: ?????, ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???? Haptik's first customer to break the language barrier with Hinglish is Jiomobility. Jiomobility's mission is to make superior internet & network accessible to every person in every corner of India. With a vast majority of their audience based in tier-2 & tier-3 cities, the flexibility of interacting in Hindi or Hinglish helps in supporting their non-English speaking users. This further translates to a higher resolution rate on the chatbot & increased customer satisfaction. Upon Jiomobility's launch for Hinglish, Swapan Rajdev, CTO & Co-founder at Haptik, said, "Speaking your customer's language is critical in today's world. We don't want customers to adapt to what the business can support. We always want businesses to adapt to their customer needs. And customers need the flexibility to speak in their preferred native language. Hinglish also becomes important with the growing popularity of chat platforms like WhatsApp, where users prefer to be more informal and casual. This combination is an ultimate winner for brands like Jiomobility that are focused on customer experience." About Haptik Haptik is one of the world's largest Conversational AI companies, having reached over 100 million devices, and processed over 4 billion conversations. Part of the $65 billion Internet conglomerate Reliance Jio Platforms, Haptik Intelligent virtual assistants enable Fortune 500 brands globally to enhance customer experience while saving costs and increasing revenue. The company is featured as a leader in the category across many platforms, including Gartner, AI Time Journal, Opus Research & more. Haptik's leading clients and partners include KFC, Oyo Rooms, Starhub, HP, Tata Group, Disney Hotstar, OLA, and Zurich Insurance, among others. For further information, visit https://haptik.ai Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1317248/Haptik_Logo.jpg Video: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOqqFxNNkbA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Delivery Robot Market Size Worth USD 356.6 Million by 2027 | CAGR 17.7%: Astute Analytica NEW DELHI, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Global Delivery Robot Market by Component, By Robot Type, By Operations, By Payload, By Application, By Industry and By Region Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe and MEA) Industry Dynamics, Market Size, and Opportunity Forecast to 2027, published by Astute Analytica, the market is expected to add an opportunity of US$ 356.6 Mn over the forecast period 2021-2027. Request for a sample report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/delivery-robot-market Globally, delivery robot market is forecast to grow at an annual growth rate of 17.7% during the forecast period. Global Delivery Robot Market include both indoor and outdoor delivery robots. Autonomous delivery robots for outdoor or indoor deliveries are expected to transform or modernize the last mile delivery systems by offering a cheap and efficient method of delivery. Though delivery robots are still at development stage of various companies, with only few of them are commercialized until now are driven by some of the major market growth factors such as increasing labor cost, marketing strategy, advancements in technologies such as AI, machine learning, robotics, GPS tracking, automation, and navigation and reduction in the overall cost of last-mile deliveries and government regulations regarding environmental emission. Growing trend of smart or connected home is playing a significant role in the overall market growth. Cloud based robotics is expected to boost the capabilities of indoor robots. And similarly, as the cost of labor increases, technology becomes relatively more affordable, accelerating the transition to automation. Increasing harmful gases emission from vehicles contributes a lot to environmental degradation due to which battery assisted or electric vehicles are being preferred by the government, this is further propelling the adoption of delivery robots. Service robots are increasingly being adopted for new applications due to various advantages such as increased productivity, streamlined processes, and greater workplace safety. The main advantage of using service robots is the reduction in cost of operation and high ROI. Last-mile delivery is the key challenge faced by logistics companies in the entire process of delivering products to consumers, issues include damaged products, failed delivery, and increased traffic congestion. With delivery robots increasingly marking their presence on roads and premises, there is a threat of potential job losses that might hinders the market growth. "Huge capital expenditure required for installation and maintenance of delivery robots may show the restraining impact on the overall growth of the global delivery robots market for the study period." COVID-19 Impact on the Delivery Robots Market The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic comes up with a new and interesting dynamics for delivery robots. With significant ratio of population facing lockdown at differing times and with many people attempting to self-isolate and socially distance from the public, the delivery robots present a perfect non-human delivery system. The social distancing norms imposed by the government in various countries has driven the growth as delivery robots do not require human intervention. COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of existing robots and their adaptation to new niches, but it might also lead to new robots. Shifting customer preferences towards automated delivery generates profitable opportunities The rising trend of digitalization automation, and robotics with use of AI and big data analytics in the delivery processes with the integration of Industry 4.0 is likely to foster the growth of the delivery robot market over the forecast period. The traditional delivery system such as time slot delivery and unattended delivery may influence the customer delivery options of online delivery as e-commerce functioning on the B2C market majorly depends upon product deliveries. Opportunities offered by robotics in combination with cameras, sensors, speech recognition, big data, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), mobile and cloud technology, geotagging and biometrics are likely to impact the advancement of robots on frontline employees across industries with significant attention from business practitioners. Asia Pacific Delivery Robot Market: Top-Tier Region in the Global Market Asia Pacific Delivery Robot Market is projected to have the largest hold, with a share of around 27.1% in the global delivery robot industry, owing to the increasing demand for delivery robots by various industries such as retail, E-commerce, hospitality, healthcare, logistics and others. Competitive Landscape Many domestic and global players offer numerous delivery robots with variety of features across the world. Some major key players covered in the report are Aethon, Effidence, Keenon Robotics Co., Ltd., Pudu Technology Inc., E Guangzhou Aobo Information Technology Co., Ltd., ANYbotics AG, CATRobotics, Dispatch AI, Locus Robotics, Eliport, FedEx bot and others. Despite of capital-intensive nature of the industry, the delivery robots industry witnessed an active participation from new market entrants. Get Full Research Summary on "Global Delivery Robot Market" https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/delivery-robot-market Segment Outline Market segments comprehend in the report include market size analysis based on revenue and volume distribution in different categories. For instance, Food delivery under application is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 20.3% in the forecast period. The delivery robots market for 4-wheeled delivery robots accounted for the largest market share in terms of value in 2020. Mostly companies offer four-wheeled robots for delivering groceries, food orders, flowers, packages, and boxes among other things. The growing adoption is mainly driven by the increasing affordability and return on investment of an increasing variety of infrastructure-light robots. The market is segmented on the basis of component, robot type, operations, payload, application and industry. Similarly, the < 0.5 Kgs payload among all the Payloads category dominated the global market with around 27.1% share in the forecast period. The report provides thorough analysis of Delivery Robots Market Industry Dynamics, Market Size and Opportunity Forecast to 2027, based on the following segments: By Component Hardware GPS Cameras Radars Ultrasonic/LiDAR Sensors Chassis and Motors Batteries Other (Wires, Drive Wheels, and Relays) Software Robotic Operating System Cyber Security Solutions Services Integration, Maintenance & Support Consulting and Training By Robot Type 2 Wheel 3 Wheel 4 Wheel By Operation Autonomous Remote Operated By Payload < 0.5 Kgs 0.5 - 2 Kgs 2-10 Kgs 10-50 Kgs 50-100 Kgs >100 Kgs By Application Food Delivery Parcel Delivery Medical Delivery Postal Delivery Emergency Response, Search and Rescue By Industry Retail E-Commerce Hospitality Healthcare Logistics Postal Services Others By Region Americas The U.S. Rest of Americas Europe The UK Germany Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa & UAE Rest of MEA For more details on report scope, please click here submit sample request @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/delivery-robot-market Find more research reports on Industrial & Heavy Machinery by Astute Analytica Automated Guided Vehicle Market Industry Dynamics, Market Size, And Opportunity Forecast to 2027 About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost effective, value added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact us: Nishi Sharma BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4251598 (Rest of the World) Email: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: www.astuteanalytica.com Follow US: LinkedIn | Twitter View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delivery-robot-market-size-worth-usd-356-6-million-by-2027--cagr-17-7-astute-analytica-301346810.html SOURCE Astute Analytica [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Bright Health Group Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results Bright Health Group, Inc. (NYSE: BHG, or the "Company"), a diversified healthcare services provider building a national Integrated System of Care, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2021. "We began our journey as a public company with strong second quarter results, demonstrating significant growth across both NeueHealth, our personalized care delivery business, and Bright HealthCare, our healthcare financing and distribution business," said Mike Mikan, President and CEO of Bright Health Group. "We are focused on changing healthcare in America for consumers and our Care Partners through our alignment model which has shown to make healthcare more personal, simple, and affordable. Bright Health remains focused on growing and diversifying our business and is excited to continue to bring our differentiated model to more communities across the country." Bright Health Group's total revenue of $1,114 million in the second quarter of 2021 increased by $817 million, or 275%, compared to the prior-year period. These results were driven primarily by organic membership growth in Bright HealthCare during the 2020 open enrollment period and special enrollment period for the commercial business that began on February 15, 2021, and both organic and inorganic growth at NeueHealth. The Company also experienced an increase in investment income due to a $58.5 million unrealized gain on equity securities. Bright Health Group's medical cost ratio ("MCR") for the second quarter of 2021 was 86.8% on a reported basis and 82.0% on an adjusted basis. This is an improvement over last year's second quarter adjusted MCR of 82.7%. "As we step back and look at year-to-date 2021 compared to the first half of 2020, our growth and ability to demonstrate performance is truly remarkable. Our first half revenue has more than quadrupled since last year, all while maintaining a consistent adjusted MCR below 80%," said Cathy Smith, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. In addition, the Company continues to leverage operating costs as the business scales with an operating cost ratio of 23.4% for the second quarter, an improvement of 6.5 percentage points over the same period last year. The Company's GAAP net loss was ($43.7) million in the second quarter of 2021, an increase in net loss of $25.6 million compared to the prior-year period. The Company's non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was a loss of ($35.3) million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to a loss of ($23.2) million in the prior-year period. Key Metrics ($ in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30 2021 2020 Consumer and Patient Metrics Bright HealthCare Commercial Consumers 552,759 153,083 Bright HealthCare Medicare Advantage Consumers 110,066 54,141 NeueHealth Value-Based Patients 42,305 19,419 Financial Metrics Revenue $ 1,113,840 $ 296,856 Adjusted Medical Cost Ratio(1) 82.0 % 82.7 % Operating Cost Ratio 23.4 % 29.9 % GAAP Net Loss $ (43,723 ) $ (18,074 ) Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ (35,255 ) $ (23,248 ) (1) Adjusted Medical Cost Ratio and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See the tables at the end of this release for additional information and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures. Financial Outlook For full year 2021, Bright Health Group is providing the following guidance and commentary: Bright Health Group's revenue is expected to be $4.0 billion to $4.2 billion with an expected enterprise medical cost ratio of approximately 86% plus or minus 200 bps. On a segment basis, Bright HealthCare end-of-year membership is expected to be approximately 650,000, while NeueHealth revenue is expected to be approximately $425 million. Finally, intercompany revenue elimination, comprised of payments from Bright HealthCare to NeueHealth for managing patient care and for network services, is expected to be approximately ($275) million. About Bright Health Group Bright Health Group is built upon the belief that by aligning the best local resources in healthcare delivery with the financing of care we can drive a superior consumer experience, optimize clinical outcomes, reduce systemic waste, and lower costs. We are a healthcare company building a national Integrated System of Care in close partnership with our Care Partners. Our differentiated approach is built on alignment, focused on the consumer, and powered by technology. We have two market facing businesses: NeueHealth and Bright HealthCare. Through NeueHealth, we deliver high-quality virtual and in-person clinical care to nearly 170,000 patients under value-based contracts through our 44 owned primary care clinics and support 87 additional affiliated clinics. Through Bright HealthCare, we offer Commercial and Medicare health plan products to approximately 663,000 consumers in 14 states and 99 markets. We are making healthcare right. Together. For more information, visit www.brighthealthgroup.com. Earnings Conference Call As previously announced, Bright Health Group will discuss the Company's results, strategy, and outlook on a conference call with investors at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Bright Health Group will host a live webcast of this conference call which can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of the company's website (investors.brighthealthgroup.com). Following the call, a webcast replay will be available on the same site using the access code 142113. This earnings release and the Form 8-K dated August 3, 2021, can be accessed on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website. We routinely post important information on our website, including corporate and investor presentations and financial information. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in the Investor Relations section of our website. Accordingly, investors should monitor this portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, Securities and Exchange filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business plan and strategies. These statements often include words such as "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "believe," "intend," "project," "forecast," "estimates," "projections," and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include any statements regarding our plans and expectations with respect to Bright Health Group, Inc. Such forward- looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Factors that might materially affect such forward-looking statements include: a lack of acceptance or slow adoption of our business model; our ability to retain existing consumers and expand consumer enrollment; our ability to contract with care providers and arrange for the provision of quality care; our ability to accurately estimate our medical expenses, effectively manage our costs and claims liabilities or appropriately price our products and charge premiums; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations; the risks associated with our reliance on third-party providers to operate our business; the impact of modifications or changes to the U.S. health insurance markets; our ability to manage the growth of our business; our ability to operate, update or implement our technology platform and other information technology systems; our ability to retain key executives; our ability to successfully pursue acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; the occurrence of severe weather events, catastrophic health events, natural or man-made disasters, and social and political conditions or civil unrest; and the other factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Bright Health Group's prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) on June 25, 2021. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward- looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or changes in our expectations. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,506,319 $ 488,371 Short-term investments 283,337 499,928 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,535 and $2,602, respectively 93,086 60,522 Prepaids and other current assets 208,693 130,986 Total current assets 2,091,435 1,179,807 Other assets: Long-term investments 633,029 175,176 Property, equipment and capitalized software, net 19,101 12,264 Goodwill 565,020 263,035 Intangible assets, net 262,420 152,211 Other non-current assets 28,773 28,309 Total other assets 1,508,343 630,995 Total assets $ 3,599,778 $ 1,810,802 Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) Current liabilities: Medical costs payable $ 565,620 $ 249,777 Accounts payable 86,527 57,252 Unearned revenue 38,060 34,628 Risk adjustment payable 507,853 187,777 Other current liabilities 166,227 35,847 Total current liabilities 1,364,287 565,281 Other liabilities 44,453 28,578 Total liabilities 1,408,740 593,859 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 41,012 39,600 Redeemable preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 and 166,307,087 shares authorized in 2021 and 2020, respectively; 0 and 164,244,893 shares issued and outstanding in 2021 and 2020, respectively - 1,681,015 Shareholders' deficit: Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 3,000,000,000 and 658,993,725 shares authorized in 2021 and 2020, respectively; 625,691,448 and 137,662,698 shares issued and outstanding in 2021 and 2020, respectively 63 14 Additional paid-in capital 2,735,099 9,877 Accumulated deficit (585,669) (515,989) Accumulated other comprehensive income 533 2,426 Total shareholders' equity (deficit) 2,150,026 (503,672) Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders' equity (deficit) $ 3,599,778 $ 1,810,802 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue: Premium revenue $ 1,042,086 $ 290,972 $ 1,902,717 $ 481,709 Service revenue 12,085 3,604 20,523 8,424 Investment income 59,669 2,280 65,158 5,289 Total revenue 1,113,840 296,856 1,988,398 495,422 Operating expenses: Medical costs 904,630 233,180 1,589,200 363,795 Operating costs 261,060 88,827 469,300 163,271 Depreciation and amortization 7,195 2,085 11,776 2,872 Total operating expenses 1,172,885 324,092 2,070,276 529,938 Operating loss (59,045) (27,236) (81,878) (34,516) Interest expense 4,142 - 4,688 - Loss before income taxes (63,187) (27,236) (86,566) (34,516) Income tax (benefit) expense (19,464) (9,162) (18,298) (9,162) Net loss (43,723) (18,074) (68,268) (25,354) Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (795) - (1,412) - Net loss attributable to Bright Health Group, Inc. common shareholders $ (44,518) $ (18,074) $ (69,680) $ (25,354) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Bright Health Group, Inc. common shareholders $ (0.28) $ (0.13) $ (0.46) $ (0.19) Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding 160,942 135,801 150,616 135,719 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (69,680) $ (25,354) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 11,776 2,872 Share-based compensation 19,054 2,193 Deferred income taxes (18,018) - Unrealized gains on equity securities (62,754) - Other, net 8,681 486 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (14,427) 23,681 Other assets (39,883) (3,844) Medical cost payable 223,125 21,739 Risk adjustment payable 318,758 108,787 Accounts payable and other liabilities 120,847 (46,376) Unearned revenue (333) 2,860 Net cash provided by operating activities 497,146 87,044 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of investments (596,811) (486,873) Proceeds from sales, paydown, and maturities of investments 449,636 209,155 Purchases of property and equipment (10,554) (319) Business acquisition, net of cash acquired (210,492) (174,090) Net cash used in investing activities (368,221) (452,127) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock - 211,200 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 9,616 131 Payments for debt issuance costs (3,391) - Proceeds from IPO 887,328 - Payments for IPO offering costs (4,530) - Net cash provided by financing activities 889,023 211,331 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,017,948 (153,752) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year 488,371 522,910 Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 1,506,319 $ 369,158 Non-GAAP Financial Measures We use the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted MCR in this release. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of acquisition and financing-related transaction costs, share-based compensation and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. We define Adjusted Medical Cost Ratio ("Adjusted MCR") as reported Medical Cost Ratio ("MCR"), excluding both the impact of COVID-related medical costs and prior period divergence from estimates and including an estimate for the impact of deferred utilization. These non-GAAP measures have been presented in this quarterly Earnings Release as supplemental measures of financial performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP because we believe they assist management and investors in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding and including items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance (and with respect to Adjusted MCR, are helpful to investors to understand the Company's financial performance and operations without the temporary distortion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and prior period developments). Management believes these measures are useful to investors in highlighting trends in our operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long- term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which we operate and capital investments. Management uses these measures to supplement GAAP measures of performance in the evaluation of the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, to establish discretionary annual incentive compensation and to compare our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. Management supplements GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted MCR are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to Net Income (Loss) or Reported MCR as measures of financial performance or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow available for management's discretionary use as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. The presentation of these measures has limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and can differ significantly from company to company. The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, ($ in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net loss $ (43,723) $ (18,074) $ (68,268) $ (25,354) Interest expense 4,142 - 4,688 - Income tax (benefit) expense (19,464) (9,162) (18,298) (9,162) Depreciation and Amortization 7,195 2,085 11,776 2,872 Transaction Costs (a) 3,130 653 5,150 2,347 Share-based Compensation expense (b) 13,878 1,250 19,054 2,193 Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration (c) (413) - 1,059 - Adjusted EBITDA $ (35,255) $ (23,248) $ (44,839) $ (27,104) Transaction costs include accounting, tax, valuation, consulting, legal and investment banking fees directly relating to business combinations and certain costs associated with our initial public offering. These costs can vary from period to period and impact comparability, and we do not believe such transaction costs reflect the ongoing performance of our business. Represents non-cash compensation expense related to stock option and restricted stock award grants, which can vary from period to period based on a number of factors, including the timing, quantity and grant date fair value of the awards. Represents the non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration from business combinations, which is remeasured at fair value each reporting period. There was no material activity for periods prior to the first quarter of 2021. The following table provides a reconciliation of Reported Medical Cost Ratio to Adjusted Medical Cost Ratio for the periods presented: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Reported Medical Cost Ratio 86.8 % 80.1 % 83.5 % 75.5 % Non-COVID prior-period developments(a) (1.6) % 0.3 % (0.9) % 0.3 % COVID impact(b) (3.2) % (2.2) % (3.6) % (1.3) % Deferred utilization(c) - % 4.4 % - % 2.6 % Adjusted Medical Cost Ratio 82.0 % 82.7 % 79.1 % 77.1 % Note: Totals above may not sum due to rounding Medicare Advantage ("MA") prior period development ("PPD") primarily related to unfavorable developments at acquired assets, with net non-COVID PPD gross margin impact to MA unfavorable by ($19.1) million. Individual and Family Plan ("IFP") PPD primarily related to favorable non-COVID IFP medical cost PPD of $21.7 million driven by a population that was slightly healthier than expectations, offset by an unfavorable risk adjustment impact to revenue of ($22.3) million driven by the same population dynamic. Direct costs of COVID-related care. Estimates of eliminated or deferred care driven by a reduced demand for medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005382/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Tauriga Sciences Inc. Announces the Arrival of Product Inventory for its Enhanced Tauri-Gum Product Line NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: TAUG) (Tauriga or the Company), a New York based diversified Life Sciences Company, has today announced the arrival of product inventory for its enhanced Tauri-Gum product line (11 SKUs in Total). This inventory is available, immediately, on the Companys E-Commerce website (www.taurigum.com). Additionally, the Company is focused on the commercial launch (of its Enhanced Tauri-Gum Product Line) to the retail marketplace. ENAHNCED Tauri-Gum CHEWING GUM PRODUCT LINE: SKU # 1): 25mg CBD Mint Flavor SKU # 2): 25mg CBD Blood Orange Flavor SKU # 3): 25mg CBD Pomegranate Flavor SKU # 4): 25mg CBG Black Currant Flavor SKU # 5): 25mg CBG Peach-Lemon Flavor SKU # 6): 10mg DELTA 8 THC Evergreen Mint Flavor SKU # 7): 60mg Vitamin C + 10mg Zinc Pear Bellini Flavor SKU # 8): 50mg Caffeine Cherry Lime Rickey Flavor SKU # 9): 2,000 IU Vitamin D3 Golden Raspberry Flavor PARTNERSHIP WITH THINK BIG, LLC (SKUs # 10 & 11) SKU # 10): 15mg CBD + 10mg CBG + 5mg Vitamin C + 10mg Zinc Honey Lemon Flavor (Frank White/ Tauri-Gum) SKU #11): 25mg CBD Mint Flavor (Frank White/ Tauri-Gum) ABOUT TAURIGA SCIENCES INC. Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG) is a revenue generating, diversified life sciences company, engaged in several major business activities and initiatives. The company manufactures and distributes several proprietary retail products and product lines, mainly focused on the Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG) Edibles market segment. The main product line, branded as Tauri-Gum, consists of a proprietary supplement chewing gum that is Kosher certified, Halal certified, and Vegan Formulated (CBD Infused Tauri-Gum Flavors: Mint, Blood Orange, Pomegranate), (CBG Infused TauriGum Flavors: Peach-Lemon, Black Currant), (Vitamin C + Zinc Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Pear Bellini), (Caffeine Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Cherry Lime Rickey), & (Vitamin D3 Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Golden Raspberry). The Companys commercialization strategy consists of a broad array of retail customers, distributors, and a fast-growing E-Commerce business segment (E-Commerce website: www.taurigum.com). Please visit our corporate website, for additional information, as well as inquiries, at http://www.tauriga.com Complementary to the Companys retail business, is its ongoing Pharmaceutical Development initiative. This relates to the development of a proposed Pharmaceutical grade version of Tauri-Gum, for nausea regulation (specifically designed for the following indication: Patients Subjected to Ongoing Chemotherapy Treatment). On March 22, 2021, the Company announced that it had Converted its U.S. Provisional Patent Application (filed on March 17, 2020) into a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application. The Patent, filed with the U.S.P.T.O. is Titled MEDICATED CBD COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING, AND METHODS OF TREATMENT. On December 18, 2020 the Company disclosed that it had entered into a Master Services Agreement with CSTI to lead the Company's clinical development efforts. The Company is headquartered in Wappingers Falls, New York. In addition, the Company operates two full time E-Commerce fulfillment centers: one located in Montgomery, Texas and the other in Brooklyn, New York. DISCLAIMER -- Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which represent managements beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are often indicated by using words such as may, will, expects, anticipates, believes, hopes, believes, or plans, and may include statements regarding corporate objectives as well as the attainment of certain corporate goals and milestones. Forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and on managements present beliefs with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences or timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements due to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as are not guarantees of general economic and business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to consummate successful acquisition and licensing transactions, fluctuations in exchange rates, and other factors over which Tauriga has little or no control. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in the Risk Factors section of Taurigas Form 10-K and other periodic filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Tauriga assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Contact: Tauriga Sciences, Inc. 4 Nancy Court, Suite 4 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Chief Executive Officer Mr. Seth M. Shaw Email: sshaw@tauriga.com cell # (917) 796 9926 Company Instagram: @taurigum Personal Instagram: @sethsms47 Twitter: @SethMShaw Corp. Website: www.tauriga.com E-Commerce Website: www.taurigum.com Attachment PR for Tues Aug 3 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] mdf commerce announces date of conference call for first quarter of fiscal 2022 financial results MONTREAL, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mdf commerce inc. (TSX:MDF), a leader in SaaS commerce technology solutions, will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2022 financial results. Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time Dial-in: (833) 732-1201 (toll-free) or (720) 405-2161 (international) Live webcast: register here A replay of the webcast will be available until August 11, 2022, at midnight Eastern Time through the same link following the conference call. Please visit the Investor Relations setion on our website on August 11, 2021, to view the earnings release prior to the conference call. About mdf commerce inc. mdf commerce inc. (TSX:MDF) enables the flow of commerce by providing a broad set of SaaS solutions that optimize and accelerate commercial interactions between buyers and sellers. Our platforms and services empower businesses around the world, allowing them to generate billions of dollars in transactions on an annual basis. Our Strategic Sourcing, Unified Commerce and emarketplace platforms are supported by a strong and dedicated team of approximately 700 employees based in Canada, the United States, Denmark, Ukraine and China. For more information, please visit us at mdfcommerce.com, follow us on LinkedIn or call at 1-877-677-9088. For further information: mdf commerce Andre Leblanc Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs Phone: +1 (514) 961-0882 Email: andre.leblanc@mdfcommerce.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Fujitsu Awarded Network Contract for Connected Coast Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. today announced that Fujitsu (News - Alert) hardware, software and services have been chosen for the Connected Coast project to bring high-speed connectivity to rural and remote communities along the coast of British Columbia and around Vancouver Island. The CityWest Connected Coast Network Corporation and Strathcona Connected Coast Network Corporation selected the Fujitsu 1FINITY platform and Virtuora Network Control (NC) solution, as well as Fujitsu field services and project management to build the new fiber network. The Connected Coast initiative aims to enable vital access to high-speed broadband internet for remote working, online learning, telehealth services and emergency notifications. A major investment connecting remote areas, including 48 indigenous communities, the Connected Coast project also will open up new economic development opportunities for residents and businesses in previously underserved regions throughout coastal British Columbia and Vancouver Island. The new Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network will incorporate Fujitsu 1FINITY T300 Transport, S900 Switch, and L100 Lambda blades, along with Virtuora Network Controller (NC) to provide open, multi-vendor, software-defined networking (SDN) control and management. CityWest and Strathcona have tapped Fujitsu Services to support network deployment and project management to ensure a smooth rollout. "We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with Fujitsu as we build the Connected Coast project, and bring great Internet, phone and television services to rural and remote communities around British Columbia," said Stefan Woloszyn, chief executive officer of CityWest. "Enabling access to faster and more reliable Internet connectivity for underserved communities is an important part of our mission to deliver superior communications and amazing customer experiences." "With the use of technology from Fujitsu, the Connected Coast project is another step closer to providing reliable connectivity to rural and remote coastal communities," said David Leitch, chief administrative officer at Strathcona Regional District. "These communities will soon experience the same or better internet capability as their urban counterparts." "Network infrastructure is more critical than ever before, and expanding that infrastructure to remote coastal geographies is an ambitious undertaking," said Annie Bogue, head of sales and marketing at Fujitsu Network Communications (News - Alert) . "We are proud to support Connected Coast's digital transformation with our 1FINITY platform and Virtuora NC, helping them expand essential broadband access." The first group of communities will be connected before the end of this year, and project completion is expected in 2023. About Fujitsu Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 126,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$34 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. For more information, please see https://www.fujitsu.com/. About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for network operators, service providers and content providers worldwide. We combine best-in-class hardware, software and services with multivendor expertise to enable cost savings, faster services delivery and improved network performance. Working closely with our customers and ecosystem partners, we design, build, operate and maintain better networks for the connected world. For more information, please see http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom or connect with us on LinkedIn (News - Alert) at www.linkedin.com/company/Fujitsu-network-communications. Fujitsu (and design), 1FINITY, Virtuora and "shaping tomorrow with you" are trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005255/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Advance Auto Parts and its Foundation Aim to Increase Diversity Among Automotive Technicians with $250,000 Commitment to Wake Tech Community College Advance Auto Parts Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts supplier, today announced a $200,000 commitment and partnership with Wake Technical Community College for a first-of-its-kind recruitment initiative aimed at increasing student diversity in the school's automotive systems technology and collision repair programs. Additionally, the retailer, which operates as Advance Auto Parts, has committed $50,000 in funding to outfit the school's tool rooms to support student learning. In partnership with organizations such as Communities In Schools, Juntos (NC State) and North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals, funding will be used to conduct direct outreach in Wake County high schools to encourage diverse populations to pursue automotive career paths. Starting this fall, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation's gift will help 25 students enrolling in the program over the next five years by funding $5,000 scholarships for each student to offset educational and living expenses and a one-time, $600 stipend to purchase tools scholarship recipients need to complete their studies and start their careers. "At Advance, we understand the value of having an industry that reflects the diversity of the customers it serves," said Tom Greco, president and chief executive officer of Advance Auto Parts. "By providing resources and support to Wake Tech and its new Hendrick Center, we hope to inspire students from all backgrounds and experiences to explore careers in automotive service and repair, which will help address the technicin shortage and benefit our industry and society as a whole." "Increasing student diversity in our automotive repair programs is a strategic imperative for WTCC," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Thanks to the generosity of the Advance Auto Parts Foundation, students from a variety of backgrounds will now be inspired to pursue careers in the automotive field and provided the financial support they need to complete their studies." In addition to Advance Auto Parts Foundation's $200,000 gift, Advance Auto Parts, through its DieHard brand, has committed $50,000 to outfit the school's two tool rooms, supporting student learning on and off campus by allowing students to "check out" tools for temporary use. This partnership comes at a critical time as the U.S. currently faces a worsening shortage of automotive technicians according to TechForce, an automotive industry foundation dedicated to launching and advancing the careers of next generation technicians. In addition, there exists a lack of diverse representation in this segment of the automotive industry, with 91% of technicians identifying as male and more than two-thirds of technicians identifying as white or non-Hispanic, according to Zippia, an online career-resource platform. WTCC's automotive systems technology degree program features training in advanced diagnostics, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, transmission, climate control and manual drive trains. WTCC's collision repair and refinishing technology program includes painting and refinishing, including special finishes, non-structural and structural repair, automotive plastic and adhesives identification repair, automotive detailing, body shop operations and auto body estimating. Beginning next month, both programs will be housed at the new Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence, a $42 million, 100,653-square-foot facility on WTCC's Scott Northern Wake Campus. For more information, visit http://aet.waketech.edu. About Advance Auto Parts Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of April 24, 2021, Advance operated 4,793 stores and 178 Worldpac branches in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also serves 1,285 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005582/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Westrock Coffee Creates Financial Services Center in NC Focused on Strategic Growth Westrock Coffee Company, LLC ("Westrock Coffee"), a global manufacturer of private label beverage solutions for retailers and the foodservice industry, announced today the creation of a Financial Shared Services Center in Concord, NC, supporting the company's domestic operations. Westrock Coffee acquired Concord-based S&D Coffee & Tea in February 2020 and the combined company now employs about 1,200 people globally. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005614/en/ Westrock Coffee Company is opening a Financial Shared Services Center at its S&D Coffee & Tea facility in Concord, NC. The Copany is hiring immediately for 40 accounting professionals, with plans to add more positions to accommodate projected growth. The new Shared Services Center will support all of the company's U.S. operations. (Photo: Business Wire) "We are pleased to announce the launch of our new shared services center in Concord. A centralized account team in the heart of our coffee, tea, extracts, and ingredients manufacturing operations will drive the scalability and efficiencies necessary to support Westrock's future growth," said Chris Pledger, Westrock Coffee's chief financial officer. "The workforce in the Charlotte region is globally recognized as a financial services hub and we are excited about leveraging that talent base." With global operations headquartered in Little Rock, Westrock Coffee continues to be committed to growing its operations in North Carolina and recognizes the importance of the nearly 100-year commitment S&D has made to the surrounding community. "Since 1927, S&D Coffee and Tea has richly invested in Concord through their physical facilities, workforce and community support," said Mayor Bill Dusch, mayor of Concord, NC. "As one of our largest employers, we are thrilled to see their commitment to continue their development and expansion here." The company expects this group to initially consist of 40 accounting professionals with immediate plans to scale the size of the team as the company grows. Please visit the S&D Careers page for more information on job openings. About Westrock Coffee Company Westrock Coffee Company, LLC is the leading integrated coffee, tea, and extract service provider in the US, providing coffee sourcing and financing, supply chain management, roasting, packaging, and distribution services to retailers, restaurants, convenience stores, commercial accounts, and hospitality customers around the world. With offices in 10 countries, the company sources coffee and tea from 35 origin countries and provides service under both the Westrock Coffee and S&D Coffee & Tea brands. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005614/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] LINE FRIENDS & BT21 Pop-Up Coming to Toronto TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - LINE FRIENDSone of the world's fastest-growing character brands is coming to Toronto with a pop-up store, continuing its global expansion into the Canadian market. The new pop-up follows the overwhelming customer response to the BT21 pop-up store in Scarborough Town Center, which sold out within 2 days of operation in 2018. BT21consisting of characters KOYA, RJ, SHOOKY, MANG, CHIMMY, TATA, COOKY, and VAN will be prominently featured around the store alongside fan-favourite BROWN & FRIENDS, and other beloved characters. Canadian customers of the franchise will have the opportunity to shop exclusive merchandise featuring LINE FRIENDS' popular characters. PLAY LINE FRIENDS, LINE FRIENDS' secondary retail brand, will open in Yorkdale Shopping Centre, occupying the former Innisfree location from late August to December 31, 2021. Yorkdale is one of Canada's busiest malls with the highest sales per unit area. It attracts countless high-profile brands and has been home to many international brands' first Canadian location. Canadian retail and lifestyle brand Sukoshi Mart ( sukoshimart.com ) will be behind both the new Yorkdale store's operations and online retail of PLAY LINE FRIENDS products on their own website. With LINE FRIENDS' growing popularity with Millennials and Gen. Z around the world, PLAY LINE FRIENDS at Yorkdale will attract local shoppers and tourists alike for a fun shopping experience. Customers and newcomers to the brand looking for an online shopping experience with fast and free shipping can shop their favourite LINE FRIENDS characters at sukoshimart.com . About LINE FRIENDS LINE FRIENDS is a global character brand that originally started from BROWN & FRIENDS, created for use as stickers for the leading mobile messenger app LINE and its 200 million active users worldwide. Taking a step further, the company has emerged as a global creative studio by offering diversified content based on its wide array of Intellectual Property (IP)s including 'BT21', characters created together with global boy band BTS. LINE FRIENDS is also expanding its IP based business by partnering with various media and game companies such as Netflix, featuring in the original animated series, SUPERCELL's 'Brawl Stars' and NEXON's 'KartRider'. LINE FRIENDS has also collaborated with a number of renowned brands including Bang&Olufsen, Converse, LAMY, and Leica, all aligned with the company's philosophy and value to release premium character products. LINE FRIENDS has operated more than 250 stores in a total of?14?markets in trend-leading cities such as New York, LA, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. Since it became an independent company in January 2015, LINE FRIENDS continues to win the hearts of Millennials and Gen Z worldwide through interactive digital communication and differentiated brand experience across multiple retail touch-points including its online sales platforms. For more information, please visit? www.LINEFRIENDS.com . About Sukoshi Mart Since its establishment in 2018, Sukoshi Mart has been Canada's destination for the best Korean and Japanese products. What started as a small shop in Toronto has grown into an expansive community across Canada and the United States. With two locations in the Greater Toronto Area, Sukoshi Mart offers a wide assortment of Korean beauty, Japanese lifestyle, and yummy snacks. Customers can also shop through the SUKOSHI website, sukoshimart.com, which aims to become an online source for trending Korean/Japanese brands in North America. For more information, please visit www.sukoshimart.com or follow @sukoshimart on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok. SOURCE Sukoshi Mart [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] SingleStore Wins Dresner Advisory Services 2021 Industry Excellence Award Competing in business today requires analyzing more real-time data at key moments to deliver the best digital experiences. But data bottlenecks and antiquated data infrastructure impede progress. To break the data bottlenecks, SingleStore delivers a new kind of Analytical Data Infrastructure (ADI) built for data-intensive workloads, combining transactions and analytics for consistent low-latency queries. And today SingleStore, the single database for all your data-intensive applications, announced that Dresner Advisory Services LLC has recognized this SingleStore innovation by listing the company as one of the Overall Leaders in ADI. SingleStore received the 2021 Industry Excellence Award from Dresner Advisory Services in both the Industry Excellence Award and Best in Class categories. The Overall Leader in Analytical Data Infrastructure (ADI) designation places SingleStore in the top right quadrant in both its Customer Experience and Vendor Credibility market models. The company was one of just four companies that was ranked as Best in Class for ADI. SingleStore is the only leader across the categories in ADI that provides a cloud-native, single database for both transactions and analytics serving data-intensive applications. For the second consecutive year, 100% of SingleStore customers who participated in Dresner's Wisdom of Crowds ADI survey said that they would recommend SingleStore to other organizations. The Wisdom of Crowds ADI, BI, and EPM Market Studies use 33 measures to rate vendor performance. In these reports, which Dresner publishes annually, the firm rates some of the biggest global technology companies in software, cloud services, search, advertising, and e-commerce. Download the 2021 Analytical Data Infrastructure Market Study to learn more. "Our annual body of reearch provides an in-depth look at user trends and intentions in the well-established markets of ADI, BI, and EPM, as well as a robust industry section examining current offerings from leading suppliers in these areas," said Howard Dresner, founder and chief research officer at Dresner Advisory Services. "Our awards highlight those suppliers with the most complete solutions in their technology area, as rated by their end users. We congratulate this year's Industry Excellence winners on receiving top marks from their customers." "On behalf of the entire SingleStore team, I would like to thank Dresner for this recognition," said Suresh Sathyamurthy, senior vice president of marketing and growth at SingleStore. "This award is especially meaningful for us because it is based on data gathered from end users. The voice of the customer, our community of developers, and analysts speak louder than any marketing can." In recent months, SingleStore also has been recognized in the Deloitte 2020 Technology Fast 500; as a "strong performer" in the Forrester (News - Alert) Wave: Multimodel Data Platforms, Q3 2020 report; as one of the Inc. 5000 2020 fastest growing companies; with a TrustRadius 2021 Top Rated Award in Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) and Relational Databases categories; and among the San Francisco Business Times Fastest Growing Private Companies 2020. About Dresner Advisory Services Dresner Advisory Services was formed by Howard Dresner, an independent analyst, author, lecturer, and business adviser. Dresner Advisory Services, LLC focuses on creating and sharing thought leadership for Business Intelligence (BI), Performance Management, and related areas. About SingleStore SingleStore is dedicated to helping businesses adapt more quickly, embrace diverse data, and accelerate digital innovation by operationalizing all data through a single database for all of their moments that matter. These capabilities are provided as a service on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Red Hat (News - Alert) and through your own deployments with SingleStore Managed Service and SingleStore DB. Follow us @SingleStoreDB or visit at www.singlestore.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005420/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Omnitracs Partners with PrePass Safety Alliance to Provide Integrated Solution that Improves Driver Experience Omnitracs, LLC, a Solera (News - Alert) company, today announced that it has entered into a partnership with PrePass Safety Alliance to provide PrePass on its Omnitracs One platform. Fleets that access the PrePass application will be able to bypass weigh stations - improving driver satisfaction with fewer inspection stops and exceeding customer expectations with faster load delivery, while reducing bottom-line costs associated with idling time and fuel usage. Directly integrated into Omnitracs One, weigh station bypass information will be available with all other fleet activity, on a converged platform. Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, preliminary inspections cost a fleet five minutes of drive time and 0.4 gallons of fuel per truck. More importantly, secondary inspections cost 30 minutes of drive time and raise the risk of potential violations and out-of-service notifications. According to the Alliance, PrePass trucks bypass an open, working weigh station, on average, 12.3 times per month, saving a typical 100-truck fleet more than $128,000 each year. "We're excited to offer our customers the PrePass application through Omnitracs One," commented Mick Milnark, Vice President of Product Management at Omnitracs. "By providing this essential information through the easy-to-use application on our Omnitracs One platform, fleets don't need to install additional hardware in their cabs, and drivers benefit from an integrated application to access the crucial information that helps them hit their on-time targets. The ability to add the PrePass application is one more proof point demonstrating the adaptability of the Omnitracs One platform - providing customers with the flexibility to choose those applications that best meet their individual fleet needs." With the PrePass application, drivers are informed of an upcoming weigh station when crossing a geofence threshold two miles out. PrePass then verifies the carrier credentials, safety scores, and vehicle weights, where available, to determine the bypass decision. Drivers receive notification on Omnitracs One to bypass o pull into the weigh station, all while the truck travels at highway speed. In addition, fleets receive mobile safety ALERTS for work zones, traffic congestion, crashes ahead, brake checks, runaway ramps, traffic incidents, rest areas, gusty winds, steep grades, truck parking, weather alerts, and no commercial vehicle areas. "This partnership between Omnitracs and PrePass Safety Alliance brings together two U.S.-based organizations known for providing efficient, cost-effective solutions to help fleets make safe, on-time deliveries to their customers. We're thrilled to provide PrePass on the Omnitracs One platform," commented Mark Doughty, President and CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance. "With more than 650,000 commercial vehicles from pre-qualified fleets currently enjoying our service, we know that integrating PrePass with Omnitracs One will save motor carriers even more time, fuel, and money." About Omnitracs Omnitracs, a Solera Company, offers the only complete fleet intelligence software platform. Serving the largest for-hire and private fleets in the transportation and distribution industries, Omnitracs' best-in-class solutions accelerate business success, improve efficiency, and enhance the driver experience for nearly 15,000 customers who collectively travel 700 million miles per week. Omnitracs pioneered digital transformation in trucking more than 30 years ago, and today offers a one-stop shop for enterprise-grade, data-driven solutions across compliance, telematics, workflow, routing, and video safety. Headquartered in Dallas, Omnitracs serves customers in over 50 countries and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. Recently, Omnitracs launched the Road Ahead Podcast, a new series that explores industry innovations with guest hosts. To subscribe, click HERE. For more information, visit www.Omnitracs.com. About PrePass Safety Alliance PrePass Safety Alliance is a non-profit public-private partnership working to make highways safer and more efficient through innovative data-driven solutions. As the only weigh station bypass service based in the United States, PrePass helps over 650,000 trucks in more than 77,000 fleets save time, fuel, and money. States benefit from PrePass by preclearing qualified motor carriers to safely bypass inspection and weigh station facilities at highway speeds. In addition to industry-leading RFID transponder and the PrePass app, PrePass services also include electronic toll payment, mobile safety ALERTS, and INFORM Safety and Tolling data analytics applications. To date, the Alliance has invested more than $800 million nationwide to deploy services that improve safety, reduce truck-related emissions, and preserve highway infrastructure. For more details, visit www.prepassalliance.org. About Solera Solera is the preeminent global data intelligence and technology leader serving all constituents engaged in vehicle lifecycle management. Solera's data-driven intelligence is unmatched, with more than one billion transactions annually, and delivers mission-critical solutions to minimize complexity and reduce friction at all touch points in the vehicle lifecycle. Solera's solutions empower smarter decision-making through software, enriched data, proprietary algorithms, and machine learning that come together to deliver insights to our customers and accelerate business outcomes. Solera serves over 235,000 global customers and partners in more than 90 countries across six continents. By drawing on its market-leading solutions, Solera provides unsurpassed scale and strength with superior performance while delivering innovation to drive the industry forward. For more information, visit www.Solera.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005193/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] SMBC Appoints Gordon Wilson as U.S. Chief Information Officer SMBC, a member of SMBC Group, today announced that Gordon (Gordo) Wilson has been appointed as U.S. Chief Information Officer. Gordo, who joined the firm in February 2020 to lead the development and execution of its enterprise-wide data strategy, will also retain his responsibilities as U.S. Chief Data Officer for SMBC Americas Division. "We're very excited that Gordo has been elevated to become the new Chief Information Officer in the U.S.," said Natsuhiro Samejima, U.S. Chief Operating Officer, SMBC Americas Division. "Gordo's strong technology and data background makes him a perfect fit for this new role. He has been a member of the executive leadership team since joining the organization. We look forward to seeing him take the reins to lead this critical business function." In this role, Gordo will work in partnership with stakeholders across the Americas, as well as the Head Office in Tokyo. He will be responsible for all aspects of information technology and systems of SMBC, including all Group companies in the Americas. Gordo has more than 25 years of technology and data leadership experience. Prior to joining SMBC, he served as Managing Director in the Asset and Wealth Management Chief Data Office at JPMorgan Chase, leading theglobal business data strategy. While at JPMorgan Chase, he also led an organization to drive sales and relationship management success for Commercial Card payment products with a focus on data management, technology solutions, finance, risk, and client relationship management as Head of Field Enablement and Business Analytics. Gordo served as a naval officer for 21 years, and during this time he completed numerous operational tours worldwide, highlighted by command of a U.S. Navy squadron and flying 35 types of aircraft. As a test pilot, Gordo contributed to the design, development, procurement, and flight test of innovative aircraft and associated mission systems. About SMBC Group SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 140 offices and 86,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. As of March 31, 2021, its total assets were $2.10 trillion. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005401/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Exabeam Announces the XDR Alliance to Ensure Industrywide Collaborative Framework for Cybersecurity BLACKHAT USA 2021 - Exabeam, the security analytics and automation company, today announced the XDR Alliance, a partnership of cybersecurity and information technology innovators committed to an inclusive and collaborative extended detection and response (XDR) framework and architecture. The goal of the XDR Alliance is to foster an open approach to XDR which is essential to enable organizations everywhere to protect themselves against the growing number of cyber attacks, breaches, and intrusions. Alongside Exabeam, founding members of the XDR Alliance include best-in-class cybersecurity leaders Armis, Expel, ExtraHop (News - Alert) , Google Cloud Security, Mimecast, Netskope, and SentinelOne. "History will look back and declare how well the cybersecurity industry succeeded in putting collaboration above competition to help protect our organizations and institutions," said Gorka Sadowski, chief strategy officer, Exabeam and founder of the XDR Alliance. "We are at an inflection point with an extremely fragmented industry that requires all of us in the vendor community to come together to strengthen organizations' SOCs. The XDR Alliance brings together the most forward thinking names in cybersecurity and IT to collaborate on building an XDR framework that is open and will make it easier for security operations (SecOps) teams to protect and secure their organizations." The charter of the XDR Alliance is to define an open XDR framework and architecture that works for end users, help SecOps teams integrate and better align with new and evolving applications and technologies, ensure interoperability across the XDR security vendor solutions set, and collaborate on XDR market education and awareness. The XDR Alliance has developed a three-tier model that focuses on the core components of the XDR technology stack, which can be broken down into three tiers: Data sources / Control points - This refers to the security tooling that generates telemetry, logs and alerts, and that acts as control points for response. - This refers to the security tooling that generates telemetry, logs and alerts, and that acts as control points for response. XDR Engine - This tier is the engine that ingests all the collected data and performs broad threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) for SOC operations. - This tier is the engine that ingests all the collected data and performs broad threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) for SOC operations. Content - This tier includes the pre-packaged content and workflows that allow security organizations to deliver on required use cases with maximum efficiency and automation. XDR Alliance members represent the subcategories of SecOps including security analytics, security information and event management (SIEM), endpoint, identity management, email, cloud, network, OT/IoT, threat detection, investigation and response (TDIR), and network detection and response (NDR) as well as managed security service providers (MSSPs), Managed Detection and Response Services (MDRs) and Systems Integrators (SIs). "It's encouraging to see best-in-class cybersecurity vendors come together to ultimately help the end users--many of them our joint customers--have a much improved SOC experience. Organizations have counted on all of our advanced SecOps and TDIR solutions to defend their organizations against one-off and groups of attackers, but now we're dealing with heightened stakes like covert AI and automated attacks--it is time to unite," said Michael DeCesare, CEO and president, Exabeam. "Congratulations to the whole team at Exabeam for creating and driving this initiative--it's a critical alliance that over time will ensure ethical organizations around the world are many steps ahead of those who seek to take advantage of cyber vulnerabilities, often caused by our fragmented industry." XDR Alliace Founding Member Quotes ARMIS "We are excited to be an inaugural member of the XDR Alliance, and we look forward to our continued collaboration on an open framework that works for industries everywhere," said Peter Doggart, Chief Strategy Officer at Armis. "The convergence of OT and IT environments, married with an explosion of new connected devices is adding greater risk to our critical infrastructure. For organizations to continue their digital transformation journey, cyber threat exposure needs to be managed and coordinated. Building an open XDR framework helps us drive down risk by coordinating actionable intelligence from the best set of security tools." EXTRAHOP "Defending against today's advanced threats, from software supply chain compromises to ransomware attacks, requires more than one technology or approach," said Raja Mukerji, Chief Customer Officer, ExtraHop. "This XDR framework is an important step in providing organizations with a defensive playbook. That's why we're proud to join the XDR Alliance, working alongside companies that share our customer-centric approach and commitment to advancing the state of the art of cyber defense." EXABEAM "Exabeam's vision is to make all organizations safe from malware, phishing, ransomware, insider threat, and other adversarial behaviors. The complexity of today's landscape and the prevalence of these attacks put organizations in a precarious situation. Security teams inside organizations are currently having to play the role of integrator, stitching together siloed and disconnected security applications and tools, and develop architectures and content on the fly, with little support from the vendor community" said Chris Stewart, vice president, business development, Exabeam. "It's no wonder SOCs are failing and adversaries own the headlines. Collaboration is key to building 'state of the art' security operation centers (SOCs) of the future." EXPEL "Our mission at Expel is to make great security as accessible as the internet," said Justin Bajko, co-founder and vice president of business strategy and development, Expel. "From integrating directly with more than 60 types of security tech to working with the tools customers already own, there are lots of 'easy' buttons we've tried to create for our customers. But making sure great security is within reach for organizations of all shapes and sizes is bigger than just a single vendor. That's why we're proud to be part of the XDR Alliance, and to help foster greater collaboration among security vendors. As a result, businesses will be able to implement the right detection and response capabilities for their own environment both quickly and easily." GOOGLE CLOUD SECURITY "As the threat landscape continues to grow, security operations teams are demanding more from their tools. Organizations require a platform to cost effectively store and analyze all their security data in one place and investigate and detect threats with speed and scale. They need the ability to store vast amounts of data, analyze and correlate the data from siloed solutions in order to adequately detect and respond to emerging threats within their environments," said Sunil Potti, Google (News - Alert) Cloud VP and GM of Cloud Security. "We are looking forward to joining the XDR Alliance to help build an inclusive and open XDR framework that gives our joint customers a pathway to the best-in-class Security Operations Centers (SOCs) in the Cloud." MIMECAST "Email security and management is a critical piece of security operations and we look forward to playing a part in building the first open XDR framework that interconnects with best-in-class cybersecurity solutions on the market today," said Jules Martin, vice president ecosystem & alliances, Mimecast. "Joining the XDR Alliance is another step in the direction of our goal to make it easier for customers to protect their organization in this decade's fast-changing security and risk environments." NETSKOPE ??"Cybercrime is increasing at an alarming rate. As more enterprises use cloud applications and evolve their security and networks toward a SASE architecture, data in the cloud must be kept safe," said Billy Bond, VP of Business Development & Alliances, Netskope. "We are proud to join the XDR Alliance and do our part to drive cloud security best practices. We look forward to working with XDR Alliance members on our joint mission to secure every bit of data in the cloud, wherever and however that data is accessed." SENTINELONE "Efficient XDR requires comprehensive attack surface data - from endpoint to cloud to IoT - in order to deliver prevention, detection, and response across the modern network. Security operations require powerful telemetry, contextualized alerts, and automatic actions to autonomously prevent and respond to attacks at machine speed," said Nicholas Warner, Chief Operating Officer, SentinelOne. "We look forward to contributing the richness of our data and AI capabilities to lead the XDR revolution, and we are excited to collaborate with other XDR Alliance members as a co-founding partner." The founding members of the XDR Alliance encourage security vendors to participate in the alliance for the continuous improvement of TDIR outcomes. If your organization would like to apply, please visit the XDR Alliance member application page. About XDR Alliance The XDR Alliance is a partnership of best-in-class security and information technology providers organized to help security teams easily design and implement effective threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) capabilities using XDR. The mission of the alliance is to work in collaboration to make an open approach to XDR a reality for SecOps teams and help them effectively protect their organizations from adversarial behavior. Learn more at www.xdralliance.com. About Exabeam Exabeam is a global cybersecurity leader that adds intelligence to every IT and security stack. We are reinventing the way security teams use analytics and automation to solve threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR), from common security threats to the most critical that are difficult to identify. The Exabeam Security Operations Platform is a comprehensive cloud-delivered solution that leverages machine learning and automation using a prescriptive, outcomes-based approach to TDIR. It is designed and built to help security teams detect external threats, compromised users and malicious adversaries, minimize false positives, and make security success the norm. For more information, visit www.exabeam.com. Exabeam, the Exabeam logo, Exabeam Fusion, Threat Hunter, Smart Timelines and Security Operations Platform are service marks, trademarks or registered marks of Exabeam, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. 2021 Exabeam, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005313/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] ALYI Announces 25% Bonus When You Buy Revolt Tokens Now At www.RVLTtoken.com Dallas, TX, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) (ALYI) today announced new features added by its cryptocurrency funding partner Revolt Token ( RVLT ) on the www.RVLTtoken.com website to make setting up an account and purchasing Revolt Tokens to participate in the ALYI Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem easier than ever. Revolt Token has added enhanced Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) features to the www.RVLTtoken.com site to better protect participants in the ALYI Electric EV Ecosystem. The enhanced features include much faster processing. Revolt Tokens can now be purchased with a credit or debit card from the www.RVLTtoken.com site in addition to being purchased in exchange for other cryptocurrencies to include Bitcoin and Ethereum. Revolt Tokens can also be purchased via a wire transfer. Purchases can be transacted in US Dollars (USD) or Euro (EUR). The minimum purchase is 250 Revolt Tokens. Anyone setting up an account through www.RVLTtoken.com and purchasing Revolt Tokens prior to the now imminent exchange listing of the Revolt Token cryptocurrency will be credited with a Bonus of 25% of the value of the Revolt Tokens in their account at the time of the exchange listin, paid in additional Revolt Tokens. In addition to the potential for Revolt Tokens to appreciate in value, learn about the ALYI EV Ecosystem participation opportunities available through Revolt Token ownership at u>www.RVLTtoken.com to include potential carbon credit dividends and VIP access to EV racing in Africa. ALYI is building a comprehensive EV ecosystem solution designed to advance the entire EV sector with perpetual contribution to EV technology advanced by the ongoing participation of EV industry leaders. ALYI is targeting the participation of brand name EV industry leaders in an annual EV symposium and conference anchored by an EV race event in Kenya. The objective of the EV symposium and conference is to advance EV technology by building EV solutions for the African market a power constrained, rugged environment with one of the lowest per capita transportation deployments in the world. EV solutions for the African market will be applicable the world around. EV solutions designed and built in Africa also contribute to building an autonomous African economy. ALYI plans to make a major announcement next month regarding the EV race that management expects will garner substantial attention to ALYIs overall EV Ecosystem strategy. ALYI has seeded its EV ecosystem solution with the development of its own EV motorcycle business. ALYI has recently initiated an Electric Motorcycle pilot program in Kenya which is already generating results expected to set ALYIs EV business apart from the competition. The pilot is being conducted in conjunction with the 2,000 electric motorcycle order, the fulfillment of which is being finalized with results from the pilot. ALYI has designed its EV ecosystem solution to include democratized participation. ALYI has partnered with ReovltTOKEN to finance ALYIs growth by offering participation in the EV ecosystem through the sale of Revolt Tokens. To learn more about RevoltTOKEN and how to participate in ALYIs electric vehicle ecosystem through the purchase of Revolt Tokens, visit https://rvlttoken.com/ . For more information and to stay up to date on ALYI's overall latest developments, please visit www.alternetsystemsinc.com . Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact: Randell Torno info@lithiumip.com +1-800-713-0297 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Innoviti puts Manthan process at the heart of its operational excellence, drives 100% terminal uptime at Indraprastha Apollo - Empowers partner merchants with industry-leading payments operations efficiencies BENGALURU, India, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Innoviti Payment Solutions, India's largest provider of payment solutions to offline enterprise merchants today shared that its recently implemented Manthan process has yielded monumental results to both Innoviti as well as its merchant partners, in record time. As an outcome of this, Innoviti has successfully achieved 100% terminal uptime at its esteemed partner, Indraprastha Apollo. largest provider of payment solutions to offline enterprise merchants today shared that its recently implemented Manthan process has yielded monumental results to both Innoviti as well as its merchant partners, in record time. As an outcome of this, Innoviti has successfully achieved 100% terminal uptime at its esteemed partner, Indraprastha Apollo. Manthan, which is now at the epicenter of the company's operations strategy leverages distinctive capabilities and processes to improve payment operations efficiencies and effectiveness on Innoviti terminals deployed at Indraprastha Apollo. With 15 nodal warehouses across the country, support via toll-free line, email & WhatsApp, automated ticketing systems, centralized incident resolution & technical resolution teams, a pan- India field force of Store Relationship Officers; Manthan is institutionalized at the core of Innoviti's operations to ensure all Innoviti terminals at our partner merchant outlets remain operational with zero-downtime at any given point of time. field force of Store Relationship Officers; Manthan is institutionalized at the core of Innoviti's operations to ensure all Innoviti terminals at our partner merchant outlets remain operational with zero-downtime at any given point of time. With Manthan, cashiers can log in tickets for issues using Business WhatsApp number/ email/ toll-free phone number and instantly receive a service ticket with turnaround times (TAT). The ticket gets auto-allocated to the store relationship officer (SRO) located closest to the store via WhatsApp, thereby saving valuable merchant time. The SRO, enabled with inventory (accessories & terminals) immediately visits the store and resolves the issue within the stipulated TAT. For hardware issues, he replaces the terminal during the same visit. Manthan mandates that after terminal with an issue starts transacting, a complete health-check of every other Innoviti terminal preset in the merchant's premises is done by the visiting SRO. Only after this check, the parent ticket gets automatically closed by the system. A testament to this obsessive focus on ensuring transaction success reliability is the SOC3 seal of excellence that Innoviti received from an independent third-party CPA firm (Ernst & Young Associates LLP) as per AICPA's SSAE 18 standards after a thorough evaluation of transaction speed, reliability, privacy, security, confidentiality, availability, and processing of transactions on Innoviti's terminals. Innoviti is India's only payments SaaS company to be award the SOC3 seal of excellence. only payments SaaS company to be award the SOC3 seal of excellence. Innoviti uses payment technology in unconventional ways to turn payment transactions into customer acquisition and retention tools for merchants, banks, and brands, by bringing them on to a common platform, and helping them deliver unique customer experiences, such as this one. Each business gets access to 3X loyal consumers at 1/3rd the cost, accelerating sales with unmatched efficiencies. Innoviti had raised a Series C in 2020 to further its differentiated strategy of servicing the retail market through category and segment-specific products. Quotes: "At Innoviti, we believe in putting our merchant partners at the center of everything we do. Manthan, designed in-line with our customer-centric ethos helps us set realistic customer expectations, and systematically exceed them while adding tremendous value to them at every opportune moment," said Mr. Hemant Taware, Chief Business Officer, Merchant Ecosystem Development, Innoviti. "Initiatives such as this have helped us achieve industry-leading reliability metrics on our payment terminals - something widely recognized as best-in-class, which we are extremely proud of," he added. About Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India. https://www.innoviti.com Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is India's largest provider of payment solutions to Enterprise merchants with a 76% market share of all payments happening in this segment. It has been a pioneer in using technology to help businesses extract better value from retail transactions than anyone else. The company processes over 10B$ of merchant payments from over 1000+ cities with a volume throughput per installation that is 2X of the country's average. Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, FMO, Netherlands, and Catamaran Ventures, India are investors in the company. The company has several patents filed for with two awarded. Innoviti is the winner of Mastercard's Innovation Wizards Award, Reliance's Most Promising Growth Consumer Finance Award and Deloitte Fastest Growing Companies in Asia award in 2020. Innoviti is the only Indian payments SaaS company to be awarded the coveted SOC3 seal of excellence for adherence to principles of trust in privacy, security, confidentiality, availability, and processing of transactions. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1041869/Innoviti_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Millennials drive DTC cross-border e-commerce growth as pandemic prompts 52% to buy online directly from international brands Millennials have driven the rise in international direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce purchases in the last six months, with reduced access to stores during the pandemic prompting over half (52%) of 25-34-year-olds to buy online directly from international brands, the latest data from eShopWorld (ESW) reveals. ESW's Global Voices: Pre-Peak Pulse (News - Alert) 2021 survey of almost 15,000 consumers across 14 countries showed that 52% of shoppers overall were motivated to buy online during the pandemic. That average rose to 58% among 25-44-year-olds, as shuttered stores and reduced access to physical shops prompted consumers to purchase items online that they normally would have validated and bought in-store. This was most keenly felt in South Africa and India (both 63%), followed by the UAE (56%), China (53%) and the US (52%). Reduced access to stores also boosted cross-border e-commerce, with almost half (46%) of global shoppers surveyed saying it prompted them to buy directly from an international brand online, rising to 52% among those ages 25-34. Consumers in India and China (both 61%), Mexico (59%) and Russia (50%) were the most likely to have purchased directly from an international brand online in the first half of 2021. As a result, traditionally 'high contact' items that consumers would have previously validated in-store - either by trying on or testing them - proved the most popular type of cross-border purchases over the past six months. A quarter (25%) of global shoppers bought clothing online outside their domestic market over the period, while footwear (19%), luxury goods (18%), skincare (17%), health and beauty (17%), fragrance (16%) and cosmetics (16%) rounded out the list of the most popular international e-commerce purchases. Once again, Millennial and Gen Z shoppers led the way, making cross-border purchases at three times the rate at of Baby Boomers (those ages 57-75). The significant uptick in cross-border commerce throughout 202 has continued in 2021, although year-over-year growth has been more muted. Of the top five most popular cross-border e-commerce categories, luxury grew the fastest over the past six months, rising 6% compared to the end of 2020, followed by skincare and fragrance (both up 4% over the period). This increase in cross-border luxury purchases, driven mostly by younger shoppers, may have been fueled by new international buying behaviors caused by the pandemic, ESW's data shows. Some 56% of global shoppers admitted to spending more online as a coping mechanism, either treating themselves to 'pick-me-ups' to reward themselves for getting through lockdowns or to alleviate the emotional stress of the pandemic. Meanwhile, over a quarter (28%) said they'd bought more online 'gifts' or 'treats' for friends and family during the pandemic to make up for not being able to see them in person. While 57% of the global shoppers surveyed said the pandemic had opened their eyes to the convenience and choice on offer online - increasing to 63% among Millennials - 71% said that, post-pandemic, they would continue to purchase via a mix of digital and physical channels. This highlights the importance of omnichannel capabilities in retailers' international commerce strategies as many countries begin to ease COVID-19 restrictions. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, President and CEO, Americas, ESW, commented: "Brands that understand the evolution of traditional retailing see the importance of blending their direct international e-commerce trading with their existing omnichannel structure. Stores of the future will be experiential meccas, where brands will espouse and reinforce the brand personas and experiences they are building on social media. But the transactional engine for future growth has undoubtedly accelerated into digital channels, and it seems unlikely that trend will ever reverse." Martim Avillez Oliveira, Chief Commercial Officer, EMEA and APAC, ESW, added: "To succeed retailers must double down on their efforts to create a holistic, deep level of understanding of international markets - across all their sales channels and customer touchpoints - so they can offer localized, customer-centric and cost-competitive shopping experiences. Only then can they truly open up the cross-border commerce opportunity by both maintaining the loyalty of existing customers and attracting new ones." Brands partnering with ESW can enter new international markets in as little as six weeks, up to six times faster than if they attempted to do so on their own - all while engaging directly with customers and retaining ownership of all the data collected during the shopping process. Methodology: ESW's latest consumer survey was fielded from 14,697 consumers in 14 countries (UK, France, Germany, US, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, UAE, India, Russia, China, South Korea, Japan and Australia), who were surveyed online in July 2021. About ESW ESW is the cross-border e-commerce leader, empowering the world's best-loved brands and retailers to make global shopping better, safer, simpler and faster, end-to-end. From compliance, data security, fraud protection, taxes, and tariffs to checkout, delivery, returns, customer service, and demand generation, our powerful combination of technology and human ingenuity covers the entire shopper journey across 200 markets. ESW is an Asendia Group company, a joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005722/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Bank of America Awards $1 Million Grant to Support Parkland's New RedBird Health Center The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to support construction of Parkland Health & Hospital System's new RedBird Health Center, Parkland Foundation and Bank of America announced today. The new health center will provide residents in southern Dallas County access to a variety of preventive vital health services close to home when it opens in September 2021. "Guided by Bank of America's commitment to helping our communities move forward, we deeply appreciate the opportunity to partner with Parkland and the RedBird Health Center," said Jennifer Chandler, Bank of America Dallas President. "We understand the persisting challenges many areas of our city face in accessing quality healthcare, including southern Dallas County, and we are honored to play a part in this project and support Parkland's mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community." As the population grows in Dallas County, there has been a disproportionate growth in the number of vulnerable populations and, in turn, an increase in the need for affordable, accessible health services. Parkland's most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) found that disparities in access to medical care are contributing to a nearly 25-year gap between ZIP codes with the highest and lowest life expectancies. The CHNA further indicates there is also a geographic divide, with our neighbors in southern Dallas County being underserved by existing healthcare services needed to get healthy and stay healthy. A high percentage of patients from these ZIP codes come to Parkland's emergency department for basic primary care, need specialized care to manage their diabetes and associated complications, and require life-saving cancer treatment at later stages because they did not have access to screenings and early intervention to treat the disease. "Today in Dallas County your ZIP code is a better predictor of health than your genetic code," said Christina Mintner, senior vice president of population health at Parkland. "We believe that where you live should not define how long and how well you live. That's why we're building the new RedBird Health Center in the heart of southern Dallas County, to fight the inequities in healthcare." Located at U.S. Route 67 and Interstate 20 in the award-winning Reimagine RedBird development, the new 40,000 square-foot health center will provide care close to home with services including adult and geriatric primary care, specialty care for women, behavioral health, breast cancer screenings, a pharmacy, social work, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and other services targeted to the specific health needs of the residents in the Red Bird area. The health center will further address transortation barriers by including the technology needed to provide virtual methods of care such as telehealth, e-consults and virtual shared medical appointments. Projections indicate that once fully staffed, the new RedBird Health Center will provide 18,000 preventive and primary care visits each year and 23,000 women's specialty health visits each year for people living in southern Dallas County, including Duncanville, DeSoto and Cedar Hill. "We are grateful to Bank of America for their generous grant in support of our mission to provide equitable access to healthcare for everyone in our community," said Michael A. Horne, EdD, MPP, president and CEO, Parkland Foundation. "The new RedBird Health Center will serve as a beacon of hope for our neighbors in southern Dallas County. Donor support is critical to helping Parkland provide comprehensive health services close to home. Thank you, Bank of America, for standing for Parkland and providing an opportunity for all residents to live healthy, active lives." Donors contributing $100,000 or more to support construction of the new RedBird Health Center include Amazon, Anonymous, Bank of America and The Pollock Foundation. To learn more about the new RedBird Health Center or to make a gift, please contact Parkland Foundation at 214.266.2000 or visit www.IStandforParkland.org. Parkland Foundation Parkland Foundation is dedicated to securing substantial financial resources that advance the goals of Parkland Health & Hospital System. Through this support, Parkland is able to extend its services to reach more people in need and enhance the quality of care available to them. Learn more at www.IStandforParkland.org. Bank of America At Bank of America, we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (News - Alert) (@BofA_News). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. www.bankofamerica.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005701/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] EPAM Continuum Reveals Early Results from 'Consumers Unmasked' Study NEWTOWN, Pa., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EPAM Continuum, the integrated business, experience, technology and data consulting practice of EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), today announced the release of their 2021 Consumers Unmasked Study. The first in a four-part study, the project follows a consumer council made up of 71 Millennial and Gen-Z shoppersexploring their spending habits across the food, fitness, fashion, travel and home industries through discussion forums, Q&As, diaries and vlogs. Read the Research and Register to Follow the Study Here. "Both established retailers and consumer product companies are facing a heightened sense of disruption from marketplaces and direct-to-consumer acceleration, but also massive societal shifts and cultural change," said Alex van Gestel, VP, Consumer Products, EPAM. "How technology and marketing leaders respond to this and pivot will be critical. In order to re-calibrate plans and find new ways forward, businesses need fresh data points and insights. This research should help shine a light on new possibilities." Key themes discovered from the study include: Whatever Else Matters , Value for Money Matters More. Value for money (a combination of quality, availability, choice and price) is a key trigger. Finding the Best Deal is a 'Badge of Honor.' Searching for the best price became a challenge and finding it was seen as an achievement. Rewarding Experiences are Expected. Consumers grew to expect more from their online experiencesthey anticipate seamless, but also expect fun. Ethics Climb the Leaderboard. Many consumers voiced respect for brands that do (or are trying to do) good, but said altruism needs to be genuine and transparent. COVID-19 Concerns Remain. The uncertainty of the pandemic manifested itself in numerous ways. Natalie Gross , VP, Head of Brand Strategy, EPAM. "We felt it would be valuable to truly understand which new buying habits are sticking and why and explore how current emotions and behaviors will translate into sustained behaviors over a period of time." The study will return in September 2021 with a quantitative survey to back up the qualitative data analysed to date. Read the Consumers UnMasked Research. To learn more about EPAM Continuum's integrated business, experience, technology and data consulting practice, visit https://www.epam.com/services/consult-and-design. To learn more about EPAM, visit www.epam.com. About EPAM Systems Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has leveraged its software engineering expertise to become a leading global product development, digital platform engineering, and top digital and product design agency. Through its 'Engineering DNA' and innovative strategy, consulting, and design capabilities, EPAM works in collaboration with its customers to deliver next-gen solutions that turn complex business challenges into real business outcomes. EPAM's global teams serve customers in more than 35 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. As a recognized market leader in multiple categories among top global independent research agencies, EPAM was one of only four technology companies to appear on Forbes 25 Fastest Growing Public Tech Companies list every year of publication since 2013 and ranked as the top IT services company on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list in 2019 and 2020. Learn more at www.epam.com and follow us on Twitter @EPAMSYSTEMS and LinkedIn. About EPAM Continuum EPAM Continuum's diverse, integrated consulting teams apply a Systems Thinking mindset to get to the heart of our clients' increasingly complex business challenges. Our business, experience, technology and data consultants work together to create holistic solutions that achieve meaningful, sustained impact for businesses, their employees and customers. Learn more at www.epam.com/epam-continuum and follow us on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epam-continuum-reveals-early-results-from-consumers-unmasked-study-301346698.html SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Sales Tax Returns Rebound in California, HdL Companies Finds Trends Positive Public agencies across the Golden State are continuing to rebound from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown. The state's local one-cent sales and use tax revenue from January to March 2021 was 9.5% higher than the same quarter in 2020, despite agencies across the state experiencing uneven gains. "Overall, California is experiencing a fairly strong recovery," Andy Nickerson, President and CEO of HdL Companies, commented. HdL is the leading provider of revenue enhancement technology and consulting services for local governments, and each quarter, it reports on California's sales tax receipts and impacts on local jurisdictions. Based on the latest data from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the Bay Area, Central Coast and metro areas of Southern California experienced losses. Meanwhile, the inland regions of Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, the Sierras and the Inland Empire experienced gains of 22.1% in revenue. "This disparity is evident not just among regions, but also entire industries with similar trends of past quarters appearing yet again," Nickerson continued. "Some specific spending categories continue to experience solid growth while other categories continue to struggle." Strong performance by the auto/transportation and building/construction industries helped push overall receipts higher. Weak inventories and scarcity for products increased the prce of both new and used vehicles, RVs, boats, and lumber which were a major driving force for higher tax revenues. E-commerce sales also continued to rise, as did brick and mortar retail sales, which collectively showed solid improvement of 11% statewide. Although indoor dining resumed in many California counties, restaurant and hotel recovery still lagged behind other major categories. Similarly, while commuters and travelers slowly began returning to the road and taking flight in early 2021, the rebound for gas stations and jet fuel trailed too. However, HdL expects both industries to see revenues climb in the coming quarters as more workers return to offices and summer tourism heats up. "Looking ahead, we're anticipating sustained growth through the end of 2021," Nickerson concluded. "Pent up demand for travel and experiences are likely to begin shifting the consumer's dollars away from taxable goods, which could have a positive outcome on tourist communities within the state. All the while, public agencies will need to continue evaluating their sales tax strategies, economic development strategies and revenue measures to adjust to these changes." A complete table of sector and regional data is available by clicking here. About HdL Companies HdL Companies is dedicated to supporting local governments across the U.S. with revenue enhancement, technology and consulting services that enable cities, counties and special districts to better serve their constituents. Founded in 1983, HdL Companies' comprehensive approach to revenue management is trusted by over 500 local governments. The company has successful recovered over $3 billion in revenue for client agencies. For more information, visit hdlcompanies.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005096/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Advertise Purple: Leading Affiliate Management Agency Releases New Content to Help You Boost Your Business Santa Monica, CA, Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advertise Purple is an award-winning American marketing agency specializing in affiliate management. Since 2011, the Advertise Purple team has been leading the industry, helping clients achieve success by utilizing close affiliate relationships, proven strategies, and affiliate management tools. Advertise Purple truly cares about its clients and understands the importance of providing added value, which is why it regularly publishes helpful tips, advice, and other useful content relating to affiliate marketing. Successful affiliate marketing In one informative blog post, Advertise Purple summed up its top 10 tips for affiliate marketing success. This is a fantastic resource whether youre new to the affiliate marketing game or a seasoned veteran, with handy tips like: Focus on 1 niche at once Before you create any content, you need to narrow your focus and decide what niche your website or marketing campaign falls into Write quality content Concentrate on writing high-quality, regular content. Be sure to use a call to action, talk to your readers rather than at them, and ensure its informative and easy-to-read Analyse what works Pay close attention to patterns in your websites engagement. Which pages, topics, and links are the most engaging to visitors? Use this knowledge to tweak old pages and create new content aligned with visitor interest To see more top affiliate marketing tips from Advertise Purple in detail, visit https://www.advertisepurple.com/affiliate-marketing-success/. Commission structure guidance Advertise Purple has offered readers valuable guidance for creating a solid commission strcture on their blog. The agency notes that the success of a project can rely on your affiliate commission structure, with low rates and disorganization being known to drive affiliates away. Thats why the agency experts created the article to give your business the best possible chance of success. 3 key tips the article includes are: Seek professional advice if needed Communicate regularly Research the rates To find out more details, simply head to https://www.advertisepurple.com/successful-affiliate-commission-structure/. Choosing the right affiliate program Advertise Purples blog post on choosing the right affiliate program for you is compulsory reading for anyone who wants to get their foot on the affiliate ladder and doesnt know where to begin. In it, the agency lays out 4 steps to securing a great affiliate program to earn meaningful commission in 4 simple steps: Identify your demographic and niche Choose products that your followers are interested in Research programs Search for programs for relevant products you already use and love, or search for and test new goods you think your audience will like Narrow your options Filter through suitable options, paying close attention to payout information and program reputation Reach out Once youve found a promising program, let the company know your interested For more expert guidance, you can read the in-depth article here: https://www.advertisepurple.com/choosing-the-right-affiliate-program/. To learn more about Affiliate Management read more here: https://www.advertisepurple.com/what-is-affiliate-management/ More information To find out more about Advertise Purple, head to the website: www.advertisepurple.com. If you have an inquiry, please email info@advertisepurple.com. https://thenewsfront.com/advertise-purple-leading-affiliate-management-agency-releases-new-content-to-help-you-boost-your-business/ Advertise Purple 2200 Michigan Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401 United States (424) 272 7400 https://www.advertisepurple.com/ info@advertisepurple.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Explorium Expands Go-to-Market Leadership to Accelerate Adoption of its External Data Platform SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Explorium , the External Data platform that automatically discovers thousands of relevant data signals and uses them to improve analytics and machine learning, today announced three senior hires to drive its go-to-market strategy. Having recently closed its $75M Series C funding, Explorium has appointed a new Chief Revenue Officer and VP of Alliances from VMware and Mulesoft respectively. Together with the CMO hired earlier in the year, this new team is charged with capitalizing on enterprise demand for external data as organizations enhance their AI and ML models and refresh their analytic insights as they emerge from the pandemic. Exploriums new go-to-market team includes Sam Pugmire, Tim Marsh and Ajay Khanna. Sam Pugmire joins as Chief Revenue Officer and will lead Exploriums global sales. He joins from VMware where he was Director of Worldwide Sales, launching its Global Emerging Business Team that oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue bookings. Prior, he was the SVP of Global Sales for SaltStack, an IT automation and security company that he helped grow from a Series A company to its successful acquisition by VMware. Before SaltStack, Sam helped Domo grow from a Series C company to its IPO. Organizations are rapidly adopting external data to improve their machine learning algorithms dramatically and to enhance their analytics to understand better whats happening in their market, said Sam Pugmire, Chief Revenue Officer at Explorium. Exploriums External Data Platform provides organizations the competitive edge they are looking for. I am excited to join the company at such a pivotal time when it is seeing rapid customer adoption across use cases in financial services, insurance, consumer goods, retail and e-commerce. Tim Marsh joins as VP of Alliances and Channels to drive Exploriums partnerships with global system integrators, consulting firms, resellers and technology providers. Tim joins from Mulesoft where he held several senior strategic partnership and alliance roles across the commercial and government sectors. Tim spent most of the last 20 years cultivating global alliances and strategic partnerships for innovative companies, including Acquia, Salesforce and EMC Corporation. Ajay Khanna joined Explorium as Chief Marketing Officer earlier this year, responsible for product marketing, demand generation, sales enablement, branding and communications. Previously, Ajay was the VP of Marketing for Reltio, a leading master data management SaaS platform provider. Ajay has a 15-year marketing track record in the tech sector, including roles at Veeva Systems, Oracle, Kana and Progress Software where he helped launch new products and create new categories. With demand for external data exploding and a proven platform to provide it, we are building the go-to-market team we need to capitalize on this opportunity, said Maor Shlomo, CEO of Explorium. The ability to combine all the significant and relevant data signals from a broad constellation of datasets is going to transform analytics. I could not be more excited to have an innovative and driven team who can make that happen. The three go-to-market hires come amid other milestone developments at Explorium. These include: Launching a new product Signal Studio , aimed at improving business analytics , aimed at improving business analytics $75M Series C funding announced in May announced in May Named by industry analyst Gartner as a Cool Vendor in AI Core Technologies for 2021 for 2021 Being singled out by Forbes as a Next Billion-Dollar Startup Selected by CRN as one of the 10 Hottest Data Science and Machine Learning Startups of 2021 Starting two new offices in New York, NY and Lehi, UT. In addition, Explorium is currently hiring for many key roles listed here . About Explorium Explorium provides the first External Data Platform to improve Analytics and Machine Learning. Explorium enables organizations to automatically discover and use thousands of relevant data signals to improve predictions and ML model performance. Explorium External Data Platform empowers data scientists and analysts to acquire and integrate third-party data efficiently, cost-effectively and in compliance with regulations. With faster, better insights from their models, organizations across fintech, insurance, consumer goods, retail and e-commerce can increase revenue, streamline operations and reduce risks. Learn more at www.explorium.ai . Media contact Theresa Carper 415 848 9175 explorium@firebrand.marketing [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] TriStruX Names Michelle Meola as Human Resources Director CLIFTON, N.J., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TriStruX, a leading provider of telecom services to wireless carriers, cable companies and OEMs, has named Michelle Meola as the corporate Human Resources Director. Ms. Meola will report to Randall P Muench, Chief Executive Officer. "HR in 2021 is about employee engagement, using the science of HR to optimize team and management performance." "Human Resources in 2021 is about employee engagement, using the science of HR to optimize team and management performance, and building a world class workforce in challenging times", said Randall P Muench, TriStruX Chief Executive Officer. "I am excited about Michelle's experience in these areas. She is going to help our busines build and manage an engaged organization prepared to meet the high expectations of our clients." Ms. Meola is charged with efficiently supporting the rapid growth of the Company's employment needs across the US while spearheading the restructuring of key internal personnel processes. "Michelle has a wealth of Human Resources experience within a variety of different industries, giving her the right tools to support our employees, improve our employee experience and update our HR operations," said Nicholas J. Leone, Chief Operating Officer. "She will help us continue to cultivate a strong company culture as TriStruX continues its upward trajectory." Ms. Meola joins TriStruX after a successful career with large national firms and retailers and brings Human Resources and accounting experience in both the construction and financial industries, where she has gained key experience managing large numbers of employees, payroll processes and building engaging and supportive corporate environments. She resides in New Jersey and will work at the Clifton New Jersey headquarters. ABOUT TRISTRUX, LLC TriStruX, LLC provides comprehensive turnkey telecommunications service solutions across the continental United States. Our mission is to provide the highest level of quality and excellence as a turnkey solution provider, building telecommunications infrastructure (5G, fiber installation, macro tower services, DAS) in our key markets. As a national, scaled service provider, we successfully compete in the telecommunications, power/electrical, utility, venue and regional / state / local government space. In 2020, the principals of Telcom Engineering Group (founded in 1991), Leone Electrical Company (founded in 1977) and High Point Utility merged their business to create TriStruX. Visit www.tristrux.com to learn more. TRISTRUX MEDIA CONTACT: Rhiana Sanchez, TriStruX Marketing rsanchez@tristrux.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tristrux-names-michelle-meola-as-human-resources-director-301346240.html SOURCE TriStruX LLC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Paul Cummings Joins Fiduciary Trust International as Head of Family Office Services, Foundations & Endowments, Strengthening Suite of Offerings for These Clients Fiduciary Trust International, a global wealth manager and wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton, welcomes Paul Cummings to the organization as head of family office services, foundations, and endowments. In this newly created role, he will work with experienced professionals across the organization to manage and continue strengthening the suite of comprehensive services specifically designed for the unique needs of these clients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005828/en/ Paul Cummings, Head of Family Office Services for Foundations and Endowments, Fiduciary Trust International (Photo: Business Wire) "Fiduciary Trust International delivers a wide-ranging suite of investment, planning, and complementary services designed specifically for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and endowments," said Lawrence A. Sternkopf, president and chief operating officer of Fiduciary Trust International. "Paul's deep experience developing solutions-encompassing everything from investment strategy development, integrated planning and administration, and governance to tax management-for families and non-profit organizations positions him well to ensure we continue to meet the complex needs of our clients as they evolve." Fiduciary Trust International was established 90 years ago by families for families, combining the personalized service of a boutique wealth manager with the extensive resources that come with being part of a leading global investment firm. The organization's advisors deliver wealth planning, investment management, trust, estate, and family office services as part of a holistic offering, enabling them to understand the complete financial picture of a family or institution from a multi-generational perspective. "For nine decades, we have focused on helping families and other clients optimize their financial picture throughout all market conditions," said John M. Dowd, chief executive officer of Fiduciary Trust International. "With multiple factors weighing on investors' minds in the wake of the pandemic, we will continue expanding our team and services to help our clients plan ahead and achieve financial peace of mind." Mr. Cummings joins Fiduciary Trust International from Abbot Downing, a business of Wells Fargo (News - Alert) , where he served as regional managing director for the Northeast, and was responsible for relationship management, client service, risk management, and team member development. While at Abbot Downing, he was a member of the operating, management, pricing, and investment committees governing the national business. Prior to Abbot Downing, Mr. Cummings was a managing director at Merrill Lynch, where he held many senior leadership positions, and led the business formed to serve foundations, endowments, and middle-market pension plans following the acquisition of U.S. Trust. He also oversaw the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) business for both U.S. Trust and Merrill Lynch. Earlier in his career, Mr. Cummings worked for Bank of New York, where he was part of the team that created the BNY Hamilton Funds (domestic and international mutual funds) and BNY Partners Funds (private equity and hedge fund of funds), and led the advisor wealth services division. "Fiduciary Trust International was founded as a multi-family office, so an appreciation of the importance of growing and protecting wealth from generation to generation is woven into the fabric of this organization," said Mr. Cummings. "Being a fiduciary isn't just part of Fiduciary Trust International's name-being a fiduciary is in its DNA. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue helping families, foundations, and endowments achieve their long-term goals through personalized service and solutions." Mr. Cummings graduated from St. Lawrence University with a bachelor of arts in history, and completed accounting and strategy courses in the MBA program at St. John's University. He has also received his certification in trust investment management from the New York Bankers Association, and serves on the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's board of councilors. About Fiduciary Trust International Fiduciary Trust International, a global wealth management firm headquartered in New York, NY, has served individuals, families, endowments and foundations since 1931. With over $99 billion in assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2021, the firm specializes in strategic wealth planning, investment management and trust and estate services, as well as tax and custody services. The New York-based firm and its subsidiaries maintain offices in Coral Gables, FL, Boca Raton, FL, St. Petersburg, FL, Radnor, PA, Lincoln, MA, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) , San Mateo, CA, San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Reston, VA. For more information, please visit fiduciarytrust.com, and for the latest updates, follow Fiduciary Trust International on LinkedIn and Twitter (News - Alert) : @FiduciaryTrust. About Franklin Templeton Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN], is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 165 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company brings extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has over 70 years of investment experience and over $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2021. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Copyright 2021. Fiduciary Trust International. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005828/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Global Computer-Aided Manufacturing Market to Reach $4.6 Billion by 2026 SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Computer-Aided Manufacturing - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" . The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace. FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 6; Released: May 2021 Executive Pool: 527 Companies: 51 - Players covered include 3D Systems, Inc.; Autodesk, Inc.; BenQ Asia Pacific Corporation; BobCAD-CAM, Inc.; Camnetics, Inc; CAXA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.; Dassault SystAmes; GRZ SOFTWARE LLC; Hexagon AB (Sweden); Mastercam (CNC Software, Inc.); MecSoft Corporation; NTT DATA ENGINEERING SYSTEMS Corporation; OPEN MIND Technologies; PTC; Schott Systeme GmbH; Siemens; SmartCAMcnc; SolidCAM; ZWSOFT CO., LTD. and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Component (Solutions, Services); Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud0; End-Use (Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Industrial Equipment, Medical Devices & Components, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Brazil; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Africa. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Computer-Aided Manufacturing Market to Reach $4.6 Billion by 2026 Computer-aided manufacturing or CAM represents an application technology which uses machinery and computer software for facilitating and automating different manufacturing processes. In the modern industrialized world, CAM has become an indispensable part in people's lives. CAM currently is used alongsde CAD (Computer Aided Design) for achieving more streamlined and enhanced manufacturing, superior automation of machinery and more efficient designs. Growth in the global market is set to be driven by rising adoption across end-use industries, rapid industrialization, industrial automation trend and technological advances. The market is expected to gain from increasing use of CAM in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Moreover, the emergence of Industry 4.0 coupled with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is bound to create the demand for CAM as these technologies are anticipated to make manufacturing machines connected and smart. CAM is also finding increasing use in the medical industry, especially in dentistry applications. Subtractive milling represents a popular CAM protocol in the field of dentistry as it presents an effective option to fabricate facial and oral prostheses. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Computer-Aided Manufacturing estimated at US$2.9 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$4.6 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% over the analysis period. Solutions, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 8.2% CAGR to reach US$4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Services segment is readjusted to a revised 9.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 20.7% share of the global Computer-Aided Manufacturing market. CAM solutions dominate market share as the easy integration of CAM solutions with designing tools helps engineers in implementing changes and increasing manufacturing efficiency. Cloud-based services are garnering considerable attention owing to their ability to reduce costs and provide scalable, flexible access to desired solutions. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $492.5 Million by 2026 The Computer-Aided Manufacturing market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 34.63% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$492.5 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 10.5% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 6.9% and 8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 7.6% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$549.4 Million by the end of the analysis period. North America enjoys the leading position in the global market, owing to increasing uptake of cloud-based CAM platforms to aid manufacturing and automate production, and increasing shift towards smart factory and Industry 4.0. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: ZA@StrategyR.com LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media Info411@strategyr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-computer-aided-manufacturing-market-to-reach-4-6-billion-by-2026--301345927.html SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] AEVEX Aerospace Hires Skip Arny as Vice President of Technology Solutions AEVEX Aerospace, a full-spectrum provider of innovative aircraft, remote sensing, and analysis solutions to government and commercial clients, announced today that Skip Arny has joined the company as Vice President of Technology Solutions (News - Alert) . In this role he will leverage his foreign military sales, DoD strategy, and naval operations experience to drive domestic and international business. In the first half of his 30-year military career, Skip led strike fighter tactics development, operational test, and aircraft carrier-borne combat operations, culminating in his command of Navy Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific. Later, as the U.S. Naval Attache in Poland and then in France, he led diplomatic and maritime cooperation with allies and partner nations. He returned to the U.S. to serve as Director, Strategic Actions Group for the Chief of Naval Operations. Skip came to AEVEX from the Navy International Program Office where he was the Director of Security Cooperation for the Americas, Africa, and Europe ad managed over $40 billion in record sales for 142 countries. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Skip holds multiple degrees, including an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. "Skip is a tremendous asset to our team as AEVEX continues to grow rapidly," said AEVEX Chief Growth Officer Gretchen Idsinga. "His stellar combination of unique career experiences and agile thinking will supercharge AEVEX's transformative trajectory, bringing focus to our clients' most difficult challenges." Skip added, "I'm honored to become part of AEVEX and to continue supporting U.S. national security needs with the best that American innovation has to offer." About AEVEX Aerospace AEVEX Aerospace, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering, sensor integration and sustainment, aircraft modification and certification, mission operations services, advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions, and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the US Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005345/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Data Center Analytics Software Dramatically Improves Workload Characterization and Issue Resolution Time LOOMIS, Calif., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Teledyne Lecroy, the worldwide-leader for validation and analytic solutions for solid state storage, introduces the WorkloadIntelligence DataAgent, a software tool that easily captures production system and workload data in an automated fashion and makes it available to WorkloadIntelligence Analytics software, where it can be analyzed. This allows data center engineers to dramatically reduce time to characterize and resolve issues, optimize data flow and boost datacenter performance. Data center engineers are constantly challenged to improve data center performance to give their companies an edge over the competition. Improving performance requires understanding how applications interact with the storage infrastructure, something that has always been a data center challenge. Incorporating Solid State Storage devices helps boost performance but adds to the challenge as they behave differently than mechanically based hard disk drives (HDDs). Data center engineers need tools that enable them to quickly analyze, assess and tune system performance across all types of storage hardware. WorkloadIntelligence DataAgent software enables data center engineers to find system, application and database latencies affecting performance. It can identify sub-optimized processes and ensure applications utilize and allocate CPU cores efficiently. Additionally, engineers can tune application and Linux block layers to characterize and improve current and future workload performance. Designed with NVMe in mind, DataAgent software lets users capture more than just the I packets. It also captures administrative commands, so data center engineers have a more wholistic view of how their system performs across a range of events. To complement the wide-ranging capture function, user-defined filters and triggers help to isolate the relevant trace event data even in high volume traffic. DataAgent's modularity allows users to customize it for desired system elements to keep system overhead extremely low. It can currently be configured with four different plug-ins: Storage Lite Collector: Captures Linux block events (blktrace replacement) System Statistics Collector: Captures CPU, memory and network events Storage Pro Collector: Captures other storage (ie. NVMe Admin Commands) SVF Collector: Captures events from our OakGate SSD Test Platform (i.e. NVMe Zones) Teledyne LeCroy will be demonstrating WorkloadIntelligence DataAgent and Analytics at Data Center World 2021 in Orlando, Florida on Aug 16-19, 2021. Availability WorkloadIntelligence DataAgent will be available for order starting August 13, 2021. For additional information, contact Teledyne LeCroy at +1 (800) 909-7211 or visit Teledyne LeCroy's OakGate web site at www.teledynelecroy.com/oakgate. About Teledyne LeCroy Teledyne LeCroy is a leading manufacturer of advanced oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and other test instruments that verify performance, validate compliance, and debug complex electronic systems quickly and thoroughly. Since its founding in 1964, the Company has focused on incorporating powerful tools into innovative products that enhance "Time-to-Insight". Faster time to insight enables users to rapidly find and fix defects in complex electronic systems, dramatically improving time-to-market for a wide variety of applications and end markets. Teledyne LeCroy is based in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. For more information, visit Teledyne LeCroy's website at teledynelecroy.com. 2021 by Teledyne LeCroy. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Technical contact: Rob Dobson Director, Product Marketing, OakGate Products (916) 618-2372 Customer contact: Teledyne LeCroy PSG Customer Care Center (800) 909-7211 Website: www.teledynelecroy.com/oakgate View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-center-analytics-software-dramatically-improves-workload-characterization-and-issue-resolution-time-301347315.html SOURCE Teledyne LeCroy [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] CE+P to Partner with the U.S. Joint BioEnergy Institute on Advanced Biofuels Research California Ethanol + Power (CE+P) announced today that it is partnering with the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a Bioenergy Research Center of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop scalable next-generation renewable energy products using biomass from CE+P's planned sugarcane ethanol facility in Imperial County, Calif. In addition, CE+P Permitting Manager Nathan M. deBoom has been named a member of JBEI's Advisory Committee, which is comprised of strategic advisors from across the research spectrum including representatives from national labs, academia, and industry. The new partnership will jointly pursue research and grants to support new technologies and processes for breaking down byproducts of the planned sugarcane crop as a source for even lower-carbon energy products, including advanced cellulosic ethanol. In addition to JBEI, research will also be implemented by the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab). "We are excited and honored to partner with JBEI and ABPDU and look forward to working together to revolutionize the science of producing even lower carbon fuels," said Ronald G. Blake Jr., Chief Financial Officer for CE+P. "We envisio this work could create new opportunities for the entire Biofuel industry, and ultimately our operation as well by enhancing the output of our Sugar Valley Energy campus." "The world has not yet cracked the problem of cost-effective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into higher value products, and we intend to do just that with CE+P as applied to sugarcane non-food waste streams," said Blake Simmons, JBEI Chief Science & Technology Officer. "This is a great opportunity for JBEI and CE+P to demonstrate an affordable and scalable technology that could benefit the local community but also be applied more broadly to help meet the challenges of climate change." Simmons added JBEI has developed a patent-pending approach that begins by treating biomass with a class of inexpensive solvents called alkanolamines. Alkanolamines are distillable, meaning that they can be efficiently recovered and reused in the same process. Initial lab tests have demonstrated that the alkanolamines release very high levels of sugars, as well as a separate stream of lignin. The system is run at low temperature and requires minimal energy input. About California Ethanol + Power (CE+P) ?CE+P is a development company that intends to develop, construct, operate and own numerous facilities that will convert locally grown sugarcane into Essential EthanolTM, a sustainable, renewable and extremely low carbon transportation fuel that will assist California in meeting its groundbreaking AB32 requirements. CE+P is committed to employing processes and equipment that are both commercially proven and financeable, while also meeting California's stringent environmental regulations. About JBEI The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Research Center program combining the scientific talent, expertise, resources, and support of six national laboratories and six academic institutions. Inside JBEI's Emeryville, CA (News - Alert) laboratories, researchers are using the latest tools in molecular biology, chemical engineering, computational and robotic technologies to transform biomass into biofuels and bioproducts. About ABPDU The Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit's (ABPDU) mission is to expedite the commercialization of advanced, next-generation biofuels and bioproducts by providing industry-scale test beds. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office established ABPDU as part of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) in 2011. Strategically located in the San Francisco Bay Area's bio-innovation hub, and part of Berkeley Lab, ABPDU is uniquely situated to enable the local and national bioeconomy. ABPDU has access to cutting-edge national research organizations, academic centers of excellence, and major industries. #biofuels #biomass #bioenergy #lowcarbonfuels #research #science #futureofenergy View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005680/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Prada Luna Rossa OCEAN Fragrance Campaign PARIS, Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ -- Prada announces today the worldwide launch of Luna Rossa OCEAN, the new men's fragrance celebrating humanity augmented by technology, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal in the advertising campaign film directed by Johan Renck. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8933251-prada-luna-rossa-ocean-fragrance-campaign/. The campaign illustrates the conviction that with technology as an extension of ourselves, we can push beyond our limits, imagine beyond possibility and open new horizons. Starring Academy Award nominated actor, and producer, Jake Gyllenhaal as an explorer at his most spirited, the campaign captures the dynamism and vibrance of Luna Rossa OCEAN. Directed by Johan Renck, leading cinematic visionary known for his genre redefining music videos for David Bowie and Beyonce as well as his award-winning work for HBO's Chernobyl, the Prada Luna Rossa OCEAN film campaign luxuriously celebrates the spirit of adventure and the spectacular vastness of the ocean harnessed by innovation. Set under the sails of the Luna Rossa boat, a masterpiece of cutting-edge technology, Gyllenhaal embodies the modern adventurer combining physical and intellectual strength, and pushing beyond his limits at full speed, towards an ethereal, glowing red moon. "Prada Luna Rossa OCEAN embodies a sophisticated, yet avant-garde approach to the modern fragrance for men. We are incredibly excited for the launch of this new fragrance inspired by the power of man meeting the power of innovation." - Yann Andrea, Prada Beauty International General Manager The Prada Luna Rossa OCEAN film campaign launches today worldwide across television and digital channels, print, outdoor media and collateral materials. Talent: Jake Gyllenhaal Film Director: Johan Renck Music: "Supernova xplosion" by Sebastien LIPSZYC & Emmanuel LIPSZYC #PradaLunaRossaOcean #PradaFragrances About Jake Gyllenhaal Jake Gyllenhaal is an Academy Award and Tony nominated actor as well as a producer of note with his company Nine Stories. Alongside Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, Gyllenhaal has starred in over sixty feature films including Ang Lee's classic Brokeback Mountain, for which he received an Oscar nomination and won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor; Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler, for which he received Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominations, Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko; Sony Pictures highest grossing film of all time, Jon Watt's Spider-Man: Far From Home, and many more. His stage work on Broadway includes the Tony nominated Sea Wall / A Life (Tony nomination Best Actor, Drama League Award); the hit revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, and Constellations (Drama League award) and, on the West End; This is Our Youth (Evening Standard Award). For the stage, Ninestories produced both Seawall / Alife and Jeremy O Harris's SLAVE PLAY both shows received 16 Tony nominations combined for the 2020 Broadway season and both received nods for Best Play. Most recently, Gyllenhaal re-teamed with director Antoine Fuqua to star in The Guilty for Netflix, which Nine Stories also produced. The film will be release Fall 2021. In early 2022 he will be seen starring in Michael Bay's action-thriller, Ambulance, for Universal. About Johan Renck Johan Renck is an award-winning Swedish film, television and music video director who is based in Stockholm, Sweden. Renck has worked worldwide with artists such as David Bowie, Beyonce and Madonna. His first feature film, Downloading Nancy, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and in 2019 and he directed the mini-series Chernobyl for HBO and SKY for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special and the Directors Guild of America Award for Movies for Television and Limited Series. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean is Renck's first time working with Prada and with actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Video - https://youtu.be/TU-9_6l1xkM Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1584120/Prada_Logo.jpg Contact: Mickael Roux Communication and Social Media Manager mickael.roux@loreal.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prada-luna-rossa-ocean-fragrance-campaign-301345925.html SOURCE Prestige et Collections International [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Walmart Inks One of The Nation's Largest Community Solar Agreements with Nexamp BOSTON, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has contracted with Nexamp as an anchor tenant to support 129 Megawatts of community solar projects, in one of the biggest deals of its kind. The retailer is subscribing to a share of each of 23 Nexamp solar farms across New York and will receive energy credits, equivalent to approximately 50 Megawatts of the entire portfolio. Walmart has 32 stores, 4 Sam's Clubs, and one Distribution Center participating in the program across the state. Walmart is subscribing to 23 Nexamp community solar projects in New York , supporting the growth of clean energy. The balance of the energy produced by the projects provides economic and environmental benefits to local area residents. As community solar grows in scale and popularity, it has become a viable option for large companies looking to help spur the development of localized renewable energy, whie also making progress toward their own climate goals. "Walmart continues to lead by example through its bold commitments in support of a cleaner energy future," said Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai. "By enrolling in our community solar program, Walmart demonstrates its understanding of the urgency of climate change issues, and that these issues can be addressed in ways that also provide significant economic value." "Community solar at this scale allows Walmart to play a direct role in spurring economic development in the communities we serve and reinforces our goal to spark collective climate action," said Mark Vanderhelm, Vice President, Energy and Facilities Management at Walmart. Additional capacity remains on Nexamp projects across multiple markets and utility service territories. Businesses interested in learning more about commercial offtake should visit https://www.nexamp.com/power-purchase-agreements. Walmart set a goal last year to be a regenerative companyone that works to restore, renew and replenish, in addition to preserving, our planet. As part of that goal, it is targeting zero emissions by 2040 across its global operations and aims to harvest enough wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to reach its goal of powering 100% of its facilities with renewables by 2035. Currently, 36% of Walmart's operations worldwide are powered with renewable energy. As of the end of 2020, Walmart had more than 550 onsite and offsite projects in operation or under development in eight countries, 30 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. About Nexamp Nexamp is leading the transformation to the new energy economy with proven solar and storage solutions that make clean energy more accessible for our customers and partners. Our comprehensive solar and energy storage capabilitiesincluding project development and acquisition, design, construction, and operationsenable clean energy savings and benefits for more customers. Nexamp's industry-leading community solar platform makes solar an option for anyone, offering guaranteed savings on annual electricity costs. With more than 300 MW of renewable energy generating assets currently in operation, we are building a decarbonized energy future. Visit us at www.nexamp.com. Copyright 2021 Nexamp Inc. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-inks-one-of-the-nations-largest-community-solar-agreements-with-nexamp-301347357.html SOURCE Nexamp [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] InQuest Celebrates Two Years of Crowdsourced Threat Discovery InQuest (www.inquest.net), a leading provider of emerging threat prevention products and services, announced today that they are releasing an updated version of their InQuest Labs research platform with various analytical tool enhancements and a new user community. Just two years ago, InQuest CTO Pedram Amini announced the release of InQuest Labs during his Worm Charming briefing at BlackHat USA 2019. "To compensate for the ever-increasing infosec talent gap, we pair machine learning with crowd-sourcing," said Amini continuing, "This free data portal empowers any analyst worldwide to discover the next big phishing campaign." On its second anniversary, InQuest Labs online engagement is approaching 50,000 Monthly Active Users (MAU). "The platform combines file dissection and exploration along with threat intelligence data aggregated from numerous sources," said InQuest Labs community member Dmitry Melikov. "Leveraging this combination, I'm able to easily discover new emergng malware campaigns for analysis," added Melikov. The platform additionally provides advanced tooling for researchers interested in developing YARA signatures. The addition of a self-service user community allows researchers to freely gain the following perks through a simple social platform-based login ( Twitter (News - Alert) , Google, Github, LinkedIn): Unlimited access, anonymous visitors are limited to 1337 interactions a day. Increase in returned results from 1337 to 5000. Ability to see/sort samples by file reputation. Access to download available malware samples. Raw API access for command line and programmatic access via python-inquestlabs. "We leverage all available resources in our fanatical battle against Internet-borne threats. Expanding our collaboration efforts beyond partners to the general community helps protect our customers against emerging threats while building valuable relationships with our colleagues worldwide," said InQuest founder and CEO Michael Arcamone. Michael added, "In celebration of this launch, InQuest is hosting an event at BlackHat USA 2021." The event is on Wednesday, August 4th from 5pm to 8pm at the Foundation Room in the Mandalay Bay. Colleagues and community members can register here. About InQuest InQuest is a cybersecurity solutions and services company founded by a well-versed team hailing from both the public and private sectors. InQuest delivers two key technologies, Deep File Inspection (DFI) for real-time threat prevention and "RetroHunting", a novel approach that leverages the power of hindsight to apply today's threat intelligence to yesterday's data. Commercially available as a SaaS email security integration for Google Workspace (GSuite) and Microsoft (News - Alert) O365, as a high-throughput on-premises network appliance, or via API. InQuest excels at malware analysis on a global scale, applying fanatical research to protect your users from the myriad of attacks of today and the evolving threats of tomorrow. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005936/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] ReturnQueen takes on Atlanta ATLANTA, Aug. 3, 2021 ReturnQueen, the exclusive shopping return service app, is rapidly expanding in the U.S. Their newest location officially launches today in Atlanta, GA. In addition to the software company's corporate headquarters in the NY Metro area, and recent launches in Silicon Valley, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte, Tampa, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Cary, Austin, Boston, this eleventh location grows the company's footprint to service to roughly 6,300 zip codes nationwide. ReturnQueen brings convenience app return service to Atlanta ! Atlanta is a diverse, vibrant community with a booming economy due mainly to its affordability and high employment rate. Atlanta is also one of the few cities with three downtown areas filed with high rises, very desirable to residents and businesses alike. The official downtown is more of a business center where you can find several Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, UPS, and Home Depot. Midtown is great for nightlife, great food, and cocktails and more of a trendy and upscale experience, is Buckhead, often called the "Beverly Hills of the South." "This perfect trifecta and thriving city is paramount to our decision to launch our service in Atlanta. Our app is designed to appeal to everyone, especially in a busy, dynamic, diverse community where residents desire convenience apps like Doordash, Instacart and Uber." says Melissa Sprich, VP of Growth. About ReturnQueen ReturnQueen is an on-demand service that picks up, processes, and sends back all your online shopping returns. This contactless service was created to be the solution to the biggest pain points in the shopping cycle including, printing labels, packaging items, waiting in line, driving to the post office, and handling receipts. This unique app allows users to organize and track all their online purchases at a glance and choose which items they want to return. You can return as many items as you can fit into the return bag, provided by ReturnQueen. Membership options are available to serve different customer needs. ReturnQueen is currently operational in over 6,300 zip codes across NJ, NY, NC, TN, TX, FL, MA, IL, CA, and GA. Their goal is to make this service quickly available throughout the U.S. First pick up is FREE, Available NOW for download: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/returnqueen/id1537845231 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.returnqueen View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/returnqueen-takes-on-atlanta-301347382.html SOURCE ReturnQueen [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] 2021 Back to School Backpack and School Supply Drive-Thru at Foundation 45 Mitsubishi Elementary children in need of FREE BACKPACKS and SCHOOL SUPPLIES will be assisted through the 2021 Back to School Backpack and School Supply Drive-Thru benefiting community school children grades K to 5 in need from Aldine Independent School District and Spring Independent School District as well as other areas of Houston. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005950/en/ The 2021 Back to School Backpack and School Supply Drive-Thru will take place at Foundation 45 Mitsubishi (News - Alert) (Houston, TX) the morning of August 14th. Donations, volunteers, and sponsors needed! (Graphic: Business Wire) The Drive-Thru will take place at Foundation 45 Mitsubishi located on 1-45 at the Richey Exit on August 14th from 9:00am until Noon (16210 North Freeway, Houston TX, 77090, 713-804-5299). All children in need of backpacks and school supplies are encouraged to attend to pick up supplies while they last. Sponsors are also invited to participate during this event. This community event is brought to you through the caring support of La Rosa Family Services, local Houstonians, Foundation 45 Mitsubishi, and area-wide organizations and businesses. La Rosa is a communit-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1995 to assist families, primarily women and children, exposed to domestic violence and abuse. Their mission is to assist victims of domestic violence and abuse, to prevent future abuse, and to promote the health and safety of children by raising community awareness, empowering individuals, and offering positive alternatives to families. Their clients come from 55 different Greater Houston zip codes. About half come from the predominantly Hispanic Northside/Northeast Houston area, an area which has few community/social services close-by and readily available. This has resulted in La Rosa's role in addressing a broad range of family and individual problems both through direct service and referral to collaborating agencies and organizations. La Rosa Family Services are happy to partner with businesses who are promoting and sponsoring this event like Foundation 45 Mitsubishi and all the valuable sponsors making monetary, time, and service contributions. The Pandemic has taken a toll on many of the underserved Houston communities and help is needed to provide assistance for many children. According to Juan Martinez (News - Alert) , General Manager and Operating Partner for Foundation 45 Mitsubishi, "Our team is committed to giving back to the community our business serves. We are especially proud to help children in our area in need with a good beginning to their school year. We feel Backpacks full of school supplies will provide a foundation for children to begin the school year with pride and self-confidence." Sponsors and donations can be made here: https://gofund.me/2f9a0307 (Sponsors needed for school supplies, backpacks and $ donations) For information, to volunteer, or to donate, please contact Theresa Gutierrez at La Rosa Family Services thegutiz@aol.com or 832-274-4994 or Myrna Torres 281-667-7051. Specific supplies needed: - Backpacks (clear and traditional) - Spiral notebook, wide or college rule - CraZArt Crayons 24ct - Glue sticks - Comp Notebooks - CraZArt markers 10ct - #2 pencils - 3 prong paper folders any color - Notebook paper wide/college rule - Erasers - Pens black/blue - Pencil box Sponsors (more to come!) - Foundation 45 Mitsubishi - Houston Credit Union - Lions Club (Houston Cy-Fair) - Boy Scouts of America (Sam Houston Area Council) - Ally Financial - Autotrader - Cox (News - Alert) Auto - Foundation Automotive - ACV Auctions Houston - America's Auto Auction - Texprint - Texas Auto Trim - Credit Score Repair Services - Velocity Automotive Reconditioning Media partners/sponsors - Telemundo - La Raza 98.5 & 103.3fm (Estrella Media) - El Norte 107.9 FM (Estrella Media) - Que Onda Magazine - JJORadio.com - Informitron Marketing partners/sponsors - AdGroup National - Adversavvy - 40/40 Group Volunteers/Community Organizations - JJO Charities - Hope City Missions - Serve Team Houston Proudly feeding our Volunteers Wingstop @ 2503 FM 1960 RD E View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005950/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Convergint Announces Acquisition of Premier Security Group (PSG) Convergint, a global leader in service-based systems integration, today announced the acquisition of Premier Security Group (PSG), a diversified physical security company servicing the financial market vertical in California, Utah, and Arizona. This acquisition further strengthens Convergint's capabilities in the financial market. PSG provides a wide range of services from design and installation to commercial electronic security and banking equipment maintenance. The company boasts a strong geographical footprint on the west coast, providing customer service to more than 80 financial clients, including credit unions and banks, totaling over 1,200 branches. PSG prides itself on customer service, innovation, integrity, and trust, ensuring customers receive the highest quality and most costeffective, innovative solutions for their business. In addition to maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners, PSG's strong culture and commitment to its core values and surrounding communities serve as a measurable guide to their success. "We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary, and with it has come great excitement about our momentum and growth," said Ken Lochiatto, CEO of Convergint. "We are thrilled to welcome new colleagues with deep expertise in the financial sector, further strengthening our vertical experience and servicing capabilities. Convergint and PSG embrace the same cultural values and beliefs; we operate with a colleague-first notion, allowing us to seamlessly integrate and deliver best-in-class customer service to current and future customers." "We are excited to be joining Convergint, a highly reputable, global systems integrator destined for continuous growth," said Brian Garrison, president of Premier Security Group. "This acquisition does not signify an end, but an accelerated beginning. We look forward to innovating and scaling our current capabilities to help customers navigate new complexities deriving from digital transformation and automation in the financial sector. The expertise and resources our clients will now have access to are immense, and we are excited about the future." About Convergint Convergint is a $1.7 billion global, industry-leading systems integrator that designs, installs, and services electronic security, cybersecurity, fire and life safety systems, financial automation, building automation, and audio-visual. Listed as the #1 systems integrator in SDM Magazine's Top Systems Integrators Report for the past 4 years, Convergint leads with over 6,500 colleagues and more than 150 locations worldwide. To learn more about Convergint, visit www.convergint.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005957/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Arch Insurance Expands Accident & Health Team With Jamie Landsman, Vice President of Product Innovation and Strategy Arch Insurance (Arch) today announced that Jamie Landsman has joined the Company as Vice President, Product Innovation and Strategy for the Accident & Health (A&H) business unit. Landsman brings over 20 years of experience in A&H and will report to Jim Villa, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Distribution. "Jamie brings a wealth of product, distribution and innovation knowledge to Arch at a time of great opportunity," said Villa. "His industry expertise in an array of roles and proven track record in A&H will help us build on our ongoing marketplace success." Landsman has a long history of success in A&H. Prior to joining Arch, he held a variety of roles at Chubb, most recently Senior Vice President, responsible for leadership of their Affinity Markets profit center Including A&H insurtech partnerships and digital innovation. "I'm excited at the opportunity to help Arch continue the expansion of its growing A&H portfolio. Arch Insurance has a demonstrated history of leadership in product and distribution innovation," said Landsman. "I look forward to supporting the company's continued growth and success." About Arch Insurance North America Arch Insurance North America, part of Arch Capital Group Ltd., includes Arch's insurance operations in the United States and Canada. About Arch Capital Group Ltd. Arch Capital Group Ltd., a publicly listed Bermuda exempted company with approximately $16.7 billion in capital at June 30, 2021, provides insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The Private Securities Litgation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements includes the following: adverse general economic and market conditions; increased competition; pricing and policy term trends; fluctuations in the actions of rating agencies and the Company's ability to maintain and improve its ratings; investment performance; the loss of key personnel; the adequacy of the Company's loss reserves, severity and/or frequency of losses, greater than expected loss ratios and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events, including pandemics such as COVID-19; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; changes in regulations and/or tax laws in the United States or elsewhere; the Company's ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures as well as consummate acquisitions and integrate the businesses the Company has acquired or may acquire into the existing operations; changes in accounting principles or policies; material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; availability and cost to the Company of reinsurance to manage the Company's gross and net exposures; the failure of others to meet their obligations to the Company; changes in the method for determining the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and the potential replacement of LIBOR and other factors identified in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "). The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Tag: arch-insurance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006006/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Former Mayo Clinic Visionary Affiliates With Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock Lee Aase, a widely recognized trailblazer who has led the healthcare industry in embracing social and digital media platforms, is partnering with healthcare strategic communications consultancy Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, in an of counsel role, the firm announced today. Jarrard Inc. ranks nationally as a Top 10 communications firm and works exclusively with healthcare providers in moments of significant change, challenge and opportunity. It has been expanding its expertise in healthcare digital marketing to help clients reach consumers and other stakeholders more efficiently and effectively. Aase retired today from a successful 21-year tenure at Mayo Clinic, where he most recently served as communications director for social and digital innovation and as director of the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network - an industry-leading global network that has helped healthcare professionals and organizations leverage the power of social media. "We are encouraged, and challenged, by the number of outstanding providers who are dedicating renewed focus and resources on digital channels to affect real change in healthcare," said Jarrard Inc. President and CEO David Jarrard. "As a pioneer in the field for two decades, Lee's extensive background in digital strategy is indispensable for our clients, whether their needs are related to patient acquisition efforts, issue navigation or seizing new opportunities to make the delivery of healthcare more accessible and equitable." In demand on the conference circuit, Aase has spoken to audiences and advised organizations on social and digital strategy and practice in 40 states and 12 countries on five continents. In 2014 he was appointed to a two-year term on the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Social Media. In 2018 he received VitalSmarts certification as a trainer in the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology for stress-free productivity. "In my eperience, it's critical that any investment in tech or digital strategy support your business goals and values," Aase said. "I am delighted to be joining such a well-established and forward-thinking firm as Jarrard Inc. and to be able to help clients solve the puzzle of leveraging technology in a way that works for them and their patients." Prior to joining Mayo Clinic in 2000, Aase spent 14 years in political and government communications at the local, state and federal level. Jarrard Inc.'s growing Digital Team is led by nationally known digital transformation expert Reed Smith, who helps clients ask themselves, "How do people want to connect with us?" and then builds a plan using digital tools to make those connections. The team's work lies at the intersection of change management, patient experience, and consumer behavior in healthcare. Smith, in addition to founding the Social Health Institute, is a founding advisory board member for both the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network, and the health & wellness track at the SXSW (News - Alert) Interactive Festival. "Lee is unparalleled in his knowledge," Smith said. "Having worked with Lee extensively over the years, we both recognize that the past year and a half revealed in new ways the profound importance of mission-driven healthcare and reminded us that no matter how large or small the organization, healthcare is local and personal. We need to reach people where they are." About Jarrard Inc. With offices in Nashville, Tenn. and Chicago, Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc. is a U.S. Top 10 strategic communications consulting firm for the nation's leading healthcare providers experiencing significant change, challenge or opportunity. Founded in 2006, the firm has worked with more than 600 clients in 45 states and served as a communications advisor on more than $60 billion in announced M&A and partnership transaction communications. The firm specializes in M&A, change management, issue navigation and strategic positioning. Jarrard Inc. is a division of The Chartis Group, one of the nation's leading healthcare advisory and analytics firms. For more information, visit jarrardinc.com or follow us @JarrardInc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006037/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces It Is Investigating Claims Against Allianz SE and Encourages Investors With Losses to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Allianz SE ("Allianz" or "the Company") (OTC: ALIZY) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Allianz disclosed on August 1, 2021, that: "subsequent to the litigation pending in U.S. courts in relation to the Structured Alpha Funds against Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC and other Allianz Group companies and the investigation launched by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (' SEC' (News - Alert) ) in 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice ('DOJ') has begun an invesigation concerning the Structured Alpha Funds, and Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC has received a voluntary request for documents and information from the DOJ." The Company added: "in light of the DOJ investigation and based on information available to Allianz as of today, the Board of Management of Allianz SE has reassessed the matter and has come to the conclusion that there is a relevant risk that the matters relating to the Structured Alpha Funds could materially impact future financial results of Allianz Group." Based on this news, the Company's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell by 8% the next day. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com. The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006057/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] MSCI Prices $700 Million 3.250% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2033 MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI), a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, announced today that it priced its private offering of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.250% senior unsecured notes due 2033 (the "notes") at an issue price of 100.000% (the "Offering"). Interest on the notes will be 3.250%, and will be payable in cash semi-annually, beginning on February 15, 2022. Interest on the notes will begin accruing from August 17, 2021. The Offering is expected to settle on August 17, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. MSCI intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to redeem all $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the "2027 Notes"), as well as for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, potential purchases of MSCI's common stock, investments and acquisitions) and to pay related redemption costs. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of MSCI and will be guaranteed by MSCI and certain of its domestic subsidiaries. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2027 Notes. The notes were offered only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and (ii) certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securties Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. About MSCI Inc. MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond MSCI's control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) ") on February 12, 2021 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCI's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects MSCI's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCI's operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006085/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Tuya to Report Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on August 18, 2021 HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Inc. ("Tuya" or the "Company") (NYSE: TUYA), a global leading IoT cloud platform, today announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2021 before the U.S. market opens on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Conference Call Details Tuya's management will hold a conference call at 08:00 A.M. Eastern Time (08:00 P.M. Beijing Time) on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: +49 69 566 03 6000 United States Toll Free: +1 855 272 3518 Mainland China Toll Free: 10 800 1401785 Hong Kong: +852 30081745 Conference ID: 7990514 Preregistration Information Participants can also pre-register by the following link. Once preregistration has been completed, participants will receive dedicated dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a unique Personal Identification Number ("PIN"). A confirmation and calendar invite will be sent via email, including the above dedicated conference access information. To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive from preregistering, then enter the passcode followed by your PIN. Preregistration Link: https://services.choruscall.de/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=2833402&linkSecurityString=4c382c2c2 The replay will be accessible through August 25, 2021 by dialing the following numbers: International: +44 (0)121 2604862 United States: +1 347 549 4091 Access Code: 7990514 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.tuya.com/. About Tuya Inc. Tuya Inc. (NYSE: TUYA) is a global leading IoT cloud platform with a mission to build an IoT developer ecosystem and enable everything to be smart. Tuya is the largest IoT PaaS business in the global market of IoT PaaS in terms of the volume of smart devices powered in 2020, according to CIC. Tuya has pioneered a purpose-built IoT cloud platform that delivers a full suite of offerings, including Platform-as-a-Service, or PaaS, and Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, to businesses and developers. Through its IoT cloud platform, Tuya has enabled developers to activate a vibrant IoT ecosystem of brands, OEMs, partners and end users to engage and communicate through a broad range of smart devices. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "target", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "potential", "continue", "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contact Tuya Inc. Investor Relations E-mail: ir@tuya.com ICR, LLC. Robin Yang Phone: +1 212-537-5825 E-mail: Tuya.IR@icrinc.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tuya-to-report-second-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-august-18-2021-301347599.html SOURCE Tuya Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Butterfield Reaches Resolution With US Department of Justice The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited ("Butterfield") (NYSE: NTB | BSX: NTB.BH) today announced that it has reached a resolution with the United States Department of Justice concerning the inquiry into Butterfield's legacy business with US clients reported in November 2013. The resolution is in the form of a non-prosecution agreement (" NPA (News - Alert) ") with a three-year term. The financial payments totaling $5.6 million in respect of Forfeiture and Tax Restitution Amounts are in line with the existing provision included in Butterfield's financial statements as recorded in 2015 and 2016. Michael Collins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Butterfield, said, "We are pleased to resolve this matter which dates back to late 2013. Since that time, we have enhanced our compliance controls for business with US clients and the total payment has been provisioned. Moving forward, we remain focused on delivering for our clients and ou stakeholders." About Butterfield: Butterfield is a full-service bank and wealth manager headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, providing services to clients from Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, where our principal banking operations are located, and The Bahamas, Switzerland, Singapore and the United Kingdom, where we offer specialized financial services. Banking services comprise deposit, cash management and lending solutions for individual, business and institutional clients. Wealth management services are composed of trust, private banking, asset management and custody. In Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Guernsey, we offer both banking and wealth management. In The Bahamas, Singapore and Switzerland, we offer select wealth management services. In the UK, we offer residential property lending. In Jersey, we offer select banking and wealth management services. Butterfield is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: NTB) and the Bermuda Stock Exchange (symbol: NTB.BH). Further details on the Butterfield Group can be obtained from our website at: www.butterfieldgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005946/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Lumen to sell local incumbent carrier operations in 20 states to Apollo Funds for $7.5 billion DENVER, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its ILEC (incumbent local exchange carrier) business, including its consumer, small business, wholesale and mostly copper-served enterprise customers and assets, in 20 states to funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO) (the "Apollo Funds") for $7.5 billion, including debt assumption of approximately $1.4 billion, and subject to working capital and various other purchase price adjustments. Under the terms of the transaction, Lumen will retain its ILEC assets in 16 states, as well as its national fiber routes and CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier) networks1 as it delivers the fastest, most-secure platform for next-gen business applications and data. For Apollo Funds, the transaction will provide a robust, scaled local network, as well as the operations and back-office support to meet the accelerating demand for high-bandwidth connectivity and fiber technology. Assets in the 20 states being acquired include: Local fiber and copper network Broadband and voice for consumer, enterprise and wholesale customers Fiber and copper connectivity to enabled buildings Connectivity to tower sites Central offices "This transaction is an important step in our continued efforts to transform Lumen and drive future growth for our company," said Jeff Storey, Lumen president and CEO. "We are pleased with the attractive valuation we received for these assets, which highlights the overall value of Lumen's extensive asset portfolio. Apollo Funds will receive a great business with a strong customer base, dedicated employees, and a platform for future growth." "The team at Lumen has built a great business and we see an incredible opportunity to provide leading edge, fiber-to-the-home broadband technology to millions of its business and residential customers," said Aaron Sobel, Private Equity Partner at Apollo. "Our investment will help accelerate the upgrade to fiber optic technologies, and we are excited to have such a high-caliber management team ready to bring faster and more reliable internet service to many rural markets traditionally underserved by broadband providers." The transaction is expected to be roughly leverage neutral, with an expected close in the second half of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions including required regulatory approvals. Management will discuss this transaction in more detail on the company's conference call scheduled for this afternoon, August 3rd, at 5:00pm ET. Citi, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley served as financial advisors to Lumen in the transaction and Jones Walker served as legal counsel. Advisors to the Apollo Funds include Mizuho, LionTree, Barclays and Credit Suisse as financial advisors; Altman Solon as telecommunications, media and technology consultant; and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as lead legal counsel, together with Jenner & Block LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP as regulatory counsel. 1 NTD: Lumen will retain CLEC operations in all 36 states. Additional Resources Access our resource page for more information. Our 8-K report that we plan to file following this release. Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Results Separately, today the Company reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. The conference call will be streamed live over Lumen's website at ir.lumen.com this afternoon, August 3rd, at 5:00pm ET. If you are unable to join the call via the web, the call can be accessed live at +1 877-283-5145 (U.S. Domestic) or +1 312-281-1201 (International). About Lumen Lumen is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 450,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences. Learn more about the Lumen network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com/home, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks in the United States. Forward Looking Statements Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the expected transaction proceeds, timing and benefits of the proposed transactions, and other statements identified by words such as "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "intends," "will" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the ability of the parties to timely and successfully receive the required approvals of regulatory agencies; the possibility that the purchaser will not be able to finance the divestiture on the terms contemplated or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the proposed transactions cannot be fully realized in the manner contemplated; the possibility that it may be more difficult than anticipated to segregate the Company's divested business from its other businesses in connection with the divestiture; the possibility that it may be more difficult than anticipated to segregate the facilities-based business of Sellers and their subsidiaries from the Company's other businesses in connection with the Divestiture; the possibility that the post-closing commercial relationships between the parties will not operate in the manner currently contemplated; the possibility that the Company might be required to pay higher than anticipated tax payments, to make unanticipated payments under the transaction agreements or to otherwise receive less net cash proceeds than anticipated; the possibility that the Company's customers, vendors or employees could react unfavorably to the transaction; changes in the Company's cash requirements, financial position or business, operational or financial plans; the effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; and other risk factors and cautionary statements as detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the Company's proposed divestiture will in fact be consummated in the manner described or at all. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time-to-time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the proposed transactions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, the Company undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaims any such obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumen-to-sell-local-incumbent-carrier-operations-in-20-states-to-apollo-funds-for-7-5-billion-301347625.html SOURCE Lumen Technologies [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Ingersoll Rand Announces Secondary Offering of 29,788,635 Shares of Common Stock Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) ("Ingersoll Rand") announced that KKR Renaissance Aggregator L.P. (the "Selling Stockholder") intends to offer for sale in an underwritten secondary offering 29,788,635 shares of common stock of Ingersoll Rand (the "Shares") pursuant to a registration statement filed by Ingersoll Rand with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) "). No shares are being sold by Ingersoll Rand. The Selling Stockholder will receive all of the proceeds from this offering. As part of and subject to the completion of the offering, Ingersoll Rand intends to concurrently repurchase from the underwriter, 14,894,317 shares out of the aggregate 29,788,635 shares of its common stock that are the subject of the offering (the "Concurrent Share Repurchase"). The price per share to be paid by Ingersoll Rand will equal the price at which the underwriter will purchase the Shares from the Selling Stockholder in the offering. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as the underwriter for the offering. A registration statement relating to the Shares has been filed with the SEC and has become effective. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawfu prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering of the Shares will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, telephone 1-866-803-9204, email: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Ingersoll Rand's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Ingersoll Rand's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Ingersoll Rand undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or developments, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. About Ingersoll Rand Inc. Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to helping make life better for our employees, customers and communities. Customers lean on us for our technology-driven excellence in mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions across 40+ respected brands where our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity and efficiency. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006106/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Lockheed Martin Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kenneth R. Possenriede has decided to retire immediately due to personal reasons. John W. Mollard, vice president and treasurer, has been appointed acting CFO, effective immediately. In his almost four decades at Lockheed Martin, Mollard has held several positions of increasing responsibility within the Finance and Business Operations team, including the past five years as the corporate treasurer. "Over the past 14 months, Ken has been an integral part of my successful transition as Lockheed Martin CEO," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO James Taiclet. "We thank Ken for his many contributions during his three plus decades of service to the company and wish him the best in his retirement." "Given his nearly four decades with Lockheed Martin and familiarity with the company's businesses, stakeholders and capital structure, John is uniquely suited to lea our finance organization while our search process is underway," continued Taiclet. "We are proud to have a deep-bench of talent and thank John for stepping into the CFO role on an interim basis." Mollard will join Taiclet and Greg Gardner, vice president of investor relations, and other business area leaders and subject matter experts for the company's virtual investor event on Thursday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT. The live webcast will be available on the Lockheed Martin Investor Relations website: www.lockheedmartin.com/investor. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the company. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-announces-chief-financial-officer-transition-301347658.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Douglas Emmett Releases Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Results Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has released its Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Results and Operating Information package by posting it to the investor relations section of its website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors. As previously announced, Jordan Kaplan, CEO, Peter Seymour, CFO, Kevin Crummy, CIO, and Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations will host a live conference call to discuss Douglas Emmett's financial results at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (11:00 am Pacific Time) on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Interested parties can access the live call via the internet by going to the investor relations section of www.douglasemmett.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start time of the call in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Those without internet access can listen to the call by phone at (888) 349-0488 (U.S.) or (412) 542-4156 (International) - ask to join the Doulas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) call. For those unable to participate on the live call, a rebroadcast will be available for 90 days on Douglas Emmett's website at www.douglasemmett.com/investors. About Douglas Emmett, Inc. Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. For more information about Douglas Emmett, please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmett's business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006132/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] SIGGRAPH 2021 Honors History of Computer Graphics With First-of-its-kind Program CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SIGGRAPH 2021 announces its brand-new Retrospective program for the upcoming virtual conference, designed to reflect on the history of computer graphics and interactive techniques. Live events within the program will be held during the virtual conference's live week, 913 August, with select content available on-demand afterward through 29 October. SIGGRAPH 2021 announces Retrospective program designed to reflect on the history of computer graphics. How does industry history inform and inspire the work we do today? SIGGRAPH's new Retrospective program aims to answer this question through a series of panels plus an exclusive Featured Speaker session that will kick off the live conference week: "Turing Award and Beyond: In Conversation With Ed Catmull and Pat Hanrahan" on 9 August at 8 am PDT. "Designing this first-of-its-kind offering from the conference has been a real pleasure," shared SIGGRAPH 2021 Retrospective Chair Andres Burbano, of Universidad de los Andes. "This program presents an opportunity for our community to find and celebrate the richness and complexity of history where we usually find the technological future." The curated Retrospective programming for 2021 addresses everything from techno-cultural diversity to museums and collections to publications and industry legacy, revealing multiple perspectives that explore the yesterday of digital media technologies. Researchers, practitioners, critical thinkers, historians, inventors, engineers, artists, and curators from over 10 countries contributed to the program. Highlights include: From Brazil: A Forest of Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques | Retrospective Monday, 9 August, 11:30 am PDT This panel is devoted to the history of the deep, diverse, and rich contributions from Brazil to the global digital culture, from early computer art and the design of the Lua programming language to the use of digital media by contemporary indigenous communities. Details. Museums, Computer History and Institutional Challenges | Retrospective Tuesday, 10 August, 9 am PDT Discover the challenges that face the captivating and exceptional institutions and museums that collect the hardware and software of computer history and computer art history, featuring speakers from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Zentrum fur Kunst und Medien, and the Computer History Museum. Details. Silicon Graphics Legacy | Retrospective Tuesday, 10 August, 11 am PDT This panel will feature computer graphics pioneer Jim Clark and is a collaboration with the Computer History Museum. The session will walk through the historical contributions of Silicon Graphics, the company that put the graphics into silicon and brought the silicon to Silicon Valley. Details. Sisters of Code | Retrospective Wednesday, 11 August, 9:30 am PDT This panel features three separate talks that will explore the contributions of the tremendous legacy of the work produced by women in fields such as information visualization, infographics, computer arts, and digital aesthetics. Details. Celebration of Cinefex | Production Sessions Special Session Wednesday, 11 August, 11 am PDT This live retrospective event will honor the storied legacy of Cinefex magazine. Where the publication was once considered a risky long shot, it now stands as a renowned cornerstone of the visual effects and filmmaking industries. Details. Making Computer Graphics History Public | Retrospective Thursday, 12 August, 5:30 pm PDT In this session, hear from people who have literally written the book on computer graphics history. Authors Alvy Ray Smith ("A Biography of the Pixel"), Jacob Gaboury ("Image Objects"), and Mary Whitton, Adele Newton, and Dave Kasik ("SIGGRAPH @50 History") will discuss their publications and how they contribute to documenting the industry's past. Details. Retrospective sessions will be available to participants at the Ultimate and Enhanced registration levels. Learn more and register for SIGGRAPH 2021, the 48th international conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques, at s2021.SIGGRAPH.org/register. About ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH, and SIGGRAPH 2021 ACM , the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. ACM SIGGRAPH is a special interest group within ACM that serves as an interdisciplinary community for members in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. The SIGGRAPH conference is the world's leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH 2021, the 48th annual conference hosted by ACM SIGGRAPH, will take place virtually with live events 913 August and on-demand content available starting 2 August through 29 October. Click here for news from the conference and its partners. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/siggraph-2021-honors-history-of-computer-graphics-with-first-of-its-kind-program-301347709.html SOURCE SIGGRAPH [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Victory! Judge Denies Los Angeles' Motion to Dismiss AHF's Madison Hotel Lawsuit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) welcomed a Los Angeles County Superior Court ruling last week denying a demurrer by the City of Los Angeles, seeking to be dismissed as a defendant in a lawsuit about AHF's Madison Hotel on Skid Row. The favorable court ruling upheld a cross-complaint that AHF filed against the City in an existing lawsuit, Davis v. AIDS Healthcare Foundation, involving the Madison. AHF contends that the City is at least partly responsible for delays in repairing and upgrading the Madison, a five-story, 202-unit residential hotel that was admittedly not well-maintained when AHF assumed ownership in September 2017. AHF, through its Healthy Housing Foundation ("HHF"), operates the Madison Hotel to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing to people with extremely-low-incomes, as well as to formerly homeless people, as part of AHF's efforts to help alleviate Los Angeles' homeless crisis. And AHF's work on this front is paying off. At approximately half capacity before, the Madison is nearly full with residents now. Upon purchasing the Madison, which is nearly 100 years old, AHF knew that the building had multiple difficult problems that needed to be fixed. AHF has spent over $3 million on improvements and renovations, including redoing the electrical system for the building. In a visit to the Madison in October 2019, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti expressly promised that AHF would receive "concierge services" from City departments to help reive the Madison. However, to AHF's dismay, the City not only failed to provide concierge services, but actually became a major obstacle to moving forward. "Solving all the problems at the Madison required the involvement of the City of Los Angeles to install certain infrastructure, to issue permits for the improvements and the repairs, and to conduct inspections," said Jonathan Eisenberg, Deputy General Counsel - Litigation for AHF. "The City delayed implementation of the solutions for extraordinary lengths of time." Eventually, some Madison tenants sued AHF, and those cases are ongoing. In one of the lawsuits, Davis, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, AHF cross-claimed against the City, to bring it into the case as another defendant, because the City's delays amount to a violation of the California Constitution. In the demurrer, the City claimed that it had immunity from liability associated with the Madison. So the City moved the Court to dismiss the City from the case. Last week, the Court denied the City's motion and ruled in favor of AHF. The ruling means that the City will remain in the case, as another defendant. AHF anticipates ultimately prevailing in the case. "AHF poured its heart and soul into the Madison Hotel building and community. We expected that there would be challenges. But we didn't expect that the City would be the biggest challenge," said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF. The Madison was the first of 11 multi-unit residences that AHF purchased in Greater Los Angeles for the Healthy Housing Foundation to refurbish and to repurpose as homeless housing. The Madison sits at ground zero on Skid Row, directly across from Los Angeles Fire Department Station No. 9, one of the busiest stations in the nation. When AHF acquired the hotel, it came with some tenants in place as well as major building issues that AHF has been addressing since its 2017 purchase. "We are grateful that Judge Buckley is allowing AHF to pursue its day in court with our cross-complaint against the City and hope that our legal action here-regardless of ultimate outcome-spurs a more nimble and civic-minded response in the future from city leaders and departments for organizations like AHF that are simply trying to help address the humanitarian crisis that is homelessness in Los Angeles," added Weinstein. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert) : www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006147/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against Hoegh LNG Partners LP and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Hoegh LNG Partners LP ("Hoegh" or "the Company") (NYSE: HMLP) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Hoegh announced on July 27, 2021, that it had slashed its quarterly common unit distribution by 98% to preserve cash, a move motivated by near-term financing problems. Accordingto the Company, its refinancing plans for the FSRU facility off the coast of Indonesia collapsed after the charterer of the vessel announced plans to enter arbitration to terminate the charter. Based on this news, shares of Hoegh crashed by about 65%. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com. The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006150/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of Annovis Bio, Inc. (ANVS) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Annovis Bio, Inc. ("Annovis" or the "Company") (NYSE: ANVS) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your Annovis investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at https://www.glancylaw.com/cases/annovis-bio-inc/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On July 28, 2021, after the market closed, Annovis reported that Posiphen failed to show statistical significance in treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients relative to a placebo. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding Annovis should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email shareholders@glancylaw.com. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters (News - Alert), the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006087/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Reconstruct Expands Presence in Asia with Investments from NTT DOCOMO Ventures and Asia Pacific Land Reconstruct, the leader in AI-powered remote quality control and progress monitoring software, announces that NTT (News - Alert) DOCOMO Ventures, the investment arm of NTT DOCOMO, and Asia Pacific Land joined its $17.3 million Series B funding round. These investments underline Reconstruct's commitment to deliver its leading platform for remote quality control and progress monitoring to construction teams in Japan and throughout Asia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006159/en/ Reconstruct Expands Presence in Asia with Investments from NTT DOCOMO Ventures and Asia Pacific Lad (Photo: Business Wire) Reconstruct's CEO, Zak MacRunnels, explains, "We've worked with leading contractors as well as Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transportation (MLIT) for the past 3 years, and today we have active projects throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. This investment from NTT DOCOMO and Asia Pacific Land will enable us to double-down in the entire region." According to Yuko Sasahara, CEO of NTT DOCOMO Ventures, "Reconstruct is unique in that they have developed a real-time platform that enables project team members to access the job site from anywhere and have full ability to measure, compare reality against design, and track progress against schedule. Overall, the Visual Command Center enables teams to collaborate more effectively and make better decisions. In addition to our investment, we're excited about the opportunity to help deliver this transformative solution to the Japan and APAC markets." Yoshihiko Fukuchi, construction industry veteran and current head of APAC Business Development for Autodesk (News - Alert) , observes, "Reconstruct's Visual Command Center is already used widely by Japan's top contractors. The interface is in Japanese and the Help Center support is in Japanese, so it is becoming widely adopted. With the challenges of an aging population and shrinking workforce, Reconstruct will help contractors do more with less while maintaining high quality." Reconstruct has continued its pace of 300% growth over the past 2 years. The Company will look to continue that trajectory as it already provides its software to APAC customers including JR East, Shimizu, Kajima, Taisei, Obayashi, IHI, Takenaka, Fujita, EEI and others. About Reconstruct Reconstruct was founded in 2016 to make the built world a better place to live, work and play. With offices in Silicon Valley and the Midwest and team members located around the world, Reconstruct's Visual Command Center brings together reality capture, design and schedule to provide construction and real estate assets remote quality control and progress tracking. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803006159/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 03, 2021] Principle Expands US Presence With Acquisition of Digital Advertising Agency Eboost Consulting CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Principle America Co., Ltd. (Principle), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based digital marketing agency, Principle Company, announced today that it has acquired Eboost Consulting (Eboost), an award-winning San Diego-based performance marketing agency specializing in Paid Social, Paid Search and Amazon Advertising. Through this acquisition, Eboost will provide its industry-leading social media advertising and PPC consulting services to Japanese companies expanding into North America and facilitate the global expansion of U.S. companies entering the Japanese and APAC markets. Since 2017, Principle has provided North American digital marketing support to many Japanese companies through its Silicon Valley-based subsidiary, Principle America. Going forward, Principle's DX marketing capabilities centered on data analysis and Eboost's strengths in social media advertising, from strategy to execution, will be combined with Eboost's industry-leading marketers and creative team to provide best-in-class digital advertising solutions to global clients. With this acquisition, Principle further strengthens its capabilities to help Japanese companies succeed in the U.S. market, with its mission of "Connecting data and action to create a better world" to achieve its vision of becoming "the world's most trusted marketing DX partner." "This acquisition represents a key step forward in Principle's global expansion strategy and is in line with our company's value of thinking and acting by global standards and valuing diversity," said Ken Kusuyama, Principle CEO. "Through this opportunity, we will realize our vision of giving employees in Japan and the U.S. the opportunity to move back and forth between the two countries and to collaborate on international projects and global clients." The acquisition enables Eboost to accelerate its growth trajectoy and expand on its mission to help great e-commerce brands thrive through digital advertising. Eboost will continue to offer its suite of tailored ecommerce advertising solutions to its clients while expanding its capabilities in data analysis, analytics, and data visualization. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take this step forward with Principle and could not be more proud of our talented team at Eboost who all worked so hard to get us to this point," said Evan LaGasse, CEO, Eboost Consulting. "This exciting partnership with Principle enables Eboost to better service our clients by expanding our capabilities in measurement, tracking, and reporting, giving our media buyers even greater tools to make ever-more sophisticated optimization decisions that are rooted in data." About Principle Principle is a data-centric digital marketing agency, specializing in Digital Transformation (DX) solutions, data management platform solutions centered around Google Cloud Platform and Tableau, and corporate data visualization. Principle provides support for digital marketing and management decisions, and the planning of digital marketing strategies, such as advertising, SEO, and CRO, across the entire digital landscape, rooted in data analysis. About Eboost Eboost is an award-winning, data-driven, performance marketing agency based in Carlsbad (San Diego), California, specializing in Facebook and Instagram Ads, Google Ads, and Amazon Advertising for e-commerce. Eboost was named to the Clutch 100 as one of the top 100 fastest growing marketing companies in the U.S. in 2020 and was recognized by Design Rush as a Top Digital Marketing Agency in California in 2021. For inquiries regarding this release, please contact Arima, Public Relations, Principle Inc. sayoko.arima@principle-c.com Related Images principle-america-acquires-eboost.png Principle America acquires Eboost Consulting (From left to right: Eboost CEO Evan LaGasse, middle: Principle CEO Ken Kusuyama, right: Eboost COO Chris Root) View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/principle-expands-us-presence-with-acquisition-of-digital-advertising-agency-eboost-consulting-301347635.html SOURCE Principle America [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Crossville aerospace startup, Whisper Aero, to create 47 new jobs over the next 5 years Whisper Aero develops ultra-quiet electric propulsors for aerospace NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Whisper Aero officials announced today that the company will establish new operations and locate its headquarters in Crossville. Whisper Aero has fundraised $7.5 million from notable Silicon Valley venture capital firms. The technology startup is focused on developing the next generation of quiet, electric thrusters for drones, aircraft, and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) and will create 47 new jobs over the next five years at its Crossville headquarters. Whisper Aeros ultra-quiet electric fans can be used in aerospace, industrial and consumer applications. Reducing noise pollution within cities and suburbs is a key focus of Whisper Aero as the company applies its technology to consumer markets and develops electric propulsors. The company recently completed two contracts with the US Air Force to develop and mature Whisper Aeros proprietary hardware and software technologies. Hiring is under way for engineers, technical specialists, and technicians. Those interested can learn more and apply at https://coda.io/@ianvilla/whisper-aero-job-board. Over the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 40 economic development projects in the Upper Cumberland region, resulting in approximately 3,700 job commitments and $449 million in capital investment. QUOTES Whisper Aero is at the forefront of development in the electric aerospace, and I am confident that this emerging company will find all it needs for success in Cumberland County. I welcome this forward-thinking company to Tennessee as it develops the next generation of electric air propulsion systems. Gov. Bill Lee At TNECD we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs and providing them with all the resources available in Tennessee. Whisper Aero has some of the best and the brightest skilled aerospace engineers focused on solving key problems within the electric aviation space and our local talent will be an asset to this emerging company. TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe Whisper Aero is thrilled to contribute to Tennessees vibrantly expanding tech community. Tennessee is ripe with precision manufacturing talent, beautiful national parks, and a network of general aviation infrastructure ready for the next century of electric aviation. Whisper Aero CEO Mark Moore. We are thrilled to have Whisper Aero developing this pioneering technology here in Crossville, Tennessee. Crossville Mayor James Mayberry TVA and Volunteer Energy Cooperative congratulate Whisper Aero on its decision to locate operations in Cumberland County. Helping to attract and retain job opportunities for the people of the Valley is fundamental to TVAs mission of service. We are proud to partner with Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission and celebrate this announcement. John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development I appreciate Governor Lee, TNECD, Senator Bailey and all of our local leaders for their partnership securing Whisper Aeros commitment to Crossville and Cumberland County. This is an exciting day for our community and the Upper Cumberland region. These high-quality jobs are a testament to the pro-business environments that our local and state governments have created across Tennessee. Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) We are thrilled to see Tennessee-based Whisper Aero select Crossville for this jobs investment. Cumberland County has a strong workforce ready to serve any industry's needs and these new high-quality jobs help in our efforts to continue to build a skilled talent pipeline. We thank Whisper Aero for investing here and look forward to much success in the future. Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Developments mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd. TNECD Media Contact Molly Hair Public Information Officer (615) 878-0063 molly.hair@tn.gov ### NASHVILLE, Tenn. This week, the Tennessee National Guard will host Vigilant Guard 2021, a statewide training exercise where National Guardsman, alongside federal, state, and local first responders, will respond to a simulated, large-scale emergency event. More than 600 Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard will work with 400 emergency professionals from 50 different federal, state, and local agencies. Participants from Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and North Dakota will train together responding to multiple emergency scenarios. Exercises like Vigilant Guard provide critical training for the National Guard and emergency management agencies, said Lt. Col. Dallas Clements, Domestic Operations Planner for the Tennessee National Guard. Swift water rescue, a building collapse, train derailment, power outages, and cyber-attacks are just some of the scenarios we will be training on. This exercise is designed to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and operational relationships with civilian and military partners at all levels. While many of the scenarios will be simulated, several large-scale exercise elements will take place statewide: Nashville August 3-6: More than 200 personnel from the Nashville Fire Department, Rutherford County HAZMAT, and Tennessee National Guard will simulate a train derailment with release of hazardous materials at the CSX Radnor Rail Yard. Memphis August 5-8: Nearly 300 National Guard personnel from multiple states and the Memphis Fire Department will respond to a simulated building collapse at the Memphis Fire Department Training Academy. Chattanooga August 7: The Tennessee Army and Air National Guard will remove the Chattanooga National Guard Armory from the electrical utility grid and establish electrical power with a 100-kilowatt generator. ******MEDIA COORDINATION INSTRUCTIONS****** Any media interested in attending the various events must RSVP by calling the Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office at (615) 313-0663 or email Lt. Col. Marty Malone at marlin.e.malone.mil@mail.mil. Media will be met at the various training areas should they choose to visit. All CDC guidelines will be adhered to. Nunes's on-off Everton move revived | Tuesday, 03 August 2021 Nunes appeared to be Goodison-bound for around 18m when Nuno Espirito Santo was on the verge of replacing Carlo Ancelotti in June. However, talks with the Portuguese collapsed and talk of the Sporting midfielder joining the Toffees cooled amid the ensuing uncertainty. Benitez's arrival seemed to kill the deal altogether as the Spaniard committed to assessing the squad he had inherited and, in the beginning at least, convinced Marcel Brands to focus on other positions. Speculation that Benitez has since run the rule over Nunes and is now attracted to the prospect of bringing him in has increased in Portugal over the past couple of weeks and there now stronger suggestions, in particular from CMTV pundit, Fernando Mendes, who says the deal is already done while Correio da Manha TV say the move is imminent. Original Source: Sport Witness Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads ToffeeWeb For our afternoon readers we share a hopeful progressive perspective on the current immigration "crisis" that has been about 40 years in the making. A local cry for help . . . Our community is scared, Karla Juarez, executive director of Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, said on Up to Date Tuesday. While their applications are suspended, DACA applicants fear the government will use their personal information to locate and deport them. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Undocumented Immigrants In Kansas City Scramble In Wake Of Adverse Court Ruling A ruling by a federal judge in Texas last month that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is illegal has provoked fear and confusion among the undocumented immigrants the program aims to protect from deportation. The ruling does not cancel current DACA permits but suspends any new or currently processing applicants. Inevitability?!?! Can Democrats go it alone on immigrant amnesty? There's a strong case that Congress should give legal status to millions of immigrants who are here illegally, at least under certain conditions. There's a case, reasonable though not as strong, that we ought to have legislative rules that allow a bare majority of Congress to make that change in our laws. Developing . . . Good luck to locals trying to figure out a local public health dress code that's now in flux. Moreover . . . As Kansas City debates COVID masking, we can't help but notice a little bit less love for local places making bold public health declarations whilst caught in a pandemic fight for survival. Here's another roundup . . . Today's meth town declaration . . . City of Independence rescinds public health order INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -- The city of Independence has rescinded its public health order less than a week after enacting it. With this change, masks are no longer required inside city facilities, although they are still strongly encouraged, the city said. Dispute gaining momentum on wrong side of the Show-Me State . . . Court temporarily halts mask mandate in St. Louis County ST. LOUIS- The mask mandate has been halted in St. Louis County for now. It comes after St. Louis County Circuit Court sided with the Missouri Attorney General's Office today, granting a temporary restraining order over the mask mandate. Schmitt's office says the judge agreed with the Missouri Attorney General's office that the St. Kansas City fashionistas consider COVID accessories . . . As Kansas City extends mandates, local designers reflect on the last year In the early throes of lockdown, we reached out to local designers to ask how they shifted from producing high-quality garments and even furniture to face masks for the Kansas City community. Recently The Pitch reconnected with a few of those individuals: Jennifer Lapka of Rightfully Sewn, Nataliya Lucia Meyer of Lucia's Sarto, and John Pryor of Madison Flitch and Madison Stitch. Golden Ghetto Life Lessons . . . Nearly 200 doctors call for Blue Valley Schools to make masks required for all OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Nearly 200 Kansas City area doctors have signed an open letter to the Blue Valley school board urging the district to require universal masking when the school year begins later this month. Blue Valley was one of the first local districts to declare that masks would be optional in the upcoming year. Perfect Village public health protestations . . . Prairie Village councilwoman calls for mask ordinance KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Prairie Village councilwoman called for city staff to draft an ordinance that would mandate mask wearing indoors in the city. Ward 1 councilwoman Jori Nelson called for the city to draft an ordinance during Monday night's regularly-scheduled City Council meeting. Big picture for Kansas City small biz . . . Kansas City small business owners concerned customers will leave over current mask mandate KANSAS CITY, Mo. - "Masks Required" signs pop-up on businesses across Kansas City, Missouri and North Kansas City. Owners said they've been forced back into a challenging position after an already tough year. "Technically if we don't follow it, they can just close us and that really is not something that we can afford to do," Co-owner of A Store Named Stuff Casey Simmons said. Upgrade needed?!? Former Biden COVID adviser says cloth masks ineffective, suggests Americans start wearing N-95 masks Former President Biden COVID-19 adviser and top epidemiologist Michael Osterholm admitted that typical paper masks are ineffective and suggested that Americans may need to switch to heavier duty N-95 masks to battle the new wave of cases in an interview on CNN Monday. Developing . . . In this post we gather more than a few news items concerning police action, alleged crimes, deadly mass shooting and continued investigation. Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com compilation . . . Suspected Bad Hombres Will Stand Trial 2 to go to trial for shooting at Tequila KC that killed 4 KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- According to the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office, two men will be going trial in connection with the shooting at Tequila KC in October of 2019. Four people died as a result of that shooting and multiple people were injured. The Dotte Confronts Double Murder Deaths in KCK apartment now being investigated as double homicide KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- When a man and woman were found dead in a Kansas City, KS, apartment last week, police began investigating whether the deaths were suspicious. Now they are classifying the incident as a double homicide. Officers responded at 11:15 a.m. Northland Hangups Persist Clay County Sheriff's Office warns of latest phone scam CLAY COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- The Clay County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about yet another phone scam. In this scam, the caller claims to be a sheriff's office deputy and claims that there is a warrant out for the person's arrest because they failed to show up for jury duty. Bullets FlyOn South Side This Week Two in critical condition after KCMO shooting off Longview Road Two people are in critical condition after a shooting at a south Kansas City, Missouri, apartment complex, police said.That incident happened Monday morning at a complex in the 5100 block of Longview Road, near Grandview Road.Police called to the scene to investigate a shooting found two people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. KCK Activist Outcry Cont'd Murder, revenge, a witness recanting - Who will dig into a retired KCK police captain's old cases? (KCTV) -- Ahmon Mann is a convicted killer. He's serving a life sentence for first degree murder. He swears he didn't do it. And the "eyewitness" who testified in court recanted key testimony claiming he was pressured by KCK detectives. Future Faces Gunfire Young child shot, killed Sunday in Independence; prosecutor says gun wasn't secured Independence, Missouri, police said they are working with the Jackson County prosecutor's office to determine what, if any, charges should be filed after a young child was shot and killed Sunday night. Police said officers were called to a home in the 200 block of East Walnut just before 9:15 p.m. Developing . . . Athing Mu, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 800-meter final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Meat processer Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming one of the first major employers of frontline workers to so amid a resurgence of the virus. PRINCETON - John Edward Barbour, of Princeton, IN and formerly of West Terre Haute, passed away on July 7, 2021 while on vacation in a bowling tournament in Las Vegas. He was born on October 19, 1956 to Daniel C. Barbour and Margaret Rhyan Barbour. John was a 1974 graduate of West Vigo High I stayed for 7 days at the Maritim, my first visit to Malta. As a solo female traveller, I felt very safe. From arrival to checking out, I had a wonderful experience. The staff in the hotel are friendly, very helpful and professional. The hotel is spotless, with strict hygiene practices. My room was comfortable, spacious with a great bath and shower, a large balcony to watch the world go by and aircon which ensured a great night's sleep. Bus stop right outside, it's at the top of a hill so if walking is an issue, you can take public transport to the beach or the hotel minibus. The breakfast was superb and I enjoyed their other restaurants too. Mellieha is a less built up town which was perfect for me. I'll definitely stay here again when I return to Malta. Thanks for a first class experience to all. I sent an email to the travel visa people in the Bahamas yesterday. Amazed (and pleased) that they answered in 5 minutes, especially since it was almost 9pm there. They said that, since I already had an approved travel visa, the change didnt impact me. We arrive August 7, and were both fully vaccinated. However, out of an abundance of caution, we might get our tests done anyway. Last thing we want is to be denied entry. Hi, Cluj isn't an absolute must see, you can leave it for another time. Regarding the rest of your itinerary: - you don't need to overnight in Sinaia unless you also plan to hike in the area (otherwise, visit Peles castle in 2-3 hours and move on); - visiting Sighisoara takes half day or less, you should do it as a stopover between Brasov and Sibiu (or Cluj or Turda salt mines) not as an overnight; - the Brasov area does need two days or more but Bran castle is only a highlight for children or similar, try to visit more relevant sites (Prejmer or Harman fortress-churches, Rasnov fortress, Zarnesti bear rescue reservation etc.) - the Sibiu area also needs two days or more, don't cut anything; Book long distance train tickets at least a few days ahead. First look at Expedia and the other travel comparison sites. If something looks good, book directly with the airline. No one airline is usually "cheap" for every schedule. Those that are advertised as discount airlines, usually nickel and dime the sh*t out of you. If you can want until a few months out, also look at Southwest. They have kind of a hub at Ft Lauderdale if you can fly there instead of Miami. I realize that Kazakhstan is currently closed to American tourists, but would I require a transit visa to transit in Almaty airport form a Pegasus flight from Athens (via IST) to an Air Astana flight to Bishkek? I wrote to the Kazakhstan Consulate in Washington DC but received NO reply. Why The Boomers Love Their Stones By Dave McElfresh I WAS AT an anti-rock Christian revival meeting in Decatur, Illinois, in 1966, when a frothing evangelist played "Paint It Black" as an example of nihilism in contemporary music. Dweeb high-school bozo that I was, I'd never heard the Stones. I was impressed. The next day I anxiously traded most of my Baskin-Robbins paycheck for both December's Children and Aftermath. Since then, as a now dweebness-free (but obsessive) music writer, I've not missed a release of theirs in 30 years, including all the repetitive best-of collections and dead-end career detours like Black And Blue and Emotional Rescue. And no way will I miss whatever follows Bridges To Babylon. The Stones, you see, are the only band to successfully give the finger to Father Time, proving album by album that being badass doesn't have to diminish with age. They are the rock group that discovered that rock and roll is the real Fountain of Youth, personifying how those who keep rock's fuck-you tattoo from fading will be kept badass in spite of moving into the liver-spot years. The cover art of 1974's It's Only Rock And Roll has become their ultimate career statement. The band, looking wasted (this time from a long journey, not drugs) stumble down the steps of some hidden Xanadu swarming with 117 nymphs (told you I was obsessive); suggesting that the Stones have found that timeless place where they'll be worshipped forever. And they will be. "Time Is On My Side" turned out to be unintentionally prophetic--as well as comforting for their aging adorers. Will all rock and rollers and their fans end up looking stupid and toothless in time? It's been the major question looming in the unconscious minds of all baby boomers who once swore never to trust anyone over 30/40, etc. and who, like Pete Townsend, hoped to die before they grew old. By loving the Stones enough to drop a minimum of 60 bones a ticket, we hope to prove we're not turning into our parents. The Stones definitely deserve those skillions of dollars their tours earn them--if for no other reason than shouldering the burden of defying age on our behalf. The Who break up and conveniently regroup whenever their bills accumulate, their wild element having been buried along with Keith Moon. Paul McCartney's a definite lightweight whose concerts are meant to be watched over a picnic lunch of brie and wine. Zappa's dead. Even next-generation proto-punk John Lydon returns to the stage pudgy and dressed in a clown suit. Where else do you find the badass factor after an artist or group hits 40? A fiction writer creating the quintessential badass group for a novel couldn't beat the Stones' real life history. In fact, they present three entirely different flavors of badass behavior, one for each charter member of the band. 1) Badass through indifference. Charlie Watts doesn't give a shit about playing for the Greatest Rock-And-Roll Band In The World. Watts walks onstage with all the energy and excitement of someone entering a Circle K. What could be cooler than that? You know that he's not jiving by how unaffected he sounds in interviews, and by the un-Stones-like suits and ties he prefers to wear. Watts cares mostly about playing jazz, a musical form the Stones haven't come within miles of touching. His several recorded jazz outings haven't sold beans and he couldn't care less. How concerned about appearing hip can you be if you get a butch haircut, as Watts did years back, long before severely shorn locks were acceptable? In spite of anything Watts does, Keith Richards continues to refer to him as the backbone of the band and as his source of inspiration. 2) Badass by testosterone. Mick Jagger jogs many a moonlight mile, but does so in private, staying lean and mean without associating himself with Nautilus equipment. (Even Keith Richards exercises enough to show off his one-hand push-ups to interviewers.) He remains a terminally handsome bastard, rock-legend skinny, and far more desirable than most men his age. Several years ago, I saw Jagger in the bookstore across the street from the Sunset Boulevard Tower Records. He stood at the magazine rack in his black jeans and green silk shirt, reading the dirt on the usual dozens of celebrities, all of whom he probably knew personally. He looked small and frail for someone who had appeared literally nine stories tall in the Live At The Imax presentation. But evidently a number of females have been more than satisfied with his stature, height and otherwise. Not that long ago, wife Jerry Hall gave him the ultimatum regarding his publicized affairs with Uma Thurman and a French model. Jagger, though a grandfather, can't seem to keep it in his pants. Worry when he calls a press conference in favor of celibacy--until then, he still acts like he's a third his age. None of the rest of us can get away with it, much as we post-dweebs would love to. 3) Badass by refusing to die. God bless Keith Richards, the ultimate rock and roll figure, bar none, living or dead (and he looks the part of the latter). Only '40s jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker has come close to matching Richards' reputation for successfully, perennially, telling death to kiss his ass. The rock and roll lifestyle has become Richards' formaldehyde. In spite of his variety of vices, he refuses to let anything age him. Watch him, wild-haired and cigarette in mouth, lean into the opening chords of "Start Me Up," and see how old he seems to you. Ask those lucky Stones fans how much it would take for them to sell their tickets to the upcoming Arizona concert. The last one I asked said she'd consider it if someone offered $100,000. The least amount I heard was half that. Obviously, there's more at stake here than just hearing a rock-and-roll band. Selling your ticket when you're a Stones fan becomes a Faustian bargain: Are you really gonna sell your chance to watch a band show how age can be cheated? Not likely. Yeah, it's goofy, and what philosophy calls an "illogical syllogism": The Stones don't age, you like the Stones, therefore you don't age. But screw logic, allow us our fantasies. It's only rock and roll. The Rolling Stones play to a sold-out Sun Devil stadium, in Phoenix, on Friday, November 7. Over the past day, August 2, seven ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine. The enemy fired 82mm mortars near Opytne (12km north-west of Donetsk); easel antitank and automatic easel grenade launchers, as well as heavy machine guns outside Prychepylivka (50km north-west of Luhansk); automatic easel grenade launchers near Pivdenne (40km north-east of Donetsk) and Novoluhanske (53km north-east of Donetsk); easel antitank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns in the area of Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk); automatic easel grenade launchers and small arms in the suburbs of Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk)," the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports. In addition, an enemy Orlan-10-class UAV flew over the line of contact in Luhansk region. As of 7 a.m. on August 3, three ceasefire violations were reported. The enemy fired small arms near Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk); automatic easel grenade launchers and small arms outside Svitlodarsk; easel antitank and automatic easel grenade launchers, and small arms in the area of Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk). No combat casualties among Joint Forces personnel were reported. Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in response to the enemy shelling. The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informed the OSCE SMM about the ceasefire violations. Ukrainian military continue to control the situation in the JFO area. ish Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhny, has declared a temporary ban on visits of top officials to the Joint Forces Operation zone, thus putting on hold the trip by Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov, earlier scheduled for August 3. Thats according to the Parliament press service, Ukrinform reported referring to its Facebook post. "The visit of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Chairman Dmytro Razumkov to the Joint Forces Operation zone, scheduled for August 3, has been canceled. Late in the evening, on the eve of the working trip, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny told about a temporary ban on official visits to the Joint Forces Operation zone, the statement reads. Read also: Invaders violate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine seven times It is noted that the main purpose of Razumkovs trip was to get an update on the current security and operational situation in the JFO zone, as well as to speak with local residents and Ukrainian Army servicemen. im The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) equivalent to $650 billion for the recovery of the global economy, with $2.7 billion to be transferred to Ukraine. According to Ukrinform, Alternative Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund Vladyslav Rashkovan wrote this on his Facebook page. "On the evening of August 2, IMF governors finally approved by a majority vote the allocation of SDRs equivalent to $650 billion, of which Ukraine will receive more than $ 2.7 billion free of charge and unconditionally," Rashkovan wrote. He noted that "this is a good gift for Ukraine, and we will receive it ahead of the 30th anniversary of independence." The IMF Executive Board on July 8 concurred in Georgieva's proposal for a new general SDR allocation equivalent to $650 billion the largest allocation in the IMF's history to address the long-term global needs for reserves during the worst crisis since the Great Depression. Georgieva promised to present the new SDR allocation proposal to the IMF's Board of Governors for their consideration and approval. If approved, the SDR allocation is to be completed by the end of August. Given the size of Ukraine's quota (0.42%), the state can receive about $2.73 billion. op A new SkyUp Airlines aircraft arrived at Boryspil International Airport on August 2, according to the airlines press service. The medium-haul Boeing 737-800NG for 189 passengers became the 13th in the airline's fleet and the seventh of this model range. The aircraft, released in 2012, has passed a full technical check. In addition, it is equipped with Blended Winglets to save fuel and improve wing aerodynamics. The Boeing 737-800NG will operate both international and domestic flights. SkyUp Airlines flight program has grown to more than 60 destinations and continues developing along with the opening of borders. SkyUp flies to Albania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, Georgia, France, Saudi Arabia, Montenegro, Croatia, UAE, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Madeira, and Cyprus. The new aircraft will supplement SkyUp Airlines fleet, which now consists of two Boeing 737-700 NGs with 149 seats, seven Boeing 737-800 NGs with 189 seats, and four Boeing 737-900 ER with 215 seats. By the end of summer, SkyUp expects one more plane to arrive. SkyUp Airlines is a Ukrainian airline operating charter and regular flights on a low-cost model. It was created in June 2017. The first flight was performed on May 21, 2018. ish Russian occupation authorities in Crimea have opened 17 criminal cases against the local residents for refusing to serve in the Russian army. Thats according to Ukrinform referring to the Crimean Human Rights Group. "In July, the Crimean Human Rights Group recorded 17 new criminal cases against Crimean residents under Art. 328 of the Criminal Code (Russian army draft evasion). In addition, 12 new sentences were handed down under Art. 328 of the Criminal Code," the report reads. As of late July, the CHRG recorded a total of 244 such criminal cases, forwarded to the Crimea "courts," including 222 where guilty verdicts have been issued and another 22 pending cases. The rights group reminded that the conscription of residents of the occupied territories to the occupying powers army ranks, as well as continuous propaganda of military service with the Russian army in Crimea violate Article 51 of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. In addition, transferring Ukrainian citizens for military service in mainland Russia violates Article 49 of the said Convention. Read also: 29 countries confirm participation in Crimean Platform Head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, Olha Skrypnyk, explains that, under Ukrainian law, citizens currently living in the occupied Crimea, even if they were forced to obtain Russian passports, are still recognized citizens of Ukraine. im The heads of the foreign affairs committees of nine parliaments, including the U.S., UK, EU countries, and Ukraine, issued a joint statement opposing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. That's according to a joint statement published by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ukrinform reports. We, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of our respective national parliaments, continue to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and with regret note the recent decision of the United States and Germany on Nord Stream 2, which entails resuming completion of the pipeline, reads the joint statement. Read also: House passes bill providing for assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Nord Stream 2 The completion of the Nord Stream 2 project will strengthen the impact of Russian gas in the European energy mix, endangering the national security of EU member states and the United States, and threatening the already precarious security and sovereignty of Ukraine. The completion of NS2 will give Russia yet another tool to pressure and blackmail Ukraine, the joint statement stresses. It continues to face Russia's brutal aggression and military occupation of its territories because of its pro-European choice. As a result, over 14,000 Ukrainians have died, and every week, more Ukrainian soldiers give their lives to protect their homeland and entire Europe. The EU and United States must work together to increase sanctions pressure on the Kremlin to counter aggression in Ukraine, say the nine foreign affairs committee chairs. The text also emphasizes the need to make a collective commitment to increase support for Ukraine's security and defense capabilities in order to prevent a deepening of the current security crisis, exacerbated by the threats created by Nord Stream 2. The statement also calls for the need to commit do delivering a road map for Ukraines path towards joining the NATO alliance, if Ukraine makes the necessary reforms and meets NATO membership standards. To consolidate the transformation efforts of the Ukrainian government as well as democracy and human rights in the region, we call for a European Union membership perspective to be agreed upon for Ukraine. We must also commit to developing a roadmap for Ukraine's path to NATO if Ukraine carries out the necessary reforms and meets NATO membership standards. To consolidate the Ukrainian government's efforts on transformation, as well as democracy and human rights in the region, we call on the European Union to agree on a membership perspective for Ukraine, the politicians said. The joint statement was co-signed by Robert Menendez and chairmen of foreign affairs committees of Ukraine, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, and the UK, as well as chairmen of committees of both houses of parliaments in Poland and the Czech Republic. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 21, the U.S. and German governments issued a joint declaration outlining their position on the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The U.S. committed to refrain from hindering the pipes completion, while Germany undertook to impose sanctions on Russia in case Moscow goes for another act of aggression against Ukraine, as well as vowed support for Ukraine in energy transformation. The document has sparked massive criticism, including from Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had sent formal requests for consultations with Germany and the EU, in line with the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement. Nord Stream 2 is a Russian gas pipeline under construction, bypassing Ukraine. It is being laid along the Baltic Sea seabed to connect Russia and Germany. The project cost is estimated at EUR 9.5 billion. The sole shareholder is Russias energy giant OJSC Gazprom. im The Belarusian House in Ukraine non-profit claimed their chief, Vitaliy Shishov who on Tuesday was found hanged in a Kyiv park, had been under surveillance. Thats according to a report posted on the NGOs Telegram channel, Ukrinform reports. "Vitaliy Shishov stood at the origins of the Belarusian House in Ukraine and was the head of our organization. Vitaliy was forced to move to Ukraine in the fall of 2020, after attending the Gomel protests in August and further pro-active resistance to the usurpers of power in Belarus, the statement reads. The BHU stressed that Shishov was engaged in the entire range of the NGOs activity: helping Belarusians who fled their country, setting up rallies against the Alexander Lukashenko regime, appealing to government agencies to promote bills that would help his compatriots, and building up a Belarusian diaspora in Ukraine. "Vitaly was under surveillance. These facts were reported to the police. Also, we were repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in Belarus about all sorts of provocations to be expected, up to abduction and liquidation. Vitaliy was stoic about the warnings and took them with humor, claiming that this could at least help the BHU come out of the media vacuum, the statement reads. The BHU is convinced that "this was an operation designed by "chekists" (a term referring to KGB security operatives ed.) to eliminate the Belarusian man threatening the regime." The organization said it would seek to find the truth about Shishov's death. Also in BHU said a rally would be held today at 19:00 outside the Embassy of Belarus in Kyiv to commemorate Shishov. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on August 3, Belarusian national Vitaliy Shishov, who had gone missing on August 2, was found hanged in a Kyiv park. The police have launched criminal proceedings under Article 115 of the Criminal Code (premeditated murder) and will check all versions, including that of homicide disguised as suicide. In the light of a high-profile Kyiv assassination in 2016 of Pavel Sheremet, a permanent journalist originally from Belarus, earlier media reports said that back in 2012, the Belarusian special services, on the orders of Alexander Lukashenko, discussed the possibility of killing Sheremet using an explosive. im Approximately 115,000 Belarusians arrived in Ukraine in the first six months of 2021 against 465,000 reported last year. Thats according to Artem Shevchenko, Communications chief for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an Ukrinform correspondent reports from a Kyiv briefing. "I would like to inform you that in 2021, some 115,000 Belarusian citizens crossed in through the Ukrainian border over the six months. Last year, there were 465,000 such people," Shevchenko said. In the pre-quarantine year 2019, a total of 2.34 million citizens of Belarus arrived in Ukraine. As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in October 2020 signed a decree on certain measures to attract entrepreneurs, highly qualified professionals holding Belarusian passports. The decree is designed to promote the development of Ukraine's investment potential and attract highly qualified IT professionals and innovators. In early July, Zelensky said Ukraine's support for "Belarusian friends" remained unchanged, addressing, in particular, the measures to help Belarusian IT specialists who have decided to move to Ukraine. On Tuesday, August 3, Belarusian citizen Vitaliy Shishov, head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine who was reported missing on Monday, was found hanged in a Kyiv park. The Belarusian House in Ukraine NGO that was run by Shishov provides assistance to Belarusian nationals fleeing their home country over persecution. In August 2020, large-scale protests erupted in Belarus against what is believed to be a rigged result of the latest presidential election where incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory. The regime has brutally cracked down on protesters by resorting to mass arrests. The legitimacy of the Lukashenko regime has not been recognized by the EU, the United States, Ukraine, and most other democracies around the world. Many of those fearing persecution for taking part in rallies have fled the country, including to Ukraine. im The Bellingcat international investigative group has been working for several days on a tip about the FSB operatives who have allegedly infiltrated Belarusian opposition circles temporarily residing in Ukraine. Thats according to Christo Grozev, one of Bellingcats most prominent investigative experts, who spoke in an interview with Echo of Moscow, an Ukrinform correspondent heard. "For several days, weve been working on the tip we got that there are FSB operatives in Kyiv who have somehow infiltrated Belarusian opposition groups, opposition figures who are in Ukraine," Grozev said, commenting on the death of Belarusian NAGO chief Vitaliy Shishov in Kyiv, which is being investigated both as suicide and homicide disguised as one. According to the Bellingcat expert, this fact also "gives more than just a feeling to suggest "that Shishov's death was no suicide, but most likely a special operation. "We are now throwing almost all our resources at investigating this murder," Grozev said. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on Tuesday, August 3, Belarusian citizen Vitaliy Shishov, head of the Belarusian House in Ukraine who was reported missing on Monday, was found hanged in a Kyiv park. The Belarusian House in Ukraine NGO that was run by Shishov provides assistance to Belarusian nationals fleeing their home country over persecution. im Ukraine will do all it can to investigate the death of Vitaly Shishov, the head of the Kyiv-based Belarusian House in Ukraine. According to Ukrinform, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote this on Twitter. "I am shocked by the tragic news of Belarusian activist Vitaly Shishov's death. My deepest condolences to his family and close ones. Ukraine will do everything possible to fully investigate the case: it is of utmost importance for us to reveal the truth about his tragic death," Kuleba wrote. Earlier reports said that Belarusian citizen Vitaly Shishov, who went missing on Monday, August 2, had been found hanged in a Kyiv park. Police launched a criminal case under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (premeditated murder) and will investigate all theories, including the theory that it was the killing disguised as suicide. The Belarusian House in Ukraine said the head of the organization, Vitaly Shishov, had been under surveillance. The foreign ministers of Austria, Denmark, Latvia, and Sweden called on the Ukrainian authorities to investigate the circumstances of Shishov's death in Kyiv. op Switzerland has lifted coronavirus travel restrictions for Ukrainian citizens since August 2, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. However, when entering Switzerland, tourists must present certificate of full course of vaccination (if 14 days have passed since receiving the last dose). The list of currently recognized vaccines in Switzerland include Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2 / Comirnaty / Tozinameran), Moderna (mRNA-1273 / Spikevax / COVID-19 vaccine Moderna), AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria/ Covishield), Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S), Sinopharm / BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell)), and Sinovac (CoronaVac); or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entry; or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before entry; or confirmation that they have had the COVID-19 disease during the past six months and recovered. For others, a 10-day quarantine is provided. Anyone flying to Switzerland by plane must complete an online entry form in advance. ish South Coast Working is a new podcast from the Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center at UMass Dartmouth that informs and entertains audiences on important labor issues through the perspectives of South Coast tradespeople, residents, political figures, and others who continue to build the region. Kim Wilson, Director of UMass Dartmouths Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center, has been working in the labor movement for nearly thirty years and states that South Coast Working was born from the inspiration and motivation of students, staff, and faculty of the Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center and the Dubin family to spread awareness about the challenges facing and opportunities available to members of the workforce in and around South Coast Massachusetts. Listen to South Coast Working. The purpose of the project is to engage and spark conversations on campus and in the broader community about the important labor issues in our region, said Wilson. Its been critical to learn from the expertise of our faculty and the enthusiasm and skills of our students. The series premiered with two episodes. The first examined the introduction of commuter rail to the region, followed by an episode on rideshare workers. Commuter Rail was reported by Liz Anusauskas, a recent UMassD graduate who majored in Political Science and Economics. Anusauskas has been active within the New Bedford community and has brought fellow students to support worker struggles in the area. The episode looks at the arrival of a commuter rail line to connect New Bedford with Boston an infrastructure project more than a decade in the making. Anusauskas interviewed Siggy Meilus, a UMass Dartmouth alum and founder of Bus Riders United (a transportation advocacy organization), and Eric Cavalho, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 174 in Fall River to give a firsthand perspective of the issues surrounding public transportation. Future episodes of the podcast will report on nursing home workers during the pandemic, local federal infrastructure funding and job creation, and immigrant women organizing in New Bedford. The Arnold M. Dubin Labor Education Center at UMass Dartmouth serves as a bridge between the university, the labor movement, and the local community. The Center creates internships for students and offers programming on campus that focuses on social change for justice and organizing. The Center also offers external training to unions and labor councils in the region, including training for officers, members, and stewards through a statewide Labor Extension Program. The Center is located at 257 Union Street in New Bedford. For additional information about the Labor Center or South Coast Working, visit the Centers website. Nour Mouakke originally came to the UK to study, but conflict in Syria meant he could not return. In the ten years he has been in the UK he has completed his masters, worked in hospitality and IT, and started his own business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow LONDON - The UK may be preparing for sweeping rule changes to make it harder for refugees to enter and stay in the country, but a small number of those who are already here like Nour Mouakke have shown how to thrive, grasping opportunities to build commercial ventures that bring value. Mouakke, 38, originally from Syria, has been in the UK over a decade. He came here to study. But two years after arriving, conflict shattered his home country. He found himself unable to return home or see his family in Aleppo, and became a refugee. Rather than sitting on his hands, Mouakke finished his Masters in Marketing at Durham University, picked up work washing dishes in the Lake District, moved into hospitality sales in London for a major international hotel group, which valued his Arabic skills, and subsequently worked at a small IT firm. After building his CV he founded Wizme (an amalgamation of wizard, meetings and events), an online start-up that automates the booking management process for meetings, events and group bookings for venues, intermediaries and organisations. I havent been able to see my family, to support them or be supported by them. That is hard mentally trying to live a 'normal life here when my family is in a war zone. Its been incredibly complex to build a business as a refugee and sole founder, Mouakke told UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Theres the normal challenges of a start-up. On top of that weve had COVID, which has hit travel and in-person meetings. And I havent been able to see my family, to support them or be supported by them. That is hard mentally trying to live a 'normal life here when my family is in a war zone. In 2015, just as Syrian refugees were crossing in large numbers to Europe, Mouakke was putting Wizmes foundations in place. He found an engineer and developers and incorporated Wizme in the UK. With no real income, he was couch-surfing, supported by a small grant from a government enterprise scheme. I gave up on social life, seeing friends, I couldnt send money to family. I became homeless, sleeping on my friends sofa in London. He bought me the bed - Ill never forget his kindness, Mouakke said. As Mouakke worked to pull ahead, his family was torn apart by events in his beloved Aleppo, one of the major battlefields of the Syrian conflict. Some other family members have fled for safety to Egypt. Aside from concerns about family and his home country, he has learning difficulties and struggles to read long texts. He has also had to contend with red tape in the UK. Mouakke gained refugee status in 2014 and is currently awaiting his citizenship. Despite the complexity of building a business as a refugee and a sole founder, with the challenges of COVID on top of that, Nour Mouakke's hard work and dedication has seen Wizme grow into a successful business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow Despite the complexity of building a business as a refugee and a sole founder, with the challenges of COVID on top of that, Nour Mouakke's hard work and dedication has seen Wizme grow into a successful business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow Despite the complexity of building a business as a refugee and a sole founder, with the challenges of COVID on top of that, Nour Mouakke's hard work and dedication has seen Wizme grow into a successful business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow Despite the complexity of building a business as a refugee and a sole founder, with the challenges of COVID on top of that, Nour Mouakke's hard work and dedication has seen Wizme grow into a successful business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow Despite the complexity of building a business as a refugee and a sole founder, with the challenges of COVID on top of that, Nour Mouakke's hard work and dedication has seen Wizme grow into a successful business. UNHCR/Katie Barlow Still, the business is now growing. Wizme recently landed its first major agency client, travel management company Blue Cube Travel (BCT), which has 35m turnover. Wizme has a Crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, which is oversubscribed, and recently won its first hotel client, HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts. UNHCR estimates there are about 130,000 refugees in the UK. They represent a range of nationalities and backgrounds that could diversify business culture and fill labour gaps. They have the right to work; doing so helps self-reliance and contributes to the economy. But the hurdles to getting there are multiple. Whilst refugees will often enter lower paid roles, many are ready to take on skilled positions or have the potential to start firms - if given a helping hand. Verona, WI (53593) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Oregon, WI (53575) Today Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Stoughton, WI (53589) Today Mostly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Register for a FREE account to keep reading! Register now for a FREE account to keep reading. No cost and no credit card required! Access up to 5 articles per month when you register, or get unlimited access to all of our content online starting at $1.99 now! Already registered? Click the log in link below A celebration of the life of Coach Bert Williams will be held on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at 2 p.m. in Northridge Christian Church with the Rev. Mac Enfinger and the Rev. Stephanie Caldwell officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the First Uni Immigrants' rights groups protest the inhumane treatment of children in detention centers on Saturday, July 17, 2021, outside Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. (@FahadShabbir) ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 03rd Aug, 2021) Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAEs National Rail Network, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Western Bainoona Group. Etihad Rail will deliver rail freight services to the Group for their construction materials from Western Bainoona Group's facilities in Fujairah to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The agreement comes following the directives of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, to enable a sustainable and efficient mode of transport that bolsters the whole of the UAEs economy. The partnership is one of Etihad Rails largest commercial partnerships for Stage Two of the UAEs National Rail Project. 4.5 million tonnes of Western Bainoona Groups aggregates will be transported annually on 643 trains from the Groups facilities in Fujairah to logistics hubs in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) and Dubai Industrial City. The length of each train will be around one kilometre. Etihad Rail is allocating 70 wagons for each train, with an approximate capacity of 7,000 tonnes per trip. The partnership will reduce road traffic by 120,000 truck trips annually. Mohammed Khalfan Al Hameli, Chairman of Western Bainoona Group, commented, "Western Bainoona Group is honoured to become one of Etihad Rails partners. We look to leverage the freight solutions provided by the UAE National Rail Network, bolstering and facilitating trade between the emirates. In sum, the network will enhance the capacity of companies operating across the UAE. Companies can develop their business by redirecting assets and reducing transportation costs, efficiently utilising their time and resources to become active players in the development of the UAE." For his part, Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Rail Relations Sector at Etihad Rail, said, "Etihad Rail is pleased to sign the one of the largest agreements for Stage Two of UAE National Rail Network, adding Western Bainoona Group to our list of partners. We will be providing fast, smooth, and integrated transport solutions for the companys products from Fujairah to the logistics hubs in ICAD and Dubai Industrial City, strengthening the Groups business." "Etihad Rail delivers cost-effective and time-efficient transport solutions, reducing road traffic in the UAE. In doing so, we protect the environment in reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, we deliver significant benefits for the logistics, infrastructure, and transport sectors across the UAE," added Al Marzouqi. Construction by Etihad Rail of facilities at ICAD and Dubai Industrial City continues, providing advanced logistical infrastructure in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAEs National Rail Network is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the UAE. The project will deliver the safe and sustainable UAE National Rail Network, alongside strengthening the transport and logistics sector in the country. Tunis, Aug 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2021 ) :Tunisia -- which has seen the world's worst Covid-19 death toll -- may be over the peak of the latest wave but the government must still speed up inoculations, the WHO said on Monday. "The epidemiological data are going in the right direction," World Health Organization representative in Tunisia Yves Souteyrand told a press conference. "We have the feeling that the peak of the epidemic may have passed." But with vaccines in short supply, overwhelmed hospitals, shortages of oxygen and the highly contagious Delta variant rampaging through the country's 12 million population mean the risk of a health disaster remains, the WHO warned. The Delta variant was responsible for "more than 90 percent" of cases, and the impact of family gatherings during a recent religious holiday was hard to evaluate but could set back progress made, Souteyrand said. "The challenge is to speed up the vaccination campaign," he said. The country had "in 10 days received around seven million vaccine doses and will receive perhaps two or three million more" soon, he said. The WHO has also provided 400 oxygen concentrators and four oxygen generators to Tunisia, where the government has been in crisis after President Kais Saied suspended parliament and took direct power -- a move his critics said was a coup. Since the shock move late last month, Saied has established a coronavirus crisis unit, supervised by a high-level military official, to help manage the country's outbreak. Souteyrand said that "relations between the WHO and the health ministry have not been affected by the political crisis". The health ministry on Monday announced the start of a mobile vaccination campaign in several regions. Authorities have also announced a vaccination drive across the country on Sunday for Tunisians aged over 40. Over the past seven days, the North African country has registered the worst official Covid-19 mortality rate in the world, with 10.64 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, an AFP tally based on officially reported data shows. On the other hand, Tunisia shares its coronavirus data more transparently than many other countries, the WHO said. PTI's nominees Choudhary Anwar-ul-Haq was elected as Speaker while Riaz Ahmed elected as Deputy Speaker of the AJK Assembly at the session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly which met in the State metropolis on Tuesday MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2021 ) : PTI's nominees Choudhary Anwar-ul-Haq was elected as Speaker while Riaz Ahmed elected as Deputy Speaker of the AJK Assembly at the session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly which met in the State metropolis on Tuesday. Choudhary Anwar-ul-Haq secured 32 votes while his opponent Faisal Mumtaz Rathore the joint candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim league (N) got 15 vote. Total 49 newly elected members have cast their vote in 53 seat Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Four members were not present in the assembly session while two vote were rejected Later the newly elected Speaker Choudhary Anwar-ul-Haq took the oath of office. The outgoing Speaker of the Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir administered the oath . Riaz Ahmed of Tehreek-e-Insaf was elected the Deputy Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly he received 32 votes while Nisara Abbasi joint candidate of Peoples Party and Muslim league (N) got 15 votes. Addressing the house, the newly elected Speaker of Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly Choudhary Anwar-ul-Haq thanked the leadership of his Party particularly The Chairman of Tehreek e-Insaf Imran Khan, peoples and the members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly for reposing confidence on him and assured that he will continue to promote the sublime traditions of the this house. He urged the members of the Assembly to demonstrate tolerance and pay respect to each other to continue highly respected traditions of this house. He said it will be my endeavor not to suppress the voice of the opposition and also pay respect to the opinion of the treasury benches. He thanked the Chairman of Tehreek-e- -Insaf Imran Khan for nominating him for Speaker ship of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly. The newly elected Deputy Speaker also thanked the members of the house and Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan for nominating him for Deputy Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly. Earlier the newly elected members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly took the oath of office. Outgoing Speaker of Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir administered the oath. The district administration has decided to establish Faisalabad Transport Company (FTC) to provide quality, comfortable and modern travelling facilities to the citizens in the district FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2021 ) :The district administration has decided to establish Faisalabad Transport Company (FTC) to provide quality, comfortable and modern travelling facilities to the citizens in the district. Chairing a meeting on Tuesday Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali said that it was planned to run 100 Eco-friendly big and small AC-buses in Faisalabad and these buses would be provided by the Punjab government. He said that passenger information system would also be set up while digital screens would also be installed at the bus stop so that the passengers could have access to get information about arrival of buses through trackers. The fare will be paid through prepaid card and all these proposals of the project would be forwarded to Punjab government for approval very soon, he added. The Deputy Commissioner further said that AC-bus service in Faisalabad will be a revolutionary project of its kind and appropriate steps would be taken to run these modern buses as early as possible. Secretary RTA Muhammad Sarwar and other officers were present on the occasion. Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh has said that high-ups of Sindh government were bound to obey the directions of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) with regard to the vaccination and the lockdown to avoid the further spread of the coronavirus KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Aug, 2021 ) :Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh has said that high-ups of Sindh government were bound to obey the directions of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) with regard to the vaccination and the lockdown to avoid the further spread of the coronavirus. In a press conference here on Monday, Haleem Adil Shiekh said that there was the need to focus on the vaccination of the people and ensure the SOPs were followed by the people instead of making the hard decisions. He said that there was no need to do politics on such issues pertaining to the lives of the people adding he lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Asad Umar for their brilliant efforts to cope with the situations. The PTI leader said that Syed Murad Ali Shah, who imposed the lockdown without seeking permission from the officials of NCOC just wanted to stop the smooth sailing of the economic activities in a city like Karachi and this step is nothing but an open threat to the flourishing economy of the country. Haleem Adil Sheikh urged on the setting up more vaccination centers in Karachi and other parts of the province so that people could get themselves vaccinated in a proper manner without get themselves infected by the virus. The Federal government on the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan had provided testing kits, ventilators and then the vaccines but the high-ups of the Sindh government could not ensure the proper vaccination to the people" he added and held PPP rulers in Sindh responsible for the mess and their utter failure to even set up a single vaccination centre where people could be vaccinated in a proper manner in a conducive atmosphere. Sheikh observed that the lockdown of one week in a city like Karachi would leave dangerous impacts on the economic activities in the whole country for many months and said insane rulers, who imposed such decisions, had become a security risk for the country. He said that the city, which was contributing to 67 percent revenues of the country, should not be allowed to be affected by such naive decisions. Sheikh said that Supreme Court had ruled that the provinces could not take unilateral decisions in this regard, but the Sindh government's announcement about imposition of a lockdown in the province was against such orders. The PTI leader said that under Article 151 of the Constitution, Pakistan is a single market with the port of Karachi acting as the jugular vein of its economy". Any attempt that could affect the country's economic lifeline should not be allowed adding he said that the Sindh government took the unilateral decisions. He said that the PTI leadership strongly condemned such a decision, which was aimed at stifling economic activities. Sheikh maintained that the option of imposing a complete lockdown was not available to any provincial government adding he asked to act upon the directions of the officials of NCOC in the light of the orders being given to the provincial governments. The policy about the Covid pandemic was formulated by the federation and the NCOC and the provinces were bound to implement it, he said. Sheikh said the Imran Khan-led PTI government had fought hard against the virus and had so far managed to save many lives while maintaining a stable economy. He said that Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Imran Khan controlled the worst situations during the past peak. (@FahadShabbir) Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday hoped that Pakistan and South Korea will work together to fully realize the immense potential existing in diverse fields for further deepening the overall bilateral cooperation ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday hoped that Pakistan and South Korea will work together to fully realize the immense potential existing in diverse fields for further deepening the overall bilateral cooperation. Agriculture being the mainstay of Pakistan's economy and especially considering its role in rural development, the sharing of experiences and technology by the Korean side in the field of agriculture would help in achieving food security and also improving the overall income of the small-scale farmers in the country, he added. The prime minister was talking to a delegation of the Department of Rural Development and Administration (DRDA) of the Republic of Korea which led by Hur Taewoong, Vice Minister of the Department called on him here. Welcoming the visiting delegates, the prime minister appreciated the multidimensional and friendly ties existing between the two countries. He commended the role of DRDA in the development of crop-specific agricultural technologies, provision of training and capacity-building of the researchers and farmers, and supporting sustainable development of agriculture sector in Pakistan. The vice minister, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, thanked the prime minister for receiving him. He lauded the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea in diverse fields and reiterated his country's continuous and firm support to the country in agriculture sector and rural development. The United States has expressed appreciation for Pakistan's efforts to advance the Afghan peace process and stability in South Asia, including by encouraging the Taliban to engage in substantive negotiations WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2021 ) :The United States has expressed appreciation for Pakistan's efforts to advance the Afghan peace process and stability in South Asia, including by encouraging the Taliban to engage in substantive negotiations. "Pakistan has much to gain and will continue to have a critical role, will be well-positioned to have a role in supporting the outcome that not only the United States seeks, but that many of our International partners, many of the countries in the region also seek," State Department Spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Monday. "So, we'll continue to work and to communicate closely with our Pakistani partners on this," he added. Last week, Pakistan's National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, met his American counterpart Jake Sullivan and agreed to "sustain the momentum in Pak-US cooperation". It was their second meeting, at which Afghanistan and several other issues were discussed, after Geneva in May, as part of the of the high-level bilateral engagements between the two countries. "The (Pakistani) National Security Advisor did not meet with the Secretary (of State, Tony Blinken)," Price said, explaining that "we were traveling all last week." Responding to a question, price noted the recent statement of China on the Afghan peace process. Beijing said the ongoing peace process needs to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned,"So, there is an alignment of interests, at least in some areas, when it comes to what we seek in Afghanistan, what the PRC (People's Republic of China) seeks in Afghanistan, and what the broader international community seeks in Afghanistan. We will continue to explore how we might be able to coordinate and work together towards that shared goal," the spokesman added. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd August, 2021) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will urge members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to hold the Burmese government accountable during ministerial meetings later this week, a senior State Department official told reporters. "Secretary Blinken will discuss the region's challenging and complex issues, not the least of which is the coup in Burma, which has impacted all of ASEAN and threatens the stability of the entire region. The secretary will address this issue in detail during each ministerial meeting. He will urge ASEAN to hold the Burma military junta accountable to the April 24 ASEAN leaders five-point consensus," the official said on Monday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd August, 2021) Chadian Ambassador in Moscow Mahamoud Adam Bechir has expressed the hope in an interview with Sputnik that the Russia-Africa Summit 2022 would be held in his country. "We are not only looking forward to the summit but also hope that it will be held in Chad, as it should be held in an African country," Bechir said, noting that late President Idriss Deby visited the first edition of the summit in the Russian city of Sochi in 2019. "If his [Deby's] friends, who were with him in Sochi, gather in Chad and honor his memory, the Chadian people will be grateful to them," the ambassador said. N'Djamena is also looking forward to promoting economic, technological, educational and scientific cooperation with Moscow, according to the diplomat. In April of this year, the Chadian military announced that 68-year-old Deby had died from wounds sustained during fighting between government troops and rebels in the country's north. Following the president's death, the Chadian military set up a transitional council led by his son Mahamat Deby, dissolved the cabinet and the parliament, and announced they will govern the African state for eighteen months. At the end of the transitional period, the military pledges to hold democratic and transparent elections. Relations between Russia and the African countries gained momentum after Sochi hosted the first Russia-Africa economic forum and top-level summit in October 2019. The event gathered the top leadership of African countries, regional integration associations, and representatives of Russian and international business and government agencies, marking the beginning of a new era in the history of Russian-African relations. (@FahadShabbir) A tribal clash in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province left 5 people dead, 2 hostages captured and several others injured, the National newspaper reported on Tuesday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd August, 2021) A tribal clash in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province left 5 people dead, 2 hostages captured and several others injured, the National newspaper reported on Tuesday. The conflict between Mui villagers of Maprik and Bapandu villagers started two weeks ago, when a Bapandu man in a state of intoxication went to Mui village and chopped the leg of a sleeping man. In retaliation, Mui villagers decided to set Bapandu on fire, the paper added. In remote areas of Papua New Guinea the police presence is insufficient. No police officers attended the scene of the conflict to impede its escalation and casualties. The police blamed their absence on logistic problems. Tribal violence is a common occurrence in Papua New Guinea. In April 2021, 19 people were killed in inter-tribal fighting. The influx of guns into the country exacerbates tribal clashes, which cause dozens of deaths and thousands of displacements each year. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. In the past several months, dozens of churches throughout Canada have been the objects of attacks ranging from vandalism to arson, with at least ten churches being completely destroyed by deliberately set fires. By Christopher Wells Police in the Canadian city of Vancouver have noted a marked increase in acts of vandalism against churches since the beginning of June, with 13 incidents including rocks thrown at windows, graffiti and threats of arson. In the neighbouring suburb of Surrey, the Coptic Orthodox Church was destroyed by fire on July 19, just days after an earlier arson attempt failed. The incidents are part of a larger trend of violence against churches in Canada. Twenty-one churches have been set on fire in recent months, with at least ten being completely destroyed. Dozens of other churches have been vandalized or desecrated throughout the country. Many of the attacks appear to be related to outrage against Christian churches for their role in the residential schools system, which saw indigenous children taken from their homes and families and placed in schools aimed at isolating them from their native culture. At the end of May, about 200 unmarked graves were discovered at the site of a residential school in Kamloops, British Colombia, drawing attention to the fate of thousands of native children forced into the system. Subsequently, hundreds of unmarked graves have been discovered at other schools, with many more still to be uncovered. Indigenous leaders have spoken out against the attacks on churches. Destroying property will not help us build the peaceful, better and accepting Canada we all want and need, said Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegard. He added, I believe in processes that unite rather than divide. Violence must be replaced by turning to ceremony and all that our old people taught us about peaceful co-existence and mutual respect. Thoughtful dialogue, not destruction, is the way through this. In a statement earlier this month, the Archdiocese likewise emphasized the importance of dialogue: The right path forward is one of reconciliation, dialogue, and atonement with Indigenous people and in following the way they would lead us in that process, the statement said. Following the latest incidents, police in Vancouver say they are working to prevent crimes and are calling for increased vigilance. "Fortunately, nobody has been hurt in these Vancouver incidents and most of the damage has been minor," said Sergeant Steve Addison in the news release. However, he said, were growing more concerned each day by the escalation of these crimes and their brazen nature, and were calling on the people responsible for these crimes to stop. A record number of migrants has crossed the English Channel this year from France to Britain in small boats. The British government is aiming to deter the migrants by making it a criminal offense to arrive in the country without permission, as Henry Ridgwell reports from London. New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed numerous women in violation of federal and state laws, according to a report released Tuesday by New Yorks attorney general. Letitia James said Cuomos alleged targets are current and former employees of the state government. The probe uncovered a climate of fear created by Cuomos behavior that included unwanted kisses, groping, hugging, and making unacceptable remarks, said James. She said the investigation also found that the Democratic governor retaliated against at least one former employee for complaining about his actions. The nearly five-month investigation was performed by two outside attorneys whom the state attorney general hired. They spoke to 179 people, including complainants, current and former members of the governors office, state troopers, and other state workers. James said the only reason the probe was launched was because of the heroic women who came forward. Cuomo did not immediately comment on the report, which is expected to be taken into account in an ongoing investigation by the state legislature into whether there are reasons for Cuomo to be impeached. The legislature is also investigating the assistance Cuomo received from top aides to write a book about the coronavirus pandemic, preferential treatment his relatives got during COVID-19 testing last year, and his administrations decision not to publicly disclose some data relating to nursing home fatalities for several months. National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) party leader, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, says he does not regret receiving a vehicle from President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he is one of the principals of the state-sanctioned Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD). Madhuku, who is also a university lecturer, told reporters in Harare today that the Zimbabwe Constitution clearly stipulates that political parties have a right to form, join and participate in the activities of any organization of their choice. Once you exercise your freedom then the state must fund you. Thats what our constitution says The constitution starts by giving every citizen a right to join or form a party of their choice. Once they form a party of their choice the next thing is that the state must make a mechanism to fund political parties. Now, the current Act which is in the process of being amended provides one method for funding political parties. If you participate in an election and get 5% of the vote you get funded, which is what has been happening for a very long time here. But thats not the only way in which political parties will be funded under our constitution. I have heard people saying we did not get 5% of the vote A political party does not need to get 5% of the vote to be formed. Madhuku has been attacked by some opposition parties, especially the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance led by Nelso Chamisa, for receiving an Isuzu D Max from Mnangagwa, who said 19 vehicles recently given to the NCA leader and others in POLAD, would be used to implementing national programs. Mnangagwas government formed POALD soon after the 2018 general election, noting that it was designed to promote dialogue among all political parties in Zimbabwe. Chamisas MDC Alliance refused to join POLAD claiming that Mnangagwa was illegitimately elected president of Zimbabwe. Chamisa claims that he won the 2018 presidential election. The Constitutional Court declared Mnangagwa president after the MDC Alliance took the matter to court, claiming that there were serious electoral irregularities. When CNN knocked on her door, Dasha Kelly panicked, thinking the eviction she's been dreading was finally at hand. "You guys honestly freaked me out this morning when you knocked," she said. Kelly and her three daughters -- Sharron, 8; Kia, 6; and Imani, 5 -- are living on borrowed time, two months behind on rent at their two-bedroom Las Vegas apartment. The eviction notice she received is kept in a drawer in the kitchen; out of sight but top of mind. "I'm not going to lie, because I'm really thinking they're coming at any moment." The federal eviction moratorium that was helping to keep renters in their homes through the pandemic expired Saturday at midnight, paving the way for landlords to vacate tenants that are past due on rent. States are stepping up to help stave off a mass eviction, but not everyone can be reached or helped in time. Kelly lost her job as a card dealer when Covid-19 forced Las Vegas' famed casinos to shut their doors last year. She's had a few temporary positions since, but not enough to keep up with rent. Now, desperate to stay in her home, the 32-year-old has pawned most of her furniture for cash. The apartment is bare save for a small sofa in the living room and a television. Kelly sleeps on the floor in the larger bedroom while her daughters share a smaller room with nothing but a few doll boxes piled neatly in the corner. They play board games together, giggling on the wide swath of carpet, unaware they may soon be forced out. "There are days I don't even want to roll out the bed (or) roll out the floor, you get what I mean?" she said. "How do you explain that to your kids?" She paused. "I don't have any words. I think I'll just break down crying and just hug them, I guess, and let them know everything's going to be all right and we're going to figure it out, I guess." More than 11 million Americans are behind on their rent, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Congress approved $46 billion to help, but very little of that money has been handed out. In Nevada, a new law states that tenants who have applied for the Cares Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) may not be evicted while their case is being processed. However, the bureaucratic process can be complicated and not every landlord or tenant is keeping up with the ever-changing rules. Nevada has extended its eviction protection to those who are in the process of applying for rental assistance. The state has also passed a law to seal eviction records from the pandemic. "I did apply for a CHAP back in June and I thought it was something like they would reach out to you soon, but apparently it's a process," Kelly said. "I don't know if they'll even be able to help me in time." Kelly said she once made as much as $5,600 a night in tips working at a card table near the Las Vegas Strip. Now, she relies on food stamps, meager unemployment and $100 payments for selling her blood plasma as often as she can. "I've always worked. I've been working since I was 16 years old," she said. "It's just crazy to me that something can come take your job without you doing wrong. I mean, you're actually doing what you're supposed to ... getting good reviews, showing up to work. Then a virus comes in and then, 'Oh sorry, you have no job' ... and you didn't do anything." With no money for child care or car payments, the options for returning to work are few. Kelly said she's hoping a friend may help, but she admitted she doesn't have many in this city. "I really don't have a lot of friends out here, but just the coworkers that I've met ... I'm hoping they can help, because my parents, they're in another state and they're kind of having a hard time themselves." Kelly recently posted a GoFundMe account out of desperation, with the goal of raising $2,000. By Tuesday morning, it had raised more than $78,000 via more than 1,000 donations. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Coroner Mike West is officially the acting sheriff of Limestone County. That's in addition to his duties as coroner. Sheriff West told WAAY 31 he met with a Probate Court judge in Limestone County Tuesday morning to determine who will lead the office. The judge told him he will have to do both jobs until Gov, Kay Ivey appoints a new sheriff. Because West is already an elected official, he did not need to be sworn in as sheriff. As far as Blakely goes, West says he is in a medical wing of the jail where he's being housed in isolation. West says only booking and the medical wing have cells for just one person, so that is why Blakely is being kept there until his bond is set and he posts it. On Tuesday, the state filed court documents seeking to deny bond to Blakely. A judge has not yet ruled. Failed Legislation In February, Alabama Republican State Senator Thomas Whatley introduced a bill that would appoint the next highest-ranking deputy to the position of sheriff when the sheriff is unable to perform their duties. If the bill had passed and become law, Limestone County Chief Deputy Fred Sloss would have been appointed interim sheriff instead of West. SB161 was indefinitely postponed in May, just three months after it was first introduced. A jury has returned verdicts in Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakelys criminal trial: Count 1 Theft of Property: Not Guilty Count 2 Theft of Property: Guilty Count 3 Theft of Property: Not Guilty Count 4 Theft of Property: Not Guilty Count 8 Use of Official Position for Personal Gain ($1,000 wire transfer): Not Guilty Count 9 Theft of Property (Check from 2016): Not Guilty Count 10 Use of Official Position for Personal Gain: Not Guilty Count 11 Soliciting thing of value from subordinate: Not Guilty Count 12 Use of Official Position for Personal Gain: Not Guilty Count 13 Use of Official Position for Personal Gain (Inmate jail fund): Guilty Blakely has been taken into custody and his $49,000 bond revoked. Count 2 deals with a $4,000 check from Red Brick Strategies. Count 13 charges Blakely with using his official position or office to obtain interest-free loans by taking money from a safe that was used to store the Limestone County inmates personal funds. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Limestone County Coroner Mike West is now acting sheriff as Blakely's conviction immediately removes him from office. He will serve in the position until Gov. Kay Ivey appoints a new sheriff. Iveys office tells WAAY 31 that the governor does not yet have a formal timeline to replace Blakely and relieve West, but will start accepting resumes and begin the interview process in the coming weeks. A Probate Court judge will appoint someone to the coroner position until West can resume his duties. Stay with WAAY 31 for updates A sex offender on the loose for nearly 24 hours is back behind bars after being mistakingly released from the Madison County Jail. Darren Chipman, 31, is charged with escape in the first degree after he was wrongly released from jail on Saturday, after posing as another inmate. Chipman already had two outstanding warrants in Gwinnett County, Georgi,a for robbery and failure to register as a sex offender. Huntsville resident Kevin Kearney said it's a public safety concern that an inmate can be released from jail by mistake. Its a person that police assume and the judges assume should be in prison for the protection of everyone else, and has been released," said Kearney. "Which makes sense for the detriment of everyone elses safety. Kearney, and other Madison County residents, said they're hoping the Madison County Sheriffs Office can discover what went wrong. On Saturday, Chipman was set free while posing as another inmate. On Sunday, he turned himself into the Madison County Jail. Days after the incident and questions remain, how was the inmate mistakingly released? WAAY 31 asked the Madison County Sheriffs Office what the normal procedures are for releasing an inmate, and whats being done to make sure it doesnt happen again. The sheriffs office didnt respond. I would hope theyd be more careful about that stuff, but I mean, I guess mistakes do happen and thats something you cant have 100% but you should definitely try, said Kearney. I hope theyre making strides so that this doesnt happen, that doesnt defy what they did wrong. The Madison County Sheriff's Office said the incident is under investigation and they're looking to see if procedures may have been violated by employees. As of Monday evening, the Limestone County Sheriff of 38 years is no longer in charge. Mike Blakey's guilty verdict comes after the jury deliberated for 10 hours total. This criminal trial has been a long process for everyone involved, with one full week of jury selection, two weeks of witness testimony, and two days of jury deliberations. One attorney from Blakely's defense team thanked the jurors for their time spent on this case. "They've spent a lot of time in it. They are good people, good citizens who have dedicated their time to hearing this case," says Mark McDaniel. Even though Blakely was found guilty on two counts, his attorneys are focusing on the not guilty verdicts. "In hearing those not guilty verdicts, that was good and positive for us. But we're still fighting, that's what it's all about," says McDaniel. Blakely's friends and family members did not have the same positive outlook. Many of them crying and hugging each other after the guilty verdict was read. For the defense, now the appeals process starts. McDaniel explains, "[started with] thirteen counts, we're down now to two counts, okay. So we'll certainly appeal this decision." The Attorney General's office grateful for those two guilty verdicts, echoing their same message from closing arguments: the Sheriff should be held accountable to the same laws he enforces. "Today, Sheriff Blakely has been held to account for felony violations of the Alabama ethics law as well as a theft charge. As a result of his felony convictions, he is going to be removed from office today," says Chief Deputy Clay Crenshaw. The county coroner, Mike West, will take over as acting sheriff until Gov. Kay Ivey appoints a new one. The convictions arise from Blakelys August 22, 2019, indictment for theft of $4,000 from his campaign account, and for use of his official position or office to obtain interest-free loans by taking money from a safe that was used to store the Limestone County inmates personal funds. Public officials must set the highest example of accountability, and no matter how long someone holds office they are not above the law, said Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a prepared statement. Sheriff Blakely repeatedly swore an oath to enforce and obey the law during his 40 years in office, and he now knows the consequences of violating that oath. I want to thank the Limestone County jury for carefully reviewing all the facts of this case and reaching a just conclusion. Blakely faces possible sentences of two to 20 years for the felony theft conviction, as well as two to 20 years for the felony ethics conviction. Sentencing will occur at a later date. Marshall thanked his Special Prosecutions Division, including Assistant Deputy Attorney General Clark Morris; and Assistant Attorneys General Kyle Beckman, Peggy Rossmanith, James Houts, and Jasper Roberts; as well as the divisions special agents and support staff for their hard work in prosecuting the case. He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its investigative assistance in this case. Madison County Schools are on a hiring spree! The district hired 50 new teachers Monday night just a few days before the start of the new school year! That brings their new hires this summer alone to 300. More than 200 are teachers, but they still have a few positions to fill. It's not just here in Madison County, districts across the state are struggling to fill these important jobs as school begins. 85% of schools in Alabama are experiencing a teacher shortage. That's why the Alabama Department of Education launched a new recruitment campaign to get more teachers in the classroom. "We are hoping to convince a lot of people that teaching is the way to go!" Director of Communication Michael Sibley said. He comes from a family of teachers and knows how influential they can be. "We have a huge appreciation for the value of education and what it can do and how it can change a person's life. That's why it's so important that our kids receive a quality of education," Sibley explained. However, the Alabama Teacher Shortage Task Force reports 123 out of all 144 school systems have issued an emergency certification that allows them to hire someone who may not have full teaching credentials. This summer, school districts saw a mass exodus. "You know we lost probably 250 employees," Tim Hall with Madison County Schools said. Hall says they've been able to fill most of those positions with little time to spare. Hall says the economic boom in North Alabama helped them fill some of those positions. He explained many of the new teachers are coming from different states because their spouses recently got a job in North Alabama. It's a trend he expects will continue over the next several years. "Which is rare, I don't know if we've ever seen that before. I don't know if we've ever had this many people moving in to our school district, who came here with their spouses who got jobs working for NASA or Redstone Arsenal or whatever other defense contractor. Or one of the great companies Mazda Toyota, Facebook," Hall explained. The state says it's being aggressive to get more teachers in the classroom. It includes a major pay increase for recent graduates. Starting salary is up to at least $41,000 and even higher for STEM teachers. Sibley says it makes it the highest starting salary point in the Southeast. Hall says he believes they'll start seeing the impact soon. "Within the next year or two that we will see people, younger and older, who say 'I want to get in the teaching profession. I want to become an educator,'" Hall said. He believes their influence will help shape the future generation. "Because what they're doing is going to make our world a better place when these young people are out of school and when they're in the workforce. They're going to make a difference because of the teachers they had when they were in school," Hall explained. Madison county schools is still looking to hire 10 teachers, but says they will be able to cover all the classrooms as school starts. If you're interested in starting your career as a teacher, you can reach the state's recruiting campaign website here. Wabash, IN (46992) Today Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Its time to mask up again, but not for COVID-19 Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access Decatur, IL (62521) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Lazio region website hit by most serious hacking incident ever in Italy says Zingaretti. The website of the Lazio region, which includes the Italian capital, remains down on Tuesday morning after being hit by a cyber attack from abroad over the weekend. Lazio president Nicola Zingaretti said the region is "defending our community from these attacks of a criminal or terrorist nature," describing the situation as "very serious." Zingaretti assured that the region's financial data and its budget details "have not been not touched," reports Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper. "Lazio is the victim of a criminal offensive" - Zingaretti told a press conference on Monday - "the most serious ever in our country." The cyberattack has halted bookings for the region's covid vaccination campaign, however the roughly half a million appointments made up to 13 August will go ahead as scheduled, the regional health councillor Alessio D'Amato confirmed. The hackers were also unable to access the 'Cup' booking system - which manages all appointments for diagnostic screening, tests and hospital visits in the region - and so far there is no evidence that the medical history of millions of Lazio residents has been compromised, reports La Stampa newspaper. The hackers accessed the system with the password of an administrator, using ransonware, a type of malware, to encrypt the data which contains personal details of top Italian politicians, including Italy's president and prime minister, as well as agents of the secret services. Zingaretti denied there has been any direct ransom demands, ruling out negotiations with those behind the hacking, and said the attacks were ongoing. Italy's parliamentary security committee will meet with interior minister Luciana Lamorgese today, 3 August, to discuss the cyber attack. The Regione Lazio and Salute Lazio websites remain down at the time of writing. Photo ANSA. From Louis Vuitton stores in Beijing to a buzzing stock exchange in Shanghai, the trappings of capitalism are ubiquitous in China. So too is the hand of the state. This mix of market economics and central control emerged from the trauma of the decade-long Cultural Revolution, which ended when Communist Party patriarch Mao Zedong died in 1976. Taking over a poor and fractured country, Deng Xiaoping made developing the economy the priority, even if it meant contravening core communist ideology that factories, farms and businesses should be communally owned. What emerged was far from laissez-faire. The dominance of state-owned banks helped turn massive pools of savings into financing for roads, rail links and ports. When foreign firms set up shop in China, many were forced to do so with a local partner, thereby inducing the transfer of technology. As a result, the economy grew 90-fold over the next four decades, helping forestall calls for political reform. Under President Xi Jinping, the party ensures it is well-ensconced in ever-more ways. Direct elections are allowed only for some lower-level jobs; horse-trading among party elders determines who climbs the political hierarchy. The party has stoked national pride with Olympic gold medals and missions into space along with increasingly slick propaganda. Tight controls on mass and social media stifle dissent. The government has nurtured world-beating companies developing cutting-edge technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence tools that can be used to track challengers to its rule. Billionaires are tolerated as long as they toe the party line. A campaign against corruption thats punished a million bureaucrats aims to ensure everyone stays in line. Beyond a few vague comments -- Sometimes you must walk through the darkness before you see the light -- little has been attributed to Q since the Nov. 3 election. There have been no posts at all since Dec. 8. Some diehard followers are pouring over old drops for relevancy to current events. But QAnon may be moving on from Q, as evidenced by a QAnon conference in Dallas in late May. It featured influential figures within the QAnon community such as former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and Sidney Powell, one of Trumps former election lawyers, who stoked groundless claims that Trump will (or even could) somehow be reinstated as president. Yes. The deal was written to ensure that even if it was someday broken, Iran would need at least a year to restore weaponization capacity. Iran forfeited some 97% of its enriched uranium and mothballed three-quarters of the industrial capacity needed to refine the heavy metal. Before the accord, Iran had enough to potentially build more than a dozen bombs. Iran always maintained it was pursuing nuclear energy, not nuclear weapons, but world powers doubted that claim. Iranian officals waited a year after the Trump administration reimposed sanctions before breaking the nuclear covenants set out by the accord. Over the last 18 months, Iran has shown it could steadily lift its atomic capacity despite the best efforts of saboteurs and assassins to derail the program. We really in earnest last year started thinking about who is the right leader to take us to the next level, said Henry Timms, Lincoln Centers president. We were very focused on reaching new audiences, someone who could be a great ambassador for Lincoln Center, a great ambassador for the arts. We wanted someone who was a tastemaker, and a good connector and collaborator with our constituents. From the beginning of the search, Shantas name was on so many peoples lips. So many migrants have arrived this fiscal year that officials have had to transport them to other sectors, or detain them in an open-air enclosure under a highway bridge next to the banks of the Rio Grande. Drone footage of the site captured by Fox News shows families packed into a dusty holding area, where Customs and Border Protection has set up portable latrines and crates of water, snacks and diapers. Dear Trapped: Even someone who loves you dearly could be trying even unconsciously to sabotage you. Your guy doesnt seem to have resumed his own health kick alongside you, and these tests of willpower might be his way of trying to bring you back to the couch. For several weeks in June, there were no covid patients at Shims hospital in Prince Georges County, which has seen higher per capita coronavirus case and death rates since the pandemic began than the District or its other suburbs. As of Monday, there were five covid-19 patients at the hospital, which in spring 2020 saw a surge so large that patients had to be treated in overflow medical tents brought in from the state. Lewis George said that the school system is not expected to hit enrollment targets this year, and most of the money in the reserve fund would probably not be needed anyway. According to Lewis George, 36 schools nearly half of which are in Wards 7 and 8 are not expected to have full-time librarians in the fall, and the $3.25 million would ensure each of these schools has one. The vote concluded weeks of deliberations over how to spend a city budget bulked up by more than $2 billion in federal funds as well as by a new tax increase on the wealthy. The final budget features boosts to social services, including trust fund accounts for low-income children. During Tuesdays vote, the council also approved a pitch to allocate $3.5 million within the existing D.C. Public Schools budget to hire a librarian at every school, as well as $5 million to provide a one-time $500 payment to at least 10,000 residents who waited more than two months for unemployment payments because of failures in the citys systems. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy I looked out my window from Crystal City and could see Pentagon Force Protection officers all converging on the upper level of the transit center at the Pentagon, near the entrance to the Pentagon Metro stop. As I looked closer and zoomed in with my camera, I could see there was a body on the ground next to a Metrobus in the roadway. And some officers were around this person offering assistance. Then I realized there was a second person to the right. At one point, I saw police doing CPR on both of them, Statter said. One of the officers saw a black firearm handle sticking out of the front pocket of the mans shorts that was later identified as a 9mm pistol with a high capacity magazine, according to the statement. The man later identified as Titus Hayes, 40, of Richmond was arrested. D.C. police also confirmed Monday that Kyle DeFreytag, an officer assigned to the Fifth District who also responded to the insurrection, was found dead July 10. Police said the cause of death was suicide. DeFreytag had been a member of the department since 2016. There is heightened attention and awareness of the damaging effects of gerrymandering, and youre seeing an increase of litigation as a result of the voter suppression and other election laws passed by Republicans as they attempt to hold on to power, said Kelly Ward Burton, the groups president. We are fighting for fair maps that reflect the will of the voters, and if Republicans attempt to ignore this and gerrymander their way to power, we will be ready to sue. A White House official with knowledge of the situation said Biden has in fact spent considerable time selling the social programs package, traveling the country to stress its importance, with officials planning to do more. The bipartisan bill has attracted more headlines recently because it came up first on the Senates legislative calendar, the official said, noting that in August, Harris, first lady Jill Biden, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and other officials will fan out across the country to promote the second part of the plan. Turners campaign did not set out to re-fight the Democrats last presidential primary. She raised $3.9 million thanks both to her popularity with Sanders supporters and her connections in Ohio, and she got the endorsements of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson as well as the Cleveland Plain Dealer, both praising her work as a state legislator. In the campaigns final days, a city councilor who had endorsed Brown switched to Turner, citing the negative ads. But while the churchs response to the crisis must be practical, it must also be pastoral. And on this front, few have found the support they need. A minority of Catholics (33%) said their parish community had helped them to process the abuse crisis. Among those whose parish had been helpful, some of the responses that were named as most effective were the chance for discussion of the crisis outside of Mass (32%), acknowledging the crisis publicly and with openness (18%), and talking about abuse in support groups or therapy (15%). The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehrans tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself caught in the crosshairs. Most recently, the U.S., the U.K. and Israel have blamed Iran for a drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people. Iran has denied involvement. Elena Petelos, of the umbrella European Public Health Association, said additional shots either targeting current or new variants will eventually be needed for certain groups, such as those with compromised immune systems. But she said more studies must be done on the dosage and types of booster vaccinations. She added that boosters at this stage of the crisis will not have as significant an impact as vaccinations in countries with low coverage. Although Ukraine has been a popular landing spot for many Belarusian and Russian dissidents in recent years, others question whether it is safe from state security agents who all used to be under one Soviet umbrella. In the past five years, two Russians critical of the Kremlin have been killed in Kyiv: former lawmaker Denis Voronenkov in 2017 and investigative journalist Pavel Sheremet in 2016. In both cases, Ukraines government alleged Russian involvement among its versions of what happened. A new report, released Tuesday by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, details a labyrinth of unfairness, with detainees often denied due process at every turn. Confessions frequently come through torture, it says. Few detainees see a lawyer until they appear in court. In some cases, they do not even know which authority is holding them. Weve known since MBS embarked on this dual journey of new reforms and increased repression that this was a strictly top-down approach, that the reforms are not meant to be seen as a response to popular demands but as steps MBS himself wanted to take, said Hiba Zayadin, a Saudi researcher with Human Rights Watch. She added, Anyone who speaks out does so at great risk not just to themselves but to their families and close circles as well. Teresa May, 58, of New Johnsonville, Tennessee, passed away July 9, 2021. Teresa was born March 19, 1963, in Vincennes, Indiana, to Robert and Mary (McPherson) May. Teresa was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend to many. She had a love for crocheting and was an avid col Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. The Department of Defence has released a four-year plan to address the serious and systemic organisational and cultural failings exposed by the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry that commits to determining whether to strip war medals from soldiers by the end of 2021. The plan was quietly posted on the website of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force on July 30, with Defence opting not to release any public statement or inform media about its publication. Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell says there were serious organisational and culture failings. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Under the plan, Defence aims to come to initial determinations on whether to strip medals from soldiers who have committed serious wrongdoing and compensate Afghan victims by the end of 2021. It then wants to deliver a transformational reform package over more than four years to the end of 2025, which will address what went wrong and prevent and respond to any future issues. The Brereton inquiry last year found credible evidence of 39 unlawful killings of Afghan civilians or prisoners by Australian soldiers, raising the alarm about a warrior culture within Australias special forces and the clique of non-commissioned officers who propagated it. Tel Aviv: Israels Supreme Court offered a compromise to delay the eviction of four Palestinian families from a neighbourhood in East Jerusalem that was the flash point in the most recent bout of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip. The deal, proposed on Monday afternoon, would require the four families to recognise the far-right Jewish settlers seeking their eviction as their legal landlords, in return for a special residency status that would protect them from eviction for an unspecified number of years. Palestinian activist Muna al-Kurd, centre, stands with other activists as Israeli police approach their friends repairing a mural that was defaced by a Jewish settler, in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of east Jerusalem. Credit:AP The families, some of which initially said they had rejected the offer, are expected to provide a formal response within a week, according to the minutes of the hearing. In May, clashes between Israeli police armed with rubber bullets and stone-throwing Palestinians in the mostly Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, which Jewish settlers refer to as Nahalat Shimon, preceded larger, more violent demonstrations in the nearby Old City. Dubai: Iranian-backed forces are believed to have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, three maritime security sources said, after Britains maritime trade agency reported a potential hijack in the area on Tuesday. Two of the sources identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged asphalt-bitumen tanker Asphalt Princess in an area in the Arabian Sea leading to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the worlds seaborne oil exports flow. Irans Foreign Ministry had earlier said reports of security incidents involving several ships near the UAE coast on Tuesday were suspicious, and it warned of any effort to create a false atmosphere against the Islamic Republic. Tensions have simmered in the region after an attack last week on an Israeli-managed tanker off the Omani coast killed two crew members and was blamed on Iran by the United States, Israel and Britain. Iran denied responsibility. As Wilmington's East Side continues to struggle with overwhelming violence in its streets, there are community leaders working to improve the overall health of the neighborhood. People like CEO of EastSide Charter Aaron Bass and Third District City Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver, whose efforts to target some of the systemic issues in the neighborhood are leading to positive growth. First of all, Oliver said she recognizes the potential in the city, the beauty to be had when things come together. "Look at this beautiful place. You ride around town, down through the corridors, along Walnut Street, I mean, it's clean out there, some fresh air," she said on WDEL's Rick Jensen Show. "It does have some negative things going on around here, yeah, sure, but that's going on all over the world. Overall, I think it looks great. I mean, I love it. I'm not going anywhere." But to her, one of the more important things the city can do to begin addressing the ways problems grow within the city is to focus on fixing up the properties that seem to draw crime and other bad elements to them. Properties owned by hard-to-reach landlords who live out of state and let their properties fall into ruin through neglect. "I'd like to see the vacancies, the blight houses taken care of," the councilwoman said. "The administration is working on that currently, and they have the land bank and other investors coming down--and when I say investors, I'm talking about people from the communities." She pointed to Bill's Deli Market at the corner of 10th and Pine streets, citing its presence when open as a haven for trouble. As recently as April, there was violence outside the shop that claimed the life of 37-year-old Latahesia Hill. "We just had a meeting about some good work that the city of Wilmington is doing on the East Side, trying to fix up a lot of vacant properties, trying to help out some homeowners with some facade program, With the mayor's help, of course," she said. "But then you have this corner store that has literally saturated this community over here." Oliver said its closure has been a boon for the quality of life in the area, and no one who lives near the market wants its return. She claimed a petition is being filed with the city stating as much. "People say, 'Oh, it's not the store, it's not the store.' Well, the store is closed now, and if you ride past there, there is no longer 30 or 40 people just loitering on the corner. So to me, it was the corner store. It was the inside, the owners. And that's the way I feel. that's the way a lot of the constituents--homeowners and also renters [feel]. So we have another petition now that I'm presenting to the mayor.," Oliver said. "My understanding, they are doing some work in there and they're trying to open back up in a couple of weeks. And we, the residents over here, do not want it. There's five other stores in this area that individuals can go to and they don't have people loitering outside." She also wanted to know why the Third District seemed to receive a hands-off approach that seemed unique to her neighborhood. "Our complaint is, if this was any other district, would this be occurring? Would this occur when you have six killings; you have six shootings; you have 30 or 40 people loitering; elderly people who've been there for over 50 years calling and crying on the phone, unable to even get off the bus stop, scared they've got to walk around the corner," she said. "I think it's unfair to the district, it's unfair for the residents--and I live on the East Side, it's unfair to me. I think the cops are trying to do the best they could, there's no one answer to all this madness." For his part as he enters his sixth year as head of EastSide Charter, Bass is instead doing what he can to not focus on the immediate issues at hand, but on growing a healthier city through youthful conditioning. "We know that all children are going to make choices, and if given better options, young people make better decisions," he said. "The problem is, when you don't have better choices available to young people, you're going to see more of the violence, we see [increasing] prison rates, and a lot of other negative things happening. So we're trying to reverse that. We focus on how do we provide the best opportunities for children here in Riverside, but also throughout all of Delaware." Bass, also detailing his efforts on WDEL's The Rick Jensen Show, says one of the things he can to to provide his students those opportunities is by creating a more stable environment, which he's worked at over the previous four years. With so many facing the resulting trauma from both widespread violence and a terrifying global pandemic, he noted regularity can increase a child's chances of healing mentally. "The East Side, over the course of three decades, has had ebbs and flows. I know that, right now, we can point to the fact that our staff retention rate--we've gone from retaining 30% of our staff to 90%. Now we are one of the top places to work in Delaware," he said. "It means a lot, especially among students that might be facing trauma, because you're gonna provide more consistency. And the more consistent the school community can be, the better off students can be." The school, like all others, face economic and financial hurdles, but Bass said the organization is dreaming big. He'd like to see Wilmington become a destination for students looking to get into the field of STEM, and wants a center built that will be available not just to EastSide Charter students, but to all students in the First State. Actually getting students to a center like that presents its own challenges, but Bass thinks he has a solution for that as well. "We're dealing with other shortages here in the state. With Delaware's bus driver shortage right now, making sure the students can have access to schools and transportation [is a priority,]" he said. "So we're addressing that by also, we are now looking to give our parents transportation funding. Let's give parent leadership $700 per student to get them to and from school, for those that can do it." An transportation challenges that create a disruption in ferrying children to school also disrupts that consistent environment that helps young children heal from the traumas they endure outside school walls, and needs to be avoided at all costs, he said. "It is definitely challenging, I'll tell you that. We're even facing, right now, with our students coming back from the pandemic, how do we address mental health," he said. "We have students that have been dealing with trauma through increased violence; also, parents have had job changes and lifestyle changes due to the pandemic and just employment; and on top of that, we've seen 500,000 Americans die due to the pandemic. And so we know that that impacts our community." So he's committed more resources and training hours to try and put the right guidance around those children, and he said they're seeing success in the fruits of those efforts. "How we address mental health is something that we've been putting a lot of time into. We've seen our suspension rates over the last three years drop from 75%--before the pandemic, 75% reduction in suspensions--but what's important is it's with the same children," Bass said. "We didn't change the children, we changed our approach. How do you give children tools to deal with trauma, how they deal with problems? That means you need to focus on making sure every adult is working with social, emotional learning. That means we have a team of psychologists and special education teachers and therapists working with our children, because you have so much chaos taking place. But, again, if you present students with incredible opportunities, students rise to that challenge." Reporter I cover a range of stories for WDRB, but really enjoy tracking what's going on at our State Capitol. I grew up on military bases all over the world, but am a Kentuckian at heart. I'm an EKU alum, and have lived in Louisville for 30 years. 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. Rezilion Named Finalist for Top 10 Cybersecurity Startups for 2021 at the Prestigious Black Unicorn Awards for 2021 Rezilion, a leading DevSecOps automation platform, today announced that it has been named a Finalist for the Top 10 Cybersecurity Startups for 2021 at the Black Unicorn Awards for 2021, which take place each year during the Black Hat USA conference. Rezilion competed against many of the industrys leading cybersecurity startups for this prestigious award. Were pleased to name Rezilion as a Finalist for the Top 10 Cybersecurity Startups for 2021 among a small, elite group of startups in our third annual Black Unicorn awards, said Judges Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of AllegisCyber Capital, David DeWalt of NightDragon, Dr. Peter Stephenson of Cyber Defense Labs and Gary Miliefsky of Cyber Defense Media Group. We are delighted to be named a Finalist for the Top 10 Cybersecurity Startups for 2021, said Liran Tancman, CEO and co-founder of Rezilion. We know this award is increasingly competitive. To be selected to this esteemed list of finalists, on the heels of receiving two Globee Awards, is both humbling and validating, underscoring the great work our team does every day. About Rezilion Rezilion is a leading autonomous DevSecOps platform that allows organizations to effortlessly control and mitigate attack surfaces from dev to prod and across cloud infrastructures, applications, and IoT devices. It dramatically reduces the manual work security and engineering teams have to do, harmonizing previously oppositional efforts, and empowering organizations to innovate faster. About Cyber Defense Awards This is Cyber Defense Magazines 9th year of honoring cybersecurity innovators, in this case the Black Unicorn Awards for 2021 on our Cyber Defense Awards platform. In this competition, judges for these prestigious awards includes cybersecurity industry veterans, trailblazers and market makers Gary Miliefsky of CDMG, Dr. Peter Stephenson of CDMG, Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of Allegis Cyber and David DeWalt of NightDragon with much appreciation to emeritus judge Robert Herjavec of Herjavec Group. To see the complete list of finalists for the Black Unicorn Awards for 2021 please visit https://cyberdefenseawards.com/black-unicorn-awards-for-2021-the-winners/ About Cyber Defense Magazine Cyber Defense Magazine was founded in 2012 by Gary S. Miliefsky, globally recognized cyber security thought leader, inventor and entrepreneur and continues to be the premier source of IT Security information. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and limited print editions exclusively for the RSA, BlackHat and IPEXPO conferences and our limited edition paid reprint subscribers. Learn more about us at http://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com. Cyber Defense Magazine is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group (CDMG). For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/rezilion_named_finalist_for_top_10_cybersecurity_startups_for_2021_by_cyber_defense_magazine/prweb18106248.htm The Green River District Health Department said Tuesday that it had identified 355 new positive cases of COVID-19 in its western Kentucky area and that all of the counties in the area were now 'areas of high transmission.' After 355 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in GRDHD's seven-county district Tuesday, the health department said 24,399 total positive cases of the virus had been identified in the district to date. GRDHD also said Tuesday that four new COVID-19 deaths had been identified in the district, which brought the total number of deaths in the area to 417. New COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Identified by GRDHD Tuesday: Daviess County: 162 new cases Hancock County: 13 new cases Henderson County: 78 new cases, 1 new death McLean County: 10 new cases Ohio County: 46 new cases Union County: 18 new cases, 2 new deaths Webster County: 28 new cases, 1 new death GRDHD says that the new cases and deaths were identified between Friday, Jul. 30, and Monday, Aug. 2. After those new cases were reported Tuesday, the seven-county district's daily case average rose to 94.9 new cases per day. Here's a breakdown of COVID-19 statistics for each county in the GRDHD area: As reflected by the Kentucky Department for Public Health's latest COVID-19 incidence rate map, all of the western Kentucky counties in the 44News viewing area are currently in the "Red," indicating a critical rate of COVID-19 spread. The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 486,115 total cases of COVID-19 and 7,348 total statewide deaths. The Indiana State Department of Health said Tuesday that 1,610 new positive cases of COVID-19 had been identified throughout the state, with 51 of those new cases being identified in Vanderburgh County. With the addition of those new cases in Vanderburgh County, the state health department's record shows 23,634 total individuals in the county have tested positive for the virus to date. Statewide, 775,686 total have tested positive for the virus, and after ISDH reported 13 new COVID-19 deaths throughout the state Tuesday, 13,596 total have died from it. ISDH: New COVID-19 Numbers for Tuesday, Aug. 3 For more information on COVID-19 in Indiana, visit the ISDH Dashboard. NWS Weather Alert NOTE: This information is provided by the National Weather Service. Forecast may differ from local information provided by our own 69News Meteorologists ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 6... The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Friday for The Lehigh Valley/Berks County area. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles...visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. The autumn season has been announced at The Coronet Theatre, which will reopen the Notting Hill venue after its enforced closure due to the pandemic. It kicks off with a new play from Robert Holman (Making Noise Quietly) titled The Lodger, which runs from 10 September to 9 October. Directed by Geraldine Alexander and starring Penny Downie, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Matthew Tennyson and Iniki Mariano, it centres on two sisters who must learn to reconcile the past in order to make a new future. In November, filmmaker Amos Gitai returns to The Coronet Theatre with a live performance based on his 2015 film investigating the assassination in 1995 of the Israeli Prime Minister Yizak Rabin. Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood) (17 to 21 November) marks the first visit to the UK of French company Compagnie Louis Brouillard. The classic fairytale is adapted by writer and director Joel Pommerat. And Blind from Brazilian/Dutch artist Duda Paiva (30 November to 3 December) "creates a theatrical tapestry of dance, puppetry adaptations of Yoruba songs from a unique Afro-Brazilian subculture". Using foam puppets, he draws on a childhood illness that left him temporarily blind. Other highlights include Our Lives; An Infinite Improvisation, a new piece by Ben Okri and Charlotte Jarvis, and a programme of poetry including the return of Paul Muldoon. Artistic director Anda Winters said: "For The Coronet Theatre, as everywhere, these have been challenging times. As a presenter of international work there have been particular complications, and we are thrilled to have the theatre open again, and to be able to present the work we love." Today Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds light and variable. NEW YORK (AP) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced mounting pressure Tuesday to resign, including from President Joe Biden and other onetime Democratic allies, after an investigation found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers. I think he should resign, Biden told reporters Tuesday, echoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York's U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, all Democrats. The leader of the state Assembly, which has the power to bring impeachment charges, said it was clear Cuomo could no longer remain in office. Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, said he would move to complete an impeachment inquiry "as quickly as possible. Cuomo remained defiant, saying in a taped response to the findings that the facts are much different than what has been portrayed" and that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. In a telephone conversation with Heastie, Cuomo insisted he wouldnt leave office and told the speaker he needed to work fellow Democrats and garner enough votes to stop an impeachment, according to a person familiar with the conversation. But Heastie said he couldnt do that, said the person, who could not publicly discuss details of the private conversation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The nearly five-month, non-criminal investigation, overseen by New York's attorney general and led by two outside lawyers, concluded that 11 women from within and outside state government were telling the truth when they said Cuomo had touched them inappropriately, commented on their appearance or made suggestive comments about their sex lives. Those accusers included an aide who said Cuomo groped her breast at the governors mansion, and a state trooper on his security detail who said he ran his hand or fingers across her stomach and her back. Anne Clark, who led the probe with former U.S. Attorney Joon Kim, said the allegations had varying degrees of corroboration, including other witnesses and contemporaneous text messages. Investigators interviewed 179 people, including the governor himself. These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of federal and state laws, New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference on Tuesday. Many of the women said they feared retaliation if they reported Cuomo's behavior, investigators said, describing his administration as a hostile workplace rife with fear and intimidation. On one occasion, the probe found, Cuomos staff took action intended to discredit and disparage an accuser Lindsey Boylan, the first former employee to publicly accuse him of wrongdoing including leaking confidential personnel files and drafting a letter attacking her credibility. The investigation's findings, detailed in a 165-page public report, turn up the pressure on the 63-year-old governor, who just a year ago was widely hailed for his steady leadership during the darkest days of the COVID-19 crisis, even writing a book about it. Since then, he's seen his standing crumble with a drumbeat of harassment allegations, questions in a separate, ongoing inquiry into whether state resources went into writing the book, and the discovery that his administration concealed the true number of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Schumer and Gillibrand said Tuesday's report only reinforces the calls they and other New York Democrats made for Cuomo to resign after the bulk of the allegations were made public last winter. No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign, they said in a joint statement. While James concluded the investigation without referring the case to prosecutors for possible criminal charges, local authorities could use its evidence and findings to mount cases. Albany District Attorney David Soares said he would request materials from James' office and welcomed victims to contact him. Heastie said the investigation's findings are crucial to expediting the ongoing state Assembly inquiry into whether there are grounds to impeach Cuomo, whos been raising money for a potential fourth term. The Assembly hired its own legal team to investigate myriad allegations regarding harassment, his book, nursing homes and special access to COVID-19 testing. In his taped response, Cuomo apologized to two accusers: Charlotte Bennett, who said the governor asked if she was open to sex with an older man after she confided she had been a sexual assault victim, and a woman he kissed at a wedding. Cuomo said he was hiring an expert to reform sexual harassment training for state employees, including the governor. But he denied other allegations as fabricated and lashed out at the investigative process, saying it was fueled by politics and bias. He explained that hes physically embraced people his whole life, that his mother and father former Gov. Mario Cuomo had done the same and that the gesture was meant to convey warmth. Cuomo's lawyer issued a written rebuttal to the investigations findings, arguing in most cases that serious allegations, like the alleged groping, didn't happen, or that his actions were misconstrued. For those who are using this moment to score political points or seek publicity or personal gain. I say they actually discredit the legitimate sexual harassment victims that the law was designed to protect, Cuomo said. Bennett called the governors apology meaningless. If he were sorry, he would step down. Thats how accountability works, she told the AP. I don't believe he will resign. I think it's the speakers job now to begin impeachment proceedings. The report detailed, for the first time, the allegations involving the state trooper. It said that in addition to touching her, Cuomo kissed her on the cheek, asked for her help in finding a girlfriend and asked why she didnt wear a dress. The report also included an allegation from a woman working for an energy company who said Cuomo touched her chest at an event, running his fingers across the lettering on her shirt and reading the name of her company aloud. According to the report, he then leaned in and told her, Im going to say I see a spider on your shoulder" before brushing his hand between her shoulder and breasts. These brave women stepped forward to speak truth to power and, in doing so, they expressed faith in the belief that although the governor may be powerful, the truth is even more so," Kim told reporters. Cuomo faced multiple allegations, starting with Boylan, who said Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a meeting in his office and would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs. After Boylan went public, Cuomo's staff released personnel memos to the media revealing that she left the administration after being confronted about complaints she belittled and yelled at her staff. Boylan has said the leak was "an effort to smear me. In an 11-hour interview with investigators last month, Cuomo admitted to certain behaviors while denying other allegations, investigators said. For example, Clark said, he conceded asking Bennett whether she had been involved with older men and said he may have kissed the state trooper at an event but denied touching her. Asked about an allegation that he grabbed a womans breast at the executive mansion, according to the report, Cuomo responded: I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing to a woman he hardly knew, with multiple staff members around. Cuomo always denied inappropriate touching, but he initially said he was sorry if his behavior with women was misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation. He got more combative in recent months, saying he did nothing wrong and questioning the neutrality of the lawyers leading the probe. Kim was involved in previous investigations of corruption by people in Cuomos administration. New York state regulations define sexual harassment to include unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature from unwanted flirtation to sexual jokes that creates an offensive work environment, regardless of a perpetrators intent. Cuomo championed a landmark 2019 state law that made it easier for sexual harassment victims to prove their case in court. Alleged victims no longer have to meet the high bar of proving sexual harassment is severe and pervasive. ___ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Jocelyn Noveck contributed to this report. ___ On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Marina Villeneuve at twitter.com/reportermarina and send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/ WASHINGTON (AP) An officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the Pentagon, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene, officials said. FILE - This March 27, 2008, file photo, shows the Pentagon in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) WASHINGTON (AP) An officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the Pentagon, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene, officials said. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after gunshots were fired Tuesday morning near the entrance of the building, A Pentagon police officer who was stabbed later died, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. More details about the violence were expected at a Pentagon news conference. The connection between the shooting and the stabbing of the officer was not immediately clear. The authorities did not immediately provide details or the sequence of events. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center and just steps from the Pentagon, according to the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency. The facility is just steps from the Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. An Associated Press reporter near the building heard multiple gunshots, then a pause, then at least one additional shot. Another AP journalist heard police yelling shooter. Pentagon police officers walk near the facilitys Metro station, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facilitys Metro station. Two people familiar with the shooting, which occurred on a Metro bus platform at the Pentagon, said at least one person was down. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information publicly. (AP Photos/Sagar Meghani) A Pentagon announcement said the facility was on lockdown due to police activity. The agency responsible for security at the building, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, tweeted shortly before noon that the scene of the incident was secure. The lockdown was lifted except for the area around the crime scene. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were at the White House meeting with President Joe Biden, at the time of the shooting. In 2010, two officers with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency were wounded when a gunman approached them at a security screening area. The officers, who survived, returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman, identified as John Patrick Bedell. _____ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker and Colleen Long contributed to this report. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The Carnival Mardi Gras docked Tuesday in Puerto Rico the first time a cruise ship has visited the U.S. territory since the pandemic began. A crew member checks docking ropes from the inside of Carnival's Mardi Gras cruise ship, docked in the bay of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, marking the first time a cruise ship visits the U.S. territory since the COVID-19 pandemic began. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The Carnival Mardi Gras docked Tuesday in Puerto Rico the first time a cruise ship has visited the U.S. territory since the pandemic began. Some cautiously celebrated the arrival. It comes as Puerto Rico has reported an increase in COVID-19 cases blamed on the Delta variant but also as it seeks to restart its crucial tourism sector, which depended largely on record numbers of cruise ship passengers in recent years. Carlos Mercado, executive director of Puerto Ricos Tourism Company, told The Associated Press that the government took several precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including allowing only those who are fully vaccinated to disembark. He said the ship was traveling at 70% capacity, with some 4,500 people aboard, and that he estimates a total of 3,500 will disembark. Mercado noted that 95% of the ships passengers are vaccinated, with children younger than 12 making up the majority of those who have not been inoculated. Ivanelis Jimenez, front, and Veronica Barreto pose for the camera wearing Puerto Rican flag dresses as they welcome passengers exiting Carnival's Mardi Gras cruise ship, docked in the bay of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, marking the first time a cruise ship visits the U.S. territory since the COVID-19 pandemic began. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti) The visit was expected to generate some $360,000 during the nine hours that the ship is docked in the historic part of Puerto Ricos capital known as Old San Juan. This is incredibly important for us, Mercado said, noting that Puerto Ricos hotel and aviation sector has boomed in recent months. This is what we were missing. Passengers began to trickle out of the ship to the sounds of Puerto Rico's traditional bomba and plena music filling a nearby plaza while artisans prepared their wares and government officials distributed maps of the historic cobblestone district. Passenger Tom Seuberling, of Oak Hill, Florida, said he was impressed by the health protocols aboard the ship. You had to have proof of vaccination. They got sanitation throughout the ship. They make sure that you dont contaminate food bars. They have been very cautious about cleaning the rooms, he said. It has been a remarkable job. Mercado said the ship will dock twice more this month, generating an estimated total of $1.2 million for August. He added that starting next month, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will start using San Juan as its base port, and that by next year, he expects the cruise schedule to go back to normal. Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said that visits of the Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration in the next two years alone will deliver an estimated 300,000 passengers and generate some $28 million for the island's tourism sector, which represents nearly 7% of its economy. Some 1.9 million cruise passengers visited Puerto Rico in 2019, a record for the island, according to tourism spokeswoman Astrid Rolon. The Carnival Mardi Gras departed Port Canaveral, Florida, and Puerto Rico was its first stop. The island of 3.3 million people has reported more than 127,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 2,500 deaths. Some 1.9 million people are fully vaccinated. AP photographer Carlos Rivera contributed to this report. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The British navy warned of a potential hijack of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, though the circumstances remained unclear. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The British navy warned of a potential hijack of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, though the circumstances remained unclear. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself caught in the crosshairs. Most recently, the U.S., the U.K. and Israel have blamed Iran for a drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people. Iran has denied involvement. A ship in the Gulf of Oman may have been a hijacking target Tuesday. (AP Graphic) The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships Tuesday that an incident is currently underway" off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, the authorities said the incident was a potential hijack," but provided no further details. Shipping authority Lloyds List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global both identified the vessel involved in the incident as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess. The vessel's owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment late Tuesday. Satellite-tracking data for the vessel showed it slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. The U.S. militarys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not immediately return calls for comment. The Emirati government did not immediately acknowledge the incident. Earlier, six oil tankers announced around the same time via their Automatic Identification System trackers that they were not under command, according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer. At the same time, if they are in the same vicinity and in the same place, then very rarely that happens, said Ranjith Raja, an oil and shipping expert with data firm Refintiv. Not all the vessels would lose their engines or their capability to steer at the same time." One of the vessels later began moving. An Oman Royal Air Force Airbus C-295MPA, a maritime patrol aircraft, flew in circles for hours over the waters, according to data from FlightRadar24.com. Apparently responding to the incident, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh called the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf completely suspicious. He denied that Iran was involved. "Irans naval forces are ready for help and rescue in the region, Khatibzadeh said. From Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters it was too early for us to offer a judgement just yet about the events unfolding in the Gulf of Oman. But citing the recent assault on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire that killed two crew members in nearby waters, Price said, We have seen a very disturbing pattern of belligerence from Iran, including belligerence in the maritime domain. The West has blamed Iran for launching the drone strike last week on the oil tanker off the coast of Oman, which marked the first known attack to have killed civilians in the yearslong shadow war targeting commercial vessels in the region. Iran denied playing any role, though Tehran and its allied militias have used similar suicide drones in past attacks. Israel, the United States and United Kingdom have vowed an unspecified collective response to the attack. The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. Fujairah, on the UAEs eastern coast, is a main port in the region for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. For the past two years, the waters off Fujairah have seen a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers. In July 2019, Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz as it was headed from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to Dubai. The raid came after authorities in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, seized an Iranian supertanker carrying $130 million in crude oil on suspicion it was breaking European Union sanctions by taking the oil to Syria. Both vessels were later released. Last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast in July, following months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. The vessel and its crew ended up in Iran, though Tehran never acknowledged the incident. And in January, armed Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops stormed a South Korean tanker and forced the ship to change course and travel to Iran. While Iran insisted it stopped the ship for polluting, it came as Tehran sought to increase its leverage over Seoul ahead of negotiations over billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Follow Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/isabeldebre and www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP. NEW YORK (AP) The Associated Press appointed Daisy Veerasingham, its executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the news cooperatives president and CEO on Tuesday, setting her up to replace the retiring Gary Pruitt at the beginning of next year. Daisy Veerasingham, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Associated Press, poses for a photo on July 27, 2021, at the AP headquarters in New York. The AP announced Tuesday, Aug. 3, that Veerasingham has been named as its new president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo) NEW YORK (AP) The Associated Press appointed Daisy Veerasingham, its executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the news cooperatives president and CEO on Tuesday, setting her up to replace the retiring Gary Pruitt at the beginning of next year. She will become the first woman, first person of color and first person from outside of the United States to lead the AP in its 175-year history. Veerasingham, 51, is a first-generation Briton of Sri Lankan descent. Her appointment speaks to the changing portrait of the AP, where 40% of the companys revenue, double what it was 15 years ago, is now generated outside of the United States. She'll be tasked with continuing to diversify income sources. The AP, caught in the same financial vise as most of the media industry, saw its revenue drop to $467 million in 2020, down more than 25% in a decade. Veerasingham said she's determined to maintain the AP as a source of fact-based, nonpartisan journalism, and to fight for freedom of the press and access to information. The AP produces roughly 2,000 news stories, 3,000 photos and 200 videos every day, reaching more than half the world's population. These are values that are core to the AP since its founding 175 years ago, she said in an interview. I think that they are actually more important today. Pruitt, 64, has led AP since 2012. The company has won six Pulitzer Prizes under his leadership, two of them this year, and had three other finalists for journalism's top award in 2021. He's currently working with Veerasingham to find a successor to Sally Buzbee as the AP's executive editor, an appointment expected in a month or two. Buzbee was named executive editor of The Washington Post this spring. I'm most proud of the fact that the journalism at the AP excelled as we met the challenges of the marketplace, Pruitt said. AP is is in a strong financial position to look forward to the future with confidence and continue to provide a foundational news report to the world. The AP's board of directors appointed Veerasingham in a meeting last week. She was named AP's executive vice president and chief operating officer earlier this year after two years as chief revenue officer. Steven R. Swartz, board chairman and president and CEO of Hearst, called her a proven leader with a deep understanding of how AP operates and a clear vision for the future. Veerasingham joined AP in 2004 as a sales director for AP Television News in London. She eventually became responsible for content licensing and marketing in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia, leading the company's expansion efforts. She has also led the expansion of AP's video business into a fully digital operation that can provide live video on a multichannel basis. As its core business of selling news to newspapers and broadcasters began shrinking, the AP has broadened its licensing efforts to other areas, like business and academia. It has also built a business licensing old photos and video, the latter through the purchase of a company that owned old movie newsreels. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. AP also makes money by providing studio space and news equipment to organizations, selling news software and election vote-counting and surveys. Further diversification efforts are underway, including offering customized news reports and managing video for auctions held by companies like Sotheby's, Veerasingham said. The AP is probably on the most solid footing it's been on for a very long time, she said. I don't think the world needs to worry about the future of The Associated Press. Do we have challenges ahead? Yeah, we've got to diversify our revenue and we've got to stabilize revenue in our core. But I think that is something we can actually do in the next three years because of the financial strength we've built. Like many other companies, AP is expected to head back to offices in the next few months, although a hybrid approach that includes working from home will be in place at the start. One of the things working through the pandemic taught her about AP is that we are capable of much more than we thought we were, she said. Veerasingham worked in marketing jobs at LexisNexis and the Financial Times before joining AP. A trained lawyer, she has not worked as a journalist. Upon retirement, Pruitt said he planned to split time between California and New York, and looks forward to taking classes at the University of California-San Diego. The umbrella organization for Canadas securities regulators says it plans to merge the regulatory bodies that oversee investment dealers and mutual fund dealers into one new organization, a move praised by both watchdog groups and industry players. A man walks through reflected sunlight while crossing the street at Queen and Bay in Toronto's financial district on October 10, 2014. The umbrella organization for Canadas securities regulators says it plans to combine the regulatory bodies that oversee investment dealers and mutual fund dealers into one new organization. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese The umbrella organization for Canadas securities regulators says it plans to merge the regulatory bodies that oversee investment dealers and mutual fund dealers into one new organization, a move praised by both watchdog groups and industry players. The Canadian Securities Administrators, which represents provincial and territorial securities commissions, said Tuesday the new self-regulatory organization would combine the functions of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) with the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA). The roles of both regulatory bodies have increasingly overlapped in recent years, prompting calls to review the regulatory framework. IIROC president and CEO Andrew J. Kriegler said the new organization is important for the financial future of Canadians. The new pan-Canadian organization will "better protect investors, increase access to advice, and support innovation," he said in a statement. MFDA president and CEO Mark Gordon said the new organization's clear public interest focus will strengthen public confidence while maintaining the advantages of the self-regulatory model. "The CSA's decision will benefit all stakeholders by enhancing investor protection and creating significant efficiencies for industry participants," he said in a statement. Last August, IIROC said a study conducted by Deloitte LLP showed that a consolidation of the two regulators could result in savings of up to nearly $500 million for the financial services industry over a decade. The CSA said the new organization will harmonize IIROC and MFDA rules where appropriate and streamline complaint processes. The umbrella group for Canadas securities regulators also said it will combine two existing investor protection funds the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the MFDA Investor Protection Corporation into an integrated fund independent of the new organization. The new self-regulatory framework is the result of extensive research, consultation and analysis, said Louis Morisset, CSA chair and president and CEO of the Autorite des marches financiers. The organization is "designed to protect Canadian investors and enhance public confidence, accommodate innovation, ensure fair and efficient market operations and navigate continually evolving industry conditions," he said in a statement. The next step is to create an integrated working committee to determine the appropriate corporate structure of the new self-regulatory organization, the CSA said. The new organization will include "governance enhancements" such as ensuring that the majority of board members and its chair are independent to reinforce its public interest commitment, it said. It will also be required to create an investor advisory panel and solicit CSA comment and input on its annual priorities, business plan and budget, the CSA said. "The CSA recognizes the high level of skill, dedication and experience that staff from IIROC, MFDA and the existing investor protection funds have consistently brought to their work," Morisset said. "The combined forces of these teams will be critical during the creation of the new self-regulatory organization and investor protection fund, and will be crucial to their future success." Canadas investment funds industry widely applauded the plan to create a new national regulator, a decision that came after nearly two years of gathering feedback and consulting with industry players. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Paul Bourque, president and CEO of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada, said the single regulatory body will improve the investor experience, reduce investor confusion, and ultimately improve investor outcomes. "The industry stands ready to assist with the efforts to successfully integrate the two organizations in a timely manner," he said in a statement. The Portfolio Management Association of Canada also welcomed the decision, in particular highlighting its support of the decision to defer potentially broadening the mandate of the new organization beyond the regulation of investment and mutual fund dealers. "We strongly believe that the current regulation of portfolio managers by the (CSA) is effective, and it is in the public interest to maintain direct regulation of these registrants versus delegating to a self-regulatory organization," Katie Walmsley, PMAC president, said in a statement. "It is clear that the CSA has listened and responded to stakeholder feedback and proposed meaningful ways to strengthen SRO governance and oversight before considering further changes." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2021. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday downplayed a spike in COVID-19 cases thats shattered state hospitalization records and strongly reiterated his vow not to impose a mask mandate or any business restrictions. Miami-Dade County Police officer Gina Hogen, right, gives a book bag and school supplies to Haley Hernandez, left, 3, and her grandmother Alicia Hernandez during a book bag give away at the office of county commissioner Joe Martinez, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday downplayed a spike in COVID-19 cases thats shattered state hospitalization records and strongly reiterated his vow not to impose a mask mandate or any business restrictions. With the much more contagious delta variant now spreading exponentially, Florida hit 11,515 hospitalized patients Tuesday, breaking last year's record for the third straight day and up from just 1,000 in mid-June. Alberto Gordon helps his daughter Alina, 3, try on a book bag during a bag and school supply give away at the office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) DeSantis said he expects hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, asserting that the spike is seasonal as Floridians spend more time together indoors to escape the summer heat and humidity. DeSantis credited his response to COVID-19, which has focused on vaccinating seniors and nursing home residents, for the fact that fewer Floridians are dying now than last August. A year ago, Florida was averaging about 180 COVID-19 deaths per day during an early August spike, but last week averaged 58 per day. However, 2,400 COVID-19 patients are in an intensive care unit, and deaths general don't spike until a few weeks after hospitalizations. Even among a lot of positive tests, you are seeing much less mortality that you did year-over-year, DeSantis said at a Miami-area press conference. Would I rather have 5,000 cases among 20-year-olds or 500 cases among seniors? I would rather have the younger. A group waits to get a COVID-19 test, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in North Miami, Fla. Federal health officials say Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted mandatory mask mandates and vaccine. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) DeSantis also said media hysteria on the swelling numbers could cause people having heart attacks or strokes to avoid going to an emergency room for fear of being infected. Doctors interviewed by The Associated Press acknowledged this happened during the early months of the pandemic, but say it's no longer true, and that they're treating the usual number of cardiac patients. President Joe Biden criticized DeSantis and other officials who have moved to block the reimposition of mask mandates. He called on resistant Republican governors to get out of the way of vaccine rules and endorsed New York Citys move to require vaccinations to dine indoors or go to the gym. If youre not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing, Biden said. Raquel Heres gets a COVID-19 rapid test to be able to travel overseas, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in North Miami, Fla. Federal health officials say Florida has reported 21,683 new cases of COVID-19, the state's highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic. The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted mandatory mask mandates and vaccine. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Dr. ONeil Pyke, chief medical officer at Jackson North Medical Center in Miami, said many Florida hospitals are facing staffing shortages. Hospitals also report putting emergency room patients in beds in hallways, and some are again banning visitors or postponing elective surgeries. Theyre just coming in faster than we discharge them," said Justin Senior, CEO of Florida Safety Net Hospital Alliance, which represents some of the state's largest hospitals caring for low-income patients. Still, he said few hospitals will run out of room as they can convert non-traditional spaces like conference areas into COVID-19 wards. Penny Ceasar, who handles admissions at a hospital near Fort Lauderdale, wants the governor to require vaccines for health care workers and masks for everyone. Ceasar said while Westside Regional Medical Center has been getting temporary staff from other states, the alarming number of new patients is taking a toll. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens during a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, near the Shark Valley Visitor Center in Miami. DeSantis is doubling down as the state again broke its record for COVID-19 hospitalizations. The Republican governor insisted Tuesday that the spike will be short-lived. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Youre on an emotional rollercoaster because we care for our patients like we care for our families, said Ceasar, a 30-year veteran. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state over the last three days, raising the seven-day average to one of the highest counts since the pandemic began. In total, the state has seen more than 2.6 million cases and 39,179 deaths. DeSantis is running for reelection next year while eyeing a 2024 presidential bid. A central tenet of his national image among conservatives is his refusal to impose mask mandates or business restrictions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, near the Shark Valley Visitor Center in Miami. DeSantis is doubling down as the state again broke its record for COVID-19 hospitalizations. The Republican governor insisted Tuesday that the spike will be short-lived. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) We are not shutting down, DeSantis reiterated Tuesday. We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridians job in this state. We are protecting peoples small businesses. These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States but abroad. DeSantis did encourage people to get vaccinated, saying shots provide a strong defense against getting seriously ill. About 95% of those hospitalized and almost all recent deaths have been among the unvaccinated, hospital officials have said. You can still test positive, but at the end of the day you can turn this from something that was much more threatening to a senior citizen, say, to something that is more manageable, said DeSantis, who has been vaccinated. That is a huge, huge thing. The spike has come as DeSantis and local officials have fought over how to protect children and staff as the school year begins. Broward County's school board reversed a decision to require facial coverings after DeSantis barred mandates and threatened to cut funding from districts that dont comply. Browards board had responded to the latest science on the virus and the latest recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the governor said parents should decide whether their children should wear a mask to school. - Contributors include Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale. Gomez reported from Miami. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Irans supreme leader officially endorsed his hard-line protege as the nations next president on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi at a sensitive time for Iran and the wider Middle East. In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, sits in an endorsement ceremony to give his official seal of approval to newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi, right, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Irans supreme leader officially endorsed his hard-line protege as the nations next president on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi at a sensitive time for Iran and the wider Middle East. The country is reeling from crushing U.S. sanctions that have devastated the economy, led to the crash of the Iranian riyal and hit ordinary Iranians hard. Exacerbating Iran's despair, the coronavirus has spiraled out of control, with authorities reporting a record of 39,000 new cases on Tuesday almost 2,000 more than the previous day. In his speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised Raisi, a former judiciary chief, to empower the countrys poor people and improve the national currency. Doubts about an imminent return to Tehrans tattered 2015 nuclear deal, which granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, have become a dark cloud dangling over the incoming hard-line administration. The collapse of the nuclear agreement after former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord three years ago doomed the relatively moderate administration of outgoing President Hassan Rouhani, who has seen his popularity plummet. Rouhani sat stone-faced throughout the endorsement ceremony. Last week, Khamenei delivered a harsh rebuke of the West, blaming the delay of the deal's revival on America's stubborn negotiating stance. While repeating his usual anti-West rhetoric on Tuesday about Irans enemies seeking to sway public opinion, Khamenei struck a milder tone during the endorsement ceremony. He focused on Irans mounting domestic issues, praising Raisis anti-corruption campaign and asking him to encourage local production. The nation needs competent, effective and brave management, Khamenei said. Iran, now struggling to stem the spread of the highly contagious delta variant, has recorded a total of more than 3.9 million virus cases and 91,785 fatalities the highest death toll in the region. Without commenting specifically on the stalled nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Raisi stressed in his speech he would pursue the removal of oppressive sanctions in order to salvage the crippled economy. We will not (tie) the peoples dining tables and the economy to the will of the foreigners, he said. Raisi won a landslide victory in the June election, which saw the lowest in the Islamic Republics history. He will take the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony Thursday before parliament. President Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the landmark nuclear accord and lift sanctions if Iran moves back into compliance with the agreement. But escalating tensions in the Middle East now risk complicating the diplomatic choreography. The West has blamed Iran for a drone attack last week that struck an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members. Iran has denied involvement in the incident, which marks the first-known fatal assault after a yearslong shadow war targeting commercial shipping in the region. NEW YORK (AP) New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. FILE In this May 17, 2021 file photo, Emily Baumgartner, left, and Luke Finley, second from left, join friends from their church group in a birthday toast to one of the members, upper right, during their weekly "Monday Night Hang" gathering at the Tiki Bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) NEW YORK (AP) New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement, which will be phased in over several weeks in August and September, is the most aggressive step the city has taken yet to curb a surge in cases caused by the delta variant. People will have to show proof that they have had at least one vaccine dose. The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if youre vaccinated, de Blasio said. The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If were going to stop the delta variant, the time is now. The Democrat said some details still need to be worked out, including rules affecting children under 12, who are not yet eligible for any of the approved vaccines. The policy will go into effect on Aug. 16 but inspections and enforcement won't begin until Sept. 13 the week the city's public schools reopen for fall. During a Tuesday news conference, President Joe Biden said he supported New York Citys move and said other cities need to give the authority to those restaurants or businesses to say: In order to come in, you have to give proof that youre either vaccinated or you cant come in. FILE - In this April 28, 2021 file photo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, speaks with Matthew Putman, co-founder and CEO of Nanotronics, during a facility tour before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a Nanotronics manufacturing center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Putman said he agonized over his decision to impose a vaccine mandate on his more than 100 employees, who have mostly been working onsite throughout the pandemic. As it turned out, nearly all of his workers were already vaccinated, though he dreads the prospect of having to fire any holdouts.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, Pool) De Blasio has focused on getting as many New Yorkers vaccinated as possible while resisting calls to mandate masks indoors, as several cities and counties in California have done. He said vaccination cards will be accepted as proof of inoculation, along with state and city apps. De Blasio said Monday he was making a strong recommendation that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings but stressed that the citys overwhelming strategic thrust remained getting more people vaccinated. Asked Tuesday about a mask mandate, de Blasio said all options were on the table but reiterated the city's policy is vaccine-centric. Right now what we want to nail is people getting vaccinated, and, very bluntly, showing that life is much better when youre vaccinated," he added. You have more freedom when youre vaccinated, and you have a lot less, you have fewer choices, fewer opportunities if you're not vaccinated. The mayor announced last week that city employees would be required to get vaccinated by mid-September or face weekly testing, and he has offered a $100 incentive for city residents who get inoculated. FILE - Security personnel ask customers for proof of vaccination as they enter City Winery Thursday, June 24, 2021, in New York. New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, Aug. 3, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) De Blasio said Tuesday that he did not think checking vaccination status should be too difficult for businesses, which already have to take tickets or show diners to a table. Some disagreed. Seongmin Jun, the manager of Dear Han Cafe in Queens, wondered how he would check vaccination cards while handling the periodic rush of patrons and serving as the cafes only barista. Will customers get offended for checking if they got COVID vaccinations? I mean I dont know how to do that, or even if I will have time to do that, Jun said. The coffee shop opened just months before the pandemic spread early last year. Theyre making it too hard for businesspeople, Jun said, but acknowledged something has to be done to get the virus under control. I get what they are trying to say, but there must be another way to reduce the cases of COVID. FILE - Security personnel ask customers for proof of vaccination as they enter City Winery, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in New York. New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, Aug. 3, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) Sean Ogs, manager of the nearby Woodside Cafe, said he was floored when he heard the news about the new vaccination mandate. Weve already been in a struggle. I dont know how Im going to deal with it, Ogs said. Its going to be extra work. Itll make things impossible. Woodside Cafe customer Debbie McCarthy, who is unvaccinated, said she was turned away over the weekend from several establishments that had already begun requiring proof of vaccinations from patrons. Im a little shocked they would do that, said McCarthy, who said she recovered from COVID-19 a few months ago and believes her natural antibodies will protect from future infections. Why are they so afraid of people who havent been vaccinated? I think we should have a choice." Scientists recommend vaccination for people who have had the virus, saying it's unclear how long immunity without vaccination for those who have recovered would last. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance restaurant group, said he supports the new policy to ensure that New York City does not revert to restrictions and shut down orders that would again absolutely devastate small businesses that have not yet recovered from the pandemic. The Five-Borough Chamber Alliance agreed that the mandate was a complicated decisions, but said it was worthy of support for protecting public health and keeping the city on the path to full economic recovery. Fitness studio owner Bill Zanker said he supports the policy as well, even though it comes as another hurdle after a long coronavirus shutdown. Weve got to encourage people to get vaccinated. ... Were happy to enforce that, said Zanker, the CEO of GRIT BXNG, a Manhattan studio that offers boxing-related workouts and a full bar. Unfortunately, it will affect the business again. The studio had been open for just seven months before the pandemic shutdown began in March 2020. Since reopening this past May, GRIT has checked patrons vaccination status, offering some inoculated-only classes where people could go without masks while unvaccinated people had to take other classes and cover their faces, he said. About 25% of the patrons are unvaccinated, he said. Major performance venues including Broadway theaters and the Metropolitan Opera have already announced that vaccinations will be required for patrons. About 66% of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated, according to official data. On Monday, the U.S. reached the president's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adults a month late and amid a surge by the delta variant that is overwhelming hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic regulations around the country. Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) The senators who spent months stitching together a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package are now trying to sell it to the American people before a key vote expected this week that would push a long recognized national priority much closer to the finish line, after years of talk. FILE - President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 29, 2021. An array of progressive and pro-White House groups plans to spend nearly $100 million to promote Bidens agenda over the next month to pressure Congress while lawmakers are on their August recess. The push being announced Monday, Aug. 2 coupled with a wave of travel by the presidents top surrogates, is meant to promote and secure passage of Bidens two-track infrastructure plan. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The senators who spent months stitching together a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package are now trying to sell it to the American people before a key vote expected this week that would push a long recognized national priority much closer to the finish line, after years of talk. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday that the $65 billion for broadband means that some people in her state would get access to the internet for the first time. The pandemic that we have endured for more than a year laid bare the disparities in access to high-speed internet, Collins said. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, spoke of how the bill would lead to more rural and Native Alaskans having access to a sink to wash their hands in. The bill dedicates about $55 billion in new funding for water and wastewater systems. "We have to do right by our Native people," she said. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., noted there is about $16 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would help fund projects designed to curb coastal erosion. My state has lost as much land as is in the entire state of Delaware. But other states are losing land, too," he said. And Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., talked about how $110 billion in new funding for roads and bridges would mean access to markets for farms in Montana such as his own. It is critically important we keep our aging bridges and roads and airports up to snuff," Tester said. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, departs the Senate as lawmakers work to advance the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. The 2,700-page bill includes new expenditures on roads, bridges, water pipes broadband and other projects, plus cyber security. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The lawmakers, part of a group that they like to call the G-10, for gang of 10 five Republican, five Democratic senators are appealing to the wishes of many voters for not only better airports, roads and internet service, but also for some bipartisanship in Washington, without being directly asked to pay for those improvements through higher income taxes or user fees. While it's looking like the Senate will approve the bill during the coming week, supporters of the legislation will face an array of obstacles advancing the package, a major priority in President Joe Biden's agenda. Interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum are taking aim at provisions they don't like, potentially unraveling the agreement. Some conservatives don't like that the agreement moves the country further away from relying on user fees, such as the federal gas tax, to pay for highway and transit improvements. Others are wary that the bill sets a course for much more federal spending after the government already provided for nearly $5 trillion dedicated to COVID relief. This week, the Treasury Department warned Congress it was hitting the nation's debt limit. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, takes an escalator from the Senate subway on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Every single time we add an enormous sum to our national debt, there is bipartisanship behind it," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said. Environmental groups worry that the bill doesn't do enough to address climate change. It is clear that the deal does not meet the moment on climate or justice, said Tiernan Sittenfeld, a senior vice president of the League of Conservation Voters. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., amid continuing talks around the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) The pressure from the left underpins House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's statement that there won't be a House vote on the bipartisan infrastructure plan until the Senate also passes the $3.5 trillion Democratic bill that boosts spending on health, environment and social programs. The Senate is plowing through efforts to amend the narrower infrastructure bill, which will require 60 votes to advance for passage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is intent on passing the legislation as soon as possible so that the Senate can turn its attention to a budget blueprint that will set the stage for crafting and passing the larger $3.5 trillion package in the fall. Formally called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the proposal has clocked in at some 2,700 pages. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks to reporters amid continuing talks around the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) The Senate's Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has sided with those voting to allow debate to proceed, but he has not said how he will ultimately vote. He said Tuesday the bill has a chance to be a bipartisan success story for the country," but he is warning Democrats against trying to speed up the amendment process. Like a lot of us, I'm interested in what it looks like in the end," McConnell said. He noted that "the past two administrations tried to do it, were unable to. The American people need it. I think it's one of those areas where there seems to be broad, bipartisan agreement." By evening, the Senate had overwhelmingly approved three noncontroversial amendments, while rejecting three others. As the amendment process continued, senators were weighing how much to try to change the package and how hard to try, knowing it would be difficult to reach the 60-vote threshold to approve any substantial changes. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters amid continuing talks around the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) In addition to the $110 billion in new spending for roads and bridges and $55 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure, the bipartisan package is expected to provide, $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for rail. Theres also to be billions for airports, ports, broadband internet and electric vehicle charging stations. Paying for the package has been a challenge after senators rejected ideas to raise revenue from a new gas tax or other streams. Instead, it is being financed from funding sources that might not pass muster with deficit hawks, including repurposing some $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid, as well as unemployment assistance that was turned back by some states, and relying on projected future economic growth. The bipartisan bill still faces a rough road in the House, where progressive lawmakers want a more robust package but may have to settle for this one to keep Bidens infrastructure plans on track. The outcome with the bipartisan effort will set the stage for the next debate over Bidens much more ambitious $3.5 trillion package, a strictly partisan pursuit of far-reaching programs and services including child care and health care that touch almost every corner of American life. Republicans strongly oppose that bill, which would require a simple majority for passage. Final votes on that measure are not expected until fall. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said Tuesday, with a heat wave and drought reducing the countrys supply. South Korea's National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won speaks during a plenary meeting of the parliamentary intelligence committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said Tuesday, with a heat wave and drought reducing the country's supply. (Ahn Jung-hwan/Yonhap via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said Tuesday, with a heat wave and drought reducing the countrys supply. North Koreas reported food problems come as its moribund economy continues to be battered by the protracted COVID-19 pandemic. While mass starvation and social chaos have not been reported, observers expect a further deterioration of North Koreas food situation until the autumn harvest. Seouls National Intelligence Service told a closed-door parliamentary committee meeting that North Korea is supplying rice reserved for wartime use to citizens with little food, other laborers and rural state agencies, according to Ha Tae-keung, one of the lawmakers who attended the session. Ha cited the NIS as saying an ongoing heat wave and drought have wiped out rice, corn and other crops and killed livestock in North Korea. The NIS said North Koreas leadership views fighting the drought as a matter of national existence and is focusing on increasing public awareness of its campaign, Ha said. Another lawmaker, Kim Byung-kee, quoted the NIS as saying that North Korea normally needs about 5.5 million tons of food to feed its 26 million people but is currently short 1 million tons. He said the NIS told the lawmakers that North Korea is running out of its grain stockpiles. The price of rice, the most important crop in North Korea, once doubled from early this year. The price briefly stabilized in July before soaring again, Kim cited the NIS as saying. Ha said North Korea is trying to control the price of grains to which its public is most sensitive. Kwon Tae-jin, an expert at the private GS&J Institute in South Korea, said North Korea is likely releasing the military reserves to sell at a cheaper price than at markets to stabilize prices. He said rice prices are considerably unstable in North Korea because the government has a limit in how much rice it can supply. It isn't the first time that North Korea has released state rice reserves, but the assessment that it doesnt have much left in its grain stockpiles is worrisome, Kwon said. North Korea had similar food shortages in past years before the pandemic, according to Kwon, but its needs were met by the smuggling of rice and other grains via its porous border with China. But North Koreas ongoing pandemic-caused border closure makes it extremely difficult for such smuggling to happen, worsening this years food shortage, Kwon said. The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the worlds most secretive countries. But its current assessments come after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted his country faces the worst-ever crisis due to the pandemic and other difficulties and even a possible dire food shortage. During a key ruling party meeting in June, Kim urged officials to find ways to boost agricultural production, saying the countrys food situation is now getting tense. Earlier, he even compared the ongoing pandemic-related difficulties to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Chinese data show North Koreas trade with China, its last major ally and biggest trading partner, nosedived by about 80% last year a result of the Norths strict border closure. South Koreas central bank said last week that North Koreas economy is estimated to have shrunk 4.5% last year, the biggest contraction since 1997. Kwon said North Koreas current food problem will continue until it harvests corn, rice and other grains in autumn. But he said North Korea isn't likely to suffer a humanitarian disaster like the 1990s famine, during which he said there was little grain remaining at most markets. Currently, North Korean citizens can still buy grain at expensive prices if they have money, he said. Other experts say China isn't likely to allow a massive famine to occur in North Korea. They say China worries about North Korean refugees flooding over the border into China or the establishment of a pro-U.S., unified Korea on its doorstep. According to the NIS, North Korea wants the United States to relax some of the newer U.N. sanctions imposed over its high-profile weapons tests as a precondition for returning to talks on its nuclear program. They are bans on exporting mineral resources and importing refined oil and high-end liquors and suits. Kim Jong Un, in particular, needs those liquors and suits to distribute to elites in North Korea, Ha cited the NIS as saying. The two lawmakers said the NIS also believes there is no indication that Kim Jong Un has a health issue, following recent photos that appeared to show a bandage on the back of his head. The NIS said Kim has been actively making public appearances and his movements have appeared normal. Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule on Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season. Stranded travelers sleep on the seats of the ticketing waiting area, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia. Their schedule flight to Los Angels was delayed until Thursday, after Spirit canceled nearly half its schedule for Tuesday, the third straight day of extremely high cancellation numbers at the budget airline. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) Spirit Airlines canceled more than half its schedule on Tuesday, and American Airlines struggled to recover from weekend storms at its Texas home, stranding thousands of passengers at the height of the summer travel season. By early evening, Spirit had canceled more than 400 flights, or nearly 60% of its schedule, according to the FlightAware tracking service. Nearly 100 other flights were late. The blame appeared to lie at least partly with a technology outage affecting crew scheduling. American Airlines had already canceled nearly 350 flights. It is much larger than Spirit, so those flights amounted to 11% of its schedule still an unusually high rate. About three-fourths of the American cancellations appeared to be due at least partly to a lack of pilots, according to a company log. The disruptions at Spirit and American are just the latest examples of airlines scrambling to deal with an increase in travel this summer. Airlines have thousands fewer employees than they did before the pandemic, but U.S. air travel has recovered to about 80% of 2019 levels. A Spirit spokesman said the low-cost carrier was proactively canceling some flights dropping them before most passengers drive to the airport to reset the operation. Were working around the clock to mitigate the travel disruptions caused by overlapping operational challenges including weather, system outages and staffing shortages in some areas of the operation, spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said. Were working to provide refunds for cancellations and, when possible, to re-accommodate our guests on other flights. A person familiar with the situation said Spirit experienced an outage Tuesday morning affecting crew scheduling, preventing airline officials from rescheduling crews to cover gaps. The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said crews were stranded in many places around the country and unable to get to assigned flights. On Monday, Florida-based Spirit scrapped more than 330 flights, or 42% of its schedule, more than double the rate of American Airlines, the next poorest performer among major U.S. carriers. Spirit canceled about 20% of its flights on Sunday. American's difficulties Tuesday came after the airline canceled about 560 flights, or 18% of its schedule, on Monday and nearly 300 on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Most were at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where thunderstorms disrupted flights for several hours Sunday. The union representing American's pilots accused the airline's management of poor planning and not having enough employees. Its pretty simple. They dont have enough pilots, and they dont have modern scheduling practices to do more with what they have, said union spokesman Dennis Tajer. He said that bad weather hits every airline, but American is the last to recover. This has to change. American denied that it has a pilot shortage. Spokeswoman Whitney Zastrow said in a statement that Tuesday's cancellations were largely related to Sunday's storm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She said employees were working around the clock to take care of customers. Southwest canceled about 2% of its flights Tuesday, and other large U.S. airlines had even lower cancellation rates, according to FlightAware. The numbers don't count flights on smaller planes that are branded as American Eagle, United Express or Delta Connection. Customers who called Spirit and American also complained about being put on hold for hours. Airlines received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep people employed through the pandemic but reduced staff anyway. Now they are adding call center workers and filling other jobs. David Donovan, a retired lawyer in Washington whose future flight to Des Moines, Iowa, was changed, said American promised in a recorded message to call him back within four hours on Monday, then called at midnight, when he was trying to sleep. He elected to try again Tuesday but couldn't get through. With all the bailout money we gave them, they ought to have enough people to answer the dang phone, Donovan said. David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter AUSTIN, Texas A federal judge has ordered Texas to keep state troopers from stopping vehicles that are carrying migrants on the grounds that the migrants may spread the coronavirus. A jogger runs past the Sydney Opera House at dawn in Sydney, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Australias largest city Sydney will remain in lockdown for another four weeks due to a growing COVID-19 cluster. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP) AUSTIN, Texas A federal judge has ordered Texas to keep state troopers from stopping vehicles that are carrying migrants on the grounds that the migrants may spread the coronavirus. The temporary restraining order handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone comes as coronavirus infections are rising along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week authorized Texas growing presence of state troopers along the border to stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion that it transports migrants. A man receives a shot of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine from a health worker, at a vaccination center in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) The Biden administration accused Abbott of potentially worsening the spread of the coronavirus. It argued that impeding the movement of migrants would prolong the detention of unaccompanied children in increasingly crowded facilities. MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: New York City: Vaccination proof needed for indoor events, dining, gyms WH: US shipped abroad more than 110M doses of vaccines In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, people get COVID-19 vaccinations at a vaccination site at a sports arena in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Chinese authorities announced Tuesday mass coronavirus testing in Wuhan as an unusually wide series of COVID-19 outbreaks reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. Most of the local cases are still in Jiangsu province, where an outbreak started at the airport in Nanjing, the provincial capital, and has spread to the city of Yangzhou. (Li Bo/Xinhua via AP) China orders mass coronavirus testing for Wuhan 1st cruise ship docks in Puerto Rico since start of pandemic Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: A view of the Lido deck on the brand new Carnival Cruise Line ship 'Mardi Gras,' in Port Canaveral, Fla., Friday, July 30, 2021. The ship sailed Saturday, marking the first official passenger cruise from Port Canaveral since the pandemic began in 2020. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is pressing forward with efforts to allow schools to mandate face masks as coronavirus infections continue to rise in the state. Hutchinson on Tuesday called the legislature back into session to consider revising a law he signed in April that prohibits mask mandates by schools and other governmental entities. Some lawmakers in the Republican-controlled body are opposing a mandate. The session will begin Wednesday and include a proposal to prevent the state from having to resume making supplemental unemployment benefits to thousands of residents. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Country music star Garth Brooks says he is reassessing whether to continue his stadium tour in light of the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country. Visitors wear face masks to protect against COVID-19 as they walk at a tourist shopping street in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Chinese authorities announced Tuesday mass coronavirus testing in Wuhan as an unusually wide series of COVID-19 outbreaks reached the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019. The current outbreaks, while still in the hundreds of cases in total, have spread much more widely than previous ones, reaching multiple provinces and cities including the capital, Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Brooks says in a statement that while he is scheduled to play the next two tour stops in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska, he will not put tickets on sale for the next planned stop in Seattle. The singer says he will take a three-week break to assess what to do about the remainder of the tour. Brooks is one of the biggest selling entertainers in music. He restarted touring in July and regularly performs in front of 60,000 to 70,000 people. Many of his shows sell out well in advance. PHOENIX A science teacher in Phoenix has filed suit seeking to block a school district from imposing a mask mandate, arguing the requirement violates a new state law. FILE In this July 27, 2021 file photo, Katrina Taormina draws the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at Lehman High School, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2 amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) The Phoenix Union High School District confirmed the filing Tuesday, and says the superintendent and governing board members stand behind our decision to require masks at this time and remain steadfast in our commitment to do all we can to protect our staff, students, families, and broader community. Phoenix Union resumed classes Monday and has roughly 28,000 students and 4,000 employees. The fight over masks comes as Arizona reported 1,974 new coronavirus infections and 30 deaths from COVID-19. JERUSALEM Israel has reimposed a series of coronavirus restrictions amid a wave of rising infections, despite widespread vaccination. FILE - In this April 28, 2021 file photo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, speaks with Matthew Putman, co-founder and CEO of Nanotronics, during a facility tour before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a Nanotronics manufacturing center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Putman said he agonized over his decision to impose a vaccine mandate on his more than 100 employees, who have mostly been working onsite throughout the pandemic. As it turned out, nearly all of his workers were already vaccinated, though he dreads the prospect of having to fire any holdouts.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, Pool) The government said late Tuesday that the Cabinet had approved tighter measures, including allowing only vaccinated people at indoor gatherings of 100 or more persons and requiring the wearing of masks at outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people. Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry ordered that all individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated arriving from the U.S. and 17 other countries must to quarantine for 14 days starting Aug. 11. Authorities reported 3,834 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, the highest daily count so far in a month-long acceleration in new infections. Over 57% of the countrys 9.3 million citizens are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. This week Israel started administering booster shots to citizens over age 60. DOVER, Del. As the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads in Delaware, state health officials recommended Tuesday that unvaccinated people get tested weekly and they announced more opportunities to access testing, including take-home kits offered at libraries. FILE - In this March 16, 2020, file photo, vehicles enter the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in Detroit to travel to Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency has rejected a creative plan by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to have Ontario residents line up inside the tunnel to get COVID-19 vaccinations. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) In a statement, Gov. John Carney, the Division of Public Health, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency urged everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated and encouraged anyone who is unvaccinated to get weekly testing to prevent additional infections. Cases climbed steadily in Delaware during the month of July and more than 100 new cases have been reported every day for the last 5 days, officials said. SALT LAKE CITY Utahs hospitals are feeling the strain as coronavirus cases increase, the vast majority among unvaccinated people. Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday called the latest wave a pandemic of the unvaccinated, yet maintained the state wouldnt be following New York in requiring people show they got the shot. But he said the state will support private companies that require some sort of proof. FILE In this April 18, 2020 file photo, a subway conductor wears a face mask as the train is in a station, in the Bronx borough of New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have scheduled competing news conferences Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, amid rising COVID-19 case counts attributed to the highly contagious delta variant of the virus. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Cox warns that our hospital ICUs are filling up and our healthcare workers are feeling the strain. Officials say ICUs around the state have exceeded 100% capacity multiple times over the last several days. LAYTON, Mo. People in Missouri's St. Louis County will not be required to wear masks for at least two more weeks, after a judge issued a temporary restraining order against a mask mandate imposed last month. Circuit Judge Ellen Nellie Ribaudo on Tuesday sided with state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who sued seeking to stop the mask mandate issued by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and county health officials. A hearing has been set for Aug. 17. FILE In this July 30, 2021 file photo, Bradley Sharp, of Saratoga, N.Y., gets the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from registered nurse Stephanie Wagner, in New York. Sharp needs the vaccination because it is required by his college. Hundreds of college campuses across the country have told students that they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before classes begin in a matter of weeks. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) The St. Louis County Council voted last week to rescind the mandate, but Page insisted it remained in effect. Ribaduo said in her ruling the state is likely to prevail in its argument that the law gives the county council the authority to terminate the mask requirement issued by health officials. LAS VEGAS -- A surge in coronavirus cases driven by the highly contagious delta variant has pushed Nevada's hospitalization rate past levels seen in last summers surge, well before vaccines were available. Nevada on Monday reported 1,130 people hospitalized for confirmed cases of COVID-19. That level was last seen in late January, though it was well below the state's pandemic peak of 1,857 hospitalizations on Dec. 15. This March 24, 2021 photo shows a sign near an entrance to a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo. Unionized auto workers in the U.S. will go back to wearing masks in all factories, offices and warehouses starting Wednesday, Aug. 4, because of the spreading delta coronavirus variant.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) But the current outbreak has surpassed the highest rate when a surge in coronavirus virus infections began last summer, when there were 972 confirmed hospitalizations for COVID-19. MINNEAPOLIS The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul says they will require city employees to wear masks in indoor public spaces as the delta variant of the coronavirus spurs concern nationwide. Mayors Jacob Frey and Melvin Carter said Tuesday that they also will require visitors to city-owned buildings to wear masks. The moves are in line with the latest recommendations from the CDC. The mayors also are urging businesses to require masks indoors to lessen the chances of virus spread. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accompanies his mother, Mirna Bennett, to be vaccinated with a third coronavirus vaccine shot, in Haifa Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Elad Gershgoren/Pool via AP) Minnesota reported 1,667 more infections Tuesday. SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexicos court system is taking steps to ease financial upheaval as the state resumes foreclosures on delinquent mortgage loans and phases out a pandemic moratorium on commercial debt collection orders often tied to credit cards or health care. The Administrative Office of the Courts on Monday announced staggered deadlines for a return to debt collection orders that can be used to garnish wages or seize property to pay off commercial debts. Common forms of overdue credit are linked to credit card spending and medical expenses. At the same time, the state judiciary said mortgage lenders cant foreclose on properties without first providing homeowners with information about various ways to avoid foreclosure including forbearance agreements that reduce or suspend loan payments temporarily. White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has postponed the final drawing in the states vaccination sweepstakes for several days, allowing more people to get their coronavirus shots and enter for a chance to receive prizes. The final drawing had been set for Wednesday, but is now scheduled for Aug. 10. The governor's office said Tuesday that the registration deadline also has been extended from Monday night to Sunday. Due to a system glitch, registration for a college scholarship prize available to younger residents closed early. The problem was fixed, but rather than simply reopening registration for one prize, the registration was pushed back for all prizes. Six other weekly drawings have been held. Among the prizes being offered in the finale are a grand prize of $1.588 million, a second-place prize of $588,000, two custom pickup trucks, lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, hunting rifles and shotguns, and state park weekend lodging trips. In addition, two people ages 12 to 25 will receive a full, four-year college scholarship. Usage of required face masks are posted throughout Jackson State University during an open COVID-19 vaccination site sponsored by the university and the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) WASHINGTON White House press secretary Jen Psaki criticized policies in states such as Texas and Florida that have moved to block employers and proprietors from implementing mask or vaccine requirements to curb the coronavirus. Those two states are among several facing surging cases from the delta variant. I think the fundamental question we have is, what are we doing here? Psaki asked. Biden planned to speak Tuesday about U.S. strategy to slow the spread of the coronavirus at home and abroad, noting that were all in this together. Earlier, the White House announced the U.S. had shipped more than 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries. BATON ROUGE, La. Louisianas COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged to record levels. The Louisiana Department of Health reported Tuesday that 2,112 mostly unvaccinated people are in hospital beds struggling with the coronavirus illness. The states previous peak of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 2,069 patients in early January, after holiday gatherings spurred a spike in cases. But the highly contagious delta variant of the virus is propelling record-breaking numbers of hospitalizations at a faster pace. Health officials say the influx of COVID-19 patients is damaging the ability of hospitals to care for people with heart attacks, injuries from car accidents and other health conditions. The Louisiana Department of Health says 89% of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 arent vaccinated. COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolina's top prosecutor says the University of South Carolina cant require students and staff to wear masks on campus this fall despite increasing cases of coronavirus. Last week, university officials announced they would require face coverings at all times inside all campus buildings, unless in ones own residence hall room, private office or eating inside campus dining facilities. But in a letter sent Monday, state Attorney General Alan Wilson says the universitys mask mandate is likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. A budget proviso that went into effect July 1 prohibits the states public colleges, universities and school districts from using any appropriated funds to institute mask requirements. RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina officials say more 74,000 state residents were vaccinated against the coronavirus last week, a figure higher than during any other week in the past two months. A push to get young adults vaccinated before the start of th eschool year and a growing number of employers requiring their workers to get the shot is likely fueling the improvement. Vaccine providers at dozens of sites across North Carolina are currently providing $25 to residents who come in for a shot and drivers who bring people in for their initial dose. Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday that his administration will raise that amount to $100 for people who get the shot starting Wednesday. Drivers will still qualify for the $25. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Cattle owners in Tennessee have incentives to inoculate their herds against animal diseases. But officials arent planning to offer any incentives for people to get coronavirus shots, despite having some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. The state has reimbursed farmers nearly a half million dollars over the past two years to vaccinate herds against respiratory and other diseases. Gov. Bill Lee says he doesnt think the state should offer people incentives for coronavirus inoculations. Vaccination rates hover at 39% in Tennessee vs. 49% nationally for the fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, Tennessees hospitalizations for COVID-19 have more than tripled over the past three weeks. RENO, Nev. (AP) U.S. land managers have begun efforts to capture about 50% more wild horses than originally planned this year because of severe drought across the U.S. West about 6,000 additional animals primarily in Nevada, Oregon and Colorado. FILE - In this July 13, 2008, file photo, a livestock helicopter pilot rounds up wild horses from the Fox & Lake Herd Management Area in Washoe County, Nev., near the town on Empire, Nev. Federal land managers say they're beginning to capture about 50% more horses than they originally planned this year across public U.S. rangeland across the West because of severe drought conditions, about 6,000 additional animals primarily in Nevada, Oregon and Colorado. Horse protection advocates critical of the move said the emergency roundups are being driven by pressure from ranchers who don't want the mustangs competing with their livestock for limited forage and water on drought-stricken range. (AP Photo/Brad Horn, File) RENO, Nev. (AP) U.S. land managers have begun efforts to capture about 50% more wild horses than originally planned this year because of severe drought across the U.S. West about 6,000 additional animals primarily in Nevada, Oregon and Colorado. The Bureau of Land Management said the emergency roundups that began Sunday in Oregon and Monday in Nevada concentrate on places where chronic overpopulation of the herds already has stretched the available food and water to its limits. As one of the agencies charged with the responsibility to protect and manage Americas wild horses and burros, the BLM is prepared to take emergency action where we can in order to save the lives of these cherished animals, said Nada Wolff Culver, the bureaus deputy director for policy and programs. The agency is committed to continuing our efforts to reduce overpopulation across the West and achieve healthy, sustainable herd sizes that are more capable of withstanding severe conditions, including prolonged drought, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, she said in announcing the effort Monday. Horse advocates say the emergency roundups that will continue into September are being driven by pressure from ranchers who dont want the mustangs competing with their livestock for limited forage and water. One advocate said shes especially disappointed the Biden administration is continuing the policies of former President Donald Trump and previous administrations that prioritized removal of horses that are federally protected without reining in the number of cattle and sheep grazing on the same land. Profit-driven interests ravage the landscape, and we blame the horse, said Laura Leigh, president of the nonprofit group Wild Horse Education. Absolutely nothing has changed under the Biden administration except we are being spoon-fed a dose of greenwash that they care about the environment and wild things, she said. The National Cattlemens Beef Association said ranchers already have made voluntary changes to reduce and rotate grazing on federal lands during a drought more pervasive and dramatic than we have seen in years, said Kaitlynn Glover, the associations executive director of resources. These removals are critical for the horses as well as the health of the rangelands, she said in an email to The Associated Press. Even in times where resources are plentiful, these overpopulated herds cause serious damage to the landscape. The bureau already has gathered 1,200 animals this year and originally intended to round up about 12,000. The new effort would push the total to about 18,000 across 10 Western states from Montana to California. The bureau says the estimated 86,000 free-roaming mustangs and burros on federal lands is three times what the ecosystem can sustain, something that animal advocates dispute. About 1,400 that are rounded up would be returned to the range after they receive contraceptive drugs. But the total rounded up would be more than double the 9,181 gathered last year. The previous peak over the past decade was 9,749 in 2018. Fewer than 4,100 were gathered annually from 2013 through 2017. Culver noted that the land agency announced last week that it was taking additional steps to ensure that captured horses made available for public adoption do not end up in the hands of secondhand buyers who ship them to slaughterhouses. That move drew mixed reactions from horse advocates, who welcomed efforts to tighten regulations but said the reforms dont go far enough and that horses will still end up being slaughtered as long as the government offers $1,000 cash incentives to adopt the animals. Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, said the crisis on the range is the result of the Bureau of Land Managements failure to implement solutions that have been available for over 20 years, including accelerated use of fertility control programs. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, agreed. This situation further illustrates that the status quo does not work, Titus said. That is why I led an effort to provide funding in this years Interior appropriations bill for safe and humane birth control. OTTAWA - Fear and frustration are mounting over the scope and pace of Ottawas plan to rescue potentially thousands of Afghans from the threat of Taliban retaliation for their past associations with Canada. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with a member of the media following a press conference to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NDP, at the Jack Layton Monument in Toronto, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin OTTAWA - Fear and frustration are mounting over the scope and pace of Ottawas plan to rescue potentially thousands of Afghans from the threat of Taliban retaliation for their past associations with Canada. The Liberal government announced last month that immigration officials would expedite the resettlement of Afghans who had worked with Canada as interpreters, cultural advisers and support staff since 2001, as well as their families. The announcement followed weeks of pressure from Canadian veterans and grassroots groups such as Afghan-Canadian Interpreters, which has been in direct contact with hundreds of people desperate to escape to Canada. Yet despite those direct contacts and the urgency of the situation, Afghan-Canadian Interpreters director Wendy Long says Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has largely cut out her group and others. That has manifested in the departments refusal to consult with them or accept hundreds of applications with supporting documentation compiled by the group over the past eight weeks and verified with help fromthe Canadian Armed Forces, which has been working with her organization. I am disappointed that the IRCC has not wanted to sit at the table, Long said. The data that we have collected is sitting in over 250 folders, and would be invaluable to at least get these 250 people off the ground. Immigration officials have also declined to provide such groups with information that would help them assist Afghans with the application process. Immigration officials have instead set out to recreate the work that Afghan-Canadian Interpreters and others have already done, Long said. That includes having Afghans fill out new application forms and send the same supporting documentation. A child waves the flag of Afghanistan during a rally calling for help for the families of interpreters who worked with Canadian forces in Afghanistan, across the street from the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Fear and frustration are mounting over the scope and pace of Ottawas plan to rescue potentially thousands of Afghans from the threat of Taliban retaliation for their past associations with Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Not only has that caused confusion back in Afghanistan, Long said, it has also led to unnecessary and potentially deadly delays. Let's get these people out and we can worry about the paperwork later, Long said. As long as they are properly identified and vetted by our CAF, let's just get them out. With the Taliban threat growing every day, Long specifically called on IRCC to appoint a liaison to work with veterans and advocacy groups to speed up the rescue mission. Having an open dialogue with IRCC with a point person can only help speed up the process and the dissemination of intel on the ground because we are intimately acquainted with what's going on on the ground, she said. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicinos office did not immediately respond to questions. Meanwhile, dozens of former Afghan interpreters rallied on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, calling on the federal government to bring their extended family members stuck in Afghanistan to Canada. The former interpreters were among about 800 Afghans resettled under two different programs between 2008 and 2012 who say their previous work with Canada has left parents and siblings back home at risk of Taliban reprisals. The government says it will be flexible in deciding who is eligible for assistance, but veterans and former interpreters say the current plan excludes parents, siblings and most adult children as well as Afghans who have fled to neighbouring countries. One of those at Tuesdays rally was Ahmed Shoaib, who said he worked as an interpreter for the Canadian military and diplomats in Kandahar between 2007 and 2011 and is now worried about his brother, sister and mother back home. "The only reason that they are suffering is because of us working in support of the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Foreign Affairs," Shoaib said, adding his siblings and mother recently fled their homes to a part of Afghanistan not yet in Taliban hands. "We do need the government to help us because when we were in Afghanistan we put our lives at risk to help the Canadian Forces Just because of us, our families' lives are at risk, too." NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the Liberal government to expand eligibility for Afghans hoping for resettlement in Canada to include the extended families of interpreters and staff who supported coalition forces. There are a lot of people in Afghanistan that need help and that helped out Canadians and that should qualify for support, should qualify for resettlement to Canada, Singh said during a news conference in Toronto. I think we need to be very broad in our understanding of the people that have been threatened. If an interpreter risked their life and now their families lives are at risk, weve got a responsibility to support them now. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Conservative Leader Erin OToole also weighed in with calls for a timeline on when rescue flights will start to arrive in Canada. "Afghan interpreters, cultural advisers, support staff, and their families are at risk of persecution and even death because they put themselves in harm's way to help our country, OToole said in a statement. Justin Trudeau must immediately provide a comprehensive plan with a clear timeline for these Afghans and their families seeking refuge in Canada." The plan to resettle Afghan interpreters has been plagued with problems and controversy since it was unveiled on July 23, with the government backing off an initial 72-hour application timeline days before the email address for applications crashed. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2021. With files from Maan Alhmidi and Christopher Reynolds Students, teachers and guardians will soon learn more details about the back-to-school season, a government source told the Free Press. Students, teachers and guardians will soon learn more details about the back-to-school season, a government source told the Free Press. The source indicated the province plans to reveal its blueprint for the 2021-22 academic year which will be the third consecutive school year affected by COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon. Since the final bell rang in June, school administrators have anticipated a return to classroom instruction will occur with limited public health restrictions, similar to how K-12 classes resumed after Labour Day in 2020. Last year, Manitoba students experienced the first day of school in the caution level, or code yellow, although schools were soon downgraded on the colour-coded pandemic response system. Code Yellow, which indicates community transmission is low, requires schools be open with physical distancing and cohorting measures in place. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Since the final bell rang in June, school administrators have anticipated a return to classroom instruction will occur with limited public health restrictions, similar to how K-12 classes resumed after Labour Day in 2020. The majority of the 2020-21 school year was spent in code orange in Winnipeg, but students in the provincial capital wrapped up in code red in June, with all but the youngest learners whose parents are critical service workers, students with disabilities, and pupils deemed to be at-risk studying at home. The province has confirmed remote learning will continue, at the very least, for students who are immunocompromised and request support through the Manitoba Remote Learning Support Centre this year. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The vice-president of the Manitoba Teachers Society wants to see the blueprint ensure adequate funding for physical distancing measures and staffing needs, as well as supports for student and staff mental health and recovery learning. "We still believe its a good idea for children under 12 (who are not currently eligible to get a vaccine) to be wearing masks, but well have to wait and see," said Nathan Martindale Tuesday. Martindale added the union would also like to see older students and staff who are not vaccinated continue to wear masks at school. Also Tuesday, the Ontario government unveiled its back-to-school plan, which will provide families with an option to either send their students back to school full time or enrol in remote learning. Manitobas eastern neighbour will continue to enforce a mask mandate for students who are in Grade 1 and up while recommending kindergartners wear face coverings indoors, but such personal protective equipment will be optional outdoors. maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie A university professor is being recognized for her many contributions to Manitobas Chinese community. Opinion A university professor is being recognized for her many contributions to Manitobas Chinese community. Alison Marshall, who teaches Asian history and religion at Brandon University, is this years recipient of the William Norrie Arts & Culture Volunteer Award. Named after Winnipegs 39th mayor and presented by Volunteer Manitoba, the award honours volunteers in the arts and cultural sector. "I am thrilled to receive this award, especially since Bill Norrie was a longtime supporter of, and friend to, the Manitoba Chinese community," Marshall says. Born and raised in Ontario, Marshall moved to Manitoba in 2000. She started volunteering with the provinces Chinese community eight years later, while working on her first book, The Way of the Bachelor: Early Chinese Settlement in Manitoba. Marshall credits her family with her interest in Asian studies. One of her great-uncles ran an Asian import-export business in 1920s Montreal, so her childhood home was filled with carpets, lamps, photos and landscape paintings from Asia. Her grandmothers travelled to China and Japan, and she had an aunt who worked for Torontos Chinese community. During university, Marshall took a course in Mandarin. She did well and started winning scholarships; it became apparent she wanted to study Asian history and religion. "I really like the people," she says. "Thats ultimately why I volunteer: I really like the people." During the past 13 years, Marshall has been involved in numerous projects dedicated to documenting the history of Chinese Canadians on the Prairies. She serves on the board of directors at the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre and gives tours of Chinatown. Additionally, she has advised organizations such as the Manitoba Museum and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights when they have questions about the history of Chinatown and Chinese Canadians. Today, Marshall spends anywhere from two to 20 hours each week volunteering. In addition to her love for connecting with people, Marshall is motivated by the admiration she has for the people who have entrusted their stories to her. She points to one project she worked on, which detailed Sun Yat-sens visit to southern Manitoba in 1911, as one example. Sun is considered to be the father of modern China. His visit had a profound influence on Chinese immigrants in places like Carberry and Brandon at a time when they faced many challenges, including discrimination. "I admire them, I respect them, I feel I owe them because they trusted me with these stories," she says. "They had no reason to trust me, a stranger. I do this because I sort of feel its my duty. Ive got to give back." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Its that dedication that led Ben Lee, president of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, to nominate Marshall for the award. "Shes just really, really amazing and wonderful to work with," Lee says. "Shes able to really find a lot of the rich history about Chinatown and put it together in writing in a way that well cherish for years to come." Marshall will be honoured alongside more than 30 others when Volunteer Manitoba and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries hold the annual awards celebration virtually on Sept. 23. A full list of this years recipients is available at volunteermanitoba.ca. In the meantime, Marshall hopes people visit Chinatown now that the government is starting to ease pandemic restrictions. "Im looking forward to seeing Chinatown come to life again," she says. "There are good things to come." If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com. Its never too late! Sean Gallop wrote above his graduation photo in a social-media post that would go viral. "Its never too late!" Sean Gallop wrote above his graduation photo in a social-media post that would go viral. Hed just finished law school at the age of 49, decades after he dropped out of high school to work at Pizza Hut. One of the guys he worked with back then was among more than a million people who viewed Gallops LinkedIn post. He got a congratulatory message from him one of thousands from all over the world. Many wanted to know: how did he do it? JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Sean Gallop says achieving your dreams all starts with a plan. The 49-year-old, who battled addiction and homelessness in the past, is now a law school graduate. Gallop says his past isnt something to put behind him, its something he want to use to help others. "I said, well, just make a plan," Gallop says in an interview. "If you want to do something, make a plan, start researching and then follow through on your plan." It sounds straightforward, but it wasnt easy. By the time Gallop decided to study law, hed battled drug addiction, been homeless on the streets of Winnipeg, attempted suicide, and, yes, needed a lawyer. But when he graduated this spring as the oldest student at University of Manitobas Robson Hall and began articling at Legal Aid Manitoba, Gallop was fulfilling a teenage dream. Hed wanted to be a lawyer since he was in high school, before he became homeless for the first time as a teen. "Id like people to think to themselves that if they had a vision or a dream or an idea or something that they wanted to do, it was given to them for a reason, and it is possible and they can achieve it," he says. In other words: dont give up. "Because, quite frankly, I gave up a long time ago on this, and then it came back around again, and here I am." Gallop grew up in Ontario and arrived in Manitoba in 2000 as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Winnipeg at the former Kapyong Barracks. He was a private working as a cook. "I was a big drinker when I went into the army, but I had never touched hard drugs," he says. His drinking escalated after the death of his brother, and he started using crack cocaine. Eventually, he was discharged from the military on a medical release. He wound up on the streets of Winnipeg using fentanyl and methamphetamine. By the time he went to a detox program six months later, he was injecting drugs a fact he doesnt want to shy away from, in case being explicit about it helps someone else in their recovery. He was charged with assault while on the street. A legal aid lawyer defended him, and Gallop got a conditional discharge, sparing him from a conviction. It would be years later, after working within the justice system, that Gallop would start to envision his own legal-aid career path as a way for him to help other people in the same position. He got into a residential treatment program at the Behavioural Health Foundation, but completing it didnt change the fact he didnt really know anyone in the city. He didnt do well on his own, and he didnt kick the addictions on his first try. "My success has a lot to do with the social programs I was able to access," Gallop says. He had to learn how to ask for help. "The thing is not just asking for help, but once you ask for help, take the help thats been given to you," he says, now nearly 12 years sober. "Dont say, aw, Im going to wait for better help. Ask for guidance and then take the guidance thats given to you as opposed to waiting for something else." He applied the same logic to getting through law school. "Thats when things really changed for me, not just law-school-wise, but my personal life, being able to overcome addictions and that kind of stuff, it was asking for help and then taking the help." Before he could get to law school, though, Gallop went back to the foundation, years after undergoing his own treatment, and asked for a job. He became an addictions worker, and then a court worker tasked with doing risk assessments on people who had been charged with crimes and whose bail plans were to go to the foundation for treatment. It was his job to decide who would be accepted into the program. Theyd then go before a judge, with an approval from the foundation boosting their chances of getting bail. "I wasnt always right, because there was people that I did deny who later reapplied and got in and they did exceptionally well," he acknowledges. Through years of listening to the mens stories trying not to get jaded if he heard the same tale repeatedly Gallop realized just how common it was to struggle with addiction and intergenerational trauma. "A substance abuse issue is usually a symptom of the problem and underneath it, all of them had some sort of complex trauma," he says. He sat in court and saw lawyers in action during bail hearings, such as the ones he runs now. Many of those lawyers, as well as correctional officers and other justice officials, became his cheerleaders as he went back to school. It was a local lawyer, he says, who first encouraged him, saying, "You know, you could do this. You could practise law." Gallop remembers thinking about it on his drive back to the foundation, pulling into a parking lot and phoning the University of Manitoba admissions office the same day. "I do that in my life now, I try to encourage people. Even in small ways, because Ive experienced it. A small amount of encouragement can change people so easily that youre not even aware of it, I think, because thats what happened to me." He got his GED at 42, enrolled in online and night school university courses, excelled in them, and wrote the LSAT at 46. A program for mature university students allowed him to apply to law school after completing one year of university courses. "I felt like I had to do it; I had to go for it," Gallop says. "One of the things I thought about the whole time was times going to pass either way." Looking back, Gallop says law school was a much more supportive environment than basic training. There was a certain freedom to being older; he wasnt bound by cliques. He made it his mission to talk to everyone in his year, and became popular among his much younger peers, most of whom heard only little bits of his story leading up to graduation. He landed in Stacey Soldiers Indigenous law class. As someone who worked her way through law school as a single mother in her 30s, Soldier recognized the value of Gallops life experience. Shed seen him work with foundation clients, and knew him to be personable and effective. "I remember thinking about it, thinking even if I didnt know him, this guy is going to be a superstar. The clients are really going to like him," she said. His compassion and real-world understanding sets him apart, Soldier said, and his first-hand experience could go a long way in criminal law. "For a long time, I was the only First Nations female lawyer practising criminal law in Winnipeg," she says. "That does make a difference in terms of clients who can see someone that looks like them in the courtroom, speaking to the matters in a suit, being on their side." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Bringing a different voice and a different viewpoint to the legal community at large, I think, is quite important." His past isnt something to put behind him, Gallop says. He wants to use it to help others. "If anything, Im living the dream of the hope that I had. When I was living on the streets, I had nothing and I thought it was the end of the world," he says, reflecting on how much his life has changed. He hopes to work for Legal Aid after hes called to the bar and officially becomes a lawyer, and he still volunteers at the foundation. "I want to give back hope." katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Grace Hospital staff knew they were never alone battling COVID-19. Now, theyre giving back to the community that supported them through an overwhelming year and a half. Grace Hospital staff knew they were never alone battling COVID-19. Now, theyre giving back to the community that supported them through an overwhelming year and a half. In the face of "one of the greatest calamities to affect the planet," Grace Hospital and hospital foundation executive director Jon Einarson have experienced "the unbelievably generous nature of Manitobans." As an expression of gratitude for that community support amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the west Winnipeg hospital is playing host Aug. 5 to a free family-friendly drive-in movie night, with fireworks. In a typical year, the hospital holds a free winter carnival in December. But since it was unable to in 2020, "Weve been waiting for the right time where people can actually congregate so we can have just a nice, free event for the community," Einarson said. Over the past 16 months, the hospital has witnessed a new level of community support, he said. Among the examples: fire paramedics doing drive-by salutes, local pizza places donating food to ICU staff, and the Princess Auto Foundation donating 15,000 hot meals for staff. "Frankly, Ive never seen a donation anything like that," Einarson said. "Something so personal, something so useful, meaningful, something that would just light up our staffs faces when they saw it." From the greater community, the hospital has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for COVID-19 support programs. In addition, the hospital was able to gather enough money through donations within weeks to buy 51 iPads for patients to use to communicate with loved ones through FaceTime or Zoom when the hospital was unable to allow visitors. "It is so critical that we let the community know how much we are grateful for all their support," Einarson said. The drive-in movie night (at the Grace Hospital parking lot at 300 Booth Dr.) will show the 1985 sci-fi comedy Back to the Future. A snack truck will be on site to deliver purchased concessions to guests vehicles. Washrooms will be available. A priority for organizers was to make sure the event is as safe as possible. The hospital has collaborated with Public Health to make sure it adheres to all pandemic guidelines. Household members are permitted to be in the same car without verification of vaccination, but those not of the same household will need to provide proof of double vaccination post-two weeks. All 200 available spots for vehicles at the event have been claimed, but wait list registrations are being accepted at gracehospitalfoundation.ca. "We are so relieved that there is some light on the horizon, in terms of returning to a bit of normalcy," Einarson said. "In this very responsible way, we wanted to give the community something to say thank you, and to enjoy as quickly as we possibly could, and so this seems like our best opportunity to do something." gillian.brown@freepress.mb.ca As Canadians face a reckoning over the legacy of residential schools, Winnipeggers are pushing to uncover the history of a forgotten boarding school in their own backyard. As Canadians face a reckoning over the legacy of residential schools, Winnipeggers are pushing to uncover the history of a forgotten boarding school in their own backyard. A grassroots effort has uncovered the names of roughly 80 children who died at the former St. Boniface Industrial School, which has been overlooked for decades. "It speaks to me as an erasure of history," said Darian McKinney, an architecture graduate and member of Swan Lake First Nation. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Darian McKinney at the site of the former St. Boniface Industrial School. McKinney grew up a few kilometres from the site, without hearing about the school. He stumbled across it in an unrelated research project last year. The recent masters graduate is leading a mission to tell First Nations where missing children are buried, and to show Winnipeggers just how close to home these schools operated. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A broken piece of old floor tile on the site of the St. Boniface Industrial School. "This is not a distant history in our country and our society," McKinney said. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented 139 residential schools across Canada, including 14 in Manitoba. But hundreds of other residential schools were never studied, based on narrow criteria in the federal settlement with survivors. To be deemed an Indian Residential School for compensation purposes, courts required a survivor to be alive as of May 2005, or to have filed a claim within a few years of that date. That left out a former school on Des Meurons Street at Hamel Avenue, which operated from 1889 to 1905 and was funded by Ottawa. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A photo of the former St. Boniface Industrial School. Government reports documented happy students living in "beautifully situated" dormitories, with access to "wholly constructed" classrooms, a cattle barn, a carpentry and shoe shop and an infirmary. But in letters from the same period, nuns told priests about multiple deaths and "savages" running away. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Records from the St. Boniface Industrial School in Winnipeg. St. Boniface Hospital patient logs from 1890 to 1894 document pupils with tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles and pneumonia, often treated by the same doctor. "These are not minor sicknesses," said Janet La France, director of the Societe historique de Saint-Boniface. "These kids are sick all the time; repeatedly being admitted into the hospital, sometimes for months at a time," she said. "There are kids who I dont know if they spent any time at the school at all, because they were constantly at the hospital." Other records document poor nutrition, arduous labour and cramped living quarters. La France has been looking into the documents since establishing contact with McKinney in June. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Janet La France, director of the Societe historique de Saint-Boniface, shows the list that she's compiled of children who died at the St. Boniface Industrial School. Shes spent considerable time going through uncatalogued files of Oblate missionaries, burial records, hospital files, federal archives, and correspondence between nuns and priests. Have information? Click to Expand The team assembling documentation about the St. Boniface Industrial School wants to hear from anyone with knowledge of the school. They can be contacted at: St.BonifaceIndustrialSchool@gmail.com Anne Lindsay, an archivist who specializes in residential schools, said those records suggest students were abused. "The fact that youre seeing deaths of students is evidence of the kind of physical harms that are being done," she said. The pair have made a list of 67 children, all named, who likely died while attending the school, along with 25 children who died or were sent home sick but had likely attended the school, as records had described them as an Indigenous child. At her office on Provencher Boulevard, La France sighs as she pores over photocopies of an 1891 sick log from St. Boniface Hospital. It lists patients first and last names, ages, hometown and illness. "This is really difficult stuff," she says, flipping through the pages. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The list that Janet La France has compiled of children who died at the St. Boniface Industrial School. Dozens of sticky-notes poke out from the side, each representing a child who died while attending the school. Some appear on annual registers of returning students, where theyre marked "too sick to return" or "will not come" back to school. The same names show up in filings of post office savings accounts, which officials closed when a child died, and transfered the money to their relatives. Burial records list some of those same names, along with their reserve, parents, cause of death and burial site, which is often the St. Boniface Cathedral cemetery. Others dont have a specified burial site, and could be interred anywhere on church land, which ran from Provencher Boulevard south to almost Marion Street and from the Seine to Red rivers. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A map showing the St. Boniface Industrial School in Winnipeg. Students often served as the official witness when fellow pupils were interred; Ottawa rarely returned dead children to their families. La France says that never happened to non-Indigenous children. Shes faced pushback when raising the issue with Winnipeggers, who often talk about the lax sanitary standards of the day, and higher child mortality. "There is a big difference in the volume, and the types of sicknesses theyre suffering, and how often theyre sick," she said. "As much as people want to minimize this as being a normal fact of the time, what Indigenous kids were going through is distinct from what non-Indigenous kids were going through." The commission made the same point in its final report, with data analysis showing that residential school children died at much higher rates and had far worse health care than their peers in regular schools. Lindsey noted that the Catholic schools in Manitoba were run by nuns who took a vow of poverty, meaning the school only had to supply room and board for sisters, who didnt receive an income. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A photo of boys at the St. Boniface Industrial School in Winnipeg. "These schools depended very heavily on unpaid student labour. The goal was ultimately that they would be self-supporting," Lindsay said. Many of the schools generated revenue by running printing presses or making shoes, to meet Ottawas treaty obligation to provide Indigenous kids with a decent education. "Theres a lot more to understanding the experiences of the students and how the system used their labour, than what weve looked at," Lindsay said. The school was part of a federal policy to strip Indigenous children of their language and culture. Today, there is little trace of the school, which closed because First Nations families withheld their students. "For some time it has been evident that the recruiting of children for the St. Boniface school was becoming more and more difficult," reads a June 21, 1905 article in the Free Press, announcing the schools closure "The children become homesick, with a strong tendency to run away from school." Ottawa built residential schools closer to reserves, while Oblates converted the St. Boniface buildings into a school for priests. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A photo of the burned wreckage of the former St. Boniface Industrial School. The main buildings burned down in 1911. Today the site of the former stable and ice house is an empty field, while industrial buildings sit where the dormitories were located, on Des Meurons Street. "Its always bothered me, being a resident of St. Boniface, and a francophone and a Metis person, that people just dont know about it and dont really seem to care," said La France, who suggests a cairn or marker should be placed at the site or in the cathedral cemetery, if Indigenous communities want that. "Its really about letting these communities speak for themselves. Its about their own stories (and) its their children and their kin," said McKinney. "They have to make the decisions on what happens there." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The site of the St. Boniface Industrial School. The front of the building was likely between the two trees. Children who attended the school were taken from reserves such as Sagkeeng, Peguis and Brokenhead. Two of McKinneys grandparents attended the Sandy Bay residential school, and his great-grandmother was sent to one in Portage la Prairie, and he only has a rough idea of what they went through. "Its still something that is very traumatic to people," said McKinney. It pains him that others with a similar experience at St. Boniface dont have formal recognition. "We should be fighting for these people that were affected by this, and lived their whole lives without getting to see it brought to justice, or recognition," McKinney said. If those communities want more information, the bands might be able to commission experts using government funding. La France says it will take experts to sift through so many documents, which are in French, Latin and English, and make the information useful to the affected communities. Many records were lost when the school burned to the ground, and in 1968, when the St. Boniface Cathedral was destroyed by fire. On top of that, researchers must have the ability to cope with hearing about the trauma inflicted on the children. "Ive been having nightmares and trouble sleeping at night, because Im dreaming of finding dead children in my home," La France said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Darian McKinney stands at the site of the former St. Boniface Industrial School. The quest has taken on urgency because the site recently went up for sale, despite La France asking the city to flag it because it could contain human remains. Lindsay says grassroots groups have done a remarkable job of documenting schools using the memories of locals and linking that with whatever records exist. "Really grasping the historical depth of the schools requires that we look at all of them, not only the ones that were addressed by the settlement agreement," said Lindsay. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A map showing the St. Boniface Industrial School in Winnipeg. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has a public list of 202 names of children who never returned home after attending residential schools without their family knowing what had happened to them. "There are a couple kids on there, that I can confirm died at St. Boniface," La France said. "These kids are still remembered in their communities. Its not that long ago, and people have a right to these answers." Have information? The team assembling documentation about the St. Boniface Industrial School wants to hear from anyone with knowledge of the school. They can be contacted at: St.BonifaceIndustrialSchool@gmail.com dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca WINNIPEG - The mask mandate is being removed in Manitoba as the province moves from COVID-19 restrictions to public health recommendations in its next step of reopening. Premier of Manitoba Brian Pallister speaks at a news conference in Winnipeg on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski WINNIPEG - The mask mandate is being removed in Manitoba as the province moves from COVID-19 restrictions to public health recommendations in its next step of reopening. "Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Manitobans, we are now in a position to reopen more, sooner, as we have achieved our highest vaccination rates yet," Premier Brian Pallister said Tuesday. Pallister saidManitobans will be able to enjoy more freedoms when the rules change Saturday, as the province inches closer to its next vaccination milestone. Eighty per cent of eligible people have received one dose of a vaccine and more than 71 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses. The next phase of the plan was set for Sept. 6 and required 75 per cent, or about 25,000 more people, to have two vaccine doses. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's vaccination effort, said based on current rates of vaccination that target should be hit very soon. The province's plan will see many public health restrictions become recommendations. All restrictions are removed for private gatherings and businesses, including hair salons, libraries, retail stores, malls and gyms. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, said individual businesses will make their own decisions about whether to continue requiring masks or restricting the number of people inside. The rules around capacity will be loosened for religious services, weddings and funerals. Museums, galleries and movie theatres can still only have 50 per cent capacity but can open up to unvaccinated people. Sporting events and casinos can open to full capacity but will be restricted only to those who are fully vaccinated. Restaurants and bars will no longer need to restrict the space between tables and people dining are not required to eat with only those in their household. Masks are no longer required but are strongly recommended for people who have been unvaccinated, Roussin added. They will still be necessary when going into a hospital or care home. Roussin said it's the largest loosening of restrictions in the province since the beginning of the pandemic. Federal officials warned last week that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. Manitoba Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew said a mask mandate for indoor settings should still be in place considering the information about the spread of the Delta variant, even among those who are vaccinated. "I think masks still make sense," he said. Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont criticized the reopening plan, saying the government did not learn its lessons from the second and third waves of the pandemic, which saw significant infection and hospitalization in the province. "This is a government that has continually showed a complete lack of judgment at every stage of the pandemic, and Manitobans are the ones that have paid and will pay the ultimate price," Lamont said. Infection rates in Manitoba have seen a significant decline, Roussin said, despite more of the spread being made up of the Delta variant. There's also less pressure on the health-care system, he added. "Moving forward, we will have to watch our numbers very carefully," he said. There were 101 new cases of the virus reported since Friday 22 of which were on Tuesday and three additional deaths. Alberta and Saskatchewan have recently faced immense criticism for removing all, or nearly all, of their COVID-19 health orders, including isolation requirements. Pallister said his Progressive Conservative government's plan has moved slower in lifting restrictions and has not gone as far as its neighbours. "We have to learn how to live with COVID." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2021. Wailing sobs were heard from behind the locked lobby doors of the Manitoba RCMP headquarters, where the family of a slain Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation woman were preparing for a news conference to start. Wailing sobs were heard from behind the locked lobby doors of the Manitoba RCMP headquarters, where the family of a slain Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation woman were preparing for a news conference to start. More than 21 months after the body of Bobbie Lynn Moose, 29, was found near Nelson Road in the northern city of Thompson, eight family members flew to Winnipeg for Tuesdays announcement of an arrest in the case. SUPPLIED / FREE PRESS FILES Jack Clarence Flett, 52, of Thompson, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Moose, RCMP said. Jack Clarence Flett, 52, of Thompson, was charged with first-degree murder July 28, police said. Moose's sister dropped her off at the local Walmart on Oct. 1, 2019. Her body was found Oct. 17. "One year and nine months was an emotional journey," Hazel Moose said, reading a statement while flanked with family. "Words cannot explain how my family and I feel. We are relieved that our prayers have been answered by (the RCMP major crimes unit). Bobbie was our beautiful sister, she was a kind, humble and loving person." Moose had two children, six sisters and two brothers. RCMP said Flett and Moose were known to each other, but Supt. Michael Koppang would not elaborate further. "Bobbie lived a high-risk lifestyle and they were acquaintances in the community and that's all we're able to say at this point," Koppang said, adding the search for answers was exhaustive. Investigators spent more than 25,000 hours on the case, conducted more than 400 formal interviews, spoke with more than 1,600 people, combed through 52,560 hours of video surveillance, and distributed 1,000 pamphlets in Cree requesting information in Thompson and surrounding communities. "Public support was key in moving the investigation forward," Koppang said, adding a public plea for information was aired in Cree on radio stations in Thompson and surrounding communities. Koppang would not reveal what led to a break in the case about six months ago, citing the fact it is now before the courts. He said it was related to forensic evidence, in combination with other evidence. Koppang would not elaborate on the circumstances of Moose's death. He added RCMP have no other suspects. "As the charge indicates, there is a degree of premeditation," he said, when asked why a first-degree charge was laid. Koppang would not reveal the date police believe Moose was killed. "There was... about a 16-day gap between the sighting on the video before the body was found. That became a difficult portion of the investigation because of the lifestyle that Bobbie was living at the time," he said, adding much of the focus of the investigation was on filling in what occurred during that gap. Violence against Indigenous women and girls is an ongoing tragedy in Canada, said assistant commissioner Jane MacLatchy, Manitoba RCMP commander. "We all have a role to play to reduce and eliminate this violence. For the RCMP in Manitoba, that means working hard to improve and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, supporting survivors and families, and ensuring investigations are robust, professional and effective," MacLatchy said. The manager of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls liaison unit, which was created in 2017, said she's pleased to hear of the arrest. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "(Tuesday) is a very important day as we honour the spirit of Bobbie Lynn. This young woman was valued and is deeply missed by her children, family, and community... The journey for justice begins," Hilda Anderson-Pyrz said in a statement. Nisichawayasihk Chief Marcel Moody said Flett is originally from Split Lake, which is about 210 kilometres northeast of Moose's home community. Flett made his first court appearance in Thompson. He was transferred to Winnipeg on July 31. Court records show Flett was convicted of assault in 2004, careless storage of a firearm in 2006, causing a disturbance in 2017, and failing to comply with court conditions numerous times between 2005 and 2017. with files from Julia-Simone Rutgers erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca AT the time, they really thought that they were doing the right thing. These words, spoken by new Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Affairs Alan Lagimodiere, provoked much negative reaction. The reaction is understandable, but I would respectfully ask that we take a moment to reflect more deeply on these words. I want to suggest that there is a truth in them that we all need to hear, whether the speaker intended it or not. Opinion "AT the time, they really thought that they were doing the right thing." These words, spoken by new Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Affairs Alan Lagimodiere, provoked much negative reaction. The reaction is understandable, but I would respectfully ask that we take a moment to reflect more deeply on these words. I want to suggest that there is a truth in them that we all need to hear, whether the speaker intended it or not. Those who have studied the history of the tangled relations between Indigenous people and the European settlers from first contact to Confederation know that there was considerable mutual dependence between the earlier settlers and the various First Nations who accommodated their presence. Some commercial and cultural interactions were welcomed at first, as First Nations cultures were accustomed to incorporating things that could be learned and borrowed from others. But when these relationships with the settlers went sour, the price was paid mostly by Indigenous people. Relations with the representatives of the various and often conflicting European religious bodies provide examples. In the territory that today is Manitoba, the first congregations of what later became the United Church of Canada were Indigenous in membership and, for the most part, in leadership. Not all Indigenous people welcomed the presence of these new religious currents, but enough did so to allow the missionaries to feel they were "doing the right thing." Then came Confederation. The new nation of Canada inherited some treaties with First Nations and made others, with a view to clearing most of the land for more settlers. By the latter part of the 19th century, British colonialism, both here and around the world, was going full-bore. Social Darwinism assured the settler leaders that "survival of the fittest" meant that the triumph of wealth and technology was not only inevitable but good, because it reflected the will of God. or was it Nature? Never mind. Progress involves "building a better world." Get on board or get out of the way. Those on board were quite sure they were "doing the right thing." They were progressive, after all. But there were those pesky treaties. The Indigenous people were not going away, at least not very fast. All we really want them to do, thought the settler leaders, is to become like us. The churches have schools, mostly on the reserves, but their students still think like "Indians" when they graduate. What can give us a final solution to these roadblocks to progress? How about residential schools? The churches will provide the staff, and the government will provide the money (no more than fiscal responsibility will allow, of course). So what today we can readily recognize as genocide began. Some settlers who were genuinely willing to educate Indigenous children and treat them with respect signed up as teachers. Others had no hesitation in imposing the toxic nature of their own upbringing on the most vulnerable children available. Most were somewhere in between, becoming involved because it was the best job available, or as a stepping stone to an ecclesiastical or educational career. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Then came the cutbacks, the refusal to allow the resources necessary to provide for adequate nutrition, shelter and supervision for the students, teachers and other staff. We know now how this tragic story unfolded, with unmarked graves. Many of those truly concerned for the welfare of the students were finally overwhelmed by the realities of the system. A few continued to the end, trying to "do the right thing." The governmental and religious institutions that were responsible for the residential schools and their usually unacknowledged mandate to "kill the Indian in the child" had a hard time recognizing and then dealing with their institutional responsibility for this catastrophe. By the 1960s, "everybody knew" that what had seemed to be "doing the right thing" in the 19th century was in fact very wrong. It still took decades after that to close the system down, decades for most of the churches and the government to formally apologize. More than a half century later, we are only beginning understand what it will take to bring about true healing. All this because we settlers were so sure we knew what was "the right thing to do." It would be easier if this were the only occasion on which we had been so mistaken. My own way of life has endorsed the notion that the more plastic, the more hydrocarbon use, the more "economic growth", the better. It all seemed like "the right thing" to me. But now we see that we have damaged our planet so deeply that "doing the right thing" means preparing for political instability and climate catastrophe. The next provincial election will, I hope, give us our first Indigenous premier. I have read The Reason You Walk, and I believe he has a fair sense of his own failings and limitations. That awareness will be helpful as he tries to "do the right thing." May we all remember the terrible consequences of the times when we and our leaders have been falsely confident in our vision of the future, and have failed to listen respectfully to the voices of those who could help us learn to see more clearly. John Badertscher is a retired University of Winnipeg professor of religious studies and the author of a 2014 memoir titled Fragments of Freedom. Editorial The Canadian government has an appallingly short memory. At least it does when it comes to Saudi Arabias brutal 2018 murder of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a former friend and adviser to the Saudi royal family who became a vocal critic of the kingdom. After falling out of favour, Mr. Khashoggi went into self-imposed exile in the U.S. in 2017 and wrote monthly columns for the Washington Post in which he criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman and Saudi Arabias de facto ruler. On Oct. 2, 2018, Mr. Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was never seen alive again. He had gone to the consulate to pick up documents needed for his wedding. Once inside, he died at the hands of more than a dozen Saudi security and intelligence officials and others who had assembled ahead of his arrival. A Turkish bug planted at the consulate captured the sound of a forensic saw, operated by a Saudi colonel who was also a forensics expert, dismembering Mr. Khashoggis body within an hour of his entering the building. The whereabouts of his remains is still unknown. Publicly aghast at the killing, Ottawa announced it was reviewing existing arms sales and would not approve new exports to the kingdom in the interim. In April, 2020, that moratorium on arms exports was lifted. The shortness of the governments memory despite its condemnation of a murder that sparked outrage around the world was revealed last week in a front-page story in the Globe and Mail stating that Ottawa last year approved a deal involving Canadian business connections for the sale of $73.9 million of weapons to Saudi Arabia. Global Affairs confirmed in a report that Ottawa issued a brokering permit as required by federal law to a Canadian, or Canadian company, that sold explosives originating in France to the Saudis, one of the main combatants in a war in neighbouring Yemen, a conflict that has reportedly claimed almost a quarter-million lives since 2015. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Ignoring calls from human-rights groups to halt such transactions, Canada has a long history of supplying weapons to the Saudis. The kingdom, which has one of the worst human-rights records in the world, remains second only to the U.S. as the top export destination for Canadian-made military goods. Setting aside the likelihood arms from this latest transaction will fuel the war in Yemen, it should also be remembered that a civil lawsuit filed in the U.S. in 2020 accused the crown prince of sending a hit squad to Canada to hunt down and kill a former top intelligence officer now living in this country. It is shameful to think Canada is taking part in a shady business that typically involves millions of dollars exchanged between massive companies in relatively peaceful countries and combatants in war-torn nations. The anger over Mr. Khashoggis murder offered hope that, for once, the Saudi leadership had been put on notice that it would no longer be business as usual, where deals involving arms, money and (indirectly) oil could no longer be viewed through the lens of acceptable moral compromise. Deals with a political devil tarnish Canadas reputation as a peace-maker. No democratic nation should compromise its standards of decency simply to profit from, and appease, one of the worlds most ruthless regimes. Cash must not trump concerns for human carnage and human rights. As this latest multi-million-dollar weapons deal reveals, however, memories and outrage fade, but the seductive allure of money and oil apparently lasts forever. WINNIPEG - The mask mandate is being removed in Manitoba as the province moves from COVID-19 restrictions to public health recommendations in its next step of reopening. Premier of Manitoba Brian Pallister speaks at a news conference in Winnipeg on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski WINNIPEG - The mask mandate is being removed in Manitoba as the province moves from COVID-19 restrictions to public health recommendations in its next step of reopening. "Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Manitobans, we are now in a position to reopen more, sooner, as we have achieved our highest vaccination rates yet," Premier Brian Pallister said Tuesday. Pallister saidManitobans will be able to enjoy more freedoms when the rules change Saturday, as the province inches closer to its next vaccination milestone. Eighty per cent of eligible people have received one dose of a vaccine and more than 71 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses. The next phase of the plan was set for Sept. 6 and required 75 per cent, or about 25,000 more people, to have two vaccine doses. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba's vaccination effort, said based on current rates of vaccination that target should be hit very soon. The province's plan will see many public health restrictions become recommendations. All restrictions are removed for private gatherings and businesses, including hair salons, libraries, retail stores, malls and gyms. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, said individual businesses will make their own decisions about whether to continue requiring masks or restricting the number of people inside. The rules around capacity will be loosened for religious services, weddings and funerals. Museums, galleries and movie theatres can still only have 50 per cent capacity but can open up to unvaccinated people. Sporting events and casinos can open to full capacity but will be restricted only to those who are fully vaccinated. Restaurants and bars will no longer need to restrict the space between tables and people dining are not required to eat with only those in their household. Masks are no longer required but are strongly recommended for people who have been unvaccinated, Roussin added. They will still be necessary when going into a hospital or care home. Roussin said it's the largest loosening of restrictions in the province since the beginning of the pandemic. Federal officials warned last week that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. Manitoba Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew said a mask mandate for indoor settings should still be in place considering the information about the spread of the Delta variant, even among those who are vaccinated. "I think masks still make sense," he said. Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont criticized the reopening plan, saying the government did not learn its lessons from the second and third waves of the pandemic, which saw significant infection and hospitalization in the province. "This is a government that has continually showed a complete lack of judgment at every stage of the pandemic, and Manitobans are the ones that have paid and will pay the ultimate price," Lamont said. Infection rates in Manitoba have seen a significant decline, Roussin said, despite more of the spread being made up of the Delta variant. There's also less pressure on the health-care system, he added. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Moving forward, we will have to watch our numbers very carefully," he said. There were 101 new cases of the virus reported since Friday 22 of which were on Tuesday and three additional deaths. Alberta and Saskatchewan have recently faced immense criticism for removing all, or nearly all, of their COVID-19 health orders, including isolation requirements. Pallister said his Progressive Conservative government's plan has moved slower in lifting restrictions and has not gone as far as its neighbours. "We have to learn how to live with COVID." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2021. Losing a family member brings immeasurable grief and hardship. That should not be compounded by the burden of paying off the family members student loan debts and dealing with the predatory practices private loan companies often use to collect them, said Sen. Van Hollen. This legislation will provide crucial relief to families struggling with the loss of a loved one. Losing a child is one of the worst things that can happen to a parent an unimaginable tragedy, said Rep. Craig. The last thing that any bereaved parent should have to undergo is a monthly reminder of their loss in the form of a student loan payment. Its long past time that we fixed this glaring oversight and bring some sense of relief to these grieving families. I want to thank Senators Smith and Van Hollen for introducing the Senate companion bill in Ryans memory and I am eternally grateful to Mark and Julie for sharing their story and working with me to ensure that Congress eliminates this senseless burden on surviving family members across the country. Page Content State Bar Committees You can help shape your profession's future and network with your colleagues by serving on one of the State Bar's standing or special committees. Each year, the incoming State Bar president fills the open spots on standing committees and appoints members of the special committees. If you are interested in volunteering for a committee, please fill out and submit the online Committee Volunteer Interest Form. You also can send a letter of interest or email to Jan Marks. Additional information about State Bar Committees can be found here. Committee Volunteer Interest Form About State Bar Elections Would you like to become more involved in State Bar activities? Consider serving your colleagues and helping shape the profession as an officer, Board of Governors representative, or a section or division officer. Election ballots will be mailed by the second Friday in April, and ballots must be returned to the State by no later than the fourth Friday in April. Those elected will take office on July 1. State Bar offices The State Bar annually elects a president-elect, treasurer or secretary, and a Judicial Council representative. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the president, chooses two or more candidates to run for these offices. The Nominating Committee announces its slate of candidates by Dec. 15. Members also can self-nominate by submitting to the State Bar a petition signed by 100 active Bar members by Feb. 1. For more information or to receive a petition, contact Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106, (608) 250-6106. Board of Governors. Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 elect governors in odd years. Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16 elect governors in even years. District 2 (Milwaukee County) elects seven governors in odd years and five governors in even years. District 9 (Dane County) elects three governors in odd years and four governors in even years, and all other districts elect one governor. The Board of Governors is the State Bar's policymaking body. Governors serve two-year terms. To be considered for a seat on the board, members must submit a petition signed by 10 active members in their district to the State Bar by the first business day of March. For more information, contact Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106, (608) 250-6106. Learn more about State Bar elections here. Divisions The State Bar's divisions hold annual elections in April. By mailed ballot, Government Lawyers Division (GLD) members elect a president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and three division directors to serve two-year terms in odd years. Three division directors are elected to serve two-year terms in even years. GLD members interested in being nominated are invited to write to the GLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Jan. 16. By mailed ballot, active and emeritus status Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) members elect a president-elect for a one-year term, and a secretary, treasurer, and five directors to serve two year terms in odd years. In even years, a president-elect for a one-year term and five directors for two-year terms are elected. Those active and emeritus status NRLD members interested in running are asked to send their resumes and letters of interest to NRLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Jan. 15. The following Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) positions are elected each spring: a president-elect for a one-year term, a secretary (in odd years), a treasurer (in even years), and three directors to serve two-year terms. According to the SLD bylaws, if the election is uncontested, no ballots will be mailed. Interested members are invited to write to the SLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Jan. 16. Each April the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) members elect the division president-elect by mailed ballot. Members interested in running for division president--elect are invited to write to the YLD Nominating Committee Chair in care of the State Bar by Feb. 1. YLD directors, the secretary, and treasurer are elected during the annual meeting in May, by nomination from the floor. Sections Members interested in running for board positions on any of the State Bar's sections should contact the appropriate section chair. ABA Delegates State Bar of Wisconsin ABA Delegates (elected by Board of Governors for a two-year term) Elise E. Bodager (Young Lawyer Delegate) (2021) James J. Casey Jr. (2021) Krista G. LaFave (2022) Charles (Chuck) Stertz (2022) Amy E. Wochos (2022) State of Wisconsin Delegate (elected by Wisconsin ABA members for a three-year term) Christina Plum (2022) Nominations Nomination guidelines for these positions can be found in the State Bar Bylaws, Article III. The State Bar Board of Governors elects representatives to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates at the board meeting held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the State Bar of Wisconsin each year. Three representatives are elected in even-numbered years, and two representatives are elected in odd-numbered years. One of the two positions elected in an odd-numbered year must be held by a young lawyer who is otherwise qualified under the ABA Constitution. Terms begin immediately following the ABA annual meeting in August. Petitions must be filed with State Bar Executive Director by April 15. Page Content The business of public service... Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) has been described as the business of public service. As a public service, LRIS helps legal consumers to connect with resources matched to their needs and resources. As a business, the LRIS legal assistants screen callers for legal need and ability to pay attorneys fees, and when appropriate, direct them to our member attorneys. NOTE: We are especially in need of Spanish speaking attorneys at this time. Downloads On This Page Registration Information NEW! Online registration and reporting available now. Call (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191, sign up online, or click here for more information. Quality Referrals Made Simple! Every year, LRIS legal assistants field more than 20,000 contacts from members of the public who are seeking legal information and referrals to attorneys. Following a brief screening, the LRIS assistants direct callers to appropriate resources: An LRIS panel attorney Government agencies Public Service Agencies and Community groups Lawyer Hotline How does LRIS work? When you become an LRIS panel member, you choose the areas of practice and the geographic locations for client referrals. Our computerized referral system ensures a more accurate attorney-client match, selected from detailed information provided by you on our registration form. When members of the public contact LRIS, we provide referrals to our member attorneys only after a careful screening by experienced legal assistants. Our staff has over 30 years of experience in sympathetic listening and assisting callers in finding the best resources possible. Only one in four callers are referred to an attorney; the remaining callers are given assistance in the form of information, referrals to community or government agencies, or basic legal advice through our Lawyer Hotline program. LRIS Membership Rates Type Rate Lawyer One Year (expires June 30, 2022) $125 Two Years (expires June 30, 2023) Register through June 2024 and save 10% $225 New Lawyer* (expires June 30, 2022) $105 Lawyer Admitted in 2020 or 2021 (expires June 30, 2022) $60 *New Lawyer: lawyer admitted to practice between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020 Expand your reach Your membership in LRIS also makes you eligible to participate in LRIS Online. Potential clients have access to LRIS Online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there is no additional charge for participation. We invest in a comprehensive marketing effort to inform clients of our link to your services, including a website directed to members of the public seeking legal services, statewide Yellow Pages directory advertising, and publications distributed through the courts, public libraries, and community service agencies. Take time now to complete our registration form. With your registration, you are automatically included in the LRIS online service, although you do have the option of not receiving internet referrals. All attorneys appreciate referrals from any source. The nice thing about a referral from LRIS is its pre-screened, so we know its something we can handle. Overall, youve been a good source of referrals for me. Janesville member Participation in the LRIS panel has been well worth it Provide good legal services to these clients and you will build your business. Racine member Thank you for referring this very interesting and challenging case. Sheboygan member Contact Us If you have any questions about LRIS, please contact LRIS at LRISresponse@wisbar.org. Page Content Privacy Statement The State Bar of Wisconsin has created this statement to demonstrate our commitment to the privacy of our users. It discloses information gathering and dissemination practices for WisBar.org and marketplace.wisbar.org, the State Bar of Wisconsin's official Internet sites. The State Bar of Wisconsin may change, add to, or remove all or any portion of this policy at any time, and we will post our current policy so that you will always have our current policy available to you. Members and Registered Users Members and registered users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their password. The State Bar of Wisconsin will not intentionally share a member or registered user's password with any third party. Members and registered users are responsible for keeping that email address secure and up-to-date. Registered users and members agree to notify Customer Service of any known or suspected unauthorized use(s) of the user's ID, or any known or suspected breach of security, including loss, theft, or unauthorized disclosure of the user's password. 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Contacting the Website If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this website, please contact Customer Service. Effective Date: February 2, 2018 Cranes research led her to old newspaper articles from local papers in the area. It wasnt uncommon for them to acknowledge the tragic deaths of hard-working citizens with full articles. What Crane found in the Cumberland Advocate caught her off guard. The headline read FRIGHTFUL DEATH. Then A Barron Farmer Killed in Runaway Accident. The story, printed in November 1896, explained that John M. Johnson, known as Little Johnny Johnson who was living in the northern part of the town of Clinton, was the victim of a tragic accident that terminated fatally. His team of horses became frightened as he was on his way to town with a load of hay. Johnson clung to the lines and was dragged over several rods and a stump which lacerated his face, crushed his chest and tore open his abdomen. Leaving nothing to the imagination, this evisceration was documented for her and the rest of her family. The article went on to say, Johnson leaves a wife and several children in very poor circumstances. The Barron County News Shield detailed the accident by reporting, His clothes were literally torn from his body. He was taken into his house and expired after a few hours of terrible suffering. Outside the courtroom, Katie Barrington, a case manager with Crossroads Rhode Island, a nonprofit housing and homeless agency, signed him up with a housing counsellor to help him secure a new home and enrolled him for federal rental assistance. In Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea Rivera showed up at Franklin County court Monday after receiving an eviction notice last month. A single mom, shes behind $2,988 in rent and late fees for the one bed-room apartment she rents for herself and three young sons. The 27-year-old said she started to struggle after her hours were cut in May at the Walmart warehouse where she worked. Shes applied to numerous agencies for help but theyre either out of money, have a waiting list, or not able to help until clients end up in court with an eviction notice. Rivera said shes preparing herself mentally to move into a shelter with her children until her situation improves. We just need help, Rivera said, fighting back tears. Its just been really hard with everyday issues on top of worrying about where youre going to live. But there was more optimism in Virginia, where Tiara Burton, 23, learned she would be getting federal help and wouldnt be evicted. She initially feared the worst when the moratorium lifted. A Wisconsin Dells area man accused in the state of Michigan of providing material support to a terrorist act has been released on bond. Brian Higgins, 52, was charged in Michigan in October with one charge of providing material support to a terrorist act. He is accused of participating in a right-wing extremist militia plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, specifically by providing use of night-vision goggles and using a dash cam to surveil the governors vacation home. Several other men have been arrested for alleged participation in plot and are facing federal or state court actions. Antrim County (Michigan) Sheriffs Office Jail Administrator Todd Rawling confirmed that Higgins was released on bond and is no longer in custody. Judge Michael Stepka upheld the bond in place in the 86th District Court on July 16, according to online court records. In May, Higgins received a $100,000 bond with only 10% required as a guarantee. He has to wear a GPS tracking device, had to give up his passport and may not have contact with Whitmer or associates under the terms of the bond. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Higgins went to Michigan to face charges after voluntarily waiving an extradition case in Wisconsin in the spring. He was first incarcerated in Columbia County in 2020. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)A state Senate bill passed earlier this year has spurred a movement across Indiana to help raise awareness for unsolved crimes. The movement has made its way to Greater Lafayette and advocates are hoping it'll bring closure to families. Unsolved crime advocates are planning a March for Justice event. True Crime Investigates host and Delphi native Anthony Greeno said Senate Bill 177 will give families of unsolved crimes new found hope. The Victims Rights Law allows them to request a new investigation through the Indiana State Police. "There are a lot of circumstances where individuals feel hopeless that the cases have went on for so long that there's never going to be a resolution," said Greeno. Anthony lost his mother in 1996 when he was ten. The cause of death was undetermined. After years of searching for answers he found a passion to help others after the death of Abby & Libby. This year Anthony held his first 'March For Justice' event in Muncie. "Putting out missing flyers, we are putting out posters of suspects in different crimes and it's basically to create unity within different families that are going through the same thing," said Greeno. That same support system is making its way to Greater Lafayette. "The ultimate goal for this one is really just to raise awareness and educate people on the new enrolled act 177," said Greeno. The march is planned for August 21st at Riehle Plaza. It starts at 10 A-M ending at 8 P-M. All pictures and video courtesy of True Crime Investigates. To view Anthony's YouTube channel whcih he runs with his daughter click here. There's also a GoFund me page to help with the march taking place. Click here for that information. W&M Libraries honors long-time employee with scholarship name After graduating from Virginia Union University in 1983, Natasha McFarland had no intentions of working at a library. However, fate had different plans as she stumbled upon an entry level opportunity that led to a 37-year career at William & Mary Libraries. McFarland was admiring the W&M campus while on break from her job with Colonial Williamsburg when she came across the human resources office. She applied for a job and never looked back. I didnt specifically apply to work at the library, so I was as surprised as anyone to stumble upon a rewarding career, McFarland said. It was a place full of excitement and innovation. The library was always cooking up something new and we were constantly shaking up the old ways. Through her enthusiasm and desire to learn, McFarland left a large imprint on the Libraries. Over the course of her 37 years, she broke barriers and developed a legacy. Upon her retirement in December 2020, the University Libraries staff scholarship was named in her honor because of her unique story and dedicated career. The scholarship provides financial assistance for library employees pursuing education to advance their library career. I was just so floored, McFarland said. I felt in that moment that all my hard work was recognized. I started as a part time employee and went all the way up to becoming a librarian. I am proof that librarianship is for people of color and others like me should feel comfortable exploring careers in libraries. If I did it, so can others! On top of that, the Libraries established the Natasha McFarland Staff Education Fund to increase the monetary support for current staff pursuing professional development opportunities. McFarland initially joined the Libraries as a clerk typist for Interlibrary Loan. However, her natural problem-solving talent and willingness to go the extra mile allowed her to climb up the job ranks. McFarland was elevated to a leadership role nine months after being hired, overseeing new work described as database records management and working on the conversion of the card catalog to the Universitys first online library catalog. While working within Content Services she developed a reputation for mastering new technology and helping others learn it as well. Her ambition eventually led to her pursuing an MLIS degree in order to advance to a professional role. She enrolled in an online library program at the University of North Texas-Denton and graduated in 2010. Carrie Cooper, dean of university libraries, took notice of McFarlands warmth and passion for librarianship soon after her arrival. When a librarian position opened in 2012, Cooper said it was an easy decision to promote McFarland to a research librarian in a public services role. McFarland became one of the first to reinvent her career multiple times at W&M, after gradually progressing from a clerk typist to a research librarian. Natasha showed other staff members its possible to start in one place and move to get a new perspective and different experience, Cooper. It is important for staff to know there is room for growth and benefits to change over the course of a career. She is an example and inspiration for people at the library and across campus. However, McFarlands ascent was not a walk in the park. She was met with a lot of resistance early in her career, primarily from a few fellow African-American colleagues. She said some would criticize her, expressing her efforts would go unnoticed by supervisors. At that time, I was not in a professional position, but did my job in a professional way. I never let that type of talk bother me and chose to break that barrier to eliminate division, she said. The decision to return to school positioned McFarland to prove her naysayers wrong. During that process, she paid for most of her education out of pocket but received some financial relief from the staff scholarship. It covered the cost of books and a portion of the tuition. That scholarship meant a lot to me, McFarland said. I took $20,000 out of savings to go to school so anything was welcomed. But the scholarship made a difference and showed me that I had support at William & Mary for achieving my goals. As McFarland finished her career with the research department, she made a strong impression with that team as well. Candice Benjes-Small, head of research, said she was a gracious colleague who connected well with the students by showing a genuine interest in their success. The kindness she brought to the department made it a bittersweet moment when McFarland told her co-workers she was retiring Nobody deserves a fabulous retirement more than Natasha, Benjes-Small said. I am excited for her to be able to travel more and spend more time with her husband and family. But Im really sad for us because we are unable to see her every day. In addition, the librarys oral historian, Andre Taylor, conducted an oral history with McFarland prior to her retirement to capture her story for future generations to learn from. In 100 years, future staff members are going to wonder who Natasha McFarland was, and then listen to her oral history, said Dean Cooper. It will be a moment to pause, reflect and be inspired by the way she chased her dreams and lived her life. Show Low, AZ (85901) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Show Low, AZ (85901) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Show Low, AZ (85901) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Clear to partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Zhang Ronghua gives a lecture to her students. [chinanews.com] "I will try to help my students lead as normal a life as possible," said Zhang Ronghua, a teacher specializing in special education in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province. For 18 years, Zhang has been committed to offering special educational services for her students whose intelligence or hearing is subpar, or who are unable to take care of themselves. Zhang began teaching children with disabilities in 2003 after graduating from university with a degree in special education. She recalled that the first difficulty she encountered in her professional life could be attributed to her lack of practical teaching experience. "My first students were hearing impaired kids. Since many of them had poor pronunciation and they could not understand my sign language, we had difficulty communicating," explained Zhang. In order to overcome such an intimidating communication barrier, Zhang consulted and learned from more experienced colleagues, spent more time with her students, and finally found a viable solution. "I found that I could communicate with my students by showing them some videos and pictures and then reproducing the scenarios," Zhang revealed, adding that her students' comprehension skills had also gradually improved through their daily communication practice. Like the other teachers in her school, every Friday, Zhang offers door-to-door teaching services for students who have difficulty attending school by themselves. From her perspective, she is not just imparting knowledge and teaching rehabilitation skills to the students, but also the right family education methods for the parents. Zhang was delighted to learn that some of her former students have been enrolled into universities, while others have married and started promising careers. "As a special education teacher, I am very proud to know that my students can stand on their own two feet," said the teacher. (Source: People's Daily Online) Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO) Safety Director Dale Frech explains to County officers why the medical marijuana policy needs to be separated from the employee handbook during Woodward County Commissioners meeting Monday morning. (Photo by Dawnita Fogleman) 1 person killed, 1 flown to out-of-state hospital after crash on U.S. 60 at KY 305 near Barkley Regional Airport A view from Wrexhams Member of Parliament Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. Today, Wrexhams MP Sarah Atherton writes This month, my report into the experiences of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans launched. This report was the culmination of a ground-breaking inquiry that gave women who currently serve or have served in our Armed Forces a voice. The inquiry allowed the Defence Select Committee, of which I am a member, to better understand what was going right for our female military personnel and, crucially, what has also been going wrong. The report made 35 recommendations to the Ministry of Defence, which if enacted will make sure the women in our Armed Forces are better protected. For the past year, the @CommonsDefence has been running an inquiry into the experiences of women in the military through the whole cycle of a military woman's career. Today, the final report has been published. Watch the video to find out morehttps://t.co/qOGPhMX8hr Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) July 25, 2021 A major take home from the inquiry was that ninety percent of those that responded to our survey said that they would recommend the Armed Forces as a career for a woman as I do. However, that does not mean we should stand still and ignore the issues that some women face whilst serving, such as ill-fitting kit made for men, barriers to promotion, bullying, harassment, discrimination and sometimes serious sexual assault. Indeed, 62% of women that we spoke to said they had experienced some form of abuse whilst serving. Therefore, there is work to be done to make sure women your daughter, mother, sister, girlfriend or wife can have an excellent career in our Armed Forces. Out in the sun today in #Wrexham with @NWPWrexhamTown, meeting residents & hearing their thoughts. Great to have lots of positive conversations with businesses, to be able to feed back town centre experiences from residents to Police & to chat about future initiatives. pic.twitter.com/4ipkSqjKNK Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) July 16, 2021 More widely, the UK Governments recent announcements on continuing the fight against the perpetrators of violence against women and girls have also been noteworthy and will directly affect woman and girls across Wrexham. Indeed, I have already been out with the Police here to work with the local teams and to ensure these new measures are enacted. One of the new schemes as part of this strategy is the creation of a Safety of Women at Night Fund which will complement the Safer Streets Fund to make sure violence against women and girls in public places is prevented. I am very supportive of Wrexham Polices application to the Safer Streets Fund, which I reiterated to the new Police & Crime Commissioner for North Wales during a recent meeting. Pleasure to meet the Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support Group @CancerWrexham last week to hear about the excellent work they are doing in the community. We also discussed their campaign for a PSA tracker system in N Wales, the funding for which has been agreed but no action yet! pic.twitter.com/tSPtTCnIT9 Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) July 26, 2021 Over the past month, recent meetings relating to local health services and potential improvements have also been insightful. During my meeting with the Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support we discussed their campaign for the introduction of a PSA tracker system in North Wales, which they are working on alongside the Llangollen and Glan Clwyd Prostate Cancer Support Groups. The implementation and funding system for this has been agreed by the Welsh Government but there has been no action yet. As such, I will be supporting them in their endeavour going forward. In addition, I also met with Haydn Jones, a volunteer at the Maggies Cancer Centre in Clatterbridge, who is hoping to help bring a Maggies Centre to North Wales. I too am striving to make sure that North Walian cancer patients will have access to a Maggies Cancer Centre closer to home and I am actively working with the team at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Maggies to facilitate such a development. It's good to talk! @YsgolBrynAlyn have launched a new campaign to raise awareness for young people's mental health. If you need someone to talk to, use the contacts below because nobody should suffer alone. pic.twitter.com/OKO7m6l5QS Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) July 29, 2021 Finally, I am also pleased to be supporting Ysgol Bryn Alyns mental health awareness campaign, Its Good To Talk. The past year has been incredibly difficult for young people in Wrexham and it is important that, as we return to some level of normality, young people across our community have access to the support and help they need. As always, if there is anything I can do to help, please dont hesitate to contact me: Email: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk Phone: 020 2719 4885 | 01978 291742 Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home you can find them all here. NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - A man who served time in prison for the death of a woman in 2000 has been granted post-conviction relief, a Davidson County judge ruled on Monday. Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton granted post-conviction relief to Paul Garrett, 47, after new DNA evidence was discovered that led Metro Police to charge Calvin Atchison II, 51, with first-degree murder for the June 2000 of Velma Tharpe, 30, who died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Garrett plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released from prison in December 2011, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. The Tennessee Innocence Project, which represented Garrett, issued a statement after the order was released. "It is an honor to represent Paul Shane Garrett. We were pleased to receive the court's order vacating his conviction and shining light on the true facts of his case. For Mr. Garrett and his family, this has been a long wait for justice. The Tennessee Innocence Project represents people across our state asserting actual innocence. Mr. Garrett is not the first person whose wrongful conviction has been exposed, and he won't be the last." Police make arrest in 2000 murder of prostitute Metro Police arrested a man on a charge of first-degree murder in the 2000 death of Velma Tharpe. Cold Case Detective Mike Roland and now retired Sgt. Pat Postiglione learned of DNA evidence in the Tharpe case that implicated Atchison in the summer of 2011. Atchison was taken into custody in May after a grand jury indictment. Garrett was charged with the murder of Tharpe, a prostitute, whose body was found in a north Nashville alley on June 15, 2000. Garrett eventually pled guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison. A gunman opened fire at the Smile Direct Club in Antioch where 3 people were shot. The MNPD released footage and the 911 calls of the events leading up to the gunman being shot and killed by police. Novara Media has published an insiders account of Jeremy Corbyns suspension from the Labour Party, written by Oliver Eagleton, an editor at the New Left Review and author of The Starmer Project. It is an unserious article, subtitled Its just as much of a shitshow as you thought, and written as an apologia for Corbyn. But its attempted defence of the former Labour leader, focusing on his efforts to placate Labours right-wing and their rebuffing of his every entreaty, is an unintendedly damning account of his political cowardice and deceit. The Novara Media article "Heres What Really Happened When Labour Suspended Corbyn" (source: Novara Media web site) Corbyn was suspended from the Labour Party in October 2020 after saying the scale of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party had been dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media. His comment came shortly after the publication of a politically motivated Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report on the subject. Readmitted by a National Executive Committee panel three weeks later, he then had the Labour whip withdrawn by his successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, forcing him to sit as an Independent MP. An initial falsification in Eagletons review of this event must be cleared up. Eagleton claims that Corbyns expulsion was made inevitable by his refusal to toe the line on Starmers response to the pandemic. He writes, While the leader of the opposition took a proudly abstentionist approach to the pandemicallowing Johnson to unlock early in pursuit of herd immunityCorbyn and the rest of the Socialist Campaign Group called for social protections and virus containment measures. The truth is that Corbyn did as much as Starmer to facilitate Johnsons murderous policy. He kept silent on the fact that herd immunity was being openly discussed in government meetings early in the pandemic, which he participated in as leader of the opposition. When Corbyn did speak, it was to lay down the framework of the de facto coalition with Johnson. He stated in parliament, Our immediate task as the Opposition is to support the governments public health efforts while being constructively critical where we feel it is necessary to improve the official response. This policy of constructive criticism was taken on seamlessly by Starmer. And neither Corbyn nor the Socialist Campaign Group organised any opposition to Starmer over the pandemic or any other issue, only issuing the occasional entirely inconsequential statement to cover themselves. It was not until May 2021, a year too late, that the SCG even politely suggested, the role of Labour in this crisis should never have been to primarily support the government. Eagleton invents a record of opposition in a desperate attempt to paint Corbyn in a flattering light, as someone who waged at least one principled fight. As his account makes clear, this is impossible to do over the issue of the anti-Semitism witch-hunt itself. The EHRC report, he writes approvingly, identified various problems with Labours disciplinary process, but responsibility for these faults lay with two right-wing former officials whereas Corbyns allies had largely fixed them. The EHRC also noted that, under Corbyn, the leader of the oppositions office (LOTO) had interfered in a small number of antisemitism complaints cases; but it conceded that the aim of such interference was to speed up processing times and hand down harsher penalties. It was no action of Corbyns that prompted Starmers determination to have him expelled from the Parliamentary Labour Party. For large numbers of workers and especially young people, Corbyn became a focal point for hostility to the right and demands for progressive change. And despite Corbyns best efforts to suppress such sentiments and maintain the rights position in the party, the Blairites were intent on ending all opposition inside the party and proving to big business that they were firmly back in the saddle and equally firmly on message. To this end Corbyn had to go. Starmer therefore laid a trap with the publication of the EHRC. The account Eagleton gives of Corbyns response is a picture of increasingly degrading political capitulation. On the evening before the EHRC report was due to be released, Starmer rang Corbyn to ask what his response would be. Corbyn was eager to accommodate his successor and asked to see an advance version of Starmers press statement so he could make sure his own comments would not conflict with it. Starmer promised to send a copy but never did. Corbyns close Stalinist adviser Seumas Milne later tried to secure a copy from deputy leader Angela Rayner so they could amend Corbyns [statement] accordingly, again without success. The next morning, shortly after the EHRC report was published, Corbyn issued his prepared response. He clearly believed he had given the right all they could ask of him, declaring, Anyone claiming there is no antisemitism in the Labour party is wrong. Of course there is, as there is throughout society, and sometimes it is voiced by people who think of themselves as on the left. Only then did he suggest that the scale of the problem had been exaggerated, by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media. The EHRC report he had read specifically said that he was allowed to do so without fear of retribution under Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights on free speech and political comment, noting specifically that Article 10 will protect Labour Party members who, for example, make legitimate criticisms of the Israeli government, or express their opinions on internal Party matters, such as the scale of antisemitism within the Party, based on their own experience and within the law. Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Sir Keir Starmer at an event during the 2019 General Election (credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham) However, Starmer gave a press conference shortly afterwards and delivered a clear attack on his predecessor for minimising the issue of anti-Semitism. Corbyns team, writes Eagleton, began to wonder whether Starmer had deliberately withheld the transcript of his speech, hoping Corbyn would say something that could be used to justify his foreordained suspension. Starmer suspended Corbyn from the Labour Party within hours. Corbyn and his teams automatic response was to wish they been given the opportunity to surrender in advance. Eagleton quotes one of Corbyns aides as saying, If Keir had sent us his statement, we would have cut Jeremys line about the scale of the problem being dramatically overstated. Upon hearing of his suspension, Corbyn quickly conferred with his closest allies. The original version of Eagletons article read, He high-tailed over to a nearby shop owned by his son, where [Corbyns chief of staff Karie] Murphy set up a conference call with John McDonnell and Diane Abbott, both of whom encouraged Corbyn to apologise. It was later amended to say that the three discuss[ed] next steps, with a note explaining, Since publication, this piece has been amended to remove the claim that John McDonnell and Diane Abbott encouraged Jeremy Corbyn to apologise. However, even the new version states, According to sources, he [McDonnell] also encouraged Corbyn to apologise for his comments in meetings over the coming days. Whatever his denials related to Eagletons sources, Corbyn was readmitted briefly by the NEC only after he retracted his earlier statement, declaring, To be clear, concerns about antisemitism are neither exaggerated nor overstated. Moreover, McDonnell himself said in public, on a podcast in November 2020, Mistakes have been made, we accepted that. Apologies have been made time and time again and I repeat, even now the number of apologies weve made to the Jewish community, and we need to keep on apologising to them as well. He even criticised the language and timing of Corbyns remarks. At no stage did McDonnell or Corbyn entertain the idea of appealing to the partys membership, then being witch-hunted out of the party for even discussing Corbyns suspension, to fight back against Starmers purge. As the World Socialist Web Site reported, their next step was to arrange a series of behind-closed-doors meetings between Labour lefts and trade union leaders and members of Starmers staff to hopefully reach an accommodation. According to Eagleton, these discussions involved Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey, Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward, Labour MP John Trickett, the chief whips Nick Brown and Alan Campbell, and Starmer aides Morgan McSweeney and Simon Fletcher. Between them they sought to draft a revised statement from Corbyn with a wording they could all agree on, and choreograph his readmission to the Labour Party. Such sordid manoeuvring is antithetical to socialist politics, which demands a wholesale exposure of the anti-Semitism witch-hunt and political war against its perpetrators. No external factors prevented Corbyn from launching that struggle. He and the Labour left chose to proceed as they did because of what they area clique willing to do anything to win the good graces of their Blairite masters so they can continue in their allotted role as a safety valve for dissipating opposition to Labours right-wing and its allies in the Tory Party. Whether Corbyn does ultimately make his way back to the Labour backbenches or not, Eagletons account confirms what the former Labour leaders entire record has shown. The mythologized image of Corbyn as a principled fighterfor anything, let alone socialismis a cynical fraud. A principle is not a talking point for holiday speechifying. It is a position uncompromisingly defended and fought for, whatever opposition is faced. By this standard, Corbyn has only one: unswerving allegiance to the right-wing Labour Party, in service to which everything else is negotiable. What Corbyn lacks in principle he makes up for in a talent for political duplicity, which he put to good use mounting a five-year political charade as a socialist Labour leader. Corbyn specialised in empty left-rhetoric about For the Many, not the Few, but always while insisting on party unity and opposing any genuine struggle by his supporters, who made up the overwhelming majority of the party. He left the party as he found it, a pro-imperialist, pro-capitalist formation led by the right, and the country still run by a hated Tory government. Reviewing the experience of Corbynism in a public meeting last November, Socialist Equality Party National Secretary Chris Marsden explained: Corbyn is the tattered modern-day representative of a school of thought, of a political tendency, Fabianism, based on the fine art of the possible, class collaboration, a worshipping of parliamentary procedure, a liberal variant of a religious turn the other cheek approach to politics. Describing Corbyns appeal as one based on a constant attempt to suppress the realities of contemporary society based on ruthless class struggle, Marsden concluded, If you are fighting for socialism, which is the overthrow of the capitalist order, then this passivity, this complacency, defeatism and cowardice should be purged from the workers movement. It should be anathema to anyone who considers themselves a genuine socialist. Workers and young people should read Eagletons account in this light and make the decision to contact the Socialist Equality Party. With its announcement last week of an end to all public health measures to combat COVID-19, Albertas hard-right United Conservative Party (UCP) government has effectively declared the pandemic over. This criminal decisionwhich is now being implemented with only tepid, token opposition from the rest of Canadas political establishmentthreatens the lives of tens of thousands of people in Alberta and across the country, as the spread of the more contagious and lethal Delta variant accelerates. As of August 16, all masking requirements and contact tracing will be abolished in what Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has termed the next phase, where the public will have to live with COVID-19. COVID-19 testing will be available only for severely ill symptomatic people, so as to help direct patient care decisions. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Alberta Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw (Photo credit: Facebook) Most outrageously of all, as of August 16 the government will not require people who have contracted COVID-19 to self-isolate. This means that they will be free to transmit the virus to their family, friends, co-workers and the public at large. Alberta is now being referred to as the Florida of the North, a reference to Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantiss homicidal policy of letting the virus rip. But even though Florida has been one of the US states in the forefront of the dismantling of public health measures, it still requires people infected by the virus to self-isolate. Throughout the pandemic, which has officially claimed 26,600 lives across Canada, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has spearheaded the ruling elites profits before lives strategy. As late as June 2020, he was describing COVID-19 as nothing worse than the flu; and he would continue to employ the anti-social rhetoric of the far right in resisting implementing elementary public health measures until Alberta was in the midst of devastating second and third waves of the pandemic. Last spring, even as Kenney was forced to adopt limited lockdown measures due to the province having the highest infection rate per head of population of any jurisdiction in North America, he gave UCP legislators free rein to promote far-right anti-lockdown and anti-mask protests. With Kenneys assent, thousands of people were encouraged to attend No More Lockdowns rodeos in Bowden, Alberta. Among the worlds epidemiologists there is a consensus that vaccine herd immunity will only be achieved when 80 to 85 percent of the entire global population is fully vaccinated. Yet the UCP made the arbitrary decision, based on recommendations from the federal Liberal government, that most lockdown restrictions could safely be removed when 70 percent of all eligible Albertans (over the age of 12) had received just one shot of the vaccine. Whilst only 36 percent of Albertas population had received the requisite two-vaccine doses to be fully inoculated, Kenney seized on the attainment of the 70 percent one-shot mark to throw off virtually all remaining anti-COVID measures. Going much beyond the federal governments own reckless big business-driven recommendations, Kenney proclaimed Alberta Open for Summer at the provinces July 1 Canada Day celebrations. From that date, masks were no longer required anywhere except on buses and in taxis, and all social distancing and gathering restrictions were scrapped. All businesses, gyms and places of worship were allowed to open up with no restrictions. The lockdown restriction removals have already had their expected result. Within three weeks, Albertas COVID-19 daily case count tripled from 76 cases to 233 cases. By July 28, the R value for COVID-19 transmission had nearly doubled from 0.76 on July 1 to 1.48, the highest level recorded in the province since the pandemic began. The reaction of the medical community across Canada and the US to the Kenney governments abandonment of any effort to contain the virus has been swift and harsh. Many have described the UCP governments actions as irresponsible, dangerous or outright criminal. We are launching an experiment on a population level: first in the world to basically stop acting on COVID, said Dr. Joe Vipond, a Calgary hospital emergency room physician. These are decisions, these are policiesthere are human beings making these decisions to imperil other human beings. Suddenly, the enemys not the virus; the enemys the government. Ryan Imgrund, a COVID-19 biostatistician from Sudbury, Ontario, who is working with public health units in the province, told CTV News, The data and the science is definitely not guiding the policy in Alberta. As far as I know right now, Alberta is the only place in the world that will be allowing COVID-positive people to not have to self-isolate. The only place in the world. We are talking Florida, the United Kingdom; all those places, they not only require someone that is COVID positive to self-isolate, but they also require those that are close contacts to isolate as well. Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a US-based epidemiologist and senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, said, This is really worrisome. Even if you are vaccinated you can still get infected, and even if you are not hospitalized you can still transmit COVID-19. Long COVID is serious. This is why to stop COVID transmission, to stop future variants, you have to stop the transmission chain. A positive person not isolating is just the worst possible recipe of keeping the virus still spreading. He concluded by denouncing the government for taking measures that are antithetical to public health. Dr. Andrew Boozary of the University of Toronto said Albertas decision to drop public health measures while facing lower vaccination rates, growing cases and a mutating virus sets the entire country back. It just really appears as a cruel policy experiment for far too many Albertans and a cruel policy experiment that has far-reaching effects across the country, Dr. Boozary said. This is a pandemic that requires a global response and, in our own country, its going to require provinces working in concert, coordinating their responses. These entirely appropriate warnings from the medical community stand in stark contrast to the reaction of Canadas political establishment, which has responded to the Alberta governments murderous actions with what amounts to a collective shrug of the shoulders. Canadas chief medical officer, Theresa Tam, could not even bring herself to mention Alberta and Kenney by name when she timidly pointed out that quarantine and isolation can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at a press conference last Friday. None of Canadas federal party leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the New Democratic Partys Jagmeet Singh, has directly addressed the issue. This comes as no surprise. Throughout the pandemic, the Liberal minority government, which has only been able to secure a parliamentary majority due to NDP support, has prioritized the protection of corporate profits over human lives. Beginning with the hundreds of billions of dollars in bailouts given to the banks and big business and continuing with the reckless back-to-work/back-to-school drive, the Liberals have presided over mass infection and death across the country. While Kenney and his UCP have gone the furthest in abolishing all COVID-19-related restrictions, governments of all political stripes at every level across the country are not far behind. Even as the Delta variant surges, no faction of the ruling elite has any intention of supporting the kind of coordinated response to suppress COVID-19 that is so urgently necessary, because it would impinge on corporate profit and investor wealth. The ruling classs drive to normalize COVID-19 is viewed with widespread hostility among the population, which has responded with outrage to the Alberta governments criminal policy. Medical professionals helped to organize two protest rallies Friday in Edmonton and Calgary, held, respectively, at the Alberta Legislature and the McDougall Centre. Albert Nobbs co-organized the rallies with the Calgary emergency room physician Dr. Joe Vipond. He spoke in Edmonton about his frustration. Im here on behalf of frankly, my fellow citizens, just due to our concerns over the governments recent decisions and the course that theyve set for not only us; but for our students, our health care systems, our education systems and all the institutions that will inevitably suffer if we go ahead with Aug. 16 and September (school reopening) after that. Nobbs continued, This isnt a risk that we should be taking. This isnt a risk we should be allowing them to take for us. There are an estimated 80,000 people working as independent food delivery workers in New York City through apps such as Grubhub and Uber Eats. A large percentage of this workforce are Latin American immigrants, known in Spanish as deliveristas. Their importance to the everyday lives of millions of city residents, and consequently their numbers, have grown during the pandemic. However, they are among the most exploited sections of the working class. Food deliverer on bike passes W47 St during Jan 2016 snowstorm (Credit: Jim Henderson via Wikimedia) Deliveristas work at all times of the day and night and in all types of weather, mostly traveling on motorized or foot-powered bicycles through dangerous traffic conditions in among the most congested cities in the world. The danger of the job was tragically demonstrated on July 8, when 24-year-old delivery worker Borkot Ullah was struck on his bicycle by a hit-and-run driver in lower Manhattan. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he died. Based on data from NYCDOT, over the last eight years around 9.4 cyclists and 12.75 motorcyclists have been killed per year in traffic accidents. In only the first half of this year, eight cyclists and 17 motorcyclists have suffered fatal accidents. Food delivery workers suffer miserable pay, receive no benefits, lack job security and work irregular hours. As gig workers, they are treated as independent contractors paid by the trip rather than as hourly employees and must work long hours to earn bare subsistence in one of the most expensive cities in the world. A report on a recent survey published in the New York Times revealed that while the citys minimum wage is $15 per hour, many gig workers earn less than half that. The survey found that after paying for the necessary equipment, such as smartphones and electric bikes, their effective income is between $6.57 and $7.87 per hour, half or less the legal minimum. That includes tips, which are unpredictable and often skimmed by the companies. One delivery worker, Gustavo Ajche, told local news, During the summer, you have to work with multiple apps. Otherwise, you dont make anything. On top of this, food delivery workers are sometimes subjected to violence and theft, including of their vehicles. The companies do not provide the vehicles used by the delivery workers, nor do they pay for maintenance or replacement if they are stolen. Electric bikes cost in the neighborhood of $2,000. In March, a food delivery worker, Francisco Villalva Vitinio, 29, was shot and killed in East Harlem when he refused to give up his electric bike. In June, a 53-year-old delivery worker was stabbed in the back while riding his bicycle. Many food workers lost their jobs when the restaurants where they were employed were forced to close due to the pandemic. Their only option has been to work through a delivery app, such as GrubHub, DoorDash, Relay, and Uber Eats, among others, placing workers at the mercy of these firms, which are engaged in cutthroat competition to drive up profits. Despite a substantial increase in the volume of revenue during the pandemic, the Wall Street Journal reports that the food-delivery companies are not profitable. They are seeking new methods, including increased automation, to boost efficiency in order to squeeze even more profit from the workforce. As a result, these companies will fight tooth and nail against any efforts to improve the conditions of the delivery workers, as was the case for ride-share workers last year in California regarding Proposition 22. The super-exploitation of immigrant workers in New York City has been a staple of the citys economy since its founding in the 17th century and has only increased during the pandemic. According to a recent study by the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, foreign-born workers represent 49 percent of the citys private workforce but suffered 54 percent of the job losses during the pandemic. Half of immigrant workers became unemployed, making them desperate to accept any available work in order to feed their families. Many are forced into cramped living conditions, accelerating the spread of the virus, but have to continue to work, exposing them and their families to an even higher danger of infection. In response to these wretched conditions, over a thousand workers have joined the recently formed Los Deliveristas Unidos (LDU). The LDU is an initiative of a group called the Workers Justice Project (WJP). LDU has organized large protests outside city hall, presenting a set of minimal demands, including the right to access restaurant bathrooms, a minimum wage, access to benefits in the case of an accident, access to PPE and the ability to appeal if banned from an application. The WJP has built up ties with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, which has reportedly been advising LDU for several months. Workers Justice Project executive director Ligia Guallpa, told the City, The support from 32BJits critical, and it is a huge step for the workers. At a rally in April, 32BJ Union Secretary-Treasurer Marty Pastreich pledged to the delivery workers, Im here to tell you that we have your backs. In reality, the SEIU sees delivery workers as nothing more than a potential source of dues money. Its involvement with LDU is bound up with its own maneuvers with the state Democratic Party to enact legislation that would open the door for its entry into this growing sector of the working class. According to the terms of one bill proposed in the New York state legislature, union recognition among delivery workers would require as little as 10 percent of the workforce of a company signing membership cards. The bill, however, would maintain their status as gig workers paid by the trip rather than with an hourly wage. The only substantive change for delivery workers would be having dues money automatically taken out of their payments through a surcharge on orders and the elimination of their right to strike through a labor peace agreement. The New York bill is part of a nationwide effort by the Democrats, the oldest capitalist party in America with innumerable connections to Wall Street both through corporate donors and top party figures such as Chuck Schumer, to build up the pro-corporate trade unions as a form of state-sanctioned guardianship over an increasingly restive working class. Similar provisions are contained in the PRO Act supported by the Biden administration and the Democratic Socialists of America. Outside of delivery workers, the SEIU has played the key role in blocking or limiting strike actions by health care workers during the pandemic and enforcing sellout contracts that have left workers understaffed and underpaid. The conditions experienced by delivery workers in New York City are part of an international phenomenon. Food delivery workers in China, Germany and other countries face similar conditions and are also looking for ways to fight back. The way forward for gig workers and workers in all industries is to form rank-and-file committees independent of the trade unions and of the capitalist political parties, that fight for a socialist program in the interests of the working class. For more information or for help forming a committee, contact the World Socialist Web Site at wsws.org/workers. After allowing the federal moratorium on evictions to expire over the weekend, exposing millions of hard-pressed renters to the danger of forcible removal from their homes, loss of their belongings and homelessness, the Biden White House issued a statement Monday afternoon effectively disavowing any responsibility for the vast social misery its actions are helping to cause. People from a coalition of housing justice groups hold signs protesting evictions during a news conference outside the Statehouse, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Boston [Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer] The statement issued on eviction prevention efforts acknowledges the horrific impact of mass eviction, particularly given the rising urgency of containing the spread of the Delta variant, which will run like wildfire through homeless shelters, tent camps and overcrowded apartments where multiple families will live doubled-up and tripled-up. But while promising that President Biden is taking further action to prevent Americans from experiencing the heartbreak of eviction, the actions amount to a laundry list of appeals for other people to do something about the crisis. The statement reads like a satire on indifference thinly disguised by political doubletalk. Biden directs his own White House to discuss with other federal agencies whether there are any other authorities to take additional actions to stop evictions, given that the right-wing majority on the US Supreme Court struck down the anti-eviction order which was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last September, on public health grounds, and extended several times for three-month periods. He calls on state and local courts to pause eviction proceedings until tenants and landlords can access Emergency Rental Assistance, the federal program established to provide assistance to workers thrown out of their jobs because of the pandemic and unable to pay their rent. Some $47 billion has been appropriated for this program, but only $3 billion has been paid out, largely because of foot-dragging by state and local governments and landlords. Biden calls on state and local governments to stop the foot-dragging, without offering any reason why that should be expected to happen, since it is driven by political resistance among capitalist politicians to do anything to assist tenants against landlords, who comprise a substantial social interest in both parties. The president calls on landlords to hold off on evictions for the next 30 days and even appeals to utilities providers to work with State and local governments to avoid cutting off services for those behind in payments due to the pandemic and at risk of eviction. Biden, a devout churchgoer, does not include an appeal for Satan to cut off his claws and his tail and for the lion to lie down with the lamb, but he might as well do that as plead with landlords and utility companies to give their working class customers a break. This rigmarole was accompanied by a round of finger-pointing among the Democrats in Washington, with the White House and congressional leaders criticizing each other, and various factions of the House Democrats suggesting that their inner-party opponents are to blame for the failure to pass legislation by the July 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court ruling. It is certainly true, as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Representative Cori Bush and others charge, that a sizeable faction of moderate, i.e., right-wing House Democrats refused to support a bill presented Friday morning by the House leadership to extend the eviction moratorium through October 18. Some of them threatened to board planes to go back to their districts during the August congressional recess rather than allow the measure to come to a vote. But Ocasio-Cortez, Bush and others in the left of the Democratic caucus have devoted their political careers to upholding the viability of this right-wing party of imperialism and Wall Street as a vehicle for social reform. They can hardly express shock that their colleagues care more for landlords than they do for tenants about to be made homeless. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in the Democratic congressional leadership faulted the White House for waiting until last Thursday to announce there would be no extension of the moratorium without congressional action. But the July 31 deadline was well known throughout Washington, as well as the inevitability of a Senate filibuster to block any action, given the refusal of the Democrats to change the filibuster rule. The truth is that the eviction moratorium was allowed to expire because there is no significant support within the US ruling elite for social reform measures, let alone actions that would impinge on the profit interests of landlords, who include not just so-called mom-and-pop owners of a few properties, but giant financial concerns that control real estate empires. Now the consequences will be felt, unevenly at first, because there is a patchwork of state and local restrictions on evictions, many also enacted during the pandemic. Renters in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Oregon and Washington have some limited protections for a limited period of time, at most a few months. In many areas, however, the wave of evictions will begin immediately, perhaps as soon as this week. There were 600 families said to be threatened with eviction in Detroit, according to one local survey. In St. Louis, the sheriffs office said it was preparing to execute 126 eviction orders that had reached the final stage, and would be adding staff to the teams of officers assigned to this brutal task. Sheriff Vernon Betts said his office would begin to enforce 30 evictions per day starting August 9, and he said after working to clean up the backlog, he expected hundreds of new eviction filings by landlords who had been biding their time. He told a local news outlet, Once the moratorium is over, Im thinking its going to be, Katy bar the door. Renters have the worst prospects in the Southern states, according to a survey in the Wall Street Journal, with higher-than-average rent debt loads in Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia, and laws so reactionary that Mississippi tenants can lose an eviction case and be on the street the same day, while Arkansas landlords can seek criminal charges against tenants who dont pay rent. This is part two of a two-part interview. Part one can be found here. Deepti Gurdasani is one of the worlds leading experts on COVID-19. She is one of the lead authors of the BMJ article condemning the UK governments promotion of herd immunity through mass infection, calling its actions a dangerous and unethical experiment. With a background in clinical epidemiology and statistical genetics, Dr. Gurdasani received her medical degree in internal medicine at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Her doctoral work, completed in 2013, examined genetic factors associated with disease in genetically diverse populations. Specifically, she developed machine-learning algorithms for large-scale clinical data sets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gurdasani has provided indispensable information and public commentary on the pandemic, becoming a harsh critic of government s and their criminal response to the public health crisis. She has used her Twitter account and the media to share information on the evolving situation. Her work on exposing the connection between school-aged children in community transmission and research on the incidence of Long COVID have been of great service to the public. She has also been involved with the COVID Action Group, a multidisciplinary global network of experts with the stated mission to eliminate COVID-19. Dr. Deepti Gurdasani. Source WSWS Recently, Dr. Gurdasani accepted our invitation to sit for an interview to discuss the state of the pandemic. This is the concluding part of a two-part report on this discussion. Benjamin Mateus : What are your thoughts on the data on breakthrough infections from Israel and the Pfizer vaccine? There were some criticisms that the population investigated was older and not representative of the general population. Deepti Gurdasani: I cant fully comment on Israeli data because of course the paper hasnt been published. I think the suggestions are that people who were vaccinated earlier onso, for example, January or Februaryare more likely to become infected than those who were vaccinated later. But how that teases out the effect of waning immunity, which we have observed in laboratory studies, but not in real-life studies yet, how that separates from the fact that older groups were also obviously vaccinated early on, is not clear to me yet. Certainly, if there is a correction for that, and were correcting for age and looking at people of the same age group who were vaccinated early and later, who are masked for other factors, and showing that those vaccinated earlier are at higher risk, that really worries me. It wouldnt be necessarily surprising, because weve seen in laboratory studies, particularly with Delta, that we see waning of neutralizing antibodies, particularly in elderly people, over a period of six months or so. And there was a recent Lancet study that was published on this, and it does really raise worries, particularly in elderly people, who start at lower levels of neutralizing immunity. This might suggest that we may need booster doses sooner rather than later. Im also really concerned about recent data that has not been released yet, but I think there are recent suggestions from the CDC, who reversed their policy on providing more freedoms to people who are vaccinated. I think they had a policy about three months ago that masks would be removed or were not required for people who were doubly [fully] vaccinated. And now theyve reinstituted masks for adolescents in schools. They found that people who are vaccinated do have a reasonable risk of getting infected, and not only do they get infected, but some of them also even have high viral loads and can infect other people as well. And this is similar to experience from other parts of the world, like South Korea and Vietnam, where recently weve seen massive surges of infections after they imported the Delta variant. And at the point in time in which they imported the variant, both of those countries had policies that allowed people who were vaccinated to essentially enter the country without needing mandatory quarantine. They both had to reverse that policy. All this global experience to me suggests that vaccinated people are more susceptible to infection and passing on infection than has been previously thought, particularly with the Delta variant. We have to look at the science carefully before we start making exceptions for people who are vaccinated, particularly with a variant that is highly transmissible and more able to escape vaccines, because it looks like, while the vaccines are able to provide good protection against severe disease, the protection against infection transmission may lower. BM: The CDC may have called for reinstating masks, but how many states will readopt these measures is not clear. But for me, it seems like masks by themselves are insufficient to stop the transmission, and especially in the United States, where were now seeing high levels of transmission again. What else needs to be done, or what would you advocate for, besides a mask mandate? DG: We always need multi-layered mitigations. I do think masking is important, but I think equally important is ventilation. And I think we need actual investment in ventilation in the form of air filtration devices and supplemental ventilation rather than just opening doors and windows. And we need to do that in schools and in other indoor environments, like businesses, shops and workplaces in general. These sorts of things are happening in some parts of the world. For example, in Belgium, businesses are required to display carbon dioxide monitors so that before you enter the shop you can see the level of risk. In Japan, if you want to go to a cinema, you can stand outside and see what the level of carbon dioxide is for the movie youre going to watch and whether that risk is something that you want to take. And I think that incentivizes businesses to protect the public as well. That is very important because this is not going to go away anytime soon, and we need to invest in this for the long run. There also needs to be very strong public messaging around the need for longer-term mitigation, as well as vaccination. I think, for example, the US uptake, particularly in younger people, has been lower than desired. That also means bringing in a discussion on Long COVID and chronic illnesses in young people, which I think has been dismissed by many governments and even scientists. Unless young people know that they do face a very real risk by getting infected, why should they want to get vaccinated? Theyve been told constantly that they dont get severely ill. They think its going to be something like the flu, so they decide they might just weather it. In this regard, too, the public messaging has been unclear and has not prioritized young people explaining why its so important and advantageous for them to get vaccinated. Besides public health messaging, good mitigation strategies, educating about the vaccines and addressing vaccine hesitancy, we also need effective surveillance systems in place, better variant monitoring and identification, which are critically important at this point. BM: Do the vaccines appear to protect against Long COVID? DG: The data on this is still quite early now. We dont have systematic data analyzed. Lets remember that Long COVID only happens when you get infected. To the extent that vaccines do protect against infection, and they definitely provide some protection against infection, they will protect against Long COVID. But I think the question is, Do you have protection over and above the risks posed by infection without vaccination? I think that is less clear. Theres recent data from Survivor Corps, which is an advocacy group for people with Long COVID, based on online surveys, that shows that there was a level of breakthrough Long COVID where 50 percent of those who got infected post-vaccination developed the condition. But this is obviously a biased survey because its not done in the general population and the people who come forward may not be representative of the general population. But it does give an indication that people who are vaccinated can also get Long COVID. Whatever protection the vaccines provide is far from complete, but there will be some protection because it does protect against infection. Unfortunately, I am quite frustrated that despite the large number of studies that we have on vaccine-based protection of severe disease and infection, there are very few people who appear to be studying Long COVID, which is a critical part of the protection that we need to understand vaccines can provide. BM: You had recently written in your article published in The Lancet: Mass infection is not an option. We must do more to protect our young. You also wrote, The root cause of educational disruption is transmission, not isolation. As we are nearing the end of our discussion, could you speak to the issue of COVID-19, children and education? DG: It has become very evident over the past year that children play a massive role in [the spread of] infection. I mean, theres been a lot of misinformation and disinformation around this and minimization of the role of children in infection. Weve heard that children are less susceptible to infection, or theyre less likely to transmit, or even they are not an important part of community transmission. This is absolutely not true! I think, regardless of susceptibility and transmissibility, we need to remember that children come in contact with many more people than adults do, given they attend schools in person. There are recent studies, including ones from the CDC, that show that when you correct for the fact that most infections in children or many infections in children are asymptomatic, theyre not detected because children may not come forward for testing because they dont feel unwell, when you correct for that in these studies, you find children are equally susceptible to adults and equally likely to transmit. But the fact that they have many more contacts makes them a critical route of transmission back into the community. These studies also demonstrated that parents of children are at high risk of infection and requiring hospitalization. These studies have been conducted across the world and they all show the same thing. But these same studies have also shown that if you put mitigations in classrooms, multi-layered mitigations, you can actually reduce the risk, not just to the children, but to their parents. This is a problem we know exists in different parts of the world and it is solvable. I think the big question is [that] despite all this knowledge, which has been available for some time, many countries in the West have done so little to address this issue. Why? While they say they prioritize reducing educational disruption, theyve actually done very little to reduce it. The way to reduce educational disruption, which has sadly impacted many children across the globe, is not to deny that they contribute to transmission, which is an evidence-based fact, but rather to address it by making schools safer with mitigations that work. Sadly, its the very scientists and politicians that have minimized the role of children in transmission who say that they want to prioritize education, but then expect children to go into schools without any mitigations, which almost always leads to high levels of transmission and school closures. And this is even more [the case] with the variants. We saw with the Alpha and Delta variants that transmission began in school-aged children and spread back into the communities. More transmissible variants spread very rapidly through schools and back into the communities. Unless we address that with mitigation at schools and with vaccination of children, unfortunately, we are never going to get on top of this pandemic. And this is something that governments need to understand and scientists need to understand. BM: Is there any data that the Delta variant is more dangerous to young children than previous strains? There is data emerging from Indonesia, Brazil and even in the US and UK that theyre seeing higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths. DG: Yeah. Overall, it looks like the Delta variant is most severe. We know from the UK and Scotland data that it is two times more likely [for patients] to be hospitalized with the Delta. Theres recent data from Canada that suggests that it might be more deadly as well. But whether this is worse for certain age groups is unclear. But frontline experience seems to suggest that this may be the case. We are definitely hearing from pediatricians and critical care doctors from different parts of the world, including the US, suggesting that the adolescents that theyre seeing ill in this particular wave are requiring more intensive care, [are] more likely to get ventilated than those that theyve seen in previous waves. And I think we need to listen to those frontline experiences as more evidence accumulates. We heard similar from Singapore, similar from India when Delta was spreading there. And I think we need to be very cautious about exposing children to this. In the UK weve seen hospitalizations increase far more rapidly than we have in previous waves. Currently we have about 50 to 60 children being hospitalized per day, which is quite significant. BM: What is your opinion about vaccine mandates? What are the political concerns in favor of or against mandates? DG: Perhaps I have different views on vaccine mandates. I understand the need for vaccine mandates in health care settings and care home settings. Im a medic myself and before I went to the hospital, I had to get my hepatitis B vaccine and thats a requirement. And I understand why because the decisions that we make influence the risks that our patients are subjected to many of whom are vulnerable. And if they were to get infected, they could get very ill. So I think I understand mandates in that setting. Population-level mandates Im less comfortable with and Ill explain the reasons for that. I think vaccine hesitancy is a very heterogeneous thing, and its not all anti-vax conspiracy theory. There are people who are hesitant about taking vaccines because of very legitimate reasons. They dont trust our government because our government has let them down. They dont trust health services because theyve let them down. And here Im talking about ethnic minorities specifically because these is a historical context here. These are groups that have previously been subject to unethical experiments by our scientific community whove been let down repeatedly by government, immigration and even discriminated [against] by health care. We know for example that I think minorities have worse experiences in health care, often their symptoms are not believed, and they have worse outcomes. And I think addressing that with the mandate is not appropriate and is rather unfair because it risks further marginalizing groups that already dont trust the systems for very good reasons. I think the way that needs to be addressed is through active community engagements and acknowledging those failures and understanding why hesitancy exists and trying to address that directly rather than forcing groups that already distrust government to engage in something that theyre not comfortable with without actually trying to understand why and address that directly. BM: My last set of questions: So, what is to be done? How should we exit the pandemic and what needs to be done against future pandemics? Does the political will exist to make such preparations? DG: The only way I see to exit this pandemic is not the live with the virus strategy, which is what many countries are following right now. I hope at some point in time they will learn thats not possible. The only way to exit this in any reasonable way that protects public health, societys education and economy is a globally coordinated elimination strategy where countries support each other, share vaccines, share resources, share information and support each other in getting there. Im very skeptical about whether we will see something like that. With the level of vaccine inequity we have right now and the way we are following the strategy, living with the virus, Im really worried about variant evolution. Im really worried about new variants emerging. And Im really worried that at some point in time elimination will become impossible because what were seeing right now is the emergence of highly transmissible variants threatening former elimination zones who got things right, who protected public health, protected economy. Places like South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Australia have all suffered huge surges because of Delta. And the more transmissible variants get, the harder it gets to eliminate them because elimination depends on keeping variants out and preventing small clusters of outbreaks getting into the community. But when highly transmissible variants enter the country, you can no longer keep up with them with just surveillance because they enter the community so quickly, even before you know they are there, and begin spreading rapidly. Even the rapid response systems that many countries have are not sufficient in getting top of that. And thats what were seeing in many elimination zones. This is not something we have the luxury to wait on. I think we need a formal, coordinated global strategy for elimination where vaccines are a part, but not the entire whole, because we actively need to get transmission down while we vaccinate. Unless we do that, vaccines are always going to be behind new variants and were going to have massive surges with their devastating consequences. And I think we need long-term investment in things like ventilation while we do this, because it has beneficial impacts for this pandemic, but also for our future. Its good to change the way that we are living, to protect people and workplaces and our children, which allow people more freedoms. I think we should stop looking at these things as restrictions, but rather things that allow us to actually become freer as a society, go out and meet the people we want to by keeping levels of transmission low, because thats the only way to do it. You cannot go out into a society where one in 70 people are infected, which is what the UK has been trying to. BM: Any final thoughts or comments? DG: I think leaders need to drop their ideologies and work with stakeholders to come up with policies based on evidence. But follow evidence alongside people who are motivated to effect change. Leaders have often done things on behalf of the public thinking that this is what the public wants, when the public actually is far more cautious and far more informed than governments tend to think. And I would like to see governments working with groups like business groups, with teachers, with unions, with advocacy groups, with scientists, with parents, with students to co-create policy in a way thats beneficial to everyone and not prioritize one thing over the other. And Id like to see them work with scientific evidence and not misinformation or ideology and stop prioritizing one aspect of society over the other, because all aspects depend on us getting past this crisis, which means being honest with the public and containing the crisis that confronts us rather than ignoring it and dismissing it, which has never worked because theres no way to spin our way out of this. We must address the problem in front of us. BM: Dr. Gurdasani, again, thank you for all your time. DG: It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me. The disciplinary complaint of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) against Humboldt University (HU) President Sabine Kunst is finding broad support. In recent weeks, student councils at HU and the Technical University of Berlin, which together represent more than 75,000 students, have shown solidarity with the complaint. Student representatives outside of Berlin, including the AStA (General Student Council) of the University of Bremen, have also supported the complaint. The development shows the enormous opposition among workers and young people to right-wing extremism and fascism. Students do not accept that right-wing extremist professors, with the active support of the university administration, can once again falsify history and promote fascistic politics at German universities. Left, Sabine Kunst (Axel Hindemith/CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons). Right, a screen shot of a video of Jorg Baberowski tearing down IYSSE election campaign posters at the Humboldt University Sabine Kunst (Social Democratic Party, SPD) has repeatedly backed the right-wing extremist Humboldt Professor Jorg Baberowski, even though he insults, threatens and physically assaults students and colleagues critical of his views. At the end of May, Sven Wurm, a member of the student parliament at Humboldt University Berlin and spokesperson for the IYSSE, therefore filed a disciplinary complaint against Kunst with Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Muller and State Secretary for Science and Research Steffen Krach (both SPD members). Since then, nothing has been done on the part of the Berlin government or Humboldt University to investigate the complaint. Krach has so far only confirmed that the disciplinary complaint has been received and handed over to the responsible chairperson of the HU Board of Governors, Edelgard Bulmahn (also SPD). In response to a further inquiry by Wurm, the university stated that the complaint was currently being processed. The Berlin Senate and the university management are clearly using stalling tactics to suppress the accusations against them. The vast majority of students are not willing to accept this. On July 8, the student representatives of the Referent innenrat (RefRat, legally AStA, student government) of Humboldt University published the following statement : The RefRat supports the disciplinary complaint against University President Sabine Kunst due to her inaction in addressing the right-wing radical Professor Jorg Baberowski and stands in solidarity with the victims of the attacks by this professor. The Governing Mayor and Senator for Science and Research, Michael Muller (SPD), and the State Secretary for Science and Research, Steffen Krach (SPD), have so far taken no action to make the university president (also SPD) take action against the unacceptable behavior of the right-wing radical professor. Instead, like Ms. Kunst herself, they seem to be trying to let the disciplinary complaint come to nothing. This creates the unacceptable impression that party friendships determine whether supervisory measures are taken. The RefRat calls on the Governing Mayor and the State Secretary to act quickly to put an immediate stop to these attacks on students and the promotion of radical right-wing positions at Humboldt University. HU student councils and student representatives from other universities also showed their solidarity. The AStA of the Technical University of Berlin, the third largest university in Berlin with about 35,000 students, on Twitter welcomed the submission of the disciplinary complaint against the HU president and stated its hope that officials send a clear signal against right-wing radicalism at the university. The AStA of the University of Bremen also expressed its support. The Bremen student representatives had themselves been targeted by Baberowski in 2017 because they had protested a lecture by him. Baberowski then tried to suppress student criticism with a lawsuit, which ultimately fail ed in court. As Wurm points out in his disciplinary complaint against the university president, Baberowski is one of the best-known academics of the extreme right in Germany. He runs a new right salon, agitates against refugees and drums for war and militarism. The trivialization of Nazi crimes (Hitler was not vicious) is a continuous thread throughout his work. Wurm emphasizes: The fact that this right-wing extremist ideologist has now started marching around campus like a far-right activist, destroying student election advertising and physically attacking students is also the responsibility of university president Sabine Kunst. She has supported for years and defended the right-wing extremist structures that have emerged in Baberowskis department of Eastern European history. On January 30, 2020, Wurm himself was physically assaulted by Baberowski after he caught the professor tearing down and destroying election posters of the IYSSE from a campus bulletin board. Kunst defended the right-wing extremists violent behavior, which is documented on a video, as humanly understandable. In his complaint, Wurm states: There is no harmless explanation for this chronology of events. Ms. Kunst has time and time again systematically covered up Baberowskis verbal and physical attacks on students and suppressed necessary criticism of the right-wing extremist professor. She therefore bears responsibility for the climate of intimidation aimed at preventing students from criticizing the right-wing opinions of professors. This is incompatible with a democratic university. The IYSSE strongly urges the Berlin Senate and the Chair of the Board of Governors to immediately investigate the disciplinary complaint against Kunst and take action against her. All those responsible must be held accountable and the right-wing activities at Humboldt University must be put to an end. We call on students, faculty and staff to support and publicize the disciplinary complaint. Especially against the background of increasing violence by right-wing extremist forces in Germany and internationally, it must not be allowed that right-wing extremist ideologues and thugs are courted and encouraged at, of all places, our university. In mid-June, a research team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences lead by professor Deng Tao published their findings of a new species of Paraceratherium along the border of the Tibetan plateau. A skull and mandible of Paraceratherium linxiaense which are preserved at the Hezheng Paleozoological Museum in Hezheng County, Gansu Province, China. Credit: Deng et. al., 2021 Today, the largest mammal to walk the Earth is the African bush elephant. While a sight to behold, this contemporary behemoth of the African plains pales in comparison to the Paraceratherium, the largest mammal to ever walk the Earth. While appearing to be some strange mix of a giraffe and an elephant, Paraceratherium was in fact a giant early rhinoceros. The ancient rhinos skull alone was roughly the size of a human torso while the animals shoulders would have reached five meters above the ground. Paraceratherium linxiense is named after the Linxia Basin in central China where its fossils were discovered. According to the University of Montpelliers rhino paleontologist Pierre Olivier, in comments made to National Geographic, Paraceratherium would have been able to eat flowers at the third or fourth floor of a building today. The animals very own steps would have been felt through the earth, as estimates suggest it could have weighed a whopping 20 tonnes. Dengs team found that early species of Paraceratherium spread to central and south Asia around 43 million years ago. Millions of years later, it crossed what is now the Tibetan plateau seeking a humid environment. These findings suggest the Tibetan plateau was not elevated at the time, and its increased elevation is the cause of its modern aridity. This giant mammal led an existence similar to a modern giraffe, feeding on huge amounts of plants throughout the Oligocene, a period lasting from 34 to 23 million years ago. It lived in a massive area encompassing what is now modern-day Eurasia. It had little to fear from nearby predators, with the exception of Astorgosuchus, a massive crocodile that would often exceed 10 meters in length. Evidence suggests it would prey upon even fully grown members of Paraceratherium. The findings give paleontologists clues as to how this rhino genus spread across what is now Eurasia. Paraceratherium likely had social structures and reproductive cycles not dissimilar from the modern elephant, living in small social groups where females would guard younger members of the species. Males would live solitary lives, only approaching other members of its species to mate or compete for resources. Ironically it was likely gomphotheres, an ancestor and relative of elephants, that likely drove Paraceratherium to extinction. Like elephants, gomphotheres were mixed browsers, feeding on both grasses and trees. This enabled them to become ecosystem engineers, as their feeding habits were extremely damaging to foliage, producing an ecosystem that had significantly fewer trees. For Paraceratherium, a large mammal that spent most of its waking hours browsing on trees, this change in plant composition proved devastating and it fell into extinction. This change was not restricted to Paraceratheriums range, as gomphothere descendants spread across the world. The engineering opened new ecological niches and in turn enabled animals more closely resembling modern rhinos to diversify and eventually become the horned beasts we know today. These discoveries have provided numerous fascinating insights into the world of millions of years ago. However, modern military conflicts and wars for the control of resources in central Asia have greatly reduced sciences ability to understand these magnificent beasts. According to paleontologist Donald Prothero, efforts to explore the region continue despite being extremely dangerous now because of warfare between the tribal chiefs and the Pakistani government, Taliban insurgents, Islamic extremists, and the spillover of the military conflict in Afghanistan. In 2006, the most remarkably preserved remains of these animals were annihilated. Excavated by a French team of paleontologists in the hills near the village of Dera Bugti, Pakistan, in 1999, the region was controlled by Akbar Bugti, the head of the Bugti tribe, a group consisting of an estimated 180,000 people. The elder Bugti was an invaluable source of information and protection for the scientists as they searched for bones, eventually recovering a nearly complete skeleton of Paraceratherium. However, before they could be removed for further research, repeated bombings related to the Pakistani armys suppression of the Baloch people in the region led to their destruction. The bombings that destroyed the fossils were part of a deliberate campaign to terrorize the local population. Furthermore, efforts throughout the 20th century to construct a full skeleton of Paraceratherium suffered complications due to the remains being scattered across eastern, central and western Asia. Due to the rivalries between Soviet, Chinese and Western imperialist governments, little collaborative study was carried out. Instead, scientists often led duplicate efforts and published findings that were inaccessible to outsiders. To this day, conflict embroils the region, as Chinese efforts to economically integrate the region and exploit fuel resources have provoked backlash from the local populations as well as US-backed efforts to sabotage Chinese pipelines. These conflicts are not only an affront to the people of the region, but a blow to the scientific understanding of people around the world. The history of life on Earth belongs to all of humanity, regardless of region. The subordination of life to the capitalist profit system not only threatens human knowledge but the very existence of life on Earth. The World Socialist Web Site is publishing more statements from readers in New Zealand and Australia, calling for a full investigation into the 2010 Pike River mine disaster, which killed 29 people. The majority of the victims families are seeking to stop the Labour Party-led governments plan to permanently seal the mine. Work has already begun on installing the first of two seals in the drift (the mines entry tunnel). This would prevent the forensic examination of evidence that could be used to prosecute those responsible for the disaster. More than a decade after the explosions at Pike River, no one has been brought to justice. Successive governments, union bureaucrats and state agencies have protected the companys executives and managers, whose negligence turned the mine into a death trap. To read previously published statements from readers around the world, click here, here, here, here and here. Former miners in the UK have contributed statements here. Workers in Sri Lanka have contributed statements here. We also draw readers attention to the Pike River Families Groups online petition: Help stop critical evidence in Pike River Mine from being locked away forever! Workers stroll by a bouquet of flowers for victims of mine explosion lie on the road near the Pike River mine at Greymouth, New Zealand, Tuesday, June 28, 2011. (AP Photo/The Press via NZPA, Iain McGregor) Glenda Felts, New Zealand: The tragic loss of 29 good men at Pike River Mine has left a deep scar on NZs history. With the benefit of history, how could a tragedy on this scale happen in modern times? Without critical regulation and oversight, the errors of poor decision-making compounded, and gained momentum. Healing those scars starts with bringing full transparency to those errors rather than keeping them in the dark, or viewed from a distance with blurred vision. Without full understanding there is no growth. There is no making any real sense of this disaster. Truly learning these lessons is the best way to honor the lives lost. This will go some way to making up for being so badly let down by management, politicians, unions and impotent inspectors. The government tells us they have only so much money, refusing continued mine recovery. Yet they had enough for an election-enhancing win. How serious were they about finding answers, if Minister for Pike River Mine Re-Entry, Andrew Little had already made his decision, in March 2020, when only in the early stages of recovering the drift? International mining expert, Tony Forster, believes it is safe and feasible in order to gain access to physical examination of key evidence such as the fan and the broken compressed air line. Over the years, collective free market forces dimmed and diminished the workers voices, be it through union dilution and amalgamation, job insecurity, repealing prescriptive coal legislation, through to dismantling the intellectual strength of mining inspectorates. The voices of capitalism consumed centre stage, rendering the disempowered workers voice to a whisper. 29 men paid the ultimate price, while politicians still quibble over money. Meanwhile managers and directors remain oblivious to the consequences. May the voices of those so sadly lost be stronger than governments (past and present) and agencies, who now care more about saving face, than taking ownership for uncurbed forces, unleashed over many years. The families of the lost miners and NZ deserve much better. Linda Dalgiesh, New Zealand: With the independent reports saying that it is safe to continue the investigation, to go just that little bit further, I dont even see how they can just walk away from it. Youve got one independent report that says its safe, and a government that says its not safe. In any kind of business undertaking you get a variety of quotes. If youve got two quotes that are saying different things, you go and get a third. There seems to be a very definite cover-up. Weve got a member of parliament who was responsible for allowing this to happen. He was the person they were supposed to trust to stand up for their rights and their safety, the union leader. Instead, he ended up being the company man. How are we supposed to trust this guy? Hes probably got a lot to lose if the investigation uncovers more evidence, so it does stand to reason that hes trying to actively cover it up. Its a total conflict of interest. He should not be allowed anywhere near the investigation. He should be one of those being investigated. Why has nobody been taken to court? Its disgusting that not one person has been brought to trial. Not one. Peter Moore, New Zealand/Australia: Well, maybe [Ardern] will seal her fate too, when the election comes around. To all those families, I believe you deserve better from your government, but thats what happens when those who are ultimately responsible for the safety of mines, and by that I mean the law makers and enforcers, get to control the investigation and information. Bit like police investigating police. To all the families involved, you might never know the extent of the support you have around the world. I can assure you that, almost without exception, you have the support of every minersurface, underground, coal and hard rockand decent people everywhere. Rosco Will, New Zealand: I find it appalling what National and Labour have done; zero accountability. 20 years ago, in the States, they had a similar explosion in an area with similar geographical conditions and it took them 12 months to re enter the mine and complete the investigation and provide those findings to the families who lost loved ones. Here in NZ its a bit like living in the past and the government just doesnt care enough to do the right thing. Alex Safari, Australia: I fully support the Pike River Families Committee investigation into the 2010 Pike River mine explosion. All those involved, including the mine manager, union bureaucrats and government officials must be held accountable. The investigation should be allowed to continue. Gisela, New Zealand: An investigation may end when the facts have been established and remedied. Recovery of victims must be completed, and the fullest truth about cause and effect established, and published, for justice and trust to be restored. It is the governments duty; and the times demand proof that citizens can trust. Courageous workers deserve courageous governments! Kia kaha! Hayden, New Zealand: The families deserve justice for what transpired at the mine, as they were the ones that lost loved ones through total mismanagement at the mine, and it has been ignored through lack of accountability. Sharon Hawkins, New Zealand: Please keep fighting. Those poor men lost their lives because of greed. August 2 is the official day of remembrance of the Roma Holocaust. It commemorates the bestial murder of some 4,300 Roma and Sinti during the liquidation of the so-called Gypsy Camp at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in August 1944. Away from the official events on this day, however, it becomes all too clear that even 77 years after this Nazi crime, the Roma cannot find a safe home in Germany. The callousness of the federal and state governments is expressed in Berlin, for example, where the Roma memorial in front of the Bundestag (parliament), which commemorates the 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered under National Socialism (Nazism), is to fall victim to another new S-Bahn (urban transit) line less than ten years after its unveiling . At the beginning of June, the Independent Commission on Antiziganism (Roma persecution), which was formed on behalf of the Bundestag and the government in 2019, issued recommendations against discrimination against Roma. The 843-page report calls for only a few concrete measures. The most important is certainly the demand for an immediate halt to all deportations of Roma from Germany. The poster reads: "The memorial stays"--demonstration on 8 April 2021 in Berlin (Photo WSWS) It reads: The Independent Commission on Antiziganism recommends to the federal government ... to put an end to the lack of prospects of those who have to live with the insecure status of having their residence tolerated. Concerning the practical application of the provisions of the Residence Act, it must be made clear that the Roma living in Germany are to be recognised as a group particularly worthy of protection for historical and humanitarian reasons. State governments and Aliens Departments are called upon to immediately end the practice of deporting Roma. But this is precisely what Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (Christian Democratic Union, CSU) categorically rejects on behalf of the federal government. It is true that in the press conference on July 13 he advocated some cosmetic measures, such as the appointment of a commissioner against antiziganism or the creation of a permanent federal-state commission. But he then quietly dropped the demand for an end to deportations. Meanwhile, the federal and state governments are continuing the brutal deportation policy of recent years against Roma. In 2020, 10,800 people were officially deported, more than 25 percent to the Western Balkans. Of the 2,787 people deported there, 761 were minors. The Western Balkan states include Albania and the former Yugoslav states of Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia and Kosovo. In 2014 and 2015, the grand coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) declared these six states to be so-called safe countries of origin, even though the Roma are massively discriminated against there. Almost all Roma there live in slums and have no access to health care and education. This classification as safe countries of origin means almost all asylum applications from the Western Balkans are rejected. As a result, even people who have lived in Germany for decades, or since birth, face deportation. Whole families with children, single parents and severely disabled adults and children are affected. On June 30, 2021, in the middle of the night, the city of Gottingen arrested the Islami married couple in their flat, who had been living in Germany for 30 years, placing them in hand and foot cuffs to deport them immediately to Serbia. The children and grandchildren who lived in the flat with the couple were completely shocked following this brutal police action. Both the parents in Serbia and the children and grandchildren in Germany are now left to fend for themselves. One adult daughter is severely mentally handicapped and needs permanent care, which the parents were able to provide for her until 2020 when she was placed in an institution against her parents wishes. Mr. Islami has a physical and chronic mental illness. Ms. Islami is the sister of Gani Rama, who was deported to Kosovo two years ago and then murdered by a nationalist a short time later. On July 22, about 50 people, including the Islami children, protested in front of the Gottingen Aliens Department against this brutal deportation. The children reported how their parents have been living in Belgrade since then and would be homeless without the support of the family in Germany. The father is also unable to buy his necessary medication in Serbia. The couple, who originally fled from Kosovo, also have language problems, as they both speak little Serbian. In Celle, under the cover of darkness, the authorities deported a single mother with her severely disabled daughter to Serbia at the end of June. The six-year-old daughter is 90 percent disabled. She suffers from severe hearing loss with a resulting speech disorder, microcephaly, and hip dysplasia. The Celle Youth Welfare Office had appointed a supplementary carer to support the mother for years. The mother had originally fled Serbia, where she was subjected to severe physical and psychological violence. About two weeks before the deportation, a supporter had filed a hardship application for the family. Despite the ongoing asylum court proceedings and the application for hardship support, the deportation was allowed to proceed, even though it presented a serious threat to the childs well-being, as Sebastian Rose from the Refugee Council of Lower Saxony rightly put it in a nutshell. In Bochum, the Destanov family of five is facing deportation to Northern Macedonia, from where they fled in 2015. The family has a five-year-old son who suffers from severe breathing problems as well as heart disease. The reason for their flight from Northern Macedonia was an arson attack on their home. The family was originally supposed to be deported on June 1, but protests prevented this, which at least made it possible for the five-year-old to have a heart examination at the end of July. Stefani (14), from Hamburg, is facing deportation to Montenegro in August together with her siblings and mother. In March 2019, they had escaped the miserable conditions there. In Germany, however, their asylum application was rejected under the pretext that they had entered illegally. Despite very good grades at school, Stefani and her family face having bureaucratic obstacles to the prospect of staying placed in their way. According to German residence law, she would have had to attend school regularly and successfully for at least four years. But logically, this has only been possible for Stefani for two years. The corresponding committee of the Hamburg state parliament rejected the petition to forward her case to the hardship commission. In Magdeburg, the Barjamovic family, who have lived there for ten years, are again being threatened with deportation to Serbia, after this was averted in 2015 and 2016 through loud protests. Discrimination and inhumane conditions were the reasons for their flight to Germany. A petition containing 52,000 signatures to support the familys right to stay was submitted to Magdeburg City Hall on July 14, 2021. The Hardship Commission, which has been sitting on the case since last December, postponed its decision in mid-July. Seven-year-old Alex had to undergo emergency surgery in mid-July and his father is severely disabled with epilepsy. The youngest son, Mario, suffers from a rare hereditary disease and kidney stones. Seventeen-year-old son Josef has been dancing successfully for eight years in the Break Borders Crew and has already received several prizes and even won the title of German champion with the group in 2017. Especially in Magdeburg, the memory of the crimes committed against the Roma by the Nazis is omnipresent. This is commemorated by two Roma monuments, one at Magdeburg Cathedral and the other at the Flora-Park shopping centre. During the Third Reich, the Holzweg-Silberberg forced labour camp was built near todays Flora Park, where Roma and Sinti were imprisoned from 1935. The memorial consists of a 1.80-metre-high marble stele with the names of 340 murdered people engraved on it. The dedication text at Flora Park reads: These names are to commemorate the fate of the Sinti and Roma who were deported from the camp at Holzweg-Silberberg to Auschwitz and murdered on 01.03.1943. On Monday, the Miami Herald published findings that rule out the opening of a sinkhole as the cause of the horrific collapse of the condo tower on a beachfront in Florida in late June. Scraped clean of tons of rubble, the bare garage floor of Champlain Towers South appears to rule out at least one early suspect in its catastrophic collapse, the article concluded. There were no telltale signs of a sinkhole. Memorial and vigil wall set up in Surfside, Florida (Credit: WSWS Media) The sinkhole that a doomed resident had identified in her final phone conversation was likely not the result of a sub-soil collapse beneath the building, but probably the first image of catastrophic failure in the concrete slab supporting the pool, the entrance and the first floor of the tower. Ironically, this was the structural element cited as the main cause for alarm in a consulting engineers inspection report prepared for the condominium associations 40-year licensing review in 2018. Half a dozen structural engineers consulted by the Herald pointed to the same slab as a likely trigger in the collapse. Frank Morabito, the engineer hired by the board, wrote that flaws in the original design and failed waterproofing below the pool deck was causing major structural damage to the concrete structural slab below these areas and warned that failure to replace it in the near future would cause concrete deterioration to expand exponentially. The seeming trigger event of a massive and still unresolved structural failure could implicate developers, designers, contractors, building officials and others in the deadly collapse that claimed 98 identified victims. But the investigation into what could prove to be a complex combination of causes has been stalled. The [garage] slab appears to be intact, and there is no obvious sink hole, Jennifer Huergo, a spokesperson for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the federal agency investigating the cause of the collapse, told the Herald. That said our experts will be looking at every aspect, above and below ground, for potential triggers. In its 80-year history the NIST has conducted only four similar investigations before this one. The site has been dubbed a crime scene by the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), and the countys Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava has taken the unprecedented step of barring the town of Surfsides forensic structural engineer Allyn Kilsheimer from doing tests on the site and on the thousands of tons of concrete and other materials removed and stored nearby. In his more than 50-year career Kilsheimer has consulted on projects throughout the world and conducted more than 100 similar forensic investigations, but never before has he been denied access to a site under investigation. Levine-Cava claims to be protecting evidence in a homicide investigation and has made the technical investigation of the collapse the exclusive purview of the NIST. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett has issued a series of forceful protests pointing to the admission by NIST that its investigation will likely take three years before it will be able to issue a report, and there are urgent matters of public safety involved in the potential that other structures may be at risk from similar conditions. Last Tuesday, Burkett fired off a letter to Levine-Cava which said, We want to make it absolutely clear that we object to being denied access to the site. Levine-Cava responded with a statement saying Surfside can have access, as soon as its possible to do so without compromising the investigation of the site. Then on Wednesday, as reported in the Engineering News-Record, the MDPD published a request for a forensic structural engineer under the countys Equitable Distribution Program (EDP), which has a pool of qualified local architects, engineers and landscape architects and provides a process to equitably distribute smaller county capital improvements projects. Such projects typically have a construction cost of less than $2 million and professional fees of up to $200,000. All qualified firms with a local Miami-Dade office may potentially participate in the EDP program, which is not only a minority and/or small business program. However, the ranking method favors the smaller firms with fewer previous county work opportunities, the county explains. In its request issued July 28, MDPD says it is seeking a qualified EDP structural consultant that has first-hand experience with structural evaluation, to include, but not be limited to, conducting forensic investigations, preparing repair designs and preparing/submitting demolition engineering design/permit applications. The firm, with a minimum of 20 years of experience, should be able to perform a comprehensive investigation of all construction and design contract documents, inspection logs, testing, substitution, codes and standards of the time and more, as the consultant deems required, as well as field inspection of the failed structure, to provide MDPD with an engineering forensic investigation report on the causes of the structural failure. Interested firms were instructed to inform the MDPD by email no later than Friday, July 30. The posting is the first definitive sign that Miami-Dade County intends to conduct its own engineering analysis of the collapse rather than waiting for the NIST findings. Why the county would be searching for a structural engineer consultant at this late date, especially given that weve had the best available, onsite and ready to work since day one, is inexplicable, Burkett wrote in a Wednesday email to Kilsheimer. In response, the county mayors office claims the site must remain closed as the two investigations which it has approvedthe one advertised above by the police department and that by the NISTcontinue. Burkett visited the site himself Thursday, along with the town manager and attorney but without his consulting engineer, who is barred, after requesting access from the county in a phone call earlier on Thursday with Levine-Cava and Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Freddy Ramirez. On Thursday, the court-appointed receiver running the Champlain Towers South condo association sided with Miami-Dade and instructed county police not to allow the Town of Surfside and its experts on the property. This shall confirm our conversation that no other person, entity or party other than NIST and those necessary for the County to perform its criminal investigation should be given access to the Real Property while it is under the Countys control, Michael Goldberg, a Miami lawyer, wrote to Major Jorge Aguiar, head of the countys homicide bureau. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, the Town of Surfside and its employees and experts. Burkett says Miami-Dade officials have said they expect the town to be a defendant in a suit since the head of Surfsides Building Department was quoted as telling Champlain South residents the tower was in very good shape in 2018. Last week the countys top prosecutor, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, said she would wait for the results of the NISTs investigation into the cause of the collapse before considering a criminal investigation. While waiting for that report, she has launched a grand jury to explore possible reforms to prevent similar collapses from happening in the future. To this day, the prosecutors office has an open investigation into the death of six people in the 2018 Florida International University bridge collapse, according to a spokeswoman. In 2019 the National Transportation Safety Review Board determined that design flaws and insufficient oversight led to that fatal collapse. The Morenoite Workers Revolutionary Current (CRT) has reacted with utter indifference to the reactionary ruling of Spains Constitutional Court that COVID-19 lockdown measures imposed in spring 2020 were unconstitutional. Its online daily Izquierda Diario has said absolutely nothing. Last month, the Constitutional Court ruled that the restrictions implemented to halt the spread of the coronavirus exceeded the remit of the state of alarm, the juridical mechanism used to impose social distancing measures such as lockdowns. The appeal was lodged by far-right Vox. People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus walk along a commercial street in downtown Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The WSWS has noted the significance of this ruling. We wrote: The ruling in Spain represents an escalation of the herd immunity policy pursued by the entire European bourgeoisie. This policy of keeping nonessential workers at work, letting the virus spread so as to avoid any slowdown in the flow of corporate profits, will lead to thousands more COVID-19 deaths. This was most crudely expressed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who allegedly demanded last year in a leaked private cabinet meeting: No more fing lockdownslet the bodies pile high in their thousands. The signal of the ruling class is clear: There will be no measure limiting the spread of the virus which would jeopardize the accumulation of profits. Days after the ruling, a number of limited measures reintroduced at the regional level to stop the spread of the virus have been suspended. The Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands, a region attracting mass European tourism, suspended the regional governments measure forcing restaurants, hotels and gyms to demand COVID-19 certificates to enter. On Sunday, the Superior Court of Justice of Asturias rejected the curfew between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. in various cities and towns in Asturias, where the virus is running rampant. Both regions are at extreme risk of contagion, having exceeded 350 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for seven consecutive days as hospitals are increasingly crowded. The fifth wave has so far infected 500,000 people, mostly those aged between 12 and 29, causing the unnecessary deaths of nearly 500 people. Last week, 98 people died from the virus. This is practically double the 50 weekly deaths reported the week before and triple the 32 deaths of three weeks ago. This is expected to increase in the coming days. The Morenoite CRTwhich was utterly indifferent last April when the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government announced it was ending all social distancing restrictions, which has now provoked the current wave of infectionshas remained completely silent on the latest ruling. Its last article on the COVID-19 situation, published on July 16, New wave of infections in the face of exhausted public health care, said nothing about the reactionary ruling of the Constitutional Court announced two days before. This article, remarkably, was written almost three weeks ago. As usual, CRT blames the spread of the virus purely on the failure of regional and federal governments to invest enough in the public health care system. It wrote, The situation [of the fifth wave] was not unpredictable either. As in the four previous waves, the rebound began to be noticed in Primary Care and Public Health services. However, neither the PSOE and Podemos government nor the regional governments have strengthened the public health care system. Another reason for the spread of the virus, according to the CRT, is the refusal of governments to release patents on vaccines, which it claims allowed the pandemic to develop new variants that increase the infectivity of the virus, which in turn have disrupted government vaccination plans. Mass vaccination and strengthening of the public health care systems are clearly vital, as the WSWS has insisted. However, they represent only one component of what must be a global effort to eradicate the virus, along with other measures like masking, social distancing and mass testing. CRTs omissions of social distancing and lockdowns as a necessary scientific policy against the virus and its silence on the Constitutional Courts ruling are not accidental. During the pandemic, the Morenoites consistently opposed social distancing measures, reacting ambivalently to the suffering and death inflicted primarily on the working class due to the ruling elites criminal handling of the pandemic. While posing as a critic of the policies of the capitalist PSOE-Podemos government, in reality their position aligns with that of the ruling class in all its fundamentals. In fact, if CRT were to be honest, they would say that they are in agreement with the appeal of the far-right Vox party and the ruling of the Constitutional Court. Last January, the CRT escalated its agitation against social distancing. Izquierda Diario carried an article, sarcastically titled More restrictions, the recipe for confronting the third wave, denouncing critical public health measures, such as lockdowns and social distancing, as authoritarian and palliative. As if it were a tap, the Morenoites declared, they [the PSOE-Podemos government] are limiting our liberties and movements at will. Such language echoed that of Vox, which attacked lockdowns as the biggest infringement on rights in history. This came after the CRT defended the reopening of schools. Last September, as Madrid decided to reopen schools even if it meant rapidly spreading the virus, CRT called for a safe return to schools, while acknowledging that the safety of teachers and students cannot be guaranteed. In May, as the PSOE-Podemos government ended the state of alarmthe juridical mechanism now repudiated by the Constitutional Court as a mechanism allowing regional governments to impose health measures, such as lockdowns, curfews and mobility restrictionsthe CRT made no criticism of this reckless endangerment of the lives of millions of workers in Spain. Instead, they refused to make any warnings of the serious danger still posed by COVID-19. Nor did they demand continued efforts to combat the pandemic. Now, amid the fifth wave, the CRTs most significant intervention has been to launch a politically criminal campaign of encouraging youth to pour back into nightclubs and bars. Despite the obvious health risks posed by the reopening of these facilities, it actively called for them to remain open and encouraged attendance, asserting, Young people have the right to enjoy themselves. One of its articles declared, Its time to demand a safe return of social, cultural and educational life. A youth representative of CRT was invited on prime time public television in Catalonia to agitate for antigen tests and measures to resume the necessary safe socialization. The CRTs silence on the court ruling reflects the material class interests upon which this tendency is based. It speaks for well-off layers of the upper middle class and union bureaucrats, whose positions and lifestyles depend on the upward movement of stock markets and the exploitation of workers. These interests are aligned with the demands of the Constitutional Court, Vox and PSOE-Podemos government against public health measures. Against the reactionary, anti-scientific policies of the CRT and other pseudo-left organisations, the International Committee of the Fourth International has consistently fought for mass vaccination, as part of a global struggle to eradicate the virus, through masking, social distancing, mass testing and the shutdown of non-essential production until the worlds entire population has been made safe. Such an effort, as the statement of the WSWS Editorial Board posted on July 29 demanded, must be paid for by the trillions accumulated by the superrich. Such a struggle can only be waged through a political break with all the representatives of the pseudo-left, as part of an independent struggle by workers and youth for socialism in Spain and internationally. The University of Newcastle (UoN), located in the industrial city north of Sydney, recently released its 2020 Annual Report. The document points to how the governments and managements are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the corporate restructuring of higher education, accompanied by an unprecedented assault on jobs and conditions for staff and students. The report states that in order for the university to keep afloat, due to the impact of the pandemic, we recognised that fundamental changes to our operating model would be needed to ensure our long-term financial sustainability. Credit: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/ The fundamental changes had the aim of reorientating courses to employer needs. That is, the university must be entirely reconfigured to satisfy the narrow employment and profit dictates of business, at the expense of genuine education, which requires the development of critical thought, historical understanding and scholarly and scientific knowledge. This is in line with the current federal Liberal-National Coalition governments demands that universities embed Work Integrated Learning into every degree, so that students become life-ready graduates. In fact, the government has tied funding to the production of job-ready students. This offensive deepens the pro-market restructuring of Australian universities embedded by the previous Labor Party government. Its education revolution forced universities to compete with each other to recruit students into such courses, while slashing funding per-student. Starved of resources, universities became dependent on charging international students exorbitant feesa revenue source that has been crippled by the pandemic. Securing long-term financial sustainability has meant the announced destruction of 150 full-time equivalent (FTE) academic positions and 64 FTE professional positions across the university. Of those jobs, 52 percent and 42 percent respectively were already vacant as of June, or set to become so later this year, through an early retirement scheme and the ending of fixed-term contracts. Academics and staff are being forced to compete for a limited number of new job positions, in a spill and fill process, amounting to 92.8 FTE academic staff jobs and 61.2 FTE professional staff jobs. This follows the consolidation of five faculties into three colleges, cutting or amalgamating approximately 530 of the universitys 2,200 courses. The report states that the Early Retirement Scheme was established to reduce financial pressure and help renew the Universitys workforce. In plain language that means hiring or rehiring staff on lower wages. A total of 97 staff members reportedly chose to retire. In 2020, the management undertook a payroll remediation program to rectify underpayments of approximately $6.6 million in wages to casual staff and overtime from the past six years. While the management was thus responsible for substantial wage theft, executive salaries mushroomed, reflecting the increasing transformation of universities into corporate operations. Most notably, Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinskys remuneration package was $868,533 in 2020, up from $850,422 in 2019. The vice chancellors package was $597,000 in 2012, so it rose by almost 50 percent in eight years. The report also highlights the greater subordination of the university sector and research to the military and geopolitical agendas of the ruling class. A Law School professor was awarded a Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Australian-American Alliance Studies, hosted at the University of Texas, to conduct researching investigating the changing political dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, and the impact they are having on the relations between Australia and the United States. The United States Consul General for New South Wales and Queensland, Sharon Hudson Dean, visited the university last December, touring science and technology hubs and innovation centres, the Advanced Technology Centre, I2N Hub at Williamtown, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources and the Hunter Medical Research Institute. According to the report, the Consul General recognised the potential to expand the already strong collaborative relationships between the US and Australia. The visit underscores the growing militarisation of the university sector, bound up with the US-led preparations for war with China. None of this could happen without the complicity of the student unions and the trade unions covering university workersthe National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). They have opposed any unified struggle against the restructuring and the assault on jobs, courses and conditions. The report states that the management entered into negotiations with the NTEU and CPSU seeking to vary its Enterprise Agreements to support its response to COVID-19. Even though, ultimately, the negotiations were unsuccessful, the University responded to the implications of the global COVID-19 pandemic through flexibly deploying its existing employment framework. In other words, the management was able to achieve its cost-cutting through the existing union enterprise agreements. Despite this, the NTEU is trying to convince staff members that they can defend what remains of their jobs and conditions through new versions of such agreements. A July 22 email from NTEU branch president Dan Conway stated: [W]hile we cant control the often-unjustifiable decisions that management make, we can have some control over our working conditions and now is the time to work together to exercise that control. In reality, none of the cuts are justifiable. They represent the dictates of the governments and the corporate elite they serve. The NTEU is making it plain that it rejects any fight against these decisions. Instead, it will continue to enforce the enterprise bargaining regime. This regime, first introduced by the Keating Labor government and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in the 1990s, and reinforced by the Rudd Labor governments Fair Work Act in 2009, splits workers into isolated workplaces and ties them to the profit requirements of their employers, while prohibiting all industrial action outside authorised bargaining periods. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) club at the University of Newcastle is the sole political tendency on campus opposing the subordination of the universities to the military and big business and fighting to mobilise students and staff against the union-enforced cuts and restructure. To get involved with the IYSSE, please contact us. Here's a look at the life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Personal Birth date: July 3, 1971 Birth place: Townsville, Queensland, Australia Father: John Shipton Mother: Christine (Hawkins) Assange Children: with Stella Moris: Max and Gabriel Other Facts When he was a year old, his mother married Brett Assange, who adopted him. Guest-starred as himself on the 500th episode of "The Simpsons" in 2012. He recorded his lines over the phone from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he was granted asylum for nearly seven years. Timeline 2006 - WikiLeaks is founded by Assange. 2007 - WikiLeaks posts the procedures manual for Camp Delta, the US detention center in Guantanamo Bay. April 5, 2010 - WikiLeaks posts a video showing a US military helicopter firing on and killing two journalists and several Iraqi civilians in 2007. The military claims that the helicopter crew believed the targets were armed insurgents, not civilians. July 25, 2010 - WikiLeaks posts more than 90,000 classified documents related to the Afghanistan war. August 20, 2010 - Swedish prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for Assange based on allegations of sexual assault. August 21, 2010 - The Swedish prosecutor's office announces it is rescinding the arrest warrant. August 31, 2010 - Assange is questioned by Stockholm police and told of the charges against him. October 22, 2010 - WikiLeaks publishes classified military documents from the Iraq war. November 20, 2010 - The Stockholm Criminal Court issues an international arrest warrant for Assange. November 28, 2010 - WikiLeaks begins publishing diplomatic cables from US embassies. December 7, 2010 - Turns himself in to London authorities. Assange is remanded in custody. December 16, 2010 - Is released on bail and put on house arrest. February 24, 2011 - A judge rules in support of Assange's extradition to Sweden. Assange's lawyers file an appeal. April 24, 2011 - WikiLeaks begins releasing classified military documents providing details on the behavior and treatment of detainees being held at the US Navy's detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. September 2, 2011 - WikiLeaks releases its archive of more than a quarter million US diplomatic cables. November 2, 2011 - Appeals court judges in London rule in favor of Assange being extradited to Sweden. November 15, 2011 - The UK Judicial Office announces Assange has applied to take his appeal against extradition to Sweden to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. May 30, 2012 - The British Supreme Court denies Assange's appeal against extradition to Sweden but grants him two weeks to file an appeal. This is unusual, because rulings are supposed to be final. June 19, 2012 - Assange enters the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, requesting political asylum. August 16, 2012 - Ecuador announces it has granted asylum to Assange. August 19, 2012 - Makes a public address from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, demanding that the United States drop its "witch-hunt" against WikiLeaks. September 26, 2012 - Delivers a speech via satellite to a full conference room at the United Nations, asking the US government to end its actions against him and his website. The event is held by the Mission of Ecuador on UN grounds but is not officially sponsored by the world body. November 2012 - Assange's book, "Cypherpunks: Freedom and the Future of the Internet," is published. February 10, 2015 - Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe tells LBC Radio the operation guarding Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London is "sucking our resources in" as costs spiral to more than 10 million pounds ($15.3 million). May 11, 2015 - The Swedish Supreme Court denies Assange's appeal to dismiss an arrest warrant for allegations of sexual assault. July 3, 2015 - France rejects Assange's request for "protection" after he publishes an open letter in national newspaper Le Monde. August 13, 2015 - Swedish prosecutors announce they are dropping allegations involving sexual molestation and coercion as statutes of limitations in the investigation run out this month. However, the allegation of suspicion of rape still stands, and he may be investigated until 2020, Swedish prosecutors have said. February 5, 2016 - A UN rights working group says its investigation found that Assange is being arbitrarily detained by the governments of Sweden and the United Kingdom. May 25, 2016 - A Swedish court upholds the arrest warrant for Assange, with a Swedish prosecutor saying there's still probable cause to prosecute him on a rape allegation and that "the risk of him evading justice is still large." July 22, 2016 - WikiLeaks publishes nearly 20,000 emails from Democratic National Committee staffers. The hacked emails appear to show the committee favoring presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the US presidential primary. On July 29, Assange tells CNN's Anderson Cooper that the email release was timed to coincide with the start of the Democratic National Convention. September 15, 2016 - WikiLeaks announces via Twitter that "If Obama grants Manning clemency, Assange will agree to US prison in exchange, despite its clear unlawfulness," referring to Chelsea Manning, the imprisoned former Army intelligence analyst convicted of violating the Espionage Act. September 16, 2016 - A Swedish appeals court states again that the arrest warrant for Assange on allegations of rape still stands. This is the eighth time the European arrest warrant has been tested in a Swedish court. All eight judgments have gone against Assange. October 7, 2016 - WikiLeaks begins publishing hacked emails from Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. November 14, 2016 - WikiLeaks tweets that Assange is giving a statement in the presence of a Swedish prosecutor regarding allegations he sexually assaulted two women in the country six years ago. January 3, 2017 - During an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Assange says that the Russian government was not the source of the hacked DNC emails. He also denies talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin and says he did not have contact with the campaign for US President-elect Donald Trump. April 20, 2017 - US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces that the Department of Justice is preparing charges for Assange, and that his arrest is a "priority." May 19, 2017 - Swedish prosecutors drop their investigation of rape allegations against Assange, ending a nearly seven-year legal impasse. December 12, 2017 - Becomes a naturalized citizen of Ecuador. March 27, 2018 - Assange's internet communications outside of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London are suspended for at least the second time since October 2016. The government accuses him of failing to commit to an agreement not to release messages interfering with other nations' affairs. October 19, 2018 - Assange directs his legal team to launch proceedings against the government of Ecuador for "violating his fundamental rights." October 29, 2018 - Assange's lawsuit against Ecuador is rejected by an Ecuadorean court. During a video-linked hearing, Judge Karla Martinez alerts Assange he will have to abide by the new rules imposed by Ecuador's embassy in London. November 2018 - An inadvertent court filing in a case unrelated to Assange reveals that the WikiLeaks founder has been charged under seal in a US federal court. "Another procedure short of sealing will not adequately protect the needs of law enforcement at this time because, due to the sophistication of the defendant and the publicity surrounding the case, no other procedure is likely to keep confidential the fact that Assange has been charged," prosecutors wrote in the August 22 filing that was unsealed on November 8. The US Justice Department investigation of Assange and WikiLeaks dates to at least 2010. November 27, 2018 - The Guardian reports that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort secretly met with Assange several times inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, including around the time Manafort was made a top figure in the Trump campaign. The Guardian, citing sources, reports Manafort met with Assange in 2013, 2015 and in the spring of 2016. Manafort denies ever meeting Assange. April 11, 2019 - Assange is arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on an extradition warrant from the US Justice Department. He is charged with conspiracy to attempt to hack a computer in connection with the 2010 release of classified military info obtained via Manning. Assange's attorney says the indictment is troubling because of its implications for freedom of the press. On May 23, it is announced that Assange has been charged with 17 additional counts under the Espionage Act. May 1, 2019 - Is sentenced to 50 weeks in a UK prison after he is found guilty of violating his bail conditions when he entered Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden in 2012. Judge Deborah Taylor said Assange will be eligible for release after serving half the sentence, but that any parole would be "subject to conditions and outcome of any other proceedings" against him. July 15, 2019 - CNN reports on newly obtained documents that describe how Assange transformed the Ecuadorian embassy into a command center and orchestrated a series of damaging disclosures that rocked the 2016 presidential campaign in the United States. A day later, former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa says his country was aware that Assange was interfering in the 2016 US presidential election while staying at the embassy. November 19, 2019 - Sweden's deputy chief prosecutor announces that authorities are ending their investigation into an allegation of rape against Assange. The investigation into Assange was reopened in May following his removal from Ecuador's embassy in central London the previous month. April 11, 2020 - In a video posted online and shared by Wikileaks, Stella Moris reveals that she and Assange had two sons while he was living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Moris is part of the international legal team working for Assange, but she is not involved in the current extradition case. June 24, 2020 - The US Justice Department announces a second superseding indictment against Assange. The alleges Assange recruited hackers to obtain information for WikiLeaks, but does not add any new charges. January 4, 2021 - A British judge rejects a US request to extradite Assange to America, ruling that such a move would be "oppressive" by reason of his mental health. January 6, 2021 - A British judge denies bail for Assange, ruling that "there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr. Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court and face the appeal proceedings." July 26, 2021 - The Judicial Branch of Ecuador rules in favor of revoking the citizenship of Assange. The court's decision nullifies Assange's status as a naturalized citizen of Ecuador, which was granted to him in 2017. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. WABASH VALLEY (WTHI) - PACE Head Start is read to serve more families in southern Indiana. The PACE Community Action Agency received funding to improve early childhood education opportunities. The funding was through the Ameican Rescue Plan. The organization is currently recruiting children and families for enrollment. There are several eligibility criteria. Some of them include income levels, having foster children, receiving certain benefits, or raising a child with learning disabilities. Learn how to apply here. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - August 2 is the first business day landlords can once again file for eviction for financial reasons. This comes after the "federal eviction moratorium" expired Friday. Many local tenants are facing eviction right now. Those proceedings could play out here. At the Vigo County courthouse. This comes after president Biden did not extend the federal eviction moratorium. Financial struggles are nothing new during the pandemic. "Due to loss of jobs, sickness, things like that, they have now found theirself in a position where they need help with rent." Jaylee Lawson, a caseworker at Terre Haute's Salvation Army says all these factors play a role in more people asking for help. People are looking for help ahead of potential eviction and the numbers are going up. "Normally we would see maybe 100 people...it jumped by hundreds of people," said Lawson. Lawson says this could just be the beginning. As court proceedings pick up more people could ask for monetary help. "What we try to do is to prevent eviction by offering a certain amount," said Lawson. News 10 asked lawson what could be done to help solve this and she said 'a little compassion can go a long way.' News 10 also reached out to the 4th and 5th superior courts. Those courts deal with eviction filings. They were not available to talk about how many cases they've seen today. News 10 will be following up with the courts throughout the week. TERRE HAUTE, IND. (WTHI) - Local universities across the Wabash Valley are updating their COVID-19 guidelines. On Monday, University officials at Indiana State University, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, and Ivy Tech Community College all announced they will be requiring masks for all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. Some students say they are frustrated with the decision, but others believe this is the right decision. I know it's in place to keep students safe," Jacob Nuttall, a senior at Indiana State University, said. "A lot of people are worried. We really don't know what is going to happen with COVID. Honestly, as a student, I don't like wearing my mask around here. It makes it harder to breath especially sitting in a classroom. I am not really in favor for it, but I understand why its in place. This is coming at a time when COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rapidly rising throughout the state. Initially, ISU, like many other universities, had a mask recommendation in place and required it for all unvaccinated individuals. But now, things are changing as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. This is out of a complete commitment to the safety and health and of our employees, students, and visitors on this campus, Deborah Curtis, the President of Indiana State University, said. This decision comes after the CDC announced new guidelines of recommending vaccinated people resume wearing face coverings indoors. Health experts say this is because the Delta variant is significantly more contagious and can be spread by both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. University officials say this move may only be temporary if things get better in the near future. It's the right thing to do right now," Curtis said. "We don't believe it's forever. But for right now, and the near future, this is the best way for us to come together. ISU officials say this is the best way to keep everyone safe without mandating the vaccine. We really believe this is the best route for us," she said. "I have every bit of confidence that this campus is going to come together and allow us to be here to fulfill our primary mission to educate and graduate students who stay in the state of Indiana and contribute to the economy. There will be a vaccination walk-in clinic at Indiana State University on Tuesday, August 17. This will happen at the Hulman Memorial Student Union from 1:30 to 5:30 PM. MATTOON, Ill. (WTHI) - A company expansion will bring more jobs to the area. North American Lighting will add a fourth location in Illinois. This one will be in Mattoon. NAL makes lights for vehicles. The company said it would start accepting applications for its new location. The new location will start with 25 to 30 employees but ultimately grow to around 100 employees. Those jobs will include: Assembly operators Team leaders Material handlers Technicians and clerks for shipping and receiving Learn more here. SHELBURN Ind. (WTHI) - A Sullivan County man is behind bars after he was accused of rape. Indiana State Police arrested 44-year-old Ricky Bieber of Shelburn. An investigation into Bieber started on July 15 after the Shelburn Town Marshall received information about a sexual assault against a Shelburn resident. Police say Bieber allegedly forced himself on a woman for "sexual gratification." Bieber was arrested on Monday. He will face a charge of rape and a charge of sexual battery. CLINTON, Ind. (WTHI) - You can sign-up right now to take part in the Little Italy Festival 5-K. The race is set for Saturday, September 4. Everyone taking part in the race will meet in the South Vermillion High School parking lot. The Clinton Breakfast Club is behind the 5-K. Proceeds from the 5-K. Pre-registration is going on right now. There's a one-mile walk/run that starts at 8:10 am. The 5-K starts at 8:30. Learn how to register here. The Little Italy Festival takes place from September 3 through September 5. They didn't have to die. This is the terrible truth of America's new pandemic battlefront, as the malicious, highly infectious Delta variant surges, targeting millions who sadly left it too late to protect themselves with safe, free and effective vaccines. Michael Freedy, a Las Vegas father of five, could still be the light of his kids' lives. Instead, they will be always haunted by one of his wrenching final texts before he died on Thursday: "I should have gotten the damn vaccine." Kim Maginn, a 63-year-old Arkansas grandma and fitness enthusiast, should still have years to watch her family grow. Instead, her daughter, Rachel Rosser, a nurse, is left to ask why she couldn't convince her late mom to get her shots. "I'm angry that she didn't get vaccinated. And I personally feel guilty that I didn't try harder," Rosser said. Unfortunately, Maginn had reasoned that if she was going to come down with Covid she would have gotten it by now. The loved ones of the dead are not alone in their poignant laments. Some of those who survived a bout with Covid -- after long days struggling for breath or saddled with debilitating side-effects -- wonder why they didn't take a simple step to spare themselves and their loved ones from the nightmare. Ganeene Starling, a Floridian who has eight kids, shivered to think what would have happened to her 6-year-old had Starling not made it through what she said was a "horrifying" spell in the intensive care unit. She admitted listening to people who said the government was forcing people to fill their bodies with an untested substance. "I was one of those people that was like, 'I can't believe people are just going to just inject their body with this medication that we don't know enough about,' " Starling, 43, said. "Now I'm like, 'It's just a shot. Just get the stupid shot.' " "That vaccine could have stopped all of this. Just one little shot. I feel foolish that I didn't get it." As Alicia Ball sat by her husband William's bedside, where he slumbered in an exhausted sleep in an oxygen mask last week, she said they had delayed getting their shots. But she told CNN from Mississippi: "I wouldn't want my worst enemy to go through this." A vast tragedy As infections grow, powered by the Delta variant of Covid-19, these devastating stories of needless human loss and pain shared in recent days with CNN anchors and reporters -- including John Berman, Martin Savidge, Randi Kaye, Miguel Marquez, Chris Cuomo and others -- will be repeated thousands of times over. Some of those offering testimony agreed to speak out even while mourning and experiencing personal agony, to help others avoid their fate. The vast human tragedy of the pandemic -- with more than 600,000 American deaths alone -- was already almost unbearable. But many of those lost in earlier waves of disease didn't have a chance. Some succumbed to comorbidities that left them vulnerable to Covid-19 -- an illness for which there are few effective therapies. Others got sick after not taking the disease -- and the social distancing advice of government scientists -- seriously enough. Many were just unlucky and condemned to their fate by biology or chance. But the idea that many such tragedies can now be avoided -- but won't be because, for whatever reason, millions of American adults won't get vaccinated -- may herald the most painful phase yet of this cursed global emergency. Most people who get Covid-19 will still not die or get seriously sick, a factor that has clearly colored the calculations of many in the country who are suspicious of public health advice or think the worst won't happen to them. But the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, combined with the vicious march of the Delta variant, weights the calculation even further towards getting vaccinated before it is too late. For all the talk of "breakthrough infections," only a tiny proportion of those who are inoculated against Covid-19 actually contract the virus. A smaller number get sick and need to go to the hospital. An even tinier number die. So, getting the shots, while not offering a 100% guarantee of survivability -- the fragility of human life mitigates against that -- offers enormous and stunning protection. The CDC said on Saturday for example that less than 0.004% of people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 experience a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization. Less than 0.001% died from the disease. While the tally of those breakthrough cases -- 6,587 -- and deaths -- 1,263 -- seems like a lot, they need to be set against the fact that more than 163 million people in the United States were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of July 26. And the CDC reported on Monday that 70% of all US adults have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot, reaching a benchmark goal that President Joe Biden had hoped to hit a little less than one month ago. Reasons for vaccine reluctance Given the staggering success of vaccines, even as the Delta variant lays siege to the country, the decision of many Americans to forgo the protection that could save their lives comes across as puzzling to those who have their shots. There are many reasons why people are reluctant. Some wanted to wait and see whether there were any side effects over time for the vaccinated. Suspicion of government runs deep in the American soul, undermining some of the Biden White House's pleas for people to go ahead and protect themselves. In some parts of the country, left largely untouched by earlier Covid assaults that emptied the streets in great cities, there was a feeling that the disease didn't pose a serious threat. And since most people get better from their infections, there is a strong sense that your chances are still pretty good if you do get sick -- especially if you are young and don't have preexisting health conditions. In many cases, the pressure of work and busy lives causes some people to put off their shots. Politics also undeniably played a role. The fact that ex-President Donald Trump, despite presiding over an administration that helped fund the development of vaccines, politicized Covid-19 so grievously and mocked mask wearing means it can hardly be a coincidence that almost all the least vaccinated states voted for him last November and are now badly exposed to the Delta variant. Months of anti-vaccine propaganda by conservative news networks watched by Trump supporters stigmatized the vaccine for many. In Missouri, which is being hammered by Delta, CNN reported that some people are getting their shots in secret to avoid social and political pressure to hold out. "They didn't want to have to deal with the peer pressure or the outbursts from other people about them ... 'giving in to everything,' " Dr Priscilla Frase, an internist and chief medical information Officer at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, told CNN's Anderson Cooper. Even now, many Republicans appear to be making a political decision to avoid the vaccine despite its life-saving potential. A Monmouth University poll published on Monday found that 17% remain opposed to getting the vaccine at all. Among that group, 70% either identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, while just 6% align with the Democrats. The idea that anyone would not save themselves because they are listening to a politician (not just Trump) who is downplaying the pandemic to boost their own career, or a right-wing pundit spiking their ratings, is its own tragedy. But no matter the reason, it's increasingly clear that people who refuse the vaccine are now taking a significant risk with their own lives and health -- and the well-being of those who might be left behind if they die. With kids under 12 still ineligible to be vaccinated, the skeptics also risk exposing the youngest and vulnerable members of society to a serious disease. Ultimately, they are laying a wager in what West Virginia's Republican Gov. Jim Justice called "a death lottery." 'It's not worth it' The controversy over vaccines has once again exposed the deep political and societal chasm cleaving the United States. And it raises the question of whether getting vaccinated is not just a personal choice but a step that should be considered in terms of an individual's debt to society. This question is especially difficult for many doctors and nurses, who have spent more than a year surrounded by Covid deaths in ICUs. Many share stories of people refusing to believe that they have Covid-19 even up until the moment they are intubated. Others beg for the vaccine -- even though once you get sick it's too late. "Some people insist that we're lying to them about their Covid positive diagnosis, even sick people," nurse Morgan Babin told CNN last week in Louisiana where the virus is rampant. The reality of unnecessary death is adding to stress and damaging morale among many medical professionals as the nation gears up for another prolonged battle against the virus. "It's also very frustrating. We're human, too. As physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, etc., we have basically a miracle drug," Dr. Murtaza Akhter, an emergency physician at Florida International University, told CNN's Ana Cabrera last week. "We have something that can help prevent infection and especially completely prevent severe infection and yet people refuse to get it. And they come in begging for help but also refusing the vaccine." "It's utterly ironic. It's very, quite frankly, anger-inducing." One patient who learned that lesson was Aimee Matzen, 44, who told CNN in a hospital last week that she was "furious" with herself because she was not vaccinated. "(I) just don't want anyone else winding up like me, especially when the vaccine is so easy to get now," she said. Michael Freedy's fiance Jessica DuPreez -- who got her shots as soon as he tested positive -- told CNN's Berman on Monday that she believes that he would still be with her if he got vaccinated. "I do, I think that it at least would have lessened the symptoms and he could have fought longer and had a better chance," she said. DuPreez said the loss of Freedy, 39, still feels surreal. His 7-year-old son still sends texts to his phone. "The very first one was Dad, are you still alive?" she said on "New Day." "Those of you that are hesitating and think 'it can't happen to me because I am young' -- it can and then you're going to be sitting there wondering why you didn't and you're not going to be able to hug your family again." "It's not worth it." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. PITTSBORO, Miss. (WTVA) - Students in the Calhoun County School District must wear masks while indoors. The School Board made the decision in a special meeting on Monday in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Mississippi. All students in grades K4-12 will be required to wear masks while indoors. All unvaccinated staff members will be required to wear masks while indoors. All fully vaccinated staff members will not be required to wear masks. Verification of vaccination status will be required. All students and unvaccinated staff members will be required to wear masks while on the bus. All visitors will be required to wear masks while inside any school facility. The mask mandate is scheduled to expire on Friday, Aug. 20 unless the Board extends the mandate. Students' first day is Wednesday, Aug. 4. The school district oversees schools in Bruce, Calhoun City and Vardaman. Open this link to view the school district's announcement. Former President Donald Trump to hold rally in Cullman on Aug. 21, the Alabama Republican Party announced Monday. It will be at 7 p.m. at York Family Farms, 1872 County Road 469, Cullman. Click HERE for ticket information. President Donald Trump President Donald Trump According to the state GOPs release: This Save America rally will be held in conjunction with the Alabama Republican Party Summer Meeting and marks President Trumps further support of the MAGA agenda and accomplishments of President Trumps Administration. Doors open at 2 p.m. for 45 Fest with music and guest speakers. More speakers join at 5 p.m., and Trump gets under way at 7 p.m. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl issued the following statement regarding Trump's visit: "The Alabama Republican Party is thrilled that President Trump is coming to Alabama and holding a rally in conjunction with our annual Summer Meeting. We all know that there is a special relationship between President Trump and the people of Alabama, and I am incredibly excited to be part of bringing him back to our state. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Trump Team since the end of February to make this visit possible. August 21st is going to be an exciting and memorable night for the State of Alabama." Stay with WAAY 31 on air and WAAYTV.com online for updates TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Students and staff in the Tupelo Public School District will once again put on their masks for the start of the new school year. The school board made the decision this afternoon after meeting with staff from the North Mississippi Medical Center. People had mixed opinion's about the board's decision to enforce a mask mandate today. Unfortunately, the school board is not tailoring their policy to be one that is for optimization for each childs individual health and well being," said Melanie Riley. Riley said she disagrees with the new TPSD mandate. She attended todays board meeting, but members took no public comments or questions. Riley shared her concerns with WTVA after the meeting. I believe that parents should have a choice, if were talking about public health, public health isn't about one issue which is a virus," said Riley. "Public health is also about mental emotional health, respiratory health of all individuals. Unlike Riley, Lela Green said she was relieved to hear that her grandchild and classmates will have to wear a mask in the classroom. She said her grandchild is too young to be vaccinated, so she thinks this is the safest way for her to learn. My grandchild is only nine, so she can not get vaccinated," said Green. "So this is the only safety measure that we can take at this time... so yeah, Im all for it. When Dr. Malinda Prewitt with the NMMC addressed the board today, she said the Delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading quickly among children, and among adults aged 30 to 50. That's a common age group of teachers and other staff in the district. The board approved the mask mandate shortly after Prewitts presentation. Superintendent Dr. Rob Picou said the district is already dealing with cases among the band, softball team and some teachers. We start getting kids together for the first time in extracurricular activities for the first time and boom we start getting cases," said Picou. "The number of teachers that are already positive leads me to believe that everything I hear, this COVID strand, this variant, could be a lot more... hopefully not, but could be worse than we originally thought. Vaccinated or not, students and staff are required to wear a mask. The board is expected to meet again in the next couple of weeks to discuss when the district can drop the mandate. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) administrators held a news conference on Monday to address the immediate impacts of rising COVID-19 cases. The administrators said the hospital system currently has enough ICU beds to accommodate the rising number of patients. (L-R): NMMC-Tupelo President David Wilson, NMHS President/CEO Shane Spees, and NMHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeremy Blanchard. Photo Date: Aug. 2, 2021. (L-R): NMMC-Tupelo President David Wilson, NMHS President/CEO Shane Spees, and NMHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeremy Blanchard. Photo Date: Aug. 2, 2021. But the big issue currently is having enough healthcare workers. NMHS is actively recruiting more healthcare workers to offset the spread and to ensure the highest quality of care for its patients. As of Monday, administrators said there are currently 37 COVID-19 patients in the hospital system. The hospital system's new visitation policy went into effect on Monday, Aug. 2. Open this link to view the new policy. NMHS operates hospitals and clinics in Tupelo, Amory, West Point and more. Open this link to find an NMHS facility. BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. (WTVA) - There will be no mask mandate in Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves reaffirmed on Tuesday. The governor attended a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Blue Mountain and members of the media had the opportunity to speak with him about the resurgence of COVID-19. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves in Blue Mountain on Aug. 3, 2021. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves in Blue Mountain on Aug. 3, 2021. Rather than focusing on wearing masks, Reeves said the state should focus more on vaccinations. In his opinion, vaccinations are the best way to fight the virus He called the CDC's latest guidance foolish. The messaging should be centered on vaccinations and incentivizing the public to get the vaccine. On July 27, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people wear masks to reduce transmission of the virus. Also, the CDC recommended indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status. Open this link to view the latest information and guidance. Masking should be an individual decision, not one from the state or even businesses and schools, he added. What about schools enacting their own mandates? "I believe that local school boards, the parents ought to be heard," Reeves said. "They [school boards] ought to open the floor and give the parents a chance to talk to their school board members because they are the elected officials." Reeves does want more Mississippians to get the shot, though. "We again encourage Mississippians to read up on the information on the data. We have more and more evidence that the vaccines are safe and they are effective." Open this link to schedule a vaccine appointment online in Mississippi. OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) - Ole Miss has unveiled its new specialty license plate for Mississippi motorists. Starting this week, fans who live in Mississippi can purchase the updated plate. The new plate features Hotty Toddy along the bottom and an updated Ole Miss script logo along the left side of the plate. Mississippians can purchase the new plate for an additional $51. For every purchase, $32.50 returns to the university to fund the Herb Dewees Alumni Scholarship and beautification efforts in the Grove and University Circle. The previously-used plate displayed the universitys crest which features the front facade of the Lyceum. Open this link to learn more about the plate and plates available in other states. The U.S. on Monday finally reached President Joe Bidens goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adults -- a month late and amid a fierce surge by the delta variant that is swamping hospitals and leading to new mask rules and mandatory vaccinations around the country. In a major retreat in the Deep South, Louisiana ordered nearly everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear masks again in all indoor public settings, including schools and colleges And other cities and states likewise moved to reinstate precautions to counter a crisis blamed on the fast-spreading variant and stubborn resistance to getting the vaccine. As quickly as we can discharge them theyre coming in and theyre coming in very sick. We started seeing entire families come down," lamented Dr. Sergio Segarra, chief medical officer of Baptist Hospital Miami. The Florida medical-center chain reported an increase of over 140% in the past two weeks in the number of people now hospitalized with the virus. Biden had set a vaccination goal of 70% by the Fourth of July. That figure was the low end of initial government estimates for what would be necessary to achieve herd immunity in the U.S. But that has been rendered insufficient by the highly contagious delta variant, which has enabled the virus to come storming back. There was was no celebration at the White House on Monday, nor a setting of a new target, as the administration instead struggles to overcome skepticism and outright hostility to the vaccine, especially in the South and other rural and conservative areas. The U.S. still has not hit the administration's other goal of fully vaccinating 165 million American adults by July 4. It is about 8.5 million short. New cases per day in the U.S. have increased sixfold over the past month to an average of nearly 80,000, a level not seen since mid-February. And deaths per day have climbed over the past two weeks from an average of 259 to 360. Those are still well below the 3,400 deaths and a quarter-million cases per day seen during the worst of the outbreak, in January. But some places around the country are watching caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began. And nearly all deaths and serious illnesses now are in unvaccinated people. The surge has led states and cities across the U.S. to beat a retreat, just weeks after it looked as if the country was going to see a close-to-normal summer. Health officials in San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties announced Monday they are reinstating a requirement that everyone vaccinated or not wear masks in public indoor spaces. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York City airport and transit workers will have to get vaccinated or face weekly testing. He stopped short of mandating either masks or inoculations for the general public, saying he lacks legal authority to do so. Denver's mayor said the city will require police officers, firefighters and certain other municipal employees to get vaccinated, along with workers at schools, nursing homes, hospitals and jails. Minnesotas public colleges and universities will require masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. New Jersey said workers at state-run nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and other such institutions must get the shot or face regular testing. North Carolina's governor ordered state employees to cover up indoors if they are not fully vaccinated. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a nationwide vaccination requirement is not on the table, but noted that employers have the right to take such a step. The U.S. Senate saw its first disclosed breakthrough case of the virus, with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina saying he has mild symptoms. In Florida, it took two months last summer for the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 to jump from 2,000 to 10,000. It took only 27 days this summer for Florida hospitals to see that same increase, said Florida Hospital Association President Mary Mayhew. She noted also that this time, 96% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated and they are far younger, many of them in their 20s and 30s. Amid the surge, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his anti-mask, anti-lockdown stance, warning in a fundraising email over the weekend: Theyre coming for your freedom again. While setting a national vaccination goal may have been useful for trying to drum up enthusiasm for the shots, 70% of Americans getting one shot was never going to be enough to prevent surges among unvaccinated groups. And when he announced the goal, Biden acknowledged it was just a first step. Its the level of vaccinations in a community not a broad national average that can slow an outbreak or allow it to flourish. Vaccination rates in some Southern states are far lower than they are New England. Vermont has fully inoculated nearly 78% of its adult population. Alabama has just cracked 43%. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. Paige Looney is a Housing Policy Specialist with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. For questions or additional information, please contact her at paigelooney@wvceh.org. If you or someone you know needs assistance with housing, call the Coordinated Entry line at 1-833-722-2014. Senior staff writer Kailee Kroll can be reached at (304)626-1439, by email at kkroll@theet.com or on Twitter at @kaileekroll. Red Dead Online Has 2x RDO$ and XP on All Showdown Modes and A Land of Opportunities This Week Great Britain won two gold medals in sailing in the space of an hour as Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell claimed the narrowest of victories in the 49er before Giles Scott successfully defended his Finn title. The 34-year-olds victory means Britain have claimed six successive titles in the Finn dating back to Iain Percys success in Sydney 21 years ago. Ben Ainslie then won three consecutive titles before Scott clinched his first gold in Rio. He had a nine-point lead going into the final medal race but had to play catch-up after a poor start and crossed the line in fourth, which was enough to keep him ahead of Hungarys Zsombor Berecz in silver. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Fletcher and Bithell went into the final medal race, where double points are awarded, in second, four points behind New Zealands Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, but the narrowest of victories for them and third for New Zealand saw the British pair claim the title. Fletcher and Bithells biggest obstacle turned out to be Germany but, having taken the final turn in second, the British pair just edged over the finish line in front. Fletcher said: I think its been super close all week in racing and today showed off what its been like. It was an intense race but its mind-blowing to be sat here now being Olympic champions. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On the race to the line with the German boat, the 33-year-old added: I thought we had it to be honest but I knew it was super touch and go. The other guys had right of way over us so we had to be careful to not get a penalty and time everything just right but Stu did an incredible job of making the boat go fast and we just nicked it at the end. It is a first Olympic medal for Fletcher, who finished sixth with Alain Sign in the same class in Rio, while Bithell also took silver in the 470 class alongside Luke Patience at London 2012. Bithell missed out to Fletcher and Sign for Rio, and the pair were rivals before deciding to team up in a bid to qualify for Tokyo. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The decision brought immediate dividends as they won European and world titles, and now the biggest prize of all. The medal race was postponed from Monday, when a lack of wind forced racing to be cancelled for the day, and it was nip and tuck throughout a hugely exciting contest. Fletchers fiancee, Charlotte Dobson, and her crewmate Saskia Tidey missed out on a podium place in the womens 49er FX earlier, coming seventh in the medal race and sixth overall. The 2022 Sundance Film Festival will be a hybrid event this year, but for anyone attending the fest in person in Park City, Utah, they must be vaccinated against COVID-19, Sundance director Tabitha Jackson announced Tuesday. The festival previously announced it would return to physical screenings in Park City, while also continuing with online premieres that will follow films physical premieres in Utah. As always, films will premiere in the first half of the festival between Jan. 20-25 and will be followed by additional screenings and events through the end of the festival on Jan. 30. Awards will be announced on Friday, Jan. 28. Jackson also announced Tuesday that 2022s Sundance will be slightly larger than last years slimmed-down event. Roughly 80 movies will be featured on the main slate next year, whereas just 72 were screened in 2021, down from the typical 120. All official feature film selections will play both in person and online. Sundance will also continue with its regional cinemas, or Satellite Screens, that were introduced this year, in which 10 theaters across the country offered more opportunities for people to see some of the selected films. Those screenings will run between Jan. 28-30. The soul of Sundance has always been in the coming together of a community: around new voices, new work, new forms, and new perspectives, Jackson wrote in a letter Tuesday. During last years Festival, even when denied the chance to gather in a single place, the power of converging in a single moment was undeniable. We were able to expand the possibility of who could take part. And as we prepare for 2022, we remain committed to this invitation to new audiences. The 2021 festival had a record 600,000 people attend virtually and via hub events across the country. In February, the Sundance Institute said the seven-day festival reached a total audience of 2.7 times (168%) more than the typical 11-day version in Utah in 2020 and was viewed in 50 states and 120 countries. Specifically, Sundance said there were 251,331 views of feature and short films and Indie Series through the festivals online platform or TV apps. The festival then counted an estimated two people per household watching its films, reaching an estimated half a million people. Read original story Sundance to Require COVID-19 Vaccines for Attendees in Park City At TheWrap Just in time for the re-opening of the US-Canadian border (assuming, of course, you meet all the requirements), Vancouver Islands famed Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is backand with a brand-new look, to boot. Synonymous with off-the-grid luxury, the secluded retreat was, like many properties, closed for an extended period due to the pandemic. But in this case, the hiatus offered the propertys new co-owners, Australia-based luxury hotel operator Baillie Lodges, time to complete a $1.6 million makeover, realizing a vision that began when Hayley and James Baillie first landed at Clayoquot in 2019. Straight away, we saw the synergies with our existing Baillie Lodges properties, says Hayley Baillie, whose company is known for such iconic Down Under boutique hideaways as Longitude 131 at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Silky Oaks Lodge in Queenslands Daintree Rainforest, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island (which is currently being rebuilt following the 2020 bush fires.) More from Robb Report The main synergy here is the remote locationin Clayoquots case, its setting on the banks of its namesake inlet, surrounded by the lush conifer forests of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and only accessible by seaplane, boat or helicopter. Other key factors include an immersion in wilderness, proximity to endemic wildlife (like bears, sea otters, dolphins and whales) and a classic design offering organic interaction with the environment, with guest tents opening right onto Clayoquot Sound or into the dense old-growth rainforest. A dense old-growth forest surrounds the lodge. - Credit: Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Shortly after taking the reins in partnership with KSL Capital, the Baillies launched a multi-year strategy to elevate the guest experience and align Clayoquot with the companys growing portfolio. They have refurbished all 25 luxuriously appointed safari-style guest tents, commissioning local designers to create a more contemporary, yet still authentic, sense of place. Story continues Moy Sutherland, a Tlaoquiaht First Nations artist from the nearby village of Masayaht, was invited to feature his traditional bentwood boxes and bowls throughout the tents and common areas, while local handwoven textiles studio Cloth Tone created organic raw wool-covered cushions using wool produced on Vancouver Island. Design elements common to all the Baillie Lodges properties are also in place, including sumptuous Bemboka blankets and upscale bedding; each tent also has a private deck and heated bathroom floors, while some also feature outdoor cedar showers and cast-iron stoves. Guest can arrive by helicopter, and book private flights to take in the scenery. - Credit: Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Plans are underway to renovate the Cookhouse Restaurant, Ivanhoe Lounge and Healing Grounds Spa after the 2022 season wraps. For now, the restaurant continues the Baillie Lodges focus on local and sustainable by serving daily changing menus full of ingredients like foraged forest mushrooms, organic beef and freshly caught octopus and prawns. Dinner is a three-course affair, and the lengthy selection of included beverages features local craft beers and ciders, spirits distilled in British Columbia and wines from around the world. Dont miss enjoying a cocktail at sunset on the rooftop or in the Ivanhoe Lounge, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck with firepits. The Healing Grounds Spa incorporates nature into its services. - Credit: Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Courtesy Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge With this new look also comes a renewed spirit of adventure. Clayoquot is equally famous for its broad range of exhilarating activities, and reimagined versions of these signature experiences now form part of the personalized, all-inclusive guest itineraries (which also include all dining and beverages). Designed to showcase the natural beauty of British Columbias coast, popular excursions include Zodiac rides to spot whales and bears, snorkeling among salmon in pristine rivers, horseback riding, archery, hiking and guided mountain biking and rock climbing. Spa treatments (which use ingredients like Pacific Coast seaweed), mindfulness activities like yoga and sound healing, and scenic helicopter flights are available for an additional charge. We hope that guests will be as awestruck as James and I were when we first flew on a seaplane into the majestic Clayoquot Sound, says Baillie, and that they will depart with a real sense of having experienced the sights, sounds and feels of Vancouver Islands wild west coast. Rates start at approximately $1,120 per person, per night, including accommodation, gourmet meals, premium beverages, most activities and one 60-minute massage per stay. Children over six years old are welcome. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Undaunted by drizzle, a friendly young man in a black T-shirt with Love written across it in bold white letters approaches strangers outside the stores occupying anywhere-USA strip mall. Would they like to pray with him? He is Jeffrey McCall, the founder of a movement called Freedom March, seen in the opening scenes of Kristine Stolakis debut feature documentary, Pray Away, which is now streaming on Netflix. At first glance, McCall and the members of his group might be mistaken for a welcoming, millennial-friendly Christian movement, with a Facebook page that features rainbow iconography and allusions to anti-racism. The truth is darker. Freedom March is a modern manifestation of conversion therapy, defined on the films opening screen as the attempt to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity by a religious leader, licensed counselor, or in peer support groups. Long before making the film, Stolakis witnessed the effects of this so-called therapy first hand. Growing up in upstate New York, she was close to an uncle who came out as trans in childhood and was subjected to conversion therapy in the sixties and early-seventies at a time when every therapist was a conversion therapist, she explains, on a video call from her home in New Jersey. What resulted was extremely poor mental health. Stolakis uncle passed away shortly before she started film school; while clearing out his home with her mother, she found a collection of material from a pro-conversion organization, evidence that her uncle had continued to be affected by the conversion movement into his adulthood. When I found that stack of brochures I was livid, and I really was determined to make a film that uncovered this movement that had ruined his life, she says. Pray Away is that film. In it, Stolakis and her team cover the movement through the stories of some of its most prominent former leaders and survivors in the U.S., men and women who promoted the idea that embracing a specific form of Christianity allows people to reject LGBTQ identities and become cisgender and heterosexual. The films title references the phrase pray away the gay, a pithy saying that belies the extreme pain and harm caused by the movement. Story continues [Conversion therapy] was a part of mainstream culture when I was growing up, Stolakis says, and that is part of the power and problem of these personal stories getting lifted up [they say] that change is possible. Theyre compelling. Even though theyre very misleading, theyre very compelling. Throughout the film, archival footage of people claiming to have converted their sexuality is cut with tight shots of the faces of credulous onlookers. Its an intentional motif. Its really a part of where this starts, Stolakis says of these scenes, where this belief system becoming a little normalized, a little mainstream, starts. One clip from The Phil Donahue Show features an ex-gay couple appearing on a panel to have an ostensible debate. Another shows the veteran CBS journalist Lesley Stahl nodding while the ex-gay husband, John Paulk, details his supposed conversion journey (one that ended some years later when he was spotted in a gay bar). These people were positioned as one side of an issue, Stolakis says, when in fact, theres no two sides to this issue. Conversion therapy is not only ineffective. Its extremely harmful and we know this is a fact. The film reveals that many of the people from the movement came to understand that, too. The vast majority of conversion therapy organizations are actually run by LGTBQ people themselves who claim that they themselves have changed, Stolakis explains. She was surprised to find them more sympathetic than she expected. I was so prepared to feel angry, Stolakis says, when she started making the film. But so many people do have good intentions; this really is a world where hurt people are hurting other people. But, she notes, in the film [we] really also made sure to never shy away from the fact that despite those good intentions, this movement causes serious pain. The pain was felt at the very top. For many of the leaders, maintaining the facade proved to be difficult and eventually impossible several once-powerful conversion organizations have shut down when leaders ultimately admitted that they did not really believe in conversion. Many have turned to working to uplift the LGBTQ community and trying to help those they may have harmed. Paulk is shown living happily with his male partner. Despite this, its also clear that a sense of responsibility lingers. Randy Thomas, once a key spokesperson and lobbyist for Exodus International, which ran conversion ministries for almost four decades, now identifies as an LGTBQ advocate. Towards the end of the film he admits that he is plagued by guilt. A gay person said very bluntly and directly [to me] that I had blood on my hands, he says, seeming on the verge of tears. I said, right now, all I know is that Im afraid to look down at my hands. In a lot of ways this movement is internalized transphobia and homophobia turned outwards, Stolakis says and as long as transphobia and homophobia exist, so will people who believe in and promote conversion, as in the case of Freedom March. McCall identifies as a former trans woman (the film shows him recounting his testimony of detransition). Stolakis ability to portray multiple facets of her subjects selves is one of the films great strengths, and in Jeffrey, she says, she does see good intentions. Jeffrey, to his credit, was very quick to agree to be in the film, she says. We were straightforward about the fact that we were going to include critical voicesbut we also did make a promise to him that we would not put words in his mouth. I do think he thinks hes helping people. But thinking it doesnt make it true. With Pray Aways release on Netflixs huge platform, Stolakis hopes that it will reach a broad audience even those who continue to believe in conversion. I really hope that people who are in the movement would consider watching the film, she says, and consider opening their minds and hearts to the fact that despite those good intentions they are really causing a lot of harm. Pray Away is streaming now, on Netflix. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Torrey Peters Talks About 'Detransition, Baby' Why Queerness Is Freedom For Me Angelica Ross: Trans Joy Is Revolutionary The Florida panhandle's produce headquarters is Jackson County, a destination for agritourism, u-pick flowers, farmers markets, and roadside stands. For the freshest produce, take a spin through the county and find the best of what locals are growing in Northwest Florida's farmlands. Located one hour west of Tallahassee and one hour north of Panama City, a visit to the county brings agritourism experiences, tours, and workshops, as well as plenty of opportunities to pick your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. (Be sure to visit the farms' websites to check their visiting hours and schedule tours.) U-Pick Farms Gather your own ingredients, from fruits to dairy and everything in between, at area farms. The region is a destination for satsumas, blueberries, and muscadines, and at Jackson Farms in Grand Ridge, Florida, you can find seasonal opportunities to pick tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, and more. Find a list of u-pick farms, including Farren Farms for blueberries and several orchards for satsumas, at visitjacksoncountyfl.com. Flower Fields If you'd like to pick flowers instead of produce, KB Farms Cut Flowers has workshops, a seasonal u-pick flower field, and floral subscriptions on offer as well. Located in Cottondale Florida, it's helmed by farmer-florist Kerrie Brogdon, who grows the farm's seasonal annuals and native perennials. Special Events Once a year, Ocheesee Creamery in Grand Ridge, Florida, invites visitors to learn about the history and work of their small, third-generation dairy farm. More frequently, Green Gate Olive Grove in Marianna offers tastings of their handcrafted olive oils and infused vinegars. In Cottondale, Mosier's Family Farm sells eggs and hens year-round, and in October they host a spooky corn maze. Tours and Markets To learn about the farms and the people who keep them running, take a farm tour. Marianna's Lazy Acres Family Farm offers tours, hayrides, and visits to the farm store for fresh beef, pork, and poultry. Nearby Cindale Farms, a second-generation, family-run dairy farm, supplies milk for the family's Southern Craft Creamery. During a visit to the creamery, you'll find handcrafted ice cream in signature flavors such as sweet cream, salted dark chocolate, and roasted banana with salted peanuts. There's also Wildflower Honey ice cream made with honey from Smiley Farms in Graceville, Florida, and strawberry ice cream made with fruit from Ferris Farms in Floral City, Florida. What's your go-to spot for local produce? Do you have any favorite u-pick farms in your area? Photo credit: Courtesy Hearst Magazines and Verizon Media may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Perhaps Nava Mau was always an actress, but it took years for her to adopt the term as self-description. Born in Mexico City, as a child she performed in a junior version of Catsher first dramatic role, one she still describes with affectionate humorbut she didnt consider acting as a career path until years later, when she wrote, produced, directed and starred in the short film Waking Hour. She found a natural rhythm within the short-film medium, where she could wield more artistic license than was typical for a young trans Latina creator in an industry where the facade of progressivism often shielded bigotry. For one of the first times ever, she felt true autonomy over how the world viewed her. After completing work on a few other short films, Mau was couch-surfing in Los Angeles when she received a suspicious DM on Instagram from a random account offering her an audition. The message included a typo, so she figured it was spam. But, like many hungry actresses, she was eager enough for a lead that she sent over her email address. As it turns out, the message was more than just legitimateit was an offer to audition for the HBO Max show Genera+ion. Mau submitted her tape and, within weeks, was cast as Ana, the aunt-turned-surrogate-mother to Greta, her niece whos struggling to come to terms with her sexuality. In the teen dramedy, Ana is a beloved guardian and role model, a welcome shift for LGBTQ characters, who often serve as narrative cautionary tales or, worse, the butt of jokes. On-screen and off, Mau exhibits a graceful confidence, one that may have required practice at first but is now comes as naturally to her as breathing. She knows she belongs on your television. Currently at work on an anthology and looking ahead tofingers crosseda Genera+ion season 2, Mau chatted with ELLE.com about the importance of visibility, and the power of knowing how to take up space. Story continues Photo credit: Courtesy Why do you think you felt acting wasnt a viable career until you watched yourself in Waking Hour? Well, I had a very clear awareness of the way the world was, the way that history was. Before we started to see trans people have any roles on television and filmthat were beyond them being punchlines or murder victimsit just didn't... There was just no place. That changed in the last, like, seven or eight years. Seven or eight years ago, I was in college and trying to figure out what to do with my life. And so when looking at the world, the world told me that there was no place for me. What about your experience with the short film gave you the perspective that there is now space? I'm so glad that my introduction to the world of film was through independent film and through projects that I had a lot of agency over, because it showed me why we do this. It's about telling stories that come from the heart and that can reach other people's hearts. So when I finally got it together to create this short film, it...I don't know how to explain it. I had never really been able to see myself fully. I got to fall in love with myself in a new way, and I got to fall in love with this art form. And I have yet to fall out of love. What about Genera+ion captivated you? When you looked at the logline, was there something that immediately made you go, I have to do this? I was really drawn to [Anas] honest relationship with her niece, Greta. I felt like that relationship was so unique in both of their identities, but also in their dynamic situation that they're living through where Greta's mom has been deported, and her trans aunt is taking care of her while she's discovering her queer identity. That's just such a magnificent dynamic to explore. How did you approach the responsibility of acting as a guardian figure for Greta, someone in such a vulnerable position? I realized from the writing that Ana's style of parenting and mentorship is that she doesn't really push back. She pushes forward. It's not that Ana doesnt have an opinion. She intuitively knows that it's not effective to try to punish Greta for figuring out their own path. Because [punishment] is what [Anas] experience was, and it was not effective for her. Since Ana had such a tough upbringing and she faces such adversity every day in the world, she would never want to reproduce that with her niece. Youve worn a number of hats in your career so far. Writing, producing, directing, actingis there a side of the camera that you prefer more than another? I do really like working in a variety of capacities. I would say that my favorites are directing and acting, obviously. Writing is the bane of my existence. It sends me into a crisis and a mental health spiral every time. [Laughs] But I think they all feed each other. It's funny. I was directing yesterday, and I thought I had a great day. I worked with a wonderful cast and crew, and yet I did have a thought at one point where I was like, Actually, I miss acting. And then when I'm acting, sometimes I'm like, Ah, I wish I could be directing. Along with your work in the film and television industry, you also have devoted significant time to social justice movements as a legal assistant, a peer counselor and an advocate for LGBTQ youth. I'm curious how you see your roles in film and TV coalescing with your work as an advocate. You know, I'll admit that, over the past few years, I've considered if it's not going to be possible to continue to focus on social justice-oriented work when I'm investing so much into this career in film and television. I used to run away from creative work. I would do a little something creative and then go back to what I thought was my real life and my real career. And then I would eventually run back to the creative work. Now, I am focusing full-time on my creative work and feeling like, maybe, I can't meet the responsibility of cultural and political work in film and TV, so I find myself running back to it. Thus, I think that, for projects where I am leading, it is really important to me to continue to bring in the frameworks that I believe in from my cultural work. I also believe that culture change is desperately needed in the film industry, so I hope to never let go of that. That is my mission. Photo credit: Courtesy When you have had the opportunity to bridge that gap, to combine the cultural work with the creative work, where do you feel that you've been able to make the most impact? I've really loved to create spaces and programs that bring people together that otherwise would not have had that opportunity. I am co-editing this anthology right now with four other trans women of color. It's called Paradise on the Margins: Lessons and Dreams from Trans Women of Color . Part of the project is that we created this writing circle program. It was really beautiful to bring together five writers and trans women of color from different parts of the country for mentorship and feedback on their creative writing and to create bonds between them and between the co-editors and mentors. Especially during the pandemic, it felt like it really grounded me. What have you watched recently that's inspiring your work? I watched this not so recently, but it is still always present with me. I May Destroy You. Jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching, and soul soothing, it was such a cinematic accomplishment, too. That series set the standard for me. What other projects do you have coming up? I took time since wrapping production of Genera+ion to hop onto other people's projects while I am gearing up for whatever is next for me. I'm really excited about this short film that I got to work on with April Maxey . It's called Work , and it's about a queer Chicano who is going through a breakup, and we see her through her work day. She works in an office during the day, and she works at an underground lap dance party at night and runs into an old friend. It's a really, really beautiful story that I hope everybody gets to see. And recently I was on set for this short-form series called Hidden Canyons. I can't tell you the storyline, but it always means so much to me whenever I get to work with a cast and crew of queer and trans people and with a storyline that that is about doing better for each other. So I'm also really excited for people to see season two of Hidden Canyons. If there were one upcoming film or TV project that you could star in, what would it be? I would love to be in the series adaptation of Dawn by Octavia Butler that's coming up. She's my ultimate guide and my favorite author, and that is my favorite book. And obviously I can't play Lilith, but if I could work in any capacity on that show? Like, please, make me a production assistant! You Might Also Like Corrected on 8/4/2021 at 8:48 a.m. to clarify that the Milestone C decision is linked with low-rate initial production. WASHINGTON Boeings MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter will enter production later than expected, a U.S. Air Force program executive said Tuesday. The Grey Wolf program was initially scheduled for a Milestone C decision by the end of fiscal 2021, which would trigger the start of low rate initial production. However, ongoing delays in certifying the aircraft with the FAA will force the service to push off the milestone, said Col. William Rogers, the Air Forces program executive officer for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and special operations forces. We are in the process of revisiting our acquisition program baseline, and will be briefing the [service acquisition executive, Darlene Costello] in the near future, he told reporters during a media roundtable. Rogers declined to provide further details on when the Milestone C decision could be made, saying it will be up to Costello to approve new target and threshold dates. The MH-139A is a militarized version of Italian aviation firm Leonardos AW139 commercial helicopter, which has already been certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. However, the Grey Wolfs military-specific technologies need to be tested and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Air Force and Boeing underestimated how long it would take to obtain supplemental type certifications (STCs) for the MH-139, which are necessary to begin developmental testing and make a production decision, Rogers said. On top of that, Boeing is also having to redesign one of the sensor fairings on the front half of the aircraft, which have been discovered to impact the airflow to the helicopters pitot tubes potentially leading to incorrect airspeed readings that can trigger a crash. Theres pitot tubes on both sides of the aircraft, so in certain conditions, the pitot tubes would not have the same airspeed readings, Rogers said. Boeing is right now in the process of testing the redesign. They have a couple of options and theyre doing the company testing now. Story continues The Grey Wolf has already obtained one supplementary type certificate and will obtain another two before Christmas, said Matt Beck, the Air Forces MH-139A system program manager. That will get us into [developmental tests], which is good. Then we can really start making progress on the program and testing our military equipment, he said. The other STCs will close in FY22. The Air Force intends to buy 84 MH-139As to replace the UH-1N Huey. The Grey Wolf will take on missions such as monitoring intercontinental ballistic missile fields, conducting search and rescue, and transporting VIPs in the national capital region. Boeing won a $2.38 billion firm, fixed-price award for the Huey replacement program in September 2018 after submitting a proposal that clocked in at $1.7 billion lower than the programs initial estimate. The company received an initial $375 million for the first four helicopters and the integration of military-specific items necessary for the AW139 to meet the Air Forces requirements. The service purchased eight MH-139As in FY21 and anticipated buying another eight Grey Wolf helicopters in FY22. However, during the FY22 budget rollout, Air Force officials announced that the service would pause Grey Wolf procurement that year to allow for FAA certification. In December 2019, Boeing delivered the first Grey Wolf helicopter to the Air Force, and the service set up its first MH-139A detachment at Duke Field, Florida. Aug. 2The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission to the moon with one of that mission's defining moments: a replica of the first of three lunar rovers astronauts drove on the moon's surface. The replica of the rover, built by Ohio Northern University engineering students, is a 10-foot-long, one-to-one scale electric, drive-by-wire, four-wheel-steering car, said Greg Brown, experience coordinator for the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, who was at the museum Monday. "That was the first mission that actually used a lunar rover," Brown said, referring to Apollo 15. The rover replica capable of a top speed of some 5 mph will be at the museum Monday only, but the museum's overall exhibit celebrating the Apollo 15 mission, will be in place through Saturday and is well worth exploring, museum officials said. "Our rover, just like the vehicles that went to the moon, is a four-wheel steering vehicle," Brown said. "Not just four-wheel drive ... so we can use all four (wheels) to turn around. It's pretty maneuverable." He added: "It's actually pretty fun to drive." The three actual rovers remain on the surface of the moon, Brown noted. Apollo 15 was the first "J" mission to the moon, missions meant to be extended scientific endeavors, he said. "They're going to take the rover for the first time, they're going to drive on the moon, and they're going to cover a much larger area," he said. The overall exhibit includes the Apollo 15 command module Endeavor, complete with atmospheric re-entry burn-streak marks. The module is on loan from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. David Thomas, a special events coordinator for the Air Force Museum, said the overall space celebration includes more than the stationary exhibits, which can be found in the museum's building four. Story continues On Saturday, the museum will host a "rocket day," in which visitors can build rockets and launch them outside on the museum's front lawn. "We have 750 rockets for visitors to build and launch," he said. While masks and face coverings are once again required while inside the museum, they are not required while outside. (Thomas said the new masking requirement has not affected attendance at the museum.) Visitors will also be able to inspect the cockpit of the rocket-powered, hypersonic X-15 research plane, similar to the one flown by former Apollo astronaut (and Ohio native) Neil Armstrong when he was a test pilot. Visitors can also enter the C-119 "satellite catcher" aircraft, Thomas said, and volunteers will be on hand to discuss other planes and missiles. At 6 p.m. Thursday, the museum will also host the "Solar System 5-K run" on historic Wright Field, featuring a proportional representation of the solar system. For more information about the space celebration, visit the museum website at https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Space-Celebration/ JIM WATSON President Joe Biden has called on longtime friend and ally Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York to resign, hours after the release of an independent investigation that found the governor had sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. I think he should resign, Biden said on Tuesday afternoon, during a briefing updating the federal governments vaccination program. Biden said that while the state legislature may decide to impeach, he would leave calls for Cuomos impeachment to leaders in Albany. It followed a similar call from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who said in a statement, Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign. Biden had largely resisted weighing in on the allegations against Cuomo, which first surfaced in December 2020 when a former aide accused the three-term governor of years of sexual harassment. In March, Biden told ABC News George Stephanopoulos that if the misconduct allegations were substantiated by investigators, he would support Cuomo stepping down. Gov. Cuomo Broke the Law by Sexually Harassing Multiple Women, AG Concludes There should be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true, Biden said at the time, referring to one of Cuomos accusers. Thats whats going on now There could be a criminal prosecution that is attached to it. I just dont know. Other Democrats, including the majority of New Yorks congressional delegation and a majority of state legislators, called for Cuomo to resign months ago. The independent investigation, the results of which were announced on Tuesday morning by New York Attorney General Letitia James, found that Cuomo broke both state and federal law by harassing 11 different women, many of whom were state employeesincluding allegedly fondling a state trooper who was part of his personal protective detail and making crude remarks to a doctor who tested him for COVID-19. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters ahead of Bidens remarks that she would leave discussing the allegations to him, but said that she found the charges against Cuomo abhorrent, and said that the women who have come forward deserve to be heard. Story continues I dont know that anyone could have watched this morning and not found the allegations to be abhorrent. I know I certainly did, Psaki said. All women who have lived through this type of experience, whether it is harassment or abuse or, in the worst case, assault, deserve to have their voices heard, deserve to be treated with respect and with dignity. The Horrific Details of How Andrew Cuomo Allegedly Preyed on a State Trooper Cuomo has denied the allegations in a video response released after James press conference, declaring that the facts are much different than what has been portrayed. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, Cuomo said, before playing a video montage of him hugging supporters as evidence that he is merely friendly. I am 63 years old, Ive lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am and thats not who I have ever been. In a lengthy report crafted by Cuomos attorneys intended to refute the allegations, Cuomo included numerous photos of Biden hugging supporters, colleagues, and Vice President Kamala Harris as proof that his behavior towards women is not out of the ordinary. The White House did not respond to the inclusion of those photos on the record, and Biden said that he was not going to flyspeck this. There may have been some embraces that were totally innocent, Biden said of Cuomo, but James investigation had clearly drawn different conclusions about other instances. Biden himself came under fire in April 2019 after he was accused by a former Nevada state lawmaker of touching her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. At the time, Biden expressed surprise at her allegation but promised to change his behavior around women in the future. I may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear. But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention, Biden said in a statement at the time. And I will. 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. Gary Nelson - Bear Canyon mine flash flood GoFundMe Gary Nelson A coal miner was killed after a "devastating" flash flood tore through a Utah canyon, sweeping him away from his fellow miners downstream, officials said. Mine crews heading up a hill to the Gentry Mountain Mine in Huntington Canyon first saw a "wall of water and debris" coming down Bear Canyon around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, the Emery County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. One of three mining vehicles in the area was able to reverse the vehicle upon seeing the flood, but was unable to get out of its direct path. "They then exited to higher ground, but water and debris swept on both sides of them," the release said. "One man was swept into the water and carried downstream." His body was recovered about six miles downstream at 11:15 a.m. on Monday following an overnight search by the Emery County Sheriff's Office, Emery County Search and Rescue and Gentry Mountain Mine. The victim was identified as 48-year-old Gary Nelson, a father of three who had worked at the mine for the past 10 years, according to a follow-up statement from the sheriff's office. A GoFundMe page organized by his sister-in-law said he was the "main supporter" of his family, who live in Fairview, Utah. RELATED: Heavy Rain from Storms Causes Flash Flooding in N.Y.C. Subways, Strands People in Cars on Highway "Today my sister and her girls received news that no family wants to hear," she wrote. "My brother in law Gary was killed in the flash flood by Huntington. My brother in law was the rock of their family and the main supporter. This fund will help my sister and her girls until things get situated without having to stress about money while they are going through this grieving process." RELATED VIDEO: At Least 1 Person Missing After 'Torrential' Rainfall Brings Severe Floods to Hawaii Two other sets of mining crews also encountered the flooding, but survived, according to the sheriff's office. Story continues The first man impacted was a miner coming off his shift in a two-person mine vehicle. "As the flood overtook his vehicle, he was able to reach out and grab a tree which pulled him from the vehicle," the release said. "He was unable to hold on to the tree and was then carried about mile down the canyon." RELATED: Rafter Dies in Grand Canyon Flash Flood as Monsoons Slam Drought-Stricken Arizona: 'Surreal' A second vehicle carrying eight men up to the mine was hit next by the flood and debris, and although the vehicle rolled four times, crews were able to kick out the windows and get to safety. The sheriff's office noted it was a "surface flood event" that did not affect underground personnel. "Our deepest condolences go to Gary's family, friends and co-workers at this difficult time," the statement read. Cassandra Johnston Facebook Cassandra Johnston Loved ones are paying tribute to Cassandra "Casey" Johnston days after her body was found in a Philadelphia creek. Investigators discovered Johnston's body on Sunday, a little over three weeks after her family reported her missing on July 10, according to ABC affiliate WPVI and NBC affiliate WCAU. The 26-year-old from Southampton, Pennsylvania, had been visiting a friend in Philadelphia when her family said she failed to return home, WPVI reported. It wasn't until Johnston's family hired a private investigator, Kevin Ryan, that her car was spotted in a wooded area in Northeast Philadelphia on Saturday, according to WPVI. Her body was located one day later, just a half a mile away, in the Byberry Creek, per WCAU. "It's been horrible, waiting and looking and looking and looking and looking," her mom, Carolann Johnston, told CBS affiliate KYW-TV, adding that they've found comfort in knowing "that she was at peace now." Adder her father, Joe Johnston, to the outlet: "I feel so blessed that everyone came out to help for my daughter, to find my daughter. Thank[s] everybody, thank you." Cassandra "Casey" Johnston Lower Southampton Police Department Cassandra "Casey" Johnston RELATED: Body of Missing Pa. Woman Found in Creek a Mile Away from Where Her Car Crashed Into Tree Following the tragic news, many of Johnston's loved ones remembered the young woman on social media. Neshaminy Kids Club where Johnston worked as a lifeguard, per her obituary said she had been a member of their family for many years and called her "a beautiful person, whose presence brightened up the room." "Her kindness and spirit was infectious," their Facebook post reads. "It has been our pleasure to watch her grow into the compassionate and remarkable educator she was becoming. She loved to spend most of her time teaching kids various types of physical education games. Miss Casey truly loved her job, and she was always looking for new ways to improve our program." Story continues "She has made a lasting impression on the Neshaminy Kids Club families that will never be forgotten. The program will not be the same without her," the club added. Johnston's friend and former co-worker, Gia Ferrandino, said she was "at a loss for words" after hearing the news. "You being there for me when I needed you. And I would do the same for you," she wrote. "You are such an amazing person, always full of life, the life of the party. Countless memories I will cherish forever." Kristin White, who was Johnston's birth mother, according to her obituary, added in a Facebook post: "To have to put something like this up for my beautiful child kills me. I know everyone loved Casey and you couldn't help but not to. She always had the biggest heart and I knew she was on to bigger things. But I guess God had a different idea for her... I love you my Casey and I always will." RELATED VIDEO: Body Found in Pond Is Believed to Be Missing 4-Year-Old Boy At this time, it remains unclear how Johnston's vehicle ended up in the woods. Lower Southampton Township Police Chief Ted Krimmel said during a news conference on Sunday that investigators believe Johnston had trouble maneuvering a curve and went airborne over a guardrail, crashing her car into a tree about 49 yards from the road, per WPVI. Krimmel said that Johnston was likely ejected from the sunroof of her car and landed in a culvert, which then carried her body downstream after recent flooding in the area. A tornado that ripped through the woods on Thursday also likely clear some tall trees that had previously made it impossible for investigators to see Johnston's car during previous aerial searches of the area, Krimmel noted. RELATED: Body of Woman, 52, Who Disappeared While Swimming with Grandson Found in Wash. Lake On Monday, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to WPVI and WCAU that Johnston died from blunt impact trauma, with her manner of death being ruled as accidental. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Yankton, SD (57078) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Do you or your business want to learn more about OSHA compliance, employee benefits, human resource solutions and updates on payroll issues? Then youll want to sign up for a Business Resource Luncheon that will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The location will be the Chances R Restaurants Shir-Ra Room. The luncheon is designed for the decision makes within your business and RSVPs are required by August 4 which is tomorrow. You can RSVP to info@yorkchamber.org or call the chamber office at 402-363-5531. The meeting included a catered lunch compliments of the Cornerstone Insurance Group. The Luncheon is brought to you by the Cornerstone Insurance Group, the York Chamber of Commerce and York County Development Group. What the Heck: This week brings the York County Fair back in all its glory after a reduced fair happened last year due to the pandemic. That always brings back memories of my days in 4-H back in Platte County. We started out showing calves and I remember my first 4-H calf. We got this fiery black Angus calf at an auction. We got him home and he proceeded to take off across the lot and scaled the fence like he was Mayson Conner high jumping for the Huskers. New Delhi: Aditya Birla group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has offered to hand over his stake in debt-laden Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) to the government or any other entity that the government may consider worthy to keep the company operational. The billionaire businessman made the offer in June in a letter to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. According to official data, VIL had an adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liability of Rs 58,254 crore out of which the company has paid Rs 7,854.37 crore and Rs 50,399.63 crore is outstanding. VIL alongwith Bharti Airtel had approached the Supreme Court for correction in the government calculations but their plea was rejected. In the letter, Birla, who holds around 27 per cent stake in VIL, said investors are not willing to invest in the company in the absence of clarity on AGR liability, adequate moratorium on spectrum payments and most importantly floor pricing regime above the cost of service. Without immediate active support from the government on the three issues by July, the financial situation of VIL will come to an "irretrievable point of collapse," Birla said in the letter dated June 7. "It is with a sense of duty towards the 27 crore Indians connected by VIL, I am more than willing to hand over my stake in the company to any entity- public sector/government /domestic financial entity or any other that the government may consider worthy of keeping the company as a going concern," Birla said in the letter. There were no immediate comments from either Aditya Birla group or VIL on the issue. Further, it could not be ascertained whether there were any other communications between Birla and the government after the June 7 letter. In September 2020, VIL had received approval from its board to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore. However, the company has not been able to raise the funds so far. According to Birla's letter, VIL has not yet approached any Chinese investors. Foreign investors, mostly non-Chinese, are hesitating in making investment in the company for understandable reasons, he added. VIL's gross debt, excluding lease liabilities, stood at Rs 1,80,310 crore as of March 31, 2021. The amount included deferred spectrum payment obligations of Rs 96,270 crore and debt from banks and financial institutions of Rs 23,080 crore apart from the AGR liability. Live TV #mute New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal government on Tuesday approved a 66 per cent hike in the salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs as proposed by the Centre, but expressed discontent that they were still among the lowest-paid legislators in the country. The hike that comes after a decade was given the nod at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and raises the existing monthly salary and allowances from Rs 54,000 to Rs 90,000, said a Delhi government statement. The Kejriwal government had requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that the salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs should be at par with those from other states, it said. However, the MHA "restricted the proposal" of the Delhi government and capped the salary to only Rs 30,000, it added. "The BJP and Congress ruled states are currently paying 1.5 to 2 times higher salaries and allowances. The restriction imposed by the Centre has forced Delhi's MLAs to be amongst the lowest earning MLAs in the country," it said. The Delhi government had proposed a salary of Rs 54,000 for the MLAs at par with other states, however, the MHA did not allow this to happen and restricted it to Rs 30,000, government said. "Now the salary plus allowances of the MLAs of Delhi has been restricted by the MHA to Rs 90,000," it said. Earlier, the MLAs were paid Rs 54,000 per month including Rs 12,000 salary and the remaining amount as allowances. The constituency allowance has been increased from Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000, secretarial allowance from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, telephone allowance from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and conveyance allowance from Rs 6000 to Rs 10,000. The salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs were last revised in 2011. Several BJP, Congress and regional party ruled states provide much more monthly salaries to their MLAs, even though living costs in Delhi are higher than most parts of India, the government said citing examples of Uttarakhand (Rs 1.98 lakh), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 1.9 lakh), Haryana (Rs 1.55 lakh), Bihar (Rs 1.3 lakh), Rajasthan (Rs 1.42 lakh) and Telangana (Rs 2.5 lakh). Many states provide several other perks to their MLAs like house rent, office rent and staff expenses, allowance for buying office equipment, vehicle, and driver allowance, that the Delhi government does not do. Delhi MLAs are also entitled to a daily allowance of Rs 1,000 (subject to a maximum of 40 days per year) for attending Assembly session or committee meetings, conveyance advance up to Rs 4,00,000 (repayable within office term), free medical facilities, Rs 4000 per month for electricity and water facility, annual travelling facility worth Rs 50,000, and Rs 30,000 per month for hiring two data entry operators. The government statement did not mention any change in these allowances. The proposal for an increase in the salary and allowances of Delhi MLAs was pending with the MHA for the last 5 years, the government claimed. "After several discussions, the MHA decided to restrict the increase to up to Rs 90,000 per month," it said. The Delhi Cabinet approved the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, (Amendment) Bill 2021 and MLAs/Speaker-Dy Speaker/Chief Whip/Leader of Opposition of Legislative Assembly of Delhi (Amendment) Bills 2021. After the Cabinet nod, the proposal and draft bills will be sent for MHA's approval before being placed in Delhi Assembly, it said. In December 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party government had got a bill passed in the Delhi Assembly raising emoluments of MLAs to Rs 2.10 lakh per month. The bill, however, became null and void as prior permission was not taken from the authorities concerned before tabling it in the Assembly. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP MLA Vijender Gupta "condemned" the AAP government for accusing the Centre of restricting the proposed hike. "Last year, they had sent a proposal for Rs 2.10 lakh per month salary and allowances which is a 400 per cent hike and cannot be justified. The Centre had approved the increase in the MLAs salary and perks six months ago and the blame put on it for delay by Kejriwal government is wrong," Gupta said. Former Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma said the AAP government should also proportionately increase allowances of its employees and wages of workers who were worst hit by the Covid pandemic and lockdown. Live TV Kolkata: The bodies of two BJP workers were found in different parts of West Bengal on Tuesday (August 3), with the saffron party claiming that they were killed by miscreants sheltered by the ruling Trinamool Congress. The Trinamool Congress, however, rubbished the allegation levelled by BJP. Police said BJP worker Indrajit Sutradhar was found hanging from the ceiling of a room with hands tied from behind in an abandoned building at Khoirasol in Birbhum district. The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination. Though prima facie it appeared to be a case of murder, the autopsy report will confirm the exact cause and circumstances, a police officer told PTI. Local BJP leaders said Sutradhar was murdered by criminals sheltered by the TMC. Family members of Sutradhar said the middle-aged man was missing since Monday night, and that he had personal enmity with some locals. The body of another BJP worker, Tapan Khatua (45), was fished out from a pond at Egra in Purbo Medinipur district earlier in the day, the officer said. The BJP and the family of Khatua blamed the ruling party for his death. The local TMC leadership has rubbished the charges, asserting that Sutradhar was killed due to a personal feud and Khatua was suspected to have committed suicide. A police investigation is underway into the deaths. Live TV New Delhi: The Centre on Monday (August 2, 2021) rushed a high-level team to Maharashtra after the state reported its first Zika virus case. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare rushed a multidisciplinary team to monitor the situation and support the state government in the management of Zika cases. A 50-year-old woman from Belsar village in Purandar tehsil (Pune) was diagnosed with the Zika virus infection on July 30. The three-member Central team consists of a public health expert from the office of Regional Director (Pune), a gynaecologist from Lady Hardinge Medical College (Delhi) and an entomologist from the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), ICMR (Delhi). The Health Ministry informed that the team will assess whether the Union Health Ministry's Action Plan for Zika Management is being implemented or not. They will also recommend necessary public health interventions for the management of Zika in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Pune district health officer Dr Bhagwan Pawar has said that surveillance has been increased in four to five villages within the radius of the Belsar village. "Samples of suspected patients are being collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The breeding spots of mosquitoes are being destroyed in villages," he said. This is to be noted that the Zika virus spreads mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, which bites during the day. The same mosquito transmits other diseases like dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. (With agency inputs) Live TV Srinagar: A police constable and a civilian were injured on Tuesday as militants opened fire at security forces in Khanyar area of the city, an official said. The ultras attacked a security forces' party in Khanyar in the old city area of the valley, the police official said. Further details are awaited. Live TV New Delhi: With the COVID-19 caseload going down, many schools have been reopening in 9 states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh. Preparations have been made to open schools in Uttar Pradesh. Schools will be opened with 50 per cent capacity from August 16. Meantime, reports have suggested that the concern of other state governments including parents preparing to open schools has increased. According to a report, since the reopening of schools in Maharashtra, 613 children have been found infected. After the COVID-19 second wave Maharashtra government was the first to open schools from class VIII to XII in areas where new cases of infection were not coming from July 15. 613 school children were infected in Solapur. So far 613 students have been infected in the district after the school opened. Despite this, no order has been issued by the government regarding the closure of the school. 6 children infected According to reports, six children of two government schools in Fatehabad, Haryana have been confirmed to be infected. Health officials said that these children have been kept separately. Schools have been opened in the state from July 16 for classes IX to XII and from July 23 for classes VI to VIII. At the same time, classes from 9th to 12th are going on in Gujarat from July 25 with half the capacity. While colleges have also been opened from July 15. Apart from this, schools in Odisha, Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka have been opened with conditions. However, attendance has not been made mandatory by the schools yet. State governments to decide soon If children continue to fall prey to coronavirus infection in the same way, the central and state governments will need to make a decision. At the same time, health experts say that if the situation remains the same, then decision to close the schools can be taken by the central government. Ranchi: Payal, a 16-year-old girl of the Birhor tribe, became the first female from the tribe to pass the matriculation examination. Birhor is one of the primitive tribes in Jharkhand and residing in different parts of the state for ages. Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribagh district, Aditya Kumar Anand, said it was a great achievement for the district as most of the Birhor girls and boys show no interest to attend classes despite the efforts. But Payal showed great interest in studies stated a PTI report. We will provide all the assistance to this girl and other Birhor girls in the district to go after education, said Anand. In addition to that state government will also provide financial aid and stipends for higher education. According to a PTI report, the daughter of Andhnu Birhor became the first girl amongst the 36 groups in the district to pass the matriculation examination after the results were declared on Sunday (August 1) I am feeling proud for being the first girl student amongst the 36 tandas of Hazaribag district to pass the matriculation examination, Payal told PTI. Payal studied at Pariyojana Ucha Vidyalay in Kandsar of the Hazaribagh district. Her mother Sundari Devi thanked the principal of the school Upendra Narayan Singh and said that his guidance inspired Payal to continue her studies. Payal's ambition is to go for higher studies but she will also encourage other girls in the district to carry on with their studies who dropped out of the school. The Block Education Officer of Kathamsandi, Jagannath Prashad said Payals success will definitely encourage other Birhor girls to take interest in studies. Live TV New Delhi: India saw a drastic decline in the daily number of COVID-19 cases and recorded 30,549 new infections, as per the data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday (August 3, 2021) morning. The Health Ministry also informed that the country reported 422 coronavirus-related deaths and 38,887 recoveries in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of cases has increased to 3,17,26,507, whereas, the death toll stands at 4,25,195 ALSO READ | COVID-19 leaked from Wuhan lab in China, claims US Republican report India's active coronavirus count has now dropped to 4,04,958, as compared to 4,13,718 on Monday. This is to be noted that India had recorded more than 40,000 new cases for the past six consecutive days and on Monday, the country had registered 40,134 fresh infections. India on July 27 had witnessed less than 30,000 new COVID-19 cases, which was the lowest single-day rise after 132 days but registered 43,654 cases on July 28, the highest in over three weeks. The country has so far conducted 47.12 crore tests and the weekly positivity rate is currently at 2.39%, while the daily positivity rate stands at 1.85%. Meanwhile, a total of 47.85 crores of COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country, of which, more than 61.09 lakh doses were given in the last 24 hours. ALSO READ | India considering health restrictions on travellers from Pakistan Live TV New Delhi: A task force of four warships from the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet is scheduled to proceed on an over two-month overseas deployment to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific, which will include exercises with Quad partners the United States, Japan and Australia, the Defence Ministry announced. The deployment of the Indian Naval task force will begin early this month and includes guided-missile destroyer Ranvijay, guided-missile frigate Shivalik, anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt and guided-missile corvette Kora. The latter three ships are indigenously designed and are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors, and are Made in India by Defence Shipyards, a Defence Ministry press release said. The warships will participate in a series of exercises during the two-month deployment, including the Malabar 2021 naval exercises with US, Japanese and Australian forces. In other bilateral exercises during the deployment, the Indian warships will work with naval units from South China Sea littoral states, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Defence Ministry said. During the deployment in the Indo Pacific, the ships are scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises with the Vietnamese Peoples' Navy, the Republic of Philippines Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy (SIMBEX), Indonesian Navy (Samudra Shakti) and Royal Australian Navy (AUS-INDEX). Further, they would also participate in multilateral exercise MALABAR-21 alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy in Western Pacific. "These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea," the release said. "The deployment of the Indian Navy ships seeks to underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo Pacific," the defence ministry said. The Indian Navy undertakes regular deployments to friendly foreign countries and Indian and the Pacific Ocean regions in furtherance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s initiative of `Security and Growth for All in the Region - SAGAR'. Further, such engagements build 'Bridges of Friendship' and strengthen international cooperation.Moreover, it will enhance military cooperation with friendly countries which is India`s pursuit as per 'Act East' policy. The South China Sea has become a hotbed of naval activity in recent weeks. Last week, a British aircraft carrier strike group transited the 1.3 million square mile waterway, while an American surface action group and forces from China`s People`s Liberation Army staged exercises in it. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, turning numerous obscure reefs and sandbars throughout the waterway into man-made artificial islands heavily fortified with missiles, runways and weapons systems. Live TV Srinagar: A Pakistani terrorist belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit, who escaped Shokbaba encounter on 24 July, was killed on Tuesday (August 3) at Chandajji forest area in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora. The terrorist, who was identified as Babar Ali, was one of the four terrorists who were engaged in an encounter with the security forces in Shokbaba. While the other three were killed, Babar Ali had managed to escape. In a statement, the security forces said that they were continuously tracking the terrorist since the encounter last month. In furtherance of the tracking and after pinpointing his presence in Chandajji forest area today a joint operation was launched by Police, 26 Assam Rifles and CRPF in the said area, the forces said in a statement. During the search operation, the hiding terrorist fired upon the search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, the hiding terrorist Babar Ali resident of Ugada district of Punjab Pakistan was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter, they added. The forces said they recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK-rifle, two AK-magazines, 40 AK-rounds, one pouch, one wireless set and one medicine bag from the site of encounter. The police have registered a case in the matter and an investigation has been initiated. Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists including top LeT Commander killed in night Sopore encounter Live TV New Delhi: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBHSE) is all set to announce the results for class 12 today (August 3, 2021). Over 16 lakh students are waiting for the Maharashtra Board to announce the Class 12th or HSC result. Once declared, the result will be available on the official website of the board- mahahsscboard.in and mh-ssc.ac.in, and the students can check it through their roll number and registration number. Heres how to check Maharashtra Board Class 12 Results 2021: Step 1: Visit the official Maharashtra results website- maharashtraeducation.com. Step 2: Click on the Maharashtra Class 12 results 2021 link. ALSO READ | Maharashtra HSC result 2021: MSBSHSE website not working? Check on THESE alternative websites, app Step 3: New tab will open up, enter your credentials and log in. Step 4: Your Maharashtra HSC Class 12 result will be displayed on your screen. Step 5: Download and take a printout of the result for future reference. ALSO READ | Maharashtra HSC result 2021: MSBSHSE releases class 12 roll number at mh-hsc.ac.in, results likely today The students need to note that this year the Maharashtra Board had cancelled the class 12 exams in view of the COVID-19 situation and has opted for an alternative mode of assessment, all students who had registered for the MSBHSE HSC exam 2021 will be declared to pass. As per the new evaluation criteria released by the state board, 40 percent weightage will be given to internals and unit tests of class 12, 30 percent weightage to best of three subjects scores in class 10 and 30 percent to class 11 exam. Live TV New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the top Opposition leaders to unite against the Narendra Modi government over its alleged role in the Pegasus snooping scandal. Rahul Gandhi made this appeal to the Opposition leaders during a breakfast meeting called by him in the national capital to decide on a united strategy to take on the Modi government over the Pegasus snooping issue. The single most important thing in my view is that we unite this force. The more this voice (of the people) unites, the more powerful this voice will become, the more difficult it'll become for BJP-RSS to suppress it, Rahul reportedly told the Opposition leaders. Apart from around 100 MPs of the Congress, leaders of several opposition parties, including Trinamool Congress, were present at the meeting. TMC had earlier skipped the previous such meetings called by Rahul Gandhi. The Gandhi scion had called the breakfast meeting to discuss the strategy to take on the BJP-led government in the remaining part of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on issues being raised by opposition including alleged surveillance through Pegasus spyware. Opposition parties have been forcing adjournments in the two Houses of Parliament on their demands which include a probe into the surveillance allegations. During the meeting, the top opposition leaders deliberated on ways to increase pressure on the government over the issues being raised by them. After the conclusion of their meeting, Rahul and other Opposition leaders cycled their way to the Parliament. #WATCH | Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders ride bicycles to the Parliament, after the conclusion of their breakfast meeting. pic.twitter.com/5VF6ZJkKCN ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021 The Parliament session began on July 19 and is slated to conclude on August 13. Leaders from nearly 14 parties including the Left parties, RJD, Samajwadi Party, BSP, TMC, DMK, NCP, Shiv Sena, Aam Aadmi Party, Muslim League and National Conference had earlier signalled their presence during the meeting. The opposition parties have been seeking a court-monitored probe in allegations concerning surveillance through Pegasus spyware. The government has denied opposition allegations. Opposition parties had met last week to put forth their demands on the issue. Rahul Gandhi was also present. The opposition leaders later jointly addressed the media. Rahul Gandhi has been active on the Pegasus issue and `breakfast politics` is also being seen as an exercise by the Congress leader to emerge as the face of the opposition. Last week, Rahul Gandhi caused a surprise by reaching Parliament on a tractor in support of the farmers` demand for repeal of three farm laws. Live TV NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government has laid out guidelines for the operation of spa and massage centres in the city while laying out strict measures to ensure the prohibition of sexual abuse and trafficking, and safeguards to ensure the security of consumers as well as employees. The guidelines which were issued for obtaining Health Trade Licences and operating Spa & Massage Centres in the city were approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (August 2, 2021). The guidelines strictly prohibit any kind of cross-gender massage in the premises while laying guidelines for the protection of children from sexual offences, preventing sexual harassment, and trafficking among others. After the issue was flagged by the Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson, a task force was constituted to investigate the report submitted by DCW, take appropriate legal action and review the functioning of the establishments. The guidelines have been made while keeping in mind the safety and security of the consumers as well as the employees on the premises. The order lays out some specific provisions that the centres will have to follow to ensure utmost safety inside their premises like provisions of self-closing doors and prohibition on latches and bolts inside the doors of the massage centre chambers while keeping external doors open during working hours. The centres will also need to have separate toilets & bathrooms for males and females as well as separate changing rooms. The centres will only be able to employ people aged above 18 who possess a degree/diploma/certificate in physiotherapy, acupressure or occupational therapy. They will also need to obtain Police Clearance Certificates for all employees and undertake police verification of the premises. The Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women had earlier informed about various irregularities and sexual abuse of girls/women employed at the spa centres. A task force was constituted in this regard by the Delhi Government to investigate into the report submitted by DCW, take appropriate legal action and review the functioning of the establishments. Suggestions from the Delhi Commission for Women were incorporated further into the guidelines. MANDATORY CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING THE LICENCE (a) Engaging in any form of sexual activity in the premises of the Spa Massage centre is totally prohibited. (b) Cross-gender massage shall not be allowed in Spa/Massage centres Provision for male masseur for massage of males and female masseur for massage of females shall be made. (c) Male and female Spa centers shall be in different sections of the premises and clearly demarcated with separate entry and no inter-connection. (d) The Spa/Massage centre services shall not be provided behind locked doors. There shall be no latchet and bolt inside the doors of SPA/Massage Centre chambers. There shall be provision of self-closing doors. (e) The external doors of the massage/spa establishment shall be kept open during working hours. (f) Mandatory provision for production of ID cards of all customers shall be ensured and proper register containing their contact details including phone numbers and ID proof shall be maintained. (g) The Spa Massage centres can remain open only between 9 am to 9 pm. (h) Proper lighting facilities shall be provided in each room or enclosure. (i) The Spa/Massage centre shall have separate toilet & bathroom for males and females with proper drainage system (j) The Spa/ Massage centre shall have separate changing rooms for males and females. (k) The premises shall not be used for residential purposes nor it shall communicate with any residential portion of the premises, if any. (l) The Spa/Massage Centre shall ensure cleaning of the premises by employment of employees necessary for cleaning /Housekeeping work etc. (m) Each masseur/masseuse employed at the centre shall possess a degree/diploma/certificate in physiotherapy/acupressure or occupational therapy. (n) The details of all employees including housekeeping staff shall be maintained in a register. (o) All employees shall wear an ID card issued by the employer and displayed while they are working. (p) All employees for this trade shall be at least 18 years of age. (q) Local Body shall obtain the Police verification of the Owner/Manager of Spa/Massage Centre before issuing Health Trade License to the Spa/Massage Centre along with premises verification. (r) There should be no criminal cases pending and no involvement in the Criminal action related to The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act or any case of nature of sexual crime registered against any employee of the Spa/Massage Centre. The Owner/Manager of the Spa/Massage centre shall obtain Police Clearance Certificate(PCC) before engagement of any person in employment at the Centre (s) The Spa/massage centre shall not violate any laws in force especially the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and shall abide by all the applicable laws, rules and guidelines. (t) The name, licence number, details of licence, working hours of each centre shall be displayed in the premises or building in a manner clearly visible from outside. (u) Details of licencee, manager, employees, working hours of services, types of massages of services available including fees fixed for each item thereof shall be also displayed prominently. (v) Display Boards in both English and Hindi shall be displayed at appropriate place at the reception containing the following information i Site plan of the premises. ii. Number of beds category-wise for male and female. iii. Details of the employees containing their designation and qualification. iv. Helpline numbers for customers i.e. 112 & 181. v. Declaration stating that "The spa massage centre is for spa & massage purpose only. If any customer employee/ employer is found involved in sexual abuse, then legal action as per the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and/or any other law will be taken against them. The same can be reported by calling at 112 & 181 (w) CCTV cameras with recording facility shall be installed at Entrance, reception and common areas of the centre. Recording must be retained for at least three months. (x) Internal complaint committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place Act shall be established in the centre where more than 10 employees are working. The existence of such a committee should be displayed at a prominent location. Reports as per law should be sent to the concerned authorities. (y) COVID appropriate behaviour shall be adhered by the Spa/Massage Centres as prescribed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India from time to time. The Spa/Massage Centres must also abide by the directions of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in the matter W.P.(C) 6555/2020 and W.P.(C).7366/2020. (z) An undertaking/declaration shall be submitted in the form of an Affidavit (as per Annexure) along with the application for obtaining health trade licence for complying with all the above conditions. INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT a) The heath trade licence shall be issued by the local body only after inspection of the premises. b) The health officials, police officers and other concerned authorities shall have the authority to inspect the premises, licence, registers/all records of the Spa/Massage centres to verify the compliance with the above conditions or on suspicion of commission of any offence by the licencee/ employees related to any law in force. c) In case of any violation of the guidelines, penal action shall be taken as per the applicable laws of the concerned Local Body. d) In case of any criminal activity by the Spa/Massage Centre, action as per law shall be taken. New Delhi: An unidentified terrorist has been killed in an ongoing operation in bandipora. Earlier in the wee hours an encounter started between security forces and terrorists in Chandaji area of district bandipora in North kashmir. Kashmir zone police tweeted #Encounter has started at Chandaji area of #Bandipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice A police officer said As the joint searching team of security forces launched the cordon and search operation on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in area the hiding terrorists fired upon the searching team when they zero in the suspected spot the fire was retaliated he said and a encounter started. Police claimed that in that ongoing operation one terrorist was killed. #BandiporaEncounterUpdate: 01 unidentified #terrorist killed. #Search going on. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice Police twitted This is the first encounter of month of August in last month 13 encounters happened and security forces claimed that they have killed 90 terrorists including todays one this year and also said the number of killed terrorists is less then previous years but this year only top commanders got killed which they believe is big success for the forces in Kashmir. Meanwhile Jammu-Kashmir police quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has published the list of ten most wanted terrorists of Kashmir who are alive and are on prime target of security forces. Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress-led Opposition for continuously disrupting the Parliament over the Pegasus alleged snooping scandal. PM slammed opposition members for tearing papers in Parliament and making "derogatory" remarks on the way the important bills have been passed. Hitting out at the Opposition during the BJP parliamentary meeting, the PM said, They (opposition) are insulting the Parliament and the Constitution by not allowing the House to function properly. The PM also took a strong objection to a tweet by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O`Brien comparing the passing of legislation to the making of a "papri chaat". Briefing reporters, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the Prime Minister told the BJP MPs that by using this language, TMC has insulted the Parliament and people of the country who have elected MPs. "Prime Minister was anguished at the language used. This happened for the first time as well that these people snatch papers from the minister`s hand and don`t apologize for doing so. This shows arrogance on part of the opposition," Joshi said while quoting the Prime Minister. Such comments are "derogatory" of parliamentary procedure and esteem of elected representatives, Muraleedharan said quoting PM Modi. The conduct of the Opposition is an "insult" to Parliament and the Constitution, Joshi said, quoting the Prime Minister. BJP Parliamentary party meeting held today in Delhi. PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party national president JP Nadda and other leaders were present. pic.twitter.com/wxNtR7z8kM ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021 Union Minister V Muraleedharan said though PM Modi started the parliamentary party meeting with happy news of the GST collection of Rs 1.16 lakh crores and medals in the Tokyo Olympics, he was pained and anguished at the actions of the opposition. "A tweet by senior MP about the passage of bills is derogatory of the proceedings and against the esteem of the elected representatives of the country. The Prime Minister also mentioned that we will not let any stone unturned to fulfil the commitment to the people of the country," the minister added. The PM further said that PM Modi was also anguished by the acts of the opposition in the House. "Parliament and the Constitution are being insulted by the acts of the opposition in both Houses. The person who snatched and tore the paper in the house is not at all repentant," said the minister while quoting PM Modi. The PM spoke also about e-Rupi and its benefits and beginning today massive food grain distribution drive will begin under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana. "Today, it will be done in Gujarat and on 5th it will be done in Uttar Pradesh and on 7th in MP. On 9th August on the anniversary of Quit India movement PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will be given to farmers," added Muraleedharan. Senior MPs under the leadership of J P Nadda felicitated and thanked PM Modi for the allocation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs and 10 per cent for EWS in medical colleges. Live TV New Delhi: For the ease of the Aadhaar card users, UIDAI has allowed the facility to update their address in the absence of document proof. Aadhaar card holders can update their address where they are presently residing with the consent and authentication of the address verifier. The address verifier could be aa family member, relative, friends or landlord, who is willing to let the Aadhaar card holder use their address as proof. Follow these 4 steps to change address in your Aadhaar card without address proof Step 1 : Resident will have to Initiate Request 1. Resident needs to Log in with Aadhaar 2. Enters Verifier Aadhaar 3. Receives SRN Step 2 : Address Verifier needs to give consent for which the Address Verifier Receives Link for consent in his/her mobile 1. Clicks on link 2. Logs in with Aadhaar 3. Gives consent Step 3 : Resident needs to Submit Request for which resident receives confirmation of Verifier Consent on mobile 1. Logs in with SRN 2. Previews Address 3. Edits Local Language (if required) 4. Submits Request Step 4 : Use Secret Code to complete the process 1. Resident receives the Letter and Secret Code via Post 2. Logs into Online Address Update Portal 3. Updates Address via Secret Code 4. Reviews new address and submits final request 5. URN received for checking status in future However, it must be noted that the resident and Address Verifier both are required to have their mobile registered or updated in Aadhaar. Both are required to be in sync and in agreement while the Request for Address Validation Letter is still in process. In case the Address Verifier misses giving consent within stipulated time the request will be invalid. The Resident will be required to initiate the process again. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Lakhs of farmers who have been waiting for the 9th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme may heave a sigh of relief next week. PM-KISAN Scheme aims to provide income support of of Rs 6000 to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. In a financial year, PM KISAN installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March. As per reports in the media, the 9th installment of the PM KISAN will be credited in the account of farmers on August 9. Farmers of Uttar Pradesh will get it on August 5, while MP farmers will get it on August 7. You can now check your name via PM KISAN website and also using the mobile App. Meanwhile, for a better and hassle free access, government has issued a series of hotline numbers, using which you can lodge your grievances. Also, you can check your credit details by logging onto the following direct link. https://pmkisan.gov.in/BeneficiaryStatus.aspx - You can check your credit details via three modes. 1. Aadhar Number 2. Account Number 3. Mobile Number - Punch in your desired list and press enter. - Now, you can check your details. Live TV #mute New Delhi: In a bid to safeguard the interest of the customers, countrys largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new and enhanced security feature SIM Binding in YONO and YONO Lite. The new version of these platforms will protect customers from various digital frauds. With the SIM Binding feature YONO and YONO Lite will work only on those devices which have SIM of mobile numbers registered with the Bank. To access to the new version of SBI YONO and YONO Lite with enhanced security features, users will have to update their mobile app and complete the one-time registration process on these Apps. The registration process verifies the SIM of the registered mobile number (RMN) with the bank in order to complete the registration. Customers will have to ensure that they register themselves with the device which has the SIM of the registered contact number. YONO and YONO Lite will work with the basic rule of One Mobile Device - One User One RMN. However, the customer can use both YONO and YONO Lite in the same mobile device using the SIM of RMN with the bank. In case the customer is using mobile number, which is not registered with the bank, they will be unable to complete the registration process on YONO and YONO Lite. The new SIM binding feature will also allow two different users to access YONO and YONO Lite separately in a dual SIM handset, provided that SIMs of the RMN of both the users are inserted in the device. Consequently, customers can dial 1800111101 for YONO SBI and 1800112211 for YONO Lite. The integrated digital and lifestyle platform by SBI - YONO has over 37 million registered users, which witnesses 9 million logins per day. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Actor and former Bigg Boss Tamil season 2 contestant Yashika Aannand, who recently met with a severe accident mourned the death of her best friend Pavani who died on the spot while she was travelling in a car with 3 other friends on the night of July 25. Sharing the post on her Instagram, she wrote, I really can't express what I am going through right now! I will forever feel guilty to be alive!! I don't know if I should thank god for saving me from the tragic accident or blame god whole life for taking away my bestest friend away from me. I really miss Pavani. I know you can never forgive me!! I am really sorry, I put your family in a such a horrible situation. Just know I miss u each second and I am forever guilty to be alive. Hope your soul rest in peace I pray you come back to me!! Hope someday your family forgives me! I'll forever cherish our memories paw!. In the same post, she continued, I wont be celebrating my birthday and request all of my fans also to not celebrate my birthday! Please pray for her family. God give them more strength. Biggest loss of my life. Please someday forgive me. I miss you (sic). Sharing a picture of her best friend, she wrote, In my life, I never thought I would be the reason for u to not be with us today! RIP my beautiful angel. Love you abundantly (sic). Yashika also gave her fans her health update and urged everyone not to celebrate her birthday which is on August 4. For the unversed, Yashika and her friends were travelling in a car when her vehicle fell into a roadside pit on the East Coast Road near Chennai on July 25. As quoted by The Times of India, the incident happened at Sulerikadu near Mamallapuram around 11.50pm, and her best friend Pavani died on the spot. The locals tried their best to rescue the other three members from the car. They were soon rushed to the nearby hospital for proper treatment as they suffered severe injuries. Police said that Yashika and her other friends had rented a room in Mamallapuram to spend the weekend there. As soon as the news of Yashikas accident came out in public, wishes for speedy recovery continue pouring in for the actress. Yashika shot to fame with films like -- Zombie, NOTA, Kazhugu 2, Mookuthi Amman among others. New Delhi: As Bigg Boss OTT is about to start from August 8, the makers have finally released the first promo of the show where Karan Johar can be seen giving some intriguing hints about the upcoming show. The most-controversial reality show will witness Karan as its new host on the OTT platform and will also give the audience a chance to choose punishments for the contestants. Sharing more deets about the show, he also said that the USP of the show is that for the first time the audience will have 24x7 LIVE access to enjoy direct and deeper engagement, connection, and indulgence in the comings and goings of the house through just a click. Speaking about the upcoming show, Karan shared, Being a fan of the show, Im excited about the new elements weve introduced to Bigg Boss OTT. Im eagerly waiting to see the viewers participation in the show that takes over-the-top to an altogether new higher level. Not to forget, Im also eagerly looking forward to seeing what kinds of punishment the audiences will give to the contestants. Inviting audiences for the exciting times ahead, he signs off saying, Mere saath Bigg Boss OTT ke maze loot... First time 24x7 only on Voot. For the unversed, as per the rules, no contestant can take any communication device with him/her into the house. So come what may, Karan will never be seen as a contestant in this reality show. KJo will anchor the drama for the six week run of "Bigg Boss OTT", which premieres on August 8. After the completion of the digital exclusive, the show will move seamlessly into Colors with the launch of Season 15 of 'Bigg Boss'. "Bigg Boss OTT", which will stream on Voot, will introduce a 'janta' factor. The new format will give the common man the uncommon powers of "Bigg Boss OTT" by enabling them to handpick contestants and the contestants' stay, tasks and exit from the show. New Delhi: Jodha Akbar and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor Lokendra Singh Rajawat had to get one of his legs below the knee amputated due to high blood sugar levels. The actor has been facing financial woes and has been under high stress since the COVID-19 pandemic affected his work, with no significant job offers in hand. I could do nothing. I was working so well before the COVID pandemic, work started decreasing a lot and there was a certain amount of financial stress at home, shared the actor with ETimes. Lokendra underwent surgery at Mumbais Bhaktivedanta Hospital for his leg amputation. Talking about it, the actor revealed, It all began when I developed a corn in my right foot and I neglected it. It became an infection that percolated into the bone marrow and in no time, had spread in my body. I developed gangrene. The only way to save myself was to get the corned leg amputated till the knee. The actor regrets not taking proper care of his health, which led to this tragedy. I wish I had taken care when my diabetes began about 10 years ago. We actors often have no fixed timings when shooting and our erratic hours of lunch and work have an adverse effect on our health. Add this to the stress. All this leads to diabetes and not if you are fond of sweets, said the 50 years old. The actor has received financial help from Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) for his surgery. The actor is planning to get an artificial leg after his wound heals. Apart from television shows, Lokendra Singh Rajawat, has also been part of films like Ranbir Kapoors Jagga Jasoos and Meezaan Jaferis Malaal. Ankara: The sky in Turkeys Izmir turned bright green after a meteor crashed into the Earth's atmosphere in the early hours of Saturday (July 31). In a video, an object is seen streaking over the city of Izmir and it disappears leaving a green flare behind. This situation sparked speculations of the object being a falling satellite or an Unidentified flying object (UFO) among the residents. As per a video shared on the microblogging site Twitter, the incident occurred near the Turkish city of Izmir at around 2 am on Saturday (July 31). One of the videos shows a meteor crashing to the ground causing a loud explosion and changing the skys colour to green for a few seconds. Another video shows the meteor flare in a bright greenish-white before falling towards Earth Meteor in Izmir Turkey. A bizarre green meteor fell to Earth. Footage Shows Meteor turning the sky a Brilliant Green.@AliSahin501 pic.twitter.com/cD10gVqOIv Syed Muhammad Madni (@M1Pak) August 2, 2021 The video went viral and surfaced all over social media platforms. Internet users filled the comment box with the messages praying for Turkey, some considering it UFO while many suggested its a satellite or some intergalactic junk. However, a Turkish astrophysics professor Dr. Hasan Ali Dal cleared the doubts and explained the reason behind the incident. In a Twitter post, he said that the event known as a fireball occurs when a meteor begins to burn up in the atmosphere. Gectigimiz gece saat 01:54 civarnda Izmirde gokyuzunde video kayd yaplan olay bir meteor olaydr. Daha onceki yllarda gunduz saatlerinde yasanms cok benzer bir olayn buradaki video kaydndaki gibi gorunen ve Fireball (Atestopu) olarak bilinen bu olay, pic.twitter.com/tMKe56ClSj Hasan Ali Dal (@hsnldl) July 31, 2021 Dr Hasan Ali wrote: It usually burns away in the upper atmosphere. It should be considered as a more specific version of the phenomenon known as a shooting star among the people and it often experienced during periods of meteorite rains.